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PART 7
Misc. M-Z

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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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Ana Maria Martinez: Soprano songs and arias Leo DELIBES (1836-1891) Les filles de Cadix [3:19] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Romeo et Juliette, Act I: Je veux vivre [3:36] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro [2:39] Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) Die lustige Witwe, Act II: Vilja-Lied [6:24] Pablo LUNA (1879-1942) El nino judio: De Espana vengo [6:02] Francis LOPEZ (1916-1995) Violettes imperiales [3:06] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La rondine, Act I: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta [3:34] Joseph CANTELOUBE (1879-1937) Chants d'Auvergne, Series I: II. Baïlero [7:14] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Madama Butterfly, Act II: Un bel di vedremo [5:24] Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 for Soprano and 8 cellos: Aria (Cantilena) [7:27]; Danca (Martelo)  [4:43]   Ana Maria Martinez (soprano) Prague Philharmonia/Steven Mercurio (conductor) rec. Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, August 2000. DDD NAXOS 8.557827 [53:26] [ED]

Every diva dreams of leaving her audience wanting more. After this disc I certainly do, and Naxos should provide it with some urgency. ... see Full Review

Marcelle Meyer (piano) Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Barcarolle Op.60 [7.34] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images Book I [4.45 + 6.26 + 3.06] Images Book II [4.00 + 5.37 + 3.34] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Nights in the Gardens of Spain [22.32] Marcelle Meyer (piano) Orchestra of RAI, Rome/Mario Rossi Recorded 1957-58 TAHRA 564 [57.53][JW]

Meyer was one of the most fascinating of French pianists, a school of pianism hardly lacking in charisma or talent. Treasurable ... see Full Review

Music for Brass and Percussion: 1 Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Fanfare for the Common Man (1942) [3:16] Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Russian Funeral (1936) [6:39] Philip GLASS (b. 1937) Brass Sextet (1962/1964) [app. 8:00] Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Canzona for St. Cecilia’s Day op. 158 [2:07] Giralomo FRESCOBALDI (1583-1643) Canzona from Fiori Musicali (1635) [1:48] Robert SIMPSON (1921-1997) Canzone for Brass (1958) [5:08] Giovanni GABRIELI (c. 1557-1612) Canzon XXVIII (1608) [1:24] Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Fanfare for a Coming of Age (1973) [1:36] Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Funeral March for Richard Nordraak (1866; arr. brass 1878) [6:28] Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Mutations from Bach (1967) [5:12] Felicien-Cesar DAVID (1810-1876) Nonetto in C minor (1839) [app. 20:00] Kensington Symphonic Brass/Russell Keable Recorded 6 May 1994; re-mastered 28 December 2005. DDD DUNELM RECORDS DRD0253 [60:23]WK]

This disc offers several unusual pieces as well as standards, but the overall performance level is uneven. It is worth buying if you want the Rubbra or the David … see Full Review

Musica Veglia in Engiadina (Samedan-ms, 1563) Recedrar salamonis [01:12] Swartz knab [01:08] Stil wasser sind gern tieff - Proportz sequitur [01:41] Dun vin cela [02:27] Bentzinouwer dantz [01:05] Languir aliter [01:18] Chorea meitlin khom mit mir uber ryn [01:12] Uss diefer noth [01:46] Appenzeller tantz, ich staigg uff einem fygen baum [00:51] Salterello: de mogio chireenzian [01:13] Preambulum exquisitissimum [03:11] Der bättler tantz [01:20] Kochelsper tantz [00:54] Die schlacht von Pavey [03:17] (Wiezel-ms, 1616) Intrada [01:33] Ballet [01:23] La Robinette [01:36] Venus hat mir gar fest gebildet - Nachtantz [01:03] Junkfrauw wolt ihr nicht mit mir ein tänzlin thun - Nachtantz [02:02] Las chioschas schrdämadas - Dunna Wiolanta - Ich hab mein sähl Gott heim gestellt [01:40] (Salis-ms, 1681) Ach Schäzlein [00:54] [without title] [01:34] Menuet [00:57] Chancon [00:55] Hans Spihlman [01:05] Bergamasco [00:55] [without title] [01:07] Gavotte [00:32] Last unss unsser tag geniessen [01:34] (Planta-ms, 1804) Minuè [02:20] Contraddanza [00:54] Minuè [01:43] [without title] [00:55] Contraddanza [01:57] Maja Hünninger-Peter, recorder, transverse flute; Robert Grossmann, lute, theorbo, guitar rec. January 1988, Radio Studio Zurich, Switzerland ADD MIGROS-GENOSSENSCHAFTS-BUND MGB CD 6220 [50:03] [JVV]

I feel that this music is more of a curiosity than something which deserves to be recorded and listened to over and over again..… see Full Review

Neujahrskonzert 2006 CD 1: Part I Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Auf's Korn! Bundesschützenmarsch op. 478 [2.33] *; Frühlingsstimmen Walzer op. 410 [6.24]; Diplomaten Polka française op. 448 [4.11] Josef STRAUSS (1827-1870) Eingesendet Polka schnell op. 240 [1.59] Johann STRAUSS II Lob der Frauen Polka mazurka op. 315 [4.24]; Künstler-Leben Walzer op. 316 [8.43] Josef STRAUSS Ohne Sorgen! Polka schnell op. 271 [1.54] Part II Johann STRAUSS II Der Zigeunerbaron, Einzugsmarsch [3.10] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Hochzeit des Figaro, Overture [4.26] * Joseph LANNER (1801-1843) Die Mozartisten Walzer op. 196 [9.38] * CD 2: Johann STRAUSS II Liebesbotschaft Galopp o. op. [2.43] *; Neue Pizzicato-Polka op. 449 [3.41]; Künstler-Quadrille op. 201 [5.26] *; Spanischer Marsch op. 433 [5.05]; Du und Du Walzer (after themes from Die Fledermaus) op. 367 [7.22]; Im Krapfenwald'l Polka française op. 336 [4.13]; Furioso-Polka Polka quasi Galopp op. 260 [2.23] Eduard STRAUSS (1835-1916) / Arr.: Michael ROT Telephon Polka française op. 165 [3.48] * Johann STRAUSS II Lagunen-Walzer op. 411 [8.15]; Éljen á Magyar! Polka schnell op. 332 [2.43] Encores: Johann STRAUSS II Banditen-Galopp op. 378 [2.33] Mariss Jansons' New Year's Address [1.30] Johann STRAUSS II An der schönen blauen Donau, Walzer op. 314 [9.25] Johann STRAUSS I (1804-1849) Radetzky-Marsch op. 228 [3.49] Wiener Philharmoniker/Mariss Jansons * = first performance in a New Year concert rec. live, Musikverein, Grosser Saal, Wien. 1 January 2006. DDD. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5566 [47.24 + 62.59][ED]

An uplifting tonic on cold winter nights ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Birgit Nilsson - Swedish Radio Concerts Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) Tosca: Vissi d’arte; Turandot: In questa reggia; Carl Maria von WEBER (1786 – 1826) Oberon: Ozean, du Ungeheuer; Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827) Fidelio: Abscheulicher, wo eilst du hin; Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) Aida: O patria mia; La forza del destino: Pace, pace, mio Dio; Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883) Tannhäuser: Dich, teure Halle, grüss’ ich wieder; Rolf LIEBERMANN (1910 – 1999) Penelope: Penelope’s aria; Franz BERWALD (1796 – 1868) Estrella de Soria: Estrella’s aria Birgit Nilsson (soprano), Swedish Radio Orchestra/Nils Grevillius (1, 4, 6), Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Nils Grevillius (2, 3, 5, 7), Royal Orchestra, Stockholm/Sixten Ehrling (8), Stockholm Radio Orchestra/Sten Frykberg (9) rec. Circus, Stockholm, January 15, 1961 (1, 4, 6), Concert Hall, Stockholm, August 18-19, 1961 (2, 3, 5), March 5, 1959 (7), Royal Academy of Music, Stockholm, April 18, 1955 (8), April 13, 1947 (9) BLUEBELL ABCD 055 [65:28][GF]

There are not many discs around with soprano singing that challenges this and none that surpasses it! ... see Full Review

Great Cellists: Piatigorsky Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A minor, op.129 [24:37] (1) 18 May 1934, EMI Abbey Road Studio no.1, London Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1892) arr. Popper Melody in F [2:51] (2) Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Song of India (from Sadko) [03:11] (2) César CUI (1835-1918) Orientale, op.50/9 [02:32] (2) Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Chanson Triste op.40/2 [02:58] (2), None but the lonely heart op.6/6 [02:23] (2) 24 October 1945, New York City Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Vocalise op.34/14 [03:17] (2) 18 October 1946, New York City Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Moment Musical in f op.94/3 [01:48] (2) TCHAIKOVSKY Valse sentimentale op.51/6 [02:14] (2) RUBINSTEIN Romance in E flat op.44/1 [03:07] (2) Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Intermezzo (from Goyescas) [04:51] (2) 18 September 1950, Hollywood Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) The Swan (from Carnival of the Animals) [02:35] (2) Carl Maria WEBER (1786-1926) Rondo (from Sonata no.3 for piano and violin) [02:25] (2) 19 September 1950, Hollywood SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto no.1 in A minor op.33 [19:10] (3) 7 December 1950, Manhattan Center, New York City Gregor Piatigorsky (cello), London Philharmonic Orchestra/John Barbirolli (1), Ralph Berkowitz (piano) (2), RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner (3) Dates and locations as above Restoration for CD by Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS 8.111069 [77:58] [CH]

The impression is of an admirable cellist who fails to engage ... see Full Review

Piano Left Hand Recital Chaconne from the Partita No.2 for solo violin arranged in 1877 by Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) [15.08] Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Six Studies Op.135 (1912) [19.27] Dinu LIPATTI (1917-1950) Sonatina (1941) [9.12] Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Prelude in C sharp minor Op.9 No.1 (1894-95) [2.33] Nocturne in D flat major Op.9 No.2 (1894-95) [5.36] Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Suite No.3 (1926) [14.55] Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899)/Leopold GODOWSKY (1870-1938) Symphonic Metamorphoses of the Schatz-Waltzer Themes from The Gypsy Baron (1885) arranged by Godowsky in (? 1928)[11.23] Antoine Rebstein (piano, left hand) rec. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Salle de Musique, May 2005. DDD CLAVES 50-2502 [79.09] [JW]

This is, dare one say it, a courageous disc from a talented musician and the repertoire will be little known to mostt...… see Full Review

Prima Missa in Commemoratione Omnium Fidelium Defunctorum (Requiem Mass) [38.30] The Monks’ Choir of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Martin, Beuron/Dr. Maurus Pfaff, O.S.B.Recorded Beuron Abbey, 1 April 1954. ADD PRISTINE AUDIO PACO006 [38.30] [RH]

I can highly recommend this atmospheric disc and Pristine Audio’s distinctive delivery mechanism means that it comes at a highly affordable price ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Mstislav Rostropovich Edition Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in E minor Op. 125: Andante [10:00]; Allegro giusto [16:16]; Andante con moto [9:50] Nicolai MIASKOVSKY (1882-1950) Cello Concerto in C minor Op. 66: Lento ma non troppo [10:02]; Allegro vivace [17:13] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyrill Kondrashin; Recording: 27-12-1972 Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Cello Concerto in B minor Op. 104: Allegro [14:48]; Adagio ma non troppo [11:45]; Allegro moderato [12:39] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129: Nicht zu schnell [10:43]; Langsam [3:33]; Sehr lebhaft [8:27] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; USSR State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, Boris Khaikin (Dvořák); USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Schumann); Recording: 23-6-1957 (Dvorak); 30-11-1960 (Schumann) Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 33: Allegro non troppo [6:00]; Allegretto con moto [3:50]; Molto allegro [7:59] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major: Moderato [7:10]; Adagio [7:09]; Allegro molto [6:12] Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major: Allegro moderato [13:32]; Adagio [4:40]; Allegro [4:25] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Victor Dubrovsky (Saint-Saens); Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai (Haydn); Recording: 14-2-1964 (Saint-Saens), 15-9-1963 (Haydn) Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33 [17:36]; Pezzo Capriccioso in B minor Op. 62 [6:56] Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Minstrel Song for Cello and Orchestra Op. 71 [4:31]; Melody [7:38] Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Concerto Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra – cello and piano reduction [22:03] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Unnamed pianist; USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Tchaikovsky); National Symphony Orchestra of the USSR, Nianonov (Glazunov); [Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov (Khatchaturian) – claimed in documentation but actually a cello and piano reduction with unnamed pianist]; Recording: 30-11-1960 (1), 13-5-1964 (2), 22-9-1949 (3,4), 17-10-1965 (5) Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Cello Concerto No. 1 Op. 107: Allegretto [5:55]; Moderato [10:20]; Cadenza [4:57]; Allegro con moto [4:29] Boris TISHCHENKO (b.1939) Concerto for cello and 17 wind instruments and percussion [22:49] Victor VLASOV Cello Concerto: Movement 1 [11:00]; Movement 2 [3:05]; Movement 3 [9:46] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Shostakovich); Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov (Tishchenko); USSR State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Vlasov); Recording: 10-2-1961 (Shostakovich), 28-11-1968 (Tishchenko), 13-5-1964 (Vlasov) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Cello Sonata in C major Op. 119: Andante grave [10:08]; Moderato [4:06]; Allegro ma non troppo [7:02] Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Cello Sonata: Movement 1 [7:28]; Movement 2 [10:24] Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Russian Song [4:04] Eduard MIRZOYAN Cello Sonata [17:54] Mstislav ROSTROPOVICH Humoresque Op. 5 [2:08] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Alexander Dedukhin, piano (1-3, 6-8); Aram Khatchaturian, piano (4-5); Recording: 10-1-1967 (1-3,4); 11-11-1968 (6-8) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Concertino for Cello and Orchestra in G minor Op. 132: Andante mosso [7:28]; Andante [5:43]; Allegretto [4:10] Mieczslaw VAINBERG (1919-1996) Cello Concerto in D minor Op. 43; Movement 1 [12:45]; Movement 2 [16:54] Lev KNIPPER (1898-1974) Concerto-Monologue [15:56] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; USSR State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Prokofiev); USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Vainberg, Knipper); Recording: 13-5-1964 (Prokofiev), 25-2-1964 (Vainberg, Knipper) Edouard LALO (1823-1892) Cello Concerto in D minor: Prélude (Lento-allegro maestoso) [12:27]; Intermezzo [5:40]; Andante-allegro Vivace [6:25] Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955) Cello Concerto: Andante-allegro [3:37]; Lento [6:31]; Allegro marcato [5:17] Henri SAUGUET (1901-1989) Melodie Concertante [Cello Concerto in D major] [22:15] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Victor Dubrovsky; Recording: 14-2-1964 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Cello Sonata in C major Op. 102 No. 1: Andante-allegro Vivace [7:41]; Adagio-allegro vivace (track 2 and 3) [6:56] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Cello Sonata No 1 in E minor Op.38: Allegro non troppo [11:44]; Allegretto quasi minuetto [5:27]; Allegro [5:24] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Fünf Stücke im Volkston Op. 102: Mit Humor [3:07]; Langsam [3:07]; Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen [1:10]; Nicht zu rasch [3:44]; Stark und markiert [2:19] Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Apres un rêve [3:18] Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Two Movements from The Firebird [3:09] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Ritual Fire Dance [3:04] D. MELE Brazilian Dance – Tijuka [2:35] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Alexander Dedukhin, piano; Recording: 7-11-1961 (1-3), 11-12-1960 (4-6), 15-12-1960 (7-15) Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Suite for cello solo No. 2 Op. 80: Declamatio (largo) [3:26]; Fuga (andante) [3:57]; Scherzo (allegro molto) [1:42]; Andante lento [4:37]; Ciaconna [6:07] Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Cello Sonata H 125: Allegro ben moderato [8:59]; Adagio ma non troppo [4:52]; Molto allegro agitato [7:22] George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Aria [3:44] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Suite for Cello solo No. 5 in C minor BWV 1011: Prelude [6:59]; Allemande [3:11]; Courante [1:32]; Sarabande [3:55]; Gavotte, attacca: Gigue [4:58] Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Alexander Dedukhin, piano; Recording: 11-11-1968 (1-9), 15-12-1960 (10-14) under exclusive licence from Gostelradiofund, Russian Federation BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92771 [10 CDs: 63.41 + 62.14 + 61.06 + 58.59 + 72.41 + 63.28 + 63.15 + 62.23 + 63.24 + 66.00][JW]

Concerns over provenance swept away by the riches to be found in these ten excellently filled discs ... see Full Review

[ROUT] ONE Paul NEWLAND Standing Jump (2002) [11:17] Paul WHITTY Love (1999-2000 rev. 2001) [8:08] Sam HAYDEN Anthem (2002) [6:34] David Arrowsmith (electric guitar), Linda Hirst (voice), Philip Howard (harmonium), Catherine Laws (harpsichord), Richard Pryce (double-bass), Stacie Robinson (vocal samples on ‘Love’), Emma Welton (violin, electric violin), Paul Whitty (piano, samples), James Woodrow (bass guitar). DIVINE ART 29001 [25:59] [CT]

Never quite ‘takes off’ in the way that their provocative group name would seem to promise ... see Full Review

Elisabeth Schumann - Early Recordings 1915–1923 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827) Fidelio: O, wär ich schon mit dir vereint; Carl Maria von WEBER (1786–1826) Der Freischütz: Trübe Augen, Liebchen; Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen; Ambroise THOMAS (1811–1896) Connais-tu le pays?; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Le nozze di Figaro: Non so più; Voi che sapete; Don Giovanni: Vedrai, carino; Albert LORTZING (1801–1851) Der Wildschütz: Auf des Lebens raschen Wogen; Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893) Faust: Air des bijoux; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Die Entführung aus dem Serail: Durch Zärtlichkeit und Schmeicheln; Welche Wonne, welche Lust; Don Giovanni: Batti, batti, o bel Masetto; François AUBER (1782–1871) Fra Diavolo: Quel bonheur; Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854–1921) Hänsel und Gretel: Wo bin ich? Wach ich? Ist es ein Traum?; Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949) Die heiligen drei Könige aus Morgenland; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Exultate, Jubilate: Allegro; Andante; Alleluia; Le nozze di Figaro: Deh vieni, non tardar; Die Zauberflöte: Ach, ich fühl’s, es ist verschwunden; Elisabeth Schumann (soprano) with orchestra rec. 1915 (tracks 1-4), 1920 (tracks 5-14), 1922 (tracks 15-18) and 1923 (tracks 19 & 20) Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Ward Marston
NAXOS 8.111098 [77:10][GF]

Fresh as dew, the tones like a valuable string of pearls effortlessly streaming ... and I have come to love her portamento as well! ... see Full Review

Songs of the Soul (Texts by St. John of the Cross (fl. 1577) unless otherwise noted) Carlos SURINACH (1915-1997) Canciones del Alma (1964): Noche oscura del alma [4.48]; Llama de amor viva [4.57] soloists: Nathan Ruggles; Mark Poe; Susan Greene; Delirio del alma [6.11]; Gozo a la fé [7.21] Tomás Luis de VICTORIA (c.1548-1611) (Texts from the Bible) Iste Sanctus [1.54]; Senex Puerum Portabat [2.50]; O Quam Gloriosum [2.32]; Beati Immaculati [2.14] Alan RIDOUT (1934-1996) O Flame of Love So Living [2.08] (English translation by Roy Campbell) Sasha Johnson MANNING (b. 1963) Romança VI-(SSAATTBB) [4.47] Clare MACLEAN (b. 1958) Aunque es de Noche (SSSAATTBB) [6.31] Geoffrey BURGON (b. 1941) But Have Been Found Again (SSAATTBB) (1983) [5.52] (English translation by Roy Campbell) Soloists: Amanda Meinen; Elise Ibendahl; Kathleen Mead.Carl RÜTTI (b. 1949) An den Geist (SSAATTBB) [5.02] (Text by Rilke) Saint Louis Chamber Chorus/Philip Barnes rec. St. Margaret of Scotland Church, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 25 May 2004. Notes in English and Deutsch. Texts and English translations. Photo of artists. GUILD GMCD 7272 [58.09] [PSh]

One of the finest choral recordings I’ve ever heard — brilliant singing effectively programmed and nicely recorded. ... see Full Review

Sounds Awesome Alan RIDOUT (1934-1996) Reredos (c.1956) [4:42] Paean (1963) [1:58] Prelude on St Thomas Honour We (1988) [2:43] Epithalamium (1967) [2:20] The Seven Last Words (1965) [25:37] Humphrey CLUCAS (b. 1941) Psalm Prelude (2004) [2:32] Symphony for Organ (2004) [22:56] Peter WISHART (1921-1984) Pastorale and Fughetta Op.38 (1960) [4:49] Humphrey SEARLE (1915-1982) Cyprus Dances Op.76 (1981) [4:41] Robert Crowley (organ) rec. Canterbury Cathedral, October 2004 LAMMAS LAMM 183D [70:17][HC]

A very fine release that should appeal to all those who enjoy the organ music of Leighton, Mathias and Messiaen. ... see Full Review

Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra - CD Premieres Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerto Grosso in D Minor from Op. 3 No.11 [12.43] Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1525/6-1594) Adoramus te [3.12] Girolamo FRESCOBALDI (1583 –1643) Gagliarda [3.25] Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632-1687) Le Triomphe de l‚Amour: Nocturne; Alceste: Prelude; Thesee: March [7.13] William BYRD (1543-1623) Pavane and Gigue [4.40] Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Overture in D Minor [Chandos Anthem No.2] [6.25] Messiah - Pastoral Symphony [4.17] Water Music Suite [16.36] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565 [9.28] Ich ruf‚zu dir, Herr Jesus Christ Chorale Prelude BWV 639 [4.17] Es ist Vollbracht – from St John Passion BWV 245 [8.01] Ein feste Burg from Cantata No.80 BWV 80 [1.47] Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor BWV 582 [14.19] Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Minuet from String Quartet in E major Op.13 No.5 [2.37] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Andante cantabile from String Quartet in E major Op.3 No. 4 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 [31.47] Cesar FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony in D Minor [39.41] (with Outline of Themes spoken by Stokowski, played by Artur Rodzinski (piano)) [2.56] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Nocturnes – Nuages [9.06] and Fetes [5.54] Clair de Lune [5.14] Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun [10.30] Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Invitation to the Dance – orchestrated Berlioz/Stokowski [8.01] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1898) Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 [38.42] Hungarian Dance No. 1 [3.25] Johann. STRAUSS II (1825-1899) On the Beautiful, Blue Danube (abridged) – Waltz Op.314 [4.28] Tales from the Vienna Woods (abridged) – Waltz Op.325 Richard. STRAUSS (1864-1949) Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome [9.41] John Philip SOUSA (1854-1932) El Capitan March [2.16] The Stars and Stripes Forever [3.22] Philadelphia Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski all except Beethoven, Franck, Debussy Nocturnes, prelude, Brahms Symphony, Strauss and Sousa are in orchestrations/arrangements by Stokowski Recorded 1927-39 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1173 [4 CDs: 58.42 + 75.54 + 73.27 + 74.52] [JW]

Good for Stokowskians but as for the non-partisan listener it’s a bit of a glass half-empty, glass half-full sort of set. ... see Full Review

Summer was in August - British Composer Series - British Flute Music Malcolm Arnold (b.1924) Sonatina Op.19 (1948) [7:56] Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) On a Summer Evening for flute and piano (1972) [2:15] and The Pied Piper for solo flute (1958) [5:11] Hamilton Harty (1879-1941) In Ireland, Fantasy for flute and harp (1918) [7:20] Paul Lewis (b. 1943) Norfolk Idyll for flute and harp (1972) [7:00] Pavane for flute, cello and piano (1971) [3:47] Three Flute Diversions for solo flute (2003) [6:18] Pan thoughtful for solo flute (1980) [2:49] Pan Playful for solo flute (1980) [1:06] Paul Carr (b. 1961) Three Pieces Blue for flute and piano (2001) [5:48] ‘Summer was in August’ for flute and piano (2002, revd 2005) [11:45] Paul Gregory (b. 1956) Sonatina ‘Blue’ for flute and guitar (1995) [12:29] Rachel Smith, flute Rachel Fryer, piano; Paul Gregory, guitar; Jenny Broome, harp and Esther Ward-Caddle, cello. rec. St. Peter’s Church, Bexhill Old Town, Sussex. CAMPION CAMEO 2030 [74:32] [JF]

A very good CD. Useful to introduce works by a newer generation of composers alongside those of more established masters. ... see Full Review

Wladyslaw Szpilman – Legendary Recordings Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Polonaise-Fantasie Op.61 [11.38] Ballade in F minor Op.52 [10.30] Nocturne in C minor Op. posth. (KK Iva No.16) [3.37] Alfred GRUNFELD (1852-1924) Soirée de Vienne. Concert paraphrase on Johann Strauss’ Fledermaus Waltz Op.56 [5.53] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La fille aux cheveux de lin (Prelude No.8) [2.06] Grazyna BACEWICZ (1909-1969) Sonata No.2 14.12] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata No.7 in B flat major Op.83 [17.29] Peter and the Wolf [3.30] Ignaz FRIEDMAN (1882-1948) Wiener Tanze nach Edyard Gartner No.1 [3.21] Wladyslaw SZPILMAN (1911-2000) Toccatina (The Life of the Machines, Suite for Piano, Movement III) [1.40] Mazurka [2.08] Jazz Melody [6.19] George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Summertime Wladyslaw SZPILMAN (1911-2000) Fall in Love Again Richard ROGERS (1902-1979) Blue Moon Friedrich HOLLANDER (1896-1976) Falling in Love Again Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata No.5 in F major Op.24 Spring [22.18] Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Sonata in C minor Op.45 [23.42] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Rondo (based on Sonata Op.53) [5.30] Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Slavonic Dance Op.46 No.2 [3.15] Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Obertas [1.59] Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Nigun No.2 [5.58] Karol RATHAUS (1895-1954) Pastorale and Dance fro violin and piano Op.39 [12.42] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quintet in E flat major Op.44 [29.05] Juliusz ZAREBSKI (1854-1885) Piano Quintet in G minor Op.34 Wladyslaw Szpilman (piano) Bronislaw Gimpel (violin) The Warsaw Piano Quintet Recorded live in Warsaw and Stockholm 1946-1965 SONY 82876728552 [3 CDs: 79.31 + 79.18 + 66.02] [JW]

A worthy memorial to Szpilman ... see Full Review

Wladyslaw Szpilman: Legendary Recordings Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Polonaise-Fantaisie Op. 61 [11:38] Ballade in F minor Op. 52 10:30] Nocturne cis Moll Op. Posth. [3:37] Alfred GRÜNFELD (1852-1924) Soirée de Vienne. Konzertparaphrase über Johann Strauß’sche Walzermotive nach Fledermaus u.a. Op. 56 [5:53] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La fille aux cheveux de lin (Prelude No. 8) [2:06] Grazyna BACEWICZ (1909-1969) Sonata No. 2 [14:07] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major Op 83 [17:29] Peter and the Wolf paraphrase [3:30] Ignaz FRIEDMAN (1882-1948) Wiener Tänze nach Eduard Gärtner, No. 1 [3:21] Wladyslaw SZPILMAN (1911-2000) Mazurka [2:08] Ludvig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata No. 5 in F, Op. 24 “Spring” [22:18] Edvard GRIEG (1943-1907) Violin Sonata in C minor Op. 45 [23:42] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Rondo (based on Sonata Op. 53) [5:30] Antonin DVOŘAK (1841-1904) Slavonic Dance Op. 46/2 [3:15] Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Obertas [1:59] Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Nigun No. 2 [5:58] Karol RATHAUS (1895-1954) Pastorale and Dance for violin and piano Op. 39 [12:42] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Quintet in E-flat major Op. 44 [29:05] Juliusz ZAREBSKI (1854-1885) Quintet in G minor [36:41] Wladyslaw Szpilman (Piano) Bronislaw Gimpel (violin) Tadeusz Wronski (violin) Srefan Kamasa (viola) Aleksander Ciechanski (cello) Recordings from Polish Radio Broadcasts, 1946-1965 SONY CLASSICAL 82876728552 [3 CDs: 79:31 + 79:18 + 66:02][DB]

A varying but overall highly valuable survey of the pianist of The Pianist. ... see Full Review

The Tend’rest Breast: Settings of women’s poetry. Roger QUILTER (1877-1953) June; A song at parting; Wild cherry. Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Thy hand in mine; Where she lies asleep; Love went a-riding. Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) Seven Sappho songs. Lennox BERKELEY (1903-1989) Epitaph of Timas (Three Greek songs); John IRELAND (1879-1962) The advent & Hymn for a child (Two songs sacred and profane) and Love and friendship; Alastair KING (dates not known) Nocturne; The moment; Spell to bring lost creatures home. Madeleine DRING (1923-1977) Don’t play your sonata tonight, Mr. Humphries. Montague PHILLIPS (1885-1969) When April laughs; Hush’d is my lute; Sing, joyous bird. Georgina Colwell (soprano), Nigel Foster (piano) DUNELM RECORDS DRD0237 [58:48] [MM]

Essential listening for all devotees of women's literature of English song and indeed, for a broad variety of listeners ... see Full Review

Virtuoso Cello Encores Gaspar CASSADÓ (1897 – 1966) Dance of the Green Devil [4:04] David POPPER (1843 – 1913) Fantasy on Little Russian Songs [11:38] Serenade, Op. 54, No. 2 [3:58] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750) Air from Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068 (trans. Leonard Rose) [5:28] Franz SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828) Ständchen (Serenade) (trans. Henri Marteau) [4;07] Franz SCHUBERT (1808 – 1878) Die Biene (The Bee) (trans. Werner Thomas-Mifune) [1:17] Enrique GRANADOS (1867 – 1916) Intermezzo from Goyescas (trans. Gaspar Cassadó) [4:57] Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Tarantella from The Gadfly, Op. 97 (trans. Jusas Tschelkauskas) [3:04] Maurice RAVEL (1875 – 1937) Habanera (trans. Paul Bazelaire) [2:58] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (trans. L.-R. Feuillard) [2:24] Jean Baptiste SENAILLÉ (1687 – 1730) Allegro spiritoso (trans. J. Salmon) [2:29] Henri VIEUXTEMPS (1820 – 1881) Cantilena, Op. 49, No. 24 (trans. Jénö Hubay) [6:36] Siegfried BARCHET (1918 – 1982) Boulevard de Garavan [1:37] Jacques OFFENBACH (1819 – 1880) Danse bohémienne, Op. 28 [10:19] Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943) Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 (trans. Leonard Rose) [6:53] George GERSHWIN (1898 – 1937) Short Story (trans. Samuel Dushkin) [2:59] Maria Kliegel (cello), Raimund Havenith (piano) rec. Tonstudio van Geest, Heidelberg, 5-7 November 1990. DDD NAXOS 8.557943 [75:14] [GPu]

Virtuosity and taste in a programme that mixes familiar and unfamiliar … see Full Review

The Art of Gillian Weir - five Decca Eloquence CDs (only available separately)(Recorded between 1974 and 1980. Organs of St Laurens, Rotterdam; Clare College Cambridge; Royal Festival Hall, London; Hexham Abbey; St Leonhardskirche, Basel; St Maximin Thionville. ADD) [CB]

I would recommend especially Volume 2 for the Clérambault, 3 for the Roberday, and 5 for the Camilleri and the deliciously played French miniatures from Hexham. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH The Ramallah Concert - West Eastern Divan Orchestra - Daniel Barenboim DVD 1: Knowledge is the beginning - a film produced and directed by Paul Smaczny [94:00] DVD 2: The Ramallah Concert - West-Eastern Divan Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim [112:00] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, KAnh.9 (297b) Mohamed Saleh (oboe); Kinan Azmeh (clarinet); Mor Biron (bassoon); Sharon Polyak (horn) Speeches by Nabeel Hath and Mustafa Barghouti. Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67 Speeches by Miriam Said and Daniel Barenboim. Encore Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Nimrod from Enigma Variations Op. 36 West Eastern Divan Orchestra - Daniel Barenboim Recorded "live" at the Cultural Palace, Ramallah, 21 August 2005 and includes an 18 minute documentary directed by Ayellet Hallerr. Concert produced by Paul Smaczny Concert Director: Michael Beyer Documentary Director: Ayellet Heller Principal Photography: Nyika Jansco Picture format: NTSC/Colour/16.9 Sound formats: PCM Stereo. DTS 5.1 surround. DOLBY digital 5.1 Region 2-5 encoding. PAL Menu language English, German, French, Spanish and Arabic (for Knowledge Is The Beginning) WARNER VISION DVD VIDEO 2564 62792-2 [94:00 + 112:00] [DD]

Quite simply the best music DVD I’ve ever seen; it’s so much more than just music. ... see Full Review

Water Settings - Australian music for percussion duo Daryl PRATT Modern Dance (2002) [5.43] Michael SMETANIN Finger Funk (2004) [8.06] Andrew FORD The Crantock Gulls (2003) [7.07] Daryl PRATT A Room in the House (2004) [9.22]; Water Settings (2005) [20.09]; Tangos Nuevos II (2002) [5.00] Peter SCULTHORPE arr. Daryl PRATT Djilile (1989) [6.12] Match percussion duo (Darryl Pratt, Alison Eddington) rec. April-May 2005, Recital Room East, Sydney Conservatorium. DDD TALL POPPIES TP183 [62.40] [RH]

A percussion duo to watch. They display admirable virtuosity. The selected works say much of their musicianship ... they do not try to dazzle us just for virtuosity’s sake. ... see Full Review

Laurel Zucker: Song of the Wind Johannes DONJON (1839-1912) Elegie for solo flute [3:04] Song of the Wind for solo flute [2:03] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Prelude (from the Cello Suite No. 1) [2:52] Sarabande (from the Cello Suite No. 1) [3:40] Courante (from the Cello Suite No. 3) [2:44] Gigue (from the Cello Suite No. 4) [1:49] Katherine HOOVER (b. 1937) Kokopeli [4:34] Carl Philipp Emmanuel BACH (1714-1788) Sonata for solo flute in A minor [12:00] Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Fantasia No. 1 [3:50] Fantasia No. 4 [4:39] Fantasia No. 8 [4:26] Fantasia No. 5 [4:53] Fantasia No. 2 [5:01] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partita in A minor for solo flute [13:53] Laurel ZUCKER (b. 1955) Pandora’s Box [1:51] Laurel Zucker (flute) rec. no date given. Cunningham Chapel, Belmont, California, USA. DDD CANTILENA RECORDS 66042 [71:28] [ABi]

A recommended introduction to the music-making of this fine player. ... see Full Review

 

BOOK REVIEWS

Arthur Sullivan and the Royal Society of Musicians by David Mackie Published by the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain 2006 ISBN 0-9509481-3-6 available direct from the RSMGB, 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1BA £9.95 + £1.35 (UK) £3.50 (overseas) [RW]

David Mackie has been delving amongst the darkly held archives of the Royal Society of Musicians for over five years and in this book comes up with some interesting findings. ... 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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