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Alfredo
CASELLA (1883-1947) Symphony 2, A notte alta
SO di Roma/Francesco La Vecchia, rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572414 [76.55] 
[GH]
This
is a disc well worth the modest outlay even if you only play
A notte alta.
Jordi
CERVELLÓ (b.1935) Clarinet Concertino see
Girona XXI
Vol. 3
Marc-Antoine
CHARPENTIER (c.1645-1704) Te Deum - Motets pour
le roy Louis
Maîtrise de Bretagne, Parlement de Musique/Martin Gester, rec. 2000
NAĎVE
OP30463 [61:43] 
[JV]
A
welcome reissue of fine performances of four splendid compositions by
Charpentier, among them the Te Deum.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810–1849) Piano Concerto 1, Nocturnes, Ballade 1, Polonaise 6
Maurizio
Pollini (piano) Philharmonia O/Paul Kletzki, rec 1960/8
EMI CLASSICS 6317802 [72:56] 
[BBr]
This
is a great disc which should not be missed.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Piano Concerto 2, Variations on Lŕ ci darem la mano, Andante
Spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante
Eldar Nebolsin (piano), Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572336 [62:53]
[JS]
Near
the ideal in the performance of Chopin.
Frederic
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) His Contemporaries and His Instruments
Bart van Oort (piano) rec. 1990-2009
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94048 [6 CDs: 390:58]
[KS]
A
fascinating look back at the history of the romantic piano. This set
features are remarkably fine set of antique instruments, and these refreshing
performances take some of the shellac off some more modern over-indulgence.
A lovely journey.
Frederic
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Piano works see Samson
François
Muzio
CLEMENTI
(1752-1832)
Piano Sonatas
Sang Mi Chung (piano) rec. 2009
CENTAUR CRC3035 [55:50] 
[DC]
Won’t
disappoint.
Gloria
COATES (b.1938) String Quartet 9, Sonata for Solo Violin,
Lyric Suite for Piano Trio
Kreutzer Qt, Roderick Chadwick (Piano) rec. 2008-9
NAXOS 8.559666 [58:51]
[RW]
The
mood of the first two pieces is monotonously heavy whilst the piano
and cello in the last piece considerably brighten the overall lyrical
tone.
Chiara
Margarita COZZOLANI (1602–c.1677) Complete Works,
Vol. 1: Salmi a Otto Voci Concertati, 1650
Magnificat/Warren Stewart, rec. 2000-2
MUSICA OMNIA MO0401 [73:05 + 71:14]
[JV]
These
performances fail to explore the character of Cozzolani's oeuvre to
the full.
Slawomir
CZARNECKI (b.1949) Quartet No.2 ‘Spiš’ see Kilar
Carl
DAVIDOFF (1838-1889)
Cello concertos 3 & 4 Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Nocturne, Pezzo Capriccioso, Andante cantabile
Wen-Sinn
Yang (cello) Shanghai SO/Terje Mikkelsen rec. 2009
CPO 777 432-2 [71.39]
[CF]
Reminding
us how fine a cellist Davidoff must have been in his day.
Stephen
DEAZLEY (b.1969) The Ears of Mr Tuer see BRITTEN
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Douze Études
Pascal Rogé (piano) rec. 2009/10
ONYX 4056 [54:23]
[KS]
Understated
elegance is the hallmark of these superb readings of Debussy’s last
major contribution to the piano literature. Put your thinking cap on
and enjoy a journey into the heart of the piano.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862
- 1918) Orchestral Works Vol. 4 Le martyre de
Saint Sébastien, Khamma, Le roi Lear, Cortège et air de
danse
O Ntl de Lyon/Jun Märkl rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572297 [61:22]
[BBr]
This
is a fine disk.
Hanne
DENEIRE (b. 1980) Lotus; Zear; D.W.E.; Mitä
Ensemble
Hommages; Beethoven Academie/Jan Caeyers rec. 2009
PHAEDRA 92063 [60:36]
[HC]
A
fine introduction to a young composer’s music.
Alexandre
DESPLAT (b.1961) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Part 1
London SO/Desplat rec. 2010
SONY MUSIC 88697 794712 [73:55]
[GD]
Not
a bad Hollywood film soundtrack at all.
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797
- 1848) Lucia di Lammermoor
Désirée Rancatore (soprano) Roberto De Biasio (tenor)
Ch & O Bergamo Musica Festival Gaetano Donizetti/Antonio Fogliani
rec. live, 2006
NAXOS 8.660255-56 [62:33 + 70:07]
[GF]
It
is cheap but it is worth paying a couple of euros or pounds more to
get Sutherland, Sills, Gruberova, Studer or Rost instead.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Prelude, recitative
and variations see LOEFFLER
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony 9 Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Nutcracker Suite Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccata & Fugue
rec. 1934/47
DUTTON CDBP 9803 [72:23]
[JW]
There
are worse things to do than listen to Stokowski’s Dvořák New World.
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841 – 1904) Cello Concerto Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Variations on a Rococo Theme
Truls
Mřrk (cello), Oslo PO/Mariss Jansons rec. 1992
VIRGIN CLASSICS 6286232 [58:05]
[GF]
A
real find.
Antonin
DVORÁK (1841–1904)
Violin Concerto see BRAHMS
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
Variations on an Original Theme (‘Enigma’) Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on a Theme by
Thomas Tallis
Philharmonia O/Malcolm Sargent rec. 1959
HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD208 [45:25]
[JW]
Sonorous
weight, richly vibrated string tone - hopeful, radiant, not especially
mystical or interior or meditative; rather plush and extrovert.
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
Violin Concerto, Alternative cadenza, Polonia
Tasmin Little (violin) Royal Scottish Ntl O/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2010
CHANDOS
CHSA5083 
[74:52]
[BBr]
This
recording will give pleasure to many.
Andrew
FORD
(b.1957)
The Waltz Book
Ian Munro (piano) rec. 2009
TALL POPPIES TP209 [59:16]
[BBr]
A
very interesting jaunt.
John
FOULDS (1880-1939)
Keltic
Overture, Keltic Suite, Sicilian Aubade, Isles of Greece, Holiday Sketches,
An Arabian Night, Suite Fantastique
Katharine Wood (cello solo) Cynthia Fleming (violin solo) Roderick Elms
(organ) BBC Concert O/Ronald Corp rec. 2010
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7252 [68:06] [IL]
One
of the most enjoyable CDs to have come my way for a long time. Spirited
readings and sheer enchantment.
Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Piano Sonatas 1 & 2 Anatoly
LIADOV (1855-1914) Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Anton
ARENSKY (1861-1906) Six Caprices
Martin Cousins (Piano) rec. 2009
SOMM SOMMCD0100 [76:47]
[JW]
A
most useful disc, warmly played if sometimes lacking the ultimate in
forcefulness.
Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust
Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside, Angela Gheorghiu, Ch
& O Royal Opera House/Antonio Pappano rec. 2004
EMI CLASSICS 6316119 
[2
DVDs: 100:00 + 80:00]
[RF]
It
has been a long wait, but despite its idiosyncrasies this is as good
a portrayal of Faust on DVD as one is likely to get.
Enrique
GRANADOS
(1867-1916)
Danzas espańolas (Spanish Dances)
Douglas Riva (piano) rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572313 [64:01]
[OL]
Authentic
and modern at the same time.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Christoph GRAUPNER
(1683
- 1760) Christmas Cantatas
Veronika Winter (soprano) Franz Vitzthum (alto) Jan Kobow (tenor) Markus
Flaig (bass) Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 2010
CPO 777 572-2 [73:44]
[JV]
There
is hardly a better way to get to know Graupner's individual vocal style
than with this disc.
Edward
GREGSON
(b.1945)
The Gregson Collection: Celebrating a Life of Brass Band Composition
Black Dyke Band/Nicholas J Childs
DOYEN DOY CD252 [77:05 + 78:46]
[BBr]
Do
not take Gregson for granted. His music is colourful, sometimes challenging
and always entertaining.
Jean
GUILLOU (b.1930) Concerto Grosso, Concerto 2000
Jean
Guillou (organ) O National des Pays de la Loire/Vincent Barthe, rec.
2000/9
ONPL GUILLOU 2010 [70:30]
[DC]
Uncompromisingly
personal and intense, and with never a dull moment.
Johan
HALVORSEN (1864 – 1935) Orchestral Works - Vol. 2
Marianne Torsen (violin) Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi, rec. 2009
CHANDOS CHAN 10614 [75:50]
[NB]
Musically
enjoyable if not life-changing - another bull’s-eye for the prodigiously
comprehensive Neeme Järvi.
George
Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Violin Sonatas
Hiro Kurosaki (violin) William Christie (harpsichord, organ) rec. 2002
VIRGIN
CLASSICS 6286262 [59:31]
[KS]
An
hour of delights from one of history’s most dramatic and elegant composers.
Sure to please.
Emil
HARTMANN (1836-1898) Nordic and German Songs
Iben
Vestergĺrd (soprano) Cathrine Penderup (piano) rec. 2010
DANACORD DACOCD 712-713 [60:06 + 64:44]
[JF]
An
important release for enthusiasts of Danish music.
Johann
Adolf HASSE (1699-1783) Marc'Antonio e Cleopatra
Jamie Barton, Ava Pine, Ars Lyrica Houston/Matthew Dirst rec. 2010
DORIAN SONO LUMINUS DSL-92115 [46.22 + 43.28]
[RH]
Well
worth encountering in this engaging performance.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732–1809) Masses - Vol. 5
Trinity Ch, Rebel Baroque O/J. Owen Burdick, rec. 2002/6
NAXOS 8.572125 [68:27]
[BW]
It
may make you want the complete set.
Anthony
HOLBORNE (c.1545-1602) Pavans and Galliards
The Guildhall Waits, The Consort of Musicke/Trevor Jones, Anthony Rooley
rec. 1980
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 1802 [42:38]
[JV]
This
recording of some of Holborne's instrumental music sounds remarkably
fresh, despite its age.
Joseph
HOLBROOKE
(1878-1958) The Pit and the Pendulum,
Cello Concerto, Symphony 4, Pandora
Raphael Wallfisch (cello) Royal Liverpool PO, Royal Scottish Ntl O/George
Vass rec. 2010
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7251 [74:57]
[MC]
It
is pleasing to see the renewal of interest in the late-Romantic music
of Joseph Holbrooke. With a recording as fine as this long may it continue.
Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984)
Chamber Music with Recorder Suite, Sonatina, Recorder
Sonata, A Consort of Recorders, Variations Trifles
Annabel Knight (recorders) Robin Bigwood (harpsichord and piano) Maggini
String Qt, Fontanella rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572364 [75:10]
[WK]
A
lovely recording of some mostly unknown music, showing great variety
of expression. Annabel Knight is someone to watch.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁČEK
(1854-1938)
String Quartets
Mandelring Qt, Gunter Teuffel (viola d’amore) rec. 2009
AUDITE 92.545
[67:14]
[SR]
A
must-have for Janáček-fans and chamber music aficionados
alike.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Rodolphe KREUTZER
(1766-1831) Violin Concertos 17-19
Axel Strauss (violin) San Francisco Conservatory O/Andrew Mogrelia rec.
2009
NAXOS 8.570380 [71:45]
[BR]
Lovely
violin concertos which have me waiting for the rest of the series.
Anatoly
LIADOV (1855-1914) Variations on a Polish Folk Theme see
GLAZUNOV
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Piano Concerto No. 1 Ott see Tchaikovsky
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Charles Martin LOEFFLER
(1861-1935)
Two Rhapsodies Five Songs Gabriel PIERNÉ
(1863-1937) Sonata da Camera Maurice DURUFLÉ
(1902-1986) Prelude, recitative and variations
William Dazeley (baritone) London Concord Ens rec. 2001/2
CHAMPS HILL CHRCD010 [61:31]
[KS]
Elegant
music, flawlessly performed. This is one of the finest recordings that
I have encountered in some time.
Witold
LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Partita, Interlude, Chains
1 & 2, Chantefleurs & Chantefables
Fujiko Imajishi (violin), Valdine Anderson (sop.), New Music Concerts
Ens/Witold Lutosławski rec. 1993
NAXOS 8.572450 [75:38]
[DC]
More
than just a souvenir.
Witold
LUTOSLAWSKI
(1913–1994) Symphonies 2 & 4
NFM Wroclaw PO/Jacek Kaspszyk rec. 2009
CDACCORD ACD 161-2 [50:28]
[DC]
High
production values and terrific staying power.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Witold
LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Symphony 3, Chain 3; Concerto
for Orchestra
BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2010
CHANDOS CHSA5082
[69:56] [WH]
Magnificent
performances of three masterpieces from a master composer.
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]
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