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August 2006




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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674) Oratorios Oratorio della SS Vergine [25:57] Historia Ionae [28:37] Complesso Pro Musica Firenze/Gabriele Micheli
rec. July 2003, Chiesa di Lamole Greve, Chianti, Florence, Italy. DDD TACTUS TC 602802 [54:34] [JV]

Another contribution to the growing discography of Carissimi's oeuvre, but it can't be recommended for artistic and technical reasons … see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Twenty-Four Preludes Op.28 [33.47] 1 Prelude in C sharp minor Op.45 [4.12] 2 Prelude in D flat major Op.28 No.15 [4.44] 3 Berceuse in D flat major Op.57 [4.09] 2 Impromptus: No 1 in A flat major Op.29 [3.47]; No.2 in F sharp majorOp.36 [5.01]; No.3 in G flat major Op.51 [4.32] 4 Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor Op.66 [4.39] 4 Tarantelle in A flat major Op.43 [3.11] 5 Alfred Cortot (piano) rec. 1 HMV Studio A, Hayes, London, 22-23 March 1926; 2 EMI Abbey Road Studio No.3, London, 4 November 1949; 3 EMI Abbey Road Studio No.3, London, 30 October 1950; 4 EMI Abbey Road Studio No.3, London, 5 July 1933; 5 Studio C, Queen’s Small Hall, London, 13 May 1931 NAXOS 8.111023 [68:03] [GPu]

A splendid collection of performances by one of the great Chopin interpreters of the last century ... see Full Review

Thomas CRECQUILLON (c.1505-1557) Mort m’a privé Oeil esgaré [2:43] Missa Mort m’a privé [32:53] Mort m’a privé a 5 [2:11] Caesaris auspiciis [4:36] Mort m’a privé a 4 [2:36] Cur Fernande pater [5:08] Le monde est tel [1:58] Praemia pro validis [7:37] Congratulamini mihi [6:18] The Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice rec. Chapel, Merton College, Oxford, 3-5 September 2004. DDD HYPERION CDA 67596 [66:11] [GPu]

A fascinating disc both historically and aesthetically; well planned and well performed, it makes an enticing introduction to Crecquillon’s work … see Full Review

George CRUMB (b.1929) Songs, Drones, and Refrains of Death (1962-68)* [29:04] Quest (1994) [25:41] Nicholas Isherwood (baritone)* Ensemble New Art/Fuat Kent rec. Radiostudio Zurich, 12-15 June 2004 NAXOS 8.559290 [54:45][DC]

You certainly won’t feel you’ve ‘got it’ on a single hearing, but repeated visits will reward the listener with a huge spectrum of subtlety. ... see Full Review

Charles DAVIDSON (b.1929) A Singing of Angels (1967) [26:30] 1 ... And David Danced Before the Lord (1966) [37:54] 2 Baroque Suite (excerpts) (1974) [8:55] 3 1 Finchley Children’s Music Group / Nicholas Wilks; 2 Amy Goldstein (soprano); Douglas Webster (baritone); Ramon Ricker (tenor saxophone, flute); Chris Vatalaro (vibraphone); Hubert "Tex" Arnold (piano); Jeff Campbell (bass); Rich Thompson (drums); The Buffalo Vocal Ensemble/Brad Lubman; 3 Finchley Children’s Music Group Chamber Choir; Jewish Heritage Youth Orchestra/Nicholas Wilks rec. 1, 2 The Warehouse, London, November 1999; 3 Hale Auditorium, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York, January 2001. DDD NAXOS 8.559436 [73:29] [GPu]

Music of real intelligence, charm and high competence which draws creatively on several different idioms ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Linda di Chamounix (1842) Edita Gruberova (soprano) – Linda; Deon van der Walt (tenor) – Carlo, Visconte di Sirval; Jacob Will (bass) – Il Marchese di Boisfleury; László Polgár (bass) – Il Prefetto; Armando Ariostini (baritone) – Antonio, padre di Linda; Nadine Asher (mezzo-soprano) – Maddalena, madre di Linda; Cornelia Kallisch (mezzo-soprano) – Pierotto; Miroslav Christoff (baritone) – L’Intendente del feudo Chorus and Orchestra from the Zürich Opera/Adam Fischer rec. live, Opernhaus Zürich, September 1996 Directed for stage by Daniel Schmid, Set Design: Erich Wonder; Costume Design: Florence von Gerkan, Lighting: Jakob Schlossstein, Jürgen Hoffman Directed for DVD by Alf Bernhard-Leonardi TDK DV-OPLDCM [2 DVDs: 164:00][GF]

With good singing and in some cases inspired acting this DVD-only version of Linda can be safely recommended. ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucia Di Lammermoor - An opera in three acts to a libretto by Salvatore Cammerano based on the novel The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott Lucia - Maria Callas (soprano) Edgardo - Giuseppe Di Stefano (tenor) Enrico - Tito Gobbi (baritone) Raimondo - Raffaele Arié (bass) Arturo - Valiano Natali (tenor) Alisa - Anna Maria Canali (mezzo) Normanno - Gino Sam (tenor) Chorus and Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Tullio Serafin rec. 29-30 January, 1, 3-4, 6 February 1953, Teatro Comunale, Florence. ADD First issued as Columbia 33CX 1131 and 1132 Appendix (on CD 2): Highlights from Lucia di Lammermoor performed by legendary singers (1910-1952) Cruda, funesta smania…; II tuo dubbio è omai certezza; La pietade in suo favore Robert Merrill, (baritone); Ezio Pinza, (bass); Luigi Vellucci, (tenor) RCA Victor Orchestra and Chorus/Renato Cellini. rec. 1952 Ah, talor del tuo pensiero; Verranno a to sull' aure Amelita Galli-Curci, (soprano); Tito Schipa, (tenor) rec. 1928, Camden, New Jersey Chi mi frena in tal momento Maria Barrientos, (soprano); Charles Hackett, (tenor); Riccardo Stracciari, (baritone); Jose Mardones, (bass); George Meader, (tenor); Emma Noe, (soprano) rec. 1920 Dalle stanze ove Lucia Ezio Pinza, (bass) rec. 1923, [Ardon gli incensi;] splendon le sacre faci*; Spargi d' amaro pianto Toti Dal Monte, (soprano) rec. 1926 Tombe degli avi miei…; Fra poco a me ricovero Beniamino Gigli, (tenor) O rec. 1925 Tu the a Dio spiegasti l’ali John McCormack, (tenor) rec. 1910 Reissue Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS 8.110131-32 [69:01 + 76:30] [AB]

A well-engineered set of a famous historic set that made Maria Callas famous. Strong singing by the entire cast, well conducted and well presented ... see Full Review

John DOWLAND (1563-1626) Lute Music Volume 1 Lord Strange's March, P. 65 [1.40] Mrs. White's Thing, P. 50 [2.14] Mrs. White's Nothing, P. 56 [1.19] Fancy (Fantasia) in G major, P. 73, "Tremolo" [3.27] Mrs. Nichols' Almain, P. 52 [1.34] Fantasies: No. 1. A Fantasie, P. 1 [4.27] Prelude, P. 98 [1.06] Fantasies: No. 5. A Fancy, P. 5 [2.37] A Dream, P. 75 [5.05] Fantasies: No. 7. A Fancy, P. 7 [5.02] Mrs. Winter's Jump, P. 55 [1.40] Lady Clifton's Spirit, P. 45 [1.48] Mrs. Vaux's Galliard, P. 32 [2.27] Mrs. Vaux's Jig, P. 57 [1.16] Tarleton's Resurrection, P. 59 [2.55] Fantasies: No. 6. A Fancy, P. 6 [3.00] Fantasies: No. 2. Forlorn Hope Fancy, P. 2 [3.52] The Shoemaker's Wife, A Toy, P. 58 [1.14] Lady Hunsdon's Puffe, P. 54 [1.50] Orlando Sleepeth, P. 61 [2.55] Mr Dowland’s Midnight P.99 [1.56] Fantasies: No.4. Farewell “In Nomine” P.4 [4.34] Farewell; Fantasie No.3 P.3 [6.41] Nigel North (lute) ec. St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, July 2004 NAXOS 8.557586 [64.39] [JW]

It’s very pleasurable listening. An auspicious start. ... see Full Review

Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Serenade for Strings in E, op.22 (1875) [30:22] Serenade for wind instruments, cello and double bass in D minor, op.44 (1878) [23:41] Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Alexander Schneider; Douglas Boyd, Mark Pledger (oboes); Richard Hosford, Nicholas Rodwell (clarinets); Robin O’Neill, Christopher Gunia (bassoons); David Nissen (contrabassoon); Jonathan Williams, Stephen Stirling, Kevin Abbott (horns); Christopher Marks (cello); Enno Senft (double-bass) rec. 1984
COE RECORDS CDCOE 801 [54:54] [GPJ]

Without sacrificing any of their charm, Schneider’s finely paced performances gives these works a little more weight and substance than they sometimes receive. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony No. 9 From the New World (1893) [42.48]* The Water Goblin (1896) [21:08] Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt rec. Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, October 1999, (* live recording). DDD WARNER CLASSICS 3984 25254-2 [64:13] [TP]

Harnoncourt has something to tell even the most seasoned collector about this music, and in a warhorse like this, that is no mean feat! ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1943) Falstaff: Symphonic Study, Op. 68 (1913)* [34:11] Introduction and Allegro for string quartet and string orchestra, Op. 47 (1904-5) ^ [13:37] Serenade in E Minor, Op. 20 (1892)^ [11:05] Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D, Op. 39, No. 1 (1901) # [7:12] Imperial March, Op. 32 (1897) # [4:30] Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 in G, Op. 39, No. 4 (1907) # [5:24] *London Symphony Orchestra/Anthony Collins; ^Strings of the New Symphony Orchestra/Anthony Collins; # London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent rec. Kingsway Hall, London *12-15 February 1954; ^31 March, 1 April 1952; # 2 March 1953. ADD BEULAH 4PD12 [76:05][JQ]

This is a valuable CD, which reminds us of Anthony Collins’ significant credentials as an Elgar conductor and its restoration to general circulation is to be welcomed ... see Full Review

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Earth and Air and Rain, op. 15, By Footpath and Stile* op. 2, To a Poet. Op. 13a. Roderick Williams (baritone); Iain Burnside (piano); Sacconi Quartet * world premiere recording rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, August 2005, January 2006. DDD NAXOS 8.557963 [71:54][AOz]

For Finzi’s admirers, this will be an important addition, but it’s ideal, too, for those completely new to the genre, because Williams is so direct and natural. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Intimations of Immortality op. 29 (1949-50) [38:58] For Saint Cecilia op. 30 (1947) [16:37] James Gilchrist (tenor) Bournemouth Symphony Chorus/Greg Beardsell Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/David Hill rec. The Concert Hall, The Lighthouse, Poole, 4-5 June 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557863 [55:35][AOz]

Easily the best recording by any standard – I hope Naxos realize what a treasure this is ... see Full Review

Nicolas FLAGELLO (1928-1994) Piano concerto No.1 (1950) [28.48] Dante’s Farewell (orch. Anthony Sbordini) (1962) [13.43] Concerto sinfonico for saxophone quartet and orchestra (1985) [22.53] Tatjana Rankovich (piano); Susan Gonzalez (soprano) National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/John McLaughlin Williams, New Hudson Saxophone Quartet, Rutgers Symphony Orchestra/Kynan Johns rec. Large Concert Studio, National Radio of Ukraine, Kiev 22-26 June 2005 and Mason Gross Performing Arts Center, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA, 6 November 2004 NAXOS 8.559296 [65.28] [CF]

Powerful music, not much to cheer the soul, but deeply expressive and given committed performances. ... see Full Review

Mateo FLECHA (1481-1553) Ensalada 'La Justa' [15:41] Antonio de CABEZÓN (1510-1566) Diferencias sobre el Canto del Caballero [02:44] Diferencias sobre la Pavana italiana [04:56] Diferencias sobre la Gallarda milanesa [03:03] Mateo FLECHA Ensalada 'El Jubilate' [08:59] Antonio De CABEZÓN Tiento del primer Tono [08:05] Diferencias sobre 'Guardame las vacas' [04:39] Mateo FLECHA Ensalada 'El Fuego' [12:45] La Stagione Armonica, Concerto di Viole/Sergio Balestracci rec. September 2003, Palazzo Giusti, Padova, Italy. DDD cpo 777070-2 [61:16] [JV]

A very fine recording of three ensaladas, which are typical of the Spanish culture of the 16th century ... see Full Review

César FRANCK (1822-1890) String Quartet in D major, (1889-90) [46:44] Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) String Quartet in A major, Op. 35 (1898-99) completed by Vincent d'Indy [30:15] Spiegel String Quartet (Elisa Kawaguti (violin); Stefan Willems (violin); Leo De Neve (viola); Jan Sciffer (cello)) rec. 5-7 July 2005, Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, Germany. DDD  MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 644 1391-2 [77:09] [MC]

I cannot imagine too many people being disappointed with these splendid interpretations of the Franck and the Chausson string quartets by the Spiegel String Quartet. ... see Full Review

Francesco Saverio GEMINIANI (1687-1762) Sonata in D, op. 4,1 [11:04] Sonata in C minor, op. 4,9 [13:22] Sonata in D minor, op. 4,8 [11:44] Sonata in A, op. 4,10 [08:22] Francesco Maria VERACINI (1690-1768) Sonata in A, op. 1,7 [10:51] Sonata in B flat, op. 1,8 [12:52] Lyriarte: Rüdiger Lotter (violin); Olga Watts (harpsichord) rec. April 2004, Studio 2 of Bavarian Radio, Munich, Germany. DDD OEHMS OC 356 [68:54][JV]

Violin sonatas by two strongly different personalities, played brilliantly by Rüdiger Lotter and Olga Watts ... see Full Review

Umberto GIORDANO (1867–1948) Andrea Chenier (1896) José Cura (tenor) – Andrea Chenier; Maria Guleghina (soprano) – Maddalena di Coigny; Carlo Guelfi (baritone) – Carlo Gérard; Giacinta Nicotra (mezzo) – La mulatta Bersi; Cinzia De Mola (mezzo) – La Contessa di Coigny; Annie Vaville (mezzo) – Madelon; Carlo Cigni (baritone) – Roucher; Armando Ariostini (baritone) – Il romanziero; Giuseppe Guidi (bass) – Fouquier-Tinville; Mario Bellanova (baritone) – Il sanculotto Mathieu; Pierre Lefèbvre (tenor) – Un Incredibile; Stefano Pisani (tenor) – L’Abate; Atfeh Ziyan (bass) – Schmidt; Mauro Marchetto (bass) – Il Maestro di casa; Michele Castagnaro (bass) – Dumas. Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna/Carlo Rizzi Directed for Stage by Giancarlo Del Monaco; Set and Costume Design Giancarlo Del Monaco; Choreography Astrid Ascarelli; Lighting Design Wolfgang von Zoubek; Directed for TV and Video by Paola Longobardo rec. live, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, January 2006 Sound Formats DD 5.1 DTS 5.1 LPCM stereo; Picture Format 16:9; Region Code 0 TDK DVWW-OPACH [123:00] [GF]

Impassioned singing and acting in period settings and costumes makes this a convincing and attractive proposition. ... see Full Review

Philip GLASS (b.1937) Symphony No.8 (2005) [38:56] Bruckner Orchester Linz/ Dennis Russell Davies rec. Mechanics’ Hall, Worcester, MA, USA (no date) ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM 0028 [38:56][TH]

Glass fans will need no persuading but the rest should try before you buy ... see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Music for String Orchestra Holberg Suite, Op.40 (1884, orch. 1886) [18:35] Last Spring from the Two Elegiac Melodies, Op.34/1 (1880) [4:21] Two Melodies, Op.53: No.1 ‘Norwegian’ [3.42]; No.2 ‘The First Meeting’ (1870) [3:43] ‘At the Cradle’ from the Two Lyric Pieces, Op.68/2 [3.07] ‘The Wounded Heart’ from the Two Elegiac Melodies, Op.34/2 (1880) [3.18] Two Nordic Melodies, Op.63 (1895): No.1 ‘In Folk Style’ [6:51]; No.2a ‘Cow Call’ [1.56]; No.2b ‘Peasant Dance’ [2.04] ‘The Death of Åse’ from the Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46/1b (1875) [4:20] Oslo Camerata/Stephan Barratt-Due rec. 25-28 August 2005, Lommerdalen Church, Oslo, Norway. DDD NAXOS 8.557890 [51:58] [MC]

Superbly performed string scores by the Oslo Camerata. A Naxos release that could have proved even more desirable if the playing time had been more generous. ... see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (1868) [29:44]* Two Nordic Melodies, Op. 63 (1894-5) [12:57]+ Peer Gynt, Suites Nos. 1, 2 , Opp. 46, 55 (1875) [14:44]; [16:18] Lilya Zilberstein (piano) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi rec. Konserhuset, Gothenburg, May 1987, + June 1992, December 1992, and * March 1993 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ENTRÉE 477 5007 [74:11] [SV]

Järvi's unfussy naturalness is an asset, though he can be prone to over-emphasis ... see Full Review

George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Solomon (1748) Ewa Wolak (mezzo) – Solomon; Elizabeth Scholl (soprano) – Pharoah’s Daughter, Queen/Second Woman; Nicola Wemyss (soprano) – Nicaule, Queen of Sheba/First Woman; Knut Schoch (tenor) – Zadok/Attendant; Matthias Vieweg (bass) – Levite Junge Kantorei Frankfurt Baroque Orchestra/Joachim Carlos Martini rec. live, Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Germany, 30 May 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557574-5 [81:06 + 79:01][GPu]

One of Handel’s greatest oratorios, but in a performance which falls short of the very high standards set by some other recordings ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Rinaldo (1711) Goffredo – Marion Newman (contralto) Almirena – Laura Whalen (soprano) Rinaldo – Kimberly Barber (mezzo) Eustazio – Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo) Argante – Sean Watson (bass) Armida – Barbara Hannigan (soprano) Mago – Giles Tomkins, Donna – Nicole Bower, Due Sirene – Catherine Affleck, Melinda Delorme, Un araldo – Lenard Whiting, Opera in Concert, The Aradia Ensemble/Kevin Mallon rec. Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Canada, 19-22 June, 25 August–2 September 2004 NAXOS 8.660165-67 [3 CDs: 78.47 + 52.15 + 48.44] [RH]

A performance that fails to live up to its promise; enthusiasts might want to have it, for completeness but if you are unfamiliar with Handel’s opera seria, save up and get a better recording ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphonies - Vol. 30 Symphony no.14 in A (c.1761-3) [15:58] Symphony no.15 in D (c.1760) [19:12] Symphony no.16 in B flat (c.1760-1763) [14:36] Symphony no.17 in F (c.1760-1762) [18:56] Toronto Camerata/Kevin Mallon rec. 18-20 July 2004, Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Canada NAXOS 8.557656 [68:42] [CH]

Excellent performances in the modern period-aware mould ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Arias and Cantatas Scena di Berenice Hob.XXIVa;10 [12:20] Cantata composra per la Signora Banti in Antigono di Pietro Metastasio - Son pietosa, son bonina Hob.XXXIIb;1 [4:30] Aria per La Circe, ossia L’isola incantata di Pasquale Anfossi e Gottlieb Naumann - Arianna a Naxos Hob XXVIb; 2 (orchestral version) [17:59] Cantata: Solo e pensoso Hob.XXIVb: 20 [7:17] Aria da Il Canzoniere di Francesco Petrarca (Sonetto XXVIII) Miseri noi, misera patria! Hob.XXIVa: 7 [10:41] Arleen Augér (soprano) Handel and Haydn Society/Christopher Hogwood rec. Methuen Memorial Hall, Massachusetts, October 1988. DDD AVIE AV 2066 [53.02] [JQ]

In the notes reference is made to Miss Augér’s "ravishing angelic voice." Hearing this exquisite recital, who would disagree? ... see Full Review

HERVÉ (Florimond RONGER) (1825-1892) Mam’zelle Nitouche (1883) Fernandel (baritone) – Célestin/Floridor; Elaine Thibault (soprano) – Denise; Aimé Doniat (tenor) – Champlâteaux; Line May (soprano) – Corinne Decca Studio Orchestra/André Grassi
rec. Decca Studios, Antony, France, 1968. ADD ACCORD OPÉRETTE 476 9999 [66:19 + 40:24] [RW]

Fresh and appealing ... see Full Review

Ivan KHANDOSHKIN (1747-1804) Violin Sonata in G minor, Op. 3, No. 1 (c1800) [19:58] Violin Sonata in E flat major, Op. 3, No. 2 (c1800) [13:10] Violin Sonata in D major, Op. 3, No. 3 (c1800)  [13:09] Six Old Russian Songs (c.1783): No. 1. Along the bridge, this bridge  [5:15] *; No. 2. Is this my fate, this fate? [3:15]; No. 3. Little dove why do you sit so sadly? [5:11]; No. 4. What happened and why? [3:00]; No. 5. Once I gathered golden sheaves [2:58]; No. 6. Once I was a young man [4:07]) Anastasia Khitruk (violin) Dimitry Yakubovski (viola)* Kirill Yevtushenko, (cello) (Old Russian Songs) rec. St Petersburg, May 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.570028 [70.17] [JL]

Mostly an uncompromising diet of forgotten unaccompanied violin music that now deservedly sees the light of day in the form of suitably virtuoso performances. ... see Full Review

Joseph Martin KRAUS (1756-1792) Complete German Songs An das Klavier (To the Clavier), VB 94 [02:17] Die Henne (The Hen), VB 77 [2.19] Schweizer Rundgesang (Swiss Round - Song), VB 72 [02:02] Anselmuccio, VB 86 [01:08] Die Mutter bei der Wiege (The Mother at the Cradle), VB 92 [01:44] Der Mann im Lehnstuhl (The Man in the Easy - Chair), VB 91 [01:44] An - als ihm die - starb (To - when he learned of the death of), VB 74 [03:25] Das Rosenband (The Rose Garland), VB 85 [01:52] Der Abschied (The Departure), VB 95 [07:14] Die Welt nach Rousseau (The World According to Rousseau), VB 76 [00:58] Daphne am Bach (Daphne at the Brook), VB 83 [03:30] An mein Madchen (To My Girl), VB 87 [01:22] Ein Lied um Regen (A Song about Rain), VB 90 [04:01] An den Wind I (To the Wind I), VB 79 [01:34] An den Wind II (To the Wind II), VB 80 [02:05] Das schwarze Lieschen aus Kastilien (Black Liza from Castille), VB 88 [03:53] Der nordische Witwe (The Nordic Widower), VB 89 [03:29] Ein Wiegenlied: Seht doch das kalte Nachtgesicht (A Cradle Song: See yet the cold face of night), VB 93 [00:32] Ich bin vergnugt (I am content), VB 82 [02:12] Hans und Hanne (Hans and Hanne), VB 78 [02:06] An eine Quelle (To a Spring), VB 75 [01:41] Phidile, VB 84 [02:13] Ich bin ein deutscher Jungling (I am a German lad), VB 81 [01:45] Ein Wiegenlied - So schlafe nun, du Kleine (A Cradle - Song - So sleep now, little one), VB 96 [01:45] Rheinweinlied (A Song to Rhenish Wine), VB 73 [02:39] Gesundheit (Health), VB 97 [00:22] Martin Hummel  (baritone) Birgid Steinberger (soprano) Glen Wilson (piano) rec. Reitstadel Neumarkt, Oberpfaltz, August 2004 NAXOS 8.557452 [62.55][JW]

This is all rather lukewarm but that’s how I felt about Kraus’s songs. ... see Full Review

Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) Le Comte de Luxembourg (The Count of Luxemburg) (extracts) (1909) Colette Riedinger (soprano) – Suzanne Didier; Gabriel Bacquier (baritone) – Fernand de Luxembourg; Robert Destain (tenor) – Brissard; Annick Baugé (soprano) – Juliette; André Balbon (baritone) – Prince Basil; Charles Pernès Choir Frasquita (extracts) (1922), French adaptation (1931) Bernard Alvi (tenor) – Armand; Kleuza de Pennafort (mezzo) – Frasquita; Robert Destain (tenor) – Hippolyte; Colette Muzart (soprano) – Aimée; André Balbon (baritone) – Aristide; Marthe Amour (soprano) – Inès; Motta Luna (soprano) – Lola La Veuve Joyeuse (The Merry Widow) (extracts) (1905) Colette Riedinger (soprano) – Missia; Marthe Amour (soprano) – Nadia; Reda Caire (tenor) – Danilo; Bernard Alvi (tenor) – Camille; Robert Destain (tenor) – Popoff; Georges Courly (baritone) – Kromtsky; Decca Studio orchestra/Richard Blareau rec. Decca, Antony, France, 1955 (Count of Luxemburg) and 1958 (Frasquita; Merry Widow) ADD ACCORD OPÉRETTE 476 9992 [69:22 + 79:30] [RW]

Blareau's vivacious pace releases the energetic scintillations of this music ... see Full Review

Daniel LENTZ (b. 1941) Is it Love? [9:04] Lascaux [9:21] On the Leopard Altar [5:19] Wolf is Dead ... [10:05] Requiem [2:27] Jessica Lowe, Paul MacKey, Susan James, Dennis Parnell (voices); Brad Ellis, David Kuehn, Arlene Dunlap, Daniel Lentz (keyboards); Brad Ellis, David Kuehn, Arlene Dunlap, Jessica Lowe, Susan James (wineglasses) rec. Santa Barbara, California, February 1984 COLD BLUE MUSIC CB0022 [36:18] [GPu]

More than just minimalism, much of this is variously inventive and engaging music, well worth a listen ... see Full Review

Thomas LINLEY, The Younger (1756-1778) A lyric ode on the Fairies, Aerial Beings and Witches of Shakespeare ‘The Shakespeare Ode’ (1776): (Overture: Andante — Allegro [5:58]; Minuetto [1:55|; PART I: O guardian of that sacred land [4:27]; Tis thine alone [1:00]; Come then, O Fancy, bend thy bow [2:24]; At Shakespeare's happy birth [1:20]; And now is come the fated hour [1:59]; Be Shakespeare born! [2:13]; So spake the god [0:26]; There in old Arden's inmost shade [3:09]; And as before his purged eyes [0:24]; Thy hand his youthful footsteps led [3:50]; Some drive the clam'rous owl away [1:59]; Some drive the clam'rous owl away [2:48]; PART 2: But oh! what sudden gloom [1:42]; By the pale light of yon blue fire [0:37]; See, through the glimmering darkness [0:18]; What howling whirlwinds rend the sky! [1:48]; For whom, at yonder livid flame [1:13]; Whither ye beldames do ye roam? [4:03]; The tempests cease [3:14]; No more the elves, with printless pace [0:30]; Ariel, who sees thee now? [3:59]; No more shalt thou upon the sharp north run [0:24]; For who can wield like Shakespeare's skilful hand? [4:52]; Yet, Fancy, once again on Britain smile [3:20] Julia Gooding and Lorna Anderson (sopranos); Richard Wistreich (bass); The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra and Choir/Peter Holman; Paul Nicholson rec. 25-27 March 1992, St Paul’s Church, New Southgate, London. DDD Originally issued on Hyperion CDA66613 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55253 [60:03] [EM]

Very enjoyable music and not in any way minor ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat, S124 (1849, rev. 1853, 1856) [19:06] Piano Concerto No. 2 in A, S125 (1839, numerous revs., pub. 1863) [21:48] Totentanz, Paraphrase on the Dies Irae, S126 (1849) [15:58] Hungarian Fantasia, S123 (1852) [15:14] Oleg Marshev (piano) Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Matthias Aeschbacher rec. Aalborg, Denmark, 6-10 February 2006. DDD DANACORD DACOCD 651 [72:06][PSe]

Although a bit let down by the recording, Marshev’s alternative, musically more thoughtful, view of these virtuosic war-horses is truly fascinating. Definitely worth a listen! ... see Full Review

Carl LOEWE (1796–1869) Passion Oratorio (1847?) Nathalie Gaudefroy (soprano), Christianne Stojtin (contralto), Jacky da Cunha (tenor), Henk Neven (bass), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (bass – Peter) Ensemble Vocal des Heures Romantiques Ensemble Instrumental des Heures Romantiques/Udo Reinemann rec. live, 2 August, 2003, L’Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Villedieu-le-Château, France, Heures Romantiques au Pays de Monhodon 2003 Festival. DDD NAXOS 8.557635-36 [59:33 + 37:04] [GF]

A rarity no doubt and probably not a forgotten master-piece, but a pleasing version of the passion story, enthusiastically performed by young musicians ... see Full Review

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Derwid Milczące serce Silent Heart (1957) [4:58] Z lat dziecinnychChildhood Days (1962) [6:03] W lunaparkuIn an Amusement Park (1958) [3:26] Jeden przystanek dalejOne Stop Further (1961) [5:12] CzarownicaWitch (1957) [5:12] Nie oczekuję dziś nikogo I Haven’t Been Waiting For Anyone Today (1959) [6:48] Znajdziesz mniewszę mnie wszędzie – You’ll Find Me Everywhere (1964) [4:30] Cyrk jedzieThe Circus is Coming (1957) [5:40] Po co śpiewać piosenki Why Sing Songs (1960) [3:26] Miłość i świat - Love and the World (1958) [5:15] Warszawski dorożkarz Warsaw Cab-Driver (1958) [5:41] Milczące serce Silent Heart (1957) [5:30] Mariusz Klimek (vocal); Krzysztof Herdzin (piano, keyboards, arrangements); Marek Podkowa (tenor saxophone); Marcin Murawsli (bass guitar); Cezary Konrad (percussion) rec. live, Studio PiK Bydgoszcz, 8 June 2005 ACTE PRÉALABLE APO134 [61:04] [GPu]

An unusual album, which can be recommended to Lutosławski completists or to broadminded jazz enthusiasts … 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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