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Three
Ballets by Kenneth MacMillan Scott
JOPLIN (1868-1917) Elite Syncopations Brian
ELIAS (b.1948) The Judas Tree Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Concerto 
Royal Opera House O/Robert Clark, Barry Wordsworth, Dominic Grier rec.
2010
OPUS ARTE OA1038 D 
[114:00]
[NB]
An
excellent record of three of choreographer Kenneth MacMillan’s most
iconic shorter ballets.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Mélodies Françaises
Gérard Souzay (baritone)/Dalton Baldwin (piano) rec. 1960-8
NEWTON CLASSICS 8802007 [4 CDs: 288:28] 
[JQ]
Lovers
of French music and all connoisseurs of great singing should lose no
time in acquiring this set, which represents an unmissable bargain.
Mit
Feuer und Leidenschaft
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Grand Duo concertant Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI
(1913-1994) Dance Preludes Francis POULENC
(1899-1963) Clarinet Sonata
Sebastian Theile (clarinet) Nicholas Rimmer (piano) rec. 2009
THOROFON CTH2568 [50:09]
[OL]
Fire
and passion.
A
Musical Journey - Austria & Italy
To music of Mozart
Capella Istropolitana/Barry Wordsworth rec. 1990/2010
NAXOS 2.110245 [57:49]
[RW]
Good
performance linked to crisp and well defined video.
Mya
Yrmana Fremosa - Medieval
woman’s songs of love and pain
Amanda
Simmons, Gaby Bultmann and Leila Schoeneich (all voice and instruments)
rec. 2009
CHALLENGE
CLASSICS CC72385 [DC]
Magical
atmosphere from the long-lost but not so distant Middle-Ages.
Perles
oubliées de la flute
Michel Moragues (flute) Kyoko Nojima (Piano) rec. 2009
SAPHIR LVC 1112 [74:55] 
[JS]
Two
genuine unknown pearls out of four pieces is a good score!
The
Piano at the Ballet
Anthony
Goldstone (piano) rec. 2008
DIVINE ART DDA25073 [79:53]
[KS]
Fine
performances and basically interesting transcriptions make this a collection
that is enjoyable one or two pieces at a time. A nice musical dessert.
Praise
to the Holiest
Cantores
Missae/Charles Finch
CANTORES MISSAE CM002 [60.21]
[RH]
Not
aimed at the average listener, rather for those interested in music
to be performed, at their church services. And as such it is beautifully
executed and should, I hope, win many people over.
Prima
Donna The Story of an Opera
DECCA 074 3397 [128.00]
[MM-B]
On
the whole, the documentary is compelling, well made and I liked it.
However, you will eventually get tired of what is an overlong self-promoting
documentary.
Hommage
a Bidú Sayão - Volume 2
rec. 1942-1953
CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD 145 [71:27]
[JW]
Interesting
selections, and dedicated professionalism.
Hommage
à Bidú Sayão - Volume 3
Bidú Sayão (soprano) Bell Telephone Hour O/Donald
Voorhees rec. 1946-59
CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD150 [64:46]
[JF]
Another
hour plus of Sayão in predominantly off-air material proves diverting
and enjoyable.
Plum
Pudding –
A Christmas celebration in words and song
Felicity
Lott (soprano); Gabriel Woolf (narrator) Joyful Company of Singers/Peter
Broadbent rec. 30 November 2002, Champs Hill, Sussex, England
CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD 013 [77:44]
[IL]
One
of the best Christmas albums I have ever heard. Not to be missed.
A
Romantic Evening Gioacchino ROSSINI
(1792
– 1868) William Tell Overture Adrian
BEECHAM (1904 – 1982) Six Spanish Songs Piotr
Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Symphony 6
Sadhbh Dennedy (soprano), Young Musicians SO/James Blair rec. 2010
YMSO no number [45:43]
[BBr]
The
Adrian Beecham piece is well worth hearing.
Sea
to Shining Sea: A Tapestry of American Music
Robin
Spielberg (piano, vocals, kalimba, percussion) rec. 2010
PLAY MOUNTAIN MUSIC PMM109 [68:01]
[JW]
Gentle
charms, then, unpretentious and warmly attractive, run throughout this
disc.
Mordecai
Shehori (piano)
plays the Complete Moschelès and Fétis “Methode des Methodes”
rec. 2010
CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD 152 [62:54]
[JW]
This
winning undertaking is resilient, eloquent and commanding both in intent
and execution.
Solomon
Piano music by Beethoven, Schumann, Bach, Chopin & Brahms
Solomon
(piano) rec. 1956
AUDITE 23.422 [66:45 + 54:42] 
[JW]
There
is surprisingly little live Solomon, so my view is to go for it.
My
soul doth magnify the Lord
Settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Stanford, Walmisley,
Wesley, Blair, Wood & Brewer
St Paul’s Cathedral Ch/John Scott rec. 1987
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55401 [58:10]
[JS]
The
drama of the Walmisley, the individuality of the Wesley and the grandeur
of the Blair and Brewer are all very well conveyed.
Joan
Sutherland – Classic Australian Performances
Joan Sutherland (soprano) Elizabethan Sydney O/Richard Bonynge rec.
1976-1988
ABC CLASSICS 476 3963 [78.26 + 73.10]
[RJF]
Joan
Sutherland’s many admirers need not hesitate to add this collection
from live performances to their collection.
Talescapes
Choral
works by Haapanen, Tuomela, Bergman, O'Regan, Heiniö & Talvitie
YL Male Voice Choir/Matti Hyökki,Talla Vocal Ensemble/Pasi
Hyökki rec. 2009
ONDINE ODE 1155-2
[DM]
There’s
much to enjoy here.
The
Viennese School - Teachers and Followers Schoenberg Volume 2
Steffen Schleiermacher (piano) rec. 2007/9
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 613 1434-2 [67:49]
[MC]
Extremely
well presented with crystal clear sound quality.
Violino
o cornetto
Sonatas: Giovanni Paolo CIMA (c.1570-c.1622)
Girolamo FRESCOBALDI
(1583-1643) Giovanni Battista
FONTANA (?-c.1630)
Dario CASTELLO
(1st half 17th C) Biagio
MARINI (1587-1663)
Marco UCCELLINI (1610-1680) Maurizio
CAZZATI (c.1620-1677)
Alessandro STRADELLA
(1639-1682) Arcangelo CORELLI
(1653-1713)
Canzona (Theresa Caudle (cornett, violin), Mark Caudle (cello, bass
violin), David Miller (chitarrone), Alastair Ross (harpsichord, organ))
rec. 2008
NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI 6134 [73:34] [JV]
An
interesting survey of Italian chamber music of the 17th century.
The
Virtuoso Recorder -
Concertos of the German Baroque by Fasch, Schickhardt, Scheibe,
Schultze, Graupner & Stulick
Michael Schneider (recorder) Cappella Academica Frankfurt/Michael Schneider
rec. 2009
CPO 777 534-2 [65:28]
[JV]
This
disc contains no fewer than three first recordings ... the combination
of repertoire and performance makes this disc a winner.
CHRISTMAS
DISC REVIEWS
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750)
Weihnachts-Oratorium
Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Wiebke Lehmkuhl (tenor) Martin Lattke (tenor)
Konstantin Wolff (bass) Dresdener Kammerchor, Gewandhaus O/Riccardo
Chailly rec. 2010
DECCA 478 2271 [69:15 + 63:07]
[DC]
Not
just for Christmas – a joy forever.
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) The Christmas Oratorio (arr.
by Bill Dobbins for Big Band and 6 part male chorus)
The Kings Singers, WDR Cologne Big Band/Bill Dobbins rec. 2009
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD215 [55:22 + 51:59]
[NB]
Sadly
lacking.
Howard
BLAKE (b.1938)
The
Snowman – The Live Stage Show
SONY MUSIC CDR 81267 [80:00]
[BBr]
Great
entertainment! And remember, The Snowman is not just for Christmas,
now it can be for the whole year!
Benjamin
BRITTEN
(1913-1976)
A Ceremony of Carols (1942) [22:04] Elizabeth
POSTON (1905-1987)
An English Day-Book (c.1969) [19:43] Oliver
Iredale SEARLE (b.1977)
On a Summer Night [4:03] Stephen DEAZLEY
(b.1969) The Ears of Mr Tuer [3:09]
National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) Girls Choir/Christopher Bell
Claire Jones (harp) rec. Caird Hall, Dundee, 2-3 May 2010. DDD. Texts
included.
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD228 [49:06]
[BW]
Not my first choice for the Britten but the
couplings may appeal.
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.
Johann
MATTHESON
(1681-1764)
Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat
Die Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens rec. 2009
CPO 777 274-2 [55:20]
[JV]
This
disc convincingly shows Johann Mattheson's qualities as a composer of
sacred music.
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893)
The Nutcracker 
Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2009
EMI CLASSICS 6316212 [43:47 + 42:37]
[MC][RB]
Beautifully
played and recorded this sumptuously presented release will I’m sure
be a runaway Christmas success. [MC] Fortunate the child who discovers
the Nutcracker experience at Christmas through this set. [RB]
Pyotr
Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker
Ricardo Cervera, Miyako Yoshida, Royal Ballet, Ch & O Royal Opera
House/Koen Kessels rec. live, 2009
OPUS ARTE OA1036 D [127:00
+ extras]
[JS]
A
fine performance of a justified favourite is given the presentation
it deserves.
Piotr
Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Cherevichki
Olga Guryakova, Vsevolod Grivnov, Larissa Diadkova, Maxim Mikhailov,
Royal Opera House O/Alexander Polianichko rec. 2009
OPUS ARTE OA1037D [DVD:
155:00] [BW]
This
DVD is likely to become one of my regular Christmas visitors.
A
Late-Romantic Christmas Eve
Elena Fink (soprano) Le Quatuor Romantique; Wasj Ninow (violin) rec.
2010
ARS PRODUCTION
ARS 38086 [77:44]
[JS]
Full
of seasonal delights.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Baroque
Christmas in Hamburg Works
by Praetorius, Selle, Scheidemann, Bernhard, Scheidt, Förtsch &
Weckmann
Bremer Barock Consort/Manfred Cordes rec. 2009,
CPO 777 553-2 [72:18]
[JV]
A
compelling programme of Christmas music from 17th-century Hamburg.
Christmas
from Winchester
Winchester Cathedral Choir/Andrew Lumsden Simon Bell (organ) Frances
Kelly (harp) rec. 2010
REGENT REGCD350 [75:29]
[AM]
Excellent
sound and beautiful singing make this well chosen programme a Christmas
delight
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
In Dulci Jubilo -
Romantic Choral Music for Christmas
Norddeutscher Figuralchor/Jörg Straube rec. 2009
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM GOLD
MDG947 1651-6 [74:57]
[CC]
This
is a tremendous Christmas disc with a difference. Romantic period choral
writing - a superb collection.
Great
Christmas Classics,
Great Scottish, Viennese
& Irish Classics
City of Glasgow PO/Iain Sutherland
REL/RIVER RECORDS
[BBr]
Riches
indeed.
Merry
Christmas -
Traditional and New Christmas Music
Tölz Boys' Ch/Ralf Ludewig Henschel String Qt rec. 2009
NEOS 90902 [66:19]
[MC]
A
Christmas winner and a refreshing change from the usual cloying festive
releases.
Plum
Pudding –
A Christmas celebration in words and song
Felicity
Lott (soprano); Gabriel Woolf (narrator) Joyful Company of Singers/Peter
Broadbent rec. 30 November 2002, Champs Hill, Sussex, England
CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD 013 [77:44]
[IL]
One
of the best Christmas albums I have ever heard. Not to be missed.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Puer
natus est - Tudor Music for Advent and Christmas
Stile Antico rec. 2010
HARMONIA MUNDI
HMU807517 [78:09] [JQ] 
Acquire
this exceptionally fine disc and let the radiance of the music and the
performances illuminate your Christmas.
A Christmas Selection from Rob Barnett
Christmas Around The World
Christopher Howell (organ)
SHEVA COLLECTION SH025 [67:58]
I
Saw Three Ships
Manor House String Qt
MANOR HOUSE MUSIC 002 [69:27]
Christmas Spirit
Mainstreet Brass
MSR CLASSICS MS1325 [68:05]
A Family Christmas
Royal Scottish Ntl O/Christopher Bell
SIGNUM SIGCD202 [68:58]
A Christmas Musical Tour
NAXOS 2.110254
[57:29]
BOOK
REVIEWS
Far
from the Fashionable Crowd - The People’s Concert Society &
Music in London’s Suburbs by Dr. Alan Bartley
MA Whimbrel Publishing 978-0-956582201 £18.99 [JF]
A
trajectory of musical, historical and even political history that has
been largely ignored over the years.
Lennox
& Freda by
Tony Scotland Michael Russell (Publishing) Ltd, hardback 575 pages
ISBN 978-0-85955-319-3 £28.00 [JF]
I
shall certainly turn to the pages of this volume for pleasure, resource
and understanding on many occasions.
Martinu
and the Symphony by Michael Crump Toccata Press ISBN
9780907689652 £47.50 [TF]
Excellent
and thoroughly researched.
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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