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Detailed listing (last five days)]
[Part 1 New]  
 [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L][Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[Recommended recordings]


RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Dance Rhapsody (1908) [18:22] Dance Poem (1913) [15:38] Two Jefferies Poems: (1) The Open Air; (2) The Story of My Heart (1916) [7:44; 4:25] Overture Rebus (1940) [10:38] Allegro Moderato for string orchestra (1941) [14:47] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. 1979. ADD LYRITA SRCD.243 [71:38] [RB]

Handsomely presenting the early Tchaikovskian-sumptuous Bridge, the transitional Bridge and the subtle and finely dissonant post-Great War Bridge (Rebus). … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jan CARLSTEDT (1926–2004) String Quartet No.1 in D minor Op.2 (1951/2) [19:18] String Quartet No.2 Op.22 (1966) [26:34] String Quartet No.3 Op.23 (1967) [20:08] Lysell Quartet rec. Eklidens skolas aula, Nacka, Sweden, July 1993 and October 1995 ACOUSTICA ACCD-1013  [66:46] String Quartet No.4 Op.31 (1972) [25:21] String Quartet No.5 Op.32 (1977) [22:24] String Quartet No.6 Op.60 (1998) [25:01] Lysell Quartet rec. Eklidens skolas aula, Nacka, October 1995 and Dala-Järna kyrka, January 2004 ACOUSTICA ACCD-1015  [72:57] [HC]

They may not have the sophistication of Bartók’s quartets nor the all-embracing concerns of Shostakovich, but they represent their composer at his best. They are just too fine to be ignored ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gerald FINZI (1901-1956)
Clarinet Concerto Op. 31 (1949) [29:19] Cello Concerto Op.40 (1956) [41:06] John Denman (clarinet) Yo-Yo Ma (cello) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Vernon Handley (clarinet concerto) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley (cello concerto) rec. 1977, 1979. ADD LYRITA SRCD.236 [70:28] [RB]

The pastoral mystic at prayer – ecstatic in soliloquy and in irrepressible delight … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Santiago de MURCIA (1682-1732) La Guitarra Española Folias Españolas [3:11] Prelude [1:40] Passacalles por la E [7:59] Suite (after Gaspar Sanz, 1675, arr. Carter) [7:17] * Zarambeques, o Muecas [2:33] * Canarios [3:45] Passacalles por la B [5:09] Cumbees [4:14] * Passacalles por la D [9:44] Marionas por la B [4:13] Preludio Grabe de Coreli [2:55] * Giga de Coreli [3:02] * Gaitas [4:04] William Carter (baroque guitar); Susanne Heinrich (bass viol) * rec. 17-19 September 2006, St. Andrews Church, Toddington (Gloucestershire) LINN CKD 288 [60:23] [GPu]

A fascinating, beautifully played recital of the music of one of the great Spanish guitar masters … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Trio No.1 in B flat D.898 (1827) [39:46] Piano Trio No.2 in E flat D.929 (1827) [42:52] Notturno in E flat D.897 (1827) [8:40] Sonatensatz D.28 (1812) [7:16] Frank Braley (piano); Renaud Capuçon (violin); Gautier Capuçon (cello) rec. MC2 Maison de la Culture de Grenoble, 10-12 Sept. 2006 VIRGIN CLASSICS 00946 365476 2 [47:11 + 51:40][TH]

Goes straight to the top for my recommendations of these wonderful works ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Peter SCULTHORPE (b. 1929) CD1 Requiem (2004)a [42:15] CD2 My Country Childhood (1999)b [15:54] Earth Cry (1999)b [5:57] Great Sandy Island (1998)b [22:47] New Norcia (2000)b [5:07] Quamby (2000)b [23:26] Adelaide Chamber Singersa; William Barton (didjeridu)a Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Arvo Volmera, James Juddb rec. Adelaide Town Hall, November 2005 (Requiem) and June 2000 (CD2) ABC CLASSICS 476 5692 [42:15 + 73:16] [HC]

A magnificent release that may be safely recommended to all Sculthorpe admirers. A fine introduction to this endearing composer’s sound-world. Not to be missed. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-75) Cello Concerto No.1 in E flat major Op.107 (1959) [28:06] Cello Concerto No.2 in G major Op.126 (1966) [35:21] Rafał Kwiatkowski (cello) Polish Radio Orchestra/Wojciech Rajska rec. Witold Lutosławski Studio of Polish Radio in Warsaw, 1999-2000 DUX 0549 [63:27][DC]

These recordings are ones with which you will be reluctant to part. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH William WALTON (1902-1983) Viola Concerto (original version) (1928-9) [24:51] Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Meditations on a Byzantine Hymn Op.117 (1962) [11:15] Viola Concerto in A major Op.75 (1952) [25:05] Lawrence Power (viola) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov rec. City Hall, Glasgow, 16-17 September 2006 (concertos); Henry Wood Hall, London, 27 September 2006 (Meditations) HYPERION CDA67587 [61:13] [DC]

Well nigh irresistible ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sabine Meyer French clarinet works Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) Sonata for clarinet and piano in E flat major, Op. 167 (1921) [15:26] Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Sonata for clarinet and piano, Op. 184 (1959-62) [14:03] François DEVIENNE (1759-1803) Sonata No. 1 in C major for clarinet and piano, (c. 1790s) [16:50] Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) Scaramouche (arranged for clarinet and piano in 1941) [9:52] Sabine Meyer (clarinet), Oleg Maisenberg (piano) rec. 26-28 September 2006, Potton Hall, Suffolk. DDD EMI CLASSICS 3 79787 2 [56:12] [MC]

This EMI Classics release of French works for clarinet and piano is an outstanding achievement ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Willem Van Otterloo and Residentie Orkest The Original Recordings 1950-1960
Hector BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique Carl Maria von WEBER orch. BERLIOZ Aufforderung zum Tanz Johan WAGENAARDe Getemde Feeks Op. 25 (Overture) Cyrano de Bergerac Op. 23 (Overture) Max REGER Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart Eine romantische Suite Alphons DIEPENBROCK Music to Sophocles’ Tragedy Electra Maurice RAVEL Valses nobles et sentimentales,Daphnis et Chloé Suites1and 2 Modest MOUSSORGSKY orch. RAVEL Pictures at an ExhibitionJoseph HAYDN Symphony No. 45 ‘Farewell’ symphony No. 55 ‘The Schoolmaster’Symphony No. 92 Robert SCHUMANN Overture Manfred Franz SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8 in B minor, ‘Unfinished’, From: Rosamunde, Entr’acte No. 3 ; Balletmusic No. 2 Gustav MAHLER Kindertotenlieder Herman Schey (baritone) Symphony No. 4 Teresa Stich-Randall (soprano) Sergei RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Abbey Simon (piano) Anton BRUCKNER Symphony No. 4 Overture in G minor Maurice RAVEL Pavane pour une infante défunte Manuel DE FALLA Three dances from El sombrero de tres picos : The Neighbours’ dance; Dance of the miller ; Final dance Morton GOULD InterplayAmerican Concertette’, Spirituals Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto No. 3 for piano and orchestra Alexander Uninsky (piano)Léon ORTHEL Symphony No. 2 ‘Piccola sinfoniaSem DRESDEN Dansflitsen Hendrik ANDRIESSEN Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Kuhnau, Ricercare Henk BADINGS Symphony No. 3 Edvard GRIEG 4 Norwegische Tänze Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Der Geschöpfe des Prometheus Symphony No. 8 Overture: Die Weihe des Hauses Johannes BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 Tragische Ouvertüre Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 Erna Spoorenberg (soprano); Maria von Ilosvay (alto); Frans Vroons (tenor); Herman Schey (bass); Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam Symphony No 4 Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No 4 Residentie Orkest, The Hague/Willem van Otterloo All recordings made in Amsterdam, Concertgebouw unless otherwise stated. Mono/*Stereo CD contents detailed listing at end of review CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC 72142 [13 CDs: 75:39 + 76:31 + 74:39 + 77:46 + 61:04 + 75:35 + 74:31 + 76:11 + 79:16 + 74:55 + 81:16 + 79:18 + 71:50] [JQ]

A revelatory set which does a great deal to restore the reputation of a seriously undervalued conductor. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Alexander ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942) Six Songs (lyrics: Maurice Maeterlinck) [21:20]: (i. Die drei. schwestern, op. 13 [4:15]; ii. Die mädchen mit den verbundenen augen, op. 13 [3:17]; iii. Lied der jungfrau, op. 13 [2:56]; iv. Als ihr geliebter schied, op. 13 [2:35]; v. Und kehrt er einst heim, op. 13 [3:10]; vi. Sie kam zum schloss gegangen, op. 13 [ 5:07]) Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Menschheit (lyrics: Theodor Däubler): (Der Dudelsack, op. 28 [5:15]; ii. Flügellahmer versuch, op. 28 [8:10]; iii. Oft einfach, op. 28 [2:44]; iv. Dämmerung, op. 28 [4:15]; v. Einblick, op. 28 [8:12]) Landschaften, (lyrics: Theodor Kuhlemann): (Die Türen Sind Zugeweht, op. 26 [2:43]; ii. Alle Frauen Weinen, op. 26 [3:12]; iii. Demut Faltet Den Raum, op. 26 [3:55]; iv. Viele Wege Sind Kleine, Vergangene, op. 26 [2:20]; v. Die Goldnen Winde, op. 26 [3:34]) Randi Stene (mezzo) Trondheim Symphony Orchestra/Muhai Tang rec. 14-18 June 2004. Olavshallen, Trondheim, Norway. DDD SIMAX PSC 1249 [65:41] [RB]

Randi Stene and the orchestra are magnificent in these gloriously emotion saturated songs. ... see Full Review

 


BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony no. 1 in C minor op. 68 [43:08] Symphony no. 2 in D major op. 73 [46:19]* Symphony no. 3 in F major op. 90 [33:26] Symphony no. 4 in E minor op. 98 [38:50] 11 Chorale-Preludes op. 122, arr. Henk de Vlieger [28:18]* Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Amsterdam/Jaap van Zweden Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland*/Jaap van Zweden rec. April 1999, MCO Studio Hilversum*, June-August 2002, Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99946 [3 CDs: 43:08 + 74:37 + 72:09] [CH]

If you want just one set of Brahms symphonies, at last I can recommend one that’s equally good all through. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Complete Piano Music, Vol. 24 Four Mephisto Waltzes (1856-85) [36:04]: (No. 1, (1856-61) S514 [12:05]; No. 2, S515 (1878/79-81) [11:12]; No. 3, S216 (1883) [9:48]; No. 4, S696 (1885) [2:59] ) Two Elegies (1874-78) [10:58]: (No. 1, S196 (1874) [5:45]; No. 2, S197 (1878) [5:13]) Grosses Konzertsolo, S176 (1849-50) [23:08] Giuseppe Andaloro, piano rec. 8-9 March 2005, Potton Hall, Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk. DDD NAXOS 8.557814 [70:10] [MC]

For Naxos Andaloro makes an inspired choice as soloist. One senses his complete involvement with the significant demands of Liszt’s challenging music ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sinfonia concertante in E minor, Op. 125 (1952) [38:24] Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Cello Concerto in C minor, Op. 66 (1944) [28:01]Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14 (1915, arr. cello and piano) [6:52] Mstislav Rostropovich (cello); Alexander Dedyukhin (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent. rec. Abbey Road, London 15 April 1957 (P), 5 March 1956 (M), 27 April 1957 (mono) (R). ADD. EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3800132 [73:29] [CC]

Stunning. Those of us lucky enough to hear Slava live can only be grateful that we experienced the overwhelming musicality, charisma and generosity. A fitting memorial ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) CD 1 [73:05] Symphonic Dances, op. 45 (1940) [37:08] The Bells, op.35 (1912) [35:45] CD 2 [79:42] The Rock - Symphonic poem after A. Chekhov op. 7 (1893) [14:50] Prince Rostislav - Symphonic poem after A.K. Tolstoy (1891) [18:18] Scherzo in D minor [5:30] Caprice bohémien, op. 12 (1893) [18:33] The Isle of the Dead, Symphonic poem after A. Böcklin op. 29 (1907) [22:03] Olga Lutsiv-Ternovskaya (soprano); Leonid Bomstein (tenor); Vyacheslav Pochapsky (bass) (op. 35) Russian State Symphonic Cappella Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Valeri Polyansky rec. Moscow Conservatoire, 1998 (CD1); 2001 (CD2) CD1 first issued as Chandos CHAN9759; CD2 first issued as Chandos CHAN BRILLIANT CLASSICS 8532 [73:05 + 79:42] [RB]

You simply cannot go wrong with this. A budget price item with all the merits of a premium production and packed close to maximum playing time. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Symphony No. 3 in G minor, Op. 42 (1929) [25:31] Bacchus et Ariane, Op. 43 (1930) [37:37] Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Stéphane Denève rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 17-18 October 2006 (Symphony); 2-4 May 2006 (Bacchus). DDD NAXOS 8.570245 [63:08] [CC]

Although Martinon on Erato couples Bacchus with the equally apposite Aeneas this new Naxos carves a niche firmly for itself on any serious record collector's shelves. The recording is fabulous with plenty of depth and definition ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Má Vlast – a cycle of symphonic poems (1874-1879) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Václav Talich rec. Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, June and July 1954. ADD NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111237 [75:22] [JW]

For the Talich collector this 1954 set is glorious and the one that remains the most generally recommendable. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) (1911-1913) [35:02] L’Oiseau de Feu (The Firebird) (1945 version) [31:23] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Simonov rec. CTS Studio, London, March 1993. DDD REGIS RRC 1276 [66:25][PC]

An admirable Firebird and The Rite is about as good as I’ve heard lately. ... see Full Review




Detailed listing (last five days)]
[Part 1 New]  
 [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L][Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[Recommended recordings]


 

 

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