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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Cantatas Volume II Ombre tacite e sole (1716) Il genio di Mitilde Perche tacete, regolati concenti? (c. 1694) O pace del mio cor (first setting) Il rosignolo (first setting) (1698) Infirmata, vulnerata (motet) (1702) Arcadian Academy/Nicholas McGegan David Daniels (counter-tenor) Recorded at the Theatre C, State University of New York at Purchase, 30 March, 1 & 2 April 1998. DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935812 [73:51] [MC]

Intense and concentrated scores that will undoubtedly bring much pleasure. Counter-tenor David Daniels is a true master! ... see Full Review

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Suite in the Old Style (1972) arranged by Daniil Shafran Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH ( 1906-75) Sonata for cello and piano in D minor, op.40 (1934) Sergey RACHMANINOV ( 1873-1943) Sonata for cello and piano in G minor, op.19 (1901) Leonid Gorokhov (piano) Nikolai Demidenko (cello) Recorded in The Music Room, Champs Hill, Pulborough, Sussex, 23-24 February 2004. DDD ASV GOLD GLD4006 [78:17] [MC]

Obtain this marvellous ASV Gold recording and you will surely find yourself eagerly anticipating the next release from Gorokhov and Demidenko. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797 - 1828) Piano Sonata No. 5 in Ab, D557 (1817) [11.32] Piano Sonata No. 7a in Db, D567 (1817) [21.48] Piano Sonata No. 11 in C, D613/612 (1818) [15.04] Piano Sonata No. 12 in f, D625/505 (1818) [20.45] Gottlieb Wallisch, piano Notes in English and Deutsch. Recorded at Potton Hall, Suffolk, UK, 5 November 2002 NAXOS 8.557189 [69.09] [JW]

Wallisch really does show himself to be a natural and unaffected Schubertian. He is fortunate to have a sympathetic acoustic but the performance kudos rests with him alone. ... see Full Review

Cyril SCOTT (1879-1970) Complete Piano Music, Volume 1 – Suites and Miniatures CD 1 Suite … (in the Old Style), op.71/1 /1910), Deuxième Suite, op.75 (1910), Pastoral Suite (1913), Indian Suite (1922), Handelian Rhapsody, op.17 (1901-1909) CD 2 Valse caprice, op.74/7 (1911), Requiescat (1917), Soirée japonaise, op.67/4 (1910), Vistas (1918), Three Old Country Dances (1925), Two Alpine Sketches op.58/4 (1908), Three Pastorals (1919-1920), Three Dances, op.20 (1903), A Pageant: Three Dances (1920), Miniatures (1915), Three Little Waltzes op.58 (1906) Dates refer to publication – in most cases the exact composition date is not known. Leslie De’Ath (piano) Recorded in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Faculty of Music, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada on 18th January 2004 (Deuxième Suite, Handelian Rhapsody) and 3rd-4th January 2004 (all other pieces) VVC CD101-2 [65:43 + 71:11] [CH]

The "Deuxième Suite" is enough of itself to make purchase essential – but there is much else and some very fine performances. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-75) Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 (1953) London Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich Recorded in the Abbey Road Studios, London, July 1989. DDD WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 2564 61568-2 [56:14] [MC]

Really fine sound quality with concise and informative annotation. Rostropovich is an empathic Shostakovich interpreter. This recording will make you sit up and listen. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-75) Hypothetically Murdered, Orchestral Suite, Op. 31a (1931) (reconstructed and orch. McBurney) [39’22]. Four Romances on Poems by Pushkin, Op. 46a (1937) (original version, orch. compl. McBurney) [11’58]. Five Fragments, Op. 42 (1935) [10’39]. Suite No. 1 for Jazz Band (1924) [9’14]. aDmitri Kharitonov (bass) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Mark Elder. Rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on December 16th-18th, 1992. First issued on Cala CACD1020 DDD SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD051 [71’10]

A well-chosen programme ,,, spans the period 1924-1937 - a time of change in personal circumstances and developing maturity ... encompasses a vast emotional range ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto in D minor Op.47 (1903 revised 1905) Serenade in G minor Op.69b (1913) Christian SINDING (1856-1941) Violin Concerto No.1 in A major Op.45 (1898) Romance in D major Op.100 (1910) Henning Kraggerud (violin) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset Recorded at the Lighthouse Centre for the Arts, Dorset, June 2003 NAXOS 6.110056 5.0 SURROUND SOUND SACD/SD HYBRID [71.08] [JW]

A taut and forward-looking conception ... never really plumbs the titanic, granitic-triumphalist approach. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony No. 2 in D [41:54] Finlandia [7:43] Cleveland Orchestra/Yoel Levi Rec. Masonic Auditorium, Cleveland, 2 April 1984, DDD TELARC CD-80095 [49:37] [RB]

Combines the poles of incendiary emotion and ramrod-tight control ... inspirational ... see Full Review

Nikos SKALKOTTAS (1904-1949) Sixteen Melodies for mezzo-soprano and piano; Fifteen Little Variations for piano (1927); Sonatina for piano (1927); Echo for piano (1946); Berceuse for piano (1941) Angelica Cathariou (mezzo-soprano) Nikolaos Samaltanos (piano) Recorded at the church Saint-Marcel, Paris, March/April 2004 BIS CD 1464 [59.43] [GH]

If you are a Skalkottas fan then despite my reservations you should get this disc as a rare example of the composer’s vocal work in first rate performances ... see Full Review

John Philip SOUSA (1854 – 1932) Sound Off! - Sousa on Review Sound Off, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Sabre and Spurs, The Picadore,Our Flirtation, The High School Cadets, The Invincible Eagle, Bullets and Bayonets, The Liberty Bell, Riders for the Flag, Solid Men to the Front, The Gallant Seventh, The Rifle Regiment, The Pride of the Wolverines, Golden Jubilee, The Gridiron Club, New Mexico, Sesqui-Centennial Exposition, The Black Horse Troop, The Kansas Wildcats, Manhattan Beach, Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, The National Game, The Glory of the Yankee Navy, Eastman Wind Ensemble/Frederick Fennell Recorded: Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York, 2 May 1960 (Tracks 1 – 12) 5 May 1961 (Tracks 13 – 24) SACD Stereo CD Audio MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE 475 6182 [73:12] [BB]

So much uplifting positive energy ... see Full Review

Rick SOWASH - music on four CDs
Enchantement d'Avril:
Trio No. 1 Voyage of the Spirit: (I. Moderato [4:40]; II. Lento [ 4:52]; III. Lento, Poco Mosso, Andante [3:24]; IV. Allegro [4:42]) Trio No. 2 Enchantment of April (I. Maestoso ma tranquillo, Allegro [7:20]; II. Lento [6:11]; III. Allegretto [6:34]) Trio No. 3 November Shadows (I. Allegro [5:13]; II. Lento [6:31]; III. Allegretto [3:36]) Trio les Gavottes; Lucien Aubert, clarinet; François Adolf, cello; Jean Tatu, piano. Total playing time [65:05]
Sanctuary at 3.00 a.m.: Sanctuary at 3.00 a.m. for Bb clarinet and piano [6:27] 2000
Anthony Costa, clarinet, Phil Amalong, piano Lullabye for Kara for cello and piano [7:17] 2002 Phil Amalong, piano, Jeff Schoyen, cello Variations on a Hiking Song for piano solo [15:52] 1992 Phil Amalong, piano Impressionist Suite No. 2 for oboe, clarinet and bassoon ((I. Cassatt; A Lullabye [3:32]; II. Caillebotte; Precision [4:13]; III. Sisley and Bazille: Joyful Skies, Lament for the Fallen [5:06]) 2000 Mark Ostoich, oboe, Ron Aufmann, clarinet, Mark Ortwein, bassoon The View from Carew - Romance for Bb clarinet, cello and piano [10:00] 2000 Anthony Costa, clarinet, Jeff Schoyen, cello, Phil Amalong, piano Total playing time [52:45]
Eroica: Sunny Days for violin, clarinet and piano; 1994, rev. 1996 [17:55] (I. Moderato [4:52]; II. Allegretto [5:12]; III. Moderato [3:45]; IV. Vivo [4:06]) Convivial Suite for violin and cello (I. Fugue [2:20]; II. Waltz [2:44]; III. Blues [1:16]; IV. March [2:05]; V. Adagio [1:34]; VI. Finale [2:52]) 1999 [12:51] Impressionist Suite No. 1 for oboe, clarinet and bassoon (I.Monet: a seascape [2:01]; II. Renoir: the play of colors [2:46]; III. Manet: Spanish subjects [7:26]) 2000 [12:13] Eroica - Piano Trio No. 5 (I. Allegro [12:27]; II. Adagio [5:38]; III. Presto [9:49]) 2000 [27:54] Total playing time [71:51]
A Portrait at 50: Harvest Hymn and Harvest Dance: Homage to Willa Cather, for cello and piano, 1980 A Little Breakfast Music for oboe, clarinet and two violins (Orange Juice, French Toast, Eggs and Bacon, Honey on English Muffins and A Variety of Herb Teas), 1976 The Cliffs Above the Clear Fork, for cello and piano, 1980 Une Pavane Americaine: Hommage á Ravel, for flute and piano, 1990 Cape May Suite, for oboe, violin, cello and piano (Morning at Seaside, Victorian Garden, Dinner at Louisa's, and Ghostly Waltzes at Congress Hall), 1993 {RB]

Sowash - music that is reflective, dreamy, carefree. ... see Full Review

Max STEINER (1888-1971) The Adventures of Mark Twain (1942 film score) Score restoration by John Morgan Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/William Stromberg recorded at Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, February 2003 NAXOS SACD/CD HYBRID 6.110087 [70.49] [JW]

All the vicissitudes of river life, of theatrical charm, of chase, sly wit, affection and humour are evoked in this splendidly realised disc ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Vier letzte Lieder* [20’44"]; Capriccio: Closing Scene* [20’09"] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Schéhérazade** [15’04"] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro: "Porgi, amor, qualche ristoro" *** [3’36"]; "E Susanna non vien! – Dove sono i bei momenti*** [6’43"] Elisabeth Söderström (soprano) *Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Antal Dorati **BBC Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Boulez ***Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir John Pritchard Recorded: *Royal Festival Hall, London, 3 October 1976; **Royal Albert Hall, London, 3 August 1971; *** Royal Albert Hall, London, 20 August 1960 ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4153-2 [67’46"] [JQ]

Treasurable ... vividly recalls one of the greatest soprano voices of the second half of the last century. The recorded sound is very good in the Strauss ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Piano Music: Three Movements from Petrushka (1921) [16.11]; Les Cinq Doights (1921); Sonata (1924) [10.50); Piano Rag Music (1919); Serenade (1925); Three Easy Pieces, for three hands (1915); Five Easy Pieces, for four hands (1917) Anatoly Sheludyakov (piano) Rec 1996, Bolshoi Hall, Moscow Conservatory PHOENIX PHCD157 [62.05] [TB]

Sheludyakov: secure technique ... understands the brittle nature of Stravinsky’s musical style ... virtuosity in these most technically demanding pieces ... performances that are secure and at times glittering ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Suite Italienne (1933) Duo Concertante (1932) Divertimento (1934) Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) First Rhapsody (1928) Second Rhapsody (1928) Levon Ambartsumian (violin), Anatoly Sheludyakov (piano) Rec 1995, Bolshoi Hall, Moscow Conservatory PHOENIX PHCD 156 [73.33] [TB]

Singing and refined phrasing intensified with warm weight of tone ... see Full Review

Georgy SVIRIDOV (1915-1998) Choral Music from the 1970s Pushkin's Garland - Choral Concerto on verses by Alexander Pushkin [36.38] Concerto to the Memory of A. A. Yurlov [10.35] Three Choral Pieces to A. K. Tolstoy's Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich [11.10] Ikon to words by Alexander Blok [6.58] Moscow Chamber Choir/Vladimir Minin rec. Moscow 1989 RUSSIAN COMPACT DISC RCD 13005 [65.11] [RB]

This music will appeal without a shadow of doubt to anyone who loves the Rachmaninov Vespers ... do not delay.... see Full Review

Boris TCHAIKOVSKY (1925 – 1996) Sinfonietta (1953) Chamber Symphony (1967) Six Etudes (1976)a Prelude The Bells (1996) Ludmilla Golub (organ)a Musica Viva Chamber Orchestra/Alexander Rudin Recorded: Small Hall, Moscow Conservatory (Six Etudes) and Mosfilm Ton-Studios, Moscow, October 2003, December 2003 and January 2004 HYPERION CDA 67413 [69:49] [HC]

These excellent, meticulously prepared readings are warmly recorded. The production is again up to Hyperion’s best. Recommended. ... see Full Review

Piotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto no.1 in B flat minor, op.23* Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto no.3 in C major, op.26* Toccata, op.11 Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910) Islamey – Oriental Fantasy Joyce Hatto (piano) National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/René Köhler Recorded in the Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, March 3rd 1997 (Prokofief Concerto), March 5th 1997 (Tchaikovsky, Toccata), March 16th 1999 (Balakirev) CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD9195-2 [67.31] [CH]

More evidence that Joyce Hatto is a quite extraordinary pianist. ... see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64 (1888) [46:57] Romeo and Juliet – Fantasy Overture (1869/70) [18:44] Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Kurt Masur Recorded at the Neues Gewandhaus, Leipzig, March 1987, March 1990. DDD WARNER APEX 2564 61432-2 [64:41] [PG]

A fine place to get solid renditions of this impassioned and wonderful music. ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) String Quartet No.1 in D Op.11 (1871) [28.50]String Quartet in B flat major (1865) [13.21] String Quartet No.2 in F Op.22 (1874) [35.29] String Quartet No.3 in E flat minor Op.30 (1876) [38.15] String Sextet in D minor Souvenir de Florence Op.70 (1890) [34.25] Borodin Quartet with Yuri Yurov (viola) and Mihail Milman (cello) recorded in the Teldec Studios, Berlin and Snape Maltings Concert Hall in January 1993 WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 2564 61774-2 [77.07 + 74.04] [CF]

Tchaikovsky’s output of chamber music for strings is very well served by this double set of excellent discs. ... see Full Review

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Concertos for woodwind instruments Concerto in E minor for recorder, transverse flute, strings and basso continuo, Concerto in C minor, violin, oboe, strings and basso continuo, Concerto in A minor for two recorders, strings and basso continuo, Concerto in B minor for transverse flute, strings and basso continuo, Concerto in D major for two oboi d’amore, cello, strings and basso continuo, Concerto in B flat major, oboe, violin, two transverse flutes, two violas and basso continuo Camerata Köln Recorded 4-7 February 1996 Deutschland Radio Köln DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI DHM 74321 935572 [62:29] [MC]

Telemann’s art is well served by this welcome and pleasing reissue. ... see Full Review

Pēteris VASKS (b. 1946) Violin Concerto Tālā geisma (1996/7) Musica dolorosa (1983) Viatore (2001) Swedish Chamber Orchestra; Katarina Andreasson, violin and leader Recorded: Örebro Concert Hall, January 2003 BIS CD-1150 [59:18][HC]

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphony No. 9 in E minor (1958) [38:58] Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Symphony No. 2 Mysterious Mountain (1955) [18:49] Wallingford RIEGGER (1885-1961) New Dance Op. 18b (1942) [5:55] Paul CRESTON (1906-1985) Toccata Op. 68 (1957) [12:34] Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra rec. live, Carnegie Hall, 25 Sept 1958. ADD CALA CACD0539 [73:17] [JW]

Stokowski constantly stresses lyricism ... brass nobility is palpable. ... brings out bardic writing with driving drama ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida (1871) Hilde Zadek (soprano) Aida; Helge Rosvaenge (tenor) Radamès; Elisabeth Höngen (mezzo) Amneris; Josef Metternich (baritone) Amonasro; Helmut Fehn (bass) Ramfis; Sigmund Roth (bass) King Chorus and Orchestra of North German Radio/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt. Rec. Hamburg, 1951. ADD WALHALL ETERNITY SERIES WLCD0036 [138’01: 71’42 + 67’19]. [CC]

At very much lower-medium price this is more than worth a spin. It provides a fascinating window onto a world some of us missed out on. ... see Full Review

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Piano Music, Volume 4: Bachianas Brasilieras No. 4 (1930-41) [19’43]; Poema singelo (1938-42) [6’05]; Carnaval des Criançasa (1920) [15’24]; Prencette et Piá (1928) [15’32]; A Fiandiera (1921) [2’52]; Simples Coletânea (1917-19) [6’02]; Valsa romântica (1907) [3’44]. Sonia Rubinsky, aTatjana Rankovich (pianos). Rec. Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Canada, on October 17th-20th, 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.555717 [69’53] [JW]

This series goes from strength to strength; it has integrity of purpose and superior playing. At Naxos’s price that seems impossible to resist...see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concertos for the Emperor Concerto No. 2 in C major for violin, strings and basso continuo RV189 Concerto No. 10 L’amoroso in E major for violin, strings and basso continuo RV271 Concerto No. 3 in C minor for violin, strings and basso continuo RV202 Concerto No. 7 in C major for violin, strings and basso continuo RV183 Concerto No. 11 Il favorito in E minor for violin, strings and basso continuo RV277 Concerto No. 4 in F major for violin, strings and basso continuo RV286 The English Concert/Andrew Manze (violin) Recorded: February 15-17, 2004 at the Air Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, London DDD HARMONIA MUNDI HMU907332 [78:52] [MC]

The Harmonia Mundi sound engineers have produced excellent sonics and the annotation is interesting and informative. These are superlative accounts to cherish! ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concertos for celloConcerto in A minor for cello, strings and basso continuo RV420 Concerto in E flat major for cello, strings and basso continuo RV408 Concerto in F major for cello, strings and basso continuo RV411 Concerto in in D minor for cello, strings and basso continuo RV407 Concerto in F major for violin, cello, strings and basso continuo ‘Il Proteo o sia Il mondo al rovescio’, RV544 Concerto in A minor for cello, strings and basso continuo RV421 Concerto in C major for violin, two cellos, strings and basso continuo RV561 Ensemble Explorations/Roel Dieltiens Recorded Mars 2001. Anvers, Chapelle Notre-Dame, t’Elenvld, Belgium HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901745 [70:29] [MC]

One of my top five favourite Vivaldi recordings. Truly outstanding! ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Six Sonatas for Violoncello and Basso Continuo: F major (RV41); A minor (RV43); E minor (RV40); A minor (RV 44); G minor (RV42); E flat (RV39) Anner Bylsma (violoncello) Hidemi Suzuki (violoncello) Jacques Ogg (cembalo/harpsichord) Rec. Channel Classics Studio, Amsterdam c.1990. DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935612 [61:38] [PCW]

This selection of the sonatas represents a good sample … the artistic merit is unquestionable … see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) La Stravaganza - 12 Concertos for violin, strings and basso continuo, Op.4 (c. 1714) Rachel Podger (violin) Arte Dei Suonatori Recorded at the Church of the High Catholic Seminary in Goscikowo-Paradyz, Poland, September 2002. DDD CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS 19598 [54:21 + 48:38] [MC]

A marvellously presented release. No praise is high enough for these performances! ... see Full Review


Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerti per archi - Concerti per strumenti vari vol. 2
Concerto in A major RV159 Concerto in G minor RV153 Concerto in D major RV121 Concerto in D minor ‘Madrigalesco’ RV129 Concerto in G minor RV154 Concerto in C major RV115 Concerto in F minor RV143 Concerto in F major RV141 Concerto in C minor RV120 Concerto in G minor RV156 Concerto in A major RV158 Concerto in D major RV123 Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini (Direction and harpsichord) Rec. Sala Academica del Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra, in Rome, Italy, Feb 2003. NAÏVE OPUS 111 OP30377 [65.49] [MC]

The award-winning artists marvellously demonstrate Vivaldi’s genius for richness of orchestral palette, musical invention and poetic energy. Another sure-fire winner! ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Rare Opera Overtures Bajazet, Sinfonia in F major RV703 L’Olimpiade, Sinfonia in C major RV725 La Verita’ in Cimento, Sinfonia in G major RV739 Violin Concerto in C minor Amato Bene RV761 * Ottone in Villa, Sinfonia in C major RV729 Concerto in F major RV571 # La Dorilla, Sinfonia in C major RV709 Farnace, Sinfonia in C major RV711 Sinfonia in G major RV149 Concerto in D minor RV128 Il Giustino, Sinfonia in C major RV717 Federico Guillermo (violin) * Giovanni Guillermo (violin) # L’Arte Dell’Arco/Christopher Hogwood Recorded at the Palazzo Giusti, Padova, January 1998 DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935602 [68.27] [JW]

Most attractive and well-played ... delicacy and vigour ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883) Tannhäuser – Highlights: Overture; Dich, teure Halle (Elisabeth); Freudig begrüssen edle Halle (Chorus); Blick’ ich umher (Wolfram); Beglückt darf nun dich, o Heimat, ich schauen (Pilgrims’ Chorus); Allmächt’ge Jungfrau (Elisabeth’s prayer); Wie Todesahnung ... O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram’s song to the evening star); Inbrunst im Herzen (Tannhäuser’s Rome narration); Willkommen ungetreuer Mann (Finale. Venus, Tannhäuser, Wolfram, Chorus). Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano – Elisabeth), René Kollo (tenor – Tannhäuser), Håkan Hagegård (baritone – Wolfram), Waltraud Meier (mezzo-soprano – Venus); The Ambrosian Singers, Philharmonia Orchestra/Marek Janowski. Recorded in St Augustine’s Church, London, May/June 1990 WARNER ELATUS 2564 61738-2 [60:59] [GF]

Numerous good reasons to buy this highlights disc ... see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) Symphony No. 1 in B flat minor (1932-35) [45:08] Crown Imperial (1937) [6:28] Orb and Sceptre (1953) [7:09] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/André Previn Rec. Watford Town Hall, London, 1-2 Dec 1985 (symphony); Fairfield Hall, Croydon, 16 Sept 1986 (marches) TELARC CD-80125 [58:35] [RB]

If you want a handsome sounding Walton 1 then you will find plenty here to enjoy. ... see Full Review

Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Der Freischütz (1821) Agathe - Caterina Ligendza Max - Toni Krämer Ottakar - Wolfgang Schöne Kuno - Fritz Linke Kaspar - Wolfgang Probst Kilian - Helmut Holzapfel Samiel - Wolfram Raub Annchen - Raili Viliakainen Hermit - Roland Bracht Chorus and Orchestra of the Würtembergische Staatsoper, Stuttgart/Dennis Russell Davies Achim Freyer (producer and designer) Recorded 1981, Württembergische Staatsoper (live performance) NVC ARTS 5050467-3524-2-1 [146.00] [TB]

A well focused team of performers, and excellent control of line and pacing. A colourful production that fails to register highly as far as tension is concerned ... see Full Review

Kurt WEILL (1900-1950) Concerto for violin and wind orchestra Op. 12 (1925) [26.04] Egon WELLESZ (1885-1974) Suite for violin and chamber orchestra Op. 38 (1924) [12:31] Rudi STEPHAN (1887-1915) Music for violin and orchestra Op. 4 (1913) [12:31] Stefan Tönz (violin) Luzern Sinfonie-Orchester/Jonathan Nott Rec. Kultur- und Kongresszentrum, Luzern, March 1999. DDD PAN CLASSICS 510 109 [55:47] [RB]

Three unfashionable rarities - the Weill being the better known (least unknown); the Wellesz and Stephan vying with each other in obscurity. ... see Full Review

Kurt WEILL (1900-1950): The Eternal Road (Highlights) Play by Franz Werfel, English translation by Ludwig Lewisohn - Sung in English From Act I: "The Patriarchs": Scene 6: Abraham and Isaac; Scene 7: Jacob and the Angel; Scene 8: Jacob and Rachel; Scene 16: The death of Jacob From Act II: "Moses": Scene 17: In Egypt/Miriam and Moses; Scene 20: Moses receives the Commandments/Dance around the golden calf; Scene 21: The Beam, Moses; Scene 22: Moses addresses the people; Scene 23: Moses gives the Commandments/The death of Moses From Act III: "The King": Scene 24: Naomi and Ruth; Ruth and Boaz From Act IV: "The Prophets": Scene 32: Isaiah and Jeremiah; Scene 33: The streets of Jerusalem; Scene 34: Jeremiah; Scenes 35 and 36: Chananiah the false prophet/the mob attacks Jeremiah; Scene 40: Transformation/Finale Constance Hauman, soprano Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano Hanna Wollschläger, mezzo-soprano Ian DeNolfo, tenor Karl Dent, tenor Vale Rideout, tenor Ted Christopher, baritone James Maddalena, baritone Rundfunk-Kinderchor Berlin/Manfred Roost Ernst Senff Chor/Sigurd Brauns Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin/Gerard Schwarz NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559402 [73:00] [RB]

Altogether a fascinating experience. ... see Full Review

SURPRISE RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kurt WEILL (1900-1950) The Seven Deadly Sins [35:19] Alabama Song [2:55] The Ballade of Sexual Dependency/Die Ballade der Sexuellen Hörigkeit [2:37] Bilbao Song [5:04] Pirate Jenny/Seeräuber Jenny [4:34] Bertolt Brecht, lyrics Marianne Faithfull, voice Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Dennis Russell Davies Recorded at Konzerthaus, Vienna on 5 June, 1997 and at Großer Sendesaal, Radiokulturhaus, Vienna on 9 February, 1998. DDD BMG CLASSICS 82876 60872 2 [50:46] [PG]

This album crosses boundaries and can easily be recommended to fans of rock sensibilities, jazz tonalities or musical theatre and operetta. ... see Full Review

Jaromír WEINBERGER (1896-1967) Švanda dudák (Schwanda the Bagpiper), Opera in Two Acts (1927) [134:07] Matjaz Robavs (Švanda, baritone), Tatiana Monogarova (Dorota, soprano), Ivan Choupenitch (Babinský, tenor), Larisa Kostyuk (the Queen, mezzo-soprano), Alexander Meliga (the Magician, the Devil, bass), Nicholas Sharratt (the Judge, tenor), Pavel Kozel (the Executioner, Hell’s Captain, baritone), Sean Ruane (the Devil’s Servant, tenor), Vicenç Esteve (First Mercenary Soldier, tenor), Richard Weigold (Second Mercenary Soldier, bass) Wexford Festival Opera Chorus National Philharmonic Orchestra of Belarus/Julian Reynolds Recorded 24th, 27th and 30th October 2003 at the Theatre Royal, Wexford, Ireland. NAXOS 8.660146-7 [65:36 + 68:31] [CH]

A warm recommendation to an invigorating and touching work which deserves a place in the catalogue and maybe in the theatre too. ... see Full Review

Zarzuela! José Carreras / Teresa Berganza English Chamber Orchestra/Enrique García Asensio; Antoni Ros Marbà rec. London, EMI Abbey Road, 1975-77. Engineer: Robert Gooch. Producer: Antonio Armet BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92380 [3 CDs: 56:32 + 59:09 + 58:49 = 2hrs 55min] [CW]

This Brilliant box easily lives up to its name. At the giveaway price, nobody should hesitate for a moment. ... 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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