BOOK
REVIEWS
BRITISH SOLO SONG: a
guide for for singers, teachers, librarians and the music trade of songs
currently available. By
Michael Pilkington Thames/Elkin Publications, 2003: xii, 308pp, inc.
three indices. ISBN 0 905210 78 6 £19.99 paperback
Previous
editions of this valuable book are now completely superseded. This is
an indispensable purchase for lovers of the British solo art song....see
Full Review
BRITTEN,
Voice and Piano: Lectures on the Vocal Music of
Benjamin Britten By
Graham Johnson (Guildhall Research Studies 2)
Ashgate/Guildhall School of Music and Drama, 2003: x, 270pp, plus
two CDs. ISBN 0-7546-3872-3 £29.95 paperback
Much
additional and unique interest pertains to the volume in the extent
of Johnson's personal contribution to his text.... see Full
Review
HENRY FOTHERGILL CHORLEY (1808-72)
Victorian
Journalist By Robert Bledsoe pp384 hardback 2
illustrations Ashgate, October 1998 ISBN 1-84014-257 [RW]
The
book is a very interesting one to dip into to widen one's knowledge
of the Victorian theatre scene. … see Full Revie
Elgar’s Oratorios: the creation of an
epic narrative By
Charles Edward McGuire
Ashgate 2002 339pp £45.00 ISBN 0754602710 [JW]
We
have cause to admire the resolute, sometimes dogged, work McGuire has
carried out. Succeeds best in analysis of compositional directions,
balancing of text and source material … see Full
Review
LETTERS
AND DIARIES OF KATHLEEN FERRIER Edited by
Christopher Fifield The Boydell Press, 2003:xii, 333pp, inc. Bibliography,
Personalia, three indices. 16 Plates. ISBN 1-84383-012-4 £25 hardback
Anyone
interested in Kathleen Ferrier's life and art and the milieu of the
Second World War years and their aftermath by which they were embraced,
will find this welcome book required reading. It is above all, and despite
the final descent, a celebration of living...see Full
Review
PARROTTICISMS: The Autobiography of Ian Parrott British
Music Society – Monograph No.5 ISBN 1 870534 24 X [HC]
This
is a fine tribute to a very distinguished composer whose music is all
too rarely heard and that definitely deserves to be better known....see
Full Review
Charles
Villiers Stanford: Man and Musician by
Jeremy Dibble (Oxford 2002, 535 pp) £65
Charles
Villiers Stanford by Paul Rodmell (Ashgate 2002, 495 pp) £57.50
[CH]
ERRORS AND DISCREPANCIES
IN TWO RECENT BOOKS ON STANFORD
Vaughan Williams and the Symphony
by
Lionel Pike
Toccata Press
352pp including indices (1. works; 2. technical; 3. general) Symphonic
Studies No. 2 ISBN 0907689 54 X (case bound) ISBN 0907689 55 8 (paper)
An
extremely well presented, intricately analytical dissection and commentary
on the Vaughan Williams' nine ... see Full Review
RECORDINGS
OF
THE MONTH
Sir
Arthur BLISS (1891-1975)
Piano
Quartet (1915) [15:38] Sonata for Viola and Piano (1933) [24:25] Oboe
Quintet (1927) [22:03]
Maggini Quartet: Lawrence Jackson and David Angel, violin; Martin Outram,
viola; Michael Kaznowski, cello. Peter Donohoe, piano. (Quartet) Julian
Rolton, piano. (Sonata) Nicholas Daniel, oboe. Recorded at Potton Hall,
Suffolk, England 18-20 December 2001 DDD
NAXOS 8.555931 [62:07] [KS]
Bliss
is a composer who strikes the perfect balance between sheer aural pleasure
and intellectual challenge … see Full
Review
Hanns
EISLER
(1898-1962) String
Quartet (1937) Anton WEBERN (1883-1945)
Five Pieces for String Quartet Op.5 (1909) Alexander
von ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942) String Quartet No.2 Op.15 (1915)
Quatuor Johannes: Frederic
Angleraux (violin); Jerome Meunier (violin); Nicholas Mouret (viola);
Jean-Sebastien Barbet (cello) - No recording information provided in
English. DDD
MECENAT
MUSICAL 222472 [65:30] [MC]
The
Webern and Zemlinsky scores are indispensable in any chamber music collection
and these performances are out of the top-drawer. … see Full
Review
Francisco
GUERRERO (1951
– 1997) Complete Orchestral Works
Coma Berenices (1996) Ariadna (1984) Sáhara (1991) Oleada (1993)
Antar Atman (1980)
Orquesta Sínfonica de Galicia/José Ramón Encinar
Recorded: Auditorio, Teatro Rosalia de Castro, La Coruña, April
and September 1999 and March 2000
COL LEGNO WWE 1CD20044 [54:53] [HC]
Complex,
demanding, often gripping, powerfully expressive and ultimately rewarding
… see Full Review
Matthew
LOCKE (c.1622-1677)
Complete
Keyboard Works William GREGORY (1651-1687)
Almain, Corant and Saraband from Suite in D minor (Melothesia
1673).
Terence
Charlston (harpsichord, virginals and organ) Recorded at St.Martin’s
Church, East Woodhay, September 2001 and Trinity Collage Chapel, Cambridge,
December 2001. DDD
DEUX-ELLES
DXL 1047 [MC]
Performances
could hardly be bettered; this release is one to be treasured. … see
Full Review
Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
La
Boutique Fantasque (ballet to music of Rossini) P120 (1919)
- La pentola magica P129 (1920) - Prelude and Fugue in D major,
P158 (1901)
BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda - Rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House, Manchester, 2nd, 5th and 6th
October 2002 DDD
CHANDOS CHAN-10081 [79’35"] [JP]
I
can thoroughly recommend this superb example of technical and musical
skill and wonderful performances by the BBC Phil and their new chief
conductor. More please!!! … see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
No. 6 (1923) [27.01] Symphony No. 7 (1924) [21.19] Tapiola (1926)
[15.42]
City of
Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo rec. Birmingham Symphony
Hall, 6-8 Jan 2003
WARNER ERATO 0927 49144 2 [64.22] [RB]
If
you like your Sibelius served ablaze rather than cool then Oramo is
certainly the man for you. I loved this. I think you will too. Magnificent
... see Full Review
Prague String Quartets
Luboš FIŠER (1935-1999)
String
Quartet (1986) Sylvie BODOROVÁ
(b 1954) Shofarot-String Quartet No 4 (2000) Otmar
MÁCHA (b 1922) String Quartet No 2 (1987) Zdeněk
LUKÁŠ (b 1928) String Quartet No 4 Op 213 (1987) - Jupiter
Quartet
Recorded Domovina
Studios, Prague, June and July 2001
ARCO DIVA UP 0044-2 131 [63.40]
[JW]
A very strong recommendation. Likeable, winning and effective works
receiving committed advocacy … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH
Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1917-1990)
On
the Waterfront – Symphonic Suite from the Film,Chichester Psalms,
On the Town – Three Dance Episodes
Thomas Kelly, treble Elizabeth Franklin-Kitchen, soprano Victoria
Nayler, alto Jeremy Budd, tenor, Paul Charrier, bass Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra Marin Alsop Recorded at Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts,
UK on April 14th-15th 2003
NAXOS 8.559177 [48:36] [GPJ]
Naxos
have produced another winner here; wonderful playing and singing, and
a recording which is crystal clear and atmospheric … see Full
Review
Mikhail GLINKA
(1804-1857) Ruslan
and Lyudmila: Overture and Chernamor’s March (1842)* Overture:
A Life for the Tsar (1836) Waltz-Fantasia (1856) Spanish
Overtures Nos. 1 and 2 (1845) Incidental Music: Prince Kholmsky
(1841) Polka in B flat major (1840) (orchestrated Balakirev)
USSR Symphony Orchestra/Yevgeni
Svetlanov *Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra/Yevgeni Svetlanov Rec 1963 (Ruslan
and Lyudmila), 1967 (Waltz, Overtures), 1977 (A Life for the Tsar),
1984 (Prince Kholmsky, Polka)
REGIS RRC 1142 [75.55] [TB]
Colourful
musicmaking … all Svetlanov’s performances have an authentic feel …
see Full Review
George
Frederick MCKAY (1899-1970)
Caricature
Dance Suite (1924) * From My Tahoe Window - Summer Moods and
Patterns (1965) * Americanistic Etude, Op. 27 (1924)* An
April Suite, Op. 3 (1924) * Dance Suite No. 2 (1938) * Dancing
in a Dream (1945) * ² Excerpts from Five Songs for Soprano (1964)
* ¹ Every Flower That Ever Grew (1969) * ¹ Suite for Viola
and Piano (1948) ³ º
William Bolcom, piano * Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano ¹ Logan Skelton,
piano ² Sanford Margolis, piano ³ Mahoko Eguchi, viola º Recorded at
The Brookwood Studio, Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 1999-February 2001.
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS
8.559143 [64.00] [NH]
Another
Naxos American Classics gem - understated but beautiful folk-and jazz-inflected
20th century music … see Full
Review
Hallé:
English Rhapsody George
BUTTERWORTH* (1885-1916) A
Shropshire Lad: Rhapsody for Orchestra (1911) - Two English Idylls (1910-1911)
- The Banks of Green Willow (1914) - Frederick
DELIUS * (1862-1934) Irmelin: Prelude (1931) - The
Walk to the Paradise Garden (1907) - Brigg Fair: An English Rhapsody
(1907) Percy GRAINGER †
(1882-1961) Brigg Fair (1906) - Trad. Brigg
Fair (1908)
James Gilchrist,
tenor, Joseph Taylor, singer Hallé Choir - Hallé Orchestra/Mark
Elder - Recorded 11-12th October 2002, BBC Studio 7, New
Broadcasting House, Manchester, UK (*), 17th October 2002,
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (†)
PASSIONATE HALLE CD HLL 7503 [62:47] [GPJ]
A
thoughtfully compiled programme, finely recorded, and containing really
impressive
Alfred SCHNITTKE
(1934-1998) Cello
Concerto No.1 (1985-86) - ‘Sounding Letters’ for solo cello (1988)
- Four Hymns for cello and instrumental ensemble (1974-77)
Torlief Thedéen (cello) - Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Leif
Segerstam - Recorded at the Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark,
2-3 Nov. 1989 - (concerto) and Danderyd Grammar School, Sweden, 15-16
Sept, 1990 (rest)
BIS CD 300507 [70’35] [TH]
This
is another clear recommendation for this repertoire and anyone fancying
any of the music need not hesitate. … see Full
Review
MusicWeb is planning its
first
recording of previously unrecorded orchestral pieces by
Arthur
Butterworth. If you would wish to part-sponsor that
recording
please contact len@musicweb-international.com
|

Did you
know
you could help sponsor
a new recording
for
as little as £10 - a symphony for £25? such as
this
one now reviewed here: GRAHAM WHETTAM
Sinfonia Intrepida
BBCSO/Sir
Charles
Mackerras.
Redcliffe
Recordings
RR016 (44' 11'') [PC] Read on
Special offers on LudwigvanWeb
click here, select
Special
Offers then All Offers
Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part 7 Misc M-Z]
MusicWeb is now part of the ClassicAll network. Our partner site
within
the ClassicAll network is www.ludwigvanWeb.com You will now be
able
to hear extract from reviews of any of our partner labels which you
can
identify from the special samplebutton.
Whilst
MusicWeb
and much of LudwigvanWeb will remain free, the ClassicAll network
will
also offer you a great-value subscription service. You will be
offered
a package of a dozen CDs a year plus downloading facilities at a
special
rate for MusicWeb visitors. The offer will become available through
the
portal site and combines the best features of a high quality
classical
music magazine and all the convenience of your local record shop
with
the many real advantages of the Internet.
Through this service MusicWeb will no longer have to bombard you
with
advertisements as we did all last year but it does depend upon our
subscription
package being attractive enough that visitors will actually desire
to
take out a subscription. Once the details of the package become
available
please e-mail any comments
and
I will pass them on to those at ClassicAll.
Len
Mullenger
MusicWeb - The
International Web Site Founder: Len Mullenger [UK], Classical
Editor: Rob Barnett [UK], Regular Reviewers: Steve Arloff [UK],
Guy Aron [Australia], Tony Augarde [UK], Terry Barfoot [UK], Melinda Bargreen [USA], David J. Barker
[Australia], Rob Barnett [UK], Nick Barnard [UK], Robert Beattie [UK], Dave
Billinge [UK], Peter Bright [UK], Byzantion [UK], Colin Clarke [UK], Dominy Clements [Netherlands], Michael
Cookson [UK], Hubert Culot [Belgium], Evan Dickerson [UK], Gavin Dixon [UK], Robert J. Farr [UK], Christopher Fifield [UK], Göran
Forsling [Sweden], John France [UK], Patrick Gary [USA], Pierre Giroux [CAN], Paul C. Godfrey [UK], Michael Greenhalgh
[UK], William Hedley [France], Gary Higginson [UK], Neil
Horner [UK], Robert Hugill UK], David Jennings [UK], Bill Kenny [UK], William S Kreindler [USA], Ian Lace [UK], Em Marshall-Luck [UK], Oleg Ledeniov [USA]Rob Maynard
[UK], David A McConnell [USA], Kirk McElhearn [France], Robert McKechnie [UK], Ralph Moore [RMo] [UK],
Dan Morgan [UK], Margarida Mota-Bull [UK],
Glyn Pursglove [UK], John Quinn [UK], Carla Rees [UK], Brian Reinhart [USA],
Donald Satz [USA], Mark Sealey
[USA], John Sheppard [UK], George Stacy, Kevin Sutton [USA], Bert Thompson [USA], Simon Thompson [UK], Zane Turner
[Australia], Steve Vasta [UK], Johan van Veen [Netherlands], Raymond Walker
[UK], Derek Warby [UK], Brian Wilson [UK], Jonathan Woolf [UK] Leslie Wright
[USA]. A complete list
of contributors can be seen here
EXPLORE
MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL
MusicWeb International thank
Naxos for the no-strings use of their server to mount the website.
We are
grateful
to clipart.com for some of the
special
graphics used on these pages