UNEASY
LISTENING - A caricature guide to
20th century composers
by John Minnion 109pp
Paperback ISBN 0-9544499 1 6 [RB]
This
is wonderfully well done as a book of
illustrations. It tells us something
of the psychology of the composer in
each case and does so wittily and not
without taking a few dangerous corners.
... see Full
Review
Eric
Charles Blake
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
SEPTEMBER
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Six
Suites for Violoncello, BWV
1007-1012. DVD 1: Suite No.1 in G Major;
Suite No.2 in D Minor; Suite No.3 in
C Major DVD 2: Suite No 4 in E Flat
Major; Suite No.5 in C Minor; Suite
No. 6 in D Major. CD1: Music only from
DVD 1; CD2: Music only from DVD 2 
Wen-Sinn Yang. (cello) rec. Servatiuskirche
Auf Dem Streichen - (no date given)
Sound Supervisor: Wilhelm Meister Executive
Producer: Korbinian Meyer Director of
TV and Video: Ruth Käch. Region
Code 0; NTSC 
ARTHAUS
MUSIK 101 419 [2 DVDs: 76:49 + 96:54]
[ZT]
Only
physical presence could transcend the
musical epiphany bestowed by this superb
presentation. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Norbert
BURGMÜLLER
(1810-1836) Piano
Sonata in F minor Op.8 (1826) [27:58]
Waltz in E Flat major (1827) [03:45]
Mazurka in E flat major [03:59] Rhapsodie
in B minor Op.13 (1834) [04:58] Polonaise
in F major Op.16 (1832) [05:56] Felix
MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY (1809-1847)
Marcia funebre in A minor Op.103
(1836) [06:54] Frédéric
BURGMÜLLER (1806-1874) Rêveries
fantastiques Op.41 (1838) [05:53] L’arabesque
(25 Études Op.100, No.2) (1851)
[00:44] Innocence (25 Études
Op.100, No.5) (1851) [00:54] Ballade
(25 Études Op.100, No.15) (1851)
[01:19] Valse brillante Op.106 (1851)
[06:16]
Tobias Koch (piano) rec. Schloss Kremsegg,
Kremsmünster, Austria, 16-18 November
2005
GENUIN GEN 86061 [68:44] [GPu]
An
outstanding, well-nigh revelatory disc,
fascinating music played exceptionally
well, with two early pianos very well-recorded
… see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ronald
CORP (b.
1951)
Forever Child and Other Choral
Music Forever Child (2004) [12:20]
Verbum Patri (2002) [1:53] Give to my
eyes Lord* (2005) [4:01] May the Lord
bless you* (2001) [3:16] Dover Beach
(2003) [12:46] Weep you no more sad
fountains* (1997) [2:24] Two part songs
(1997) [3:18] Four Elizabethan Lyrics*
(1994) [9:17] Lute-Book Lullaby (Sweet
was the song) (1980) [1:30] Fear no
more the heat o’ the sun (2004)[2:57]
Missa San Marco (2002) [12:01] Requiem
(2004) [1:55]
Voces Cantabiles/*Alexander Wells (piano)/Ronald
Corp rec. All Hallows Church, Gospel
Oak, London, 26, 28 November 2005. DDD
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7171 [68:32] [JQ]
This
CD has given me enormous pleasure from
start to finish and is one of the most
enjoyable discs to have come my way
for a long time. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Hans
Werner HENZE (b.
1926) Voices
for two voices and instruments
(1973): Los poetas cubanos ya no sueñan;
Prison Song; Keiner oder alle; The distant
drum; 42 Schulkinder; Caino; Heimkehr;
Grecia 1970; Legende von der Entstehung
des Buches Taoteking auf dem Weg des
Laotse in die Emigration; Gedanken eines
Revuemädchens während des
Entkleidungsaktes; Das wirkliche Messer;
Patria; Screams (Interlude); Para aconsejar
a una dama; Roses and revolutions; Schluss;
Das Blumenfest
Sarah Walker (mezzo), Paul Sperry (tenor)
London Sinfonietta/Hans Werner Henze
rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, January 1978.
ADD First released on LP as Decca Headline
HEAD19/20, 1980 EXPLORE
EXP 0007/8 [49.42 + 47.13] [AOz]
These
last few weeks, I’ve been blessed by
a surfeit of excellent recordings, but
this one really is special ... If all
releases by Explore are as good as this,
we are in for exciting times. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Wenzel KALLIWODA
(1801-1866)
Symphony
No. 5 in B minor, op. 106 (1840) [27:44]
Symphony No. 7 in G minor, WoO/01 (1841)
[28:50] Overture No. 16 in A minor,
op. 238 (1863) [11:42]
Das Neue Orchester/Christoph Spering
rec. Köln, November 15-18, 2004
CPO 777 139-2 [68:29] [DJB]
This
is unquestionably my discovery of the
year and my disc of the year … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER
(1869-1911) Symphony
No. 6 in A Minor Tragic (1903-1905)
[84:31] Carl
NIELSEN (1865-1931) Symphony
No. 5, Op.50 (1921-1922) [34:27]* Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Semiramide
Overture (1822) [12:23]+
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra,
New Philharmonia Orchestra*, BBC Symphony
Orchestra+/Jascha Horenstein rec. Winter
Gardens, Bournemouth 10 January 1969;
BBC Studios, London 26 February 1971*;
6 November 1957+. Also included is a
short interview with Horenstein by Deryck
Cooke recorded in 1971. ADD. (Mahler
and Rossini are mono)
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4191-2 2 [64:19
+ 74:00] [TD]
A
major release … You will be involved,
you will be moved, you will be unnerved,
you will not be disappointed. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Un moto di gioia - Opera and
Concert Arias Schon lacht der
holde Frühling, KV580 (1789) [7:47]
Ch’io mi scordi di te? KV 505
(1786)[10:01]¹ Nehmt meinen Dank,
KV383 (1782) [3:44] Lungi sa
te, mio bene Aria from Mitridate,
Rè di Ponto, KV87 (1770) [9:21]²
Un moto di gioia, Arietta KV579
(1789) from Le nozze di Figaro
[1:33] Come scoglio Recitative
and aria from Così fan tutte,
KV588 (1790) [5:28] Ruhe sanft mein
holdes Leben from Zaide,
KV344 (1779) [5:44] Exultate, jubilate,
KV165 (1770) [13:30]³
Miah Persson (soprano), Yevgeny Sudbin
(piano obbligato)¹, Bengt Olerås (solo
horn)², Ulf Samuelsson (organ)³, Swedish
Chamber Orchestra/Sebastian Weigle rec.
September 2005, Örebro Concert Hall,
Sweden
BIS SACD-1529 
[63:36] [DC]
The
singing of one of the best young lyric
sopranos of the day … a valuable addition
to any vocal collection. ... see Full
Review
HISTORICAL
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean-Philippe
RAMEAU
(1683-1764) Six
Concerts en Sextuor (1741) [59:10] Les
Indes Galantes, Ballet Héroïques
(1735) [48:41]
Irène Joachim (soprano) Camille
Maurane (baritone) Raymond Malvasio
(tenor) La Chorale Yvonne Gouverné
L’Ensemble Orchestral Hewitt/Maurice
Hewitt Rec. in Paris in 1952 (Six Concerts)
and 1942 (Les Indes Galantes)
CASCAVELLE VEL 3092 [59:10 + 48:41]
[JW]
Vigorous
and enthusiastic, long on sympathy and
romantic trajectory … Hewitt was a talented
and dedicated musician and this release
does his memory honourable service ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975)
Symphony
No.13 in B flat minor, "Babi
Yar" Op. 113 (1962) (Babi
Yar. Adagio [16:13]; Humour. Allegretto
[8:19]; In the Store. Adagio [12:12];
Fears. Largo [12:11]; A Career. Allegretto
[12:42]) Jan-Hendrik
Rootering (bass) Netherlands Radio Choir
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra/Mark
Wigglesworth rec. April 2005, Music
Centre for Dutch Radio and Television,
Studio MCO5, Hilversum BIS-SACD-1543
[62:22]
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975)
Symphony No.13 in B flat minor,
"Babi Yar" Op. 113
(1962) (Babi Yar. Adagio [16:03];
Humour. Allegretto [8:07]; In the Store.
Adagio [12:43]; Fears. Largo [11:43];
A Career. Allegretto [13:06])
Taras Shtonda (bass) Czech Philharmonic
Choir Brno Beethoven Orchester Bonn/Roman
Kofman rec. 28-30 November 2005, Heilig
Kreuz-Kirche Bad Godesberg MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM
MDG
937 1205-6 [61:51] [GF]
Two
extremely well-played and thrilling
SACD versions of this deeply fascinating
symphony. The BIS recording wins on
points thanks to the impressive sound
quality and the singing. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975)
Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40 (1934)
[30:03]; Pieces for Cello and Piano
(1949-1953) – The Clockwork Doll
(arr. Sapozhnikov and Kirkor) [0:53];
Hurdy-Gurdy (arr. Atovmian) [0:44];
Sad Song (arr. Kalianov) [1:52];
Lullaby (arr. Kalianov) [1:22];
Spring Waltz (arr. Atovmian)
[1:46]; Nocturne (arr. Atovmian)
[3:06]; Moderato [2:13]; Gigue
from ‘Hamlet’ (arr. Chelkauskas)
[1:41] Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Madrigal
In Memoriam Oleg Kagan for Solo
Cello (1991) [8:22]. Klingende Buchstaben
(1988) [4:17]; Cello Sonata No.
1 (1978) [21:57]
Alban Gerhardt (cello); Steven Osborne
(piano). rec. Wigmore Hall, London,
26-28 August 2005. DDD
HYPERION CDA67534 [78:50] [CC]
I
cannot recommend this disc enough. True,
it is full-price, but I bet you will
play it many more times than a multitude
of super-budgets. Superb. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Jean
SIBELIUS
(1864-1957) A
Film in Two Parts: The Early Years
[52:31]; Maturity and Silence
[50:34] Elisabeth Söderström
(soprano); Boris Belkin (violin) Swedish
Radio Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy
(conductor) Recorded 1984
Cameraman: David Findlay, Editor: Peter
Heelas, Writer and Director: Christopher
Nupen. NTSC All regions Includes bonus
film Allegro molto The Christopher
Nupen Films ALLEGRO
FILMS 05CN [103:05] [AO]
A
true collector’s item, a poetic and
imaginative essay on Sibelius and on
the nature of artistic creation. ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard
STRAUSS (1864
– 1949) Salome
(1905) Birgit Nilsson (soprano)
– Salome; Gerhard Stolze (tenor) – Herod;
Grace Hoffman (mezzo) – Herodias; Eberhard
Wächter (baritone) – Jokanaan;
Waldemar Kmentt (tenor) – Narraboth;
Josephine Veasey (mezzo) – Page to Herodias;
Paul Kuen (tenor) – First Jew); Stefan
Schwer (tenor) – Second Jew; Kurt Equiluz
(tenor) – Third Jew; Aron Gestner (tenor)
– Fourth Jew; Max Proebstl (bass) –
Fifth Jew; Tom Krause (baritone) – First
Nazarene; Nigel Douglas (tenor) – Second
Nazarene; Zenon Kosnowski (bass) – First
Soldier; Heinz Holecek (bass) – Second
Soldier; Theodor Kirschbichler (bass)
– Cappadocian; Liselotte Mailk (soprano)
– Slave
Wiener Philharmoniker/Georg Solti publ.
1962. No recording dates and venue given.
John Hunt’s discography in Birgit Nilsson’s
autobiography says Vienna, October 1961
DECCA 475 7528 [53:52 + 45:34] [GF]
For
the raw animal thrill of Solti’s conducting,
the overblown recording and, most of
all, Nilsson’s unsurpassed singing of
the title role this is a recording that
should be in every respectable CD collection.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Charles-Marie
WIDOR
(1844-1937) Organ
Symphony No.5, Op.42, No.1 (1879) [40:50]
Organ Symphony No.6, Op.42, No.2 (1879)
[37:54]
Colin Walsh (organ) rec. Lincoln Cathedral,
19-21 September, 2005.
GUILD GMCD 7305 [79:16] [JF]
I
am so impressed by this CD that I would
have to recommend it to anyone who wishes
to explore this unbelievably exciting
and equally beautiful music. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Hugo
WOLF
(1860-1903) Eichendorff-Lieder:
Der Musikant, Verschweigene Liebe, Das
Standchen, Nachtzauber, Seemans Abschied
Mörike-Lieder: Der Genesene an
die Hoffnung, Der Knabe und das Immlein,
Begegnung, Verboirgenheit, Nimmersatte
Liebe, Im Frühling, Auf ein Wanderung,
Um Mitternacht, Auf ein altes Bild,
Gebet, An den Schlaf, An die Geliebte,
Lied eines Verliebten, Peregrina 1 and
2, Der Jager, Abschied. Goethe-Lieder:
Gutmann und Gutweib, Ganymede
Ian Bostridge (tenor), Anthony Pappano
(piano) rec. 26-29 April 2005, LSO St
Luke’s, London
EMI CLASSICS 3 42256 2 [71:37] [AOz]
An
excellent and highly individual approach
to Wolf by an interpreter who really
understands Wolf’s special sensibility
and breathes life into the music. ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Alexander
ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942)
Lyrische
Symphonie Op. 18 (1922)
Matthias Goerne (baritone); Christine
Schäfer (soprano) Orchestre National
de Paris/Christoph Eschenbach rec. Paris,
June 2005. SACD
CAPRICCIO
71 081 [51:47] [AO]
The
performances and insights are so profound
that this recording will stand the test
of time. It will be the touchstone for
decades to come, like a "lamp held
on high, in order to light (our) way"
as the text suggests. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Juan
Diego Flórez: Sentimiento
latino
Pedro Elías
GUTIÉRREZ (1870–1954) 1.
Alma llanera (1914) [3:18] José
Alfredo JIMÉNEZ (1926–1973)
2. Ella (1950s) [3:44] María
Isabel GRANDA LARCO (Chabuca GRANDA)
(1920–1983) 3. La flor
de la canela [3:42]
Carlos GARDEL (1890–1935) and
Alfredo Le PERA 4. El
día quem e quieras(1935) [4:38]
Agustin LARA
(1900–1969) 5. Granada
(1932) [4:15]Trad.
(arr. Flórez) 6. La jarra
de oro [3:16] José
PADILLA (1889–1960) 7. Princesita
(from La corte del amor)
(1916) [3:10] María
GREVER (1884–1951) 8. Júrame
(1920s) [3:37]
Manuel María PONCE (1882–1948)
9. Estrellita (1914) [3:04] María
Isabel GRANDA LARCO (Chabuca GRANDA)
and Eduardo
Óscar ROVIRA 10. Fina
estampa [2:34]
Noel ESTRADA (1918–1979)
11. En mi viejo San Juan (1940s?)
[4:44] Ernesto
LECUONA (1895–1963) 12. Siboney
(1929) [4:00]
Nilo MENÉNDEZ and
Adolfo UTRERA 13. Aquellos
ojos verdes [4:14] María
Isabel GRANDA LARCO (Chabuca GRANDA)
14. Bello durmiente [2:38] Jesús
Monge RAMIREZ (1910–1964)
15. México lindo (1940s) [4:03]
Juan Diego Flórez (tenor), Daniel Binelli
(bandoneon) (4, 7, 8), David Gálvez
(guitar) (2, 3, 9, 10, 14), Shields-Collins
Bray (piano) (7, 9), Juan Diego Flórez
(bongos (10), Mariachi de Oro with Swang
Lin, Eugene Cherkasov, Xiao-Hua Sheng
(violin) (2), Michael Shih, Adriana
Voirin De Costa (violin) (7, 9), Laura
Bruton (viola) (7, 9), Karen Basrak
(cello) (7, 9), William Clay (bass)
(7, 9), Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra/Miguel
Harth-Bedoya (1, 3-6, 8, 11-13, 15)
rec. 25 September–2 October 2004, Landreth
Auditorium, Fort Worth, Texas
DECCA 475 7576 [55:08] [GF]
Sensible,
sensitive, intelligent, technically
impeccable, extremely beautiful –not
a trace of bad behaviour. Singing of
this calibre can refine even the slightest
of material – and this is not all that
slight. ... see Full
Review
BARGAINS
OF THE MONTH (September)
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
War Requiem, Op. 66 (1961)
[81:24] Rehearsing War Requiem:
recordings made during session rehearsals*
[49:34]
Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano); Peter
Pears (tenor); Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
(baritone) The Bach Choir; London Symphony
Chorus; Highgate School Choir Melos
Ensemble Simon Preston (organ) London
Symphony Orchestra/Benjamin Britten
rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 3-5, 7,
8, 10 January 1963 Stereo/*mono
DECCA - THE ORIGINALS 475 7511 [54:52
+ 76:50] [JQ]
This
superb recording, definitive in so many
ways, speaks to us as powerfully today
as it ever did. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Requiem, Op. 89 (1890)
[94:59] Biblical Songs,
Op. 99 – excerpts* (1894) [19:08]
Maria Stader (soprano); Sieglinde Wagner
(contralto); Ernst Haefliger (tenor);
Kim Borg (bass) Czech Chorus, Prague
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl
*Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone);
Jörg Demus (piano) rec., Rudolfinum,
Prague, January, February 1959; *Studio
Lankwitz, Berlin, April 1960. ADD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ROSETTE COLLECTION
476 5307 [72:40 + 41:34] [JQ]
This
Ančerl version of the Requiem is
something rather special and it constitutes
a clear first choice ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT
(1811-1886)
Complete Piano Music - Volume 23
Piano
Transcriptions of Beethoven's Symphonies
7 and 8, S464/R128: Symphony No. 7 in
A major, Op. 92 [38:46] Symphony No.
8 in F major, Op. 93 [24:58]
Konstantin Scherbakov (piano)rec. Potton
Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, 5-7 June 2002
(No.7); 5 October 2004 (No.8). DDD
NAXOS 8.557856 [63:44] [TP]
Those
who have been collecting this series
will already be rushing into the stores
to snap this issue up. Those who are
as yet unfamiliar with Liszt’s Beethoven
transcriptions should do the same....
see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467
(1785) [27:41] Piano Concerto No. 25
in C major, K503 (1786) [31:23]
Stephen Kovacevich (piano) London Symphony
Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis rec. London,
June 1972. ADD
PHILIPS ROSETTE COLLECTION 4765316
[60:04] [DRD]
There
have been many superlatives in this
review but they’re all deserved. Enough
- I’m going to listen to the music again!
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Romeo and Juliet (1935-36):
excerpts from Suites No.1 (Op. 64a),
No. 2 (Op. 64b) and No. 3 (Op.101):
(Montagues and Capulets (Op.64b, No.
1) [5:31]; Juliet the Young Girl (Op.
64b, No. 2) [3:52]; Folk Dance (Op.
64a, No 1) [4:16]; Scene (Op. 64a, No.
2) [1:31]; Madrigal (Op. 64a, No. 3)
[3:35]; Minuet (Op. 64a, No. 4) [3:04];
Masks (Op. 64a, No. 5) [1:55]; Romeo
and Juliet (Op. 64a, No. 6) [7:41];
Tybalt’s Death (Op. 64a, No. 7) [4:35];
Friar Laurence (Op. 64b, No. 3) [2:40];
Dance (Op. 64b, No. 4) [1:57]; Romeo
and Juliet before Parting (Op. 64b,
No. 5) [9:14]; Dance of the Girls from
The Antilles (The Girls with Lilies)
(Op. 64b, No. 6) [2:12]; Romeo at Juliet’s
Tomb (Op. 64b, No. 7) [7:01]; Death
of Juliet (Op. 101, No.6) [4:18])
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Myung-Whun
Chung rec. Concertgebouw, Amsterdam,
January, February 1993. DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ENTRÉE 00289
477 5011 [63:22] [JQ]
Superlative
playing, sympathetic conducting, fine
engineering, marvellous music and a
bargain price; what more can one ask?
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) An
Introduction to Ralph Vaughan Williams Overture
to The Wasps from the 'Aristophanic
Suite' (1909) * [10:16] Fantasia
on 'Greensleeves' - arranged by
Ralph Greaves (d. 1966) (1934) † [4:34]
The Lark Ascending - Romance
for Violin and Orchestra (1921) ‡ [15:36]
A London Symphony (Symphony No.
2) (1913) § [47:41]
Michael Davis (violin) London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Vernon Handley * London Symphony
Orchestra/Bryden Thomson †‡§ rec. dates
and venues not supplied but made 1980s
and 1990s
CHANDOS INTRO CHAN 2028 [78:09]
[DH]
Thomson’s
mighty London risks creating a following.
This is a magnificent performance which
impresses more with each hearing ...
see Full
Review
OCTOBER
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann Ludwig BACH (1677-1731) Cantatas (pre-1726) Marche
dich auf, werde licht [17:55] Ja, mir hast du Arbeit genacht
[19:56] Er machete uns lebendig [12:08] Die mit Tränen
säen [17:32] 
Barbara
Schlick (soprano) Mary Nichols (alto) Wilfried Jochens
(tenor) Stephen Varcoe (bass) Jugendkantorei Dormagen,
Die Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. Neanderkirche, Dusseldorf,
2-6 November 1981 CARUS
83.186 [67:33] [JW]
A
sure-footed conspectus of a gifted cousin’s seldom-performed
cantatas. ... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No. 2 in
B flat, Op. 83a (1878-81) [45:31] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1797-1827) Piano Sonata
No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111b (1822) [25:47] 
John
Ogdon (piano) aThe Hallé Orchestra/John Barbirolli
rec. aBBC Studios, Manchester, 16 September
1966; bBBC Studios, London, 5 November 1963.
ADD mono BBC
LEGENDS BBCL 4183-2 [71:54][CC]
This
is a magical reminder of a great pianist, here caught
in collaboration with a great conductor.
One thing is sure - we are in the presence of genius when we listen to these astonishing
performances. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Domenico
CIMAROSA (1749–1801) Il
matrimonio segreto - Comic Opera in Two
Acts (1792) Dietrich
Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) – Geronimo, a wealthy merchant;
Julia Varady (soprano) – Elisetta, his elder daughter,
promised in marriage to the Count; Arleen Augér (soprano) – Carolina,
his younger daughter, secretly married to Paolino; Julia
Hamari (contralto) – Fidalma, Geronimo’s sister, widow;
Alberto Rinaldi (baritone) – the Count; Ryland Davies (tenor) – Paolino,
young clerk to Geronimo; English Chamber Orchestra/Daniel
Barenboim rec. George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, August-September
1975, Henry Wood Rehearsal Hall, London, August 1976 DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 476 5303 [3 CDs: 56:45 + 59:39 + 49:40]
[GF]
One
of the best examples of recorded opera buffa in the entire
catalogue – a true benchmark version! ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Orlando GIBBONS (1583-1625)
Keyboard Music Fantasia,
MB101 [2:25] A Fancy, MB3; Fantasia, MB81 [5:13] The
Queen’s Command, MB282 [1:30] Pavan, MB17; Galliard, MB232 [4:56]
Ground, MB262 [2:33] Alman, MB33; Coranto, MB402 [2:53] The
Italian Ground, MB272 [1:54] Verse, MB4; Fantasia of 4 parts,
MB121 [6:24] Prelude, MB13 [1:38] Pavan: Lord Salisbury, MB18;
Galliard, MB193 [5:59] Alman: The King’s Jewel, MB36; Alman,
MB373 [3:39] Pavan, MB163 [5:31] Galliard, MB21; Galliard,
MB223 [5:07] Lincoln’s Inn Masque, MB44; The Queen’s Command, MB283 [2:39] Christopher
Hogwood (1cabinet organ, 2Italian spinet, 3harpsichord)
rec. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, April 1975. ADD EXPLORE
RECORDS EXP 0006 [53:20] [MG]
The
classic recording of Gibbons’ keyboard music with playing
unsurpassed by its successors … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Vingts
Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus (1944) [124:27] Joyce
Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artists Studios, Cambridge. Regards 1-10,
8 September 2004; 5 January 2006, Regards 11-20, 10
September 2004; 6 January 2006. CONCERT
ARTIST CACD 20032 [55:14 + 68:59] [DC]
I
can’t imagine Messiaen himself would have wanted more.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The
Violin Sonatas CD 1 Sonata
for Piano and Violin in F, K.376 [16:38] Sonata
for Piano and Violin in E flat, K.302 [12:05] Sonata
for Piano and Violin in G, K.379 [15:52] Sonata
for Piano and Violin in B flat, K.454 [15:30] CD
2 Sonata for Piano and Violin
in A, K.305 [16:44] Sonate für
Violine und Klavier Nr. 26 B-dur KV 378 [19:30] Sonate
für Violine und Klavier Nr. 18 G-dur KV 301 [13:19] Sonata
for Piano and Violin in E flat, K.481 [23:27] CD
3 Sonata for Piano and Violin
in C, K.296 [15:39] Sonata for
Piano and Violin in E flat, K.380 [20:07] Sonata
for Piano and Violin in F, "für Anfänger",
K.547 [16:34] Sonata for Piano
and Violin in D, K.306 [19:20] CD
4 Sonata for Piano and Violin
in C, K.303 [9:44] Sonata for
Piano and Violin in F, K.377 [18:50] Sonate
für Violine und Klavier Nr. 21 e-moll KV 304 [14:21] Sonate
für Violine und Klavier A-dur KV 526 [20:52] Anne-Sophie
Mutter (violin) Lambert Orkis
(piano) rec. Philharmonie im
Gasteig, Munich, February 2006. DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 002894775801 [4 CDs: 68:19 + 70:12 + 72:56 + 64:04][DC]
A
more consistently wonderful set than this new recording
you won’t find for money or love. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) The
Mozart Album see
review for details Anna
Netrebko (soprano)٭, Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone)¹,
Elīna Garanča (mezzo)ŗ, Thomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone)²,
René Pape (bass)³, Christoph Strehl (tenor)^, Erika
Miklósa (soprano)ª, Miah Persson (soprano)˚,
Christine Rice (mezzo)י; rec 2005-6 DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 6297 [59:30] [GF]
A
collection of golden eggs worth anyone’s money! Here are
indeed some of finest voices now before the public. ...
see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Le nozze di Figaro,
K. 492: Giunse alfin il momento … Deh vieni, non tardar,
o gioia bella (Susanna)[4:17]; Voi che sapete (Cherubino)(with
embellishments by Domenico Corri)[3:06]; Ch’io mi scordi
di te? … Non temer, amato bene K. 505 (Idamante)(from
a revision of the opera Idomeneo)[10:36]; Così fan
tutte, K. 588: In uomini, in soldati (Despina)[2:55]; Ei parte … Senti! …Ah,
no! … Per pietà, ben mio, perdona (Fiordiligi)[9:33]; È amore
un ladroncello (Dorabella)[3:13]; La clemenza
di Tito, K. 621: Non più di fiori vaghe catene (Vitellia)[7:06];
Idomeneo, K. 366: Quando avran fine omai … Padre, germani,
addio! (Ilia)[8:01]; Vado, ma dove? o Dei! K.
583 (Madama Lucilla) (insertion in the opera Il burbero
di buon core by Martin y Soler)[4:29]; Le nozze
di Figaro: Non so più cosa son, cosa faccio (Cherubino)
[2:46]; Alma grande, e nobil core! K. 578 (Madama)(insertion
in the opera I due baroni di Rocca Azzurra by Domenico
Cimarosa [4:28]; Le nozze di Figaro: Giunse
alfin il momento … Al desio di chi t’adora, K. 577
(Susanna)(replacing Deh vieni non tardar at the
revival in Vienna, 29 August 1789)[7:29]; Magdalena
Kožená (mezzo) Jos van Immerseel (fortepiano) Orchestra
of the Age of Enlightenment/Sir Simon Rattle rec. AIR Studios,
Lyndhurst Hall, London, December 2005 ARCHIV
PRODUKTION 00289 477 5799 [67:56][GF]
Being a Mozart enthusiast in the operatic
field this year involves deep incisions in the bank account. This
disc with Kožená also belongs in the not-to-be-missed category.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John
TAVERNER (c. 1490-1545) Kyrie
(Le Roy) [6:37] Western Wind Mass
[25:08] William
CORNYSH (d. 1523) Woefully Arrayed [7:22] ANONYMOUS (c. 1510) Ah, My Dear Son [5:43] SHERYNGHAM (c. 1500) Ah, gentle Jesu [6:02] John
BROWNE (fl. c. 1480-1505) Jesu, mercy [9:21] Christopher
TYE (c. 1505-1573) In Pace Ars
Nova Copenhagen/Paul Hillier rec. 19-24 July 2004, St.
Paul’s Church, Copenhagen. DA
CAPO 8.226050 [65:32][KS]
Flawless
singing from every point of view. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Concerti per violino vol. 1 Concerto
in D Grosso Mogul (RV 208) [15:07] Concerto in g minor (RV 332) [09:43]
Concerto in D L'Inquietudine (RV 234) [06:22] Concerto in c minor Il
Sospetto (RV 199) [09:08] Concerto in B flat La Caccia (RV 362)
[07:40] Concerto in E Il Riposo (RV 270) [07:31] Enrico
Onofri (violin) Academia Montis Regalis/Alessandro de Marchi rec. June 2005,
Oratorio di Santa Croce, Mondovi, Italy. DDD NAÏVE
OP 30417 [55:33] [JV]
This
disc is a winner in every respect - Onofri not only gives
splendid interpretations but also explains which Vivaldi’s
underlying ideas ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Christmas
at St. John’s College, Cambridge Chapel
Bell [0.35] Plainsong Rorate
cæli [5:21] Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel [3:25] Antiphon:
O Sapientia [1:00] Otto GOLDSCHMIDT (1829-1907) A
Tender Shoot [2:08] Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) A
Spotless Rose (1919) [3:15] Hymn: Lo! He comes with clouds
descending (descant by Christopher Robinson) [4:44] Antiphon:
O Adonai [1:08] Edward NAYLOR (1867-1934) Vox
dicentes: Clama (1911) [9:00] Antiphon: O Radix Jesse [1:02] Judith
BINGHAM (b. 1952) The clouded Heaven (1998) [4:50]
Antiphon: O Clavis David [1:09] John
RUTTER (b. 1943) There is a flower (1986) [4:28] Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) This have I done for my true
love (1916) [5:29] Antiphon: O Oriens [0:57] Francis
POTT (b. 1957) Lullay my liking (2004) [6:40]
Antiphon: O Rex gentium [0:58] Peter
WARLOCK (1894-1930) arr. David
HILL Bethlehem Down (1927) [4:49] Antiphon: O
Emmanuel [1:00] Morten LAURIDSEN (b.
1943) O magnum mysterium (1994) [6:50] Hymn: O come,
all ye faithful (descant by David Hill) [3:54] Antiphon:
Hodie Christus natus est [1:07] The
Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge/Paul Provost (organ)/David
Hill rec. St. John’s College Chapel, 13-15 January 2006.
DDD HYPERION
CDA67576 [74:41] [JQ]
This
is a very distinguished package indeed. I shall be surprised
if I encounter a finer CD of Christmas music this year
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Lighten
our Darkness: Music for
the Close of Day, including The Office of Compline Evening
Prayers John SHEPPARD (c1515-1558) In
pace [5:16]; Libera nos, salva nos [3:49] Orlande
de LASSUS (1532-1594) Justorum animae [3:06] Jacob
HANDL (1550-1591) Pater noster [4:22] William
MUNDY (c1528-1591) O Lord, the Maker of all
thing [2:51] William BYRD (1543-1623) Visita,
quaesumus Domine [5:04] Josef
RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Abendlied [3:23] Evening
Hymns William BYRD O
Christ who art the light and day [4:29] Louis
BOURGEOIS (c1510-1559) O gladsome light [1:54] Thomas
TALLIS (c1505-1585) Te lucis ante terminum [2:24] Motets
of the Virgin Mary Tomas
Luis de VICTORIA (1548-1611) Alma Redemptoris
Mater [6:52]; Ave Regina caelorum [3:18]; Regina caeli
laetare [3:35]; Salve Regina [10:32] Francisco
GUERRERO (1528-1599) Ave Maria [5:06] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Bogoroditsye Dyevo (Ave
Maria) [2:38] Two Commendations William
BYRD In manus tuas [3:25] John
SHEPPARD In manus tuas [3:56] The Office
of Compline* [22:42] John
Harte (Reader)/Simon Wall (Precentor) The Cambridge Singers/John
Rutter rec. The Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral, January 2006.
DDD COLLEGIUM
COLCD 131 [77:33 + 22:42][JQ]
This
is a lovingly performed and deeply satisfying pair of discs
that should be self-recommending to all lovers of the music
of the English church. ... see Full
Review
BARGAINS
OF THE MONTH (October)
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
Elgar Orchestral Works conducted by Sir John Barbirolli CD
1 [67:43]
Symphony No. 1, Introduction and Allegro, CD 2 [65:24] Symphony No.
2, Elegy, Sospiri, CD 3 [63:14] Falstaff, Cockaigne, Froissart, CD
4 [72:55] Enigma Variations, Pomp & Circumstance Marches Nos. 1-5,
Serenade, CD 5 [53:45] Sea Pictures, Cello Concerto, Janet
Baker (mezzo) ; Jacqueline du Pré (cello) Allegri String Quartet Sinfonia
of London/John Barbirolli ; Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli ; Hallé Orchestra/Sir
John Barbirolli ; New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli ; London Symphony
Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli EMI
CLASSICS 3 67918 2 [5 CDs: 67:43 + 65:24 + 63:14 + 72:55 + 53:45] [RB]
This
is a commanding Christmas bargain. Readings that are still
exciting, eccentrically blighted and blessed, magnificent
and suffused with radiant personality. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Orchestral
Miniatures Froissart
Overture Op. 19 (1890) [14:02]; May Song (1901 orch. 1928) [4:04];
Carissima (1913) [3:44]; Romance for Bassoon
and Orchestra Op. 62 (1910) [5:18]; Three Characteristic
Pieces Op. 10 (1882/99) [12:02]; Minuet Op.
21 (1897/9) [4:26]; Chanson de Nuit Op. 15 no. 1
(1897) [4:26]; Chanson de Matin (1898) [3:37]; Three
Bavarian Dances (1895) [12:15] Preman
Tilson (bassoon) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd
rec. Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, 6-8
April 2004 NAXOS
8.557577 [64:04][GH]
A
delightful disc with attractive and thoughtful performances
and at a budget price. This particular combination of
pieces has not been put together before and probably
never will again, so snap it up. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Lyric
Pieces CD 1 Lyric Pieces (8), Book 1, Op.
12 (1867) Lyric Pieces (8), Book 2, Op. 38 (1883) Lyric
Pieces (6), Book 3, Op. 43 (1886) Lyric Pieces (7), Book
4, Op. 47 (1885-1888) CD 2 Lyric Pieces (6), Book
5, Op. 54 (1891) Lyric Pieces (6), Book 6, Op. 57
(1893) Lyric Pieces (6), Book 7, Op. 62 (1895) CD 3 Lyric
Pieces (6), Book 8, Op. 65 (1897) Lyric Pieces (6), Book
9, Op. 68 (1898) Lyric Pieces (7), Book 10, Op. 71 (1901) Aldo
Ciccolini (piano) rec. Paris, 2004 (exact date
and location not given) CASCAVELLE
VEL3083 [3 CDs: 61:23 + 62:33 + 59:04] [DC]
Confirms
Ciccolini’s place as one of the great pianists of our time.
... see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony
No. 8 in E flat Symphony of a Thousand (1906-10)
[80:51] Barbara
Kubiak (soprano) Magna Peccatrix; Izabela Klosinska
(soprano) Una Poenitentiam; Marta Boberska
(soprano) Mater Gloriosa; Jadwiga Rappé (mezzo-soprano) Mulier
Samaritana; Ewa Marciniec (mezzo) Maria Aegyptiaca;
Timothy Bentch (tenor) Doctor Marianus; Wojtek
Drabowicz (baritone) Pater Ecstaticus; Piotr Nowacki
(bass) Pater Profundis Polish Radio Choir (Kraków);
Warsaw Boys’ Choir; Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University
Choir; Warsaw National Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/Antoni
Wit rec. Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, 1-6 June,
2005 NAXOS
8.550533-34 [23:56 + 56:55][TH]
Exceptional
value … serious Mahlerians really should hear it ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Toru TAKEMITSU (1930-1996) Spirit
Garden (1994) [14:42] Solitude Sonore (1958)
[6:32] Film Scores: Jose Torres (1959): Music
of Training and Rest [5:12]; Black Rain (1989): Funeral
Music [5:17]; Face of Another: Waltz [2:26] Dreamtime (1981)
[14:35] A Flock Descends into the Pentagonal Garden (1977)
[13:52] Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop rec. January 2005, Concert
Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, England NAXOS
8.557760 [62:37] [KM]
An
excellent introduction to this little-known composer, and
at a bargain price ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH English
String Miniatures 6 Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) A
Moorside Suite (1928) (arr. Philip Lane) [14:02] Scherzo
[3:13]; Nocturne [6:30]; March [4:20] Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695) Chacony in G minor, Z.730
(ed. Benjamin Britten) [7:07] Paul
LEWIS (b.1943) Rosa Mundi (2003) [3:36] Adam
CARSE (1878-1958) The Winton Suite (1933) [12:40]
Prelude [2:22]; Air [2:17]; Dance [1:34]; Song [3:39]; Finale
[2:47] Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930) Bethlehem
Down (1927) (A carol for strings arr. Philip Lane) [4:07] Paul
CARR (b.1961) A Very English Music (2002) [7:42]
Cuckmere Haven [2:39]; Cornish Air [3:08]; The Hunt Gathering
[1:55] William Lloyd WEBBER (1914-1982) Waltz
in E minor (1939) [4:36] Lionel
SAINSBURY (b.1958) Two Nocturnes (1990) [4:49]
Molto lento [2:23]; Mesto e semplice [2:26] Malcolm
LIPKIN (b.1932) From Across La Manche (1998)
[15:34] Overture [4:34]; Ballade [5:23]; Dance-finale [5:37] Royal
Ballet Sinfonia/Gavin Sutherland rec. (tracks 1 – 17): Phoenix
Sound, Wembley , London, UK. 10-11 November 2003; (tracks
18-20): Sony Studios London UK, 12 August 2003. DDD 
NAXOS
8.557753 [74:15] [GPJ]RB]
I
hope this isn’t the last in what is
proving to be an astonishingly rich
series from Naxos. The recording is
typically excellent, the playing committed,
the conducting by Gavin Sutherland assured
and stylish [GPJ]
This is a classic collection and varied
enough to be listenable at a single
sitting ... the RBS and Gavin Sutherland
happily catch the half-lights as well
as the dazzle and the dark [RB] ...
see Full
Review
November
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal
Volume 1 – The Eleven Symphonies 
DECCA UNIVERSAL 4765337 [5CDs: 77:16
+ 68:32 + 57:44 + 64:38 + 71:54] [RB]
An
incontestably matchless sweep. Indispensable
to anyone with an interest in the 20th
century symphony. Handley is an inspired
and majestic guide to works awesome
in their command of emotion from delight
to terror. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal
Volume 2 – Seventeen Concertos
DECCA
UNIVERSAL 4765343 [4 CDs: 79:33
+ 69:03 + 55:35 + 69:05] [RB]
Scintillatingly
superb and poetically poignant performances.
Crucial Arnold, handsome packaging and
the price is right. Get it while you
can – discoveries and rediscoveries
aplenty. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH BEETHOVEN:
A JOURNEY Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
CD1 [77:03] Piano Sonata in F
minor, Op.2 No. 1 (1795) [22:59] Piano
Sonata in A major, Op.2 No. 2 (1795)
[27:27] Piano Sonata in C major, Op.2
No. 3 (1795) [26:32] CD2 [77:24]
Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 7
(1796-7) [27:20] Piano Sonata in C minor,
op. 10 No. 1 (1796-8) [17:48] Piano
Sonata in F major, Op, 10 No. 2 (1796-8)
[16:37] Piano Sonata in G minor, Op.
49 No. 1 (1795-98) [7:27] Piano Sonata
in G major, Op. 49 No. 2 (1795-96) [8:03]
CD3 [72:20] Piano Sonata in D
major, Op. 10 No. 3 (1796-98) [22:15]
Piano Sonata in C minor Op. 13, “Grande
Sonate Pathétique” (1798-99) [19:13]
Piano Sonata in E major, Op. 14 No.
1 (1798-99) [13:42] Piano Sonata in
G major, Op. 14 No. 2 (1798-99) [17:03]
CD4 76:30] Piano Sonata in B
flat major, Op. 22 (1799-1800) [25:01]
Piano Sonata in A flat major, Op. 26
(1800-01) [19:38] Piano Sonata in E
flat major, Op. 27 No.1 Sonata quasi
una Fantasia (1800-01) [16:18] Piano
Sonata in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No.
2 Sonata quasi una Fantasia,
“Moonlight: (1801) [15:27] CD5 [75:11]
Piano Sonata in D major, Op. 28, “Pastorale”
(1801) [27:23] Piano Sonata in G major,
Op. 31 No. 1 (1801-02) [23:58] Piano
Sonata in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “The
Tempest” (1801-02) [23:47] CD6 [69:19]
Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 31
No. 3 (1801-02) [24:40] Piano Sonata
in C major, Op. 53 “Waldstein” (1803-04)
[25:13] Piano Sonata in F major, Op.
54 (1804) [11:21] Andante favori in
F, WoO 57 (1803) [8:01] CD7 [74:38]
Piano Sonata in F minor, Op. 57, “Appassionata”
(1804-05) [24:06] Piano Sonata in F
sharp minor, Op. 78 (1809) [10:02] Piano
Sonata in G major, Op. 79 (1809) [9:07]
Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a,
“Das Lebwohl” (“Les Adieux”) (1809-10)
[17:55] Piano Sonata in
E minor, Op. 90 (1814) [13:21]
CD8 [62:50] Piano Sonata in A
major, Op. 101 (1816) [20:53] Piano
Sonata in B flat major, Op. 106. “Für
das Hammerklavier” (1817-18) [42:04]
CD9 [64:13] Piano Sonata in E
major, Op. 109 (1820) [19:06] Piano
Sonata in A flat major, Op. 110 (1821)
[19:09] Piano Sonata in
C minor, Op. 111 (1821-22) [25:56]
Craig Sheppard (piano) Rec. live concerts,
Meany Theater, Seattle, Washington,
USA. January 2003- May 2004 DDD
ROMÉO RECORDS 7233/41 [9
CDs: 77:03 + 77:24 + 72:20 + 76:30 +
75:11 + 69:19 + 74:38 + 62:50 + 64:13][JQ]
It’s
been a fascinating and very rewarding
experience to make this Journey with
Craig Sheppard as my highly reliable
and stimulating guide. I urge those
who take Beethoven’s piano music seriously
to take this Journey for themselves.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Luciano
BERIO (1925-2003)
The Complete Sequenzas, Alternate
Sequenzas CD1 Sequenza
I for flute, (1958) [7:56]
Paula Robison, rec. 1996 Sequenza
II for harp (1963) [10:15] Susan
Jolles, rec. 1995Sequenza III for
woman’s voice (1965) [8:46] Isabelle
Ganz, rec. 1996Sequenza IV for
piano (1966) [12:05] Aki Takahashi,
rec. 1999Sequenza V for trombone
(1966) [5:02] Stuart Dempster, rec.
1995Sequenza VI for viola (1967)
[13:16] Garth Knox, rec. 1995Sequenza
VII for oboe (1969/2000) [7:36]
Jacqueline Leclair, rec. 2004 CD2
Sequenza VIII for violin
(1976) [13:56] Irvine Arditti, rec.
1995Sequenza IXa for clarinet
(1980) [16:04] Carol Robinson, rec.
2000Sequenza IXb for alto saxophone
(1981) [17:50] Kelland Thomas, rec.
1967Sequenza X for trumpet and
piano resonance (1984) [15:16] William
Foreman, rec. 2001)Sequenza XI
for guitar (1987/8) [18:42] Seth Josel.,
rec. 2003 CD3 Sequenza XII
for bassoon (1995) [17:07] Noriko Shimada,
rec. 2001Sequenza XIII for accordion
“Chanson” 1995) [10:10] Stefan Hussong,
rec. 2000*Sequenza XIVa for cello
(2002) [11:38] Rohan de Saram, rec.
2004*Sequenza VIb for cello (1981)
[15:34] Rohan de Saram, rec. 2001*Sequenza
VIIb for soprano saxophone (1995)
[7:29] Ulrich Krieger, rec. 2004Sequenza
IXc for bass clarinet (1980) [13:37]
Alain Billard, rec. 2005 CD4
Sequenza XIVb for contrabass (2004)
[12:56] Stefano Scodanibbio, rec. 2005*Rounds
for harpsichord (1964/5) [2:08]
Jane Chapman, rec. 2005Gesti for
recorder (1966) [5:20] Lucia Mense,
rec. 1995Fa-Si for organ (1975)
[9:47] Gary Verkade, rec. 2005Les
mots sont allés…for cello (1978)
[4:03] Rohan de Saram, rec. 2004Lied
for clarinet (1983) [5:04] Comma
for clarinet (1987) [1:34] Carol Robinson,
rec. 2005*Psy for contrabass
(1989) [1:57] Michael Cameron, rec.
date unknown Chanson pour Pierre
Boulez for cello (2000) [2:46] Rohan
de Saram, rec. 2006*Gute Nacht for
trumpet (1986) [1:04] Brian McWhorter,
rec. 2005 *first recording All Sequenzas
are preceded by verses of Edoardo Sanguinetti
performed by Enzo Salomane
MODE 161/3 [4 CDs: 66:43 + 78:11
+ 76:36 + 47:02] [AOz]
The
most complete collection of Sequenzas
and related pieces, with outstanding
first performances – essential listening
for any serious Berio fan ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Elliott
CARTER (b. 1908)
A Labyrinth of Time Directed by
Frank Scheffer Region Code: All zones
NTSC Picture Format: 4:3 Dolby Digital
2.0
IDEALE AUDIENCE INTERNATIONAL DVD9DS17
[90:00][CT]
Elliott
Carter’s unique status in today’s musical
world is beautifully realised in film
by Frank Scheffer … a masterful piece
of film making ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) Piano
Sonata in E flat minor (1899-1900) [43:49]
Variations, Interlude
et Finale (sur un thème de Rameau) (1902)
[17:33] La plainte,
au loin, du faune (1920) [4:25] Prélude
élégiaque (1909) [4:06] Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) Pour le
Tombeau de Paul Dukas (1935) [3:17]
Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist
Studios, December 2004 (Sonata); January
2005 (Variations); January 2006 (remainder)
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS
CACD 92742 [74:22][JW]
If
you invested in Hamelin you owe it to
yourself, and also to Dukas, to seek out
Hatto. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957)
Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35
(1945) [25:02] Samuel BARBER (1910-1981)
Violin Concerto, Op.14 (1939–40)
[23:32] William WALTON
(1902-1983) Violin Concerto
(1938-39, rev. 1943) [30:02]
James Ehnes (violin) Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra/Bramwell Tovey rec. 22-23
February, 2006 (Korngold), 6-7 June,
2006 (Barber; Walton), Orpheum Theater,
Vancouver, Canada. DDD
ONYX 4016 [78:53][KS/MC]
Kevin
Sutton: Clearly at
the head of his class … Ehnes at his
very finest … a taut sense of inner
rhythm and a rhapsodic way with a good
melody.
Michael
Cookson: This generous Onyx recording
from James Ehnes of three late-Romantic
violin concertos is superbly played
and recorded, and deserves the highest
possible praise. ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Etienne
MÉHUL
(1763-1817)
The Complete Symphonies of Méhul
CD1 Overture: La Chasse
du Jeune Henri (1797) [10.35] Symphony
No. 1 in G minor (1808-9) [25:57] Symphony
No. 2 in D major (1808-9) [27:33] CD2
Overture: Le Trésor Supposé (1802)
[4.28] Symphony No. 3 in C major (1809)
[23:40] Symphony No. 4 in E major (1810)
[25:44]
The Gulbenkian Orchestra/Michel Swierczewski
rec. Lisbon, Portugal, 19-23 December
1988. DDD
NIMBUS NI 5184/5 [64:05 + 53:52]
[RB]
Méhul
has the capacity to delight still and
these recordings are a sublime avenue
through which to approach this composer’s
orchestral music. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
The Piano Sonatas (plus fantasies, rondos)
Leon McCawley (piano) rec. Dec 2005,
May 2006, Potton Hall, Suffolk
AVIE AV2105 [5CDs: 63.59 + 78:10
+ 71:01 + 61:22 + 70:32] [DD]
An
immense privilege … strongly recommended
…. one of the most enjoyable experiences
… bound to end up in my Records of the
Year ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Masao
OHKI
(1901-1971) Japanese
Rhapsody (1938) [12:57] Symphony
No. 5 Hiroshima (1953) [39:08]
New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra/Takuo
Yuasa rec. Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo,
1-2 May 2005
NAXOS 8.557839[52:05] [AOz]
The
Hiroshima Symphony is a startling, bracing
and deeply felt meditation on the effects
of war – a lesson that still needs to
be repeated, again and again ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Pavel
PABST (1854-1897)
Piano
Concerto in E flat major Op 82 (1885)
[32:58] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Rhapsody
on a Theme of Paganini (1934) [23:54]
Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Fantasy Overture: Hamlet
Op. 67 (1888) [18:45]
Panagiotis Trochopoulos (piano) Belarusian
State Academic Symphony Orchestra/Marius
Stravinsky rec. 19 April 2005 (Pabst)
and 7-8 February 2005 (Rachmaninov and
Tchaikovsky)
CAMEO CLASSICS C-C9021CD [76:21]
[DB]
Recommended
particularly for the Pabst — an unearthed
gem. … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Antonio
SACCHINI (1730–1786)
Œdipe à Colone (1787) – An
Opera in Three Acts based on the second
of the three Theban plays of Sophocles
François Loup (baritone) – Œdipe; Nathalie
Paulin (soprano) – Antigone; Robert
Getchell (tenor) – Polynice; Tony Boutté
(tenor) – Thésée; Kirsten Blaise (soprano)
– Eriphile; Kara Morgan (soprano) –
Une Athénienne; Jonathan Kimple (bass)
– Grand Prêtre; Jason Kaminski (bass)
– Un Hérault; Philip Cave (tenor) –
Un Coryphée; Opera Lafayette Orchestra
and Chorus/Ryan Brown rec. Vlarice Smith
Performing Arts Center, University of
Maryland, USA, 13-15 May 2005
NAXOS 8.660196-97 [67:54 + 44:53][GF]
Played
with vitality and with singing full
of character this is one of the more
thrilling finds within the operatic
genre for quite some time. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
The Golden Age (Zolotoy
vek) Op. 22 (1928) (complete)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/José
Serebrier rec. Henry Wood Hall,
Glasgow, 23-26 May 2006.
NAXOS 8.570217-18 [76:41 + 67:01][AOz]
This
is a breathtaking recording in many
ways. It’s also complete and uncut and
the notes are good. Don’t hesitate –
this is one that needs to be listened
to, even in this crowded year of Shostakovich
revelations. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Karol
SZYMANOWSKI
(1882–1937) The
Complete Solo Piano Music
Sinae Lee (piano) rec. Royal
Scottish Academy of Music and Drama,
Glasgow, Sept 2002 - Feb 2005. Full
track details at end of review
THE DIVINE ART 21400 [4 CDs: 71:46
+ 65:25 + 67:12 + 69:13] [RC]
Listeners
responsive to late-Romantic music who
buy this superb set will share my enthusiasm
for it. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Anja
Harteros – Bella Voce
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Oh
smania! O Furie! ... D'Oreste e d'Ajace
[6.25] from Idomeneo K. 366; Porgi,
amor [3.25] from Le nozze di Figaro
K. 492; Temerari ... Come scoglio
[5.43]; Ei parte - senti! Ah no!
... Per pieta, ben mio perdona all'error
[8.57] from Così fan tutte K 588;
Ah, lo previdi! - Ah, t'invola agl'occhi
miei - Deh, non varcar K.272 [13.16];
Vado, ma dove? O Dei! K. 583
[4.09]; Misera! dove son? L'aure
del Tebro - Ah! non son io che parlo,
K.369 [6.49] Franz
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809) Scena di Berenice
Hob.XXIVa;10 [12.20]
Cantata composra per la Signora
Banti in Antigono di Pietro Metastasio
Anja Harteros (soprano) Vienna Symphony
Orchestra/Pinchas Steinberg rec. 7–11
December 2005, Baumgartner-Casino, Vienna.
DDD.
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876771432 [62.01]
[ED]
May
her next solo discs explore other areas
of her repertoire as thrillingly as
this one has. But, please, don’t make
me wait another seven years! ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Simon
Keenlyside - Tales of Opera
Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792–1868) Il barbiere
di Siviglia: Largo al factotum della
città [4:56]; Guillaume Tell: Sois immobile
[2:25]; Jules MASSENET (1842–1912)
Hérodiade: Vision fugitive [4:23];
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813–1901) Don Carlo: Per
me giunto è il di [8:17]; Un ballo in
maschera: Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima
[6:00]; La traviata: Di Provenza il
mar [4:16]; Ambroise THOMAS (1811–1896)
Hamlet: O vin, dissipe la tristesse
[3:53]; Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801–1835) I puritani:
Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei [5:22];
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791)
Die Zauberflöte: Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen
[4:07]; Ruggiero
LEONCAVALLO (1858–1919) Pagliacci:
Si può, si può [5:23]; Francesco
CILEA (1866–1950) L’Arlesiana:
Come due tizzi accesi [3:36]; Peter
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) Pique
Dame: Ja vas ljublju [4:49]; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Don
Giovanni: Dah vieni alla finestra [2:09];
Zaide: Nur Mut, mein Herz, versuche
dein Glück [5:22]; Richard WAGNER (1813–1883)
Tannhäuser: Oh, du mein holder Abendstern
[5:14]
Simon Keenlyside (baritone) Münchner
Rundfunkorchester/Ulf Schirmer rec.
Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich 29 May–2
June, 2006
SONY CLASSICAL 82876884822 [70:12]
[GF]
A
splendid well-filled, well-sung and
well recorded recital with some of the
finest baritone arias and with two rarities
as an extra bonus. Not to be missed!
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Viktoria
Mullova - Recital
- Katia Labèque Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Suite Italienne (transcribed in
1933 for violin and piano by Stravinsky
and Samuel Dushkin from ballet Pulcinella,
1919-20) [15:06] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Fantasy for violin and piano
in C major, D934 (1827) [24:26] Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Sonata
for violin and piano (1923-27) [16:51]
Clara SCHUMANN
(1819-1896) Romance No. 1
in D flat major (Andante molto)
from the Three Romances for violin
and piano, Op. 22 (1853) [2:29]
Viktoria Mullova (violin) Katia Labèque
(piano) rec. 10-13 April, 2005, IRCAM,
Paris, France. DDD
ONYX 4015 [59:25][MC]
This
is an excellently performed and recorded
recital worthy of consi
