|
 RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Partitas
- Igor Levit (piano) rec. 2014 SONY
CLASSICAL 88843 036822 [76:07 + 74:57]
[DC] Like a gift from
above.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Matthäus-Passion - Mark Padmore (tenor)
Christian Gerhaher (baritone) Camilla Tilling (soprano)
Magdalena Kožená (mezzo) Berlin
PO/Sir
Simon Rattle rec. 2010 BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER
RECORDINGS BPHR 140021 [2 DVDs; 1 Blu-ray]
[JQ] This ‘ritualization’
of the Matthäus-Passion by Peter Sellars, superbly
performed, obliges you to think afresh about
the work and about the story it tells.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concertos 3 & 4 -
Maria Joăo Pires (piano) Swedish RSO/Daniel Harding rec. 2013
ONYX 4125 [71:30] [SG]
What better way to christen a new working relationship than with this wonderful disc of two Beethoven piano concertos.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) String Quintets & Sextets - Alexander
Qt rec. 2013 FOGHORN CLASSICS CD2012 [75:36 + 54:57]
[BR] The highest possible praise, especially for the Quintets.
Karl
FIORINI (b. 1979) Violin Concertos - Emanuel Salvador, Marta Magdalena Lelek
(violin) Sudecka PO/Bartosz Zurakowski rec.
2012 METIER MSV 28533 [49:56]
[JW] Complex and distinctive,
full of active dissonance, elements of birdsong,
and powerful emotional states. A splendid and
highly auspicious disc.
Naji
HAKIM (b. 1955) Hakim plays the Schuke organ of the
Palacio Euskalduna de Bilbao Vol. 1 - Naji Hakim, Marie-Bernadette
Dufourcet (organ) rec. 2013 SIGNUM SIGCD389 [60:56]
[DM] Just fabulous: music that revives the jaded palate.
Robin MILFORD (1903-1959)
Chamber Music -
Robert Plane (clarinet); Lucy Gould (violin); Mia Cooper (violin); David Adams (viola); Alice Neary (cello); Benjamin Frith (piano)
rec. 2014
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0244 [69:31] [PRB]
Outstanding performances throughout and excellent recording ... one of the best recent CDs of its kind.
Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Vespri Solennes
per la Festa di San Marco - Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini
rec. 2013 NAĎVE OP30577 [CD: 79:46; DVD: 51:56] [ST]
A marvellous achievement, and an exciting addition to
the Monteverdi and Alessandrini discographies.
Carl ORFF
(1895-1982) Carmina Burana - Yeree Suh (soprano) Yves
Saelens (tenor) Thomas Bauer (baritone) Collegium Vocale Gent, Cantate
Domino, Anima Eterna Brugge/Jos van Immerseel rec. 2014 ZIG-ZAG
TERRITOIRES ZZT353 [63:40] [DM] Carmina Burana as
you’ve never heard it before; a triumph for all concerned.
Boris
PAPANDOPULO (1906-1991) Piano Concerto
2, Sinfonietta, Pintarichiana - Oliver Triendl
(piano) I Solisti di Zagreb/Sreten Krstic rec.
2013 CPO 777 829-2 [67:31]
[BR] Non-stop neo-classical
pleasure, ranging from 1700s dance arrangements
to heartfelt folksong laments.
Daniel PURCELL (1664-1717) The Judgment of Paris
- Anna Dennis, Amy Freston, Ciara Hendrick, Samuel Boden, Ashley Riches, Spiritato!/Julian Perkins rec. 2013
RESONUS CLASSICS RES10128 [78:46] [JV]
The first recording ever of this fine opera by Daniel Purcell - historically and musically of great importance.
Carl
REINECKE (1795-1883) Cello Concerto John TAVENER (1944-2013) Threnos Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Adagio and Allegro Ernest BLOCH
(1880-1959) Cello Suite 1 Osvaldo GOLIJOV (b. 1960)
Mariel - Michael Samis (cello) Gateway CO/Gregory Wolynec rec. 2013 DELOS DE3446 [66:32] [BR]
You’ve probably never heard these works by a line-up of great
composers, in a recital that exceeds the sum of its parts.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan, Death and Transfiguration,
Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks - Pittsburgh SO/Manfred
Honeck rec. 2012 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FR-707 SACD [59:24]
[BR] Chicago/Reiner, Cleveland/Szell, Pittsburgh/Honeck, and that’s
no exaggeration.
Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin Concertos 1 &
2; Myths - Baiba Skride (violin) Lauma Skride (piano) Oslo PO/Vasily
Petrenko rec. 2013 ORFEO C873141A [65:36] [LW]
Skride and Petrenko set a new standard for the
Szymanowski concertos.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,
A Pastoral Symphony,
Five Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’, ‘The Wasps’ overture -
Sarah Fox (soprano)
Hallé/Sir Mark Elder
rec. 2012/13
HALLÉ CDHLL7540 [74:16] [JQ] A wonderful performance of the ‘Pastoral’ crowns another fine Vaughan Williams disc from Elder and the Hallé.
British Cello Concertos
by Joubert, Simpson & Wright - Raphael Wallfisch (cello) BBC Ntl O Wales/William Boughton rec. 2013 LYRITA SRCD344 [70:38]
[DBi] An outstanding trio of concertos brilliantly performed and recorded. An essential purchase for lovers of the cello and 20th century British music.
No
Exceptions. No Exemptions - Robin Tritschler (tenor)
Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec. 2014 SIGNUM
CLASSICS SIGCD401 [44:59 + 40:45] [JQ]
An
uncommonly thoughtful and enterprising programme
of Great War songs. |
Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856) Giselle
-
Natalia Osipova, Carlos Acosta, Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House O/Boris Gruzin rec. 2014
OPUS ARTE OA1144D DVD [113:00 (ballet) + 10:00 (features)] [RMay]
This now joins that Bolshoi version at the very top of the list.
Kalevi AHO
(b. 1949) Horn Concerto, Theremin Concerto - Annu Salminen (horn) Carolina Eyck
(theremin) Lapland CO/John Storgĺrds
rec. 2013 BIS BIS2036 SACD [58:22] Even the comparatively
unadventurous may well enjoy this [BW] Reliable purveyors of remarkably
fine music [DC].
Anatoly ALEXANDROV (1888–1982)
Piano Music Vol. 2 -
Kyung-Ah Noh (piano)
rec. 2013/14
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0216 [77:01]
[RB] If your taste runs to Rachmaninov and then to Medtner here is a composer and a series you owe it to yourself to pursue.
Gregorio ALLEGRI (1582-1652) Missa in Lectulo Meo; Miserere mei Deus; Christus resurgens ex mortuis; Missa Christus resurgens ex mortuis
- Ch King’s College/David Trendell rec. 2011
DELPHIAN DCD34103 [72.15] [JQ]
Excellent performances which show there is much more to Allegri than the Miserere.
Elfrida
ANDRÉE (1841-1929) Tre tonbilder,
Sonata, 4 Piano Pieces, Childhood Pieces - Oskar
Ekberg (piano) rec. 2014 DAPHNE RECORDS
1047 [74:42] [PB] Adds
little or nothing to Andrée's musical
status, particularly outside her native Sweden.
Kurt
ATTERBERG (1887-1974) String Quartets 2 & 3 Ture
RANGSTRÖM (1884-1947) String Quartet - Stenhammar Qt CPO 777270-2
[61:56] [DJB] A real disappointment.
Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)
Symphonies 1-6 - Ostrobothnian CO/Sakari Oramo
rec. 2013 ALBA ABCD374 [63:11]
[DC] High octane 18th
century stuff.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Violin sonatas 1-6 -
Michčle Auclair (violin)
Marie-Claire Alain (organ)
rec. 1956
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR546/7 [42:05 + 46:07] [SG] A refreshing approach to these works.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas - Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano)
Daniel Taylor (alto) James Gilchrist (tenor) Magdalena Consort/Peter
Harvey (bass) rec. 2013 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA35214
SACD [63:00] [JQ] The debut recording by The Magdalena
Consort brings stylish and thoughtful Bach performances.
Sir
Arnold BAX (1883-1953)
Four Orchestral Pieces,
Phantasy, Overture Elegy and Rondo
- Philip Dukes (viola) BBC PO/Sir Andrew Davis
rec. 2014 CHANDOS CHAN10829
[73:23] [MC] Enjoyable
and appealing music yet none of these works
strike me as Bax at his most inspirational and
memorable.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Concerto, Piano
Concerto 4 - Leonid Kogan (violin) Hans Richter-Haaser (piano) Société des Concerts Du Conservatoire
O/Constantin Silvestri; Philharmonia
O/István Kertesz rec. 1959/60 AMARE CLASSICS AME1002
[77:23] [JW] Kogan: refinement and perfect intonation while Richter-Haaser
has musical maturity and expressive insight.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas;
Piano Concerto 5 - Mordecai Shehori (piano) New Hampshire SO/James Bolle
rec. 1992-2014 CEMBAL D'AMOUR CD174 [76:27] [JW]
A disappointing release.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Concerto
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Rondo -
Arthur Grumiaux (violin)
O Ntl Radiodiffusion-Télévision Francaise/Rafael Kubelík,
Carl Schuricht
rec. 1959/61
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR705 [52:41] [JW] Always valuable to encounter live examples of Grumiaux’s Beethoven Concerto to supplement the studio inscriptions.
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) I Capuleti e i Montecchi -
Nicole Cabell (soprano) Joyce DiDonato (mezzo) Saimir Pirgu (tenor)
Eric Owens (bass) San Francisco Opera/Riccardo Frizza rec. 2012 EUROARTS
2059668 [2 DVDs: 135.00 + 16.00] [PCG] In this of all operas
it is the singing that really matters and this superb rendition will
enchant viewers and listeners alike.
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
Harold In Italy
(arr. Liszt) Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Piano works (arr. for viola & piano) - Jennifer
Stumm (viola) Elizabeth Pridgen (piano) rec.
2013 ORCHID CLASSICS ORC100044
[57.43] [IL] An interesting
adventurous programme very well executed and
well worth investigating.
Matti BORG
(b. 1956) 15 Songs to poems by Gustaf Fröding, Landscape
- Gitta Maria Sjöberg (soprano) Mattias Nilsson (baritone) Nordic CO/Erik Jakobsson; U Ch Lille MUKO, Copenhagen/Jesper Grove Jřrgensen
DANACORD DACOCD748 [61:14] [GF] Readers with the slightest
interest in present day Nordic music should give this well-engineered
disc a try. It is well worth anyone’s money.
Christian
Ludwig BOXBERG (1670-1729) Sardanapalus –
Jan Kobow (tenor) Rinnat Moriah (soprano) Theodora Baka (mezzo) Markus
Flaig (bass) United Continuo Ens/Jörg Meder rec. 2014 PAN CLASSICS
PC10315 [3 CDs: 164:46] [RMo] Try as I might
I cannot find much here to engage my modern ears.
Peter
BOYER (b.1970) Festivities,
Three Olympians, Celebration
Overture,
Symphony 1 - London PO/Peter
Boyer rec. 2013 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS
8.559769 [55:14] [DD] Top
class playing of very fine and very modern melodic
American music.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin Sonata 3
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Chaconne
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Violin Sonata 4 -
Miriam Solovieff (violin)
Julius Katchen (piano)
rec. 1963
MELOCLASSIC MC2007 [49:06] [JW] This recital will be particularly intriguing to violin collectors.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies 1-4
- NDR SO/Günter Wand rec. 1990-1992 PROFIL
EDITION PH14046 [3
CDs: 168:08] [MC] These
live recordings under Wand’s baton capture
a special and rarely achieved fission between
players and audience.
Max BRUCH (1838-1920)
Violin Concerto 1
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Violin Concerto 1 -
Tibor Varga (violin)
Philharmonia O/Walter Susskind
rec. 1953
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR661 [48:59] [SG] Varga never achieved a high profile. This may some way in restoring his name and artistry to the public consciousness.
Anton
BRUCKNER Symphony 3 Igor
STRAVINSKY Symphony in 3 Movements
- Bavarian RSO/Georg Solti rec. 1993 ARTHAUS
MUSIK 100321 DVD [89:00] [JW]
For those partial to conductor and repertoire
I would have no hesitation.
Geoffrey BUSH (1920-1998) Songs -
Simon Wallfisch (baritone) Edward Rushton (piano)
rec. 2013 LYRITA SRCD.343 [70:00] [JF] A hugely worthy contribution to the reappraisal of Geoffrey Bush. It deserves every success.
Paul
CARR (b.1961) Seven Last Words
from the Cross, Air for Strings, Ave Maria,
The Beatitudes of Jesus - William Dazeley
(baritone) Ch Angelorum/Bath Phil/Gavin Carr
rec. 2013 STONE RECORDS 5060192780376
[70:27] [JF] Enjoyable,
approachable ... ultimately inspiring and often
moving.
Ján CIKKER (1911-1989)
Piano Music
- Jordana Palovičová (piano)
rec. 2011
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0270 [74:05]
[JW] Cikker played with style and sensitivity. Good that his piano representation on disc has been widened.
Arcangelo CORELLI (1653-1713) La Follia
-
Michala Petri (recorder) Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord) rec. 2014
OUR RECORDINGS SACD 6.220610 [66:22] [BW]
If you prefer to have the flute in these sonatas, look no further – but don’t overlook several fine recordings with the violin.
François COUPERIN (1668 - 1733)
Les Nations -
Jochewed Schwarz, Emer Buckley (harpsichord)
rec. 2013
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0203 [62:21] [JV] Engaging interpretations by congenial partners on two harpsichords by the same builder.
Luigi
DALLAPICCOLA (1904-1975) Orchestral
Works - Deutsche Staatsphil Rheinland-Pfalz/Karl-Heinz
Steffens rec. 2014 CAPRICCIO C5214
[67.23] [GH] Dallapiccola
had for much of his time been a twelve-tone
composer although one with a typically Italian
lyrical gift.
Peter DICKINSON (b.1934) Piano Concerto; Violin
Concerto; Organ Concerto - Howard Shelley (piano) Chloë Hanslip (violin)
Jennifer Bate (organ) rec. 1986/2014 HERITAGE HTGCD276 [76:01] [JF]
Approachable and challenging music that fuses
diverse musical styles ... a fitting birthday tribute to a great composer,
performer, teacher and writer.
Sir Edward ELGAR (1862-1934) The Longed for Light -
Simon Callow (speaker); Susan Gritton (soprano)
BBC Concert O/John Wilson
rec. 2012
SOMM SOMMCD247 [75:10]
The Spirit of England, With Proud Thanksgiving,
Carillon, 'Arthur - a Tragedy'
-
Simon Callow (speaker); Judith Howarth (soprano)
Philharmonia O, BBC Concert O/John Wilson
rec. 2012/14
SOMM SOMMCD255 [78:21] [NB] Of great musical merit and considerable emotional impact and one of the finest collections of Elgar's less famed works in recent times.
Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Spirit of
England, With Proud Thanksgiving, Carillon, Arthur - Simon
Callow (speaker); Judith Howarth (soprano) Philharmonia O, BBC Concert
O/John Wilson rec. 2012/2014 SOMM SOMMCD255 [78:21] [JQ]
An important release that all Elgarians must hear.
George ENESCU
(1881-1955) Isis, Symphony 5 -
Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern/Peter Ruzicka
rec. 2012 CPO 777823-2 [60:39] [MC] At last we can
hear Pascal Bentoiu's convincing realisations of two otherwise
incomplete major Enescu works.
George ENESCU (1881-1955) Complete Works for
Violin and Piano - Remus Azoitei (violin) Eduard Stan (piano) rec.
2005/2006 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC 98.035 [60:59 + 69:35] [JW]
Well-judged recording ... really first-class
performances that are alive to all the twists and turns ... touchingly
tender.
Ferenc FARKAS (1905-2000)
Orchestral Music Vol. 2: Music for Strings -
Gyula Stuller and János Rolla (violins)
Laszlo Toth (trumpet)
Franz Liszt CO
rec. 2013
TOCCATA TOCC0184 [72:52] [JW] Genial and mostly undemanding confections - enjoyable, though hardly indispensable.
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem, Cantique de Jean Racine,
Messe Basse - Gerald Finley (baritone)
Tom Pickard (treble) Douglas Tang, Tom Etheridge
(organ) Ch of King’s College Cambridge,
O Age of Enlightenment/Stephen Cleobury rec.
2014 KING’S COLLEGE KGS0005 SACD
[51:33] [GPJ] A fine
performance of the famous Requiem,
occasionally let down by poor choral diction
and a congested recording.
Morton
FELDMAN (1926-1987)
String Quartet 1, Structures, 3 Pieces - Flux Qt
rec. 2009-11 MODE 269/70
[2 CDs: 109:00] [KM]
If you are a Feldman aficionado, you’ll
want this recording, if only because it presents
the entire quartet with all repeats, as the
composer intended.
César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Violin Sonata
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924)
Violin Sonata 1
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Violin Sonatina 3 -
Janine Andrade (violin)
Nicole Rolet de Castel (piano)
Tasso Janopoulo (piano)
rec. 1958/60
MELOCLASSIC MC2013 [67:25] [JW] Another in the long line of excellent French violinists to have passed through the tutelage of Jules Boucherit.
Philip
GLASS (b. 1937) Symphony 1 Low
- Basel SO/Dennis Russell Davies rec.
2012 ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0095
[46:47] [JW] This is
now certainly the Davies recording of Low
to have.
Enrique GRANADOS
(1867-1916) Danzas espańolas, Goyescas -
Sebastian Stanley (piano) rec. 2012 EMEC E105/6 [56:31
+ 59:58] [JW] I like Stanley’s thoroughly musicianly and sensitively
shaped take on Granados.
George Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) The Triumph of Time and Truth - Sophie Bevan (soprano) Tim Mead (counter-tenor) Ed Lyon (tenor)
William Berger (bass) Ludus Baroque/Richard Neville-Towle rec.
2013 DELPHIAN DCD34135 [78:28 + 76:15] [JQ] A fine
and enjoyable recording of Handel’s last oratorio.
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Messiah
- Le Concert d’Astrée Ch & O/Emmanuelle Haďm rec. 2013
ERATO 2564 620555 [65:05 + 70:23] [JQ]
Despite many positive features, this account of Messiah is too fussy for its own good.
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809) Symphonies 49 & 80, Violin Concerto 1 - Freiburger
Barockorchester/Gottfried von der Goltz (violin) rec.
2008 HARMONIA MUNDI MUSIQUE D'ABORD HMA1952029
[69:19] [MC] An outstanding re-issue.
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Viola sonatas, Trauermusik - Jitka Hosprová
(viola) Jitka Čechová (piano) Prague CO rec. 2014 SUPRAPHON SU4147-2
[61:21] [JW] A selection
of Hindemith’s viola works, vividly recorded,
usefully annotated, excellently played.
Gustav HOLST
(1874-1934) The Collected Recorded Works EXPLORE MULTIMEDIA
EXMOO8 [3 CDs: 137:40 & multimedia section]
[JW] A valuable set including Holst’s complete recordings as a
conductor, a feat never before achieved.
Herbert
HOWELLS (1892-1983) Stabat
Mater, Te Deum, Sine nomine - Alison Hill
(soprano) Benjamin Hulett (tenor) Bach Ch, Bournemouth
SO/David Hill rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573176
[70:24] A very fine
programme of still-rare but powerful music well
performed [JQ] A
mandatory purchase for all who love the music
of Herbert Howells [NB].
Tobias HUME
(d. 1645) Captain Tobias Hume: A Scottish Soldier
- Concerto Caledonia/David McGuinness rec. 2012 DELPHIAN DCD34140
[57:22] [JW] A fine reclamation and thoroughly appealing to
the inquisitive.
Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837)
Piano trios 2, 3, 6 & 7
Gould Piano Trio o
rec. 2013
NAXOS 8.573098 [65:24]
Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL
Piano trios 5 & 6 -
Trio Parnassus
SWR MUSIC SWR10148 [41:34] [DJB] Pleasant and undemanding music; the Parnassus performances provide more character but less content.
Christopher
IRVIN (b.1953) Midsummer
Moods - James Potter (cello) Ian
Scott (clarinet) Royal Ballet Sinf/Gavin Sutherland
rec. 2014 CAMPION CAMEO 2086
[77:12] [NB] I am sorry
not to be able to be more enthused.
Gabriel
JACKSON (b. 1962) The Voice of the Bard, Ruchill
Linn, Airplane Cantata, Winter Heavens, Choral
Symphony - Rex Lawson (pianola) BBC Singers/David Hill, James Morgan
rec. 2011/14 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD381 [68:47] [JQ]
An exciting programme of recent choral works by Gabriel Jackson in virtuoso
performances.
Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Sinfonietta, Capriccio,
The Cunning Little Vixen suite - Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)
Bergen PO/Edward Gardner rec. 2014 CHANDOS CHSA5142 SACD
[64:05] [JQ] An auspicious start to Edward Gardner’s Janáček
series in Bergen.
Friedrich
KUHLAU (1786-1832) Violin Sonatas Vol. 1 -
Duo Ĺstrand/Salo rec. 2013 DACAPO 8.226082 [69:34]
[JW] The performances are stylish and deft, and appropriately modest
where need be.
Margaret Ruthven LANG (1867-1972) Choral music
-
Crane School of Music rec. 2012
DELOS DE3426 [60:42] [BR]
From mystical sacred music to Irish limericks, an interesting maverick composer is rediscovered.
Orlande
de LASSUS (c.1532-1594) Lagrime
di San Pietro - Ens Vocal Européen/Philippe
Herreweghe rec. 1993 HARMONIA MUNDI
HMA1951483 [59:07] [ST]
Will repay very careful listening. There is
no reason to hesitate.
Leonhard LECHNER (1553-1606) Mein süsse Freud auf Erden: sacred choral music -
Athesinus Consort Berlin/Klaus-Martin Bresgott rec. 2013
CARUS 83.384 [79:40] [JW]
I am doubtful whether the message of Lechner’s music has been fully served here.
Matthew
LOCKE (c.1621 - 1677)
The Broken Consort
Part I: Tripla Concordia - Wayward
Sisters
rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573020 [67:43]
[JV] There is nothing
wrong with the playing of the Wayward Sisters,
but in Locke's The Broken Consort
they have missed the point.
Albéric
MAGNARD (1865-1914)
Complete Chamber Music
- Laurent Wagschal (piano) Solenne
Paďdassi (violin) Camille Thomas (cello) Quatuor
Élysée, Ens Initium rec. 2014 TIMPANI
4C4228 [4 CDs: 248:21] [MC] Magnard's
chamber music is wonderfully served by this
new release.
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Das Lied von der Erde
- Christa Ludwig (mezzo) Waldemar Kmentt (tenor)
Vienna SO/Carlos Kleiber rec. 1967 WIENER
KONZERTHAUS WS 007 [58:40] [SG]
For Carlos Kleiber fans and those wanting to
admire the artistry of one of the greatest conductors
of all time, this is essential listening.
Francesco Onofrio MANFREDINI (1684-1762) Sinfonie da chiesa -
Capricornus Consort Basel/Peter Barczi rec. 2013
CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77380 [75:28] [JV]
This collection includes lots of good stuff.
Colin MATTHEWS (b. 1946)
Aftertones,
Crossing the Alps,
No Man’s Land -
Ian Bostridge (tenor); Roderick Williams (baritone)
Hallé Ch & O/Nicholas Collon
rec. 2014
HALLÉ CDHLL7538 [60:47][JQ]
Very interesting scores by Colin Matthews in fine performances.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Symphony 3, The Hebrides overture
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto - Maria Joăo Pires (piano)
London SO/John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2014 LSO LIVE LSO0765 SACD/BD-A
[79:17] [ST] Very winning ways from Gardiner and Pires.
Krzysztof
MEYER (b.1943) Aphorisms, Piano
Sonatas 1-3, Quasi una fantasia - Marek Szlezer
(piano) rec. 2012 DUX 0923
[74:23] [JW] Szlezer
is a sensitive and intellectually astute guide
very successfully drawing attention to Meyer’s
music for the piano.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Der heitere Mozart
-
Erika Köth (soprano)
Peter Schreier (tenor)
Hermann Prey (bass)
Walter Berry (bass-baritone) Convivium Musicum München/Erich
Keller
rec. 1966/1973 WARNER CLASSICS 2564
628920 [66:33] [ST] A
baffling and inaccessible curiosity.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Oboe
Concerto Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Sinfonia Concertante - Lucas Macías Navarro
(oboe) Gregory Ahss (violin) Konstantin Pfiz
(cello) Guilhaume Santana (bassoon) O Mozart/Claudio
Abbado rec. 2013 CLAVES CD50-1302
[40:44] [JQ] Don’t
be put off by the short playing time. Here are
two excellent and completely enjoyable performances.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Sinfonia Concertante, Duo
Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959)
Three Madrigals
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Violin Concerto -
Joseph Fuchs (violin) Lillian Fuchs (viola)
Zimbler Sinf
rec. 1950-52
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR871 [79:42] [JW] First-class transfers warmly commended. An astute selection valuable to violin collectors.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni
- Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, Andrea Concetti (bass-baritone) Myrto Papatanasiu
(soprano) Fondazione O Regionale Delle Marche/Riccardo
Frizza rec. 2009 C MAJOR DVD 717408 [2 DVDs: 174:00]
[RJF] A suave and brilliant all-round characterisation by Ildebrando
D'Arcangelo.
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano
Concertos 9 & 12 - Ekaterina Litvintseva
(piano) Klassische Philharmonie Bonn/Heribert
Beissel rec. 2013 PROFIL PH14047
[56:24] [MC] Committed
and accomplished playing ... a model of consistency:
enthusiastic and dedicated.
Charles O’BRIEN (1882-1968)
Complete Piano Music Vol. 1 -
Warren Mailley-Smith (piano)
rec. 2009/13
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0256 [65:25] [PRB] A forgotten Scottish Romantic who wrote attractive and lyrical music long since disappeared from view.
Carl
ORFF (1895-1982) Carmina
Burana - Maria Venuti (soprano)
Ulf Kenklies (tenor) Peter Binder (baritone)
NDR Ch & SO/Günter
Wand rec. 1984 HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH12054
[60.18] [PCG] What
effectively rules this reissue out of consideration
is the total lack of any booklet notes.
Giovanni
Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1525-1594)
Il Primo Libro de’ Madrigale a quarto
voci - Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini
rec. 1992 TACTUS TB521604 [56.39]
[GH] The only complete
recording now available of Palestrina’s
first book.
Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914-1991) Concertino
for timpani & percussion, Sinfonia di Speranza (Symphony 9) -
Michael Oberaigner (timpani) Christian Löffler (percussion) Konzerthausorchester Berlin/Łukasz Borowicz rec. 2011
CPO 777685-2 [58:38] [MC]
Exemplary playing ... scrupulously prepared, persuasive, totally committed ... sensitivity and dramatic bite.
Andrzej
PANUFNIK (1914-1991) Symphonic Works Vol. 8 - Alexander
Sitkovetsky (violin) Raphael Wallfisch (cello) Ewa Kupiec (piano) Konzerthausorchester
Berlin/Łukasz Borowicz rec. 2013 CPO 777687-2
[66:15] [MC] Great skill and unfailing commitment but I’m not
sure the concerto was the form in which Panufnik worked best.
Messages
Sir Andrzej PANUFNIK
(1914-1991) String Quartets 1-3,
Song to the Virgin Mary Roxanna PANUFNIK (b. 1968)
Memories of my Father -
Brodsky Qt,
Robert Smissey (viola)
Richard May (cello)
rec. 2013
CHANDOS CHAN10839 [78:24]
[DJB] Hard going in places, but the quality of the writing is undeniable.
Arvo
PÄRT (b. 1935) Piano Music
- Jeroen van Veen, Sandra van Veen (pianos)
Douw Fonda (cello) rec. 2014 BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 95053 [69:14 + 51:09] [DC]
Total immersion Pärt.
Gabriel
PIERNÉ (1863-1937)
Mélodies
- Sabine Revault d’Allonnes (soprano)
Thomas Dolié (baritone) Samuel Jean (piano)
rec. 2013 TIMPANI 1C1209 [67:36]
[RW] These songs portray
an inspired Pierné.
Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863-1937)
Cello sonata
Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950)
Cello sonata,
Chansons bretonnes Books 1 & 2 -
Mats Lidström (cello)
Bengt Forsberg (piano)
rec. 1997
HYPERION CDA66979 [66:54]
Albéric MAGNARD (1865-1914)
Cello sonata
Charles KOECHLIN
Chansons bretonnes Book 3
Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937)
Cello sonata -
Mats Lidström (cello)
Bengt Forsberg (piano)
rec. 2000
HYPERION CDA67244 [71:36]
[DJB] Fascinating music that deserves to be restored to full availability.
Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Sinfonietta
André JOLIVET (1905-1974) Flute concerto Albert ROUSSEL
(1869-1937) Sinfonietta Jacques IBERT (1890-1962)
Divertissement - Manuela Wiesler (flute) Tapiola Sinfonietta/Paavo Järvi
rec. 1993 BIS BIS-CD-630 [65:57] [BR]
Solid gold from the BIS archive, wildly fun and with the most uproarious
Ibert reading ever.
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Romeo and Juliet Suites
- Chicago SO/Riccardo Muti rec. 2013 CSO RESOUND CSOR9011402 [48:50] [DM] A high-water mark in recorded sound; gorgeous playing,
too.
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891–1953)
Romeo and Juliet
Suites - Chicago SO/Riccardo Muti rec. 2013 CSO
RESOUND CSOR9011402 [48:50] [JZ] Attentive
to detail which is not only audible but also
beautifully shaped and engineered with style.
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphonies
1 & 2, Dreams - Săo Paulo SO/Marin Alsop
rec. 2013-14 NAXOS BD-A NBD0044 [57:00]
An excellent addition to Marin Alsop’s
Prokofiev cycle in outstanding BD-A sound
[JQ] Marin Alsop continues
her Prokofiev series in fine style [LW].
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1875-1943) Études-Tableaux -
Nicholas Angelich (piano) rec. 1994
HARMONIA MUNDI MUSIQUE D'ABORD HMA1951547 [65:40] [MC]
Particularly impressive - Angelich is very much alive to the varied moods of these works.
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1875-1943)
The Depth of the Unspoken Early Piano Works - Ekaterina Litvintseva
(piano) rec. 2014 PROFIL PH14042
[70:15] [MC] A persuasive
blend of immense technical proficiency, assurance
and romantic expression.
Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Premier livre de pičces de clavecin
-
Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord) rec. 2014
HYPERION CDA68071/2 [67:52 + 60:35] [DC]
Utter refinement and strong in character.
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Orchestral Works Vol. 2 -
Stuttgart SWR RSO/Stéphane Denčve rec. 2013/14
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.325 [66.20] [PCG]
A matter of personal taste but I prefer the less analytical, more impressionistic Dutoit approach but Denčve enjoys recorded sound that is very immediate indeed.
Max REGER (1873-1916)
The
Britannic Organ Vol. 8 -
Joseph Messner (organ) OEHMS CLASSICS
OC847 [69:38 + 69:44] [JW] Much
must be taken on trust with rolls but this series
is setting a high standard of reproduction and
analysis.
Franz REIZENSTEIN (1911-1968)
Piano Music
- Martin Jones (piano) rec. 2012/13
LYRITA SRCD.2342 [3 CDs: 234:49] [JF]
For anyone wanting the complete (nearly) piano works of Franz Reizenstein this is the definitive edition.
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Barbiere
di Siviglia (transcr. for wind)
- Ens Italiano di Fiati/Paolo Pollastri rec.
1997 TACTUS TB791807 [65:51]
[JS] Zest, wit and
finesse ... very appealing ... well recorded
and presented.
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overtures, Andante e tema con variazioni
- O dell'Accademia Nazionale
di Santa Cecilia/Sir Antonio Pappano rec. 2010/14 WARNER CLASSICS
2564 624344 [69:53] [MC] Fresh, alert and exuberant ... a strong
sense of sheer enjoyment in these delightful overtures.
Edmund
RUBBRA (1901-1986) Symphonies 5
& 6 - Hallé O/Sir John Barbirolli rec. 1950-1956
BARBIROLLI SOCIETY SJB1081
[67:55] [JQ] A significant
addition to the Barbirolli and Rubbra discographies.
Anton
RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Music
for Piano Four Hands Vol. 1 - Duo Pianistico
di Firenze rec. 2013 BRILLIANT CLASSICS
95016 [71:54] [PRB] Extremely
competitively priced, superbly recorded and
with playing of the very highest order this
disc of attractive and unfamiliar music is well
worth acquiring.
Henrik RUNG (1807-1871) & Frederik RUNG (1854-1914) Songs & Duets - Erik Bekker Hansen (tenor) Trine Bastrup Mřller (soprano) Thomas Christian Sigh (baritone) Ellen Refstrup (piano) rec. 2014 DANACORD DACOCD751 [61:05]
[JF] Will appeal strongly to all interested in Scandinavian music as well as lovers of song. The quality of this romantic music is high ... a signal contribution to Danish song.
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Symphony 3 Francis POULENC
(1899-1963) Organ concerto - James
O’Donnell (organ) London PO/Yannick Nézet-Séguin rec. 2014 LONDON
PHILHARMONIC LPO-0081 [57:25] [DM] Nézet-Séguin rescues an
old warhorse from the knacker’s yard; his bracing account of the
Poulenc concerto is a substantial bonus.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies
1 & 2, Die Zauberharfe overture
- Swedish CO/Thomas Dausgaard rec. 2013 BIS
BIS1989 SACD [76:39] [DBi]
A quite lovely pair of symphonies beautifully
performed and recorded, if not quite as sparklingly
different to the competition as some would suggest.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Schwanengesang
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Dichterliebe -
Hans Duhan,
Thom Denijs (baritone) Ferdinand Foll, Enni Denijs-Kruyt (piano)
rec. 1928/29
PRISTINE AUDIO PACO109 [73:17] [RMo] I am unable to welcome this issue ... there are much better alternatives.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Scenes
from Goethe’s Faust -
Christian Gerhaher (baritone) Christiane Karg
(soprano) Alastair Miles (bass) Mari Eriksmoen
(alto) Bavarian RSO/Daniel
Harding rec. 2013 BR KLASSIK 900122
[72:40 + 43:00] [MC]
I can only greet this recording with confidence
and enthusiasm.
Fantasy Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Fantasie
Carl Philip Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Fantasie
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) “Wanderer” Fantasy -
Danae Dörken (piano) rec. 2014
ARS PRODUKTION 38150 SACD [72:30] [BR]
A young pianist with liabilities the opposite of most of today’s young pianists: all poetry and little self-discipline.
Bright SHENG (b.1955) The Song and Dance of Tears; Colours of Crimson; The Blazing Mirage
- Hong Kong Philharmonic/Bright Sheng rec. 2013
NAXOS 8.570610 [59:55] [DRD]
A successful combination of Chinese melodies and the classical tradition. Deserves to achieve wide recognition.
Mike SHEPPARD
The Soul Rests Eternal
-
Caroline Dale (cello)
English CO/Steve Sidwell
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD232 [56:15] [DJB] Safe, undemanding, but also enjoyable.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Preludes
& Fugues - Tatiana Nikolayeva (piano) rec.
1987 MELODIYA MELCD1002269
[3 CDs: 167:24] [SG] Tatiana
Nikolayeva’s 1987 Shostakovich cycle makes
a welcome return in improved, re-mastered sound.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Preludes Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Songs - Boris Andrianov (cello) Rem Urashin (piano) rec. 2010
QUARTZ QTZ2107 [51:01] [SA] A disc that will surprise
and delight in equal measure.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin Concertos 1 & 2 - Christian
Tetzlaff (violin) Helsinki PO/John Storgĺrds rec. 2013 ONDINE
ODE1239-2 [68:23] [LW] Spectacularly well performed and recorded.
Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) Die Letzten Dinge (The Last Judgement) -
Salzburger Bachchor, Mozarteum O Salzburg/Ivor Bolton rec. 2013
OEHMS CLASSICS OC438 [74:26 [JS]
The open orchestral textures draw the listener in and even where the music is less than inspired ensure continued attention.
Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924)
Mass Sir Charles
Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Songs of Farewell Ch Exeter College Oxford, Stapledon
Sinfonia/George de Voil rec. 2014 EM RECORDS EMRCD021
[72:34] [MC] Compelling, thoughtful, precise and often inspiring.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Also Sprach Zarathustra, Aus
Italien - SWR SO Baden-Baden und
Freiburg/François-Xavier Roth rec. 2013/14
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD93.320
[77:37] [NB] Overall,
a good example of the modern style of Strauss
conducting ... very well played indeed and pleasing
engineering.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche; Symphonia Domestica
-
Frankfurter Opern- & Museums O/Sebastian Weigle rec. 2012/13
OEHMS CLASSICS OC889 [60:13] [RMay]
A refined and superbly performed Sinfonia Domestica in state-of-the-art sound.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) String Quartet Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Crisantemi; Three Minuets Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) String Quartet -
Ensō Qt rec. 2012
NAXOS 8.573108 [66:29] [JS]
Full of interesting and lovable music.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Don Quixote
Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959)
Violin Concerto -
Joseph Szigeti (violin)
P-SO New York,
London PO/Sir Thomas Beecham (Bloch)
rec. 1932/39
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC410 [73:32] [JW] Enduringly valuable.
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Rite of Spring, Symphony of Psalms - SWR SO Baden-Baden & Freiburg, Ch & O Ntl de la Radiodiffusion Française/Jascha Horenstein rec. 1953/57 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC418 [56.57] [GH] Worth searching out for your library not only to show how these pieces were done over fifty years ago but also as an example of high standard transfers at their best.
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Firebird
Suite Arnold SCHÖNBERG (1874-1951) A Survivor from Warsaw
Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Night on the Bare Mountain
-
European Community Youth O/Claudio Abbado rec. 1979/94
ORFEO C892141B [53:41] [GPJ]
Occasional balance problems and intrusive audience noise but still emphatically worth hearing for Abbado’s glorious musicality.
Hilary TANN (b.1947)
Seven Poems of Stillness -
Guy Johnston (cello) R.S. Thomas (recitation)
rec. 2014
TŶ CERDD no number [29.05] [PCG] A very pleasant discovery and not only for those many listeners who love the poetry of R.S. Thomas.
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Piano Concertos 1 & 2 - Simon Trpčeski
(piano) Royal Liverpool PO/Vasily Petrenko rec.
2012 ONYX 4135 [70:52] [MC]
Lacks the emotional intensity of the best.
Pyotr
Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker
- Liudmila Konovalova, Vladimir Shishov, Stage O Wiener Staatsoper/Paul Connelly rec. 2012 C MAJOR DVD 718208
[102:00] [RMay] Preserves the performance in excellent image and sound.
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker
- Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHSA5144 SACD
[84:12] [DM] I wouldn’t want to find this in my Christmas stocking;
simply dreadful.
André
TCHAIKOWSKY (1935-1982)
The Merchant of Venice
- Richard Angas, Christopher Ainslie, Charles
Workman, Adrian Clarke, Vienna SO/Erik
Nielsen rec. 2013 EUROARTS 2072708
[2 DVDs 160:00 (performance) + 50:00 (documentary)]
[SG] A stunning performance
of André Tchaikowsky’s long forgotten
opera.
Augusta Read THOMAS (b.1964) Chamber and Piano Works - Walden Chamber Players, Daniel Schlosberg, Makiko Hirato,
Amy Briggs (piano) Robert Walters (cor anglais) Stefan Hersh, Steve Rose (violins) NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6261 [79.56]
[DRD] An interesting and excellently presented collection of varied chamber music.
Frank TICHELI
(b. 1958) Choral Works - Pacific Chorale, John Alexander
Singers, Pacific Symphony/John Alexander rec. 2013 DELOS DE3461
[65:58] [DM] Strong choral writing, persuasively presented; well worth
your time and money.
Thomas TOMKINS
(1572-1656) Sacred Choral Works
- Ch St John's College, Cambridge/Andrew Nethsingha; Freddie
James (organ) rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHAN0804 [62:21] [JV]
An interesting and useful survey of Tomkins's sacred and keyboard
music.
Francesco
Paolo TOSTI (1846 – 1916)
L’ultima canzone
- Marco Vinco (bass) Macri Simone (piano) rec.
2012 PHAEDRA 292029 [57:13]
[GF] A fresh, musical,
wonderfully sensitive and nuanced recital of
truly lovely songs.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Un
Giorno di regno - Mikheil
Kiria (baritone) Alice Quintavalla (soprano)
Roma
Sinf/Gabriele Bonolis rec. 2013 TACTUS
TC812290 [65:18 + 42:45] [JS]
I started to listen to these discs with real
expectations but they were sadly never met.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Requiem
- Krassimira Stoyanova (soprano) Marina Prudenskaya
(mezzo) Saimir Pirgu (tenor) Orlin Anastassov
(bass) Bavarian Radio Ch & SO/Mariss Jansons
rec. 2013 BR KLASSIK 900126
[46.52 + 39.31] [PCG] A
really excellent performance ... way up there
with the best on disc.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Falstaff
-
Ambrogio Maestri, Fiorenza Cedolins, Massimo Cavaletti, Vienna PO/Zubin Mehta rec. 2013
EUROARTS Blu-ray 2072714 [125.00] [PCG]
Might be of interest to those aficionados who would like to encounter a totally different and novel realisation.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Giovanna
D’Arco - Francesco Meli
(tenor) Plácido Domingo (baritone) Anna Netrebko
(soprano) Munich Radio O/Paolo
Carignani rec. 2013 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
4792712 [64.44 + 44.05] [RJF]
Variable casting among the soloists means that
this does not replace Levine's forty-year-old
EMI Classics recording with a great trio of
Verdian singers
in the main roles.
Henry VIEUXTEMPS (1820-1881)
Viola sonata Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) Quatre Visages César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Violin sonata -
Peijun Xu (viola) Paul Rivinius (piano) rec. 2014
PROFIL PH14012 [70:14] [MC]
Accomplished playing throughout this desirable recital.
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Suite for strings,
Bachianas Brasileiras 9
Alberto GINASTERA (1916-1983)
Concerto for strings
José EVANGELISTA (b. 1943)
Airs d’Espagne -
I Musici di Montreal/Yuli Turowsky
rec. 1995
CHANDOS CHAN9434 [64:59] Béla BARTÓK (1881–1945)
Divertimento
Leoš JANÁČEK (1854–1928)
Idyll, Suite -
Norwegian CO/Iona Brown
rec. 1998
CHANDOS CHAN9816 [67:21] [DJB] The Latin American disc is interesting, while the Bartók/Janáček is an absolute beauty.
Jan
Hugo VOŘÍŠEK
(1791-1825)
Complete Works for Piano - Vol. 1 - Biljana Urban (piano) rec. 2013
GRAND PIANO GP670 [78:48] [SA]
Any fan of piano music from the early nineteenth
century will find much to admire here.
Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Lieder - Michela Sburlati (soprano) Marco Scolastra
(piano) rec. 2013 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94451 [62.49]
[PCG] Are you prepared to settle for this disc with a smaller selection
of Wagner songs rather better recorded although not better performed?
William WALLACE (1860-1940) Prelude to The Eumenides; Pelléas and Mélisande Suite;
Creation
Symphony -
BBC Scottish SO/Martyn Brabbins rec. 1997
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55465 [73:32] [MC]
For those interested in British music and those looking to explore less known repertoire this re-issue should greatly appeal.
Sir William WALTON (1902-1983)
Symphony 2,
Viola Concerto,
Spitfire Prelude and Fugue,
Crown Imperial -
Roberto Díaz (viola)
New Haven SO/William Boughton
rec. 2013
NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6290 [73:22] [GPJ] Not entirely convincing in the symphony; but Díaz is a superb soloist in an outstanding version of the great Viola Concerto.
American
Chamber Music Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990) Violin Sonata Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) Piano Trio Samuel
BARBER (1910-1981) String Quartet -
Seattle Ch Music Soc rec. 2013 ONYX
4129 [61:53] [SA] Extremely
well recorded and played by all concerned.
The Voice of Isobel
Baillie (soprano) rec. 1941/49 HERITAGE
HTGCD273 [76:52] [JW] This close focus on Baillie in the 1940s
is a rewarding one.
Baroque
Music - Volume 1 Works by Albinoni, Vivaldi,
Telemann & Handel - Moscow CO/Rudolf
Barshai rec. 1958-71 MELODIYA MELCD1002191
[68:12] [JW] Primarily
for Barshai collectors who will welcome back
recordings that possess apposite breadth and
sincerity.
Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo) St Petersburg - Arias by Araia,
Raupach, Dall'Oglio, Manfredini & Cimarosa
- I Barocchisti/Diego
Fasolis rec. 2013-14 DECCA 478 6767
[77:57] [ST] Highly
interesting both musically and historically
... deserves to be sought out by the curious
and discerning listener.
British Piano Concertos
rec. 1970s-1990s
LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD2345 [4 CDs: 305:00]
[JW] A highly desirable collection including some expected favourites and more. Typically fresh and unhackneyed.
British String Concertos
rec. 1967-1990s
LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD2346 [4 CDs: 306:00] [GH] An historic collection ... from an extraordinarily rich period for British music and for performers who were committed to it.
O Cambodia
Chinary UNG (b.1942)
In Memoriam
Him SOPHY (b.1963)
The First Strike
Jack BODY (b.1944)
O Cambodia
Gillian WHITEHEAD (b.1941)
The River Flows On ... -
Tray So (traditional Cambodian folk instruments)
NZ Trio,
Keo Dorivan, Him Sophy, Him Savy (Vocals)
rec. 2011
ATOLL ACD541 [70:23] [SA] The disc deserves to be heard by many for all kinds of reasons, not least musical.
Candlelight
Carols Jacqueline Kerrod
(harp) Seraphic Fire/Patrick Dupré Quigley rec. 2013 SERAPHIC
FIRE MEDIA SFMCD14 [49:48] [DM] Lean festive fare that’s
not without nourishment; fine performances and decent sound.
Gaspar Cassadó (cello)
German Radio Recordings - Max Strub (violin)
Adrian Aeschbacher, Willy Hammer (piano) rec. 1940/44 MELOCLASSIC MC3001 [68:54] [JW] A valuable reclamation from German broadcast material of the 1940s.
Dances
for Piano and Orchestra Joel
Fan (piano) Northwest Sinfonietta/Christophe
Chagnard rec. 2013 REFERENCE RECORDINGS
RR-134 [69:13] [BR] For
piano lovers, this CD is like an ice cream sundae
with hot fudge drizzle.
L’esprit français Florent SCHMITT (1870–1958)
Sonate libre Jan INGENHOVEN (1876–1951) Violin Sonata;
Second Violin Sonata László LAJTHA (1892–1963) Violin
Sonata - Ilona Then-Bergh (violin) Michael Schäfer (piano) rec. 2013
GENUIN GEN14312 [68:58] [JW] Programming
juxtapositions work well in well recorded thoroughly persuasive
performances.
Alicja
Fiderkiewicz (piano)
Works by Chopin, Franck, Hindemith, Schumann &
Szymanowski rec. 2004-07 DIVINE
ART DDV24158-160 [58:04 & 60:27 & 64:18] [JF] Three
beautifully performed recitals.
Grounds
for Pleasure Keyboard
Music from 17th century England - Colin
Booth (harpsichord) rec. 2014 SOUNDBOARD
SBCD214 [66:52] [JV]
For harpsichord lovers this is a disc not to
be missed.
Historias
Music for guitar and wind - Zoco Duo rec. 2014 CALA CACD77018 [66:22]
[JW] A sympathetically
recorded and warmly played recital.
Hymns
to Saint Cecilia - Dame Felicity
Lott (soprano) William Mason, Matthew Searles
(organ) The Ch Royal Holloway/Rupert Gough rec.
2013 HYPERION CDA68047 [70:32]
[JQ] A nicely varied
programme of music in honour of St. Cecilia,
superbly performed.
Music
from the age of Louis XV Works
by Couperin, Forqueray, Rameau & Duphly
- John Kitchen (harpsichord) rec. 2012 DELPHIAN
DCD34112 [66:26] [JV]
If you are interested in French harpsichord
music you should consider this disc, especially
in light of this splendid historical instrument.
Hommage à Maurice Maréchal Works by Brahms, Debussy, Fauré & Honegger -
Alain Meunier (cello)
Anne Le Bozec (piano)
rec. July 2013
HORTUS 703 [60:40] [JW] A recital project, and precisely the kind of programme that Maréchal might have given.
Charles Munch: Boston Rarities Vol. 2 Works by Beethoven, Bloch, Debussy, Haieff & Schubert - Gregor Piatigorsky (cello) Boston SO rec. 1949-58 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC417 [79:45] [SV] Obert-Thorn's re-masterings are, as usual, top of the line.
Music for Remembrance Works by Duruflé, Vaughan Williams,
Howells & Tavener - Westminster Abbey Ch, Britten Sinfonia/James
O’Donnell rec. 2013/14 HYPERION CDA68020 [74:57] [BW]
A thoughtful and important musical contribution to
the commemoration of the Great War.
Anna Netrebko: Live from the Salzburg Festival Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le Nozze Di Figaro Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohčme
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Blu-Ray 073 5162 [3 discs: 458:00] [RJF]
A trio of roles that show something of Netrebko’s vocal maturity as well as her varied roles at the Salzburg Festival between 2005 and 2012.
Nightingale Folk Songs arranged by Mark Tanner -
Michael George (bass-baritone) Mark Tanner (piano) rec. 2014
PRIORY PRCD1122 [66:12 [GF]
Some of these songs are sensitively done but the singing is markedly effortful.
Perspectives
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Violin Sonata Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sonata for Two Violins Edvard GRIEG
(1843-1907) Violin Sonata - Netanel
Draiblate, Luigi Mazzocchi (violin) Lura Johnson
(piano) rec. 2012 AZICA ACD-71283
[75:02] [JW] Most valuable
for the Mendelssohn.
Pilgrimage to Montserrat The Renaissance Players/Winsome Evans TALL POPPIES TP229 [2 CDs: 118.45] [GH] It's quite possible that this is exactly what this music might have sounded like.
Piping
Blues Philip Scriven (organ) rec. 2008 REGENT
REGCD304 [64:07] [JW] There’s
no doubting the ebullience or command of the
playing.
Popular
Renaissance Music Lucie
Guerra Záková (organ, voice) Philippe Lécossais
(small drum, organ) Carlos Arturo Guerra Parra
(small drum, tambourine) rec. 2011 ORLANDO
RECORDS OR0011 [70:07] [JV] The
organ produces a sumptuous sound and its quality
is enough reason to consider this recording.
Remembering
Alfred Deller James Bowman, Robin Blaze (counter-tenors)
John Turner, Laura Robinson (recorders) Tim Smedley (cello) Dave Bainbridge
(guitar) Ian Thompson (harpsichord) rec. 2013 DIVINE ART DDA25114 [59:36] [JW] Interestingly programmed and thoughtfully prepared.
Russian Chamber Music for Wind Instruments - Vol. 2
Works by Balakirev, Glazunov, Glinka & Ippolitov-Ivanov -
rec. 1975-81
MELODIYA MELCD1002186 [61:18] [MC]
This highly desirable Melodiya reissue should prove fascinating for chamber music lovers in general not just those with a particular interest in Russian music.
The
Spy's Choirbook Alamire; English Cornett & Sackbut Ens/David
Skinner rec. 2014 OBSIDIAN CD712
[64:21 + 50:50] [JQ] An
intriguing title for a fascinating compilation
of Renaissance choral music in superb
performances
The Art
of Magda Tagliaferro (piano) rec. 1930/34 HERITAGE HTGCD277 [79.17] [JW] Heritage
restores this valuable tranche of 78s very enterprisingly.
Treasures of the
Empfindsamkeit Works by CPE Bach, Haydn, Mozart &
Müthel - Carole Cerasi (clavichord) rec. 2013 METRONOME METCD1091 [71:20] [JV] This is a disc not to be missed.
Twenty
Gems of Viennese Operetta rec. 1953/62 ALTO
ALC1249 [73:18] [GF] Every operetta lover will find lots to
admire here.
Other reviews
Peter GRAHAM (b. 1958) The Triumph of Time Black Dyke Band/Professor Nicholas J. Childs rec. 2014 DOYEN DOYCD337 [65:48] [JF] Graham must be one of the best exponents of the brass band medium composing today. Deserves all success.
Franz Schubert - The Complete Songs by Graham Johnson,
publ. 2014
Yale University Press [KM] I know I’ll be spending a lot of time with these books.
The Golden Years of Light Music Grandstand: Production Music of the 1940s
rec. 1942-48 GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD5220 [72:37]
[JF] An album likely to appeal strongly to all enthusiasts of light music.
Articles and Notices
Decca Phase 4 Stereo Concert Series boxset -
Overview & reviews by Dan Morgan
Balkan & East-Central European Concertos discography by Mike Herman
Magdalena Kožená in conversation with Michael Cookson
Even chili peppers can't
save Danish orchestra by
Brian Reinhart
Download News 2014/14 by Brian Wilson & Geoffrey Molyneux
Getting to Know … The Piano Concertos of Johann Hummel
by David Barker
A new review index: Johann Hummel
Arthur Butterworth
(1923-2014) An obituary by Paul Conway
