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Friday September 30th


DAILY CD REVIEWS





Hoffnung Music Festivals 1956,58,61
2CDs:£17 postage included World-Wide [mono/stereo]
This is a must for all Hoffnung enthusiasts.
Purchase here    see review

Hoffnung - A Last Encore
On 2 CDs lasting 1 hour 45min, this contains all the recordings of Hoffnung preserved in the BBC archives. They include the famous and hilariously funny Bricklayer story. [mono]
£14 postage included world-wide Purchase
See a new Hoffnung Cartoon every day


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In the Beginning Choral Masterpieces of the 1940s BRITTEN Rejoice in the Lamb PIZZETTI Tre composizioni corale FINZI Lo, the full, final sacrifice COPLAND In the beginning Gloucester Cathedral Choir AV 2072 £12.49 post free review
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Taneyev Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello in D major Dohnanyi Serenade for string trio Op. 10 Czech String Trio UP0076-2 131
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UP0082-2 231



LATEST CD REVIEWS (last two days)
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BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Kurt ATTERBERG (1887-1974) The Nine Symphonies CD1 Symphony No. 1 in B minor op. 3 (1912) [40:47] Symphony No. 4 in G minor Sinfonia piccola op. 14 (1918) [21:03] CD2 Symphony No. 2 in F major op. 6 (1913) [41:00] Symphony No. 5 in D minor Sinfonia funebre op. 20 (1922) [34:23] CD3 Symphony No. 3 op. 10 in D minor Västkustbilder - West Coast Pictures (1914-16) [37:05] Symphony No. 6 op. 31 in C major (1928) [31:06] CD4 Symphony No. 7 Sinfonia Romantica, op. 45 (1941/2) [28:56] Symphony No. 8, in E minor op. 48 (1944/45) [31:31] CD5 Symphony No. 9 Sinfonia Visionaria op. 54 (1956) [40:45] ÄlvenThe River - Symphonic Poem op. 33 (1929) [19:50] Satu Vihavainen (mezzo) (9) Gabriel Suovanen (baritone) (9) NDR Chor; Prager Kammerchor (9) Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt/Ari Rasilainen (1, 4, 2, 5) NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Stuttgart/Ari Rasilainen (3, 6, 7, 8) NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Hannover/Ari Rasilainen (9) Rec. 1998-2003, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Germany. DDD Coproduction: CPO, Hessischer Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Südwestrundfunk CPO 777 118-2 [5 CDs: 61:55 + 75:34 + 68:18 + 62:43 + 60:35] [RB]

Sympathetically recorded, magnificently conducted ... To Atterberg enthusiasts current and future this box represents riches unimaginable. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1876) [50.25] Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1877) [42.55] A Portrait of Semyon Bychkov [57.19] WDR Sinfonie-Orchester Köln/Semyon Bychkov rec. August 2002 (No. 1), April 2004 (No. 2), Kölner Philharmonie. DDD ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 243 [92:01] [TB]

The sound is rich and warm and individual brilliance is not lacking ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1876) [44.07] Symphony No. 1, initial version of second movement (before 1876) [8.35] Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (1880) [9.40] Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. January 1997, Usher Hall, Edinburgh TELARC CD-80463 [63.51] [TB]

The violin sound lacks warmth and body. A pity, since Mackerras brings plenty of attack and drama with sensitive attention to details of dynamic and some really distinguished playing. ... see Full Review

Saburo MOROI (1903-1977) Sinfonietta in B flat op.24 ‘For Children’ (1943) [15:46] (1.Allegro grazioso [5:25]; 2. Andantino quasi Allegretto [3:16]; 3.Lento affabile [7:05]) Two Symphonic Movements, op.22 (1942) [19:09] (Andante grandioso [12:05]; Allegro con spirito [7:04]) Symphony no.3, op.25 (1944) [33:20] (A Tranquil Overture: Andante molto tranquillo e grandioso – Birth of Spirit and its Growth: Allegro vivace [15:09]; About Humour and Wit: Allegretto scherzando [4:31]; Aspects of Death: Adagio tranquillo [13:40]) National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland/Takuo Yuasa rec. National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland, 9–11 Sept 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557162 [68:15] [GPJ]

I started listening to this CD feeling slightly sceptical, but have been thoroughly won over ... see Full Review

Steve REICH (b.1936) Triple Quartet (1999) [14’45] Duet (1994) [5’14] Different Trains (1988) [27’14] The Smith Quartet Recorded at TCM Studios, London, Jan.-Feb. 2005 (Different Trains) and Konk Studios, London, June 4-7 2005 (rest) SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD064 [46’59] [TH]

The near-ideal representation of Reich’s considerable contribution to the string quartet genre. If you’re into Reich, don’t hesitate. ... see Full Review

Ruth CRAWFORD SEEGER (1901-1953) Suite for five wind instruments and piano (1927 revised 1929) [9.45] Sonata for violin and piano (1925-26) [14.21] Two Ricercari (Poems of H T Tsiang) (1932) [8.16] Prelude No.1 – Andante (1924) [1.14] Prelude No.9 – Tranquillo (1928) [2.54] Study in Mixed Accents (1930) [1.31] Diaphonic Suite No.1 for flute (1930) [5.06] Diaphonic Suite No.2 for bassoon and cello (1930) [4.17] Three Songs (Poems of Carl Sandburg) (1930, 1932) [9.05] Continuum Cheryl Seltzer and Joel Sachs, directors
Recorded American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, NYC, 1991 and 1992 NAXOS 8.559197 [56.30] [JW]

This woman packs a modernist punch and you’ve been duly warned. ... see Full Review

Gaspare SPONTINI (1774-1850) La Vestale (1807) Maria Callas (soprano) – Giulia Franco Corelli (tenor) – Licinio Enzo Sordello (baritone) – Cinna Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (bass) – Il Sommo Sacerdote Ebe Stignani (mezzo) - La Gran Vestale Vittorio Tatozzi (bass) - Un Console Nicola Zaccaria (bass) – Aruspice Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala ilan/Antonino Votto Recorded live in La Scala, December 1954 ANDROMEDA ANDRCD 5016 [59.54 + 70.39] [JW]

This live 1954 La Scala performance has long been admired by Callas’s delirious worshippers. And quite rightly too .... but sound is pretty awful ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) The Sleeping Beauty complete ballet (1890) Nina Semizorova – Princess Aurora Aleksei Fadeyechev – Prince Desire Nina Speranskaya – Lilac Fairy Yuri Vetrov - Carabosse Aleksandr Vetrov - Bluebird Maria Bilova – Princess Florine Andrei Sitnikov – King Florenstin Irina Nesterova – Queen The Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre/Aleksandr Kopilov. Recorded live at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow in 1989 DVD (PCM Stereo). ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 113 [145:00] [JPh]

As far as ballet DVDs are concerned, I have not enjoyed one so much for so long. If traditional productions are for you, then try this one – you will not be disappointed. ... see Full Revie

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Six Violin Concertos for Anna Maria Concerto in B minor, RV 387 [9:54] Concerto in A major, RV 343 ‘Con violini d’accordatura diversa’ [9:52] Concerto in D major, RV 229 [10:08] Concerto in A major, RV 349 [10:44] Concerto in D minor, RV 248 [11:34] Concerto in B flat major, RV 366 [9:24] L'Arte dell'Arco/Federico Guglielmo (baroque violin) Recorded: Chiesa di S. Maria, Sovizzo, Vicenza, Italy, November 26-28, 2002 DDD CPO 777 078-2 [62:01] [MC]

Lovers of the late-baroque music of Vivaldi might want to explore this CPO release but overall the result is disappointing. ... see Full Review

A Tribute to Nadia Boulanger Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Madrigals Hor che’l Ciel e la Terra (1638) [5.56] Lasciatemi morire (1614) [2.55] Zefiro torna (1634) [8.04] Ardo (1638) [4.18] Ohime, dov’e il mio ben? (1619) [1.43] Chiomo d’oro (1619) [2.32] Iol ballo dell’ingrate (1618) [9.06] Amoir (lamente della ninfa) [4.13] Ecco mormorar l’onde (1590) [3.15] Petit Concert Consilium [1.01] ANONYMOUS A pri ai qu’en chantant plour [1.29] Le lay des amants [1.12] S’on me regarde [0.58] Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Madrigal Op.35 (1883) [3.44] Guillaume COSTELEY Las je n’irais plus jouer au bois [2.21] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Dieu qu’il la fait bon regarder (1898) [2.09] Lili BOULANGER (1893-1918) Pie Jesu (1918) [4.28] Leo PREGER Cantique de St Jean de la Croix [3.04] François COUPERIN Epitaphe du paresseux [1.38] Musette [1.12] Marcelle de MANZIARLY L’Ouseau blessé [2.02] Claudin de SERMISY Amours partez [0.50] Jean-Baptiste LULLY Trio d’Amadis [0.48] Nicolas de la GROTTE Quand ce beau Printemps (1572) [1.02] Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Trios épigrammes (1938) [5.35] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Liebesliederswalzer Op.52 [21.46] Der Gang zum Liebchen Op.31/3 [2.54] Die Schwestern Op 60/1 [1.20] Klänge Op.66/2 [2.02] Die Meere Op.22/3 [2.17] Valses Op.39 – Nos 6, 15. 2, 1/14,10, 5, 6 in that order [8.24] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Mondenschein D875 [6,13] Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Concerto for piano and orchestra (1936) [16.28] Lili BOULANGER (1893-1918) Introduction et Cortège (1914) [3.02] Nocturne (1911) [3.26] Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble (Monteverdi) recorded 1937 Vocal Quartet (Petit Concert) recorded 1949 Vocal Quartet, Nadia Boulanger and Dinu Lipatti (pianos) (Liebesliederswalzer Op.52) recorded 1937-38 Nadia Boulanger and Dinu Lipatti (pianos) (Brahms Valses) recorded 1937 Quartet/vocal ensemble (Brahms vocal) recorded 1938 Jean Françaix (piano) Paris Philharmonic Orchestra/Nadia Boulanger, recorded 1930 Yvonne Astruc (violin) Nadia Boulanger (piano) (Lili Boulanger) recorded 1930 Nadia Boulanger (director and pianist) as noted above CASCAVELLE VEL 3081 [75.39 + 67.56] [JW]

The warmth, energy, commitment and zeal are still audible to this day. ... see Full Review

Thursday

Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Herrn Professor Gellerts Geistliche Oden und Lieder CD 1 Trost der Erlösung [00:55] Am Neuen Jahr [01:52] Bußlied [03:42] Morgengesang [01:15] Der Weg des Frommen [02:33] Trost eines schwermütigen Christen [05:04] Der Schutz der Kirche [02:46] Das Glück eines guten Gewissens [02:09] Vom Worte Gottes [02:14] Die Liebe des Nächsten [03:18] Die Liebe der Feinde [02:26] Geduld [01:53] Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur [02:48] Abendlied [01:05] Prüfung am Abend [06:14] CD 2 Weihnachtslied [02:27] Passionslied [07:55] Osterlied [02:25] Lied am Geburtstage [02:59] Preis des Schöpfers [02:37] Bitten [03:04] Der 100. Psalm [01:36] Das Gebet [05:07] Morgengesang [01:48] Wider den Übermut [03:00] In Krankheit [04:13] Der 88. Psalm [03:02] Vom Tode [03:47] Abendlied [03:17] Das natürliche Verderben des Menschen [03:21] Dorothee Mields, soprano; Ludger Rémy, fortepiano rec. Feb, April 2003, Studio of Radio Bremen, Germany. DDD CPO 777 061-2 [40:21 + 50:47] [JV]

A selection from the collection of sacred songs on texts of the German poet Gellert, interpreted with great sensitivity by Mields and Rémy ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (1830) [40.44] Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 (1829-30) [31.07] Christian Zacharias (piano/conductor) Lausanne Chamber Orchestra rec. Metropol Lausanne, 21-22 March 2003 (Op. 21), 10-11 October 2004 (Op. 11) MD+G Gold MDG 340 1267-2 [72.05] [SV]

May well make you revise your estimate of these concerti upwards. Do make sure you have a higher-powered version as well ... see Full Review

Alexander Constantinovich GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Complete Songs and Romances 1888–1890Victoria Evtodieva, soprano Lyudmila Shkirtil, mezzo Mikhail Lukonin, baritone Yuri Serov, piano [RB]

If you have any thought for the Russian romance be sure to get this disc. Glazunov aims for the very best and proves that it is within his grasp. ... see Full Review

Antonio JOSE (Antonio José Martinez Palacios) (1902-1936) Sinfonia castellana (Castilian Symphony) (1924) [28:33] El mozo de mulas (The Muleteer) (Suite) (1936) [8:44] Evocaciones (Cuadros de danza campesinos) (1926, 1928) [6:48] Marcha para soldados de plomo (March of the Lead Soldiers) (orch. Alejandro Yagüe) (1931) [3:13] Suite ingenua for piano and strings (1931) [10:13] Alberto Rosado (piano) Castile and León Symphony Orchestra/Alejandro Posada rec. Teatro Lope de Vega, Valladolid, Spain 16-19 July 2003 NAXOS 8.557634 [57:30] [RB]

Up for engaging nationalist-impressionist music with sympathies paralleling those of Frederico de Freitas, Canteloube, de Falla and Ravel then look no further. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos: No. 9 in E flat, K271a (1777). No. 12 in A, K414b (1783). No. 26 in D, K537, 'Coronation'c (1790). aMitsuko Uchida, cHomero Francesch (pianos); aMozarteum Orchestra Salzburg/Jeffrey Tate; bRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano/director); cDeutsche Kammerphilharmonie/Gerd Albrecht. Rec. aSalzburg Festival, 1989; bHampton Court Palace, 1990; cWiesbaden, 1990. NTSC. 4:3. PCM Stereo. Dolby digital 5.1. DTS 5.1. Region Code: 0 (Worldwide). Great Piano Concertos, Volume 1 EUROARTS 2010218 [95'00] [CC]

This product exudes the air of ongoing interpretative decrescendo. ... see Full Review

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Film Music Volume One The Commissar - suite (1967) [47:31] Story of an Unknown Actor - suite (1976) [18:38] Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Frank Strobel rec. Deutschlandradios Berlin, 5-7 Dec 2002, 26-28 May 2003. DDD CAPRICCIO hybrid CD/SACD–CC71041 [66:09.] [MM]

My first exposure to Schnittke’s work ... an incredibly poignant romantic voice and a flair for experimental manipulation of orchestral acoustics. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1894) Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64 (1888) [48.51] St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Temirkanov Recorded Philharmonic Hall, St Petersburg, Russia, 11 April 1992. Capriccio Italien in A, Op. 45 (1880) [14.34] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Temirkanov Recorded EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road, London, UK, 11 March 1990. Notes in English, Deutsch, Français. RCA BMG 82876 65831-2 [63.44] [PSh]

An exceptional version of this often played symphony, IF you like the Stokowski approach, and IF you are in the right mood. Whatever mood you’re in, this is the best Italien you can get. ... see Full Review

Josef Herrmann (1903-1955) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio (1814) - Ha, welch ein Augenblicka [3'00]. Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Euryanthe (1823) – Kein Schlaf gibt Ruhe meinem wildenb [8'39]. Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger von Nürnbergc (1868) - Was duftet doch der Flieder [6'10]; Wahn! Wahn! Überall Wahn! [7'00]; Verachtet mir die Meister nicht [6'49]. Die Walküred (1850) - Leb' wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind [11'59]. Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Der Corregidor (1896) - Nicht geschlossen?d [9'37]. Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Die Frau ohne Schatten (1919) - Sie haben es mir gesagte [7'32]. Salome (1905) - Wo ist er, dessen Sündenbecher jetzt voll ist?f [4'10]. Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Otello (1887) - Ich glaube an einen Gotte [5'29]. Josef Herrmann (baritone); fChristel Goltz (soprano); fRudolf Dittrich (tenor) Staatskapelle Dresden aChorus and abOrchestra/afJoseph Keilberth, bdKarl Elmendorff, eKurt Streigler; cBavarian Radio Chorus; cMunich Philharmonic Orchestra/Ferdinand Leitner. Rec. afMitteldeutcher Rundfunk, ac1945, f1948, bdeReichsender Dresden, be1943, d1944; c1954. mono ADD; from cDGG 19047 PREISER 93445 [76'56] [CC]

Issued in 1995 in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Herrmann's death, this acts as a timely reminder of the stature of a wonderful, and occasionally great, artist. ... see Full Review

Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn. Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage - Volume 2 Sholom SECUNDA (1894-1974) Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn [2.49] Dos yidische lid [9.53] Mayn yidishe meydle [2.51] Skrip klezmerl, skripe [4.03] Alexander OLSHANETSKY (1892-1946) Ikh hob dikh tsufil lib [5.12] Eyn kuk af dir [3.51] Glik [2.35] A gute heym [3.41] Nu, zog mir shoyn ven [4.11] Unter beymer [3.09] Ikh bin farlibt [4.13] Louis GILROD (1879-1930) A malke af peysekh [2.50] Arnold PERLMUTTER (1859-1953) and Herman WOHL (1877-1936) Lebn zol kolumbus [1.56] Ilia TRILLING (1895-1947) Mit dir in eynem [3.25] Herman WOHL (1877-1936) Slutsk [3.36] Samet un zayd [6.37] UNKNOWN Hundl mitn shtrudl [2.55] Simon Spiro (tenor) Amy Goldstein (soprano) Bruce Adler (tenor) Robert Abelson (baritone) Joanne Borts (mezzo) Robert Bloch (tenor) Benzion Miller (tenor) David Krakauer (clarinet) Vienna Chamber Orchestra/Elli Jaffe Barcelona Symphony/National Orchestra of Catalonia Recorded 2000-01 NAXOS MILKEN ARCHIVE 8.559432 [68.45]

Whether exuberant and yearning, uplifting or mournful these songs captivated their listeners – and reach out beyond the confines of Jewish theatre. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kingám - New Swedish Flute Music. 1. Stellan SAGVIK (b. 1952) Kingám (flute and percussion) [9:06]; 2. Tommie HAGLUND (b. 1959) Fragile (flute and percussion) [3:06]; 3. Stellan SAGVIK Vampire State Building (flute and piano) [8:17]; 4. Martin LARSON (b. 1967) Boughs (flute and marimba) [11:13]; 5. Stellan SAGVIK Flute Concerto #1 (flute and strings) [14:20]; 6. B Tommy ANDERSSON (b. 1964) Impromptu (flute and vibes) [4:27]; 7 – 17 Stellan SAGVIK Solar Plexus (flute solo) [24:16]; 18. Nocturne (flute and vibes) [4:51] Kinga Práda (flute), Markus Leoson (percussion) (1, 2, 4, 6, 18), Ilona Jánky Práda (piano) (3), Filarmonica de Cluj Strings/Stellan Sagvik Recorded June 9th 1997 in Filarmonica Concert Hall, Cluj-Napocan, Transylvania (5), July 20th 1999 in Bygdeå Church, Sweden (7 – 17), November 25th 2002 in Gäddviken, Stockholm, Sweden (1, 2, 4, 6, 18), March 9th 2003 in Studio 2, Swedish Radio, Stockholm (3) NOSAG CD 029 [79:38] [GF]

The musical sceneries are full of surprises, beauty, rhythms, changes, meditation – always alive, always thrilling, like life itself! Recommended to anyone except the tone-deaf. ... see Full Review

 

 

 

 

Recordings of the Month Bargains of the Month

 
Specialist Music Books for sale- expensive but I have made them as cheap as I can and offer free postage

BOOK REVIEWS

Eric Charles Blake The book is well written and has good illustrations; it is strongly recommended. Wars, Dictators and the Gramophone 1898-1945 pp320; illustrated; laminated cover.published by Sessions of York, Huntingdon Rd, York YO31 9HS, England Buy from MusicWeb £10 plus postage - immediate delivery review

Christopher Fifield - Ibbs and Tillett: The Rise and Fall of a Musical Empire. Just published by Ashgate. 692 pages, 78 b/w illustrations. Hardback for only £29.95 post-free in the UK [review Rob Barnett] [review Jon Woolf]

LONDON – a Musical Gazetteer By Lewis and Susan Foreman Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2005 ISBN 0-300-10402-2 (chalk.paper) 384 pp 107 b/w illus large format paperback ISBN 0 300 10402 2 £15:99.

.....must find itself a place on music-lovers’ shelves beside the British Music Yearbook and is excellent value for the quite modest price. see Full Review

 

CD WALLETS Get rid of those bulky plastic cases and store CDs and booklets in thin plastic wallets. Clear 80 micron PVC, 130 mm x 130mm with tuck-in flap £5 per 100 wallets plus P&P

MusicWeb is now selling this label £14.99 post-free World wide

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Piano Trio No 1, Op. 8 Piano Trio No 2, Op. 67 Seven Songs (Alexander Blok), Op. 127 ArteMiss Piano Trio
Alžbĕta Poláčková
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RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Works for Solo Piano – Vol. 2 Piano Sonatas: No.1 in F minor, Op.2 No.1 (1793-95) [16’10]; No.2 in A major, Op.2 No.2 (1793-95) [22’33]; No.3 in C major, Op.2 No.3 (1793-95) [26’44]; No.19 in G minor, Op.49 No.1 (1797) [6’55]; No.20 in G major, Op.49 No.2 (1795) [7’47] Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano by Paul McNulty, 2001 after Walther & Son c.1840) Recorded in Österĺker Church, Sweden, August 2004 BIS SACD 1363 [81’04][TH]

My breath was taken away by the mixture of superb instrument, vital, energetic playing and crystal clear recording ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) La Lettre à Elise WoO 59 [3:10] Variations on "God Save the King" WoO 79 [8:17] Andante Favori in F WoO 57 [9:25] Sonata No. 14 in c-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight) [16:09] Bagatelle in E flat, Op. 33, No. 1 [3:59] Bagatelle in g minor, Op. 119, No. 1 [2:33] Bagatelle in D, Op. 119, No. 3 [1:39] Bagatelle in B-flat, Op. 119, No. 11 [1:55] Bagatelle in G, Op. 126, No. 5 [2:38] Rage Over a Lost Penny, Op. 129 [6:14] Variations in F, Op. 34 [12:41] Anne Queffélec, piano Recorded at the Cité des Congrès in October 2004. MIRARE MIR 9972 [69:00] [KS]

One of the most charming piano recitals that I have come across in years ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Complete Church Cantatas, Vol. 28 Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 62 [17:47] Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott, BWV 139 [17:42] Ach wie flüchtig, ach vie nichtig, BWV 26 [14:48] Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 116 [17:15] Yukari Nonoshita, (soprano) Robin Blaze, (counter-tenor) Nakoto Sakurada, (tenor) Peter Kooij, (bass) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 16-19 March 2004, Kobe Shoin Women’s University Chapel, Japan BIS SACD 1451 [68:44][KS]

I was particularly impressed with the impeccable diction, the utterly unaccented German, and the lovely expression of each soloist. A complete winner. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF MONTH Michael JARRELL (b. 1958) Music for a While (1995)a [17:20] Formes-Fragments II b (1999)b [12:35] ...car le pensé et l’ętre (2002)c [12:04] Essaims-Cribles (1986/8)d [18:06] Ernesto Molinari (bass clarinet)d Neue Vocalisten Stuttgartbc; Klangforum Wienabd; Emilio Pomárico rec. (live) Espace de projection, IRCAM, Paris, June 2004 AEON AECD 0531 [60:32][HC]

These performances, recorded live are excellent and committed. They serve Jarrell’s complex, but strongly expressive music well. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH André JOLIVET (1905-1974) Violin Sonata (1932)a [19:32] Incantation (1937) [3:48] Suite rhapsodique (1965) [17:42] Violin Concerto (1972)b [37:59] Devy Erlih (violin); Manabu Sekiya (piano)a; Orchestre National, Marius Constantb rec. (live) Japan, 1991 (Violin Sonata); Château du Seuil, Aix-en-Provence, June 1977 (Incantation, Suite rhapsodique) and (live) Théâtre de la Ville, Paris, April 1975 (Violin Concerto) LYRINX LYR 242 [79:09][HC]

A very important release and a must for all Jolivet fans. I hope that it will draw violinists’ attention to the Violin Concerto - a long-neglected masterpiece. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Emmerich KÁLMÁN (1882-1953)
Lieder: Őszel születtem [02:22]; A hol te jársz [02:17]; Őrök mámor [01:29]; Egyedül [03:11]; Bujdokolva járok [02:51]; Virágének [01:54]; Hajdu tánc [00:45]; Nincsen apám [02:39]; Öszi estén [03:39]; Tüzet rak a német tábor [02:23]; Sárvári nóta [02:52]; Székely Anna [01:53]; Piano pieces: Reverie [03:03]; Intermezzo [03:19]; Scherzo [05:11]; Intermezzo [03:09]; Lieder: Emlékezés [04:56]; Kurucok tábori dala [02:11]; Sólyom dal [02:01]; Tréfas bordal [02:10]; Nem tudom én [04:06]; Nagy Lajos karabeli banderista… [04:44]; Kinyillott az idö [03:01]; Fülemüle nota [02:06] Anna Korondi (soprano); István Kovács (baritone); Peter Stamm (piano) rec. Kleiner Sendesaal, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, 18-23 March 2004 CPO 777 059-2 [68:26] [CH]

The songs are a real find. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1971) Complete piano works for four hands CD 1: Sonata in D major, K. 448 [23.44] Fugue in G minor, K.401 [3.26] Variations in G major, K.501: Andante [7.57] Sonata in F major, K.497 [34.41] CD 2: Adagio and Fugue in C minor, K. 426 [6.56] Sonata in B-flat major, K. 358 [16.47] Sonata in C major, K. 19d [11.30] Fantasia in F minor for musical clockwork, K. 608 (arr. Busoni) [8.51] CD 3: Fantasia in F minor, K.594 [8.31] Sonata in C major, K. 521 [23.19] Sonata in D major, K. 381 [17.41] Sonata in C major, K. 545 (arr. Grieg) [12.12] Misha and Cipa Dichter (piano) Recording dates and locations unspecified. DDD. MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY 5379317 [3CDs: 69.48 + 44.04 + 61.49] [ED]

This goes on my ‘Discs of the Year’ list without hesitation. Seminal listening in every respect. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Le Carnival des animaux (1886) [21:00] Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Concerto for 2 pianos in D minor (1932) [17:31] Manuel INFANTE (1883-1958) Danses Andalouses (1921) [14:18] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Rapsodie espagnole (1907) [14:15] La Valse (1920) [11:06] Güher and Süher Pekinel (pianos), Gérard Soufflard (double bass), Robert Fontaine (clarinet), Geneviève Amar (flute), Éric Levionnais (violoncello) Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Marek Janowski rec. Teldec Studio, Berlin, November 1989 (Infante, Ravel); Studio 104, Radio France, Paris, November 1990 (Saint-Saëns, Poulenc) WARNER APEX 2564 62125-2 [78:10] [GPJ]

This is a fine CD; the recording for the two pianos alone is just a little boxy, though not enough to be a serious problem. That of the works with orchestra is first-class. ... see Full Review

 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony No. 1 in E minor (1899) [34:17] Leopold Stokowski conducts his Symphony Orchestra Symphony No. 2 in D major (1902) [42:02] NBC Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski Rec. New York, 11, 13 July 1950 (Symphony 1); 15-16, 23 Sept 1954 (Symphony 2). ADD mono CALA RECORDS CACD 0541 [76:25][RB]

In the First bitingly passionate idiosyncratically glorious - a stranger to routine. Stokowski’s Second is monumental - a more temperate beast - fascinating stuff. A must-have for Sibelians and Stokowskians ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kingám - New Swedish Flute Music. 1. Stellan SAGVIK (b. 1952) Kingám (flute and percussion) [9:06]; 2. Tommie HAGLUND (b. 1959) Fragile (flute and percussion) [3:06]; 3. Stellan SAGVIK Vampire State Building (flute and piano) [8:17]; 4. Martin LARSON (b. 1967) Boughs (flute and marimba) [11:13]; 5. Stellan SAGVIK Flute Concerto #1 (flute and strings) [14:20]; 6. B Tommy ANDERSSON (b. 1964) Impromptu (flute and vibes) [4:27]; 7 – 17 Stellan SAGVIK Solar Plexus (flute solo) [24:16]; 18. Nocturne (flute and vibes) [4:51] Kinga Práda (flute), Markus Leoson (percussion) (1, 2, 4, 6, 18), Ilona Jánky Práda (piano) (3), Filarmonica de Cluj Strings/Stellan Sagvik Recorded June 9th 1997 in Filarmonica Concert Hall, Cluj-Napocan, Transylvania (5), July 20th 1999 in Bygdeå Church, Sweden (7 – 17), November 25th 2002 in Gäddviken, Stockholm, Sweden (1, 2, 4, 6, 18), March 9th 2003 in Studio 2, Swedish Radio, Stockholm (3) NOSAG CD 029 [79:38] [GF]

The musical sceneries are full of surprises, beauty, rhythms, changes, meditation – always alive, always thrilling, like life itself! Recommended to anyone except the tone-deaf. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF MONTH Sacred Music from Notre-Dame Cathedral LÉONIN (c.1163-1190) Viderunt Omnes PEROTIN (c. 1180-1225) Beata Viscera; Sederunt Omnes; ANON: Plainchant: Viderunt Omnes; Motet on Dominus; Vetus abit littera SCOLICA ENCHIRIADIS: Non Nobis omine Joanna Forbes (soprano) Rebecca Hickey (soprano) Kathryn Oswald (contralto) Alexander L'Estrange (counter-tenor) Richard Eteson (tenor) Alexander Hickey (tenor) Timothy Watson (tenor) Francis Brett (bass) Tonus Peregrinus/Antony Pitts rec. Chancelade Abbey, Dordogne, France<, 5-9 Jan 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557340 [70.04][GH]

A wonderful seventy minutes of the earliest polyphonic music. Praise cannot be high enough. Go out and buy instantly. ... see Full Review

 

 

 




BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

 

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Kurt ATTERBERG (1887-1974) The Nine Symphonies CD1 Symphony No. 1 in B minor op. 3 (1912) [40:47] Symphony No. 4 in G minor Sinfonia piccola op. 14 (1918) [21:03] CD2 Symphony No. 2 in F major op. 6 (1913) [41:00] Symphony No. 5 in D minor Sinfonia funebre op. 20 (1922) [34:23] CD3 Symphony No. 3 op. 10 in D minor Västkustbilder - West Coast Pictures (1914-16) [37:05] Symphony No. 6 op. 31 in C major (1928) [31:06] CD4 Symphony No. 7 Sinfonia Romantica, op. 45 (1941/2) [28:56] Symphony No. 8, in E minor op. 48 (1944/45) [31:31] CD5 Symphony No. 9 Sinfonia Visionaria op. 54 (1956) [40:45] ÄlvenThe River - Symphonic Poem op. 33 (1929) [19:50] Satu Vihavainen (mezzo) (9) Gabriel Suovanen (baritone) (9) NDR Chor; Prager Kammerchor (9) Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt/Ari Rasilainen (1, 4, 2, 5) NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Stuttgart/Ari Rasilainen (3, 6, 7, 8) NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Hannover/Ari Rasilainen (9) Rec. 1998-2003, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Germany. DDD Coproduction: CPO, Hessischer Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Südwestrundfunk CPO 777 118-2 [5 CDs: 61:55 + 75:34 + 68:18 + 62:43 + 60:35] [RB]

Sympathetically recorded, magnificently conducted ... To Atterberg enthusiasts current and future this box represents riches unimaginable. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1894) Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64 (1888) [48.51] St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Temirkanov Recorded Philharmonic Hall, St Petersburg, Russia, 11 April 1992. Capriccio Italien in A, Op. 45 (1880) [14.34] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Temirkanov Recorded EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road, London, UK, 11 March 1990. Notes in English, Deutsch, Français. RCA BMG 82876 65831-2 [63.44] [PSh]

An exceptional version of this often played symphony, IF you like the Stokowski approach, and IF you are in the right mood. Whatever mood you’re in, this is the best Italien you can get. ... 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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