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Friday November 30th


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William Alwyn On Friday 30th November at the Wigmore Hall, London, beginning at 7.30pm, the celebrated British pianist Ashley Wass will be giving performances of both the Twelve Preludes and Fantasy Waltzes. Also on the programme are works by Liszt (Annee de Pelerinage Bk1 - Excerpts and Debussy Preludes Bk1 - selection). The concert also sees the launch by the Naxos label of the first volume of two discs devoted to Alwyn's piano music. This first volume, containing several world premiere recordings, includes the following works: Sonata alla Toccata, Green Hills, Cricketty Mill, Prelude and Fugue Formed on an Indian Scale, Haze of Noon, Harvest Home, Fancy Free, April Morn and the Fantasy Waltzes.


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BOOK REVIEWS

THE REST IS NOISE by Alex Ross 624 pages Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2007 Hardback: 0374249393, £10.76 $30 [KM]

An excellent overview of twentieth-century classical music ... see Full Review

1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die General Editor Matthew Rye ISBN: 1844035794 13 Digit ISBN: 9781844035793 Publication Date: 15 Nov 2007 Format: Paperback Page Size: 210 x 160mm Number of Pages: 960 Price: £20.00 CASSELL – Octopus Books [RB]

Fresh and handsomely done … a book that informs and provokes … if it stimulates listeners to explore then all to the good. ... see Full Review

The Clock of the Years - a Gerald and Joy Finzi Anthology ed. Rolf Jordan Chosen Press ISBN 978 0 9556373 0 8 Hardback 300 pp. £20.00 or $30.00 [RB]

Essential, surprising and gratifying reading. ... see Full Review

The Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music 2008
Ivan March, Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton and Paul Czajkowski
(London: Penguin, 2007) 1588pp. Paperback ISBN 978-0-141-03336-5 rrp £25 but currently £17.50 ($19.80) from Amazon UK and US [IL]

For the serious collector both books are indispensable and complement each other. ... see Full Review


LATEST CD REVIEWS

Friday November 30th

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Double Concerto in A minor Op.102 (1887) [34:25] Clarinet Quintet in B Minor Op.115 (1891) [37:56]* Renaud Capuçon (violin), Gautier Capuçon (cello), Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester/Myung-Whun Chung; Paul Meyer (clarinet), Capuçon Quartet rec. Osterfestspiele - Grosses Festspielhaus (Salzburg, Austria), Grazer Kongress – Stefaniensaal (Graz, Austria), Wiener Musikverein (Vienna, Austria), 8-10 April 2007; Paris, Eglise du Bon Secours, 9-10 July 2007*. DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 3951472 [72:21] [TP]

One of the essential purchases of 2007 ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) A Midsummer Night’s Dream Op. 64 – an opera in three acts after William Shakespeare (1960) [144:36] James Bowman (counter-tenor) - Oberon; Lillian Watson (soprano) - Tytania; Dexter Fletcher (spoken) - Puck; John Graham Hall (tenor) - Lysander; Henry Herford (baritone) - Demetrius Della Jones (mezzo) – Hermia; Jill Gomez (soprano) - Helena; Norman Bailey (bass) - Theseus; Penelope Walker (soprano) - Hippolyta; Donald Maxwell (bass) - Bottom; Roger Bryson (tenor) – Peter Quince; Adrian Thompson (tenor) - Francis Flute; Robert Horn (tenor)- Snoat; Andrew Gallacher (tenor) - Snug; Richard Suart (tenor) - Starveling; Simon Hart; Gregory Pierre; Andrew Mead; Nicholas Watson – Fairies. City of London Sinfonia/Richard Hickox rec. November 1990, Studio 1, Abbey Road, London VIRGIN CLASSICS 3818322 [77.14 + 77.12] [GH]

I was disappointed. This seems to lack cohesion and substance ... see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem, Op. 48 (1900 version)* [38:12] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Quattro pezzi sacri (1889-1897) [39:07] Dame Janet Baker (soprano)/*Gérard Souzay (baritone) Philharmonia Chorus/Philharmonia Orchestra/Carlo-Maria Giulini rec. Royal Festival Hall, London, 30 April 1962. ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL42212 [78:43] [JQ]

This is another valuable BBC Legends release and a welcome addition to the Giulini discography ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 8 (1908) Twyla Robinson (soprano); Erin Wall (soprano); Adriane Quieroz (soprano); Michelle De Young (contralto); Soimone Schröder (contralto); Johan Botha (tenor); Hanno Müller-Bracchmann (baritone); Robert Holl (bass); Tobias Berndt (organ) Chor der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin; Rundfunkchor Berlin; Aurelius Sängerknaben Calw; Staatskapelle Berlin/Pierre Boulez rec. Jesus-Christus Kirche, Berlin, April 2007 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4776597 [23:44 + 61:32] [AOz]

A truly amazing performance and recording, exceptionally vivid and life-affirming ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868) Il barbiere di Siviglia (1816) Maria Callas (soprano) – Rosina; Luigi Alva (tenor) – Il conte d’Almaviva; Tito Gobbi (baritone) – Figaro; Fritz Ollendorff (bass) – Bartolo; Nicola Zaccaria (bass) – Basilio; Gabriella Carturan (mezzo) – Berta; Mario Carlin (tenor) – Fiorello Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus/Alceo Galliera rec. 7–14 February 1957, Kingsway Hall, London texts and translations included EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3920462 [66:09 + 63:52] [GF]

Competition is undeniably keen but I had a very pleasant evening listening to this set and there wasn’t a dull moment ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Cello Sonata Op. 40(1934) [27:54] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1874-1942) Cello Sonata, Op. 19b (1900) [33:43]; Vocalise, Op. 34/14b (1915, arr. cello and piano) [4:12] Boris Andrianov (cello); Rem Urasin (piano). rec. live, Moscow, May 2006 (Shostakovich); live, Small Hall, St Petersburg Conservatory, 6 October 2004 (Rachmaninov) QUARTZ QTZ2053 [65:53] [CC]

Andrianov and Urasin are two mightily talented youngsters. One can only credit their bravery in releasing this particular repertory. Keep watching ... see Full Review

The Italian Ground Gaspar SANZ (1640-c.1710) Rujero [0:51]; Paradetas [0:27]; Zarabanda [1:43]; Folias [2:05]; La Cavalleria de Napoles con dos Clarines [1:13]; Canciones [0:29]; Lantururu [0:45]; Dos Trompetas de la Reyna de Suecia [0:33]; La Esfachata de Cataluña [0:59]; Canarios [3:38] Lucas Ruiz DE RIBAYAZ (1626-after 1677) Tarantella [5:21] Giovanni Girolamo KAPSBERGER (c.1580-1651) Toccata [2:05]; Colascione [1:49]; Kapsperger [2:32]; Canario [1:57] Alonso MUDARRA (c.1510-1580) Fantasia que contrahaze la harpa en la manera de Ludovico [2:12] Santiago DE MURCIA (c.1682-c.1732) Gaitas [3:09]; Cumbees [2:19] Bernardo GIANONCELLI (d. c.1650) Tastegiata [1:51]; Galliarda [1:33]; Corrente [1:17]; Bergamasca [2:48] Lucas Ruiz DE RIBAYAZ Españoletas [3:20] Alessandro PICCININI (1566-1638) Chiaccona in partite variate [2:50] Bellerofonte CASTALDI (1580-1649) Quagliotta Canzone [3:40] Lucas Ruiz DE RIBAYAZ Chaconas [1:07]; Marionas [1:24] anon The Italian Ground [4:08] Ludovico's Band ((Ruth Wilkinson (viola da gamba); Marshall McGuire (triple harp); Tommie Andersson, Samantha Cohen (theorbo, guitar); Guy du Blêt (percussion)) rec. February 2006, Iwaki Auditorium, Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Southbank Centre, Melbourne, Australia. DDD ABC CLASSICS 4766158 [59:49] [JV]

Fine music in fine performances, but in many cases not in accordance with what the composers had in mind ... see Full Review

Late Romantic Music for Cello and Piano John IRELAND (1879-1962) Sonata in G minor (1923) [21:40] Albéric MAGNARD (1865-1914) Sonata in A major Op.20 (1910) [31:21] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Improvisation from Violin Sonata Op.18 (1888) arranged for cello and piano by Parry Karp [9:12] George ENESCU (1881-1955) Sonata No.2 in C major Op.26 No.2 (1935) [30:54] Sergei RACHMNAINOFF (1873-1943) Sonata in G minor Op.19 (1901) [36:26] Parry Karp (cello), Howard Karp (piano) No recording details UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON SCHOOL OF MUSIC 1913956907 [62:29 + 67:51] [JW]

A splendid conspectus of cello sonatas. Make an effort to seek this out ... see Full Review

Mare, Luna e d’intorni – The Golden Age of Neapolitan Song Di GIACOMO/COSTA Catari' [3:45] Era de Maggio [4:17] 'e spingule frangese [3:35] TRADITIONAL Mare 'e Margellina [2:40] INSTRUMENTAL Tarantella [1:41] Monte marano [4:12] VIVIANI 'o vapore [1:44] Quanno jarraie a spusa [3:21] Lavannarè'!.[3:31] Tarantella segreta [2:20] NICOLARDI/NARDELLA 'mmiez'ô ggrano [4:32] Giacomo ROSSINI Danza (instrumental) [3:59] DE LUCA/BUONGIOVANNI 'a cartulina 'e Napule [3:08] DEL PRETE/LABRIOLA Lo cardillo [4:38] GALDIERI/BONAVOLANTA Serenatella a na cumpagna 'e scola [2:57] DI BOVIO/CANNIO 'a serenata 'e Pulicenella [3:23] DI CIACOMO/MARIO Miérolo affurtunato [4:08] GALLO/PERSICO 'e palumme [2:40] Luciano Catapano (tenor and guitar) Gino Evangelista (mandolin) rec. live, Eglise St-Nicolas, Rougemont, Switzerland, June 2006 CLAVES 502618 [60:42] [JW]

The guitar-mandolin duo works nicely; sometimes brisk and jaunty, with fine sonority and good ensemble work ... see Full Review

Trumpet Colors William SCHMIDT (b.1926) Jazzberries (1982) [12:10] Alex SHAPIRO (b.1962) Elegy [7:46] Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Las Cuatro estaciones porteñas - arranged by Ishmael Betancor and Carlos Rivero [25:20] Scott ROBBINS (b.1964) Three Blues for cello and trumpet (1988) [9:34] Robert J. BRADSHAW (b.1970) Statements, Commanding (2004) [15:05] Trio Chromos; Ishmael Betancor (trumpet): José Luis Castillo (piano): Carlos Rivero (cello) rec. Parafino, U.L.P.G.C, undated CRYSTAL RECORDS CD766 [70:31] [JW]

Enjoyable and never trivial, these works are excellently realised ... see Full Review

 

Thursday November 29th

Johann Ludwig BACH (1677-1731) Das Blut Jesu Christi [7:40] Das ist meine Freude [4:40] Die richtig für sich gewandelt haben [11:25] Gedenke meiner, mein Gott [10:45]* Gott, sei uns gnädig [5:21]+ Ich habe dich ein klein Augenblick verlassen [8:15] Ich will auf den Herren schauen [6:58] Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele [8:43] Uns ist ein Kind geboren [6:40] Wir wissen, so unser irdisches Haus [7:00] Stephan Van Dijck (tenor)*, Dirk Snellings (bass)+ Ex Tempore Gent/Orpheon Consort/Florian Heyerick rec. l'église de Boissières-Saint Gérard CARUS 83187 [77:36] [JW]

These polychoral settings are enjoyable, sometimes refined, often exciting, and occasionally more run-of-the-mill ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas Volume II Sonata in C op. 53 – Waldstein” [23:31] Sonata in D minor op. 31/2 [23:32] Sonata in E flat op. 81a - “Les Adieux” [16:33] John O’Conor (piano) rec. 3-5 April 1987, Maltings, Snape, UK TELARC CD-80160 [64:10] [CH]

A reissue of one of the more collectable of O’Conor’s Beethoven sonata discs ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony no. 1 in C minor op. 68 [44:27] Variations on a Theme of Haydn op. 56a [16:47] Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra/Marek Janowski rec. live, March 2007, Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC 5186 307 [61:31] [CH]

Among the most recommendable versions of both works ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1907) Stabat Mater Op. 58 (1876-77) Yvonne Kenny (soprano); Eva Randová (mezzo); Wieslaw Ochmann (tenor); Ján Galla (bass) Prague Philharmonic Chorus Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Vaclav Neumann. rec. Vladislav Hall, Hradčany, Prague, 1989. PCM Stereo; 4:3 DVD 9; NTSC ARTHAUS MUSIC 102109 [87:00] [CC]

It is Neumann’s evident passion for every note of the score that shines through most. This is a very special DVD that deserves every success ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Tasso, Lament and Triumph (1851) [20:16] Les Préludes (1853) [16:26] Mazeppa (1851) [15:52] Orpheus (1854) [10:17] Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra/Michel Plasson rec. 1994 BERLIN CLASSICS BASICS 0186022BC [62:51] [TB]

The music’s strengths are clear enough in this well recorded and played account ... see Full Review

Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana (1890) Violeta Urmana (soprano) – Santuzza; Vincenzo LaScola (tenor) – Turiddu; Dragana Jugovic (mezzo) – Lola; Viorica Cortez (mezzo) – Mamma Lucia; Marco di Felice (baritone) – Alfio Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1858–1919) Pagliacci (1892) Vladimir Galouzine (tenor) – Canio; María Bayo (soprano) – Nedda; Carlo Guelfi (baritone) – Tonio; Antonio Gandia (tenor) – Beppe; Ángel Ódena (baritone) – Silvio; Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real (Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus)/Jesús López Cobos Stage Director: Giancarlo Del Monaco; Set Designer: Johannes Leiacker; Costume Designer: Birgit Wentsch; Lighting Designer: Wolfgang von Zoubek Television Director: Angel Luis Ramírez rec. Teatro Real de Madrid, 27 February, 2 March 2007 extra features on DVD2: interviews with Giancarlo Del Monaco, Jesús López Cobos, Violeta Urmana, Vincenzo LaScola, Vladimir Galouzine and María Bayo OPUS ARTE OA0983D [2 DVDs: 201:00] [GF]

Intense performances … certainly worth every opera-lover’s attention ... see Full Review

Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) María de Buenos Aires Suite [20:48] Verano Porteño [8:58] Milonga del Ángel [6:18] Chiquilín de Bachín [4:49] Libertango [2:46] Oblivion [3:53] Balada para un Loco [4:29] Versus Ensemble; Enrique Moratalla (vocals); Maria Rey-Joly (soprano); Horacio Ferrer (reciter, sung and spoken texts) rec. Caja Rural Auditorium, Granada, December 2006 except Milonga de la Annunciación from María de Buenos Aires Suite, rec. live, Tango World Meeting, Valparaiso, Chile, January 2007  NAXOS 8.570523 [52:15] [JW]

Adequate but not especially imaginative arrangements ... see Full Review

Ned ROREM (b. 1923) Piano Concerto No.2 (1951) [34:08] Cello Concerto (2002) [25:10] Simon Mulligan (piano); Wen-Sinn Yang (cello) Royal Scottish National Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. 30-31 August 2006, Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow NAXOS 8.559315 [59:18] [BBr]

Performances that are as fine as one could hope for ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Die schöne Müllerin, D795 (1823) [65:13]; Schwanengesang, D957 (1828) [52:40] Lieder, Op. 80 (1826): No. 1 Der Wanderer an den Mond [2:35]; No. 2 Das Zügenglöcklein [5:26]; No. 3 Im Freien [5:32] Winterreise, D911 (1827) [75:16] Olaf Bär (baritone), Geoffrey Parsons (piano) rec. 16-20 June 1986, Lukaskirche, Dresden (Die schöne Müllerin); August 1989, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (Schwanengesang; Lieder Op. 80); December 1988 (Winterreise). DDD EMI CLASSICS 5009342 [3 CDs: 66:13 + 66:11 + 75:16] [GF]

There are few better readings of these song-cycles available at any price ... see Full Review

For Children Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Für Elise (1808) [3:33] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Kinderszenen Op.15 (1838) [18:08] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Children’s Corner (1908) [15:42] Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) For Children – extracts; Book 1 Nos.1, 3, 5, 16, 35 Book II Nos 18, 34 (1908) [6:20] Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) O polichinelo – Prole do Bébé No.1 [0:49] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker Suite (1892) arranged for piano, two hands, by Dag Achatz [22:29] Dag Achatz (piano) rec. Nacka Aula, Nacka, April and May 1980; Studio BIS, Djursholm, May 1983 (Tchaikovsky) BIS CD158 [68:12] [JW]

Rather an up-and-down affair all told. Rather difficult to delineate a target audience as well ... see Full Review

 

Wednesday November 28th

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) CD1 String Quartet No. 3 (1927) [29:58] String Quartet No. 4 (1937) [22:27] CD2 Piano Trio No. 2 (1929) [30:36] Phantasy Piano Quartet (1910) [12:45] Miniatures for Piano Trio (Set 3) (c. 1907 pub. 1915) [8:42] Allegri Quartet (Hugh Maguire (violin); David Roth (violin); Patrick Ireland (viola); Bruno Schrecker (cello)) Tunnell Trio (John Tunnell (violin); Charles Tunnell (cello); Susan Tunnell (piano)) Brian Hawkins (viola) rec. Kingsway Hall, London, December 1971 (CD 1); Christ Church, Chelsea December 1976 (CD 2). ADD LYRITA SRCD.302 [52:29 + 52:08] Two discs for the price of one [EMc]

A perfect introduction to the composer’s chamber music and to one of Britain’s most original and imaginative composers. ... see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Music for Horn, Voice, and Strings Artik - Concerto for Horn and String Orchestra, Op. 78 (1948) [18:25] Psalm and Fugue No. 2 for Four Horns (1954) [4:30] Concerto No. 3, Diran (The Religious Singer), Op. 94 (1948) [11:20] Chahagir (Torchbearer) op. 56, no. 1 for solo viola (1944) [4:43] Angelic Song, Cantata for Voice, Horn, and String Orchestra, Op. 19 (1947-48) [16:01] Robin Dauer (horn) Suzanne Banister (soprano) Karen Griebling, viola Hendrix College Chamber Orchestra/Karen Griebling rec. May 2006, Reynolds Hall for the Performing Arts; Solus Recording Studio, both Conway, Arkansas. DDD, CENTAUR CRC 2872 [55:00] [RB]

Earlyish Hovhaness engaging with the angelic realm. If you like his more dissonant adventures then this is not really for you. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giya KANCHELI (born 1935) Styx (1999)a [35:46] John TAVENER (born 1944) The Myrrh-Bearer (1993)b [41:56] Maxim Rysanov (viola); Rihards Zaļupe (percussion)b; Kamēr... Choirab; Men of the State Choir Latvijab; Liepāja Symphony Orchestraa; Māris Sirmais rec. Dome Cathedral, Riga, Latvia, September 2006 Words and translations included ONYX 4023 [77:42] [HC]

One of Kancheli’s most personal achievements, and one of his most deeply moving works. ... see Full Review

Dave MARIC Borrowed Time: Predicaments (2003) [5:29 + 4:34]; Lucid Intervals (2006) [3:57 + 4:25 + 2:17]; Sense and Innocence (2002) [10:11]; Shapeshifter (2001) [7:18]; Borrowed Time (2003) [10:00]; Trilogy (2000) [5:25 + 4:06 + 3:37] Colin Currie (percussion) with Dave Maric (piano) (1,2), Hakan Hardenberger (flugelhorn and trumpet) (3-5), Sam Walton (percussion) (7), Clive Driskill-Smith (organ) (8) DDD ONYX 4024 [61:36] [CR]

A series of contemporary works which are approachable and engaging, without being dumbed down in any way …see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Fontane di Roma (1914-16) [17:05] Pini di Roma (1924) [23:07] Il tramonto (1918) [15:46]* Roman Festivals (1929) [24:27] Christine Rice (mezzo)* Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia/Antonio Pappano rec. concert and sessions 11-23 January 2007, Sala Santa Cecilia, Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome. DDD Text of Il tramonto in German, Italian, English and French; liner notes in English, German and French. EMI CLASSICS 3944292 [80:41] [TP]

With incredible music-making, Pappano deserves to do very well with this release... see Full Review

Malcolm WILLIAMSON (1931-2003) Overture ‘Santiago de Espada’ (1967) [6:33] Elevamini – Symphony No. 1 (1957) [19:49] Sinfonia Concertante for three trumpets, piano and strings (1958-61) * [18:46] Piano Sonata No. 2 (1957 rev.1971) ** [17:28] Martin Jones (piano) * Malcolm Williamson (piano) ** Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Groves rec. Liverpool, June 1976 (orchestral); Kingsway Hall, London, September 1971. ADD LYRITA SRCD.281 [72.43] [RB]

Williamson caught in accessibility, brilliance and dour gestural defiance. ... see Full Review

The Carols Album Huddersfield Choral Society/Joseph Cullen Darius Battiwalla (organ) rec. Huddersfield Town Hall, 12-14 January 2007; text and translations included SIGNUM SIGCD108 [74:12] [JS]

Favourite carols in varied and attractive arrangements, well sung and recorded... see Full Review

Noël Nouvelet Traditional and Contemporary Carols Felix MENDELSSOHN; Michael HEAD; Bob CHILCOTT; John RUTTER; Kenneth LEIGHTON, Jonathan RATHBONE; Judith WEIR; Morten LAURIDSEN; Stephen JACKSON; Naji HAKIM;Humphrey CLUCAS; Paul EDWARDS; Franz GRUBER; John GARDNER; Nigel SHORT; Malcolm SARGENT; Mel TORMÉ; Ward SWINGLE; Andrew CARTER Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse *Jeremy Filsell (organ) rec. 2006 texts and translations included GUILD GMCD7314 [60:06] [JS]

One of the most enjoyable Christmas discs I have heard for many years ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kate Royal: DEBUSSY L’Enfant prodigue - Air de Lia; DELIBES Les Filles de Cadix - Chanson espagnole; CANTELOUBE Chants d‘Auvergne: Baïlèro; Malurous qu’o uno fenno; La delaïssádo; RAVEL Vocalise en forme de habanera (orch; Hoerée); STRAVINSKY The Rake’s Progress: No word from Tom; My father! Can I desert him; I go, I go to him; ORFF Carmina Burana: In trutina; R. STRAUSS Wiegenlied, Op. 41/1; Morgen!, Op; 27/4; Ich wollt’ ein Strãusslein binden, Op. 68/2; GRANADOS Goyescas: Queyas, o la maja y el ruiseňor; RODRIGO Cuatro Madrigales amatorios; TRADITIONAL The Sprig of Thyme Kate Royal (soprano) Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Edward Gardner. rec. Abbey Road Studios, London, no date supplied EMI CLASSICS 394419-2 [65:14] [CC][SV]

This disc bodes well for a singer of clear and huge talent. ... see Full Review

A Venetian Christmas First Mass of Christmas in St Mark’s as it might have been celebrated in Venice around 1600 Giovanni GABRIELI (1554/56-1612) Intonazione dell’undecimo tono [0:30] Audite principes [5:23] Introit (chant) [2:10] Cipriano de RORE (1516-1565) Missa ‘Præter rerum seriem’a 7: Kyrie [4;11] Missa ‘Præter rerum seriem’: Gloria [6:55] Oratio (Collect, chant) [0:57] Prophetia (OT reading, chant) [1:36] Epistola (Epistle, chant) [1:34] GABRIELI Canzon noni toni [3:26] Evangelium (Gospel, chant) [3:48] de RORE Missa ‘Præter rerum seriem’: Credo GABRIELI Intonazione del settimo tono [0:30] Salvator noster a 15 [4:11]
Præfatio (Preface, chant) [2:09] de RORE Missa ‘Præter rerum seriem’: Sanctus [6;20] Elevatio : Toccata (improvised after Girolamo FRESCOBALDI) [2:21] Gabrieli O Jesu mi dulcissime [6:14] Pater noster (chant) [1:52] de RORE Missa ‘Præter rerum seriem’: Agnus Dei [2:39] GABRIELI Canzon duodecimi toni [2:36] Postcommunio – Benedictio (Postcommunion and Blessing, chant) [2:37] Quem vidistis pastores? [8:48] Gabrieli Consort and Players (on authentic instruments, pitch a’=440)/Paul McCreesh rec. Brinkburn Priory, Weldon, Northumberland, UK, July 1998. DDD. Booklet with notes in English, German and French, full texts and translations.
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ARCHIV 471 333-2 [80:57] [BW]

A refreshing Christmas recording to set alongside McCreesh's Lutheran Christmas ... see Full Review

What Child Is This? Lesser-known Christmas music and arrangements Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus/Paul Halley rec. 2006 PELAGOS MUSIC PEL1005 CD [66:42] [MM]

A varied and unique collection of popular and lesser-known Christmas music ... see Full Review

 

Tuesday November 27th

Charles D'AMBLEVILLE (late 16th century–1637) Mass (transc. Joseph-Marie AMIOT (1718–1793) Actiones nostras; Acte d'humilite; Prelude "Pin, bamboo, prunus"; Aspersion de l'eau; Elevation de l'hostie; Elevation du calice; Salve Regina; L'ois qui se pose; Sanctissima; Pater; Communion; Prière à Jésus-Christ; Prière au Saint Sacrement; Prière après l'Office; Ave Maria Simon BOYLEAU (1544-1586) Per la Nativita della Beata Vergine Teodorico PEDRINI (1641-1746) Sonata XII (adagio and pastorale) Francois Picard (orgue a bouche sheng, flute vertical ziao, hautbois guanzi) Ensemble Meihua Fleur de Prunus Choeur du Centre Catholique Chinois de Paris XVIII-21 Musique des Lumières/Jean-Christophe Frisch (flute, clavecin) rec. Temple Bon Secours, Paris, June 1998, originally issued on Auvidis Astrée NAIVE E8910 [79.25][RH]

Mixes scholarship with charm and intelligence in a way which illuminates a forgotten corner of Sino-European musical cross-fertilization ... see Full Review

Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Five Novelettes for string quartet, Op.15 [31:16] String Quintet in A major, Op.39 (1891-92) [32:12] A Fine Arts Quartet Nathaniel Rosen (cello) A rec. 2-4 February 2005, The American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, USA. NAXOS 8.570256 [63:28][MC]

I gained significant enjoyment from this desirable release. The delightful and substantial Five Novelettes are a hidden gem worthy of discovery ... see Full Review

George Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Solomon - oratorio in three acts HWV67 (1748) [156:41] Tim Mead (alto) - Solomon; Dominique Labelle (soprano) – Solomon’s Queen; First Harlot; Claron McFaddon (soprano) – Queen of Sheba, Second Harlot; Michael Slattery (tenor) – Zadok; William Kendall (tenor) – Attendant; Roderick Williams (bass) – Levite Winchester Cathedral Choir Göttingen Festival Orchestra/Nicholas McGegan rec. live, Frauenkirche, Dresden, 26 May 2007. SACDs Text and German translation included CARUS 83.242 [3 discs: 60:20 + 49:15 + 47:04][JS]

A delightfully fresh sounding account of a wonderfully life-enhancing work ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 97 in C major (1792) [23:35] L’anima del filosofo ossia Orfeo ed Euridice: overture (1791) [3:49] Symphony No. 102 in B flat major (1794) [23:49] Osterreichisch-Ungarische Haydn-Philharmonie/Adam Fischer rec. Haydnsaal, Schloss Esterhazy, Eisenstadt 14-17 September 2006. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 901 1452-6  [51:32][MG]

Fischer’s Haydn is individual yet highly persuasive, sophisticated, with a fine transparency of texture and easy to live with … see Full Review

Marin MARAIS (1656-1728) Music for viola da gamba Les Folies d'Espagne [18:14] Suite in e minor [30:35] Le Labyrinthe [12:28] Ensemble Spirale (Marianne Muller (viola da gamba), Sylvie Abramowicz (viola da gamba - bc), Charles-Édouard Fantin (guitar), Claire Antonini (theorbo), Violaine Cochard, (harpsichord))/Marianne Muller rec. October 2005, St Michael Church, Paris, France. DDD ZIGZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT060801 [61:20][JV]

An excellent recording of Marais' music for viola da gamba - not to be missed ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No.39 in E flat, K543 [24.47] Oboe Concerto in C, K314 [17:38] German Dance in C, K600 no.1 [1:56] German Dance in G, K600 no.5 [1:38] German Dance in C, K602 no.3 [1:49] German Dance in C, K605 no.3 [1:46] Symphony No.36 in C, Linz, K425 [24.26] Erich Kleiber rehearses Symphony No.39 [5:26] Lothar Faber (oboe) Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra (now WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne)/Erich Kleiber; Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra/Erich Kleiber (K425) rec. 20 January 1956 - WDR Studio 1, Cologne Radio; 31 December 1955 - Stuttgart Symphony No.39; German Dances previously available: DECCA ACL 226 MEDICI MASTERS MM011-2 [79.56][BBr]

Mozart just as he should be: big, bold and forthright ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Il trovatore (1853) Stella Roman (soprano) – Leonora; Leonard Warren (baritone) – Il Conte di Luna; Margaret Harshaw (mezzo) – Azucena; Jussi Björling (tenor) – Manrico; Giacomo Vaghi (bass) – Ferrando; Lodovico Oliviero (tenor) – Ruiz; Inge Manski (soprano) – Inez; John Baker (bass) – Gypsy Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Emil Cooper rec. live broadcast, Metropolitan Opera, New York, 27 December 1947 Audio restoration by Ward Marston WEST HILL RADIO ARCHIVES WHRA-6010 [68:57 + 61:25][GF]

One of the most sensational historical ‘finds’ for many a moon ... see Full Review

Boris Christoff - Russian Opera Arias & Songs Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839–1881) Boris Godunov (rev. Rimsky-Korsakov): 1. Pimen’s Monologue [5:45] 2. Varlaam’s Drinking Song [2:35] 3. Boris’s Monologue [6:37] 4. Boris’s Farewell and Prayer [7:14] 5. Death of Boris [4:38]* Khovanschina (compl. Rimsky-Korsakov): 6. Dosifei’s Aria [6:26] 7. Song of the Flee (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov) [3:14] Alexander BORODIN (1833–1887) Prince Igor (compl. Rimsky-Korsakov; Glazunov): 8. Prince Galitsky’s Aria [3:50] 9. Khan Konchak’a Aria [7:24] Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844–1908) Sadko: 10. Song of the Viking Guest [3:47] The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and of the Maiden Fevroniya: 11. Prince Yuri’s Aria [4:25] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) Eugene Onegin: 12. Prince Gremin’s Aria [4:54] trad. 13. Song of the Volga Boatmen [4:27] 14. The Siberian Prisoner’s Song [4:18] Modest MUSSORGSKY Songs and Dances of Death: 15. No. 4 The Field Marshal [4:54] 16. The Spirit of Heaven [3:18] Boris Christoff (bass) Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden*/Nikolai Malko (1), Herbert von Karajan (2), Issay Dobrowen (3-10, 13), Wilhelm Schüchter (11-12); Gerald Moore (14-16) rec. No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, 3 December 1949 (1), 28 November 1949 (2), 19-20 May 1949 (3-5), 4 May 1950 (6, 10), 8 June 1950 (8), 5 May 1950 (9), 19 March 1952 (11, 12); No. 3 Studio, Abbey Road, London,  3 March 1951; Kingsway Hall, London, 5 October 1950 (7, 13) Texts and translations included EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3 92054 2 [78:28][GF]

Should on no account be missed by lovers of great singing ... see Full Review

Franco Corelli - Verismo Arias Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Tosca: 1. E lucevan le stelle [2:48] Turandot: 2. Non piangere Liù [2:29] 3. Nessun dorma [2:56] Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana: 4. Mamma, quell vino [3:54] Umberto GIORDANO (1867–1948) Fedora: 5. Mia madre … Vedi, io piango [7:01] Giacomo PUCCINI Madama Butterfly: 6. Addio, fiorito asil [1:40] Francesco CILEA (1866–1950) Adriana Lecouvreur: 7. La dolcissima effige [2:06] Giacomo PUCCINI La fanciulla del West: 8. Or son sei mesi [3:39] Umberto GIORDANO Andrea Chenier: 9. Come un bel di di maggio [3:10] 10. Un di all’azzurro spazio [5:37] Fedora: 11. Amor ti vieta [3:13] Pietro MASCAGNI Lodoletta: 12. Se Franz dicesse il vero [4:59] Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO (1858–1919) Pagliacci: 13. Recitar … Vesti la giubba [3:40] 14. No! Pagliaccio non so! [3:16] Bonus: Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Aida: 15. Se quell guerrier io fossi! … Celeste Aida [4:47] 16. Pur ti riveggo, mia dolce Aida [12:43] 17. La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse [10:42] Franco Corelli (tenor) Maria Curtis Verna (soprano) (16, 17); Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI; Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano della RAI/Arturo Basile, Alfredo Simonetto, Umberto Cattini; Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Torino della RAI/Angelo Questa (15-17) rec. 1956-1957 URANIA URN 22.319 [78:52][GF]

The Aida excerpts are the most valuable items here but there are excellent things among the verismo arias and with such a whole-hearted singer as Corelli one has to take the bad with the good ... see Full Review

The Davydov-Fanning Duo Live in Concert François COUPERIN (1668-1733) Pièces en concert; Prélude; Siciliène; La Tromba; Plainte; Air de Diable  [10:50] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonata No.2 in D major BWV 1028 (1720) [14:01] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Twelve Variations in F major on Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen from the Magic Flute Op.66 (1796) [9:37] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Sonata in D minor (1917) [10:49] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Sonata No.2 in D major Op.58 (1843) [27:16] Dieuwke Davydov (cello) Diana Fanning (piano) rec. live in concert, no further details PRIVATE RECORDING [no number] [70:43][JW]

A good souvenir of this duo in concert ... see Full Review



Monday November 26th

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto in D major Op.77 (1878) [37:05] ² Edouard LALO (1823-1892) Symphonie espagnole (1873) [25:06] ¹ Nathan Milstein (violin) Orchestre National de Paris/André Cluytens ¹ NDR Symphony Orchestra/Paul Kletzki ² rec. live, Septembre Musical, Montreux, 11 September 1955 (Lalo); 6 September 1960 (Brahms) CLAVES 50-2708 [62:22][JW]

An ancillary disc for Milstein collectors – reinforcing the manifold pleasures of his playing in these two works ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 (1868) Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano), Hans Hotter (baritone) Choral Society of the Friends of Music, Vienna Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan rec. Grosser Saal der Musikverein, Vienna, 20-22, 27-29 October 1947. ADD NAXOS 8.111038 [76:13][GF]

At Naxos price this disc gives much music for the money ... see Full Review

David POHLE (1624-1695) Wie der Hirsch schreyet Musica Sacra Sonata à 6, No. 24 [5:38] Wie der Hirsch schreyet [8:36] Diligam te Domine [5:42] Sonata à 3, No. 29 [3:12] In te Domine speravi [5:27] Sonata à 6, No. 23 [3:41] Benedicam Dominum [4:12] Sonata à 6, No. 11 [3:46] Jesu chare [9:29] Paratum cor meum [5:37] Sonata à 6, No. 25 [9:11] Monika Mauch (soprano) David Erler (alto) Hans Jörg Mammel (tenor) L’arpa festante/Rien Voskuilen rec. Kloster Altenberg, Solms, 6-9 September 2004 CARUS 83.413 [64:31][DC]

A well executed and gorgeous sounding programme ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Torvaldo e Dorliska Dramma semiseria in two acts (1815) Torvaldo - Francesco Meli (ten); Dorliska, Torvaldo’s wife - Darina Takova (sop); Giorgio, custodian of the Duke of Ordow’s castle - Bruno Pratico (bass); Duca d’Ordow - Michele Pertusi (buffo bass); Ormondo, Captain of the Duke’s Guard - Simone Alberghini (bass-bar); Carlotta, Giorgio’s sister - Jeanette Fischer (sop) Prague Chamber Choir Orchestra Haydn di Bolzano e Trento/Víctor Pablo Pérez rec. live, Teatro Rossini, Pesaro Festival, Italy, August 2006 Performed in the Critical Edition by Francesco Paolo Russo for the Rossini Foundation in collaboration with Casa Ricordi Director: Marioi Martone; Sets: Sergio Tramonti; Costumes: Lubomír Mátl; Video Director: Tiziano Mancini Filmed in High Definition. Presented in dts digital surround sound, PCM 2.0. Vision 16:9 Colour. NTSC Menu language English. Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese. Notes and synopsis in Italian, English, German, and French DYNAMIC 33528 [2 DVDs: 157:00][RJF]

This superb Pesaro staging and performance of Rossini’s rarely performed opera is even better when seen than merely heard. It will not readily be surpassed ... see Full Review

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) CD 1 Cello Concerto No. 1 (1985) [40:08] Cello Sonata No. 1 (1978) [21:15] Cello Sonata No. 2 (1994) [17:09] CD 2 Cello Concerto No. 2 (1990) [42:13] Concerto Grosso No. 2 (1982) [32:29] Alexander Ivashkin (cello) Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Valery Polyansky Tatiana Grindenko (violin – Concerto grosso) Irina Schnittke (piano – Sonatas) rec. Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, 16 January 1998 (Cello Concerto No.2) and 22-25 April 1998 (Sonatas). Mosfilm New Studio, Moscow, 24 March 1999 (Cello Concerto No.1); 24, 26 December 2001 (Concerto Grosso) CHANDOS CHAN 241-39 [78:40 + 74:42][DC]

Today’s hot ticket into Schnittke’s big works for ‘accompanied’ cello ... see Full Review

Max STEINER (1888-1971) Music for Bette Davis Films All This, and Heaven Too (Restoration by John Morgan) (1940) [44:51] (1 Main Title [1:40]; 2 To France – The Caretaker – The Duke [2:39]; 3 Carriage Ride [1:32]; 4 Henriette – Armide Overture [Gluck] [2:16]; 5 A Night to Remember for Louise [3:46]; 6 Mysteries of Life [3:34]; 7 The Smiles of Hypocrisy [3:14]; 8 All Hallows Eve – Lotis Song – Springtime – The Carousel [5:42]; 9 Reunion and Understanding – Springtime Again – Henriette [7:16]; 10 Jailed [3:22]; 11 Rushing to a Dying Duke – The Duke – Final Farewell [7:28]; 12 Finale – End Cast [2:25]) A Stolen Life (Restoration by John Morgan) (1946) [26:11] (1 Main Title – Sailor’s Hornpipe [3:56]; 2 A Stolen Life - Twins [6:43]; 3 Karnock – Shopping Tour [2:56]; 4 Strom - Aftermath [4:26]; 5 Interlude [1:50]; 6 Talbot and Confrontation [2:25]; 7 Finale [3:56]) Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Choir/William Stromberg  rec. February-March 2002, Mosfilm Studio, Moscow NAXOS 8.570184 [71:08] Max STEINER (1888-1971) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) (1 Main Title [1:48]; 2 El Desayuno [composed by Alfonso Sanchez] [1:59]; 3 Attack on the Train [1:39]; 4 The Journey Commences [3:29]; 5 Windstorm [1:28]; 6 Campfire – Up There – Water Trough – Gold-digging – Cave-in – Rescue [5:25]; 7 Texas Memories [1:06]; 8 Night – Distrust – Gila Monster [4:42]; 9 Bandits – Outnumbered – Federales [7:01]; 10 Cody’s Letter – Texas Memories [reprise] [3:07]; 11 Packing Up – Indian Visitors [2:26]; 12 Funeral Chant [3:12]; 13 Unwilling caretakers [2:21]; 14 Madness [3:37]; 15 Narange Dolce [1:26]; 16 After Dobbs – The Man in the Hole! – Arrested [5:43]; 17 The Ruins [2:04]; 18 Texas memories – Finale [1:37]; 19 End Cast [0:22]) Bonus Tracks: (20 Theatrical Trailer [2:38]; 21 Alternate Main Title [1:48]; 22 Alternate Finale [1:22]) Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/William Stromberg  rec. October 1999, Mosfilm Studio, Moscow NAXOS 8.570185 [60:20][BBr]

It is a real pleasure to welcome these re-issues of fine music for film ... see Full Review

Gottfried Heinrich STÖLZEL (1690-1749) Two Serenatas CD 1 Alles, was sonst lieblich heißet CD 2 Seid willkommen, schöne Stunden Dorothee Mields (soprano), Elisabeth Graf (contralto), Knut Schoch (tenor), Ekkehard Abele (bass) Telemannisches Collegium Michaelstein/Ludger Rémy rec. August, September 2004, Kirche St Bonifatius, Ditfurt, Germany. DDD CPO 777 094-2 [68:01 + 35:18][JV]

This recording of two serenatas by Stölzel is a winner in every respect - it proves once again that Stölzel was a first-rate composer ... see Full Review

John McCormack - The McCormack Edition 5: 1914-1915 Acoustic Recordings Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) 1. Ständchen (Softly Through the Night is Calling) D957 No. 4 [3:40] Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana: 2. Ave Maria (adapted from the “Intermezzo” [2:58] BALL (? - ?) 3. Who Knows? [2:02] Hermann LÖHR (?) The Little Grey Home in the West: 4. The Little Grey Home in the West [1:37] Chaunsey OLCOTT (1858–1932) 5. My Wild Irish Rose [3:15] Liza LEHMANN (1862–1918) 6. Bonnie Wee Thing [3:05] FEARIS (?) 7. Beautiful Isle of Somewhere [2:20] WELLINGS (?) 8. Golden Love [3:35] Guy d’HARDELOT (1858–1936) 9. Because [2:25] KING (?) 10. Avourneen [3:13] NELSON (?) 11. Mary of Argyle [2:50] KNEASS (?) 12. Ben Bolt [3:01] BARTLETT (?) 13. A Dream [2:16] Michael BALFE (1808–1870) The Bohemian Girl: 14. When other lips and other hearts [2:54] Stephen FOSTER (1826–1864) 15. Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming [3:16] Luigi DENZA (1846–1922) 16. Funiculì, funiculà [2:30] Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Rigoletto: 17. Bella figlia dell’amore [3:51] La traviata: 18. Parigi, o cara [3:24] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) La Bohème: 19. O soave fanciulla [3:08] Giuseppe VERDI Aida: 20. O terra addio [3:49] Julius BENEDICT (1804–1885) The Lily of Killarney: 21. The Moon hath Raised Her Lamp Above [3:23] Harry WILLIAMS (1879–1922) 22. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary [3:20] TATE (?) 23. Somewhere a Voice is Calling [2:57] CRAXTON (?) 24. Mavis [3:26] DOREL (?) 25. When My Ships Come Sailing Home [3:42] SANDERSON (?) 26. Until [2:13] John McCormack (tenor) Fritz Kreisler (violin), Vincent O’Brien (piano) (1, 2); Francis Lapitino (harp) (3); Rosario Bourdon (cello) (4); Lucrezia Bori (soprano) (17-19); Lucy Isabelle Marsh (soprano) (20); Josephine Jacoby (contralto) (17); Harry Macdonough (tenor) (15, 16, 22); Lambert Murphy (tenor) (15, 16); Reinald Werrenrath (baritone) (15-17, 21, 22); William F. Hooley (bass) (22); Orchestra (3-24); orchestra/Walter Rogers (25, 26) rec. 1914-1915, Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, NJ NAXOS 8.111315 [78:15][GF]

McCormack’s beautiful voice and his masterly use of it can be admired on every track, but there may be people who feel the sugar-content too high to be healthy ... see Full Review