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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674) Dialogo del Gigante Golia - Oratorios Regina Hester [25:28] Dialogo del Gigante Golia [13:19] De Tempore Interfecto Sisare [13:25] Diluvium Universale - Dialogo del Noe [25:55] Musica Fiata: Monika Mauch, Constanze Backes, Gela Birckenstaedt, Rannveig Sif Sigurdardottir (soprano), Alessandro Carmignani (alto/tenor), Wilfried Jochens (tenor), Harry van der Kamp (bass) Musica Fiata: Annette Sichelschmidt, Christine Moran (violin), Roland Wilson, Arno Paduch (cornet), Detlef Reimers, Cas Gevers, Peter Sommer (sackbut), Hartwig Groth (violone, lirone), Lee Santana (chitarrone), Christoph Anselm Noll (harpsichord, organ, regale) Dir: Roland Wilson rec. March 2003, Studio of Deutschlandfunk, Cologne, Germany. DDD CPO 999 983-2 [78:10] [JV]

Four oratorios by Carissimi which have never been recorded before - excellent music in splendid performances … see Full Review

Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674) Lamento della Maria Stuarda [12.06]; In un mar di pensieri [9.15]; Amor mio, che cos’e questa [3.00]; Deh, memoria [7.01]; Suonera l’ultima tromba  [13.25] Elisabeth Speiser (soprano) Hans Ludwig Hirsch (harpsichord/organ) rec. 1979, Villa Emo, Fanzolo, Veneto, Italy JECKLIN JD711-2 [45.08][RH]

Much to admire ... wonderfully vivid. If you can live with Speiser’s vibrato then I can recommend the disc. ... see Full Review

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Twenty-Four Preludes Op.28 [33.47] Prelude in C sharp minor Op.45 [4.12] Prelude in D flat major Op.28 No.15 [4.44] Berceuse in D flat major Op.57 [4.09] Impromptus:- No 1 in A flat major Op.29 [3.47] No.2 in F sharp majorOp.36 [5.01] No.3 in G flat major Op.51 [4.32] Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor Op.66 [4.39] Tarantelle in A flat major Op.43 [3.11] Alfred Cortot (piano) Recorded in London 1926 (Preludes), 1931 (Tarantelle), 1933 (Impromptus) and 1949-50 (Preludes and Berceuse) NAXOS 8.111023 [68.03] [JW]

A cannily chosen selection; with the rare 1926 Preludes and the Tarantelle there to whet many an appetite ... and rightly so ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Sonata in B flat minor op.35 [26:39]; Ballade in G minor op.23 [09:23]; Andante spianato et Grande polonaise brillante op.22 [13:34]; Fantasia op.49 [13:29]; Waltz in A flat op.69/1 [04:34]; Waltz in A flat op.34/1 [05:53]; Waltz in E flat op. posth [03:11]; Scherzo no.2 in B flat minor op.31 [10:55]; Mazurka in A minor op.68/2 [03:22]; Mazurka in B minor op.33/4 [06:25]; Mazurka in D flat op.30/3 [03:36]; Berceuse in D flat op.57 [04:34] Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) rec. Turin, 1962, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana OPUS ARTE OA 0940 D [106:00][CH]

A quite extraordinary experience, something timeless ... see Full Review

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Alfred Cortot - Vol. 2: Waltzes No. 1 in E-flat Op. 18 (1831) [4:39] No. 2 in A-flat Op. 34 No. 1 (1835) [4:49] No. 3 in a minor Op. 34 No. 2 (1831) [4:21] No. 4 in F Op. 34 No. 3 (1838) [2:17] No. 5 in A-flat Op. 42 (1840) [3:46] No. 6 in D-flat Op. 64 No. 1 (1847) [1:42] [1:39] No. 7 in c-sharp minor Op. 64 No. 2 (1847) [3:08] [3:09] No. 8 in A-flat Op. 64 No. 3 (1847) [2:59] No. 9 in A-flat Op. 69 No. 1 (1835) [3:10] [3:11] [3:03] No. 10 in b minor Op. 69 No. 2 (1829) [2:56] No. 11 in G-flat Op. 70 No. 1 (1835) [2:03] [2:31] No. 12 in f-minor Op. 70 No. 2 (1841) [2:29] No. 13 in D-flat Op. 70 No. 3 (1829) [2:48] No. 14 in e-minor (posth.) (1830) [2:21] Fantasie in f-minor Op. 49 (1841) [11:35] Alfred Cortot (piano) rec. 19-20 June 1934, EMI Abbey Road Studio, London; 13 March 1929, 13 May 1931; Small Hall, Queen’s Hall, London; 4 July 1933, 4 Nov 1949, Abbey Road Studio, London NAXOS 8.111035 [68:38] [DB]

A landmark re-release of Cortot’s flawed but fantastic Chopin waltzes. ... see Full Review

Anthony COLLINS (1893-1963) Film and Other Music Festival Royal Overture (1956) [4:30] Vanity Fair (1952) [3:42] The Song of Erin (Lamentation) [5:05] Victoria the Great (1937) [13:12] The Saga of Odette - Valse Lente (1950) [2:18] The Lady With a Lamp - Prelude and valse variations (1951) [4:53] Eire (1938) [11:04] Santa Cecilia (1959) [4:14] Louis XV Silhouettes (1939) [11:45] Symphony for Strings (No. 1) (1940) [12:12] BBC Concert Orchestra/John Wilson rec. The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England, 28-30 September 2005. DDD world premiere recordings except Vanity Fair, Odette, Lamp, Eire DUTTON CDLX 7162 [73:52] [IL]

Charming light music by a quite-forgotten composer-conductor. ... see Full Review

Christopher COTTON Requiem (1990 rev. 2004); ’twas a Star-lit Night; Ding Dong Merrily on High STAVELAND arr. Richard Powell Tir n’a Oir; TRAD arr. Richard Powell Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel TRAD arr. Christopher COTTON Dashing Away TRAD arr. Eric Gregory David of the White Rock; Londonderry Air Philip UNDERWOOD Norfolk Folksong Suite (2002) Mark J ALMOND Prelude Richard POWELL To Us in Bethlem City Philip Underwood (organ) Papovian Ensemble/Christopher Cotton Sotto Voce/Christopher Cotton rec. no date given but 2004?, Church of St John the Divine, Brooklands, Sale; William Hulme’s Grammar School, Manchester GRANDEUR GDUR 0501-2 [58:22] [RB]

There’s no shortage of choral CDs but this one has attractive and unusual repertoire to commend it and good performances. ... see Full Review

François COUPERIN (1668-1733) La Sultanne La Sultanne, Sonate en quatuor in d minor [09:24] Première Suite for viola da gamba and bc in e minor [23:40] 15e Ordre in a minor: Le Dodo où l'amour au berceau [05:20] Deuxième Suite for viola da gamba and bc in A [14:52] La Superbe, Sonate en trio in A [07:28] Capriccio Stravagante: Manfredo Kraemer, Katharina Wolff (violin), Jay Bernfeld (viola da gamba - solo), Carol Lewis (viola da gamba), Michel Murgier (basse de violon), Mike Fentross (theorbo), Skip Sempé (harpsichord) rec. July-August 1993, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA. DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935452 [61:44] [JV]

An outstanding recording of some of Couperin's finest compositions - strongly recommended ... see Full Review

RECORD OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) The Complete Piano Works Vol. 2 12 Études [46:57], La Plus que lente [4:47], 2 Arabesques [6:38], Hommage à Haydn [2:05], D’un Cahier d’esquisses [4:23] Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, 28 December 2001 (Études), 4 April 2002 (Arabesques), 10 July 2002 (Hommage and Cahier), no date given for "La Plus que lente". CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9131-2 [65:22] [CH]

This looks like becoming a classic version. Indispensable, and especially recommended to those who have so far not warmed to the "Études". ... see Full Review

Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 (1879) [33:39] Edith Peinemann (violin) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Peter Maag Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22 (1875) [27:09] English Chamber Orchestra/Rafael Kubelik rec. July 1965, Rudolfinum, Prague (Concerto); May 1969, Brent Town Hall, Wembley, London (Serenade). ADD ELOQUENCE DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 476 7405 [60:48][RB]

Two healthy revivals from a neglected corner of the DG archive. They will be greeted by friends old and new. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Rusalka - Lyrical Fairytale in Three Acts op. 114 (1901) Libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil Rusalka, Eilene Hannan (sop) The Prince, John Treleaven (ten) The Foreign Princess, Phyllis Cannan (sop) The Water Spirit, Rodney Macann (bass) Jezibaba, Ann Howard (mezzo) The Forester, Edward Byles (bar) The Kitchen Boy, Fiona Kimm (sop) Chorus and Orchestra of the English National Opera / Mark Elder Stage Director, David Pountney Recorded London 1986 Sung in English ARTHAUS MUSIK 102019 DVD [159:00][JL]

Twenty years on years on but as fresh as ever: this is a very welcome DVD release of one of English National Opera’s finer achievements ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Saint Ludmila - oratorio for soli, chorus and orchestra, Op. 71 (1886) [113:53] libretto by Jaroslav VrchlickýEva Urbanová - Ludmila (soprano) Bernarda Fink - Svatava (mezzo) Stanislav Matis - Bořivoj (tenor) Aleš Briscein - Grolník (ten) Peter Mikuláš - Svatý Ivan (bass) Prague Philharmonic Choir/Jaroslav Brych Bambini di Praga/Bohumil Kulínský Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Jiří Bĕlohlávek rec. live, Prague Spring concert, 15-16 May 2004, Smetana Hall, Prague. Hybrid SACDs. DSD ARCO DIVA UP 0078-2 232 [50:45 + 63.08] [TB]

This music deserves a wide currency, and on an international scale. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George ENESCU (1881–1955) Piano Music, Vol. 2 CD1: Prelude and Fugue in C major (1903) [15:10]; Nocturne in D flat major (1907) [20:27]; Scherzo (1896) [5:58]; Pièce sur le nom de Fauré (1922) [3:05] CD2: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor Op. 24/1 (1924) [25:08]; Piano Sonata No. 3 in D major Op. 24/3 (1934) [23:30] Luiza Borac (piano) rec. 4-5, 7 July 2005, St. Dunstan’s Church, Mayfield, England AVIE AV2081 (SACD) [44:50 + 48:53] [GF]

One must wonder why this music isn’t heard more often,. Two discs abounding in ravishing pianism ... hard to imagine this music better played. ... see Full Review

Giles FARNABY (1562-1640) Complete Fantasias for Harpsichord Fantasia (6/320) [3:36] Fantasia (8/323) [7:28] Fantasia (5/82) [5:20] Unidentified part-song, arranged by Farnaby (7/333) [3:55] Fantasia (4/489) [4:30] Fantasia (12/343) [4:31] Canzonet: ‘Construe my meaning’, arranged by Glen Wilson [3:30] Fantasia (13/347) [3:12] Unidentified part-song, arranged by Farnaby (3/340) [4:14] Fantasia (10/313) [4:08] Canzonet: ‘Ay me, poor heart’, arranged by Farnaby [2:39] Canzonet: ‘Witness, ye heavens’, arranged by Glen Wilson [2:43] Fantasia (9/270) [4:02] ‘Loth to depart’ [4:41] Glen Wilson (harspichord) Recorded October, 2005 at “Schüttbau”, Hofheim-Rügheim, Unterfranken, Germany. NAXOS 8.570025 [58:30][GPu]

A specialised programme which takes Farnaby seriously and which deserves to find plenty of listeners … see Full Review

David FARQUHAR (b. 1928) The Three Symphonies Symphony No.1 (1959) [21:30] (Moderato [8:25]; Presto [6:06]; Lento [7:00]) Symphony No.2 (1982) [28:28] Symphony No.3 ...remembered songs... (2002) [19:04] (Moderato energico [8:37]; Leggiero [2:50]; Alla marcia lento [3:29]; Andante tranquillo [4:08]) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Kenneth Young rec. Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, 28-30 January 2004 Massey University Trust Records Series MORRISON MUSIC TRUST MMT2060 [69:11] [RB]

Three atmospheric symphonies to set alongside those by Lilburn. Striking, moving and instantly commanding .... personal and distinctive ... see Full Review

Christopher FOX (b. 1955) Straight Lines In Broken Times Straight lines in broken times2 (1992) [12'44]; Etwas lebhaft (1983) [14'37]; Themes and Variations (1992-6) [38'46]; Reeling (1983) [5'19]. The Ives Ensemble. rec. Theater Romein, Leeuwarden, 29 June-1 July 2002. DDD METIER MSV CD92081 [71'46] [CC]

A mixed reaction, then – but Themes and Variations is definitely worth a go. ... see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Alceste (1776) - Overturea [8'28]. Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Serenade No. 10 in B flat, K361/K370ab (1781-84) [49'18]. Serenade No. 13 in G, K525, Eine kleine Nachtmusikc (1787) [14'23]. Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. a28 October 1942, b11, 26 November, 3 December 1947, c1 April 1949. ADD NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110994 [72'08][CC]

An important release, well engineered, on the strength of K361 ... The other two items of interest to investigators of performance practice in various eras of old (Alceste) and to completists (K525). ... see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714–1787) Don Juan - ballet in four acts (1761) George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Ariodante: Ouverture; Sinfonia pastorale; Ballo; Il Pastor Fido: Ouverture; March, Air pour les chasseurs I, II Simon Preston (Gluck), Colin Tilney (Handel) (harpsichord continuo) Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner rec. Decca Studios No. 3, West Hampstead, London, May 1967 (Gluck), 1971 (Handel). DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 2440 [69:17] [GF]

I am not sure I will return to this music very often, but when I do I will know that I won’t be let down by the performances. ... see Full Review

Nicholas GOMBERT (c. 1495-1560) Tulerunt Dominum meum [5.44]; Magnificat I [11.38]; Credo [13.21]; Super flumina Babylonis [7.15]; Media vita [7.11]; Salve Regina [9.34]; Epitaphium [7.36] The Oxford Camerata/ Jeremy Summerly rec. 17-18 March 2004, Chapel of Hertford College. NAXOS 8.557732 [62.19] [RH]

A fine programme, beautifully performed and I hope that it enables us to hear much more of the music of this underrated composer.... see Full Review

Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Complete Piano Works Thomas Rajna, piano Recorded 1976. ADD Full track-listing at end of review BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92283 [6 CDs: 66.35 + 55.37 + 60.06 + 75.32 + 74.27 + 54.04] [WH]

A most rewarding collection, and, at the Brilliant price, the kind of astonishing bargain collectors are dangerously likely to want to take for granted. ... see Full Review

(Johann) Christoph GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Partitas for harpsichord, Vol. 5 Partita in A minor (GWV 150) (c.1720) [12:56] Partita VI in E major (GWV 106 and 119) (1718 and 1722) [18:01] Partita in C major (GWV 109 and 126) (c.1720 and 1722) [23:48] Geneviève Soly (harpsichord) rec. 21-23 September 2005, Église Saint-Augustin de Mirabel, Quebec. ANALEKTA AN 2 9118 [55:04] [GPu]

Gorgeous music, excellently played and recorded, which will surely give great pleasure to all who love the harpsichord music of this era. ... see Full Review

Alexandre GUILMANT (1837-1911) Grand Chorus in G minor, Op. 84 (1893) [6:51] Pièces dans différents styles, Book VI: Caprice in B flat major, Op. 20, No. 3 (1862) [3:36] Pièces dans différents styles, Book V: Allegretto in B minor, Op. 19, No. 1 (?) [5:52] Lamentation in D minor Op. 45 No.1 (1875) [11:19] Offertoire sur O filii pour la fête de Pâques, Op. 49, No. 2 (1876) [6:45] Organ Sonata No. 7 in F major, Op. 89: IV. Reve: Lento assai (1902) [4:29] March on a Theme by Handel, Op. 15, No. 2 (1881) [6:50] L’organiste pratique, Book IX: Scherzo Symphonique in C major, Op 55, No. 2 (1878) [7:36] Christmas Carols, Book I: Noel languedocien, Communion No. 2 in F minor, Op. 60 (1884) [5:11] Organ Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 42: III: Finale: Allegro assai (1874) [08:56] Robert Delcamp (organ) rec. Casavant Organ of All Saints’ Chapel, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA, 10, 13 October 2004. NAXOS 8.557614 [70:24][JF]

A great addition to the ever-increasing library of organ music available at reasonable price and excellent quality on Naxos ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Water Music (c.1715-17 rev 1736) Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major, HWV 348 [29’24"] (I. Overture. II. Adagio e staccato 05:07; III. Allegro. IV. Andante 06:53; V. Allegro 03:42; VI. Air 02:29; VII. Minuet 02:11; VIII. Bourree 02:11; IX. Hornpipe 02:41; X. Allegro 04:09) Water Music: Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349 (1717) (I. Allegro 02:07; II. Alla Hornpipe 02:59; III. Minuet 01:52; IV. Lentement 02:05; V. Bourree 01:25 Water Music: Suite No. 3 in G major, HWV 350 (1717) (I. Sarabande 02:59; II. Rigaudon I and II 02:38; III. Minuet I and II 03:34; IV. Bourree I and II 01:41) Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749) HWV 351 [20:06] (I. Overture 07:17; II. Bourree 03:05; III. La paix 03:23; IV. La rejouissance 03:05; V. Minuet I - Minuet II 03:17)  Aradia Ensemble/Kevin Mallon rec. St Anne’s Church, Toronto, Canada, 5-8 Jan 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557764 [71:00] [DDD]

A winner from start to finish - Handel’s music is given a splendid rendition! ... see Full Review

Roy HARRIS (1898-1979) Kentucky Spring (1949) [11:12] Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1949) [27:49] (Section One [8:43]; Section Two [10:00]; Section Three [5:14]; Section Four [3:52]) Symphony No. 5 (1942] [23:25] (1st Movement [4:36]; 2nd Movement [10:31]; 3rd Movement [8:20]) Gregory Fulkerson (violin) Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney; Lawrence Leighton Smith (concerto)
rec. 1960, 1965, 1985, Louisville, Kentucky. ADD world premiere recordings (Concerto; Kentucky) Funding from Aaron Copland Fund for Music and National Endowment for the Arts. FIRST EDITION FECD-0005 [62:49] [JQ]

A very valuable and enjoyable release and I’m extremely glad that these pioneering recordings are once again available. I enjoyed this disc and I commend it warmly … see Full Review

Hamilton HARTY (1879-1941) A Comedy Overture (1906) [13:08] Fantasy Scenes (from an Eastern Romance) (1919) [11:56] Piano Concerto in B minor (1922) [30:05] Peter Donohoe (piano) Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa rec. 21-22 February 2005, Ulster Hall, Belfast. DDD NAXOS 8.557731 [55:09] [JWo]

An inevitably self-recommending disc ... see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 1 in D major [13:46] Symphony No. 2 in C major [9:35] Symphony No. 3 in G major [16:43] Symphony No. 4 in D major [13:46] Symphony No. 5 in A major [17:47] Sinfonia Finlandia/Patrick Gallois Irina Zahharenkova, harpsichord continuo rec. 26-28 May 2004, Suolahti Hall, Finland NAXOS 8.557571 [71:38] [KS]

A refreshing look at a great composer in his youth .... a recording sure to please. ... see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Concerto for cello and orchestra in D major. [25:54] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Concerto for violin and orchestra in e minor, Op. 64. [29:06] Mirjam Tschopp, violin Solène Kermarrec, cello Baden-Baden Philharmonic/Werner Stiefel rec. November 2005, Weinbrennersaal Baden-Baden. BELLA MUSICA MB 31.2397 [55:00] [KS]

Fine music-making abounds ... every reason to give these two young artists a chance to be heard. ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Variations Twenty Variations in G Major, Hob.XVII:2, (1765) [17’00"] Theme and Variations in C Major, Hob.XVII:5; (1790) [6’31"] Capriccio in G Major; Hob. XVII:1 (1765 ) [7’10"] Arietta con 12 variazoni, Hob. XVII:3 (1768-70) [16’04"] Variations on Gott erhalte (after Hob:77) (c.1797) [8’02"] Divertimento: Il Maestro e lo Scolare, Hob.XVIIa:1 (for piano four hands) (1766-1768) [11’26"] Jano Jando (piano) Zsuzsa Kollar (piano) rec. April 1996, Unitarian Church, Budapest, Hungary. DDD NAXOS 8.553972 [66’11"] [DD]

Good playing of little known music which deserves greater recognition. ... see Full Review

Max HELFMAN (1901-1963) Di Naye Hagode (The New Haggada) (A Choral Tone Poem of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising) (1948) [42:17] Theodore Bikel (narrator) Choral Society of Southern California Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra/Nick Strimple Hag Habikkurim (Festival of First Fruits - A Pageant for Shavuot) (1947) [17:30] Coro Hebraeico/Neil Levin The Holy Ark (Torah Service), excerpts (1950) [12:16] Cantor Raphael Frieder Slovak Chamber Choir Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Samuel Adler rec. Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, June 2000; St Paul’s School, Hammersmith, London, July 2001; Slovak Radio Hall, Bratislava, Slovak Republic, June 1998. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS MILKEN ARCHIVE 8.559440[72:12] [RB]

No great subtlety but a sincere embrace of colourful melodic music ... well worth hearing ... vivid and instantly captivating. ... see Full Review

Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955) Prelude pour Aglavaine et Selysette (1917) [7.46]+ Suite archaique (1951) [14.45]* Jacques IBERT (1890-1962) La Ballade de la Geole de Reading (1921) [25.23]+ Bacchanale (1958) [8.10]+ Louisville Concerto (1953) [11.23]* The Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney* Jorge Mester+ rec. 1954 Louisville Concerto), 1961 (Suite archaique), 1969 (Préude pour Aglavaine et Selysette), 1970 (Bacchanale), 1973 (La Ballade de la Géole de Reading). ADD FIRST EDITION FECD 1906 [67.19] [JWo]

Anyone remotely curious about Honegger and Ibert will want to get acquainted with this disc. ... see Full Review

Michael HORVIT (b. 1932) The Mystic Flame - A Choral Symphony (2000) Twyla Whittaker (sop) Katherine Ciesinski (mezzo) Joseph Evans (ten) Richard Paul Fink (bass-bar) Moores School Symphony Orchestra and Festival Chorus/Franz Anton Krager rec. 3-5 March 2001, Moores Opera House, University of Houston, USA. DDD ALBANY TROY533 [67:44] [RB]

Not essential listening but will be appreciated by those who already love their choral Hanson, Thompson, RVW and Tippett. ... see Full Review

Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Piano Trios Volume 1: Piano Trio No. 2 (3) in F Major, Op. 22 (1799) [13.05] Piano Trio No. 5 (6) in E Major, Op. 83 (1819) [27.36] Piano Trio No. 6 (7) in E-flat major, Op. 93 (c. 1822) [20.11] Voces Intimae: Riccardo Cecchetti, fortepiano; Luigi de Filippi, violin; Sandro Meo, cello rec. 23-27 March 2004, Teldex Studio, Berlin, Germany. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62595-2 [60.63] Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Piano Trios Volume 2: Piano Trio No. 1 (2) in E-flat major, Op. 12 (c. 1803)[20.01] Piano Trio No. 3 (4) in G Major, Op. 35 (c. 1811) [15.13] Piano Trio No. 4 (5) in G Major, Op. 65 (c. 1814-15) [15.56] Piano Trio No. 7 (8) in E-flat major, Op. 96 (c. 1822) [18.36] Voces Intimae: Riccardo Cecchetti, fortepiano; Luigi de Filippi, violin; Sandro Meo, cello rec. 21-24 September 2004,at Teldex Studio, Berlin, Germany. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62596-2 [69.46][MC]

There is much to savour in these affectionate and thoughtfully characterised readings from Voces Intimae. ... see Full Review

Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Fantasies – G minor, Op. 123 (1834) [12:16]; E flat, Op. 18 (1805) [23:24]; 'Recollections of Paganini' (1832) [9:48]. Rondo quasi una Fantasia, in E, Op. 19 (1806) [8:24]. Bagatelles, Op. 107 (publ. 1826) – No. 11 in A flat, 'La contemplazione' [9:01] Madoka Inui (piano) rec. Studio 3, ORF Funkhaus, Vienna, 26-28 July 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557836 [68'38] [CC]

A mixed reception, then. Madoka Inui is a pianist who promises much, and her career will certainly be worth tracking. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel - A fairy opera in three acts (1890-93) libretto by Adelheide Wette Hänsel: Frederica von Stade (mezzo) Gretel: Ileana Cotrubaş (soprano) Mother: Christa Ludwig (mezzo) Father: Siegmund Nimsgern (baritone) The Sandman: Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) The Dew Fairy: Ruth Welting (soprano) The Witch: Elisabeth Söderström (soprano) Children’s chorus of the Cologne Opera Gürzenich Orchestra/John Pritchard rec. 1978, Erholungshaus, Leverkusen, Germany. ADD. CD 2 contains a PDF file with the libretto in German, English, French and Italian. SONY CLASSICAL S2K 96455 [61.22 + 46.20] [ED]

When it comes to the music however, this is a set without a weak link and it provides continual pleasure. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Works for Piano, Volume 1. Piano Sonata No. 2, 'Concord, Mass.' (1910-1915) [44'45]; Three-Page Sonata (1905) [7'11]; Waltz-Rondo (1911) [5'31]; Varied Air and Variations (1923?) [5'51]. Ciro Longobardi (piano) rec. Milan, March 2004. DDD LIMEN MUSICA CONTEMPORANEA CDE06-C007 [63'47][CC]

I hope to hear more from Ciro Longobardi ... Good to know this is 'Volume 1'. ... see Full Review

Kay JOHANNSEN Improvisations on Advent and Christmas Hymns Macht hoch die Tur [2'04] Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland [1'57] Ihr lieben Christen, freut euch nun [1'15] O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf [1'40] Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen [2'06] O komm, o komm, du Morgenstern [1'33] Wie soll ich dich empfangen [3'17] Die Nacht ist vorgedrungen [2'22] Tochter Zion, freue dich [1'36] Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her [2'25] Es ist ein Ros entsprungen [2'41] Kommt und lasst uns Christus ehren [1'27] Brich an, du schones Morgenlicht [1'28] Lobt Gott, ihr Christen alle gleich [1'17] Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ [2'32] Nun singet und seid froh [1'15] Zu Bethlehem geboren [2'31] Kommet, ihr Hirten [1'31] Herbei, o ihr Glaub'gen [1'18] Ihr Kinderlein, kommet [1'17] Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier [2'56] Frohlich soll mein Herze springen [1'57] Hort, der Engel helle Lieder [2'12] Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht [4'55] O du frohliche [1'58] Kay Johannsen (organ) rec. Stiftskirche, Stuttgart, 9, 10, 12, 15 October 2005 DDD CARUS 83.179 [51'30] [JW]

The organ leaves me stone-cold but this would make a great soundtrack to next Christmas! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph JONGEN (1873 – 1953) Piano Music: Volume 2 CD 1 Toccata Op.91 (1929) [4:05] Sarabande triste Op.58 (1918) [5:45] Sérénade Op.19 (1901) [5:27] Deux études de concert Op.65 (1920) [13:01] Mazurka Op.126bis (1943) [5:16] Mazurka et Napolitania Op.76 (1924) [12:32] Première Ballade Op.105 (1936) [9:00] Deuxième Ballade Op.119 (1941) [11:58] CD 2 Bourrée dans le style ancien Op.123 (1942) [8:00] Sarabande dans le style ancien (1902) [2:57] Troisème étude Op.84 (1924) [3:18] Trois pièces Op.102 (1936) [7:57] Jeux de Nymphes Op.91 No.2 (1927) [3:27] En forme de valse Op.43 (1913) [5:42] Treize Préludes Op.69 (1923) [38:45] CD 3 Dix Pièces Op.96 (1932) [30:34] Fantasie sur deux Noëls populaires wallons Op.24 (1902)a [15:07] Pages intimes Op.55 (1917)a [8:16] Jeux d’enfants Op.120 (1941)a [9:19] Trois pièces Op.129 (1950)a [10:25] Intermezzo-piccolo Op.136bis (1950)a [2:48] Diane Andersen (piano); Diane Andersen, André De Groote (piano duet)a rec. Recital Studio, Tihange, Belgium, no date, published 2005 PAVANE ADW 7477-9 [70:59 + 70:59 + 77:15] [HC]

Pure joy from first to last, and a must for all the admirers of Jongen’s music. All who respond to Debussy’s, Ravel’s or Ireland’s piano music will find plenty to enjoy here. ... see Full Review

Dmitri KABALEVSKY (1904-1987) Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 9 (1928) [31:35] Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 23 (1935 rev. 1973) [24:26] In-Ju Bang (piano) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Yablonsky rec. 24-28 Dec 2004, Studio 5 Russian State TV and Radio Company KULTURA, Moscow. DDD NAXOS 8.557683 [56:01] [RB]

An excellent showing .. the rhythmic trickiness is negotiated with delicate skill and pleasing precision. ... see Full Review

Gershon KINGSLEY (b.1922) Voices from the Shadow (Poetry of the Holocaust) [37:02] Jazz Psalms [12:25] Shabbat for Today (excerpts) [12:33] Shiru Ladonai (excerpts) [15:25] Amy Goldstein, Mary Catherine George, Lisa Vroman (soprano) Mathew Walley (tenor) Larry Picard (baritone) Howard M. Stahl (cantor) Kingsley Singers and Ensemble/Gershon Kingsley (conductor and synthesizers) rec. May 1992, New York (Jazz Psalms, Shabbat for Today and Shiru Ladonai); March 2001, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City. DDD NAXOS 8.559435 [77:35] [ABi]

Some of the music presented isn’t all that appealing but the disc cannot be written off – Voices from the Shadow is definitely worth having. ... see Full Review

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Violin Concerto in D major Op.35 (1937-39) [25.38] Heliane’s Song ‘Ich ging zu ihm’ from Das Wunder der Heliane – (1923 arranged for violin and piano 1927) [3.53] Much Ado About Nothing – Suite (1918 arranged for violin and piano 1920) [8.55] Suite Op.23 for two violins, cello, and piano left-hand (1930) [34.00] Benjamin Schmid (violin) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa - Concerto David Frühwirth  (violin) and Henri Sigfridsson (piano) – Heliane, Much Ado Benjamin Schmid and Hanna Weinmeister (violins), Quirine Viersen (cello) Silke Avenhaus (piano) – Suite rec. Salzburg Festival, July - August 2004 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 537 [79.22][JW]

Korngold addicts can take a punt, but knowing that these are live documents and they will need ancillary performances ... see Full Review

Friedrich KUHLAU (1786-1832) The Complete Flute Duos and Divertissements Opp. 10, 102, 68: Duo 1 Op. 10 [17:41]; Duo 2 Op. 10 [13:05]; Duo 3 Op. 10 [8:38]; Divertissement 1 Op. 68 [8:08]; Divertissement 2 Op. 68 [6:33]; Divertissement 3 Op. 68 [6:27]; Divertissement 4 Op. 68 [6:51]; Divertissement 5 Op. 68 [8:37]; Divertissement 6 Op. 68 [8:31]; Duet 1 Op. 102 [14:45]; Duet 2 Op. 102 [13:45]; Duet 3 Op. 102 [13:53] Laurel Zucker (flute 1) Renée Siebert (flute 2) rec. Concordia College, New York. No dates given. CANTILENA 66018-2 [60:10 + 56:41] [DB]

Rarely heard works given a solid, balanced performance. ... see Full Review

Orlandus LASSUS (1532 -1594) Penitential Psalms - complete CD 1 [71.49] Henry’s Eight rec. St. Jude on the Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 27-31 August 1997 HYPERION DYAD CDD 22056 [71.49 + 70.40] [GH]

Henry’s Eight will not disappoint you. ... see Full Review

Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) Highlights (in French) Le Tsarévitch (Der Zarewitsch) (1927) [8:34] Introduction; Chanson de la Volga; Un beau rêve; Giuditta (1934) [13:39] Oh, signora, oh signora; Sur mes lèvres; Oh, ma belle étoile; Frédérique (Friederike) (1928) [10:20] Overture; Chantez, oiseaux; Quatuor des étudiants; Duo de la belle Alsacienne; Ah, pourquoi m’as-tu pris mon coeur?; Le Comte de Luxembourg (Der Graf von Luxemburg) (1909) [25:12] Entrée du comte; Entrée de Suzanne; Duo Suzanne – Fernand; Suzanne; Duo Basil – Juliette; Duo Suzanne – Fernand; Romance de Suzanne et Brissard; Duo Suzanne – Fernand; Finale; La danse de libellules (Libellentanz) (1922) [12:26] Lina Dachary, Anita Ammersfeld (sopranos), Remi Corazza, Alain Vanzo, Henri Legay (tenors), Aimé Doniat, André Dran (baritones) Chorus and Orchestre Lyrique of the ORTF/Adolphe Sibert rec. studios, ORTF, Radio France, Paris, 1966 (La danse des libellules), 1970 and 1980 (Giuditta) and 1971 NAXOS 8.111010 [70:11][IL]

A glorious disc of excerpts. Vanzo is intensely and sincerely expressive. With singing like this, there must have been so many misty eyes. ... see Full Review

Paul Lewis (b.1943) Serenade and Dance: The Romantic Harmonica Music of Paul Lewis The Secret World of Polly Flint (1987) [4:15] Woof! Fantasy [4:38] Two Miniatures: Loves [2:09]; Lark [1.03] (1970s) Impromptu for Harmonica and Harp [5:03] Spring Suite: Jaunt [3:10]; Romance [2.36]; Jig [2:40]. Tea for Three [2:15] Pavane (c1971) [4:35] Seal Morning (1985) [3:08] Serenata [11.2] A Somerset Garland [12:08]: Bridgwater Shanty [2:27]; Martock Jig [2:35]; Muchelney Ham Lament [2:35]; Huish Episcopi Sarabande [2:48]; Langport March [2:33]. Norfolk Rhapsody (1972) [8:43] Serenade and Dance (1997) [3:30] The Benny Hill Waltz [2:16] James Hughes, harmonica; Elizabeth Jane Baldry, harp; Dana Preece, piano; Delamere String Quartet (James Davis and Arnold Goodger, violins; Nicola Akeroyd, viola; Sylvia Knussen, cello); Paul Lewis, wind chimes and "musical director" rec. Old Bakehouse, Honiton, Devon, and St. Andrews Church, Charmouth, Dorset, 30 June, 1 July and 24 July 1997. DDD British Composer Series CAMPION CAMEO 2024 [74:28] [JF]

It is not often a composer writes such effective and evocative music. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Tu es Petrus. Andante maestoso aus dem Oratorium Christus [6'24] Ave Maria von Arcadelt [4'32] Ave verum (Mozart)“ [2'57] Evocation a la chapelle sixtine [20'39] Fantasie und Fuge uber den Choral 'Ad nos, ad salutarem undam' [36'32] Michael Schönheit (organ) rec. Merseburg Dom, 27-28 October 2004. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 906 1352-6 [71'42][CB]

Astonishing music on an astonishing instrument. Buy this, to appreciate one of the pillars of 19th century organ development ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Operatic Paraphrases and Transcriptions, Volume 1 VERDI Salve Maria de Jérusalem (I Lombardi) Ernani – Paraphrase de Concert Don Carlos – Coro di festa e marcia funebre Aida – Danza sacra e duetto finale Rigoletto – Paraphrase de Concert Il Trovatore – Miserere Simon Boccanegra – Réminiscences GOUNOD Faust – Waltz Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, UK, April 1989, December 2003, February 2004 CONCERT ARTIST CACD 91332 [71.21] [WH]

The disc is well recorded and presented. If the programme appeals it is not to be missed. ... see Full Review

Pietro Antonio LOCATELLI (1695-1764) Ten Sonatas, Op. 8 (1744) The Locatelli Trio: Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin), Richard Tunnicliffe (cello), Paul Nicholson (harpsichord); *with Rachel Isserlis (violin) rec. 20-30 November, 1, 6-7 December 1994 . No location given HYPERION DYAD CDD22057 [57:23 + 48:12] [GPu]

A useful – and enjoyable - reissue of a distinguished version of Locatelli’s final collection of sonatas ... 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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