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Alphabetical Listing

PART 5
S-Z

Detailed listing (last five days)]
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[Recommended recordings]

 

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Danse Macabre op. 40 (1874) [6:43] The Carnival of the Animals (1886) [23:11] Allegro Appassionato for cello and orchestra op. 43 (1875) [3:49] Symphony No. 3 in C minor op. 78 (1886) [34:12]Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah (1877) [6:44]* City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Louis Frémaux Christopher Robinson (organ) Paris Opéra Orchestra/Georges Prętre* rec. 1963 (Bacchanale), 1973-4. CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 3822332 [75:17] [RB]

A good Saint-Saëns collection with a splendid Third Symphony delivering more pleasure for longer than many ‘definitive’ versions. ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista SAMMARTINI (1700/1-1775) Gersualemme sconoscente ingrata (1759) [37:24] Confitebor [7:19] Symphony in E flat major [6:08] Symphony in G minor [7:22] Silvia Mapelli (soprano); Miroslava Yordanova (mezzo); Giorgio Tiboni (tenor); Filippo Ravizza (harpsichord) Symphonica Ensemble/Daniele Ferrari rec. 24-26 March 2005, Sala Congressi di Villa Vigoni, Loveno di Menaggio, Como NAXOS 8.570253 [58:12][GPu]

The music is little-known, but interesting and attractive, the performances are good, but one can imagine better … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Complete Keyboard Sonatas Vol. 8 Sonata in A Kk181 [3:42] Sonata in E Kk496 [4:48] Sonata in C Kk420 [4:25] Sonata in F minor Kk466 [6:39] Sonata in B flat Kk441 [2:59] Sonata in B minor Kk87 [6:13] Sonata in D Kk96 [4:50] Sonata in G minor Kk426 [5:48] Sonata in A flat Kk127 [5:29] Sonata in F minor Kk462 [5:18] Sonata in A minor Kk382 [2:24] Sonata in C Kk485 [5:08] Sonata in A Kk101 [4:27] Soyeon Lee (piano) rec. Performing Arts Centre, Country Day School, Ontario, Canada, 6-8 January 2006 DDD NAXOS 8.570010 [62:10] [PCW]

The recording is worth a special mention – well up to the high standard Norbert Kraft has previously set on various discs for this label. The documentation is also decent and the only thing that feels cheap about this disc is the price. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Complete String Quartets Vol. 7 Quartettsatz in C minor D103 (1814) [8:11] String Quartet No. 5 in B flat D68 (1813) [16:22] String Trio in B flat D471 (1816) [7:59] Five Minuets and Six Trios D89 (1813) [14:08] Overture in C minor for String Quintet* D8 (1811) Ed. Hess [9:07] Kodály Quartet; * with Gyözö Máthé (2nd viola) rec. Phoenix Studio, Budapest, Hungary, 18-22 July 2005 DDD NAXOS 8.557126 [55:48] [PCW]

Cultured but not over-refined playing; no masterworks on the programme but enough of interest to sustain the attention … see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony No.2 in C major Op.61 (1845-46) [35:21] Overture to ‘Scenes from Goethe’s Faust’ (1853) [7:38] Julius Caesar, Overture Op.128 (1851) [8:25] Symphony No.4 in D minor Op.120 (original version, 1841) [23:40] Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Thomas Dausgaard rec. March 2005 (Symphony No.2); March 2006, Örebro Concert Hall, Sweden BIS SACD-1519 [75:54] [DC]

There is a lightness and manoeuvrability about these performances which is bright and attractive. ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Carnaval op.9 (1835) [32:11] Kreisleriana op.16 (1838) [31:59] Noveletten op.21 (1838): no.8 in F sharp minor [11:51] Faschingsschwank aus Wien op.26 (1840) [22:40] Allegro in B minor op.8 (1831) [10:00] 3 Romanzen op.28 (1839): no.2 in F sharp [03:29] Fantasie in C op.17 (1836) [32:04] Alicia de Larrocha (piano) rec. June 1978, Roslyn Hill Chapel, London (Carnaval), May 1971, Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London (Kreisleriana, Allegro, Romanze, Novelette), June 1975, Kingsway Hall, London (Fantasie), November 1987, Studio No.1, Abbey Road, London (Faschingsschwank) DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 9910 [76:09 + 68:34] [CH]

Good, often very good, performances which are surpassed elsewhere. ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Papillons Op.2 (1830) [14:48] Davidsbündlertänze Op.6 (1837) [34:06] Thema mit Variationen WoO24 (Geister-Variationen) (1854) [12:30] Album für die Jugend Op.68 (1848) [74:21] Cédric Pescia (piano) rec. La Chaix-de-Fonds, Salle de Musique, Switzerland (Opp.2, 6); Lausanne, Chateau Fallot (WoO24; Op.68) CLAVES 50-2603-04 [61:28 + 74:21][JW]

Warm and attractive readings. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Concertos CD1 Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35 (1933) [21:58] Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102 (1957) [19:54] Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5 (1922) [3:24] Cristina Ortiz (piano)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Berglund rec. September 1975, Guildhall, Southampton. ADD CD2 Violin Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 99 (1948) [37:19] Violin Concerto No. 2 in C sharp minor, Op. 129 (1967) [28:13] David Oistrakh (violin) Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra/Yevgeny Mravinsky (Concerto No. 1) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Concerto No. 2) rec. November 1956, Leningrad (Concerto No. 1), September 1968, Moscow (Concerto No. 2). ADD CD3 Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107 (1959) [28:19] Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126 (1966) [36:22] Alexander Ivashkin (cello) Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Valeri Polyanski rec. October 1997, Moscow. DDD BRILLIANT CLASSICS 7620 [3 CDs: 45:18 + 64:46 + 64:41] [TB]

With recordings that span a period of more than forty years the recorded sound varies enormously; but the quality of the performances is such that the whole enterprise can be enthusiastically recommended. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The Golden Age - complete ballet Op.22 (1930) Royal Scottish National Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 23-26 May 2006. DDD NAXOS 8.570217-18 [76:41 + 67:01][SH]

This Naxos double has no faults whatever. ... see Full Review

John Philip SOUSA (1854-1932) Music for Wind Band Vol. 6 Easter Monday on the White House Lawn (From Tales of a Traveller) ed. R. Mark Rogers (1928) [2:20] The Golden Star (1919) [4:40] The Dauntless Battalion (1922) [2:51] Sextet from The Bride Elect (Arr. Herbert L. Clarke) (1897) [2:17] The Federal March (1910) [2:33] Three Quotations (Suite for Band) ed. R. Mark Rogers (1895) [13:27] Liberty Bell (Arr. Brion/Schissel) (1893) [3:45] The Gridiron Club (1926) [3:21] La Reine de la Mer (1886) [7:10] The Chariot Race (1890) [5:31] The Gladiator (1886) [2:53] New Mexico March (1928) [3:06] The Picador March (1889) [3:02] Royal Artillery Band/Keith Brion rec. Woolwich Town Hall, 15-16 January 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.559132 [56:56] [PCW]

Beautifully clean and slightly understated playing … see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Elektra (1906) Eva Johansson (soprano): Elektra; Marjana Lipovšek.(mezzo): Klytemnestra; Melanie Diener (soprano): Chrysothemis; Alfred Muff (baritone): Orest; Rudolf Schasching (tenor): Aegisth Chor des Opernhauses Zürich, Orchester der Opernhaus Zürich/Christoph von Dohnanyi Martin Kušej (Stage Director) rec. Zürich, 30 November, 4 December 2005. DDD All regions NTSC TDK DVWW-OPELEK [102:00] [AOz]

Don’t give this DVD to anyone as a Mother’s Day gift unless you want to alienate your friends and family. That said, you’ll want to experience it yourself. It’s gut-wrenchingly powerful. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) CD 1 Petrouchka (original 1911 version) [36:24] Feu d’artifice op.4 (1909) [3:51] Le Sacre du Printemps (revised 1947 version) [35:09] CD 2 L’Oiseau de feu (1910) [35:09] Scherzo fantastique op.3 (1908) [13:06] Philharmonia Orchestra/Eliahu Inbal rec. Abbey Road Studios, London, August 1989 (Firebird, Scherzo); The Maltings, Snape, November 1989 (Le Sacre) WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 64377-2 [75:40 + 65:52][DC]

A one-size-fits-all entry into the world of Stravinsky’s three great early ballets ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Apollo (1928, rev.1947) [28:36] Concerto in D for Strings (1946) [11:57] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) 20 Visions Fugitives for piano Op.22 (1915-17) [26:15] arr. Rudolf Barshai (I-VI, VIII-XVI) & Roman Balashov (VII, XVII-XX) Moscow Soloists/Yuri Bashmet rec. Schloss Neuhardenberg, Berlin, Germany, 11-14 July 2006. DDD ONYX 4017 [66:57] [DC]

Bashmet proves once again that there is plenty more to say through the medium of the small string orchestra. ... see Full Review

Carlos SURINACH (1915-1997) Melorhythmic Dramas (1966) [21:54]* Symphonic Variations (1962) [15:58] Feria Magica Overture (1956) [5:12] Sinfonietta Flamenca (1950) [12:41] Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney Louisville Orchestra/Jorge Mester* rec. Louisville, 1967 (Melorhythmic Dramas), 1965 (Symphonic Variations), 1956 (Feria Magica Overture) and 1954 (Sinfonietta Flamenca) FIRST EDITION FECD0039 [55:43] [JW]

Surinach is a cure for low spirits. Splendour guaranteed ... see Full Review

Józef ŚWIDER (b.1930) Jubilate Deo [2:55] Pater noster (1986) [4:44] Wierzę (Credo) [2:34] Salve Regina [5:08] Czego chcesz od nas Panie (1983) [3:49] Lux perpetua (1987) [3:38] Vocalisa “pax” [3:27] Missa minima [4:28] Moja piosnka/Mein Liedchen (1983) [2:29] Ave maris stella [3:17] Requiem aeternam (1996) [5:08] Da pacem Domine [4:43] Laudate pueri [2:42] Cantus gloriosus [3:59] Te Deum [19:35] Katarzyna Trylnik (soprano); Czesław Gałka (baritone): Arkadiusz Skotnicki ,Piotr Sutt (precussion); Julian Gembalski (organ) Polski Chór Kameralny/Jan Łukaszewski rec. February 2005, St Nikolai, Gdansk CARUS 83.176 [73:19][GPu]

A representative selection from the work of a leading ‘mainstream’ Polish composer of choral music … see Full Review

Sergei TANEYEV (1856-1915) String Quintet in G, Op. 14 (1903) [38.55] Paul Rosenthal, Ilya Teplyakov (violins); Aleksey Koptev (viola); Leonid Shikayev, Peter Rejto (cellos). Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) String Quartet in A minor, Op. 35, for two cellos (1894) [27.41] Ik-Hwan Bae (viola); Paul Coletti (viola); Michal Kanka, Peter Rejto (cellos). rec. Winter Chamber Music Festival, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 2003?. Notes in English. TUCSON FESTIVAL F03-2 [66.41][PSh]

A brilliant recording of two unfamiliar masterpieces which should be in every collection. ... see Full Review

Boris TCHAIKOVSKY (1925-1996) Symphony No. 1 (1947) [32:17] Suite: The Murmuring Forest (1953) [13:26] Suite: After the Ball (1952) [16:54] Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra/Edward Serov (Symphony) Saratov Conservatory Symphony Orchestra/Kirill Ershov (Suites) rec. Volgograd Central Concert Hall, Russia, 17-20 June 2006 (Symphony); Great Hall, Saratov Conservatoire, Russia, 15 January 2006 (Murmuring Forest); 13 June 2006 (After the Ball) NAXOS 8.570195 [62:38][BB]

The Symphony will not displace any of the twentieth-century “greats,” but makes for compelling listening and deserves to be played in Western concert halls. ... see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) 1812 Overture Op. 49 (1880) [16:59] Romeo and Juliet – Fantasy Overture after Shakespeare [20:48] Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Pohjola’s Daughter – Symphonic Fantasy, Op.49 (1906) [14:59] Valse triste (from Kuolema, Op.44) [5:52] Karelia Suite, Op. 11 [15:35] Tanglewood Festival Chorus (1812) Boston Symphony Orchestra/Colin Davis rec. Symphony Hall, Boston, March 1980 (1812; Valse triste), April 1979 (Romeo and Juliet; Pohjola’s Daughter; Karelia Suite). ADD PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC5186 164 SACD Hybrid [74:34] [JPh]

So, if you must have this combination of items this is a reasonable issue but bear in mind that there is competition ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D (1878) [35:53]Sérénade mélancolique for violin and orchestra (1875) [9:27] Valse-Scherzo for violin and orchestra (1877) [7:46] Souvenir d’un lieu cher (Souvenir of a beloved place) for violin and piano (1878) [15:54]* Julia Fischer (violin) Yakov Kreizberg (piano)* Russian National Orchestra/Yakov Kreizberg rec. Souvenir: MCO Studio 5, Hilversum, April 2006; DZZ Studio 5, Moscow, April 2006 PENTATONE PTC5186095 [68:25] [IL]

Fischer’s awesome talent makes for a performance that can compare with the best in this very popular concerto. Imaginative, intelligent programming ... see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Swan Lake, Op. 20: suite* (1875-6) [27:44] The Nutcracker, Op. 71: suite (1891-2) [23:08] The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66: suite (1888-9) [20:00] Boston Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa rec. Symphony Hall, Boston, *November 1978; December 1990. ADD, DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ENTRÉE 477 5009 [71:04] [SV]

I'm not sure that Ozawa's performances are necessarily the best choices. Then again would any of DG's back-catalogue have been any better? ... see Full Review

Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35 (1878) [30:11] Romeo and Juliet, Op.18 (1869) [19:56] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) (arr. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) [30:23] Itzhak Perlman (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy rec. 1979? EUROARTS 2072128 [81:24] [OW]

An absolute essential for violin fans, and certainly worth snapping up by the casual buyer. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Wasps overture (1909) [9:59] A Sea Symphony (1909) [66:20] Susan Gritton (soprano) Gerald Finley (baritone) London Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox rec. Barbican Centre, London, 3-4 June 2006. DDD CHANDOS CHSA 5047 [76:17][MG]

Overall the recording, playing and singing of this Hickox version set a new standard … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910) [17:06] The Wasps (Overture) (1909) [9:07] Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’ (1928) [4:36]George BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916) The Banks of Green Willow (1913) [5:47]Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) Op.36 (1899) [31:13] London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 26 January 1979 and No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, 27-28 November 1978 (The Wasps, Enigma Variations), 30 November 1971 (Greensleeves), and 15-16 December 1976 (Green Willow). British Composers Series EMI CLASSICS 3 82157 2 [68:25] [DC]

Previn’s characterisations in the ‘Enigma’ variations populate your room with real people…... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Messa da Requiem (1874) (No. 1. Requiem aeternam; Kyrie Eleison; No. 2. Dies irae; Tuba mirum; Liber scriptus; Quid sum miser; Rex tremendae; Recordare; Ingemisco; Confutatis; Lacrymosa; No. 3. Domine Jesu; Sanctus; No. 4. Sanctus; No. 5. Agnus Dei; No.6. Lux aeterna; No.7. Libera me; Requiem aeternam; Libera me) Fiorenza Cedolins (soprano); Luciana D’Intino (mezzo); Ramon Vargas (tenor). Rafal Siwek (bass) Choir and Orchestra Filarmonica of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini/Zubin Mehta rec. live, Salla Santa Cecilia, Auditorium Parco del Musica, Rome, 30 January 2005. DDD Sound format, DD 5.1. DTS 5.1. LPCM stereo. Picture format 16:9 anamorphic NTSC Introductory essay in English, German and French Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German, French and Spanish TDK DVD VIDEO DVWW-COVREQ [93:00][RJF]

Whilst not displacing the very best versions of this work on DVD, this issue, in excellent sound, with an Italian chorus in good form and soloists and conductor giving the music its due, is a worthy addition to the catalogue. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Simon Boccanegra - Melodrama in a Prologue and Three Acts (revised edition) (1881) Simon Boccanegra, a sometime corsair and Doge of Genoa - Gordon Hawkins (bar); Maria Boccanegra - Simon’s daughter known as Amelia Grimaldi - Nuccia Focile (sop); Jacapo Fiesco, a Genoese nobleman - Vladamir Vaneev (bass); Gabrielle Adorno, a Genoese gentleman in love with Maria - Paul Charles Clarke (ten); Paolo Albiani, a courtier - Yaron Windmüller (bar); Pietro, another courtier - Martin Snell (bass) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Marco Guidarini rec. Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, 10-12 March 2000, New Zealand Festival 2000. DDD MORRISON MUSIC TRUST MMT 2045-46 [75.36 + 64.01][RJF]

With the benefits of a live performance, idiomatic conducting, and a vibrant recording allied to an outstanding portrayal of the title role, this recording thrilled my Verdian soul, as I am sure it would have warmed the great man himself. ... see Full Review

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Chamber Music The Jet Whistle (1950) [9:42]Quintette instrumental for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp (1957) [16:28]Song of the Black Swan for violin and harp (1917) [2:52] Duo for violin and viola (1946) [16:28]Five Songs (transcribed for flute and harp by Lorna McGhee and Alison Nicholls) Vida Formose (Beautiful life) (1943) [2:48] Nesta Rua (On this Street) (1943) [2:27] Modinha (1926) [1:46] Chanson de Cristal (Song of Crystal) (1950) [3:28] Cancăo do Marinheiro (Sailor’s Song) (1936) [3:18] Mobius: Philippe Honore (violin); Ashan Pillai (viola); Michael Stirling (cello); Lorna McGhee (flute) and Alison Nicholls (harp) rec. St Michael’s Church, East Woodhay, May-June 2003  NAXOS 8.557765 [59:16] [JW]

A splendid recital of some hard-to-resist Villa-Lobos. ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) O qui coeli terraeque serenitas (RV 631) [11:37] Salve Regina (RV 617)* (09:08] Laudate pueri Dominum (RV 601)** [22:59] Vos aurae per montes (RV 634) [13:04] Suzie LeBlanc (soprano), Gottfried von der Goltz (violin) (*), Claire Guimond (transverse flute) (**), Peter Frankenberg, Frank de Bruine (oboe) (**) Teatro Lirico/Stephen Stubbs rec. April, September 1998, Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, Netherlands. DDD CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72027 [58:48] [JV]

A recording by an excellent singer and a splendid ensemble, but the dramatic power of Vivaldi's vocal music is only partly exploited ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Complete Bassoon Concertos - Volume 4 Concerto in D minor, RV 481 [9:56] Concerto in F major, RV 485 [9:18] Concerto in C major, RV 477 [10:39] Concerto in A minor, RV 499 [8:07] Concerto in C major, RV 470 [9:50] Concerto in G major, RV 494 [9:35] Tamás Benkócs (bassoon) Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia/Béla Drahos rec. 7-9 May 2005, Phoenix Studios, Budapest. DDD NAXOS 8.557829 [57:26] [GPu]

Another pleasant addition to an enjoyable series, featuring a very fine soloist … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Walküre (1856) [224:01] Robert Gambill (tenor) - Siegmund; Angela Denoke (soprano) - Sieglinde; Attila Jun (bass) - Hunding; Renate Behle (soprano) - Brünnhilde; Jan-Hendrik Rootering (bass-baritone) - Wotan; Tichina Vaughn (mezzo) - Fricka; Eva-Maria Westbroek (soprano) - Gerhilde; Wiebke Göetjes (soprano) - Ortlinde; Stella Kleindienst (mezzo) - Waltraute; Helene Ranada (contralto) - Schwertleite; Magdalena Schäfer (soprano) - Helmwige; Nidia Palacios (mezzo) - Siegrune; Maria Theresa Ullrich (contralto) - Grimgerde; Margit Diefenthal (contralto) – Roßweiße Chorus and Orchestra of the Stuttgart State Opera/Lothar Zagrosek rec. live, Staatstheater Stuttgart, 29 September 2002; 2 January 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.660172-74 [3 CDs: 67:37 + 79:04 + 77:20][CC]

A mixed Walküre, then. This is an interesting, honest account that never in truth overwhelms as mature Wagner should but nevertheless provides much to admire. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Die Walküre (1870) John Keyes (tenor) – Siegmund; Kurt Rydl (bass) – Hunding; Albert Dohmen (bass-baritone) – Wotan; Charlotte Margiono (soprano) – Sieglinde; Linda Watson (soprano) – Brünnhilde; Doris Soffel (mezzo) – Fricka; Dorothy Grandia (soprano) – Gerhilde; Ellen van Haaren (soprano) – Ortlinde; Natascha Petrinsky (mezzo) – Waltraute; Hebe Dijkstra (contralto) – Schwertleite; Turid Karlsen (soprano) – Helmwige; Irene Pieters (mezzo) – Siegrune; Marina Prudenskaja (contralto) – Grimgerde; Qiu Lin Zhang (contralto) – Rossweisse; Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest/Hartmut Haenchen rec. live, De Nederlandse Opera, September 2005 ETCETERA KTC5501 [4 CDs: 62:44 + 53:31 + 35:09 + 67:21] [GF]

The freshness and rethinking of the music or rather the return to the sources, make this a tempting proposition. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Siegfried (1876) Jon Fredric West (tenor) – Siegfried; Heinz Görig (tenor) – Mime; Wolfgang Schöne (bass) – The Wanderer; Björn Waag (bass) – Alberich; Attila Jun (bass) – Fafner; Gabriela Herrera (soprano) – Forest Bird; Helene Ranada (contralto) – Erda; Lisa Gasteen (soprano) – Brünnhilde Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Lothar Zagrosek rec. live, Staatstheater Stuttgart, Germany, 1 October 2002, 5 January 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.660175-78 [4 CDs: 54:17 + 50:50 + 72:17 + 62:58] [GF]

Much to admire in this latest instalment in the Naxos Ring. Even though it doesn’t oust the top contenders, it can hold its own in a crowded field. Newcomers could do much worse than starting here - and at budget price too! ... see Full Review

Johann Jakob WALTHER (1650-1717) Hortulus Chelicus Mainz, 1688 Suite No. 9 in C minor [10.43]; Sonata No. 8 in E major [7.59]; Aria No. 14 in G minor [6.48]; Suite No. 6 in B minor; [14.27] Suite No. 20 in E minor [10.05]; Serenata No. 28 in D major [13.06]; Passagagli No. 7 in D minor [9.39] Maya Amrein (cello); Shizuko Noiri (theorbo); Andrea Marchiol (clavecin; organ) Les Plaisirs du Parnasse/David Plantier (violin, director) rec. 14-18 November 2005, Salle du Volkshaus, Basle. Switzerland. DDD ZIGZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT 060902 [73.31] [GH]

Fine and highly civilized music and we are fortunate indeed that it has been so wonderfully researched and executed. ... see Full Review

Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Der Freischütz (1820) Ernst Kozub (tenor) – Max; Gottlob Frick (baritone) – Kaspar; Franz Grundheber (baritone) – Kilian; Arlene Saunders (soprano) – Agathe; Toni Blankenheim (baritone) – Cuno; Edith Mathis (soprano) – Ännchen; Tom Krause (baritone) - Prince Ottakar; Bernhard Minetti (baritone) – Samiel; Hans Sotin (baritone) - the Hermit Chorus and ballet of the Hamburg State Opera Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra/Leopold Ludwig Directed for TV: Joachim Hess rec. Hamburg, 1968 NTSC All regions 2007 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 271 [123:00][AOz]

Not a first choice Freischütz. However it gives valuable insight into how opera can be enhanced as art movie. And, Edith Mathis! Her singing alone should justify the price of this DVD. ... see Full Review

Sylvius Leopold WEISS (1686-1750) Lute Sonatas Volume 2 Sonata No.5 in G for solo lute [20.33] Sonata No.25 in g for solo lute [22.46] Sonata No.50 in Bb for solo lute [32.16] Robert Barto (baroque lute by Andrew Rutherford) rec. St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Canada, 8 September 1996. Notes in English and Français. NAXOS 8.553988 [75.45] Sylvius Leopold WEISS (1686-1750) Lute Sonatas Volume 6 Sonata No.7 in c for solo lute [17.51] Sonata No.23 in Bb for solo lute [22.53] Sonata No.45 in A for solo lute [33.56] Robert Barto (baroque lute by Andrew Rutherford) rec. The Green Room, Offord Hall, Aurora, Ontario, Canada, 7 October 2002. Notes in English and Deutsch. Photo of artist. NAXOS 8.555722 [74.41][PSh]

Filling a huge and important gap in the repertoire and delighting and entertaining us as well. ... see Full Review

Silvius Leopold WEISS (1687-1750) Lute Sonatas - Volume 8 Sonata No. 36 in D minor [24:01] Sonata No. 19 in F major [23:03] Sonata No 34 in D minor [16:07] Roberto Barto (baroque lute) rec. 17-20 October, 2005, Green Room, Offord Hall, Aurora, Ontario, Canada. DDD NAXOS 8.570109 [63:11][MS]

Lute music glorious in its variety and sheer beauty … the playing marked by its sensitivity and technique. Another winner. ... see Full Review

Silvius Leopold WEISS (1687-1750) Lute Sonatas - Volume 1 Sonata in B flat major No.25/S-C No. 49 (after 1725) [31:33] Prelude and Fantasie in C minor (c.1719) [5:18] Sonata in A minor No.16/S.C.No. 43  (after 1725) [36:42] Yasunori Imamura (lute) rec. Evangelische Kirche St Martin in Kilchberg, Switzerland, August 2004 CLAVES 50-2613 [74:42][JW]

Imamura’s fluent and satisfying start to what one hopes will be an odyssey of similar proportions to that of Barto. Individualism and stylistic awareness, ... see Full Review

Otfrid von WEIßENBURG (c.800-870) Liber Evangeliorum Invocatio Wola drútin mín [1:30] Invitatorium Praeoccupemus faciem Domini [9:18] Hymnus Vox clara ecco intonat [2:03] Lectio I This sint búah frono [3:00] Responsorium Aspiciens a longe [7:30] Lectio II Ward after thiu irscritan sár [2:50] Responsorium Sancta et immaculate virginitas [2:33] Responsorium Suspice verbum Virgo Maria [2:49] Lectio III Fűar tho sancta Mária [3:36] Responsorium Beatam me dicent omnes generationes [2:29] Responsorium Ecce apparebit Dominus [2:42] Hymnus Veni redemptor gentium [3:10] Lectio IV Wúntar ward tho máraz [1:41] Responsorium O magnum mysterium [3:29] ResponsoriumBeata Dei Genitrix [2:05] Lectio V Tho wárum thar in lánte [2:16] Responsorium Hodie nobis coelorum Rex [3:40] Responsorium Verbum caro factum est [4:48] Lectio VI Thar was ein mán alter [2:14] Responsorium Adorna thalamum tuum Sion [4:48] Oratio Giwérdo uns geban drúhtin [2:58] Antiphona Alma Redemptoris Mater [1:53] Ensemble Officium/Wilfried Rombach rec. 13-14 June 2005, evangelische Kirche, Gönningen DDD CHRISTOPHORUS CHR 77279 [73:34][MS]

A beautiful, restrained distillation of the ‘Liber Evangeliorum’ performed to perfection and faithful to the work’s spirituality ... see Full Review

Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876-1948) Canzoniere on Tuscan Folk Poetry: Forty-Four rispetti, stornelli ed altri canti Op.17 (1936)  [56:12] Gemma Bertagnolli (soprano) Sandro Naglia (tenor) Fulvio Bettini (baritone) Antonio Ballista (piano) rec. SMC di Campajola, Ivrea, December 1997 LA BOTTEGA DISCANTICA BDI38 [56:12] [JW]

Performances are rather small scale but there’s an attractive uniformity to them and they do present the “44” in usefully consolidated form. ... see Full Review

Charles WUORINEN (b. 1938) Cyclops 2000 (2000) [23:29] A Reliquary for Igor Stravinsky (1974) [16:21] London Sinfonietta/Oliver Knussen rec. May 2001, October 1994, London. LONDON SINFONIETTA SIN CD4-2006 [39:50][AOz]

An important milestone ... captures an exciting moment in the orchestra’s development and helped seal its reputation as well as Wuorinen’s. ... 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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