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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Jehan ALAIN (1911-1940) Dances of Life and Death Trois Danses [23'34] Aria [8'07] Deux Danses à Agni Yavishta [4'41] Variations sur l‘hymne ‘Lucis Creator' [4'46] Litanies [4'34] Le jardin suspendu [6'17] Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Duruflé transcribed Whitehead Danse lente [8'50] Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain [12'25] William Whitehead, organ Rec: Saint Etienne Cathedral, Auxerre, July 7-9, 2003 CHANDOS CHAN 10315 [73'17][GMS]

Whitehead plays with clarity and authority. Registrations are well chosen and he achieves a good mélange of colours. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir Malcolm ARNOLD (b. 1921) A Grand, Grand Festival Overture, Op. 57* (1956) [7'59] Peterloo, Overture for Orchestra, Op. 97 (1967) [10'08"] The Smoke, Overture for Orchestra, Op. 21 (1948) [7'57"] Tam o'Shanter, Overture after the Poem of Robert Burns, Op. 51 (1955) [8'17"] A Flourish for Orchestra, Op. 112 (1973) [3'25"] The Fair Field, Op. 110 (1972) [7'17"] A Sussex Overture, Op. 31 (1951) [9'18"] Anniversary Overture for orchestra, Op. 99 (1968) [4'19"] Robert Kett Overture, Op. 141** (1990) [7'52"] Beckus the Dandipratt, Comedy Overture for Full Orchestra, Op. 5 (1943) [7'57"] *Kathy Jones (principal vacuum cleaner); Helena Miles (sub principal vacuum cleaner); Chris Hoyle (section vacuum cleaner); Fiona Macintosh (principal floor polisher) BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Rumon Gamba Recorded in Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 20-22 January 2004. DDD** First recording CHANDOS CHAN 10293 [75'43"] [JQ]

Hugely entertaining music conducted with incisiveness and flair. A pretty unmissable disc. I urgently recommend it. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Well-Tempered Clavier Books 1 and 2 Preludes and Fugues BWV 846-869 1-12 played by Andrei Gavrilov 13-24 played by Joanna McGregor Preludes and Fugues BWV 870-886 1-12 played by Nikolai Demidenko 13-24 played by Angela Hewitt Recorded at the New Art Gallery, Walsall, (Gavrilov), at the Palau Güell, Barcelona, (McGregor), at the Palazzo Labia, Venice (Demidenko) and the Wartburg, Eisenach (Hewitt) all in February 2000 Directed for TV by Karen Whiteside (Book 1) and Peter Mumford (Book 2) EUROARTS 2050309 [2 DVDs: 121:00 + 139:00] [TH]

An idea simple but quite brilliant and the results are as engaging as any I've come across. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra BWV1043 (1717-23) [15.39] Carl Flesch (violin)/Orchestra/Walter Goehr
Violin Concerto in D minor (restored Reitz from Clavier Concerto in D minor BWV1052) [23.06] New Friends of Music Orchestra/Fritz Stiedry Largo from Clavier Concerto in F minor Arioso BWV 1056 [3.41] Orchestra/Walter Goehr Violin Concerto in G minor (restored G Schreck from Clavier Concerto in F minor BWV1056 edited Szigeti) [11.48] Columbia Symphony Orchestra/George Szell Giuseppe TARTINI (1692-1770) Violin Concerto in D minor (edited Pente, arranged Szigeti) [13.04] Orchestra/Walter Goehr Joseph Szigeti (violin) with accompaniments as above Recorded 1937, 1940 (Bach D minor) and 1954 (Bach G minor) NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110979 [67.19] [JW]

Approach with care ... ... see Full Review

J.S. BACH (1685-1750) Cello Suites (complete) Maria Kliegel (cello) Recorded at the Phoenix Studio, Budapest, Hungary, May 2003. DDD Producer: Ibolya Toth, Engineer: János Bohus, Editor: Mária Falvay NAXOS 8.557280-81 [71.56 + 76.56] [GT]

Her own clear view on Bach ... resilient and authoritative in portraying these as individual masterworks each possessing its own unique sound world. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Mass in B Minor Sunhae Im; Ann Hallenberg; Marianne Kielland; Markus Schäfer; Hanno Müller-Brachmann Dresden Chamber Choir Cologne Chamber Choir Orchestra/Helmut Müller-Brühl Recorded by Deutschlandfunk, Sendesaal Köln, Nov. 2003 NAXOS 6.110102-03 [53:34 + 54:46] [ZT]

As a stand-alone recording this new interpretation possesses a number of laudable and highly enjoyable attributes ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St. John Passion, BWV 245 [124'43"] Friedericke Sailer (soprano); Marga Höffgen (alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor/Evangelist); Franz Kelch (bass/Jesus); Hermann Werdermann (bass/Petrus, Pilatus) Recorded: Ilsfeld, Germany, October 1960 Motet: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225 [14'38"] Motet: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226 [8'38"] Motet: Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230 [7'34"] Recorded: Schwaigern, Germany, 1968 St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 [193'27"] Agnes Giebel (soprano); Renate Günther (alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor/Evangelist); Franz Kelch (bass/Jesus); Hermann Werdermann (bass) Recorded: Protestant Church, Weinsberg, Germany, October 1958 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 [36'00"] Ingeborg Reichelt (soprano); Margarethe Bence (alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor); Franz Kelch (bass) Recorded: Protestant Church, Weinsberg, Germany, March 1957 Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 [164'19"] Agnes Giebel (soprano); Claudia Hellmann (alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor); Barry McDaniel (bass) Recorded: Ilsfeld, Germany, June 1963 Motet: Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir, BWV 228 [10'57"] Motet: Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229 [9'37"] Recorded: Schwaigern, Germany, 1968 Motet: O Jesu Christ, mein's Lebens Licht, BWV 118 [4'37"] Recorded: Schwaigern, July, 1966 Mass in B minor, BWV 232 [127'55"] Ingeborg Reichelt (soprano I); Elisabeth Fellner (soprano II); Renate Günther (alto); Helmut Krebs (tenor); Franz Kelch (bass) Recorded: Protestant Church, Weinsberg, Germany, January 1958 Motet: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 [23'32"] Recorded: Schwaigern, Germany, 1968 Heinrich Schütz Choir, Heilbronn Boys' Choir of the Robert-Mayer-Schule, Heilbronn (BWV 244) Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn Instrumental Ensemble (BWV 227, 228 & 229) Südwestfunk Orchestra, Baden-Baden (BWV 147) Conducted by Fritz Werner WARNER ERATO 2564 61403-2 [10 CDs: 78'26" + 77'07" + 76'27" + 75'37" + 77'23" + 58'02" + 53'38" + 76'00" + 78' 07" + 73'20" Total 724'07"] [JQ]

I have enjoyed these recordings enormously and recommend them with great enthusiasm, especially at such an advantageous price. ... see Full Review

Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) The Miraculous Mandarin, (Complete score) Pantomime in one Act, Sz73, Op.19 (1918-19, orchestrated. 1923, rev. 1924, 1926-31) Dance Suite, for orchestra Sz77 (1923) Hungarian Pictures, (a.k.a. Hungarian Sketches) for orchestra, Sz97 (1931) Orchestral arrangements of five piano works: Nos. 5 and 10 of Ten Easy Pieces, No. 2 of Four Dirges, No. 2 of Three Burlesques, and No. 40 of For Children, Book 1. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Marin Alsop rec. The Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, UK, 19-20 July 2004. DDD NAXOS SACD 6.110088 [61:21][MC]

Naxos should be concerned that Alsop's Brahms recording and this Bartok release will likely feature on lists of CDs to avoid, rather than as recommendations. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concertos – No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73, ‘Emperor' (1809) [43'29]; No. 2 in B flat, Op. 19 (1798) [31'14]. Arthur Rubinstein (piano) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim. Rec. Kingsway Hall, London on March 10th-11th and April 9th-11th, 1975. ADD RCA RED SEAL CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876 65838-2 [74'45][CC] 

Interesting, if not mandatory. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata No.9 in A major Op.47 Kreutzer (1803) [31.01] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No.3 in D minor Op.108 (1886-88) [19.40] César FRANCK (1822-1890)Violin Sonata in A major (1886) [25.08] Jascha Heifetz (violin) with Benno Moiseiwitsch (piano) – Beethoven, recorded 1951 William Kapell (piano) – Brahms, recorded 1950 Artur Rubinstein (piano) – Franck, recorded 1937 NAXOS 8.110990 [75.49] [JW]

No Heifetz admirer should be without this ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 2 Op.19 (1793 revised 1794-95) [31.14] Piano Concerto No. 5 Op.73 Emperor (1809) [43.29] Arthur Rubinstein (piano) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim Recorded Kingsway Hall, London, March and April 1975 BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 65838 2 [74.45][JW]

The piano grandiloquently foregrounded though Rubinstein's playing is eloquent and poetic ... see Full Review


Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 [34’02"] Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73 "Emperor"* [37’35"] Benno Moiseiwitsch (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent; *London Philharmonic Orchestra/George Szell Recorded in No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, 20 December 1950; *Kingsway Hall, London, 21 October 1938 ADD Great Pianists: Moiseiwitsch, Vol. 8 NAXOS HISTORIC 8.110776 [71’37"] [JQ]

This is a valuable addition to the Naxos Moiseiwitsch series and it’s well worth hearing. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas: No. 4 in E flat major op.7 [28:47], No. 29 in B flat major op.106 – "Hammerklavier" [39:45] Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded 2nd August 1995, 4th January 1998, Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge CONCERT ARTIST7FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 8009-2 [68:29] [CH]

A "Hammerklavier" you can trust. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas: No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 'Pathétique' (1798/99) [21'31]; No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 24 No. 2, 'Moonlight' (1801) [15'41]; No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata' (1806) [24'47]. Freddy Kempf (piano) Rec. Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm, Sweden in August 2004. DDD BIS SACD-1460 [62'53] [CC]

Beautiful production values (including interesting notes by Jean-Pascal Vachon) so not make up for deficiencies in the actual substance of the disc. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas: No.27 in E minor op.90 [12:24], no.28 in A major op.101 [19:17], no.29 in B flat major op.106 - "Hammerklavier" [40:48] Artur Schnabel (piano) Recorded in EMI Abbey Road Studio no.3, London, 21st January and 3rd February 1932 (op.90), 24th April 1934 (op.101), 3rd and 4th November 1935 (op.106) Transfer engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS 8.110762 [72:49] [CH]

The supreme performance of op. 90, together with the insightful slow movements elsewhere, makes purchase infinitely worthwhile. ... see Full Review

Larry BELL (b. 1952) The Book of Moonlight Op.31 (1987/8)a [22:32] In Memory of Roger Sessions Op.29 (1986/7) [9:21] Four Pieces in Familiar Style Op.41 (1995) [8:21] Just As I Am Op.62 (2002)a [11:51] Late Night Thoughts Op.35 (1991)b [16:11] Sleep Song Op.18 (1984)a [2:40] Ayano Ninomiya (violin); Steve McConnell (narrator)b; Larry Bell (piano)ab Recorded: New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, June 2002 (The Book of Moonlight, In Memory of Roger Sessions, Four Pieces, Sleep Song) and June 2003 (Just As I Am, Late Night Thoughts) NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS N/S R 1033 [70:40] [HC]

Larry Bell’s music is superbly crafted, always well written for the instruments, straightforward and utterly communicative. ... see Full Review

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 - 1835) Norma (1831) [161.12] (1) Norma - Maria Callas (soprano) (1) Pollione - Mario Filippeschi (tenor) (1) Adalgisa – Ebe Stignani (mezzo-soprano) (1) Oroveso – Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (bass) (1) Flavio – Paolo Caroli (tenor) (1) Clotilde – Rina Cavallari (soprano) (1) Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala/Tullio Serafin (1) Norma (excerpts) [39.10] (Ite sul colle, o Druidi (2); Meco all'altar di Vener (3); Casta Diva (4); Sgombra e la sacra selva (5); Mira, o Norma (6); Ah! Del Tebro a giogo indegno (7); Non volerli vittime (8)) Oroveso – Ezio Pinza (bass) (2, 7) Oroveso – Tancredi Pasero (bass) (8) Pollione – Francesco Merli (tenor) (3) Pollione – Giovanni Breviario (tenor) (8) Norma – Rosa Ponselle (soprano) (4, 6) Norma – Gina Cigna (soprano) (8) Adalgisa – Minghini-Cattaneo (mezzo-soprano) (5) Adalgisa – Marion Telva (contralto) (6) The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus/ Giulio Setti (conductor) (2, 4, 6, 7) Orchestra of La Scala/ Carlo Sabajno (5) E.I.A.R Orchestra and Chorus/ Vittorio Gui (8) Recorded 23rd April – 3rd May 1954, Cinema Metropol, Milan (1); 3rd December 1927 (2); 1936 (3); 30th January 1929, 31st December 1928 (4); 31st October 1929 (5); 30th January 1929 (6); 8th April 1929 (7); Teatro Nuovo, Turin, 25th August – 7th September 1837 NAXOS 8.110325-27 [3 CDs: 62.34 + 62.06 + 73.42] [RH]

A fascinating release though not the ultimate Callas ‘Norma', A revealing supplement to Callas's other recordings. ... see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Les francs-juge Overture (1836) [12.26] Waverley Overture Op.1 (1828) [10.24] Le roi Lear Overture Op.4 (1831) [15.57] Le carnaval romain Overture Op.9 (1844) [9.29] Béatrice et Bénédict Overture (1862) [8.06] Le corsaire Overture Op. 21 (1844) [8.44] Benvenuto Cellini Overture Op.23 (1838) [10.07] Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra/Colin Davis Recorded Lukaskirche, Dresden, January 1997 RCA RED SEAL 82876 658392 [75.15][JW]

The warmth of the bronzed strings ... these powerfully understanding performances. ... see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie fantastique (1843) [47:07] Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1897) [10:24] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Night on Bald Mountain (1889) [11:40] Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy No recording dates/venues listed SONY LEGACY SBK 89833 [70:51][CTi]

This would be the perfect choice for an introduction to three orchestral masterworks ... see Full Review

Georges BIZET (1838 - 1875) Carmen (1875) - complete opera sung in German Carmen (mezzo-sop) - Georgine von Milinković; Micaëla (sop) - Elisabeth Grümmer; Don José (tenor) - Rudolf Schock; Escamillo (baritone) - James Pease Choir and Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, Munich/Eugen Jochum Recorded Munich, October 1954 RELIEF CR 1908 [67:53 + 71:17] [JL]

Get used to the German and you can enjoy a beautifully sung, electrifying account of Carmen from half a century ago. First time on CD. ... see Full Review

Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Music for the Theatre, Volume 1 L'Arlésienne incidental music (original version) (1872) [25.18] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Le bourgeois gentilhomme, Op. 60 (1917) [33.56] Basel Chamber Orchestra/Christopher Hogwood rec. KKL (Culture and Convention Centre, Lucerne), Switzerland, March 2004 BMG ARTE NOVA 82876 61103 2 [59.14][SFV]

A fetching job with the Strauss but the Bizet selections leave a lightweight overall impression ... see Full Review

Carey BLYTON (1932-2002) The Choral Music: The Christ Church Carol (1978); God’s Gifts Op 71a; A Lullaby Op 24a; A Litany Op. 24b; Polyphonic A-mens Op. 43; The Christmas Spirit Op. 55a; War Song of the Saracens Op. 106; Three Food Songs Op. 35; Three Insect Songs Op. 40; Three Bird Song Op. 38; What then is Love? - version for unaccompanied chorus Op 26a; The Mistletoe Bough with piano woodwork Op. 61; A Woman’s World Op. 46; In Lighter Mood Op. 63c; Ladies Only Op. 58; The Silly Flea - version for male voices Op. 33b; A Nursery Song Suite Op 92. Canzonetta/Jennifer Partridge (piano and director) Recorded at The Maltings, Snape. November 2001. UPBEAT URCD 190 [63.51] [GH]

This music, simply delightful as it is, could well change your life! ... see Full Review

Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Cello Concertos Vol. 3 Cello Concerto No. 9 in Bb, G.482 Cello Concerto No. 10 in D, G.483 Cello Concerto No. 11 in C, G.573 Cello Concerto No. 12 in Eb, G.deest Raphael Wallfisch, cello [cadenzas by Wallfisch] Northern Chamber Orchestra/Nicholas Ward Recorded in St. Thomas’ Church, Stockport, UK, 29 May 2004 Notes in English and Deutsch NAXOS 8.557589 [71.54][PSh]

Unfamiliar great music every music lover will enjoy, and likely want more ... see Full Review

Hakon BØRRESEN (1876 – 1954) Den kongelige Gæst (The Royal Guest) - Comedy to music in one act (1919) Stig Fogh Andersen (tenor) – Arnold Høyer; Tina Kiberg (soprano) – Emmy, his wife; Guido Paevatalu (baritone) – the guest; Edith Guillaume (mezzo-soprano) – Ane, the Høyers' maid; Lise-Lotte Nielsen (soprano) – the servant girl; Odense Symphony Orchestra/Tamás Vetö Recorded Odense Concert Hall, 10–13, 16–17 June 2003. DDD DACAPO 8.226020 [79:20][GF]

The singing could at times have been more easy on the ear, but anyone who wants to go on an excursion along some lesser known operatic paths can still safely choose this one. ... see Full Review

Rutland BOUGHTON (1878-1960) String Quartet in F major 'From the Welsh Hills' (1923) (Landscape from the valleys [7'13]; Landscape from the hilltops [7'45]; Satire (Conversation) [3'13]; Song of the Hills [9'11]) Oboe Quartet No 1 (1932) (Allegro vivace [4'55]; Allegro giocoso [1'40]; Andante con variazione [8'10]) String Quartet in A major 'On Greek Folk Songs' (1923) (Apollonian [7'48]; Dionysian [4'13]; Threnody [7'27]; Aphrodisian [7'40]) Three Songs without Words for oboe quartet (c.1937) (Whence! Andante delicato [2'25]; Faery Flout Allegro giocoso [1'47]; Barcarolle Andante languido [4'43]) Sarah Francis (oboe) The Rasumovsky Quartet (Frances Mason (violin) (oboe quartet); Marilyn Taylor (violin); Christopher Wellington (viola); Joy Hall (cello)) Recorded on 29-31 October 1996 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55174 [79.06] [JW]

There’s no faulting the skill and sensitivity of the players. Always attentive to nuance and colour. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833 - 1897) Violin Concerto in D Op. 77 (1878) [40.26] Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. (1869: 1–10; 1881:11–21) [31.37]. Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Joseph Swensen (violin) rec. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 7-9 July 2003. DDD. SACD LINN RECORDS CKD 224 [72’16"] [JPh]

With releases like this the industry is doing favours neither to themselves nor to us. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833 - 1897) Piano Concerto #1 in d, Op 15 (1859) [46.20] Artur Rubinstein, piano Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded in Orchestra Hall, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 17 April 1954 Recorded in 2.0 stereo. Remastered in the DSD system by Soundmirror, Inc. Notes in English. Technical notes in Deutsch and Français. ADD Hybrid SACD Playable on all cd players RCA BMG 82876 66378-2 [46:20] [PSh]

A stupendous recording of a fine performance in the rounded, romantic tradition, but I recommend Fleisher and Szell for more fire and drama. ... see Full Review

Pierre de BRÉVILLE (1861-1949) Violin Sonata No 1 in C sharp minor (1918-19) [37'36] (Mouvement modéré [12'04]; Gai, mais pas trop vite [5'17]; Lamento: extrêmement lent [10'00]; Modérément animé et martial [10'00]) Joseph CANTELOUBE (1879-1957) Suite: Dans la montagne (1904-5, revised 1906) [32'29] (En plein vent [8'17]; Le soir [7'51]; Jour de fête [6'54]; Dans le bois au printemps [9'09]) Philippe Graffin (violin) Pascal Devoyon (piano) Recorded on 19–21 November 2003 HYPERION CDA67427 [70.16] [JW]

Throughout the two musicians play with great felicity though again I must register reservation about Graffin's queasy bowing and on/off vibrato ... see Full Review

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) String Quartet No. 2 in G minor (1915) [23.54] String Quartet No. 4 (1937) [23.24] Phantasy Piano Quartet (1910) [12.14] Martin Roscoe (piano), Maggini String Quartet Rec 11-12 June 2003, Potton Hall, Suffolk NAXOS 8.557283 [59.33] [TB]

An appealing programme ideally complementing the Maggini/Naxos CD of quartets 1 and 3 ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Folksong Arrangements CD 1
Volume 1: British Isles: The Salley Gardens [2:36]; Little Sir William [3:01]; The Bonny Earl o' Moray [2:36]; O can ye sew cushions? [2:20]; The trees they grow so high [3:35]; The Ash Grove [2:35]; Oliver Cromwell [0:45] Tom Bowling and other song arrangements: Greensleeves [1:56]; I wonder as I wander [3:59]; The Crocodile [4:45] Volume 3: British Isles: The Plough Boy [1:57]; There's none to soothe [1:37]; Sweet Polly Oliver [2:15]; The Miller of Dee [1:56]; The foggy, foggy dew [2:34]; O Waly, Waly [4:03]; Come you not from Newcastle [1:10] Tom Bowling and other song arrangements: Pray Goody [0:47] Volume 5 British Isles: The Brisk Young Widow [2:07]; Sally in our Alley [4:09]; The Lincolnshire Poacher [2:09]; Early one morning [3:18]; Ca' the yowes [3:39] Tom Bowling and other song arrangements: The Holly and the Ivy [2:25]; Soldier, won't you marry me? [1:41]; The Deaf Woman's Courtship [1:19] CD 2 Volume 4: Moore's Irish Melodies: Avenging and bright [1:34]; Sail on, sail on [2:26]; How sweet the answer [1:57]; The Minstrel Boy [2:23]; At the mid hour of night [2:46]; Rich and rare [3:06]; Dear Harp of My Country [2:26]; Oft in the stilly night [2:47]; The last rose of summer [3:45]; O the sight entrancing [2:09] Volume 2 France: La Noel passé [3:51]; Voici le Printemps [1:46]; Fileuse [1:51]; Le roi s'en va-t'en chasse [2:19]; La belle est au jardin d'amour [3:12]; Il est quelqu'un sur terre [4:56]; Eho! Eho! [1:56]; Quand j'étais chez mon père [2:00] Volume 6 England: I will give my love an apple [1:16]; Sailor-boy [1:54]; Master Kilby [1:59]; The Soldier and the Sailor [2:39]; Bonny at Morn [2:31]; The Shooting of his Dear [2:54] Tom Bowling and other song arrangements: German Folk Song: The Stream in the Valley [2:32] Unpublished folk song setting [3.35]
Felicity Lott (soprano); Philip Langridge (tenor); Graham Johnson (piano); Carlos Bonell (guitar); Christopher Van Kampen (cello) Recorded at St Giles Cripplegate Church, London, March 1995 (disc 1, tracks 1-8 and 10-24, disc 2 tracks 1-24), at St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London in June 1995 (disc 1 track 9) and at Henry Wood Hall, London in March 1995 (disc 1 tracks 25 and 26 and disc 2 tracks 25 and 26) DDD
NAXOS 8.557220-21 [65.34 + 67.03]
[EM]

Lott sings beautifully, and Langridge invests the songs with real character and, always persuasive and effective, is often tremendously moving. ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1973) Overture to the Choral Operetta: Paul Bunyan arr. Colin Matthews, 1977 (1939-42) [05:07] Piano Concerto, op.13 (including both original and revised third movement) (1938) [42:55] Johnson over Jordan - suite from the incidental music (1939) [15:39] Joanna Macgregor (piano) English Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford (Piano Concerto; Johnson over Jordan Suite) London Symphony Orchestra/Steuart Bedford (Paul Bunyan) rec. Johnson over Jordan, Abbey Road Studios, London, UK, June/July 1990; Concerto; Paul Bunyan, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, UK, October 1989. DDD NAXOS 8.557197 [63:43][MC]

An admirable release, excellently performed, that will certainly enhance Britten's already substantial presence in the catalogue. ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN Missa Brevis in D: Kyrie [1:50]; Gloria [3:01]; Sanctus [1:30]; Benedictus [2:00]; Agnus Dei [2:41] Nadia BOULANGER Lux aeterna [2:29] Felix MENDELSSOHN If with all your hearts [3:08] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Call [2:23] David J. EVANS arr. Malcolm ARCHER Be still, for the presence of the Lord [3:23] Malcolm ARCHER Brightest and Best [2:58]; Lead kindly light [4:02]; When I survey the wondrous cross [2:59] John IRELAND Ex ore innocentium [3:43] Damian LUMDY arr. Malcolm ARCHER Song for a young prophet [3:34] Philip MOORE We give thee thanks, O Lord [2:21] Gabriel FAURÉ Pie Jesu [3:33] Stanley VANN I call on thee [3:28] Mary PLUMSTEAD A grateful heart [2:04] Noel RAWSTHORNE I will lift up mine eyes [3:04] Leonard BLAKE And now another day is gone [1:39] George DYSON Nunc Dimittis in D [2:42] David Bednall (Organ), Ned Berry, Daniel Macklin, Harry New, Kieran White (soloists) The Boy Choristers of Wells Cathedral/Malcolm Archer rec. Ampleforth Abbey, Wells Cathedral, 2 April, 28 May 2004. DDD LAMMAS RECORDS LAMM 171D [58.40][EM]

Some exceptional ensemble singing here, combining good clarity and precision. The organ accompaniment is sympathetic throughout. Recommended to anyone who appreciates church music or is a fan of treble voices. ... see Full Review

Dave BRUBECK (b. 1920) Songs: All My Love – Strange Meadowlark – The Things You Never Remember – So Lonely – Don't Forget Me – There'll Be No Tomorrow; The Time of Our Madness; Tao; Final Curve/Search; Dream Dust/Hold Fast To Dreams; Hold Fast To Dreams; The Dream Keeper; Day After Day; Once When I Was Very Young John De Haan (tenor), Jane Giering-De Haan (soprano) (Hold Fast To Dreams; The Dream Keeper), Dave Brubeck (piano) (tracks 1; 7), Cliff Jackson (piano) (tracks 9; 14) rec. Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, Frost School of Music, 9-11 Jan 2004. NAXOS 8.559220 [61:02] [GF]

A disc that can be whole-heartedly recommended. Some of the finest songs I have heard for a long time. And you do get used to the singing, too! ... see Full Review

Aaron COPLAND (1900-90) Chamber Music CD1 [60:26] Movement for String Quartet (1923) [5:51] Prelude for Piano Trio (1924) [4:39] Two Pieces for Violin and Piano (1926) [10:10] Vocalise for Flute and Piano (1928) [4:54] Two Pieces for String Quartet (1923 and 1928) [8:29] Vitebsk for Piano Trio (1928) [11:56] Sextet for String Quartet, Clarinet and Piano (1933, revised 1937) [14:27] CD2 [62:38] Sonata for Violin and Piano (1943) [19:13] Quartet for Piano and Strings (1950) 21:10] Duo for Flute and Piano (1967-71) [8:45] Two Threnodies for Flute and String Trio (1971) [7:40] Music from Copland House (Derek Bermel, clarinet; Michael Boriskin, piano; Paul Lustig Dunkel, flute; Nicholas Kitchen, violin; Wilhelmina Smith, cello) with the Borromeo String Quartet (Nicholas Kitchen and Will Fedkenheuer, violins; Mai Motobuchi, viola; Yeesun Kim, cello), Jennifer Frautschi (Sextet) and Curtis Mocomber (Prelude), violins; Hsin-Yun Huang (Quartet and Threnodies) and Cynthia Phelps (Sextet), violas Recording details: Sextet (December 4, 2000, Performing Arts Center, State University of New York at Purchase, NY); Piano Quartet (April 26, 2001, Town Hall, New York, NY); Two Pieces for String Quartet and Movement (May 8, 2001, Performing Arts Center, State University of New York at Purchase, NY); Sonata and Two Pieces for Violin and Piano (July 3, 2001, Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA); Duo, Vocalise, Vitebsk and Threnodies (December 14, 2001, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, NY); and Prelude (March 25, 2003, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, NY) ARABESQUE Z6794-2 [60:26 + 62:38] [PJL]

Complete technical mastery and the most sympathetic understanding of the composer's expressive objectives. A most enjoyable and instructive experience. Lovers of Copland should not hesitate ... 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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