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Alphabetical Listing

PART 5
S-Z

Detailed listing (last five days)
[Part 1 New]  
 [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L][Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[Recommended recordings]

 

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 (1872) [18:44]* Cello Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 119 (1902) [18:01]+ La muse et le poète, Op. 132 (1909) [15:45]+# Suite for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 16 (1862) [17:04]+ Prière, Op. 158 (1919) [5:55]^ Steven Isserlis (cello) #Joshua Bell (violin) ^Francis Grier (organ) *London Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas +NDR Symphony Orchestra/Christoph Eschenbach rec. *Blackheath Concert Halls, London, September 1992; ^Eton College Chapel, Windsor, February 1993; +Musikhalle, Hamburg, September 1999 BMG-RCA CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876-65845-2 [76:02][SV]

The two concertos fail to meet expectations but at mid-price, this remains recommendable for the tone-poem and the Suite. ... see Full Review

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Symphony No. 3 'Organ', Op. 78 (1886) see JONGEN

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) The Carnival of the Animals (1886) see PROKOFIEV

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) The Complete Sonatas, Vol. VII – Appendices and Diversities, 57 Sonatas Richard Lester (harpsichord by Michael Cole after Jose Joachim Antunes, Lisbon, 1785) rec. Wistaria Lodge, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, Spring 2004 (CD1) and Spring 2005 (CDs2-3). DDD. NIMBUS RECORDS NI 1731 [3CDs: 75:50 + 73:14 + 71:39] [BW]

These ‘appendices and diversities’, completing Lester’s 7-volume excursion through Scarlatti’s sonatas, are well up to the high standard set by earlier volumes … [BW]
This last volume in Lester’s landmark recording of all Scarlatti’s keyboard sonatas covers items variously excluded from the canon in Volumes I – VII. They are in no way inferior, are played by Lester in his usual expert way and make a happy conclusion to an important and successful series [MS] … see Full Review.

Johannes SCHENCK (1660–c.1720) Il Giardino Armonico – 12 Trio Sonatas Opus III Sonata I in D [05:10] Sonata II in B flat [04:35] Sonata III in g minor [11:13] Sonata IV in d minor [07:31] Sonata V in c minor [05:47] Sonata VI in E [03:56] Sonata VII in f [05:25] Sonata VIII in c [09:29] Sonata IX in A [05:56] Sonata X in b minor [05:27] Sonata XI in a minor [05:31] Sonata XII in d minor [09:01] La Suave Melodia(Rachael Beesley (violin), Cassandra Luckhardt (viola da gamba), Regina Albanez (theorbo), Pieter Dirksen (harpsichord, organ); with Franc Polman (violin))/Pieter Dirksen rec. September 2005, Nederlands Hervormde Kerk, Renswoude, Netherlands DDD ET'CETERA KTC 1356 [79:03] [JV]

These are colourful, energetic and technically immaculate performances of works which are very important additions to the repertoire. I am sure that this very attractive disc will give you as much pleasure as it has given me. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Romantic Poets - Volume 1 1. Die junge Nonne, D828 [4:45] 2. Die Liebe hat gelogen, D751 [2:28] 3. Frühlingsglaube, D686 [3:35] 4. Morgenlied, D685 [3:41] Elf Lieder aus dem Gedichtzyklus “Abendröte” (Schlegel) [29:31] 5. Abendröte, d690 [3:40] 6. Der Schmetterling, D633 [1:25] 7. Das Mädchen, D652 [1:57] 8. Der Knabe, D692 [2:01] 9. Die Rose, D745 [3:05] 10. Der Wanderer, D649 [2:25] 11. Die Berge, D634 [2:04] 12. Der Fluss, D 693[4:48] 13. Die Vögel, D691 [1:04] 14. Die Sterne (Du staunest o Mensch), D684 [3:54] 15. Die Gebüsche, D646 [3:08] Vier Lieder, Op. 59 16. Du liebst mich nicht, D756 [3:22] 17. Dass sie hier gewesen, D775 [3:27] 18. Du bist die Ruh, D776 [3:58] 19. Lachen und Weinen, D777 [1:39] 20. Ariette (from ”Rosamunde”), D797 [3:32] Julia Borchert (soprano), Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) rec. DRS, Zürich, Switzerland, 5-8 May 2004 Sung texts and English translations at: www.naxos.com/libretti/554797.htm NAXOS 8.554797 [59:58][GF]

A lot to admire in this programme and readers who have been following this series should acquire this disc too ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Austrian Contemporaries - Volume 3 1. Himmelsfunken D651 [3:01] 2. Der Mondabend D141 [2:46] 3. Bertas Lied in der Nacht D653 [4:07] 4. Cora an die Sonne D263 [2:09] 5. Mein Gruss an den Mai D305 [3:19] 6. Die Blumensprache D519 [2:15] 7. Der Blumen Schmerz D731 [4:58] 8. Das Lied im Grünen D917 [4:40] 9. Frühlingslied D919 [5:19] 10. An die Sonne D270 [2:59] 11. Lambertine D301 [3:11] 12. Blondel zu Marien D626 [3:57] 13. Der Morgenkuss D264 [2:28] 14. Die Unterscheidung D866/1 [5:23] 15. Die Männer sind méchant D866/3 [2:45] 16. Das Echo D868/990C [4:40] 17. Die Liebe D522 [3:38] 18. Ammenlied D122 [1:44] 19. Die Macht der Liebe D308 [1:41] 20 Abendbilder D650 [6:28] Daniela Sindram (mezzo), Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) rec. Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich, Germany, 24–27 June 2005 NAXOS 8.557833 [71:29][GF]

This disc belongs among the best of those I have heard in this series ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) The Schubert Recordings - Vol.1 Sonata in B flat major Op. posth, D.960 (1828) [40:01] Allegretto in C minor, D. 915 (1827) [6:41] Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94, D.780 (1823-1828) [28:50] Joshua Pierce (piano) rec. New York City, 20 July 1996. DDD MSR CLASSICS MS 1204 [75:31] [TP]

A disc worth hearing, and taster of what may prove to be a valuable Schubert series ... see Full Review

Cyril SCOTT (1879–1970) Piano Concerto No. 1 in C (1913-14): (Allegro maestoso [17:21]; Adagio [10:28]; Allegro poco moderato [11:43]) Early One Morning: Poem for Piano and Orchestra (1931, rev. 1962) [14:47] Piano Concerto No. 2 (c.1958): (Con moto [12:27]; Tranquillo [5:54]; Energico [6:51]) John Ogdon (piano) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Hermann rec. 1977 (Piano Concerto No. 1 in C); 1975 (Early One Morning and Piano Concerto No. 2). ADD LYRITA SRCD.251 [79:44] [EM]

Remarkable and pioneering … both concertos on one disc - clearly a winner. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Karelia Suite, Op. 11 (1893) [15:48] Finlandia, Op. 26 (1899) [7:58] Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op.39 [38:01] Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons rec. Konserthus, Oslo, September 1990. DDD EMI CLASSICS CDC 7542732 [61:50][OEW]

A welcome return for Jansons’ exciting Sibelius. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Kullervo, symphonic poem for soloists, chorus and orchestra Op.7 (1892) [78:29] (I. Introduction: Allegro moderato [14:00] II. Kullervo’s Youth: Grave [15:56] III. Kullervo and his sister: Allegro vivace [24:19] IV. Kullervo goes to war: Alla Marcia [9:38]V. Kullervo’s death: Andante [14:32]) Randi Stene (mezzo); Peter Mattei (baritone) National Male Chorus of Estonia Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo Järvi rec. Stockholm, 14-19 March 1997 VIRGIN CLASSICS 3913632 [78:29] [SH]

Everyone involved in this recording brings the sensitivity needed to articulate what is ‘Baltic’ music as distinct from Scandinavian. It is done to perfection ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto in D minor (1903) [28:07] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D (1878) [31:37] Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Violin Concerto in A minor (1904) [20:10] Jascha Heifetz (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham (Sibelius); Sir John Barbirolli (Tchaikovsky, Glazunov) rec. November 1935 (Sibelius); March 1937 (Tchaikovsky); March 1934, Abbey Road, London (Glazunov); digitally re-mastered, 2006 EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3 61590 2 [80:13] [IL]

Three classic readings by virtuoso Heifetz at the height of his powers. A bargain not to be missed ... see Full Review

Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Cello Concerto in D minor (1879-1880) [27:36] Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat, Op.171 (orch. Geoffrey Bush) (1919) [37:43] Alexander Baillie (cello); Malcolm Binns (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicolas Braithwaite rec. details not given LYRITA SRCD.321 [65:23] [RB]

Two works that add invaluably to the romantic era repertoire ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Sonata in F major for Clarinet and Piano, op. 129 (1911) [18:44] (1) Fantasy no.1 for Clarinet and String Quartet (1921) [11:39] (2) Fantasy no.2 for Clarinet and String Quartet (1922) [14:37] (2) Three Intermezzi for Clarinet and Piano, op. 13 (1879) [08:06] (3) Piano Trio no.3 in A minor, op. 158 – Per aspera ad astra (1918) [20:59] (4) Robert Plane (clarinet) (1, 2, 4), Gould Piano Trio (Lucy Gould (violin) (2, 4), Alice Neary (cello) (2, 4), Benjamin Frith (1, 3, 4)); Mia Cooper (violin) (2), David Adams (viola) (2) rec. 17-19 December 2006, Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, UK NAXOS 8.570416 [74:05][CH]

A Stanford CD première and a convenient grouping of the three chamber works with solo clarinet, in excellent performances. ... see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Tod und Verklärung op.24 (1889) see PROKOFIEV

Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 (1878) [35:28] Sérénade mélancolique, Op. 26 (1875) [9:26] Souvenir d’un lieu cher (orch. Glazunov), Op. 42 (1878) [16:32] Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34 (1877) [5:41] Ilya Kaler (violin) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. 3-10 December, 2004, Studio 5, Russian State Television and Radio Company Kultura. DDD NAXOS 8.557690 [67:08] [TP]

If you are in the market for a new recording of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto this year, have a listen to this one before just buying Fischer’s. You may find, as I did, that you want both ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D (1878) see SIBELIUS


Lasse THORESEN
(b. 1949) The Descent of Luminous Waters (2002) see BEETHOVEN

Francesco TURINI (c.1589-1656) Sonata a 2 violini (1624), Sonata a 3, ‘Il Corosino’ (1624), Sonata a 3, ‘E tanto tempo hormai’ (1624), Somata a 3 (1624), Sinfonia a 3 (1624), Galiarda a 3 (1624) see FONTANA

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Sons of Light (1951) [20:03] (1) Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Mystic Trumpeter op.18 (1904) [19:51] (2) Sir Charles Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Ode on the Nativity (1912) [24:15] (3) Sheila Armstrong (soprano) (2); Teresa Cahill (soprano) (3); Bach Choir (1, 3); Royal College of Music Chorus (1, 3); London Philharmonic Orchestra (1, 3); London Symphony Orchestra (2)/Sir David Willcocks (1, 3); David Atherton (2) rec. March 1980, Kingsway Hall, London (1, 3), no information (2) Texts included LYRITA SRCD.270 [64:13] [CH]

One of Parry’s finest works, magnificently performed, and the best of the two available recordings of "The Sons of Light". ... see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Orchestral Works and British Folk Song Arrangements CD 1 The Wasps: Overture [9:06] Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis [14:15] In the Fen Country - Symphonic Impression [14:15] Variations for Orchestra (arr. Gordon Jacob from 'Variations for Brass Band') [12:06] Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 in E minor [11:09] Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus' [11:07] Romance for strings, piano and harmonica [6:43] CD 2 The Lark Ascending [10:17] Fantasia on Greensleeves [4:23] Concerto Grosso [19:33] English Folk Song Suite (transc. Gordon Jacob) [15:27] British Folk Song Arrangements Sumer is i-cumen in (arr. Chris Hazell) [3:54] The Turtle Dove (arr. Chris Hazell) [5:25] The Keeper (arr. Leslie Pearson) [2:08] The Oak and the Ash (arr. Leslie Pearson) [3:27] Early One Morning (arr. Leslie Pearson) [2:44] John Peel (arr. Chris Hazell) [4:24] The Jolly Miller (arr. Leslie Pearson) [3:23] I will give my love an Apple (arr. Leslie Pearson) [3:22] The British Grenadiers (arr. Leslie Pearson) [3:38] Tommy Reilly (harmonica) (Romance) Iona Brown (violin) (The Lark Ascending) Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner rec. Abbey Road Studios, London, UK, July 1993 (The Wasps, Tallis Fantasia, In the Fen Country, Variations, Norfolk Rhapsody, Dives and Lazarus); Kingsway Hall, London, UK; October 1972 (The Lark Ascending), February 1980 (Greensleeves, English Folk Song Suite, British Folk Song Arrangements); St. John’s Smith’s Square, London, UK, June 1976 (Romance), January 1977 (Concerto Grosso) AUSTRALIAN ELOQUENCE 442 8341 [79:02 + 78:16][EMc]

Overall, then, a good bargain collection of some of this composer’s best loved works ... see Full Review

The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams: Volume 3 Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Story of a Flemish Farm (Suite from the film The Flemish Farm) (1942) [25:08] The Loves of Joanna Godden (ed. Stephen Hogger) (1946) [15:13] Bitter Springs (with Ernest Irving (1878-1953) and ed. Hogger) (1950) [25:57] Ladies of Manchester Chamber Choir/Darius Battiwalla BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Rumon Gamba rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 22-23 June 2005. DDD CHANDOS CHAN10368 [66:37][IL]

A splendid album and important addition to the RVW discography;  taken with Volumes I and II it eclipses all competition in terms of both performance and sound. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Ernani - lyric drama in four acts (1844) Ernani, the bandit - Placido Domingo (ten); Don Carlo, King of Spain - Renato Bruson (bar); Don Ruy de Silva, a Spanish grandee - Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass); Elvira, Silva’s niece and loved by Ernani - Mirella Freni (sop); Don Riccardo, the King’s equerry - Gianfranco Manganotti (ten); Jago, equerry to Silva - Alfredo Giacomotti (bass) Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan/Riccardo Muti rec. live, production by Luca Ranconi, December 1982 EMI CLASSICS 3818842 [47.34 + 80.57] [OW]

A classic reappears at mid-price, this must now be the first choice in this opera ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) The Rise of the North Italian Violin Concerto: 1690-1740, Volume 2. Concerto for violin, strings and continuo in B flat, RV 370 (?1716) [12:22] Arias, for soprano, strings and continuo, from La costanza trionfante degl’amori e de gl’odii, RV 706 (1716) [10:34] Concerto for violin, two violoncellos, strings and continuo in C, RV 561 (1728?) [9:33] Concerto/Sinfonia for strings and continue in E, RV 134 [6:19] Concerto senza cantin, for violin, strings and continuo in D, RV 243 [10:33] Arias for soprano, strings and continuo, from La fida ninfa, RV 714 (1732) [12:08] Concerto for violin, strings and continuo in E flat, RV 254 [14:48] Adrian Chandler (violin, director), Mhairi Lawson (soprano), Sarah McMahon, Gareth Deats (cello), La Serenissima. rec. 4-7 March 2007, Studio 1, The Warehouse, London. All texts and translations included. AVIE AV 2128 [76:38] [GPu]

An outstanding collection, vividly characterised and full of energy, of fine - but not over-familiar - music … see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerti per violoncello, Vol. 1 Concerto for cello, in A minor, RV419 [9:25] Concerto for cello, in F major, RV410 [12:01] Concerto for cello and bassoon, in E minor, RV409 [7:37] Concerto for piccolo cello, in G major, RV414 [9:52] Concerto for cello, in D minor, RV406 [10:04] Concerto for cello, in C major, RV398 [7:38] Concerto for cello, in A minor, RV421 [7:58] Christophe Coin (cello) Alberto Guerra (bassoon) Il Giardino Armonico/Giovanni Antonini rec. February and August, 2006, Centro Culturale, Dobbiaco, Italy NAÏVE OP 30426 [65:16][GPu]

Distinctively introspective, subtle readings of some of Vivaldi’s finest cello concertos … see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678–1741) Double concerto for 2 guitars in G Major, RV 532 [11.39] Trio Sonata in C major, RV82 [10.03] Concerto for guitar in D major, RV 93 [10.10] Trio Sonata in B minor, RV 85 (orig. in G minor) [9.10] Concerto for guitar, in C major, RV 425 [8.45] Sylvius Leopold WEISS (1685–1750) Sonata in A major [11.12] Peter Katona (guitar); Zoltan Katona (guitar) Carducci String Quartet (Michelle Fleming, Matthew Denton (violins); Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola); Emma Denton (cello)) Jeroen van Keulen (double-bass) rec. October 2006, Doopsgezinde Kerk, Deventer, The Netherlands CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA23707 [62.31] [RH]

A well structured programme with fine guitar playing. Will not necessarily please purists, but everyone else can simply enjoy a fine recital ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) CD1 Rienzi: Overture (1842) [12:00] Lohengrin: Prelude to Act I (1850) [8:58] Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III (1850) [2:58] Parsifal: Prelude to Act I (1882) [13:27] Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act I (1865) [10:42] Eine Faust-Overtüre (1840) [11:52] Die Feen: Overture (1833) [10:56] Kinderkatechismus (1873) [2:24] CD2 Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude to Act I (1868) [9:11] Tannhäuser: Overture and Venusberg Music [21:56] Der fliegende Höllander: Overture (1841) [10:32] Symphony in C Major (1832) [41:55] Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta (Rienzi); Wiener Philharmoniker/Zubin Mehta (Lohengrin, Parsifal, Meistersinger); Wiener Philharmoniker/Sir Georg Solti (Tristan); San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Edo de Waart (Faust, Symphony); Concertgebouw Orchestra/Edo de Waart (Tannhäuser, Feen, Holländer); Wiener Sängerknaben with members of the Wiener Philharmoniker (Kinderkatechismus). rec. 1961-82 ADD/DDD DECCA ELOQUENCE 442 8283 [78:56 + 78:39] [TP]

If you are serious about your Wagner, this double CD set is an essential purchase ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Siegfried opera in three acts (1871) [237:01] Siegfried: Gary Rideout (tenor) Mime: Richard Greager (tenor) The Wanderer: John Brocheler (bass-baritone) Alberich: John Wegner (bass-baritone) Fafner: David Hibbard (bass) Erda: Liane Keegan (contralto) Brünnhilde: Lisa Gasteen (soprano) Woodbird: Shu-Cheen Yu (soprano) Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Asher Fisch rec. Adelaide Festival Theatre, 16 November–12 December 2004. DDD, Hybrid SACD MELBA MR 301095-98 [4 discs: 79:47 + 73:40 + 50:24 + 33:10][IB]

The overall sense of the project is one of deserved community and company pride in an enterprise which can stand its ground with pretty much anything elsewhere. I welcome the issue ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Das Rheingold (1869) 1. Immer ist Undank Loges Lohn [4:40] Die Walküre (1876) 2. Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater [6:13] 3. Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond [2:59] Parsifal (1882) 4. Prelude act 1 [12:31] 5. Dies alles – hab’ ich nun geträumt? [3:41] 6. Ich sah das Kind [5:08] 7. Wehe! Wehe! Was tat ich? [5:36] 8. Amfortas! Die Wunde! [7:50] 9. Grausamer! Fühlst du im Herzen [12:11] 10. Vergeh, unseliges Weib! [4:06] 11. Heil mir, dass ich dich wiederfinde! [4:20] 12. Nur eine Waffe taugt [5:44] Poul Elming (tenor) Nina Pavlovski (soprano) (5-10); Sten Byriel (bass) (10, 11) Odense Symphony Orchestra/Wolf-Dieter Hauschild rec. Carl Nielsen Hall, Odense, Denmark, 10-16 June 2005 and 19-21 June 2006 Sung texts in German included DANACORD DACOCD 664 [77:06] [GF]

We have to be grateful when a singer of this calibre gets a disc of his own. Danacord, Poul Elming and all involved have to be congratulated on the result! ... see Full Review

Sylvius Leopold WEISS (1685–1750) Sonata in A major see VIVALDI

Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937) Organ Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 13, No. 1: V. Marche Pontificale [08:25] Organ Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 13, No. 2: IV. Salve Regina [06:22] Organ Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 13, No. 4: III. Andante cantabile [06:41] Organ Symphony No. 3 in E minor, Op. 13, No. 3: V. Finale: Allegro molto [07:29] Trois nouvelles pièces, Op. 87: No. 2. Mystique [05:17] Bach's Memento (excerpts): IV. March du Vielleur de Nuit (arr. of J.S. Bach's Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645) [03:54]; V. Sicilienne (arr. of J.S. Bach's Flute Sonata in E flat major, BWV 1031: (II. Siciliano) [03:20]) Organ Symphony No. 6 in G minor, Op. 42, No. 2: I. Allegro [09:39] Symphonie gothique, Op. 70: II. Andante sostenuto [05:35] Organ Symphony No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42, No. 1 (I. Allegro vivace [11:25]; II. Adagio [05:39]; III. Toccata: Allegro [06:14]) Robert Delcamp (organ) rec. St Cecilia Catholic Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska, 20-22 September 2006. DDD NAXOS 8.570310 [81:01] [CB]

A highly enjoyable, and, thanks to the organ, rather remarkable release ... see Full Review

Malcolm WILLIAMSON (1931-2003) Concerto for Organ and Orchestra * (1961) [27:02] Piano Concerto No.3 in E flat ** (1962) [32:19] Sonata for Two Pianos *** (1967) [7:36] * Malcolm Williamson (organ) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult ** Malcolm Williamson (piano) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Dommett *** Malcolm Williamson and Richard Rodney Bennett, (pianos) rec. January 1974, Guildford Cathedral (organ); February 1974, Kingsway Hall (piano). ADD LYRITA SRCD.280 [67:02] [JS]

Wholly involving from start to finish, with music of immense freshness and vitality. ... see Full Review

John R. WILLIAMSON (b. 1929) Lads of love and sorrow Love: She walks in beauty [3:21]; She is not fair [1:58]; When we two parted [4:00] War: The lads in their hundreds [2:37]; ’Tis five years since [2:30]; Oh, it is the jar of nations [1:31]; On your midnight pallet lying [2:21] Sorrow and regret: Hughley steeple [4:12]; I lay me down and slumber [2:00]; Sinner’s rue [3:40]; Parta Quies [1:22]; He looked at me with eyes … [2:07]; Others, I am not the first [3:01]; Farewell to barn and stack … [2:25]; When the lad for longing sighs [2:02]; I hoed and trenched and … [2:26]; Oh were he and I together [1:42] Lost love: The new mistress [1:53]; Oh, see how thick the gold… [3:06] Religion: Easter hymn [3:18] Pastoral: Revolution [1:49]; In valleys of springs of rivers [4:41]; March [1:56] Conflict: Before the battle [2:31]; I stood with the dead [3:43] Mark Rowlinson (baritone) David Jones (piano) rec. 12 June 2006, venue not stated. DDD Full English texts included DUNELM RECORDS DRD0265 [66:30] [PCW]

Williamson’s love of Housman and eloquent music continue to impress … see Full Review

Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876-1948) Orchestral Music Il segreto di Susanna (1909) Overture [2:44]; Intermezzo [2:55] *I quattro rusteghi (1906) Prelude [1:40]; Intermezzo [3:10]La dama boba (1939) Overture [8:11] Il campiello (1936) Intermezzo [3:09]; Ritornello [2:27]L’amore medico (1913) Overture [8:22]; Intermezzo [5:22] #I gioielli della Madonna (1911) Festa popolare [4:42]; Intermezzo [3:42]; Serenata [3:17] %; Danza napoletana [3:48] Andrew Marriner (clarinet)*; Stephen Orton (cello)#; Christine Messiter (flute)% Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner; rec. December 1991, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London EMI CLASSICS 54585 [54:09] [GPu]

A pleasant programme of orchestral pieces from Wolf-Ferrari’s operas, which will interest the specialist more than the general listener … see Full Review

Orchestrations by SIR HENRY WOOD (1869-1944) Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565 (orch. 1929) [9:53]; Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Funeral March from Piano Sonata No. 2 in Bb minor Op. 35 (orch. 1905) [10:26]; Franz Xaver SCHARWENKA (1850-1924) Polish Dance No. 3 (from Three Polish National Dances) (orch. 1919) [4:10]; Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Spanish Dance No. 4 in G (orch. 1917) [5:15]; Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Funeral March for Richard Nordraak (orch. 1907) [7:47]; Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) "La cathédrale engloutie" (orch. 1919) [6:46]; Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Prelude in C# minor Op. 3 No. 2 (orch. 1913) [3:46]; Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. 1915) [30:29] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. Watford Town Hall, January 1990, July 1993. DDD LYRITA SRCD.216 [78:42] [JS]

This well filled and well recorded disc deserves success. I hope that it will soon be followed by recordings of some of Sir Henry’s other arrangements. ... see Full Review

Kósçak YAMADA (1886-1965) Nagauta Symphony ‘Tsurukame’ (1934)* [17:23] Symphony ‘Inno Meiji’ (1921)** [18:28] Choreographic Symphony ‘Maria Magdalena’ (1918) [15:39] * Touon Tetsuo Miyata; Touon Toshimitsu Moraji; Touon Taro Yamaguchi; Touon Jun Ajimi; Touon Keizo Miyata (Nagauta vocalists); Touon Toru Ajimi; Touon Takehisa Takahashi; Touon Shiro Minoda; Touon Yutaka Miyata; Touon Gojiro Sakamoto (shamisens); Sataro Mochizuki; Satahoshiro Mochizuki; Tatsuyuki Mochizuki; Roei Tosha; Toru Fukahara (hayoshi) ** Yumiko Mizoiri (hichiriki) Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa rec. 17 October 2005, Kodaira Citizens Cultural Hall, Tokyo. Song text included NAXOS JAPANESE CLASSICS 8.557971 [50:30][DM]

Mildly interesting but no revelations. All credit to Naxos, panning for gold … a risky strategy but they can and do find some nuggets in the sand. Regrettably this is not one of them. ... see Full Review

Carl Michael ZIEHRER (1843-1922) Operatta Overtures Ball bei Hof (1911) [8:39] Das dumme Herz [7:06] Der bleiche Zauberer (1890) [3:14] Der Fremdenführer (1902) [6:30] Der Schätzmeister (1904) [7:54] Der schöne Rigo (c.1889 reconstructed) [5:24] Die drei Wunsche (1901) [5:56] Manöverkinder (1912) [8:08] Ein Deutschmeister (1888) [5:31] Ein tolles Mädel (1907) [5:12] König Jérôme (1878) [5:03] Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra/Christian Pollack rec. House of the Arts, Kosice, Slovakia, 8-11 December 2006 Notes in English and German MARCO POLO 8.225332 [68:37] [RW]

Above average results … enjoyable performances … an excellent and broad acoustic … If one enjoys Strauss waltzes you will not be disappointed ... see Full Review


Detailed listing (last five days)
[Part 1 New]  
 [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L][Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[Recommended recordings]


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