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Alphabetical Listing

PART 6
Misc. A-L

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]


Superbudget £5.99 or less Budget £6-7.99 Medium £8-10.99 Full price £11+ Download

American Piano Music from 78rpm Recordings Jeanne Behrend, Rudolph Ganz (piano) rec. early 1940s PRISTINE PAKM 044 [46:57] [RB]

Pristine extend their arm yet deeper into the most exotic corners of the American repertoire. 

Aprčs un ręve Songs by Strauss, Fauré, Mendelssohn, Chausson, Poulenc, Bouchot & Britten Sandrine Piau (soprano) Susan Manoff (piano) rec. 2010 NAĎVE V 5250 [59:00] [GF]

A delectable programme, delectably performed.

Arcadia Lost Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Lark Ascending, Flos Campi, On Wenlock Edge Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Sinfonia da Requiem Michael Dauth (violin) Roger Benedict (viola) Steve Davislim (tenor) Cantillation, Hamer Qt; Sydney SO/Mark Wigglesworth rec. 2009/10 MELBA MR301131 [74:17] [RB]

A disc that proclaims character in every aspect.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Martha Argerich Edition: Chamber Music rec. 1991-2008 EMI CLASSICS 0940142 [8 CDs: 9:51:00] [SA]

A set that no chamber music lover should be without.

Azerbaijani Piano Concertos Fikret AMIROV (1922-1984) and Elmira NAZIROVA (b. 1928) Piano Concerto after Arabian Themes Yasif ADIGEZALOV (1935-2006) Piano Concerto 4 Farhad BADALBEYI (b.1947) The Sea Farhad Badalbeyi (piano) Murad Adigezalzade (piano) Joan Rodgers (soprano) Royal PO/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572666 [68:52] [SA]

This disc is a brilliant introduction to the classical music of Azerbaijan.

Another Night Before Christmas and Scrooge *Simon Callow (narrator) RTÉ Concert Orchestra/Gavin Sutherland +Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Gavin Sutherland rec. 2008, . DDD NAXOS 8.572744 [79:20] [JS]

An undemanding, unhackneyed and unexciting collection of Christmas orchestral music.

Armenian Rhapsody Works by Khachaturian, Zakarian, Zarafyan & Komitas Alexander Chaushian (cello) Vache Zarafyan (piano) Emmanuel Hovhannisyan (duduk) Armenian PO/Eduard Topchjan rec. 2010 BIS BISCD1948 [71:56] [Byz]

The APO's considerable team talents are put to fine use on this quality all-Armenian disc.

The Ballad Singer Gerald Finley (tenor) Julius Drake (piano) rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67830 [71:28] [EM]

Extremely well-presented. A refreshing counterpoint to the lieder and chanson that adorn the catalogues.

Barbaric Beauty - Telemann and 18th Century Dance Manuscripts Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) and others Milos Valent (violin, voice) Holland Baroque Soc rec. 2011 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS SA 31911 [77:32] [JV]

In many ways an ear-opener.

Baroque in Hanover Ens alla polacca, Franz Vitzthum (alto) Petr Wagner (viola da gamba) rec. 2009 ARS PRODUKTION ARS 38 076 [66:43] [JV]

An interesting and well-performed survey of the music at the court in Hanover around 1700.

Central Europe – Works for Cello and Piano Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Arpeggione Sonata Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Rondo, LeoŠ JANÁčEK (1854–1928) Pohádka Bohuslav MARTINů (1890-1959) Variations on a Slovak Theme Adam Mital (cello) Olimpia Tolan (piano) rec. 2009 SOLO MUSICA SM 153 [66:09] [MC]

Much to enjoy: excellent spirited performances with refreshing ardour and engaging sensitivity.

Chamber Vespers Giacomo FINETTI (fl.1605–1631) Laudate pueri Francesco PETROBELLI (d.1695) Laetatus sum Natale MONFERRATO (c.1615–1685) Lauda Jerusalem Adriano BANCHIERI (1568–1634) Magnificat The Gonzaga Band rec. 2010 CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN 0782 [62.16] [RH]

Subtle charm, intelligence, commitment and clever programming.

Christmas The King’s Singers SIGNUM SIGDVD008 [53:09] [ST]

A good selection, but I’m not convinced that it works as a DVD.

Codex Chantilly Vol. II Ensemble Tetraktys/Kees Boeke rec. 2010 ETCETERA KTC1905 [76.40] [GH]

The singing is elegant and the instrumental work delicate and neat. The overall production is colourful, easy to grasp and smartly presented. 

The Colours of Christmas JOHN RUTTER Full contents list at end of review The Bach Choir, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, John Birch (organ), Over the Bridge, onductor John Rutter rec. 2011 DECCA 2782129 [73:27] [NB]

Very good and enjoyable.

Court of the Sun King – The Glory of the French Baroque rec. 1953-1998 ERATO 2564 67523-9 [10 CDs: 12:08:33] [EML]

Too many of these interpretations belie the life, vigour, enthusiasm and sheer delight that characterised the court of this most artistically exuberant of monarchs.

Delícías Spanish Delights for Piano Duo Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow (pianos) rec. 1990/2011 DIVINE ART DDA 25101 [75:13] [JW]

I’ve enjoyed this disc immensely.

The Complete Vanguard Deller Recordings Vol. 4 - Music of Handel, Bach and the English Renaissance Alfred Deller (counter-tenor) VANGUARD CLASSICS MC195 [6 CDs: 392:00] [EM]

Overall, this is not an especially good advocate for the music of Bach, Handel and their contemporaries.

Epiphany at St Paul’s St Paul’s Cathedral Ch/John Scott, Huw Williams (organ) rec. 2001 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55443 [72:13] [JS]

A musically and emotionally satisfying seasonal feast. 

Devy Erlih (violin) Works by Sarasate & Kreisler André Collard, Maurice Bureau (piano) rec. 1955-7 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR 298 [59:40] [JW]

Erlih fans should eagerly snap up this disc.

La Fenice - New Year's Concert 2004 Stefania Bonfadelli (soprano) Roberto Aronica (tenor) Ch & O Teatro La Fenice/Lorin Maazel rec. 2004 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107 081 [59:00] [RF]

Lacking verve and vitality this is also rather short measure for a New Year’s Day Concert.

Flights of Fancy Works by Duparc, Gates, Koechlin, Poulenc and Satie Andrew Knights (oboe, cor anglais, oboe d'amore) Philip Gates (piano) rec. 2011 MELODIST CD5683 [67:31] [RB]

A warm landscape … comforting stillness. An atmospherically consistent and reflectively assembled anthology.

France: A Musical Tour of Provence NAXOS 2.110544 [52.54] [RJF]

A great opportunity missed to range over one of the most interesting regions of France. This issue is more about photography than about Provence.

Dan Godfrey Encores Bournemouth SO/Ronald Corp rec. 2011 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7276 [74:40] [JF]

Brilliant with an obvious enthusiasm for these ‘lost’ or misplaced works.

The Golden Age of Light Music A Second A-Z of Light Music rec. 1936-1960 GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD5182 [77:28] [JW]

From A-Z there’s much fun to be had from this latest compilation.

Hanson conducts American Music: Volume 1 Howard HANSON Symphony No. 4 Charles Martin LOEFFLER Memories of my Childhood Howard HANSON Songs from 'Drum Taps'* Randall THOMPSON The Testament of Freedom* *David Meyers (baritone) *Eastman School of Music Chorus Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra/Howard Hanson rec. 1952/3/4 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC292 [72:17]  
Hanson conducts American Music: Volume 2 Walter PISTON Symphony No. 3 Henry COWELL Symphony No. 4 Charles Martin LOEFFLER Poem for Orchestra ("La Bonne Chanson") Eastman-Rochester Orchestra/Howard Hanson rec. 1953/4 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC295 [70:33]
Hanson conducts American Music: Volume 3 Elliott CARTER The Minotaur, Ballet Suite Wallingford RIEGGER
New Dance Edward MACDOWELL Suite No. 2, Op. 48 Indian Eastman-Rochester Orchestra/Howard Hanson rec.1953,1955 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC302 [64:19] [RB]

A fascinating slice of American musical history from the 20C all romantically and energetically spun by Hanson.

Howard Hanson conducts the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra
John Alden CARPENTER (1876-1951) Adventures in a Perambulator (1917) [27:30] Roger SESSIONS (1896-1985) The Black Maskers - Suite (1928) [21:16] Charles IVES (1874-1954) Symphony No. 3 Camp Meeting (1908-10) [20:44] Eastman-Rochester Orchestra/Howard Hanson rec. 1956-7 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD216 [69:30] [RB]

A most skilled and satisfying transfer.

Homage to Maria Callas Favourite Opera Arias Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) Royal PO/Marco Armiliato rec. 2010/11 EMI CLASSICS 6315092 [60:40] [RMo]

A sumptuous and very tasteful production.

Into Thy Hands – The Music of the Grosvenor Chapel Works by Mozart, Purcell & Handel Ch of the Grosvenor Chapel/Richard Hobson (director and organ) Joseph Sentance (organ) rec. June 2010 REGENT REGCD351 [62:32] [JS]

A diverse, very interesting and enjoyable choice of music makes this an admirable introduction to a fine choir.

Joy to the World The King’s Singers rec. 2010. DDD Full track-list at end of review SIGNUM SIGCD268 [58.39] [RB]

An eminently enjoyable release that will please fans of The King’s Singers and lovers of Christmas music alike.

L’âme Russe Grigory Sokolov,Laurent Cabasso (piano) Sergey Khachatryan (violin) Sonia Wieder-Atherton (cello) France Ntl O/Kurt Masur, Toulouse Capitole Ntl O/Tugan Sokhiev rec. 1984-2006 NAĎVE V5271 [4 CDs: 274:56] [SA]

A set worth having.

Libera – The Christmas Album Joy to the World; Still, still, still; Carol of the Bells; Veni, veni Emmanuel; Once in Royal David’s City; O Holy Night; White Christmas; Corpus Christi Carol; In Dulci Jubilo; Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas; Sing the Story; Coventry Carol; The First Nowell; Jubilate Deo; While Shepherds Watched their Flocks; Lullabye Libera/Robert Prizeman rec. 2011. stereo/DDD EMI CLASSICS 50999 0 88635 2 2 [61:19] [EML]

If you like your Christmas complete with fairies, glitter, inflatable snowmen and gold-leafed angels, this is the disc for you.


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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