|
 RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) West Side Story -
Cheyenne Jackson, Alexandra Silber,
San Francisco SO & Ch/Michael Tilson Thomas
rec. 2013 SFS MEDIA SFS0059 SACD [53:14 + 30:39] [JQ] A live recording of West Side Story that oozes class and sweeps the board.
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concertos 1 & 2 -
Ingrid Fliter (piano) Scottish CO/Jun Märkl rec. 2013 LINN CKD455 SACD [73:21] [ST] This is a winner all-round for its freshness, clarity and beauty.
Lars-Erik
LARSSON (1908-1986) Symphony 1, Fyra vignetter till
Shakespeares En vintersaga, Musik för orkester, Pastoral, Lyrisk fantasi - Helsingborg SO/Andrew Manze rec. 2011 CPO 777 671-2 SACD [76:06] [DM] Music of substance
and stature, eloquently played and beautifully recorded; a new and significant
journey has just begun.
Giacomo
MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Overtures and Entr'actes
from the Paris Operas - New Zealand SO/Darrell Ang rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573195[71:23] [DM] Intoxicating performances,
thrillingly recorded; Darrell Ang is one to watch.
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Chout Suite - London S O/Walter
Susskind rec. 1958 EVEREST RECORDS SDBR3001 [34:13] [DM] The Countdown/Everest team beats all rivals to the summit
with this remarkable reissue; a knock-out performance, too.
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) A Purcell Collection Voces8, Les Inventions/Patrick Ayrton, Barnaby Smith rec. 2013 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD375 [70:18] [JV] Some of the finest performances of Purcell's music I have heard in recent years.
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1875-1943) Songs - Evelina
Dobraceva, Ekaterina Siurina (sopranos) Justina Gringyte (mezzo) Daniil
Shtoda (tenor) Andrei Bondarenko, Rodion Pogossov (baritones)
Alexander Vinogradov (bass) Iain Burnside (piano) rec. 2012/13 DELPHIAN DCD34127 [3 CDs: 181:18] [SG] This set would be hard to beat by any standards – a deeply rewarding
and truly stimulating musical experience.
Roberto SIERRA (b. 1953) Fandangos, Sinfonía 4, Carnaval - Nashville SO/Giancarlo Guerrero rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.559738 [55:34] [BBa] Definitely one not to miss.
Sir William WALTON (1902-1983) Symphony 1, Violin Concerto - Tasmin
Little (violin) BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2013/14 CHANDOS
CHSA5136 SACD [76:30] [MG] A winning combination of sensitivity
and verve recorded with clarity and spaciousness.
French Violinists René Benedetti, Miguel Candéla, Renée Chemet, Jeanne Gautier & Jacques Thibaud
rec. 1941-55 MELOCLASSIC MC2016 [79:17] [JW] Wonderful – a real feast for violin lovers and specifically for those who revere French players.
Legendary Violinists in Germany 1938-44 Lilia d’Albore, Tibor von Bisztricky, Ruggiero Ricci, Nejiko Suwa & Gioconda de Vito MELOCLASSIC MC2018 [68:24] [JW] Meloclassic is doing me out of superlatives.
Play Edgar Moreau (cello) Pierre-Yves Hodique
(piano) rec. 2013 ERATO 2564 636958 [72:43] [JW] This
splendid recital, so astutely recorded, serves notice of a singular
talent.
Princely Splendour Choral works from 18th century Rome -
Harmonia Sacra/Peter Leech,
Martin Knizia (organ)
rec. 2013 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI 6273 [53:21] [JS] Much material for thought and enjoyment. Somewhat short playing time but when the quality and interest is so high this is easily forgiven.
Relique Di Roma III: Mortale, Che Pensi? Works by Carissimi, Leone, Marazzoli, Mazzocchi, Rossi & Stradella -
Atalante/Erin Headley
rec. 2011 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6266 [66.30] [GH] Ideal really. |
Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856) Le Corsaire - Maria Gutierrez, Davit Galstyan, Takafumi Watanabe, Juliette Thélin, O Ntl du Capitole/David Coleman rec. 2013 OPUS ARTE DVD OA1129D [110:00] [MMB] If you love narrative ballet as a consistent, harmonious work of an ensemble then, this production is rather enjoyable.
Tomaso ALBINONI (1671 - 1751) Trattenimenti Armonici - Zero Emission Baroque O rec. 2013 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94852 [56:00 + 52:08] [JV] Competent performances but not really compelling.
Sir Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006) Four Scottish Dances, Symphony
3 - London PO/Sir Malcolm Arnold rec. 1958 EVEREST RECORDS SDBR
3021 [44:26] [DM] A classic reborn; Arnoldians rejoice!
Øystein
BAADSVIK (b. 1966) Tuba concerto Jon Øivind NESS (b. 1968) Bogey Thresher Christian LINDBERG (b. 1958) Panda in Love - Øystein Baadsvik (tuba) Arctic PO/Christian Lindberg rec. 2012/13 BIS BIS2005 SACD [68:34] [DM] Two of the three concertos
are well worth hearing; Baadsvik shines throughout.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Brandenburg Concertos - Freiburger
Barockorchester rec. 2013 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902176.77 [44:43 + 45:26] [ST] Communication, elegance and freshness without startling
you too much out of your comfort zone.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Concertos for Two Harpsichords -
Masaaki Suzuki and Masato Suzuki (harpsichords) Bach Collegium Japan rec. 2013 BIS BIS-SACD-2051 [71:08] [DC] State-of-the-art Bach: extremely pleasurable.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cello suites 1 & 4, Viola da gamba sonata 3 -
Shirley Hunt (baroque cello and viola da gamba)
Ian Pritchard (harpsichord)
rec. 2014 LETTERBOX ARTS LA1001 [62:19] [LJ] Intelligent phrasing combined with liberating zest.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concerto 1,
Concerto for two violins,
Brandenburg Concertos 1 & 3 -
David Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh (violin)
Moscow CO/Rudolf Barshai
rec. 1959-76 MELODIYA MELCD10012127 [65:19] [RMo] The perfect sampler to introduce a novice to Bach’s music or as a souvenir for any aficionado of the art of three great musicians.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin sonatas 2 & 3 Giuseppe TARTINI (1692-1770) Violin Sonata ‘Devil’s Trill’ [12:44] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Sonata -
Christian Ferras (violin)
Pierre Barbizet (piano)
rec. 1956-60 MELOCLASSIC MC 2001 [73:09] [SG] A valuable addition to the Ferras discography, and one that will be warmly welcomed by violin aficionados like myself.
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concertos BWV 1041 & 1042 Pēteris
VASKS (b. 1946)
Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra ‘- Chamber O
of Europe/Renaud Capuçon (violin) Céline Frisch (harpsichord)
rec. 2013 ERATO 4632322 [60:00] [DC] Nice also-ran.
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) Orchestral Suite 3 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony 29 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony 1 - Kölner RSO/Otto
Klemperer rec. 1954/55 ICA CLASSICS ICAC5120 [74:20]
[RMo] One of the great 20th century conductors demonstrating his prowess in interpreting the music of the three greatest composers.
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) St Matthew Passion - Werner Güra
(tenor) Stephan Morscheck (bass) Lucy Crowe (soprano) Christine
Rice (mezzo) Matthew Brook (bass-baritone) Schola Cantorum of Oxford,
Maîtrise de Paris, CO/John Nelson rec. l2011 EUROARTS Blu-ray 3079654 [229:00] [JQ] A fine, committed
and very thoughtfully conceived performance of the St Matthew Passion.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Trios Vol. 3 -
Gould Piano Trio, Robert Plane (clarinet) rec. 2012 SOMM SOMMCD0135 [78:29] [BW] The alternative versions of these trios with clarinet are well worth hearing in these performances.
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Leonore - Edda Moser (soprano)
Richard Cassilly (tenor) Karl Ridderbusch (bass) Theo Adam (baritone)
Dresden Staatskappelle/Herbert Blomstedt rec. 1976 BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 94868 [77.20 + 78.19] [PCG] If you want Leonore
in the form that Beethoven originally conceived it then this remains
eminently satisfactory.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto 5 Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Concerto in D - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) O di Torino
della RAI/Mario Rossi, O di Roma della RAI/Massimo Freccia rec. 1959 TAHRA TAH 685 [57:11] [SG] The Beethoven is
a valuable addition to the Michelangeli discography.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Symphony 8, Overtures: Egmont, Coriolan, The Ruins of Athens & Leonore No. 3 -
London SO/Yondani Butt
rec. 2013 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6260 [66:42] [MG] Well played and recorded but interpretively rather too stodgy.
Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) West Side Story -
Cheyenne Jackson, Alexandra Silber,
San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas
rec. 2013 SFS MEDIA SFS0059 SACD [52:05 + 30:32] [HS] Idiomatic performances give Bernstein's own recording a run.
Maurice BLOWER (1894-1982) Symphony Dorothy HOWELL (1898-1982) Lamia Josef HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) Variations on ‘The Girl I Left Behind Me’ - Karelia State Philharmonic/Marius Stravinsky
rec. 2008 CAMEO CLASSICS CC9037CD [63.26] [GH] Fine and enjoyable works, well worth the investment in money and the time in listening to them.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partita 3 Nicolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) Violin Concerto 2 -
Henry Merckel (violin)
Association des Concerts Symphoniques de Toulouses/Jean Fournet,
Paris RSO/Manuel Rosenthal (Paganini)
rec. 1953/58 MELO CLASSIC MC2011 [72:26] Drollery and real panache.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) String Sextets -
Talich Qt, Michal Kanka (cello) Josef Kluson (viola)
rec. 2006/7 LA DOLCE VOLTA LDV 253 [79:57] [SG] The Talich Quartet’s distinguished recordings are making a welcome return to the catalogue, in celebration of its first fifty years.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonatas 1-3; Scherzo -
Catherine Manoukian (violin) Gunilla Süssmann (piano) rec. 2012 BERLIN CLASSICS 0300567BC [75:24] [NB] This disc is worthy of consideration with the very best.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Double Concerto Emànuel
MOÓR (1863-1931) Concerto for two cellos Qian Zhou (violin)
Qin Li-Wei, Sebastian Comberti (cellos) Yong Siew Toh Conservatory O/Jason
Lai rec. 2012/13 CELLO CLASSICS CC1031 [61:00] [JW] I wouldn’t spend too much time on the Brahms: the Moór
is the thing.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) A German Requiem - Sally Matthews (soprano) Christopher Maltman (baritone)
London SO & Ch/Valery Gergiev rec. 2013 LSO LIVE LSO0748
SACD [64:07] Really doesn't match up to any of the great German
Requiems [ST] A CD with the special qualities
of a live event. Christopher Maltman is superb, and the LSC sing with huge commitment [GPJ].
Havergal BRIAN (1976-1972) Symphonic Movements from The Tigers John FOULDS (1880-1939) Pasquinade Symphonique No. 1 -
Luxembourg RSO/Leopold Hager
rec. 1981 HERITAGE HTGCD270 [67:13] [JWh] Excellent Brian and Foulds from the 1980s.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 4 - ORF RSO
Vienna/Cornelius
Meister rec. 2012 CAPRICCIO C5150 [66:12] [SV] Worth hearing and
studying
but poses no threat to anyone's longtime allegiances.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 5 - NDR SO/Günter
Wand rec. 1998 ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 107243 [82:00] [SG] Certainly a performance I would return to — a compelling visual
document of a great Brucknerian.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 8 - Staatskapelle Dresden/Christian Thielemann
rec. 2012 C MAJOR 716108 DVD [89:00] [ST] There is
an inevitability about Thielemann's unfolding of this great musical
structure.
Gavin BRYARS (b. 1943) The Sinking of the Titanic - Gavin Bryars
Ens rec. 2012 GB RECORDS BCGBCD21 [74:40] [DC] Endlessly
fascinating and deeply poignant.
Gavin BRYARS (b. 1943) The War in Heaven; Epilogue from 'G' - Netherlands Chamber Philharmonic/Brad Lubman rec. 2011 GB RECORDS BCGBCD19 [54:02] [DC] Gorgeous and frustrating in roughly equal measure.
Dieterich
BUXTEHUDE (c. 1637-1707) Sonatas with Cornett - Le Concert
Brisé, Pierre-Alain Clerc (organ) Stefan Legée (sackbut)
William Dongois (cornett) rec. 2005 ACCENT ACC 24291 [63:18] [DC] A shot of Baroque sunshine.
Giulio CACCINI (1551 - 1618) L’Euridice Silvia Frigato, Furio Zanasi, Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini rec. 2013 NAIVE OP30552 [70.00] A full, expressive performance [LJ] Allowing for one or two weak spots in the cast this is a good recording of one of the first operas in history [JV].
Chris CAMPBELL (b. 1977) and Grant CUTLER Schooldays Over Christopher Campbell; Grant Cutler; Michelle Kinney; Jacqueline Ultan; Joey Van Phillips rec. 2013 INNOVA 862 Vinyl EP [20:29] [Byz] At best a well-produced album that communicates what little it has to say in a way that will satisfy those inexplicably intrigued by New-Age-type trifle.
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Mazurkas: Researching Chopin -
Nils Henrik Asheim (square piano)
rec. 2011/12 LAWO CLASSICS LWC 1049 [64:23] [BR] As historically authentic as a mazurka recital can get: dancing rhythms on an 1830s square piano.
Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990) Appalachian Spring, El Salón México, Danzón Cubano - New York PO/Leonard Bernstein rec.1961/62 HIGH DEFINITION
TAPE TRANSFERS HDDL444 [46:16] [DM] Vintage recordings lovingly
restored; pure gold.
George CRUMB (b. 1929) Sun and Shadow, Voices from the Heartland - Anne Crumb (soprano) Patrick Mason (baritone) Orchestra 2001/James
Freeman rec. 2013 BRIDGE RECORDS 9413 [62:03] [DC] Remarkable as ever: the final chapter of a stunning creation.
Léo
DELIBES (1836-1891) Coppélia - Sophie Cassegrain,
Yester Mulens, Cristian Oliveri, Ballet Victor Ullate Comunidad de Madrid
rec. 2013 EUROARTS Blu-ray 2059724 [88:00] [RMay] This
deserves a very warm welcome.
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Maria Stuarda - Elza van
den Heever (soprano) Joyce DiDonato (mezzo) Metropolitan Opera O &
Ch/Maurizio Benini rec. 2013 ERATO 2564 632035 DVD [142:00] [JS] Surely an essential part of the collection of any admirer
of the operas of Donizetti.
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Mirages, Cinq melodies ‘de Vénise’, La Chanson d’Ève & other songs -
Charlotte de Rothschild (soprano) Adrian Farmer (piano)
rec. 2014 NIMBUS NI5915 [69:12] [JQ] A good deal to enjoy in Charlotte de Rothschild’s Fauré recital.
Karl FIORINI (b. 1979) Violin
Concertos - Emanuel Salvador, Marta Magdalena Lelek (violin) Sudecka
PO/Bartosz Zurakowski rec. 2012 METIER MSV 28533 [49:56]
[LJ] Endearing sass and electrifying pyrotechnics.
Hans GÁL (1890-1987) Symphony 1 Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony 1 - O of the Swan/Kenneth Woods rec. 2013 AVIE AV2233 [61:07] [Byz] With this disc Woods has the honour of presiding over
the first-ever recording of all four of Gál's memorable
symphonies.
Michelagnolo GALILEI (1575-1632) & Vincenzo GALILEI (1520-1591) Intavolatura di Lauto - Anthony Bailes (lute) rec. 2013 RAMÉE RAM1306 [65.55] [GH] A fascinating mélange.
Philippe
GAUBERT (1879-1941) Music for violin, cello and piano -
Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian (violin) Henri Demarquette (cello)
Marie-Josèphe Jude (piano) rec. 2012/13 TIMPANI 1C1203 [64:34] [JW] A small but individual voice in the world of French music.
Sir W.S. GILBERT (1836-1911) & Sir Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The Mikado - Darrell Fancourt (bass) Derek Oldham (tenor) Henry Lytton (baritone)
Light Opera Ch & O/Harry Norris
rec. 1926 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO 087 [48:30 + 33:29] [MG] At its best you experience the life and intensity of ‘the real thing’.
George Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) Tamerlano - Xavier Sabata,
Max Emanuel Cenčić (counter-tenors)
John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Karina Gauvin (soprano) Il Pomo d’Oro/Riccardo
Minasi rec. 2013 NAÏVE V5373 [3 CDs:193:12] [ST] A first choice Tamerlano.
George Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) The Eight Great Suites - Danny
Driver (piano) rec. 2013 HYPERION CDA68041/2 [69:19
+ 72:25] [RMo] A superb recital … Driver encompasses both bravura
and tenderness.
Hans Werner HENZE (1926-2012) Symphonic Studies, Poems, Nocturnes and Arias, Der verwunschene Wald Michaela Kaune (soprano)
NDR SO/Peter Ruzicka
rec. 1999 WERGO WER66372 [61:18] Scorribanda sinfonica sopra la tomba di una Maratona, Antifone, Piano concerto -
Christopher Tainton (piano)
NDR SO/Peter Ruzicka
rec. 2001 WERGO WER66572 [50:44] Ballett-Variationen, Concertino, Das Vokaltuch der Kammersängerin Rosa Silber, Kammerkonzert - Christopher Tainton (piano) Matthias Perl (flute),
NDR SO/Peter Ruzicka
rec. 2002/3 WERGO WER66632 [71:56] [MC] Lovers of mid- to late- twentieth century music will be in their element.
Heinrich
von HERZOGENBERG (1843-1900) & Elisabeth
von HERZOGENBERG (1847-1892) Complete Piano Works - Natasa
Veljkovic (piano) rec. 2011/12 CPO 777 789-2 [3 CDs:
233:46] [LJ] An exquisitely crafted and energetically
performed set.
Vasily
Sergeyevich KALINNIKOV (1866-1901) Symphony 1 Aleksander
Konstantinovich GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Symphony 5 Aram
Il’ich KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Masquerade Suite - Czech
PO/Kazuki Yamada rec. 2012 EXTON OVCL004872 SACD [35:20
+ 52.51] [NB] Look elsewhere.
Johann Wenzel KALLIWODA (1801-1866) String Quartets 1-3 -
Talich Qt rec. 2005 LA DOLCE VOLTA LDV260 [76:15] [BR] A re-release for Kalliwoda's delightful string quartets, which firmly belong in the early romantic repertoire.
Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Violin Sonata, Song-Poem, Arrangements from Masquerade, Gayaneh & Spartacus -
Hideko Udagawa (violin) Boris Berezovsky (piano)
rec. 2000 NIMBUS NI6269 [58:16] [WK] The best available recording of the Violin Sonata.
Justin Heinrich KNECHT (1752-1817) Le Portrait musical de la Nature François-André Danican PHILIDOR (1726-1795) Overtures -
Torino PO, Prague SO/Christian Benda
rec. 2012/13 NAXOS 8.573066 [67:27] [LJ] The worlds of Knecht and Philidor come alive imbued with esprit and resilience.
Zygmunt KRAUZE (b. 1938) Piano Concerto 1,
Fète galante e pastorale,
Violin Concerto,
Suite de danses et de chansons -
Zygmunt Krauze (piano) Konstanty Andrzej Kulka (violin)
Polish RSO/Wojciech Michniewski, Jacek Rogala; Warsaw PO/Tadeusz Strugala
rec. 1980-2000 DUX 0996 [75:14] [DC] A modern ‘must-have’ – you’re in for a real treat.
John IRELAND (1879-1962) Earth’s Call -
April Fredrick (soprano) Mark Bebbington (piano) rec. 2012 SOMM SOMMCD 0137 [74.26] [IL] An enjoyable collection that will be welcomed by all admirers of John Ireland.
Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) Piano Concerto 1 Ruth GIPPS (1921-1999) Piano Concerto,
Theme and Variations, Opalescence -
Angela Brownridge (piano)
Malta PO/Michael Laus
rec. 2011 CAMEO CLASSICS CC9046CD [56.53] [JWh] A near miss, I’m afraid.
Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) Der Wildschütz Gottfried Hornik, Doris Soffel, Peter Schreier, Edith Mathis, Staatskapelle Berlin/Bernhard Klee rec. 1980-198 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94701 [74:34 + 76:58] [RMo] As long as you enjoy the Baron here, you will not be disappointed by the quality or indeed price of this Brilliant re-issue.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 6 -
Gürzenich O Köln/Markus Stenz rec. 2013 OEHMS CLASSICS OC651 [38:29 + 42:39] [JQ] A compelling reading of Mahler’s Sixth: one of the high points of Markus Stenz’s cycle.
Witold MALISZEWSKI (1873-1939) Violin Sonata,
Quatre Morceaux -
Les Explorateurs
rec. 2013 ACTE PREALABLE AP0285 [59:18] [Byz] Not cutting edge but beautiful music likely to enchant any audience from any age.
Francesco MANCINI (1762-1737) Flute Sonatas -
Tempesta di Mare rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN0801 [68:01] [DC] Nice way to fill a gap.
Tigran MANSURIAN (b. 1939) Double Concerto, Romance, Quasi parlando, Concerto
2 - Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin) Anja Lechner (cello) Amsterdam
Sinfonietta/Candida Thompson rec. 2012 ECM NEW SERIES 2323 [62:34] [DC] Another feather in ECM’s cap.
Sir Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b. 1934) The Lighthouse Neil Mackie, Christopher Keyte, Ian Comboy, BBC Philharmonic/Sir Peter Maxwell Davies rec. 1994 NAXOS 8.660354 [72.29] [PCG] The re-appearance of this dramatic opera in a blistering performance is cause for rejoicing.
Sir Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b. 1934) Suites: The Boyfriend, The Devils, Seven In Nomine, The Yellow Cake Revue -
Aquarius/Nicholas Cleobury; Peter Maxwell Davies (piano)
rec. 1989 NAXOS 8.572408 [71:02] [LW] An unusual selection of Maxwell Davies deserving renewed circulation.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony 2 - Bavarian RSO & Ch/Pablo Heras-Casado rec.
2012 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902151 [61:48] [MC] A
match for any of the versions in the catalogue.
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) String Quartets - Artemis
Qt ERATO 8256 4636690 [56:47 + 30:54] [MC] Fine
musicianship
balanced with considerable natural impetus and impressive security of
ensemble.
Ludwig
MINKUS (1826-1917) Don Quixote - Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nuñez, Royal Opera House O/Martin Yates OPUS
ARTE Blu-ray OABD7143D [125:00] [RMay] Imaginative and well
performed … more evidence of Carlos Acosta's creativity and versatility.
Emil MŁYNARSKI (1870-1935) Violin Concertos 1 & 2 Aleksander ZARZYCKI
(1834-1895) Introduction and Rondo Cracovienne - Eugene Ugorski (violin) BBC Scottish SO/Michał Dworzyński
rec. 2013 HYPERION CDA67990 [64:52] [NB] No great claims
should be made for these works but they are a delight to hear.
Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Overture for a Masque; In the Mountain Country; Rhapsodies -
Benjamin Frith (piano) Ulster O/JoAnn Falletta rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573106 [57:06] [WK] Falletta emphasizes the dramatic and rhythmic as opposed to the meditative but the quieter moments are still quite convincing.
Meredith MONK (b. 1942) Piano Songs -
Bruce Brubaker, Ursula Oppens (piano) rec. 2012 ECM NEW SERIES 2374 [47:08] [DC] A rare treat.
Xavier MONTSALVATGE (1912 – 2002) Folia daliniana; Madrigal sobre un tema popular;
Concertino 1 + 13; Cinco invocaciones al Crucificado - Perspectives
Ensemble/Angel Gil-Ordóñez rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573101 [62:36] [GF] Those
whose only acquaintance has been the Cinco canciones negras should grab the
opportunity to expand their knowledge by acquiring the present disc.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphonies 39-41 -
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century/Frans Brüggen rec. 2010 GLOSSA GCD 921119 [53:51 + 38:11] [MG] Deeply thought through and satisfying readings.
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Works for Piano Four Hands - Guillaume
Bellom and Ismaël Margain (piano) rec. 2013 APARTÉ
AP078 [58:56] [DC] No complaints – a cracking disc.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos 12 & 23 - Marianna Shirinyan
(piano) Odense SO/Scott Yoo BRIDGE 9408 [52:10]
[GPJ] Modern performances full of style and sensitivity and a love for the
music - you won't be disappointed.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Oboe quartet, Clarinet
quintet - Marco Gironi (oboe) Vincenzo Paci (basset clarinet) Quartetto
d'Archi del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia rec. 2011 DYNAMIC
CDS 725 [46:56] [SV] At first looks superfluous but these performance
go well.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Eine kleine Nachtmusik,
Adagio and Fugue, Divertimentos - Talich Qt rec. 1977 LA DOLCE VOLTA LDV279 [53:41] [BR] Non-essential but
very nice Mozart divertimento playing from the 1970s.
Arne NORDHEIM (1931-2010) Solitaire - Eugeniusz Rudnik/Polish Radio Experimental Studio BOLT RECORDS BRES11 (DUX 0997/8) [68:31 + 77:05] [DC] Superb presentation of some remarkably inventive electronic music.
Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914-1991) Bassoon Concerto, Symphony 9 - Robert Thompson
(bassoon) BBC SO/Andrzej Panufnik rec. 1987 HERITAGE HTGCD266 [66:56] [JWh] A splendid bassoon concerto.
Giovanni
Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Cantatas and Concertos - Valentina Varriale (soprano) Mauro Borgioni (baritone) Mauro Squillante
(mandolin) Renato Criscuolo (cello) Mvsica Perdvta/Renato Criscuolo
rec. 2012 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94763 [67:24] [JV] Whether
the versions recorded here are from Pergolesi's pen or not, it
is nice to have them on disc in such good performances.
Vincent
PERSICHETTI (1915-1987) Works for Violin and Piano - Hasse Borup (violin) Heather Conner (piano) rec. 2012 NAXOS
8.559725 [53:00] [LJ] Fine interpretations … well-crafted
performances.
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) Turandot - Lise Lindstrom (soprano) Marco Berti (tenor), Royal
Opera O Covent Garden/Henrik Nánasi OPUS ARTE OA1132D
DVD [137.00] [PCG] This certainly has more dramatic life than the Verona,
Met
or San Francisco productions.
Guto Pryderi
PUW (b. 1971) Orchestral Works - David Cowley (oboe) BBC
Ntl O Wales/Jac van Steen rec. 2011 SIGNUM SIGCD378 [71:52] [PCG] It is unclear why this recording has had to wait three
years for release, but it was well worth the wait.
Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Symphony 5, Dame Kobold, King Alfred & Die
Eifersüchtigen overtures, Abends, Prelude
to Dornröschen - Suisse
Romande O/Neeme Järvi rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHSA5135 SACD [80:55] I hope you will accept the challenge
of Lenore’s scintillating and often nightmarish ride [JW] Undeniably attractive … elegantly winning [Byz].
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Ma Mère L'Oye Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel) -
Anima Eterna Brugge/Jos Van Immerseel rec. 2013 ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT343 [49:27] [NB] A desert of disappointment with the occasional oasis of technical brilliance.
Igor RAYKHELSON (b. 1961) Piano Concerto,
Cello Concerto -
Boris Berezovsky (piano)
Alexander Kniazev (cello)
Russian State SO/Hobart Earle
rec. 2013 TOCCATA TOCC 0219 [59:24] [JW] Clever, thoughtful and often subtle.
Nikolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) The Tale of Tsar Saltan - Ivan Petrov (bass) Evgenia Smolenskaia (soprano) Evgenia Shumilova
(mezzo) Bolshoi Theatre O & Ch/Vassily
Nebolsin rec. 1958 MELODIYA MELCD1002199 [71:03 + 76:01]
[PCG] Rather more than just a stop-gap but the manner of its presentation
is to be regretted.
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Virtuoso Arias - Laurence
Brownlee (tenor) Kaunas City SO/Constantine Orbelian rec. 2013 DELOS
DE3455 [54:32] [ST] Sit back and enjoy.
Miklós RÓZSA (1907–1995) Suites from The Thief of Bagdad, Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, Sahara and Ben-Hur BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHAN 10806 [80:07] [HC] The Chandos Movies series goes from strength to strength with this wonderful release.
Frederic RZEWSKI (b. 1938) Piano Music - Robert Satterlee (piano) rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.559760 [55:38] [SA] A fascinating disc of music
from a truly interesting and thought provoking composer.
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Symphony 3 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Alborada del gracioso, Pavane pour
une infante défunte, Rapsodie espagnole - Joseph Adam (organ)
Seattle Symphony/Ludovic Morlot rec. 2013 SEATTLE SYMPHONY MEDIA
SSM1002 [64:00] [DM] Run-of-the-mill readings with sound to
match; not an auspicious start for this new label.
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Violin Concerto 3 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Concerto 5 -
Lola Bobesco (violin)
Südfunk-SO Stuttgart/Hans Müller-Kray
rec. 1961/62 MELOCLASSIC MC 2006 [55:27] [JW] A searching and assured violinist.
Antonio SALIERI (1750-1825) Chamber Music -
Paolo Pollastri (oboe) Quartetto Amati rec. 1994 TACTUS TB751903 [48:16] [TB] Very well organised but not in the least bit memorable.
Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Opera Phantasies - Volker Reinhold (violin) Ralph Zedler (piano) rec. 2013 MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 903 1819-6 SACD [74:16] [JWh] Enjoyable
but intonation problems and patches of insecurity.
Theodor von SCHACHT (1748-1823) Symphonies Vol. 1 -
Evergreen SO/Gernot Schmalfuss rec. 2012 CPO 777737-2 [79:33] [Byz] Very little of Schacht's music has been recorded, making this CD all the more collectable.
Heinrich
SCHEIDEMANN (c1595-1663) Organ Works Vol. 7 - Julia Brown
(organ) rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573119 [70:02] [JV] Scheidemann's organ
oeuvre is versatile and compelling, and Ms Brown delivers fine performances.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Four Impromptus Thomas OSBORNE (b. 1978) The Ends of the Earth -
Derek Kealii Polischuk (piano) rec. 2012 BLUE GRIFFIN RECORDING BGR301 [71:32] [LJ] Dark and otherworldly Osborne - humdrum Schubert.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Late Piano Sonatas - Paul
Lewis
(piano) HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902165-66 [55:15 + 67:58]
[DC] Superb set. Not all new however.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Arpeggione Sonata, String Quartet 14 - Archi dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia/Luigi Piovano
(cello) rec. 2013 ELOQUENTIA EL1446 [66:41] [RMo] Mesmerising: intense, thrilling and liberated in a way too few recordings are
these days.
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphonies 1-4 - Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2013 BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER RECORDINGS BPHR140011 Blu-ray video & audio/CD [56:18 + 68:56] [JQ] A lavish release of Rattle’s fine Schumann cycle launches the Berliner Philharmoniker’s own label in splendid style.
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Cello Concertos 1 & 2 -
Truls Mørk (cello) Oslo PO/Vasily Petrenko rec. 2013 ONDINE ODE12182 [64:59] [MC] Ondine’s disc sets out well played readings but there are some stunning alternatives.
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony 6 Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 6 - Bavarian Radio SO/Mariss Jansons rec. 2013 BR KLASSIK
900123 [75.25] [PCG] Those wishing to hear Jansons’ later
thoughts on these scores will be well satisfied.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphonies 4-6 - Mariinsky O/Valery
Gergiev rec. 2012/13 MARIINSKY SACD MAR0545 [59:40
+ 75:26] [ST] This set is definitely worth exploring.
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony 7 -
Hallé/Sir Mark Elder
rec. 2013 HALLÉ CDHLL7537 [76:20] [JQ] A very considerable performance of the Leningrad Symphony from Manchester.
John Christopher
SMITH (1712-1795) The Seasons - Emma Kirkby (soprano)
Tim Mead (counter-tenor) Hans Jörg Mammel (tenor) Markus Simon
(bass) Festivalchor Musica Franconia; La Banda/Wolfgang Ridelbauch rec.
2012 CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77382 [39:43 + 53:41] [JS] A
valuable addition to the catalogue.
Arthur SOMERVELL (1863-1937) Symphony Josef HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) Pantomime Suite Alexander MACKENZIE (1847-1935) La Belle Dame sans Merci Malta PO/Michael Laus
rec. 2011 CAMEO CLASSICS CC9034CD [69:11] [JWh] A worthy addition to Cameo’s continuing exploration of neglected British music.
John Philip SOUSA (1854–1932) Music for Wind Band Vol. 13 - Central Band of the RAF/Keith Brion rec.
2012 NAXOS 8.559729 [60:22] [BW] Well up to the high
standard set by earlier volumes.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Also sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan; Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche - City of Birmingham SO/Andris Nelsons rec. 2011/212 ORFEO C878141A [65:43] [JQ] A first rate addition to Andris Nelsons’ Strauss series with the CBSO.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Elektra - Evelyn Herlitzius (soprano)
Waltraud Meier (mezzo) Coro Gulbenkian, O de Paris/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec. 2013 BEL AIR CLASSIQUES
BAC110 DVD [133:00] [ST] Will this
staging go down as one of the great monuments in Chéreau’s
career? I doubt it.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Eine Alpensinfonie, Interludes from Intermezzo - Bavarian RSO/Franz Welser-Möst BR KLASSIK 900124 [68:45] [MC] Do join the Welser-Möst
on this spectacular Alpine journey.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Piano Quartet; Songs Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Piano Quartet; Songs -
Simone Kermes (soprano) Fauré Quartett rec. 2013 SONY CLASSICAL 88843 023672 [76:53] [TB] Piano quartets by the youthful Strauss and Mahler - on the face of it a useful and enterprising idea and the performances prove pleasing too.
Richard Strauss and his Heroines A film by Thomas von Steinaecker ARTHAUS 102181 DVD [75:00] [ST] Nothing to offer anyone who
knows Strauss’s world already … might make a useful present
for an interested beginner.
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Oedipus Rex, Apollon
Musagète - Jennifer Johnston (mezzo) Stuart Skelton (tenor)
Gidon Saks (bass) Monteverdi Ch, London SO/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec.
2013 LSO LIVE LSO0751 SACD [79:13] [JS] Well considered
and largely satisfactory versions of two of the composer’s best
works.
Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Etudes; Masques; Métopes ‘Trois Poèmes’ - Cédric Tiberghien
(piano) rec. 2013 HYPERION CDA67886 [74:36] [SG] Music well worth exploring.
Toru TAKEMITSU (1930-1996) Complete Original Solo Guitar Works - Shin-ichi
Fukuda (guitar) rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573153 [61:16] [BR] Shin-ichi Fukuda’s playing is impeccable, the engineering
outstanding.
Alexander TANSMAN (1897-1986) Triptyque Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Overture for Strings, Five Folk Melodies György SELMECZI (b.1952) Concerto for 4 violins György ORBÁN (b.1947) Court Dances -
Erdődy CO/Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski rec. 2013 DUX 0980 [61:30] [SA] Chock-full of the most wonderfully hummable tunes.
Alexander
TCHEREPNIN (1899-1977) Complete Piano Music Vol. 6 - Giorgio
Koukl (piano) rec. 2012 GRAND PIANO GP651 [59:43] [SA] Never a dull moment and with each additional listening one discovers
more layers.
Erkki-Sven TÜÜR (b. 1959) Piano Concerto, Symphony 7 - Laura Mikkola (piano)
NDR Ch,
Frankfurt RSO/Paavo Järvi rec. 2009/10 ECM NEW SERIES
2341 [62:44] [HC] A very fine new addition to
Tüür's discography.
Paolo UGOLETTI (b. 1956) Concerto for accordion & guitar; Emily Dickinson Arias -
Gino Zambelli (accordion) Giulio Tampalini (guitar) Lin Ling Hui (soprano) Brescia CO/Filippo Lama rec. 2012 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94762 [47:53] [LJ] Inimitably individual music.
Johann
Baptist VANHAL (1738-1813) Clarinet works - Jane Booth (clarinets);
John Irving (fortepiano) rec. 2012 SFZ MUSIC SFZM0413 [67:58] [BR] A
treat primarily for period-instrument enthusiasts and history buffs.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphonies 1-9 -
State SO USSR Ministry of Culture/Gennady Rozhdestvensky
rec. 1988/9 MELODIYA MELCD1002170 [6 CDs: 366:56] [JQ] The Vaughan Williams symphonies: From Russia with Love.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Piano Quintet,
Romance,
Quintet,
Six Studies in English Folk Song -
London Soloists Ens
rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573191 [73:04] [NB] A generous single disc survey of early Vaughan Williams chamber music coupled with a superb Six Studies - hard to beat.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) The Four Seasons - O of the
Age of Enlightenment/Kati Debretzeni (violin) rec. 2013 SIGNUM
SIGCD377 [41:20] [DC] Highly enjoyable, but not without its
frustrations.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Arias -
James Rutherford (baritone) Bergen PO/Andrew Litton rec. 2013 BIS BIS-SACD-2080 [78.44] [PCG] An admirable ‘sampler’ of the work of a singer whose assumption of the Wagnerian mantle is assured and highly idiomatic.
Józef
WIENIAWSKI (1837-1912) Piano Works Vol. 2 - Valentina
Seferinova, Venera Bojkova (piano) ACTE PREALABLE AP0291 [75:36]
[Byz] Some more pleasant than interesting but much is elegant and
within
the Chopin lineage.
Ildar
Abdrazakov (bass-baritone) Power
Players: Russian
Arias for Bass - Kaunas City SO & State Ch/Constantine
Orbelian rec. 2013 DELOS DE3456 [66.49] [RJF] This disc has given
me much pleasure. It is a tantalizing glimpse of a talent that could dominate
this repertoire on the world stages.
Adagio St. Michel Strings/José Serebrier
rec. 2011 ALBA ABCD341 SACD [66:57] [SV] An imaginative
assemblage of mostly new, and newish, works for strings.
Dinara Alieva (soprano) Pace mio Dio and arias Czech National SO/Marcello Rota DELOS DE 3462 [62.11] [RF] A highly promising and enjoyable debut by a soprano of wide vocal accomplishment, skills and taste.
America Works by Barber, Bernstein, Cage, Copland, Feldman & Reich -
SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart/Marcus Creed rec. 2012/13 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.306 [77:33] [LW] This unusual and varied programme of American choral music is warmly welcomed.
Animals in Music rec. 1988-2013 NAXOS 8.578281-82 [73:02 + 75:03] [GPJ] An imaginative selection of items on this two-CD issue, possibly aimed
at younger listeners, but varied and entertaining enough to be enjoyed
by all music-lovers.
Music from Armenia Works by Arutiunian, Babajanian, Gomidas & Stepanian - Heather Tuach (cello) Patil Harboyan (piano) rec. 2013 DIVINE ART DDA25075 [56:52] [SA] Their playing mirrors the players’ commitment
to the project and it shows in every note.
Adolf Busch (violin) The Berlin Recordings 1921-1929 -
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Rudolf Serkin (piano) Busch Qt rec. 1921/29 GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD2406-07 [56:16 : 65:53] [SG] Violin buffs will be overjoyed at this release which brings together
for the first time on CD Busch’s Berlin recordings.
Chansonnettes,
Frisquettes, Joliettes et Godinettes Doulce Mémoire/Denis
Raison-Dadre rec. 2013 ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT339 [60:57]
[GH] Doulce Mémoire have given enormous pleasure to early music
fans.
Colores Galician,
Basque and Catalonian Songs - Itziar M. Galdos
(soprano) Per Arne Frantzen (piano) rec. 2011 LAWO CLASSICS
LWC 1048 [65:39] [LJ] Graceful and flowing songs adroitly performed.
Colours of the
Heart Works by Debussy, Ravel, Grieg & Delius - Midori
Komachi (violin) Simon Callaghan (piano) rec. 2014 MUSIKALEIDO
MKCD001 [56:49] [JF] A great introduction to three fine violin
sonatas that have not received the attention they deserve.
Conversazioni
II: Duelling Cantatas Works by Gasparini, Caldara,
Handel & Domenico Scarlatti - Anna Dennis (soprano) Andrew Radley
(alto) Sounds Baroque/Julian Perkins rec. 2013 AVIE AV2296 [79:14] [JV] There is much to enjoy, but part of the repertoire doesn't
receive an ideal performance.
Gloria
Dresdensis Works by Brescianello, Pisendel, Hasse, Fasch,
Caldara, Sammartini & Handel - Dresdner Barockorchester rec. 2012 CPO 777 782-2 [70:52] [JV] Gives a good impression of the versatility and skills of the members of one of Europe's best chapels in the 18th century.
The Hidden
Violin Romantic Virtuoso Works for Solo Violin - Vaughan Jones
(violin) rec. 2013 FIRST HAND RECORDS FHR29 [57:33]
[BR] An important, interesting recital that fills big gaps in the solo
violin repertoire with premiere recordings.
A History
Of Dance On Screen A film by Reiner E. Moritz ARTHAUS
MUSIK 101690 DVD [90:00] [RMay] Will at the very least give
pause for thought.
Krossover Opera revisited - Tania Kross (mezzo) Netherlands
SO/Jurjen Hempel rec. 2013 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72628 SACD [53:25] [GF] Some of this seems too ironed out but there is so much
good here that lives up to high expectations.
Lob, Ehr und
Preis sei Gott Vocal
Concert Dresden/Peter Kopp; Sebastian Knebel (organ) rec. 2013 BERLIN
CLASSICS 0300553BC [71:47] [JV] Highly enjoyable ... first-class
singing.
John McCormack (tenor) A Star Ascending: Odeon Recordings 1906-09 MARSTON 54005-2 [4 CDs: 281:12] [JW] I’m delighted by this voluminous, scholarly box ... of lasting value … for all admirers of the great Irish tenor.
Maurice Maréchal (cello) Sonatas by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Sammartini & Tartini - Lily Bienvenu, Odette Pigault, Cécile Ousset (piano)
rec. 1948-59 MELO CLASSIC MC3006 [62:40] [JW] For admirers of Maréchal this is an indispensable release.
The Merton Organ Benjamin Nicholas (organ) rec. 2014 DELPHIAN DCD34142 [71:51] [JQ] A most auspicious debut on disc for the new Dobson organ in Merton College Chapel.
Michelangelo
in Song Works by Britten, Wolf & Shostakovich
- Sir John Tomlinson (bass) David Owen Norris (piano) rec. 2012 CHANDOS
CHAN10785 [62:52] [DM] Glimpses of greatness in the Shostakovich;
the Britten and Wolf settings disappoint.
Viktoria
Mullova (violin) Three
Classic Albums - Concertos
by Bartók, Brahms, Sibelius, Stravinsky & Tchaikovsky - Boston SO/Seiji Ozawa; Berlin PO/Claudio
Abbado; Los Angeles PO/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec. 1992/97 DECCA
478 6713 [3 CDs: 163:23] [NB] At bargain price
a tempting set and a valuable introduction to Mullova’s considerable
talent.
Schifanoia Recorder Duo Works by Guillemant, Philidor, Quantz, Simrock & Telemann -
rec. 2013 Private Release (no number) [48:45] [DC] Proof of the power of crowdfunding.
Denise Soriano (violin) Sonatas by Hahn, Mozart, Ravel & Saint-Saëns - Jeanne-Marie Darré (piano)
rec. 1958-60 MELO CLASSIC MC 2015 [78:33] [JW] Soriano was an important presence in French musical life and it’s right that her art should be celebrated in so thoughtful a way as this.
Vigilate! English polyphony in dangerous times - Monteverdi Ch/Sir
John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2013 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG 720 [77:23] [JQ] Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir are very persuasive and
stimulating guides to Tudor religious music.
Elena Xanthoudakis (soprano) Jewels
of the Bel Canto - Royal
Northern Sinfonia/Richard Bonynge rec. 2013 SIGNUM CLASSICS
SIGCD374 [70:34] [RF] Taken as separate items of vocal display
there is some interest here but lack of tonal variety and characterization
are major drawbacks.
Zemtsov Viola Quartet Works by Bowen, Malcys, Paini, Piazzolla, Weinzierl & Werkman - rec. 2013 NAVIS CLASSICS NC14001 [57:19] [DC] Top notch launch of a brand new label.
Other reviews
Essays on the Montemezzi-D’Annunzio Nave & Americans on Italo Montemezzi Edited by David Chandler.
Published 2012/14 Durrant Publishing [RJF] David Chandler’s research highlights a composer who was all the rage in America, and at the Metropolitan Opera in particular, for nearly fifty years. He is now largely forgotten, but, is perhaps, ripe for a renaissance, somewhat overdue.
Songs Of The Great War Keep The Home Fires Burning RETROSPECTIVE RECORDS RTR4236 [78.13] [DCh] For anyone interested in this, or just wanting to hear some of the golden voices and golden melodies of a century ago, it holds a strong attraction.
Pete Seeger & The Weavers Wasn’t That A Time? Their 28 finest 1949-1953 RETROSPECTIVE RECORDS RTR 4241 [77:00] [SA] For all those who knew them, it will be a real pleasure to hear this disc - for any that have never heard them, it will be a revelation.
Articles and Notices
Forgotten Artists: Anatole Fistoulari by Christopher Howell
Arthur Butterworth's The Path across the Moors by John France
Arthur Butterworth's The Path across the Moors Some further thoughts by John France
Paul Spicer in conversation with John Quinn
Ensembles - a third Blu-ray audio "extravangaza" from Euroarts - more than 14 hours on the one disc
From the MusicWeb International Listening Studio Another Audio Report by John Quinn
