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Wednesday
September 26th

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Masterwork Index: Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade

September Download Roundup #2 by Brian Wilson

 

NOTICES

The Malcolm Arnold Festival, Northampton 21-22 October
includes the World Premiere of The Dancing Master plus Strauss Die Fledermaus
Julian Lloyd Webber plays the Delius cello concerto
A night at the ballet. Suites from Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker and three Arnold Ballet scores (The programme will include Hobson’s Choice, David Copperfield, Sarabande and Polka and Bridge on the River Kwai march.)

Have you seen the NMC Map of contemporary music?

Discs received for review A new feature; updated monthly

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OTHER REVIEWS

BOOK REVIEW Music To-day by John Foulds NOVERRE PRESS, 2010 facsimile reprint of the 1934 original edition [PCG]

We should be very grateful for such a well-printed and bound reissue. All practising composers should take the opportunity to read and learn from this book.


Arkivmusic has over 4000 ArkivCDs which are digital remakes of out-of-print CDs available nowhere else. New issues now contain full booklet notes link

 


LATEST CD & DVD REVIEWS

182 reviews completed so far this month.

Wednesday September 26th

Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen - Opera in 4 Acts (1875) Carmen - Magdalena Kožená (mezzo); Don José - Jonas Kaufmann (tenor); Chorus and Children’s Choir of the State Opera Unter den Linden Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2012, EMI CLASSICS 4 40285 2 [71.41+78.08] [MC]

A highly desirable Carmen.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nineteen Nocturnes Ivan Moravec (piano)
rec. 1965 SUPRAPHON SU 4097-2 [53:22 + 52:07] [BR]

The only reason this new re-mastering doesn’t say ‘Recording of the Month’ is that everyone already agrees it was a ‘Recording of the Century’.

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Sir John Barbirolli conducts Elgar Variations on an Original Theme, Enigma, Op. 36 Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 Elegy, Op. 58 André Navarra (cello) Hallé Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli rec. 1956-57, IDIS 6624 [59:08] [RMo]

Will give great pleasure to the connoisseur of the partnership between Elgar and Barbirolli.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir Edward ELGAR The Apostles, Op. 49 [114:29] Soloists, Hallé Choir; Hallé Youth Choir; Hallé Orchestra/Sir Mark Elder rec.2012 English text included HALLÉ CD HLD 7534 [65:08 + 49:21] [MC]

Performed beautifully. Everyone is on quite spectacular form.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Jacob FROBERGER (1616 - 1667) Suites and Toccatas Alina Rotaru (harpsichord) rec. no date given. DDD CARPE DIEM CD-16290 [63:54] [JV]

This disc has to be ranked among the best recordings of Froberger's music.

Imogen HOLST (1907-1984) Choral works Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) orch. I HOLST Rejoice in the Lamb: A Festival Cantata (1943, orch 1952)** [15:46] *Tanya Houghton (harp); ** Cressida Sharp (soprano); *Robert Cross (counter-tenor); ** Stefan Kennedy (tenor); **Dominic Sedgwick (bass) Choir of Clare College, Cambridge The Dmitri Ensemble/Graham Ross rec. 2011, Original texts, English (Mass in A minor), French, German translations HARMONIA MUNDI HMU907576 [72:35] [JQ]

Imogen Holst’s fastidiously crafted and enjoyable choral music in excellent performances

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Symphony No. 36 in C major, Linz, Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, Twelve Minuets, K568 Louis Kentner (piano) London Mozart Players/Harry Blech rec. 1954, 1959, 1956 , ADD FHR REMASTERS FHR15 [81:10] [MG]

Blech’s Linz symphony is excellent and ahead of its time.

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1907-1975) Symphony No. 11 in G minor, The Year 1905 (1957) West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Cologne/Semyon Bychkov
rec. 2001. Stereo and multi-channel AVIE AV2062 SACD [59:11] [DM]

A travesty; avoid.

Hye-jin YOON (b.?1971) Thinking Being Irresistibly Burnt Jeong Ga Ak Hoe (Hyun Soo Kim (daegeum); Seung Ah Lee (gayageum); Chae Young Son (geomungo); Seung Hee Lee (haegeum); Gyung Tae Do (janggu); Hyang Hee Lee (piri); Gang Sam Lee and Ji Eun Kim (vocals); Sun Young Hwang (yanggeum) rec. 2008. DDD AKDANGEBAN (Korea) ADCD 606 [76:49] [Byz]

Real Korean music at no risk to sanity and very little expense.

Concertos László WEINER (1916-1944) Concerto for Flute, Viola, Piano and String Orchestra (1941) [23:33] Leon KLEPPER (1900-1991) Concertino for Flute, Viola and String Orchestra (1961) [15:48] Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Concertino for Flute, Viola and String Orchestra (1950) [7:59] Ervin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Concerto doppio for Flute, Piano and Chamber Orchestra, WV 89 (1927) [19:33] Milan Radic (viola); Eva Aroutunian (piano) Cappella Istropolitana/Kaspar Zehnder rec. 2010 ARCO DIVA UP0053-2 131 [67:10] [JW]

A decently constructed programme.

Vladimir Gorbach (guitar) Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) The Four Seasons [19:33]; Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata K441 [4:57]; Sonata K87 [6:51]; Sonata K27 [4:17]; Sonata K431 [1:16]; Mauro GIULIANI (1781-1829) Rondoletto [6:08] Vicente ASENCIO (1908-1979) La Serenor [5:03]; La Joia [3:03]; La Calma [2:35]; La Gaubança [1:54]; La Frisança [3:23] rec. 2-5 February 2012, St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. NAXOS 8.573023 [59:01][ZT]

Exemplary in many aspects, but marred by relatively inferior sonic qualities of the disc.

Erwin Schrott: Arias BIZET, BOITO, GOMES,GOUNOD, MASSENET, OFFENBACH, PUCCINI, SOROZABAL, VERDI Erwin Schrott (baritone) ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien/Daniele Rustioni Rec 2012, SONY CLASSICS 88691971162 [68:03] [ST]

Solid enough and decidedly more than that in places.

Tuesday September 25th

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano sonata 21 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partita 2 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Impromptus Reiko Fujisawa (piano) rec. 2011 QUARTZ QTZ 2094 [73:18] [CH]

Don’t let the anonymously excellent Bach and Beethoven cause you to miss some remarkable Schubert. 

António FRAGOSO (1897-1918) Allegro, Suite Romantique, Piano trio Carlos Damas (violin) Jian Hong (cello) Jill Lawson (piano) rec. 2011 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94158 [52:27] [Byz]

One of the finest piano trios ever to have come out of Portugal. 

Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) String Quartets 2 & 3 Amar Qt rec. 2009/10 NAXOS 8.572163 [64:39] [Byz]

The first disc in what is likely to be a must-have cycle for all lovers of 20th century music. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Operas from the Salzburg Festival 1966, 1982 & 2003 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107 521 [180:00 +189:00 +169:00] [RJF]

Outstanding singing in three productions spread over thirty-seven years. They illustrate changes in opera performance practice and production policy over that time. 

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Il Trittico   O & Ch of the Royal Op Hse Covent Garden/Antonio Pappano rec. 2011 OPUS ARTE OA1070D DVD [181:00] [ST]

A wonderful addition to the discography. 

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concertos 1 & 4, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Noriko Ogawa (piano) Malmö SO/Owain Arwel Hughes rec. 1998 BIS-CD-975 [81:44] [CH]

This disc raises questions that will only be answered by new recordings from the artist. 

Jean RICHAFORT (c.1480-after 1547) Missa pro defunctis Josquin DES PREZ (c.1450/55-1521) Miserere mei, Deus Cinquecento rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67959 [70:00] [DC]

Sublime inspiration from start to finish. 

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Humoreske, Fantasiestucke Emanuel Ax (piano) rec. 1981 NEWTON CLASSICS 8802084 [55.29] [RBe]

Rewardingly excellent playing. 

British Clarinet Sonatas Vol. 1 John IRELAND (1879-1962) Fantasy Sonata Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Sonata Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Sonata Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Sonata Michael Collins (clarinet) Michael McHale (piano) rec. 2011 CHANDOS CHAN10704 [72:54] [JW]

A self-recommending start to the new Chandos series. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Quam Dilecta - French Romantic Choral Music Ch Christ’s College, Cambridge/David Rowland, Roxy Summerfield (organ) rec. 2011 REGENT RECORDS REGCD 375 [69:07] [MC]

A stunning release. 

 

Monday September 24th

Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714 - 1788) Songs Julian Redlin (bass) Jörn Boysen (harpsichord) rec. 2011 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94309 [55:59] [JV]

The main interest of this disc is that it brings the solo songs by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach to the attention of those who are not familiar with them.

Tony BANKS (b.1950) SIX Pieces for Orchestra Prague PO/Paul Englishby rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572986 [51:48] [OL]

An enjoyable journey.

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Complete works for violin - Vol.2: Sonata for violin; 44 Duos for two violins Antal Zalai, Valery Oistrakh (violin) rec. 2011 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9270 [80:08] [SA]

These duos are superb in the enjoyment they give.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Diabelli Variations Andreas Staier (fortepiano) rec. 2010 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC902091 [67:00] [KM]

The Diabelli Variations as they were heard in Beethoven’s time. An infectious recording that bubbles over with joy.

František BENDA (1709-1786) Four Violin Concertos Prague Philharmonia/Ivan Ženatý (violin) rec. 2011/12 SUPRAPHON SU 4064-2 [72:26] [JW]

Highly accomplished and highly polished and well presented here.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Ernest BLOCH (1880 - 1959) Schelomo; From Jewish Life; Voice in the Wilderness Max BRUCH (1838 - 1920) Kol Nidrei Natalie Clein (cello) BBC Scottish SO/Ilan Volkov rec. 2011 HYPERION CDA67910 [61:30] [HC]

Superb readings and recording of Bloch's output for cello and orchestra, a must-have for all his admirers.

Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) Koukourgi Stefan Cerny, Çiğdem Soyarslam, Leonardo Galeazzi, Daniel Prohaska, Kärntner Sinfonieorchester/Peter Marschik rec. 2010 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 638 [115:00] [JS]

A very enjoyable piece that adds to our understanding of Cherubini.

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Chansons de Bilitis Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sonnetti di Petrarca Henri DUPARC (1848-1933) Songs Marion van den Akker (mezzo) Rian de Waal/Paul Komen (piano) rec. 2004-2012 WWW.VALTHERMONDRECORDINGS.COM no number [72:27] [DC]

Exquisitely refined and deeply moving.

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Pomp and Circumstance Marches 3 & 5; Nimrod; Sonata; Sospiri; Severn Suite; For the Fallen Robert Quinney (organ) SIGNUM SIGCD266 [74.36] [EML]

I could not fault this excellent disc.

Karlheinz STOCKHAUSEN (1928-2007) Tierkreis; With interpolation of material by Machaut, des Molins, Ciconia, Pykini, da Bologna, de Cluny and anonymous composers Capilla Flamenca; Het Collectief rec. 2010 ETCETERA KTC 4042 [76:11] [Byz]

While questions linger this is atmospheric music.

 

Friday September 21st

Morton FELDMAN (1926-1987) Spring of Chosroes, Extensions, Vertical Thoughts, Piece for Four Pianos, For John Cage Andreas Seidel (violin) Steffen Schleiermacher (piano) rec. 2009 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS AND GRIMM MDG 613 1524-2 [68:19 + 76:21]  [KM]

A collection of Feldman’s works for these two instruments, with especially the 76-minute For John Cage, a great late work. 

Morton GOULD (1913-1966) Concerto Grosso, World War I, Holocaust, Formations Suite Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz. rec. 1994/95 NAXOS 8.559715 [60:55]  [GPu]

An enjoyable reissue offering glimpses of some of the many sides of an underrated composer. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gabriel JACKSON (b. 1962) Beyond The Stars - Sacred Choral Works Vol. II Ch St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh/Duncan Ferguson, Nicolas Wearne (organ) rec. 2011 DELPHIAN DCD 34106 [68:38] [DMcC]

Gabriel Jackson surely has no finer advocates. 

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartets 13-15 Artemis Qt rec. 2009 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6025122 [78:23 + 51:35] [MC]

Gripping and responsive. 

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony 15 Royal Concertgebouw I/Bernard Haitink rec. 2010 RCO LIVE RCO11003 [47:11] [JQ]

Haitink offers a deep and impressive view of Shostakovich’s last symphony. 

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Romeo and Juliet, Symphony 5 Philharmonia O, Teatro alla Scala O/Guido Cantelli rec. 1951 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC316 [62:32] [JQ]

Self-recommending to all admirers of Guido Cantelli. 

Christian WESTERHOFF (1763-1806) Clarinet Concerto, Concerto for Clarinet & Bassoon, Symphony Sebastian Manz (clarinet) Albrecht Holder (bassoon) Osnabrück SO/Hermann Bäumer rec. 2010 CPO 777 598-2 [63:09] [BR]

An easy choice for anybody who likes music from the era of Weber and young Schubert. 

Claudio Arrau - The 80th Birthday Recital Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano sonatas Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Reflets dans l’eau Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Les jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este, Ballade 2 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Scherzo 1 rec. 1983 EUROARTS 2058678 [111:00] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano sonatas Claudio Arrau (piano) rec. 1970/77 EUROARTS 2058708 [85:00 + 105:00] [JW]

These are fortunately complementary, charting Arrau at different stages in his later life. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Between Two Worlds Massimo Giacchetti (soprano and alto saxophone) Manuela Di Marco (organ) rec. 2011 DYNAMIC CDS724 [61:51] [DM]

Simply gorgeous; a guaranteed pick-me-up. 

Kathleen Ferrier Complete EMI recordings EMI CLASSICS 9562842  [3 CDs:  189.36] [EM-L]

Leaves one again regretting Ferrier’s early death and realising the loss for the musical life of this country that it entailed. 

 

Thursday September 20th

Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) The Solo Keyboard Music Vol. 24 Miklós Spányi (clavichord) rec. 2011 BIS CD-1764 [72:14] [KM]

Another attractive recording of C.P.E. Bach’s solo keyboard music on clavichord. 

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Masterworks Ivan Zenaty (violin) Igor Ardašev (piano) Mischa Maisky (cello) Prague SO/Jiří Bělohlávek, Petr Altrichter, Libor Pešek rec. 1993 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107 513 [3 DVDs: 277:00] [RMay]

Enjoyment offered in generous abundance.

Sigfrid KARG-ELERT (1877-1933) The Complete Organ Works Vol. 6 Stefan Engels (organ) rec. 2011 PRIORY PRCD 1059 [76:16] [Byz]

Karg-Elert represented by works that are generally of a slower, softer, more reflective nature. 

Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Violin Concerto Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Violin Concerto, Adagio for Strings Mikhail Simonyan (violin) London SO/Kristjan Järvi rec. 2011 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 9827 [70:33] [OL]

Passionate and memorable.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) The Year 1941, Symphony 5 São Paulo SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.573029 [59:48] [JQ]

An auspicious launch of Marin Alsop’s Prokofiev symphony cycle in São Paulo. 

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Scala di Seta Daniele Zanfardino (tenor)Olga Peretyatko (soprano) Paolo Bordogna (baritone) Haydn O di Bolzano e Trento/Claudio Scimone rec. 2009 OPUS ARTE OA1075D [105:00 + 22:00 (documentary)] [JS] 

One should perhaps be grateful that this exists at all and some enthusiasm is due for the quality of the musical performance. 

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Joanna d'Arc Nikolay Dorozhkin (tenor) Anna Lichorowicz (soprano) Marek Pasko (bass) Ch & O Wroclaw Opera/Ewa Michnik rec. 2011 DUX 0846-7 [63.16 + 41.09] [RJF]

Idiomatic conducting, but mediocre soloists. This live performance only fills the gap of a modern recording for enthusiasts. 

Antonio ZACARA da Teramo (c1350/60-1413 or later) Spinato intorno al cor Currentes/Jostein Gundersen rec. 2010 LAWO CLASSICS LWC 1026 [54:10] [JV]

Captivating performances of music by one of the most intriguing composers of around 1400.   

Piano Rarities Vol. 2: French Composers Cyprien Katsaris (piano) Frank Braley, François-Joël Thiollier, Alexei Volodin & soloists of Salzburger Kammerphilharmie/Yo Kuk Lee rec. 1998-2009 PIANO 21 P21037-N [78:35] [SA]

Every track has its own highly attractive and distinctive features.

Leopold Stokowski - The Blue Danube Waltz and music for strings His Symphony Orchestra rec. 1957/58 GUILD GHCD2392 [63:23] [RMay]

True and compelling revelations.


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