PART 4
M-R

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RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 2 in C minor Resurrection (1894) [92:50] Yvonne Kenny (soprano); Jard van Nes (mezzo); London Philharmonic Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt rec. live, Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, 20 February 1989. DDD German texts and English translations included LPO LIVE LPO 0044 [25:02 + 67:48] [JQ]

A most exciting release. Tennstedt working in a white-hot interpretative crucible. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 2 Anne Schwanewilms (soprano) Lioba Braun (contralto) Bayerische SCh, Bamberg SO and Bayerische Staatsphilharmonie/Jonathan Nott rec. 2008 TUDOR 7158 [32:53 + 51:24] [DM]

Not to be missed ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4 Miah Persson (soprano) Budapest Festival O/Iván Fischer rec. 2008 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS SA 26109 [57:00] [LW]

Fischer’s Mahler Fourth is tops … see Full Review 

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 5 St. Petersburg PO/Yuri Temirkanov rec. 2003 WATER LILY ACOUSTICS WLA-WS-76-SACD [70:57] [SV]

Temirkanov's performances are never boring, but this one won't wear well… see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 7 Czech RSO/Jirí Stárek rec. live, 2008 ARCO DIVA UP 0112 - 2 131 [79:17] [JQ]

A centenary performance that’s not really in the same league as some other live accounts. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 8 Zurich Tonhalle O/David Zinman rec. 2009 BMG-RCA RED SEAL 88697 579262 [24:25 + 57:30] [DM]

I can’t tell you how underwhelmed I am by this new Eighth ... see Full Review 

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 10 (transcr. piano by Ronald Stevenson and Christopher White) Christopher White (piano) Rec. 27 & 28 August 2008, Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Kemplay Road, Hampstead, London Divine Art DDA25079 [67:04] [DC]

I’ll wait for the remake ... ... see Full Review

Gian Francesco MALIPIERO (1882-1973) Gabrieliana (1972) [12:54] Serenata for bassoon and ten instruments (1961) [9:43] Madrigali – Interpretazioni Sinfoniche (1932) [16:15] 5 Favole for voice and small orchestra (1950) [18:07] Sette Canzonette Veneziane (1961) [6:56] Damiana Pinti (mezzo); Paolo Carlini (bassoon) Camerata Strumentale “Citta di Prato”/Marzio Conti rec. Teatro Politeama, Prato September 2003 DDD CPO 777 322-2 [64:05] [BBr]

He’s worth giving some time to ... see Full Review

Gian Francesco MALIPIERO (1883-1973) The Symphonies - Vol. 4 Symphony 7, Sinfonia in un tempo, Sinfonia per Antigenda Moscow SO/Antonio de Almeida rec. 1993 NAXOS 8.570881 [68:41] [WK]

Well-performed and idiomatic. … see Full Review 

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890 - 1959) Piano Concertos 3 & 5, Piano Concertino Giorgio Koukl (piano) Bohuslav Martinů PO Zlín/Arthur Fagen rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572206 [77:37] [LW]

Good beginning of a Martinů piano concerto series at budget price … see Full Review 

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Oboe concerto Heinz HOLLIGER (b.1939) Oboe Sonata Antal DORATI (1906-1988) Divertimento for Oboe solo & Orch. Yeon-Hee Kwak (oboe), Müncher Rundfunkorchester/Johannes Goritzki, rec. 2008 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 903 1586-6 [59:35] [GD]

Yeon-Hee Kwak is a fine advocate in this diverse programme. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Manon Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta, José Martín, Christopher Saunders, Laura Morera, Royal Ballet, Orch. of Royal Ballet/Martin Yates, Filmed 2008 DECCA 074 3346 [117:00 (ballet) + 45:00 (bonus)] [I&GL]

A truly spellbinding production with superb dancing from Rojo and Acosta ... see Full Review

William MATHIAS (1934-1992) Symphony No.1 see JOUBERT

Tilo MEDEK (1940-2006) Cello Concerto 1, Eine Stele für Bernd Alois Zimmerman, Schattenspiele Guido Schiefen (cello) Royal PO/Israel Yinon rec. 2006/9 CPO 777 520-2 [60:10] [DC]

Serious stuff, and interesting too ... see Full Review 

Fanny MENDELSSOHN-HENSEL (1805 – 1847) Songs - Volume 1 Dorothea Craxton (soprano); Babette Dorn (piano) rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.570981 [57:44] [GF]

Fine work in these inspired and excellently crafted settings ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphonies 1-5 Tasmanian SO/Sebastian Lang-Lessing rec. 2007/8 ABC CLASSICS 476 3623 [3 CDs: 61:20 + 67:03 + 67:32] [GD]

Lang-Lessing knows where to find real excitement in these scores, and more often than not the results are electric ... see Full Review 

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Complete Solo Songs Geraldine McGreevy (soprano); Adrian Thompson (tenor); Roderick Williams (baritone); John Talbot (piano) rec. 2008/2009. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10596 (2) [50:07 + 68:30] [BBD]

Very warm greetings to this most welcome addition to the storehouse of British song ... see Full Review

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950)  A Feature Review – Chandos and Moeran - Complete Solo Songs and a survey of Moeran on Chandos Classics 
Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Complete Solo Songs Geraldine McGreevy (soprano); Adrian Thompson (tenor); Roderick Williams (baritone); John Talbot (piano) rec. Menuhin Hall, Yehudi Menuhin School, Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, Surrey, 8-9, 11 September 2008, 20, 22 January 2009, 8, 14, 16 April 2009. DDD Sixteen recording premieres CHANDOS CHAN 10596 (2) [50:07 + 68:30] [RB]

A unique collection performed with apposite sensitivity. Essential ... Four mid-price discs representing with vivid power the core of Moeran’s achievement in both orchestral and chamber theatres ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphonies No. 29, 31, 32, 35, 36 Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. City Halls, Glasgow, 11-17 July 2009 LINN CKD350 [59:26 + 57:31] [ST]

Top-notch stuff from a winning team ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Divertimento for string trio, 4 Preludes & Fugues Pasquier Trio, rec. 1951 MUSIC & ARTS CD 1233 [66:20] [JW]

Specialists will find plenty over which to mull here ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sinfonia Concertante Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Violin Concertos 1 & 4 Rachel Podger (violin), Pavlo Beznosiuk (viola), Orchestra of Age of Enlightenment, rec. 2009 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA29309 [67:43] [JW]

Poised and convincing and you’ll certainly relish the recorded sound. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Arias for Tenor Raúl Giménez (tenor), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Barry Wordsworth rec. St. Jude on the Hill, Hampstead, 20-22 April 1991 Sung texts with English translations enclosed NIMBUS NI 5300 [55:12] [GF]

No one wanting an all-Mozart recital can possibly go wrong with this issue ... see Full Review

Johanna MÜLLER-HERMANN (1868-1941) String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 6 see ZEMLINSKY

 

Modest MUSSORGKSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) [32:20] Sergey RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) Selected Preludes Sergey Schepkin (piano) rec. 2002/5 NORTHERN FLOWERS NF/PMA9939 [56:36] [NB]

A pianist with a point of view and musical personality that demand serious attention ... see Full Review

Carl ORFF (1895 - 1982) Antigonae Martha Mödl (soprano) Bayerischen RSO & Ch/Wolfgang Sawallisch rec. 1958 HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH09066 [77:24 + 65:42]  [NB]

Music which rewards the adventurous listener richly … see Full Review 

Georges ONSLOW (1784 – 1853) String Quartets 28-30 Diotima Qt rec. 2009 NAÏVE V 5200 [77:41]
Georges ONSLOW (1784 – 1853) Piano Quintet, String Quintet, The Bullet Ensemble Monsolo rec. 2008 POLYMNIE POL 550 162 [58:00] [BBr]

Three cheers for both disks … see Full Review

Luis de PABLO (b. 1930) Danzas Secretas, Frondoso Misterio see Basque Music

Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) Violin Cto 1 & 2 Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overture - Matilde di Shabran Rudolf Koelman (violin), Netherlands SO/Jan Willem de Vriend rec. 2008 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72343 [71:50] [ST]

You would never guess that this is a live recording, so well behaved are the audience and so well focused the sound. ... see Full Review

Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Missa Papae Marcelli Ensemble Officium/Wilfried Rombach rec. 2004 CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77313 [64:55] [GD]

If you like clarity, engagement, precision and top-notch audio, this could be the Papae Marcelli for you ... see Full Review 

Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1526 - 1594) Masses for Pentecost and Motets Christ Church Cathedral Choir/Stephen Darlington rec. Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire, 16^-17 November 1987 NIMBUS NI5100 [54.31] [RH]

A perfect example of the English Cathedral sound and beautifully performed. … see Full Review

Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1525/6-1594) Missa Te Deum laudamus, Tu es Petrus a 6, Missa Tu es Petrus see Victoria

John PITTS (b. 1976) 7 Airs & Fantasias Steven Kings, John Pitts (piano) rec. 2008 CD.TP IPM08 [77:49] [OL]

A colorful and interesting set by a talented composer ... see Full Review 

Andrew POPPY (b.1954) On Zang Tuum Tumb ZTT 186CDX [3 CDs: 73:08 + 63:44 + 38:21] [BBr]

This is not to be missed … see Full Review 

Francis POULENC (1899 - 1963) Concerto for two pianos, Concert champêtre, Organ Concerto Yaara Tal, Andreas Groethuysen (pianos), Peter Kofler (harpsichord), Babette Haag (percussion and timpani) Bach Collegium München/Hansjörg Albrecht rec. 2009 OEHMS CLASSICS OC637 [67:13] [BBr]

This disk is a non-starter … see Full Review 

Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Secular Choral Music Norddeutscher Figuralchor/Jörg Straube, rec. 2008-9 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 947 1595-6 [65:21] [LW]

Poulenc’s secular choral music beautifully performed … see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sinfonia Concertante (Symphony-Concerto) for cello and orchestra in E minor, Op. 125 (1951/52) [41:40] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello and orchestra in A major, Op. 33 (1876) [19:26] Gautier Capuçon (cello) Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre/Valery Gergiev rec. 2008, DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 50999 694486 0 7 [61:19]
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sinfonia Concertante (Symphony-Concerto) for cello and orchestra in E minor, Op. 125 (1951/52) [40:04] Alexander TCHEREPNIN (1899-1977) Suite for cello solo, Op. 76 (1946) [6:55] George CRUMB (b. 1929) Sonata for solo cello (1955) [11:09] Pieter Wispelwey (cello) Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra/Vassily Sinaisky rec.2007, DDD CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS SA 27909 [59:45] [MC]

Interesting and most rewarding releases. Capuçon’s interpretation is very special and deserves considerable praise. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Ctos 2 & 3, Pno Sonata 2 Freddy Kempf (pno), Bergen PO/Andrew Litton, rec. 2008 BIS BIS-SACD-1820 [80:48] [DC]

Worth making a big fuss about. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin concerto 1 see SIBELIUS

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto 3 see Prague SO

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Six Pieces from the ballet Romeo and Juliet (1935) – transcribed by Vadim Borisovsky [22:14] Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Seven Preludes from Op.34 (1933) – transcribed by Vadim Borisovsky; Nos.10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24 [10:26] Viola Sonata Op.147 (1975) [31:36] Robin Ireland (viola) Tim Horton (piano) rec. July 2009 at Potton Hall, Suffolk NIMBUS NI 6117 [65:30] [JW]

A fine and collegiate ensemble ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Manon Lescaut Maria Callas, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ch & O La Scala, Milan/Tullio Serafin, rec. 1957 NAXOS 8.112031-32 [76:09 + 59:09] [GF]

Callas is enchanting while Serafin is everything one could wish ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (c.1659-1695) Rejoice in the Lord alway (Z 49) [8:53] Blow up the trumpet in Sion (Z 10) [7:42] O God, thou art my God (Z 35) [4:12] Chacony in g minor (Z 730) [5:03] O God, thou hast cast us out (Z 36) [4:27] My heart is inditing (Z 30) [16:37] Remember not, Lord, my offences (Z 50) [03:01] James Bowman (alto); Nigel Rogers (tenor); Max van Egmond (bass) The Choir of King's College Cambridge/David Willcocks; Leonhardt-Consort/Gustav Leonhardt rec. Bennebroek, The Netherlands, June-July 1969 ADD TELDEC 2564-68699-2 [50:32] [JV]

Despite being recorded in 1969 this disc is still worthwhile and a good introduction to the sacred music of Purcell ... see Full Review

Sergey RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) The Rock — fantasy for orchestra after Anton Chekhov Op.7 (1893) [14:18] Symphony No. 2 in A minor Op.27 (1907) [60:19] BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda rec. Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, England, 11, 12, 24 November 2009. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10589 [74:52] [RW]

Strong, passionate and memorable melodies ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875–1937) Violin Sonata (1923-27) [17:59] Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879–1936) Sonata in B minor for violin and piano (1916-17) [27:16] Enrique GRANADOS (1867–1916) Violin Sonata [11:56] Frederieke Saeijs (violin); Maurice Lammerts van Bueren (piano) rec. Rabobank Zaal, Muziekcentrum Frits Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands, September 2006 NAXOS 8.572093 [57:25] [JW]

For those who want a measured, refined purview of these works this well recorded disc will fit the bill nicely. ... see Full Review

Steve REICH (b.1936) New York Counterpoint see American Clarinet

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Aribert REIMANN (b.1936) Lear (1978) Soloists Chor der Oper Frankfurt, Frankfurter Museumsorchester/Sebastian Weigle rec. 2008, Notes and plot summary in English and German. Libretto in German only. OEHMS CLASSICS OC 921 [71:31 + 79:08] [GPu]

A striking recording of a modern operatic masterpiece … See Full Review

Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879–1936) Sonata in B minor for violin and piano see RAVEL

Franz Xaver RICHTER (1709 - 1789) Messa Pastorale, Symphony, Magnificat Wroclaw Phil. Ch, Wroclaw Baroque Orch./Andrzej Kosendiak rec. 2008 CYPRES CYP1659 [57:11] [JV]

A rare recording of sacred music by Franz Xaver Richter - fine music, good performances ... see Full Review

Philippe ROGIER (c. 1561-1596) Videntes stellam [6:20] Cantantibus organis [3:19] Missa Ego sum qui sum Kyrie [4:05] Missa Ego sum qui sum Gloria [7:50] Caligaverunt oculi mei [6:51] Missa Ego sum qui sum Credo [9:52] Locutus sum in lingua mea [10:09] Missa Ego sum qui sum Sanctus [2:58] Missa Ego sum qui sum Benedictus [3:22] Laboravi in gemitu meo [4:22] Missa Ego sum qui sum Agnus Dei [3:54] Verbum caro [7:20] The Choir of King’s College London The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble/David Trendell rec. All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London, 29 April, 1, 3 May 2009
DDD HYPERION CDA67807 [70:22] [GD]

A promising start to a collaboration between a choir worth hearing more of and a record label with an excellent track record ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792 –1868) Armida - Armida, – Renée Fleming (soprano); Rinaldo, Gregory Kunde (tenor); Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Communale di Bologna/Danielle Gatti rec. 1993 SONY OPERA HOUSE 88697578072 [3 CDs: 76.28 + 44.02 + 53.37] [RF]

A thoroughly enjoyable performance of one of Rossini’s most romantic compositions. ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868) L’equivoco stravagante - Dramma giocosa per musica in two acts (1811) Ernestina - Marina Prudenskaja (mezzo) Gamberotto - Bruno de Simone (baritone) Prague Chamber Choir Orchestra Haydn di Bolzano e Trento/Michelangeli DYNAMIC 33610 [142:00] [RMK]

Overlook the directorial team: concentrate on the music ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) L’Italiana in Algeri Jean Marie Bima (sop.); Lucia Valentini-Terrani (mezzo), Capella Colonienses/Gabriele Ferro, rec. 1979 SONY OPERA HOUSE 88697579082 [73.38 + 72.38] [RJF]

In a highly competitive market this performance is only average. ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868) Il Turco in Italia Dramma buffo in two acts (1814) Simone Alaimo (bass); Myrto Papatanasiu (soprano); Bruno de Simone (baritone); Antonino Siragusa (tenor); Vincenzo Taormina (baritone); Antonella Nappa (mezzo); Federico Lepre (tenor) Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Carlo Felice/Jonathan Webb rec. 2009 ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 101 391 [162:00] [RJF]

Very run-of-the-mill … fails to do justice to Rossini’s creation… see Full Review 

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overture - Matilde di Shabran see PAGANINI

Albert ROUSSEL (1869 - 1937) Symphony 4, Rapsodie flamande, Petite suite, Concerto pour petit orchestre, Sinfonietta Royal Scottish Ntl O/Stéphane Denève rec. 2006-8 NAXOS 8.572135 [69:08]  [NB]

An excellent introduction to Roussel’s very particular compositional world. … see Full Review 

Justin RUBIN (b.1971) Nostalgia Jefferson Campbell (bassoon: 1-3, 5, 7-11); Patrick O'Keefe (clarinet: 1, 4, 6, 8); Shannon L. Wettstein (piano: 1, 3, 6, 7); Gene Koshinski (percussion: 2, 6, 10); Josh Aerie (cello: 9); Samuel Black (organ: 11)rec. October-November 2008, Sacred Heart Studios, Duluth, Minnesota INNOVA 738 [69:49] [OL]

A significant addition to the bassoon repertoire. ... see Full Review

Edmund RUBBRA (1901–1986) String Quartet No.2 in E flat Op.73 (1951) [22:56] Amoretti for voice and string quartet Op.43 (1935) ¹ [14:10] Ave Maria Gratia Plena; O my deir Hert (1922) and O excellent Virgin Princess (1951) ¹ [4:36] Piano Trio No.1 in one movement Op.68 (1950) ² [21:09] Maggini Quartet; Charles Daniels (tenor)¹; Martin Roscoe (piano)² rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572286 [62:53] [JW]

Fine performances in good sound… see Full Review 

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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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