NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
[New] Second Thoughts and Short Reviews:
Autumn 2018/3 by Brian Wilson and Dan Morgan
Strauss' Capriccio
- a survey by Ralph Moore
Strauss' Four Last Songs
- a survey by Ralph Moore
A Selection Box from Rachel
Talitman's Harp & Co. - a survey by Rob Barnett
George Walker - an obituary by
Kenneth Shenton
National discography update:
Finnish & Baltic Symphonies ~
Scandinavian Concertos ~
Scandinavian Symphonies
Stanfordian Thoughts: 7.
Not-Quite-Concertos by Christopher Howell
Classical Music on
Stamps This week: Spain
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Friday November 30th
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Brandenburg
Concertos - Concerto Copenhagen/Lars Ulrik Mortensen
rec. 2017 CPO 555 158-2
[2 SACDs: 41:36 + 52:50] [DC] Very good,
but just one of very many indeed.
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Grande Messe des
Morts - Bror Magnus Třdenes (tenor) Bergen PO & Ch/Edward Gardner
rec. 2018 CHANDOS CHSA5219 SACD [80:54] [JQ]
Something of a missed opportunity.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Hungarian
Dances - Sabrina-Vivian
Höpcker (violin) Fabio Bidini (piano) rec. 2017
DELOS DE3558 [60:14] [RMo]
Perhaps best appreciated in more than one
sitting.
Ernő DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960)
Ruralia Hungarica, Humoresken, Pastorale -
Valentina Tóth (piano) rec. 2018 CHALLENGE RECORDS CC72775 [63:10] [EJW] A very attractive CD of piano music by this underappreciated composer.
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony
No. 3 - Anna Larsson (alto) Düsseldorfer
SO/Ádám Fischer rec. 2017 CAVI -MUSIC
8553399 [33.50 + 62.01] [MW] A wonderful
recording to rival brother Iván's account -
in an ideal world, buy both for contrasting
insights.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Great Mass
in c - Ch Bayerischen Rundfunks, Akademie
Alte Musik Berlin/Howard Arman rec. 2018 rec.
2018 BR-KLASSIK WISSEN 900917
[50.53 + 73.10] [MC] Less bold and resolute,
far less dramatic although perhaps more devotional
than you might be used to.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
& Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Quintets for
piano and winds -
Ens Dialoghi
rec. 2015 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM905296 [51:03] [RHa] It is a real delight to hear this coupling so thoughtfully and lovingly played on period instruments and recorded in deluxe sound.
Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI (1860-1941)
Piano works -
Kevin Kenner (piano) rec. 2017 FRYDERYK CHOPIN INSTITUTE NIFCCD057 [70:10]
[PRB]
A really most enjoyable CD of piano playing of the highest order.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
La Bohčme -
Michael Fabiano (tenor) Nicole Car (soprano)
Royal Opera House Ch & O/Sir Antonio Pappano
rec. 2017 OPUS ARTE OABD7248D Blu-ray [122 mins]
[DBi] Simply superb in every way - unmissable.
Impermanence
Works by Takemitsu, Gilbert &
Dufay - Lorelei Ens/Beth Willer rec. 2016 SONO
LUMINUS DSL-92226
CD/BD-A [48:27] [JW] A disc
with cross-currents and lineages, sung in a
way that reflects on both simultaneously.
Thursday November 29th
John CAGE (1912-1992)
Guitar works -
Aaron Larget-Caplan (guitar) rec. 2017/18 STONE RECORDS 50601927 80833 [54:03]
[RB] A blend of delicacy, complexity and amiable simplicity.
Antoine de FÉVIN (c.1470-1511/1512)
Missa Ave Maria, Missa Salve Sancta parens - Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice
rec. 2018
HYPERION CDA68265
[79:13] [GH]
Rare music, well worth exploring.
Gustav MAHLER (1869-1911) Symphony No. 9
-
Essen PO/Tomáš Netopil rec. 2018 OEHMS CLASSICS OC1890 [82:33]
[RC] A few tame sections aside, this is a strong entrant into formidable competition.
Řrjan
MATRE (b. 1979) Konsert for Orkester
- Peter Herresthal (violin) Oslo PO/Peter Szilvay rec. 2017 LAWO
CLASSICS LWC1155 [62:58] [DC] Unconventional, but tremendously exhilarating.
Francis POULENC (1899-1963)
Piano & Organ concertos, Stabat Mater - Alexandre Tharaud (piano),
James O'Donnell (organ),
Kate Royal (soprano),
London PO & Ch/Yannick Nézet-Séguin rec. 2013/14
LPO LPO0108
[72:24] [MR]
Each work receives a special performance.
Wolfgang RIHM (b. 1952)
Das Gehege Jean-Pascal BEINTUS (b. 1966) Le Petit Prince - Rayanne Dupuis (soprano),
Eva-Christina Schönweiss (violin),
Kirsten Ecke (harp),
Deutsches SO Berlin/Kent Nagano rec. 2011
CAPRICCIO C5337
[53:43] [SSi]
Excellent performances of quite different works.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Fantasiestücke, Fantasie -
Severin von Eckardstein (piano) rec. 2016 CAVI-MUSIC 8553366 [69:53]
[SG] Intuitive understanding, poetic insights and refined pianism coalesce into some of the most ravishing Schumann playing one is ever likely to encounter.
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Petrushka, Jeu de cartes - Mariinsky O/Valery Gergiev
rec. 2009/14 MARIINSKY MAR0594 SACD [57.51]
[DBi] Thrilling performances very well played and beautifully recorded.
Emil TABAKOV (b. 1947)
Concert Piece, Symphony No. 4 - Bulgarian Ntl RSO/Emil Tabakov
rec. 2009/10
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0467
[62:42] [RHa]
Two intense works that are hard to admire or to like.
Leopold Stokowski (conductor)
Wartime NBC Premières - Eduard Steuermann (piano), NBC SO
rec. 1942-44
PRISTINE PASC536
[64:52 + 72:03] [RB]
An insight into 1940s radio listening as well as giving voice to a series of often deeply enjoyable music experiences.
Wednesday November 28th
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Complete String Quartets - Arcadia
Qt rec. 2017/18 CHANDOS CHAN10992(2)
[2 CDs: 160:06] [SSi] Quickly becoming my
go-to recording of the works.
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Wand
of Youth Suites, Nursery Suite - Hallé/Sir Mark
Elder rec. 2015/17 HALLÉ CDHLL7548
[71.18] [MC] Those looking for a collection
of lighter Elgar have no reason to hesitate
with this outstanding Hallé album.
Louis-Gabriel GUILLEMAIN
(1705-1770) Flute Quartets - Wilbert Hazelzet (transverse flute),
Fantasticus rec. 2017 RESONUS CLASSICS RES10222 [2 CDs: 87:00]
[JV]
Highly entertaining music, which receives excellent performances.
Toivo KUULA (1883-1918) Violin Sonatas;
Five Pieces -
Nina Karmon (violin),
Oliver Triendl (piano) rec. 2017 CPO 555 148-2 [69:02] [RB]
The masterful Kuula cherished the violin and this is evident here as is his avoidance of the shallows.
Mark John MCENROE
My Symphonic Poems -
Janacek PO/Anthony Armore
rec. 2016-18 NAVONA RECORDS NV6189 [2 CDs: 107:15] [EJW]
McEnroe has a pleasant melodic style; his pieces are nice, quite unassuming works, honestly composed and presented which plumb no great heights or depths of emotion.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Serenades in E flat
& C minor;
La Clemenza di Tito - Overture and arias -
Oslo Kammerakademi/David Friedemann Strunck rec. 2015 LAWO LWC1141 [79:57]
[GPJ]
A slightly strange choice of repertoire; nevertheless a highly enjoyable disc, full of charm and musicianship.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Messa
da Requiem - Bolshoi Theatre
Ch, St. Petersburg PO/Yuri Temirkanov rec. 2017
DELOS DVD DV7012 [93 mins]
[RJF] A fine performance, in a magnificent
auditorium, of Verdi’s great choral work, given
as a fitting tribute in memory of a great Verdi
singer.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) The
Four Seasons -Joseph Silverstein
(violin) Boston SO/Seiji Ozawa rec. 1981 TELARC
TEL00004 LP [38:19] Peter Ilyich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) 1812
Overture, Capriccio Italien - Cincinnati
SO/Erich Kunzel rec. 1978 TELARC TEL00009
LP [35:11] Igor STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) The Firebird Suite
Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887)
Prince Igor Overture & Polovtsian
Dances rec. 1978 TELARC TEL00005 LP
[43:17] Carl ORFF (1895-1982)
Carmina Burana Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963)
Symphonic Metamorphosis Of Themes by Carl Maria
Von Weber - Judith Blegen (soprano) Hakan
Hagegard (baritone) William Brown (tenor) Atlanta
SO & Ch/Robert Shaw rec. 1980 TELARC
TEL00006 [2 LPs: 60:29] [SG] Four
reissues from Telarc which will be welcomed
with open arms by vinyl enthusiasts.
Christian
WOLFF (b.1934) Two
Orchestra Pieces - SWR
SO Baden-Baden Freiburg/Lothar Zagrosek; Ostravská
banda/Roland Kluttig, Peter Rundel, Petr Kotík
rec. 2009-12 NEW WORLD RECORDS 80796
[51:57] [RHa] An important issue introducing
one of the last surviving members of John Cage’s
coterie.
The Golden Age: Cello 1925
Works by Hindemith, Ibert, Martinů & Toch -
Christoph Heesch (cello),
Eroica Berlin/Jakob Lehmann rec. 2018 GENUIN GEN18613 [70:14]
[RK]
Assured performances of a well-planned and interesting programme.
Tuesday November 27th
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750)
Goldberg
Variations Henning KRAGGERUD
(b. 1973) Topelius Variations - Henning
Kraggerud (violin) Arctic PO rec. 2017 SIMAX
PSC1353 [74:20] [GF] A feather in
the cap for the orchestra and Kraggerud himself.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonatas
- Leila Schayegh (violin) Jan Schultsz (piano)
rec. 2017 GLOSSA GCD924201
[69:42] [SSi] Revelatory once you have become
used to the nineteenth century sensibilities
employed.
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857–1934)
The Music Makers, The Spirit of England
- Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo) Andrew Staples
(tenor) BBC SO & Ch/Sir Andrew Davis rec.
2018 CHANDOS CHSA5215 SACD
[61:56] [JQ] The prime recommendation for
each of these important Elgar scores.
Wojciech KILAR (1932-2013) The Very Best of Kilar
DUX 0906-07 [56:22 + 46:22]
[RB] Much more than just a Kilar taster.
Erkki
Olavi SALMENHAARA (1941-2002) Symphonies
Nos 2-4 - Finnish Radio SO/Paavo Berglund, Petri
Komulainen, Ulf Söderblom rec. 1966-2008 FINLANDIA
CLASSICS FINCLA27 [79:18] [RB] From
avant-garde tough to music that speaks to those
who value melodic resilience.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Giovanna D’Arco - Luciano Ganci (tenor), Vittoria Yeo
(soprano), I Virtuosi Italiani/Ramón Tebar rec. 2016 C MAJOR Blu-ray 745704 [127 mins] [RJF] The tension, cohesion and vibrancy of the opera are lacking in this performance.
Johann WALTER (1496 - 1570) Geystliches Gesangk Buchleyn - Martin Luther's Lieder
- Weser-Renaissance Bremen/Manfred Cordes rec. 2016 CPO 555 134-2 [72:04] [JV] An important contribution to the commemoration of the Reformation; Walter’s contribution is given the attention it deserves.
Hush,
Little Child Christmas Carols by Mold & Baldwin -
Simon Hogan (organ/piano) Antony Baldwin (organ)
Lynne Hope (recorder) Southwell
Minster Ch/Paul Provost rec. 2017 HERITAGE
HTGCD185 [70:25] [JWh] A
warm welcome for a compilation that offers something
different to the usual Christmas fare.
Praise My Soul Jesus College Ch Cambridge/Richard Pinel rec. 2018 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD545 [66:32] [MR] A good selection of hymns ancient and modern, familiar and unfamiliar, robustly sung in good-to-honest straightforward arrangements which will appeal to all lovers of traditional hymnody.
The Versailles Revolution
Works by Lully, Marais & Muffat
- Indianapolis Baroque O/Barthold Kuijken rec. 2014 NAXOS 8.573868
[62:06]
[BW] The second very fine release from this source – more, please.
Monday November 26th
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concertos,
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 -
David Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh (violin), Eugene Goossens,
Rudolf Barshai
rec. 1957/62 ALTO ALC1399 [68:51] [RB] Lively and well attuned to Bach's sprightly writing to which the musicians pay delightful court.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Complete Piano Trios Vol. 2 -
Van Baerle Trio rec. 2017 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72778 SACD [72:37]
[DC]
Fine playing - worth looking out for.
Harald GENZMER (1909-2007) Concertos - Oliver Triendl (piano),
Patrick Demenga (cello),
Jörgen van Rijen (trombone),
Berlin RSO/Ariane Matiakh rec. 2017
CAPRICCIO C5330
[71:02] [RB]
A moderately cool but prolific adherent of the Hindemith school heard via three concertos.
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907)
Violin Sonatas (orch.) - Henning Kraggerud (violin),
Tromsø CO rec. 2013
NAXOS 8.573137
[66:40] [SFV]
If you like this sort of thing, it’s mostly done well here.
Bo HOLTEN (b. 1948)
Gesualdo Shadows - Gert Henning-Jensen (tenor),
Musica Ficta, Concerto Copenhagen/Bo Holten rec. 2016
DACAPO 2.110428 DVD
[114 mins.] [RWe]
A fascinating operatic exploration of Gesualdo’s dramatic life, making much use of his music.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Wanderer - André Schuen (baritone),
Daniel Heide (piano) rec. 2016
CAVI-MUSIC 8553373
[67:03] [GF]
This programme feels very satisfying and should be an attractive buy for the many lovers of Schubert.
Albanian Piano Music Marsida Koni (piano) rec. 2017
PIANO CLASSICS PCL10149 [68:57] [PRB] A most enjoyable and enlightening CD.
Albion Refracted
Works by Bridge, Britten, Phibbs & Turnage - Piatti Qt rec. 2017/18
CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD145
[71:22] [SSi]
A very well performed disc that presents quartets from different generations, which sit together very well indeed.
Estrellita Elena Urioste (violin)
Tom Poster (piano) rec. 2017 BIS BIS2428 SACD [69:40]
[JW] A pleasing selection of arrangements.
Lest We Forget
Chichester Cathedral Ch/Charles Harrison
rec. 2018
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD562 [64:56] [ST]
It isn’t the finest choral CD to have come my way this year but it’s still worthwhile, and
for a good cause.
Other reviews
Notorious RBG in Song Patrice Michaels (vocals)
Kuang-Hao Huang (piano) rec. 2017/18 CEDILLE RECORDS CDR90000178 [56:30]
[MB] Music that is affecting and the singing more than
hits the mark.