Emmanuel
CHABRIER (1841-1894) Orchestral Works rec. 1936-59
MAGDALEN
RECORDINGS METCD8015 [76:58] [PB-W]
You
will have great fun exploring this well chosen vintage selection.
Marc-Antoine
CHARPENTIER (1643 - 1704) Leçons de
Ténèbres
Stephan MacLeod (baritone) Arte dei Suonatori/Alexis Kossenko rec. 2011
ALPHA
185 [65:40] [JV]
A
disc to treasure.
Ernest
CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème see
Israel
Philharmonic
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto 1, Scherzo 2 see
Israel
Philharmonic
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade 3; Scherzo 3; Fantasy
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Sonatas 23 & 32
Van Cliburn, Claudio Arrau (piano) rec. 1959/60
ICA CLASSICS ICAD 5073 
[83:15] [JW]
Van Cliburn admirers can enjoy this for its near concurrence with the
piano competition that made him a star.
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Ballades 1-4, Scherzo 4, Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante
Mordecai
Shehori (piano) rec. 2011
CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD160 [62:49] [JW]
Shehori
has recorded a challenging set of the Ballades.
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Mazurkas
Russell Sherman (piano) rec. 2007
AVIE AV2262 [66:43 + 59:08] [BR]
Are
these eccentric readings of the Chopin mazurkas interesting? Yes, they
are. Are they good? I can’t be sure.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Cello Sonata, Violin Sonata,
Première rhapsodie, Suite bergamasque
André Lévy (cello) Marie-Claude Theuveny (violin) Jacques
Lancelot (clarinet) Jean-Pierre Rampal (flute) Geneviève Joy,
Franck Theuveny, Robert Veyron-Lacroix, Marie-Thérèse
Fourneau (piano) rec. 1953-57
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR 142 [56:47] [JW]
Much
of this interesting collection has been forgotten in the intervening
years, which makes its reinstatement here so valuable.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Sonata for flute, viola and
harp Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Introduction and allegro Francis POULENC
(1899-1963) Flute sonata, Trio
Pierre Pasquier (viola) Jean-Pierre Rampal (flute) Francis Poulenc (piano)
Pierre Jamet (harp) rec. 1952-59
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR 733 [63:57] [JW]
Cleverly
compiled and well transferred … some important recordings that
will appeal strongly to collectors.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer, Nocturnes,
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune see
Gary Bertini
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) A Mass of Life, Prelude
and Idyll
Janice Watson (soprano) Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo) Andrew Kennedy
(tenor) Alan Opie (baritone) The Bach Choir/Bournemouth SO/David Hill
rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.572861-62 [47:31 + 70:48] [WK]
A
stirring and excellently recorded version of Delius’ choral masterwork.
Fine singing by the Bach Choir and a stand-out reading by David Hill.
Maurice
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Requiem, motets &
complete organ works
Bo Skovhus (baritone) Randi Stene (soprano) Kristian Krogsøe
(organ) Henrik Brendstrup (cello) Aarhus Cathedral Ch, Vocal Group Concert
Clemens/Carsten Seyer-Hansen rec. 2010-2012
DANACORD DACOCD 726 [62:17 + 58:21] [JW]
Duruflé
presented in a thoughtful way, even though the Requiem will certainly
divide opinion.
Antonín
DVORÁK
(1841-1904) Violin Concerto Karol SZYMANOWSKI
(1882-1937) Nocturne and Tarantelle
Johanna Martzy (violin) Berlin RIAS SO/Ferenc Fricsay Jean Antonetti
(piano) rec. 1951/53,
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR 717 [53:45] [JW]
One
of the most assured and accomplished violinists of her generation.
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony 8, The
Golden Spinning Wheel, Scherzo Capriccioso
Malaysian PO/Claus Peter Flor rec. 2010-2011
BIS 
BIS-SACD-1976
[79:28] [TB]
With
imaginatively chosen couplings, this strong performance of Dvořák's
Symphony No. 8 is well worth hearing.
Antonin
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Biblical Songs see BRAHMS
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Romance see FUCHS
Petr
EBEN (1929-2007)
Job
Olivier d’Ormesson (organ) Hervé Lamy (chant) rec. 2008/9
PSALMUS PSAL006 [72:18] [JW]
I
was impressed by the concept and execution.
Jean-Frédéric
EDELMANN (1749
- 1794) Sonatas
Sylvie Pécot-Douatte (harpsichord, fortepiano) rec. 1998
PHAIA MUSIC PHU012.14 [3 CDs: 213:27] [JV]
Edelmann's sonatas are well worth investigating but this set
has serious production errors.
Werner
EGK (1901-1983) Die Zaubergeige (highlights);
La Tentation de Saint Antoine
rec. 1956
MAGDALEN RECORDINGS METCD8018 [74:09] [RB]
If
you are looking to challenge your preconceptions and widen your knowledge
of the deep treasure chest of 20th century music then this
disc is for you.
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) The Starlight Express
Simon
Callow, Elin Manahan Thomas, Roderick Williams, Scottish CO/Andrew Davis
rec. 2012
CHANDOS CHSA5111 [58:03
+ 80:05] [WK]
Sir
Andrew’s version is the one to get.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Violin Sonata see GURNEY
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Variations on an Original
Theme see
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Enigma Variations
see VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Duke
ELLINGTON (1899-1974) Harlem, Black, Brown,
and Beige, Three Black Kings, The River
&dagger
Sal Andolina (clarinet, alto saxophone) Tony Di Lorenzo (trumpet) Amy
Licata (violin) Buffalo PO/JoAnn Falletta rec. 2012
NAXOS 8.559737 [78:30] [RB]
A
vital and very generous collection showcasing a concert Ellington who
loved his commercial roots yet had more to give and gave it.
George
ENESCU (1881-1955) Cello Sonatas 1 & 2
Alexandre Dmitriev (cello) Alexandre Paley (piano) rec. 2009
SAPHIR PRODUCTIONS LVC 1170 [67:03] [JW]
A
cautious recommendation.
Óscar
ESPLÁ (1889-1976)
Music for Piano 
Martin Jones (piano) rec. 2012.
NIMBUS RECORDS NI 5889 [78:02 + 69:11] [DC]
A
Spanish holiday – surprising and unforgettable for all the right reasons.
Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) La Vida Breve: Interlude
& Dance see TCHAIKOVSKY
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Pelléas et
Mélisande Suite Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Capriccio italien Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Romeo and Juliet Excerpts
Dresdner
Philharmonie/Michael Sanderling
GENUIN CLASSICS GEN12238 [62:59] [MC]
This
release will have a wide appeal.
Eduard
FRANCK (1817-1893)
Piano Trio, Cello Sonata, Violin Sonata
Shmuel Ashkenasi (violin); Yehuda Hanani (cello); James Tocco (piano)
rec. 2009/10
NAXOS 8.572480 [79:51] [IL]
Not
earth-shaking but quite delightful. It is shameful that it has been
so neglected.
Robert
FUCHS (1847-1927)
Viola Sonata, Six Phantasy Pieces Joseph JOACHIM
(1831-1907) Variations on an Original Theme Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Romance
Patricia McCarty (viola) Eric Larsen (piano) rec. 2007/9/10
ASHMONT MUSIC 1012 [79:49][JW]
Fine
performances so viola lovers yet to encounter Fuchs might usefully discover
this disc.
Vivian
FUNG (b.1975)
Violin Concerto, Glimpses, Piano Concerto
Kristin Lee (violin) Conor Hanick (piano, prepared piano) Metropolis
Ensemble/Andrew Cyr rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.573009 [57:11] [Byz]
Understated
but brilliant … technically demanding but musically riveting.
Roberto
GERHARD (1896-1970)
Clarinet sonata, Dos apunts, Andantino Joaquim
HOMS (1906-2003) Soliloquy, Impromptu, Inventions,
Violin sonata, Clarinet trio
David Ballasteros (violin) Cristo Barrios (clarinet) Gustavo Díaz-Jerez
(piano) rec. 2011
COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0283 [53:34] [JW]
Discreet
but not evasive chamber works.
George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937) A Damsel in Distress
& other works
Johannette Zomer (soprano) Haags Saxophone Quartet, Michel Ponsioen
(percussion) The Gents/Béni Csillag rec. 2011
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA33312
[56:42] [DM]
Much
to enjoy here.
Jan
van GILSE (1881-1944)
Symphony 4, Concert Overture, Funeral Music on the Death of Uilenspiegel
Netherlands
SO/David Porcelijn rec. 2010
CPO 777 689-2 [62.33] [GH]
Well
served by these highly polished and committed performances and by a
wonderfully rich and clear recording.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Peggy GLANVILLE-HICKS
(1912–1990) Sappho
Gulbenkian O/Jennifer Condon rec. 2012
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0154-55 [61:21 + 66:48] [JS]
An
important discovery in a very individual style with the emphasis on
texture and tone, melody and heterophony.
Philip
GLASS (b.
1937) Einstein on the Beach (highlights) Documentary: The
Changing Image of Opera
Philip Glass Ensemble rec. 1984
ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0083 [77:00 + DVD 58:00] [KM]
If you care about Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach you simply must
get this if only for the DVD documentary.
Philip
GLASS (b.
1937) Tara Hugo sings Philip Glass
Tara Hugo (mezzo) various accompanists, Trevor Gureckis (conductor/pianist)
rec. 2012
ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM 0084 [50:41] [MC]
Those
who enjoy the music of Philip Glass should not hesitate.
Reinhold
GLIÈRE (1875
- 1956) Concerto for Coloratura Soprano see Coloratura
Mikhaďl
GLINKA (1804-1857)
Treasures for the Pianoforte
Tatiana Loguinova (pianoforte) rec. 2011
PHAEDRA CLASSICS 292026 [52:33] [SA]
Perfectly
showcases these charming and delightful pieces.
Alexander
GOEHR (b.1932)
When Adam Fell, Two Pastorals, Marching to Carcassonne
Peter
Serkin (piano) BBC SO, London Sinfonietta/Oliver Knussen rec. 2003-12
NAXOS
8.573052 [63:06] [RB]
A
milky dissonance yet with a sense of line and continuity. Finely calculated
performances.
Jewish
Spirits Osvaldo
GOLIJOV (b.1960) The Dreams and Prayers of
Isaac the Blind Ernest BLOCH
(1880-1959) Jewish Life, Abodah
Michel Lethiec (clarinet) Itamar Golan (piano) Artis Quartet rec. 2008-2011
SAPHIR
PRODUCTIONS LVC 1175 [47:32] [SA]
An
opportunity to get to know the magic of klezmer in a classical music
framework.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ivor GURNEY
(1890-1937)
Violin Sonata Lionel SAINSBURY (b.
1958) Soliloquy Sir Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Violin Sonata
Rupert Marshall-Luck (violin) Matthew Rickard (piano) rec. 2012
EM RECORDS EMR CD011[68:31] [JQ]
An
important disc which unveils Ivor Gurney’s Violin Sonata to a worldwide
audience.
Ivor
GURNEY (1890-1937) Songs
Susan Bickley (mezzo) Iain Burnside (piano) rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572151 [71:36] [JQ]
A
very fine recital containing many first rate Gurney songs.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Finest Arias for
Base Voice
Christopher Purves (bass) Arcangelo/Jonathan Cohen rec. 2011
HYPERION CDA67842 [70:54] [BW]
Worthy
of comparison with the great Handel basses of the past.
Georg
Friedrich HANDEL (1685-1759) Concerti Grossi Op.6
Combattimento
Consort Amsterdam/Jan Willem de Vriendrec. 2010
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72570
[3 CDs: 153:25] [DC]
Snap
this one up while you can.
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Organ Concertos Vol.
2 Paolo
Grazzi (oboe) La Davina Armonia/Lorenzo Ghielmi (organ) rec. 2012
PASSACAILLE PAS990 [74:16] [BW]
This
impressed me greatly right out of the box.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Die Jahreszeiten, Die Schöpfung
Helen
Donath (soprano) Adalbert Kraus (tenor) Kurt Widmer (bass) Süddeutsches
Madrigalchor, Ludwigsburger Festspiele O/Wolfgang Gönnenwein
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94384 [4 CDs: 248:08] [GF]
As
a first recording of the two oratorios one could feel satisfied with
Gönnenwein but others are to be preferred.
Erdem
HELVACIOĞLU (b.1975)/Ulrich
MERTIN (b.1977) Planet X
Erdem Helvacıoğlu (TogaMan GuitarViol, electric guitar,
drum programming, electronics); Ulrich Mertin (viola, 5-string electric
violin, vocals)
INNOVA 798 [44:22] [Byz]
For
those interested in American-flavoured electronica this is an interesting
if stark destination.
Kenneth
HESKETH (b. 1968) Dei Destini Incrociati,
Aphorisms, Three Pieces in the Shape of a Shoe, Theatre of Attraction
Psappha/Nicholas Kok
Private Issue [64:38] [CT]
Emotionally
compelling and driven … an illuminating cross-section of the composer’s
chamber output.
Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1955) Pacific 231, Rugby see
STRAVINSKY
Johann
Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778 - 1837) Violin Sonatas
Michael Jarvis (fortepiano), Paul Luchkow (violin, viola) rec. 2011
MARQUIS
MAR 81419 [62:53] [JV]
Intimate
and sensitive performances of three sonatas by Hummel.
John
IRELAND (1879-1962) Piano Music - Vol. 4
Mark Bebbington (piano) rec. 2011
SOMM SOMMCD 0115 [74:54] [JW]
This
newcomer has much to commend it.
Andrés
ISASI (1890-1940)
String Quartets 0 & 2
Isasi Qt rec. 2010
NAXOS SPANISH CLASSICS 8.572463 [55:00] [Byz]
Elegance,
wistfulness, folk influences, memorable melodies, minor keys and a lack
of pretentiousness.
Nicholas
JACKSON (b. 1934) Mass for a Saint’s
Day, Requiem and other choral works
Soloists; David Goode/Jeremy Filsell (organ) The Rodolfus Choir/Ralph
Allwood rec. 2006/07
NAXOS 8.570959 [75:50] [JQ]
Nicholas
Jackson’s liturgical music is impressive and it’s been splendidly
served here.
David
JENNINGS (b.1972)
Piano Sonata, Sonatinas 1-3, Prelude and Fugue, Three Lyrical Pieces,
Miniature Suite, Harvest Moon Suite
James Willshire (piano) rec. 2012
DIVINE ART DDA 25110 [78:10] [JW]
A
composer admirably equipped in writing for the piano.
Joseph
JOACHIM (1831-1907) Variations on an Original Theme
see FUCHS
Mary
Ann JOYCE-WALTER (b.1937)
Cantata for the Children of Terezín, Aceldama
Oxnaya Oleskaya (soprano), King Singers of Kiev, Kiev PO/Robert
Ian Winstin rec. 2007
RAVELLO RR7845 [50:40] [OL]
Music
with a message.
Aram
KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Concerto-Rhapsody, Sonata-Monologue
Sergei LYAPUNOV (1859-1924)
Violin Concerto
Hideko Udagawa (violin) Royal PO/Alan Buribayev rec. 2011
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD312 [57:49] [NB]
Not
a disc I will return to.
Edouard
LALO (1823-1892) Le Roi d’Ys
Giuseppina Piunti, Guylaine Girard, Sébastien Guèze, Werner
van Mechelen, Royal Wallonian Opera/Patrick Davin rec. 2008
DYNAMIC CDS 592/1-2 [58.46 + 44.11] [PCG]
Little
more than a stop-gap until the Erato set re-appears.
Mario
LAVISTA (b.1943)
Complete String Quartets
Cuarteto Latinoamericano rec. 2007
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0106 [75:27] [Byz]
This
disc should be part of any serious music lover's collection.
Ernesto
LECUONA (1895-1963) Piano music - Clara Rodríguez (piano)
rec. 2004 NIMBUS NI6214 [66:54] [JW]
Clara
Rodríguez’s Lecuona selection is as fine as anyone’s.
Giovanni
LEGRENZI (1626 - 1690) Il Sedecia
Francesca Lombardi, Lisa Serafini (sopranos) Oficina Musicum/Riccardo
Favero rec. 2010
DYNAMIC CDS 711 [61:39] [JV]
A
welcome release although the interpretation falls short of fully exploring
the oratorio's dramatic character.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Piano Concertos 1 & 2, Totentanz, Fantasy on Hungarian Folk Tunes
Nareh
Arghamanyan (piano) Berlin RSO/Alain Altinoglu rec. 2012
PENTATONE CLASSICS
PTC 5186 397 [72:24] [MC]
Keen
concentration and splendid musicianship.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Sonata, Three Petrarch
Sonnets Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916)
Goyescas: El amor y la muerte
Domenico Codispoti (piano) rec. 2011
ODRADEK 855317 003035 [62.10] [PCG]
An
excellent pianist one would look forward to encountering in different
repertoire which could be enjoyed without invidious comparisons.
Witold
LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Symphony 2, Cello Concerto,
Mała Suite, Grave
Paul Watkins (cello) BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2011
CHANDOS CHSA 5106
[70:04] [MC]
Compelling
music-making.
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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