Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonatas – Volume
VII: K270-317 CD 1 Sonatas K270-K286; CD 2 Sonatas K287-K301;
CD 3 Sonatas K302-K317 
Pieter-Jan
Beldwer (harpsichord, organ) rec. Dutch Reformed Church, Renswoude,
April 2004 (K270-K286); Dutch Reformed Church, Giessen, May
2004 (K289-K301); Dutch
Reformed Church, Rhoon, September 2004 (K302-317); Koepelkerk,
Arnhem, October 2004 (K287-288) BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 92772 [3 CDs: 66:14 + 62:12 + 67:32] [GPu]
"Many
excellencies" without added "improvements"
are here very attractively placed before the
listener in this highly enjoyable set ...
see Full Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Film
Music - Volume II Clowns und Kinder (1976) [8:44] Der
Walzer (1969) [11:20] Die Glasharmonika (1968) [20:50] Der
Aufstieg (1976) [14:16] Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Berlin/Frank Strobel rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche May
2002, February 2004. DDD CAPRICCIO
71061 
[55:30]
[DB]
Interesting
and often very exciting new aspects of Schnittke’s output. ...
see Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
Die
Winterreise, D 911 (1827)
Klaus Mertens (baritone) Tini Marhot (fortepiano) rec. Waalse Kerk,
Amsterdam, 29-31 March 2005. DDD
ANTOINE MARCHAND CC 72152 [75:35] [GF]
A
fresh, personable and individual reading that
shows these well-known songs in part in a
new light. ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano Quartet in C minor (1829) [26:58] Piano Quartet in E flat major,
Op. 47 (1842) [32:25] Trio
Parnassus: (Yamei Yu (violin); Michael Groß (cello); Chia Chou (piano);
Hariolf Schlichtig (viola)) rec. 7-9 December, 2005, Fürstliche Reitbahn,
Bad Arolsen, Germany. DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM GOLD MDG 903 1414-6
[59:37] [MC]
Enjoyable
performances that will fit comfortably on my record shelves. Schumann’s
fledgling C minor Piano Quartet proves an attractive and worthy
addition to the répertoire. ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quintet in E flat major Op. 44 (1842) [31:05]
Piano Quartet in E flat major Op. 47 (1842) [28:25]
The Schubert Ensemble rec. 14-16 November 2005, Potton Hall, Suffolk
ASV GOLD GLD 4021 [60:35][TB]
Schumann’s
creative personality is well captured by the beautifully judged tempi
and phrasing of the Schubert Ensemble. ... see Full
Review
Jean
Baptiste SENALLIÉ (1687-90?-1730)
Troisième
Livre de Sonates à violon seul avec la basse continue (1720)
Ensemble Baroques Graffiti
(Jaroslav Adamus (violin); Jean-Paul Serra (harpsichord); Frederic Audibert
(cello)) Eglise de Saint Théodore, Marseille, 4-8 August 2004,
DDD ACTE PRÉALABLE
APO 115 [79:00] [IB]
Music
full of interest and that in the hands of
these performers really bounces off the page.
... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) String Quartet
No. 3 in F, Op. 73 (1946) [30:47] String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor,
Op. 108 (1960) [11:47] String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110 (1960)
[20:21]
The Hagen Quartet (Lucas Hagen (violin); Rainer Schmidt (violin); Veronika
Hagen (viola); Clemens Hagen (cello)) rec. November 2005, Salzburg,
Große Universitätsaula.
DEUTSCHE GRAMOPHON 4776146 [63:25][KS]
Impassioned,
warm perfection … pay attention to the early third quartet ... this
is music of great invention. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
The Very Best of Shostakovich CD 1 Festive Overture
in A, Op. 96 [5:59], String Quartet No. 8 in C minor III Allegretto
[4:10]; Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67 III Largo [5:35]; Cello
Concerto No. 1 in E flat, Op. 107 I Allegretto [6:15]; 24 Preludes and
Fugues - piano, Op. 87 Prelude and Fugue No1 in C major [6:50]; Symphony
No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47 II Allegretto [5:08]; Cello Sonata Op. 40 IV
Allegro [4:30]; The Golden Age: Ballet Suite, Op. 22a Polka [1:52];
String Quartet No. 3 in F, Op. 73 IV Adagio [5:27]; Symphony No. 9 in
E flat, Op. 54 III Presto [2:48]; 24 Preludes - piano, Op. 34 Prelude
No. 10 in C sharp minor [2:06]; Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor Op.
77 IV Burlesque [5:02]; The Gadfly Suite Op. 97a Romance [5:52];
Symphony No. 10 in E minor Op. 93 II Allegro [4:18] CD 2 Jazz
Suite No. 2 VI Waltz 2 [3:15]; Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor Op. 35
II Lento [8:31]; Symphony No7 in C Op. 60 Leningrad II Moderato
[11:20]; 3 Fantastic Dances Op. 5 Polka [1:07]; Symphony No. 13 in B
flat minor Op. 113 Babi Yar II Humour [7:36]; Piano Quintet Op.
57 II Scherzo [3:25]; Symphony No. 1 in F minor OP. 10 II Allegro [4:54];
Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 102 II Andante [6:38]; Symphony No. 15 Op.
141 IV Allegretto [4:03]; String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor Op.
108 III Allegro [5:35]; Tahiti Trot Op. 16 Tea for Two
[4:10] Drawn from various
artists and recordings in the Naxos catalogue
NAXOS 8.552129-30 [66:43 + 61:06] [JWi]
As
an introduction to the composer’s work, it gives a wide-ranging
and typical selection, which is in itself some achievement. ...
see Full Review
Chas
SMITH (b.1948) Descent [18:05]
Endless Mardi Gras [20:50] False Clarity [9:41]
Oja Fin (voice); Chas Smith (stainless steel sheet, jet plane/notch
filters, Copper Box, steel guitar, Que Lastas, Jr. Blue, flutes, zither,
Guitarzilla, Pez Eater) rec. 2003-2005, TDS Studio, Encino, California
COLD BLUE MUSIC
CB0023 [48:36][GPu]
Music
with its own distinctive sound world, idiosyncratic and yet very much
within a Californian tradition … see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Eine Alpensinfonie
(An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64, TrV 233 (1911-15) [54:14]: 1.
Nacht (Night) [3:58] 2. Sonnenaufgang (Sunrise) [1:28] 3. Der Anstieg
(The Ascent) [2:17] 4. Eintritt in den Wald (Entry into the Wood) [6:08]
5. Wanderung neben dem Bache (Wandering by the Stream) [0:48] 6. Am
Wasserfall (At the Waterfall) [0:15] 7. Erscheinung (Apparition) [0:46]
8. Auf Blumigen Wiesen (On Flowering Meadows) [0:56] 9. Auf der Alm
(On the Alpine Pasture) [2:37] 10. Durch Dickicht und Gestrüpp auf Irrwegen
(Straying through Thicket and Undergrowth) [1:31] 11. Auf dem Gletscher
(On the Glacier) [1:04] 12. Gefahrvolle Augenblicke (Dangerous Moments)
[1:29] 13. Auf dem Gipfel (On the Summit) [5:19] 14. Vision (Vision)
[3:58] 15. Nebel steigen auf (Mists rise) [0:20] 16. Die Sonne verdüstert
sich allmählich (The Sun gradually darkens) [0:56] 17. Elegie (Elegy)
[2:12] 18. Stille vor der Sturme (Calm before the Storm) [3:07] 19.
Gewitter und Sturm, Abschied (Thunder and Storm, Descent) [3:54] 20.
Sonnenuntergang (Sunset) [2:15] 21. Ausklang (Final Sounds) [6:35] 22.
Nacht (Night) [2:19]
Staatskapelle Weimar/Antoni Wit rec. Weimarhalle, Weimar, Germany, 4-6
July 2005. DDD NAXOS
8.557811 [54.14] [MC]
A
golden recording of which Naxos should be very proud. ... see Full
Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrushka
(1947 version) [34:40] Leonard Bernstein discusses Stravinsky and the
Petrushka Ballet [20:39] Pulcinella Suite for Chamber
Orchestra (1947 version) [22:55]
New York Philharmonic/Bernstein rec. Philharmonic Hall (now Avery Fisher
Hall), Lincoln Center, New York City, USA, 5 May 1969 (Petrushka),
New York City, 22 July 1970 (Bernstein discusses Stravinsky), Manhattan
Center, New York City, 28 March 1960. ADD
SONY CLASSICAL 82876 78749 2 [78:14][GPJ]
Despite
recordings that will not be to everyone’s
taste, these performances bring out the conductor’s
best qualities, and are well worth hearing.
... see Full
Review
Tadeusz SZELIGOWSKI
(1896-1963)
Wind
Quintet (1953) [18:03] Grażyna
BACEWICZ (1909-1969) Wind Quintet
(1932) [10:53] Incrustations for horn and
chamber ensemble (1965) [15:47] (World Premiere
Recording) Wojcieh
KILAR (b.1932) Wind Quintet (1952)
[15:58]
Cracow Philharmonic Wind Quintet: (Krysztof
Kawula (flute); Mariusz Pędziałek
(oboe); Jan Cielecki (clarinet); Mirosław
Płoski (horn); Zdisław Bogacz (bassoon));
Instrumental Ensemble (for Incrustations):
(Mirosław Płoski (horn); nna Sikorzak-Olek
(harp); Jan Pilch (percussion); Bogusława
Ziegelheim (violin); Agata Zając (cello);
Marek Kalinowski (contrabass)) rec. 3-4 June
1999, Austrian Consulate, Cracow, Poland
ACTE PRÉALABLE POLISH MUSIC AP0044
[61:43] [GPJ]
Not
a spectacular disc, but an immensely worthwhile
one, which I find has repaid many repeated
hearings. ... see Full
Review
Matthew
TAYLOR
(b. 1964) Piano
Trio Op. 17 (1993-94) [29:12] String Quartet No. 3 Op. 18 (1995) [17:45]
Conflict and Consolation Op. 19 (1996) [17:38]
Lowbury Piano Trio (Pauline Lowbury, violin; Ursula Smith, cello; Elizabeth
Burley, piano) Schidlof Quartet (Ofer Falk and Rafael Todes, violins;
Graham Oppenheimer, viola; Oleg Kogan, cello) Members of the BBC Symphony
Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins rec. St. George’s, Bristol, 10 November 1997
(Piano Trio); Music Department, University of Exeter, 19 April 1997
(String Quartet No. 3); St. Augustine’s Church, Kilburn, 13 November
1996 (Conflict and Consolation). DDD
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0015 [65:14] [CT]
Matthew
Taylor makes a powerful case for the survival
of the symphonic composer in the twenty-first
century. ... see
Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony
No. 5 in E minor Op. 64 (1888) [45:40] Capriccio
Italien Op. 45 (1880) [14:55] Cleveland
Orchestra/Georg Szell rec. 23 October 1959 (Symphony), 28 February–1
March (Capriccio), Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio. ADD SONY
CLASSICAL 82876 787442 [60:35] [TB]
This
famous recording of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth sounds better than ever
in its latest transfer from Sony Classical. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony
no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian” (1879 version) [32:42];
Overture in F major (1866 version) [11:47]; Festive Overture on the Danish
National Anthem
in D major, op. 15 (1892 version) [12:09]; The Storm (Groza), Overture, op. 76
(1864) [14:37] Gothenburg
Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
rec. Gothenburg Concert Hall, Sweden, November 2004 (Symphony) and August 2004
(Overtures) BIS SACD-1418 [72:27]
[BB]
Järvi
lets the music eloquently speak for itself ... see Full Review
Lasse
THORESEN (b.
1949)
Chases, Cattle Calls and Charts (2001-2003)
Berit Opheim (vocal) BIT20 Ensemble/Jeffrey Milarsky rec. 16-17 February
2005, NRK, Hordaland, Norway
AURORA ACD 5042 [55:23] [DC]
Lasse
Thoresen’s feeling for his own folk heritage and the sounds which
inhabit the landscape of his country run through this music like
the words through a stick of Brighton rock. ... see Full
Review
Knut
VAAGE (b.1961) Someone
is Going to Come (2000) Libretto:
Jon Fosse and Knut Vaage, adapted from Fosse’s
play of the same title She:
Siri Torjesen (soprano) He: Ketil Hugaas (bass-baritone) The Man: Nils
Harald Sødal
(tenor) BIT20 Ensemble/ Ingar
Bergby rec. 27-28 March 2004, NRK Studio
Minde, Bergen. DDD
AURORA ACD 5043 [60:10][GPu]
A
chamber opera of real intensity, in a compelling performance … see Full
Review
Ralph VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on
Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910) [15.36] Erik
SATIE (1866-1925) Gymnopédie 1 [2.48]; Gymnopédie 3 [3.17] Samuel
BARBER (1910-1981) Adagio for strings, Op.11 [7.28] Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Pavane, Op.50 (1887) [5.42] Percy GRAINGER
(1882–1961) Irish Tune from County Derry (Danny Boy) [6.11]
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin. rec. Powell Symphony Hall,
St. Louis, Missouri, 27-28 March 1981. DDD.
TELARC CD-80059 [41.42][ED]
Recommended
for anyone wanting this mixed programme. ... see Full
Review
Marietta
VEULENS Piano
Cubano - De Algunas zonas del alma, Pieza No.I (De algunas zonas del alma) Música de los niños
invisibles Parte I Música de los niños invisibles Parte II Pieza No.II
(De algunas zonas del alma) Campanas consonantes La música de
la No guerra Desde la ventana (devastación) Parte I Desde la ventana
(devastación) Parte II Tambores de invierno
Marietta Veulens (piano) rec. no date given. Huntwood
Farm Studios, London. UK. DDD
LORELT LNT 123 [58:06][GH]
An
interesting attempt at serious cross-over held between the music of
Cuba filtered through the eyes and ears of a willing exile in London.
... see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901)
Aida - opera in four acts (1871)
Il Re, King of Egypt, Plinio Clabassi (bass); Amneris, his daughter,
Fedora Barbieri (mezzo); Radames, captain of the guards, Jussi Björling
(ten); Amonasro, King of Ethiopia, Leonard Warren (bar); Aida, his daughter,
Zinka Milanov (sop); Ramfis, High priest, Boris Christoff (bass); Chorus
and Orchestra of the Rome Opera House/Jonel Perlea rec. 2-18
July 1955, Opera House, Rome Appendix: Un Ballo in Maschera -
opera in three acts (1859) - highlights Riccardo, Jan Peerce
(ten); Amelia, Zinka Milanov (sop); Renato, Leonard Warren (bar); Ulrica,
Marion Anderson (alto); Oscar, Roberta Peters (sop) Metropolitan Opera
Orchestra/Dimitri Mitropoulos rec. 9-21 January 1955, Manhattan Center,
New York City. Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS HISTORICAL GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS SERIES 8.11142-44 [3 CDs:
57.50 + 79.49 + 68.05] [RJF]
An
overall singing cast of this quality only comes round every other
generation or two at the most. Add superb restoration of the mono
sound and this recording of Aida should be part of any Verdi collection
... see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Un
ballo in Maschera - opera in three acts (1871) Riccardo,
Count of Warwick and Governor, Massimiliano Pisapia (ten);
Renato, his secretary, Franco Fassallo (bar); Amelia, his wife,
loved by Riccardo, Chiara Taigi (sop); Ulrica, a fortune teller,
Anna Maria Chiuri (mezzo); Oscar, Riccardo’s page, Een Yee
You (sop); Silvano, a sailor, Herman Wallén (bar); Samuel,
enemy of Riccardo, Tuomas Pursio (bass); Tom, another enemy
of Riccardo, Metodie Bujor (bass) Chorus of the Leipzig Opera,
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Riccardo Chailly rec. live, Zurich
Opera House, 23, 26 November 2005. Directed by Ermanno Olmi.
TV Director, Don Kent. Stage Design and Costumes, Arnoldo Pomodoro
Picture format: 16/9 Anamorphic. Sound formats: LPCM Stereo.
DTS 5.1 Sung in Italian with subtitles in English, German,
French, Italian EURO
ARTS 2055108 
[139:00]
[RJF]
This
modernist production focuses on the actions and emotional relationships
of the story. The singing is never less than adequate and the conducting
of Riccardo Chailly is superb. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901)
Les Vêpres Siciliennes - Grand opera in five acts (sung
in German) Guy de Montfort,
Governor of Sicily, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bar); Duchesse Hélène,
sister of Duke Frederic, Hilde Zadek (sop); Arrigo, a young Sicilian,
Hans Hopf (ten); Jean Procida, a Sicilian doctor, Gottlob Frick (bass);
Bethune, a French officer, Heinz Borst (bass); Vaudemont, A French officer,
Hermann Firchow (bass); Ninetta, Helene’s maid, Gisela Litz (mezzo)
West German Radio Symphony Orchestra Cologne/Mario Rossi rec. Köln Funkhaus
des WDR, Saal 1. 6-12 January 1955, mono
CAPRICCIO 67168-70 [3 CDs: 64.44 + 63.02 + 79.15] [RJF]
With
the soloists having little feel for the Verdian idiom, this performance
will only appeal to those interested in a performance in German
or how particular singers perform in the composer’s work. ... see Full
Review
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Concerti per vari strumenti Concerto for two
oboes, two clarinets, strings and bc in C (RV 559) [11:32] Concerto
for bassoon, strings and bc in A minor (RV 497) [09:46] Concerto for
two violins, two recorders, two oboes, bassoon, strings and bc in minor
(RV 566) [08:08] Concerto for strings and bc with two oboes in C (RV
534) [08:38] Concerto for oboe, violin, strings and bc in B flat (RV
548) [08:50] Concerto for oboe, strings and bc in D minor (RV 454) [07:42]
Concerto for two oboes, two clarinets, strings and bc in C (RV 560)
[09:27] Piero Cartosio,
recorder; Lorenzo Coppola, recorder, clarinet; Paolo Grazzi, Alfredo
Bernardini, oboe; Daniele Latini, clarinet; Alberto Grazzi, bassoon;
Stefano Montanari, Stefano Rossi, violin; Orchestra barocca Zefiro/Alfredo
Bernardini rec. November 2004, Auditorium of San Salvatore a Rodengo,
Brescia, Italy DDD NAÏVE
OP 30409 [64:07][JV]
Colourful,
bold and technically brilliant performances in a recording which demonstrates
the wide variety in Vivaldi's oeuvre ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Sacred
Music, Vol. 2 Laudate pueri Dominum, RV 600 [22.13]a Stabat
Mater, RV 621 (c. 1711) [18.50]b Canta in prato,
ride in monte, RV 623 (1723-24) [08.31]a Clarae
stellae, scintillate, RV 625 (c. 1715) [11.09]b Tracy
Smith Bessette (soprano)a Marion Newman (mezzo) b Arcadia
Ensemble/Kevin Mallon rec. Grace Church on-the-Hill, Toronto,
Canada, 7-9 May 2005. DDD NAXOS
8.557852 [60.53]
Vivaldi’s
sacred idiom alternates passages of great tenderness and sombre
beauty, rich in expressiveness, with highly operatic movements
of colourful and exciting virtuosity. [MC]
Creditable
performances but there are finer performances and I would advise
you to save up for one of these [RH] ...
see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Musica
Sacra vol. 5 Mottetto RV626 “In furore
iustissimae irae” [12:55] (1) Sinfonia in B minor RV169 “Al
Santo Sepolcro” [05:03] (2) Laudate pueri RV601 [23:10] (3)
Concerto in D minor for violin, organ and strings RV541 [09:07]
(4)
Concerto in F for violin, strings and harpsichord “per la Solennità di San Lorenzo
RV286” [12:27] Sandrine Piau (soprano
(1, 3), Stefano Montanari (violin)(4), Marcello Gatti (flute) (3), Ottavio Dantone
(Organ) (4), Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone rec. July 2005, Abbaye de Saint-Michel
en Thiérache NAÏVE OP 30416 [62:56]
[CH]
It’s
beginning to dawn on me that we’re living in a golden age of
Vivaldi interpretation. ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Six Flute Concertos (c.1728): No. 1 in F major RV 433 ‘La tempesta
di monte’ [7:04]; No. 2 in G minor RV 439 ‘La notte’ [8:35]; No. 3
in D RV 428 ‘Il Gardellino’ [9:36]; No. 4 in G RV435 [7:12]; No. 5
in F RV 434 [8:35] No. 6 in G RV 437 [8:04] From ‘L’Estro Armonico’
(with violin): No. 11 in D minor RV 565; [9:40] No. 10 in B minor
RV 580 [10:03] Judith
Hall (flute); Jaime Laredo (violin) Divertimenti of London; Scottish
Chamber Orchestra/Paul Barritt rec. Henry Wood Hall, 1991 (Flute Concertos);
1986 (L’Estro Armonico)
REGIS RRC 1243 [68.55] [GH]
A
good way to be introduced to good quality Vivaldi concertos … at
budget price it offers excellent value. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Walküre
- music drama in three acts (1870)
Astrid Varnay (soprano) … Brünnhilde Ramón Vinay (tenor) … Siegmund
Gré Brouwenstijn (soprano) … Sieglinde Josef Greindl (bass) … Hunding
Hans Hotter (bass-baritone) … Wotan Georgine
von Milinkovic (mezzo) … Fricka, Maria Graf (mezzo) ... Rossweisse
Hilde Scheppan (soprano) … Helmwige Gerda Lammers (soprano) … Ortlinde
Hertha Wilfert (soprano) … Gerhilde Elisabeth Scheppan (soprano) …
Waltraute Jean Watson (mezzo) … Siegrune Georgine
von Milinkovic (mezzo) … Grimgerde Maria von Ilosvay (contralto) …
Schwertleite Bayreuth Festival Orchestra/Joseph Keilberth rec.
live, Festival House, Bayreuth, 18 November 1955
TESTAMENT SBT4 1391 [4 CDs: 63:41 + 60:50 + 25:48 + 67:25][DH]
This
vivid Testament recording, for its principal singers and theatrical
revelations, now becomes my favourite stereo Walküre. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883)
Siegfried (1876)
Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor) – Siegfried; Graham Clark (tenor) – Mime;
John Tomlinson (bass) – Der Wanderer; Günter von Kannen (bass) – Alberich;
Philip Kang (bass) – Fafner; Anne Evans (soprano) – Brünnhilde; Birgitta
Svendén (mezzo) – Erda; Hilde Leidland (soprano) – Der Waldvogel.
Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele/Daniel Barenboim. Staged and directed
by Harry Kupfer; Stage design: Hans Schavernoch; Costume design: Reinhard
Heinrich; Video director: Horant H. Hohlfeld; Artistic supervision:
Wolfgang Wagner rec. Bayreuth Festspielhaus. June-July 1992 NTSC System
16:9; Colour; Region code NTSC 2345; LPCM Stereo Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround WARNER CLASSICS
2564 62320-2 [2 DVDs:
243:36] [GF]
With
Barenboim’s deeply involved conducting and a superlative cast of singing-actors
in a fanciful, thought-provoking and humorous production this is hard
to beat. ... see Full Review
Richard
WAGNER
(1813 – 1883) Götterdämmerung
(1876) Heinz Kruse
(tenor) – Siegfried; Wolfgang Schöne (baritone) – Gunther; Henk Smit
(baritone) – Alberich; Kurt Rydl (bass) – Hagen; Jeannine Altmeyer
(soprano) – Brünnhilde; Eva.Maria Bundschuh (soprano) – Gutrune; Anne
Gjevang (contralto) – Waltraute; Hebe Dijkstra (soprano) – First Norn;
Irmgard Vilsmaier (soprano) – Second Norn; Kirsi Tiihonen (soprano)
– Third Norn; Gabriele Fontana (soprano) – Woglinde; Hanna Schaer
(mezzo-soprano) – Wellgunde; Catherine Keen (contralto) – Flosshilde,
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra/Hartmut Haenchen; Stage director:
Pierre Audi; Set design: George Tsypin; Costume design: Eiko Ishioka;
Light design: Wolfgang Göbbel; Dramaturgy: Klaus Bertisch; TV director:
Hans Hulscher rec. live, Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, 1999
OPUS ARTE OA 0949D [3 DVDs: 268:00] [GF]
Intensity
and concentration … once one has been captured one forgets the deficiencies.
Discoveries to be made ... see Full
Review
Kurt
WEILL (1900-1950) Die
sieben Todsünden (1933) [33:57] (1) Complainte de la Seine
(1934) [03:11] (2) Youkali (1935) [05:28] (2) Nanna’s Lied
(1939) [03:13] (2) Wie lange noch? (1944) [03:28] (2) Es regnet
(1933) [02:59] (2) Berlin im Licht-Song (1928) [01:53] (2) Brigitte
Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano) (1, 2), Karl-Heinz Brandt, Hans
Sojer (tenors) (1), Hidenori Komatsu (baritone) (1), Ivan Urbas
(bass) (1), Radio-Philharmonie Hannover des NDR/Cord Garben
(1), Cord Garben (piano) (2) rec. January 1992, NDR, Hanover HARMONIA
MUNDI HMA 1951420 [54:47] [CH]
Fassbaender’s
emotion-laden voice and psychological involvement make her the
ideal singer for Kurt Weill. ... see Full
Review
Healey WILLAN
(1880-1968) In the Heavenly
Kingdom: Hymns, Anthems and Motets
Matthew Larkin (organ) Joseph Schnurr (tenor)
The Elora Festival Singers/Noel Edison rec.
2004, DDD
NAXOS 8.557734 [67:07]
A
feast of Willan’s choral music spanning half
a century ... see Full
Review
Ermanno
WOLF-FERRARI
(1876-1948) Idillio
Concertino for oboe, strings and two horns,
Op.15 (1932) [18:51]Concertino for
English horn, strings and two horns, Op.34
(1947) [24:33]Suite Concertino for
bassoon, strings and two horns, Op.16 (1933)
[19:24]
Piet van Bockstal (oboe, English horn)
Luc Loubry (bassoon)West Saxony Symphony Orchestra
(Westsächisches Symphonieorchester)/Hans
Rotman rec. 3-5 May 2003, unnamed church,
Leipzig, Germany. DDD
TALENT RECORDS SACD DOM 2929 90 [63:30]
[MC]
Talent
Records label should be proud of this wonderfully
performed and recorded release. Lovers of
late-Romantic music who are looking for something
different are well advised to investigate
these rewarding scores. ... see Full
Review
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