Guillaume
de MACHAUT (c.1300-1377)
Mercy Ou Mort Chansons
et motets d’amour 
Kathleen Dineen, Lima Morin, Eric Mantel, Stephen Grant, Karl Heinz
Shackles, Randall Cook and Crawford Young Ferrara Ensemble directed
by Crawford Young Recorded at the Church of St.Germanus Seewen (Soleure),
March 1998 ARCANA
A305 [76.10] [GH]
Although
not my favourite Machaut disc this is a good and well performed disc
which is highly professional in all areas and one to which I shall regularly
return. … see Full Review
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony
No 1 in D major (1889) [54.24] - Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Don Juan: Symphonic Poem, Op 20 (1889) [15.49]
London Philharmonic Orchestra,
cond. Gaetano Delogu (Mahler)
London Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Karl Anton Rickenbacher (Strauss)
- recorded 1-3 February 1976 at Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England: ADD
(Mahler) - recorded 2-3 April 1985 at Walthamstow Assembly Hall, England:
DDD (Strauss) CLASSICS
FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75141 2 5 [70.03] [PJL]
An
interesting coupling, but – though the Strauss is a winner – I can’t
honestly give the Mahler reading an unqualified thumbs-up in such a
competitive market … see Full Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony No.2 in C Minor "Resurrection"
(1888-1894) Helen Donath (Soprano), Birgit Finnilä (Mezzo Soprano),
Südfunk-Chor, Chor der Staatlichen Hochschule für Musik und
Darsstellende Kunst, Stuttgart and Radio-Sinfonieorchester, Stuttgart/Sir
John Barbirolli (Recorded "live" in the Konzerthaus Liederhalle,
Stuttgart on April 5th 1970) Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg:
Prelude to Act I (1862-1868) London Symphony Orchestra/Sir John
Barbirolli (Recorded in Abbey Road Studios, London on 27th
September 1969) Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Enigma Variations (1899) Hallé Orchestra/Sir John
Barbirolli (Recorded in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester on June 21st
and 23rd 1956) Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) Ma Mère l’oye Hallé Orchestra/Sir
John Barbirolli (Recorded in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester on 21st
and 22nd May 1957) Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858-1924) Madama Butterfly: Love Duet from Act 1 (1904)
Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli Renata Scotto (Soprano), Carlo Bergonzi
(Tenor) Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma/Sir John Barbirolli
(Recorded in Teatro dell’Opera, Rome in August 1966) Tape remastering
by Paul Baily (Re:Sound)
EMI Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century 5 75100 2 2 CDs [149.37]
[TD]
A
great memorial to a much-loved conductor that contains a memorable Mahler
Second rescued from the archives and that makes it indispensable. I
also believe that, in spite of all that, this is a performance touched
with genius.… see Full Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony No.5 in C sharp minor
(1901-2) Concertgebouw
Orchestra of Amsterdam/Rafael Kubelik (Recorded at a concert in the
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on 21 June 1951) Remastering by Charles Eddi
at Sofreson TAHRA TAH
419 [64.58] [TD]
As
a performance I think this is the best of Kubelik’s three available
recordings. In this 1951 performance there is much of the vitality of
Mahler not to mention the grand tradition of the Concertgebouw orchestra
oozing from every bar. … see Full Review
Gustav MAHLER (1860
– 1911) Symphony
no. 7 in b minor SWR
Symphony Orchestra, Baden-Baden and Freiburg/Michael Gielen Recorded
19th – 23rd April 1993, Hans Rosbaud studio, Baden-Baden
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC
93.030 [79:25] [GPJ]
I
found this a superb reading of the work as a whole. … see Full
Review
Benedetto
MARCELLO (1686-1739)
Psalms of David - XVIII-21
Musique des Lumieres: Cyrille Gerstenhaber, soprano, Hebrew Intonations
- Christophe Laporte, alto - Herve Lamy, tenor - Laurent Grauer, bass
- Freddy Eichelberger and Jean-Christophe Frisch, organ and harpsichord
- Hager Hanana, cello - Claire Antononi, theorbo - Marc Wolff, theorbo
and baroque guitar - Michel Renard and Charlotte Klingenberg, violas
Jean-Christophe Frisch,
director - Recorded in the Church of Saint-Quirin, May 1999
K617099 [73.18] [JW]
These
are more than merely antiquarian performances. They contain things that
are speculative but also much that is thought-provoking and unusual
… see Full Review
Bohuslav
MARTINU
(1890-1959) -
Duo Concertant for Two Violins and Orchestra (1937) - Violin Concerto
No. 2 (1943) - Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra (1950) - Jan Pospichal
(violin) - Florian Zwiauer (violin)
Vienna SO/Marcello Viotti - rec July 1999, Festspielhaus, Bregenz
ARTE NOVA 74321 77635 2 [69.24] [RB]
Do
not miss this disc if you care at all for the lyrical-impressionist
strain in twentieth century music. Bargain price but premium music
and performances. ... see Full Review
Bohuslav
MARTINU (1890-1959)
Symphonies 3 and 5 National
Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine Arthur Fagen Recorded March 1995 Grand
Concert Studio of the National Radio Company of Ukraine, Kiev
NAXOS 8.553350 [60.31] [JW]
Fagen
is a sensitive and sensible guide – these are certainly not shattering
accounts but they are more than merely worthwhile. … see Full
Review
Bohuslav
MARTINU
(1890-1959) Frescoes
of Piero della Francesca (1956) [17.07] Parables (1958) [21.28]
Symphony No. 4 (1945) [33.57]
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet rec Victoria Hall, Genève,
22 Feb 1961 (Frescoes); 15 March 1967 (Sym); 28 Feb 1962. MONO. ADD
From the radio archives of Radio Suisse Romande, Espace 2.
CASCAVELLE VEL 2007 [73.39] [RB]
Provided
stereo perfection is not a priority Martinů enthusasts will have
a major lacuna in their shelves if they do not have this. Wonderful
Martinů playing. ... see Full
Review.
Joseph
MARX (1882-1964)
Violin
Sonata (No. 1) in A major (1913)
Tobias Ringborg (violin) Daniel Blumenthal (piano) Rec 1993, Brussels
DDD PAVANE ADW7378 [58:36]
[RB]
Pavane,
as one of the enterprising ‘minors’, shows the larger companies how
to do it. I am convinced that we will see the internationals further
taking up Marx’s chamber music within the next 5 years. … see Full
Review
David
MAVES (born
1937) The
Piano Sonatas 
Max Lifschitz (piano) Recorded : Recital Hall of SUNY Stony Brook, January
1983 (Sonatas 1 and 2) and Recital Hall of the University at
Albany, May 1995 (Sonatas 3 and 4)
NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1008 [75:59] [HC]
Maves’
sonatas are fine, beautifully written and very contrasted works - a
composer’s view on 20th Century piano writing in all its
diversity while avoiding the more ‘trendy’ gimmicks. … see Full
Review
Benoît
MERNIER (born
1964) Clarinet
Quintet (1998/9)a Les Niais de Sologne (1999)b
Les Idées Heureuses (1996/7)c Intonazione (1995)d
Jean-Michel Charlier
(clarinet)a; Quatuor Danela; Ensemble Musiques
Nouvellesb; Fabian Panisello (conductor)b; Ictus
Ensemblec; Georges-Elie Octors (conductor)c; Orchestre
Philharmonique de Radio Franced; Michaël Schønwandtd
Recorded: Corroy-le-Château, September 1999 (Quintet);
Studio Dada, Brussels, March 2001 (Les Niais), May and June 2001
(Les Idées Heureuses); Salle Olivier Messiaen, Paris,
November 1997 (Intonazione)
CYPRES CYP 4613 [66:37] [HC]
Benoît
Mernier is one of the most interesting young Belgian composers of his
generation, and this well-planned selection offers a comprehensive survey
of his output so far … see Full Review
Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
Vingt Regards sur L’Enfant Jesus No 15 Le baiser Sergey
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Prelude Op 23 No 4 Prelude Op 32
No 5 Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata Op 31 No2 Tempest Alexander SCRIABIN
(1872-1915) Sonata Op 23 in F sharp minor
Katerina Assimis, piano Recorded 2001 unspecified location
PROMOTIONAL RECORD No catalogue number [67.34]
The
kind of recital the titans of the Moscow School would have performed
in the 1920s and 30s. … see Full Review ...see Full
Review
Karl MILLÖCKER
(1842-1899) The
Dubarry (1879, revsd. 1931) - highlights Anny Ahlers
(sop), Gitta Alpar (sop), Heddle Nash (ten), Herbert
Ernst Groh (ten) His Majesty's Theatre orchestra/Ernest Irving
Parlophone orchestra/Frieder Weissmann - Odeon orchestra/Theo Mackeben
Leo FALL (1873-1925) Madame
Pompadour (1922), highlights
Evelyn Laye (sop), Derek Oldham (ten), Elsie Randolph
(sop), Huntley Wright (bar) Daly's Theatre orchestra/Arthur
Wood - rec. 1924 (Pompadour) and 1931-2 (Dubarry)
PEARL GEMM CD 9068 [72.44] [RW]
This
highlights disc is a compilation of 78s Of particular interest to collectors.
… see Full Review
Claudio
MONTEVERDI
(1567-1643) Banquet of the Senses
The Consort of Musicke: Anthony Rooey, director and lute Emma Kirby,
soprano Evelyn Tubb. soprano Mary Nicols, alto Andrew King, tenor Joseph
Cornwell, tenor Simon Grant, bass Gabrielle Micheli, organ Filmed at:
The Plazzo Te, Mantua, Italy
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99784
[48.09] [KM]
This
is a fine, entertaining recording, that both provides excellent music
and a unique presentation of an essential form of vocal music, the madrigal.
...see
Full review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Six Sonatas, K301-306, & Variations, K359-360 CD1
[69.31] Sonata IV in E minor, K304 (1778) [15.04] Sonata I
in G major, K301 (1778) [16.42] Sonata III in C major, K303
(1778) [11.36] Sonata II in E flat major, K302 (1778) [14.49]
Six Variations on "Hélas j’ai perdu mon amant",
K360 (1781) [11.02] - CD2 [62.41] Sonata V in A major, K305
(1778) [17.00] Sonata VI in D major, K306 (1778) [29.36] Variations
sopra l’aria la Bergére Célimene, K359 (1781) [15.50]
Laura Alvini (fortepiano)
& Enrico Gatti (violin) - recorded 29 October - 3 November 1997
in the Villa Medici Giulini, Brioso, Italy - DDD
ARCANA A406 [132.12] [PJL]
Gatti
and Alvini play as if entranced by this music: everything is beautifully
polished and fresh. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756 - 1791) The
Impresario (Der Schauspieldirektor) K.486 - Cyndia Sieden
-- soprano, Sharon Baker -- soprano, John Aler -- tenor, Kevin Deas
-- bass-baritone - The Beneficent Dervish (Der Wohltatige
Derwisch) [composed by a member of Mozart’s circle] - Sharon Baker
-- soprano, Deanne Meek -- mezzo-soprano, John Aler -- tenor, Kevin
Deas -- bass-baritone Boston
Baroque, Martin Pearlman
Rec: 1989 TELARC CD-80573
[66.16] [KME]
Impresario:
Performance fine, soloists all very good, though the orchestra overwhelms
the voices at times. Beneficent Dervish: attractive and entertaining.
… see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Violin Sonatas - Mozart Edition vol. 9 - CD1
VIOLIN SONATA in C major KV 6 VIOLIN SONATA in D major KV 7 VIOLIN SONATA
in B flat major KV 8 VIOLIN SONATA in G minor KV 9 Total time: 53'29
Recording: 14/15 May 2001, Remonstrantse Doopsgezinde Gemeente, Deventer
Pieter-Jan Belder, harpsichord Rémy Baudet, baroque violin CD2
VIOLIN SONATA in E flat major KV 26 VIOLIN SONATA in G major KV 27 VIOLIN
SONATA in C major KV 28 VIOLIN SONATA in D major KV 29 3'20 VIOLIN SONATA
in F major KV 30 VIOLIN SONATA in B flat major KV 31 Twelve Variations
in G major for violin 7 piano- forte on the French song "La Bergère
Célimène" KV 359 (374a) Six Variations in G minor for
violin & pianoforte on the French song "Hélas, j'ai perdu
mon amant", KV 360 (374b) Total time: 69'47 Recording: Remonstrantse
Gemeente Deventer, summer 2001
Rémy Baudet, baroque violin Pieter-Jan Belder, harpsichord CD3
VIOLIN SONATA in F major KV 376 VIOLIN SONATA in F major KV 377 VIOLIN
SONATA in B flat major KV 372 SONATA MOVEMENT in A major KV 402 (fragment)
SONATA MOVEMENT in C major KV 404 (fragment)
Total time: 61'09 Recording: 1989 Salvatore Accardo, violin Bruno Canino,
piano CD4 VIOLIN SONATA in G major KV 379 VIOLIN SONATA
in E flat major KV 380 VIOLIN SONATA in F major KV 547 Total time: 69'22
Recording: 1989 Salvatore Accardo, violin Bruno Canino, piano CD5
VIOLIN SONATA in A major KV 526 VIOLIN SONATA in C major KV 296 VIOLIN
SONATA in A major KV 305 Total time: 63'49 Recording: 1989 Salvatore
Accardo, violin Bruno Canino, piano
CD6 VIOLIN SONATA in E flat major KV 481 VIOLIN SONATA in
C major KV 303 VIOLIN SONATA in G major KV 301 Total time: 54'01 Recording:
1989 Salvatore Accardo, violin Bruno Canino, piano CD7 VIOLIN
SONATA in B flat major KV 378 VIOLIN SONATA in E flat major KV 302 VIOLIN
SONATA in E minor KV 304 VIOLIN SONATA in C major KV 403 Total time:
65'08
Recording: 1989 Salvatore Accardo, violin Bruno Canino, piano CD8
VIOLIN SONATA in B flat major KV 454 VIOLIN SONATA in D major KV 306
Total time: 53'39 Recording: 1989 Salvatore Accardo, violin Bruno Canino,
piano BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 99721 [approx. 8 hours 10 min.] [KM]
Overall,
this set has its highs and lows. Given the bargain price this could
be a choice for someone seeking completeness at a low cost. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Posthorn Serenade, K320 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony
No. 4 in B flat major, Opus 60 North German Radio Symphony Orchestra/Günter
Wand Rec 8-10 May 2001, Musikhalle, Hamburg
RCA RED SEAL 74321 89717 2 [74.57] [TB]
Recorded
in Hamburg they have a vitality and tonal lustre which marks them as
interpretations of the highest order … see
Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) L’OEUVRE POUR CLARINETTE DE BASSET (WORKS FOR BASSET-CLARINET)
Clarinet
Quintet in A K581 Clarinet Concerto in A K622
Jean-Claude Veilhan, basset-clarinet, Stadler Quartet, La Grande Ecurie
et le Chambre du Roy/Jean-Claude Malgoire Recorded Paris 1989 (concerto)
and 1992 (quintet)
K617 Records K617030 [58:02] [GPJ]
These
are performances worth hearing, if only for the unusual experience of
the instrument for which this music was originally intended. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Flute
Quartet No. 1 in D major, K285 Oboe Quartet in F major, K370 Clarinet
Quintet in A major, K581
Brindisi Quartet Jaime Martin (flute), Jonathan Kelly (oboe), Nicholas
Carpenter (clarinet) Rec January - March 1996, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road,
London EMI DEBUT CDZ5697022[63.34]
[TB]
All
three performances offer distinguished playing with well judged phrasing
and tempi, the clear headed textures sensitively captured … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Missa Solemnis in C major [73.09]
Missa Solemnis in C major, KV Anhang C1.20 attrib. Mozart (World Premiere
Recording)
Inessa Galante, soprano Signe Asmussen, mezzo-soprano Pavol Brslik,
tenor Mads Thiemann, bass-baritone Antonio Piricone, organ Exsultate,
jubilate KV165 Ergo interest KV 143 Inessa Galante, soprano Czech
Chamber Philharmonic & Chorus, conductor Douglas Bostock Rec: September
7th & 8th 2001, St. Wenceslas church, Lanskroun, East Bohemia.
CLASSICO CLASSCD 396 [73.09] [KM]
This
is vintage Mozart, with no surprises, but this "new" mass
is something that lovers of Mozart’s sacred music will want to have.
The excellent sound, choir and soprano make this a truly wonderful disc.
… see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Sacred Works Mozart Edition vol.
8 Nordic Chamber
Choir Süddeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim/Kammerorchester Mannheim
Nicol Matt, conductor Rec: July 2001, Alte Kirche, Fautenbach,
Germany. BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 99737 [approx. 6 hours] 10CDs [KM]
A
very good collection. The Nordic Chamber Choir is excellent throughout.
At the bargain price of this set, a wealth of discoveries await you.
… see Full Review
Conlon
NANCARROW
(b. 1912) Studies for Player Piano: Numbers 1-50 CD1
- vol.1 - Studies 3, 20, 41, 44 [54.54] CD2 - vol.2 - Studies 4-6, 14,
22, 26, 31-32, 35, 37, 40, tango? [54.43] CD3 - vol.3 - Studies 1, 2,
7, 8, 10 15 21 23 24 25 33 43 50 [57.40] CD4 - vol.4 - Studies 9, 11-13,
16-19, 27-29, 34, 36, 46-47 [57.36] CD5 - vol.5 - Studies 42, 45, 48-49
[51.08] Recorded on the
composer's custom-altered 1927 Ampico reproducing piano at the studio
of the composer, Mexico City, 10/12 Jan 1988. 5 CDs plus 140pp booklet
WERGO WER 6907 2 [278.01]
[RB]
An
astonishing and still too little known aspect of the music of the last
sixty years. ... see Full Review
Vitezslav
NOVAK (1870-1949)
In the Tatras (1907) About the
Eternal Longing (1904) Melancholy Songs of Love (1910?) South
Bohemian Motifs (1947)
Daniela Strakova (sop) Carlsbad SO/Douglas Bostock rec Lazne III, Carlsbad,
Jan 1998 CLASSICO
CLASSCD 256 [73.13] [RB]
Not
to be missed by aficionados of the late romantic orchestral song cycle
and of a great and vernal voice. … see Full
Review
Gösta
NYSTROEM (1890-1966)
Songs
Charlotte Hellekant (mezzo-sop) Ander Kilström (piano) rec Berwaldhallen,
2-3 May, 3 Sept, and Swedish Radio studio 2, 3 Oct, 2001
DAPHNE 1017 [70.54] [GH][RB]
It
has been a real joy hearing these heartfelt songs performed by such
a sensitive pair of musicians. … see Full Review
[GH]
A compelling and cherishable choice for collectors of Scandinavian
song and for the growing band of Hellekant and Nystroem admirers. …
see Full Review [RB]
Gösta
NYSTROEM (1890-1966)
Songs and Piano Music Det
Enda [Ebba Lindkvist] (1950) Ur Ångest - Åtta dikter
[Pär Lagerkvist] (8 songs) (1923-8) Ur Musiken till Stormen
[Shakespeare] (3 songs) (1940s) Sånger vid havet [Ebba
Lindkvist] (5 songs) (1943) Prelude Pastoral and Valse Marine
for solo piano Gunvor
Nilsson (mezzo-soprano) Erik Risberg (piano)
rec Goteborgs Konserthus, Aug/Sept 1990
INTIM MUSIK IMCD 007 [63.45] [RB]
For
those enthralled by Nordic song and by Nystroem's regretful, nostalgic,
silvery voice. ...see Full Review
Jacques
OFFENBACH (1819-1880)
La Belle Hélène
Daniele Millet (Hélène), Bernadette Antoine (Oreste),
Sylvia Paule (Bacchis), Charles Burles (Pâris),
Jean-Christophe Benoit (Ménélas), Michel Dens (Agamemnon),
Bernard Siclair (Achille) René Duclos choir, Lamoureux
Concert Orchestra/Jean-Pierre Marty
EMI 574 085-2 ADD [CD1 59.34, CD2 63.18] [RW]
It
is a sumptuous recording for pre-digital days where an excellent frequency
response picks out every nuance of singing and open, wide acoustics
well suit the Offenbach genre. … see Full Review
Claus
OGERMANN (b.1930)
Piano
Concerto (1993) [19.03] Concerto For Orchestra (1991) [44.59]
Clauss Ogermann (piano)National Philharmonic Orchestra/Claus Ogermann
Rec - details not given
DECCA 013949-2 [64.03] [AT]
Contemporary
classical music has been in retreat in the US for decades. With the
exception of the iconoclast Elliot Carter, there seems to be very little
of any complexity emerging from contemporary American composers. … see
Full Review
Charles
D OSBORNE Souls
on Fire Catherine Thorpe
(soprano), Fredda Rakusin Mendelson (mezzo), Roger Ohlson (tenor), Wesley
Garrison (bass) with the Bulgarian National Symphony and Chorus conducted
by Joshua R Jacobson Leonard Nimoy (storyteller), Barbara Grossman and
Charles D Osborne (narrators) Music recorded at the Salle Bulgaria,
Sofia (February 1999); narrative recorded at National Sound, New York
(March 1999) ZC MUSIC GROUP (no reference number) [75:12] [AAS]
Obviously
a labour of love on the part of all those involved, their blazing commitment
evident throughout … see Full Review
Ignacy
Jan PADEREWSKI
(1860-1941) Violin
Sonata in A minor (1880) [25.43] Karol SZYMANOWSKI
(1882-1937) Violin Sonata in A minor (1904) [21.49] Witold
LUTOSLAWSKI (b.1913) Partita for violin and piano
(1984) [17.11] Robert Szreder
(violin) Boguslaw Jan Strobel (piano) rec Aug 1992, Polish Radio Studio
2, Warsaw, DDD PAVANE
ADW 7283 [65.26] [RB]
Szreder
and Strobel are extremely accomplished virtuosic players whose skills
are well demonstrated by three vertiginously demanding works. Lovers
of the grand romantic gesture must hear both the Paderewski and the
Szymanowski ... see Full Review
Niccolo
PAGANINI (1782-1840)
24
Caprices Op 1 arr Cawdrey
Julian Cawdrey, flute Recorded St Andrews Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire
May 1997 PAVANE ADW
7403 [77.34] [JW]
Its
good that flautists are increasingly looking to this kind of repertoire;
if you're going to do it at all you might as well do it as well as Cawdrey.
...see Full Review
Giovanni
Battista PERGOLESI
(1710-1736)
Stabat Mater
Angharad Gruffydd Jones, soprano Lawrence Zazzo, counter-tenor Julia
Bishop, Joanna Parker, violin Peter Whiskin, viola Joanna Levine, cello
Mark Levy, Violone Timothy Brown, organ / director Filmed at: All Saints,
Aldwincle, England
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99783 [37'49] [KM]
The
music on this DVD is excellent; the fact that the musicians are merely
singing and playing along with a CD is detestable. Buy the CD; it is
marvellously sung and performed by all. Don’t bother with the DVD. …
see Full Review
Jacopo
PERI (1561-1633)
Euridice -
Sylva Pozzer, soprano (Euridice) - Luca Dordolo, tenor (Orfeo) - Mirko
Guadagnini, tenor - Alessandro Gargiulo, tenor - Maria Antonietta Piavan,
soprano - Alessandro Carmignani, tenor - Bianca Simone, mezzo-soprano
- Luca Ferracin, bass - Matteo Zenatti, tenor - Loredana Putzolu, mezzo-soprano
- Marisa Pugina, soprano - Chiara Drago, soprano - Antonio Domenighini,
baritone - La Compagnia dei Febi Armonici - Ensemble Albalonga
Directed and conducted by Anibal E Cetrangolo - Recorded Chiesa di Santa
Maria dei Servi 1995
PAVANE ADW 7372/73 [2 CDs 116.47] [JW]
Acoustic
somewhat problematical but Pavane is to be commended for giving us the
fons et origo of all operas … see Full
Review
Hans
PFITZNER
(1869-1949) Von
Deutscher Seele - Eichendorff-Kantate (1921) Gabriele Fontana (sop)
- Barbara Hölzl (mezzo) - Glenn Winslade (ten) - Robert Holl (bass)
- Anton Holzapfel (organ) - Wiener Singverein/JohannesPrinz
Wiener Symphoniker/Martin Sieghart - rec 27-28 Nov 1999, Großer
Saal, des Wiener Musiksverein, Wien DDD
ARTE NOVA 74321 79422 2 [CD1: 48.45; CD2: 50.31] [RB]
Sieghart's
version lays bare the German lyric soul and does so with great feeling
and tenderness. Some blemishes associated with a live performance leave
the way open for improvement. … see Full
Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Tosca
Gigliola Frazzoni (Tosca),
Ferruccio Tagliavini (Cavaradossi), Gian Giacomo Guelfi (Scarpia), Antonio
Zerbini (Angelotti), Alfredo Mariotti (Sacrestan), Turin RAI Chorus
and Orchestra/Arturo Basile Recorded 12.10.1956, Turin
WARNER FONIT 857387479-2 [2 CDs, 45.03, 69.39] [CH]
The
"Tosca-problem" is the existence of the Callas/De Sabata version.
This one is as good a performance as any before or since; there are
plenty of reasons for having it as well. … see
Full Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Messa
di Gloria; Preludio Sinfonico; Crisantemi
Hungarian Opera Orchestra and Radio Choir/Giorgio Morandi; Anotello
Palombe (tenor); Gunnar Lundberg (baritone) Recorded at the Phoenix
Studio, July 2000.
NAXOS 8.555304 [59.40] [RDB]
The
Messa di Gloria has all the suavely melodic vocal writing and evocative
colouring of Puccini’s stage works, and receives a committed performance
from all concerned … see Full Review
Henry
PURCELL
(1659-1695) The
Fairy Queen Lorraine
Hunt soprano Catherine Pierard soprano Susan Bickley mezzo-soprano Howard
Crook tenor Mark Padmore tenor David Wilson-Johnson bass Richard Wistreich
bass The Schütz Choir of London London Classical Players, Roger
Norrington direction Rec. November 1993, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios,
London. VIRGIN VERITAS
5619552 [122.04] [KM]
Such
wonderful orchestral execution and brilliant singers are hard to find;
the two of them together are a treat. … see Full
Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Vespers
Op. 37 ‘All -Night Vigil’ for soloists and mixed choir a cappella
(1915) - Klaudia Zeiner (alto), Mikhail Agafonov (tenor), Lew Maidatschewski
(lector) - MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig
Howard Arman - Recorded in the Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche, May, 2000
BERLIN CLASSICS 0017422BC DDD [74.36] [TH]
Whatever
the competition, this new Leipzig disc is a real winner. The size of
the choir gives it a weight and resonance that is lacking elsewhere.
… see Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
Concerto No. 1 [23.35] Piano Concerto No. 2 [32.51] Rhapsody on a Theme
of Paganini [21.47]
Benno Moiseiwitsch (piano) Philharmonia/Sargent (No. 1); Liverpool PO
(2; Rhapsody); Walter Goehr (2); Basil Cameron (Rhapsody) rec Studio
1 Abbey Road, 23 Dec 1948 (No. 1); 24 Nov 1937, 13 Dec 1937 (No. 2);
5 Dec 1938 (Rhapsody) Mono ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110676 [78.12] [RB]
A
disc made utterly recommendable by the Moiseiwitsch/Sargent recording
of the First Concerto. ... see Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873
– 1943) Piano
Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op.1* Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor,
Op.18** Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op.30*** Piano Concerto No.
4 in G minor, Op.40*** Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43**
* John Lill (piano), BBC
National Orchestra of Wales, Tadaaki Otaka (conductor) ** Jose Luis
Prats (piano), Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra, Enrique Batiz (conductor)
*** Nikolai Lugansky (piano), State Academy Symphony Orchestra of Russia,
Ivan Shpiller (conductor)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6214 [2 discs; 75:03; 78:34; super-budget , DDD]
[TH]
I
can recommend this set with slight reservations. Well worth considering
if cost is a key factor. Lugansky's piano playing is truly outstanding
and red-blooded. … see Full Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) The Essential Rachmaninov
DECCA 470 457-2 [2CD: 79.10+79.35] [RB]
Not
for the serious Rachmaninov enthusiast. A generous introduction for
the non-purist. Kocsis excels in the Paganini and the Ashkenazy conducted
items go especially well. ... see
Full Review
Bernard RANDS
(born 1934)
Ceremonial (1992) John HARBISON (born
1938)
Olympian Dances (1997) William KRAFT
(born 1923) Concerto for Four Solo Percussion and Wind Ensemble
(1964, arr. 1995)a Karel HUSA
(born 1921) Les Couleurs Fauves (1995)
Matthew Manturuk, Eric Millstein, John Tanzer, Scott Vincent (percussion)a;
New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Frank L. Battisti Recorded:
Jordan Hall, Boston, February 1998 (Rands, Harbison); February 1997
(Kraft, Husa) ALBANY
TROY 340 [65:41] [HC]
I
really enjoyed this release. All worthwhile additions to a repertoire
once confined to sometimes dubious transcriptions. A repertoire considerably
enlarged and enriched by imaginative and sympathetic composers … see
Full Review
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Piano
Concerto in G major Piano Concerto for the Left Hand Alborada del
Gracioso Joaquín
Achucarro, piano Euskadi Symphony Orchestra (Basque National Orchestra)
Gilbert Varga, conductor Recorded San Sebastian, Miramon September 2000,
June 2001 CLAVES CD
50-2101 [49.23] [JW]
The
jazz element essentially true to Ravel’s wish for the light-hearted
and the brilliant. The music never congeals to mere gorgeousness. …
see Full Review
JOSEPH-GUY
ROPARTZ (1864-1955)
Piano Trio (1918) 38.00Prélude,
Marine et Chansons (1928) 12.00 String Quartet No. 4 (1934)
19.00 Jean-Louis Haguenauer
(piano), Alexis Galpérine (violin), Cecilia Tsan (cello) (trio)
Ensemble Stanislas (second two items)
world premiere recordings rec Salle Poirel 23 Oct 1995 22-23 June 1996
TIMPANI 1C1047 [70.05] [RB]
A
handsomely produced disc and one I commend very highly. Doubting Thomases
should sample any part of the 'triptych' work and the finale or quasi
lento of the quartet. ...see Full Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI
(1792 – 1868) Sonatas for Wind Quartet
Michael Thompson Wind
Quartet Michael Thompson [horn], Jonathan Snowden [flute], Robert
Hill [clarinet], John Price [bassoon] Recorded in St. Paul’s Church,
Rusthall, Kent, April,1996.
NAXOS 8.554098 [68:43]
[TH]
Enjoyable
disc, well recorded and informatively annotated, and certainly a must
for all Rossinians. … see Full Review
Max Rostal (1905-1991) - In Memoriam
- Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Violin
Concerto No 2 + Alban BERG (1885-1935)
Violin Concerto * Bernard STEVENS (1916-1983)
Violin Concerto # Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Violin Concerto No 1 ^
Max Rostal violin with
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Norman del Mar 23 December
1962+ BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hermann Scherchen 22 December
1953* BBC Northern Orchestra conducted by Charles Groves 9 January 1948
# BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent 22 August
1956 ^ SYMPOSIUM 1142/43
[2 CD 141.29] [JW]
A
document of real historical interest. A valuable legacy of preserved
concerto performances by a musician of stature. … see Full
Review
Miklós
RÓZSA (1907
– 1996) String
Quartet No. 1 Op. 22 (1950) String Quartet No. 2 Op. 38 (1981) Sonata
for two Violins Op.15a (1933, rev. 1973)a
The Flesch Quartet (Philippa Ibbotson, Mark Denman, violins; Robert
Gibbs, viola and violina; David Newby, cello) Recorded: St
Silas Church, Kentish Town, January 2000 (string quartets) and
Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, Weston, Hertfordshire, August 2000
ASV CD DCA 1105
[64:13] [HC]
A
real winner and warmly recommended with the secret hope that ASV will
next turn to the String Trio and Piano Quintet … see
Full Review
Edmund
RUBBRA
(1901-1986) Piano
Concerto (1956) Benjamin BRITTEN
(1913-1976) Piano Concerto (1938) Prelude and Fugue for 18-part
string orchestra (1943)
Rubbra: Denis Matthews (piano)/BBCSO/Sargent rec Kingsway Hall, London,
30 Aug 1956 Britten Concerto: Jacques Abram (piano)/Philharmonia/Herbert
Menges. rec Abbey Rd, 25 Jan 1956 Britten: RPO/Norman Del Mar, rec Studio
1, Abbey Rd, 9 July 1964
EMI CLASSICS CDZ 5 74781 2 [68.03] [RB]
A significant
collection which will appeal strongly to Rubbra and Britten specialists.
… see Full Review
[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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