ALPHABETICAL LISTING

20th Century Violin Concertos CD 1 Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin Concerto No. 1 (1916) [23:58] Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Violin Concerto No. 2 (1938) [38:50] CD 2 Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Violin Concerto (1952) [30:35] Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) Violin Concerto No. 2 (1946) [26:02] Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Violin Concerto (1940) [23:06] Xiao-Wang Dong (violin) (Szymanowski; Bartók) Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Omri Hadari (Szymanowski; Bartók) Dene Olding (violin) (Martin, Milhaud, Barber) Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Hiroyuki Iwaki (Martin, Milhaud, Barber) rec. Adelaide Town Hall, Dec 1988 (Szymanowski; Bartók); Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University 28-29 May 1990 (Barber); 3-7 Dec 1991 (Milhaud, Martin). ABC CLASSICS 476 7182 [62:17 + 79:59] [RB]

This is the sort of set that would do very good service to the young exploratory music-lover setting out in the foothills. I hope that it finds its mark.... see Full Review

An die Musik CD1: Schubert: An die Musik, Der Musensohn, Du bist der Ruh, Ständchen, Bach: Ich habe genug, Gluck: Ach, ich habe sie verloren, Mozart: Der Volgelfänger bin ich ja, Fin ch’han dal vono, Brahms: Feldeinsamkeit, Liszt: Es musss ein Wunderbares sein, Strauss: Ständchen, Wolf: Verborgenheit, Wagner: Wie Todesahnung – o du mein holder Abendstern, Was duftet doch der Flieder, Strauss: Herr, Graf, Sie haben Ihren werten Breif, Schubert: Das Lied im Grünen, Die liebe Farbe, Erstarrung, Der Leiermann, Abschied. CD2: Mahler: Vier Rückert Lieder, Schumann: Dichterliebe, Brahms: * An eine Äolsharfe, Mondnacht, Wolf:*Ein Ständchen euch zu bringen, Was für ein Lied, Debussy: La Grotte, Mandoline, Schoeck: Nachruf, Fischer-Dieskau:* Erzähltes Leben (excerpt), Orff: Estuans interius. DVD video:* Schubert: Am Fenster, Auf der Donau, Des Fräuleins Liebeslauschen, Auf der Bruck, Fischerweise, Der Wanderer, Die Sterne, Im Frühling * first releases on CD Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) Böhm, Fricsay, Gerdes, Jochum, Ristenpart, Keilberth (conductors) Barenboim, Demus, Engel, Klust, Moore, Richter, Sawallisch, Weber (piano) Various dates of recording from 1950 to 1984 DVD-all regions DDD - Mono and Stereo DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 000289 477 5556 (2005) [78’35" + 71’11" + 28’37] [AO]

Compromises have to be made with collections like this. For experienced listeners the DVD of a recital with Richter is the set’s main raison d’être ... see Full Review

Anthems for the 21^st Century Jonathan DOVE Bless the Lord, O my soul (2000)* [5’15"] Jonathan RATHBONE Absolon, my son (2003) [5’37"] Will TODD Angel Song II (2004) [4’45"] Jeremy FILSELL Mysterium Christi (2004)* [6’22"] Humphrey CLUCAS Hear my crying, O God (2004) [3’34"] Stephen BARLOW When I see on Rood (2004) [6’37"] Gabriel JACKSON Now I have known, O Lord (2004) [7’35"] James MACMILLAN Chosen (2003)* [6’54"] Philip MOORE I saw him standing (2004) [7’28"] Richard BLACKFORD On Another’s Sorrow (2004) [4’09"] Barrie BIGNOLD Peace (2004) [5’54"] Ward SWINGLE Give us this day (2004) [4’42"] Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse *Jeremy Filsell (organ) Rec. 18–20 Feb 2005, Tonbridge School Chapel. DDD SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD059 [69’55"] [JQ]

A most stimulating collection of music and it is hard to imagine that it could be performed better ... see Full Review

The Art of the Cello Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Grand Sonata in A major for cello and piano, Op. 104 [21:20] (1824) Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Trio in G major for flute, cello and piano, Hob.XV:15* [18:49] (1790) Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Sonata in G minor for cello and piano, Op. 65 [29:37] (1848) Franz Bartolomey (cello); Madoka Inui (piano); *Monika Guca (flute) recorded at Studio 2 of the ORF Funkhaus Vienna, 6-9 October 2004 NAXOS 8.557708 [69:48] [PL]

Top-drawer performances of always-agreeable programmes bringing together familiar and unfamiliar ... see Full Review

A Walk on the Light Side Stephen BULLA Montclair Citadel Dick KROMMENHOEK From that Sacred Hill Trad. arr. MORRISON Ye Banks and Braes Harry JAMES arr. Mark FREEH Carnival of Venice Leonard BALLANTINE Go down, Moses Trad. arr. Peter GRAHAM Hine e Hine Ray STEADMAN-ALLEN Simple Gifts Trevor DAVIS Knowing You PEARCE/KAISER/MAYFIELD arr. HAYWARD Joshua
Graeme PRESS trs. SILFVERBERG Don’t Let the Devil! SHEA arr. SMITH The Wonder of it all Eiliv HERIKSTAD All to Jesus Leonard BALLANTINE Since Jesus Trad. arr. BOWES David of the White Rock Erik SILFVERBERG Tomado de la Mano Norman BEARCROFT Every time I feel the Spirit SHOSTAKOVICH trs. CORDNER Folk Festival Trad. arr. Peter GRAHAM Swedish Folk Song Hendon Band of the Salvation Army/Stephen Cobb Recorded November 2004, Watford Town Hall. DDD SP&S SPS 194 CD [62:15] [CT]

A glimpse at the concert repertoire of one of our leading Salvation Army brass bands. ... see Full Review

The Story of American Classical Music Author: Barrymore Laurence Scherer 2 CDs with 130-page booklet: (20,000-word essay; Timeline of historical and musical events; illustrated throughout with composer pictures) Includes music by MacDowell, Foote, Chadwick, Beach, Ives, Sousa, Joplin, Gershwin, Copland, Schuman, Barber, Cage, Bernstein, Carter, Glass, Adams and many others. NAXOS 8.558164-65 [78:39 + 79:22] [RB]

A set that is handsome but opinionated, wrongheaded but satisfying, infuriating but intriguing. Read it and be encouraged to explore... see Full Review

Marian Anderson – A recital of opera, lieder and oratorio Marian Anderson (contralto) William King (piano) Kosti Vehanen (piano) Franz Rupp (piano) RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra/Robert Shaw (Bach) with Robert Bloom (oboe) Orchestra/Lawrence Collingwood (Verdi) Recorded 1923-51 SYMPOSIUM SYMPCD1270 [78.03] [JW]

Here you can investigate the more esoteric fringes of her repertoire in this well constructed and programmed disc. ... see Full Review

Baroque oboe concertos Alessandro MARCELLO (1684-1750) Concerto in D minor for oboe, strings and continuo Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757)/Gordon BRYAN Concerto No. 1 in G major Tomaso ALBINONI (1684-1750) Concerto in B flat major Op. 7 No. 3; Concerto in D minor; Concerto in D major Op.7 No. 6; Concerto in C major Op. 7 No. 12 Arcangelo CORELLI (1653-1713)/John BARBIROLLI Concerto for Oboe and Strings Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sinfonia from Church Cantata BWV 156; Adagio in B minor from Easter Oratorio BWV 249 Domenico CIMAROSA (1749-1801)/Arthur BENJAMIN Concerto No. 1 in G major George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1739) Concerto No. 3 in G minor; Concerto No. 1 in B flat major Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736)/John BARBIROLLI Concerto No. 1 in G major Brynjar Hoff (oboe) English Chamber Orchestra/Ian Watson Recorded January 1989, Rosslyn Hill Chapel, London (disc 1)/ May 1993, All Saints Church, East Finchley, London (disc 2) SIMAX CLASSICS PSC 1254 [59.34 + 50.27] [RH]

Put your nit-picking hat away ... there is much to enjoy, notably the seductive tone of Hoff’s oboe playing and his apparently effortless technique. ... see Full Review

Belcanto. The Tenors of the 78 era. Part 1 Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, Toto Schipa, Joseph Schmidt, Leo Slezak and Richard Tauber Subtitles GB, F, D, I, E, Picture Format 4;3 Black and White PAL, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Liner Notes GB, D, F, DVD9, Region 0 Director Jan Schmidt-Garre Producer Elmar Kruse DVD - TDK EUROARTS DV-DOCBEL1 [170’] [JW]

Accomplished with thoughtfulness and imagination ,,, highly recommended for lovers of the Vocal Art. ... see Full Review

My name is Barbara Roger QUILTER (1877-1953) Seven Elizabethan Lyrics, Op. 12 (1908) [12’35"] Charles T GRIFFES (1864-1920) Three poems of Fiona Macleod, Op. 11 (1918) [9’59"] Aaron COPLAND Four early songs (1918-22) [9’40"] Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) On this Island, Op. 11 (1938) – five songs for high voice and piano [13’30"] Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) I hate music! (1943) – five kids songs for soprano and piano [6’45"] Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Four songs, Op. 13 (1940) [8’33"] Barbara Bonney (soprano); Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec. St. Martin’s, East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. 21-24 February, 2005. DDD ONYX CLASSICS ONYX 4003 [62’04"] [JQ]

This is a distinguished CD, which I have enjoyed greatly and will continue to enjoy in the future. I recommend it very highly. ... see Full Review

Montserrat Caballé Rarities Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La donna del lago^a (1819) – Tanti affetti in tal momento [3’55]; Fra il padre e fra l’amante [4’12]. Otello^b (1816) – O tu, del mio dolor [0’54]; Assisa a’ piè d’un salice [8’03]; Deh, calma, o ciel [2’17]. Stabat Mater (1833, rev. 1842) – Inflammatus e accensus^a [5’16]. Armida (1817) – D’amore al dolce impero^a [7’09]. Tancredi^c (1813) – O patria, dolce e ingrata patria [4’26]; Di tanti palpiti [2’48]. L’assedio di Corinto (1826) – L’ora fatal s’appressa^c [3’00]; Giusto ciel! In tal periglio^a [3’31]. Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Belisario^d (1835) – Plauso! Voci di gloria [2’17]; Sin la tomba è a me negatta [3’08]; O desio della vendetta [3’47]. Parisina d’Este^e (1833) – No, più salir non ponno [4’05]; Ciel, sei tu che in tal momento [6’24]; Ugo è spento [5’06]. Torquato Tasso^f (1833) – Fatal Goffredo! [3’25]; Io l’udia ne’ suoi bei carmi [2’37]; Trono e corona [3’21]. Gemma di Vergy^g (1834) – Lascia, Guido, ch’io possa vendicare [2’23]; Una voce al cor d’intorno [3’57]; Egli riede? [5’49]. Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Un giorno di regno^h (1840) – Ah! Non m’hanno ingannata! … Grave a core innamorato [2’55]; Se dee cadar la vedova [2’48]. I Lombardi^h (1843) – Qual prodigio! … Non fu sogno! [3’38]. I due Foscariⁱ (1844) – No, mi lasciate … Tu al cui sguardo onnipossente [5’34]; Che mi rechi? … La clemenza! [2’51]. Alzira^j (1846) – Riposa. Tutte, in suo dolor vegliante [3’11]; Da Gusman, su fragil barca [3’57]; Alta pietade ogn’anima … Nell’astro che piú fulgifo [2’22]. Attila^h (1846) – Liberamente or piangi … Oh! Nel fuggente nuvolo [5’44]. Il corsaro^h (1848) – Egli non riede ancora! [2’08]; Non so le tetre immagini [3’41]. Aroldo^k (1857) – Oh, cielo! Dove son’io [4’23]; Ah! dagli scanni eterei [4’10]; Ah, dal sen di quella tomba [3’35]. Montserrat Caballé, ^eMargareta Elkins (sopranos); ^bCorinne Vozza, ^jMaja Sunara (mezzos); ^dgErmanno Mauro, ^kLajos Kozma (tenors); ^gLeslie Fyson (baritone); ^egTom McDonnell (bass); Ambrosian Opera Chorus; RCA Italiana Opera ^aijChorus and ^abchijkOrchestra/^abcCarlo Felice Cillario, ^hijkAnton Guadagno; ^defgLondon Symphony Orchestra/Carlo Felice. Rec. RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, on ^abcJuly 24^th-29^th and ^hijkJanuary 5^th-7^th, 9^th-11^th and 13^th, 1967, ^defgWalthamstow Town Hall, London, on September 3^rd-6^th, 1969 ADD
BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 62309 2 [70’49 + 73’04] [CC]

Much reason for celebration … This explains why Caballé is a legend in no uncertain terms. Hell will freeze over before I am parted from this set. ... see Full Review

Maria Callas: A Portrait Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 – 1835) Norma: Casta Diva I Puritani: O rendetemi la speme (w Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, bass; Rolando Panerai, baritone); Qui la voce sua soave (w Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, bass; Rolando Panerai, baritone); Son vergin vezzosa (w Aurora Cattelani, soprano; Giuseppe Di Stefano, tenor; Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, bass and Carlo Forti, bass) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 – 1848) Lucia di Lammermoor: Il dolce suono; Ohimè! Sorge il tremendo; Ardon gli incensi; splendon le sacre faci (w Gino Sarri, tenor; Raffaele Arié, bass); Spargi d’amaro pianto (w Raffaele Arié, bass; Tito Gobbi, baritone) Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834 – 1886) La gioconda: O madre mia; Suicidio! Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) La traviata: Libiamo ne’ lieti calici (w Francesco Albanese, tenor); E’ strano! E’ strano!; Ah, fors’ è lui Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) Tosca: Mario! Mario! ... Son qui! (w Giuseppe Di Stefano, tenor); Ora stammi a sentir (w Giuseppe Di Stefano, tenor); Vissi d’arte
Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883) Tristan und Isolde: Liebestod (Sung in Italian) Maria Callas (soprano), Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Tullio Serafin (tracks 1 – 4, 14 – 16); Chorus and Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Tullio Serafin (tracks 5 – 8); Turin Italian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Antonino Votto (tracks 9, 10), Gabriele Santini (tracks 11 – 13), Arturo Basile (track 17) Recorded in the Cinema Metropol, Milan, 1954 (track 1), in the Basilica di Santa Eufemia, Milan, 1953 (tracks 2 – 4), in the Teatro Comunale, Florence, 1953 (tracks 5 – 8), in the Auditorium RAI, Turin, 1952 (tracks 9, 10) and 1953 (tracks 11 – 13), at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1953 (tracks 14 – 16) and by CETRA (recording venue unknown) on 8^th November 1949 (track 17) NAXOS 8.111082 [68:11]

The gleaming high notes, the ravishing pianissimo singing, the somewhat hollow tone, sounding as if she had pebble-stones in her mouth ... see Full Review

Teresa Carreño (piano) Bedrich SMETANA (1824-1884) Etude; Am Seegestade Op.17 (1861) [4.08] Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sonetto del Petrarca, No.104 (1839-46) [5.46] Hungarian Rhapsody No.6 S244 (1846) [6.29] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Soirée de Vienne No.6 in A minor arranged by Franz Liszt [6.38] Fryderyk CHOPIN Ballade No. 1 in G minor Op.23 (1831-42) [8.18] Ballade No. 3 in A flat Op. 47(1831-42) [7.31] Nocturne in G minor Op.37 No.2 (1837) [7.25] Nocturne in C minor Op.48 No.1 (1837) [5.55] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No.21 Op.53 Waldstein (1803-04)[21.14] Teresa CARREÑO (1853-1917) Little Waltz [3.25] Teresa Carreño (piano) Piano Rolls recorded in 1905 PIERIAN 0022 [76.51] [JW]

Carreño was a musician of major importance and we should savour the opportunity to listen to her, even in this imperfect form. ... see Full Review

Pablo Casals: Encores and Transcriptions Vol. 4: Complete Acoustic Recordings Vol. 2. Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Minuet in C^a [3’28]. Cello Concerto No. 2 in D – Adagio^b [4’43]. Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Spanish Dance^c (arr. Casals) [2’58]. Georg Eduard GOLTERMANN (1824-98) Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 14 – Cantilena^d [2’56]. Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) Spring Song^e [2’15]. Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Sonata in A, G4 – Allegro^f [4’10]. Richard WAGNER (1813-83) Tannhäuser – O du mein holder Abendstern (two versions^gh: 4’28 and 4’00). Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56) Abendlied [two versions^ij: 3’13 and 3’44]. Kinderszenen, Op. 15 – Träumerei^k [3’23]. Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-91) Clarinet Quintet in A, K581 – Larghetto [two versions^lm: 4’19 and 4’29] Fritz KREISLER (1875-1942) Chanson Louis XIII and Pavaneⁿ [4’13]. Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Allegro appassionato^o [3’10]. The Swan^p [2’47]. Georg Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Xerxes – Largo^q [4’07]. Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-94) Melody in F, Op. 3^r (arr. Popper) [3’17]. Franz LISZT (1811-86)Liebestraum in A flat, S541 No. 3^s [3’57]. Edward LASSEN (1830-1904)
Thine Eyes so Blue^t [2’35]. Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV1068 – Air^u [3’42]. Pablo Casals (cello) ^acefnoCharles Albert Baker, ^kprstWalter Golde (pianos); ^lmclarinet and string quartet; ^bdghijquorchestra. From ^aoA5821, ^bA5847, ^cdA5847, ^eA6020, ^f48710, ^gimA5953, ^h49813, ^j49801, ^k49795, ^lEnglish Columbia 7153, ⁿ48719, ^p49796, ^q49802, ^r49804, ^s49812, ^t79147, ^u49814. Rec. April ^a16^th, ^bc14^th, ^d15^th, ^ef19^th, ^gli21^st, ^mno22^nd, 1916, April ^hj29^th, ^k21^st, ^p22^nd, ^1q23^rd, ^r24^th, ^s28^th, ^tu29^th, 1920. ADD NAXOS HISTORICAL GREAT CELLISTS 8.110986 [77’13][CC]

Well worth hearing for many, many reasons. As part of the documentation of great cellists and great musicians ... see Full Review

Dancing Through Time - Bach to Gershwin Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suite No. 5 in G major [16:43] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Papillons, Op. 2 [14:22] Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Polonaise in A flat major, Op. 53 [6:30] Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 in D flat [6:35] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Ritual Fire Dance [3:04] Alberto GINASTERA (1916-1983) 3 Danzas Argentinas [7:31] Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Tango [2:24] George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Three Preludes [6:14] Walter GIESEKING (1885-1956) Three Dance Improvisations [6:59] Andreas Klein, piano Recorded Stude Concert Hall, Houston, Texas, August 1997 EROICA JTD3138 [70:22] [DS]

A pleasant upbeat experience. If you want more than 'pleasant', this is not for you. Ample to enhance an enjoyable evening and even dance to a few of the pieces. ... see Full Review

Ecstasy & Poetry Daniel Beliavsky Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3,(1827) [5:35] and No. 4 (1827) [6:18] Impromptu Op. 142, No. 2 (1827) [5:43] and No. 3 (1827) [11:21] Moment Musicaux Op. 94, No. 3 (c1824) [1:53] and No. 6 (1825-1827) [6:57] Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) Fantasy-Impromptu Op. 66 (1834) [4:42] Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2 (1830/31)[4:33] Nocturne Op. 32, No. 1 (1836/37) (1827) [4:25] Nocturne Op. 72, No. 1 (1827) [4:05]   Ballade Op. 23, No. 1 (1831-1835) [8:54] Mazurka Op. 7, No. 3 (1830/31) [2:22] Mazurka Op. 17, No. 4 (1832/33) [3:56] Mazurka Op. 41, No. 2 (1838) [2:26] Polonaise Op. 53, "Heroic" (1842) [6:23] CD 2:1. Introduction, spoken by Daniel Beliavsky 2. A Conversation between Daniel Beliavsky and Professor Ulysses Kidgi Daniel Beliavsky, piano (Steinway) Sonatabop.com recordings sb004 [CD1 79:45 and CD2 43:23] Recorded 13^th-14^th July 2004 at the Schwan Concert Hall in the Center for Arts and Performance, Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. [JF]

A fine programme of music by Schubert and Chopin. Could Beliavsky have set a benchmark for all interpretations of the Schubert Impromptu in Gb? ...see Full review

Essential Dyke Volume V - Celebrate Rotary Peter GRAHAM Celebrate Rotary Mikhail GLINKA arr. HARGREAVES Ruslan and Ludmilla Franz SCHUBERT arr, WYSS Du bist die Ruh Elgar HOWARTH Music from the Elizabethan Court MANTIA arr. MEECHAN Auld Lang Syne Michael BALL …all the flowers of the mountain… Felix MENDELSSOHN arr. HOPKINSON Finale – Violin Concerto Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH arr. RICHARDS Romance – The Gadfly MANGIONE arr. GILJE Children of Sanchez Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY arr. CHILDS 1812 Overture Black Dyke Band/Dr. Nicholas J. Childs rec. Morley Town Hall, 27 January 2005 DDD DOYEN DOY CD193 [66:37] [CT]

A fitting celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the Black Dyke Band in an entertaining and contrasting programme. ... see Full Review

Favourite Overtures Franz von SUPPÉ (1819-1895) Light Cavalry (1866) [6.47] Poet and Peasant (1846) [10.18] Daniel AUBER (1782-1871) Fra Diavolo (1830) [7.47] Louis HÉROLD (1791-1833) Zampa (1831) [8.12] Emil von REZNIČEK (1860-1945) Donna Diana (1894) [6.01] Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Orpheus in the Underworld (1874) [9.55] Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) William Tell (1829) [12.20] Cincinnati Pops Orchestra/Erich Zunzel Recorded 1 June, 17-22 September 1985, Music Hall, Cincinnati TELARC CD-80116 [62.01] [TB]

An appealing collection. Individually the performances may not be the best in the catalogue, but as a collection they provide strong competition and excellent value. ... see Full Review

Kathleen Ferrier – Songs of the British Isles Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Phyllis Spurr (piano) John Newmark (piano) Frederick Stone (piano) Recorded 1949-52 NAXOS 8.111081 [74.48] [JW]

A bit of a wake up call to Decca. Obert-Thorn has has managed to effect an improvement to these recordings - and that can only be a welcome piece of restoration. ... see Full Review

Finnish Music for Strings Einojuhani RAUTAVAARA (b. 1928) Hommage à Zoltan Kodály (1981-82) Aulis SALLINEN (b. 1935) Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik’s Funeral March (1969/1981) Pehr Henrik NORDGREN (b. 1944) Concerto for Strings (1982) Jean SIBELIUS (1865 – 1957) Rakastava (The Lover) (1893/1912) The Helsinki Strings/Csaba and Géza Szilvay Recorded in the Sibelius Hall, Lahti, Finland on 26 September 2001 (Live recording) (Rautavaara) and in Roihuvuori Church, Helsinki, Finland in April, December 2003 (Sallinen, Nordgren, Sibelius) WARNER APEX 2564 61976-2 [63:31] [GF]

I am filled with admiration for these young musicians and their conductors and the music is well worth getting acquainted with. ... see Full Review

Beniamino Gigli: The Gigli Edition, Vol. 9 Ernesto De CURTIS (1875 – 1937) Soltanto tu, Maria Alois MELICHAR (1896 – 1976) Anima mia Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750)/Charles GOUNOD (1818 – 1893) Ave Maria Georges BIZET (1838 – 1875) Agnus Dei César FRANCK (1822 – 1890) Panis Angelicus Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856) Il fior di loto (Die Lotusblume) Edvard GRIEG (1843 – 1907) Un rêve (En dröm) Francesco CILEA (1866 – 1950) L’arlesiana È la solita storia BECCE Tu sei la vita mia
CURCI Notte a Venezia BLANC Giovinezza Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) Inno a Roma Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) Aida Se quel guerrier io fossi … Celeste Aida Giacomo PUCCINI La bohème O soave fanciulla Cesare A. BIXIO (20th Century) Ninna nanna della vita Paolo TOSTI (1846 – 1916) La serenata CINQUE Mattinata veneziana De CURTIS Ti voglio tanto bene Paolo TOSTI L’ultima canzone Paolo TOSTI Marechiare Luigi DENZA (1846 – 1922) Occhi di fata Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) La danza Beniamino Gigli (tenor), Maria Caniglia (soprano) (track 14), Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Alois Melichar (tr 1-3), Bruno Seidler-Winkler (tr 4-10), La Scala Orchestra and Chorus/Giuseppe Antonicelli (tr 11-12), Orchestra/Walter Goehr (tr 13-14, 19-22), Orchestra/Dino Olivieri (tr 15-18) Recorded 24^th May 1936 in Electrola Studio A, Berlin(tr 1-4); 2^nd June 1936 in Electrola Studio A, Berlin (tr 5-10), 8^th March 1937 at the Teatro della Cannobiana, Milan (tr 11-12), 28^th May 1937 in Studio 1, Abbey Road, London (tr 13-14), 24^th February 1938 at the Pro Salute Studios, Milan (tr 15-18), 4^th June 1938 in Studio 1A, Abbey Road, London (tr 19-22) NAXOS 8.110270 [73 29] [GF]

Lovers of good, often exquisite singing will find a lot to treasure. And Gigli completists will already have bought it. ... see Full Review

Great Trumpet Concertos CD 1 William LOVELOCK (1899-1986) Trumpet Concerto (1968) [16:41] Henri TOMASI (1901-1971) Trumpet Concerto (1949) [14:37] Richard MILLS (b.1949) Trumpet Concerto (1982) [20:05] Alexander ARUTUNYAN (b. 1920) Trumpet Concerto in one movement (1950) [14:55] CD 2 Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) Trumpet Concerto in E flat (adapted from Oboe Concerto) [7:50] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Trumpet Concerto in E flat Hob VIIe:1 (1796) [14:52] Domenico CIMAROSA (1749-1801) Trumpet Concerto for trumpet and strings (adapted from Oboe Concerto by Arthur BENJAMIN) [10:38] Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Trumpet Concerto in E (1804) [16:31] Carl Maria Von WEBER (1786-1826) Trumpet Concertino C for trumpet and wind ensemble (1822?) [7:36] Jean-Baptiste ARBAN (1825-1889) Fantasy and Variations on a Cavatina from Beatrice di Tenda by Bellini (arr for trumpet and orchestra by David Stanhope) (1840?) [16:31] Geoffrey Payne (trumpet) Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/John Hopkins (CD1); Michael Hálasz (CD2) rec. 26-28 Feb, 5-7 Mar 1990 Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Melbourne (CD1); 29 Jan-3 Feb 1996 Melbourne Concert Hall, Victorian Ars Centre. ABC CLASSICS 982 6976 [66:47 + 64:23] [RB]

A good collection which for me yielded real rewards among the twentieth century works. It's a pity that both CDs could not have drawn on concertos from the last century. ... see Full Review

The Great War remembered in songs and poems ANON I want to go home [1:03] Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) The Dying Patriot (J E Flecker) [3:06] Everyone Sang (S Sassoon) [1:36] If We Return (F W Harvey) [1:57] In Flanders (F W Harvey) [2:56] In Memoriam (E Thomas) [1:03] I Heard a Soldier (H Trench) [2:41] Geraint LEWIS (b.1958) It’s Not Going to Happen Again [2:36] The Treasure [2:34] Clouds [2:45] Song [1:54] Geoffrey KIMPTON Winter Warfare (E Rickwood) [1:56] Margaret WEGENER The Cenotaph (C Mew) [3:37] John R WILLIAMSON Before the Battle (S Sassoon) [2:28] I Stood with the Dead (S Sassoon) [3:46] Duncan REID I Did Not Lose My Heart (A E Housman0 [2:09] Dennis WICKENS Attack (S Sassoon) [5:14] Elaine HUGH-JONES The End (W Owen) [3:09] John IRELAND (1879-1962) The Soldier (R Brooke) [2:14] Blind (E T Cooper) [1:24] The Cost (E T Cooper) [1:18] The Dead (R Brooke) [2:19] Jerome KERN (1885-1945) They Didn’t Believe Me [1:32] Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone), Nigel Foster (piano) Tracks 1-18 and 23 recorded 13^th November 2004 at the United  Reform Church, Henleaze, Bristol. Tracks 19-22 recorded on 17^th October 1993 at St. Geogre’s, Brandon Hill, Bristol DDD DUNELM DRD0239 [55:37] [EM]

I would have no hesitation in recommending this disc were it better produced ... see Full Review

The History of Brass Band Music: The Early Years 1850-1920 Enderby JACKSON (1827-1903) Yorkshire Waltzes [07:53] Paul Jean-Jacques LACOME (1838-1920) arr. Jean Baptiste ARBAN Quadrilles [04:52] Lowell MASON (1792-1872) arr. Alexander OWEN (1851-1920) Bethany (Nearer My God To Thee) [02:40] George ALLAN (1864-1930) The Diplomat [02:48] Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) arr. George ELLIS William Tell – Selection (abridged) [03:53] John HARTMANN (1830-1897) Pretty Jane – Grand Fantasy for cornet solo* [11:02] Emile WALDTEUFEL (1837-1915) Estudiantina [05:59] Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) arr. Charles GODFREY (Jr) (1839-1919) Hansel and Gretel – Medley [08:18] James Ord HUME (1864-1932) BB & CF [04:31] Percy FLETCHER (1879-1932) Labour and Love [11:12] Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band/Elgar Howarth with Richard Marshall* (cornet) Recorded at Morley Town Hall, 8^th-9^th May 2004 DOYEN DOY CD162 [64:01] [CH]

Obviously mandatory for those with an interest in brass bands, but others might enjoy it too. ... see Full Review

Keith Jarrett. The Art of Improvisation An in-depth DVD portrait. Bonus; the Keith Jarrett Trio in concert, playing Butch and Butch, Tokyo 1993 and 30 minutes of exclusive interviews with Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette and Gary Peacock. Picture Format PAL 16:9 Sound Format PCM Stereo Region Code 0 Subtitles GB D F I E Disc Format DVD9 Directed and narrated by Mike Dibb. Produced by Danny Nissim and Mike Dibb EUROARTS DVD 2054119 [84.00 + 42.00 bonus footage] [JW]

Jarrett emerges as a thoughtful though not fulsome interviewee. His fingers, and the mind that animates them, are articulate enough. ... see Full Review

Joseph Keilberth Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony no.9 in E minor, op.95 From the New World [40:15] Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto in D minor, op.47 [33:05]* Danilo Belardinelli (violin)* Orchestra Stabile dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia/Joseph Keilberth Recorded live at the Teatro Argentina, Rome, April 27^th 1952 ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0302 [73:25] [CH]

The art of Joseph Keilberth is certainly worth further investigation, but the disc under review has a number of shortcomings ... see Full Review

The King’s Consort Collection Claudio MONTEVERDI Laetatus sum [6:35] Antonio VIVALDI Allegro from Concerto in F [4:01] George Frederick HANDEL Un puro ardor, from Cecilia, volgi un sguardo [2:47] Michael HAYDN Gloria from Missa Sanctae Ursulae (conclusion) [3:24] Jean-Baptiste LULLY Marche des Combattants [2:32] Antonio VIVALDI Sum in medio temprestatum [6:35] Johann KUHNAU Zwingt die Saiten in Cythara [2:01] Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL Trumpet Concerto in E, third movement [ 4:09] Giovanni Maria RUGGIERI Quoniam tu solus sanctus, from Gloria [1:13] Giovanni GABRIELI Sonata XX a 22 [9:02] Luigi BOCCHERINI Virgo virginum praeclara from Stabat mater [5:06] George Frederick HANDEL Largo from concerto grosso Op 3 No 2 [2:33] Antonio VIVALDI Gloria in excelsis Deo [2:19] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Epistle Sonata in C major [3:38] Claudio MONTEVERDI Christe redemptor omnium [4:05] Sebastian KNUPFER Gelobet sei Gott, from Die Turtelhaube [4:07] Johann Sebastian BACH Allegro from Sonata in G major [3:17] George Frederick HANDEL The trumpet's loud clangour, from An Ode for St Cecilia's Day [3:46] Henry PURCELL Hear my prayer, O Lord [2:17] George Frederick HANDEL Kings shall be they nursing fathers, from My heart is inditing [3:07] The King's Consort, Choir of the King’s Consort/Robert King HYPERION DDD KING7 [77.58] [EM]

An uplifting disc, and nicely presented; fine music and exquisite performances. ... see Full Review

Laurent Korcia: Songes (Dreams) Nicolas BACRI (b. 1961) Une Prière op 52 for violin and orchestra To the memory of Jewish martyrs of all time Ernest BLOCH (1880 – 1959) Nigun (from Baal Shem) for violin and pianoLeos JANÁČEK (1854 – 1928) Ballade (from Sonata for violin and piano) Béla BARTÓK (1881 – 1945) Romanian dances - Andante – Molto moderato Eugène YSAYE (1858 – 1931) Rêve d’enfant op. 14 Gabriel FAURÉ (1845 – 1924) Andante (from Sonata for violin and piano No. 1 op. 13) Ernest CHAUSSON (1855 – 1899) Nos Souvenirs (from Four melodies op. 8) Cécile CHAMINADE (1857 – 1944) Sérénade espagnole (arr F. Kreisler) Claude DEBUSSY (1862 – 1918) Beau soir (arr. J. Heifetz) Laurent Korcia (violin), West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Cologne/Semyon Bychkov (Bacri); Georges Pludermacher (piano)(Bloch, Janáček, Bartók); Jean-Marc Luisada (piano)(Ysaye, Fauré, Chausson, Chaminade, Debussy) Recorded in Cologne in January 2002 (Bacri), at Théâtre Impérial, Compiègne in June 1999 (Bloch, Janáček, Bartók) and at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh on 19^th – 23^rd April 2001. BMG FRANCE 82876 663272 [57:06] [GF]

Songes implies slow, soft music for meditation and relaxation. Well, that is not even half true. Buy the disc; you won’t regret it. ... see Full Review

La serva padrona Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) La serva padrona (1733) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni: Madamina il catalogo è questa; Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) La sonnambula: Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni; Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il turco in Italia: Credete alle femmine; Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) La dannazione di Faust: Che fai tu qui? ... Su queste rose ... C’era una volta un sire; Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) L’Elisir d’amore: Quanto amore; Angelica Tuccari (soprano) – Serpina; Sesto Bruscantini (bass baritone) – Uberto; Orchestra Lirica di Milano della RAI/Alfredo Simonetto. Recorded Milano 1950 (La serva padrona); Arias: Sesto Bruscantini (bass baritone), Alda Noni (soprano)(Rossini & Donizetti), Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Torino della RAI/Nino Sanzogno. Recorded Torino, December 3, 1951 WARNER FONIT 5050467-6755-2-0 [67:46][GF]

All in all is a fitting tribute to Sesto Bruscantini, who passed away two years ago. ... see Full Review

Jennifer Larmore - Bravura Diva Sir Michael COSTA (1806-1884) Eloisa, Scene and aria. Suon profondo London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonello Allemandi Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Bianca e Falliero, Aria. Tu non sai London Philharmonic Orchestra/David Parry Elisabetta Regina d'Inghilterra, Cavatina. Quant'e grato Geoffrey Mitchell Choir. London Philharmonic Orchestra/Giuliano Carella Giuseppe Saverio MERCADANTE (1795-1870) Andronico, Duet. Vanne se alberghi in petto (with Majella Cullagh, sop) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonello Allemandi Luigi ARDITI (1822-1903) Il Desio, Duet. Quanto al cor mi parlo. Il cantar tuo gentil (with Majella Cullagh, sop) David Harper, piano Lauro ROSSI (1810-1885) Amelia, Cavatina. L'alma mia che in Adolfo (with Majella Culagh, sop) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonello Allemandi Giovanni PACINI (1796-1867) Carlo di Borgogna, Duet. Lombra mira di colei (with Bruce Ford, ten)
Academy of St Martin in the Fields/David Parry Temistocle, Cavatina. Tacete! ohime, quei cantici Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonello Allemandi Jennifer Larmore (mezzo) Recorded at St Clements Church, London and Henry Wood Hall, London. Various recording dates OPERA RARA ORR 231 [78.13] [RJF}

It has that WOW factor that sets it apart from more mundane collections of arias. ... see Full Review

The Last Rose of Summer TRADITIONAL arr. John STEVENSON (1761-1833) (Words by Thomas Moore) The last rose of summer [3:36]; Believe me if all those endearing young charms [2:42]; The meeting of the waters [3:14] Percy FRENCH (1854-1920) (Words by M Helen French) Ach, I dunno [2:51]; Phil the Fluter’s ball [3:04] TRADITIONAL, arr. Phyllis TATE (1911-1987) (Words by Samuel Fergusson) The lark in the clean air [2:04] Arthur COLAHAN (1885-1952) Galway Bay [2:45] TRADITIONAL She moved thro’ the fair [2:13]; The Coulin [1:12] Philip GREEN / Percy FRENCH Gortnamona [3:03] TRADITIONAL (Words by Fred Weatherly) Danny Boy [3:17] TRADITIONAL arr. Charles STANFORD (1852-1924) The falling star [3:49]; The beautiful city of Sligo [2:21]; The stolen heart [2:24] TRADITIONAL arr. Herbert HUGHES (1882-1937) (Words by Patrick Joyce) The leprechaun [1:28]; I have a bonnet trimmed with blue [0:48]; A young maid stood in her father’s garden [3:13]; The next market day [1:10]; The Bard of Armagh [3:45]; Monday, Tuesday [2:20]; The stuttering lovers [1:36]; I will walk with my love [1:49]; The cork leg [3:01] Chauncey OLCOTT (1858-1932) and Ernest R BALL (1878-1927) (Words by Rida Johnson Young) Mother Machree [2:40] TRADITIONAL arr. Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) (Words by Thomas Moore) Oft in the stilly night [2:42]; How sweet the answer [2:05]; O the sight entrancing [2:02]; The last rose of summer [3:46] Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano), Graham Johnson (piano) rec. Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, London, 14-15 September 1992 DDD HYPERION CDH55210 [73.24] [EM]

A truly delightful collection, given an outstanding performance, this is a disc that is set to become a favourite ... ... see Full Review

Laughter and Tears - A recital of 24 classical songs Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Notte; Storia Breve; Claude DEBUSSY (1862- 1918) Trois Chansons de Bilitis: La Flûte de Pan; Le Chevelure; Le Tombeau des Naïades; Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Le Bestiaire; Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Lachen und weinen; Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Die Mainacht; Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Seit ich ihn gesehen; Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) In dem Schatten meiner Locken; Jesus GURIDI (1886-1961) Como quieres que adivine; Xavier MONTSALVATGE Canción de cuna; Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El Pan de Ronda que sabe a verdad; Fernando OBRADORS Del cabello mas util; Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Soldier’s Wife; How fair this place; Roger QUILTER (1877-1953) When Daffodils begin to peer; Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) Carol of the Skiddaw Yowes; Michael HEAD (1900-1976) A slumber song of the Madonna; Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The sky above the roof; Tired. Helena Kean (mezzo); Graham Jackson (piano) Private recording made at Shireshead Studios 26 and 27 October 2004 and available through HELENA KEAN www.music-and-images.co.uk [55:11] [IL]

An enjoyable privately recorded recital sung with freshness and charm. ... 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-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]  [Part 7 Misc M-Z]

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