 UNEASY
LISTENING - A caricature guide to
20th century composers
by John Minnion 109pp
Paperback ISBN 0-9544499 1 6 [RB]
This
is wonderfully well done as a book of
illustrations. It tells us something
of the psychology of the composer in
each case and does so wittily and not
without taking a few dangerous corners.
... see Full
Review
Eric
Charles Blake
Wars, Dictators and the Gramophone 1898-1945
pp320;
illustrated; laminated cover.published
by Sessions of York, Huntingdon Rd,
York YO31 9HS, England Buy
from MusicWeb £10 plus
postage - immediate delivery
review
JANUARY
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto no.2 in B flat
op.19 [28:11], Piano Concerto no.3
in c op.37 [35:43] 
Martha Argerich (piano) Mahler Chamber
Orchestra/Claudio Abbado Recorded
live at the Teatro Communale di Ferrara,
2/2000 (no.2), 2/2004 (no.3)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5026
[64:00] [CH]
A
CD which shows that there can be a
point in recording these repertoire
works again; surely one of the Beethoven
discs of the 21st century
which will still be listened to in
the 22nd. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH 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]
[RB]
Make
no mistake the Coleridge-Taylor is
a vivacious and captivating work which
I guarantee that you will come to
love. The Somervell will instantly
appeal to all lovers of the Brahms
and of the British pastoral idyll
filtered through the German romantic
idiom ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
Turangalîla Symphony
(1946-8) [76:59]
Yvonne Loriod (piano); Jeanne Loriod
(ondes martenot); Toronto Symphony
Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa Recorded December
1967 ADD
BMG RCA RED SEAL CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876
59418 2 [76:59] [JQ]
Right
now I can’t think of a better way
to experience this work than through
this full-blooded yet sensitive reading
... see
Full Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Concerto no.17 in G major K
453 Piano Concerto no. 21 in C major
K467
Ewa Pobłocka (piano) Leopoldinum
(Wrocław Chamber Orchestra)/Jan
Stanieda rec. 29-30 April 1995, Bydgoszcz
Philharmonic Concert Hall, Poland.
DDD
CD ACCORD ACD 093-2 [56:22] [GPJ]
These
performances made me aware that in
Mozart’s concertos we have some of
the greatest treasures, not just of
music, but of the whole of Western
civilisation. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH We
Want The Light With
Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim,
Evgeny Kissin, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak
Perlman, and Pinchas Zuckerman. the
Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne,
the Cologne Opera Chorus, the Cologne
Cathedral Children's Choir plus three
camp survivors: Anita Lasker-Wallfisch,
Jacques Stroumsa and Alice Sommer
Herz and others.
Directed and written by Christopher
Nupen. All regions DVD 2004 Allegro
Films/ Christopher Nupen Films  BBC/OPUS
ARTE OA CN0909 D [330:00] [AO]
The
interviews with musicians who survived
the concentration camps are remarkable.
They support the view that music resonates
with something fundamental in the
human soul, and cannot, ultimately,
be hijacked for evil purposes ...
see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE
MONTH
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH The
Great Composers Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
CD1: Brandenburg Concerto No.
4, BWV1049 [15.13] Consort of
London/Robert Haydon Clark Jesu
meine Freude, from Cantata
No. 147 [3.11] Holland Boys’ Choir,
Netherlands Bach Collegium/Pieter
Jan Leusink Toccata and Fugue in
D minor, BWV656 [8.54] Hans Fagius
(organ) Orchestral Suite No. 3,
BWV 1068 [21.35] Consort of London/Robert
Haydon Clark Motet: Lobet den Herrn,
BWV230 [6.13] Ensemble Vocal de
Lausanne/Michel Corboz Italian
Concerto: Allegro, BWV971 [4.08]
Pieter Jan Belder (harpsichord) Schlummet
Ein: bass aria from Cantata
No. 82 [9.24] Bas Ramselaar (bass),
Netherlands Bach Collegium/Pieter
Jan Leusink CD2: Violin
Concerto in E major, BWV1042 [17.19]
Emma Verhey (violin), Camerata Antonio
Lucio Siciliano, from Flute Sonata
in E flat, BWV1032 [2.12] Stephen
Preston (flute), Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord)
St Matthew Passion: Opening Chorus
[6.54] Choir of King’s College,
Cambridge, Brandenburg Consort/Stephen
Cleobury Concert for oboe d’amore
in A major, BWV1055 Rob Visser,
Amsterdam Bach Soloists Eine Feste
Burg: opening chorus from Cantata
No. 80 [5.18] Holland Boys’ Choir,
Netherlands Bach Collegium/Pieter
Jan Leusink Preludio: Partita for
solo violin in E major, BWV1006 Mark
Lubotsky Aus Liebe: soprano aria
from St Matthew Passion [4.38]
Emma Kirkby, Brandenburg Consort,
Stephen Cleobury Badinerie: Orchestral
Suite No. 2, BWV1067 [1.21] Consort
of London, Robert Haydon Clark Bourrée:
Lute Suite in E minor, BWV996 [1.26]
Bist du bei Mir, BWV508 [2.40]
Johannette Zomer (mezzo soprano),
Pieter Jan Belder (harpsichord) Prelude:
English Suite in E minor, BWV810 Bob
van Asperen (harpsichord) Largo:
Concerto in D minor for 2 violins,
BWV1043 Darius Polack, Kamil Drzygula
(violins), Lodz Chamber Orchestra,
Zdislav Szostak No recording information
listed DVD: The Great Composers:
Johann Sebastian Bach Directed
by Kriss Russmann
BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 92416 [2 CDs: 67.51 +
70.23; DVD: 58.00] [TB]
These
discs will give pleasure and the sequence
works satisfactorily enough. But then
Bach is the most indestructible of
composers. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-76)
Symphony for Cello and Orchestra,
Op. 68 (1963) Suite from Death
in Venice, Op. 88, arr. Steuart
Bedford (1973) Rafael Wallfisch (cello)
English Chamber Orchestra/Steuart
Bedford recorded in St Barnabas Church,
Finchley, London, 26 March 1984, and
All Saints’ Church, Tooting, London,
27 November 1984
CHANDOS 10274 X [61'05"] [PL]
In
a marketplace teeming with good discs
of Britten’s music, positively none
is better than this. ... see Full
Review
 Benjamin
BRITTEN BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH (1913-1976)
Canticle I, op.40 – My Beloved
is Mine [7:11] Canticle II, Op.51
– Abraham and Isaac [16:10] The Heart
of the Matter (rev. Peter Pears, 1983)
[24:56] Canticle III, Op.55 – Still
Falls the Rain [11:31] Canticle IV,
Op.86 – Journey of the Magi [10:50]
Canticle V, Op. 89 – The Death of
Saint Narcissus
Philip Langridge (tenor), Jean
Rigby (contralto), Gerald Finley (baritone),
Derek Lee Ragin (counter-tenor), Dame
Judi Dench (narrator), Steuart Bedford
(piano), Frank Lloyd (horn), Osian
Ellis (harp) Recorded at All Hallows,
Gospel Oak, London, on 19-20, 23-24
March 1996. Narrations recorded at
Floating Earth, on May 16th
1996
NAXOS THE ENGLISH SONG SERIES 8.557202
[66:47] [GPJ]
This
is a very fine recording of some of
the most exquisite vocal music of
the past century, and enshrines the
work of so many fine artists. Impossible
to recommend it too highly. ... see
Full
Review
February
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Mischa
Maisky and Martha Argerich in concert
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Pulcinella
(1920) – Suite italienne (arr.
Stravinsky/Piatigorsky, 1932) [17’36].
Serge PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953)
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 119
(1949) [23’28]. The Stone Flower
(1948) – Waltz (arr. Piatigorsky/Knushevitsky)
[2’16]. Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Sonata
for Cello and Piano, Op. 40 (1934)
[25’40]. 
Mischa Maisky (cello); Martha Argerich
(piano). Rec. Live rec. from Flagey
Hall, Brussels, in April 2003. DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 5323 [72’22]
[CC]
My
disc of the month ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cantatas Ich will den Kreuzstab
gerne tragen BWV 56 [18’08"]
Der Friede sei mit dir BWV 158 [10’18"]
Ich habe genug BWV 82 [21’21"]
Thomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone) Albrecht
Mayer (oboe) Members of the RIAS-Kammerchor
Berliner Barock Solisten/Rainer Küssmaul
(violin) rec. Berlin-Dahlem, Jesus-Christus-Kirche,
Jan 2004. DSD. SACD
 DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 00289 474 5052 GSA [50’05"]
[JQ]
Every
collector of Bach cantata recordings
needs to have this disc in
his or her collection. I recommend
it with the greatest possible enthusiasm.
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony
No 1 in C minor Op.68 (1876) [47:40]
((i) Un poco sostenuto – Allegro [16:15];
(ii) Andante sostenuto [9:19]; (iii)
Un poco allegretto e grazioso [4:48];
(iv) Adagio – Allegro non troppo ma
con brio [17:18]) Tragic Overture
Op.81 (1880) [14:01] Academic Festival
Overture Op. 80 (1880) [10:38]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Marin
Alsop Recorded Watford Colosseum in
January 2004 DDD
NAXOS 8.557428 [72:42] [PCW]
Alsop’s
approach to this work is lyrical and
passionate ... a substantial success
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Aaron
COPLAND (1900
- 1990) Chamber Music of Aaron Copland
Movement for String Quartet (1923)
[5.52] Prelude for Piano Trio (1924)
[4.39] Pieces (2) for Violin and Piano
(1926) [10.09] Vocalise for Flute
and Piano (1928) [4.53] Pieces (2)
for String Quartet (1928) [8.29] Vitebsk
for Piano Trio (1928) [11.55] Sextet
for String Quartet, Clarinet and Piano
(1937 rev.) [14.25] Sonata for Violin
and Piano (1943) [19.14] Quartet for
Piano and Strings (1950) [21.08] Duo
for Flute and Piano (1971) [14.34]
Threnodies (2) for Flute and String
Trio (1971) [7.39] Derek
Bermel, clarinet; Michael Boriskin,
piano; Paul Lustig Dunkel, flute;
Nicholas Kitchen, violin; Wilhelmina
Smith, cello. Borromeo String Quartet:
Nicolas Kitchen, Wil Fedkenheuer,
vv; Mai Motobuchi, vla; Yeesun Kim,
vc., assisted by Jennifer Frautchi,
Curtis Macomber, vv; Hsin-Yun Huang,
Cynthia Phelps, vla. Rec. Dec 2000
- Mar 2003, various locations in New
York and Boston, USA. Notes in English.
Photo of composer and artists. No
timings.*
ARABESQUE Z6794-2 [60.18 + 62.33]
[PSh]
Surprising,
ingenious, and beautiful music from
a composer you thought you knew. ...
see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Piano Concerto (sketches, drafts
and recordings of his Piano Concerto
realised for performance by Robert
Walker) [36:40] (I. (Andante
piacevole) – Nobilmente e semplice
[18:15]; II. Poco Andante con
rubato [6:23]; III. (Solenne
quasi recitativo) – Allegro
ma non troppo – Vivace [12:02])
Suite of Four Edward Elgar Songs
(transcribed for orchestra by Haydn
Wood) [10:37] I. Rondel
[1:28]; II. Queen Mary’s Song
[3:00]; III. The Shepherd’s
Song [2:48]; IV. Like to the
Damask Rose [3:21] Adieu
(orch: Henry
Geehl) [2:38] So
Many True Princesses (orch:
Anthony Payne)
‡ [6:13] Spanish Serenade,
op. 23 ‡ [4:22] The Immortal
Legions (from ‘Pageant of
Empire’) ‡ [4:00] Anthony
COLLINS (1893-1963) Elegy
in Memory of Edward Elgar
[10:00]
David Owen Norris (piano) † BBC Singers
‡ BBC Concert Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones
world premiere recordings (except
Suite of Four Songs, premiere stereo
recordings; Collins). In association
with BBC Radio 3, BBC Concert Orchestra,
Elgar Society Recorded: Studio 1,
Abbey Road, London, 18 and 19 October
2004. DDD
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7148 [74:40]
[RB]
Concerto:
majestic, extremely impressive ...
captured with craggy mastery. Enthusiastically
recommended to Elgarians everywhere.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH 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] [IL]
An
excellent beginning to what promises
to be another memorable Hyperion French
Song collection. 26 Fauré songs
to enchant the ear. ... see
Full Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Complete Sonatas for Keyboard and
Violin, volume 1 Sonata in G major
KV 379 (1781) Sonata in C major KV
6 (1764) Sonata in F major KV 547
(1788) Sonata in B flat major KV 378
(1779)
Gary Cooper (fortepiano) Rachel Podger
(violin) rec. Our Lady St Mary, South
Creake, Norfolk, UK. June 2004. DDD;
SACD
CHANNEL
CLASSICS CCS SA 21804 [77:05]
[MC]
The
astoundingly mature playing ... full
of character in near flawless performances
of works that are packed with high
quality and extraordinary interest.
... see
Full Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Charles
Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924)
String Quartet no.1 in G op.44
(1891) [29:01] String Quartet no.2
in A minor op.45 (1891) [27:03] Fantasy
for Horn and String Quartet* (1922)
[11:47]
RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, with
Stephen Stirling (horn)* Recorded
22nd-24th September
2003 in the Henry Wood Hall, London
HYPERION CDA67434 [68:09] [CH]
Urgently
recommended, and not only to lovers
of British music. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Sir John TAVENER (b.1944)
The Veil of the Temple (2002)
[148’17"]
Patricia Rosario (soprano); Simon
Wall, Nathan Vale (tenors); Thomas
Guthrie, Andrew Rupp (baritones);
Adrian Peacock, Jeremy Birchall (basses)
The Choir of the Temple Church, London;
The Holst Singers Instrumental Ensemble;
Members of English Chamber Orchestra/Stephen
Layton Abridged concert version recorded
live at the première performances
of the complete score in the Temple
Church, London on 27-28 June (overnight),
1 July and 4-5 July (overnight) 2003.
DSD SACD HYBRID
BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876661542 [76’25"
+ 71’52"] [JQ]
This
release is a major event. I cannot
recommend it too highly. ... see Full
Review
 Prometheus:
Musical Variations on a Myth
A film by Christopher
Swann. Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Die
Geschöpfe des Prometheus (1801)
- Introduction, ‘La Tempesta’ [1’55];
No. 1, Poco Adagio - Allegro con
brio [2’59]; No. 9, Adagio
- Allegro molto [3’41]; No. 10,
Pastorale: Allegro [2’56].
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Prometheus,
S99 (1850, rev. 1855) [13’42]. Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Prometheus.
‘Le poème de feu’, Op.
60a (1908-10) [19’26].
Luigi NONO
(1924-1990) Prometeo, Suite
(1992) - Isola seconda, ‘Hölderlin’b
[9’42].
aMartha Argerich (piano);
aBerliner Singakademie;
bSolistenchor Freiburg
(Ingrid Ade-Jesemann, Monika Bair-Ivenz,
Ulrike Krumbiegel, Matthias Schadock)
Berliner Philharmoniker/Claudio Abbado.
PCM Stereo. 4:3. Region Code: 0 Worldwide.
No rec. info.
ARTHAUS 101717 [57’00] [CC]
Argerich
might be the initial pulling power
of this DVD, but as viewing goes on
it becomes clear that as a package
this DVD is fascinating ... something
really special. One of the best DVD
films I have seen so far and one I
will return to often. ... see Full
Review
 Leopold
Stokowski Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony
No. 5 in D minor (1937) [40:51] Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Symphony No. 8 in D minor (1953-5)
[30:15]
London Symphony Orchestra/Leopold
Stokowski Rec. live, Royal Albert
Hall, London, 15 (8) 17 (4) September
1964.
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4165-2 [71:40]
[IL]
A
blisteringly powerful Shostakovich
5 and a zestful RVW 8 make this a
compelling CD that will appeal to
all Stokowski fans and admirers of
both composers. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE
MONTH
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Book
1 BWV 846-869 [122:26]
Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Recorded
July 21st-31st
1970 at the Schloss Klesheim, Salzburg,
Austria
BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 62315 2 [67:51
+ 54:35] [CH]
I
am quite sure that Richter’s overall
achievement will stand as a classic.
... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Joseph CANTELOUBE (1879-1957)
Chants d'Auvergne: La
pastoura als camps; Bailero; Trois
Bourrees; Pastourelle; L'Antoueno;
Deux Bourrees; La delaissado; Passo
pel prat; Lou boussu; Brezairola;
Malurous qu'o uno fenno; Jou l'pount
d'o Mirabel; Oi ayai; Lou coucut;
Quand z'eyro petitoune; La-haut sur
le rocher; Uno jionto postouro; Lo
diziou be
Véronique Gens (sop) Orchestre
Nationale de Lille/Jean-Claude Casadesus
Rec July 2004, Lille, France
NAXOS 8.557491 [62:13] [RB]
A
very good economical version of the
Auvergne songs intelligently sung
and acted and the orchestral role
is given the attention its attractions
clamantly demand. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Scherzo No.1 in B minor, Op.20
Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor, Op.31
Scherzo No.3 in C sharp minor, Op.39
Scherzo No.4 in E major, Op.54 Introduction
and Variations in E major, B14 Variations
in B flat major on Mozart’s ‘là
ci darem la mano’ from Don
Giovanni, Op.2
Nikolai Demidenko (piano) Recorded
5 -6 December 1989 and 29-30 May 1990
at Snape Maltings, Suffolk DDD
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55181 [62’55]
[TH]
There
is a very good case for getting Demidenko’s
intelligently played account ... a
real snip at the Helios budget price.
... see Full
Review
March
RECORDINGS OF THE
MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Luciano
BERIO (1925 –
2003) Naturale (1985)a
[18:40] Chemins II (1967)b
[13:18] Morton
FELDMAN (1926 – 1987) Rothko
Chapel (1971)c [23:12]
The Viola in My Life II (1970)d
[9:46] 
Christophe Desjardins (viola); Jacqueline
Ott (percussion)a; Basler
Madrigalistenc: Collegium
Novum Zürichbcd; Jonathan
Nott (conductor)bcd Recorded:
DRS Radiostudio 1, Zürich, March
2004
AEON AECD 0425 [65:14] [HC]
Desjardins
is a formidable musician. Faultless
technique hand in hand with generous
musicality. A marvellous release ...
see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John
Browne (fl. c. 1490)
Music from the Eton Choirbook Salve
regina I [13:25] Stabat iuxta
[12:25] Stabat mater [15:56]
O Regina mundi clara [13:55]
O Maria salvatoris [15:44]
The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips
Recorded in the Church of Saint Peter
and Saint Paul, Salle, Norfolk, England.
[No date given]
GIMELL CDGIM 036 [71:25] [JF]
Near
perfect music from the late fifteenth
century sung in glorious style. A
most moving and satisfying disc. ...
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
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 8 in E flat
Christine Brewer (soprano); Magna
Peccatrix; Soile Isokoski (soprano)
Una Poenitentiam; Juliane Banse (soprano)
Mater Gloriosa; Birgit Remmert (mezzo-soprano)
Mulier Samaritana; Jane Henschel (mezzo-soprano)
Maria Aegyptiaca; Jon Villars (tenor)
Doctor Marianus; David Wilson-Johnson
(baritone) Pater Ecstaticus; John
Relyea (bass) Pater Profundus City
of Birmingham Symphony Chorus; London
Symphony Chorus; City of Birmingham
Symphony Youth Chorus; Toronto Children’s
Chorus
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sir
Simon Rattle
Recorded live at Symphony Hall, Birmingham:
5, 8, 9 June 2004 DDD
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 57945 2 9 [77’38"]
[JQ][TD]
Superbly
performed by all concerned and expertly
recorded by EMI’s engineers, I recommend
this CD with great enthusiasm. [John
Quinn]
Lean and direct ... intent on clarity
and sense of direction ... an apparent
lack of some grandeur and sense of
occasion. I was not especially moved
or inspired. ... absorbing and different
and very refreshing . [Tony Duggan]
...see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Die Schöne Müllerin (Im
Winter zu lesen: A cycle of poems
by Wilhelm Müller (1794-1827))
Das Wandern; Wohin?;
Halt!; Danksagung an den Bach;
Am Feierabend; Der Neugierige;
Ungeduld; Morgengruβ;
Des Müllers Blumen; Tränenregen;
Mein!; Pause; Mit dem
grünen Lautenbande; Der
Jäger; Eifersucht und
Stolz; Die liebe Farbe;
die böse Farbe; Trockne
Blumen; Der Müller und
der Bach; Des Baches Wiegenlied.
Ian Bostridge (tenor); Mitsuko Uchida
(piano)Recorded December 2003, Lyndhurst
Hall, London. DDD
EMI CLASSICS 5 57827 2 [63'48"]
[AO]
Bostridge's
first die Schöne Müllerin
created a sensation in the song world.
This new version, even more original
and distinctive, confirms that the
cycle will inextricably be linked
with his name ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Music for the Chapel of the Pietà
Concerto for violin, strings and
continuo in F, RV 292 [9:20] Laudate
pueri Dominum (Psalm 112) for
soprano, strings and continuo, RV600
[23:29] Concerto for violin, organ,
strings and continuo in F, RV542 [10:11]
Concerto fatto per la Solennitá
della S.Lingua di S.Antonio in Padova,
1712, for violin, strings and continuo
in D, RV212 [16:12] Salve Regina
(antiphon) for soprano, violin,
strings and continuo, RV617 [8:56]
Concerto for violin, cello, organ,
strings and continuo, RV554a [11:45]
Mhairi Lawson (soprano), Sarah
McMahon (cello solo), Robert Howarth
(organ) La Serenissima/Adrian Chandler
(Director, violin) Recorded at the
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst,
East Sussex, England, 22–24 Nov 2004
AVIE AV2063 [79:58] [GPJ]
Nothing
‘academic’ about the performance of
this music. Exuberant and often full
of élan and humour. ... see
Full
Review
 NEWCOMER
OF THE MONTH Denis
Matsuev -Tribute to Horowitz Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Années
de Pèlerinage, Deuxième
Année, S161 (1849) – Sonata,
‘Après une lecture de Dante’
[16’13]. Mephisto Waltz No. 1,
S514 (1859-60) [11’23]. Hungarian
Rhapsody, S244 No. 2 (1847, cadenza
by Matsuev) [9’12]. Georges
BIZET (1838-1875)/Vladimir
HOROWITZ (1904-1984) Variations
on a Theme from Carmen [3’21].
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)/Grigory
GINZBURG (1904-1962) Fantasy
on a Theme from Il barbiere di
Siviglia [4’17].
Denis Matsuev (piano). Rec. Moscow,
Russia, in October 2003. DDD
BMG RUSSIA RCA RED SEAL 82876 61273
2 [44’25] [CC]
This
is at times staggering virtuosity.
Short measure at under 45 minutes,
perhaps, but there are more notes
here than in most 80 minute CDs ...
see
Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE
MONTH
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH A
L’Estampida - Medieval Dance Music
Danse Real (French
14th c) [2:45]; English
Dance (13th c.) [4:00];
Estampie Real: La Seste (French 13th
c.) [3:27]; Estampie Real: La Quarte
(French 13th c.) [1:57];
Estampie Real: La Septime (French
13th c.) [1:51]; Estampie:
Robertsbridge Codex (English 14th
c) [6:59]; Chomineiamento di Gioia
(Istampitta) (Italian, 14th
c.) [5:20]; Lamento di Tristano (Italian
14th c.) [7:07]; La Rotta
(Italian 14th c) [3:37];
Dança Amaorosa/Troto (Italian
14th c) [5:41]; Salterello
(Italian 14th c.) 2:51];
La Manfredina/La Rotta della Manfredina
(Italian 14th c) [10:59];
Salterello (Italian 14th
c.) [4:25]
The Dufay Collective: Paul Bevan,
whistle, slide trumpet, pipe and tabor,
percussion; Giles Lewin, vielle, repec,
bagpipes, shawm, pipe and tabor; William
Lyons, flute, shawm, recorders, bagpipes,
symphony, pipe and tabor, percussion;
Susanna Pell, vielle and percussion;
Peter Skuce, organ, harp, and percussion;
Raphael Mizraki, oud, vielle, dulcimer,
gittern and percussion Recorded in
June 1991 at St. Michael’s Church
Blackheath, London.
AVIE 0015 [61:05] [KS]
I
can’t imagine any listener being disappointed
in this infectious and delightful
program. ... see
Full Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827)
The Symphonies, Leonore Overture,
No. 1, Op. 138 (1807) Leonore Overture,
No. 2, Op. 72a (1805) Leonore Overture,
No. 3, Op. 72b (1806) Fidelio Overture,
Op. 72c (1814)
Soile Isokoski (soprano); Rosemarie
Lang (alto); Robert Gambill (tenor);
René Pape (bass) Chorus of
the Deutsche Staatsoper, Berlin Staatskapelle
Berlin/Daniel Barenboim. Rec. May
– July 1999, Grosser Sendesaal, Berlin.
DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564-61890-2 [6
CDs: 73.42 + 71.56 + 72.07 + 67.16
+ 67.34 + 76.40] [JPh]
Snap
this up whilst it is still available
at this price or at least until someone
at Warner Classics realizes what they
have done. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Overtures
Coriolan,
Op.62 [8’10] Creatures
of Prometheus, Op.43 [7’15] Ruins
of Athens, Op.113 [5’53] Fidelio,
Op.72 [7’27] Leonore
1, Op.138
[10’17] Leonore
2, Op.72
[13’40] Leonore
3, Op.72
[13’59] Egmont,
Op. 84 [8’13]
Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus
Harnoncourt Recorded ‘live’ (except
Coriolan) in the Stefaniensaal,
Graz, June 1993, in the Musikverein,
Vienna, November 1993 and in the Concert
Hall, Athens, April 1996
WARNER
ELATUS 2564 61779-2 [76’09][TH]
There’s
some great music here, so go and
treat yourself. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
The Nine Symphonies and Helgoland
Symphony No. 1 in C minor
(1866 Linz version, Nowak edition)
[49:44] Helgoland* (1893)
[11:13] Symphony No. 2 in C minor
(1877, Nowak edition as revised
by Bornhöft and Carragan) [62:25]
Symphony No. 3 in D minor (1877
version) [59:36] Symphony No. 4
in E flat (1878/1880 version) [68:23]
Symphony No. 5 in B flat (Original
version, 1878) [72:02] Symphony
No. 6 in A (1881) (Nowak/Haas edition)
[54:45] Symphony No. 7 in E (1883)
[70:40] Symphony No. 8 in C minor
(1890, Haas edition) [77:02] Symphony
No. 9 in D minor (1896) [63:30]
*Male voices of the Rundfunkchor,
Berlin und Ernst Senff-Chor Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim
Rec. Philharmonie, Berlin and Deutsches
Schauspielhaus Berlin (Symphonies
Nos. 5, 7 only), 1990-1997. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61891-2
[9 CDs: 589:20: 60:57 + 62:25 +
59:36 + 68:23 + 72:02 + 54:45 +
70:40 + 77:02 + 63:30][PCW]
Barenboim’s
set is the best value “complete”
Bruckner around at the moment ...
see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Maurice
OHANA (1913 –
1992) Syllabaire pour Phèdre
(1966/7)a Cris (1968/9)b
Messe (1977)c Llanto por
Ignacio Sánchez Mejias (1949/50)d
Cantigas (1953/4)e Signes
(1965)f Livre des prodiges
(1978/9)g Chiffres de clavecin
(1968)h Anneau du Tamarit
(1976)i Sorôn-Ngô
(1969/71)j Sacral d’Ilx
(1975)k Deux pièces
pour clavecin (1982/3)l
Carillons pour les heures du jour
et de la nuit (1960)m
Mady Mesplé (soprano)a;
Hanna Schaer (soprano)c;
Isabel Garcisanz (mezzo-soprano)ce;
Michel Jarry (baritone)d;
José Luis Gómez (speaker)d;
Elisabeth Chojnacka (harpsichord)hklm;
Alain Meunier (cello)i;
Geneviève Joy, Jacqueline Robin
(piano)j; Choeur de l’ORTFabe;
Choeur de Radio Francec;
Ensemble "Ars Nova"adef;
Orchestra National de Francegi;
Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique de
Radio Franceh; Marius Constantaf,
Marcel Couraudbe, Guy Riebelc,
Theodor Guschlbauerd, Stanislaw
Skrowaczewskig, Marc Andraei
Recorded: Various venues, 1967, 1973,
1977, 1981, 1983 and 1987
ERATO 2564 61321-2 [77:45 + 70:25
+ 70:51 + 63:53] [HC]
A
highly personal, sincere and utterly
honest composer who painstakingly
ploughed his furrow regardless of
any current fashion ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Etudes Symphoniques op.13 (including
the 6 supplementary variations) [33:58],
Bunte Blätter op.99 [34:51],
Fantasiestücke op.12: 5. In
der Nacht [04:06], 7. Traumes-Wirren
[02:38]
Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Recorded
September 1971 except op.12, recorded
live at the NHK Hall, Tokyo on 24th
February 1979.
REGIS RRC 1186 [76:35] [CH]
Grab
this! ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Sir
Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998)
A Child of Our Time (1939-41)
Faye Robinson (soprano); Sarah Walker
(mezzo); Jon Garrison (tenor); John
Cheek (bass)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
and Chorus/Sir Michael Tippett Recorded
in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 11-13
October 1991. DDD
NAXOS 8.557570 [69’19"] [JQ]
Doubly
welcome in centenary year. An indispensable
purchase for all admirers of Tippett
and all lovers of the English choral
tradition. At the Naxos price an incredible
bargain. Strongly recommended. ...
see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Teresa
Cahill (soprano)
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Das Rosenband op.36/1 [02:55],
Nichts op.10/2 [01:38], Traum durch
die Dämmerung op.29/1 [02:33],
All mein Gedanken op.21/1 [01:12],
Du meines Herzens Krönelein op.21/3
[02:24], Ach Lieb, ich muss nun scheiden
op.21/3 [02:00], Schlagende Herzen
op.29/2 [02:44], Die Georgine op.10/4
[03:44], Ich liebe dich op.37/2 [02:23],
Meinem Kinde op.37/3 [02:39], Muttertändelei
op.43/2 [02:25], Schön sind,
doch kalt die Himmelssterne op.19/3
[02:26], Ruhe, meine Seele op.27/1
[03:38], Schlechtes Wetter op.69/5
[02:22], Heimkehr op.15/5 [02:17],
Allerseelen op.10/8 [03:32], Die Nacht
op.10/3 [02:59], Cäcilie op.27/2
[02:22] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) In
my Garden op.38/1 [01:52], To her
op.38/2 [02:37], Daisies op.38/3 [02:19],
The Pied Piper op.38/4 [02:45], Dreams
op.38/5 [03:36], The Quest op.38/6
[02:13] Richard
STRAUSS Mein Herz ist stumm
op.19/6 [03:08], Gefunden op.56/1
[02:19], Hat Gesagt, bleibt’s nicht
dabei op.36/3 [02:01], Das Rosenband
op.36/1 [02:54], Nichts op.10/2 [01:34],
Traum durch die Dämmerung op.29/1
[02:45]
Teresa Cahill (soprano); Roger
Vignoles (piano) Recorded 30th
and 31st July at the Church
of St. George the Martyr, London (first
Strauss group), 14th December
1981 at Broadcasting House, London
(remainder)
THE DIVINE ART - DIVERSIONS 24114
[76:11] [CH]
Glorious
singing from an unjustly semi-forgotten
artist. Recommended with great enthusiasm.
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Composition
Féminine - Music composed
for Classical Guitar – from Baroque
to Modern.
Germaine
Tailleferre (1892-1983) Concerto
for Two Guitars and Orchestra (c.
1961) Maria
Luisa Anido (1907
-1996) Prelude pampeano
[3:46]; Melodia de Argentina [1:58];
Aire de vidalita [2:57] Emilia
Giuliani-GuglieLmi
(1813
–c.1840) Variations on a Theme
of Mercadante Op.9 [5:22] Ida
Presti (1924-1967)
Danse Rhythmique (1959)
[4.25] Elisabeth
R. Austin (b.
1938 ) Falcon Fantasy for
guitar and orchestra [5.50] Camilla
de Rossi (?
– c. 1710) Sinfonia for Guitar
– from the Oratorio The Sacrifice
of Abraham [7:20] Chris Bilobram,
guitar Christian Schumann, second
guitar (Tailleferre). Reinhard Wolschina,
piano The Orchestra of the Hochschule
für Musik Franz Liszt rec. Hochschule
für Musik Franz Liszt, 27–29
Sept, 13-18 Oct 2004. QUERSTAND
VKJK 0422 [47.20] [JF]
A
disc full of unheard treasures by
six women composers. Every one of
these works deserves to be in the
repertoire. A gorgeous disc. ... see
Full
Review
APRIL
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sir
Malcolm ARNOLD (b.
1921) A Grand, Grand Festival
Overture, Op. 57* (1956) [7'59]
Peterloo, Overture for Orchestra,
Op. 97 (1967) [10'08"] The
Smoke, Overture for Orchestra, Op.
21 (1948) [7'57"] Tam o'Shanter,
Overture after the Poem of Robert
Burns, Op. 51 (1955) [8'17"]
A Flourish for Orchestra, Op. 112
(1973) [3'25"] The Fair Field,
Op. 110 (1972) [7'17"] A Sussex
Overture, Op. 31 (1951) [9'18"]
Anniversary Overture for orchestra,
Op. 99 (1968) [4'19"] Robert
Kett Overture, Op. 141** (1990)
[7'52"] Beckus the Dandipratt,
Comedy Overture for Full Orchestra,
Op. 5 (1943) [7'57"] 
*Kathy Jones (principal vacuum
cleaner); Helena Miles (sub principal
vacuum cleaner); Chris Hoyle (section
vacuum cleaner); Fiona Macintosh
(principal floor polisher) BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra/Rumon Gamba Recorded in
Studio 7, New Broadcasting House,
Manchester, 20-22 January 2004.
DDD** First recording
CHANDOS CHAN 10293 [75'43"]
[JQ]
Hugely
entertaining music conducted with
incisiveness and flair. A pretty
unmissable disc. I urgently recommend
it. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered Clavier Books
1 and 2 Preludes and Fugues BWV
846-869 1-12
played by Andrei Gavrilov 13-24
played by Joanna McGregor Preludes
and Fugues BWV 870-886 1-12
played by Nikolai Demidenko 13-24
played by Angela Hewitt Recorded
at the New Art Gallery, Walsall,
(Gavrilov), at the Palau Güell,
Barcelona, (McGregor), at the Palazzo
Labia, Venice (Demidenko) and the
Wartburg, Eisenach (Hewitt) all
in February 2000 Directed for TV
by Karen Whiteside (Book 1)
and Peter Mumford (Book 2)
 EUROARTS
2050309 [2 DVDs: 121:00 + 139:00]
[TH]
An
idea simple but quite brilliant
and the results are as engaging
as any I've come across. ... see
Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Michael
HAYDN (1737–1806) Requiem pro
defuncto Archiepiscopo Sigismundo
(Requiem
for Archbishop Siegmund) (1771)
[40.12] Missa
in honorem Sanctae Ursulae (1793) [43.38]
Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Hilary
Summers (alto) James Gilchrist (tenor)
Peter Harvey (bass) Choir of the
King's Consort The King's Consort/Robert
King Recorded at St. Jude on the
Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London,
7-9 May 2004 2 CDs priced as a single
CD
HYPERION
CDA67510 [40.12 + 43.38][RH]
The
Mass is given a satisfyingly spirited
performance, but these discs are
memorable for their fine recording
of Michael Haydn's astonishing
Requiem. One of my records of
the year ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Clara
SCHUMANN (1819-1896)
Piano Concerto in A minor,
Op. 7a (1835) [23'30].
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17b
(1846) [30'24].
Francesco Nicolosi (piano);
bRodolfo Bonucci (violin);
bAndrea Noferini (cello);
aAlma Mahler Sinfonietta/Stefania
Rinaldi. Rec. aSt Marcellino
Church, Naples, Italy on May 25th-26th,
2004, bStudio 52, Naples
Italy, on September 24th,
2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557552 [53'54] [CC]
This
is a superb, important disc that
I for one hope will introduce
new listeners to this important
composer. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony No. 4 in C minor,
Op.43a (1935-6) Composer's arrangement
for Two Pianos
Rustem Hayroudinoff, Colin
Stone (pianos) Rec. Henry Wood
Hall, Glasgow, May 2004. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10296 [59:00]
[PCW]
This
will be compulsory and compulsive
listening for admirers of DSCH
… see
Full Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Parsifal Parsifal: Christopher
Ventris, Kundry: Waltraud Meier,
Gurnemanz: Matti Salminen, Amfortas:
Thomas Hampson, Klingsor: Tom Fox,
Tinturel: Bjarni Thor Kristinsson,
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchestra Berlin,
Festspielchor, Baden-Baden/Kent
Nagano Nikolaus Lenhoff, Stage Director
recorded live, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden,
4th, 6th and
8th August 2004. DVD:
all regions
including film "Parsifal's
Progress" 317 minutes. OPUS
ARTE OA 0915D [3 DVDs: 317:00]
[AO]
Hard
to beat this production for performance
– all singers are specialists in
their prime. It is as a total work,
with a radical understanding of
Wagner’s deepest philosophical ideas,
that this production will become
"immortal". My recommended
pick of the year ... see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813-83)
Tannhäuser (1845) Wolfgang
Windgassen (tenor) Tannhäuser;
Gré Brouwenstijn (soprano)
Elisabeth; Josef Greindl (bass)
Hermann; Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
(baritone) Wolfram von Eschenbach;
Josef Traxel (tenor) Walther von
der Vogelweide; Toni Blankenheim
(bass) Biterolf; Gerhard Stolze
(tenor) Heinrich der Schreiber;
Herta Wilfert (mezzo) Venus; Volker
Horn (treble) Young Shepherd;
Chorus and Orchestra of the
Bayreuth Festival/André Cluytens.
Rec. by Bavarian Radio at the Festspielhaus,
Bayreuth on August 9th,
1955. AAD
ORFEO BAYREUTHER FESTSPIELE LIVE
C643043D [197’49: 68’05 + 70’22
+ 59’28] [CC]
This
is now the best currently available
Tannhäuser by a considerable
margin ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF
THE MONTH
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) St. John Passion,
BWV 245 [124'43"] Friedericke
Sailer (soprano); Marga Höffgen
(alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor/Evangelist);
Franz Kelch (bass/Jesus); Hermann
Werdermann (bass/Petrus, Pilatus)
Recorded: Ilsfeld, Germany, October
1960 Motet: Singet dem Herrn
ein neues Lied, BWV 225
[14'38"] Motet: Der Geist
hilft unser Schwachheit auf,
BWV 226 [8'38"] Motet:
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden,
BWV 230 [7'34"] Recorded:
Schwaigern, Germany, 1968 St.
Matthew Passion, BWV 244
[193'27"] Agnes Giebel (soprano);
Renate Günther (alto); Helmut
Krebs (tenor/Evangelist); Franz
Kelch (bass/Jesus); Hermann Werdermann
(bass) Recorded: Protestant Church,
Weinsberg, Germany, October 1958
Herz und Mund und Tat und
Leben, BWV 147 [36'00"]
Ingeborg Reichelt (soprano); Margarethe
Bence (alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor);
Franz Kelch (bass) Recorded: Protestant
Church, Weinsberg, Germany, March
1957 Christmas Oratorio,
BWV 248 [164'19"] Agnes
Giebel (soprano); Claudia Hellmann
(alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor); Barry
McDaniel (bass) Recorded: Ilsfeld,
Germany, June 1963 Motet: Fürchte
dich nicht, ich bin bei dir,
BWV 228 [10'57"] Motet:
Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229
[9'37"] Recorded: Schwaigern,
Germany, 1968 Motet: O Jesu
Christ, mein's Lebens Licht,
BWV 118 [4'37"] Recorded:
Schwaigern, July, 1966 Mass
in B minor, BWV 232 [127'55"]
Ingeborg Reichelt (soprano I); Elisabeth
Fellner (soprano II); Renate Günther
(alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor); Franz
Kelch (bass) Recorded: Protestant
Church, Weinsberg, Germany, January
1958 Motet: Jesu, meine Freude,
BWV 227 [23'32"] Recorded:
Schwaigern, Germany, 1968 Heinrich
Schütz Choir, Heilbronn Boys'
Choir of the Robert-Mayer-Schule,
Heilbronn (BWV 244) Pforzheim Chamber
Orchestra Heilbronn Instrumental
Ensemble (BWV 227, 228 & 229)
Südwestfunk Orchestra, Baden-Baden
(BWV 147) Conducted by Fritz Werner
WARNER ERATO 2564 61403-2 [10
CDs: 78'26" + 77'07" +
76'27" + 75'37" + 77'23"
+ 58'02" + 53'38" + 76'00"
+ 78' 07" + 73'20" Total
724'07"] [JQ]
I
have enjoyed these recordings enormously
and recommend them with great enthusiasm,
especially at such an advantageous
price. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
LEHÁR (1870–1948) Die
lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow)(1905)
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano)
– Hanna Glawari; Erich Kunz (baritone)
– Count Danilo Danilowitsch; Nicolaï
Gedda (tenor) – Camille de Rosillon;
Emmy Loose (soprano) – Valencienne;
Anton Niessner (baritone) – Baron
Mirko Zeta; Josef Schmidinger (bass)
– Raoul de Saint-Brioche; Otakar
Kraus (baritone) – Vicomte Cascada
Speaking parts: Hella Kurty – Valencienne;
André Mattoni – Vicomte Cascada
Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus/Otto
Ackermann Recorded 16th
– 18th and 21st
April 1953 in Kingsway Hall, London.
First issued on Columbia 33CX 1051
and 1052 Reissue Producer and Audio
Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS 8.111007 [79:06][GF]
Good
sound, excellent playing and glorious
singing. I can't believe anyone
will regret buying it. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Roger
QUILTER (1877-1953)
Complete Folk-Song Arrangements
and Complete Part-Songs for Women’s
Voices
Amanda Pitt (soprano); Joanne Thomas
(mezzo); Philip Langridge (tenor);
David Wilson-Johnson (baritone)
and David Owen Norris (piano) *
Première recordings rec.
Turner Sims Concert Hall, University
of Southampton. 14 and 15 February
and 31 August and 1 September 2004
NAXOS 8.557495 [77:53]
A
memorable collection, sympathetically
performed. With over half the songs
premiere recordings, this is an
album that all Quilter enthusiasts
simply must have. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Alan
RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971)
Symphony no.1 (1950) [24:40]
Symphony no.2 (1959) ‘A Pastoral
Symphony' [19:47] Symphony no.3
(1964) [30:43]
Charlotte Ellett (soprano)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/David
Lloyd-Jones Recorded in the Concert
Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset
UK, January 6th-8th,
2004
NAXOS 8.557480 [75:10] [GPJ]
Meticulously
prepared performances ... I urge
lovers of English music to hurry
out and get this CD .... it makes
fascinating listening ... see Full
Review
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