Jean
CARTAN (1906-1932)
String Quartets 1 & 2, Introduction and Allegro, Sonatine 
Ensemble Stanislas rec. 2010/11
TIMPANI 1C1187 [60:53] [RB]
Alive
with the conflict between succulent melody and tense dissonance.
Gaspar
CASSADÓ (1897-1966) Piano Trio see GERHARD
Evencio
CASTELLANOS (1915-1984)
Santa Cruz de Pacairigua (1954) [17.02] El Río de las Siete
Estrellas (1946) [14.55] Suite Avileña (1947) [24.26]
Orquesta
Sinfónica de Venezuela/Jan Wagner rec. 2010. DDD
NAXOS 8.572681 [56.23] [GH]
Buy
this and have some fun.
Niccolò
CASTIGLIONI (1932-1996) Terzina see BRITTEN
Ignacio
CERVANTES (1847-1905) 38 danzas cubanas [66:04]
Álvaro
Cendoya (piano) rec. 2010,
NAXOS 8.572456 [66:04] [BR]
Cuban
folk dances, two minutes long, with a saucy air and light-hearted charm.
Bob
CHILCOTT (b. 1955) Requiem, Salisbury Motets,
Downing Service, Jesus, springing
Laurie Ashworth (soprano) Andrew Staples (tenor) Nash Ens, Jonathan
Vaughn (organ) Worcester Cathedral Ch/Matthew Owens
rec. 2011
HYPERION CDA 67650 [79.39] [PCG]
A
superbly performed collection of what are all first recordings.
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto 2 see
BEETHOVEN
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Fryderyk CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Complete Waltzes and Impromptus
Vladimir Feltsman (piano) rec. 2-3 June, 2010, DDD
NIMBUS NI 6184 [70:28] [RMo]
This
goes straight to the top of my list of favourite Chopin CDs.
Francesco
CILEA (1866-1950) Adriana Lecouvreur
see Italian
Operas
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Claude
DEBUSSY (1906-1975)
Complete Orchestral Works for track listing see end of
review
Orchestre National de Lyon/Jun Märkl rec. 2007-2011
NAXOS 8.509002 [9 CDs: 9:08.49] [PCG]
Important
for its completeness but it has other claims to our attention as well.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Ariettes oubliées see
Paysages
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934)
Late Swallows see
Bliss
Edison
DENISOV (1929-1996) Clarinet sonata see clarinet
sonatas
Erno
DOHNÁNYI(1877-1960) The Complete Solo Piano Music:
Volume 1
Martin Roscoe (piano) rec. 2011. DDD
HYPERION CDA67871 [80:30] [JF]
All
enthusiasts of romantic piano music will to demand to have Roscoe’s
interpretation of these works.
Jonathan
DOVE (b. 1959) The Passing of the Year
Convivium
Singers/Neil Ferris; Christopher Chromar (piano) rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.572733 [69:23] [PCG]
Rejoice!
Jonathan Dove has rediscovered the part-song, and he has done it proud.
Bohemian
Rhapsody Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
(arrangements by Nicholas Ingman)
Members of the Czech Nonet; Helena Hnykovà (violin); František Kuda
(piano) Camerata Nova Prague/Josef Suk rec. Prague, 1988 (?)
MUSICAL CONCEPTS MC114 [76:20][JS]
Very
pleasant but adds little to our understanding or enjoyment of these
wonderful works.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Anton EBERL
(1765-1807) Trio, Potpourri en Trio, Grand Sextet
Trio Van Hengel; Alida Schat (violin) Vappu Helasvuo (viola) Bart Aerbeydt
(horn) rec. 2009/10
RAMEE RAM1103 [69:15] [Byz]
This
really is excellent music: as deep as it is broad, brimming with vigour,
poetry, harmony and brilliance.
Johannes
ECCARD (1553-1611) Fröhlich will ich singen:
Sacred and Secular Songs
Staats-und Domchor Berlin/Lautten Compagney Berlin/Kai-Uwe Jirka rec.
2011
CARUS 83.449 [58:10] [JW]
Affirmatory
and amusing, sacred and secular.
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Variations on an Original Theme, “Enigma”,
Cello Concerto
André Navarra (cello) Hallé O/Sir John Barbirolli rec. 1956-57
IDIS
6624 [59:08] [WH]
Superb,
vintage Barbirolli performances, but with some production problems.
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Light out of darkness, O
salutaris hostia 1-3 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me see
Rise
Heart
Morton
FELDMAN (1926-1987) Piano and String Quartet
Vicki Ray (piano) Eclipse Quartet rec. 2011
BRIDGE 9369 [79.13] [PCG]
Find
time to sit back and let infinity wash over you.
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924)
Chamber music for cello and piano
François Salque (cello) Eric Le Sage (piano) Paul Meyer (clarinet)
rec. 2011
ALPHA 600 [67:11] [GA]
If
the rest of this series of Fauré’s chamber music is of
this standard, it will be a compulsory acquisition for all lovers of
this composer.
Jean
FRANÇAIX (1912-1997)
Piano Music
Martin Jones with *Richard McMahon, +Adrian Farmer (pianos) rec. 2011
NIMBUS
NI 5880 [3 CDs: 59:23 + 64:48 + 66:54] [PCG]
Françaix’s
music gives enjoyment and pleasure and this collection does just that.
César
FRANCK (1822-1890) Violin Sonata see
French Impressions
Johann
Jacob FROBERGER (1616-1667)
Libro Quatro of 1656
Webb Wiggins (harpsichord, organ) rec. 2002
FRIENDS OF MUSIC FOM 10-027.28 [67:50 + 55:22] [DC]
Sensitively
programmed and lovingly produced - will not disappoint.
Hans
GÁL (1890-1987) Symphony 2 see SCHUBERT
Roberto
GERHARD (1896-1970) Piano Trio 1
Xavier MONTSALVATGE (1912-2002) Piano Trio
Gaspar CASSADÓ (1897-1966) Piano Trio
Trio Arriaga rec. 2010
NAXOS SPANISH CLASSICS 8.572647 [53:38] [Byz]
Piano
Trios of Gerhard, Montsalvatge and Cassadó, linked by their Catalan
identity rather than their musical styles.
George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Piano Concerto in F (1925) [33:53]; Rhapsody No.2 (1931) [15:54]; I
Got Rhythm Variations (1934) [8:53]
Orion Weiss (piano) Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/JoAnn Falletta rec.
2010
NAXOS 8.559705 [58:39] [JWh]
Controlled,
sophisticated virtuoso playing captured in fine sound.
George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Rhapsody in Blue; Piano Concerto; Three Preludes; Bidin’ my
Time
Dorothy Lewis-Griffith (piano) rec. 1989/92
ETCETERA KTC 1176 [60:15] An American in Paris; Novelette in
Fourths; Porgy and Bess; Second Rhapsody
Dorothy Lewis-Griffith (piano)
ETCETERA KTC 1419 [70:43] [DC]
Supplementary versions, but certainly of interest.
Ola
GJEILO (b. 1978) Northern Lights
Phoenix Chorale/Charles Bruffy rec. 2011
CHANDOS CHSA 5100 
[59:43]
[JQ]
Choral
pieces in excellent performances, though the music itself is more variable.
Benjamin
GODARD (1849-1895)
Piano Music
Jouni Somero (piano) world premiere recordings rec. 2011
FC RECORDS FCRCD-9738 [73:35] [RB]
Attractive
music which runs the range from salon trifles to romantic tempest.
Charles
GOUNOD (1818 – 1893) Faust
Jussi Björling, Elisabeth Söderström, Cesare Siepi, Robert Merrill,
Metropolitan Opera/Jean Morel rec. 1959
PRISTINE AUDIO PACO064 [77:20 + 79:23] [GF]
A
must for Jussi Björling’s many admirers.
Enrique
GRANADOS (1867-1916)
Goyescas, o Los majos enamorados (1909-1911) [52:08]
Garrick Ohlsson (piano) rec. 2011
HYPERION CDA67846 [64:09] [DM]
Exemplary
musicianship that’s long on technique but a little short on temperament.
Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Music for String Orchestra
Malmö SO/Bjarte Engeset rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572403 [71:13] [SV]
This
will delight and comes up with splendid depth.
Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) String Quartets Arne
NORDHEIM (1931-2010) Rendezvous
Oslo Camerata/Stephen Barratt-Due rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572441 [76.45] [PCG]
Admirably
precise playing that sparkles with electricity and brings a delightful
warmth.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sofia GUBAIDULINA
(b. 1931) The Lyre of Orpheus, The Canticle of the Sun
Gidon Kremer (violin) Marta Sudraba (cello) Kremerata Baltica Nicolas
Altstaedt (cello) Andrei Pushkarev, Rihards Zalupe (percussion) Rostislav
Krimer (celesta) Riga Chamber Ch/Mãris Sirmaisrec. 2006-2010 ECM
NEW SERIES 2256 [69.07] [GH]
No
praise can be too high.
Bo
HANSSON (b. 1950) Endless Border
Royal
Holloway Ch/Rupert Gough; William Baldry (organ) rec. 2011
HYPERION CDA67881 [67:41] [JQ]
Recent
Swedish choral music in excellent performances.
Sir
Hamilton HARTY (1879
– 1941) Piano Quintet, String Quartets 1 & 2
Goldner String Qt; Piers Lane (piano) rec. 2011
HYPERION CDA67927 [59:10 + 23:45] [BW]
No
lost treasures but attractive works idiomatically performed – should
win friends for Harty.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
Violin Concertos
Champs-Elysées O/Giuliano Carmignola (violin) rec. 2011
ARCHIV PRODUKTION 477 8774 [59:29] [MC]
Attractive
concertos and worthy of interest.
Hans
Werner HENZE (b. 1926) Being Beauteous see BRITTEN
Louis-Ferdinand
HÉROLD (1791-1833)
Piano concertos 1-4
Angéline Pondepeyre (piano) Egor Grechisnikov (violin) WDR Rundfunkorchester
Köln/Conrad van Alphen rec. 2010
TALENT DOM 3811 20+21 [49:50 + 39:03] [RMay]
Cheerfully
exuberant and light-hearted scores.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Herbert
HOWELLS (1892-1983)
Choral Works
The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/Stephen Layton Simon Bland and
Jeremy Cole (organ) 2011, DDD Original texts and English translations
included
HYPERION CDA67914 [64:09][JQ]
A
most distinguished release of glorious music by Herbert Howells, superbly
performed.
Howells
Requiem see A Song of Farewell
Leos
JANACEK (1854-1928) V mlhách (In the mists)
see Precipitando
André
JOLIVET (1905-1974) Trumpet concerto 2, Concertino
see Great
French Concertos
Josquin
des PRÉS (c.
1440-1521) Anonymous chanson: L’homme armé [0:37] Missa L’homme
armé super voces musicales [40:23] Missa L’homme armé sexti toni [33:06]
The
Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. 1989. DDD Latin texts, English,
French, German, Italian translations included
GIMELL CDGIM 019 [74:16] [JQ]
A
disc of Josquin Masses to savour
Douglas
KNEHANS (b. 1957) Fractured Traces
Jiři Hošek (cello) Douglas Knehans (computer) Jeffrey Krieger (electric
cello, synthesizer, electronics) Susan Narucki (soprano) Paul York (cello,
voice) Christian Wojtowicz (cello) Arabella Teniswood-Harvey (piano)
rec. 2011
ABLAZE RECORDS AR-00003 [54:44] [Byz]
Outlandish,
eerie and extravagant; in smaller doses it is also entertaining.
Fritz
KREISLER (1875-1962) String Quartet
Efrem ZIMBALIST (1890-1985) String Quartet
Eugène YSAŸE (1858-1931) Harmonies du Soir
Fine Arts Qt; PO of Europe/Otis Klöber rec. 2010
NAXOS 8.572559 [71:36] [Byz]
What
an intriguing programme!
Edwin
H. LEMARE (1865-1934)
Organ Works - Vol. 2
Lars Rosenlund Norremark (organ)
rec. 2011
CDKLASSIK CDK120 [51:27] [WK]
Convincing
performances of major works from the symphonic organ tradition. Can
we ask for more Lemare recordings?
Ruggero
LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919) Pagliacci see
MASCAGNI
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Totentanz, Petrarch Sonnets Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Piano Concerto 1
Sergio Tiempo (piano) Svizzera Italiana O/Alexandre Rabinovich-Barakovsky
rec. 2004-11
AVANTI CLASSIC 10382 [66:21] [TB]
One
of the leading pianists of our time.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) The Sound of Weimar: The Authentic Sound
of Liszt’s Orchestral Works Vol
2 Les Préludes, Orpheus, Ce qu’on entend sur
la Montagne NEW CLASSICAL ADVENTURE NCA60246 [56:34] Vol
3 Hunnenschlacht, Hungaria, Mazeppa Orch
Wien Akademie/Martin Haselböck rec. 2011 NEW CLASSICAL ADVENTURE
NCA60250 [58:07] [BW]
Liszt
as he would have sounded in Weimar in the 1850s is an attractive proposition
but there are less expensive rival recordings.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Via crucis
BBC Northern Singers/Francis Jackson; Gordon Thorne (organ) rec.1959
JADE
6997402 [37.36] [PCG]
This
recording really does ‘sell’ the music.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1826)
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Alexander SKRIABIN (1872-1915)
Piano Music
Andrea Vigna-Taglianti (piano) rec. 2009. DDD
SHEVA COLLECTION SH027 [70:58] [Byz]
Vigna-Taglianti’s
audiences for now at least should not waste their money on this product.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Tristia see
BRAHMS
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Piano sonata see
Precipitando
Leighton
LUCAS (1903-1982) Film Music see BENJAMIN
Witold
LUTOSLAWSKI (1913 – 1994) Symphonic Variations; Piano
Concerto; Variations on a theme of Paganini; Symphony 4
Louis Lortie (piano) BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2011
CHANDOS CHSA 5098 [67:25]
[MC]
A
fine introduction to Lutoslawski’s music.
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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