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April 2006
215 CD reviews available

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Hoffnung Music Festivals 1956,58,61
2CDs:£17 postage included World-Wide [mono/stereo]
This is a must for all Hoffnung enthusiasts.
Purchase here    see review


Hoffnung - A Last Encore
On 2 CDs lasting 1 hour 45min, this contains all the recordings of Hoffnung preserved in the BBC archives. They include the famous and hilariously funny Bricklayer story. [mono]
£14 postage included world-wide Purchase
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See a new Hoffnung Cartoon every day

New
A New double CD of Gerard Hoffnung from the BBC - full details here
Available for the FIRST TIME
- a DVD of 7 animated Hoffnung cartoons as shown on the BBC in the 1960s in FULL COLOUR plus animated Gilbert and Sullivan Ruddigore. £14.99 Details 
 



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A World without orchestras – computers rampant?
Insidious Decline - Arthur Butterworth fights a rear-guard action
MusicWeb Reviewer’s Log: April 2006 Reviewer: Patrick C Waller
Tony Duggan's Synoptic Survey of the Mahler symphonies:
Mahler symphony No. 3 - revised and updated

Plenty of the plain by A
rthur Butterworth
A Glass of Wine with the Flautist Rachel Smith - John France
AGEING AUDIENCES FOR CONCERT MUSIC by Arthur Butterworth
On Seen and Heard
Michelangelo Drawings: Closer to the Master reviewed by Alex Russell



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CD WALLETS Get rid of those bulky plastic cases and store CDs and booklets in thin plastic wallets. "orange-peel" translucent 70 micron PVC, 70 mm x 70mm with tuck-in flap £5 £3 per 100 wallets plus P&P New improved non-slippery wallets

CONCERT ARTIST MOZART The Complete Piano Sonatas, Fantasy in C minor, K.475 Joyce Hatto plus a free sampler disc. 5 discs for the price of 3 : £37.50 post-free World-wide
Reviews: Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Volume 5

New from Avie here

KUMMER Cello Duets Recorded and sold in support of 'Cellos for Chelsea' - assisting children with cancer.All net proceeds from the sales of this CD will be given to the Cellos for Chelsea project

New from British Music Society: Arnold Cooke Three String Sonatas Premiere recordings

New from Arcodiva
Anthony Collins Sibelius Cycle It is difficult to find this set at the moment so we have made arrangements that you can purchase it through MusicWeb - see review



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Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Zauberflöte, K 620 (Highlights) Pamina, Barbara Hendricks (sop); Tamino, Jerry Hadley (ten); Papageno, Thomas Allen, (bar); Sarastro, Robert Lloyd (bass); Queen of the Night, June Anderson, (sop); Papagena, Ulrike Steinsky, (sop); Speaker, Gottfried Hornik (bar); Monostatos, Helmut Wildhaber (ten) Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland, 13-22 July 1991 TELARC CD-80345 [77.00] [RJF]

A cheap and ideal opportunity to sample insights into Mackerras’s seminal thinking as to the performing practice of Mozart’s operas as would have been heard in the composer’s lifetime. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 19 (1901) (arranged for viola and piano by Vadim Borisovsky) [34.51] Vocalise Op. 34/14 (1912, rev.1915) (arranged for viola/viola and piano by Yuri Zhislin) [06.08] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Sonata for violin and piano in E flat major, Op. 18 (1887) [29.16] Yuri Zhislin (violin/viola) George-Emmanuel Lazaridis (piano) rec. St. Mary’s Church, Walthamstow, London, 28-29 January 2005. DDD SOMMCD 046 [70.37] [MC]

An excellently performed release of highly attractive romantic chamber works. With clear sound and balance ... deserves a warm welcome. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D 960 (1828) [38:15] Klavierstücke, D 946 (1828) [32:20] Oleg Marshev (piano) rec. Symfonien, Aalborg, Denmark, January 2005. DDD DANACORD DACOCD 646 [70:09] [GPu]

A highly competent performance of Schubert’s great sonata – but it falls short of the very best in an extremely competitive field. No fanfares ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Spirit of Nature: songs, cantatas and orchestral works Overture in E major, JS145 (1891) [11:17] Scène de ballet, JS163 (1891) [8:36]; Kullervon valitus from Op.7 for bass and orchestra (1892 rev. 1957) [2:17]*; Serenade, JS168 for baritone and orchestra (1894-5) [5:47]; I natten, Op.38 No.3 for baritone and orchestra (1903) [3:37]*; Impromptu, Op.19 [original* and final versions] for women’s chorus and orchestra (1902, rev 1910) [5:27] [6:57]; Pan and Echo, Op.53 (1906) [4:07]; Höstkvåll, Op.38 No.1 for soprano and string orchestra (1903 arr. 1904) [4:55]*; Hertig Magnus, Op.57 No.6 for soprano and orchestra (1909 arr. 1912) [3:35]*; Luonnotar, Op.70 for soprano and orchestra (1913) [8:50]; Väinön virsi, Op.110 for mixed chorus and orchestra (1926) [8:53] Jyrki Korhonen, (bass); Tommi Hakala, (baritone); Helena Juntunen, (soprano) Dominante Choir, Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä rec. Jan 2004 - Aug 2005, Sibelius Hall, Lahti, Finland. DDD * world premiere recordings Complete Sibelius Edition: Volume 58 BIS-CD-1565 [76:36] [RB]

This disc anthologises the lighter yet masterly Sibelius with the toughest and most awesome ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) The Verdi Recordings (Arturo Toscanini) La Traviata, I Lombardi: Act III Trio, Rigoletto: Act IV, Nabucco (excerpts), Un ballo in maschera, Luisa Miller: Overture & Act II arias, I vespri siciliani: Overture, La forza del destino: Overture, Aida, Imno delle nazioni, Otello, Falstaff, Te Deum: No. 4 Quattro pezzi sacri, Messa da Requiem see review for performer and recording details, NBC Symphony Orchestra/ Arturo Toscanini. Recordings, when not otherwise indicated, at NBC Studio 8-H, New York City BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876-67893-2 [12 CDs: 75:48 + 76:32 + 76:03 + 71:37 + 36:59 + 68:25 + 45:45 + 62:24 + 61:59 + 55:00 + 77:42 + 77:36] [GF]

At the ridiculously low price this box should be an obligatory buy for every opera lover! ... see Full Review

Kurt WEILL (1900-1950) Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera) (1928) Excerpts Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny [Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny] (1930) Alabama Song Denn wie man sich bettet Happy End (1929) Excerpts Surabaya-Johnny Bilbao Song Der Silbersee [The Silver Lake] (1932-33) Songs: Lost in the Stars, Lover Man, J’attends un navire, Complainte de la Seine, Surabaya-Johnny, Denn wie man sicht bettet, Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib?, Wie lange noch? see review for performer & recording details) GOLDEN STARS GSS 5410 [3 CDs: 33.52 + 23.11 + 59.23] [JW]

Much of this, if not all of it, will be familiar from various transfers. The main virtue of this set will be its price. ... see Full Review

Leaving Home: Orchestral Music of the 20th Century – After the Wake. A conducted tour by Sir Simon Rattle with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Includes a bonus film of Stockhausen's Gruppen. PCM Stereo. 4:3. Region Code 0. ARTHAUS MUSIK 102 043 [50'00] [CC]

It is the performance of Gruppen that makes the purchase of the DVD worthwhile ... a refreshingly original issue. ... see Full Review

Loving Shepherd - Hymns sung by the Choirs and Congregation of Blackburn Cathedral Loving Shepherd of thy sheep; Thy hand; O God has guided; Walking in the Garden; O God of earth and altar; Hymn for St. Cecilia; Crown him with many crowns; Holy Spirit; ever dwelling; Eternal Ruler; Praise to the Lord; the Almighty; Loving Father; Hark what a sound; Servant King; Lord for the years; Amazing grace; Steal away; Let all the World; Ye watchers and ye holy ones; Close thine eyes; Peace; perfect peace; Jubilate; Collegium Regale; Make us Holy; How shall I Sing that Majesty; God be in my head; Angel voices. Choirs and Congregation of Blackburn Cathedral/ Richard Tanner, Greg Morris (organ) rec. Blackburn Cathedral, 13-14 Nov 2004; 16-18 June 2005 LAMMAS RECORDS LAMM 180D [71:23] [DRD]

An excellent collection of hymns in well-known and more unfamiliar settings. A winner from start to finish! ... see Full Review

Mist Over The Lake João Guilherme RIPPER (b.1959) Kinderszenen [7.52] Pierre-Max DUBOIS (1930-1995) Ballade Medievale [4.15] Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Conversations [14.14] Patrick STOYANOVICH (b.1962) Seven Short Pieces [9.31] Napoléon COSTE (1805-1883) Three Pieces [11.46] Leone SINIGALIA (1868-1944) Twelve Variations on a Theme by Franz Schubert (c.1894) [8.31] Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) Capriccio [11.23] Jan FREIDLIN (b.1944) Mist over the Lake (1985) [4.00] Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida (oboe) Rhian Kenny (flute) Andrés Cárdenes (violin) Paul Silver (viola) David Premo (cello) Marina diPretoro (piano) James Feria (guitar) No recording details CRYSTAL RECORDS CD729 [72.09] [JW]

One for the questing oboe maven. ... see Full Review

Romantic Violin Sonatas Hakon BØRRESEN (1876-1954) Violin Sonata in A Minor op. 13 (1907) [22:24] Louis GLASS (1864-1936) Violin Sonata in E flat major op. 7 (1888) [27:53] Fini HENRIQUES (1867-1940) Mazurka for violin and piano op. 35 (1911) [5:39] Wiegenlied (c. 1915) [2:55] Arne Balk-Møller (violin) Christina Bjørkøe (piano) rec. Carl Nielsen Academy of Music, Odense, 29-31 March 2000, 22-24 Sept 2004. DDD DACAPO 8.226005 [59:08] [RB]

Three Danish late-romantics treading the path through salon shallows and romantic excess. Lovingly performed and recorded ... see Full Review

 

Thursday

Luigi CHERUBINI (1760 – 1842) Medea (1797) (sung in German) Tomislav Neralic (bass) – Creonte, Re di Corinto; Stina-Britta Melander (soprano) – Glauce, Figlia di Creonte; Ludwig Suthaus (tenor) – Giasone, condottiero degli Argonauti; Inge Borkh (soprano) – Medea, sposa di Giasone; Sieglinde Wagner (mezzo) – Neris, ancella di Medea; Leonore Kirschstein (soprano) – Prima Ancella; Ursula Gust (mezzo) – Seconda Ancella; Roland Kunz (baritone) – Un capo; Anton Metternich (bass) – Un capo delle guardia del Re Orchestra and Chorus of the Berlin State Opera/Vittorio Gui Live recording from the State Opera, 7 October 1958 Bonus Tracks Richard STRAUSS (1864 – 1949) Vier letzte Lieder (1849) Inge Borkh (soprano) Orchestre Symphonique de Vichy/Ferdinand Leitner No venue and recording date given PONTO PO-1010 [70:29 + 73:37] [GF]

Flawed but interesting alternative versions ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Asger Hamerik (1843-1923) Choral-Symphony No. 7 for orchestra, chorus and mezzo Op. 40 (1906) [35:14] Requiem for orchestra, chorus and contralto Op. 34 (1886-7) [43:33] Randi Stene (mezzo) Danish National Choir DR/Saul Zaks Danish National Symphony Orchestra DR/Thomas Dausgaard rec. Danish Radio Concert Hall, 6-7 Sept 2002 (Requiem); 12-15 May 2005 (Symphony 7). DACAPO 8.226033 [78.51] [RB]

Two sensational choral-orchestral works. One of those CDs where you want to play it to friends without telling them beforehand what they will be hearing. Reactions should be fascinating. Deeply impressive. A resounding and sonorous success. ... see Full Review

Tikhon Nikolayevich KHRENNIKOV (b. 1913) Three Symphonies Symphony No. 1 in B flat minor Op. 4 (1933-35) [22:02] Symphony No. 2 in C minor Op. 9 (1940-44) [34:41] Symphony No. 3 in A major Op. 22 (1973) [17:27] USSR State Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov rec. 1973, 1978, Moscow. ADD KAPELMEISTER KAP 008 [74:07] [RB]

Khrennikov's music, drubbed in many quarters, has its bright-eyed virtues. Some of it is sub-Shostakovich but much of it has a noble bearing and is impressively laid out. ... see Full Review

Douglas LILBURN (1915-2001) Complete Piano Music Volumes 1 & 2 Dan Poynton (piano) MORRISON MUSIC TRUST MMT2053 [76:51] MMT 2054 [76:52] [RB]

Not to be missed. Rich pickings for any of the new breed of pianist prepared to reach for the less obvious. They will be rewarded and so will the listener. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Trio No 1 in B flat major, D 898 (?1827/ 1828) [33:52] Notturno in E flat major, D 897 (?1827/1828) [9:52] Suk Trio rec. Prague, 1967. ADD WARNER APEX 2564 60164-2 [43:47] [AtO]

Sublime, Olympian chamber music. The Suk Trio’s Prague Schubert reissued ... see Full Review

Rudi STEPHAN (1887-1915) Music for Violin and Orchestra (1911) [19:56] Music for Orchestra in one movement (1910) [24:30] (premiere recording) Music for Orchestra in one movement (1911) [18:34] Sergey Stadler (violin) Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/ Oleg Caetani rec. Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 8-11 March 2005. DDD CHANDOS SACD CHSA5040 [63:10] [RB]

Opulence, rhapsodic late-romantic impressionism. Discoveries to be made here ... see Full Review

Bernard ZWEERS (1854-1924) Symphony No. 1 in D major (1881) [26:18] Daniël de LANGE (1841-1918) Symphony No. 1 in C minor (1868) [30:45] Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra/Ed Spanjaard (Zweers); Anthony Halstead (de Lange) rec. 4 December 1994, Vredenburg, Utrecht (Zweers); 2 August 2001, Studio MCO, Hilversum (de Lange). DDD Dutch Romantics series World premiere recordings STERLING CDS 1068 [57:11] [RB]

This makes for a fascinating whistle-stop tour of the classical-romantic symphonic voice in the Netherlands. Richly enjoyable. ... see Full Review

The Art of Galina Barinova Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sonata in A minor Arpeggione D821 arranged violin and piano [21.06] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Meditation from Thais Act II arranged Marsick [5.10] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Waltz in A major Op.39 No.15 arranged David Hochstein [2.31] Scherzo from F.A.E Sonata in C minor [5.39] Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Duet in G minor No.2 Ma Vlast (1878) [7.14] J de MONTASTERIO (1836-1903) Sierra Morena [5.00] Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Legend [7.10] Juan MANEN (1883-1971) Turkey in the Straw [2.03] Clarence Cameron WHITE (1880-1960) Nobody Knows The Trouble I Seen – Negro Spiritual [4.22] Tor AULIN (1866-1914) Humoresque Op.12 No.1 [3.49] Gavotte and Musette Op.15 No.4 [4.43] Galina Barinova (violin) with Grigori Singer (piano), Igor Katayev (piano), Alexander Dedyukhin (piano) rec. 1940-60 MELODIYA MEL CD 10 00997 [69.51] [JW]

A specialist acquisition but let’s hope it heralds those big concertos ... see Full Review

Mario Lanza At His Best: Twelve Neapolitan Songs, The Vagabond King selection Mario Lanza (tenor) Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Franco Ferrara (songs) and Constantine Callinicos (Vagabond King) rec. Italy, Nov-Dec 1958 (songs) and July 1959 (Vagabond King) BMG RCA LIVING STEREO 8287671625-2 SACD [79:15] [TH]

The transfers are generally excellent and this release will be welcomed by Lanza’s legion of admirers, many of whom rate the Neapolitan album as one of his finest achievements. ... see Full Review

Rozezni mne láskou… [Touch my Heart-strings] Josef SUK (1874-1935) Píseň lásky Op.7/1 [6.30] Idylky 1 Op.7/4 [1.57] Capriccietto Op.7/6 [1.45] Karel BENDL (1838-1897) Ukolébavka [3.26] Máj [2.21] Intermezzo Op.109b [4.10] Serenáda Op.109c [5.56] Milostná scena Op.109a [5.19] Zdeněk FIBICH (1850-1900) Poème Op.41 IV/14 [1.16] Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Na starém hradě [from Poetic Tone Pictures] Op.85/3 [4.54] Vitěslav NOVÁK (1870-1949) Písně zimních nocí [Songs of Winter Nights] Op.30 [18.03] Tomáš Víšek (piano) Recorded at the Music School in Brandys nad Labem, Czech Republic, July 1999 TOMÁS VÍŠEK TV 0001-1154 [55.44] [JW]

A Czech pianist really inside his repertoire and one who promotes it with warmth and imagination. ... see Full Review

 

 

BOOK REVIEWS

The Mahler Family Letters Edited, translated, and annotated by Stephen McClatchie Published in hardback by OUP (New York, 2006) ISBN 0-19-514065-6

Catherine Parsonage - The Evolution of Jazz in Britain, 1880-1935




Click for MUSICWEB RECORDINGS OF THE YEAR


RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard ARNELL (b. 1917) Symphony no.3 op.40 (1944-45) [62:07] The New Age – Overture op.2 (1939) [9:38] Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Martin Yates rec. Glasgow, 4-5 September 2005 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7161 [72:10] [RB]

The Arnell Third Symphony: a most impressive work of epic symphonic weight, circumstance and moment. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH The American Cello Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Cello Concerto Op. 22 (1946) [26:54] Chen YI (b. 1953) Cello Concerto Eleanor’s Gift (1998/1999) [15:19] Behzad RANJBARAN (b. 1955) Cello Concerto (1998/2000) [29:49] Paul Tobias (cello) Virginia Symphony Orchestra/JoAnn Falletta rec. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk, VA, USA, 26 Jan 2001 (Ranjbaran); 15-16 Feb 2003 (Chen Yi, Barber). DDD world premiere recordings: Chen Yi and Behzad Ranjbaran ALBANY RECORDS TROY648 [72:08] [RB]

Three American cello concertos in contrasting styles. The Chen Yi is in a tough idiom contrasting with the frank romanticism of the Barber and the grace and optimistic favour of the Ranjbaran ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartets (complete) (1798-1827) The Borodin Quartet Volume 1: String Quartet Opp. 59 No. 1 (1806) [39.57] and No. 3 (1806) [32.58] CHANDOS CHAN 10178 [72.59] Volume 2: String Quartet Op. 59 No. 2 (1806) [44.50] and Op. 74 (1809) [33.26] CHANDOS CHAN 10191 [78.30] Volume 3: String Quartets Op. 95 (1810) [22.18], Op. 131 (1826) [38.01] and Op. 133 (1826) [16.52] CHANDOS CHAN 10268 [77.24] Volume 4: String Quartets Op. 127 (1824) [37.22], Op. 130 (1826) [42.11] CHANDOS CHAN 10292 [79.39] Volume 5: String Quartet No. 15 Op. 132 (1825) [46.13], String Quartet No. 16 Op. 135 (1826) [26.24] CHANDOS CHAN 10304 [72.48] Volume 6: Quartets 1 - 6, Op. 18 (1798 - 1801) [31.44] No. 2 [24.01] No. 3 [26.12] No. 4 [24.41] No. 5 [32.14] No. 6 [28.03] CHANDOS CHAN 10381(3) [55.58 + 51.06 + 60.30] Borodin Quartet (2005): Ruben Aharonian (violin); Andre Abramenkov (violin); Igor Naidin (viola); Valentin Berlinsky (cello) rec. Small Hall, and Great Hall, Conservatory, Moscow, Russia, 2003 - 2006. Notes in English, Deutsch, Français. [PSh]

For my money the best set of Beethoven quartets ever produced. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Mauro GIULIANI (1781-1829) Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, No. 1 in A major op.30 (1808) [30:18] Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, No. 2 in A major op. 36 (1812) [29:26] Edoardo Catemario (guitar) Wiener Akademie/Martin Haselböck. rec. November 2002, Hofburg Chapel, Vienna. ARTS 47688-2 [60:02][GPu]

A vivid recording of delightful music, played on period instruments, ... thoroughly charming and in its unassuming way rather beautiful ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Asger Hamerik (1843-1923) Choral-Symphony No. 7 for orchestra, chorus and mezzo Op. 40 (1906) [35:14] Requiem for orchestra, chorus and contralto Op. 34 (1886-7) [43:33] Randi Stene (mezzo) Danish National Choir DR/Saul Zaks Danish National Symphony Orchestra DR/Thomas Dausgaard rec. Danish Radio Concert Hall, 6-7 Sept 2002 (Requiem); 12-15 May 2005 (Symphony 7). DACAPO 8.226033 [78.51] [RB]

Two sensational choral-orchestral works. One of those CDs where you want to play it to friends without telling them beforehand what they will be hearing. Reactions should be fascinating. Deeply impressive. A resounding and sonorous success. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (original piano versions) Der Schildwache Nachtlied [6:13] Revelge* [7:08] Rheinlegendchen [3:26] Wer hat dies Liedlein erdacht? [2:10] Verlorne Müh’! [7:11] Trost im Unglück [2:21] Lob des hohen Verstands [2:59] Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt [4:14] Lied des Verfolgten im Turn [4:26] Der Tambourg’sell [6:31] Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen [8:13] Das irdische Leben [2:51] Das himmlische Leben* [8:25] Urlicht* [5:19] “Es sungen drei Engel einen süssen Gesang”* [4:22] Thomas Hampson (baritone); Geoffrey Parsons (piano) rec. Teldec Studio, Berlin, November 1991, June 1993.DDD *World première recording WARNER CLASSICS 9031 74726-2 [73:06][JQ]

I’ve heard some very fine recital discs from Thomas Hampson in the past but this is one of the finest of all. An outstanding achievement! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claudio SANTORO (1919-1989) Symphony No 4 Sinfonia da Paz* (1953/4) [25:29] Ponteio for string orchestra (1953) [5:48] Symphony No 9 (1982) [25:00] Frevo (1953/1982) [2:40] *São Paulo Symphony Choir São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP)/John Neschling rec. Sala São Paulo, Brazil, February 2002. DDD BIS CD1370 [60:12] [PCW]

A very fine disc and a chance to discover some music that surely should be more widely known … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) CD1 Fantasie for Piano Four Hands, D940 (1828) [18:45] Allegro for Piano Four Hands, D947, “Lebensstürme” (1828) [15:17] CD2 Sonata for Piano Four Hands, D812, “Grand Duo” (1824) [40:47] Characteristic March No.1, D968b [6:02] Military March No.1, D733 [4:39] Evgeny Kissin (piano) James Levine (piano) rec. live, 1 May 2005, Carnegie Hall, New York City BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 69283 2 [34:05 + 51:33] [DC]

Superb! The energy and spirit of these live performances have that quality of uniqueness which means they can take pride of place alongside any studio recording one can name ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin concerto 1 in A minor, Op.77 [39:29] a Leoš JANÁČEK (1854–1928) Violin concerto, Die Wanderung einer Seele [11:41] b Baiba Skride (violin)a Munich Philharmonic/Mikko Frank (conductor) b Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Marek Janowski (conductor) rec. live, Philharmonie, Munich, 16-18 April 2004 (Shostakovich), Berlin, 25 August 2004 (Janáček). DDD. SONY CLASSICAL 82876731462 [52:41] [ED]

White-hot Shostakovich ... Skride is a serious artist. More please, and soon! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Wasps (1909)Text: Aristophanes English singing translation and narration: David Pountney Henry Goodman (narrator) Hallé Choir/Richard Suart/James Burton Hallé/Mark Elder rec. 26-28 July 2005, Albert Halls, Bolton. DDD world premiere recording; studio recordingrecording in association with BBC and BBC Radio 3 with support from the Vaughan Williams Estate HALLÉ CD CD HLD7510 [44:07 + 61:30] [RB]

Some may find this an unnerving experience but it works superbly well provided you are ready for the salty dialogue. It’s a small price to pay for the fascination and delight of hearing so much familiar and unfamiliar Vaughan Williams. ... see Full Review

 

 


BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH William BOLCOM (b. 1938) Complete Violin Sonatas First Sonata (1956, revised version) [21:54] Second Sonata (1978) [17:59] Third Sonata (Sonata Stramba) (1993) [21:46] Fourth Sonata (1994) [15:13] Solomia Soroka (violin); Arthur Greene (piano) rec. Britton Recital Hall, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, January 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.559150 [76:52][PCW]

An imaginatively varied and powerful series ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856) Lieder: Fünf frühe Lieder, op. posth. (1828): Kurzes Erwachen; Gesanges Erwachen; An Anna I; An Anna II; Im Herbste; Zwölf gedichte von Justinus Kerner, Op. 35 (1840): Lust der Sturmnacht; Stirb, Lieb’ und Freud’!; Wanderlied; Erstes Grün; Sehnsucht nach der Waldgegend; Auf das Trinkglas eines verstorbenen Freundes; Wanderung; Stille Liebe; Frage; Stille Tränen; Wer machte dich so krank?; Alte Laute; Fünf Lieder, Op. 40 (1840): Märzveilchen; Muttertraum; Der Soldat; Der Spielmann; Verratene Liebe; from Fünf Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 127 (1850-1851): Sängers Trost; From Vier Gesänge Op. 142 (1852): Trost im Gesang Thomas Hampson (baritone), Geoffrey Parsons (piano) rec. Siemensvilla, Berlin, December 1989 WARNER CLASSICS 2292 44935-2 [66:18] [GF]

Hampson during his early bloom ... nimble, sappy, beautiful, perfectly controlled and moving effortlessly between head-voice and chest-voice. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ernst TOCH (1887-1964) Symphony no 1, Op. 72 (1951-1952) [39:52] Symphony no 2, Op. 73 (1953) [32:20] Symphony no 3, Op. 75 (1955) [27:49] Symphony no 4, Op. 80 (1957) [26:45] Symphony no 5, Op. 89 Jephtha (1963) [23:51] Symphony no 6, Op. 93 (1963) [22:25] Symphony no 7, Op. 95 (1964) [22:18] Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Alun Francis rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, Germany (1995 - 2002) DDD CPO 777 191-2 [3 CDs: 66:38 + 60:11 + 68:58] [RB]

A compact and inexpensive introduction to the seven symphonies of the intricately inventive Ernest Toch said by himself to be a dachshund in the USA when he had been a St Bernard in Germany. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) The Verdi Recordings (Arturo Toscanini) La Traviata, I Lombardi: Act III Trio, Rigoletto: Act IV, Nabucco (excerpts), Un ballo in maschera, Luisa Miller: Overture & Act II arias, I vespri siciliani: Overture, La forza del destino: Overture, Aida, Imno delle nazioni, Otello, Falstaff, Te Deum: No. 4 Quattro pezzi sacri, Messa da Requiem see review for performer and recording details, NBC Symphony Orchestra/ Arturo Toscanini. Recordings, when not otherwise indicated, at NBC Studio 8-H, New York City BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876-67893-2 [12 CDs: 75:48 + 76:32 + 76:03 + 71:37 + 36:59 + 68:25 + 45:45 + 62:24 + 61:59 + 55:00 + 77:42 + 77:36] [GF]

At the ridiculously low price this box should be an obligatory buy for every opera lover! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Isang YUN (1917–1995) Chamber Symphony I (1987) [26:53] Tapis (1987) [8:23] Gong-Hu (1984)a [25:47] Rana Park (harp)a; Korean Chamber Ensemble/Piotr Borkowski rec. Seoul National University Concert Hall, Seoul, August 2005 NAXOS 8.557938 [61:03][HC]

If you have never heard Yun’s music and are willing to give it a try, you will not be disappointed either by the pieces or the fine performances heard here. ... 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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