Isaac
ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) Pepita Jiménez
(1896) 
Plácido Domingo
(tenor) – Don Luis de Vargas; Carol Vaness (soprano) – Pepita Jiménez;
Jane Henschel (mezzo) – Antoñina; Enrique Baquerizo (baritone) – Don
Pedro de Vargas; Carlos Chausson (bass) – Vicar; José Antonio López
(baritone) – Count Genazahar; Federico Gallar (tenor) – 1st officer;
Àngel Rodriguez (baritone) – 2nd officer Coro de Niños de la Comunidad
de Madrid Orquesta y Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid/José De Eusebio
rec. Torrelodones, Madrid, Teatro Bulevar, July 2004, June 2005.
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
00289 477 6234 [44:29 + 46:23][GF]
Not
a forgotten masterpiece perhaps but a lot of attractive music here,
on the whole well performed but marred by the less than attractive singing
of the main protagonist. ... see Full
Review
Julian
ANDERSON
(b. 1967) Eden (2005)a [7:26] Imagin’d
Corners (2001/2)b [10:13] Four American Choruses (2002/3)c
[18:12] Symphony (2003)d [18:02] Book of Hours (2004)e
[24:11] City of Birmingham
Symphony Chorus/Simon Halseyc; City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra/Martyn Brabbinsa /Sakari Oramobd; Birmingham
Contemporary Music Group/Oliver Knussene rec. (live) Cheltenham
Town Hall, July 2005 (Eden); Symphony Hall, Birmingham, January
2006 (Imagin’d Corners) and December 2003 (Symphony); Hawksyard
Priory, Lichfield, November 2005 (Four American Choruses) and
RNCM, Manchester, January 2005 (Book of Hours)
NMC D121 [79:52] [HC]
Contemporary music of the sort dear to me: complex and demanding,
but ultimately often beautiful and strongly expressive. Not to be missed.
... see Full Review
Attilio
ARIOSTI (1666-1729)
The Flowering and Fading of Love: Cantata No.
1 'La Rosa', for soprano, transverse flute, violin and
b.c. [09:51] Cantata No. 2 'L'Amore Onesto', for soprano and
b.c. [09:38] Cantata No. 3 'L'Olmo', for soprano, transverse
flute, violin and b.c. [13:07] Cantata No. 4 'Libertà acquistata
in Amore', for alto and b.c. [09:12] Cantata No. 5 'Il Naufragio',
for alto, transverse flute, violin and b.c. [11:21] Cantata No.
6 'La Gelosia', for alto and b.c. [09:24] Pietro
Antonio LOCATELLI (1695-1764) Trio Sonata for transverse
flute, violin and b.c. in e minor, op. 5,2 [08:58] Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Trio Sonata for transverse flute,
violin and b.c. in D (RV 84) [07:19]
Musica Solare: (Laurie Reviol, soprano; Truike van der Poel, contralto;
Darja Großheide, transverse flute; Gabriele Nußberger, violin; Robert
Nikolayczik, viola da gamba, cello; Toshinoro Ozaki, theorbo, guitar;
Willi Kronenberg, harpsichord) rec. July 2003, Evangelische Kirche,
Honrath, Germany. DDD
NAXOS 8.557573 [78:50] [JV]
Excellent
performances of six cantatas which make one understand why Ariosti
was a successful opera composer ... see Full
Review
Craig
ARMSTRONG (b. 1958) World Trade
Center – Original Music from the Motion Picture
Alison Lawrence (cello) Susie Stevens Logan (soprano) Craig Armstrong
(piano) Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra and Hollywood Film Chorale/Craig
Armstrong rec. Newman Scoring Stage 20th Century Fox Studios,
2006. DDD SONY CLASSICAL
82876 880572 [57:35][PC]
The
music is quite melancholy and evocative of
just about everything everyone felt that day
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal
Volume 1 – The Eleven Symphonies
DECCA UNIVERSAL 4765337 [5CDs: 77:16 +
68:32 + 57:44 + 64:38 + 71:54] [RB]
An
incontestably matchless sweep. Indispensable
to anyone with an interest in the 20th
century symphony. Handley is an inspired and
majestic guide to works awesome in their command
of emotion from delight to terror. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal
Volume 2 – Seventeen Concertos
DECCA
UNIVERSAL 4765343 [4 CDs: 79:33 + 69:03
+ 55:35 + 69:05] [RB]
Scintillatingly
superb and poetically poignant performances.
Crucial Arnold, handsome packaging and the
price is right. Get it while you can – discoveries
and rediscoveries aplenty. ... see Full
Review
Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006) The
Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal Volume
3: Orchestral,
Brass and Piano Music
DECCA UNIVERSAL 4765348 [4CDs: 60:17 +
65:52 + 78:31 + 71:30] [RB]
Cannot
escape the charge of miscellany – instead
it heartily embraces it. Don’t let that put
you off. There are some grand discoveries
here ... see Full
Review
Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
Concerto
for Clarinet and Strings, Op.20 (1949)
[15:58] Oboe Concerto Op.39 (1952)
[13:00] Concerto for Flute and Strings,
Op.45 (1954) [10:41] Concerto No.2 for
Horn and Strings, Op.58 (1956) [13:58]
Concerto No.2 for Flute and Orchestra,
Op.111 (1972) [12:42] Trumpet Concerto
(1982) [8:02] Janet Hilton (clarinet) Gordon
Hunt (oboe) Richard Adeney (flute) Alan Civil
(French Horn) John Wallace (trumpet)
Bournemouth Sinfonietta/Norman Del Mar; Ronald
Thomas (flute concertos) rec. Christchurch
Priory, 3-4 September 1984 (in presence of
composer) (flute concertos); Guildhall, Southampton,
10-11 April 1979; 1 July 1979. ADD (flute);
DDD
EMI CLASSICS 0946 3 70563 2 5 [79:34]
[RB]
A
splendidly balanced and recorded collection
presenting most of the many facets of Malcolm
Arnold. ... see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Cantatas: Vol. 22
CD1 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV
80 [21:58] Missa in G, BWV 236 [24:22] Freue dich, erlöste
Schar, BWV 30 [31:09] CD2 Missa in
F, BWV 233 [23:15] Missa in A, BWV 234 [30:27] Appendix:
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach: Gaudete omnes populi (Latin version of
BWV 80, 1 & 5) CD3 Angenehmes Wiederau,
freue dich in deinen Auen, BWV 30a [32:54] Missa in G, BWV
235 [26:02] Sandrine Piau
(BWV 30, 30a, 80), Johannette Zomer (BWV 233, 234, 236) (soprano); Bogna
Bartosz, Nathalie Stutzmann (BWV 80) (alto); Jörg Dürmüller (BWV 235,
236), James Gilchrist (BWV 30, 80), Christoph Prégardien (BWV 30a) (tenor);
Klaus Mertens (bass) Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir/Ton Koopman
rec. May, September, October 2002, October 2003, October, November 2004,
November 2005, Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam
ANTOINE MARCHAND CC72222 [3 CDs: 77:58 + 62:43 + 59:16] [PB]
There
is very little to fault in this excellent final volume of Koopman’s
Bach cantatas project. ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) CD
1 Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046 [17:21]
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047 [11:00] Brandenburg
Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048 [10:49] Musical Offering,
BWV 1079: Trio Sonata in C minor, "Sopr'il soggetto reale" [18:01] CD
2 Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049 [13:40]
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050 [20:15] Brandenburg
Concerto No. 6 in B flat major, BWV 1051 [14:08] Harpsichord
Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056 (arr. flute and orchestra) [9:19] Swiss
Baroque Soloists/Andrés Gabetta (director) rec. Temple Saint
Jean, Mulhouse, France, 25 April - 4 May 2005 NAXOS
8.557755-6 [57:11 + 57:21] [DC]
This
is a cracking production with very much going for it. ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) CD
1 Sonata No.1 in G minor BWV 1001 [16:39] Partita No.1 in B
minor BWV 1002 [28:30] Sonata No.2 in A minor BWV 1003 [24:01]
CD 2 Partita No.2 in D minor BWV 1004 [31:18] Sonata No.3 in
C major BWV 1005 [24:10]
Partita No.3 in E major BWV 1006 [18:15] Itzhak
Perlman (violin) rec. Concordia College, Bronxville, New York, 12-16 June 1986,
6-9 January, 4-6
May, 2-4 June 1987 EMI CLASSICS
4768082 [69:11 + 73:45] [DC]
At
mid-price, Perlman can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone in
this repertoire. ... see Full
Review
Simon BAINBRIDGE
(b.1952)
Fantasia for Double Orchestra (1983-4) [18:19] Viola Concerto
(1976) [27:32]Concertante in Moto Perpetuo (1979) [7:56]
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Simon Bainbridge (Fantasia); Walter Trampler
(viola), London Sinfonietta/Michael Tilson Thomas (Concerto); Composers
Ensemble/Bainbridge (Concertante) rec. Barking Town Hall, 7 Dec.1989
(Fantasia); Watford Town Hall, 11-12 May 1982 (Concerto); Rosslyn Hill
Chapel, Hampstead 16 March 1990 (Concertante)
NMC ANCORA D126 [53.47] [TH]
The
authority of the disc is beyond question. Lovers of the contemporary
English music scene cannot afford to ignore it, and those who are
curious or adventurous will not be disappointed. ... see Full
Review
Samuel
BARBER (1910-1981) Choral
Music A Stopwatch and an Ordnance Map, Op. 15
(1940) [5.25] Under the Willow Tree from opera Vanessa,
Op. 32, Act II (1956-57) [3.23] Two Pieces, Op. 42: (Twelfth
Night, Op. 42/1 (1968) [4:32]; To be sung on the water,
Op. 42/2 (1968-69) [2:48]) The Monk and his Cat from Hermit
Songs, Op. 29, No. 8 (1953 arranged for chorus 1967) [2:13] Agnus
Dei, Op. 11 (1967 vocal arrangement of Adagio for Strings,
Op. 11 1936) [5:55] Reincarnations, a trio of Celtic
part-songs, Op. 16 (1940): (Mary Hynes, Op. 16/1 [2:44]; Anthony
O’Daly, Op. 16/2 [3:49]; The Coolin, Op. 16/3 [3:13])
Two Pieces, Op. 8: (The Virgin Martyrs, Op. 8/1 (1935)
[3:39]; Let Down the Bars, O Death, Op. 8/2 (1936) [1:53])
Two songs from the set of 4 Songs, Op. 13: (Heaven-haven,
Op. 13/1 (1936, arr. for chorus 1961) [1:43]; Sure on this
shining night, Op. 13/3 (1936, arr. for chorus 1941) [2:03]) Chorale
for Ascension Day - Easter Chorale (1964) [3:02]
Two choruses from opera Antony and Cleopatra, Op. 40,
Act III (1966): (On the death of Antony [3:11]; On
the death of Cleopatra [2:51]) God’s Grandeur (1938) [7:44] Deborah
Kayser (soprano) Grantley McDonald (tenor) Len Vorster
(piano) Choir of Ormond College, University of Melbourne/Douglas
Lawrence rec. August 2000, Ormond College Chapel, University
of Melbourne, Australia. DDD NAXOS
8.559053 [60:09] [MC]
Barber’s
growing band of supporters will relish this well sung Naxos release
which is certainly worth exploring. ... see Full
Review
Jeremy
BECK
(b. 1960) Pause and Feel and Hark Sonata No.3
Moon (1997)a [13:14] Songs without Words (1997)b
[9:05] Black Waters (1994)c [40:16]
Emilio Colón (cello)a; Heather Coltman (piano)a;
Elizabeth Sadilek (flute)b; Gretchen Brumwell (harp)b;
Jean McDonald (soprano)c; Robin Guy (piano)c rec.
Florida Atlantic University, May 2003 (Sonata No.3); University of Northern
Iowa, October 1998 (Songs without Words); May 1999 (Black Water)
INNOVA 650 [62:43] [HC]
Beck’s
music is yet another example of what can be
successfully achieved within the boundaries
of tradition, for it is never reactionary
and holds enough harmonic and rhythmical surprises
to sustain the interest. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
Symphony
No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1805) [32:50] Symphony
No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (1812) [36:10]
Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra
of Venezuela/Gustavo Dudamel rec. Aula Magna,
Ciudad Universitaria, Caracas, February 2006
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 6228 [69:07]
[GF]
Fine
playing from these young musicians and their
up-coming new star-conductor – and the seventh
gets a really electrifying performance which
should be heard by everyone who bothers about
the future of classical music.. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano
Trio in E Flat Major No.1 Op.1 (1794) [30:41]
Antonin DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Dumky Trio,
Op.90 (1891) [31:09]
Max Brod Trio: Petr Matěják (violin);
Marie Hixová (cello); Kerstin Strassburg
(piano) rec. 5-6 August 2006, Domovina Studio,
Prague. DDD
ARCODIVA UP 0098 - 2 131 [62:00] [SH]
Great
musicians with innate cohesion and sheer expertise
relate music as it is. Their love of and sheer
fun in making music is outstanding ... see
Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Violin
Sonata No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2 (1802) [29:35]
Violin Sonata No.8 in G major Op.30 No.3 (1802)
[18:42] Violin Sonata No. 9 in A minor Op.47
‘Kreutzer’ (1803) [34:20] Violin Sonata No.10
in G major Op.96 (1812) [29:14] Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano
Trio in A minor Op.50 (1882) [43:06]
Pinchas Zukerman (violin); Jacqueline du Pré
(cello); Daniel Barenboim (piano) rec. Berlin,
Dec. 1971, Aug.1972 and Abbey Road, London,
June/July 1973 (Sonatas), and live, Mann Auditorium,
Tel Aviv, July 1972 (Trio) ADD
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 365224 2 [77:51 +
77:41][TH]
At
the price these very well filled discs can
be given a thumbs up ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony
No.5 in C minor Op.67 (1808) [32:32] Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony No.5 in D minor
Op.47 (1937) [43:30] Hallé Orchestra/Sir
John Barbirolli rec. Free Trade Hall, Manchester, 1 December
1966 (Beethoven); BBC Studios, Manchester, 22 February
1963 (Shostakovich) BBC
LEGENDS BBCL 4193-2 [76:04] [DC]
Barbirolli’s
approach to Shostakovich is uncompromising and digs deep, and his
Beethoven is honest and expressive – fans will not be disappointed.
... see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony
No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 Eroica (1803) [49:54] Symphony
No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 (1813) [25:25] Minnesota
Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä rec. June 2005, January 2006, Orchestra
Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
BIS SACD-1516 
[76:16][MG]
Vänskä
offers a fresh look at Beethoven based on highly cultivated playing
and fidelity to his dynamic markings. This provides mixed blessings.
… see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
CD 1 Piano Concerto no. 1 in C major op. 15 (1800) [36:57] Piano
Concerto no. 2 in B flat major op. 19 (1798) [29:30] CD 2 Piano
Concerto no. 3 in C minor op. 37 (1803-4) [35:12] Piano Concerto no.
4 in G major op. 58 (1805-6) [33:02] CD 3 Piano Concerto
no. 5 in E flat major op. 73 “Emperor” (1809) [38:30] Rondo in C major
op. 51 no. 1 (1795) [7:00] Rondo in G major op. 51 no. 2 (1799) [8:35]
Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Paul van Kempen rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche,
Berlin, May 1953 (Concertos); Beethovensaal, Hannover, January 1953
(Rondos), Mono
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ROSETTE COLLECTION 476 5299 [3 CDs: 66:34
+ 68:21 + 54:42] [IB]
Crystalline
beauty tells much of the story but doesn’t encompass the knotty, unpredictable
but ultimately necessary side of the composer’s character nearly as
well. ... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH BEETHOVEN: A JOURNEY
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) CD1 [77:03] Piano Sonata
in F minor, Op.2 No. 1 (1795) [22:59] Piano Sonata in A major, Op.2
No. 2 (1795) [27:27] Piano Sonata in C major, Op.2 No. 3 (1795) [26:32]
CD2 [77:24] Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 7 (1796-7) [27:20]
Piano Sonata in C minor, op. 10 No. 1 (1796-8) [17:48] Piano Sonata
in F major, Op, 10 No. 2 (1796-8) [16:37] Piano Sonata in G minor, Op.
49 No. 1 (1795-98) [7:27] Piano Sonata in G major, Op. 49 No. 2 (1795-96)
[8:03] CD3 [72:20] Piano Sonata in D major, Op. 10 No. 3 (1796-98)
[22:15] Piano Sonata in C minor Op. 13, “Grande Sonate Pathétique” (1798-99)
[19:13] Piano Sonata in E major, Op. 14 No. 1 (1798-99) [13:42] Piano
Sonata in G major, Op. 14 No. 2 (1798-99) [17:03] CD4 76:30]
Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op. 22 (1799-1800) [25:01] Piano Sonata
in A flat major, Op. 26 (1800-01) [19:38] Piano Sonata in E flat major,
Op. 27 No.1 Sonata quasi una Fantasia (1800-01) [16:18] Piano
Sonata in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 Sonata quasi una Fantasia,
“Moonlight: (1801) [15:27] CD5 [75:11] Piano Sonata in D major,
Op. 28, “Pastorale” (1801) [27:23] Piano Sonata in G major, Op. 31 No.
1 (1801-02) [23:58] Piano Sonata in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “The Tempest”
(1801-02) [23:47] CD6 [69:19] Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op.
31 No. 3 (1801-02) [24:40] Piano Sonata in C major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
(1803-04) [25:13] Piano Sonata in F major, Op. 54 (1804) [11:21] Andante
favori in F, WoO 57 (1803) [8:01] CD7 [74:38] Piano Sonata in
F minor, Op. 57, “Appassionata” (1804-05) [24:06] Piano Sonata in F
sharp minor, Op. 78 (1809) [10:02] Piano Sonata in G major, Op. 79 (1809)
[9:07] Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a, “Das Lebwohl” (“Les Adieux”)
(1809-10) [17:55] Piano Sonata in E minor, Op. 90 (1814)
[13:21] CD8 [62:50] Piano Sonata in A major, Op. 101 (1816)
[20:53] Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op. 106. “Für das
Hammerklavier” (1817-18) [42:04] CD9 [64:13] Piano Sonata
in E major, Op. 109 (1820) [19:06] Piano Sonata in A flat major, Op.
110 (1821) [19:09] Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 111 (1821-22)
[25:56] Craig
Sheppard (piano) Rec. live concerts, Meany Theater, Seattle, Washington,
USA. January 2003- May 2004 DDD
ROMÉO RECORDS 7233/41 [9 CDs:
77:03 + 77:24 + 72:20 + 76:30 + 75:11 + 69:19 + 74:38 + 62:50 + 64:13][JQ]
It’s
been a fascinating and very rewarding experience to make this Journey
with Craig Sheppard as my highly reliable and stimulating guide. I urge
those who take Beethoven’s piano music seriously to take this Journey
for themselves. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Luciano BERIO (1925-2003) The
Complete Sequenzas, Alternate Sequenzas CD1 Sequenza
I for flute, (1958) [7:56] Paula
Robison, rec. 1996 Sequenza II for harp (1963) [10:15] Susan
Jolles, rec. 1995Sequenza III for woman’s voice (1965) [8:46]
Isabelle Ganz, rec. 1996Sequenza IV for piano (1966) [12:05]
Aki Takahashi,
rec. 1999Sequenza V for trombone (1966) [5:02]
Stuart Dempster, rec. 1995Sequenza VI for viola (1967) [13:16] Garth Knox,
rec. 1995Sequenza VII for oboe (1969/2000) [7:36] Jacqueline Leclair,
rec. 2004 CD2 Sequenza VIII for violin (1976) [13:56] Irvine Arditti,
rec. 1995Sequenza IXa for clarinet (1980) [16:04] Carol Robinson, rec.
2000Sequenza IXb for alto saxophone (1981) [17:50] Kelland Thomas, rec.
1967Sequenza X for trumpet and piano resonance (1984) [15:16] William
Foreman, rec. 2001)Sequenza XI for guitar (1987/8) [18:42] Seth Josel.,
rec. 2003 CD3 Sequenza XII for bassoon (1995) [17:07] Noriko Shimada,
rec. 2001Sequenza XIII for accordion “Chanson” 1995) [10:10] Stefan Hussong,
rec. 2000*Sequenza XIVa for cello (2002) [11:38] Rohan de Saram, rec.
2004*Sequenza VIb for cello (1981) [15:34]
Rohan de Saram, rec. 2001*Sequenza VIIb for soprano saxophone (1995) [7:29]
Ulrich Krieger, rec. 2004Sequenza IXc for bass clarinet (1980) [13:37]
Alain Billard, rec. 2005 CD4 Sequenza XIVb for contrabass (2004)
[12:56]
Stefano Scodanibbio, rec. 2005*Rounds for harpsichord (1964/5) [2:08]
Jane Chapman, rec. 2005Gesti for recorder (1966) [5:20] Lucia Mense, rec.
1995Fa-Si for organ (1975) [9:47]
Gary Verkade, rec. 2005Les mots sont allés…for cello (1978) [4:03] Rohan
de Saram, rec. 2004Lied for clarinet (1983) [5:04] Comma for clarinet
(1987) [1:34]
Carol Robinson, rec. 2005*Psy for contrabass (1989) [1:57] Michael Cameron,
rec. date unknown Chanson pour Pierre Boulez for cello (2000) [2:46] Rohan
de Saram, rec. 2006*Gute Nacht for trumpet (1986) [1:04] Brian McWhorter,
rec. 2005 *first recording All Sequenzas are preceded by verses of Edoardo Sanguinetti
performed by Enzo
Salomane MODE 161/3 [4 CDs:
66:43 + 78:11 + 76:36 + 47:02] [AOz]
The
most complete collection of Sequenzas and related pieces, with
outstanding first performances – essential listening for any serious
Berio fan ... see Full
Review
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803–1869) Te Deum Op. 22 [1849] [51.43] Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Die Meistersinger (Overture) [11.35] Jose
Carreras (tenor) Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera
Chorus; The Prague Philharmonic Choir; Tolzer Boys Choir; Aurelius
Boys Choir Martin Haselbock (organ) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Claudio
Abbado rec. live, Alte Oper, Frankfurt, 12 September 1992. DVD.
(PCM Stereo) ARTHAUS
MUSIK 102 029 
[66:00][JPh]
9
out of 10 for performance and recording and 0 out of 10 for presentation.
... see Full Review
Ernest BLOCH
(1880-1959) Cello Music Meditation
Hébraïque for cello and piano (1924) [6:44] From Jewish Life
for cello and piano (Prayer, Supplication, Jewish
Dance) (1924) [10:17] Suite No. 1 for Solo Cello (1956-7) [14:26]
Suite No. 2 for Solo Cello (1956-7) [22:18] Suite No. 3 for Solo Cello
(1956-7) [14:21]
Parry Karp (cello) Francis Karp (piano) rec. Gilbert Recording Studio,
Los Angeles, CA, 5 January 1990 (suites); 15 August 1992. ADD
LAUREL LR-865CD [68:19][RB]
These
performances are uniformly magnificent with - commitment and communicative
passion ... see Full Review
Artur Rubinstein (piano)
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15
(1854-58) [46:59] ¹ Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No.23 in A major K488 (1786) [26:56]
² Artur Rubinstein (piano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Colin Davis ¹ English Chamber Orchestra/Colin
Davis ² rec. Royal Festival Hall, 4 December 1968 (Brahms); Guildhall,
City of London (Mozart) 13 July 1962
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4187-2 [76:40][JW]
Singularly
impressive examples of Rubinstein’s art ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Ein Deutsches Requiem
Op.45 (1869-1870)
Susan Gritton (soprano), Hanno Müller-Brachmann (baritone), Evgenia
Rubinova (piano I), José Gallardo (piano II) Choir of King’s College,
Cambridge Stephen Cleobury (director) rec. 22-25 April 2006, Chapel
of Jesus College, Cambridge.
EMI CLASSICS 3 66948 2 [65:14][DC]
A
well produced performance and excellent recording
which can safely be recommended to aficionados
and curious newcomers alike. ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Ein
Deutsches Requiem (1868) [60.03] Geistliches
Lied (1856) [4.36]
Clare Seaton (soprano) Colin Campbell (baritone)
The Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse rec. St.
Jude’s Hampstead, London NW1, 24-26 October
2003
GUILD MUSIC GMCD7302 [64.39] [RH]
There
are other versions of this arrangement and you might be well advised
to try listening to some of them before deciding which you should buy.
... see Full Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Tragic
Overture, Op. 81 (1880) [12:41] Concerto for Violin and
Cello in A minor, Op. 102 Double (1887) [32:58] Max
BRUCH (1838-1920) Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor,
Op. 26 (1868) [24:33] David
Oistrakh (violin) Pierre Fournier (cello) Philharmonia Orchestra/Alceo
Galliera; London Symphony Orchestra/Lovro von Matacic (Bruch)
rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 29 February, 1-2 March 1958 (Brahms
concerto); 2 November 1956 (Tragic); No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road,
London 17-18 November 1954 (Bruch). ADD EMI
CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3 45758 2 [70:25]
[RB]
Fine
revivals from the EMI stable and a pleasure to welcome them back.
... see Full Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) Orchestral Song-Cycles vol. 2 Serenade
for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31a (1943) [22:57]; Nocturne,
Op. 60b (1958) [26:35]; Phaedra, Op. 93c
(1975) [14:57].
abPhilip Langridge (tenor); aFrank
Lloyd (horn); cAnn Murray (mezzo); acEnglish
Chamber Orchestra, bNorthern Sinfonia/Steuart Bedford. rec.
acHenry Wood Hall, London; bSt Nicholas, Newcastle,
July 1994. DDD Originally released on Collins Classics in 1994. Texts
included.
NAXOS 8.557199 [64:29][SH]
This
superb Naxos CD ... see Full
Review
Max BRUCH
(1838-1920) Violin Concerto
No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 (1866) [23:09] Scottish
Fantasy, Op. 46 (1880) [28:44]
Arthur Grumiaux (violin) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Heinz Wallberg rec.
London, September 1973
PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 476 8485
[52:00][SV]
For
collectors, this Eloquence issue will prove a valuable, even endearing
supplement. ... see Full Review
Ferrucio
BUSONI (1866-1924) Zwei
Lieder (1879-90) [6:43] Album Vocale (1880-4) [14:42] Zwei
altdeutsche Lieder (1884)[3:45] Hebräische Lieder (1884) [7:47]
Zwei Lieder (1885) [6:34] Der Sängers Fluch (1878) [17:34]
Goethe-Lieder (1918-1924) [10:19] Reminiscenza Rossiniana (1924)
[1:39] Martin
Bruns (baritone); Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) rec. Munich, September
2004. DDD NAXOS
8.557245 [69:03] [AOz]
Busoni’s
distinctive, witty Goethe-Lieder are the main draw of this recording
... see Full Review
Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE (c.1637-1707)
Harpsichord Works Toccata in G (BuxWV 165) [04:58]
La Capricciosa - 32 Variations on 'Bergamasca' (BuxWV 250)
[17:39] Auf meinen lieben Gott, chorale partita (BuxWV 179)
[05:36] Praeludium in G (BuxWV 162) [05:26] Air with 2 Variations
in a minor (BuxWV 249) [06:44] Praeludium in g minor (BuxWV
163) [07:31] Suite in g minor (BuxWV 241) [05:18] Canzonetta
in G (BuxWV 171) [02:06]
Glen Wilson (harpsichord) rec. July 2003, Schüttbau in Rügheim, Germany.
DDD NAXOS 8.557413 [55:19]
[PSh]
A
representative choice from Buxtehude's oeuvre for harpsichord,
played in gestural and rhetorical manner ... see Full
Review
ALPHABETICAL
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