Tomaso ALBINONI 
          (1671-1751) 6 Sonate 
          da chiesa Op.4 (1708) 12 Trattenimenti 
          armonici per camera Op.6 (1711)  The Locatelli Trio: Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin), 
          Richard Tunnicliffe (cello), Paul Nicholson 
          (harpsichord [Op.6], organ [Op.4]) rec. November 
          1991 and January 1992, Gewölbkeller am 
          Römertum, Cologne.
 
          The Locatelli Trio: Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin), 
          Richard Tunnicliffe (cello), Paul Nicholson 
          (harpsichord [Op.6], organ [Op.4]) rec. November 
          1991 and January 1992, Gewölbkeller am 
          Römertum, Cologne.  HYPERION DYAD CDD22048 [79:40 + 79:40] 
          [GPu]
 
          HYPERION DYAD CDD22048 [79:40 + 79:40] 
          [GPu]
        A 
          valuable set of Albinoni’s chamber music, 
          which offers a coherent vision of this elegant, 
          polite music ... see Full 
          Review 
        Samuel 
          ARNOLD (1740-1802) 
           
          Overture in B flat major Op.8 No.1 (1771) 
          [8:39] Overture in D major Op.8 No.2 (1771) 
          [6:37] Overture in F major Op.8 No.3 (1771) 
          [9:44] Overture in D major Op.8 No.4 (1771) 
          [7:25] Overture in G major Op.8 No.5 (1771) 
          [9:46] Overture in D major Op.8 No.6 (1771) 
          [10:41] Macbeth: Incidental Music (1778) 
          [18:15] Polly (Opera) – Overture (1777) 
          [5:20]  Toronto Camerata/Kevin Mallon rec. Grace Church 
          on the Hill, Toronto, Canada, 5-8 January 
          2004. DDD
 
          Toronto Camerata/Kevin Mallon rec. Grace Church 
          on the Hill, Toronto, Canada, 5-8 January 
          2004. DDD  NAXOS 8.557484 [76:27][JW]
 
          NAXOS 8.557484 [76:27][JW]
        No 
          epoch thundering masterpieces but their reclamation 
          from the shelves is to be admired ... see 
          Full 
          Review 
         RECORDING
                OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian
                BACH (1685
                - 1750) Passion According to
                St. John, BWV 245 (1724, rev. 1749) [108.49]
RECORDING
                OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian
                BACH (1685
                - 1750) Passion According to
                St. John, BWV 245 (1724, rev. 1749) [108.49]  Gerd
                Türk, tenor; Midori Suzuki, soprano; Robin Blaze, counter-tenor;
                Chiyuki Urano, bass-baritone; Stephan MacLeod, bass; Bach Collegium
                Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 28 July 2000, Suntory Hall, Tokyo,
                Japan. Video direction by Shokichi Amano. Notes in English, Deutsch,
                and Français. Complete track list. Menus in English and Deutsch.
                Subtitles in English, Deutsch, Français. Sound 48kHz 16 bit PCM
                2.0; Dolby Surround 5.1.; 16:9 anamorphic NTSC DVD 9 region 0
                [all regions] Previews of other DVDs of Bach’s music [5.00]
 Gerd
                Türk, tenor; Midori Suzuki, soprano; Robin Blaze, counter-tenor;
                Chiyuki Urano, bass-baritone; Stephan MacLeod, bass; Bach Collegium
                Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 28 July 2000, Suntory Hall, Tokyo,
                Japan. Video direction by Shokichi Amano. Notes in English, Deutsch,
                and Français. Complete track list. Menus in English and Deutsch.
                Subtitles in English, Deutsch, Français. Sound 48kHz 16 bit PCM
                2.0; Dolby Surround 5.1.; 16:9 anamorphic NTSC DVD 9 region 0
                [all regions] Previews of other DVDs of Bach’s music [5.00]  EUROARTS
                INVITATION 2050396
 EUROARTS
                INVITATION 2050396  [117.00]
                [PSh]
 [117.00]
                [PSh]
        The
              finest recorded version of this work, performance and recording,
              setting a standard for the future that may be equalled, but could
              not be surpassed.  If you don’t have a DVD player, buy one just
              to play this disk. ... see Full
              Review 
         Johann Sebastian BACH 
          (1685-1750) The Six Sonatas and Partitas
 
          Johann Sebastian BACH 
          (1685-1750) The Six Sonatas and Partitas 
          
  CD 1 Sonata no 1 in G minor (Adagio [3.58]; Fuga (allegro) [4.45]; Siciliano [2.53]; Presto [3.40]) Partita
  no. 1 in B minor (Allemanda [5.40]; Double [2.40]; Corrente [3.23]; Double
  (Presto) [3.26]; Sarabanda  [3.22]; Double [2.25]; Tempo
  di Bourree [3.25]; Double [3.17]) Sonata no. 2 in A minor (Grave [4.17]; Fuga [7.37]; Andante [5.01]; Allegro [5.53])
  CD 2 Partita no 2 in D minor (Allemanda [4.44]; Corrente [2.39]; Sarabanda [3.43]; Giga [3.57]; Ciaccona [13.07]) Sonata
  no. 3 in C major  (Adagio [4.15]; Fuga [10.19]; Largo [3.04]; Allegro
  Assai [5.13]) Partita no. 3 in E major (Preludio [3.37]; Loure [3.48]; Gavotte
  en Rondeau [3.00]; Menuet I [1.55]; Menuet II [1.42]; Bourree [1.36]; Giga [1.56])  Tedi
  Papavrami (violin) rec. August-September 2004, Studio Tibor Varga - Grimisuat
  (Switzerland). DDD
 Tedi
  Papavrami (violin) rec. August-September 2004, Studio Tibor Varga - Grimisuat
  (Switzerland). DDD  AEON AECD
  0535 [67.14 + 70.03] [EM]
 AEON AECD
  0535 [67.14 + 70.03] [EM]
        Papavrami
              has a wonderful feel for these works ... elegant, noble and graceful
              ...great musicality  ... Definitely a disc to look out for! ...
              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
 
          Richard Egarr (harpsichord) rec. Vereenigde Doopsgezinde Gemeente, March 
          2005  HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907425.26 [43:26 + 55:41][DS]
 
          HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907425.26 [43:26 + 55:41][DS]
        Elegance, 
          beauty and elasticity in Bach. Personally, I find the interpretations 
          rather soft-grained with a very low excitement/drive quotient. Not one 
          of the great recorded performances of the Goldbergs ... see Full 
          Review 
         Johann 
          Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Organ 
          Works Prelude and fugue in D (BWV 532)* [10:49] Partita 'Ach, was 
          soll ich Sünder machen' (BWV 770)* [14:38] O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde 
          groß (BWV 622) [04:41] Prelude and fugue in d minor (BWV 539) [07:07] 
          Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland (BWV 659) [03:15] 
          Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland (BWV 661) [03:56] 
          Meine Seele erhebt den Herren (BWV 648) [02:01] 
          Puer natus in Bethlehem (BWV 603) [01:00] Vom 
          Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (BWV 606) [00:43] Vom 
          Himmel kam der Engel Schar (BWV 607) [01:08] Nun freut euch, 
          lieben Christen g'mein (BWV 734) [02:31] Prelude and fugue in g minor 
          (BWV 535)* [07:29]
 
           Johann 
          Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Organ 
          Works Prelude and fugue in D (BWV 532)* [10:49] Partita 'Ach, was 
          soll ich Sünder machen' (BWV 770)* [14:38] O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde 
          groß (BWV 622) [04:41] Prelude and fugue in d minor (BWV 539) [07:07] 
          Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland (BWV 659) [03:15] 
          Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland (BWV 661) [03:56] 
          Meine Seele erhebt den Herren (BWV 648) [02:01] 
          Puer natus in Bethlehem (BWV 603) [01:00] Vom 
          Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (BWV 606) [00:43] Vom 
          Himmel kam der Engel Schar (BWV 607) [01:08] Nun freut euch, 
          lieben Christen g'mein (BWV 734) [02:31] Prelude and fugue in g minor 
          (BWV 535)* [07:29]  Hans Helmut Tillmanns (organ, Marcussen) rec. January 
          2005, Christianskirken, Søderborg, Danmark (*);Margaretenkirche, 
          Methler, Germany. DDD
 
          Hans Helmut Tillmanns (organ, Marcussen) rec. January 
          2005, Christianskirken, Søderborg, Danmark (*);Margaretenkirche, 
          Methler, Germany. DDD  DANACORD DACOCD 620 [59:51][JV]
 
          DANACORD DACOCD 620 [59:51][JV]
        These 
          interpretations ignore the insights of historical performance practice 
          and the technical quality of this disc is unacceptable ... see Full 
          Review
        Johann 
          Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas Volume 
          30:  Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! BWV51 [17:01]; Alles 
          mit Gott und nichts ohn’ ihn BWV1127 [48:30]; Spielet, ihr beseelten 
          Lieder (from O Holder tag, BWV210) [7:37]  Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. Kobe 
          Shoin Women’s University Chapel, September 2005
 
          Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. Kobe 
          Shoin Women’s University Chapel, September 2005  BIS BIS-SACD-1471
 
          BIS BIS-SACD-1471  [73:08][DJB]
 
          [73:08][DJB]
        The 
          new Bach work on this recording will make 
          it indispensable for completists, those collecting 
          this series will have bought it already for 
          both works, but for everyone else, it is an 
          optional purchase, despite the outstanding 
          quality of the performances ... see Full 
          Review
          Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas
                  Volume 31 (1724): Gelobet  seist du, Jesu Christ,
                  BWV91  (1724)
                  [15.32] Nimm von uns Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV101  (1724)
                  [26.15] Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV121
                  (1724) [16.42] Ich freue mich in dir, BWV133 (1724)
                  [17.35]
 Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas
                  Volume 31 (1724): Gelobet  seist du, Jesu Christ,
                  BWV91  (1724)
                  [15.32] Nimm von uns Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV101  (1724)
                  [26.15] Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV121
                  (1724) [16.42] Ich freue mich in dir, BWV133 (1724)
                  [17.35]  Kukari
                  Nonoshita (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Gerd Turk
                  (tenor), Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki
                  rec.  September 2004, Kobe Shoin Women’s University Chapel,
                  Japan
 Kukari
                  Nonoshita (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Gerd Turk
                  (tenor), Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki
                  rec.  September 2004, Kobe Shoin Women’s University Chapel,
                  Japan  BIS
                  SACD-1481 [77.25] [TB]
 BIS
                  SACD-1481 [77.25] [TB]
        A
              perfect introduction to this wonderfully rich repertoire, truly
              music’s greatest treasure trove. ... see Full
              Review
         Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The
                  Art of Fugue BWV 1080a (1742-1748) [68:33]  Sébastien
                  Guillot (harpsichord) rec. Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon Secours,
                  Paris, 21-25 April 2004. DDD
 Sébastien
                  Guillot (harpsichord) rec. Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon Secours,
                  Paris, 21-25 April 2004. DDD  NAXOS
        8.557796 [68:33] [TP]
 NAXOS
        8.557796 [68:33] [TP]
        Decent,
              affordable and well-played. Will suit anyone coming to this piece
              for the first time, or anyone wanting a harpsichord version to
              compare to their preferred arrangements of this mesmerising work.
              ... see Full Review 
          Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Suites
                  Nos. 1 - 4 BWV 1066 - 1069 Overture (Suite) No. 3 in D
                  (BWV 1068) [16:48] Overture (Suite) No. 2 in b minor (BWV 1067)
                  [17:26] Overture (Suite) No. 1 in C (BWV 1066) [18:27] Overture
                  (Suite) No. 4 in D (BWV 1069) [17:43]
 Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Suites
                  Nos. 1 - 4 BWV 1066 - 1069 Overture (Suite) No. 3 in D
                  (BWV 1068) [16:48] Overture (Suite) No. 2 in b minor (BWV 1067)
                  [17:26] Overture (Suite) No. 1 in C (BWV 1066) [18:27] Overture
                  (Suite) No. 4 in D (BWV 1069) [17:43]  I
                  Barocchisti/Diego Fasolis rec. May 2001, Auditorium
                  'Stello Moro' RSI, Lugano, Switzerland. DDD
 I
                  Barocchisti/Diego Fasolis rec. May 2001, Auditorium
                  'Stello Moro' RSI, Lugano, Switzerland. DDD  ARTS
                  47649-8
 ARTS
                  47649-8  [70:24]
                  [JV]
 [70:24]
                  [JV]
        A
              disappointing and superfluous addition to the large number of recordings
              of Bach's Overtures ... see Full
              Review 
         
  Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The
                  Bach Cantata Pilgrimage   Volume
                  19: Cantatas for the Second Sunday after Epiphany Mein
                  Gott, wie lang, ach lange?  BWV155, Ach Gott, wie manches
                  Herzeleid I, BWV3, Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen,
                  BWV13
 Johann
                  Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The
                  Bach Cantata Pilgrimage   Volume
                  19: Cantatas for the Second Sunday after Epiphany Mein
                  Gott, wie lang, ach lange?  BWV155, Ach Gott, wie manches
                  Herzeleid I, BWV3, Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen,
                  BWV13  Joanne
                  Lunn (soprano); Richard Wyn Roberts (alto); Julian Podger (tenor);
                  Gerald Finley (bass); The Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque
                  Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. Old Royal Naval Chapel,
                  Greenwich, 16-17 January 2000 Cantatas for the Fourth Sunday
                  after Epiphany Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie
                  nichtig, BWV26 (For the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity)
                  Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV81, Wär Gott nicht mit
                  uns diese Zeit, BWV14, Motet: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV227. Joanne
                  Lunn, Katharine Fuge (sopranos); William Towers (alto); Paul
                  Agnew (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass); The Monteverdi Choir; English
                  Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner 
  rec. Romsey Abbey, Hampshire, 30 January 2000
 Joanne
                  Lunn (soprano); Richard Wyn Roberts (alto); Julian Podger (tenor);
                  Gerald Finley (bass); The Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque
                  Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. Old Royal Naval Chapel,
                  Greenwich, 16-17 January 2000 Cantatas for the Fourth Sunday
                  after Epiphany Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie
                  nichtig, BWV26 (For the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity)
                  Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV81, Wär Gott nicht mit
                  uns diese Zeit, BWV14, Motet: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV227. Joanne
                  Lunn, Katharine Fuge (sopranos); William Towers (alto); Paul
                  Agnew (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass); The Monteverdi Choir; English
                  Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner 
  rec. Romsey Abbey, Hampshire, 30 January 2000  SOLI
  DEO GLORIA SDG 115 [59:28 + 68:05]
 SOLI
  DEO GLORIA SDG 115 [59:28 + 68:05] 
  Volume 21: Cantatas for Quinquagesima Sunday  Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe,
  BWV22, Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn, BWV23, Herr
  Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott, BWV127, Sehet! Wir
  gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV159  Ruth
  Holten (soprano); Claudia Schubert (alto); James Oxley (tenor); Peter Harvey
  (bass); The choirs of Clare College and Trinity College, Cambridge; The Monteverdi
  Choir; English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. King’s College
  Chapel, Cambridge, 5 March 2000 Cantatas for the Annunciation/Palm Sunday/Oculi Himmelskönig,
  sei willkommen BWV182, Widerstehe doch die Sünde, BWV54, Wie
  schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV1. Malin Hartelius (soprano);
  Nathalie Stutzmann (alto); James Gilchrist (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass) /The
  Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. Walpole
  St. Peter, Norfolk, 26 March 2000
 Ruth
  Holten (soprano); Claudia Schubert (alto); James Oxley (tenor); Peter Harvey
  (bass); The choirs of Clare College and Trinity College, Cambridge; The Monteverdi
  Choir; English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. King’s College
  Chapel, Cambridge, 5 March 2000 Cantatas for the Annunciation/Palm Sunday/Oculi Himmelskönig,
  sei willkommen BWV182, Widerstehe doch die Sünde, BWV54, Wie
  schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV1. Malin Hartelius (soprano);
  Nathalie Stutzmann (alto); James Gilchrist (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass) /The
  Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. Walpole
  St. Peter, Norfolk, 26 March 2000  SOLI
  DEO GLORIA SDG 118 [74:50 + 60:14] [JQ]
 SOLI
  DEO GLORIA SDG 118 [74:50 + 60:14] [JQ]
        This
              is turning out to be an important and distinguished series and
              I recommend these latest issues very strongly. ... see Full
              Review
         BARGAIN
                OF THE MONTH Luciano BERIO (1925 – 2003)  Sequenzas
                I – XIV
 BARGAIN
                OF THE MONTH Luciano BERIO (1925 – 2003)  Sequenzas
                I – XIV  Nora
                Shulman (flute); Erica Goodman (harp); Tony Arnold (soprano);
                Boris Berman (piano); Alain Trudel (trombone); Steven Dann (viola);
                Matej Šarc (oboe); Jasper
Wood (violin); Joaquin Valdepeñas (clarinet); Guy Few (trumpet); Pablo Sáinz
Villegas (guitar); Ken Munday (bassoon); Joseph Petric (accordion); Darrett Adkins
(cello); Wallace Halladay (saxophones) rec. St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket,
Ontario, Canada, 1998-2004
 Nora
                Shulman (flute); Erica Goodman (harp); Tony Arnold (soprano);
                Boris Berman (piano); Alain Trudel (trombone); Steven Dann (viola);
                Matej Šarc (oboe); Jasper
Wood (violin); Joaquin Valdepeñas (clarinet); Guy Few (trumpet); Pablo Sáinz
Villegas (guitar); Ken Munday (bassoon); Joseph Petric (accordion); Darrett Adkins
(cello); Wallace Halladay (saxophones) rec. St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket,
Ontario, Canada, 1998-2004  NAXOS
8.557661-63 [3 CDs: 63:02 + 60:09 + 58:48] [HC]
 NAXOS
8.557661-63 [3 CDs: 63:02 + 60:09 + 58:48] [HC]
        Splendid
              - a thirty-four year musical odyssey that will remain as one of
              the peaks of 20th century instrumental music. ... see Full
              Review 
         
          Ludwig van 
          BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 
          Piano 
          Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 (1803) [33:50] 
          Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (1806) 
          [33:21]  Sinfonietta Cracovia/Rudolf Buchbinder (piano. 
          conductor) rec. Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic 
          Hall, Cracow, 26 March 2002. DDD
 
          Sinfonietta Cracovia/Rudolf Buchbinder (piano. 
          conductor) rec. Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic 
          Hall, Cracow, 26 March 2002. DDD  CD ACCORD ACD 156-2 [68:33] [MG]
 
          CD ACCORD ACD 156-2 [68:33] [MG]
        A 
          vibrant and absorbing third concerto followed 
          by a concentrated, but rather sober, fourth 
          … see Full 
          Review 
         
          Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony 
          No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 Pastoral (1808) [38.59] + Overtures: 
          Fidelio, Op. 72, Act I [6.16]*; Leonore No. 3, Op. 72b [13.07] *; Coriolan 
          Op. 62 [7.26] ^; The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43 [4.46] #  BBC Symphony Orchestra ** London Symphony Orchestra ^ Vienna Philharmonic 
          Orchestra + and * British Symphony Orchestra # Bruno Walter rec. 5 December 
          1936 +; 21 May 1936*; 21 May 1934**; 12 September 1938^; 16 May 1930#
 
          BBC Symphony Orchestra ** London Symphony Orchestra ^ Vienna Philharmonic 
          Orchestra + and * British Symphony Orchestra # Bruno Walter rec. 5 December 
          1936 +; 21 May 1936*; 21 May 1934**; 12 September 1938^; 16 May 1930# 
           NAXOS 8.111032 
          [70.35][JQ]
 NAXOS 8.111032 
          [70.35][JQ]
        These 
          Beethoven recordings all pre-date Bruno Walter’s emigration to the USA 
          and they are very well worth hearing. ... see Full 
          Review
        Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN 
          (1770-1827) String Quartet No. 8, Op. 59 No. 
          2 in e (1806) [39.21] String Quartet No. 9, Op. 59 No. 3 in C [30.48] 
           Brodsky Quartet: (Andrew 
          Haveron, Ian Belton, violins; Paul Cassidy, viola; Jacqueline Thomas, 
          cello). rec. Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, UK, 12 November 2005. 
          DDD Notes in English. Photos of artists, picture of composer
 Brodsky Quartet: (Andrew 
          Haveron, Ian Belton, violins; Paul Cassidy, viola; Jacqueline Thomas, 
          cello). rec. Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, UK, 12 November 2005. 
          DDD Notes in English. Photos of artists, picture of composer  BRODSKY RECORDS BRD 3502 [70.48] [PSh]
 
          BRODSKY RECORDS BRD 3502 [70.48] [PSh]
        Cool, 
          crisp Beethoven, as viewed from the end of 
          his journey. Does that work for No. 9 the 
          most vividly emotional and passionate of all 
          the quartets? ... see Full 
          Review 
         
           Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN 
          (1770-1827) String 
          Quartet in B flat major Op. 130 (1826) [41.59] 
          String Quartet in C sharp minor Op. 131 (1826) 
          [37.20]
 
          Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN 
          (1770-1827) String 
          Quartet in B flat major Op. 130 (1826) [41.59] 
          String Quartet in C sharp minor Op. 131 (1826) 
          [37.20]  Shanghai Quartet rec. live, Grand Hall, Royal 
          Castle, Warsaw, 4 April 2004. DDD
 
          Shanghai Quartet rec. live, Grand Hall, Royal 
          Castle, Warsaw, 4 April 2004. DDD  CD ACCORD ACD 158-2 DDD [79.54] [DD]
 
          CD ACCORD ACD 158-2 DDD [79.54] [DD]
        Two 
          late classics of Beethoven splendidly played 
          and recorded live. ... see Full 
          Review 
         Ludwig 
          Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 
          Trio 
          in B flat major for clarinet, cello and piano, 
          Op. 11 (1797-98) [20:41] Quintet in E flat 
          major for piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and 
          horn, Op. 16 (1796) [25:22] Serenade in D 
          major for flute, violin and viola, Op. 25 
          (1800-01) [24:46]
 
          Ludwig 
          Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 
          Trio 
          in B flat major for clarinet, cello and piano, 
          Op. 11 (1797-98) [20:41] Quintet in E flat 
          major for piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and 
          horn, Op. 16 (1796) [25:22] Serenade in D 
          major for flute, violin and viola, Op. 25 
          (1800-01) [24:46]  The Gaudier Ensemble: (Marieke Blankestijn, 
          violin; Iris Juda, viola; Christoph Marks, 
          cello; Jaime Martin, flute; Douglas Boyd, 
          oboe; Richard Hosford, clarinet; Robin O:Neill, 
          bassoon; Jonathan Williams, French horn; Susan 
          Tomes, piano) rec. Henry Wood Hall, Trinity 
          Church Square, London, England, 19-21 May 
          2005. DDD
 
          The Gaudier Ensemble: (Marieke Blankestijn, 
          violin; Iris Juda, viola; Christoph Marks, 
          cello; Jaime Martin, flute; Douglas Boyd, 
          oboe; Richard Hosford, clarinet; Robin O:Neill, 
          bassoon; Jonathan Williams, French horn; Susan 
          Tomes, piano) rec. Henry Wood Hall, Trinity 
          Church Square, London, England, 19-21 May 
          2005. DDD  HYPERION CDA67526 [71:07] [MC]
 
          HYPERION CDA67526 [71:07] [MC]
        An 
          enjoyable release in which the Gaudiers provide 
          performances of discernment and character. 
          ... see Full 
          Review 
         
          Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 
          Piano Trio in B flat, Op. 97, Archduke 
          (1811) [43’04].  Jean Fournier (violin); Antonio Janigro (cello); 
          Paul Badura-Skoda (piano). Recording originally 
          released in 1952 on Westminster. ADD
 
          Jean Fournier (violin); Antonio Janigro (cello); 
          Paul Badura-Skoda (piano). Recording originally 
          released in 1952 on Westminster. ADD  PRISTINE AUDIO PACM028 [43:04] [CC]
 
          PRISTINE AUDIO PACM028 [43:04] [CC] 
        
The 
          Westminster catalogue remains to this day 
          eternally fascinating … the present performance 
          is always musical and well worth exploring. 
          ... see Full 
          Review  
        
 Niels Viggo 
          BENTZON 
          (1919-2000) Symphony 
          No. 8 Sinfonia Discrezione Op. 113 
          (1957) [44.20] Symphonic Variations Op. 
          92 (1952) [17.55]
 
          Niels Viggo 
          BENTZON 
          (1919-2000) Symphony 
          No. 8 Sinfonia Discrezione Op. 113 
          (1957) [44.20] Symphonic Variations Op. 
          92 (1952) [17.55]  Gothenburg-Aarhus Philharmonic/Douglas Bostock 
          rec. Artisten, Goteborg, 23-24 Jan 2005. world 
          premiere recording (8); first CD recording 
          (Variations). DDD
 
          Gothenburg-Aarhus Philharmonic/Douglas Bostock 
          rec. Artisten, Goteborg, 23-24 Jan 2005. world 
          premiere recording (8); first CD recording 
          (Variations). DDD  CLASSICO CLASSCD 622 [62.15] [RB]
 
          CLASSICO CLASSCD 622 [62.15] [RB]
        Superbly 
          performed, recorded and documented Bentzon’s 
          thorny Symphonic Variations alongside a fine 
          Danish symphony of the 1950s ... see Full 
          Review 
         
          Georg VON 
          BERTOUCH (1668-1743) 
          Trio Sonatas Georg VON 
          BERTOUCH 
          Sonata No. 8 in G (2 violins, bc) [06:53] 
          anon March* 
          (recorder, bc) [01:34] Aria* (with variations 
          by Bergen Barokk) (recorder, bc) [02:36] Georg 
          VON BERTOUCH Sonata No. 15 in f 
          minor (2 violins, bc) [06:05] anon 
          Paspie de la Compertanje* (harpsichord) 
          [02:09] Georg VON 
          BERTOUCH Sonata No. 11 in F (recorder, 
          violin, bc) [07:16] anon 
          Menuetto* (recorder, bc) [01:58] 
          Gavotte alternativement* (viola da gamba, 
          harpsichord) [03:13] Georg 
          VON BERTOUCH Sonata No. 21 in B 
          flat minor (harpsichord, recorder) [07:24] 
          Sonata No. 17 in E flat (harpsichord) [05:26] 
          Sonata No. 12 in d minor (2 violins, bc) [09:49] 
          anon Allegro 
          et trio* (recorder, bc) [02:22] Georg 
          VON BERTOUCH Sonata No. 14 in g 
          minor (recorder, transverse flute, bc) [09:00] 
          (*) Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher 
           Bergen Barokk: (Frode Thorsen (recorder), 
          Kjersti Sellevåg (transverse flute), 
          Peter Spissky, Bjarte Eike (violin), Markku 
          Luolajan-Mikkola (cello, viola da gamba), 
          Hans Knut Sveen (harpsichord)) rec. September 
          2001, June 2003, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, 
          Oslo, Norway DDD
 
          Bergen Barokk: (Frode Thorsen (recorder), 
          Kjersti Sellevåg (transverse flute), 
          Peter Spissky, Bjarte Eike (violin), Markku 
          Luolajan-Mikkola (cello, viola da gamba), 
          Hans Knut Sveen (harpsichord)) rec. September 
          2001, June 2003, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, 
          Oslo, Norway DDD  TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0006 [65:50] [JV]
 
          TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0006 [65:50] [JV]
        A 
          musically highly entertaining and historically 
          very interesting recording of baroque music 
          from Norway ... see Full 
          Review 
         Joseph 
          Bodin de BOISMORTIER 
          (1689-1755) Sonatas 
          for two bassoons and continuo: no.1 in 
          E minor, op.50 [7:55]; no.3 in G, op.26 [7:35]; 
          no.1 in D minor, op.40 [6:24]; no.5 in G minor, 
          op.26 [7:20]; no.3 in D minor, op.14 [10:41]; 
          no.2 in G, op.50 [10:39]; no.5 in G minor, 
          op.40 [5:58]; no.6 in C, op.14 [8:31]; no.2 
          in A minor, op.26 [6:33]; Rondeau in A minor, 
          op.40 [1:58]; Chaconne in A, op.66 [3:05]
 
          Joseph 
          Bodin de BOISMORTIER 
          (1689-1755) Sonatas 
          for two bassoons and continuo: no.1 in 
          E minor, op.50 [7:55]; no.3 in G, op.26 [7:35]; 
          no.1 in D minor, op.40 [6:24]; no.5 in G minor, 
          op.26 [7:20]; no.3 in D minor, op.14 [10:41]; 
          no.2 in G, op.50 [10:39]; no.5 in G minor, 
          op.40 [5:58]; no.6 in C, op.14 [8:31]; no.2 
          in A minor, op.26 [6:33]; Rondeau in A minor, 
          op.40 [1:58]; Chaconne in A, op.66 [3:05] 
           Musica Franca: (Mathieu Lussier (solo bassoon); 
          Nadina Mackie Jackson (bassoon); Fraser Jackson 
          (contrabassoon); Sylvain Bergeron (theorbo); 
          Richard Paré (harpsichord and organ)) 
          rec. 17-19 May 2005, St.Anne’s Anglican Church, 
          Toronto. DDD
 
          Musica Franca: (Mathieu Lussier (solo bassoon); 
          Nadina Mackie Jackson (bassoon); Fraser Jackson 
          (contrabassoon); Sylvain Bergeron (theorbo); 
          Richard Paré (harpsichord and organ)) 
          rec. 17-19 May 2005, St.Anne’s Anglican Church, 
          Toronto. DDD  MSR CLASSICS MS 1170 [75:15] [GPJ]
 
          MSR CLASSICS MS 1170 [75:15] [GPJ]
        I 
          urge you to try this – delightful music played 
          with consummate skill, and recorded to perfection. 
          ... see Full 
          Review 
         Mel
                  BONIS (1858-1937) L'oeuvre
                  vocale: 23 mélodies Pourriez-vous pas me dire?; Sur
                  la plage; Viens; Vilanelle; Viola; Sauvez-moi
                  de l'amour; Songe (vers le pur amour); Le
                  chat sur le toit; Madrigal;  Epithalame; Le
                  ruisseau; Dès l'aube; Mirage; Chanson
                  d'amour; Sorrente; La mer; Reproche tendre; Immortelle
                  tendresse; Elève-toi mon âme; Noël Pastorale; Regina
                  Coeli; A Suzanne; L'oiseau bleu  Brigitte
                  Balleys (mezzo); Valérie Gabail (soprano); Eric Cerantola (piano);
                  Astrid Pfarrer (mezzo, violin); Marc Jaermann (cello) rec.
                  Studio Guy Fallot, Lausanne, 5-7 Sept 2005. DDD
 Brigitte
                  Balleys (mezzo); Valérie Gabail (soprano); Eric Cerantola (piano);
                  Astrid Pfarrer (mezzo, violin); Marc Jaermann (cello) rec.
                  Studio Guy Fallot, Lausanne, 5-7 Sept 2005. DDD  DORON DRC
                  5026 [68:04] [RB]
 DORON DRC
                  5026 [68:04] [RB]
        Certainly
              one for adventurous lovers of French song but a mixed bag with
              some extremely fine songs in the company of Chausson and Duparc.
              ... see Full Review
         York 
          BOWEN (1884-1961) Violin Concerto 
          in E minor, Op 33 (1913) [37.42] Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat, Op 
          11 (1903) [26.07]
 
           York 
          BOWEN (1884-1961) Violin Concerto 
          in E minor, Op 33 (1913) [37.42] Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat, Op 
          11 (1903) [26.07]  Lorraine McAslan (violin) Michael Dussek (piano) BBC Concert Orchestra/Vernon 
          Handley rec. 5-6 December 2005, The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England. 
          DDD
 
           Lorraine McAslan (violin) Michael Dussek (piano) BBC Concert Orchestra/Vernon 
          Handley rec. 5-6 December 2005, The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England. 
          DDD  DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 
          7169 [64.09][MC]
 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 
          7169 [64.09][MC]
        Music 
          of eloquent beauty that will lift the spirits. 
          A valuable release that will be one of my 
          ‘Records of the Year’. ... see Full 
          Review
         
          Frank BRIDGE 
          (1879-1941) Piano Music: 
          Volume 1 Suite, 
          A Fairy Tale (1917): [11.19] (The 
          Princess: Allegretto con moto [2.49]; 
          The Ogre: Allegro deciso [1.27]; The 
          Spell: Adagio e sostenuto [4.12]; The 
          Prince: Allegro giocoso [2.52]) The 
          Hour Glass (1919-20): [14.15] (Dusk: 
          Molto moderato [4.59]; The Dew Fairy: 
          Allegretto moderato e rubato [3.48]; The 
          Midnight Tide: Molto lento [5.58]) Miniature 
          Pastorals (Set 1) (1917): [6.09] (Allegretto 
          con moto [2.17]; Tempo di valse [2.09]; 
          Allegretto ben moderato [1.44]) Three 
          Lyrics (1921-24): [8.30] (Heart's 
          Ease: Andante tranquillo – Lento [2.34]; 
          Dainty Rogue: Molto allegro e vivo [1.53]; 
          The Hedgerow: Allegretto moderato [4.02]) 
          Three Pieces (1912) [8.56] (Columbine: 
          Poco lento - Tempo di Valse [2.55]; Minuet: 
          Tempo di Minuetto [2.04]; Romance: 
          Andante molto moderato [3.57]) In 
          Autumn (1924): [8.19] (Retrospect: 
          Adagio ma non troppo [5.37]; Through 
          the Eaves: Allegro moderato e rubato [2.41]) 
          Three Poems (1914-15): [11.55] 
          (Solitude: Poco adagio e molto espressivo 
          [3.25]; Ecstasy: Lento e sostenuto 
          - Allegro con moto [4.38]; Sunset: 
          Adagio e sostenuto [3.51])  Ashley Wass (piano) rec. Potton Hall, 
          Suffolk, 19-21 April 2005. DDD
 
           Ashley Wass (piano) rec. Potton Hall, 
          Suffolk, 19-21 April 2005. DDD  NAXOS 8.557842 [70.06] [EM]
 
          NAXOS 8.557842 [70.06] [EM]
        Wass 
          demonstrates a tremendous feel for the whole 
          range of Bridge’s piano music: delicacy on 
          the one hand and power on the other ... see 
          Full Review 
          
         Also
             a contrasting review by Christopher
              Howell
 Also
             a contrasting review by Christopher
              Howell
        An 
            issue like the present can do no good at all. 
            ... see Full 
            Review 
                  
         BARGAIN
                OF THE MONTH Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Violin
                Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.26 (1864-68) [25.21] Konzertstück for
                violin and orchestra in F sharp minor, Op. 84 (1910)
[17.53] Romance for violin and orchestra in A minor, Op. 42 (1874) [10.13]
 BARGAIN
                OF THE MONTH Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Violin
                Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.26 (1864-68) [25.21] Konzertstück for
                violin and orchestra in F sharp minor, Op. 84 (1910)
[17.53] Romance for violin and orchestra in A minor, Op. 42 (1874) [10.13]  Maxim
Fedotov, violin Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. Studio 5,
Kultura TV and Radio Company, Moscow, Russia, 28 Nov-3 Dec 2004.  DDD
 Maxim
Fedotov, violin Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. Studio 5,
Kultura TV and Radio Company, Moscow, Russia, 28 Nov-3 Dec 2004.  DDD  NAXOS
8.557689  [53.27]
[MC]
 NAXOS
8.557689  [53.27]
[MC]
        An
              excellently performed and recorded release from Naxos that will
              provide considerable pleasure. ... see Full
              Review 
         Max BRUCH (1838-1920) 
          Violin Concerto No.1 Op.26 (1868) [25.21] Konzertstück Op.84 (1910) 
          [17.53] Romanze Op.42 (1874) [10.13]
 
           Max BRUCH (1838-1920) 
          Violin Concerto No.1 Op.26 (1868) [25.21] Konzertstück Op.84 (1910) 
          [17.53] Romanze Op.42 (1874) [10.13]  Maxim Fedotov (violin) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky 
          rec. Studio 5, KULTURA TV and Radio Co., Moscow, 28 November-3 December 
          2004
 
          Maxim Fedotov (violin) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky 
          rec. Studio 5, KULTURA TV and Radio Co., Moscow, 28 November-3 December 
          2004  NAXOS 8.557689 
          [53.27][CF]
 NAXOS 8.557689 
          [53.27][CF]
        Fedotov’s 
          playing ... full-blooded and passionately committed. Bruch would have 
          approved. ... see Full Review
         Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) 
          Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major Romantic [68:44] Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Leonora Overture No. 3, 
          Op. 72a [15:12]
 
          Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) 
          Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major Romantic [68:44] Ludwig 
          van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Leonora Overture No. 3, 
          Op. 72a [15:12]  NDR Sinfonieorchester/Günter 
          Wand rec. live, the Dom, Lübeck, 24 June 1990, Schleswig-Holstein Musik 
          Festival
 NDR Sinfonieorchester/Günter 
          Wand rec. live, the Dom, Lübeck, 24 June 1990, Schleswig-Holstein Musik 
          Festival  TDK DVD DVWW-COWAND5
 TDK DVD DVWW-COWAND5 
           [87:00] [KS]
 [87:00] [KS]
        Merits
              repeated viewing, and stands as a fine testament to the work of
              a great master conductor at the height of his powers and in the
              core of his literature. ... see Full
              Review 
         Arthur
                  BUTTERWORTH (b.
                  1923) Piano Trio No.1 Op.73 (1983)
                  [21:06] Viola Sonata Op.78 (1986)a [18:26] Piano
                  Trio No.2 Op.121 (2004) [16:13]
 Arthur
                  BUTTERWORTH (b.
                  1923) Piano Trio No.1 Op.73 (1983)
                  [21:06] Viola Sonata Op.78 (1986)a [18:26] Piano
                  Trio No.2 Op.121 (2004) [16:13]  The
                  Terroni Piano Trio (John Trusler, violin; Fiona Murphy, cello;
                  Raphael Terroni, piano); Morgan Goff (viola)a rec.
                  All Saints Church, Durham Road, East Finchley, 15-17 June
                  2005
 The
                  Terroni Piano Trio (John Trusler, violin; Fiona Murphy, cello;
                  Raphael Terroni, piano); Morgan Goff (viola)a rec.
                  All Saints Church, Durham Road, East Finchley, 15-17 June
                  2005  DUTTON
        EPOCH CDLX 7164 [56:06] [EM]
 DUTTON
        EPOCH CDLX 7164 [56:06] [EM] 
        I
              was delighted to come across such tuneful and tonal works from
              a contemporary composer, and such accomplished and suave playing.
              ... see Full Review