ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Nikolai MEDTNER (1880-1951) Goethe Lieder
From '12 Lieder von Goethe', Op. 15 (1908) [21:09] An die Türen will ich schleichen ... (from 'Wilhelm Meister'); Selbstbetrug; Sie liebt mich! ... (from 'Erwin und Elmire'); So tanzet und springet ... (from 'Lila'); Vor Gericht (Ballade); Meeresstille; Glückliche Fahrt; Nähe des Geliebten; Der untreue Knabe (Ballade); 9 Lieder von Goethe, Op. 6 [To] E.K. & A.M. Medtner (1904) [20:26] Wandrers Nachtlied II; Mailied; Elfenliedchen; Im Vorübergehn; Liebliches Kind! ... (from 'Claudine von Villa-Bella'); Inneres Wühlen ... (from 'Erwin und Elmire'); Sieh mich, Heil'ger, wie ich bin ... (from 'Erwin und Elmire'); Erster Verlust; Gefunden (Epithalamion) From '6 Gedichte von Goethe', Op. 18 (1908): Das Veilchen (Ballade) [3:33] Suite-Vocalise in F minor, Op. 41 No. 2 À Madame Leopold Fortier (1926?) [18:58] Introduzione. Allegretto espressivo; Gesang der Nymphen. Andante con moto; Geheimnisse. Molto sostenuto e misterioso; Zug der Grazien. Allegretto sempro al rigore di tempo; Was der Dichter spricht. Tranquillo Sonate-Vocalise in C major, Op. 41 No. 1 (1922) mit einem Motto 'Geweihter Platz’ von Goethe [14:19] Motto: 'Geweihter Platz'. Allegretto tranquillo e sereno; Sonate-Vocalise: Allegretto cantabile e con moto Susan Gritton (soprano) Geoffrey Tozer (piano) Rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 1-3 May 2003. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10093 [78:46] [RB]

Real gems among the songs ... the vocalise works stand out in this and indeed any other company - works of the most eloquent melodic and lyric faculty superbly presented and lived ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 49 (1839) Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 66 (1845) Trio Parnassus: Wolfgang Schröder (violin), Michael Gross (cello), Chia Chou (piano) Rec. Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, 22-24 September 2003. DDD MDG GOLD 303 1241-2 [56’45] [TH]

The enjoyment of lovely music in lovely performances. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) Complete String Quartets Vol. 4 Octet in E flat major, Op. 20 String Quartet in E flat major (1823) Leipziger Streichquartett Recorded: Andreaskirche, Berlin, 2-4 December, 2002 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 307 1057-2 [60:20] [MC]

A fine release from MDG Gold. Beautifully recorded performances that should provide much enjoyment. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) Complete Choral Works Chamber Choir of Europe and Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen/Nicol Matt Various soloists from the Chamber Choir of Europe Recordings: Kloster Bronnbach, Wertheim, Germany (a cappella works) in 2002 Studio der Württembergischen Philharmonie, Reutlingen, Germany (choral works with orchestra) in 2002 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99997 [10 CDs: 51:25 + 53:44 + 54:28 + 67:27 + 61:13 + 60:19 + 52:27 + 38:05 + 78:18 + 53:00] [MC]

This is all well recorded and beautifully performed. Full credit to Brilliant Classics for this wonderful and revelatory set of Mendelssohn’s complete sacred choral works. Don’t miss this super bargain! ... see Full Review

Meyerbeer in Italy Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Romilda e Constanza, ‘Che barbaro tormento’ Semiramide Riconoscuita, ‘Il piacer, la gioja scenda’ Emma di Rseburgo, ‘Di gioja, di pace’ Margherita D’Anjou, ‘Pensa, e guarda; Amico, all’erta’ L’Esule di Granata, ‘Sì, mel credi’; ‘Iltrono avito’; ‘Trema i tuoi complici’ Il Crociato in Egitto, ‘Queste destre l’acciaro di morte’; ‘Ah! Non ti son più cara’; ‘Cara manodell’amore’; ‘Sogni, e ridenti’ Geoffrey Mitchell Choir Philharmonia Orchestra. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/David Parry No recording venues or dates given OPERA RARA ORR222 [68.06] [RJF]

Real enjoyment to be had in listening to this music so well performed ... Very strongly recommended ... see Full Review

Léon (Ludwig) MINKUS (1826-1917) Don Quixote - Ballet in Three Acts - original version (1869) Sofia National Opera Orchestra/Nayden Todorov Recorded at the National Palace of Culture, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1-7 April, 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557065-66 [137:01]

A fairly enjoyable performance decently recorded. I’m sure that ballet lovers will want to own this recording ... see Full Review

Leopold MOZART (1719-1787) Symphonies: Sinfonia di caccia [13:34]; Sinfonia Die Bauernhochzeit [14:51]; Sinfonia Burlesca [13:42]; Symphony in G ‘Neue Lambacher’ [20:40] L’Orfeo Barockorchester/Michi Gaigg Recorded in November 2002 at the Brucknerkonservatorium, Linz, Austria DDD CPO 999 942-2 [63:28] [JV]

This recording shows Leopold Mozart was more than the father of Wolfgang Amadeus – but the recording doesn’t serve him well in every respect ... see Full Review

Mozart - da Ponte highlights Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Excerpts from: Le nozze di Figaro K492 (1786) Cosi fan Tutte K588 (1790) Don Giovanni K527 (1787) Soloists Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Bertrand de Billy Recorded Vienna 2001-3 DDD ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 57746 2 [79:47] [PCW]

I don’t think you will be satisfied … and must warn you that there is a serious risk you will end up acquiring complete sets and passing this disc on to a fortunate friend … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Mass (No. 18) in C minor KV. 427 ‘The Great’ for solo voices, chorus and orchestra (1783): 1. Kyrie [7’26]; 2. Gloria [2’26]; 3. Laudamus te [5’02]; 4. Gratias [1’09]; 5. Domine [2’44]; 6. Qui tollis [5’11]; 7. Quoniam [3’51]; 8. Jesu Christe [4’45]; 9. Credo [3’36]; 10. Et incarnatus est [9’05]; 11. Sanctus [3’42]; 12. Benedictus [5’24] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Chorales: 13. Jesu meine Freude [2’00]; 14. Unter deinem Schirmen [1’07]; 15. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme [2’55]; 16. Komm, o Tod du Schlafes Brüder [1’36]; 17. Christus, der ist mein Leben [0’42]; 18. Herzliebster Jesu [1’33]; 19. Drum schliess ich mich in deine Hände [1’17]; 20. Du höchste Liebe, schenk uns deine Gunst [1’05]; 21. Er nahm alles wohl in Acht [1’06]; 22. Meine Augen schliess ich jetzt [1’09]; 23. Nun ruhen alle Wälder [0’54] Valentina Farcas (soprano) I, Annemarie Kremer (soprano) II, Daniel Sans (tenor) Christof Fischesser (bass) Jens Wollenschläger (organ) Camerata Würzburg (Mozart), Soloists of the Freiburger Barockorchester (Bach) Chamber Choir of Europe/Nicol Matt (conductor) Rec. 26-28 November 2001, Kloster Bronnbach, Wertheim, Germany, Super Audio CD. Original DSD recording. This SACD can also be played on CD players. DDD BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92211 [69:57] . [MC]

A moving and reverential performance. Well worth the investment! ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)The Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 1 Sonatas: 1 in C K.279, 2 in F K.280, 3 in B flat K.281, 4 in E flat K.282, 5 in G K.283 Joyce Hatto (piano)Recorded 2^nd-3^rd January 1995 at the Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, UK CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9051-2 [71:25] [CH]

Joyce Hatto doesn’t actually "do" much with the music, she just plays it with a simplicity and a serenity which made me think of Clara Haskil. ... see Full Review

Max D’OLLONE (1875-1959) Le Ménétrier for Violin and Orchestra [23’33] Lamento for Orchestra [8’54] Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra [13’12] Andante et Scherzo for Three Cellos [9’35] Mark Kaplan, violin François-Joël Thiollier, piano Damián Martinez, Vincent Ellegiers, José Mor, Cellos Barcelona Symphony Orchestra/Lawrence Foster Recorded in Barcelona, October 2001 and July 2002 CLAVES CD 50-2301 [55’25] [DS]

In summary, this d’Ollone recording gets a mild recommendation and should appeal most to those who love the repertoire of the romantic era. ... see Full Review

Nikolay MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 44 (1938) Mieczyslaw VAINBERG (1919-1996) Violin Concerto in G minor, Op. 67 (1960) Ilya Grubert, violin Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky Rec. Studio 5, Moscow State Broadcasting and Recording House, February/March 2003 NAXOS 8.557194 [66’49] [DS]

Performances splendid ... Grubert is a first-class violinist who always gets inside the psyche of the composer ... technically commanding . Snap up this inexpensive disc immediately. ... see Full Review

Johann PACHELBEL (1653-1706) Easter Cantatas Deus in adjutorum [10:13] Christ lag in Todesbanden [13:02] Hallelujah! Lobet den Herrn [13:27] Christ ist erstanden [7:47] Jauchzet dem Herrn [14:35] Magnificat in C [18:20] La Capella Ducale Musica Fiata/Roland Wilson Recorded May 22-25, 2002, Klosterkirche, Oberpfalz, Germany. DDD cpo 999 916-2 [77:26] [KS]

Notes, packaging and sound quality are excellent, but I cannot recommend buying the disc just for the cover art and booklet essay. A let-down on most counts. ... see Full Review

Bernardo PASQUINI (1637-1710) Toccatas, Partitas and Passacaglias Roberto Loreggian (harpsichord and spinet) Francesco Ferrarini (cello) * recorded in the Villa Beatrice, Padua, Italy; 8-10 August 2002 CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN 0704 [75:37] [IL]

Accessible, beautiful and joyous 17^th century Italian harpsichord and spinet music played with great verve and refinement. A revelation. ... see Full Review

Thomas PITFIELD (1903-1999) The Wagon of Life, By the Dee at Night, September Lovers Stuart SCOTT (b. 1949) Alderley, Gawsworth, Fall, Leaves, Fall. Geoffrey KIMPTON (b. 1927) Noah, Faintheart in a Railway Station, The Poor Man’s Pig. Joanna TREASURE (b. 1961) Tango (do you remember?), I saw the girl. John R. WILLIAMSON (b. 1929) The Recruit, White in the Moon, Think no more, lad. Stephen WILKINSON (b. 1919) The Sunlight on the Garden, The Garden. Philip WOOD ( b. 1972) Now sleeps the Crimson Petal. Sasha Johnson MANNING ( b. 1963) My Song shall be of Mercy and Judgement, The Lord is King. Kevin George BROWN (b. 1959) Dying Day, Description of Spring. David GOLIGHTLY (b. 1948) Songs of the Clifftop: Seabird, After the Kill, Puffin. David FORSHAW (b. 1938) The Owl, Whale Song, Horse. Mark Rowlinson, baritone, Peter Lawson, piano Recorded at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, 21 and 24 July 2003. DDD DUNELM RECORDS DRD-0220 [79’24] [AO]

As a sampler of the music being made in the Manchester region, this recording is useful. . ... see Full Review

Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Concert champêtre in D for harpsichord and orchestra FP 49(1929) Concerto in D minor for two pianos and orchestra FP 61(1932) Concerto in G minor for organ, string orchestra and timpani FP 93(1938) Aimée van de Wiele, harpsichord; Francis Poulenc, Jacques Février, pianos, Maurice Duruflé, organ
Paris Conservatoire Orchestra/Pierre Dervaux (Concert champêtre and Concerto in D minor for two pianos), Georges Prêtre (Organ Concerto) Recorded 13^th-21^st May 1957 (Concert champêtre) and 22^nd-23^rd May 1957 (Concerto for two pianos), Salle de la Mutualité, Paris; 21^st and 23^rd February 1961, L’église Saint-Etienne du Mont, Paris. EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 7243 5 62647 2 4 [67:33] [GPJ]

A collection of Poulenc recordings of the highest possible pedigree. ... see Full Review

Prism - The Choral Artistry of Gloriæ Dei Cantores Dominic ARGENTO Let all the World in Every Corner Sing [3’22”] Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA Super flumina Babylonis [3’13”]Alice PARKER (arr.) Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal [2’23”]Edmund RUBBRA Tristis est anima mea [3’12”] Bruce NESWICK I Will Set His Dominion in the Sea [6’07”] Jean BERGER The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee [2’21”] William MATHIAS Missa Brevis Gloria [4’29”] Josef RHEINBERGER Mass in E Flat major Agnus Dei [4’09”]Robert STARER Psalms of Woe and Joy Hodu (Glory to the Lord) [3’52”] Felix MENDELSSOHN Heilig [1’54”] William MATHIAS Rex Gloriæ Victimæ paschali [6’22”] Francisco GUERRERO Rorate Cæli [3’02”] Sergei RACHMANINOV Bogoroditse Devo [2’38”] Alice PARKER (arr.) Foundation (American Mountain Hymn) [2’37”] Virgil THOMSON My Shepherd Will Supply My Need [3’51”] Georgy SVIRIDOV Liubov sviataya [3’12”] Johannes BRAHMS Est ist das heil uns kommen her, Op. 29, No 1 [5’15”] Aaron COPLAND arr. Irving FINE Ching-a-Ring-Chaw (Old American Songs) [1’45”] Leo SOWERBY Eternal Light [2’18”] Gloriæ Dei Cantores/Elizabeth C. Patterson David Chalmers and James Jordan (organ) Archangelus Brass Ensemble Recorded between 1991 and 2002 at Mechanics Hall, Worcester MA; Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, MA; and The Church of the Transfiguration, Orleans, MA GLORIÆ DEI CANTORES GDCD 109 [66’35”] [JQ]

Extremely enjoyable in its own right but I hope it will serve its purpose by prompting purchasers to investigate other recordings by this fine choir. ... see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No.5 in G, Op.55 (world premiere) Serge Prokofiev (piano), Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwängler Recorded Live, Berlin 31^st October 1932 ARCHANGEL 0401 [25’31"]

A important issue – and an indispensable one for Furtwängler and Prokofiev disciples. ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 - 1924) Manon Lescaut (1893) Kiri Te Kanawa, Manon Lescaut Placido Domingo, Il Cavaliere Renato des Greux Thomas Allen, Lescaut Forbes Robinson, Geronte di Ravoir Robin Leggate, Edmondo George Macpherson, Innkeeper John Fryatt, Dancing Master Anna Cooper, Madrigal Singer Handel Thomas, Sergeant of Archers Mark Curtis, Lamp Lighter Roderick Earle, Naval Captain Pascal Allen, Sergeant of Soldiers Children of Burlington Dance School Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden/Giuseppe Sinopoli. Director: Humphrey Burton, Sets: Gunther Schneider, Costumes: Aliute Meczies, Producer: Götz Friedrich. Rec. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1983, (DVD). Co-production between BBC Television in association with NVC Arts. WARNER 50466-7174-2-9 [1 DVD: 130 minutes] [JPh]

This DVD is a very good addition to the opera catalogue, and likely to be enjoyed by all who watch it. ... see Full Review

DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH Johann Joachim QUANTZ (1697-1773) Concerto in G minor for two flutes, strings and bc: Allegro [6.17]; Amoroso [4.18]; Presto [4.56] Concerto in G major for two flutes, strings and bc (No.89): Spiritoso e larghetto [2.42]; Allegro [3.46]; Grave [1.59]; Allegro assai [3.46] Concerto in D major for flute, strings and bc (No.82): Allegro di molto-Adagio-Allegro [7.32]; Un poco andante e cantabile [4.49]; Allegro [4.56] Concerto in G major for flute, strings and bc (No161): Allegro [5.58]; Arioso mesto [5.56]; Allegro Vivace [4.12] Josep-Francesc Palou – flute Claudi Arimany - flute Hungarian Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Rec. Aug 2002, L’Auditori del Conservatori de Palma de Mallorca COLUMNA MUSICA 1CM0109 [61.33] [PW]

A most welcome disc of stylish performances of quite wonderful music and deserves wide dissemination. ... see Full Review

Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683 - 1764) Castor et Pollux (1754 version) Castor – Colin Ainsworth (tenor) Pollux – Joshua Hopkins (baritone) Télaïre – Monica Whicher (soprano) Phébé – Meredith Hall (soprano) Jupiter – Giles Tomkins (bass-baritone) Cléone – Renée Winick (soprano) Hébé – Meredith Hall (soprano) Une Suivante d’Hébé - Renée Winick (soprano) Une ombre - Renée Winick (soprano) Le Grand Prêtre – Brian McMillan (baritone) Mercure – Joey Niceforo A Spartan soldier – Michael Lee (tenor) A Spartan soldier – Matthew Zadow (baritone) A voice – Lorelle Angelo (soprano) Another voice – Catherine Lippitt Erickson Opera in Concert Aradia Ensemble/Kevin Mallon Recorded Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto 9^th – 13^th February 2003 NAXOS 8.660118-19 [2 CDs: 72.04+68.39] [RH]

At super-budget price I can have no hesitation in recommending this recording. It is a good place to start if you do not know Rameau’s fascinating operas. And if you do, it is a good way to fill in a gap. ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875 -1937) Daphnis et Chloë: Suite No. 2 [1913] Pavane pour une infante défunte [1910] La Valse [1919-20] Ma mère l'Oye: Cinq pièces enfantines [1911]Boléro [1928] Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi Recorded in Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, 9-10 February and 21 September, 2003. TELARC CD-80601 [63:00][SFV]

Though often impressively crisp Järvi's unfussy, no-nonsense rhythmic address projects the music's rhythmic pulse rather rigidly ... see Full Review

Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1988) Symphonies – No. 3, Op. 49 (1939) [32’34]; No. 4, Op. 53 (1942) [26’59]. A Tribute, Op. 56 (1971) [5’03]. Overture Resurgam, Op. 149 (1975) [7’59] Philharmonia Orchestra/Norman Del Mar. No rec. info. DDD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD202 [72’37] [CC]

A fascinating disc. Rubbra’s music reveals more and more on repeated hearings – facile is the one thing it is not. The ideal introduction to the music of Rubbra. ... see Full Review

Detailed listing (last two days)]
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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