MusicWeb International One of the most grown-up review sites around 2024
60,000 reviews
... and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here Acte Prealable Polish CDs
 

Presto Music CD retailer
 
Founder: Len Mullenger                                    Editor in Chief:John Quinn             



PART 6
Misc A-L
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]





Would you like a hyperlinked weekly summary of the CDs we have reviewed?
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join Now' button.
You can unsubscribe yourself at any time.
Powered by groups.yahoo.com
Sample: See what you will get

SEARCH ENGINE
Search the entire MusicWeb site


Any review; Any Article
  
 
powered by FreeFind



ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Angel Eyes: Ladies Only Café Strings Erik FRANCK arr KALLIN Noveltyflicken, (The novelty girl) Errol GARNER/KALLIN Misty Olrog arr. OHLSON Filosofisk Dixieland (Philosophic Dixieland) Seymour SIMONS arr. MARKS All of me Hogey CARMICHAEL arr.KALLIN Stardust, Neal HEFTI arr. KALLIN Splanky, Jimmy MCHUGH I’m in the mood for love Ulf OLROG arr. OHLSON Rattjakt fur tva (Rat chase for two) Matt DENNIS arr. KALLIN Angel Eyes Lasse SAHLQUIST arr. KALLIN Geaspeagen (Goose-boy) Jerry HERMAN arr. KALLIN Hello Dolly Jules CATY Con Amore Erik FRANK arr.KALLIN Novelty Accordion, Bert CARSTEN Zigenarens serenade (Gypsy Serenade), Morgan LEWIS trans KALLIN How high the moon Jerry HERMAN Revydags ( Cabaret time) Alvar KRAFT trans. by KALLIN Botvid/Lite grand fran ovan Botvid (A little bit from above), Barry MANILOW arr. KALLIN Copacabana, Ladies Only Café Strings Recorded at Orebro Konserthus in June 2001. DDD NAXOS 8.557177 [63.14] [GH]

Charming ‘olde-worlde’ flavour ... individual and juicy. ... see Full Review

ASCENSION James MACMILLAN (b.1959) Tremunt videntes angeli Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929 - 1988) Preces and Responses (1964) Percy Carter BUCK(1871 - 1947) Eternal Monarch, King Most high Plainchant Psalm XLVII Plainchant Psalm CVII Richard ALLAIN (b.1965) Magnificat from the Exon service Richard ALLAIN (b.1965) Nunc Dimittis from the Exon service Patrick GOWERS (b.1936) Viri Galilaei Robert WILLIAMS (1782 - 1818) Hail the Day that Sees him Rise Olivier MESSIAEN (1908 - 1992) L’Ascenscion (a) Choir of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh Susan Hamilton (soprano) Revd Philip Blackledge (cantor) Simon Nieminski (organ) Matthew Owens (solo organ) (a) Matthew Owens (director) Recorded February and June 2003, St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh DELPHIAN RECORDS DCD 34017 [76.27] [RH]

A tremendous recital which showcases both the talents of St. Mary’s Cathedral choir and a range of fine contemporary Scottish composers. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Puccini Passion Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Le Villi ‘Se come voi piccini.’ Edgar ‘Adio mia dolce’ Manon Lescaut ‘Il quelle trine morbide’; ‘Sola, perduta, abbandonata’ La Boheme ‘Si, mi chiamano Mimi’. ‘Quando me’n vo’. ‘Donde lieta usci’ Tosca ‘Vissi d’arte’ Madama Butterfly ‘Un bel di vedremo’. ‘Che tua madre dovrà’. ‘Con onor muore’ La Rondine ‘Chi il bel sogno di Doretta’. ‘Ore dolci e divine’ Suor Angelica ‘Senza Mamma’ Gianni Schicchi ‘O mio babbino caro’ Turandot ‘Signore, ascolta’. ‘Tu che di gel sei cinta’ E l’uccellino Sole e amore Cheryl Barker (soprano) Orchestra Victoria/Richard Bonynge Rec. South Melbourne Town Hall, Australia MELBA MR-301085 [63:34] [RJF]

A highly skilled and committed singer who gives her all ... a very individual vibrant lyric soprano conveying much emotion ...as satisfying a disc of this demanding repertoire as I have heard in a long time. ... see Full Review

Basso: Great Arias for the Bass Voice and to be Experienced as a Protagonist See review for details CANTOLOPERA 95036 [72.37] CD2 CANTOLOPERA 95045 [63.30] [RF]

Serious users of these discs, which are in no way ‘jokey karaoke’, should have no difficulty in using them both for listening to the performances of professional singers and as protagonist. … see Full Review

Jussi BJÖRLING (tenor) 1911-1960 - Opera Arias and Duets 1936-1944 - Collection, vol. 3 Jussi Björling (tenor) with Hjördis Schymberg (soprano) Studio Orchestra /Nils Grevillius, conductor Stefan Lindstrom, Restoration Engineer NAXOS 8.110754 [65.34] [JW]

As before in this series the copies used are in unsullied condition. They allow unimpeded admiration for this tenor titan and his continuing sway on one’s heart. … see Full Review

Cancion De Cuna: Guitar Music from Cuba - Marco Tamayo Edward SIMON (b. 1969) El manicero (The Peanut Seller) [4:33] Nico ROJAS (b. 1921) Gunyun – El maestro [2:10]; En el abra del Yumuri (In Yumuri Bay) [4:52]; Francito y Alfronsito [2:38]; Lilliam [4:21]; Guajira a mi madre (Guajira for my mother) [4:10] Carlos FARINAS (1934-2002) Preludio [3:41] Aldo RODRIGUEZ (b. 1955) Cancion [3:03]; Danza [1:52] Harold GRAMATGES (b. 1918) Suite breve [8:01] Leo BROUWER (b. 1939) Cancion de cuna (Berceuse) [4:04]; Zapateo [2:19]; Ojos brujos (Bewitching eyes) [2:41] Carlos FARINAS (b. 1918) Cancion triste (Sad song) [2:55] Hector ANGULO (b. 1932) Cantos Yoruba de Cuba [13:58] Marco Tamayo (guitar)Rec. St. John Chrysostom Church, New Market, Ontario, Canada, 17-20 December 2002 DDD NAXOS 8.555887[65:31] [PG]

One of the most enjoyable ways to explore the musical traditions of Cuba that this reviewer has come across. … see Full Review


Cantate Domino: Music for Three Evensongs
The Chapel Choir of University College, Durham directed by Christopher Totney David Jackson (organ) Recorded in Durham Castle (University College) 19-21 June 2003 LAMMAS RECORDS LAMM 162D [68’55"] [JQ]

This CD enters an extremely full and competitive market and, particularly as it is a full priced release, it can only be given a qualified welcome. ... see Full Review


Mercedes Capsir (1895-1969) Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
I Puritani – Qui la voce Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor – Regnava nel silenzio Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto – Caro nome La traviata – Ah! Fors’ è lui with Lionello Cecil La traviata – Pura siccome un angelo with Carlo Galeffi Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Dinorah – Ombra leggiera Clement Philibert Leo DELIBES (1836-1891) Lakmé – Dov’ è l’indiana bruna? Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
La bohème – Si, mi chiamano Mimi Umberto GIORDANO (1867-1948) Il re – Colombello sposarti Il re – La bella mugnaina Julius BENEDICT (1804-1855) Il carnevale di Venezia Emilio ARRIETA (1823-1894) Ah! Rayo de luz encantadora Mercedes Capsir (soprano) Professori d’Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala/Lorenzo Molajoli except for the Arrieta; Gran Orquesta Sinfonica bajo/Daniel Montorio Recorded 1928-33 PREISER 89157 [76.14] [JW]

A well engineered and generous survey of Capsir’s incendiary technical flourishes and an apt introduction to a singer I can never quite work out if I like or not. … see Full Review

Carl Flesch-Akademie - 6. Lions-Preisträgerkonzert Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Kol Nidrei op. 47 for cello and orchestra Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Rondo in G minor op. 94 for cello and orchestra Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major op.35 Yoriko Muto (violin) Ulrike Hofmann (cello) Baden-Badener Philharmonie/Werner Stiefel Recording made at a live concert given on the 01.11.2003 at Weinbrennersaal des Baden-Badener Kurhauses, Germany. Information in booklet in German only BELLA MUSICA BM 31.2392 [54.12] [MC]

I really enjoyed Japanese born Yoriko Muto’s enthusiastic and persuasive performance of the Tchaikovsky. ... see Full Review

Pablo Casals (1876-1973) Encores and Transcriptions 2 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Musette [Gavotte from the English Suite No. 6] BWV 811 arr. Pollain; Komm süsser Tod from Schemelli Gesangbuch arr. Siloti; Sonata No. 2 in A minor for unaccompanied violin BWV 1003 – Andante arr. Siloti; Air from Orchestral Suite No 3 in D major BWV 1068 arr. Siloti Giovanni SGAMBATI (1841-1914) Serenata napoletana Op. 24 No. 2 arr. Bouman David POPPER (1843-1913) Mazurka Op. 11 No. 3 Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Spanish Dance No. 5 arr. Casals Giuseppe TARTINI (1692-1770) Cello Concerto in D major – Grave ed espressivo Gaspar CASSADÓ Requiebros Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerto Grosso in D minor Op. 3 No. 11 from L’Estro Armonico – Largo arr. Stutschewsky Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Sonata No. 6 in A major for Cello and keyboard – Adagio and Allegro Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Song without Words No. 49 in D major Op. 109 Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Songs my mother taught me [Gypsy Songs Op. 55 No. 4] arr. Grünfeld Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Flight of the bumblebee [Tsar Saltan] Giuseppe VALENTINI (1680-1740) Gavotte from Violin Sonata No. 10 in E major arr. Piatti LASERNA Tonadilla arr. Cassadó Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Minuet from Sonatina for Violin and Viola in C major arr. Piatti Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Träumerei [from Kinderszenen Op. 15] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Minuet No 2 in G major [6 Minuets WoO 10 or Violin] Coriolan Overture Op. 62 + Pablo Casals (cello) with variously Nicolai Mednikoff (piano) Blas Net (piano) Otto Schulhoff (piano) London Symphony Orchestra/Pablo Casals (conductor) + Recorded 1927-30 NAXOS 8.110976 [74.47] [JW]

Collectors need not hesitate. … see Full Review

Centre International de Percussion Franco DONATONI (1927 – 2000) Mari II for two marimbas (1992) Lou PELOSI (b.1947) Ten Inventions for two percussionists (1989) Marc-Andre RAPPAS (b.1958) Stances for two percussionists and violin (1993, rev. 2000) Jean-Claude SCHLAEPFER (b.1961) Instances II – seven pieces for marimba (1994) Fritz HAUSER (b.1953) Zytraffer for percussion (1992) De-qing WEN (b.1953) Kung Fu for percussion solo (1998) Franco DONATONI (1927 – 2000) Madrigali for four children’s choirs and four percussionists (1991) A re-issue of a 1994 disc from Stradivarius CT STR 33437 sponsored by RSR-Espace 2, recorded from 1995 – 2000. DDD MUSIQUES SUISSE MGB CTS-M81 [72.31] [JPh]

Seventy-odd minutes of percussion gets a little wearing ... but there is sufficient variety across these fairly short pieces to hold the attention ... see Full Review

Tracey Chadwell’s Song Book Elizabeth MACONCHY (1907 – 1994) Sun, Moon and Stars (1978) Three Songs (1985) Nicola LE FANU (b. 1947) I am Bread (1987) A Penny for a Song (1981) Gillian WHITEHEAD (b. 1941) Awa Herea (1993) Lyell CRESSWELL (b. 1944) Words for Music (1989) David LUMSDAINE (b. 1931) A Norfolk Songbook (1992)a Douglas LILBURN (1915 – 2001) Three Songs David FARQUHAR (b. 1928) Six Songs of Women (1957) John JOUBERT (b. 1927) The Turning Wheel Op.95 (1979) Richard Rodney BENNETT (b. 1936) A Garland for Marjory Fleming (1969) Tracey Chadwell (soprano); John Turner (recorders)a; Pamela Lidiard (piano) Recorded: BBC, 1989 (Joubert, Bennett), 1990 (Maconchy, Le Fanu) and 1995 (Whitehead, Cresswell, Lumsdaine, Lilburn, Farquhar) BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS CD 420/421 CD [67:38 + 72:54] [HC]

Tracey Chadwell’s warmly lyrical tone well suits this impressive survey of contemporary British songs with many sizeable cycles by distinguished composers. … see Full Review

Classic Open Air: Gelbard Quartet spielt Schubert und Brahms Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Violin Sonatina No. 2 in A minor Op. 137 No. 2 D385
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor Op. 108 Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor Op. 60 Elena Kuschnerova (piano) Lev Gelbard (violin) Gelbard Quartet (Lev Gelbard (violin), Mikhail Mouler (viola) Sergei Rossokha (cello) and Elena Kuschnerova (piano) Recorded live in the Martin Luther Church zu Peine, 31st August 1996 CR 961101 [73.38] [JW]

The Piano Quartet gets a strong and often pensive performance and expands to fill the space quite satisfactorily. ... see Full Review

The Classical Clarinet Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Première rapsodie for Clarinet and Piano Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Sonata in E flat major Op 167 for Clarinet and Piano Henri BÜSSER (1872-1973) Pastorale Op 46 Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Three pieces for clarinet solo Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano Malcolm ARNOLD (b. 1921) Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Grand Duo Concertante Op 48 Harald GENZMER (b. 1909) Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Fantasiestücke Op 73 for clarinet and piano Alban BERG (1885-1935) Vier Stücke Op 5 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Sonata in E flat major for clarinet and piano Henk de Graaf (clarinet) Daniel Wayenberg (piano) Recorded Reformed Church Soest, June and November 2001 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92219 [2 CDs: 67.11 + 73.00] [JW]

A somewhat quirky selection … inexpensive and neatly packaged it also enjoys convincing playing. … see Full Review

Edmond Clément (tenor) Recital -see review for details With Frank La Forge (piano) and other unidentified accompanists Recorded 1911-26 MALIBRAN MR 563 [2 CDs 69.59 + 73.40] [JW]

Clément was an uncommonly fine voice that reveals many beauties and subtleties characteristic of that now extinct breed, the French lyric tenor. ... see Full Review

Clifford Curzon. Decca Recordings 1949-1964 Volume 1 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major Op. 73 Emperor London Philharmonic Orchestra/George Szell, recorded 1949 Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor London Philharmonic Orchestra/George Szell, recorded 1950 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Four Impromptus D935 Recorded 1952 Sonata in D major D850 Recorded 1964 César FRANCK (1822-1890) Variations Symphoniques London Philharmonic Orchestra/Adrian Boult, recorded 1958 Henry LITOLFF (1818-1891) Scherzo (From Concerto Symphonique No. 4) Op. 102 London Philharmonic Orchestra/Adrian Boult, recorded 1958 Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Nights in the Gardens of Spain New Symphony Orchestra/Enrique Jorda, recorded 1951 Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971) Piano Concerto No. 2 London Symphony Orchestra/Malcolm Sargent, recorded 1951 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major K488 Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major K595 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/George Szell, recorded December 1964 Clifford Curzon (piano) with accompaniments as above Recorded 1949-1964 DECCA 473 116-2 [4 CDs: 71.24 + 69.46 + 75.29 + 58.01] [JW]

As I said times have seldom been better for admirers of this artist and this volume establishes itself, at a stroke, as a bedrock recommendation. ... see Full Review

Clifford Curzon - Decca Recordings: 1941-1972. Volume 2 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Four Impromptus D899 Recorded London, 1941 Piano Sonata in B flat major D960 Recorded at the Maltings, Snape, 1970 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No.23 in A major K488 Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor K491 London Symphony Orchestra/Josef Krips, recorded London, 1953 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15 Concertgebouw Orchestra/Eduard van Beinum, recorded Amsterdam, 1953 Piano Sonata No.3 in F minor Op.5 Intermezzos in E flat major Op.117 No.1 and C major Op.119 No.3 Recorded Vienna, 1962 Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16 London Symphony Orchestra/Anatole Fistoulari, recorded London, 1951 Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano Quintet in A major Op.81 Vienna Philharmonic Quartet, recorded in Vienna, 1962 César FRANCK (1822-1890) Piano Quintet in F minor Vienna Philharmonic Quartet, recorded in Vienna, 1960 Clifford Curzon (piano) with accompaniments as above DECCA ORIGINAL MASTERS LIMITED EDITION 475 084-2 [4 CDs: 79.50 + 78.10 + 76.53 + 69.25] [JW]

Once again this set earns the strongest possible recommendation. Is it too much to hope for a third volume? ... see Full Review

Estonian Composers - Estonian Contemporary Classics Vol. 1 Ester MÅGI (b.1922) Vesper for strings (1990) [5.21] Raimo KANGRO (1949-2001) Display IX (1997) [10.50] Lepo SUMERA (1950-2000) Shakespeare Sonnets: 8 and 90 (1996) [16.17] Eino TAMBERG (b.1930) [10.52] Desiderium Concordiae (1997) [11.12] Toivo TULEV (b.1958) String Quartet No. 1 (1991) [11.12] Rene EESPERE (b.1953) Glorificatio (1990) [5.41] Veljo TORMIS (b.1930) Suite from the film score Kevade (1969) [10.18] Tallinn Quartet (Tulev) Pirjo Levandi (sop); Mikk Mikiver (speaker); Estonian Boys Choir/Paul Mågi (Sumera) Kaia Urb (sop), Academic Male Choir of Tallinn Technical University (Eespere) Strings of Estonian National Symphony Orchestra/Aivo Välja (Mågi) Estonian National Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mågi (Tormis; Sumera) Estonian National Symphony Orchestra/Arvo Volmer (Eespere) NYYD Ensemble/Olari Elts (Kangro; Tamberg) Rec. 1994-2001 EESTI RADIO ERCD 031 [71.26] [RB]

A varied collection in which, even in the extremes of the Tulev, the orientation towards song is a common and smiling thread. ... see Full Review

A Night of Encores SUMMER CONCERT from the Berlin WaldbühneStanislaw MONIUSZKO (1819 - 1872) Mazurka from Halka (1858) Henri WIENIAWSKI (1835 – 1880) Polonaise, Op. 4 (1853) * Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Melodie, Op. 42, No. 3 (1878) Valse Scherzo, Op. 34 (1877) * Ruperto Chapi y LORENTE (1851 – 1909) Overture from La Revoltosa Lyun Joon KIM (b.1916) Elegy Hans Christian LUMBYE (1810 – 1874) Champagne Galop (1845) Yuso TOYAMA (1931) Dance of the Celestials from "Yugen" Jean SIBELIUS (1865 – 1957) Valse triste from Kuolema (1904) Edward ELGAR (1857 – 1934) Wild Bears from The Wand of Youth Suite No. 2, Op. 1b (1908) Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883) Prelude to Act III from Lohengrin (1850) Fritz KREISLER (1875 – 1962) Tambourin chinois * Carlos GARDEL (1887 – 1935) arr. John WILLIAMS (b.1932) Por una cabeza – from the film music from "Scent of a Woman) * Niccolo PAGANINI (1782 – 1840) Il carnevale di Venezia Op. 10. * Il carnevale di Venezia Op. 10. Encore * Carl Michael ZIEHRER (1848 – 1922) Wiener burger, Op. 419 Pietro MASCAGNI (1863 – 1945) Intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana" (1880) Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841 – 1904) Slavonic Dance in C major, Op.72, No. 7 Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Pas de deux from "The Nutcracker" Georges BIZET (1838 – 1875) Farandole from L’Arlésienne Jules MASSENET (1842 – 1912) Aragonaise and Navarraise from Le Cid Paul LINCKE (1866 – 1946) Berliner Luft (1902)* Vadim Repin – violin Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons. recorded in the Waldbuhne, Berlin, 23rd June, 2002. Video directed by Bob Coles. TDK DVD - WBNOE [116 minutes] [JPh]

If the repertoire attracts, then go out and buy this disc. I guarantee you will enjoy it, and with such good sound and production, it is a winner. ... see Full Review

From Equinox To Solstice Anders NILSSON (b.1954) Concerto grosso (1995) Ketil HVOSLEF (b.1939) Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra (1996) Jouni KAIPAINEN (b.1956) Vernal Concerto From Equinox to Solstice Op.53 (1996) Raschèr Saxophone Quartet Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Petter Sundkvist Recorded: Örebro Concert Hall, Sweden, September 2000 BIS CD-1203 [76:38] [HC]

Will repay repeated hearings … works that undoubtedly deserve to be better known … see Full Review

EXPLORATIONS British Twentieth/Twenty-First Century Music for one and two pianos Anthony HEDGES (b.1931) Three Explorations, op.145 (2002) Sonata, op.53 (1974) Five Aphorisms, op.113 (1990) Gustav HOLST (1874-1934), arr. Vally LASKER (1885-1978) Japanese Suite, op.33 (1915) Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) Prelude, Hymn and Toccata, op.96 Ronald STEVENSON (b.1928) Two Chinese Folk-Songs (1966) Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow (pianists) Rec. St. John the Baptist Church, Alkborough, North Lincolnshire, 22nd-24th July 2003 THE DIVINE ART 25024 [76.51] [GS]

If you haven’t already guessed it, I was bowled over by this disc and urge you to have a similar experience by buying it. ... see Full Review

Four Austrian Sopranos of the Past Berta Kiurina (1882-1933) Luise Helletsgruber (1901-1967) Maria Reining (1903-1991) Hilde Konetzni (1905-1980) Unidentified accompaniments Recorded 1927-44 PREISER 89973 [77.42] [JW]

With unproblematic transfers this quartet of eminent Viennese sopranos can be genuinely welcomed. It demonstrates their great strengths and the overlaps and reflections that stalked the Vienna Opera for well over half a century. ... see Full Review

Lucien Fugère (baritone)(1848-1935) Lucien Fugère (baritone) With unnamed orchestras and pianists MALIBRAN MR 556 [75.49] [JW]

Fugère was one of the most stylish and notable of all French baritones. ... see Full Review


Wilhelm Furtwängler, Conductor - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Coriolan Overture Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No. 8 in B minor, ‘Unfinished’ Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon Overture Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Three Hungarian Dances Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Pizzicato Polka Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Leonora Overture No.3 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler Recorded 1944, 1948, 1949, 1950 Produced by Gianni Salioni ERMITAGE 12054-2 [66:48] [MC]

Unquestionably a poorly presented release. However a worthwhile document of one of the world’s greatest conductors. ... see Full Review

Il Giardino Corrupto: Italian influence in German and Austrian Chamber Music 1650-85 Johann Caspar KERLL (1627-1693) Sonata à 3 in g minor [07:58] Sonata à 2 in F [06:19] Johann Heinrich SCHMELZER (c1620-1680) Sonata XI in d minor [05:35] Matthias WECKMANN (c1619-1674) Sonata à 3 in G [03:06] Johann ROSENMÜLLER (c1619-1684) Sonata II in e minor [09:05] Antonio BERTALI (1605-1669) Sonata à 3 in a minor [03:20] Johann Erasmus KINDERMANN (1616-1655) Sonata ‘Giardino Corrupto’ [04:00] Georg MUFFAT (1653-1704) Sonata in D [12:02] anon (17th c.) Toccata for keyboard Johann Caspar KERLL Sarabant for keyboard Johann Heinrich SCHMELZER Sonata ‘Lanterly’ à 3 La Luna: Ingrid Matthews, Scott Metcalfe, violin; Emily Walhout, viola da gamba; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, organ Rec. September 1999 at a private residence in the state of Washington, USA, DDD WILDBOAR WLBR 9903 [65:42] [JV]

An interesting programme of German music written under the influence of the expressive style of the Italians – definitely one of the best interpretations available ... see Full Review

George GROSSMITH (1847-1912) The Grossmith Legacy Leon Berger (bar), Selwyn Tillett (piano) Rec. St Mary's Rectory, Beddington, Surrey 1995-6 THE DIVINE ART DIVERSIONS 24109 [74.12] [RF]

A very worthwhile addition to the recorded stock of Victorian songs and ballads - a genre whose qualities are slowly being re-discovered. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Arthur Grumiaux - Historic Philips Recordings 1953-1962 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Concerto No. 1 in B flat major K207 Violin Concerto No. 2 in D major K211 Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Bernhard Paumgartner, recorded 1954-55 Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major K216 Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major K218 Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Rudolf Moralt, recorded 1953 Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major K219 Violin Concerto in D major K271i Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Bernhard Paumgartner, recorded 1954 Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Violin Sonata in G minor Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Violin Sonata in G major, Pièce en forme de Habanera arr. Catherine Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major Op. 13, Les Berceaux Op.23 No. 1 Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Zigeunerweisen Op. 20 Joseph-Hector FIOCCO (1703-1741) Allegro from Pièces de Clavecin Op. 1 arr. H. Bent and N. O’Neill Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Andaluza (Danzas Españolas Op. 37 No. 5) arr. Kreisler Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) Tango Op. 165 No.2 arr. Kreisler Arthur Grumiaux (violin) István Hajdu (piano) Recorded 1962 Edouard LALO (1823-1892) Symphonie Espagnole in D minor Op. 21 Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème Op.25 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso Op.28 Havanaise Op.38 Arthur Grumiaux (violin)/Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux/Jean Fournet, recorded 1954 and 1956 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Violin Concerto in E minor Op.64 Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Rudolf Moralt, recorded 1954 Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) Violin Concerto No.4 in D minor
Arthur Grumiaux (violin)/Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux/Franco Gallini, recorded 1954 I Palpiti Op.13 arr. Kreisler Le Streghe Op.8 arr. Kreisler Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Riccardo Castagnone (piano) Recorded 1958 PHILIPS ORIGINAL MASTERS LIMITED EDITION 473 104-2 [5 CDs 64.09 + 70.19 + 76.48 + 71.04 + 76.20] [JW]

I have little but praise for this elegantly designed and life-enhancing collection. A boon to Grumiaux’s admirers opening up compelling perspectives on his subtle but flexible music making. … see Full Review

Reynaldo Hahn - Mélodies et airs d’opéra Reynaldo Hahn (tenor and piano, self accompanying) With Arthur Endrèze (accompanied by Hahn), Ninon Vallin and Guy Ferrant Henri Merckel and Georges Bouillon (violins) and M. Frecheville (cello) Recorded 1909-37 MALIBRAN MR 565 [2 CDs 66.38 + 70.50] [JW]

Hahn was not a professional singer ... the latest in Malibran’s increasingly useful catalogue of discs devoted to French vocalism. ... see Full Review

Trio con Forza – Hot3 Anders HULTQVIST (b. 1955) Rain and After/Composition No. 6 (2002) Kay HOLMQUIST (b. 1960) Crepuscular Radiation for Flute, Viola and 10-stringed Guitar (2002-03) Rolf MARTINSSON (b. 1956) Tics (1997) André CHINI (b. 1945) Eté3 (1998) Arne MELLNÄS (1933-2002) Like Raindrops, Pearls on Velvet (1997) Christer LINDWALL (b. 1950) Wire (1995) Fredrik ÖSTERLING (b. 1966) Nine – The Esoteric Charm of Austerity (2000) Kent OLOFSSON (b. 1962) Parceas Cordes for alto flute, alto guitar, viola and electronics (2001-02) HOT3 (Torbjörn Helander (viola) Stefan Östersjö (guitar) and Terje Thiwång (flutes)) Recorded in Malmö and Stockholm in 2002-03 except the Lindwall, recorded in 1999 PHONO SUECIA PSCD 148 [78.16] [JW]

In the end most of the challenges here proved fruitful and at least two of these works are strongly persuasive … see Full Review

Frank Huang Violin recital: Violin Fantasies Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasy for Violin and Piano in C major, D. 934, Op. 159 (1827) Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST (1814-1865) Fantaisie brillante sur l'opéra 'Otello' de Rossini, Op. 11 (c.1839) Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Phantasy for Violin with Piano Accompaniment, Op. 47 (1949) Franz WAXMAN (1906-1967) Carmen Fantasy (1947), based on themes from Bizet’s Opera: Carmen Frank Huang (violin) Dina Vainstein (piano) Rec. Country Day School, Performing Art Centre, King City, Ontario, Canada 17-19 July 2002. DDD NAXOS Laureate Series: 8.557121 [57:18] [MC]

A fine recital from a talented young soloist that will provide pleasure but will undoubtedly appeal more to the specialist collector of the violin repertoire. ... see Full Review

Decoding Skin: A Piano Recital by Philip Howard Paul WHITTY (b.1970) De-coding Skin (1995); Max WILSON (b.1973) Zeitlin (1998); Iannis XENAKIS (1922-2001) Evryali (1973); Paul NEWLAND (b.1966) … Butterfly Dreaming … (2000); Michael FINNISSY (b.1946) Eadward Muybridge – Edvard Munch (1997); Morton FELDMAN (1926-1971) Palais de Mari (1986) Philip Howard (piano) Recorded at Phayd-X-Studios London in 2002 THE DIVINE ART 25021 [69.09] [GH]

Seamlessly evolving counterpoint … sudden bursts of wild activity. Howard is totally assured in this challenging music and has an innate ability to discover and use piano colour. … see Full Review

Isola Romántica Carl CZERNY (1791-1857) Grande Serenade Concertante for Clarinet, Horn, Cello and Piano Op.126 Gustav JENNER (1865-1920) Trio in E flat for Clarinet, Horn and Piano Frederic DUVERNOY (1765-1838) Sonata No. 1 for Horn and Cello Sonata No. 2 for Horn and Cello Ensemble Isola – Radovan Cavallin (clarinet) Jose Zarzo (horn) Carlos Rivero (cello) and Juan Francisco Parra (piano) Recorded at Sala Gabriel Rodó (Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra Rehearsal Room). No date. CRYSTAL RECORDS CD772 [73.20] [JW]

If the programme appeals, and it’s certainly eclectic, then the performances by Ensemble Isola are attractive and spirited ... see Full Review

The Kelvingrove Organ Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sinfonia to Cantata 29 ‘Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir’, (‘Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks’). Transcribed by Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) [4.50]Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Overture to Oratorio: St Paul, Op. 36 Transcribed by W. T. Best (1826-1897) [8.12]George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Overture to Oratorio: Messiah Transcribed by W. T. Best [4.13]Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921)
Prelude to Opera: Hänsel and Gretel Transcribed by Edwin H. Lemare (1865-1934) [9.36] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Overture to Opera: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) Transcribed by W. T. Best [8.13] Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Overture to Opera: Der Freischütz (The Freeshooter) Transcribed by A. L. Peace (1844-1912) [11.16] Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) ‘1812’ Overture, Op. 49 Transcribed by Edwin Evans (1844-1923) [17.57] Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Suite from Opera: Carmen Transcribed by Edwin H. Lemare [11.16] Timothy Byram-Wigfield (Organ) Recorded 8-11 November 2001, on the Lewis organ at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow. DELPHIAN RECORDS LIMITED DCD 34004 [75:38] [MC]

An enterprising release from Delphian, magnificently performed and recorded. A thoroughly recommendable addition to the organ canon. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nancy Ambrose King plays Oboe Concertos Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Oboe Concerto in C K314 (1777) [20.49] Eugene GOOSSENS (1893-1962) Oboe Concerto in One Movement (1927) [11.52] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Concerto for Oboe and Strings in A minor (1944) [18.32] Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra (1955) [17.18] Nancy Ambrose King (oboe) Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra/Jeremy Swerling rec. Vitkovice Dum Kulture, Ostrava, Czech Republic, 5-7 Sept 2000, 7 Jan 2002. DDD CALA CACD1035 [68.66] [RB]

This is the only collection of these works. For those having a taste for oboe and orchestra the choice is clear. All concerned can take a well-deserved bow for this one. Classic stuff. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Evgeny Kissin in Concert Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor Op. 23 St. Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Orchestra in C minor Op. 35 Bernard Soustrot, trumpet; St. Petersburg Chamber Orchestra/Vladimir Spivakov Recorded 30 March 1987 (Tchaikovsky) 26 December 1988 (Shostakovich) Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor Op. 11 Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor Op. 21 Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Kitaenko [Recorded ?27 March 1984] Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Waldesrauschen La Leggierezza Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat major Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 in C sharp minor Etude d’exécution transcendante No. 10 in F minor "Appassionata" Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Études symphoniques Op. 13 Abegg Variations Op. 1 Widmung (Transcription Franz Liszt) Recorded 23 May 1983 and 26 February 1989 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Waltz No. 14 in E minor Op. Posth. Mazurka in F minor Op. 63 No. 2 Mazurka in D flat major Op. 30 No. 3 Mazurka in B flat minor Op. 24 No. 4 Mazurka in F minor Op. 68 No. 4 Mazurka in C sharp minor Op. 50 No. 3 Fantasie in F minor Op. 49 Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58 Recorded 23 May 1984 and 26 February 1989 Evgeny Kissin (piano) BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92118 [4 CDs 56.28+63.05+65.45+56.21] [RH]

A testament to some remarkable pianism, live recordings made of Kissin in his teens, including the stupendous Chopin piano concertos recorded when he was 12. ... see Full Review

Latin American Guitar Music Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) La muerte del angel - Tango (arr. R. Cobo) Primavera portena (arr. R. Cobo) Dilermando REIS (1916-1977) Se ela preguntar - waltz (Paschoito) Horacio SALGAN (b. 1916) Don Agustin Bardi (arr. Morel) Angel VILLODO (1861-1919) El chocio (arr. Cobo) Máximo Diego PUJOL (b.1957) Stella australis Elegia por la muerte de un tanguero Jorge MOREL (b.1931) Little Rhapsody Danza in E minor Abel CARLEVARO (1952-2001) Milonga oriental Leo BROUWER (b.1939) Un dia de Noviembre Marco PEREIRA (b.1956) Marta Ricardo Cobo (guitar) Rec. St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 3-7 April, 2003 NAXOS 8.557329 [60:29] [MC]

An infectious freshness, a depth of emotional involvement and an empathic understanding of the composer’s intention behind the notes. ... see Full Review

Zarah Leander (1907-1981). Die ersten Jahre Ralph BENATZKY (1884-1957) Gebundene Hände, Eine Frau von heut’,Ich hab’ eine tiefe Sehnsucht in mir,Yes, Sir! Ich steh’ im Regen,Kinostar, die Sehnsucht tausender Mädchen Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) Entréelied aus Die lustige Witwe, Viljalied aus Die lustige Witwe Dénes von BUDAY Ich hab’ vielleicht noch nie geliebt! Peter FENYES Merci, mon ami, Sag’ mir nicht Adieu, Sag nur Auf Wiederseh’n, Cherie…Du bist heut’ so anders! Lothar BRÜHNE Der Wind hat mir ein Lied erzählt, Du kannst es nicht wissen Theo MACKEBEN Eine Frau wird erst schön durch die Liebe, Drei Sterne sah ich scheinen Zara Leander (soprano) Orchestras directed by Anton Paulik, Jules Sylvain and Eugen Wolff Ufa Film Orchestra/Lothar Brühne Recorded 1931-38 PREISER 90027 [48.37] [JW]

Zarah Leander - Diva of the Third Reich … truly a voice that summons up a decade. … see Full Review

Göta Ljungberg (1893-1955) Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Forza del Destino – Madre, pietosa Vergine * La Forza del Destino – Pace, pace mio Dio * Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tristan und Isolde – Die Wunde? Wo? + Tristan und Isolde – Mild und leise # Die Walküre – Rette mich, Kühne + With Frieda Leider (soprano) and Friedrich Schorr (bass) Parsifal – Ich sah das Kind Parsifal – Seit Ewigkeiten harre ich deiner + Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Salome – Ah! Du wollst mich nicht deinen Mund ^ Piero MASCAGNI ( Cavalleria rusticana – Als euer Sohn einst fortzog ^ Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Tosca – Nur der Schönheit weiht ich mein Leben < Tosca – Nur deinetwegen wollt’ ich noch micht sterben < With Joseph Schmidt (tenor) Tosca – Ora stammi a sentir With Browning Mummery (tenor) // Madame Butterfly – Eines Tages she’n wir Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) – Charles François GOUNOD (1818-1893) Ave Maria Cesar FRANCK (1822-1890) Panis Angelicus Ralph BENATZKY (1884-1957) Die drei Musketiere – Du schmeichelst in mein Herz dich ein > With Herbert Janssen TURK/AHLERT Die drei Musketiere – Mütterlein, bleib immer bei mir > Göta Ljungberg (Soprano) With Orchestras conducted by Manlio Di Veroli * and Lawrence Collingwood # LSO conducted by Albert Coates + The Berlin State Opera Orchestra conducted by Leo Blech ^ and by Clemens Schmalstich < The Orchester des Grossen Schauspielhauses, Berlin conducted by Ernst Hauke > Orchestra conducted by Eugene Goossens // Recorded 1924-29 PREISER 89548 [77.06] [JW]

Preiser’s selection is sourced from good quality originals and I recommend it to those yet to be acquainted with this impressive musician. … see Full Review

The London Trumpet Sound - Volume 2 SANDOVAL arr. Tony RICKARD Mambo Caliente CARILLO arr. Richard PAYNE Dos Gardenias WHITFIELD/STRONG arr. Roger HARVEY I Heard It Through The Grapevine John WILLIAMS arr. Paul SARCICH Superman CARRELL/CLAYTON arr. Daryl RUNSWICK Amazing Grace Leoš JANÁČEK Fanfare from Sinfonietta ARBAN arr. Paul SARCICH The Carnival of Venice G F HANDEL arr. Simon WRIGHT Music for the Royal Fireworks (Ouverture, La Réjouissance, Menuet) Aaron COPLAND arr. Tony RICKARD Hoedown from Rodeo The London Trumpet Sound/Geoffrey Simon Recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studios, London, 22nd-23rd August 2001 and at St. Jude-on-the Hill, London, 24th-25th August 2001 CALA CACD 0114 [44:38] [GPJ]

If you are trumpeter, this CD is downright compulsory – beg, borrow or buy it, and that’s an order! For all other music-lovers, you really should do so too, because it’s simply a huge treat. … 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]



Error processing SSI file

Return to Front page