JANUARY

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wilhelm Friedemann BACH (1710 - 1784) Cantatas 1 Dorothee Mields (soprano) Gerhild Romberger (alto) Georg Poplutz (tenor) Klaus Mertens (bass) Bachchor Mainz L’arpa festante/Ralf Otto rec. 2010 CARUS 83.362 [69:01] [MS]

Four of W.F. Bach's Halle cantatas given splendid world première recordings by a top team.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Handel Variations, Two Rhapsodies, Piano Pieces Murray Perahia (piano) rec. 2010 SONY CLASSICAL 88679 79469 2 [78:44] [DC]

Do you really need to ask if this is any good?

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erik CHISHOLM (1904-1965) The Forsaken Mermaid, The Hoodie Craw Murray McLachlan and Graham Scott (pianos) rec. 2009 ECT RECORDS ECT 2010.1 [62:36] [JF]

Stunning music, stunningly played.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) A Century of Romantic Chopin rec. 1895-2003 MARSTON 54001-2 [4 CDs: 319:07] [JW]

Belongs on the shelves of every piano collector, and anyone seriously interested in Chopin interpretation on disc.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Paul DESENNE (b.1959) Jaguar Songs Nancy Green (cello) rec. 2008 CELLO CLASSICS CC1026 [55:00] [WH]

Fascinating music for cellos, brilliantly played, challenging and deeply rewarding.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Frédéric d'ERLANGER (1868-1943) Violin Concerto, Poëme Frederic CLIFFE (1857-1931) Violin Concerto Philippe Graffin (violin), BBC Ntl O Wales/David Lloyd-Jones rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67838 [69:45] [RB]

Delightful, exciting and often touching concertos presented with total conviction and every appearance of unfaltering technique.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Sonata, Après une Lecture de Dante, Hungarian Rhapsodies 12 & 13 Mykola Suk (piano) rec. 2004-08 MUSIC AND ARTS CD-1234 [79:15] [JW]

One of the most compelling and amazing performances of the Sonata imaginable. Tremendous.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Concertos 3 & 5, Sinfonia Concertante Richard Tognetti (violin & leader) Christopher Moore (viola) Australian CO rec. 2009 BIS-SACD-1754 [79:52] [DC]

Mozart brought to life …extremely communicative.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hans OTTE (1926-2007) Das Buch der Klänge Ralph van Raat (piano) rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572444 [67:24] [DC]

An open door into magical worlds.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma, Feste Romane São Paolo SO/John Neschling rec. 2008 BIS-SACD-1720 [63:41] [DC]

Bravo!

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Duets Paul Lewis, Steven Osborne (piano) rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67665 [76:06] [DC]

A perfect partnering: Schubert in all his brilliance and emotive power.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jukka TIENSUU (b. 1948) Vie Missa, False Memories I-III Kari Kriikku (clarinet) Helsinki PO/John Storgårds rec. 2009/10 ONDINE ODE 1166-2 [64:34] [HC]

A most desirable addition to Tiensuu’s discography … magnificent.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) L'Estro Armonico Concertos Mercury Baroque/Antoine Plante rec.2010 MERCURY BAROQUE/HPR 84501 38529 [66:14] [DB]

Eight concertos from Vivaldi's great L'Estro Armonico, performed as well as it is possible to imagine and excellently recorded. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Mörike-Lieder Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone) Imogen Cooper (piano) WIGMORE HALL LIVE WHLIVE0029 [73:25] [CC]

Magnificently focused, with little or no sense of strain … seemingly infinite sensitivity. A very special disc.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Come Away, Death Wolfgang PLAGGE (b.1960) Södergran-sanger Maja Solveig Kjelstrup RATKJE (b.1973) HVIL Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Songs and Dances of Death Marianne Beate Kielland (mezzo) Sergej Osadchuk (piano) rec. 2009 2L 2L064SACD [63:32] [OL]

This disc gave me one of the strongest musical experiences I have ever had. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Festival Music from the Düben Collection Göteborg Baroque/Magnus Kjellson rec. 2009 FOOTPRINT FRCD 053 [68:14] [JV]

This programme of music from the Düben Collection is given spirited performances by Göteborg Baroque.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Flights of Fantasy - Early Italian Chamber Music Irish Baroque Orch. Chamber Soloists/Monica Huggett, rec. 2009 AVIE AV2202 [78:56] [JV]

The Italian composers of the 17th century let their fantasy fly, and so do Monica Huggett and her colleagues.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Lettere Amorose Magdalena Kožená (mezzo) Private Musicke/Pierre Pitzl, rec. 2009 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8764 [61:33] [GF]

Kožená and Private Musicke convey their love for this music in readings filled to the brim with feeling and passion.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  North German Organ Music Vol. 1 Music by Tunder, Peter Hasse, Buxtehude, Schiefferdecker, Bach & Bruhns Martin Rost (organ) rec. 2010 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 320 1624-2 [65:52] [JV]

An impressive portrait of one of Europe's most glorious historical organs.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Organ Fireworks Vol. 14 Christopher Herrick (Melbourne Town Hall grand organ) rec. 2009 HYPERION CDA67758 [72:16] [BW]

Another very successful fireworks display.

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) String Quintets 1 & 2 Raphael Ens rec. 1995 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55369 [58:07] [LW]

The best option for these quintets. 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) Jungle Book John-Mark Ainsley (tenor) David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) Polyphony and Polyphony O/Stephen Layton rec. 1996 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55433 [73:56] [RB]

Generous timing, discoveries, Delian gauzy harmonies, tangy instrumentation, sentimentality, aureate vocal light, succinct and touching settings. 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Vitezlav NOVÁK (1870-1949) Piano Music Radoslav Kvapil (piano) rec. 2010 ALTO ALC 1113 [76:18] [RB]

Miraculously sure-footed and full of insight. Kvapil is a virtuoso of dexterity, mood and narrative.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH John RUTTER (b.1945) The Original Carols from Clare Clare College Singers & O/John Rutter rec. 1966/8 EMI CLASSICS 9469472 [43:48 + 44:26] [BBr]

These disks are a joy.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ralph Vaughan WILLIAMS (1872-1958) On Wenlock Edge Peter Warlock (1894-1930) The Curlew James Griffett (tenor) Haffner String Qt rec. 1973 REGIS RRC 1316 [64:47] [RB]

Classic and very individual recordings of English song. Do not be put off by their nearly forty year old analogue origins.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Heinz Holliger Edition Full contents listed at end of review Rec. 1966-1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94054 [10 CDs: 537:32] [JS]

An unmissable bargain.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Popular Trumpet Concertos Maurice Murphy (trumpet) Consort of London/Robert Haydon Clark REGIS RRC 1325 [55:16] [BBr]

This is without peer.

FEBRUARY

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballades, Scherzi Bernd Glemser (Piano) rec. 2009 OEHMS CLASSICS OC 758 [73:22] [RC]

This disc is a treasure, a rarity to behold.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Water Music, Rodrigo Overture and dances Les Musiciens du Louvre, Grenoble/Marc Minkowski rec. 2010 NAÏVE V 5234 [68:00] [MG]

A disc of vividly realized and thoroughly entertaining performances. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hans Werner HENZE (b. 1926) Hans Werner Henze and the Requiem Dimitri Vassilakis (piano) Reinhold Friedrich (trumpet) Bochumer Symphoniker/Steven Sloane rec. 2010 CYBELE KIG003 [3 SACDs: 159:02]   [MS]

A strange but strangely captivating Requiem by Henze given a superb and memorable performance with bonuses. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Planets York BOWEN (1884-1961) Suite in Three Movements Fiona York & John York (piano) rec. 2010 NIMBUS NI5871 [70:28] [JF]

An excellent recording from a totally committed duo. Utterly sympathetic and inspired.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nikolai KAPUSTIN (b.1937) 2 + 2 4 Kapustin Concerto for two pianos and percussion, Eight Concert Etudes, Sonata 14 Daniel del Pino, Ludmil Angelov (pianos) Neopercusión NON PROFIT MUSIC NPM1011 [6446] [RB]

CDs of Kapustin are far too rare and it is a delight to welcome this one. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann KUHNAU (1660–1722) & Vincenzo ALBRICI (1631-1696) Soprano Cantatas Barbara Christina Steude (soprano) Concerto con voce/Jan Katzschke rec. 2009 CPO 777 531-2 [67:32] [MS]

There are few enough recordings of Kuhnau to make this a recommendable recording even if it did not have the vibrancy and immediacy that it does.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860–1911) Symphony 2 Kate Royal (soprano) Magdalena Kožená (mezzo) Rundfunkchor Berlin, Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2010 EMI CLASSICS 6473632 [86:23] [JQ]

Acquire this superb new Mahler Second – but hang on to your copy of Rattle’s 1986 recording too!

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4 Sarah Fox (soprano) Philharmonia O/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. 2006 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD219 [56:43] [JQ]

This is a very fine Mahler Fourth and a treasurable example of the work of a great conductor in repertoire with which he was not automatically associated.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Violin Concerto, Octet James Ehnes (violin) Philharmonia O/Vladimir Ashkenazy, Seattle Chamber Music Soc rec. 2010 ONYX 4060 [57:31] [KS]

Flawless, perfect, profound; James Ehnes scores another home run with this incomparable performance.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863–1937) Variations en ut mineur, Etude de concert, Trois pièces formant suite de concert, Passacaille Laurent Wagschal (piano) rec. 2009 TIMPANI 1C1178 [61:41] [HC]

A very fine survey of Pierné’s mature output for piano.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Album für die Jugend Alessandra Ammara (piano) rec. 2010 ARTS 47756-8 [73:52] [RBe]

The best performance of Album for the Young I have ever heard and probably one of the best discs of Schumann piano music I have ever listened to.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856) Symphonies 1-4 Robert-Schumann-Philharmonie/Frank Beermann rec. 2009/10 CPO 777 536-2 [64:19 + 57:00]
[RB]

A glorious Schumann cycle for the ages.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Ercole dul Termodonte Rolando Villazon (tenor) Patrizia Ciofi, Diana Damrau (sopranos) Joyce DiDonato, Vivica Genaux (mezzos) Philippe Jaroussky (counter-tenor) Europa Galante/Fabio Biondi rec. 2008-10 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6945450 [65:05 + 78:56] [ST]

Whether you buy this set for some magnificent singing or to get to know a once lost opera, you will find plenty to enjoy. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) The Ring Without Words – A Symphonic Synthesis (arr. Lorin Maazel) Berlin PO/Lorin Maazel rec. 2000 EUROARTS 2057604 [88:00] [DM]

Early days yet, but this is already on my list of picks for 2011.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Cello Master Class Maria Kliegel (cello) Lynn Kao (piano) NAXOS 2.110280-81 [2 DVDs: c. 8 hrs] + book (198pp) [JS]

Surely an essential purchase for any aspiring player.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky - Soundtrack to the Film by Jan Kounen Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Rite of Spring, piano pieces Gabriel YARED (b. 1949) Filmscore Christophe Bukudjian, Gabriel Yared (piano) Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle, Film O/Jeff Atmajian rec. 2003 NAÏVE V 5223 [71:15] [MC]

Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic in quite magnificent form.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Scandinavian Classics - Vol. 3 Edvard GRIEG (1843–1907) Symphonic Dances, Norwegian Dances Harald SÆVERUD (1897–1992) Peer Gynt Jean SIBELIUS (1865–1957) Violin Concerto, Lemminkainen Legends Emil Telmányi (violin) Danish State RSO/Erik Tuxen, Thomas Jensen rec. 1949-53 DANACORD DACOCD697/8 [75:46 + 78:26] [BBr]

A well deserved Bravo!, and three cheers to Danacord for making these recordings available once again.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH The Art of Andres Segovia - Vol. 6 rec. 1944-56 IDIS 6603 [56.40] [ZT]

A historical treasure.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Grigory Sokolov - Live in Paris Grigory Sokolov (pno) rec. 2002 MEDICI ARTS 3073888 [123:02] [CC]

A rare opportunity to savour the art of Grigory Sokolov, that most reclusive of pianists.

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH  Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Out of Doors Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Andante & variations Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) En blanc et noir Martha Argerich, Stephen Kovacevich (pianos) rec. 1969/77 DECCA 478 2467 [68:59] [LW]

This disc is not to be missed.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Missa Brevis, “Harmoniemesse” Trinity Ch, Rebel Baroque O/J. Owen Burdick, Jane Glover rec. 2001/8 NAXOS 8.572126 [52:28] [KS]

Exceptionally elegant performances from a first rate band of musicians. This is almost a must-have.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Symphony 2 'Lobgesang' Ruth Ziesak, Mojca Erdmann (sop.) Christian Elsner (ten.) MDR RSO & Ch/Jun Märkl rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572294 [68:41] [RB]

Mendelssohn stirringly and fervently done. Superbly crafted performance.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Piano Sonatas Daniel-Ben Pienaar (piano) rec. 2008/9 AVIE AV2209 [5 CDs: 288:17] [DC]

Hesitate not - this really is new Mozart. 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH David L. POST (b.1949) String Qts 2-4, Fantasia on a Virtual Choral Hawthorne String Qt rec. 2002-7 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559661 [59:54] [Byz]

Post is a remarkable composer - not only inventive and technically capable, but also a superb communicator.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) La rondine Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) Roberto Alagna (tenor) William Matteuzzi (tenor) Inva Mula (soprano) London Voices, London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio Pappano rec. 1996 EMI CLASSICS 6407482 [66:16 + 54:19] [GF]

You can’t expect to hear/see the opera better done.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) King Arthur Véronique Gens (soprano) Sandrine Piau (soprano) Les Arts Florissants/William Christie rec. 1995 ERATO 2564 67743-4 [50:43 + 41:38] [JS]

One of the best I have heard.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Music for Two Pianos Stephen Coombs, Christopher Scott (pianos) rec. 1990 REGIS RRC1356 [56:07] [DM]

A terrific disc – and a bargain to boot. Buy it.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George ROCHBERG (1918-2005) Piano Music - Vol. 3 Partita-Variations, Nach Bach, Sonata-Fantasia Sally Pinkas (pno) rec. 1996-7 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559633 [67:26] [DM]

Deeply satisfying.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864 – 1949) Complete works for wind ensemble: Sonatina 1, Aus der Werkstadtt einer Invaliden; Suite; Serenade; Symphony, Fröhliches Werkstatt Academy Symphonic Wind/Keith Bragg rec. 2003-2006 ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC RAM034 [53:21 + 43:21] [BBr]

This is an exciting issue and should not be missed at any cost.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sir ARTHUR SULLIVAN (1842-1900) Overtures and Choruses Royal PO, New SO London/Royston Nash, James Walker, Isidore Godfrey rec. 1959-82 DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 1285 [69.09 + 77.52] [GH]

This is a marvellous and well-presented double disc compilation.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giles SWAYNE (b. 1946) Magnificat I; The silent land; Ave verum corpus; Stabat mater Raphael Wallfisch (cello) Dimitri Ens/Graham Ross rec. 1982/2010 NAXOS 8.572595 [68.18] [RH]

This is contemporary choral music at its best, and it is available at super-budget price.    

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678–1741) Ottone in Villa Maria Laura Martorana (soprano) Tuva Semmingsen (mezzo) L’Arte dell’Arco/Federico Guglielmo rec. 2008 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94105 [72.08 + 67.51 + CD-ROM] [MM-B]

Truly excellent

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Joan Sutherland - The Legendary Debut Recital Arias by Donizetti, Verdi & Handel Paris Conservatoire O/Nello Santi, Philomusica of London/Sir Anthony Lewis rec. 1959 REGIS RRC1364 [63:09] [JS]

An immense success, the first of many, and it remains an astonishing achievement.

MARCH

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Hamburger Quartalsmusiken Nun danket alle Gott, Herr lehr uns tun, Siehe! Ich begehre deiner Befehle, Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe Himlische Cantorey, Les Amis de Philippe/Ludger Rémy rec. 2009 CPO 777 594-2 [48:03 + 51:27] [JV]

Compelling performances of first-rate sacred cantatas by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Missa Solemnis Krassimira Stoyanova (soprano) Elina Garanca (mezzo) Michael Schade (tenor) Franz-Josef Selig (bass) Sächischer Staatsopernchor, Dresden Staatskapelle/Christian Thielemann rec. 2010 UNITEL CLASSICA 705408 [90:00] [ST]

An undeniably big-boned approach. A performance of real stature.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Sonata for Piano and Violin* [11:00] Henry WALFORD DAVIES (1869-1941) Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano* (1893 rev 1895) [21:56] York BOWEN (1884-1961) Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 112 [20:10] Rupert Luck (violin); Matthew Rickard (piano) rec. 2010 *world première recordings EM RECORDS EMR CD001 [53:06] [RB]

This is magnificent impassioned music-making in works of real and dazzling substance. We must hope to hear much more of Luck and Rickard.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Walter BRAUNFELS (1882-1954) Die Vögel Désirée Rancatore (soprano) Brandon Jovanovich (tenor) Los Angeles Opera Ch & O/James Conlon rec. 2009, ARTHAUS MUSIK 101530 101529 [138:54] [RC]

A superb recording that merits the highest praise!

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 5 Berlin PO/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. live, 1942 PRISTINE AUDIO XR PASC 255 [69:33] [MC]

Spacious and eminently noble … quite splendid playing.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841–1904) String Quartets 12 & 13 Pavel Haas Qt rec. 2010 SUPRAPHON SU40382 [63:08] [BR]

Just right to these ears.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hans-Leo HASSLER (1564-1612) Sacred and secular music Currende/Erik Van Nevel, rec. 1999-2000 ET'CETERA KTC1409 [75:14 + 67:11] [JV]

This production underlines Hassler's importance and the variety and quality of his output.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Missa Sanctae Caeciliae Lucia Popp (soprano) Doris Soffel (contralto) Horst Laubenthal (tenor) Kurt Moll (bass) Bavarian RSO & Ch/Rafael Kubelik rec. 1982 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101533 [73:00] [DBi]

A great performance of great music in a beautiful German abbey.

RECORD OF THE MONTH Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) Music of the Spheres Danish Ntl Ch, Vocal Ensemble & SO/Thomas Dausgaard rec. 2009-10 DACAPO 6.220535 [71:53] [DM]

A real cracker. Absolutely not to be missed.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 5 Lucerne Fest O/Claudio Abbado rec. 2004 EUROARTS 2054074 [74:00] [DBi]

An essential purchase that places itself firmly with the top few of a long list of Mahler Fives.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Exultent caeli O of Age of Enlightenment/Robert Howarth rec. 2010 SIGNUM SIGCD237 [49:08 + 47:59] [JS]

In a word: magnificent.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto 2 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Concerto Anna Vinnitskaya (piano) Deutsches SO Berlin/Gilbert Varga rec. 2010 NAÏVE V5238 [54:30] [GD]

I can't wait to hear some more. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto 2 Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Liebestraum 3, Mephisto 1, Hungarian Rhapsody 2 Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano) Deutsches SO Berlin/Yutaka Sado rec. 2007/8 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72371 [59:50] [MC]

Tsujii is a force to be reckoned with. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Petite Messe Solennelle Gewandhaus Ch & O/Riccardo Chailly rec. 2008 EUROARTS 2057428 [85:00] [RJF]

This performance not only elevates this rarely heard work to stand alongside the composer’s better-known Stabat Mater, but also the great Mass by his fellow Italian opera composer, Verdi.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Christoph ROTHE (1653-1700) St Matthew Passion Cantus Thuringia, Capella Thuringia/Bernhard Klapprott rec. 2009 CPO 777 554-2 [63:05 + 34:07] [JV]

This St Matthew Passion is a major discovery - the performance fully explores its expressive qualities.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Keyboard Sonatas Alexandre Tharaud (piano) rec. 2010 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6420160 [70.45] [RBe]

Absolutely superb … a glorious addition to the Scarlatti discography.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Suite, Sonatas 1 & 2, Sonata for solo violin Tanja Becker-Bender (violin) Markus Becker (piano) rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67833 [67:10] [DC]

Can only be described in superlatives. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Humoreske, Studien Fur Den Pedalflugel, Gesänge der Frühe Piotr Anderszewski (piano) rec. 2010 VIRGIN CLASSICS 9486252 [63.31] [RBe]

This is a really wonderful Schumann recital and one of the most moving piano recitals I have ever heard. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerti 1-3 Viktoria Postnikova (piano) Wiener SO/Gennady Rozhdestvensky rec. 1982 NEWTON CLASSICS 8802027 [56:23 + 49:50] [RB]

Bold as brass, red-blooded, wide-stage and almost luridly exciting in the grandest Decca FFRR tradition.

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918–1990) Mass Jubilant Sykes (tenor) Morgan State U Ch, Peabody Children’s Ch, Baltimore SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.559622-23 [64:53 + 38:35] [BR]

An artistic, sonic, historical and musicological milestone.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano msuic Leon McCawley (piano) rec. 2010 SOMM SOMMCD0103 [70.27] [RBe]

An outstanding recital.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bernard HERRMANN (1911-1975) Film Classics National PO, London PO/Bernard Herrmann rec. 1970-5 DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 3784 [72:04 + 68:11] [RB]

Do not miss this rich sampling of Herrmann’s extraordinarily imaginative and enjoyable film music.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Sextet Conradin KREUTZER (1780-1849) Grand Septet Franz BERWALD (1796-1868) Grand Septet Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887) Piano Quintet Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Piano Quintet Wiener Oktett rec. 1968/72 DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 2397 [63:31 + 77:07] [BR]

Tickets to chamber music heaven.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giovanni PACINI (1796-1867) Il convitato di pietra Leonardo Cortellazzi (tenor) Geraldine Chauvet (mezzo) Transylvania State PCh, Cluj Südwestdeutsches CO Pforzheim/Daniele Ferrari rec. live, 2008 NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660282-83 [44.55 + 47.28] [RJF]

A different take on a well-known story is accompanied by a Pacini’s sure composition and an enjoyable first public performance.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Scheherazade, Tale of Tsar Saltan Seattle SO/Gerard Schwarz rec. 2010 NAXOS 8.572693 [66:37] [BR]

I put the disc on expecting ‘decent.’ But it’s not decent: it’s spectacular!

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Miklos ROZSA (1907-1995) Ben Hur, Quo Vadis, Julius Caesar - filmscores National PO & Ch, Royal PO & Ch/Miklos Rozsa, Bernard Herrmann rec. 1974-77 DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 3790 [47:10 + 52:47] [RB]

Magnificent performances and recordings.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphonies 2 & 3 Large SO Ministry of Culture, Russian Federation/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky rec. 1988-89 ALTO ALC 1103 [78:03] [RB]

Powerhouse performances and recordings to win converts to these wallflowers. Not to be missed.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Tomás Luis de VICTORIA (1548-1611) The Victoria Collection Tenebrae Responses; Lamentations of Jeremiah; Requiem; Taedet animam meam; Versa est in luctum The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips GIMELL GIMBX304 [3 CDs: 177:00] [JQ]

A self-recommending collection of excellent recordings of music by one of the great masters of polyphony.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Espana Antigua - Spanish Secular Music 1200-1700 Montserrat Figueras (soprano) Hespèrion XX/Jordi Savall VIRGIN CLASSICS 6488012 [8 CDs: 418:54] [GH]

Five hundred years of music, wonderfully played and recorded - a real bible of early Spanish musical art which at the bargain price offered is well worth its weight in gold.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Floating City - Sonatas, canzonas and dances by Cestello & Pichi His Majesty’s Sagbutts & Cornetts rec. 1997 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55320 [GH]

A very fine recording. Not only is the music fascinating but the performances are special. Buy it

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Spirits of England and France - Vol. 5 Missa Veterem hominem Gothic Voices/Christopher Page rec. 1996 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55285 [65.23] [GH]

My original impression was not especially favourable but I have become quite excited about the Mass and about the singing - it’s a revelation.

[Jan- April] [May- Aug] [Sept-Dec] [2010]

 

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