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RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860–1911) Symphony 2 
Kate Royal (soprano) Magdalena Kožená (mezzo) Rundfunkchor
Berlin, Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2010
EMI CLASSICS 6473632 [86:23]
[JQ]
Acquire
this superb new Mahler Second – but hang on to your copy of Rattle’s
1986 recording too!
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4
Sarah Fox (soprano) Philharmonia O/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. 2006
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD219 [56:43]
[JQ]
This
is a very fine Mahler Fourth and a treasurable example of the work of
a great conductor in repertoire with which he was not automatically
associated.
Gustav
MAHLER (1860–1911) Symphonies 6 & 8
Rotterdam PO, Brabant O/Eduard Flipse rec. 1954/5
ROTTERDAM PHILHARMONIC VINTAGE RECORDINGS no number [3 CDs: 157:57]
[JQ]
Pioneering
versions of two Mahler symphonies that should be sought out by all serious
Mahler collectors.
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 2
Alice Coote, Natalie Dessay, Orfeón Donostiarra, Frankfurt RSO/Paavo
Järvi rec. 2009
VIRGIN CLASSICS 6945860 [23:17 + 61:54]
[JQ]
A
well played version of this imposing symphony but several other recordings
offer a more compelling experience.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 3 see
SCHOENBERG
Gian
Francesco MALIPIERO (1883-1973) The Symphonies - Vol.
5 Sinfonia dello zodiaco; Symphonies 9 & 10
Moscow So/Antonio de Almeida rec. 1993
NAXOS 8.570882 [71:23]
[JF]
Disquieting,
strange conjunctions and disjunctions, terse to the point of brooding
intensity.
Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Piano Concertos – Vol. 2
Nos. 1, 2, 4
Giorgio Koukl (piano) Bohuslav Martinů PO/Arthur Fagen, rec. 2009
NAXOS
8.572373 [74:45]
[RC]
Brilliantly
captures Martinů’s coloristic effects and eclectic nature.
Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Symphony 4, La Jolla,
Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca, Double Concerto, Concerto
for String Quartet, Sinfonia Concertante, Memorial to Lidice
rec.
1958-95
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 2643502 [73:23 + 69:29]
[RB]
Inexpensive
Martinu in sound performances that have been about a bit.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Symphony 2 'Lobgesang'
Ruth Ziesak, Mojca Erdmann (sop.) Christian Elsner (ten.) MDR RSO &
Ch/Jun Märkl rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572294 [68:41]
[RB]
Mendelssohn
stirringly and fervently done. Superbly crafted performance.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847)
Violin Concerto, Octet
James Ehnes (violin) Philharmonia O/Vladimir Ashkenazy, Seattle Chamber
Music Soc rec. 2010
ONYX 4060 [57:31]
[KS]
Flawless,
perfect, profound; James Ehnes scores another home run with this incomparable
performance.
Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Viola & Clarinet
Sonatas, Trio
Ana Chumachenco (violin) Hariolf Schlichtig (viola) Eduard Brunner (clarinet)
Adrian Oetiker (pno) rec. 2008-9
TUDOR 7154 [62:26]
[RB]
This
is an unusual and rewarding assemblage of Mendelssohn chamber music
most beautifully performed and recorded.
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Piano Concertos 1 & 2, Symphony 5
Québec SO/Louis Lortie (piano) rec. 2009
ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD2 2617 [64:14]
[SV]
This
is a pleasing and well-performed programme.
Mendelssohn
In Verbier Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847)
Piano Sextet, Piano Concerto 1, Symphony 3 Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrushka
Yuja Wang (piano) Kirill Troussov (violin) David Aaron Carpenter, Maxim
Rysanov (violas) Sol Gabetta (cello) Leigh Mesh (double-bass) Verbier
Festival O/Kurt Masur rec. 2009
IDEALE AUDIENCE 3079248 
[100:00] [CC]
A
remarkable homage to the evergreen genius of Mendelssohn – with the
bonus of a stunning version of the Stravinsky Petrushka pieces.
Gian
Carlo MENOTTI (1911 – 2007) The Consul,
Amelia al Ballo
Ch & O La Scala/Nino Sanzogno rec. 1950/4
NAXOS 8.112023-24 [69.01 + 75.18]
[RH]
The
original recording of The Consul is a vividly dramatic and highly
atmospheric.
Nikolai
MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Cello Sonata 2 see
Russian
Music for Cello and Piano
Vytautas
MIŠKINIS (b.1954) Time is Endless
Royal Holloway Ch/Rupert Gough, rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67818 [77:57]
[JQ]
Another
Hyperion disc of unfamiliar but rewarding Baltic choral music, expertly
performed
Ernest
John MOERAN (1894-1950) Complete
Solo Folksong Arrangements Adrian
Thompson (tenor) Marcus Farnsworth (baritone) John Talbot (piano)
Weybridge Male Voice Ch/Christine Best rec. 2010 BRITISH
MUSIC SOCIETY BMS438CD [65:38] [RB]
Everything
feels just right. An essential companion to the Moeran songs on Chandos
and by no means inferior in quality of invention or execution. Your
Moeran collection is incomplete without this disc.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Clarinet Concerto, Sinfonia
Concertante Franz KROMMER (1759-1831)
Concerto for two clarinets
Sabine Meyer (clarinet) Staatskapelle Dresden/Hans Vonk; Württembergisches
CO Heilbronn/Jörg Faerber rec. 1988/90
EMI CLASSICS MASTERS 6317952 [75:59]
[MC]
The
Mozart scores have great appeal and are given marvellous performances.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Divertimenti
Wiener Oktett rec. 1952-9
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 4328 [50:25 + 66:47]
[JS]
Reminds
us of unfairly neglected works and performers.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Last Four String Quartets
Juilliard
String Qt rec. 1974
SONY 
77114 [54:38 + 51:26]
[BW]
Classic
accounts, well worth considering, but there are less expensive rivals,
some on period instruments.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Divertimento for string
trio, Fugues with Slow Preludes
Hermitage String Trio rec. 2010
CHANDOS CHAN 10635 [63:40]
[JS]
Many
hours of supreme musical pleasure are guaranteed.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
The Piano Sonatas
Daniel-Ben Pienaar (piano) rec. 2008/9
AVIE AV2209 [5 CDs: 288:17]
[DC]
Hesitate
not - this really is new Mozart.
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Andante & variations
see BARTÓK
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto 17 see
Dohnányi in London
Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Sorochyntsi Fair,
Night on the Bare Mountain Alexander BORODIN
Polovtsian Dances
Latko Koroshetz, Bogdana Stritar, Slovenian National Opera Ch &
O/Samo Hubad, Vienna SO/Willem van Otterloo rec. 1955/8
PRISTINE AUDIO PACO053 [60:46 + 54:14]
[RB]
The
qualities we look for - that ardent listening experience we want to
repeat - are here in abundance.
Arvo
PÄRT (b. 1935) The Music for Organ
Kevin Bowyer (organ) rec. 1999
NIMBUS NI 5675 [78:43]
[DC]
Stimulating
and impressive, but only partly Pärt.
Ernst
PEPPING (1901-1981)
Three Fugues on BACH see HINDEMITH
Vincent
PERSICHETTI (1915-1987) Complete
Piano Sonatas Geoffrey
Burleson (piano) rec. 2005–7 NEW
WORLD 80677-2 [77:10 + 72:46] [RB]
Shatteringly
assertive, sanguine, glitteringly opalescent, plangent and kindly, and
stone-smashing.
Astor
PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Tango Etudes, Cuatro estaciones
Portenas
Cavatina Duo rec. 2008-9
BRIDGE 9330 [58:29]
[CR]
Musicianly
players … artistic expertise bringing light and shade and creating an
admirable sense of atmosphere.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863–1937)
Variations en ut mineur, Etude de concert, Trois pièces formant suite
de concert, Passacaille
Laurent Wagschal (piano) rec. 2009
TIMPANI 1C1178 [61:41]
[HC]
A
very fine survey of Pierné’s mature output for piano.
Gabriel
PIERNÉ (1863-1937) Piano
Concerto, Divertissements sur un Thème Pastoral, Ramuntcho
Suites 1 & 2 
Jean-Efflam
Bavouzet (piano) BBC Phil/Juanjo Mena rec 2009/10 CHANDOS
CHAN 10633 [67:23] 
[DC]
Very
fine indeed, and a high-quality programme with no fillers necessary.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH David L. POST (b.1949)
String Qts 2-4, Fantasia on a Virtual Choral
Hawthorne String Qt rec. 2002-7
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559661 [59:54]
[Byz]
Post
is a remarkable composer - not only inventive and technically capable,
but also a superb communicator.
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Symphonies 1 & 5
Sydney Symphony/Vladimir Ashkenazy rec.2009
EXTON 
EXCL-00042 [55:57] [AM]
Good,
clean, but ultimately unmemorable performances rendered in less than
ideal sound.
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Scythian Suite Alban
BERG (1885-1935) Lulu-Suite Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 6
Anna Prohaska (sop.) Simón Bolívar Youth O Venezuela/Claudio Abbado
rec. 2010
ACCENTUS MUSIC ACC20101 [95:24]
[RC]
A
sonic spectacular and a sight to behold.
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858
- 1924) Tosca
Karita Mattila (soprano) Marcelo Álvarez (tenor) George Gagnidze
(baritone) Metropolitan Opera O & Ch/Joseph Colaneri rec. live,
2009
VIRGIN CLASSICS
6419739 [137:00]
[GF]
For
great singing of the three central roles and with conducting that in
no way lets the performance down, the present set is well worth owning.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858–1924) La rondine
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) Roberto Alagna (tenor) William Matteuzzi
(tenor) Inva Mula (soprano) London Voices, London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio
Pappano rec. 1996
EMI CLASSICS 6407482 [66:16 + 54:19]
[GF]
You
can’t expect to hear/see the opera better done.
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858–1924) La bohème see
A Tribute to Mirella Freni
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Henry PURCELL
(1659-1695) King Arthur
Véronique Gens (soprano) Sandrine Piau (soprano) Les Arts Florissants/William
Christie rec. 1995
ERATO 2564 67743-4 [50:43 + 41:38]
[JS]
One
of the best I have heard.
Live
in Moscow
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Bells, Vocalise
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Festive Overture
Moscow State Chamber Ch, Russian Ntl O/José Serebrier rec. live,
2010
WARNER CLASSICS & JAZZ 2564 680255 [59:38]
[SV]
Pellucid,
near-audiophile quality. Serebrier is expert at eliciting expression
through sonority and color.
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Symphony 3, Isle of the Dead
Philadelphia O/Sergey Rachmaninov rec. 1929/39
NAXOS 8.111357 [59:17]
[JW]
If
you want these performances, this disc proves a canny and inexpensive
way to acquire them.
Sergei
RACHANINOV (1873-1943) Cello Sonata see
Russian
Music for Cello and Piano
Einojuhani
RAUTAVAARA (b.1928) Toccata, Laudatio Trinitatis, Ta
tou theou see PÄRT
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Music for Two Pianos
Stephen
Coombs, Christopher Scott (pianos) rec. 1990
REGIS RRC1356 [56:07]
[DM]
A
terrific disc – and a bargain to boot. Buy it.
Maurice RAVEL (1875–1937)
Piano Concerto see STRAUSS
Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Boléro see
SCHUBERT
Josef
REICHA (1752-1795) Cello Concerto see
SPOHR
Josef
Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839–1901) Organ concertos
Stefan Johannes Bleicher (organ) Cäcilia Chmel (cello) Musikkollegium
Winterthur/Douglas Boyd rec. 2010
MUSIKPRODUCTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG9011643-6 [57:58]
[GD]
Satisfying
if comfortable listening.
Franz
Xaver RICHTER (1709–1789) Sonatas for Flute,
Harpsichord and Cello - Vol. 1
Pauliina Fred (flute) Aapo Häkkinen (harpsichord) Heidi Peltoniemi
(cello) rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572029 [61:00]
[Byz]
For
admirers of music of the era, this disc represents an appealing prospect
- and Richter absolutely deserves much greater exposure.
Nikolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Scheherazade, Russian
Easter Festival Overture
Royal PO/Charles Dutoit rec. 2010
ONYX 4064 [60:88]
[GD]
Dutoit
really knows how to get the best out of an orchestra.
Nikolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Sinfonietta on Russian Themes,
Overture on Russian Themes see KALINNIKOV
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH George ROCHBERG
(1918-2005) Piano Music - Vol. 3 Partita-Variations,
Nach Bach, Sonata-Fantasia
Sally Pinkas (pno) rec. 1996-7
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559633 [67:26]
[DM]
Deeply
satisfying.
Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901–1999) Concierto de Aranjuez,
Fantasia para un Gentilhombre , Concierto para una fiesta
Alfonso Moreno (guitar) State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra/Enrique Batiz
rec. 1994
REGIS RRC1360 [69:04]
[RB]
Price
is low, performances neon lit and the music a delight to hear.
Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901-1999) Concierto de Aranjuez, Invocacion
y danza Stephen GOSS (b. 1964) The
Albeniz Concerto Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909)
España
Xuefei Yang (guitar) Barcelona I Nacional de Catalunya SO/Eiji Oue rec.
2010
EMI CLASSICS 6983612 [75:56]
[RB]
Thrummingly
immediate …. a delight.
Lauro
ROSSI (1812–1885) Cleopatra
Dimitra Theodossiou (sop.) Alessandro Liberatore (ten.) Coro Lirico
Marchigiano ‘V. Bellini’, Marchigiana PO/David Crescenzi, rec. 2008
NAXOS
2.110279 [114:56]
[RJF]
A
welcome hearing of a competent, but little known, Italian opera composer
overshadowed by Verdi.
Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) La Gazzetta
Judith Gauthier (soprano) Marco Orestano (baritone) San Pietro a Majella
Ch, Naples Czech Chamber Soloists/Christopher Franklin, rec. 2007
NAXOS 8.660277-78 [69.48 + 59.53]
[RH]
Charmingly
effective … you might well be entranced.
Gioacchino
ROSSINI
(1792-1868)
Arias
Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo) Wiener Volksopernorchester/Giuseppe Patanè rec.
1988
DECCA ORIGINALS 4782663 [64.11]
[RF]
A
welcome reminder of the start of a formidable recording career of one
of the great singers of her generation.
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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