JOHN CAGE (1912-1992) ONE ⁶ (13:40+15:35+17:35) ONE¹⁰ (24:30)   Christina Fong (violin) world premiere recordings OGREOGRESS PRODUCTIONS OG004
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John CAGE (1912-1992) Four⁴ (1991) Glenn Freeman (percussion) OGREOGRESS PRODUCTIONS OG001
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JOHN CAGE (1912-1992): THREE² (1991) (9'00") TWENTY-THREE (1988) (23'00") SIX (1991) (3'00") TWENTY-SIX (1991) (26'00") Christina Fong (violin/viola) Glenn Freeman (percussion) Karen Krummel (cello) OGREOGRESS PRODUCTIONS OG005

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John CAGE (1912-1992) Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano (1946-1948). Yuji Takahashi (prepared piano). Rec at Italian Institute, Stockholm on July 26th-27th, 1965. Mono [ADD] FYLKINGEN RECORDS FYCD1010 [58'30] - Complete Piano Music, Volume 1: The Prepared Piano, 1941-1952. CD 1 [53'49]: Bacchanale (1940) [7'54]. Totem Ancestor (1942) [2'06]. And The Earth Shall Bear Again (1942) [3'16]. Primitive (1942) [4'03]. In the Name of the Holocaust (1942) [6'15]. Our Spring will come (1943) [4'34]. A Room (1943) [2'26]. Tossed as it is Untroubled (1943) [2'36]. The Perilous Night (1943/44) [13'23]. Root of an Unfocus (1944) [5'01]. CD2 [52'07] The Unavailable Memory Of (1944) [2'11]. Spontaneous Earth (1944) [3'05]. Triple Paced (1944) [2'26]. A Valentine Out OF Season (1944) [3'37]. Prelude for Meditation (1944) [1'10]. Mysterious Adventure (1945) [8'57]. Daughters of teh Lonesome Isle (1945) [9'24]. Music for Marcel Duchamp (1947) [5'45]. Two Pastorales (1952) [13'29].CD3 [65'22]: Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano (1946-1948) Steffen Schleiermacher (prepared piano). Rec Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen on December 6th-8th, 1996 DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG613 0781-2 [3CD: 171'18]

More of a sense of discovery from Takahashi who in the final analysis wins my vote: but a close-run race. … see Full Review

Andrew CARTER (b.1939) Andrew CARTER’s Christmas Carols Trad. French, arr. CARTER: ‘A maiden most gentle’ [3’30"] Wilhelm DÖRFLER, arr. CARTER: ‘Nightingale Carol’ [3’21"] CARTER: ‘Chanticleer Carol’ [2’17"] 14^th century, arr. CARTER: ‘Angelus ad Virginem’ [3’28"] Appalachian trad. arr. CARTER: ‘I wonder as I wander’ [2’59"] English trad. arr. CARTER: ‘Tomorrow shall be my dancing day’ [1’45"] CARTER: Canon on Forest Green (organ solo) [2’22"] From Piae Cantiones arr. CARTER: ‘Personent hodie’ [2’32"] CARTER: ‘Sweet was the song the Virgin sang’ [3’42"] CARTER: ‘I come from highest heaven’ [3’16"] Trad. arr. CARTER: ‘Spanish Lullaby’ [3’57"] CARTER: ‘Hodie Christus natus est’ [2’05"] English trad. arr. CARTER: ‘Down in yon forest’ [2’12"] CARTER: ‘The Morning Star’ [3’45"] French 15^th century arr. CARTER: ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’ [3’41"] CARTER: Toccata on Veni Emmanuel (organ solo) [3’59"] CARTER: ‘There is no rose’ [3’35"] CARTER: ‘Mary’s Magnificat’ [3’21"] CARTER: ‘Make we merry on this fest’ [1’27"] Trad. arr. CARTER: ‘Spanish Carol’ [1’52"] Trad. arr. CARTER: ‘Polish Carol’ [4’17"] French 16^th century arr. CARTER: ‘Cétait la veill’ de Noé’ [2’00"] Trad. arr. CARTER: ‘Austrian Yodel Carol’ [2’58"] Franz GRÜBER\ arr. CARTER: ‘Stille Nacht’ [4’04"] Quire of London Directed by Andrew Carter John Scott (organ) Recorded in the Church of St. Alban the Martyr, Holborn, London on 23/24 January 2002 YORK AMBISONIC YORK CD 169 [72’42"] [JQ]

A delightful, atmospheric and most enjoyable Christmas CD … see Full Review

Mario CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO (1895-1968) Les guitars bien tempérées: 24 preludi e fughe per due chitarre Op.199 (1940) Claudio Piastra (guitar) Rec. 1992? DDD WARNER FONIT 0927 43353-2 [2CDs: 68:23+61:15] [AD]

A little disappointing - a rather flat, sterile feel which I am sure is due to the recording technique. … see Full Review

Daniel CATÁN (1949 - ) Rappacini’s Daughter (Opera Highlights) (1988) Libretto by Juan Tovar after Octavio Paz (1914 - ) Obsidian butterfly (1984) text from "Selected Poems" by Octavio Paz Encarnación Vázquez, mezzo-soprano - Fernando de la Mora, tenor - Jesús Suaste, tenor - Convivium Musicum Chorus - Eduardo Diasmuñoz, conductor - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra - Recorded in Mexico City, October 1991 NAXOS 21st Century Classics 8.557034 [66.07] [PS]

Sensuous, comfortable music by a new composer, an all-Mexican production. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème de l’amour et de la mer op. 19 (1), Chanson perpétuelle op. 37 (2), Mélodies op. 2 (3): 2. Le Charme, 3. Les Papillons, 4. La dernière feuille, 5. Sérénade italienne, 7. Le Colibri Jessye Norman (soprano), Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra/Armin Jordan (1), Michel Dalberto (pianoforte) (2, 3), Ronald Patterson (violin) (2), Salvatore Sansalone (violin) (2), Jean-Pierre Pigerre (viola), Lane Anderson (violoncello) (1, 2) Dates and locations not given Warner Classics Apex 0927 48992 2 [44’ 46"] [CH]

A super disc and a Chausson collection for the general listener whereas the Hyperion complete Chausson mélodies is more specialised. … see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Twelve Etudes op. 10 (1835) Twelve Etudes op. 25 (1840) Murray Perahia (pianoforte) Rec: Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios, London, 28^th June-4^th July 2001 SONY CLASSICAL SK 61885 [55’54"] [CH]

Not among Perahia’s greatest successes. … see Full Review

Noël COWARD (1899-1973) Ian Bostridge sings [Arrangements by Corin Buckeridge ] - I Travel Alone (1934) - From the 1920s: Parisian Pierrot (London Calling – 1923) - Poor Little Rich Girl (On with the Dance - 1925) - World Weary (This Year of Grace - New York Production – 1928) - Mary Make-Believe (This Year of Grace) - A Room with a View (This Year of Grace) - Dance, Little Lady (This Year of Grace) - If You Could Only Come with Me (Bitter Sweet – 1929) - I’ll See You Again (Bitter Sweet) - Zigeuner (Bitter Sweet) - The Dream is Over (1928) - From the 1930s: Any Little Fish (Cochran’s 1931 Review) - Twentieth Century Blues (Cavalcade – 1931) - Mad Dogs and English Men (Words and Music – 1932) - Let’s Say Goodbye (Words and Music) - Something to do With Spring (Words and Music) - The Party’s Over (Words and Music) - Someday I’ll Find You (Private Lives - 1930) - Never Again (Set to Music – 1939) Ian Bostridge (tenor) - Sophie Daneman (soprano) - Jeffrey Tate (piano) - Recorded at EMI Studio No. 1 Abbey Road, October and November 2001 EMI CLASSICS 5 57374 2 [64:19] [IL]

Bostridge’s enunciation is spot on … pleasing expressiveness and his accentuations, just short of extravagance, would surely have pleased the master. … see Full Review

Johann Baptist CRAMER (1771-1858) - Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor Op. 16 (1796) Allegro non tanto, Andante cantabile, Rondo - Allegretto - Piano Concerto No. 7 in E major Op. 56 (1819) Allegro con spirito, Larghetto, Rondo. Vivo, Piano Concerto No. 8 in D minor Op. 70 (1820) Moderato assai, Larghetto, Rondo a L’Espagnola London Mozart Players/Howard Shelley (piano/conductor) - Recorded in St Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town, London 29 and 30 January 2002 CHANDOS CHAN 10005 [77. 15] [CF]

One hears plenty of Cramer’s contemporaries with Beethoven and Hummel strongly in there … see Full Review

Joseph CURIALE (b.1955?) Gates Of Gold, for orchestra (1993-94) Arrival: A View from Sea [3:12] River of tears [7:01] Call of the Mountain [8:56]Awakening (Songs of the Earth) for orchestra (1995) Compassion [3:39] Forgiveness [3:44] Joy [3:31] Adelina de Maya, for orchestra (1995-96) Movement 1 [6:08]Movement 2 [5:01] The Multiples Of One, for quintet* (1995) [5:22] The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Composer *Track 9 played by: Bryan Pezzone, piano; Miriam Clarke, flute; Jon Clarke, oboe; Robert Becker, viola and Larry Corbett, cello. Tracks 1-3 recorded 25^th July 1995, tracks 4-6 recorded 23^rd January 1996, tracks 7-8 recorded 4^th December 1996 all at the Abbey Road Studio, London. Track 9 recorded 19^th June 1996 at the Blue Moon Studio, Agoura Hills, California. DDD BLACK BOX BBM1050 [46:43] [MC]

Undemanding and generally uninspiring - in acceptable performances … see Full Review

Matthew CURTIS (b. 1959) Orchestral Works - Fiesta (1983); - Amsterdam Suite (1995) - Pas de Deux (1981) - Symphonic Suite: Paths to Urbino (1997/8) - Two Pieces for Small Orchestra (1982, 2002) - Outward Bound (1995) Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Gavin Sutherland - Recorded at Sony Music Studios, London, England, 1-2 July 2002 CAMPION CAMEO BRITISH COMPOSER SERIES - CAMEO 2015 [77'18] [PS]

Dyed-in the-wool traditional "light music", fresh as a daisy in spring, performed with lithe athleticism and disarming charm. Absolutely delicious. … see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Pelléas at Mélisande (1902) Lyric drama in five acts and twelve scenes Libretto: Maurice Maeterlinck Mélisande: Alison Hagley (soprano) Pelléas: Neill Archer (tenor) Golaud: Donald Maxwell (baritone) King Arkel: Kenneth Cox (bass) Geneviève: Penelope Walker (mezzo) Yniold: Samuel Burkey (treble) Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera/Pierre Boulez Directed for the stage and screen by Peter Stein Recorded at the New Theatre, Cardiff, March 1992 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 030-9 [2CDs: 158 minutes] [TH]

A ‘must have’ for lovers of this masterpiece, but buyers can feel rightly aggrieved at having to pay over the odds. … see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Paris - Song of a Great City, for orchestra (1899) [21:49] - Concerto for violin, cello and orchestra (1915-16) [20:29] - Concerto for cello and orchestra (1921) [21:53] - Violin: Tasmin Little, Cello: Raphael Wallfisch Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Mackerras - Recorded in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 1-3 June 1991. DDD EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75803 2 8 [64:18] [MC]

Highly regarded when first released and is still recommendable today … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Frederick Delius (1862-1934) A Village Romeo and Juliet (1899-1901) Wendy Eathorne (sop) Vrenchen - girl Elizabeth Harwood (sop) Vrenchen Corin Manley (treble) Sali - boy Robert Tear (ten) Sali Benjamin Luxon (bar) Manz Noel Mangin (bass) Marti John Shirley-Quirk (bar) The Dark Fiddler John Alldis Choir Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Meredith Davies Talk by Eric Fenby [27.20] Recorded in the Kingsway Hall, London 18^th -22^nd October 1971 Originally issued on LP in 1973 EMI CLASSICS 5757852 [2CDs: 68.10+68.46] [JF]

A stunning reissue. One of the very best. Perhaps this is Frederick Delius's masterpiece. A historic, moving and sheerly magical performance with an all star cast at superbudget price. Well done EMI! … see Full Review

Norman DELLO JOIO (b.1913) Meditations on Ecclesiastes (1956) [30.14] - Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Psalm and Fugue for String Orchestra (1940) [10.10] - Shepherd of Israel (1952) [15.46] - Arnold ROSNER (b.1945) Responses, Hosanna and Fugue (1977) [20.06] Philharmonia Orchestra/David Amos - rec Nov 1990, CBS Studios, London, United Kingdom HARMONIA MUNDI FRANCE HMU 906012 [76.35] [RB]

These are four works kith and kin in their entwining around chant and allegiance to richly ornamented string writing. ...See Full Review

Toccata In Blue Carlo DOMENICONI (b.1947) Toccata in Blue, "Trilogy": Calata; Adagio lirico; Ragtime Jaime Mirenbaum ZENAMON (b.1953) "Reflexoes No.7": Lento; Vivissimo; Molto lento; "Demian": Dos mundos (moderato); El senal de Caim (Violento); Krommer (poco meno); Abraxas (lento); Eva (Largo); Pistorius; El principio del fin (Lento) Dale KAVANAGH (b.1958) "Three Pieces": Melissa; Contemplation; Fueco, "Fundy" Dale Kavanagh (guitar) recording information not available HÄNSSLER CD 98.348 [52:37] [AD]

Fresh and exciting music played in a fresh and exciting way. … see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) La Favorita (Italian version) (1840) Fedora Barbieri (mezzo) (Leonora di Gusman), Gianni Raimondi (ten) (Fernando), Carlo Tagliabue (bar) (Alfonso XI), Giulio Neri (bass) (Baldassare), Mariano Caruso (ten) (Don Gasparo), Loretta di Lelio (Ines), Turin RAI Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Angelo Questa - Recorded 23rd November 1955, Turin CETRA OPERA COLLECTION, WARNER FONIT 0927 43617-2 [2 CDs: 61’48"+74’55"] [CH]

A traditional Italian performance with the "wrong" text and cuts, but some superb singers. … see Full Review

Henri DUTILLEUX (born 1916) Tout un monde lointain (Cello Concerto) (1968-70) [29'01] Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Cello Concerto (1969/70) [23'14] Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) Orchestre de Paris/Serge Baudo (Dutilleux), Witold Lutosławski (Lutosławski). Rec in the Salle Wagram, Paris, on November 5th-6th, 1974 (Dutilleux) and December 22nd-24th, 1974 (Lutosławski). [ADD] EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY CDM5 67867-2 [52'38] [CC]

The meeting of the talents of Lutosławski and Rostropovich is a fortuitous one which must be heard. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Symphonies 7-9 - CD1: Symphony no.9 in E minor "From the New World", op.95 (1893) - Symphony no.7 in D minor op.70 (1885) - CD2: Romance in F minor for violin and orchestra, op.11 (1877) - Symphony no.8 in G, op.88 (1890) - Symphonic Variations, op.78 (1877) - Stephanie Gonley (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Mackerras - English Chamber Orchestra/Charles Mackerras - Recorded in St.Augustine’s, Kilburn, 21^st-23^rd May 1991, Henry Wood Hall (Symphonies 7 and 9), Southwark, 20^th-21^st May, 1994 (Romance), and 26^th, 27^th and 29^th April 1992 (Symphony 8 and Variations) EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75761 2 3 [CD1 [79:28] CD2 [70:26]] [GPJ]

These performances are all of a really high class, and the recording is entirely successful in capturing them. I look forward with excitement to the next episode in this venture. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Cello Concerto in b, op. 104 (1894/5)* The Water Goblin, op. 107 (1896) Carnival, op. 92 (1891) Torleif Thedéen (violoncello)* Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra/Kees Bakels Rec. Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; December 2001 BIS-CD-1276[69’18"] [CH]

A nice version of the concerto, lacking that something extra needed in such a competitive area. Excellent performances of the two orchestral pieces. … see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) The Spectre’s Bride Op. 69 (1885) Dramatic Cantata for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra Oksana Krovytska (soprano) John Aler (tenor) Ivan Kusnjer (baritone) Westminster Symphonic Choir New Jersey Symphony Orchestra/ Zdeňek Mácal Recorded in Prudential Hall, New Jersey, and Performing Arts Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA on 1 and 2 October 2001. DELOS DE 3296 [76.48] [CF]

A version of highs and lows but, with such fine playing and choral singing, the lows are worth putting up with. … see Full Review

Elgar and the English Choral Tradition Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) With Proud Thanksgiving (1921) [7.21] Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) A Prayer (1916) [17.06]
Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Sine Nomine (1922) [14.44] George DYSON (1883-1964) The Blacksmiths (1934) [14.15] Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972) Psalm 23 (1903 orch 1945) [15.34] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei (1678, orch. Elgar 1929) [7.22] Elizabeth Donovan (sop) (Howells) Kevin Matthews (ten) (Howells, Dyson, Purcell) William Prideaux (bar) (Purcell) Pauline Alston (piano) (Dyson) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Chorus/Ian Tracey Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Douglas Bostock rec 13-14 July 2002 Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, DDD CLASSICO CLASSCD 456 [78.14] [RB]

Not to be missed by fans of lyrical British choral music ... see Full Review

ELGAR Symphony No. 1 48.09 WAGNER Meistersinger Overture 8.17 SWR Radio SO, Stuttgart/Roger Norrington live recordings HÄNSSLER CLASSIC - FASZINATION MUSIC CD 93.000 [56.26] [RB]

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Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Rediscovered works for violin - volumes 1 and 2 (1878-1918) Marat Bisengaliev (violin) Benjamin Frith (piano) Recorded in St Michael’s Church, Highgate on 20/21 August 1998. BLACK BOX BBM 1016 [67.57] BLACK BOX BBM 1047 [68. 35] [CF]

These are two highly enjoyable discs.see Full Review

Tetsuji EMURA (born 1960) Violin Concerto No.2 L’Inextérieur (1992)^a Tsippi FLEISCHER (born 1946) Symphony No.3 Regarding Beauty (2000)^b Dinos CONSTANTINIDES (born 1928) Millenium Festival Overture (2000)^b Don WALKER (born 1941) Topolobampo (1999)^b Gerry MURPHY (born 1947) Piano Concerto No.1 (1999/2000)^c Azumi Takada (violin)^a; Finghin Collins (piano)^c; Tokyo Philharmonic^a; Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra^bc; Kazuhiko Komatsu^a, Jiri Mikula^bc (conductors) Recorded: neither dates nor venues given VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3051 [67:43]

Music by largely unknown composers, all having something to say and all more or less successful … see Full Review

Gabriel FAURE (1845-1924) Nocturnes - CD 1: Complete Nocturnes - 1. Nocturne no. 1, op. 33/i in E flat minor, 2. Nocturne no. 2, op. 33/ii in B major, 3. Nocturne no. 3, op. 33/iii in A flat major, 4. Nocturne no. 4, op. 36 in E flat major, 5. Nocturne no. 5, op. 37 in B flat major, 6. Nocturne no. 6, op. 63 in D flat major, 7. Nocturne no. 7, op. 74 in C sharp minor, 8. Nocturne no. 8, op. 84 in D flat major, 9. Nocturne no. 9, op. 97 in B minor, 10. Nocturne no. 10, op. 99 in E minor, 11. Nocturne no. 11, op. 104/i in F sharp minor, 12. Nocturne no. 12, op. 107 in E minor, 13. Nocturne no. 13, op. 119 in B minor - CD 2 Beyond the Notes - with commentary by Sally Pinkas Sally Pinkas, Piano - Rec: June 2001, Jordan Hall, Boston Massachusetts. MUSICA OMNIA MO0109 [72.45 + 18.08] [KM]

A key that opens the door to this demanding repertoire. … see Full Review

Philip FEENEY (b.1954) The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Music from the Ballet Prelude (The Cathedral of Notre Dame) Act 1 (in 8 scenes) Act 2 (in 8 scenes) Act 3 (in 5 scenes) Miranda Bevin, soprano Singers from Opera North Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra/John Pryce-Jones Recorded at All Saints Church, Elland, February 2^nd - 7^th 1998 DDD BLACK BOX BBM1009 [74.13] [NH]

Another successful Black Box premiere which can do nothing but raise the profile of a rising star of ballet composition … See Full Review.

Samuel FEINBERG (1890-1962) Three Preludes Op. 15 (pub 1925) - Sonata No 11 Op. 40 (pub 1957) - Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Serenade from Songs and Dances of Death (1875-77) transc. Feinberg - Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Sonata No 4 in C minor Op. 29 - From Tales of an Old Grandmother Op. 31 Peter Paul Kainrath, piano - Recorded Congress Hall, Ortisei, February 1994 AURA 423-2 [59.35] [JW]

A thought-provoking release and especially so to admirers of Feinberg - the man and the musician. … see Full Review

Morton FELDMAN (1923-1987) Crippled Symmetry (1983) Members of The California EAR Unit (Dorothy Stone, flutes, Arthur Jarvinen, percussion, Vicki Ray, piano/celesta) Recorded 1999 BRIDGE 9092 [2 CDs priced as one 87.27] [JW]

Feldman embodied the Abstract Expressionist aesthetic; explore his sometimes bleak simplicity of utterance with utter conviction. … see Full Review

Morton FELDMAN (1926 – 1987) Violin and String Quartet (1985) Christina Fong (violin) The Rangzen Quartet OGREOGRESS PRODUCTIONS OG002 [2 CDs: 58:54; 58:30]
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FLUKT (tr. soaring) Spill - Flukt - Melvin - Flisa - Lisa - Det er nu tid at vaage - Polarispols - Bryllupstoner - Reel-potpurri - Merethes vise - Dagen viger - Spelemannsbryllup - Gammelhaskjin - Bygnaden - Nestekjaerleik - Sturla Eide Sundli, fiddle/Hardanger fiddle - Øivind Farmen, accordion - Sondre Meisfjord, double bass, acoustic bass guitar Heidi Skjerev, voice - Erlend Skomsvoll, harmonium - Recorded February 2002 (venue not stated) 2L RECORDS 2L8 [41.47] [NH]

A lovely new disc from an important new voice inhabiting the "folk-jazz" interface … see Full Review

Peter Racine FRICKER (1920-1990) Symphony No.2 Op.14 (1951) Robert SIMPSON (1921-1997) Symphony No.1 (1951) Robin ORR (b.1909) Symphony in One Movement (1960-63) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Sir John Pritchard (Fricker) London Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Adrian Boult (Simpson) Royal Scottish National Orchestra Sir Alexander Gibson (Orr) Recorded in Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 13 and 14 August, 1954 (Fricker)* No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, 24 and 27 January, 1956 (Simpson)* City Hall, Glasgow, Summer 1965 (Orr) *Mono ADD EMI BRITISH COMPOSERS 7243 5 75789 2 9 [72’17] [TH]

What some of the forgotten music of the post-war years actually sounds like. … see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Complete Songs, Volume 4 - Five Poems to texts by John Paulsen, op. 26 (1876), Twelve Melodies to poems by A. O. Vinje, op. 33 (1881), Songs without opus no: Min lille Fugl, Blåbæret, Til L. M. Lindemans Solvbryllup, Til Kirken hun vandrer, Den hvide, røde Rose, Odalisken synger, På Hamars Ruiner, Jenta, Til Generalkonsul Chr. Tønsberg Monica Groop (mezzo-soprano), Roger Vignoles (pianoforte) - Rec.: 27^th April-1^st May 2001, Danderyds Gymnasium, Sweden BIS CD-1257 [67’53"] [CH]

Grieg often tugs at the heat in a way not easily explained. The Vinje settings are a major work and the performances are excellent. … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1759) Arias from Alcina (1735) - Tornami a vagheggiar - Giulio Cesare (1724) - Overture - Non disperar, chi sa? - Sinfonia act 2 - V’adoro pupille - Piangero, la sorte mia - Da tempeste il legno infranto - Rinaldo (1711) - Overture - Combatti da forte - Sinfonia act1 scene 7 - Lascia ch’io pianga - Bel piacere Emma Matthews (Soprano) - New Zealand Chamber Orchestra/Donald Armstrong - Recorded March 2001, Brierly Theatre, Wellington College, New Zealand ARTWORKS AW029 [45.49] [RH]

Rarely have I heard singing in Handel sound so beautiful and so natural. .… see Full Review

George Friderick HANDEL (1685-1759) Water Music, HWV 348-350 - Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351 Tafelmusic/Jeanne Lamon - Date and location of recording not specified SONY CLASSICAL THETA SMK89986 [71.05] [WH]

Listeners seeking something closer to perfection will be happier with Tafelmusik … see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Semele Justino Diaz, bass Mark Deller, countertenor Sheila Armstrong, soprano Felicity Palmer, soprano Helen Watts, contralto Robert Tear, tenor Edgar Fleet, tenor Armor Artis Chorale, John McCarthy Harold Lester, harpsichord and organ English Chamber Orchestra, Johannes Somary Rec: 1975 ADD REGIS RRC2020 [143.46] [KM]

This is a very good, though dated recording of one of Handel’s less popular oratorios. … see Full Review

Roy HARRIS (1898-1979) Symphony No. 2 (1934) [20.25] - Morton GOULD (1913-1996) Symphony No. 3 (1947) [40.38] Albany SO/David Alan Miller - rec. Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Troy, New York, 21 March 2000 (Harris); 15 April 2000 (Gould) - world premiere recordings ALBANY RECORDS TROY 515 [62.07] [RB]

Two lost symphonies rich with surprises and with familiarity - now found and well advocated ... see Full Review

J.P.E. HARTMANN (1805-1900) Symphony No. 1 in G minor Op. 17 (1836) [31.08] - Symphony No. 2 in E major Op. 48 (1848) [37.34] Danish National Radio SO/Thomas Dausgaard - rec. Danish Radio Concert Hall, 24-26 April, 20-22 May 1996 DDD DACAPO 8.224042 [69.11] [RB]

A wonderfully refreshing disc of music with plenty of fantasy and hardly any grief or angst. ... see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Trio in G Major Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Variations on Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major Jacques Thibaud, violin, Pablo Casals, cello, Alfred Cortot, piano Historical recordings: Haydn: June 20, 1927 at Queen’s Hall, London; Beethoven, July 6, 1926 at Kingsway Hall, London; Schubert, July 5-6, 1926 at Kingsway Hall, London. All original recordings made by HMV. Remastered and restored by Ward Marston. ADD NAXOS HISTORICAL SERIES 8.110188 [63.04] [KS]

If you appreciate first rate playing by legends of the art, then grab this and all the others in the series by the same artists. … see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze (1785/1795) - (Seven Last Words of our Saviour at the Cross) - Oratorio Version. Hob XX/2 - Petra Labitzke (Soprano) - Gabriele Wunderer (Alto) - Daniel Sachs (Tenor) - Christof Fischesser (Bass) - Nordic Chamber Choir Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim/Nicol Matt - Recorded 7,8,9 January 2002, Hotel Wartburg, Mannheim, Germany BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99788 [55.29] [RH]

An attractive small scale performance of a little recorded piece. The tempi, swifter than usual, might not be to everyone’s taste…. See Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732 – 1809) Sonata No.28 in D major, Hob. XVI/5a (1766) - Sonata No.29 in E flat major, Hob. XVI/45 (1767) - Sonata No.30 in D major, Hob. XVI/19 (1768) Ronald Brautigam, fortepiano - Recorded August 2000, Sweden BIS-CD-1174 [61:57] [JL]

A neat package of three sonatas splendidly played on a fortepiano. … see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Violin Concerto in A major (Hob. VIIa:3) - Moderato; Adagio; Allegro - Violin Concerto in G major (Hob. VIIa:4) - Allegro moderato; Adagio; Allegro - Violin Concerto in C major (Hob. VIIa:1) - Allegro moderato; Adagio; Presto - Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Rondo K. 373 in C major - Allegretto grazioso Christian Teztlaff (violin) - Northern Sinfonia/Heinrich Schiff - Recorded in All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, December 1990 and February 1991 VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 62103 2 5 [67. 30] [CF]

Tetzlaff plays with stylish simplicity, drawing the sense of melodic line and classical shape of each work with loving care … see Full Review

Victor HELY-HUTCHINSON (1901-1947) A Carol Symphony (1927) Bryan KELLY (b.1934) Improvisations on Christmas Carols (1969) Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930) Bethlehem Down (1927), arr. Lane (2002) Philip LANE (b.1950) Wassail Dances (1978) Patric STANDFORD (b.1939) A Christmas Carol Symphony (1978) City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/Gavin Sutherland Recorded at Smecky Studio, Prague, 12^th-13^th May 2002. NAXOS 8.557099 [68.23] [NH]

Happy Christmas from Naxos, a real stocking filler! … see Full Review

Josef Hofmann (1876-1957). The Complete Josef Hofmann Volume 5 - Josef HOFMANN (1876-1957) Berceuse Op 20 No 5 – 2 versions one with Efrem Zimbalist, violin - Elegy - Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Waltz in A Flat Op 42 No3 - Nocturne Op 27 No 2 - Sonata No 3 Op 58 – First Movement - Polonaise in A Military - Nocturne Op 15 No 2 - Andante Spianato e Grande Polonaise - Berceuse in D Flat Op 57 - Waltz in D Flat Minute - Nocturne Op 9 No 2 - Chant Polonaise My Joys Op 74 No 12 arr Franz Liszt - Chant Polonaise The maiden’s Wish Op 74 No 1 arr Franz Liszt - Waltz in E Flat Op 18 - Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata Op 31 No 3 – Second Movement - Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Song without words Op 4 No 4 Spinning Song - Rondo Capriccioso e Op 14 - Anatole LIADOV (1855-1914) Musical Snuff Box - Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Sonata No 1 Op 24 – Fourth Movement Perpetual Motion - Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Liebestraum No 3 in A Flat - Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Prelude in C Sharp Minor op 3 No 2 - Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) March Op 12 No 1 - Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Suite Bergamasque: Clair de lune - Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Orfeo ed Euridice – Melodie Josef Hofmann, piano - Test Recordings, Recitals, Broadcasts, Home Recording. Recorded 1935 – c 1948. MARSTON 52004-2 [2 CDs 64.11 and 70.54] [JW]

These recordings conjure up the still vital spirit of the man that even Rachmaninov admired … see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Songs for bass and piano - volume 2 - The Flute Player of the Armenian Mountains (1946) - Gurge Dikran (1949) - Gantznin Orern (1946) - Dulhey Dulhey (1948) - Ararat (1944) - Distant Lake of Sighs (1971) - Under a Byzantine Dome (1971) - In Early Dawn Time (1971) - From High Armenian Mountain (1971) - Two Shakespeare Sonnets (1942) - Live in the Sun (1953) - Pagan Saint (1948) - Ara Berberian (bass) Alan Hovhaness (piano) - rec c. 1970 ADD CRYSTAL RECORDS CD816 [50.12] [RB]

A much more varied and engaging collection than the first and if you must have only one then this is the one to get. … see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1910-2000) Violin/Viola and Keyboard Works Oror "Lullaby" Op. 1a (1922/26) Varak Op. 47a (1944) Chahagir Op. 56a (1944) Saris Op. 67 (1946) Shatakh Op. 73b (1947) Yeraz "The Dream" Op. 56b (1948) Khirgiz Suite Op. 73a (1951) Duet for Violin and Harpsichord Op. 122 (1954) Three Visions of Saint Mesrob Op. 198 (1962) Christina Fong (violin/viola) Arved Ashby (piano/harpsichord) Rec November/December 2000 in Columbus, Ohio USA OGREOGRESS PRODUCTIONS OG003 [60:06]
a DejaReView

Karel HUSA (born 1921) Music for Prague 1968 (1968)^a Ferdinand WEISS (born 1933) Relazioni variabili (1992)^b Krysztof PENDERECKI (born 1933) Sinfonietta (1991)^c Alain PERRON (born 1959) Séquences voilées (1991)^b Nancy VAN DE VATE (born 1930) Viola Concerto (1990)^d Grigorij Zhislin (viola)^d; Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra^a; Polish Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra^bd; Krakow Chamber Players^c; Miloš Machek^a, José Maria Florêncio^bd, Robert Kabara^c (conductors) Recorded: neither dates nor venues given VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3023 [73:54] [HC]

One of the finest VMM releases … see Full Review

Jacques IBERT (1890-1962) Persée et Andromède (1921) [40'34]. La Ballade de la Géole de Reading (1920) [25'36]. Sarabande pour Dulcinée (1921) [4'02]. Annick Massis (soprano) Andromède; Philippe Rouillon (bass-baritone) Cathos/Le Monstre; Yann Beuron (tenor) Persée; Mélanie Moussay (mezzo) Thétis Ensemble vocal fémenin du Conservatoire du Strasbourg Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra/Jan Latham-Koenig. Rec: Salle Erasme du Palais de la Musique et des Congrès de Strasbourg on 19th-20th June 2002 (Persée) and 8th-9th October 2001 (Ballade and Sarabande). [DDD] AVIE AV0008 [70'31] [CC]

An invaluable addition to the Ibert discography. A tribute to all involved in this disc. Recommended wholeheartedly. A triumph. see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Varied Air: Charles Ives, the Piano Music - Piano Sonata No. 2, Concord, Mass., 1840-1860^* (1904-15, revised circa 1919; revised 1920-40s for 2^nd edition) - Three Page Sonata (1905) - Varied Air and Variations, Study # 2 for Ears or Aural and Mental Exercise!!! (c. 1923) - Study No. 9, The Anti-Abolitionist Riots in the 1830s and 1840s (c. 1908-09) - Waltz-Rondo (c. 1911) - Piano Sonata No. 1 (c. 1901-1909) - Study No. 20: March, Study in even durations—unevenly divided (c. 1908) - Study No. 21, Some South-Paw Pitching! (c. 1909 or 1914) - Study No. 22 (c. 1909) - Study No. 23, Baseball Take-Off (c. 1909) - Set of Five Take-Offs (1906-07) Philip Mead, piano - Helen Brammen, flute^* - Elena Artemonova, viola^* - Recorded in the Vestry Hall, Ealing, London, 29 June 1999, 30 January 2000, and 9 April 2000 METIER MSV CD92037 (a+b) [2 CDs: 64.32+68.44] [SM]

Mead offers a commanding overview of Ives’ piano works, marred only by less than top-shelf sound quality … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters" (1928) The Lindsays - Recorded in the Concert Hall, Faculty of Music, Cambridge in 1991 - Mládí (Youth) Septet for wind ensemble (1924) The Wind Soloists of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe - Recorded in St Peter’s Morden, London June 1989 - Pohádka (Fairy Tale) (1910) Bernard Gregor-Smith (cello) and Yolande Wrigley (piano) - Recorded at the University of Surrey, Guildford, August 1990 - Adagio II for organ * (ed. Rheinberger) (1884) Otce Nás (The Lord’s Prayer) (1901 rev. 1906) - Zdrávas Maria (1904) Geoffrey Webber (organ) * Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge/Geoffrey Webber - All three pieces recorded in Queen’s College Chapel Cambridge, June 1994 ASV PLATINUM PLT 8509 [78:22] [IL]

An inspired compilation of lesser known works - all colourful and approachable … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) The Cunning Little Vixen The Forester (bass) Richard Novák His Wife-The Owl (soprano) Helena Buldrova The Parson-The Badger (bass) Karel Pruša Bystrouska, The Cunning Little Vixen (soprano) Magdelena Hajossyová Goldskin, the Fox (soprano) Gabriel Benačkova-Capová The Woodpecker (contralto) Marie Mrazová Czech Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra Váčlav Neumann Recorded at the Dvořák Hall, Prague, 18 December-26 June, 1980 AAD SUPRAPHON 10 3471-2 [2 Discs, 45.19, 50.21] [TH]

You will be entertained and moved in equal measure, and the ‘cycle of life’ inevitability will linger in the memory. … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) Katia Kabanova - Katia Kabanova – Angela Denoke (sop); Boris – David Kuebler (bass); Kabanicha – Jane Henschel (con); Tichon – Hubert Delamboye (ten); Varvara – Dagmar Peckova (sop); Slovak Philharmonic Choir Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Sylvain Cambreling - Directed by Christoph Martheler, design and costumes – Anna Viebrock - Recorded 1998 - LPM Stereo, Dolby 5.1, DTS 5.1 TDK – DV-OPKK [107 minutes] [AB]

A musically excellent performance from the Salzburg Festival in a rather strange ‘concept’ production. … see Full Review

John JEFFREYS (born 1927) Of Fire and Dew: 21 songs: I will go with my father a-ploughing - Brown is my love - Sweeney the mad - I will make you brooches - Six badgers - When I last came to Ludlow - If it chance your eye offend you - Thirteen pence a day - Horror follows horror - This is the weather the cuckoo likes - In youth is pleasure - Northumberland - O good ale - The Salley Gardens - Full Fathom Five - Now wolde - Ambulance Train - In Marley Wood - The Reaper - The Farewell - A lyke wake dirge Jonathan Veira, baritone; Shelley Katz, piano - Recorded in Studio One, University of Surrey, UK, May/July 1998 SOMM SOMMCD218 [63.20] [WH]

I urge lovers of English song to investigate this issue in the hope that they react to these songs in the way the performers clearly do, in which case they will certainly get more out of it than I did. … see Full Review

Horace KEATS (1895-1945) SONGS - Yellow Bracken (1937) (John Cowper Powys) * In what other places do you live (1941) (Russell Henderson) * -Love's Secret (1934) (William Blake) * The Orange Tree (1938) (John Shaw Neilson) * Sea-Wraith (1939) (J J Donnelly) + Galleons (1937) (Kenneth Mackenzie) + We sat entwined (1936) (Christopher J Brennan) * Sun after rain (1941) (Hugh McCrae) * Am I shut out of mine own heart (1937) (Brennan) * White Heather (1943) (Edith Sterling Levis) * Of old, on her terrace at evening (1945) (Brennan) + -The Trespass (1940) (Hugh McCrae) + Echo (1936) (Christina Rossetti) * ** Columbine (1940) (Hugh McCrae) * The point of noon (1936) (Brennan) * Moonlit apples (1940) (John Drinkwater) * Spring breezes (1939) (Brennan) * Fear (1935) (Michel Montaigne) + Heaven Haven (1937) (Gerard Manley Hopkins) * Versicle (1940) (McCrae) + Over the quiet waters (1943?) (Herbert Brandon) * Goldfish (1935) (Kenneth Mackenzie) + Plucking the rushes (1935?) (anon Chinese) * The fishing pools (1934) (Mackenzie) + Once I could sit by the fire hour long (1943) (Brennan) * The Roads beside the sea (1942) (Brandon) + Drake's call (1943) (Brandon) + Wendy Dixon (sop) * John Pringle (bar) + Martina Marsden (violin) ** David Miller (piano) rec 11-15 Dec 2000, ABC's Eugene Goossens Hall, Ultimo, Sydney, Australia, DDD ABC CLASSICS 472 225-2 [78.27] [JW]

I hope this will be the advance guard that brings more Keatsian delights to the listening public. … see Full Review

Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950) Le Livre de la jungle (1899-1950) [82.58] - 1. La Loi de la jungle - poème symphonique Op. 175 (1934) [6.40] - 2. Les Bandar-Log - poème symphonique Op. 176 (1939-40) [16.19] - 3. Berceuse phoque - mezzo-soprano and choir (1899-1904) [5.00] - 4. Chanson de nuite dans la jungle - mezzo-soprano, baritone and choir (1899-1904) [3.18] - 5. Chant de Kala Nag - tenor and choir (1899-1904) [8.15] - 6. La Méditation de Purun Bhagat - poème symphonique Op. 159 (1936) [14.04] - 7. La Course de printemps - poème symphonique Op. 95 (1925-27) [29.19] - Iris Vermillion (mezzo) - Jacque Trussel (ten) - Vincent le Texier (bar) - Choeur des Opéras de Montpellier - Orchestra Philharmonique de Languedoc-Roussillon/Steuart Bedford - rec. live, 22 July 1998, Opéra Berlioz-Le Corum ADD
ACTES SUD AT 34101 [2CDs: 39.35+43.23] [RB]

Bedford’s version: sensitive, mysterious, informed by imaginative energy ... see Full Review

Herman D KOPPEL (1908-1998) Moses Op. 76 (1963-64) - Elisabeth Meyer-Topsøe (sop) - Kirsten Dolberg (mezzo) - Kurt Westi (ten) - Michael Kristensen (ten) - Per Høyer (bar) - Christian Christiansen (bass) - Danish National Radio Choir/Jesper Grove Jørgensen Danish National Radio SO/Owain Arwel Hughes - rec 1-2 Mar 1996, Danish Radio Concert Hall DDD DACAPO 8.224046 [74.19] [RB]

Intensely serious work laden with sorrows, bitter with conflict … see Full Review

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Tomorrow - Einfache Lieder (Simple Songs), Op. 9 (1911-16) - Das Ständchen (Serenade) - Liebesbriefchen (A little love letter) - Nachtwanderer (Night Wanderer) - Schneeglöckchen (Snowdrops) - Das Heldengrab am Pruth (The Hero’s Grave at Pruth) † - Prayer Op. 32 (1941) * - Suite: Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11 (1918/19) - Overture - Mummenschanz (Hornpipe) – Prelude Act II - Gartenmusik (Garden Music) – Prelude Act III - Intermezzo – An Open Scene - Holzapfel und Schlehwein – Prelude Act III, Scene II - Mädchen im Brautgemach (Maiden in the Bridal Chamber) – Prelude Act IV - Abschiedlieder Songs (Songs of Farewell), Op. 14 (1920/21) - Sterbeleid (Requiem) - Dies eine kann mein Sehnen nimmer fassen (The one thing my longing can nevergrasp) - Mond, so gehst du wieder auf (Moon, you rise again) - Gefasster Abschlied (Serene Farewell) - Gigi Mitchell-Velasco (mezzo-soprano) - and Stephen Gould (tenor) * and Jochem Hochstenbach (piano) † - Ladies of the Mozart Choir Linz Bruckner Orchester Linz conducted by Caspar Richter - Recorded at Brucknerhaus, Linz, Austria, 7-9 January 2002 ASV CD DCA 1131 [66:09] [IL]

Another winner in ASV’s continuing Korngold series … see Full Review

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Schauspiel Overture (1911) - Bruckner Orchester conducted by Caspar Richter - (Recorded in Brucknerhaus, Linz, Austria, 2001) - Piano Quintet in E major (1921) - The Schubert Ensemble - (Recorded in Broadcasting House, Manchester, 1998) - String Quartet No. 2 in E flat (1934) - Flesch Quartet - (Recorded in St Philips Church, Norbury, London, 1998) - Tomorrow (1942) - Gigi Mitchell-Velasco (mezzo-soprano) with the Ladies of the Mozart Choir, Linz And the Bruckner Orchester, Linz conducted by Caspar Richter - (Recorded in Brucknerhaus, Linz, Austria, 2002) ASV PLATINUM PLT 8511 [76:48] [IL]

Amazing assurance and command … Another valuable re-packaging – the two chamber works being especially welcome. … see Full Review

Joseph Martin KRAUS (1756-1792) "Complete Symphonies Volume 4" - Sinfonia per la Chiesa in D, VB 146 - Symhony in F, VB 145 - Symphony in E, VB 143 - Symphony in Eb, VB 144 - Riksdagsmarsh, VB154 Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Petter Sundkvist - Recorded at the concert hall, Örebro, Sweden, 24/25 October 2000 DDD NAXOS 8.555305 [58.44] [PS]

Music in the manner of Haydn but with more complex contrapuntal structure, beautifully played and recorded. … see Full Review

Michel-Richard de LALANDE (1657 - 1726) Grands Motets - Beati quorum remissae sunt [S.5] (1683) - Quam dilecta [S.12] (1683/1689) - Audite caeli quae loquor [S.7] (1682/1689) - Salomé Haller (dessus) - Damien Guillon (contre-ténor) - Howard Crook (haute-contre) - Hervé Lamy (taille) - Alain Buet (basse) - Les Pages et les Chantres de Versailles - La Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy - Olivier Schneebeli, direction - Recorded 11,12 October 2001, Chapel Royal, Versailles VIRGIN VERITAS 7243 5 45531 2 7 [68.18] [RH]

A highly recommendable recording of neglected early works, evokes an atmosphere highly redolent of Louis XIV at Versailles … See Full Review

Jean LANGLAIS (1907 – 1991) "Réaction" – Organ Concerto No.3 (1970/1) Robert Maximilian HELMSCHROTT (born 1938) "Lamento" – Organ Concerto (1993) Francis POULENC (1899 – 1963) Organ Concerto in G minor (1938) Franz Hauk (organ); The Georgian Chamber Orchestra, Ingolstadt; Markus Poschner Recorded: Liebfrauenmünster, Ingolstadt, October 2001 GUILD GMCD 7240 [69:26] [HC]

Guild’s hopefully ongoing organ concerto series goes from strength to strength … see Full Review

Paul LEWIS (born 1943) The Prisoner of Zenda (1984) - Autumn Love (1974) - Brandon Chase (1980)^a - Arthur of the Britons: Suite (1972) - The Big Knife: Romance (1989)^b - King’s Royal (1981) - The Dark Angel (1990)^c - The Benny Hill Waltz (1960s) - The Island (1976)^d - Woof! (1988)^e - Wreckers at Deadeye: Overture (1970) - Lynn Peters (piccolo)^a; Jonathan Higgins (piano)^b; Nick Bucknall (soprano saxophone)^c; Sarah Eyden (soprano)^d; James Hughes (harmonica)^e; The Royal Ballet Sinfonia; Paul Lewis - Recorded: Whitfield Street Studio, London, 1999 CAMEO 2018 [76:13] [HC]

A joy from first to last. The Island: real tone-poem that recalls Bax’s seascapes. A really beautiful piece.… see Full Review

Ingvar LIDHOLM (born 1921) Poesis per orchestra (1963) - Greetings from an Old World (1976) - Kontakion (1978) - Stund, när ditt inre (1998)^a - Peter Mattei (baritone)^a; Norrköping Symphony Orchestra; Lü Jia - Recorded: Louis de Geer Concert Hall, Norrköping, Sweden, April 202 (Poesis), May 2000 (Kontakion, Greetings) and November 2001 (stund, när ditt inre) BIS CD-1240 [70:28] [HC]

Performances recorded in the presence of the composer are superb and the recorded sound is BIS at their best. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Symphonic Poems Complete (see listing below) Budapest Symphony Orchestra/Árpád Joó - Recorded Budapest 1984/5 DDD - Super bargain price! - also available on HUNGAROTON HCD1267781 at full price BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99938 [5CDs: 297.16] [PS]

The best overall full set ever, both sound and performance, (at the best price ever!) achieves authentic fervour and a Wagnerian grandeur reminiscent of the best of Solti. But if all you want is Les Préludes and a couple others … see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Etudes d’exéction transcendante d’après Paganini S 141 (1838 rev 1851) Tre Sonetti del Petrarca S 161 (1839-46) Two Legéndes S175 (1863) Sergio Fiorentino, piano Recorded Guildford Civic Hall August 1965 (Paganini Etudes) and Petrarch Sonnets 1 and 2 (August 1963); Greenwich Borough Hall January 1962 (remainder) CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO CACD 9202-2 [64.40] [JW]

Once again admirers of this remarkable pianist can investigate his ever-growing legacy with confidence and undimmed admiration. … see Full Review

Carl LOEWE (1796-1869) Lieder und Balladen: Complete Edition Vol. 17 Die Schwanenjungfrau op. 129/3, Am Klosterbrunnen op. 110/1, Blumenballade, Die verliebte Schäferin Scapine op. 9 H.IX/3, Der Mummelsee op. 116/3, Der Gesang op. 56/2, Der kleine Schiffer op. 127, Jungfräulein Annika op. 78/1, Die Göttin im Putzzimmer op. 73, Die Elfenkönigin op. 9 H.I/5, Wechsel, Menschenlose op. 103/2, Gulhinde am Putztische op. 10 H.II/5 Julie Kaufmann (soprano), Cord Garben (pianoforte) Recorded 14^th-16^th October 1998, Kammermusikstudio, SWR-Stuttgart CPO 999 415-2 [66’00"] [CH]

There is a great deal of enchanting music here, performed with skill and evident enjoyment. This series now runs to 17 volumes but this is as good a place to start as any. … 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]
Revolving notes from clipart.com

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