Alessandro
SCARLATTI (1660-1725)
Stabat
mater for soprano, alto, strings and bc* [41:01] Concerto XXI
for recorder, 2 violins and bc** [09:59] 
Emma Kirkby, soprano; Daniel Taylor, alto; Francis Colpron, recorder
Theatre of Early Music Recorded in August 2003 at the Church St-Jude-on-the-Hill,
London, UK (*), May 2003 at the Eglise Saint-Augustin de Mirabel, Canada
(**). DDD ATMA ACD2
2237 [51:03] [JV]
Scarlatti's
setting of the Stabat mater deserves its place
alongside Pergolesi's, but should be better
performed than on this disc ... see Full
Review
Domenico
SCARLATTI
(1685-1757) The Complete
Keyboard Sonatas (Kk Nos 1-555)
Scott Ross (harpsichord) Recorded at various
locations in France, 1984-1985 DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62092-2 [34 CDs -
approx. 34 hours, 36 minutes] [PCW] Review
updated 19 November 2005
This
set is a pinnacle in the history of recorded music … see Full
Review
Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874
– 1951) Verklärte
Nacht Op.4 (1899) [28:39] Sonnet 217 by Petrarch
(1922/3) [3:57] Anton
WEBERN (1883 – 1945) Two Pieces
(1899)a [4:19] Cello-Sonate (1914)a
[1:32] Three Little Pieces Op.11 (1914)a
[2:34] Sonata Movement (1906)b
[4:46] Movement (1906)b [6:56]
Variations for Piano Op.27 (1936)b
[6:56] Piano Piece (1925, op.posth.)b
[1:12] Children’s Piece (1924)b
[1:18] Four Pieces Op.7 (1910)c
[5:09]
Ulf Wallin (violin)c; Torleif
Thedéen (cello)a; Roland
Pöntinen (piano)c rec. Nybrokajen
11, Stockholm, March 2001 (Verklärte
Nacht, Sonata Movement, Movement),
December 2001 (Piano Variations) and
August 2004
BIS CD-1467 [69:22] [HC]
This
is a very interesting release, for besides
a valuable Schoenberg rarity, it offers an
enlightening glimpse into some of Webern’s
early music as well as a very telling confrontation
with his maturity ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Symphony
No. 2 in B flat D.125 (1815) [34:02] Symphony
No. 4 in C minor Tragic D.417 (1816)
[33:50]
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott
Rec. Joseph-Keilberth-Saal, Bamberg, March,
December 2003. SACD Hybrid
TUDOR 7142 [68:04]
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Symphony No. 5 in B flat D.485
(1816) [31:20] Symphony No. 6 in C D.589 (1818)
[33:35]
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott
Rec. Joseph-Keilberth-Saal, Bamberg, March,
October 2003. SACD Hybrid
TUDOR 7143 [64:55] [PCW]
Both
these discs are recommendable, this coupling
of Second and Fourth is particularly treasurable
... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphony
no. 8 in B minor, D.759 "Unfinished" [22:14] Symphony no.
9 in C, D.944 "The Great" [46:15]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (no.8), London Symphony Orchestra
(no.9)/Bruno Walter Recorded 29th-31st May 1936
in Vienna (no.8), 11th-12th September 1938 in
London (no.9) LIVING
ERA CLASSICS AJC 8556 [68:53] [CH]
An
interesting peep into the past rather than
unmatchable classics. ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Schubert
arranged for cello and piano Sonata for arpeggione and piano in
A minor D.821 (1824) [25:29] Sonatina for violin and piano in D major
op. 137, n°1, D.384 (1816) [13:31]; Lieder: Ständchen [3:53]; An die
musik [2:06]; Litanei auf des fest aller seelen, D.343 (1816) [2:54];
Die Forelle, D.550 (1817) [2:13]; Der Doppelgänger (from Schwanengesang,
D.957 n° 13) (1828) [4:44]; Auf dem wasser zu singen: op.72, D.774 (1823)
[3:25]; Täuschung (from Winterreise op. 89, n°19, D.911 (1827) [1:25];
Der müller und der bach (from Die Schöne Müllerin, op.25 n°19, D.759)
(1823) [3:28] Anne Gastinel
(cello, Testore 1690) Claire Désert (piano) Rec. Studio Tibor Varga,
Sion Switzerland; June 2005. DDD.
NAÏVE V 5021 [63.12][ED]
A
warmly appreciative if qualified welcome.
... see Full
Review
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828)
Lieder:
Recorded Hamburg 1969 and 1970 ADD Die
Schöne Müllerin, Winterreise, Schwanengesang
Recorded Hamburg 1972 ADD
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone),
Gerald Moore (piano).
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4775765 [21
CDs] [AO]
One
of the essential foundations of any Lieder
collection ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Die
Schöne Müllerin (1828)
Gerhard Hüsch (baritone) Hanns Udo Müller (piano) original
recording 1934. ADD
PRISTINE AUDIO PA CO 005 [58:40]
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise
(1827)
Gerhard Hüsch (baritone) Hanns Udo Müller (piano) original
recording January 1933. ADD
PRISTINE AUDIO PA CO 007 [57:55] [AO]
This
remastering helps us appreciate how interpretative
style evolves ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Lieder
Edition – 2 Gedichte aus Rückerts Liebesfrühling,
op. 37 [21:18], Lieder und Gesänge, op. 98a
[25:33], Sologesänge aus Friedrich Rückerts
Minnespiel, op. 101 [17:07]
Susanne Bernhard (soprano), Thomas E. Bauer
(baritone), Uta Lielscher (piano) Recorded
10th-12th September
2003 in the Kammermusikstudio, SWR-Stuttgart,
Germany
NAXOS 8.557074 [63:58][CH]
Not
a very essential issue, I’m afraid. ...
see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Alexander
SCRIABIN
(1872-1916)
CD1 Symphony No. 1 in E major Op. 26 (1901)
* [50:38] CD2 Symphony No. 2 in C minor
Op. 29 (1902) [48:14] Poem of Ecstasy
Op. 54 (1908) ** [20:02] CD3 Symphony
No. 3 Divine Poem [Op. 43] (1905)
[48:40] Prometheus - Poem of Fire Op.
60 (1910) *** [20:47]
Stefania Toczyska (mezzo) * Michael Myers
(ten) * The Westminster Choir * Frank Kaderabek
(trumpet) ** Dmitri Alexeev (piano) ***
The Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia
*** Philadelphia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti
rec. Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia,
Feb 1985 (1), Feb 1989 (2), March 1990 (Ecstasy),
Apr 1988 (3), Apr 1990 (Prometheus)
licensed from EMI Classics
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92744 [3 CDs: 50.38
+ 68.16 + 69.20] [RB]
This
is a splendid set with sumptuous sound and
a propulsive pulse. A good yet far from
predictable choice. … see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (1943).
Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra/Mark
Wigglesworth. rec. Music Centre for Dutch
Radio & TV, Studio MCO 5, Netherlands,
20-22 December 2004. DDD
BIS SACD1483 [69'54] [CC]
The
sheer terror that resides in this work's
strongest climaxes is missing ... This is
in no terms a first recommendation for this
work but it still represents a fascinating
seventy minutes worth of listening. ...
see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957)
Symphony
No. 2 (1901) [42:38] Karelia Suite (1893)
[15:20] Swan of Tuonela (1893) [9:47]
London Symphony Orchestra/Charles Mackerras
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Mackerras
(Karelia) rec. Abbey Road, 1988 (Symphony;
Swan); CTS, London, 1994 (Karelia).
DDD first issued on Pickwick IMP Classics
PCD92
REGIS RRC1220 [68:00] [RB]
A
good bargain price collection with an uncloying
and quick-pulsed Sibelius 2 and an intriguing
Swan. ... see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
No. 6 in D minor op. 104 [27:33] Symphony
No. 4 in A minor op. 63 [33:04] Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham (6) BBC Symphony
Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham (4) rec. live,
Royal Albert Hall, Prom, 15 Sept 1954 (6);
Studio, Criterion Theatre, London, 4 Oct
1951 (4). mono. ADD Not previously issued.
Released in collaboration with the Sir Thomas
Beecham Trust in Support of the Scholarship
Fund.
SOMM SOMM-BEECHAM 18 [61:23] [RB]
Two
previously unissued Beecham-Sibelius symphonies
in fallible historic sound - irresistible
for specialists ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Charles
Villiers STANFORD (1852
- 1924) Piano
Quintet in D minor, Op. 25 (1886) [37:13]
String Quintet No. 1 in F major, Op. 85
(1903) [27:25] Piers Lane, piano (Op. 25)
Garth Knox, viola (Op. 85)
RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet Recorded
in the Henry Wood Hall, London, 17-19 November
2004. DDD
HYPERION CDA67505 [64:42] [MC]
I
am at a loss why anyone would not wish to
add this superb Stanford chamber release
to their collection. Wonderful music and
marvellously performed. Highly recommended.
... see Full
Review
Leopold
STOKOWSKI - Symphonic Transcriptions Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) A Night on Bare Mountain (1867-73)
(trans. L. Stokowski in 1939) [09:17] Entr’acte to Act IV of Khovanshchina
(1872-75) (trans. L. Stokowski in 1922) [05:25] Symphonic Synthesis
of Boris Godunov from the Opera - Boris Godunov (1868-74)
(trans. L. Stokowski in 1936) [24:21] Pictures at an Exhibition:
Piano Suite (trans. L. Stokowski in 1939) (Promenade
02:04; Gnomus 02:21; Promenade 01:10; Il vecchio
castello (The Old Castle) 03:39; Bydlo (A Polish Ox-Wagon)
02:40; Promenade 01:03; Ballet de poussins dans leurs
coques (Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks) 01:16; Samuel Goldenberg
and Schmuyle 02:40; Catacombs - Sepulchrum Romanum; Con mortuis
in lingua mortua 03:44; La cabane sur des pattes de poule -
Baba Yaga (The Hut on Fowl's Legs) 02:58; La grande porte de
Kiev (The Great Gate of Kiev) 05:15) Pyotr
Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Humoresque, Op.
10, No. 2 (trans. L. Stokowski in 1941) [02:11] Solitude Op.
73, No. 6 (trans. L. Stokowski in 1936) [03:26] Leopold
STOKOWSKI (1882-1977) Traditional Slavic Christmas Music
(1933) [03:18]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/José Serebrier Recorded at The Concert
Hall, the Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, UK, 21-23 September, 2004. DDD
NAXOS SACD 6.110101
[76:47][MC]
Whatever
superlatives you hear about this disc I urge you to believe them.
This is undoubtedly one of my records of the year. ... see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Complete Welte recordings of 1906: Salome
– fragments [3.37] Salome – Dance of the Seven Veils [8.54] Ein Heldenleben
– Love Scene [3.51] Feuersnot – Love Scene [5.37] Stimmungsbilder
(Mood Pictures) Op 9: No.1 [4.01]; No,2 [3.10]; No.3 [3.40]; No.4
[2.38]Cäcilie Op.27 No.2 Heimliche Aufforderung Op.27 No.3 [2.32]
Richard Strauss
(piano) Recorded for Welte-Mignon in 1906
TACET 137 [40.27] [JW]
Strauss
recorded in 1906. The selection is somewhat odd to put it mildly. Difficult
to believe that Strauss could have played with such lumpen and effortful
pianism ... see Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Arabella
- Lyrische Komödie in drei Aufzügen (1930-32) [157:41] Libretto
by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Graf Waldner: Otto Edelmann (bass) Adelaide, his wife: Ira Malaniuk
(mezzo) Arabella, their elder daughter: Lisa Della Casa (sop) Zdenka,
their younger daughter: Anneliese Rothenberger (sop) Mandryka: Dietrich
Fischer-Dieskau (bar) Matteo: Kurt Ruesche (ten) Graf Elerner: Helmut
Melchert (ten) Graf Dominik: Georg Stern (bar) Graf Lamoral: Karl Weber
(bass) Die Flakermilli: Eta Köhrer (sop) Eine Kartenaufschlägerin: Kerstin
Meyer (sop) Welko: Willi Lenninger Chor der Wiener Staatsoper Wiener
Philharmoniker/Joseph Keilberth *Vier letzte Lieder AV 150
(1950) [20:08] Lisa Della Casa (soprano) Wiener Philharmoniker/Karl
Böhm rec. live, 29 July, *30 July 1958, Festspielhaus, Salzburg. Mono
AAD ORFEO C651 053D
[3 CDs: 65:23 + 51:59 + 60:27][JQ]
Despite
the drawbacks that I’ve felt duty bound
to mention I enjoyed this set very much
and I know I shall return to it with pleasure
in the future. ... see Full
Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) The
Rite of Spring (1912) [31.58] The Nightingale, opera in
one act (1914) [44.30]
The Nightingale: Olga Trifonova (soprano) The Fisherman: Robert Tear
(tenor) The Cook: Pippa Longworth (soprano) The Emperor of China:
Paul Whelan (bass-baritone) The Chamberlain: Stephen Richardson (bass)
The Bonze, Chaplain to the Emperor: Andrew Greenan (baritone) Death:
Sally Burgess (alto) Japanese Envoys 1 and 3: Peter Hall (tenor) Japanese
Envoy 2: Simon Preece (bass) Courtiers: London Voices, prepared by
Terry Edwards The Rite: London Symphony Orchestra/Robert Craft
The Nightingale: Philharmonia Orchestra/Robert Craft rec. Abbey
Road Studio 1, 1-4 July 1995 (Rite); 14-17 Aug 1997 (Nightingale).
DDD. NAXOS 8.557501
[76.28][ED]
Whichever
work you buy it for this is another Naxos bargain – and long may they
continue coming. ... see Full
Review
Lepo
SUMERA (1950-2000)
Concerto
per voci e strumenti (1997) [14:21] Kui tume veel kauaks ka
sinu maa (Though your homeland may be in dark for long) (1985)
[3:20] Seenekantaat (Mushroom Cantata) (1979-1983) [20:52]
Saare piiga laul merest (Island maiden’s Song from the Sea)
(1988) [29:31] Janeke Lentsius (flute) Kadri-Ann Sumera (piano) Madis
Metsamart (percussion)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Talinn Chamber Orchestra/Tõnu
Kaljuste (Concerto) Rec. 10th-13th May
2004 Talinn Methodist Church, and 3rd June, First Studio
of Estonian Radio, Talinn, Estonia.
BIS BIS-CD-1560 [68:32] [DC]
As
irreplaceable as a volume by a favourite
author – be sure never to lend it to anyone,
you’re unlikely to get it back! ... see
Full
Review
Giuseppe
TARTINI (1692-1770)
Trio Sonatas
La Magnifica Comunità (on period instruments): Enrico Casazza,
Isabella Longo, violin; Marcello Scandelli (cello), Giorgio Cerasoli
(harpsichord) rec. August 2002, Abbazia di Carceri d'Este, Padua (Italy)
DDD TACTUS TC692003
[58:03] [JV]
These
trio sonatas are a perfect illustration
of the artistic credo of Tartini, who preferred
a poetic style of composing ... see Full
Review
Boris
TCHAIKOVSKY (1925-1996)
Cello Sonata in E minor (1957)a [23:18] Lyrics of Pushkin
(1972)b [22:38] Partita for Cello and Ensemble (1966)c
[24:24] Mstislav
Rostropovich (cello)ac; Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano)b;
Boris Tchaikovsky (pianoab, harpsichordc) rec.
1963 (Cello Sonata), 1967 (Partita) and 1973 (Lyrics of
Pushkin) MELODIYA
MEL CD 10 00944 [76:41][HC]
Includes
one of Boris Tchaikovsky’s finest works ... and the gem in this collection.
... see Full Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Piano
Concerto No.1 in B flat minor Op.23 (1875) [30.58] Anton
ARENSKY (1861-1906) Piano Concerto in F minor Op.2 (1882)
[25.01] Felicja
Blumental (piano) Orchestra of the Vienna Musikgesselschaft/Michael
Gielen, recorded Vienna, 1967 (Tchaikovsky) Brno Philharmonic Orchestra/Jiři
Waldhans, recorded Milan, 1968 (Arensky)
BRANA RECORDS BR0013 [58.06] [JW]
Arensky:
a most attractive, big-boned but poetic
piece, blustery but intimate ... Tchaikovsky:
an aural ride of spectacular weirdness.
... see Full
Review
Peter
Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) The
Nutcracker – complete ballet, Op. 71 (1892) Natalya Arkhipova
- Clara Irek Mukhamedov – The Nutcracker Prince Andrei Shakhin – The
Mouse King Yuri Vetrov - Drosselmeyer Andrei Sitnikov – Stahlbaum Ilze
Liepe – Mrs. Stahlbaum The Bolshoi Ballet and the Orchestra of the
Bolshoi Theatre/Aleksandr Kopilov. Recorded live at the Bolshoi Theatre,
Moscow in 1989 DVD (PCM Stereo)
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101119 [101:00] [JPh]
Another
traditional staging of one of Tchaikovsky’s
masterpieces of the stage, allowing us to
appreciate the traditional staging and choreography
so healthily presented on this DVD. ... see
Full Review
Michael
TIPPETT (1905-1998)
Piano
Sonata No. 1 (1936-7, rev. 1942) [19:18] Piano
Sonata No. 2 (1962) [11:46] Piano Sonata No.
3 (1973) [22:30]
Peter Donohoe (piano) Rec. 21 May (Sonatas
1, 2), 13 December 2004, Potton Hall, Suffolk.
DDD
NAXOS 8.557611 [53.34] [DC]
I
have been completely re-educated as to the
substance and content of these pieces. What
more can one ask for at little more than a
fiver! ... see Full
Review
Joaquín
TURINA (1882-1949)
Sonata
romántica sobre un tema español,
Op. 3 (1909) [20:28] Sonata Fantasía,
Op. 59 (1930) [12:34] Rincón mágico
(Desfile en forma de sonata), Op.
97 (1941) [24:00] Concierto sin orquesta,
Op. 88 (1935) [10:45]
Jordi Masó, piano rec. Auditorium
Jafre, Spain, 5-6 July 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557438 [67:47] [KS]
Masó
has ample technique and a fine sense of taste.
He uses an enormous palette of colors and
always maintains underlying good taste and
finesse ... see
Full Review
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813 – 1901)
Aida
(1871) Yulia Wiener-Chenisheva (soprano)
– Aida; Nikola Nikolov (tenor) – Radamés;
Alexandrina Milcheva (mezzo-soprano) – Amneris;
Nikolay Smochevsky (baritone) – Amonasro;
Nikola Ghiuselev (bass) – Ramfis; Stefan Tsiganchev
(bass) – Il Re d’Egitto; Maria Dimchevska
(soprano) – Sacerdotessa; Verter Vrachovsky
(tenor) – Messaggero
Sofia National Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Ivan
Marinov Recorded in 1971
CAPRICCIO 51 198 [71:43 + 78:38]
[GF]
There
is a certain thrill in hearing big voices
in larger-than-life music. In Milcheva’s Amneris
we have a world-class interpretation. I will
keep the discs as a souvenir of the event
– but I don’t think I will reprise the performance
tomorrow. ... see
Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Il
Corsaro - a tragic melodrama
in three acts. Libretto by Francesco Maria
Piave after Byron’s poem. First performed
at the Teatro Grande, Trieste, October 25th
1848 Corrado, a corsair, Zvetan Michailov
(ten); Medora, Corrado’s beloved, Michela
Sburlati (sop); Seid, Pasha of Coron, Renata
Bruson (bar); Gulnara, favourite of Seid,
Adriana Domato (sop); Giovanni, a corsair,
Arturo Cauli (bass); Selimo, an Aga, Gianluca
Floris (ten);
Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Regio
Parma/Renato Palumbo Recorded live in June
2004 during the Parma Verdi festival Performed
in the Critical Edition prepared by Elizabeth
Hudson Presented in 16:9. Colour. DTS digital
surround sound. Dolby digital. PCM 2.0 Menu
language English. Subtitles in Italian (original
language), English, German, French, Spanish
and Chinese. Booklet essay and synopsis in
Italian, English, German and French
DYNAMIC
DVD VIDEO 33468 [107:00] [RJF]
Recommended
to lovers of Italian opera in general and Verdians in particular. ...
see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Simon
Boccanegra - Melodrama in a Prologue and Three Acts. Revised
1881 Edition Original libretto by Francesco Maria Piave for the
premiere in 1857, and based on the play Simon Boccanegra by Antonio
García Gutiérrez, with additions and modifications by Arrigo Boito.
Revised edition first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 24th
March 1881 Simon Boccanegra,
Corsair and Doge of Genoa - Leo Nucci (bar); Maria Boccanegra, Simon’s
daughter known as Amelia Grimaldi - Kiri Te Kanawa (sop); Jacapo Fiesco,
a Genoese nobleman - Paata Burchuladze (bass); Gabrielle Adorno, a Genoese
gentleman in love with Maria - Giacomo Arragall (ten); Paola Albiani,
a courtier - Paolo Coni (bar); Pietro, another courtier - Carlo Colombara
(bass) Orchestra and chorus of Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Georg Solti
Recorded in the Sala Abanella, Milan. December 1988
DECCA CLASSIC OPERA 475 7011 DM2 [73.27 + 51.46][RF]
This
performance will not find space on my shelves alongside the other versions
referred to. I find little to commend in it. ... see Full
Review
Louis
VIERNE
(1870-1937) The chamber works CD1
Violin Sonata Op. 23 (1907) [34.31] Rhapsodie for solo harp Op.
25 (1909) [10.44] Piano Quintet Op. 42 (1917) [30.23] Le Soir for
viola and piano Op.5 (1895) [4.01] CD2 Légende(suite)
for viola and piano Op. 5 (1895) [1.56] Cello Sonata Op. 27 (1910) [23.44]
Largo et Canzonetta for oboe and piano Op.6 (1896) [6.15] Soirs
Étrangers for cello and piano (1928) Op. 56 [26.31] String
Quartet Op. 12 (1894) [21.04]
Quatuor Phillips CD1: François Kerdoncuff (piano); Alexis Galpérine
(violin); Pascale Zanlonghi (harp); Odile Carracilly (viola) CD2: Olivier
Gardon (piano); Yvan Chiffoleau (cello); Christian Moreaux (oboe) rec
Op. 23 Salle Adyar 6-8 June 1990; Opp.27/56 Salle Adyar 20-22 Mar 1991;
Opp. 5/25 Théâtre de Poissy 25 Aug 1993; Opp. 6, 12, 42;
17-20 Sept 1993. DDD previously issued as Timpani 2C2019
TIMPANI 2C2098 [79.40 + 78.52] [RB]
A
de rigueur purchase and certainly generous.
Essential listening and never less than pleasing.
Everything is presented to Timpani's accustomed
high standards. ... see Full
Review
Louis VIERNE
(1870-1937)
Symphonie
1 en re mineur (extraits): Prelude [7'46];
Andante [7'27]; Final [6'30] Serge
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) transc Louis
ROBILLIARD Prelude in F sharp minor
op 23 No 1 [4'32] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Fantasia and Fugue on 'Ad Nos, ad salutarem
undam' [28'16] Charles-Marie
WIDOR (1844-1937) Symphonie No.
8 en si mineur op 42 (extraits): Adagio [9'27];
Final [5'35]
Louis Robilliard, organ rec. St Sernin, Toulouse,
Saint-Francois-de-Salles, Lyon, (Rachmaninov,
Widor), April 2003. DDD
FESTIVO 6962.042 [69'42] [CB]
This
is unmissable stuff, buy one for yourself
and several more as Christmas presents. ...
see Full Review
Carl
VINE (b.
1954) CD1 Symphony
No. 1 MicroSymphony (1986) [10:44]
Symphony No. 2 (1988) [19:07] Symphony No.
3 (1990) [25:54] Celebrare Celeberrime
(1993) [5:07] CD2 Symphony No.
4.2 (1993 rev. 1998) [19:15] Symphony No.
5 Percussion (1995) [24:56] Symphony
No. 6 Choral (1996) [28:49]
Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir (6) Synergy
(5) Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Stuart Challender
(1-3); Edo de Waart (Celebrare 4-6)
rec. Sydney Town Hall, May, July, Sept 1990
(1-3); July 1996 (5); March 1997 (Celebrare);
Concert Hall of Sydney Opera House, 17-19
March 1998 (4.2 6). Originally from ABC Classics
8.77000 5 and 456 698-2.
ABC CLASSICS 476 7179 [61:25 + 73:22]
[RB]
Tonal
music that has a real sense of compulsion,
a fixity of purpose and a very personal sense
of fantasy. ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678
- 1741) The Complete Sacred
Music see
review for detailsGiovanni
Maria RUGGIERI (fl. c. 1690 - 1720)
– Gloria RV ANH 23 [17.42] soloists
The Choir of the King’s Consort The King’s
Consort/Robert King Recorded 1996 – 2002,
St. Jude on the Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb
HYPERION CDS44171/81 [11 C Ds: 62.42 +
69.15 + 70.29 + 78.10 + 70.19 + 78.18 + 62.58
+ 68.52 + 68.23 + 66.42 + 76.37] [RH]
I
find myself returning to Robert King and his
forces for their crisp perfection. And after
all, this wonderful boxed set is available
for £60. ... see Full
Review
Sonatas for Violincello and Basso Continuo
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Sonata
in E-minor RV 40 [13:22]* Francesco
GEMINIANI (1687-1762) Sonata No.
6 in A-Minor (1746)[8:48]** Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Sonata in B-flat
major RV 46 [11:53]* Francesco
GEMINIANI (1687-1762) Sonata No.
3 in C-major (1746) [12:24]** Sonata No. 2
in D-minor (1746) [11:29]** Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Sonata in G-minor
(RV 42) [12:28]*
Roel Dieltiens (cello), * Anthony Woodrow
(double bass), ** Richte van der Meer (cello
continuo), Robert Kohnen (organ*, harpsichord**)
Recorded: Vereenigde Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem,
November 1991
ACCENT ACC 10081 [71:01] [GPu]
Fascinating
music in assured, if relatively plain, performances
… see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Die
Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries [05:53],
Rienzi: Overture [12:25], Der Fliegende
Holländer: Overture [10:53], Tannhäuser:
Overture and Venusberg Music [21:23],
Siegfried: Forest Murmurs [09:58]*,
Parsifal: Act 1: Prelude [14:21]
Franz Lechleitner (tenor)* Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra/Hans Knappertsbusch Recorded in
Vienna, June 24th 1950 (Parsifal,
Siegfried, Rienzi), May 6th &
7th 1953 (the remainder), original
Decca recordings
ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0332 [74:37] [CH]
The
performances overwhelmingly reflect the genius
of the composer in remarkably good sound.
... see Full
Review
William
Vincent WALLACE
(1812-1865) To
My Star – Celtic Romance La Louisiana - Waltz (1842) [4.14]
Music Murmurings in the Trees – Romance (1851) [6.07] Mazurka – Etude
(1858) [3.26] L’Absence et le Retour - Romance suive d’une Grande Polka
Brillante (1856) [9.09] To My Star, A Mon Etoile – Romance (1844) [3.26]
La Rapidité - Second Étude de Salon (1853) [5.28] La Force - Third Étude
de Salon [6.46] A Flower of Poland - Une Fleur de Pologne – Mazurka
(1862) [3.42] Nocturne Dramatique - Grand Nocturne (1848) [6.09] The
Empress L’Imperatrice – Waltz (1844) [2.36] The Shepherd’s Lament -
La Plainte du Berger – Idylle (1859) [3.50] Souvenir of Spain El Nuevo
Jaleo de Jerez - Danse Nationale (1856) [5.50] The Bee and the Rose
- Morceau de Salon (1844) [2.03] Valse Militaire [3.26] La Cracovienne
- Grand Fantasie and Variations (1842) [11.49]
Rosemary Tuck (piano) Recorded in St Silas Church, Kentish Town, London,
May 2005 CALA CACD88044
[79.00][JW]
Wallace’s
infectious and extrovert demands ... see Full
Review
Jacob
WEINBERG
(1879–1956) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in C Major (1944) [23:10] (I. Maestoso; II. Vivace
e marcato; III. Finale, Allegro) Jorge Federico Osorio, piano Barcelona
Symphony/National Orchestra of Catalonia/Karl Anton Rickenbacher String
Quartet Op. 55 (1950) [21:42] (Maestoso Allegro; Lento; Vivace)
Bingham String Quartet (Stephen Bingham, Sally-Ann Weeks, violins; Brenda
Stewart, viola; James Halsey, cello) Shabbat Ba’aretz (Sabbath
in the Holy Land) (1934) [12:54] Sabbath Morning Service, Op. 41
(excerpts): Bar'khu; V'ahavta; Sh'ma yisra’el (from
the Torah service); L'kha adonai; Etz haayyim; Hal'luya
Patrick Mason, baritone;
Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, organ BBC Singers/Kenneth Kiesler Rec.
London and Barcelona, 1999-2001. DDD The Milken Archive Of American
Jewish Music NAXOS AMERICAN
CLASSICS 8.559457 [57:50] [RB]
A
typical conspectus this collection conveys
diffuse variety yet succeeds for Weinberg
through the romantic ardour of his concerto
and quartet. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Paul VON WESTHOFF (1656-1705)
Sonatas for violin and basso continuo, 1694
Sonata
IV in d minor [10:57] Sonata III in d minor
[12:39] Sonata II in a minor [11:25] Sonata
V in g minor [11:08] Sonata VI in g minor
[10:47] Sonata I in a minor [12:11]
Les plaisirs du Parnasse: David Plantier,
violin; Maya Amrein, cello; Shiruko Noiri,
archlute; Andrea Marchiol, harpsichord rec.
April 2004, Church of Frasnes-le-Château,
France. DDD
ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT050201 [69:13]
[JV]
The
first recording ever of these sonatas by one
of the most important German violinists of
his time - one of the most important releases
in recent times ... outstanding music in a
splendid performance ... see Full
Review
Charles-Marie
WIDOR
(1844-1937) Symphony
No 9 op 70, 'Gothique' (1895): Moderato
[6'27]; Andante Sostenuto [5'15]; Allegro
[3'26]; Moderato [11'32] Symphony No 10 op
73, 'Romane' (1900): Moderato [8'25];
Choral [10'05]; Cantilene [6'11]; Final [10'56]
Jeremy Filsell, organ Rec: 21 June 2003, St
George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, (Symphony
9) 20th March 2000, Liverpool Metropolitan
Cathedral, (Symphony 10) DDD
ASV CD DCA 1172 [63'05] [CB]
Stunningly
virtuosic playing ... Filsell’s mastery of
the music. A nice library-filler to hear a
quite different but admirably compelling approach.
... see Full
Review
For Two Violins
Eugène YSAŸE
(1858-1931) Sonata
for Two Violins, Op. Posth (1915) [34'04].
Darius MILHAUD
(1892-1974) Duo (1945) [5'04]. Sonatine,
Op. 231 (1940) [8'06]. Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1955) Sonatine (1920)
[7'52].
Thomas Christian, Daniela Priemesberger (violins).
Rec. Studio 2 des BR on November 9th-11th,
2004. DDD
CPO 777 159-2 [55'30] [CC]
To
be entirely frank I wasn't sure I'd enjoy
an entire disc of music for two violins. I
was grinning by the end of it. Wholeheartedly
recommended. ... see Full
Review
Władysław
ŽELENSKI (1837-1921)
Violin
Sonata in F major op. 30 [26:54]
Zygmunt STOJOWSKI
(1870-1946) Violin Sonata in G major op.
13 [28:10]
Barbara Trojanowski (violin) Elžbieta Tyszecka
(piano) rec. Polski Radio, Lódž, Dec 2004.
DDD
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0112 [55:25] [RB]
Acte
Préalable and these two artists handsomely
prove that Poland was not in the dark ages
between the death of Chopin and the rise of
Karłowicz and Szymanowski.... see Full
Review
Ellen Taaffe
ZWILICH (b.
1939) Concerto
for Violin and Orchestra (1998) [26:03]* Rituals
for five percussionists and orchestra (2002)
[25:59] **
Pamela Frank (violin) Saarbrucken Radio
Symphony Orchestra/Michael Stern *. NEXUS
/ IRIS Chamber Orchestra/Michael Stern** Recorded
on 18th October 1998 (Concerto)
in the Kongresshalle, Saarbrucken, Germany
* and on 7th March 2004 in the
Germanstown Performing Arts Centre, Tennessee,
USA. DDD
NAXOS 8.559268 [52:04] [JPh]
Well
done Naxos – another hit in the American Music
series. ... see Full
Review
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