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Kaija SAARIAHO (b. 1952) Graal Théâtre (1995) Château de l’Ame (1996)² Amers (1992)³
Gidon Kremer (violin); Dawn Upshaw (soprano)²; Anssi Karttunen (cello)³; BBC Symphony Orchestra; members of the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir and Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra²; Avanti! Chamber Orchestra³; Esa-Pekka Salonen Recorded: Maida Vale Studio 1, London, June 1996 (Graal Théâtre); Hall of Culture, Helsinki, June 2000 (Château de l’Ame) and Recording Studio, Finnish Broadcasting Corporation, Helsinki, June 1998 (Amers)
This release is a wonderful tribute to this most distinguished composer whose superbly crafted music, even at its most demanding, is capable of deeply-felt emotions. Unreservedly recommended.
Nicholas SACKMAN (born 1950) String Quartet No.2 (1990/1) George NICHOLSON (born 1949) String Quartet No.3 (1995)
The Bochmann prove inspired and dedicated performers in these substantial additions to the British string quartet canon.
Salonen’s brilliantly successful conducting career has somewhat overshadowed his composing activities. The present release, mostly of recent pieces, helps put the balance straight again
Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Sedecia, re di Gerusalemme Oratorio in two parts (Rome, 1706)
This recording contains some fine music and excellent performances, but the work itself lacks overall unity, sounding more like a collection of arias than a coherent work.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Lieder:
Janet Baker's interpretations of Schubert are by now legendary, but these recordings from broadcast performances are not widely known. They are marvellous, and fully worthy of her name.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Lieder (7 CDs) Great Schubert Singers Die Schöne Mullerin [61.47] Peter Schreier, tenor; Walter Olbertz, piano Die Winterreise [76.26] Robert Holl, bass-baritone; Naum Grubert, piano Schwanengesang [51.38] John Shirley-Quirk, baritone; Steuart Bedford, piano 15 Lieder [56.26] Gundula Janowitz, soprano; Charles Spencer, piano Goethe-lieder [54.48] Arleen Augér, soprano; Walter Olbertz, piano 19 Lieder [74.05] Sarah Walker, mezzo-soprano; Roger Vignoles, piano 16 Lieder [54.48] Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone; Hartmut Höll, piano Detailed contents listed at end of review Rec: 1974, 1995, 1977, 1989, 1978, 1989, 1987.
All in all, this bargain set is a wonderful collection of recordings of Schubert's lieder. As an introduction, it will allow you to discover seven of the finest singers of this music.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Adagio and Rondo concertante in F, piano, violin, viola and cello, D.487, 3 Minuets for wind nonet, String Trio in B flat (unfinished), D.471, Octet for wind in F (unfinished), D.72 Anselm HÜTTENBRENNER (1794-1868) String Quintet in C minor
The Hüttenbrenner is a very likeable piece and the Schubert pieces are rare with the performances at least adequate.
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony No. 1 in B flat, Op. 38, 'Spring'. Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Sinfonia domestica, Op. 53.
This remarkable concert concluded the Salzburg Festival of 1957. Mitropoulos' readings offer a must-hear, never less than fascinating experience.
Robert SCHUMANN(1810-1856) Liederkreis and Kerner-lieder
One of the finest tenors singing German lieder. Another excellent collection of songs showing the wide range of emotions at Prégardien's expressive command. A recording that deserves the attention of all fans of German lieder.
Not to decry Gulda’s playing which is often thoroughly convincing; ultimately though it lacks Schumannesque acuity and never really reaches the state of true simplicity.
Déodat de SÉVERAC (1873-1921) Sunflower Sea - The Piano works of Déodat de Séverac Le Chant de la Terre, En Languedoc, Les Naïades et le Faune Indiscret (Danse Nocturne), Baigneuses au Soleil, Cerdaña, En Vacances I , En Vacances II , Stances à Madame de Pompadour
A wonderfully evocative, mostly rustic/pastoral compilation, exquisitely played with every shade and nuance nicely judged. These are slowly evolving, richly detailed musical portraits best savoured when completely relaxed.
RAVI SHANKAR - Full Circle Two Ragas
Here we have a brand new offering from Ravi Shankar and his family, friends and colleagues. This disc has given me a tremendous amount of sheer pleasure.
Dimitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony No. 10 in E Minor , Symphony No. 6 in E Minor
Dallas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton recorded live September 21 - 24, November 30, and December 1 - 2, 2000 in Dallas.
These two discs will clearly suit hi-fi addicts and the general listener who is not looking to be shattered by either of these powerful works. I would therefore recommend them with caution. [JP]
Maybe this Tenth hasn’t quite the raw power and energy of Mravinsky or Mitropoulos, but how many have? No, this disc contains as cogent and well argued an account as one could reasonably expect to hear. The playing is of a very high standard throughout and the recorded sound is in the demonstration class. [JQ]Dimitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony No. 14, Op. 135 (1969)
A superb performance by all concerned; a worthy addition to the catalogue.
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) 'The Complete Symphonies' Symphonies 1-7, Symphony No. 5 (original 1915 version and final version) Tapiola
Lahti SO/Osmo Vänskä rec 1996-1997, Church of the Cross (Ristinkirkko), Lahti, Finland
4 CDs for price of 3Many great things in this set and the original version of the Fifth Symphony is no academic makeweight. The closest approach to a single recommendable set.
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Youth Production for Solo Piano Volume 2 The study Years in Helsinki 1888 -1889 (tracks 1-20) Studies in Berlin under Albert Becker 1889 -1890 (tracks 21-26) Studies in Berlin under Robert Fuchs and Karl Goldmark 1890-1891 (tracks 27-29)
This is a disc which will delight the Sibelius anoraks.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Till Eulenspiegel, Waltz Sequences: Der Rosenkavalier, Don Juan, Bamberg Symphony Orchestra Eugen Jochum Death and Transfiguration RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra Fritz Reiner Also Sprach Zarathustra, Ein Heldeleben Chicago Symphony Orchestra Fritz Reiner Rec (Jochum), 1984; (Reiner Death and Transfiguration), 1950; (Reiner Zarathustra and Heldenleben), 1954
This two-CD set from French RCA includes some particularly interesting performances. Reiner is of course one of the great Strauss conductors, and this is confirmed by his three performances, which are particularly well directed and paced.
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The Golden Legend - cantata
The fresh-sounding and youthful Watson and Wilde sparkle. Black gives the ideally raspy quality needed for the evil Lucifer. The reading by Ronald Corp is magnificent. The New London Chorus and Orchestra tackle the work with energy and enthusiasm. This set is a gem.
Johan Severin SVENDSEN (1840-1911) Symphony no. 1, op. 4 (1865-6) Symphony no. 2, op. 15 (1876) Polonaise no. 2, op. 28 (1881)
These symphonies are not quite masterpieces but they are more than just easy-listening and could be widely enjoyed. Conductor and orchestra are energetic, delicate and romantic as required.
Johan SVENDSEN (1840-1911) Symphony No.1 in D major Op.4 Symphony No.2 in Bb major Op.15
Commandingly attractive performances, particularly in the rustic, witty scherzettos, with bustling energetic playing by the excellent woodwind section. An attractive buy.
Recommendation must remain with the Borodin (Melodiya) but Naxos has given us a reasonable and plausible cheap alternative.
The Buchberger Quartet brings a luminous conviction to these performances which makes this disc unmissable. The fact that CPO are issuing the disc at their ‘Special Price’ is just the icing on the cake.
Veljo TORMIS (b.1930) Childhood Memory (Herding Calls) for soprano and male chorus (1982) Voices from Tammsaare's Herdboy Days - documentary cantata for male chorus, soloists, phonogram and percussion (1977) Songs of the Ancient Sea (1979) North Russian Bylina for male chorus and soloists (1976) Conscript's Escape from Toompea Castle Home to Kuusalu (1969) Vepsian Winter for male chorus (1984) God Protect Us From War for male chorus and tam-tam (1984)
A refreshingly different musical experience. If you are jaded with the Anglican choral tradition do try to track down this disc.
Eduard TUBIN (1905-1982) Symphony No 10 (1973) Symphony No 6 (1954)
These are extremely valuable recordings encoding the music as it arose, hot from the composer's pen, and amongst the forces for which it was originally written. If the 1979 analogue taping of No. 10 lacks the transparency and concussion of a modern digital version it compromises nothing in the sense of being there.
Knut VAAGE ((b 1961) Movements; Hexa; Transit; Jug Band Rag*
An invigorating collection of recent compositions by an active member of the new music fraternity in Norway - - regularity overlaid by unpredictable strands, and elements of improvisation which carry transformation 'beyond the limits of jazz'.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872 - 1958) Sir John in Love (1924/8)
Hickox's reading has the benefit of richer, warmer sound and you will be in for a glorious musical experience
John VEALE (b. 1922) Violin Concerto (1984?) [35.33] Benjamin BRITTEN(1913-1976) Violin Concerto (1939) [34.20]
This is a gorgeous disc that will have you reassessing the Britten and embracing the Veale concerto.[RB]Chandos have once again put us in their debt by releasing this superbly recorded and impressively committed performance of the John Veale Violin Concerto.[PC]
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Alzira Slobodan Stankovic (bass) Alvaro, Paolo Gavanelli (bass) Gusmano, Jovo Reljin (tenor) Ovando, Ram¢n Vargas (tenor) Zamoro, Wolfgang Barta (bass) Ataliba, Marina Mescheriakova (soprano) Alzira, Jana Iliev (mezzo) Zuma, Torsten Kerl (tenor) Otumbo
This opera will not make an impact on the world's stages as the result of this new recording, but listening to it will bring rewards to anyone sensitive to Verdi's greatness, and it is hard to think of many music lovers who do not come into that category.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) Ernani - Opera in four parts Julian Gavin (tenor) Alan Opie (baritone) Peter Wedd (tenor) Peter Rose (bass) Susan Patterson (soprano) Helen Williams (soprano) Paul Hodges (bass)
An excellent set - full of honour, passion, revenge and tragedy.
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Symphoniesa No. 6, 'Sobre a linha das Montanhas do Brasil'; No. 8. Suite pour cordesb.
Proof of how much worthwhile music there is still to discover. The influences on Villa-Lobos are subsumed under one vast, Brazilian umbrella. A superb disc, and one which I cannot recommend highly enough.
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) String Quartets - Volume Six.
String Quartet No. 4 (1917) String Quartet No. 9 (1945)String Quartet No. 11 (1948)Why wasn’t I given the previous volumes to review? This is the final volume and contains the finest of Villa Lobos’s quartets.
Antonio VIVALDI (1678 - 1741) Juditha triumphans 1716.
Recording in October 2000, Instituto de Musica Antica Adademia Montis Regalis, Mondovi, Italy.This flair for orchestration plus charging this oratorio with high drama makes this one of Vivaldi's undisputed masterpieces. It is not without reason that the record label, Opus 111, has chosen this work to lead off their announced project to record the entire works of this composer.
Antonio VIVALDI (1668-1741) Six concertos from Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Invenzione Op. 8:- The Four Seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter (RV269, 315, 293, 297) Storm at Sea RV253 Pleasure RV180
Glitzy velour style, with brilliance in abundance, slow slow-movements and 'hyper' faster movements. Recording to match.
While the performance and sound are excellent, this disc suffers from an overall lack of musical qualities. While those wanting to own all of Vivaldi’s works will certainly want this recording, others may just as well abstain.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1862-1868) Theo Adam (bar) - Hans Sachs; Karl Ridderbusch (ten) - Veit Pogner; Geraint Evans (ten) - Sixtus Beckmesser; Rene Kollo (ten) - Walther von Stolzing; Peter Schreier (ten) - David; Helen Donath (sop) - Eva; Ruth Hesse (mz) - Magdelene;
This is the reference recording for this opera and the first choice.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tristan & Isolde (1865)
Listening to this performance again, in this beautifully remastered version, it is difficult to argue with history. Despite wonderful performances from Böhm, Karajan, Knappertsbusch and both Kleibers the Furtwängler holds its own as one of the supreme achievements of the Gramophone.
Christoph Ernst Friedrich WEYSE (1774-1842) Sovedrikken (The Sleeping Draught): An early romantic opera
The score is bright, carries warm harmonies and is fast moving with enjoyable themes, and catchy motifs. The soloists sing their roles with panache. The sound is crisp and well balanced so that every nuance can be heard Sinfonietta. An exciting and extremely pleasurable work.
John WILLIAMS (b. 1932) Treesong (2000) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1974-76, rev. 1998) Three Pieces from Schindler's List (1993)
This beautiful disc should win quite a few admirers - both for the music and for the soloist, Gil Shaham. Shaham is probably the finest violinist of his generation.
Alexander ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942) Symphony in B flat (1897) Prelude to Es War Einmal (1899) (original version - world premiere recording) Sinfonietta (1934)
This disc sounds well with no shortcomings interpretatively speaking - a case of music illuminated by a lifetime of study. The Czech PO are polished and have the necessary élan. Predictably their woodwind are everything you could wish for.
Carl Michael ZIEHRER (1843-1922) Selected Dances & Marches Vol. 3
J. Strauss lovers will enjoy the gaiety of the music. The acoustics are ideally suited to the ambience of a ballroom with the strings forward focused and the brass nicely softened. One can mentally visualise a Viennese scene in the 1890s.
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]
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