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Hoffnung Music Festivals 1956,58,61
£15 Post-free world-wide
This is a must for all Hoffnung enthusiasts.
Purchase here    see review

Hoffnung - A Last Encore
On 2 CDs lasting 1 hour 45min, this contains all the recordings of Hoffnung preserved in the BBC archives. They include the famous and hilariously funny Bricklayer story. £14 post free world-wide Purchase


An ALL-ARNOLD Study Day and Concert at the Royal Festival Hall 24-9-04 View Leaflet


NEW and RECENT ARTICLES

JEFFREY LEWIS A brief introduction by Dr David C F Wright

ERIC GRAEBNER A brief introduction by Dr David C F Wright

Interview with Ashley Wass by Colin Clarke

THE MUSIC OF ALGERNON ASHTON (1859-1937) By Rutland Boughton

JASCHA HORENSTEIN (1898-1973) A CD DISCOGRAPHY by Donald Clarke

 

MusicWeb recommended recordings 2004

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Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750) Suite No. 4 in D Major BWV 1069, (1725) Suite No. 1 in C Major BWV 1066, (1725) Suite No. 3 in D Major BWV 1068, (1725) Suite No. 2 in B Minor BWV 1067, (1725) Christopher Krueger (flute) in BWV1067 Boston Baroque/Martin Pearlman (using period instruments) recorded in Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, 24-26 Sept 2003 DDD TELARC CD-80619 [73’32"] [SV]

We can usually count on Pearlman for intelligent, dynamic "period" performances but this set is oddly variable. ... see Full Review

Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra (1913-14) [46.03] Joyce Hatto (piano) Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley rec. 1965, Guildford CONCERT ARTIST CACD-9021-2 [46.03] [WH]

Hatto is the better guide by far through these red-blooded pages and this Concert Artist recording is highly recommended. ... see Full Revie

Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Piano Music Vol.1 Piano Sonata No.1 Piano Sonata No.2; Dream in Exile; Burlesque; Nereid; In a Vodka Shop Ashley Wass(piano) NAXOS CD 8.557439 [74:27] [GP]

I was most impressed by this first instalment in Ashley Wass’s cycle of Bax’s complete piano works and look forward to the remaining volumes with keen anticipation. ... see Full Review

Amy BEACH (1867-1944) Songs: The Rainy Day (1880), Ariette op.1/4 (1886), When far from her op.2/2 (1889), Empress of Night op.2/3 (1891), Le Secret op.14/2 (1891), Ecstasy op.19/2 (1892), Within thy Heart op.29/1 (1895), Sleep, Little Darling op.29/3 (1894), Nacht op.35/1 (1895), Forgotten op.41/3 (1894), Dearie op.43/1 (1899), Far Awa’ op.43/4 (1899), The Year’s at the Spring op.44/1 (1900), Ah, Love, but a day! op.44/2 (1900), I send my heart up to thee! op.44/3 (1900), Come, ah Come op.48/1 (1902), Canzonetta op.48/4 (1902), Ich sagte nicht op.51/1 (1903), Wir drei op.51/2 (1903), Juni op.51/3 (1903), Je demande à l’oiseau op.51/4 (1903), Go not too Far op.56/2 (1904), Shena Van op.56/4 (1904), Baby op.69/1 (1908), Hush, Baby Dear op.69/2 (1908), A Prelude op.71/1 (1910), O Sweet Content op.71/2 (1910), Ein altes Gebet op.72/1 (1914), Der Totenkranz op.73/2 (1914), The Candy Lion op.75/1 (1914), A Thanksgiving Fable op.75/2 (1914), In the Twilight op.85 (1921), The Host op.117/2 (1925), May Flowers op.137 (1932), I sought the Lord op.142 (1937), Though I take the wings of morning op.152 (1941) Katherine Kelton (mezzo-soprano), Catherine Bringerud (piano) Recorded 11th-12th June 1999 at The Lodge in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA NAXOS 8.559191 [77:39] [CH]

For the revelation of some fine repertoire, warmly sung, the disc is strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) String Quartets 1-4 CD 1 String Quartets No. 1 (1916) [58:23] String Quartet No. 3 (movements I-III) (1952) [15:30] CD 2 String Quartet No. 3 (movement IV) (1952) [8:17] String Quartets 2 (1945) [34:21] and 4 (1953) [29:40] Griller String Quartet (Sidney Griller (violin 1); Jack O’Brien (violin 2); Philip Burton (viola); Colin Hampton (cello)). Rec. Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London, 28-30 June; 2, 5-6, 9, 19-20 July 1954 1: Decca LXT 5071; 2: Decca LXT 5072; 3 and 4: Decca LXT 5073; ADD MONO
DECCA 475 607-1 5 DC2 [74:12 + 72:49] [RB]

Gutsy performances and recordings. Music of opulent complexity ranging from impressionist-romantic to the spare and mesmerisingly tense. Works of the eminence of the Bartók, Foulds, Ravel and Debussy. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies: 1 in C minor op.68; 2 in D op.73; 3 in F op.90; 4 in E minor op.98 Academic Festival Overture op.80; Tragic Overture op.81; Variations on a Theme of Haydn op.56a Piano Concertos(1): 1 in D minor op.15; 2 in B flat op.83 Violin Concerto in D op.77(2) Gerhard Oppitz (1), Kyoko Takezawa (2) Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis First pub. 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1998, no other information given BMG CLASSICS/RCA RED SEAL 82876 60388 2 [5 CDs: 71:22 + 75:10 + 66:08 + 75:22 + 68:38] [CH]

An extremely fine and consistent cycle of the symphonies but the concertos do not add as much as they might. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862 - 1918) Abbado in Lucerne: 2003 Suite from Le Martyr de Saint Sebastien (1911) La Mer - three symphonic sketches (1905)Rachel Harnisch and Eteri Gvazava (sopranos) and the Schweizer Kammerchor Lucerne Festival Orchestra/Claudio Abbado. recorded live in the Concert Hall of the Culture and Convention Centre, Lucerne, 14th August 2003. Video directed by Michael Beyer and produced by Paul Smaczny. With documentary on the history of the Lucerne Festival and its orchestra. EUROARTS DVD 2053469 [119.00] [JPh]

An absolutely stunning performance of La Mer ... tingles with excitement from start to finish ... conjures up the fury of the sea like no other performance ... see Full Review

 

Dennis EBERHARD (b. 1943) Shadow of the Swan: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Prometheus Wept (August 6, August 9, 1945) for Solo Bass and String Orchestra Halida Dinova (piano) Piotr Migunov (bass) St. Petersburg Cappella Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Tchernoushenko Recorded at the St. Petersburg Recording Studio, St. Petersburg, 25–27 Nov 2002 DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559176 [56:07] [CT]

A Piano Concerto on a major scale that collapses under the weight of its own eclecticism. ... see Full Review

George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Rhapsody in Blue (1924) Michael Tilson Thomas (piano/conductor) New World Symphony Orchestra An American in Paris (1928) Concerto in F for piano and orchestra (1925) Garrick Ohlsson (piano) New World Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas Recorded 26-7 January 1997 (Rhapsody), Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; 30 June 1998 (An American in Paris and Concerto), Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 60862 2 [69.18] [TB]

MTT is a major Gershwin talent whose performances of Gershwin have been an important force on the international musical scene for some time. A valuable addition. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Poul ROVSING OLSEN (1922-1982) Belisa – An Opera in Four Scenes Text by Federico Garcia Lorca - Sung in Danish.Belisa: Eir Inderhaug (sop) Don Perlimplin: Sten Byriel (bass) Marcolfa: Marianne Rørholm (mezzo) The Mother: Anne Margrethe Dahl (sop) Household Spirit 1: Lise-Lotte Nielsen (sop) Household Spirit 2: Elisabeth Halling (sop) Vocal Group Ars Nova, Odense Symphony Orchestra / Tamás Vetö Bo Lundbye Jaeger, electronics.DDD. Recorded at Odense Concert Hall May 1st -3rd, May 6th -7th and June 10th and in the Danish Radio Concert Hall on October 29th 2002. Recorded in cooperation with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. DACAPO 8.226013 [72:00] [BK]

Anyone interested in unusual opera or Scandinavian music should rush out to buy this disc. It’s a Disc of the Month for me ... see Full Review

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Magnificat op.164, Postlude in G minor op.101/2, For lo! I raise up op.145, Prelude in F op.101/1, O for a closer walk with God op.113a/6, Ye choirs of new Jerusalem op.123 Sir Charles Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Songs of Farewell Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge/David Rowland, with Simon Jacobs (organ) Recorded 12th-14th March 2004, Queen’s College Chapel, Cambridge REGENT REGCD204 [67:29] [CH]

The Stanford pieces come off well but the Parry does not compare with Christopher Robinson’s Hyperion recording. ... see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) The Wise Virgins – complete ballet (1940) after J.S. BACH (1685-1750) arranged by Philip LANE (b.1950) Constant LAMBERT (1905-1951) Horoscope – complete ballet (1938) BBC Concert Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth Recorded Watford Coliseum, March 2003 ASV CD DCA 1168 [64.00]

Composed within two years of each other this brace of British ballet scores make good programming ... and a warm attractive recording. ... see Full Review

BRUEGEL: Music of his time NAXOS ART AND MUSIC 8.558147 [76’15"] [JPo]

I derived a great deal of pleasure from this disc. It may possibly be better to buy the individual CDs, but for anyone wanting to explore this period of great change in musical form this cross-section gives a good insight. ... see Full Review

Red Earth Colin BRIGHT (b.1949) Red Earth (1985) Peggy GLANVILLE-HICKS (1912-1990) Concertino da camera (1948) Neil CURRIE (b.1955) Ortigas Avenue (1986) David LUMSDAINE (b.1931) Bagatelles (1985) Ross EDWARDS (b.1943) Shadow D-Zone(1977) Vincent PLUSH (b.1950) On Shooting Stars (1981) Tall Poppies Ensemble Geoffrey Collins (flute/piccolo) Cathy McCorkill (clarinet) John Harding (violin) Esther van Stralen (viola) David Pereira (cello) Daryl Pratt (percussion) Roger Brooke (bassoon) Ian Munro (piano) David Stanhope (conductor) Recorded in Studio 200 ABC Sydney, July 1998 TALL POPPIES TP133 [67.46] [JW]

Political, geographical, playful, light-footed, this disc covers a lot of ground. ... see Full Review

 

 

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) 100th Anniversary Edition – The Concertos, Serenades, Slavonic Dances and Requiem Mass CD1 Cello Concerto in B minor, op.104 B191 (1896) [38:52] Mstislav Rostropovich (cello), Boston Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa
Recorded at Symphony Hall, Boston, USA, December 1985 Violin Concerto in B minor, op.53, B.108 (1883) [33:16] Maxim Vengerov (violin), New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Kurt Masur Recorded at Avery Fisher Hall, New York, January 1997 CD2 Piano Concerto in G minor op.33 B63 (1878) [39:24] Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), Royal Concertgebouw orchestra/Nicholas Harnoncourt Live recording, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, October 2001 Romance in F minor for violin and orchestra, op.11 B39 (1879) [11:35] Thomas Zehetmair (violin), Philharmonia Orchestra/Eliahu Inbal Recorded Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, UK, December 1989 Silent Woods for cello and orchestra, op.68 no.5 B182 [6:03] Arto Noras (cello), Kuopio Symphony Orchestra/Markus Lehtinen Recorded at Kuopio Music Centre, Kuopio, Finland, April 2003 Slavonic Rhapsody in D, op.45 no.1 B86 (1878) [12:57] Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Vaclav Neumann Recorded Prague 1972 CD3 Serenade for Strings in E, op.22 B52 (1875) [29:27] Serenade in D minor for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, double bassoon, 3 horns, cello and double bass op.44 B77 (1878) [25:00] The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra/Hugh Wolff Recorded at Ordway Music Centre, St. Paul, Minnesota, September 1990 Arias from ‘Rusalka, op.114, B203 (1901): Měsíĉku na nebi hlubokém (Act 1) – Song to the Moon [6:20]; Necitelná vodni moci (Act 3 Scene 1) [6:32] Eva Urbanová (soprano), Prague Symphony Orchestra/Ondrej Lenárd Recorded ?? CD4 Slavonic Dances, op.46 B83 (1878) [36:59] Slavonic Dances, op.72 B147 (1886) [36:15] Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded at Stefaniesaal, Graz, June 2000 (op.72) and June 2001 (op.46) CD5 Requiem Mass, op.89 B165 (1891) Part 1 [52:57] CD6 Requiem Mass Part 2 [46:14] Teresa Zylis-Gara (soprano), Stefania Toczyska (mezzo-soprano), Peter Dvorský (tenor), Leonard Mróz (bass), Chœur de Radio France, Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Armin Jordan Recorded at Studio 103, Radio France, January 1981 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61528-2 [6CDs: 72:34 + 70:14 + 68:14 + 73:25 + 52:57 + 46:14] [GPJ]

A pity to end on a negative note; but I have to say that I couldn’t recommend this set as a purchase – there are too many items that are mediocre or worse. Only the Violin Concerto and the Slavonic Dances (and perhaps the two serenades) are worthy to rank with the best versions that are available. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K183 (1773) Symphony No. 29 in A major, K201 (1774) Symphony No. 33 in B flat major, K319 Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/Ton Koopman Rec November 1988 (No. 25), August 1987 (Nos. 29; 33), Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam WARNER APEX 2564 61430 2 [74.56] [TB]

Perfect artistic sense. All very nicely played and very tastefully shaped, but not everything comes off as well as it might. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro Italo Tajo (bar) Figaro; Alda Noni (soprano) Susanna; Sesto Bruscantini - Count Almaviva; Gabriella Gatti (soprano) Countess; Jolanda Gardina - Cherubino; Mitì Truccato Pace - Marcellina; Fernando Corena - Bartolo; Angelo Mercuriali - Don Basilio; Manfredi Ponz de Leon - Don Curzio; Graziella Sciutti - Barbarina; Cristiano Dalamangas - Antonio Chorus and Orchestra of RAI, Rome/Fernando Previtali. Notes and text included. Rec. Rome, 1951. WARNER FONIT 5050467-1046-2-4 [72'25 + 75'43] [CC]

A mixed reception then, but a recommendation nonetheless. The spirit of Mozart shines through as does Previtali’s love of the score. Fans of Corena, Tajo, Bruscantini and Sciutti will want it anyway ... see Full Review

The Famous Oistrakh Trio Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Trio No. 2 in E flat major D929 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Trio in G minor Op.8 David Oistrakh (violin) Sviatoslav Knushevitzky (cello) Lev Oborin (piano) No recording details PREISER RECORDS 90597 [68.28] [JW]

Admirers of Oistrakh and the now undersung greatness of his chamber colleagues, will welcome the return of these performances. ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il barbiere di Siviglia – Highlights Overture, Ecco ridente in cielo, Largo al factotum, Se il mio nome saper voi bramate, All’idea di quel metallo, Una voce poco fa, La calunnia è un venticello, Dunque io son, A un dottor della mia sorte, Contro un cor, Quando mi sei vicina, Il vecchiotto cerca moglie, Temporale, Ah, qual colpo inaspettato! Cessa di più resister, Di si felice innesto Håkan Hagegård (Figaro), Jennifer Larmore (Rosina), Raúl Giménez (Almaviva), Samuel Ramey (Basilio), Alessandro Corbelli (Bartolo), Barbara Frittoli (Berta) Lausanne Chamber Orchestra/Jesús López-Cobos Recorded August 1992, Salle del Castillo, Vevey, Switzerland WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 61502-2 [75:38] [CH]

More for fans of Larmore (who is magnificent) than for those wanting a selection from this ever-popular opera. ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Signor Bruschino (Comic Opera in One Act) (1813) Alessandro Codeluppi (Florville), Maurizio Leoni (Gaudenzio), Elena Rossi (Sofia), Dario Giorgelè (Signor Bruschino), Antonio Marani (Filiberto), Clara Giangaspero (Marianna), Massimiliano Barbolini (Bruschino figlio), Vito Martino (Commissario) I Virtuosi Italiani/Claudio Desideri Recorded 4th May 2002 at the Auditorium Pandurera, Cento (Ferrara). NAXOS 8.660128 [79:43] [CH]

Sparkling Rossini, sparkling conducting, but the singing is not so good. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Deutsche Schubert-Lied-Edition 17 - Austrian Contemporaries Vol. 2 Der Unglückliche D.713, Widerspruch D.865, Glaube, Hoffnung und Liebe D.955, Frohsinn D.520, Die abgeblühte Linde D.514, Der Flug der Zeit D.515, Das Heimweh D.851, Die Allmacht D.852, Labetrank der Liebe D.302, An die Geliebte, D.303, Vergebliche Liebe D.177, Die Sterne D.716, Die erste Liebe D.182, Lob des Tokayers D.248, Der Zufriedene D.320, Der Sänger am Felsen D.482, Lied D.483, Skolie D.306, Die Befreier Europas in Paris D.104, Abschied D.829, Die Fröhlichkeit D.262 Detlef Roth (baritone), Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) Recorded in Radiostudio 1, Zurich, 24th-28th May 2003 NAXOS 8.557172 [65:00] [CH]

Some rare Schubert in very fine performances. ... see Full Review

Thomas TALLIS (1505-1585) The Tallis Scholars - Celebrating The 500th Anniversary CD1: Spem in Alium (40-part motet); Sancte Deus; Salvator Mundi, salva nos, 1 and 2; Gaude Gloriosa; Miserere nostri; Loquenbantur varis linguis; If ye love me; Hear the voice and prayer; A new commandment; O Lord, give thy holy spirit; Purge me, O Lord; Verily I say unto you; Remember not, O Lord; Tunes from Archbishop Parker’s Psalter; O Lord, in thee is all my trust; Christ rising again; Blessed are those that be undefiled. CD2: Lamentations of Jeremiah I and II; Absterge Domine; O sacrum convivium; In manus tuas; Salve intemerata; Magnificat for 4 voices; Ave, dei patris filia Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips Recorded: CD1: Merton College Chapel, Oxford; CD2: the church of St. Peter and St.Paul Salle Norfolk. 1980s GIMELL CDGIM 203 [79.36 + 79.38] [GH]

A late 1980s time-warp, of Oxford colleges, dark winter concerts, hard seats and glorious music resounding in the lofty clerestory. Exciting and stimulating. These timely re-issues. ... see Full Review

Zara Alexandrovna DOLUKHANOVA (mezzo) - born 1918 Lieder, Songs, Arias and Duets Sung in Russian, French, German, English, Latin, Spanish and Aramaic Recorded 1948-1954. No recording venues given but mainly derived from radio broadcasts. Various orchestral and piano accompanists. GUILD HISTORICAL THE RUSSIAN LEGACY SERIES GHCD 2281-84 [4CDs: 73.22 + 76.14 + 77.10 + 73.34] [RJF]

Despite some idiosyncrasies of style in the Mozart and the predominance of the Russian language this diverse collection should appeal to all lovers of singing. ... see Full Review

 

Heaven to Earth Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Agnus Dei [8’26"] Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) from Requiem; Requiem æternam [3’23"]; Kyrie [4’08"] Charles IVES (1874-1954) Psalm 90 [11’10"] Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) from Chichester Psalms; Psalm 23* [5’34"] Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Credo [3’34"]; Pater noster [1’45"] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) from Five Mystical Songs**: Love bade me welcome [5’37"]; The Call [2’05"] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) from Quattro pezzi sacri: Ave Maria [5’49"] Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Friede auf Erden [10’11"] *François Suhr (treble) **Charles Robert Stephens (baritone) The Westminster Choir/Joseph Flummerfelt Nancianne Parella (organ) Recorded at Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, New Jersey in June 2002, June 2003 and February 2004 DSD Hybrid Multichannel SACD AVIE 0046 [62’07"] [JQ]

This is a fine choral CD which will give much pleasure if the eclectic but thoughtful programme appeals. Recommended ... see Full Review

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEWS

UNEASY LISTENING - A caricature guide to 20th century composers
by John Minnion
109pp Paperback ISBN 0-9544499 1 6 [RB]

This is wonderfully well done as a book of illustrations. It tells us something of the psychology of the composer in each case and does so wittily and not without taking a few dangerous corners. ... see Full Review


RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

 

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade in G minor, Op. 23 Ballade in F major, Op. 38 Ballade in A flat major, Op. 47 Ballade in F minor, Op. 52 Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49 Barcarolle in F sharp minor, Op. 60 Polonaise-Fantaisie in A flat major, Op. 61 Burkard Schliessmann, piano Recorded Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg, April 2002 Hybrid SACD playable on SACD players and standard CD players BAYER RECORDS BR 100 348 CD [70:54] [DS]

An essential acquisition for piano enthusiasts ... challenges our perceptions of the great classical piano works and gives us illuminating performances of exceptional pianism ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810 - 1849) Twelve Études, Op. 10 (1833) Twelve Études, Op. 25 Murray Perahia, piano Piano Technicians: Andrew Granger, Jake Jackson. Recorded in 2.0 DSD stereo 4 July 2001 Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios, London, UK. SACD 2.0 stereo Playable only on SACD players Also available on regular CD, Sony MK 61885 SONY SS 61885 [55.54] [PSh]

Revelatory performances of some of the very greatest of keyboard music ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862 - 1918) Abbado in Lucerne: 2003 Suite from Le Martyr de Saint Sebastien (1911) La Mer - three symphonic sketches (1905)Rachel Harnisch and Eteri Gvazava (sopranos) and the Schweizer Kammerchor Lucerne Festival Orchestra/Claudio Abbado. recorded live in the Concert Hall of the Culture and Convention Centre, Lucerne, 14th August 2003. Video directed by Michael Beyer and produced by Paul Smaczny. With documentary on the history of the Lucerne Festival and its orchestra. EUROARTS DVD 2053469 [119.00] [JPh]

An absolutely stunning performance of La Mer ... tingles with excitement from start to finish ... conjures up the fury of the sea like no other performance ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Rusalka - a lyric fairy-tale in three acts Op.114 (1900) Libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil - (sung in Czech) Prince - Peter Dvorsky (tenor) Foreign Princess - Eva Randova (mezzo soprano) Rusalka - Gabriele Benackova-Cap (soprano) Water Goblin - Evgeny Nesterenko (bass) Witch - Eva Randova (mezzo soprano) Hunter - Alexander Maly (tenor) First Naiad - Noriko Sasaki (soprano) Second Naiad - Gabriele Sima (soprano) Third Naiad - Margareta Hintermeier (mezzo soprano) Chorus and Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera/Vaclav Neumann A live performance from the Vienna State Opera recorded by Austrian Radio on 10 April 1987 ORFEO C638 0421 [64.32 + 75.21] [CF]

One cannot get away from the fact that it is a glorious experience to re-live such a memorable evening as that of 10 April 1987. ... see Full Review

Klaus HUBER (b. 1924) Tenebrae (1966/7) Kammerkonzert Intarsi (1994)a Protuberanzen (1985/6) James Joyce Chamber Music (1966/7)b Michael Wendeberg (piano)a; Giovanna Reitano (harp)b; Miklós Nagy (horn)b; Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Arturo Tamayo Recorded: Conservatoire, Luxembourg, January and July 2003 TIMPANI 1C1075 [61:45] [HC]

Superb recorded sound, and another splendid release from Timpani. Recommended. My recording of the month ... see Full Review


Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, K. 452 (1784) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, Op. 16 (1796) Ralf Gothoni, piano Wind Quintet of the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra: (Anna Dina Schick, flute; Max Artved, oboe; Soren Elbo, clarinet; Henning Due Hansen, horn; Jens Tofte-Hansen, bassoon) Recorded December 2001 CLASSICO CLASSCD 453 [48:43] [DS]

Youthful exuberance and gruff demeanour ... one of the best recordings ... will be in the running for one of my MusicWeb Discs of the Year 2004.... see Full Review

Poul ROVSING OLSEN (1922-1982) Belisa – An Opera in Four Scenes Text by Federico Garcia Lorca - Sung in Danish.Belisa: Eir Inderhaug (sop) Don Perlimplin: Sten Byriel (bass) Marcolfa: Marianne Rørholm (mezzo) The Mother: Anne Margrethe Dahl (sop) Household Spirit 1: Lise-Lotte Nielsen (sop) Household Spirit 2: Elisabeth Halling (sop) Vocal Group Ars Nova, Odense Symphony Orchestra / Tamás Vetö Bo Lundbye Jaeger, electronics.DDD. Recorded at Odense Concert Hall May 1st -3rd, May 6th -7th and June 10th and in the Danish Radio Concert Hall on October 29th 2002. Recorded in cooperation with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. DACAPO 8.226013 [72:00] [BK]

Anyone interested in unusual opera or Scandinavian music should rush out to buy this disc. It’s a Disc of the Month for me … ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise D911 Gute Nacht, Die Wetterfahne, Gefror'ne Tränen, Erstarrung, Der Lindenbaum, Wasserflut, Auf dem Flusse, Rückblick, Irrlicht, Rast, Frühlingstraum, Einsamkeit, Die Post, Der greise Kopf, Die Krähe, Letzte Hoffnung, Im Dorfe, Der stürmische Morgen, Tauschung, Der Wegwiser, Mut, Die Nebensonnen, Der Leiermann. Ian Bostridge, (tenor) Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) recorded Potton Hall, Suffolk, May 2004. DDD EMI CLASSICS 5 57790 2 [70:47] [AO]

Deeply thought through and absorbed with creative imagination ... faithful to the music's form and structure ... highlights the emotional and psychological aspects with unusual insight. A performance Bostridge and Andsnes can be proud of ... enhances our understanding of this amazing cycle ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) Symphony #5 in d, Op 47 (1937) [47.57] Symphony #9 in Eb, Op 70 (1945) [25.44] Kirov Orchestra/Valery Gergiev Rec. Martti Talvela Hall, Helsinki, Finland, 30 June 2002 (5); Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia, 18 May 2002 (9) Note in English, Français, Deutsch. Photo of the composer and of the conductor. CD tracks in 5.1 AC-3 sound. Super Audio tracks in 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround. Hybrid Super-Audio CD SACD playable on cd players. PHILIPS 470 651-2 [73.53] [PSh]

A supremely great performance and recording of an often performed work. Alone worth the price of an SACD player ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Kondrashin conducts the Fifteen Symphonies No. 1 in F minor (1925) No. 2 in B, To October (1927) No. 3 in E flat, The First of May (1929) No. 4 in C minor (1935) No. 5 in D minor (1937) No. 6 in B minor (1939) No. 7 in C, Leningrad (1941) No. 8 in C minor (1943) No. 9 in E flat (1945) No. 10 in E minor (1953) No. 11 in G minor, The Year 1905 (1957) No. 12 in D minor The Year 1917 (1961) No. 13 in B flat minor, Babi Yar (1962) No. 14 (1969) No. 15 in A (1971) Artur Eisen, bass (13); Evgenia Tselovalnik (sop) (14); Evgeny Nesterenko, (bass) (14) Choirs of the Russian Republic/Alexander Yourlov (2, 3, 13) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Kirill Kondrashin Rec. Moscow 19 July 1972 (1); 29 Nov 1972 (2); 12 Nov 1972 (3); 1962 (4); 27 Mar 1968 (5); 15 Sept 1967 (6); 7 Mar 1975 (7); 4 Nov 1967 (8); 20 Mar 1965 (9); 24 Sept 1973 (10); 9 July 1973 (11); 13 Dec 1972 (12); 23 Aug 1974 (13); 24 Nov 1974 (14); 27 May 1975 (15). ADD AULOS CLASSICS AMC2 - 043 - 1-10 [10CDs: 68:59 + 65:28 + 68:16 + 60:02 + 75:34 + 71:10 + 56:36 + 64:46 + 53:54 + 54:06] [RB]

Kondrashin and Aulos set the gold standard. Exemplary recordings presented in raging colours and with a compulsive tragic power. .... see Full Review

 

HISTORICAL RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6 in b minor, Op. 74 [43:45] Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48 [26:25] Concertgebouw Orchestra/Willem Mengelberg Rec. 22 April 1941, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (Op. 74); 7 November 1938 (Op. 48) AAD Remastered by Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110885 [70:10] [KS]

Amongst the absolute must-haves for anyone who loves romantic music ... see Full Review

Jacqueline DU PRE (1945-1987) - In Portrait (DVD) The Christopher Nupen Films Including full performances of: Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Cello Concerto in E minor op.85 Jacqueline du Pré, cello New Philharmonia Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Trio no.5 in D, op.70 no.1 (The Ghost) Daniel Barenboim, piano, Pinchas Zukerman, violin, Jacqueline du Pré, ‘cello Produced in this format 2004 DVD Producer, Ferenc van Damme DVD Executive Producers, Hans Petri, Christopher Nupen Allegro Films – The Christopher Nupen Films BBC OPUS ARTE OA CN0902 D [2:35 approx] [JQ]

This is a priceless document, as well as deeply satisfying viewing ... see Full Review

 

 


BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

 

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Waltzes opp.18, 34, 42, 64, 69, 70, posth. in E minor, Impromptus opp. 29, 36, 51, 66 Arthur Rubinstein (piano) Dates and locations not given BMG CLASSICS RCA RED SEAL 82876 59422 2 [70:22] [CH]

Seventy minutes of some of the greatest pianism committed to disc – don’t miss it. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) 100th Anniversary Edition: Chamber Music CD1 (60.01) Piano Trio in B flat major, Opus 21 (1875) Piano Trio in G minor, Opus 26 (1876) CD2 (71.48) Piano Trio in F minor, Opus 65 (1883) Piano Trio in E minor, Opus 90 ‘Dumky’ (1891) Trio Fontenay Rec Nov 1987 (Opus 65); Sept 1988 (Opus 21), Sept 1990 (Opus 26, Opus 90), Teldec Studio Berlin CD3 (68.47) String Quartet in F major, Opus 96 ‘American’ (1893) String Quintet in E flat major, Opus 97 (1893) Cypresses Keller Quartet (Opus 96, 97), with Anna Deeva (viola) (Opus 97) New Helsinki Quartet (Cypresses) Rec Jan 1994 (Opus 96), June 1994 (Opus 97), Salle de Musique de la Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland; Aug 1996 (Cypresses), Sigyn Hall, Turku, Finland D4 (64.36) String Quartet in D minor, Opus 34 (1877) String Quartet in E flat major, Opus 51 (1879) American String Quartet Rec Oct 1985, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letter CD5 (72.13) String Sextet in A major, Opus 48 (1878) String Quartet in G major, Opus 106 (1895) Boston Symphony Chamber Players (Opus 48) Alban Berg Quartet (Opus 106) Rec July 1983 (Opus 48), Trinity Parish Church, Lenox, Massachusetts; Sept 1975 (Opus 106), Casino Zögernitz, Vienna CD6 (72.27) Piano Quintet in A major, Opus 81 (1887) Piano Quartet in E flat major, Opus 87 (1889) András Schiff (piano) Panocha String Quartet Rec Sept 1997, Teldec Studio, Berlin WARNER CLASSICS 2564 64527-2 [6CDs, as above] [TB]

Excellent collection of chamber music by this Czech master. ... see Full Review

Philippe GAUBERT (1879-1941) Complete works for flute, Volume 2 Sonata for flute and piano (1917) [15:32] Second Sonata (1924) [15:27] Third Sonata (1934) [12:39] Sonatine Quasi Fantasia (1937) [11:59] Fenwick Smith (flute), Sally Pinkas (piano) Recorded in the Sonic Temple, Roslindale, Massachusetts, Feb. 16th 2001 (Sonata), Sept. 30th 2002 (Third Sonata), and Jan.25th 2003 (Second Sonata and Sonatine) NAXOS 8.557306 [55:38] [GPJ]

Fenwick Smith is a very distinguished performer ... his tone is very beautiful, his technique unobtrusively flawless. The way he shapes phrases is a joy and a lesson in itself. ... see Full Review

 

Thomas MORLEY (1557/8-1602)
Ayres and Madrigals: Arise, awake [2:18]; Besides a fountain [2:04]; No, no, no, no, Nigella [3:00]; Singing alone [2:51]; With my love [2:10]; Mistress mine [2:33]; Stay heart, run not so fast [2:39]; Fire and lightening [1:10]; Phillis, I fain would die now [4:21]; Hard by a crystal fountain [3:37]; In every place [2:23]; O gried, ev’n on the bud [1:55]; Absence, hear thou my protestation [6:07]; Deep lamenting [3:21]; Sleep, slumb’ring eyes [6:05]; Hark, Alleluia [2:06] Emma Kirkby, Poppy Holden, Jacqueline Fox, Evelyn Tubb, sopranos Cathy Cass, Mary Nichols, altos Joseph Cornwell, Andrew King, Philip Salmon, tenors John Milne, Francis Steele, Richard Wistreich, basses The Consort of Musicke, Anthony Rooley, lute and director Recorded in St. Barnabas’ Church, London, June 1982 DDD DECCA 476 1971 [49:19] [KS]

Color, grace, wonderful sensitivity to poetry. Rhythmic precision and clarity above reproach. Such refreshing music .. a gift indeed for these performances to be again available. ... see Full Review

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835 – 1921) Symphony No. 3 in C minor Op. 78, (1886) Louis COUPERIN (1626 – 1661) Chaconne in G Minor transcribed by Joseph BONNET Marcel DUPRÉ (1886 – 1970) Carillon Op. 27, No. 4. Eugène GIGOUT (1844 – 1925) Scherzo. César FRANCK (1822 – 1890) Piece Heroique. Charles Marie WIDOR (1844 – 1937) Toccata Symphony No. 5. Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750 Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29. Louis VIERNE (1870 – 1937) Finale from Symphony No. 1, Op.14. Marcel DUPRÉ (1886 – 1970) Musette. Jacques-Nicolas LEMMENS (1823 – 1881) Fanfare. Michael Murray (organ) Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy. recorded at St. Francis de Sales Church, Philadelphia on February 6th 1980 (Saint-Saëns) and at Symphony Hall, Boston on September 27th, 1981. DDD TELARC CD-80634 [75’51"] [JPh]

This disc is superb and I have enjoyed listening to it again and again ... strongly recommended. ... see Full Revie

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Deutsche Schubert-Lied-Edition 17 - Austrian Contemporaries Vol. 2 Der Unglückliche D.713, Widerspruch D.865, Glaube, Hoffnung und Liebe D.955, Frohsinn D.520, Die abgeblühte Linde D.514, Der Flug der Zeit D.515, Das Heimweh D.851, Die Allmacht D.852, Labetrank der Liebe D.302, An die Geliebte, D.303, Vergebliche Liebe D.177, Die Sterne D.716, Die erste Liebe D.182, Lob des Tokayers D.248, Der Zufriedene D.320, Der Sänger am Felsen D.482, Lied D.483, Skolie D.306, Die Befreier Europas in Paris D.104, Abschied D.829, Die Fröhlichkeit D.262 Detlef Roth (baritone), Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) Recorded in Radiostudio 1, Zurich, 24th-28th May 2003 NAXOS 8.557172 [65:00] [CH]

Some rare Schubert in very fine performances. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Life and Works Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann recorded Oxfordshire, no date DDD NAXOS 8.558135-38 [63'33" + 67'58" + 73'33" + 65'53" = 270’] [AO]

It’s a book that talks, sings, plays music and runs like a website. ... 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-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]  [Part 7 Misc M-Z]


 


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