Charles-Valentin ALKAN
(1813-1888)
Symphony for Solo Piano; Concerto for Solo Piano - Paul Wee (piano)
rec. 2017/18 BIS BIS-2465 SACD
[78:32]
[DM]
Meet barrister Paul Wee, a pianist of no small talent; dazzling rep,
superbly recorded.
John AMNER (1579-1641) Complete Consort Music
- Fretwork; Dublin Consort Singers/Mark Keane rec. 2018 RUBICON RCD1032 [72:71] [RHa]
Delightful, little-known fare from an obscure 17th century Fenland master.
Gilbert AMY (b. 1936) Concertos -
Jean-François Heisser (piano)
Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello), Nouvelle-Aquitaine CO/Julien Leroy, O de Paris/Gilbert Amy rec. 2006-19
EDITIONS HORTUS 175 [55:34]
[RHa] A pair of very different concertos from a somewhat underappreciated figure, cogently argued and clothed in arresting, beautiful sounds.
George ANTHEIL (1900-1959)
McKonkey’s Ferry Concert Overture, Capital of the World, Symphony No. 1 - BBC Philharmonic/John Storgårds rec. 2018
CHANDOS CHAN20080
[70:26] [JW]
The third volume in this series proves just as gripping as the previous two.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concertos
-
Kati Debretzeni (violin) English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec.
2018 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG732 [70:15] [DD] Superb renditions of familiar and unfamiliar Bach violin concertos; sheer joy from start to finish.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) Cantata No. 63;
Magnificat
- Hana Blažíková (soprano), La Chapelle Harmonique/Valentin Tournet rec. 2018 CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES SPECTACLES CVS009 [59:13]
[JV] One of the best performances of the E flat version of Bach's Magnificat available right now.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 9 -
Ann-Helen Moen (soprano),
Marianne Beate Kielland (alto),
Allan Clayton (tenor),
Neal Davies (bass),
Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 2019 BIS BIS2451 SACD [66:28]
[ST] A good but ummemorable performance.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Symphonies
-
Danish Ntl Concert Ch,
Danish CO/Ádám Fischer rec. 2016-19 NAXOS 8.505251 [5 CDs: 328:56]
[ST] Not perfect, but certainly a talking point.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Works for flute & Piano
- Duo FlautoPiano rec. 2018 MDG 903 2135-6 SACD [75:29] [DC]
Beethoven-lite, but enjoyable nevertheless.
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie fantastique;
Overture Les Francs-Juges - Les Siècles/François-Xavier Roth rec.
2019 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902644 [65:45] [JQ]
There’s only one possible verdict on this disc: like the symphony itself, it’s fantastique!
Sir Arthur BLISS (1891–1975)
The Enchantress, Meditations on a Theme by John Blow, Mary of Magdala
- Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo) James Platt (bass)
BBC SO & Ch/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2019
CHANDOS CHSA5242 SACD [76:58]
[JQ]
An excellent disc and a significant addition to the Bliss discography.
William BYRD (c.1540-1623)
The Great Service - Choir of King’s College Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury
First released 1987 WARNER CLASSICS 9029532656
[64:56]
[BW]
Download only, but a very fine tribute to the memory of Stephen
Cleobury.
Jean CRAS (1879-1932) La Flûte de Pan, Quintets
-
Sophie Karthäuser (soprano)
Oxalys rec. 2018 PASSACAILLE 1067 [69:00] [JW] Cras’ allure proves difficult to resist.
Carl CZERNY (1791-1857)
Concertino; Second Grand Concerto; Rondino -
Rosemary Tuck (piano), English CO/Richard Bonynge rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.573998 [82:19]
[PRB] This release could accord Czerny a higher ranking in the history of music than he currently enjoys.
Charles DIBDIN (1745-1814)
The Jubilee, Datchet Mead, Queen Mab
-
Soraya Mafi (soprano) Heather Shipp (mezzo) Robert Murray (tenor) Stephen
Higgins (piano) rec. 2018 RETROSPECT OPERA RO006 [68:37]
[JW] A slice of eighteenth-century theatrical history is brought happily to life.
Ernst von DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960) Piano Quintets
Nos 1 & 2,
String Quartet No. 2 -
Marc-André Hamelin (piano)
Takács Qt rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68238 [80.58] [CRa]
A splendid recording of undervalued, infrequently played music.
Egidio Romualdo DUNI (1708-1775)
Trio Sonatas - DuniEnsemble rec. 2018
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 96023 [48:20]
[JV] These pieces are nice to listen to but probably more fun to play.
Leo FALL (1873-1925)
Die Dollarprinzessin - Christiane Libor (soprano), Münchner Rundfunkorchester/Ulf Schirmer rec. 2012
CPO 777906-2
[53:25 + 68:30] [MP]
A pleasant romp through “operetta land”, reliably cast and well recorded.
Reynaldo HAHN (1874-1947) Complete Songs
-
Tassis Christoyannis (baritone) Jeff Cohen (piano) rec. 2018/19 BRU ZANE BZ2002 [4 CDs: 253.09]
[MC] A delight to dip into this collection.
George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759)
Joseph and his Brethren - Diana Moore (mezzo-soprano),
Philharmonia Baroque Ch & O/Nicholas McGegan rec. 2017 PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE PBP-11 [3 CDs: 175:30]
[MP]
Worth investigating.
Fritz HART (1874-1949)
Violin Sonatas No. 1-3 - Susan Collins (violin), Stephanie McCallum (piano) rec. 2017
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0470
[58:43] [JW]
A noteworthy sense of form and structure and a propensity for singing lyricism and compression too.
JOSQUIN des Prés (c.1450/55-1521)
Missa Mater Patris Noel BAULDEWEYN (c.1480-1530) Missa Da pacem
- The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips GIMELL CDGIM052
[72:26]
[BW] Well up to the
very high standard of earlier Josquin recordings in this
series.
Aaron Jay KERNIS (b. 1960) Flute Concerto,
Air,
Symphony No. 2 -
Marina Piccinini (flute)
Peabody SO/Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop rec. 2017 NAXOS 8.559830 [65:38]
[RHa] An engaging, unusual flute concerto and a rather grim symphony constitute a surprising and at times unsettling programme.
Alexander KREIN (1883-1951) Chamber Music
- Musicians of the Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival rec. 2012/18 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0546 [69:23] [JW] There is valuable work going on here, but one should sample the music judiciously.
Josef LABOR (1842-1924)
Piano
Quintet, Piano
Quartet -
Nina Karmon (violin) Pauline Sachse (viola) Justus Grimm (cello) Niek de Groot (double-bass)
Oliver Triendl (piano) rec. 2018 CAPRICCIO C5390 [67:18]
[PRB] If you appreciate good tunes, rich invention, and well-honed musicianship, then Josef Labor is well worth getting to know.
Kenneth LEIGHTON
(1929–1988)
Sacred Choral Works - St Mary’s Cathedral Ch, Edinburgh/Duncan Ferguson rec.
2019 DELPHIAN DCD34218
[79:36]
[BW]
A very fine recording from which to get to know Leighton’s choral
music, or, better still, to add to other collections.
Olivier MESSIAEN
(1908-1992) Le Tombeau resplendissant, Les
Offrandes oubliées, Un sourire, L'Ascension -
Tonhalle-O Zürich/Paavo Järvi rec. 2019 ALPHA CLASSICS 548
[64.48] [SB]
A collection of Messiaen’s shorter orchestral works in fine performances which would make an admirable introduction to the composer.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
- Youth Symphonies, Contredanses - Freiburger Barockorchester/Gottfried von der Goltz rec. 2019
APARTÉ AP215 [64:38] [BW] A very enjoyable
release; no masterpieces, but youthful Mozart
enticingly presented.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Flute Quartets -
Karel Valter (traverse flute),
Pablo Valetti (violin), Peter Biely (viola), Petr Skalka (cello) rec. 2018 ARS PRODUKTION ARS38285 SACD [63:14]
[DC]
Very fine indeed - a ‘winner’.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Sonatas No. 8, 12-14 - Virginia Black (piano) rec. 2017
CRD 3538
[66:00] [DRD]
Accomplished performances but just missing that special quality.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Piano Sonatas Vol. 2
-
Jean Muller (piano) rec. 2016 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC HC19074 [68:28]
[DD]
First rate execution of these four sonatas including three early examples of Mozart’s unique qualities.
Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880)
La Périchole - Les Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski rec. 2018 BRU ZANE BZ1036 [51:40 + 51:11]
[SSi]
An enjoyable romp through Spanish Peru in the hands of Offenbach, a worthy celebration in his two hundredth anniversary year.
Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI (1860-1941)
& Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concertos - Claire Huangci (piano), Deutsche Radio Philharmonie/Shiyeon Sung rec. 2018
BERLIN CLASSICS 0301096BC
[75:31] [RC]
This account of the Chopin First is not to be missed, and even if you’re not a fan of the Paderewski Concerto, you’ll have to admire Huangci’s thrilling performance.
Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1525/6-1594) Lamentations Book 2
-
Cinquecento rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68284 [72:11]
[DC]
Offers the best of worlds in Palestrina’s immersive Lamentations.
Giovanni Maria PELAZZA (1847-1936)
Suonate sui varii tuoni -
Bruno Bergamini (organ) rec. 2017 TACTUS TC841601 [51:35]
[DC]
Something of a novelty, but such fun.
Pēteris PLAKIDIS (1947-2017)
Canto, Variations, Legend, Glance Back - Latvian
Ntl SO/Vassily Sinaisky rec. 2019 SKANI LMIC076 [71:15]
[SG]
Thought-provoking music, performed with infectious enthusiasm and zeal.
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Sonata Nos
3, 8 & 9 -
Freddy Kempf (piano) rec. 2018 BIS BIS-2390 SACD [56:06]
[RC] A most attractive issue.
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Romeo & Juliet, Piano Pieces -
Stanislav Khristenko (piano) rec. 2015-17 STEINWAY & SONS 30114 [56:38]
[RC] Khristenko impresses greatly.
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Tales of an old Grandmother, Études,
Visions fugitives, Piano Sonata No. 6
-
Florian Noack (piano) rec. 2019 LA DOLCE VOLTA LDV74 [72:13]
[RCh]
Classic Prokofiev played with exemplary pianism.
Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Sonatas
Vol. 2
-
Alexander Melnikov (piano) rec. 2018/19 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902203 [58:20]
[RWe]
A fine second issue of an important cycle.
Josef Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901)
Symphony No. 1 - Liechtenstein SO/Florian Krumpöck
rec. 2019 ARS PRODUKTION ARS38284 SACD [49:50] [NB] An enjoyable discovery for those of Romantic disposition.
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868)
Giovin fiamma - Levy Sekgapane (tenor)
Münchner Rundfunk O/Giacomo Sagripanti rec. 2018 PRIMA CLASSIC PRIMA002 [63:54]
[GF] Lovers of Rossini and/or lovers of good tenor singing should have their fill here.
Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Complete Piano Works 5:
Rarities & Transcriptions - Geoffrey Burleson (piano) rec. 2017 GRAND PIANO GP626 [71:51]
[JWe] A marvellous recording, perhaps best heard in parts rather than in one sitting.
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Symphony No. 9 -
Scottish CO/Maxim Emelyanychev rec. 2019 LINN CKD619 [54:30]
[ST] Take a bow, everyone involved.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Sonata
No. 20,
Minuets -
Arcadi Volodos (piano)
rec. 2017-19 SONY CLASSICAL 19075868292 [55:42]
[RMo] Belongs in the collection of every devotee of Schubert’s piano music.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Trios
-
Paul Badura-Skoda (piano) Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin) Boris Pergamenschikow (cello)
rec. 1981/84 GRAMOLA 99176 [76:36] [RC] The admirers of Badura-Skoda will certainly want these versions.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
Schwanengesang Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) Vier ernste
Gesänge -
Gerald Finley (baritone),
Julius Drake (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68288 [73:21] [GF]
Utterly attractive readings.
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphonies
Nos 1-4 -
Staatskapelle Dresden/Christian Thielemann rec. 2018 C MAJOR 708504 Blu-ray [182 mins]
[RWe]
These performances combine thoughtful preparation with very fine playing.
Dame Ethel SMYTH (1858-1944)
Fête Galante Liza LEHMANN (1862-1918)
The Happy Prince - Charmian Bedford (soprano) Carolyn Dobbin (mezzo)
Dame Felicity Lott (reciter) Lontano
Ens/Odaline de la Martinez rec. 1918-39
RETROSPECT OPERA RO007 [76:34]
[EJW] These world première recordings are very good indeed.
Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924)
The Travelling Companion - David Horton (tenor),
Julien Van Mellaerts (baritone),
Kate Valentine (soprano),
New Sussex Opera O & Ch/Toby Purser
rec. 2018
SOMM RECORDINGS CÉLESTE SOMMCD274-2
[66:47 + 57:12] [JQ]
A release that Stanford admirers need to hear.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Don Quixote, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche - Louisa Tuck (cello), Oslo PO/Vasily Petrenko rec. 2017
LAWO CLASSICS LWC1184
[76:27] [LW]
Vasily Petrenko excels in Strauss tone poems on this well-programmed disc.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Der Rosenkavalier - Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf (soprano) Otto Edelmann (bass)
Philharmonia Ch & O/Herbert von Karajan rec.
1956 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO167 [3CDs: 190:58]
[RMo] For the most part this is one of the glories of the catalogue.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Serenade Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Chamber Symphony
- Amsterdam Sinfonietta/Candida Thompson rec. 2014/15 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS37119 [57:10] [DD] A lovely disc with a very well-loved piece and a fresh discovery, beautifully realised.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
& Arno BABAJANIAN (1921-1983) Piano trios
-
Vadim Gluzman (violin) Johannes Moser (cello) Yevgeny Sudbin (piano) rec. 2017 BIS BIS2372 SACD [73:21]
[CRa]
A disc of the highest standards of recording and performance; a less known but interesting work is a bonus.
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Telemann’s Garden - Elephant House Qt
rec. 2018 PENTATONE PTC5186749 [58:56]
[MC]
Admirers of Telemann should be delighted with the results.
Avet Rubeni TERTERIAN (1929-1994) Symphonies No. 3 & 4
- Bournemouth SO/Kirill Karabits rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHSA5241 SACD [58:56] [EJW] Tremendous aural impact, but difficult, even startling music at times.
Fritz VOLBACH (1861-1940)
Es waren zwei Königskinder,
Symphony
- Münster SO/Golo Berg rec. 2019 CPO 777 886-2 [61:52] [JW] Let’s hope there is more Volbach from this team.
Andrew WAGGONER (b.1960) Violin,
Piano &
Guitar Concertos -
Michael Lim (violin)
Gloria Cheng (piano)
Kenneth Meyer (guitar)
Seattle Modern O/Julia Tai rec. 2018 BRIDGE 9521 [47:06]
[RHa] Waggoner has contrived three busy, absorbing concertos, and there is more than enough in this invigorating 48 minutes.
Abendmusiken Works
by Buxtehude, Theile, Erlebach & Reincken -
Ens Stravaganza rec. 2017 MUSO MU-025 [50:59] [JV] If you are not acquainted with this kind of repertoire, this is a perfect introduction.
British
Cello Works Works by Smyth, Lutyens, Maconchy & Clarke
- Lionel Handy (cello) Jennifer Hughes (piano) rec. 2018 LYRITA
SRCD.383 [73:06] [GH]
Consistently superb performances with spacious but immediate recording of four little-known but very fine works.
Robert Casadesus (piano) The Complete French Columbia Recordings rec. 1928-39 APR 7404 [4 CDs: 281 mins] [JW] Vital and athletic performances.
Cor Europæ
Christmas in Mediaeval Prague
- Tiburtina Ensemble/Barbora Kabátková rec. 2019 RICERCAR RIC410
[60:12] In Natali Domini
Christmas songs from Staniątki Cantional and Renaissance dances - Ensemble QuattroVoce/Jacek Urbaniak rec. 2019 ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0457
[61:27]
[BW]
Two very different but equally fine recordings of unfamiliar Christmas
music from Central and Eastern Europe.
The Farinelli Manuscript Ann Hallenberg
(mezzo) Stile Galante/Stefano Aresi rec. 2019 GLOSSA MUSIC
GCD923521 [72.04] [JW] Hallenberg makes a striking impression.
Norma Fisher
(piano) At the BBC - Vol. 2 rec. 1969-85 SONETTO CLASSICS SONCLA004 [57:57 + 56:45] [RC] Exceptional playing from a pianist who deserves to be better known.
The French Romantic Experience rec. 2008-19 BRU ZANE BZ2001 [10 CDs: 732.54] [MC] A valuable and a fascinating insight into rarely known French Romantic music.
Reine Gianoli (piano)
Recitals in France 1962-1966
MELOCLASSIC MC1044
[78:36 + 79:15] [JW]
At her best an artist of probity and emotional candour, and capable of witty characterisation.
Göttinger Stadtmusik
Works by WF Bach, Rudorff &
Quantz -
Hanna Zumsande (soprano) Nicole Pieper (contralto)
Consortium Vocale Berlin,
Göttinger Barock O/Antonius Adamske rec. 2018 COVIELLO CLASSICS COV91911 [79:29]
[JV] I am impressed by the quality of the music and the performance.
Wilhelm Kempff (piano) Recitals in France 1959-1967
MELOCLASSIC MC1042 [79:45 + 77:57] [JW] Lively, human, sometimes fallible, but always elevated music-making in variable sound.
Like to the Lark Maria Forsström (mezzo-soprano), Jennifer Pike (violin), Swedish Chamber Ch/Simon Phipps rec. 2019
CHANDOS CHSA5255 SACD
[63:54] [EJW]
A highly approachable disc, with a lovely alternative version of The Lark Ascending.
O Holy Night
London Choral Sinfonia/Michael Waldron rec. 2014 ORCHID CLASSICS ORC100110 [71:53] [MR] A programme of largely traditional texts but elevated by some inspired arrangements and settings and all delivered with superb artistry.
Progetto Italiano
Works by Martucci, Respighi & Rota -
Vladyslava Luchenko (violin) Christia Yuliya Hudziy (piano) rec. 2017 CLAVES RECORDS 50-1910 [72:54]
[WK] It would be hard to find more exciting and committed performances.
Routes du café
Ensemble Masques/Olivier Fortin
rec. 2018 ALPHA 543
[71:39] [BW]
A concept album that works well – but don’t overlook the classic Emma
Kirkby ‘Coffee’ cantata.
The Soldier: From Severn to Somme
Christopher Maltman (baritone), Joseph Middleton (piano) rec. 2018
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD592
[73:54] [JQ]
An outstanding release, rewarding in every way.
Sommernachtskonzert 2019
Yuja Wang (piano); Wiener Philharmoniker/Gustavo Dudamel
rec. 2019 SONY CLASSICAL 19075943542
[71:53] [BW]
A very fair idea of an occasion that must have been more enjoyable to
attend than to watch or to hear.
Sung Hee Park (soprano)
Birds and Love - Yuki Koyama (flute), Jean-Pierre Ferey (piano) rec. 2017
SKARBO SK3174
[77:25] [JW]
A different programme might suit better.
The Symphonic Euphonium II
David Childs (euphonium), BBC Philharmonic/Ben Gernon rec. 2019
CHANDOS CHAN10997
[70:06] [JW]
So much here that is approachable and finely done.
Katherine Watson (soprano) L'Opéra du Roi Soleil
- Les Ambassadeurs/Alexis Kossenko rec. 2018 APARTÉ AP209 [73.25]
[MC] An album to treasure.
Other Reviews
Forward. 100 Years of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra by Richard Bratby
publ. 2019 Elliott and Thompson [JQ]
An excellent and comprehensive centenary history of the CBSO which will be of great value way beyond the boundaries of Birmingham itself.
Thoughts Around Great Singing by Linda Esther Gray & Ian Partridge
publ. 2019 Green Oak Publishing
[GH] A reminder of the great heritage of
singing and singers.
Articles and Notices
MWI Recordings of the Year 2019
Piano Trio
Discography: "R" Composers - compiled by David Barker