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Alphabetical Listing

PART 5
S-Z

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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Jonathan SACKS (b. 1950) 5th (S)EASON Richard Stolzman (clarinet) Warsaw PO/Carl St. Clair; Slovak RSO/Kirk Trevor rec. 1979-2006 NAVONA NV5802 [68:03] [CR]

A variety of well-formed compositional techniques ... see Full Review 

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 Organ (1886) [36:58]. Maurice Durufle (organ) Paris Conservatoire Orchestra/Georges Prêtre French Overtures: Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880): La Belle Hélène [8:31]; Orpheus in the Underworld [8:51] Daniel-François-Esprit AUBER (1782-1871): Fra Diavolo (1871) [7:47]. L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet. rec. Salle Wagram, Paris, April 1964 (from EMI-Angel 4-track tape - Symphony); Overtures: no date (from Decca-London 4-track tape). HDTT HDCD115 [62:07] [JL]

These recordings recall the bygone golden age of natural recording. ... see Full Review

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Cello Sonata No. 1 in C minor Op. 32 (1872) [20:27] Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major Op. 123 (1905) [33:06] Prière Op. 158 (1919) [5:11] “Le Cygne” from Le Carnival des animaux (1886) [3:01] Romance Op. 36 (1874) [2:59] Christian Poltéra (cello); Kathryn Stott (piano) rec. Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, 30 March – 1 April 2009 CHANDOS CHAN 10552 [65:18]  [JS]

A very worthwhile disc with very sympathetic performances of some fascinating and attractive music. … see Full Review

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Missa breve, Motets Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Stabat Mater Christ’s College, Cambridge Ch/David Rowland rec. 2008 REGENT REGCD283 [59:33] [BW]

Some worthwhile first recordings here but competition in the other items is fierce ... see Full Review 

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685 - 1757) Keyboard Sonatas Joanna Leach (square piano) rec. 1997-2006 ATHENE RECORDS ATH23025 [72:27] [JV]

Interesting keyboard instruments played very well though repertoire is debatable ... see Full Review

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Stabat Mater see A SCARLATTI

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Moments musicaux, Impromptus David Fray (piano) rec. 2009 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6944890 [72:33] [ST]

A Schubert recital to make you sit up and take notice ... see Full Review 

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony 8 Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 -1976) Sinfonia da Requiem Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Rienzi: Overture NBC SO/Guido Cantelli rec. 1953 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC169 [54:24] [JQ]

What a conductor! ... see Full Review 

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Songs see RACHMANINOV

Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Solo Piano Works Margarete Babinsky (piano) rec. 2008 PHOENIX EDITION 181 [74:32 + 58:15] [JW]

A bit so-so ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856) Dichterliebe Johann Kaspar MERTZ (1806 - 1856) Sechs Schubert’sche Lieder Kevin Kyle (tenor) Carl Herring (guitar) rec. 2007/8 JCL RECORDS JCL513 [51:17] [GF]

Some attractive and sensitive singing but I wish he could have maintained this approach throughout ... see Full Review 

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto see Géza Anda

Heinrich SCHÜTZ (1585-1672) Weihnachtshistorie (Christmas Story) Auferstehungshistorie (Resurrection Story) Else Torp (soprano); Adam Riis (tenor); Johan Linderoth (tenor); Jakob Bloch Jespersen (bass) Ars Nova Copenhagen; Concerto Copenhagen; Sirius Viols/Paul Hillier rec. 2008 DACAPO 8.226058 [78:49] [JS]

Probably the greatest and most inspired piece of Christmas music ever written … see Full Review

Salvatore SCIARRINO (b. 1947) 12 Madrigali Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart rec. 2008 COL LEGNO WWE 1CD 20287 [39.00] [RH]

Not for the faint-hearted … uncompromising but rewarding ... see Full Review 

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Cello Sonata Johannes BRAHMS (1833 – 1897) Piano Trio 2 Daniil Shafran (cello); Lydia Pecherskaya (piano) – Shostakovich; Berl Senofsky (violin); Shirley Trepel (cello); Gary Graffman (piano) – Brahms rec. 1960/4 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD184 [48:57] [NB]

HDTT are definitely onto a good thing and are a label to watch ... see Full Review

Christian SINDING (1856 - 1941) Music for Violin and Piano Vol. 1 Henning Kraggerud (violin) Christian Ihle Hadland (piano) rec. 2006 NAXOS 8.572254 [57:18] [GF]

Truly idiomatic writing in a full-bloodedly romantic style ... see Full Review 

Roman STATKOWSKI (1859-1925) Piano Works – vol. 2 Two Idylls Op.18 [6:43] Three Obereks Op.22 [7:00] Three Mazureks Op.24 [10:32] Three Piècettes polonaises Op.9 [8:27] Three Krakowiaks Op.23 [8:08] Six Pièces Op.16 [20:56] Barbara Karaskiewicz (piano) rec. December 2007, Polish Radio Studio S1 ACTE PRÉALABLE APO176 [61:56] [JW]

Full marks for this delightful recital. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Rite of Spring [33:38]; The Firebird Suite (1919 version) [19:45] Paris Conservatoire Orchestra/Pierre Monteux rec. 1956 (not 1958 as stated) HDTT HDCD105 [53:33] [JL]

HDTT are onto something and I look forward to more titles. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Jeu de Cartes (1936) [21:35] Agon (1957) [21:20] Orpheus (1947) [29:37] BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov rec. City Halls, Glasgow, December 2008, April 2009. DDD HYPERION CDA67698 [72:45] ]JPJ]

Definitely worth investigating ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Apollon Musagète, Pulcinella Suite CO Europe/Alexander Janiczek rec. 2008 LINN RECORDS CKD330 [54:00] [DC]

Luxuriant neo-romantic feast of neo-classical Stravinsky. ... see Full Review

Giles SWAYNE (b.1946) Riff - Raff see DUPRÉ

Alexandre TANSMAN (1897 – 1986) Symphonie de chambre (1960) [14:19] Sinfonietta No.1 (1924) [15:01] Sinfonietta No.2 (1978) [13:45] Sinfonia piccola (1951/2) [17:31] Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana/Oleg Caetani rec. Auditorio Stelio Molo, Lugano, Switzerland, 20 January 2009 (Sinfonietta No.2) and 6-8 May 2009 (other works) CHANDOS CHAN 10574 [61:06] [HC]

Tansman’s colourful music is rendered in vital performances brilliantly recorded … see Full Review

Deems TAYLOR (1885-1966) Peter Ibbetson - Lyric Drama in three Acts Op 20 (1930) [134:18] Seattle Symphony Chorus; Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz rec. 1999 NAXOS 8.669016-7 [72:10 + 62:08] [JS]

Much to enjoy here … see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 5 & rehearsals International Festival O/Leopold Stokowski rec. live, 1973 CAMEO CLASSICS CC9007CD [79:48] [RB]

A reviving draught ... see Full Review 

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker - complete ballet Anton ARENSKY (1861-1908) Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky op. 35a Halesworth Middle School Choir/Christopher Barnett Orchestra of the Royal Opera House/Mark Ermler rec. May 1989, All Saints Church, Tooting, London. DDD SONY ESSENTIAL MASTERWORKS 88697581242 [47:14 + 43:48]
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Sleeping Beauty - complete ballet Royal Opera House Orchestra/Mark Ermler rec. December 1989, St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead, London. DDD SONY ESSENTIAL MASTERWORKS 88697575302 [3 CDs: 72:36 + 47:29 + 52:36]
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Swan Lake - complete ballet Orchestra of the Royal Opera House/Mark Ermler rec. April 1989, All Saints Church, Tooting, London. DDD SONY ESSENTIAL MASTERWORKS 88697575342 [73:47 + 79:18] [RB]

Readings that embody the grand Soviet traditions ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) String Quartets 1 & 2 Utrecht String Qt rec. 2008/9 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG9031575-6 [63:43] [DC]

Bring on vol.2! ... see Full Review  

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Harmonischer Gottes-Dienst Bergen Barokk; Franz Vitzthum (counter-tenor); Bjarte Eike (Baroque violin); Hans Knut Sveen (harpsichord, organ); Marku Luolajan-Mikkola (Baroque cello) rec. 2006 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0057 [55:27] [MS]

Style, conviction and great musicality from unassuming specialists … see Full Review

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Der aus der Löwengrube errette Daniel La Stagione Frankfurt/Michael Schneider rec. 2008 CPO 777 397-2 [69:42] [MS]

A suitably clean and attentive performance … see Full Review 

Charles Tournemire – complete recordings César FRANCK (1822-1890) Charles TOURNEMIRE (1870-1939) Charles Tournemire (organ) rec. 1930-31, Cavaillé-Coll organ of Sainte-Clotilde, Paris ARBITER 156 [69:06] [JW]

No collector of organ recordings can afford to spurn this ... see Full Review

Victor ULLMANN (1898-1944) String Quartet 3 see JANÁCEK

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Heroic Elegy & Triumphal Epilogue Roderick Elms (organ) William ALWYN (1905-1985) Overture in the Form of a Serenade Micaela Haslam (soprano) and the London Chorus Prelude; Blackdown – A Tone Poem from the Surrey Hills; Peter Pan Suite (Peter Pan; Tinker Bell; The Lost Boys in Never-Never Land; Captain Hook); Ad Infinitum – A Satire for Orchestra Sir Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) Hypatia – Incidental Music (Hypatia and Philammon; Ruth and Orestes; Orestes’ March) York BOWEN (1884-1961) Orchestral Poem: Eventide Roderick Elms (organ) BBC Concert Orchestra/John Wilson rec. The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England, 12-14 July 2009 World premiere recordings DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7237 [72:52] [IL]

One of the best compilations of British music I have heard for a very long time. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Macbeth Giuseppe Altomare (baritone) Olha Zhuravel (soprano) Marchigiana PO & Ch/Daniele Callegari rec. live, 2007 NAXOS 8.660259-60 [77:02 + 66:42] [GD]

A good ensemble performance that does Verdi’s score full justice ... see Full Review 

Turbulent Heart Louis VIERNE (1870-1937) Les Djinns, Eros, Ballade du désespéré, Psyché Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème de l’amour et de la mer Steve Davislim (tenor) Queensland O/Guillaume Tourniaire rec. 2008 MELBA RECORDS MR 301123 [76:32] [DC]

Romantic vocal collectors please note ... see Full Review  

Louis VIERNE (1870-1937) 24 Pièces de fantaisie: Part II Kay Johannsen (Kern organ) rec. 2008 CARUS 83.251 [75:42] [BW]

Makes a good case for music which isn’t well known ... see Full Review 

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Flute Concertos 1 -6 Jennifer Stinton (flute) Concertgebouw CO/Harry Christophers rec. 1991 ALTO ALC1059 [57:50] [J-PJ]

Enjoyable - Stinton, warm and sensitive, displays flawless technical skill ... see Full Review  

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1813–1883)
Das Rheingold
Wotan - Juha Uusitalo, Fricka - Anna Larsson, Alberich - Franz-Josef Kapelmann, Loge - John Daszak, Fasolt - Matti Salminen, Fafner - Stephen Milling, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana/Zubin Mehta rec. live, 2007 [27:00] UNITEL CLASSICA 700604 [221:00] [BK]

A must have disc for any serious Wagnerian, I’d say. Easily on a par with The Copenhagen Ring ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Rienzi: Overture see SCHUBERT

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John WARD (c.1589-1638) Consort Music for five and six viols Phantasm rec. 2009 LINN CKD339 [77:57] [JW]

Something of a revelatory disc … first class ... see Full Review 

Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Clarinet Concertos 1 & 2, Clarinet Quintet Fabio di Càsola (clarinet) Russian Chamber Philharmonic St Petersburg/Juri Gilbo rec. 2008 SONY 88697 376322 [66:49] [ST]

A very satisfying disc ... see Full Review

Eugène YSAŸE (1858 – 1931) Sonata in A minor for Two Violins Op. posth.1,2 (1915) [30:29] String Trio ‘Le Chimay’ Op. posth1,3,4 (1927) [17:54] Sonata for Solo Cello Op.284 (1923) [12:14] Henning Kraggerud (violin1); Bård Monsen (violin2); Lars Anders Tomter (viola3); Ole-Eirik Ree (cello4) rec. Lindemansalen, Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway, 18-22 December 2007 NAXOS 8.570977 [61:02] [NB]

This strange, elusive and questioning music … see Full Review


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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