|
 RECORDINGS OF
THE MONTH
Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856)
Giselle (excerpts) Paris Conservatoire O/Jean Martinon
rec. 1958 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD204 [47:30]
[DM] Spell-binding from start to finish.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Fidelio Elisabeth Söderström
(soprano) Anton de Ridder (tenor) Curt Appelgren (bass) Elizabeth
Gale (soprano) Glyndebourne Fest Ch, London PO/Bernard Haitink
rec. 1979 ARTHAUS MUSIK 102 307 
[128.00] [PCG] This is an exceptional
release.
Gustav MAHLER (1860 -
1911) Symphony 1 - London PO/Vladimir Jurowski rec.
2010 LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA LPO0070 [RMo] A
triumph.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony 5 - P-SO of New York/Bruno Walter rec. 1947 PRISTINE
AUDIO PASC382 [61:29] [DM] A mandatory
Mahler Fifth superbly re-mastered; don’t miss.
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Lieder - Christian Gerhaher (baritone) Gerold
Huber (piano) rec. 2009 RCA RED SEAL 88697567732 [75:52]
[MC] Sheer enjoyment from start to finish.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony 8 - Christine Brewer (soprano) Camilla Nylund (soprano)
Robert Dean Smith (tenor) Bavarian & Netherlands Radio
Ch, Royal Concertgebouw O/Mariss Jansons rec. 2011 RCO LIVE
RCO13003 
[ 80:15 + bonus DVD 86:27] [JQ] An Eighth
to remember - incandescent.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Piano Trios 1 & 2, Trio for piano, violin
and viola Fanny MENDELSSOHN-HENSEL (1805-1847) Piano Trio
- Hrvoje Jugovic (piano) Maria Bader-Kubizek (violin) Silvia Schweinberger
(viola) Dorothea Schonwiese (cello) rec. 2009/10 BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 94490 [42:24 + 52:57] [BR] If
you're interested in Mendelssohn on period instruments, it doesn't
get much better than this. If you just want a set of the trios,
the same advice applies.
Gioacchino ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Semiramide - Myrtò Papatanasiu (soprano)
Ann Hallenberg (mezzo) SO & Ch of the Vlaamse Op Antwerp-Ghent/Alberto
Zedda rec. 2011 DYNAMIC CDS 674/1-3 [3 CDs: 229:32] [ST]
A dramatic, incisive and exciting take on a wonderful opera, and
it deserves to be heard.
Gioachino ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Le Siège de Corinthe - Lorenzo Regazzo
(bass) Marc Sala (tenor) Majella Cullagh (soprano) Camerata Bach
Ch, Poznan, Virtuosi Brunensis/Jean-Luc Tingaud rec. 2010 NAXOS
8.660329-30 [75.41 + 75.38] [RJF] This
excellent performance fills a significant gap. At bargain price
no enthusiast should hesitate.
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1838) String Quintet Arnold SCHÖNBERG (1874-1951)
Verklärte Nacht Janine Jansen, Boris Brovtsyn (violin),
Maxim Rysanov, Amihai Grosz (viola), Torlief Thedéen, Jens
Peter Maintz (cello) rec. 2012 DECCA 478 3551 [83:12] [DC]
Straight onto the 2013 Recordings of
the Year list.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Rigoletto Francesco Demuro (tenor) Leo Nucci (baritone)
Nino Machaidze (soprano) Marco Spotti (bass) O & Ch Teatro
Regio, Parma/Massimo Zanetti rec. 2008 C MAJOR 723304 
[131:00 +10:00] [RJF] In my opinion this
is by far the best-staged and performed Rigoletto in the modern
digital format and should be a part of any opera collection.
Russian Songs and Arias
- Works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky & Rimsky-Korsakov -
Dinara Alieva (soprano) New Russia State SO/Dmitry
Yablonsky rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572893 [60:04] [GF] A
recording to treasure!
Waiting for Benny
A Tribute to Benny Goodman Works by Gould, Bartok & Poulenc
- Julien Hervé (clarinet) Maud Lovett (violin) Jean-Hisanori
Sugitani (piano) Ying Lai Green (double bass) rec. 2011 NAXOS
8.573032 [67:17] [SA] It is difficult
to praise this disc highly enough.
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John ADAMS (b. 1947) Shaker
Loops Philip GLASS (b. 1937) Façades; Company
Steve REICH (b. 1936) Eight Lines Dave HEATH (b. 1956)
The Frontier London CO/Christopher Warren Green rec. 1990 VIRGIN
RED LINE 7352992 [68:01] [ST] As good
an introduction to the world of minimalism as I can imagine.
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Transcriptions - Bruno Leonardo Gelber, Alexis Weissenberg
(piano) rec. 1967/73 EMI CLASSICS 7 35300 2 [66:25] [JW]
The audience for this is a more generalised one
untroubled by older performances, some imperfectly recorded.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cello Suites 1, 2 & 3 - Hopkinson Smith (German theorbo) rec. 2012
NAÏVE E 8937 [65:39] Cello Suites 1, 3 & 5 - Antoine
Tamestit (viola) rec. 2012 NAÏVE V 5300 [58:48] [BR] Two
new arrangements of Bach’s cello suites, for theorbo and viola,
take very different approaches.
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Cantatas - Vol. 53 - Hana Blažíková
(soprano); Robin Blaze (counter-tenor); Gerd Türk (tenor); Peter
Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 2012 BIS BIS-SACD-1991
[67:37]
[MC] It really is hard to find fault when this
music is presented in such an exemplary manner.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cello Suites & sonatas, Concerto Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805)
Cello Concerto - Antonio Janigro (cello) Robert Veyron-Lacroix (harpsichord)
I Solisti di Zagreb, Prague SO/Milan Horvat rec. 1948/60 DOREMI DHR-8014-6
[3 CDs: 225:00] [JW] Admirers of Janigro should
welcome this extensive release and look forward to the other volumes.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Six Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin - Gottfried Schneider
(violin) rec. 2011 OEHMS CLASSICS OC868 [63:52 + 77:39] [DC]
Not bad at all, but not top of the pile.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin - Christine Busch (baroque violin)
rec. 2011/12 PHI LPH008 [72:40 + 73:08] [JW] For
historically informed Sonatas and Partitas these come highly commended.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I - Peter Hill (piano) rec. 2012
DELPHIAN DCD34126 [60:22 + 60:56] [DC] Tastefully
subtle and beyond.
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) St Matthew Passion - Guy de Mey, Christoph Prégardie
(tenors) Peter Kooy, Klaus Mertens (basses) Barbara Schlick (soprano)
Kai Wessel (counter-tenor) Cappella Breda; Netherlands Bach Boys' Ch,
Amsterdam Baroque O/Ton Koopman rec. 1992 WARNER APEX 2564
646751 [3 CDs: 164:43] [MS] The reissue
of a respectable and well-conceived and performed Matthew Passion.
The Bach Family Organ
Music - Sergio Militello (organ) rec. 2012 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94483
[47:04] [JV] One of the less brilliant products
of Brilliant Classics.
Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910)
Complete Piano Works Vol. 1 - Nicholas Walker (piano) rec. 2012 GRAND
PIANO GP 636 [76:23] Variations on Themes from A Life for the
Tsar, Piano Sonata in B flat minor, L'Alouette, Islamey
- Etsuko Hirose (piano) rec. 2012 MIRARE MIR181 [61:04]
[Byz] Balakirev's delightful, outstanding
piano music.
Béla BARTÓK
(1881-1946) String Quartet 3 Alban BERG (1885-1935)
String Quartet 3 Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) String Quartet
- Signum Qt rec. 2012 CAPRICCIO C5163 [60:42] [SA] Played
with panache and a huge degree of obvious enthusiasm.
Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Complete String Quartets - Guarneri Qt rec. 1974/76 NEWTON CLASSICS
8802111 [76:28 + 76:52] [GF] A lot to admire
here but the recording is very close.
Arnold BAX (1883-1953)
Phantasy Theodore HOLLAND (1878-1947) Ellingham Marshes
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Suite Richard HARVEY
Reflections Roger Chase (viola) BBC Concert O/Stephen Bell,
Richard Harvey rec. 2012 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7295 [79:13] [RB]
Passion and poetry, thoughtful study and ideas
that have matured. No evidence of the sight-reading conveyor belt.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Piano Sonatas 8, 14 & 23 - Yundi (piano) rec. 2012
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 476 5049 [57:14] [SG] An
auspicious start to an enriching journey.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)/Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Symphonies 1 & 7 - Yury
Martynov (pianoforte Erard 1837) rec. 2012 ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT317
[67:17] [BR] While this Beethoven/Liszt
First Symphony is a bit sleepy, the Seventh will enrich any collection.
Great period instrument.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Violin Concerto; Große Fuge Wolfgang
Schneiderhan (violin) Berlin PO/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. 1952/53
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 370 [63:09] [MC] Captures
the essence of those live performances.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) The Complete Piano Sonatas - Daniel Barenboim (piano)
rec. 1983-1984 EUROARTS 2066424
[714:00] [KM] A fine document of one of the
best performers of Beethoven on piano.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphonies 3, 5, 6 & 7 - NHK SO/Horst Stein rec. 1985-1992 KING
INTERNATIONAL KKC 2053-5 [3 CDs: 179:48] [SG]
Full-blooded performances of four Beethoven symphonies but with several
caveats.
Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
Norma Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo) Sumi Jo (soprano) John Osborn (tenor)
Michele Pertusi (bass) International Chamber Vocalista, O La Scintilla/Giovanni
Antonini rec. 2011/13 DECCA 4783517 [81:34 + 61:37] [ST] The
climactic duet brings out the best in both main characters, their antipathy
finally turning to love and a recognition of what they have lost in
one another. Qual cor tradisti is fantastic.
Sir Richard Rodney BENNETT
(1936-2012) Choral Music - Cambridge Singers, Elin Manahan Thomas
(soprano) Clare Wilkinson (mezzo) Simon Wall, Ben Breakwell (tenors)
Sam Evans (baritone) Sue Dorey (cello) Charles Fullbrook (tubular bells)/John
Rutter rec. 2004 COLLEGIUM CSCD 521 [74.28] [PCG] A
worthy memorial to Bennett’s art.
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
La Damnation de Faust Maria Ewing, Dénes Gulyás,
Robert Lloyd, Frankfurt RSO/Eliahu Inbal rec. 1989 BRILLIANT CLASSICS
94391 [58:06 + 69:01] [JQ] A decent proposition,
especially at the price, though the Colin Davis LSO Live version offers
a more compelling Berlioz experience.
In the Shadow of War Ernest
BLOCH (1880-1959) Schelomo FRANK BRIDGE (1879-1941)
The Loneliest Wilderness Stephen HOUGH (b. 1961) The
Loneliest Wilderness Steven Isserlis (cello) Deutsches SO Berlin/Hugo
Wolff; Tapiola Sinfonietta/Gabor Takacs-Nagy (piano) rec. 2009/12 BIS
BIS-SACD-1992
[67:40] [DJ] An outstanding disc of glorious
music, superbly played and recorded.
René Drouard de BOUSSET
(1703-1760) Cantates spirituelles - Le Tendre Amour rec.
2012 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94288 [55:09] [JV] A
compelling disc of French spiritual cantatas.
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) String Quartet, Clarinet Quintet - Sharon Kam (clarinet)
Jerusalem Qt rec. 2012 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902152 [55:03] Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quartet, Piano Quintet - Alexander Melnikov
(piano) Jerusalem Qt rec. 2011 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902122 [54:56]
[Byz] Strong, lusty advocates of immortal music.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphonies 1-4 - CO Europe/Paavo Berglund rec. 2000 ONDINE ODE 1229-2T
[3 CDs: 162:03] [JW] Very good accounts of
these inexhaustible symphonies using reduced orchestral forces.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Ein deutsches Requiem Elisabeth Grümmer (soprano) Dietrich
Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale/Karl Forster,
Berlin PO/Rudolf Kempe rec. 1955 ÉDITIONS JADE 699 780-2
[76:53] [MC] Sincere and dignified. One
of the finest versions in the catalogue.
Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972)
Symphonies 10, 21 & 22, Psalm 23, English Suite 5 - Paul Taylor
(tenor) Brighton Festival Ch, Leicestershire Schools SO/James Loughran,
Laszlo Heltay, Eric Pinkett rec. 1972-1974 HERITAGE HTGCD 256/7
[47:15 + 47:25] [JWh] An ideal introduction
to Havergal Brian’s art.
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Sinfonia da Requiem, Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes and
Passacaglia, Young person's guide to the orchestra - Royal Liverpool
PO/Libor Pešek rec. 1989 VIRGIN CLASSICS REDLINE 7353012
[63:00] [RB] A sturdy entry in the Britten100
lists.
Leo BROUWER (b. 1939)
Beatlerianas - Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Larry Del Casale (guitar) Havana
String Qt rec. 2012 ZOHO MUSIC ZM 201304 [69:52] [BR] If
you’re new to the sophisticated world of Leo Brouwer, this is
an ideal introduction. Plus, the perfect Beatles-classical crossover.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony 0 - Hamburg PO/Simone Young rec. 2012 OEHMS CLASSICS OC685
[49:41]
[TB] Young makes a strong case for this splendid
work.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony 6 - Métropolitain O Montréal/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
rec. 2012 ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD2 2639 [53:58] [TB]
Nézet-Séguin displays the greatest affinity for Bruckner.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Mass 3 - Lenneke Ruiten (soprano) Iris Vermillion (mezzo) Shawn Mathey
(tenor) Franz Josef Selig (bass) Rundfunkchor Berlin, Suisse Romande
O/Marek Janowski rec. 2012 PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC 5186 501
[62:13] [RMo] Janowski’s more cautious,
non-interventionist approach fails to generate the requisite fervour
and intensity this music demands.
Alan BULLARD (b. 1947)
Sacred choral music - Oliver Hancock Timothy Parsons (organ) The Chapel
Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge/Sarah MacDonald rec. 2012 REGENT
REGCD404 [76:49] [JQ] A good selection
of the sacred music of Alan Bullard.
Francesca CACCINI (1587-1641)
Maria, dolce Maria: Sacred and secular songs - Elena Cecchi
Fedi (soprano) Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angiolini/Gian Luca Lastraioli
rec. 2012 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94461 [65:02] [JV] Elena
Cecchi Fedi delivers outstanding performances of the vocal parts.
John CAGE (1912-92) The
Works for Organ Gary Verkade (organ) rec. 2007 MODE RECORDS
MODE 253/54 [48:05 + 55:41] MODE 253
[144:00] [DC] Comprehensive, and unlikely to
be bettered any time soon.
Alfredo CASELLA
(1883-1947) Italia, Introduzione, Corale e Marcia,
Symphony 3 - BBC PO/Gianandrea Noseda rec. 2012 CHANDOS CHAN
10768 [69:37] [MC] Noseda’s makes
a splendid case for this marvellous Symphony.
Emmanuel CHABRIER
(1841-1894) Orchestral works - Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Neeme
Järvi rec. 2012 CHANDOS CHSA5122
[78:42] [RW] Järvi conducts with verve
and the orchestra respond with an inclusive warmth.
Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Piano Concerto 2, Piano Sonata 3, Étude in
E minor 'Tristesse' - Lang Lang (piano) Vienna PO/Zubin Mehta rec. 2005/08
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4790964 [76:12] [MC] Lang
Lang’s deep empathy combined with a rare and innate ability to
draw the listener into a compelling yet bitter-sweet sound-world.
Aaron COPLAND (1900 - 1990)
Rodeo, Dance Panels, El Salón México,
Danzón Cubano Detroit SO/Leonard Slatkin rec. 2012 NAXOS
AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559758 [70:13] [GP-J] Excellent
readings of three of Copland’s firm favourites, plus an unfairly
neglected masterpiece.
François COUPERIN
(1668-1733) Trois Leçons de Ténèbres, Motet
pour le jour de Pâques, Magnificat anima mea - Carolyn Sampson
(soprano) Marianne Beate Kielland (mezzosoprano) The King’s Consort
rec. 2011 VIVAT MUSIC FOUNDATION VIVAT 102 [78:35] [DC]
Sublime, fascinating and credible performances.
Mixed Doubles Gordon
CROSSE (b. 1937) Brief Encounter, Viola concerto, Fantasia
on ‘Ca’ the Yowes’ John MANDUELL (b.1928)
Flutes Concerto, Double Concerto Manchester Sinf/Timothy
Reynish rec. 2012 MÉTIER MSV77201 [43:04 + 55:19] [JF]
Demanding works not in the standard repertoire
yet these musicians make them sound second nature.
Jean-François DANDRIEU
(1682-1738) Pièces d'orgues - Noëls & Pièces
de clavecin André Isoir (organ) Olivier Baumont (harpsichord)
rec. 1987 TEMPÉRAMENTS TEM 316041.42 [61:21 + 51:05] [JV]
This set convincingly demonstrates the quality
of Dandrieu’s oeuvre. A worthwhile tribute to this great composer.
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Préludes Books I & II - Craig Sheppard (piano) rec.
2012 ROMÉO RECORDS 7297 [79:42] [JW] Sheppard’s
sound-world is evocative, limpid and nuanced.
Ignacy Feliks DOBRZYŃSKI
(1807-1867) Characteristic Symphony, Piano Concerto, Monbar
Overture - Emilian Madey (piano) Polish RSO/ Łukasz Borowicz rec.
2009/10 CHANDOS CHAN 10778(2) [51:26 + 45:12] [Byz] Tuneful
and very well-crafted music.
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Rita, ou Le mari battu Priscille Laplace, Aldo Caputo - O of
the Opéra Royal de Wallonie/Claudio Scimone rec. 2010 DYNAMIC
33741
[54:00] [ST] For die-hard Donizetti completists
only.
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Piano Trios 3 & 4 - Wu Han (piano) Philip Setzer
(violin) David Finckel (cello) rec. 2012 ARTISTLED 11201-2 [68:03]
[SV] The artists do well by Dvořák.
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Symphony 6 Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Idyll Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz rec. 2009/2011 NAXOS
8.572698 [77:19] [LW] Naxos has another
winner with this disc of Dvořák and Janáček.
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet 12 Alberto
GINASTERA (1916-1983) String Quartet 1 Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
String Quartet 8 - Simón Bolívar String Qt rec. 2012 DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 4790429 [68:54] [BR] A
promising start, although not quite as talented an ensemble as some
other new quartets.
Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Symphony 2 - Royal Stockholm PO/Sakari Oramo rec. 2011-2012 BIS BIS-SACD-1879
[63.54] [IL] Altogether a very impressive
Elgar programme.
Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST (?1812-1865)
Etudes à Plusieurs Reprises, Le Carnaval de Venise,
Variations Brillantes sur un Thème de Rossini - Josef
Špaček (violin) Gordon Back (piano) rec. 2010 NAXOS 8.572575
[73:49] [Byz] As an Ernst investment this is
very hard to fault.
Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946)
Nights in the Gardens of Spain César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Symphonic Variations Joaquín TURINA (1882-1949) Rapsodia
sinfónica - Valerie Tryon (piano) Royal PO/Kenneth Woods
rec. 2000-12 SOMM SOMMCD 250 [68:57] [DM] A
real treat; Tryon’s easy and evocative talent augurs well.
Morton FELDMAN (1926-1987)
Violin and Orchestra - Carolin Widmann (violin) Frankfurt RSO/Emilio
Pomàrico rec. 2009 ECM NEW SERIES 2283 [50:39] [DC] Are
you ready to be changed?
Zdeněk FIBICH (1850-1900)
Symphony 1, Impressions from the countryside Czech Ntl SO/Marek
Štilec rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.572985 [62:18] [RMay]
A hugely attractive rustic approach entirely appropriate to these scores.
Giovanni GABRIELI (c.1554/57-1612)
Sacred Symphonies - Ex Cathedra, His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts,
Concerto Palatino/Jeffrey Skidmore rec. 2012 HYPERION CDA67957
[66:16] [JV] A good survey of Gabrieli's sacred
music.
Vladimir GENIN (b.
1958) Seven Melodies for the Dial Olga Domnina (piano) rec.
2011 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72568 [54:57] [DC] Significant
new large-scale work for piano.
Philip GLASS (b.1937)
Transcriptions for harp - Lavinia Meijer (harp) rec. 2012 CHANNEL
CLASSICS CCS SA 33912
[62:05] Philip GLASS (b.1937) Transcriptions for harp
- Floraleda Sacchi (harp and “creative mix”) rec. 2012 AMADEUS
ARTE AAP12002 [63:56] [BR] Two Philip
Glass harp recitals in one month? What are the odds? Anyway, one of
these is a clear winner interpretively and sonically.
Eugene GOOSSENS
(1893-1962) Orchestral Works Vol. 2 - Melbourne SO/Andrew
Davis rec. 2010-2012 CHANDOS CHSA5119
[74:16] [GH] If you are new to Eugene Goossens,
I would certainly commend this disc as an ideal place to start.
Friedrich Hartmann GRAF (1727-1795)
Flute Concertos - Gaby Pas-Van Riet (flute) Südwestdeutsches CO,
Pforzheim/Johannes Moesus rec. 2011 CPO 777 724-2 [65:57] [SV]
Stylish and committed and the sound quality
is excellent. Enjoy!
Jesús GURIDI (1886-1961)
String Quartets 1 & 2 - Bretón String Qt rec. 2011/12 NAXOS
SPANISH CLASSICS 8.573036 [55:15] [RB] These
fresh and well-chosen revivals merit wider attention from anyone with
a predilection for the string quartets of Ravel, Kodály, Bax
or Moeran.
Johann Adolph HASSE (1699-1783)
Didone Abbandonate Theresa Holzhauser (mezzo) Flavio Ferri-Benedetti
(counter-tenor) Hofkapelle München/Michael Hofstetter rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.660323-5 [3 CDs: 163:13] [TB] Brings
to the catalogue a major work by one of the most important 18th century
opera composers. By no means perfect but certainly worthwhile.
Kenneth HESKETH (b.
1968) A Rhyme for the Season; Ein Lichtspiel; Graven Image; Wunderkammer;
At God speeded summer’s end RLPO/Christoph-Mathias Mueller,
Ensemble 10/10/Clark Rundell rec. 2009/2012 NMC NMCD186 [65:01]
[CT] A compelling panorama of Kenneth Hesketh’s
works for major instrumental forces.
HILDEGARD von Bingen
(1098-1179) Music for Paradise - Sequentia/Barbara Thornton
and Benjamin Bagby DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 88697 983052 [73:17]
[ST] A very good introduction to this remarkable
woman and to her entire medieval sound-world.
Franz Anton HOFFMEISTER
(1754-1812) Flute Concertos 21 & 24 - Bruno Meier (flute)
Prague CO rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572738 [57:17] [Byz]
Flutters and cruises gracefully along like a sunlit fritillary on
a summer breeze.
Gottfried August HOMILIUS
(1714-1785) St Mark Passion Monika Mauch (soprano) Ruth Sandhoff
(alto) Basler Madrigalisten, L'arpa festante/Fritz Näf rec. 2012
CARUS 83.260 [78:11 + 52:26] [JV] A
worthy addition to the repertoire for Passiontide.
C.F.E. HORNEMAN
(1840-1906) String Quartets 1 & 2 Asger HAMERIK (1843-1923)
Quartetto - Arild Qt rec. 2011 DACAPO 8.226097 [52:55] [BR]
Germanic works from 1860s Denmark.
Toshio HOSOKAWA (b. 1955)
Works for string quartet - Mayumi Miyata (shô); Quatuor Diotima
rec. 2009 NEOS 11072 [69:37] [HC] Excellently
played performances of Hosokawa's present-day output for string quartet.
Gustav HOLST (1874-1934)
The Planets Joby TALBOT (b.1971) Worlds, stars,
systems, infinity Philharmonia Ch & O/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec.
2012 SIGNUM
SIGDVD009 [112.00] [PCG] There are not
many musical works that could stand up to this degree of close scrutiny,
but fortunately The Planets is one of them.
Albert HUYBRECHTS (1899-1938)
Chamber Music Vol 3 - Lionel Bams (piano) Carlos Bruneel (flute)
Yves Cortvrint (viola) Philippe Pierlot (viola da gamba) Sébastian
Walnier (cello) rec. 2011/12 CYPRÈS CYP4639 [42:41 + 41:21]
[JW] Admirers should certainly carry on and
acquire this third Huybrechts volume.
Jacques IBERT (1890-1962)
String Quartet; Trio & other chamber pieces - Bridge Qt, Michael
Dussek (piano), Bryn Lewis (harp), Richard Alsop (double bass) rec.
2011 SOMM SOMMCD 0122 [68:24] [GF] Two
major works that should win new admirers and the other pieces are light,
well written and highly attractive.
Leoš JANÁČEK
(1854-1928) Glagolitic Mass; Taras Bulba Berlin Radio
SO & Ch/Marek Janowski rec. 2010/12 PENTATONE PTC 5186 388
[64:35]
[BR] Talk about superlatives. This was my
most-anticipated recording of 2013, but it turned out to be the worst
Janáček CD I have ever heard.
Johann Gottlieb JANITSCH
(1708 - 1763) Sonate da camera Vol III Notturna/Christopher
Palameta rec. 2009 ATMA ACD2 2626 [63:10] [JV] Janitsch
turns out to be a composer of highly original and compelling chamber
music.
Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950)
Complete Works for Saxophone - David Brutti (alto/soprano saxophone)
Duo Disecheis, Atem Saxophone Qt, O Città Aperta (winds/strings)/Filippo
Farinelli rec. 2011/12 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9266 [3 CDs: 181:49] [Byz]
Hard to imagine anyone not liking Koechlin
… immensely melodic and idiomatic, uncomplicated on the surface
yet expressive of a considered intelligence.
Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950)
Paysages et Marine, Sonatines, Wind Septet, Sonate a 7 - Ensemble Contraste,
Ensemble Initium rec. 2011 TIMPANI 1C1193 [71:16]
Sonatas and Suite Pierre de BRÉVILLE (1861-1949)
Viola Sonata Charles KOECHLIN Viola Sonata Charles TOURNEMIRE
(1870-1939) Suite en trois parties - James Parker (piano) Steven
Dann (viola) rec. 2011 ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD 22519 [66:00]
Charles KOECHLIN Piano Quintet, String Quartet 3 - Sarah Lavaud
(piano) Antigone Qt rec. 2008 AR RÉ-SÉ AR2009-1
[55:45]
Charles KOECHLIN Chamber works - Raimond Lissy (violin) Jan
Latham-Koenig (piano) Raphael Flieder (cello), Wolfgang Vladar (horn),
Helmut Zehetner (viola) rec. 1998 VMS 187 [66:30] [Byz]
An aural feast of Koechlin.
Herman D. KOPPEL (1908-1998)
Sonatina for wind quintet Anders KOPPEL (b. 1947) Sonatina for
wind quintet Benjamin KOPPEL (b. 1974) Krazy Kat Music for wind
quintet - Carion rec. 2012 DACAPO 8.226107 [42:32] [JW] The
Koppel lineage has been an adornment of the Danish musical stage for
many decades.
Toivo KUULA (1883
- 1918) South Ostrobothnian Folk Songs; The Song of the Sea Kimmo
HAKOLA (b. 1958) Seven Songs - Jorma Hynninen (baritone) Ostrobothnian
CO/Juha Kangas rec. 2012 ALBA ABCD 348 SACD [62:39] [HC] Beautifully
straightforward and superbly crafted music that is really worth hearing.
Jean-Marie LECLAIR (1697
- 1764) Premier Livre de Sonates - Fabio Biondi (violin) Maurizio
Naddeo (cello) Pascal Monteilhet (theorbo) Rinaldo Alessandrini (harpsichord)
rec. 1992 ARCANA A 361 [64:10] [JV] The
reissue of this recording was not such a good idea.
Magnus LINDBERG (b.1958)
Expo, Piano Concerto 2, Al largo - Yefim Bronfman (piano) New York PO/Alan
Gilbert rec. 2009-12 DACAPO 8.226076 [62:32] [GPJ] Dramatic,
highly-coloured music from one of the most approachable and individual
voices in contemporary music.
Jukka LINKOLA (b. 1955)
Robin Hood - Ville Rusanen (baritone) Mari Palo (soprano) Matti
Salminen (bass) Koit Soasepp (bass) Finnish National Opera O & Ch,
Children’s Ch/Mikko Franck. rec. 2011 ALBA AB-BR-DV1
[137:00] [RJW] Linkola tames his jazz harmonies
for this modern and attractive score.
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Les Préludes, Hungarian Rhapsody 2, Piano Concerto 1,
Tasso - Hooshik Hwang (piano) Russian Federal O/Vakhtang Jordania
rec. 2000/03 ANGELOK1 CD-7752 [61:08] [SV] Unfortunately,
in a competitive catalogue, none of these performances is quite up to
snuff.
Fernando LOPES-GRAÇA
(1906-1994) Piano Concertos 1 & 2 - Eldar Nebolsin (piano)
O Sinf do Porto/Matthias Bamert rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572817 Suite
Rústica 1, Poema de Dezembro, Sinfonia - Royal Scottish Natl
O/Álvaro Cassuto rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572892 [66:30] [Byz]
A significant composer who should be much better
known.
Albert LORTZING
(1801-1851) Der Waffenschmied Kurt Böhme (bass)
Lotte Schädle (soprano) Hermann Prey (baritone) Bavarian State
Opera Ch & O/Fritz Lehan rec. 1964 EMI CLASSICS 9123102 [45.20
+ 61.07] [PCG] Be grateful for this recording
which, with the exception of a libretto and translation, presents the
score in an approachable manner.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony 2 - Anja Harteros (soprano) Bernarda Fink
(mezzo) Bavarian RSO & Ch/Mariss Jansons rec. 2011 ARTHAUS MUSIK
101 685
[96:00] [MC] I couldn’t currently name
a finer orchestra. Bravo!
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony 2 Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 3 Anny Felbermayer
(soprano) Sonja Dreksler (alto) Austrian Radio Ch, Vienna SO/F. Charles
Adlerrec. 1953-56 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1265 [75:43 + 64:51] [JW]
Preserves a reading of breadth, latitude and
sure architectural peaks and troughs.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphonies 2, 4, 7, 9, Das Lied von der Erde, Rückert-Lieder,
Des Knaben Wunderhorn - New Philharmonia, Philharmonia O &
Ch/Otto Klemperer rec. 1961-1967 EMI CLASSICS 2483982 [6 CDs:
411:10] [DM] Powerful, provocative, peerless;
these classics have never sounded so good.
Luigi MANCINELLI
(1848-1921) Scene veneziane, Cleopatra Roma SO/Francesco
La Vecchia rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.573074 [57:37] [JS] Certainly
worth exploring.
Marin MARAIS (1656-1728)
La Gamme en forme de petit Opéra, Sonate à la
Marésienne, Sonnerie de Sainte Geneviève du Mont
de Paris Antoine FORQUERAY (1671-1745) Suite 1 Trio Sonnerie
LINN RECORDS CKD 434 [79:00] [JV] Superb
playing.
Frank MARTIN (1890-1974)
Le Conte de Cendrillon - Clémence Tilquin (soprano) David
Hernandez Anfruns (tenor) Varduhi Khatchatryan (alto) Alexandra Hewson
(soprano) O de la Haute école de musique de Genève/Gábor
Takács-Nagy rec. 2010 CLAVES CD 50-1202 [68:07] [HC] An
excellent première recording of one of Martin's unjustly neglected
scores.
Vladimir MARTYNOV (b.1946)
Lamentations of Jeremiah Sirin Choir/Andrey Kotov rec. 1997 BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 9403 [77:12] [SA] An uplifting
and rewarding experience.
Joseph MARX (1882-1964)
Rhapsodie Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Suite New York
Piano Quartet rec. 2012 URLICHT UAV5596 [70:18] [WK] Committed
performances of unusual piano quartets by two Austrian masters. The
New York Piano Quartet is an ensemble to watch.
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912)
La terre promise; Hérodiade, Le Cid,Thaïs,
Le jongleur de Notre Dame (excerpts) French Oratorio Ch &
O/Jean-Pierre lo Ré rec. 2012 EROL ER200040
[107.00]
[PCG] Has some very fine and original things
even if the inspiration is uneven.
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912)
Don Quichotte Orlin Anastasov (bass) Tsvela Sarambalieva (mezzo)
Sofia Natl Op/Francesco Rosa rec. 2009 DYNAMIC 33733 [125.00] [PCG]
The Director’s ‘updating’ might perhaps be acceptable
if the performance were exceptional, but unfortunately that is not the
case here.
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912)
Thérèse - Nora Gubisch (mezzo) Charles Castronovo
(tenor) Étienne Dupuis (bass) François Lis (baritone)
Ch & O Opéra National, Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon/Alain
Altinoglu rec. 2012 EDICIONES SINGULARES ES1011 [69:46
& book] [IL] Dedication, commitment and
enthusiasm show this short opera to its best advantage. An enterprising
issue.
Peter MAXWELL DAVIES
(b.1934) Piano Concerto, Worldes Blis - Kathryn Stott (piano)
Royal PO/Peter Maxwell Davies rec. 1993-1997 NAXOS 8.572357 [78:25]
[Byz] Tremendously impassioned accounts of
these extraordinarily demanding works.
Simon MAYR (1763 - 1845)
Il sagrifizio di Jefte Hrachuhi Bassénz (soprano) Stefanie
Irányi (mezzo) Simon Mayr Ch & Ens/Franz Hauk (harpsichord)
rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572719-20 [57:34 + 53:36] [GF] Worth
the attention of all inquisitive music-lovers and should attract lovers
of excellent singing.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Paulus, Christus, Elijah - Soloists,
Kammerchor Stuttgart, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Klassische
Philharmonie Stuttgart/Frieder Bernius rec. 1987-2007 CARUS 83.021
[4 CDs: 273:03] [DC] A set you can possess
with pride and enjoy at length.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) String Quintets 1 & 2 - Leipziger Streichquartett,
Barbara Buntrock (viola) MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG
307 1806-2 [56:53] [MC] Not my first choice
but this well recorded music is imaginatively and vigorously played.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) The Complete Piano Music Vol. 1 - Howard Shelley
(piano) rec. 2012 HYPERION CDA67935 [74:08] [Byz] A
perfect place to start a Mendelssohn collection - even for those who
already have a recording of these works.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Violin Concerto Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Violin Concerto Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Zigeunerweisen
Gerhard Taschner (violin) Michael Raucheisen (piano) Bamberg SO/Fritz
Lehmann, Berlin PO/Artur Rother rec. August 1943-53 MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 642 1797-2 [67:30] [JW] Though
he became the leading German violinist after the deaths of Kulenkampff
and Busch his career didn’t last long.
Saverio MERCADANTE (1795-1870)
I Due Figaro Asude Karayavuz, Rosa Feola, Philharmonia Chor Wien/Orch
Luigi Cherubini/Riccardo Muti rec. 2011 DUCALE DUC 045-47 [3
CDs: 166:18] [ST] Well worth exploring.
Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950)
Piano Sonatas 2-4 - Lydia Jardon (piano) rec. 2009 AR RE-SE 2009-2
[47:16] [SA] There is clearly a lot more to
Miaskovsky than many people think.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Don Giovanni Benjamin Luxon, Stafford Dean,
Horiana Branisteanu, Rachel Yakar, LPO/Bernard Haitink rec. ARTHAUS
MUSIK 102 312
[1977] [RJF] Brings back memories but competition
is such that limitations leave it as an outsider.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Sinfonia Concertante; Concertone - Camerata de Lausanne/Pierre
Amoyal (violin) rec. 2012 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 652158 [56:18]
[SG] Captivating performances of two of Mozart’s
most inventive scores.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Requiem, new realisations & audio documentary
- Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano) Christine Rice (mezzo); James
Gilchrist (tenor); Christopher Purves (bass-baritone) Choir of King’s
College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music/Stephen Cleobury rec. 2011
KING’S COLLEGE KSG0002
[62:37 + 66:31] [JQ] A fine performance of
the Süssmayr edition of Mozart’s Requiem with some interesting
bonus items.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Horn Concertos - Herman Jeurissen (horn) Netherlands Chamber O/Roy Goodman
rec. 1996 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94644 [79:22] [RB] Perfectly
in style: a genial and generous blend of enchantment, panache and poetry.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Symphonies, Overtures, Serenades - Philharmonia O,
New PO/Otto Klemperer rec. 1956-71 EMI CLASSICS 4043612 [8 CDs:
9:55:41] [CH] Klemperer’s finest Mozart
performances are a match for any, and actually stand up better today
than some that were more fêted in their own time.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Concertos 20, 23, 24 & 27 - Walter Klien (piano) NHK SO/Horst
Stein, Hiroshi Wakasugi rec. 1977/89 KING INTERNATIONAL KKC 2047/8
[63:11 + 58:20] [SG] With one reservation these
are inspired readings by a pianist whose Mozart stands there with the
best.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Serenades 10 & 12 - Harmonie O Champs-Èlysées/Philippe
Herreweghe rec. 1995 HARMONIA MUNDI HMG501570 [70:26] [RMo] Sensitive,
civilised music-making of the highest order.
Modest MUSSORGSKY
(1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (transcribed for organ
by Calvin Hampton) Calvin Hampton (organ) rec. 1982 HIGH DEFINITION
TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD281 [33:00] [DM] Technically
superb but musically much less interesting.
Otto NICOLAI (1810-1849)
Mass in D major & other sacred choral music Consono Chamber Ch,
Essen Folkwang CO/Harald Jers rec. 2012 CARUS 83.341 [58:24]
[MC] Lovers of sacred choral music looking
for unusual repertoire of excellent quality should be in their element.
Niccolo PAGANINI (1782-1840)
Violin Concerto 1 - Maria Solozobova (violin) Cape PO/Nicholas Cleobury
rec. 2012 ANTES EDITION BM319287 [51:12] [JWh] A
fine soloist but an uncompetitive release.
Benedetto PALLAVICINO
(1551-1601) Madrigali su testi del Guarini Felice
che vi mira [2:03] Dario Tabbia, Ugo Nastrucci (lute) Daltrocanto
rec. 2005 PAN CLASSICS PC 10280 [56:20] [JV] Even
without fully understanding the text one can enjoy these madrigals.
Krzysztof PENDERECKI
(b.1933) Piano Concerto, Flute Concerto - Barry Douglas (piano)
Lukasz Dlugosz (flute) Warsaw Philharmonic/Antoni Wit rec. 2010 NAXOS
8.572696 [BR] The piano concerto is good
if you’re up for a bit of Sturm und Drang, and this performance
will be hard to beat.
François André
Danican PHILIDOR (1726 - 1795) L'Art de la Modulation
Quartets I-VI - Camerata Köln rec. 2007 CPO 777 439-2 [56:56]
[JV] Almost an hour of pure delight.
Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sonata for Violin Solo, Violin Sonata 1 Leos JANÁČEK
(1854-1928) Violin Sonata Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884)
From the Homeland - Josef špaček (violin) and Miroslav Sekera
(piano) rec. 2012 SUPRAPHON SU 4129-2 [67:18] [SA] I
found this enjoyable from start to finish.
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Manon Lescaut - Montserrat Caballé (soprano) Plácido
Domingo (tenor) Robert Tear (tenor) Ambrosian Opera Ch, New PO/Bruno
Bartoletti rec. 1971 EMI CLASSICS 7359822 [57:28 + 58:38] [GF]
Bartoletti at white heat and Caballé
and Domingo in superb shape - a set worth anyone’s money.
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Symphonic Dances Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 1 - Berlin
PO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2010 EUROARTS 2058908
[120:00] [LW] Worthy performances of Rachmaninov
and Mahler in excellent sound and video.
Joachim RAFF
(1822-1882) Te Deum, De Profundis, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Vier
Marianischen Antiphonen - Karlstad Chamber Ch & Stockholm Singers/Anders
Hörngren, Gothenburg Opera O/Henrik Schaefer, Bo Aurehl rec. 2011/12
STERLING CDS1098-2 [79:59] [Byz] Raff's
music is undeniably exquisite.
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Piano Trio Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Cello Sonata, Violin Sonata
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Trio - Hagai Shaham (vioin);
Raphael Wallfisch (cello); Amon Erez (piano) rec. 2013 NIMBUS NI5905
[72:38] [TB] Consummate skill and splendidly
balanced textures.
Max REGER (1873-1916)
The Reger Collection: concertos, suites, variations, sacred songs, chamber
music - rec. 1963/97 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94663 [11 CDs:
c.10:00:00] [JFL] An ultimately very charming
Reger survey.
Jean RICHAFORT (c.1480-after
1547) Missa pro defunctis ‘Requiem’ - King’s Singers
rec. 2012 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD 326 [58:22] [DC] A
very fine release, but it’s cook-off time.
Wolfgang RIHM (b. 1952) Symphonie
"Nähe Fern" - Hans Christoph Begemann (baritone) Luzerner SO/James
Gaffigan rec. 2012 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902153 [47:35] [MS] Pleasing
orchestral music from the under-appreciated Wolfgang Rihm played with
panache and insight.
Andrew RINDFLEISCH
(b. 1963) In the Zone; Four Fanfares; Four Vintage
Songs; Abide With Me Meridian Arts Ensemble INNOVA 850
[36:52] [DC] Top class brass.
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Il barbiere di Siviglia David Kuebler (tenor) Cecilia Bartoli
(mezzo) Gino Quilico (baritone) Ch of Cologne City Op/Stuttgart Radio
SO/Gabrielle Ferro rec. 1988 ARTHAUS MUSIK
102305 [158:00] [RJF] A traditional production
graced by a young and sparkling Cecilia Bartoli and by scintillating
music getting its due from the rostrum.
Gioachino ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Complete Overtures Vol. 2 - Prague SO/Christian Benda
rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.570934 [58:21] [RW] This
disc is welcomed without hesitation.
Mathilde de ROTHSCHILD
(1832-1924) Songs - Charlotte de Rothschild (soprano) Adrian Farmer
(piano) rec. 2012 NIMBUS NI 5903/4 [70.16 + 70.41] [PCG]
Atmospheric yes but the spark of individuality?
Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Music for violin and piano - Vol 1: Violin Sonata 1,
Triptyque - Fanny Clamagirand (violin) Vanya Cohen (piano) rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.572750 [67:33] [BR] The first
traversal of Saint-Saëns’ violin music in a long time, and
well worth the wait.
Antonio SALIERI (1750-1825)
Les Danaïdes - Margaret Marshall (soprano) Dimitri Kavrakos
(bass) Raúl Giménez (tenor) Südfunk Ch, Stuttgart
RSO/Gianluigi Gelmetti rec. 1990 EMI CLASSICS 9123202 [49.07
+ 60.43] [PCG] Dramatic engagement in this
excellent performance but where is text and translation?
Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660
- 1725) Profano e Sacro Dominique Corbiau (alto) La Cetra
d'Orfeo/Michel Keustermans AVANTICLASSIC 10442 [67:15]
[JV] There is much to enjoy here, but some
of the liberties taken by the interpreters are questionable.
Johann Herman SCHEIN (1586-1630)
Opella Nova - Fontana D’Israel Ensemble Sagittarius/Michel
Laplénie rec. 2009 HORTUS 075 [66.05] [DC] Nicely
conceived and well worth having.
Arnold SCHÖNBERG
(1874-1951) Pelléas and Mélisande Alban
BERG (1885-1935) Three Pieces for Orchestra - Dortmund PO/Jac van
Steen rec. 2009-2013 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 901 1807-6
[61:18]
[GPJ] Superb performances from van Steen and
the Dortmunders in these two searing early twentieth century masterpieces.
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Winterreise Kurt Moll (bass) Cord Garben (piano)
rec. 1982 ORFEO C042 831 A [81:59] [RMo] No
devotee of this song-cycle will want to be without this magnificent
version.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797
- 1828) Winterreise - Alice Coote (mezzo) Julius Drake (piano)
rec. 2012 WIGMORE HALL LIVE WHLIVE0057 [78:47] [GF] Coote
will be added in this repertoire to Fassbaender and Stutzmann in my
affection.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphonies 8 & 9 - Slovak PO, Failoni O/Michael Halasz rec. 1988/94
NAXOS 8.572939 [76:28] [JWh] A really
good value coupling.
Six to Seven Erwin
SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) String Sextet Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Metamorphosen Hyperion Ens rec. 1997 PALADINO MUSIC PMR 0010
[49:21] [SA] Two very different reactions to
the experience of war ... both equally effective and affecting.
Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942)
Concertino, Flute Sonata Leo SMIT (1900-1943) Flute & harp
quintet, Flute Sonata - Virginie Reibel-Escoffier (flute) rec. 2011
SAPHIR LVC 1128 [75:14] [JW] With sympathetic
and sensitive performances, and a well-judged church acoustic, this
disc presents both composers’ works in highly recommendable fashion.
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano Concerto Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto - Mindru
Katz (piano) Israel Broadcast Authority O/Mendi Rodan, Sergiu Comissiona
rec. 1962/63 CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD171 [61:19] [JW] A
musician too easily overlooked during his lifetime.
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) String Quartets 9-12 Mieczysław
WEINBERG (1919-1996) String Quartet 6 - Pacifica Quartet
rec. 2011-2012 CEDILLE RECORDS CDR 90000 138 [70:20 + 58:25]
[MC] The excellence of this series makes this
the finest collection available of the complete Shostakovich string
quartets.
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Symphony 10 - Royal Concertgebouw O, Amsterdam/Mariss
Jansons rec. 2009 RCO LIVE RCO13001
[53:17] [JQ] A very fine performance of one
of Shostakovich’s greatest symphonic achievements.
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony 2, The Oceanides, Pohjola’s Daughter Hallé/Sir
Mark Elder rec. 2007-12 HALLÉ CDHLL7516 [70:59] [MC] Playing
with dramatic bite the Hallé is certainly on its finest form
here.
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphonies 2, 4 & 5; Tapiola; Finlandia Philharmonia
O/Herbert von Karajan rec. 1952-1960 MAJOR CLASSICS M2CD009 [66:07
+ 77:51] [TB] A most appealing prospect at
super-bargain price.
John Philip SOUSA (1854-1932)
Music for Wind Band - Vol. 12 - The Royal Swedish Navy Band/Keith Brion
rec. 2010 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559691 [56:06] [RB] Brion
and his Swedish band have the Sousa manner off to a tee.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1945)
Also sprach Zarathustra Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945)
The Wonderful Mandarin suite - RSO Stuttgart des SWR/Rudolf Kempe
rec. 1961 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 94.220 [50.27] [IL] A
quite frightening Mandarin and a Zarathustra to treasure.
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Le Sacre du printemps, Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Apollon
musagète Berliner Phil/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2007-2012 EMI
CLASSICS 7236112 [75:36] [DC] Terrific
stuff, but best on record?
Johan SVENDSEN
(1840-1911) Orchestral Works - Vol. 3: Violin Concerto, Symphony
1 - Marianne Thorsen (violin) Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi rec. 2012 CHANDOS
CHAN 10766 [74:10] [JW] The sonics of these
Bergen performances are about as good as Svendsen has yet received and
the performances are fine.
Dobrinka TABAKOVA (b. 1980)
String Paths: Insight, Cello concerto, Suite
in Old Style, Such different paths - Kristina Blaumane (cello)
Janine Jansen (violin) Lithuanian CO/Maxim Rysanov (viola, conductor)
rec. 2011/12 ECM NEW SERIES 2239 [72:22] [RB] Revel
in it ... you cannot help but be emotionally moved.
Pyotr Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) The Nutcracker, Swan Lake Suisse
Romande O/Ernest Ansermet rec. 1958 MAJOR CLASSICS M2CD001 [42:35
+ 41:14] & M2CD002 [42:41 + 40:36] [RMay] Ansermet’s
reputation still carries weight. These two reissues can be warmly welcomed.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Eugene Onegin Kristine Opolais, Artur Ruciński,
Dmitry Korchak, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valencia/Omer Meir Wellber
rec. 2011 C MAJOR 712504
[150.00] [DBi] A beautifully sung performance
but a challengingly re-imagined staging.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) The Seasons, Romeo and Juliet, Symphony
6 Adagio - Emile Naoumoff (piano) rec. 2011 SAPHIR PRODUCTIONS LVC1174
[78:45] [OL] Balanced and loving reading of
The Seasons; the transcriptions are a little stiff.
Georg Philipp TELEMANN
(1681-1767) Complete Violin Concertos Vol. 5 - Evan Few (violin)
The Wallfisch Band/Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin) rec. 2010 CPO 777
550-2 [58:24] [JV] The expressive aspects
of these concertos mostly come off rather well.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Symphony 8 Maurice RAVEL (1883-1937) Piano Concerto Vincent
d’INDY (1851-1931) Symphony on a French Mountain Air
- Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer (piano) Boston SO/Charles Munch rec.1958
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 368 [76:25] [WK] Major
performances by Munch and the Boston Symphony from 1958 - recording
quality such as could only be dreamed of back then.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
La Forza del Destino - Dimitra Theodossiou, Vladimir Stoyanov,
Mariana Pentcheva O & Ch Teatro Regio di Parma/Gianluigi Gelmetti
rec. 2011 C MAJOR 724504
[178.00 + 11.00] [DBi] A decent enough performance
in good sound and video but there are better Blu-ray discs of La Forza
if reviews elsewhere are to be believed.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
La Traviata - Svetla Vassileva, Massimo Giordano, Vladimir
StoCh & O of the Teatro Regio di Parma/Yuri Temirkanov rec. 2007
C MAJOR 723608
[DBi] An excellent performance of Verdi's most
popular opera with fine singers and a staging that Verdi would have
approved. But buy the Blu-Ray if you can.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Otello (Historic highlights) rec. 1914-1961 MAGDALEN METCD
8019 [77.17] [RJF] The wonders of technology,
allied to imaginatively mixed casting, give a wonderful insight into
Verdi’s penultimate opera alongside an enjoyable experience.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Falstaff Ruggero Raimondi, Barbara Frittoli, Manuel Lanza, Maggio
Musicale Fiorentino/Zubin Mehta rec. 2006 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107 309
[128:00]
[RF] Raimondi’s acted portrayal is worthy
to sit alongside more traditional stagings on your shelves.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Un ballo in Maschera - Franceso Meli (tenor) Vladimir Stoyanov
(baritone) O & Ch of the Teatro Regio, Parma/Gianluigi Gelmetti
rec. 2011 C MAJOR 724208
[138:00 + 11:00] [RJF] A traditional production
and set provide a welcome visual treat without gimmicks. Regrettably,
the music side fall short.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Il Trovatore - Marcelo Álvarez (tenor) Teresa
Romano (soprano) O & Ch Teatro Regio, Parma/Yuri Temirkanov rec.
2010 C MAJOR 723504
[140:00 +10:00: bonus] [RJF] Provincial at
best. Verdi and Álvarez deserved better than this.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Rarities - Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) O Teatro alla
Scala/Claudio Abbado rec. 1978/80 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 646538
[42:47] [MC] It is good to hear Pavarotti
singing rare Verdi repertoire to which he seems so well suited.
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Preludes, Guitar concerto, Melodia Sentimental - Krzysztof Meisinger
(guitar) ASMF/José Maria Florencio rec. 2011 FUGA LIBERA FUG599
[50:39] [BR] Very good; eccentric but in an
interesting way, luckily for us.
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Organ concertos - Margherita Gianola, Silvio Celeghin (organs) Accademia
di San Rocco/Francesco Fanna rec. 2012 STRADIVARIUS STR 33951
[57:48] [DC] Attractive, and mostly rewarding.
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Concerti per fagotto III - Sergio Azzolini (bassoon) L'Aura Soave
Cremona/Diego Cantalupi rec. 2012 NAÏVE OP30539 [70:25]
[JV] Another impressive addition to Naïve’s
growing Vivaldi Edition.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Das Rheingold Tomasz Konieczny, Antonio Yang, Kor-Jan Dusseljee,
Christian Elsner, Iris Vermillion, Berlin RSO/Marek Janowski rec. 2012
PENTATONE PTC5186406
[70:33 + 69:54] [ST] A most impressive sense
of drama and excitement.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Bernd Weikl, Ben Heppner,
Cheryl Studer, Bavarian State Op Ch & O/Wolfgang Sawallisch rec.
1993 EMI CLASSICS 7390182 [4 CDs: 256:41] [PCG] The
most consistently well-cast studio recording of Meistersinger in the
catalogue. Superlative but once again no text or translation.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Prelude,
Siegfried-Idyll, Götterdämmerung: Dawn
and Siegfried's Rhine Journey, Siegfried's Funeral March, Immolation
Scene - Petra Lang (soprano) Budapest Festival O/Iván Fischer
rec. 2012 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS SA 32713
[64.21] [JPr] This is an outstanding Wagner
CD on three incomparable counts: Iván Fischer, Budapest Festival
and Petra Lang.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Lohengrin Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor) Birgit Nilsson (soprano)
Astrid Varney (soprano) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) Bayreuth
Festival Ch & O/Eugen Jochum rec. 1954 OPERA D’ORO OPD
7086 [4 CDs: 206.12] [PCG] A cast which
it would be difficult to find equalled on any other release.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Lohengrin Jess Thomas (tenor) Claire Watson (soprano) Christa
Ludwig (mezzo) Ch & O der Wiener Staatsoper/Karl Böhm rec.
1965 ORFEO C862133D [3 CDs: 194:43] [ST]
A remarkable record of a live performance, capturing a collection of
Wagner greats and a few surprises.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Tristan und Isolde Wolfgang Windgassen, Birgit Nilsson, Kerstin
Meyer, Josef Greindl, Bayreuth Fest Ch & O/Karl Böhm rec. 1962
MYTO HISTORICAL 00328 [3 CDs: 229.43] [PCG] There
is certainly no lack of dramatic punch here.
Adrian WILLAERT (c.1490
- 1562) Musica Nova - The Motets - Singer Pur rec. 2011 OEHMS
OC 835 [3 CDs: 7225:35] [JW] A worthy
tribute to one of the greatest composers of the 16th century.
Mikołaj ZIELEŃSKI
( fl. 1611) Opera Omnia - Vols 1-3
Collegium Zieleński/Capella Cracoviensis/Stanisław Galoński
rec. 2007-11 DUX 0740/0786/0861 [3CDs: 183:16] [Byz]
No one whose only previous experience of this era is Thomas Tallis is
likely to be disappointed with Zieleński's epic late-Renaissance-cum-proto-Baroque
music.
Amoroso Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet 1 Alban BERG (1885-1935)
Lyric Suite Anton WEBERN (1883-1945) Langsamer Satz
Cecilia String Qt rec. 2012 ANALEKTA AN29984 [54:09] [SA] Played
most beautifully by this young all female Canadian ensemble.
Around Prague
Works by Burian, Ponc & Ullmann - Barbara Kozelj (mezzo soprano)
Ebony Band/Werner Herbers rec. 2012/13 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS
34813 [78:26] [DC] Pioneering and superb.
Australian Portrait
Works for saxophone & piano - HD Duo rec. 2010 CALA CACD77013
[71:18] [JW] A discriminating and excellently
performed saxophone selection.
Between The Bliss And Me
Songs to poems of Emily Dickinson - Julia Faulkner (soprano)
Martha Fischer, Lee Hoiby (piano) rec. 2007/12 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS
8.559731 [58.37] [PCG] Throws a valuable
sidelight onto the approach of composers to the poetry of Emily Dickinson.
Géori Boué (soprano)
Arias by Gounod, Mozart & Puccini rec. 1942-1957 MALIBRAN CDRG194
[79:26] [JW] I hope that this disc stimulates
others that more fully celebrate the musicianship of this admirable
artist.
Canciones Españolas
Sylvia Schwartz (soprano) Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec. 2012 HYPERION
CDA67954 [67:58] [GF] Utterly satisfying.
Piano Arrangements by Alfred
Cortot - He Yue (piano) rec. 2012 GRAND PIANO GP641 [57:46]
[BR] Surprise transcriptions from Alfred Cortot,
played by a surprisingly poetical pianist.
Cuillin Sound
Lynda Coffin (flute); Sarah Watts (bass clarinet); Laurence Perkins
(bassoon) rec. 2011 CUILLIN SOUND CUILL1001
[77:42] [RB] A nicely calculated wind trio
confectionery selection.
Deutsche Motette
German Romantic choral music from Schubert to Strauss - Ch Gonville
& Caius College, Cambridge. Ch King’s College, London/Geoffrey
Webber, David Trendell rec. 2012 DELPHIAN DCD34124 [61:30] [JQ]
High Romantic German choral music in excellent
and committed performances.
English Recorder Works
by L Berkeley, Arnold, Rubbra, Jacob & Bowen - Jill
Kemp (recorder) Aleksander Szram (piano) Brodowski Qt rec. 2012 MUSICMEDIA
MMC103 [70.58] [GH] If you fancy getting
to know some 20th century English music, this is a perfect
place to start.
Early Romantic Overtures
Works by Weber, Wagner & Berlioz - London Classical Players/Roger
Norrington rec. 1988 VIRGIN CLASSICS 9282742 [58:36] [RW] Aimed
at the newcomer more than the seasoned collector and meets its intention
admirably.
Fancy that! Alan
Vivian (clarinet), Susanne Powell (piano) rec. 1988 REVOLVE AJM 1314
[64.50] [PCG] If the programme appeals, this
is well worth a listen.
French Horn in Prague
Přemysl Vojta (horn) Tomoko Sawano (piano) rec. 2012/13 SUPRAPHON
SU41252 [60:05] [RB] Rather a nice and
surprising collection of approachable music by composers from Prague.
Mirella Freni
- The Opera Album Excerpts from Puccini, Verdi
& Bizet operas - Various orchestras 1959-74 ACANTA 233707
[3 CDs: 142:59] [MC] I greatly enjoyed this
fine collection.
Elisabeth Grümmer
(soprano): Great Singers Live Hans Altmann
(piano) Munich RSO/Kurt Eichhorn, Horst Stein rec. 1956/62 BR KLASSIK
900308 [61:41 [SG] A valuable addition
to the Grümmer discography, and a must for those who wish to explore
the art of this wonderful singer.
Hommage à Debussy
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images Books I & II, Estampes &
works by Dukas, Casella, Grante & Piania - Carlo Grante
(piano) rec. 2012 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1267 [67:02] [JW] Grante
plays with richly engaged intelligence and variegated tonal response.
Wilhelm Kempff Piano Recital
1962 - Works by Schubert, Mozart & Beethoven rec.
1962 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.720 [65:54] [JW] Kempff
is perhaps a touch too artful and romanticised in this repertoire but
it’s valuable to have the chance to gauge his responses in this
way.
Landscapes Works
by Copland, Torke & Ticheli - Kansas U Wind Ens/Paul W.
Popiel rec.2012 NAXOS 8.573104 [60:44] [DM] Simply
splendid; another fine college ensemble at its best.
Lost Generation
Works by Schulhoff, Ullmann & Tausky - Ulrike Anton (flute)
Russell Ryan (piano) English CO/David Parry rec. 2012 GRAMOLA 98964
[64:34] [Byz] The latest volume in Gramola's
fine 'exil.arte' series.
Magnificat - If today were tomorrow
and yesterday today Music by JS Bach - Zurich Ballet,
O La Scintilla, Zurich Opera/Marc Minkowski rec. 2012 BEL AIR CLASSIQUES
BAC089
[73:00] [ST] Well worth a look, not just for
dance enthusiasts but also for Bach fans who fancy something a little
different.
Mengelberg in New York
Works by Handel, Bach & Wagner - New York P-SO/Willem Mengelberg
rec. 1928-30 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 378 [72:54] [RMay] Of
interest primarily to Mengelberg devotees.
In This Moonlit Night
Modest Petrovich MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Songs and Dances
of Death & songs by Tchaikovsky & S Taneyev - Dmitri
Hvorostovsky (baritone) Ivari Ilja (piano) rec. 2011 ONDINE ODE 1216-2
[58:34] [GF] Fascinating and the singing and
playing throughout is riveting.
The Panufnik Legacies
London SO/François-Xavier Roth rec. 2012 LSO DISCOVERY LSO5061
[56:23] [SA] An insight into where some of
the future’s great music will be coming from.
Va pensiero, sull’ali
dorate - Verdi’s life told by Thomas Hampson - Thomas
Hampson (baritone) O Age of the Enlightenment/Richard Armstrong rec.
2001 EUROARTS 2051048
[58:00] [RF] Verdi’s life, its triumphs
and tragedies are told in a succinct and appealing way.
Primakov Live in Concert
Works by Medtner, Schumann, Ravel & Brahms - Vassily
Primakov (piano) rec. 2004-2011 LP CLASSICS 1004 [70:15] [OL]
From misty-eyed Medtner, through bipolar Schumann and jovial Brahms
to the wild abandon of Ravel - a spectacular and thrilling journey.
The Complete Psalms of David
Volume 3 - Liverpool Cathedral Ch/David Poulter, Ian Tracey (organ)
rec. 2012 PRIORY PRCD 1079 [79:02] Volume 4 - Peterborough
Cathedral Ch/Andrew Reid, David Humphreys (organ) rec. 2012 PRIORY
PRCD 1082 [75:41] [JQ] Two more excellent
issues in Priory’s survey of The Complete Psalms of David.
Ossy Renardy (violin) The
Complete Columbia Recordings rec. 1938/39 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 383
[73:53] [JW] A valuable and astutely selected
Renardy slice of real interest to violin collectors.
Romantic Overtures
Works by Marschner, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Nicolai, Weber & Beethoven
- Tasmanian SO/Sebastian Lang-Lessing rec. 2004 ABC CLASSICS 476
7736 [63:27] [SV] Some fine things here
but also some misfires.
Royal Lullabies
- Soothing Music for a Royal Baby - MEMORY LANE
GLM/Y-69 [73:52] [JE] A reminder of
2013 and the Royal birth.
Saxophone Impressions
Works by Gershwin, Piazzola & Chopin - Pawel Gusnar (saxophone)
Witold Lutoslawski CO Lomza/Jan Milosz Zarzycki rec. 2011 DUX 0885
[64:05] [BR] Entertaining arrangements
for saxophone - not profound but enjoyable.
Carl Schuricht Collection
II Stuttgart RSO rec. 1951-66 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC
CD 93.292 [11:00:00] [JW] Continues the
fine archival work Hänssler is carrying out on behalf of Schuricht.
Fabien Sevitzky (violin)
Works by Bossi, Grieg, Bach, Dubensky, Tchaikovsky, Grainger, Bloch
and Arensky - Philadelphia Chamber String Simfonietta/Fabien Sevitzky
rec. 1927-40 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC 375 [77:17] [JW] A
most enjoyable release.
Janos Starker: French Album
Works for cello by Faure, Debussy & Ravel - Leon Pommers (piano)
rec. 1955 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD294 [30:28] [SG]
A fitting tribute to a great cellist, and a
valuable document restored for posterity.
Classical Barbra
Barbra Streisand (vocals) - Columbia SO/Claus Ogerman (piano) rec. 1973
SONY CLASSICAL 88691 922552 [40:14] [GF] A
beautiful and expressive voice and a vocal range that was quite astonishing.
Nobuyuki Tsujii at
White Nights Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Piano Concerto 1 Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony 14
- Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano) Mariinsky Theatre O/Valery Gergiev rec. 2012
EUROARTS 2059354
[110:00] [LW] White Nights concert showcasing
the talents of Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii.
Alain Vanzo - Airs français
rec. 1954/62 MALIBRAN CDRG 201 [80:20] [RMo] Everything
Vanzo sings is worth hearing for the intrinsic charm and beauty of his
very Gallic lyric tenor.
La Viola Works for viola
by women composers of the 2oth century - Hillary Herndon (viola)
Wei-Chun Bernadette Lo (piano) rec. 2010-12 MSR CLASSICS MS1416
[60:29 + 63:17] [JW] This excellently chosen
selection will make an obvious appeal to the collector.
Other reviews
Keith ROWE (b.1940) and Graham
LAMBKIN Over C, Making A, Wet B - Keith Rowe (contact mic/objects/field
recordings) Graham Lambkin (contact mic/objects/room) rec. 2013 ERSTWHILE
RECORDS 067 [42:30] [MM] Effortless mastery
of sound and narrative.
Adventures in the Scream Trade
- Scenes from an operatic life by Charles Long Mountain Lake
Press, 2012 [RJF] Can be gainfully read by
opera-lovers and would-be singers alike. It is well written and contains
much wisdom alongside anecdotes and stories.
William Alwyn: A Research
and Information Guide John C. Dressler Routledge Musical Bibliographies
[JF] Required reading for all enthusiasts of
William Alwyn.
Bailes, Tonadas and Cachuas 18th
century songs and dances from Trujillo, Peru - Música
Temprana/Adrián Rodríguez Van der Spoel rec. 2012 COBRA
RECORDS 0036 [66:24] [JV] Not only lovers
of Latin American early music, but also those who have an interest in
folk music will enjoy this disc.
The Best of Beatles Baroque
Les Boréades rec. 2000-06 ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD2 3008 [44:53]
[BR] Very literal Beatles transcriptions, best
for appreciating the lively band or the genius of the original songs.
Black Dyke Gold -
Volume II Black Dyke Band/ Nicholas J. Childs & Robert B.
Childs rec. 2012 DOYEN DOYCD307 [61:45] [JW] A
finely worked programme played and directed with superior skill and
nuance.
British Bandsman 125th
Anniversary Concert - James Morrison, Black Dyke Band/Nicholas
J Childs rec. 2012 WOB 168
[128:00] [JW] Band aficionados will enjoy the
concert and the audience loved it all.
Inside Conducting
by Christopher Seaman University of Rochester Press [CF] An
approachable read from cover to cover.
Les Witches Lord Gallaway's
Delight - An Excellent Collection of Dances & Gaelic
Laments rec. 2012 ALPHA 534 [77:51] Nobody's
Jig - Mr Playford's English Dancing Master rec. 2001
OUTHERE REW503 [72:01] [Byz] Performed
on a variety of period instruments with elegance and decorum.
Experiencing Stravinsky
A Listener’s Companion by Robin Maconie The Scarecrow Press
[JF] A useful addition to the shelves of Stravinsky
enthusiasts.
Makh tsu di Eygelekh Yiddish
Songs - Helene Schneiderman (voice) Götz Payer (piano) rec. 2012
CARUS 83.380 [57:09] [JW] This hour-long
programme covers a rich range from a variety of traditions.
Articles & notices
Being a collector in the digital era
by David Barker
Performing Mahler in Rotterdam 1954
- A letter from a reader
Britten 100 on NMC - Retrospect and Horizon
- a survey by Rob Barnett
Download News 2013/10 by Brian Wilson
