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Alphabetical Listing

PART 3
C-L

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]


Superbudget £5.99 or less Budget £6-7.99 Medium £8-10.99 Full price £11+ Download

John Alden CARPENTER Adventures in a Perambulator see Hanson Conducts

Elliott CARTER The Minotaur, Ballet Suite see Howard Hanson Conducts

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Sonata 3, Polonaise-Fantaisie, Ballade 4, Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante Ingolf Wunder (piano) rec. 2011 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 9634 [68.09] [RBe]

A fine pianist with a great future who needs to think carefully about repertoire which suits his particular gifts.

Julius CONUS (1869-1942) Violin Concerto Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Violin Concertino Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Violin Concerto Sergey Ostrovsky (violin) Bournemouth SO/Thomas Sanderling rec. 2010 NAXOS 8.572631 [64:47] [Byz]

By turns appealing and mellifluous, dramatic and scintillating. 

Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Appalachian Spring Suite see Pulitzer Project

Louis COUPERIN (c.1626-1661) The Complete Harpsichord Works Richard Egarr (harpsichord) HARMONIA MUNDI HMU907511.14 [4 CDs: 4:55:58] [KM]

Harpsichord music by a unique composer, played with grace and subtlety, and with beautiful sound. 

Henry COWELL Symphony No. 4 see Howard Hanson Conducts

Jean CRAS (1879-1932) Harp quintette, Duo, Deux Impromptus Rachel Talitman (harp) Erez Ofer (violin) Marcos Fregnani-Martins (flute) Pierre-Henry Xuereb (viola) Hee-Yong Lim (cello) HARP & COMPANY CD-5050-24 [52:04] [RB]

Music-making that smilingly beckons you in.

Jean CRAS (1879-1932) FlÛte, harpe et cordes Trio ŕ cordes, Deux Impromptus pour harpe, Suite en duo, Quintette pour flÛte, harpe et cordes Juliette Hurel (flute) Marie-Pierre Langlamet (harp) Philippe Graffin (violin) Miguel da Silva (viola) Henri Demarquette (cello) rec. 2010 TIMPANI 1C1179 [69:30] [RB]

Sumptuously lyrical performances match music for which these artists might well have been made.

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Petite Suite see Reiner Rarities

Léo DELIBES (1836-1891) Sylvia, Coppélia (complete) London SO/Anatole Fistoulari; Minneapolis SO/Antal Dorati rec. 1957/8 NEWTON CLASSICS 8802080 [3 CDs: 61:39 + 58:13 + 52:54] [JS]

I would simply suggest that you stop reading and buy this set straightaway.

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Double Concerto, Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto Tasmin Little (violin) Paul Watkins (cello) BBC SO/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2010 CHANDOS CHSA5094 [68:59]

These fresh new recordings have warmth and clarity through which the enchantment emerges intact and very satisfying. 

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) The Complete Delius Songbook - Vol. 1 Mark Stone (baritone) Stephen Barlow (piano) rec. 2010 STONE RECORDS 5060192780062 [79:01] [JF]

A fine introduction to these songs and I look forward to the subsequent volume. 

André DEVAERE (1890-1914) Complete Works Hans Rycklynck (piano), Inge Spinette (piano), Ignace Michiels (organ), Hilde Coppé (soprano), Werner van Mechelen (baritone) rec. 2009/2010/2011 ETCETERA KTC 1425 [77:58] [DC]

A unique venture … wholeheartedly deserves investigation and support.

Stephen DODGSON (b. 1926) Ode to the Guitar, Legend, The Midst of Life, Stemma, Partita 1, Fantasy-Divisions, Merlin Roberto Morón Pérez (guitar) rec. 2010 CADENZA MUSIC CACD0211 [70:26] [WH]

Outstanding performances of modern guitar music by a composer who really knows and understands the instrument.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erno DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960) Sextet Krzysztof PENDERECKI (1933-) Sextet Ensemble Kheops rec. 2010 FUGA LIBERA FUG585 [58:52] [BR]

Great sound, great under-exposed music, an obviously excellent and good-humored ensemble: this one is a keeper.

Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) Ariane Et Barbe-Bleue Deborah Polaski (soprano) Kwangchul Youn (bass) Slovak PCh, VIenna RSO/Bertrand De Billy rec. live, 2006 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94254 [69:42 + 46:33] [KE]

Sombre but with moments of great orchestral and vocal virtuosity. 

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Symphony 9 Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-93) Overture Fantasy Romeo and Juliet Philharmonia O/Alceo Galliera rec. 1953/1955 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR463 [57:47] [PBW]

Simply very good performances without achieving anything special or distinctive.

Auguste FAUCHARD (1881-1957) Symphonie Eucharistique (1944) [56:10] Presentation of the Légion d’Honneur to Fauchard on 5 June 1953 by Marcel Dupré and Fauchard’s acceptance speech [20:30] Emmanuel Hocdé (organ) rec. 2010, world premiere recording EDITIONS HORTUS 078 [76:55] [RB]

A pummelling tumult of impacts rises to a most glorious peroration. Sovereign and piled-high majesty. Glorious!

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Quatre Motets pour un temps de Pénitence Sunhae Im (soprano) Konrad Jarnot (baritone); Max Hanft (organ); Daniel Giglberger (violin); Bavarian Radio Ch; Munich CO/Peter Dijkstra rec. 2011 SONY CLASSICAL 88697911082 [50:49] [MC]

Stunningly performed - is a marvellous mix of the familiar and the not so familiar.

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Complete chamber music for strings Renaud Capuçon (violin) Gautier Capuçon (cello) Gérard Caussé (viola) Nicholas Angelich (piano) Quatuor Ébčne VIRGIN CLASSICS 0708752 [5 CDs: 312:00] [KM]

The sound of this set, with the exception of the string quartet, is so bad that it is best to look elsewhere for this music.

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Les Béatitudes Chorale Elisabeth Brasseur, Petites Chanteurs de Chaillot/Roger Thirot; L'Académie Symphonique de Paris/Jean Allain rec. 1972? EDITIONS CHARLIN CL340 [54:56 + 45:02] [RB]

This groundbreaking and astonishingly passionate Béatitudes returns from LP gehenna.

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Violin Sonata Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Violin Sonata 1 Joseph Fuchs (violin) Artur Balsam (piano) rec. 1953 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR 426 [51:46] [JW]

Expert transfers show raffiné performances in the best light.

Baldassare GALUPPI (1706-1785) Keyboard Sonatas - Vol. 2 Matteo Napoli (piano) rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572490 [68:12] [Byz]

Those who are not adherents of the harpsichord or fortepiano should find themselves enthusiastic.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Songs Sarah Vaughan (vocalist) Los Angeles PO/Michael Tilson Thomas rec. live, 1982 SONY CBS MASTERWORKS MK 37277 [61:11] [IL]

A concert of Gershwin songs not to be missed. 

Walter GIESEKING (1895-1956) Music for Flute and piano Karen Haid (piano, piano II, flute) rec. 2000. DDD NIMBUS NI 5696 [68:36] [Byz]

More attractive than compelling … worth anyone's consideration as a curiosity.

Giovanni GIORGI (d. 1762) Ave Maria a 4, Missa a due Cori tutti piena a 8 & Offertorio In omnem terram a 4 Cappella Mediterranea, Choeur de Chambre de Namur, Ens Clematis/Leonardo García-Alarcón rec. 2010 RICERCAR RIC 313 [55:00] [JV]

Giorgi's music is a major discovery, and the artists have done him a great favour with these fine performances.

Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) String Quartet 6, Five Novelettes Utrecht Str Qt rec. 2009-2010 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 603 1239-2 [69:59] [JW]

Once again I’m taken by the Utrecht approach.

Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Oriental Rhapsody see Oriental Rhapsody

Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) Rambles and Reflections - Piano Transcriptions Piers Lane (piano) rec. 2001 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55454 [75:19] [JW]

Lane’s excellent, acutely perceptive recording emerges quite as recommendable as in its first incarnation.

Charles Tomlinson GRIFFES (1884-1920) Three Tone Pictures, Fantasy pieces, A Winter Landscape, Piano Sonata Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Ballade, Piano Sonata Lodewijk Crommelin (piano) rec. 2010 FUTURE CLASSICS 112 [72:40] [SA]

Considerable power, panache and obvious reverence.

Sofia GUBAIDULINA (b.1931) Fachwerk, Silenzio Geir Draugsvoll (bayan) Anders Loguin (percussion) Geir Inge Lotsberg (violin) Řyvind Gimse (cello) Trondheim SO Strings/Řyvind Gimse rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572772 [55:55] [MS]

Exciting, pleasing and intriguing.

Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Suites for Solo Harpsichord 1-8 Laurence Cummings (harpsichord) rec. 2008 SOMM CÉLESTE SOMMCD095-2 [57:42 + 55:00] Suites for harpsichord: Volume 1 Gilbert Rowland (harpsichord) rec. 2010 DIVINE ART DDA21219 [74:54 + 71:34] [BW]

Two very satisfying new sets of the Handel Keyboard Suites, but Hyperion’s 2-for-1 alternative offers strong competition.

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Streams of Pleasure **Karina Gauvin (soprano)/*Marie-Nicole Lemieux (contralto)/Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis rec. 2011, English texts and French translations included NAĎVE V 5261 [75:08] [JQ]

I derived nothing but pleasure from listening to this disc. It’s a delight from start to finish.

George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Complete Violin Sonatas Ens Vintage Köln rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572245 [67:23] [MS]

Clean, imaginative, generous and pleasing playing of all the accepted and questioned Handel violin sonatas.

Howard HANSON (1896-1981) Symphonies 1 & 2, The Lament for Beowulf, Lux Aeterna, Mosaics Susan Gulkis Assadi (viola) Seattle Symphony and Chorale/Gerard Schwarz rec. 1988-94 NAXOS 8.559700/1 [48:34 + 57:06] [RB]

The re-launch of a really impressive modern Hanson symphonic cycle.

Howard HANSON Symphony No. 4, Songs from 'Drum Taps' see Howard Hanson Conducts

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Orfeo ed Euridice Herbert Handt (tenor) Judith Hellwig (soprano) Vienna State Opera O/Hans Swarowsky rec. 1950 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1250 [70:58 + 54:28] [JW]

A most worthy undertaking. 

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Trios Vol. 1 Kungsbacka Piano Trio rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572040 [52:35] [OL]

Noble and natural.

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Andante con Variazioni, Fantasia, Sonata 52 see BRAHMS

Louis-Ferdinand HÉROLD (1791-1833) Piano Concertos 1-4 Angéline Pondepeyre (piano) WDR Rundfunkorchester/Conrad Van Alphen rec. 2010 DDD TALENT DOM 3811 20-21 [49:50 + 39:03] [RB]

Undemandingly ingratiating 19th century piano concertos. Lissom listening.

Bernard HERRMANN (1911-1975) Moby Dick, Sinfonietta for Strings Danish National SO & Ch/Michael Schønwandt rec. 2011 CHANDOS CHSA5095 [63:10] [RB]

This is the version of Moby Dick to have - quite special, in superbly growling and purring sound and well documented. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Johann Wilhelm HERTEL (1727 - 1789) Bassoon concertos, Sinfonia Sergio Azzolini, Miho Fukui (bassoons) Capriccio Barockorchester/Dominik Kiefer rec. 2010 TUDOR 7182 [82:11] [JV]

If there is any way to demonstrate that a little-known composer deserves more attention, this is the way to do it.

Heinrich von HERZOGENBERG (1843–1900) Choral works I Ensemble cantissimo/Markus Utz rec. 2010/11 CARUS 83.451 [51.42] [RH]

Nothing here remotely approaches the vividness or intensity which Herzogenberg’s great contemporaries could achieve in this repertoire.

Hildegard von Bingen (1098 – 1179) O Orzchis Ecclesia: Notturno del Mattutino del Commune delle Vergine Barbara Zanichelli (soprano) Ensemble San Felice/Federico Bardazzi rec. 2007 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94273 [58.15] [RH]

This disc makes a good introduction to Hildegard’s music.

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Two Psalms, Nunc Dimittis; I love my love; The Coming of Christ Robert Hardy (narrator) Chamber Choir of St Paul’s Girls’ School/Heidi Pegler City of London Choir; Holst Orchestra/Hilary Davan Wetton rec. 2011. world premiere recording EM RECORDS CD004 [58:54] [JQ]

A dedicated recording of a great Holst rarity, which is very well worth hearing

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Hymn of Jesus, The Perfect Fool, Egdon Heath BBC Ch, London PO, BBC SO/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1961 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFER HDCD215 [45:00] [RB]

Sturdy, well measured, well judged performances where a sense of rooted and dedicated rightness allows the music to emerge naturally. 

Toshio HOSOKAWA (b.1955) Landscape V, Ceremonial Dance, Sakura für Otto Tomek, Cloud and Light Mayumi Miyata (sho) Münchener Kammerorch/Alexander Liebreich rec. 2009 ECM NEW SERIES 2095 [55:52] [DC]

Leave all your expectations at the door, with your shoes.

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Symphony 1, Armenian Rhapsodies 1-3, Song of the Sea, Saxophone concerto John McDonald (piano) Kenneth Radnofsky (soprano saxophone) Boston Modern Orchestra Project/Gil Rose rec. 2007/8 BMOP/SOUND 1020 [67:39] [RB]

Idyllic, sun-languorous, confiding, lotus-eating, regally hymnal and dynamic-propulsive.

Hubert S. HOWE (b. 1942) Clusters RAVELLO RR7817 [53:43] [RB]

For those who like their electronic music and like it mysteriously evolutionary. 

John IRELAND (1879-1962) Piano Concerto, Legend for piano and orchestra, First Rhapsody, A Sea Idyll, Three Dances John Lenehan (piano) Royal Liverpool PO/John Wilson rec. 2007-2011 NAXOS 8.572598 [77:00] [JF]

I enjoyed this CD very much indeed.

Maki ISHII (1936-2003) Saidoki, Concertante, Percussion Concerto Ryan Scott (solo percussion); Bill Brennan, Mark Duggan, Paul Houle, Blair Mackay, Andrew Morris, Trevor Tureski (percussion); Esprit O/Alex Pauk rec. 2000-9 INNOVA 809 [51:57] [Byz]

Ishii means business: turbulent, compelling, insistent, startling, exospheric.

Charles IVES Symphony No. 3 Camp Meeting see Hanson Conducts

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartets 1 & 2 Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Italian Serenade Hagen Qt rec. 1988 NEWTON 88028072 [52:13] [WH]

Very hard-driven, virtuoso performances of Janáček’s two sublime Quartets, but more satisfying performances are available.

Josquin des PRÉS (c1440-1521) Missa De beata virgine [38:03] Credo quarti toni (Cambrai Credo) [9:23] Plainchant Ave maris stella, verse I [0:36] Missa Ave maris stella [27:56] The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips Latin texts and English, French and German translations included GIMELL CDGIM 044 [75:58] [JQ]

Vital performances that bring Josquin’s music vividly to life.

Paul JUON (1872-1940) Works for piano four hands Agnčs Dubois-Chauvet and Igor Kračvsky (piano) rec. 2010 MINSTREL MLCD1001 [65:18] [RB]

Juon's piano duets newly revived and in style. Will appeal to all who admire Rachmaninov.

Nigel KENNEDY (b.1956) The Four Elements Nigel Kennedy (violin) Members of the O of Life rec. 2011 SONY CLASSICAL 88697 927152 [59:41] [DC]

Four Elephants.

Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967) Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7 (1914) [24:03] Capriccio for Solo Cello (1915) [5:21] Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8 (1915) [32:37] Karine Georgian (cello); Marco Rizzi (violin) rec. The Warehouse, London, 2000. DDD ALTO ALC 1138 [62:04] [LW]

Georgian and Rizzi do complete justice to Kodály.

Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950) Organ music Christian Schmitt (organ) rec. 2009 CPO 777 512-2 [67:40] [DC]

One of the nicest organ recordings I’ve heard. 

Paul LE FLEM (1881-1984) Aucassin et Nicolette Delphine Haidan, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, Mélanie Boisvert, Armand Arapian, Katia Velletaz, Les Solistes de Lyon/Bernard Tétu, O des Pays de Savoie/Nicolas Chalvin rec. 2011 TIMPANI 1C1188 [41:40] [RB]

Superbly weighted, timed and emotionally well judged. A passionate legend.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concertos 1 & 2, Les Préludes, Hungaria Andor Földes (piano) Berlin PO/Leopold Ludwig; Bamberg SO/Ferdinand Leitner rec. 1951-3 GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2381 [66:20] [MC]

A valuable reissue from Guild Historical that should form part of any serious Liszt collection.

Liszt: The Pilgrimage Years Commentary: Evgeny Kissin, Charles Rosen, Leslie Howard, and Antonio Pappano. David Haughton (Liszt). Director: Angelo Bozzolini Made 2011 EUROARTS 2058868 [62:00] [MB]

Enjoyable fare, especially for Liszt fans, and an entertaining commemoration of the bicentennial of Liszt’s birth.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano music Alexander Krichel (piano) rec. 2011 TELOS MUSIC TLS129 [72.03] [DBe]

Real insight and maturity.

Charles Martin LOEFFLER Memories of my Childhood see Howard Hanson Conducts

Charles Martin LOEFFLER Poem for Orchestra ("La Bonne Chanson") see Howard Hanson Conducts

Achille LONGO (1900-1954) Piano Quintet see PILATI

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Silesian Triptych, Paroles Tissées, Les Espaces du Sommeil, Chantefleurs et Chantefables Lucy Crowe (soprano) Toby Spence (tenor) Christopher Purves (baritone) BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2011 CHANDOS CHAN10688 [67:40] [WH]

Magnificent music, superbly performed by an all-British team, and with outstanding Chandos sound and presentation to match.


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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