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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

French Piano Quartets Alexis de CASTILLON (1838-1873) Piano Quartet in G minor Op. 7 (1869) [29:16] Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Piano Quartet in B flat major Op. 41 (1875) [28:30] Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Piano Quartet in A major Op. 30 (1898) [37:20] Guillaume LEKEU (1870-1894) Piano Quartet in B minor (unfinished) (1894) [14:18] Quatuor Kandinsky: Claire Désert (piano); Philippe Aïche (violin); Nicolas Bône (viola); Nadine Pierre (cello) rec. Laon, France, 1993 (Castillon; Saint-Saëns); Théâtre de Poissy, France, 18-20 Aug 1992 (Chausson; Lekeu). DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 4 82061 2 1 [57:51 + 51:43] [RB]

A sultry recording of surgingly romantic music given the hot-blooded approach ... if you want four nineteenth century French piano quartets you need look no further. ... see Full Review

Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème de l’amour et de la mer, Op. 19 (1882) [25’26"] Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) La péri (poème pour orchestra) (1912) [19’09"] Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Les nuits d’été, Op. 7 (1834) [28’35"] Elsa Maurus (mezzo-soprano) Orchestre National de Lille-Région Nord/Pas de Calais/Jean-Claude Casadesus Rec. Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle, Lille, France, 26-28 February 2003 DDD NAXOS 8.557274 [73’21"] [JQ]

Attractive and well done and presented in good sound. Will give much pleasure and represents excellent value. ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Reminiscences Grande Valse Brillante in E flat major, Op.18, Grande Valse Brillante in A flat major, Op.34 No.1, Valse in A flat major, Op.69 No.1, Valse in E flat major, Op.Posth., Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op.66, Nocturne in B major, Op.62 No.1, Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op.Posth., Nocturne in D flat major, Op.27 No.2, Nocturne in E flat major, Op.9 No.2, Polonaise in A flat major, Op.53 ‘Heroic’ , Mazurka in A flat major, Op.24 No.3, Mazurka in F major, Op.68 No.3, Mazurka in B flat minor, Op.24 No.4, Mazurka in B flat major, Op.17 No.1, Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor, Op.31 Artur Pizarro (piano) Recorded at Potton Hall, Suffolk, 17-24 June, 2004 LINN CKD 248 [79’02] [TH]

It depends on whether you’re a fan of Pizarro, or his personal selection, but if you are you will be treated to a gorgeous piano sound ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-49) Préludes, Op. 28a (1836-38) [45'31]; Etudesb - Op. 10 (1829-32) [31'59]; Op. 25 (1832-36) [33'23]; Piano Sonata No; 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35c (1839) [27'04]; aAlfredo Perl, bFreddy Kempf, cAngela Hewitt (pianos). Rec. aHopetoun House, Edinburgh on April 1st-4th, 2003, bChâ teau de Neuville, Gambais on February 19th-22nd, 2003, cWimbledon Theatre, London, on September 1st-4th, 2003. BBC/OPUS ARTE OA0893D [135'00] [CC]

Although I may have certain reservations, there is little doubt that this is, in sheer production terms, the best classical DVD I have seen so far. Much here to enjoy. ... see Full Review

Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875–1912) Violin Concerto in G minor Op. 80 (1912) [31'55] (1 Allegro maestoso — Vivace — Allegro molto [11'39] 2 Andante semplice — Andantino [8'28] 3 Allegro molto — Moderato [11'41]) Arthur SOMERVELL (1863–1937) Violin Concerto in G minor (1930) [32'59] (First Recording) (1 Allegro moderato e con grazia [18'21] 2 Adagio [6'44] 3 Allegro giocoso [7'47]) Anthony Marwood (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins rec. 24-25 Feb 2004, Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh. DDD The Romantic Violin Concerto – 5 HYPERION CDA67420 [65:03] [JQ]

Anyone opting for an all-English programme is unlikely to be disappointed with this Hyperion CD, which I’m happy to recommend warmly. ... see Full Review

Aaron COPLAND (1900 - 1990) Fanfare for the Common Man (1944) [3.18] Rodeo: Concert Suite (1942) [18.16] Appalachian Spring: (Suite) (1945) [22.19] Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Louis Lane Recorded at 50kHz 2.0 stereo in Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis, Missouri, 28 March 1981. Paul HINDEMITH (1895 - 1963) Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria Weber (1943) [20.13] Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Robert Shaw Recorded at 50kHz 2.0 stereo in Woodruff Symphony Hall, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 18 November 1980. CD tracks resampled to 44.1kHz 2.0 stereo utilising the DSD system. Notes in English. Hybrid SACD playable on all cd players. TELARC SACD 60648 [64.38] [PSh]

Brilliantly recorded virtuoso performances of colourful orchestral works. To my taste one of the very finest recordings, performance and sound, ever released by Telarc. ... see Full Review

François COUPERIN (1668–1733) Magnificat (before 1702) [11.43] Leçons de Ténèbres (1713-1717) [46.49] Theatre of Early Music: Robin Blaze (counter-tenor); Daniel Taylor (counter-tenor); Jonathan Manson (viola da gamba); Laurence Cummings (organ) Recorded November 2003, St. Silas Church, London BIS CD-1346 [59.20][RH]

Music-making of a high order ... see Full Review

Henry COWELL (1897-1965) Instrumental, Chamber and Vocal Music - Vol. 1 Piano Pieces [15:07] : Deep Colour; The Fairy Answer; Fabric; Tiger Joel Sachs (piano) Quartet for flute, oboe, cello and harpsichord [10:51] Three Anti-Modernist Songs [6:55] Ellen Lang (mezzo soprano) Suite for violin and piano [11:03] Polyphonica, for small orchestra (1930) [3:48] Irish Suite, for string piano and small orchestra (1925) [16:39] Continuum/Cheryl Seltzer; Joel Sachs Rec. American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York in April 1990 DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559192 [65:46]
Henry COWELL (1897-1965) Instrumental, Chamber and Vocal Music - Vol. 2
Homage to Iran (1957) [14:50]Mark Steinberg (Violin), Joel Sachs (Persian Drum), Cheryl Seltzer (piano) Piece for piano with strings (1924) [3:34] ; Vestiges [6:55] ; Euphoria (1929) [0:59] What's This (1915) [0:35] Elegie (1941) [5:16] The Banshee (1925) [2:05] Cheryl Seltzer (piano)Two Songs - Poems of Catherine Riegger [4:23] Raymond Murcell (baritone), Cheryl Seltzer (piano) Six Casual Developments (1933) [7:43] David Krakauer (clarinet), Cheryl Seltzer (piano)Set of Five (1952) [16:32]
Marilyn Dubow (Violin), Gordon Gottlieb (Percussion), Joel Sachs (Piano)Rec. Cooper Union, New York in 1984 and American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York in 1992 DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559193 [59:44] [PCW]

Excellent presentation and recorded sound, a varied and worthwhile programme at bargain price, need I say more? … see Full Review

Marc-André DALBAVIE (b. 1961) Color (2001) [21:28] Violin Concerto (1996) [24:05] Ciaccona (2002) [19’28] Eiichi Chijiiwa (violin) Orchestre de Paris/Christoph Eschenbach Rec. live Théâtre du Chatelet, Paris, March 2001 (Color), Théâtre Mogador, Paris, Jan.2004 (Ciaccona) and Cité de la musique, Paris, Nov. 2003 (Concerto) NAÏVE MO 782162 [64’21][TH]

These works really need the concert hall for full effect even though the performances and recording appear to be first rate. Interesting rather than earth-shatteringly original. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Préludes, Book I [41:15], Préludes, Book II [40:18] Duncan Gifford (piano) Recorded 5th and 6th September 1994 at the Eugene Goossens Hall of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Ultimo Centre, Sydney ABC CLASSICS 476 290-0 [41:15 + 40:18] [CH]

Some sensitive playing but not the whole story. ... see Full Review


Karl Ditters von DITTERSDORF (1739-1799) String quartet No. 1 in D major [14:08] String quartet No. 3 in G major [18:29] String quartet No. 4 in C major [15:52] String quartet No. 5 in E flat [15:57] Sharon Quartet Recorded in February 1995 in Maastricht, Belgium VMS/ZAPPEL MUSIC VMS 156 [61:21] [MC]

The VMS label are to be congratulated for providing this fascinating release of four of Vienna-born Karl Dittersdorf’s string quartets.... see Full Review

Ernő DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960) Serenade in C major for String Trio, Op.10 (1902) Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) String Trio, Op.45 (1946) Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) String Trio No.2 (1934) The Leopold String Trio Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London, December 2003 HYPERION CDA67429 [55’49] [TH]

The ingenuity displayed by the composers is stimulating to experience, and they really could not have better advocates. ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Elvida. Melodramma in one act. Libretto by Giovanni Schmidt. First performed at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, July 26th 1826
Amur, head of a tribe of Moors, Pietro Spagnoli (bass); Zeidar, his son, Jennifer Larmore (mezzo); Elvida, a noble Castilian maiden, Annick Massis (sop); Alfonso, a Castilian prince, Bruce Ford (ten); Zulma, Amur's slave, Anne-Marie Gibbons (mezzo); Ramiro, an officer of Alfonso, Ashley Catling (ten) Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonello Allemandi Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London, March 2004 OPERA RARA OR29 [65.47] [RJF]

I strongly recommend all lovers of the composer’s music and the bel canto genre to add it to their collections... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Francesca di Foix Melodramma giocoso in one act. Libretto by Domenico Gilardoni. First performed at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples on 30 May 1831 Il Re, The King, in the flower of' his life, Pietro Spagnoli (bass-bar); Il Conte, The Count, Alfonso Antoniozzi (bass); La Contessa, The Countess, Francesca di Foix, Annick Massis (sop); Il Duca, The Duke, Bruce Ford (ten); Il Paggio, Edmondo the page, Jennifer Larmore (mezzo) Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonello Allemandi Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London, March 2004 OPERA RARA ORC28 [76.42] [RJF]

All lovers of Donizetti’s operas, and of the bel canto genre, will want to add this well packaged and presented performance to their collection. ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor - opera seria in three acts Libretto by Salvatore Cammerano based on the novel ‘The Bride of Lammermoor’ by Sir Walter Scott. First produced at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples on 26th September 1835. Lucia, Maria Callas (sop); Edgardo, Giuseppe Di Stefano (ten); Enrico, Tito Gobbi (bar); Raimondo, Raffaele Arie (bass); Arturo, Valiano Natali (ten); Alisa, Anna Maria Canali (mez); Normanno, Gino Sam (ten) Chorus and Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Tullio Serafin Recorded 29th and 30th January and 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th February 1953 in the Teatro Comunale, Florence plus Appendices. Reissue Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL - GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS 8.11031-32 [69.01 + 78.28] .[RH]

Don’t hesitate: £10 invested in this set is money wisely invested in one of the major documents of singing in the 20th century. ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Rosmonda D'lnghilterra - Opera seria in two acts. Libretto by Felice Romani. First performed at the Teatro della Pergola, Florence, on February 27th 1834 Enrico II, King of England, Bruce Ford (ten); Leonora di Guienna wife of Enrico II, Nelly Miricioiu (sop); Rosmonda, Enrico's mistress and daughter of Clifford, Renée Fleming (sop); Gualtiero Clifford, former tutor of the king, Alastair Miles (bass); Arturo, Enrico’s page, Diana Montague (mezzo) Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/David Parry Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London. July 1994 OPERA RARA ORC13 [77.55 + 72.39] [RJF]

Illuminates in a manner too rarely achieved. To have this performance on record is a privilege with the guarantee of rich enjoyment. ... see Full Review

Henri DUTILLEUX (b. 1916) Sur le mê me accorda (2002) [8'59]; Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz112b (1937/8) [38'24]; Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Violin Concero in Dc (1931) [21'11] Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin); aOrchestre National de France/Kurt Masur; bBoston Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa; aPhilharmonia Orchestra/Paul Sacher. rec. aLive, Thé â tre des Champs Elysé es, Paris, Nov 2003, Symphony Hall, bBoston, Feb 1991, cWalthamstow Assembly Hall, London, Feb 1988. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 5376 [68'46] [CC]

Do hear the Dutilleux ... there really is no excuse not to buy this magnificent testament of a major violinist's dedication to the music of our time. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony No.9 From the New World Op.95 (1893) [39.17] Carnival Overture Op.92 (1891) [8.53] Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884)
The Bartered Bride – Overture (1866) [6.32] Jaromír WEINBERGER (1896-1967) Schwanda the Bagpiper – Polka and Fugue (1927) [9.18] Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded at Orchestra Hall, 1955-57 RCA RED SEAL LIVING STEREO SUPER AUDIO CD 82876 66376 2 [64.09] [JW]

Ebullient and powerful and the finale sweeping but not overdone - and with tremendous inner rhythm. ... see Full Review

Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Concerto for Violoncello in B minor, Op. 104 (1894-5) [42.41] Jacqueline du Pré ('cello) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Groves rec. Royal Albert Hall, 25 July 1969 Jacques IBERT (1890-1962) Concerto for Violoncello and Wind Instruments (1925) [12.12] Jacqueline du Pré ('cello) Michael Krein Orchestra/Michael Krein rec. BBC Studios, London, 12 February 1962 BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4156-2 [54.53][SFV]

This issue, at long last, supplies an acceptable performance of the Dvořák concerto to du Pré's commercial discography ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Biblical Songs Op.99 (1894) [24.21] In Folk Tone Op.73 (1886) [10.32] Gypsy Songs Op.55 (1880) [24.20] Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Five Evening Songs (1879) [7.53] Jaro Lásky [Privní písnĕ, No.1] (1846) [2.02] Barbara Ulricca Theler (soprano) Bruno Canio (piano) Recorded in the Tonstudio van Geest in Sandhausen, Heidelberg, March 2004 CLAVES 50-2411 [58.56][JW]

The Swiss soprano is really too fresh and open air for some of these songs ... see Full Review

Ludovico EINAUDI Eden Roc: I Giorni: Le Onde: Stanze: Ludovico Einaudi, piano (Eden Roc, I Giorni, Le Onde), Cecilia Chailly, harp (Stanze), Djivan Gasparian, duduk (Eden Roc), Quartetto David – Mauro Loguericio, Gabriele Baffero, Antonello Leofreddi, Marco Decimo (Eden Roc), Ricky Maja, guitar (Eden Roc), Franco Feruglio, double bass (Eden Roc) Rec. Piccolo Teatre Studio, Milan 1999 (Eden Roc); Villa Giulini, Briosco, October 2001 (I Giorni); Villa Giulini, Briosco in June 1996 (Le Onde); Studi Mondial Sound, Milan, Iltaly in March 1990 (Stanze) BMG RECORDS 82876660722[64.38, 60.24, 58.53, 55.47] [EM]

Extremely simple, unpretentious and unaffected, this is very easy listening that requires no intellect or sense of musical appreciation. ... see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) The Complete Songs – Volume 1 Les Matelots; Seule!; Chanson du pêcheur; Barcarolle; Tarantelle; Au bord de l’eau Les berceaux; Au cimetière; Larmes; Cinq melodies "de venise"; Pleurs d’or; Accompagnement; La fleur qui va sur l’eau; Mirages; C’est la paix; L’horizon chimérique. Felicity Lott (soprano); Jennifer Smith (soprano); Geraldine McGreevy (soprano); Stella Doufexis (soprano); John Mark Ainsley (tenor); Christopher Maltman (baritone); Stephen Varcoe (baritone); Graham Johnson (piano)
Recorded 2002-2004 HYPERION CDA67333 [68:47] [KS]

No lover of song should be without this one. Highly recommended. ... see Full Review

George GERSHWIN (1898 - 1937) Rhapsody in Blue (1924) [16.17] Pasquale Cardilo, clarinet Recorded 13 May 1959 Piano Concerto in F (1925) [28.53] Earl Wild, piano Recorded 17 May 1961 An American in Paris (1928) [16.37] Recorded 14 May 1959 Variations on I Got Rhythm (1933) [7.59] Cuban Overture (1932) [9.20] Recorded 18 May 1961 Boston "Pops" Orchestra/Arthur Fiedler Recorded in 3.0 Stereo. Remastered in the DSD System by Soundmirror, Inc. Notes in English. Technical notes in Deutsch and Français. ADD Hybrid SACD playable on all CD players BMG-RCA 828766 1393-2 [79.22] [PSh]

Exciting, authentic, virtuoso performances ... It is probably not possible for this to sound any better. No matter what other recordings of this music you have in your collection, you must have this one, too. ... see Full Review

Philip GLASS (b. 1937) Symphony No. 2 (1994) [43:14] Symphony No. 3 (1995) [23:54] Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop Recorded: The Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, July 2003 NAXOS 8.559202 [67:07] [HC]

Now, we know what a minimalist symphony can be. ... see Full Review

Aleksandr GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Raymonda - Ballet in three acts (1897) Libretto by Lydia Pashkova and Marius Petipa Revised choreography by Yuri Grigorovich based on the choreography by Marius Petipa and Aleksandr Gorsky Raymonda ... Natalya Bessmertnova Jean de Brienne ...Yuri Vasyuchenko Abderakhman ... Gedminas Taranda Countess Sybille ... Elena Bobrova Clemence ... Maria Bilova Henriette ... Olga Suvorova The Bolshoi Ballet The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra/Algis Zhuraitis Recorded at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow in 1989 ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD VIDEO 100719 [125:00][I&GL]

A not altogether impressive Bolshoi production but it certainly has its moments but then there is that glorious Glazunov music. ... see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714 - 1787) Iphigénie en Aulide (highlights) (1774) [74.16] Agamemnon – Jose van Dam (baritone) Clytemnestra – Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano) Iphigénie – Lynne Dawson (soprano) Achille – John Aler (tenor) Patrocle – Bernard Deletre (bass) Calchas – Gilles Cachemaille (bass) Une Femme grècque – Ann Monoyios Une Femme grècque – Isabelle Echenbrenner Une esclave – Ann Monoyios Monteverdi Choir Lyon Opera Orchestra/John Eliot Gardiner WARNER APEX 2564 61507-2 [74.16] [RH]

This remains the main contender for recommendation for this opera. ... see Full Review

Handel’s Messias i Storkyrkan George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1739) Messiah (1741) [116.13] Christina Högman (soprano) Kristin Hammarström (alto) Lynton Atkinson (tenor) Stefan Dahlberg (tenor) Karl-Magnus Fredriksson (bass) Petteri Salomaa (bass) Storkyrkans kör (Storkyrkan Choir) Orchestra from Swedish Radio Symphonics/Gustav Sjökvist Recorded at Live concerts in Storkyrkan, Stockholm 3-14 December 1997 NOSAG CD 2027 [51.45 + 64.28] [RH]

An entirely creditable performance ... with such a strong choral contribution and a fine, modern instrumental accompaniment ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Keyboard Concertos – D, Hob.XVIII/11 (1770) [16’22]; F, Hob.XVIII/3 (1771) [19’06]; D, Hob. XVIII/2 (1755?) [21’10]; G, Hob.XVIII/4 (c1770?) [18’06]. Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) Concerto Copenhagen/Lars Ulrik Mortensen (continuo). Rec. Garnisonskirken, Copenhagen, Denmark in October 2003. DDD BIS CD-1318 [75’54] [CC]

Seventy-six minutes of pure delight. Recommended. ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Symphony No. 92 in G The Oxford Hob: I:92 (1789) [23.50] Symphony No. 94 in G The Surprise Hob. I:94 (1791) [22.17] La fedelta premiata Hob. XXVIII:10 (1780) [4.44] Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra/Adam Fischer. Rec. live in the Stefaniensaal, Graz, September 21st and 22nd, 2004. DDD MDG 901 1325-6 [51’12"] [JPh]

As you may probably be aware from this review, this disc has given me immense enjoyment. I cannot recommend it highly enough. ... see Full Review

Steve HEITZEG (b. 1959) Voice of the Everglades (2000) A Tribute to Marjory Stoneman Douglas Words from The Everglades: River of Glass and Voice of the River by Marjory Stoneman Douglas Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra/Joel Eric Suben Clyde Butcher, narrator Recorded Olomouc, 2002 STONE CIRCLE MUSIC SCM03 [17:00] [JL]

This short, musically accessible work for orchestra, recorded nature sounds and narrator is dedicated to the cause of preserving Florida’s Everglades. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Planets, Op. 32 (1916) [50’57]; A Somerset Rhapsody Op. 21 (1906) [10’35] Colin MATTHEWS (b. 1946) Pluto, the Renewer (1999-2000) [5’52]. The Cambridge Singers; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Owain Arwel Hughes. Rec. Watford Coliseum on April 26th-27th, 2004. DDD WARNER APEX 2564 61991-2 [68’54][CC]

Despite some nicer moments it is difficult to recommend this Planets unless it is this particular pairing you are searching for. ... see Full Review

Arthur HONEGGER (1892 - 1955) Les Miserables (complete film score) (1934) [59:00] Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Recorded Concert Hall, Slovak Radio, Bratislava, 2-5 July 1989 NAXOS 8.557486 [59.00] [RH]

Koechlin: ‘one of the best film scores hitherto created’. We can now explore in detail one of Honegger’s major scores in the film genre. ... see Full Review

Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretela (1890-93) Elisabeth Grümmer (mezzo) Hansel; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) Gretel; Else Schürhoff (mezzo) The Witch; Maria von Ilosvay (mezzo) Mother; Josef Metternich (baritone) Father; Anny Felbermayer (soprano) Sandman, Dew Fairy; Loughton High School for Girls Choir; Bancroft School Choir Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan. Hänsel und Gretel extracts: Suse, liebe Suse, was raschelt im Strohb; Brüderchen, komm tanz’ mit mirb (sung in Italian); Ral la la … heissa Mutter, ich bin da! (Besenbinderlied)c; Ein Männlein steht im Walded; Der kleine Sandmann bin ichd; Abends, will ich schlafen gehnd; Hurr hopp hopp hoppe; Juchhei! Nun ist die Hexe tot (Witch Waltz)f. bConchita Supervía (mezzo); bInes Maria Ferraris, dElisabeth Schumann, fMeta Seinemeyer (sopranos); fHelen Jung (mezzo); cGerhard Hüsch (baritone); borchestra/A. Albergoni; cefBerlin State Opera Orchestra/cHanns Udo Müller, efFrieder Weissmann; dErnest Lush (piano) Synopsis included. From aColumbia 33CX1096/97, Fonotipia b120166, cHMV EH1024, dDA1439, efOdeon O-7796. . Rec. aKingsway Hall, London, on June 27th, 29th-30th and July 1st-2nd, 1953, bMilan in 1928, Berlin in cJanuary 1937, efFebruary 15th, 1929, dAbbey Road Studio No. 3, London, on August 28th, 1935. ADD NAXOS GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS 8.110897/8 [127’21: 62’45 + 64’36] [JW]

A classic 1953 recording augmented by some pre-War jewels; if I slightly prefer EMI’s recording quality I wouldn’t happily forego the pleasure of those fill-ups ... see Full Review

John IRELAND (1879-1962) Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor (1908/9) [27'58] Berceuse (1902) [3'20] Cavatina (1904) [2'18] Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor (1915-1917) [25'19] Bagatelle (1911) [2'32] The Holy Boy (1913, arranged 1919) [3'15] Paul Barritt (violin) Catherine Edwards (piano) Recorded on 14–16 December 1995, location unspecified HELIOS CDH55164 [65.04] [JW]

Not a first recommendation ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-4 (1902-1916): First Sonata for Violin and Piano [22:44], Second Sonata for Violin and Piano [14:15], Third Sonata for Violin and Piano [30:06], Fourth Sonata for Violin and Piano, "Children’s Day at the Camp Meeting" [9:42]. Curt Thompson (violin), Rodney Waters (piano). Recorded 8-10 January 1998 (First and Fourth Sonatas), 26-27 May (Second Sonata), 16-18 December (Third Sonata) at Duncan Recital Hall, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, Houston, Texas. DDD NAXOS 8.559119 [76:47] [BH]

Not music that rewards timid performers. Both artists hurl themselves into Ives’ compelling sound-world ... Terrific work ... Highly, highly recommended. ... see Full Review

Pierre JALBERT (b.1967) Chamber Music Trio for violin, cello and piano (1998) [15'37] Kenneth Goldsmith (violin) Norman Fischer (cello) Jeanne Kierman (piano) Toccata for piano solo (2001) [5'07] Pierre Jalbert (piano) Transcendental Windows for 12 players and conductor. (2000) [12'43] Kenneth Goldsmith and Yen-Ping Lai (violins); James Dunham (viola); Norman Fischer (cello); Paul Ellison (double bass); Leone Buyse (flute); Kathleen Young (oboe); Michael Webster (clarinet); William Ver Meulen (horn); Jeffrey Robinson (bassoon); Paula Page (harp); Richard Brown (percussion); Larry Rachleff (conductor)
String Quartet (1995) [23'16] Maia Quartet Visual Abstract for 6 players and conductor (2002) [10'23] Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble No recording details GASPARO GSCD 361 [67.48] [JW]
You can purchase this recording from MusicWeb for £10 post-free World-wide

Delightful and evocative ... see Full Review


Emmerich KÁLMÁN (1882-1953)
Die Csárdásfürstin (1915) [85.19] Sylva Varesco ... Yvonne Kenny (soprano) Edwin Ronald ... Michael Roider (tenor) Countess Stasi ... Mojca Erdmann (soprano) Count Boni ... Marco Kathol (tenor) Feri von Kerekes ... Karl-Michael Ebner (tenor) General Rohnsdorff ... Hellmuth Klumpp (speaker) The Prince ... Heinz Holecek (baritone) The Princess ... Yvonne Kálmán (speaker) Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Chorus/Richard Bonynge Recorded 9-17 December 2002, Slovak Radio Concert Hall, Bratislava Orchestral selections: Dorfkinder; Vive le Roi (Der Zigeunerprimds) Hollaho (Die Fascingsfee) Lockend soll ertönen Dir ((Das Höllandweibchen) Grand Palotás de la eine (Der Teufels reiter) Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Richard Bonynge Recorded 22-23 September 2003, Slovak Radio Concert Hall, Bratislava SACD/CD hybrid format NAXOS 6.110075-6 [56.20 + 57.17] [TB]

A succession of appealing and vivacious numbers, though there is room for sentimentality too. ... see Full Review

Giya KANCHELI (b.1935) In L’istesso tempo Time…and again, for violin and piano (1996) [25’33] V & V, for violin, taped voice and strings (1994) [12’35] Piano Quartet in l’istesso tempo (1997) [26’05] Gidon Kremer (violin) Oleg Maisenberg (piano) The Bridge Ensemble Kremerata Baltica/Gidon Kremer Recorded at Festeburgkirche, Frankfurt, Dec.2000 (Time…and again) and June 1999 (Piano Quartet), Pfarrkirche St.Nikolaus, Lockenhaus, July 2003 (V&V) ECM NEW MUSIC 4618182 [64’40] [TH]

Performances absolutely dedicated to the cause; recording wonderfully warm and atmospheric .... sounds emerging from absolute silence. ... see Full Review

Stale KLEIBERG (b. 1958) Requiem for the victims of Nazi persecution (2004) (1. Requiem aeternam [6:20]; 2. Dies irae [6:37]; 3. The Yellow Triangle: Jews [6:24]; 4. Kyrie [3:29]; 5. The Brown Triangle: Gypsies [4:18]; 6. Agnus Dei [3:27]; 7. The Pink Triangle: Homosexuals [5:56]; 8. Psalm 13 [7:14]; 9. Libera Me [3:23]; 10. In paradisum [2:40]) Catherine King (mezzo); Jason Ayoub (horn) (3); Noemi Kiss (sop) (5); Christian Hilz (bar) (7) The Choirs of Washington National Cathedral Washington National Cathedral Chamber Orchestra/Michael McCarthy Rec. Washington Cathedral, 2004 SIMAX CLASSICS PSC 1257 [49:28] [SA]

Extremely effective in putting over the horror and poignancy of the events ... well played and sung ... A work that deserves to be heard ... see Full Review

Giorgio KOUKL (b.1953) Chamber Music Musica per pianoforte e quartetto d'archi [12'19"] Klaidi Sahatci and Hans Liviabella (violins); Ivan Vukcevic (viola); Taisuke Yamashita (cello); Giorgio Koukl (piano) Piccola rapsodia per flauto e arpa [10'20"] Bruno Grossi (flute); Anna Loro (harp) Il messaggero per pianoforte [8'02"] Giorgio Koukl (piano) Contest trio per violino, violoncello e pianoforte [8'54"] Klaidi Sahatci (violin); Taisuke Yamashita (cello); Giorgio Koukl (piano) Liturgia di San Giovanni Chrisostomo [19'44"] John Duxbury (tenor) James Loomis (bass) Chorus of Swiss Radio/Giorgio Koukl No recording details; via Swiss Radio recordings GASPARO GSCD 362 [59.36] [JW]

A versatile, warm composer with strong affiliations with the clarity and precision of the French schools and the more rugged piety of the Eastern Church. ... see Full Review
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Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) Gitanjali-Hymner (Efter Tagore) (BVN 149; 1918) * 1. Din Musiks Glands (The light of thy music) [02:41] 2. Himlen sukker (The sky groans) [02:52] 3. Den fjerne Sang (The far-away song) [02:48] 4. Sejlfærd (Sailing) [02:01] 5. Sommerhvisken (Summer whisper) [03:32] 6. Himmel-Ensomhed (Sky Solitude) [04:03] 7. Den hvileløse Vind (The restless wind) [02:23] 8. Tavshedens Hav (The sea of silence) [04:38] 9. Regnfulde Blade (Rainy leaves) [02:03] 10. Gyldne Strømme (Golden streams) [03:06] Fantasi-Sonate (BVN 121; 1916) * 11. Molto agitato e con passione [19:59] Nat paa Sundet (Night on the Sound) (BVN 21; 1907) * 12. Tranquillo [01:15] Hél-Sfærernes Musik (The Music of the Hél-Spheres)(BVN 371; 1948) * 13. Efterhaanden vanvittigt Tempo [01:37] Vanvidsfantasi (Insanity Fantasy) (BVN 327; 1947/1949) [13:47 ] 14. Vanvidsefteraarsnat (Insane autumn night) [03:10] 15. Efteraarsengel (Autumn angel) [05:40] 16. Vanvidsgang (Running mad) [04:57 * world premiere recording Berit Johansen Tange (piano) Instrument: Steinway & Sons model D-274, nr. 566545 Recorded at Mantziusgården, Birkerød on January 12-14 and 26-27 2004 With financial support from Langgaard-Fonden, Dansk Musikerforbund HIO Invest and Juhl-Sørensen DACAPO 8.226025 [66:53] [RB]

Commandingly authoritative playing - Langgaard the tortured soul delighting in melody and romantic era grandeur ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Morten LAURIDSEN (b. 1943) Lux Aeterna (1997) [26.33] Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems (1987) [19.36] Ave Maria (1997) [6’38] Ubi caritas et amor (1999) [6.57]O Magnum Mysterium (1994) [6.40] Polyphony; Britten Sinfonia/Stephen LaytonRecorded the Temple Church, London on 31st July and 1st August 2003. DDD HYPERION CDA67449 [66.45] [JPh]

This Hyperion release is superb and the disc is a must. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. ... see Full Review

Elodie LAUTEN (b. 1951) Waking in New York: Portrait of Allen Ginsberg (ca. 1996) Mark Duer, baritone; Meredith Borden, soprano; Tyler Azelton, soprano; Sherrita Duran, soprano; Grigory Kalinovsky, violin; Jaram Kim, violin; Tania Askins, viola; Andrei Tchekmazov, cello; Rafael Agudelo, contrabass; Ulla Suokko, flute; Bill Ruyle, drums; Mustafa Ahmed, percussion; Elodie Lauten, synthesizer. No recording dates or locations are given. 4TAY CD 4023 [66:32] [KS]

This piece does not work at any level that I can find. Try as I may to be generous and find the good in most pieces, I just do not find much here. Better luck next time. ... see Full Review

Louis James Alfred LEFÉBURE-WÉLY (1817-1869) Pour une Procession de la Fête-Dieu: Antienne Adore et procidamus [1'59] Marche en mi majeur [8'07] Adoro te (alterne) [6'34] Motet Tantum ergo [3'06] Hymne Sacris colemniis (alternée) [6'31] Elevation en la mineur [2'37] Marche en ut majeur [5'29] Pour une Messe du jour de Noel: Noel varié, offertoire pour le jour de Noel [7'12] Sanctus [1'22] Motet O Salutaris [4'28] Pastorale en sol majeur [1'37] Agnus Dei [1'47] Communion en fa majeur [4'55] Domine salvum [1'32] Sortie Missum Redemptorum [2'46] Sortie en sib majeur et Cloches [7'32] Vincent Genvrin, organ, La Lyre Séraphique, Ensemble Vocal L'Accent Grave/Xavier Bisaro, Ensemble Vocal Intermezzo/Claire Marchand, Sylvie de May, soprano, Catherine Ravenne, alto Rec: St Sulpice, Paris, 1995 DDD EDITIONS HORTUS 005 [67'37] [CB]

Care and insight ... hugely enjoyable. A must-have. ... see Full Review


Nicholas LENS (b. 1957) Accacha Cronica (The Accacha Chronicles)
Music drama in three acts CD 1: Part 1: Flamma Flamma (The Fire Requiem) (1994) CD 2: Part 2: Terra Terra (The Aquarius Era) CD 3: Part 3: Amor Aeternus (Hymns of Love) Claron McFadden (Luna-Serena) Derek Lee Ragin, Gary Boyce (Ismail) LeVerne Williams, Claron Mc Fadden, Derek Lee Ragin (Maramnan) Jean-Paul Fauchecourt, Zeger Vandersteene, Ian Honeyman (Stoyce) Henk Lauwers (Cypher) Marcello Rosca, Paul Gerimon (Flammarius/Aquarius) Nadka Karadjova, Antassia Kostova, Kera Damianova, Elka Simeonova, Galya Haralambieva, Nadia Vladimir (The Dragonflies: Lecka and Pecka)
Clara-Lane Lens (The Whisper Kid) Xuewen Gao (Er-Hu) Makiko Goto (Koto) Nicholas Lens (Speaker) Gondwana Chamber Orchestra, Flemish Radio Choir, Le mystère des Voix Bulgares, Angelite, Bulgarian Voices Rec. various locations: Belgium, Bulgaria, South Africa, Morocco DDD BMG CLASSICS 82876 66239 2 [3 CDs: 75:24 + 71:18 + 75:44] [MC]

Extremely lyrical music ... the eclectic range of sounds and influences. Robust integrity and innate fascination with human emotions and with life and death. ... see Full Review

Walter LEIGH (1905 – 1942) Romancea [3:27] Reverie (1922)b [5:10] Music for String Orchestra (1931) [6:06] Sonatina for Viola and Pianoc (1931) [11:02] Trio (1935)d [9:08] Aire [1:12] Three Movements for String Quartet (1930) [4:41] Sonatina for Recorder and Pianof (1939) [7:49] Student String Quartet (1929) [10:58] Locrian Ensemble (Rita Manning, violinb; Patrick Kiernan, violin; Philip Dukes, violac; Justin Pearson, cello; Stacey Wotton, double bass; Anna Noakes, fluted; John Anderson, oboed; Martin Feinstein, recorderef; Sophia Rahman, pianoabcdef) Recorded: Henry Wood Hall, London, January 2004 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7143 [61:10] [HC]

The loveliest disc that I have heard recently ... see Full Review

Ann-Kay LIN (also known as Ho Wai-On) Music is Happiness Sakura Variations (1974 revised 2000) Neil Heyde (cello) and Helena Brown (piano) Four Love Songs in Chinese (1974 revised 2000) Nancy Yuen (soprano) and Philip Edwards (clarinet) Permutation (1996) Joseph Sanders (oboe), Philip Edwards (clarinet), Roger Montgomery (horn), Vivian Choi (piano) directed by Roger Montgomery Tai Chi (1977) Lucy Cartledge (flute) and Nicholas Hooper (guitar) To You (1977 revised 2000) Nancy Yuen (soprano) and Vivian Choi (piano) Farewell, My Beloved (1982) Philip Edwards (clarinet) and Jane Webster (narrator) Bulldozers, Old House and Old Banyan (1990 revised 1999) Rowland Sutherland (flute), Joseph Sanders (oboe), Philip Edwards (clarinet), Roger Montgomery (horn), Glyn Williams (bassoon), Vivian Choi (piano) directed by Roger Montgomery Let’s Sing "Magic Banyan Tree" (2002) Nancy Yuen (soprano), Rowland Sutherland (flute, piccolo, alto flute), Glyn Williams (bassoon), Nathaniel Bartlett (marimba), Teddy Bergstrom (xylophone, vibraphone) Alex Brangwyn (timpani, percussion) and Child Singers/Chorus from Redbridge and Walthamstow directed by Ann-Kay Lin Recorded at Gateway Studio, Kingston and the Royal Academy of Music, 2001 INTERARTES RRCD 1077 [76.14] [JW]

A welcome voice with strong sensibility – melancholic, but only in part but also full of pleasurable generosity and élan. ... see Full Review

Nils LINDBERG (b. 1933) Arrangements of Swedish Folk Tunes from Dalecarlia: Kom min vän (Come my friend) (choir); O Gud, som allt med vishet styr (O God who wisely governs all) (choir); O Gud, som allt med vishet styr (O God who wisely governs all) (organ); Så går en dag än från vår tid (So a day passes from us) (choir); Så går en dag än från vår tid (So a day passes from us) (organ); Befall i Herrens händer (Commit to the hands of the Lord) (choir); Befall i Herrens händer (Commit to the hands of the Lord) (organ); Den signade dag (Oh blessed day) (choir); Den signade dag (Oh blessed day) (organ); Har du din lampa redo (Keep your lamp in readiness) (choir); Har du din lampa redo (Keep your lamp in readiness) (organ); I himmelen, i himmelen (In heaven, in heaven) (organ); I himmelen, i himmelen (In heaven, in heaven) (choir); Mitt farväl jag blandar med kärlekens gråt (My farewell I mix with tears of love) (organ); Jag står på bruderätten min (I maintain my bridal right) (organ); Den signade dag (Oh blessed day) (organ) Uppsala Cathedral Choir/Milke Falck; Andrew Canning (organ) Recorded on March 20th – 23rd 2004 in Järna Kyrka, Dala Järna, Dalecarlia, Sweden PROPRIUS PRSACD 2032 [47:44] [GF]

The choir in a "traditional" national romantic idiom and the organ in a bold "modernistic" style ... refreshing ... I do urge you to try this disc ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) The Complete Works Inspired by Bach: The Transcriptions Fantasia and Fugue in G minor (BWV 542) S.463 [11.06], Six Preludes and Fugues for Pedal Organ, S.462 [54:16] Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded 8th November 2004, 5th January 2005 at the Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge. CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9100-2 [65:50] [CH]

Liszt’s transcriptions are romantically rich and satisfying ... Joyce Hatto has found exactly the right style for the music she is playing. ... see Full Review

Andrew LLOYD WEBBER (b. 1948) The Phantom of the Opera (1986) arr. Crafton Beck 1 The Phantom of the Opera 2 The Music of the Night 3 Think of Me 4 Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again 5 All I Ask of You 6 Angel of Music Sunset Boulevard (1993) arr. Steven Reineke 7 As If We Never Said Goodbye 8 The Greatest Star of All 9 With One Look Cats (1981) arr. Tommy Newsom 10 Memory Jesus Christ Superstar (1971) arr .Crafton Beck 11 I Don't Know How to Love Him 12 Gethsemane ( I Only Want to Say) 13 King Herod's Song Evita (1976) arr. Steven Reineke 14 Don't Cry For Me, Argentina Starlight Express (1984) arr. Steven Reineke 15 Starlight Express Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968) arr. Steven Reineke 16 Any Dream Will Do Cincinnati Pops Orchestra/Erich Kunzel Recorded Cincinnati, June 1995 TELARC CD- 80405 [68:46][JL]

This disc is for those who enjoy sentimental orchestral slush and have no qualms about the destruction of the character of Lloyd Webber’s original hits. ... 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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