Roberto Alagna
(tenor) Sacred Songs Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Ave Maria [2.58] **; Repentir
[5.24] * César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Panis Angelicus [4.00] Adolphe ADAM
(1803-1856) Minuit, chrétiens! [4.55] *
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) O salutaris [3.26] César FRANCK La Procession [5.02] Charles
GOUNOD Sanctus from ‘Messe solennelle de Sainte Cecile’
[6.11]; Salutation Angelique [3.48] Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Sanctus from ‘Requiem’ [10.18]
Jean-Baptiste FAURE (1830-1914) Crucifix
[3.22] * Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Panis Angelicus [3.30] Georges BIZET
(1838-1875) Agnus Dei [4.44] André
CAPLET (1878-1925) Panis Angelicus [4.56] Lili
BOULANGER (1893-1918) Pie Jesu [4.23] * Arrangement
and orchestration by Alain Kremski ** Arrangement by Thilo Winter 
Roberto Alagna (tenor) Petits Chanteurs à la Croix
Potencée Chorus and Orchestra du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel
Plasson rec. Eglise Notre-Dame de la Daurade, Toulouse, 2-6 May
1996. Texts in Latin, English, German and French.
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6278 [68.01][ED]
This
is a welcome and most warmly recommendable
reissue. ... see Full
Review
Roberto
Alagna - Bel Canto Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Poliuto: Veleno è l’aura ch’io
respire! … Sfolforò divino raggio (Scena ed aria – Atto II) Vincenzo BELLINI (1801–1835) La sonnambula: Prendi,
l’anel ti dono (Duetto – Atto I)* Gaetano
DONIZETTI La Favorite: Un ange, une femme inconnue
(Cavatine – Acte I); La maîtresse du roi? … Ange si pur (Récitatif
et romance – Acte IV; Don Pasquale: Sogno soave e casto Vincenzo
BELLINI Norma: Meco all’altar di Venere … Me protegge,
me difende (Cavatina e cabaletta – Atto I) Gaetano DONIZETTI Roberto Devereux: Ed ancor la
tremenda porta … A te dirò negli ultimi (Scena ed aria – Atto
III); Dom Sébastien: Seul sur la terre (Cavatine – Acte II) Vincenzo
BELLINI I puritani: A te, o cara (Parte I)* Gaetano
DONIZETTI L’elisir d’amore: Quanto è bella (Cavatina – Atto
I); Una furtive lagrima (Romanza – Atto II) Vincenzo
BELLINI Il pirata: Ascolta. Nel furor delle tempeste
(Cavatina – Atto I) Gaetano DONIZETTI La Fille du régiment: Pour me
rapprocher de Marie (Romance – Acte II); Ah, mes amis … Messieurs
son père … Pour mon âme (Cavatine – Acte I) Roberto
Alagna (tenor), Angela Gheorghiu (soprano)* London Voices,
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Evelino Pidò rec. September-October
1999, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London; May 2001, Lyndhurst Hall,
Air Studios, London DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 477 6273 [67:13] [GF]
Alagna
need not feel ashamed to be compared to the great Enrico ... tenor
singing on a very high level. A distinguished issue ... warmly
recommended. ... see Full
Review
Roberto
Alagna: Nessun
dorma Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Turandot:
Nessun dorma (Atto III) Umberto GIORDANO (1867–1948) Andrea
Chenier: Colpito qui m’avete … Un di all’azzurro spazio (Improvviso)(Atto
I); Come un bel di di maggio (Atto IV) Alfredo
CATALANI (1854–1893) La Wally: Quando a Sölden (Atto
IV) Riccardo ZANDONAI (1883–1944) Giulietta e Romeo:
Giulietta, son io (Atto III) Ruggiero
LEONCAVALLO (1858–1919) La Bohème: Non
parlate cosi … Io non ho che una povera stanzetta
(Atto II); Musetta! O gioia della mia dimora! … Testa
adorata (Atto III) Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) La Gioconda: Cielo
e mar! (Atto II) Pietro
MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana:
Comare Lola … Viva il vino spumeggiante (Brindisi)(Atto
I); Mamma, quel vino è generoso (Atto II) Francesco CILEA (1866–1950) Adriana Lecouvreur:
La dolcissima effigie sorridente (Atto I); L’anima
ho stanca, e la meta è lontana (Atto II) Ruggiero
LEONCAVALLO I zingari: Dammi un amore
selvaggio e ribelle (Atto I); Chatterton: Che più mi
resta! Tu sola a me rimani (Atto II); Zazà: È un
riso genti qual’alba d’april (Atto I); Mai più, Zazà,
raggiar vedrò (Atto III) Umberto
GIORDANO La cena delle beffe: Tornato è maggio
dopo lungo viaggio (Atto IV); Fedora: Amor ti vieta
(Atto II) Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876–1948) Sly:
Un orso in musoliera innamorato (Atto I) Giacomo
PUCCINI Turandot: Questa notte … Nessun
dorma … O sole! Vita! Eternità! (Atto III) Roberto
Alagna (tenor) London Voices, Orchestra of the Royal
Opera House, Covent Garden/Mark Elder rec. April – June
2003, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London. DDD DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 477 6276 [65:41] [GF]
Alagna
sings lyrically with great feeling, fine sensitivity and intelligence.
Another highly recommendable recital. ... see Full
Review
Andreas Bach
Buch
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1704)
Ciacona
in c BuxWV 159 [6'05] J.S.
BACH (1685-1750) Fantasia in c
BWV 1121 (Adagio) [3'24] Johann
C.F. FISCHER (c1670-1746) Praeludium
and Ciacona [5'23] J.S.
BACH Fantasia and Imitatio in h
BWV 563 [3'55] Christian
RITTER (c1645-c1725) Suite in F-sharp
mineur [13'36] Carlo
Franceso POLLAROLO (c1653-1723) Capriccio
(Allegro) [4'35] Marin
MARAIS (1656-1728) Suite d'Alcide
(extracts) [7'42] Johann
Adam REINCKEN (1643-1722) Ballet
(10 variations) [8'00] J.S.
BACH Toccata in c BWV 911
Benjamin Alard (organ and harpsichord)
rec: Saint-Etienne, Baigorry, France, 27-31
October 2005. DDD
HORTUS 045 [65'50] [CB]
An
interesting selection of pieces from the Andreas
Bach Buch ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH ¡Ay,
Dulce Pena! - Tonos humanos del Barroco español
Juan del VADO (c.1625-1691) A Pascal no le puede [4:58] Juan
HIDALGO (1614-1685) ¡Ay
de mi dolor! [7:47] José Martínez de ARCE
(c.1660-1721) ¿Para qué son las iras? [3:26]
ANONYMOUS ¿A quién me quejaré [6:04] ANONYMOUS ¿Qué
quiere amor? [4:06] Juan HIDALGO (1614-1685)
¡Ay amor, ay ausencia!
[6:15] ANONYMOUS Sobre las ramas de un sauce [3:51]
Juan del VADO (c.1625-1691) Las campanas [10:34] Juan
HIDALGO (1614-1685) Con tanto respeto adoran [5:37] ¡Ay,
corazón amante! [7:34] ANONYMOUS Sarao de la minué francés [3:13]
Marta Almajano
(soprano), Juan Carlos Rivera (archlute, baroque guitar), Mike Fentross
(baroque guitar), Ventura Rico (viola da gamba), Pedro Estevan (percussion)
rec.11-13 February 2001, Church of Sant Corneli, de Collbató (Barcelona).
HARMONIA MUNDI HMA
1957028 [63:05][GPu]
A
delicious recital, which no one with an interest in seventeenth-century
music should miss … see Full Review
Battalia! -
Baroque Battle Music for Trumpet Consort Girolamo
FANTINI (c1600-c1675) Entrata (e) Imperiale per sonare
in Concerto [07:10] Pierre ATTAIGNANT (1494?-1552?) Pavanne
de la Guerre [03:43] Anon J'ai
vu le Cerf du Bois sailly, chanson a 4 [01:04] J'ai vu le Cerf
du Bois sailly, madrigal a 6 (instr) [02:31] Cesare
BENDINELLI (1542?-1617) Sonata con un clarino solo [04:49] Tielman
SUSATO (1500?-1564) Pavane Bataille (Die Schlacht) [02:17]
Danse de Hercules (Herkulestanz) [02:05] La Mourisque (Mohrentanz)
[02:05] Orlandus LASSUS (1532?-1594) Fit
Porta Christi pervia [02:05] Cesare
BENDINELLI Rotta ò Sonata
[02:54] Giovanni Giacomo GASTOLDI (1556?-1622) Amor
vittorioso [01:34] Domenico GARSI (1542-1604) Battalia
[04:26] Michael PRAETORIUS (1571-1621) Courrant
de Bataglia [01:54] Volte du Tambour [02:33]
Bransle Gay [01:34] Girolamo FANTINI Seconda
Imperiale [07:47] FANTINI/SUSATO/GARSI/PRAETORIUS Baroque
Battle (with arms of the baroque period) [04:35] Gloria
Moretti (soprano), Stefano Albarello (alto), Vincenzo Di Donato, Paolo Fanciulacci
(tenor), Marco Spongano
(bass)
Tibicines: Igino Conforzi, Andrea Di Mario, Marco Nesi, Gabriele Callegari, Tranquillo
Forza (trumpet), Marco Ferrari, Anberto Ponchio, Linda Severi (ciaramella, bombarda),
Mauro Morini (trombone, serpentone), David Jacus (trombones), Nicola Moneta (percussion);
Andrea Macinanti (organ)/Igino Conforzi
rec. May 2001, Bologna, Italy. DDD ARTS
47666-8 
[55:12]
[JV]
Music
for wind band from the 16th and 17th centuries - the concept may
be speculative but the performances are brilliant and a joy to
listen to … see Full Review
Beatles for Harp -
transcribed for harp by Jim Palmer
John LENNON (1940–1980)/Paul McCARTNEY (b. 1942) Got To Get You Into My
Life; It’s Only Love; Blackbird; George
HARRISON (1943–2001) I Want To Tell You;
John LENNON/ Paul McCARTNEY For No One; George
HARRISON I Need You; John LENNON/ Paul McCARTNEY Here, There, and Everywhere;
George HARRISON Here Comes The Sun; John
LENNON/ Paul McCARTNEY You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away;
Hello, Goodbye; Girl; Do You Want To Know a Secret?; All You Need Is
Love; Strawberry Fields Forever; You Won’t See Me
Jim Palmer (harp) rec. August 27-28, 2004, Reel Recording, Maryville,
Missouri CENTAUR CRC
2728 [48:06][GF]
And
who knows, John and George may be playing the harp with the angels today,
why not in Jim Palmer’s transcriptions? ... see Full
Review
Beck
and Call
Alex SHAPIRO (b.1962) Of Breath
and Touch (1999) [10.26]; Deep [7.34] + André
PREVIN (b.1929) Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1999) [14.56]
Michal SPISAK (1914-1965) Duetto
Concertante (1949) [14.00] Moshe ZORMAN
(b.1952) A Grizzly’s Dream (1984) [12.12] Marcel
BITSCH (b.1921) Concertino (1948) [7.00] Don
CHAMBERLAIN (b.1952) Beck and Call (1993) [6.47] +
Carolyn Beck (bassoon); Delores Stevens (piano); Kira Blumberg (viola)
With pre-recorded tracks + rec. October 2003-March 2005, acoustical
pieces at Bridges Hall, Pomona College, CA. Beck and Call at Studio
A, Citrus College, Azusa, CA and Deep at Dino Falls Studio, LA, CA.
CRYSTAL RECORDS CD 846
[73.39] [JW]
Good
new(ish) repertoire - confidently performed,
reasonably recorded. ... see Full
Review
A
Bride's Guide To Wedding
Music Featuring
music of J.S. Bach, Boccherini, Britten, Charpentier, Clarke,
Fauré, Franck, Gluck, Goss, Handel, Massenet, Mendelssohn, Mozart,
Mussorgsky, Pachelbel, Parry, Poston, Purcell, Satie, Schubert,
Stanford, Vivaldi, Wagner, Walton and Widor. Detailed track listing
at end of review NAXOS
8.557246-47 [72:28
+ 72:26] [DJB]
Would
this help a bride (and her mother) who felt they wanted music more
significant than that of the pop diva of the moment? I suspect
it would … see Full Review
The Best of British, Vol. 1
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Flourish for Wind Band (1939) [02:33] Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961) Lincolnshire Posy (ed. Fennell)
(1936) [17:37] Alun HODDINOTT
(b.1929) Welsh Airs and Dances (1975) [10:47] Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) Japanese Suite (arr. John Boyd) (1916)
[11:08] Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Pomp and Circumstance Marches op.39 (arr. M. Retford/Alfred Reed):
4 (1907) [05:09], 1 (1901) [06:11] GRAINGER
In a Nutshell: The Gum Suckers’ March (ed. R. Mark Rogers) (1914) [03:59]
Tokyo Kosei Wind
Orchestra/Douglas Bostock rec. 21-22 October 2003, Sun Azalea, Saitama,
Japan KOSEI PUBLISHING
COMPANY KOCD-8011 [57:46][CH]
A
programme which should encourage foreigners to explore British music
while at the same time providing some rarer items for the British collector.
... see Full Review
The Best Of British, Vol. 2
Gustav HOLST (1874-1934)
First Suite in E flat op.28/1 (ed. Colin Matthews) (1909) [09:56]
Second Suite in F op.28/2 (ed. Colin Matthews) (1911) [11:28] Frank
BRIDGE (1879-1941) The Pageant of London (ed. P. Hindmarsh)
(1911) [13:17] Frederic AUSTIN (1872-1952)
Music for the Pageant of London (ed. J. Lee-Browne/D. Bostock) (1911)
[07:36] Sir Arthur BLISS (1891-1975)
Checkmate – Suite (arr. Gerrard Williams) (1937): The Red Knight’s
Mazurka [02:52], Funeral Procession of the Black Knight [02:10],
Dance of the Four Knights [03:04] Alan
BUSH (1900-1995) Scherzo op.68 (1969) [10:48] Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961) Irish Tune from County Derry (1911)
[04:13] Eric COATES (1886-1957) The
Dam Busters March (arr. W.J. Duthoit) (1954) [03:52]
Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra/Douglas Bostock rec. 21-22 October 2004,
Sun Azalea, Saitama, Japan
KOSEI PUBLISHING COMPANY KOCD-8012 [69:32][CH]
The
Holst Suites are enough on their own to make purchase essential and
the performances are superb. ... see Full
Review
The Best of British, Vol. 3
Edward GREGSON (b.1945)
Festivo (1985) [04:59] Alan BUSH (1900-1995)
Dance Overture, op.12 (1930) [09:56] Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) English Folk Song Suite (4-movement
version, 1923) [14:33] Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961)
The Lads of Wamphray March (1904, rev.1938, ed. Kreines) [07:33]
Gordon JACOB (1895-1984) Giles
Farnaby Suite (1922) [18:39] Philip SPARKE
(b.1951) Gaudium: Concert Piece for Wind Symphony Orchestra
(1974) [07:39] Sir Henry WALFORD DAVIES (1869-1941)
Royal Air Force March Past (arr. Dyson, 1918) [03:05]
Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra/Douglas Bostock rec. 17-18 October 2005,
Sun Azalea, Saitama KOSEI
PUBLISHING COMPANY KOCD-8013 [67:06][CH]
Vaughan
Williams, Grainger and Sparke are the highlights of this volume. ...
see Full Review
British
Cinema and Theatre Orchestras – Volume 2
GUILD GLCD 5122
[76:33] [RW]
This
disc pays tribute to the music in vogue during
that blossoming period of the talkies. ...
see Full
Review
British
Tuba Concertos Edward
GREGSON (b. 1945) Tuba Concerto (1978)
[18:52] Roger STEPTOE (b. 1953)
Tuba Concerto (1983) [14:49] Ralph VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Tuba Concerto in F minor (1954) [12:54]
John GOLLAND (1946-1993) Tuba
Concerto Op. 46 (1980s) [17:41]
James Gourlay (tuba) Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Gavin Sutherland rec. 3-5
Jan 2004, Phoenix Sound, Wembley. DDD
NAXOS 8.557754 [64:15][RB]
Four
compact British tuba concertos with the solo
instrument a stylish and lyrical singer ...
see Full
Review
From Byzantium
to Andalusia.
Medieval Music and Poetry
ANONYMOUS
Kyrie eleison (Christian-Arabic Tradition,
Lebanon) [3:21] Fa mi cantar l'amor di la
beata (Laudario di Cortona (Ms. 91, Biblioteca
Comunale di Cortona)) [6:47] De la crudel
morte de Cristo (Laudario di Cortona (Ms.
91, Biblioteca Comunale di Cortona)) [1:59]
Laude novella(Laudario di Cortona (Ms. 91,
Biblioteca Comunale di Cortona)) [3:49] Sallalahu
ala Muhammed (Yunus Emre (Ilahileri), Turkey,
13th century) [4:42] Pesrev (Yunus Emre (Ilahileri),
Turkey, 13th century) [1:29] Ey Derviccsler
(Yunus Emre (Ilahileri), Turkey, 13th century)
[4:59] Plangiamo quel crudel basciare(Laudario
di Cortona (Ms. 91, Biblioteca Comunale di
Cortona)) [4:07] Venite a laudare (Laudario
di Cortona (Ms. 91, Biblioteca Comunale di
Cortona)) [2:40] Keh Moshe (Traditional Jewish,
12th century [1:44] Adon Haselihot (Traditional
Sephardic, pre-1492) [3:21] Galeas, mis galeas
(Traditional Sephardic, pre-1492) [3:48] Jalla
man (Traditional Andalusian School) [4:07]
Stella splendens in monte (Llibre Vermell
de Montserrat, Catalonia, 14th century) [8:23]
O Maria, d'omelia (Laudario di Cortona (Ms.
91, Biblioteca Comunale di Cortona)) [5:00]
Peter Rabanser (voice, bagpipe, duduk, ud)
Belinda Sykes (voice) Jeremy Avis (voice)
Oni Wytars Ensemble rec. Grosse Sendesaal,
Hessischer Rundfunk, Frankfurt, December 2001
NAXOS 8.557637 [60.25] [JW]
The
plausibility of the performances lies in their
subsuming of the scholarly to the practical
and in the living current of the performances,
both joyous and reflective. ... see Full
Review
Calliope:
Volume the First -
see review for content details
-
Emma Curtis ((contralto), The Frolick:
Andrew McGinley (baroque lute, baroque guitar,
theorbo), Markus Mőllenbeck (baroque
cello), Giovanni Pessi (baroque harp), Muriel
Bardon, Natia Gvilava (baroque violins), Annie
Laflamme (transverse flute) rec.15-16, 20,
22 December 2005, 12 January 2006, Herz Jesu
Kirche, Stuttgart. DDD
AVIE AV2102 [73:26 + 73:33] [GPu]
Engaging,
intelligent performances of little-known English
songs, many of which have a distinctive charm
and power … see Full
Review
Helen
Callus (viola) Ralph VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Suite for viola and orchestra Group I only (1934)
[7:53] Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983)
Elegy for viola, string quartet and string orchestra (1917) [10:37]
William WALTON (1902-1983) Viola
Concerto in A minor (1928-29, rev 1962) [27:31] York
BOWEN (1884-1961) Viola Concerto in C minor, Op.25 (1907)
[31:51] (cadenza by Helen Callus)
Helen Callus (viola) solo string quartet (principals of the NZSO): Vesaa-Matti
Leppanen (violin); David Gilling (violin); Vyvyan Yendoll (viola);
David Chickering (cello) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Marc Taddei
rec. Michael Fowler Center Auditorium, Wellington, New Zealand, 9-11
February 2005. DDD ASV
CD DCA 1181 [78:24][RB]
An
admirable anthology of British viola concertos … valuably and enjoyably
widens our experience of British composers' approaches to the viola
concerto .... see Full Review
Cello,
Celli!
Dave BRUBECK (b.1920)
Elegy [7:45] God’s Love Made Visible [3:28] Cello, Celli! [11:25] The
Desert and the Parched Land [4:29] Regret [7:11] J.S.
BACH (1685-1750) Brandenburg Concerto No.6 [16:02] Jesus
Christ! Je t’implore [2:57] Brandenburg Concerto No.3 [11:49]
The Yale Cellos/Aldo Parisot rec. Morse Recital Hall, Sprague Memorial
Hall, The School of Music, Yale University, Connecticut, 1-5 April,
2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557816
[65:10] [SA]
Once
again Naxos has gone where other record companies might fear to
tread and thus we can explore repertoire we might otherwise never
get to hear. ... see Full Review
Chimera
Hugh WOOD (b.1932)
Poem Op.35 (1993) [7:49] Huw WATKINS
(b.1976) Corusaction; Reflection (1998) [6:41] Timothy
SALTER (b.1942) Chimera (2003) [11:25] Philip
CASHIAN (b.1963) Stobrod's Violin (1999) [7:03] Helen
GRIME (b.1981) Romance (2003) [3:59] Colin
MATTHEWS (b.1946) Chaconne with Chorale; Moto Perpetuo (1988)
[5:55] Michael Zev GORDON (b.1963)
False Relations (1994) [9:33] Daniel GIORGETTI
(b.1971) Dialogue (2000) [6:38]
Alexandra Wood (violin) Huw Watkins (piano) rec. 2005, Norden Farm,
Maidenhead, Berkshire
USK RECORDINGS USK 1226CD [60:12][DC]
I
wish to compliment Wood and Watkins on their musicianship and excellent
taste in providing us with such an intriguing and stimulating programme
of new music. Thumbs up to such an enterprising release. ... see Full
Review
Clemens non Papa – Priest and bon
vivant
Jacobus VAET (1529
- 1567) Continuo lacrimas [3.06] (4) Jacobus
CLEMENS (Clemens non Papa) c.1510–c.1556) Si mors dissolvit
[3.43] (1) Jacobus CLEMENS (Clemens non
Papa)/Antonio de CABAZON (c.1510-1566)
Cancion francesca [1.59] (3) Anonymous
Amy helas [1.14] (2) SANDRIN
(Pierre Regnault) (c.1490–c.1561) Elas amy [1.49]
(2) Jacobus CLEMENS (Clemens non Papa) Adieu
delices de mon coeur [3.28] (4); Godt es mijn licht [1.51]
(1); Jacobus CLEMENS (Clemens non Papa)/
Elias Nicolaus AMMERBACH (1530 –1597)
Godt es mijn licht [2.39] (3) Jacobus
FLORI (1569–1599) Godt es mijn licht [2.05] (4) Enriquez
de VALDERRABANO (c.1500–1557) Fantasia I [1.27]; Sonetto
[1.12] (2); Petercken sprack tho Petercken [2.35]
(3); Fantasia II [1.19] (2) Thomas
CRECQUILLON (c.1490–1557?) Dedens Tournay [1.28] (1)
Anonymous /
Piet STRIJKERS Suite after Sebastian Vreedman [3.18]
(4) Jacobus CLEMENS (Clemens non Papa) (c.
1510–c. 1556) La, la, la Maister Pierre [1.39] (1); Iuvons beau jour [2.28] (4); De lustelijcke mey [1.13]; Frisque et
gaillart [1.46] (1); Jacobus CLEMENS
(Clemens non Papa) (c. 1510–c. 1556) / Giovanni Bassano (1558 - 1617) Frisque et gaillart
[3.16] (3) Jacobus CLEMENS (Clemens non
Papa) (c. 1510–c. 1556) Te schepe waert gaan [1.21]
(1) Antonio de CABAZON (c.1510-1566)
Diferencias sober la Pavana Italiana [3.24] (3) Thomas
CRECQUILLON (c.1490–1557?) Oncques amour me fut [1.21]
(2) Jacobus CLEMENS (Clemens non Papa) (c.
1510–c. 1556) Domine quando veneris [5.35] (1) Paulus
BARONUS (?) Fantasia [4.41] (2) Hernando
de CABEZON (1541 – 1602) Je prens en grey (Glossada)
[3.33] (3) Capilla Flamenca
(Marnix de Cat – countertenor, Jan Caals – tenor, Lleven Termont – baritone,
Dirk Snellings – bass) (1); Jan van Outens (lute) (2); Joris Verdin
(organ) (3); La Caccia (Patrick Denecker – pommer, recorder, Mirella
Rulgrok – pommer, dulcian, Marleen Leicher – cornett, Christian Braun
– trombone, Dani Pelagatti – pommer, shawn, dulcian – Bernhard Stilz
– dulcian) (4) rec. 26-29 April 2005, Parkabdij, Heverlee
ETCETERA KTC 1287 [63.20] [RH]
Pierre
Phalese might not be known to you, but this charming disc provides
an enjoyable means to learn more about the music printed by this
influential publisher. ... see Full
Review
Czech
Avant-Garde
Piano Music: 1918-1938 Pavel
HAAS (1899-1944) Suite Op.13 (1935) [14.29] Jaroslav
JEŽEK (1906-1942) Bugatti-Step (1931) [3.35] Bagatelles
(1933) [13.20]
Equatorial Rag (1929) [2.01] Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Five
Pittoresken Op.31 (1919) [17.08] Frantisek
E BURIAN (1904-1959) Waltz (1937) [1.40] Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Kleinseiten-Palais – Andante
(1927)
Untitled [0.39] Melodie (c.1923) [0.39] Nur blindes Schicksal?
(1927) [0.57] Der goldene Ring (1928) [0.31] Ich erwarte
Dich (1928) [1.38] Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Par T.S.F (1924) [1.01] Instructive
Duo for the Nervous film en miniature (1925) [0.51] Tango [2.33] Scherzo [1.37]
Berceuse [4.02] Valse [1.50] Chanson [1.38]
Carillon [1.40] Steffen Schleiermacher
(piano)
rec. December 2001, unspecified location. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS
UND GRIMM MDG 613 1158-2 [73.42] [JW]
This
disc has a life-affirming strength to it. There’s latitude in this
repertoire for a variety of responses but if you want Ježek you
must have Novotny. ... see Full
Review
Dancing
with the Orchestra -
Transcriptions by Stravinsky, Bartók, Falla,
Ravel Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Petrushka - Three movements (1910-11, arr. composer, 1921) Danse
russe [2.49]; Chez Pétrouchka [05.32]; La semaine grasse [09.09] Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Dance Suite for orchestra, Sz
77 (1923 arr. composer, 1925) [16.34] Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) El amor brujo (Love the Magician)
- Three Scenes (1914-15 arr. composer, 1916) Pantomime [04.17]; Dance
of Terror [02.20]; Ritual Fire Dance [04.10] Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) La Valse (1920) [13.54]
Davide Cabassi (piano) rec. 17-19 December 2004, Studio 1, Bayerischer
Rundfunk, Munich, Germany. DDD
ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 76969-2 [59.02][MC]
A
very enjoyable recital from Davide Cabassi who is certainly a name to
follow. ... see Full Review
Danny
Boy –
the Immortal Irish Song: Nineteen arrangements and
interpretations of Danny Boy and its melody The Londonderry
Air Arranged Frederick E Weatherley
[3.39]
Paul McMahon (tenor) Andrew Greene (piano) Arranged Percy
Grainger, adapted Sean O’Boyle
[4.15] Jane Rutter (flute) Queensland Orchestra/Sean O’Boyle
Arranged Leo Arnaud [2.43] Judy
Garland/MGM Studio Orchestra/Georgie Stoll Arranged Carlos
Salzedo [3.38] Alice Giles (harp) Anonymous
arrangers Mario Lanza (tenor) Orchestra/Ray Sinatra [3.02]
Bing Crosby/John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra [3.20] Arranged Percy
Grainger {Irish Tune from County Derry] Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Stuart
Challender [3.57] Arranged Fritz Kreisler
[3.46] Fritz Kreisler (violin) Victor Symphony Orchestra/Donald Voorhees
Arranged George Sigerson [as Far
Away] [2.22] Glasgow Orpheus Choir/Sir Hugh Roberton Arranged Douglas
Gamley [3.33] Yvonne Kenny (soprano) Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir
Kamirski Arranged Percy Grainger
adapted Fiona Walsh [2.55] Guitar
Trek Arranged Percy Grainger for
piano [3.20] Leslie Howard (piano) Arranged Lyle
Chan [3.50] Cantillation/Paul McMahon (tenor)/Brett Weymark
Arranged Percy Grainger for orchestra
[5.29] Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Geoffrey Simon Arranged Percy
Grainger for chorus [4.11] Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir/Anthony
Walker Arranged John McCormack
[3.23] John McCormack (tenor) Edwin Schneider (piano) Arranged Larry
Adler [3.09] Larry Adler (harmonica) studio trio Arranged
Glenn Miller and Chummy
MacGregor [2.20] Glenn Miller Orchestra Arranged Tony
Gould [6.11] Tony Gould (piano) rec. 1935-2006
ABC CLASSICS 476 9238 [69.08][JW]
You’d
have to be very partial to this immortal tune to sit through an hour
and ten minutes of it ... partial and possibly deranged ... see Full
Review
Placido Domingo: Great
Scenes
Johann STRAUSS (1825 – 1899) Die
Fledermaus: Celeste Aida Giuseppe
VERDI (1813 – 1901) Ernani: Dell’esiglio nel dolore;
A te, scegli, seguimi Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858 – 1924) Manon Lescaut: Mi tradisce
il tuo folle pensier; Ah, non vi avvicinate; Vedi, vedi,
son io che piango Jacques OFFENBACH
(1819 – 1880) Les contes d’Hoffmann: Il était une fois à la cour d’Eisenach!; Ils
se sont éloignés enfin!
Giacomo PUCCINI La fanciulla del West: Una parola sola!;
Ch’ella mi creda Umberto GIORDANO
(1867 – 1948) Andrea Chénier: Si, fu soldato;
Come un bel di di maggio; Vicino a te
see review for details
WARNER MUSIC VISION 50-51011-2771-2-2 DVD 
[57:00] [GF]
This
Domingo compilation is definitely worth a
visit to the nearest DVD store. ... see Full
Review
Donaueschinger
Musiktage 2004 Andreas DOHMEN (b.
1962) Lautung (2003/4) [16:34]* Rebecca
SAUNDERS (b. 1967) Miata (2004) [32:14]** Michel
VAN DER AA (b. 1970) Second Self (2004) [14:25]* Pierluigi
BILLONE (b. 1960) Mani,
de Leonardis, Hands (2004) [15:54] *** Christian
Dierstein (percussionist)*** Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart/Roland
Kluttig* SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart** SWR Sinfonieorchester
Baden Baden und Freiburg/Hans Zender** rec. live, Donaueschinger
Musiktage, October 2004. DDD COL
LEGNO WWE 1CD 20245 [79:09]
[AO]
The
Donaueschinger Musiktage have been the cutting edge festival for
new music since 1921 ... see Full
Review
Jacqueline
du Pré Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Cello
Concerto, op. 85. (1919) [30.02] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Suites for Cello, BWV1007-12
(c.1721) No. 1 in G, BWV1007 [19.48] No. 2 in D minor, BWV1008
[21.41] Jacqueline
Du Pré, cello, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli (Elgar)
rec live, Prague, 3 January 1967 (Stereo BBC recording) (Elgar);
London, 1962, (Mono BBC Studio) (Bach). ADD TESTAMENT
HISTORICAL SBT 1388 [71.38] [DRD]
I’m
pleased that this has been released but it falls into the Interesting
rather than Essential category and effectively offers only 30 minutes
of worthwhile listening. ... see Full
Review
Experiments
on a MARCH Charles
IVES (1874-1954) Country Band March
(c.1903) [4:24] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Funeral
Music for Queen Mary (1695) [8:36] Mauricio
KAGEL (b.1931) Zehn Märsche um den Sieg zu verfehlen (1978-79)
(Marsch 1-4) [6:56] Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Huldigungsmarsch,
WWV 97 (1864) [5:42] Mauricio KAGEL Zehn
Märsche um den Sieg zu verfehlen (Marsch 5-8) [5:53] Richard
WAGNER Trauermusik, WWV 73 (1844) [5:14] Mauricio
KAGEL Zehn Märsche um den Sieg zu verfehlen (Marsch
9 & 10) [4:12] Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) March
in E flat major, WAB 116 (1865) [2:53] Kurt
WEILL (1900-1950) Berlin im Licht (1928) [1:26] Marcel
WENGLER (b.1946) Versuche über einen Marsch (1981)
[16:01] Royal Northern
College of Music Wind Orchestra/Clark Rundell rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House, Manchester, 6-7 May 2005. DDD CHANDOS
CHAN 10367 [62:17] [DC]
Extremely
proficient and consummately professional and musical, a combination
which makes this disc more listenable than some ‘prize-winning
band’ discs I could name. ... see Full
Review
Samuil Feinberg
(1890-1962) - In Sound
and Thought: Moscow recordings, 1948-1962
Samuil Feinberg (piano) rec. *Small Hall,
Moscow Conservatory, 22 January 1948; **1950s
unspecified; †1952; ††1961; ‡1962 ADD Mono,
§Stereo
ARBITER 146 [79:43] [AtOr]
Unknown
and private recordings from Samuil Feinberg,
legendary composer-pianist of the Soviet old
guard ... see Full
Review
The Great Female Pianists - Volume
3. Masters of the Piano Roll Series:
Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler (1863-1927) Reproducing Piano Rolls
1908-24 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Organ Toccata and Fugue transcribed Tausig [8.36] Moritz
MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Gondoliera Op.41 [4.21] Love Waltzes
Op.57 No.1 [4.17] La Jongleuse Op.52 No.4 [1.24] Christoph
Willibald von GLUCK (1714-1787) Orfeo –Melodie arranged Sgambati
[2.48] Eduard SCHÜTT (1856-1933)
Croquis et Silhouettes op 87 no 4 [2.36] Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Scherzo in B flat minor Op. 31 [11.07]
Nocturne in C sharp minor op 27 no 1 [4.22] Nocturne in D flat Op.27
No.2 [5.13] Nocturne in C minor Op.48 No.1 [5.35] Piano Sonata No.2
Op 35 [22.45] Fannie
Bloomfield Zeisler (piano) Piano Rolls made between 1907 and 1920
DAL SEGNO DSPRCD 013 [73.58] The Great Female Pianists - Volume
4. Masters of the Piano Roll Series: Guiomar Novaes Isaac
ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Tango arranged Leopold
Godowsky [3.53] Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Spring Song in A Op.62/6 [2.46] Moritz
MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Guitarre Op.45/2 [3.15] Ignace
Jan PADEREWSKI (1860-1941) Nocturne in B flat Op.16/4 [4.20]
Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Xerxes – Largo [Ombra mai fu] [5.40] MORET
Waltz No.1 [2.15] Anton RUBINSTEIN
(1829-1895) Nocturne in G Op.75/8 [5.00] Benjamin
GODARD (1849-1895) Ballet of the Butterflies Op.69 [3.15]
Christoph Willibald von GLUCK (1714-1787)
Gavotte in A arranged Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) [4.11] Giovanni
SGAMBATI (1841-1914) Landler (Tirolese) [2.20] Theodor
LESCHETIZKY (1830-1915) Heroic Study Op.48/3 [2.26] Jacques
IBERT (1890-1965) The Little White Donkey [2.03] Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Prelude op.28 No.15 Raindrop [6.12]
Nocturne in F sharp Op.15 No.2 [4.17] Berceuse in D Op.57 [4.29] Etude
in G flat Op.25 No.9 Butterfly [1.03] Etude in G flat Op.10 No.5
Black Key [1.39] Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Gnomenreigen Etude de Concert S145 (1844) [2.59] Louis
GOTTSCHALK (1829-1869) Grand Fantasy on the Brazilian National
Anthem [7.46] Guiomar Novaes
(piano) Piano rolls made 1918-1926
DAL SEGNO DSPRCD 014 [71.01] [JW]
I’m
really not convinced that this series is on the right lines. ...
see Full Review
Film Noir
Disc 1: F. WAXMAN Rebecca: Prelude (1940) [1:52] B.
HERRMANN Citizen Kane: Prelude (1941) [3:47] A.
DEUTSCH The Maltese Falcon: Main Title (1941) [2:42] M.
ROZSA Double Indemnity: Main Title (1944) [2:47] B.
KAPER Gaslight: Main Title and Opening Theme (1944) [4:02]
M. STEINER The Big Sleep: Main Title (1946) [2:23] M.
ROZSA The Killers: Main Title (1946) [2:31] R.
WEBB Notorious: Alex in the Wine Cellar (1946) [3:28] G.
BASSMAN The Postman Always Rings Twice: Main Title (1946) [1:42]
R. WEBB Out of the Post: Main Title (1947) [1:57] H.
ROEMHELD The Lady From Shanghai: Main Title (1947) [2:41] H.
FRIEDHOFER Body and Soul: Main Title (1947) [1:58] M.
STEINER Key Largo: Main Title (1948) [1:41] A.
KARAS The Third Man: Third Man Theme (1949) [3:07] F.
WAXMAN Sunset Boulevard: Sunset Boulevard Prelude (1950) [3:20]
Disc 2: D. TIOMKIN Strangers On a Train: Prologue/Duet For Four Feet (1951)
[2:20] G. FRIED The Killing: Main Title (1956) [2:57] B.
HERRMANN Vertigo: Vertigo Prelude and Rooftop (1958) [4:46] D.
AMRAM The Manchurian Candidate: Theme From The Manchurian
Candidate (1962) [1:50] L. SCHIFRIN Bullitt: Bullitt Main Theme (1968) [2:24] M.
SMALL Klute: The Tape (Main Title) (1971) [2:12] L.
SCHIFRIN Dirty Harry: Main Theme (1971) [4:03] M.
THEODORAKIS Serpico: Theme From Serpico (1973) [3:25] J.
GOLDSMITH Chinatown: Love Theme (Main Title) (1974) [3:39]
D. SHIRE Farewell My Lovely: Main Title (Marlowe’s Theme) (1975)
[2:29] D. GRUSIN Three Days of the Condor: Condor! Theme from Three Days
of the Condor) (1975) [2:58] J. BARRY Body Heat: Main Title (1981) [3:54] VANGELIS Blade Runner: Main Title (1982)
[3:35] C. BURWELL Blood Simple: Blood Simple (1984) [3:52] Disc
3: A. BADALAMENTI Blue Velvet: Main Title (1986) [1:27] R.
McNAUGHTON, K.HALE, and S. JONES Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer: Henry’s Theme (1990)
[2:12] C. ISAAC Wild at Heart: Wicked Game (1990) [4:01] A.
BADALAMENTI Wild at Heart: Dark Spanish Symphony (edited string
version) (1990) [2:08] J. GOLDSMITH Basic Instinct: Main Title (Theme from Basic Instinct)
(1992) [2:11] E. GOLDENTHAL Heat: Main Title (1995) [4:29] J.
OTTMAN The Usual Suspects: Main Title (1995) [3:47] H.
SHORE Se7en: Portrait of John Doe (1995) [4:43] C.
BURWELL Fargo: Fargo, North Dakota/The Ozone (1996) [3:05] J.
GOLDSMITH L.A. Confidential: The Victor (1997) [2:24] D.
JUYLYAN Memento: Opening Titles (2000) [7:02] A.
BADALAMENTI Mullholland Drive: Mullholland Drive/Love Theme (2001)
[6:13] C. BURWELL The Man Who Wasn’t There: The Trial of Ed Crane (2001)
[3:52] G. REVELL and R. RODRIGUEZ Sin City: Marv (2005) [2:26] R.
RODRIGUEZ Sin City: End Titles (2005) [3:23]
Music and vocals performed by The Global Stage Orchestra Recording location
and dates undisclosed DDD
GOLDEN STARS GSS 5427 [39:54 + 44:24 + 53:30] [PG]
It
can only be hoped that this is the final offering from The Global
Stage Orchestra. ... see Full Review
Flying Kites
- A Trafford Miscellany
Sasha Johnson MANNING
(b.1963) Flying Kites for recorder and piano [3:15]
Robert ELLIOTT (1932-2002)
Piano Sonatina op. 2 [5:58] Robin
WALKER (b.1953) Four Nursery Rhymes to texts by Thomas
Pitfield for reciter, recorder and piano (2003) [3:26] Thomas
PITFIELD (1903-1999) Xylophone Sonata [7:32]; The Skeleton
Bride for reciter and piano [3:10]; Rain for reciter, xylophone
and piano [1:15]; Bones for reciter and xylophone [1:29]; Bagatelle
No. 3 for piano [1:55] David
BECK (b.1941) A Dunham Pastoral for recorder and piano
(2004) [6:01] John IRELAND
(1879-1962) The Island Spell for piano (1912) [3:28]; Annabel
Lee for reciter and piano (1910) [3:53] Martin
ELLERBY (b.1957) River Dances for recorder and piano
(2005) [12:19] James LANGLEY
(1927-1994) Five Shakespeare Dances for recorder (1992) [9:06]
Christopher COTTON (b.
1947) Rural Rondo for recorder and piano [4:52]
Richard Baker (reciter), John Turner (recorder), Keith Swallow (piano),
Damien Harron (percussion) rec. The King’s School, Macclesfield, 29-30
March 2005. DDD CAMPION
CAMEO 2044 [60:52]
An
hour’s very entertaining divertissement - and much to be recommended!
[CSS]
An attractive miscellany themed around reciter, recorder and the North West
... see Full Review [RB]
Foreign Insult
Nicola MATTEIS (mid
17th century–after 1714) Ground after the Scotch Humour
(1685) [4.09] Gottfried FINGER (1660–1730)
Sonata Op. 5, no. 10 in C major (1701) [5.09] George
Frideric HANDEL (1685–1739) Concerto HWV287 in G minor [8.25];
Trio Sonata HWV 383 in F major [10.14] Francesco
BARSANTI (1690–1722) A collection of Old Scots tunes (selection)
(1742) [9.13] Johann Christian BACH (1735–1782)
Quintet op. 11, no. 6 in D major (1774) [13.18] Carl
Friedrich ABEL (1723–1787) Concert in E minor [14.53]
La Ricordanza (Brian Berryman – flute, Annette Berryman – oboe/recorder,
Christoph Heidemann and Katharina Huch-Kohn – violins, Bettina Ihrig
– viola, Dorothee Palm – cello, Barbara Hormann – violone, Eckhart Kuper
– harpsichord) rec. 5-7 October 2004, Schloss Gifhorn. DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIM MDG 505 1381-2 [65.58] [RH]
Even
with the disc’s catchy title, this repertoire can seem a little
forbidding. Don’t let that put you off. Be caught up in the spell
of these performances. ... see Full
Review
Beniamino Gigli - The Gigli
Edition vol. 13 - London Recordings 1947-1949 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Das Veilchen, K.476; Benjamin
GODARD (1849–1895) Joselyn: Cachés dans cet asile (Berceuse);
Victor HERBERT (1859–1924) Naughty
Marietta: Ah! Sweet mystery of life; MOYA (? - ?) Song of songs; Antonio CALDARA (c 1670–1736) Come raggio di sol;
La Costanza in amor cince l’inganno: Selve amiche, ombrose piante; Francesco DURANTE (1684–1755) Vergin, tutto amor;
Antonio CESTI (1623–1669) I casti amori d’Orontea:
Intorno all’idol mio; MAZZIOTTI (?)
Mattinata siciliana; Claudio MONTEVERDI
(1567–1643) L’Arianna: Lasciatemi morire!;
Giuseppe GIORDANI (c 1753–1798) Caro mio ben, credimi almen;
Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660–1725)
Il Pompeo: O cessate di piagarmi; Franco ALFANO (1876–1954) Don Juan de Mañara: Tu
vedi in un bel ciel; Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945)
L’amico Fritz: Ed anche Beppe amò ... O amore, o bella luce del cor;
GIBILARO (?) Quattro miniature siciliane: ‘Carrettieri’:
No. 3 Tango notturno; George Frideric HANDEL
(1685–1759) Atalanta: Care selve, ombre beate;
Giovanni BONONCINI (1670–1747) Griselda: Per la Gloria d’adorarvi;
Antonio CESTI (arr Parisotti) Tu mancavi a tormentarmi;
Alessandro SCARLATTI L’onestà
negli amori: Già il sole del Gange; FASOLO
(?) Cangia, cangia tue voglie
Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Orchestra/Rainaldo Zamboni (tracks 1–14), Vito
Carnevali (tracks 15–20) rec. Studio 1, Abbey Road, London 12 December
1947 – 18 March 1949 Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS 8.111102 [64:11][GF]
Gigli
completists will need it but so will anyone interested in good singing
... see Full Review
Alice
Giles (harp) - Song in the Night John
STEVENSON (1761-1833) arr. Carlos
SALZEDO (1885-1961) Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young
Charms Carlos SALZEDO Jolly Piper
- Concert Fantasy on the theme of "The Sailor's Hornpipe"
Trad. IRISH arr. Frederick
E. WEATHERLY (1848-1928) and Salzedo
Londonderry Air Jules MASSENET
(1842-1912) arr. Salzedo Menuet d'amour
from Therese George Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759) arr. Salzedo The Harmonious
Blacksmith - Air and Variations Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) arr. Salzedo
Spring Song from Songs without Words, Book 5 Carlos
SALZEDO Traipsin' thru Arkansaw - Concert Fantasy on the
theme of "The Arkansas Traveller" Trad.
SCOTTISH arr. Salzedo
Annie Laurie Negro Spiritual
arr. Salzedo Deep River Carlos
SALZEDO Dixie Parade - Concert Fantasy on the theme of "Dixie"
Stephen C. FOSTER (1826-1864) arr.
Salzedo My Old Kentucky Home Carlos
SALZEDO Turkey Strut - Concert Fantasy on the theme of "Turkey
in the Straw" Trad. IRISH arr.
Salzedo The Last Rose of Summer Carlos
SALZEDO Chanson dans la nuit (Song in the Night); La Desirade
Agustin LARA (1897-1970) arr.
Salzedo Concert Fantasy on "Granada" George
Frideric HANDEL arr. Salzedo
Largo from Xerxes Antonin DVORAK (1841-1904)
arr. Salzedo Humoreske, Op. 101 No. 7 Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) arr. Salzedo
Paraphrase on Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Anton
RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) arr. Salzedo
Melody in F, Op. 3 Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) arr. Salzedo Waltz, Op. 39 No. 15; Lullaby, Op. 49 No.
4 Alice Giles (harp)
rec. May 1999, St Scholastica's Chapel, Glebe, Australia. DDD
ABC CLASSICS 476 5250 [68:48][RB]
There
is not a great deal to be said about this music except that it is typically
delightful and is presented with evident pleasure by Alice Giles ...
see Full Review
Hear
My Prayer -
Hymns and Anthems Charles
Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) 3 Motets, Op. 38: No. 1. Justorum
animae (c. 1905) [03.08] Herbert HOWELLS
(1892-1983) Magnificat (1945) [05.36] Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695) O God, thou art my God, Z. 35 (c. 1680)
[04.08] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47)
Hear My Prayer, "O, for the wings of a dove" (1844) [12.34]
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Cantique
de Jean Racine, Op. 11 (1865) [05.54] Maurice
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Four Motets, Op. 10: No. 1: Ubi caritas
et amor (1960) [02.35] Gerald FINZI (1901-1956)
Three Anthems, Op. 27: No. 2. God is gone up (1951) [05.03] Edgar
L. BAINTON (1880-1956) Anthem: And I saw a new Heaven (1928)
[05.37] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695)
Remember not, O Lord, Z. 50 (c. 1680) [03.08] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Vesperae solennes de Confessore,
K. 339, ‘Solemn Vespers’: V. Laudate Dominum (1780) [04.23] Antonio
LOTTI (c1667-1740) Crucifixus a 8 (c. 1720) [03.41] Eleanor
DALEY (b. 1955) Requiem: In Remembrance [02.35] Stephen
CHATMAN (b.1950) Remember [02.49] Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Lux aeterna (choral arr. of Elgar's ‘Nimrod’
Variation) (1899) [03.51] César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Panis angelicus (1872) [04.14]
Karina Gauvin (soprano) Matthew Larkin (organ) Choir of St John's, Elora/Noel
Edison rec. St. John’s Anglican Church, Elora, Ontario, Canada, 21-25
January 2004. DDD NAXOS
8.557493 [69.17][MC]
I
wonder if I will hear a finer release of sacred choral music this year.
... see Full Review
Highlights
from La Scala Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Ernani. Opera
in four acts (1843) Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave based
on Victor Hugo’s play Hernani. First performed at the Teatro
la Fenice, Venice, 9 March 1843
Ernani, the bandit, Placido Domingo (ten); Don Carlo, King of Spain,
Renato Bruson (bar); Don Ruy de Silva, a Spanish grandee, Nicolai Ghiaurov
(bass); Elvira, Mirella Freni (sop) Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro
alla Scala, Milan/Riccardo Muti Directed by Luca Ronconi. rec. live,
December 1982 Nabucco. Opera in four parts (1842) Originally
known as Nabucadonosor after the play from which Temistocle Solera
derived the libretto First performed at La Scala, Milan, 9 March 1842
Nabucco, King of Babylon, Renato Bruson (bar); Zaccaria, High Priest
of the Hebrews, Paata Burchuladze (bass); Abigaille, slave, believed
to be the eldest daughter of Nabucco, Ghena Dimitrova (sop); Fenena,
daughter of Nabucco, Raquel Pierotti (sop); Ismaele, Hebrew in love
with Fenena, Bruno Beccaria (ten); Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro
alla Scala, Milan/Riccardo Muti Directed by Roberto de Simone. rec.
live December 1986 I Lombardi. Opera in four acts (1843)
Libretto by Temistocle Solera derived from Tomasso Grossi’s epic poem
I Lombardi alla prima crociata First performed at La Scala, Milan,
1 February 1843 Griselda, Ghena Dimitrova (sop); Oronte, son of the
tyrant of Antioch, José Carrerras (ten); Pagano, Silvano Carroli (bar)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Gianandrea Gavazenni
Directed by Gabriele Lavia. rec. live April 1984 Umberto
GIORDANO (1867-1948) Andrea Chénier - Historical
dramatic opera in four acts (1896) Libretto by Luigi Illica First performed
La Scala, Milan, 28 March 1896 Andrea Chenier, poet, José Carreras (ten);
Carlo Gérard, former servant in the Coigny household and also in love
with Maddalena, Piero CappuccIlli (bar); Maddalena, in love with Chenier,
Eva Marton (sop) Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Riccardo
Chailly Directed by Lamberto Puggelli. rec. live, July 1985 Picture
format: NTSC 4:3.Colour. Linear – PCM stereo. Subtitles in English,
German, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese
WARNER MUSIC VISION DVD VIDEO 50-51011-2323-2-9
[59:00][RJF]
Viscerally
exciting performances at a modest price. ... see Full
Review
Hindemith
as Interpreter – the Amar-Hindemith
Quartet Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) String Quartet in E flat K428 [23.46] Béla
BARTÓK String Quartet No.2 [33.23] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet in F, Op.95
[19.27] The Amar-Hindemith
String Quartet rec. 1926 ARBITER
139 [76.47] [JW]
The
Amar-Hindemith legacy has been unavailable for many years. A necessary
acquisition for anyone with any interest in the string quartet
on disc in the first half of the twentieth century. ... see Full
Review
Ikon - Music
for the Soul and Spirit Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Rejoice, O Virgin
(Bogoroditse Devo) [3:15]; We Hymn Thee (Tebe poyem) [2:22]; The Cherubic
Hymn (Izhe kheruvimi) [5:01] John TAVENER
(b. 1944) Song for Athene [6:18]; Exhortation [3:17]; Kohima
[1:49] Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) De
Profundis [6:21]; The Woman with the Alabaster Box [6:05]; O Weisheit
[1:40] James MACMILLAN (b. 1959) A
Child’s Prayer [4:03]; A New Song [5:43] Victor
KALINNIKOV (1870-1927) Lord, now lettest Thou (Ninye otpushchayevshi)
[2:48] Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Pater Noster [1:25]; Ave Maria [2:02] Pavel
CHESNOKOV (1877-1944) Bless the Lord, O My Soul (Blagoslovi,
dushe moya, Ghospoda) [2:22]; We Hymn Thee (Tebe poyem) [2:59] Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) Nunc Dimittis [3:33]
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers rec.25-27 October 2005, Church of St.
Giles, Cripplegate, London. DDD
UNIVERSAL UCJ 476 3160 [63:09][JQ]
The
music on this disc is very demanding but The Sixteen are on fine form
and they perform all of it superbly. A most enjoyable and rewarding
disc ... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wilhelm Kempff Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Sonata in F K.332 [16:37] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sonata in B flat D.960 [36:53] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata in A op.101 [19:13] Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Intermezzi: B minor op.119/1 [03:13],
C major op.119/3 [01:45]
Wilhelm Kempff (piano) rec. 7 October 1967, Whitworth Hall, Manchester
University. ADD BBC
LEGENDS BBCL 4169-2 [78:14] [CH]
Kempff
the free spirit in glorious form ... see Full
Review
Lukasz
Kuropaczewski: Portrait Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685–1750) Preludium,
Fuge und Allegro, BWV 998; Alexandre
TANSMAN (1897–1986) Hommage à
Chopin (1966); Mauro
GIULIANI (1781–1829) Rossiniana
No. 3, Op. 121
Lukasz Kuropaczewski (guitar) rec. Matki
Bozej Wniebowzietej Church, Puszczykowo,
Poland, 2005. DDD
CD ACCORD ACD 140 2 [38:27] [GF]
Less
than impressed by the Bach. The Tansman was
a valuable addition and the Giuliani was sheer
joy. Black marks, though, for the lack of
documentation and the poor playing time. ...
see Full
Review
La
Folia de la Spagna Fons vitae; Dementia
praecox angelorum; Supra solfamirevt [5:55] Extravagans; Laurea minima;
In vitro [2:07] Oratio pro-folia; Fama volat; Citrus – Hesperides [2:26]
Principalis. Fermescens; Indica exacta; Adverso flumine [8:11] Parsimonia
aristocraciae [3:14] Subtilis; De profundis – Extra muros [1:29] Vulgaris
– Sine populi notione; Vagula et blandula [1:38] Nordica et desolata;
Aurea mediocritas [5:04] Nobilissima; Degredans et corruptae [2:21]
De pastribus; Mathematica dies irae; Crepuscularis; Sine nomine; Tristis
est anima mea; Equites fortis armaturae; Audaces fortuna juvat; Sine
praeputium; Ecclesiastica [5:14] Theatralis et hipocritae; Ruralis;
Alter indica perfecta [1:57] De tolerentia aethera; Fuga ficta et carus
triumphalis [4:30]
Atrium Musicae de Madrid: Gregorio Paniagua (guitar, jew’s harp, cromorne,
viola da gamba, vielle à roue), Eduardo Paniagua (recorders, jew’s harp),
Daniel del Rio (violin, pochette, tambour), Andreas Prittwitz (recorders,
cromorne, clarinet), Luis Paniagua (double bass, tabla, sitar, crotales,
castanets, derbouka), Albertina do Huete (harpsichord, xylophone, metallophone,
grelots); Gregorio Paniagua (director). rec. June, 1980, no location
given. HARMONIA MUNDI
MUSIQUE D’ABORD HMA 1951050 [44:06][GPu]
Not
for those of a nervous disposition, nor to early-music purists. Those
with a taste for the unusual, for music that is effectively beyond all
normal categories, will find much to intrigue them here ... see Full
Review
Jennifer
Larmore Christoph Willibald GLUCK
(1714-1787)
Orfeo ed Euridice (1762): Che farò senza Euridice? [04:29] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro (1786): Non
so più cosa son, cosa faccio [02:58] Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Tancredi (1813): Oh patria! … Di tanti
palpiti [07:29] La donna del lago (1819): Mura felici [09:24]
Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
I Capuleti ed i Montecchi (1830): Lieto del dolce incarico … La tremenda
[07:54] Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Lucrezia Borgia (1833): Il segreto [03:28] Anna Bolena (1830):
E’ sgombro il loco … Ah! parea [08:04] Giacomo
MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Les Huguenots (1836): Nobles seigneurs
[04:12] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)
Faust (1859): Faites-lui mes aveux [02:39] Roméo et Juliette
(1867): Depuis hier … Que fais-tu [07:50] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) La Pucelle d’Orléans (1881):
Oui, Dieu le veut! … Adieu, forêts [07:50] Johann
STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Die Fledermaus (1874): Ich lade
gern mir Gäste ein [03:35]; From time to time I entertain (English
version of preceding) [03:29]
Jennifer Larmore (mezzo) Welsh National Opera Orchestra/Carlo Rizzi
rec. August 1995, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Wales
WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 62761-2 [71:05] [CH]
Only
the Italian arias are fully convincing. ... see Full
Review
From
Leipzig
to London
- Duo Sonatas from the 18th and 20th Centuries
Gordon JACOB (1895-1984) Sonatina
for oboe and harpsichord (1963) [9:30] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonata in D for oboe d'amore and
harpsichord BMV 1028 [14:35] Stephen DODGSON
(b. 1924) Sonatina for oboe and harpsichord (1972) [8:41] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonata in G for cor anglais and
harpsichord BWV 1027 [13:11] Elizabeth MACONCHY
(1907-1994) Three Bagatelles for oboe and harpsichord (1972)
[8:29] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonata in G minor for oboe and harpsichord BWV 1020 [9:19] Michael
HEAD (1900-1976) Siciliana for oboe and harpsichord
(1972) [5:50] Althea
Ifeka (oboe, oboe d'amore, cor anglais) Katharine May (harpsichord)
rec. Church of St Edward the Confessor, Mottingham, London, 7-9 July
2005. DDD OBOE CLASSICS
CC2013 [69:44][RB]
No
enthusiast of the oboe can afford to be without this collection. This
is music-making of the highest order. ... see Full
Review
Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part
1 New] [Part
2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part
4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Z]
[Part
6 Misc A-L][Part
7 Misc M-Z]
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