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Alphabetical Listing

PART 3
C-L

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


Superbudget £5.99 or less Budget £6-7.99 Medium £8-10.99 Full price £11+ Download

Alfredo CASELLA (1883-1947) Symphony 2, A notte alta SO di Roma/Francesco La Vecchia, rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572414 [76.55] [GH]

This is a disc well worth the modest outlay even if you only play A notte alta.

Jordi CERVELLÓ (b.1935) Clarinet Concertino see Girona XXI Vol. 3

Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (c.1645-1704) Te Deum - Motets pour le roy Louis Maîtrise de Bretagne, Parlement de Musique/Martin Gester, rec. 2000 NAĎVE OP30463 [61:43] [JV]

A welcome reissue of fine performances of four splendid compositions by Charpentier, among them the Te Deum.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810–1849) Piano Concerto 1, Nocturnes, Ballade 1, Polonaise 6 Maurizio Pollini (piano) Philharmonia O/Paul Kletzki, rec 1960/8 EMI CLASSICS 6317802 [72:56] [BBr]

This is a great disc which should not be missed.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto 2, Variations on Lŕ ci darem la mano, Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante Eldar Nebolsin (piano), Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572336 [62:53] [JS]

Near the ideal in the performance of Chopin.

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) His Contemporaries and His Instruments Bart van Oort (piano) rec. 1990-2009 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94048 [6 CDs: 390:58] [KS]

A fascinating look back at the history of the romantic piano. This set features are remarkably fine set of antique instruments, and these refreshing performances take some of the shellac off some more modern over-indulgence. A lovely journey.

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano works see Samson François

Muzio CLEMENTI (1752-1832) Piano Sonatas Sang Mi Chung (piano) rec. 2009 CENTAUR CRC3035 [55:50] [DC]

Won’t disappoint.

Gloria COATES (b.1938) String Quartet 9, Sonata for Solo Violin, Lyric Suite for Piano Trio Kreutzer Qt, Roderick Chadwick (Piano) rec. 2008-9 NAXOS 8.559666 [58:51] [RW]

The mood of the first two pieces is monotonously heavy whilst the piano and cello in the last piece considerably brighten the overall lyrical tone.

Chiara Margarita COZZOLANI (1602–c.1677) Complete Works, Vol. 1: Salmi a Otto Voci Concertati, 1650 Magnificat/Warren Stewart, rec. 2000-2 MUSICA OMNIA MO0401 [73:05 + 71:14] [JV]

These performances fail to explore the character of Cozzolani's oeuvre to the full.

Slawomir CZARNECKI (b.1949) Quartet No.2 ‘Spiš’ see Kilar

Carl DAVIDOFF (1838-1889) Cello concertos 3 & 4 Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Nocturne, Pezzo Capriccioso, Andante cantabile Wen-Sinn Yang (cello) Shanghai SO/Terje Mikkelsen rec. 2009 CPO 777 432-2 [71.39] [CF]

Reminding us how fine a cellist Davidoff must have been in his day.

Stephen DEAZLEY (b.1969) The Ears of Mr Tuer see BRITTEN

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Douze Études Pascal Rogé (piano) rec. 2009/10 ONYX 4056 [54:23] [KS]

Understated elegance is the hallmark of these superb readings of Debussy’s last major contribution to the piano literature. Put your thinking cap on and enjoy a journey into the heart of the piano.

Claude DEBUSSY (1862 - 1918) Orchestral Works Vol. 4 Le martyre de Saint Sébastien, Khamma, Le roi Lear, Cortège et air de danse O Ntl de Lyon/Jun Märkl rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572297 [61:22] [BBr]

This is a fine disk. 

Hanne DENEIRE (b. 1980) Lotus; Zear; D.W.E.; Mitä Ensemble Hommages; Beethoven Academie/Jan Caeyers rec. 2009 PHAEDRA 92063 [60:36] [HC]

A fine introduction to a young composer’s music.

Alexandre DESPLAT (b.1961) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 London SO/Desplat rec. 2010 SONY MUSIC 88697 794712 [73:55] [GD]

Not a bad Hollywood film soundtrack at all.

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 - 1848) Lucia di Lammermoor Désirée Rancatore (soprano) Roberto De Biasio (tenor) Ch & O Bergamo Musica Festival Gaetano Donizetti/Antonio Fogliani rec. live, 2006 NAXOS 8.660255-56 [62:33 + 70:07] [GF]

It is cheap but it is worth paying a couple of euros or pounds more to get Sutherland, Sills, Gruberova, Studer or Rost instead. 


RECORDING OF THE MONTH

Maurice DURUFLÉ
(1902-1986) Prelude, recitative and variations see LOEFFLER


Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904)
Symphony 9 Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Nutcracker Suite Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccata & Fugue rec. 1934/47 DUTTON CDBP 9803 [72:23] [JW]

There are worse things to do than listen to Stokowski’s Dvořák New World.

Antonín DVORÁK (1841 – 1904) Cello Concerto Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Variations on a Rococo Theme Truls Mřrk (cello), Oslo PO/Mariss Jansons rec. 1992 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6286232 [58:05] [GF]

A real find.

Antonin DVORÁK (1841–1904) Violin Concerto see BRAHMS

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Variations on an Original Theme (‘Enigma’) Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Philharmonia O/Malcolm Sargent rec. 1959 HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS HDCD208 [45:25] [JW]

Sonorous weight, richly vibrated string tone - hopeful, radiant, not especially mystical or interior or meditative; rather plush and extrovert. 

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin Concerto, Alternative cadenza, Polonia Tasmin Little (violin) Royal Scottish Ntl O/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2010 CHANDOS CHSA5083 [74:52] [BBr]

This recording will give pleasure to many.

Andrew FORD (b.1957) The Waltz Book Ian Munro (piano) rec. 2009 TALL POPPIES TP209 [59:16] [BBr]

A very interesting jaunt.

John FOULDS (1880-1939) Keltic Overture, Keltic Suite, Sicilian Aubade, Isles of Greece, Holiday Sketches, An Arabian Night, Suite Fantastique Katharine Wood (cello solo) Cynthia Fleming (violin solo) Roderick Elms (organ) BBC Concert O/Ronald Corp rec. 2010 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7252 [68:06] [IL]

One of the most enjoyable CDs to have come my way for a long time. Spirited readings and sheer enchantment.

Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Piano Sonatas 1 & 2 Anatoly LIADOV (1855-1914) Variations on a Polish Folk Theme Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Six Caprices Martin Cousins (Piano) rec. 2009 SOMM SOMMCD0100 [76:47] [JW]

A most useful disc, warmly played if sometimes lacking the ultimate in forcefulness.

Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside, Angela Gheorghiu, Ch & O Royal Opera House/Antonio Pappano rec. 2004 EMI CLASSICS 6316119 [2 DVDs: 100:00 + 80:00] [RF]

It has been a long wait, but despite its idiosyncrasies this is as good a portrayal of Faust on DVD as one is likely to get.

Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Danzas espańolas (Spanish Dances) Douglas Riva (piano) rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572313 [64:01] [OL]

Authentic and modern at the same time.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Christoph GRAUPNER (1683 - 1760) Christmas Cantatas Veronika Winter (soprano) Franz Vitzthum (alto) Jan Kobow (tenor) Markus Flaig (bass) Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 2010 CPO 777 572-2 [73:44] [JV]

There is hardly a better way to get to know Graupner's individual vocal style than with this disc.

Edward GREGSON (b.1945) The Gregson Collection: Celebrating a Life of Brass Band Composition Black Dyke Band/Nicholas J Childs DOYEN DOY CD252 [77:05 + 78:46] [BBr]

Do not take Gregson for granted. His music is colourful, sometimes challenging and always entertaining.

Jean GUILLOU (b.1930) Concerto Grosso, Concerto 2000 Jean Guillou (organ) O National des Pays de la Loire/Vincent Barthe, rec. 2000/9 ONPL GUILLOU 2010 [70:30] [DC]

Uncompromisingly personal and intense, and with never a dull moment.

Johan HALVORSEN (1864 – 1935) Orchestral Works - Vol. 2 Marianne Torsen (violin) Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi, rec. 2009 CHANDOS CHAN 10614 [75:50] [NB]

Musically enjoyable if not life-changing - another bull’s-eye for the prodigiously comprehensive Neeme Järvi.

George Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Violin Sonatas Hiro Kurosaki (violin) William Christie (harpsichord, organ) rec. 2002 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6286262 [59:31] [KS]

An hour of delights from one of history’s most dramatic and elegant composers. Sure to please.

Emil HARTMANN (1836-1898) Nordic and German Songs Iben Vestergĺrd (soprano) Cathrine Penderup (piano) rec. 2010 DANACORD DACOCD 712-713 [60:06 + 64:44] [JF]

An important release for enthusiasts of Danish music.

Johann Adolf HASSE (1699-1783) Marc'Antonio e Cleopatra Jamie Barton, Ava Pine, Ars Lyrica Houston/Matthew Dirst rec. 2010 DORIAN SONO LUMINUS DSL-92115 [46.22 + 43.28] [RH]

Well worth encountering in this engaging performance.

Joseph HAYDN (1732–1809) Masses - Vol. 5 Trinity Ch, Rebel Baroque O/J. Owen Burdick, rec. 2002/6 NAXOS 8.572125 [68:27] [BW]

It may make you want the complete set.

Anthony HOLBORNE (c.1545-1602) Pavans and Galliards The Guildhall Waits, The Consort of Musicke/Trevor Jones, Anthony Rooley rec. 1980 DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 1802 [42:38] [JV]

This recording of some of Holborne's instrumental music sounds remarkably fresh, despite its age.

Joseph HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) The Pit and the Pendulum, Cello Concerto, Symphony 4, Pandora Raphael Wallfisch (cello) Royal Liverpool PO, Royal Scottish Ntl O/George Vass rec. 2010 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7251 [74:57] [MC]

It is pleasing to see the renewal of interest in the late-Romantic music of Joseph Holbrooke. With a recording as fine as this long may it continue.

Gordon JACOB (1895-1984) Chamber Music with Recorder Suite, Sonatina, Recorder Sonata, A Consort of Recorders, Variations Trifles Annabel Knight (recorders) Robin Bigwood (harpsichord and piano) Maggini String Qt, Fontanella rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572364 [75:10] [WK]

A lovely recording of some mostly unknown music, showing great variety of expression. Annabel Knight is someone to watch. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1938) String Quartets Mandelring Qt, Gunter Teuffel (viola d’amore) rec. 2009 AUDITE 92.545 [67:14] [SR]

A must-have for Janáček-fans and chamber music aficionados alike. 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Rodolphe KREUTZER (1766-1831) Violin Concertos 17-19 Axel Strauss (violin) San Francisco Conservatory O/Andrew Mogrelia rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.570380 [71:45] [BR]

Lovely violin concertos which have me waiting for the rest of the series.

Anatoly LIADOV (1855-1914) Variations on a Polish Folk Theme see GLAZUNOV

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No. 1 Ott see Tchaikovsky

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Charles Martin LOEFFLER (1861-1935) Two Rhapsodies Five Songs Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863-1937) Sonata da Camera Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Prelude, recitative and variations William Dazeley (baritone) London Concord Ens rec. 2001/2 CHAMPS HILL CHRCD010 [61:31] [KS]

Elegant music, flawlessly performed. This is one of the finest recordings that I have encountered in some time.

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Partita, Interlude, Chains 1 & 2, Chantefleurs & Chantefables Fujiko Imajishi (violin), Valdine Anderson (sop.), New Music Concerts Ens/Witold Lutosławski rec. 1993 NAXOS 8.572450 [75:38] [DC]

More than just a souvenir.

Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913–1994) Symphonies 2 & 4 NFM Wroclaw PO/Jacek Kaspszyk rec. 2009 CDACCORD ACD 161-2 [50:28] [DC]

High production values and terrific staying power.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Symphony 3, Chain 3; Concerto for Orchestra BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2010 CHANDOS CHSA5082 [69:56] [WH]

Magnificent performances of three masterpieces from a master composer.

 


Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


 



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