Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858-1924)
Excerpts
from five of his popular operas: Bohème (1896); Madama
Butterfly (1904); Tosca (1900); Turandot (1926); Manon
Lescaut (1893) Bargain price 
EMI CLASSICS 5 75576 2 [5CDs: 289.40] [RJF]
Not
generously timed but has its moments of tenderness and visceral excitement
… see Full Reviews
Josef
Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901)
Complete Organ Works Vol.7: Sonata in E flat major, No.13, Op.161:
Phantasie; Maestoso, Adagio-Canzone; Allegretto-Intermezzo; Largo-Fuge;
Allabreve - Charakterstücke für Orgel, op.156: Präludium;
Con moto-Romanze; Andante-Canzonetta; Andantino-Intermezzo; Allegretto-Vision;
Adagio molto-Duett; Andantino amabile-In memoriam; Con moto-Pastorale;
Andantino-Klage; Lrgo-Abdefriede; Lento-Passacaglia; Lento maestoso-Trauermarsch;
Alla marcia Rudolf Innig,
Organist - Organ by: Kuhn, 1879, St Johann at Schaffhausen, Germany
- Recorded:8-9/05/2002, Schaffhausen
MDG 317 0897-2 [71’39] [CA]
Innig has a very good sense of expressiveness
and his use of rubato is well handled … see Full
Review
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
The three violin concertos Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major Op. 20 (1859)
Allegro
- Andante espressivo Violin Concerto No. 2 in C major Op. 58 (1858)
Allegro moderato e maestoso Andante espressivo Allegro scherzando
quasi allegretto Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor Op. 61 (1880) Allegro
non troppo Andantino quasi allegretto Molto moderato e maestoso
Liviu Prunaru (violin) Ensemble Orchestral de Paris/Lawrence Foster
(conductor) Recorded in the church of Notre Dame du Liban, Paris 20-24
May 2002 CLAVES CD 50
- 2210 [75.46] [CF] 
Somewhat
understated performances … see Full Review
Leonard SALZEDO
(1921-2000) Partita Op.112 (1975) Sonatina for Tuned Gongs
and Piano Op. 115 (1976) Four Antiphones for Chorus, Tuned Gongs
and Piano Op. 121 (1977) Giuoco Dei Colpi Op. 105 (1972)
Epifanía Op. 131 (1980)
Lou Cucunato (piano) Wayne Cook (trumpet) The Christopher String Quartet
(Italy) The UW-M Concert Chorale – Robert Porter and Sharon Hansen (directors)
The UW-M Music-With-Percussion Ensemble and The Milwaukee 20th
Century Ensemble – Pavel Burda (director) Recorded at the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of the Arts, Recital Hall ALBANY
TROY511 DDD [62:41] [CT]
A
recording not without its inconsistencies but nonetheless a most welcome
addition to the tragically small Salzedo discography. … see Full
Review
Friedrich
SCHENKER (born
1942) Flötensinfonie
(1976) Werner Tast (flute)
Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester Leipzig/Wolf-Dieter Hauschild Recorded:
Bethanienkirche, Leipzig, February 1980
BERLIN CLASSICS 0013042BC [40:40] [HC]
A
substantial and weighty piece of music, though rather demanding … only
yields its secrets on repeated hearings … see Full
Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934 – 1998) Piano
Sonata No. 1 (1987) - Piano Sonata No. 2 (1990) - Piano Sonata No. 3
(1992) Ragna Schirmer (piano)
- Recorded: Halle Saale Freylinghausen, August 2000
BERLIN CLASSICS 0017292BC [66:20] [GH]
Three
works are of very considerable stature … even greatness. … see Full
Review
Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874-1951)
The
Romantic Music of Arnold Schoenberg - Verklärte Nacht Op.
4 (1917, rev. 1943) - Sehr langsam - Etwas bewegter - Schwer betont
- Sehr breit und langsam - Sehr ruhig - Pelleas und Melisande Op.
5 (1902) - Anfang - Sehr rasch - Ein wenig bewegt - Sehr langsam
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Yoel Levi (conductor) - Recorded in Symphony
Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA on 2 October 1993
and 5 and 7 March 1994
TELARC CD-80372 [77. 35] [CF]
The
passionate string playing does this orchestra great credit … see Full
Review
Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874
– 1951) A
Survivor from Warsaw Op.46 (1947)a - Nancy
VAN DE VATE (born 1930) Katyn (1989) - Krakow Concerto
(1988) - Krysztof PENDERECKI (born
1933) Dies Irae (1967)b - Daniel Olbrychski (narrator);
Olga Szwajgier (soprano)b; Zygmund Jankowski (tenor)b;
Leonard Mroz (bass)b; Polish Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra
and Chorus; Szymon Kawalla
- Recorded: Philharmonic Hall, Krakow, November-December 1989
VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3015 [70:55]
An
unquestionably universal appeal that far transcends the concert which
gave rise to this recording … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797
- 1828) Lazarus
(1820/1994) - Oder Die Feier der Auferstehung - Religiöses
Drama in drei Akten D689 - Text von August Hermann Niemeyer - completed
by Edison DENISOV (1929-1996) Maria
- Sibylla Rubens (Soprano) - Martha - Camilla Nylund (Soprano) - Jemina
- Simone Nold (Soprano) - Lazarus - Scot Weir (Tenor) - Nathanael -
Kurt Azesberger (Tenor) - Ein Jüngling - Christian Voigt (Tenor)
- Simon - Mattias Goerne (Bass) - Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart/Helmuth
Rilling - Recorded. 22-26 January 1996, Stadthalle, Sindelfingen, Germany.
BRILLIANT CLASSICS
99969 [2CDs: 71.41+59.01] [RH]
A
fascinating but flawed attempt to shed new light on Schubert's lesser
known, incomplete oratorio….see Full
Review
Franz
Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Complete
String Quartets, Volume 4 - String Quartet No. 8 in B flat major, D.
112, Opus 168 [25:49] - String Quartet No. 1 in C minor/B flat major,
D. 18 [16:06] - String Quartet No. 4 in C major, D 46 [22:36]
Kodaly Quartet (Attila Falvay, violin I, Tamás Szabó,
violin II, János Fejérvári, viola, György
Éder, cello) - Recorded at the Unitarian Church in Budapest,
Hungary from 11-14 December 2000. DDD
NAXOS 8.555921 [64:31] [KS]
Melodic
passages truly sing and I was struck by the ability to phrase like a
singer. … see Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String
Quartet in E flat major, D87 - Quartettsatz in C minor, D703 - String
Quartet in A minor, D804 ‘Rosamunde’
Borodin String Quartet - Recorded London 1991
VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 561995 2 1 [68:11] [JL]
Big,
smooth, beautifully engineered and well oiled.; Borodin has been the
Rolls Royce of Quartets for over half a century. … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Die Winterreise D. 911 (1827)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded
in the Gemeindehaus, Berlin-Zehlendorf on 13 and 14 January 1955.
Great Recordings of the Century EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 67927 2 2
[74. 36] [CF]
As
part of the series ‘Great Recordings of the Century’, this disc has
a place by right and will disappoint no lover of Schubert, Fischer-Dieskau
or Moore. … see Full Review
Heinrich SCHULZ-BEUTHEN (1838-1915)
Symphony
No. 5 Reformationshymnus Op. 36 (1884) [18.18] Die Toteninsel
- symphonic poem (1909) [11.33] Neger-Lieder und Tänze Op.
26 (1880) [15.55] Abschiedsklänge Op. 28 (1880) [7.33]
Anastasiya Sidelnikova (organ) Moscow SO/Adriano rec Aug 2002, Large
Hall, Moscow State Conservatory and Mosfilm Studios DDD
STERLING CDS-1049-2 [53.27] [RB]
An
old and forgotten voice liberated from the music dictionaries. Not of
the first rank but certainly with something enjoyable to say ... see
Full Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56)
Das
Paradies und die Peri, Op. 50 (1843). Romanzen und Balladen (1849) -
Der König von Thule, Op. 67 No. 1; Schön-Rohtraut, Op. 67
No. 2; Ungewitter, Op. 67 No. 4; Schnitter Tod, Op. 75 No. 1.; Im Walde,
Op. 75 No. 2; Der traurige Jäger, Op. 75 No. 3; Vom verwundeten
Knaben, Op. 75 No. 5; Am Bodensee, Op. 59 No. 2; Der Schidt, Op. 145
No. 1. - Edda Moser (soprano); Regina Marheineke (contralto); Brigitte
Fassbaender (mezzo); Nicolai Gedda, Alva Tripp (tenors); Günter
Wewel (baritone) - Chor des Städtischen Musikvereins zu Dusseldorf
Düsseldorf Symphony
Orchestra/Henryk Czyz (Op. 50), Hermut Schmidt (Romanzen und Balladen).
Rec in the Rheinhalle, Düsseldorf in August 1973 (Op. 50) and July
1975 (Romanzen und Balladen). [ADD]
EMI DOUBLE FORTE 5 75664-2 [118'05: 55'18+62'47] [CC]
Definitely
a recommendable set, especially at the price. … see Full
Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975)
Quintet
for Piano and Strings, Op. 57 (1940) - Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Quintet for Piano and String Quartet
(1972-75) The Vermeer
Quartet: Shmuel Ashkenasi, violin; Mathias Tacke, violin; Richard Young,
viola; Mark Johnson, cello. Boris Berman, piano. Recorded at Glenn Gould
Studio, CBC, Toronto, Canada, 3-6 December, 2000. DDD
NAXOS 8.554830 [56.25] [KS]
Effective
writing, leaving the listener almost breathless as the music disappears.
… see Full Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906
- 1975) Symphony
No.8 Op.65 (1943) Adelaide
Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite Recorded by the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1988 DDD Stereo
ABC ELOQUENCE 426 510-2 [67:24] [DB]
A
Brucknerian view of Shostakovich which, despite being well intentioned,
well played and well recorded, must yield place to others in the catalogue.
… see Full Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975
) Symphony
No. 11 in G minor, op 103 The Year 1905’ (1957) ‘Palace Square’: Adagio
[20:10]‘9 January’: Allegro [21:27]‘In Memoriam’: Adagio [13:27] ‘Tocsin’:
Allegro non troppo [17:20]
London Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich Recorded live at the
Barbican, London, U.K. on 21-22 March 2002 DDD
LSO LIVE LSO0030 [72:24] [MC]
A
superb performance … my top CD choice of the year. Shostakovich fans
will ignore this release at their peril. … see Full
Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Violin
Concerto No. 1, Opus 77 (99) (1948-55) Violin Concerto No. 2, Opus 129
(1967) Maxim Vengerov
(violin) London Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich - Rec May 1994
(No. 1), September 1996 (No. 2), Abbey Road Studios, London
ELATUS 09274 67422 [73.17] [TB]
The
playing and interpretations of Maxim Vengerov that steal the show. …
see Full Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906 – 1975) Piano
Concerto No.1 Op.35 (1933)a Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934 – 1998) Piano Sonata (1987)b Suite
in Old Style (1972)c
Mikhail Petukhov (piano)a; Strings of the USSR Symphony
Orchestraa; Vladimir Kozukhar (conductor)a: Vasily
Lobanov (piano)b; Igor Bogulavsky (viola d’amore), Viktor
Grislin (vibraphone), Alla Litvienko (harpsichord), Viktor Gabinsky
(marimba), Vadim Vasilykov (bells)c Recorded: 1989
CONSONANCE 81-0009 [69:02] [HC]
A
curious release for, besides the fine performances, there is really
very little justification for bringing these disparate works together
… see Full Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998)
Cello Sonatas No.1 (1978) and No. 2 (1993/4) Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) (Viola) Sonata Op.147 (arr. Shafran)
(1975); oderato (1934); Adagio (from two pieces, 'Ballet Suite' No.2)
(1951). Raphael Wallfisch,
cello John York, piano Recorded St.George’s, Brandon Hill, Bristol,
22nd April 1998 (Schnittke) and Champs Hill, Pulborough,
28th June 2000 (Shostakovich).
BLACK BOX BBM1032 [77.59] [NH]
Shostakovich's
late masterpiece, in its cello guise, is complemented by Schnittke's
equally profound sonatas. … see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906 – 1975) Five
Preludes Op.2 (1919/20) Three Fantastic Dances Op.5 (1922) Ten Aphorisms
Op.13 (1927) Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914
– 1991) Twelve Miniatures (1947) Reflections (1968) Pentasonata
(1984, rev. 1987) Raymond
Clarke (piano) Recorded: King’s Hall, University of Newcastle upon Tyne,
September and December 2001
THE DIVINE ART 25018 [77:29] [HC]
Another
magnificent offering from this fine performer … see Full
Review
Louis
SPOHR (1784-1859) Music
for Violin and Harp No. 2 - Sonata in D, Op 114 - Fantasie on Themes
of Danzi and Vogler in b, Op 118 - Sonata in G, Op 115 - "Des Heilands
letzte Stunden:" Mary’s aria* - "Der Erbvertrag:" Lied
der Emma* Sophie Langdon,
violin; Hugh Webb, harp - *Alison Smart, soprano; Roger Montgomery,
horn; Susan Dorey, cello - Recorded at St Martin’s Church East Woodhay,
Newbury, Berkshire, August 2000
NAXOS 8.555365 [73.51] [PS]
Six
essays in beautiful sounds. … see Full Review
Louis
SPOHR (1784-1859) Music
for Violin and Harp Vol. 2 - Sonata in D minor Op. 114 (1809) Allegro
vivace, Andante: Potpourri on themes from the Magic Flute - Fantasie
on Themes of Danzi and Vogler in B minor Op.118 (1810) - Sonata in G
major Op. 115 (1811) Allegro, Larghetto, Rondo - Mary’s Aria from
Des Heilands letzte Stunden- Lied der Emma from the drama
Der Erbvertrag Sophie
Langdon (violin) - Hugh Webb (harp) - Alison Smart (soprano) - Roger
Montgomery (horn) - Susan Dorey (cello) - Recorded in St Martin’s Church,
East Woodhay, Newbury, Berks on 16-18 August 2000 DDD
NAXOS 8. 555365 [73. 51]
A
threat of monotony, saved momentarily by the Magic Flute piece, which
captures the imagination and is cleverly conceived. … see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949)
Ariadne
auf Naxos (1912) - Jessye Norman ...Ariadne/Primadonna (Soprano)
- Kathleen Battle ...Zerbinetta (Soprano) - Tatiana Troyanos
...Composer (Soprano) - James King ...Tenor/Bacchus (Tenor)
- Franz Ferdinand Netwig ...Ein Musiklehrer (Baritone) - Stephen
Dickson ...Harlekin (Baritone) - Allan Glassman ...Scaramuccio
(Tenor) - Arthur Korn ...Truffaldin (Bass) - Anthony Laciura
...Brighella (Tenor) - Gweniet Bean ...Dryade(Soprano)
- Barbara Bonney ...Nayade (Soprano) - Dawn Upshaw ...Drayade
(Contralto) Metropolitan
Opera Orchestra/James Levine - Includes "bonus" clips of rehearsal
- Recorded New York, March 1988
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 028-9 (1 DVD) [no timing given] [JL]
Plush
sets, strong cast, much beauty of sound but the conducting may too indulgent
for some Straussians. Norman at her finest vocally in the composer’s
soaring soprano lines. … see Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS Rosenkavalier
Suite, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Don Juan
SWR Radio-Sinfonieorchester/Georges Prêtre
HÄNSSLER Classic CD 93.012 [59:34] [SF]
a DejaReView
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Die
Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) (1919)
- Opera in 3 acts, libretto by Hugo von Hoffmannsthal (1874-1929) -
Der Kaiser (The Emperor) Thomas Moser - tenor; Die Kaiserin
(The Empress) Cheryl Studer - soprano; Die Amme (The Nurse)
Marjana Lipovšek - mezzo; Der Geisterbote (The Spirit messenger)
Bryn Terfel - baritone; Barak, der Färber (Barak the
dyer) Robert Hale - baritone; Seine Frau (His wife) Eva Marton
- soprano; Die Stimme des Falken (The Falcon’s voice) Andrea
Rost - soprano; Die Erscheinung eines Jünglings (The Apparition
of a Young Man) Herbert Lippert - tenor; Eine Stimme von Oben
(A Voice from Above) Elzbieta Ardam - alto; Der Hüter
der Schwelle (The Guardian of the Threshold) Elizabeth Norberg; Schulz
- soprano; Baraks Brüder: (Barak’s 3 Brothers): Der Einaügige
(The One-Eyed) Manfred Hemm - bass; Der Einarmige (The One-Armed)
Hans Franzen - bass; Der Bucklige (The Hunchback) Wilfried
Gahmlich - tenor; Die Stimmen der Ungeborenen (Voices of Unborn
Children): Carmen Fuggis, Petra Schnitzer, Dalia Schaechter, Rannveig
Braga, Noriko Sasaki, Dienerinnen (Servants) Carmen Fuggis, Petra Schnitzer,
Dalia Schaechter - Die Stimmen der Wächter (The Voices of the Watchmen):
Gerhard Eder, Karl Nebenführ, Wolfgang Scheider - Solo-Stimmen
(Solo Voices): Carmen Fuggis, Birgit beer, Petra Schnitzer, Dalia Schaechter,
Rannveig Braga, Moriko Sasaki - Vienna State Opera Chorus, chorus master
Peter Burian, Salzburg Children’s Choir
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti - Directed by Götz
Friedrich. Directed for television by Brian Large - Recorded live at
the 1992 Salzburg Summer Festival
DECCA DVD 071 425-9 DH2 [203:00] [GPJ]
This
DVD gives a more than fair impression of the score’s many heady beauties
… see Full Review
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Vier
letzte Lieder - Sena Jurinac (soprano), BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm
Sargent - Recorded 11th September 1961, Royal Albert Hall,
London - Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Lieder
eines fahrenden Gesellen - Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano), Philharmonia
Orchestra/André Cluytens - Recorded 2nd December 1957, Royal
Festival Hall, London - Rückert Lieder: Ich atmet’ einen linden
Duft, Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, Um Mitternacht -
R. STRAUSS Du meines Herzens Kröneleien, op. 21/2, Ruhe,
meine Seele, op. 27/1, Zueignung, op. 10/1 - Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Wiegenlied, op. 49/4, Ständchen,
op. 106/1 Christa Ludwig
(mezzo-soprano) - Geoffrey Parsons (pianoforte) - Recorded 15th
July 1978, Wigmore Hall, London
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4107-2 [66’ 47"] [CH]
A
patchy disc, chiefly valuable for the 1978 Ludwig recital. The orchestral
songs are more problematic. … see Full
Review
Atli Heimir SVEINSSON
(b. 1938) Tíminn
og Vatnið - Time and Water (1981-83) - Marta G. Halldórsdóttir
(sop) - Sverrir Gudjónsson (counter-tenor) - Bergþór
Pálsson (bar)
Kammersveit Reykjavíkur and Kór/Paul Zukofsky - rec 12-16
June 1994, Langholtskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland. DDD
CPO 999 865-2 [2 CDs: 148.25] [RB]
This
is for moderately broad-minded listeners who do not object to avant-garde
styles freely juxtaposed with intimations of nature and eternity. ...
see Full Review
Thomas
TALLIS (c.1505-1585)
The Complete Works - Volume 2. Music at the Reformation Magnificat
(5vv) [10.06] Nunc dimittis (5vv) [3.12] Sancte Deus, sancte fortis
- Votive antiphon (4vv) [5.58] Conditor Kyrie - Plainchant [2.24] Mass
for four voices [22.05] Remember not, O Lord God - Anthem (4vv) [3.11]
Hear the voice and prayer - Anthem (4vv) [2.13] If ye love me - Anthem
(4vv) [2.13] A new commandment - Anthem (4vv) [2.50] Benedictus (4vv)
[6.25] Te deum for meanes (5vv) [8.55]
Chapelle du Roi/Alistair Dixon Recorded in St. Augustine’s Church,
Kilburn on 10-13 February 1997
SIGNUM SIGCD002 [70.32] [JPo]
The
Chapelle du Roi acquit themselves in excellent fashion; the price direct
from Signum Records makes this a real bargain. … See Full
Review
Hekel
TAVARES (1896-1969)
Concerto
in Brazilian Forms for piano and orchestra No. 2 Op. 105 [25.06]
- Isaac
ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Spanish Rhapsody for piano and
orchestra Op. 70 (1895) [12.53] - Piano Concerto No. 1 Concierto
Fantastico Op. 78 (1886) [25.48] - Felicja Blumental (piano) - Filarmonica
Triestina/Luigi Toffolo (Rhapsody) - Torino Orchestra/Alberto Zedda
(Fantastico) London SO/Anatole
Fistoulari (Tavares) - rec. no dates given but presumably 1950s, AAD
BRANA RECORDS BR0002
[61.07] [RB]
A
fascinating disc; the catalogue is the richer for Brana’s presence albeit
reticently untrumpeted. ... see Full Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony Number 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (1888) - Theme and Variations
from the Suite number 3, Op. 55 (1876) - David Nolan, violin
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Norman Del Mar - Recorded at Watford Town
Hall on 10-11 November 1979, and Walthamstow Assembly Hall, 31 January
1978 [ADD] EMI
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7423 5 75801 [65:44] [KS]
While
this disc has a redeeming quality or two, there are better ways to spend
your CD budget. … see Full Review
Piotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Variations
in F, op. 19/6 Alexander SCRIABIN (1871-1915)
2 Poèmes op. 32, Album Leaf op. 45/1, Etude in d sharp op.
8/12, Etude op. 65/3, Vers la Flamme op. 72 Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1872-1943) Preludes op. 32/5 in G, 12 in g sharp,
Etude-Tableau op. 39/3, Moment Musical op. 16/4 Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata no. 5 op. 38/135 Samuel
DOLIN (b. 1917) Toccata – Vivace
Alexander Tselyakov (pianoforte) Locations: Regentenbau Hall, Bad
Kissingen, Germany (except Dolin), George Weston Recital Hall, the Ford
Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, Canada (Dolin) Dates: 18th
May 2000 (except Dolin), 17th January 1999 (Dolin, live)
GOLOMB RECORDS GLDC
5701-3 [60’ 04"] [CH]
A
fine recommendation to anyone at all interested in Russian piano music
or Russian pianists. … see Full
Review
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681
- 1767) Cantatas
- Lobet den Herrn, alle seine Heercharen, Kantate zum Neujahrstage aus
dem zweiten Concertenjahrgang TWV 1:1061 (1720/21) Wer nur den lieben
Gott lässt walten, Kantate zum Sonntage Laetare aus dem Französichen
Jahrgang TWV 1:1593 (1714/15) Der Tod is verschlungen in den Sieg, Kantata
zum 1. Ostertag aus dem zweiten Concertenjahrgang TWV 1:320 (1720/21)
Dorothee Fries (Soprano) Mechtild Georg (Alto) Andreas Post (Tenor)
Albrecht Pöhl (Bass) Collegium Vokale Siegen - Hannoversche Hofkapelle
- Trompeten-Consort "Friedemann Immer" - Ulrich Stötzel, conductor
- Recorded August 1997, Martinikirche, Siegen, Germany - Gott, Man lobet
dich in der Stille, Kantate zum Friedenschluss TWV 14:12 (1763) - Konstanze
Maxsein (Soprano) - Dagmar Linde (Alto) - Max Ciolek (Tenor) - Raimund
Nolte (Bass) - Achim Rück (Bass) - Collegium Vokale Siegen - Hannoversche
Hofkapelle - Trompeten-Consort "Friedemann Immer" - Ulrich Stötzel,
conductor - Recorded August 1999, Rheingau Musik Festival Kloster Erbach
- Missa Brevis TWV 9:14 ( circa 1700) a - Deus judicium tuum
(Psalm 71), Grand Motet TWV 7:7 (1737-38) b - Alles redet
itzt und singet, Cantata TWV 20:10 (1721) c - David Cordier
(Alto) a - Barbara Schlick (Soprano) b c
- Martina Lins (Soprano) b - Silke Weisheit (Alto) b
- Chrisoph Prégardien (Tenor) b - Stephen Varcoe (Bass)
b c - Hans-Georg Wimmer (Bass) b -
Reinische Kantorei b - Das Kleine Konzert
Hermann Max, conductor - Recorded 1989 Immanuelskirche Wuppertal-Barmen
BRILLIANT CLASSICS
99996 [3 CDs: 55.54+53.13+62.36] [RH]
A
highly recommendable set, covering the broad spectrum of Telemann's
cantatas in fine performances. Just the thing for someone wanting to
explore this underrated composer … see Full
Review
Giovanni
Maria TRABACI (c.1575-1647) Keyboard
Works, Book 1 (published Naples 1603) - Instruments: Felice Cimino organ
(1702), property of Sergio Vartolo, Spinettone (18th Century),
property of Sergio Vartolo, Formentelli harpsichord, copy of original
in Ca’ Rezzonico, Venice, property of Sergio Vartolo, Giovanni Cipri
organ (1556), Church of S. Martino, Bologna
Sergio Vartolo (harpsichord, organ) - Rec: Church of San Martino, Bologna,
1st-5th May 1997, 23rd, 24th
and 31st January 1998
NAXOS 8.553550-52 [3 CDs: 54’35"+50’25"+45’58"]
[CH]
Some
very beautiful music recorded for the first time, played with love,
dedication and woeful rhythmic freedom. I hope my comments will enable
the listener to understand whether the set is for him. … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
The Early Chamber Music Piano
Quintet in C minor for piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass
(1903) [30'30] Nocturne and Scherzo for string quintet (1906)
[10'18] Suite de Ballet for flute and piano (edited Roy Douglas)
(1913-1924?) [5'50] Romance and Pastorale - for violin and piano
(c1914) [8'59] Romance for viola and piano (c1914) String
Quartet in C minor (1898) [25'27] Quintet in D major for
clarinet, horn, violin, cello and piano (1898) [24'50] Scherzo for
string quintet (1904) [5'57] Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes (Household
Music) for string quartet (1940/41)
The Nash Ensemble: Philippa Davies flute, Richard Hosford clarinet;
Richard Watkins horn; Marianne Thorsen violin; Elizabeth Wexler violin
(string quintet; Preludes); Simon Blendis violin (String Quartet in
C minor); Lawrence Power, Garfield Jackson viola (string quintet) Recorded
in Henry Wood Hall on 25-27 June; 15-18 July 2002. DDD
HYPERION CDA67381/2 [2CDs: 134'16: 62'09+72'16] [RB]
The
performers meet the music full on and play as if the young composer
was in the room with them. One of Hyperion's most commanding productions.
... see Full Review
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Un Ballo in Maschera
Gustavo III - Luciano Pavarotti (ten) Renato Anckarsrom – Leo Nucci
(bar) Amelia – Aprile Millo (sop) Ulrica – Florence Quivar (con) Oscar
– Harolyn Blackwell (ten) The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus/James
Levine Recorded 1991 PCM Stereo, Dolby 5.1
DG-DVD 073 029-9 [137 minutes] [AB]
Overall
this is a good presentation of a musically satisfying performance. …
see Full Review
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
I
Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata (1843) Opera in four acts, sung
in Italian Pagano, Giorgio
Surian (bass) Giselda, Dimitra Theodossiou (sop) Oronte, Massimo Giordano
(ten) Arvino, Francesco Picolli (ten) Coro Del Circuito Lirico Lombardo
Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali/Tiziano Severini Recorded live performance
at 'Teatro Ponchielli,' Cremona, Italy. November 2001 Full Price
DYNAMIC CDS 390/91 [2CDs: 75.33+60.40] [RJF]
A
vibrant recording of a work that gets few airings in the theatre outside
Italy … a welcome addition to the catalogue. … see Full
Review
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Simon
Boccanegra – Melodrama in a Prologue and Three Acts (1857/1881)
Vladimir Chernov, bar, (Simon Boccanegra); Kiri Te Kanawa, sop, (Maria
Boccanegra/Amelia Grimaldi); Robert Lloyd, bass, (Fiesco); Placido Domingo,
ten, (Gabriele); Bruno Pola, bass, (Paolo); Hao Jiang Tian, bar, (Pietro)
Metropolitan Opera Chorus
and Orchestra/James Levine - Recorded in January 1995 at the Metropolitan
Opera House, New York - DVD Video
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 031-9 [141.00] [TM]
From
the rounded beauty of the overture to the quiet, contemplative ending
this is an opera that deserves to be better known … see Full
Review
Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Villa-Lobos Live! -
Piano Concerto No. 5 (1954) [19.42] - Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3
for piano and orchestra (1938) [29.31] - Garibaldi foi a Missa [1.24]
- Dança do Indio Branco [3.24] - Camargo
GUARNIERI (1907-1993) Dança Brasileira [2.13]
- Francisco MIGNONE (1897-1990?)
Serenata Humoristica [1.59]
Felicja Blumental (piano) - Vienna SO/composer (concerto); Filarmonica
Triestina/Luigi Toffolo (Bachianas Brasileiras) - rec live Musikverein,
Vienna, 25 May 1955 (concerto); AAD
BRANA RECORDS BR0001 [58.27] [RB]
This
disc represents a must for piano fanciers everywhere. ... see Full
Review
Kevin VOLANS (b.1949)
String
Quartet No. 1 'White Man Sleeps' (1982) - String Quartet No. 2 'Hunting
gathering' (1987) - String Quartet No. 6 (2000)
Duke Quartet - Rec 1-3 March 2001, Winterbrook Studios, London, DDD
BLACK BOX BBM1069
[73.26] [TB]
A
good balance of the static and the dynamic, and the instrumental combinations
and sonorities make for compelling listening. … see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Overtures
and Preludes - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Act one prelude
(recorded 1927); Götterdämmerung - Siegfried’s funeral music
(recorded 1927); Tristan und Isolde - Prelude to Act I (1928); Der Fliegender
Holländer - Overture (1928); Tannhäuser – Overture, Dresden
version (1928); Lohengrin - Prelude to Act III (1929); Siegfried Idyll
(1929) Berlin State Opera
Orchestra/Karl Muck - All recordings made in the Berlin Singakadamie,
except Lohengrin and Siegfried Idyll, which were made in the Berlin
Philharmonie - Mark Obert-Thorn, remastering engineer ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL - GREAT CONDUCTORS SERIES - 8.110858 [75’43"]
[KS]
For
Wagner fans and history buffs alike, this is a must-have disc … see
Full Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Das Rheingold -
Loge: Rene Maison (ten). Wotan: Friedrich Schorr (bar). Fricka: Karin
Branzell (cont). Alberich: Eduard Habich (bar). Mime: Karl Laufkotter
(ten). Erda: Kerstin Thorburg (mezzo). Fasolt: Norman Cordon (bass).
Fafner: Emanuel Liszt (bass). Donner: Julius Huehn (bass)
Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble of the Metropolitan Opera, New York/Artur
Bodansky - Rec. From Live Broadcast 1937. (with insertion of Kerstin
Thorburg as Erda) Immortal Performances Series
GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2221-2 [131.39] [RJF]
Mainly
be of interest to Wagnerites used to listening to historical performances.
… see Full Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Der
Ring des Nibelungen (excerpts) - Die Walküre: The Ride of the
Valkyries [5’22"] - Siegfried: Forest Murmurs [8’25"]
- Götterdämmerung: - Dawn and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey
[11’36"] - Siegfried’s Death and Funeral Procession [12’57"]
- Brünnhilde’s Immolation Scene* [20’12"] - *Deborah
Polaski (soprano) Chicago
Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim - Recorded in Orchestra
Hall, Chicago in October 1991
WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 0927-46734-2 [60’02"] [JQ]
Barenboim
achieves the right balance between grandeur, tragedy and apocalyptic
drama … see Full Review
Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) The
Flying Dutchman (1840-41) Senta : Jane Eaglen (soprano) -
Dutchman : Falk Struckmann (bass-baritone) - Erik : Peter
Seiffert (tenor) - Daland : Robert Holl (bass) - Mary
: Felicity Palmer (mezzo-soprano) - Steersman : Rolando Villazon
(tenor) - Chorus of the Berlin State Opera
Berlin State Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim - Recorded at Studio 1 of NLG
GmbH Berlin, May and June 2001 DDD
TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-88063-2 2 Discs [68.18 / 66.56]
The Flying Dutchman (1840-41) Senta : Janis Martin (soprano)
- Dutchman : Norman Bailey (bass-baritone) - Erik : Rene
Kollo (tenor) - Daland : Martti Talvela (bass) - Mary
: Isola Jones (mezzo-soprano) - Steersman : Werner Krenn (tenor)
Chicago Symphony Chorus
and Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti - Recorded in the Medinah Temple, Chicago,
1976 ADD DECCA
470 792-2 2 Discs [68.33 / 70.17] [TH]
Solti
should not be written off; there are too many good things in it, particularly
Martin and Talvela but Barenboim’s set is a superb climax to his Wagner
series … by any standards one of the best of recent years. … See Full
Review
Siegfried WAGNER
(1869-1930)
Scenes
and Arias for Soprano - Der Schmied von Marienburg Op. 13 (1922) Prelude
to Act 2 and Friedelind’s Aria, Act 2, 1 - Der Kobold Op. 3 (1904) Verena’s
Song, Act 3, 1 - Sternegebot Op. 5 (1908) Agnes’ Final Song, Act 3,
5 - Schwarzschwanenreich Op. 7 (1918) Prelude to Act 3 and Hulda’s Scene,
Act 3, 1 - Der Heidenkönig Op. 9 (1912?) Ellida’s Scene, Concert
version from Act 1, 1, and Act 3, 2 - Der Friedensengel Op. 10 (1920?)
Mita’s Scene, Act 2, 1 - Rainulf und Adelasia Op. 14 (1922?) Adelasia’s
Song, Act 1, 10. - Sonnenflammen Op. 8 (1916?) Scene of the Dance Interpreter,
Act2, 6 - Dagmar Schellenberger (soprano) - WDR Rundfunkchor Köln
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Köln/Werner Andreas Albert (conductor) - Recorded in the Philharmonie,
Cologne, Germany on 3-7 April 2000
CPO 999 794-2 [71.25] [CF]
There
is some pretty fine stuff here … see Full
Review
William
WALTON
(1902-1983)
Film:
The First of the Few Starring Leslie Howard as R.J. Mitchell
the designer of the Spitfire with David Niven and Rosamund John
ODYSSEY ODX 20150 [123
mins] [IL]
At
Odyssey’s reasonable price this is an irresistible piece of wartime
nostalgia well-acted and, of course, there is Walton’s stirring music.
… see Full Review
Count Unico Willem van WASSENAER (1692
- 1766) Concerti
Armonici (6) Genevieve Gilardeau, Krista Buckland Reisner, Julia
Wedman, violins Aradia
Ensemble, Kevin Mallon, leader - Recorded Grace Church, Toronto, October
2000 [DDD] NAXOS
8.555384 [58.41] [PS]
A
new and very satisfactory version of some milestones in the Baroque
style. … see Full Review
Jörg
WIDMANN (born
1973) Dunkle
Saiten (1999/2000)a - Robert
SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856) Cello Concerto in A minor Op.129
(1850) - Jan Vogler (cello); Salome Kammer, Ursula Hesse (sopranos)a
- Münchner Kammerorchester/Christoph
Poppen - Recorded: Festhalle, Aschau, February 2000 (Schumann) and Bayerischer
Rundfunk, Studio 1, July 2000 (Widmann)
BERLIN CLASSICS 0017142BC [65:35] [HC]
A
gripping, communicative work of great emotional power and, one that
often explores material of great beauty. … see Full
Review
Hugo WOLF
(1860-1903)String
Quartet in D minor, Italian Serenade
Fine Arts Quartet Recorded 03.06.1998, Hans-Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden
HÄNSSLER CD 93.024
[50.29] [CH]
a DejaReView
Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI
(1876-1948)
I
Quatro Rusteghi (1906). Gianna Perea Labia (soprano) Lucieta; Agnese
Dubbini (mezzo) Margarita; Fernando Corena (bass) Lunardo; Pasquale
Lombardo (bass) Maurizio; Alda Noni (soprano) Marina; Gilda Capozzi
(mezzo) Servant; Mario Carlin (tenor) Filipeto; Carlo Ulivi (bass) Simon;
Ester Orell (soprano) Felice; Cristiano Dalamangas (bass) Cancian; Manfredi
Ponz de Leon (tenor) Count Riccardo Arcolai
Milan Radio Lirica Orchestra/Alfredo Simonetto. Rec in Milan in 1953.
[ADD] mono WARNER
FONIT 8573 87481-2 [2CDs: 129'43: 61'44+67'59] [CC]
In
the face of so much 'joie de vivre' the fact that the recording is rather
dry and thin does not preclude a recommendation. … see Full
Review
Bill
WORLAND (b.
1921) Curtain
Up! - Broadstairs, Descriptive Suite (1960-2000!) - Sandman Serenade
(1945) - Paths of Peace (1965) - Intermezzo 45 (1945) - For Aida (2001)
- Rhapsodie Tristesse (1956) - Amaro Dolce (1998) - Honky-Tonk Town
(1966) - Midnight in Manhattan (1969)
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/Gavin Sutherland - Rec 2001 DDD
CAMPION CAMEO -
CAMEO 2017 [58.04] [NH]
A
superior addition to the "old school" discography of British Light Music
… See Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Iannis XENAKIS
(1922-2001) Works for Large Orchestra Vol.3 Synaphaï,
for Piano and Orchestra (1969) [16’26] Horos (1986) [15’48]
Eridanos (1972) [11’10]
Kyania (1990) [20’22]
Hiroaki Ooï (piano) Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Arturo Tamayo (conductor) Recorded in the Luxembourg Conservatoire,
March and May, 2002 DDD
TIMPANI 1C 1068 [64’18]
The
hallmark of a great composer … the torment, the contradictory side of
the creative impulse. … see Full Review
Richard YARDUMIAN (1917-1985)
Violin
Concerto (1949 rev. 1960/1985) [22.01] Symphony No. 2 Psalms
(19478 rev 1964) [27.21] Armenian Suite (arr. Ofer Ben-Amots)
(1937/1954) [15.53] Alexandr
Bulov (violin) Nanct Maultsby (mezzo) Singapore SO/Lan Shui rec Jan
2001, Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore DDD
BIS BIS-CD-1232 [66.25] [RB]
Evinces
great skill and evident affection. The Concerto makes this a disc that
any concerto fancier needs to have in her or his collection. ... see
Full Review
Jan
Dismas ZELENKA (1737-1806)
Complete Orchestral Works
Capriccio Nos 1-5 (1718-1729) Hipocondrie à 7 concertanti (1723)
Concerto à 8 concertanti (1723) Simphonie à 8 concertanti
(1723) Ouverture à 7 concertanti (c 1723) Symphonia from Melodrama
of St Wenceslas (1723)
Das Neu-Eröffnete Orchestre/Jürgen Sonnentheil Recorded Sendesaal,
Bremen between 1996 and 1999
CPO 999 897-2 [3 CDs: 177.49]
An
equipoise between shameless virtuosity and lyrical expressivity - and
all at superbudget price… 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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