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LATEST REVIEWS

Monday July 31st 

Rafał AUGUSTYN (b. 1951) Sub Iove - Cantores Minores Wratislavienses/Piotr Karpeta rec. 2013 CD ACCORD ACD212-2 [64.52] [MW] A wonderful recording of fascinating (and lovely) modern choral works.

Hubert CLIFFORD (1904-1959) Orchestral works - BBC Concert O/Ronald Corp rec. 2016 DUTTON CDLX7338 [77:38] [RB] Tuneful imaginative music in freshness-imbued performances. It lulls and sparkles with the delightful best.

Stephen HARTKE (b. 1952) The Ascent of the Equestrian in a Balloon, Alvorada, A Brandenburg Autumn, Muse of the Missouri - Boston Modern O Project/Gil Rose rec. 2010 BMOP SOUND 1052 SACD [59:17] [DC] Vitality and artistic integrity in excellent performances.

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1881-1953) Piano Concertos 1 & 3, Overture on Hebrew Themes - Simon Trpčeski (piano) Royal Liverpool PO/Vasily Petrenko rec. 2016 ONYX 4140 [52.23] [PCG] Excellent prformances, rather short measure.

Othmar SCHOECK (1886–1957), Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949) & Gustav MAHLER (1860–1911) Lieder - Britta Glaser (soprano) Matthias Veit (piano) rec. 2016 TYXART TXA17089 [63:07] [IL] Bliss - the Schoeck Wandsbecker is quite delightful.

Ryszard SIELICKI (1916-2005) Chamber Works - Opium Qt, Pawłowski Tomasz (piano) rec. 2016 ACTE PREALABLE AP0390 [61:31] [RB] An unsullied sweetness and directness of utterance … very attractive music.

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Choral works - Ch of Trinity College, Cambridge/Stephen Layton; Trinity Brass, Owain Park & Alexander Hamilton (organ) rec. 2016 HYPERION CDA68174 [81:02] [JQ] An extremely fine disc which shows why Stanford’s reputation as a composer of excellent liturgical music is so deservedly secure.

Felix WOYRSCH (1860-1944) Piano Trio, Vier Lieder Rubin GOLDMARK (1872-1936) Piano Trio - Carolina Ullrich (soprano) Hyperion Trio rec. 2016 CPO 555122-2 [70:41] [DJB] I greatly enjoyed the Goldmark, but found Woyrsch rather wanting.

The Forgotten Gem The Organ of King’s Lynn Minster - Francesca Massey (organ) rec. 2016 PRIORY PRCD1178 [77:50] [JF] A varied and interesting programme showcasing this splendid and historically important organ.

The Steinmeyer Organ of Nidaros Cathedral Magne H. Draagen (organ) rec. 2014 LAWO CLASSICS LWC1075 [79:48] [DM] This well-filled album is mighty impressive, and that goes for the sound as well; in short, a triumph.

Other reviews
Svara-Kanti Simon Thacker (guitar) Japjit Kaur (voice) Jacqueling Shave (violin) Sarvar Sabri (tabla) rec. 2012/13 SLAP THE MOON RECORDS STMRCD02 [72.51] [EML] I love this disc; it has a real sincerity, and the love of, and knowledge of, Indian music and philosophy really shines through.

 

Friday July 28th 

Johann Jacob FROBERGER (1616-1667) … avec discretion … - Anne Marie Dragosits (harpsichord) rec. 2015 DIVOX ANTIQUA CDX-71602 [63:31] [SSi] Enjoyable performances, marred by a rather poor recording.

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Seasons - Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Wrocław Baroque O, Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh rec. 2016 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD480 [67:42 + 65:26] [DBi] A lovely performance and recording, in English, of Haydn's great oratorio.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) The Piano Trios - Michael Korstick (piano) Thomas Irnberger (violin) David Geringas (cello) rec. 2016 GRAMOLA 99110 SACD [52:24 + 64:40] [DJB] Unlikely to displace your favourites.

Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Complete Organ Works Vol. 5 - Daniel Cook (organ) rec. 2016 PRIORY PRCD1174 [79:53] [JF] The final installment of a monumental achievement.

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-93) Symphony No. 6, Manfred Symphony, Romeo & Juliet, Capriccio Italien - Vienna PO & Boston SO/Claudio Abbado, London SO/Yuri Ahronovich, Berlin PO/Ferdinand Leitner rec. 1959-77 ELOQUENCE 482 6184 [65.31 + 80.53] [PCG] Prospective purchasers may well be attracted by the Abbado and Leitner performances, but will need to look elsewhere for a Manfred.

Aztec Dances Works by Bedford, Gregson, King, Rose & Runswick - Jill Kemp (recorder) Aleksander Szram (piano) rec. 2914 PRIMA FACIE PFCD052 [70:56] [DC] Superb performances and some fresh new angles on an ancient instrument.

Gems of Eastern Europe Works by Bartók, Lepianka, Prokofiev & Szymanowski - Piotr Tarcholik (violin) Monika Wilińska-Tarcholik (piano) rec. 2016 CD ACCORD ACD229-2 [47.20] [MW] An admirable recital of significant works.

Violoncelle Français Works by Debussy, Fauré, Franck & Saint-Saëns - Cheng2 Duo rec. 2016 AUDITE 97.698 [60:55] [DHu] A wonderful debut.

Thursday July 27th

George ANTHEIL (1900-1959) Over the Plains, Symphonies Nos 4 & 5 - BBC PO/John Storgårds rec. 2016 CHANDOS CHAN10941 [65.45] [DC] Very fine but over civilised performances.

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) The Lovers Randall THOMPSON (1899-1984) Frostiana - Martin Häβler (baritone) Saxony State Youth Ch, Leipzig Youth SO/Ron-Dirk Entleutner rec. 2016 RONDEAU PRODUCTION ROP6138 [57:51] [EJW] Relaxing and undemanding Thompson to balance the sometimes tart Barber.

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 3 - Dresden Philharmonic/Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos rec. 2006 GENUIN GEN87086 [57:54] [SV] Frühbeck fans could do worse for a memento.

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Opera Omnia Vol. 6 - Garrick Ohlsson (piano) Tomasz Daroch (cello) NFM Wroclaw PO/Jacek Kaspszyk; Court-circuit/Jean Deroyer; Lutosławski Piano Duo rec. 2013 CD ACCORD ACD198-2 [61:08] [DC] Highly attractive and well performed, but has it been overtaken by alternatives?

Max REGER (1873-1916) Fantasias & Fugues - David Goode (organ) rec. 2003 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD476 [43:29 + 42:48] [CRo] Goode’s achievement here can only be applauded if this subtle approach wins people around to Reger’s organ music who might otherwise find it forbidding.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Donald SWANN (1923–1994) Songs - Dame Felicity Lott (soprano) Kathryn Rudge (mezzo) John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Roderick Williams (baritone) Christopher Glynn (piano) rec. 2015/16 HYPERION CDA68172 [64:04 + 57:08] [JQ] A captivating collection of songs by Donald Swann.

Viktor ULLMAN (1898-1944) Piano Concerto, Piano Sonata No. 7, Variations and Double Fugue on a theme of Arnold Schoenberg - Moritz Ernst (piano) Dortmund PO/Gabriel Feltz rec. 2011/15 CAPRICCIO C5294 [56.33] [GH] An enjoyable and interesting disc of Ullman’s still-too-little-known music.

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Solo Violin Sonatas Nos 1-3 Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Fugue - Renate Eggebrecht (violin) rec. 2015 TROUBADISC TRO-CD01450 [68:48] [SG] This is deeply rewarding music, in imaginative, inspired and resourceful performances.

Wednesday July 26th

Paul CORFIELD GODFREY (b.1950) Akallabêth and other Tolkien Works - Tara McSwiney (soprano) Andrew Henley (tenor) Adam Jondelius (baritone) Nicola Loten (flute) Niamh Ferris (viola) Immanuel Carl Maria Vogt, Connor Fogel (piano) PRIMA FACIE RECORDS PFCD059 [67:32] [BW] Persuasive performances of approachable and often profound contemporary music.

Osvaldo GOLIJOV (b. 1960) The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind Christian LINDBERG (b. 1958) The Erratic Dreams of Mr Grönstedt - Emil Jonason (clarinet) Vamlingbo Qt, Norrköping SO/Christian Lindberg
rec. 2015/16 BIS BIS-2188 SACD [59:57] [RHa] A dazzling new concerto from Christian Lindberg unleashed by a flamboyant young Swedish virtuoso.

Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Ludus Tonalis Hugo WEISGALL (1912-1997) Sonata for Piano - Martin Perry (piano) rec. 2016 BRIDGE RECORDS 9487 [69:43] [DC] Excellent disc: an adventurous and satisfying feast of piano.

John IRELAND (1879-1962), Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) & Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Cello sonatas - Lionel Handy (cello) Jennifer Hughes (piano) rec. 2016 LYRITA SRCD.361 [70:52] [JF] An essential purchase for all cello music enthusiasts as well as advocates for the three composers represented.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Flute Quartets - Lisa Friend (flute), Brodsky Qt rec. 2016  CHANDOS CHAN10932 [59:07] [MG] These well-crafted accounts can take their place alongside those of William Bennett and the Grumiaux Trio.

Giovanni Alberto RISTORI (1692-1753) Cantatas, Oboe Concerto - Maria Savastano (soprano) Jon Olaberria (oboe) Ens Diderot/Johannes Pramsohler rec. 2016 AUDAX ADX13711 [68:12] [SG] These world premiere recordings should help win Ristori many new friends.

Józef ZEIDLER (1744-1806) Missa - Sinfonia Varsovia, The Katowice Singers, Ensemble Camerata Silesia/Jerzy Maksymiuk rec. 2015 DUX 1314 [60:40] [DC] A fine discovery from a largely forgotten composer.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Enlightened Virtuoso Works by Khandoshkin, Paganini, Roman & Rust - Zbigniew Pilch (violin) rec. 2015 CD ACCORD ACD232-2 [70:13] A most intriguing recital of pieces which are seldom played, if at all.

Tuesday July 25th 

Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO (1690-1758) Concerti à 3 Vol. 1 - Der musikalische Garten rec. 2016 COVIELLO CLASSICS COV91705 [67:27] [JV] Energetic and expressive performances.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert FRANZ (1815-1892) Songs - Robin Tritschler (tenor) Graham Johnson (piano) rec. 2015 HYPERION CDA68128 [77:24] [SSi] This disc is a must for all lovers of the art of lieder, both musically and performance-wise this is a real winner.

Adam GORB (b. 1958) Dancing in the Ghetto - Royal Liverpool Phil 10/10 Ens/Clark Rundall; Royal Northern College of Music Wind Ens/Mark Heron, Timothy Renish; Manchester Camerata/Mark Heron rec. 2014/15 PRIMA FACIE PFCD047 [67:54] [DC] A very well balanced and at times thought-provoking programme from one of the UK’s leading composers.

Michael HURD (1928-2006) Choral Music Vol. 1 - Martin Ford (organ) Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse rec. 2016 LYRITA SRCD363 [70:47] [WK] Jeremy Backhouse and the Vasari Singers are especially attuned to the skill with which Hurd sets his texts.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Salzburg Marian Mass - NFM Ch, Wrocław Baroque Ens/Andrzej Kosendiak rec. 2014 CD ACCORD ACD215-2 [46:33] [PCG] The sense of occasion could have been more readily conveyed by a performance more “grandiose” than this reconstruction proposes.

Georgy SVIRIDOV (1915-1998) Russia Cast Adrift, The Virgin in the City - Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone) St. Petersburg State SO/Constantine Orbelian rec. 2016 DELOS DE1631 [36:34] [EJW] An interesting and unusual CD of superbly sung vocal music by a Russian master of the idiom.

Alexander ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942) Die Seejungfrau, Sinfonietta - Helsinki PO/John Storgårds rec. 2014 ONDINE ODE12375 SACD [69:25] [EML] Highly recommended: luscious, passionate and radiant.

Brigitte Huyghues de Beaufond (violin) Works by Kiyose, Mozart, Rebel & Villa-Lobos - Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française CO/Pierre Capdevielle, Jacqueline Dussol, Norihiko Wada (piano) rec. 1957-62 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1279 [68:16] [SG] Long forgotten, these live recordings make a welcome appearance.

 



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