Carlos SALZEDO (1885-1961)
Songs in the Night. Concert Fantasies, arrangements and original works
Believe
me, if all those Endearing Young Charms, Jolly Piper Concert Fantasy
on the Theme of The Sailor’s hornpipe, Londonderry Air Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912)
Minuet d’amour from Therese Georg Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) The Harmonious Blacksmith, Air and
Variations, Ombra Mi Fui Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Spring Song from Songs without words, Traipsin’
thru Arkansaw Concert Fantasy on the theme of the Arkansas Traveller,
Annie Laurie, Deep River, Dixie Parade Concert Fantasy on the
theme of Dixie My old Kentucky Home, Turkey Strut Concert Fantasy
on the theme of Turkey in the straw The Last Rose of Summer Carlos
SALZEDO (1885-1961)
Song in the Night; La Désirade Agustin
LARA (1900-1969) Concert Fantasy on Granada Antonin
DVORÁK (1841-1904) Humoresque Op 101 No 7 Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Paraphrase on the Second Hungarian Rhapsody
Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Melody
in F Op 3 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1898)
Waltz Op 35 No 15; Lullaby Op 49 No 4 
Alice Giles, harp Recorded May 1999 St Scholastica’s Chapel, Glebe,
Australia ARTWORKS
AW025 [68.48] [JW]
Full
of high spirits and affectionate filigree … a winner … see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
Sonatas:
b minor K.129, G major K.146, C major K.132, E major K.162, A major
K.24 Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
9 Etudes Tableaux op. 39, Prelude in g sharp minor, op. 32/12
Craig Sheppard (pianoforte) Recorded live, 25.02.1994 (Scarlatti), 02.03.2000
(Rachmaninov), Meany Theatre, University of Washington, Seattle
AT 00-00118 [68.13] [CH]
Some
wonderful pianism by one of the leading pianists of our times. … 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] [HC]
His
most substantial piano works as well as some of his finest pieces. …
see Full Review
Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951)
Pierrot
Lunaire Op.21 (1913) [34.33] Chrichan LARSON
(b.1956) Väsen (1989) [9.56] Cordes et Tuyau (1991) [7.23]
Anton WEBERN (1883 - 1945) Quartet
op.22 (1931) [6.01] Pierre BOULEZ (b.1925)
Dérive 1 (1984) [5.51])
Ma Ing-Britt Ibba Andersson, soprano Rec. sveriges Radio Stockholm,
November 1999/January 2000
NYTORP NYTORP 0001 [63.57] [AT]
Gorgeous
soundworld … of the highest quality. The performance equally compulsive.
… see Full Review
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Piano
Sonata in A D.959 (1828)[38.44]
Pilgerweise D789 (1823) [5.39] Der Ungluckliche D713 (1821)
[5.56] Auf dem Ström D943 (1828) [7.59] Die Stern D939
(1828) [2.52] Leif Ove
Andsnes, piano Ian Bostridge, tenor Timothy Brown, horn Rec. Lyndhurst
Hall, Air Studios, London, Aug 2001
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 57266 2 9 [61.25] [AT]
Andsnes
wide-eyed and enraptured by Schubert’s noble language … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Complete Piano Sonatas; Impromptus; Moments Musicaux
various artists BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 99798 [TH]
It
is only fair to give this big undertaking a very warm welcome. … see
Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise
(arranged for tenor and string quartet by Jens Josef)
Christian Elsner (tenor); Henschel String Quartet - Rec 7-11 May 2001,
Studio 2, Bayerische Rundfunk, Munich
CPO 999 877-2 [68.45] [TB]
Elsner
is a talented singer and his vocal qualities bring insights and satisfaction
to this great work. … see Full Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
The Four Symphonies - Symphony No. 1 Spring (1841) [30.40]
- Symphony No. 2 (1846) [34.38] - Symphony No. 3 Rhenish (1850)
[31.51] - Symphony No. 4 (1841 rev 1851) [29.27]
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir Neville Marriner - rec Feb 1998,
Henry Wood Hall, London, DDD - licensed from Hänssler Classic -
not available separately
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99950 [2CDs: 61.01+64.05] [RB]
Not
a first recommendation but a resilient unindulgent and bargain basement
introduction in very modern digital sound. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 –
1975) Piano Quintet Op.57 (1940) - Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934 – 1998) Piano Quintet (1975)
Boris Berman (piano); Vermeer Quartet - Recorded: Glenn Gould Studio,
CBC, Toronto, December 2000
NAXOS 8.554830 [56:25] [HC]
Committed
and well recorded readings … see Full
Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat Op. 107 - Cello Concerto No. 2 in
G, Op. 126. - Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Romanze in F, AV75.
Arto Noras (cello); Norwegian Radio Orchestra/Ari Rasilainen. Recorded
at NRK Broadcasting Hall, Oslo in April 1997. [DDD]
WARNER APEX 0927 40604-2 [73'53] [CC]
There
is no doubting Noras's technique and, given the price of the reissue,
no-one will be seriously disappointed, despite some reservations. …
see Full Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
The World of Sibelius - Finlandia - Symphony No. 3
- Valse triste* - Serenade for violin and orchestra, Opus 69
No. 2 - Karelia Suite - Boris Belkin (violin) - Boston Symphony
Orchestra* - Philharmonia Orchestra - Vladimir Ashkenazy - Two Songs:
Ver det un dröm? Flickan kom ifrøn sin Älsklings
möte - Birgit Nilsson (soprano) - -Vienna State Opera Orchestra;
Bertil Bokstedt - Rec March 1980, Kingsway Hall, London (Finlandia),
May 1983., Kingsway Hall (Symphony No. 3). April 1965, Sofiensaal, Vienna
(songs), March 1992, Symphony Hall Boston (Valse Triste), April
1978, Kingsway Hall (Serenade), February 1985, Walthamstow Assembly
Hall (Karelia Suite)
DECCA 473 144-2 [73.01] [TB]
Artists
distinguished enough to have acquired reputations as Sibelians; these
performances indicate why … see Full Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Incidental
Music - Belshazzar's Feast Op.51 (1906) - Swanwhite Op.54
(1908) - Scènes Historiques I and II Op.25 and Op.66 (1899,
1911 and 1912) Norwegian
Radio Orchestra conducted by Ari Rasilainen - Recorded NRK Broadcasting
Hall, Oslo, February 2001
FINLANDIA RECORDS 0927 41935-2 [73.34] [JF]
An
interesting disc exploring some of the byways of Sibelius' music. Well
presented, played and recorded. It is a must for all those who need
to hear everything the composer wrote. … see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony
No. 2 (1901) [47.28] - Eduard TUBIN (1905-1982)
Symphony No. 5 (1946) [28.37]
Cincinnati SO/Paavo Järvi - rec 1-2 Dec 2001, Music Hall, Cincinnati,
Ohio, USA TELARC CD-80585
[73.25] [RB]
Not a Sibelius Second I would recommend but
the Tubin is quite another proposition ... see Full
Review
Howard
SKEMPTON (b.1947) PIANOWORKS
Well, Well, Cornelius - June '77 - Trace - Air - Saltaire Melody
- Senza Licenza - Invention - Passing Fancy - Sweet Chariot - Chorale
- First Prelude - Piano Piece 1969 - Rumba - Toccata - Quavers 5 - A
Roma - Of Late - Campanella 3 - Campanella - Swedish Caprice - Quavers
3 - Una Barcarola Eccentrica - Images (20 pieces) - The Durham Strike
- Postlude John Tilbury,
piano - Recorded at Snape Maltings, Suffolk, 4th - 7th
July 1994, in the presence of the composer
SONY SMK 89617 [71.00] [NH]
A
lovely disc of an under-rated British composer's music, superbly played
and recorded … See Full Review
Bruno SKULTE
(1905-1976) Daugava
(1958-60) [48.18] (tracks 1-8) Ganiņš Biju (A Herder's
Life) (1965) [19.11] (track 9) Balāde par kareivi, Kas Neatgriezās
(Ballad to the Soldier who did not return) (1935) [11.03]
(track 10) Lelde
Vikmane (narrator) (Daugava) Dita Kalniņa (sop) (Daugava)
Antra Bigača (mz) (Daugava) Viesturs Jansons (ten) (Daugava)
Samsons Izjumovs (bar) (Daugava) Ints Teterovskis (bar) (Ganiņš)
Dagnija Tuča (recorder) (Ganiņš) Silvija Padega
Grendze (kokles) (Ganiņš) Edgars Zālīte (kokles)
(Ganiņš) Laura Padega Zamura (kokles) (Ganiņš)
New York Latvian Concert Choir (Daugava; Ganiņš)
Chamber Choir - Balsis (Daugava; Ganins) Choir Class of the Riga
4th Music School (Daugava; Ganiņš) Latvian National
SO (Daugava and Balāde) Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
rec Rigas skaņu ierakstu studija 23-24 July 2001 DDD
NEW YORK LATVIAN CONCERT CHOIR NYLCC 004 [76.31] [RB]
A
substantial sampling from the unaffectedly innocent music of Bruno Skulte.
I am left wanting more. I also have hopes that CDs of music by that
sublime symphonist Adolfs Skulte will appear sooner rather than later
... see Full Review
Bedrich SMETANA (1824-1884)
Ma Vlast
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Libor Pesek - Rec 12 May 1995, Rudolfinum
Hall, Prague REGIS
RRC 1099 [74.29] [TB]
At
the bargain price no-one is likely to complain, but it is possible to
acquire more vivid performances … see Full
Review
Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884)
Libuše
Gabriela Benackov-Capov (soprano) Libušse, Vaclav Zitek
(baritone) Premysl, Antonín Svorc (bass) Chrudos,
Leo Marian Vodicka (tenor) Stahlav, Karel Prusa (bass) Lutobor,
Rene Tucek (baritone) Radovan, Eva Depoltova (soprano) Krasava,
Vera Soukupova (contralto) Radmila, Chorus of harvesters,
elders, chieftains and noblemen; maidens at Libuše's court; Premysl's
retinue; the people Chorus and Orchestra of the National Theatre, Prague,
Zdenek Kosler Rec 18 November 1983, National Theatre, Prague
SUPRAPHON 11 1276-2 633 [3CDs: 166.17] [TB]
Reaches
the heart of the matter. Smetana emerges as the great opera composer
he undoubtedly was. … see Full Review
Wilhelm STENHAMMAR (1871-1927)
The Orchestral Music Symphony
No. 1 in F major (1902-3) [52.56] Symphony No. 2 in G minor (1901-1902)
[42.37] Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor (original version) (1893)
[45.50] Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor (1904-1907) [28.43] Serenade
(including Reverenza movement) (1907) [43.30] Lodolezzi Sings
suite (1919) [17.50] Midwinter (1907) [12.25] Florez och
Blanzeflor - ballad for baritone and orchestra (1891) [8.19] Two
Sentimental Romances for violin and orchestra (1910) [12.42] Excelsior!
concert overture (1897) [12.10] Snöfrid (1897) [21.29]
Peter Mattei (bar) (Florez) Ulf Wallin (violin) (Romances)
Love Derwinger (piano) (No. 1) Cristina Ortiz (piano) (No. 2) Ulrika
Åhlén (sop), Gunvor Nilsson (mz), Gösta Zackrisson
(ten), Per Enoksson (violin) Gothenburg Concert Hall Choir/Ove Gotting
(Snöfrid) Gothenburg SO/Neeme Järvi Malmö SO/Paavo
Järvi () rec Gothenburg Concert Hall, live 24 Sept 1982 (Sym 1),
live, 16 Sept 1983 (Sym 2), studio: 19-20 May 1989 (Piano Concerto 2),
1 Sept 1983 (Excelsior!), 26 August 1985 (Serenade); 11/17
June 1992, Malmö Concert Hall (Florez, Romances,
Piano Concerto 1), DDD/AAD
BIS-CD-714/716 [4CDs: 76.52+78.12+75.34+77.48] [RB]
The
accustomed romantic idiom inflamed with Swedish folk voices - a sensational
bargain ... see Full Review
William Grant STILL
(1895-1978) Afro-American Symphony (1930) - Amy
BEACH (1867-1944) "Gaelic" Symphony (1896)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Karl Krueger - Recorded London 1965 (Still)
1968 (Beach) BRIDGE
9086 [65.42] [JW]
Rich
in chromaticism and mountain top horn calls … see Full
Review
Richard
STOKER Complete
Guitar Music Pastoral
Op.42c (1966) Dance Movements Op.66 (1984) Diversions
on a Theme of Theodorakis Op.46 (1973) Pieces for Polita Op.57
(1979) Sonatina for Guitar Op.42 (1974) Improvisation Op.42b
(1972) Zodiac Variations Op.22 (1965 - piano version 1978 arranged
by Martin Vishnick) Sonata for Two Guitars Op.55 (1977) Concerto
for Two Guitars & Tape Op.56 (1978) 
Martin Vishnick, solo guitar; English Guitar Duo, David Collins and
Martin Nockalls Recorded at JJ Studios, Clapham, South London (Tracks
1 and 6 to 38); Ridge Road Studio, Stroud Green, London N8 (Tracks 2-5)
(Recording date circa 1997) and Live Recording 21st July
1978 at the Wigmore Hall London (Track 39-44) [Thanks to the composer
for additional information]
ASC
CLASSICAL SERIES ASC CS CD15 [71.40] [JF]
The
entire opus of guitar works by Stoker. Listen to this a work at a time
and it will impress. … see Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Salome,
op.54 – Dance of the Seven Veils’ (1910) Tod und Verklärung
(Death and Transfiguration) op.24 ((1989) Ein Heldenleben
(A Hero’s Life) op.40 (1898)
Staatskapelle Dresden/Rudolf Kempe, Peter Mirring, violin
Recorded 13th-24th June 1970 (Dance of the Seven Veils
and Tod und Verklärung), and 26th-30th
March 1972 (Ein Heldenleben), Lukaskirche, Dresden
EMI CLASSICS Great Recordings of the Century 5 67891 2 [75:15] [GPJ]
A
heady experience for Strauss lovers … see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der
Rosenkavalier (abridged) (1911) Die Feldmarschallin – Lotte
Lehmann (soprano); Octavian – Maria Olszewska (Mezzo-soprano); Der Baron
Ochs auf Lerchenau – Richard Mayr (bass); Sophie – Elisabeth Schumann
(soprano); Herr von Faninal – Victor Madin (baritone); Marianne Leitmetzerin
– Anne Machalsky (soprano); Valzacchi – Hermann Gallos (tenor); Annina
– Bella Paalen (contralto); Ein Polizeikommissar – Karl Ettl (tenor);
Ein Wirt – William Wenigk (tenor); Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Robert Heger - Recorded Mittlerer Konzerthaussaal September 1933 - Includes
various excerpts from Die Rosenkavalier recorded between 1920 and 1931
sung by Richard Tauber, Lotte Lehmann, Barbara Kemp, Conchita Supervia,
Richard Mayr and Anni Andrassy, Alexander Kipnis and Else Ruziczka,
Barbara Kemp, Delia Rheinhardt and Marion Claire.
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110191-92 [2 CDs 142.04] [JW]
A
very pleasant pendant to a much-loved, irreplaceable Rosenkavalier.
… see Full Review
Josef SUK (1874-1935)
Ripening - a symphonic poem (1917) A Fairy Tale - suite (1900)
Czech PO/Václav
Talich rec Dvorák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, 28 Apr 1956 (Ripening),
2 May 1949 (Fairy Tale) mono
SUPRAPHON 11 1904-2 001 [70.58]
Essential
listening for all admirers of the eloquent, superbly crafted music of
Josef Suk … see Full Review
Josef SUK (1874-1935)
Nalady
op 10, Piano pieces op 12, Fantasy-Polonaise op 5 , Humoresque in C
Major, Village Serenade
Pavel Stepan, piano
SUPRAPHON SU 0032-2 111 [65’33] [JW]
These
early pieces, especially when so knowingly and freshly interpreted,
make an infectious impression. … see Full Review
Josef SUK (1874-1935)
String
Quartet No. 1, Opus 11 String Quartet No. 2, Opus 31 Quartet Movement
in B flat Tempo di Menuetto Meditation on the St Wenceslas Chorale
Suk Quartet Recorded
June 1978 (Quartet Movement), Domovina Studio, March 1979 (Quartet No.
1), January 1984 (Quartet No. 2, Tempo di Menuetto, Meditation), Dvořák
Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague
SUPRAPHON 11 1531-2 111 [52.17] [TB]
The
composer would have been pleased with what his namesake quartet achieves.
… see Full Review
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900)
Daydreams: Chamber and Piano music String
Quartet 1859 Daydreams No.1 (piano) 1867 Daydreams No.2
(piano) An Idyll (cello and piano) 1865 Allegro Risoluto
1866 Daydreams No.3 (piano) Daydreams No.4 (piano) Slowly,
Slowly (cello and piano) Daydreams No.5 (piano) Daydreams
No.6 (piano) Berceuse (piano fantasia) Romance for
String Quartet Thoughts No.1 (piano) 1862 Thoughts No.2
(piano) 1862 Twilight (piano) 1868 Duo Concertante Op. 2 (cello
and piano) Yeomans String
Quartet: Robert Yeomans and Anne Bunemann (violins), Louise Lansdown
(viola), Gabriel Waite (cello) Jamie Walton (cello), Murray McLachlan
(piano) Rec. Recital Room, Chethams School of Music, Manchester, England
2001 DDD Mid price
SOMM SOMMCD233 [71.38] [RW]
Apart
from the rarity of the items, the success of this disc lies in the skills
of the musicians and quality of their instruments. … see Full
Review
Thomas TALLIS (c.1510-1585)
The Complete Works - Volume 1 (1530-40) Ave
Dei patris filia [15’33"] Ave rosa sine spinis [11’14"] Ora
pro nobis (c.1535) [3’57"] Euge celi porta [2’28"] Missa Salve
Intemerata [22’45"] Salve intemerata [15’54"]
Chapelle du Roi/Alistair Dixon Recorded in St. Augustine’s Church, Kilburn,
London on 23-25 October 1996
SIGNUM SIG001 [71’52"] [JP]
Great
attention paid to performance detail including pitch, pronunciation
and liturgical context … see Full Review
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840
– 1893) Swan
Lake Ballet - complete, (1877); The Sleeping Beauty Ballet
– complete, (1890); The Nutcracker Ballet – complete, (1892)
Philharmonia Orchestra,
conducted by John Lanchbery with the Ambrosian Singers (Nutcracker).
recorded March – May and July 1982 in Abbey Road Studios, London.
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE
CFP 575 7592 [6CDs: 366.26] [JP]
Vividness
and élan in an inexpensive set … see Full
Review
Peter
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 –
1893) Nutcracker Ballet – complete - Op. 71 (1892) Choreography
Lev Ivanov and Peter Wright, with Lesley Collier, Anthony Dowell, Michael
Coleman, Julie Rose and Guy Niblett
The Royal Ballet Corps and Orchestra, conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky.
recorded in the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, January, 1985
- Video directed by John Vernon in association with Peter Wright
WARNER MUSIC VISION, NVC 0630-19394-2 [99 minutes] [JP]
A
classic performance … see Full Review
Lasse THORESEN (born
1949) Illuminations
(1986)a Symphonic Concerto (1984)b
Liv Opdal Eggestad, Aage Kvalbein (cello)a; Stig Nilsson
(violin)b; Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra; Marcello Viotti Recorded:
Oslo Concert Hall, March 1998
AURORA ACD 5008 [78:46] [HC]
Expressionistic,
but very communicative and in an eloquent idiom - music that vastly
repays repeated hearings … see Full Review
Ernst TOCH (1887-1964)
Tanz-Suite Op 30 (1923) - Cello Concerto (1924)
Susanne Müller-Hornbach, cello - Mutare Ensemble - Gerhard Müller-Hornbach
- Recorded November 1999
CPO 999 688-2 [56.32] [JW]
If
you can cope with the occasionally convoluted astringencies demanding
but bracing listening … see Full Review
Percy TURNBULL (1902-1976)
Songs and Part-Songs: Chloris
in the Snow - In Fountain Court - A Boy’s Song - My Bed is a Boat -
To Julia - When Daffodils begin to peer - Ejaculation to God - To God
- Piping down the Valleys Wild - Cavalier - If Doughty Deeds - The Rainy
Day - The Moon - The Moon (second setting) - The Reminder - The Reminder
(second setting) - Guess, Guess - My Mopsa is Little - To Blossoms -
The Shower - Cargoes - Where go the boats? - Take me to the North Countrie
- You spotted snakes - There was as simple maiden - To Blossoms (second
setting) - Nancy Argenta, soprano; Roderick Williams, baritone - Robin
Bowman, piano; Alistair Young, piano (in "Where go the boats?")
The Joyful Company of
Singers, directed by Peter Broadbent - Solo songs recorded July and
September 2000 at St. Philip’s Church, London, UK - Part-songs recorded
in March 2000 at Southlands College, London, UK
SOMM CELESTE SERIES SOMM 020 [51.08] [WH]
The
singing on this disc brings great pleasure … see Full
Review
Geirr
TVEITT (1908-1981)
Variations
on a Folksong from Hardanger for two pianos and orchestra (1949)
(30.54) - Piano Concerto No. 4 "Aurora Borealis", Op.
130 (1947) (29.57) - Håvard Gimse (piano); Gunilla Süssmann
(piano) Royal Scottish
National Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset - Rec 7th – 12th
January 2001 in Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow
NAXOS 8.555761 [60.51] [TM]
The
primitive, modal nature of the music makes it communicative at an almost
visceral level … see Full Review
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872
– 1958) Pastoral Symphony - Symphony No. 3, (1921) - Norfolk
Rhapsody No. 1 in E minor (1906) - Norfolk Rhapsody No. 2 in
D minor (1907) - The Running Set (1933) - Rebecca Evans (soprano)
(Symphony No. 3) London
Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox. recorded 16 – 18th January
2002 in All Saints’ Church, Tooting, London
CHANDOS CHAN 10001 [66.26] [JP]
Recommended
strongly, but with some reservations in relation to the symphony … see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958)
The Film Music - Vol. 1 Scott of the Antarctic *(1948); The
People’s Land (1942) ; Coastal Command (1943)
Merryn Gamba (soprano) * Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus * BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra/Rumon Gamba Recorded in New Broadcasting House, Manchester;
12 and 21 March 2002
CHANDOS CHAN 10007 [78:30] [IL]
An
excellent introduction to RVW’s evocative film music … see Full
Review
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
English Folk Song Suite (Wind Band Version) (1923)° - The
Lark Ascending (1914) ¹ - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
(1910) ¹ - Six Studies in English Folk Song (1926) ² - Three
Vocalises for Soprano and Clarinet (1958) ²³ - Partita for
Double String Orchestra (1946-8)* - Iona Brown, violin¹ - Emma Johnson,
clarinet²³ - Judith Howarth, soprano³ - London Wind Orchestra°/Denis
Wick - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields¹/Sir Neville Marriner
London Festival Orchestra/Ross Pople - Recorded in Abbey Road Studios¹,
Henry Wood Hall²³, 31st May - 2nd June 1993 and
All Hallows Church*, Gospel Oak, London, July 1991.
ASV PLATINUM PLT8520 [74.36] [NH]
Good
but not great interpretations of some of VW's most popular and lesser
known masterpieces………See Full Review
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Farnace
(1727) - Francesco CORSELLI (1705-1778)
Farnace (1739) - Furio Zanasi, baritone - Farnace; Adriana Fernández,
soprano - Berenice; Sara Mingardo, contralto - Tamiri; Gloria Banditelli,
contralto - Selinda; Sonia Prina, contralto - Pompeo; Cinzia Forte,
soprano - Gilade; Fulvio Bettini, baritone - Aquilio
Le Concert des Nations/Jordi Savall - Rec: October 2001, Teatro de la
Zarzuela de Madrid
ALIA VOX AV9822
[2:55:17]
[KM]
Rare
attractive music to which justice is done. … see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) The
Four Seasons; 12 Concerti for Violin and Strings Op 8 Nos 1-4 RV 269,
315, 293, 297 (pub 1725) - Concerto for Cello in B Minor RV 424 - Concerto
for Two Oboes and Strings in D Minor RV 535 - Concerto for Strings in
G Major RV 151 - Concerto for Two Trumpets, Strings and Basso Continuo
in C major RV 537 - Crispian Steele-Perkins and John Thiessen, natural
trumpets Tafelmusik/Jeanne
Lamon, violin - No recording details
SONY SMK89987 [69.17]
A
spirited and sensitive disc … see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678 - 1741) Concertos
for mandolins and for other instrumental combinations (1700s) - Concerto
RV 532 for two mandolins - Concerto RV 558 for 2 violins, 2 recorders,
2 mandolins, 2 chalumeaux, 2 theorbos, & cello - Concerto RV 576
for violin, 2 recorders, 3 oboes and bassoon - Concerto RV 564 for 2
violins, 2 cellos and strings - Concerto RV 319 for solo violin, 2 oboes,
bassoon and strings - Concerto RV 425 for mandolin - Concerto RV 555
for 3 violins, oboe, 2 recorders, 2 violi all’inglese, chalumeau, 2
cellos, 2 harpsichords and 2 violins in tromba marina - Europa Galante
Fabio Biondi (violin and
direction) - Recorded in San Giovanni Evangelista, Parma, Italy 9-12
October 2001 VIRGIN
VERITAS 7243 5 45527 2 4 [67.29] [CF]
Good
period authentic playing, flair and delight, the soloists all rising
to the occasion in grand style. … see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Parsifal
(1878-82) - Amfortas: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bar) - Titurel: Hans
Hotter (bass) - Gurnemanz: Gottlob Frick (bar) - Parsifal: René
Kollo (ten) - Klingsor: Zoltan Kélémen (bar) - Kundry:
Christa Ludwig (sop) - First Knight: Robert Tear (ten) - Second Knight:
Herbert Lackner (ten) - Alstimme: Birgit Finnilä (con) - First
Esquire: Rotrund Hansmann - Second Esquire: Marga Schiml - Third Esquire:
Heinz Zednik - Fourth Esquire: Ewald Aichberger - Klingsor’s flower
maidens: Lucia Popp; Alison Hargan; Anne Howells; Kiri Te Kanawa; Gillian
Knight; Margarita Lilowa (sop)
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti - Recorded in the Sofiensaal,
Vienna 1972 and
DECCA 470 805-2 [4 CDs 260:10] [IL]
This
new refurbishment of an acclaimed star-studded version of Wagner’s last
opera sounds glorious and, for me, is only eclipsed by the DG recording.
… see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1813–1883)
Tannhäuser-Paris
Version (1845) - Opera in three acts - Hermann, Landgraf von Thüringen…Hans
Sotin (bass) - Elisabeth…Helga Dernesch (soprano) - Tannhäuser…René
Kollo (tenor) - Wolfram von Eschenbach…Victor Braun (baritone) - Walter
von der Vogelweide…Werner Hollweg (tenor) - Heinrich der Schreiber…Kurt
Equiluz (tenor) - Biterolf…Manfred Jungwirth (bass) - Reinmar von Zweter…Norman
Bailey (bass) - Venus…Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano) - With members
of the Vienna Boys Choir - Vienna State Opera Chorus Chorus / Wilhelm
Pitz and Norbert Balatsch
Vienna Philharmonic / Sir George Solti - Recorded: October 1970 in the
Sofiensaal,Vienna Newly Digitally remastered ADD
DECCA 470 810-2 [CD1:68.48 CD2:66.59 CD3:51.52 ] [RM]
‘Wow’.
And more ‘Wow’. Absolutely ‘wow’. … see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) - Rienzi:
Overture - Tannhäuser: Overture - Tannhäuser:
Prelude (Act III) - Lohengrin: Prelude (Act I) * - Lohengrin:
Prelude (Act III) - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg:
Prelude - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Dance of
the Apprentices and Entry of the Masters - Parsifal: Prelude
(Act I) * - Der fliegende Holländer: Overture - Das
Rheingold: Entry of the Gods into Valhalla * - Die Walküre:
Ride of the Valkyries * - Siegfried-Idyll † - Siegfried:
Forest Murmurs * - Götterdämmerung: Siegfried’s
Rhine Journey * - Götterdämmerung: Siegfried’s
Funeral March - Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
Otto Klemperer conducting
the Philharmonia Orchestra - Recordings made in the Kingsway Hall, London
in 1960, 1962† and 1963*
EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY CMS 5 67893 2 [2 CDs: 158:15]
[IL]
Excellent compelling performances in stunning sound.
Those wanting these popular orchestral excerpts from Wagner operas need
look no further. Heartily recommended..
… see Full Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) The Flying
Dutchman (excerpts) - Naxos "Opera Explained" - Written
by Thomson Smillie - Narrated by David Timson - Musical examples taken
from Naxos 8.660025-26, The Flying Dutchman with Alfred Muss,
Ingrid Haubold, Peter Seiffert, Erich Knodt, Jörg Hering,
Marga Schiml, the ORF Symphony
Orchestra, Pinchas Steinberg, conductor. Also contains excerpts from
other Wagner operas.
NAXOS 8.558013 [67.31] [KS]
Buy
this disc and the others in the series. You will be glad you did. ...
See Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH William WALTON
(1902-1983) Piano
Quartet (1918-21, rev. 1973/4) [29.16] Anon in Love for tenor
and guitar (1959) [10.49] Valse (from Façade) arr.
for solo piano (1923) [4.26] Passacaglia for solo cello (1979/80)
[6.14] Sonata for Violin and Piano (1947-49, rev. 1949/50) [24.42]
Nash Ensemble – Marianne Thorsen (violin) Lawrence Power (viola) Paul
Watkins (cello) Ian Brown (piano) with John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Craig
Ogden (guitar) Recorded at Potton Hall, Suffolk on 1-3 February and
20 March 2002 HYPERION
CDA 67340 [75.56] [TH]
A
superb disc that will have great appeal for the generalist and Walton
specialist … see Full Review
Carl Maria von WEBER
(1786-1826) Der Freischütz (1821) Ottokar - Christian
Gerhaher, Agathe - Petra-Maria Schnitzer, Aennchen - Johanna Stojkovich,
Kaspar - Georg Zeppenfeld, Max - Christoph Prégardien, Samiel
and Narrator - Markus John - WDR Rundfunkchor Köln
Cappella Coloniensis des WDR/Bruno Weil - Recorded at Westdeutscher
Rundfunk Köln, June-July 2001
DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 05472 77536 2 [2CDs: 62.50; 57.43] [TH]
Freshness
of approach, intelligent singing and superbly vital orchestral playing
will make you sit up and take notice. … see Full
Review
Carl Maria Von WEBER (1786-1826)
Symphony No 1 in C, J50 (1807) Allegro con fuoco - Andante
- Scherzo, presto - Finale, presto - Clarinet Concerto No 1 in
F minor, Op.73 (1811) Allegro - Adagio ma non troppo - Rondo,
allegretto - Clarinet Quintet Op.34 (1815) Allegro - Fantasia,
Adagio - Menuetto - Rondo
Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner (Symphony) - Emma
Johnson (clarinet); English Chamber Orchestra/Yan Pascal Tortelier (Clarinet
Concerto) - Emma Johnson (clarinet); Gabor Takács-Nagy (violin);
Rebecca Hirsch (violin); Tim Boulton (viola); Andrew Shulman (cello)
(Clarinet Quintet) - Rec. Abbey Road Studios, 1982 (Symphony); St Peter’s
Church, Morden, 1987 (Clarinet Concerto); Henry Wood Hall, 1999 (Clarinet
Quintet); England
ASV PLATINUM PLT 8521 [75.30]
Music-making
that is energetic, bright and easy on the ear … see Full
Review
Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Symphony
No. 1 (1812) [24.51] Symphony No. 2 (1813) [18.16] Piano Concerto No.
1 (1810) [20.26] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1812) [23.04] Konzertstück
(1821) [17.04] Euryanthe Overture (1823) [8.34] Abu Hassan
Overture (1811) [3.32] Preziosa Overture (1820) [8.13] Beherrscher
der Geister (Rubezahl) Overture (1804?) [5.39]
Oberon Overture (1826) [8.48] Jubel-Ouvertüre (1818)
[7.46] Der Freischütz Overture (1821) [10.04]
Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields/Neville Marriner (symphonies) Recorded
at the Abbey Road Studios, London, 1982, DDD Peter Rösel (piano)
Staatskapelle Dresden/Herbert Blomstedt (piano concertos) Lukaskirche,
Dresden, Germany, 1984, DDD Staatskapelle Dresden/Gustav Kuhn (overtures)
Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany, 1985, DDD
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99935 3 CD set. [43.43+60.59+53.22] [MC]
Virtually
all of Weber’s major orchestral works are contained on this triple CD
set which at budget price is a real snip. … see Full
Review
Ian WILSON
(b1964) String Quartet No. 1 - Winter's Edge
(1992) String Quartet No. 2 - The Capsizing Man and other stories
(1994) String Quartet No. 3 - Towards the Far Country (1996)
The Vanbrugh Quartet
Recorded at University Concert Hall, Limerick, Ireland, 26th -
28th October 1999.
BLACK BOX BBM1031 [62.02] [NH]
Devotees
of the 20th century string quartet should hear this but for
others it may prove to be something of an acquired taste … see Full
Review
You may sample, download or purchase this disc
[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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