RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Edith CANAT
DE CHIZY (b.
1950) Alive (2003)a [13:05]
Wild (2002) [4:38]Formes du vent (2002)b [9:43] Falaises
(2003)c [9:38] Les Rayons du jour (2005)d [19:29]
Ana-Bela
Chaves (viola)d; Emmanuelle Bertrand (cello)bc;
Quatuor Ebèneac Orchestre de Paris/Christoph Eschenbachd rec.
Studio La Verrière, Paris, April 2005; Théâtre Mogador, Paris,
February 2005 (Les Rayons du jour) SOLSTICE
SOCD234 [56:54] [HC]
Performances
consistently fine, technically assured and fully committed. Wonderful
music superbly played and recorded. ... see Full
Review
Frédéric Chopin
(1810-1849)
Cello Sonata in G minor Op.65 (1846) [30:46]
Sergei RachmaninoV (1873-1943) Cello Sonata in G minor Op.19
(1901) [34:58]; Vocalise Op.34, No.14 (1912) [8:19]
Alexander Kniazev (cello); Nikolai Lugansky (piano) rec. 3-6 July 2006,
The Maltings, Snape. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 63946-2 [74:06] [WK]
A
slightly rough-and-ready but committed and
thoughtful performance of two of the best-known
cello sonatas in the repertory.... see Full
Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Sonata no.2 in b flat minor op.35 [21:19] Polonaise in A op.40/1 [04:50]
Polonaise in f sharp minor op.44 [10:15] Polonaise in A flat op.53 [06:22]
Polonaise-Fantaisie in A flat op.61 [13:19] Fantaisie-Impromptu in c
sharp minor op.66 [04:30] Scherzo no.1 in b minor op.20 [08:24]
Vladimir Horowitz (piano) rec. Columbia 30th
Street Studios, NY: 18, 24 April, 9, 14 May 1962, (op. 35), 14
November 1963 (op. 20) 4 May 1971, (op. 61); Carnegie Hall: 17 April
1966 (op. 66) 2 January, 1 February 1968 (op. 53) 6 July 1972, (op.
44) SONY CLASSICAL 82876
78769 2 [68:59] [CH]
Horowitz
is always Horowitz, and this disc has an awesomely
great second Sonata. ... see Full
Review
Rebecca
CLARKE (1886–1979) Sonata for Viola
and Piano (1919) [27:01] Passacaglia on an Old English Tune (1941) [5:17]
Lullaby (1909) [4:37] Lullaby on an Ancient Irish Tune (1913) [2:36]
Morpheus (1918) [7:18] Chinese Puzzle (1921) [1:28] I’ll bid my heart
be still (1944) [3:32] Untitled Piece for Viola and Piano (c.1918) [5:21]
Dumka (1941)a [10:13] Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale (1941)b
[6:42] Philip Duke
(viola); Sophie Rahman (piano); Daniel Hope (violin)a; Robert
Plane (clarinet)b rec. Concert Hall, Wells Cathedral School,
Somerset, June 2004
NAXOS 8.557934 [78:54][HC]
This
is a splendid release in every respect: excellent performances, very
fine recording and – most importantly – great music which at long last
receives it due. ... see Full Review
Boult conducts Coates; Boult
conducts Marches Eric COATES
(1886-1957) The
Merrymakers Overture (1923) [4:40] Summer Days Suite (1919)
[11:35] From Meadow to Mayfair Suite (1931) [8:19] The Three
Elizabeths Suite - March Queen Elizabeth (1944) [5:12] The
Three Bears - Phantasy (1927) [9:44] March The Dambusters
(1954) [4:02] Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961)
Children’s March Over the Hills and far away (1918, 1928)
[3:55] Frederick DELIUS (1862-1924)
Marche Caprice (1890) [3:23] William
WALTON (1902-1983) Hamlet: Funeral March (1947) [4:44]
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The
Wasps: March past of the kitchen utensils (1909) [3:04] Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) (arranged by Benjamin Britten) Soirées
Musicales: March (1936) [1:28] Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) Suite in E flat Op.28 No.1: March (1909)
[3:00] New Philharmonia
Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian
Boult rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 9 November, 6 December 1976 (Coates);
15 August, 19 September, 13 November 1976 (other items). ADD
LYRITA SRCD.246 [63.08] [JF]
A
great issue that tidies up a few loose ends.
One that all Coates lovers and admirers of
Boult’s conducting and personality will insist
on having ... see Full
Review
Gerard F. COBB
(1838-1904) Barrack Room
Ballads
Ralph Meanley (baritone), David Mackie (piano)
rec. 15 November 2001, Sutton, Surrey. DDD
CAMPION CAMEO 2056 [73:90] [EM]
Worth
its weight in gold ... see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Piano Works - Volume
3 Images I (1905) [15:51] Images II (1906-7) [13:53] Estampes (1903)
[14:54] Images oubliées (1894) [14:04] La plus que lente (1910) [04:43]
L’Isle joyeuse (1904) [05:28]
François-Joël Thiollier (piano) rec. 16-18 January 1996, Temple Saint
Marcel, Paris NAXOS
8.553292 [69:40][CH]
Goodish
to excellent performances of the Estampes and Images, with the useful
addition of the Images oubliées which you may not have. ... see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Piano Works Volume
4 Préludes: Book I [35:07] Préludes: Book II [32:52] François-Joël
Thiollier (piano) rec. 25-27 September 1996, Temple Saint Marcel, Paris NAXOS
8.553293 [70:23][CH]
Despite
a few reservations this seems to me as good a modern alternative to
Gieseking as you are likely to get. If a volatile view appeals to you,
don’t hesitate ... see Full
Review
A “HATTO
ORIGINAL” Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Piano Works Volume 5 12 Etudes
(1915) [46:16] D’un cahier d’esquisses (1903) [04:10] Hommage à Haydn
(1909) [02:01] Elégie (1915) [01:40] Morceau de concours (1904) [0:39]
Page d’album (1915) [01:08] Berceuse héroïque (1914) [03:47] Masques
(1904) [05:52] François-Joël
Thiollier (piano) rec. 8-10 April 1997, Temple St. Marcel, Paris
NAXOS 8.553294 [64:42] “D’un cahier d’esquisses” and “Hommage à
Haydn” were issued in 2005 on Concert Artist/Fidelio CACD 9131-2 as
the work of Joyce Hatto [CH]
A
“Hatto original” but not such an important one as has been claimed.
... see Full Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Clair de
lune and other piano favourites Suite bergamasque: Clair
de lune [05:10] La plus que lente [04:48] Arabesque no.1 [05:08]
Le petit nègre [01:29] Children’s Corner: The snow is dancing [02:54],
The little shepherd [02:55], Golliwog’s cakewalk [03:07]
Estampes: La soirée dans Grenade [05:29], Jardins
sous la pluie [03:46] Arabesque no.2 [03:37] Valse romantique
[03:31] Danse (Tarantelle styrienne) [05:14] Pour le piano: Toccata
[04:00] Images I: Reflets dans l’eau [05:19] Images II: Poissons
d’or [03:54] Mazurka [03:06] Rêverie [04:23] Préludes I: La fille
aux cheveux de lin [02:14], Minstrels [02:08], La cathédrale
engloutie [05:57] François-Joël Thiollier (piano) rec. 1994-1996, Temple Saint Marcel
(This is a sampler from Thiollier’s 5-disc Debussy cycle, for full
recording dates see individual reviews).
NAXOS 8.555800 [78:10][CH]
Not
the best representation of Thiollier’s often distinguished Debussy cycle.
... see Full Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Complete Works
for Piano Solo - Vol. III Danse bohémienne (1880) [02:09] Mazurka
(c.1889) [02:50] Deux Arabesques (1888) [07:17] Rêverie (pub. 1890)
[03:55] Valse romantique [02:59] Suite bergamasque (1890) [17:09] Ballade
(pub. 1891) [06:54] Danse (Tarantelle styrienne) (pub. 1890) [05:54]
Nocturne (pub. 1890) [05:32] Pour le piano (1894-1901) [12:54]
Håkon Austbø (piano) rec. 21-23 February 2006, Sofienberg kirke, Oslo
SIMAX PSC 1297 [67:45][CH]
Austbø doesn’t try to make the agreeable early works anything more than
they are. This may be a strength for some, a weakness for others. ...
see Full Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Children’s
Corner (1908) [15:06] Six Épigraphes antiques (1914)
[16:13] François COUPERIN (1668-1733)/Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Forlane (pub. 1722)
[2:35] Maurice RAVEL Le
tombeau de Couperin (1914-17) [24:25] Calefax
Reed Quintet rec. June 1995, Schloss Nordkirchen (Oranienburg) MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 619 0658-2 [58:42] [DC]
Calefax’s
effortless technique and tastefully understated individual musicianship
make for an irresistible package. ... see Full
Review
Leo DELIBES
(1836–1891) Lakmé (1883)
Mado Robin (soprano) – Lakmé; Agnès Disney (mezzo) – Mallika; Claudine
Collart (soprano) – Ellen; Simone LeMaître (soprano) – Rose; Libero
De Luca (tenor) – Gerald; Jean Borthayre (bass) – Nilakantha; Jacques
Jansen (baritone) – Frederic; Pierre Germain (tenor) – Hadji; Jane Perriat
(mezzo) – Mistress Bentson; Edmond Chastenet (tenor) – Fortune Teller;
Camille Rouquetty (tenor) – Chinese Merchant; Chorus and Orchestra of
the Opéra-Comique, Paris/Georges Sebastian rec. July 1952, Maison de
la Mutualité, Paris. ADD Appendix: Three arias from Lakmé
sung by French singers of the 1920s and 1930s Prendre
le dessin d’un bijou … Fantaisie aux divins mensonges Miguel
Villabella (tenor); Orchestra/François Rühlmann rec. 1931 Lakmé,
ton doux regard se voile Robert Couzinou (bass); Orchestre de l’Association
des Concerts Lamoureux/Albert Wolff rec. 1929 Où va la jeune indoue
(Bell Song) Leila Ben Sedira (soprano); Orchestra/Maurice
Frigara rec. 1929
NAXOS 8.111235-36 [70:33 + 79:13][GF]
Surprisingly
good sound for its age and with the enchanting Mado Robin, this is a
version to treasure for those who want this charming opera as authentic
as possible. ... see Full Review
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) Florida Suite
(rev. ed. Beecham) (1886-87) [36:15] Paris – The Song
of a Great City (1899) [21:22] Brigg Fair – An English
Rhapsody (1907) [16:02]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox rec. Wessex Hall, Poole
Centre, 7-8 May 1989. DDD
EMI CLASSICS BRITISH COMPOSERS SERIES 370565 2 [76:02][WH]
This
is beautifully recorded and inexpensive collection
for those just starting out on their Delius
expedition as well as the converted seeking
alternative performances and attracted by
the programme. ... see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
Anna Bolena (1830)
Joan Sutherland (soprano) – Anna Bolena; Samuel
Ramey (bass) – Enrico VIII; Jerry Hadley (tenor)
– Lord Riccardo Percy; Susanne Mentzer (mezzo)
– Giovanna Seymour; Bernadette Manca di Nissa
(contralto) – Smeton; Giorgio Surian (bass)
– Lord Rochefort; Ernesto Gavazzi (tenor)
– Sir Hervey; Orchestra and Chorus of the
Welsh National Opera/Richard Bonynge rec.
Walthamstow Assembly Hall, February 1987
DECCA CLASSIC OPERA 475 7910 [62:35 +
56:53 + 73:32] [GF]
A
great supporting cast and magnificent sound
but Joan Sutherland recorded too late in her
career is a liability in the title role. ...
see Full
Review
Paul
DUKAS
(1865-1935) Fanfare
to La Péri [1:50] La Péri – Poème Dansé
[17:55] The Sorcerer’s Apprentice [10:46] Symphony in
C (1897) (Allegro non troppo vivace, ma con fuoco [14:43];
Andante Espressivo [15:30]; Allegro Spiritoso [11:02])
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Jesus
Lopez-Cobos rec. Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, 31 January, 1 February
1999 TELARC DSD CD 80515
[72:20] [EM]
A
nice selection of works by a composer often
overlooked ... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Concerto
for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104
(1894-95) [38:15] Serenade for Winds in D
minor, Op. 44 (1878) [24:14]
Nina Kotova (cello) (op. 104 only) Philharmonia
Orchestra/Andrew Litton rec. Air Lyndhurst
Studios, London, England (No date given).
DDD
SONY CLASSICAL 82876821182 [62:44] [MC]
A
really fine performance of the Dvořák
concerto
that demonstrating that the glamorous Kotova
is a player of real substance. The Serenade
makes an attractive coupling to complete this
desirable release. ... see Full
Review
David
Alan EARNEST (b. 1960) Visit the Blue
Planet: (Docking Manuevers [sic] [2.28]; Forest Pools [6.18];
Night Sands [4.22]; Whirlwind [3.30]; Drifting [4.48]; Stacey's Chimes
[6.05]; Reminiscing [3.27]; Lullabye [4.34]; The Calling ... In the
Garden ... Celebration [14.56]; Bayou Grind [4.37]; Sorrow of the Whales
[6.04]) “Music
Composed, Arranged, Engineered, Produced and Performed by David Alan
Earnest,” synthesizers © 1996. Track list, credits, dedication, photos
of the composer. STURGEON
511601 [61.13][PSh]
One
of the very best New Age music disks, a real classic. ... see Full
Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Music
Makers, Op. 69 * (1912) [39:39] Sea Pictures, Op. 37 (1899)
[23:05].
Sarah Connolly (mezzo) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and*Chorus/Simon
Wright rec. 7 – 8 January, 2006, The Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole,
UK. DDD NAXOS 8.557710
[62:44][JQ]
Naxos
has got the celebrations of Elgar’s 150th anniversary off
to a cracking start with this excellent disc. ... see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Songs The Shepherd’s Song [2:44] ¹ Queen Mary’s Song [3:39]
¹ Is she not passing fair [2:43] ² Rondel [1:40] ² A Song of Autumn
[2:49] ³ The wind at dawn [2:55] ³ Like to the Damask Rose [3:26] ²
Through the long days [2:01] ² The Poet’s Life [3:12] ² The Pipes of
Pan [4:45] ³ In the Dawn [3:01] ² Speak, Music [2:54] ¹ In Moonlight
[2:17] ¹ Pleading [2:50] ¹ Oh, soft was the song [1:59] ³ Was it some
golden star? [2:37] ³ Twilight [2:53] ³ The Torch [2:10] ² The River
[4:09] ² A Child Asleep [3:27] ¹ Arabian serenade [2:15] ³ Still to
be neat [1:43] ³ Modest and fair [1:35] ³
Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo soprano) ¹ Neil Mackie (tenor) ² Christopher
Maltman (baritone) ³ Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec. Southlands College,
London, April 1999
SOMM CD 220 [65:07][JW]
Martineau
proves a worthy accompanist providing much of the lift and zest of which
the singers seem shy. ... see Full
Review
Edward
ELGAR (1865-1934)
Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op.61 (1911) [49.38] Salut d'amour,
Op.12 [2:55]* La Capricieuse, Op.17 [4:30]*
Kyung-Wha Chung (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti
Philip Moll (piano)*, rec. 1977, 1987*. ADD/DDD*
DECCA LONDON 421 388 
[57:10]
Edward
ELGAR (1865-1934) Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op.61
(1911) [48.48] Salut d'amour, Op.12 [3:02] Pinchas
Zukerman (violin) St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
rec. 1993. DDD BMG
RCA RED SEAL RCA 61672 [51:58]
[TP]
Chung's
account is certainly worth its place in any fine Elgar collection.
Zukerman's is redundant. ... see Full
Review
Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) Piano Music, Vol.
1 Nocturno (c.1896) [4:12] Serenata (c.1900) [3:20] Serenata andaluza
(c.1900) [4:39] Allegro de concierto (1903-1904) [9:20] Homenaje a
Claude
Debussy (1920) [2:42] Sobre la tumba de Paul Dukas, (1935) [4:00] 4
piezas españolas, (1906-1909) [16:29] Suite from ‘El amor brujo’ (1915)
[12:38] Daniel Ligorio
(piano) rec. Estudios Moraleda, Barcelona, February, March 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.555065 [57:20][JF]
Provides
the listener with a selection of works covering
forty years of the composer’s career. ...
see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem Op.48
(1887-93) [35:34] Pavane Op.50 (1887) [6:48] Maurice
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Requiem Op.9 (1947) [37:19] Robert
Chilcott (treble), John Carol Case (baritone); John Wells (organ)
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir
David Willcocks (Fauré) Janet Baker (mezzo), Stephen Roberts
(baritone); John Butt (organ)
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge/Sir Philip Ledger (Duruflé) rec. Chapel of
Trinity College, Cambridge: 20 December 1967 (Fauré); Chapel of
King’s College, Cambridge: October, December 1980 (Duruflé). ADD EMI
CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3799942 [79:48] [DC]
Buy
it now, and keep it handy for the rest of time. ... see Full
Review
Samuil
FEINBERG
(1890-1962) Piano
Concerto No.2 Op.36 (1945) [37:21] Suite for
Piano No.2 Op.25 (1936) [5:26] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Sonata No.11 in B flat major Op.22 (1800)
[23:48]
Samuil Feinberg (piano) USSR State Symphony
Orchestra/Nicolai Anosov rec. Moscow 1946
(Concerto); 1939 (Suite); 1960 (Beethoven)
MELODIYA MEL CD 10 01005 [66:43] [JW]
One
of the more heartening things of the last
few years has been the attention paid to Feinberg.
This Melodiya neatly conjoins two facets of
his art ... see Full
Review
Carlo GESUALDO
(c.1561-1613)
Fifth Book of Madrigals for Five Voices (1611) [54:46]
Emma Kirkby (soprano); Evelyn Tubb (soprano); Mary Nichols (alto); Joseph
Cornwell (tenor); Andrew King (tenor); Richard Wistreich (bass) The
Consort of Musicke/Anthony Rooley. DDD L’OISEAU LYRE
410 128 [54:46] [MS]
Gesualdo’s
madrigal writing at its best sung by experts in the field on top
form. A recommended reissue … see Full
Review
Stephen GOSS
(b.
1964) The
Garden of Cosmic Speculation (2005) [24.35]
(1) Oxen of the Sun (2003/4) [17.30]
(2) An Ideal Insomnia (2002) [12.09]
(3) Park of Idols (2005) [11.40] (4)
Gemini: (Ian Mitchell (bass clarinet); Caroline
Balding (violin); Robin Michael (cello); Julian
Jacobson (piano)) (1); Jonathan Leathwood
(guitars) (2); Graham Caskie (piano) (3);
Leonid Gorkhov (cello) (4); Richard Hand (guitar)
(4) rec. Studio 1, Performing Arts Technology
Studios, University of Surrey, 21 March 2005,
8 January 2006; St. Andrews Church, Toddington,
12 July 2005
CADENZA MUSIC CACD0604 [65.56] [RH]
Contemporary
music which manages to be approachable but
does not talk down to its listeners. Supported
by a fine group of performers. ... see Full
Review
Patrick
HADLEY
(1899-1973) The
Trees so High: Symphonic Ballad in
A minor (1931) [34.07] Thomas Allen (baritone)
Guildford Philharmonic Choir New Philharmonia
Orchestra/Vernon Handley Gerald
FINZI (1901-1956) Intimations
of Immortality - Ode for tenor solo,
chorus and orchestra (1949) [43.12]
Ian Partridge (tenor) Guildford Philharmonic
Choir and Orchestra/Vernon Handley rec. 1970s.
ADD original recordings made in association
with the Finzi and RVW Trusts (Finzi); RVW
Trust (Hadley)
LYRITA SRCD 238 [77:19] [JF]
Lyrita
are to be commended for re-releasing these
two fine performances. Even a cursory study
will reveal much in common in both composers’
approach to life and death and the soul. ...
see Full
Review
Johann
Caspar Ferdinand FISCHER (1656-1746)
Musica Sacra Concertus de
Sancta Cruce [14:18] Missa
Sancti Dominici [17:53]
Litaniae Lauretanae VI Honori
Visitationis B.V. Mariae
[07:05] Vesperae seu
Psalmi Vespertini pro toto Anno: (Ingressus:
Deus in adiutorium [01:01]; Dixit Dominus
[02:53]; Beatus vir [03:44]; Laudate pueri
[04:30]; Laudate Dominum [02:44]; Magnificat
[05:42]) IV Antiphonae pro toto
Anno [03:58]
Rastatter Hofkapelle (Michael Maisch, Heiko
Hörburger (trumpet); Beate Spaltner, Ursula
Benzing (soprano); Matthias Lucht (alto);
Judith Ritter, (contralto); Jürgen Ochs, Raimund
Sturm (tenor); Johannes Happel, Claus Temps
(bass); Dietrich Schüz, Christine Wieligmann
(violin); Jörg Rieger (cello); Adina Scheyhing
(violone); Markus Bieringer (organ))/Jürgen
Ochs rec. October 2006, Hans Rosbaud-Studio,
Baden-Baden, Germany. DDD
CARUS 83.172 [64:36][JV]
Interesting
and convincing presentation of music by an unjustly neglected composer
... see Full Review
Orlando
GIBBONS (1583-1625) Anthems Hosanna
to the Son of David [2:35] O Lord, I lift my heart to thee [1:56]
O all true faithful hearts [4:08] Deliver us, O Lord [3:04]
This is the record of John [4:26] Lift up your heads [2:39]
Almighty and everlasting God [2:39] See, see, the word is
incarnate [6:21] Praise the Lord, o my soul [2:25] O clap
your hands [4:58] Glorious and powerful God [5:11] O Lord,
in thee is all my trust [6:43] O Lord, how do my woes increase
[1:09] Out of the deep [5:26] Behold, thou hast made my
days [4:53] Oh Lord, in thy wrath [2:58] Blessed are all
they that fear the Lord [5:03] I am the resurrection [4:40]
Fretwork: (Richard
Campbell (treble viol); William Hunt (treble viol); Julia Hodgson (tenor
viol); Susanna Pell (tenor viol); Richard Boothby (bass viol); Philip
Rushforth (organ) (9, 11, 17); Christopher Allsop (chamber organ) (2,
7, 13)) The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/Richard Marlow rec.
3 January 1994, Chapel, Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
CONIFER
75605 51231 2 [74:23][MS]
Clear,
sensitive singing of a lovely and enticing
repertoire. … see Full
Review
Philip
GLASS (b.
1937) The
Light (1987) [23:43] Symphony No. 4 Heroes
Symphony (1996) [46:26]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop
rec. The Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole,
Dorset, 16-17 May 2006. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559325 [70:09]
[RB]
Glass’s
potent way with hypno-rhythmic writing continues
visceral and in full spate. ... see Full
Review
Leopold
GODOWSKY (1870-1938) Piano
Music - Volume 8 Java Suite (Phonoramas: Tonal
Journeys for the Pianoforte) (1925) [48:01] Part 1: Gamelan/Wayang-Purwa:
Puppet Shadow Play/Hari Besaar: The Great Day [10:51] Part 2: Chattering
Monkeys at the Sacred Lake of Wendit/Boro Budur in Moonlight/The Bromo
Volcano and the Sand Sea at Daybreak [8:34] Part 3: Three Dances/ The
Garden of Buitenzorg/In the Streets of Old Batavia [12:05] Part 4: In
the Kraton/In the Ruined Water Castle at Djokja/A Court Pageant in Solo
[16:31] Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes of Johann Strauss II
No.3: Wine Women & Song [11:54]
Konstantin Scherbakov (piano) rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 29-30
November 2005 MARCO
POLO 8.225274 [59:55][JF]
A
must for all enthusiasts of romantic and virtuosic piano music ... see
Full Review
Carl Heinrich GRAUN (1703/04-1759)
Te Deum for solo voices, choir and orchestra [45:00] Herr,
ich habe lieb die Stätte deines Hauses,
motet for 4 voices and bc [02:30] Lasset
uns freuen und fröhlich sein, motet for
4 voices and bc [02:51] Machet die Tore weit,
motet for 8 voices in 2 choirs and bc [08:46]
Monika Mauch (soprano); Elisabeth von Magnus (mezzo); Bernhard Gärtner
(tenor); Klaus Mertens (bass) Basler Madrigalisten
L'Arpa Festante/Fritz Näf rec.
June 2005, Martinskirche, Basle, Switzerland. DDD
CPO 777 158-2 [59:17][JV]
Graun's setting of the Te Deum is attractive and strong – while this
is not the best possible performance, it is certainly recommendable
... see Full Review
H.K.
GRUBER (b. 1943) Frankenstein!
(1977) [31:51] Perpetuum Mobile - Charivari (1981)
[13:45] Dancing in the Dark (2002) [24:47]
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/HK Gruber (chansonnier/conductor) rec. 25-27
February 2005, BBC Broadcasting House, Manchester. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10404 [70:48][TB]
Entertaining
and witty vocal delivery … somewhat manic,
and delightfully pointed orchestral playing
… a recording that is both pleasing and natural,
allowing the orchestral colours to maximize
their impression. ... see Full
Review
Adam de
la HALLE (13th
century)
Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion
(see
end of review for track listing)
Tonus Peregrinus (Mary Remnant (bells, drum,
fiddle, gittern, harp, pipe, tabor, rebec,
shawm, symphony); John Crook (voices / narrator);
Alexander Hickey (tenor); Richard Eteson (tenor);
Francis Brett (bass); Joanna Forbes (soprano);
Rebecca Hickey (soprano); Kathryn Oswald (alto);
Alexander L’Estrange (counter-tenor, tambourine))/Anthony
Pitts (director, percussion, bagpipes) rec.
22-23 September, 3 October 2003, Sedgwick
Park, West Sussex
NAXOS 8.557337 [74:02] [EM]
Performances
that cannot be criticised – full of brilliant
and often amusing characterisations, with
top-quality and expressive singing ... see
Full Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759)
Sonata G Major (orig. C Major), HWV 365 Op.1 No.7 [10:03] Sonata
A Minor (orig. D Minor), HWV 367a Op.1 No.9, Fitzwilliam
[13:59] Sonata C Major (orig. F Major), HWV 369 Op.1 No.11 [7:20]
Sonata D Minor (orig. A Minor), HWV 362 Op.1 No.4 [10:30] Sonata
F Major (orig. B Flat Major), HWV 377, Fitzwilliam [5:57]
Sonata D Minor (orig. G Minor), HWV 360 Op.1 No.2 [7:26]
The Brook Street Band: Tatty Theo (baroque cello); Carolyn Gibley (harpsichord)rec.
14-17 July, 2006, Raveningham Church, Norfolk, United Kingdom. DDD
AVIE AV2118 [55:58] [MS]
Handel
recorder sonate arranged for cello – and none
the worse for the transposition … see Full
Review
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Chaconne in G Major, HWV 435 (by 1733) [7:09] Suite in D Minor, HWV
436 (by 1733) [12:51] Suite in E Minor, HWV 438 (by 1733) [7:39] Suite
in B Flat Major, HWV 434 (by 1733) [7:53] Suite in G Major, HWV 441
(by 1733) [15:22]
Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord)
ARCHIV 410656-2
[54:21] [MS]
First
class playing by a real expert of some of the best and most exciting
Handel keyboard music. see Full
Review
George Frideric
HANDEL (1685–1759) Un’alma innamorata
(1707) [13.49] Detro l’orme fuggaci (1707) [13.53] Figlio
d’alte speranze (1706/7) [10.55] Laudate Pueri Dominum (1707)
[21.20] Veronika
Winter (soprano) Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 11-13 March
2005, Sendesaal, Deutschlandrundfunk, Köln
CAPRICCIO SACD 71 083 
[52.37][RH]
In
many ways an interesting disc, well programmed and performed with a
soloist possessed of a lovely voice but rather understated and lacking
the necessary bravura and drama. ... see Full
Review
Sir
William Henry HARRIS (1883-1973) O
hearken thou [2:32] Strengthen ye the weak hands [7:47]
Faire is the heav'n [5:47] Love of love [5:43] King
of glory [5:24] Praise the Lord [10:30] The night is come
[10:23] The shepherd-men [2:50] O joyful light [4:45]
From a heart made whole [3:23] I said to the man [2:20]
Bring us, O Lord God [4:24]
Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle/Timothy Byram-Wigfield Roger
Judd (organ) rec. St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, 23-25 January 2006
NAXOS 8.570148 [65:36][EM]
These works are all exquisitely crafted, passionate and innovative.
The Choir pull out all the stops to make the performances of high quality,
and the singing and playing are excellent. ... see Full
Review
Fritz
Bennicke HART (1874-1949)
The
Bush - Symphonic Suite in five movements, Op. 59 (1923) [39:55]
Idyll for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 169 (1949) [17:48]
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard
Divall (Bush) Ronald Woodcock (violin); Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Graham
Abbott (Idyll) rec. 17 March 1993, Melbourne Town Hall (Bush);
22 February 1994, ABC Studio 520 (Collinswood) South Australia
(Idyll) ANTHOLOGY
OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CSM 38 [57:43] [MH]
A
superb and very gratifying introduction to
an unjustly forgotten composer … Hart was
no breaker of new ground but melodic, colorful
and well-crafted music such as this deserves
to be heard. ... see Full
Review
Heinrich
von HERZOGENBERG (1843-1900) Symphony
no. 1 in C minor, Op. 50 (1885) [42:18] Symphony no. 2 in B flat major,
Op. 70 (1890) [34:48]
North German Radio Symphony Orchestra Hamburg/Frank Beermann rec. Grosser
Sendesaal, Hannover, Germany 1-3 December 2003 (1); 17-18 May 2004.
CPO 777122-2 [77:06][RB]
Another
not inconsiderable entry in the history of German romantic symphonic
music. ... see Full Review
Alfred HOLLINS
(1865-1942) Organ
Works Concert Overture in C major (1889) [8:33] Benediction
Nuptiale (1898) [5:38] A Trumpet Minuet (1929) [5:01] Allegretto grazioso
(1906) [4:31] Concert Overture in C minor (1899) [7:48] Evening Rest
(1917) [7:28] Concert Overture in F minor (1922) [8:52] Andante in D
(1895) [9:50] A Song of Sunshine (1913) [4:49] Maytime Gavotte (1927)
[3:54] Theme with Variations and Fugue (1911) [13:13]
Timothy Byram-Wigfield (organ) rec. Caird Hall organ, Dundee, February
2005 DELPHIAN DCD34044
[79:40][JW]
A
real stunner of a disc. Everything about it is right. Byram-Wigfield
marshals it all with memorable vivacity ... see Full
Review
Jef
van HOOF (1886–1959) In
Flanders’ Fields – Volume 51 Suite from “Meivuur” (1916)
[14:31]
Divertimento for Trombone and Orchestra (1935)a [7:11] Vier Giza Ritschl
liederen (1906)b [7:41]
Lentestemming (1910)b [1:50]
Drei Lieder im Volkston (1907)b [5:58]
Nanoen in huis (1946)b [1:40]
Volkslied : ik heb u lief (1906)b [2:20] De Crans es
uutghehanghen (1913)b [4:16] Symphony No.3 in E flat major
(1944/5) [31:35] Ann
De Renais (soprano)b;
Ivan Meylemans (trombone)a Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra/Zsolt
Hamar
rec. Music Hall, Pècs, Hungary, June 2006 PHAEDRA
92051 [78:28] [HC]
As
already mentioned earlier in this review,
Van Hoof’s music is firmly anchored in Post-Romantic
aesthetics; and anyone enjoying warmly lyrical,
richly melodic Romantic music will find much
to enjoy here. ... see Full
Review
Jenö HUBAY
(1858-1937)
Scènes de la Csarda No.
2 Op.13 My Little Pipe (1883) [12:52]
No. 3 Op.18 The Waters of the river Maros
flow gentle (1885) [7:16] No. 4 Op.32
Hey Kati [Hejre Kati] (1889)
[5:57] No. 5 Op.33 The waves of Lake Balaton
(1889) [6:03] No. 7 Op.41 Kossuth’s
Song – orchestrated David Wish [8:29]
No.8 Op.60 So they say [9:59] No. 12
Op.83 My Little Turtle Dove (c.1898)
[7:32] No. 14 Op.117 On Themes of Lavotta
Charles Castleman (violin) Eastman Chamber
Orchestra/Mendi Rodan Bonus CD: Hubay and
his Pupils play Hubay - Rare historical recordings
newly restored see review for details
MUSIC AND ARTS CD 1164 [68:11 + 66:00]
[JW]
A
most rewarding two-disc set thoughtfully compiled,
very well transferred, and annotated and documented
with intelligence. First class all round.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John IRELAND
(1879-1962) These Things Shall Be *
for baritone solo, chorus and orchestra (1937) [19:44] Piano Concerto
+ (1930) [24:45] Legend for Piano and Orchestra + (1933) [12:43]
Overture: Satyricon (1946) [8:43] Two Symphonic Studies
(Fugue and Toccata) arr. Geoffrey Bush in 1969 from material
composed by Ireland for, but unused in, the film The Overlanders
[11:13] John Carol
Case (baritone) * London Philharmonic Choir * Eric Parkin (piano) +
London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult
LYRITA SRCD.241 [77:13][IL]
Pretty
well peerless performances of key John Ireland works. Has to figure in
my best recordings of 2007 list. ... see Full
Review
John IRELAND
(1879-1962)
String Quartet No. 1 in D minor (1897) (Allegro [8:02]; Molto
Allegro [4:32]; Andante Moderato [4:42]; Finale: Vivace
[5:09]) The Holy Boy (arr. 1941) [3:16] String Quartet No.
2 in C minor (1898) (Allegro Moderato [9:11]; Nocturne:
Andante [7:28]; Scherzo: Presto [4:58]; Pocol Allegro
– Vivace [10:04]) Maggini
Quartet (Laurence Jackson (violin); David Angel (violin); Martin Outram
(viola); Michael Kaznowski (cello)) rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 21-23
January 2004 NAXOS 8.557777
[57:22] [EM]
Charming
works and radiant performances. A must. ...
see Full
Review
John
JEFFREYS (b. 1955) The Far Country:
26 English Songs Awake thee my Bessy; The Song of love; Under the
leaves green; She is all so slight; Brown is my Love; Three Roses; Passing
By; Horror follows Horror; Severn Meadows; From Omiecourt; The Falcon;
I am the Gilly of Christ; Drop,drop slow tears; O my dere hert; Corpus
Christi; Full Fathom Five; When that I was; O mistress mine; Black Stitchel;
The Far Country; All night under the moon; The Salley Gardens; Little
Trotty Wagtail; The Whin; She is ever for the new; Jillian of Berry.
James Gilchrist (tenor)
Anna Tilbrook (piano) rec. 2005, Magdalen College
Oxford. DIVINE ART
DDA25049 [69:28][CSS]
Music
for a quiet evening – in contemplation of
some of the less complex emotions aroused
by things fine and beautiful ... see Full
Review
Niels Peter JENSEN
(1802-1846) Duos for two flutes Duo
for two flutes in E minor, Op. 11 No. 2 [16:53] Duo for two flutes in
D major, Op. 4 No. 1 [18:45] Duo for two flutes in F major, Op. 4 No.
3 [17:02] Duo for two flutes in D minor, Op. 11 No. 3 [20:59]
Rune Most (flute); Marcelo Barboza (flute) rec. 4-5 June, 2-3 October
2005, Johannes Larsen Museet, Kerteminde, Denmark. DDD
DACAPO 8.226029 [73:55][MC]
A
beautifully recorded, performed and presented release from Dacapo. Jensen’s
music deserves further investigation so I am on the lookout for new
releases. ... see Full Review
John
JOUBERT
(b. 1927) O
Praise God in his Holiness Op.52 (1967)a [1:49] Pro
Pace Motets (1955/9) [21:29] How are my Foes Increased, Lord!
Op.61 (1969)a [6:45] Sleep Canticle Op.81 (1974)b
[9:45] Three Hymns to St Oswald Op.74 (1972)a [22:04]
Nowell Op.58 (1968)a [3:23]
Jean Knibbs (soprano)b; Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor)b;
Martin Neary (organ)a The Louis Halsey Singers/Louis Halsey
rec. St Giles, Cripplegate, London, February 1979
BMS 102CDH [65:30] [HC]
This
most welcome release is an apt and timely
birthday tribute to a very distinguished composer
whose beautifully crafted and often appealing
music is all-too-easily overlooked. ... see
Full Review
Hans
KRÁSA (1899-1944) 1.
Brundibár (1943) [31:24] 2. Overture for Small Orchestra (1943-44)
[5:29] Lori LAITMAN (b.1955) 3.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly (1995-96) Northwest
Boychoir (1) Music of Remembrance/Gerard Schwarz (1,2) Craig
Sheppard (piano) (2) Maureen McKay (soprano); Laura DeLuca
(clarinet) (3) rec. St Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Seattle,
May 2006 (2); Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Seattle,
May 2006 (1,3) NAXOS
8.570119 [53:39] [JW]
Slick.
Very slick. And very wrong. ... see Full
Review
Orlandus
LASSUS
(1532-1594)
Penitential Psalm No.1 (Psalm 6) [13:59] Penitential Psalm No.2 (Psalm
32) [18:52] Penitential Psalm No.3 (Psalm 38) [27:14] Laudate Psalms
(Psalms 148 and 51) [11:10] Penitential Psalm No.4 (Psalm 51) [20:43]
Penitential Psalm No.5 (Psalm 102) [25:26] Penitential Psalm No.6 (Psalm
130) [8:45] Penitential Psalm No.7 (Psalm 143) [15:09] Henry’s Eight: (Declan Costello, William Towers (counter-tenor); Duncan
Byrne, Nicholas Todd, Nicholas Yates (tenor); Damian O’Keefe, Giles
Underwood, Robert-Jan Temminck (bass))/Jonathan Brown (director) rec.
27-31 August 1997, St- Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London HYPERION DYAD CDD22056
[71:49 + 70:40] [GPu]
A
valuable reissue of a fine performance of one of the most intriguing
of all Renaissance choral sequences … see Full
Review
Ruggero
LEONCAVALLO (1857–1919) I
Pagliacci (1892) Andrea
Bocelli (tenor) – Canio; Ana María Martínez (soprano) – Nedda;
Stefano Antonucci (baritone) – Tonio; Francesco Piccoli (tenor) – Beppe;
Roberto Accurso (baritone) – Silvio; Salvatore Bonaffini (tenor) – Un
contadino; Salvatore Todaro (baritone) – Un altro contadino
Coro di voci bianche ”Gaudeamus igitur” Concentus Orchestra
and Chorus of the Teatro Massimo Bellini, Catania/Steven Mercurio
rec. Teatro Massimo Bellini, Catania, 24 June–4 July 2002.
DDD DECCA
475 7753 [78:32] [GF]
The
best reason for acquiring this set is Stefano Antonucci’s lyrical
and expressive Tonio but I can’t help admiring Bocelli for his
boldness ... see Full
Review
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Piano Works CD 1 Années de Pèlerinage (Years of Pilgrimage)
Première Année: La Suisse (First year: Switzerland)
S160 (1836-54) 1. La chapelle de Guillaume Tell (1848-54) [6:33]
2. Au lac de Wallenstadt (1848-54) [2:39] 3. Pastorale (1848-54)
[1:35] 4. Au bord d'une source (1848-54) [3:10] 5. Orage (1848-54)
[3:54] 6. Vallée d'Obermann (1848-54) [12:41] 7. Eglogue
(1836) [3:32] 8. Le Mal du pays (1848-54) [5:41] 9. Les Cloches
de Genève (1848-54) [5:20] Années de Pèlerinage (Years
of Pilgrimage) Deuxième Année: L’Italie (Second
year: Italy) S161 (1838-49) 1. Sposalizio (1838-39)
[7:10] 2. Il penseroso (1838-39) [3:28] 3. Canzonetta del
Salvator Rosa (1849) [3:07] 4. Sonetto 47 del Petrarca (after
1846) [5:40] 5. Sonetto 104 del Petrarca (after 1846) [6:06]
6. Sonetto 123 del Petrarca (after 1846) [6:11] rec. Salle Wagram,
Paris, France. November, December 1962. CD 2 Deuxième
Année: L’Italie (Second year: Italy) S161 (cont.)
7. Après une lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi sonata (1837,
rev. 1849) [13:46] Venezia e Napoli S162 (Supplement to Années
de Pèlerinage: Second year) (1859) 1. Gondoliera
(1859) [5:10] 2. Canzone (1859) [3:48] 3. Tarantella (1859)
[8:21] Années de Pèlerinage (Years of Pilgrimage) Troisième
Année: L’Italie (Third year: Italy) S163 (1867-77)
1. Angelus! (Prière aux anges gardiens) (1877) [6:03]
2. Aux cyprès de la Villa d'Este I: Thrénodie (1877) [5:53]
3. Aux cyprès de La Villa d'Este II:
Thrénodie (1877) [8:41] 4. Les Jeux d'eaux à la Villa
d'Este (1877) [7:29] 5. Sunt lacrymae rerum (en mode hongrois)
(1872) [5:10] 6. Marche funèbre (In magnis et voluisse sat
est) (1867) [6:16] 7. Sursum corda (1877) [3:02] rec.
Salle Wagram, Paris, France. November, December 1962, except
S162 September 1969. CD 3 Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (Poetic
and religious harmonies) S173 (1845-52) 1. Invocation (1847-52)
[7:11] 2. Ave Maria (1847-52) [6:49] 3. Bénédiction de Dieu
dans la solitude (1845) [16:51] 4. Pensée des morts (1847-52)
[12:55] 5. Pater noster (1847-52) [2:59] 6. Hymne de l’enfant
à son réveil (1847-52) [5:25] 7. Funèrailles (‘October 1849’) (1849) [11:49] 8.
Miserere, d’après Palestrina (1847-52) [3:46] 9. Andante
lagrimoso (1847-52) [6:06] rec. Salle Wagram, Paris, France. 9-10
April 1990. CD 4 Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (Poetic
and religious harmonies) S173 (cont.) 10. Cantique d’amour
(1847-52) [6:54] Liebesträume (Dreams of Love) Three
Nocturnes, S541 (c. 1850) 2. Nocturne No. 1 in A flat [6:29]
3. Nocturne No. 2 in E [4:38] 4. Nocturne No. 3 in A flat
[4:17] Consolations S172 (1849-50) 5. Andante con moto
[1:06] 6. Un poco più mosso [2:46] 7. Lento placido
[4:10] 8. Quasi adagio [2:22] 9. Andantino [1:58]
10. Allegretto cantabile [2:29] Deux Légendes
S175 (c. 1863) 11. Saint François d'Assise prêchant aux oiseaux [8:41]
12. Saint François de Paule marchant sur les flots [8:42] Deux
Ballades 13. Ballade No. 1 in D flat S170 (1845-48) [7:18]
14. Ballade No. 2 in B minor S171 (1853) [13:35] rec. Salle Wagram,
Paris, France. March, November 1970, June 1971, except S173 9-10 April
1990. CD 5 Opera paraphrases: 1. Isolde's Liebestod from
Tristan und Isolde after Wagner (arr. Liszt 1867) S447 [7:28]
2. Valse de l'opéra Faust after Gounod (arr. Liszt 1861) S407
[9:25] 3. Valse à capriccio sur deux motifs de Lucia et Parisina
after Donizetti (arr. Liszt 1842) S401 [9:17] 4. Paraphrase de concert
sur Rigoletto after Verdi (arr. Liszt 1859) S434 [6:33] 5. Réminiscences
de Simon Boccanegra after Verdi (arr. Liszt 1882) S438 [11:35] 6.
Miserere du Trovatore after Verdi (arr. Liszt 1859) S433 [7:20]
7. Danza sacra et duetto finale d’Aïda after Verdi (arr. Liszt
1871-79) S436 [12:43]
Aldo Ciccolini (piano) rec. Salle Wagram, Paris, France. 15-17
March 1982, except S436 9-10 April 1990. ADD/DDD; Digital
remastering 2006
EMI CLASSICS 3 67906 2 [5 CDs: 76:47 + 73:39 + 73:51 + 75:25 + 64:21][MC]
I
thoroughly enjoyed these performances that aptly demonstrate the art
of Aldo Ciccolini. This set should satisfy anyone looking for a broad
selection of Liszt piano scores. ... see Full
Review
A “Hatto
Original” Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) 12 Etudes d’exécution transcendante
S.139 [65:09] László Simon
(piano) rec. August 1986, Beethovensaal, Hanover
BIS-CD-369 [65:05][CH]
The
most famous record by the pianist everyone must have heard of by now.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH A “Hatto Original” Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Mephisto Waltz no.1 [10:54] Grandes
études de Paganini: La Campanella [04:52] Etudes d’exécution
transcendante: Harmonies du soir [09:00], Feux follets [03:32]
Sonata in b minor [30:30]
Minoru Nojima (piano) rec. 17-18 December 1986, CA Civic Auditorium,
Oxnard. REFERENCE
RECORDINGS RR-25CD [59:24][CH]
A great Liszt record. ... see Full
Review
Antonio
LOTTI (1667–1740)
Vesper Psalms Dixit Dominus [29.33] Laudate
Pueri [23.46] Credidi [11.04] Laudate Dominum [4.01]
Barbara Christina Steude
(soprano) Annekathrin Laabs (soprano) David Erler (alto) Tobias Berndt
(bass) Sachisches Vocalensemble Batzdorfer Hofkapelle/Manfred Jung rec.
Lukas Kirche, Dresden, 22-24 October 2005
CPO 777 180-2 [66.08] [RH]
Not
quite up to the sophistication of the top-flight
early music groups but an attractive programme
given with charm, poise and a lively immediacy.
... see Full Review
Detailed
listing (last
five days)]
[Part 1 New]
[Part
2 A-B]
[Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]
[Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L][Part
7 Misc M-Z]
[Recommended
recordings]
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