NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
Soprano Angela Gheorghiu in conversation with Michael Cookson
“Untouchable” and ”Most
Recommendable” Opera Recordings - a very personal guide by Ralph
Moore
Second Thoughts and Short Reviews:
Summer 2019/2 by Brian Wilson, Johan van Veen and Simon Thompson
What is the meaning behind the Castellucci production of Salome?
- an interpretation by Len
Mullenger
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Monday September
30th
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Mister Bach’s European Journey - Andrea Bacchetti (piano) rec.
2018 MUSIC MEDIA MM05 [77:34] [DC]
An attractive package.
Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983)
An English Mass, Cello Concerto - Guy Johnston (cello), King’s College Ch Cambridge,
Britten Sinfonia/Stephen Cleobury, Ben Parry, Christopher Seaman rec. 2018/19
KING’S COLLEGE KGS0032 SACD
[48:58 + 54:39] [JW]
A central recommendation for Howells admirers.
Witold JANIAK (b. 1974)
Noesis -
Witold Janiak (piano) Dominika Sznajder, Paulina Kołodziejczyk (violin) Monika Swiniarska (viola) Jakub Łemański (cello)
rec. 2018 DUX RECORDS 1568 [56:18] [PRB] Certainly engaging and rarely tires on the ear, but it’s not really saying anything fundamentally new.
Dan LOCKLAIR (b. 1949) Symphony No. 2,
Organ Concerto, Hail the coming day, PHOENIX -
Peter Mikula (organ)
Slovak Ntl SO/Kirk Trevor, Michael Rohac rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.559860 [63.03]
[EJW]
Very enjoyable; Locklair has a flair for orchestration.
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Euryanthe - Norman Reinhardt (tenor), Jacquelyn Wagner (soprano), ORF Vienna RSO/Constantin Trinks rec. 2018
CAPRICCIO C5373
[77:23 + 83:18] [RJW]
Strong competition for the Norman/Janowski recording.
Nordic Music
Works
by Berwald, Grieg & Nielsen - Ana-Marija Markovina (piano), Schleswig-Holsteinisches SO/Peter Sommerer
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC HC17027
[63:43] [RBe]
The Grieg is not a contender, but the Berwald is certainly worth a listen.
Friday September 27th
Rolf MARTINSSON (b. 1956)
Garden of Devotion, A.S. in memoriam, Landscape,
Kalliope -
Lisa Larsson (soprano)
Bas Treub (violin)
Netherlands CO/Gordan Nikolić rec. 2018 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72754 SACD [78:06]
[DC] Deeply satisfying late Romantic expressive richness.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos Nos 17
& 24 -
Orli Shaham (piano)
St Louis SO/David Robertson rec. 2017/18 CANARY CLASSICS CC18 [59:10]
[JW] Well worth hearing.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Verdi Heroines rec. 1981-2014
ORFEO MP1904 [64:56 + 79:38]
[GF] As with all compilations of this kind there are swings and roundabouts, but the general standard is high.
Sir Colin Davis (conductor)
Anthology - London SO & Ch
rec. 1999-2009 LSO LIVE LSO0766 CD/SACD/DVD [13 discs: 765 mins]
[JQ] LSO Live has done Sir Colin proud with this handsome tribute and at a price which makes this set an outstanding bargain.
Piano Miniatures by Female Composers
Viviane Goergen (piano) rec.
2017 ARS PRODUKTION ARS38559 [54:13]
[SSi] Viviane Goergen champions the music of nine women in an interesting and engaging recital containing music of much beauty and interest.
Ruggiero
Ricci (violin) Discovered tapes: Concertos rec.
1951-1978 RHINE CLASSICS RH-008 [6 CDs: 430:57] [SG]
There's so much to treasure amongst this collection of immeasurable riches.
Thursday September 26th
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin Sonatas Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Arpeggione Sonata, Sonatina - Pieter Wispelwey (cello), Paolo Giacometti (piano) rec. 2018
EVIL PENGUIN CLASSIC EPRC0030
[47:53 + 43:09] [DC]
A fine collection.
Avner DORMAN (b.1975)
Letters from Gettysburg, After Brahms, Nigunim
-
Gil Shaham (violin)
Orli Shaham (piano) Tremolo Percussion Ens, Gettysburg College Ch/Robert Natter
rec. 2011-15 CANARY CLASSICS CC17 [56:11] [JW] New and pertinent things to say and to share.
Alexander
MOYZES (1906-1984) Symphonies Nos 11 & 12
- Slovak RSO/Ladislav Slovák rec. 1993/95 NAXOS 8.573655
[69:53] [MW] A welcome re-release of tuneful, accessible symphonies of real substance.
Stefan PRINS (b. 1979)
Augmented - Yaron Deutsch (electric guitar), Stefan Prins (live electronics), Stephane Ginsbergh (piano and keyboards), Nadar Ensemble, Klangforum Wien/Bas Wieger
rec. 2014/2018
KAIROS 0015044KAI
[DVD: 203 mins & CD: 80:18] [RHa]
Four and a half hours of challenging, confrontational, frequently ear-bleeding new music - not remotely for the faint-hearted.
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Manon Lescaut - Hjördis Schymberg (soprano), Jussi Björling (tenor),
Royal Swedish Opera Ch & O/Nils Grevillius rec. 1959
IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES IPCD1110-2
[77:18 + 78:27] [GF]
Ample proof that Björling was at the top of his trade to the very end of his career.
Zwiegespräche
Works by Holliger & Kurtág -
Sarah Wegener (soprano)
Ernesto Molinari (clarinet)
Philippe Jaccottet (recitation) rec. 2018 ECM RECORDS 2665 [74:34]
[DC] Tinged with melancholy, but fortified by affection.
Wednesday September 25th
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
- Leo van Doesselaar, Erwin Wiersinga (organs)
rec. 2019 MDG 9062137-6 SACD [73:54]
[DC]
Bach, organ and audiophile fans, please form an orderly queue.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
An die ferne Geliebte; Piano Trio No.7 James WRIGHT (b. 1959) Letters to the Immortal Beloved
- David John Pike (baritone),
James Parker (piano),
Gryphon Trio rec. 2008 ANALEKTA AN29522 [70:33] [PCG]
Well worth hearing, especially for the Beethoven songs.
Dora BRIGHT (1862-1951)
Piano Concerto No. 1; Variations Ruth GIPPS (1921-1999)
Piano Concerto; Ambarvalia - Samantha Ward, Murray McLachlan (piano),
Royal Liverpool PO/Charles Peebles rec. 2019 SOMM SOMMCD273 [75:22]
[JQ]
A valuable and rewarding disc of neglected music, all of which is well worth hearing.
Anton BRUCKNER
(1824–1896) Mass No. 3, Symphonisches Praeludium, Postludium –
Sigurd Øgaard (organ)
Houston Symphony Ch,
Moores School SO/Franz Anton Krager, Michelle Perrin Blair rec. 2013 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS [78:43]
[RMo]
A tempting prospect for any committed Brucknerian.
Georg SCHUMANN (1866-1952)
Lieder -
Mary Nelson (soprano)
Mark Ford (piano) rec. 2013 STONE RECORDS 5060192780796 [68:33]
[JW] Those on the lookout for harmonically rich late
Romantic songs might care to lend an ear to this body of music.
Fantasy Works by
Telemann, Schubert, Lark, Kreisler & Ravel -
Tessa Lark (violin),
Amy Yang (piano) rec. 2016 FIRST HAND RECORDS FHR86 [66:42]
[PRB]
This CD ticks virtually every box.
Tuesday September 24th
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 1 Vasily KALINNIKOV (1866-1901) Symphony No. 1
Indianapolis SO/Fabien Sevitzky rec. 1941/1946 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC560 [75:21] [JQ] Performances of freshness and sparkle in excellent transfers.
Magdalena Kožená (mezzo) Soirée -
Sir Simon Rattle (piano)
rec. 2017 PENTATONE PTC5186671 SACD [73:24]
[MC]
Magdalena Kožená at her most engaging.
Morgen Works by
Brahms, Schubert & R Strauss - Evgeni Bozhanov (piano) rec. 2017 AVANTICLASSIC 5414706 10592 [60:17] [DC] Romantic piano… very romantic.
Paths That Lead Away From Bach John Scott Whiteley (organ) rec. 2015 VISCOUNT CLASSICAL DVD SADVD002 [67:23]
[JW] Another dedicated and thoughtfully conceived recital from Selby
Abbey.
Silenced Voices
Works by Kattenburg, Klein, Kuti, Krása, Hermann
& Frid - Black Oak Ens CEDILLE CDR90000189 [67.00]
[GH] Totally convincing performances, superbly recorded.
Worthweill Originals
Works for wind band - Marine Band Royal Netherlands Navy/Major Arjan Tien
rec. 2018 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS42019 [72:29]
[GPJ]
An enterprising and thoroughly enjoyable disc.
