Classical CD Review Archive - September 2007 part 3 C-L : MusicWeb-International

Charles CAMILLERI (b. 1951) Piano Concerto No. 1 Mediterranean (1948 rev. 1978) [27:13] Piano Concerto No. 2 Maqam (1967-68) [19:33] Piano Concerto No. 3 Leningrad (1987) [20:05]

André de Groote (piano) Bournemouth SO/Michael Laus Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, UK, 1993. DDD TALENT DOM 2910 56 [67:20] [RB]

Three stimulating piano concertos the last two of which are as dissonant as the first is melodic-tonal. ... see Full Review

Francis CHAGRIN (1905-1972) Film Music Overture from Helter Skelter (1949) [6:34] From An Inspector Calls (1954) [3:25] From The Colditz Story (1954) [3:31] Suite from Greyfriars Bobby (1961) [11:42] From The Four Just Men (1959) [3:05] The Hoffnung Symphony Orchestra (1965) [5:19] Four Orchestral Episodes from The Intruder (1953) [11:11] From Easy Money (1947) [6:40] Suite from Last Holiday (1950) [14:19] Yugoslav Sketches from The Bridge (1946) [10:42]

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Rumon Gamba rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, June 2004 CHANDOS CHAN10323 [77:34] [IL]

Nicely crafted music, often quite witty, if not especially memorable ... see Full Review

Ernst CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Concerto in D major for violin, piano and string quartet Op.21 (1891) see DVOŘÁK

Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) 1. Missa Solemnis in E [40:22] 2. Antifona sul canto fermo 8.tona [2:45] 3. Nemo gaudeat [7:28]

Ruth Ziesak (soprano) (1); Marianna Pizzolato (mezzo) (1); Herbert Lippert (tenor) (1); Ildar Abdrazakov (bass) (1); Barbara Fleckenstein (soprano) (2,3); Barbara Müller (alto) (2,3); Andrew Meyer (tenor) (2,3); Bernhard Schneider (tenor) (2,3); Christoph Hartkopf (bass) (2,3); Harald Feller (organ) (3); Max Hanft (organ) (3) Bayerischen Rundfunks/Peter Dijkstra Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (1)/Ricardo Muti rec. live 22-23 June, 2006, Philharmonie am Gasteig Munich, Germany. DDD (1); rec. 18-19 April, 2007, Herkulessaal der Residenz Munich, Germany. DDD (2,3) EMI CLASSICS 3943162 [50:53] [MS]

An under-recorded and under-performed corner of the repertoire receives a performance that on the whole does it justice. Sets the scene for different, more expansive, interpretations in the future ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) Coronation Mass (1825) [50:47] Marche réligieuse (1825) [5:11]

Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti rec. 1985. DDD. Texts and Translations included. EMI CLASSICS 49302

[56:00] [GPu]

Man I Sing Bob CHILCOTT (b. 1955) The Making of the Drum (1997)* [14:25] My Prayer ((2000) [5:20] Advent Antiphons (2004) [11:41] The Shepherd’s Carol (2000) [3:03] And Every Stone Shall Cry (2003) [3:55] Pange Lingua (2002) [3:54] The Modern Man I Sing (1991) [7:34] Beach (2004)** [6:11] Simple Pictures of Tomorrow (2005) [7:42] Weather Report (2005) [4:43] BBC Singers/Bob Chilcott *Simone Rebello (percussion)/**Paul Silverthorne (viola) rec. 19. 26-27 July 2006, St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London. DDD Texts and translations included. SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD100 [69:30][JQ]

Giovanni Paolo CIMA (c.1570-1630) Sonata a 2 (1610), Sonata a 2 (1610), Sonata a 3 (1610), Sonata a 4 (1610) Andrea CIMA (fl.1606-1627) Capriccio a 2 (1610), Capriccio a 4 (1610) see FONTANA

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor Op. 65 B130 (1882) [35:18] ¹ Piano Quartet in E flat major Op. 87 B162 (1889) [33:38] ² Romantische Stücke Op. 75 B150 (1887) [7:28] ³ Ernst CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Concerto in D major for violin, piano and string quartet Op.21 (1891) [37:20] º

Louis Kaufman (violin) Artur Balsam (piano) and Marcel Cervera (cello) ¹ Artur Balsam (piano), Peter Rybar (violin) Oskar Kromer (viola) and Antonio Tusa (cello) ² Louis Kaufman (violin) and Artur Balsam (piano) ³ Louis Kaufman (violin) and Artur Balsam (piano) with the Pascal String Quartet º rec. c.1949-52 BRIDGE 9225 [69:42 + 45:31] [JW]

Kaufman and Balsam admirers will find much on which to feast ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El sombrero de tres picos (1919) see RAVEL

Giovanni Battista FONTANA (d. c.1630) Sonata No.1 (1641) [3:46] Sonata No.2 (1641) [6:17] Sonata No.3 (1641) [4:41] Sonata No.4 (1641) [5:14] Sonata No.5 (1641) [5:03] Sonata No.6 (1641) [6:06] Sonata No.7 (1641) [5:28] Sonata No.8 (1641) [7:55] Sonata No.9 (1641) [5:36] Sonata No.10 (1641) [6:35] Sonata No.11 (1641) [5:02] Sonata No.12 (1641) [5:24] Sonata No.13 (1641) [5:18] Sonata No.14 (1641) [6:04] Sonata No.15 (1641) [4:44] Sonata No.16 (1641) [5:15] Sonata No.17 (1641) [5:15] Sonata No.18 (1641) [5:56] Giovanni Paolo CIMA (c.1570-1630) Sonata a 2 (1610) [4:22] Sonata a 2 (1610) [4:07] Sonata a 3 (1610) [3:24] Sonata a 4 (1610) [3:54] Andrea CIMA (fl.1606-1627) Capriccio a 2 (1610) [4:00] Capriccio a 4 (1610) [3:44] Francesco TURINI (c.1589-1656) Sonata a 2 violini (1624) [4:29] Sonata a 3, ‘Il Corosino’ (1624) [4:08] Sonata a 3, ‘E tanto tempo hormai’ (1624) [3:47] Somata a 3 (1624) [5:57] Sinfonia a 3 (1624) [2:21] Galiarda a 3 (1624) [1:44]

Ensemble Sonnerie: Monica Huggett (violin); Bruce Dickey (cornetto); Sarah Cunningham (cello); Gary Cooper (harpsichord; 3-stop organ; virginals); Pavlo Beznosiuk (violin); Emilia Benjamin (viola); Doron David Shwerwin (cornetto); Frances Eustace (gedackt dulcian); Stephen Saunders (sackbut); Elizabeth Kenny (chitaronne; baroque guitar); Erin Headley (lirione); Siobhán Armstrong (arpia doppia) rec. 17-19, 21-23 August 1995, St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead, London VIRGIN VERITAS 3 87002 2 [72:42 + 73:17] [GPu]

A delightful collection of music which is also of major historical importance in the evolution of post-Renaissance instrumental music … see Full Review

Francesco GEMINIANI (1687-1762) Violin Sonatas op. 5 Sonata, Op. 5 No. IV in D major [6:12] Sonata, Op. 5 No. I in A major [9:04] Sonata, Op. 5 No. III in C major [11:46] Sonata, Op. 5 No. II in F sharp minor [9:14] Sonata for violin solo in B flat major [8:42] Sonata, Op. 5 No. V in B flat major [7:02] Sonata, Op. 5 No. VI in D minor [7:54]

Anton Steck (violin); Christian Rieger (harpsichord); Markus Möllenbeck (cello) rec. 5-7 January, 2005, WDR Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal Cologne, Germany. DDD CPO 777 225-2 [59:59] [MS]

Wonderful, self-possessed Italianate string sonatas by the mature Geminiani played with delicacy, sensitivity and warmth by three dedicated experts. Definitely one to keep and play often ... see Full Review

Philip GLASS (b. 1937) Music in the Shape of a Square CD1 Music in Similar Motion (1969) [12:38] Strung Out (1967) [14:28] Piece in the Shape of a Square (1968) [11:27] Gradus (1968) [10:19] Music in Contrary Motion (1969) [28:35] CD2 600 Lines (1968) [40:13] How Now (1968) [20:14]

Alter Ego: (Manuel Zurria (flute); Paolo Ravaglia (clarinet); Francesco Peverini (violin); Francesco Dillon (cello); Oscar Pizzo (electric keyboard); Gianluca Ruggeri (marimba); Giuseppe Pistone (electric guitar); Fulvia Ricevuto (vibraphone, marimba) rec. Motevarchi, 16-17 December 1999; Piccolo Regio, 16 September 2002. DDD ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0034 [77:27 + 60:27] [PG]

This set is worthy of exploration, though probably not the best entry point for someone unfamiliar with either Glass’s work or minimalism generally ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Violin Concerto in A minor (1904) see SIBELIUS

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Symphony in C minor* (1864) [32:48] Old Norwegian Romance with Variations+ (1890 orch. 1906) [22:14] Three Orchestral Pieces from Sigurd Jorsalfar +: Prelude (In the King’s Hall); Intermezzo (Borghild’s Dream); Homage March [16:30] Malmö Symphony Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset rec. Concert Hall of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Sweden, 22-24 August 2005* and 10-13 April 2006+. DDD NAXOS 8.557991 [71:32][IL]

Grieg’s ‘forbidden’ Symphony might be derivative; nevertheless it is a real find. A delightful programme with all the freshness of a Norwegian spring. ... see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Orchestrated Piano Pieces Slåtter, Op. 72 (arr. O. Sommerfeldt) 1) No. 8. Bruremarsch (etter Myllarguten) (Wedding March after Myllarguten) 2) No. 4. Haugelat: Halling (Halling from The Fairy Hill) 3) No 2. John Vestafes springdans (Jon Vestafe's Springar) Norwegian Dances Op. 35 (arr. H. Sitt) 4) No. 1. Allegro marcato 5) No. 2. Allegretto tranquillo e grazioso 6) No. 3. Allegro moderato alla marcia 7) No. 4. Allegro molto 8) Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak, EG 107 (arr. J. Halvorsen) 9) Folkelivsbilleder, Op. 19: No. 2. Brudefolget drager forbi (Bridal Procession) (arr. J. Halvorsen) 10) Ballade, Op. 24 (arr. G. Tveitt) 11) Lyric Pieces, Book 5, Op. 54: No. 6. Klokkeklang (Ringing Bells) (arr. E. Grieg and A. Seidl) Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 2-3 May 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557854 [62:11][WK]

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16 (1868) [30:34] Six Lyric Pieces, Book VIII, Op.65 (1896) (From Early Years [4:41]; Peasant’s Song [2:22]; Melancholy [4:44]; Salon [1:56]; Ballad [4:12]; Wedding Day at Troldhaugen [6:28]) Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S215 (1839, perf.1857, pub. 1863) [21:45] Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Kitayenko rec. 1990, venue not stated (actually Grieghallen, Bergen). DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS VIRGO 3 91369 2 [77:24][BW]

Good performances, well recorded, at an affordable price. If this unusual coupling suits your requirements, buy with confidence … see Full Review

Cristóbal HALFFTER (b. 1930) Odradek (1996) [20:24] Dortmunder Variationen (1986/7) [18:10] Tiento del primer tono y battalla imperial (1986) [10:35]

Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt/Cristóbal Halffter rec. Hessischer Rundfunk, Sendesaal, Frankfurt am Main, October 1998. DDD COL LEGNO WWE 20204 [51:46] [HC]

Composer conducted vital readings that secure a formidably committed response, which makes this under-filled release a welcome addition to his discography ... see Full Review

Adam DE LA HALLE (c.1237-1288) D’Amoureus Cuer Voel Chanter see review for details

Les Jardins de Courtoisie; Anne Delafosse-Quentin (soprano) rec. 20-24 March, 2006, l’église de Pranles, France. DDD ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT070401 [73:00] [MS]

Chansons by a leading trouvère sung and performed with perhaps just a touch of over-interpretation at times. A valuable contribution to this very special repertoire by a dedicated and enthusiastic group. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Opera Arias CD1: Arias and Overtures, 1704-26 CD2: Arias and Duets from the era of ‘The Rival Queens’ 1726-28 CD3: Arias and Overtures 1729-41 see end of review for details

Emma Kirkby (soprano) Catherine Bott (soprano, CD2) The Brandenburg Consort/Roy Goodman rec. St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 25-27 September1995 (CD1); 2-4 January 1997 (CD2); 14-16 June 1999 (CD3). DDD. Detailed notes in English, French and German. Texts in Italian with English translation HYPERION CDS44271/3 [3CDs: 75:39 + 76:06 + 70:40] [BW]

Delightful music, delightfully sung, well accompanied and recorded. At bargain price, irresistible … see Full Review

John HARBISON (b. 1938) Piano Trio No. 2 'Short Stories' (2003): I. Tale [5:58]; II. Ballad [3:32]; III. Rumors and Reports [4:20]; IV. Enigma [3:51] Gatsby Etudes (1999): No. 1 Parlors [1:57]; No. 2 Parties [2:47]; No. 3 The Green Light [3:46] The Violist's Notebook (2002), Book I [7:47]; Book II [7:44] Ten MicroWaltzes (2004) [8:20] Cucaraccia and Fugue* (2003): I. Cucaraccia [1:18]; II. Fugue [3:03] Cello Suite (1993): I. Preludio [2:09]; II. Fuga – Burletta [2:41]; III. Sarabanda [2:21]; IV. Giga [1:35] Piano Trio No. 1 (1968) [7:24]

Amelia Piano Trio (Anthea Kreston (violin and viola); Jason Duckles (cello); Rieko Aizawa (piano)); * Steven Tenenbom; Ida Kavafian; John Harbison (violas) rec. 5-10 May 2006, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut, USA NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559243 [70:30] [DM]

For the casual explorer it offers a good, inexpensive entrée to Harbison’s musical world ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 88 in G (?1787) [20:05] Symphony No. 89 in F (1787) [21:06] Symphony No. 90 in C (1788) [26:27] Symphony No. 90 in C: finale (alternative version) [6:50] Symphony No. 91 in E flat (1788) [23:00] Symphony No. 92 in G ‘Oxford’ (1789) [24:47] Sinfonia concertante in B flat for violin, cello, oboe and bassoon (1792)* [21:24] Toru Yasunaga (violin); Georg Faust (cello); *Jonathan Kelly (oboe); *Stefan Schweigert (bassoon) Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle rec. live, 8-10, 14-17 February 2007, Philharmonie, Berlin. DDD EMI CLASSICS 0946 3 94237 2 9 [75:47 + 69:31][JQ]

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Cello Concerto No.1 in C major Hob. VIIb:1 (1761-1765) [23:24] Symphony No.60 "Il Distratto" (1774) [27:57] Cello Concerto No.2 in D major Hob.VIIb:2 (1782) [23:48]

Quirine Viersen (cello)
Combattimento Consort Amsterdam/Jan Willem de Vriend rec. Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam, 8-10 February 2006. DDD. DSD. SACD. ET'CETERA KTC 5251 SACD [75:09] [TP]

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Seven Last Words From the Cross, Hob.III:50-56, Op.51, No.1-7 (1787)

Cherubini Quartet (Christoph Poppen, Harald Schoneweg (violins); Harold Schlichtig (viola); Klaus Kämper (cello)) rec. 18-20 July 1988, Haydn-Saal, Schloss Eisenstadt

EMI CLASSICS CDC 7 49682

[77:02][GPu]

A slow, monumental, and yet intimate performance of the quartet version of one of Haydn’s masterpieces … see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) The Complete Piano Sonatas - Vol. 6 Piano sonata in E minor, Hob.XVI: 47 (before 1766) [10:23] Piano sonata in E flat major, Hob.XVI: 45 (before 1766) [18:48] Piano sonata in D major, Hob.XVI: 51 (1795) [5:28] Piano sonata in C major, Hob.XVI: 48 (1789) [12:02] Piano sonata in E minor, Hob.XVI: 34 (1778) [13:27]* Roland Batik (piano) rec. 26-27 May 1997, Studio Burgenland, Eisenstadt, 29 April 1998, Studio Baumgarten, Vienna*. DDD CAMERATA CM-546 [61:13] [TP]

Haydn playing that caresses the ear … perfect late night listening ... see Full Review

Hans Werner HENZE (b.1930) Piano works Lucy Escott Variations (1963) [9:21] Varationen für Klavier op.13 (1948) [11:35] Une petite phrase (1964) [2:45] Präludien zu «Tristan» (2003) [14:42] Cherubino (1980-81) [9:52] Toccata mistica (1994) [5:38] Sonatina 1947 (1947) [9:06] Sonata per pianoforte (1959) [16:03] Jan Philip Schulze (piano) rec. November 10-12 2005, Studio 2, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich COL LEGNO WWE 20250 [79:44] [DC]

Henze shows himself as a man of his times, and one to which we owe a duty to hear. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Mystic Trumpeter op.18 (1904) see VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Gottfried August HOMILIUS (1714-1785) St John Passion (HoWV 1.4)

Jana Reiner, Katja Fischer (soprano); Franz Vitzthum (alto); Jan Kobow (tenor); Tobias Berndt, Clemens Heidrich (bass) Dresdner Kreuzchor Dresdner Barockorchester/Roderich Kreile rec. March 2006, Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany. DDD CARUS 83.261 [52:21 + 66:49] [JV]

An interesting and musically rewarding addition to the repertoire of Passion music - a very fine performance ... strongly recommended ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gottfried August HOMILIUS (1714-1785) Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld - Passion cantata (HoWV 1.2)

Monika Mauch (soprano); Bogna Bartosz (contralto); Markus Brutscher (tenor); Hans Christoph Begemann (bass) Basler Madrigalisten Neue Düsseldorfer Hofmusik/Fritz Näf rec. March 2006, Reformierte Kirche, Arlesheim, Switzerland. DDD CARUS 83.262 [59:30 + 34:17] [JV]

A Passion oratorio of impressive quality - this recording goes straight to the top of my list of records of the year... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH John IRELAND (1879-1962) CD 1 Phantasie Trio in A minor (In one Movement) (1908) [13:14] Trio No. 2 in E (In one Movement) (1917) [15:11] Trio No. 3 in E (1938) [28:35]

Yfrah Neaman (violin); Julian Lloyd Webber (cello); Eric Parkin (piano)CD 2 Sextet for Clarinet, Horn and String Quartet (1898) [28:11] Sonata for Cello and Piano (1924) [24:19] Fantasy-Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (in one Movement) (1943) [14:00] Emanuel Hurwitz, Ivor MacMahon (violins); Cecil Aronowitz, (viola); Terence Weil (cello); Gervase de Peyer (clarinet); Neill Sanders (horn) André Navarra (cello); Eric Parkin (piano)CD 3 Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor (1911) [30:44] Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor (1917) [28:54] Yfrah Neaman (violin); Eric Parkin (piano) rec. July 1976, St. John’s Smith Square, London (CD1); May-October 1971 (CD2); June 1972, St. John’s Smith Square, London (CD3). ADD LYRITA SRCD.2271 [3 CDs: 57:00 + 66:30 + 59:38] [RB]

An extremely valuable and pleasing collection. Essential listening if you are drawn to the tonal lyrical-impressionistic vein in twentieth century music ... see Full Review

John IRELAND (1879-1962) The Songs CD 1 Songs of a Wayfarer; When Lights go rolling round the sky; Hope the Hornblower; Sea Fever; Marigold; Five Poems by Thomas Hardy; Three Songs; We’ll to the Woods no more CD 2 Two Songs; Songs Sacred & Profane; Five XVIth Century Songs; Blow out you Bugles; If there were Dreams to sell; I have twelve Oxen; Spring Sorrow; The Bells of San Marie; The Journey; The merry month of May; Vagabond; When I am dead my dearest; Santa Chiara; Great Things; If we must part; Tutto e sciolto CD 3 Songs for Tenor: The Heart’s desire; The sacred flame; Remember; Hawthorne Time; The East Riding; Love is a sickness full of woes; The Land of Lost Content; Two Songs Songs for Contralto: The Three Ravens; Bed in Summer; Mother & Child; Earth’s Call; Three Arthur Symons Songs; What art thou thinking of?; Three Thomas Hardy Songs

Benjamin Luxon (baritone) (CD1; CD2); John Mitchinson (tenor) (CD3); Alfreda Hodgson (contralto) (CD3); Alan Rowlands (piano)rec. St John’s Smith Square, London August 1972, July 1973, November 1973 (CD1; CD2); August 1978 (CD3). ADD Full song texts in English only LYRITA SRCD.2261 [3 CDs: 61:26 + 58:08 + 64:10] [JF]

A fine addition to the collections of all enthusiasts of John Ireland’s music in particular and British Music in general. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Symphony no.3 ‘The Camp Meeting’* (1901-1904) [21:58] Ragtime Dances (1899-1904) [12:08]+ Robert Browning Overture (1908-1912) [26:03]** Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Saarbrücken/Michael Stern rec. Saarbrücken, Funkhaus Halberg, Musikstudio I, March 23, 2000*, May 19,2000+, November 15-16, 1999** COL LEGNO WWE1CD20225 [60:09][OEW]

A worthy addition to the Ives catalogue, this could serve well as an introduction to a unique musical voice. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Variations on ‘America’ (trans. William E. Rhoads) [6:24] Overture and March ‘1776’ (trans. James B. Sinclair) [2:55] They are there! (trans. James B. Sinclair) [2:29] Old Home Days Suite (selected and arranged by Jonathan Elkus) I. Waltz [1:30] II. The Opera House and Old Home Day [1:55] III. The Collection [2:14] IV. Slow March [1:14] V. London Bridge Is Fallen Down! [1:07] March Intercollegiate (ed. Keith Brion) [3:32] Fugue in C minor (trans. James B. Sinclair) [6:31] March: ‘Omega Lambda Chi’ (edited and arranged by Keith Brion) [3:02] Variations on ‘Jerusalem the Golden’ (edited and arranged by Keith Brion) [4:15] A Son of a Gambolier (trans. Jonathan Elkus) [3:50] Postlude in F major (trans. Kenneth Singleton) [4:24] ‘Country Band’ March (trans. James B. Sinclair) [4:20] Decoration Day (trans. Jonathan Elkus) [8:15] Charlie Rutlage (trans. James B. Sinclair) [2:36] The Circus Band (trans. Jonathan Elkus) [2:44] Runaway Horse on Main Street (reconstructed and edited by James B. Sinclair) [1:16] March No. 6 with ‘Here's to Good Old Yale’ (freely adapted for the U.S. Marine Band by Jonathan Elkus) [2:52] ‘The Alcotts’ (trans. for U.S. Marine Band by Jonathan Elkus) [5:56] ‘The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band/Colonel Timothy W. Foley rec. 2-6 June 2003, Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, Virginia, USA NAXOS WIND BAND CLASSICS 8.570559 [73:21][DM]

This passes muster but it’s all too sedate. Perhaps one needs a more unruly beast and a driver willing to loosen the reins a little more. ... see Full Review

Gordon JACOB (1895-1984) Symphony No. 1 (1929) [34:18] Symphony No. 2 in C major (1945) [32:01]

London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth rec. no information given. DDD world premiere recording of Symphony No. 1

LYRITA SRCD.315 [65:19] [JQ]

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No. 1, "The Kreutzer Sonata" (1923) [17:23] String Quartet No. 2, "Intimate Letters" (1928) [25:04]

Panocha String Quartet (Jiří Panocha; Pavel Zejfart (violins); Miroslav Sehnoutka (viola); Jaroslav Kulhan (cello)) rec. Dominova Studio, Prague, 27 April, 10-11 June 1995. DDD SUPRAPHON SU3906-2 [42:33] [CC]

This disc appears now at mid-price. The timing is remarkably low but despite this these remain eminently recommendable performances ... see Full Review

Daniel JONES (1912-1993) Symphony No. 4 (1954) [31:35] Symphony No. 7 (1972) [21:54] Symphony No. 8 (1972) [24:32]

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Groves (Sy 4 & 7) BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra/Bryden Thomson (Sy 8) rec. 18-19 April 1972, Studio No. 1 Abbey Road, London (4, 7) originally released on EMI ASD 2855; 10-11 February 1979, BBC Llandaff originally released on BBC Regium REGL 359 (8). ADD The original recordings with support from the Welsh Arts Council. CD transfer and re-mastering supported by the Arts Council of Wales. LYRITA SRCD.329 [78.05] [OW]

A good introduction to a distinctive Welsh voice. Not an uplifting experience, however ... see Full Review

Joseph Jongen (1873-1953) Messe en l’honneur du Saint-Sacrement Op.130 (1945-1948) [34:06] Deus Abraham Motet pour une messe de marriage W150 (1909) [3:21] Pie Jesu No.1 of Deux Motets W71 (1895) [2:49] Quid sum miser? No.1 of Trois Motets W99 (1899) [4:43] Flor Peeters (1903-1986) Missa Festiva Op.62 for choir and organ (1947) [27:31]

Thomas Gould (violin); Paul Provost (organ) London City Brass The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge/David Hill rec. St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge, 10-12 July 2006. Latin texts and English translations HYPERION CDA67603 [72:50] [JQ]

I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to get to know these works in such fine performances through this typically enterprising release ... see Full Review

Joseph JONGEN (1873-1953) Symphonie Concertante, Op. 81 (1926) [36:25] Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Symphony No. 3 'Organ', Op. 78 (1886) [36:29]

Olivier Latry (organ) Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège/Pascal Rophé rec. 10-14 July 2006, Salle Philharmonique, Liège, Belgium CYPRES CYP7610 [72:54] [DM]

Scott JOPLIN (1868-1917) Piano Rags Vol. 2 Rag-Time Dance, A Stop-Time Two Step (1899) [3:05] A Breeze from Alabama, March and Two Step (1902) [4:19] The Chrysanthemum, An Afro-American Intermezzo (1904) [4:42]Peacherine Rag (1902) [3:47]The Cascades, A Rag (1904) [3:14]Weeping Willow, A Rag-Time Two Step (1903) [4:22] Gladiolus Rag (1907) [4:26]Eugenia (1905) [4:40]The Crush Collision March (1896) [4:52]Reflection Rag, Syncopated Musings (1917) [4:51]Magnetic Rag (1914) [5:21]Swipesy – Cake Walk (1900) [3:22] Scott Joplin's New Rag (1912) [4:03]Rose Leaf Rag, A Rag-Time Two Step (1907) [4:04]The Rosebud March (1905) [2:49]Stoptime Rag (1910) [2:51]

Benjamin Loeb (piano) rec. 5-8 August 2005, Performing Arts Centre, The Country Day School, Ontario, Canada. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559277 [64:48] [DM]

A winning compilation, sympathetically played. The Naxos engineers have done a pretty good job too ... see Full Review

John JOUBERT (b. 1927) Symphony No. 1 Op.20 (1955) [31:17]

London Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley rec. early 1990s? LYRITA SRCD.322 [31:17] [HC]

This splendid and heartily committed performance by one of the staunchest champions of British music aptly crowns Joubert’s birthday celebrations ... see Full Review

Manolis KALOMIRIS (1883-1962) Triptych for Orchestra (1937-1940) [22.16] Symphony No 3 ‘Palamian’ in D minor for orchestra with dramatic recitation (1955) [30.39] Three Greek Dances (1934) [8.46] The Destruction of Psara (1949?) [1.34]

Nikitas Tsakiroglou (orator) Athens State Orchestra/Byron Fidetzis rec. Athens Concert Hall Recording Centre, 20 June-2 July 2005. DDD

NAXOS 8.557970 [63.15][GH]

At Naxos price this disc is worth investigating but be prepared for an epic struggle. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hugo KAUDER (1888-1972) String Quartet No. 1 (1921) [23:14] String Quartet No. 2 (1924) [17:34] String Quartet No. 3 (1926) [15:09] String Quartet No. 4 (1927) [15: 25]

The Euclid Quartet (Jameson Cooper and Jacob Murphy (violins); Luis Vargas (viola); Amy Joseph (cello)). rec. 12-14 August, 12-13 November 2005, St. Bridget’s Church, Solon, Iowa CENTAUR CRC 2840 [71:28] [KS]

A composer with a great gift for melody ... these are works of great richness and subtlety finely executed by outstanding performers ... see Full Review

Constant LAMBERT (1905-1951) Romeo and Juliet - A Ballet in two Tableaux (1924-25) [30:00] Pomona - A Ballet in one Act (1926) [20:36] Music for Orchestra * (1927) [13:19] King Pest: Rondo Burlesca ** (1935) [9:14]

English Chamber Orchestra/Norman Del Mar London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth *Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Joly ** rec. DDD*; July 1977, Kingsway Hall, London, ADD LYRITA SRCD.215 [73:14] [IL]

Most of this album is devoted to the ballet music of Constant Lambert; but all of it is very theatrical. ... see Full Review

Jean LANGLAIS (1907-1991) Esquisses Romanes et Gothiques for two organs Trois Esquisses Gothiques (1975) [18:29] (Maestoso [5:36]; Virgo dei genitrix [3:37]; Séquence pour la fête de la dédicace [9:15]) Canzona (from Folkloric Suite) [3:34] Pasticcio (from Organ Book) [2:34] Prélude (from Suite Médiévale) [2:37] Tiento (from Suite Médiévale) [3:36] Dialogue sur les mixtures (from Suite Brève) [3:33] Plainte (from Suite Brève) [5:11] Incantation pour un Jour Saint (from Pâques) [4:52] Trois Esquisses Romanes [26:53] (Moderato [8:11]; Allegro vivo [10:57]; Allegro [7:43])

Jacques Kauffmann (grand orgue; petit orgue (Esquisses)) Frédéric Ledroit (grand orgue (Esquisses)) rec. 13, 15 April 2004, Catédrale Angoulême. DDD Notes and organ specifications included SKARBO DSK4053 [71:21] [WK]

Overall a gripping traversal of an unjustly neglected part of the composer’s output ... see Full Review

Pierre de LA RUE (c.1460-1518) CD1 Magnificat Tone IV [15:05] Magnificat Tone I [12:11] Salve regina V [8:20] Magnificat Tone VII [10:45] Magnificat Tone II [10:46] ANONYMOUS (15^th, 16^th centuries) Antiphon, 'Sancta Maria succurre miseris' [01:44] Antiphon, 'Tribus miraculis' [01:32] Antiphon, 'Dedit mihi Dominus pennas' [00:30] Antiphon, 'Virgo gloriosa' [00:51] CD2 Pierre de LA RUE Salve regina II [10:05] Magnificat Tone VI [13:05] Magnificat Tone VIII [12:54] Salve regina IV [8:08] Magnificat Tone V [11:00] ANONYMOUS Antiphon, 'O quam gloriosum est regnum' [00:54] Antiphon, 'Dum medium silentium' [01:00] Antiphon, 'Bene omnia fecit' [00:23]

VivaVoce ((Deirdre Brown (soprano); Mary Beth Campbell (soprano)*; Cynthia Gates (soprano); Charmian Harvey (soprano)*; Marie Magistry (soprano); Carole Therien (soprano); Dan Cabena (alto); Lori Henig (alto); Josée Lalonde (alto); Éric Tremblay (alto); Stephen Bélanger (tenor); Bernard Cayouette (tenor); Micah Lamb (tenor); Garth MacPhee (tenor); Martin Auclair (bass)*; Alfred Lagrenade (bass); Philippe Martel (bass); Normand Richard (bass); Yves Saint-Amant (bass) [* sing in Magnificat I, Magnificat VI only])/Peter Schubert rec. August, 2005; June 2006, l’Église de la Visitation Montréal, Canada. DDD NAXOS 8.557896-97 [61:53 + 58:00] [MS]

This well-priced and welcome two-CD set from VivaVoce offers the complete Magnificats and three of the Salve Reginas by a contemporary of Josquin’s … well sung and presented … should appeal to lovers of Renaissance choral polyphony ... see Full Review

Walter LEIGH (1905-1942) Agincourt Overture* (1937) [11:46] Concertino for Harpsichord and String Orchestra (1934) [9:33] Music for String Orchestra (1931-2) [6:29] A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite for small orchestra (1936) [14:26] (Overture, Entry of the Mechanicals, Introduction to Act II, Intermezzo, Introduction to Act III, Wedding March, Bergomask, Fairies' Dance, Finale) The Frogs (1936) [5:35] Jolly Roger Overture* (1933) [3:38]

Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord) London Philharmonic Orchestra, New Philharmonia Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. Kingsway Hall, London, March 1980; *Walthamstow Town Hall, August 1975. ADD LYRITA SRCD.289 [51:33] [GH] [RB]

The journey into Walter Leigh’s music is only just beginning [GH] ... Shorter than the usual Lyrita compilation but that’s all they recorded of Leigh. Satisfying in its extension of clean Holstian neo-classicism and dashing romance [RB] ... see Full Review

David LEISNER (b. 1953) Acrobats (2002) [12:48] El Coco (1999) [3:27] Nostalgia (1985) [5:55] Dances in the Madhouse (1982) [12:13] Trittico (1985, rev.2002) [12:38] ¹ Extremes (1987) [12:30] ²

Cavatina Duo: Eugenia Moliner (flute); Denis Azabagic (guitar); ¹ Katinka Kleijn (cello); ² Joshua Rubin (clarinet) rec. 23-25 May, 31 August, 18 November 2006, WFMT Chicago ÇEDILLE CDR 90000 096 [60:08] [GPu]

Pleasant, intelligent chamber music which makes engaging listening, without being especially innovative or challenging … see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major, S.124, R.455, (1830-49, rev. 1853, 56) [18:58] Piano Concerto No.2 in A major, S.125 (1839-40, rev. 1849, 1861) [21:45] Totentanz (Dance of death or Dance macabre), Paraphrase on the ‘Dies irae’ for piano and orchestra, S.126, R.457, (1839-49, rev. 1853, 1859) [15:19]

Arnaldo Cohen (piano) São Paulo Symphony Orchestra/John Neschling rec. July 2005, Sala São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Super Audio CD BIS-SACD-1530 [57:08]
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major, S.124, R.455, (1830-49, rev. 1853, 1856) [18:56] Piano Concerto No.2 in A major, S.125 (1839-40, rev. 1849, 1861) [21:48] Totentanz (Dance of death or Dance macabre), Paraphrase on the ‘Dies irae’ for piano and orchestra, S.126, R.457, (1839-49, rev. 1853, 1859) [15:38]

Joseph Moog (piano) Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz/Ari Rasilainen rec. 20-21 December 2006, 11-13 January 2007, Ludwigshafen, Philharmonie, Germany. DDD CLAVES 50-2707 [56:40] [MC]

The competition in the concertos and Totentanz is extremely fierce and it is unnecessary to look elsewhere than the distinguished Krystian Zimerman on Deutsche Grammophon. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Invocation, from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (1847) [2:57] Hymne à la nuit, from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S.173a/1(1847) [6:39]Wiegenlied (Chant du berceau), S.198 (1881) [3:59]Schlaflos! Frage und Antwort, S.203 (1883) [2:37]Grosses Konzertsolo, S.176 (1849-50) [17:08]Bagatelle ohne Tonart, S.216a (1885) [2:59]La Notte, from Trois Odes Funèbres, S.516a (1864-66) [11:37] Trauervorspiel und Trauermarsch, S.206 (1885) [6:42] Hymne du matin, from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S.173a/2 (1847) [3:43] Isolde's Liebestod from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, S.447 (arr. Liszt 1867) [6:10] En rêve: Nocturne, S.207 (1885) [2:26] Zoltán KOCSIS (b. 1952) Vorspiel from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (arr. Zoltan Kocsis) [8:08]

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano) rec. 23-25 November 2005, Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, Germany. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 604 1350-2 [75:18] [MC]

A decent enough recital disc but not a remarkable one … some fascinating and worthy piano scores that should be of particular interest to Lisztians. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Complete Piano Music Vol. 24 Mephisto Waltz no.1 S514/R181 (1856-61) [12:05] Mephisto Waltz no.2 S515/R182 (1878/9-1881) [11:12] Mephisto Waltz no.3 S216/R38 (1883) [09:48] Mephisto Waltz no.4 S696/R661 (1885) [02:59] Elegy no.1 S196/R76 (1874) [05:45] Elegy no.2 S197/R77 (1878) [05:13] Grosses Konzertsolo S176/R18 [23:08]

Giuseppe Andaloro (piano) rec. 8-9 March 2005, Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, UK NAXOS 8.557814 [70:10] [CH]

Fine playing of mostly little-known Liszt. But is fine playing enough? ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S215 (1839, perf.1857, pub. 1863) see GRIEG

George LLOYD (1913-1998) Symphony No. 4 in B (1945-6) [60:02] Symphony No. 5 in B flat (1947-8) [57:34] Symphony No. 8 (1961 orch. 1965) [45:28]

Philharmonia Orchestra/Edward Downes rec. 1982-84, London? ADD LYRITA SRCD.2258 [3 CDs: 60:02 + 57:34 + 45:28] [EMc]

The changing moods of the music realised to perfection, and played with genuine commitment. The sound and balance of these recordings is excellent … see Full Review

Dan LOCKLAIR (b. 1949) Symphony of Seasons (Symphony no.1) (2002) [31:06] Lairs of Soundings (A Triptych for Soprano and String Orchestra) (1982) [10:58] Phoenix and Again (An Overture for Full Orchestra) (1982) [5:51] In Memory – H.H.L. (for String Orchestra) (2005) [5:16] Concerto for Harp and Orchestra (2004) [22:03]

Janeanne Houston (soprano); Jacquelyn Bartlett (harp) Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Kirk Trevor rec. 11-15 September 2006, Concert Hall of the Slovak Radio, Bratislava, Slovakia. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559337 [75:14] [GPJ]

Enjoyable and entertaining … the strong personality of Locklair’s music is projected successfully ... see Full Review