Guy
SACRE
(b. 1948) Deuxième
Sérénade (1982) [14.30] Variations sur une mazurka
de Chopin (1989) [9.20] Chansons Enfantines (1978) [12.25]
Piccolissima-Sérénade (1979) [12.14] Vingt-quatres
Préludes (1980-83) [22.57] 
Billy Eidi (piano)
rec Théâtre de Poissy, Sept 1994
TIMPANI 1C1026 [71.21] [RB]
Fascinating
and at times magical but not to be taken in a single listening gulp.
Lovely playing by Billy Eidi. ... see Full Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Piano
Concerto No.1 in D major Op.17 (1858) Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor
Op. 22 (1868) Piano Concerto No.3 in E flat major Op.29 (1869) Piano
Concerto No.4 in C minor Op.44 (1875) Piano Concerto No.5 in F major
Op.103 (1896) Wedding Cake for piano and strings Op.76 (1886)
Rapsodie d’Auvergne Op.73 (1884) Allegro appassionato Op.70
(1884) Africa Op.89 (1891)
Stephen Hough (piano) [TH]
A
credit to this brave and enterprising label. Go on, treat yourself -
you won’t regret it. … see Full
Review
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Piano
Concerto No.1 in D Major, Op. 17 (1858) Piano Concerto No.2 in G Minor,
Op. 22 (1868);Piano Concerto No.3 in E-flat Major, Op. 29 (1869); Piano
Concerto No.4 in C Minor, Op. 44 (1875); Piano Concerto No.5 in F Major,
Op. 103 (1896); Philippe Entremont (piano)
L’Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson - No recording details
ADD SONY ESSENTIAL
CLASSICS SB2K89977 [2CDs: 64.46 : 70.26] [TH]
Spend
a bit more and you will get far more from these life-enhancing works.
… see Full Review
Joly
BRAGA SANTOS
(1924-1988) Concerto
for Strings in D (1951) [19.39], Sinfonietta for Strings (1963) [18.09],
Variations Concertantes for Strings and Harp (1967) [11.06],
Concerto for Violin, Cello, Strings and Harp (1968) [18.57] - Bradley
Creswick (violin) - Alexander Somov (cello) - Sue Blair (harp)
Northern Sinfonia/Álvaro Cassuto - rec 26-28 Apr 2001, Jubilee
Theatre, St Nicholas' Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle, UK, DDD
MARCO POLO 8.225186 [67.51] [RB]
Music
largely of the knowing disillusion and violence of the 1960s and 1970s.
Brace yourself! ... see Full Review
Franz
Xaver SCHARWENKA (1850-1924)
Piano
Concerto No. 4 in F minor Op. 82 (1908) Emil
Von SAUER (1862-1924) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (1885)
Stephen
Hough (piano) City of Birmingham SO/Lawrence Foster rec. 18-19 Dec 1994,
Dudley Town Hall, Warwickshire The Romantic Piano Concerto series -
Vol. No. 11
HYPERION CDA 66790 [69.41] [RB]
Delightful
Sauer and a stomping OTT Scharwenka ... see Full
Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE
(1934-1998) Music for the Movies - My
Past and Thoughts (1973); Agony (1974); The End of St.
Petersburg (Ca. 1990); The Master and Margarita (1993); Rundfunkchor
Berlin Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Berlin/Frank Strobel - Recorded at Jesus-Christus-Kirche Berlin, Haus
des Rundfunks Berlin April 9-10 1996, June 16-17 1998 and June 30 1999
DDD CPO 999 796-2
[60:07] [CT]
Four
suites from Schnittke’s film music, which whilst variable in quality
are nonetheless fascinating. … see Full
Review
Arnold
SCHOENBERG
(1874-1951) Pelleas
und Melisande, Op.5 (1905) - Orchestre de Paris/Daniel Barenboim
- Verklärte Nacht, Op.4 (Version for String Orchestra,
1943) New York
Philharmonic Orchestra/Pierre Boulez - Recorded June 1977, Paris (Pelleas),
September 1973, New York (Verklärte Nacht)
SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK 63035 [71.32] [TH]
The
subdued ending is truly ethereal, and Boulez coaxes playing of wonderful
refinement and luminosity from the New York strings … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphony
No. 3 in D major - Symphony No. 6 in C major
Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra/Günter Wand - Rec 17-26 January
1983, Studio Stolberger Strasse, Cologne
RCA VICTOR 09026 63942 2 [56.39] [TB]
Abundantly
lively … a youthful vigour … see Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Sonatas for Pianoforte
Paul Badura-Skoda, fortepiano Rec: December 1994, January 1996, April
1996, French Institute, Vienna.
ARCANA A 408 [188.00] KM
A
delight to listen to. … see Full
Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Violin
Concerto Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Violin Concerto Yehudi
Menuhin, violin Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York conducted
by John Barbirolli February 1938 (Schumann) Orchestra of Paris Conservatoire
conducted by George Enescu February 1936 (Dvořák)
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110966 [57’59] [JW]
Menuhin’s
musicianship is admirable – beautifully equalized with a trill of electric
velocity … see Full Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906
– 1975) Symphony No.5 in D minor Op.47 (1937) Symphony No.6 in B
minor Op.54 (1939) Symphony
Orchestra of the West German Radio/Rudolf Barshai Recorded: Philharmonie,
Köln, 1995 and 1996
REGIS RRC 1075 [77:27] [HC]
Barshai
had a long association with Shostakovich’s music which he thoroughly
understands. … See Full Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906
- 1975) The
Symphonies (Complete) - Nos. 1, 2 "To October",
3 "First of May", 4, 5, 6, 7 "Leningrad", 8, 9,
10, 11 "The Year 1905", 12 "The Year 1917" ("To the Memory
of Lenin"), 13 "Babi Yar", 14, 15. 
WDR
Symphony Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai, with WDR Chorus (Nos. 2, 3), Sergei
Aleksashkin (bass, No. 13), Moscow Choral Academy (No. 13), Alla Simoni
(sop., No. 14), Vladimir Vaneev (bass, No. 14) Recorded at Philharmonie,
Koln, 10/94 (Nos. 1, 3), 1/95 (No. 2), 4/96 and 10/96 (No. 4), 7/95
and 4/96 (No. 5), 10/95 (No. 6), 9/92 (No. 7), 3/94 and 10/95 (No. 8),
7/95, 9/95 and 4/96 (No. 9), 10/96 (No. 10), 5/99 (No. 11), 9/95 (No.
12), 9/00 (No. 13), Sometime in 1999/2000 (No. 14), 6/98 (No. 15) Brilliant
Classics 6324-1/11, Box of 11 CDs in individual cardboard sleeves,
with booklet. [670 mins.] [PS]
Whether
you’ve a Ph.D. in Shostakovich, or are still wearing your "L"
plates, this is utterly essential listening - but be warned, you may
have to mortgage the rabbit-hutch to afford it. ...see Full
Review
RECORD
OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1907-1975)
Shostakovich:
Symphony No. 11 in G minor Op. 103, The Year 1905 (1957)
London Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich Recorded live March
2002, Barbican, London.
LSO LIVE LSO0030 [72’24"] [MB]
A
remarkable disc of a remarkable concert. World class playing allied
with incredible musicianship. Certainly the finest recording of the
modern era. … see Full Review
Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884)
The
Bartered Bride: Overture Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Symphony no. 9 in e, op. 95 – "From the
New World" Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881)
arr. Maurice RAVEL Pictures at an
Exhibition Czech
Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl Recorded live 10.10.1958, Lugano,
Switzerland For information visit www.aura-music.com
AURA 151-2 [74’59"]
[CH]
Fine
performances, particularly the Mussorgsky, although they bring nothing
new to the Ančerl discography. … see Full
Review
Ethel
SMYTH (1858-1944)
Chamber Music Vols. 1 and 2 -
Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 7 (1887) - String Quintet in E major,
Op. 1 (1883) - Cello Sonata in A minor, Op. 5 (1887) - String Quartet
in E minor (1902/12)
Renate Eggebrecht-Kupsa, violin; Friedemann Kupsa, cello; Céline
Dutilly, piano; Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet; Johanna Varner, cello (Op.
1)
Recorded in 1990 at Studio 3 of the Bavarian Radio, Munich, Germany
TROUBADISC TRI-CD
03 (two discs) [54.33] [59.20] [WH]
Ethel
SMYTH (1858-1944) Chamber Music
and Songs Vol. 3 - Four Songs for mezzo soprano and chamber ensemble
(1907) - Three Songs for mezzo soprano and piano (1913) - Double Concerto
in A for violin, horn and piano (1926)
Melinda Paulsen, mezzo soprano; Angela Gassenhuber, piano (songs); Renate
Eggebrecht-Kupsa, violin; Franz Draxinger, horn; Céline Dutilly,
piano (concerto) - Recorded in 1992 at Bauer Studios, Ludwigsburg, Germany
TROUBADISC TRO-CD
01405 [61.37] [WH]
I
urge those with an interest in twentieth century English music to try
these performances for themselves. … see Full
Review
RECORD
OF THE MONTH Zygmunt STOJOWSKI (1870-1946)
Piano
Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 3 [35.01] Piano Concerto No 2 in
A flat major (Prologue, Scherzo and Variations), Op. 32 [33.01] 
Jonathan Plowright (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Martyn Brabbins Recorded in the Caird Hall, Dundee, 6-7 June 2001
The Romantic Piano Concerto: Volume 28
HYPERION CDA67314 [68.12] [JQ]
Two
marvellous, scandalously neglected romantic piano concertos. Rush out,
buy it – and enjoy! … see Full Review
Igor STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Suites
1 and 2 (1), Ragtime (1), Octet (1), Danses Concertantes (2), Dumbarton
Oaks Concerto (2), Concerto in D (2), rehearsal extract (3)
Orchestra della Radiotelevisione Svizzera Italiana/Igor Stravinsky -
Recorded live 28.4.1955 (1), 29.4.1954 (2), 27.4.1954 (3), Teatro Kursaal,
Lugano, Switzerland
AURA AUR 164-2 [76’ 58"] [CH]
If
you want a disc with which to relate to Stravinsky as a human being,
this is it. … see Full Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Stravinsky
Collection Vol.1 Fireworks,
The Faun and the Shepherdess, Suite No.1 for Small Orchestra, Two Poems
of Verlaine, Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet, Pastorale, Pribaoutki,
Suite No.2 for Small Orchestra, Song of the Volga Boatmen, Firebird
Suite (1919), Susan
Bickley (mezzo-soprano), Stephen Roberts baritone), William Preucil
(violin), Andrew Simon (clarinet) Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
David Atherton Recorded in Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong (no date)
GMNC0101 [66.02]
Stravinsky Collection Vol.2 Four
Norwegian Moods, Capriccio, Ode, Danses concertante,
Peter Donohoe (piano) Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra David Atherton
Recorded in Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong, 4-6 July, 1995
GMNC0102 [56.03]
Stravinsky Collection Vol.3
Scherzo à la russe, Orpheus, Four Studies for Orchestra, Scènes
de ballet Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra David Atherton Recorded
in Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong, July 1995 (Scherzo), April-May
1996 (rest) GMNC0103 [61.25] [TH]
Performances
of such blazing intensity that they were not easily forgotten. … see
Full Review
Arthur
SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The Gondoliers, comic
opera (1889)
D'Oyly Carte Opera Company New Promenade Orchestra/Isidore Godfrey
NAXOS 8.110209-10 [2CDs: 90.03] [RW]
Lively
pace - particularly energetic and brisk … the playing is very acceptable,
but with a ‘theatre pit’ ambience. … see Full
Review
Otmar SUITNER -
Eightieth Anniversary Special Edition - WEBER
Overtures - TCHAIKOVSKY
Serenade for Strings - Robert
VOLKMANN Serenade No. 2 for strings -
DVORÁK Symphonies 4 and
5 - BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 5 - Hugo
WOLF Penthesilea
- symphonic poem - Hans
PFITZNER Music for Käthchen von Heilbronn -
Richard STRAUSS Fantasy
- Die Frau ohne Schatten , Metamorphosen for 23 strings
- Paul HINDEMITH
Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes by Weber -
MOZART Concert arias
- Max REGER Eine Balletsuite,
Konzert im alten stil, Beethoven Variations -
Engelbert HUMPERDINCK
Hänsel
und Gretel - Richard
STRAUSS Salome
- Juliane Koren; Frank Lienert (Pfitzner) Sylvia Geszty (Mozart) Karl
Suske; Heinz Schunk (Reger Konzert) Renate Hoff; Renate Krahmer; Gisela
Schröter; Ingeborg Springer; Peter Schreier; Theo Adam (Humperdinck)
Christel Golz; Siw Ericsdottir; Friedericke Apelt; Eva Fleischer; Helmut
Melchert; Heinz Hoppe; Harald Neukirch; Helmut Goldmann; Guntfried Speck;
Hans-Joachim Rotzsch; Johannes Kemter; Ernst Gutstein; Günther
Leib; Theo Adam; Rainer Lüdeke; Helmut Eyle; Fred Teschler (Salome)
Staatskapelle Dresden - Staatskapelle Berlin - Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orkester
Leipzig - Gewandhausorchester Leipzig - Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orkester Berlin
- rec 1964-1990 ADD
EDEL CLASSICS 0002442CCC [11CDs: 41.19+44.03+75.25+69.33+68.58+45.19+47.39+63.59+63.00+53.37+40.41]
[RB]
This
is a very diverse set and you will struggle in vain if you have to construct
a theme other than ‘some of Herr Suitner’s recordings’. Its strengths
lie in its diversity. ... see Full Review
Toru
TAKEMITSU (1930-1996)
Complete Piano Music (1952- 1990)Rain Tree sketch
(1982); Les yeux clos I (1979) and II (1989);
For Away (1973); Litany (1950-1989); Piano
Distance (1961); Uninterrupted Rests (1952-59)
Recorded at the ABC Studio Sydney 24th September 1990 Corona
and Crossing (1962) works combined for piano and bowed cymbal
(Rolf Gehlhaar) Recorded live at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
16th September 1990
Roger Woodward (piano) ABC
CLASSICS 446 739-2 [78.29] [GH]
Woodward
is a real Takemitsu expert who loves and understands this music, with
its myriad difficulties … see Full Review
Piotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY Fantasy
Overture Romeo and Juliet Symphony no 1 in G minor (Winter
Daydreams)
Prague Symphony Orchestra/Gaetano Delogu Recordings of live performances
given in the Dvořák Hall, Prague, on 10 June 1996
SUPRAPHON SU 3256-2 031 [65:23] [AAS]
Delogu
and his orchestra give a splendidly idiomatic performance of the work
in a commendably live recording. … see Full
Review
You
may sample download or purchase this disc
Pyotr Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Eugene Onegin -
Lyric scenes in three acts. Libretto by Tchaikovsky and Konstantin Shilovsky
after the novel by Alexander Pushkin - Onegin (played by Michal Docolomanský):Bernd
Weikl, Tatyana (played by Magdaléna Vásáryová):Teresa
Kubiak, Lensky (played by Emil Horváth):Stuart Burrows, Olga
(played by Kamila Magálová):Julia Hamari, Filipyevna (played
by Vasta Fabiánová):Enid Hartle, Triquet (played by Frantisek
Filipovský):Michel Sénéchal, Gremin (played by
Premysl Kocí):Nicolai Ghiaurov, John Alldis Choir and the Orchestra
of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Conducted by Sir Georg Solti
DECCA 071 124-9 [117 mins] [IL]
A
spellbinding production that is a real feast for the eye and the ear.
… see Full Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
The Nutcracker - Ballet
Choreography by Maurice Béjart and Marius Petipa Béjart
Ballet Lausanne Orchestra Colonne/Edmón Colomer DVD Video Aspect
Ratio 16:9; Stereo/Dolby Digital 5.0.
TDK DV-BLBNC [103min
(Ballet)+ 26min (Documentary)] [AB]
Overall
the DVD is a good one, presenting well what was obviously a successful
and well performed staging … see Full Review
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Romeo
and Juliet (1880) [19.50] Symphony No. 4 (1877) [44.05] 
Colorado SO/Marin Alsop rec Boettcher Hall, Denver Center for the Performing
Arts, 8-10 Sept 2000 DDD
NAXOS 8.555714 [63.56] [RB]
This
is a young orchestra with a daring conductor prepared to take risks.
The engineers have captured plenty of attack ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony
No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian" (1872, revised
1880) Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Classical
Symphony, Op. 25 (1917)
Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra/Kurt Masur Date and location of recording
not specified, first issued 1970.
EDEL CLASSICS 0002472CCC [44.07] [WH]
Very
little in the way of a smile in this music-making … see Full
Review
Georg
Philip TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Sinfonia
Spirituosa in D TWV 44:1 for 2 violins, viola and basso continuo;Overture
(Suite) in D TWV 55:D6 for viola da gamba concertata, strings and basso
continuo; Concerto in C TWV 40:203 for 4 solo violins; Concerto in A
TWV 54:A1 for 4 violins, strings and basso continuo; Concerto in G TWV
40:201 for 4 solo violins; Concerto in A ("Die Relinge") TWV
51:A4 for Violino principale, 3 violins, viola and basso continuo; Concerto
in D TWV 40:202 for 4 solo violins; Symphony in D TWV Anh. 50:1 for
the centenary of the Hamburg Trade deputation - Jaap ter Linden, viola
da gamba Musica Antiqua
Köln/Reinhard Goebel - Recorded Köln, Deutschland Radio, Sendesaal,
September and November 2001
ARCHIV 289 471 492 [74:07] [GPJ]
Treat
yourself to this – you’ll be very glad you did! … see Full
Review
Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Suite
in A minor for Recorder, Concerto in C major for Recorder, Concerto
in E minor for Recorder and Flute *, Concerto in F major for Recorder
Daniel Rothert, Recorder
Elke Martha Umbach, Flute * Cologne Chamber Orchestra Helmut Muller-Bruhl
Recorded at the DeutschlandRadio, Funkhaus, Sendesall, December 2000
NAXOS 8.554018 [64’33]
[JW]
Pleasures
galore to be had … inimitable and infectious … see Full
Review
Ambroise
THOMAS (1811-1896)
Mignon -
Lucile Vignon (Mignon, mezzo-soprano), Alain Gabriel (Wilhelm Meister,
tenor), Annick Massis (Philine, soprano), Jean-Philippe Courtis (Lothario,
bass), Franck Cassard (Frédéric, tenor) Chœurs du Théâtre
Français de la Musique,
Ensemble Orchestral Harmonia
Nova/Stéphane Denève - Recorded live 22th, 22nd
and 24th Novembre 1996, Théâtre Impérial
de Compiègne
ACCORD 206552 [2 CDs: 76’ 46", 75’ 48"] [CH]
A
decent, slightly sleepy, provincial performance. Readers are alerted
to the fact that Sony are reissuing their 1978 recording of this once-famous
opera with Marilyn Horne. … see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Die Walküre -
Siegmund: Lauritz Melchior (ten), Wotan: Friedrich Schorr (bar), Brünnhilde:
Kirsten Flagstad (sop), Sieglinde: Lotte Lehmann (sop), Hunding: Emanuel
List (bass), Fricka: Karin Branzell (cont).
Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble of the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Cond.
Erich Leinsdorf. Rec. From Live Broadcasts on February 19th and March
30th 1940. Immortal Performances Series
GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2215-2217 [3hrs 27.16min] [RJF]
Wagnerians,
and others, used to listening to live performances from this period
will find much to enjoy. ... see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Orchestral and choral music
-
Symphony No. 6 in E minor (1947)¹ - including original and revised scherzo*;
A Song of Thanksgiving (1944)²; The Lark Ascending³ (1914);
London Symphony Orchestra¹; London Philharmonic Orchestra²³; Luton Choral
Society/Luton Girls' Choir (conducted by Arthur Davies) ²; Jean Pougnet,
violin³; Betty Dolemore, soprano²; Robert Speaight, narrator²; Harry
Gibb, organ² Sir Adrian
Boult, conductor¹²³ Recorded in Studio 1, Abbey Road, London, 23rd-24th
February 1949¹ (15th February 1950*), 18th December
1950², 21st October 1952³.
DUTTON CDBP 9703 [68.53] [NH]
Another
example of Boult's unique way with VW, made even more valuable by A
Song of Thanksgiving.….. see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) English Folk Song Suite (orch.
Gordon Jacob) (1923) Symphony No. 3 A Pastoral Symphony (1916-21)
Symphony No. 4 in F Minor (1931-34)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley Recorded in the
Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 30 November - 1 December, 1990 and 8-9
March 1991 [DDD] CLASSICS
FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75310 2 3 [77:45] [CT]
Handley’s
magnificent readings of VW’s third and fourth symphonies make this disc
essential both for collectors and newcomers. At super budget price it
is also an out and out bargain. … see Full
Review
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901) Simon Boccanegra -
Simon Boccanegra - Gordon Hawkins; Jacopo Fiesco - Vladimir
Vaneev; Paolo Albiani - Yaron Windmüller; Pietro - Martin
Snell; Amelia Grimaldi - Nuccia Focile; Gabriele Adorno
- Paul Charles Clarke; Amelia’s Maid - Wendy Dawn Thompson; Chapman
Tripp Opera Chorus New
Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Marco Guidarni - Recorded live in the Michael
Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, 10-12 March 2000
MORRISON MUSIC TRUST MMT 2045-46 [2CDs: 75.36+64.01] [TH]
With
the frisson of live recording and none of the drawbacks, as well as
first-rate digital sound, this set can confidently be recommended on
all counts. … see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1913-1901): La Forza del Destino (complete)
Donna Leonora - Maria Caniglia, Don Alvaro - Galliano Masini, Don Carlo
di Vargas - Carlo Tagliabue, Padre Guardiano - Tancredi Pasero, Preziosilla
- Ebe Stignani, Fra Melitone - Saturno Meletti, Il marchese di Calatrava
- Ernesto Dominici, Curra - Liana Avagrado, Mastro Trabucco - Giuseppe
Nessi, Un alcade - Ernesto Dominici, Un chirurgo - Ernesto Dominici
Turin Chorus and Symphony
Orchestra EIAR, Turin/Gino Marinuzzi - Recorded in 1941 (ADD)
NAXOS 8.110206-07 [2 CDs: 2:33:39] [CMG]
Few
will dispute the effectiveness of Caniglia's middle register, or her
often striking chest tones, or her intense reading of the line and attention
to words. … see Full Review
Louis
VIERNE
(1870-1937) Symphony
in A minor (1908) [38.48] Poème for piano and orchestra
(1924) [22.23] François
Kerdoncuff (piano) Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège/Pierre Bartholomée
rec 25-29 June 1996, Salle du Conservatoire Royal, Liège, France
TIMPANI 1C1036 [61.32]
[RB]
A
positively confident symphony in the Franck-Elgar mode. Poème,
touched with orientalism, a conjunction of subtle and obvious. Intriguing
all the same. ... see Full Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Louis
VIERNE
(1870-1937) The works for solo piano CD1 Twelve
Preludes Op. 30 (1914-15) Silhouettes d'Enfant Op. 43 (1918)
Deux Pièces Op. 7 (1893)] Le Glas Op. 39 (1916)
CD2 Three Nocturnes Op. 35 (1915) Suite Bourguignonne Op.
17 (1899) Solitude Op. 44 (1918)
Olivier Gardon (piano) rec.May/July 1994, Théâtre de Poissy
DDD TIMPANI 2C2023 [2CDs:
67.53+71.27] [RB]
It
says much about Vierne that the many tragedies that struck him with
such force did not leave him taciturn or silent but reaching out to
us now with a contemporary force. Performances to match. ... see Full
Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Louis VIERNE
(1870-1937) The chamber works CD1
Violin Sonata Op. 23 (1907) [34.31] Rhapsodie for solo harp Op.
25 (1909) [10.44] Piano Quintet Op. 42 (1917) [30.23] Le Soir for
viola and piano Op.5 (1895) [4.01] CD2 Légende(suite)
for viola and piano Op. 5 (1895) [1.56] Cello Sonata Op. 27 (1910) [23.44]
Largo et Canzonetta for oboe and piano Op.6 (1896) [6.15] Soirs
Étrangers for cello and piano (1928) Op. 56 [26.31] String
Quartet Op. 12 (1894) [21.04]
Quatuor Phillips CD1: François Kerdoncuff (piano); Alexis Galpérine
(violin); Pascale Zanlonghi (harp); Odile Carracilly (viola) CD2: Olivier
Gardon (piano); Yvan Chiffoleau (cello); Christian Moreaux (oboe) rec
Op. 23 Salle Adyar 6-8 June 1990; Opp.27/56 Salle Adyar 20-22 Mar 1991;
Opp. 5/25 Théâtre de Poissy 25 Aug 1993; Opp. 6, 12, 42;
17-20 Sept 1993. DDD
TIMPANI 2C2019 [2CDs: 79.40+78.52] [RB]
A
de rigueur purchase and certainly a generous one. Essential listening
for the sonatas, quintet and the Rhapsodie. Otherwise never less than
pleasing. Everything is presented to Timpani's accustomed high standards.
... see Full Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Louis VIERNE
(1870-1937) Mélodies Spleens
et Détresses (1916) Quatres Poèmes Grecs (1930)
Cinq Poèmes de Baudelaire (1921)
Mireille Delunsch (sop) Christine Icart (harp) (Grecs) François
Kerdoncuff (piano) rec 24/26 July 1997, Salle Franklin, Bordeaux, France
TIMPANI 1C1040 [61.30]
[RB]
A
delightful disc. If in a hurry then do sample the Greek Poems. I think
you will be won over ... see Full Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)12 Sonatas for
Violin and Continuo Opus 2
Cordaria, Walter Reiter, violin.Rec: May and August, 1998.
SIGNUM SIGCD014 [106.34] [KM]
An
excellent recording of some of Vivaldi's earliest works. Far from being
immature works, these sonatas take on a new dimension in this performance.
Highly recommended. ...see Full Review
[KM]
An enjoyable disc which encourages interest in the work and should prompt
further and more varied recorded interpretations. … see Full
Review [AR]
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
WAGNER
Richard (1813-1883)
Overtures to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,
Tristan und Isolde, Tannhäuser, Der Fliegende Holländer
STRAUSS Richard (1864-1949)
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, op. 28
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Franz Konwitschny Recorded in the Dvorak
Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague, 1952 (Strauss) and 1960 (Wagner)
Supraphon SU 2469-2 011 [58’ 13"] [CH]
The
Wagner is very fine but the real reason for getting this is the Till.
... See Full Review
You
can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
William Vincent WALLACE (1812-1865)
Meeting of the Waters - Celtic fantasies
Rosemary Tuck (piano) Rec. The Reception Room, City Hall, Waterford,
Ireland, October 2001
CALA-UNITED CACD 88042 [78.32] [RW]
Virtuoso
skills in music of particular charm all too-long neglected. … see Full
Review
William WALTON (1902-1983)
The Walton Centenary Edition Symphony No. 1 (1932-35) [45.02]
Symphony No. 2 (1956) [28.09] Cello Concerto (1956) [28.37] Violin Concerto
(1940) [31.47] Scapino (1939) [8.07] Facade Suites Nos
1 and 2 (1922) [21.56] Hindemith Variations (1963) [24.37] Crown
Imperial (1937) [6.57] Belshazzar's Feast (1930) [33.45]
Coronation Te Deum (1953) [10.26] Henry V Suite (1943,
1945) [16.46] Orb and Sceptre (1953) [7.43]
Robert Cohen (cello) Tasmin Little (violin) Paul Neubauer (viola) Bryn
Terfel (bar) Waynflete Singers, L'Inviti, Choir of Winchester Cathedral
Bournemouth SO/Andrew Litton rec Nov 1993, Guildhall, Southampton (Cello;
Sym 1); Mar 1994, (Scapino, Violin Sym 2); Mar 1996 (Viola, Façade,
Hindemith), Winchester Cathedral, Feb 1995, May 1991 (Henry
V, Marches, Belshazzar) DDD
DECCA The British Music Collection 470 508-2 [4CDs: 73.57+68.31+71.25+78.51]
[RB]
Cracking
performances and recordings replete with a myriad enthralling details
... see Full Review
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Piano
Concerto No 1 in C major, Op.11 (1810) Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat,
Op.2 (1812) Konzertstück Op.79 (1821)
Nikolai Demidenko (piano) Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Charles Mackerras
Rec. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, UK 1994 The Romantic Piano series: Vol.
No. 10 HYPERION CDA
66729 [57.07] [RW]
First
rate interpretation … subtle phrasing and enjoyable glissandos are charming.
… see Full Review
Alexander
ZEMLINSKY
(1871-1942) Chamber Music for Strings String
Quartet No. 1 (1896) String Quartet No. 2 (1913-15) String Quartet No.
3 (1924) String Quartet No. 4 Suite (1936) Maiblumen blühten
überall for soprano and string sextet (Dehmel) (1898) Two
Movements for string quartet (1927)
Maiblumen: Susan Narucki (sop); Jan Erik van Regteren Altena
(viola); Taco Kooistra (cello) Schoenberg Quartet rec Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam
(2, 3), Nederlands Hervormde Kerk, Renswoude (all others); 14-15 Dec
1993 (1); 16-17 Dec 1993 (4); 14 Feb 1994 (Maiblumen); 15 Feb 1994 (Two
Movements); 30 June-1 July 2000 (2); 16-17 Jan 2001 (3) DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 9772(2) [79.14+67.45] [RB]
A set
of princely accomplishment and sovereign presentation ... see Full
Review
RECORD OF THE MONTH: Bernd Alois ZIMMERMANN
(1918-70)
Die
Soldaten, an opera in four acts after the play by Jakob Michael
Reinhold Lenz; Mark Munkittrick (Wesener); Nancy Shade (Marie Wesener);
Milagro Vargas (Charlotte, her sister); Grace Hoffmann (Wesener’s mother);
Michael Ebbecke (Stolzius, her betrothed); Elsie Maurer (Stolzius’s
mother); William Cochran (Desportes); Alois Treml (Obrist); Gregor Brodocz
(Gamekeeper); Guy Renard (Pirzel); Karl-Friedrich Dürr (Eisenhardt);
Klaus Hirte (Haudy); Raymond Wolansky (Major von Mary); Ursula Koszut
(Countess de la Roche); Jerrold van der Schaaf (the young Count); Johannes
Eidloth, Robert Wörle, Helmut Holzapfel (Young Officers); Stuttgart
State Opera Chorus, Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Bernhard Kontarsky
Harry Kupfer (director) Wolf Münzner (sets and costumes) Hans Hulscher
(video director) ARTHAUS
DVD 100 270 [111’] [PQ]
Die
Soldaten - the only game in town – and its dark message and unsettling
music demand to be heard. … see Full Review
[Detailed listing (last two
days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3
C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] [Part
7 Misc]
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