> Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - June 2002 part 3 C-L: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

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PART 3
C - L
[Detailed listing (last two days)]
[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

Edith CANAT DE CHIZY (born 1950) Exultet (1995)a Siloël (1992) Moïra (1998)b Laurent Korcia (violin)a; Sonia Wieder-Atherton (cello)b; Philarmonie de Lorraine; Pascal Rophé Recorded: Arsenal, Metz, March and July 1998 TIMPANI 1C1048 [47:05]

Music of great beauty and of great communicative power - a revelation. A wonderful release which I urge you to investigate. Unreservedly recommended. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

RECORDING OF THE MONTH - Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) 24 Preludes op. 28 - Prelude in C sharp minor op. 45 - Prelude in A flat major op. Posth. - Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor op. 35 Martha Argerich, piano - Recorded 1974 (sonata), 1975 (28 Preludes), 1977 (op. 45/posth) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Legendary Recordings 463 663-2 [61:17] [JL]

"Legendary Recordings" indeed! The cumulative power of the Preludes make it, for some, the greatest performance of the work ever recorded. … see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade No. 3 in A flat, Opus 47, Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Opus 52, Nocturne in D flat, Opus 27 No. 2, Nocturne in C minor, Opus 48 No. 1, Nocturne in E, Opus 62 No. 2, 24 Préludes, Opus 28 Nikolai Lugansky (piano) Recorded 20-24 April 2001, Teldec Berlin Studios ERATO 0927 42836-2 [75.00] [TB]

Abundant subtleties, and a real sweep of momentum … see Full Review

Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Symphony No. 3 Suite, Billy the Kid. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd. Recorded July 2000, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand. NAXOS 8.559106 [64.29] [WH]

If this lacks the weight, power and steel of the finest rivals these performances are extremely convincing on their own terms, and nobody buying this disc will be disappointed. … see Full Review


Aaron COPLAND (1900 – 1990)
Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra (1948) Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918 – 1990) Prelude, Fugue and Riffs (1949) Morton GOULD (1913 – 1996) Derivations (1955, rev. 1965) Artie SHAW (born 1910) Concerto for Clarinet (1940) George GERSHWIN (1898 – 1937) Summertime (1935, arr. Gregor Bühl) They All Laughed (1937, arr. John Cameron) The Man I Love (1924, arr. John Cameron) I Got Rhythm (1930, arr. John Cameron) Sharon Kam (clarinet) London Symphony Orchestra; Gregor Bühl Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, June and September 2001 TELDEC 8573-88482-2 [61:20] [HC]

A hugely entertaining collection of jazz-inflected works, brightly recorded and magnificently played. … see Full Review

Arcangelo CORELLI (1653-1713) Sonate da chiesa, Opera terza Sonate postume Ensemble Aurora Enrico Gatti Recorded September 1996, September 1997, Granecy-le-Château church, France. ARCANA A 902 [132.15] [KM]

A wonderful, almost essential recording with a near perfect performance…see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images, Sets I and II - Canope, Bruyères (Préludes, Book II) - Children's Corner Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) - Recorded 1963, Turin APEX 0927 40649 2 [48.13] [TB]

No-one acquiring this disc is likely to be disappointed that the sound is distorted or lacking in impact. It will give pleasure. … See Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Brigg Fair* In a Summer Garden* Eventyr* A Song of Summer* Summer Night on the River A Song before Sunrise The Walk to the Paradise Garden London Philharmonic Orchestra Hallé Orchestra* Vernon Handley Recorded 8-9 September 1981, Free Trade Hall, Manchester*, 10-11 October 1977 Henry Wood Hall, Southward, London CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 5 75315 2 [79.11] [TB]

Handley is a distinctive Delian, finding drama at every opportunity and persuading his musicians to match his commitment. … see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) L'elisir d'amore - Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Simone Alaimo, Elana Dan, Roberto Scaltriti, Lyon National Opera Chorus Lyon National Opera Orchestra/Evelino Pidó - Rec 1996, Lyon DECCA 4400741039 [2hrs 5mins] [JL]

Lifted to real world class status by the heartfelt singing of Alagna and Gheorghiu and some will justifiably want buy it for that alone. … see Full Review

Felix DRAESEKE (1835-1913) Symphony no.2 op. 25 in F major - Serenade op.49 in D major Radio-Philharmonie Hannover des NDR/Jörg-Peter Weigle - Recorded Grosser Sendesaal des Landesfunkenhauses Niedersachsen des NDR, Hannover, September 1998 and November 1999 CPO 999 719-2 [66:13] [GPJ]

Skip the rather dreary symphony and proceed straight to the Serenade! … see Full Review

Franz Xavier DUSSEK (1731 - 1799) Sinfonia in G major (Altner G2) Sinfonia in E flat major (Altner Eb3) Sinfonia in F major (Altner F4) Helios 18 conducted by Marie-Louise Oschatz The 18th Century Symphony: Recorded in Vienna August 2001 - DDD Stereo NAXOS 8.555878 [68:53] [DB]

An enjoyable disc of entertaining 18th century Bohemian symphonies, which, for most listeners, will be new repertoire. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841 – 1904) Slavonic Dances 1–16, Opp. 46 and 72 (1878 and 1886) Chamber Orchestra of Europe - conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt recorded in Stefaniensaal, Graz, Austria, June 2000 (Op. 72) and June 2001 (Op. 46) DDD TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-81038-2 [73.23][JP]

Performance and recording superb. Recommended but Sejna’s Supraphon issue is the genuine article. … see Full Review

Antonin DVORÁK (1841-1904) String quartet in F no.12 op.96, ‘American’ String Quintet in Eb major, op.97 Keller Quartet, with Anna Deeva, viola in the quintet - Recorded at the Salle de Musique de la Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, January 1994 (quartet) and June 1994 (quintet) APEX 0927 44355 2 [55:12] [GPJ]

The quartet plays superbly, with great conviction and sense of style, and their unanimity of purpose is never in doubt. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Serenade for String Orchestra Op. 22 (1875) Josef SUK (1874-1935) Serenade for String Orchestra in E flat major Op. 6 (1892) Prague Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jirí Belohlávek Recorded in the Domovina Studio, Prague, 1996 DDD Stereo SUPRAPHON SU3157-2031 [59:19]

A really lovely disc of Czech string serenades that tempts one to run out of superlatives. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Piano Trio op 90 Dumky Bedrich SMETANA (1824-1884) Piano Trio op 15 Guarneri Trio Prague Recorded Domovina Studio, September and November 1991 SUPRAPHON 11 1561-2 [56’12] [JW]

A collective achievement of some stature. Despite that cold acoustic the Trio generates considerable heat. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Piano Trio No 3 op 65 Piano Trio op 90 Dumky Guarneri Trio Prague Recorded Domovina Studio October and November 1997 SUPRAPHON 11 1463-2 131 [66’45] [JW]

Properly delineated intimacies of declamation and reserve. Elegant and very sensitive to dynamics … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Piano Works 2 Waltzes op 54 Eclogues op 56 Piano pieces op 52 Moderato in A major B116 Album Leaves B109/2, 109/3, 109/4 Radoslav Kvapil, piano Recorded Domovina Studios, Prague 1969 and 1970 SUPRAPHON SU 3376-2 111 [70’32]

A certain amount of archaeology and resurrection but so much is deliciously attractive and so infectiously inspiring. … see Full Review

Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Organ Sonata No. 1 in G * Sacred Music† * Herbert Sumsion at the organ of Gloucester Cathedral Choir of Worcester Cathedral (Harry Bramma – organ) Christopher Robinson (conductor and †† organ) (* recorded Gloucester Cathedral 4-6 January 1965; † recorded Worcester Cathedral 6-8 March 1969 Recording produced by Brian B. Culverhouse‡) EMI CDM 5 65594 2 [76:10] [IL]

An inspiring album of an aspect of Elgar’s music that is not so well known, all impeccably performed. … see Full Review

Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El Amor Brujo (1915, 1925) [25.05] Noches en los Jardines de España (1916) [22.31] Harpsichord Concerto (1926) [13.15] El sombrero de tres picos - Miller's Dance; Jota (1919) [9.10] La Vida breve - Interlude and Dance 1 (1905) [6.43] Ines Rivandeneyra (mz), Orquesta Sinfonica de la RTV Española/Igor Markevich - Oct 1966, Spain (Brujo) Clara Haskil (piano), Orchestra des Concerts Lamoureux/Igor Markevich - rec Oct 1960, France (Noches) Rafael Puyana (hpschd), David Sandeman (fl), Neil Black (ob), Thea King (cl), Raymond Cohen (vn), Terence Weil (vc), Sir Charles Mackerras (dir) - rec Aug 1969, England (concerto) Orchestre du Théâtre de L'Opéra de Paris/Roberto Benzi - June 1964, France - (Sombrero) Minneapolis SO/Antal Dorati - rec 1966-7 - (Vida) all ADD
PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 468 313-2 [77.02] [RB]

Performances by Spanish and French artists recorded in the 1960s and still sounding pretty good. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin Concerto * Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Theme and Cadenza for solo violin and orchestra + Introduction and Allegro, Alfredo Campoli, violin London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Adrian Boult * London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arthur Bliss + Recorded 1955 (Elgar) 1956 (Bliss) DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 353-2 [63.52] [JW]

One of the most outstanding recordings ever made of the Elgar Violin Concerto coupled with infectious performances of Bliss…see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem, Cantique de Jean Racine - Pierre VILLETTE (1926-1998) O salutaris hostia, O magnum mysterium - Jean ROGER-DUCASSE (1873-1954) Regina cśli laetare, Crux fidelis, Alma redemptoris Mater Nancy Argenta, soprano, Simon Keenlyside, baritone, Kenan Burrows, treble, Richard Studt, violin - Winchester Cathedral Choir, Bournemouth Sinfonietta/David Hill - Recorded Winchester Cathedral June-July 1996 VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 61994 2 [61.46] [GPJ]

Hill takes an approach which cleverly combines austerity with expressive flexibility. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Romance sans paroles, op.17 no.3 [2.45] - Nocturne No.1, op.33 no.1 [8.47] - Nocturne No.3, op.33 no.3 [4.33] - Impromptu No.2, op.31 [3.42] - Nocturne No.6, op.63 [9.36] - Barcarolle No.1, op.26 [5.37] - Nocturne No.11, op.104 no.1 [4.41] - Nocturne No.13, op.119 [8.43] - Improvisation (8 pièces brèves), op.84 no.5 [1.43] - Romance sans paroles, op.17 no.1 [1.54] - Prélude, op.103 no.2 [2.24] - Prélude op.103 no.7 [2.06] - Ballade, op.19 [15.48] Kun Woo Paik, piano - Rec Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 29-31 July 2001 DECCA 470 246-2 [72.21] [TB]

A very beautiful record that places these works in the context of their more celebrated relations, yet demonstrates their marvellous individuality at the same time. … see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem - Pelléas et Mélisande-Incidental Music, Op.80 - Masques et Bergamasques, Op.112 - Suzanne Danco (soprano) Gérard Souzay (baritone) - L’Union Chorale de la tour de Peilz L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet - Recorded circa 1960 ADD ELOQUENCE DECCA 450 131-2 [67.05] Super-budget [TH]

see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem César FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony
Johannette Zomer, soprano Stephan Genz, baritone La Chapelle Royale Collegium Vocale Gent Orchestre des Champs Elysées/Philippe Herreweghe Recorded Le Grande Salle de l’Arsenal de Metz, November 2001 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901771 [75’46] [JW]

I liked Herreweghe’s restraint but it pulls too many punches in the end to be more than passingly attractive. … see Full Review

Jean-Baptiste Antoine FORQUERAY (1699-1782) Jupiter: Orchestral Transcriptions and Chamber Music Extracts from Pièces de Viole (Paris 1747) Premier Divertissement, Deuxième Divertissement, Troisième Divertissement, Quatrième Divertissement Charivari Agréable Simfonie Rec: 3-5 October, 1998, St Andrew's Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire. SIGNUM SIGCD008 [77.32] [KM]
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

For fans of 18th century French music, this recording is certainly recommended....see Full Review

Gérard GASPARIAN (b.1960) Intermède for clarinet in A and piano, Cycle Vocale, Pulsions for flute and piano, Quintet for 4 saxophones and piano ,Ballade for piano, Sonata for violin and piano Sylvie Hue (clarinet), Marie Kobayashi (mezzo-soprano), Emmanuelle Ophèle, (flute), Hidéki Nagano (piano), Quatuor de Saxophones Jean Ledieu, Yoko Yamasaki (piano), Jean Ter-Merguérian (violin), Gérard Gasparian (piano) Recorded Paris 1998/99 TIMPANI 1C1055 [59:56] [GPJ]

If you haven’t encountered this interesting and talented young French composer, this disc makes an excellent entrée. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Luis GIANNEO (1897 – 1968) Bailecito (1931)b Música para Niños (1946)c Dos Estudios (1933)a Cinco Pequeñas Piezas (1938)b En el Altiplano (1932)b Siete Piezas Infantiles (1946)a Tres Danzas Argentinas (1938)d Villancico (1946)d Caminito de Belén (1947)d Dora Di Marinis (piano)a; Elena Dabul (piano)b; Pervez Mody (piano)c; Fernando Viani (piano)d - Recorded: Schloss Gottesauer, Velte Saal, Karlsruhe, August 2000 MARCO POLO 8.225206 [62:58][HC]

The best introduction to Gianneo’s attractive and worthwhile piano music. … see Full Review

Howard GOODALL's BIG BANGS Big Bangs - Titles Music Gregorio ALLEGRI Miserere mei Deus Claudio MONTEVERDI Deus in auditorium from 1610 Vespers; Overture to Orfeo; Euridice e Orfeo Ahi caso acerbo Io la musica son and string ritrnello Orfeo in Hades - possente spirto Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Pace pace - Marriage of Figaro Act IV John DUNSTAPLE Veni Sancte Spiritus arr Howard GOODALL Agincourt Song Johann Sebastian BACH The Well Tempered Clavier - Prelude No. 1; Fugue No. 1 Franz SCHUBERT (arr Goodall) Gute Nacht from Winterreise - abridged English version and full German version Scott JOPLIN Maple Leaf Rag Ruggero LEONCAVALLO Vesti la Giubba from I Pagliacci David FANSHAWE Sanctus - from African Sanctus Howard GOODALL Sanctus from Missa Aedis Christi Richard STRAUSS Im Abendrot from Four Last Songs rec late 1990s METRONOME MET CD 1043 [63.00] [RB]

A very miscellaneous assemblage which may work well as a reminder of the original series but which does not stand happily by itself. For me the discovery was Goodall's Sanctus.... see Full Review

Eivind GROVEN (1901-1977) Orchestral music - Piano Concerto (1947-1949)- Symphony No. 2 (1939-1945) - Wolfgang Plagge, piano - Trondheim Symphony Orchestra Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor - Recorded: Olavshallen, Trondheim, August 1991/April 1992 - Released in co-operation with the Norwegian Cultural Council SIMAX - NORWAY IN MUSIC - PSC 3111 [58.56] [NH]

Unknown gems from Scandinavia; admirers of the Nordic musical scene should investigate as a matter of urgency … see Full Review

Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599) Vespers for All Saints and the Missa Pro Defunctis Chapelle du Roi directed by Alistair Dixon Recorded in St. Jude’s Church, Hampstead, March 1999 SIGNUM CD017 [76.54] [GH]

Performances faultless. Recorded balance ideal. Speeds well judged. Any lover of renaissance music would find this a worthwhile investment even if the music is restrained and coolly beautiful. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Partenope - Meredith Hall (soprano) Kai Wessel (countertenor) Annette Markert (mezzo-soprano) Christopher Josey (countertenor) John McVeigh (tenor) William Berger (bass) Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra/Nicholas McGegan - Rec: May 30 to June 5, 2001, International Handel Festival, Göttingen. GÖTTINGEN HANDEL SOCIETY No catalogue number [192.39] [KM]

If you can deal with audience noise, you will certainly find some excellent music and some very good singing. … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Great Handel Arias - Vieni, o figlio(Ottone), Voglio dire (Partenope), Convey me to some peaceful shore (Alexander Balus), La Speranza e giunta (Ottone), Cangio d’aspetto (Admeto), Dove sei (Rodelinda), Lascia ch’io piango (Rinaldo), La Rondinella – Cantata (Clori, Tirsi e Fileno), Revenge, Timotheus cries (Alexander’s Feast), Se un bell’ardier (Ezio), Peace crowned with roses (Susanna), The God of Battle (Hercules), Wide spread his name (Theodora), Leave me, loathsome Light (Semele), Pensa a chi geme (Alcina), Honour and Arms (Samson) Bernadette Greevy, contralto, first eight items - Forbes Robinson, bass, last eight items - Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields - Raymond Leppard (for Greevy) - Philip Ledger (for Robinson) Recorded 1966-67 DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 593-2 [77’34] [JW]

Greevy, a contralto of discernment and depth and Forbes Robinson, redoubtable bass her past his zenith. … see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Ariodante Ann Murray, Joan Rodgers, Lesley Garret English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus - Ivor Bolton (Note: this opera is sung in English - the original was in Italian.) Rec: 1996, London Coliseum. ARTHAUS 100 064 [178 min.] [KM]

This is one of Handel’s finest operas, and shines through its excellent arias and beautiful instrumental sections. … see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Messiah - Lynn Dawson, soprano - Guillaumette Laurens, mezzo-soprano - Charles Daniels, tenor - Antonio Abete, bass - Coro della Radio Svizzera - I Barocchisti, Duilio Falfetti, leader Diego Fasolis, conductor - Rec: June 2000, Chiesa di San Nicolao, Lugano, Switzerland. ARTS 47627-2 [141.10] [KM]

Yet another Messiah. … see Full Review

George Frederic HANDEL Arias: David Hobson (tenor) Cantillation Sinfonia Australis/Antony Walker Rec 2001 ABC CLASSICS ABC 472 151-2 [55’13"] [PS]

I am happy to give the disc the warmest of welcomes. Mr Hobson’s sometimes rather nasal delivery has admirable incisiveness and clarity, both in line and, particularly so, in diction. … see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) THE MASTERWORKS (40-CD set)
CD 1/3 JEPHTHA CD 4/5 JUDAS MACCABAEUS CD 6/7 SOLOMON CD 8/10 BELSAZAR CD 11/12 MESSIAH CD 13/15 BROCKES PASSION CD 16 JOHANNES PASSION CD 17/18 ACIS & GALATEA CD 19/20 IMENEO CD 21/23 FARAMONDO CD 24 CORONATION ANTHEMS CD 25/26 CANTATAS CD 27 DEUTSCHE ARIEN CD 28 WATER MUSIC CD 29 MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS CD 30/31 CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3 CD 32/34 ORGAN CONCERTOS (COMPLETE) CD 35/40 CHAMBER MUSIC (COMPLETE) BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777 [approx. 40 hours]
[KM]

At this super-budget price, even a Handel connoisseur will find many discs which make it worth his or her while. … see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)The Seasons (highlights) Gundula Janowitz, Werner Hollweg, Walter Berry - Chorus of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan - Recorded Berlin, 1972 EMI CLASSICS CDE 574977 2 [53:26][JL]

A disc of highlights culled from Karajan’s splendidly sounding, indulgent recording of The Seasons that manages to leave out some of the best bits. Why not consider a complete version? … see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Complete Symphonies CD 1 to 33 Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, cond. Adam Fischer, with *Rainer Küchl (violin), Wolfgang Herzer (cello), Gerhard Turetschek (oboe) and Michael Werba (bassoon) DDD: recorded at the Haydnsaal, Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt, Austria BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99925 [AT]

This set is a very great step towards educating us all in this clever, profound, pioneering, but most of all, wonderfully joyous music … recommended without any hesitation … see Full Review

Basil HARWOOD (1859-1949) Sonata No 1 in C Sharp Minor, Opus 5; Dithyramb, Opus 7; Six Pieces, Opus 15; Capriccio, Opus 16 Adrian Partington (organ) Rec 2000? PRIORY PRCD 683 [65.00?] [PLS]

This well recorded disc has given me much pleasure and I strongly recommend it. … see Full Review

Terry HAWES HIS EXCELLENCY operetta (2001) With libretto by W S Gilbert (1894) David Luck (Matts Munck), Paul Mills (Erling), Nova Skipp (Christina), Faith Stretton (Nanna), Jean Aird (Thora), Stan Wilson (Griffenfeld), Mick Wilson (The Regent), Harald (Leon Berger), Chris Vincent (Tortenssen), Rosalind McCutcheon (Dame Hecla), Sarah Lodge (Blanca), Peter Francis (Sentry) Chorus and Orchestra by members of the Royal Academy of Music/Terry Hawes Rec. London, 2001 AMP PRODUCTIONS [69.40] £12.99 +p&p [RW]

Delightfully bright Sullivanesque pastiche … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Complete Symphonies - CD1 to CD33 Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, cond. Adam Fischer, with *Rainer Küchl (violin), Wolfgang Herzer (cello), Gerhard Turetschek (oboe) and Michael Werba (bassoon) DDD: recorded at the Haydnsaal, Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt, Austria BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99925 [PJL]

Fischer’s has been a memorable project: it began well, and got better and better. In the early days, it was competitive without ever being top of the class: now the race is run, it is most certainly a winner, and its rivals have their work cut out to match it, let alone surpass it. … see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets Op. 50 Nos 1-6 Festetics Quartet (István Kertész, violin; Erica Petöfi, violin; Péter Ligeti, viola; Rezsö Petorini, cello) Rec: August 1999, Technical Library, Budapest. ARCANA A 415 [151.00] [KM]

Bask in the delight of such magnificent music. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

Joaquim HOMS (born 1906) Piano Sonata No.1 (1945) Three Inventions on One Chord (1958) Carousel Waltz (1934) Between Two Lines (1948) Three Evocations (1982/7) In memoriam A. Rubinstein Remembrances (1984/95) Jordi Masó (piano) Recorded: Teatre de Ponent in Granollers, July 2000 MARCO POLO 8.225236 [67:01] [HC]

Homs was attracted to atonality and even serialism although his music rarely adheres strictly to serial principles. … see Full Review

Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955) String Quartet No. 1 (1919?) String Quartet No. 2 (1935) String Quartet No. 3 (1936) Pâques … New York* (1924) *Fusako Kondo (mezzo-soprano) Quatuor Ludwig Recorded September-October 1991, Eglise Evangélique, St Pierre, Paris TIMPANI 1C1011 [72.39] [TB]

Music thoroughly representative of this composer. Performances respond convincingly to the challenges the music poses. A commendable achievement … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

William HURLSTONE Trio in G Minor for clarinet, bassoon and piano. Bassoon Sonata in F - Four Characteristic Pieces - Stephen Emmerson (piano) - Murray Khouri (Clarinet) Peter Musson, Bassoon. Rec 1999? CONTINUUM CCD 1079 [52.08] from D I Music Direct, 7 High Street, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1AX [PS]

Rather short measure but a well played and recorded CD. … see Full Review

Francis JACKSON (born 1917) Edinburgh Fanfare (1957) - Five Preludes on English Hymn Tunes Op.60 (1987) - Impromptu Op.5 (1944) - Three Pieces Op.17 (1955) - Division on Nun Danket Op.19 No.2 (1956) - Prelude on Lonesome Valley Op.43 No.2 (1973) - Recessional Op.32 (1963) - Sonata Giocosa Op.42 (1972) Francis Jackson at the organ of Hull City Hall and of York Minster - Recorded: Hull City Hall, January 1986 and York Minster, 1973 (Sonata Giocosa) AMPHION PHI CD 180 [74:50] [HC]

Beauty and brilliance in this selection of organ music by Francis Jackson spanning some forty years of his long and busy career. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No.1 ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’ , String Quartet No. 2 ‘Intimate Letters’ - Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) From Cypresses, B.152
New Helsinki Quartet - Recorded at Sigyn Hall, Turku, Finland, August 1996 DDD Super budget WARNER APEX 0927 40603 2 [59.02] [TH]

No-one investigating this marvellous release will have any cause for complaint. … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) Idyla (Idyll) for String Orchestra - Mládí (Youth) for wind sextet - David Shostac, flute, Allan Vogel, oboe, David Shifrin, clarinet, Kenneth Munday, bassoon, Robin Graham, horn (all in Mládí), Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz - Recorded at the Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California USA, December 1980 and November 1981 APEX 7559 79680 [43:32] [GPJ]

Music from the beginning and end of a creative life … fine performances. … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) Lachian Dances - Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Suite in A major Rochester PO/David Zinman - Rec. 29 January 1984, Hochstein Auditorium, Rochester, New York APEX 7559 79677 2 [47.30] [TB]

Music of immediate appeal, fresh melodies and lively rhythmic qualities. Winning performances but regrettable that the disc should contain only 47 minutes of music. … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) The Makropulos Case: Opera in Three Acts
Libuše Prylová, Ivo Žídek
Prague National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra Bohumil Gregor (conductor) Recorded at the Domovina Studio, Prague, December 1965 to January 1966 ADD SUPRAPHON 10 8351-2 612 2 discs [2CDs: 37.53+62.57] [TH]

This has an unmistakably authentic feel about it, with acerbic Czech brass playing, the difficult language easily rolling off the tongue, and the conductor and cast obviously totally inside the piece. It deserves success. … see Full Review
You can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc

John JEFFREYS Organ Music Michel Bourcier (organ) The organ of Saint-Antoine des Quinze-Vingts, Paris Rec 2000? SOMM - Celeste Series - CD019 [57.00?] [CSS]

Like all good things this music is to be savoured, not rushed, and in the hands of Michel Bourcier, is impressively moving. … see Full Review

André JOLIVET (1905-1974) Symphonie pour cordes (1961) [21.51] Yin-Yang (1973) [19.20] Adagio (1960) [8.07] La Flèche du Temps (1973) [15.18] Andante (1935) [8.13] Orchestre des Pays de Savoie, cond. Mark Foster recorded 23-26 September 1994 at the Dôme-Théâtre, Albertville. DDD TIMPANI 1C1027 [73.34] [PL]

High harmonic temperatures, dark polyphony, demanding listening, aggressive and violent, serene and peaceful. I have been stirred by this music. … see Full Review
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Albert KETÈLBEY (1875-1959)
The Sacred Hour,Bells across the Meadows, In a Fairy realm, Algerian Scene, Fairy Butterfly, King Cupid, In the Mystic Land of Egypt,
Wedgwood Blue, Sanctuary of the Heart, In a Persian Market, A Dream of Christmas, In a Monastery Garden
Peter Dawson, bass-baritone Albert Sandler, violin Florence Smithson, soprano Dennis Noble, baritone Nellie Walker, contralto Robert Easton, bass Oscar Natzke, bass Albert Ketèlbey, piano Various Orchestras and Choruses conducted by Albert Ketèlbey, Ray Noble, Charles Prentice and Henry Geehl Recorded London between 1917-1939 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110848 [61’42] [JW]

So much sheer verve, so much outpouring of lyrical and life-affirming music. Enthusiastically recommended. … see Full Review

Aram KHACHATURYAN (1903-1978) Spartacus Suite (1956) [21.31] Masquerade Suite (1941) [17.09] Gayaneh Suite (1943) [18.41] London SO/Stanley Black rec 1975, 1978 ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 007-2 [68.47] [RB]

Khachaturyan the master purveyor of hokum with the primitivistic tone softened a click or two by Black and the LSO. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967) Sonata for solo cello, Op.8 (1915) Duo for violin and cello, Op.7 (1914) Jerry Grossman (cello) Daniel Phillips (violin) Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, October 1983 DDD WARNER APEX 7559 79672 2 [59.09] [TH]

Stimulating music that is as original as anything in Bartók, and in performances of real power and commanding stature. … see Full Review

Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929 – 1968) Piano Trio Op.46 (1965) Partita for Cello and Piano Op.35 (1959) Metamorphoses for Violin and Piano Op.48 (1965/6) Elegy for Cello and Piano Op.5 (1949) Lorraine McAslan (violin); Andrew Fuller (cello); Michael Dussek (piano)
Recorded: Henry Wood Hall, London, September 2001 DUTTON CDLX 7118 [77:00] [HC]

All the pieces here strongly communicate thanks to committed and dedicated performances that make the best of these wonderful works. … see Full Review

Edwin LEMARE Organ Symphony No 1 in G Minor Opus 35; The Cuckoo (Summer-Sketches, Opus 73) MENDELSSOHN, Transcr. LEMARE ed. FISHER: The Hebrides Overture. ALFRED HOLLINS: Concert Overture in C Major Roger Fisher (organ) JAV RECORDINGS JAV 128A (57 mins. Approx). [PS]

Mr Fisher, one of our finest organists once again shows his aptitude for, and love of, the Romantic organ repertoire … see Full Review

Franz Liszt Piano Music played by john ogdon - Piano Concerto no 1 in E flat major (S 124) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Constantin Silvestri, recorded in Colston Hall, Bristol, September 1967 - Piano Concerto no 2 in A major (S 125) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis, recorded in the Royal Albert Hall, London, September 1971 - Mephisto Waltz no 1 (S 514), recorded in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, April 1969 - Grand Fantasia on La Campanella (S 420) and Transcendental Study Harmonies du Soir (S139 no 11), recorded in BBC Studios, London, September 1970 BBC LEGENDS 4089-2 [73:13] [AS]

This disc, which captures Ogdon at the height of his powers, is to be treasured. … see Full Review

Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913 – 1994) Dance Preludes (1954, orch. 1955) - Mátyás SEIBER (1905 – 1960) Concertino for Clarinet and String Orchestra (1928, orch. 1951) - Howard BLAKE (born 1938) Clarinet Concerto (1984) - Thea King (clarinet); English Chamber Orchestra; Andrew Litton, Howard Blake - Recorded: May-June 1985 (Blake) and April 1986 (Lutoslawski, Seiber) HELIOS CDH 55068 [46:41] [HC]

An attractive programme, superbly performed and recorded. If you did not get it when first released it is now at customer-friendly bargain price. … see Full Review

Sergei LYAPUNOV (1859-1924) Symphony No.1 Op.12 (1897) Piano Concerto No.2 Op.38 (1909) Polonaise Op.16 (1902) Howard Shelley (piano). BBC Philharmonic conducted by Vassily Sinaisky - Studio 7 New Broadcasting House Manchester 26th -31st October 2000 CHANDOS CHAN 9808 [64.31] [JF]

A rare opportunity to hear two major works by this unknown Russian composer. I hope that this disc will act as encouragement for further exploration of Lyapunov’s sensuous, poetic and romantic music. … see Full Review

 

 

[Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] 
[Part 7 Misc]      


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