NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
[New] The Verdi Requiem - A
partial survey of the discography by Ralph Moore
[New] Jeremy Dale Roberts - an
obituary by Kenneth Shenton
Second Thoughts and Short Reviews:
Autumn 2017-2 by Brian Wilson and Dan Morgan
Florent Schmitt on Timpani -
a survey by Rob Barnett
Forgotten Records:
Russian and East European Adventures - a survey by Rob Barnett
Derek Bourgeois - An Obituary
by Kenneth Shenton
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Publishing schedule
Monday: Other reviews (nostalgia, books, other music); Friday: Articles.
Live performance reviews posted daily at
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Jazz reviews
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LATEST REVIEWS
Tuesday October 31st
Günther
BECKER (1924-2007) Complete piano
works - Benjamin Kobler, Laura Alvarez (piano)
rec. 2010 CYBELE RECORDS KiG006
[3 SACDs: 183:55] [DC] Uncompromisingly
modernist marvels from a modest man.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Ein
deutsches Requiem - Felicity Lott (soprano)
David Wilson-Johnson (bass-baritone) Roderick
Elms (organ) London SO & Ch/Richard Hickox
rec. 1990 CHANDOS CHAN10945X
[74:25] [MW] Does not quite challenge the
classic Klemperer recording, but has much to
offer and is an admirable tribute to a fine
musician, so much missed.
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Silent
Woods, Cello concerto Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959)
Schelomo - Marc Coppey (cello) Deutsches SO
Berlin/Kirill Karabits rec. 2016 AUDITE
97.734 [68.30] [MC] Accomplished
and engaging performances, but the competition
is fierce.
Jesse
JONES (b. 1978) Abraxas, Ephemera,
Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses, Unisono,
The Mystery which Binds me Still - Argento Chamber
Ens, Xak Bjerken (piano) Sharon Harms (soprano)
INNOVA 980 [70:33] [DC] A
very fine collection of works.
Peter
MAXWELL DAVIES (1934-2016)
The Last Island - Hebrides Ens rec. 2017
DELPHIAN DCD34178 [76:51] [MS]
An important and welcome round up of music from
Maxwell Davies’ last decade of smaller-scale
music played with great style and conviction.
Guillaume
de MACHAUT (c.1300-1377) Messe
de Nostre Dame Pierre de la RUE
(c.1460-1518) Magnificat Josquin
DESPREZ (c.1445-1521) Ave Maria
virgo serena - Vienna Vocal Consort KLANGLOGO
KL1412 [65.31] [GH] A strange programme
and the performances are problematic.
Flute
Concertos rec. 1975-2014
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 95490 [12 CDs: 13
hrs] [SSi] This is a very worthwhile set,
and one to invest in, as in return it will give
hours of enjoyment, one which contains performances
which are at least very good.
I
Love My Love The English Singers,
Glasgow Orpheus Ch/Hugh Roberton rec. 1919-1947
ALBION RECORDS ALBCD032 [74:22]
[JQ] A fascinating collection of recordings
that take us back to a lost, much gentler era.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Lost
is my quiet:
Duets & Solo Songs by Mendelssohn,
Purcell, Quiltr & Schumann
- Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Iestyn Davies (countertenor)
Joseph Middleton (piano) rec. 2016 BIS
SACD BIS-2279 [79:04] [DBi] The
tagline ‘Wow’ is appropriate.
Modern
Soul Ignacy ZELEWSKI (b.1990),
Mikołaj MAJKUSIAK (b.1983),
Marcin MARKOWICZ (b.1979) &
Aleksander NOWAK (b.1979) Violin
Sonatas - Agata Szymczewska (violin) Marek Bracha,
Grzegorz Skrobiński (piano) Maciej Frąckiewicz
(accordion) Łukasz Kuropaczewski (guitar)
rec. 2016 CD ACCORD ACD223-2
[71:38] [JW] The soul of the disc may be
modern but it has deep roots.
Monday October 30th
Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)
Violin
Sonatas -
Amandine Beyer (violin)
Edna Stern (fortepiano)
rec. 2005 ALPHA 329 [61:46] [DBi] Fine performances of splendid music but with reservations.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suites
-
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)
rec. 2017 DECCA 483 2150 [82:52] [DC] Mediocre at best.
Ned BIGHAM (b. 1966) Archipelago Dances, Sets 1 & 2, Two Nightscapes, Staffa - Royal Scottish Ntl O/Jean-Claude Picard rec. 2016/17 ARUNA CD002 [57:01] [RHa] A fresh voice from a truly eclectic musical background. Ned Bigham conjures a sense of place, be it real or imaginary, through skilful use of a rich palette of vivid orchestral colours.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Nimrod BORENSTEIN (b. 1969) Orchestral works - Irmina Trynkos (violin) Oxford PO/Vladimir Ashkenazy rec. 2016 CHANDOS CHSA5209 SACD [56:45] [MW] A superb introduction to wonderfully enjoyable music - treat yourself!
György LIGETI (1923-2006) Requiem, Lux aeterna
& other choral works by Debussy, Mahler & Ravel -
Kammerchor Stuttgart, Danubia O Óbuda/Frieder Bernius
rec. 1996-2006 CARUS 83.283 [56:16] [LW] An enterprising programme.
Beyond Contemporary works for percussion quartet - Los Angeles Percussion Quartet rec. 2016 SONO LUMINUS DSL-92214 BD-A/CD [85:53] [JQ] A fascinating, ear-opening experience.
Des Cordes Marines Works by Bonnal, Cras & Roussel - Ens Des Équilibres rec. 2016 ARION ARN68836 [58:58] [SG] Captivating scores delivered with enthusiasm, musicality and devotion. Full marks!
Eternamente The Verismo Album
-
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano)
PKF–Prague Philharmonia/Emmanuel Villaume
rec. 2016/17 WARNER CLASSICS 9029578024 [59:53]
[MC] This rewarding collection of verismo opera arias is hard to ignore.
Music for Troubled Times The English Civil War & Siege of York
- Ebor Singers/Paul Gameson rec. 2015 RESONUS CLASSICS RES10194 [76:47]
[JV] I enjoyed the singing of the ensemble, but am less enthusiastic about the contributions of members of the ensemble in the solo parts.
Russian Visionaries: From Glinka to the Firebird rec. 1927/60 ARBITER 164 [78:00 + 78:18] [JW] Some real rarities in this set which will make a very direct appeal to collectors.
Friday October 27th
Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782)
Six Quartettos op. 8 -
Go Arai (oboe) Daniel Deuter (violin) Thomas Fritzsch (viola da gamba) Inka Döring (cello)
rec. 2017 COVIELLO CLASSICS COV91712 [75:23] [JV] A good argument in favour of Johann Christian Bach's chamber music.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Missa Solemnis -
Regine Hangler (soprano)
Elisabeth Kulman (alto)
Christian Elsner (tenor)
Franz-Josef Selig (bass)
MDR Radio Ch Leipzig, Berlin RSO/Marek Janowski
rec. 2016 PENTATONE PTC5186565 SACD [73.04] [DC] Very good, but can we find better?
Joonas KOKKONEN (1921-1996)
Requiem,
Hääsoitto, Surusoitto,
Lux aeterna, Iuxta crucem -
Suvi Väyrynen (soprano) Joose Vähäsöyrinki (baritone) Jan Lehtola (organ)
Klemetti Institute Chamber Ch/Heikki Liimola
rec. 2013/17 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0434 [55:50] [YJH] Tonality harmonized with serialism.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1831)
Winterreise -
Florian Boesch (baritone)
Roger Vignoles (piano) rec. 2016 HYPERION CDA68197 [70:55]
[JQ] A probing and truly excellent listening experience.
Leo WEINER (1885-1960) Serenade,
Divertimentos Nos 1-5 -
Estonian Ntl SO/Neeme Järvi
rec. 2015/16 CHANDOS CHAN10959 [83:05] [RB] Revel in Järvi's advocacy ... energy undimmed, folksy music that is not long-winded or ponderous.
Martin-Pierre
DALVIMARE (1772-1839) Sonatas -
Paola Perrucci (harp) rec. 2017 DYNAMIC
CDS7791 [58:44] [MW] Indispensable
and stunningly beautiful for anyone who loves
the harp.
Frank
MARTIN (1890-1974) Die Weise
von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke
- Okka von der Damerau (contralto) Philharmonia
Zurich/Fabio Luisi rec. 2016 PHILHARMONIA
RECORDS PHR0108 [59.38] [RP] Take
an hour and listen to this excellent performance
of an extraordinary work.
Philipp
SCHARWENKA (1847-1917) Aria, Violin
Sonata, Suite for Violin & Piano - Oriana
Masternak (violin) Sławomir Cierpik (piano)
rec. 2016 ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0395
[60:18] [JW] The performances are creditably
sensitive.
Åke
UDDÉN (1903-1987) String Quartets Nos 1 & 2, String Trio
- Charlotte Hellekant (mezzo-soprano) Upsala
Chamber Soloists rec. 2017 DAPHNE 1060
[64:24] [RB] A connoisseur's composer
constantly questing for subtlety, Sober and
testing rather than blindingly colourful.
Rarities
of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2016
rec. 2016 DANACORD DACOCD789 [78:31]
[BSt] Nothing here really made me catch
my breath, but this is still a rewarding disc.
Thursday October 26th
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonatas & Partitas for solo violin -
Christian Tetzlaff (violin) rec. 2016 ONDINE ODE1299-2D [62:30 + 68:20]
[DC] In the highest echelon for this repertoire.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 3, Overtures PRISTINE AUDIO PASC505
[66:20] Symphonies Nos 5 & 6 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC508
[73:46] Symphony No. 9 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC293 [66:02] SWDR O,
Vienna SO &
Pro Musica SO/Jascha Horenstein rec. 1953-58 [RWM] Classically conceived Beethoven performances – a mixed feast with at least one outstanding recording.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) & Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Arrangements for chamber orchestra - Taschenphilharmonie/Peter Stangel rec.2013/14 SOLO MUSICA ETP008 [58:33] [MC] A fascinating take on an expanded quintet and a greatly pared-down symphony.
Daniel JONES (1912-1993) Symphonies 2 & 11 - BBC Welsh SO/Bryden Thomson rec. 1990 LYRITA SRCD.364 [62:08] [JQ] Two more symphonies by Daniel Jones appear on CD for the first time in committed performances.
László LAJTHA
(1892–1963) Symphonies Nos 8 & 9 - Pécs SO/Nicolás Pasquet rec.
1996 NAXOS 8.573648 [64:57] [BSt] If you feel like taking the plunge – and bearing in mind the lack of competition – this release can be given the usual qualified welcome.
Adolf Fredrik LINDBLAD (1801-1878) Selected Piano Pieces - Oscar Ekberg (piano) rec. 2016 DAPHNE 1059 [63:48] [RB] Fluency of invention … mildly melancholy, chimingly nonchalant, murmurously plangent, thoughtfully musing, ripplingly idyllic.
Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Vespro della Beata Vergine - Cantar Lontano/Marco Mencoboni rec. 2009 PAN CLASSICS PC10371 [2 SACDs: 89:07] [JV] This recording is not my first choice, but it has something to offer which
is at least interesting and thought-provoking.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Horn Concerto No. 3, Horn
Quintet, Divertimento No. 15 -
Han Xiaoming (horn) Saarbrücken
RSO/Joseph Swensen rec. 1993-99 OEHMS CLASSICS OC1805 [71:49]
[MR] Recordings which are thoroughly imbued with the sheer pleasure of making music and unencumbered by notions of stylistic authority.
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Complete Preludes - Moura Lympany (piano)
rec. 1941/42 DECCA ELOQUENCE 482 6266 [76:42] [PRB] A fitting testament to Moura Lympany’s epic achievement.
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1958)
Piano works -
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
rec. 2016 SONY CLASSICAL 88985408502 [65:24] [RB] Moist-eyed sentimentality and charm … nothing wrong with that but this is modest stuff treated to elite playing.
Wednesday October 25th
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Rusalka
- Magdalena Polkowska, Tadeusz Szlenkier, O
Ch & Ballet Opera Nova Bydgoszcz/Maciej
Figas rec. 2015 DUX DVD 8178
[2:13:30] [RK] I would not make this Bydgoszcz
production my first choice, but it gives much
pleasure.
Peter Racine FRICKER (1920-1990) Symphonies 1-4, Rondo Scherzoso, Comedy Overture - BBC Northern SO/Bryden Thomson, Albert Rosen, Edward Downes, Maurice Handford LYRITA REAM.2136 [77:51 + 73:34] [NB] This release should be snapped up by all admirers of British symphonic music in the 20th century.
Philip
GLASS (b. 1937) Partitas Nos 1
& 2 for Solo Cello - Matt Haimovitz (cello)
rec. 2016 ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0117
[68:41] [DC] A worthwhile première in unusual
sound.
Tommie HAGLUND (b. 1959) Flaminis Aura, Il regno degli spiriti, Sollievo (Dopo la tempesta), Serenata per Diotima - Ernst Simon Glaser (cello) ZilliacusPerssonRaitinen Trio, Julia Kretz-Larsson (violin II) Gothenburg Symphony/David Afkham; Malmö SO/Joachim Gustafsson rec. 2012/15 BIS BIS-2025 SACD [83:46] [RHa] An original and compelling Nordic voice.
Selim PALMGREN (1878-1951) Piano Concertos 4 & 5, A Pastorale in Three Scenes, Exotic March - Janne Mertanen (piano) Pori Sinfonietta/Jan Söderblom rec. 2016 ALBA ABCD400 SACD [63:21] [RB] Two decorative feel-good concertos - not deep but brightly coloured and entertaining.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) The
4 Seasons Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Concerto
No. 5 - Südwestdeutsches CO Pforzheim/Henryk
Szeryng (violin) rec. 1969 SWR MUSIC
SWR19041CD [68:49] [JW] Szeryng's
Mozart is always worth hearing, especially in
this fine restoration.
Duo Virtuoso II Works by Honegger, Ravel & Schulhoff - Elaris Duo rec. 2016 MSR CLASSICS MS1526 [49:52] [SSi] This disc offers three “remarkable jewels”, works completed within ten years of each other and all of which contain music of intensity and interest.
Norge, Mitt Norge - Christiania Mannskor; Royal Norwegian Air Force Band/Leif Arne Pedersen
rec. 2015 LAWO CLASSICS LWC1121
[71:45]
[DM]
There are good things here, just not enough of them; splendid singing,
though.
Royal
Air Force - 100th Anniversary
Royal Air Force Bands rec. 2005-17 CHANDOS
CHAN10973(2) [56:16 + 64:50] [RB] Crackingly
performed and recorded. Mostly serious but with
occasional flecks of pop nostalgia.
The
Rhythm Of Life Ulmer Spatzen
Ch/Hans de Gilde rec. 2016 CARUS
83.484 [54:43] [BMC] An interesting
and varied collection.
