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Alphabetical Listing

PART 4
M-R

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]

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RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 4 Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott rec. 2006 TUDOR 7151 [55:29][TB] 

Makes a strong impression ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied Von Der Erde - A Chinese language version Ning Liang (mezzo); Warren Mok (tenor); Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Lan Shui rec. 2005 BIS-SACD-1547 [59:09][TD] 

A step over a precipice ... see Full Review

Ljubica MARIĆ (1909-2003) Byzantine Concerto; Threshold of Dream; Ostinato super thema Octoïcha; Songs of Space Radio-Television Belgrade Chamber Orchestra/Oskar Danon rec. 1964-77 CHANDOS HISTORICAL CHAN10267H [69:12][RB] 

Unfailingly imaginative ... see Full Review

Yannis MARKOPOULOS (b. 1939) The Liturgy of Orpheus on ancient Orphic poems Flanders Opera Chorus & Symphony Orchestra/Edwig Abrath rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.572235 [64:15][RB]

Reflection and gentle discourse ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Sinfonietta La Jolla; Toccata e due canzoni; Concerto Grosso Josef Hála (piano); Prague Chamber Orchestra/Ondřej Kukal rec. 1997 SUPRAPHON SU39582 [59:29][RB]

Glorious Martinů ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Complete Works for Violin and Piano Bohuslav Matoušek (violin); Petr Adamec (piano) rec. 1996-98 SUPRAPHON SU3950-2 [4 CDs: 232:06] [RB]

An often surprising but always agreeable collection ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Sonata No.3 for cello and piano H340 see Soirées Musicales

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph MARX (1882-1964) Orchestral Songs and Choral Works Christine Brewer (soprano); BBC Symphony Chorus & Orchestra/Jiří Bělohlávek rec. 2008 CHANDOS CHAN10505 [71:33][RB]

A seething aureate blaze. Wonderful stuff ... see Full Review

Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria Rusticana Ildiko Komlosi, Sung Kyu Park, Ch & O Teatro San Carlo, Naples/Zhang Jiemin rec. live 2007 TDK DVWW-OPCAV [78:00 + 33:00 (bonus)] [RJF]

Despite the atmospheric location and effective lighting this performance has few other virtues ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Tilo MEDEK (1940-2006) Organ Works Wandlungs-Passacaglia (2001) [5:09] B-a-c-h, Vier Töne für Orgel (1973) [7:44] Verschüttete Bauernflöte (1969) [11:22] Quatemberfeste für Orgel (1989) [29:16] Gebrochene Flügel (1975) [7:42] Rückäufige Passacaglia (1979) [11:02] Martin Schmeding (organ) rec. 25-27 March 2008, Evang. Aufstehungskirche, Düsseldorf-Oberkassel. CYBELE SACD 060.801 [72:21]   [DC]

Some of the most unearthly musical sounds I have ever heard ... see Full Review

Gian Carlo MENOTTI (1911-2007) Amahl and the Night Visitors, My Christmas Ike Hawkersmith, Kirsten Gunlogson, Nashville SO & Ch/Alastair Willis rec. 2006/7 NAXOS 8.669019 [61:36] [ST]

A fine seasonal treat ... see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Éclairs sur l'Au-Delá... (1988-92) Wiener Philharmoniker/Ingo Metzmacher rec. 2008 KAIROS MUSIC 0012742KAI [67:00] [DM]

C’est vraiment parfait! A deeply satisfying performance ... see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Orchestral and Chamber Works and Song-Cycles CD 1: Turangalîla-symphonie (1948) CD 2: L’Ascension (1933); Cinq Rechants (1948); Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum (1964); La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ (1969) CD 3: La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ (cont.) CD 4: Poèmes pour mi (1937); Quartet for the End of Time (1941) CD 5: Chants de terre et de ciel (1938); Harawi (1945) CD 6: Poèmes pour mi (1936); Rondeau (1943); Visions de l’Amen (1943) rec 1968-92  DECCA 478 0352 [6 CDs: 75:57 + 76:01 + 75:28 + 73:03 + 77:01 + 80:57] [AOz]

Shows how adventurous recording companies could be ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Complete Edition CDs 1-7 Piano Music CDs 8-13 Organ MusicCDs 14-15: La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ CDs 16-19 Opera: Saint François d'Assise CDs 20-32 Other Music Limited edition DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4801333 [32 CDs: c.34:00:00] [PCW]

Far from an exercise directed at completists only … a life enhancing experience … see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Quatuor pour la fin du temps, Thème et Variations Trio Wanderer, Pascal Moraguès (clar) rec. 2007 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC901987 [62:27]
Olivier MESSIAEN
Quatuor pour la fin du temps, Thème et Variations, Piece for Piano and String Quartet, Fantasie, Le merle noir Hebrides Ensemble rec. 2007 LINN CKD314 [73:41]
Olivier MESSIAEN
Quatuor pour la fin du temps, Fantaisie, Le merle noir, Pièce pour piano et quatuor à cordes, Morceau de lecture à vue Matthew Schellhorn (piano); Soloists of the Philharmonia Orchestra, London rec. 2008 SIGNUM SIGCD126 [66:38]
Olivier MESSIAEN
Quatuor pour la fin du temps, Thème et Variations, Les offrandes oubliées Gould Piano Trio, Robert Plane (clarinet) rec. 2007 CHANDOS CHAN10480 [67:11] [JFL]

Something for every taste ... see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Hommage À Messiaen Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) rec. 2008 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4777452 [59:48][CC]

A very special disc indeed ... see Full Review

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Serenade in G, In the Mountain Country - Symphonic impression, Rhapsody No. 1 in F major for orchestra, Rhapsody No. 2 in E major for orchestra, Nocturne for baritone, chorus and orchestra * Hugh Mackey baritone*; Renaissance Singers  Ulster Orchestra/Vernon Handley  rec. 1988/89 CHANDOS CHAN 10235 X [69:22] [RB]

A unique collection performed with apposite sensitivity. Essential ... see Full Review

Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de MONDONVILLE (1711-1772) Grand motet, “Dominus regnavit see BACH

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567–1643) Vespro della Beata Vergine; Selva morale e Spirituale (excerpts) Taverner Players/Andrew Parrott rec. 1982-4 EMI CLASSICS 2126852 [67.55 + 74.27][RH]

Everyone ought to have this brilliant performance in their library ... see Full Review

Mozart for Kids Leopold MOZART (1719–1787) Toy Symphony Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Various excerpts Philharmonia O/Herbert von Karajan (Toy Symphony) rec. 1958-2005 VIRGIN CLASSICS 2361382 [70:21] [BBr]

Badly thought out, poorly presented ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos 12 & 24 Vienna PO/Maurizio Pollini (piano) rec. live, 2007 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 7167 [57:15] [JFL]

Enjoyment is paramount ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Donna: Opera and concert arias Diana Damrau (soprano) Le Cercle de l’Harmonie/Jérémie Rhorer rec. 2008 VIRGIN CLASSICS 2120232 [73.21] [RMo]

A bridge too far, too soon ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos 21 & 22 Jonathan Biss (piano) Orpheus CO rec. live, 2008 EMI CLASSICS 2172702 [61:07] [LW]

A fresh and individual approach ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Early Piano Sonatas Zeynep Ucbasaran (piano) rec. 2008 EROICA JDT3403 [61:27 + 56:19][CH]

Mozart speaking without interference … you should be well pleased ... see Full Review

Nikolai MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Links; Slav Rhapsody; Serenade No. 1 Sinfonietta Russian Federation Academic SO/Evgeny Svetlanov rec. 1991-93 ALTO ALC1041 (Olympia OCD745) [75:49][RB] 

The non-symphonic Myaskovsky proves well worth hearing ... see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1857-1931) Symphonies 3 & 5 Ruth Güldbæk (soprano); Erik Sjoberg (baritone) Danish State RSO/John Frandsen, Erik Tuxen rec. 1950/5 GUILD GHCD2340 [69:15] [RB]

Historic Nielsen luminously done ... see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Aladdin  Mette Ejsing (contralto); Guido Paevatalu (baritone) Danish Ntl Chamber Ch, Danish Ntl SO/Gennady Rozhdestvensky rec. 1992  CHANDOS CHAN10498X [79:36] [RB]  

Packed deep with characteristic touches - no Nielsen enthusiast can be without it ... see Full Review

Ferdinando PAËR (1771-1839) Missa piena Dresdner Kreuzchor; Staatskapelle Dresden/Roderich Krelle rec. 2008  CARUS 83.246 [61:37][JW]

Will appeal to apostles of the Italo-German muse ... see Full Review

Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Masses and Motets Choir of King’s College Cambridge/Sir Philip Ledger, Sir David Willcocks rec. 1970-79 EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 2176552 [75:25 + 75:11] [BW]

Recommendable, but the competition is extremely fierce ... see Full Review

Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) Fratres, Summa, Cantus - In Memoriam Benjamin Britten, Cantate Domine Canticum Novum, Berliner Messe, De Profundis, The Beatitudes, Magnificat, Passio Hungarian State Opera O/Tamas Benedik, Elora Festival Singers & O/Noel Edison, Tonus Peregrinus/Antony Pitts rec. 1995-2003 NAXOS 8.503199 [3 CDs: 79:00 + 52:03 + 61:48] [KMc]

If you like Arvo Pärt’s music, this set just might be for you ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Messa di San Emidio Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660–1725) Messa per il Santissimo Natale Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini rec. 2008 NAÏVE OP30461 [58.00][RH]

Charming and inventive … vibrant and involving ... see Full Review

Stephen PLEWS (b.1961) Extracts from Infinity Stephen Plews, Stewart Death, David Jones, Stephen Pruslin (piano); Roberto Bellatalla, Jeff Clyne, Steve Berry (bass); Bill Eyden, Trevor Tomkins, Peter Fairclough, Phil Clark (drums); Andrew Long (violin); Roger Heaton (clarinet); Iain Dixon (bass clarinet); Duncan MacKay (trumpet); Mike Walker (guitar); Ed Jones (saxophone). rec. 2003. CAMEO CAMPION CAMEO 2029 [64:25] [DC]

Intriguing jazz-flavoured stuff. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) The Complete Symphonies Scottish Ntl O/Neeme Järvi rec. 1984/5 CHANDOS 10500X [4CDs: 261:28] [JFL]

Marvelous, charming, sweeping ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) La Bohème (1896) Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Nicole Cabell, Bayerischen RSO & Ch/Bertrand de Billy rec. live 2007 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 7949 [54:44 + 52:52] [GF]

Compares favorably with the best of all previous Bohèmes ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Vissi d’arte: The Puccini Love Songs Maria Callas (soprano); Various accompanists rec. 1953-9 EMI CLASSICS 2161022 [76:25 + 75:50][ST]

A fitting tribute to a great artist … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Angela Gheorghiu - My Puccini Opera arias, audio interview rec. 1995-2004 EMI CLASSICS CD & 2174412 [CD: 75:26; DVD: 59:00] [IL]

A splendid collection of Puccini heroines illuminated by Gheorghiu ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Maria Callas - The Complete Puccini Studio Recordings rec. 1953-65 EMI CLASSICS 2158942 [15 CDs] [RJF]

Her unique Puccini interpretations are gathered here with an unexpected bonus ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Dioclesian (complete) (1691)+ [92:47] Timon of Athens: see Galliard

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony No. 3; Symphonic Dances Moscow State Symphony Orchestra/Pavel Kogan rec. 1990 ALTO ALC1030 [77:12][RB]

Generous, inexpensive, big-hearted, broodingly coloured and impassioned ... see Full Review

Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto 2, Moments Musicaux Dejan Lazić (piano) London PO/Kirill Petrenko rec. 2008 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA26308 [64.15] [MM-B]

Not one of the best ... see Full Review

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) Castor et Pollux Finnur Bjarnason (tenor) Henk Neven (baritone) Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset rec. live, 2008 OPUS ARTE OA0999D [62:03+72:17] [WK]

Creditable if not always inspired ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Alborada del gracioso, Rhapsodie espagnole, Bolero Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Prélude à l'Aprés-midi d'un faune, Iberia  Munich PO/Sergiu Celibidache rec. live 1994  IDEALE AUDIENCE 3077968  [101:00] [CH]

Very late Celibidache - approach with caution ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet see BARTÓK

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet see DEBUSSY

 

Camden REEVES (b.1974) Lucifer’s Dynamo and other works for solo piano Das Hexenklavier (2006) Noturno dale fiamme dell’inferno (2005)Inventions & Fantasies (2002) Diablo Canyon (2006) Lucifer’s Dynamo (2005) Richard Casey (piano) rec. 2005/ 2006. CAMPION CAMEO 2070 [58:02] [DC]

Striking and significant work. ... see Full Review

Max REGER (1873-1916) String Trio, Piano Quartet Aperto Piano Quartet rec. 2003/7 NAXOS 8.570785 [72:22] [JW]

Played with luxuriant warmth ... see Full Review

Josef Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839–1901) Requiem see BRUCKNER

Nikolay Andreyevich RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Fantasy on Russian Themes for violin and orchestra Sergey Ivanovich TANEYEV (1856–1915) Suite de Concert Lydia Mordkovitch (violin); Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Neeme Järvi rec. 2008 CHANDOS CHAN10491 [64:53][MC]

An attractive disc of lesser known works ... see Full Review

Cyril ROOTHAM (1875-1938) Violin Sonata see HOLBROOKE

Alec ROWLEY (1892-1958) Piano concerto Christian DARNTON (1905-1981) Piano concerto Roberto GERHARD (1896-1970) Piano concerto Howard FERGUSON (1908-1999) Piano concerto  Peter Donohoe (piano, conductor) Northern Sinfonia rec. 2003  NAXOS 8.557290 [78:12]

The Gerhard is a masterpiece but the disc gives us plenty to think about ... see Full Review

Edwin Roxburgh (b.1937) Oboe Music Paul Goodey (oboe); Sally Mays (piano); Xiaodi Liu (oboe); Philip Haworth (cor anglais) RNCM ensemble/Edwin Roxburgh rec. 2006/8 OBOE CLASSICS CC2019 [59:51] [JF]

Sounds that are often fascinating and impressive ... see Full Review

 Ludomir ROZYCKI (1884-1953) String Quartet see SZYMANOWSKI

 

 


Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


 



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