Gustav MAHLER (1850 - 1911) Symphony No. 1 in D "The Titan" (1884-8, rev. 1893, 1896-8) - Staatskapelle Dresden/Otmar Suitner - Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen (1884, rev. 1892, 1896) - Hermann Prey (bar) Berliner Rudfunk Sinfonie Orchester/Kurt Sanderling - Recorded 1962 (Sym), 1960 (Lieder) BERLIN CLASSICS ETERNA COLLECTION 0032532BC [68'37] [PSer]

Don't buy this for the superb sound quality, because it isn't. Don't buy it for the technically perfect playing, because it isn't. Performances bristling with character and individuality. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.3 in D minor (1895-6) Kindertotenlieder (1901-4) Michelle DeYoung (mezzo-soprano) Women of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus Pacific Boy Choir, San Francisco Girls Chorus San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas Hybrid SACD - playable on SACD and standard CD players. SFS MEDIA 821936-0003-2 2CDs [133.34] [TD]

A fine recording of the Third well recorded and played but not quite among the elect. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 4 in G major* Franz SCHREKER (1878-1934) Prelude to a Drama Christine Whittlesey (soprano)* SWR Sinfonieorchester/Michael Gielen Rec 23-26 February 1988 (Mahler), Stadthalle Karlsruhe, 7 February 1995, Hans Rosbaud Studio Baden-Baden (Schreker) HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD-93046 [75.28] [TB]

As fine a Schreker performance as the current catalogue contains and a flawed though good Mahler 4 … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied von der Erde (1909) [60.47] Julius Patzak, tenor Kathleen Ferrier, contralto Three Rückert Lieder (1901) [14.43] Kathleen Ferrier, contralto Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter Recorded in the Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, May 1952 Restored from vinyl pressing(s) by Mark Obert-Thorn ‘ADD’ NAXOS 8.110871 [75.30] [PS]

An historical reissue of a precious classic LP recording. Buy the Naxos transfer to get the Rückert Songs, but if all you want is Das Lied, buy the Decca original CD … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied Von Der Erde (1907-9) Janet Baker (alto), Waldemar Kmentt (tenor) Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Rafael Kubelik Recorded "live" at Herkulessaal der Residenz in Munich on 27^th February 1970 AUDITE 95.491 [62.11] [TD]

One of the all-time great Mahler recordings … there are none to surpass it, perhaps only to equal it. You will be moved, delighted and changed by it. … see Full Review

DVD OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied von der Erde Waltraud Meier (mezzo-soprano) Torsten Kerl (tenor) WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Semyon Bychkov "I follow a voice within me" A portrait of the singer Waltraud Meier (1h 26m) Regional Code 0 Picture Format 16:9 Sound formats PCM Stereo, DTS5.1, DD5.1 Production 2002 Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian Reviewed using DTS5.1 TDK DVD 10 5188 9 DV-WMLVE [1 disc: 2h 38 m] [DB]

Gorgeous! Rush out and buy it, it costs less than half a decent seat in the Barbican, the acoustic of the Köln Philharmonie is better, you get a free film thrown in … see Full Review

"MANET - Music of His Time" Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810 - 1849) Grande Valse brillante in Ab, Op 34#1, (1838) [5.46] Waltz in c#, Op 64#2, (1847) [3.53] Waltz in Gb, Op 70#1, (1829) [2.39] Idil Biret, piano from Naxos 8.554539 - Gioachino ROSSINI (1792 - 1868) Stabat Mater: opening movement (1842) [9.47] Patrizia Pace, Gloria Scalchi, Antonio Siragusa, Carlo Colombara Hungarian State Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Pier Giorgio Morandi from Naxos 8.554443 - Jacques OFFENBACH (1819 - 1880) La Vie Parisienne: overture [5.45] Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hayman from Naxos 8.55047 3- Georges BIZET (1838 - 1875) Jeux d’enfants, Petite Suite for Orchestra (1871) [11.30] New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Donald Johanos from Naxos 8.553027 - Eduard LALO (1823 - 1892) Symphonie Espagnole, Op 21: first movement (1874) [7.30] Marat Bisengaliev, violin Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Johannes Wildner from Naxos 8.550494 - Emmanuel CHABRIER (1841 1894) Pieces Pittoresques (1881): paysage [5.35] Idylle [3.25] Scherzo Valse [4.26] Georges Rabol, piano, from Naxos 8.553009 - Alfred BRUNEAU (1857 - 1934) L’Attaque du Moulin: Les Fiançailles au Moulin (1893) [7.38] Rhenish Symphony Orchestra/James Lockhart from Naxos 8.553498 - Claude DEBUSSY (1862 - 1918) String Quartet in g, Op 10: First Movement (1893) [6.13] Kodaly Quartet from Naxos 8.550249 Digitally recorded at various locations recently Booklet notes in English, including biographical chronology, extensive essay by Hugh Griffith, and six full color reproductions of paintings by Manet. Others in the ‘Art and Music’ series are: Turner, Van Gogh, and Claude Monet NAXOS 8.558117 [75.44] [PS]

I’m giving this one to my niece as a wedding present and I’m sure she’ll love it. … see Full Review

Giuseppe MARTUCCI (1856-1909) - Symphony No. 1 in D minor (1888-95) - Symphony No. 2 in F major (1904) Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra/Kees BakelsRec. December 2000, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. DDD BIS CD-1255 [80:20] [IL]

Disappointing, stolid performances. ASV's Francesco D'Avalos and the Philharmonia, really point up the considerable beauty and excitement of these glorious, neglected symphonies… see Full Review

Arturs MASKATS (b.1957) Lacrimosa for choir, strings and organ (1995) [7.04] Concerto Grosso for violin, cello, strings and percussion (1996) [21.39] Three Poems by Paul Verlaine: La lune blanche; Impression fausse; Ce sont choses crépusculaires (1996) [13.09]
Cello Concerto (1992) [17.12] Salve Regina for mezzo, cello and strings (1996) [8.11] Latvian Radio Choir (Lacrimosa, Verlaine) Aivars Kalējs (organ) (Lacrimosa) Sandis Šteinbergs (violin) (Concerto Grosso) Reinis Birzniecks (cello) (Concerto Grosso; Verlaine; Concerto) Edgars Saksons (percussion) (Concerto Grosso) Normunds Šnē (oboe) (Verlaine)
Antra Bigača (mz) (Salve) Agnese Rugēvica (cello) (Salve) Riga Chamber Players/ Normunds Šnē (except Lacrimosa where conductor is Sigvards Kļava) rec. Aug 2000, Riga Cathedral; Reformation Church, Latvia. DDD BIS BIS-CD-1146 [69.07] [RB]

Maskats music is res ipsa loquitur evidence of an entanglement with the expression of beauty. ... see Full Review

John McCABE (b. 1939) - Salamander (1994) - Cloudcatcher Fells (1985) - Desert II: Horizon (1985) - Images (1967) - Northern Lights (1992) Britannia Building Society Band/Howard Snell - Recorded at Peel Hall, Salford, December, 1994 DDD DOYEN DOY CD 030 [69:57] [CT]

A compelling retrospective of McCabe's music for brass band spanning a thirty year period in magnificent performances … see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN-Bartholdy (1809-1847) Sextet in D major for violin, 2 violas, cello, bass and piano Op. 110 (1824) [28:45] Octet in E flat major for strings, Op. 20 (1825) [31:42] The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Players. Sextet: David Golub (piano), Cho-Liang Lin (violin), Paul Neubauer, Toby Hoffman (violas), Gary Hoffman (cello), Edgar Meyer (bass) Octet: Cho-Liang Lin, Peter Winograd, Carmit Zori, Ani Kavafian (violins), Toby Hoffman, Paul Neubauer (violas), Gary Hoffman, Fred Sherry (cellos) Sextet: Recorded First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, California, USA; Octet: Recorded St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, New York, USA. No recording dates given. DDD DELOS DE 3266 [60:28] [MC]

A real winner in terms of repertoire, performance, interpretation, sound quality and sheer enjoyment. Undoubtedly one of my records of the year. … see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony No. 3 in A minor Op, 56 (‘Scottish’) (1842) [42.03] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129 (1850) [23.30] Jürnjakob Timm (cello) Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Kurt Masur Recorded 1962/1985 on VEB Deutsche Schallplatten BERLIN CLASSICS ETERNA 0032542BC [66.15]

Unbalanced acoustic and stilted orchestral playing especially in the Mendelssohn. Not a bargain at any price. … see Full Review

Arthur MEULEMANS (1884 – 1966) String Quartet No.2 (1932) - String Quartet No.3 (1933) - Piano Quintet (1946)^a - Herman MEULEMANS (1893 – 1965) Five Piano Pieces^b Stijn Kolacny (piano)^a; Steven Kolacny (piano)^b; Arriaga String Quartet - Recorded: St. Jozefscollege, Aarschot, April 1996 PHAEDRA 92011 [57:32] [HC]

Attractive works in excellent performances. Well worth having, were it only to convey an idea of Arthur Meulemans’ music in its lighter mood. … see Full Review

Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) The Complete Symphonic Works: Olympia Volume 10 Symphony No. 14 (1935) [37.16] Symphony No. 22 (1941) [36.25] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov rec: Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia, 1991-3 (14) DDD; 1970 (22) ADD OLYMPIA OCD 740 [74.31] [RB]

Two aspects of Miaskovsky displayed in two symphonies: the Rimskian folk-naif and the deeply serious war-heroic ... see Full Review

Italo MONTEMEZZI (1875 - 1952) L’Amore dei Tre Re (1913) (104.18) - Libretto by S. Benelli after his play Archibaldo Ezio Pinza, bass, Archibaldo; Grace Moore, soprano, Fiona; Charles Kullman, tenor, Avito; Richard Bonelli, baritone, Manfredo. [Sung in Italian] - Italo Montemezzi conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Recorded as broadcast from New York, New York, USA, 15 February 1941 - "Pinza Rarities’ including interview (2.58) and commentary (0.13) - Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Die Zauberflöte: O Isis und Osiris (1791) (3.26) [Sung inGerman] Victor studio recording, Metropolitan Orchestra & Chorus 5 January 1928 - Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 - 1848) L’Elisir d’Amore: Udite O Rustici (1832) (6.31) - Ford Hour broacast, 4 December 1938 - Charles GOUNOD (1818 - 1893) La Reine de Saba: Sous les pieds d’une femme (1862) (4.58) - Donald Voorhees conducting Bell Telephone Orchestra broadcast 18 November 1946 - Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) Sim Boccanegra: Il lacerato spirito (1858) (3.38) - Donald Voorhees conducting Bell Telephone Orchestra broadcast 3 February 1947 - George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1757) Xerxes: Ombra mai fu (1738) (3.56) Voice of Firestone broadcast 16 August 1944 Ezio Pinza, bass Anouncements by Milton Cross. Notes in English. B/W production photographs. Essay on sources and reconstruction. AAD monophonic No texts included. GUILD GHCD 2234-5 [156.14] [PS]

Good recording of a neglected verismo classic, the most complete record of Ezio Pinza’s operatic skills … see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria (1640) Vesselina Kasarova – Penelope Dietrich Henschel – Ulisse Jonas Kaufmann - Telemaco Isabel Rey - Minerva/Amore Pavel Daniluk - Neptune Anton Scharinger - Jove Rudolf Schasching - Iro Orchestra La Scintilla from the Zurich Opernhaus/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Stage Director – Klaus-Michael Grüber Rec. 2002, Opernhaus Zurich ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 100 352 [155’] [PW]

A fine musical performance, somewhat marred by poor staging and sets … see Full Review

 

Moritz MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Vingt Petites Etudes pour piano Op. 91 - Johannes BRAHMS (transcribed MOSZKOWSKI for solo piano) Hungarian Dances Book 1 Full details at foot of review Esther Budiardjo (piano) rec. Pro Piano Hall, 7-8 Dec 2001 PROPIANO PPR224536 [55.58] [RB]

Warmly romantic readings presenting an unusual twist on familiar music as well as music completely new to most listeners ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Serenades and Divertimentos Mozart Edition Volume 22 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99733 [10 CDs][RH]

A fascinating and affordable set to dip into, full of interesting discoveries in more than acceptable performances … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) - Concert arias: - Voi avete un cor fidele (1775) [7.45] - Vado ma dove? Oh Dei!, K 583 (1789) [4.48] - Giunse alfin il momento - Al desio di chi t’adora, K 577 (1789) [8.43] - Un moto di gioia mi sento, K 579 (1789) [4.42] - Bella mia fiamma, addio, K 528 (1787) [2.52] - Symphony No. 38 in g, K 318 (1779) [37.44] Cecilia Bartoli, soprano -Concentus Musicus Wien Orchestra/Nicolaus Harnoncourt - Recorded at the Styriarte Festival in Graz, Austria, 14 July 2001. - LPCM Stereo Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS digital 5.1 Video direction by Brian Large -PAL 16:9 anamorphic No region code Format DVD-9 - Special features: filming notes (12.58) ‘In rehearsal’ (16.53) - Subtitles in English, German, French, Spanish. Notes in English, German, and French BBC OPUS ARTE DVD OA 0820 D [113.00] [PS]

Excellent performances of these great works, good sound, clear picture and effective video direction … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Cosí Fan Tutte - opera in two acts. Fiordiligi, Christina Deutekom (sop). Dorabella, Tatiana Troyanos (m. sop). Despina, Emilia Ravaglia (sop). Guglielmo, Claudio Giombi (bar). Ferrando, Renzo Casellato (ten). Don Alfonso, Paolo Montarsolo, (bar). Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro La Fenice, Venice/Peter Maag. Live recording 10^th December 1968. MONDO MUSICA. MFOH 10171 (2CDs:74.00+72.02) [RF]

At the right price this issue could provide an enjoyable introduction to Cosí … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) London Sketchbook (1764/5) Allegretto, K15a - Contredanse, K15b - Minuet, K15c - Rondino, K15d - Ecossaise, K15e - Minuet, K15f - Fantasia (Prelude), K15g - Contredanse, K15h - Minuet – Minore, K15i-k - Vivace (Contredanse), K15l - Minuet, K15m - Andante, K15n -Andante, K15o - Allegro assai (Sonata), K15p - Andante con espressione, K15q - Allegro giusto, K15r - Hornpipe (Anglaise), K15s - Allegro (Sonata), K15t - Larghetto (Siciliano), K15u - Allegro molto (Finale), K15v - Allegretto, K15w - Allegro (Sinfonia), K15x - Minuet, K15y - Allegro non tanto (Gigue), K15z -Allegro, K15aa - Allegro con spirito (Finale?), K15bb -Allegro moderato (Concertino), K15cc - Andante poco adagio, K15dd * - Minuet I and II, K15ee-ff - Vivace (Cotillon), K15gg - Poco allegro (Rondo), K15hh - Andante (Air), K15ii - Andante, K15kk - Presto, K15ll - Adagio, K15mm -Tempo di Minuetto (German Dance), K15oo - Poco maestoso (Minuet-Trio), K15pp-qq - Minuet (Fragment – completed by Hans-Udo Kreuels), K15rr - Fuga (Fragment – completed by Hans-Udo Kreuels), K15ss * Hans-Udo Kreuels, Piano - Vorarlberg Conservatory Ensemble* - Recorded at Osterreichischer Rundfunk, Vorarlberg, Dornbirn, Austria, December 2001 NAXOS 8.554769 [74:40] [DS]

Unwise use of a modern piano in this otherwise well-conceived project … see Full Review

Paul MÜLLER-ZÜRICH (1898 – 1993) Organ Concerto Op.28 (1938, rev. 1978)^a - Toccata in C Op.12 (1923) - Willy BURKHARD (1900 – 1955) Sonatina for Organ Op.52 (1938) - Adolf BRUNNER (1901 – 1992) Pfingstbuch (1936/7) -
Hans SCHAEUBLE (1906 – 1988) Präludium Op.15 (1930, rev. 1976) Jeremy Bines (organ) - Kammerorchester Basel^a/Christopher Hogwood^a - Recorded: Neumünster, Zürich, May 2002 DDD GUILD GMCD 7253 [61:30] [HC]

Unfamiliar worthwhile music … fairly traditional stuff in the best German tradition of organ music … well made and utterly sincere. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH - Modest Petrovich MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Night on the Bare Mountain (Rimsky-Korsakov version) [10:54] - Hopak from "Sorochintsy Fair" [1:42] - Golitsyn’s exile from "Khovanshchina" [5:10] - Night on the Bare Mountain (original version) [12:50] - Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Maurice Ravel) [32:48] National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore Kuchar - Rec. Grand Concert Studio of the National Radio Company of Ukraine, Kiev, 15-18 August, 2001 NAXOS 8.555924 [63:24] [SA]

Commitment … involvement … a feeling of wonder … see Full Review

Gordon MYERS (1919 - ) God's Trombones (1960) Gordon Myers (baritone) Christine Helfrich (soprano) Gloriae Dei Cantores Gloriae Dei Cantores Brass Ensemble Elizabeth C. Patterson (conductor) Recorded 1995, Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts. GLORIAE DEI CANTORES GDCD 017 [78.21] [RH]

A worthy performance of a rather disappointing work. … see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Springtime in Fünen (Fynsk Forår) Op. 42 (1921) Suite from Aladdin (1920) Three Motets Op. 55 (1929) * The University Little Choir 'Little Muko'/Henrik Metz The University Little Choir 'Little Muko'/Mogens Wøldike * Inga Nielsen (sop) Kim Von Binzer (ten) Jørgen Klint (bass) St Klemens School Children's Choir/Kirsten Møller Jensen Katrine Andersen (girl solo) Signe Yde-Andersen (boy solo) Odense Symphony Orchestra/Tamás Vetö rec. 1983-86 DDD REGIS RRC 1134 [59.29] [RB]

A delightful disc which catches the just balance between rustic artlessness and Mid-Eastern exotica ... see Full Review

Anders NORDENTOFT - On This Planet - Flaming Home - I'll Buy You Chocolate - In The Valley - Whispering Sleep - Too Much Sand - Don't Be Afraid - Wheel - Prelude To The Missing Sea - Lucid King (Lucid King; Voice and Choir; Stones and Voices; Two Mobiles; untitled; Happy Fish) - Forget My Face - Thomas Sandberg, voice - Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen/Morten Ryelund Sorensen - Recorded at Sweet Silence Studio, 28^th - 30^th May 2002 - DACAPO 8.224221 [57.04] [NH]

Modern composition mixing influences from avant-rock and improv with heart-melting Lutheran hymn tunes. Brilliant! … see Full Review

Maurice OHANA (1914-1992) Le clavecin - Miroir de Célestine (1990) - first recording - Deux Pièces pour Clavecin (1982) - So Tango (1991) - first recording - Sacral d'Ilx (1976) - Carillons (1960) - Tiento (1955) - Sarabande (1950) - Elisabeth Chojnacka, harpsichord - Béatrice Daudin, percussion - Fabrice Mélinon, oboe - Miklós Nagy, French horn Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Arturo Tamayo - Recorded at the Conservatoire, Luxembourg, March and May 2002 TIMPANI 1C1069 [61.37] [NH]

Another Timpani discovery and a superb addition to Chojnacka's discography … see Full Review

Buxton ORR (1924-97) Tournament for 10 Piece Brass Ensemble (1985) Trombone Concerto (1971) Narration for Symphonic Wind Orchestra (1993) A Caledonian Suite (1980) Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Wind Orchestra and Academy Brass/Bryan Allen and Nigel Boddice Rec. 2002. DDD DOYEN DOYCD118 [68:58] [CT]

Four contrasting works for brass and symphonic wind band by a composer who deserves to be better represented in the catalogue … see Full Review

Andrei Pavlovich PETROV (b.1930) Russia of Bells (1990) [16.54] Violin Concerto(1980) [23.20] Creation of the World - ballet suite (1971) [17.19]
Sergei Stadler (violin) - E Kataev (saxophone) (ballet) - Ensemble of Bell Music/V Lokhansky (Bells) - Boys' Choir of Mikhail Glinka Music School/V Stolnovskih
- Academic SO of the Leningrad Philharmonic/Yuri Temirkanov (all pieces) rec. 1990. Grand Hall, Leningrad State Philharmonic TALENTS OF RUSSIA RCD26601 [57.23] [RB]

Petrov’s palette of influence is wide: jazz, musique-concrète, Bach, the great Russian folksong tradition and a potent Californian taste for melodrama. A Petrov melody is not to be missed ... see Full Review

Walter PISTON (1894-1976) - Orchestral music - Symphony No. 4 (1951)- Capriccio for Harp and String Orchestra (1963) - Three New England Sketches (1959) Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz Recorded at Seattle Center Opera House, Seattle, WA, January 7^th-8^th, March 1^st and May 20^th 1991 NAXOS 8.559162 [51.37] [NH]

A must-buy featuring some truly outstanding 20^th century American music … see Full Review

Gariga Muzika Doma Baznica Ugis PRAULINS (b.1954) Missa Rigensis (2002) Epigrams (2002) Zvani - Interlude (2002) Magnificat (2002) Riga Dom Cathedral Boys’ Choir/Martins Klisans Rec. Riga Dom Cathedral, Riga, Latvia, 2002 IMANTA A0100419992-0101[61.43] [RB]

Praulins is a composer with a fresh vision - as worthy of attention as Veljo Tormis but even more accessible. … see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891 - 1953) Romeo and Juliet, Op 64 (1936) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy Notes, including the composer’s original scenario, in English, French, and German, Recorded Walthamstow Town Hall, UK, February 1991 ‘New Digital recording’(?) DECCA 436 078-2 2 CD’s [141.28] [PS]

An excellent performance extremely well recorded, your first choice. … see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C in C, Op. 26 (1917-21) [29’29] Piano Sonata No. 7 in B flat, Op. 83 (1939-42) [18’32] Violin Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80 (1938-460 [29’33]. Mari Kodama (Op. 26), John Lill (Op.83), Craig Sheppard (Op. 80) (pianos); Mayumi Fujikawa (violin) (Op. 80); Philharmonia Orchestra/Kent Nagano (Op. 26). Rec. St Barnabas Church, Mitcham in June 1991 (Op. 26); Henry Wood Hall, London, on March 13^th-14^th, 1989 (Op. 83); St Peter’s, Morden, in June 1990 (Op. 80). DDD ASV PLATINUM PLT8516 [78’28] [CC]

A very interesting disc in terms of repertoire, then, but alas none of the performances can be unhesitatingly recommended. … see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony-Concerto in E minor, Opus 125 (1938-52) Cello Sonata in C major, Opus 119 (1949) Han-Na Chang (cello) London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio Pappano (conductor and piano) Recorded March 2002, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London EMI CLASSICS 5 57438-2 [61.41] [TB]

Tightly controlled, firmly directed … emotional side of the music revealed also … an attractive coupling … see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Cello Sonata, Op. 119 (1949) [25’58]. Ballade in C minor, Op. 15 (1912) [13’12]. Cinderella, Op. 97bis - Adagio in C. (1944) [4’31]. Cello Concertino, Op. 132 (1952) – Andante in G minor [5’57]. Chout, Op. 21 (1915) – fragments (arr. Sapozhnikov) [7’23]. Solo Cello Sonata in C sharp minor, Op. 134 (1952, completed Blok) [12’23]. Alaxander Ivashkin (cello)Tatyana Lazareva (piano).Rec. Maly Hall, Moscow Conservatory, on August 28^th-September 1^st, 2002. DDD CHANDOS CHAN10045 [67’40] [CC]

Ivashkin is a naturally lyrical player … beautiful, burnished sound apt for Prokofiev’s aching melodies. A truly superb achievement from all concerned. … see Full Review

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) La Bohème/ Madama Butterfly - 2DVD Opera Review (Double Pack) - Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème (1896) - Mimi - Mirella Freni (sop); Rodolfo - Luciano Pavarotti (ten); Musetta - Sandra Pacetti (sop); Marcello - Gino Quilico (bar); Colline - Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass); Schaunard - Stephen Dickson (bar); Benoit - Italo Tajo (bass); Alcindoro - Italo Tajo (bass); Chorus and Orchestra of the San Francisco Opera/Tiziano Severini - Recorded San Francisco, 1988 ARTHAUS 1000 046 [116 mins] with subtitles - Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) - Madama Butterfly (1904) - Cio-Cio San - Yasuko Hayashi (sop); Suzuki - Hak-Nam Kim (mezzo-sop); Lieutenant Pinkerton - Peter Dvorsky (Ten); Kate Pinkerton - Anna Caterina Antonacci (mezzo-sop); Sharpless - Giorgio Zancanaro (Bar); Goro - Ernesto Gavazzi (Ten); Yamadori - Arturo Testa (Bar); Bonzo - Sergio Fontana Bass); Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Alla Scala, Milan/Lorin Maazel - Recorded Milan, 1986 ARTHAUS 1000 110 [144 mins] with subtitles

Two-for the-price-of one … a real bargain. Two very fine Puccini productions… this La Bohème should not be missed for its spine-tingling potential. … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924). La Bohème. Opera in 4 Acts. Mimi, Mirella Freni (sop). Rodolfo, Umberto Grilli (ten). Musetta, Lucia Cappellino (sop). Marcello, Mario Sereni (bar). Schaunard, Otello Borgonovo (bar). Colline, Alessandro Maddalena (bass). Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro La Fenice, Venice. Cond. Oliviero De Fabritiis. Recorded Live 2^nd November 1970. MONDO MUSICA MFOH 10111 [2CDs: 51.46+51.27] [RF]

The major pleasure of this performance is being able to hear singers who never made it onto major studio recordings alongside those who did. … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 - 1924) Gianni Schicchi (1918) [52.04, not including announcements] Italo Tajo, baritone, Gianni Schicchi; Licia Albanese, soprano, Lauretta; Cloe Elmo, soprano, Zita; Giuseppe di Stefano, tenor, Rinuccio; Virgilio Lazzari, bass, Simone [Sung in Italian, but Italo Tajo addresses the audience in English at the close] Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/Giuseppe Antonicelli Richard STRAUSS (1864 - 1949) Salome (1906) [83.25, not including announcements] Ljuba Welitsch, soprano, Salome; Herbert Janssen, bass, Jochanaan; Frederick Jagel, Herod; Kirsten Thorborg, mezzo soprano, Herodias; Brian Sullivan, tenor, Narraboth. (sung in German) Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/ Fritz Reiner Announcements by Milton Cross Notes in English. B/W production photographs. Essay on sources and reconstruction. Recorded double bill as broadcast from New York, New York, USA, 12 March 1949 AAD monophonic No texts included. GUILD GHCD 2230-1 [156.14] [PS]

Excellent all around, lo-fi but penetrable sound, fabulous performances in every way, a must for real collectors of this music, even if you only wanted one or the other of the operas… see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Turandot (1924) (105.48) - Giovanna Cosolla, soprano, Turandot - Masako Deguci, soprano, Liú - Lando Bartolini, tenor, Calaf - Felipe Bou, bass, Timur - Armandon Ariostini, baritone, Ping - Javier Más, tenor, Pang - Vicenç Esteve, tenor, Pong - Francisco Heredia, tenor, Altoum Choral Society of Bilbao (Bilboko Koral Elkartea) Escolania Santa Maria de la Victoria Children’s Chorus - Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra/Alexander Rahbari - Sung in Italian. Notes/synopsis: English; German. No text. Cast biographies in English.
Recorded Teatro Municipal Miguel de Cervantes, Madrid, Spain, 27 October 2001
NAXOS 8.660089-90 [2CDs: 105.48] [PS]

A very fine, in places outstanding, performance and recording … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1877-1943) Works for Piano and Orchestra Volume 3 Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor Op. 1 (1891 rev. 1917) Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor Op. 40 (1926 rev. 1927 and 1941) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43 (1934) Joyce Hatto (piano) The Philharmonia of Warsaw on all except National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (Rhapsody)/René Köhler Recorded Watford Town Hall, October 1996 (First and Fourth Concertos) and St Marks, Croydon March 1994 (Rhapsody) CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9219-2 [78.11] [JW]

Leonine persuasiveness and power … intense assurance … see Full Review

Great Pianists: Horowitz (The First Recordings) Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor Op. 30 (1909) Vladimir Horowitz (piano) London Symphony Orchestra/Albert Coates Recorded in Kingsway Hall, London, 29-30 December 1930 CHOPIN: Mazurka No.21 in C sharp minor, Op.30 No.4; Etude in F major, Op.10 No.8; DEBUSSY: Serenade for the Doll (from Children’s Corner); DOHNÁNYI: Capriccio in F minor, op.28 No.6; BIZET-HOROWITZ: Variations on Themes from Carmen; SCARLATTI: Capriccio in E major, L.375; SCHUBERT-LISZT: Liebesbotschaft (from Schwanengesang); LISZT: Valse oubliée No.1, S.215; Paganini Etude No.5 in E major (‘La Chasse’); LISZT-BUSONI: Paganini Etude No.2 in E flat (‘Octave’); HOROWITZ: Danse excentrique Vladimir Horowitz (piano) All solo items recorded at Victor Studio No.1, Camden, New Jersey and Liederkranz Hall, New York, between March 1928 and March 1930 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110696 [65’56] [TH]

Difficult to imagine a more viscerally exciting rendition of the concerto and the solo items offer a real insight into why he became the legend he did. … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943): "Chill with Rachmaninov" Vocalise in E minor, Op.34, No.14 (Cello and Orchestra) - Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor: Adagio Sostenuto - Mélodie in E, Op.3, No.3 - Morceaux de salon, Op.10: Nocturne in A minor - Morceaux de salon, Op.10: Barcarolle in G minor - Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op.19: Andante - Symphony No.1 in D minor, Op.13: Larghetto - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: Variations 16-18 - Symphony No.2 in E minor, Op.27: Adagio - Vocalise in E minor, Op.34, No.14 (Cello and Piano) Vytautas Sondeckis (Cello), Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, David Geringas - Jenö Jandó (Piano), Budapest Symphony Orchestra, György Lehel - National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Alexander Anissimov - Idil Biret (Piano) - Michael Grebanier (Cello), Janet Guggenheim(Piano) - Bernd Glemser (Piano), Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra NAXOS 8.556782 [77:21] [DS]

As a "chill" disc, I have reservations, but a fine choice as an introduction to new classical music fans and those looking forward to a sensuous evening draped in rapture. … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 28 (1907) - Modeste MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) Joyce Hatto, piano - Rec. 8 January 1996 and 16 March 1999 at the Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, UK. DDD CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9129-2 [72.27] [WH]

At times she seems possessed by the music, and she carries the listener along with her. … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 (1909) Six Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 (1896) Joyce Hatto (piano) National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/René Köhler Recorded in St. Mark’s Church, Croydon, UK., July 1998 and April 1999 CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD9217-2 [71.44] [JW]

Her stylistic and evocative affinities with this School mark out Joyce Hatto as one of the most convincing exponents around. Assurance and sensitivity are precious gifts and Hatto possesses them in abundance....see Full review

Karol RATHAUS (1895-1954) Suite for Violin and Orchestra Op.27 (1929) - Suite for Orchestra Op.29 (1930) - Serenade for Orchestra Op.35 (1931) 2 - Polonaise Symphonique Op.52 (1943) Dorota Anderszewska (violin) - Slovak Radio S.O; Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra 2/Joel Eric Suben - Recorded [1-2] Bratislava, September 1995 and October 1997 and [3 - 4] Havirov, February 1996 CENTAUR CRC 2402 [56:04] [JW]

Surprisingly accommodating of traditional neo-romantic devices but not luxuriantly sentimental … thought-provoking and entertaining … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971) Piano Concerto No. 1 (1939, rev. 1942) [17’38] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1951) [26’15] Improvisations on a Theme by Constant Lambert (1960) [12’15] . Peter Donohoe (piano, Concertos) Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa Rec. Usher Hall, Belfast, 20^th, 22^nd-24^th November 2001. DDD British Piano Concertos series NAXOS 8.555959 [56’19] [CC]

A true feather in Naxos’ cap and bodes extremely well for the rest of the series. May the next instalment come sooner rather than later. … see Full Review

Josef Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Motets, Masses and Hymns
Three Motets Op.133 (1881) [9.43] - Mass in F for male choir and organ Op.190 (1898) [21.30] - Tribulationes from Five Hymns Op.140 (1878) [3.14] - Mass in G minor for female choir and organ Op.187 (1897) [20.04] - Mass in Eb (Cantus Missae) (1878) Op.109 [19.36] Gloriae Dei Cantores David Chalmers (organ) - Elizabeth Patterson (conductor) - Rec. Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, 1994 GLORIAE DEI CANTORES GDCD 108 [74.05] [CF]

This is an illuminating and revelatory disc which reflects great credit on this forty-strong choir, its organist David Chalmers, and upon the conductor Elizabeth Patterson. … see Full Review

Phillip RHODES (b. 1940) With A Mountain View Two Appalachian Settings for String Quartet (Love Song; Fiddle Tunes (No. 2)) ¹ Mountain Songs (A Ballad Cycle) for High Voice and Piano ² Fiddletunes (No. 1) (for Solo Violin and Synthesised Strings) º Reels and Reveries (Variations for Orchestra) ³ Veblen String Quartet ¹ Hector Valdivia, violin º Phyllis Bryn-Julson, soprano ² Anne Mayer, piano ² Owensboro Symphony Orchestra ³ Michael Luxner, conductor ³ CENTAUR CRC 2597 [63.40] [NH]

Accessible but profound contemporary American music which also gives more than a passing glance to British antecedents. A brilliant introduction to a composer I hope to hear more of … see Full Review

Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Christmas Eve – Opera in Four Acts (1895) Tzarina – Ludmilla Legostayeva (mezzo-soprano) Mayor – Sergei Migay (baritone)
Chub – Sergei Krasovsky (bass) Oksana – Natalya Shpiller (soprano) Solokha – Natalya Kulagina (contralto) Vakula – Dimitri Tarkhov (tenor) Panas – Vsevolod Tyutyunik (bass)
Clerk – Sergei Streltsov (tenor) Patsyuk – Alexei Koroliov (bass) Devil – Piotr Pontryagin (tenor) Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir/Nikolai Golovanov Recorded 1947
LYRICA 1096-2 [2 CDs 134.55] [JW]

I wasn’t converted to Rimsky’s musico-scenic adventure but I enjoyed the sulphur and the rose petal along the way. … see Full Review

Joaquin RODRIGO (1901-1999) - Cançó del grumet for Soprano and piano [1.57] (1938) - Pastorcito santo [2.51] - Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios (1948): Con qué la lavaré [2.25] - Vos me matásteis (2.23) - De dónde venís amore [1.11] - De los álamos vengo Madre [2.19] - from Cuatro Cançones Sefardíes (1965): Nani, nani [3.21] - Morena me llaman [1.04] - Adela [1.54] - from Con Antonio Machado: Canción del Duero [2.16] (1971) - Pastoral for Piano [2.39] (1926) - de Cinco Sonatas de Castilla (1951): Como un tiento [5.17] - de Album de Ceclia ('six pieces for little hands') (1948): María de los Reyes [0.40] - A la Jota, Jota de las Palomas [1.09] - Canción del Hada rubia [1.17] - Canción del Hada morena [0.44] - El negrito Pepo [1.54] - Borriquillos a Belén [1.55] - Berceuse de Printemps [2.23] - Set Cançons Valencianes for Piano and violín (1982): Allegretto [2.51] - Andante moderato [2.20] - Allegro [1.49] - Andante moderato e molto cantabile [3.44] - Andantino [2.36] - Andante religioso [3.16] - Tempo de bolero [2.35] - Sonata Pimpante (1966): Allegro [7.03]; Adagio [8.12]; Allegro molto [4.09] Isabel Monar, soprano; Ala Voronkova, violin; Mac McClure, piano Notes in Catalán, Castellano and English. Texts and English translations (not parallel) - Recorded at la Sala Paper de Musica de Capellades, Barcelona, Spain, May 2001 COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0077 [72.54] [PS]

Uneven performances of some very fine music, including a decent recording of Rodrigo's second greatest work … see Full Review

Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Complete Works for Orchestra - Volume 4 Concierto para piano y orquestra (Revised by Achúcarro) (1942/1996) [30:29] Preludio para un poema a la Alhambra (1928) [7:36] Música para un jardin (1935) [11:11] Homenaje a la temranica (1939) [5:34] Juglares (1923) [5:26] Daniel Ligoria Ferrandiz, piano Castile and León Symphony Orchestra/Max Bragado Darman Recordings made in July and November 2001 DDD NAXOS 8.557101 [60:17] [KS]

The orchestral works on this program are amongst the most atmospheric and delicious that I have experienced in some time. … see Full Review

Hilding ROSENBERG (1892-1985) Lycksalighetens Ö (The Isle of Bliss) - opera in four acts (1943) - Libretto: Hilding Rosenberg after P.D.A. Atterbom's fairy play - Astolf - Patrick Forsman - Felicia - Agneta Eichenholz - Zephyr - Lisa Gustafsson - Anemotis/Nyx - Susanna Levonen - Tiden - Peter Kadiev - Den unge Florio/Östan/Mopsus - Håkan Starkenberg - Jägare/Nordan/Den gamle Florio - Lars Martinsson - Jägare/Sunnan/Prästen - Dietmar Keitz - Peribanou - Anna Bergendahl Sjöberg Symphony Orchestra and Choirs of the Norrlands Opera/Kristjan Järvi -
Rec. live 2, 8, 9, 12 Mar 2002. Norrlands Opera, Umeå, DDD - Musica Sveciae series
PHONO SUECIA PSCD 722 (1-2) [2CDs: 62.44+56.21][RB]

A translucent dream laced with ice. A dream and a delight. Cast with imagination, performed with commitment … warmly recommended. ... see Full Review

Antonio ROSETTI (c.1750-1792) - Bassoon Concertos - Concerto in Bb major (Murray C73) (ed.Hoffmeister) - Concerto in Bb major (Murray C69) (ed.Johannes Moesus) - Concerto in F major (Murray C75) (ed.Johannes Moesus) -
Concerto in Bb major (Murray C74) (ed.Stevens) - Albrecht Holder, bassoon -
New Brandenburg Orchestra/Nicolás Pasquet - Recorded at the Neustrelitz Concert Hall, 15^th-17^th May 2001 NAXOS 8.555341 [71:29] [GPJ]

Enjoyable, undemanding music, captured beautifully in this excellent recording. … see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Wind Quartets Consortium Classicum Produced 1986. DDD Stereo MDG GOLD MDG 301 0207-2 [70.04] [DB]

An entertaining set of wind quartets by the 12 year old Rossini, very well performed and recorded, make for a pleasurable 70 minutes listening. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH John RUTTER (b. 1945) Requiem* (1985) [34’24"] ‘Arise, shine’** (1999) [4’40"] ‘Come down, O Love Divine’ (1998) [6’51"] ‘Musica Dei Donum’*** (1998) [5’50"] ‘A Clare Benediction’** (1998) [3’30"] ‘Go forth into the world in peace’** (1988) [2’42"] Toccata in 7* (1974) [2’06"] Variations on an Easter Theme**** (1983) [7’45"] *Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge directed by Timothy Brown Members of the City of London Sinfonia and Nicholas Rimmer (organ) **with Nicholas Rimmer (organ) ***with Karen Jones (flute) ****Nicholas Rimmer and Nicholas Collon (organ) Recorded in Douai Abbey, Berkshire, England, July 2002 NAXOS 8.557130 [68’56"] [JQ]

The power to move and delight listeners, surely a precious commodity … 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]

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