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 RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH
John
ADAMS (b. 1947) Doctor Atomic Symphony, Short Ride
in a Fast Machine, Harmonielehre - Royal Scottish Ntl O/Peter Oundjian
rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHSA5129 SACD
[70:15] [ST] Really
excellent; worthy to stand comparison with any
others.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Missa
Solemnis - Lucy Crowe (soprano) Jennifer
Johnston (mezzo) James Gilchrist (tenor) Matthew
Rose (bass) Monteverdi Ch, O Révolutionnaire
et Romantique/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2012 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG 718 [69:58] [JQ] A powerful and superbly
executed live account of Missa Solemnis: a tremendous
achievement.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concertos 1 & 2 -
Stephen Hough (piano) Mozarteumorchester Salzburg/Mark Wigglesworth
rec. 2013 HYPERION CDA67961 [49:05 + 48:54] Stephen Hough’s performances join the select
list of reference recordings for both Brahms piano concertos. [JQ]
Sheer
virtuosity and
intimacy perfectly stated. [JF]
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Peter Grimes Alan Oke, Giselle Allen, David Kempster, Britten-Pears Orchestra/Steuart Bedford rec. 2013 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD348 [73:55 + 64:01] [MG] Grimes freshly minted with four outstanding features.
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) War
Requiem - Anna Netrebko (soprano) Ian
Bostridge (tenor) Thomas Hampson (baritone)
Ch & O dell'Accademia
Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Roma/Sir Antonio
Pappano rec. 2013 WARNER CLASSICS 6154482
[80:05] [SG] A version
of the War Requiem that will provide an excellent
alternative to the composer’s own performance
on Decca. Thrilling.
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Belisario - Alastair Miles (bass) Nicola Alaimo (baritone)
Joyce El-Khoury (soprano) Camilla Roberts (soprano) BBC SO &
Singers/Sir Mark Elder rec. 2012 OPERA RARA ORC 49
[60.16 + 64.37] [RJF] With
great conducting, chorus and soloists, this is another winning
contribution from Opera Rara to the Donizetti discography.
Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony 8 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony 1 -
Czech PO, Swiss Festival O/George Szell rec. 1962/9 AUDITE 95.625 [81:06] [JS] It is good that such excellent performances are now available and so well presented on this generously filled disc.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphonies 99 &
100, L’incontro improvviso Overture
- Heidelberg SO/Thomas Fey rec. 2013 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98.014 [57:58]
[MG] Celebrates Haydn
as a composer of daring and innovation.
Sir
Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b.1934) Strathclyde
Concertos 7 & 8, A spell for green corn - Duncan McTier (double-bass)
Ursula Leveaux (bassoon) James Clark (violin)
Scottish CO/Sir Peter Maxwell Davies rec.
1993 NAXOS 8.572355 [67.05] The bassoon concerto is a triumph. I look
forward to future ex-Collins bounty from this
source [PCG] Chock full of brilliant playing by both soloists and orchestra [SA]
Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Violin Concerto Ralph VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Lark Ascending Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Légende Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) A Song of the
Night- Tasmin Little (violin), BBC
Philharmonic/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHAN10796 [75:45]
[JQ] Catalogue-leading recordings of The Lark Ascending and the
Moeran Concerto from Tasmin Little.
Franz SCHREKER (1878-1934) Der Schatzgräber Tijl Faveyts (bass)
Alasdair Elliott (tenor)
André Morsch (baritone)
Nederlandse Opera Ch,
Netherlands PO, Amsterdam/Marc Albrecht
rec. 2012 CHALLENGE RECORDS CC72591 SACD [71:42 + 79:22] [DC] This one ‘has it all’.
John SHEPPARD (c. 1515-1558) Sacred Choral Music -
Choir of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh/Duncan Ferguson rec. 2013 DELPHIAN DCD34123 [68:59] [JQ] Another outstanding disc from the choir of Edinburgh Cathedral.
Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) The Complete Works for Violin and Piano
- Alberto Bologni (violin); Christopher Howell (piano)
rec. 2013 SHEVA SH100 [3 CDs: 219:35] [JF] A stunning package of extremely effective, enjoyable and well-written works that guarantee pleasure and enjoyment.
Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Double
Concertos for Winds and Strings - Rebel/Jörg-Michael
Schwarz rec. 2013 BRIDGE 9421 [64:42]
[JV] If this disc fails
to convince the sceptical listener that these
concertos are first-rate stuff then nothing
will.
American Piano Concertos by Barber, Copland & Gershwin
- Xiayin Wang (piano)
Royal Scottish Ntl O/Peter Oundjian
rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHSA5128 SACD [75:44] [ST] A fascinating traversal of the 20th Century American piano concerto.
Guardian
Angel Works by Bach, Biber, Matteis,
Pisendel & Tartini - Rachel Podger (baroque
violin) rec. 2013 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSA35513 SACD [78:30] [DBi] A
wondrously beautiful
disc of obscure but masterly baroque music for solo violin. Essential.
The Magic Island
The HUSH Collection Vol. 13 - Tasmanian SO/Benjamin Northey rec. 2012/3
HUSH 013 [64:12] [DJB] A collection of quite beautiful
miniatures.
Parthenia Works by Bull, Byrd & Gibbons - Catalina Vicens (spinettino, virginals,
harpsichord) Rebeka Rusò (viola da gamba) CARPE DIEM CD-16298 [64:54] [JV] A winner in every respect.
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John
ADAMS (b. 1947) El niño Dawn Upshaw (soprano) Lorraine Hunt
Lieberson (mezzo) Willard White (baritone) Theatre
of Voices/Paul Hillier, London Voices/Terry
Edwards; Maîtrise de Paris Children’s
Ch/Patrick Marco, Deutsches SO Berlin/Kent Nagano
rec. 2000 ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 101 669 [119.00 + 28.00] [LW] Apparently
a reissue of the original production. Better
musically than it is visually.
William
ALWYN (1905-1985) Lyra Angelica, The Magic Island, Autumn Legend Sidonie Goossens (harp) Roger Winfield
(cor anglais) BBC SO/Hallé O/Sir John
Barbirolli rec. 1953-1955 BARBIROLLI SOCIETY
SJB1077 [49:20] [JQ] Sensitive
archive performances by William Alwyn’s
earliest champion.
William ALWYN (1905-1985) Fantasy Waltzes; Funeral Rites; Sonata alla Toccata; The Weather Vane; Doreen CARWITHEN (1922-2003) Sonatina -
Mark Bebbington (piano) rec. 2013 SOMM CD0133 [72:35] [JW] A terrific disc.
Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) The
Complete Keyboard Concertos Vols 18 & 19 - Miklós Spányi (harpsichord,
fortepiano) Concerto Armonico Budapest/Márta
Ábrahám rec. 2011-2012 BIS
CD-1787/1957 [68:12 & 65:04] [JV] These volumes - apparently
the last in the project - give little or no
reason for real enthusiasm.
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Brandenburg Concertos 1-6 - Basel CO/Paul
Sacher rec.
1954 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR863-4 [49:08 + 57:45]
[SG] A fine traversal
from the 1950s of these six concertos.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Christmas
Oratorio - Dorothee Mields (soprano)
Damien Guillon (alto) Thomas Hobbs (tenor) Peter
Kooij (bass) Collegium Vocale Gent/Philippe
Herreweghe rec. 2012 EUROARTS 2059504 Blu-ray [145:00] [KM] An
excellent performance of a great choral work.
Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) String quartets 1-6 -
Juilliard String Qt
rec. 1949 PRISTINE AUDIO PACM089a/b/c [3 CDs: 157:37] [Byz] Pristine's Ambient Stereo almost literally adds an extra dimension to these gripping performances.
Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) The Miraculous Mandarin suite,
Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Four Orchestral Pieces -
Melbourne SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2011/13 CHANDOS CHSA5130 SACD [73:19] [GPJ] An exceptional recording of some of the most thrilling
orchestral music of the early 20th century.
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas 15, 16 & 21 - Jonathan
Biss (piano) rec. 2013 ONYX 4115 [70:23] [JQ] Three more fine
Beethoven performances from Jonathan Biss.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas
11, 18 & 28 - Angela Hewitt (piano) rec.
2012 HYPERION CDA67974 [72:29] [SG] Volume 4 of Angela Hewitt’s Beethoven
cycle leaves me with mixed feelings.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony 9 - Anna
Tomowa-Sintow (soprano) Agnes Baltsa (contralto) Peter Schreier (tenor)
José van Dam (bass) Wiener Singverein/Berlin PO/Herbert von Karajan
rec. 1976 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
BD-A
479 1083 [67:14]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Violin Concerto, Romances 1 & 2 -
Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) New York PO/Kurt Masur rec. 2002 DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON BD-A
479 1063 [64:52]
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony 9 Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884)
Vltava Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Les Préludes -
Berlin Radio SO/Ferenc Fricsay rec. 1959-1960 DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON BD-A
479 1082 [72:11]
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Operatic excerpts, Wesendonck-Lieder - Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Ch
& O of the Deutsche Oper
Berlin/Donald Runnicles rec. 2012 DECCA BD-A 478 5678
[61:11] [DBi] Reissues of
fine
performances of varying vintage in the best sound they have ever had,
but with some problems.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String quartet op. 135 Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) String quartet Karl Amadeus HARTMANN (1905-1963) String quartet 2 Heinz HOLLIGER (b.1939) String quartet 2 -
Zehetmair Quartett rec. 2002/2010 ECM NEW SERIES 2195/96 [44:11 + 50:25] [DC] A remarkably fine string quartet release.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies 5 & 7 -
Vienna PO/Carlos Kleiber
rec. 1974-6 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 479 1106 BD-A [72:27] [JQ] Carlos Kleiber’s legendary Beethoven performances issued on Blu-ray.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas 12, 28 & 29 -
Maria Yudina (piano) rec. 1954/1958 APR 5670 [76:44] [JW] Cumulative power and spirit and some very personalised ways with rubati, tempo, timbre and dynamic gradients.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto 3,
Triple Concerto -
Annie Fischer (piano) Géza Anda (piano) Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin) Pierre Fournier (cello) Bavarian State O, Berlin RSO/Ferenc Fricsay
rec. 1957/60 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC400 [72:39] [LJ] Authenticity is retained and clarity gained.
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) La sonnambula
Giovanni Battista Parodi (bass) Julie Mellor (mezzo) Jessica Pratt
(soprano) Ch & O Teatro La Fenice, Venice/Gabriele Ferro rec.
2012 C MAJOR 713908 DVD
[132:00] [GF] The present
set is valuable for the marvellous singing of Jessica Pratt.
Alban
BERG (1885-1935) Violin Concerto Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Rhapsody 2; Violin Concerto 2 - Isaac
Stern (violin) New York PO/Leonard Bernstein rec. 1958-62 PRAGA
DIGITALS PRD/DSD 350099 SACD [73:16]
[SG] Three mainstays of
the twentieth century’s violin repertoire from the back catalogue all
in high quality digitally re-mastered sound.
Georges BIZET
(1838-1875) Carmen - Rinat Shaham, Dmytro
Popov, Andrew Jones, Nicole Car, O Australia Ch, Australian Opera and
Ballet O/Brian Castles-Onion rec.
2013 OPERA AUSTRALIA OPOZ56043BD Blu-ray
[141:00] [IL] A most
voluptuous Carmen, raunchy and
smoky-voiced.
Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Tobias and the Angel John Ford (tenor)
Ronald Lewis (baritone)
London SO/Norman Del Mar
rec. 1960 Antony HOPKINS (1921-) Hands Across the Sky Eric Shilling (baritone)
Ann Dowdall (soprano)
Intimate Opera Chamber Ens/Antony Hopkins
rec. 1960(?) PRISTINE AUDIO PACO 096 [68:41 + 61:15] [DCh] Two British operas produced for TV and rescued from obscurity.
Charles
BORDES (1863-1909) Mélodies
and piano music - Sophie Marin-Degor
(soprano) Jean-Sébastien Bou (baritone)
François-René Duchâble (piano)
rec. 2012 TIMPANI 1C1196 [68:46] [JW] A
modest voice but an attractive one and in the
case of the piano music, exciting.
Lili BOULANGER (1893-1918) Clairières dans le ciel Nadia BOULANGER (1887-1979) Mélodies Anna Fabrello (soprano)
Rafał Lewandowski (piano)
rec. 2012 ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0286 [49:57] [JW] A good, thoughtful selection though rather brief.
York BOWEN (1884-1961) Clarinet sonata,
Piano trios,
Phantasy quintet -
Robert Plane (clarinets)
Gould Piano Trio,
Mia Cooper (violin)
David Adams (viola)
rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHAN10805 [78:29] [DJB] An excellent collection of Bowen’s chamber works.
William BRADE (1560-1630)
and Thomas SIMPSON (1582-1628?) Taffel
Consort - Weser-Renaissance Bremen/Manfred Cordes rec. 2011 CPO
999 952-2 [72:00] [JV] Lively
and engaging - musical entertainment of the highest order.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Clarinet Trio, Horn
Trio, Variations on a Theme of Schumann, Piano
Quintet, Clarinet Quintet - Peter Schmidl (clarinet)
Günter Högner (horn) Friedrich Dolezal
(cello) András Schiff (piano) rec. 1980-88 DECCA ELOQUENCE 4801280 [70:58 + 77:22]
[TB] Splendid performances
bearing witness to the excellence of these masterpieces.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Hungarian Dances - Danubia O Óbuda/Domonkos
Héja rec. 2008 WARNER APEX 2564 644431 [52.48] [GH] If
you don’t have recording of the Hungarian Dances this is as good
a place to start as any.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Serenade 1 Ludwig von BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Romances -
Augustin Dumay (violin) Kansai PO/Augustin Dumay rec. 2012 ONYX 4101 [67:28] [AL] An interesting coupling of programme material, given fresh, inspired and highly enjoyable performances.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony 2 Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tannhäuser Overture
- Bamberg SO, Royal PO/Rudolf Kempe rec. 1973 ICA CLASSICS ICAD5119 DVD [57:00] [SG] A valuable visual document of one of
the great, yet unsung, conductors of the twentieth century.
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) Saint Nicolas, Hymn
to St Cecilia, Rejoice in the Lamb - Andrew Kennedy (tenor)
Ch of King’s College, Britten Sinfonia/Stephen Cleobury (organ) rec.
2012/13 KING’S COLLEGE KGS0003 [CD & SACD: 76:32] [JS] This
makes a strong case for Saint Nicolas being one of
Britten’s most masterly as well as most loveable works.
Salvador BROTONS (b. 1959) Symphony 5 Mundus Noster; Oboe Concerto; Four Pieces for String Orchestra -
Balearic SO/Salvador Brotons NAXOS 8.573163 [70:41] [RB] This Brotons CD deserves your attention and will reward you strongly.
Norbert
BURGMÜLLER
(1810-1836) Piano Concerto, Overture, Entr’actes - Tobias
Koch (piano) Hofkapelle Stuttgart/Frieder Bernius rec. 2012 CARUS
83.297 [62:27] [JW] Robert
Schumann wrote that, after the
death of Schubert, no musical loss had been more grievous.
Teresa
CARREÑO (1853-1917) Rêverie
Alexandra Oehler (piano) rec. 2013 GRAND PIANO GP660
[66:29] [Byz] Oehler
caresses her way with delicacy of feeling, flinging her fingers with
military precision up and down the keyboard.
Alfredo CASELLA
(1883-1947) Triple Concerto Giorgio Federico
GHEDINI (1892-1965) Concerto dell'albatro
- Emanuela Piemonti (piano) Paolo Ghidoni (violin) Pietro Bosna (cello)
Carlo Doglioni Majer (speaker) O I Pomeriggi Musicali/Damian Iorio rec.
2007 NAXOS 8.573180 [58:11] [DM] Casella fans will
want this concerto; the Ghedini is a real bonus, though.
Emmanuel CHABRIER (1841-1894) Orchestral works - Suisse Romande O/Neeme Järvi
rec. 2012 CHANDOS CHSA5122 SACD [78:42] [PBW] Very
good in parts but generally a little too variable to deserve an outright welcome.
Philippe
CHAMOUARD (b.1952) Symphony 8, Poème du
Vent - Rouen Conservatoire SO/Claude Brendel François Marchal
(bagpipe) rec. 2010 EDITIONS HORTUS 548 [54:31] Another fine and unconventional
entry in the annals of the symphony in the 20th and 21st centuries [RB]
Anyone who enjoyed any of the earlier Chamouard indicated above may as
well add this to their collection [Byz]
Samuel
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912) Hiawatha’s
Wedding Feast, Othello Suite, Petite
Suite de Concert, Four Characteristic
Valses - Richard Lewis (tenor) Philharmonia O, New SO/Sir Malcolm Sargent,
rec. 1935-62 HERITAGE
HTGCD249 [71:20] [JWh] A
must-buy Hiawatha.
Arcangelo
CORELLI (1653-1713) Concerti Grossi op. 6 - Gli
Incogniti/Amandine Beyer (violin) rec. 2013 ZIG-ZAG
TERRITOIRES ZZT327 [69:27 + 75:18] [DC] For all your Corelli Op. 6 solutions.
Jean CRAS (1879-1932) Âmes d’enfants,
Premier anniversaire,
Quatre Pièces, Trois Chansons Bretonnes,
Piano concerto -
Philippe Graffin (violin), Mélanie Boisvert (soprano), Lionel Peintre (baritone); Colette Cras-Tansman (piano) Paris RSO/Eugène Bigot
rec. 1948-2012 TIMPANI 1C1200 [70.06] [GH] I have found Cras’s music intoxicating and delightful but I don’t think I would start here.
Benjamin
DALE (1885-1943) The Romantic Viola - Yuko Inoue,
Tinghan Liu, Wenhong Luo, Richard Waters, Clifton Harrison, Anna Lusty
(violas) Stephen Coombs (piano) rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573167
[63:54] [NB] An excellent
disc even if the relative neglect of this music is a fair reflection of
its interesting but minor status.
Evaristo
Felice DALL'ABACO (1675-1742) & Joseph
Marie Clément DALL'ABACO (1710-1805) Padre e figlio
Les Basses Réunis/Bruno Cocset rec. 2009 AGOGIQUE
AGO011 [62:20] [JV] The
capricci are the main attraction of this disc.
John
DANYEL (1564-c.1626) Like as the lute
delights - Michael Chance (counter-tenor) Paul Beier (lute) STRADIVARIUS
STR 33903 [79:39] [JW] Useful
representation where all-Danyel discs are a rarity but some limitations.
Alexander DARGOMIZHSKY
(1813-1869) Rusalka Alexander Vedernikov,
Natalia Mikhailova, Konstantin Pluzhnikov, Tchaikovsky SO of Moscow
Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev rec. 1983
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94718 [76.14 + 76.42] [PCG]
Dargomizhsky’s Rusalka
does not deserve to sink into complete oblivion and this recording is a
worthy representation.
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Estampes, Images Books I & II, Études - Craig
Sheppard (piano) rec. 2013 ROMÉO RECORDS 7299/7300 [42:19
+ 49:16] [JQ] A most distinguished and enjoyable Debussy recital.
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) Delius in Norway Bergen PO/Sir Andrew
Davis rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHSA 5131 SACD [78.32] [IL] Another winning release in the continuing
Andrew Davis Delius collection.
Ignacy
Feliks DOBRZYŃSKI
(1807-1867) Chamber Works with Piano Vol. 2 -
Les Explorateurs rec. 2012/3 ACTE PREALABLE AP0279
[79:59] [Byz] Dobrzyński
continues to impress although this second disc is less compelling than
the first.
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Ugo Conte di Parigi Doina Dimitriu (soprano) Carmen Giannattasia (soprano) Yasuharu Nakajima (tenor)
Ch & O Teatro Donizetti, Bergamo/Antonino Fogliani
rec. 2003 DYNAMIC CDS 7659/1-2 [64.42 + 74.59] [RJF] For those on a restricted budget this provides a good introduction to this rarely performed Donizetti opera.
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucrezia Borgia Renée Fleming (soprano)
Michael Fabiano (tenor) Vitalij Kowaljow (bass) Elisabeth DeShong (mezzo)
Ch & O San Francisco Opera/Riccardo Frizzi rec. 2011 EUROARTS
2059644 Blu-ray [127:00 + 19:00 (bonus)] [RJF] A period setting and costumes are welcome but Renée Fleming is no longer a bel canto specialist and it shows.
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin Sonata Philip
SAWYERS (b.1947) Violin Sonatas 1 & 2 - The Steinberg
Duo rec. 2013 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI 6240 [61:42] [JW] Interesting and very emphatically
characterised.
Henri DUTILLEUX (1916-2013) Orchestral and Chamber Music rec. 1982/99 WARNER
ERATO 2564 64275-5 [4 CDs: 245:54] [DC] A gift to us all.
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904) Symphony 2,
Slavonic Dances - Bournemouth SO/José
Serebrier rec. 2013 WARNER CLASSICS 2564
64527-6 [65:20] [BR] Probably
the best-played Dvořák Second; probably
not the best-conducted. This is a hugely underrated
symphony.
George
ENESCU (1881-1955) Symphony 3, Ouverture de Concert
- Tampere PO & Ch/Hannu Lintu rec. 2011/13 ONDINE
ODE11972 [55:35] [MC] An
admirable release.
Heinrich
ERNST (1812-1865) Complete Music Vol. 4 - Violin
Concerto, Violin Concertino, String Quartet - Sherban Lupu (violin)
Sinfonia da Camera/Ian Hobson Ciompi String Qtt rec. 2013 TOCCATA
TOCC0189 [67:02] [JW] Those
who have followed Lupu thus far will not be disappointed with his
playing.
Giacomo FACCO (1676-1753) Pensieri Adriarmonica Vol. 1 -
Concerto à 5 -
Manuel Zogbi (violin)
Mexican Baroque O/Miguel Lawrence
rec. 2013 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0202 [51:48] [JW] An inheritor, not an innovator, but Facco’s concertos offer ear-catching listening.
Michelangelo
FALVETTI (1642-1692) Nabucco
Mariana Flores, Capucine Keller, Magdalena Padilla Olivares - Choeur de
Chambre de Namur, Cappella Mediterranea/Leonardo García-Alarcón rec.
2012 AMBRONAY AMY036 [78:18] [JV] This unknown oratorio is
undermined by its own advocate.
Johann
Friedrich FASCH (1688-1758) Orchestral
Suites - Capella Savaria/Pál Németh
rec. 1999 DYNAMIC DM8029 [72:50] [SV] Excellent sprightly
performances … if you like Baroque orchestral
music, you will want this disc.
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Quartet
1, Piano Trio - Kungsbacka Piano Trio, Philip
Dukes (viola) rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573042 [61:16] [AL] Captivating
performances and excellent sound. It is to be
hoped that this is the first of a more complete
Fauré series.
Michael
FINNISSY (b. 1946) The History
of Photography in Sound - Ian Pace (piano)
rec. 2004-06 MÉTIER MSV 77501 [5 CDs: 327:01] A major release
of a major composition by a major figure in
contemporary music. Something a little different.
Should not be overlooked [MS] ... Not much fun [DC]
Arthur
FOOTE (1853-1937) Complete Piano
Music - Kirsten Johnson (piano) rec. 2012 DELOS DE 3442 [3 CDs: 220:38] [WK] An
opportunity to experience an unknown side of
a composer better known for orchestral and chamber
music. Fine performances.
Wolfgang FORTNER (1907-1987) Bluthochzeit Dalia Schaechter
(mezzo) Banu Böke (soprano) Martin Koch
(tenor) Wuppertal SO & Opera Ch/Hilary Griffiths rec. 2013 WERGO MV8075 DVD [132.00] [PCG] A generally interesting and rewarding score which it
is good finally to have on disc for further exploration.
Carlo
GESUALDO (1566-1613) Tenebrae Responsories -
Collegium Vocale Ghent/Philippe Herreweghe rec. 2012 PHI LPH
010 [79:26 + 47:10] [MS] A
wonderfully persuasive account of Gesualdo's last great work.
Philip GLASS
(b.1937) Harpsichord Concerto John RUTTER (b.1945)
Suite Antique Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Harpsichord
Concerto - Christopher D Lewis (harpsichord) West Side CO/Kevin Mallon rec. 2012
NAXOS 8.573146 [64:02] [Byz]
The Glass comes up
with attractive melodies
and catchy rhythms but the Françaix shows that he can be every bit as
trite as Rutter.
Philip GLASS (b. 1937) The Perfect American Christopher
Purves, David Pittsinger, The Improbable
Skills Ens, Ch & O Teatro Real Madrid/Dennis Russell Davies rec.
2013 OPUS ARTE OA BD7129D Blu-ray [120:00] [DBi] If you like Philip Glass operas this is an obvious purchase;
if you do not know Glass, then I urge you to try this one.
Karl
GOLDMARK (1830-1915) Rustic Wedding Symphony,
Symphony 2 -
Singapore SO/Lan Shui rec. 2009-2011 BIS BIS-SACD-1842 [76:22] [TB] Two undeniably
attractive symphonies.
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) The Complete works for pedal piano and orchestra -
Roberto Prosseda (pedal piano)
O della Svizzera Italiana/Howard Shelley
rec. 2012 HYPERION CDA 67975 [55:56] [JW] Lightweight charmers in committed performances with recording to match.
Christoph GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Orchestral Suites - Finnish Baroque O/Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch
rec. 2013 ONDINE ODE 1220-2 [79:00] [MS] Graupner's unusually
bright and innovative use of melody and tonality has a lot to offer
and the Finnish Baroque Orchestra quietly and competently make the most
of it.
Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Landkjenning,
Sigurd Jorsalfar, Olav Trygvason
Malmö Chamber Ch & Opera Chorus,
Malmö SO & Opera O/Bjarte Engeset rec. 2009/12 NAXOS
8.573045 [64.19] [PCG] A
valuable addition to the Naxos Grieg collection, generally well
performed and superbly recorded.
George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1759) Cantatas Vol. 1 - Contrasto Armonico/Marco Vitale rec. 2012 AYROS AY-HC01 [61:19] [JV] There is every reason to welcome this disc and to look forward to the following volumes in this project.
Jake HEGGIE (b.
1961) Moby-Dick Jay
Hunter Morris (tenor) Morgan Smith (baritone) Talise Trevigne
(soprano) San Francisco Opera/Patrick Summers rec. 2012 EUROARTS
2059654 Blu-ray
[193.00] [PCG] A
resounding success.
Johann Wilhelm HERTEL
(1727-1789) Die Geburt Jesu Christi
Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens rec. 2013 CPO 777
809-2 [63:35] [JV] This
recording of an unknown Christmas
cantata is well worth investigating.
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Piano Sonatas 1-3, Variations
- Markus Becker (piano) rec. 2012/13 HYPERION CDA67977
[64:27] [DC] As good a
recording as any other I could name.
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) The Complete Piano Concertos
- Idil Biret (piano) Yale SO/Toshiyuki Shimada rec. 2012/13 NAXOS
8.573201-02 [60:14 + 76:01] [SA][RB] Anybody who has not heard these works before
will be pleasantly surprised by the wealth of enjoyment that is to be
had in them ... Fascinating even if, as the composer designed, the
emotional dimension is kept tightly controlled.
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Symphonic Metamorphosis
of Themes by Weber, Violin concerto, Concert Music - Midori (violin)
NDR SO/Christoph Eschenbach rec. 2011-2012 ONDINE
ODE 1214-2 [67:23] [MC] Much
excellent music-making here but there are better
versions of the Symphonic Metamorphosis and
the Concerto.
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Violin Sonatas - Tanja Becker-Bender (violin) Péter
Nagy (piano) rec. 2012 HYPERION CDA68014 [57:01] [MC] Away from
the mainstream but accessible and of high quality.
Ed HUGHES (b.
1968) When the flame dies New Music Players/Carlos del Cueto rec. 2012 MÉTIER MSV 77203 [DVD: 60.42 + CD: 57.24] [PCG] It would
be hard to imagine this being bettered … a piece that has real
depth.
Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Königskinder - Daniel Behle (tenor)
Amanda Majeski (soprano) Frankfurter Opern- und Museums O/Sebastian
Weigle rec. 2012 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 943 [3 CDs: 166:01] [TB] The musical aspects are very satisfying but the documentation
offers only indifferent support.
Leos JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Mists of Childhood Alain Planès (piano) Accentus/Pieter-Jelle de Boer rec. 2013 NAÏVE V5330 [55:15] [JW] Thoughtfully compiled and with valid things to say. The singing is keen but not exceptional and the playing time is quite short.
Jeronimas
KAČINSKAS (1907-2005)
Chamber and Instrumental Music - Vilnius String Qt, St Christopher
Quintet, Gabrielius Alekna (piano) rec. 2007/9 TOCCATA
TOCC0169 [59:22] [JW] A
voice well worth hearing … a
nuanced and structurally sensitive approach.
Kara KARAYEV (1918-1982) Ballet Suites: The Seven Beauties, The Path of Thunder Royal PO/Dmitri Yablonsky
rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573122 [69:22] [SA] Will appeal to all who like their music uncomplicatedly straightforward yet full blooded.
Reinhard
KEISER (1674-1739) Die großmütige
Tomyris - Gabriele Fontana (soprano)
Marianne Hirsti (soprano)
Linde-Consort/Hans-Martin Linde rec. 1988 EMI
CLASSICS 9123252 [68:46 + 71:19] [JV] This recording should
not have been reissued.
Paul
KLETZKI (1900-1973) Music Unlost: Violin Sonata,
Piano Trio - Magdalena Kling-Fender (violin) Łukasz
Błaszczyk (violin) Robert Fender (cello)
Adam Manijak (piano) rec. 2012 DUX 0974 [58:14] [RB] You will
enjoy this music if the likes of Zemlinsky,
Schreker, Martucci, Ghedini and Foulds appeal
to you.
August KLUGHARDT (1847-1902) Symphony 5, In Spring, Festive Overture - Anhalt
Philharmonic/Antony Hermus rec. 2011/12 CPO 777 693-2 [61:34]
[BR] Once you know the symphony was a chamber piece, you hear evidence
everywhere, to the work’s detriment.
Gustavo LEONE (b.1956) String Quartets 1 & 2, Una voz, un grito, un lamento,
Red Quintet,
Scenes -
Q-Arte Quartet
Beatriz Elena Martinez (soprano)
Marta Liliana Bonilla (harp)
rec. 2011/12 TOCCATA TOCC 0168 [72:33] [JW] Leone’s is a versatile voice in the contemporary firmament and is excellently served here.
György
LIGETI (1923-2006) String Quartets 1 & 2;
Cello Sonata - Quatuor Béla rec. 2012 AEON AECD1332
[50:21] [Byz] In purely
musical terms this ranks with the best - perhaps even higher.
György LIGETI
(1923-2006) Lontano; Violin Concerto; Atmosphères;
San Francisco Polyphony Benjamin Schmid
(violin) Finnish RSO/Hannu Lintu rec. 2012/2013
ONDINE ODE 1213-2 [68:22] [LW]
This CD contains a
fine sampling of Ligeti’s orchestral music.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Organ arrangements by
Bischof, Dupré, Liszt & Weiner -
Christian
Schmitt (organ) Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken
Kaiserlautern/Martin Haselböck rec. 2012 CPO 777 472-2
SACD [69:58]
[DC] Intriguing,
but not universally successful.
Sergei LYAPUNOV (1859-1924) Piano Music -
Margarita Glebov (piano)
rec. 2012/13 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0218 [67:30] [SA] A really enjoyable disc of music by an unfairly neglected composer.
James MacMILLAN (b. 1959) Missa Dunelmi; St Patrick’s Magnificat; …fiat mihi…;
Cum vidisset Jesus; I am your Mother; Invocation; Domine non secundum peccata
nostra; Alpha & Omega - Cappella Nova/Alan Taverner rec. 2012 LINN
CKD439 SACD [66:41] [JQ] Cappella Nova expertly perform another
programme of stimulating and compelling programme of choral music by James MacMillan.
Cindy McTEE (b.
1953) Symphony 1, Circuits, Einstein’s Dream, Double Play - Detroit SO/Leonard Slatkin rec. 2010/12 NAXOS
AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559765 [66:43] [RB] McTee is never less than
interesting - Time will tell whether there is more. The signs are good.
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4 Paul DUKAS
(1865-1935) The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - Sena Jurinac
(soprano) Vienna SO/Karl Rankl rec. 1954 GUILD GHCD2397
[64:49] [JW] A rare
example of live Rankl admirably engineered and presented.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4 Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal Prelude to Act I Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Ruy Blas - Jane Alexander (soprano) BBC SO, London SO/Rudolf Kempe rec. 1957 ICA CLASSICS ICAC 5117 [74:38] [RMo] These performances are not indispensable to the Kempe discography.
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony 5 - Budapest FO/Iván Fischer rec. 2012
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA34213 SACD [74:09] [JQ]
An enjoyable Mahler
Fifth, expertly played, which offers much to the listener.
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Ballet music from Bacchus, Hérodiade, Thaïs & Le Cid - Barcelona SO/Patrick
Gallois rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573123 [77:54] [BR] What fun. Glorious
French ballet suites played with panache.
Saverio MERCADANTE (1795-1870) Omaggio a Bellini, Gran Sinfonia, Clarinet Concerto
2 - Giammarco Casani (clarinet) O Sinfonica di
Roma/Francesco La Vecchia rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573035 [60:08]
Flute Concertos 1, 2 & 4 - Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä/Patrick
Gallois (flute) rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572731 [57:34] [Byz] La Vecchia's
entertaining programmes merit wide currency.
Orazio MICHI dell'Arpa (c.1595 - 1641) E che vuoi più? - Françoise
Masset (soprano) La Gioannina rec. 2012 AGOGIQUE AGO013 [72:49] [JV] A compelling musical portrait of the fascinating music
of Michi and his time.
Leopoldo Américo
MIGUÉZ (1850-1902) Morceaux Lyriques - Braz Velloso (piano)
rec. 2011 NAXOS 9.70199 Download [62:36] Henrique OSWALD (1852-1931) Feuilles d'album - Braz Velloso (piano)
rec. 2012 NAXOS 9.70200 Download [61:51] [Byz] The music of Oswald and
Miguéz are likely to have wide appeal.
Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Overture for a Masque; In the Mountain Country; Rhapsodies -
Benjamin Frith (piano) Ulster O/JoAnn Falletta rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573106 [57:06] [RB] JoAnn Falletta brings real vibrancy to these scores.
Stanisław MONIUSZKO (1819-1872) Overtures - Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit
rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572716 [79:28] [RB] A remarkably fresh collection of overtures that will appeal if you have any taste for the overtures of Weber, Suppé, Reznicek or Mendelssohn.
Piotr MOSS (b.1949) String Quartet 4, Le lien entre les jours Opium String Qt
Jadwiga Rappé (mezzo)
rec. 2012-13 CD ACCORD ACD 195-2 [64:44] [JW] Music-making that demonstrates verve, technical polish and real conviction.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die
Zauberflöte - Bernarda Bobro (soprano) Norman
Reinhardt (tenor) Daniel Schmutzhard (baritone) Alfred Reiter (bass)
Vienna SO & Bregenz Festival Ch/Patrick Summers rec. 2013 C
MAJOR Blu-ray 713804 [150:00]
[RJF] The spectacle might
entertain children but serious music-lovers have better choices
elsewhere.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Entführung
aus dem Serail - Valerie Masterson (soprano)
Ryland Davies (tenor) Lillian Watson (soprano)
Willard White (bass) Glyndebourne Ch/London
PO/Gustav Kuhn rec. 1980 ARTHAUS MUSIC DVD 102
310 [143:00] [RJF] This
production and its naturalistic sets have remained
in my mind’s eye for thirty years as the
ideal realisation of this opera. At bargain
price any Mozart enthusiast will find much to
enjoy here.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos
20 & 27 - Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano)
Kölner Akadamie/Michael Alexander Willens
rec. 2012 BIS BIS-SACD-2014 [53:54] [TB] Brautigam
brings both tragedy and relaxation to the table.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Piano Concertos - English Chamber O/Daniel
Barenboim (piano and direction) rec. 1967/74 WARNER CLASSICS 9846162 [10 CDs: 661:12] [RB] Emotionally vivid and still sounding very
presentable. Pleasing and moving listening at little outlay.
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Horn Concertos - Roger Montgomery
(natural horn) O of the Age of Enlightenment/Margaret Faultless (violin)
rec. 2012 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD345 [70:04] [CC] The list of delights
to be gleaned from this disc is endless.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Così fan tutte Anett Frisch (soprano)
Paola Gardina (mezzo) Juan Francisco Gatell (tenor) O & Ch Teatro Real, Madrid/Sylvain Cambreling rec. 2013 C MAJOR
714604 Blu-ray [202:00 +18:00 (bonus)] [RJF] Set, acting and singing generally good
but this staging has little to do with Da Ponte’s libretto or
Mozart’s music.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Concert
Arias - Kathleen Battle (soprano) Royal
PO/André Previn rec. 1985 WARNER CLASSICS
9933452 [54:14] [TB] What
a shame to undermine such first rate music making
with such poor presentation.
Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an
exhibition, Songs and dances of Death, The
nursery - New Zealand SO/Peter Breiner rec. 2012 NAXOS
8.573016 [78.28] [PCG] Breiner
here gives every movement the full modern works.
Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an
Exhibition Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Album for the Young Vladimir Feltsman
(piano)
rec. 2002 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI 6211 [67:46] [JWh] Very good Mussorgsky indeed.
Otto NICOLAI
(1810-1849) Mass in D & other sacred choral works -
Consono Chamber Ch, Essen Folkwang CO/Harald Jers rec.
2012 CARUS 83.341 [58:24] [JW] A positive step toward reclamation of
Nicolai’s surviving sacred works.
Roxanna
PANUFNIK (b.1968) Dance of Life - Patricia Rozario (soprano) Jaak Johanson
(narrator) Laura Lindpere (kannel) Madis Metsamart
(percussion) Estonian TV Girls’ Ch, Collegium
Musicale Chamber Ch, Ch of Estonian Acad of
Music and Theatre/Tallinn CO/Mihhail Gerts
rec. 2013 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 642819 [56.11] [PCG] This
is a very beautiful work.
C. Hubert H. PARRY (1848-1918)
String Quartet 3,
String Quintet -
Bridge Qt, Robert Gibbs (viola)
rec. 2013 EM RECORDS EMRCD016 [63:27] [JQ] Première recordings of two Parry chamber works: a highly desirable release.
Hubert
PARRY (1848-1918) From a City
Window Ailish Tynan (soprano)
Susan Bickley (mezzo) William Dazeley (baritone)
Iain Burnside (piano) rec. 2012 DELPHIAN
DCD34117 [69:06] [JQ] A
rare outing on disc for songs by Sir Hubert
Parry.
Augustin
PFLEGER (1635 - 1686) Sacred cantatas -
Weser-Renaissance Bremen/Manfred Cordes rec. 2012 CPO 777
801-2 [78:10] [JV] It
is hard to find a better ensemble to perform this music.
Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Tango Nuevo Tomas Cotik, Glenn Basham (violin) Tao Lin (piano) rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573166 [59:35] [Byz] That this disc is, by some distance, Naxos's best Piazzolla recording, one which probably gives the music connoisseur a good fifty percent of all the Piazzolla he or she needs to know.
Francis POULENC
(1899-1963) Mélodies sur des poèmes des poètes
divers - Holger Falk (baritone) Alessandro Zuppardo (piano)
rec. 2012/13 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 603 1822-2
[77:56] [DC] Superb equal
partnership in a faultless
production.
Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858-1924) La fanciulla del West Nina
Stemme, Aleksandrs Antonenko, John Lundgren, Royal Swedish Opera O/Pier
Giorgio Morandi rec. 2012
EUROARTS 2072598 DVD
[140.00] [GF]
A great production
with glorious singing … goes to the top of the list of available DVDs.
Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1935) Miroirs Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992) La fauvette des jardins
- Momo Kodama (piano) rec. 2012 ECM NEW SERIES 2343
[65:38] [DC] Surpasses all
expectations.
Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Valses nobles et
sentimentales, Gaspard de la nuit, Le
tombeau de Couperin, La valse - Lyon
Natl O/Leonard Slatkin rec. 2011-2012 NAXOS
8.572888 [66.39] [PCG] This second disc in Naxos’s Ravel series
bids fair to equal if not surpass their Debussy
cycle.
Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane, Pavane, Le
Tombeau de Couperin Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Petite Suite, Danses Sacrée et Profane
- Thomas Zehetmair (violin) O de Chambre de
Paris/Thomas Zehetmair rec. 2013 NAÏVE
V5345 [60:05] [AL] A
delightful program from start to finish. At
times Thomas Zehetmair and the Orchestre de
Chambre de Paris evoke sonorities reminiscent
of the classic French orchestras of the last
century.
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Orchestral Masterpieces -
Suisse Romande O/Armin Jordan rec. 1986/1987 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 651447 [3 CDs: 181:33] [AL] A decent, well-recorded compilation for starters, but there are still better alternatives for most of these works.
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1813-1869) The snow maiden - Elena Zemenkova (soprano) Nicolai
Ghiuselev (bass) Bulgarian Radio SO & Ch/Stoyan Angelov rec. 1985 BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 94626 [3 CDs: 209.17] [PCG] This reissue
makes a very good choice for those who don’t know the opera. It
is well worth getting to know. One of Rimsky’s most charming scores.
Julius RÖNTGEN (1855-1932) String Trios 1-4 -
Lendvai String Trio
rec. 2013 CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD068 [60:47] [JW] Röntgen unbuttoned … writing to amuse and entertain.
Ned
ROREM (b.1923) Piano Album I, Six Friends -
Carolyn Enger (piano) rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.559761
[51:11] [SA] A good place
to start an exploration of one of America’s most distinguished
composers.
Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Stabat Mater
Helen Field (soprano) Della Jones (soprano) Arthur Davies (tenor)
Roderick Earle (bass) London Symphony Ch, City of London
Sinfonia/Richard Hickox rec. 1989 CHANDOS CLASSIC CHAN 10781X
[59:37] [SV] A good
choice for the conducting and some of the solo singing.
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792 - 1868) La gazza ladra Paolo Bordogna, Kleopatra Papatheologou, Dmitry Korchak, O Haydn di Bolzano e Trento/Lu Jia rec. 2007 DYNAMIC CDS 567/1-3 [3 CDs: 191:18] [GF] The older Sony recording is far preferable.
Fazil SAY (b.1970)
Symphonies 2 & 3 - Borusan Istanbul PO/Gürer Aykal rec. 2012
NAÏVE V5346 [76:00] [SA]
These two symphonies
are certainly musical experiences not to be missed.
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Konzert für
Chor, Drei geistliche Gesänge Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) Dopo
la vittoria - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Peter
Dijkstra rec. 2011-2012 BR KLASSIK 900505 [61:38] [MC] I count
these wonderful performances as among the choir’s
finest achievements to date.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Wanderer Fantasy, Sonata D664 Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Sonata 1.X.1905 -
Herbert Schuch (piano) rec. 2012 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 863
[58:35] [BR] One of the
best young pianists takes his first stumble, but only in one of the
three works.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quintet
- Quatuor Diotima, Anne Gastinel (cello) rec.
2013 NAÏVE V5331 [56:53] [BR] Eccentric
but breathtakingly beautiful.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quintet -
Kuss Quartet, Miklós Perényi (cello) rec. 2012 ONYX 4119 [55:48] [MC] Good but does not displace various classic accounts.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphonies 1-4, Zwickau Symphony - Netherlands Radio
Chamber Phil/Michael Schønwandt rec.
2012 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72553 SACD [73:30 + 72:25] [SG] If
you have had any doubts about Schumann’s
symphonies, give these a try. You certainly
won’t be disappointed.
John
SHEPPARD (c. 1515-1558) Sacred choral works - Ch of
St John’s College, Cambridge/Andrew Nethsingha rec. 2013 CHANDOS
CHSA0401 SACD [70:07] Learn to love the fruity vibrato
[DC] A painstakingly constructed and executed collection of Sheppard's
works; but one which has equals already on disc [MS]
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Chamber Symphonies Mieczysław WEINBERG (1916-1996) Violin concertino -
Candida Thompson (violin) Amsterdam Sinfonietta/Candida Thompson rec. 2012/2013 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA34313 SACD [65:41] [SA] This disc is a fine example of the chamber symphonies and of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta’s warm sound.
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto, The Swan of
Tuonela, Lemminkäinen’s Return, Finlandia - Camilla Wicks (violin)
Stockholm RSO/Sixten Ehrling rec. 1950s FORGOTTEN RECORDS
FR619 [53:25] [JW] Camilla
Wicks’ Sibelius is the stuff of legend.
Ronald STEVENSON
(b.1928) Passacaglia on DSCH; Bax & Pizzetti
Variations, Sonatina 2 - James Willshire (piano) rec. 2012/13 DELPHIAN
DCD34119 [74:55 + 65:44] [JF] Stunningly played: the technical
difficulties are overcome with boundless skill. Willshire is a
tremendous advocate for Stevenson.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan, Death and Transfiguration, Till
Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks -
Pittsburgh SO/Manfred Honeck rec. 2012 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FR-707 SACD [59:26]
[MC] Attractive readings splendidly recorded but not displacing the
finest versions in the catalogue.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ein
Heldenleben Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Overture La forza del destino Alan FLETCHER
(b. 1956) Clarinet Concerto Michael Rusinek (clarinet) Pittsburgh SO/Manfred
Honeck
rec. 2008 EXTON OVCL00338 SACD [76:35] [SV] This disc is a marvellous showcase and first-rate playing
doesn't hurt.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Piano Sonata William
Grant STILL (1895-1978) Seven Traceries
Suite Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Suite
L’Arlésienne (excerpts) - Seta
Karakashian (piano) ROMÉO RECORDS
7298 [70:36] [JW] Some
interesting repertoire but a non-starter.
Sir
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The Beauty
Stone Toby Spence (tenor) Elin Manahan Thomas
(soprano) BBC Ntl O & Ch of Wales/Rory Macdonald rec. 2013 CHANDOS
CHAN10794 (2) [57:18 + 72:04] [JF] I
was impressed by virtually every bar … the Master at his very best.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Eugene Onegin Eugene Belov (baritone)
Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano)
Bolshoi Theatre O & Ch/Boris Khaikin
rec. 1955 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO 099 [68:56 + 73:03] [RMo] This vintage account is surely one of the seminal, if not definitive, recordings by performers wholly immersed in Russian tradition.
Georg Philipp
TELEMANN (1681-1767) O
erhabnes Glück der Ehe - Hannah Morrison (soprano) Margot Oitzinger
(contralto) Markus Schäfer (tenor) Matthias Vieweg (bass) Das Kleine
Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 2012 CPO 777 808-2 [37:50 + 65:12] [JV] Telemann's music is always entertaining and often quite brilliant.
Daniel
Gottlob TÜRK (1750-1813) Six Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs
- Michael Tsalka (keyboards) rec. 2012 GRAND PIANO GP 657 [59:43] [Byz] Tsalka
hums quietly along at times, but who can blame
him?
Mark-Anthony
TURNAGE (b.1960) From the Wreckage, Speranza - Håkan Hardenberger (flugelhorn,
trumpet, piccolo trumpet) London SO/Daniel Harding
rec. 2013 LSO LIVE SACD LSO0744 [55:37] [LJ] The human
desire for happiness contends with a tempestuous
world of suffering and internal weakness.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
La Traviata Licia Albanese (soprano) Jan
Peerce (tenor) Robert Merrill (baritone) NBC SO & Ch/Arturo
Toscanini. rec 1946 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO098 [57:18
+ 46:00] [DRD] An
historic recording, in fine sound, of an operatic masterpiece conducted
by a genius.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Messa da Requiem
Ilva Ligabue (soprano) Grace Bumbry (mezzo) Sándor Kónya (tenor)
Raffaele Arié (bass) Philharmonia O & Ch/Carlo Maria Giulini
rec. 1964 IDÉALE AUDIENCE DVD 3079968
[90:00] [IL] An affecting
and dramatic historic mono monochrome recording.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida Hui He (soprano) Marco Berti (tenor)
Ch & O Arena Verona/Daniel Oren rec. 2012 OPUS
ARTE OABD7122D Blu-ray [150:00] [GF] Buy this set for the spectacular production and for the
lovely singing of Hui He.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida - Paolo Pecchialli
(bass) Kate Aldrich (mezzo) Scott Piper (tenor) Adina Aaron (soprano)
Ch & O Fondazione Arturo Toscanini/Massimiliano Stefanelli
rec. 2001 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107088 DVD [146:00 + 45:00 (bonus)] [RJF] Go out and buy it. You will enjoy the
intimacy along with the committed acting and the quality of the singing
of the young cast alongside Zeffirelli’s staging and direction.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) Otello Aleksandrs Antonenko, Marina Poplavskaya, Carlos Álvarez, Vienna PO/Riccardo Muti rec. 2008 C MAJOR 701504 Blu-ray [143:00 + Bonus: 10:00] [DBi] A respectable and sometimes very dramatic performance but not without problems theatrical, musical and technical.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Messa da Requiem Juliana DiGiacomo (soprano); Michelle DeYoung (mezzo); Vittorio Grigolo (tenor); Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (bass)
Los Angeles Master Chorale; Los Angeles Phil/Gustavo Dudamel
rec. 2013 C MAJOR 714708 DVD [116:00] [JQ] While I admire a lot about the performance it didn’t move me.
Leonardo
VINCI (1690 - 1730) La Partenope Sonia Prina, Maria Grazia, Maria Ercolano,
Eufemia Tufano, I Turchini di Antonio Florio/Antonio
Florio rec. 2011 DYNAMIC 33686 [2
DVDs: 168:00] [GF] Delightful music, beautiful sets, middling singing
- but Sonia Prina in the title role is great.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Double and Triple Concertos -
Christophe Coin (cello) Enrico Onofri (violin) Il Giardino
Armonico/Giovanni Antonini rec. 1994 DAS ALTE WERK 2564 642309
[64:14] [Byz] Here the
fertility of Vivaldi's imagination is the most prominent thing, as it
should be.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal
Andrew Richards (tenor) Anna Larsson (mezzo) Thomas Johannes Mayer
(baritone) Jan-Hendrik Rootering (bass) Monnaie Ch & SO/Hartmut
Haenchen rec. 2011 BELAIR CLASSIQUES BAC097 DVD [102.07 + 136.23] [PCG] A production that denies where it
should define.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Der Ring des Nibelungen
Symphonic excerpts - Paris Ntl Opera O/Philippe Jordan rec. 2013 WARNER
ERATO 9341422 [44.03 + 38.56] [PCG] A very warm welcome indeed for what we are
given here even if the two discs are rather short measure.
Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Die Walküre Nina
Stemme (soprano) Vitalij Kowaljow (bass) Simon O’Neill (tenor) Waltraud
Meier (mezzo) O La Scala/Daniel Barenboim rec. 2010 ARTHAUS
MUSIK 108 091 Blu-ray [238.00] [PCG] This
is a very good performance indeed with a generally superlative
cast.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Walküre Act 1 -
Nina Stemme (soprano) Johan Botha (tenor)
Vienna State Opera O/Franz Welser-Möst
rec. 2007 ORFEO C875131B [61:35] [CC] Interesting but certainly not an essential purchase.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Götterdämmerung Petra Lang, Lance Ryan, Matti Salminen, Markus Brück, Berlin RSO/Marek Janowski rec. 2013 PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC5186 409 [4 SACDs: 263:42] [JPr] When Valhalla had finally been set ablaze and the last bars faded away, the audience in the Philharmonie remained spellbound.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Great Orchestral
Works rec. 1938-1960 MAGDALEN METCD 8023 [79:33 + 77:15] New Wagnerians will
find this well-filled set indispensable [SV] Past
glories that are not to be forgotten [RB].
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tannhäuser Ramón Vinay (tenor)
Gré Brouwenstijn (soprano) Josef Greindl (bass) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
(baritone) Ch & O Bayreuth Festival/Joseph Keilberth rec. 1954 ANDROMEDA
ANDRCD 5162 [3CDs: 183:10] [JS] Worth hearing for
the performance provided that you can tolerate the poor sound and presentation.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Orchestral excerpts & overtures -
Deutschen Oper O Berlin/Christian Thielemann
rec. 2004 ORFEO C879132I [58:34 + 41:27] [ST] A sense of immediacy that gives this set something extra that lifts it beyond the mediocre.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der Ring des Nibelungen Hans Hotter, Astrid Varnay, Wolfgang Windgassen, Ramon Vinay, Bayreuth Festival O/Clemens Krauss rec. 1953 OPERA D’ORO OPD1504 [14 CDs: 843:47] [PCG] Despite recorded sound that still leaves quite a lot to be desired this version, with its generally superlative singing and conducting, must be counted among the greatest of live recordings of the cycle.
Helmut WALCHA (1907-1991) Chorale Preludes Vol. 3 - Delbert Disselhorst (organ)
rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572912 [53:42] [HPR] These pieces are insightful
to the organ student and the Walcha aficionado but of limited enjoyment
to anyone else.
William
Vincent WALLACE (1812-1865) Songs
- Sally Silver (soprano) Yvonne Howard (mezzo)
Anna Noakes (flute) Richard Bonynge (piano)
rec. 2011 SOMM SOMMCD 0131 [62:21] [JS] While not of especially
high music quality these songs are all as enjoyable
to hear as I suspect they are to perform.
Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Symphony 12, The Golden Key - Ballet Suite No. 4 -
St Petersburg State SO/Vladimir Lande
rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573085 [75:40] An often desperately serious symphony amd a colourful ballet suite [RB] A Russian symphony that is more lyrical, less strident, less polemic and more optimistic than those of Shostakovich. The engineering is arguably the best ever to have come out of Russia [Byz]
Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) The Complete Violin Sonatas Vol. 2 -
Yuri Kalnits (violin), Michael Csányi-Wills (piano)
rec. 2013 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0026 [70:58] [SA] Another important step in helping Weinberg’s music become better known.
Philip
van WILDER (c.1500-1553) Complete Sacred Music -
Chansons - Cantores/David Allinson rec. 2006/7 TOCCATA
CLASSICS TOCC 0198 [76.50] [GH] A
generously filled CD, beautifully recorded ... I really like the sound
this choir makes with an airy vocal quality and reliable diction and
intonation.
Krzysztof
WOŁEK (b. 1976) Eppur si muove, Bend,
Elements Agata Zubel (soprano); Krzysztof Wołek (live
electronics) Orkiestra Muzyki Nowej/Szymon Bywalec rec. 2010 CD
ACCORD ACD188-2 [59:46] [WH] Three
challenging works, with a fair amount of electronic content, from an
eminent, young, Polish composer.
Robert Allman (baritone) DESIREE RECORDS GAV 002 [3 CDs: 231:05] [RJF] This is a worthwhile collection by a great Australian baritone whose qualities escaped recognition in Britain, but not in Europe and his own country.
Amore e Morte
- Songs by Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini & Verdi - Ekaterina
Siurina (soprano) Iain Burnside (piano) rec. 2010 OPUS
ARTE OACD9017D [58:13] [JW] Most
sympathetically performed, full of range and sensitivity as to
juxtaposition and balance and beautifully recorded.
Artefacts / Fundstücke - Piano Music from the ’50s -
Steffen Schleiermacher (piano) rec. 2012 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 613 1821-2 [76:02] [Byz] No matter how obscure or tricky the music Schleiermacher is more than equal to it.
A Tribute to
Erling Blondal Bengtsson (cello) Vol. 3: The Live
Icelandic Recordings 1970-80 - Works by Jolivet, Kabalevsky &
Mendelssohn - Iceland SO/Jean-Pierre, Jacquillat Anker Blyme (piano) DANACORD
DACOCD740 [58:39] [JF] All
enthusiasts of the cello will appreciate this new Danacord CD.
Celebrating
Verdi Verdi’s
Legendary Interpreters rec. 1943/67 IDEALE AUDIENCE 3079084 Blu-ray [58:00] [RJF] A compilation of historical performances in black and
white … Giulini and Gobbi make this a worthwhile purchase.
Sergiu Celibidache
- Firebrand and Philosopher A
film by Norbert
Busè - ARTHAUS MUSIK 101661 DVD [53:00
(documentary) + 30:00 (bonus)] [JW]
Really nothing new
contained here about Celibidache.
Credo John CORIGLIANO (b. 1938) Fantasia on an Ostinato Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata 17, Choral Fantasia Arvo PÄRT
(b. 1935) Credo Hélène Grimaud (piano) Swedish RSO & Ch/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec. 2003 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 479 1055 BD-A [58:21]
[JQ] An intriguing and expertly performed programme
from Hélène Grimaud but this Blu-ray Audio disc offers very short
playing time.
Dreamtime Works by Brahms, Bridge & Mann - David Aaron Carpenter (viola) Members of
the Berlin PO rec. 2013 ONDINE ODE 1246-2 [53:33] [JW] If you
admire Carpenter you will most certainly appreciate the artistry and
skill on display in this disc.
Fabulous London English Music for Viol Consort -
Les Escapades rec. 2012 CHRISTOPHORUS CHR 77369 [62.46] [GH] An enjoyable disc in every way.
French Harp Concertos Works by d'Alvimare, Petrini & Steibelt - Masumi Nagasawa
(harp) Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens rec. 2010 ARS
PRODUKTION ARS38108 SACD [75:12] [JV] This disc deserves a positive reception because of the
quality of the music and the performances by Masumi Nagasawa on a beautiful
historical harp.
Friends
of Ferdinand Works by
Bertali, Biber, Granata & Schmelzer - Agave
Baroque VGO RECORDINGS VG1021 [59:26]
[JV] This music needs
to be played with more theatrical flair than
is the case here.
Fulgurances Works by Chin, Boulez, Ligeti & Messiaen
- Yejin Gil (piano) rec. 2013 SOLSTICE SOCD
300 [71:14] [RBl] A
brilliantly played recital highlighting the
remarkable music of Unsuk Chin.
Le Grand Théâtre
de l'amour Works by Rameau & Charpentier - Sabine Devieilhe (soprano)
Les Ambassadeurs/Alexis Kossenko rec. 2012 ERATO 9341492 [80:06] [JV] An exceptionally good introduction to Rameau's art.
Nance Grant (soprano) DESIREE RECORDS GAV 001 [3 CDs: 235.58] [RJF] Some further recordings of a singer who forsook undoubted international fame for the sake of her family. Despite recorded limitations, these extracts will appeal to connoisseurs of singing and opera.
Great
American Songbook The King’s
Singers, South Jutland SO/David Firman rec. 2012 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD341 [60:10 + 31:36]
[JW] I’m sure
the group’s admirers will enjoy the release
but I found it all a bit remorseless.
Heavenly
Voices -
The Legacy of Farinelli A Film by Gino
Pennacchi & Alessandro Scillitani ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 101689 [75:00] [JW] Though
I was taken by the physical contortions the
singers undergo as they project Baroque operatic
lines with such defiance and pathos, overall
I could have done with a scalpel, revised script,
and greater focus.
Heinz Holliger Edition rec. 1966-1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94054 [10 CDs: 557:32] [RB] At this modest outlay it is a compelling way of acquiring knowledge and delight in some of the many dimensions of Holliger's musicianship.
Hommage à Alfred Cortot Works by Chopin, Liszt, Verdi & Wagner -
Florence Delaage (piano) rec. 2012 CALLIOPE CAL1316 [63:10] [Byz] Measured, thoughtful playing. Satisfying to listen to.
House of
Dreams rec. 2012/13 TAFELMUSIK TMK1020DVDCD [DVD: 91:54 + CD: 71:52]
[JS] The CD is attractive and very well played but the DVD should be
approached with caution.
Il Cor Tristo The Hilliard Ensemble rec. ECM NEW SERIES 2346 [53:03] [DC] A
highly successful programme, but the beginning of the end of an era.
The Image
of Melancholy- Jon Balke (organ/soundscapes) Berit Norbakken
Solset (soprano) Milos Valent (viola) Barokksolistene/Bjarte Eike (violin)
rec. 2011/12 BIS BIS-SACD-2057 [66:28] [DC] For those priceless inner wanderings.
The Impressionists Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images Book I, Estampes Charles Tomlinson GRIFFES (1884-1920) From ‘Roman Sketches Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Jeux D’eau,
Valses Nobles et Sentimentales - Mary Towse-Beck
(piano) Private release [65:54] [SA] The music is played with
a real feeling for sensitivity and charm.
The
Italian Character The Story of a Great
Italian Orchestra: A film by by Angelo Bozzini - O dell’
Accademia Nazionale di Santa
Cecilia/Antonio Pappano EUROARTS
2059388 DVD [100:00 + 10:00 (bonus)] [RW] Of some general interest outside Italy and
amongst those who follow Pappano as a music director of the Royal Opera
House.
Humbert Lucarelli (oboe) The Lyrichord Years Special
Collector's Edition - New Art String
Trio, Thomas Hrynkiv (piano), Lark Woodwind Quintet rec. 1966/78 LYRICHORD
LYR6025 [3 CDs: 131.26] [RB] Short playing time but the gorgeous-toned Lucarelli must not be overlooked.
Lauritz
Melchior (tenor and baritone) The King
Size Hero rec. 1913-60 DOCUMENTS 600017
[10 CDs: 750:45] [GF] Has
there ever been a greater Wagner tenor? I doubt it.
Modern
Times
Maria Ołdak (violin) James Baillieu (piano) rec. 2013 CD ACCORD ACD 193-2 [63:10] [JW] An Old School recital,
intelligently compiled, thoughtfully performed but rather lacking a
personal stamp.
Organ
Masses Vol. 1
Works by Bertolodo, Cavazzoni, A. Gabrieli & Merulo - Richard
Lester (organ) Schola Gregoriana del Duomo di Bergamo/Don Gilberto
Sessantini rec. 2013 NIMBUS NI 5909/11 [3 CDs:
196:39] [DC]
Enter the Italian church of the 1500s.
In
Paradiso Works by Merula, Mazzocchi,
Sances & Ferrari - Raquel Andueza (soprano) Jesús Fernández
Baena (theorbo) rec. 2012 ANIMA E CORPO AEC002
[62:21] [JV] These
interpretations failed to move me.
Prelude
Cocktail Arrangements of works by
Bach, Debussy, Gershwin & Shostakovich -
Zara Lawler (flute, piccolo & alto flute)
Paul Fadoul (marimba & vibraphone) Christopher
Grymes (clarinet) rec. 2012 Private release [78:05] [SA] A
wonderful thing to present to anyone as a New
Year gift - they’d absolutely love it.
Quintopia Works by Chan, Grainger, Nielsen & Ravel -
New Sydney Wind Quintet
rec. 2010 Private release [58:21] [BR] Woodwind music lovers should hunt down this CD, which announces an excellent Aussie ensemble.
Reflections Petri
Koivusalo plays the new organ of Espoo Cathedral, Finland rec. 2012/13 FUGA 9363/MKSACD-1 SACD [68:50] [DM] Quietly triumphant; a heartfelt homage to a fine cathedral
and its new organ.
Leopold Simoneau (tenor) The Ultimate Collection rec. 1951-1959 DOCUMENTS 600044 [10
CDs: 682:20] [GF] A magnificent tribute to one of the last century’s
finest lyric tenors.
Sinfonia
Iuventus and its Soloists - Volume 1 Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Première Rapsodie, La
mer Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Duett-Concertino
Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Tema con
variazioni Waldemar Żarów (clarinet) Alicja Kieruzalska
(bassoon) Polska Orkiestra Sinfonia Iuventus/Gabriel Chmura rec. 2009 CD
ACCORD ACD 162-2 [60:19] [SV] Despite
reservations, a strong contender for the Françaix and the Rapsodie.
Tears Harpsichord
laments of the 17th century - Ewald Demeyere (virginal, harpsichord)
rec. 2012 CHALLENGE RECORDS CC72617 SACD [57:33] [DC] A release towards which you can gravitate with confidence.
Traveling Sonata
Viviana Guzmán (flute) Jérémy Jouve (guitar) rec. 2011 REFERENCE
RECORDINGS RR-128 [60:54] [OL] A rewarding disc, full of beautiful music,
performed with care and affection.
Sonatas for viola and piano Vol. 2 Works by Brahms, Franck & Schubert -
Tabea Zimmermann (viola) Kirill Gerstein (piano) rec. 2011 MYRIOS CLASSICS MYR008 SACD [72.58] [PBW] Tabea Zimmermann is a fabulous viola-player.
Voices
of Russian Opera Excerpts from works
by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich
& others rec. 1901-2005 EMI CLASSICS
9280342 [5 CDs: 381:14] [RB] Rewarding
and fascinating but also serving to open doors
and reveal neglected prospects.
La voie
triomphale Works by Berlioz, Bozza, Dukas, Milhaud, Saint-Saëns & Tomasi - The
Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces/Ole Kristian Ruud rec. 2011/12 2L 2L086SABD BD-A/SACD [81:14]
[DM] Maximum choice, elegantly packaged; Blu-ray Audio at its best.
The Welsh Connection Choral works by Bax, Cox, Harris, Howells, Leighton, Mathias, Parry & Rubbra -
The Mousai Singers/Daniel Cook,
Joseph Wicks (organ)
rec. 2013 MOUSAI SINGERS MSCD001 [65:56] [JF] Choice of repertoire inspirational: stimulating and approachable and performance superb.
White Nights Vol. 2 Viola Music from Saint Petersburg
- Works by Banshchikov, Prokofiev & Shostakovich - Tatjana
Masurenko (viola)
Roglit Ishay (piano) rec. 2012 HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH11070 [61:19] [MC] Masurenko and Ishay prove impressive advocates.
Words Painted with Sounds NFM Wrocław Phil Ch/Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny
rec. 2010 CD ACCORD ACD169-2 [53:26] [WH] Polish words and music attractively showcased in a beautifully sung recital.
Other reviews
El DERWID (Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI) (1913-1994) Blots on the Sun Agata Zubel (vocals); Andrzej Bauer (cello); Cezary Duchnowski (piano, computer)
rec. 2011 CD ACCORD ACD192-2 [62:14] [WH] An unusual and highly-attractive collection from a pseudonymous composer.
Il Pergolese Maria Pia De Vito (voice)
François Couturier (piano)
Anja Lechner (cello)
Michele Rabbia (percussion, electronics)
rec. 2013 ECM NEW SERIES 2340 [59:16] [DC] Evocative and haunting - Pergolesi meets the ECM jazz aesthetic.
Source Barluath NIMBUS NI6206 [46:24] [JW] An enjoyable first-ever release.
A Musician Divided - André Tchaikowsky in his Own Words by André Tchaikowsky and Anastasia Belina-Johnson (editor)
434pp, published November 2013 TOCCATA PRESS [SG] This has been a labour of love for the author, and if her intentions were to reawaken an interest in this almost forgotten musician, she has truly succeeded.
Great Wagner Conductors A Listener’s Companion by
Jonathan Brown,
820pp,
Published 2012 PARROT PRESS [CF] Jonathan Brown has produced a fascinating study and approaches his task with enthusiasm, care and thoroughness.
Articles and Notices
Forgotten
artists by Christopher Howell
1. Henry Swoboda (an update)
2. Dean Dixon
3. Georges Tzipine
Download
News 2014/1 by Brian Wilson
Maestro Juanjo Mena in Conversation with Michael Cookson
Nance Grant, Australian soprano
Forgotten
artists - 1. Henry Swoboda by Christopher Howell
Anthony Newman’s Bach by Marc Medwin
