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Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Cello sonata 2 Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Cello Sonata; Introduction and polonaise
brillante 
Jamie Walton (cello) Daniel Grimwood (piano) rec. 2010
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD252 [71:48]
[GA]
This
is an enterprising and very well played program of Romantic cello music,
but the small piano sound may deter some.
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921)
String Quartets 1 & 2
Fine Arts Qt rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572454 [62:42]
[BR]
A
new side of Saint-Saëns, no bon-bons but great interest.
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson et Dalila
see Domingo
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Oratorio
de Noël see PART
Robert
SAXTON (b. 1953)
The Wandering Jew
Roderick Williams (baritone) Tim Mirfin (baritone) Teresa Cahill (soprano)
Hilary Summers (mezzo) BBC Singers/SO/Andre de Ridder rec. 2008/2009
NMC
RECORDINGS NMC D170 [75:14 + 22:21]
[DC]
Powerful,
rewarding, and deserving of the widest audience.
Franz
Xaver SCHARWENKA (1850-1924)
Piano Concerto 4, Mataswintha overture, Andante Religioso, Polish
National Dances
François Xavier Poizat (piano) Poznań PO/Łukasz Borowicz
rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572637 [67:27]
[RMay]
Poizat
is certainly engaging and for anyone coming to Scharwenka for the first
time this disc might be a sensible and economical way of dipping an
exploratory toe in the water.
Florent
SCHMITT ( 1870-1958) La Tragédie de Salomé, Le Palais
hanté, Psaume XLVII
Susan Bullock (soprano) São Paulo SO & Ch/Yan Pascal Tortelier rec.
2010
CHANDOS CHSA5090 
[68:10] [NB]
An
auspicious and impressive debut for this new performing team. Any new
Schmitt disc from this source will be eagerly awaited.
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Complete Violin Sonatas
Carolyn Huebl (violin) Mark Wait (piano) rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.570978 [69:20] [MS]
Nowhere
else are all of Schnittke's violin sonatas available on the same CD.
It's hard to imagine more idiomatic, lively, sensitive and generally
persuasive performances.
Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Variations for Orchestra see
TCHAIKOVSKY
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Piano sonatas D858-60
Craig Sheppard (piano) rec. 2010
ROMÉO RECORDS 7283-4 [71:06 + 47:12]
[JQ]
Exceptionally
fine and satisfying. Sheppard is a perceptive and intelligent guide.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies 4 & 5
London Mozart Players/Harry Blech rec. 1953
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR386 [53:49]
[CH]
I
don’t think I’ve heard a finer Schubert 4. A welcome reminder that there
was more to the Blech story than listeners of my generation can remember.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony 9; Cello concerto (arr.
of Arpeggione Sonata)
Gaspar Cassadó (cello) Hallé O/Hamilton Harty rec. 1928/29
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC282 [71:47]
[JW]
Fascinating
listening.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphony 9, Five German Dances
Budapest Festival O/Iván Fischer rec. 2010
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA31111
[69:47]
[GD]
Fischer
has certainly put his personal stamp on this recording.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies 3 & 5 see
HAYDN
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Sonata 21 see
Sofronitsky
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Duo for violin and cello see
Duos
for Violin & Cello
Gunther
SCHULLER (b.1925) +Concerto da Camera see To
the point
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Kreisleriana Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Miroirs Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Sonata 5
Alexei Volodin (piano) rec. 2010
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72354 [67:41]
[GA]
A
rhapsodic Kreisleriana, a vividly-painted Miroirs and
a virtuosic Scriabin sonata make up a convincing and varied recital.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Cello transcriptions
Francesco Dillon (cello) Emanuele Torquati (piano) rec. 2010
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94060 [62:53 + 52:14]
[WK]
Well-played
transcriptions of Schumann, of interest mostly to cellists and completists.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Complete Works for Piano Trio
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) Christian Tetzlaff (violin) Tanja Tetzlaff
(cello) rec. 2009/2010
EMI CLASSICS 0941802 [75:15 + 46:41] [MC]
It
is pleasing to have such fine accounts from the Andsnes-Tetzlaff trio
but they do not replace some of the more established versions.
Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Piano sonata 5 see
SCHUMANN
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin Concerto 1 see WEBER
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Viola Sonata see
INNER VOICE
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Piano Concerto 1 see
Martha Argerich
Fernando
SOR (1778-1839)
Le Calme and other late works
William Carter (guitar) rec. 2010
LINN CKD 380
[60:10]
[ZT]
Anachronistic
novelty.
Louis
SPOHR (1784-1859)
Der Zweikampf mit der Geliebten Overture, Symphonies 8 &
10 Svizzera
Italiana O/Howard Shelley rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67802 [68:10]
[CC]
In
short, a fine, musical, superbly engineered disc that guarantees much
pleasure.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Alessandro STRADELLA (1639-1682)
Sinfonias see ROSENMÜLLER
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ein Heldenleben, Vier letzte Lieder
Dorothea
Röschmann (soprano) Rotterdam PO/Yannick Nézet-Séguin rec. 2010
BIS-SACD-1880
[69:13]
[DM]
This
Heldenleben is not competitive. All very perplexing.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864–1949) The Complete Chamber Music
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9231 [9 CDs: 596:07]
[NB]
Interesting,
beautiful and appealing even if little – if any – is great.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan see
BEETHOVEN
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Cello Sonata see
BRAHMS
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Burleske see
Arrau
with Szell
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Igor STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) L’Oiseau de Feu, Petrouchka,
La Sacre du Printemps, Pulcinella
Monte Carlo PO/Yakov Kreizberg rec. 2010
OPMC CLASSICS OPMC001 [3 CDs: 159:54]
[BW]
Individually
these performances are at or near the top of the pile; collectively
this is an irresistible offering.
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Perséphone
Vera Zorina (narrator) Richard Robinson (tenor)
Westminster Ch, New York PO/Igor Stravinsky rec. 1957
PRISTINE AUDIO PACO061 [53:33]
[DC]
Not
definitive, but still very fine.
Sir
Arthur SULLIVAN (1840-1900) The Mikado, Overtures
Donald
Adams, Thomas Round, Peter Pratt, Jean Hindmarsh, New SO of London/Isidore
Godfrey, Boston Promenade O/Arthur Fiedler rec. 1952-58
MAGDALEN METCD 8002 [73:33 + 73:31]
[JS]
There
is plenty to enjoy here.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Svend Erik TARP
(1908-1994)
Piano Works Theme with variations, Suite, Sonatinas, Improvisations,
Sonata
Tonya Lemoh (piano) rec. 2010
DACAPO 8.226053 [58:32]
A
quality artefact that all but recommends itself [Byz] Do try this most
intriguing and musically valuable disc [RB]
Pyotr
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 6 Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Variations for Orchestra
West-Eastern Divan O/Daniel Barenboim rec. 2007
DECCA 478 2719 [69.02]
[EM]
No
buyer should feel let down by the purchase of this disc.
Pyotr
Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Hamlet see
Inspired by Shakespeare
and Hamlet
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Piano Concerto No.1 see KATZ
Thomas
D. A. TELLEFSEN (1823-1874) The Complete Works for Piano
Solo
Einar Steen-Nøkleberg (piano) rec. 2009
SIMAX CLASSICS PSC1239 [4 CDs: 286:07] [DC]
Deserves
pride of place in any fine collection.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Ernst TOCH (1887-1964) Divertimento see
Duos
for Violin & Cello
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) English Folk Song Suite see
HOLST
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
The Verdi Collection: Ernani, Luisa Miller, La
forza del destino
rec. 2005/6
DYNAMIC CDS681 [7CDs: 449:40]
[RJF]
This
bargain-priced collection is a good starter for someone new to Verdi
or for those enthusiasts who prefer live performances to studio recordings.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Giuseppe
VERDI (1813 – 1901) La traviata
Patrizia Ciofi (soprano) Roberto Saccà (tenor) Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone)
Eufemia Tufano (mezzo) Orch/Chor of the Teatro La Fenice/Lorin Maazel
rec. 2004
ARTHAUS 
107
227 [146:00]
[GF]
This
Violetta has looks, acting ability and voice placing her among the best.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata
Licia Albanese, Jan Peerce, Robert Merrill, NBC SO/Arturo Toscanini
rec. 1946
MUSIC & ARTS CD-4271 [57:07 + 46:45]
[JS]
An
essential adjunct to other more modern recordings for anyone wanting
to explore the opera more fully.
Robert
de VISÉE (c.1655-?1733)
La musique de la Chambre du Roy
Manuel Staropoli (recorder, Baroque flute) Massimio Marchese (theorbo)
Cristiano Contadin (viola da gamba) rec. 2010
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94154 [55:22]
[Byz]
Strikingly
original. The work of an inspired mind, dignified and charged with emotional
depth.
RECORD
OF THE MONTH Antonio
VIVALDI (1678 - 1741) The Complete Cello Sonatas
David
Watkin (cello) Helen Gough (cello continuo) David Miller (theorbo, archlute,
guitar) Robert King (harpsichord, organ) rec. 1993
HYPERION DYAD CDD22065 [65:35 + 50:02]
[JV]
Don’t
delay; purchase this reissue today.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Violin concertos (La Stravaganza)
Europa Galante/Fabio Biondi (violin) rec. 2008
VIRGIN CLASICS 5193002 [56:26]
[MC]
Exciting
music-making … highly desirable.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Eine Faust-Ouvertüre, Siegfried Idyll
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony
1 NBC
SO/Bruno Walter rec. 1939
MUSIC & ARTS CD-1241 [77:25]
[JQ]
A
fine example of Bruno Walter’s artistry speaking powerfully seven decades
later.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Die Walküre
Jon Vickers (tenor) Birgit Nilsson (soprano) Christa Ludwig (mezzo)
Metropolitan Opera Ch & O/Berislav Klobucar rec. 1968
SONY CLASSICAL 88697 853082 [3 CDs: 216:46]
[ST]
Undeniable
weaknesses but parts are excellent and at this budget price you can
afford to give it a go if you like the performers.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Der fliegende Hollander Overture see BEETHOVEN
William
WALTON (1902
- 1983) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1938) [30:36] Two Pieces
for Strings from Henry V (1944) [4:36] Samuel BARBER
(1910 - 1981) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Op.14 (1939-40)
[21:56] Adagio for Strings Op.11 (1938) [8:52]
Thomas Bowes (violin) Malmö Opera Orchestra/Joseph Swensen rec.
2010
SIGNUM SIGCD238 [66:02]
[WH]
A
fine Barber, but the Walton seems less convincing overall
Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Overture, Oberon Dmitry
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin Concerto 1
Antonin DVORÁK (1873-1943)
Symphony 8
Hilary Hahn (violin) Berlin PO/Mariss Jansons rec. 2000
EUROARTS DVD
2050448 [98:41]
[WH]
A
very fine filmed concert from Tokyo, with the Berlin Philharmonic, Jansons
and the young Hilary Hahn on superb form
Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Konzertstück see
Arrau
with Szell
Samuel
WESLEY
(1766-1837)
Organ pieces
Christopher Howell (organ) rec. 2009/10
SHEVA COLLECTION 030 [78:04]
[Byz]
Sheva
need to go back and do this properly, and ideally on a better instrument.
Sir
David WILLCOCKS (b. 1919) A Ceremony of Psalms, Five
Folksongs, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis and choral works by Ledger,
Cleobury, Rutter & J Willcocks
Ch King’s
College, Cambridge/Sir David Willockcs rec. 2010
PRIORY PRCD 1053 [72:40] [JQ]
It
would be hard to imagine a more gracious, generous and effective tribute
to a man who has been a key figure in choral music for some six decades.
Ian
WILSON (b.1964) Re:play, for tenor saxophone,
piano, double-bass and string quartet Across a Clear Blue Sky -
String Qt 10, Im Schatten - String Qt 11
Cathal Roche (saxophone) Hugh Tinney (piano) Malachy Robinson (double-bass)
RTÉ Vanbrugh Qt rec. 2010
RIVERRUN RVRCD 82 [55:38]
[Byz]
The
nuances, subtleties and technical difficulties of Wilson's string writing.
Stefan
WOLPE
(1902-1972) Address
about Peace BRIDGE 9209 [60:06]
The Music Of Stefan Wolpe, Volume 4 BRIDGE 9215 [60:05]
The Music Of Stefan Wolpe, Volume 5 Lazy Andy Ant BRIDGE
9308 [57:46]
[MS]
A
representative collection of works by the unduly neglected Stefan Wolpe
on a label that's in the forefront of championing contemporary and new
music.
William
WOLSTENHOLME (1865-1931) Works for organ
Michael Harris (organ) rec. 2010
PRIORY PRCD1047 [78:28] [JF]
This
is an excellent new CD that fills a major gap in the repertoire of British
organ music.
Fu-Tong
WONG
(b.1948) Shiau-Feng - Symphonic Poem
[12:52] *Symphony: The Hero with Great Eagle [63:35]
Taipei Philharmonic/Paul Tien-Chi Lin *Voronezh State Symphony Orchestra/Mak
Ka-lok rec. 2004, 2007. DDD
ARCADIA 007 [76:27] 
[Byz]
This
release contains not only what is probably the only symphony ever written
to have been based on a kung fu novel.
Judith
Lang ZAIMONT (b.1945) String Quartet 'The Figure' ZONES
(Piano Trio 2) Astral...a Mirror Life on the Astral Plane, for solo
viola, Serenade, for piano trio
Harlem Quartet, Awadagin Pratt (piano) rec. 2010
NAVONA RECORDS NV 5846 [64:40]
[Byz]
Fine
work, containing much imaginative, stimulating, beautiful music.
Hao-Fu
ZHANG
(b.1952) Théâtre
pour Deux, Crépuscule, Yin-Yang, Le Chant du Ciel,
Théâtre pour Deux II
Muhiddin Dürrüoglu-Demiriz (piano) Marie Hallynck (cello) Eugène Galand
(piano II) Alexandra Grot (flute) Graf Mourja (violin) rec.2008
MEGADISC CLASSICS MDC 7796 [74:55] 
[Byz]
Repeated
hearings will only improve the experience and repay the listener with
original, ambicultural ideas attractively presented.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann Rudolph ZUMSTEEG
(1760
- 1802) Die Geisterinsel
Kammerchor Stuttgart, Hofkapelle Stuttgart/Frieder Bernius rec. live
2010
CARUS 83.229 [3 CDs: 139:26]
[JV]
Enjoyable
Singspiel in a fine performance with an impressive cast.
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]
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