Othmar
SCHOECK
(1886-1957) Das
Schloss Durande Op.53 - Opera in Four Acts (1941) 
Armand – Peter Anders (tenor) Priorin – Ret Berglund (soprano) Fraffin
Morvaille – Marta Fuchs (soprano) Renald – Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender
(tenor) Gabriele – Maria Cebotari (soprano) Nicole – Josef Greindl (bass)
Wildhuter – Otto Husch (tenor) Volksredner – Vasso Argyris (tenor) Jäger
– Benno Arnold, Leo Laschet, Fritz Marcks, Hans Wrana, Felix Schneider
Robert Heger Recorded live in April, 1943 Besuch in Urach –
from the cycle Das holde Bescheiden (1948) [17.11] Hilde Schoeck
(soprano) Othmar Schoeck (piano) Private recording, undated
JECKLIN JD 692-2 [75.38][JW]
Typically
astute Schoeck touches amid the broadly Wagnerian-Straussian ethos ...
and the song a most important find ... see Full
Review
Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874-1951)
Six
A Cappella Mixed Choruses, Op. 49:* Mein Herz in steten Treuen (My
heart forever true) (1948) [04.08]; Der Mai tritt ein mit Freuden
(May arrives with Joy) (1948) [02.05]; Herzlieblich Lieb, durch
Scheiden (My Dearest Love, Through Our Parting) (1928); [01.30];
Es gingen zwei Gespielen gut (Two Good Maiden Friends) (1948)
[03.21]; Es gingen zwei Gespielen gut (Two Good Maiden Friends)
(1928) [03.21]; Schein uns, du liebe Sonne (Shine on Us, Dear
Sun) (1928) [03.50] *** String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10 (1907-08) [29.59]***
Suite in G major for String Orchestra (1934) [30.01] **
Twentieth Century Classics Ensemble, of New York** Fred Sherry String
Quartet***Jennifer Welch-Babidge, oprano***Simon Joly Singers* Robert
Craft, conductor rec. Abbey Road, Studio, London, England 28 April 2005
(Six A Cappella Mixed Choruses); American Academy of Arts and Letters,
New York, USA, January 2005 (String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10 and November
2004 (Suite in G major for String Orchestra) DDD
NAXOS 8.557521 [78.18] [MC]
A
thoroughly enjoyable release which should
convert many to Schoenberg’s music. ... see
Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony
No. 7 in C, Op. 60, Leningrad (1941) [71'12]
Russian Federal Orchestra/Vakhtang Jordania rec. Bolshoi Hall of the
Tchaikovsky Conservatoire, Moscow, January 2003. DDD.
ANGELOK1 CD-9915 [71'12][CC]
Notes
are brief – the 'booklet' is one folded piece of card. They are as disappointing
as the performance and recording ... see Full
Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Symphony
No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 The Year 1905 (1957) [65:06] Jazz
Suite No.1 (1934) [9:17] Johann STRAUSS II
(1825-1899) arr Shostakovich (1940) Excursion
Train Polka [2:22]
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Oleg Caetani rec. live, The Arts Centre,
Hamer Hall, Melbourne, Australia, 20, 22 August 2005
ABC CLASSICS 476 8364 [76:45] [DC]
A
hugely entertaining disc – unhesitatingly recommended ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828)
Piano Sonata no. 20 in D-Major, D.959 (1828) [38:47]
Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Suite
for Piano Op. 25 (1921-3) [15:58]
Alfredo
Perl (piano) rec. 20-22 April 2005, Sendesaal Radio Bremen.
OEHMS CLASSICS OC 550 [54:56] [WK]
This
disc has an impressive Schubert performance, but a very uneven one of
the Schoenberg Suite....… see Full
Review
Bernstein
Conducts Schubert, Mendelssohn and Schumann (forms
part of the 'Leonard Bernstein Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon
Collectors Edition') CD1 Franz
Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No.8 in B minor,
D.759 'Unfinished' (1822) [26.36] Symphony No.9 in
C, D.944 'The Great' (1828) [50.09] CD2
Symphony No.5 in B flat, D.485 (1816) [29.48] Concertgebouw
Amsterdam/Leonard Bernstein rec. Grote Zaal, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam,
Holland, June 1987 (D .485), Oct 1987 (D.759, D.944) Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony No.3 in A minor,
Op.56 'Scottish'd (1842) [39.14] CD3 Symphony
No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian'c (1833) [30.17] Symphony No.5
in D minor, Op.107 'Reformation'c (1830) [30.55]
Overture 'The Hebrides', Op.26 ('Fingal's Cave')d (1832)
[09.54] Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein
rec. Frederic R. Mann Auditorium, Tel Aviv, Israelc Oct 1978
(Op.90, Op.107) rec. Kongress Saal, Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germanyd
Aug 1979 (Op.29, Op.56) CD4 Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony No. 1 in B flat, Op.38
'Spring' (1841) [33.09] Symphony No. 4 in D minor Op.120
(1841) [32.24] CD5
Symphony No. 2 in C, Op.61 (1846) [42.30] Cello Concerto
in A minor, Op. 129a (1850) [24.22] CD6
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op.97 'Rhenish' (1850) [34.44]
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54b (1845) [31.26]
Mischa
Maisky, celloa Justus Frantz, pianob Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein rec. Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna,
Austria, Feb 1984 (Op.54, Op.120), Oct 1984 (Op.38, Op.97), Nov 1985
(Op.61, Op.129)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DG 00289 477 5167 [6 CDs: 77.11 + 69.11 +
71.28 + 65.33 + 66.52 + 66.10] [MC]
This six disc set showcases the mature Bernstein at his finest...… see
Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
CD1
[79:52] Piano Sonata in A minor, D784
(1823) [20:23] Piano Sonata in C major, D840
"Reliquie" (1825) [22:38] Piano
Sonata in G major, D894 (1826) [36:24] CD2
[75:17] Piano Sonata in A major, D959
(1828) [38:16] Piano Sonata in B flat major,
D960 (1828) [37:01]
Alfred Brendel (piano) Live recordings: Großes
Festspielhaus, Salzburg, August 1984 (D784,
840); Alte Oper, Frankfurt, September 1998
(D894); The Maltings, Snape, June 1999 (D959);
Royal Festival Hall, London, June 1997 (D960).
PHILIPS 475 7191 [79:52 + 75:17] [DC]
This
issue is one of those life-enhancing things
which I think we are all seeking, and so rarely
find when we clatter through the shelves in
our local CD shop. ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Deutsche
Schubert-Lied-Edition 20 - Poets of Sensibility,
Volume 3: Der Tod und
das Mädchen D.531 [02:22], Der Leidende
(3rd version) D.432 [01:48], Totengräberlied
D.44 [02:03], Lied/Die Mutter Erde D.788 [03:50],
Der Leidende D.432 (2nd version) D.432 [01:44],
Die Nonne D.208 [08:25], Täglich zu singen
D.533 [01:38], Klage D.371 [02:49], Stimme
der Liebe D.412 [01:54], Seufzer D.198 [01:09],
An eine Quelle D.530 [01:52], An die Apfelbäume,
wo ich Julien erblickte D.197 [02:38], Die
frühe Liebe D.430 [02:04], An den Mond
D.193 [03:06], Abendlied D.499 [02:53], Klage
D.436 [01:41], Auf den Tod einer Nachtigall
(1st setting, fragment) D.201, Auf den Tod
einer Nachtigall (2nd setting )D.399, Auf
dem Wasser zu singen D.774 [03:55], Lied in
der Abwesenheit (fragment) D.416 [01:43],
Der Liebende D.207 [01:41], Minnelied D.429
[01:54], Der Traum D.213 [02:03], Seligkeit
D.433 [02:12]
Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone), Ulrich Eisenlohr
(Hammerflugel) rec. 30 November – 5 December,
Bayerische Rundfunk Studio 2, Munich, Germany
NAXOS 8.557568 [60:59] [CH]
Lieder
singing as good as it comes, and with the
added interest of a "Hammerflügel"
accompaniment. ... see Full
Review
Clara
SCHUMANN (1819-1896)
Piano
Concerto in A minor, Op. 7A (1835)
[20'56]; Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17b
(1846) [27'37]; Three Romances for Violin
and Piano, Op. 22c (1853) [8'58].
Veronica Jochum (piano); bColin
Carr (cello); aBamberg Symphony
Orchestra/Joseph Silverstein (bcviolin).
rec. 6-8 Jan 1988 (no venue given). DDD.
TUDOR MUSIQUE OBLIGE 788 [57'58] [CC]
The
Naxos was a MusicWeb 'Recording of the Month'.
Along comes this Tudor offering, providing
strong competition – plus an extra work thrown
in. ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Fantasiestucke
Op. 12 * [27.17] Papillons Op.
2 ** [11.34] Etudes Symphoniques Op.
13 *** [25.52]
Friedrich Gulda (piano) *; Ingrid Haebler
(piano) **; Nikita Magaloff (piano) *** rec.
Op. 12, Feb 1984; Op. 2, Aug 1959; Op. 13,
1960. DDD/ADD
PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 470 6662 [64.49] [AD]
There
is treasure here to be found amidst some problematic
performances of three of Schumann’s masterpieces.
... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Liederkreis,
Op. 24 (1840) [22'14]; Der arme Peter,
Op. 53 No. 3 (1840?) [5'08]; Belsazar,
Op. 57 (1840) [4'20]; Dichterliebe,
Op. 48 (1840) [30'53]
Thomas E. Bauer (baritone); Uta Hielscher
(piano). rec. Reitstadl, Neumarkt/Oberpfalz,
Germany, 4-6 October 2004. DDD Notes included;
texts and translations available at www.naxos.com/libretti/schumannlieder1.htm.
NAXOS 8.557075 [62'35]. [CC]
Hardly
a meeting of equals and very difficult to
recommend despite Hielscher's evident musicality.
... see Full Review
Salvatore
SCIARRINO
(b.1947) Quaderno
di strada (2003) Otto Katzameier (baritone)
Klangforum Wien/Sylvain Cambreling. rec.
Klangforum Wien, Vienna, 8-10 February 2005.
DDD
KAIROS 0012482KAI [42:27] [GPu]
Recommended
to the adventurous, or to those who have already
discovered the highly individual sound world
of Sciarrino ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906
- 1975) Chamber
Symphony op. 110a (from String Quartet No.
8 arr. by Rudolf Barshai) (1960) [25:12] Gyorgy
SVIRIDOV (1915 - 1998) Chamber
Symphony op. 14 (1940) [21:39] Moishei
VAINBERG (1919 - 1996) Chamber
Symphony No. 1 for String orchestra op. 145
(1986) [26:43]
Moscow Soloists/Yuri Bashmet rec. Schloss
Neuhardenberg, Berlin, Germany, 22– 25 June
2005. DDD
ONYX 4007 [73:31] [JPh]
All
of the works here are thoroughly enjoyable,
and I hope the disc enjoys the success which
it deserves. I look forward to hearing the
next instalment. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
no. 8 in C minor op. 65 (1943) (I. Adagio [30:08]; II. Allegretto
[6:29]; III. Allegro non troppo [6:52]; IV. Largo
[11:01]; V. Allegretto [16:14])
Beethoven Orchestra of Bonn/Roman Kofman rec. Heilig-Kreuz Kirche, Bad
Godesberg, 26-28 October 2004, DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 937 1204-6 [70:59] [IB]
Overall
this is a well-played, largely well-recorded disc of what sounds like
a run-through or "work in progress" ... although I rather
suspect it is not. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Symphony
No. 8 (1943) [53:05]
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Oleg Caetani Live recording:
Auditorium di Milano, Italy, October 2004. DDD. SACD
ARTS 47704-8 
[53:05][TP]
I
cannot really recommend this disc to anyone, which is a pity. ... see
Full Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
No.4 in A minor op.63 [33:04]* Symphony No.6 in D minor op.104 [27:31]**
BBC Symphony Orchestra*,
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra**/Sir Thomas Beecham rec. 4 October 1951,
The Criterion Theatre* (studio performance); 15 September 1954, Royal
Albert Hall**, London (live performance from a Promenade Concert). ADD
Not previously issued. Released in collaboration with the Sir Thomas
Beecham Trust in support of the Scholarship Fund.
SOMM SOMM-BEECHAM 18 [61:23] [CH]
An
important record for the light it casts on two great symphonies and
one of the composer’s greatest interpreters. For me this overweighs
any sonic limitations. ... see Full
Review
Louis
SPOHR
(1784–1859) The
Complete String Quintets, Volume 4 String Quintet No. 7 in G minor,
Op. 144 (1850) [32:01]a, c String Sextet in C major, Op.
140 (1848) [23:58]a, c, d Potpourri No. 2, for String
Quintet, in B flat major, Op. 22 (1807) [13:30]a, b
New Haydn Quarteta; Attila Falvay, violinb; Sándor
Papp, 2nd violac; Tamás Varga, 2nd
cellod rec. Unitarian Church, Budapest, Hungary, 6-10 September
1996 NAXOS 8.555968
[69.29][MC]
I
love these well recorded chamber scores and it is great to have them
back in the catalogue. Well worth obtaining. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann STRAUSS I
(1804-1849)
Strauss
Edition, Vol. 7: Mittel gegen den Schlaf, Walzer op.65
(1833) [06:52] Jugendfeuer-Galopp (1836) [02:31] Emlék Pestre (Erinnerung
an Pesth) Walzer op.66 (1834) [07:26] Cachucha-Galopp op.97 (1837) [02:07]
Gabrielen-Walzer op.68 (1834) [07:36] Boulogner-Galopp, op.104 (1839)
[01:58] Pfennig-Walzer op.70 (1834) [06:52] Der Carneval in Paris, Galopp
op.100 (1838) [02:39] Iris-Walzer op.75 (1834) [06:25] Original-Parade-Marsch
op.73 (1832) [01:56] Erinnerungen an Berlin, Walzer op.78 (1834) [07:59]
Slovak Sinfonietta
Žilina/Ernst Märzendorfer rec. 1-6 May 2004, Fatra Concert Hall, Žilina,
Slovakia MARCO POLO
8.225283 [54:22][CH]
The
series reaches a new level of excellence. ... see Full
Review
Johann
STRAUSS II (1825-1899)
Graduation
Ball (arr. Antal Dorati) (1940) [40:59] Le Beau Danube (arr.
Roger Desormière) (1924) [30:11]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Antal Dorati rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna,
December 1976. ADD National Philharmonic Orchestra/Richard Bonynge Rec.
Kingsway Hall, London, April 1974. ADD
DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7522 [71:19] [JPh]
Given
the low price of this disc, I can give it
a highly recommended tag. ... see Full
Review
Johann
STRAUSS II (1825
- 1899) On
the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 (1867) [10:54] Tales
from the Vienna Woods, Op. 325 (1868) [14:16] Voices of
Spring, Op. 410 (1883) [6:32] Artist’s Life, Op.
316 (1867) [9:08] Wine, Women and Song, Op. 333
(1869) [11:37] Roses from the South, Op. 388 (1880) [8:28]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Antal
Dorati rec. Kingsway Hall, London, December 1966. Boston Pops Orchestra/Arthur
Fiedler rec. Symphony Hall, Boston, December 1975, ADD.
DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7864 [60:56] [JPh]
If
this repertoire suits this is a disc that
can be confidently recommended particularly
so given the price. ... see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Arabella - Lyrische Komödie in drei Aufzügen (1930-32) [157:41]Libretto
by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Graf Waldner: Otto Edelmann (bass)Adelaide, his wife: Ira Malaniuk (mezzo)
Arabella, their elder daughter: Lisa Della Casa (sop) Zdenka, their
younger daughter: Anneliese Rothenberger (sop) Mandryka: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
(bar)Matteo: Kurt Ruesche (ten) Graf Elerner: Helmut Melchert (ten)
Graf Dominik: Georg Stern (bar) Graf Lamoral: Karl Weber (bass) Die
Flakermilli: Eta Köhrer (sop) Eine Kartenaufschlägerin: Kerstin Meyer
(sop) Welko: Willi Lenninger Chor der Wiener Staatsoper Wiener Philharmoniker/Joseph
Keilberth *Vier letzte Lieder AV 150 (1950) [20:08] Lisa
Della Casa (soprano) Wiener Philharmoniker/Karl Böhm rec. live, 29 July,
*30 July 1958, Festspielhaus, Salzburg. Mono AAD
ORFEO C651 053D [3 CDs: 65:23 +
51:59 + 60:27]
Now with Addendum SBT2-1367
Lisa della Casa Elfride Trotschel Ira Malaniuk
Hermann Uhde Bayern State Opera Orchestra
Rudolf Kempe (BBC recording of performance
at the Royal Opera House 21-Sep-1953 ) [JQ]
Igor
STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Piano Works
Four
Etudes Op.7 (1908) [7.55] Sonate (1924) [11.06]
Les cinq doigts – Eight pieces (1920-21) [6.46]
Serenade in A (1925) [10.58] Three Movements
from Petrouchka (1921): Danse Russe
[2.40]; Chez Petrouchka [4.46]; La
semaine grasse [9.03] Two Pieces from
Pulcinella (1920): Scherzino
[1.58]; Gavotta con variationi [4.03]
Tango (1940) [3.33]
Elena Kuschnerova (piano) Recorded Hans
Rosbaud-Studio, Baden-Baden, undated
ARS PRODUKTION 38 444 [63.40] [JW]
Fine,
understanding playing. ... see Full
Review
Karol
SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Piano
Works - Volume 4 Nine Preludes, Op. 1 (c. 1896) [18:58] Variations
in B flat minor (1901-1903) [11:11] Mazurkas, Op. 50, Nos. 17-20 (1924-5)
[10:15] Two Mazurkas, Op. 62 (1933-34) [5:44] Valse Romantique (1925)
[3:43] Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 36 (1917) [18:58]
Martin Roscoe, piano rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, UK, 15-17 April 2003.
NAXOS 8.557168 [68:51][KS]
Martin
Roscoe - a pianist of considerable ability
- he has obviously dedicated a great deal
of time to this composer, and the hard work
pays off in spades. His readings are authoritative
and convincing ... see Full
Review
Sergei Ivanovich
TANEYEV
(1856-1915) Trio
in D, Op. 21 (1880) [25.13] Mark
J. LENZ Three by Three (1997) [8.31]
Henry PURCELL
(1659-1695) Fantasia No. 1, Z.732 (1680)
[3.46] David Alan
EARNEST (b.1960) String Trio No.
2 (1998) [20.17] music available from dav_ear@msn.com
Langroise Trio: Geoffrey Trabichoff, violin;
David Johnson, viola, Samuel Smith, cello
rec. 1999, Langroise Recital Hall, Campus
of Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho,
USA.Notes in English. Photo of artists.
LANGROISE TRIO 60355 36502 [58.10] [PSh]
This
disk introduces us to exceptional music new to the string trio repertoire,
beautifully, affectingly played, with grace and drama. ... see Full
Review
Thomas
TALLIS
(c1505-1585) Spem in Alium (1573) [8.22]
The King’s Singers:
David Hurley, Robin Tyson, Paul Phoenix, Philip Lawson, Christopher
Gabbitas, Stephen Connolly rec. Angel Studios, London, UK, 20 October
2004 CD tracks 2.0 Stereo; SACD Tracks 4.0 surround. Notes in English.
Latin text with English translations. Photos of performers. Bonus feature:
Interview with the King’s Singers [6.14] CD Single SACD / CD Hybrid
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIG0071
[14.36]
[PSh]
A
clever idea, a failed experiment, a musical masterpiece badly served.
... see Full Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony
No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, ‘Pathétique’ (1893) [48’39] Symphony
No. 4 in F Minor Op. 36 (1877) [45.52] * Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No.7 – Adagio (1883-84) [22.49]
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony
No.4 in D minor, Op. 120 (1853) [31.25]
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra* Wilhelm
Furtwängler TAHRA FURT
1099/1100 [71.33 + 77.30][JW]
A
recommendable double from Tahra ... the Schumann is mandatory listening
– you need it if you’re at all a Furtwängler devotee. ... see Full
Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Piano
Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 (1874-5) [35:48] Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (1869)
[30:45] Simon Tedeschi
(piano) The Queensland Orchestra/Richard Bonynge rec. Studio 420, Australian
Broadcasting Corporation, Brisbane, 8-11 February 2005.
ABC CLASSICS 476 8071 [66:49] [GPu]
Good,
enjoyable performances, but the competition
is very fierce … see
Full Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893)
Eugene Onegin, Lyrical scenes in three acts (1879)
Sarah Walker (mezzo) – Larina; Nuccia Focile (soprano) – Tatyana; Olga
Borodina (mezzo) – Olga; Irina Arkhipova (mezzo) – Filipyevna; Dmitri
Hvorostovsky (baritone) – Eugene Onegin; Neil Shicoff (tenor) – Lensky;
Alexander Anisimov (bass) – Prince Gremin; Francis Egerton (tenor) –
Triquet; Hervé Hennequin (baritone) – A Captain); Sergei Zadvorny (bass)
– Zaretsky) St Petersburg Chamber Choir Orchestre de Paris/Semyon Bychkov
No recording dates or venues given but recording originally published
in 1993 PHILIPS 475
7017 [70:36 + 71:07][GF]
Among
the versions I have heard of this opera none can challenge this Philips
recording and now that it reappears at mid-price it should be snapped
up ... see Full Review
Singe-,
Spiel- und Generalbass-Übungen (1733) TWV 25:39-85
Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Neues; Geld; Zufriedenheit;
Seltenes Glück; Splitter-Richter; Getrost im Leiden; Redlichkeit;
Wechsel; Ueber das niedersächsische Versapen; Die durstige Natur;
Die Welt, das Vaterland; Die Frau; Die vergesserne Phillis; Der
Spiegel; Mutter-Söhne; Verwunderer; Sein Diener!; Heyraht; Gemüts=Ruhe;
Die Jugend; Ohnesorge; Alterthum des Geschlechts; Beglückte Niedrichkeit;
Die Einsamkeit; Sanfter Schlaf; Falschheit; Geizhals; Pastorell; Wind;
Intressirte Heyraht; An den Tadler; Sommer-Lust; Glück; Mittel-Stand;
Sein eigner Herr; Mässigkeit; Geputzte Frau; Beherzter Freyer;
Toback; Verläumder; Freundschaft; Eine Durstige; HeuchlerM Grossthuer;
Greiser Trinker; Andrer Last unsre Lust; Jeder sein eigner Richter
Klaus
Mertens (baritone), Ludger Rémy (harpsichord) rec. Deutschlandfunk,
Sendesaal des Funkhauses Köln, 27-30 April 2004. DDD
CPO 777 045-2 [70:14][GF]
Baroque
enthusiasts shouldn't hesitate but general listeners with a taste for
good melodic songs should also give it a try...… see Full
Review
Michael
TIPPETT (1905-1998)
Piano
Sonata No. 1 (1936-7, Rev. 1942) [19:18] Piano Sonata No. 2 in one movement
(1962) [11:46] Piano Sonata No. 3 (1973) [22:30]
Peter Donohoe (piano) rec. 21 May, 13 December 2004, Potton Hall,
Suffolk, UK. DDD NAXOS
8.557611 [53:34] [DB]
Well
recorded and bargain-priced, a good combination
for Tippett fans. ... see Full
Review
Joaquín
TURINA (1882-1949)
Sonata
romántica sobre un tema español, Op. 3 (1909) [20:28] Sonata
Fantasía, Op. 59 (1930) [12:34] Rincón mágico (Desfile
en forma de sonata), Op. 97 (1941) [24:00] Concierto sin orquesta,
Op. 88 (1935) [10:45]
Jordi Masó, piano rec. Auditorium, Jafre, Spain, 5-6 July 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557438 [67:47][JF]
Turina’s
piano music often impresses me and moves
me more than much of that by Ravel and Debussy.
... see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Symphony
No. 2 A London Symphony (1913) [45:54]
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto
No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (1830) [39:38]
Paul DUKAS
(1865-1935) The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
(1897) [11:46]
Ewa Kupiec (piano) Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra/Christopher Seaman rec. live,
The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne,
6-7 May 2005
ABC CLASSICS 476 8363 [45:54 + 51:26]
[DC]
Potent
glimpses into some of the world class music-making
which goes on in Australia ... vivid and
memorable performances. ... see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1873-1958)
Toward
the Unknown Region (1907) [11:39] Willow-Wood
(1909) [13:55] The Voice of the Whirlwind
(1947) [5:15] Five Variants of Dives
and Lazarus (1939) [11:38] The Sons
of Light (1951) [19:24]
Roderick Williams (baritone) Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones
rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 20 Feb,
8 May 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.557798 [61:51] [AO]
Principally
interesting for the first recording of Willow-Wood
and the surprisingly modern Voice out of
the Whirlwind ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Songs:
Ave Maria [06:49], In solitaria stanza [03:47], Nell’orror
di notte oscura [03:47], More, Elisa, lo stanco poeta [02:53], Non t’accostare
all’urna [04:09], Stornello [01:51], Il tramonto [03:25], Ad una stella
[02:58], Il mistero [04:25], Lo spazzacamino [02:31], Il poveretto [02:34],
La seduzione [02:48], Brindisi (1st version – autograph score)
[02:11], Chi i bei dì m’adduce ancora [02:44], L’esule [08:18],
Brindisi (2nd version – published edition) [02:13]
Dennis O’Neill (tenor), Ingrid Surgenor (piano) rec. 27-29 October
1997, St. Silas’ Church, St. Silas’ Place, London
NAXOS 8.557778 [57:24] [CH]
Some
authentically Italian singing ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Messa
da Requiem for soprano, mezzo, tenor, bass, chorus and
orchestra (1868-69/1873-75) [87.43] Eva
Mei, soprano,
Bernarda Fink, mezzo,
Michael Schade, tenor,
Ildebrando d’Arcangelo, bass,
The Arnold Schoenberg Choir
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
rec. live Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 6-11 Dec 2004. DDD RCA
RED SEAL SACD 82876
61244 2 [47:15 + 40:28]
[MC]
This
is a recording of Verdi’s Requiem that gave me considerable pleasure.
It will sit proudly in my collection. Enthusiastically recommended.
... see Full Review
Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS
(1887-1959) Erosão: Sorimáo u Ipirungáua
(Erosion: The Origin of the Amazon River)1 (1950) [15:46]
Alvorada Na Floresta Tropical (Dawn in a Tropical Forest)2
(1953) [8:02] Danses Africaines (1929) [11:50] Bachianas Brasileiras
No. 4 (1945) [24:12]
Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney1,2; Jorge Mester3,4
rec. 13 January 1952, Columbia Auditorium, Louisville, Kentucky1;
February 1954, Columbia Auditorium, Louisville, Kentucky2;
7 May, 1969, Macauley Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky3; 10
May 1977, Macauley Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky4. ADD
FIRST EDITION MUSIC FECD-0016 [59:50][GPu]
An
interesting document of an important musical venture, but there are
too many shortcomings for this to be generally recommendable ... see
Full Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Tito Manlio (Titus Manlius), Dramma per musica,
RV 738 (1719) Roman Side:
Titus Manlius, Sergio Foresti, bass Vitellia, Rosa Dominguez, mezzo
Young Manlius, Elisabeth Scholl, soprano Decius, Thierry Grégoire, counter-tenor
Latin Side: Servilia, Lucia Sciannimanico, mezzo Lucius, Nicky Kennedy,
soprano Geminius, Davide Livermore, tenor Lindus, Bruno Taddia, baritone
Modo Antiquo/Federico Maria Sardelli rec. Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso,
Barga, Tuscany, Italy, 13-21 July 2003. DDD World premiere and complete
recording on original instruments
CPO 777 096-2 [3 CDs: 67.03 + 60.06 + 67.45][MC]
Stylish
... infused with immediacy and vivacity ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Siegfried
- music drama in three acts (1871)
Gustav Neidlinger (bass) ... Alberich Hans Hotter (bass) ... Wanderer/Wotan
Josef Greindl (bass) ... Fafner Paul Kuen (ten) ... Mime Maria von Ilosvay
(alto) ... ErdaAstrid Varnay (sop) ... BrunnhildeWolfgang Windgassen
(ten) ... Siegfried Ilse Hollweg (sop) ... WoodbirdBayreuth Festival
Orchestra/Joseph Keilberth recorded live in stereo at the 1955 Bayreuth
Festival
TESTAMENT SBT4 1392 [4 CDs - timings not supplied]
[DH]
I
keep relistening to Keilberth's forging scene closing Act I...see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard
Wetz
(1875-1935) Requiem
Op. 50 in B minor (c. 1920) [60:06]
(Requiem and Kyrie [12:04]; Dies Irae [13:31];
Domine Jesu [8:15]; Sanctus and Benedictus
[13:14]; Agnus Die [13:02]) Marietta Zumbült
(sop); Mario Hoff (bar)
Dombergchor Erfurt/Silvius von Kessel Philharmonischer
Chor Weimar/Andreas Korn Thüringisches
Kammerorchester Weimar/George Alexander Albrecht
rec. live, St. Severi, Erfurt, 27 September
2003. DDD
CPO 777 152-2 [60:06] [JF]
One
of the great unsung requiems in the liturgical
literature. ... see
Full Review
John WILLIAMS
(b. 1932) Star Wars
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
London Symphony Orchestra/John Williams Also
includes Bonus 
DVD
Star Wars: A Musical Journey narrated
by Ian McDiarmid rec. Abbey Studios, London.
2005
SONY CLASSICAL SK94220 [73:00] [M
Walker FMotW]
A magnificent achievement
as a single score ... Revenge of the Sith
immediately takes a place in the select canon
of unarguably great film music. ... see Full
Review
Judith Lang ZAIMONT
(b.1945) Sacred
Service for the Sabbath Evening1 (excerpts) (1976) [27:29]
A Woman of Valor2 (1977) [6:39] Parable: A Tale
of Abram and Isaac3 (1986) [16:35] Meditations at
the Time of the New Year4 (1997) [13:05]
1 James Maddalena (baritone), Ernst Senff Choir, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Berlin/Gerard Schwarz; 2 Margaret Kohler (soprano), Everest
String Quartet (Stephen Rose and Jeanne Preucil Rose, violins, Joan
DerHovsepian, viola, Brant Taylor, (cello)/Samuel Adler; 3
Frances Lucey (soprano), John Aler (tenor), Randall Scarlata (baritone),
Harold Lester (harpsichord), The Ruskin Ensemble, Laudibus Choir/Michael
Brewer; 4 Martha Cowan (soprano), Kimball Wheeler (mezzo-soprano),
Theresa Diamond (glockenspiel), Timm Boatman (tubular bells), Choral
Society of Southern California/Nick Strimple. rec. August 1992, Eastman
School of Music, Rochester, New York2; May, 1999, Beverly
Hills Presbyterian Church, Beverley Hills, California4; April
2000, Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin1; July 2000, The Warehouse,
London3.
NAXOS 8.559444 [66:12] [GPu]
This
is one of the most consistently rewarding
of the fascinating Milken Archive series.
So much so that it leaves one wanting to hear
more. ... see Full
Review
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