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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Kaija SAARIAHO (b. 1952) Petals (1988)a [10:43] Oi Kuu (1990)b [6:23] Spins and Spells (1997) [5:42] Mirrors (1997)c [3:12] Sept Papillons (2000) [11:09] Près (1992)d [19:02] Alexis Descharmes (cello); Jérémie Fèvre (flute)c; Nicolas Baldeyrou (bass clarinet)b; David Poissonnier (electronics)ad rec. Espace de projection, IRCAM, Paris, September 2004 AEON AECD 0637 [56:11] [HC]

Magnificent playing of unusually fine music in a superb recording. A most welcome addition to Saariaho’s discography. Not to be missed. ... see Full Review

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Inferno – Cantate drammatiche Già lusingato appieno, cantata for soprano, two violins and bc [13:32] Serenata 'Notte ch'in carro d'ombre', cantata for soprano, two violins and bc (HanS 480) [18:21] Il Nerone (Io son Neron, l'imperator del mondo), cantata for soprano and bc (HanS 343) [08:54] L'Orfeo (Dell'oscura magion dell'arsa Dite), cantata for soprano, two violins and bc (HanS 173) [23:52] Elisabeth Scholl (soprano) Modo Antiquo/Federico Maria Sardelli rec. November 2004, Villa Berg, Stuttgart, Germany. DDD CPO 777 141-2 [65:02] [JV]

Four very dramatic cantatas in splendid performances, based on sound musicological research – strongly recommended ... see Full Review

Franz Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Six Moments musicaux, D780a (1823-1828) [20:06] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Waldszenen, Op. 82a (1849-1849) [21:21] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 21 in C, Op. 53 Waldsteinb (1803-1804) [21:31] Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) rec. aOctober 1955 and blive, Salzburg, 29 August 1954. ADD mono ARCHIPEL RECORDS ARPCD 0342 [65:58][CC]

A superb programme, therefore. Transfers are acceptable but bear in mind the high level. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise D911 Thomas Oliemans (baritone); Bert van den Brink (piano) rec. Doopsgezinde Kerk, Deventer, April 2006 FINELINE CLASSICAL FL72409 [74:44] [AOz]

More a recording for those interested in up-and-coming performers than in a major interpretation … it’s good for what it is ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856) Dichterliebe, op. 48 (1840) Fünf Lieder nach Heinrich Heine,Liederkreis, Op. 24 (1840) Roman Trekel (baritone), Oliver Pohl (piano) rec. Andreaskirche, Berlin Wannsee, 21–25 November 2005 OEHMS CLASSICS 0C 571 [65:19] [GF]

Trekel’s Schumann belongs among the finest. Someone buying this music for the first time could do much worse than starting here … richly rewarding ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856) Myrten Op. 25 (1840) Widmung (Rückert) [2:18]; Freisinn (Goethe) [1:08]; Der Nussbaum (Mosen) [3:25]; Jemand (Burns) [1:25]; Lieder aus dem Schenkenbuch im Divan: I (Goethe) [0:34]; Lieder aus dem Schenkenbuch im Divan: II (Goethe) [0:51]; Die Lotusblume (Heine) [1:41]; Talismane (Goethe) [1:45]; Lied der Suleika (Willemer/Goethe) [2:42]; Die Hochländer-Witwe(Burns) [1:15]; Zwei Lieder der Braut: I (Rückert) [2:12]; Zwei Lieder der Braut: II (Rückert) [1:10]; Hochländers Abschied (Burns) [1:29]; Hochländerisches Wiegenlied (Burns) [2:52]; Aus den hebräischen Gesängen (Byron) [4:47]; Rätsel (Fanshawe/Byron) [1:34]; Zwei Venetianische Lieder: I (Moore) [1:54]; Zwei Venetianische Lieder: II (Moore) [1:03]; Hauptmanns Weib (Burns) [0:56]; Weit, weit (Burns) [2:46]; Was will die einsame Träne? (Heine) [1:59]; Niemand (Burns) [0:52]; Im Westen (Burns) [1:02]; Du bist wie eine Blume (Heine) [1:30]; Aus den östlichen Rosen (Rückert) [1:33]; Zum Schluss (Rückert) [1:42] Sophie Koch (mezzo), Nelson Goerner (piano) rec. Église de l’Annonciation, Paris, 22–24 September 2004. DDD CASCAVELLE VEL 3085 [47:22] [GF]

A strong feel of deep understanding and communication … it can only be regretted that we were not given more Schumann songs – the playing time is parsimonious." ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856) (arr. Jacques LAROCQUE) Piano Quintet op. 44 [28.48] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–1847), arr. Hendrik SCHNOKE A Midsummer Night’s Dream, op. 61 [36.43] Alliage Quartett (Daniel Gauthier – soprano saxophone, Lutz Koppetsch – alto saxophone, Koryun Asatryan – tenor saxophone, Sebastian Pottmeier – baritone saxophone) Jang-Eun Bae (piano) rec. 16-18 December 2005, Furstliched Reitbahn Bad Arolsen. MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 903 1396-6 [65.44] [RH]

Ultimately the Schumann transcription failed to convince. Interested in transcription as a modern art or fascinated by the saxophone, then this is the disc for you. ... see Full Review

Cyril SCOTT (1879-1970) Complete Piano Sonatas and Other Works for Piano Piano Sonata No.1 Op.66 (1909) [22:14] Piano Sonata No.2 (1935) [14:33] Piano Sonata No.3 (1956) [17:15] Sphinx Op.63 (1908) [4:27] Rainbow Trout (1916) [3:53] Rondeau de Concert (1918) [5:30] Ballad (1920) [6:52] Victorian Waltz (1963) [3:34] Michael Schäfer (piano) Rec. in Studio 1, Bavarian Radio, April 2003 GENUIN GEN 85049 [78.19] [JW]

For those who side with the idea of Scott as a one-man Cubist vortex then Schäfer is a suitably driven guide ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) String Quartets 1-15 complete Rasumowsky Quartet (Dora Bratchkova (1st violin); Ewgenia Grandjean (2nd violin); Gerhards Müller (viola); Alina Kudelevic (cello)) rec. June-December 2005, Musikstudio 1 des Saarländischen Rundfunks, Saarbrücken OEHMS CLASSICS OC 562 [5CDs: 77:47 + 78:30 + 76:01 + 76:25 + 61:23] [DC]

This will sit happily alongside your favourite set, providing some fascinating alternative views on music you might have though to be set in stone. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Film Music: Volume 3 Hamlet – suite (1964) [28:47] The Unforgettable Year 1919 (1951) [7:29] Five Days and Five Nights – suite (1960) [35:29] The Young Guard – suite (1947-8) [10:05] Martin Roscoe (piano) BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Vassily Sinaisky rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 1, 12 October 2004 CHANDOS CHAN10361 [79:47] [IL]

Dynamic performances of mostly politically forceful, but sometimes romantic film music. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) 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 rec. 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] [IL]

The pains and triumphs of the progress of a creative genius … so many that stick in the memory ... see Full Review

Toru TAKEMITSU (1930-1996) Green (1967) [6:53]; Arc - part 1 (1963-1966/76) [15:17]; Arc - part 2 (1963-66/76) [13:33] Rolf Hind (piano) London Sinfonietta/ Oliver Knussen rec. live, Royal Festival Hall, London, 28 October 1998. LONDON SINFONIETTA SIN CD3-2006 [33:28] [AOz]

A worthy tribute to Takemitsu and his relationship with the London Sinfonietta ... 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

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  

John TAVERNER (c.1490-1545) Kyrie Leroy [6.37]; Western Wind Mass [25.13] William CORNYSH Jnr (d.1523) Woefully arrayed [7.22] SHERYNGHAM (c.1500) Ah, gentle Jesu [6.02] John BROWNE (fl.1480-1505) Jesu, mercy Christopher TYE (c.1505-1573) In pace [5.14] Anon (c.1510) Ah, my dear son [5.43] Ars Nova Copenhagen/Paul Hillier rec. St.Paul’s Church, Copenhagen, 19-24 July 2004. DDD DA CAPO 8.226050 [65.32][GH]

Paul Hillier takes this fine young Danish choir through their paces in this glorious flowering of late Tudor polyphony. ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Great Composers (BBC TV Series) Excerpts from: Romeo and Juliet, Eugene Onegin, Queen of Spades, Swan Lake, Symphonies 2, 4, 5 & 6, Piano Concerto No. 1, Violin Concerto, The Seasons Narrated by: Kenneth Branagh, Performed by: Evgeny Kissin (piano); Maxim Vengerov (violin); Natalia Makarova (prima ballerina); St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Termirkanov, Contributors include: David Brown; Evgeny Kissin; Maxim Vengerov; Natalia Makerova; Yuri Temirkanov; Graham Vick; Valery Gergiev. BBC broadcast in January 1998 WARNER MUSIC/NVC ARTS/BBC 50-51011-5451-2 [58:00] [IL]

An excellent documentary and a splendid introduction to the life and music of a grossly underrated genius. ... see Full Review

Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) The Midsummer Marriage (1955)Joan Carlyle (soprano) Jenifer; Elizabeth Harwood (soprano) Bella; Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo) She-Ancient; Helen Watts (contralto) Sosostris; Alberto Remedios (tenor) Mark; Stuart Burrows (tenor) Jack; Raimund Herincx (baritone) King Fisher; Stafford Dean (bass) He-Ancient; David Whelan (baritone) Half-Tipsy Man; Andrew Daniels (tenor) Dancing Man Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Colin Davis. From Philips 6703027 No rec. info. ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD2217 [76:07 + 77:27] [DC]

Once I’d started I was hooked and played the whole thing through, relishing every moment ... see Full Review

Will TODD (b. 1970) Mass in Blue (jazz mass) Op.28 (2003) [37:19] (1. Kyrie [6.39]; 2. Gloria [3.50]; 3. Credo [8.32]; 4. Sanctus [5.10]; 5. Benedictus [4.16]; 6. Agnus Dei [8.52]) 7. Christus est stella [3.42] 8. The Christ-Child [3.53] 9. Ave verum corpus [3.33] 10. None other Lamb [2.12] 11. The Rose [4.42] 12. Lead me Lord (soprano solo: Fiona McWilliams) [3.14] 13. Lighting the way [3.10] 14. Every stone shall cry [2.27] Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse rec. 2006. DDD SIGNUM SIGCD083 [64.19][RB]

Get this if you appreciate well-turned accessible choral music ... sustained creative delight. ... see Full Review

Johann Baptist VANHAL (1739-1813) Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in C [16:05] Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in C [15:50] Concerto for Oboe and Strings in F Major [12:21] Concerto for 2 Bassoons and Orchestra in F Major [22:52] Luc Loubry (bassoon) Francois Baptiste (bassoon) Michel Lethiec (clarinet) Piet Van Bockstal (oboe) The Prussian Chamber Orchestra/Hans Rotman rec. No details of dates or venue provided. TALENT RECORDS DOM 2910 75 [67:38][MC]

This superbly performed and recorded Classic Talent release should suit those looking for something different from a rarely heard composer who was a contemporary of Haydn and Mozart. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto (1851) Duke of Mantua: Aquiles Machado (tenor); Rigoletto: Leo Nucci (baritone); Gilda: Inva Mula (soprano); Sparafucile: Mario Luperi (bass); Maddalena: Sarah M’punga (soprano); Giovanna: Milena Josipovich (mezzo); Count of Monterone: Giuseppe Riva (bass); Marullo: Andrea Piccinni (baritone); Borsa: Giovanni Floris (tenor); Count of Ceprano: Angelo Nardinocchi (baritone); Countess of Ceprano: Alessandra Canettieri (soprano); Court Usher: Tino Nava (bass); Page: Loredana Bigi (mezzo) Orchestra, Chorus and Corps de Ballet of Arena di Verona/Marcello Viotti Directed for the Stage by Charles Roubaud; Choreography by Alphonse Poulin; Art Direction by Bernard Arnould; Lighting Design by Fabrice Kebour; Costume Design by Katia Duflot Directed for TV and Video by Pierre Cavasilas and Rosina Stefanini rec. Arena di Verona, 21 July 2001. Sound Format DD 5.1, DTS 5.1, LPCM Stereo; Picture Format 16:9; Region Code 0; Disc Format DVD 9 TDK DV-OPRIGM [134:00] [GPu]

A production which struggles with the demands of the arena in Verona, and which doesn’t readily translate to the ‘small’ screen, but which is worth getting to know, especially for Leo Nucci’s Rigoletto... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto - melodramma in three acts (1851)
Duke of Mantua, Franco Bonisolli (ten); Rigoletto, his jester, Rolando Panerai (bar); Gilda, Rigoletto’s daughter, Margherita Rinaldi (sop); Sparafucile, a villain available for hire as an assassin, Bengt Rundgren (bass); Maddalena, his sister, Viorica Cortez (mezzo); Giovanna, Gilda’s Duenna, Ilona Papenthin (mezzo); Count Monterone, Antonin Svorc (bass); Marullo, a courtier, Horst Lunow (bar); Matteo Borsa, a courtier, Henno Gardhuhn (ten); Count Ceprano, Peter Olesch (bar); Contess Ceprano, Maria Corelli (sop) Chorus and orchestra of the StaatsoperDresden/Francesco Molinari-Pradelli rec. studio, 1977 ARTS MUSIC ARTS ARCHIVES 43073-2 [62.21 + 54.27] [RF]

Whatever the virtues of the other principals, any performance of Rigoletto depends on the name part. In this recording Rolando Panerai is a mixed blessing. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto, Melodramma in three acts (1851) Duke of Mantua, Marcelo Álvarez (ten); Rigoletto, his jester, Carlos Álvarez (bar); Gilda, Rigoletto’s daughter, Inva Mula (sop); Sparafucile, a villain available for hire as an assassin, Julian Konstantinaov (bass); Maddalena, his sister, Nino Surguladze (mezzo); Giovanna, Gilda’s Duenna, Merce Obiol (mezzo); Count Monterone, Stanislav Shevts (bass); Marullo, a courtier, Joan Martin-Roya (bar); Matteo Borsa, a courtier, John Plazaola (ten); Count Ceprano, Davis Rubiera (bar); Contess Ceprano, Sandra Galiano (sop) Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona/Jesus Lopez-Cobos Directed by Graham Vick. Set and Costume Design by Paul Brown, TV and Video Director, Pietro d’Agostino rec. live, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, December 2004 Sound format, DD 5.1. DTS 5.1. LPCM stereo. Picture format 16:9 Introductory essay in English, German and French Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish TDK DVWW-OPRIGL [131:00] [RJF]

There are visual incongruities yet despite some reservations the staging works. Overall though my preference on DVD lies with David McVicar’s 2002 Covent Garden production ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata - Opera in three acts (1853) Violetta Valery, Anna Moffo (sop); Flora, Anna Reynolds (mezzo); Annina, Liliana Poli (sop); Alfredo Germont, Richard Tucker (tenor); Giorgio Germont, Robert Merrill (bar); Gastone, Piero de Palma (ten); Doctor Grenvil, Franco Ventriglia (bass); Baron Douphol, Franco Calabrese (bar); Marquis d’Obigny, Vito Susca (bass) Giuseppe, Adelio Zogonara (ten) Rome Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Fernando Previtali rec. Rome Opera House, Italy. 16-25 June 1960 Libretto with English available on specified website. SACD/CD and Super Audio Surround Sound format. RCA RED SEAL LIVING STEREO SERIES 82876 82623 2 [64.04 + 48.46][RJF]

The playback quality of this performance outstrips the singing by some measure. ... see Full Review  

Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Don Carlo (1884) Boris Christoff (bass) – Filippo II, King of Spain; Mario Filippeschi (tenor) – Don Carlo, Infante of Spain; Tito Gobbi (baritone) – Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa; Giulio Neri (bass) – The Grand Inquisitor; Plinio Clabassi (bass) – A Monk; Antonietta Stella (soprano) – Elisabetta di Valois; Elena Nicolai (mezzo) – Princess Eboli; Loretta Di Lelio (mezzo) – Tebaldo, page to Elisabetta; Paolo Caroli (tenor) – Count of Lerma / A Royal Herald; Orietta Moscucci (soprano) – A Voice from Heaven; Chorus and Orchestra, Opera House, Rome/Gabriele Santini rec. Rome, October 1954 Bonus Tracks – Great Voices Sing Verdi Don Carlo: Io l’ho perduta! … Qual pallor! [10:06] Jussi Björling (tenor), Robert Merrill (baritone), Emil Markow (bass), Chorus and the RCA Victor Orchestra/Renato Cellini rec. 1950 I vespri Siciliani: O tu, Palermo [3:50] Boris Christoff (bass), Philharmonia Orchestra/Wilhelm Schüchter rec. 1952 Ernani: Che mai veggio! … Infelice … L’offeso onor, signori [6:30] Boris Christoff (bass), Philharmonia Orchestra/Anatole Fistoulari rec. 1951 La forza del destino: Urna fatale [3:28] Tito Gobbi (baritone), Philharmonia Orchestra/James Robertson rec. 1950 Un ballo in maschera: Alzati … Eri tu [6:57] Tito Gobbi (baritone), Philharmonia Orchestra/Warwick Braithwaite rec. 1952 Otello: Vanne … Credo in un Dio crudel [4:15]; Era la notte [2:45] Tito Gobbi (baritone), Philharmonia Orchestra/James Robertson rec. 1950 REGIS RRC 3011 [3 CDs: 60:19 + 67:52 + 75:09][GF]

At Regis’ price this set should be in every respectable opera collection! ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista VIOTTI (1755-1824) Six Quatuors Concertants, Op. 3 (c. 1820): No. 1 in A major [13:07]; No. 2 in C major [14:31]; No. 3 in F major [09:48]; No. 4 in B flat major [10:24]; No. 5 in E flat major [14:64]; No. 6 in E major [14:07] L'Arte del Suono: (Lola Bobesco (violin); Jean-Michel Defalque (violin); Dominique Huybrechts (viola); Sylvie Mariage (cello)) rec. dates not provided and location of venue unclear. DDD TALENT DOM 2910 46 [76:31] [MC]

Those who enjoy the chamber works of Haydn, Mozart and Cherubini may wish to explore these fascinating and rewarding string quartets ... 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

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde (1858) [17:13] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Tod und Verklärung Op. 24 (1888) [25:41] Four Last Songs (1947): Fruhling [3:09]; September [4:36]; Beim Schlafengehen [4:44]; Im Abendrot [7:41] Christine Brewer(soprano) Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Donald Runnicles rec. 1-2 April 2006, Woodruff Arts Centre, Atlanta, Georgia TELARC CD-80661 [63:29][DC]

An irresistible ‘must-have’ for connoisseurs of these fine works. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der Ring – An Organ Transcription - arr. Hansjörg Albrecht, Hansjörg Albrecht (organs) rec. St. Nikolai zu Kiel, April-May 2006 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 612 Hybrid SACD [63:59] [PCW]

If the idea behind the disc appeals, this will probably give pleasure … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tristan und Isolde (1865) [248:43] John Treleaven (tenor) Christine Brewer (soprano) Peter Rose (bass) Boaz Daniel (baritone) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Donald Runnicles rec. live, concert, Barbican Hall, London, 12 December 2002 (Act One), 5 and 19 February 2003 (Acts Two and Three) WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62964-2 [4 CDs: 56:45 + 60:10 + 51:50 + 79:58] [DH]

Despite Brewer, Pecková and Rose this new Tristan gives way to the Goodall set. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tannhäuser (1845) Tannhäuser: Richard Versalle (tenor); Elisabeth: Cheryl Studer, (soprano); The Landgrave von Thüringen: Hans Sotin, (bass); Wolfram von Eschenbach: Wolfgang Brendel, (baritone); Venus: Ruthild Engert-Ely, (mezzo) Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra/Giuseppe Sinopoli Director: Wolfgang Wagner; Director for film: Brian Large rec. Bayreuther Festspielhaus, 23-28 June 1989 DVD all regions EUROARTS 2072008 [188:00] [AOz]

A historically important work, since it features Versalle and Studer at the beginning of their careers, with an unusually erotic Eschenbach in Brendel ... see Full Review

Lazar WEINER (1897-1982) The Art of Yiddish Song Yosl Klezmer (1939) [2:13] Yidish (1946) [1:25] Ergets vayt (1936) [2:10] Ikh hob far dir a sod (1945) [1:46] A Nign [2:53] Shtile Likht (1956) [2:02] Got geyt mir nokh umetum (1973) [2:22] Khoyves [1:57] Got un mentsh (1973) [1:34] Tsela-Tseldi (1922) [2:21] Der Sholem-Zokher (1973) [4:27] Toybnshtile [2:30] Viglid [2:49] Fun vayte teg (1977) [1:46] Bald vet zany a regn (1965) [0:45] A papir vil bageyn zelbstmord (1965) [1:05] Der Yid mitn fidl (1956) [3:13] Baym bentshn likht (1974) [1:56] A gebet [1:32] Shtile tener (1918) [2:09] A foter tsu zany zun [2:26] Volt mayn tate raykh geven (1918) [1:44]  Dos reyd funem novi [4:38] Ovnt-Lid (1968) [2:25] Gramen geshribn in zamd (1956) [3:18] Ikh hob dikh shoyn lang (1976) [1:28] Viglid (1925) [2:46] Dos gold fun dayne oygn (1922) [1:56] Di mayse mit der velt (1930) [3:25] Ikh bin der vaynrib (1965) [1:29] Unter dayne vayse shtern (1950) [3:13] Yidn zingen ani mamin (1973) [3:14] Raphael Frieder; Ida Rae Cahana; Meir Finkelstein; Elizabeth Shammash; Robert Abelson; David Ossenfort; Harold Orbach; Re’ut Ben Ze’ev; Susan Davenny-Wyner (singers) Yehudi Wyner (piano) Barry Snyder (piano) rec. Lefrac Concert Hall, Colden Centre for the Arts, Flushing, New York, 2001; Kilbourne Hall, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, December 1992; Sprague Hall, Yale University CT, May 1972; Gateway Studios, Surrey, UK, July 2000 NAXOS MILKEN ARCHIVE 8.559443 [74:14][JW]

A pre-eminent Yiddish art composer with Impressionism a strong element…uneven performances ... see Full Review

Nigel WESTLAKE (b.1958) Piano Trio (2003) [20:57] The Hinchinbrook Riffs (2003) [8;06] String Quartet No.2 (2005) [23:03] Kalabash (2004) [7:29] Piano Sonata (1997) [15:15] Macquarie Trio Australia Craig Ogden (guitar) Goldner String Quartet Synergy Percussion Michael Kieran Harvey (piano) rec. Concert Hall, University of Newcastle, January 1999 (Piano Sonata); Newington College, January 2006 (Kalabash); Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium, November 2003 (Piano Trio); The Top Studio, Sarsden, Oxfordshire, UK, May 2006 (The Hinchinbrook Riffs); Sir John Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW, October 2005 (String Quartet No. 2) TALL POPPIES TP187 [75:09] [JW]

Diverting and exciting showcase … performers play with uninhibited brilliance ... see Full Review

Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Polonaise brillante in A major, Op.21 (1870) [9:11] Legend, Op.17 (1860) [7:09] Józef WIENIAWSKI (1837-1912) Sonata in D minor, Op.24  [57:46] Patrycja Piekutowska (violin); Edward Wolanin (piano) rec. 2005/2006, Pomeranian Philharmonic Concert Hall, Bydgoszczy, Poland. DDD DUX 0543 [74:08][GPu]

A rewarding and enjoyable CD, on which the best music comes from the lesser known of the two brothers … see Full Review

Malcolm WILLIAMSON (1931–2003) Symphony for Voices (1960/2)a [16:31] Love, the Sentinel (1972) [8:30] English Eccentrics - Choral Suite (1964) [15:16] Requiem for a Tribe Brother (1992) [29:24] Kathryn Cook (alto)a Joyful Company of Singers/Peter Broadbent rec. Hall, Charterhouse, Godalming, Surrey, February 2005 NAXOS 8.557783 [69:42][HC]

A splendid disc of splendid music superbly sung. ... see Full Review

Gernot WOLFGANG (b.1957) Common Ground Metamorphosis (2001) [10:58] 1 Common Ground (2005) [12:25] 2 Jazz & Cocktails (2003) [12:13] 3 Dual Identity (2005) [4:08] 4 Thin Air (2002, rev. 2005) [11:36] 5 Night Shift (2005) [8:09] 6 1 Margaret Batjer (violin); Brian Dembow (viola); Stephen Erdody (cello); Robert Edward Thies (piano); 2 Judith farmer (bassoon); Armen Ksajikian (cello); 3 Tereza Stanislav (violin); Cécilia Tsan (cello); Robert Edward Thies (piano); 4 Judith Farmer (bassoon); 5 Margaret Batjer (violin); Brian Dembow (viola) Stephen Erdody (cello); 6 Delores Stevens (piano) rec. 10 November 2005, Martinsound, Alhambra, California4,5; 12-13 December, Alfred Newman Recital Hall, University of Southern California, Los Angeles1,2,3,6 ALBANY TROY 854 [59:42][GPu]

Supposedly ‘Groove-Oriented Chamber Music’, but I’m not sure that isn’t a rather misleading description of some well-written, subtle and varied contemporary work for a number of instrumental combinations … see Full Review

Xian XINGHAI (1905-1945) Yellow River Cantata (1938) [38:57] Nie ER National Song of the People's Republic of China (1935) [1:03] Pierre DEGEYTER orch. A KEJIAN The Internationale (1888) [5:47] Liu CHI My Motherland (1955) [4:59] Su TIE orch. Zhu LIANGZHEN Blood-Dyed Gallantry (1980s) [3:40] Shanghai Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra/Cao Ding rec. Shanghai, China, August 1993 MARCO POLO 8.223613 [54:13][RB]

I hope we have not heard the last of works such as these. When will be able to welcome them back? ... see Full Review




Detailed listing (last five 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]
[Recommended recordings]



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