RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Coronation March (1911) [6’46] Summer (1914) [10’42] Phantasm, for piano and orchestra (1927) [24’21] There is a Willow Grows aslant a Brook (1927) [11’18] Vignettes de danse (1938) [11’20] Sir Roger de Coverley (A Christmas Dance) (1922) [4’41] Howard Shelley (piano) BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox Recorded at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Nov.28-29 2002 Bridge Orchestral Works Vol.3 CHANDOS CHAN 10112 [69’55] [TH]

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 1 in D (1884-96) Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Rafael Kubelik
Recorded "live" in Herkules-Saal in der Residenz, Munich, 2nd November 1979 AUDITE 95.467 [51.33] [TD]

This is a top recommendation. It supersedes Kubelik’s studio recording on DG and surpasses Horenstein and Barbirolli which must now be thought of as alternatives to this Audite release. Simply indispensable. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No 6 in A minor [81’07"] St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Sanderling Recorded: Big Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, 2-4 July 1995. DDD RS REAL SOUND RS 052-0186 [2 CDs 35’54" + 45’13"] [JQ]

I should like to hear Sanderling in more Mahler but for now this excellent recording will do to be going on with … see Full Review

Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937) Boléro (1928) [17.22] La Valse (1920) [12.25] Rapsodie Espagnole (1907) [16.14] Pavane pour une infante défunte (1905) [6.55] Daphnis et Chloé Suite #2 (1912) [17.13] Daphnis et Chloé Suite #2, "Chloé is accosted" [4.33] Minnesota Orchestra/Stanislaw Skrowaczewski Recorded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, November 1974. All CD tracks are in 2.0 stereo, without any mixdown of the rear channels. All SACD tracks in discrete 4.0 Surround Sound, except the final track which is in discrete derived 5.0 Surround Sound. Digitised and restored by Paul Stubblebine Playable on SACD players and on all compact disk players Hybrid SACD ORIGINAL MASTERS RECORDING UDSACD 4002 [73.21] [PSh]

The best sounding recording of this music ever made, and, perhaps surprisingly, one of the very best played as well. An absolute must-have for anyone who loves Ravel, no matter how many recordings of this music you already have...see Full Review

Peter llyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Romeo and Juliet – Fantasy Overture (1880) Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 ‘Pathétique’ (1893) Philharmonia Orchestra/Guido Cantelli Romeo and Juliet recorded 13^th October 1951, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road; Symphony No.6 recorded 22-28^th October 1952, Royal Festival Hall. Full Price TESTAMENT SBT 1316 [61’44] [MB]

A mandatory purchase for anyone interested in great conducting and great orchestral playing. Only very rarely will you ever hear anything as thrilling. … see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Otello (1884-86) Opera in four acts, libretto by Arrigo Boito Otello – Placido Domingo (tenor) Iago – Leo Nucci (baritone) Desdemona – Barbara Fritolli (soprano) Cassio – Cesare Catani (tenor) Roderigo – Antonello Ceron (tenor) Emilia – Rossana Rinaldi (mezzo) Lodovico – G. Battista Parodi (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Riccardo Muti Stage Director – Graham Vick TV Director – Carlo Battistoni Recorded at La Scala, Milan, December 2001 TDK DVOPOTEL
[140 minutes] [TH]

It is hard not to give this a completely unqualified recommendation. … see Full Review

Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century: Dimitri Mitropoulos Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911): Symphony No 6 in A minor* [74’39"] Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869): Roméo et Juliette. Symphonie Dramatique; Op. 17 - Excerpts ** [46’28"]: Introduction; Roméo Seul; Scène d’amour; La reine Mab, ou la fée des songes; Roméo au tombeau des Capulets Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918): La Mer*** [22’36"] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949): Salome: Dance of the Seven Veils**** [8’49"] *WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln (Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester) New York Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos Rec. *Klaus-von-Bismark Saal, WDR, Cologne, 31 August 1959; 30^th Street Studios, New York, **22 October 1952; ***27 November 1950; *****3 November 1956. ADD EMI CLASSICS GREAT CONDUCTORS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 7243 5 75471 2 3 [74’42"+78’18"] [JQ]

Mahler 6 is the highlight but the whole offers great, inspirational conducting. Music making that demands to be heard. Recommended with the greatest possible enthusiasm. … see Full Review

Duo Mandala: Tapestry Bill CONNOR Krug: (2002) [8.14] Julian DAWES Three Pieces for Mandolin and Harp: (1994): Waltz [2.30]; Phantasy [3.18]; Toccata [1.54] David SUTTON-ANDERSON Mandalas: (1994-1995) [17.39] Paul MITCHELL-DAVIDSON Tapestry: (1994-1995): Dance of Limewood, Smile of Ash [6.44]; A Joy of Wild Asses [5.20]; Harvest of the Quiet Eye [7.56]; A Full Moon Rising Red [12.11] Alison Stephens (mandolin) Lauren Scott (harp) Recorded at Sennheiser Studio, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, 9-11 September 2002 BLACK BOX BBM 1088 [65.53] [CF]

A highly attractive disc … masters of their instruments, playing with imaginative flair and technical skill. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1826) Symphonies 1-9: S.464 arr. 1837-1865 by Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886) Cyprien Katsaris, piano Recorded 1985-1989, location not given. Notes in English, Français, Deutsch TELDEC CLASSICS 2564 60865-2 [6CDs: 61.15+53.48+71.23+44.06+66.41+65.36] [PSh]

The best set of these amazing transcriptions which every Beethoven lover must own—even a Beethoven hater might like them … see Full Review

Classical Cello Concertos CD1 Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor Wq. 170 (H.432) Cello Concerto No. 3 in A major Wq. 172 (H.439) Cello Concerto No. 2 in B flat major Wq. 171 (H.436) Balázs Máté (cello) Concerto Armonico/Péter Szüts On authentic instruments Recording: 1995 Licensed from Hungaroton, Hungary. Brilliant Classics DDD STEMRA 92198/1 CD2 Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Cello Concerto in E flat major, No.12 (G deest) Cello Concerto in G major, No.7 (G 480) Cello Concerto in A major, No.2 (G 475) Cello Concerto in C major, No.11(G 573) Julius Berger (cello) South-West German Chamber Orchestra, Pforzheim/Vladislav Czarnecki Recording: 1988, Matthäuskirche, Pforzheim, Germany. Producer: Teije van Geest Licensed from EBS, Germany Brilliant Classics DDD STEMRA 92198/2 CD3 Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Cello Concerto in D major, No.6 (G 479) Cello Concerto in B flat major, No.9 (G 482) Cello Concerto in C major, No.4 (G 477) Cello Concerto in D major, No.3 (G 476) Julius Berger (cello) South-West German Chamber Orchestra, Pforzheim/Vladislav Czarnecki Recording: 1988, Matthäuskirche, Pforzheim, Germany. Producer: Teije van Geest Licensed from EBS, Germany Brilliant Classics DDD STEMRA 92198/3 CD4 Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Cello Concerto in D major, No.5 (G 478) Cello Concerto in E flat major, No.1 (G 474) Cello Concerto in C major, No.8 (G 481) Cello Concerto in D major, No.10 (G 483) Julius Berger (cello) South-West German Chamber Orchestra, Pforzheim/Vladislav Czarnecki Recording: 1988, Matthäuskirche, Pforzheim, Germany. Producer: Teije van Geest Licensed from EBS, Germany Brilliant Classics DDD STEMRA 92198/4 CD5 Leonardo LEO (1694-1744) Cello Concerto in D major (L 10) Cello Concerto in A major (L 20) Sinfonie concertante for cello and strings in C minor (L 30) Julius Berger (cello) South-West German Chamber Orchestra, Pforzheim/Vladislav Czarnecki Recording: 29-31 May 1999, Kirnbachhalle, Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany. Producer & engineer: Reinhard Geller Licensed from EBS, Germany Brilliant Classics DDD STEMRA 2198/5 CD6 Leonardo LEO (1694-1744) Cello Concerto in F minor (L 40) Cello Concerto in A major (L 50) Cello Concerto in D minor (L 60) Julius Berger (cello) South-West German Chamber Orchestra, Pforzheim/Vladislav Czarnecki Recording: 5-7 July 1999, Kirnbachhalle in Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany. Producer & engineer: Reinhard Geller Licensed from EBS, Germany Brilliant Classics DDD STEMRA 92198/6 CD7 Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Cello Concerto in D major Hob. VIIb: 2 Cello Concerto in C major Hob. VIIb: 1 Miklós Perényi (cello) Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra/János Rolla Recording: 1979 Producer: Zoltán Hézser Licensed from Hungaroton, Hungary. Brilliant Classics ADD STEMRA 92198/7 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92198 [7 CDs: CD1 68:57; CD2 63:26; CD3 72:37; CD4 74:42; CD5 37:21; CD6 44:03; CD7 50:38] [MC]

Excellently performed works with many gems waiting to be discovered. Nothing here to deter even the most discerning buyer. The slim and compact packaging is simple, yet attractive … at super-budget price an absolute steal. Highly recommended. … see Full Review

 

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) The Cunning Little Vixen (in English) Libretto by Leoš Janáček, English translation by Yveta Synek Graff and Robert T Jones Forester – Thomas Allen (bass) Mosquito/Schoolmaster – Robert Tear (tenor) Forester’s Wife/Owl – Gillian Knight (soprano) Vixen – Lillian Watson (soprano) Priest/Badger – Gwynne Howell (bass) Pásek, innkeeper – John Dobson (tenor) Harašta, a poacher – Nicholas Folwell (baritone) Fox – Diana Montague (mezzo-soprano) Innkeeper’s Wife - Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo-soprano) Hens, Forest creatures and Voices Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Simon Rattle Recorded Abbey Road, London, June 1990 CHANDOS CHAN 3101(2) [2 CDs: 96.47] [JW]

Chandos are doing us proud in their selective and astute reclamation of such material. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonatas, Fantasias and Rondos CD 1 [73:09] Sonatas in G, K.283, A, K.331, F, K.332, B flat, K.333 Rec. 9-11 December 1989 CD 2 [65:00] Sonatas in B flat, K.281, E flat, K.282, C, K.545, D, K.284 Rec. 26-29 June 1990 CD 3 [70:39] Sonatas in C, K.309, A minor, K.310, D, K.311, C, K.330 Rec. 27 August 1990 (K.309), 7-9 September 1989 (K.310, K.311), 5 August 1991 (K.330) CD 4 [73:38] Sonata in C, K.279, Fantasia in D minor, K.397, Sonata in F, K.280, Rondo in D, K.485, Fantasia in C minor, K.475, Sonata in C minor, K.457 Rec. 21-24 and 27 August 1990 CD 5 [67:29] Sonatas in F, K.533, B flat, K.570, D, K.576, Rondo in A minor, K.511 Rec. 8-9 November 1990 (K. 533, K.570), 6-7 March 1991 (K. 576, K.511) Alicia de Larrocha (piano) Recorded at the American Academy Institute of Arts and Letters, New York City (K.330), University Music School Concert Hall, Cambridge, England (K. 310, K.311), all others in BMG Studio A, New York City, dates as above BMG CLASSICS RCA RED SEAL 82876-55705-2 [5 CDs] [CH]

An ideal buy; warmly recorded performances that express everything that is in the music while remaining wholly without idiosyncrasies. … see Full Review

BARGAIN DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH Julian ORBÓN (1925 – 1991) Danzas sinfónicas (1957) Concerto Grosso (1958) Tres versiones sinfónicas (1954) Asturias Symphony Orchestra/Maximiano Valdés Recorded: Casa Municipal de Cultura, Avilés, 1998 NAXOS 8.557368 [66 :17] [HC]

This still underrated composer unquestionably deserves serious consideration. Recommended. … see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sinfonia Varsovia/Yehudi Menuhin Symphony No. 1 in D major, D.82 (1813) Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D.417 ‘Tragic’ (1816) WARNER APEX 2564 60527-2 Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, D.125 (1815) Symphony No. 6 in C major, D.859 (1818) WARNER APEX 2564 60529-2 Symphony No. 3 in D major, D.200 (1815) Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D.485 (1816) Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D.759 ‘Unfinished’ (1822) WARNER APEX 2564 60530-2 Symphony No. 9 in C major, D.944 ‘Great’ (1827) WARNER APEX 2564 60531-2 Rec. 20–29 Jan 1997, Studio 1, Polish Radio, Warsaw Complete Set 5CDs 2564605322

Yehudi Menuhin’s close and stimulating relationship with Sinfonia Varsovia reflected in this fine cycle excellently played and recorded …Everything sounds nicely in place, and there is atmosphere as well as clarity. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) String Quartets 1-15 complete Brodsky Quartet: Michael Thomas, Ian Belton vv.; Paul Cassidy, vla.; Jacqueline Thomas, vc. Recorded Teldec Recording Studio, Berlin, Germany, September 1989. Notes in English, Deutsch, Français Originally released 1991; re-released 2003 TELDEC 2564 60867 2 [378.16] [PSh]

A very satisfactory version of these milestones in the quartet form. … see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Suite from the The Nutcracker, Op.71a: Miniature Overture; March; Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy; Trepak; Arab Dance; Chinese Dance; Dance of the Reeds; Flower Waltz Capriccio Italien, Op.45 Eugene Onegin, Op.24: Waltz and Polonaise Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Lazarev Recorded Moscow, 1992 WARNER APEX 2564 608822-2 [50:12] [JL]

This disc freshens up some popular old Tchaikovsky numbers with superb playing, proving that a special, vibrant Russian orchestral sound still lives. … see Full Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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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