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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Abendlied - 19th-century Romantic German part-songs and motets Josef RHEINBERGER Abendlied [2’52"] Johannes BRAHMS Warum ist das Licht gegben [9’20"] Felix MENDELSSOHN Sechs Sprüche, Op. 79 [10’59"] Anton BRUCKNER Christus factus est [5’20"]; Ave Maria [3’09"] Johannes BRAHMS Geistliches Lied** [4’52"] Max REGER Drei sechsstimme Chöre, Op. 39 [13’24"] Richard WAGNER An Webers Grabe [4’02"] Hugo WOLF Sechs geistliches Lieder [13’29"] Richard STRAUSS Der Abend* [10’36"] Rodolfus Choir/Ralph Allwood and *Ben Parry ** Tom Wimpenny (organ)
Recorded in Eton College Chapel in December 2002 DDD HERALD HAVPCD 289 [79’40"] [JQ]

A highly recommendable recital, which I enjoyed very much. ... see Full Review

Yasushi AKUTAGAWA (1925-1989) Rapsodia per orchestra (1971) [15:04] Ellora Symphony (1958) [17:24] Trinita Sinfonica (1948) [21:41] New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Takua Yuasa Recorded at the Lower Hutt Town Hall, Wellington, New Zealand, 29-31 January 2002. NAXOS 8.555975 [54:09] [KS]

Thanks be to Naxos for continuing to plumb the mines of interesting and unusual music, and presenting it at their ever-attractive price. Highly recommended. ... see Full Review

  Alfonso X el SABIO (1221-1284) Cantigas de Santa Maria Nawba Ramal al-Maya Bughya (overture) – instrumental [1:06] Cantiga 100: Santa Maria, streta do dia [3:24]Cantiga 406: Ben vennas, Mayo [2:42] Cantiga 370: Loemos muit’a Virgen [3:19] Cantiga 90: Sola fusti, senlleira [3:44] Cantiga 52: Mui gran derait’e – instrumental [1:49] Nawba Gharibat al-Husayn Tushiyas (prelude) – instrumental [2:16] Cantiga 230: Tod’ome deve dar loor [2:17] Cantiga 130: Quen entender quiser [4:57] Cantiga 56: Gran dereit’e [5:13] Nawba Irak al-Ajam Mizan Dari – Sana "Kouli Lmalihti" – instrumental [0:44] Cantiga 320: Santa Maria leva [3:44] Cantiga 200: Santa Maria loel [5:34] Cantiga 417: Nobre don e muy precado [5:14] Nawba Gharibat al-Husayn, Mizan Bacit – Sana "Kad nilto hibbi" – instrumental [1:46] Cantiga 140: A Santa Maria dadas [3:35] Nawba Rasd al-dhil Mizan Koddam – Sana "Allah hoo Yalamo" [1:45] Cantiga 250: Por nos Virgen Madre [2:39] Camerata Meditarranea with Joel Cohen, Abdelkrim Rais Andalusian Orchestra of Fes with Mohammed Briouel APEX WARNER CLASSICS 2564619242 [56.10] [EM]

Both lovers of mediaeval and non-European music will find this coming together of cultures fascinating and appealing. All in all, it is an extremely well-presented, designed and performed disc and I recommend it highly. ... see Full Review

Georges AURIC (1899 – 1983) La Belle et la Bête (1946) Axios Chorus Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Rec. Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, December 1994 NAXOS 8.557707 [62:08] [HC]

A most desirable release recommended to film buffs and anyone with interest in 20th Century French music. Auric was a fine composer, whose music is too little-known ... see Full Review

Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Six Wind Symphonies, T285/3 (publ 1782): No. 1 in E flat [11'07]; No. 2 in B flat [8'40]; No. 3 in E flat [11'52]; No. 4 in B flat [7'18]; No. 5 in E flat [11'03]; No. 6 in B flat [9'18]. Consortium Classicum (Dieter Klöcker, Waldemar Wandel, clarinets; Karl-Otto Hartmann, Eberhard Bischmann, bassoons; Jan Schroeder, Rolf-Jürgen Eisermann, horns; Jürgen Normann, double-bass). Rec. Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen, Germany in 1991. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM GOLD MDG301 0434-2 [60'03] [CC]

These are little gems. Reissuing them has the effect of once more highlighting these marvellous pieces in marvellous performances. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Piano Transcriptions, Volume 5 Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV541 (arr. Goedicke) Prelude in B minor, BWV855a (arr. Siloti) Prelude from Cantata, BWV35 (arr. Siloti) Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BWV539 (arr. Goedicke) Air from Suite No. 3, BWV1068 (arr. Siloti) Adagio from Sonata in F minor, BWV1018 (arr. Siloti) Fugue in C minor, BWV575 (arr. Goedicke) Andante from Sonata in A minor, BWV1003 (arr. Siloti) Passacaglia in C minor, BWV582 (arr. Catoire) [12.54] Siciliano from Sonata in E flat major, BWV1031 (arr. Siloti) Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Dorian), BWV538, arr. Kabalevsky [13.35] Hamish Milne (piano) Rec 3-4 October 2004, Henry Wood Hall, London HYPERION CDA67506 [72.03] [TB]

Hamish Milne again and again reveals his pianistic talents, and his playing also reflects his love of this demanding yet rewarding repertoire. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, BWV 1001-1006 (1720) [150.00] Julia Fischer, Guadagnini violin, 1750. Recorded, Polyhymnia, Doopsgezinde Singelkerk, Amsterdam, Netherlands, December 2004. DSD Notes in Deutsch, English, Français. Photos of artists. Packaged with PTC 5186 075, Region 0 NTSC 4:3 DVD Including: Julia Fischer, Artist interview and Session Impression [11.50] PENTATONE SACD 5186 072 (PTC 5186 073 + 074) [73.08 + 76.52] [PSh]

One of the finest, maybe the finest, set of these works, with just the merest hint of impatience in a couple of places; excellently recorded. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin (ca. 1720) CD1 [68:43] Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV1001 [16:12] Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV1002 [29:04] Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV1003 [23:28] CD2 [74:17] Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 [29:59] Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV1005 [24:49] Partita No. 3 in E major, BWV1006 [19:30] Jaap Schröder (Baroque violin) Recorded in the village church of Oltingen, Canton of Basel, Switzerland, in 1984-5 NAXOS 8.557563-64 [2:23:00] [PL]

Expert, beautifully pure playing that avoids any kind of excess - it will repay repeated listening. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006 Jaap Schröder, Baroque violin rec. village church of Oltingen, Canton of Basel, Switzerland, 1984-85. DDD NAXOS 8.557563-64 [68:43 + 74:17] [ZT]

Interpretations for all time. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas and Partitas for Violin BWV 1001 - 1006 Sonata No. 1 in G minor BWV 1001 [14.44] Partita No. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 [21.34] Sonata No. 2 in A minor BWV 1003 [21.13] Partita No. 2 in D minor BWV1004 [25.51] Sonata No. 3 in C major BWV1005 [23.43]Partita No. 3 in E major BWV1006 [15.55] Garrett Fischbach (violin) rec. Upper Ridgewood Community Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey, 2002-04 GARRETT FISCHBACH [57.51 + 65.29] [JW]

Whatever Fischbach’s imperatives in these works I’m afraid his decision-making does not convince me; I hope others feel very differently. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Keyboard Concertos: vol. 1 Keyboard Concerto no.1 in D minor BWV 1052 [22:46], Keyboard Concerto no. 7 in G minor BWV 1058 [14:04], Brandenburg Concerto no.5 in D major BWV 1050* [19:59], Triple Concerto in A minor BWV 1044* [20:07] Angela Hewitt (piano), Richard Tognetti (violin)*, Alison Mitchell (flute)* Australian Chamber Orchestra/directed from the violin by Richard Tognetti rec. 4-5, 9 Feb 2005, Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia HYPERION CDA67307 [76:58] [CH]

Playing memorable for its poise, its sense and its sensibility. ... see Full Review

 

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas, Vol. 27 Ein feste Burg, BWV80 (1723) [23.40] Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV5 (1724) [20.51] Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit, BWV115 (1724) [22.44] Suzanne Rydén (soprano), Pascal Bertin (counter tenor), Gerd Turk (tenor), Peter Kooy (bass) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 6-9 September 2003, Kobe Shoin Women’s University Chapel, Japan BIS BIS-CD-1421 [68.18] [TB]

Another volume in Suzuki’s impressive cantatas cycle ... an appealing collection. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St Matthew Passion Christoph Prégardien (tenor), Max van Egmond (bass), Rene Jacobs (alto), Marcus Schafer (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass), David Cordier (alto), John Elwes (tenor), Peter Lika (bass) Tolzer Knabenchoir, La Petite Bande/Gustav Leonhardt Recorded Doopsgezinde Kerke, Haarlem 1989 DDD HARMONIA MUNDI RD77848 [3CDs: 74:40 + 51:10 + 46:32] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St John Passion BWV 245 Christoph Prégardien (tenor), Harry Van Der Kamp (bass), Barbara Schlick (soprano), René Jacobs (alto), Nico van der Meel (tenor), Max van Egmond (bass) Choir and Orchestra of La Petite Bande/Sigiswald Kuijken rec. Vereenigde Doopsgezinde Gemeente, Feb, April 1987 ADD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI GD77041 [59:30 + 62:49] [EM]

If one can get into the conservative and introverted manner there is real depth and spirituality here as well as some lovely touches of animation and superb musicianship ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Mass in B minor BWV 232 (1724-1740) [109.36] 2 CDs Lucia Popp (soprano) Carolyn Watkinson (alto) Eberhard Büchner (tenor) Siegfried Lorenz (baritone) Theo Adam (bass) Rundfunkchor Leipzig Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig/Peter Schreier St Matthew Passion BWV 244 (1727 or 1729) [180.59] 3 CDs Margaret Marshall (soprano) Claes H Ahnsjö (tenor) Hermann Prey (baritone) Christoph Dobmeier (bass) Thomas Hamberger (bass) Anton Scharinger (bass) Chorgemeinschaft Neubeuern Tölzer Knabenchor Bach-Collegium München/Enoch zu Guttenberg St John Passion BWV 245 (1724) [112.34] 2 CDs Inga Nielsen (soprano) Nathalie Stutzmann (alto) Claes H Ahnsjö (tenor) Robert Swenson (tenor) Anton Scharinger (bass) Thomas Quasthoff (bass) Chorgemeinschaft Neubeuern Bach-Collegium München/Enoch zu Guttenberg Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 (1734) [165.03] 3 CDs Arleen Auger (soprano) Annalies Burmeister (alto) Peter Schreier (tenor) Theo Adam (bass) Dresdner Kreuzchor Bachorchester der Dresdner Philharmonie/Martin Flämig Mass in B minor recorded in the Paul-Gerhardt Church, Leipzig, in November 1981 and February 1982 St Matthew Passion recorded in Kloster Church, Alpirsbach, on 20-22 April 1990 St John Passion recorded in Wallfahrts Church, Tading, on 2-7 April 1991 Christmas Oratorio recorded in Lukas Church, Dresden, January 1974 - February 1975 BMG-RCA COMPLETE COLLECTION RED SEAL 82876-55701-2 [10 CDs: 53.33 + 56.01 + 76.58 + 54.26 + 49.35 + 55.53 + 56.41 + 62.26 + 50.46 + 51.51] [CF]

A mixed bag, but this ten-CD box provides an insight into the German way of doing things-Bach since the era of Karl Richter. Each performance has its zenith, but the common denominator is the fine standard of orchestral playing which makes it worth the buying. ... see Full Review

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Violin Concerto, op.14 (1940) [23:35] Cello Concerto, op.22 (1945) [26:09] Piano Concerto, op.38 (1962) [29:00] Kyoko Takezawa (violin), Steven Isserlis (cello), John Browning (piano), Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin Recorded April 24th and December 2nd 1994 (violin and cello concertos), and October 6th-7th 1990 (piano concerto), Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis BMG-RCA CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876-65832-2 [79:19] [GPJ]

Seventy-nine minutes’ worth of pure musical pleasure – at this price, what more could you want? ... see Full Review

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Overture: The School for Scandal, Op. 5 (1932) [8.39] Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24* (1947) [17.08] First Essay, Op. 12 (1937) [8.04] Second Essay, Op. 17 (1942) [10.02] Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (1937) [8.12] Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23 [12.45] *Sylvia McNair (soprano) Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Yoel Levi rec. 4 March 1991 (Knoxville, Second Essay, Adagio); 13 April 1991 (Overture, First Essay, Medea’s Dance), Woodruff Memorial Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia TELARC CD-80250 [65.29] [TB]

A well produced and beautifully performed disc ... see Full Review

Stephen BARLOW (b.1954) The Rainbow Bear (1998-99) Words by Michael Morpurgo (b.1943) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Peter and the Wolf – Symphonic Fairy Tale Op.67 (1936) Joanna Lumley (narrator) English Northern Philharmonia/Stephen Barlow Recorded at Leeds Town Hall, July 1999 SANCTUARY CD RSN 3041 [66.58] [JS]

Unmistakable Englishness; shades of Bliss’s and plenty of radiance richly redolent of VW and a touch of Wagner. Other influences include Strauss (in track 21) and more than a hint of John Barry ... see Full Review

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz73 (Op 19, 1926) [32:52] Dance Suite, Sz77 (1923) [17:33] Hungarian Pictures, Sz97 (1931) [11:47] Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop Recorded 19/20 July 2004 at the Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, England SACD NAXOS 6.110088 [62:12] [PL]

Naxos will sell thousands of this disc, whatever the reviews say but if you want guaranteed freedom from disappointment try the Solti/LSO ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Symphonies CD2 [75:27] CD1 [54:05] CD2 [75:27] CD3 [73:37] CD4 [60:34] CD5 [72:34] Symphony No 1 in C major, Op 21 (1800) [23:47] Symphony No 2 in D major, Op 36 (1802) [29:34] CD2 [75:27]
Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Op 55 ‘Eroica’ (1804) [45:09] Symphony No.4 in B flat major, Op.60 (1806) [30:00] CD3 [73:37] Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 (1807) [33:18] Symphony No 6 in F major, Op 68 ‘Pastoral’ (1808) [39:56] CD4 [60:34] Symphony No 7 in A major, Op 92 (1812) [37:26] Symphony No 8 in F major, Op 93 (1812) [23:00] CD5 [72:34] Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 ‘Choral’ (1824) [59:36 - see review] Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Birgit Remmert (alto), Steve Davislim (tenor), Detlef Roth (bass) Schweizer Kammerchor/Fritz Näf Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman, recorded in the Zurich Tonhalle, Switzerland, 25-26 March 1997 (Nos 5/6), 16-17 December 1997 (Nos 7/8), May 1998 (Nos 3/4), 12/14 December 1998 (No 9), 15-16 December 1998 (Nos 1/2) ARTE NOVA 74321 65410-2 (complete set) [5 CDs: 54:05 + 75:27 + 73:37 + 60:34 + 72:34] [PL]

Zinman is Beethoven: I can pay him no greater compliment. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No 2 in D major, Op. 36 (1801-2) [32’16"] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1877) [39’46"] Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Mariss Jansons rec. live, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 27-28 October 2004. DSD RCO LIVE RCD 05002 [71’50"] [JQ]

One of the finest orchestral CDs to have come my way for a very long time. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Concerto in D Op.61 (1806) [44.43] Romance No.2 in F Op.50 (c.1798) [9.07] Oscar Shumsky (violin) Philharmonia Orchestra/Andrew Davis Recorded London, 1988 SANCTUARY RESONANCE CD RSN 3032 [53.53] [JW]

Add this to the roster of outstanding performances the work’s received over the last twenty years. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47, ‘Kreutzer’ (1803) [31’01].Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 (1888) [19’40]César FRANCK (1822-1890)Violin Sonata in A (1886) [25’08] Jascha Heifetz (violin) Benno Moiseiwitsch, William Kapell, Artur Rubinstein (piano) Rec. Abbey Road Studio No. 3, London, on May 14th-15th, 1951, April 3rd, 1937 and RCA Studios, Hollywood, on November 29th-30th, 1950. ADD From RCA Victor LM-1193, LM-71, HMV DB3206-08. NAXOS HISTORICAL GREAT VIOLINISTS 8.110990 [75’49] [LB]

Mark Obert-Thorn and Naxos have to be congratulated for adding another valuable and historic recording to the collection of the music lover. ... see Full Review

Ofer BEN-AMOTS (b. 1955) Hashkivenu – Song of the Angels (1994) BBC Singers/Kenneth Kiesler, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (organ) Recorded at St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London, June 2001 Celestial Dialogues (1994) Alberto Mizrahi – Cantor, David Krakauer - Clarinet Barcelona Symphony Orchestra/Karl-Anton Rickenbacher Recorded Sala Sinfonica dei Aurditori, Barcelona, June 2001 Shtetl Songs (1985-6) Soprano - Re’ut Ben-Ze’ev, Piano – John Musto Recorded at the Lefrak Concert Hall/Colden Arts Centre, Flushing, NY, December 2001 Psalm 81 (1989) Permonik Children’s Choir, Radka Petraskova, soloist with percussion played by Petr Hladik and Rostislav Mikelka/Eva Seinerova Recorded in Karvina, Czech Republic, 1998 NAXOS 8.559421 [71.41] [GH]

At the end of listening to this CD a few times I feel delighted to have made the acquaintance of Ofer Ben-Amots and can only suggest that you might feel the same way. ... see Full Review

Heinrich Ignaz BIBER (1644-1704) Balletti and Sonatas for Trumpets and Strings Clemencic Consort/René Clemencic Recorded at W A R Studios, Vienna, May 2004 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 515 [69.28] [JW]

If you don’t seek a complete traversal of these works then this selection is well judged and very effective. ... see Full Review

William BOLCOM (b. 1938) Songs of Innocence and Experience (William Blake) (1956-1982) Christine Brewer; Measha Brueggergosman; Ilana Davidson; Carmen Pelton (sop) Joan Morris (mezzo) Marietta Simpson (alto) Thomas Young (ten) Nathan Lee Graham (speaker/vocals) Tommy Morgan (harmonica) Peter 'Madcat' Ruth (harmonica and vocals) Jeremy Kittel (fiddle) Michigan State University Children's Choir University of Michigan University Choir and Orpheus Singers University Musical Society Choral Union University of Michigan Chamber Choir University of Michigan Contemporary Directions Ensemble University Musical Society University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor, Michigan/Leonard Slatkin rec. live concert, 8 April 2004, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. USA. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559216-18 [3 CDs: 51:29 + 43:00 + 42:42][RB]

All credit to Naxos and everyone concerned for their benevolent opportunism in capturing this major work at a rare live concert. ... see Full Review

August BOURNONVILLE (1805-1879) Music to the Bournonville Ballets Sylfiden / La Sylphide (1836) [69:10] Romantic ballet in two acts by August Bournonville. Music composed by Herman Severin Løvenskiold (1815-1870) Solo violin: Lars Bjørnkjær Recorded: October 2002 and September/October 2004 Napoli eller Fiskeren og hans brud/ - Napoli, or the Fisherman and his Bride (1842) [101:41] Romantic ballet in three acts. Music: H.S. Paulli (1810-1891) and Edvard Helsted (1816-1900) (Acts One and Three), Niels W. Gade (1817-1890) (Act Two) and H.C. LUMBYE (1810-1874) Finale: galop Solo violin: Signe Madsen Solo trumpet: Lars Ole Schmidt Recorded: May and June 2004 H.C. LumBYe (1810-1874) Polka Militaire (1842) [2:50] Recorded: October 2004 La Ventana (1842) [20:04] Ballet divertissement in two scenes. Music composed and arranged by H.C. Lumbye (1810-1874) and V. C. Holm (1820-1886) Recorded: August 2003 Conservatoriet eller Et Avisfrieri/ Le Conservatoire, or a Newspaper Courtship from 1808 (1849) [62:59] Vaudeville ballet in two acts. Music arranged and composed by H.S. Paulli. (1810-1891) Kermessen i Brügge eller De tre Gaver / The Kermesse in Bruges, or The Three Gifts. (1851) [75:04] Romantic ballet in three acts. Music composed and arranged by H.S. Paulli (1810-1891) Solo violin: Christian Gottschalck Solo Cello: Søren Møhl Recorded: September 2000 Et Folkesagn / A Folk Tale (1854) [98:24] Ballet in three acts. Music composed by Niels W. Gade (1817-1890) and J.P.E. Hartmann (1805-1900) Solo violin: Lars Bjørnkjær Recorded: June and September 2004 Blomsterfesten i Genzano / The Flower Festival in Genzano (1858) [9:04] Originally a ballet in one act. Music by Edvard Helsted (1816-1900) and H.S. Paulli (1810-1891) Solo violin: Lars Bjørnkjær Recorded: October 2004 Fjernt fra Danmark eller Et Costumebal ombord / Far from Denmark, or a Costume Ball aboard Ship (1860) [66:53] Vaudeville ballet in two acts. Music partly by Joseph GLÆSER (1835-1891) with passages by A.F. Lincke (1819-1874) and H.C. Lumbye (1810-1874) Solo Piano: David Strong Recorded: June 2003 Livjægerne på Amager (Episode fra 1808) / The King’s Volunteers on Amager (Episode from 1808) (1871) [48:36] Vaudeville ballet in one act. Music arranged and composed by V.C. Holm (1820-1886) Recorded: June 2002 V.C. Holm (1820-1886) Jockey dansen fra: Fra Siberien til Moskau (1871) [2:47] Recorded: October 2004 Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Peter Ernst Lassen
rec. Aalborg Denmark 2002-2004 DANACORD DACOCD 631-639 [9 CDs: 69:10 + 66:58 + 57:40 + 75:04 + 60:23 + 57:05 + 66:53 + 51:23] [total: 9:17:32] [JF]

A massive recording project of ballet music made famous by August Bournonville. More of an archive project than everyday listening, but a tremendous contribution to musical scholarship. ... see Full Review

William BOYCE (1711-1779) Eight Symphonies Op.2 (1760) [60.57] Arcadia Ensemble/Kevin Mallon Recorded at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, June 2003 NAXOS 8.557278 [60.57] [JW]

I have to say I prefer Hogwood. ... see Full Review

Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) America - An Epic Rhapsody (1926) [50:03] Suite Hébraîque (1950) [12:40] Lučnica Chorus/Elena MatúVsová Slovak Radio SO/Dalia Atlas Hagai Shaham (violin) Atlas Camerata Orchestra/Dalia Atlas rec. Concert Hall, Slovak Radio, Bratislava, 26-31 March 2001; Haifa Israel, 11 July 2001. DDD NAXOS 8.557151 [62:43] [RB]

A surefire winner for Bloch specialists ... good peformances ... I greatly liked Shaham's sturdy singing tone. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833 - 1897) 21 Hungarian Dances – complete [51’47"] Orchestrated: Brahms: Nos. 1, 3, 10; Hallen: No. 2; Juon: No.4; Parlow: Nos. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18; Schmelling: No. 7; Schollum: Nos. 8, 9; Dvořák – Nos. 17, 19, 20, 21 Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Kurt Masur. rec. Paul Gerhardt Kirche, Leipzig, Germany, September 1981. DDD ELOQUENCE 476 2797 [51.47] [JPh]

Masur having the full measure of the character of these dances. The orchestra has no shortcomings whatsoever in their execution. ... see Full Review

Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972) Comedy Overture – The Jolly Miller (1962) [4.42] Violin Concerto in C major (1934-35) [35.37] Symphony No.18 (1961) [14.26] Marat Bisengaliev (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Lionel Friend Recorded in Studio 1, BBC Broadcasting House, Scotland, January 1993 NAXOS 8.557775 [54.45] [JW]

A warm welcome to this bargain price reissue. Bisengaliev proves a remarkable interpreter, bringing intimacy and daemonic control, warmly and sensitively accompanied. No caveats. ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) The Turn of the Screw Mark Padmore (Quint), Lisa Milne (The Governess), Catrin Wyn Davies (Miss Jessel), Diana Montague (Mrs Grose), Nicholas Kirby Johnson (Miles), Caroline Wise (Flora) City of London Sinfonia/Richard Hickox BBC WALES PRODUCTION 2005 OPUS ARTE OA 0907 D [116:37] [EM]

Singing, acting and production of the highest standard ... desire for a darker, more disquieting and supernatural version has me hesitating to wholeheartedly recommend this. ... see Full Review


Dave BRUBECK (b. 1920) Songs
John De Haan, Tenor Jane Giering-De Haan, Soprano Dave Brubeck and Cliff Jackson, piano Recorded at the Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, Frost School of Music from 9th-11th January, 2004 NAXOS 8.559220 [61:02] DDD [PG]

This album can certainly be recommended. There are some truly beautiful moments ... see Full Review

Ferrucio BUSONI (1866-1924) Lustspiel-Overtüre, Op. 38 (1897, rev; 1904) [6’28]; Indianische Fantasie, Op. 44a (1913/14) [23’24]; Indianisches Tagebuch, Book II – Gesang vom Reigen der Geister, Op. 47 (Elegie No. 4) (1915) [7’17]; Die Brautwahl, Op. 45 (1912) – Suite [27’19] aNelson Goerner (piano) BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Neeme Järvi. Rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester on March 24th-25th, 2004. DDD CHANDOS CHAN10302 [64’34] [CC]

A great success all round … A simply superb disc. ... 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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