> Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - April 2002 part 6 Misc : Classical MusicWeb (UK)

 

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PART 6
Misc

[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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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

"Almost a Song" la guitare contemporaine - Hans Werner HENZE (b.1926) Drei Tentos (1958) Leo BROUWER (b.1939) Preludios Epigrammaticos (1981) Olivier CHASSAIN (b.1957) Étoiles Toru TAKEMITSU (1936-1996) All in Twilight Georges DELERUE (1926-1992) Graphic Stephen DODGSON (b.1924) Fantasy Divisions Antonio RUIZ-PIPÓ Otoñales (1994) Edith LEJET Almost a Song Olivier Chassain (guitar) Pierre-Henri Xuereb (viola) Recorded at Studio Corydalis, Limoges, France, 1997 DDD METRONOME MET CD 1021 [69:00] [CT]

A thoughtfully prepared disc in both performance and repertoire. Chassain is clearly a fine advocate of music that he plays with commitment and passion. … see Full Review

THE GREAT LARRY ADLER Original recordings Vol. 1 (1934-1947)
NAXOS NOSTALGIA 8.120608 [62’ 32"]

Rags to Ravel, Debussy to De Falla, Kern to Kreisler, all played with total artistry … see Full Review

AMERICAN ANTHEM Denyce Graves, soprano Compliation RCA RED SEAL 63888 [60.04] [KM]

This is the stuff of school bands, the CD for you if you need to have a disc of American hymns to play at the next Tupperware party or NRA meeting. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Music around the Baltic Sea Vol 1 Heino Eller (1887-1970) Five Pieces for String Orchestra Carl Nielsen(1865-1931) Little Suite Op. 1 Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Suite Champêtre Ture Rangstöm (1884-1947) Divertimento Elegiaco Camerata Roman - Jan Stigmer, leader Recorded at Påskallavik Church on January 1993 INTIM MUSIK IMCD 021 [54.51] [JF]

This is a great CD. At least three minor masterpieces from Carl Nielsen and two lesser-known composers. Beautifully played it is a true introduction to Baltic music. Great sound too. … see Full Review

ELIZABETHAN LUTE MUSIC FROM ROBERT DOWLANDS VARIETIE OF LUTE LESSONS 1. Daniel Bachelar Monsieurs Almain 2. Laurencini Fantasie 3. Robert Dowland Volt 4. Anon. The first of the Queens Maskes 5. Anon. The second of the Queens Maskes 6. Anon. The last of the Queens Maskes 7. Anon. The Witches Dance in the Queens Maske 8. Gregorio Huwet Fantasy 9. Daniel Bachelar Pavin 10. John Dowland Ferdinando Earl of Darby, his Galliard 11. John Dowland Fantasie 12. John Dowland The most sacred Queene Elisabeth, her Galliard 13. John Dowland Sir John Smith, his Almain 14. - Monsieur Ballard, his Coranto 15 Alfonso Ferrabosco Pavin 16. John Perrichon Coranto 17. Anon. Volt 18. Jacobus Reis Fantasie 19. Robert Dowland The Lady Cliftons spirit 20. Robert Dowland Sir Thomas Monson, his Pavin 21. Robert Dowland Sir Thomas Monson, his Galliard David Parsons - Lute Recordings made in the Chapel of Guys Hospital, London in January 1999 METRONOME MET CD 1050 [5713"] [PW]

Unfortunate that the performances on this disc do not meet the same levels of refinement and elegance that the music sets out to attain. ...see Full Review

BARBIROLLI - ENGLISH MUSIC ALBUM Arnold BAX (1883-1953) The Garden of Fand (1913) George BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916) A Shropshire Lad (1913) John IRELAND (1879-1962) The Forgotten Rite; Mai-Dun; These Things Shall Be Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on Greensleeves Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis Edward ELGAR (1856-1934) Enigma Variations (1899) Bavarian Dance No. 2 - Lullaby arr John BARBIROLLI An Elizabethan Suite Suite for Strings by Henry Purcell Parry Jones (ten); Hallé Choir (in These Things Shall Be) Hallé Orchestra/John Barbirolli ADD and mono except for the Bax and Butterworth. DUTTON - THE BARBIROLLI SOCIETY CDSJB 1022 [139.44] [RB]

There are some extraordinary things in this collection; indeed the first CD is outstanding and should be in the collection of any British music enthusiast. ... see Full Review

BAROQUE INDIENANON Puntete (Chant Populiare Guaray) ;ANON Regina Coeli ; ZIPOLI (1688-1728) Ave Maris Stella and Beatus Vir by ;Johann BRENTNER (1689-1742) Cantemus Domino Jose VALAZQUEZ (fl.c.1750) Nino Mio; Jose de CAMPDERROS (c.1750-1802) Mass Extracts ; HANDEL Organ Concerto In F Major; J.S. BACH Sinfonia Douverture De La Cantata Chorus and Orchestra Juvinil de Urubicha & Ensemble Instrumental et vocal du Festival International de Sarrebourg conducted by Rubein Dario Suarez-Arana and Juan-Franck Anselme and Jean Claude Malgoire. Organ solo Francis Chapelet Recorded at the Cathedral du Sucre Bolivia, April 1998 and at the church of Saint-Barthelémy Sarrebourg, Brussels in May 1999 K 617 101 [79.12] [GH]

The performances are fresh lively and full of character. The Mass extracts are quite delightful. see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH LE BELLE IMMAGINI W.A. MOZART (1756-1791) From La Clemenza di Tito (1791) "Parto, ma tu, ben mio" [5:59] "Deh, per questo istante solo" [6:38] From Le Nozze di Figaro (1786) "Voi che sapete" From Lucio Silla (1772) "Il tenero momento" From Idomeneo (1781) "Il Padre adorato" From La Finta Giardinera (1774) "Va’pure ad altri in braccio" Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) From Paride ed Elena (1770) "Le belle immagini" "O del mio dolce ardor bramato oggeto!" From La Clemenza di Tito (1752) "Se sento spirato sul volto" Josef MYSLIVEČEK (1737 - 1781) From Abramo ed Isacco (1776) "Deh, parlate" From Antigona (1773) "Sarò qual è il torrente" From L’Olimpiade (1778) "Che non mi disse un di!" "Più non so trovano" Magdalena Kožená, mezzo-soprano Prague Philharmonia/Michel Swierczewski Rec Prague, Rudolfinum, Dvorak Hall, 9/2001 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 334-2 [68:18] [AT]

Essentially a very musical disc, with a thoughtful selection of music, by three composers intimately connected with Kožená’s Prague and Bohemia. Kožená has a strong, expressive voice that has a pleasant tone and a beautiful range of dynamics and an excellent facility for getting between them. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH CABARET SONGS BOLCOM William (b. 1938)
Cabaret Songs: Over the piano, Fur (Murray the Furrier), He tipped the waiter, Waitin, Song of Black Max, Amor, Places to live, Toothbrush time, Surprise! The Actor, Oh Close the Curtain, George WEILL Kurt (1900-1950) Nanna’s Lied, Youkali, Complainte de la Seine, Je ne t’aime pas HOLLÄNDER Friedrich (1896-1976) Lass mich einmal deine Carmen sein, Nimm dich in acht vor blonden Frau’n, Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss auf Liebe eingestellt, Die Kleptomanin BRITTEN Benjamin (1913-1976) Carbaret Songs: Tell me the truth about love, Funeral Blues, Johnny, Calypso Malena Ernman (mezzo-soprano), Bengt-Åke Lundin (pianoforte) Recorded October/November 2000, Danderyds Gymnasium, Sweden BIS CD-1154 [75’ 20"] [CH]

In this repertoire at least, Ernman is an absolutely super singer. … see Full Review

CELEBRATION - FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF THE CELLIST, JULIAN  LLOYD WEBBER - Works for Cello and Orchestra - CD1 Joaquín RODRIGO Concierto como un Divertimento - Heitor VILLA-LOBOS Bachoianas Brasileiras No. 5 - aria - Edouard LALO Cello Concerto - David POPPER Gavotte No. 2 - Camille SAINT-SAËNS Softly Awakes My Heart - Gabriel FAURÉ Elégie - Manuel de FALLA Ritual Fire Dance - CD2 - Frederick DELIUS Cello Concerto - Frederick DELIUS Serenade from Hassan - Gustav HOLST Invocation - Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIANS Fantasia on Sussex Folk Tunes - J S BACH Arioso - Frank BRIDGE Scherzetto - Joseph CANTELOUBE Baïlero - Max BRUCH Kol Nidrei Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) - LPO/Jesus Lopez-Cobos (Rodrigo; Lalo) Philharmonia/Vernon Handley (Delius Concerto, RVW, Holst) - National PO/Charles Gerhardt (the rest) BMG 74321 84112 2 [CD1 73.09; CD2 75.52] [RB]

A master cellist as adept, sensitive and enthusiastic about the étincellante and operatic as about the quiet singer. Recommended. … see Full Review

GREAT CELLISTS - CASALS Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Cello Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op.5, No.1 - Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5, No.2 - Cello Sonata No.3 in A major, Op.69 - Cello Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op.102, No.1 - Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No.2 - Minuet in G major - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op.99 - Pablo Casals (cello), Mieczyslaw Horszowski (piano-Brahms, Beethoven Cello Sonatas 1,2, 4 & 5,), Otto Schulhof (piano-Beethoven Cello Sonata No.3, Minuet) - Recorded in Paris, June 1939 (Beethoven Nos.1, 2 & 5), EMI Abbey Road Studio No.3, London, November 1936 (Beethoven No.4, Brahms), Queen’s Hall Small Studio C, London, March 1930 (Beethoven No. 3, Minuet) NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110949-50 [2 discs, 67.39, 67.14] Mono ADD [TH]

A marvellous reissue, and a worthy follow-up to Naxos’s excellent re-mastering of Casals’s legendary Bach Cello Suites. … see Full Review

ELEVAZIONE – THE MAGIC OF THE OBOE - Tomaso ALBINONI (1671-1751) - Concerto in d minor for oboe and strings, op.9 no.2 - J.S.BACH (1685-1750) - Adagio in F (Sinfonia from Cantata no.156) arr.Leslie Pearson - Alessandro MARCELLO (1684-1739) - Concerto in c minor for oboe and strings - Domenico ZIPOLO (1688-1726) - Elevazione, for solo oboe, cello, strings and organ. arr. Victoria Hunt - Domenico CIMAROSA (1749-1801) - Concerto for oboe and strings, arr. Arthur BENJAMIN - J.S.BACH – Adagio (Sinfonia from Easter Oratorio) - Tomaso ALBINONI – Concerto in D major for oboe and strings Gordon Hunt, oboe/conductor, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra - Recorded at the Louis de Geer Concert Hall, Norrköping, Sweden, April 2001 BIS Northern Lights BIS-NL-CD-5017 [58:37] [GPJ]

A great artistic success, but your response may depend on whether Hunt’s noisy key-work is acceptable to you. … see Full Review

Enrico CARUSO (1873-1921) CARUSO 2001 - Tenor of the Century Italian Songs:- Vienna Radio SO/Gottfried Rabl rec: orig 78s rec 1908-1921; orch tracks Jan 2001 BMG CLASSICS 74321 82569 2 [59.14] [RB]

Open-minded Carusophiles will want this latest of example of vocal platinum reanimation. They are unlikely to be disappointed. … see Full Review

CHRISTMAS IN NEW ENGLAND The Paul Madore Chorale Chamber Orchestra/Paul Madore Recorded Methuen Memorial Music Hall; St Anne’s Church, Salem; St Mary’s Church, Danvers, MA, USA ?1996 ZC RECORDS 7001 [72.51] [JW]

A souvenir for admirers of the Chorale then and only that. … see Full Review

DOMINGO - THE VERDI TENOR Arias from: Rigoletto, Aida, Il Trovatore, Un ballo in maschera, Alzira, Ernani, Luisa Miller, Otello, I due foscari, Macbeth, Don Carlos, La Traviata Conductors: Giulini, Abbado, Gergiev, Maazel, Chung, Kleiber Recorded at various venues between 1976-2000 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 478-2 [59’33"] [CF]

Domingo is a wonderful actor as well as singer, bringing an intense musicality and intelligence to his performances, and this is clear throughout this compilation disc … see Full Review

AN ENGLISH CHORISTER’S SONGBOOK - Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918): I was glad* - William Byrd (1543-1623): Sing joyfully - Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847): Hear my prayer* - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Jesu, joy of man’s desiring* - Sir William Walton (1902-1983): Set me as a seal upon thy heart - Thomas Weelkes (ca 1574-1623):O Lord, grant the King a long life - Thomas Tallis (1505-1585): If ye love me - Richard Shepherd (b 1949): And when the builders* - Sir Charles Stanford (1852-1924): Beati quorum via - Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941): Psalm 121 - Herbert Howells (1892-1983): Like as the hart* - Thomas Tallis: Salvator mundi - Peter Phillips (1560-1630): O crux splendidor - Sir Hubert Parry: My soul, there is a country - Claudio Monteverdi: (1567-1643): Beatus vir - Sir William Harris (1883-1947): Bring us O Lord God Salisbury Cathedral Choir directed by Richard Seal. *With David Hall / Thomas Blunt (organ) - Recorded in Salisbury Cathedral, 6 – 8 March 1996 METRONOME MET CD 1016 [74.00] [JQ]

anyone wanting this precise programme or a memento of how the Salisbury choir sounded in 1996 will find the recital generally enjoyable. … see Full Review

FINNISH HYMNS 21 Finnish hymns:- 1. Ein’ feste Burg - 2. Jesus at the seat of Grace - 3. Only a moment in time - 4. Alleluia, sing to Jesus - 5. When will the morning star 6. From Gethsemane there is a path - 7. This is the great day - 8. Clasp me, O Holy Spirit - 9. Veni, creator spiritus - 10. Moon and son - 11. Nearer my God to thee - 12. The earth is the Lord’s - 13. May the hymn of honour now resound - 14. Hear, O heavenly father - 15. Hear whom the master calls blessed - 16. Who passes on the road - 17 Go Zion, to meet your king - 18. The blessed day - 19. Abide with me - 20. Now the world is in bloom - 21. Bless and keep us, Lord Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä - Recorded August 2001, at the Church of the Cross, Lahti, Finland BIS-CD-1149 [76:29] [GPJ]

An issue, then, principally for the Finnish market, but well worth hearing, and enjoyable, if untaxing, to listen to. … see Full Review

HAMMERED BRASS. Petr EBEN Quintet (Variations on a chorale) Luciano BERIO Call Robert CRAWFORD Hammered Brass Iannis XENAKIS Khal Perr Steve MARTLAND Full fathom five The Wallace Collection Rec 2001? (DDD) LINN RECORDS CKD 162 [55.56] [DW]

Crawford - a lament for the dying craft of metalwork. Berio splendid. Eben's Quintet is immediate, likeable and comfortable. Performances first rate. … see Full Review

GREAT CONDUCTORS: KOUSSEVITZKY - Modest MUSSORGSKY (orch. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition [29.51] Maurice RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole [16.13] Ma Mère I’Oye [16.23] Boléro [13.41] Boston Symphony Orchestra Serge Koussevitzky - Recorded in Symphony Hall, Boston, October, 1930 (Pictures); April, 1945 (Rapsodie); October, 1947 (Ma Mère I’Oye) and Tanglewood Music Shed, Lenox, Massachusetts, August, 1947 (Bolero) Mono
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110154 [76:08] [TH]

A classic disc transferred with loving care and craftsmanship. Anyone who cares remotely about great orchestral playing need not hesitate. … see Full Review

LEGEND - Late Romantic Danish Works for double bass and piano Ludvig Hegner (1851-1923) Legende Op.5 (1896), Nocturne Op.6, Trois Morceaux, Fantasi, Elegie, Mazurka de concert, Romance Franz Neruda (1843-1915) Berceuse Slave (1881) Louis Glass (1864-1936) Nocturne Op.33 (1902) Per Dalsgaard Knudsen: double bass Karsten Munk: piano
Recorded Musikhuset Sonderborg, Denmark, June/August 2001. DANACORD DACOCD 593 [65.03] [JF]

A brave issue. Not everyone’s cup o' tea however double bass players and enthusiasts will find much here to enjoy even if the music is a touch Florien’s. Puts the double bass on the map as an expressive and even warmly romantic instrument. Recommended as a rarity. … see Full Review

Lorne MUNROE - Principal Cello (1964-1996) NewYork Philharmonic Orchestra New York Legends Series - Samuel BARBER (1910-81) Cello Sonata (1932) [18.55] - Marcel DICK (1898-1991) Four Elegies and an Epilogue for Solo Cello (1949) [6.56] - Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Cello Sonatina (1937) [11.01] - John DOWNEY (b. 1927) Lydian Suite for solo cello (1976) [14.50] - Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1946) Cello Sonata No. 2 (1843) [27.30] Lorne Munroe (cello) - Jonathan Feldman (piano) - rec 11, 12, 15 Sept 1996, Concordia College, Bronxville, New York CALA CACD0517 [79.24] [RB]

Mature and flowing playing distinguish this disc which is at its best in the Barber, Benjamin and Dick works. … see Full Review

Musica Vitae Hilding Rosenberg (1892-1988) The Congress Overture Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Rakastava Suite Op.14 Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927) Chitra Suite Op.43 Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) String Quartet in G minor (arranged for string orchestra by Thomas Liljeholm) Op.27 Musica Vitae conducted by Michael Bartosch Recorded at Hemmesjo Church 14th –16th May 2001 INTIM MUSIC IMCD 076 [70.17] [JF]

This is a fine CD full of gems. The Sibelius is beautiful music for lovers, the Rosenberg is enlightening and the arrangement of the Grieg String Quartet for string orchestra is well worth the price of this CD alone. A revelation. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH NIGHT SONGS FAURE, DEBUSSY, MARX, STRAUSS RACHMANINOV Renée Fleming, soprano Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano Rec The Hit Factory, New York 16-20 November 2000, 13-14 January 2001 DECCA 467 697-2 [73.01] [AT]

The performances are gorgeous, the two musicians in complete sympathy with each other and the music, alternately soaring convincingly and whispering tenderly. Gorgeous.[AT]
BUT
A sameness of approach that I found increasingly worrying and wearying. Seldom less than technical finesse but equally seldom more than the mere elucidation of text and music and sometimes not even that.[JW] … see Full Review

Orgue Historique de Tlacochahuaya 1. Antonio de Cabezon, Juan Bermudo, .Francisco Andreu, Sebastian Aguilera de Heredia, Francisco Correa de Arauxo, Pablo Bruna, Juan Cabanilles, Pablo Bruna, Juan Cabanilles Dominique Ferran - Organ Recordings made on the historic organ of the Convent of San Jerónimo at Tlacochahuaya (Province of Oaxaca, Mexico) 18-20 October 1994 K 617 - K617049 [6647] [PW]

Ferran shows off the distinctive character of the remarkable little organ on which he is playing. ...see Full Review

O’stravaganza Fantasy on Vivaldi and the Celtic music of Ireland O’stravaganza - Damhsaigh - Berçeuse de Gráinne pour Diarmait - Estro-Reel - Il Sonno - Ceol cuàine - Il Duello - A Cláirseach - Jig della Inquietudine - Eirin sonata - Bunch of rushes - Am cain - Mister Bethag and the Princess - La Ciacconna rossa - Recorded in Italy in April 2001 VIRGIN CLASSICS VC 545494-2 [58’19"] [CF]

It’s not quite a case of the Red Priest appearing in Riverdance but somewhere along those lines. … see Full Review

Un Panorama De La Musique Symphonique Française - ORCHESTRE DES CONCERTS LAMOUREUX/ALBERT WOLFF (1884-1970) Méhul; Berlioz; Lalo; Saint-Saëns; Charpentier; Roussel; Dupont; D'Indy; Franck; Rameau; Chabrier; Debussy; Rabaud; Dukas; Schmitt; Laparra; Ravel - CD1 Etienne MEHUL (1763-1817) Le Jeune Henri - overture - Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Menuet des Follets - Danse des Sylphes - Edouard LALO (1823-1892) - Namouna Suite I (5 movements) - Rapsodie Norvégienne - Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) - Le Rouet d'Omphale - Gustave CHARPENTIER (1860-1956) - Impressions d'Italie (extracts): A mules; Napoli - CD2 Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) - Symphony No. 3 - Gabriel DUPONT (1878-1914) - La Farce du Cuvier - Vincent D'INDY (1851-1931) Fervaal - Prelude Act I - Symphonie sur un chant Montagnard Français (Jeanne-Marie Darré - piano) - César FRANCK (1822-1890) - Psyché (Le Sommeil de Psyché; Psyché enlevée par les Zéphirs; Psyché et Eros) - CD3 Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) - Castor et Pollux (four movements) - Emmanuel CHABRIER (1841-1894) - Joyeuse Marche - España - Bourrée Fantasque - Habanera - Gwendoline - overture - Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Nuages; Fêtes. Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un Faune (Jean Boulze - flute) - Henri RABAUD (1873-1943) - La Procession Nocturne - CD4 Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) L'Apprenti Sorcier - Florent SCHMITT (1870-1958) Rapsodie Viennoise - Raoul LAPARRA (1876-1943) La Habanera - prelude - Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Rapsodie espagnole - Menuet antique - Ma Mere l'Oye (Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant; Petit Poucet; Laideronette; Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête; Le jardin féérique) La Valse - Polydor recordings made 1929-1933 - ADD mono TIMPANI 4C4024 [77.41; 75.30; 73.37; 75.06] [RB]

A lovingly assembled and presented historical set. For dedicated collectors with interests in Ravel, Debussy, the Lamoureux, Wolff, the Parisian scene. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH POPES AND ANTIPOPES. MUSIC FOR THE COURTS OF AVIGNON AND ROME Anon Gloria, Clemens deus artifex tota clentia Pictagore per dogmata/O terra sancta/Rosa vernans Mayhuet de JOAN Inclite flos orti Gebenesis EGIDIUS Courtois et sages Philipoctus de CASERTA Par les bons Gedeon Johannes CICONIA O Petre, Christi discipule Bartolomeus de BONONIA Arte psalentes VELUT Benedicta viscera/Ave mater gratie/Ora pro nobis Johannes CICONA Gloria Suscipe Trinitas TAPISSIER Eya dulcis/Vale placens Antonio de CIVITATE Clarus ortu/Gloriosa mater Nicolaus ZACHARIE Gia per gran nobelta Johannes BRASSART Te dignitas presularis Guillaume DUFAY Balsamus et munda cera Supremum est Ecclesie militantis Orlando Consort Recorded for BBC Radio. First broadcast 11 and 18 September 1994. Released by arrangement with BBC Worldwide Ltd. METRONOME MET CD 1008 [70.50] [JW]

There were times listening to this deeply impressive recording when I wondered whether the Orlando Consort were not, after all, the greatest ensemble of its kind anywhere. Its that kind of disc....see Full Review

BBC Legends: Sviatoslav Richter - Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Sonata No. 37 in E major, Hob.XVI:22 - Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in F major, Opus 15 No. 1 - Nocturne in E minor, Opus 72 No. 1 - Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Opus 22 - Eroica Variations, Opus 35 - Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphonic Etudes, Opus 13 - Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) 12 Preludes (from Opus 23 & Opus 32) Sviatoslav Richter - Rec 16 June 1967, Snape Maltings (Haydn, Chopin Opus 72), 20 October 1968, Royal Festival Hall (Chopin Opus 15, Beethoven, Schumann), 8 October 1969, Free Trade Hall, Manchester (Rachmaninov) BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4090-2 [2CDs: 68.50+75.01] [TB]

Richter provides the benchmark by which all others are judged. … see Full Review

PASCALE ROUET - ORGAN DANSES À LORGUE 1. Bernado Storace Balleto 240" 2. Giovanni Picchi Ballo alla Polaccha 210" 3. Ballo hongaro 226" 4. Ballo todescha 120" 5. Passe e mezzo 405" 6. Bernado Storace Folia 437" 7. Anon. Estampie 628" 8. Bernado Storace Chaconne 712" 9. Anon. Intabulata Nova (9 danses) 808" 10. Bernado Storace Passacaille 1223" 11. Pierre Attaignant 6 Danses 721" 12. Bernado Storace Spagnoletta 430" 13. Béla Bartók Danse ruthène & 5 danses populaire Roumaines 614" Pascale Rouet Recordings made on the Christophe Moucherel organ (1725 - rebuilt by Barthelémy Formentelli 1991) in the church of the Abbey of Our Lady of Mouzon on 2 & 3 July 1990 PAVANE ADW 7415 [7038"] [PW]

Bernado Storace: Unjustly neglected, wonderfully invigorating music that places Storace firmly at the beginnings of the Italian baroque. see Full Review

RUBINSTEIN ADAGIOS - Romantic Reveries for piano and orchestra
from Piano Concertos by MOZART (No. 21 - andante); GRIEG (adagio); TCHAIKOVSKY (No. 1 andantino semplice); RACHMANINOV (No. 2 adagio sostenuto); CHOPIN (No. 2 - larghetto); BEETHOVEN (No. 5 adagio un poco mosso); SCHUMANN andantino grazioso; CHOPIN (No. 1) Romance RACHMANINOV Paganini Rhapsody variation 18; CHOPIN Andante spianato Arthur Rubinstein (piano) RCA Victor SO; Boston SO; Philadelphia; Chicago SO; Symphony of the Air; New SO of London conductors: Wallenstein; Leinsdorf; Ormandy; Reiner; Giulini; Skrowaczewski. Rec 1956-72 BMG - RCA VICTOR 09026 63904 2 [71.27] [RB]

Too much of a good thing for most of us but as a soporific or as a soft-edged introduction to the piano concerto it more than passes muster and Rubinstein is apt to this mood. … see Full Review

The romance of Flute and Harp Adolphe HASSELMANS (1845-1912) La Source Op 44 - Feuilles d’automne Benjamin GODARD (1849-1895) Allegretto Op 116 - Felix GODEFROID (1818-1897) Etude de Concert in E Flat minor Gabriel FAURE (1845-1924) Berceuse op 16 Impromptu op 86 Franz DOPPLER (1821-1883) Mazurka Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Spring Song - arr Anon John THOMAS (1826-1913) Bugeilior Gwenith Gwyn (Watching the wheat) Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Le Cygne - arr Anon Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Intermezzo - arr Anon Elias PARISH-ALVARS (1808-1849) Serenade Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Syrinx Clair de lune Philippa Davies. Flute Thelma Owen, harp - Recorded Haberdasher’s Aske’s School, Elstree; no date provided REGIS RRC 1085 [59.19] [JW]

A delightfully evocative programme - tender and sun-flecked … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Song Compilation: s’amuse…auf deutsch Franz LEHAR (1870-1948) I’ll sing you my song, Come to me for tea, Kiss me, my darling Oscar STRAUSS (1870 –1954) I am a woman who knows what she wants, Ninon, Every woman has a secret longing, Why shouldn’t a woman have an affair Wilhelm GROSZ (1894-1939) Telephone Order Carl LOEWE (1796-1869) The mother at the cradle, The tooth Adolf JENSEN (1837-1879) Murmuring breeze Peter CORNELIUS (1824-1874) Come together we’ll walk, A sound Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) An encounter, In the forest Johannes BRAHMS ((1833-1897) Down there in the valley; O mother, I want to have a thingy Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Who made up this little song, In praise of high intellect Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) How to express joy, A girl’s first love song, A summer cradle song Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) When at night I go to sleep Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Warning Franz VON VECSEY (1893-1935) Do you never think? Edmund NICK (1891-1974) The coy shepherdess Felicity Lott (soprano) with Graham Johnson (piano) (Recorded at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, London March 1999) FORLANE UCD16811 [67:59] [IL]

A total delight. Dame Felicity Lott clearly enjoys these wonderful songs, songs that are often very cheeky and sometimes romantic and sentimental. … see Full Review

REFLECTIONS OF SPAIN Spanish Favourites for Guitar : Joaquin MALATS Serenata Espanola Francisco TÁRREGA Capricho Arabe, Recuerdos de la Alhambra Enrique GRANADOS Andaluza (Spanish Dance No.5), Danza melancolica (Spanish Dance No.10), La Maja de Goya (from Tonadillas al estilo antiguo), Valse poeticos Isaac ALBÉNIZ Sevilla (from Op.47),Mallorca (Op.202),Asturias (from Op.47) Antonio RUIZ-PIPO Cancion y Danza No.1 David Russell – Guitar TELARC CD-80576 [68:15] [AD]

Interpretations tasteful and considered - executed with absolute ease and with a beautifully strong tone. The recorded sound is of highest quality with an ambience that suits the music well. … see Full Review

SPANNING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - Dinos CONSTANTINIDES (b.1929) The Oracle at Delphi (1994) - Gian Carlo MENOTTI (b.1911) Clarinet Trio (1996) - Max BRUCH (1836-1920) Two Pieces Op. 83 Nos 8 and 4 (1909) - Jon DEAK (b.1943) Lad, A Dog: The Trio The Verhdehr Trio: Walter Verdehr (violin); Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr (clarinet); Kathryn Brown (piano) - recorded with support from Michigan State University CRYSTAL RECORDS CD941 [66.49] [RB]

Another stimulating and challengingly varied collection. … see Full Review

Compilation: SPANISH NIGHT Amadeo VIVES (1871-1932) Fandango (Dona Francisquita) Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Gypsy Airs, Concert Fantasy on "Carmen" Emmanuel CHABRIER (1841-1894) España Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899)
Spanish March
Federico Moreno TORROBA (1891-1982) La Petenara (La Marchenera)
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
Capriccio espagnol José SERRANO (1873-1941) Romanza José Pablo MONCAYO (1912-1958) Huapango Pablo LUNA (1879-1942) Canción española Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Méditation from Thaïs Paul LINCKE (1866-1946) Berliner Luft Sarah Chang (violin)* and Ana Maria Martinez (soprano)† The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Placido Domingo At the Waldbühne, Berlin July 2001 TDK DVD DVWBSN [c.64.00] [IL]

Colourful light entertainment with noteworthy contributions from Chang and Martinez. Like the curate’s egg, good in parts. … see Full Review

 

BOOK REVIEWS

Guitar Technique: Intermediate to Advanced by Hector Quine. Oxford University Press (Ł12.95)

Quine’s achievement is remarkable. Clearly, precisely and without ambiguity he explains not only the objectives, but also the pitfalls, of learning the guitar. … 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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