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Guarneri del Gesu – In Stradivari’s Shadow A short story by Otto Fischer

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LATEST REVIEWS

Monday November 30th

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies 5 & 7 - Pittsburgh SO/Manfred Honeck rec. 2014 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FR-718 SACD [71.27] [MC] Outstandingly performed and recorded this can sit comfortably alongside the finest recordings in the catalogue.

Howard BLAKE (b. 1938) Diversions - Benedict Kloeckner (cello) Howard Blake (piano) rec. 2013/14 GENUIN GEN15346 [70:04] [JW] Emotive candour … a seemingly endless gift for melody and beauty.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) & Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Motets - Tenebrae/Nigel Short rec. 2015 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD430 [74:42] [ST] Why hesitate?

Frederic CLIFFE (1857-1931) Symphony 2, Coronation March - Lambeth O/Christopher Fifield rec. 2015 ELYROSE PROMOTIONS [67:30] [RB] A fascinating disc that stylishly and enjoyably advances the cause of British music.

Jonathan RATHBONE (b. 1957) Under the shadow of His wing - Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse rec. 2015 VASARI MEDIA VIMACD001/002 [51:42 + 48:12] [JQ] A new choral work, given a fine performance … contains some lovely music but is over-long.

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Daphnis et Chloé, La valse - O & Ch Paris Ntl Opera/Philippe Jordan rec. 2014 ERATO 2564 616684 [68:33] [BR] A very good, straightforward performance which makes up in competence for what it lacks in uniqueness.

Josef SUK (1874-1935) Asrael Symphony, The Ripening, Tale of a Winter’s Evening, A Summer’s Tale Anatoly LIADOV (1855-1914) The Enchanted Lake - O Komischen Oper Berlin/Kirill Petrenko rec. 2002/06 CPO 555 009-2 [3 CDs: 171.54] [NB] As a sample of the quality of Petrenko's work and the excellence of this orchestra this set is of considerable interest.

Armarium From the music cabinet of the Thomaner plainchant - amarcord rec. 2013 RAUMKLANG RKAP10114 [57:17] [JV] This is a most fascinating release: historically interesting and musically captivating.

Tom Poster (piano) Light and Shadows - Works by Beethoven, Chopin, Janáček & Schumann rec. 2014 EDITION CLASSICS EDN1060 [72:47] [RWe] Very satisfying … a superb musician with something individual to say.

A Wondrous Mystery Renaissance Choral Music for Christmas - Stile Antico rec. 2015 HARMONIA MUNDI SACD HMU807575 [72:57] [JW] A well-judged, sympathetic church recording … a long list of recommendable offerings.

Other reviews
The Music of Frank Bridge
by Fabian Huss. Published 2015 The Boydell Press [JF] A crucial addition. Thoughtful analysis. A great help to all reviewers and popularisers who choose to explore Frank Bridge’s music setting the music in various contexts.

Friday November 27th

John Luther ADAMS (b. 1953) Ilimaq - Glenn Kotche (drum kit and percussion) CANTALOUPE MUSIC CA21112 [CD + DVD: 48:00] [DC] A magnificent edifice.

Jiří Antonín BENDA (1722-1795) Sonatas, Sonatinas and Songs - Edita Keglerová (harpsichord) Ivana Bilej Brouková (soprano) Helena Zemanová (violin) Hana Fleková (cello) Marek Štryncl (cello) rec. 2013/14 SUPRAPHON SU 4184-2 [75:48] [SSi] A beautifully performed and recorded disc of music which certainly deserves a wider audience.

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Messiah - Bavarian Radio Ch, B'Rock/Peter Dijkstra rec. 2014 BR KLASSIK 900510 [72:29 + 63:29] [JQ] An enjoyable live recording of Messiah.

Benedetto MARCELLO (1686 - 1739) Psalms - Voces8; Les Inventions/Barnaby Smith, Patrick Ayrton rec. 2012 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD391 [59:57] [JV] The performances are little short of ideal.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) & Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Clarinet Quintets - Anthony McGill (clarinet) Pacifica Qt rec. 2013 CEDILLE RECORDS CDR90000 147 [68.38] [MC] Eminently satisfying and a credit to all concerned.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Fantasia; Variations on Ah vous dirai-je Maman Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata 14, Bagatelles Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Chorale preludes - Jill Crossland (piano) rec. 2010 DIVINE ART DDA25111 [64:16] [OL] I will not stack this disc too far away from the player.

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Concertos Florent SCHMITT (1870-1958) J’entends dans le lointain - Vincent Larderet (piano) OSE SO/Daniel Kawka rec. 2015 ARS PRODUKTION ARS38178 SACD [53:45] [SG] Superb realizations in demonstration sound. Worth the money for the Schmitt alone.

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Macbeth - Giuseppe Altomare, Dimitra Theodossiou, Giorgio Giuseppini, Piemonte PO/Giuseppe Sabbatini rec. 2013 DYNAMIC Blu-ray 57689 [158.00] [PCG] Only those in search of novelty at all costs should feel the need to investigate this.

Karl WEIGL (1881-1949) Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto - Florian Krumpöck (piano) David Frühwirth (violin) Norddeutsche Philharmonie Rostock/Manfred Hermann Lehner, Florian Krumpöck rec. 2013 CAPRICCIO C5232 [70:29] [PRB] Some deeply moving passages here where Weigl appears to seem uninhibited and psychologically at peace.

American Intersections Music by Adams, Barber, Bolcom, Copland & Rzewski - Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhăes (pianos) rec. 2014 TWOPIANISTS RECORDS TP1039220 [63:31] [BR] An assembly of mostly fun American repertoire, in good if not great performances.

Thursday November 26th

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartets 1 & 2 Bedřich SMETANA (1824–1884) String Quartet 1 - Takács Qt rec. 2014 HYPERION CDA67997 [71:29] [SG] The Takács Quartet in stunning performances of these Czech masterpieces.

Paul D. MILLER (b. 1970) Rebirth of a Nation - Kronos Qt rec. 2007 CANTALOUPE CA21110 [DVD: 95.12; CD: 79.26] [IL] An interesting and imaginative concept. One to treasure or consign to the ‘curiosities’ drawer.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Requiem - Olga Pasiecznik (soprano) Anna Lubanska (mezzo) Krzysztof Szmyt (tenor) Krzysztof Borysiewicz (bass) Sinfonia Amabile Ch & O/Piotr Wajrak rec. 2014 DUX 1210 [53:03] [BBu] Does not pull ahead of the standard bearers but it's entirely satisfying.

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Opera overtures, intemezzi and ballet music - O de la Suisse Romande/Neeme Järvi rec. 2015 CHANDOS CHSA5160 SACD [77:45] [DM] A melt-in-the-mouth confection, attractively played and presented; Järvi père is back on form at last.

Sir Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) Twelve Sets of English Lyrics Vol. 1 - Susan Gritton (soprano) James Gilchrist (tenor) Roderick Williams (baritone) Andrew West (piano) rec. 2015 SOMM SOMMCD257 [71.00] [IL] A promising start to an invaluable new English song series.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) The Complete Symphonies - Staatskapelle Dresden/Sir Colin Davis rec. 1995/96 RCA RED SEAL 88875 127062 [4 CDs: 269:59] [DC] Remains a standard-bearer at any price.

Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Complete Music for Solo Piano Vol. 1 - Christopher Howell (piano) rec. 2014 SHEVA COLLECTION SH115 [71:42 + 74:24] [WK] Howell's touch is light and there's a great sense of enjoyment and pathos, all obviously the result of deep thought.

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrushka Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition - Bavarian RSO/Mariss Jansons rec. 2014/15 BR KLASSIK 900141 [69.53] [MC] If the coupling appeals there is no reason to hesitate.

Discorsi delle Comete Ens Daimonion rec. 2013 ET'CETERA KTC1914 [69:56] [JV] These young artists show an impressive technical prowess which allows them to concentrate on an expressive interpretation of the repertoire.

Solitude Works for flute by Schubert, Liebermann, Johansson & Prokofiev - Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson (flute) Michael McHale (piano) rec. 2013 DELOS DE3447 [72:16] [BR] Schubert and Prokofiev but the extraordinary title track steals the show.

Wednesday November 25th

Alexander ALYABYEV (1787-1851) Chamber Works - Beethoven Trio Bonn, Artur Hrobutsky (violin) Vladimir Babeshko (viola) rec. 2015 CAVI MUSIC 8.553338 [65:25] [DJB] Evidence of high quality Russian music pre-Glinka.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Piano Quintet, String Quartet 2, Piano Trio 1 - Spectrum Concerts Berlin rec. 2014 NAXOS 8.573317 [80:23] [BR] The definitive recordings of some of the best chamber music from the romantic era and probably the one essential Arensky CD to own.

Slawomir Stanislaw CZARNECKI (b. 1949) Choral works - Schola Cantorum Thorunensis/Pawel Glowinski rec. 2014 ACTE PREALABLE AP0344 [51:19] [BR] The first full CD dedicated to Czarnecki’s music shows a likable, engaging composer in dialogue with Catholic tradition, and his teacher Messiaen.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sonata 19, Moments Musicaux - Emil Gryesten (piano) rec. 2015 DANACORD DACOCD769 [64:07] [JF] A commendable addition to the Schubert discography. An exceptionally talented and thoughtful pianist.

Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Complete Études - Dmitri Alexeev (piano) rec. 2009/10 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94439 [75:26] [SB] This will do very well for anyone wanting a modern recording.

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Chamber Symphonies - re:orchestra/Roberto Beltrán-Zavala rec. 2014 BIS BIS-2227 SACD [72:32] [DM] Charismatic performances, full of spike and spark; an ensemble to watch.

Dream Shadows Works by Bax, Kelly & Somervell - Rupert Marshall-Luck (violin) Matthew Rickard (piano) rec. 2014 EM RECORDS EMRCD030 [75:14] [NB] A carefully and intelligently constructed programme well produced, engineered and performed but one of the label's lesser achievements.

Salvator Mundi The Purcell Legacy - St Salvator's Chapel Ch/Tim Wilkinson (organ), Fitzwilliam String Qt SANCTIANDREE SAND0001 [61:44] [JV] Well worth investigating, although the performances leave something to be desired.

Songs from the Arc of Life Yo-Yo Ma (cello) Kathryn Stott (piano) rec. 2015 SONY CLASSICS 88875 103162 [67.56] [PCG] A recital of encore pieces beautifully performed.

Weynacht Gesaenge Baroque Advent and Christmas Music - Stimmwerck rec. 2012 CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77364 [67:51] [BW] An attractive collection of quieter Christmas music.

Tuesday November 24th

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Christmas Oratorio - Ch Bayerischen Rundfunk, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin/Peter Dijkstra rec. 2010 BR KLASSIK 900512 [75:10 + 69:10] [GPJ] A worthy rather than memorable although the choral singing is very fine.

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor - Anna Moffo (soprano) Carlo Bergonzi (tenor) RCA Italiana Opera Ch & O/Georges Prętre rec. 1965 RCA RED SEAL 88875 073472 [65.09 + 71.57] [RJF] Not a great performance in a competitive market. Bergonzi’s elegant tenor singing and the bargain price will tempt some.

Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) Piano Sonata, Variations, Interlude et Finale sur un thčme de Rameau - Hervé Billaut (piano) rec. 2013 MIRARE MIR242 [71:00] [SB] Billaut he has built up a considerable reputation in France which he certainly deserves.

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto, Lyric Pieces - Javier Perianes (piano) BBC SO/Sakari Oramo rec. 2014 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC902205 [69:53] [ST] Sensitivity and subtlety. This will give a great deal of pleasure.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sonata, Mazeppa, Mephisto Waltz 1 - Félix Ardanaz (piano) rec. 2010 ORPHEUS 3906-1828 [50:30] [RWe] An excellent live recital of three of Liszt’s finest and most challenging works for solo piano, which should be followed by more from this artist.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Impromptus, Piano Pieces, Hüttenbrenner Variations - Steven Osborne (piano) rec. 2014 HYPERION CDA68107 [75:58] [SG] This release certainly gets the thumbs up from me.

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Concerto for piano & wind, Capriccio, Piano Sonata - Alexej Gorlatch (piano) Berlin RSO/Alondra de la Parra rec. 2014 SONY 88875 121562 [66.15] [MC] Clearly a name to watch, Alexej Gorlatch is an admirable soloist and his talent shines brightly in these Stravinsky works for Sony.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dreams & Prayers Works by Bingen, Sanlikol, Golijov & Beethoven - A Far Cry, David Krakauer (clarinet) rec. 2013 CRIER RECORDS CR1401 [65:30] [BR] The inspiration and passion don’t flag for a single note, least of all through Osvaldo Golijov’s Jewish mythic masterwork.

Musica per Arpa Kateřina Englichová (harp) Carol Wincenc (flute) Vilem Veverka (oboe) Martin Kasik (piano) rec. 2015 SUPRAPHON SU41852 [83:00] [RB] A recital put together and executed by creative minds undimmed by accustomed attitudes and choices.

I have set my hert so hy Love and Devotion in Medieval England - The Dufay Collective/William Lyons rec. 2014 AVIE AV2286 [76:12] [JV] If you listen carefully to this disc you will be richly rewarded.

 

 



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