Cristofaro CARESANA
(c.1640-1709)
La Caccia del Toro, La Tarantella, La Pastorale, La Vittoria Orazio
GIACCIO (c.1590-c.1660) Pastorale sulla ciaccona Bernardo
STORACE (fl.1664) Passagagli con partite pastorali
Cappella della
Pietà de’ Turchini/Antonio Florio rec. 1996
NAÏVE OP30449 [GPu]
Joyously
colourful music from baroque Naples, a delight
from beginning to end … see Full
Review
Muzio CLEMENTI
(1752-1832) Sonata
in G minor, Op.50 No.3 ‘Didone abbandonata
– scena tragica’, Twelve Monferrinas
Richard Burnett (piano) rec. 1982,
AMON RA CD-SAR 8 [46:00] [GPu]
A
fascinating and enjoyable disc, of value for
both the music - especially Clementi’s version
of the Dido story - and the rare and valuable
instrument on which it is played … see Full
Review
Joaquin
CLERCH (b. 1965) Yemaya see BROUWER
Francesco
Bartolomeo CONTI (1682–1732) David,
azione sacra per musica
Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis rec. 2003
VIRGIN CLASSICS 3788772 [76:03 + 79:06][JV]
Conti's
oratorio David is a splendid piece given a top-notch interpretation
by Alan Curtis directing a very fine cast of singers ... see Full
Review
Carson
COOMAN
(b. 1982)
Piano Sonatas 3 & 4 & other piano music
Donna Amato rec. 2006
NAXOS 8.559350 [JW]
Cooman’s
more mottled, tense writing has implacable
bleakness and the extrovert and pluralistic
writing real verve ... see Full
Review
Arcangelo CORELLI
(1653-1713) Violin Sonatas Op.5 Nos.7-12
François Fernandez (violin); Glen Wilson (harpsichord) rec. Kloster
Bronnbach, Wertheim, March 2006
NAXOS 8.557799 [62:53][JW]
Taken
on its own terms a first class addition to the Corelli discography ...
see Full Review
Gordon
CROSSE
(b. 1937) Ariadne
- Concertante for solo oboe and twelve players Op. 31 (1972) [23.00]*
Changes - A nocturnal cycle for soprano, baritone, mixed
chorus, children’s voices and orchestra Op. 17 (1965) [53.52]**
* Sarah Francis (oboe); London Symphony Orchestra/Michael Lankester
** Jennifer Vyvyan (soprano); John Shirley-Quirk (baritone); Orpington
Junior Singers; Highgate School for Boys Choir London Symphony Orchestra
and Chorus/Norman Del Mar rec. * 20-21 August 1974, Kingsway Hall, London;
** 27-30 October 1969, Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London. ADD. Recordings
for the first time on CD.
LYRITA SRCD.259 [76.52] [GH]
Having
heard this disc it is clear that I should
soon attempt to make up for lost time and
find out more about Crosse. ... see Full
Review
Ikuma DAN (1924–2001)
Six
Symphonies [223.29]
Anna Pusar (soprano); Michiko Akao (Nokan,
Shinobue) Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Kazuo
Yamada (1, 2)/Ikuma Dan (3-6) rec. Konzerthaus
"Grosser-Saal" Vienna: (1, 2) 27
June–2 July 1988; (4, 5) 4 January–7 January
1989; (3, 6) 29 June–2 July 1989
DECCA UCCD-3057/60 [4 CDs: 73.18 + 56.26
+ 40.23 + 53.22] [OP] Not currently available
These
symphonies have been an enriching and enlightening
experience ... see Full
Review
Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
La
Mer [33: 11] Images pour orchestre:
2. Ibéria [27:46]
Munich Philharmonic Orchestra/Sergiu Celibidache
rec. live, 13 September 1992 (La Mer), 22
September 1992 (Ibéria), Philharmonie
am Gasteig, Munich
EMI CLASSICS 5565202 
[65:04]
[CH]
A
compelling and fascinating "La Mer".
"Ibéria" risks stretching
time to breaking-point. ... see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images Book 2: Cloches à travers les
feuilles see SCHUBERT
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Complete Works
for Piano - Volume 2
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano) rec. 2007
CHANDOS CHAN10443 [65:49][CH]
Of
the several Debussy cycles in progress, that by Bavouzet is of outstanding
interest. The new volume includes some supreme performances ... see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Leo
DELIBES
(1836-1891)
Sylvia
Darcey Bussell, Roberto Bolle, Royal Ballet
O (Royal Opera House)/Graham Bond rec. 2005
OPUS ARTE OA0986D 
[IL]
A
beautiful production of this charming ballet
with a wonderfully melodic score by Delibes
... see Full
Review
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) On Hearing the First Cuckoo in
Spring, Summer Night on the River see VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Pia de’ Tolomei
Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia/Paolo
Arrivabeni rec. 2005
DYNAMIC 33488
[2 DVDs: 137:00][GF]
A
work far better than its reputation, an attractive production, splendid
singing and acting ... see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Emilia
Di Liverpool Yvonne
Kenny, Anne Mason, Geoffrey Mitchell Ch, Philharmonia O/David
Parry rec. 1986 OPERA
RARA ORC8 [RJF]
Melodic
and vibrant early Donizetti enjoys performances up to the usual
Opera Rara high standard ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Guillaume DUFAY
(c.1397-1474) Music for Saint Anthony
of Padua Binchois
Consort/Andrew Kirkman rec. 1996
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55271 [BW]
Superlative
performances, well recorded, of attractive music: another excellent
Helios reissue ... see Full Review
Vernon
DUKE (Vladimir Dukelsky)
(1903-1969) Piano Concerto;
Cello Concerto; Homage to Boston Scott Dunn
(piano); Sam Magill (cello); Russian PO/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. 2006
NAXOS 8.559286
[57:30][WK/RB]
American
music that many fans must have wondered about, but probably never thought
that they would hear. ... see Full Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet “American” see SCHUBERT
David
EARL (b.1936) Cello
Sonata (1998) [29:29] Piano Suite No. 3 Mandalas (1996)
[29:20] George Corbett
(cello); James Sherlock (piano); David Earl (piano) rec. Trinity
College Chapel, Cambridge, July 2006. DDD DIVINE ART
DDA25060 [58:51] [RB]
Music
with Rachmaninovian and meditative sides that can be comprehended
and appreciated for its own distinctive heard values. ... see Full
Review
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony
1 (arr. for piano by Sigfrid Karg-Elert) Alan
BUSH (1900-1995) Piano Sonata Mark
Bebbington rec. 2006 SOMM
SOMMCD069 [RC]
Most
impressive, first class pianism, adventurous programming ... see Full
Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Visions
of Elgar CD
1: Sir Malcolm Sargent [77:52] Pomp and Circumstance March
no. 1,Variations on an Original Theme – "Enigma" , Pomp
and Circumstance March no. 4 , The Dream of Gerontius excerpts, Imperial
March, I sing the birth, The Kingdom: The Sun goeth down [08:46]
CD 2: Sir Adrian Boult [72:28] In the South, Symphony
no. 2,
CD 3: Concertos [72:19] Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto Alfredo
Campoli (violin), Anthony Pini (cello)
CD 4: Eduard van Beinum, Anthony Collins and Elgar’s Visions of
Handel and Bach [72:20] Cockaigne, Falstaff, Introduction
and Allegro, Handel arr. Elgar
Overture in D minor from Chandos Anthem no. 1, Bach
arr. Elgar Fantasia and Fugue
BEULAH 14PD15 [4
CDs: 77:52 + 72:28 + 72:19 + 72:20] [CH]
If
you have collected the major Elgar works in modern recordings and
are wondering how an earlier generation of interpreters approached
his music, here’s a good way to find out. ... see Full
Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Wand
of Youth Suites 1 & 2, Nursery Suite, Dream Children Ulster
O/Bryden Thomson
rec. 1976-82 CHANDOS CHAN10422X [EM]
Perfectly
well performed … a delightful compilation … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Sospiri, Violin Sonata see GRIEG
Nicolas
FLAGELLO (1928-1994)
Missa
Sinfonica Arnold
ROSNER (b. 1945) Symphony No. 5
Missa sine Cantoribus super Salve Regina
National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/John
McLaughlin Williams rec. 2006. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559347
[74:45] [RB]
Warming
miracles of melodic expression. ... see Full
Review
Domenico
GALLO (1730-1768?) Sonatas see PERGOLESI
Orazio
GIACCIO (c.1590-c.1660) Pastorale sulla ciaccona see
CARESANA
Nicolas GOMBERT
(c.1495–c.1560) Tribulatio et angustia;
Hortus conclusus es; Aspice Domine; Virgo santa Katherina; Inviolata;
Inviolata, integra, et casta es, Maria; Ne reminsicaris, Domine; Pater
noster; Ave Maria; Ergone vitae; Ave Sanctissima Maria
The Brabant Ensemble/Stephen
Rice rec. 2006 HYPERION
CDA67614 [66.05][RH]
Fine
musicianship and commendable curiosity. Ideal listening ... see Full
Review
Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust
(highlights)
Nicolai Gedda (tenor); Victoria de los Angeles (soprano); Paris Opéra
Chorus and Orchestra/André Cluytens rec. 1958
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 3933762 [75:25][IL]
Golden
highlights of a Faust to treasure ... see Full
Review
Edvard GRIEG
(1841-1907) String Quartets 1 & 2
Chilingirian Quartet rec. 1998
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55299 [GH]
The
first quartet is a masterwork … on Hyperion’s inexpensive Helios
label the disc is well worth the outlay. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907)
Violin Sonata 1 JEAN SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Humoresques Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Sospiri, Violin Sonata
Isabelle van Keulen (violin) Ronald Brautigam (piano) rec. 2006
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72171 [MC]
Grieg,
Elgar and Sibelius given the finest interpretative
service ... see Full
Review
Patrick
HADLEY
(1899-1973) One
Morning in Spring see BUTTERWORTH
Ernesto HALFFTER (1905-1989)
Piano Music Guillermo
Gonzalez rec. 2006 NAXOS
8.570006/7 [GH]
Has
given great pleasure … unique variety … beautifully presented ...
see Full Review
Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Scenes
from Acis and Galatea Galatea – Joan Sutherland (soprano); Acis – Peter
Pears (tenor); St Anthony Singers; Philomusica of London/Adrian Boult
rec. 1959
CHANDOS CHAN3147 [79:23][JW]
A
Golden Age Acis - a splendid example of technical and lyric superiority
in action ... see Full Review
George
Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759)
Semele Rosemary
Joshua (soprano) – Semele; Chorus and
Orchestra of the Early Opera Company/Christian Curnyn rec.
2007
CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN0745 [3 CDs: 59:57 + 46:10 + 63:28][JS]
Alive
to the turns of the drama, pointed with panache ... see Full
Review
George Frideric HANDEL
(1685–1759) Neun
deutsche Arien
Carolyn Sampson (soprano); The King's Consort/Robert King rec. 2006
HYPERION CDA67627 [70:33][JV]
The
German Arias are little gems which are rather ignored - Sampson sings
them well, but can't replace Kirkby's splendid recording of 1985 ... see
Full Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Il
Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno
Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini rec. 2000
NAÏVE OP30440 [61.21 + 71.39][RH]
You
will not be disappointed by this lively and vivid account ... see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685–1759)
Opera arias
Maria Bayo (soprano) Capriccio Stravagante/Skip Sempe rec. 1999
NAÏVE E8914 [RH]
Lovely
recital displaying Bayo’s talents in this
tricky repertoire ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Giulio
Cesare in Egitto Andreas
Scholl, Inger Dam-Jensen, Concerto Copenhagen/Lars Ulrik Mortensen
rec. 2005 HARMONIA
MUNDI HMD990 9008.09 [BW]
Probably
the best DVD version and one of the best in any format ... see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN
(1732-1809) Piano Trios 26, 43-45
Trio Opus 8 rec. 2005
HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH06016 [TB]
The
Trio Opus 8 give stylish performances that
are clearly recorded. Intonation is put under
the spotlight and is not found wanting ...
see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Il
Ritorno di Tobia Vokal
Ensemble Köln, Capella Augustina/Andreas Spering rec. 2006 NAXOS
8.570300-2 [ST]
A
welcome addition … worthy to set alongside the other great achievements
of Haydn’s middle period ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732–1809) Symphonies
- Volume 32 Nos 9-12 Sinfonia
Finlandia/Patrick Gallois rec. 2005 NAXOS
8.557771 [GF]
There
is an energy and rhythmic vitality here that is completely irresistible
... see Full Review
Sean
HEIM (b.
1967) the night-speech of plant
and stone California
EAR Unit rec. 2005 CAPSTONE
CPS-8752 [CR]
Thought-provoking
and emotionally charged … see Full Review
Rolf
HIND (b. 1964) Das Unenthüllte
see NØRGARD
Gustav HOLST
(1874-1934) Walt
Whitman Op.7, Suite de Ballet, Suite in
E flat orch. Gordon Jacob, A Hampshire
Suite orch. Gordon Jacob, A
Moorside Suite orch. Gordon Jacob
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite
rec. 1980-93; DDD
LYRITA SRCD.210 [63:31] [EM]
A
very welcome Holst release particularly given
that this disc steers clear of the better-known
and focuses the more obscure ... see Full
Review
Herbert
HOWELLS
(1892-1983) Procession,
Merry-eye, Elegy for viola, string quartet
and string orchestra, Music for a Prince:
Corydon’s Dance; Scherzo in Arden
see BUTTERWORTH
Herbert
HUGHES (1882-1937) A Purse
of Gold – Irish Songs
Ailish Tynan (soprano); Iain Burnside (piano) rec.
2007
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD106 [66:02][JS]
I
cannot imagine a more welcome present than this for any lover of song.
... see Full Review
Sigurd
ISLANDSMOEN (1881-1964) Requiem Hilde
Haraldsen Sveen (soprano) Marianne Beate Kielland (alto) Ulf
Oien (tenor) Trond Halstein Moe (bass) Det Norski Solistkor,
Kristiansand SO/Terje Boye Hansen rec. 2006 2L
RECORDS 36 
[RB]
Neither
dense nor ecstatically florid this Requiem tracks a delightfully
naive trajectory ... see Full Review
Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950) String
Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
Ardeo Quartet rec. 2006 AR
RE-SE AR 2006-3 [61:32][RB]
Affecting
quartets in a predominantly folk-impressionistic idiom ... see Full
Review
Drew
KRAUSE (b.
1960) Riddle, Ding, Apocalypso,
First of July, Go-Round, Drain
McCormick Percussion Ensemble, Drew Krause (piano) rec. 2002/5
CAPSTONE CPS8780 [CR]
An
attractive introduction to the work of this
particular composer ... see Full
Review
Szymon KURAN
(1955-2005) Post
mortem (1981) [3:45] ¹ Um nóttina (2000)
[5:14] ¹ Requiem (2000) [34:13] ²
Grażyny Bacewicz/ Andrzej Borzym (conductor)
rec.2007 (Requiem)
ACTE PRÉALABLE APO161 [43:20] [JW]
This
is a noble salute to Kuran whose compositions
are serious, gently affirmative. ... see Full
Review
Michel
LAMBERT (c.1610-1696) Les Leçons
de ténèbres
Ivète Piveteau (organ, direction) rec. 1988
VIRGIN VERITAS 3857892 [69:43 + 72:06][JW]
The
1689 Leçons rare on disc Lambert’s concentrated and refined expression
is matched by comparable performances. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Jean-Marie LECLAIR (1697-1764) Complete
Flute Chamber Works Fenwick
Smith (flute), John Gibbons
(harpsichord)
rec. 2003-5 NAXOS 8.557440-41 [CR]
Some
of the finest playing I have heard ... see Full
Review
Franz
LEHÁR (1870–1948) Das Land
des Lächelns
Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks; Münchner Rundfunkorkester/Ulf
Schirmer rec. 2006
CPO 777 303-2 [42:49 + 71:01][GF]
A
brand new recording in excellent sound and a Sou-Chong to challenge
even the great tenors on other sets … well worth consideration. ...
see Full Review
Leonardo
LEO (1694-1744) Salve Regina see PERGOLESI
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wild
about Liszt
Franz
LISZT (1811-1896)
Recitals:
Liszt the Poet, Liszt the Transcriber, Liszt
the Virtuoso; TV appearances,
Audio tracks
Earl Wild (piano)
IVORY CLASSICS
77777 [JW]
Wild’s
playing is cut from legendary cloth ... astonishing
accuracy, bravura and poetry ... see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811–1886) Hungarian
Rhapsodies, S359/R441 (orch. comp. and Doppler) Staatskapelle
Weimar/Arthur Fagen
rec. 2006 NAXOS 8.570230 [GF]
All
six rhapsodies well played … a good and inexpensive way of getting
to know these entertaining works ... see Full
Review
Antonio
LOLLI
(c.1725-1802)
Complete violin concertos
Reale Concerto/Luca Fanfoni (violin, conductor) rec. 2006
DYNAMIC CDS527/1-3 [GPu]
A
useful and pleasant piece of documentation,
but there isn’t too much really top-class
music here … See Full
Review
Jon LORD
(b. 1941) Durham
Concerto (2007)
Matthew Barley (cello) Jon Lord (Hammond organ)
Ruth Palmer (violin) Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian
Pipes) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Mischa
Damev rec. Liverpool, July 2007.
AVIE AV2145 [56.27] [RB]
WORLD PREMIERE Review - 
Sound
samples available.
Sensitive
and glowing playing … an extended work of
predominant meditative character ... see Full
Review
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