ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

 BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Janet Baker - An Anthology of English Song Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Call (1911, from Five Mystical Songs) Youth and Love (1904, Songs of Travel) John IRELAND (1879-1962) A Thanksgiving (1938) Her Song (1925, Songs to Thomas Hardy Poems) Michael Dewar HEAD, (1900-1976) A Piper (1923) Cecil Armstrong GIBBS (1889-1960) This is a Sacred City (By a Bierside) (1924) Love is a Sickness, Op.44/1 (1922) Thomas Frederick DUNHILL (1877-1946) The Cloths of Heaven, Op.30/3 (1916?) Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930) Balulalow (Trad, 16th Cent. arr Warlock) Youth (1928) Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) King David (1921) Come Sing and Dance (1928) Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) Sleep (from Five Elizabethan Songs) I Will Go with My Father a-ploughing Thomas DUNHILL To the Queen of heaven Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Come away, come away, death It was a lover and his lass (both from Let us garlands bring, Op.18, 1942) Janet Baker (mezzo) Martin Isepp (piano) rec. 1963, Saga STXID5213 (LP); ECD3360, SCD9012 (CD). ADD REGIS RRC 1265 [44:52][RB]

This iconic Baker collection. Another winner from Regis. ... see Full Review

Claviermusik des Barock Vincent LÜBECK (1654-1740) Preambulum in E [6:03] Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (c.1637-1707) Passacaglia in d BuxWV 161 [6:14] J.S. BACH (1685-1750) Englische Suite Nr III g-moll BWV 808 [12:51] Giovanni Perluigi da PALESTRINA (1526-1594) Ricercata del settimo tono [2:30] Jan Pieterszoon SWEELINCK (1562-1621) Ballo del granduca [4:35] Johann Nicolaus HANFF (15641-1712) Choralvorspiel ‘Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott’ [4:12] J.S. BACH Triosonate Nr IV e-moll BWV 528 [11:14] Johann Nicolaus HANFF Choralvorspiel ‘Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott’ [2:24] Jan Pieterszoon SWEELINCK Onder een linde groen [5:02] J.S. BACH Aus dem Wohltemperierten Clavier Teil II Praeludium G-dur BWV884 [1:42] Fuge G-dur BWV 884 [1:13] Johann Kaspar KERLL (1627-1693) Passacaglia [5:25] Roland Dopfer (organ, harpsichord, clavichord) rec. Kath. Pfarrkirche St Albertus-Magnus, Düsseldorf-Golsheim (harpsichord, clavichord), Kath Kirche St Marien Korschenbroich-Pesch (organ) ORGANUM CLASSICS OGM 261029 [64:32][CB]

Diverse release … elegant harpsichord playing … the organ playing sometimes lacks elegance … good recording and booklet ... see Full Review

Baroque Bohemia and Beyond: Volumes 1-3
Volume 1 Jiří Antonín BENDA (1722-1795) Sinfonia No. 4 in F (post-1750) [6:04] Josef BÁRTA (1744-1787) Sinfonia in C minor [13:21] František Xaver RICHTER (1709-1789) Concerto in E-minor pro Cembalo (Harpsichord) [23:18] Jan Václav STAMIC (1714-1757) Sinfonia Pastorale D major Op. 4/2 (published c.1758-59) [11:39] Jan Křitetel VAŇHAL (1739-1813) Sinfonia in E minor (c.1765-1770) [23:32] Czech Chamber Philharmonic (Zdenĕk Adam, artistic director)/Vojtĕch Spurný rec. Studio Arco Diva Domovina, Prague May, June and October 2005 ALTO ALC 1001 [78:00]
Volume 2 Jan Křitetel VAŇHAL (1739-1813) Symphony in G minor (pre-1785) [20:14] František Xaver DUŠEK (1731-1799) Symphony in C major (c.1767) [12:34] František Xaver BRIXI (1732-1771) Concerto in G major for harpsichord [14:11] Antonín VRANICKÝ (1761-1820) Symphony in C minor (post 1790) [23:16] Czech Chamber Philharmonic (Zdenĕk Adam, artistic director)/Vojtĕch Spurný rec. Studio Arco Diva Domovina, Prague, June 2004 ALTO ALC 1002 [70:34] 
Volume 3 Jiři Ignác LINEK (1725-1791) Sinfonia Pastoralis C Major [15:16] Leopold KOŽELUH (1747-1818) Symphony in G minor (1787) [17:59] František Xaver BRIXI (1732-1771) Symphony in D major (1760) [8:35] Antonín REJCHA (1770-1836) Symphony in E flat major Op. 41 (1800) [22:56] Czech Chamber Philharmonic (Zdenĕk Adam, artistic director)/Vojtĕch Spurný rec. Domovina Studios, Prague, November 2002 and February 2003 ALTO ALC 1003 [65:13] [JW]

Lovers of the Bohemian and Moravian baroque will be pleased to make the acquaintance of these three discs ... see Full Review

The British Book Judith WEIR (b. 1954) String Quartet (1990) [13:27] Edward ELGAR (1857–1934) String Quartet in E minor Op.83 (1918) [26:11] Peter Maxwell DAVIES (b. 1934) Little Quartet No.1 (1980) [8:50] Little Quartet No.2 (1977, rev. 1987) [4:03] Reinhold-Quartett rec. MDR Chorsaal, Augustplatz, Leipzig, April, December 2005 GENUIN GEN 86065 [52:59] [HC]

The Reinhold-Quartet plays beautifully throughout. Their carefully prepared readings are undoubtedly very fine. ... see Full Review

Natalie Dessay – The Miracle of the Voice CD 1 Leo DELIBES (1836–1891) 1. Lakmé, Act I: Legend of the pariah’s daughter (Bell song): Ah! Par les dieux inspirée … Où va la jeune hindoue [8:32]; Jacques OFFENBACH (1819–1880) 2. Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Act II: Les oiseaux dans la charmille [5:25]; Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791–1864) 3. Le Pardon de Ploërmel, Act II: Ombre légère [7:49]; Jules MASSENET (1842–1912) 4–5. Manon, Act III: Suis-je gentile ainsi? [2:51]; Gavotte: Obéissons quand leur voix appelle [2:59]; Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893) 6. Roméo et Juliette, Act I: Ariette: Ah! Je veux vivre dans le rêve [3:33]; Emmanuel CHABRIER (1841–1894) 7. Le Roi malgré lui, Act II: Gipsy song: Il est un vieux chant de Bohème [5:09]; Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848) 8. La Fille du regiment, Act II: C’en est donc fait … Salut à la France [8:29]; 9–12. Lucie de Lammermoor, Act III: Mad scene: Elle s’avance hélas, pauvre victime [3:37]; Ah! C’est l’hymne des noces [6:35]; Ashton s’avance [2:28]; Je vais quitter la terre [4:37]; Jacques OFFENBACH 13. Orphée aux Enfers, Act II Duo de la mouche: Il m’a semblé sur mon épaule [5:03]; 14. Robinson Crusoë: Conduisez-moi vers celui que j’adore [3:58] CD 2 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) 1–2. Die Zauberflöte, Act II: Der Hölle Rache [3:06]; Ach, ich fühl’s [2:53]; 3. Popoli di tessaglia! Io non chiedo, eterni Dei K.316 [11:02]; George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) 4. Delirio amoroso: Per te lasciai la luce [9:39]; Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949) 5. Ariadne auf Naxos: Grossmächtige prinzessin … Noch glaub’ich [11:06]; Johann STRAUSS (1825–1899) 6. Frühlingsstimmenwalzer Op. 410 [9:08]; Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) 7. Vocalise Op. 34 No. 4 (trans. Rachmaninov) [5:19]; Alexander Nikolaievitch ALABIEV (1787–1851) 8. Salavieï (The Nightingale), Russian popular song (cadenza: Aglaja Orgeni) [5:17]; Igor STRAVINSKY (1882–1971) 9. Le Rossignol: Song of the Nightingale: Ah! Joie [3:04]; Philippe ROMBI (b. 1968) 10. Ave Maria from the original soundtrack of the film “Merry Christmas” [4:25]; Thelonius MONK (1917–1982)/Claude NOUGARO (b. 1929) 11. Duo: Autour de minuit (French adaptation of ‘Round Midnight’ [4:10]; Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918–1992) 12. Candide: Glitter and be gay [5:47]; Natalie Dessay (soprano); Ludovic Tézier (baritone) (CD1:11, 12); Nicolas Cavallier (bass) (CD1: 9, 11, 12); Laurent Naouri (baritone) (CD1: 13); Claude Nougaro (vocals) (CD 2: 11); Yvan Cassar (piano), Rosario Bonaccorso (double bass), André Ceccarelli (drums) (CD2: 11);  Choeur ‘Les Elements’ (CD1: 5, 8, 14); Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson (CD1: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14); Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo/Patrick Fournillier (CD1: 2, 3, 7); Orchestre et Choeurs de l’Opéra de Lyon/Evelino Pidò (CD1: 9 – 12); Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon/Marc Minkowski (CD1: 13); Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/Louis Langrée (CD2: 1, 2); Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon/Theodor Guschlbauer (CD2: 3); Le Concert d’Astrée/Emmanuelle Haïm (CD2: 4), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Antonio Pappano (CD2: 5); Berliner Sinfonie Orchester/Michael Schønwandt (CD2: 6 – 8); Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Paris/James Conlon (CD2: 9); London Symphony Orchestra/Philippe Rombi (CD2: 10); London Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Davis (CD2: 12) rec. no dates or venues given but published 1995 – 2005 VIRGIN CLASSICS 00946 363332 2 9 [71:26 + 76:20][GF]

The programme is a fine mix and shows the many-sided talent of this fascinating artist ... see Full Review  

The Devil’s Trill – showpieces for violin and piano Giuseppe TARTINI (1692-1770) Violin sonata in G minor Op.1 No.6 Devil’s Trill [13:47] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Suite bergamasque - Clair de lune (1905) [4:40] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Canciones populares españolas No. 4 Jota arranged Paul Kochanski (1914) [2:59] Eugène YSAŸE (1858-1931) Extase Op.21 [9:49] Piotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Valse-scherzo Op.34 transcribed Bezekirsky [5:31] Josef SUK (1874-1935) Píseň lásky Op.7/1 (1897) arranged Jaroslav Kocian [6.07] Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967) Three Hungarian folk dances arranged Grigory Feighin [4:19] Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) arranged August Wilhelmj Légende Op. 17 (1864) [7:27] Aleksander ZARZYCKI (1834-1895) Mazurka Op 26 [4:46] David Oistrakh (violin) Vladimir Yampolsky (piano) rec. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, February 1956 EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 5629142 [59:35] [JW]

A cherishable recital but Great surely means something else. This recital can survive very well without spurious puff ... see Full Review

An Evening With Placido Domingo - Live at Wembley Umberto GIORDANO (1867–1948) Fedora (1898): Amor ti vieta; Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) La fanciulla del West (1910): Ch’ella mi creda; Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Il trovatore (1853): Soli or siam!¹; Giacomo PUCCINI La bohème (1896): O Mimi, tu piu non torni²; Frederick LOEWE (1901–1988) My Fair Lady (1956): On the street where you live Franz LEHAR (1870–1948) Die lustige Witwe (1905): Da geh’ ich zu Maxim; Reveriano SOUTULLO (1884–1931) Juan VERT (1890–1932) El ultimo romantico (1928): Bella enamorada; Manuel PENELLA  (1880–1939) El Gato Montés (1916)¹: Duet; Pablo SOROZABAL (1897–1988) La Taberna del Puerto (1936): No puede ser; Salvatore CARDILLO (1874–1947) Core ’ngrato (1911); Augustin LARA  (1896–1970) Granada(1932); Placido Domingo (tenor) Martha Senn (mezzo)¹, Eduard Tumagian (baritone)² English Chamber Orchestra/Eugene Kohn rec. live, Wembley Arena, London, 21 June 1987; NTCS 4:3; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround WARNER MUSIC VISION 50-51011-2642-2-1 [54:00] [GF]

It is a privilege to see a concert so filled with superb music making and happy atmosphere. ... see Full Review

Jérôme Ducharme (guitar) Matthew DUNNE (b. 1950) Appalachian Summer [7:13] Jacques HÉTU (b. 1938) Suite Op. 41 [15:18] Juan MANÉN (1883-1971) Fantasie-Sonata Op. A22 [18:01] Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Tres piezas españolas [11:16]; Fandango [3:50]; Passacaglia [4:22]; Zapateado [3:03] Alberto GINASTERA (1916-1983) Sonata Op. 47 [13:28] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Homenaje pour Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy [3:17] Jérôme Ducharme (guitar) rec. 16-19 March 2006, St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. NAXOS 8.570189 [68:33][ZT]

This performance is of a standard expected from a GFA winner - the programme will probably hold most appeal to the guitar fraternity ... see Full Review

Sergei Dukachev plays piano music by Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor Op.27 No.2 Moonlight (1801) [15:39] Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballades (1831-42); No.4 in F minor Op.42 [10:38] Nocturne No.8 in D flat major Op.27 No.2 [4:58] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Seasons Op.37b (1875-76) No.1 January; By the Fireside [4:19] No.11 November; On the troika [2:47] Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) Prelude in G major Op.32 No.5 [2:43] Sonata No.2 in B flat minor (1913 revised 1931) [18:49] Sergei Dukachev (piano) rec. live, Whitely Hall, Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, August 2006  DUNELM RECORDS DRD 0267 [60:22][JW]

Highly sympathetic playing … real poeticism and insight, beautiful tonal qualities and unforced lyricism. ... see Full Review

God Be In My Head – sacred and secular treble solos Sir Henry WALFORD DAVIES (1869-1941) God be in my head [1:30] Sir Richard RODNEY BENNETT (b.1936) The Bird’s Lament [2:37] Jean François LALLOUETTE (1651-1728) O Misterium Ineffabile [1:43] Richard SHEPHERD (b. 1949) Let Him Who Seeks [1:38] Pelham HUMFREY (1647-1674) A Hymn to God the Father [2:43] Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930) Balulalow (Cradle Song) [1:32] Antonio CALDARA (1670-1736) Alma del Core [2:38] Jeremiah CLARKE (1674-1707) An Evening Hymn [1:57] J.S.BACH/Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Ave Maria [2:27] Peter HURFORD (b.1930) Litany of the Holy Spirit [2:37] Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) That Yonge Child [1:43] Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Pie Jesu [3:20] Evelyn SHARPE Skye Boat Song [2:42] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Hear my Prayer [3:34] Arr. BRITTEN The Sally Gardens [2:14] Carl ORFF (1895-1982) In Trutina (from Carmina Burana) [2:20] Freddy de Rivaz (treble), Nicholas Robinson (piano and chamber organ), Simon Johnson (piano and organ) rec. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St. Alban, 18, 20 July, 17 October 2005. DDD GUILD GMCD7308 [38:20] [GPJ]

A disc illuminated by something very special. The sheer beauty of the singing of young Freddy de Rivaz makes any reservations beside the point. ... see Full Review

Highlights from Glyndebourne Selections from Il barbiere di Siviglia, Orfeo ed Euridice, Carmen, Idomeneo, La Cenerentola, L’incoronazione di Poppea (see review for details) rec.1982-5 WARNER MUSIC VISION 50-51011 6778-2-3 [59:00] [GF]

There are enough good things here to make it attractive for those who don’t mind snippets. ... see Full Review

The Golden Age of Light Music – Soloists Supreme see review for details GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD 5126 [77:22] [JW]

Transfers done well in the main. Perspicacious notes and the usual good selection priorities. The Guild Light Music series goes rolling on. ... see Full Review

The Golden Age of Light Music - Great Light Orchestras Salute Cole Porter see review for details GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD 5127 [76:44] [JW]

Moments of succulence galore, ones to enchant the ball-gowns if not necessarily the barflies. It’s that sort of collection. ... see Full Review

I Dovregubbens hall/In the Hall of the Mountain King Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 (1874) 1 Morning Mood [3:58] 2 The Death of Aase [3:52] 3 Anitra’s Dance [3:42] 4 In the Hall of the Mountain King [2:45] 5 Last Spring [5:42] 6 Norwegian Dance No. 2 [2:29] Johan SVENDSEN (1840-1911) 7 Polonaise [8:37] 8 Variations on a Norwegian Folk Tune [6:29] Halfdan KJERULF (1815 -1868) 9 The Wedding in Hardanger [2:57] Ole BULL (1810-1880) 10 Solitude [3:07] Rikard NORDRAAK (1842-1886) from “Maria Stuart” 11 Purpose [4:01] 12 Valse Caprice [2:20] 13 Olav Trygvasson [2:58] Johan HALVORSEN (1864-1935) 14 Entry of the Boyars [5:06] 15 Danse Visionaire [7:51] Johan SVENDSEN (1840-1911) 16 Norwegian Artists’ Carnival [6:46] Rikard NORDRAAK (1842-1886) 17 National Anthem (1864) [1:12] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Per Dreier rec. All Saint’s Church, Tooting, London, 1989 previously released as ARCD 1938. DDD PRO MUSICA PPC 9056 [74:23] [PC]

Recommended as an excellent starter for 19^th century Norwegian music. ... see Full Review

Songs by Michael Head and Friends Michael HEAD (1900-1976) Sweet chance; O to be in England; Fox Gloves; Green Rain; A piper; A green cornfield; Ships of Arcady; Beloved; A blackbird singing; Nocturne; Dear delight; You shall not go a-Maying; Love’s lament for comely grace; Love me not; O let no star; The twins; A summer idyll; Slumber song of the Madonna; When sweet Ann sings David BEDNALL (b. 1979) England; First sight of her and after Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) King David Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) Down by the Salley Gardens; Sleep Richard Rowntree (tenor) David Bednall (piano) rec. Wells Cathedral School, 20-22 October 2004. DDD LAMMAS LAMM179D [71:55] [RB]

These too rarely encountered poetic blooms by Michael Head ... see Full Review

The History of the Musical by Richard Fawkes,read by Kim Criswell 100 musical excerpts rec. 2001, Motivation Sound Studios, London NAXOS NON-FICTION HISTORIES NA422712 [4 CDs: 79:26 + 79:12 + 78:40 + 77:40] [IL]

A most enjoyable history that would have gained a place in my top recommendations for the year had it arrived sooner. ... see Full Review

Homage – The Age of the Diva – Renée Fleming see review for details - Renée Fleming (soprano); Yvona Škvárová (mezzo) (Jenufa); Kirill Terentiev (violin) (Jenufa) Orchestra of the Marinsky Theatre/Valery Gergiev rec. Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, 30 June, 1 July, 8, 10 August 2006. DDD DECCA 475 8069 [67:27] [GF]

A wide-ranging recital that partly presents Renée Fleming in a new light: a little less creamy, a little more intense but still spinning those famous pianissimos exquisitely. Should definitely be heard. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Impressions for Saxophone and Orchestra Mikis THEODORAKIS (b.1925) Cretan Concertino (alto and orchestra) arr. Yannis Samprovalakis (1952) [10:44] Adagio (soprano and strings) (1993) [3:44] Nikos SKALKOTTAS (1904-1949) Concertino (soprano and strings) arr. Yannis Samprovalakis (1939) [11:38] Theodore ANTONIOU (b.1935) Concerto Piccolo (alto and orchestra) (2000) [16:00] Minas ALEXIADIS (b.1960) Phrygian Litany (soprano and orchestra) [7:53] Vassilis TENIDIS (b.1936) Rhapsody of Pontos (alto and orchestra) (1997) [13:24] Manos HADJIDAKIS (1925-1994) Mr Knoll from Gioconda’s Smile op. 22 (alto and orchestra) [3:39] Theodore Kerkezos (saxophones) Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra/Myron Michailidis rec. Aristotle University Hall, Thessaloniki, Greece, 12-15 December 2005, 29-31 March 2006. DDD NAXOS 8.557992 [67:09] [PCW]

Whether your motivation is to hear music for the saxophone or from Greece, this disc is an unmissable bargain … see Full Review

Yossif Ivanov: Violin Sonatas César FRANCK (1822-1890) Violin Sonata (1886) [28:12] Eugène YSAŸE (1858-1931) Violin Sonata Op.27 No.5 (1923) [17:09] Violin Sonata Op.27 No.6 (1923) [7:03] Rafaël D’HAENE (b.1943) Violin Sonata (2003) [21:41] Yossif Ivanov (violin) Daniel Blumenthal (piano) rec. Tibor Varga Foundation studio, Sion, Switzerland, January 2006 AMBROISIE AMB102 [67:09][JW]

Needs to ally his manifest gifts with a deepening insight into phraseology and projection. ... see Full Review

Joie de Vivre! Charles GOUNOD (1819-1893) Ah! Je veux vivre (Roméo et Juliette) [3.25] Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Conduisez-moi vers celui que j’adore (Robinson Crusoe) [3.44] Ambroise THOMAS (1811-1896) Oui pour ce soir je suis reine (Mignon) [5.41] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Je marche sur tous les chemins (Manon) [5.13] GOUNOD Jewel Song (Faust) [4.35] Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Ombre légère qui suis mes pas (Dinorah) [7.04] Daniel AUBER (1782-1871) C’est l’histoire amoureuse (Manon Lescaut) [4.09] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Quando m’en vo (La Bohème) [2.31] PUCCINI Ore dolci e divine (La Rondine) [4.48] Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) G’schichten aus dem Wienerwald - Tales from the Vienna Woods [4.38] Carl ZELLER (1842-1898) Schenkt man sich Rosen in Tirol (Der Vogelhandler) [2.38] STRAUSS Laughing Song (Die Fledermaus) [3.21] STRAUSS Frühlingsstimmen - Voices of Spring [6.46] Ivor NOVELLO (1893-1951) Waltz of my heart (The Dancing Years) [2.42] Richard MILLS (b.1949) Love’s Coming – world premiere recording [3.19] TRAD arr. MILLS Until we meet again – Irish blessing song [2.24] Amelia Farrugia (soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Briger rec. 26-29 September 2005, Maida Vale, London DECCA 987 5237 [67.47][RMO]

Farrugia has a young and sprightly voice she is not afraid to exploit in arias that are a veritable what’s-what of the coloratura repertoire. ... see Full Review

Julens ljus – The Light of Christmas Christmas songs - see review for details Stockholms Studentsångare/Karin Oldgren, Gunilla Backman (soprano) Johan Lindström (organ) rec. 21-24 January, 4-5 March, 25 April, 21 August 2006, Hölö Church, Sweden PROPRIUS PRSACD 2035 [64:46] [GF]

I suspect that many listeners will make attractive ‘finds’ among these 24 songs and the execution of them leaves little extra to be desired. ... see Full Review

Kiri sings Karl – songs of mystery and enchantment composed and conducted by Karl Jenkins Carlos GUASTAVINO (1912–2000) Jardins Antiguo [2:48]; Ariel RAMIREZ (b. 1921) Kyrie (from Misa Criolla) [3:31]; Gabriel FAURÉ (1845–1924) Le Secret, Op. 23 No. 3 [2:48]; Karl JENKINS (b. 1944) Antema Africana [3:50]; Alberto GINASTERA (1916–1983) Cancion al Arbol del olvido (from Dos Canciones Argentinas, Op. 3) [3:33]; Karl JENKINS Y Cyfrinwyr (The Mystics) [7:54]; Carlos GUASTAVINO Flores Argentinas: Cortadera, Plumerito [2:07]; El clavel del aire blanco [2:56]; ¡Que Linda la madreselva! [1:36]; Ay, aljaba flor de chilco [2:39]; Karl JENKINS In Paradisum [5:25]; Carlos GUASTAVINO La Rosa el Sauce [3:49]; Karl JENKINS Capriccio D’Amore [3:55]; Allegrettango (after Beethoven) [5:13]; Mazurka (after Chopin) [4:25], Paya Paya [3:47]; Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) The Adiemus Singers London Symphony Orchestra/Karl Jenkins rec. The Adiemus singers: HIP Music Productions Oy, Helsinki, Finland, 4 July 2006, Kiri Te Kanawa’s vocals: rec. mustache studios, London, May 2006; LSO: Abbey Road Studios, London, July 2006. All arrangements by Karl Jenkins. EMI CLASSICS 3532572 [61:09] [GF]

Dame Kiri’s voice has undoubtedly aged but she can still sing a ravishing pianissimo. As a whole, though, there is too much compromised singing here and some of the arrangements are over-blown. ... see Full Review

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – My World of Opera Introduction Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Hab’ mir’s gelobt from Der Rosenkavalier Kiri Te Kanawa (Marschallin); Anne Howells (Octavian); Barbara Bonney (Sophie) Conductor: Georg Solti* Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Il etait une fois a la cour d’Eisenach from Les Contes D’Hoffman – Placido Domingo (Hoffman); Conductor: Georges Prêtre* Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Ah, morir potessi adesso from Ernani - Placido Domingo (Ernani); Mirella Freni (Elvira); Conductor: Riccardo Muti** Giuseppe VERDI Va pensiero from Nabucco – Chorus of La Scala, Milan, Conductor: Riccardo Muti** Giuseppe VERDI Gia nella notte densa from Otello – Kiri Te Kanawa (Desdemona); Vladimir Atlantov (Otello); Conductor: Zoltan Pesko*** Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Mi par d’esser sognando from La Cenerentola – Kathleen Kuhlmann (Cinderella); Laurence Dale (Ramiro); Marta Taddei (Clorinda); Laura Zanini (Tisbe); Claudio Desderi (Don Magnifico); Roderick Kennedy (Alidoro); Alberto Rinaldi (Dandini); Conductor: Donato Renzetti**** Cristoph GLUCK (1714-1787) Che faro senza Euridice? from Orfeo ed Euridice – Janet Baker (Orfeo); Conductor: Raymond Leppard**** Umberto GIORDANO (1867-1948) Si fui soldato from Andrea Chenier – Jose Carreras (Chenier); Conductor Riccardo Chailly** Giuseppe VERDI Ella giammai m’amo! From Don Carlo – Robert Lloyd (Phillip II); Conductor: Bernard Haitink* Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Café Scene from La Boheme – Ileana Cotrubas (Mimi); Neil Shicoff (Rodolfo); Thomas Allen (Marcello); Gwynne Howell (Colline); John Rawnsley (Schaunard); Conductor: Lamberto Gardelli* Johan STRAUSS (1825-1899) Czardas and Frosch’s monologue from Die Fledermaus – Kiri Te Kanawa (Rosalinde); Josef Meinrad (Frosch); Conductor: Placido Domingo* Picture Format 4:3 Region Code 2,3,4,5 * Royal Opera House, Covent Garden **Teatro all Scala, Milan ***Arena di Verona ****Glyndebourne Festival Opera WARNER MUSIC VISION DVD 9031-77676-2 [58:00][RMO]

A DVD to play over and over again. … see Full Review

Roby Lakatos and Ensemble – Klezmer Karma Ferenc JAVORI/Roby LAKATOS (b.1965) Klezmer Suite No.1 [3:07] Klezmer Suite No.2 [5:37] Jack YELLEN/Lew POLLACK Yiddishe Mame [7:23] Leo FULD (1912-1997) Glick [5:22] Roby LAKATOS (b.1965) A-10450 [4:16] Empty Pictures [3:29] Dizzy Fingers [3:50] Klezmer Csardas [4:03] TRADITIONAL Neshumele [4:39] Budapest [2:38] Ani Maamin [4:31] YABLEKON Papirossen Suite [5:29] Aaron LEBEDEFF Romania [5:10] Yiddishe Hassene [6:41] EREZ Hatikvah [5:10] Roby Lakatos and Ensemble; Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra; Myriam Fuks (vocals); Aldo Granato (accordion) rec. Budapest Operetta Theatre, March 2006 AVANTICLASSIC 10242 [70:58] [JW]

No one wants to box Lakatos into a stylistic corner but here he is only variably convincing. ... see Full Review

The Latin-American Guitar: A Timeless Collection of Latin American Guitar Classics Eladia BLAZQUEZ (b.1927) Kite-flying Dream (from 8.555721) [3.47] Víctor Villadangos (guitar) Luís BONFA (1911-2001) Manha de Carnaval (from 8.557295) [3.25] Graham Anthony Devine (guitar) Leo BROUWER (b.1939) Suite in D: Preludio (from 8.550273) [3.05] Gerald Garcia (guitar) Un día de noviembre (from 8.557329) [4.53] Ricardo Cobo (guitar) Canción de cuna (Berceuse) (from 8.555887) [4.11] Marco Tamayo (guitar) Jorge CARDOSO (b.1949) Milonga (from 8.550273) [4.15] Gerald Garcia (guitar) Antonio LAURO (1917-1986) Joropo (from 8.550273) [1.52] Gerald Garcia (guitar) Jorge MOREL (b.1931) Danza Brasileira (from 8.550273) [2.21] Gerald Garcia (guitar) Carlos MOSCARDINI (b.1959) Milonga of Confusion (from 8.555721) [2.58] Víctor Villadangos (guitar) João [Guimarães de] PERNAMBUCO (1883-1947) Sons de Carilhôes (Sounds of Bells) (from 8.557295) Pó de Mico (Itching Powder) (from 8.557295) [3.00] Graham Anthony Devine (guitar) Marco PEREIRA (b.1956) Num pagode em Planaltina (Gathering in Planaltina) (from 8.557295) [Graham Anthony Devine (guitar) Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Histoire du Tango (from 8.554760) (I. Bordel (1900) [3.53]; II. Cafe (1930) [6.48]; III. Nightclub (1960) [5.55]; IV. Concert d'aujourd'hui [5.12]) Irmgard Toepper (flute); Hugo German Gaido (guitar) Libertango (from 8.555721 ) [4.22] Midnight in Buenos Aires (from 8.555721) [4.22] Farewell Nonino (solo version, from 8.555721) [4.40] Víctor Villadangos (guitar) Adios Nonino (arr. Breiner, from 8.557004) [5.51] Razumovsky Orchestra/Peter Breiner Manuel Maria PONCE (1882-1958) Tres Canciones Populares Mexicanas (from 8.553832) (I. La Pajarera [1.08]; II. Por ti mi Corazón [2.56]; III. La Valentina [1.39]) Adam Holzman (guitar) Máximo Diego PUJOL (b.1957) Elegía por la muerte de un tanguero (from 8.557329) (I Confuseta [2.48]; II Melancolía [3.03]; III Epílogo [3.30]) Ricardo Cobo (guitar) Edward SIMON (b.1969) El manicero (The Peanut Seller) (from 8.555887) 4.38] Marco Tamayo (guitar) Anibal CarmeloTROILO (1914-1975) South (from 8.555721) [3.00] Víctor Villadangos (guitar) Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra (from 8.550729) (I. Allegro preciso [5.34]; II. Andantino e Andante-Cadenza [7.34]; III. Allegretto non troppo [4.41]) Norbert Kraft (guitar); Northern Chamber Orchestra/Nicholas Ward Suite Populaire Brésilienne (from 8.553987) (No.1 Mazurka [3.39]; No.2 Schottisch [3.35]; No.3 Valsa [4.27]; No.4 Gavota [5.21]; No.5 Chôrinho [4.34]) Norbert Kraft (guitar) Recorded various locations 1989-2003 Notes in English NAXOS 8.570163/64 [69.07 + 75.08][PSh]

An unusually well-balanced collection of fine music in varied styles, beautifully played, to round out your Latin-American music collection. ... see Full Review

Christa Ludwig Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Wesendonck-Lieder (1858) [21:41] (orch. Felix Mottl), Mild und leise (Isoldes Liebestod) from Tristan und Isolde (1857–59) [6:55] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Alto Rhapsody (1869) [12:31]* Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Abscheulichter! from Fidelio (1804-05, rev. 1814) [8:19] Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Two songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1892-99) [9:18] Three Rückert-Lieder (1901-02) [14:54] Christa Ludwig (mezzo) Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus*/Otto Klemperer rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 21-23 March 1962 (Wagner, Brahms), 6-10, 12-14, 17 February 1962 (Beethoven), 17-19 February 1964 (Mahler). ADD EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3615942 [74:13] [TP]

A worthy tribute to one of the singers of the last century. ... see Full Review

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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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