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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]


Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson et Dalila José Cura, Julia Gertseva, Stefan Stoll, Lukas Schmid, Badisches Staatstheater/Jochem Hochstenbach rec. 2010 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101631 [125:00] [JS]

I am sure that I will listen to it again, and equally sure that I will have little wish to see it.

Camille SAINT-SAENS (1835-1921) Violin Sonata 1 Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Violin Sonata Bruno Monteiro (violin) João Paulo Santos (piano) rec. 2007 CNM (PORTUGAL) 451CD [54:00] [Byz]

Persuasive performances of these two Sonatas. 

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Complete Organ Works Ben van Oosten (organ) rec. 2012 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 316 1767-2 [3 CDs: 57:12 + 56:23 + 52:34] [MC]

An excellent release that will draw in lovers of late-Romantic organ music looking for something a little different.

Camille SAINT-SAENS (1866-1924) Complete Piano Works - Vol. 3 Geoffrey Burleson (piano) rec. 2011 GRAND PIANO GP609 [75:14] [Byz]

A generously timed disc of magical music. 

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) String Quartet 1 Alexis de CASTILLON (1838-1873) String Quartet Quatuor de Chartres rec. 2011 BNL 112965 [66:05] [MC]

These readings are well prepared and thoughtful ….performed with alertness and palpable sensitivity.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso see Israel Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka SALONEN (b. 1958) Violin Concerto, Nyx Leila Josefowicz (violin) Finnish RSO/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec. 2011/2012 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 479 0628 [48:23] [HC]

A splendid release of two recent and substantial works.

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Cantatas see VIVALDI

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Die Schöne Müllerin Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) Andras Schiff (piano) rec. 1991 ARTHAUS MUSIC 107269 [83:00] [BW]

A huge disappointment - stay with the Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore recordings. 

Carlos de SEIXAS (1704-1742) Harpsichord Sonatas Vol. 2 Débora Halász (harpsichord) rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.570216 [73:38] [JV]

I am not convinced that this is the way to perform Seixas' sonatas.

Percy SHERWOOD (1866-1939) Cello Sonatas 1 & 2, Drei Stücke, Funf Kleine Stücke Joseph Spooner (cello) David Owen Norris (piano) rec. 2012 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0145 [80:24] [RB]

Two lanky late-romantic cello sonatas make an unmistakably confident first entry for Anglo-German composer Percy Sherwood.

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony 2, Pohjola’s Daughter, The Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia NBC SO/Arturo Toscanini rec. 1939-1940 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 364 [70:43] [DD]

A stunning transfer of superbly conducted, life-affirming music. 

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphonies 5 & 6, The Swan of Tuonela London PO/Paavo Berglund rec. 2003 LPO 0065 [70:34] [BR]

Berglund’s fourth go at these symphonies, and a very good Fifth but a blah Sixth. 

Jean SIBELIUS (1865 - 1957) Luonnotar see Coloratura

Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Piano Trio see BRAHMS

Carl STAMITZ (1745-1801) Cello Concerto 2 Antonín KRAFT (1749-1820) Cello Concerto Antonín VRANICKÝ (1761-1820) Cello Concerto Michal Kaňka (cello) Prague CO rec. 2012 SUPRAPHON SU 4108-2 [69:31] [JW]

No concerns about either performances or recording quality, both of which are excellent.

Johann STRAUSS I (1804-1849) Strauss Edition - Vol. 22 Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina/Christian Pollack rec. 2011 MARCO POLO 8.225342 [78:09] [Byz]

It is hard to object to such effortlessly tuneful and jauntily rhythmic music. 

Johann STRAUSS I (1804-1849) Strauss Edition - Vol. 23 Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina/Christian Pollack rec. 2012 MARCO POLO 8.225343 [59:35] [Byz]

A chance to hear what was 'top of the pops' in 1848 Vienna. 

Richard STRAUSS (1864 – 1949) Three Hymns and Opera Arias Soile Isokoski (soprano) Helsinki PO/Okko Kamu rec. 2012 ONDINE ODE 1202-2 [61:21] [GF]

Strauss singing of the highest order. A disc not to be missed.

Richard STRAUSS (1864 - 1949) Der Rosenkavalier Evelyn Lear (soprano) Jules Bastin (bass) Frederica von Stade (mezzo) Netherlands Opera Ch, Rotterdam PO/Edo de Waart rec. 1976 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9248 [3 CDs: 206:20] [GF]

Lush, fresh and youthful. 

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Metamorphosen Walter BRAUNFELS (1882-1954) String Quintet Gringolts Qt, David Geringas (cello) Ryszard Groblewski (viola) Dariusz Mizera (double bass) rec. 2012 PROFIL EDITION PH12053 [64:28] [MC]

Deeply felt and impeccably prepared performances of two fascinating works in excellent sound. 

Glenn Gould - The Schwarzkopf Tapes Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Drei Lieder der Ophelia, Burleske Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) Glenn Gould (piano) Toronto SO/Vladimir Golschmann rec. 1955-1988 SONY CLASSICAL 88725441362 [56:37] [JQ]

This issue is strictly for Gould completists. 

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Violin Sonata see SAINT-SAENS

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ein Heldenleben see Mengelberg

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Also Sprach Zarathustra, Burleske see Gary Bertini

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Violin Concerto Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955) Pacific 231, Rugby Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Violin Concerto Baiba Skride (violin) BBC Ntl O Wales/Thierry Fischer rec. 2011 ORFEO C849 121 A [75:31] [JQ]

An enterprising and well-executed programme. Another fine achievement by Baiba Skride.

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Perséphone see TCHAIKOVSKY

Franz von SUPPÉ (1819-1895) Overtures and marches Royal Scottish Ntl O/Neeme Järvi rec. 2012 CHANDOS CHSA 5110 [79:42] [JS]

Well chosen, well recorded and well annotated but a little impersonal.

Giles SWAYNE (b. 1946) Magnificat I, The silent land, Ave verum corpus, Stabat mater The Dimitri Ensemble/Graham Ross, Raphael Wallfisch (cello) rec. 1982/2010 NAXOS 8.572595 [68.18] [JQ]

Tremendous performances of challenging choral pieces.

Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Nocturne and Tarantelle see DVORÁK

Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Iolanta Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Perséphone Ekaterina Scherbachenko, Pavel Cernoch, Ch & O Teatro Real de Madrid/Teodor Currentizis rec. 2012 TEATRO REAL TR97011 [187:00] [JS]

Plenty here to enjoy, relish even. 

Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 5 Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) Iberia Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) La Vida Breve: Interlude & Dance Minneapolis SO/Antal Doráti rec. 1952/57 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 350 [74:40] [JW]

This vital and energising account of Tchaikovsky 5 makes a most exciting impact.

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Capriccio italien see FAURÉ

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Cantatas Vol. 2 Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 2006 CPO 777 261-2 [51:51] [JV]

This is a disc to treasure. It shows Telemann and the performers at their very best.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphonies 5 & 8 Hallé O/Sir Mark Elder rec. 2011 HALLÉ HLL CD 7533 [68:21] [JQ]

A splendid disc that maintains the high standards of the recordings by Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé.

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Mass in G minor, Three Choral Hymns, A Vision of Aeroplanes & other sacred choral works Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/Timothy Brown rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572465 [63:11] [JQ]

A fine reminder of Timothy Brown’s excellent work at Clare College. 

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The WaspsAristophanic Suite, Fantasia on Greensleeves Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Enigma Variations Kansas City SO/Michael Stern rec. 2011 REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR-129 [61:06] [JQ]

A most enjoyable disc. Fine performances and superb sound.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Attila Giovanni Battista Parodi (bass) Sebastián Catana (baritone) Ch & O Teatro Regio, Parma/Andrea Battistoni rec. 2010 C MAJOR 721704 [118:00 + 10:00] [RJF]

Imaginatively staged, well-sung, vibrantly and idiomatically conducted. A thrilling winner in this series.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Un giorno di regno Guido Loconsolo (baritone) Andrea Porta (buffa bass) Anna Caterina Antonacci (mezzo) Ch & O Teatro Reggio, Parma/Donato Renzetti rec. 2010 C MAJOR 720304 [119:00 +10:00 (bonus)] [RJF]

A joy to watch and to hear. An absolute must for all Verdi lovers. 

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) I Due Foscari Leo Nucci (baritone) Roberto De Biasio (tenor) Tatiana Serjan (soprano) O & Ch of the Teatro Regio, Parma, Italy/Donato Renzetti rec. 2009 C MAJOR 721104 [115:00 + 10:00] [RJF]

From the delightful theatre at Parma, a performance of this rarely staged early Verdi tragedy that should satisfy many of the composer’s enthusiasts.

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Ernani Marco Berti (tenor) Carlo Guelfi (baritone) Ch & O Teatro Reggio, Parma/Antonello Allemandi rec. 2005 C MAJOR 720904 [130:00 + 10:00] [RJF]

This production and staging combine to overcome some vocal and acted weaknesses. A fully satisfactory performance of an under-performed opera full of the composer’s compositional melody and vitality.

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Giovanna D’Arco Evan Bowers (tenor) Svetla Vassileva (soprano) O & Ch of the Teatro Regio, Parma/Bruno Bartoletti rec. 2008 C MAJOR 721304 [128:00] [RJF]

An excellent production and staging marred by solo singing that is generally weak and in one case totally inadequate. 

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) I Lombardi alla prima crociata Roberto De Biasio (tenor) Michele Pertusi (bass) Cristina Giannelli (soprano) O & Ch of the Teatro Regio, Parma/Daniele Callegari rec. 2009 C MAJOR 720704 [144:00 + 10:00] [RJF]

A lively performance of this rarely performed work should thrill the heart of every Verdian. 

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Oberto, Conte di Bonifaci Giovanni Parodi (bass) Francesca Sassu (soprano) Fabio Sartori (tenor) O Ch of the Teatro Regio, Parma/Antonello Allemandi rec. 2007 C MAJOR 720104 [124:00 + 10:00] [RJF]

In the intimate setting of the small theatre in Verdi’s hometown, in period costume znd with simple sets, this performance and staging have many virtues. 

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) The Verdi Opera Selection - Vol. 1: Il Trovatore, Don Carlos & Rigoletto rec. 1978-2006 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107524 [4 DVDs: 526:00] [RJF]

These three productions represent the ancient and the more modern, even outlandish! At the price they represent good value even if you throw one away. 

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Don Carlos, Otello see Deutsche Oper Berlin

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Symphonies 6 & 7 Săo Paulo SO/Isaac Karabtchevsky rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.573043 [68:18] [Byz]

Works that are grandly romantic and atmospheric, bursting with drama, local colour and international appeal.

Giovanni Battista VITALI (1632-1692) Trio Sonatas Semperconsort rec. 2009 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94405 [66:21] [GPu]

Rewarding exemplars of the Bolognese instrumental tradition in the baroque manner.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Magnificat Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Ch, Tallinn CO/Tonu Kaljuste rec. 2002 CARUS CLASSICS 83.325 [58.56] [RH]

Not period style but speeds are brisk. Highly stylish and involving.

Cantatas by Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741), Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) & Antonio CALDARA (1671-1736) Max Emanuel Cencic (counter-tenor) Ornamente 99/Karsten Erik Ose rec. 2003/04 CAPRICCIO C7142 [60:34 + 60:33 + 61:49 + DVD 62:00] [JW]

If you’re an admirer of singer and repertoire then this box will prove extremely enticing.

Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883) Götterdämmerung Lance Ryan (tenor), Frankfurter Opern- und Museums Ch & O/Sebastian Weigle rec. 2012 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 938 [4 CDs: 266:47] [GF]

I cannot endorse this Götterdämmerung. Not a library version nor even a starting point for the beginner.

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Orchestral Excerpts Vol. 3 Alessandra Marc (soprano) Seattle SO/Gerard Schwarz rec. 1986-1992 NAXOS 8.572769 [62.26] [JWh]

A near miss from the Delos catalogue. 

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Arias & lieder - Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Ch & O Deutschen Oper Berlin/Donald Runnicles DECCA 478 5189 [74:21] [JPr]

Kaufmann is intelligent enough to leave these intense, stamina-sapping and vocally demanding roles to those born to sing them.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Carl Maria von WEBER (1786 - 1826) Violin sonatas, Piano quartet - Isabelle Faust (violin) Alexander Melnikov (fortepiano) Boris Faust (viola) Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt (cello) rec. 2011 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902108 [70:11][MS]

Music as full of substance as it is energy and nuance performed with style and sensitivity on period instruments.

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Symphony 8 Rafał Bartmiński (tenor) Magdalena Dobrowolska (soprano) Ewa Marciniec (alto) Warsaw PO & Ch/Antoni Wit rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572873 [58:32] [Byz]

Thrillingly original music - an expressive, melodic work of considerable elegance and power.

Wladyslaw ZELENSKI (1837-1921) Piano Quartet Juliusz ZAREBSKI (1854-1885) Piano Quintet Jonathan Plowright (piano) Szymanowski Qt rec. 2011. HYPERION CDA67905 [71:30] [SA]

An irresistible acquisition for anyone who loves 19th century chamber works.

Sergei ZHUKOV (b. 1951) Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto Eleonora Bekova (piano); Elvira Bekova (violin) Karelia State SO/Marius Stravinsky, Moscow SO/Konstantin Krimets rec. 2010/11 CAMEO CLASSICS CC9047CD [75.00]  [RB]

Something out of the ordinary rut. Surreal music that holds the listener. 

 


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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