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William ALWYN
(1905-1985) String Quartets 1-3, Novelette 
Maggini Quartet rec. 2007
NAXOS 8.570560 [68:53] [BW]
For
those investigating Alwyn beyond the symphonies ... see Full
Review
Leroy
Anderson (1908-1975) Orchestral
Music - Volume 5
BBC Concert Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin rec. 2007
NAXOS 8.559382 [52:16][JF]
Somewhat
removed from the popular impression of his music ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Gloria
in excelsis Deo Jean-Joseph
Cassanéa de MONDONVILLE (1711-1772)
Grand motet, “Dominus regnavit”
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Gloria,
RV 589
Tafelmusik Chamber Choir &
Baroque Orchestra/Ivars Taurins; Jeanne Lamon rec.
2006
CBC SMCD5244 [67:40][KS]
A
well balanced program makes this disc a real gem ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sacred
Arias and Cantatas from Mass in B Minor, St John
Passion,
St Matthew Passion,
Cantatas BWV82a, 170 & 208 David
Daniels (counter-tenor) The English Concert/Harry Bicket
rec. 2007 VIRGIN CLASSICS 5190372 [66:48]
[JQ]
A
fine disc ... see Full Review
Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750) Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust,
BWV170, Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV54, Gott soll allein
mein Herze haben, BWV169*
James Bowman (counter-tenor) The King’s Consort/Robert King rec.1988
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55312
[59:03] [BW]
This
reissue deserves a place in every Bach collection ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) The Cello Suites
Paul Tortelier (cello) rec. Temple Church, London, April 1982
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 50999 2 28358 2 6 [71:52 + 72:25]
[ST]
A
thoughtful, old-school vision … full of integrity ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The
Bach Cantata Pilgrimage Vol. 17 Cantatas BWV16, 41,
58, 143, 153 & 171 Ruth
Holton, James Gilchrist, Peter Harvey, Monteverdi Ch, English
Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner
rec. 2000 SOLI DEO GLORIA
SDG150 [69:26
+ 26:28] [JQ]
Perfect
music with which to greet an incoming year ... see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750)
The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage - Volume 5 Cantatas for the Eighth Sunday
after Trinity, Cantatas for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Joanne Lunn (soprano);
Daniel Taylor (alto); Christoph Genz (tenor); Gotthold Schwarz (bass)
The Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
rec. 2000 SOLI DEO
GLORIA SDG 147 [53:10 + 65:36]
[JQ]
Another
distinguished and stimulating issue in this important series ... see
Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Solo Cantatas
for Alto
James Bowman (counter-tenor); The King’s Consort/Robert
King rec. 1988
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55312 [59:03][JFL]
A
voice, not the most tender, beautiful in many ways, but tinged with
artifice ... see Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suite 5 see
SCHNITTKE
Music of Tribute - Volume 5: J. S. BACH
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Preludes: E minor, BWV941 [0:53]; C, BWV939 [0:33]; Clavierbüchlein
(1722/23) – Fugue in C minor, BWV953 [1:08]; Prelude in F, BWV927 [0:30];
Little Preludes: C, BWV924 (1720) [1:10]; D, BWV925 [1:48]; Well-Tempered
Clavier, Book 2 (1738-1742): Prelude and Fugue in D, BWV874 [7:39];
Prelude in C minor, BWV999 (c1725) [0:58]; Italian Concerto, BWV971
(1735) [12:31] Henri DUTILLEUX
(b. 1916) Au gré des ondes (1946) - Hommage à Bach [3:00] Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1955) Prelude-Arioso-Fughetta
sur le nom de Bach (1932) [6:22] Leopold
GODOWSKY (1870-1938) Prelude and Fugue (B.A.C.H.)
(1929) [6:43] Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Valse-Improvisation sur
le nom de BACH (1932) [2:14] Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Bachianas Brasilieras No.
4 (1941) [15:59] Bela BARTÓK
(1881-1945) Mikrokosmos III, Sz107 (1926-1939) – No. 79, Hommage
à J.S.B. [1:15] György KURTÁG (b.
1926) Játékok III: Hommage à J.S.B. [0:09] Terry
RILEY (b. 1935) G Song (1973/1985) [1:59] Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Prelude and Fugue in D minor, Op.
87/24 (1950/51) [11:33]
Beatrice Berthold (piano) rec. Grosser Sendesaal,
Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken, Germany, August 2005. DDD
LABOR RECORDS LAB 7079 [76:44]
[CC]
A
well-planned disc superbly delivered ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cembalo
Concertos Francesco Cera (harpsichord) I Barocchisti/Diego
Fasolis rec. 2005/8 ARTS 477298 
[68:15] [JV]
Much
noise, little expression - there is no reason to recommend this
disc ... see Full Review
Tadeusz
BAIRD (1928-1981) Piano Concerto see SEROCKI
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Michael William
BALFE (1808-1870) Falstaff Marcel
Vanaud, Majella Cullagh, National Chamber Ch of Ireland,
RTÉ Concert O/Marco Zambelli
rec. 2008 RTÉ LYRIC FM CD119 [75:52
+ 67:27] [RW]
A
breath of fresh air ... see Full
Review
Clarence BARLOW (b.
1945) Piano Works
Ludus ragalis, Stücke für Selbstspielklavier, Coğluotobüsişletmesi
Composer (player piano),
Irmela Roelcke, Hermann Kretzschmar, Jürgen Kruse, Benjamin Kobler (pianos)/James
Avery. rec. 2006 CYBELE
960.308
[71:31] [DC]
Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Quartet 6 Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Well Tempered Clavier,
Book II Fugue 7 (arr. WA Mozart)
Alexander String Quartet rec. 2003
FOGHORN CLASSICS CD1984 [63:15] [JW]
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony
No. 3 Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Siegfried’s Rhine Journey;
Prelude to Act I and Death of Isolde from Tristan und Isolde
Birgit Nilsson; London Symphony Orchestra/Sir
Georg Solti rec. 1963-8
BBC LEGENDS BBCL42392 [79:18][PPLL]
Two
superstars of the past century – outstanding performances ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Clarinet
Trio; Septet
The Nash Ensemble
rec. 1989
VIRGIN CLASSICS 5221262 [60:30][LW]
The
lighter side of Beethoven. The players really enjoy themselves ...
see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No.4 in B flat major, Op.60 (1806) [33:46] Symphony No.7 in
A major, Op.92 (1812) [39:39]*
Manchester Camerata/Douglas Boyd rec. 3 February 2007 and 3 November
2007*, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (live recordings). DDD
AVIE AV2169 [73:41]
[TP]
Fresh,
enjoyable Mancunian versions ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Cello
Sonatas Nos. 1-3
Daniel Müller-Schott (cello); Angela Hewitt (piano) rec.
2008
HYPERION CDA67633 [78:07][TP]
Wonderful,
life-affirming music-making from this exciting partnership ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Sonatas: Vol.VII (Nos. 27-29)
András Schiff (piano) rec. 2006
ECM NEW SERIES 1948 4766189 [76:36][DC]
Has
to be considered a top recommendation – ultimate clarity and drama ...
see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Sonatas Nos. 30-32 (Vol. VIII)
András Schiff (piano) rec. 2007
ECM NEW SERIES 1949 4766192 [64:42][DC]
Warning:
may render your current versions redundant ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio
Arnold Schoenberg
Choir; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Rattle rec. 2003
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 2176302 [65:58 + 44:17][ST]
Deeply
disappointing ... see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Lieder Edition Fischer-Dieskau
- Volume IV Dietrich
Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Hertha Klust (piano) rec. Berlin, 25 May
1951 (1, 6-9), 13 January 1952 (2-5, 10), 13 June 1952 (11-21). ADD
AUDITE 95.601 [58:34]
[KMc]
Excellent
early Fischer-Dieskau will appeal to true fans and completists ... see
Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Sonatas Vol. 3 Nos 8-10 Joseph
Fuchs (violin) Artur Balsam (piano)
rec. 1952 NAXOS HISTORICAL
8.111253 [70:18]
[JW]
Robust,
fluid and trenchant if occasionally rather impersonal ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies
7 & 8 Tafelmusik
O/Bruno Weil
rec. 2008 ANALEKTA AN29947 [63:58
+ bonus DVD: 46:26] [JS]
Wonderfully
stylish and uncluttered ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Sonatas 14, 17, 30 & 31 Heinrich
Neuhaus (piano) rec. Moscow 1946-50 RUSSIAN
COMPACT DISC RCD16245 [66:50] [JW]
Utmost
probity and moving control ... see Full
Review
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) The Complete
Operas rec. 1955-2007
DYNAMIC CDS552/1-25 [25 CDs: details included in review][RJF]
A
welcome opportunity to follow the development of the leading opera composer
of his generation ... see Full
Review
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) I
Capuleti e i Montecchi Agnes
Baltsa, Edita Gruberova, CH & O Royal Opera House, Covent
Garden/Riccardo Muti
rec. live, 1984 EMI CLASSICS
5091442 [58:35
+ 71:25] [CH]
Difficult
to imagine Gruberova-Baltsa-Muti being bettered ... see Full
Review
Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Sonatina
for cello and piano see HOLBROOKE
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
Symphonie Fantastique, La Mort de Cléopâtre
Susan Graham (mezzo) Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2008
EMI CLASSICS 2162240 [75:59] [JQ]
A
fresh approach to a remarkable symphony ... see Full
Review
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
Requiem Ronald
Dowd (tenor) Wandsworth School Boys’ Ch/Russell Burgess London SO &
Ch/Sir Colin Davis rec. 1969
PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC5186 191
[40:57 + 50:22] [LW]
Nadia
BOULENGER (1887-1979) Trois pièces pour violoncelle et piano
see Soirees
Musicales
Alexander BORODIN
(1833-1887) Symphonies
Nos. 1 & 2
Dresden Philharmonic/Michel Plasson rec. 1992-3
BERLIN
CLASSICS REFERENCE 0013962BC [58:56][SV]
An
athletic, driving
manner with contrasting moments of liquid expression ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto
No. 2 Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Piano Concerto No. 1
Arthur Rubinstein (piano); London Symphony Orchestra/Albert Coates,
John Barbirolli rec. 1919-32
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111271 [71:12][CH]
Difficult
to look the other way when Rubinstein is playing ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano
Concertos 1 & 2, Intermezzos, Six Piano Pieces Wilhelm Backhaus (piano)
Vienna PO/Karl Böhm rec. 1953-67 DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 0800 [67:04
+ 68:42] [CH]
Seekers
after Brahms cannot ignore Backhaus ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony
1, Double Concerto Willi Boskovsky (violin) Emanuel
Brabec (cello) Concertgebouw O, Vienna PO/Wilhelm Furtwängler
rec. live, 1950/2 IDIS 6554 [79:38] [JW]
A
worthwhile pairing but transfers bettered elsewhere ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Lieder Edition Fischer-Dieskau
- Volume IV see Beethoven
Luis
de FREITAS BRANCO (1890-1955) Orchestral
Works - Vol. 2
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra/Álvaro Cassuto rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572059 [67:49][RB]
It
would be a mistake to pass over de Freitas Branco ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
String Quartets 1-3, Three Divertimenti
Belcea Quartet rec. 2003/4
EMI CLASSICS 2285182 [58:10 + 36:24] [JF]
Deserves
to be in every Britten enthusiast’s CD library ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (19 13-1976) Violin
Concerto William WALTON (1902-1983) Viola
Concerto Maxim Vengerov (violin, viola)
London SO/Mstislav Rostropovich rec. 2002 EMI CLASSICS 2285252 [64:29] [BBr]
Do
you really want to buy this disk simply for the Walton? ... see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824–1896) Mass in E
Minor; Libera me, Domine Josef
Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839–1901) Requiem
KammerChor Saarbrücken; Kammerphilharmonie Mannheim/Georg Grün rec.
2008 CARUS 83.414
[59.10][RH]
Much
to commend on this disc ... see Full
Review
Russian
Settings of Robert Burns Georgy
SVIRIDOV (1915-1998) Songs to Verses by
Robert Burns (1955) [32:11] Edison DENISOV
(1929-1996) Two Songs to Verses by Robert Burns (1951) [3:51] Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Three songs from Six Romances for
Bass: excerpts (1942) [6:57] Yuri LEVITIN
(1912-1993) Song-Cycle to Verses by Robert Burns (1956) [11:03]
Tikhon KHRENNIKOV (1913-2007)
Three songs from Five Songs to Verses by Robert Burns (1944) [6:41]
Vassili Savenko (bass-baritone);
Alexander Blok (piano) rec. 2002/5.
TOCCATA TOCC0039 [60:34] [RB]
Fine
rewarding songs … fascinating ... see Full
Review
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for alphabetical listings by composer:
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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]
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