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LATEST REVIEWS

Friday February 27th

Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf; The Banner of Saint George - Bergen PO & Ch/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2014 CHANDOS CHSA5149(2) SACD [53:18 + 59:07] A splendid new recording of King Olaf [JQ] One cannot fail to be impressed by Elgar's ability to write engaging music for these prosaic texts [JF].

Hermann GOETZ (1840-1876) Complete Piano Works - Christof Keymer (piano) rec. 2011 CPO 777 879-2 [61:58 + 55:37] [JW] I’m glad to have had the opportunity to take in Goetz’s solo piano works in one go.

Wim HENDERICKX (b.1962) Disappearing in Light; Raga III; The Four Elements - HERMESensemble/Wim Henderickx rec. 2011 HERMESENSEMBLE no number [74:14] [DC] One composer's interpretation of distant worlds.

Joseph JONGEN (1873-1953) Fantasia; Adagio symphonique; Violin Concerto Sylvio LAZZARI (1857-1944) Rapsodie - Philippe Graffin (violin) Royal Flemish Philharmonic/Martyn Brabbins rec. 2013 HYPERION CDA68005 [65:47] [PRB] All in all, then, an attractive disc which will certainly not disappoint, and one which would grace any manner of CD collection.

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 6 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture - Philharmonia O/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. 2009 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD253 [57:57] [SV] Combines a forthright musicality with a keen sense of orchestral colour.

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Symphony 10 - Leonardo Neiva (baritone) Saulo Javan (bass) São Paulo SO & Ch/Isaac Karabtchevsky rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573243 [60:47] [JWh] Loud and garish Villa-Lobos.

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der Fliegende Holländer - Terje Stensvold, Anjam Kampe, Christopher Ventris, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Andris Nelsons rec. 2013 RCO LIVE RCO14004 [61:24 + 74:33] [ST] What struck me most of all was the lyricism and poetry.

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Violin Concerto; Symphony 4 - Ilya Gringolts (violin) Warsaw PO/Jacek Kaspszyk rec. 2013 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 622483 [61.56] [MC] Weinberg has deservedly risen out of the pack of unjustly neglected composers.

Vladimir Horowitz (piano) Last of the Romantics ALTO ALC1257 [75:38] [SA] We are unlikely to see his like again.

Smörgasbord Mats Lidström (cello) Bengt Forsberg (piano) rec. 2000 HYPERION CDA67184 [72:36] [DJB] Such an unusual selection is to be applauded, though consuming it all in one sitting may cause indigestion.

Thursday February 26th

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Brandenburg Concertos, Orchestral Suites - RCA Victor O/Fritz Reiner rec. 1949-53 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC425 [3 CDs: 191:21] [JWh] Something of a revelation.

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Suite Bergamasque, Pour le piano Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade 1,  Berceuse, Fantaisie, Scherzo 4 - Sarah Beth Briggs (piano) rec. 2014 SEMAPHORE SML MP49 [74:38] [MG] A well sequenced programme, well played and vividly recorded.

François DEVIENNE (1759-1803) Flute Concertos Vol. 1 - Patrick Gallois (flute) Swedish CO rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573230 [66:42] [SV] I'm looking forward to further installments in this series.

Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Dream of Gerontius - Arthur Davies (tenor) Felicity Palmer (mezzo) Norman Bailey (baritone) London SCh, USSR State SO/Yevgeny Svetlanov rec. 1983 MELODIYA MELCD1002266 [36:56 + 58:38] An interesting addition to the Gerontius discography [JQ] For all its artistic merits and historical significance, this cannot displace either the classic or more recent recordings [RMo].

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony 2, Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage - City of Birmingham SO & Ch/Edward Gardner rec. 2014 CHANDOS CHSA5151 SACD [73:01] [GPJ] Fresh, sparkling performances of this glorious music, beautifully captured in the spacious acoustic of Birmingham Town Hall.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) Tintinnabuli - The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips GIMELL CDGIM049 [67:06] Absolutely outstanding performances to celebrate Arvo Pärt’s forthcoming 80th birthday [JQ] I enjoyed hearing this new Gimell recording as much as all concerned clearly enjoyed making it [BW].

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sonata D894, Fantasia, Lebensstürme - David Fray, Jacques Rouvier (piano) rec. 2014 ERATO 2564 616699 [78.59] [MC] Remarkable insight provides breathtaking results.

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Violin Concerto 1, Kol Nidrei - Michèle Auclair (violin) Vienna SO/Kurt Woss, Austrian SO/Wilhelm Loibner rec. early 1950s FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR126 [59:52] [SG] Should be enthusiastically taken up by lovers of great violin playing in recordings that have long since become unavailable.

Michael F. WILLIAMS (b.1962) The Prodigal Child - Joanne Cole-Rosser (mezzo) Ogden Plus Quintetet ATOLL ACD306 [59:33] The Juniper Passion - Matthew Landreth (baritone) Rachael Griffiths-Hughes (conductor) ATOLL ACD243 [49:15 + 46:18] [DCh] These operas have much to interest with their poetic texts and polystylistic scores.

Baroque Inspirations Works by Kreisler, Stamitz, Tartini, Vitali & Vivaldi - Hideko Udagawa (violin) Scottish CO/Nicholas Kraemer rec. 2014 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6299 [57:35] [BW] Not everything is truly Baroque but it’s all very enjoyable.

Wednesday February 25th

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Diabelli Variations - Christina Bjørkoe (piano) rec. 2013 DANACORD DACOCD747 [72:31] [DD] A very disappointing and lugubrious recording. A major misjudgment.

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Harold en Italie, La mort de Cléopâtre - Antoine Tamestit (viola) Karen Cargill (mezzo) London SO/Valery Gergiev rec. 2013 LSO LIVE LSO0760 SACD [63:09] [BW] No challenge for earlier discs.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Serenades - Gewandhaus O Leipzig/Riccardo Chailly rec. 2014 DECCA 4786775 [65.19] [MC] Could not receive greater advocacy than these entirely convincing readings.

Ēriks EŠENVALDS (b. 1977) Choral works - Ch Trinity College, Cambridge/Stephen Layton; Trinity Brass rec. 2013/14 HYPERION CDA68083 [67:48] [JQ] Imaginative choral music by Ēriks Ešenvalds, superbly sung.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Sonata, Petrarch Sonnets, Après une lecture du Dante - Angela Hewitt (piano) rec. 2014 HYPERION CDA68067 [74:37] [SG] A compelling alternative to my favourite versions of these magnificent works.

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphonies 1 & 2 - Camilla Tilling (soprano) Lilli Paasikivi (mezzo) Frankfurt RSO/Paavo Järvi rec. 2010/12 C MAJOR Blu-ray 718104 [169:00] [DBi] Splendid performances but only No.1 looks and sounds 'high definition'.

Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b. 1934) Black Pentecost, Stone Litany - Della Jones (mezzo) David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) BBC PO/Peter Maxwell Davies rec. 1992 NAXOS 8.572359 [76:44] [JWh] Disturbing music in excellent performances.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Mitridate, re di Ponto - Barry Banks (tenor) Miah Persson (soprano) Classical Opera O/Ian Page rec. 2013 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD400 [4 CDs: 224:18] [GF] A replacement for the old Hager recording that should be attractive to all Mozart lovers.

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Songs for choir - Ars Nova Copenhagen/Michael Bojesen rec. 2014 DACAPO 6.220569 SACD [63:31] [DM] Ardent, apple-cheeked repertoire lovingly sung; a cappella choirs don’t come much better than this.

Pictures Music for 8 Horns and Percussion - German Hornsound 8.1 rec. 2014 GENUIN CLASSICS GEN15340 [74:39] [NB] A thrillingly brilliant disc as musically exciting as it is artistically impressive.

Tuesday February 24th

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concertos Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Concerto Grosso 3 - Deborah Nemtanu (violin, viola) Sarah Nemtanu (violin) Paris CO/Sascha Goetze NAÏVE V5383 [68:00] [DC] Feel like treating yourself?

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Piano Sonatas - Mélodie Zhao (piano) rec. 2012-2013 CLAVES 50-1304-13 [10 CDs: 612:09] [SG] A remarkable achievement for a young pianist. She’s definitely one to watch out for.

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 5 - Staatskapelle Dresden/Christian Thielemann rec. 2013 C MAJOR Blu-ray 717904 [89:00] [JQ] A distinguished account of Bruckner’s Fifth.

Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, La péri, Symphony - RTÉ Ntl SO/Jean-Luc Tingaud rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573296 [71:46] [JWh] High quality Dukas.

Guillaume de MACHAUT (c.1300–1377) The Dart of Love - The Orlando Consort rec. 2013 HYPERION CDA68008 [64:57] [BW] Lovers of Machaut’s music are becoming more fortunate all the time and this new recording adds to the bounty.

Federico MOMPOU (1893 – 1987) Songs - Roger Padullés (tenor) Iain Burnside (piano) rec. 2008 OPUS ARTE OACD9021D [61:25] [GF] This is a delightful disc that should be heard by everyone with an interest in art-songs.

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition, Songs & Dances of Death, Night on Bare Mountain - Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass) Mariinsky O/Valery Gergiev rec. 2010-2014 MARIINSKY MAR0553 SACD [68:28] [ST] Very fine indeed.

Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Symphonies 2 & 4, Ballet music - State SO Russia/Igor Golovchin rec. 1993 DELOS DRD2010/12 [66.11 & 65.24] [NB] Should fit the bill for those interested in good quality romantic repertoire slightly off the beaten track.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Adoramus Te Motets, songs and consort music - Clare Wilkinson (mezzo) Rose Consort of Viols rec. 2012 DEUX-ELLES DXL1155 [72:41] [JV] This disc deserves special attention - the interpretations are pretty much ideal.

Cambrai Motets Music from Northern France: The Cambrai Manuscript - Graindelavoix/Björn Schmelzer rec. 2010 GLOSSA GCDP32109 [44.44] [GH] This recording offers you a real chance to get inside these motets almost more than any other I have come across.

Monday February 23rd

Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony 3 (arr. piano quartet) - Peter Sheppard Skærved (violin) Dov Scheindlin (viola) Neil Heyde (cello) Aaron Shorr (piano) rec. 2003 MÉTIER RECORDS MSVCD2008 [49:01] [JF] The next time I choose to listen to the Eroica Symphony, it may well be in this version.

Niccolò JOMMELLI (1714-1774) Tirsi: Soprano cantatas - Yetzabel Arias Fernández (soprano) Stile Galante/Stefano Aresi rec. 2013 PAN CLASSICS PC10308 [74:00] [JV] This make a strong case for Jommelli's oeuvre.

Alexander MOYZES (1906-1984) Symphonies 11 & 12 - Slovak RSO/Ladislav Slovák rec. 1993/95 MARCO POLO 8.225093 [69:50] [DJB] Late twentieth century symphonies to add to your Vaughan Williams/Shostakovich playlist.

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony 1; The Rock - Gürzenich O Köln/Dmitrij Kitajenko rec. 2013 OEHMS CLASSICS OC440 [62:53] [NB] More than enough quality on show to make me follow any other discs that might appear in this series with great interest.

Elena RUEHR (b. 1963) Shimmer, Vocalissimus, Cloud Atlas, O'Keeffe Images - Jennifer Kloetzel (cello) Boston Modern Orchestra Project/Gil Rose rec. 2003-14 BMOP/SOUND1039 [69:22] [BW] Powerful music in a modern idiom which nevertheless contains an appealing beauty.

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Pelleas und Melisande; Variations for Orchestra - Israel PO/Zubin Mehta rec. 1975/88 HELICON CLASSICS 029665 [62:57] [SG] Two compelling recordings from the IPO archives.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Also sprach Zarathustra; Macbeth; Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche - Royal Concertgebouw O/Andris Nelsons rec. 2013/14 C MAJOR Blu-ray 719004 [80:00] [JQ] Three distinguished and exciting Strauss performances.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerti a quattro - Maria Giovanna Fiorentino (flauto dolce e traversiere) I Fiori Musicali rec. 2011 TACTUS TC672255 [50:35] [DC] Nice programme, but will you want to hear it more than once?

Alexander ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942) String Quartets - Brodsky Qt rec. 2014 CHANDOS CHAN10845(2) [73:44 + 78:09] [DC] Zemlinsky’s five string quartets? Is this the one to have?

Itamar Zorman (violin) Portrait Works by Brahms, Chausson, Hindemith, Messiaen & Schubert - Kwan Yi (piano) rec. 2013 PROFIL EDITION PH14039 [75:05] [RWe] Well-planned and splendidly played ... a sign of great things to come.

Other reviews
Revolutions 1830, 1848, 1871
Les Lunaisiens rec. 2011 PARATY 214123 [72:34] [ST] Overall only a mixed success.

 




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