ALLEGRI
MISERERE and others 
Pro Cantione Antiqua/Mark Brown (nos. 1,2,3,5,11,14) Paul Esswood, James
Bowman (countertenors), James Griffett (tenor), Bradford tracey (organ)
English Consort of Viols (nos. 4,6 –10, 12-13)
REGIS RRC 1065 [69:32] [GPJ]
Fine
performances of great music recaptured here then; thank-you Regis, but
could we have a little more information please! …. See Full
Review
SUSAN
B. ANTHONY PORTRAIT Ernest
CHAUSSON
(1855-1899)
Le Roi Arthus – Ah, … Trahie! Abandonnée. Gian
Carlo MENOTTI (b 1911) The Consul – To this we’ve come.
The Old Maid and the Thief – What a curse for a woman is a timid man.
Richard WAGNER (18139-83) Lohengrin
– Einsam in trüben Tagen. Tannhäuser – Allmächt’ge Jungfrau.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ariadne auf Naxos – Es
gibt ein Reich. Elektra – Ich kann nicht sitzen. Die Frau ohne Schatten
– Wehe, mein Mann!. Salome – Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund
küssen lassen, Jochanaan.Susan
B. Anthony (soprano); Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava/Ivan
Anguélov Recorded in the Slovak Radio Concert Hall, Bratislava
on May 14th-18th, 2001 [DDD]
ARTE NOVA Voices 74321 86894-2 [66.46] Superbudget [CC]
Susan
Anthony has graced the stages of many major international opera houses,
and there is much on this disc to indicate why. … see Full
Review
Compilation:
Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Mili
BALAKIREV (1837-1910) * Symphony
No. 1 in C major Nikolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844
-1908) Le
Coq d’Or
– Suite * Alexander
BORODIN (1833-1887) Polovtsian
Dances †
London Philharmonic Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted
by Sir Thomas Beecham [Live recordings from BBC Radio Maida Vale
studio * in 1956 and from the Royal Festival Hall † in 1954] MONO
BBC LEGENDS BBCL
4084-2 [74:34] [IL]
A
rewarding disc for Beecham fans. .. see Full
Review
Erna
BERGER
soprano (1900-) ‘The Singers’ series
Arias
and duets by Grieg, Mozart, Donizetti, R Strauss, Verdi, etc.
Orchestra of Staatsoper Berlin, Various conductors Rec. Berlin, Germany,
1934-44 DECCA 467 917-2
[69.29] [RJF]
Berger
brings fresh-voiced singing, fine legato, excellent phrasing, security
above the stave and convincing trill. All heard to good effect. … see
Full Review
LE
BOEUF SUR LE TOIT
French
works for violin and orchestra
Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), Jules
Massenet (1842-1912), Maurice Ravel
(1875-1937), Hector Berlioz (1803-1869),
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): Saint-Saëns
Introduction et rondo capriccioso Op.28; Havanaise Op.83; Valse-caprice
Op.52 No.6; Danse macabre Op.40 Massenet
Meditation from Thaïs Ravel
Tzigane Berlioz Reverie and caprice
Op. 8 Milhaud Le boeuf sur le toit
Op. 58b Renaud Capuçon
(violin) Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen/Daniel Harding (conductor)
Recorded at Gutsscheune Stuhr-Varrel, Bremen, 29-30 November 2000
VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 45482 2 [73.49] [CF]
Renaud
Capuçon in his debut album of Beecham lollipops and his virtuosity
is not to be denied. ….see Full Review
Sir
Clifford Curzon Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Sonetto 104 del Petrarca (from Années de pélerinage,
2e année – Italie), Berceuse, Valse Oubliée no. 1,
Sonata in B minor Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Andante and Variations in F minor
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Impromptus,
D.899: nos. 2-4 Sir Clifford
Curzon (pianoforte) Recorded at the Edinburgh Festival (Leith Town Hall)
5.9.1961 (Liszt) BBC Studios, London, 30.3.1961 (Haydn); 24 12.1961
(Schubert) BBC LEGENDS
BBCL 4078-2 [67.22] [CH]
The
Liszt enters the select Panthéon of the very greatest recorded
performance of this composer and no lover of great pianism should miss
it. …see Full Review
SUZANNE
DANCO (soprano) The Singers Series
1.
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695): When
I am laid in earth (Dido and Aeneas) 2. Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714-87): Divinités du Styx (Alceste)
L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted by Alberto Erede 3. Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-91): Voi che sapete (Le Nozze di
Figaro) Come scoglio (Cosi fan tutte) Orchestra del Teatro
alla Scala conducted by Jonel Perlea 4. Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901): Ah, fors’e lui (La Traviata) 5.
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912): Adieu,
notre petite table (Manon) 6. Georges
BIZET (1838-75): Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante (Carmen)
7. Gustave CHARPENTIER (1860-1856):
Depuis le jour (Louise) L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted
by Alberto Erede 8. Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949): Morgen, Op. 27, No. 4 Ständchen, Op. 17, No. 2 Traum
durch die Dammerung, Op. 29, No. 1 Zueignung, Op. 10, No.1 Freundliche
Vision, Op. 48, No.1 9. Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918):
Ariettes oubliées
Guido Agosti (piano) Recording dates and venues: Items 1, 2, 4-7: Victoria
Hall, Geneva, April, 1950 Item 3, July, 1947 Item 8, Victoria Hall,
Geneva, October, 1952 Item 9, Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London,
December, 1950
DECCA 467 909-2 [68.29]
[JQ]
Suzanne
Danco was a wonderful singer and this CD gives us another chance to
admire her range and artistry. …. see Full Review
THURSTON
DART PLAYS ENGLISH ORGAN MUSIC 1.
William BYRD (1543-1623): A Fancy;
A Voluntarie 1. John BULL (1562-1628):
Salvator Mundi Deus; Fantasia 1. Orlando GIBBONS
(1583-1625): In Nomine; Fantasia 2. Thomas
TOMKINS (1572-1656): Fancy 2. John
BLOW (1649-1708): Verset in D minor; Prelude in A Re 3. Matthew
LOCKE (c1622-1677): For a Double Organ 3. Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695): Voluntary on the Old Hundredth Psalm
Tune; Verset 3. Maurice GREENE (c1695-1755):
Voluntary No 2 3. George Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759): Fugue in F; Entrée; Menuet; Gavotte; Air Lentement;
Concerto (Allegro) 4. James NARES (1715-1783):
Introduction and Fugue 4. William BOYCE
(1710-1779): Voluntary No 7 4. John STANLEY
(1713-1786): Voluntary Op. 7, No 9 Thurston Dart (Organ) Recording
dates & venues: 1. St. Lawrence, Appleby, 21 June 1957; 2. Holy
Trinity Chapel, Staunton Harold, Leicestershire; 20 June 1957; 3. St
John, Wolverhampton, 18 October 1957; 4. All Saints, Rotherham, 19 October
1957 Recordings reissued by J Martin Stafford.
Obtainable from 298, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1TH JMSCD 1 [64.18]
[JQ]
The
recordings themselves, though over forty years old, still sound well.
Mainly of specialist appeal but an excellent tribute to a fine musician.
J Martin Stafford is to be congratulated warmly on making these recordings
available to a new audience. …see Full Listing
DECCA
The Singers
Beverly SILLS DECCA 467 906-2 , Joan SUTHERLAND DECCA
467 914-2 , Renata TEBALDI DECCA 467 915-2 , Luciano PAVAROTTI
DECCA 467 920-2 , Leontyne PRICE DECCA 4679132 , Teresa BERGANZA
DECCA 467 905-2, Nicolai GHIAUROV DECCA 467 902-2 [RMK]
With
this start Decca has set a seriously high standard. I look forward keenly
to the next releases in the series. … see Full
Review
SARAH
CHANG: Fire And Ice Popular
works for violin and orchestra Sarasate
Carmen Fantasy Massenet Méditation
Ravel Tzigane Dvorak
Romance in F minor Beethoven Romance
in F major Bach Air from Suite No.3
Sarasate Zigeunerweisen
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Placido Domingo (conductor) Recorded at
the Philharmonie, Berlin, June 2001
EMI CLASSICS CDC5572202 [60.04] [CF]
Fire
and Ice? I’m afraid it’s more a mixture of Hot Air and Slush. ... see
Full Review
FORBIDDEN
COLOURS: FOUR AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY
ORCHESTRAL WORKS
Roger
SMALLEY
(b.1943) Diptych (Homage to Brian Blanchflower 1992) Melbourne
S.O. dir. Gunther Schuller Recorded live at Merlyn Theatre 23/05/92
Riccardo FORMOSA (b.1954) Dedica
(1982) Melbourne S.O. conducted by Patrick Thomas with oboist Jeffrey
Crellin Studio Recording at Moorobbin Town Hall 11/03/83 Gerard
BROPHY (b.1953) Forbidden Colours (1988)
Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Myer Fredman Recorded live
at the ABC Studios Brisbane 14/06/90 Bozidar
KOS ( b.1949) Violin Concerto (1986)
Queensland S.O. conducted by John Hopkins with Dene Olding, Violin Recorded
live ABC Studios Brisbane 27/06/90 VOX AUSTRALIS VAST 015-2 [64.38]
[GH]
This
disc comprises works by composers who have now either established themselves
in Australia or in the case of Gerard Brophy were born there. The composers
‘have strong musical connections with Europe’. Compelling for the Kos
and Smalley. ...see
Full Review
FORGOTTEN
VICTORIAN THEATRE MUSIC: SULLIVAN & BALFE
BALFE:
Overture "Le Puits d'Amour"; Song, "Come into the Garden Maud".
SULLIVAN:
Songs from "The Tempest", "The Sapphire Necklace", "The Contrabandista",
"Thespis", "The Sorcerer", "Ruddigore", "The Yeomen of the Guard", "Ivanhoe",
"Haddon Hall", "Utopia Limited", "The Grand Duke", "The Beauty Stone",
"The Rose of Persia", "The Emerald Isle". RUDALL
CARTE: Flute Selection from "The Pirates of Penzance".
Soloists, Alderley Singers & Festival Orchestra conducted by Peter
England Recorded 18th November 2000, Alderley Edge, Cheshire
WRW201-2 [57.09?] [CW]
An
issue certainly of considerable interest to Sullivan aficionados. ….
See Full Listing
HALLÉ
ENCORE! Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990) Fanfare
for the Common Man Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978)
Spartacus: Adagio Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Mors et Vita: Judex Hamish
MacCUNN (1868-1916) Land of the Mountain and Flood, op. 3
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1916) Manon
Lescaut: Intermezzo Pietro MASCAGNI
(1863-1945) Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo Erik
SATIE (1866-1925) orch. Claude Debussy Gymnopédies:
1, 3 Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Thaïs:
Meditation Remo GIAZOTTO (1910-1998)
Adagio in g minor on two thematic hints and a figured bass
by Albinoni Johann PACHELBEL (1653-1706) ed.
Seiffert Canon Trad. Welsh arr.
George WELDON (1906-1963) Suo gan Samuel
BARBER (1910-1981) Adagio for Strings, op. 11
Hallé Orchestra/Maurice Handford Recorded in the Free Trade Hall,
Manchester, June 1979, May 1980
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 574 9452 [76.16] [CH]
Some
heart-warming musicianship provides not only general enjoyment but also
the chance to rediscover a semi-forgotten conductor. ...see
Full Review
John IRELAND (1879-1962)
Edmund
RUBBRA (1901-1986) Roger QUILTER
(1877-1953
British Music Collection DECCA 470 195-2 [61.28] midprice [CH]
The
programme is attractive in its heterogeneous way and offers some precious
items. ...see Full Review
Gundula
JANOWITZ, soprano
(1937- ) ‘The Singers’ series Arias
by Weber & Wagner, lieder by Schubert, Vier Letzte Lieder (Four
Last Songs) R. Strauss
Irwin Gage (piano) Orchestra of Deutsches Opera, Berlin/Ferdinand Leitner
Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan Rec. Berlin, Germany, 1967-77
DECCA 467 910-2 [73.02] Midprice [RJF]
Janowitz
possessed a high lyric soprano, a creamy centre and shining silver high
notes and is compactly represented here. ….see Full
Review
KALEIDOSCOPE
Fritz
BEHR (1837-98)
Polka de W. R. (arr. Rachmaninov). Edna
BENTZ WOODS Valse Phantastique. Emile-Robert
BLANCHET (1877-1943) Turquie – Au jardin du vieux sérail
(Andrianople), Op. 18 No. 3. Felix BLUMENFELD
(1863-1931) Etude pour la main gauche seul, Op. 36. Alfredo
CASELLA (1883-1947) Deux Contrastes. Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) The Seasons – Petit Adagio
(arr. Hamelin). Leopold GODOWSKY (1870-1938)
Triakontameron – No. 13, Alt Wien. Marc-André
HAMELIN (b. 1961) Etudes – No. 3 (d’après Paganini);
No. 6, Essercizio per pianoforte (Omaggio a Domenico Scarlatti). Josef
HOFMANN (1876-1957) Mignonettes – Nocturne (‘Complaint’).
Charakterskizzen, Op. 40 – No. 4, Kaleidoskop. Nikolai
KAPUSTIN (b. 1937) Toccatina, Op. 36. Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) Valse folle. Arthur
LOURIÉ (1892-1966) Gigue. Alexander
MICHALOWSKI (1851-1938) Etude d’après l’Impromptu
en la bémol majeur de Fr. Chopin, Op. 29. Moritz
MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Etude in A flat minor, Op. 72
No. 13. Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-80)/Jakob
GIMPEL (1906-89) Concert paraphrase of ‘The Song of
the Soldiers of the Sea’. Francis POULENC
(1899-1963) Intermezzo in A flat. John
VALLIER (1920-91) Toccatina.
Marc-André Hamelin (piano).Recorded in Henry Wood Hall, London
on February 2nd-4th, 2001. [DDD]
HYPERION CDA67275 [67.21] [CC]
Many,
many delights are in store within this encore hunter’s treasure-trove.
Careful programming and expert piano playing ensures that a straight
play-through is a pleasure. ….see Full Listing
Koussevitzky
Gramophone Premieres Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990)
El
salón México (1936) [11.01] Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Lieutenant Kijé Suite (1934)
[21.35] Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Pohjola’s
Daughter (1906) [12.13] Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949)
Also sprach Zarathustra (1894) [31.11]
Boston SO/Serge Koussevitzky. Rec Symphony Hall, Boston, 1 Dec 1938
(Copland); 22 Dec 1937 (Prokofiev); 6 May 1936 (Sibelius); 22 Jan 1935
(Strauss). mono ADD
DUTTON LABORATORIES CDAX8015 [75.22]
Dutton
have done recuperative and restorational miracles to get the music to
beam as freshly as it does so if you are at all curious about the Boston
SO in its greatest glory days there is no excuse for passing by this
disc. ...see Full Review
FROM
THE LAND OF BACH Organ
Works by:- J. S. BACH (1685-1750),
Concerto in G Major after Johann Ernst BWV 592, - S.
SCHEIDT (1587-1654), Passamezzo SSWV 1071, - J. C.
Kittel (1732-1809), Grob en Preludien: 1. Prelude in E-Flat
Major 2. Prelude in E-Flat Minor, - J.S.Bach Prelude and Fugue
in E Major BWV 566, - R. SCHUMANN
(1810-1856), Six Fugues on B-A-C-H, Op.60 1. No.4, Mässig
doch nicht zu langsam 2. No.5, Lebhaft, - J.
S. BACH, Two Chorale Preludes 1. Valet will ich dir geben,
BWV 736, 2. Herzlich tut mich verlagen BWV 727, F.
B. MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847), Sonata no.3 in A Major.
Robert Clark, Organist
Organ Hall, Arizona State University Organ by: Paul Fritts and Co.,
1992. Recorded: January 2000, Arizona State University, Temple, Arizona.
CALCANTE RECORDINGS
CAL CD034 [60.08] [CrA]
Clark’s
rhythms are sprightly and most of the finger-work is tidy. The listener
will have a very pleasant journey through the music of two centuries.
...see Full Review
Mario
Del MONACO,
tenor (1915- )‘The Singers’ series Arias
by Giordano, Puccini, Halévy, Bellini, Verdi, Wagner and other
sung pieces by Bizet, Franck, Gastaldon, Bernstein and Brodsky Rec.
Italy, Austria, and France, 1953-69
DECCA 467 919-2 [72.38] [RJF]
Some
of these track would have been left in the vaults … he is heard at his
best in the heroic roles such as Chénier and Otello. …see.
Full review
MOVIE
BRASS Kenneth
J. ALFORD
Bridge on the River Kwai: Colonel Bogey John
BARRY / Monty NORMAN
James Bond: Medley Elmer
BERNSTEIN The Great Escape: March
Eric COATES
The Dam Busters: March Bill
CONTI
Rocky: Gonna Fly Now Harry GREGSON-WILLIAMS
/ John POWELL Chicken Run: Main Theme James
HORNER
Braveheart: For the Love of a Princess Miklos
ROZSA
Ben-Hur: March of the Charioteers Alan
SILVESTRI
Forrest Gump: Feather Theme John
WILLIAMS
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park: Main
Theme, Star Wars: Main Theme, Superman: Theme Hans
ZIMMER
Gladiator: Barbarian Horde
Grimethorpe Colliery U.K. Coal Band/Garry Cutt Recorded June 2001, Dewbury
Town Hall RCA VICTOR
74321 88393 2 [60.31] [CH]
If
you enjoyed "Brassed Off", don’t miss this one. … see Full
Listing
MUCH
LOVED MUSIC Full
listing on the review Hallé
Orchestra and Hallé Choir with Pamela Coburn (soprano) conducted
by Owain Arwel Hughes Recorded Royal Northern College of Music Manchester
July 1984 and Studio 7 Broadcasting House Manchester July 1985
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 74884 2 6 [76.13] [GH]
This
low-priced, generously filled but well recorded and good quality CD,
might be just what you need, or at any time for that matter. It never
grates and you might well wash up to it or eat or… well … whatever.
...see
Full Review
MUSIC
FOR ORGAN: Volume 2. Matthew
CAMIDGE: Concerto No.2 in G minor. J.S.BACH:
Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV536 and Chorale Preludes on ‘Liebster
Jesu’, BWV730 & 731. GUILMANT:
Sonata No.3. Ian MILNES: Elegy;
Meditation on a Nunc Dimittis in the Dorian Mode. Ronald
FROST: Variations on St. Peter. Douglas
STEELE: Intrada; Chorale Prelude on Cocker’s "Ryburn";
On the Triad. LISZT: Fantasia on
BACH. RONALD FROST (organ,
St. Ann’s, Manchester). Rec 2001
DUNELM RECORDS DRD0170 [63.00?]
Ronald
Frost, one of our finest organists, plays this music (and Bach, Guilmant
and Liszt) thoughtfully and with great accomplishment. Excellent recording
and good presentation. Recommended. … see Full
Review
MUSICA
BAROCCA
Il Giardino Armonico Rec: January - February 2001, Chiesa di San Giorgio,
Morbio Inferore, Switzerland.
TELDEC 8573-85557-2 [70.23] [KM]
Kudos
to Il Giardino Armonico for converting new listeners. But I wouldn’t
hold my breath. .. see Full Review
BIRGIT
NILSSON
Birgit Nilsson (soprano); aÅke
Levén (organ); bcOrchestra of the Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden/bEdward Downes, cArgeo Quadri; dBayreuth
Festival Orchestra/Karl Böhm. Recorded in aAugust, bMay
1963, cAugust 1962, live performances from the Bayreuth Festival
in dJuly 1966, eAugust 1967. [ADD]
DECCA The Singers 467 912-2 [70.15] [CC]
If
ever there was a voice that matched up to the Everests of the repertoire,
it was Birgit Nilsson’s. Much to be recommended for the heavier excerpts.
… see Full Listing
ONCE
AS I REMEMBER… The
story of Christmas in readings and music based on the Springhead Christmas
Play
Monteverdi Choir John Eliot Gardiner Recorded Church of St Peter and
St Paul, Salle, Norfolk May 1998
PHILIPS 462050-2 [73.13] [JW]
Production
values are high, the booklet a pleasure to read, the market – I suspect
– small but the undertaking very well worthwhile. … see Full
Review
OSTINATO
Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall Rec: December 2000, June 2001, Chiesa
di San Giorgio, Morbio Inferore, Switzerland.
ALIA VOX AV 9820 [72.55] [KM]
Listeners
may enjoy some of the works, maybe even all of them, but this is not
a disc to listen to in its entirety. … see Full
Review
Hermann
PREY,
baritone (1929- ) ‘The Singers’ series Arias
by Rossini & Mozart. Lieder by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and R.
Strauss Piano accompaniment
by Karl Engel. Various orchestras conducted by Abbado, Solti, Böhm
Rec. Britain, Austria and Germany, 1962-71 DECCA
467 901-2 [64.04] Midprice [RJF]
Short
playing time but Prey's soft expressive singing is outstanding as is
his heartrendingly lovely mezza voce. ….see Full
Review
William
PRIMROSE and Albert SPALDING Henri
CASADESUS attrib HANDEL Concerto in B Minor Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sinfonia Concertante Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Sonata No 2 in E Flat Major
William Primrose (viola) Albert Spalding (violin) (Mozart only) Chamber
Orchestra conducted by Walter Goehr (Casadesus only) New Friends of
Music Orchestra conducted by Fritz Stiedry (Mozart only) Gerald Moore
(piano) (Brahms only) Recorded between 1937 and 1941
PEARL GEMM CD 9045 [63.43]
This
is a good conspectus of the pre-Heifetz Primrose. .. see Full
Review
A
Queen's Competition A
documentary film by Michel Stockhem and Benoît Vlietinck.DVD.
Running time: 99 minutes [FC]
This
is an invariably interesting and informative documentary of the history
of the Queen Elizabeth of Belgium Competition....see Full
Review
RENDEZVOUS AND
DREAMS Vazgen
MURADIAN (b.1921) Concerto
for Oboe and String Quartet (1962) Martin
Scot KOSINS (b.1947) Rendezvous and Dreams for oboe
and piano (1980) John BIGGS (b.1932)
Dance Suite for oboe, violin, viola and cello (2000?) Gregory
la TRAILLE (b.1951) Oboe Quintet (1999?)
Peter Christ (oboe) Lisa Bergman (piano) Crystal Chamber Soloists rec
Crystal Records Auditorium, Camas, WA - 11 Sept 1999 (La Traille); 7
Apr 2000 (Biggs); 14 May 2000 (Kosins); 29 Oct 2000 (Muradian)
CRYSTAL RECORDS CD723 [63.23] [RB]
A
lovely collection for the oboe-inclined. Deeply attractive for the Muradian
and especially the La Traille. Peter Christ and his collaborators are
the soul of enthusiastic discretion and sensitive response. ...see
Full Review
Sviatoslav
Richter Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Sonata in G, K. 283 Piotr Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) The Seasons, op. 37a: 5. May: Starlight Night,
6. June: Barcarolle, 11. November: In a Troika, 1. January: By the Hearth
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1843) Etudes-Tableaux,
op. 39: 3. F sharp minor, 4. B minor Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Sonata no. 9, op. 68 – "Black Mass"
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata
no. 4 in C minor, op. 29
Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Recorded in Aldeburgh Parish Church, 19.6.1966
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4082-2
[67.19] [CH]
Richter
was a very great pianist, and a very great enigma too. Here he is sometimes
didactic, but hear him anyway, for he always makes you think about the
music he plays. …see. Full Listing
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
The
Carnival of the Animals*
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Suite: Ma
Mère l'Oye Georges BIZET
(1838-1875) Jeux d'enfants *Peter Katin, Philip Fowke (pianos)
Scottish National Orchestra/Sir Alexander Gibson Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) L'apprenti sorcier Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Boléro
Hallé Orchestra/James Loughran Rec September 1973, September
1974, City Hall Glasgow (Saint-Saëns, Ravel Ma Mère l'Oye
and Bizet): July 1978 Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 74947 [75.05] [TB]
This
attractive compilation of popular classics from the Scottish National
and Hallé orchestras has much to commend it, since the performances
are fresh and direct, and the recorded sound has come up well in its
reincarnation. ...see Full Review
SAXOPHONE
CONCERTOS Jacques
IBERT (1890-1962) Concertino da Camera (1935) [12.49]
Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Ballade
pour Saxophone et Orchestre (1938) [15.57] Lars-Erik
LARSSON (1890-1962) Konsert för Saxofon och Stråkorkester
(1934) [27.07] John-Edward Kelly (saxophone) Ostrobohnian Chamber Orchestra/Juha
Kangas Rec Snellman-Saal Kokkola, Finland, June 4 & 6 1991 ARTE
NOVA 74321-27786-2 [49.48] [AT]
Staples
of the saxophone repertoire, enlivened by excellent performances from
the soloist. Well worth investigating for sax lovers. … see Full
Review
Andreas
SCHOLL Wayfaring
Stranger - Folksongs
Andreas Scholl, countertenor Edin Karamazov, lute Jon Pickow, dulcimer,
banjo Stacey Shames, harp Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Rec: May 2001, Recital
Hall, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, Purchase, New York.
DECCA 468-499 2 [65.11]
[KM]
If
you are looking for a Christmas present for someone who doesn’t like
classical music, and you want to let them discover a truly magnificent
voice, get them this. It is the kind of disc that almost anyone will
like. .. see Full Review
SIGNIFICATIO
- ESTONIAN CHAMBER MUSIC
René EESPERE (b.1953) Significatio
for violin, cello and guitar (1999) Ester
MÄGI (b.1922) A duo for flute and guitar (1967); Two
Romances for soprano and guitar (1966/98); Three Miniatures for
guitar (1996); Two Songs - The Night and With Eyes Closed
(1998) Cadenza and Theme for violin and guitar (1984/99 Peeter
VÄHI (b.1955) Dance of the Goddess for guitar
(1996) Lepo
SUMERA (1950-2000) Odalisques for flute, guitar and
cello (1997/9) Jaan
RÄÄTS (b.1932) Allegro Op.93 for violin
and guitar Kaia Urb, soprano;
Janika Lentsius, flute; Urmas Vulp, violin; Henry-David Varema, cello;
Heiki Matlik, guitar Recorded October 1999 in the Art Museum- Toompea,
Tallinn ESTONIAN RADIO
ERCD 030 [61.50] [GH]
These
works are for a rare combination of instruments perhaps a folk-inspired
timbre. The Sumera and Mägi stood out in this company. ...see
Full Review
Giuseppe
DI STEFANO
in Decca’s ‘The Singers’ Series
Giuseppe DI STEFANO
Orchestra conducted by Dino Olivieri (Recorded in 1958 – no venue given)
with CD-ROM content including photo gallery, texts and links.
DECCA
467 908-2 [79:06] [IL]
Bravo
for Di Stefano – a wonderful memento of a great Italian tenor who was
unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. ...see
Full Review
STOKOWSKI’S
SYMPHONIC BAROQUE George
Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Suite from The Water Music *
Dead March from Saul * Dietrich BUXTEHUDE
(c1637 – 1707) Sarabande and Courante * Antonio
CESTI (1623 – 1669) Tu mancavi a tormentarmi, crudelissima
speranza Henry PURCELL (1659 – 1695) Suite
* Tomas Luis de VICTORIA (1548 – 1611) Jesus
dulcis memoria * William BYRD (1543 – 1623)
Pavane and Gigue Arcangelo CORELLI (1653 –
1713) Adagio (from Violin Sonata Op. 5 No. 5) * Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714 – 1787)
Sicilienne (from Armide) Antonio VIVALDI (1678
– 1741) Concerto Grosso No. 11 in D minor (from Op. 3)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Matthias Bamert.recorded 29/2 and 1/3/2000
in Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester.
CHANDOS CHAN 9930 [76.02] [JP]
A
first class continuation and end to the series. If you have been collecting
these as they have been released you may go ahead without any concerns
– it is well up to the standard of its predecessors and you will enjoy
it make no mistake. …see Full Review
Marti
TALVELA,
bass (1935-1989) ‘The Singers’ series
Songs by Schumann, Mussorgsky & Rachmaninov
Irwin Gage, Ralf Gothoni (piano) Rec. Berlin, Germany,1969-80
DECCA 467 903-2 [72.22] [RJF]
Talvela
has an obvious affinity for the Russian language and its nuances. Both
accompanists are first rate. ...
see Full Review
BRYN
TERFEL: SOME ENCHANTED EVENING The
Best of the Musicals
Bryn Terfel (Baritone), Chorus of Opera North, English Northern Philharmonia/Paul
Daniel Location, date, producer etc. not given DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 471 425-2 [76.52] [CH]
Lovely
voice, lovely singing. It’s probably my fault I didn’t enjoy it more.
...see Full Review
THIRTEEN
WAYS OF LOOKING AT A BLACKBIRD Music
for recorder and string quartet David
FORSHAW
(b.1938) Thirteen
Ways of Looking at a Blackbird (1996) Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1918 – 1990) Variations on an Octatonic Scale
(1989) Richard ARNELL (b.1917)
Quintet "The Gambian" Op.107 (1965) David
ELLIS (b.1933) Elegiac Variations Op.66 (2001)
Robert SIMPSON (1921 – 1997) Variations
and Fugue (1959) Beth WISEMAN (b.1951)
Dances on my Grave (2000) Mátyás
SEIBER (1905 – 1960) Pastorale (1941) Philip
WOOD (b.1972) Concertino for Recorder & String Quartet
(2000) John Turner (recorders); The Camerata Ensemble (Richard Howard,
Julian Hanson [violins]; Tom Dunn [viola]; Jonathan Price [cello]) Recorded:
ASC Studios, Macclesfield, December 2000 and May 2001 OLYMPIA OCD
710 [60:40] [HC][CSS]
One
of those enterprising compilations in which John Turner’s unrivalled
flair for unearthing rarities or commissioning new works for his instruments
pays high dividends. [HC]
This
disc, opening in a veritable orgy of bird-song as picturesque as anything
in Messiaen, explores many curious paths.[CSS] … see Full
Listing
Jennie
TOUREL (1900-)
mezzo-soprano The Singers series
Songs
by Gluck, Rossini, Bizet, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Grechaninov, etc.
Accompanied by Paul Ulanovsky
& Brooks Smith (piano) Rec. Dates unknown
DECCA 467 907-2 [73.03] [JF]
Tourel
is vivacious, full toned, rich in the lower register and with a good
top. She is not extended unduly until the more demanding Russian repertoire.
Here the voice shows more of its dramatic overtones. …see Full
Listing
BOOK REVIEWS
J.
S. BACH - THE COMPLETE CANTATAS
In German-English translation by Richard Stokes Introduction by Martin
Neary 381 pages Scarecrow Press, 2000 0-8108-3933-4
An
admirable project, and one that is indeed useful for fans of Bach’s
cantatas. Having all these translations in one book is very practical
.. see Full Review
The
Unknown Callas, the Greek years.
Nicholas Petsalis-Diomidis. Amadeus Press. ISBN 1-57467-059-X [LKD]
Buy
the book which also includes details of Callas’s life after the Greek
years. …see Full Review
The
Music of John Ireland By
Fiona Richards 282 pages; hardback. Ashgate Publishing 2002. ISBN 0-7546-0111-0
[IL]
This
is a meritorious and long overdue assessment of the music of John Ireland.
It is to be hoped that it will spur more performances and recordings
of this important and relatively neglected English composer. … see Full
Review
FANNY
MENDELSSOHN by Francoise Tillard.
Amadeus Press ISBN 0-931340-96-9 [LKD]
One
detects that the writer is saying that Fanny Mendelssohn was a better
composer than her brother Felix …. The book is handsomely produced with
fine pictures. .. see Full Review
Olivier
Messiaen – Music and Colour
Conversations with Claude Samuel
Amadeus Press, 296 pages Hardback ISBN 0-931340-67-5 [IL]
An
absolutely fascinating thought-provoking book … Not an easy read in
parts – it is quite technical in its musical language. A book that satisfies
and one that you can dip into and return to time and again. … see Full
Review
LILY
PONS. A Centennial Portrait, edited by James
A. Drake and Kristin Beall Ludecke. Amadeus Press ISBN 1-57467-047-6
[LKD]
Another
handsome publication with some gorgeous photographs which ooze glamour.
Did Lily Pons want to be a great opera singer or a glamour puss? ...see
Full Review
[Part 1
New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]
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