ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Antonio CALDARA (c.1670-1736) Sonatas for two violins and continuo Op.2: No.4 in G minor; No.6 in A; No.8 in F Chiacona No12 Cantatas Op.3: Il Silentio; L’Anniversario amoroso; La Fama Vicino a un rivoletto – cantata for alto, violin and cello The Four Nations Ensemble (Jennifer Lane (mezzo-soprano), Ryan Brown and Claire Jolivet (violins), Loretta O’Sullivan (cello) and Andrew Appel (harpsichord and director)) Recorded at St Mary’s Church, Hudson, New York, January and February 2001 GAUDEAMUS CD GAU347 [68.27] [JW]

The cantatas trace a journey, through their formal precision, well beyond the merely representational. It’s a journey well worth undertaking. ... see Full Review

Piangete: Cantatas and Motets by Giacomo Carissimi Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674) Cum reverteretur David, motet for 3 voices and bc [04:09] Benedictus Deus et Pater, motet for 3 voices and bc [[04:30] Girolamo FRESCOBALDI (1583-1643) Partite sopra La Monicha for keyboard [07:17] Giacomo CARISSIMI Exulta, gaude, filia Sion, motet for two voices and bc*/*** [05:07] Giovanni Girolamo KAPSBERGER (c1580-1651) Toccata XI for chitarrone [02:01] Giacomo CARISSIMI Va dimanda al mio pensiero, cantata for solo voice and bc [05:38] Giovanni Girolamo KAPSBERGER Prelude XI for chitarrone [00:36] Giacomo CARISSIMI O dulcissimum Mariae nomen, motet for two voices and bc*/** [03:31] Siam tre miseri piangenti, cantata for three voices and bc [08:16] Michelangelo ROSSI (1601/02-1656) Toccata VII for keyboard [04:07] Giacomo CARISSIMI Surrexit pastor bonus, motet for three voices and bc [02:23] Ahi, non torna, cantata for two voices and bc**/*** [05:06] Piangete, ohimè piangete, cantata for solo voice and bc* [05:42] Giovanni Girolamo KAPSBERGER Prelude X for chitarrone [00:54] Giacomo CARISSIMI
Si dia bando, alla speranza, cantata for solo voice and bc** [03:47] Omnes gentes gaudete cum victore, motet for three voices and bc [03:39] Concerto delle Donne: Donna Deam*, Gill Ross**, Elin Manahan Thomas***, soprano; David Miller, chitarrone; Alastair Ross, harpsichord, organ Recorded in February 2001 at the Church of St Lawrence, West Wycombe, UK, DDD SIGNUM SIGCD040 [66:24] [JV]

Unexpressive performances of very expressive music by one of the great masters of the Italian baroque ... see Full Review

Fandango – Music Of Ann CARR-BOYD Ann CARR-BOYD (b.1938) Fandango (1982) [4.41] Brown Pansies for soprano and piano (1997) [3.13] The Bendooly Variation (1997): Theme [0.58]; Variation I [1.21]; Variation II [3.23]; Variation III [1.43]; Variation IV [2.17] Soo Yeon CHOI (b. ?) Flamenco Fantasy for two pianos (1997) [4.45] Eric GROSS (b.1926) Minature for Ray (1994) [3.25] Dulcie HOLLAND (b.1913) Summer Serenade (1994) [3.01] Robert ALLWORTH (b.1943) Five Bagatelles (1996) [7.56] Derek STRAHAN (b.1935) The Australian Ark – Suite No.3 "The Coming of Man" (1973) [10.11] The Australian Ark – Suite No.4 "Land of the Birds (1972) [8.52] The Sydney Mandolins / Adrian Hooper; Corinne Laird – soprano; Ann Carr-Boyd, Soo Yeon Choi, Michael Taylor – piano; Bill Frater, Neville Amadio – flute; John Cran – bassoon; Donald Westlake – clarinet; Robert Miller – cello; Derek Fairbrass, John Sangster – percussion. rec 1972-1998, Various locations in New South Wales, Australia JADE JACD-1078 [55.46] [PW]

Its all rather puzzling in the end. ... see Full Review

Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) Les deux journées Constanza – Jeanine Micheau (soprano) Comte Armand – Pierre Giannotti (tenor) Daniele Micheli – Charles Paul (bass) Antonio – Eugene Regnier (tenor) Marcellina – Marion Davies (soprano) Daniel, Semos – Donald Munro (bass) BBC Theatre Chorus Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham Recorded Studio 1, Maida Vale, London, 19^th December 1947 MALIBRAN MR 554 [78.45] [JW]

I’d offer no more than a cautious welcome to this one. ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, op.11 Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, op.21 Chamber Versions: world premiere recordings Fumiko Shiraga, piano The Yggdrasil Quartet: Henrik Peterson, Per Öman, violin; Robert Westlund, viola; Per Nyström, cello; Jan-Inge Haukås, double bass Recorded Germany 1996 BIS-CD-847 [72:14] [JL]

These fine chamber renderings of the Chopin concertos make them sound as if that is how they were meant to be. ... see Full Review

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Favourites vol. 2 Idil Biret (piano)
Rec. July-September 1991, Clara Wieck Auditorium, Heidelberg, Germany, March, November, December 1990, March, September 1991, Tonstudio van Geest, Heidelberg, Germany. DDD NAXOS 8.555799 [79:03] [MC]

This release will make the perfect introduction to Chopin’s solo piano music. A recital that will provide lots of pleasure. ... see Full Review

James COOK Heaven’s Happiness. Sacred Choral Music Triptych (2002)*: Death is yours [3’17"]; Evening Sacrifice [2’40"] Vespers [22’29"] Hymnus Divinus (2002) [20‘36"] From Gradualia, book 1 (movements 5 & 7) (1999): There is no wrinkle on the brow of eternity [3’48"]; The Saints’ everlasting rest [4’07"] Voces Oxoniensis/Michael McCarthy *Rufus Frowde (organ) Recording: St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 30 July 2002 and 12 March 2003 (Triptych and Gradualia) DDD THE DIVINE ART 25023 [57’02"] [JQ]

I finished off this review on the morning of Good Friday; highly apposite given the nature of these pieces. Ably renews the traditions of English Church music ... cause for celebration. ... see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Violin Sonatas:-Sonata in B major for violin and piano, Op. Posth. (1892) Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano (1905-14)Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano (1922-23)Sonata No. 3 for violin and piano (1918 -24) Tasmin Little (violin) Piers Lane (violin) Recorded in 1997. No details of recording venue provided. Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941)Works for Orchestra:- Suite for Strings (1909) There is a willow grows aslant a brook (1927) Incidental music from: The Two Hunchbacks (1910) Threads; Rosemary; Canzonetta; Berceuse;Serenade Britten Sinfonia/Nicholas Cleobury Recorded in 1997. No details of recording venue provided. RCA RED SEAL 74321 987082 [76:35+63:01][MC]

With warm and enticing interpretations this is a release reminding me of ‘summer sunshine’. Splendid performances excellently recorded makes this a most desirable set ... see Full Review

Leonid DESYATNIKOV (b.1955) The Russian Seasons for violin solo, soprano solo and string orchestra and dedicated to Alicia Urwiller. Spring: Dominical, Lullaby, Song for St, Georges’s Day *Summer: Lament with Cuckoo, Song for Whitsuntide,* Fertilising Song Autumn: Song for Ember Days *, Autumn Song, Nuptial Song Winter: Song for Christmastide, Song for Shrovetide, Closing Song *Alexander RASKATOV (b.1953) The Seasons Digest, after ‘The Seasons’ op.37a by P. I. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) for solo violin, strings, percussion and prepared piano. + January: At the Fireside February: Carnival March: Song of the Lark April: Snowdrop May: Starlight Nights June: Barcarole July: Song of the Reaper August: The Harvest September: The Hunt October: Autumn Song November: Troika Ride December: Christmas Julia Korpacheva, soprano * Andrey Pushkarev, percussion +, Reinut Tepp, piano +, Kremerata Baltica/Gidon Kremer, solo violin and director. Recorded in December 2001 at Studio Nalepastrasse, Berlin. NONESUCH 7559-79803-2 [51.26] [BK]

One of the most engaging recordings that I have heard for some time. Kremerata Baltica, the various soloists and Gidon Kremer throw themselves into these intriguing works with great style…see Full Review

Dohnányi plays Dohnányi: The Complete HMV solo piano recordings - 1929-1956 Ernst von DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960) Pastorale (Hungarian Christmas Song) Waltz (Coppélia – Leo DELIBES) Schatzwalzer (Der Zigeunerbaron – Johann STRAUSS) Du und Du (Die Fledermaus – Johann STRAUSS) Six Piano Pieces Op.41 Winterreigen (Ten Bagatelles) Op.13 Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song Op.29 Pastorale (Hungarian Christmas Song) Intermezzo in F minor (Four Piano Pieces Op.2 No.3) Ruralia Hungarica No.6 Op.32/A Gavotte and Musette in B flat Pavane from the Sixteenth Century with Variations (Humoresque) Op.17 No.3 Suite nach altem Stil (Suite in the Olden Style) Op.24 Six Piano Pieces Op.41 Burletta (Three Singular Pieces) Op.44 No.1 Nocturne (Cats on the Roof) (Three Singular Pieces) Op.44 No.2 Valses Nobles D969 (Franz SCHUBERT) Ernst von Dohnányi (piano) Recorded in Budapest and London 1929-56 APR 7038 [2 CDs: 68.43 + 70.24] [JW]

Pellucid beauty, an exceptional sense of excavated drama, tremendous atmospheric compression, rhythmic nuance and panache ... see Full Review

Francesco DURANTE (1684-1755) Magnificat in B-flat [12:03] Emanuele D’ASTORGA (1680-ca. 1757) Stabat mater [28’51] Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Confiteor tibi Domine [15’02] Ann Monoyios, soprano Stephanie Möller, soprano; Bernhard Landauer, counter-tenor; Hermann Oswald and Hans Jörg Mammel, tenors; Ekkehard Abele and Johannes Happel, basses. Balthasar-Neumann-Chor Freiburger Barockorchester/Thomas Hengelbrock Recorded 11-14 December 1995 in the Evangelische Kirche Gönningen DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 82876601452[59:13] [KS]

Music with its entire complement of emotions fully intact, yet there is never a sense of over-sentimentalizing. ... radiant clarity, spot-on intonation and an enviable rhythmic precision ... Highly recommended. ... see Full Review

Sir George DYSON (1883-1964) Church and Organ Music Evening Service in D: Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (1907) [6”36”] Live for Ever, Glorious Lord (1952) [5’01”] Prelude (organ solo) (1956) [5’56”] Postlude (organ solo) (1956) [2’54”] Vespers (1939) [5’13”] Psalm-Tune Prelude: I Was Glad (organ solo) (1961) [3’29”] Te Deum (1955) [6’51”] Benedictus (1955) [5’10”] Hail, Universal Lord (1958) [5’33”] A Voluntary of Praise (organ solo) {3’27”] Benedicite (1956) [4’26”] Valour: from Songs of Courage (1935) [2’43”] Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983): Dyson’s Delight (organ solo) (1961) [4’18”] Choir of St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge/Owen Rees Ian Coleman (organ) Rec. St. Catherine’s Chapel, June/October 1986. DDD REGIS RRC 1161 [62’31”] [JQ]

Dyson - not an inconsiderable figure and his well-crafted, sincere and enjoyable music is well worth hearing. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin concerto in B minor Op.61 (1910) In the South Alassio - Concert Overture Op.50 (1904) Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 Op.39 Ilya Grubert (violin) Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir Ziva Recorded in concert in Moscow, 29^th October 2001 VISTA VERA VVCD 00048 [74.04] [JW]

A very uneven Elgar Night in Moscow. ... see Full Review

Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Wand of Youth: Suites Nos. 1 and 2, Op. 1 (1908) Dream Children, Op. 43 (1902) Nursery Suite New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd Rec 11-13 November 2002, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand NAXOS 8.557166 [66.47] [TB]

The music-making is committed and sensitive ... a disc that is a worthy addition to the Elgar catalogue. ... see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) The Fauré Album: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A, Op. 13 (1875);. Romance, Op. 28 (1877); Pelléas et Mélisande (1898) – Fileuse (‘Spinning Song’), Op. 80 No. 2 (transc. Auer) [2’18]; Sicilienne, Op. 78 [3’32]. Berceuse, Op. 16 (1878-9) [3’35]. Sérénade toscanne (transc. Ronchini); Andante, Op. 75 (1897); Masques et bergamasques (1920) - Clair de lune, Op. 46 No. 2 (transc. Périlhou); Morceau de lecture à vue; Piano Trio, Op. 120^a (1922); Après une rêve^a (trans. Eguchi). Gil Shaham (violin); Akira Eguchi (piano); ^aBrinton Smith (cello). Rec. The American Academy & Institute of Arts and Letters, New York City, on July 7^th-8^th and 14^th-15^th, 2003. DDD CANARY CLASSICS ATM-CD-1239 [78’05] [CC]

A very special disc, and one to return to often. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Frederich Von FLOTOW (1812-1883) Alessandro Stradella, comic opera (1844) Stradella, Werner Hollweg (ten); Leonore, Helen Donath (sop); Bassi, Richard Kogel (bass); Malvolio, Alexander Malta (bass); Barbarino, Ferry Gruber (ten). Orchestra and Choir of Bayerischen Radio/Heinz Wallberg Rec. Germany, 1977, ADD Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) Regina, opera excerpts (1848) Simon, Gerhard Frei (bar); Regina, Irmgard Klein (sop); Stefan, Heinz Friedrich (bass); Richard, Karl Heinz Stracke (ten). Choir and Orchestra of Berlin Radio/Walter Schartner Rec. Berlin, Germany, 1951, ADD GALA GL100.733 [63.38+75.03] [RW]

High-spirited and refreshing with everyone responding admirably. The handling of the nuances of the Flotow is excellent. ... see Full Review

Mauro GIULIANI (1781-1829) Gran Duetto Concertante Op.52 (1814) Grosse Sonate/Duo Concertant Op.25 (1812) (flute part, originally for violin, transcribed by Mats Möller) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ständchen (1828) Arr. for Guitar by Johann Kaspar Mertz (c. 1844) Sonata in A minor Arpeggione (1824) (Flute part transcribed by Peter-Lukas Graf, Guitar part transcribed by Johannes Möller) Duo 2xm (Mats Möller, flute; Johannes Möller, guitar) Rec. Concert Hall of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, 23-26 July 2003. DDD SFZ RECORDS CD SFZ 1009 [66:25] [PCW]

A delight on the ear … if the programme appeals, this should give much pleasure … see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Orfeo ed Euridice (1762) Bernadette Manca di Nissa (mezzo): Orfeo; Paula Almerares (soprano): Eurudice; Paola Antonucci (soprano): Amor Chorus and Orchestra of San Carlo Theatre, Naples/Gustav Kühn.
Rec. San Carlo Theatre, Naples, on May 3^rd, 1998 All formats, 16:9. PAL. Dolby Digital 5.1. BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92273 [101’00] [CC]

Recommended with caution, then. A pity presentation is so lacking. ... see Full Review

Louis Moreau GOTTSCHALK (1829-1869) Piano Works Le Bananier/The Banana Tree, RO 21 [3’02] Souvenir de Porto-Rico, RO 250 [5’56] Bamboula, RO 20 [7’39] Le Banjo, RO 22 [3’53] Danza, RO 66 [6’55] Pasquinade/Caprice, RO 189 [3’54] Union: Paraphrase on National Themes, RO 269 [7’55] Le dernier espoir/The Last Hope, RO 133 [5’23] Sixième ballade, RO 14 [5’38] Le poète mourant/The Dying Poet, RO 75 [6’25] Noël Lee, piano Recorded at the Salle Adyar, Paris, September 1984 WARNER APEX 2564 61183-2 [56’46] [DS]

An indistinct world ... not invigorating but also not warm and inviting. ... dry and clinical, essentially dutiful ... see Full Review

Reynaldo HAHN (1875-1947) Piano Quartet No. 3 in G major (1946) Sonata in C major for violin and piano (1926) Soliloque et Forlane for violin and piano (1937) Nocturne in E flat major for violin and piano (1906) Romance in A flat major for violin and piano (1901) Si mes vers avaient des ailes (1888) (transcribed by the composer for violin and piano) Room-Music: Stephen Coombs (piano); Charles Sewart (violin); Yuko Inoue (viola); Philip De Groote (cello) recorded in Henry Wood Hall, London on 15, 16 and 18 May 2003 HYPERION CDA 67391 [76.54] [IL]

The Reynaldo Hahn rediscovery moves on apace. Enchanting, nostalgic music. Warm-hearted performances by Room-Music with great sensitivity and lack of condescension ... see Full Review

George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Messiah - Highlights Sara Macliver (soprano) Alexandra Sherman (contralto) Christopher Field (counter-tenor) Paul McMahon (tenor) Teddy Tahu Rhodes (bass) Cantillation Orchestra of the Antipodes/Antony Walker Recorded 10-14 July 2002 at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel, St. Patrick’s Estate, Manly, Sydney, Australia DDD ABC CLASSICS 980 046-9 [73:02] [MC]

Rather lacklustre performances from all concerned. There are many better versions of Messiah available in the catalogues. ... see Full Review

George Friderich HANDEL (1685-1750) Complete Chamber Music CD 1 Flute Sonatas CD 2 Violin and Oboe Sonatas CD 3 Trio Sonatas Op.2 CD 4 Trio Sonatas Op.5 CD 5 Trio Sonatas for two violins and basso continuo CD 6 Recorder Sonatas L’Ecole d’Orphée Recorded in 1991 venue not given BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92192 [6CDs: 74.22+57.42+60.21+70.18+65.41+66.52] [GH]

Most enjoyable throughout with no really weak sonatas or movements. I recommend this set to you with every confidence. ... see Full Review

Patrick HAWES (b.1958): Quanta Qualia; Swan; Italian Song; O Waly Waly; Dressed in Blue; Pavane; The Waters of Love; Blue in Blue; Rain; The Blue Bird Variations Janet Coxwell (soprano) Andrew Busher (tenor) Charles Daniels (tenor) Timothy Bennett (baritone) Hugh Webb (harp) Stephanie Gonley (violin) Jo Knight (cello) Andrew West (piano) Conventus English Chamber Orchestra/Patrick Hawes Recorded 4-5 September 2002, St. Jude’s on the Hill, London BLACK BOX BBM1081 [66.02] [RH]

Hawes is a fine composer ...there is only so much melancholy yearning that I can take, no matter how attractive it is. ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Spirit’s Song Piercing Eyes (XXVIa,35) [02:09] She never told her love (H XXVIa,34) [03:40] Sleepy Body (Scottish air)**/*** (H XXXIa,44) [02:36] Pleasing Pain (H XXVIa,29) [03:04] Sailor’s Song (H XXVIa,31) [02:53] The Spirit’s Song (H XXVIa,41) [05:57] Andante con variazioni in f minor (H XVII,6) [17:20] By the stream so cool and clear (Scottish air)**/*** (H XXXIa,19) [02:23] The Mermaid’s Song (XXVIa,25) [03:39] Fidelity (H XXVIa,30) [04:32] Pentland Hills (Scottish air)**/*** (H XXXIa,33) [03:57] Lines from the Battle of the Nile, cantata (H XVIb,4) [12:52] All through the night (Welsh air)*/**/*** (H deest) [04:05] Jean Danton, soprano; D’Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano*; Julia McKenzie, violin**; Timothy Merton, cello***; Igor Kipnis, fortepiano [John Broadwood, 1796 and 1823] Recorded at the Sonic Temple, Roslindale, MA and in the Romanesque Gallery of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, USA. DDD NEWPORT CLASSIC NPD 85664 [69:04] [JV]

A mixture of well-known and seldom recorded pieces by Haydn from the 1790s, in a rather unsatisfying interpretation ... see Full Review

Alun HODDINOTT (b.1929) Symphonies – No. 2, Op. 29^a (1962) [26’55]; No. 3, Op. 61^b (1968) [21’28]; No. 5, Op. 81^c (1972) [11’03]. ^abLondon Symphony Orchestra/^aNorman Del Mar, ^bDavid Atherton; ^cRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Davis. Rec. ^aBishopsgate Institute, London on September 24th and/or 25^th, 1967 (originally issued on Pye Virtuoso TPLS13013); ^bcKingsway Hall, London, in ^bMarch 1972 (Decca SXL6570), ^cMarch 1973 (SXL6606) ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD331 [73’27] [CC]

On the strength of the present offering, Hoddinott the symphonist demands attention. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) A Winter Idyll^a (1897) [7’04]. The Cotswolds Symphony in F, Op. 8 – Elegy (In Memoriam William Morris)^a (1899-1900) [9’02]. Indra, Op. 13^a (1903) [12’33]. A Song of the Night, Op. 19 No. 1^b (1905) [8’45]. Sita – Act III, Interlude^a[5’49]. Invocation, Op. 19 No. 2^c (1911) [9’28] (all ed. Colin Matthews). The Lure (Ballet Music for Orchestra)^d (1921) [8’40]. Dances from ‘The Morning of the Year’, Op. 45 No. 2^d (1926-7) [13’45] (both ed. Imogen Holst and Colin Matthews) ^bLorraine McAslan (violin); ^cAlexander Baillie (cello); ^abcLondon Philharmonic Orchestra, ^dLondon Symphony Orchestra/David Atherton. rec. 1982. ^abcDDD/^dADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD209 [76.04]

This disc magnificently proves that ‘lesser-known’ does not necessarily equate to ‘lesser’ – there are some remarkable finds here. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Two Songs without Words, Op. 22 (1906) [8’03]. Fugal Concerto, Op. 40 No. 2^b (1923) [8’04]. Ballet Music from The Golden Goose, Op. 45 No. 1 (1926, 1969) [14’51]. A Moorside Suite – Nocturne (1928, arr. strings) [6’36]. Double Concerto, Op. 49^c (1929) [14’23]. Lyric Movement^d (1933) [9’57]. Brook Green Suite (1933) [9’57]. Capriccio (1933, ed. I. Holst 1968) [6’02]. ^bWilliam Bennett (flute); ^bPeter Graeme (oboe); ^cEmmanuel Hurwitz, ^cKenneth Sillito (violins); ^dCecil Aronowitz (viola); English Chamber Orchestra/Imogen Holst. No rec. info. ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD223 [75’11] [CC]

Imogen Holst presents a wander through the lesser known back-streets of her father’s output. Fascinating listening. ... see Full Review

Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Missa Solemnis in C major (1806) [44:58] Te Deum (1806) [12:01] Patricia Wright (soprano) Zan McKendree-Wright (alto) Patrick Power (tenor) David Griffith (bass) Tower Voices New Zealand New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Uwe Grodd Rec. Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, 3-5 February 2003 DDD NAXOS 8.557193 [56:59]

A superbly performed release of wonderful music that deserves to be heard. Another sure-fire winner from the high-flying Naxos stable. ... see Full Review

Mieczysław KARŁOWICZ (1876-1909) Violin Concerto in A major Op. 8 (1902) [27.00] Moritz MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Ballade in G minor Op. 16 No. 1 (1871) [11.25] Violin Concerto in C major Op. 30 (1882) [34.13] Tasmin Little (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins Rec. Caird Hall, Dundee, 11-12 Sept 2003 HYPERION CDA67389 [72.38] [RB]

The most impressive instalment in the Hyperion series. Superb, most beautifully recorded and played. Do give these two unknowns a try. By now I must have played this disc at least ten times for the sheer pleasure of the experience ... see Full Review

Mieczysław KARŁOWICZ (1876-1909) Bianca da Molena - Symphonic prologue from Music for the White Dove, Op. 6 (incidental music to the play by Jozafat Nowinski) [11:11] Serenade for String Orchestra in C major, Op. 2 (March; Romance; Waltz; Finale) [21:25] 'Rebirth' Symphony in E minor, Op. 7: (Andante; Andante non troppo; Vivace; Allegro maestoso) [39:45] BBC Philharmonic/Gianandrea Noseda Rec: Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester 8-10 October 2003 CHANDOS CHAN 10171 [72:45] [RB]

This fine disc will win many new friends to Karłowicz's cause ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Toivo KUULA (1883-1918) Finnish Songs Syystunnelma (Autumn Mood), Tuijotin tulehen kauan (Long stared I into the Fire), Aamulaulu (Morning song), Kesäyö kirkomaalla (Summer Night in the Churchyard), Epilogi, Suutelo(the Kiss), Marjatan Laulu (Marhatta’s Song), Sinikan Laulu (Sinika’s Song), Sinipiika (Blue Maiden), Lauanta-Ilta (Saturday Evening), Jääkukkia (Ice Flowers), Vanha Syyslaulu (Old Autumn Song), Yö nummella (Night on the Moor), Tule Armaani (Comer, my Sweetheart), Inamdran Laulau (Imandra’s Song),Purjein kuutamolla (Sailing in the Moonlight). Leevi MADETOJA (1887-1947) Syksy-Sarja (Autumn Song Cycle) Syksy (Autumn), Lähtö (The Departure), Luulit, ma katselin sua (You thought I was watching you), Hyvää yötä ( Good Night), Lintu sininen (Bluebird), Ijät hyrskyjä päin (Ever against the Breakers) Kirsi Tiihonen, (soprano), Satu Salminen (piano). Recorded Järvenpää Hall, Järvenpää , Finland, 25-27 August 1996. DDD MARCO POLO 8.225177 [74.11] [AO]

This fascinating conjunction of nostalgia and forward thinking provides us with some beautifully evocative mood music. ... see Full Review

 

Charles LECOCQ(1832-1918) La Fille De Madame Angot operetta (1872) (highlights, in French) Lina Dachary, soprano (Clairette), Michel Dens, baritone (Ange Pitou), Joseph Peyron, tenor (Pomponnet), Solange Michel, mezzo (Mademoiselle Lange) Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux/Jules Gressier Rec. Paris, 1952 Historical numbers from other Lecocq operettas: La Fille de Mme Angot Je vous dois tout; Jours fortunes (Ninon Vallin; Madeleine Sibille) La Jour et la Nuit J'ai vu le jour (Lemichel du Roy); Sous le regard (Emile Rousseau) Le Coeur et la Main Un soir Perez (Lemichel du Roy); Ma Micaela (Emile Rousseau); Couplets du casque (André Goavec) Le Petit Duc Rondeau de la paysanne (Fanely Revoil); Chanson du petit bossu (André Goavec); Potpourri (André Noel, Fanely Revoil); Enfin, nous voici (Louise Dhamarys) La Petite Mariée Le jour ou tu te marrieras (André Balbon)
Les Cent Vierges O Paris! Grand waltz MALIBRAN MR549 [78.23] [RW]

The quality of singing is very acceptable ... Dachary radiates an endearing warmth. Clarity is excellent .. the recording under Gressier's direction is highly acceptable. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811 - 1886) Hungarian rhapsody #12 (1853) [10.57] La Vallée d’Obermann (1854) [17.54] Légende: St. François de Paule marchant sur les flots (1863) [10.32] Après une lecture du Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata) (1849) [19.56] Martin Berkofsky, Bechstein piano Recorded Sudwest Tonstudio, Stuttgart, Germany, December 1984 ADD Notes in English. CHRISTOFORI CF 881 [75.44] [PSh]

A superb, if a little violent, Liszt recital which would benefit from cleaner recording ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811 - 1886) Sonetto del Petrarca 47 (1858) [5.54] Sonetto del Petrarca 104 (1858) [6.02] Sonetto del Petrarca 123 (1858) [6.27] Au lac de Wallenstadt (1855) [3.12] Pastorale (1855) [2.07] Épilogue (1855) [3.40] Les cloches de Genève (1855) [6.04] Valse Oubliée (1885) [3.01] Transcendental etude No. 11 "Harmonies du soir" (1852) [5.14] Un Sospiro (1849) [5.14] Liebestraum No. 3 (1850) [4.30] Consolation No. 3 (1850) [4.19] Brian Hanke, Yamaha piano Notes in English. Photo of composer and artist. Texts.
Recorded 8 March 2003, Calabasas, California, USA BRIAN HANKE (private label) [58.45] [PSh]

A talented pianist plays virtuoso music ... not recommended ... 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]

---

Return to Front page