> Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - Dec 2002 part 5 S-Y: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Excerpts from five of his popular operas: Bohème (1896); Madama Butterfly (1904); Tosca (1900); Turandot (1926); Manon Lescaut (1893) Bargain price EMI CLASSICS 5 75576 2 [5CDs: 289.40] [RJF]

Not generously timed but has its moments of tenderness and visceral excitement … see Full Reviews

Josef Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Complete Organ Works Vol.7: Sonata in E flat major, No.13, Op.161: Phantasie; Maestoso, Adagio-Canzone; Allegretto-Intermezzo; Largo-Fuge; Allabreve - Charakterstücke für Orgel, op.156: Präludium; Con moto-Romanze; Andante-Canzonetta; Andantino-Intermezzo; Allegretto-Vision; Adagio molto-Duett; Andantino amabile-In memoriam; Con moto-Pastorale; Andantino-Klage; Lrgo-Abdefriede; Lento-Passacaglia; Lento maestoso-Trauermarsch; Alla marcia Rudolf Innig, Organist - Organ by: Kuhn, 1879, St Johann at Schaffhausen, Germany - Recorded:8-9/05/2002, Schaffhausen MDG 317 0897-2 [71’39] [CA]

Innig has a very good sense of expressiveness and his use of rubato is well handled … see Full Review

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) The three violin concertos Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major Op. 20 (1859) Allegro - Andante espressivo Violin Concerto No. 2 in C major Op. 58 (1858) Allegro moderato e maestoso Andante espressivo Allegro scherzando quasi allegretto Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor Op. 61 (1880) Allegro non troppo Andantino quasi allegretto Molto moderato e maestoso Liviu Prunaru (violin) Ensemble Orchestral de Paris/Lawrence Foster (conductor) Recorded in the church of Notre Dame du Liban, Paris 20-24 May 2002 CLAVES CD 50 - 2210 [75.46] [CF]

Somewhat understated performances … see Full Review


Leonard SALZEDO (1921-2000) Partita Op.112 (1975) Sonatina for Tuned Gongs and Piano Op. 115 (1976) Four Antiphones for Chorus, Tuned Gongs and Piano Op. 121 (1977) Giuoco Dei Colpi Op. 105 (1972) Epifanía Op. 131 (1980)
Lou Cucunato (piano) Wayne Cook (trumpet) The Christopher String Quartet (Italy) The UW-M Concert Chorale – Robert Porter and Sharon Hansen (directors) The UW-M Music-With-Percussion Ensemble and The Milwaukee 20th Century Ensemble – Pavel Burda (director) Recorded at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of the Arts, Recital Hall ALBANY TROY511 DDD [62:41] [CT]

A recording not without its inconsistencies but nonetheless a most welcome addition to the tragically small Salzedo discography. … see Full Review

Friedrich SCHENKER (born 1942) Flötensinfonie (1976) Werner Tast (flute) Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester Leipzig/Wolf-Dieter Hauschild Recorded: Bethanienkirche, Leipzig, February 1980 BERLIN CLASSICS 0013042BC [40:40] [HC]

A substantial and weighty piece of music, though rather demanding … only yields its secrets on repeated hearings … see Full Review

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934 – 1998) Piano Sonata No. 1 (1987) - Piano Sonata No. 2 (1990) - Piano Sonata No. 3 (1992) Ragna Schirmer (piano) - Recorded: Halle Saale Freylinghausen, August 2000 BERLIN CLASSICS 0017292BC [66:20] [GH]

Three works are of very considerable stature … even greatness. … see Full Review

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) The Romantic Music of Arnold Schoenberg - Verklärte Nacht Op. 4 (1917, rev. 1943) - Sehr langsam - Etwas bewegter - Schwer betont - Sehr breit und langsam - Sehr ruhig - Pelleas und Melisande Op. 5 (1902) - Anfang - Sehr rasch - Ein wenig bewegt - Sehr langsam Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Yoel Levi (conductor) - Recorded in Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA on 2 October 1993 and 5 and 7 March 1994 TELARC CD-80372 [77. 35] [CF]

The passionate string playing does this orchestra great credit … see Full Review

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874 – 1951) A Survivor from Warsaw Op.46 (1947)a - Nancy VAN DE VATE (born 1930) Katyn (1989) - Krakow Concerto (1988) - Krysztof PENDERECKI (born 1933) Dies Irae (1967)b - Daniel Olbrychski (narrator); Olga Szwajgier (soprano)b; Zygmund Jankowski (tenor)b; Leonard Mroz (bass)b; Polish Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Szymon Kawalla - Recorded: Philharmonic Hall, Krakow, November-December 1989 VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3015 [70:55]

An unquestionably universal appeal that far transcends the concert which gave rise to this recording … see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797 - 1828) Lazarus (1820/1994) - Oder Die Feier der Auferstehung - Religiöses Drama in drei Akten D689 - Text von August Hermann Niemeyer - completed by Edison DENISOV (1929-1996) Maria - Sibylla Rubens (Soprano) - Martha - Camilla Nylund (Soprano) - Jemina - Simone Nold (Soprano) - Lazarus - Scot Weir (Tenor) - Nathanael - Kurt Azesberger (Tenor) - Ein Jüngling - Christian Voigt (Tenor) - Simon - Mattias Goerne (Bass) - Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart Bach-Collegium Stuttgart/Helmuth Rilling - Recorded. 22-26 January 1996, Stadthalle, Sindelfingen, Germany. BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99969 [2CDs: 71.41+59.01] [RH]

A fascinating but flawed attempt to shed new light on Schubert's lesser known, incomplete oratorio….see Full Review

Franz Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Complete String Quartets, Volume 4 - String Quartet No. 8 in B flat major, D. 112, Opus 168 [25:49] - String Quartet No. 1 in C minor/B flat major, D. 18 [16:06] - String Quartet No. 4 in C major, D 46 [22:36] Kodaly Quartet (Attila Falvay, violin I, Tamás Szabó, violin II, János Fejérvári, viola, György Éder, cello) - Recorded at the Unitarian Church in Budapest, Hungary from 11-14 December 2000. DDD NAXOS 8.555921 [64:31] [KS]

Melodic passages truly sing and I was struck by the ability to phrase like a singer. … see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartet in E flat major, D87 - Quartettsatz in C minor, D703 - String Quartet in A minor, D804 ‘Rosamunde’ Borodin String Quartet - Recorded London 1991 VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 561995 2 1 [68:11] [JL]

Big, smooth, beautifully engineered and well oiled.; Borodin has been the Rolls Royce of Quartets for over half a century. … see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Die Winterreise D. 911 (1827) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded in the Gemeindehaus, Berlin-Zehlendorf on 13 and 14 January 1955. Great Recordings of the Century EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 67927 2 2 [74. 36] [CF]

As part of the series ‘Great Recordings of the Century’, this disc has a place by right and will disappoint no lover of Schubert, Fischer-Dieskau or Moore. … see Full Review

Heinrich SCHULZ-BEUTHEN (1838-1915) Symphony No. 5 Reformationshymnus Op. 36 (1884) [18.18] Die Toteninsel - symphonic poem (1909) [11.33] Neger-Lieder und Tänze Op. 26 (1880) [15.55] Abschiedsklänge Op. 28 (1880) [7.33] Anastasiya Sidelnikova (organ) Moscow SO/Adriano rec Aug 2002, Large Hall, Moscow State Conservatory and Mosfilm Studios DDD STERLING CDS-1049-2 [53.27] [RB]

An old and forgotten voice liberated from the music dictionaries. Not of the first rank but certainly with something enjoyable to say ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56) Das Paradies und die Peri, Op. 50 (1843). Romanzen und Balladen (1849) - Der König von Thule, Op. 67 No. 1; Schön-Rohtraut, Op. 67 No. 2; Ungewitter, Op. 67 No. 4; Schnitter Tod, Op. 75 No. 1.; Im Walde, Op. 75 No. 2; Der traurige Jäger, Op. 75 No. 3; Vom verwundeten Knaben, Op. 75 No. 5; Am Bodensee, Op. 59 No. 2; Der Schidt, Op. 145 No. 1. - Edda Moser (soprano); Regina Marheineke (contralto); Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo); Nicolai Gedda, Alva Tripp (tenors); Günter Wewel (baritone) - Chor des Städtischen Musikvereins zu Dusseldorf Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra/Henryk Czyz (Op. 50), Hermut Schmidt (Romanzen und Balladen). Rec in the Rheinhalle, Düsseldorf in August 1973 (Op. 50) and July 1975 (Romanzen und Balladen). [ADD] EMI DOUBLE FORTE 5 75664-2 [118'05: 55'18+62'47] [CC]

Definitely a recommendable set, especially at the price. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Quintet for Piano and Strings, Op. 57 (1940) - Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Quintet for Piano and String Quartet (1972-75) The Vermeer Quartet: Shmuel Ashkenasi, violin; Mathias Tacke, violin; Richard Young, viola; Mark Johnson, cello. Boris Berman, piano. Recorded at Glenn Gould Studio, CBC, Toronto, Canada, 3-6 December, 2000. DDD NAXOS 8.554830 [56.25] [KS]

Effective writing, leaving the listener almost breathless as the music disappears. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) Symphony No.8 Op.65 (1943) Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite Recorded by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1988 DDD Stereo ABC ELOQUENCE 426 510-2 [67:24] [DB]

A Brucknerian view of Shostakovich which, despite being well intentioned, well played and well recorded, must yield place to others in the catalogue. … see Full Review


Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975 )
Symphony No. 11 in G minor, op 103 The Year 1905’ (1957) ‘Palace Square’: Adagio [20:10]‘9 January’: Allegro [21:27]‘In Memoriam’: Adagio [13:27] ‘Tocsin’: Allegro non troppo [17:20] London Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich Recorded live at the Barbican, London, U.K. on 21-22 March 2002 DDD LSO LIVE LSO0030 [72:24] [MC]

A superb performance … my top CD choice of the year. Shostakovich fans will ignore this release at their peril. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin Concerto No. 1, Opus 77 (99) (1948-55) Violin Concerto No. 2, Opus 129 (1967) Maxim Vengerov (violin) London Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich - Rec May 1994 (No. 1), September 1996 (No. 2), Abbey Road Studios, London ELATUS 09274 67422 [73.17] [TB]

The playing and interpretations of Maxim Vengerov that steal the show. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Piano Concerto No.1 Op.35 (1933)a Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934 – 1998) Piano Sonata (1987)b Suite in Old Style (1972)c Mikhail Petukhov (piano)a; Strings of the USSR Symphony Orchestraa; Vladimir Kozukhar (conductor)a: Vasily Lobanov (piano)b; Igor Bogulavsky (viola d’amore), Viktor Grislin (vibraphone), Alla Litvienko (harpsichord), Viktor Gabinsky (marimba), Vadim Vasilykov (bells)c Recorded: 1989 CONSONANCE 81-0009 [69:02] [HC]

A curious release for, besides the fine performances, there is really very little justification for bringing these disparate works together … see Full Review

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Cello Sonatas No.1 (1978) and No. 2 (1993/4) Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) (Viola) Sonata Op.147 (arr. Shafran) (1975); oderato (1934); Adagio (from two pieces, 'Ballet Suite' No.2) (1951). Raphael Wallfisch, cello John York, piano Recorded St.George’s, Brandon Hill, Bristol, 22nd April 1998 (Schnittke) and Champs Hill, Pulborough, 28th June 2000 (Shostakovich). BLACK BOX BBM1032 [77.59] [NH]

Shostakovich's late masterpiece, in its cello guise, is complemented by Schnittke's equally profound sonatas. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Five Preludes Op.2 (1919/20) Three Fantastic Dances Op.5 (1922) Ten Aphorisms Op.13 (1927) Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914 – 1991) Twelve Miniatures (1947) Reflections (1968) Pentasonata (1984, rev. 1987) Raymond Clarke (piano) Recorded: King’s Hall, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, September and December 2001 THE DIVINE ART 25018 [77:29] [HC]

Another magnificent offering from this fine performer … see Full Review

Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) Music for Violin and Harp No. 2 - Sonata in D, Op 114 - Fantasie on Themes of Danzi and Vogler in b, Op 118 - Sonata in G, Op 115 - "Des Heilands letzte Stunden:" Mary’s aria* - "Der Erbvertrag:" Lied der Emma* Sophie Langdon, violin; Hugh Webb, harp - *Alison Smart, soprano; Roger Montgomery, horn; Susan Dorey, cello - Recorded at St Martin’s Church East Woodhay, Newbury, Berkshire, August 2000 NAXOS 8.555365 [73.51] [PS]

Six essays in beautiful sounds. … see Full Review

Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) Music for Violin and Harp Vol. 2 - Sonata in D minor Op. 114 (1809) Allegro vivace, Andante: Potpourri on themes from the Magic Flute - Fantasie on Themes of Danzi and Vogler in B minor Op.118 (1810) - Sonata in G major Op. 115 (1811) Allegro, Larghetto, Rondo - Mary’s Aria from Des Heilands letzte Stunden- Lied der Emma from the drama Der Erbvertrag Sophie Langdon (violin) - Hugh Webb (harp) - Alison Smart (soprano) - Roger Montgomery (horn) - Susan Dorey (cello) - Recorded in St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, Newbury, Berks on 16-18 August 2000 DDD NAXOS 8. 555365 [73. 51]

A threat of monotony, saved momentarily by the Magic Flute piece, which captures the imagination and is cleverly conceived. … see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ariadne auf Naxos (1912) - Jessye Norman ...Ariadne/Primadonna (Soprano) - Kathleen Battle ...Zerbinetta (Soprano) - Tatiana Troyanos ...Composer (Soprano) - James King ...Tenor/Bacchus (Tenor) - Franz Ferdinand Netwig ...Ein Musiklehrer (Baritone) - Stephen Dickson ...Harlekin (Baritone) - Allan Glassman ...Scaramuccio (Tenor) - Arthur Korn ...Truffaldin (Bass) - Anthony Laciura ...Brighella (Tenor) - Gweniet Bean ...Dryade(Soprano) - Barbara Bonney ...Nayade (Soprano) - Dawn Upshaw ...Drayade (Contralto) Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/James Levine - Includes "bonus" clips of rehearsal - Recorded New York, March 1988 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 028-9 (1 DVD) [no timing given] [JL]

Plush sets, strong cast, much beauty of sound but the conducting may too indulgent for some Straussians. Norman at her finest vocally in the composer’s soaring soprano lines. … see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS Rosenkavalier Suite, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Don Juan SWR Radio-Sinfonieorchester/Georges Prêtre HÄNSSLER Classic CD 93.012 [59:34] [SF]
a DejaReView

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) (1919) - Opera in 3 acts, libretto by Hugo von Hoffmannsthal (1874-1929) - Der Kaiser (The Emperor) Thomas Moser - tenor; Die Kaiserin (The Empress) Cheryl Studer - soprano; Die Amme (The Nurse) Marjana Lipovšek - mezzo; Der Geisterbote (The Spirit messenger) Bryn Terfel - baritone; Barak, der Färber (Barak the dyer) Robert Hale - baritone; Seine Frau (His wife) Eva Marton - soprano; Die Stimme des Falken (The Falcon’s voice) Andrea Rost - soprano; Die Erscheinung eines Jünglings (The Apparition of a Young Man) Herbert Lippert - tenor; Eine Stimme von Oben (A Voice from Above) Elzbieta Ardam - alto; Der Hüter der Schwelle (The Guardian of the Threshold) Elizabeth Norberg; Schulz - soprano; Baraks Brüder: (Barak’s 3 Brothers): Der Einaügige (The One-Eyed) Manfred Hemm - bass; Der Einarmige (The One-Armed) Hans Franzen - bass; Der Bucklige (The Hunchback) Wilfried Gahmlich - tenor; Die Stimmen der Ungeborenen (Voices of Unborn Children): Carmen Fuggis, Petra Schnitzer, Dalia Schaechter, Rannveig Braga, Noriko Sasaki, Dienerinnen (Servants) Carmen Fuggis, Petra Schnitzer, Dalia Schaechter - Die Stimmen der Wächter (The Voices of the Watchmen): Gerhard Eder, Karl Nebenführ, Wolfgang Scheider - Solo-Stimmen (Solo Voices): Carmen Fuggis, Birgit beer, Petra Schnitzer, Dalia Schaechter, Rannveig Braga, Moriko Sasaki - Vienna State Opera Chorus, chorus master Peter Burian, Salzburg Children’s Choir Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti - Directed by Götz Friedrich. Directed for television by Brian Large - Recorded live at the 1992 Salzburg Summer Festival DECCA DVD 071 425-9 DH2 [203:00] [GPJ]

This DVD gives a more than fair impression of the score’s many heady beauties … see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Vier letzte Lieder - Sena Jurinac (soprano), BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent - Recorded 11th September 1961, Royal Albert Hall, London - Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen - Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano), Philharmonia Orchestra/André Cluytens - Recorded 2nd December 1957, Royal Festival Hall, London - Rückert Lieder: Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft, Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, Um Mitternacht - R. STRAUSS Du meines Herzens Kröneleien, op. 21/2, Ruhe, meine Seele, op. 27/1, Zueignung, op. 10/1 - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Wiegenlied, op. 49/4, Ständchen, op. 106/1 Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano) - Geoffrey Parsons (pianoforte) - Recorded 15th July 1978, Wigmore Hall, London BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4107-2 [66’ 47"] [CH]

A patchy disc, chiefly valuable for the 1978 Ludwig recital. The orchestral songs are more problematic. … see Full Review

Atli Heimir SVEINSSON (b. 1938) Tíminn og Vatnið - Time and Water (1981-83) - Marta G. Halldórsdóttir (sop) - Sverrir Gudjónsson (counter-tenor) - Bergþór Pálsson (bar) Kammersveit Reykjavíkur and Kór/Paul Zukofsky - rec 12-16 June 1994, Langholtskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland. DDD CPO 999 865-2 [2 CDs: 148.25] [RB]

This is for moderately broad-minded listeners who do not object to avant-garde styles freely juxtaposed with intimations of nature and eternity. ... see Full Review

Thomas TALLIS (c.1505-1585) The Complete Works - Volume 2. Music at the Reformation Magnificat (5vv) [10.06] Nunc dimittis (5vv) [3.12] Sancte Deus, sancte fortis - Votive antiphon (4vv) [5.58] Conditor Kyrie - Plainchant [2.24] Mass for four voices [22.05] Remember not, O Lord God - Anthem (4vv) [3.11] Hear the voice and prayer - Anthem (4vv) [2.13] If ye love me - Anthem (4vv) [2.13] A new commandment - Anthem (4vv) [2.50] Benedictus (4vv) [6.25] Te deum for meanes (5vv) [8.55] Chapelle du Roi/Alistair Dixon Recorded in St. Augustine’s Church, Kilburn on 10-13 February 1997 SIGNUM SIGCD002 [70.32] [JPo]

The Chapelle du Roi acquit themselves in excellent fashion; the price direct from Signum Records makes this a real bargain. … See Full Review

Hekel TAVARES (1896-1969) Concerto in Brazilian Forms for piano and orchestra No. 2 Op. 105 [25.06] - Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Spanish Rhapsody for piano and orchestra Op. 70 (1895) [12.53] - Piano Concerto No. 1 Concierto Fantastico Op. 78 (1886) [25.48] - Felicja Blumental (piano) - Filarmonica Triestina/Luigi Toffolo (Rhapsody) - Torino Orchestra/Alberto Zedda (Fantastico) London SO/Anatole Fistoulari (Tavares) - rec. no dates given but presumably 1950s, AAD BRANA RECORDS BR0002 [61.07] [RB]

A fascinating disc; the catalogue is the richer for Brana’s presence albeit reticently untrumpeted. ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony Number 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (1888) - Theme and Variations from the Suite number 3, Op. 55 (1876) - David Nolan, violin London Philharmonic Orchestra/Norman Del Mar - Recorded at Watford Town Hall on 10-11 November 1979, and Walthamstow Assembly Hall, 31 January 1978 [ADD] EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7423 5 75801 [65:44] [KS]

While this disc has a redeeming quality or two, there are better ways to spend your CD budget. … see Full Review

Piotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Variations in F, op. 19/6 Alexander SCRIABIN (1871-1915) 2 Poèmes op. 32, Album Leaf op. 45/1, Etude in d sharp op. 8/12, Etude op. 65/3, Vers la Flamme op. 72 Sergei RACHMANINOV (1872-1943) Preludes op. 32/5 in G, 12 in g sharp, Etude-Tableau op. 39/3, Moment Musical op. 16/4 Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata no. 5 op. 38/135 Samuel DOLIN (b. 1917) Toccata – Vivace Alexander Tselyakov (pianoforte) Locations: Regentenbau Hall, Bad Kissingen, Germany (except Dolin), George Weston Recital Hall, the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, Canada (Dolin) Dates: 18th May 2000 (except Dolin), 17th January 1999 (Dolin, live) GOLOMB RECORDS GLDC 5701-3 [60’ 04"] [CH]

A fine recommendation to anyone at all interested in Russian piano music or Russian pianists. … see Full Review

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681 - 1767) Cantatas - Lobet den Herrn, alle seine Heercharen, Kantate zum Neujahrstage aus dem zweiten Concertenjahrgang TWV 1:1061 (1720/21) Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, Kantate zum Sonntage Laetare aus dem Französichen Jahrgang TWV 1:1593 (1714/15) Der Tod is verschlungen in den Sieg, Kantata zum 1. Ostertag aus dem zweiten Concertenjahrgang TWV 1:320 (1720/21) Dorothee Fries (Soprano) Mechtild Georg (Alto) Andreas Post (Tenor) Albrecht Pöhl (Bass) Collegium Vokale Siegen - Hannoversche Hofkapelle - Trompeten-Consort "Friedemann Immer" - Ulrich Stötzel, conductor - Recorded August 1997, Martinikirche, Siegen, Germany - Gott, Man lobet dich in der Stille, Kantate zum Friedenschluss TWV 14:12 (1763) - Konstanze Maxsein (Soprano) - Dagmar Linde (Alto) - Max Ciolek (Tenor) - Raimund Nolte (Bass) - Achim Rück (Bass) - Collegium Vokale Siegen - Hannoversche Hofkapelle - Trompeten-Consort "Friedemann Immer" - Ulrich Stötzel, conductor - Recorded August 1999, Rheingau Musik Festival Kloster Erbach - Missa Brevis TWV 9:14 ( circa 1700) a - Deus judicium tuum (Psalm 71), Grand Motet TWV 7:7 (1737-38) b - Alles redet itzt und singet, Cantata TWV 20:10 (1721) c - David Cordier (Alto) a - Barbara Schlick (Soprano) b c - Martina Lins (Soprano) b - Silke Weisheit (Alto) b - Chrisoph Prégardien (Tenor) b - Stephen Varcoe (Bass) b c - Hans-Georg Wimmer (Bass) b - Reinische Kantorei b - Das Kleine Konzert Hermann Max, conductor - Recorded 1989 Immanuelskirche Wuppertal-Barmen BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99996 [3 CDs: 55.54+53.13+62.36] [RH]

A highly recommendable set, covering the broad spectrum of Telemann's cantatas in fine performances. Just the thing for someone wanting to explore this underrated composer … see Full Review

Giovanni Maria TRABACI (c.1575-1647) Keyboard Works, Book 1 (published Naples 1603) - Instruments: Felice Cimino organ (1702), property of Sergio Vartolo, Spinettone (18th Century), property of Sergio Vartolo, Formentelli harpsichord, copy of original in Ca’ Rezzonico, Venice, property of Sergio Vartolo, Giovanni Cipri organ (1556), Church of S. Martino, Bologna Sergio Vartolo (harpsichord, organ) - Rec: Church of San Martino, Bologna, 1st-5th May 1997, 23rd, 24th and 31st January 1998 NAXOS 8.553550-52 [3 CDs: 54’35"+50’25"+45’58"] [CH]

Some very beautiful music recorded for the first time, played with love, dedication and woeful rhythmic freedom. I hope my comments will enable the listener to understand whether the set is for him. … see Full Review


RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Early Chamber Music
Piano Quintet in C minor for piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass (1903) [30'30] Nocturne and Scherzo for string quintet (1906) [10'18] Suite de Ballet for flute and piano (edited Roy Douglas) (1913-1924?) [5'50] Romance and Pastorale - for violin and piano (c1914) [8'59] Romance for viola and piano (c1914) String Quartet in C minor (1898) [25'27] Quintet in D major for clarinet, horn, violin, cello and piano (1898) [24'50] Scherzo for string quintet (1904) [5'57] Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes (Household Music) for string quartet (1940/41) The Nash Ensemble: Philippa Davies flute, Richard Hosford clarinet; Richard Watkins horn; Marianne Thorsen violin; Elizabeth Wexler violin (string quintet; Preludes); Simon Blendis violin (String Quartet in C minor); Lawrence Power, Garfield Jackson viola (string quintet) Recorded in Henry Wood Hall on 25-27 June; 15-18 July 2002. DDD HYPERION CDA67381/2 [2CDs: 134'16: 62'09+72'16] [RB]

The performers meet the music full on and play as if the young composer was in the room with them. One of Hyperion's most commanding productions. ... see Full Review


Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Un Ballo in Maschera
Gustavo III - Luciano Pavarotti (ten) Renato Anckarsrom – Leo Nucci (bar) Amelia – Aprile Millo (sop) Ulrica – Florence Quivar (con) Oscar – Harolyn Blackwell (ten) The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus/James Levine Recorded 1991 PCM Stereo, Dolby 5.1 DG-DVD 073 029-9 [137 minutes] [AB]

Overall this is a good presentation of a musically satisfying performance. … see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata (1843) Opera in four acts, sung in Italian Pagano, Giorgio Surian (bass) Giselda, Dimitra Theodossiou (sop) Oronte, Massimo Giordano (ten) Arvino, Francesco Picolli (ten) Coro Del Circuito Lirico Lombardo Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali/Tiziano Severini Recorded live performance at 'Teatro Ponchielli,' Cremona, Italy. November 2001 Full Price DYNAMIC CDS 390/91 [2CDs: 75.33+60.40] [RJF]

A vibrant recording of a work that gets few airings in the theatre outside Italy … a welcome addition to the catalogue. … see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Simon Boccanegra – Melodrama in a Prologue and Three Acts (1857/1881) Vladimir Chernov, bar, (Simon Boccanegra); Kiri Te Kanawa, sop, (Maria Boccanegra/Amelia Grimaldi); Robert Lloyd, bass, (Fiesco); Placido Domingo, ten, (Gabriele); Bruno Pola, bass, (Paolo); Hao Jiang Tian, bar, (Pietro) Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra/James Levine - Recorded in January 1995 at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York - DVD Video DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 031-9 [141.00] [TM]

From the rounded beauty of the overture to the quiet, contemplative ending this is an opera that deserves to be better known … see Full Review

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Villa-Lobos Live! - Piano Concerto No. 5 (1954) [19.42] - Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 for piano and orchestra (1938) [29.31] - Garibaldi foi a Missa [1.24] - Dança do Indio Branco [3.24] - Camargo GUARNIERI (1907-1993) Dança Brasileira [2.13] - Francisco MIGNONE (1897-1990?) Serenata Humoristica [1.59] Felicja Blumental (piano) - Vienna SO/composer (concerto); Filarmonica Triestina/Luigi Toffolo (Bachianas Brasileiras) - rec live Musikverein, Vienna, 25 May 1955 (concerto); AAD BRANA RECORDS BR0001 [58.27] [RB]

This disc represents a must for piano fanciers everywhere. ... see Full Review

Kevin VOLANS (b.1949) String Quartet No. 1 'White Man Sleeps' (1982) - String Quartet No. 2 'Hunting gathering' (1987) - String Quartet No. 6 (2000) Duke Quartet - Rec 1-3 March 2001, Winterbrook Studios, London, DDD BLACK BOX BBM1069 [73.26] [TB]

A good balance of the static and the dynamic, and the instrumental combinations and sonorities make for compelling listening. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Overtures and Preludes - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Act one prelude (recorded 1927); Götterdämmerung - Siegfried’s funeral music (recorded 1927); Tristan und Isolde - Prelude to Act I (1928); Der Fliegender Holländer - Overture (1928); Tannhäuser – Overture, Dresden version (1928); Lohengrin - Prelude to Act III (1929); Siegfried Idyll (1929) Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Karl Muck - All recordings made in the Berlin Singakadamie, except Lohengrin and Siegfried Idyll, which were made in the Berlin Philharmonie - Mark Obert-Thorn, remastering engineer ADD NAXOS HISTORICAL - GREAT CONDUCTORS SERIES - 8.110858 [75’43"] [KS]

For Wagner fans and history buffs alike, this is a must-have disc … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Das Rheingold - Loge: Rene Maison (ten). Wotan: Friedrich Schorr (bar). Fricka: Karin Branzell (cont). Alberich: Eduard Habich (bar). Mime: Karl Laufkotter (ten). Erda: Kerstin Thorburg (mezzo). Fasolt: Norman Cordon (bass). Fafner: Emanuel Liszt (bass). Donner: Julius Huehn (bass) Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble of the Metropolitan Opera, New York/Artur Bodansky - Rec. From Live Broadcast 1937. (with insertion of Kerstin Thorburg as Erda) Immortal Performances Series GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2221-2 [131.39] [RJF]

Mainly be of interest to Wagnerites used to listening to historical performances. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der Ring des Nibelungen (excerpts) - Die Walküre: The Ride of the Valkyries [5’22"] - Siegfried: Forest Murmurs [8’25"] - Götterdämmerung: - Dawn and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey [11’36"] - Siegfried’s Death and Funeral Procession [12’57"] - Brünnhilde’s Immolation Scene* [20’12"] - *Deborah Polaski (soprano) Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim - Recorded in Orchestra Hall, Chicago in October 1991 WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 0927-46734-2 [60’02"] [JQ]

Barenboim achieves the right balance between grandeur, tragedy and apocalyptic drama … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) The Flying Dutchman (1840-41) Senta : Jane Eaglen (soprano) - Dutchman : Falk Struckmann (bass-baritone) - Erik : Peter Seiffert (tenor) - Daland : Robert Holl (bass) - Mary : Felicity Palmer (mezzo-soprano) - Steersman : Rolando Villazon (tenor) - Chorus of the Berlin State Opera Berlin State Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim - Recorded at Studio 1 of NLG GmbH Berlin, May and June 2001 DDD TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-88063-2 2 Discs [68.18 / 66.56]
The Flying Dutchman (1840-41) Senta : Janis Martin (soprano) - Dutchman : Norman Bailey (bass-baritone) - Erik : Rene Kollo (tenor) - Daland : Martti Talvela (bass) - Mary : Isola Jones (mezzo-soprano) - Steersman : Werner Krenn (tenor) Chicago Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti - Recorded in the Medinah Temple, Chicago, 1976 ADD DECCA 470 792-2 2 Discs [68.33 / 70.17] [TH]

Solti should not be written off; there are too many good things in it, particularly Martin and Talvela but Barenboim’s set is a superb climax to his Wagner series … by any standards one of the best of recent years. … See Full Review

Siegfried WAGNER (1869-1930) Scenes and Arias for Soprano - Der Schmied von Marienburg Op. 13 (1922) Prelude to Act 2 and Friedelind’s Aria, Act 2, 1 - Der Kobold Op. 3 (1904) Verena’s Song, Act 3, 1 - Sternegebot Op. 5 (1908) Agnes’ Final Song, Act 3, 5 - Schwarzschwanenreich Op. 7 (1918) Prelude to Act 3 and Hulda’s Scene, Act 3, 1 - Der Heidenkönig Op. 9 (1912?) Ellida’s Scene, Concert version from Act 1, 1, and Act 3, 2 - Der Friedensengel Op. 10 (1920?) Mita’s Scene, Act 2, 1 - Rainulf und Adelasia Op. 14 (1922?) Adelasia’s Song, Act 1, 10. - Sonnenflammen Op. 8 (1916?) Scene of the Dance Interpreter, Act2, 6 - Dagmar Schellenberger (soprano) - WDR Rundfunkchor Köln WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Werner Andreas Albert (conductor) - Recorded in the Philharmonie, Cologne, Germany on 3-7 April 2000 CPO 999 794-2 [71.25] [CF]

There is some pretty fine stuff here … see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) Film: The First of the Few Starring Leslie Howard as R.J. Mitchell the designer of the Spitfire with David Niven and Rosamund John ODYSSEY ODX 20150 [123 mins] [IL]

At Odyssey’s reasonable price this is an irresistible piece of wartime nostalgia well-acted and, of course, there is Walton’s stirring music. … see Full Review

Count Unico Willem van WASSENAER (1692 - 1766) Concerti Armonici (6) Genevieve Gilardeau, Krista Buckland Reisner, Julia Wedman, violins Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon, leader - Recorded Grace Church, Toronto, October 2000 [DDD] NAXOS 8.555384 [58.41] [PS]

A new and very satisfactory version of some milestones in the Baroque style. … see Full Review

Jörg WIDMANN (born 1973) Dunkle Saiten (1999/2000)a - Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856) Cello Concerto in A minor Op.129 (1850) - Jan Vogler (cello); Salome Kammer, Ursula Hesse (sopranos)a - Münchner Kammerorchester/Christoph Poppen - Recorded: Festhalle, Aschau, February 2000 (Schumann) and Bayerischer Rundfunk, Studio 1, July 2000 (Widmann) BERLIN CLASSICS 0017142BC [65:35] [HC]

A gripping, communicative work of great emotional power and, one that often explores material of great beauty. … see Full Review

Hugo WOLF (1860-1903)String Quartet in D minor, Italian Serenade Fine Arts Quartet Recorded 03.06.1998, Hans-Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden HÄNSSLER CD 93.024 [50.29] [CH]
a DejaReView

Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876-1948) I Quatro Rusteghi (1906). Gianna Perea Labia (soprano) Lucieta; Agnese Dubbini (mezzo) Margarita; Fernando Corena (bass) Lunardo; Pasquale Lombardo (bass) Maurizio; Alda Noni (soprano) Marina; Gilda Capozzi (mezzo) Servant; Mario Carlin (tenor) Filipeto; Carlo Ulivi (bass) Simon; Ester Orell (soprano) Felice; Cristiano Dalamangas (bass) Cancian; Manfredi Ponz de Leon (tenor) Count Riccardo Arcolai Milan Radio Lirica Orchestra/Alfredo Simonetto. Rec in Milan in 1953. [ADD] mono WARNER FONIT 8573 87481-2 [2CDs: 129'43: 61'44+67'59] [CC]

In the face of so much 'joie de vivre' the fact that the recording is rather dry and thin does not preclude a recommendation. … see Full Review

Bill WORLAND (b. 1921) Curtain Up! - Broadstairs, Descriptive Suite (1960-2000!) - Sandman Serenade (1945) - Paths of Peace (1965) - Intermezzo 45 (1945) - For Aida (2001) - Rhapsodie Tristesse (1956) - Amaro Dolce (1998) - Honky-Tonk Town (1966) - Midnight in Manhattan (1969) City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/Gavin Sutherland - Rec 2001 DDD CAMPION CAMEO - CAMEO 2017 [58.04] [NH]

A superior addition to the "old school" discography of British Light Music … See Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Iannis XENAKIS (1922-2001) Works for Large Orchestra Vol.3 Synaphaï, for Piano and Orchestra (1969) [16’26] Horos (1986) [15’48] Eridanos (1972) [11’10]
Kyania (1990) [20’22] Hiroaki Ooï (piano) Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Arturo Tamayo (conductor) Recorded in the Luxembourg Conservatoire, March and May, 2002 DDD TIMPANI 1C 1068 [64’18]

The hallmark of a great composer … the torment, the contradictory side of the creative impulse. … see Full Review

Richard YARDUMIAN (1917-1985) Violin Concerto (1949 rev. 1960/1985) [22.01] Symphony No. 2 Psalms (19478 rev 1964) [27.21] Armenian Suite (arr. Ofer Ben-Amots) (1937/1954) [15.53] Alexandr Bulov (violin) Nanct Maultsby (mezzo) Singapore SO/Lan Shui rec Jan 2001, Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore DDD BIS BIS-CD-1232 [66.25] [RB]

Evinces great skill and evident affection. The Concerto makes this a disc that any concerto fancier needs to have in her or his collection. ... see Full Review

Jan Dismas ZELENKA (1737-1806) Complete Orchestral Works Capriccio Nos 1-5 (1718-1729) Hipocondrie à 7 concertanti (1723) Concerto à 8 concertanti (1723) Simphonie à 8 concertanti (1723) Ouverture à 7 concertanti (c 1723) Symphonia from Melodrama of St Wenceslas (1723) Das Neu-Eröffnete Orchestre/Jürgen Sonnentheil Recorded Sendesaal, Bremen between 1996 and 1999 CPO 999 897-2 [3 CDs: 177.49]

An equipoise between shameless virtuosity and lyrical expressivity - and all at superbudget price… see Full Review
[Detailed listing (last two days)]
[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]
Revolving notes from clipart.com



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