Sept

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856) Giselle Laëtitia Pujol, Nicolas Le Riche, Marie-Agnès Gillot, Wilfried Romoli, Corps de Ballet de L'Opéra National de Paris L'Opéra National de Paris O/Paul Connelly rec. 2006 TDK DVWW-BLGISP [111:00] [RW]

Treats everything with traditional elegance and is imaginatively recorded ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) Ibéria; Navarra; Suite Española Alicia de Larrocha (piano) rec. 1986 DECCA 4780388 [64:12 + 61:11][TB] 

A notable addition to the catalogue ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Begräbnisgesang; Schicksalslied; Symphony No. 1 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Mitten wir im Leben sind The Monteverdi Choir; Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2007 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG702 [75:11][JQ]

This new Brahms symphony cycle has been launched auspiciously ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Piano Concerto in D Major Op.13 (1938) [32:27] (CD includes original version of the third movement) [09:10] Young Apollo Op.16 for piano, string quartet and string orchestra (1939) [6:56] Diversions for piano (left hand) and orchestra Op.21 (1940) [22:26] Steven Osborne (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 21-23 September 2007 HYPERION CDA67625 [71:16] [JF]

A fine introduction to some of the composer’s earlier scores ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joe CUTLER (b.1968) Bartlebooth etc. BBC Concert Orchestra/Charles Hazlewood rec. 1996-2008 NMC D134 [75:56][TH]

Superbly crafted and brilliantly performed throughout ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH E.T.A. HOFFMANN (1776-1822) Quintet for Harp and String Quartet; Sonatas for Fortepiano in A & F minor; Grand Trio Nasumi Nagasawa (single action pedal harp); Beni Araki (fortepiano); Hoffmeister Quartet; Trio Margaux rec. 2006-7 PROFIL EDITION GÜNTER HÄNSSLER PH07063 [69:00][MSJ]

Persuasive advocates for Hoffmann’s forgotten musical genius ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pierre Danican PHILIDOR (1681-1731) Suittes pour hautbois L'Assemblée des Honnestes Curieux rec. 2007 ZIGZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT080203 [65:09][JV]

Suites by a member of the Philidor family in brilliant and exciting performances ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tannhäuser (Paris Version) Spas Wenkoff (tenor) – Tannhäuser Gwyneth Jones (soprano) – Venus/Elisabeth Bernd Weikl (baritone) – Wolfram von Eschenbach Orchestra and Chorus of the Bayreuth Festival/Colin Davis rec. live, Bayreuth Festival, July 1978 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 4446 [2 DVDs, 64:24 + 123:43] [ST]

Essential for anyone interested in the power of the theatre ... see Full Review

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BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Edvard Hagerup GRIEG (1843–1907) The Complete Orchestral Music Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/Ole Kristian Ruud rec. 2002-2005 BIS BISCD1740/42 [8 CDs: 70:09 + 74:36 + 77:38 + 53:29 + 60:01 + 70:50 + 59:15 + 71:05 (8:25:15)][DC]

Best ever orchestral Grieg in a bargain box ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828) Romantic Poets - Volume 4 Florian Boesch (baritone); Burkhard Kehring (piano) rec. Radiostudio Zurich, DRS Zurich, Switzerland, 16-19 November 2006. Sung texts and English translations can be found at www.naxos.com/libretti/570067.htm NAXOS 8.570067 [58:47] [GF]

Some unknown masterpieces and a superb new Lieder singer ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975) Symphonies 1 & 7 Chicago SO/Leonard Bernstein rec. live 1988 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 7587 [66:43 + 53:11] [BBr]

Passion and searing, white hot, insight and intensity ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Janet Baker – The Beloved Mezzo various orchestras conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, Sir John Barbirolli, André Previn, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras, Raymond Leppard, Yehudi Menuhin and Sir Neville Marriner; Robert Spencer (lute), Martin Isepp (harpsichord), Gerald Moore and Geoffrey Parsons (piano) rec. 1964-86 EMI CLASSICS ICON 2080872 [5 CDs: 379:40] [GF]

Marvellous music in marvellous readings ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Dennis Brain – The Horn Player Includes Mozart, Strauss and Hindemith concertos rec. various locations 1943-47 EMI CLASSICS ICON 2060102 [4 CDs: 76:42 + 76:58 + 75:21 + 77:03] [JS]

Irresistible for its sheer musical pleasure ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Jascha Heifetz - Violin Virtuoso Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Violin ConcertoEdouard LALO (1823-1892)Symphonie Espagnole George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Preludes 1-3,Porgy and Bess Suite Kurt WEILL (1900-1950) Moderato assai Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Jamaican Rumba Jascha Heifetz (violin) Los Angeles PO/Alfred Wallenstein; RCA Victor SO/William Steinberg; Emanuel Bay (piano) rec. 1944-53 REGIS RRC1296 [74:04] [RM]

Hard to see how this utterly committed recording could be bettered ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Discover Classical Music of the 20^th Century by David McCleery ISBN: 978-1843792376 Published: 2008 Paperback format 224 pp. NAXOS BOOKS [MM-B]

An insightful simple guide to a period of great change in music ... see Full Review

OCT

 

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5 Mikhail Pletnev (piano); Russian National Orchestra/Christian Gansch rec. 2006 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4777475 [3 CDs: 67:52 + 63:42 + 37:45][JFL]

Among the finds of the year ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Victoria BORISOVA–OLLAS (b.1969) Wings of the Wind; Symphony No.1; Roosters in Love; Im Klosterhofe; Silent Island Norrköping Symphony Orchestra/Mats Rondin rec. 1999-2008 PHONO SUECIA PSCD171 [62:19][BBr] 

Music of the very highest order – an exciting composer ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Billy Budd (1951) Ian Bostridge - Nathan Gunn London Symphony Orchestra/Daniel Harding rec. 2007. DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 5 190392 [3 CDs: 23:00 + 63:01 + 79:41] [AOz]

Has changed the whole way I listen to Billy Budd ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Philippe GAUBERT (1879-1941) Symphonie; Les Chants de la mer; Concert en fa Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Marc Soustrot rec. 2008 TIMPANI 1C1135 [70:16][RB]

The heartland of French late-romantic nationalism ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH William LAWES (1602-1645) The Harp Consorts Maxine Eilander (harp); Les Voix Humaines rec. 2002-6 ATMA ACD22372 [76:26][KS] 

Elegant music-making … A delight for music-lovers of all stripes ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pavel LUKASZEWSKI (b. 1968) Choral Music The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/Stephen Layton rec. 2007 HYPERION CDA67639 [66:22][JQ]

An outstanding introduction to a significant voice in contemporary choral music ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632-1687) Psyché Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra and Chorus/Paul O'Dette rec. 2007 CPO 7773672 [3 CDs: 50:06 + 57:28 + 66:08][MS]

Splendid and approachable … interesting and unusual ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) La bohème (1896) Mirella Freni (soprano) – Mimi; Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) – Rodolfo); Elizabeth Harwood (soprano) – Musetta; Rolando Panerai (baritone) – Marcello; Gianni Maffeo (baritone) – Schaunard; Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass) – Colline; Michel Sénéchal (tenor) – Benoit; Alcindoro; Gernot Pietsch (tenor) – Parpignol; Hans-Dietrich Pohl (bass) – Customs official; Hans-Dieter Appelt (bass) – Customs sergeant Schöneberger Sängerknaben; Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, October 1972 Italian libretto and English, German and French translations enclosed Includes bonus CD: Mirella Freni in conversation with Catherine Bott DECCA 478 0254 [54:37 + 55:46] [GF]

One of the greatest opera recordings of all time! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Piano music of Roger Sessions and Ralph Shapey Roger SESSIONS (1896-1985) Sonatas Nos 1 & 3 Ralph SHAPEY (1921-2002) Mutations; Mutations II; 21 Variations David Holzman (piano) rec. 2007 BRIDGE 9243 [79:31][MS]

Something rather special. Expert, perceptive and technically brilliant ... see Full Revie

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Un Frisson Français - A Century of French Song Susan Graham (mezzo) Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec. 2008, DDD French texts and English translations included ONYX 4030 [77:34] Trial it: Sale or Return [JQ]

This disc provides unalloyed pleasure and is not to be missed. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH New Music for Brass Band by Richard Rodney BENNETT (b. 1935), Kenneth HESKETH (b. 1968), George BENJAMIN (b. 1960), Judith BINGHAM (b. 1952) and Philip WILBY (b. 1949) Foden’s Richardson Band/Bramwell Tovey rec. 2008 NMC D142 [72:54][CT] 

Contemporary works, magnificently played by Foden’s ... see Full Review

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BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Fanfare for the Common Man, Clarinet Concerto, Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, Appalachian Spring David Shifrin (clarinet) Saint Louis SO/Leonard Slatkin CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 2282762 [79:13] [GP-J]

A truly outstanding issue packed with great things ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Cristóbal de Morales (c.1500–1553) Missa Queramus cum pastoribus etc. Jean Mouton (before 1459–1522) Queramus cum pastoribus The Choir of Westminster Cathedral/James O’Donnell rec. 1992 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55276 [65:25][BW] 

Pretty close to perfection ... and at a budget price ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Tallis Scholars Sing Tudor Music: Volume 1 CD 1 John BROWNE (d.1505) Salve regina I [13:23] Stabat iuxta [12:25] Stabat mater [15:56] O regina mundi clara [13:55] O Maria salvatoris [15:39] William CORNYSH (d.1523) Gaude virgo mater Christi [5:30] CD 2 John TAVERNER (c.1490-1545) Western Wind Mass [32:23] William CORNYSH Salve regina [13:53] Ave Maria, mater Dei [3:13] Christopher TYE (c.1505-c.1573) Western Wind Mass [27:19] The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. Salle Church, Norfolk, 1988 (Cornysh), 1993 (Taverner, Tye), 2005 (Browne). DDD. Booklet with notes, texts and translations. GIMELL CDGIM209 [76:42 + 76:50]
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Tallis Scholars Sing Tudor Music: Volume 2 CD 1 John SHEPPARD (c.1515-1558) Media vita [21:45] Christe redemptor omnium [4:46] Reges Tharsis [5:04] Sacris solemniis [7:32] In manus tuas I [3:28] In manus tuas II [2:56] In manus tuas III [2:54] Verbum caro [6:57] Western Wind Mass [20:33] CD 2 Thomas TALLIS (c.1505-1585) In ieiunio et fletu [4:44] O salutaris hostia [3:02] O nata lux [2:06] Robert WHITE (c.1538-1574) Magnificat [14:48] Portio mea [7:15] Regina cæli [3:57] Christe, qui lux es III [4:55] Christe, qui lux es IV [5:08] Exaudiat te Dominus [9:46] Lamentations (5vv.) [22:05] The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. Salle Church, Norfolk, 1989 (Sheppard, except Mass), 1992 (Tallis), 1993 (Sheppard Mass), 1995 (White). DDD. Booklet with notes, texts and translations GIMELL CDGIM 210 [75:58 + 77:48] [BW]

Excellent performances and unbelievable value ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Alexander ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942) Three Pieces for Cello and Piano; Sonata in A minor for Cello and Piano; Trio in D Minor for Clarinet, Cello and Piano Othmar Muller (cello); Ernst Ottensamer (clarinet); Christopher Hinterhuber (piano) rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570540 [64:21][JWi] 

Exceptional rather than merely pleasant ... see Full Review

NOV

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Works for Solo Piano Vol. 6 Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) rec. 2007 BIS BISSACD1573 [73:04][TH]

Familiar music re-invented as new before your very ears ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas - Volume 4 Nos 5-7, 15, 19, 20, 29 & 30-32 Paul Lewis (piano) rec. 2008 (?) HARMONIA MUNDI HMC901909-11 [3 CDs: 59:30 + 60:30 + 64:13] [DJB]

A triumphant completion of a Beethoven cycle for the ages … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Howard BLAKE (b. 1938) Piano Concerto, op.412 (1990) [25:52] Diversions, op.337 (1984) [20:45] Toccata – A Celebration of the Orchestra, op.386 (1988) [21:44] Howard Blake (piano), Robert Cohen (cello) Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir David Willcocks (Concerto), Howard Blake (Diversions and Toccata) rec. 1990, DDD reissue SONY CLASSICS 88697376972 [68:21]  [BBr]

Once heard, you’ll not want to be without this marvellous music ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade No. 2; selection of Mazurkas & Waltzes; Impromptu No. 2; Piano Sonata No. 2 Maurizio Pollini (piano) rec. 2008 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4777626 [57:08][MC]

Innate musicality and great nobility ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ross EDWARDS (b. 1943) Symphonies 1 & 4 Adelaide Chamber Singers, Adelaide Phil Ch, Adelaide SO/Richard Mills rec. 2002 ABC CLASSICS 476 6161 [60:00] [TP]

A first class production that deserves to find a wide audience ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 (1900) [94:21] CD 1 Part I [37:20] CD 2 Part II [57:01] Alice Coote (mezzo) - The Angel; Paul Groves (tenor) – Gerontius; Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone) - The Priest and The Angel of The Agony Hallé Choir; Hallé Youth Choir Hallé Orchestra/Sir Mark Elder rec. Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 15-19 July 2008 English text included HALLÉ CD HLD 7520 [37:20 + 57:01] [JQ]

A remarkable achievement ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2, Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak, Old Norwegian Melody with Variations, Bell Ringing Bergen PO/Ole Kristian Ruud rec. 2003-5 BIS BISSACD1591 [70:50] [SV]

A must-have ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Mieczysław KARŁOWICZ (1876-1909) Symphonic Poems Vol. 1 Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Antoni Wit rec. 2006 NAXOS 8.570452 [70:41][IL] 

For lovers of inflated Late-Romanticism, this is treasure trove ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Cristóbal de MORALES (c.1500-1553) Magnificat etc. The Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice rec. 2007 HYPERION CDA67694 [72.39][GH] 

I knew that I would like this disc almost from the start ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nikolai MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Complete Symphonies and Orchestral Works USSR State Symphony Orchestra & Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation/Evgeny Svetlanov rec. 1965-1994 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 69689-8 [16 CDs: c. 21:30:00][RB]

Wondrous works, at minimal price (and presentation) – not to be missed ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème Angela Gheorghiu, Ramón Vargas The Metropolitan Opera O & Ch/Nicola Luisotti rec. live,2008 EMI CLASSICS 2174179 [136:00] [IL]

I cannot fault this production ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quintet Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Quintet Leif Ove Andsnes (piano); Artemis Quartet rec. 2006 VIRGIN CLASSICS 3951432 [68:33] [DJB]

I was entranced, enraptured and enthralled – you have to have this one … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Salome (sung in English, translation from German by Tom Hammond) (1905) Susan Bullock (soprano) – Salome John Graham-Hall (tenor) – Herod Philharmonia Orchestra/Charles Mackerras rec. 2007 Salome’s dance of the Seven Veils (concert version) CHANDOS CHAN 3157(2) [61:39 + 52:40] [DH]

Real emotional and sonic surge ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Rite of Spring (1911-13, revised 1947) [34:14] Apollon Musagète (1927-28, revised 1947) [29:36] Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra/Jaap van Zweden rec. 2006 EXTON OVCL 00330 [63:50] [DM]

A very fine Rite indeed. One of my discs of the year. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Patricia Petibon Amoureuses Arias by Mozart, Haydn and Gluck Patricia Petibon (soprano) Concerto Köln/Daniel Harding rec. 2008 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 7468 [68:39]

The bewitching Petibon can be justly proud ... see Full Review

 

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BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Violin Concerto Ilya Kaler (violin) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Pietari Inkinen rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570321 [72:13][TP] 

Another wonderful disc from Ilya Kaler ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Complete Music for Solo Keyboard Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) rec. 1998-2002 BIS BIS-CD-1731/33 [15 CDs: 17:04:37] [KM]

For fans of the instruments or neophytes, this is a bargain not to be missed ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) and Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Choral Folksong Arrangments London Madrigal Singers/Christopher Bishop; Baccholian Singers of London rec. 1969-74 EMI CLASSICS 2161552 [78:23][MSJ]

A favourite LP appears on CD, expanded with extras ... see Full Review

DEC

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH York BOWEN (1884-1961) Piano Concertos 3 & 4 Danny Driver, BBC Scottish SO/Martyn Brabbins rec. 2007 HYPERION CDA67659 [60:49] [IL]

Derivative but delightful. A wonderful romantic wallow ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Elgar: A Self-Portrait Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Overture: Froissart, op.19 [13:29] Dream Children, op.43 [6:50] The Music Makers, op.69 [38:41] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750), orch. Elgar Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 537/op.86 [8:58] Jane Irwin (mezzo) Hallé Choir and Orchestra/Mark Elder rec. 2005 HALLÉ CD HLL 7509 [68:24] [GPJ]

High standards … a fascinating programme ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Parnasso in Festa The King’s Consort and Choir/Matthew Halls rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67701/2 [72:25 + 59:26][BW] 

A very important discovery, excellently performed and recorded ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Acis and Galatea Susan Hamilton, Nicholas Mulroy, Dunedin Consort and Players/John Butt rec. 2008 LINN CKD319 [41:19 + 53:59] [BW]

Already a strong contender for the 2009 Recording of the Year ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Live in Rome - Celebrating Palestrina’s 400^th Anniversary The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips GIMELL GIMDP 903 [81:34 + 51:20][BW] 

The CD is excellent, the DVD even better ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Tandem Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata for 2 violins Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955) Sonatine for 2 violins Eugène YSAŸE (1858 - 1931) Sonata for 2 violins Frédéric Angleraux, Raphaël Oleg (violins) rec. 1999 No label/number [58:05] [MC]

Beautifully produced and performed … A tremendous success ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Die Winterreise Hans Hotter (baritone); Michael Raucheisen (piano) rec. 1942 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1061 [75:50] [GF]

Belongs among the Desert Island Disc recordings of Winterreise ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Eine Alpensinfonie, Don Juan Royal Concertgebouw O/Mariss Jansons rec. live, 2007 RCO LIVE RCO08006 [70:22] [IL]

A stunning Alpine ascent and a robust and opulent Don Juan ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Emily Beynon: flute & friends Hilary TANN (b.1947) From the Song of Amergin Amy BEACH (1867-1944) Theme and Variations Sally BEAMISH (b.1956) Words For My Daughter Thea MUSGRAVE (b.1928) Impromptu Louise FARRENC (1804-1875) Trio Emily Beynon (flute), Henk Rubingh, Marijn Mijnders (violins), Roland Krämer (viola), Daniël Esser (cello), Sepp Grotenhuis (piano), Alexei Ogrintschouk (oboe), Petra van der Heide (harp) rec. 2007 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA26408 [68:15] [CR]

Unmissable ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Diversity - Amrywiaeth John METCALF (b.1946) Light Music Alun HODDINOTT (1929-2008) Sonata Brian HUGHES (b.1938) Arithmetical Bagatelles Jeffrey LEWIS (b.1942) Night Fantasy John HEARNE (b.1937) Solemn and Strange Music Pwyll ap SION (b.1968) Emyn Helen and Harvey Davies (piano, four hands) rec. 2007 CAMPION CAMEO 2073 [73:40] [DC]

World class, in every regard ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Artur Rubinstein Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata 23 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Intermezzo 2 Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Carnaval Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade 1, Etude Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Hungarian Rhapsody Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) O polichinelo rec. live, 1963 MEDICI ARTS MM029-2 [80:45] [JW]

I can’t recall a live performance by Rubinstein to equal it ... see Full Review

 

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BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) The Complete Works Garrick Ohlsson (piano) rec. 1989-2000 HYPERION CDS44351/66 [16 CDs: 1155:35] [PL]

A rewarding bargain no Chopin-lover should resist ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sir John TAVENER (b.1944) Ex Maria Virgine – A Christmas Sequence for Choir and Organ (2005)* ¹[37:57] Birthday Sleep (1999) [5:27] O, Do Not Move (1990) [2:00] A Nativity (1985) [2:14] Marienhymne (2005)* [4:42] O Thou Gentle Light (2000)² [4:41] Angels (1985/96)³ [6:45] James McVinnie (organ)¹; Stefan Berkieta (baritone)²; Simon Thomas Jacobs (organ)³ Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/Timothy Brown rec. Norwich Cathedral, England, 6-8 July 2008.  DDD. Texts and translations included. * World Première Recording. NAXOS 8.572168 [63:46] [BW]

Major new music, well worth coming to terms with ... see Full Review

 

 

 

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