Charles
Wakefield CADMAN (1881-1946)
Piano
Trio (1914) [24.21] Violin Sonata (1930) [24.57] Piano Quintet (1937)
[19.51] The Legend of the Canyon (1920) From the Land of the
Sky-Blue Water (1909-13) arr Gaylord Yost 
Paul Posnak (piano) Peter Zazofsky (violin) Ross Harbrough (cello) Bergonzi
String Quartet rec 3-6 Jan 2000, Gusman Hall, University of Miami, Coral
Gables, Florida NAXOS
AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559067 [75.41] [RB]
Until
the entertaining First Symphony arrives on the scene you can, through
this inexpensive disc, access the laid-back and romantic world of Charles
Cadman's chamber music. ...see Full Review
FREDDY
KEMPF PLAYS CHOPIN Frederic
CHOPIN: Four Ballades: G minor, Op.23, F major, Op.38, A
flat major, Op.47, F minor, Op.52; Grande Polonaise, Op.22; Polonaise-fantasie,
Op.61; Fantasie-impromptu, Op.66
Freddy Kempf recorded in
July 2000 at Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm
BIS CD 1160 [61.28] [MB]
If
ultimately Kempf lacks Horowitz’s poetry, or Wilhelm Kempff’s fluency,
these are still formidable performances high on inspiration and big
on concentration. ... see Full Review
Lyell
CRESSWELL (born
1944) Whira
(1996) Atta (1993) Anake (1998) Acquerello (1998) Variations on a Theme
by Charles Ives (1987)
The Hebrides Ensemble (Daniel Bell, violin; William Conway, cello; Rosemary
Eliot, flute; Peter Evans, piano) Recorded : Reid Hall, Edinburgh University,
December 2000 NMC D
077 [73:20] [HC]
This
is a really superb release: wonderful music, of great communicative
power, in carefully and lovingly prepared performances by dedicated
players who all have the full measure of the music. … see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Préludes
(Complete). Fantaisie pour piano et orchestre. Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-92) Regards de l’Enfant-Jésus – Regard
de l’Esprit de joie; Regard du silence. Catalogue d’oiseaux, Livre 1
– Le Merle bleu. Jean-Rodolphe
Kars (piano); London Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Gibson. Recorded in
St John’s, Smith Square in December 1970-January 1971 (Préludes),
Kingsway Hall, London in May 1969 (Fantaisie), Decca Studio No. 3, West
Hampstead in April and July 1968 (Messiaen). [ADD]
DOUBLE DECCA 468 552-2 [two discs] [140.58] [CC]
For
the Préludes Kars plays with a great amount of character and
this account will provide an excellent alternative version to Gieseking
or Zimmerman. The performance of the Fantaisie, it is to be hoped, will
win converts to this seldom-heard piece. This is a first-class bargain
which will handsomely supplement any Debussy collection. ...see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) String Quartet in G minor, Op.
10. Henri
DUTILLEUX (b 1916) Ainsi la nuit. Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet in F.
Belcea String Quartet (Corina Belcea, Laura Samuel, violins; Krzysztof
Chorzelski, viola; Alisdair Tait, cello). Recorded in Potton Hall, Suffolk,
in May 2000.[DDD] EMI
Debut CDZ574020-2 [71.16] [CC]
This
disc represents the flowering of talent of an ensemble that, if they
continue on their present well-chosen path, will achieve great things.
… see Full Listing
Claude
DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
String Quartet in G minor. Maurice
RAVEL
(1875-1937) String Quartet in F. Darius
MILHAUD (1892-1974)
String Quartet No. 12, Op. 252.
Quartetto Italiano (Paolo Borciani, Elisa Pegreffi, violins; Piero Farulli,
viola; Franco Rossi, cello). Recorded in the Basilica, Milan, 23 January
1954 (Debussy and Milhaud, recorded in mono) and in 1959 (Ravel, in
stereo). EMI Réferences
CDH5 74792-2 [ADD] [74.02] [CC]
The
Quartetto Italiano’s Debussy is entirely successful … The players enter
into Ravel’s rarefied sound-world as if to the manner born (the second
movement is riveting) … To hear Milhaud’s Twelfth Quartet played, as
here, with such advocacy is cheering indeed. …see Full
Listing
Frederick
DELIUS
(1862-1934)
Violin Concerto Tasmin
Little (violin) Welsh National Opera Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles
Mackerras (recorded in 1991) Piano Concerto
Jean-Rodolphe Kars (piano) London Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Alexander Gibson (recorded in 1969) Two
Pieces for Cello and Piano:
Caprice and
Elegy Julian Lloyd-Webber (cello) and Bengt Forsberg (piano)
(recorded in 1996) On Hearing the First
Cuckoo in Spring Welsh National Orchestra conducted by
Sir Charles Mackerras (recorded in 1990) Brigg
Fair (An English Rhapsody)
London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Anthony Collins
(Mono – recorded in 1953)
DECCA British Music Collection 2CDs 470 190-2 [77:25] Budget [GL]
This
Delius compilation, with a Violin Concerto to cherish and play over
and over again, makes a fine addition to any British music collection.
Unhesitatingly recommended! … see Full Review
Frederick
DELIUS Sir Thomas Beecham
conducts Delius North
Country Sketches, (recorded February 14th 1949); In
a Summer Garden, (recorded October 27th 1951); Appalachia,
(recorded October 29th, November 6th, 7th
and 13th and December 18th 1952)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. cond Sir Thomas Beecham
SONY SMK89429 [67.34] [SL]
Beecham
brings his own magic and a special quality to these works that make
these performances unquestionably ‘right’. At about £8.45 the price
is right too ! Don’t hesitate. …see Full
Listing
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Lucia di Lammermoor
Lina Pagliughi, soprano Orchestra and Chorus of the Italian Broadcasting
Authority Conductor: Ugo
Tansini Recorded in Rome from 17 to 24 May, 1939 Appendix: Additional
arias sung by Lina Pagliughi:
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110150-51 [2 CDs 134.24] [FC]
In
addition to introducing many to the extraordinary talent of Lina Pagliughi,
this Lucia is an imposing and vivid performance, distinguished by the
highest musical standards. … see Full
Review
Andrew DOWNES The
Lord is My Shepherd. The Runnymede Millenium Evensong
Service and other sacred choral music by Andrew Downes.
Members of the Royal Holloway Chapel Choir, directed by Lionel Pike
with organist Brian Moles.
Classicprint CPVPO14CD
Lovers
of church music should investigate this disc. They may well see far
more in it than I have. … see Full Listing
Edward
ELGAR
(1857-1934) Overture:
Cockaigne, Opus 40 Introduction and Allegro, Opus 47 Enigma
Variations, Opus 36
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis Rec 1991 Teldec
APEX 09274 13712 [68.15] Superbudget
Three
of Elgar's greatest orchestral works at the attractive Apex price. The
orchestra clearly knows the music well and the conductor is among the
leaders in this field. … see Full Review
Louise
FARRENC (1804-79)
Piano Quintets – No. 1 in A minor, Op. 30; No.
2 in E, Op. 31.
Schubert Ensemble of London (William Howard, piano; Simon Blendis, violin;
Douglas Paterson, viola; Jane Salmon, cello; Peter Buckike, double bass).
Recorded in Potton Hall, Suffolk on February 8th-10th, 2001.
ASV CDDCA1122 [59’26]
[DDD] [CC]
Perhaps
the time is ripe for a reappraisal of the talents of Farrenc. The Piano
Quintets on this disc are beautiful, enchanting music. … see Full
Review
Albert
Rudolph FÄSY (1837-1891)
Götz
von Berlichingen Prelude, Der Triumph der Liebe Prelude,
Sempach Tone poem, Columbus Symphonic Suite
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Rec 2001 - location?
MARCO POLO 8.225134 [57.37] [RW]
Fäsy
uses straightforward musical akin to that of Wagner and Liszt, almost
without development; naïve in his avant-garde simplicity and appeal.
...see
Full Review
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) CD1:- Pelléas
et Mélisande: Prelude; The Spinning Girl; Sicilienne;
Mélisande’s Song *; The Death of Mélisande * Frederica
von Stade (mezzo-soprano) Masques et Bergamasques: Overture;
Pastorale; Madrigal; ‘The Sweetest Road’†; Minuet; Clair de lune;
Gavotte; Pavane. Shylock: Song†; Entr'acte; Madrigal†;
Epithalame; Nocturne; Finale † Nicolai Gedda (tenor) CD2:- Ballade
for piano and orchestra - soloist Jean-Philippe
Collard (piano) Élégie for cello and orchestra
– soloist: Paul Tortelier (cello) Berceuse for violin
and orchestra – soloist:Yan-Pascal Tortelier (violin) Fantaisie
for piano and orchestra – soloist: Jean-Phillipe Collard (piano)
Les Djinns for choir and orchestra - Ensemble Vocal Alix
Bourbon Caligula for women’s voices and orchestra – Ensemble
Vocal Alix Bourbon Pénélope Prelude Orchestre
du Capitole de Toulouse conducted by Michel Plasson Recorded in Halle-aux-Grains
Toulouse. CD1: June 1980 and CD2 June 1979 EMI 2 CD CZS 5 74840 2
[137:42] [IL]
This
enterprising programme mixes Fauré’s more celebrated works (in
more complete versions than normally recorded) with much less familiar
material. Michel Plasson, his soloists, and the Toulouse players perform
these lovely, wistful works with devotion and sensitivity. Unhesitatingly
recommended. … see Full Listing
César
FRANCK
(1822-1890) Symphony in D minor. Les Eolides.
New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Kurt Masur. Recorded at the Avery Fisher
Hall in February 1992 (Symphony live). [DDD]
WARNER APEX 0927 41372-2 [48.24] [CC]
Masur’s
Franck Symphony is a performance of ‘almosts’. But it never quite makes
the grade. Even at the low price, it is difficult to recommend this
disc, which certainly does not represent a true reflection of Masur’s
New York years.
...see Full Review
Baldassare
GALUPPI (1706-85)
Il
Mondo alla Roversa, (The World turned Topsy-Turvey) - a burlesque
drama in music (1750) Marinella Pennicchi (sop) (Tulia), Rosa Dominguez
(mezzo) (Aurora), Mya Fracassini (mezzo) (Cintia), Lia Serafini (sop)
(Rinaldino), Furio Zaasi (bar) (Graziosini), Fulvio Bettini (bar) (Giacinto),
Davide Livermore (ten) (Ferromonte). Swiss Radio choir
I Barocchisti/Diego Fasolis Rec. Stelio Molo Auditorium, Lugano, Switzerland,
Nov 1998 CHANDOS Early
Music CHAN 0676(2) [CD1 73.07; CD2 77.48] [RJF]
Orchestra,
soloists and chorus play a vital part under the direction of Diego Fasolis.
The recording is up to Chandos’s renowned high standards with a well-balanced
sound in an airy natural acoustic. ...see Full
Review
Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961)
The best of Percy Grainger Country
Gardens* ,Colheen Dhas, Mock Morris, Molly on the shore, Willow willow,
Irish tune from County Derry, Handel in the Strand*, Scotch Strathspey
and Reel*, The Power of Love, Lord Peter’s stable boy, Shepherd’s hey,
Beautiful fresh flower – orch Peter Sculthorpe, Gum-sucker’s
march, Blithe Bells, Cradle song*, The man I love - Gershwin arr
Grainger*, Love walked in – Gershwin arr Grainger*, Spoon
River, The nightingale and the two sisters, Country gardens
Leslie Howard (piano)* Sydney Symphony Orchestra Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra Adelaide Symphony Orchestra John Hopkins conductor Geoffrey
Simon conductor ABC
CLASSICS 465818-2 [70.27] [JW]
Richly
nuanced and never routine performances. An infectious and captivating
disc of Grainger favourites. …. Full Listing
BARBARA
HENDRICKS It’s
wonderful: Tribute to
George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Geoffrey Keezer (piano)
Ira Coleman (double-bass) Ed Thigpen (drums) Guildhall Strings Paul
Bateman (conductor) Recorded at Abbey Road, Studio 1, London, May 2000
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5
570492 4 [72.48]
Opera
singers really do have to take care singing in this style, because it
is fair to say that ‘it ain’t necessarily so’ that they can. ...see
Full Review
Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787)
Italian Arias
Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo soprano), Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin,
Bernhard Forck (leader) Recorded in the Studios of the Deutsches Filmorchester
Babelsberg, Berlin, 8 & 11-16.1.2001
DECCA 467 248-2 [67.34] [CH]
I
think no one will remain indifferent to this disc. It is an absolutely
involving experience by one of the phenomena of our times. …. See
Full Review
Nicolas
GOMBERT
(c1495 – c1560) Magnificats
1 - 4 The Tallis
Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips. recorded during 2000 in the Church
of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Salle, Norfolk.
GIMELL CDGIM 037 [54.25] DDD [JP]
Well
done Peter Phillips and his choir. A wonderful issue, and well worth
buying. ... see Full Review
Carlos
GOMES (1836-1896)
Salvator
Rosa - opera Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni Soloists
Dorset Opera Chorus Dorset Opera Orchestra Patrick Shelley (conductor)Recorded
on 11th and 12th August 2000
REGIS Forum FRC 9201 [2CDs: 142.07] [CF]
Considering
it’s the only disc available, one can but thank Dorset Opera for their
enterprise, first in staging it and now in producing the CD. Some of
the singing is very good, particularly Lisa Livingston’s dramatically
vivid Isabella. …see Full Review
Enrique
GRANADOS (1867-1916)
Piano
Music - Volume 5 Douglas
Riva (piano) Recorded Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk June 2000
NAXOS 8.555325 [62.28] [JW]
Shavings
from the bench. Recorded sound somewhat airless. A qualified welcome.
… see Full Review
Asger
Hamerik
(1843-1923) Requiem
Op. 34 (1887) Quintetto Op. 6 (1862) Concert Romance for
'cello and piano Op. 27 (1879) Symphonie Spirtuelle for string
orchestra Op. 38 (1897)
Minna Nyhus – mezzo-soprano The Danish National Symphony Choir The Danish
National Radio Symphony Orchestra Ole Schmidt – conductor Troels Svane
Hermansen – ‘cello Morten Mogensen – piano Astrid Christensen –viola
Søren Elbaek –violin Date or location of recording not supplied:
Published 1991. KONTRAPUNKT
32074/75 [CD1: 47:07; CD2 63:20]
Another
example of rare discoveries from the great treasure store of nineteenth
century music. This composer does not deserve the neglect he suffers.
Listen to the Requiem. It is as good as any by more famous names. His
symphony is faultless. ...see Full Review
Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Giulio
Cesare Cesare - Jennifer Larmore
Concerto Köln/René Jacobs director
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901385.87 (4 CDs priced as three) [243.25] [JW]
A
first choice for Giulio Cesare and high praise is deserved by the soloists,
orchestra, by Jacobs himself and by Harmonia Mundi. ...see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759) Te
Deum in D major Dettingen, HWV 283 [38.17] Te Deum in A major,
HWV 282 [15.52] Dorothee
Mields (sop); Ulrike Andersen (alto); Mark Wilde (ten); Chris Dixon
(bass) Alsfelder Vokalensemble; Concerto Polacco Conducted by Wolfgang
Helbich Recorded in Maria Magdalenen Kirche, Templin, Germany, 12-16
August 1999 NAXOS 8.554753
[54.08] [JQ]
This
is a lively and enjoyable issue which will give much pleasure and which
can be recommended safely, particularly at the Naxos price. [JQ]
The
solo team emerges with much credit; indeed they are one of its prime
strengths. The orchestral playing has rather less to commend it [TB]
see Full Listing
Georg
Friederich HÄNDEL
(1685 - 1759) Gloria
* Dixit Dominus Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Gloria The Monteverdi Choir English Baroque Soloists, John
Eliot Gardiner * Gillian Keith, Soprano Rec: November 1998 (Vivaldi
Gloria and Handel Dixit Dominus); June 2001 (Handel Gloria),
All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London PHILIPS 462 597-2 [78.21]
[KM]
This
recording is excellent, and should delight most listeners though the
BIS is to be preferred in the Händel Gloria … see Full
Listing
Franz
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809) Esterházy Sonatas, Volume
1 (Complete Solo Keyboard Music Volume 6). Keyboard Sonatas – No. 35
in A flat, HobXVI/43; No. 36 in C, HobXVI/21; No. 37 in E, HobXVI/22;
No. 38 in F, HobXVI/23.
Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano). Recorded in Länna Church, Sweden
in August 1999 [DDD] BIS
CD1095 [70.28] [CC]
Brautigam
is a player whose thoughtful and scholarly approach includes an awareness
of the many sides of Haydn’s expressive world. This disc will bring
repeated pleasure. … see Full Review
Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934)
Choral
Hymns from the Rig Veda, Savitri, Seven Partsongs, The Evening Watch,
Fugal Concerto, St Paul's Suite
Ballet Music: The Perfect Fool, Egdon Heath, The Hymn of Jesus, Moorside
Suite DECCA 470 191
2 [2CDs: 149.30] [TB]
This
collection must assume a proud position as one of the best issues of
English music in the catalogue. …see Full
Listing
Gustav
HOLST
(1874-1934)
The Planets Op. 32 Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Fantasia on "Greensleeves" Fantasia on a theme
by Thomas Tallis
New London Children’s Choir Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Leonard
Slatkin Recorded 1996 (The Planets) 1992 (Fantasia on "Greensleeves")
1991 (Tallis Fantasia) Venues not given
RCA Red Seal Sound Dimension 74321 68018 2 DDD [70:15] Superbudget
Not
quite up there with the finest but a disc that offers undeniably good
value for money coupled with decent, solid performances. …. Full
review
Herbert
HOWELLS (1892-1983)
Te
Deum & Jubilate, Office of Holy Communion, Psalm Prelude, Opus 32
No. 2, Preces & Responses, I & II,
Psalm 121, Psalm 122, Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, Take Him, Earth,
for Cherishing, Rhapsody for organ, Opus 17 No. 3,
Gregory Moore (cantor, Simon Williams (tenor), Peter Barley (organ)
Choir of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury Rec 1989,
DECCA 470 194 2 [78.28] Midprice [TB]
If
occasionally a more full toned choral contribution might have been more
fulfilling, the compensations among these performances outweigh the
doubts by some considerable margin. … see Full
Review
Arshak
IKILIKIAN
(b. 1948) The
Courageous Nazar - ballet in one act (1981) Piano Concerto (1986)
Superpulse for percussion and computer (1999) Success for
violin and computer (1998) Crash for clarinet, bass clarinet
and computer (1999) Nairy
Grigorian (piano) Armenian National Radio SO/Gevork Muradian Thomas
Sandberg (percussion) Birgitte Bærentzen Pihl (violin) Fritz Berthelsen
(clarinets) rec Yerevan, 1987 (orch); Aarhus, 2 Nov, 16-17 Dec 1999
DACAPO 8.224181
[70.26] [RB]
Challenging
computer works from Ikilikian's later 'menagerie' and two more conventional
works though still tough enough to intrigue. ... see Full
Review
Sigfrid
KARG-ELERT (1877-1933)
Pastels
and Impressions Ach bleib mit deiner Gnade Op 87 No 1 Seven Pastels
from the Lake of Constance Op 96 Eight Short Pieces Op 154 Trois Impressions
Op 72 Passacaglia and Fugue on B.A.C.H Op 150
Hans Fagius (organ) Recorded on the 1928 Frobenius organ of Aarhus Cathedral,
Denmark April 2000 BIS
CD 1084 [79.57] [JW]
Nearly
eighty minutes of the ever exciting – and often downright perplexing
– Sigfrid Karg-Elert. ...see Full Review
Paul
LADMIRAULT (1877-1944)
Poèmes Symphoniques En Forêt
(1932) Valse Triste for piano and orchestra (1901,1933) Brocéliande
au Matin (prelude to Act II of the opera Myrrdhin) (1909)
La Brière (1926)
Colette Diard (piano) Orchestre de Bretagne/Stefan Sanderling rec Rennes,
Sept 2000 PIERRE VERANY
PV700021 [56.39] [RB]
A
valued addition to the catalogue and another step in the documenting
of the deep treasury of the Gallic 20th century. ...see Full
Review
Léonin
(fl.c.1160-1190)
Sacred
Music from 12th Century Paris For Christmas. Judea
et Jherusalem; Descendit de celis; For Easter. Et valde mane; Christus
resurgens; Sedit angelus; For Pentecost. Dum complerentur; Advenit ignis;
Repleti sunt omnes; Benedicamus Domino
Red Byrd – John Potter and Richard Wistreich with Yorvox Recorded at
St. Alban’s Church Holborn London April 2001
HYPERION CDA66944 [74.33] [GH]
An
outstanding release where scholarship and superb vocal musicianship
go hand in hand. I am left in admiration of the entire project. …. See
Full Listing.
Franz
LISZT
(1811-1886) Complete Piano Music, Volume 18: Piano
Transcriptions of Beethoven Symphonies: Symphony No. 1 in C major,Symphony
No. 3 in E flat major 'Eroica'
Konstantin Scherbakov (piano) Rec 19-20 September 2000, St Martin's
Church, East Woodhay, Berkshire
NAXOS 8.555354 [78.51] [TB] [GH]
This
new volume is an undoubted success. This is an experience which will
bring the listener many rewards. [TB] Scherbakov makes it all seem so
effortless. I cannot fault his work. I’m less keen on the piano sound,
and I wonder if St. Martin’s Church is quite the venue for this piano
recital. [GH] ...see Full Listing
Albert
LORTZING (1801-1851)
Don
Juan und Faust (1829)
Incidental music Ali Pascha von Janina oder Die Franzosen in Albanien
(1823/8) Szenen aus Mozarts Leben (Scenes from Mozart’s life)
(1833)
Singspiel in one Act
MUSIK DABRINGHAUS & GRIMM MDG 609 1059-2 [CD1 74.08 CD2 58.06]
[RW]
The
singers and actors are excellent and produce good performances of these
Lortzing rarities.
... see Full Review
Witold
LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)
Orchestral
Works, Volume 7
Three Postludes, Preludes and Fugues for 13 solo strings, Mini Overture,
Fanfare for Louisville, Fanfare for CUBE, Prelude for G.S.M.D., Fanfare
for the University of Lancaster
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Antoni Wit Rec 6 September
1996 (Postlude No. 1), 16-17 May 2000 (Postludes Nos. 2 &3, plus
shorter items), 23rd July 2000 (Preludes & Fugue), Fitelberg Concert
Hall, Katowice NAXOS
8.555270 [59.10] [TB]
Lutoslawski
is well served here. These performances all contribute to a highly successful
combination, in thoroughly acceptable sound , with talented musicians
performing under a gifted conductor. …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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