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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]


RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 8 Los Angeles Philharmonic, Simón Bolivar SO of Venezuela/Gustavo Dudamel rec. 2012 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 4890 [90:00 + 18:00] [DM]

Taut, superbly controlled Mahler, performed with great conviction and presented in top-notch sound and pictures. 

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 1 Gürzenich O Köln/Markus Stenz rec. 2011 OEHMS CLASSICS OC646 [52:56] [JQ]

A good addition to Markus Stenz’s Mahler cycle. 

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 1 Baltimore SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572207 [54:55] [JZ]

Fresh and vibrant, this makes for an appealing and persuasive reading of this familiar work.

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied von der Erde; Symphonies 9 & 10 Berlin SO/Kurt Sanderling rec. 1979/83 BERLIN CLASSICS 0300440BC [3 CDs: 216:22] [NB]

For the Mahler devotee I would suggest the 10th and Schreier’s in Das Lied as mandatory listening.

Bohuslav MARTINU (1890-1959) Sonata No.1 see Czech Flute Music

Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b.1934) Symphonies 4 & 5 Scottish CO/Philharmonia O/Peter Maxwell Davies rec. 1990/94 NAXOS 8.572351 [69:12] [Byz]

For muscular vividness and multi-textured eloquence, this pair of symphonies is hard to beat.

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Lieder ohne Worte Michael Korstick (piano) rec. 2009/10 CPO 777 519-2 [73:08 + 52:34] [EM-L]

This is a disc that I cannot fault at all - highly desirable. 

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Elijah Simon Keenlyside, Robert Murray, Rosemary Joshua, Sarah Connolly, Wrocław Philharmonic Ch, Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh rec. 2011 SIGNUM RECORDS SIGCD300 [68:30 + 67:28] [MC]

A set that I will reach for again and again. 

Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Symphony 21 see Russian Composers around 1900

Robin MILFORD (1903-1959) Mass for five voices see DURUFLÉ

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) L’Incoronazione di Poppea Philippe Jaroussky, Danielle de Niese, Anna Bonitatibus, Les Arts Florissants/William Christie, Pier Luigi Pizzi (director) rec. 2010 VIRGIN CLASSICS 0709519 [2 DVDs: 180:00] [BW]

A life-enhancing experience which dramatically changed my view of this opera.

Xavier MONTSALVATGE (1912-2002) Piano Works Vol. 3 - Music for two pianos Jordi Masó, Miquel Villalba (piano/celesta) Pia Freund (soprano) Ensemble Barcelona 216/Ernest Martínez Izquierdo rec. 2011 NAXOS SPANISH CLASSICS 8.572636 [63:14] [Byz]

Melody is seldom far away in this music.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni Eberhard Wächter (baritone) Joan Sutherland (soprano) Giuseppe Taddei (bass) Philharmonia Ch & O/Carlo Maria Giulini rec. 1959 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO078 [3 CDs: 161:02] [RMo]

Sprung, flexible and subtle, with a superb cast … simply wonderful. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Magic Flute Ying Huang, Matthew Polenzani, Nathan Gunn, René Pape, Erika Miklósa, The Metropolitan Opera O & Ch/James Levine rec. 2006 SONY CLASSICAL 88697 910139 [112:00] [GF]

Formidable shortcomings but I derived a lot of pleasure from this production. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto 20 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto 3 Mindru Katz (piano) Jerusalem SO/Gary Bertini & Mendi Rodan rec. 1970-77 CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD 163 [69:24] [JW]

Katz’s early death on stage was a grievous loss to the musical community. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos 9 & 21 Cleveland O/Mitsuko Uchida (piano) rec.2012 DECCA CLASSICS 478 3539 [62:31] [RMo]

I look forward to the continuation and eventual completion of a superb series. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Idomeneo John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Pavol Breslik (tenor) Juliane Banse (soprano) Ch & O of the Bavarian St Op/Kent Nagano rec. 2008 EUROARTS 2072444 [176:00] [RJF]

Two histrionic performances cannot entirely rescue Mozart’s early masterpiece from this messy production. 

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano sonata 8 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Rhapsodies Stephen De Pledge (piano) rec. 2008 CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD 030 [69:12]  [Byz]

You will not be disappointed if you have seen De Pledge play or are a collectomanianc or a supporter of Champs Hill. 

Manuel Blasco de NEBRA (1750-1784) Complete Piano Works - Vol. 3 Pedro Piquero (piano) rec. 2010 COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0240 [62:43] [JW]

An absorbing recital well recorded. 

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Songs Jan Lund (tenor), Karen Kriver Zarganis (flute, piccolo, alto flute), Michael Norman (guitar) rec. 2010 DANACORD DACOCD730 [55.09] [PCG]

A charming, very well contrasted and altogether unexpected collection. 

Otto NICOLAI (1810-1849) Psalms Kammerchor Stuttgart/Frieder Bernius rec. 2009-11 CARUS 83.299 [50:35]   [JW]

An invaluable revaluation of Nicolai’s place in German choral music. 

Buxton ORR (1924-1997) Chamber Music for Strings String Quartet No. 1 ,Duo for Baroque Violin and String Bass, String Trio, String Quartet No. 2 Beethoven String Trio of London rec. 2000/2001, TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0103 [68.12] [GH]

Not fashionable, does not come out to meet you half way but is approachable and emotional and has its own strong rewards. Well done Toccata.

Charles Wilfred ORR (1893-1976) The Complete Songbook Vol. 2 Mark Stone (baritone) Simon Lepper (piano) rec. 2011 STONE RECORDS 5060192780192 [59:52] [JF]

Much here to listen to, to think about and ultimately to enjoy.  

Selim PALMGREN (1878 - 1951) Sonata, Preludes Henri Sigfridsson (piano) rec. 2011 ONDINE ODE 1192-2 [56:38] [HC]

A very fine release well worth investigating by all those with a liking for warmly Romantic music. 

Charles Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Choral works Amanda Roocroft (soprano) BBC Natl Ch & O of Wales/Neeme Järvi rec. 2012 CHANDOS CHAN10740 [75:15] [NB]

An interesting but not obligatory purchase. 

Charles Hubert H. PARRY (1848-1918) Cello sonata see British Works for Cello and Piano

Hans PFITZNER (1869-1949) Cello Concerto John MAYER (1929-2004) Prabhanda, Six Ragamalas Rohan de Saram (cello) Druvi de Saram (piano) John Mayer (tanpura) Netherlands Radio O/Bohumil Gregor rec. 1980/3 FIRST HAND RECORDS FHR14 [59:51] [WK]

Performances that are passionate but extremely well thought out. 

Peter PHILIPS (1560/61-1628) Cantiones Sacrae Quinis et Octonibus Vocis The Sarum Consort/Andrew Mackay; Nigel Gardner (organ) rec. 2000 NAXOS 8.572832 [65:08] [JV]

Another failed attempt to do Philips' music justice. 

Nicola PORPORA (1686 - 1768) Vespro per la Festività dell'Assunta Marilia Vargas, Michiko Takahashi (soprano) Delphine Galou (contralto) La Maîtrise de Bretagne, Le Parlement de Musique/Martin Gester rec. 2011 ÉDITIONS AMBRONAY AMY030 [64:03] [JV]

I have nothing but admiration for the performances of the three singers.

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Turandot Luana De Vol, Barbara Frittoli, Franco Farina, Gran Teatre del Liceu SO & Ch/Giuliano Carella rec. 2004 ARTHAUS 107 305 [132:00] [JZ]

Frittoli brings elegance, grace, and authority to an estimable staging of the opera. 

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La fanciulla del West Lucio Gallo, Deborah Voigt, Marcello Giordani; Metropolitan Opera O & Ch/Nicola Luisotti rec. 2011 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 0734808 [143:00 + 21:00 (extras)] [JLZ]

An opportunity to hear Voigt in one of her finest roles in the Met’s outstanding staging. 

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Love’s Madness Dorothee Mields (soprano) Lautten Compagney Berlin/Wolfgang Katschner rec. 2011 CARUS 83.371 [75:46] [JW]

A weirdly constructed, baffling disc.

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18 [34:21] Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Stanislaw Wislocki Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op.40 [24:27] Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra/Ettore Gracis DG and EMI, stereo, 1960 ALTO ALC 1175 [59:00] [RB]

These two classics need to be heard and are grateful to mind and heart.

Nikolai RAKOV (1908-1990) Violin Sonatas 1 & 2, Violin Sonatinas 2 & 3, Three Pieces for violin and piano David Frühwirth (violin) Milana Chernyavska (piano) rec. 2009 CRYSTAL CLASSICS N67075 [60:16] [JW]

Engaging performances … a very personal approach to the folkloric heritage. 

Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Les Fêtes d’Hébé Sophie Daneman, Jean-Paul Fouchécourt, Luc Coadou; Les Arts Florissants/William Christie rec. 1997 ERATO 2564 65887-3 [74.47 + 74:57] [DC]

A French baroque delight from start to finish. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anthony RITCHIE (b.1960) A Bugle Will Do, Symphony 3, French Overture, Revelations New Zealand SO/Tecwyn Evans rec. 2010 ATOLL ACD741 [62:54] [NB]

A hugely enjoyable and rewarding disc of a composer well worth exploring further. 

Johan Helmich ROMAN (1694-1758) The 12 Keyboard Suites Oskar Ekberg (piano) rec. 2011 DAPHNE 1041 [72:42 + 54:06] [GF]

Ekberg’s lightness of touch illuminates these little gems.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Carnevale - Works for chorus and ensemble Südfunk-Chor/Rupert Huber, Eric Ericson, Helmut Wolf rec. 1979-92 CARUS 83.324 [65:42] [JS]

There have been other discs of Rossini’s shorter vocal works but none that I have heard has given as much pleasure as this one. 


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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