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The world premiere of John Joubert's opera Jane Eyre will be held, as a concert performance, at Ruddock Hall, Birmingham on October 25. It will be recorded by Somm Records. 

Box office information and how to support this production can be found here.

For an article about the work, see here.

 

NEW & RECENT ARTICLES

[New] Piano Trio Survey: "G" Composers Part 1 by David Barker

Listening Room Report by John Quinn

The Symphonies of Stjepan Šulek by Andrew Hartman

Ernest Reyer: Disciple of Berlioz by Nick Fuller

MWI Recommends: Franck Symphony & Wagner Wesendonck Lieder. This is the last MWI Recommends for the time being.

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LATEST REVIEWS

Friday September 30th

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 5 - London PO/Stanislaw Skrowaczewski rec. 2015 LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA LPO0090 [78.51] [WK] Save for one issue in the final movement this ranks as one of the best performances currently available.

Harold CRAXTON (1885-1971) Chamber, vocal & piano works - Caroline Goodwin (soprano) James McOran Campbell (baritone) Alison Moncrieff Kelly (cello) Christopher Howell (piano) rec. 2000 HAROLD CRAXTON TRUST HCRAX1 [64.31] [JF] I thoroughly enjoyed this CD, and will be keeping my eyes open in the second-hand shops for any sheet music featuring his original piano pieces.

Giuseppe GIORDANI (1751-1798) Sacred Works - Coro Goffredo Petrassi/Stefano Cucci rec. 2015 TACTUS TC750702 [64:08] [CRo] Listeners with any interest in choral music of the Classical period may wish to investigate this disc, but it is hard to see that it is recommendable on any wider basis.

Jón NORDAL (b. 1926) Choralis, Adagio, Langnætti, Epitafion & Leiðsla - Iceland SO/Johannes Gustavsson rec. 2015 ONDINE ODE1282-2 [66:30] [SG] A welcome release by Ondine, which will fill a void in the catalogue. The vivid sonics are immensely appealing.

Erik SATIE (1866-1925) Complete Solo Piano Music - Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Pascal Rogé, Jean-Philippe Collard (pianos) rec. 1996-2002 DECCA 483 0236 [6CDs 436:02] [DC] Studded with jewels rather than encrusted with them.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Lieder - Florian Boesch (baritone); Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec. 2015 ONYX 4149 [74:08] [JQ] Despite some reservations there’s much to enjoy in this Schubert recital.

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Dives and Lazarus, The Wasps Suite, Symphony No. 2 - Hallé/Sir John Barbirolli, London PO/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1944-53 BEULAH 2PD39 [82:00] [BW] Very fine performances, especially of the ‘London’ Symphony, in very tolerable transfers. 

Calvet Quartet Works by Debussy, Milhaud, Ravel & Samazeulih rec. 1946-48 MELOCLASSIC MC4005 [79:43] [JW] There’s real value to be had in tracing Calvet’s reformed and very different post-war ensemble.

Wanda Luzzato (violin) Violin Sonatas - Hans Priegnitz (piano) rec. 1955/56 MELOCLASSIC MC2026 [79:29 + 67:20] [JW] Inquisitive violin collectors should make the most of this rare opportunity to hear Wanda Luzzato.

Sonates et Suites Dan Laurin (recorder) Domen Marinčič (cello) Anna Paradiso (harpsichord) rec. 2015 BIS BIS-2185 [85:25] [JV] Strongly gestural and dramatic interpretations.

Thursday September 29th

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies Nos 3 & 4 - Brandenburg State O Frankfurt/Howard Griffiths rec. 2015 KLANGLOGO KL1514 [71:47] [RWM] Warm, well played performances which, however, fail to project the full emotional range of the music.

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano Trio No. 3 Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Piano Trio - ATOS Trio rec. 2015 FARAO CLASSICS B108093 [71:48] [DJB] In other hands, such slow tempos might have been a real problem, but the ATOS Trio just about carry them off.

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Orchestral Works - London SO/Richard Hickox rec. 1994 CHANDOS CHAN10911X [57:49] [GPJ] A hugely enjoyable disc, and reminder of the work of Richard Hickox - a great servant of English music.

Emperor LEOPOLD I (1640-1705) Paradisi Gloria - Cappella Murensis; Les Cornets Noirs/Johannes Strobl - rec. 2015 AUDITE 97.540 [75:37] [CR] A worthwhile introduction to a very little-known figure in musical history.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concertos Nos 20 & 21 - Haiou Zhang (piano) Heidelberg SO/Thomas Fey rec. 2010/12 HÄNNSLER CLASSIC HC16037 [58:30] [RK] Refreshing, provocative, and exciting, if sometimes a little annoying.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Concertos, Sonata for solo violin - Vadim Gluzman (violin), Estonian Ntl SO/Neeme Järvi rec. 2015 BIS BIS-2142 SACD [60.21] [DBi] A quite extraordinarily good disc.

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) La Dirindina Tomaso ALBINONI (1671-1751) Pimpinone - Elena De Simone (soprano), Carlo Torriani (baritone), Lo Splendore di San Marco/Diego Bortolato, Le Humane Virtù/Alberto Busettini   rec. 2014 DYNAMIC 37719 DVD [78:00] [DCh] Highly recommendable to anyone with an interest in the Italian comic intermezzo.

Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 - Felicja Blumental (piano), Vienna Musikgesellschaft O/Michael Gielen rec. 1957 BRANA RECORDS BRLP013 LP [31:03] [SG] This will surely be something to treasure for LP aficionados.

Martha Argerich (piano) Early Recordings - Works by Mozart, Beethoven, Prokofiev & Ravel rec. 1960/67 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 479 5978 [36:00 + 54:50] [DC] More for established fans than newcomers to Argerich’s artistry.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH A Voice from Heaven British Choral Masterpieces - Ch The King’s Consort/Robert King rec. 2016 VIVAT 113 [68:28] [JQ] A compelling programme, superbly performed.

Wednesday September 28th

Henri DUTILLEUX (1916-2013) Sur le même accord, Les citations, Mystère de l’instant, Timbres, espace, mouvement - Augustin Hadelich (violin) Jordan Anderson (bass) Seattle SO/Ludovic Morlot rec. 2015/16 SEATTLE SYMPHONY MEDIA SSM1012 [60:23] [LW] Morlot and the Seattle Symphony conclude their Dutilleux survey in excellent fashion.

Ola GJEILO (b. 1978) Choral Music - Voces8, Tenebrae/Nigel Short, Kristian Kvalvaag (guitar), Ola Gjeilo (piano), CO London rec. 2015 DECCA 478 8689 [47:34] [MR] Short measure, but could anybody seriously want more of this self-indulgent aural luxury?

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pierre de LA RUE (c.1452–1518) Masses; Magnificat; Salve Regina -  Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice rec. 2015 HYPERION CDA68150 [78:52] [BW] A very welcome addition to the discography of Pierre de La Rue and to the now substantial representation of The Brabant Ensemble.

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) & Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Keyboard Sonatas - Nina Milkina (piano) rec. 1959 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1176/7 [44:17 + 39:18] [SG] A delightful twofer, expertly restored.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Violin Sonatas - G.A.P. Ens/Emilio Percan (violin) rec. 2016 PAN CLASSICS PC10358 [70:19] [JV] A most delightful and often exciting disc.

Bruno WALTER (1876-1962) Violin Sonata, Piano Quintet - Ekaterina Frolova, Patrick Vida, Lydia Peherstorfer (violin) Sybille Häusle (viola) Stefanie Huber (cello) Mari Sato, Le Liu (piano) rec. 2012/13 NAXOS 8.573351 [59:26] [BSt] Enjoyable if limited works, but it is clear why Walter is best remembered as a conductor.

Rolf Lislevand (Baroque guitar, theorbo) La Mascarade rec. 2012 ECM NEW SERIES 2288 [48:29] [DC] Simply gorgeous.

Saint Louis Firsts Saint Louis Chamber Ch/Philip Barnes rec. 2015 REGENT REGCD472 [75:37] [JQ] There’s a good deal of rewarding listening here and in every way the music is presented expertly.

Miriam Solovieff (violin) Works by Faure, Prokofiev, Tartini, Bloch, Ravel & Bartok - Jan Natermann (piano) rec. 1960-1961 MELOCLASSIC MC2030 [79:01] [JW] Another excellent addition to the label’s violinistic roster that fills discographic gaps and expands knowledge.

Songs from our Ancestors Ian Bostridge (tenor) Xuefei Yang (guitar) rec. 2016 GLOBE MUSIC GM-001 [70:17] [ST] Not at all bad for a first release, though I was left with a nagging sense of could-do-better.

Tuesday September 27th 

John CORIGLIANO (b.1938) Symphony No. 1 Michael TORKE (b.1961) Bright Blue Music Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Appalachian Spring - Ntl Orch Inst PO/David Alan Miller rec. 2015 NAXOS 8.559782 [73:58] [NB] A pretty remarkable achievement, especially in the Corigliano, for a group of young players who had been together for barely a month and by that measure alone well-worth hearing and applauding.

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony No. 1, In the South - O Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia/Antonio Pappano rec. 2012-2013 ICA CLASSICS ICAC5138 [74:32] [GPJ] Characteristically thrilling live performances from Pappano of these two Elgar masterpieces.

Louis-Ferdinand HÉROLD (1791-1833) Piano Concertos - Angéline Pondepeyre (piano); WRD Rundfunkorchester Köln/Conrad van Alphen rec. 2010 ET’CETERA KTC1547 [49:50 + 39:03] [DJB] Appalling production values and cost reduce the desirability of this reissue.

Peter LIEUWEN (b.1953) Concertos - Slovak Ntl SO/Franz Anton Krager; Texas Music Fest O/Franz Anton Krager rec. 2010-13 MSR CLASSICS MS1582 [63:50] [JF] The composer could not have wished for better advocates for his music that the present soloists, orchestra and conductor.

Anthony POOLE (c1629-1692) Sonata, Divisions & Dances - Transports Publics rec. 2014 MUSICA FICTA MF8023 [67:37] [JV] Lovers of consort music shouldn't hesitate to add this disc to their collection.

Ludomir RÓŻYCKI (1883-1953) & Ignacy FRIEDMAN (1882-1948) Piano Quintets - Jonathan Plowright (piano) Szymanowski Qt rec. 2015 HYPERION CDA68124 [79:45] [BSt] Both works get good performances and recorded sound, but that by Friedman is rather more rewarding than that by Różycki.

Eric SATIE (1866-1925) Socrate & other vocal works - Barbara Hannigan (soprano) Reinbert de Leeuw (piano) rec. 2015 WINTER & WINTER 910 234-2 [50:51] [DC] Highly desirable.

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) La Gloria di Primavera - Philharmonia Baroque Ch & O/Nicholas McGegan - rec. 2015 PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE PBP-09BD BD-A [138:36] [BW] Small reservations apart, well worth having.

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tristan und Isolde - Stephen Gould, Evelyn Herlitzius, Ch & O Bayreuther Festspiele/Christian Thielemann rec. 2015 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Blu-ray 0735254 [265 min] [ST] I hold this film in special affection because it reminds me of my year at the Festival, but I understand how it might polarise viewers.

Christiane Karg (soprano) Portrait - Burkhard Kehring, Malcolm Martineau (piano) Arcangelo/Jonathan Cohen BERLIN CLASSICS 0300788BC [67:21] [GF] A perfect introduction to the art of one of the best present-day sopranos.

Monday September 26th

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kati AGÓCS (b.1975) The Debrecen Passion, Requiem Fragments, ... like treasure hidden in a field, Vessel - Lorelei Ens, Boston Modern Orchestra Project/Gil Rose rec. 2010-15 BMOP SOUND 1046 SACD [57:00] [SG] Compelling … never outstays its welcome. A beautifully balanced recording, superbly engineered.

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie fantastique - Royal Concertgebouw O/Daniele Gatti - rec. 2016 RCO LIVE RCO16006 SACD [58:10] [DM] A pedestrian performance that fails on every level; lacklustre sound, too.

Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972) Symphonies 2 & 14 - Royal Scottish Ntl O/Martyn Brabbins rec. 2015 DUTTON EPOCH SACD CDLX7330 [68:28] [JWh] A great version of the wonderful Second symphony.

John DOWLAND (1563-1626) Lachrimae - Ruby Hugues (soprano) Reinoud van Mechelen, Paul Agnew (tenor) Alain Buet (bass) Thomas Dunford (lute/direction) rec. 2012 ALPHA CLASSICS 326 [69.02] [GH] Well worth exploring.

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Semyon Kotko - Viktor Lutsuk, Tatiana Pavlovskaya, Mariinsky Ch & O/Valery Gergiev rec. 2014 MARIINSKY MAR0592 Blu-ray/DVD [148:00] [RK] If you can put aside the political complications, this spirited and musical production can be enjoyed by anyone with an enthusiasm for Prokofiev.

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La rondine - Dinara Alieva, Charles Castronovo, Álvaro Zambrano, Alexandra Hutton - Ballet, Ch & O Deutsche Oper Berlin/Roberto Rizzi Brignoli rec. 2015 DELOS DV7011 Blu-ray [105.05] [MC] This certainly stands comparison with the finest on film.

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Das Rheingold - Manfred Volz (baritone), Marisa Altmann-Althausen (mezzo), Kassel State Theatre O/Roberto Paternostro rec. 1999 ARS PRODUKTION 38051 [3 SACDs: 206:48] [PCG] Not a great Rheingold, but one which takes the music seriously and is better than many other recent recordings.

Emanuele D’Aguanno (tenor) Arias by Bellini, Donizetti & Rossini - Charles Spencer (piano) rec. 2014 CAPRICCIO C3005 [58:00] [GF] Some quibbles apart this is a delightful disc.

Roma Æterna Works by Guerrero, Palestrina & Victoria - New York Polyphony rec. 2015 BIS BIS-2203 SACD [72:07] [DC] Both exquisitely polished and rewardingly deep.

The Scottish Baroque Ensemble in Concert Works by Albinoni, Handel, Haydn, McGibbon, Pachelbel & Purcell - Scottish Baroque Ens/Leonard Friedman rec. 1976 CRD 3419 [69:57] [MR] Affectionate performances that remind of how baroque music was played decades ago.

Other reviews
Flores de Espana
Chant 1450, Mahmoud Turkmani (oud) rec. 2011/12 CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77374 [60.03] Eros and Thanatos Chant 1450, Ken Zuckerman (sarod) rec. 2013 CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77397 [68.23] [EML] The mixture of two different worlds is interesting and exciting, but not entirely convincing.

 



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