Superbudget £5.99 or less 
Budget £6-7.99 
Medium £8-10.99 
Full
price £11+ 
Download
Régis
CAMPO (b.
1968) Les Heures Maléfiques, Ombra Felice,
Quatuor à cordes 2, The Life and Soul of His Imagined Landscape
Quatuor
Diotima rec. 2009
RADIO FRANCE SIGNATURE SIG11070 [64:13]
[HC]
This
is a most welcome and rewarding release devoted to Campo’s attractive
music.
Romeo
CASCARINO (1922-2002) Blades of Grass see
To the point
Erik
CHISHOLM
(1904-1965) Music for Piano - Volume 7:
Murray
McLachlan (piano) rec. 2006
DIVINE ARTS DDV24155 [68:45]
[JF][RB]
We
are fortunate to have such an exemplary production ... one of the most
important musical discoveries and revelations of the Twenty-First Century.
[JF] Rangy and gangly music quaffing deep from the authentic Caledonian
aquifer. [RB]
Fryderyk
CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat minor Op.35 (1839) [23:15] Piano Sonata
No.3 in B minor Op.58 (1844) [24:39]
Victor Schiøler (piano) rec. 1953
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR 496 [47:57]
[JW]
It’s
enjoyable to hear playing of such individuality, even if it will not
necessarily garner universal appeal.
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Cello Sonata; Introduction and polonaise
brillante see SAINT-SAËNS
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto 2 see
Arrau
with Szell
Aaron
COPLAND Fanfare for America
Stella Doufexis (mezzo) Frankfurt RSO/Hugh Wolff
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101573 
[60:00]
[KM]
A
well-made documentary giving an overview of the life and works of the
great American composer.
John
CORIGLIANO (b.1938) Winging It: Piano Music
Winging It: Improvisations, Chiaroscuro, Fantasia on an Ostinato, Kaleidoscope,
Etude Fantasy
Ursula Oppens & Jerome Lowenthal (piano) rec. 2010
CEDILLE RECORDS CDR 90000 123 [59:30]
[Byz]
These
works show considerable art and craft, technique and originality.
Carl
CZERNY
(1791-1857) The
Sonatas for Solo Piano - vol.3
Martin Jones (piano) rec. 2008, 2009, 2010; . DDD
NIMBUS NI 5872/3 [75:23 + 68:56]
[Byz]
A
superb addition to Martin Jones's marvellous one-man attempt to record
everything unjustly neglected by other pianists.
Benjamin
DALE (1885-1943) Piano Sonata, Night Fancies
York BOWEN (1884-1961) Miniature Suite
Danny Driver (piano) rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67827 [65:17] [JW]
Add
this to your British Piano Collection without reservation.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Piano
Music - Volume 5 2 Arabesques (1890-1) [8:56], Danse (Tarentelle
styrienne) (1890) [5:09], Ballade(1890) [7:26], Valse romantique (1890)
[3:22], Rêverie (1890) [5:02], Suite Bergamasque (1890-1905) [18:04],
Mazurka (1890) [2:55], Nocturne (1892) [6:21], Danse bohémienne (1880)
[2:08], Pour le Piano (1894-1901) [14:20]
Noriko Ogawa (piano) rec. 2000
BIS-CD-1405 [75:08]
[CH]
The
final disc of a wonderful cycle.
Kris
DEFOORT (b. 1959) The Woman who walked into doors
Jacqueline Blom (actress) Claron McFadden (soprano) Dreamtime; Prometheus
Ens/Etienne Siebens rec. 2006
FUGA LIBERA FUG709 [63.05 + 19.26] [CH]
A
strong performance …an eclectic musical style and a rather distinctive
solution to creating a music-theatre piece.
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797 – 1848) Marino Faliero
Giorgio Surian, Rachele Stanisci, Ivan Magri, Ch & O Bergamo Musica
Festival Gaetano Donizetti/Bruno Cinquegrani rec. 2008
NAXOS 2.110616-17 [73:27
+ 78.47] [RMK]
A
pedestrian production with some disappointing singing.
Théodore
DUBOIS
(1837-1924) Violin Concerto Edouard
LALO (1823-1892) Symphonie espagnole
Frédéric Pélassy (violin) Slovak State Philharmonic Košice/Zbynek
Müller rec. 2010
BNL 112964 [62:01] 
[JW]
Conscientious,
not very graphic or gripping, lacking sparkle.
Antonín
DVORÁK
(1841-1904) Rusalka
Kristine Opolaïs, Bavarian State Opera Ch, Bavarian State O/TomáŠ
Hanus
UNITEL CLASSICA 706408
[2 DVDs: 156:00 + 36:00 (documentary)] UNITEL CLASSICA C MAJOR
DVD 706504 
[IL][NB]
Don’t
we have enough of this sordidness in real life without having our noses
rubbed in it for so called entertainment? Pass. [IL] A Shabby Shocker.
[NB]
Antonin
DVORÁK (1873-1943) Symphony 8 Mariss Jansons see WEBER
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
String Quartet, Piano Quintet
Piers Lane (piano) Goldner String Qt rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67857 [78:00]
[JF]
Striking
performances of these late masterpieces.
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Symphonies 1 & 2, Pomp and Circumstance March 5, Sospiri, Serenade
for Strings, Cockaigne Overture
Philharmonia O/Bernard Haitink, City of London Sinf/Richard Hickox,
London PO/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1970-84
EMI 20TH CENTURY CLASSICS 9072212 [77:49 + 73:58]
[JQ]
Thoughtful,
well-considered and deeply musical accounts of Elgar’s symphonies,
even if they are not first choices.
George
ENESCU (1881-1955) Piano Quartets 1 & 2
Schubert Ens Simon Blendis (violin) Douglas Paterson (viola) Jane Salmon
(cello) William Howard (piano) rec. 2010/11
CHANDOS CHAN 10672 [67:00]
[GD]
Involved
music delivered with elegance and panache.
George
ENESCU (1881-1955) Aubade see MARTINŮ
Louise
FARRENC
(1804-1875) Nonet
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Serenade
Minerva
Chamber Ensemble/Kevin Geraldi rec. 2009
CENTAUR CRC 3092 [68:25] 
[BR]
Buy
it for the curiosity of the “Brahms Nonet”; stay for the warmth and
wit of Louise Farrenc.
Johann
Friedrich FASCH (1688-1758)
Concertos
Accademia Bach Baroque O/Carlos Grubert rec. 1994
DYNAMIC DM8009 [57:15]
Johann Gottlieb GRAUN (1702-1771)
Recorder concerto Johann Friedrich FASCH
(1688-1758) Sonatas Christoph GRAUPNER
(1683-1760) Arias, Recorder concerto
Collegium Pro Musica/Stefano Bagliano rec. 1994
DYNAMIC DM8015 [51:05]
[JV]
Good
opportunities to get acquainted with various aspects of Fasch's oeuvre,
with music by two contemporaries as bonuses.
Antoine
FORQUERAY (1671-1745) & Jean-Baptiste
FORQUERAY (1699-1782) Pièces de Clavecin: Suites 1-5
Michael Borgstede rec. 2008
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94108 [72.45 + 78.02]
[GH]
A
fine set. These are pieces to which I will certainly return.
Jean
FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) String Trio see MARTINŮ
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Cheryl
FRANCES-HOAD (b.1980) The Glory Tree
Nicholas Daniel (oboe) Lendvai String Trio, Ensemble na Mara, London
Mozart Trio rec. 2008
CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD021 [77:00]
[CR]
Refreshingly
engaging and unapologetic, with a strong sense of identity and emotional
depth.
Johann
Joseph FUX (1660-1741) Partite a 3
Ars Antiqua Austria rec. 2010
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72381 [68:12]
[JV]
Highly
enjoyable disc with largely-ignored instrumental music by Fux.
Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) The Seasons see
Russian
Ballet Music
Carlo
GESUALDO (1566-1613)
Madrigals,
Book 3 (Madrigali libro terzo, 1595) Delitiae Musicae/Marco Longhini
Carmen Leoni (harpsichord)*; rec. 2008, DDD NAXOS 8.572136 [68:37]
[MS]
Every
bit as solid, intriguing and downright enjoyable as the other two in
the series. Not to be missed.
Henryk
GÓRECKI (1933-2010)
Kleines Requiem für eine Polka, Lerchenmusik
Harmen de Boer (clarinet) Larissa Groeneveld (cello) Reinbert de Leeuw
(piano) Schönberg Ens rec. 1993
NEWTON CLASSICS 8802060 [66:59]
[LW]
First-rate
performances especially appealing to fans of the composer
Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961) Lincolnshire Posy and other
works see HOLST
Johann
Gottlieb GRAUN (1702/3-1771) and Carl
Heinrich GRAUN (1703/4-1759) Concerti
Swanje Hoffman (violin) Petra Müllejans (viola, violin) Christian Beuse
(bassoon) Michael Schneider (recorder) Karl Kaiser (transverse flute)
Capella Academica Frankfurt/Petra Mullejans rec. 2007
CPO 777 321-2 [62:55] [PK]
Tuneful
and brief and all reminiscent of contemporary Telemann.
Carl
Heinrich GRAUN (1703-1759) Montezuma
Soloists, Kammerchor Cantica Nova, Deutsche Kammerakademie/Johannes
Goritzki rec. 1992
CAPRICCIO 7085 [71:09 + 64:54] [BW]
Specialists
will welcome this recording, but most listeners will have higher priorities.
Johann
Gottlieb GRAUN (1702-1771) Recorder concerto see
FASCH
Christoph
GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Arias, Recorder concerto see
FASCH
Ernesto
HALFFTER (1905-1989)
The Piano Music
Martin Jones (piano) *Adrian Farmer (piano) rec. Wyastone, Monmouth,
Wales, 29-30 November 2006 and 14 May 2007. DDD
NIMBUS NI 5849 [79:23]
[Byz]
For
all fans of attractive, passionate Spanish music this is an ideal disc
with which to impress friends.
Rodolfo
HALFFTER (1900-1987) Chamber Music Vol. 2
Madrid
Community O soloists rec. 2010
NAXOS 8.572419 [68:17]
[Byz]
Colour
and interest attesting to the imagination of a musical moderate.
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Messiah
Lynne
Dawson (soprano) Hilary Summers (alto) John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Alistair
Miles (bass) Ch of King's Coll, Cambridge Brandenburg Cons/Stephen Cleobury
rec. 1993
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94127 [64.40
+ 69.37; 136.00 (2CD+DVD)]
[RH]
Return
to this with pleasure.
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685–1759) Orlando
Patricia
Bardon (mezzo) Rosa Mannion (soprano) Harry van der Kamp (bass) Les
Arts Florissants/William Christie rec. 1996
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 67743-0 [3 CDs: 65:00 + 51:34 + 52:13]
[GF]
I
was deeply impressed by William Christie and his colleagues and at Warner’s
new price it’s worth anyone’s money.
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Ariodante
Joyce DiDonato, Matthew Brook, Karina Gauvin, Topi Lehtipuu, Il Complesso
Barocco/Alan Curtis rec. 2010
VIRGIN CLASSICS 0708442 [3 CDs: 192:59]
[JW]
This
new set has real advantages.
Jonathan
HARVEY (b.
1939) The Angels, Ashes Dance Back, Marahi,
The Summer’s Cloud’s awakening
Jonathan Harvey (electronics) Latvian Radio Ch/James Wood, Kaspars Putnins
rec. 2005/8
HYPERION CDA67835 [63.43]
[GH]
There
are some significant and fascinating pieces here. The recording is ideal
and the performances committed and, seemingly, flawless.
Franz
Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Salve Regina Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Coronation Mass
London
Mozart Players/Harry Blech rec. 1953/4
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR390 [46:42]
[CC]
This
is a tremendous coupling. The very name “London Mozart Players” will,
I am sure, conjure up fond memories for many users of this site.
Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony 85
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies 3 & 5
Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Hamburg CO/Georg Ludwig Jochum rec. 1954/9
FORGOTTEN
RECORDS FR531 [68:11] [CH]
I
certainly didn’t get the impression that the Jochum brothers’ reputations
should be reversed. But it’s quite an enjoyable peep into the past.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony 98 Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony 7
Boston SO/Charles Munch rec. 1958/60
ICA CLASSICS ICAD5028
[82:32]
[CH]
The
Haydn is mainly cherishable. The Bruckner sounds as it were chosen deliberately
to harm Munch’s reputation.
Jennifer
HIGDON
(b.1962) To
the Point, for string orchestra see To
the point
Josef
HOLBROOKE
(1878–1958)
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sonatina Op. 6a (1890s) [19:38] Horn Trio
in D (original version), Op. 28 (c.1906) [27:05] Violin Concerto The
Grasshopper (Violin Sonata No. 2), Op. 59 (1909-1916) [25:13] Mezzo-Tints:
L'Extase (version for violin and piano) Op. 55 No. 2 (1913) [3:02]
Kerenza
Peacock (violin); Mark Smith (horn); Robert Stevenson (piano) rec. 2011
NAXOS
8.572649 [74:58]
[JF][RB]
Naxos
has to be congratulated on this excellent CD. [JF] Sympathy, sensitivity,
skill and enthusiasm in music that will gratify and surprise.[RB]
British
Music for Concert Band Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) First & second suites Ralph
Vaughan WILLIAMS (1872-1958) English Folk Song Suite Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961) Lincolnshire Posy and other
works
Royal Air Force Central Band/Wing Commander Eric Banks
REGIS RRC 1326 [71:30]
[EM]
This
disc does little credit to the performers or the music.
Stephen
HOUGH (b.1951) Other Love Songs see
BRAHMS
Johann
Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837)
At the Opera: Variations, Grand Fantasia
& Potpourris
Madoka Inui (piano) rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.572736 [76.03]
[RH]
A
charming recital.
Engelbert
HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel
Hans PFITZNER (1869-1949) Das
Käthchen von Heilbronn – Overture Richard
WAGNER (1813-1833) Rienzi – Overture
Rita Streich(soprano) Gisela Litz (mezzo) Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano)
Hermann Prey (baritone) Bavarian Radio Ch; Philharmonia O/Sir Charles
Mackerras; Bielfelder Kinderchor; North German RO/Wilhelm Schüchter;
Munich PO/Bamberg SO/Bavarian RSO/Fritz Lehmann rec. 1952-1957
MAGDALEN METCD 8003 [71:38+74:37]
[JS]
A
set well worth considering, as much for the extras as for the main work.
John
IRELAND (1879-1962)
& Grayston IVES (b.1948)
Organ
works
Myles Hartley (organ) rec. 2010
PRIORY PRCD1054 [72:12]
[Byz]
Inventive
and melodic, expressive and thoughtful.
Grayston
IVES (b.1948) Organ
works see IRELAND
Joseph
JOACHIM (1831-1907) Hamlet Overture see
Inspired by Shakespeare
and Hamlet
John
JOUBERT (b. 1927) Symphony 2 William
ALWYN (1905-1985) The Fairy Fiddler Carlo
MARTELLI (b.1935) Symphony
Royal Scottish Ntl O/Martin Yates rec. 2011
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7270 [71:10]
[JF]
Enthusiasts
will be hugely excited by this release.
Mieczyslaw
KARLOWICZ
(1876-1909) Rebirth
Symphony, The White Dove
Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572487 [62:32] [WH]
A
new name? Don’t hesitate: these are wonderfully satisfying performances
of striking music.
ARAM
KHATCHATURIAN (1903-1978) Violin Concerto
Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Rhapsodies 1 & 2
Devy Erlih (violin) O des Cento Soli/Serge Baudo, Karel Husa rec. 1953/1956
FORGOTTEN
RECORDS FR 449 [60:07] [JW]
Ungimmicky,
direct and free of egocentricity.
Aram
KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Spartacus and Gayaneh
see Russian
Ballet Music
Friedrich
KUHLAU (1786-1832) William Shakespeare Overture see
Inspired by Shakespeare
and Hamlet
Edouard
LALO
(1823-1892) Symphonie
espagnole see DUBOIS
Jean
Xavier LEFÈVRE (1763-1829)
A Revolutionary Tutor: Clarinet Sonatas Vol. 2
Colin Lawson (clarinet) Sebastian Comberti (cello) rec. 2010
CLARINET CLASSICS CC0058 [74:36]
[Byz]
Lovely
melody, elegance, wistfulness, restraint and humour in abundance.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Giovanni LEGRENZI (1626-1690)
Sonatas see ROSENMÜLLER
Kenneth
LEIGHTON (1929-1988) & James MacMILLAN
(b. 1959) Invocation - Choral music
Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Ch/Paul Spicer rec. 2010
REGENT REGCD348 [74:56] [JQ]
This
splendidly recorded disc is another feather in the caps of Birmingham
Conservatoire and of Regent. More please!
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Denis LEVAILLANT
(b.1952) La
Petite Danseuse de Degas
Ballet & O de l’Opéra National de Paris/Koen Kessels
EUROARTS
108 026 [112:00; Interviews: 20:00]
[IL]
An
inspired and visually ravishing creation. This ballet deserves to go
from success to success.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) A Faust Symphony
Charles Bressler (tenor) Choral Art Society, New York PO/Leonard Bernstein
rec. 1964
SONY 88697 857572 [71:10]
[IL]
White
heat roller-coaster thrills.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Harmonies du soir
Nelson Freire (piano) rec. 2011
DECCA 478 2728 [56.09] [RBe]
An
absolutely superlative recital.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT
(1811-1886)
Faust & Dante symphonies, Dante Symphony, Dante sonata, Piano sonata,
Hungarian Rhapsody 2, Verdi Paraphrases
Plácido Domingo, Berlin PO/Daniel Barenboim (piano) rec. 1985-98
WARNER
CLASSICS 2564 67440-3 [3 CDs: 211:26]
[MC]
Barenboim
and Liszt make a perfect combination making this a desirable Warner
Classics box set.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Fantasie and Fugue, Sonata
Garrick
Ohlsson (piano) rec. 2009
BRIDGE RECORDS 9337 [61:20] [DC]
A
respected alternative rather than first choice, but still worth considering.
Franz
LISZT
(1810-1886)
Hungarian Rhapsody10, Ballade 2, Sonata in B minor
Nino Gvetadze (piano) rec. 2011
ORCHID CLASSICS ORC100017 [56.29]
[RBe]
A
first rate recital.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Via
Crucis (1878-9) [42:44] Variations on Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen,
Zagen (arr. for organ 1863) [17:29]* Les Morts – Oraison (1860)
[10:33]
Choeur Sacrum/Andris Veismanis *Vincent Genvrin (organ) rec. Riga Cathedral,
Lithuania, 26 February 1994
HORTUS 901 [71:05]
[PB-W]
Outstanding
… unanimous in attack, wonderful in tone, and secure in intonation.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Après une lecture du Dante:
fantasia quasi sonata, Ballade 2, Mazeppa, Funérailles, Isolde’s Liebestod
(Wagner)
Lise de la Salle (piano) rec. 2011
NAÏVE V 5267 [77.00]
[RBe]
World
class playing.
Franz
LISZT
(1811 – 1886) Original Works and transcriptions
Michele Campanella (piano) rec. 1988 – 2005 Full listing at end of review
BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 94147 [6 CDs: 366:10]
[NB]
A
very fine musician’s continuing exploration of the works of one of the
great pianist-composers.
Franz
LISZT
(1811-1886)
Piano Concerto No.2 see KATZ
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Hamlet see Inspired
by Shakespeare and Hamlet
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto 2 see
Arrau
with Szell
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]
EXPLORE
MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL 
