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Latest from Toccata classics Specialist collector material! Veljo TORMIS Works for Men's Voices; Ester MÄGI Orchestral Music; Vytautas BACEVICIUS Piano concerto and Symphonies; John Joubert Song Cycles. To celebrate their first 25 recordings all titles at a special price of £10.99 until end of October.

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BOOK REVIEWS

THE GRAMOPHONE CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDE 2008 Publ. Haymarket large paperback; 1414 pp. ISBN 0-860-24962-X [IL]

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 [BW]

The omissions are maddening but this continues to be an essential tool for the serious collector of recorded classical music … see Full Review

 


LATEST CD REVIEWS

Wednesday October 31st

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin and Cello Suites (played on lute) Nigel North (lute) rec. July 1993, March 1994, October 1995, March 1996, St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay CDs also available separately as: CDK013; CDK029; CDK049; CDK055. LINN CKD 300 [4 CDs: 69.15 + 67.33 + 63.50 + 71.30] [KMc]

A lovely must-have set for fans of Bach or the lute … a huge pleasure to listen to … see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op.55 (1908) [48:37] Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 (1911) [51:16] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1968. ADD 2 CDs for the price of 1 LYRITA SRCD.221 [48:37 + 51:16] [JW]

In truth then not essential – but very valuable ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) St. Elizabeth (The Legend of Saint Elizabeth) - oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra, S2 (1857-62) Kolos Kováts - Hermann, Landgrave of Thüringen (bass) Erzsébet Komlóssy - Countess Sophie, his wife (mezzo) Sándor Sólyom-Nagy - Landgrave Ludwig, their son (baritone) Éva Andor - Elizabeth, his fiancée, later his wife (soprano) József Gregor - Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (bass) Lajos Miller - Hungarian magnate (baritone) György Bordás - the Seneschall (baritone) Dušan Turinič - the child Ludwig (contralto) Eugenia Kraičirová - the child Elizabeth (soprano) Bratislava Radio Children’s Chorus Slovak Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/János Ferencsik rec. 14-17 July 1973, Reduta Concert Hall, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. AAD Sung in German with full English texts and essay HUNGAROTON CLASSIC HCD 11650-51 [69:48 + 68:41] [MC]

A remarkable performance and recording fully deserving its return to the catalogue ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major K459 (1784) [27:48] Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor K491 (1785-86) [28:18] Clara Haskil (piano) Lausanne Chamber Orchestra/Victor Desarzens rec. Théâtre de Beaulieu, Lausanne, October 1957 (K459) and June 1956 (K491) CLAVES 50-2617 [56:13] [ED]

Has niche appeal for Haskil enthusiasts ... see Full Review

Joseph-Guy ROPARTZ (1864–1955) Piano Trio in A minor (1918)a [38:31] String Trio in A minor (1934)b [21:43] Prélude, marine et chansons (1928)b [12:39] Alexis Galpérine (violin), Cécilia Tsan (cello), Jean-Louis Haguenauer (piano)a; Ensemble Stanislasb Recorded : Salle Poirel, Nancy, 1995 (Piano Trio, Prélude) and July 2006 (String Trio) TIMPANI 1C1118 [73:09] [HC]

This most welcome addition to Ropartz’s expanding discography is yet another feather in the caps of Timpani and the Stanislas. Not to be missed ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Karelia Overture, op.10 (1893) [7:32] Serenade No. 1 in D for violin and orchestra, op.69a (1912) [6:09] Serenade No. 2 in G minor for violin and orchestra, op.69b (1912) [6:11] The Wood Nymph (Ballad), op.15 (1895) [21:05] Scènes historiques, Suite No.1, op.25 (1899) [17:28] (1 All’Overtura [(4:25]; 2 Scena [5:25]; 3 Festivo (Bolero) [7:38]) Finlandia, op.26 (1900) [8.39] Sakari Tapponen (violin) Gothenburg-Aarhus Philharmonic/Douglas Bostock rec. 12-14 January 2007, Frichsparken, Aarhus. DDD CLASSICO CLASSCD 733 [67:34] [BBr]

I wish I could welcome this ClassicO CD, for this is an interesting disc, but this music needs a firmer hand in control. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Luisa Miller - tragic melodrama in three acts (1849) Count Walter, local landowner – Raffaele Arié (bass); Rodolfo, Count Walter’s son – Luciano Pavarotti (tenor); Frederica, Duchess of Ostheim and Walter’s niece – Cristina Angelakova (mezzo); Wurm, Count Walter’s steward – Ferruccio Mazzoli (bass); Miller, a retired soldier – Matteo Manuguerra (baritone); Luisa, Miller’s daughter – Gilda Cruz Roma (soprano) Chorus and Orchestra Sinfonica RAI di Torino/Peter Maag rec. live, RAI auditorium, Turin. 6 December 1974. ADD ARTS MUSIC - ARTS ARCHIVES 43088-2 [57.07 + 79.40] [RF]

This excellent live performance features Pavarotti at the height of his vocal powers, surrounded by a good cast and with a sympathetic Verdian on the rostrum. The live occasion frisson draws the best from all concerned. ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Inventione op. 8 Vol. I Concerto in E, op. 8,1 'La Primavera' (RV 269) [9:39] Concerto in g minor, op. 8,2 'L'Estate' (RV 315) [10:11] Concerto in F, op. 8,3 'L'Autunno' (RV 293) [11:02] Concerto in f minor, op. 8,4 'L'Inverno' (RV 297) [8:20] Concerto in E flat, op. 8,5 'La Tempesta di Mare' (RV 253) [8:12] Concerto in C, op. 8,6 'Il Piacere' (RV 180) [8:29] Stefano Montanari (violin) Accademia Bizantina Ottavio Dantone (conductor) Rec. September 1999 at the Sala del Refettorio di S. Vitale, Ravenna, Italy ARTS 47564-8 [57:07]
Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Inventione op. 8 Vol. II Concerto in d minor, op. 8,7 (RV 242)* [08:00] Concerto in g minor, op. 8,8 (RV 332)* [09:10] Concerto in d minor, op. 8,9 (RV 454)** [07:31] Concerto in Bes, op. 8,10 'La Caccia' (RV 362)* [08:45] Concerto in D, op. 8,11 (RV 210)* [11:47] Concerto in C, op. 8,12 (RV 449)** [09:04] Stenano Montanari (violin*) Paolo Grazzi (oboe**) Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone rec. September 1999, Sala del Refettorio di S. Vitale, Ravenna, Italy ARTS 47565-8 SACD [55:42] [DC]

High octane ear food: music and performances that you will want to listen to more than once – in spades. ... see Full Review

De Fragilitate: Piae Cantiones (16th Century) Hymns from Mediaeval FinlandDe Nativitate [18:49]: (Angelus emittitur [1:23]; Salve flos et decor [4:16]; Verbum caro factum est [2:06]; Congaudeat turba fidelium [1:52]; Parvulus nobis nascitur [2:59]; Personent hodie [1:30]; Nobis est natus hodie [2:26]; Paranymphus adiens [2:17]) De Passione [7:39]: (Iucundare iugiter [2:05]; Aetas carmen melodiae [3:38]; Aetas carmen melodiae [1:56]) De Fragilitate et Miseriis [9:29]: (Kurja, paha syntinen [4:44]; Mars praecurrit in planetis [1:43]; Cum sit omnis caro foenum [3:02]) De Vita Scholastica [12:11]: (Scholares convenite [3:35]; Zachaeus arboris [1:35]; O Scholares discite [4:37]; Sum in aliena provincia [2:24]) De Tempore Vernali [9:52]: (Ad perennis vitae fontem [2:15]; In vernali tempore [2:42]; Tempus adest floridum [1:40]; Kaikki maailma riemuitkohon [3:15]) Zefiro Torna (Cécile Kempenaers (voice); Els Van Laethem (voice); Timo Väänän (voice, kannel - a Finnish traditional plucked string instrument of the zither family); Jowan Merckx (recorder, bagpipes, bells); Liam Fenelly (fiddle, viola da gamba); Frank Van Eycken (percussion); Jurgen de bruyn (lute, voice, artistic leader)) Antwerp Cathedral Choir/Sebastiaan van Steenberge rec. 1-3 June, 2007 kademiezaal Sint-Truiden, Belgium. DDD ETCETERA KTC 4023 [58:00] [MS]

Beautiful and delicate music from Finland between 1000 and 1600 CE expertly and sensitively played ... see Full Review

Cesare Siepi Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Ernani: 1. Infelice! e tu credevi [3:39] Nabucco: 2. Tu sul labbro dei veggenti [4:54] Arrigo BOITO (1842–1918) Mefistofele: 3. So lo Spirito che nega [3:07] Giuseppe VERDI I vespri Siciliani: 4. O tu, Palermo [4:18] Don Carlo: 5. Ella giammai m’amo! [8:12] Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) La Gioconda: 6. Si, morir ella de’ [4:38] Vincenzo BELLINI (1801–1835) La sonnambula: 7. Vi ravviso [3:03] Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792–1868) L’Italiana in Algeri: 8. Le femmine d’Italia [3:22] Il barbiere di Siviglia: 9, La calunnia [4:22] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Don Giovanni: 10. Deh vieni alla finestra [2:16] Paolo TOSTI (1846–1916) 11. L’ultima canzone [4:41] 12. Non t’amo più [4:46] 13. Malia [3:08] Luigi DENZA (1846–1922) 14. Occhi di fata [3:23] Paolo TOSTI 15. Serenata [3:17] Augusto ROTOLI (1847–1904) 16. Mi sposa sara la mia bandiera [4:56] Renato BROGEI (1873–1924) 17. Visione Veneziana [3:34] Vincenzo BILLI (1869–1938) 18. E canta il grillo [3:12] Cesare Siepi (bass)
Orchestra Sinfonica Radio Italiana/Arturo Basile (1-6); unknown (7, 9, 10); Alfredo Simonetto (8), remaining items unknown rec. 1947-1948 NIMBUS Prima Voce NI 7942 [72:59] [GF]

There have been few better basses around during the last sixty years and hearing Cesare Siepi in his mature youth is a treat indeed. ... see Full Review

 

Tuesday October 30th

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Bach to Cuba Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (1st Movement) [4.15] Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (1st Movement) [3.14] Suite No. 3 BWV 1068 (Aria) [4.01] Suite No. 2 BWV 1067 (Badinerie) [1.20] Brandenburg Concerto No.3 (3rd Movement) [5.40] Brandenburg Concerto No.5 (3rd. Movement) [5.30] Suite No 2 BWV 1067 (Rondeau) [1.34] Brandenburg Concerto No 4 (3rd Movement) [5.11] Suite No 3 BWV 1068 (Gavotte) [4.57] Tenerife Symphony Orchestra/Emilio Aragon  rec. live, Juan Ramos, Auditorio de Tenerife, 14-17 June 2006 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 7031GH [41.00][LB]

An interesting and worthwhile project which becomes rather tedious at times. However a good 'fun' treatment of Bach. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61 (1806) [45:49] Violin Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47 “Kreutzer” (1802) [38:18] Vadim Repin (violin) Martha Argerich (piano) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Riccardo Muti rec. Vienna Musikverein, Grosser Saal, February 2007; Lugano, Auditorio “ Stello Molo” RSI, June 2007. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6596 [45:49 + 38:18][KS]

Repin has thought this music through completely and put his own stamp on it, a stamp that stands to become more and more collectible as this fine artist matures! One of the most satisfying Beethoven recordings to hit the shelves in some time ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Mass in C major, Op.86 (1807) [47:27] Elegisher Gesang, Op. 118 (1814) [7:31] Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt, Op. 112 (1815) [7:38] Henriette Schellenberg (soprano); Marietta Simpson (mezzo); Jon Humphrey (tenor); Myron Myers (bass) Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Robert Shaw rec. 6-7 November 1989; 7-8 May 1990, Symphony Hall, Atlanta, Georgia Texts and translations into English included. DDD TELARC CD-80248 [63:17][LW]

Anyone who cares about Beethoven or nineteenth-century choral music should at least hear one of these versions of the Mass in C ... see Full Review

John GARTH (1721-1810) Six Concertos for Cello and strings Op. 1 (published 1760): No. 1 in D [17:08]; No. 2 in Bb [11:57]; No. 3 in A [14:12]; No. 4 in Bb [13:57]; No. 5 in D minor [16:57]; No. 6 in G [19:26] Richard Tunnicliffe (cello), The Avison Ensemble. rec. 10-13 December 2006, The Picture Gallery, Paxton House, Berwick upon Tweed DIVINE ART DDA25059 [45:33 + 50:36][JS]

Maybe these discs do not fill a major gap in the range of recorded music, but in performances such as these the present Concertos give immense pleasure. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64* (1844) [29:10] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer (1905) [24:33] Pinchas Zukerman* (violin) Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester/Carlo Maria Giulini rec. 15 January 1971, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, Cologne PROFIL PH06010 [53:43][JQ]

Overall these are valuable performances and I’m glad to have them in my collection. ... see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64 (1915) [56:00] Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Nagano rec. 2006, Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany Concert: Ellen Fellmann (director) Documentary: Rolf Rische (writer), Oliver Becker (director) Soundtrack: DD 5.1/DTS 5.1/PCM stereo Picture: 16:9 (NTSC) Region: 0 Language: English Menu: English, French, Spanish, Japanese Subtitles: French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 437   [108:00] [concert: 56:00, documentary: 52:00][DM]

Essential viewing for all Straussians. ... see Full Review

Baroque Trumpet Concertos Giuseppe TORELLI (1658-1709) Sinfonia for Trumpet in D major, G.4 (1693) [3:11] Tomaso Giovanni ALBINONI (1671-1751) Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op. 9, No. 2 (1722)* [10:45] George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Suite in D major, HWV 341, ‘The Famous Water Piece’ (1733) [7:45] (I. Overture [1:44]; II. Gigue: Allegro [1:50]; III. Air [1:48]; IV. March (Bourrée) [1:07]; V. March [1:17]) Johann Friedrich FASCH (1688-1758) Concerto a 8 in D major, FWV L:D1 [6:04] George Frideric HANDEL Oboe Concerto No. 3 in G minor, HWV 287 (1703?)* [8:20] Domenico GABRIELLI (1651? 1659?-1690) Trumpet Sonata No. 4 in D major [5:36] Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Oboe Concerto No.21 in F minor, TWV 51:f1* [8:07] Sonata in D major, TWV 44:1 [8:43] * arranged for trumpet by Andreas Eichele/Thomas Reiner Thomas Reiner (trumpet) Southwest German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim/Sebastian Tewinkel rec. Matthäuskirche, Pforzheim, Germany, 23-24 March 2006; 18-20 May 2006; 26-27 February 2007. DDD. Booklet with notes in English and German. NAXOS 8.570501 [59:15][GPu]

Pleasant, but somewhat under-characterised performances … see Full Review

Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra Live Recordings 1943-1948 - Volume 2 Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphony No. 5 in D (1943) * [35:49] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) A Night on the Bare Mountain (1867) (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov) ** [10:54]; Khovanshchina – Prelude (Dawn over the Moscow River) (1880) (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov) [6:14] Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32, Symphonic Fantasy after Dante (1876) [24:49] Boston Symphony Orchestra/Serge Koussevitzky rec. ‘live’ *4 March 1947; **30 December 1944; 1943-1948 GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2324 [78:13][JQ]

Another reminder of how formidable was the partnership between Koussevitzky and the orchestra he led with such distinction for a quarter of a century ... see Full Review

Thomas Schippers Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony No.5 in B flat major, Op.100 [43:55] Philharmonia Orchestra/Thomas Schippers rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 11-14 May 1957 Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) L'assedio di Corinto Overture [9:39] London Symphony Orchestra/Thomas Schippers rec. All Saints Church, Tooting, London, 30-31 July, 1-28 August 1974 Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Sinfonia "al Santo Sepolcro" in B minor, R169 [7:03] Francesco DURANTE (1684-1755) Concerto No.5 for String Orchestra in A major [8:49] Antonio SALIERI (1750-1825) Axur, re d'Ormus Overture [3:16] Orchestra Alessandro Scarlatti/Thomas Schippers rec. Naples, July 1955 MEDICI MASTERS MM012-2 [72:54][EMc]

A fascinating memento of a talent cut short too soon. … real musicality and real individuality ... see Full Review

Soavi accenti Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Zefiro torna [06:22] Ch'iome d'oro [03:17] Lamento della ninfa [06:12] Dario CASTELLO (c.1590-c.1630) Sonata XII per due soprani e trombone [07:37] Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674) Apritevi, inferni, cantata [08:49] Dario CASTELLO Sonata XI per due violini e trombone [05:30] Giacomo CARISSIMI Vanitas Vanitatum, oratorio [18:08] Claudio MONTEVERDI Tempro la cetra* [09:42] Harmony of Voices (Vokalharmonin) (Ulla-Carin Börjesdotter (soprano), Lena-Susanne Norin (mezzosoprano), Leif Aruhn-Solén, Johan Linderoth (tenor), Ove Petterson (bass), Ann Wallström, Stefan Lindvall (violin), Joel Sundin, Rastko Roknic (viola*), David Gammelgård (cello), Mattias Frostenson (violone), Anders Ericson (theorbo, guitar), Karl Nyhlin (archlute*), Fredrik Malmberg (harpsichord, organ))/Fredrik Malmberg rec. October 2006, Hölö Church, Sweden. DDD PROPRIUS PRSACD 2037 [65:51][JV]

The brilliance and the emotional character of the repertoire is well communicated by this Swedish ensemble ... see Full Review


Monday October 29th


Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Symphonies Concertantes Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Volume 1 Symphonies Concertantes:- Eb major with Two Violins and oboe C33a [18.02]; G major with Two Violins and cello (C32) [19.29] Eb major with Two Violins and Cello C40 [19.48] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, December 1995 CPO 999 348-2 [57.21] Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Volume 2 Symphonies Concertantes:- in Bb major with Violin and Cello (C46) [21.40] F major with oboe and bassoon C38 [11.40] D major with Two violins C35 [18.29] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3-9 July 1997 CPO 999 537-2 [52.26]  Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Volume 3 Symphonies Concertantes:- E major with Two Violins, cello and flute C44 [14.06] Eb major with two clarinets, Bassoon, Two Horns and flute (C41) [16.50] A major with violin and cello (C79) [14.07] Flute Concerto in D major - Larghetto -1st movement (C34) [6.54] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3-9 July 1997 CPO 999 538-2 [52.37] Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Volume 4 Symphonies Concertantes:- C major with Two Violins and Cello (36b) [14.47] Eb major with flute, oboe and bassoon (C37) [11.59] G major (C inc 5) with two Violins, cello and flute (C76b) [16.45] Violin Concerto in C major (76b) [21.23] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 9-11 July 1998 CPO 999 627-2 [65.42] Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Volume 5 Symphonies Concertantes:- C major with Two Violins and Cello (36a) [25.15] D major with Two flutes, two violins and cello (C39) [13.54] Eb major with Two Oboes, Two horns, two Violins and Two Violas (C40) [14.53] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 22-24 September 1999 CPO 999 628-2 [54.47] Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Volume 6 Symphonies Concertantes:- Bb major with Oboe, Violin, Viola and cello and fortepiano (C48) [25.57] C major with Flute, Oboe, Violin, cello and orchestra (C43) [19.24] Fortepiano Concerto with two violins and cello (C60 B) [20.31] Cadenza in Major (attrib to J.C.Bach) for Oboe, violin and Cello [2.57] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3-5 September 2001 CPO 999 845-2 [69.33] Box of the above six CPO CDs: CPO 777 292-2 [GH]

J.C. Bach – music that is charming, easy on the ear, cleverly composed and beautifully performed ... see Full Review

Edwin CARR (1926-2003) Auckland 71: Ode (1971) [11.08] Heath Lees (narrator); Chamber Choir of the Orpheus Choir of Wellington New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Edwin Carr Seven Elizabethan Lyrics (1980) [14.04] Schola Polyphonica New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Edwin Carr Piano Concerto No.2 (1986) [20.47] Sally Mays (piano) West Australian Symphony Orchestra/Geoffrey Simon The End of the Golden Weather (1996) [13.01] New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Marc Taddei rec. Wellington Town Hall, November 1986, Radio New Zealand (Ode; Lyrics); Australian Broadcasting Commission, Basil Kirke Studio, Perth, date unknown (Concerto); Symphony House, Wellington, December 1998, Radio New Zealand (End) KIWI PACIFIC CD SLD-111 [59:30][BB]

Well-crafted, thoroughly enjoyable music written by a composer who knew how to please both his public and his performers. ... see Full Review

Friedrich KUHLAU (1786–1832) Grand Trio in B minor, Op. 90 (1828) [18.37] Trio in D major, Op. 13, No. 1 (1815) [16.17] Trio in G minor, Op. 13, No. 2 (1815) [7.53] Trio in F major, Op. 13, No. 3 (1815) [9.03] Trio in E minor, Op. 86, No. 1 (1827) [19.45] European Flute Trio (Maxence Larrieu, Carlo De Matola, Antonio De Matola) rec. 14-15 January 2004, Executive Studio, Naples, Italy NAXOS 8.570220 [71.50][RH]

Do try the disc, you will hear some charming music and some superb flute playing. ... see Full Review

Jean-Marie LECLAIR (l’Aîné) (1697-1764) Complete Flute Chamber Music Sonata in C, Op.1/2 (1723) [15:35] Sonata in e minor, Op.9/2 (1737-8) [12:20] Sonata in G, Op.9/7 (1737-8) [12:17] Sonata in e minor, Op.1/6 (1723) [11:54] Trio Sonata in D, Op.2/8 (1728) [8:34] Sonata in G, Op.2/5 (1728) [9:30] Sonata in C, Op.2/3 (1728) [9:37] Sonata in b minor, Op.2/11 (1728) [6:29] Sonata in e minor, Op.2/1 (1728) [11:11] Deuxième récréation de musique in g minor, Op.8 for two flutes and continuo (ca. 1737) [26:19] Fenwick Smith (flute); John Gibbons (harpsichord); Laura Blustein (cello); Laura Jeppesen (viola da gamba, Op.2/8); Christopher Krueger (flute, Op.8) rec. 16-17 November 2003, 3-4 April 2005, 15-16 June 2005, 30 October 2005 and 11 December 2005, Sonic Temple, Roslindale, MA, USA. Booklet with notes in English and French NAXOS 8.557440-1 [60:40 + 63:06][BW]

Very decent performances which just lack a degree of variety.  The Récréation is a real find, but overall the music is hardly inspired enough for a 2-CD set and the recording is not ideal … see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874, orch. Ravel 1922) [33:32] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 4 in F minor, op. 36 (1877) [42:40] Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse/Tugan Sokhiev rec. July 2006, Halle aux Grains, Toulouse. DDD NAÏVE V5068 [76:12][DJB]

In blazingly brilliant sound, this recording meets very intense competition in both works and comes out a winner … see Full Review 

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La fanciulla del West (1910) [127:07] Birgit Nilsson (soprano) - Minnie; Joäo Gibin (tenor) - Dick Johnson; Andrea Mongelli (baritone) - Jack Rance; Nicola Zaccaria (bass) - Jake Wallace; Renato Ercolani (tenor) - Nick; Antonio Cassinelli (bass) - Ashby; Enzo Sordello (baritone) - Sonora; Florindo Andreoli (tenor) - Trin; Giuseppe Costariol (baritone) - Sid; Dino Mantovani (baritone) - Bello; Dino Formichini (tenor) - Harry; Antonio Costantino (tenor) - Joe; Leonardo Monreale (bass) - Happy; Giuseppe Morresi (bass) - Jim Larkens; Gabriella Carturan (soprano) - Wowkle; Carlo Forti (bass) - Billy/Castro; Angelo Mercuriali (tenor) - Pony Express Rider Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Lovro von Matačić rec. July 1958, Teatro alla Scala, Milan. no libretto; notes and detailed synopsis in English, French and German EMI CLASSICS 0946 3 81862 2 9 [56:43 + 70:24][CH]

An excellent performance that doesn’t quite touch the heart-strings. … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Arias Turandot: 1. Signore, ascolta! [2:30] 2. Tu che di gel sei cinta [3:30] Madama Butterfly: 3. Un bel di vedremo [5:26] 4. Tu, tu, piccolo iddio! (Death of Butterfly) [2:40] Manon Lescaut: 5. In quelle trine morbide [2:50] 6. Sola, perduta, abbandonata [4:39] Gianni Schicchi: 7. O mio babbino caro [2:46] Tosca: 8. Vissi d’arte [3:40] La bohème: 9. Mi chiamano Mimi [5:17] 10. Donde lieta usci (Mimi’s Farewell) [3:27] Le villi: 11. Se come voi piccina [5:17] La rondine: 12. Chi il bel sogno di Doretta [3:02] Montserrat Caballé (soprano) London Symphony Orchestra/Charles Mackerras rec. March-April 1970, Kingsway Hall, London Texts and English translations included EMI CLASSICS CDC-7 47841 2 [44:02][GF]

This may not be the best operatic recital on disc but it definitely enters the finals. ... see Full Review

Nikolay RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Piano duos Scheherazade, Op. 35 (1889) (arr. Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov) [46:28] Sadko, Op. 5 (1870) (arr. Nadezhda Nikolayevna Rimskaya-Korsakova) [11:52] Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34 (1888) (arr. Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov) [15:20] Artur Pizarro, Vita Panomariovaite (piano duo) rec. 30 September, 1-2 October 2006, Teatro São Luiz, Lisbon, Portugal LINN RECORDS CKD 293 [74:20][DM]

This is the sort of repertoire the majors tend to ignore, so Linn must be commended for recording it in the first place. A thoroughly invigorating Capriccio Espagnol, makes this worth investigating. ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678–1741) The Four Seasons Concerto in E, op. 8,1 'La Primavera' (RV 269)* [09:35] Concerto in g minor, op. 8,2 'L'Estate' (RV 315)* [10:49] Concerto in F, op. 8,3 'L'Autunno' (RV 293)* [10:12] Concerto in f minor, op. 8,4 'L'Inverno' (RV 297)* [08:40] Concerto for strings and bc in D (RV 124) [06:20] Concerto for recorder, strings and bc in G (RV 437)* [08:15] Concerto for recorder, strings and bc in c minor (RV 441)* [10:16] Dan Laurin (recorder) (*) Arte dei Suonatori rec. October 2005, Church of the High Catholic Seminary, Goscikowo-Paradyž, Poland. DDD BIS SACD-1605 [65:40][JV]

'Re-creation' rather than 'interpretation' of Vivaldi's Four Seasons ... the standard of playing of soloist and ensemble is impressive ... see Full Review

Angela Gheorghiu - Live from La Scala Jean-Paul MARTINI (1741-1816) Plaisir d’amour [4:26] Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) O cessate di piagarmi (1683) [2:52] Alessandro PARISOTTI (1815-1913) Se tu m’ami [3:30] Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) O del mio dolce ardor (1770) [3:52] Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) Malinconia, ninfa gentile (1829) [1:29] Vanne o rosa fortunata (1829) [2:24] Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Me voglio fa’na casa [2:33] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Stornello (1869) [1:48] In solitaria stanza (1839) [4:32] Brindisi II (1845) [2:23] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Serenade (1857) [3:53] Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Chant d’amour (1872) [3:33] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Elegie [2:33] Alfred ALESSANDRESCU (1893-1959) Cind perdeaua dragii mele [2:23] Diamandi GHECIU (1892-1980) Si daca [3:06] Tiberiu BREDICEANU (1877-1968) Floricica de pe apa (1917) [1:43] Bade, pentru ochii tai (1923) [3:03] Vai, badita, dragi ne-avem (1905) and Dragu-mi-l, mandro, de tine (1920) [3:32] Gherase DENDRINO (1901-1973) Te iubesc! (1954) [3:46] Francesco Paolo TOSTI (1846-1916) A vucchella [2:33] Alan Jay LERNER (1918-1986) / Frederick LOEWE (1901-1988) I could have danced all night (1956) [2:18] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) O mio babbino caro (1918) [3:12] Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) Jeff Cohen (piano) rec. 3 April 2006, La Scala opera house, Milan, Italy. DDD EMI CLASSICS 3 94420 2 [63:33][MC]

Gheorghiu’s star continues to shine bright … her broad-ranged voice remains in excellent heart. I wish that I had been there at La Scala. Brava! ... see Full Review



Friday October 26th

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata No.5 in F major Op.24 'Spring' (1801) [25:08] Violin Sonata No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2 (1802) [28:17] Violin Sonata No. 9 in A minor Op.47 ‘Kreutzer’ (1803) [35:53] Violin Sonata No.10 in G major Op.96 (1812) [29:01] Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Jeremy Menuhin (piano) rec. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London,  October 1985, July 1986 (7 & 10) EMI CLASSICS 3817562 [61:04 +57:26] [JW]

Deeply humane and musically rewarding … failing to summon up the tonal glories of youth but conferring instead accumulated wisdom and perception  ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No.1 in C minor, op.68 (I. Poco sostenuto - Allegro [13.12]; II. Andante sostenuto [8.06]; III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso [4.30]; IV. Adagio - Allegro ma non troppo [16.13]) Boston Symphony Orchestra/Guido Cantelli rec. 27 March 1954, WGBH-FM Boston broadcast. ADD PRISTINE AUDIO PASC083 [42:01] [BB]

I could not live without this performance. I wouldn’t want it as my sole recording but alongside Boult and Horenstein it can certainly hold its own ... see Full Review

Morton FELDMAN (1926-1987) Three Voices (1982) [49.26] Marianne Schuppe (voice) rec. April 2006, Studio Fossbergstrasse 2, Berlin, Germany COL LEGNO WWE1CD 20249 [49.26] [KM]

For die-hard Feldman fans … see Full Review

Louis Moreau GOTTSCHALK (1829-1869) Symphonie No. 2, ‘À Montevideo’, RO 257 (1868/1869) [11:13] Célèbre Tarantelle pour piano et orchestre, Op. 67, RO 259 (1868) [6:07] Escenas Campestres Cubanas  – Opéra en 1 acte, RO 77 (1859/1860) [13:23] Variations de concert sur l'hymne portugais du Roi Louis I, Op. 91, RO 289 (1869) [12:32] Ave Maria, RO 10 (arr. R. Rosenberg for voice and orchestra) (c. 1864) [5:56] La  Casa del Joven Enrique por Méhul  – Gran overture, RO 54b (arr. Gottschalk for three pianos, 10  hands and orchestra) (1861) [11:07] Symphonie romantique, ‘La nuit des tropiques’ (A Night in the Tropics), RO 255 (1859) [16:14] Michael Gurt (piano) (RO259, 289) Anna Noggle (soprano); Darryl Taylor (tenor); Richard Ziebarth (bass-baritone) (RO77) Melissa Barrick (soprano) (RO10) John Contiguglia, Richard Contiguglia, Angela Draghicescu, Chin-Ming Lin, Joshua Pepper (pianos) (RO54b) Hot Springs Festival Symphony Orchestra/Joshua Rosenberg rec. 7, 11-12, 14-15 June 2006, Hot Springs Youth Center, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. 3-12 June 1999, Horner Hall, Hot Springs Civic and Convention Center, Arkansas (RO255). Texts and translations provided NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559320 [76:32] [DM]

As good an introduction to Gottschalk’s œuvre as any ... see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) String Quartet in g minor, Op. 27 (1878) String Quartet No.2 in F major (1891, completed by Julius Röntgen) Fugue in F minor (1861) Andante con moto in c minor for Piano Trio (1878, perf. 1908, pub.1978) Jet Röling (piano) Raphael Quartet (Ronald Hoogeveen, violin; Ramy Koch, violin; Zoltan Benyacz, viola; Henk Lambooij, cello) rec. April 1993, English Church, Begijnhof, Amsterdam. DDD. Booklet with notes in English REGIS RRC1279 [78:29] [BW]

A good performance of the First Quartet … a sympathetic completion of the Second Quartet, all equally well played and recorded.  One of many recommendable Regis chamber-music CDs … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.7 (1904-1905) [82:35] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551 ‘Jupiter’(1788) [29:12] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt rec. live, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 29 August 1980 (Mahler); Royal Albert Hall, London, 13 September 1985 (Mozart). ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL4224-2 [64:22 + 46:49] [OW]

A worthy addition to the growing Tennstedt catalogue; fans and Mahlerites should investigate, others should sample the Mozart first ... see Full Review

Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Clarinet Sonata, Op.129 (1911) [18:44] (1) Fantasies Nos. 1 and 2 for Clarinet and String Quartet, (1921, 1922) [11:39; 14:37] (2) Three Intermezzi for Clarinet and Piano, Op.13 (1879) [8:06] (3) Piano Trio No. 3, Op.158 ‘Per aspera ad astra’ (1918) [20:59] (4) Robert Plane (clarinet) (1, 2, 3), Gould Piano Trio (Lucy Gould (violin) (2, 4), Alice Neary (cello) (2, 4), Benjamin Frith (1, 3, 4); Mia Cooper (violin) (2), David Adams (viola) (2) rec. 17-19 December 2006, Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, England. DDD NAXOS 8.570416 [74:05] [MC]

Naxos continue their Stanford survey with this attractive release. Four scores feature the clarinet and there’s the world première recording of the Piano Trio No.3 ... see Full Review

John TAVENER (b. 1944) Song for Athene – for solo violin and strings (1993) [6:47] Dhyana – A Song for Nicola for solo violin and strings (2007) [6:16] Lalishri for solo violin and orchestra (2007) [34:35] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Lark Ascending (1914, revised 1920) [15:56] Nicola Benedetti (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Litton rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, June 2007 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4766198 [64:02] [JW]

The feminine muse as ever proves fruitful for Tavener ... see Full Review

Evelina Puzaite - Moments Musicaux Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967) Dances of Marosszek (1930) [12:41] Mikalojus Konstantinas ČIURLIONIS (1875-1911) Prelude Op. 12 No. 1 [1:51]; Prelude VL 241 [1:02]; Prelude VL 187 [1:81]; Prelude VL 298 (Impromptu) [0:45]; Mazurka Op. 3 No. 3 [1:33] Franz LISZT (1811-1866) Trois Études de Concert S.144 [23:31] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Moments Musicaux Op. 16 [31:52] Evelina Puzaite (piano) rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 22-24 January 2007 LANDOR RECORDS LAN281 [75:14] [JS]

Ms Puzaite shows obvious abilities and promise, and has produced a debut album which is thoroughly enjoyable in itself. I look forward to future recordings ... see Full Review

Santander International Music Festival 2006 Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) “ Montañesa” from Four Spanish Pieces (1909) (arranged by Cándido Alegría (1887-1976)) [5:34] Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Concierto de Aranjuez (1938-9) [25:01] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1871-1943) Symphony No 2 in E Minor Op 27 (1907) [60:01] Maria Esther Gusmán (guitar) Royal Orchestra of Seville/Pedro Halffter rec. live, Palacio de Festivales, Santander, 10 August 2006 RTVE MUSICA 65272 [31:21 + 61:26] [JS]

An enjoyable concert when heard live, and that the performances are never less than competent and at times much more than that but I cannot recommend them for repeated listening ... see Full Review

 

Thursday October 25th

Michel de la BARRE (1675–1745) Music for Louis XV – Ten Suites for two flutes [7e Livre, 1721] 10e Suite in d minor [05:36] 11e Suite in G [06:32] [9e Livre, 1722] 1er Sonate in B flat [06:35] 2e Sonate in G [06:11] [10e Livre, 1722] 16e [Suite] in F [07:09] 17e [Suite] in C [05:14] [11e Livre, 1724] 18e Suite in g minor [06:44] 19e Suite in B flat [07:53] [12e Livre, 1725] 20e Suite in b minor [08:28] 21e Suite in D [05:55] John Solum, Richard Wyton (transverse flute) rec. August 2006, parish hall, St Matthew's Church, Bedford, N.Y., USA. DDD MSR CLASSICS MS 1191 [66:23] [JV]

A missed opportunity to show the qualities of La Barre's duets for two flutes ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (1936) (I: Andante tranquillo [6:51]; II: Allegro [7:38]; III: Adagio [6:12]; IV: Allegro molto [6:40]) Concerto for Orchestra (1944) (I: Introduzione-Andante non troppo-Allegro vivace [10:54]; II: Giuco delle coppie- Allegro vivace [7:15]; III: Elegia –Andante non troppo [8:34]; IV: Intermezzo interrotto-Allegro [4:38]; V: Finale – Pesante-Presto [9:53]) Boston Symphony Orchestra (Music), NBC Symphony Orchestra (Concerto)/Guido Cantelli rec. 27 March 1954 (Music); 29 January 1949 (Concerto). ADD Pristine Audio XR remastering by Andrew Rose June-July 2007 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC081 [68:36] [SH]

You must have this CD. It’s the very reference model of the works in sound so close to real that it’s truly amazing. Simply essential ... see Full Review

Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972) Symphony No. 2 in E minor (1930-31) [53:28] Festival Fanfare (1967) [1:44] Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Tony Rowe. DDD rec. Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, May 1996 NAXOS 8.570506 [55:12] [CC]

I keep on asking myself is there no end to Brian's invention? We are privileged to be able to hear these scores at all, and it is good that the Moscow Orchestra gives its all. We need much more of the same ... see Full Review

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) Piano Quintet in G minor Op.1 (1893) [26:23] Ballade in C minor for violin and piano Op.73 (1907) [13:00] Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor Op.10 (1896) [29:56] Nash Ensemble (Richard Hosford (clarinet); Ian Brown (piano); Marianne Thorsen (violin); Malin Broman (violin) (Piano Quintet); Benjamin Nabarro (violin) (Clarinet Quintet); Lawrence Power (viola); Paul Watkins (cello)). rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 26-28 January 2007. HYPERION CDA67590 [69:20] [JF]

An excellent recording of stunning yet little known repertoire ... see Full Review

Patrick GOWERS (b. 1936) 1. Veni, Sancte Spiritus (2000) [6:31] 2. Cantata (1991) [28:02] 3. Adagio for organ [10:08] 4. Chester Lullaby [4:00] 5. Toccata for organ (1970) [9:06] 6. Fugue for organ (1988) [6:23] 7. Libera me [2:14] 8. An Occasional Trumpet Voluntary for organ [3:20] David Davies (1), Stephen Farr (2,3,5,6,8) (organ) Guildford Camerata/Guildford Cathedral Choir (1) Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra/David Hill (2), Stephen Farr (1,4,7) rec. 9 May 2005, 4, 5, 31 January 2006, Guildford Cathedral LAMMAS LAMM196D [69:48] [JQ]

A generous selection of Patrick Gowers’ music has been gathered together conveniently in one very recommendable CD ... see Full Review

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Sonata No. 1 for Cello and Piano (1978) [21:47] Improvisation for Solo Cello (1993) [10:16] Sonata No.2 for Cello and Piano (1993-94) [15:25] Musica Nostalgica for Cello and Piano [3:30] Epilogue (from the ballet Peer Gynt) for cello, piano and tape (1993) [23:49] Torleif Thedeen (cello) Roland Pontinen (piano) rec. Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm, Sweden, November 2003 (Epilogue), March 2003 (others) BIS CD-1427 [76:12] [JWi]

BIS continues its commendable support for Schnittke and post-Soviet contemporary music generally. An interesting and worthwhile collection, with a high standard of both playing and recording ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Violin Concerto [20:47] Le Sacre du printemps [32 :57] Bela BARTOK (1881-1945) Divertimento for String Orchestra [24:38] Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester/Ferenc Fricsay rec. Festival of the Ruhr, Recklingshausen, Germany, 8 July 1951 (concerto) Funkhaus, Saal 1, WDR Cologne: 5 October 1953 (Sacre) Funkhaus, Saal 1, WDR Cologne: 4 May 1953 (Bartok) MEDICI MASTERS MM020-2 [78:26] [EMc]

Fricsay is always interesting to hear. A well-planned reissue, containing some memorable performances in generally excellent sound ... see Full Review

Madeleine Mitchell - Violin Songs Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Chanson de Matin Op.15 No.2 (1899) [3:07] Chanson de Nuit Op.15 No.1 (1897) [3:30] Salut d' Amour Op 12 (1888) [3:08] Alban BERG (1885-1935) Die Nachtigall (1907) transcribed Madeleine Mitchell [2:12] Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Mélodie (1911) [3:44] Morceau Caracteristque (1907-08) [6:55] Amaryllis (1905) [2:18] Romanze (1904) [4:28] Spring Song (1912) [2:20] Moto Perpetuo (1900) [1:46] Berceuse (1901) [2:46] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Berceuse sur le Nom de Fauré (1922) [2:42] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1893-1953) Cinq Mélodies op.35b (1920 transcribed 1925) [12:56] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Méditation from Thaïs (1894) [4:47] Lili BOULANGER (1893-1918) Nocturne (1911) [2:56] Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Nocturne (1926) [5:20] Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Violon (1939 - transcribed Madeleine Mitchell) [2:04] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ave Maria D 839 (1825) arranged by Johannes Palatschko [5:32] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Morgen Op.27 No.4 (1894 orchestrated 1897) [4:16] * Madeleine Mitchell (violin) Andrew Ball (piano) Elizabeth Watts (soprano) * rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, May 2007  DIVINE ART DDA25063 [76:50] [JW]

Mitchell’s more intimate playing brings its own rewards ... see Full Review

Peter Seiffert - Italian Opera Arias Umberto GIORDANO (1867–1948) Fedora: 1. Amor ti vieta [1:50] Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Don Pasquale: 2. Com’è gentil [4:07] L’Elisir d’amore: 3. Una furtive lagrima [4:57] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Gianni Schicchi: 4. Avete torto! … Firenze è come un albero fiorito [3:12] Francesco CILEA (1866–1950) Adriana Lecouvreur: 5. La dolcissima effigie [2:13]; 6. L’anima ho stanca [2:02] Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Il trovatore: 7. Di quella pira  [1:59] Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) La Gioconda: 8. Cielo e mar! [4:40] Umberto GIORDANO Andrea Chenier: 9. Colpito qui m’aveta … Un di all’azzurro spazio [5:40] Giuseppe VERDI Aida: 10. Se quell guerrier io fossi … Celeste Aida [4:57] Giacomo PUCCINI Turandot: 11. Nessun dorma [3:56] La Bohème: 12. Che gelida manina [5:19] Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana: 13. Mamma, quel vino è generoso [4:54] Peter Seiffert (tenor), Chorus (2, 7, 11) and Orchestra of Deutsche Oper Berlin/Ralf Weikert rec. 15-21 May 1993, Christuskirche, Berlin-Oberschöneweide Texts and translations included EMI CLASSICS 55010 [49:51] [GF]

Competition is formidable in this repertoire but Seiffert stands up well against many of his rivals. His nuanced, tasteful and well considered readings are attractive ... see Full Review

Travels with my Lute Luis MILAN (c.1500–after 1561) Fantasia; Pavana Alonso MUDARRA (c.1508–1580) Fantasia Luys DE NARVAEZ (c.1500–after 1550) Mille regrez; Un baxa de contrapuncto Antonio DE CABEZON (1510–1566) Differencias Francesco SPINACINO (?–after 1507) Recercare Francesco DE MILANO (1497–1543) 2 Ricercari Simone MOLINARO (c. 1567–c. 1615) Fantasia XV; Fantasi I John DOWLAND (1562–1626) What if a day; The Right Honorable Earl of Essex his Galliard; Fantasia William BRADE (1570–1630) Des Rotschencken Tantz Johannes Hieronymus KAPSBERGER (c. 1575–c. 1661) Toccata VI; Gagliarda III Johann Sebastian BACH (1685–1750) Preludium; Gavotte en Rondeau Silvius Leopold WEISS (1686–1750) Passacaille Carl Friedrich ABEL (1723–1787) Arpeggio Norbert BURGMULLER (1810–1836) La Chevaleresque Claude DEBUSSY (1862–1918) La fille au Cheveux de lin Arr. Sven BERGER (b.1938) Sa Som stjarnan; Springlat fran Lima Gaspar SANZ (1640–1710) / Santiago DE MURZIA (late 17th century) Marizapalos Ryosuke Sakamoto (Renaissance lute) rec. 10–13 August 2005, Dala-Jarna Church, Dalarna MUSICA REDIVIVA MRCD013 [62.57] [RH]

Sakamoto has a strong technique and much promise. I look forward to hearing more from him when he matures and develops ... see Full Review



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