> Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - June 2002 part 2 A-B: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

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PART 2
A to B

[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] 
[Part 7 Misc]          



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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Kenneth ALFORD, MASTER OF MILITARY MUSIC
ALFORD: By Land and Sea; Cavalry of the Clouds; Colonel Bogey; Dunedin; Eagle Squadron; H M Jollies; The Voice of the Guns; The Thin Red Line; The Standard of St George; On the Quarterdeck; Colonel Bogey on Parade (potpourri) arr. ALFORD: A Life on the Ocean Wave; Dance in the Twilight (E COATES); Lilliburlero. STRACHEY: In Party Mood. HUBERT BATH: Out of the Blue. Various bands etc. mostly cond. Alford 55’ approx. CD CMM (Mc TMM) from This England, P O Box 52, Cheltenham, Gloucester GL50 1YQ (e-mail sales @ thisengland.co.uk; www.thisengland.co.uk) £8.95 encl. Post & packing in UK (£7.50) musicassette ditto).

I have enjoyed this Alford "revival" and invite others to share my pleasure. … see Full Review

Charles-Valentin ALKAN (1813-1888) Esquisses Op.63 (1861) Laurent Martin, piano - Recorded in Heidelberg in 1990 DDD Stereo NAXOS 8.555496 [74:29] [DB]

A first class recording by a first class pianist of some extraordinarily interesting and absorbing music by a great French eccentric. … see Full Review

Thomas ARNE Complete Trio Sonatas. Collegium Musicum 90/Simon Standage Rec 1998 CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN 0666 [65.00?] [PS]

Well made works displaying Arne’s gift for melody and equally characteristic vitality. Justice done by Collegium Musicum 90. … see Full Review

Aafje Heynis sings arias by BACH and HANDEL Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Bist du bei mir, BWV5081 [3.17] ‘Was mein Herz von dir begehrt’ (from Cantata ‘Es ist euch gut, daß ich hingehe’, BWV108) [5.59] ‘Erbarme dich’ (from St Matthew Passion, BWV244) [7.16] ‘Bereite dich, Zion’ (from Christmas Oratorio, BWV248) [5.31] ‘Es ist vollbracht’ (from St John Passion, BWV245) [5.37] Ave Maria (arr. GOUNOD)2 [3.20] ‘Schlafe mein Liebster’ (from Christmas Oratorio, BWV248) [10.08] George Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Arioso ‘Dank sei dir’ (attrib.)1 [4.19] ‘Father of Heaven’ (from Judas Maccabeus) [6.39] ‘Return, oh God of Hosts’ (from Samson) [6.18] ‘Virgam Virtutis Tuae’ (from Dixit Dominus)3 [3.12] ‘Oh thou that tellest’ (from Messiah) [5.27] ‘He was depised’ (from Messiah) [11.11] Aafje Heynis (contralto) with Vienna Symphony Orchestra, cond. Hans Gillesberger, except as follows: 1 Pierre Polla (organ) 2 Pro Musica Choir, cond. Lex Karsemeijer, with Meindert Boekel (organ) 3 Amsterdam Chamber Orchestra, cond. Marinus Voorberg - ADD tracks cond. Gillesberger recorded 1961 and (Messiah tracks) 1963 - other tracks recorded 11957, 21960 and 31970 ELOQUENCE PHILIPS 464 631-2 [77.16] [PJL]

Notwithstanding my various misgivings, dividing the top-of-the-tree artistry on offer here by Eloquence’s pocket-money asking price amounts to a tempting bargain! … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Musical Offering BWV 1079 - Ricercar a 3, Canon Perpetuus super Thema Regium, Canon 1 a 2, cancrizans, Canon 2 a 2, Violino in unisono, Canon 3 a 2, per motum contrarium, Canon 4 a 2, per Augmentationem, contrario motu, Canon 5 a 2, per Tonos, Fuga canonica in Epidiapente, Ricercar a 6 (harpsichord), Canon a 2, Canon a 4, Sonata Sopr'il Soggetto Reale .I. Largo .II. Allegro .III. Andante .IV. Allegro, Canon Perpetuus [per justi intervali] Documentary: A New Organ for St. Thomas Church Barthold Kuijken, flute - Sigiswald Kuijken, violin - Wieldand Kuijken, cello - Robert Kohnen, harpsichord - Rec: July 28 2000, Old Town Hall, Liepzig. ALIA VOX AV9817 [62 min.] [KM]

A fine performance, though the DVD adds little to the music. … see Full Review

J.S. BACH Der Kunst Der Fugue (The Art Of Fugue) Played on the organ of the Dutch Church, Austin Friars, London by Colm Carey - Recorded November 2000 SIGNUM 027 [57.00?] [GH]
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

No composer has ever matched The Art of Fugue in contrapuntal ingenuity or the unfulfilled promise of the great, final four-subject fugue tailing away incomplete at Bach’s Death. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cello Suites 1, 2, 3 - No. 1 in G major BWV 1007 - No. 2 in G major BWV 1008 - No. 3 in G major BWV 1009 Jiri Barta, cello - Rec: November 1995, Castle Kozel. SUPRAPHON SU 3242-1 131 [56.53] [KM]

While not the best recording of these works, it is a herald of a long and interesting career by a young cellist. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cello Suites 4, 5, 6 - No. 4 in G major BWV 1010 - No. 5 in G major BWV 1011 - No. 6 in G major BWV 1012 Jiri Barta, cello - Rec: July - August 1996, Castle Kozel. SUPRAPHON SU 3242-2 131 [74.27] [KM]

Less convincing than the disc containing the first three cello suites, this is nevertheless a good recording. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas vol. 18 - Cantata No.66, "Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen", BWV 66 - Cantata No.134, "Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß", BWV 134 - Cantata No.67, " Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ", BWV 67 - Robin Blaze, alto - Makoto Sakurada, tenor - Peter Kooij, bass Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki - Rec: May 2001, Kobe Shoin Women’s University, Japan. BIS CD-1251 [69.43] [KM]

Another jewel in one of the best recorded series of cantatas … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Passion according to St Matthew BWV 244 Claes Hakon Ahnsjö (Evangelist) Hermann Prey (Christus) Margaret Marshall (soprano) Jard van Nes (contralto) Aldo Baldin (tenor) Anton Scharinger (bass) Tolzer Knabenchör Neubeurer Chorgemeinschaft Bach Collegium München Enoch zu Guttenberg (conductor) Peter Schulze Rohr (video director) Recorded live in an unnamed Bavarian church some time in 1990 ARTHAUS MUSIK 100268 [93'05"?] [PQ]

The whole performance in fact see-saws between insensitivity and deep affection, sometimes in the space of a few bars. … see Full Review

J S BACH (1685-1750) Twelve Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book One Nos 4,9,10,11,12,13,14 - Book Two Nos 27,30,31,39,48 - Capriccio on the departure of a beloved brother BWV 992 - Toccata and Fugue in D major BWV 912 Wilhelm Kempff, piano - Recorded 1976 Deutsche Grammophon Eloquence 457 653-2 [75.02] [JW]

A bewilderingly uneven selection from the Well-Tempered Clavier and a somewhat unsatisfactory disc…see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Complete Organ Works Volume 1 - The Toccatas Toccata con Fuga in D minor, BWV 565 Toccata in C major, BWV 566 Toccata and Fuga in F major, BWV 540 Toccata, Adagio and Fuge, in C major, BWV 564 Toccata and Fuga in D minor (Dorian), BWV 538 Ewald Kooiman, organ Rec: No date specified, Grote of St. Bavorkerk, Haarlem, Netherlands. CORONATA COR 1213 [61.11] [KM]

Though Kooiman is not well-known as a performer, this set certainly deserves the attention of fans of Bach’s organ music. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Complete Organ Works Volume 2 - Trio Sonatas and Fantasias (I) Trio Sonata No. 1 in E flat major, BWV525 Fantasia in C minor, BWV562 Trio Sonata No. 2 in C minor, BWV526 Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, BWV537
Trio Sonata No. 3 in D minor, BWV527 Fantasia in C minor, Anhang 205/Anh. II 45 Fantasia in C major, BWV570 Ewald Kooiman, organ Rec: March 1991, Grote of Mariakerk, Meppel, Netherlands. CORONATA COR 1313 [65.56] [KM]

Overall, the selection of works on this disc is quite effective, though the tempi for the fast movements of the trio sonatas leaves something to be desired. … see Full Review


Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Complete Organ Works Volume 3 - Trio Sonatas and Fantasias (II) Fantasie und Fuge in G minor, BWV542 Trio Sonata No. 4 in E minor, BWV528 Fantasia (Concerto) in G major, BWV571 Trio Sonata No. 5 in C major, BWV529 Pièce d’Orgue (Fantaisie) in G major, BWV572 Trio Sonata No. 6 in G major, BWV530 Ewald Kooiman, organ Rec: August 1991, Grote of Mariakerk, Meppel, Netherlands. CORONATA COR 1413 [71.24] [KM]

In the slower movements Kooiman’s subtle playing fits perfectly but he seems out of sympathy with the faster movements. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Music for Oboe and Harpsichord : Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier; Sonata in G minor, BWV 1030b ;
Sonata in C major, BWV 103; Sonata in G minor, BWV 102; Prelude and Fugue in c minor, BWV 871, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II; Sonata in Eb major, BWV 1031; ‘Organ’ trio sonata in C major, BWV 521 Gail Hennessy, oboe Nicholas Parle, harpsichord Rec: December 2000, St. Andrew’s Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire. SIGNUM SIGCD034 [68:39] [KM]
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

This is an interesting disc, and one that is certainly unique....see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book I Alison Crum, viola da gamba; Laurence Cummings, harpsichord Rec: November 1999. SIGNUM SIGCD024 [55.12] [KM]
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

From the very first notes, I knew there was something different, and I can honestly say that this extraordinary recording has totally changed my point of view of these works. ...see Full Review

BACH, BUXTEHUDE, MOZART and PURCELL Jan Van Landeghem at the Organ of St.Gilliskerk, Brugge. Rec 1990s PAVANE ADW 7339 Full Price [c.55.00] [RV]
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

At 55 minutes this CD is not an attractive buy unless you are a visitor to the church with only a vague knowledge of organ music ...see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony no. 1 in C major op.21 - Symphony no. 2 in D major op.36 - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Claudio Abbado (conductor) Recorded in the Kammermusiksaal of the Philharmonie, Berlin, March 2000
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 487-2 [57’30"] [PQ]

These readings are entirely literal, in the best and worst senses of that word. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Concerto in D major, Op.61 - Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.47 - Pinchas Zukerman (violin)- Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Op.61) London Philharmonic Orchestra (Op.47) Daniel Barenboim - Recorded 1977 (Op.61) 1975 (Op. 47) ADD ELOQUENCE DG 457 294-2 [77.41] Super-budget [TH]

Barenboim has his detractors but he has done many fine things. I have not heard any better modern version of either piece. … see Full Review

Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony no.9 in d minor op. 125 "Choral" Karita Mattila, soprano, Violeta Urmana, mezzo-soprano, Thomas Moser, tenor, Thomas Quasthoff, bass, Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra /Claudio Abbado - Recorded Berlin Philharmonie Grosser Saal, April 2000 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 491-2 [62:19] [GPJ]

Is there such a thing as a perfect ‘Choral’? Probably not; but this is a particularly fine one, which I suspect will stand the test of time. … see Full Review

Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Missa Solemnis (Mass in D) op.123
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony no.4 in c minor ("Tragic") New Philharmonia Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini In the Missa Solemnis, Philharmonia Chorus, Teresa Zylis-Gara, soprano, Marga Höffgen, contralto, Robert Tear, tenor, Raffaele Arié, bass Beethoven recorded St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, 16th July 1968 Schubert recorded Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 31st August 1968 BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4093-2 [2CDs: 66:06+43:26] [GPJ]

The ultimate triumph of the performance is that it makes one constantly marvel at the awesome imagination which created this piece, one of the summits of European art. Giulini leads us to that summit with quiet assurance and consummate skill. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Piano Trios, Vol 4 Piano Trio in B flat major, Op 97 ‘Archduke’ (1811) [41.56] Piano Trio in B flat major, WoO39 (1812) [4.44]Piano Trio in E flat major, WoO38 (1791) [14.47]Piano Trio in E flat major, Hess 48 (1784) [3.12] Trio Parnassus: Wolfgang Schröder (violin), Michael Groß (cello) and Chia Chou (piano) recorded 21-22 March 2001, Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen DDD MDG 303 1054-2 [65.17] [PL]

Trio Parnassus are a most musical team – a most musical team, and a most musical team. I enjoyed their playing enormously. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Favourite Piano Sonatas Volume 2 Tempest Op 31 No 2 Appassionata Op 57 A Therese Op 78 Alla tedesca Op 79 Les Adieux Op 81a Wilhelm Backhaus, piano Recorded 1959-1969 ELOQUENCE DECCA 467 240-2 [77’21] [JW]

Great nobility and pianistic honesty in his playing and these are qualities that belong only to the rarest of musicians. … see Full Review

Richard Rodney BENNETT (born 1936) After Syrinx I (1982) - Herbert HOWELLS (1892 – 1983) Oboe Sonata (1942) - Gordon JACOB (1895 – 1984) Seven Bagatelles (1970) - Lennox BERKELEY (1903 – 1989) Oboe Sonatina Op.61 (1962) - Edmund RUBBRA (1901 – 1986) Oboe Sonata in C Op.100 (1958) William McCullen (oboe); Catherine Herbener (piano) - Recorded: Kimball Recital Hall, University of Nebraska, May 1998 and May 1999 CRYSTAL RECORDS CD 724 [65:16] [HC]

The artists obviously love these works, and play with assurance and dedication, making the best out of each. … see Full Review

Richard Rodney BENNETT (born 1936) Piano Concerto (1968)a Concerto for Stan Getz (1990)b Waltz from Murder on the Orient Express (1974)c Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)d Dream Sequence (1992)e Stephen Kovacevich (piano)a; John Harle (saxophone)b; BBC Symphony Orchestraab; Alexander Gibsona; Barry Wordsworthb; Hollywood Bowl Orchestracd; John Maucericd; Julian Lloyd Webber (cello)e; Richard Rodney Bennett (piano)e Recorded: Wembley Town Hall, January 1971a; BBC Hippodrome, Golders Green, London, March 1993b; Sony Studios, Culver City, USA, January 1993c; Hollywood, August 1995d and Henry Wood Hall, London, October 1993e DECCA 470 371-2 [59:42]

From Boulez-inspired serialism to film scores and out and out jazz. A useful overview of the prolific and diverse output of a truly versatile composer. … see Full Review

Heinrich Franz BIBER (1644-1704) Mystery Sonatas 1-7 Passacaglia Gabriela Demeterova, violin Jaroslav Tuma, organ Recorded Mirror Chapel, Klementinum, Prague March 1996 SUPRAPHON SU 3155-2131 [59’33] [JW]

Some of the most profoundly introspective, technically advanced and spiritually intense moments in the instrumental literature of the baroque and an analogue to Bach’s Passions. … see Full Review

 

Heinrich Ignaz BIBER (1644-1704) The Mystery Sonatas for Violin and continuo Cordario with Walter Reiter, Violin Recorded at St. Silas’s Presbytery, London, March 2000 and at The Parish Church Orford, Suffolk, May 2000 SIGNUM CD 021 [Disc 1 69.36 Disc 2 69.03] [GH]

Blend, sensitivity and recorded balance are always immaculate, beautiful and at times tear-jerking. Highly recommended. … see Full Review

You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Harrison BIRTWISTLE (b. 1934) Pulse Shadows (1996) Meditations on Paul Celan for Soprano, String Quartet and Ensemble Claron McFadden (soprano) Arditti Quartet Nash Ensemble Reinbert De Leeuw Recorded at The BBC Hippodrome, London TELDEC WDR 3 3984-26867-2 DDD [63:33] [CT]

Typically no compromise Birtwistle but with a deep vein of melody, lyricism and above all, emotion. A highly personal and at times very beautiful response to Celan’s poetry. … see Full Review

Sir Henry Rowley BISHOP - Nineteen songs for Shakespeare: Lo! Here the Gentle Lark; Welcome to this Place; Should He Upbraid; Who is Sylvia I and II; That Time of Year; When that I Was and Little Tiny Boy; Come Live With Me; Hark, Hark Each Spartan Hound; Oh! Never Say; Sing Willow; It Was a Lover and His Lass; Under the Greenwood Tree; Take, oh Take Those Lips Away; Flower of the Purple Dye; Now the Hungry Lions Roar; Orpheus With His Lute; Come Thou Monarch of the Vine; Spirits Advance. Musicians of the Globe/Philip Pickett. Rec ADD 1998? DECCA - THE BRITISH MUSIC COLLECTION 470 381-2 [67’09"] [PLS]

Not quite first rate music but excellent work of the second rank. I urge you to explore it. … see Full Review

John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948) String Quartets Volume 1 - Quartet No. 16 'Quartette Provençale' (1936) - Quartet for Strings No.7 'Threnody' (1916) - Quartet No. 4 (1905) - Fantasia for String Quartet No. 17 (1947) Chilingirian Quartet - Recorded at Snape Maltings Concert Hall 19/20 February 2001; 9/10 November 2001 (No.4) CHANDOS CHAN 9926 [68.49] [JF]

This is an exciting opportunity to explore some of the string quartets by one of the great masters of the form. Each of these works can be regarded as a masterpiece. Each one deserves it place in the performing repertoire. … see Full Review

André BOUCOURECHLIEV (born 1925) Quatuor III (1994) Miroir 2 (1989) Archipel II (1968) Quatuor Ysaye - Recorded: Radio France Studio 107, December 2000 ÆON AECD 0102 [56:34] [HC]

Substantial works superbly played and warmly recorded. A real winner paying a deserved tribute to a most distinguished composer whose music is still too little heard. … see Full Review

York BOWEN (1884-1961) 2nd Symphony Frederic AUSTIN (1872-1952) Symphonic Rhapsody Spring Edgar BAINTON (1880-1956) Genesis (from Before Sunrise) Royal Northern College Symphony Orchestra/Douglas Bostock Rec. RNCM Concert Hall, Manchester, December 2001 The British Symphonic Collection No.10 CLASSICO CLASSCD 404 [79.10] [RW]

The Royal Northern College Orchestra handles the scores magnificently. Their competence with delicate filigree at one moment and then fortissimo power the next is breathtaking. ...see Full Review

William BOYCE - Pindar’s Ode - New Year Ode 1774. Patrick Burrows (boy soprano), Andrew Johnson (boy soprano), Christopher Josey (high tenor), Charles Daniels (tenor), Michael George (Bass-baritone), Choir Of New College, Oxford - Hanover Band/Graham Lea-Cox ASV CD GAUDEAMUS GAV 232 [74’20"] [PLS]

Boyce, an undoubted master of British music. Our deepest gratitude must go to the conductor Graham Lea-Cox for his faith in, and his advocacy for, this fine music. Highly recommended. … see Full Review

See also review by Jonathan Woolf

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 1 Tragic Overture New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Kurt Masur - Recorded May 1994 (Symphony No. 1), February 1995, Avery Fisher Hall, New York WARNER APEX 09274 43512 [58.57] [TB]

Symphony: Interpretation and the playing carry real weight and conviction. Tragic Overture does not quite come off with the same effectiveness. … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Alto Rhapsody, Opus 53 - Festive and Memorial Verses, Opus 109 - Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) - Three Motets: Jauchzet dem Herrn, Richte mich Gott (Psalm 43), Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen, Pamela Coburn (soprano); Lioba Brawn (mezzo soprano); Deon van der Welt (tenor) Windsbacker Knabenchor - Austro-Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra - Friedemann Winklhofer (organ) - Karl-Friedrich Beringer - Recorded 20-14 July 1996, Kirche St Gumbertus HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD94.008 [37.48] [TB]

Who except the most die-hard collector is going to buy a CD containing only half as much music as it might? … See Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No 2 - Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No 1 Vladimir Horowitz, piano - NBC Symphony Orchestra - Arturo Toscanini - Recorded May 1940 (Brahms) May 1941 (Tchaikovsky) NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110671 [73’46] [JW]

The performances here have their admirers but I’m not one of them. … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No 1 Four Ballades Op 10 Arthur Rubinstein, piano (Concerto) Julius Katchen, piano (Ballades) Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta Recorded 1976 (Concerto) 1965 (Ballades) ELOQUENCE DECCA 466 724-2 [70’17] [TH]

A moving but flawed last testament. … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No 2 - Paganini Variations Op 35 - Julius Katchen, piano - London Symphony Orchestra Janos Ferencsik - Recorded 1960 (Concerto), 1965 (Paganini Variations) DECCA ELOQUENCE 458 171-2 [67.06] [JW]

An air of calculation remains troubling in the Concerto but the Paganini Variations contain colossally brilliant playing…see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra +
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Concerto for Violin, Piano and Strings * Henryk Szeryng, violin + Janos Starker, cello + Concertgebouw Orchestra + Bernard Haitink + Jaap van Zweden, violin * Ronald Brautigam, piano * Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra * Recorded 1971 (Brahms) 1987 (Mendelssohn) PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 464 369-2 [62’50] [JW]

An intriguing coupling but not a uniformly successful one…see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concertos * Violin Concerto ^ Double Concerto # Waltzes Op 39 + Klavierstucke Op 119 + Karin Lechner, piano *+ Borika van den Booren, violin ^ Emmy Verhey, violin # Janos Starker, cello # Berliner Symphoniker conducted by Eduardo Marturet * ^ Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Arpad Joo # No recording details BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99274 [3 CDs 211’44] [JW]

Double Concerto probably the pick of the bunch. An unwieldy box set. … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 7 - Chicago Symphony Orchestra Daniel Barenboim - Recorded 1980, Chicago DG ELOQUENCE 469 761-2 [66.36] [TB]

Though not quite as overwhelming as it might be this remains an exciting performance of a great symphony … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 8 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Pierre Boulez Also includes interview with Pierre Boulez Recorded 21-22 September 1996, St Florian TDK DV-VPOBR [95.00] [TB]

The music is beautifully played, the composer is well served and the orchestra sounds splendid. … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-96) Symphony No.9 in D Minor (1887-94) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Claudio Abaddo (Recorded at the Musikverein, Vienna in November 1996) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 032-2 [60.24] [TD]

An interesting and rewarding Bruckner Ninth. Not one to replace other top recommendations, but certainly one to take down for a distinctive view. … see Full Review

Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Orchestral Suite No. 2 ’Geharnischte Suite’, Op. 34a, Berceuse élégiaque, Op. 42, Concertino for Clarinet and Small Orchestra, Op. 48*, Sarabande and Cortège, Op. 51 (Two Studies for Doktor Faust) Tanzwalzer, Op. 53 John Bradbury: clarinet* BBC Philharmonic/Neeme JärviRecorded March 2001, Manchester, UK CHANDOS CHAN 9920 [69:54] [JL]

Proselytising Busoni fans will delight at the release of a superbly performed medley of orchestral works, whilst those who know little of the composer’s music may find the disc will serve as a revelatory introduction. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH - Ferruccio BUSONI (1866 - 1924) Turandot Suite Op.41 (1905) - Sarabande and Cortège: Two Studies for Doktor Faust Op.51 (1919) - Berceuse élégiaque Op.42 (1909) Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Samuel Wong - Recorded Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong, January 2001, DDD Stereo NAXOS 8.555373 [70:50] [DB]

An essential purchase. Two great Busoni masterpieces and a hugely absorbing orchestral suite that is almost a masterpiece, all played with magnificent concentration by a splendid orchestra. … see Full Revie

William BYRD (c. 1540 - 1623) John Come Kiss Me Now - Fantasia, Bk 25, Sellinger's Round, Bk 84 - Hugh Aston's Ground Or Tregian's Ground, Bk 20 - Pavan : Ph. Tregian, Bk 60a - Galliard, Bk 60b - Walsingham, Bk 8 - Callino Casturame, Bk 35 - Prelude, Bk 12 - Fantasia, Bk 13 - My Lady Nevell's Ground, Bk 57 - The Queen's Alman, Bk 10 - Alman, Bk 89 - Lavolta, Bk 91 - Qui Passe For My Lady Nevell, Bk 19 - The Woods So Wild, Bk 85 - John Come Kiss Me Now, Bk 81 - The Bells, Bk 38 Andreas Staier, harpsichord - Rec: August 2001, DeutschlandRadio Köln, Cologne, Germany TELDEC 0927 42205-2 [73.12] [KM]

One can only hope that Staier records more of these works. His attention to detail and subtle manner of playing make this a very satisfying recording. … 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] 
[Part 7 Misc] 

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