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August 2006



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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Claude Loyola ALLGÉN (1920–1990) Sonata for solo violin (1989) [161:12] Ulf Wallin (violin) rec. September 2002, August, December 2004, April 2005, Länna Church, Sweden BIS-CD-1381-82 [3 CDs: 73:23 + 59:01 + 27:46] [GF]

Outstanding playing of enigmatic and complex music. While it does not readily open itself to appreciation in the end it turns out to be a fascinating experience. ... see Full Review

Julian ANDERSON (b. 1967) Khorovod (1994) [13:00]; The Stations of The Sun (1998) [18:15]; The Crazed Moon (1997) [13:27]; Alhambra Fantasy (2000) [11:18], Diptych (1990) [20:25] BBC Symphony Orchestra/Oliver Knussen London Sinfonietta/Oliver Knussen rec. Maida Vale Studios, Jan 2000, Watford Coliseum, December 2001 Produced in association with the BBC. DDD ONDINE ODE 1012-2 [76:49] [AOz]

Ondine has done a good public service, by bringing Anderson’s wonderful, inventive music to audiences beyond the concert hall ... see Full Review

Charles AVISON (1709/10–1770) Six Concertos Op. 3 (1751) [54.43] Eight Concertos Op. 4 (1755) [76.34] The Avison Ensemble/Pavlo Beznosiuk (director, violin soloist) rec. 14-27 October 2004, St. George’s Parish Church, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NAXOS 8.557905-6 [54.43 + 76.34] [RH]

Stylish performances of some of Avison’s lesser-known works ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Hamburgische Festmusiken Chorus: Leite mich nach deinem Willen, H 835, W 227 (1783) [3.19] Cantata for Pastor Johann Jacob Schäffer H 821m, W 253 (1785) [28.58] Chorus: Mein Heiland, Meine Zuversicht, H 830, W 221 (1771) [2.10] Cantata for Pastor Johann Christoph Frederici H 821g, W 251 (1775) [37.16] Chorus: Amen! Lob und Preis und Stärke H 834, W 226 (1783) [1.40] Himlische Cantorey: Veronika Winter, Julia Kleiter (sop); Henning Voss, Ulrike Andersen (alto); Jan Kobow, Henning Kaiser (ten); Sebastian Noack, Ralf Grobe (bass). Les Amis de Philippe/Lutger Rémy rec. Sendesaal des Radio Bremen, Germany, 16 October 2004. Notes in Deutsch, English, Français. Photos of artists, engraving of composer and of Hamburg. CPO 777 108-2 [73.27] [PSh]

A no less than spectacular program of music from an unexpected source. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) English Suite No. 1 in a, BWV 807 [20.43] English Suite No. 2 in g, BWV 808 [17.12] English Suite No. 3 in A, BWV 809 [25.02] Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in d, BWV 903 [14.02] João Carlos Martins (piano) rec. Salle Bulgaria, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1994 LABOR RECORDS LAB 7025-2 [77.11] [PSh]

Some will think these exceptional recordings are the best Bach-on-the-piano ever, others will hate them; you deserve the right to make up your own mind. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Flute Sonatas: B minor BWV 1030[17.28]; E major BWV 1035 [11.32]; A major BWV 1032 [12.32]; E minor BWV 1034 [13.21]; E flat major BWV 1031 [8.45] Philippa Davies (Flute); Maggie Cole (harpsichord); Alison McGillivray (cello) rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 22-24 March 2005 AVIE AV2101 [64.11] [GH]

Beautiful ensemble playing … a real pleasure. ... An important cornerstone not only in Baroque music but also in the entire flute repertoire ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Four Lute Suites on Guitar Suite No. 1 in E Minor, BWV 996 [14:14] Suite No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 997 [17:05] Suite No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 995 [19:53] Suite No. 4 in E Major, BWV 1006a [19:05] John Williams (guitar) rec. 12, 19, 26 Nov, 13, 23 Dec 1974, 10 Feb 1975, CBS Studios, London SONY CLASSICAL 82876 787382 [70:17] [ZT]

There is no one best recording of these works, but this version by John Williams has earned a well-deserved place among the favoured few. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 [90:24] Fourteen Canons on the Ground from the Goldberg Variations, BWV 1087 [8:43] Richard Egarr (harpsichord) rec. Vereenigde Doopsgezinde Gemeente, March 2005 HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907425.26 [43:26 + 55:41][PB]

Outstanding sensitivity, superbly recorded, but lacking in energy and drive. ... see Full Review

P.D.Q. BACH (1807-1742)? Oedipus Tex & Other Choral Calamities Oedipus Tex: Dramatic Oratorio for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra (S. 150) Classical Rap (S. 1-2-3) Knock, Knock, choral cantata (S.4/1) Birthday Ode to “Big Daddy” Bach (S. 100) Pamela South (soprano) Dana Krueger (mezzo) Frank Kelley (tenor) The Greater Hoople Area Off-Season Philharmonic and the Okay Chorale/Newton Wayland Professor Peter Schickele rec. 22, 24-25 April 1990, no recording location given. TELARC CD-80239 [64:29][DC]

All lovers of good parody can find much to enjoy here. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony no. 3 in E flat major, op. 55 Eroica (1803) [49:54] Symphony no. 8 in F major, op. 93 (1813) [25:25] Minnesota Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä rec. June 2005, January 2006, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota BIS SACD-1516 [76:16] [BB]

Made the jump to SACD? Like your Beethoven in the small-modern-orchestra, HIP-aware style of Harnoncourt? If so this is self-recommending.  For the rest of us, it is best described as good, but variable, Beethoven at premium price. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, op.60 [33:17] (1. Adagio – Allegro vivace [11:26]; 2. Adagio [9:22]; 3. Allegro vivace [5:44]; 4. Allegro ma non troppo [6:45]) Symphony No. 7 in A major, op.92 [42:09] (5. Poco sostenuto – vivace [14:11]; 6. Allegretto [8:48]; 7. Presto [9:38]; 8. Allegro con brio [9:32]) Royal Flemish Philharmonic/Philippe Herreweghe rec. De Roma, Antwerp, no date given DOMUSIC TALENT DOM 2929100 [75:42][GPJ]

For anyone looking for this particular pairing of symphonies, I would have to recommend this issue very positively.  It will be fascinating to see this cycle unfold. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony no.5 (1805) [35:41] New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein (symphony) How a great symphony was written (Illustrated talk by Leonard Bernstein, given in German, French, English and Italian) Members of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra (illustrated talk) rec. Manhattan Center, New York City, 25 September 1961 (symphony); Columbia 30th Street Studios, New York City, 13 July 1961 (talk) SONY CLASSICAL GREAT PERFORMANCES 82876 78740 2 [66:03] [GPJ]

All told, a highly successful performance, typical of the conductor in its expressive power and dynamism, but completely free of his less admirable mannerisms. ... see Full Review

Ode to Freedom Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.9 in D minor Op.125 (1823) [64:00] June Anderson (soprano); Sarah Walker (mezzo); Klaus König (tenor); Jan-Hendrik Rootering (bass) Bavarian Radio Chorus; members of the Berlin Radio Chorus; Dresden Philharmonie children’s choir Bavarian Radio Orchestra; members of the Saxony State Orchestra, Dresden, Kirov Theatre Orchestra, Leningrad; London Symphony Orchestra; New York Philharmonic Orchestra; Paris Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein  rec. 25 December 1989, live, Schauspielhaus, Berlin Video Director : Humphrey Burton NTSC 16:9; PCM Stereo DD5.1 DTS 5.1; Dolby Digital EUROARTS 2072038 [94:00] [CF]

A truly momentous occasion, its sense of history equalled by a masterly performance of the greatest symphony of all time. It is a fitting epitaph to one of the finest musicians of the 20th century, Bernstein. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 (1800) [33:51] Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58* (1805) [32:23] Leon Fleisher (piano) The Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell rec. Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, 14 April 1961; *10 January 1959 DSD SONY CLASSICAL GREAT PERFORMANCES 82876 78767 2 [66:28][JQ]

On this occasion I think we should put aside comparisons and just be glad that these very fine performances by Fleisher and Szell are once again available. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (1806) [32:39] Piano Concerto in D major, Op. 61a (1807) [39:29] Boris Berezovsky (piano) Swedish Chamber Orchestra Orebro/Thomas Dausgaard rec. Orebro Concert Hall 25-26, 28-31 May, 1 June 2001. DDD SIMAX PSC 1280 [72:08][MG]

Beethoven concerto playing today doesn’t get any better than this. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Piano Sonatas: No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2/1 (1795) [23.01]; No. 2 in A major, Op. 2/2 (1795) [27.28]; No. 3 in C major, Op. 2/3 (1795) [26.32]; No. 4 in E flat major ("Grand Sonata"), Op. 7 (1796-97) [27.18]; No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10/1 (1796-98) [17.53]; No. 6 in F major, Op. 10/2 (1796-98) [16.36]; No. 7 in D major, Op. 10/3 (1796-98) [22.15]; No. 8 in C minor ("Pathétique"), Op. 13 (1798-99) [19.14]; No. 9 in E major, Op. 14/1 (1798-99) [13.44]; No. 10 in G major, Op. 14/2 (1798-99) [17.13]; No. 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 (1799-1800) [25.08] ; No. 12 in A flat major ("Funeral March"), Op. 26 (1800-01) [19.04]; No. 13 in E flat major ("Quasi una fantasia"), Op. 27/1 (16.14]; No. 14 in C sharp minor ("Moonlight"), Op. 27/2 (1801) [15.19]; No. 15 in D major ("Pastoral"), Op. 28 (1801) [27.25]; No. 16 in G major, Op. 31/1 (1801-02) [23.58]; No. 17 in D minor ("Tempest"), Op. 31/2 (1801-02) [23.57]; No. 18 in E flat major ("Hunt"), Op. 31/3 (1801-02) [24.40]; No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49/1 (1795-98) [7.27]; No. 20 in G major, Op. 49/2 (1795-96) [8.03]; No. 21 in C major ("Waldstein"), Op. 53 (1803-04) [25.13]; No. 22 in F major, Op. 54 (1804) [11.21]; No. 23 in F minor ("Appassionata"), Op. 57 (1804-05) [24.07]; No. 24 in F sharp major ("A Thérèse"), Op. 78 (1809) [10.02]; No. 25 in G major ("Cuckoo"), Op. 79 (1809) [9.05]; No. 26 in E flat major ("Les Adieux"), Op. 81a (1809-10) [17.53]; No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90 (1814) [13.21]; No. 28 in A major, Op. 101 (1816) [20.43]; No. 29 in B flat major ("Hammerklavier"), Op. 106 (1817-18) [42.07] ; No. 30 in E major, Op. 109 (1820) [19.04]; No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110 (1821) [19.09]; No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 (1821-22) [25.26] Andante for piano in F major ("Andante favori") WoO 57 (1803) [8.01] Craig Sheppard (piano) rec. live, Meany Theatre, Seattle, January 2003-May 2004. DDD ROMÉO RECORDS 7233/41 [9 CDs: 77:03 + 77:24 + 72:20 + 76:30 + 75:11 + 69:16 + 74:38 + 65:20 + 64:13][JW]

Subtlety of dynamics, no overt emotionalising beyond natural constraints, tonal colour, a clear sense of pacing, and a natural sense of the peaks and troughs of phraseology ... truly elevated Beethoven playing. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete piano sonatas Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) rec 1952-1979 DECCA ORIGINAL MASTERS 475 7198 [8 CDs: 67:40 + 67:12 + 64:53 + 69:06 + 75:34 + 67:13 + 73:55 + 55.52] [IB]

I enjoyed this set very much. Do I recommend it? – with provisos, definitely. Is it the only set to own? – with Beethoven, how could it be. Nevertheless…enjoy! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 Eroica (1803) [44:25] Twelve Contredanses, WoO. 14 (1802): No. 1 in C major [0:28]; No. 2 in A major [0:32]; No. 3 in D major [1:00]; No. 4 in B flat major [0:28]; No. 5 in E flat major [1:07]; No. 6 in C major [1:11]; No. 7 in E flat major [0:33]; No. 8 in C major [0:28]; No. 9 in A major [0:28]; No. 10 in C major [0:57]; No. 11 in G major [0:31]; No. 12 in E flat major [1:40] Funeral March from the incidental music to Leonore Prohaska, WoO. 96 (1815) [4:57] Romance No. 1 in G major, Op. 40* (c. 1800-02) [5:34] Romance No. 2 in F major, Op. 50* (c. 1795) [7:04] Katarina Andreasson (violin)* Swedish Chamber Orchestra Örebro/Thomas Dausgaard rec. Örebro Concert Hall, May, October 2002. DDD SIMAX PSC 1281 [71:34] [MG]

This performance of the Eroica symphony lets you see it in a new light and in a context that is itself fresh and illuminating … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56 (1803-04) [34:35] Septet in E flat major, Op. 20 (1799-1800) [39:23] Yefim Bronfman (piano); Gil Shaham (violin); Truls Mørk (cello); Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/ David Zinman (concerto) Michael Reid (clarinet); Florenz Jenny (bassoon); Jakob Hefti (horn); Gil Shaham (violin); Michel Rouilly (viola); Truls Mørk (cello); Ronald Dangel (double-bass) (septet) rec. Zurich Tonhalle, 20-21 (c), 30-31 (s) October 2004. DDD ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 64015 2 [74:21] [DRD]

A splendid bargain and one I’ll be returning to often! ... see Full Review

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) Beatrice di Tenda - opera seria in two acts (1833) Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, Paola Gavanelli (bar); Beatrice Di Tenda, his wife, Lucia Aliberti, (sop); Agnese Del Maino, beloved by Filippo and secretly in love with Orambello, Camille Capasso (mezzo); Orombello, Lord of Ventimiglia and secretly in love with Beatrice, Martin Thompson (ten); Anichino, friend of Orombello, John David Dehaan (ten); Rizzardo Del Maino, Agnese’s brother and confident of Filippo, Raymond Martin (ten) Chorus and Orchestra of the Deutschen Oper Berlin/Fabio Luisi rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin. July 1992 BERLIN CLASSICS BC 1042-2 [72.55 + 76.30][RJF]

This performance will not displace established favourite recordings involving Sutherland or Gruberova. It is distinguished by the dramatic interpretation of Luisi, the contribution of the chorus and the singing of Gavanelli. ... see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803 – 1869) La Damnation de Faust (1846) Marguérite – Marie-Ange Todorovitch (mezzo) Faust – Michael Myers (tenor) Méphistophélès – Alain Vernhes (baritone) Brander – René Schirrer (bass) Slovak Philharmonic Choir, Orchestra National de Lille, Region Nord-Pas de Calais/Jean-Claude Casadesus rec. 4-5 November 2003, L’Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle, Lille, France NAXOS 8.660116-17 [58.22 + 65.23] [RH]

A creditable and convincing performance by predominantly French forces; as such it is worth finding room for on the library shelves. ... see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) La Damnation de Faust (1846) Marie-Ange Todorovitch (mezzo) – Marguerite; Michael Myers (tenor) – Faust; Alain Vernhes (baritone) – Méphistophélès; René Schirrer (bass) – Brander Slovak Philharmonic Choir Orchestre National de Lille/Région Nord-Pas de Calais/Jean-Claude Casadesus rec. live, 4-5 November 2003, L’Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle, Lille, France. NAXOS 8.660116-17 [58:22 + 65:23][GF]

The usual grumble about texts apart this recording must be given a strong recommendation. ... see Full Review

Henri BERTÉ (1858-1924) Chanson d’amour (The Song of Love) (1921) Aimé Doniat (tenor) – Schubert; Lina Dachary (soprano) – Annette (Tilli); Colette Louvois (soprano) – Jeanette Freda Betty (mezzo) – Nanette (Lili); André Mallabrera (baritone) – Baron Franz; Gaston Rey (tenor) – M. Muhl; Germaine Parat (soprano) – Mme. Muhl Studio orchestra/Jésus Etcheverry rec. Paris, France, 1962. ADD ACCORD OPERETTE 476 2100 [42:40 + 45:50][RJW]

Tenderness, warmth and passion … Perhaps Berté’s finest contribution is his adaptation of Schubert's delightful Rosamunde music ... see Full Review

Georges BIZET (1838–1875) Carmen - opera in four acts (1875) Text: Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy after Prosper Mérimée's novel Moralès: Malcolm Walker Micaëla: Marie McLaughlin Don José: Barry McCauley Carmen: Maria Ewing Frasquita: Elizabeth Collier Mercédès: Jean Rigby Lilias Pastia: Frederico Davià Escamillo: David Holloway London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink rec. Glyndebourne Festival Opera, 1985 Director: Peter Hall Design and Lighting: John Bury Directed for video by Peter Hall Produced for video by Robin Lough Dolby Digital Stereo, NTSC 4:3, Colour WARNER DVD 4509-99494-2 [174:00][AB]

Marie Ewing is excellent in the title role and is supported by a good cast in this fine production from 1985 Glyndebourne. ... see Full Review

Giovanni BOTTESINI (1821-1889) Melodie [7.45] Concerto in B minor [15.25] Introduction and Gavotte [5.16] Gran duo concertante for violin and double bass (1880) [15.03] Wolfgang Harrer (double bass); Christian Altenburger (violin) New Vienna Soloists/Gert Meditz rec. Palais Schwarzenberg 1983-1986, and Schottenstift, Vienna 1987 VMS 607 [43.29] [CF]

If you want to hear a double bass play as you have probably not heard it do so before, this is the disc for you. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) CD 1 Symphony No 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 (1876) [46:02] CD 2 Symphony No 2 in D, Op. 73 (1877) [44:29]; Tragic Overture, Op. 81 (1881) [13:02] CD 3 Symphony No 3 in F, Op. 90 (1876) [35:36]; Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op. 56a (1876) [17:16] CD 4 Symphony No 4 in E minor Op. 98 (1885) [41:37]; Academic Festival Overture Op. 80 (1880) [9:58] Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Marek Janowski rec. 1984-1986, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. DDD SANCTUARY CLASSICS CD RSB 405 [46:02 + 57:31 + 52:52 + 51:35][JWi]

May not be the best or the ideal introduction or only recording of these excellent works to have, but it is good and worthwhile. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1855/76) [39:32] Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1877)^* [34:39] Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (1883)^ [29:18] Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 (1884/5) [36:41] Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (1880)* [9:22] London Symphony Orchestra/^London Philharmonic Orchestra/Felix Weingartner rec. Abbey Road Studio London/*Kingsway Hall, London, 16, 18 February 1939 (Op. 68); 26 February 1940 (Op. 73); 6 October 1938 (Op. 90); 14 February 1938 (Op. 98); 29 February 1940 (Op. 80). ADD LIVING ERA CLASSICS AJD 2009 [74:18 + 75:52][JQ]

This is an intriguing set that adds significantly to our knowledge and appreciation of the interpretative history of these four symphonic masterpieces ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto no.1 in D minor op.15 (1854-58) [49:12] Piano Concerto no.2 in B flat major op.83 (1881) [50:31] John Lill (piano) Hallé Orchestra/James Loughran rec. 1978, Free Trade Hall, Manchester. ADD RESONANCE CD RSB 204 [49:12 + 50:31] [CH]

No. 1 is of interest, no, 2 very disappointing. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor (1858) [45:56] Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat major (1881) [49:56] Nelson Freire (piano) Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Riccardo Chailly rec. live, Gewandhaus, Leipzig, 22-26 Nov 2005 (No.2), 13-18 Feb 2006 (No.1). DDD DECCA 475 7637 [45:56 + 49:56] [TH]

Conductor and soloist engage in some wonderful dialogue … great artistry caught on the wing ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Missa Canonica, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her , Schaffe in mir, Gott Geistliches Lied, Ave Maria, O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf , Warum ist das Licht gegeben? Joseph Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Cantus Missae The Choir of Westminster Cathedral/Martin Baker Matthew Martin (organ) HYPERION CDA67559 [69:31] [MC]

Lovers of choral music will surely relish this superbly performed and recorded selection of sacred works ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Hungarian Dances - four hands (1-10, 1868; 11-21, 1880) Steven and Stijn Kolacny (Steinway D piano) rec. DSD, Galaxy Studios, Mol, Belgium, 28 March 2002. 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround SACD tracks, 2.0 stereo CD tracks. Notes in Nederlands, Français, English, and Deutsch.  Photos of artists and composer ETCETERA KTC 5250 [52.27] [PSh]

The best version of these brilliant works to date, a must for all Brahms collectors. ... see Full Review

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) The Piano Music: Volume 1 Capriccio No.1 (1905) [2:36] Three Sketches (1906) [8:19] Capriccio No.2 (1905) [4:47] The Hour Glass (1919/1920) [13:39] Vignettes de Marseille (1925) [12:27] Sonata for Piano (1921-1924) [34:57] Mark Bebbington (piano) rec. Number 8 Arts Centre, Pershore, Worcestershire, date not given, pub. 2006 SOMMCD 056 [77:24] [CH]

In Bebbington’s hands this work – supposedly one of the masterpieces of 20th century British music – emerges as an amorphous, sprawling piece of mediocre ranting. ... see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 9 in D minor (1896) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein rec. Großer Musikvereinsaal, Vienna, February-March 1990 Directed by Humphrey Burton Picture format NTSC 4:3, PCM Stereo DD 5.1; DTS 5.1 EUROARTS DVD 2072018 [68:44] [PCW]

A performance that defies pre-conceptions ... see Full Review

Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Fantasia Contrappuntistica a (1910; rev. 1922) [27.40] Improvisation on the Bach Chorale “Wie wohl ist mir, O Freund der Seele” (1916) [14.41] Duettino Concertante nach Mozart b [K459] (1916?) [7.23] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Fantasie [in f] für eine Orgelwalze [K 381] (arr. Busoni 1922) [8.19] Allan Schiller and John Humphries (duo pianists) rec. Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, England, 8 September 2003. Notes in English and Deutsch NAXOS 8.557443 [58.04] [PSh]

Good, clear performances of some intricate, fascinating music. ... see Full Review

William BYRD (1539/40-1623) Playing Elizabeth’s Tune Vigilate [4:52]
Tristitia et anxietas [10:07] Ne irascaris, Domine [8:06] Prevent us, O Lord [2:46] O Lord, make they Servant Elizabeth [3:04] Magnificat, from the Great Service [9:57] Mass for four voices [23:06] Ave Verum Corpus [3:56] The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. Tewkesbury Abbey, 2004 GIMELL CDGIM 992 [65:54] [DC]

The Tallis Scholars produce sublime and moving performances in a beautifully balanced recording. ... see Full Review

 


Detailed listing (last five 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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