20th CENTURY MUSIC FOR CLARINET AND
PIANO FROM THE BRITISH ISLES Elizabeth
MACONCHY (1907 – 1994)
Fantasia (1979) Anthony POWERS (born
1953) Sea/Air (1985) Piers HELLAWELL
(born 1956) High Citadels (1994) Harrison
BIRTWISTLE (born 1934) Verses (1965) Richard
Rodney BENNETT (born 1936) Scena III (1977) Hugh
WOOD (born 1932) Paraphrase on Birds of Paradise Op.26
(1985) Gordon CROSSE (born 1937) A
Year and a Day (1979) Martin BUTLER
(born 1960) Capistrano Song (1984) Michael
BERKELEY (born 1948) Flighting (1987) 
Kate Romano (clarinet); Alan Hicks (piano) Recorded: Hospital of St
Cross, Winchester, July 1995 and March 1996
METIER MSV CD92013 [68:44] [HC]
Kate
Romano, a wonderfully equipped musician, flawless technique and consummate
musicianship. Well-thought out survey of the variety achieved by very
different composers. … see Full Review
AFTER
MOZART
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART 1756-1791) Serenata
Notturno in D major, K.239 (1776) Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in G
major, K.525 (1787) - Leopold MOZART
(1719-1787) Kinder-Symphonie in C major (c. 1760) -
Alexander RASTAKOV (b.1953) 5 Min. aus dem Leben von W.A.M.
(1999) - Valentin SILVESTROV (b.1937)
The Messenger (1996) - Alfred SCHNITTKE
(1934-1998) Moz-Art à la Haydn (1997)
Kremeratica Baltica/Gidon Kremer - Recorded at various venues in Germany
and Austria between October 1999 and June 2000 DDD
NONESUCH 7559-79633-2 [66.26] [TH]
An
absorbing experience, a witty and imaginative attempt to set Mozart
‘in the frame of our own time’ … see Full
Review
Roberto ALAGNA (tenor)
"BEL-CANTO"
Arias from operas by:– BELLINI
(La sonnambula, Norma, I puritani, and Il pirata)
DONIZETTI
(Poliuto, La Favorite, Don Pasquale, Roberto Devereux, Dom Sebastien,
L'Elisir d'amore, La Fille du Régiment). London Voices
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Evelino Pido - Recorded 1999. No 1 Studio,
Abbey Road, London. Full price.
EMI CLASSICS 7243 3 557302 [67.13] [RJF]
I
wonder if the fact that the recording sessions were in the autumn of
1999, and the disc is only just released, indicates that others had
reservations too? … see Full Review
ALMA
LATINA -
Electroacoustic Music from Latin America -
Edited by M. Rosas Cobian and Odaline de la Martinez M.
Rosas COBIAN: Gato’s Raid Agustin
FERNENDEZ:Silent Towers Rajmil FISCHMAN:
Alma Latina Gabriela ORTIZ: Five
Micro Études for tape Mario VERANDI:
Dancescape M. Rosas COBIAN: Urbis
#4; 2nd Run;
Martellato/FYSOB; Cool/Bias
DDD LORELT LNT 113
[71:57] [US]
Full
of inspiration, surprises and a wide range of ‘acousmatic’ music, ranging
from the eclectic use of dance forms to the most sublime minimalism.
… see Full Review
AMERICAN ANTHEM
Popular Songs and music performed by Denyce Graves, Boston Pops Orchestra,
James Galway and others. Denyce Graves, soprano DDD/ADD
RCA BMG 09026 63888 2 [60.04] [RB]
A
contrasted collection of American popular classics predominantly choral
or at least vocal. ... see Full Review
Arias
For Farinelli - Riccardo
BROSCHI (c. 1701-1756): Idaspe: "Qual guerriero in campo
armato" Vivica Genaux
(mezzo-soprano) Akademie fur Alte Musik (Berlin) Rene Jacobs, conductor
DDD HARMONIA MUNDI
SP 068 [7'45"] [CMG]
Genaux,
whose timbre and vocal production are somewhat reminiscent of Horne's
in her youth, does her mentor proud … see Full
Review
Wilhelm
BACKHAUS - Complete British Acoustic Recordings
1908-25 - Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Prelude
in C sharp Minor - Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Liebestraum No 3 - Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 -
Georg Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Harmonious Blacksmith
- Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Prelude
Op 28 No 1, Etude Op 10 No1, Fantasy-Impromptu Op 66, Etude Op 25 No
8, Etude Op 25 No 9, Etude Op 10 No 5, Etude Op 25 No 6, Etude No 25
No 1, Waltz Op 70 No 1, Waltz in E Op posthumous, Waltz Op 42, Etude
Op 10 No 7, Waltz Op 64 No 1, Polonaise Op 53, Waltz Op 42, Berceuse
Op 57 - Eduard GRIEG (1843-1907)
Norwegian Bridal Procession, Concerto Movements 1 and 3 – abridged
- Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Sonata No 1 – Perpetuum mobile -
Niccolo PAGANINI - arr LISZT (1782-1840) La Campanella
- J S BACH (1685-1750) Prelude
and Fugue No 3 - SEELING
Etude in E flat Minor Op 10 No 12 - Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Novelette Op 21 No 7, Wildmung arr
LISZT, Traumeswirren - Bedrich SMETANA
(1824-1884) Polka in F -
Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in F l188, Sonata
in G L490 - Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Moment Musicale, Hark Hark the Lark arr LISZT -
Leo DELIBES (1836-1891) arr DOHNANYI - Naila Waltz -
Moritz MOSKOWSKI Caprice Espagnole Op 37 -
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) arr BACKHAUS Don Juan
Serenade - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Variations on a theme of Paganini -
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) arr HUTCHESON A Midsummer
Night’s Scherzo - Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909)
Triana (Iberia No 6)
Wilhelm Backhaus, piano - Recorded 1908-1928
PEARL GEMS 0102 [2 CDs: 148’26] [JW]
These
records will show you why Backhaus’s contemporaries held him in such
esteem and why he continues to hold a sovereign place in the history
of the piano. … see Full Review
Janet BAKER (b. 1933) The
Very Best of Janet Baker CD1
J.S.
Bach
–
Bereite dich Zion from
the ‘Christmas Oratorio’, Handel – He was despised
from
‘Messiah’, Mendelssohn – O rest in
the Lord from
‘Elijah', Brahms – Alto Rhapsody,
Mahler – Ich bin
der Welt abhandonen gekommen, Duparc – L’invitation
au voyage, Duruflé – Pie Jesu
from
Requiem
Elgar – Sea Pictures,
Elgar – The Angel’s
Farewell from
‘The Dream of Gerontius’ - CD2 Vaughan Williams – Linden Lea,
Britten – Corpus Christi
Carol, Warlock – Pretty Ring
Time ,
Fauré:
Prison; Soir; Clair de Lune, Schubert: Ave Maria; Gretchen;
Wiegenlied; Die Forelle; Auf dem Wasser zu singen; An die Musik; An
Sylvia; Nacht und Träume; Heidenröslein; Du bist die Ruh,
Mendelssohn – Auf Flügeln
des Gesanges, Schumann: Mondnacht; Du
Ring an meinem finger; Geistliches Wiegenlied, Richard Strauss: Befreit; Morgen
Dame Janet Baker CH, mezzo-soprano, with various artists
- Recorded at many different times and places throughout her career
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 75069 2 2 [2CDs:
79:00+76:04] [GPJ]
A
fitting and musically satisfying recollection of a truly great artist,
who gave everything she had to her public … see Full Review
Daniel Barenboim: Pierre
BOULEZ (born 1925) Notations I-IV Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) The Three-Cornered Hat - Elisabéte
Matos (mezzo-soprano) Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Barenboim (conductor) Recorded live at the Kölner Philharmonie,
27-28 April 2000 TDK
DV-MTKBA [PQ]
‘We
have to be aware of the past but we must not be prisoners of the past’,
concludes Boulez, and he appears to have learnt from his words better
than any of his contemporaries. … see Full
Review
Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler (1863-1927) -
Reproducing Piano Rolls 1908-24 - Frederic
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Scherzo op 31, Nocturne op 27 no 2, Nocturne
op 48, Scherzo op 20, Waltz op 70 no 1, Waltz op 64 no 1, Piano Sonata
op 35 - Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata op 111 - Ruins of Athens March transcribed Anton
Rubinstein
- Moritz MOSKOWSKI La
Jongleuse, Frühling - Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
Pastorale transcribed Tausig -
Capriccio transcribed Tausig
- Howard BROCKWAY
Serenade - Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894)
Barcarolle op 30 no 1 - Eduard SCHUTT (1856-1933)
Croquis et Silhouettes op 87 no 4 - Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Songs without words op 62 no 4 -
Cecile CHAMINADE (1857-1944) La Retour op 134 -
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Rhapsody op 119 no 4 -
Eugen D’ALBERT (1864-1932) Suite op 1, Gavotte and Musette
- J S BACH (1685-1750) Organ Toccata
and Fugue transcribed Tausig
Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler,
piano - Reproducing Piano Rolls, recorded 1908-24
PIERIAN 003-004 [2 CDs 132’16] [JW]
A
sometimes uneven but always engaging musician, of splendid technique,
high imagination and vibrant musicality. … see Full
Review
BREAM:
Adagios - Guitar favourites for romantic daydreams
DEBUSSY
Claire
de lune DEBUSSY Reverie RAVEL
Pavane for a dead Princess FAURÉ
Berceuse (from the "Dolly Suite", Op.56) VIVALDI
Largo (from "Concerto in D" for lute and strings,
RV93) VIVALDI Andante (from "Concerto
in G" for lute and strings, RV532) RODRIGO
Españoleta (from "Fantasia para un Gentilhombre")
RODRIGO Adagio (from "Concierto
de Aranjuez") BOCCHERINI Adagio
(from "Guitar Quintet in E minor", G, 451) GIULIANI
Andante siciliano (from "Guitar Concerto in A",
Op.30) SOR Cantabile (from "L’Encouragement",
Op.34) CIMAROSA Sonata in C sharp
minor CARULLI Larghetto (from "Serenade
in A", Op.96) FAURÉ Dolly’s
Garden (from the "Dolly Suite", Op.56) FAURÉ
Tendresse (from the "Dolly Suite", Op. 56) Julian
Bream – guitar RCA VICTOR 09026 63905 [71:44] [AD]
Will
appeal to those who want music that is easy on the ear, relaxing and
not too demanding in its appreciation. … see Full
Review
Carnaval
des Animaux - Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Le
Carnaval des Animaux (1886] [23’16"] Marc
MATTHYS (b.1956) Camel Caravan [6’08"] Jan
HUYLEBROECK (b.1956) Cortège des espèces bien
mortes [9’42"] Frits CELIS (b.1929)
Elégie pour un faun [9’31"] Petra
VERMOTE (b.1968) Drakemie [2’50"] Roland
CORYN (b.1938) Elephantasia [6’35"] Boudewijn
BUCKINX (b.1945) Konijn [4’42"] Yves
BONDUE (b.1966) Kameleon [6’37"] Lucien
POSMAN (b.1952) Pauw [5’07"]
Arco Balena Ensemble Recorded at Galaxy Studios, Mol, Belgium in October
- November 2001 DEXIA
codaex CX4003 [74.27] [JP]
In
all these pieces the Ensemble gives very professional performances.
An interesting disc; more for modernists than pure classicists. … see
Full Review
Alicia
de Larrocha: Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-47) Songs
without Words - Op. 19 No. 1 in E, Op. 102 No.3 in C, Op. 38 No.6 in
A flat ‘Duetto’, Op. 67 No.4 in C ‘Spinning Song’, Caprice Op.33 No.1
in A minor Variations sérieuses, Op.54 in D minor -
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-49) Nocturne Op.32 No.1
in B, Barcarolle Op.60 in F sharp, Berceuse Op.57 in D flat, Polonaise-Fantasie
Op.61 in A flat Alicia
de Larrocha (piano) Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters,
New York, December 5–6, 1995 (Mendelssohn), August 3-4, 1997 (Chopin)
DDD RCA RED SEAL 09026
68959 2 [63.15] [TH]
I’m
afraid we get safety first, with any poetic vision or fiery temperament
only fleetingly glimpsed. … see Full
Review
The Eberle Quartet Philip
GATES String Quartet No. 1 in A minor -
Frank BRIDGE Three Idylls,
Novelletten - Samuel
BARBER String Quartet Op.11
The Eberle Quartet (Daphne Moody and Jennifer Gibbs - violins, Moira
Alabaster - viola, Muriel Daniels - cello).
Recorded at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, St. Hilda's
College, Oxford 28th - 30th January 1997
NAIM NAIMCD019 [58.30] [NH]
The
all female Eberle quartet introduce an accessible and talented new voice
… see Full Review
English
Oboe Concertos Michael
HURD (b. 1928) Concerto da Camera Kenneth
LEIGHTON (1929-88) Oboe Concerto (1953) William
BLEZARD (b.1921) Two Celtic Pieces John
GARDNER (b.1917) Oboe Concerto (1990) Philip
LANE (b. 1950) Three Spanish Dances (1981)
Jill Crowther (oboe) English Northern Philharmonia/Alan Cuckston
rec Leeds 2000 ASV WHITELINE
CD WHL 2130 [64.58] [PS]
Jill
Crowther is a splendid advocate for this little known music. … see Full
Review
Mischa
Elman The
Art of Mischa Elman Fritz
KREISLER (1875-1962) Slavonic Rhapsody, La Precieuse Peter
I TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Russian Dance Op 40 No 10 Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La plus que lente Christopher
Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Largo William
KROLL (1901-1980) Juanita Arthur
BENJAMIN (1893-1960) From San Domingo Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884) From My Homeland No 2 Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Berceuse Cesar
ESPEJO Airs, Tziganes
Mischa Elman, violin Joseph Seiger, piano Recorded New York 1966
VANGUARD CLASSICS SVC-126 [47’36] [JW]
It’s
a study in decline, the Last Testament of a once great individualist.
… see Full Review
European Concert 2000 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Piano
Concerto No. 2 in B Flat major, Op. 19 (1793, rev 1794-95) Symphony
No. 9 in D Minor, OP. 125 (1822-24) Mikhail Pletnev, piano - Karita
Mattila, mezzo-soprano, Violeta Urmana, alto, Thmas Moser, tenor, Eike
Wilm Schulte, Baritone, Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir
(Chorus master – Tonu Kaljuste)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Claudio Abbado. recorded in the Philharmonie,
Berlin, 1st May, 2000 - Video directed by Bob Cole. [90 minutes (main
programme) + 28 minutes documentary]
TDK DVD – EC10A [JP]
Edge
of the seat playing, with all desks showing a concentration which is
missing from many other orchestras. … see Full
Review
EUROPEAN CONCERT 1996 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1832) Romances 1 and 2 for Violin and Orchestra (1802 and 1798)
Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92 (1812) Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891 - 1953) Excerpts from Romeo And Juliet – Ballet
(1938) Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943)
Aleko’s Cavatina from Aleko, (1893)
Anatoly Kocherga, Baritone (Rachmaninov), Kolja Blacher, Violin,
(Beethoven) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Claudio Abbado. recorded in
the Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, 1st May 1996. Video directed
by Brian Large. TDK
DVD - ECSPE [89 minutes (main programme) + 20 minutes documentary].
[JP]
The
overall impression of this DVD is one of immense pleasure … see Full
Review
European Concert 1998: Richard WAGNER
(1813 - 1883) The Flying
Dutchman – Overture (1843) - Peter Ilyich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) The Tempest, Op. 18 (1873)
Claude DEBUSSY (1862 – 1918) Three
Nocturnes (1900) Giuseppe VERDI (1813
– 1901) Quattro Pezzi Sacri (1898) - Swedish Radio Choir
and Eric Ericson Chamber Choir (Debussy and Verdi) - Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra, conducted by
Claudio Abbado. recorded in the Vasa Museum, Stockholm, 1st May, 1998.
Video directed by Bob Coles.
TDK DVD - STOCK [99 minutes (main programme) + 19 minutes documentary]
[JP]
A
superb example of the video music event. This issue fires the imagination
in tremendous fashion. … see Full Review
Andor
FOLDES The Tono Recordings - 1950-51 Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata
Op 12 Pathétique Sonata Op 78 Sonata Op 79 Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Abegg, Variations, Papillons, Aufschwung,
Fantasiestücke Op 12/2) Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Rhapsody in G minor Op 79/2 Intermezzo in E Flat
Op 117/1 Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Waltz in A Flat Op 34/1 Polonaise in A Op 40/1
Andor Foldes, piano Recorded Bispebjerg Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark 1950-51
APR 5580 [72’05]
[JW]
Important
that these long unavailable recordings are once more open to scrutiny
and investigation. … see Full Review
Great
Conductors of the 20th Century: FERENC
FRICSAY
Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) L'Apprenti
sorcier Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Rec 14 November 1961, Grosser
Sendesaal, Berlin Zoltán KODALY (1882-1967) Dances
of Galánta Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Rec August 1961, Salzburg
Festival Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Symphony
No. 9 RIAS Symphony Orchestra Berlin Rec 30 April & 3 May 1954,
Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin Paul HINDEMITH
(1895-1963) Symphonic
Metamorphoses of themes of Carl Maria von Weber RIAS Symphony Orchestra
Berlin Rec 3-4 June 1952, Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin Johann
STRAUSS
(1825-1899) Waltz:
The Artist's Life RIAS Symphony Orchestra Berlin Rec 6 June 1950, Jesus
Christus Kirche, Berlin Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Overture:
Leonore No. 3 Symphony No. 3 'Eroica' Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Rec 5 February 1961, Grosser Sendesaal, Berlin Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Overture:
Cosí fan tutte RIAS Symphony Orchestra Berlin Rec 18 January
1951, Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin EMI CLASSICS/IMG ARTISTS CZS
5 75109 2 [2CDs: 79.35, 77.32] Midprice
The
issue with these performances tends to come back to the quality of the
recorded sound, which, as I have tried to explain, is variable. …
see Full Review
Italian Harp Music Muzio
CLEMENTI (1752-1832) Andante and variations [5.09]
Giovanni Battista VIOTTI
(1755-1824) Sonata for Harp [16.42] Francesco
POLLINI (1762-1843) Capriccio and aria with variations
[11.26] Theme and variations [6.03] Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Allegretto [1.12] Sonata for
Harp [2.26] Andante and variations for Violin* and Harp [4.35]
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Sonata for Violin* and Harp [3.50] Nicolas
Charles BOCHSA (1789-1856) Fantasia on Bellini’s ‘I Capuleti
e Montecchi’ [5.24] Marianna
CRETI DE ROCCHIS (1822?-1890?) Fantasia on Bellini’s ‘Casta
Diva’ [8.56] Claudia
Antonelli (harp), with *Alberto Ambrosini (violin) DDD: recorded in
Montepulciano Siena, 18-20 August 1996
NAXOS 8.554252 [65.42] [PJL]
A
pleasant package, especially at the always-tempting Naxos price. … see
Full Review
Myra
Hess. Live recordings from the University of
Illinois - Volume 1 Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Fantasie
in F minor op. 49 Waltz No 1 in E flat op. 18 Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sonata No 21 in B flat D960 German Dances
– selection Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Intermezzo in C Op.119/3 Domenico SCARLATTI
(1685-1757) Sonata in G, L387
Myra Hess, piano Recorded University of Illinois, 17 and 18 March 1949
APR 5520 [69’39]
[JW]
A
splendid start to a major series and unreservedly recommended. … see
Full Review
Myra
Hess. Live recordings from the University of
Illinois. Volume 2 Ludwig Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano
Concerto No 21 in C K467 Repeat of Finale Piano Concerto No 9 in E Flat
K271 Closing speech Myra
Hess, piano University of Illinois Sinfonietta/John M Kuypers Recorded
17 and 18 March 1949
APR 5539 [66’53] [JW]
Hess,
at fifty-nine, playing her beloved Mozart in the most congenial of surroundings
and still in infectiously good form. … see Full
Review
Myra
Hess. Live recordings from the University of
Illinois. Volume 3 J S BACH (1685-1750)
Partita
No 4 BWV 828 French Suite No 5 BWV 816 – Gigue Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata No 17 Op.31/2 Tempest Eduard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto Op.16 – First Movement *
Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Etudes
Op.25 Nos 1 and 3 Myra
Hess, piano Detroit Symphony Orchestra conducted by Victor Kolar * Recorded
18 March 1949 (Bach Partita No 4, Beethoven) and 7 March 1937 Ford Sunday
Evening Hour Broadcast (Grieg, Chopin, Bach French Suite – Gigue)
APR 5549 [68’51] [JW]
Hess
on buoyant and generous form … see Full Review
GREAT
CONDUCTORS OF THE 20th CENTURY:
10 SERGE KOUSSEVITZKY
(1874-1951) Peter Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Symphony
no. 5 in e minor, op. 64 (1) Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943)
The
Isle of the Dead, op. 29 (2) Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Mephisto
Waltz no. 1 (3) Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
no. 7 in C, op. 105 (4) Roy HARRIS (1898-1979) Symphony
no. 3 (5) Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony
no. 5 in c minor, op. 67 (6) Boston Symphony Orchestra
(1, 2, 3, 5), BBC Symphony Orchestra (4), London Philharmonic Orchestra
(6)/Serge Koussevitzky Locations: Symphony Hall, Boston (1, 2, 3, 5),
Queen’s Hall, London (4, recorded live), Abbey Road Studios, London
(6) Dates: 22 Nov. 1944 (1), 23 April 1945 (2), 8 May 1936 (3), 1 May
1933 (4), 8 Nov. 1939 (5), 3-4 Sep. 1934 (6) EMI CLASSICS CZS 5 75118 2 [2 CDs: 77’ 36"+71’
04"] [CH]
An
enthusiastic recommendation for some wonderful music-making. I seemed
to be hearing Tchaikovsky 5 for the first time. … see Full Review
GREAT
CONDUCTORS OF THE 20th CENTURY 12: IGOR MARKEVICH
Piotr
Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Manfred
Symphony, op. 58 (1) Mikhail GLINKA (1804-1857)
A
Life for the Tsar: Overture, Polonaise, Krakowiak, Waltz (2)
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
La
Forza del Destino: Overture (3) Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
La
Mer (4) Emmanuel
CHABRIER (1841-1894)
España
(5) Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937)
Daphnis
and Chloë: Suite no. 2 (6) (live) Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Till
Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, op. 28 (7) (live) Belgrade Opera
Chorus (2), North German Radio Chorus (6), French National Radio Orchestra
(7), Lamoureux Orchestra (2, 4), London Symphony Orchestra (1), New
Philharmonia Orchestra (3), North German Radio Symphony Orchestra (6),
Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra (5)/Igor Markevich EMI CLASSICS CZS 5 75124
2 [2 CDs: 77’ 49", 74’ 50"] [CH]
The
inner tensions behind this music-making create enthralling if exhausting
listening. In the case of the Tchaikovsky this makes for a classic performance.
… see Full
Review
Great
Conductors of the 20th Century: EUGENE ORMANDY -
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony
No. 4 Philadelphia Orchestra - Rec 25 October 1967, Town Hall, Philadelphia
- Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don
Juan - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra - Rec 12 June 1959, Kongressaal,
Deutsches Museum, Munich - Anton WEBERN
(1883-1945) Im Sommerwind Philadelphia Orchestra - Rec 17
February 1963, Town Hall, Philadelphia - Dimitri
KABALEVSKY (1904-1987) Overture: Colas Breugnon -
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra - Rec 15 November 1965, Studio P1,
Bavarian Radio, Munich - Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Symphony No. 2 Philadelphia Orchestra - Rec 18-19 December
1973, Scottish Tite Cathedral, Philadelphia -
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) The Return of Lemminkainen
Philadelphia Orchestra - Rec 20 February 1978, The Old Met, Philadelphia
EMI CLASSICS/IMG ARTISTS
CZ5 75127 2 [2CDs: 70.36, 67.35] [TB]
Rachmaninov
2: a fine performance sumptuously recorded - no lack of expressive emotional
tension … see Full Review
DE
ANGELIS
De angelis Schola Cantorum Riga Raimonds Tiguls, keyboards Rec: No information
given. UPE CLASSICS
4750404002822 [38.54] [KM]
All
the charm of elevator music or background music for spiritual supermarkets.
… see Full Review
Eastertide
– Music for lent, Passiontide and Easter
TRADITIONAL:
Forty days and Forty Nights Richard FARRANT:
Call to Remembrance, O Lord John Dykes BOWER: Praise to the Holiest in
the Height PURCELL: Hear
my Prayer PURCELL: Remember
not, Lord, our Offences John
MUDD: Let thy Merciful ears
Maurice GREENE: Lord, let me
know mine end BYRD: Bow thine
Ear, O Lord IRELAND: My Song
is Love Unknown John GOSS:
O Saviour of the World GIBBONS:
Drop, drop, slow tears CASALS:
O vos omnes IRELAND: Ex ore
innocentium BAIRSTOW: Lamentation
TALLIS: Salvator mundi LOTTI:
Crucifixus St. Mary’s, Warwick: Easter
Bells Barry ROSE: Easter Flourish Trad. arr. WOOD: This joyful Eastertide
BYRD: Adora te S S WESLEY: Blessed be the God and Father
Henry GAUNTLET: Ye Choirs of
New Jerusalem Tewkesbury Abbey School Choir/Andrew
Sackett, (with Collegiate Church of St. Mary, Warwick/Simon Lole; Wells
Cathedral Choir/Malcolm Archer; Worcester Cathedral Choir/Donald Hunt;
Westminster Abbey Choir/Martin Neary.
Date/location of recordings unspecified. GRIFFIN GCCD 4033
[72.37] [WH]
Programme
well chosen, but lack of variety which has its origin in the subject
matter means that not everyone will want to sit and listen right through.
… see Full Review
"The
Edwardian Gentleman’s Songbook" -
HENRY BISHOP: My Pretty
Jane. - HATTON:
Come Gentle Zephyr. - G
SMART: The Squirrel. STANFORD:
Lullaby; A Japanese Lullaby; The Unknown Sea; Fairy Lives; The City
Child. PEARSALL: Waters of Elle.
FREDERICK BRIDGE: Two
Snails; The Goslings. SULLIVAN:
Once Again; How Many Hired Servants (from The Prodigal Son) DIBDIN:
Tom Bowling. B COOKE: Epitaph on
a Dormouse. F H COWEN: The Children’s
Garden. TRAD (arr. various): The
Last Rose of Summer; The Snowy Breasted Pearl; Ye Banks and Braes.
James Griffett (tenor) Pro Cantione Antiqua, directed by Mark Brown
- Rec 1980s? REGIS RRC
1083 [63.00?] [PLS]
The
Edwardian of the title must have had old-fashioned tastes. The recording
is excellent and this is highly recommendable. … see Full
Review
FESTIVE
HANSEATIC MUSICWorks
by Julius Johann Weiland, Julius Ernst Rautenstein, Heinrich Albert,
Andreas Hakenberger, Philipp Dulichius, Christoph Bernhard, Dietrich
Becker, Matthias Weckmann, Jocaob Obrecht, Orlando Di Lasso, Andries
Pevernage and Clemens non papa. WESER-RENAISSANCE
Manfred Cordes - Recording: June 17, July 1 and 29, August 19, 2000.
Sendesaal Radio Bremen DDD
CPO 999 782-2 [74:00] [US]
Newly
discovered repertoire from an almost forgotten ‘terra incognita’ of
music history. … see Full
Review
Guitar
Music Of Argentina Máximo
Diego PUJOL (b.1957) Tres
Piezas Rioplatenes Suite del Plata, No.1 Narciso
SAUL (b.1957) Boulevard San Jorge Hector
AYALA (1914-1990) Serie Americana Carlos
GUASTAVINO (1912-2000) Sonata No. 1 Juan
FALU (b.1948) Tres Piezas Walter
HEINZE (b.1943) Concordancias
Victor Villadangos - guitar
NAXOS 8.555058 [70:42] [AD]
If
you enjoy the music of South America and that of Argentina in particular
this disc is for you. A bargain at twice the price. … see Full
Review
Ben
HEPPNER (ten) French
Arias by BERLIOZ, HALÉVY,
MASSENET, MEYERBEER
and DE LISLE
London Voices London Symphony Orchestra/Myung-Whun Chung Recorded All
Saints Church, London June/July 2001. Full Price
DG 471 372-2 GH [74.05] [RF]
What
Heppner brings to the whole collection is open-throated, musically intelligent,
performances with a good variety of tonal colours and elegance of phrase.
… see Full Review
Stephen
Hough’s English Piano Album Alan RAWSTHORNE Four Bagatelles Stephen
REYNOLDS Two
Poems in Homage to Delius, Two Poems in Homage to Fauré Stephen
HOUGH Valses
Enigmatiques Nos. 1 and 2 Edward ELGAR In
Smyrna. Granville
BANTOCK arr. HOUGH Song
to the Seals. York
BOWEN Reverie
d’Amour;
Serious Dance; The Way to Polden (an ambling tune) Frank
BRIDGE The
Dew Fairy;
Heart’s Ease Kenneth LEIGHTON Six
Studies (Study-Variations)
Op.56. Stephen Hough (piano) Rec 2001 DDD HYPERION CDA 67267
[73’42"] [PS]
This
very attractive Hyperion release is representative of Hough's skills
and is of especial interest to lovers of British music. Few of the items
will be widely known. … see Full
Review
Jonathan
Lemalu (b. bar). Songs
by Brahms, Schubert, Fauré, Finzi, Ireland, Keel, Head Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-87) Vier ernste Gesänge Op.121 (Four
Serious Songs), Denn es gehet dem Menschen wie dem Vieh, Ich wandte
mich und sahe an alle, O'Tod, wie bitter bist dim, Wenn ich mit Menschen
-und mit Engelszungen redete - Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1825) Der Wanderer an den Mond, D.870, Auf der Donau, D.553,
Der Schiffer, D.536, Der Wanderer, D.489 -
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) L'Horizon chimérique,
Op.118 (The Illusory Horizon), La mer est infinie, Je me suis embarqué,
Diane, Séléné, Vaisseaux, nous vous aurons almés.
Gerald FINZI (1901-56) Rollicum-rorum,
To Lizbie Browne (from Earth and Air and Rain), Op.15 -
TRAD, arr. VIGNOLES Lowlands (Sea shantv) -
John IRELAND (1879-1962) Sea Fever -
Frederick KEEL (1871-1934) Trade Winds -
Michael HEAD (1900-1976) The Estuary
Roger Vignoles (piano). Recorded Potton Hall, Suffolk, England. 2002.
Full price. EMI 'DEBUT
SERIES'. 7242 5752032 [60.46] [RJF]
see
Full Review
Josef
Lhevinne (1874-1944) The Complete Recordings
- Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sonata
in D for two pianos K448 - Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Toccata in C, Frühlingsnacht arr LISZT,
El Contrabandista ARR TAUSIG - Frederic CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Etude Op 10 No 6, Etude Op 25 Nos 6, 10, 11,
Prelude Op 28 No s 16 and 17, Polonaise Op 53 -
Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Blue Danube Waltz arr SCHULZ-EVLER
- Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Fetes
arr RAVEL - Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Ecossaises - Peter I TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Trepak - Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Prelude in G Minor
Josef Lhevinne, piano - Rosina Lhevinne, piano (Mozart, Debussy) Recorded
1920-1937 NAXOS HISTORICAL
8.110681 [71’05] [JW]
Among
the greatest seventy-one minutes you will spend with a pianist. … see
Full Review
LIVONIA
Laulan
Mere Maaksi - Old Estonian Songs and Dances -
Suur tamm, Laula, kuni elad, Òhtu iruà, Sööge,
laungud, Lambamäng, Sarvetants, Rikas ja vaene, Laulan, mere maaksi,
Lòpe, pòld, Jaanilaul, Lòikuslaul, Kadrilaul, Oh,
jumal, Valmi, vòike, Hällilaul, Käokiri, Iluaeg, Kullast
Kodu Svea Juckum-Bentz,
voice, violin, hurdy-gurdy, recorder, harp
Roland Bentz, voice, bass-veille, hurdy-gurdy, vielle, recorder, harp,
percussion - Gottfried Madner, percussion - Rec: No information given.
LIVONIA LIV 2001 [50.41]
[KM]
As
music from other cultures becomes increasingly prominent, it is essential
to have available such works that date back into the shadows of time.
… see Full Review
There
are more Miscellaneous items on page 7
[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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