NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
[New] Beulah - A late 2020 roundup
by Brian Wilson
Elgar’s Sea Pictures - a survey by Ralph Moore
Lloyd's Symphony 7 -
a musical analysis by Karim Elmahmoudi
Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne - a survey by Ralph Moore
Geoff Cummings-Knight’s
24 Preludes for Piano by David Jennings
Hyperion at 40 by Brian Wilson
Robert Layton Recalled by Rob
Barnett
Luigi Cherubini - a biography
by Glyn Pursglove
Chausson’s Poème de
l’amour et de la mer - a survey by Ralph Moore
Pianist Duncan Honeybourne in conversation with Robert Beattie
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AP0463 Ignacy
Krzyzanowski - Piano Works 2
AP0476 Raul Koczalski - Chamber Works 2
AP0478 René de Boisdeffre - Works for Violin, Cello and Piano
AP0484-85 Fernand de la Tombelle - Organ Works 1
AP0487 Henryk
Pachulski - Piano Works (and Chamber) 3
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Monday November
30th
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Symphonies
& Concertos -
Netherlands Symphony Orchestra/Jan Willem de Vriend
rec. 2008-16 CHALLENGE RECORDS CC72856 [9 CDs: 644:10] [DC]
A fine box of consistently excellent recordings.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
The Genius of Young Brahms - Craig Sheppard (piano)
rec. live, 2010/11 ROMÉO RECORDS 7334/6 [3 CDs: 209:12] [JQ] A collection of consistently fine, well-considered and authoritative Brahms performances.
Richard FLURY (1896-1967)
Suite, String Quartets No. 6-7 - Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana/Richard Flury, Das neue Weiner Streichquartett rec. 1963-1970
VDE-GALLO CD-1423 [64:08] [SG]
An enriching experience.
Nicolas GOMBERT (c.1500-1557)
Music from the Court of Charles V - Huelgas Ensemble/Paul van Nevel
rec. 1992 SONY SK48249
[75:46]
[BW]
Whether you choose this reissue or the alternative on Hyperion – better
still both – this music offers an uplifting experience.
Louis-Gabriel GUILLEMAIN (1705-1770)
Sonatas -
Ensemble la Française rec. 2020 MUSICA FICTA MF8034 [71:07]
[JV] The Ensemble la Française fully master the art of a galant conversation.
Margaret RIZZA (b. 1929)
Ave Generosa - Gaudete Ensemble / Eamonn Dougan rec. 2020
CONVIVIUM CR056 [58:07] [GPu]
A rewarding disc of ‘contemplative’ music, skilfully written and with many moments of radiant beauty.
John Philip SOUSA (1854-1932)
Music For Wind Band Volume 17 - Guildhall Symphonic Wind Band/Keith Brion rec. 2016
NAXOS 8.559811 [56:06] [BMC]
Another high-quality release in this series.
Matthew Kennedy (piano)
Familiar Favorites rec. c. 2003
Private Release [45:27] [JW]
Celebrates Kennedy’s lifetime of performance and teaching and his devotion to Gospel music.
Peer Gynt Wiener
Staatsballett, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper/Simon Hewett
C MAJOR 755904 Blu-Ray [112 mins] [PCG]
Only for fans of the choreographer and modern ballet styles.
Other reviews
Organ-Isms by Jenny Setchell
publ. 2008 Pipeline Press [MR] A most entertaining book.
Friday November
27th
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto No. 3, Triple Concerto -
Martin Helmchen (piano)
Antje Weithaas (violin)
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker (cello)
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Andrew Manze rec. 2019/20 ALPHA 642 [70:02]
[ST] Definitely one of the Beethoven 250 releases that I’ll be playing for many years to come.
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Messiah -
RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie Alte Musik Berlin/Justin Doyle
rec. 2020 PENTATONE PTC5186853 [50:35 + 83:55]
[MP]
Beautiful performances and exquisite sound places this among the top rank of authentic instrument versions of the Messiah.
Rolf MARTINSSON (b. 1956)
St. Luke Passion - Lisa Larsson (soprano) Peter Boman (baritone)
Växjö Cathedral Oratorio Choir, Instrumental Ensemble/Sten-Inge Petersson rec. 2019
DAPHNE 1066 [42:56 + 45:28] [GF] A valuable addition to the none too rich discography of Swedish sacred music.
Christopher Tyler NICKEL (b.1978)
Oboe Concertos -
Mary Lynch (oboe, oboe d’amore)
Harrison Linsey (bass oboe)
Northwest Sinfonia/David Sabee
rec. 2017/18 AVIE AV2433 [68:52] [GPu]
It’s a pleasure to hear the Oboe d’amore and the Bass Oboe used so well by a contemporary composer.
Francis
POULENC (1899-1963) The Story of Babar -
Miriam Margolyes (narrator) Simon Callaghan (piano) rec. 2020 NIMBUS
RECORDS NI1571 [27:51] [NH] Richly enjoyable.
John SHEPPARD (c. 1515-1558)
Media vita, Motets - Ch New College Oxford/Robert Quinney
rec. 2019 LINN RECORDS CKD 632 [71:58]
[DC]
Premiere recordings included, but where is the colour and contrast?
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Christmas Cantatas III
- Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens
rec. 2020 CPO 555396-2
[69:04]
[BW]
I can’t imagine these cantatas receiving a better recording any time
soon, if ever.
Wilhelm Backhaus (piano)
The Complete 1940s Studio Recordings -
Berlin State Opera O/Fritz Zaun
rec. 1941-1948 APR 5637 [82:50] [SG]
A distinguished collection.
Christmas in Puebla Siglo de Oro/Patrick Allies
rec. 2020 DELPHIAN DCD34238 [67:39]
[JV] I have mixed feelings about this disc.
Jeni Slotchiver (piano) American Heritage
rec. 2018 ZOHO CLASSIX ZM202008 [70:12] [JW] A thoughtfully selected recital.
Thursday
November 26th
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations
-
Pavel Kolesnikov (piano) rec. 2019 HYPERION CDA68338 [79:30]
[ST] Completely marvellous: a wonderful musician giving his fresh take on a timeless masterpiece.
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
L’Enfance du Christ - Yann Beuron (tenor), Karen Cargill (soprano), Matthew Rose (bass), Peter Rose (bass), Tenebrae/Nigel Short), London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/Colin Davis rec. 2006
ALTO ALC1608 [41:04 + 55:28] [RW]
A welcome reissue.
Reynaldo HAHN (1874-1947)
L’île du rêve - Hélène Guilmette, Chœur du Concert Spirituel, Münchner Rundfunkorchester/Hervé Niquet rec. 2020
BRU ZANE BZ1042 [60:19] [MC]
A beautiful opera which many mature composers would be proud to have written.
Astor PIAZZOLLA (1924-1992)
Aconcagua Richard GALLIANO (b. 1950) Opale Concerto - Jovica Ivanović (accordion), Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra/Vitaly Protasov rec. 2018
NAVONA NV6317 [44:56] [JW]
Two concertos presented in the best light.
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Amici e Rivali -
Lawrence Brownlee, Michael Spyres (tenor)
I Virtuosi Italiani/Corrado Rovaris rec. 2019 ERATO 9029526947 [79:02]
[RP] Sheer beauty and excitement of top notch performances.
Thomas WILSON (1927-2001)
Symphonies No. 2 & 5 - Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Rory Macdonald rec. 2019
LINN CKD643 [54:24] [HC]
This release deserves whole-hearted acclaim.
Alpha & O Choirs of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge/Edward Wickham rec. 2020
RESONUS RES10268
[54:29]
[BW]
Contemporary Christmas music in performances which make it readily
palatable without trivialising it.
Euntaek Kim (piano)
Sonatas by Prokofiev, Scriabin & Rachmaninov rec. 2019 MSR CLASSICS MS1745 [70:03]
[RWe]
A splendid debut disc announcing a real pianistic talent.
Monet Quintett
Wind Quintets by Dubugnon, Taffanel, Holst & Françaix
rec. 2018/19 CAVI-MUSIC 8553008 [69:32] [SG]
A very impressive debut CD.
Persian Autumn Works by Farhat & Tafreshipour - Mary Dullea (piano) rec. 2010
MÉTIER MSV28610 [72:40] [GH]
A fascinating and courageous release.
Wednesday November 25th
Léo DELIBES (1836-1891)
La Source, Coppélia & Sylvia
Suites
- Royal Scottish Ntl O/Neeme Järvi rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHSA5257 SACD [82:55]
[RJW]
A useful compilation.
Bohuslav MARTINŮ
(1890-1959) Violin Concertos Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Sonata for solo violin
-
Franz Peter Zimmermann (violin)
Bamberg SO/Jakub Hrůša rec. 2018-2020 BIS BIS-2457 SACD [74:40]
[JW] In every way it reveals Zimmermann as a soloist of intellectual and technical eloquence.
Richard STANBROOK (b.1954)
Orchestral Music - Janáček PO; Brno PO/Mikel Toms rec. 2017 BEULAH 1RF6
[50:44]
[BW]
An enterprising partnership bringing us a very worthwhile first
recording of this music.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Salome - Laila
Palme-Anderson (soprano) Ragnar Ulfung (tenor)
Royal Swedish Opera O/Berislav Klobučar rec. 1990 STERLING CDA1843/1844-2 [77:21] + [20:45]
[MP]
Not a reference recording of Salome but a fine memento of Klobucar and singers who were otherwise mostly undocumented in operatic roles.
Pancho VLADIGEROV (1899-1978)
Orchestral Works Vol. 1 - Bulgarian Ntl Radio SO/Alexander Vladigerov
rec. 1970s CAPRICCIO C8050 [2 CDs: 160:33]
[RB] Lush romantic music at last liberated from LP and analogue forebears.
Mieczysław WEINBERG
(1919-1996)
Symphony no. 6, 21 Easy Pieces - Elisaveta
Blumina (piano) Konzertchor Rutheneum, PO Altenburg Gera/Laurent Wagner
rec. 2019 KLANGLOGO KL1532 [65:30]
[GPJ]
The devastating Symphony no. 6 emerges as a 20th century masterpiece of the highest order.
Eugène YSAŸE (1858-1931) Sonatas for Solo Violin,
Divertimento -
Richard Pieta (violin)
Patrick Dheur (piano) AZUR CLASSICAL AZC068 [78:01] [SG]
Challenging works played with confident assurance and artful musicianship.
Mariss Jansons (conductor)
His Last Concert - SO Bayerischen Rundfunks rec.
2019 BR KLASSIK 900192 [72:20]
[MC]
A fitting tribute.
Regards sur l’infini Katharine Dain (soprano)
Sam Armstrong (piano) rec. 2020 7 MOUNTAIN RECORDS 7MNTN-024 [68:14]
[DC]
Sublimely song passionate and introspective French songs in an attractive package.
Sacred Treasures of Christmas London Oratory Schola Cantorum/Charles Cole
rec. 2020 HYPERION CDA68358 [76:30]
[MR] A Christmas disc with a difference, that being the exceptional beauty of the music and the fabulous quality of the singing.
Tuesday
November 24th
Arcangelo CORELLI (1653–1713) Concerti grossi
- Genesis Baroque/Lucinda Moon (violin), Sophie Gent (violin) rec. 2019 ABC CLASSICS 481 9282 [65:57 + 65:51] [NH] Good but bettered by Pinnock’s wonderful set.
Léo DELIBES (1836-1891) Coppélia
- Royal Opera House Orchestra and Ballet/Barry Wordsworth rec. 2019 OPUS ARTE OA1316D DVD [105 mins]
[RW] A well-designed production
and fine performances.
George GERSHWIN (1898–1937)
Concerto in F Walter PISTON
Symphony No. 5 - Kevin Cole (piano)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic/David Alan Miller
rec. 2019 NAXOS 8.559875
[74:59]
[DM]
Recordings of 20th-century Americana don’t come much better than this;
a welcome addition to this most stimulating series.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) 10th Anniversary Collection:
Symphonies and Requiem - Scottish CO/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. 2002-2009 LINN CKD651
[BW]
Insight, playing and recording make this a must for anyone who didn’t
rush out to buy the original releases.
Giacinto SCELSI (1905-1988) Suites No. 8 & 11
- Sabine Liebner (piano) rec. 2013-2020 WERGO WER 7328-2 [69:11] [DC] Too much of a ‘good’ thing?
A Celtic Prayer David Gerrard (organ), Ewan Robertson (bass flute) Choir of Paisley Abbey/George McPhee rec. 2020 PRIORY PRCD1234 [73:00]
[JF] Immensely enjoyable.
A Grand Chorus Andrew Lumsden (organ)
rec. 1990 GUILD GMCD7815 [64:04]
[MR] Guild records have plumbed the archives to bring us this thoroughly enjoyable recital.
Ida Haendel (violin) The Decca Legacy rec. 1940-1997
ELOQUENCE 4841688 [6 CDs: ca 410 mins]
[JW] An eloquent proof of Haendel’s status as a masterful violinist.
Journeys to the New World The Queen's Six
rec. 2019 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD626 [66:23]
[JV] I'm impressed by what The Queen's Six bring about here.
Messe Da Pacem
Works by Ravel, Villette &
Castagnet -
Sarah Fox (soprano)
Andrew Dewar, Liam Condon (organ) Ch Royal Holloway/Rupert Gough (organ) rec.
2019 AD FONTES AF004 [75:27]
[JQ]
This is a distinguished release in every respect and lovers of French choral music should hasten to hear it.
