|
 RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
&
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin Concertos -
Bronislaw Huberman (violin)
Vienna PO/George Szell,
Philharmonic-Symphony O New York/Artur Rodzinski
rec. 1934/44
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC421 [76:23] [SG] A classic recording in superb transfer, and a live Brahms to thrill the fans.
Britta BYSTRÖM (b. 1977)
Picnic at Hanging Rock; A Walk after Dark; Invisible Cities -
Ellen Nisbeth (viola) Malmv SO/Swedish RSO/Daniel Blendulf rec. 2013-2014
DAPHNE 1046 [67:01] [GF]
A winner in every respect.
Alexander DARGOMYZHSKY (1813-1869) Rusalka
-
Evelina Dobračeva, Arutjun Kotchinian, Vsevolod Grivnov, WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln/Michail Jurowski rec. 2008
PROFIL EDITION PH09024 [3 CDs: 165.38] [MC]
The most rewarding opera recording I have heard for some time.
Vladimir GENIN (b. 1958)
Les Fleurs du Mal
-
Sybille Dithelm (soprano), Elena Revich (violin), Sergey Poltavsky (viola),
Rustam Komachkov (cello), Olga Domnina (piano)
VOXTORG VX1 [70:49] [DC] Powerful and evocative – a major new song-cycle.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
String
Quartets - Schneider Qt rec. 1951-54
MUSIC AND ARTS CD-1281 [15 CDs: 17hrs]
[SG] These spontaneous
and inspirational readings are both a delight
and an enriching experience. All I can say is,
go for it.
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Piano Trio 1 Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Trio Vincent d’INDY (1851-1931) Piano Trio 2 -
Horszowski Trio rec. 2013
BRIDGE 9441 [67.46] [MC]
This winning French chamber music programme is compellingly played.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Winterreise
- Matthias Goerne (baritone) Christoph Eschenbach
(piano) rec. 2011 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC902107
[74:54] [ST] A modern
baritone version in digital sound ... you really
can’t beat this one. Brilliant and a fitting
culmination to Goerne’s HM Schubert cycle.
Wilhelm STENHAMMAR (1871-1927)
Piano Sonata 4 Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Valse
triste, Impromptus, Finlandia - Cassandra
Wyss (piano) rec.
2014 CAPRICCIO C5229 [76:14] [SSi] An excellent follow-up
to Wyss's earlier Stenhammar disc.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872–1958)
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,
‘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] Performances that rival even the classic Boult recordings [BW] Elder’s interpretation vividly highlights the troubled undercurrents of the Pastoral Symphony [MG].
Mieczysław
WEINBERG (1919-1996) Sonata 3,
Trio, Sonatina, Concertino, Symphony 10 - Gidon
Kremer (violin) Kremerata
Baltica/Gidon Kremer rec. 2012 ECM NEW
SERIES 2368/69
[50:20 + 50:25] [MC]
Undoubtedly one the finest Weinberg recordings
available.
The Grand Organ of Durham Cathedral -
James Lancelot (organist) rec. 2013
PRIORY PRDVD12 DVD/CD/Blu-ray [79:00 (programme) + 90:00 (extras)] [ST]
This deserves to have widespread appeal.
Organ
Polychrome - The French School Jan Kraybill (organ) rec. 2013 REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR-133
[71:13] [DM] Pure magic; my store of enchanted objects has just increased
by one.
Menahem
Pressler - A 90th Birthday Celebration Menahem Pressler
(piano) Benjamin Berlioz (double-bass) Quatuor Ebène rec. 2013 ERATO
2564 625964 [75:39 & DVD: 116:30] [MC] Captivating lyricism
in stunning live performances lent additional frisson by the occasion.
Revolutions 1830, 1848, 1871 Les Lunaisiens rec. 2011 PARATY 214123 [72:34]
[JS] Puts the listener close to the mob ... hard to resist the sheer fervour of the sentiments expressed.
Suites & Overtures for the Radio Staatsoperette
O Dresden/Ernst Theis rec. 2006-11
CPO 777838-2 [68:05 + 64:30] [NB]
A hugely valuable addition to the discography of music in the Weimar Republic.
Tre
Voci Tōru TAKEMITSU (1930-1996)
And Then I Knew 't was Wind Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Sonata for flute,
viola & harp Sofia GUBAIDULINA (b.
1931) Garten von Freuden und Traurigkeiten
- Marina Piccinini (flute) Kim Kashkashian (viola)
Sivan Magen (harp) rec. 2013 ECM NEW
SERIES 2345 [52:07] [DC]
A perfect disc?
|
Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860 -1909)
Iberia -
Alicia de Larrocha (piano)
rec. 1962
ALTO ALC1259 [76:51]
[JW] This Hispavox cycle is the one to go for.
Carl Philipp Emanuel
BACH (1714-1788) Trio Sonatas & Flute Concertos
- Alexis Kossenko (transverse flute) Arte dei Suonatori,
Les Ambassadeurs rec. 2005/14 ALPHA 821
[3 CDs: 2144:39] [JV] This set is definitely one of the
best productions of music by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach to have been
released recently.
Johann Christian
BACH (1735-1782) Sonatas Op. 5 - Bart van Oort (fortepiano)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94634 [56:01] [JV] An opportunity
has been missed to perform these sonatas on the instruments which were
in vogue in Johann Christian's time, but the performances are
excellent.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered Clavier Books I &
II - John Butt (harpsichord) rec. 2013 LINN
RECORDS CKD463 [4 CDs: 212:21] [DC] Stunning
achievement or strangely stuffed beast? You
decide.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Suites (arr. for guitar) -
Peter and Zoltán Katona (guitars) rec. 2012
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA34713 SACD [63:35] [OL]
Bach’s wisdom shines through.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Musical Offering,
Canonical variations - Il Gardellino/Lorenzo Ghielmi (fortepiano,
harpsichord, organ) rec. 2012-2013 PASSACAILLE
1000 [64:25] [RWe]
A very attractive new Musical Offering
at bargain price, which joins rather than heads
the list of desirable versions.
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) The
Cello Suites - Nina Kotova (cello) rec. 2014 WARNER
CLASSICS 2564 639411 [62:04 + 75:13] [RMo] A big warm
sound. Technique and intonation flawless. I admit to being deeply impressed
by Kotova's playing.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Motets -
Ch Trinity College, Cambridge/Richard Marlow
rec. 1988
ALTO ALC1271 [65:36] [BW] A very welcome and inexpensive reissue.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Brandenburg Concertos, Orchestral Suites -
RCA Victor O/Fritz Reiner
rec. 1949-52
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC425 [3 CDs: 191:31] [RMo] I thoroughly enjoyed all three discs.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Concerto
for 2 keyboards, Brandenburg
Concerto 5, Partita 1, Prelude & Fugue - Emil Gilels
(piano) USSR State SO/Kirill Kondrashin rec.
1948-1968 MELODIYA MELCD1002224
[71:35] [JW] A valuable
cache of Gilels' Bach, almost all studio
recordings.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Vom
Reiche Gottes (compiled
by Hans Grischkat)
Maulbronner Kammerchor, Ens Il Capriccio/Jürgen
Budday rec. 2013 K&K VERLAGANSTALT
KuK 115 [78:00] [JQ]
A cantata compiled from Bach’s music
in a worthy but uncompetitive live performance.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Köthener Trauermusik - Sabine
Devieilhe (soprano) Damien Guillon (counter-tenor) Thomas Hobbs (tenor)
Christian Immler (bass) Ens Pygmalion/Raphaël Pichon rec. 2014 HARMONIA
MUNDI HMC902211 [73:53] [JQ] A notable parody score by Bach
in a fine performance.
Franz Ignaz BECK
(1734-1809) Symphonies - Czech
Chamber PO Pardubice/Marek Štilec rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573248
[75:31] [DD] Good performances of modest but enjoyable mid eighteenth
century symphonies.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Middle String Quartets -
Cypress Qt rec. 2012/14 AVIE AV2318 [3 CDs: 158:48] [SSi] A performance that reaches for the heights, but
in the end, falls just short.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
The Complete String Trios -
Jean Pougnet (violin) Frederick Riddle (viola) Anthony Pini (cello)
rec. 1952
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR977/8 [72:59 + 73:50] [SG] For chamber music lovers, these are recordings well-worth seeking out.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concertos 1-5, Triple Concerto
- Mari Kodama (piano) Kolja Blacher (violin)
Johannes Moser (cello) Deutsches SO Berlin/Kent
Nagano rec. 2006-13 BERLIN CLASSICS
0300597BC [3 CDs: 211:05]
[MC] Full of integrity,
poise, expressivity and sometimes poetry but
majoring on surface precision and too closely
recorded.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Symphony 3 Karol KURPIŃSKI (1785-1857) The Battle of Mozhaysk -
Orchestra of the 18th Century/Frans Brüggen rec. 2005/13
FRYDERYK CHOPIN INSTITUTE NIFCCD039 [67:39] [JS]
A disc well worth hearing for the Beethoven.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Complete works for cello & piano - Jean-Guihen
Queyras (cello) Alexander Melnikov (piano) rec.
2013 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC902183.4
[71:02 + 67:38] [ST]
Flexible and vibrant. Full of vigour and passion.
Queyras as an estimable talent with a lot to
offer.
Paul
BEN-HAIM (1897-1984) Piano Quartet,
Landscapes, Improvisation & Dance, Quintet
- ARC Ens rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHAN 10769
[77:05] [PRB] An outstanding
CD begging to be included in any collection.
Sir Arthur BLISS (1891-1975)
Orchestral Works -
Robert Cohen (cello)
Alfredo Campoli (violin)
Royal PO/Barry
Wordsworth,
Philip Jones Brass Ens,
National PO/Bernard Herrmann,
London
SO, London PO/composer
rec. 1955-94
DECCA BRITISH MUSIC COLLECTION 4701862 [75.06 + 49.04] [JQ] An excellent collection of music by Bliss available once again.
Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Les pêcheurs de perles
-
Patrizia Ciofi, Dmitry Korchak, Dario Solari, Teatro di San Carlo/Gabriele Ferro rec. 2012
C MAJOR Blu-ray 719604/DVD 719608 [118:00]
A new recording of a well presented performance. An excellent opportunity to discover that all over again that there is more to Les pêcheurs de perles than one duet
[RMay] Sadly a lack of Gallic style is evident [RJF].
Luigi
BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) & Giovanni Battista CIRRI (1724-1808)
Cello Sonatas - Catherine Jones, Alison McGilvray
(cello) Giulia Nuti (harpsichord) William Carter
(archlute, baroque guitar) rec. 2013 DEUTSCHE
HARMONIA MUNDI 88875 013182 [77:49] [BW]
An enjoyable recording
made all the more so by the addition of the
little-known Cirri works.
Edwin York BOWEN (1884-1961) Viola Sonatas 1 & 2; Phantasy -
Matthew Jones (viola), Michael Hampton (piano) rec. 2011
NAXOS 8.572580 [71.18] [EML]
Anyone and everyone should hear these pieces but I favour the Boyd/Forsberg performances on Dutton Vocalion.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies
1 & 2 rec. 2008 LPO 0043
[44:16 + 41:31] Symphonies
1 & 2 - London PO/Vladimir Jurowski rec. 2010
LPO 0075
[76:22] [ST] If you’re
a fan of Jurowski’s work with the LPO
then I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto, Double Concerto - Yuzuko
Horigome (violin) Viviane Spanoghe (cello) Czech PO/JoAnn Falletta rec.
2013 TALENT DOM 291099 [70:24] [RWe] A favourite coupling,
not quite replacing past legends but satisfying and with something fresh
to say.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Sonata 2, Variations on an Original
Theme, Intermezzi, Scherzo - Jonathan Plowright
(piano) rec. 2014 BIS BIS2117 SACD
[76:24] [RWe] Mostly early Brahms that really should be better known;
splendidly played and recorded.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Sonata 2; Waltzes; Intermezzi; Theme with Variations -
Barry Douglas (piano) rec. 2014
CHANDOS CHAN10833 [67:26] [RWe]
Another fine disc in Barry Douglas’s continuing Brahms series, with an outstanding version of the elusive Second Sonata and a delightful set of Waltzes.
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) The Violin Sonatas - Augustin Dumay (violin) Louis
Lortie (piano) rec. 2014 ONYX 4133 [77:01] Warm-hearted
and deeply felt accounts of Brahms's Violin Sonatas [LW] Communicative
warmth, irresistible lyricism and a kind of serenity [JW].
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) War Requiem; Sinfonia da Requiem; Ballad of Heroes -
Heather Harper, Philip Langridge, Martyn Hill, John Shirley-Quirk, London SO &
Ch/Richard Hickox rec. 1991
CHANDOS CHAN8983/84 [61:50 + 63:34] [JQ]
Hickox’s version of the War Requiem belongs on any shortlist of the very best recordings of the work.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 5 -
Tapiola Sinfonietta/Mario Venzago rec. 2014
CPO 777 616-2 [60:00] [TB]
Venzago misses the sense of awe, majesty and symphonic power that lie at the heart of Bruckner’s vision.
Anton BRUCKNER
(1824-1896) Symphony 6 - Hamburg PO/Simone Young
rec. 2013 OEHMS CLASSICS SACD OC687 [54:37] [JQ] A
fine addition to Simone Young’s stimulating Bruckner cycle.
Anton BRUCKNER
(1824-1896) Symphony 8 - Konzerthaus O Berlin/Mario
Venzago rec. 2011 CPO 777 691-2 [75:26] [MC] A Brucknerian
orchestra of repute.
Nicolaus
BRUHNS (1665-1697) & Nicolaus HASSE (c1617-1672) Complete
Organ Works - Manuel Tomadin (organ) rec. 2013 DYNAMIC CDS7685
[75:02] [JV] An impressive demonstration of the qualities of two representatives
of the North German organ school.
Antoine BRUMEL (c.1460-c.1512/13) Missa de Beata Virgine and motets -
Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice rec. 2013
HYPERION CDA68065 [64.01] [GH]
Very welcome. A fine addition to the catalogue. Brumel is a very significant figure in renaissance music.
Geoffrey BUSH (1920-1988)
Concerto for Light Orchestra,
Natus est Immanuel,
Matthew Locke Suite 'Psyche',
Sinfonietta Concertante,
Two Miniatures,
Finale for a Concert -
Raphael Wallfisch (cello)
Northern CO/Nicholas Ward
rec. 2013
LYRITA SRCD341 [61:10]
[NB] Another triumph for Lyrita reborn.
Dieterich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Organ Works - Marie-Claire Alain (organ) rec. 1986 WARNER APEX 2564 651790 [72:49 + 71:20] [BW]
A tempting deal.
Mario
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO (1895-1958)
Evangélion - Alessandro Marangoni (piano)
rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573316 [71.51]
[PCG] There is a great
deal to enjoy here.
Marc-Antoine
CHARPENTIER (1643-1704) Te Deum
Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632-1687)
Te Deum - Capella Cracoviensis, Le Poème Harmonique/Vincent
Dumestre rec. 2013 ALPHA 952
[55:17] [DJB] It must
have been a splendid occasion, and has produced
a splendid recording.
Fridiric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Sonatas, Ballads, Scherzos -
Vassily Primakov (piano) rec. 2012
LP CLASSICS 1009A/B [77:50 + 76:59] [OL]
Chopin of flesh and blood.
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Preludes, Mazurkas - Ingrid Fliter (piano) rec. 2014 LINN SACD CKD475
[72:59] [JW] Full of character and warmly textured pianism.
Arcangelo
CORELLI (1653-1713) Church Sonatas
- The Avison Ens rec. 2011/12 LINN
SACD CKD414 [71:05 + 76:48] [SSi]
An exceptionally fine recording of these seminal
works of the trio sonata repertoire.
Cipriano
DE RORE (1516-1565) Missa Praeter rerum seriem
- Huelgas Ens/Paul Van Nevel rec.2001 HARMONIA MUNDI HMA1951760
[64:39] [JV] This disc includes brilliant pieces which whet the appetite
for more but the omission of the lyrics is a serious flaw.
João Rodrigues ESTEVES (c.1700-after 1751)
Mass for 8 Voices,
Christmas Responsories -
David Goode, Philip Millward (organ)
Christ Church Cathedral Ch, Oxford/Stephen Darlington
rec. 1996
NIMBUS NI5516 [68:06] [BW] This should help to re-establish an unjustly neglected composer.
Orlando Jacinto GARCÍA (b. 1954) Auschwitz, Varadero Memories, In Memoriam Earle Brown - Málaga PO/José Serebrier rec. 2013 TOCCATA TOCC0239 [54:42] [JW] Garcia represented by three orchestral works in premiere recordings.
Louis GLASS (1864 – 1936); Symphony 3 Forest; Summer Life
Staatsorchester Rheinische Phil/Daniel Raiskin rec. 2009
CPO 777525-2 [65:20] [GF]
Those with an interest in Nordic music should be able to derive quite a lot of pleasure from this issue.
Philip
GLASS (b. 1937) The Complete Piano
Etudes - Maki Namekawa (piano) rec. 1984 ORANGE
MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0098 [124:28] [KM]
A fine set that any Philip Glass fan will want
to have.
Heiner
GOEBBELS (b. 1952) Surrogate Cities
Frank ZAPPA (1940-1993) Dupree’s
Paradise, The Perfect Stranger - Norwegian Radio
O/Thomas Søndergård rec. 2010 LAWO LWC1063
[69:44] [DC] Highly
approachable modern music.
Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Piano Trio, Piano Quintet - LOM Piano Trio, Manuel Porta Gallego (violin) Joaquín Riquelme
García (viola) rec. 2007/8 NAXOS 8.572262 [45:34] [DJB] Very welcome additions to my collection of Romantic trios and quintets.
Christoph
GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Trio Sonatas
- Finnish Baroque O rec. 2013 ONDINE
ODE1240-2 [59:03] [DC]
‘Easy’ Baroque full of joyous sounds
and pleasant surprise.
Johan
HALVORSEN (1864-1936) Orchestral
works - Marianne Thorsen (violin) Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi
rec. 2009-11 CHANDOS CHAN10834
[4 CDs: 306:03] [PCG]
A most valuable survey of what probably constitutes
as much of Halvorsen’s orchestral music
as you will need to hear.
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1789) Faramondo - Emily
Fons (mezzo) Maarten Engeltjies (counter-tenor) FestspielOrchester Göttingen/Lawrence
Cummings rec. 2014 ACCENT ACC26402 [3 CDs: 175:37] [RMo] Plenty of rhythmic spring and inner vitality. Nothing
drags.
Johann Adolf HASSE (1699-1783) Sonatas -
Andrea Bacchetti (piano) rec. 2014
RCA RED SEAL 88883 725202 [61:23] [DC]
Treasure worth discovering.
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Die Schöpfung -
Camilla Tilling (soprano) Mark Padmore (tenor)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (bass-baritone) Ch &
SO Bayerischen Rundfunks/Bernard Haitink rec.
2013 BR KLASSIK 900125 [37:46
+ 63:31] [JQ] Haydn’s
miraculous score is extremely well served by
Bernard Haitink.
Johann Wilhelm
HERTEL (1727-1789) Sacred Works - Katrin Hübner
(soprano ) Andreas Weller (tenor)
Mecklenburgisches Barock O/Johannes
Moesus rec. 2011 CPO 777732-2 [67:41] [DC] Likely
to put you in a very good mood indeed.
Alfred HILL (1869-1960) String Quartets Vol. 5 - Dominion Qt rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.573267 [66:10] [DD] A well-played trio of quartets harking back to the late 19th century but with a clear musical purpose.
Johann
Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Piano Trios Vol. 1 - Gould Piano
Trio rec. 2013 NAXOS
8.573098 [65:24] [DD]
Very accomplished performances of relatively
neglected music that is certainly worth exploration.
Joseph JONGEN (1873-1953)
Rhapsodie,
Méditation,
Deux Pièces,
Concerto for woodwind quintet -
5 Beaufort–Brussels Woodwind Qnt
rec. 2014
PHAEDRA 92085 [74:59]
[JW] Jongen’s lyric generosity and extrovert qualities very well caught.
Robert KAHN (1865-1951)
Violin Sonatas 1-3 -
Julia Bushkova (violin); Arsentiy Kharitonov (piano)
rec. 2014
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0021 [69:01] [PRB] Emotionally-charged Romantic music ... be prepared to sit back, enjoy and let these finely-crafted works wash over you.
Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950)
Cello sonata,
Chansons bretonnes
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Cello sonata -
Peter Bruns (cello) Roglit Ishay (piano)
rec. 2006
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD98.258 [53:06]
Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863-1937)
Cello sonata
Nadia BOULANGER (1887–1979)
Trois Pièces
Vincent d’INDY (1851-1931)
Lied,
Cello Sonata -
Nicolas Aldstaedt (cello)
José Gallardo (piano)
rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572105 [59:36]
[DJB] The Koechlin is very fine; some misgivings about the playing on the Naxos.
Oskar KOLBERG (1814-1890) Piano Works Vol. 1 - Joanna Ławrynowicz (piano) rec. 2013/4 ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0330 [69:28]
[PRB] Well recorded and well played but of
limited interest.
Guillaume
LEKEU (1870-1894) Violin Sonata
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Sonata Movement Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Violin Sonata 1 -
Tasmin Little (violin) Martin Roscoe (piano)
rec. 2013 CHANDOS CHAN10812
[72:56] [JW] Romantically
expressive performances, richly voiced, warmly
conveyed.
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Works for violin and piano - Voytek Proniewicz (violin)
Wojciech Waleczek (piano) rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.573145
[70:01] [PRB] Superb playing and a real flair for and affinity with
the music. Irresistible.
Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632
– 1687) Amadis
- Cyril Auvity (tenor) Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset
rec. 2013 APARTÉ AP094 [3 CDs:
164:05] [RMo]
To be regretted that the eponymous character
in this otherwise well cast and enthusiastically
played recording is not more gratefully sung.
John McCABE
(b. 1939) Symphony 1, Fantasy on a Theme of Liszt,
Capriccio, Sostenuto, Tuning - London PO/John Snashall; Ntl Youth O of Scotland/John McCabe
(piano)
rec. 1967/86 NAXOS 8.571370 [62:21] [JF] An excellent
new release that should command the attention of all enthusiasts of
British music.
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony 2 - Ch & SO Leningrad State Academic Kirov Opera and
Ballet Theatre/Yuri Temirkanov rec. 1980 MELODIYA MELCD1002253
[42:08 + 38:07] [RMo] I want to keep this on my shelves if only for
the way it delivers one of the great climaxes in Mahler’s oeuvre.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 9 - Vienna SO/Jascha Horenstein rec. 1960 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC426 [79:11] [JQ] A valuable issue of Jascha Horenstein’s dark, uncompromising interpretation of Mahler’s Ninth.
Benedetto MARCELLO (1686-1739) Sonatas -
Jacques Vandeville (oboe) Jean-Michel Louchart (organ) rec. 2014
SYRIUS SYR141466 [78:07] [DC]
An unlikely first choice.
Joseph MARX
(1882-1964) Trio-Phantasie, Ballade - Trio
Alba, Wen Xiao Zheng (viola) rec. 2013 MDG 7031844-2 [62.46] [MC] Highly attractive,
romantic music.
Peter
MAXWELL DAVIES (b.1934) The
Beltane Fire, The Turn of the Tide - BBC PO/Peter Maxwell Davies rec. 1991-95
NAXOS 8.572362
[72:50] [JF] This is
a fine disc that presents two of Peter Maxwell
Davies’ most characteristic works.
Henryk MELCER (1859-1928)
Piano trio, Violin sonata -
Natalya Zubko (piano) Joanna Okoń (violin) Anna Wróbel (cello)
rec. 2014
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0333 [74:36]
[PRB] The second of two Acte Prealable CDs of the same tuneful works by Melcer is overkill - lyrical enough music and to some degree attractive.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–1847)
Elijah -
Willard White (bass) London SO & Ch/Richard Hickox
rec. 1989
CHANDOS CHAN241-48 [66:03 + 65:21]
[GF] A safe buy in a crowded field.
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Cello Sonatas 1 & 2, Variations
concertantes - Paul Watkins (cello) Huw Watkins (piano) rec. 2011
CHANDOS CHAN10701 [62:59] [EML] One cannot fault the
music-making here - excellent realisations of this wonderful music.
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Oedipus in Kolonos
- Kammerchor & Klassiche Phil Stuttgart/Frieder
Bernius rec. 2004 CARUS 83.225
[63.07] [EML] An excellent
disc, well thought-through and boasting the
highest standards of music-making.
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Symphony 3, The Hebrides Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto - Maria João Pires (piano)
London SO/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2014 LSO LIVE LSO0765
SACD/BD-A [79:17] [LW] Gardiner’s new LSO Live disc provides
plenty of pleasure, if with some reservations.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Piano Trios 1 & 2,
Variations Concertantes -
Gould Piano Trio
rec. 2012/13
CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD088 [72:33] [BW] Very likeable performances which many will prefer even over the Florestan Trio on Hyperion.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Elias - Kantorei St. Nikolai, Hamburg Camerata/Matthias Hoffman-Borggrefe rec. 2013 TROUBADISC TROCD01445 [65:07 + 64:05]
[RWe] A solid account of Elias, with a fine bass in the title role and good support all round, but does not displace the leading contenders.
Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992) La Nativité du Seigneur -
Tom Winpenny (organ) rec. 2014 NAXOS 8.573332 [61:09]
[DM] More head than heart; a fine performance, very well recorded.
Claudio
MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Complete Operas - Concentus Musicus/Nikolaus
Harnoncourt rec. 1968/74 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 631482
[9 CDs: 423:46] [GF] A big black mark for presentation, but in every
other respect this is an issue that should be snapped up by anyone with
an interest in baroque opera or really any interest in music.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Horn Concertos 1-4,
Horn Quintet -
Pip Eastop (natural horn)
The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead,
Eroica Qt
rec. 2011/13
HYPERION CDA68097 [72:44] [BW] Great fun: emphatically not just for the period-instrument brigade.
Giulio
San Pietro de' NEGRI (c1570-c1630)
Amorosa Fenice - Faenza/Marco
Horvat (voice, lirone, theorbo, guitar) rec.
2013 AGOGIQUE AGO018 [69:15]
[JV] The first disc
devoted to Negri, an aristocratic composer and
an independent mind.
Carl NIELSEN
(1865-1931) Symphonies 1 & 4 - New York PO/Alan Gilbert
rec. 2014 DACAPO 6.220624 SACD [69:15] [JL] Gilbert
loves this music but he lives in the corporate age that does not take
risks, does not do drugs, and does not wear heart-on-sleeve.
Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d’Hoffmann
-
Michael Spyres, Kathleen Kim, Tatiana Pavlovskaya, Natalie Dessay, O Grand Teatre del Liceu de Barcelona/Stéphane Denève rec. 2013
ERATO DVD 2564 636914 [2 DVDs: 183:00] [RF]
Laurent Pelly’s direction and staging is too representational and lacking in cohesion and realism.
Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914-1991) String Quartets 1-3; Song to the Virgin Mary Roxanna PANUFNIK (b. 1968) Memories of my Father
-
Brodsky Qt rec. 2013
CHANDOS CHAN10839 [78:24] [TB]
Great imagination and subtlety.
Giovanni Benedetto
PLATTI (1697?-1763) Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Six Sonatas for Cello and Basso Continuo - Sebastian Hess (cello) Axel
Wolf (lute, theorbo) rec. 2012 OEHMS OC881 [64:48]
[JV] This disc is another indication of the growing interest in Platti's
music and it is well deserved.
Nicola
PORPORA (1686-1758)
Il Maestro - Franco Fagioli (counter-tenor) Academia
Montis Regalis/Alessandro de Marchi rec. 2013
NAÏVE V5369 [80:35] [GPu] Superb
singing from one of the finest of the current
generation of counter-tenors but it doesn’t
finally persuade me that Porpora is truly a
major composer.
Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony 4; L’enfant prodigue
-
São Paulo SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2012
NAXOS 8.573186 [78:13] [JQ]
Another welcome instalment in the Marin Alsop Prokofiev cycle.
Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Symphonies 1-3 & 7, Sinfonietta
& Autumn Sketch - Bournemouth SO/Kirill Karabits rec. 2013/14
ONYX 4137/9 [65.08 & 79.29]
[MC] Karabits’ recordings are creditable and listeners will find
in them much to engage their interest.
Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695)
10 Sonatas in 4 Parts
- The King’s Consort rec. 2013 VIVAT MUSIC FOUNDATION
VIVAT106 [53:20] [DC]
Top of a not very big pile.
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1875-1943) Piano
Concerto 2, Symphony
3 - Cyril Smith (piano) London SO, Liverpool
PO, BBC SO/Malcolm Sargent rec. 1931-1953 GUILD
HISTORIC GHCD 2423 [76:38] [SG]
Recordings from more than six decades ago that
deserve to be heard.
Jean-Philippe
RAMEAU (1683-1764)
The Opera Collection
rec. 1972–2002 ERATO 2564 636487
[27 CDs: c. 32 hrs] [KM]
A budget box set. A dozen operas plus. You get
a good overview of Rameau’s music, in
case you want more.
Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) & Ernest CHAUSSON
(1855-1899) Piano Trios - Trio Solisti rec. 2013 BRIDGE
9440 [56:40] [MC] A noteworthy advocate for this pair of wonderful
French scores.
Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overtures -
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia O/Sir Antonio Pappano rec. 2010-14
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 624344 [69:53] [RF]
Vibrant performances across the sequence of Rossini's operas from the sixth to the last.
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Virtuoso Rossini Arias - Lawrence
Brownlee (tenor) Kaunas City SO/Constantine Orbelian rec. 2013 DELOS
DE3455 [54:32] [MC] A highly desirable collection sounds with
documentation that is a prime example of best practice.
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
L'Italiana in Algeri -
Alex Esposito, Anna Goryachova, Ch & O Teatro Comunale di Bologna/José Ramón
Encinar
rec. 2013
OPUS ARTE Blu-ray OABD7148D [153:00]
[BW] Not much to like in this recording.
Frederic RZEWSKI (b.1938) Four pieces; Hard Cuts; The Housewife's Lament -
Ralph van Raat (piano); Arnold Marinissen (percussion); Lunapark rec. 2013
NAXOS 8.559759 [62:13] [SA]
The more you listen to this or, indeed, any of Rzewski's music the more satisfying it becomes.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphonies 2 & 6 - Basel SO/Dennis
Russell Davies rec. 2013/14 SINFONIEORCHESTER
BASEL SOB07 [58:50] [MC] Engaging
live performances superbly recorded.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Schwanengesang -
Florian Boesch (baritone); Malcolm Martineau (piano)
rec. 2014
ONYX 4131 [66:36] An impressive Schwanengesang from Florian Boesch and Malcolm Martineau [JQ] A very good recital and a unique take on Schwanengesang [ST].
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasy, Allegro,
Grand Duo Sonata - Ismaël Margain,
Guillaume Bellom (piano) rec. 2012 APARTÉ
APO56 [78:57] [PBW]
Margain and Bellom will surely – and
hopefully - return to these late Schubert works.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Nachtviolen
-
Christian Gerhaher (baritone) Gerold Huber (piano) rec. 2012
SONY CLASSICAL 88883 712172 [76:53] [ST]
Another feather in Gerhaher’s cap.
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Noveletten; Nachtstücke -
Danny Driver (piano) rec. 2013
HYPERION CDA67983 [70:36] [DC]
Multi-layered refinement which is hard to beat.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856)
Lieder
- Peter Schreier (tenor) Norman Shetler (piano)
rec. 1972-74 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94694
[4 CDs: 256:24] [GF]
A cultural achievement and at budget price.
Seize the opportunity.
Déodat de SÉVERAC (1872-1921)
Complete Works for Piano -
François-Michel Rignol (piano)
rec. 2011
SOLSTICE SOCD306/8 [3 CDs: 190:29] [DC] An attractive package.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony
14 - Thomas Oliemans (baritone) Gal James
(soprano) Netherlands CO/Gordan Nikolić
rec. 2013 CHALLENGE CLASSICS SACD CC72654
[55:13] [DBi] A refined
performance beautifully recorded, but adding
nothing to our knowledge of this great work.
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) The Essential Orchestral Favorites
-
Pekka Kuusisto (violin) Helsinki PO/Leif Segerstam rec. 1939-2007
ONDINE ODE1265-2D [69:34 + 79:32] [LW]
A special edition with idiomatic performances to celebrate Sibelius’s sesquicentennial.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ein Heldenleben; Metamorphosen
-
ORF Vienna RSO/Cornelius Meister rec. 2014
CAPRICCIO C5208 [70:00] [DC]
Fine performances and recording.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Ariadne auf Naxos
- Soile Isokoski, Laura Claycomb, Sergey Skorokhodov,
London PO/Vladimir Jurowski rec.
2013 OPUS ARTE OA1135D DVD
[121:00 + 21:00] [ST] This
will do but it’s not up there with the
finest.
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Four Last Songs, Ein Heldenleben
- Anna Netrebko (soprano) Staatskapelle Berlin/Daniel Barenboim rec.
2014 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 479 3964 [68:19] So there
is plenty to enjoy here, but this disc remains a record of a special
occasion rather than a first choice for either work [ST] Worthy to stand
alongside the best classic and more recent recordings … a fine postscript
to the Strauss celebrations [BW].
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) L'histoire du soldat -
Nederlands Dans Theater/David Porcelijn
ARTHAUS MUSIK 100133 DVD [51:00] [JS]
A performance of terrific panache and individuality.
Igor STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Le Sacre du Printemps, Pétrouchka
- Les Siècles/François-Xavier Roth rec. 2013/14 ACTES SUD MUSICALES
ASM15 [68:22] [DM] Illuminating and individual; the lack of
documentation is inexcusable.
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Concerto for
Piano & Wind Orchestra, Capriccio, Movements,
Pétrouchka - Jean-Efflam Bavouzet
(piano) São Paulo SO/Yan Pascal Tortelier
rec. 2014 CHANDOS CHSA5147 SACD [79:40]
[BW] If the programme appeals this stands up
well against the competition in all four works.
Thomas
TALLIS (c1505–1585) Ave, rosa
sine spinis and other sacred music - The
Cardinall’s Musick/Andrew Carwood rec.
2013 HYPERION CDA68076 [73:50] [BW]
Well up to the high standard of the three earlier
volumes.
Boris
TCHAIKOVSKY (1925-1996) Piano Quintet, The War Suite -
Olga Solovieva (piano) Maxim Anisimov (clarinet) Vanbrugh Qt rec. 2012/13
NAXOS 8.573207 [66.47] [MC] A most accessible and agreeable
way of exploring the music of Boris Tchaikovsky.
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Serenade for Strings Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Divertimento - LSO String Ens/Roman Simovic
rec. 2013 LSO LIVE SACD LSO0752
[55:50] [GPJ] Much
recorded works ... competent but far from top-notch
— a useful coupling, though.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker
-
Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi rec. 2013
CHANDOS CHSA5144 SACD [84.35] [PCG]
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto; Sérénade Mélancolique Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Violin Concerto -
David Oistrakh (violin) USSR SO/Kirill Kondrashin rec. 1945-1957
MELODIYA MELCD1002261 [66:24] [SG]
A mixed bag but the Tchaikovsky Concerto alone makes this a worthwhile purchase.
Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681 - 1767)
Miriways
- Markus Volpert (baritone) Ulrike Hofbaur (soprano)
Julie Martin du Theil (soprano) EL'Orfeo
Barockorchester/Michi Gaigg rec. 2012 CPO
777 752-2 [73:38 + 73:03] [JV]
An excellent recording of one of Telemann's
best works for the stage.
Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) The
Grand Concertos for Mixed Instruments Vol. 1
- La Stagione Frankfurt/Michael Schneider
rec. 2013-2014 CPO 777859-2
[62:33] [JV] This disc
once again attests to Telemann's versatility.
Augusta Read THOMAS (b.1964) Music for Strings NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6263 [79.44] [GH] An exciting CD.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Aida -
Hui He,
Fabio Sartori, Ch & O dell’Arena di Verona/Omer Meir Wellber
rec. 2013
BELAIR CLASSIQUES BAC104 DVD [148:00]
[ST] Quite fun, but not to be taken seriously.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Otello
-
Robert Dean Smith, Raffaella Angeletti, Sebastian Catana, Oviedo Filarmonia/Friedrich Haider rec. 2007/09
NAXOS 8.660357-58 [64:32 + 67:25] [GF]
I am happy to be able to add this newest competitor to my collection and I will certainly play it again very soon.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Best
of Verdi: Opera Choruses - C
MAJOR Blu-ray 718804 [95:00] [RJF]
Nobody wrote great opera choruses, and in such
number, like Verdi. They are best sung, as here,
by native Italians.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Best of Verdi Arias
C MAJOR Blu-ray 718604 [112:00] [RF]
As a selection of staged arias this bargain-price collection has some virtues and strengths but it also has some vocal inadequacies indicative of the world shortage of Verdi-sized voices.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore
-
Misha Didyk, Marina Poplavskaya, Scott Hendricks, La Monnaie/Marc Minkowski rec. 2012
BEL AIR CLASSIQUES BAC109 DVD [149:00] [JS]
More than most discs this DVD is a case of caveat emptor.
Tomás Luis de VICTORIA (1548-1611) Easter Week: Lamentations and Tenebrae Responsories -
Ch Trinity College, Cambridge/Richard Marlow rec. 1990
ALTO ALC1269 [79:12] [JW]
Music that is finely contrasted and is here conveyed with urgent warmth.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concertos for
2 Cellos Astor PIAZZOLLA (1912-1992) Milonga
- Julian &
Jiaxin Lloyd Webber (cellos) EU CO/Hans-Peter Hoffman (violin) rec.
2013 NAXOS 8.573374 [62:31]
[DD] Splendidly played
arrangements of Vivaldi concertos. A fitting
farewell from Julian Lloyd Webber.
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Pietà - Sacred Works for Alto
- Philippe Jaroussky (counter-tenor and direction)
Ensemble Arteserse
rec. 2014
ERATO 2564 625810 [78:31] [BW] An irresistible collection.
Johan WAGENAAR (1862–1941)
Symphonic Poems Vol. 2 -
Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/Antony Hermus
CPO 777933-2 [55:26] [DJB] An enjoyable, though not revelatory, hour of good-natured music.
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Scenes from Tannhäuser, Tristan und Isolde and Götterdämmerung
-
Heidi Melton (soprano) Orchestra National Bordeaux Aquitaine/Paul Daniel
ACTES SUD ASM22 [77:32] [ST]
For convinced fans of this orchestra; not really for the wider audience.
John WARD
(c.1589-1638) Fantasies and Verse anthems - Phantasm, Ch Magdalene College, Oxford/Daniel Hyde rec. 2013 LINN SACD
CKD 427 [59:48] [GH] Incisive performances that invite you
into the music without fuss and without getting in the way.
Mieczyslaw WEINBERG (1919-1996) Clarinet Sonata, Jewish Songs after Shmuel Halkin, Piano Quintet - Richard Margison (tenor)ARC Ens rec. 2006 RCA 82876 877692 [74:43]
[DC] Worth snapping up if you can find it.
Dinara Alieva (soprano)
Pace mio Dio - Italian Arias - Czech
Ntl SO/Marcello Rota DELOS DE3462 [62.11]
Russian Songs and Arias - New Russia State SO/Dmitry Yablonsky
rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572893 [60:04] [MC] A singer of exceptional
talent with a promising future on the world stage.
Emil
Altschuler (violin) Works
by De Falla, Ravel, Albeniz, Poulenc & Bartok
- Keunyoung Sun (piano) rec. 2014 Private
recording [53:10] [JW]
I hope a more sympathetic recorded sound can
be achieved that would serve to enhance the
soloist’s very musical playing.
American Chamber Music
Works by Barber, Bernstein, Carter, Copland & Ives -
Musicians of the Seattle Chamber Music Society rec. 2013
ONYX 4129 [61:53] [MC]
An attractive and accessible road trip through twentieth-century American chamber music.
Koryun Asatryan (saxophone)
Karola Pavone (soprano) Eva Barthas (saxophone) Gareth Lubbe (viola/voice) rec. 2014
GENUIN GEN14301 [59:45] [SA]
A truly ear-catching debut by an exciting young player of exceptional talent.
Ildar Abdrazakov (bass)
Power Players: Russian Arias for Bass - Kaunas City SO/Constantine Orbelian rec. 2013
DELOS DE3456 [66.49] [MC]
Something special.
The Great Carlo Bergonzi rec. 1959-77
RCA RED SEAL 88857 018082 [67.48 + 57.53] [RJF]
The presentation and sequencing of the extracts mars some incomparable tenor operatic singing as a wholly commendable issue.
Blow
out, ye bugles
Works by Stanford, Gray, Davies, Parry &
Vaughan Williams - Truro Cathedral Ch/Christopher
Gray Luke Bond (organ) Claude Lamon (trumpet)
rec. 2014 REGENT REGCD451 [77:11]
[JS] A very worthwhile
commemoration of the response of the British
musical establishment to the horrors of war.
British Cello Concertos by Joubert, Simpson & Wright -
Raphael Wallfisch (cello) BBC Ntl O Wales/William Boughton rec. 2013
LYRITA SRCD344 [70:38] [SG] Three outstanding concertos showcasing Raphael Wallfisch’s artistry. Another triumph for Lyrita.
The
British Composers Guide to Britain
EMI CLASSICS 0290012 [77:25 + 65:33]
[EML] Some lovely works
... and some important and fine recordings but
this is not the way to hear them.
Celtic Reflections
Barry Douglas (piano) rec. 2013 CHANDOS
CHAN10821 [60:00] [JWh] This is a lovely disc.
Josef Chuchro (cello) Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Cello Concerto 1
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Variations on a Rococo theme
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907)
Cello Sonata - Czech PO/Alois Klima, Josef Hála (piano)
rec. 1950s
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR911 [67:16] [JW] A more-than-useful appendix to the orchestrally-accompanied examples of Chuchro’s art.
Dances for Piano and Orchestra
Joel Fan (piano)
Northwest Sinfonietta/Christophe Chagnard
rec. 2013
REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR-134 [69:13] [NB] An enjoyable listen but not an essential one.
December Nights
Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Oleg Kagan (violin) Yuri Bashmet (viola) Natalia Gutman (cello) Anatoly Kamyshev (clarinet) rec. 1985
MELODIYA MELCD1002204 [74:43 + 74:23] [SG]
What better way to spend a December evening.
Delius
and His Circle Paul Guinery
(piano) rec. 2011 STONE RECORDS 5060192780130
[72:25] [EML] An extremely
interesting, well-put-together disc; highly
enjoyable.
Pierre Dervaux (conductor) Overtures rec. 1957/61 GUILD GHCD2416/7
[73:25+66:11] [JS] An excellent musician and a real professional.
Dumka
Lada Valešová (piano) rec. 2013 AVIE AV2288 [58:36]
[SA] A well thought out and constructed programme.
Maurice et
Marie-Madeleine Duruflé En Concert à Notre-Dame de Paris -
rec. 1970/72 SOLSTICE
SOCD304 [79:05] [SG] Lovers of 19th century French organ music
will want this generously timed release.
Eastern
Discoveries Maria Wildhaber, Scott Pool (bassoon)
Mia Elezovic, Tania Tachkova (piano) rec. 2012
MSR CLASSICS MS1517 [55:33]
[SA] Full of interest
and discovery as its title suggests.
La
Fauvette Passerinette Works
by Messiaen & others - Peter Hill (piano)
rec. 2014 DELPHIAN DCD34141
[78:56] [DC] Sublime
recording of a thrilling discovery.
Firebird
20th Century Transcriptions for Piano - Aki Kuroda (piano) rec. 2013
ODRADEK ODRCD312 [59:03] [GM] Interesting, enterprising and mostly
well worth hearing.
Jean Fournier (violin) Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Suite Italienne Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Nigun Jean MARTINON (1910-1976) Sonatine No. 5 Josef SUK (1874-1935) Four Pieces - André Collard (piano) rec. 1956 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR961 [50:33] [JW] This restoration is excellent and allows one to appreciate the Fournier-Collard partnership without impediment.
From Bohemia to Wessex Cello Music from the Twentieth
Century by Armstroing, Martinu & Thompson -
Lionel Handy (cello) Nigel Clayton (piano)
SLEEVELESS RECORDS SLV1011 [54:28]
[KSt] A far from hackneyed collection of cello sonatas, well performed and presented and leaning towards the provocative.
Hélène Grimaud (piano)
The Warner Recordings rec. 1995-2001
ERATO 2564 622737 [6 CDs: 370:54] [SSi]
An excellent collection offering some of Hélène Grimaud’s finest recordings.
Homages
A Musical Dedication - Christoph Denoth (guitar) rec.
2012 SIGNUM SIGCD404 [71:46] [JW] Thoughtful playing,
although ultimately lacking in those qualities that elevate the music’s
descriptive qualities.
The
Hungarian Viola Máté Szücs (viola) Oliver Triendl (piano)
rec. 2012/13 HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH14022 [68:19] [JW] Rather
obscure pieces projected with care and character.
Michael Kugel (viola) Works by Glinka, Rubinstein,
Glazunov, Stravinsky & Schubert - Boris Berezovsky (piano)
rec. 2002-13 MELODIYA MELCD1002222
[67:04] [JW] The good
alongside the less good in variable recorded
sound. I’d tread cautiously.
Ernst Levy (piano) Forgotten
Genius Vol. 4 - Works
by Beethoven, Brahms, Franck, Haydn, Liszt & Schubert
rec. 1952-59
MARSTON 52072-2 [78:34 + 79:51] [JW] One of the most perplexing, remarkable musicians you are likely to come across.
Los Impossibles L'Arpeggiata/Christina Pluhar, The Kings Singers rec. 2006 NAIVE V5188 [61.05]
[EML] High standards of performance, very appropriate voices and instruments ... thrilling.
The Medici Castrato: A Homage to Gualberto Magli -
Raffaele Pe (counter-tenor) Chiara Granata (triple harp) David Miller (theorbo) rec. 2013
GLOSSA GGD923501 [57:02] [JW]
This precisely targeted concept album rewards close listening.
In an Old Abbey British Organ Music -
Paul Walton (organ) rec. 2013
REGENT REGCD431 [75:27] [WK]
High quality playing, good sound and an excellent choice of programme.
Ostsee Works by von
Bertouch, Thiele & Vierdanck -
Trondheim Barokk
SIMAX CLASSICS PSC1330 [69:28] [JV]
This disc is a bit mixed.
Anne
Sofie von Otter (mezzo) Love
Songs and Berlioz - Antoine Tamestit
(viola) Brad Mehldau (piano) Les Musiciens du
Louvre-Grenoble/Marc Minkowski rec. 2010/11
NAÏVE NC40035 [3 CDs: 157:00] [GF] A great
cross-over album paired with some outstanding
Berlioz. Convinced that this is a good buy?
I certainly am.
Poema
Works by Kangas, Nordgren, Sallinen & Salmenhaara - Marko Ylönen
(cello) Ostrobothnian CO/Juha Kangas rec. 2013 ALBA ABCD372
SACD [65:09] [DC] Fascinating programme, but not a refuge for
the depressed.
Portraits
Lieder by Schubert, Schumann, Strauss &
Wolf - Dorothea Röschmann (soprano) Malcolm
Martineau (piano) rec. 2013 SONY CLASSICAL
88883 785852 [66.34] [MC] Performers
of high integrity, suitably inspired.
Road
Trip Works by American composers
- Max Baillie (violin, viola, mandolin, percussion)
Dawn Landes (vocals/guitar) Sam Amidon (vocals/guitar)
Aurora O/Nicholas Collon rec. 2014 WARNER
CLASSICS 2564 632791 [67:54] [MC] Eminently
enjoyable and fascinating.
Semiramide
- La Signora Regale Arias and Scenes
from Porpora to Rossini - Anna Bonitatibus (mezzo)
Accademia degli Astrusi, La Stagione Armonica/Federico
Ferri rec. 2013 DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 88725 479862
[44:14 + 53:21] [BW] Raises
Anna Bonitatibus even higher in my estimation.
Serenissima Music from Renaissance Europe on Venetian viols -
Rose Consort of Viols rec. 2013
DELPHIAN DCD34149 [71:24] [JV]
A very valuable collection of Renaissance instrumental music.
Sibylla
Renaissance Music and New Music - Mixtura rec. 2014 GENUIN GEN14299
[70:57] [BW] Lasso
for instruments doesn’t work very well
and two of the three contemporary works require
a great deal of tolerance.
Janos Starker (cello) Concertos
by Hindemith, Prokofiev & Rautavaara - SWR Stuttgart RSO/Andreas von Lukacsy; SWR Baden-Baden
and Freiburg SO/Ernest Bour, Herbert Blomstedt rec. 1971/75 HÄNSSLER
CLASSIC CD94.227 [74:46] [SG] Hänssler have done a sterling
job re-mastering these SWR tapes. This is yet another treasure from
their archive.
Sweete Musicke of Sundrie Kindes The Royal Wind Music/Paul Leenhouts rec. 2011 LINDORO NL-3023 [58:50] [JV] Unless you really hate the recorder, you will find this disc irresistible.
Alisa Weilerstein (cello)
Solo - Works by
Cassado, Golijov, Kodály & Sheng rec. 2013 DECCA
478 5296 [76:08] [SA] Weilerstein has chosen a widely varied
and thoroughly winning programme that showcases her astonishing virtuosity.
Wiener
Lieder Hans Günther Müller
(tenor) Christian Müller (baritone) Malat-Schrammeln,
Schrammeln aus dem Wienerwald Wiener Terzett,
Wiener Boheme-Qt HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH09017
[65:38 + 65:56] [GF]
Serviceable is the word, which after all
isn’t that bad.
You
Mean the World to Me
Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Berlin RSO/Jochem Rieder rec. 2014 SONY
88843 087712 [65:14] [GF]
Delightful programme. An excellent present to
all lovers of good singing.
Other reviews
The Golden Age of Light Music New Town: Production Music of the 1950s GUILD GLCD5224 [78:22] [JW] Another excellent instalment then, with super-fine notes into the bargain.
Ships Ahoy! Songs of Wind,
Water and Tide -
Quadriga Consort/Nikolaus Newerkla
rec. 2010
ALPHA 529 [70.21]
[EML] Evocative, superbly executed and well-chosen. I thoroughly enjoyed this disc and will revisit often.
Delius and His Music by Martin Lee-Browne and Paul Guinery,
publ. 2014 The Boydell Press [SG] This splendid and long-awaited biography will be avidly welcomed by Delius devotees.
Articles and Notices
William Mathias: Canzonetta
for Organ by John France
Michael Kennedy - an obituary
by John Quinn
Bum Notes – or Dude, Where’s My Booklet? by Dan Morgan
Getting to Know … The Symphonies & Concertos of Karol Szymanowski by David Barker
Robin Field: Lake District Composer by John France
Forgotten Artists: Harold Craxton by
Christopher Howell
Brun symphonies recorded by Adriano
