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Alphabetical Listing

PART 4
M-R

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]

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RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) The Complete Symphonies with sound samples New York PO/Leonard Bernstein (1-7; 9-10) London SO/Leonard Bernstein (8) Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein (DLVDE) rec.1960-68 SONY CLASSICAL 88697 45369-2 [12 CDs] [TD]

Truly something special ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 1 Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott rec. 2006 TUDOR 7147 [55:25][SV] 

No-nonsense musicality and integrity ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 7 Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman rec. 2008 BMG-RCA RED SEAL 88697506502 [78:32][DM]

Revelatory, but not without its flaws ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied von der Erde Waltraud Meier (mezzo); Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor) Chicago SO/Daniel Barenboim rec. live, 1991 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 689747 [60:20] [ST]

Mahler seen only from a safe distance ... see Full Review 

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Four Movements Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi rec. 2007-8 VIRGIN CLASSICS 2165762 [70:16][RMo]

I can find little to praise ... see Full Review

Ursula MAMLOK (b. 1923) Concertino, 2000 Notes, String Quartet 1, Haiku Settings, Oboe Concerto, Designs, Woodwind Quintet Odense SO/Scott Yoo, Garrick Ohlsson, Daedalus String Qt, Heinz Holliger rec. 2007/8 BRIDGE 9291 [72:03] [RB]

Dissonance and clarity of thought ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 etc. Raphael Wallfisch (cello); Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Jiří Bělohlávek rec. 1991 CHANDOS CLASSICS CHAN10547X [76:27][LW]

For a disc of these works, this could hardly be bettered … see Full Review

William MATTHIAS (1934-1992) Zodiac Trio see Zodiac

Simon MAYR (1763-1845) Tobiae matrimonium Simon Mayr Chorus & Ensemble/Franz Hauk rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570752-53 [56.36 + 38.43][RH]

A charming piece, charmingly performed ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Complete Works for String Quartet  Leipzig String Quartet rec. 2000-6 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG3071571 [5 CDs: 54:10 + 68:05 + 66:43 + 60:20 + 70:29][JFL]

A most generous set ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Songs and Duets - Vol. 4 Katherine Broderick (soprano); Hannah Morrison (soprano); Anna Grevelius (mezzo); Finnur Bjarnason (tenor); Stephen Loges (baritone); Eugene Asti (piano) rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67739 [67:17] [RW]

Warm-toned singing ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Complete Organ Sonatas William Whitehead (organ) rec. 2009 CHANDOS CHAN 10532 [72:09] [JS]

One of the most important issues of this anniversary year ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Paulus Susan Gritton (soprano); Jean Rigby (mezzo); Barry Banks (tenor); Peter Coleman-Wright (bass); BBC National Ch & O Wales/Richard Hickox rec. 2000 CHANDOS CHAN 10516(2)X [64:23 + 50:50] [JS]

Solid if somewhat uncharismatic ... see Full Review

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Symphony in G minor The Hallé Orchestra/Leslie Heward rec. 1942 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC180 [43:25][RB]

More than a historic document - endlessly fascinating ... see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi Concentus musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt rec. 1980-4 WARNER DAS ALTE WERK 2564690525 [53:56][GF]

Remarkable music and readings worthy of the music … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete String Quartets - Volume 2 American String Qt rec. 1996/7 NIMBUS NI 2533-55 [3 CDs: 69:25 + 76:20 + 73:27] [CC]

Not first in my affections but earns a respected place there ... see Full Review 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano concertos 9, 10, 19, 20, 23, 24 & 27, Violin sonatas 21 & 32 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata 3 Clara Haskil (piano) Arthur Grumiaux (violin) various orchestras & conductors, rec. 1952-57 ANDROMEDA ANDRCD9050 [4 CDs : 295:20] [JS]

Immense pleasure despite obvious limitations ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Concertos for Two and Three Pianos etc. Derek Han, Wu Han, Peter Asimov (pianos); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Massimo Quarta rec. 2008 RPO SP018 [64:24][ST] 

Will satisfy anyone who wants to get to know these marvellous works ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Mozart from Glyndebourne 75th anniversary issue rec. 1983-95 NVC ARTS 5186534022 [4 DVDs 188:00+176.00+181:00+50:00] [RJF]

A wonderful Figaro alongside an abysmal Don Giovanni and a traditional Mozart opera seria ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Mozart Wind Collection Clarinet Concerto, Horn Concerto 4, Divertimento, Flute Concerto 1, Oboe Concerto, Bassoon Michael Whight (clarinet); Martin Owen (horn); Andrew Nicholson (flute); John Anderson (oboe); Daniel Jemison (bassoon) Royal PO/Nicholas Cleobury rec. 2005 ROYAL PHILHARMONIC RPO SP 005 [61.59 + 60.02] [SP]

Generally good ... see Full Review

Thea MUSGRAVE (b. 1928) Turbulent Landscapes etc. Various artists rec. 1998-2007 NMC D153 [69.01][GH] 

Superb music wonderfully performed and recorded ... see Full Review

John MUSTO (b. 1954) Songs Amy Burton (soprano); Patrick Mason (baritone); John Musto, Michael Barrett (piano) rec. 2007 BRIDGE 9286 [58:29] [WH]

A fascinating synthesis of American music and poetry, beautifully performed … see Full Review 

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 Danish National Symphony Orchestra/Michael Schønwandt rec. 1999 NAXOS 8.570739 [75:03][LW]

An especially fine Fourth … see Full Review

Pehr Henrik NORDGREN (1944-2008) Taivaanvalot Merja Wirkkala (soprano); Anssi Hirvonen (tenor); Ritva Talvitie (bowed lyre) Central Ostrobothnian Chamber Ch; Kaustinen Children’s Ch, Folk O; Ostrobothnian CO/Juha Kangas rec. live, 1999 ALBA ABCD269 [53:44] [HC]

One of Nordgren’s greatest achievements in a splendid performance … see Full Review 

Michael NYMAN (b. 1944) Yamamoto Perpetuo for Solo Flute Andy Findon (flute) rec. 2008 AMF02 [37:00][CR] 

Well worth exploring for rhythmical, technical and musical challenges ... see Full Review

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Orphée aux Enfers Choeur et Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson rec. 1978 EMI CLASSICS 3951332 [68:49 + 71:18][J-PJ]

Singers who know how to sing Offenbach and to act it ... see Full Review

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Brigands Choeur et Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon/John Eliot Gardiner rec. 1988 EMI CLASSICS 3951132 [44:31 + 60:32][ST]

Shaping up for a top recommendation ... see Full Review

Krzysztof PENDERECKI (b.1933) Music for Chamber Orchestra Sinfonia Varsovia O/Krzysztof Penderecki rec. 2008 DUX 0678 [62:54] [DC]

Penderecki’s “best of the most gorgeous bits from ...” ... see Full Review 

Dominique PHINOT (c.1510-1561) Missa Si bona suscepimus etc. Claudin de SERMISY (1490-1562) Si bona suscepimus Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67696 [74.13][GH] 

Another significant musical discovery by a leading choral group ... see Full Review

Ástor PIAZZOLLA (1921–1992) The Piazzolla Project Jacques Ammon (piano); Artemis Quartet rec. 2004-8 VIRGIN CLASSICS 2672920 [59:52][NB]

Great if lacking the last drop of deliriously authentic passion ... see Full Review

Ildebrando PIZZETTI (1880-1968) Orchestral Music BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä rec. 1998 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55329 [76:03][BBr]

A bargain not to be missed … see Full Review

Ildebrando PIZZETTI (1880-1968) Orchestral Music Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra/Myron Michailidis rec. January 2008 NAXOS 8.572013 [69:15][BBr]

A really good introduction to this neglected composer … see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony No.1 in D Major, Op.25 'Classical' (1916-1917) [13:92] Symphony No.1 in D Major, Op.25 'Classical'* (1916-1917) [13:98] Symphony No.5 in B Flat Major, Op.100 (1944) [40:37] Symphony No.6 in E Flat Major, Op.111 (1945-1947) [39:75] Paris Conservatoire Orchestra*/L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet rec. October 1951 (Symphony No.6), February 1961 (Symphony No.1: OSR); April 1964 (Symphony No.5), Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland; June 1953 (Symphony No.1: PCO), Maison de la Mutualité, Paris, France. ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 4800834 [55:13+56:26]   [PL]

If the Ansermet-Prokofiev link has never crossed your mind - think again! ... see Full Review 

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 Yevgeny Kissin (piano); Philharmonia Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy rec. 2008 EMI CLASSICS 2645362 [61:48][DM]

Below par recording, uninspired playing ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Suor Angelica Victoria de los Angeles (soprano); Rome Opera House Chorus and Orchestra/Tullio Serafin rec. 1957 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111328 [56:52][BW] 

Still easily able to hold its own ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La rondine Svetla Vassileva, Maya Dashuk, Puccini Festival Ch & O/Alberto Veronesi rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.660253-54 [68:28 + 34:10] [NB]

Bafflingly poor performance of under-appreciated Puccini gem ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Trio Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Trio No. 2 Icicle Creek Piano Trio rec. 2008 CON BRIO RECORDINGS CBR28453 [68:13][JW] 

A less high calorific approach ... congenial performances ... see Full Review

Max REGER (1873-1916) Organ Works Vol. 9 Josef Still (organ) rec. 2008  NAXOS 8.570454 [69:17][JFL] 

Emblematic, not only or always in a good way ... see Full Review

Aribert REIMANN (b.1936) Sonata for Piano; Spektren; Variations for Piano Matthew Rubenstein (piano) rec. 2008 CPO 777236-2 [69:00][RB] 

Tough music strongly presented ... see Full Review

Joseph Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Organ Works - Volume 7 Wolfgang Rübsam (Sauer organ, Fulda Cathedral) rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570314 [74:43][BW]

A worthy successor to the earlier volumes ... see Full Review

Johan Helmich ROMAN (1694-1758) The Swedish Virtuoso Maria Lindal (violin); Mats Klingfors (flute); REBaroque/Maria Lindal rec. 2008 PROPRIUS PRCD2044 [57:47][GF]

In every respect a superb disc ... see Full Review

Johan Helmich ROMAN (1694-1758) Twelve Flute Sonatas Verena Fischer (transverse flute); Klaus-Dieter Brandt (cello); Léon Berben (harpsichord) rec. 2007-8 NAXOS 8.570492-93 [75:11 + 70:42][JV] 

These first-rate sonatas by Roman with close to ideal interpreters ... see Full Review

Arnold ROSNER (b. 1945) Piano Music Piano Sonatas 1-3, Etz Chaim Donna Amato (piano) rec. 2008 ALBANY TROY1119 [59:31] [RB]

A position of equipoise between dignity and eloquence ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nino ROTA (1911-1979) Symphonies 1 & 2 Filarmonica ’900 del Teatro Regio di Torino/Marzio Conti rec. 2005/6 CHANDOS CHAN10546 [61:57] [DJB]

The best non-mainstream works I have heard in a long while ... see Full Review 


Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


 



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