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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Edgar BAINTON (1880-1956) Viola Sonata (1922) [18:09] Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Allegretto; Pensiero; Allegro Appassionato [3:08; 4:04; 2:30] Julius HARRISON (1885-1963) Viola Sonata (1945) [20:49] Martin Outram (viola) Michael Jones (piano) rec. 21-22 Dec 1992, Guildhall School of Music, London. AAD BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS CD 415R [48:40] [RB]

Writing and playing of a very high order bursting the bounds of conventionality. ... a de rigueur purchase ... see Full Review

Erik CHISHOLM (1904-1965) Straloch Suite (1933) [15:59] Scottish Airs for Children (1940s) [27:54] Sonata in A An Riobain Dearg (abridged version, 2004) (1939) Murray McLachlan, piano Rec. Whiteley Hall, Chethams School, Manchester, 5-7 April 2004. DDD DUNELM RECORDS DRD0222/LC-12952 [77:24] [DHJ]

The Sonata - a major example of 20th century piano writing ... the effect is almost overwhelming. Self recommending ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-49) Seventeen Waltzes Felicja Blumental (piano) Recorded in New York, 1959 BRANA RECORDS BR0017 [51’47] [TH]

Some beautifully refined and distinguished pianism ... see Full Review

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Twenty-Four Preludes, Op. 28 [38:21] Prelude Op. 45 [4:07] Prelude without opus [0:58] Lydia Jardon, piano Recorded at Neumarkt, 7-8 April 1998 DDD AR Ré-Sé AR 2001-2 [43:26] [KS]

Sorry, this one is a loser ... see Full Review

Carson COOMAN Threads: Concerto for Orchestra, Plainsong Variations for solo cello, Zest: Fanfare for Orchestra, Sonata for Brass Choir, Beyond All Knowing for chamber orchestra, Night Songs for chamber orchestra, Symphony of Light for string orchestra Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra/Vit Micka Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Kirk Trevor Chicago Brass Choir; Michael Stewart Craig Hultgren (cello) No recording information available. ZIMBEL RECORDS ZR102 [63'52"] [RNB]

Music that mostly engaged me at the time of listening but not particularly memorable ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862–1918) Mélodies de Jeunesse: Apparition, Romance, Les paillons, Calmes sans le demi-jour, Regret.Ariettes Oubliées: C’est le extase, Il pleure dans mon coeur, L’ombre des arbres, Paysages belges: chevaux de bois, Aquarelles - Green, Aquarelles - SpleenProses lyriques: De rêve, De grève, De fleurs, De soir.Trois poèmes de Mallarmé: Soupir, Placet futile, Éventail Sandrine Piau (soprano), Jos van Immerseel (piano) rec. Liège, July 2002. DDD NAÏVE V4932 [57’25"] [AO]

Piau's careful phrasing and deft articulation of the musical line throw the structure of the songs into focus, allowing us to appreciate their beauty in pure form ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)L’elisir d’amore (excerpts) Adina – Mariella Devia (soprano) Nemorino – Roberto Alagna (tenor) Belcore – Pietro Sapgnoli (bartone) Dulcamara - Bruno Pratico (bass-baritone) Giannetta - Francesca Provvisionato (mezzo-soprano) Tallis Chamber Choir English Chamber Orchestra/Marcello Viotti Rec. All Saints Church, Petersham, 1992 WARNER APEX 2564 61496-2 [71.44] [RH]

An ideal introduction to this delightful opera ... buy it anyway to hear what the young Alagna could do ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony No. 1 Op. 55 [54.27] Cockaigne (In London Town) Op. 40 [17.00] Symphony No. 2, Op. 63 [62.29] Sospiri, Op. 50 [5.00]
London Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Tate Recorded St Augustine’s Church, Kilburn, London 1990 (Symphony No. 2, Sospiri), 1991 (Symphony No. 1 and Cockaigne) Stereo/DDD EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 7243 5 85512 2 8 [71.27 + 67.29] [EM]

Despite accomplished playing from the LSO all these works can be found in better versions elsewhere. ... see Full Review

Chen GANG (b.1935) and He ZHANHAO (b.1933) The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto (1959) Peter BREINER (b.1957) Songs and Dances from the Silk Road: A Beloved Rose (Kazakh Folk-Song); The Half-Moon Climbs (Uygur Folk-Song); Spinning (Gansu Folk-Song); All at Work (Great North-West Folk-Song); Sa Hi Long Ba (Uygur Fol-Song); Lan Hua Hua (Shanxi Folk-Song); Lift Your Veil (Uygur Folk-Song); Tulufan (Xinjiang Folk-Song) Takako Nishizaki, violin New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd Recorded at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, 8th-10th April 2003 NAXOS 8.557348 [63:23] [GPJ]

Some excellent playing– no hint of condescension. An undemanding yet highly enjoyable disc. ... see Full Review

Piano Music of Eric Chisholm and Friends Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Out of Doors Suite, Vol.1: With drums and pipes Kaikhosru SORABJI (1892-1988) Fantasiettina sul nome illustre dell'Egregio poeta Hugh MacDiarmid ossia Christopher Grieve MCMLXI Erik CHISHOLM (1904-1965) Sonata in A An Riobain Dearg Ronald STEVENSON (b. 1928) A Threepenny sonatina Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Fantasia Contrappuntistica (Edizione = Definitiva) Murray McLachlan (piano) rec. 16, 17, 19 Dec 2003, Whiteley Hall, Chetham's School of Music, Manchester. DDD DUNELM RECORDS DRD0219 [78'11"] [RNB]

I am sure I will return to this CD again and again, to experience great pianism, unique sonorities ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer, Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Nocturnes: Nuages, Fêtes, Images Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch
Dates/location not given BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 59416 2 [79:22] [CH]

A Debussy of flesh and blood, a creature of passions, a composer who sings and exalts. A truly great orchestra under a conductor who knew how to get the best out of it. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Suite Bergamasque: Clair de lune, La plus que lente, Arabesque No.1 , Le petit nègre , Children’s Corner Suite: The snow is dancing, Children’s Corner Suite: The little shepherd , Children’s Corner Suite: Golliwog’s cakewalk, Trois Estampes: La soirée dans Grenade, Trois Estampes: Jardins sous la pluie,
Arabesque No.2, Valse romantique, Danse (Tarantelle styrienne), Pour le piano: Toccata,
Images: Reflets dans l’eau, Images: Poissons d’or, Mazurka , Rêverie, Préludes, Book I: La fille aux cheveux de lin, Préludes, Book I: Minstrels, Préludes, Book I: La cathédral engloutie
François-Joël Thiollier (piano) rec. 28 November - 1 December 1994, 13-15 March 1995, 16-18 January 1996, 25-27 September 1996, Temple Saint Marcel, Paris. DDD NAXOS 8.555800 [78'10"] [RNB]

As a CD of good performances of a well-chosen if obvious selection of Debussy’s piano music, this may be recommended. ... see Full Review

David DIAMOND (b. 1915) Symphony No. 2 (1942/3) Symphony No. 4 (1945) Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz Recorded: Seattle Center Opera House, September 1989 (Symphony No. 2) and May 1990 (Symphony No. 4) NAXOS 8.559154 [59:19] [HC]

These works are simply too good to be ignored. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH David DIAMOND (b.1915) Psalm (1936) [8:39] Kaddish (1987) [10:44] Symphony No. 3 (1945) [31:08] Janos Starker (cello) Seattle Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz. Rec. 11-12 Sept 1990; 6 Jan 1991, Seattle Center Opera House. DDD Originally issued on Delos DE3103 American Classics series NAXOS 8.559155 [59:19] [RB]

A disc not to be missed if you are at all sympathetic to the tonal-melodic strain in twentieth century music. Music written from the heart to the heart ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1796-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor Tragic Opera in Two Parts, Three Acts Libretto by Salvatore Cammarano after Sir Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor Lord Enrico Ashton…Renato Bruson Miss Lucia…Mariella Devia Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood…Vincenzo La Scola Lord Arturo Bucklaw …Marco Berti Raimondo Bidebent…Carlo Colombara Alisa…Floriana Sovilla Normanno…Ernesto Gazazzi Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala conducted by Stefano Ranzani (Recorded at La Scala, Milan in 1992) Opus Arte DVD OA LS3003 D (140 mins approx.) [IL]

A powerfully dramatic and memorable La Scala production. Recommended. ... see Full Review

Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Complete Piano Trios, vol. 1 Trio in B Major, Op. 21 [32’22] Trio in f minor, Op. 65 [36’34] Vienna Piano Trio: Wolfgang Redik, violin; Matthias Gredler, cello; Stefan Mendl, piano Recorded December 18-20, 2003 at Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen, DDD MDG 342 1261-2 [69’09] [KS]

A winner through and through both musically and technically. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857 - 1934) Disc 1: In the South (Alassio), Op. 50: Overture [20.00] Symphony No. 1, Op. 55: Disc 2: Symphony No. 2, Op. 63Serenade for strings, Op. 20, Salut d’amour, Op.12 [3.02] Disc 3: Froissart, Op. 19 [13.45] Cockaigne (In London Town), Op. 40 [15.29] Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma": Disc 4: Violin Concerto, Op.61, Cello concerto, Op. 85 Leonard Slatkin, London Philharmonic Orchestra (Discs 1-3), St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Disc 4), Janos Starker (cello), Pinchas Zukerman (violin) Recorded 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2004 BMG Music DDD BMG-RCA RED SEAL COMPLETE COLLECTIONS 82876 60389 2 [4 CDs: 73’36" + 71’08" + 63’50" + 76’40"] [EM]

Top ranking versions of the symphonies ... performances of the concertos are not outstanding but will not disappoint. Dirge-like Enigma ... excellent value for money overall ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Falstaff, Symphonic Study Op.68 (1913) Romance for bassoon and orchestra Op.62 (1909-10) Cello Concerto in E minor Op.85 (1918-19) Smoking Cantata (1919) Andrew Shore (baritone) Graham Salvage (bassoon) Heinrich Schiff (cello) Hallé Orchestra/Mark Elder Recorded in Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 21-22 July 2003 (Falstaff, Romance) and BBC Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 11-12 October 2003 (Concerto, Cantata) HALLÉ CD HLL 7505 [69’42] [TH]

Apart from some minor quibbles, can be counted a success, though whether it will displace your favourites is another matter. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Sacred Choral Music Give Unto The Lord (Psalm XXIX) Op.74 (1914) Ave verum corpus Op.2 No.1 (1902) Ave Maria Op.2 No.2 (1902) Ave maris stella Op.2 No.3 (1902) O hearken Thou (Psalm V) Op.64 (1911) Te deum Laudamus Op.34 No.1 (1897) Benedictus Op.34 No.2 (1897) O salutaris hostia (1880, rev. 1888) Great is the Lord (Psalm XLVIII) Op.67 (1912) The Spirit of the Lord (from ‘The Apostles’) (1903) Go song of mine Op.57 (1909) Seek Him that maketh (from ‘The Light of Life’) Op.29 (1886 rev.1899) Light of the World (from ‘The Light of Life’) Op.29 (1886 rev.1899) Jonathan Vaughn (organ) Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge Christopher Robinson Recorded at St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge, July 2003 NAXOS 8.557288 [74.20] [JW]

The choral performance is exemplary, the acoustic unproblematic, and the direction at all times centred on the real musical virtues of this immaculately chosen selection. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857 – 1934) Solo Piano Music Five Improvisations (1929); Skizze (1901); Presto (1889); Waltz-Enina (1886); Chantant (1872); Griffinesque (1884); Sonatina (1889, rev1930); Imperial March (1897); In Smyrna (1905); Three Bavarian Dances (1895-7); Serenade (1932); Concert Allegro Op. 46 (1901) Adieu (1932) David Owen Norris (piano) Recorded Southampton University, November 2002 ELGAR EDITIONS EECD 002 [56.45] [AB]
A well presented disc with authoritative notes by the pianist ... see Full Review
BOOK REVIEWS
Elgar and the Awful Female
A most intriguing short book ... see Full Review
Elgar’s Legacy
Michael Messenger has obviously undertaken considerable research and writes clearly. ... see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120 (1923) [21:08] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Piano Trio in G major ("Premier Trio") (c. 1879) [22:54] Joseph JONGEN (1873-1953) Two Pieces for Piano Trio, Op. 95 (1931) [18:19] Trio Grumiaux Studio Toots, Brussels, 12-15 November 2002. DDD KLARA MMP 036 [62:40] [SV]

Vivid, immediate sonics enhance these marvellous performances ... see Full Review

The Gerald Finzi Collection Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) CD1: Eclogue [10:42]; Dies Natalis [25:52]; Forlana [2:57]; Clarinet Concerto (1949) [27:50]; Magnificat [2:57] CD2: In Terra Pax [15:29]; Romance [7:13]; Let Us Garlands Bring (1929-42) [16:10]; Earth and Air and Rain (1928-1932) [28:55]; Nocturne - New Year's Music [10:02]; Amen (from Lo the full final sacrifice) (1946) [1:08] Piers Lane (piano), ECO/Nicholas Daniel (Eclogue); Philip Langridge (ten), LSO/Richard Hickox (Dies); Emma Johnson (clarinet); RPO/Julian Reynolds (Forlana); Andrew Marriner (clarinet), ASMIF/Neville Marriner (Concerto, Romance, Nocturne); Libby Crabtree (sop); Donald Sweeney (bass), Waynflete Singers, Choir of Winchester Cathedral, Bournemouth SO/David Hill (Pax); Bryn Terfel (bar), Malcolm Martineau (piano) (Let Us Garlands); Benjamin Luxon (bar), David Willison (piano) (Earth and Air); Choir of New College Oxford, Edward Higginbottom (Amen) rec. 1976 ADD (Earth and Air); 1978 ADD (Dies; Magnificat); 1995 DDD (Terra); 2000 DDD (Amen); 1997 DDD (Concerto, Nocturne, Romance); 2003. DDD (Eclogue). 1995 DDD (Garlands) DECCA 476 2163 [75:28 + 77:07] [RB]

A wonderful present for anyone who has had their attention caught by a single Finzi piece and wants to explore further ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Paul Le FLEM (1881-1984) Piano Quintet (1905) [36:40] Violin Sonata (1905) [28:57] Philippe Koch (violin) Alain Jacquon (piano) Quatuor Louvigny rec. Villa Louvigny, Luxembourg, Nov 2003-Jan 2004. DDD TIMPANI 1C1077 [65:37] [RB]

The surging romance of this music will attract anyone open to the youthful melodic rush of Howells, Ravel, Bax and Ropartz. Outstanding. Glorious. ... see Full Review

Baldassare GALUPPI (1706-1785) The Complete Piano Sonatas, volume 3 Sonata in F [5:31] Sonata in A flat [6:14] Sonata in E [4:31] Sonata in C [9:10] Sonata in D [9:24] Sonata in G [8:49] Sonata in B flat [8:10] Sonata in E flat [7:05] Peter Seivewright, piano Recorded 5-6 January 2002 at the Matt Thomson Concert Hall, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, Scotland. DDD The Divine Art 25015 [59:05] [KS]

Not a complete loser by any means, this is definitely a disc for listeners of a specialized taste and interest in earlier keyboard music... see Full Review

Orlando GIBBONS (1583-1625) Consorts for Viols see review for details Phantasm: Laurence Dreyfus, treble viol and director; Wendy Gillespie, treble viol; Jonathan Manson, tenor viol; Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, bass viol; with Susanna Pell, tenor viol; Asako Morikawa, bass viol Recorded in September 2003 at the Chapel of Merton College, Oxford, England DDD AVIE AV0032 [71:48] [JV]

Vivid and passionate performances of Gibbons’s viol consorts, some of which are true masterpieces ... see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1678-1741) Orfeo ed Euridice (excerpts) Orfeo – Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) Euridice – Elisabeth Speiser (soprano) Amore – Elizabeth Gale (soprano) Jean Mallandaine (harpsichord) The Glyndebourne Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Raymond Leppard Recorded Brent Town Hall, 1982 WARNER APEX 2564 61497-2 [74.21] [RH]

What fine music making this is; a disc for someone wanting a memento of Dame Janet’s Orfeo without adding yet another complete version ... see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Opera Explained Series. An Introduction to Orfeo ed Euridice written by Thomson Smillie; narrated by David Timson NAXOS Opera Explained 8.558122 [66.17] [RM]

An adequate ‘explanation’ – but not much more than that. ... see Full Review

Todd GOODMAN (b. 1977) Symphony No 1 Fields of Crimson (2003) I. June 30, 1863 [7:56]; Evening June 30, 1863 [1:30]; II. Day One [4:22]; Evening July 1, 1863 [1:19]; III. Day Two [3:04]; Evening July 2, 1863 [1:47]; IV. Day Three [6:42]; Morning July 4, 1863 [1:47]; Remembrance [4:10] Carolyn Donaldson (narrator) Altoona Symphony Orchestra/Nicholas Palmer Recorded live at the Mishler Theatre, Altoona, 1 March 2003 NO NUMBER [32.47] [PL]

If the subject matter interests you, this is worth investigating. If you’re a sophisticated and demanding listener, and a keen observer of the leading edge of contemporary American music, this is well worth avoiding. ... see Full Review

Percy GRAINGER (1882 - 1961) The Grainger Edition Volume 19 see review for details Penelope Thwaites piano Recorded Suffolk, UK, 2003 CHANDOS CHAN 10205 [75:49] [JL]

An enjoyable third disc of solo piano music, safe in the hands of Penelope Thwaites. You can hear yet another version of County Gardens and be seduced by Grainger’s ramble on Der Rosenkavalier. ... see Full Review

Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Valses sentimentales, DLR VII:4 [1890] [15.12] 7 Estudios, DLR IV:4 [undated] [4.41] 6 Estudios expresivios en forma de piezas faciles, DLR IV:5.1 [1905] [16.00] Bocetos: Coleccion de Obras faciles, DLR IV:10 [1900] [12.31] Exquise...! Vals tzigane, DLR VII:7 [undated] [3.17] L'himne dels morts, DLR V:5 [1897] [2.24] Cartas de amor: Valses intimos, DLR VII:6 [1892] [4.33] A la Antigua: Bourrée, DLR III:19 [1898?] [4.06] Minuetto, DLR III:17 [1898?] 3.39] La Gondola: Escena poetica, DLR III:25 [1898?]6.34] Douglas Riva, piano Recorded St Martin's Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire, 5-8 August 2002. Piano Music Volume 7 NAXOS 8.557141 [72.58] [JF]

Another excellent addition to the 'Granados Complete Piano Works' project. No major masterpieces here, but every single track offers charm, competence and often sheer beauty. ... see Full Review

Edvard Hagerup GRIEG (1843-1907) Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 22 – Introduction [2.10], Borghild’s Dream [3.42], At the Matching Game [3.38], The Northland Folk [5.58], Homage March [9.17], Interlude 1 [1.45], Interlude II [3.34], The King’s Song [4.07] Landkjenning, Op. 31 [6.30] Bergliot, Op. 42 [18.37] Sørgemarsj over Rikard Nordraak, EG 117 [7.49] Den Bergtekne, Op. 32 [5.37] Håkan Hågegard (baritone), Gorild Mauseth (narrator) Male-voice choir Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Seim Songkor and Kor Vest Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/Ole Kristian Ruud Recorded at the Grieg Hall, Norway, February and June 2003 DSD BIS-SACD-1391 [74.36] [EM]

The performances are excellent ... it makes a worthy addition to BIS’s ongoing Grieg series. ... see Full Review

Ricard Lamote de GRIGNON (1899-1962) Goya – Sis peces desagradables per a 10 solistes (Six unpleasant pieces for 10 soloists): Mala noche (A bad night); ¡Que viene el coco! (Here comes the bogey-man!); El de la rollona (Nanny’s boy); Bellos consejos (Wonderful advice); Se repulen (They spruce themselves up); Las rinde el sueňo (Sleep overcomes them) Melodia for double bass and piano Impromptu for violoncello and piano Bagatel les de final de segle for violin and piano – Elegia, Cançó, Serenata, Tocata for flute Barcino Ensemble, director Adolf Pla Recorded 15th-16th July 2000 at l’auditori Eduard Toldrá del Conservatori Superior de Musica de Barcelona LA MA DE GUIDO LMG2040 [42:15] UK Re-release [GPJ]

An unusual and highly enjoyable disc, this. Goya is really worth hearing ... see Full Review


Ferde GROFÉ (1892-1972)
Mississippi Suite (1926) Grand Canyon Suite (1931) Niagara Falls Suite (1961) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/William Stromberg Recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound; and SACD/CD [plays on all CD and SACD players] at Wessex Hall, Poole Arts Centre, Poole, Dorset, UK 27/28 July 1998. DDD NAXOS 6.110002 [67:46] [IL]

Big, big Technicolor music; great fun even in its banal moments, all conducted with great verve by movie music specialist, William T. Stromberg. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1759) Theodora, HVW 68 (1749): "As with rosy steps the morn..." [9.08]; "Bane of virtue, nurse of passions..."[6.42]; "Defend her heav’n!"[6.26]; "Lord, to Thee each night and day..." [6.06]; "New scenes of joy..."[6.24]; Serse, HVW 40 (1738):; "Se Bramante d’amar..." [6.39]; "Ombra mai Fu..." [3.54] Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Cantata "La Lucrezia" HVW 145 (1709) [20.51] Lorraine Hunt Lieberson mezzo-soprano Harry Bicket, conductor, harpsichord, and Chamber Organ; Stephen Stubbs, lute and baroque Guitar; Phoebe Carrai, cello; Margriet Tindemans, Viola da gamba. Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Photos of the artists. Texts and translations. Recorded utilising the DSD system 26 August 2003 at Blackheath Halls, London, UK (arias); 21 March 2004 King Center, Denver, Colorado, USA (cantata). CD tracks 2.0 stereo, Hybrid SACD Tracks 5.1 surround AVIE AV0030 [67.01] [PSh]

A stunning performance, a magnificent achievement, an absolute must-have for Handel enthusiasts and vocal collectors and students ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 99 in E flat major [27:59] Symphony No. 101 in D major "The Clock" [28:15] Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Rec. Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, January-February 1988, February 1990 DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61175-2 [56:15] [PG]

Should a listener have a particular fondness for these symphonies, this would be a welcome addition to their collection, as the performances are exquisite ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 102 in B flat major, Hob.1:102 [23’29"] Symphony No. 104 in D major, Hob.1: 104 ‘London’* [27’09"] Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Rec. Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, January/February, 1988; *July 1987. DDD WARNER ELATUS 2564 60659-2 [50’58"] [JQ]

Though there is much about this disc that is stimulating my allegiance to Davis is not broken. ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets, Op. 50 (1787-88) No. 1 in B flat major No. 2 in C major No. 3 in E flat major Lindsay String Quartet Rec. 24-26 June 2003, Holy Trinity Church, Wentworth, Yorkshire ASV GOLD GLD 4007 [70.43]
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets, Op. 50 (1787-88) No. 4 in F sharp minor No. 5 in F major No. 6 in D major ‘The Frog Lindsay String Quartet Rec. 8-10 April 2003, Holy Trinity Church, Wentworth, Yorkshire ASV GOLD GLD 4008 [68.53] [TB]

Recommended as the best available in this repertoire .. surely the benchmark for years to come. Each of these marvellous works exudes its own personality in every bar. ... see Full Review

Hilmar Örn HILMARSSON (b. 1958) ENGLAR ALHEIMSINS/ANGELS OF THE UNIVERSE (OST of the film by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson) Approach/Dream Memory,The Black Dog and the Scottish Play, Degradation, Over the Bend, Colours, Journey to the Underworld, Shave, On the Road, Another Memory, Relapse, Coma, Schiller in China, Helpless, Te Morituri… , Bíum Bíum Bambaló * , Death Announcements and Funerals * , Szymon Kuran, violin Kristján Eldjárn, guitar Birgir Baldursson and Sigttryggur Baldursson, percussion Tómas M. Tómasson, bass * written and performed by Sigur Rós Recorded in Hljodhver Althydhunnar and Studio Syrlandi *, Iceland. Krúnk/Fat Cat FATOST-CD01 [41.10] [NH]

A beautiful soundtrack with a sting in its tail. Investigation recommended………See Full Review.

Robin HOLLOWAY (b. 1943) Violin Concerto Op.70 (1990) Horn Concerto Op.43 (1980) Ernst Kovacic (violin); Barry Tuckwell (horn) Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Matthias Bamert Recorded: Usher Hall, Edinburgh, April 1994 NMC ANCORA D 097 [72:55] [HC]

Holloway’s music has a remarkable expressive strength. This NMC re-issue is most welcome, and I urge all those who missed the original Collins release to get it. ... see Full Review

Andrés Isasi (1890-1940) Symphony No. 2 in G minor, Op. 23 (1931) [43.58] Suite No. 2 in E major, Op. 21 (c.1930) [11.43] Bilbao Symphony Orchestra/Juan José Mena Recorded at the Palacio Euskalduna, Bilbao, Spain: 29th – 31st August 2001 NAXOS 8.557584 [56.08] [JF]

An attractive issue of music by the little known Isasi. Totally enjoyable without being totally revelatory. The Second Symphony’s second movement is a masterpiece. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Violin Sonatas: No. 1 (c.1914) [22’14]; No. 2 (c.1914) [14’15]; No. 3 (c.1914) [30’06]; No. 4, ‘Children’s Day at the Camp Meeting’ (c.1916) [9’42]. Curt Thompson (violin); Rodney Waters (piano). Rec. Duncan Recital Hall, Rice University Shepherd School of Music, Houston, Texas, January 8th-10th (Nos. 1/4), May 26th-27th (No. 2); December 16th-18th (No. 3) 1998. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559119 [76’47] [CC]

Highly recommended listening, then. The unswerving advocacy of these two youthful performers will, I am sure, win many converts. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Piano Sonata No 2 Concord (c.1915, published 1920-1) Varied Air and Variations The Celestial Railroad Four Transcriptions from Emerson (No 1) Steven Mayer (piano) Rec. Toronto Arts Center, January 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.559127 [72:35] [PCW]

I find it difficult to think of a greater 20th century piano sonata – a modern Hammerklavier… the performance of Steven Mayer is quite masterly ... see Full Review

Joseph JONGEN (1873 – 1953) Piano Quartet Op.23 (1902), Piano Trio Op.30 (1906/7) Ensemble Joseph Jongen (Diane Andersen, piano; Eliot Lawson, violin; Jacques Dupriez, viola; Mark Drobinsky, cello)Recorded: Studio The Right Place, Brussels, May 2003 CYPRES CYP 1638 [78:33] [HC]

Another important milestone and a magnificent addition to the discography. Jongen? Yes, the Symphonie Concertante, but what else? Now, you know. ... see Full Review

Ernesto LECUONA (1895 – 1963) En una Noche así : On a night like this : Love Songs : Siempre en mi corazón, Como presciento, Allàen le sierra (from Córdoba), Tu no tienes corazón,Mi mi corazón se fué, Dome de tus rosas, !No es por ti!, ! Mira! (from La Habanera), Dame el amor, Que risa me da, La comparsa, Al din, Se abreiron las flores, Conga Cuba, Amor tadio, En una noche así (from the film Carnival in Costa Rica") Devuélveme el mi corazón, Primavera de illusion, Me hads dejado, No me engañarás, Rumba mejoral, No me mires ni me hables, Mi amor fue una flor, Canción del amor trist. Carole Farley (soprano), John Constable (piano) recorded Stockholm, 19/22 August 2002,.DDD. BIS CD 1374 [70’28"] [AO]

Other recordings of Lecuona’s songs do exist, but this is the one that will put them on the map. ... see Full Review

Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) Four Romantic Pieces Op. 95 (1987) [21:29] Sonata for Four Hands Op. 92 (1984-85) [21:18] Kenneth Leighton (Opp. 92, 95); Colin Kingsley (Op. 92) rec. Wigmore Hall, Nov 1987, Feb 1988. AAD BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS CD 408R [42:47] [RB]

Challengingly attractive music with jazzy infusions ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Twelve Transcendental Studies (1852), S.139 Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded 28th December 1990 and 6th January 2001 at the Concert Artist Studios CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO CACD9084-2 [64:46] [CH]

Hatto is in that royal line of Liszt interpreters who believe that this is great music and is to be played as such. ... 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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