RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony
No 4 (arranged by Erwin
Stein) 
Christiane Oelze (soprano) Thomas Christian
Ensemble rec. Schloß Esterhazy, Eisenstadt,
Austria, 28-30 May 2004. DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG
603 1320-2 [55’23] [AO]
The
one version that comes closest to capturing the logic of the transcription
and the gloriousness of the original symphony. Real understanding, conviction
and panache. … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen('Songs of a Wayfaring Lad')
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, 'Titan'
Christopher Maltman (baritone) Philharmonia Orchestra/Benjamin
Zander including discussion disc rec. Studio One, EMI Abbey
Road (Songs), 11 July 2004; Watford Coliseum (Sym) 12-14 July 2004.
Symphony playable in DSD Surround and DSD Stereo on an SACD player.
TELARC
2SACD-80628 [68.32 + 79.06] [JPr]
Mahler
would have expected it to sound quite awful' - so why was it played
so well on the recording?...see Full
Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860 - 1911) Symphony
No. 7 in e, "Song of the Night" (1908) [78.11]
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas rec. DSD, live,
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, California, USA, 12 March 2005.
Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Photo of composer and
musicians. CD tracks 2.0 stereo. SACD Tracks 2.0 stereo and 5.0 surround.
Hybrid SACD 
SAN
FRANCISCO SYMPHONY 821936-0009-2 [78.11] [PSh]
You
will never regret buying this recording ... see Full
Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860-1911) Film 1: Conducting Mahler Documentary
featuring extracts from all the Mahler symphonies, plus interviews with
conductors Bernard Haitink, Claudio Abbado, Simon Rattle, Riccardo Chailly
and Riccardo Muti Film 2: I Have Lost Touch With The World An
analysis of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony with Henry-Louis de la Grange, Riccardo
Chailly and the Concertgebouw Orchestra
Directed by Frank Scheffer – 1996 (Film 1) and 2004 (Film 2)
ALLEGRI FILMS DVD 9D512 
[132:00][TH]
Definitely
one for Mahlerians but also a serious contender for lovers of the mysterious
art of conducting, especially just what goes on in the rehearsal room.
... see Full Review
Frank
MARTIN (1890-1974) Cello Concerto (1965)
[25:55] Trois Danses for Oboe and Harp (1970) [17:05] Ballade
for cello and chamber orchestra (1949) [17:03] Passacaille for
strings (1952) [11:07]
Quirine Viersen (cello); Henk Swinnen (oboe); Kerstin Scholten (harp)
Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra/Kenneth Montgomery rec. Muziekcentrum
van de omroep, Hilversum, June 2001, September 2004
ETCETERA KTC 1290 [71:13][PCW]
Martin’s
cello concerto is a formidable work and here receives very powerful
advocacy ... see Full Review
Toshiro
MAYUZUMI (1929-1997) Symphonic Mood
(1950) [18:45] Bugaku - Ballet in Two Parts (Court Dance Music) (1962)
[23:29] Mandala Symphony (1960) [17:54] Rumba Rhapsody (1948) [8:12]
New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa rec. Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand,
23-25 August 2004. NAXOS
8.557693 [68:20] [KS]
Yuasa
leads first rate performances and upholds
the integrity of the music. Even in the works
that held less allure, I could still greatly
appreciate the craftsmanship of this conductor
and his dedication to the music. ... see Full
Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847)
Overture:
The Hebrides (1829-30) [11:28] Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony No.
1 in A-flat major, Op. 55 (1907) [57:48]
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Jeffrey Tate
rec. live, The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne,
24-25 June 2005
ABC CLASSICS 476 8365 [70:18] [DC]
The
Melbourne orchestra on good form taking to Elgar like a Duck to orange
sauce ... see Full Review
Quartet
pour la fin du temps
(1940)
[51:56] Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
Ensemble Incanto: Michaela Paetsch Neftel, violin; Ralph Manno, clarinet;
Guido Schiefen, cello; Liese Klahn, piano rec. 19-22 June 2000,
Stiftskirche Bassum, Germany
ARTE NOVA ANO 770760 [51:56] [KS]
This
is a performance that deftly enables that kind of commitment, a true
testament to these musicians, who forego the shallow temptation toward
egotism, presenting instead a meaningful gift in sound.…
see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
– 1791) Le
nozze di Figaro - opera in four acts
(1986) Tom Krause (baritone) – Il Conte di
Almaviva; Anna Tomowa-Sintow (soprano) – La
Contessa; Ileana Cotrubas (soprano) – Susanna;
José van Dam (bass-baritone) – Figaro;
Frederica von Stade (mezzo) – Cherubino; Jane
Berbié (mezzo) – Marcellina; Jules
Bastin (bass) – Bartolo; Heniz Zednik (tenor)
– Basilio; Kurt Equiluz (tenor) – Don Curzio;
Christiane Barbaux (soprano) – Barbarina;
Zoltán Kélémen (bass)
– Antonio; Christiane Barbaux and Marjon Lambriks
– Due giovinette. Wiener Staatsopernchor Konrad
Leitner (continuo)
Wiener Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan
rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna, April and May 1978.
ADD
DECCA 475 7045 [3 CDs: 66:41 + 62:18 +
40:33] [GF]
"Mozart
at 70", maybe – and why not? ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Così fan tutte - Drama giocoso in two acts, K.588
(1789-90) Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Fiordiligi - Pilar Lorengar (sop) Dorabella - Teresa Berganza (mezzo)
Ferrando - Ryland Davies (ten) Guglielmo - Tom Krause (bar) Don Alfonso
- Gabriel Bacquier (bass) Despina - Jane Berbié (mezzo) Jeffrey Tate,
harpsichord Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Georg Solti rec. Kingsway Hall, London October/November 1973/74.
ADD DECCA 475 7033 [3
CDs: 46.53 + 71.04 + 65.48][MC]
A
worthy addition to any serious collection in this the year of the 250th
anniversary of Mozart’s birth. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Requiem
(1791) [41.03] Inter natos Mulierum, K.72 (1771) [5.09] Misericordias Domini, K.222 (1775)
[6.09] Miriam Allan (soprano)
Anne Buter (mezzo) Marcus Ullmann (tenor) Martin Snell (bass) Gewandhaus
Kammerchor Leiziger Kammerorchester/Morten Schuldt-Jensen rec. Grosser
Saal des Gewandhauses, Leipzig, Germany, 10-12 November 2004
NAXOS 8.557728 [52.21][RH]
This
will appeal to you if you are looking for a small-scale, lithe performance
... see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791)
Der Schauspieldirektor (The
Impresario) Comedy with Music in
one act (1786) [22:30] #
Arias: Misera, dove son! ... Ah! Non son’io che parlo
K 369; Uno moto di gioia K 579; Schon lacht der holde Frühling K 580 +
Vado, ma dove? Oh Dei! K 583; Bella mia fiamma, addio! K 528; Nehmt meinen
Dank,
ihr holden Gönner! K 383 *
Le nozze di Figaro: Overture @
Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) – Mademoiselle
Silberklang; Edita Gruberova (soprano) – Madame Herz; Uwe Heilmann
(tenor) – Herr Vogelsang; Manfred Jungwirth (bass) – Buff
Wiener Philharmoniker/Sir John Pritchard #
Edita Gruberova (soprano) Wiener Kammerorchester/György Fischer; Die Entführung
aus dem Serail: Ha! Wie will ich triumphieren Manfred Jungwirth (bass), Wiener
Haydn-Orchester/István Kertész +
Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano), Wiener Kammerorchester/György Fischer*
Wiener Philharmoniker/Sir John Pritchard @
rec. Grosser Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna 20–22 March 1989 (Schauspieldirektor
+ Figaro), June, September 1980 (Gruberova), September – October 1971 (Jungwirth)
and December 1980 (Te Kanawa) DECCA
ELOQUENCE 475 7049 [65:07]
[GF] Anyone
who wants to try Der Schauspieldirektor can safely buy this and
will have a substantial
helping of lovely arias excellently performed as well. ... see
Full Review
Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881)
Khovanshchina
– opera in five Acts (1871-1880), revised by Rimsky-Korsakov
[160:43] Boris Freidkov (Prince Ivan Khovansky, bass), Ivan Nechayev
(Prince Andrey Khovansky, tenor), Mark Reizen (Dosifey, bass), Vladimir
Ulyanov (Prince Vasily Golitsin, tenor), Ivan Shaskov (Shaklovity,
baritone),
Yakov Mishenko (The scribe, tenor), Lavrenty Yaroshenko (Kuzka, bass),
Vasily Tikhi (Streshnev, tenor), Ivan Yashugin (First Strelyets, bass),
Andrey Atlantov (Second Strelyets, bass), Sofya Preobrazhenskaya (Marfa,
mezzo), Nina Serval (Susanna, soprano), Valentina Volokitina (Emma,
soprano) Kirov Chorus
and Orchestra, Leningrad/Boris Khaikin Recorded 1946 in Leningrad Appendix
A: Khovanshchina: Three extracts Powers mysterious [05:22]
Nadezhda Obukhova (mezzo), Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra/I. Steinberg, 1944
I ran through the meadows and marshes [03:53] Nadezhda Obukhova,
with orchestra, 1948 All is quiet in the Streltsy camp [04:53]
Pavel Andreyev (tenor), with orchestra, ?1937 Appendix B: A selection
of Mussorgsky’s songs Mephistopheles’ song in the Auerbach cella:
Song of the Flea [03:05] Mark Reizen (bass), with piano, 1946
The Seminarist [04:48] Mark Reizen, Abram Makarov (piano), 1947
Hebrew Song [02:53], Tell me, gentle maiden [02:37] Sofya
Preobrazhenskaya (mezzo, Abram Meierovich), 1951 Trepak (from
Songs and Dances of Death) [04:24] Feodor Chaliapin (bass), orchestra/Lawrence
Collingwood, London 1929 Gopak [03:09] Igor Gorin (bass), orchestra/Wilfred
Pelletier, c.1939 The banks of the Don [1:53], Forgotten [02:15]
Igor Gorin, Max Rabinowitsch (piano), 1939 The He-goat [02:34],
Forgotten [02:09], Darling Savishna [01:10] Vladimir Rosing
(baritone), Myers Foggin (piano) Night [03:42], Where are
you, little star? [03:57] Mascia Predit (soprano), Gerald Moore
(piano), 1950 CD restoration by Ward Marston
NAXOS 8.111124-26 [3 CDs: 64:39 + 70:02 + 77:57] [CH]
True
enthusiasts will want this for Mark Reizen’s
Dosifey. ... see Full
Review
Josef
MYSLIVECEK
(1737-1781) La
passione di nostro Signore Gesu Cristo (c1770) [102 '26] Sophie
Karthäuser (soprano) Maddalena; Jörg Waschinski (male soprano)
Pietro; Yvonne Berg (contralto) Giovanni; Andreas Karasiak (tenor) Giuseppe
d'Arimatea Das Neue
Orchester/Christoph Spering. rec. Deutschland Radio, Cologne, 13-18
April 2004. Text and translation included
CAPRICCIO SACD 71 025/26 [59'10 + 43'16] [CC]
We
are in Capriccio's debt for revealing this
little-known work to us in such polished terms.
... see Full
Review
Jacques
OFFENBACH (1819-1880)
arr. Maurice ROSENTHAL (1904–2003) Gaïté
Parisienne (1938) [38:48] Charles GOUNOD
(1818-1893) Faust (ballet music) (1938) [15:52] Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) arr. Ottorino RESPIGHI
(1879–1936) Rossiniana (ballet music) (1925) [25:52]
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Georg Solti Suisse
Romande Orchestra/Ernest Ansermet (Rossini/Respighi) rec. Kingsway Hall,
London, May, 1960 (Offenbach; Gounod); Victoria Hall, Geneva, February
1967 (Rossini/Respighi). ADD.
DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 2724 [77:44] [JPh]
Well
done Australian Eloquence! ... see Full
Review
Jacques
OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d’Hoffmann
- opera in three acts with Prologue and Epilogue (1882) Libretto by
Jules Barbier and Michel Carré founded on the stories of E.T.A. Hoffman.
First produced at the Opéra Comique, Paris, 10 February 1882
Hoffmann, Vincenzo La Scola (ten); Olympia, Desirée Rancatore (sop);
Giulietta, Sara Allegreta (sop); Antonia, Annalisa Raspagliosi (sop);
Nicklausse, Elsa Maurus (mezzo); Lindorf/Dapertutto/Coppelius/Dr
Miracle, Ruggero Raimondi (bass-bar); Spalazini, Thomas Morris (ten);
Nathanael, Francesco Zingarello (ten); Stella, Tiziano Carraro (sop);
Crespel /Luther, Lorenzo Muzzi (bass); Hermann /Schlémil, Nicolas Rivenq
(bar); Chorus Lyrico Marchigiana Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana/Frédéric
Chaslin rec. August 2004, production of the Arena Macerata, Italy. Presented
in dts digital surround sound, Dolby, PCM 2.0 Menu language English.
Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish
and Chinese. Notes and synopsis in Italian, English, German and French
DYNAMIC DVD 33470
[2 DVDs: 169:00][RJF]
Despite
some vocal limitations I enjoyed the challenge of the producer’s distinctly
different concept. In its own way it tellingly illuminates Hoffmann’s
tale. ... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Otto OLSSON
(1879–1964) Requiem
Op. 13 (1901–1903)
Sylvia Lindenstrand (soprano); Inger Blom (alto); Björn Haugan (tenor);
Olle Sköld (bass) Gustaf Vasa Oratorio Choir Royal Opera Orchestra/Anders
Ohlson rec. 16 May 1993, Gustaf Vasa Church, Stockholm
PROPRIUS PRSACD 9086
[67:44][GF]
Music
of a young man with a positive view of life ... mirrored by the lightness
and melodious quality of much of this Requiem. ... see Full
Review
Wilhelm
PETERSON-BERGER (1867-1942)
Solitudo: The Complete
Piano Music - Volume 4 Italiana: Solhymn (Sun Hymn); Vision antique:
Dansande nymf (Vision antique: Dancing Nymph); Vision antique: Evoe
Bacche!; Villa d'Este; Sorrentinsk serenade (Serenade of Sorrento);
Tre nya danspoem (Three New Dance Poems): När mor var ung (When
Mother Was Young); På gräset under lindarna (In the Grass
Under the Lindens); Livets danslek (Life's Dance Game); Tre tondikter
för piano (Three Tone Poems for Piano): Lycka (Happiness); In
memoriam; Amerikansk dans (American Dance); Solitudo: Glam (Gaiety);
Ungkarlsvalsen (Bachelor Waltz); Bukolikon (Bucholic); Tonfilm, barntillåten
(Movie, Children Admitted); Gåtan (Enigma); Anakreontika I:
Till lyran (To the Lyre); Till duvan (To the Dove); Drömtydning
(Dream Interpretation); Anakreontika II: Oraklet (The Oracle); Flöjtspel
på Peneios (Flute-playing on Peneios); Till Eros (To Eros);
Anakreons dans (Anacreon's Dance)
Olof Höjer (piano) rec. Dunkers Kulturhus, Helsingborg, Sweden,
5-7 May 2005
SWEDISH SOCIETY DISCOFIL SCD 1089 [78:40] [GF]
Höjer
catches this to perfection. His are trustworthy readings and if that
sounds less than enticing it is meant as a compliment...…
see Full Review
Ignaz
PLEYEL
(1757-1831) String Quartets, op.2, nos. 1-3 String
Quartet in A major, op 2 No.1 [17:19] (1. Allegro [8:49]; 2. Andante
grazioso [5:19]; 3. Menuetto [3:11]) String Quartet in C major,
op.2 No.3 [17:52] (4. Allegro moderato [7:27]; 5. Adagio cantabile [4:57];
6. Finale: Allegro [5:27]) String Quartet in G minor, op.2 No.3
[20:30] (7. Adagio [6:51]; 8. Allegro assai [7:25]; 9. Grazioso [6:14])
Ensõ Quartet
rec. Holy Martyrs Church, Bradford, Ontario, Canada, 31 January-4 February
2004 NAXOS 8.557496
[55:40] [GPJ]
This
music may not be ‘deep’ or even especially original. It is, however,
interesting, attractive and beautifully crafted ... see Full
Review
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
The Five Piano Concertos CD 1 [68'49] Piano
Concerto No. 1 (1911-2) [16'44] Piano Concerto No. 4 (1931) [27'29]
Piano Concerto No. 5 (1932) [24'36] CD 2 [68'22] Piano Concerto No.
2 (1913, rev. 1923) [37'38] Piano Concerto No. 3 (1916-21) [30'44]
Oleg Marshev (piano.) South Jutland Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén
Musikhuset, Sønderborg, Denmark, 30 July - 10 August 2001.
DDD DANACORD DACOCD 584/5 [68:49 + 68:22] [PSe]
..this
Danacord set offers fresh, original views of what had seemed to be repertoire
so well-trodden that it was ripe for a preservation order.
... see Full
Review
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Piano
Sonata no.6 in A op.82 [26:16]; Piano Sonata no.9 in C op.103 [24:30];
Piano Pieces from "Cinderella": The Quarrel op.102/3
[03:11]; Gavotte op.95/2 [02:20]; The Fairy of Autumn op.97/3
[01:03]; Orientalia op.97/6 [01:03]; Waltz. Cinderella and
the Prince op.102/1 [06:18]; Légende op.12/6 [03:39]; Visions
fugitives op.22/3 [01:12]; 4 [00:49]; 5 [00:20]; 6 [00:25]; 8 [01:26];
9 [01:00]; 11 [00:52]; 14 [00:57]; 15 [00:42]; 18 [01:19]; Danza op.32/1
[02:34]; Valse op.32/4 [02:52]; Pensées op.62/3 [06:03]; Sonatine
pastorale op.59/3 [02:53]; Rondo op.52/3 [04:41]; Valse op.96/1 [05:13];
Suggestion diabolique op.4/4 [03:05]
Sviatoslav Richter (piano) rec. live Bunka Kaikan Hall, Tokyo, 2
December 1980 (Sonata 9 and "Cinderella"), 3 June 1981 (others),
but see note in review regarding the dates.
MEMORIA 991-011/12 [66:31 + 46:03] [CH]
This
album documents an important musical relationship and an authoritative
interpreter of some of the 20th century’s finest piano music
in more than acceptable sound. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sergey
PROKOFIEV (1891–1953)
The
Love for Three Oranges, Opera in four
acts and a prologue (1921)
Libretto by the composer, for Vsevolod Meyerhold’s
adaptation of L’amore delle tre melarance
by Carlo Gozzi. English version by Tom Stoppard.
see review for cast Opera Australia Chorus,
Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra/Richard
Hickox A production by Opera Australia recorded
live at the Sydney Opera House in February
2005
CHANDOS CHAN 10347 (2) [49:34 + 49:52]
[GF]
Two
of the most amusing hours I have had for a very long time – and I am
not leading a particularly dull life. Great entertainment presented
with the highest possible production values. ... see Full
Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI
(1858-1924)
Il Tabarro (1915-16) Opera in one act, libretto by Giuseppe
Adami
Michele (baritone) - Juan Pons Giorgetta (soprano) - Teresa Stratas
Luigi (tenor) - Placido Domingo Il Tinca (tenor) - Charles Anthony Il
Talpa (bass) - Federico Davia La Frugola (mezzo) - Florence Quivar Stage
production by Fabrizio Melano Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO
(1857-1919) Pagliacci (1891-92) Opera in one act,
libretto by the composer
Canio (tenor) - Luciano Pavarotti Nedda (soprano) - Teresa Stratas Tonio
(baritone) - Juan Pons Silvio (baritone) - Dwayne Croft Peppe (tenor)-Kenn
Chester Stage production by Franco Zeffirelli Chorus and Orchestra of
the Metropolitan Opera, New York/James Levine Directed for video by
Brian Large Recorded as a gala double bill September 1994
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DG DVD 00440 073 4024 [140:00] [TH]
All
told, pretty good value on one disc, though neither production can match
the vocal or audio quality of the best CD rivals…
see Full Review
Henry PURCELL
(1659-1695)
Dido
and Aeneas (c.1680s?) Opera in three
acts, libretto by Nahum Tate Dido - Catherine
Bott (soprano) Belinda - Emma Kirkby (soprano)
Aeneas - John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Sorceress
- David Thomas (bass) First Witch - Elisabeth
Priday (soprano) Second Witch - Sara
Stowe (soprano) Second Woman - Julianne
Baird (soprano) First Sailor - Daniel
Lochmann (tenor) Spirit - Michael Chance
(counter-tenor)
The Academy of Ancient Music Chorus and Orchestra/Christopher
Hogwood rec. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, September
1992
DECCA CLASSIC OPERA 475 7195 [52:35] [ED]
What
a glorious composer Purcell is. A very welcome return for this hugely
enjoyable recording that makes one admire Purcell’s music anew ... see
Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op.
37 (1915) [54.00]
Raissa Palmu (soprano) Erja Wimeri (alto) Eugen Antoni (tenor) Finnish
National Opera Chorus/Eric-Olof Söderström rec. St. John’s Church, Helsinki,
April-June 2001 NAXOS
6.110067
[54.00][SV]
A
frustrating performance: its not inconsiderable strengths make a positive
effect early on but are gradually offset by equally obvious and increasingly
irritating shortcomings ... see Full
Review
Jean Philippe RAMEAU
(1683-1764) Les
Paladins (1760) Libretto by Duplat de Monticourt after a fable
by La Fontaine Atis: Topi Lehtipou Argie: Stephanie d’Oustrac Orcan
Laurent Naouri Nerine: Sandrine Piau Anselme: Rene Schirrer Manto: Francois
Piolino Un paladin: Emiliano Gonzalez Toro
Les Arts Florissants Orchestra and Chorus/William Christie rec.
live, Théâtre du Chatelet, Paris, May 2004 Contents: Disc
1: Acts 1, 2 scenes 1-8; Disc 2: Act 2 scene 9 and Act 3 followed by
a film by Reiner E. Moritz ‘Baroque that Rocks’ Picture Format: NTSC
16:9 anamorphic Sound Format: DTS Surround Sound; LPCM Stereo Region
Code: All Menu languages: EN Subtitles: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT
BBC OPUS
ARTE OA0938 [71.56 + 128.09] [GH]
I
have never enjoyed a Rameau opera as much.
A warm and brilliant tribute to a truly great
composer. A real joy ... see Full
Review
Ferdinand
RIES
(1784-1837) String
Quartets Vol. 1 String Quartet in C WoO37 (1827) [25:03] String
Quartet in E flat WoO10 (1805) [27:19]
Schuppanzigh Quartett rec. Deutchlandfunk, Sendesaal des Funkhauses,
Köln, January, February 2004. DDD
CPO 777 014-2 [52:30][PCW]
A
valuable release with committed playing and fine sound: warmly recommended
... see Full Review
Nicolai
Andreyevich RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
(1844-1908) Mlada - Opera in 4 acts. (1872-1903)
Text by the composer after S. A. Gedeonov and Viktor Krylov.
Prince Yaromir - Oleg Kulko Princess Voislava - Maria Gavrilova Prince
Mstivoy - Gleb Nikolsky Morena - Galina Borisova Soul of Yaromir - Kirill
Nikitin Witch - Yulia Malkhassiants The silent roles of Princess Mlada
and Cleopatra are danced by Nina Ananiashvili Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra
and chorus/Alexander Lazarev Video Production, Robin Scott; Video Direction,
Barrie Gavin Producer, Boris Pokrovsky; Designer, Valery Levental; choreographer,
Andre Petrov Recorded live at the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow, Russia, June
1992. NTSC 4:3 Color. AC-3/Dolby 2.0 stereo. Menus in English Subtitle
languages: English, Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano, Portugués
Region code 2, 3, 4, 5 [Region 1 version available from Kultur Video]
WARNER MUSIC VISION/NVC
ARTS 4509-92052-2
[138.00][PSh]
A
terrific opera — a better than average story,
attractive principals, great singing and dancing,
spectacular stagecraft — makes a welcome and
overdue debut in DVD. ... see Full
Review
Gioacchino
ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Piano Works,
Vol. 5 Prélude
Blaguer [6:39] Prélude soitdisant Dramatique
[12:00] Prélude Pétulant
Rococò [7:28] Prélude Inoffensif
[10:01] Prélude Baroque [6:22] Prélude
Semipastorale [14:44] Prélude Fugassé
[4:22] Prélude Moresque [4:31] Bolero
Tartare [9:46]
Stefan Irmer (piano) rec. 10-12 November
2004, Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen,
Germany.
MUSIKPRODUCTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG
618 1353-2 [77:01] [GPu]
Mischievous,
witty music, sometimes serious and never solemn,
played with insight and assurance ... see
Full
Review
Edwin
ROXBURGH (b.
1937) Clarinet Concerto (1994)a [31:07]
Saturn (1982)b [28:14]
Linda Merrick (clarinet)a; RNCM Symphony Orchestraa;
Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestrab; Edwin Roxburgha,
Peter Starkb rec. RNCM, Manchester, October 2005 (Clarinet
Concerto) and Haileybury College, Hertford, April 2005 (Saturn)
NMC D119 [59:21][HC]
I
had never heard any Roxburgh before; I am now really looking forward
to hearing more. A splendid release which will hopefully trigger well-merited
interest ... see Full Review
Edmund
RUBBRA (1901-1986) Improvisation
for violin and orchestra op. 89 (1956) [12:25] Improvisations
on Virginal Pieces by Giles Farnaby op.
50 (Farnaby's Conceit; His Dreame; His Humour;
Loth to Depart; Tell me, Daphne) (1939) [13:11] Violin
Concerto op. 103 (1960) [30:19]
Krysia Osostowicz (violin) Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa rec. 25-26 May
2004, Ulster Hall, Belfast. DDD
NAXOS 8.557591 [57:04][CC]
A
fine disc. Osostowicz is an ultra-sensitive interpreter of Rubbra's
music ... see Full Review
Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B]
[Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]
[Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]
[Part 7 Misc M-Z]
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