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PART 4
M-R

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[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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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Leevi MADETOJA (1887-1947) Okon Fuoko - a ballet pantomime op. 58 (1927) [76:51] Helena Juntunen, soprano/Tuomas Katajala, tenor/Oulun Kamarikuoro/Oulun kaupunginorkesteri/Arvo Volmer rec. Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre, 26-29 Aug 2002, 31 Jan 2003. DDD ALBA ABCD 184 [76:51] [RB]

An extremely attractive and imaginative dance score which will hold wide appeal. The impressionistic-nationalist writing is captivating ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.4 in G (1892-1900) [53.39] Lisa Della Casa (soprano) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded in 1958 RCA RED SEAL 82876 67901 2 SACD [53.39] [JW]

For an example of penetrating Mahler conducting you could do an awful lot better ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor (1902) [68:10] City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo rec. live, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 26, 28 October 2004. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62055-2 [68:10] [JQ]

A very enjoyable recording but it does not disturb existing recommendations as a library choice. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor (1902) [78:10] Orchestre National de France/Bernard Haitink rec. concert, Radio France, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, 30 June, 1 July 2004. DDD NAÏVE V5026 [78:10][KS]

Recommended as a comparison recording to such giants as Haitink with Amsterdam, Bernstein and Walter ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) and Luciano BERIO (1925-2003) Two films: Voyage to Cythera; Attrazione d'Amore Films by Frank Scheffer featuring Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Riccardo Chailly, Luciano Berio, Louis Andriessen and many others. Recorded 1999 and 2000. DVD - all regions ALLEGRI FILMS BV DVD 9DS11 [110:00] [AO]

The Berio section is an inspired piece of film-making. More than just a documentary, it engages with the music, text, performance and Berio’s ideas. Very thought-provoking ... see Full Review

Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Violin Concerto (1950-51) [31:06] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1966-67) [22:04] Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin) Paul Badura-Skoda (piano) Orchestra Symphonique de la Radio Luxembourg/Frank Martin rec. 1971, Luxembourg, ADD
originally issued on LP Candide CE 31055, New York JECKLIN DISCO JD 632-2 [53:37] [RB]

Fascinating and authoritative ...you do not know these concertos thoroughly until you have heard this disc. ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) The Six Symphonies CD1 Symphony No. 1 (1942) [34:41] Symphony No. 5 (1946) [29:23] CD2 Symphony No. 2 (1943) [23:28] Symphony No. 6 (Fantaisies symphoniques) (1953) [27:52] CD3 Symphony No. 3 (1944) [26:53] Symphony No. 4 (1945) [32:55] Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Bryden Thomson rec. Caird Hall, Dundee 17, 19 April 1990 (Symphonies Nos. 1, 5); SNO Centre, Glasgow 20-21 August 1990 (Nos. 2, 6) and 6-7 September 1989 (Nos. 3, 4) Originally separately issued as Chandos CHAN 8917 (3 4); CHAN 8916 (2 6); CHAN 8915 (1 5); CHANDOS CLASSICS CHAN 10316X [3 CDs: 64:11 + 51:30 + 60:00] [RB]

Thomson seems broader ... a conductor who has an eye to the longer term with the advantage of Chandos's glamorous and virile sound-picture.... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Memorial to Lidice (Památník Lidicim) (1943) [8:20] Concertino for Piano Trio and Orchestra (1933) [18:54] Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (1952) [19:23] Concerto for Piano Trio and Orchestra (1933) [24:10] Tabea Zimmerman (viola) Wanderer Trio (Vincent Coq (piano); Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabedian (violin); Raphaël Pidoux (cello)) Gürzenich Orchestra/James Conlon rec. Studio Stolberger Straße, Köln, 23-26 Apr 2003; 6-7 Sept 2004 (Rhapsody). DDD. Hybrid SACD Reviewed using conventional CD player CAPRICCIO CC 71 053 [70:27] [RB]

Rare and not so rare Martinů, extremely well played and recorded. The Lidice is given a reading of searing intensity and the Trio Concerto is striking ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Vánoce (1926) * [6:56]; Trois esquisses (1926) [6:13]; Quatre mouvements (1929) [7:58]; Avec un doigta * (1930) [0:34]; To Božánek and Soničkaa * (1932) [2:38]; Lístek do památniku * (1935/6) [1:11]; Dumka No. 1 (1936) [2:38]; Dumka No. 2 (1936) * [2:25]; Julietta (Act 2, Scene 3) (1938) [3:16]; Fenêtre sur le jardin (1938) [8:18]; Mazurka (1941) * [2:16]; Dumka No. 3 (1941) [2:07]; Merry Christmas 1941 to Hope Castagnola (1941) * [4:02]; The Fifth Day of the Fifth Moon (1948) [3:02]; Les bouquinistes du quai Malaquais (1948) [1:26]; Barcarolle (1949) * [1:40]; Improvisation (1951) [0:51]; Piano Sonata (1954) [18:38]; Adagio (1957) [3:01] Erik Entwistle (piano) with aWilliam Freedberg (piano) rec. The Sonic Temple, Roslindale, Mass. 15 March, 30 Apr, 21 May 2003. DDD * CD premiere SUMMIT RECORDS DCD407 [79:25] [RB]

This is a lovely disc which would pair delightfully with Naxos’s recent CD of the Martinů songs. ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Songs Deux Chansons (1932) [7:19] Trois Mélodies (1930) [0:53]* Vocalise-Etude (1930) [1:10] Dvĕ Balady (Two Ballads to Folk Texts) (1932) [6:31]* Čtyři písně (Fours songs to folk texts) (1940) [5:39] Polka for piano - from the ballet Špalíček (1932) [2:13] Nový Špalíček (1942) [10:56] Waltz for piano - from the ballet Špalíček (1932) [6:05] Three Christmas Songs (1929) [2:46]* Four Children's Songs and Nursery Rhymes [1:17]* Koleda Milostná (Love carol on a folk text) (1937) [0:53] Přání mamince (A wish for a Mother) [7:19]* Songs from the Hry o Marii (The Miracles of Mary) (1934) [6:42] Olga Černá (mezzo) Jitka Čechová (piano) rec. 11-12, 15-16 Jan 2003, Studio Minor, Trhový Štĕpánov, Czech Republic. DDD sponsored by the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation and supported by the International Bohuslav Martinů Society * world premiere recordings NAXOS 8.557494 [53:40] [RB]

Should find a ready market with admirers of French song and with those who take a special interest in the imprint of folk influences. ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Piano Music Etudes and Polkas - Books 1-3 (1945) [29.23] Butterflies and Birds of Paradise () [15:21] Seven Czech Dances () [12:14] Paul Kaspar (piano) rec. Bayerischen Rundfunk München, Studio 2, 14 Mar, 7 Apr, 22 Sept, 16 Dec 2003. DDD TUDOR 7125 [57:13]
Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Piano Music
Fantaisie et Toccata (1940) [16.26] Three Czech Dances (1926) [8:15] Dumka (1941) [2:03] Piano Sonata No. 1 (1954) [19.05] Fenêtre sur le Jardin (1938) [7:24] Trois Esquisses (1927) [4:58] Paul Kaspar (piano) rec. Bayerischen Rundfunk München, Studio 2, July 1998, May, Sept 1999, Apr 2000. DDD TUDOR 7054 [60:25] [RB]

Some of the best recorded and performed Martinů. ... primus inter pares with Leichner and Maly. ... see Full Review

Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) An Introduction to… MASSENET Werther Background [17:23] Introduction to Werther [62:01] Written by Thomson Smillie Narrated by David Timson Music from Werther – Naxos 8.660072-73 Marcus Haddock – tenor (Werther) Beatrice Uria – mezzo (Charlotte, Werther’s Daughter) Rene Massis – baritone (Albert)Jael Azzaretti – soprano (Sophie, Charlotte’s Sister) Jean-Philippie Marliere – baritone (Le Bailli) Jean-Sebastien Bou – baritone (Johann, friend of Le Bailli) Jean Delescluse – tenor (Schmidt, friend of Le Bailli) Mathilde Jacob – soprano (Kathchen, a young girl) David Roubaud – tenor (Bruhlmann, a young man) The Maitrise Boreale – Les Envants Bernard Dewagtere, chorus master Orchestre National de Lille-Region Nord/Pas-de-Calais/Jean-Claude Casadesus Pierre-Michael Durand, assistant to Jean-Claude Casadesus Recording information not disclosed DDD NAXOS 8.558173 [79:24][PG]

Preparing to see the opera or want to understand the work then this is an excellent place to go ... see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) L’Orfeo (highlights) – opera in five acts. (1607) Libretto by Alessandro Striggio Orfeo – Lajos Kozma La Musica, Euridice – Rotraud Hansmann Messaggiera, Speranza – Cathy Berberian Caronte – Nikolaus Simkowsky Ninfa, Proserpina – Eiko Katonosaka Plutone – Jacques Villisech Apollo, Pastore IV, Spirito III – Max von Egmond Spirito I, Pastore II – Nigel Rogers Spirito II, Pastore III – Kurt Equiluz Pastore I – Günther Theuring Capella Antiqua München/Konrad Ruhland Concentus musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded in the Casino Zögernitz, Vienna, 1968. WARNER APEX 2564 61516-2 [75:38] [JR]

A mixed bag. Great orchestral playing. However, collectors interested in a recording notable for its solo singing may be better off looking elsewhere. ... see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria - Dramma in musica L’Humana fragilità ... Brian Asawa (counter-tenor) Tempo ... Jaco Huijpen (bass) Fortuna ... Monica Bacelli (soprano) Amore ... Machteld Baumans (soprano) Ulisse ... Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) Penelope ... Graciela Araya (mezzo) Telemaco ... Toby Spence (tenor) Antinoo ... Jaco Huijpen (bass) Pisandro ... Christopher Gillett (tenor) Anfinomo ... Brian Asawa (counter-tenor) Eurimaco ... Mark Tucker (tenor) Iro ... Alexander Oliver (tenor) Melanto ... Monica Bacelli (soprano) Eumete ... Adrian Thompson (tenor) Minerva ... Diana Montague (soprano) Baroque Ensemble/Glen Wilson Recorded at Het Muziektheater Amsterdam, October 1998 DVD OPUS ARTE OA0926D (PAL format) or OA 0927D (NTSC format) [2 DVDs: 178 minutes][RM]

A Reader's Digest Ulysses with some excellent singing. ... see Full Review

Saburo MOROI (1903 – 1977) Sinfonietta in B flat For Children Op.24 (1943) [15:46] Two Symphonic Movements Op.22 (1942) [19:09] Symphony No. 3 Op.25 (1944) [33:20] National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland/Takuo Yuasa Recorded: National Concert Hall, Dublin, September 2002 NAXOS 8.557162 [68:15] [HC]

Traditional ... solid, warmly post-romantic and lushly scored music played with admirable commitment and conviction. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Complete Piano Concertos - 250th Anniversary Edition see review for details WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62332 [76:11 + 66:44 + 70:06 + 74:25 + 76:34 + 66:53 + 68:21 + 71:06 + 62:33 + 64:32] [GPJ]

The general standard is high, and there are enough really outstanding performances to make this a very desirable collection. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Serenade for Orchestra in D Major, K 250 "Haffner" (1776) [56:49] Bella mia fiamma, addio-Resta, o cara (1787) [9:24] Ernö Sebestyen, violin Edith Wiens, soprano Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Günter Wand Recorded May 21, 1982 (Serenade) and May 23, 1982 (aria) at the Nürnberg Mozart Festival by Bavarian Radio. PROFIL PH 04053 [66:18] [KS]

Wand’s devotion plays itself out in these elegant performances. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sonatas for Piano and Violin: in F major, KV 376 (374d) (1781) [17:36]; in G major, KV 301 (293a) (1778) [14:17]; in E minor, KV 304 (300c) (1778) [12:41]; in A major, KV 526 (1787) [25:08] Hilary Hahn, violin; Natalie Zhu, piano Recorded at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Bard College, Annadale-on-Hudson, New York, USA, February, November, 2004. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DG 00289 477 5572 [69:50] [MC]

No galloping rhythms, no sparkle or joy ... tiresome and drab ... I shall not be returning to this disc. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Flute Concertos: No. 1 in G major, K.313 [23:38], No. 2 in D major, K.314 [19:09], Andante in C major, K.315 [06:26], Rondo in D major, K.184 Anh [05:45] Cadenzas by Kalevi Aho Sharon Bezaly (flute), Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra/Juha Kangas Recorded 11th-15th April 2005 in Kaustinen Church, Finland BIS-SACD 1539 [56:04][CH]

Almost worth it for Aho’s cadenzas  ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Clavier Works - Vol. 1 Fantasia in Cminor (K475)** [12:17] Sonata in Cminor (K457)** [20:59] Thema (con 5 variazioni) in F (K54/457a,3)* [06:03] (Menuetto) in F (K2)* [01:03] (Clavierstück) in B flat (K15ii)* [02:13] (Clavierstück) in B flat (KAnh109b,9)* [00:52] (Menuetto) in A flat (KAnh109b,8)* [00:39] 8 Menuets (K315a/315g)* [12:28] Sonata in G (K283/189h) [17:11] Siegbert Rampe, harpsichord (Nikolaus Dam, after Gottfried Silbermann, 1749), clavichord (*) (Dietrich Hein, after Christian Ernst Friederici, 1765), fortepiano (**) (Nikolaus Damm, after Johann Andreas Stein, 1755) Recorded in August 2004 at the Paul-Gerhardt-Haus, Cologne, Germany MDG 341 1301-2 [74:46][JV]

The first volume of what promises to be a very interesting series of recordings - unfortunately the artist is let down by poor recording technique ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Entführung aus dem Serail (1782) Ryland Davies (tenor) Belmonte; Valerie Masterson (soprano) Constanze; Lilian Watson (soprano) Blonde; Willard White (bass) Osmin; Pedrillo (tenor) James Hoback; Joachim Nissmeier (speaker) Passa Selim The Glyndebourne Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Gustav Kuhn Rec. Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1980. Producer Peter Wood. PCM Stereo. Format 4:3. Region: 0 (Worldwide). DVD9. NTSC. ARTHAUS 101 091 [140'00] [CC]

What a magnificent opera Die Entführung is! And to have it in this superbly sung and well-conducted version is a real delight. ... see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Violin Concerto (1912) [34:33] Clarinet Concerto (1928) [25:36] Flute Concerto (1926) [17:42] Saeka Matsuyama (violin); John McCaw (clarinet); Jennifer Stinton (flute) Odense Symphony Orchestra/Jan Wagner (violin); New Philharmonia Orchestra/Raymond Leppard (clarinet); Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford (flute) rec. live 1999, Nielsen International Competition New York, licensed Bridge Records (violin); early 1970s, London, Unicorn-Kanchana (clarinet); 1991, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, licensed Collins Classics. REGIS RRC 1208 [78:03] [RB]

If your prime interest the Violin Concerto then don’t hesitate, get this outstanding version and enjoy two other good but not prime versions of the other concertos. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Die Rheinnixens or Les Fées du Rhin (The Fairies of the Rhine) - A romantic opera in four acts, sung in German (1860-62) Regina Schörg (sop) - Armgard; Nora Gubisch (mezzo) - Hedwig; Piotr Beczala (ten) - Franz; Dalibor Jenis (bar) - Conrad; Peter Klaveness (bass-bar) - Gottfried; Uwe Pepper (ten) - Peasant; Gaëlle Le Roi (sop) - Fairy Lithuanian Radio Choir Orchestre National de Montpellier/Friedemann Layer rec. live, Radio France/Montpellier Festival, France, 30 July 2002. DDD UNIVERSAL ACCORD 472 920-2 [3 CDs: 74:57 + 67:50 + 65:55][RW]

This is a find worthy of inclusion in the wider European repertoire ... even if Tales of Hoffmann has to be discarded to make way for it. The work is a treat. ... see Full Review

Paul PARAY (1886-1979) Artémis Troublée - a ballet in five movements (1922) [34:53] Symphonie d'Archets (Symphony for Strings) (1944) [29:14] Hart Hollman (viola)
The Assumption Grotto Orchestra/Eduard Perrone rec. Assumption Grotto Church, Detroit, 16 Feb 2003 (ballet); 2 Mar 2003 (symphony) DDD world premiere recordings GROTTO PRODUCTIONS GP-0006 [74:30] [RB]

Not to be missed by those who appreciate both a cooler classical approach as well as the sultry climes of the Ballets Russes. ... see Full Review

Alla PAVLOVA (b.1952) feature
Alla PAVLOVA (b.1952)
Symphony No. 2 For the New Millenium (1999) [43.44] Music from The Old New York Nostalgia suite for string orchestra, percussion, alto and tenor saxophone and trumpet (1994-95) [15.52] Elegy for Piano and String Orchestra (1998) [4.07] Yaroslav Krasnikov (violin) Victor Goltiapin (alto saxophone) Leonid Tushev (tenor saxophone) Ilia Feropontov (trumpet) Peter Izotov (piano) International Symphony Orchestra 'Globalis'/Konstantin D. Krimets rec. Moscow Film Concert Inc. Studio 1. 1999 ALBANY TROY397 [63.44]
Alla PAVLOVA (b.1952)
Symphony No. 1 Farewell Russia (1994) [25.52] Symphony No. 3 (2000) [40.53] Olga Vedernikova (violin) Leonid Lebedev (flute) Nikolay Lotakov (piccolo) Mikhail Shestakhov (violin) Valery Brill (cello) Mikhail Adamovich (piano) Russian Philharmonia Orchestra/Konstantin D Krimets (1); Alexander Vedernikov (3) rec. Russian Broadasting Studios, Moscow, 1 June 1995 (1): 10-14 Dec 2001 (3). DDD NAXOS 8.557157 [66.46]
Alla PAVLOVA (b.1952)
Six Piano Impressions after Fairy Tales by H.C. Andersen (1990) [9.22] Prelude (1994) [6.10] Summer Pictures (1994) [4.36] Lullaby for Irene (1972) [2.21] Winter Morning (1993) [3.13] The Eyes, Begging for Mercy [1.50] The Dream (1979) [2.18] We are the Love (1974) [4.45] Symphony No. 1 Farewell Russia (1994) [26.02] soloists of Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Konstantin Krimets rec. 1994-5, New York and Moscow. ALLA PAVLOVA 122095 [69.17]
Alla PAVLOVA (b. 1952) Symphony No. 2 For the New Millennium (rev. 2002) [37:34] Symphony No. 4 (2002) [19:59] Yaroslav Krasnikov (violin) Georgy Khachikyan (organ) Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev rec. 17-20 Sept 2003, Studio 5, Russian State TV and Radio Company, KULTURA, Moscow. DDD NAXOS 8.557566 [57:33] [RB]

Pavlova - serenity woven with sadness unflinchingly done, without concessions to short attention spans and all within the tradition of nostalgia amplified by distance and time ... see Full Review

Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Tangos arr. José BRAGATO Oblivion [6:06] Esqualo [3:32] Adios Nonino [10:01] Libertango [3:36] Mumuki [9:23] Milonga en Re [5:02] The Angel Suite [23:47] Ave Maria [6:01] José BRAGATO (b.1915) Graciela y Buenos Aires [8:40] Eduardo Vassallo (cello) Cristina Filoso (piano) Rec. CBSO Centre, Birmingham, UK in January 2004. DDD SOMM CÉLESTE SERIES SOMMCD045 [76:21] [PCW]

This music has atmosphere, passion and resonances from around the world and across the ages. Essential listening. ... see Full Review

Thomas PITFIELD (1903-1999) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E major (1947) [23:28] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1960) [11:32] Studies on an English Dance-Tune (1961) [4:35] Arietta and Finale (1932) [4:51] Toccata (1953) [3:54] Xylophone Sonata (1987) [6:22] Anthony Goldstone (piano) Peter Donohoe (piano; xylophone) Royal Northern College of Music Orchestra/Andrew Penny rec. Brown Shipley Concert Hall, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, 6-8 Dec 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557291 [54:41] [RB]

Petrushka-bright and Ravel-pristine ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Eugene Onegin - incidental music (1936) [76:16] Pique Dame - film music (1936, 2000) [33:56] Chulpan Chamatova (speaker); Jakob Küf (speaker)
Boris Statsenko (bar) Soloists from RIAS Kammerchors RIAS Kammerchor/Jörn-Hinnerk Andresen Kevin McCutcheon (harpsichord and piano) Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Michail Jurowski rec. Berlin-Dahlem, Jesus-Christus-Kirche March, Sept 2003, Jan, Feb 2004. DDD CAPRICCIO 67 149 [76:16 + 33:56] [RB]

Treasure - at last a Russian language Onegin on CD - one of the composer's finest and most poetic scores - do not miss it ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) King Arthur or The British Worthy - a semi-opera in five acts to a libretto by John Dryden (1691) Isabel Rey, soprano; Barbara Bonney, soprano; Birgit Remmert, alto; Michael Schade, tenor; Oliver Widmer, baritone. Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor/Rupert Huber Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt rec. live, Salzburg Festival, July 2004. DDD EUROARTS DVD 2054509 [74:00 + 95:00] [EM]

Removes all traces of the opera’s original context and while the large choral pieces are performed extremely well, often with great energy this is a DVD that I will probably not be watching again. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1875-1945) Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 13 (1897) [46:25] The Rock - Fantasia, Op. 7 (1893) [16:01] L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Walter Weller (Symphony) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Walter Weller (The Rock). rec. Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland, August 1972. ADD (Symphony); Kingsway Hall, London, October 1974. ADD (The Rock) DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7724 [62:45] [JPh]

Eloquence can be immensely proud of their Rachmaninov Symphony cycle – I will be returning to it often. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony No. 2 in E minor (1906-7) [66.13] London Symphony Orchestra/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky rec. 10-11 March 1988, All Saints Church, Tooting, London. DDD REGIS RRC 1210 [66.13] [RB]

Will rekindle that first fresh shimmer of discovery, that tremor of the heart, that spine-tingling indicator that tells you what it was to live the creation and recreation of this music. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1875 - 1945) Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27 (1908) [53:12] The Isle of the Dead, Op. 90 (1909) [20:52] L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Paul Kletzki (Symphony) Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Vladimir Ashkenazy (Isle of the Dead). rec. Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland, August 1967; Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, January 1983. ADD/DDD DECCA ELOQUENCE 470 6752 [74:10] [JPh]

Wonderfully ardent performances ... superb sound quality ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1875 - 1945) Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 44 (1936) [40:35] Youth Symphony in D Minor (1891) [10:50] Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Minor, Op. 40 (1926, rev. 1927 and 1941) [25:59] L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Paul Kletzki (Symphony); Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Vladimir Ashkenazy (Youth Symphony); Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano), London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn (Piano Concerto No. 4) Rec. Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland, August 1968. Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, January 1981; Kingsway Hall, London, November 1971. ADD / DDD. DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7692 [77:42] [JPh]

A superb recording in an excellent acoustic and with the absolute top-flight of orchestral conductors. Buy it and enjoy – you won’t regret it .... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1875 - 1945) Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (1940) [33:41] Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 (1901) [35:58] Philadelphia Orchestra/Charles Dutoit (Op. 45) Alicia de Larrocha (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Dutoit (Op. 18) rec. Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, USA, Nov 1990 (Op. 45); Kingsway Hall, London, Sept 1980 (Op. 18). DDD / ADD. DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7701 [69:56] [JPh]

A very acceptable slow and delicious Second Piano Concerto and a more than acceptable Symphonic Dances ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor Op.30 (1909) [43.07]* Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No.3 in C Op.26 (1921) [29.54] Van Cliburn (piano) Symphony of the Air/Kyrill Kondrashin, recorded live at Carnegie Hall, May 1958* Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Walter Hendl, recorded Orchestra Hall, Chicago, October 1960 RCA RED SEAL LIVING STEREO SACD 82876 67894 2 [73.15][JW]

Famed though they are these recordings don’t seem to me to support the Van Cliburn Legend. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1875 - 1945) The Bells, Op. 35 (1912) [35:15] Spring, Op. 20 (1902) [15:57] Three Russian Songs, Op.41 [12:04] Alexandrina Pendachanska Op.35, (soprano) Kaludi Kaludov Op.35, (tenor) Sergei Leiferkus Opp. 35, 20 (tenor) Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia Philadelphia Orchestra/Charles Dutoit. rec. Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, USA, January 1992. DDD DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7702 [63:55]. [JPh]

All of Rachmaninov’s works for choir and orchestra. A nice idea and the performances are more than satisfactory and allow us to enjoy these works at super budget price. ... see Full Review

Joseph Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Four Overtures to Shakespeare’s plays (1879): The Tempest [13:51]; Othello [8:12]; Macbeth [11:30]; Romeo and Juliet [8:34] Elegie for Orchestra Op.48 (1879) [7:34] Fest-Ouverture Op.117 (1864) [15:21] Bamberger Symphoniker/Hans Stadlmair rec. Sinfonie an der Regnitz, Joseph-Keilberth-Saal, Bamberg, Germany, September 2001, April, December 2002, June 2003. DDD TUDOR 7128 [65:46][RW]

Interesting harmonic undercurrents but melodic inspiration is lean. Gentle romanticism ... a wonderfully memorable Fest-Ouverture: stirring and with sparkling energy ... see Full Review

Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) String Quartet No.1 in D minor, Op.77 (1855) [38:17] String Quartet No.7 in D major, ‘Die schöne Müllerin’ (‘The beautiful maid of the mill’) p.192/b (1874) [30:35] Quartetto di Milano rec. Telos Studios, Mechernich-Floisdorf, Germany, 6-7 Nov 1998 (Op. 77), 13-14 Feb 1999 (Op. 192/b) DDD TUDOR 7079 [68:56] [MC]

This splendid recording will delight enthusiasts of chamber music and will undoubtedly win Raff many new friends ... see Full Review

Joseph Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Sonata for violin and piano in E minor No.1 Op.73 (1853/4) [30.41] Chromatic Sonata for violin and piano in G minor No.4 Op.129 (1866) [14.53] Sonata for violin and piano in D major No.3 Op.128 (1865) [25.45] Ariadne Daskalakis (violin) Roglit Ishay (piano) rec. Studio 2, Bavarian Radio, Munich, Germany, 27-28, 30 January 2003. DDD TUDOR 7122 [71.37] [CF]

Raff’s music has been accused on occasion of succumbing to either triviality or vulgarity, at times even both. No sign of any such failings on this enjoyable disc, which impresses to the last chord. ... see Full Review

Sunleif RASMUSSEN (b. 1961) Symphony No. 1 Oceanic Days (1995-1997) [41.25] Saxophone Concerto Dem Lich entgegen (2001) [20.32] (1) Jeanette Balland (saxophone) (1) Danish National Symphony Orchestra DR/Hannu Linto rec. 5-8 May 2003, Danish Radio Concert Hall DA CAPO 6.220506 [61.57] [RH]

A sumptuous aural experience. ... definitely a disc to explore ... see Full Review

Karol RATHAUS (1895-1954) Symphony No. 2 Op. 7 (1923) [33:59] Symphony No. 3 Op. 50 (1942-43) [42:56] Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt/Israel Yinon rec. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach-Konzerthalle, Frankfurt (Oder), 24-27 June, 8-9 July 2002. DDD CPO 777 031-2 [77:28][RB]

Moderately attractive music in a tough idiom requiring some persistence. ... see Full Review

Sergio RENDINE (b. 1954) Passio et Resurrectio (2000) [58:11] Sung in Italian and Latin Nando Citarella (voice in Orologio della Passione) Damiana Pinti (mezzo soprano) Emanuela Loffredo and Elio Tacconelli (folk voices) Lucilla Galeazzi (soprano) Pierpaolo Pecoriello (saxophone) Gabriele Di Iorio (flute) Maurizio Trippitelli (percussion) Chorus and orchestra of the Marrucino Theatre, Chieti/Marzio Conti Rec. Cathedral of San Giustino, Chieti, Italy, April 2003, DDD NAXOS 21st CENTURY CLASSICS 8.557733 [58:11] [TP]

Certainly infectious and sounds like it is fun to perform though it is debatable that it deserves to be called a "21st Century Classic". ... see Full Review

Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Variazioni sinfoniche (1900) [12:20]* Preludio, corale e fuga (1901) [17:44] Burlesca (1906) [7:23] Ouverture carnevalesca (1913) [8:41] Suite in E major (1903) [32:52] Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Ferdinand Klinda (organ) * rec. Concert Hall, Slovak Radio, Bratislava. 31 Jan - 7 Feb 1991. DDD originally released as Marco Polo 8.223348 NAXOS 8.557820 [79:00] [RB]

A stimulating confection for the Respighian rather than for the generalist. ... see Full Review

Knudåge RIISAGER (1897 – 1974) Qarrtsiluni Op.36 (1938) [8:27] Månerenen Op.57 (1956) [47:21] Aarhus Symphony Orchestra; Bo Holten Recorded: Frichsparken, Aarhus, March 2004 DACAPO 8.226022 [55:49] [HC]

A pure joy from first to last ... see Full Review

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Sadko - opera-bylina in seven tableaux (1898) Sadko - Georgy Nelepp (ten) Volkhova - Elisabeta Shumskaya (sop) Lyubava - Valentina Davidova (mezzo) Nezhata - E Antonova (alto) The Sea King - S Krasovsky (bass) Duda - S Koltypin (bass) Sopel - A Peregudov (ten) First City Elder - T Chernyakov (ten) Second City Elder - S Nikolau (bass) Viking Merchant - Mark Reizen (bass) Venetian Merchant - Ivan Kozlovsky (ten) Apparition - Pavel Lisitsian Minstrels, Jesters, Soothsayers, Wandering Pilgrims Bolshoi Theatre Chorus and Orchestra/Nikolai Golovanov rec. 1950, USSR, from Melodiya D-01480-87. AAD. mono PREISER 90655 [52:17 + 54:36 + 59:51][RB]

Music-making of real allure ... a fine example in historic sound of one of Rimsky's supernatural operas ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) La Cenerentola (1817) Joyce DiDonato (mezzo) – Angelina, known as Cenerentola; José Manuel Zapata (tenor) – Don Ramiro; Paolo Bordogna (baritone) – Dandini; Bruno Praticò (bass-baritone) – Don Magnifico; Patrizia Cigna (soprano) – Clorinda; Martina Borst (mezzo) – Tisbe; Luca Pisaroni (bass-baritone) – Alidoro Prague Chamber Choir SWR Radio Orchestra Kaiserslauten/Alberto Zedda rec. live, 13 Nov 2004, co-production: Rossini in Wildbad Festival/SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslauten NAXOS 8.660191-92 [79:53 + 74:50] [GF]

Rossini himself, somewhere up there in his gourmet heaven, salutes this recording with a glass of spumante. ... see Full Review

Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Improvisation for violin and orchestra op. 89 (1956) [12:25] Improvisations on Virginal Pieces by Giles Farnaby op. 50 (Farnaby's Conceit; His Dreame; His Humour; Loth to Depart; Tell me, Daphne) (1939) [13:11] Violin Concerto op. 103 (1960) [30:19] Krysia Osostowicz (violin) Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa
rec. 25-26 May 2004, Ulster Hall, Belfast. DDD NAXOS 8.557591 [57:04] [RB]

A logical, fine and inexpensive Rubbra coupling that will strongly reward the serious listener. ... 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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