 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
MAY
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Kurt
ATTERBERG (1887-1974)
Värmlands Rhapsody, Op. 36 (1951-52)
[9:05] Violin Concerto, Op. 7 (1913)
[37:03] Overture in a minor, Op.
4 (1910-11) [13:18] 
Ulf Wallin, violin Radio Symphony
Orchestra of Berlin/Roger Epple
rec. 2-4 November 2004 Jesus Christus
Kirche, Berlin
CPO 777 106-2 [59:26] [KS]
Any
listener who would not be pleased
by this superb music should take
the next available appointment for
a hearing examination. Not to be
missed. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John
FOULDS
(1880-1939) Dynamic
Triptych for piano and orchestra
Op. 88 (1927-29) [25:38] April
- England (Impressions of
Time and Place No. 1) for orchestra
Op. 48 No. 1 (1926 orch. 1932) [7:56]
Music-Pictures Group III
op. 33 (1912) [19:06] The Song
of Ram Dass (1935) [3:13] Keltic
Lament Op. 29 No. 2 (Keltic
Suite) (1911) [4:38]
Peter Donohoe (piano) City of Birmingham
Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo
rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham,
11, 13, 15-16 Jan 2006. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62999-2 [61:05]
[RB]
The
delightfully relentless tread of
the Foulds Edition ... a disc not
just for British music buffs but
for anyone who values music of stunning
originality and otherworldly beauty.
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sofia
GUBAIDULINA
(b. 1931)
The Deceitful Face of Hope and
of Despair - concerto for flute
and large orchestra (2005) [29:55]
Sieben Worte (Seven Words)
for cello, bayan (accordion) and
strings (1982) [31:24]
Sharon Bezaly (flute); Torleif Thedéen
(cello); Mie Miki (accordion) Gothenburg
Symphony Orchestra/Mario Venzago
rec. Gothenburg Concert Hall, Sweden,
May 2005 (flute concerto); August
2004 (Sieben Worte)
BIS SACD 1449 
[61:19] [JuW]
For
those with a serious interest in
Gubaidulina and her contemporaries
this is a must ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Emmerich
KÁLMÁN (1882-1953)
Die
Herzogin von Chicago (The Duchess
of Chicago)- Operetta in
Two Acts (1928) Libretto by Julius
Brammer and Alfred Grünwald,
revised by Dominik Wilgenbus and
Stefan Frey. Peter Matic (King Pánkraz);
Mehrzad Montazeri (Prince Boris);
Norine Burgess (Miss Mary Lloyd);
Renée Schüttengruber
(Princess Rosemarie); Wolfgang Gratschmaier
(Bondy); Josef Luftensteiner (Finance
Minister); Sándor Németh
(Minister of State)
Chorus, Orchestra and Ballet of
the Volksoper Wien/Michael Tomaschek
Rudolf Berger (Director) Dominik
Wilgenbus (Producer) Marcus Tesch
(Choreographer) Co production of
Volksoper Wien and Capriccio Music.
Recorded live, Vienna, 2005 DVD-all
regions
CAPRICCIO 93509 [145:00] [AOz]
It’s not "opera archaeology"
by any means, but operetta for our
times. ... see
Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Rolf
LISLEVAND
(b. 1961)
Nuove musiche Sources:
Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger
(c. 1575-1661); Domenico Pellegrini (c. 1610-1662);
Alessandro Piccinini (1566-1638);
Luys de Narváez (1500-1555);
The Margaret Board Lute Book
(c. 1620-1635); Girolamo
Frescobaldi (1583-1643);
Bernardo
Gianoncelli (fl. 1650)
Arpeggiata addio [7:17] Passacaglia
antica I [2:09] Passacaglia andaluz
I [2:35] Passacaglia antica II [2:03]
Passacaglia cromatica [1:52] Passacaglia
antica III [1:48] Passacaglia cantus
firmus [2:33] Passacaglia celtica
[2:00] Passacaglia spontanea [4:13]
Passacaglia andaluz II [2:15] Toccata
[5:31] Passacaglia cantata [4:13]
Corrente [2:18] Corrente [1:47]
Toccata [2:38] Ciaccona [2:57] Toccata
cromatica [3:45]
Rolf Lislevand (archlute, baroque
guitar, theorbo) Arianna Savall
(triple harp, voice) Pedro Estevan
(percussion) Bjørn Kjellemyr (colascione,
double-bass) Guido Morini (organ,
clavichord) Marco Ambrosini (nyckelharpa
- viola d’amore a chiavi) Thor-Harald
Johnsen (chitarra battente) rec.
Rainbow Studio, Oslo, October 2004
ECM NEW SERIES 1922 [52:15]
[DC]
You
really want this CD – I’m telling
you, but you don’t really want as
much as need it – you’ll certainly
find yourself taking a fix on a
regular basis once you have it!
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT
(1811- 1996)
Sonata
in b, S178 (1853) [31.12] Fantasy
and Fugue on B-A-C-H, S529ii (1871)
[11.33] Totentanz, S525 (1865) [16.12]
Markus Groh (piano) Steinway D-274
piano. Piano technician, Michel
Brantjes rec. Reitstadel-Neumarkt,
Oberpfalz, Germany, 22 December
2004. DDD Notes in Deutsch, English,
Français. Photos of artist.
CD tracks stereo 2.0; SACD tracks
2.0 stereo and 5.0 surround. Hybrid
SACD
AVIE
AV 2097 [59.00] [PSh]
Truly
exceptional performances and recordings,
perhaps the best of these works
ever made. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Per
NØRGÅRD (b.
1932) Gennem
torne (2003) [20:30] Consolazione:
Flos ut rosa (2002) [3:59] Sonora
(1981) [9:39] Lille dans
(1982) [2:21] Swan Descending
(1989) [3:12] Hedda Gabler
(1993) [17:45] Mens toner
daler. Vårsol med fregner (2004)
[2:08] King, Queen and Ace (1989)
[19:32]
Tine Rehling (harp); Esbjerg Ensemble/Kaisa
Roose rec. Esbjerg Performing Arts
Centre and West Jutland Music Academy,
January-May 2004
DACAPO 8.226039 [79:06][HC]
A
magnificent release superbly played.
Nørgård’s admirers will need no
further recommendation ... many
others will find much to relish
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Paul
PARAY
(1886-1979) Affairs of the Heart
- The complete Mélodies
of Paul Paray CD 1 Mélodies
with orchestra Le
papillon (1911) [3:06]; Trois
Mélodies sur des poésies
de Théophile Gautier (1912)
(Infidelité [2:20];
La dernière feuille [1:54];
Serment [1:18]); Quatre
Poèmes de Jean Lahor
(1921) (Après l'orage
[1:15]; Adieux [2:25]; Après
le bal [1:47]; Désir
de mort [2:16]); Villanelle
(1920s?) [1:51]; La promesse
(1910) [2:31]; Le chevrier
(1913) [2:31]; La plainte
(1911) [3:41]; Il est d'étranges
soirs (1913) [4:12]; Nocturne
pour violon et orchestre (1910)
[3:27]; Trois Poèmes pour
choeur et orchestre (1910-11):
(Soleils de Septembre [5:12];
L'aurore vermeille [4:07];
Nuit tombante [3:45]) CD
2 Mélodies with piano;
sacred songs with organ Emprise
(1905 or 1908) [2:36]; Nuit d'Italie
(1908?) [2:16]; Chanson violette
[4:04]; Sépulture
(1908) [3:15]; Champs de bataille
(1912) [5:03]; En pays de Cocagne
(1908?) [5:56]; Chanson napolitaine
(1907) [3:43]; Embarquement pour
l'idéal (1911) [2:57];
Viole (1913) [2:54]; Mortes
les fleurs (1907) [3:51]; Paroles
à la lune (1902) [4:06];
Dans les bois (1904) [3:13];
Le Poète et la Muse
(1908) [3:37]; Vocalise-Étude
(1924) [4:00]; Chaque chose a
sa petit place [2:16]; In
manus tuas (1914) [3:42]; Panis
Angelicus (1904) [4:25];
Ruth Lapeyre (soprano) Adam
Stepniewski (violin) (Nocturne)
Nadine Deleury (cello) Eric Everett
(baritone) (Chaque chose;
In manus) The Assumption
Grotto Orchestra and Choir, Detroit,
Michigan/Fr. Eduard Perrone Fr.
Eduard Perrone (piano; organ) rec.
2002, Detroit world premiere recordings
GROTTO PRODUCTIONS GP-0004[48:39
+ 63:02] [RB]
Taste
and accomplishment ... a pearl of
the lyric repertoire ... demands
your attention if you have any feeling
for the settings of Duparc, Canteloube
and Chausson ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Camille
SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Piano
Trio No.1 in F major Op.18 (1863)
[25:30] Piano Trio No.2 in E minor
Op.92 (1891) [34:22]
Florestan Trio (Anthony Marwood
(violin), Richard Lester (cello)
Susan Tomes (piano)) rec. Henry
Wood Hall, London, 21-23 December
2004
HYPERION CDA 67538 [60:03] [TH]
The
Florestan play with a warmth and
homogeneity that is hard to resist
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Abendbilder: Bei dir
allein [02:08], Abendbilder [05:42],
Himmelsfunken [04:21], Dass sie
hier gewesen [02:45], Drang in die
Ferne [03:44], Am Fenster [03:24],
Auf der Bruck [03:30], Des Fischers
Liebesglück [05:40], Der Winterabend
[07:31], Das Zügenglöcklein
[04:43], Alinde [04:15], Fischerweise
[02:52], Im Abendrot [03:47], Der
Musensohn [02:10], Du bist die Ruh
[04:50], Greisengesang [05:08],
Wilkommen und Abscheid [03:31]
Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Gerold
Huber (piano) rec. 18-21 September
2005, Hochschule für Musik
und Theater, München, Grosser
Konzertsaal
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 777162 [70:02]
[CH]
Lieder
singing of the highest order ...
see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Songs by Schubert’s Friends and
Contemporaries Carl
BANCK (1809-1889) Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Ludwig BERGER
(1777-1839) Jeannette
Antonie BÜRDE (b. 1799)
Moritz von
DIETRICHSTEIN (1775-1864)
Maximilian
EBERWEIN (1775-1831) Stephan
FRANZ (1785-1855) Adalbert
GYROWETZ (1760-1853) Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Carl LOEWE
(1796-1869) Ferdinand
HILLER (1811-1885) Johann
Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837)
Anselm HÜTTENBRENNER
(1794-1868) Conradin
KREUTZER (1780-1849) Nikolaus
von KRUFFT (1779-1818) Franz
Paul LACHNER (1803-1890)
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Fanny
MENDELSSOHN (1805-1847) Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Giacomo
MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Sigismund
NEUKOMM (1778-1858) Johann
Vesque von PÜTTLINGEN (1803-1883)
Benedict RANDHARTINGER
(1802-1893) Johann
Friedrich REICHHARDT (1752-1814)
Louise REICHARDT
(1779-1826) Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Antonio
SALIERI (1750-1825) Franz
SCHUBERT of Dresden (1768-1827)
Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Simon
SECHTER (1788-1867) Louis
SPOHR (1784-1859) Václav
Jan Křtitel TOMAŠEK (1774-1850)
Johann Karl
UNGER (1771-1836)
Karoline UNGER-SABATIER (1803-1877)
Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Joseph WEIGL
(1766-1846) August
Heinrich von WEYRAUCH (1788-1865)
Carl Friedrich
ZELTER (1758-1832) Johann
Rudolf ZUMSTEEG (1760-1802)
A full track listing is provided
at the end of the review
Susan Gritton (soprano); Stella
Doufexis (soprano); Ann Murray (mezzo);
Mark Padmore (tenor); Gerald Finley
(baritone); Graham Johnson (piano)
rec. All Saints, East Finchley,
London, August 2001, March, October
2004. DDD
HYPERION CDJ33051/3 [3 CDs:
78:25 + 77:02 + 78:17] [JQ]
This
is an absolutely first class set.
It’s most rewarding and stimulating
to listen to and I recommend it
urgently to all lovers of lieder
as a truly indispensable purchase.
Bravo, Graham Johnson! Bravo, Hyperion!
... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
A
Golden Year
Peter
GRAHAM (b. 1952) Journey
to the Centre of the Earth (2005)
[14.54] Johan
de MEIJ (b. 1953) Extreme
Make-over (2005) [15.54] Philip
WILBY (b. 1949) Northern
Lights (2005) [13.16] Bramwell
TOVEY (b. 1953) The
Night to Sing (2005) [16.50]
John
PICKARD (b. 1963) Eden
(2005) [14.46]
Black Dyke Band/Nicholas J. Childs
rec. Morley Town Hall, May, October
2005 (Graham, de Meij, Wilby, Pickard);
live recording of winning performance
British Open 2005, Symphony Hall,
Birmingham (Tovey). DDD
DOYEN DOYCD205 [75:45] [CT]
A
fabulous recording charting Black
Dyke’s 150th Anniversary
year in music. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hans
Hotter and Birgit Nilsson
Arias & Scenes from Der
fliegende Holländer and Die
Walküre + Schubert lieder
Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883) Der
fliegende Holländer: Wie
aus der Ferne (Love Duet,
act II) [15:06]; Die Walküre:
Complete Final Scene [37:24]; Der
fliegende Holländer: Die
Frist ist um (The Dutchman’s
Monologue, act I) [7:33] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
Selected Lieder: An die
Musik, D. 547 [2:37]; Meeresstille,
D. 216 [1:56]; Am Bach im Frühling,
D. 882 [3:26]; Im Frühling,
D. 547 [4:02]
Birgit Nilsson (soprano); Hans Hotter
(bass) Philharmonia Orchestra/ Leopold
Ludwig (Wagner) rec. London, May
1957. Gerald Moore (piano) (Schubert)
rec. London, 1949. Concertgebouw
Orchestra, Amsterdam/Bruno Walter
(Die Frist ist um)
rec. 1936
ARCHIPEL RECORDS ARPCD 0334 [72:06]
[GF]
It
was with the anticipation of something
extraordinary that I put the CD
in the player. I was not let down.
... see Full
Review
BARGAINS
OF THE MONTH
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Triple
Concerto in C major, Op. 56 (1803-04)
[34:35]*; Septet in E flat major,
Op. 20 (1799-1800) [39:23]†
*Yefim Bronfman (piano); Gil Shaham
(violin); Truls Mørk (cello);
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David
Zinman †Michael Reid (clarinet);
Florenz Jenny (bassoon); Jakob Hefti
(horn); Gil Shaham (violin); Michel
Rouilly (viola); Truls Mørk
(cello); Ronald Dangel (double-bass)
rec. Zurich Tonhalle, *20-21, †30-31
October 2004. DDD
ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 64015 2
[74:21] [AOr]
Gracious
melody, gracious playing, gracious
recording ... at one with the composer’s
vision ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie
fantastique, Op. 14 (1830) [46:42] Roméo
et Juliette, Op. 17 (1839) – Part II: Love Scene [13:20].
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles
Munch rec. Symphony Hall, Boston,
14-15 November 1954 (Op. 14); 23-24
April 1961 (Op. 17). ADD
RCA LIVING
STEREO SACD 82876 67899 2
[60:11][CC]
A
deluxe issue. The low playing time
hardly matters – this is Berliozian
gold. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH César
FRANCK (1822-1890)
Symphony in D Minor (1888) [39:00]*
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrouchka
(1911) [34:48]#
Chicago Symphony Orchestra*/Boston
Symphony Orchestra#/Pierre Monteux
rec.
Orchestra Hall, Chicago, 7 January
1961 *; Symphony Hall, Boston, 25,
26, 28 January 1959 #. ADD
BMG-RCA LIVING STEREO SACD 82876
678972
[74:08][TP]
In
sum, an unsurpassed Franck D Minor
and an excellent Petrouchka
into the bargain.
Highly recommended.
... see
Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959)
Tri České tance (Three
Czech Dances) (1926) [8:39]
Borová (Seven Czech Dances)
(1929-30) [12:24] Quatre Mouvements
(1929) [7:19] Skici (Esquisses)
(1931) [11:39] Hry (Esquisses)
(1931) [11:22] Ritornely
(Les Ritournelles) (1933)
[11:35] Okna do zahrady (Fenêtre
sur le jardin) (1938) [8:19]
Radoslav Kvapil (piano) rec. Studio
Domovina, Prague, May 1991. DDD
originally issued on Unicorn-Kanchana,
1991.
REGIS RRC 1222 [73:12][RB]
Great
value. Martinů of the vivacious
Parisian years presented in a warm,
sunny light. Performances honed
to subtlety and satisfaction by
one of the great statesmen of the
Czech piano school. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
The Complete Solo Piano Music
see review for full details
Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) rec.
Länna Church, Sweden, August 1996
(Sonatas), August 1997 (Variations)
BIS CD-1633/36 [57:48 + 60:32
+ 58:30 + 70:40 + 59:42 + 73:42
+ 60:37 + 63:07 + 61:37 + 61:21]
[DC]
A
superb box – 10 CDs for the price
of 4 means you will be buying the
Variations, and getting the Sonatas
thrown in for free: and that in
Mozart year, yippee! ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893)
CD1 RRC1212 [68:50] Symphony
No: 4 (1877) [43:20] Marche Slave
(1876) [9:48] 1812 Overture
(1880) [15:19]* CD2 RRC1213
[63:46] Symphony No: 5 (1888) [47:00]
Capriccio Italien (1879)
[16:42] CD3 RRC1214 [60:09]
Symphony No: 6 (1893) [45:40] Overture
- The Storm (1864) [14:17]
London Symphony Orchestra/Gennadi
Rozhdestvensky, Yuri Ahronovitch
* rec. All Saints, Tooting, London,
February 1987. DDD
REGIS RRC 3009 [3 CDs: 68:50
+ 63:46 + 60:09] [RB]
Little
real competition in or out of budget
price. Grippingly sensational sound
and interpretative insight. Rozhdestvenky’s
Tchaikovsky - the three last symphonies
before they became routine ... see
Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Bella
Domna: The
Medieval Woman: Lover, Poet, Patroness
and Saint Martin
Codax (fl. early 13th century)
Cantigas de amigo (13th
century): Ondas do mar de vigo [3:37]
Mandad’ ei comigo [2:36] Mia jrmana
fremosa, treides comigo [2:57] Aj
deus, se sab’ora meu amigo [6:01]
Quantas sabedes amar amigo [6:11]
Eno sagrado en vigo [2:37] Aj ondas
que eu vin veer [1:34] ANONYMOUS
(13th century) Domna,
pos vos ay chausida [2:43] ANONYMOUS
(13th century) Estampie
Royal ‘No.3’ [2:46] Richart
de FOURNIVAL (1201-1260)
Onques n’amai tant que jou fui
amee [6:06] Onques n’amai tant que
jou fui amee [Version 2] [1:37]
ANONYMOUS
(13th century) Estampie
Royal ‘No.6’ [2:59] Estampie Royal
‘No.4’ [2:28] La
COMTESSE DE DIE (late 12th
century?) A chantar m’er de
so qu’ieu non volria [5:24] ANONYMOUS
(13th century) Danse
Royale ‘No.2’ [3:16] ANONYMOUS
(early 14th century) Lasse,
pour quoi refusai [6:36]
Sinfonye: Mara Kriek (voice), Stevie
Wishart (medieval fiddle, symphony),
Andrew Lawrence-King (harps), Jim
Denley (pandeiro, bendir) rec. 16-17
September 1987, All Hallows, Gospel
Oak, London.
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55207 [GPu]
An
important and influential collection,
now reissued. It belongs in every
collection of medieval song. ...
see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Le
Jeu d’amour Moniot
d’ARRAS
(c.1213-1239)
Ce
fu en mai, au dous tens gai [3:12]
Thibault
de CHAMPAGNE (1201-1253)
Amors me fait commencier [3:52]
ANONYMOUS
L’on dit q’amors est dolce chose
[4:16] Jehannot
de l’ESCUREL (d.1304) Bien
se lace (2:07] Adam
de la HALLE (c.1237-1288)
Je muir d’amourete [1:33] Jean
de FLAGY ‘Et
tout les gens …’ [0:30] ANONYMOUS
Lai de Kievrefuel [14:00] Guillaume
d’AMIENS
(13th century) Je
mais ne serai saous [1:08] Guillaume
le VINIER (d.1245) Pastourelle:
Valuru, valuraine [4:53] Guillaume
de DOLE ‘Main à main…’
[0:19] ANONYMOUS
Caroles on ‘La verte olive’: La
jus desous la verte olive; C’est
desoz l’olive; C’est la jus par
dessous l’olive [7:45] Guillaume
d’AMIENS (13th
century) Prendés i garde our
cest rivage /ANONYMOUS
Prendés i garde [1:34] Colin
MUSET (13th century)
En mai [2:25] ANONYMOUS
Margot, Margot grief
sunt li mau d’amer [1:40] ANONYMOUS
Trois serors sor rive mer [1:11]
ANONYMOUS
En un vergier [6:08] ANONYMOUS
Tuit cil qui sunt enamourat [2:52]
Anne Azema (soprano); Catharine
Joussselin; Ellen Santaniello; John
Fleagle; Noël Bisson (voice); Shira
Kammen (vielle; rebec; harp); Jesse
Lepkoff (flute; recorder); Robert
Mealy (vielle; harp); Margriet Tindemans
(vielle; gittern; harp). rec. 20-25
January 1976, Campion Center, Weston,
Massachusetts.
WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564
62685-2 [59:43][GPu]
A
delightful recital, equally full
of musicality and scholarship. Unreservedly
recommended ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Leopold
Stokovsky: The Great Philadelphia
Wagner Recordings Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Rienzi
(1842): Overture [11.03]
(rec. November 1926 and January
1927)
Lohengrin (1848):
Prelude to Act I [8.13] (rec. October
1927); Prelude to Act III [3.15]
(rec. March 1940) Tannhäuser
(1845): Prelude and Venusberg
Music [22.51] (rec. December
1937); Prelude to Act III (arr Stokowski)
[10.21] (rec. January 1936) Parsifal
(1879), Prelude to Act I
[14.45] (rec. November 1936); Good
Friday Spell [11.55] (rec. November
1936); Symphonic Synthesis (arr.
Stokowski) [14.07] (rec. April 1934)
Tristan und Isolde (1859),
Symphonic Synthesis (arr.
Stokowski) [35.36] (rec. March 1932)
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
(1867), Prelude to Act I
[9.18] (rec. January 1936); Prelude
to Act III [6.43] (rec. March 1932)
Philadelphia Orchestra/Leopold
Stokowski Track list, including
recording dates, no notes. Photo
of conductor. rec. mono ADD. Re-mastered
at 96kHz24Bit "using state
of the art restoration techniques".
ANDROMEDA ANDRCD 5030 [70.30
+ 77.31] [PSh]
Ancient
recordings miraculously restored,
full range, clear, sweet sounding,
and completely listenable. An absolute
must for any lover of Wagner, Stokowski,
and recording science. ... see
Full Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
War’s
Embers.
A legacy of songs by composers who
perished or suffered in World War
I Gerald
FINZI (1901-1956) Only
a man harrowing clods SV [4:08];
Ivor GURNEY
(1890-1937) The twa corbies
MG [4:52]; Black Stitchel MG [2:21];
Blaweary MG [1:30]; The fiddler
of Dooney MG [1:57]; Goodnight to
the meadow MG [1:21]; The ship MG
[2:26]; The boat is chafing MG [1:19];
Cathleen ni Houlihan MG [2:54];
Edward, Edward MG [6:01]; The night
of Trafalgar MG [2:18]; Thou didst
delight my eyes MG [3:23]; To violets
MG [1:05]; Last hours MG [4:52];
Ernest FARRAR
(1885-1918) The wanderer's
song SV [2:56]; Silent noon SV [3:51];
The roadside fire SV [1:57]; Brittany
SV [1:47]; Come you, Mary SV [0:58];
Who would shepherd pipes SV [1:45];
W Denis BROWNE
(1888-1915) Arabia MH
[5:24]; Diaphenia MH [2:05]; Epitaph
on Salathiel Pavy MH [4:41]; To
Gratiana dancing and singing MH
[4:17]; Frederick
KELLY (1881-1916) Shall
I compare thee? SV [3:27]; George
BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916)
Requiescat SV.
Michael George (bass) MG; Martyn
Hill (tenor) MH; Stephen Varcoe
(baritone) SV Clifford Benson (piano)
rec. 21-23 April 1987. Location
unspecified. AAD A full track listing
is given at the end of this review
Recording sponsored by The Finzi
Trust
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55237 [JQ]
This
is a self-recommending issue to
all lovers of the treasury that
is the English song repertory. ...
see Full
Review
JUNE
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685 - 1750)
Passion According to St. John,
BWV 245 (1724, rev. 1749) [108.49]
Gerd Türk, tenor; Midori Suzuki,
soprano; Robin Blaze, counter-tenor;
Chiyuki Urano, bass-baritone; Stephan
MacLeod, bass; Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki
Suzuki rec. 28 July 2000, Suntory
Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Video direction
by Shokichi Amano. Notes in English,
Deutsch, and Français. Complete
track list. Menus in English and
Deutsch. Subtitles in English, Deutsch,
Français. Sound 48kHz 16 bit PCM
2.0; Dolby Surround 5.1.; 16:9 anamorphic
NTSC DVD 9 region 0 [all regions]
Previews of other DVDs of Bach’s
music [5.00]
EUROARTS INVITATION 2050396 
[117.00] [PSh]
The
finest recorded version of this
work, performance and recording,
setting a standard for the future
that may be equalled, but could
not be surpassed. If you don’t
have a DVD player, buy one just
to play this disk. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Brian
FERNEYHOUGH (b.
1943) Shadowtime
(2003-4) Libretto by Charles
Bernstein
Nicolas Hodges (piano, speaker);
Mats Scheidegger (guitar) Neue Vocalsolisten
Stuttgart; Nieuw Ensemble/Jurjen
Hempel rec. live, English National
Opera, London Coliseum, July 2005.
DDD In conjunction with BBC Radio
3.
NMC D123 [64:42 + 62:02][AOz]
An
echo inside a shadow wrapped in
cellophane says the text: an apt
description of this amazing, fascinating
and complex masterpiece that repays
repeated listening. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John
FOULDS
(1880-1939)
Dynamic Triptych for piano
and orchestra Op. 88 (1927-29) [25:38]
April - England (Impressions
of Time and Place No. 1) for
orchestra Op. 48 No. 1 (1926 orch.
1932) [7:56] Music-Pictures Group
III op. 33 (1912) [19:06] The
Song of Ram Dass (1935) [3:13]
Keltic Lament Op. 29 No.
2 (Keltic Suite) (1911) [4:38]
Peter Donohoe (piano) City of Birmingham
Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo
rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham,
11, 13, 15-16 Jan 2006. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62999-2 [61:05]
[JF]
This
is big music. This is unique. This
is essential. Donohoe’s playing
is brilliant. What more can I say?
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No 7 (1905)
Lucerne Festival Orchestra/Claudio
Abbado rec. live, Lucerne, August
2005 DVD - all regions
EUROARTS 2054629
[78:00][AOz]
One
day the Lucerne concerts will be
appreciated for their role in developing
Mahler performance practice ...
see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Claudio
MONTEVERDI (1567-1643)
Vespers
- The complete 1610 publication:
Disc 1: Vespers [70:25] Disc 2:
Magnificat a 7 [18:15]; Magnificat
a 6 [15:47]; Missa In illo tempore
[32:24]
Carolyn Sampson, Rebecca Outram
(soprano) Daniel Auchincloss, Nicholas
Mulroy (high tenor) Charles Daniels,
James Gilchrist (tenor) Peter Harvey,
Robert Evans, Robert Macdonald (bass)
The King’s Consort/Robert King rec.
St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead
Garden Suburb, London, 6-11 February
2006 also available as SACDA67531/2
HYPERION CDA67531/2 [70:25 +
66:40] [DC]
Truly
mind-blowing. Vespers virgins need
seek no further. I can’t imagine
it being replaced any time soon.
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791)
Così fan tutte - Dramma
giocoso in two acts
Fiordiligi … Edita Gruberova (soprano)
Dorabella … Delores Ziegler (mezzo-soprano)
Guglielmo … Ferruccio Furlanetto
(bass) Ferrando … Luis Lima (tenor)
Despina … Teresa Stratas
(soprano) Don Alfonso … Paolo
Montarsolo (bass) Vienna Philharmonic/Nikolaus
Harnoncourt Filmed at Munich, Bavaria
Studios, 1-15 June 1988 Sound Recording:
Vienna, Studio Rosenhügel, 25 February
– 12 March 1988 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
00440 073 4237
[90.59 + 84.30][RM]
What
a thought provoking school for lovers
… what a superb production. ...
see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Niccolò
PAGANINI
(1782–1840) Twenty-Four
Caprices op. 1 (arr. for
saxophone)
Raaf Hekkema (alto saxophone; soprano
saxophone) rec. 27–31 August 2005,
Hervormde Kerk, Mijnsheerenland,
The Netherlands
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND
GRIMM MDG 619 1379-2 [81:28][GF]
I
can’t believe that anyone will be
disappointed when hearing this –
unless jealousy is a hampering factor.
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998)
Quasi una sonata for violin
and chamber orchestra (1968/1987)
[22:22] Moz-Art à la Haydn (1977)
[11:43] Suite in the Old Style,
arranged for chamber orchestra (1972/1987)
[15:49] Concerto Grosso No.6 (1993)
[13:12] Ulf Wallin (violin); Meri
Englund (violin); Tero Latvala (violin);
Ralf Gothóni (piano) Tapiola Sinfonietta/Ralf
Gothóni rec. December 2003, Tapiola
Concert Hall, Finland
BIS-CD-1437 [64:26][DC]
Self-recommending.
You can never have too much Schnittke,
and with such excellent performances
and recordings as these you can
save yourself ever again needing
to look out those scratchy old Melodiyas
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING OF THE MONTH Cyril
SCOTT (1879-1970)
Piano Concerto No. 1 (1913-14)
[30:42] Symphony No. 4 (1951-52)*
[28:21] Early One Morning - Poem
for Piano and Orchestra (1930-31,
revised 1962) [13:54]
Howard Shelley (piano) BBC Philharmonic/Martyn
Brabbins rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House, Manchester, 8-9 September
2005 * premiere recording
CHANDOS CHAN 10376 [73:05][RB]
A fine
addition to the shelves of any collector
of twentieth century melodic music.
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Violin
Concerto No.1 in A Minor, op.77
(1947) (rev. 1955 as op.99) [43:23]
Violin Concerto No.2 in C Sharp
Minor, op.129 (1967) [33:03] Romance
from The Gadfly, op.97
(arr. Levon Atovmian) (1955) [ 5:56]
Daniel Hope (violin) BBC Symphony
Orchestra/Maxim Shostakovich rec.
7-9 November 2005, Studio 1, BBC
Maida Vale Studios, London, England.
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62546-2 [77:59]
[SA]
I
found it the most supremely listenable
disc I have heard in a long time.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
String
Quartet No.3 in F major, Op.73 (1946)
[30:57] String Quartet No.7 in F
sharp minor, Op.108 (1960) [11:47]
String Quartet No.8 in C minor,
Op.110 (1960) [20:21]
Hagen Quartett: Lukas Hagen (1st
violin); Rainer Schmidt (2nd
violin); Veronika Hagen (viola);
Clemens Hagen (cello) rec. November
2005, Große Universitätsaula, Salzburg
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 6146
[63:25] [DC]
This
disc is up to the Hagen’s usual
phenomenal standard. Right there
at the ‘unsurpassed’ level ... see
Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Bedřich
SMETANA
(1824-1884) String
Quartet No 1 in E minor From
My Life (1876) [29:19] String
Quartet No 2 in D minor (1883) [19:19]
Wihan Quartet rec. Domovina Studio,
Prague, October-November 2005. DDD
ARCO DIVA UP 0086-2 131 [48:33][PCW]
The
music making on this disc has a
feeling of "rightness"
that makes comparisons largely superfluous
… see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sir
Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924)
Songs
of the Fleet, op.117 for baritone,
chorus and orchestra (1910)* [26:04]
The Revenge: A Ballad
of the Fleet, op.24 for chorus
and orchestra (1886) [25:17] Songs
of the Sea, op.91 for baritone,
male chorus and orchestra (1904)
[18:00]
Gerald Finley (baritone)* BBC National
Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra
of Wales/Richard Hickox rec. 6-8
July 2005, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea,
Wales. DDD
CHANDOS CHSA 5043 SACD [69:37]
[CH]
The
"popular" Stanford, and
the best recordings so far of the
two song-cycles. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard
WAGNER (1860-1911)
Siegfried (1876)
Siegfried: Heinz Kruse, Mime: Graham
Clark, Der Wanderer: John Bröcheler,
Alberich: Henk Smit, Fafner: Carsten
Stabell Erda: Anne Gjevang, Brünnhilde:
Jeannine Altmeyer, Waldvogel: Stefan
Pangratz, Rotterdam Philharmonic
Orchestra, Der Nederlandse Opera/
Hartmut Haenchen, Stage Director:
Pierre Audi, rec. live, Het Muziektheater,
Amsterdam, 1999 DVD - all regions
OPUS ARTE OA 0948D
[3 DVDs: 273:00] [AO]
Haenchen
is superb, galvanising a tight,
precise and very animated performance.
It’s faster paced than usual and
surprisingly lucid. This is a Siegfried
to listen to, as well as watch (though
missing Clark’s Mime would be a
shame) ... Very highly recommended
... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wilhelm
Kempff Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Sonata in F K.332 [16:37] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Sonata in B flat D.960 [36:53] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata in A op.101 [19:13] Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Intermezzi:
B minor op.119/1 [03:13], C major
op.119/3 [01:45]
Wilhelm Kempff (piano) rec. 7 October
1967, Whitworth Hall, Manchester
University. ADD
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4169-2 [78:14]
[CH]
Kempff
the free spirit in glorious form
... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Christianne
Stotijn: Fantasies and Dream-Figures
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Im Walde D.708 [06:59]; An den Mond
D.193 [05:09]; Nachtstück D.672
[05:20]; Der Zweig D.771 [05:15];
Abendstern D.806 [02:17]; Auflösung
D.807 [02:24]; Nacht und Träume
D.827 [03:35]; Erlkönig D.328 [04:22]
Alban
BERG (1885-1935) 4 Lieder
op.2 [08:47] Hugo
WOLF (1860-1903) Mörike-Lieder:
Die Geister am Mummelsee [03:48];
Gesang Weylas [02:10]; Elfenlied
[02:19]; Um Mitternacht [03:38];
Auf eine Christblume I [06:25];
Lied von Winde [02:43]
Christianne Stotijn (mezzo), Joseph
Breinl (piano)
rec. 21-23 July 2005, Potton Hall,
Dunwich, Suffolk, UK
ONYX 4009 [63:33] [CH]
A
highly original programme sung by
an up-and-coming singer who can
bear comparison with even the greatest
lieder-singers ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Women's
lives and
loves Frauenliebe und –Leben
- A Liederspiel devised by Graham
Johnson [see review for full
details] Felicity
Lott (soprano) Angelika Kirchschlager
(mezzo) Graham Johnson (piano) rec.
All Saints Church, East Finchley,
London, 2-4 August 2005. DDD. HYPERION
CDA67563 [71’46] [ED]
Deeply
rewarding; a disc to live with and
love. ... see Full
Review
BARGAINS
OF THE MONTH
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Luciano
BERIO (1925
– 2003) Sequenzas I – XIV
Nora Shulman (flute); Erica Goodman
(harp); Tony Arnold (soprano); Boris
Berman (piano); Alain Trudel (trombone);
Steven Dann (viola); Matej Šarc
(oboe); Jasper Wood (violin); Joaquin
Valdepeñas (clarinet); Guy Few (trumpet);
Pablo Sáinz Villegas (guitar); Ken
Munday (bassoon); Joseph Petric
(accordion); Darrett Adkins (cello);
Wallace Halladay (saxophones) rec.
St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket,
Ontario, Canada, 1998-2004
NAXOS 8.557661-63 [3 CDs: 63:02
+ 60:09 + 58:48] [HC]
Splendid
- a thirty-four year musical odyssey
that will remain as one of the peaks
of 20th century instrumental
music. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Max
BRUCH
(1838-1920)
Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor,
Op.26 (1864-68) [25.21] Konzertstück
for violin and orchestra in
F sharp minor, Op. 84 (1910) [17.53]
Romance for violin and orchestra
in A minor, Op. 42 (1874) [10.13]
Maxim Fedotov, violin Russian Philharmonic
Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec.
Studio 5, Kultura TV and Radio Company,
Moscow, Russia, 28 Nov-3 Dec 2004.
DDD
NAXOS 8.557689 [53.27] [MC]
An
excellently performed and recorded
release from Naxos that will provide
considerable pleasure. ... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN OF THE MONTH André
CAPLET (1878-1925)
Conte fantastique after
Edgar Allan Poe's Masque of the
Red Death (1919) [17:08] Elisabeth
Glab (violin), Marie-Josée Ritchot
(violin), Michel Renard (viola),
Isabelle Veyrier (cello), Laurence
Cabel (harp) Les prières
(1917) [9:12] Elisabeth
Glab (violin), Marie-Josée Ritchot
(violin), Michel Renard (viola),
Isabelle Veyrier (cello), Laurence
Cabel (harp), Sharon Coste (soprano)
Divertissements (2)
for harp (1924) [9:56] Laurence
Cabel (harp) Sonnets (2)
for soprano and harp (1924) [3:37]
Laurence Cabel (harp), Sandrine
Piau (soprano) Septet for
three female voices and string quartet
(1909) [14:24]
Sharon Coste (Soprano), Sandrine
Piau (soprano), Sylvie Deguy (mezzo),
Elisabeth Glab (violin), Marie-Josée
Ritchot (violin), Michel Renard
(viola), Isabelle Veyrier (cello)
Ensemble: Musique Oblique rec. February
1992, Arsenal de Metz, Salle de
l'Esplanade. DDD
HARMONIA MUNDI HAR MUSIQUE D'ABORD
HMA1951417 [55:18][RB]
Music
for connoisseurs and especially
for those with an interest to follow
up in Debussy's circle … but do
not expect a Debussy apprentice.
... see Full Review
 BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Organ Concertos Op. 4: No. 1
in G minor HWV 289 (1738) [15.27];
No. 2 in B flat major HWV 290 (1738)
[10.26]; No. 3 in G minor HWV 291
(1738) [10.01]; No. 4 in F major
HWV 292 (1738) [13.48]; No. 5 in
F major HWV 293 (1738) [8.16]; No.
6 in B flat major HWV 294 (1738)
[11.35] Organ Concertos Op. 7:
No. 1 in B flat major HWV 306 (1761)
[17.26]; No. 2 in A major HWV 307
(1761) [12.09]; No. 3 in B flat
major HWV 308 (1761) [14.15]; No.
4 in D minor HWV 309 (1761) [16.13];
No. 5 in G minor HWV 310 (1761)
[12.37]; No. 6 in B flat major HWV
311 (1761) [7.50]
Ton Koopman (organ) Amsterdam Baroque
Orchestra rec. Sint Bartholomeuskerk,
Beek-Ubbergen, Netherlands, 1984
WARNER APEX 2564 62760-2 [72.40
+ 78.43][RH]
A
major milestone in the performance
of Handel’s organ concertos and
one to which I have returned regularly
since it was first issued. ... see
Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Overtures: Le nozze di
Figaro K492 [4.17]; Bastien
und Bastienne K50 [1.47]; Der
Schauspieldirektor K486 [4.11];
Lucio Silla K135 [7.38];
Così fan tutte K588 [4.41];
La finta giardiniera K196
[7.15]; Die Entführung aus dem
Serail K384 [5.24]; Il
re pastore K208 [3.28]; Idomeneo
K366 [5.00]; La clemenza di
Tito K621 [5.01]; Don Giovanni
K527 [5.47]; Die Zauberflöte
K620 [6.50]
Staatskapelle Dresden/Colin Davis
rec. Lukaskirche, Dresden, 1999.
DDD
BMG-RCA RED SEAL CLASSIC LIBRARY
82876 762352 [61.22] [JW]
Davis
cleaves to traditional values with
his superlative orchestra, splendidly
recorded. Look no further. ... see
Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Hans
PFITZNER (1869-1949)
String
Quartet No. 2 in C sharp minor,
Op. 36 (1925) [33'57]. Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) String
Quartet No. 4, Op. 37 (1936) [33'12].
Wihan String Quartet (Leos Cepicky,
Jan Schulmeister, violins; Jirí
Zigmund, viola; Ales Kasprík,
cello). rec. 3-4 (Pfitzner), 7,
20 (Schoenberg) April 2000. DDD
ARCO DIVA UP 0028-2 [67:20]
[CC]
An
inspired coupling from Arco Diva.
The Pfitzner is an impressive work
... the recording is a fine one
... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ned
ROREM (b.1923) Pilgrims
(1958) [7:14] Flute Concerto
(2002) [31:21] Violin Concerto (1985)
[24:07]
Jeffrey Khaner (flute) Philippe
Quint (violin) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. Philharmonic
Hall, Liverpool, June 2005. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559278
[62:42] [PCW]
Just
click on the “Buy Now” link right
away … see Full
Review
 BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String
Quartet in C Quartettsatz,
D103 (1814) [8:01] Five Minuets
and Trios, D89 (1813) [12:38] String
Quartet No. 14 in D minor Death
and the Maiden, D810 (1824) [37:59]
Maggini Quartet (David Juritz (violin);
David Angel (violin); Martin Outram
(viola); Michal Kaznowski (cello))
rec. live, Wigmore Hall, London,
1 June 1993 (Death
and the Maiden);
remainder All Saints, Petersham,
21 April 1994. DDD
RESONANCE CD RSN 3036 [59:00][JWi]
I
would re-iterate that this is a
lively and exciting performance
of a stirring work, and a disc I
have found most enjoyable. ... see
Full
Review
 BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Bedřich
SMETANA (1824-1884)
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15 B104
(1855) [29:28] Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano
Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, Dumky,
B 166 (1891) [32:39]
Czech Trio (Milan Langer (piano),
Dana Vlachova (violin), Miroslav
Petras (cello)) rec. Domovina Studio
Prague, 6-7 July 1999.
DDD
ULTRAPHON UP 0017- 2 131 [62.16]
[DD]
Two
dark Czech trios performed by a
trio that must know them very well.
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Healey
WILLAN
(1880-1968)
Hymns, Anthems, Motets In
the heavenly kingdom, Op. 380 B380
(1924 completed F.R.C.Clarke 1979)
[8:45] St Osmund, Op. 449 B449 (1927)
[3:20] Sun of Righteousness, Op.
438 B438 [3:22] How they so softly
rest, Op. 302 [B302] (1917) [3:48] Anthem
on Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Op. 403 B403 [4:35] Missa Brevis
No. 11, "Sancti Johannis Baptistae",
Op. 226 B266 Kyrie [2:05] Sanctus
[1:05] Benedictus qui venit [1:20] Agnus
Dei [2:40] I looked, and behold
a white cloud, Op. 344 B344 (1907)
[7:16] (Joseph Schnurr, tenor /
Matthew Larkin, organ) Preserve
us, O Lord, Op. 310 B310 (1928-37)
[1:44] O King all glorious, Op.
311 B311 [2:44] Anthem on Picardy,
Op. 405 B405 [5:06] Christ hath
a garden, Op. 352 B352 (1940) [3:33] Anthem
on O quanta qualia, Op. 394 B394
[3:52] O how glorious, Op. 304 [1:35] O
praise the Lord, Op. 377 B377 (revised
1963) [7:50] Rise up, my love, my
fair one, Op. 314 B314 [2:26]
Elora Festival Singers/Noel Edison,
Matthew Larkin (organ) rec.St John’s
Church, Elora, November 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557734 [67.07] [JW]
Appetites
whetted for more Willan have been
handsomely met with this release
... see Full
Review
 BARGAIN OF THE MONTH ¡Ay,
Dulce Pena! - Tonos
humanos del Barroco español Juan
del VADO (c.1625-1691) A Pascal no le puede
[4:58] Juan
HIDALGO (1614-1685) ¡Ay
de mi dolor! [7:47] José
Martínez de ARCE (c.1660-1721)
¿Para qué son las
iras? [3:26] ANONYMOUS
¿A quién me quejaré [6:04]
ANONYMOUS ¿Qué quiere amor?
[4:06] Juan
HIDALGO (1614-1685) ¡Ay
amor, ay ausencia! [6:15] ANONYMOUS
Sobre las ramas
de un sauce [3:51] Juan
del VADO (c.1625-1691) Las campanas [10:34]
Juan
HIDALGO (1614-1685) Con
tanto respeto adoran [5:37] ¡Ay,
corazón amante! [7:34] ANONYMOUS
Sarao de la minué francés [3:13]
Marta Almajano (soprano), Juan Carlos
Rivera (archlute, baroque guitar),
Mike Fentross (baroque guitar),
Ventura Rico (viola da gamba), Pedro
Estevan (percussion) rec.11-13 February
2001, Church of Sant Corneli, de
Collbató (Barcelona).
HARMONIA MUNDI HMA 1957028 [63:05][GPu]
A
delicious recital, which no one
with an interest in seventeenth-century
music should miss … see Full
Review
 HISTORICAL
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
His Complete Recordings
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876-67892-2 [10
CDs: 67:49 + 62:45 + 62:30 + 65:03
+ 66:00 + 58:14 + 58:54 + 71:52
+ 65:39] Superbudget [CH]
In
spite of the booklet, the opportunity
to gather the entire legacy of one
of the greatest of all pianists
in a single box is not one to be
missed. ... see Full
Review
JULY
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Béla
BARTÓK
(1881-1945) Piano
Sonata, Sz80a (1926). Improvisations
on Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz74/Op.
20b (1920). Suite, Sz62/Op.
14c (1916). Out of Doors,
Sz81d (1926). Sonata for
Two Pianos and Percussion, Sz110e
(1937) 
Murray Perahia, eGeorg
Solti (pianos); eDavid
Corkhill and eEvelyn Glennie
(percussion) rec. CBS 30th
Studio, New York City, 3 December
1973a, 8 Augustb,
19 Novemberc 1980, 29 March
1976d, Snape Maltings Concert
Hall, Suffolk 7, 9 July 1987e.
ADD/DDD
SONY CLASSICAL GREAT PERFORMANCES
82876 78750 2 [73’42] [CC]
It
is difficult to imagine a better introduction
to the piano music of Bartók than
this splendid disc. Perahia has a
clear vision of what he wants to say
and how he says it ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op.125
Choral (1824) [72:51]
Gabriela Beňačková (soprano),
Marjana Lipovšek (contralto), Gösta
Winbergh (tenor), Hermann Prey (baritone)
Vienna State Opera Chorus Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra/Claudio Abbado rec. live,
May 1986, Musikverein, Grosser Saal,
Vienna
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 5005
[72:51][CH]
One
of the great Ninths on record ...
see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH York
BOWEN (1884-1961)
Violin Concerto in E minor, Op
33 (1913) [37.42] Piano Concerto No.
1 in E flat, Op 11 (1903) [26.07]
Lorraine McAslan (violin) Michael
Dussek (piano) BBC Concert Orchestra/Vernon
Handley rec. 5-6 December 2005, The
Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England.
DDD
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7169 [64.09][RB]
Such
lavish extravagance of melody and
sentiment. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony No.7 in E major (1883) [62:34]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37
(1800) [38:35]
Alfred Brendel (piano) Lucerne Festival
Orchestra/ Claudio Abbado rec. live,
Concert Hall of the Culture and Convention
Centre Lucerne, 10-12 August 2005
Picture: PAL 16:9 Anamorphic Sound:
PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region:
0 (Worldwide)
EUROARTS DVD 2054649 
[106:00] [DC]
Isn’t
that what we’re all after – that feeling
of renewal and joyous discovery? It
is here, in spades. ... see Full
Review
 RECORDING
OF THE MONTH George
CRUMB
(b. 1929) Songs,
Drones, and Refrains of Death
(1962-68) [29:04]: Refrain One
[1:25]; I The Guitar / Death
Drone I [4:20]; Refrain Two
[0:52]; II Casida of the Dark
Doves [4:15]; Refrain Three
| 
