NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
[New] ASV's Catalogue Returns courtesy of
Presto Classical by Rob Barnett
[New] Destigmatizing John Cage
by Michael Karman
November 2015 Audio Report
by John Quinn
Download News 2015/10 by
Brian Wilson
Guarneri del Gesu – In Stradivari’s Shadow A
short story by Otto Fischer
Vivaldi’s Songbird A short story by Otto Fischer
Reviews of Christmas recordings
MWI Recommends: The
music of Malcolm Arnold.
NOTICES
Have You Seen ... ? From BBC Radio 3's The
Essay:
Arnold Bax ~
Malcolm Arnold ~
Hildegard of Bingen
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Publishing schedule
Monday: Other reviews (nostalgia, books, other music); Wednesday: MWI
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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.