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Alphabetical Listing

PART 4
M-R

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]


RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 3 Michaela Schuster (alto) Kölner Dom & Oper Ch, Gürzenich O Köln/Markus Stenz rec. 2010 OEHMS CLASSICS OC648 [33:25 + 60:38] [JQ]

This new Mahler Third deserves to be ranked with the best. 

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 2 Jo Vincent (soprano); Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Holland Festival Chorus; Concertgebouw O/Otto Klemperer rec. 1951 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC265 [71:26] [JQ]

An often electrifying account of Resurrection in a very successful transfer.

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 9 Bavarian Radio SO/Bernard Haitink rec. 2011 BR KLASSIK 900113 [79:53] [MC]

A compelling and deeply perceptive live account of Mahler 9 that ranks alongside the finest. 

Benedetto MARCELLO (1686-1739) Flute sonatas Trio Legrenzi rec. 1990 NEWTON CLASSICS 8802123 [47:58 + 49:22] [GPu]

Disappointing readings of interesting music. 

Tomás MARCO (b.1942) Symphonies 2, 8 & 9 Málaga PO/José Serebrier rec. 2010 NAXOS SPANISH CLASSICS 8.572684 [61:58] [Byz] 

Inventive, provocative Symphonies. 

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Symphony 4; Memorial to Lidice see Kubelík

Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Complete Solo Piano Works Stefan Irmer (piano) rec. 2011 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 618 1729-2 [79:43] [Byz]

Fairly conservative but certainly not unimaginative or dull. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Simon MAYR (1763-1845) Concerto Bergamasco, Keyboard Concerto, Trio Concertante Natalie Schwaabe (flute and piccolo), Andrea Steinberg (clarinet and basset horn) Bavarian Classical Players/Franz Hauk rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570927 [53:36] [DM]

Music of lilt and loveliness, winningly played; a joyful discovery. 

Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b.1934) Symphony no.3, op.119 (1984) [57:48] *Cross Lane Fair, op.167 (1994) [14:52] *Mark Jordan (Northumbrian pipes); *Rob Lea (bodhrán) BBC Philharmonic/Peter Maxwell Davies rec. 1993/1994 DDD NAXOS 8.572350 [72:40][Byz]


An almost essential purchase for everyone interested in contemporary British music.

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Piano Trio op.49 in D minor (1839) [28:51] Piano Trio op.66 in C minor (1845) [29:11] ATOS Trio (Annette von Hehn (violin), Stefan Heinemeyer (cello), Thomas Hoppe (piano)) rec. 2009, CPO 777 505-2 [58:21] [OL]

This is great music and the presentation is worthy of it.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Complete Works for Cello and Piano Luca Fiorentini (cello) Stefania Redaelli (piano) rec. 2012 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94368 [71:47] [SA]

A sumptuous feast of a disc that I can’t imagine could be bettered. 

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Violin Concerto Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Violin Concerto 2 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Concerto for Two Violins Igor Oistrakh, David Oistrakh, Leipzig Gewandhaus O /Franz Konwitschny rec. 1956/57 BERLIN CLASSICS 0300350BC [64:03] [MC]

I believe there are far superior recordings available of each work and consequently I have doubts who this disc will appeal to.

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Violin Concerto see San Francisco Symphony at 100

Gian Carlo MENOTTI (1911-2007) Goya Plácido Domingo, Michelle Breedt, Iride Martinez, Vienna RSO/Emmanuel Villaume rec. 2004 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101576 [101:00] [GF]

Domingo in splendid shape and this opera can’t fail to move appreciative and sensitive opera lovers. 

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum, Le tombeau resplendissant, Hymne Orch Natl de Lyon/Jun Märkl rec. 2008-2010 NAXOS 8.572714 [65:55] [DM]

Crude and shapeless; avoid. 

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Turangalîla-Symphonie Steven Osborne (piano) Cynthia Millar (ondes martenot) Bergen PO/Juanjo Mena rec. 2011 HYPERION CDA67816 [77:07] [NB]

A very strong case for being one of the finest all-round versions, but at full price. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Symphony No. 36 in C major, Linz, Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, Twelve Minuets, K568 Louis Kentner (piano) London Mozart Players/Harry Blech rec. 1954, 1959, 1956 , ADD FHR REMASTERS FHR15 [81:10] [MG]

Blech’s Linz symphony is excellent and ahead of its time.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Clarinet Quintet in A, K581 (1789) [31:30] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827) String Quartet No.10 in E flat major, Op 74 Harp (1809) [30:26] Ladislav Ružícka (clarinet) Martinu Quartet rec. January 2012, Domovina Studio, Prague ARCO DIVA UP 0150-2 131 [62:04] [JW]

This is a fine coupling, and will give much pleasure.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Operas from the Salzburg Festival 1966, 1982 & 2003 ARTHAUS MUSIK 107 521 [180:00 +189:00 +169:00] [RJF]

Outstanding singing in three productions spread over thirty-seven years. They illustrate changes in opera performance practice and production policy over that time. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Die Zauberflöte Suzie LeBlanc, Christoph Genz, Stephan Genz, Isolde Siebert, Cornelius Hauptmann, La Petite Bande/Sigiswald Kuijken rec. 2001 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94239 [3 CDs: 157:41] [GF]

At super-budget price, it can’t be faulted.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Zauberflöte, Symphony 39 Wilma Lipp, Irmgard Seefried. Anton Dermota, Josef Greindl, Erich Kunz, Vienna State Opera Ch, Vienna PO, Berlin PO/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. 1944/51 PRISTINE AUDIO XR PACO 075A/B [3 CDs: 200:14] [MC]

I’m unsure why anyone would choose these recordings over the many splendid, superbly performed and excellently recorded alternatives. 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Requiem Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony 5 Elsie Morrison (soprano) Monica Sinclair (contralto) Alexander Young (tenor) Marian Nowakowski (bass) BBC Chorus; Royal PO/Sir Thomas Beecham rec. 1954-59 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO 076 [77:52] [JS]

For Beecham enthusiasts this has always been a must, but in this much improved re-mastering it should now have a much wider appeal.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH 
Modest MUSSORGSKY
(1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition see Nobuyuki Tsujii

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Night on Bald Mountain see RIMSKY-KORSAKOV

Robert NELSON (b. 1941) Symphonic Scenes from A Room With a View, Two Spirituals, Christmas Cantata Debria Brown (soprano) Soloists of the Edythe Bates Old Moores Opera Center; Moores School SO & Ch/Charles Hausmann; Franz Anton Krager ALBANY TROY381 [73:09] [WK]

Vocal and operatic music from Houston by a composer who should be better known. 

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) The Masterworks Vol.2: Chamber and Instrumental Works rec. 1981-2007 DACAPO 8.206003 [6 CDs: 394:16] [GD]

Nielsen's music is excellently served here by Danish performers who really get inside the music. 

Michael NYMAN (b.1944) Sangam U. Shrinivas (mandolin) Rajan Misra, Sajan Misra, Ritesh & Rajnish Misra (voices) Sanju Sahai (tabla) Michael Nyman Band/Michael Nyman rec. 2002 MICHAEL NYMAN RECORDS MNRCD119 [59:26] [DC]

A definite horizon-widener. 

Johannes OCKEGHEM (c.1410-1497) Requiem, Missa Mi-mi, Missa prolationum, Alma Redemptoris mater Hilliard Ens rec. 1984/88 VIRGIN VERITAS 6284922 [62.46 + 67.47] [EM-L]

The music is glorious - inventive, uplifting, inspirational, yet there is relatively little in the performances to hold one’s attention. 

Norman O’NEILL (1875-1934) String Quartet, Piano Trio, Piano Quintet, Theme and Variations Michael Dussek (piano) Bridge Qt rec. 2012, EM RECORDS EMR CD005 [69:26] [GH]

This disc is a must.

Giacomo OREFICE (1865-1922) Chopin Steven Harrison (tenor) Mariusz Godlewski (baritone) Ewa Vesin (soprano) Gracjan Szymczak (piano) Wrocław Opera O, Ch & Children’s Ch/Ewa Michnik rec. 2010 DUX 0775/6 [48:05 + 41:05] [GF]

For inveterate collectors of Chopiniana and other collectors of curios. 

Charles Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) An English Suite see FINZI

Charles Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) Lady Radnor's Suite see BUTTERWORTH

Krzysztof PENDERECKI (b. 1933) Fonogrammi, The Awakening of Jacob, Anaklasis, De natura sonoris I, Partita, Horn Concerto Winterreise Urszula Janik (flute) Jennifer Montone (horn) Elżbieta Stefańska (harpsichord) Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2008 -2010 NAXOS 8.572482 [68:52] [LW]

Wit continues his Penderecki cycle with groundbreaking works and the more recent Horn Concerto. 

Johann Christoph PEPUSCH (1667 - 1752) Concertos and Overtures for London Mark Baigent (oboe) Crispian Steele-Perkins (trumpet) Sally Holman (bassoon) Tassilo Erhardt (violin) Kinga Gáborjáni (cello) The Harmonious Society of Tickle-fiddle Gentlemen/Robert Rawson rec. 2010 RAMÉE RAM 1109 [59:16] [JV]

A most enjoyable disc.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) The Year 1941, Symphony 5 São Paulo SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.573029 [59:48] [JQ]

An auspicious launch of Marin Alsop’s Prokofiev symphony cycle in São Paulo. 

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) The Great Operas rec. 1937-1958 REGIS RRC 9011 [13 CDs: c.14:00:00] [PCG]

We must be grateful for the opportunity to acquire these recordings in such a convenient format and at such a reasonable cost.

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 - 1924) Tosca Daniela Dessì, Fabio Armiliato, Claudio Sgura, Ch & O Teatro Carlo Felice/Marco Boemi rec. 2010 ARTHAUS MUSIC 101 594 [140:00] [GF]

Readers looking for a revolutionary interpretation need not bother but everybody else won’t be disappointed. 

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Il Trittico   O & Ch of the Royal Op Hse Covent Garden/Antonio Pappano rec. 2011 OPUS ARTE OA1070D DVD [181:00] [ST]

A wonderful addition to the discography. 

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Tosca see BIZET

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concertos 1 & 4, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Noriko Ogawa (piano) Malmö SO/Owain Arwel Hughes rec. 1998 BIS-CD-975 [81:44] [CH]

This disc raises questions that will only be answered by new recordings from the artist. 

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony 2 Melbourne Symphony/Tadaaki Otaka rec. 2010 ABC CLASSICS 476 4842 [61:49] [BR]

A reading at nearly the highest level which must have made a marvellous concert. Definitely far more than I expected. 

Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Grande Sonate, Piano Suite Adrian Ruiz (piano) rec. 1971/2011 GENESIS GCD118 [67:45] [Byz]

Everyone with a love of fine music will like what they hear here. 

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Pavane pour une Infante Défunte see TCHAIKOVSKY

Maurice RAVEL (1875 – 1937) Shéhérazade see Berlioz

Jean RICHAFORT (c.1480-after 1547) Missa pro defunctis Josquin DES PREZ (c.1450/55-1521) Miserere mei, Deus Cinquecento rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67959 [70:00] [DC]

Sublime inspiration from start to finish. 

Nikolay RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Le Coq d’Or Albert Schagidullin (bass-baritone) Barry Banks (tenor) Olga Trifonova (soprano) Yuri Maria Saenz (soprano) Ch Mariinsky Theatre, Orchestre de Paris/Kent Nagano ARTHAUS MUSIK 108 053 [108:00] [DM]

Flashes of inspiration; otherwise disappointing. 

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Scheherazade Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Night on Bald Mountain Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Gayane Czech Philharmonic/Zdenek Chalabala rec. 1953/5 SUPRAPHON SU 4094-2 [56:41 + 51:57]  [BR]

Chalabala remains the least-known of the great Czech conductors, but this two disc introduction shows him at his absolute finest. Top-rank. 

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Scala di Seta Daniele Zanfardino (tenor)Olga Peretyatko (soprano) Paolo Bordogna (baritone) Haydn O di Bolzano e Trento/Claudio Scimone rec. 2009 OPUS ARTE OA1075D [105:00 + 22:00 (documentary)] [JS] 

One should perhaps be grateful that this exists at all and some enthusiasm is due for the quality of the musical performance. 


RECORDING OF THE MONTH

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overtures see VERDI


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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