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PART 5
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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Lucifer Nicholas SACKMAN (b. 1950) Meld (1998) [16:18] Diana BURRELL (b. 1948) Gold (2001) [12:31] Geoffrey POOLE (b. 1949) Lucifer (2000/1) [27:22] Philip Mead (piano); RNCM Brass Ensemble; James Gourlay Recorded: Concert Hall of the RNCM, Manchester, November 2003 NMC D 099 [56:36] [HC]

Excellent recording and production, up to NMC’s best standards. Well worth trying ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Philip SAINTON (1891-1967) The Island - Symphonic Poem for Full Orchestra [16:58] (Dedicated to my very good friend, Ernest Hall) Patrick HADLEY (1899-1973) The Trees so High* - Symphonic Ballad for large orchestra with baritone solo and chorus [34:33] Philip SAINTON (1891-1967) Nadir - Symphonic Elegy for Orchestra [13:40] The Dream of the Marionette (The Sadness of the Marionette; The Sleep of the Marionette; The Dream of the Marionette; March; Epilogue Patrick HADLEY (1899-1973) La Belle Dame sans merci† [10:00] One Morning in Spring - Sketch for Orchestra [4:15] Lenten Meditations‡ 18:57 Leslie Pearson organ Neill Archer tenor†‡ David Wilson-Johnson baritone* Stephen Richardson bass‡ Philharmonia Chorus *†‡ Philharmonia Orchestra/Matthias Bamert rec. All Saints' Church, Tooting, London; 3-4 August 1992 (The Island, The Trees So High) and 18-19 March 1996 (Nadir, La Belle Dame sans merci, One Morning in Spring, Lenten editations); Blackheath Halls, London, 20 September 1996 (The Dream of the Marionette) DDD CHANDOS CHAN 241-22 [51:43 + 65:49] [RB]

Do not miss this. Recording of the Month. ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista SAMMARTINI (1700/01-1775) Sacred Cantatas Maria Addolorata, cantata sacra Il pianto di San Pietro, cantata sacra Silvia Mapelli, soprano; Sonia Prina, contralto; Mirki Guadagnini, tenor Capriccio Italiano Ensemble/Daniele Ferrari Recorded live 31 March 1999 in the Santa Maria Hoè Parish Church, Milan, Italy. DDD NAXOS 8.557431 [78:04] [JV]

Dramatic oratorios by the 'father of the symphony' in rather mediocre and old-fashioned performances ... see Full Review

Harold SCHIFFMAN (b. 1928) Alma (2002)a [32:20] Prelude and Variations (1970)b [13:06] Chamber Concerto No.2 (2000)c [17:28] Mįria Horvįth (mezzo-soprano)a; Jane Perry-Camp (piano)c; Budafok Chamber Choira; Györ Philharmonic Orchestraa; Hungarian Philharmonicb; Accord Wind Quintetc; Akadémia String Quartetc; Mįtyįs Antal Recorded: Jįnos Richter Hall, Györ, Hungary, October 2002 (Alma) and June 2003 (Chamber Concerto No.2); and MATAV Music House, Budapest, June 1999 (Prelude and Variations) NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1035 [63:02][HC]


Pays deserved tribute to a most distinguished composer whose well-crafted and communicative music repays repeated hearings ... see Full Review

Othmar SCHOECK (1886-1957) Cello Concerto Op.61 (1947) [33.29] Suite in A flat major Op.59 (1945) [27.20] Julius Berger (cello) South West German Chamber Orchestra, Pforzheim/Vladislav Czarnecki Recorded Johanneshaus Niefern-Öschelbronn, Festaal, June 2001 (Suite) and February 2002 (Cello Concerto) EBS 6145 [61.50][JW]

The Cello Concerto is compelling – it has something about it that just won’t let go. ... see Full Review

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Pelleas und Melisande, Op. 5a (1903) [43’20] Piano Concerto, Op. 42b (1942) [20’21]. Amalie Malling (piano) Scottish National Orchestra/Matthias Bamert; Danish National Symphony Orchestra/Michael Schønwandt. Rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, on aJuly 31st-August 2nd, 1987 and bDanish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen, on May 31st, June 1st & 6th, 1994. DDD CHANDOS CLASSICS CHAN10285X [63’45] [CC]

A thought-provoking coupling. Neither performance can be listed as a first choice, but the interest of this disc should not be under-played. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1791-1828) Die Schöne Müllerin Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) András Schmidt (piano) recorded live, Feldkirch, 20 June 1991 bonus: interview recorded 1985 DVD-all regions TDK DV-CODSM [83:00] [AO]

Enjoy this, not as great singing, but as a souvenir of a great career ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828) Schiller-Lieder, Vols. 3 and 4 (Deutsche Schubert-Lied-Edition 18) Maya Boog (soprano)(CD 2), Lothar Odinius (tenor)(CD 1), Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) Recorded at DRS, Zürich, Switzerland from November 10th to 13th, 2004 (CD 1), and from December 2nd to 4th, 2003 (CD 2) NAXOS 8.557369-70 [51:15 + 47:15] [GF]

Most of the songs may be unknown. Despite some reservations concerning Moog much is good, the songs are worth hearing and I commend Lothar Odinius. He is a find! ... see Full Review

Franz Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasy in C, D760, 'Wanderer' (1822) [20'48]. Franz LISZT (1811-1886)Années de pèlerinage: Deuxième année, Italie (1839-49) – Sonetto 123 del Petrarca; Après une lecture de Dante [17'02]; Supplement: Venezia e Napoli (1840, rev. 1859) [19'09]. Années de pèlerinage: Troisième année (1869-79) – Les jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este [9'01]. Luiza Borac (piano) Rec. at the Stadttheater, Lindau (Bodensee), Germany on August 2nd-6th, 2004. AVIE SACD AV2061 [66:04] [CC]

An interesting disc ... Borac is a player of much imagination and integrity. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Mass in A Flat major, D677 "Missa Solemnis" [50’05"] Mass in E Flat major, D950 "Missa Solemnis"* [52’31"] Luba Organosova (soprano); Birgit Remmert (contralto); Deon van der Walt (tenor); *Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone); Anton Scharinger (bass) Arnold Schoenberg Chor; Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded live in the Stefaniensaal, Graz *24 June 1995 and 25 June 1995 WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 2564 61390-2 [50’05" + 52’31"] [JQ]

Very well executed, highly musical and considered performances, which will give much pleasure. A stimulating set that makes an attractive bargain. ... see Full Review

Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Music for String Quartet String Quartet No.1 (1924) [14.34] Divertimento for String Quartet (1914) [13.30] Five Pieces for String Quartet (1923) [13.30] Schulhoff Quartet rec. Domovina Studios, Prague in October/November 2003 and November 2004 VMS 138 [51.07] [JW]

This VMS has an all-quartet repertoire; all Schulhoff admirers will want to acquaint themselves with it. ... see Full Review

William SCHUMAN (1910 - 1992) Symphony No. 4 (1941) [24’50"] Symphony No. 9 Le fosse ardeatine (1969) [27’43"] Orchestra Song (1963) [2’59"] Circus Overture (1944) [7’53"] Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz recorded in September 2003 and January 2004 (Symphony No. 4), March 2004 (Song and Overture) and February 2004 (Symphony No. 9) in S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Benaroya Hall, Seattle. DDD NAXOS 8.559254 [63.25] [JPh]

Recommended with all possible enthusiasm – thank you Naxos! ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) Symphony No. 7, Op. 60 Leningrad (1943) [74.05] Beethoven Orchestra, Bonn/Roman Kofman Recorded 2004 Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Hybrid SACD also playable on CD players high resolution stereo 2.0, and the 2+2+2 surround sound system; compatible 5.1 MDG 937 1203-6 [74.05] [PSh]

A fine, but not legendary, Leningrad in good surround sound. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Piano Trio No. 1 Op.8 (1923) [12,41] Piano Trio No. 2 Op.67 (1944) [26.46] Seven Songs (Alexander Blok) Op.127 (1967) [23.34] Artemiss Piano Trio Al˛běta Polįčkovį (soprano) rec. Lichtenstein Palace (Martinů Hall), Prague, September-November 2004 ARCO DIVA UP 0069-2131 [63.17] [JW]

I hope this sort of coupling will become more popular and that a disc such as this will stay long in the catalogue. Performances here are rather reserved and analytical but the recorded sound is attractive ... see Full Review

Heinrich SCHULZ-BEUTHEN (1838 - 1915) Piano Music Drei Clavierstücke im ernsten Style op. 16 (1873) (Moderato [3:54]; Poco andante [2:09];Allegretto moderato [2:41]) Stimmungsbilder in freier Walzerform op. 17 (1873) (Poco moderato [2:20]; Grazioso [2:16]; Scherzando, poco animato [1:25]; Tranquillo [3:16]; Risoluto [3:05]) Fünf Clavierstücke in Suitenform op. 19 (1874) (Allegretto [1:40]; Allegro giocoso [1:50]; Andante lugubre [1:45]; Allegretto, poco appassionato [1:49]; Allegro fantastico [3:47]) Vier Clavierstücke im heroischen Style op. 22 (1874) (Allegro non troppo, cantabile [5:53]; Allegro giocoso e frescamente [6:05]; Poco moderato, tranquillo [4:44]; Allegro eroico [4:31]; Drei Clavierstücke Cyklus in Sonatenform op. 23 (1874) (Allegro ma non troppo generoso [4:28]; Allegretto moderato, con sentimento, molto dolce [3:54]; Allegretto, leggiero e grazioso [2:03]; Abschieds - Klänge Gedenk-Blätter op. 28 (1880) (Allegretto un poco moderato [2:03]; Poco moderato [3:20]; Allegretto moderato [1:42]; Andantino con espressione [2:34]; Kirsten Johnson (piano) Recorded: St George's Bristol, 6-7 August 2003. DDD GUILD GMCD 7277 [75:04]
Piano Music of Hermann GOETZ and Heinrich SCHULZ-BEUTHEN: Hermann GOETZ (1840 - 1876) Lose Blätter
op. 7 (1864-1869, Winterthur) (Durch Feld und Buchenhallen [1:41]; Frisch in die Welt hinaus [2:53]; Einsamkeit [2:53]; Liebesscherze [1:51]; Bei dir! [2:53]; Ihr flüchtigen Winde, wohin, wohin? [2:27]; Heimatklang [5:09];
Frühlingsgruß [1:35]; Auf Wiedersehn [1:55]) Genrebilder op. 13 - 6 Klavierstücke (1870-1876, Zurich) (Andantino espressivo [1:41]; Allegro Scherzando [2:02]; Larghetto [2:20]; Presto [1:24]; Allegro Impetuoso [1:50]; Larghetto [2:28]) Heinrich SCHULZ-BEUTHEN (1838 - 1915) Alhambra Sonata op. 34 (1878-1882) (Auf dem Wege zur Alhambra [5:54]; Bei der Marienkirche [5:27]; Eintritt in der Alhambra [4:43]; Die Abenceragen [6:19]; Im Garten Xeneralife [9:48]; Nachklänge [7:16] Kirsten Johnson (piano) Recorded: St George's Bristol, 13-14 August 2003. DDD GUILD GMCD 7282 [76:01] [RB]

For admirers of romantic era piano music especially those partial to Schumann and floral romance. If you like one of these two CDs you will want the other as well. ... see Full Review

Clara SCHUMANN (1819-1896) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 (1834) [23:36] Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17 (1846) [30:24] Francesco Nicolosi (piano) Alma Mahler Sinfonietta/Stefania Rinaldi Rodolfo Bonucci (violin); Andrea Noferini (cello) Rec. Naples, May, September 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557552 [54:00][ED]

Works of quality, ably performed with feeling and atmosphere. Definitely worth immediate investigation. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Humoreske Op. 20 (1838) [28:39] Toccata Op. 7 (1829-32) [7:22] Gesänge der Frühe Op. 133 (1853) [11:59] Kinderszenen Op. 15 (1838) [19:44] Album für die Jugend Op. 68 (1848) [74:35] Kreisleriana Op. 16 - Eight Fantasies for Pianoforte (1838) [34:19] Theme with Variations in E flat major WoO 24 ('Geistervariationen') (1854) [9:44] Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op. 26 (1839-40) [21:35] Michael Endres (piano) Recorded Cologne, 2000/2001 OEHMS CLASSICS OC366 [3 CDs: 68:07 + 74:35 + 65:54][JL]

This superbly played triple disc set represents a considerable body of Schumann’s piano composition and is a major recording achievement. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) String Quartets: 1885-1889 Molto moderato – Scherzo, JS134 (1885) [4:15] Scherzo in B minor (1885) completed by Kalevi AHO [0:43] String Quartet in E flat major, JS184 (1885) [17:41] Four Themes (1887) [1:52] Three Pieces (1888) [3:23] Allegretto in D major, JS20 (1888) [2:12] Andantino in C major, JS39 (1888) [3:06] Theme and Variations in C sharp minor, JS195 (1888) completed by Kalevi Aho [6:20] 33 Small Pieces (1888-89) [18:08] Allegro in G minor (1888-89) [0:32] Andante – Allegro molto in D major, JS32 (1888-89) [6:17] Andante molto sostenuto in B minor, JS37 (1888-89) [7:40] Tempera Quartet Recorded on 16-20 February 2004 at Lanna Church, Sweden. DDD BIS-CD-1376 [74:28] [MC]

Fascinating early works from Sibelius that will appeal mainly to specialist collectors. ... see Full Review

Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) String Quartets, Volume 10: No. 24 in G, Op. 82 No. 2 (1828/9) [31’07]; No. 25 in A minor, Op. 82 No. 3 (1829) [28’07]. Moscow Philharmonic Concertino String Quartet (Yaroslav Kresnikov, Sofiya Krasnikova, violins; Pavel Zhdanov, viola; Victor Kozodov, cello). Rec. Studio 1 of the Russian State TV & Radio Company Kultura, Moscow, on December 16th-30th, 2003. DDD MARCO POLO 8.225306 [59’14] [CC]

Do investigate. The Moscow Philharmonic Concertino String Quartet clearly believe heart and soul in Spohr’s music. After hearing this, maybe you will too. ... see Full Review

Johann STRAUSS I (1804-1849) Complete Edition: Volume 6 Fra Diavolo-Cotillons op.41 [11:48], Wiener Bürgermarsch Nr. 2: Marsch nach Motiven der Opera Zampa [02:13], Alexandra-Walzer op.56 [08:50], Polka in E flat [02:03], Zampa-Walzer op.57 [10:57], Jäger-Polka [02:18], Mein schönster Tag in Baden, Walzer op.58 [07:44], Quadrille nach Motiven aus der Oper Anna Bolena [05:20], Die vier Temperamente, Walzer op.59 [10:14], Reise-Galopp op.85 [02:08], Karnevals-Spende, Walzer op.60 [06:03] Slovak Sinfonietta ˇilina/Christian Pollack Recorded 2nd-4th February 2004, Fatra Concert Hall, ˇilina, Slovakia MARCO POLO 8.225282 [69:56] [CH]

Like a good wine, Pollack and his players seem to be getting better as time goes on, making this much more than an issue for specialists. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan, op 20 (1888) [18’27”] Die Heiligen drei Königen, op 56, no.6 [6’10”] Waldseligkeit, op 49, no 1 [3’06”] Wiegenlied, op 41, no 1 [4’46”] Morgen!, op 27, no 4 [4’03”] Das Rosenband, op 36, no 1 [3’07”] Meinem Kinde, op 37, no 3 [2’40”] Befreit, op 39, no 4 [5’20”] Macbeth, op 23 (1887) [19’48”] Anne Schwanewilms (soprano) (Lieder) Hallé/Mark Elder Rec. BBC Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester: 12-13 July 2004 (Macbeth), 22-23 September 2004 (Don Juan and lieder). Texts and translations included. DDD. HALLE CD HLL 7508 [67’31”][ED]

This issue covers all in glory and leaves the sense of discovering something new, even in well known works. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) The Complete Songs, Volume 1 Zueignung, Op. 10 No. 1 Die Georgine, Op. 10 No. 4 Breit’ über mein Haupt, Op. 19 No. 2 Wie sollten vir geheim sie halten, Op. 19 No. 4 Glückes genug, Op. 37 No. 1 Ich liebe dich, Op. 37 No. 2 Hochzeitlich Lied, Op.37 No. 6 Leises Lied, Op. 39 No. 1 Befreit, Op. 39 No. 4 Wiegenlied, Op. 41 No. 1 In der Campagna, Op. 41 No. 2 Frühlingsfeier, Op. 56 No. 5 Die heiligen drei Könige, Op. 56 No. 6 Gesänge des Orients, Op. 77 Allerseelen, Op. 10 No. 8 Christine Brewer (soprano) Roger Vignoles (piano) Rec 22-24 March 2004, All Saints Church, East Finchley, London HYPERION CDA67488 [61.12] [TB]

This is a major release by major artists, and it is a worthy opening to a major series of recordings. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882 - 1971) The Firebird (1910) first recording of 1910 original version [44’52"] Petrouchka (1947) 1911, revised 1947 version [34’01"] Philharmonia Orchestra/Robert Craft. recorded 27th & 29th November 1996 (The Firebird) and 31st January & 1st February 1997, (Petrouchka), at Abbey Road Studios, London. DDD Naxos 8.557500 [78.53] [JPh]

This is a first class issue, quite undeserving of the Bull….!!, and very highly recommended. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Apollo (1928) [23’18] Agon (1957) [20’56]* Orpheus (1947) [28’31] London Symphony Orchestra/Robert Craft Orchestra of St. Luke’s*/Robert Craft Recorded at Abbey Road Studio One, London, 1-4 July 1995 and at SUNY, Purchase, New York, July 1992 (Agon) NAXOS 8.557502 [77’45] [TH]

Craft’s refusal to linger pays dividends, sheer power allied to up-front sound ... see Full Review

Gottfried Heinrich STÖLZEL (1690 - 1749) Cantatas for Pentecost 1737 Werdet voll Geistes [09:53] Siehe da, eine Hütte Gottes [09:21] Wollte Gott, dass alle das Volk weissagete [08:14] Daran ist erschienen die Liebe Gottes gegen uns [12:53] So denn ihr, die ihr arg seid [10:17] Lehre mich tun nach deinem Wohlgefallen [09:50] Er heisset Friedefürst, cantata for Sunday Quasimodogeniti 1732 [06:46] Dorothee Mields, soprano; Martin Wölfel, alto; Jan Kobow, tenor; Christian Immler, bass Telemannisches Collegium Michaelstein/Ludger Rémy Recorded in June 2002 at the Evangelische Kirche St Bonifatius, Ditfurth, Germany. DDD CPO 999 876-2 [68:11] [JV]

This recording brings cantatas by Bach's contemporary Stölzel, which turn out to be of superior quality ... see Full Review

William Schwenk GILBERT (1836-1911) and Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The Sorcerer (1877): Overture [5:34]; Act I [41:57]; Act II, part 1 [14:11]; Act II, part 2 [20:42]Fisher Morgan – Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre Neville Griffiths – Alexis Jeffrey Skitch – Dr. Daly Donald Adams – Notary Peter Pratt – John Wellington Wells Ann Drummond-Grant – Lady Sangazure Muriel Harding – Aline Beryl Dixon - Mrs. Partlett Yvonne Dean – Constance
D’Oyly Carte Opera Company Chorus New Symphony Orchestra/Isidore Godfrey Recorded 8th, 10th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 29th and 30th July, 1953, London, UK ADD Highlights from The Sorcerer – 1933 Recording [37:33] Darrell Fancourt – Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre Derek Oldham – Alexis Leslie Rands – Dr. Daly Stuart Robertson – Notary George Baker – John Wellington Wells Dorothy Gill – Lady Sangazure Muriel Dickson – Aline Anna Bethell - Mrs. Partlett Alice MoxonConstance D’Oyly Carte Opera Company Chorus and Orchestra/Isidore Godfrey Recorded 12th-13th September 1933, London, UK. ADD NAXOS 8.110785-86[61:42 + 58:15][EM]

The more modern 1966 recording would be my recommended version. ... see Full Review

Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35 (1915-16) [26'59]. Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Havanaise in E, Op. 83 (1887) [10'18]. Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème, Op. 25 (1897) [16'47]. Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Thaïs (1894) - Méditation [5'37]. Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Lieder, Op. 105 (publ. 1889) – No. 1, Wie Melodien zieht es mir (arr. Heifetz as 'Contemplation'; orch. Reynolds) [3'20]. John TAVENER (b. 1944) Fragment for the Virgin (2004) [4'30]. Nicola Benedetti (violin) London Symphony Orchestra/Daniel Harding. Rec. Walthamstow Town Hall (no date given). DDD Includes 'performance track' of the Massenet and details of available Official Nicola Benedetti Truetones and Ringtones. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 987 057-7 [73'08] [CC]

Quite a debut. A truly excellent Szymanowski, then have a cuppa and come back to enjoy the rest of the disc for what it is – an easy-on-the-ear set of well-crafted delights. ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 (1875) [30:22] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op 83 (1881) [39:24] Artur Rubinstein, piano London Symphony Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli (Tchaikovsky); Sir Albert Coates (Brahms) Recorded 9-10 June 1932 in the Small Hall of the Queen’s Hall, London (Tchaikovsky); 22-23 October 1929, Queen’s Hall, London (Brahms) LIVING ERA AJC 8550 [70:14][KS]

Strongly recommended, especially for historical buffs ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Works Volume 2 Twelve Morceaux Op.40 (1878) [46.58] Mikhail Pletnev (piano) Recorded in Moscow, 1986 AULOS MUSIC AMC2-030 [46.58]
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Works Volume 3 Six pieces Op.19 (1873) [29.15] Two Pieces Op.10 (1871) [6.50] Romance Op.5 (1868) [6.22] Valse-Scherzo Op.7 (1870) [4.24] Mikhail Pletnev (piano) Recorded in Moscow, 1988 AULOS MUSIC AMC2-031 [52.37] [JW]

Given the occasional nature of the morceaux this is hardly a pressing purchase but for Pletnev admirers it’s pretty much self-recommending. ... see Full Review

Georg Philip TELEMANN (1681-1767) Complete Sonatas and Sonatinas for Recorder and bass continuo TWV 41 Sonatas in C-[C3 [; in C minor [c2]; Sonatina d minor [d4]; Sonata in F minor [f1]; Sonatina in A minor [a4]; Sonata [Duetto B3]; Sonata in F major [F2]; Sonata in F minor [f2] Michael Schneider – recorder; Annette Schneider - violoncello; Christian Beuse - bassoon; Yasunori Imamura - lute; Sabine Bauer - keyboard Recorded at Deutschland Radio. Berlin October 2003 CAPRICCIO 67 070 [71.51] [GH]

A gently civilizing and life-enhancing pleasure. I would strongly advise you to search out this disc ... see Full Review

Johann Baptist VAŇHAL (1739-1813) Symphony in D major, Bryan D2 (c. 1765) [13:34] Symphony in C minor, Bryan c2 (c. 1770) [16:24] Symphony in A flat major, Bryan Ab1 (c. 1773) [17:53] Symphony in G major, Bryan G6 (c. 1773) [21:28] Toronto Camerata/Kevin Mallon Recorded Grace Church on-the-Hill, Toronto, Canada, January 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557483 [69:19][DS]

Strongly recommended for all those with a warm spot for the Classical era. Music that is immediately appealing ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida (1871) - (sung in German). Annelies Kupper (soprano) Aida; Max Lorenz (tenor) Radames; Margarete Klose (contralto) Amneris; Rudolf Gonszar (baritone) Amonasro; Otto von Rohr (bass) Ramfis; Christa Ludwig (mezzo) Priestess; Chorus and Orchestra of Hessian Radio/Kurt Schröder. Rec. Frankfurt, Germany on November 11th, 1952. ADD mono WALHALL WLCD0051 [144’18: 75’00 +69’18] [CC]

Like so many Walhalls: worth hearing. Much to enjoy and the recording is perfectly acceptable if nothing distinguished. Regular readers will know the score when it comes to documentation ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883): Lohengrin (1850) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor) – Lohengrin Eleanor Steber (soprano) – Elsa von Brabant Hermann Uhde (baritone) – Friedrich von Telramund Astrid Varnay (soprano) – Ortrud Josef Greindl (bass) – Heinrich der Vogler Hans Braun (baritone) – Herald Gerhard Stolze (tenor) – Noble 1 Josef Janko (tenor) – Noble 2 Alfons Herwig (baritone) – Noble 3 Theo Adam (bass) – Noble 4 Bayreuth Festival Chorus/Wilhelm Pitz Bayreuth Festival Orchestra/Joseph Keilberth Recorded in July – August 1953 in the Festspielhaus, Bayreuth. First issued as Decca LXT 2880-2884. Reissue Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS 8.110308-10 [78:14 + 71:49 + 69:30] [GF]

Can’t be recommended as the only version but get it as a complement for the best Uhde and Varnay, and for a marvellous third act by Windgassen. At the price everyone can afford it. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal (1882) Christopher Ventris (tenor) Parsifal; Waltraud Meier (soprano) Kundry; Matti Salminen (bass) Gurnemanz; Thomas Hampson (baritone) Amfortas; Tom Fox (bass) Klingsor; Bjarni Thor Kristinsson (bass) Titurel Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Kent Nagano. 16:9 Anamorphic. Stereo. All regions
Subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian. Includes the film, 'Parsifal's Progress' by Rainer E. Moritz [75'18]. DDD OPUS ARTE OA0915D [3 DVDs: 317'00] [CC]

Well worth watching and listening. This is an interesting take on one of the greatest dramas ever written. ... see Full Review

Franz WERTHMÜLLER (1769-1841) Sonate A-Dur/A major op.17 Fernando SOR (1778-1839) Twelve Studies Heinrich MARSCHNER (1795-1861) Six Bagatellen from opus 4 Fernando SOR Nine Menuets, Variations on Nel cor piú non mi sento op.16 [9:13], Variations on a theme by Mozart op.9 [7:29] Tilman Hoppstock (guitar) Recorded May 1985 [31], Autumn1995-Spring 1996 [1-30], Sept 2001 [32]. CHRISTOPHORUS CHE 0118-2 [72:57] [ZT]

Special appeal to students of the guitar who wish to listen to excellent renditions of selected studies and minuets by Sor ... see Full Review

Nigel WESTLAKE (b. 1958) Antarctica (1991) David Pereira (cello); Louise Johnson (harp); Timothy Kain (guitar); Philippe Marc Anquetil (boy soprano); Christine Douglas (soprano); Geoffrey Collinson (horns); Paul Goodchild (trumpets); Orchestra; Carl Vine Recorded: Rhinoceros Studio, Sydney, no date, published 1992 TALL POPPIES TP 012 [37:03] [HC]

Westlake’s well-crafted, slightly eclectic but effective music ... see Full Review

Dag WIRÉN (1905-1986) String Quartets: 2 (1935) [19:05]; 3 (1941-45) [19:10]; 4 (1952-53) [18:29]; 5 (1970) [13:28] Lysell Quartet rec. Oct 2003, Sept 2004, Feb 2005, Berwaldhallen, Stockholm. DDD DAPHNE 1021 [71:44][RB]

Fascinating works: 2 and 3 winningly energetic, embracing joy while 4 and 5 powerfully reflect 20th century angst. ... 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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