NEW & RECENT ARTICLES

[New] Piano Trio Survey: Mid-2016 Update by David Barker

[New] Forgotten Artists: Pietro Argento by Christopher Howell

Arnold's Cornish Dances: 50th Anniversary by John France

Download News 2016/7 by Brian Wilson

Arthur Bliss's Edinburgh overture by John France

MWI Recommends: Bax Symphonies & tone poems.

NOTICES

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Publishing schedule
Monday: Other reviews (nostalgia, books, other music); Wednesday: MWI Recommends; Friday: Articles.
Live performance reviews posted daily at Seen and Heard
Jazz reviews posted weekly

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LATEST REVIEWS

Thursday June 30th

Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Concerto for Orchestra, Viola Concerto - Daniel Benyamini (viola) Boston SO/Rafael Kubelik; O de Paris/Daniel Barenboim rec. 1973/78 ELOQUENCE 480 0713 [60:22] [SV] Kubelik delivers a fine performance of the main work, but the Barenboim/Benyamini concerto disappoints.

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 5 - London PO/Stanislaw Skrowaczewski rec: 2015 LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA LPO0090 [78.51] [MC] The reputation of Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony is served marvellously by this inspirational live performance from the LPO under Stanislaw Skrowaczewski.

Andrew DOWNES (b.1950) Symphonies 1-4, Concert Overtures - Czech PO/Ondřej Vrabec rec. 2015 ARTESMON AS7442 [62.40 + 58.31] [PCG] A thoroughly worthwhile release.

Ross HARRIS (b. 1945) Symphony 5, Violin Concerto - Ilya Gringolts (violin) Sally-Anne Russell (mezzo-soprano) Auckland PO/Garry Walker, Eckehard Stier rec. 2013/15 NAXOS 8.573532 [65:24] [RB] A delicate yet steely concerto paired with an unusually structured poetic-tragic Symphony.

Antonio LOTTI (1667-1740) Crucifixus - Syred Consort, O of St Pauls/Ben Palmer rec. 2015 DELPHIAN DCD34182 [79:28] [CRo] A revelation of a musical personality who speaks with a directness that is both beguiling and compelling.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Gran Partita Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Notturno - Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ens/Trevor Pinnock rec. 2015 LINN RECORDS CKD516 SACD [60:31] [JQ] A delectable disc; especially recommended for listening on a warm summer’s evening.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erik SATIE (1866-1925) Socrate - Barbara Hannigan (soprano) Reinbert de Leeuw (piano) rec. 2015 WINTER & WINTER 910 234-2 [50:43] [SSi] If you only buy one disc of Satie this year, it should be this one.

Romantic Moments for Male Choir Sacred Choral Works - Taipei Male Ch/Frieder Bernius rec. 2015 CARUS 2.602/99 [52:35] [DHu] Superb singing by an elite choir, but questionable programming and production choices.

Wednesday June 29th

Anthony BURGESS (1917-1993) Mr WS, Marche pour une revolution, Mr Burgess’s Almanack - Brown University O/Paul Phillips rec. 2005-2014 NAXOS 8.573472 [67.37] [PCG] Let us be grateful for what is furnished here.

Joseph JONGEN (1873–1953) Tableaux pittoresques, Sarabande triste, Suite, Pages intimes - Nathan Braude (viola) Royal PO de Liège/Jean-Pierre Haeck rec. 2014 MUSIQUE EN WALLONIE MEW1575 [63:00] [RB] A most welcome disc that enthusiasts of impressionistic romanticism need to explore.

Riccardo MALIPIERO (1914–2003) Complete Music for Solo Piano - José Raúl López (piano) rec. 2001-11 TOCCATA TOCC0129 [55:44] [RB] Tough music presented with professional attention to detail and artistic qualities.

Alexander MOSOLOV (1900-1973) Complete Works for Solo Piano - Olga Andryushchenko (piano) rec. 2015 GRAND PIANO GP703-04 [48:06 + 46:37] [RK] Another fine Grand Piano project.

Per NØRGÅRD (b. 1932) Symphonies 4 & 5 - Oslo Philharmonic/John Storgårds rec. 2015 DACAPO 6.220646 SACD [55:52] [DM] John Storgårds makes a strong case for these symphonies; the recording is among Dacapo’s best.

Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Symphonies 1 & 2 - Ekaterina Sergeeva (mezzo) Alexander Timchenko (tenor) London SO & Ch/Valery Gergiev rec. 2014 LSO LIVE SACD LSO0770 [50.08 + 41.01] [MC] With playing out of the top drawer the LSO under Valery Gergiev excels with these two early Scriabin symphonies.

José Iturbi (piano) The Victor & HMV Solo Recordings rec. 1933-52 APR 7307 [3 CDs: 211:46] [SG] Indispensable for pianophiles.

Tangent Shores: Amethyst Jai Jeffryes (piano) COMPOSERS CONCORDANCE RECORDS COMCON0031 [76:16] [DC] Fascinating and enjoyable sequence of premiere recordings.

Tuesday June 28th

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St Matthew Passion - Ernst Haefliger (tenor) Irmgard Seefried (soprano) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bass) Munich Bach O & Ch/Karl Richter rec. 1958 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO126 [3 CDs: 198:41] [JW] Those new to this classic recording will enjoy the sympathetic restoration here.

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Dream of Gerontius, Severn Suite - Robert Tear (tenor) Alfreda Hodgson (contralto) Benjamin Luxon (baritone) Scottish Ntl Ch & O/Sir Alexander Gibson, London Collegiate Brass/James Stobart rec. 1976/85 CRD 33267 [2 CDs: 109:24] [PCG] A first-time comer to Gerontius could do worse.

Roy HEATON SMITH (1928-2014) Opening the Door - Clare Wilkinson (mezzo) Linda Merrick (clarinet) Benedict Holland (violin) Alistair Vennart (viola) Harvey Davies, Ewa Tytman (piano) rec. 1958-2015 DIVINE ART DDA21228 [60:45 + 63:08] [JF] Essential listening for all enthusiasts of British music from the second half of the 20^th century.

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony 5, Scythian Suite - Deutsches SO Berlin/Tugan Sokhiev rec. 2013-2014 SONY CLASSICAL 88875 185152 [67:47] [RK] A perfectly respectable performance, but suffers in comparison to the best.

Arnold ROSNER (1945–2013) Piano Concerto 2, Gematria, Pastoral Dances, From the Diaries of Adam Czerniaków - Peter Vinograde (piano) Peter Riegert (speaker) London PO/David Amos rec. 2015 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0368 [76:10] [RB] A key addition to the Rosner discography.

Daniel STEIBELT (1765-1823) Piano Sonata & other works - Anna Petrova-Forster (piano) rec. 2015 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR32P [76:14] [SG] This is music that doesn’t move me in any way.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Conversations Sonatas & Concerti by Quentin & Guillemain - Nevermind rec. 2015 ALPHA CLASSICS 235 [74:09] [JV] Musical conversations at the highest level.

Great European Organs Vol. 99: The Organ of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin - David Leigh (organ) rec. 2015 PRIORY PRCD1168 [79:00] [MR] Hugely satisfying performances of obscure repertory from one of Dublin’s overlooked musical glories.

Monday June 27th

Maurizio CAZZATI (1616-1678) Mass & Psalms - Ens Voces Suaves/Francesco Saverio Pedrini; Adrien Pièce (organ) rec. 2015 CLAVES 50-1605 [61:55] [JV] Good, straight performances with fine singing and playing.

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin Concerto Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Concerto for violin & piano - Igor Oistrakh (violin) Natalia Zertsalova (keyboard) Moscow State Philharmonic SO/Valentin Zhuk rec. 1984/85 MELODIYA MELCD1002384 [68:00] [RB] Delightful … a grand version of the Elgar that will speak to music-lovers everywhere.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Études d'exécution transcendante - Dinara Klinton (piano) rec. 2015 GENUIN CLASSICS GEN16409 [67:21] [RWe] Few recent accounts of these works are as completely satisfying as this.

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Turandot - Daniela Dessì, Massimo La Guardia, O & Ch Teatro Carlo Felice/Donato Renzetti rec. 2012 DYNAMIC 55764 Blu-ray [119:00] [MC] Giuliano Montaldo’s staging provides satisfaction and succeeds in bringing the characters convincingly to life.

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Symphonies 1 & 3 - Berlin RSO/Gerard Schwarz rec. 2015 NAXOS 8.573581 [58:29] [RMay] Distinctive accounts that do much to rehabilitate the hitherto much maligned and little loved third symphony.

Pyotr Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto 2 Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Piano Concerto - Xiayin Wang (piano), Royal Scottish Ntl O/Peter Oundjian rec. 2015 CHANDOS SACD CHSA5167 [75:54] [NB] An enjoyable disc which further elevates the good opinions already formed of Xiayin Wang's exceptional talent.

John STANLEY (1713-1786) Organ Concertos - Northern Sinfonia O/Gerald Gifford (organ) CRD 3365 [53:50] [PCG] Music which is otherwise unavailable in performances that are excellent both in manner and recording.

Great European Organs Vol. 100: The Organ of Liverpool Cathedral - David Poulter (organ) rec. 2015 PRIORY PRCD1158 [77:00] [MR] Prexit: Priory get out of Europe with a major celebration of British greatness.

Other reviews
Pleasures and Treasures Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration rec. 1965-2012 SSAYDISC CDSDL436 [77:22 + 78:50] [RB] Diverting and varied listening.

Friday June 24th

Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Complete String Quartets - Diogenes Qt rec. 2014/15 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 95051 [79:57] [MC] A wonderful opportunity to trace the very early development of this much loved composer.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dario CASTELLO (? - 1644) Sonate Concertate 1629 - Musica Fiata/Roland Wilson rec. 2013 CPO 555 011-2 [81:36] [JV] This music is very exciting and so is the playing of Musica Fiata.

Alberto GINASTERA (1916 -1983) The Vocal Album - Ana María Martínez, Virginia Tola (soprano) Plácido Domingo (tenor) Santa Barbara SO/Gisèle Ben-Dor rec. 2002-14 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 686830 [53:07] [HC] A very fine Ginastera release and a most welcome addition to this composer's discography.

Elena KATS-CHERNIN (b. 1957) Butterflying - Tamara-Anna Cislowska, Elena Kats-Chernin (piano) rec. 2015 ABC CLASSICS 481 2625 [64:17 + 63:38] [RB] Chimingly liquid and memorably melodic music stylishly and authoritatively profiled.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le Nozze De Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte - Ch & O Zürich Opera House/Nikolaus Harnoncourt rec. 1996-2001 ARTHAUS MUSIC Blu-ray 109236 [ca 10 hrs] [RJF] Many much better performances available but the virtue of price and Blu-ray will appeal to some as will the casting of favourite guest singers.

Viri Galilæi Favourite Anthems from Merton - Ch Merton College, Oxford/Benjamin Nicholas, Peter Phillips rec. 2015 DELPHIAN DCD34174 [75:36] [BW] A very worthy successor to Delphian’s earlier recordings with this choir.