NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
Second Thoughts & Short Reviews - Spring 2019-1 by Brian Wilson
Verdi's Falstaff - a
survey by Ralph Moore
Gerald Larner - an obituary by
Kenneth Shenton
Listening Studio Report by
John Quinn
Cherubini's Medea - a
survey by Ralph Moore
The Music of Hermann Goetz by
Andrew Hartmann
NOTICES
From
Acte Préalable: Zygmunt Noskowski - Complete Songs Vols 1-3;
Otton Mieczyslaw Zukowski - Opera Omnia Secularia vols 1-2; Romuald
Twardowski - In the Night's Stillness
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Live performance reviews posted daily at
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Friday March 29th
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered
Clavier - Heidrun Holtmann (piano)
rec. 2016 MUSICAPHON M56922
[4 CDs: 232:56] [DC] Skilfully crafted,
but will you be transfixed and transformed?
Alban BERG (1885-1935)
Wozzeck -
Christopher Maltman (baritone),
Netherlands PO/Marc Albrecht rec. 2017 NAXOS NBD0081V Blu-ray [107 mins]
[DBi] A very fine performance of Berg's great music drama but one that needs to be watched at least twice before coming to judgement.
Gabriel JACKSON (b 1962)
Passion -
Emma Tring (soprano) Guy Cutting (tenor) Merton College Ch,
Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia/Benjamin Nicholas rec. 2018 DELPHIAN DCD34222 [69:01]
[JQ]
An exceptional contemporary Passion setting in a marvellous first recording.
Aram
KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Violin
Concerto - Louis Kaufman (violin) Paul Ulanowsky
(piano) Santa Monica SO/Jacques Rachmilovich
rec. 1945/1952 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1557
[60:42] [JW] Kaufman admirers will enjoy
this seductive bipartite disc.
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Transcendental Études,
Rigoletto Paraphrase, La leggierezza -
Boris Giltburg (piano) rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.573981 [79:30] [RC]
Giltburg is in the running for one of the top spots in the Liszt 'Transcendental' sweepstakes.
Emil von REZNIČEK (1860-1945)
Symphonic Suite No.1, Traumspiel & Karneval Suites -
Weimar Staatskapelle/Stefan Solyom
rec. 2012 CPO 555 056-2 [69:25] [EJW] A very welcome release.
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Chant Funèbre,
The
Firebird, Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Symphony
No. 12 - Radio-SO Wien/Cornelius Meister
rec. 2017/18 CAPRICCIO C5352
[69:22] [RWe] Especially valuable for someone
looking to be persuaded that the maligned 12th
is worth another hearing.
Revolution
Janoska Ens rec. 2018 DG 7725932
[63:20] [JW] Spirited and generous music-making.
Seven Last Words from the Cross Skylark/Matthew Guard
rec. 2017 SONO LUMINUS DSL-92219 CD/BD-A [48:52] [NH] Much to enjoy and to reflect upon.
D’Arcy
Trinkwon (organ) The Viscount Organ of Selby
Abbey rec. 2015 VISCOUNT
CLASSICAL DVD SADVD001 [88:10] [JW]
A valuable, creative and imaginative recital.
Thursday March 28th
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Sardanapalo, Mazeppa - Joyce El-Khoury (soprano), Airam Hernández (tenor), Oleksandr Pushniak (bass-baritone), Opera Chorus Nationaltheater Weimar, Staatskapelle Weimar/Kirill Karabits
rec. 2018
AUDITE 97.764
[67:01] [EJW]
Specialists will certainly want (need?) this recording.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
& Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concertos - Bronislav Gimpel (violin), Bamberg SO/Johannes Schüler
rec. c. 1961
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1556
[61:02] [JW]
A true romanticist, and a tonalist of beguiling colour and warmth.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Symphonies Nos 4 & 5 - Tonkünstler O/Andrés Orozco-Estrada rec. 2014
OEHMS CLASSICS OC1834
[55:43] [SV]
If you want a fine modern coupling of these two symphonies, look no further.
Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937), Florent SCHMITT (1870-1958)
& Enchaînées, André PRÉVOST (1934-2001)
Violin Sonatas - Hélène Collerette (violin), Anne Le Bozec (piano)
rec. 2016
RADIO FRANCE SIG11107
[64:11] [BSt]
A splendid recital of unusual violin sonatas.
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Symphony No. 3,
Romance, Tarantella -
Anne Freitag (flute)
Francesco Negrini (clarinet)
Ulrich Meldau (organ)
Capriccio Baroque O/Karel Valter rec. 2017 AEOLUS AE10097 SACD [53:25]
[SG] A familiar work presented in an attractive new light.
20th Century French Flute Concertos Ransom Wilson (flute), BBC Concert O/Perry So
rec. 2017
NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6375
[63:46] [RHa]
Much of this music may well brighten your day and the performances are well-turned and congenial.
Jewels of French Ballet
ROH Covent Garden O/Georg Solti & John Lanchbery, Berlin PO & Vienna
PO/Herbert von Karajan
rec. 1960-62 ALTO ALC1386 [79:00] [RMay] Ignore the shoddy presentation and enjoy some very fine performances.
Love is come again Music for the Springhead Easter Play
- Monteverdi Ch,
English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2018 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG731 [67:37]
[JQ] A fine and thoughtful musical celebration of Easter – and of a local community.
New Year’s Concert 2019 Vienna PO/Christian Thielemann
rec. 2019 SONY CLASSICAL 19075902822 [56.00 + 54.08] [MC] Performances that feel spontaneous with such judicious and subtle use of colour and nuance.
A Walk
with Ivor Gurney Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo) Simon
Callow (narrator) Tenebrae, Aurora O/Nigel Short rec. 2018
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD557 [44:06 + 43:30] [MG] The programme has an illuminating quality; add Sarah Connolly in glorious voice and the whole product is special.
Wednesday March 27th
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Six Suites for Solo Cello
- Jean de Spengler rec. 2018 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1575/7 [3 CDs: 163:52]
[SG] Those who prefer this music performed on a modern instrument will not be disappointed.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1705)
Magnificat in D, BWV243 Robert Maximilian HELMSCHROTT (b.1938)
Lumen - Simon Mayr Ch,
Concerto de Bassus/Franz Hauk rec. 2017 NAXOS 8.579049 [65:57]
[MC] Lumen is a powerful choral work reflecting on issues which trouble our world, but the Bach is disappointing.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Septet
Joseph KÜFFNER (1777-1856)
Introduction, Theme & Variations -
Emma Johnson (clarinet) Carducci String Qt,
Chris West (double bass) Philip Gibson (bassoon)
Peter Francombe (horn) rec. 2017 SOMM
RECORDINGS SOMM0190
[57:38] [JW] Engaging performances.
Torbjörn
Iwan LUNDQUIST (1920-2000) Nils
Holgerssons underbara resa, Gösta Berlings saga
- Royal Stockholm PO, Bel canto kören/Torbjörn
Iwan Lundquist rec. 1962/63 STERLING
CDS 1117-2 [72.48] [MW] A marvellous
reissue of big themed and attractive scores:
enjoyment guaranteed.
August
Eberhard MÜLLER (1767-1817) Flute
Concertos - Tatjana Ruhland
(flute) SW German CO Pforzheim/Timo Handschuh
rec. 2014 CPO 777956-2 [73:54]
[RW] Sensitive and polished interpretations.
Åke PARMERUD (b 1953)
Zeit aus Zeit, Mirage, Rituals
-
Kenneth Karlsson (piano),
Bjørn Rabben (percussion),
Cikada/Christian Eggen rec 2015 LAWO CLASSICS LWC1161 [59:54]
[RHa]
Interesting electroacoustic fare from Sweden featuring the fine musicians of Cikada.
Julius
RÖNTGEN (1855-1932) Piano
Music Vol. 4 - Mark Anderson (piano)
rec. 2018 NIMBUS NI5975
[57:38] [SSi] This is an interesting and
worthy addition to any collection of late romantic
piano music.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphonies
Nos 6 & 7, King Lear Suite,
Festival Overture - Boston SO/Andris
Nelsons rec. 2017 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
483 6728 [53:38 + 78:24] [JQ] Another
significant addition to what is fast becoming
a notable Shostakovich series.
Enchanted (works for
cello & piano) -
Duo Arnicans rec. 2017 SOLO MUSICA SM288 [71.04]
[MC] Top drawer performances of beauty and sincerity.
Fenêtre sur le jardin Ksenia Kouzmenko (piano) rec. 2018 COBRA 0070 [61:43] [JW]
Well-shaped and lively performances of Czech classics.
Tuesday March 26th
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Concerto No. 2, Triple
Concerto - Maria João Pires, Lars Vogt (piano)
Gordan Nikolitch (violin) Tim Hugh (cello) London
SO/Bernard Haitink rec. 2005/13 LSO
LIVE SACD LSO0745 [66:52] [RC] These
are reissues, but if you haven’t heard
the Pires, do so because it is outstanding.
Ferruccio
BUSONI (1866-1924) Piano Concerto
- Kirill Gerstein (piano) Tanglewood Festival
Ch, Boston SO/Sakari Oramo rec. 2017 MYRIOS
CLASSICS MYR024 [70.22] [MC] A
penetrating and persuasive performance.
Gary HIGGINSON (b. 1952) Scenes and Messages
- Patricia Auchterlonie (soprano),
Oliver Brignall, Laura Cioffi (flute),
Jonathan Hyde (baritone),
Alessandro Viale (piano)
rec. 2018 SHEVA SH209 [67:47]
[JF] An absorbing and rewarding collection, beautifully performed and presented
Gustav Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) Opera Overtures
- Malmö Opera O/Jun Märkl rec. 2017 NAXOS 8.573824 [66:53] [RW] Interesting music decently performed and recorded.
Johanna
SENFTER (1879-1961) Violin sonatas,
Suites for 2 violins - Friedemann & Alexia
Eichhorn (violins) Paul Rivinius (piano) rec.
2007 PALADINO PMR0101 [54:26
+ 35:41] [SG] Here’s hoping this recording
will kick-start a renewed interest in this long
forgotten composer.
Sir
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) &
Michael THOMSON (1949-2016)
Organ works - John Kitchen (organ) rec. 2018
DELPHIAN DCD34212 [69:52] [MR]
An enjoyable romp, but one which misses out
on its full potential to entertain the masses.
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
& Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Sonatas - Paul Lewis (piano) rec. 2017 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902324 [57:34] [RBe] Lewis’ performances compare well with the very best in the catalogue.
Locus
iste Ch St John’s
College Cambridge/Andrew Nethsingha rec. 2018
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD567
[73:51] [JQ] It would be hard to imagine
a finer celebration of the 150th
anniversary of St John’s College Chapel.
Madrigali Diminuiti Doulce Mémoire/Denis Raisin Dadre rec. 2016 RICERCAR RIC371 [67:20] [JV] A model of sound music making.
Maria Yudina (piano)
The Art Of rec. 1936-1970 SCRIBENDUM SC813 [26 CDs: 29 hours] [JW] Shortcomings in documentation and sound quality, but this currently the most effective way to acquire the bulk of her legacy on disc.
Monday March 25th
Juan Crisóstomo de ARRIAGA (1806-1826)
Herminie, Overture, Symphonie à grand orchestre - Berit Norbakken Solset (soprano), BBC Philharmonic/Juanjo Mena
rec. 2018
CHANDOS CHAN20077
[68:09] [MW]
A most useful compendium of Arriaga’s music, lovingly performed in excellent sound.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Johannes-Passion - Moscow State Choral School Ch, Leningrad CO Old and Modern Music/Eduard Serov
rec. 1981
MELODIYA MELCD1002379
[64:16+66:05] [RMo]
I can think of no reason why anyone would be drawn to this stylistically anachronistic, sonically inferior and artistically deficient recording.
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924),
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) & Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin
Sonatas -
Bomsori Kim (violin)
Rafał Blechacz (piano) rec. 2018 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4836467 [62:54]
[SG]
A stunning recording just too good to miss.
Raul KOCZALSKI (1885-1948)
Piano Concerti Nos 3 & 4 - Joanna Ławrynowicz (piano), Filharmonii im. Henryka Wieniawskiego w Lublinie
SO/Wojciech Rodek rec. 2018
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0502
[56:11] [JW]
Thoroughly committed and sensitive performances.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Années de
pèlerinage, troisième année & other late piano works - Cédric
Tiberghien (piano) rec. 2017 HYPERION CDA68202 [80:15]
[RWe]
One of the very best discs of these late works now in the catalogue.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 2 - Ruby Hughes (soprano), Sasha Cooke (mezzo),
Minnesota Chorale,
Minnesota O/Osmo Vänskä rec. 2017
BIS BIS2296 SACD
[84:38] [DBi]
Impressive and suitably tumultuous.
André MESSAGER (1853-1929)
Les P’tites Michu - Ch d’Angers Nantes Opera, O National des Pays de la Loire/Pierre Dumoussaud
rec. 2018
BRU ZANE BZ1034
[59:25+43:30] [SSi]
This wonderful presentation of a lovely humorous work will delight anyone who has been enamoured by Messager’s Véronique.
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto,
Fantasiestücke, Stücke im Volkston,
Adagio & Allegro -
Gautier Capuçon (cello)
Martha Argerich (piano)
Renaud Capuçon (violin)
CO of Europe/Bernard Haitink
rec. 2009-15 ERATO 9029563421 [78:19] [MC]
First class performances and sound.
Iannis XENAKIS (1922-2001)
Pléïades -
DeciBells rec. 2018 GENUIN GEN19633 [48:24]
[JF] Just sit back and enjoy.
Association for Private Musical Performances Chamber Music Arrangements
- Linos Ens
rec. 1999-2011 CAPRICCIO C7265 [8 CDs: 519:44]
[RHa] A hugely desirable set of treasures which go way beyond historical interest.
