Enrico CARUSO
(1873-1921) The
complete recordings, Vol. 8 - Leoncavallo, Lasciati amar; De
Crescenzo, Guardann’a luna; O’Hara, Your eyes have told me;
Cottrau, Fenesta che lucive; Rossini, Cuius animam (Stabat
mater); Faure, Les rameaux; Mascagni, Addio alla madre
(Cavalleria Rusticana); Verdi, Oh mostruosa colpa (Otello);
Tchaikovsky, Sérénade de Don Juan; Ricciardi, Amor
mio; Valente, Manella mia; Faure, Les rameaux; Gartner,
Trusting eyes; Ronald, Sérenade espagnole; Tosti,
Parted; Verdi, La rivedrà (Un ballo in maschera);
Verdi, Ò scherzo od follia (Un ballo in maschera); Alvarez,
La Partida; Chapi, El milagro de la Virgen: Flores purisimas
- All tracks recorded 1913-1914 in New York. Tracks 1-17 with the Victor
Orchestra, tracks 16-17 with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus.
NAXOS 8.110726 [69.18]
[RDB]
Those
who have found much to admire in the forerunners of this worthwhile
project will need no encouragement to acquire the latest addition to
the series. … see Full Review
Robert CASADESUS
(1899-1972) Violin
Sonata No. 1 (1927) [10.39] - Violin Sonata No. 2 (1941) [17.41] - Suite
for Two Violins (1944) [15.10] - Hommage à Chausson (1955)
[7.50] Fritz Gearhart
(violin) - John Owings (piano) - Kathryn Lucktenberg (violin) (suite
only) - rec Beall Hall. University of Oregon School of Music, 20-22
March 2000, 14 June 2000.
KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS KIC-CD-7528 [51.26] [RB]
Lovingly
performed by all concerned with a warming sense of dancing sunlight
on choppy waters. … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Cécile
CHAMINADE (1857-1944)
Mélodies; Pièces pour violon
et piano (2) Pièces pour deux pianos (3)
Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano) (1), Nils-Erik Sparf (violin)
(2), Peter Jablonski (pianoforte) (3), Bengt Forsberg (pianoforte) (all
items) Recorded Sep. 2000, Stockholm, Sveriges Radio AB, Berwaldhallen
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
471 331-2 [76’ 09"] [CH]
None
of us will be around when they start selecting "21st
Century Gramophone Classics", but I have the idea this will be
one of them. … See Full Review
Luigi
CHERUBINI (1760
- 1842) Six
Keyboard Sonatas No. 1 in F; No. 2 in C; No. 3 in B flat; No. 4 in G;
No. 5 in D; No. 6 in E flat.
Paule van Parys (harpsichord). Recorded in June 1991.
PAVANE ADW7233 [70'51] [CC]
The
Cherubini discography is without doubt in need of expansion and it would
have been a great pleasure to recommend this disc. In reality, however,
van Parys is likely to win few over to Cherubini's cause. see Full
Review
Frederic CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Waltzes
- complete - nos 1-19 - Impromptus - complete - nos 1-4
Georges Cziffra: piano - Recorded 1974, 1977, 1978, Salle Wagram,
Paris EMI Classics
5 74975 2 [79:08] [JL]
Cziffra,
great Liszt player of his day, turns his powerful hands to the Chopin
Waltzes and Impromptus. These 1970s recordings unquestionably display
a formidable pianist at work. … see Full
Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810
- 1849) Rondos - C minor (op. 1); F, 'à la Mazur,
(op. 5); E flat (op. 16); C (op. 67, solo piano version); Piano Sonata
No. 1 in C minor, Op. 4.
Joanna Trzeciak (piano).Recorded at Original Sound Studio SI, Polish
Radio, November 2nd-4th, 1992.
PAVANE ADW7291 [60.44] [CC]
Trzeciak
highlights the inherent sense of longing and the spirit of Polish dance
to good effect. Much to commend here … see Full
Review
CHOPIN
Frederic (1810-1849)
THE ORIGINAL CHOPIN
Angela
Lear (pianoforte)
For sales and information contact: Libra
Records, PO Box 1172, Ilford, Essex
Volume
Five deserves a place in our library of Chopin discs for reference,
the others raise more questions. … see Full
Review
Eric
COATES (1886-1957)
Calling all workers, Springtime – Suite, From
Meadow to Mayfair – suite, With a song in my heart – Symphonic Rhapsody,
London Again – suite, By the Tamarisk, The Three Bears – a Phantasy,
With variously Symphony
Orchestra, Light Symphony Orchestra, Court Symphony Orchestra, New Symphony
Orchestra, Eric Coates, conductor Recorded between 1930 – 1940
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110182 [62.20] [JW]
These
recordings date from 1930-40, delightfully evocative and well worth
your money. … see Full Review
Gloria
COATES (b.1943)
String Quartet 1 (1966) String Quartet 5 ( 1988) String Quartet 6 (1999)
Kreutzer Quartet Recorded
St. John’s Church, Loughton, Essex, September 2000
NAXOS 8.559091 [59.02] [GH]
Gloria
Coates, the uncompromising glissando composer, callenging and atonal.
All for less than a fiver! … see Full Review
Aaron COPLAND
(1900-1990) Celluloid Copland -
From Sorcery to Science (1939) [9.55] The City - suite
(1939) [21.57] The Cummington Story - suite arr Sheffer (1941)
[9.55] The North Star - suite (1943) [17.22]
Eos Orchestra / Jonathan Sheffer - rec 15-20 March 2000, Performing
Arts Center, Purchase College, DDD
TELARC CD-80583 [59.24] [RB]
A
special project carried off with stylish engagement by Sheffer and his
collaborators in the Eos and at Telarc. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990) A Copland Celebration
- in Three 2CD Volumes ... from Sony Classical Vol.
1: Famous Orchestral and Chamber Works
SONY CLASSICAL SM2K 89323 [CD1:
75.56; CD2: 67.13] Vol. 2: Chamber Works and Rarities
SONY CLASSICAL SM2K 89326 [CD1: 61.41; CD2: 75.00] Vol.
3: Vocal Works and Opera
SONY CLASSICAL SM2K 89329 [CD1: 75.23; CD2: 65.58] [RB]
Three
generous helpings of non-mainstream Copland in historic recordings -
most sounding very well indeed. They are outstandingly presented. Forced
to choose one there can be no doubt; it has to be volume 3 for its slightly
abridged The Tender Land - a special listening experience. ...see Full
Review
Chiara
Margarita COZZOLANI (1602
- c. 1677) Vespro della Beata Vergine, Second
Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin
Magnificat - Warren Stewart, conductor Rec: April 1995, April 1998,
March-May 1999, August 2000, June 2001, various locations.
MUSICA OMNIA MO0103 3CDs[142.13 + 17.28] [KM]
Rush
out and listen to this - you will be surprised, enchanted, and most
probably delighted. … see Full Review
JEAN
CRAS (1879-1932)
ORCHESTRAL MUSIC CD1 Journal de Bord (1927) 23
mins Âmes d'enfants (1918) 18.00 CD2 Légende
for cello and orchestra (1929) 14.17 Piano Concerto (1931)
29.00 Henri Demarquette
(cello) Alain Jacquon (piano) Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Jean-François
Antonioli rec Luxembourg,
July/Sept 1996 2CD set TIMPANI 2C2037 CD1 [41.51] CD2 [43.46]
PIANO MUSIC Danze (1917) (Track 1-4) Paysages
(1917) (5-6) Poèmes Intimes (1902-1911)
(7-11) Alain Jacquon
(piano) rec Théâtre
de Poissy 16-17 Oct 1995 TIMPANI 1C1033 [68.12] [RB]
All
three discs are recommended especially for those with an interest in
French music of the twentieth century and for those sympathetic to Celtic
impressionism and romance. ...see Full Review
César Cui
(1835-1918) 25
Preludes for Piano Op. 64.
Jeffrey Biegel, piano Recorded Arum Hall, Valparaiso, Indiana, USA,
16th -18th September 1992 (Re-issue of Marco Polo 8.223496
1993) NAXOS 8.555557
[67.00]
Twenty-five
attractive piano preludes from the Russian composer César Cui.
Deserve to be heard; deserve to be readmitted to the repertoire of all
romantic pianists. … see Full Review
Claude
DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Ibéria
from "Images" for orchestra (1905-1908) - Joaquín
TURINA (1882-1949) Danzas Fantàsticas Op.22
(1920) - Sinfonia Sevillana 0p.23 (1920) - La Procesión
del Rocio Op.9 (1913)
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Jesús López-Cobos - Recorded
in Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2001 DDD
TELARC CD-80574 [64:24] [CT]
The
Turina work fare best in enjoyable performances by an orchestra and
conductor who clearly have much to say. … see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY
(1862 – 1918) Chamber Works String
Quartet, Op. 10 (1893) Syrinx for solo flute (1915) Cello Sonata (1915)
Sonata for flute, viola and harp (1915) Violin Sonata (1916-17)
Sigiswald Kuijken; Veronica Kuijken; Sara Kuijken; Wieland Kuijken;
Barthold Kuijken; Piet Kuijken; Sophie Hallynck. Recorded at the Cultural
Centre at Lommel, Belgium, September, 1999
ARCANA A 303 [71:32] [TH]
The
best possible overview of Debussy’s work in the chamber field and wonderfully
idiomatic performances from the talented Kuijken dynasty … see Full
Review
Leo DELIBES (1836-1891)
Lakmé (Opera in 3 Acts) (1883) Lakmé,
Mady Mesplé (Sop). Gerald, Charles Burles (ten). Nilakantha,
Roger Soyer (b.bar).
Chorus and Orchestra of the Théâtre National de I'Opéra
Comique. Cond. Alain Lombard. Recorded: Salle Wagram, Paris 1971. "Great
Recordings of the Century" Series.
EMI CLASSICS 567742 - 2CDs [149.44] Mid Price. [RJF]
Mesplé:
a good trill, diction, and clear tone. Burles phrases well and holds
a good line.A warm yet clear and well-balanced recording. … see Full
Review
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934)
Violin
Concerto Edward ELGAR (1857- 1934)
Violin Concerto
Albert Sammons (violin) Liverpool PO/Malcolm Sargent New Queen's Hall
Orchestra/Henry Wood rec Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 4 July 1944 (Delius);
Queen's Hall, London, 18 Mar, 10 April 1929 ADD Producer and Audio Restoration
Engineer - Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110951 [67.13] [JQ] [RB]
They
are magnificent accounts of two very different works and the appearance
of this Naxos release is a cause for rejoicing. [JQ]
An
inexpensive way to add to your collection two well-loved archive recordings
of the Elgar and Delius. The Elgar, in particular, still has the power
to startle, stir and delight [RB]. ... see
full review
Frederick
DELIUS
(1862-1934) Sea
Drift John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) London Symphony Chorus Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra/Richard Hickox Rec April 1980, Kingsway Hall,
London Paris: The Song of a Great City, In a Summer Garden, A Song
of Summer, Summer Night on the River, The Walk to the Paradise Garden
London Symphony Orchestra/Anthony Collins Rec February & October
1953, Kingsway Hall, London Cello Sonata Julian Lloyd Webber
(cello); Bengt Forsberg (piano) Rec September 1996, Abbey Road Studios,
London A Song of the High Hills Rebecca Evans (soprano); Peter
Hoare (tenor) Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera/Sir Charles
Mackerras Rec April 1993, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea Intermezzo and Serenade:
Hassan, A Song before Sunrise, Intermezzo; Fennimore and Gerda, Air
and Dance, La Calinda (Koanga)
Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner Rec January
1977, St John's, Smith Square, London
DECCA 470 375 2 [2CDs: 151.56] [TB]
A
strange collection, since it contains some fine performances, but there
remains an uneasy mixture of historical and modern recordings. … see
Full Review
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934)
Piano Music Dance
for Harpsichord (arr for piano) Three Preludes, Five Piano Pieces, Zum
Carnival , Pensées Mélodieuses (No. 2), Badinage (Danse
Lente), Presto Leggiero, Two Piano Pieces Margot la Rouge - Prelude;
Duet - arr Ravel, On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, In a Summer
Garden, Florida Suite - selections - Plantation Dance (At Sunset); Nocturne
Charles Abramovic (piano)
Davyd Booth (violin) (Five Piano Pieces No. 4 only) rec Jan 2000, Longwood
Gardesns Music Room, Kennett Square, PA, USA
DIRECT-TO-TAPE DTR2001 [62.10] [RB]
General
interest may be limited but for those who opt to purchase there will
be few disappointments. We are well served by Mr Abramovic. ... see
Full Review
Frederick
DELIUS The Paradise
Garden - A Delius Organ Album A
Song Before Sunrise; Two Aquarelles; Homage to Delius (arr Dom Gregory
Murray [9.25, 4.54] Serenade - Hassan; Prelude - Irmelin (arr
Eric Fenby) [2.11; 5.37] Winter Night - Sleigh Ride; Intermezzo -
Fennimore and Gerda; Walk to the Paradise Garden - A Village Romeo and
Juliet (arr Robert Hebble) [6.18] On Hearing the First Cuckoo
in Spring (arr Ernest White) [7.17] La Calinda (arr Michael
Stairs) [4.51] Percy WHITLOCK
Carol
from Four Extemporisations [4.35]
Michael Stairs (organ) Longwood Gardens Organ rec 27 Oct 1997 (Song,
Intermezzo, Serenade), 12 Jan 1987, Longwood Gardens Music Room,
Kennett Square, PA, USA, DDD
DIRECT-TO-TAPE DTR9801 [70.40] [RB]
Not
as successful an enterprise as the DTR piano disc. Does the cloying
tone of the organ (not just this organ, by the way) suit Delius? I think
not. ... see Full Review
John DOWLAND
(1562 - 1626) Flowe
my Tears - Songs from the First Booke of Songs 1597 - And the Second
Booke of Songs 1600 [59.36] THE FIRST BOOKE OF SONGS 1597: Awake sweet
love thou art returnd - Goe crystall teares - If my complaints could
passions move - Come again: sweet love doth now invite - Can she excuse
my wronges with virtues cloak? - Deare, if you change, Ile never chuse
again - All ye whom love or fortune hath betraid - Sleep wayward thoughts.
THE SECOND BOOKE OF SONGS 1600: Flow my teares fall from your springs
- If fluds of teares could cleanse my follies past - Fine knacks for
Ladies, cheape, choise, brave and new - I saw my Lady weepe - First
part - Tymes eldest sonne, old age the heire of ease: Second part -
Then sit thee downe, & say thy Nunc dimittis: Third part - When
others singe Venite exultemus - Come ye heavie states of night
Shall I sue, shall I seeke for grace - Sorrow, sorrow, stay, lend true
repentant teares. Paul
Agnew, tenor - Christopher Wilson, lute - Rec: March 1995, St Andrews
Church,Toddington, Gloucestershire, England.
METRONOME MET CD 1010
[59.36] [KM]
Agnew
and Wilson give one of the most engaging performances of these songs.
… see Full Review
Marcel
Dupré (1886-1971)
Works for Organ: volume 1 Three
Preludes & Fugues (op 7): no 1 in B major; no 2 in F minor; no 3
in G minor, Fifteen Versets for Vespers of Common Feasts of the Blessed
Virgin Mary (op 18) Cortège et Litanie (op 19) Variations on
a Noël (op 20)
Jean-Pierre Lecaudey (organ) Recorded in the Collegiate Church of St
Martin (St Rémy-de-Provence, France), 7-9 November 1996
PAVANE RECORDS ADW 7382
[67:05] [AAS]
Excellently
recorded, thoroughly recommended. I hope that the second volume of this
important collection comes my way! ... see Full
Review
Antonin DVORAK (1841-1904)
Piano
Concerto * Violin Concerto + Cello Concerto # Romance for Violin and
Orchestra + Mazurek for Violin and Orchestra + Silent Woods Rondo for
Cello and Orchestra Rudolf Firkusny, piano * Ruggiero Ricci, violin
+ Zara Nelsova, cello #
Saint Louis Symphony
Orchestra/Walter Susskind - No recording locations or dates provided
BRILLIANT CLASSICS
99763 [2 CDs 129.50] [JW]
Nelsova
- well prepared no self-indulgence, no easy gestures, no heart-on-sleeve
emoting - admirable. Firkusny extracting a rich vein of meaning from
a score so frequently derided. Ricci oversentimentalized in phrasing
and tone and intense vibrato rather too violently oscillatory for a
work of this kind. … see Full Review
Antonin
DVORAK
(1841 – 1904) Music for Violin and Piano, Vol.2
Ballade in D minor, Op.15, No.1, Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op.46,
No.2 (arr. Kreisler), Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op.72, No.10 (arr.
Kreisler), Slavonic Dance in G major, Op. 72, No.16 (arr. Kreisler),
Silent Woods, Op. 68, No.5, Mazurek in E minor, Op. 49, Nocturne in
B major, Op.40, Humoresque, Op.101, No.7, Songs my mother taught me,
Op.55, No.4 (arr. Kreisler), Capriccio (Rondo di Concerto), B 81, Reverie,
Op. 85, No. 6 (arr. Paul Klengel)
Qian Zhou (violin), Edmund Battersby (piano) Recorded
at Potton Hall, Suffolk, May, 1999.
NAXOS 8.554730 [ 54:58 ] [TH]
It’s
easy to be superior and dismissive of discs whose contents do not plumb
the depths, but a lot of this material is delightful and, at its best,
memorable, and I guarantee will nag away in your memory. … see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Violin
Concerto () [55.20] - Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Partita No. 2 in D minor [18.19]
Ida Haendel (violin) London PO/Sir Adrian Boult - Elgar: rec 24 Apr,
10 May 1977, 10, 15 Jan 1978, Abbey Road Studios, London - ADD
Bach: Sept 1995, Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London - ADD
TESTAMENT SBT 1146 [73.02] [RB]
Recommendable
principally to those wanting to document late Boult/Elgar and for Haendel
completists. … see Full Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Complete works for organ: Sonata
No. 1 in G major, Op. 28 (1892) Vesper Voluntaries, Op. 14 (1890) Cantique
in C major, Op. 3 No. 1 (1879/1912) Loughborough Memorial Chime (1923)
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 87a (1933) arr. Ivor Atkins
John Butt at the organ of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge
(recorded July 1-4, 2000)
HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907281 [66:55] [IL]
Butt
plays these noble melodic works with flair. For the most part, Elgarians
will be delighted. … see Full Review
Sir Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) In
the South (Alassio), Concert Overture Op.50 (1903) [20.38) Introduction
and Allegro for strings Op.47 (1905) [13.01] Sospiri, for strings,
harp and organ Op.70 (1914) [5.35] Variations on an Original
Theme,Op.36,’Enigma’ (1899) [30.34]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
John Eliot Gardiner Recorded in the Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna,
October, 1998, DDD
DG 463 265-2 [69.48] [TH]
Anyone
coming new to this music in this combination is unlikely to disappointed.
Elgarians are probably not going to find old allegiances altered … see
Full Review
César
FRANCK (1822-1890)
Prélude,
Aria et Final, Prélude, Fugue et Variation (transcribed by Ignaz
Friedman), Sonata in A for violin and piano (transcribed by Alfred Cortot)
Yukie Nagai (pianoforte)
Recorded 26/29 January 2000, Studio Ernest Ansermet, Geneva, Switzerland
BIS CD-1056 [62’55"]
[CH]
Franck’s
"other" piano work plus two remarkably convincing transcriptions;
their success is due in no small measure to the natural musicianship
of the pianist. …
see Full Review
Carlo
Giorgio GAROFALO
(1886-1952) Violin
Concerto; Romantic Symphony
Sergei Stadler (violin) New Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Joel Spiegelman
Recorded 1999 in the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory of Music
MARCO POLO 8.225183 [70:01] [RDB]
The
playing is sensitive and thrilling – excellently disciplined performances
by an orchestra only recently (1999) created … see Full
Review
George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Tactus play Gershwin -
Nice work if you can get it, A foggy day, Love is here to stay, I’ll
build Astaire way to heaven, Love walked in, By Strauss, Swanee, The
man I love, Somebody loves me, They can’t take that away from me
Tactus String Quartet, No recording date or location
PAVANE ADW 7273 [33.11] [JW]
Playing
is calmly enjoyable though I can imagine less polished, more vibrato-laden
and less polite performances paying bigger dividends. … see Full
Review
Suzanne
GIRAUD (born
1958) To
One in Paradise (1999)a, Envoûtements [I] (1996)b,
Envoûtements II (1997)c, Envoûtements III
(1997)d, Envoûtements IV (1997)e
Sylvie Sullé (mezzo-soprano)a; Orchestre Philharmonique
de Radio France; Laurent Cuniota; Irvine Arditti (violin)b;
Clara Novakova (flute)c; Jean Geoffroy (marimba)c;
Ensemble Accroche-Note (Françoise Kubler, soprano; Arnaud Angster,
clarinets; Emmanuel Séjourné, percussion)d;
Arditti Quartete Recorded : Radio France, salle Olivier Messiaen,
September 1999a; Studio 18, February 2000b; Studio
106, February 2000e; Studio 103, May 2000d; Studio
103, September 2000c
MFA 216037 [61:09]
[HC]
Suzanne
Giraud’s music was new to me but I know that I will be looking forward
to hearing any new work of hers. … see Full Review
Giovanni
Francesco GIULIANI (b
c1760-after 1818) Quatuor en Re majeur, Quatuor
en Sol majeur, Quatuor en La majeur Giovanni/Johann
HOFFMANN (fl 1799) Quatuor en Fa majeur, Quatuor en Re
majeur Quatuor
PlectrArchi Recorded c1990
PAVANE ADW 7224 [66.14] [JW]
Obscurity
hovers threateningly over this disc. Whilst Giovanni Francesco Giuliani
is certainly not unknown Giovanni Hoffmann is mired in the mists of
time. see Full Review
Mauro
GIULIANI
(1781 – 1829) Duets for Flute and Guitar
Grand Potpourri, Op.53 Serenade, Op.127 Grand Duo Concertante,
Op.85 Grand Serenade, Op.82
Nora Shulman (flute) Norbert Kraft (guitar) Recorded
in St. John Chrystostom Church, Newmarket, Canada, August, 1999
NAXOS 8.554560 [68:00] [TH]
All
in all, a good disc to dip into if you need a bit of cheering up. …
see Full Review
Philip GLASS (b.1937)
Aguas
da Amazonia UAKTI
(Marco Antônio Guimarães: artistic direction and arrangements;
strings/Paulo Sérgio dos Santos: percussion/ Décio de
Souza Ramos Filho: percussion/Artur Andrés Ribeiro: woodwinds)
Recorded and mixed 1993-94, Brazil and New York (except "Metamorphosis",
recorded and mixed 1999)
POINT MUSIC 464 064-2 [54:43]
The
result is pleasant enough but some will be tested by the tedium of a
disc that, for about 90% of its duration, chugs along at the same relentless
pulse. Uakti deserved better. … see Full
Review
Karel
GOEYVAERTS
(1923 – 1993) Bélise
en son jardin (1972)a Improperia (1959)a Mon doux
pilote s’endort aussi (1975)b Erst das Gesicht, dann die
Hände, und zuletzt erst das Haar (1975)c Avontuur (1985)d
Zomerspelen (1961)e Pour que les fruits mûrissent cet
été (1976)f
Vilnius Municipal Choir "Jauna Muzika"a; Flemish
Radio Choirb; Champ d’Actionc; Prometheus Ensemble
& Champ d’Actiond; BRT Symphonic Orchestrae;
Florilegium Musicum de Parisf; Jan Michiels (piano)d;
Koen Kesselsac; Johan Duijckb; Peter Rundeld;
Gianpiero Tavernae Recorded : Vilnius Recording Studio,
September 1999a; Jesuits’Chapel, Heverlee, October 1998b;
deSingel, Antwerp, December 1998c; Luna Theatre, Brussels,
October 1996d; Studio 4, BRT, Brussels, October 1975e;
VRT Studios, January 1976f
MEGADISC MDC 7829/30 [36:02 + 60:15] [HC]
By
far the best introduction to Karel Goeyvaerts’ music - always gripping,
thought-provoking and very varied. … see Full
Review
Jerry GOLDSMITH Christus
Apollo - text by Ray Bradbury (plus Music for Orchestra)
- Anthony Hopkins (narrator); Eirian James (mezzo-soprano) - London
Voices London Symphony
Orchestra conducted by Jerry Goldsmith
TELARC CD-80560 [51:21] [GSD]
This
disc presents Jerry Goldsmith conducting three of his rare forays into
concert music on a no-expenses spared release … see Full
Review
Georges GURDJIEFF (1877
- 1949) and Thomas DE HARTMANN (1885 - 1956) Piano
Music, Volume 7 "Derviches Trembleurs", Volume 9 "Les
Cercles" -
Alain Kremski (pf.)
Recorded at Opus Systeme (Vanves, France) September 1998
AUVIDIS NAIVE V 4881 (vol. 7), V 4890 (vol. 9) [71'11, 71'16] [PS]
If
you have a taste for disarmingly simple oriental exoticism, these are
enchanting pieces, enchantingly played and will serve you splendidly
as either wallpaper or magic carpet. … see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759) Deborah, HWV51 (1733:
Oratorio in Three Acts) 
Soloists Barockorchester Frankfurt cond. Joachim Carlos Martini DDD:
recorded live in the Kloster Eberbach, Germany, 23 May 1999
NAXOS 8.554785-87 [PL]
Tread
carefully, and be warned: if you give this modestly-priced issue a miss,
you’ll be depriving yourself of some truly wonderful music, expertly
executed. … see Full Review
Georg
Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759)
Israel in Egypt Organ Concerto in F, HWV 295
Nicola Jenkin, soprano,Sally Dunkley, soprano, Caroline Trevor, alto,
Neil MacKenzie, tenor, Robert Evans, bass, Simon Birchall, bass, Paul
Nicholson, organ, Choir and Orchestra of The Sixteen, Harry Christophers
Rec: St Judes on the Hill, 1993.
REGIS RRC 2012 2CDs [141.39]
The
excellent Sixteen choir gives a brilliant performance, and this is an
enjoyable recording. … see Full Review
Roy
HARRIS (1898
– 1979) Symphony
No.8 "San Francisco Symphony" (1962)a Symphony
No.9 (1962) Memories of a Child’s Sunday (1945)
Alan Feinberg (piano)a; Albany Symphony Orchestra; David
Allan Miller Recorded: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, April 1998 (Symphony
No.8) and November 1998 (Symphony No.9, Memories)
ALBANY TROY 350 [66:34] [HC]
Those
who wonder what Harris’s symphonies after the Third are will find much
food for thought in this welcome release. … see Full
Review
Franz Joseph HAYDN
(1732 – 1809) String Quartets Op. 71 &
74 The ‘Apponyi’ Quartets - Disc One - String Quartet in
B flat major Op.71 no.1 - String Quartet in D major Op.71 no.2 - String
Quartet in E flat major Op.71 no.3 - Disc Two - String Quartet
in C major Op. 74 no.1 - String Quartet in F major Op. 74 no.2 - String
Quartet in G minor Op.74 no.3 - Festetics Quartet
DDD: recorded 27-30 December 1994 (disc 1), 27-30 April 1995 (disc 2)
In the Bibliothèque des Techniques, Budapest, Hungary
ARCANA A 418 [2 discs: 71:56, 79:16] [TH]
Depends
on how you like your Haydn. There is no doubting the tonal beauty and
quality of playing on offer. Recording quality first rate. … see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphonies,
Vol. 25 Symphony No. 70 in D major Symphony No. 71 in B flat major Symphony
No. 73 in D major 'La Chasse'
Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia Bela Drahos Rec 24-27 July 2000, Phoenix
Studio, Budapest
NAXOS 8.555708 [69.29] [TB]
Drahos
directs engaging and energetic performances - music of real vigour.
… see Full Review
Franz
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809) String Quartets, Op 17
Festetics Quartet: István Kertész (violin), Erika Petöfi
(violin), Péter Ligeti (viola), Rezsö Pertorini (cello)
DDD: recorded 16-19 December 1993 (Hob.III.27/29/30) and 12-15 March
1994 (Hob.III.25/26/28) in the Bibliothèque des Techniques, Budapest,
Hungary ARCANA A412
[150.42] [PL]
Festetics
use ‘period’instruments, the production is lavish, and the recording
is admirably detailed and spacious. … see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN
(1732-1809) Five Sonatas and Capriccio Sonata
in D major, Hob.XVI/37 Sonata in C# minor, Hob.XVI/36 Sonata in F major,
Hob.XVI/23 Sonata in E minor, Hob.XVI/34 Sonata in D major, Hob.XVI/51
Capriccio in G major, Hob.XVII/1 "Acht Sauschneider müssen
seyn" Joanna Leach,
Stodart square piano of 1823
ATHENE ATHCD22 [71.09] [KM]
One
cannot but enjoy this disc. Joanna Leach gives more beauty to her interpretations
than she does virtuosity but isn’t that what this music is all about?
… see Full Review
Gustav
HOLST
(1874 – 1934) The Planets (with
Colin Matthews’ Pluto, The Renewer) The Mystic Trumpeter *
(ed. Colin Matthews and Imogen Holst)
Claire Rutter * (soprano) Ladies of the RSNO Chorus and the Royal Scottish
National Orchestra Conducted by David Lloyd-Jones Recorded in Surround
Sound in the City Halls Glasgow, 17-18 February 2001
NAXOS 8.555776 [75:18] [IL]
A
very creditable performance of The Planets that can rank with some of
the best in the long and auspicious list of recordings in the catalogue.
The sound engineering is quite remarkable. [IL]
Recommended then, if only to hear The Mystic Trumpeter within
easy reaching distance of Matthews’ Pluto.[CC] … see
Full Review
Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1955)
Christoph Colomb (1940) Radio
Play by William Aguet Music by Arthur Honegger
English translation by Elaine Knecht and Tom Crann Buffalo Chorus and
Orchestra of Opera Sacra/Charles Peltz rec St Joseph's University Church,
Buffalo, New York, 30-31 Oct 1992
MODE mode 35 [60.01] [RB]
Atmosphere
one can cut with a knife. A radio-play with adroitly responsive
and creative music by Honegger ... see Full
Review
Luc
VAN HOVE (born
1957) Carnaval
op het Strand Op.17 (1985) Piano Concerto Op.32 (1995)a Symphony
No.1 Op.25 (1989) Triptiek Op.29 (1993)b Stacked Time Op.26
(1990)c Symphony No.2 Op.34 (1997)
Levente Kende (piano)a; Henk Swinnen (oboe)b;
Tim Vets (electric guitar)c; Flemish Radio Symphony Orchestra;
Etienne Siebens Recorded: Philips Building, Leuven, January, February
and July 2000 MEGADISC
MDC 7823/4 [52:28 + 58:09] [HC]
A
quite comprehensive survey of Luc Van Hove’s powerfully gripping music.
… see Full Review
Alan
HOVHANESS (1910-2000)
Violin/Viola
and Keyboard Works
Oror "Lullaby" Op. 1a (1922/26) Varak Op. 47a (1944) Chahagir Op. 56a
(1944) Saris Op. 67 (1946) Shatakh Op. 73b (1947) Yeraz "The Dream"
Op. 56b (1948) Khirgiz Suite Op. 73a (1951) Duet for Violin and Harpsichord
Op. 122 (1954) Three Visions of Saint Mesrob Op. 198 (1962)
Christina Fong (violin) Arved Ashby (piano) Rec November/December 2000
in Columbus, Ohio USA OGRE/OGRESS
PRODUCTIONS oo2000d [60:06] [RB]
A
serious but always emotionally endearing recital wonderfully put across
by Fong and Ashby. ...see Full Review
Vic
HOYLAND (b.1945)
In Transit (1987) Vixen (1996)
BBC Symphony Orchestra - Martyn Brabbins Recorded at BBC Studio 1, Maida
Vale, London April 2000 DDD
NMC NMCD072 [52:44] [CT]
The
BBC Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins are masters of this repertoire
and combine to formidable effect in two major works that deserve to
be represented on disc. ...see Full Review
Johann
Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837)
Caprice op 49, Variations sur un theme, Armide de Gluck op 57, Bagatelles
op 107 Nos 1, 3 5, Trois amusements op 105, No 2 "A lAutrichienne",
Rondo op 11, Polonaise op 55,
Joanna Trzeciak, piano Recorded July 1996 Studio S1, Polish Radio, Warsaw
PAVANE ADW 7359 [68.04]
[JW]
This
most attractive disc shows yet again that Hummel's vein of contemplative
virtuosity ran deep. see Full Review
Janis IVANOVS (1906-83)
Orchestral Music - Vol. 6 (1955-57) Suite
from the film music for The Late Frost in Spring* (1955)
[18.57] Symphony No. 8 ** (1956) [33.24]
Lacplessis - symphonic poem*** (1957?) [14:12]
Latvian National SO conducted by Imants Resnis * Edgars Tons
** Vassily Sinaisky*** All recordings from sound
archive of Latvijas Radio Recorded: * 1987; ** 1961 *** 1978
CAMPION CAMEO 2013 [66.37] mid-price series [RB]
The
works on this disc date from the late fifties early sixties and are
a development away from the core romance and folk-style of the 1930s
and 1940s. Ivanovs fans will need no second bidding. ...see Full
Review
Janis IVANOVS
(1906-83)
Orchestral Music - Vol. 7 (1959-63) Piano
Concerto (1959) * [19:13] Andante [7.33] ** Symphony No. 10 (1960)
*** [30.09] * ** *** Latvian
National SO * Igor Zhukov (piano) conducted by Vassili Sinaisky * Tovijs
Lifsics ** Edgars Tons *** All recordings from sound archive of Latvijas
Radio Recorded: * 1977; ** 1982 *** 1963
CAMPION CAMEO 2013 [63.49] mid-price series [RB]
You
must not expect state of the art sound but this is a small price to
pay for the experience of hearing such rare and often rewarding music....see
Full Review
Charles IVES (1874-1954)
An
American Journey - From the Steeples and the Mountains; The things our
fathers Loved; The Pond (Remembrance); Memories; Charlie Rutlage; The
Circus Band; Three Places in New England; In Flanders Fields; They are
there; Tom Sails Away; Fugue from Symphony No. 4; Psalm 100; Serenity;
General William Booth enters into Heaven; The Unanswered Question. Thomas
Hampson (baritone) San
Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Michael Tilson
Thomas - Recorded live at the Davis Symphony Hall, San Francisco, September
and October 1999 RCA-BMG
09026 63703-2 [64.49] [GH]
There
is no other disc like this. My advice is to snap up this recording and
really enjoy yourself. … see Full Review
Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984)
Chamber Music for Clarinet Concertino
(for clarinet and piano) [12.09] Five Pieces for Solo Clarinet
[10.05] Three Songs for Soprano and Clarinet [6.03] Clarinet
Quintet [29.58] Daniel
Geeting (clarinet) Samela Aird Beasom (soprano) David Stenske; Melissa
Phelps-Beckstead (violins) Richard Rintoul (viola) Joyce Geeting (cello)
rec 5 Mar, 30 Apr, 30 June, Memorial Chapel, University of Redlands,
Redlands, California DDD
PROdigital PRO-9226 [58.38] [RB]
This
is a lovely disc - utterly idiomatic and far too easily and unjustly
neglected ... see Full Review
Leoš
JANÁCEK
(1854-1928) Symphonic
Poem Danube Incidental music Schluck und JauMoravian Dances;
Suite, Op. 3 Slovak Philharmonic
Orchestra/Libor Pešek; Jana Valašková (soprano); Zdenek Husek
(viola) Recorded 1985 at the Concert Hall of the Slovak Philharmonic
Orchesra First released in 1986 on Marco Polo 8.220162.
NAXOS 8.555245 [47.99] [RDB]
Rated
highly - excellent performances - inspired rediscovery of three rarities
from a Czech composer who can be ranked with Dvorak and Smetana. … see
Full Review
Imants
KALNINS
(b. 1941) Symphony
No. 4 (1973) Pattie
Cohenour (soprano)
Liepajas SO/Imants Resnis rec Riga, Latvia, 18-19 Nov 1998
LATVIAN RADIO MRCD 103 [49.31] [RB]
Completely
irresistible. Nyman, Silvestrov, high-art Broadway, Berio's Folk-Songs
and pop culture transformed into something 'rich and strange'. ...see
Full Review
Marij KOGOJ (1892-1956)
Piano Music - Suite: ‘Piano’; Chopiniana; Bagatelles
Bojan Gorišek (piano) - Rec 1998?, DDD
SAZAS DD 0292 (54:00) [GR]
Bojan
Gorišek’s strongly sympathetic, well-executed performances of a mix
of folk-inspired late romanticism and a cautiously explored expressionism.
… see Full Review
Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD
(1897-1957) Violin
Concerto Much Ado About Nothing - suite - Theme and Variations
- Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Violin
Concerto No. 1 - Ulf Hoelscher (violin)
Radio Orchester, Stuttgart/Willy Mattes (Korngold)
Bamberg SO/Bruno Weil (Bruch) - rec 1974 ADD (Korngold); 1983 DDD
(Bruch) EMI CLASSICS RED LINE
7243 5 73251 2 7 [72.50] [RB]
I
hope I have inflamed your interest enough for you to seek out this lion
of a disc the peak of which is in the Korngold concerto ... see Full
Review.
Friedrich
KUHLAU
(1786 – 1823) Sonatas for Flute and Piano, Op.83
Sonata for Flute and Piano in G major, Op. 83, No.1 Sonata for
Flute and Piano in C major, Op. 83, No.2 Sonata for Flute and Piano
in G minor, Op. 83, No.3
Uwe Grodd (flute) Matteo Napoli (piano) Recorded
in the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, August 2000
NAXOS 8.555346 [ 66 :47 ] [TH]
Generally
of a very high standard, though a shade more warmth wouldn’t have gone
amiss in some of the more lyrical passages … see Full
Review
Philip
LANE (b.
1950) Orchestral Music London Salute [3.08] Diversions on a Theme
of Paganini [13.40] Cotswold Dances [14.53] Divertissement for clarinet,
harp and strings* [9.49] Three Christmas Pictures [11.41] A Maritime
Overture [7.58] Three Nautical Miniatures for strings [8.33] Prestbury
Park [3.16] *Verity Butler,
Clarinet Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Gavin Sunderland Recorded
in the Henry Wood Hall, London, 19 – 21 February, 2001
MARCO POLO 8.225185 [72.57] [JQ]
Marco
Polo have done Philip Lane proud. A most enjoyable collection of high
quality lighter music recorded in good, bright sound and played with
brio and expertise[JQ]
An
enjoyable survey of Philip Lane’s colourful, tuneful and superbly crafted
music, rather ‘light classic’ than ‘light music’, for such is the quality
of the works [HC]…
see Full Review
Lars-Erik
Larsson Twelve Concertinos
(1955-56) - Volume 1 - 1-7 Flute and Orchestra Op.45 No 1, Oboe
and String Orchestra Op.45 No 2, Clarinet and String Orchestra Op.45
No 3, Bassoon and String Orchestra Op.45 No 4, Horn and String Orchestra
Op.45 No 5, Trumpet and String Orchestra Op.45 No 6, Trombone and String
Orchestra Op.45 No 7
Göran Marcusson: flute Marten Larsson: oboe Urban Claesson: Clarinet
Anders Engström: Bassoon Per Göran: Horn Bengt Danielsson:
Trumpet Lars-Göran Carisson: Trombone. Camerata Roman leader Jan
Stigmer Recorded at Paskallavik Church 1994
INTIM Music IMCD 030 [74.36] [JF]
This
is music that deserves to be well known. Attractive, well written and
extremely well played we have a collection of Concertinos by Lars-Erik
Larsson that bear all the characteristics of this composers skill, with
and inspirations. These are not ‘test pieces’ but works of art. ...see
Full Review
LEHÁR
conducts LEHÁR The
Saarbrücken Concert of 28th June 1939 Overture: Zigeunerliebe
Wolgalied† from Derr Zarewitsch Bin verliebt,
bin so verliebt* from Schön ist die Welt Hab’
ein blaues Himmelbelt † from Frasquita Ballet music
Suite de danse All mein Füllen, all mein Sehnen*†
from Friederike Overture: Land des Lächelns
Liebe, du Himmel auf Erden* from Paganini Meine
Lippen, sie küssen so heiss * from Giuditta O
Mädchen, mein Mädchen† from Friederike Lippen
schweigen, ’s flüstern Geigen*† from Die lustige Witwe
Margret Pfahl* (soprano)
and Marcel Wittrisch† (tenor) Orchester des Reichssenders Saarbrücken
Conducted by Franz Lehár (1870-1948)
CPO 999 781-2 [58:58] [IL]
A
tuneful, exhilarating concert and an insightful experience for operetta
fans. A must-have album for lovers Lehár’s delightful music.
… see Full Review
Magnus
LINDBERG (born
1958) Cantigas
(1998/9)a Cello Concerto (1997/9, revised 2001)b
Parada (2001) Fresco (1997) 
Christopher O’Neal (oboe)a; Anssi Karttunen (cello)b;
Philharmonia; Esa-Pekka Salonen Recorded : Abbey Road, Studio 1, London,
November 2001
SONY SK 89810 [79:37] [HC]
These
dedicated performances by artists enjoying a long association with Lindberg’s
music can not be bettered, and are superbly recorded. … see Full
Review
LISZT,
DEBUSSY ET LA NATURE Claude
DEBUSSY (1862 - 1918)
Children’s Corner - The little shepherd; The snow is dancing. Préludes:,
Book 1 – Des pas sur la neige; Le vent dans la plaine; Book 2 – Brouillards;
Bruyères. Suite bergamasque – Clair de Lune. Images, Book 1 –
Reflets dans l’eau. Estampes – Jardins sous la pluie. Franz
LISZT (1811 - 1886) Années de pèlerinages,
Première Année, Suisse, S160 – Eglogue; Au lac de Wallenstadt;
Au bord d’une source; Orage. Nuages gris, S199. Etudes d’exécution
transcendantes, S139 – Feux-follets. Etudes de concert, S145 - Waldesrauschen;
Gnomenreigen. Olivier
de Spiegeleir (piano). Recorded at Conservatoire Royal de Liège
in December 1994. PAVANE
ADW7332 [66.42] [CC]
Unfortunately
there is not enough to merit a recommendation here. Despite evidence
of a sensitive musician at work, one continually finds oneself referring
to and comparing with the greatest artists ...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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