John Luther ADAMS (b. 1953)
The Become Trilogy -
Seattle SO & Ch/Ludovic Morlot rec. 2013-18
CANTALOUPE CA21161 [3 CDs: 97:32] [SB]
Adams’s breakthrough work together with its two companions make an impressive trilogy.
Franco ALFANO (1875-1954)
Risurrezione - Maggio
Musicale Fiorentino Ch & O/Francesco Lanzillotta
rec. 2020 DYNAMIC 57866 Blu-Ray [119 mins]
[PCG]
A first video recording of a rarity which will repay investigation.
Claudio AMBROSINI (b. 1948) Chamber Music
- Sonia Visentin (soprano) Ex Novo Ens
rec 1988-1999 KAIROS 0015084KAI [65:51]
A remarkable juxtaposition of the lush and
the spartan.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered Consort I
- Phantasm rec. 2019
LINN RECORDS CKD618
[66:55] [DMD]
Revelatory performances uncover yet more treasures in Bach’s
inexhaustible music.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Well-Tempered Consort II
- Phantasm rec. 2020 LINN CKD657 [70:05]
[PBr] Superlative chamber transcriptions, outstandingly well recorded - this second volume is an even greater triumph than the first.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Copyright J.S.Bach - Annegret Siedel (baroque violins), Ute Gremmel-Geuchen (organ) rec. 2020
AEOLUS AE11281 SACD [78:45] [SG]
A delightful programme, embracing arrangements by Bach himself besides several more recent ones.
Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945)
String Quartets
- New Budapest String Quartet rec. 1992
HYPERION CDD22003
[157:03] [DMD]
One of the best cycles of this endlessly fascinating music, still
sounding great and an outrageous bargain as a download.
Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Bluebeard’s
Castle - Mika Kares (bass), Szilvia Vörös (mezzo); Helsinki Philharmonic
O/Susanna Mälkki rec. 2020 BIS BIS-2388 SACD
[59:54]
[DM] Although Mälkki’s Bluebeard
doesn’t supplant the best in the catalogue, it deserves a place
alongside them.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 -
Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Paul van Kempen
rec. 1953 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC623 [67:20] [DD] Epic performances from a Golden Age restored in sound that enables us to enjoy them unabated.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
König Stephan, Overtures: Fidelio &
Leonora 1-3 -
Bernd Tauber (speaker) Czech PO Ch Brno,
Cappella Aquileia/Marcus Bosch rec. 2019 CPO 777 771-2 [70.57]
[MW]
König Stephan is worth exploring, but the overtures disappoint.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphonies Nos 5 & 6 -
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Erich Kleiber
rec. 1953 Presto CD DECCA 4176372
[73:09] [DD] Two classic performances from one of the 20th century’s great conductors.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No 9
- Christina Landshamer (soprano) Jennifer
Johnson Cano (mezzo) Werner Güra (tenor) Shenyang (bass-baritone)
Mendelssohn Ch &
Pittsburgh SO/Manfred Honeck rec. 2019 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FR-741 SACD [62:44]
[LD]
A Beethoven’s Ninth of our times.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Triple Concerto; Symphony No. 2
(arr. trio) Isabelle Faust (violin), Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello), Alexander Melnikov
(fortepiano); Freiburger Barockorchester/Pablo Heras-Casado rec. 2020
HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902419 [66:15] [CSa] Very much limited in appeal to those who prefer HIP performances.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
Beethoven Odyssey -
BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis rec. 1962-85
ELOQUENCE 484 1728 [12 CDs: 7:50:03] [DC]
Revel in the “rough-hewn power and a lucidity of thought” of Sir Colin Davis’s London Beethoven recordings.
Alban BERG (1885-1935) Violin Concerto,
Seven Early Songs, Three Pieces for Orchestra -
Gil Shaham (violin)
Susanna Phillips (soprano)
San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas
rec. 2015/18 SFS MEDIA SFS0080 SACD [67:09]
[MC] A valuable album to be savoured from start to finish.
Ernest BLOCH (1880–1959)
Suite Hébraïque, Schelomo, Violin Concerto -
André Navarra (cello)
Hyman Bress (violin)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl
rec. 1964/66 SUPRAPHON SU3169-2 [69:02] [RB] Approachable music grippingly recorded and performed.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No 2,
Academic Festival Overture -
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Herbert Blomstedt
rec. 2019 PENTATONE PTC5186851 [55:00] [JQ]
One of the finest performances of Brahms’ Second symphony that I can recall hearing in years.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Viola Trio, Viola Sonatas
- Miguel da Silva (viola) Xavier Phillips (cello) François-Frédéric Guy
(piano) rec. 2019
ALPHA 648
[70:54] [DMD]
A very persuasive case for the viola versions of these works, played
with great poetry and nobility.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony No. 4, Variations and Fugue on a Theme
by Handel - Cleveland O/Vladimir Ashkenazy rec.
1992 DECCA 436 853-2 [70:30] [DD] A
consummate version of Brahms’ epic final
Symphony with a surprising and substantial
encore.
Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941)
Complete Music for Piano - Peter Jacobs (piano)
rec. 1990-1991 CONTINUUM CCD1016 [3CDs: 229:20]
[SG]
Well-crafted music in compelling performances.
Max BRUCH (1838-1920)
Piano Works - Christof Keymer (piano) rec. 2019
CPO 555 258-2 [66:43] [JW]
An accomplished look at Bruch’s small corpus of piano music.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony No. 9
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Triple Concerto
- Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) Yo-Yo Ma (cello) West-Eastern Divan O/Daniel Barenboim (piano)
rec. 2019 UNITEL 803608 DVD [112 mins]
[PCG]
A video recording of a concert that really is something very special.
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849)
& Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concertos
-
Martha Argerich (piano)
London SO/Claudio Abbado rec. 1968
Presto CD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 415 061-2 [55:35] [DD]
This disc is self-recommending but it’s always a
considerable privilege and pleasure to return to
these young firebrands.
Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849)
24
Preludes, Nocturnes (selection) - Jorge Bolet (piano) rec. 1987
Presto CD DECCA 421 363-2 [65:00] [DD]
A classic disc that thoroughly deserves another outing.
Marius CONSTANT (1925-2004)
Orchestral works -
Turner: 3 Essays, Brevissima, 103 Regards dans l’eau
-
Olivier Charlier (violin)
Riverside SO/George Rothman rec. 2001/2006 DIVINE ART DDA25216 [64:36]
[RB] Not for faint hearts but those who persist will hear a lyrical impulse given expression amongst the thrawn and thorn.
Arnold COOKE (1906-2005)
Oboe Concerto, Oboe Sonata No 1 - Léon Goossens (oboe), Clifton Helliwell (piano), Jacques String O./Reginald Jacques
rec. 1956/59
OBOE CLASSICS CC2317 [38:30] [JF]
An opportunity to hear one of the most enjoyable and interesting oboe concertos by an English composer.
Aaron COPLAND
(1900-1990) & Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931)
Clarinet Concertos Sir James MACMILLAN (b. 1959) Tuíreadh
-
Maximilian Martín (clarinet) O Sinfónica Tenerife/Lucas Macías Navarro rec
2020 DELPHIAN DCD34250 [62:49]
[PBW]
Fine playing but lacking in edginess where it is needed.
Stéphan ELMAS (1862-1937) Piano Concertos
Nos 1 & 2 -
Tasmanian SO/Howard Shelley (piano) rec. 2019 HYPERION CDA68319 [73:55]
[RHa] Sparkling playing and recording as ever, but plodding, clunky and surprisingly dreary concertos.
Józef ELSNER (1769–1854) String Quartets
- Mikołaj Zgółka,
Zbigniew Pilch (violins), Dominik Dębski (viola),
Jarosław Thiel (cello) rec. 2020 CD ACCORD ACD279 [63:39]
[DC] Delightful discoveries.
August ENNA
(1859–1939) Kleopatra
- Elsebeth Dreisig (soprano) Magnus Vigilius (tenor)
Danish Ntl Opera Ch, Odense SO/Joachim Gustafsson rec. 2019 DACAPO 8.226708-09 [47:17 + 64:16] [GF]
The work may be uneven, but Dacapo should be applauded for making it available for the general music public.
Brian FERNEYHOUGH (b. 1943)
Complete Piano Music 1965-2018 -
Ian Pace, Ben Smith (piano)
rec. 2005/2018 MÉTIER MSV28615 [2 CDs: 89:50]
[JF]
The music began to grow on me after I listened to this album twice.
Richard FLURY (1896-1967)
Der magische Spiegel, Kleine Ballettmusik -
Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mann rec. 2019 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0552 [65:23]
[RB]
A traditionalist well advocated in these works written with a melodious palette for lighter palates.
Eduard FRANCK (1817-1893)
Piano Concertos Nos 1 and 2 - Georg Michael Grau (piano), Württembergische Philharmonie/Fawzi Haimor rec. 2018
CPO 555 320-2 [74:57] [RB]
Some conventional gestures but delightfully leavened by nobility, steam, stamina and dignity.
Giovan(ni) Battista GERVASIO (c.1725-1788)
Sonate a mandolino e basso - Inchordis Ensemble
rec. 2017 TACTUS TC720701 [55:12] [GPu]
Will appeal to those with a fondness for the mandolin or a love of Naples and its music.
Stefano GERVASONI (b. 1962)
Muro di Canti - Aldo Orvieto (piano)
Monica Bacelli (mezzo) Alvise Vidolin (live electronics, sound
direction) Marco Luni (computer music design)
rec. 2017-2020 KAIROS 0015082KAI [62:07]
[RHa] Haunting and playful, this vocally infused electroacoustica from Kairos impressed this reviewer even without a translation.
Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1824-1896)
Alceste - Dorothea Röschmann (soprano), Charles Castronovo (tenor), Michael Nagy (baritone), Dancers of the Companie Eastman Antwerp, Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Bavarian State Orchestra/Antonello Manacorda rec. 2019
C MAJOR 756804 Blu-Ray [135 mins] [PCG]
A balletically enhanced performance of Gluck’s French reform opera.
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Songs
- Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo)
Bengt Forsberg (piano) rec. 1992
Presto CD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 476 1815 [67:32] [JQ]
This recital is as rewarding as it is enjoyable.
Francisco GUERRERO (1527/1528-1599)
Magnificat, Lamentations & Canciones - El León de Oro/Peter Phillips, Marco Antonio García de Paz rec. 2019
HYPERION CDA68347 [60:53] [JQ]
A most worthwhile overview of some of the music of Francisco Guerrero by an accomplished choir.
Thomas de HARTMANN (1885-1956)
Chamber music - Elan Sicroff (piano), Anneke Janssen (cello), Natalia Gabunia (violin) rec. 2015
NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6411 [77:51 + 72:52] [DC]
You’ll want to find out for yourself just how good this is.
Sam HAYDEN (b.1968)
Becomings -
Ian Pace (piano)
rec. 2020 MÉTIER MSV28611 [46:46 + 42:45] [JW] Powerful contrasts in the work of a leading British modernist.
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Piano Sonatas, Variations -
Leon McCawley (piano) rec. 2016 SOMM RECORDINGS SOMMCD0162 [78.54]
[RBe]
Stylish and cultivated playing.
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets
- The London Haydn Quartet rec. 2020 HYPERION CDA68335 [77.04 + 76.25]
[MW] A triumphant set of profound performances of six of the greatest quartets ever written.
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphonies No 98 & 100 - Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Claudio Abbado rec. 1995
Presto CD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 439 932-2 [55:35] [DD]
Lithe and joyful Haydn performances in fine sound.
Edward Swan HENNESSY (1866-1929)
En passant...Selected works for piano - Moritz Ernst (piano) rec. 2020
PERFECT NOISE PN2006 [74:56] [JW]
Descriptive delights from a French-based American expatriate.
Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Sonata 1.X.1905, In the Mists, On an Overgrown Path Books 1-2 - Lars Vogt (piano) rec. 2016, 2019
ONDINE ODE1382-2 [75:36] [DC]
Top-notch for this essential repertoire.
Daniel JONES (1912-1993) Symphonies Nos
3 & 5 -
BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra/Bryden Thomson
rec. 1990 LYRITA SRCD.390 [68:03] [JQ]
Those who are collecting Lyrita’s Jones symphony cycle can add this latest release to their shopping list with confidence.
Jurgis KARNAVIČIUS (1884-1941) String
Quartets Nos 1 & 2 - Vilnius String Quartet rec. 2020 ONDINE
ODE1351-2 [76:25] [JW] The first two string quartets by one of the foundational figures in Lithuanian music.
Douglas KNEHANS (b. 1957)
Unfinished Earth -
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra/Mikel Toms ABLAZE RECORDS AR00036 [52:58]
[WH] Brilliant performances of two challenging contemporary works.
Grigory KREIN (1879-1955)
Piano Music -
Jonathan Powell (piano)
rec. 2018 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0581 [84:01] [JW] Solo piano music that’s harmonically dense, strongly expressive and sulphurously attractive.
Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957)
& Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Piano concertos
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Variations on Là ci darem la mano
-
Orion Weiss (piano)
The Orchestra Now/Leon Botstein BRIDGE 9547 [59:58] [RMay]
A mixed bag of performances that do not displace their competitors.
Ilkka KUUSISTO (b. 1933) Symphony No.1; Concertino improvvisando; Kun talo alkaa soida
- Pekka Kuusisto (violin)
Jorma Hynninen (baritone) Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Jaakko Kuusisto rec. 2010 BIS BIS-CD-1847 [74:38]
[RB] Ambitious works conducted by the composer’s son … a vivaciously communicative melodic tradition.
Michel-Richard de LALANDE(1657-1726) Les fontaines de Versailles,
Grande Pièce en G-Ré-Sol, Le Concert d’Esculape
- Boston Early Music Festival Vocal & Chamber Ensembles/Paul O’Dette, Stephen Stubbs
rec. 2019 CPO 555097-2 [72:55]
[SB] A delightful entertainment by the French baroque master, in an exemplary performances and presentation.
Orlande de LASSUS (1532-1594)
Le nozze in Baviera - Ensemble Origo/Eric Rice rec. 2016
NAXOS 8.579063 [61:04] [MS]
A joyful, lively and thoughtful collection.
Jonathan
LESHNOFF (b 1973) Piano Concerto, Symphony
No 3 - Joyce Yang (piano) Stephen Powell (baritone) Kansas City
SO/Michael Stern rec. 2016/19 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FR-739 SACD [60:21]
[MW]
Music which is both approachable and exciting from a significant composer.
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Das
klagende Lied - Brigitte Poschner-Klebel
(soprano) Marjana Lipovšek (mezzo) David Rendall
(tenor) Manfred Hemm (baritone) Wiener
Singakademie, ORF Vienna Radio SO/Michael Gielen
rec. 1990 ORFEO C210021 [62:10]
[JQ] A valuable supplement to Michael
Gielen’s existing Mahler discography.
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911)
Symphony No 2
- Tünde Szabóki (soprano) Nadine Weissmann
(alto) Ch Städtischer Musikverein Düsseldorf,
Düsseldorfer Symphoniker/Adam Fischer rec. 2019 CAVI-MUSIC 8553485 [81:01]
[ST]
Too mixed for overall recommendation.
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No 6 in A minor ‘Tragic’
- Berlin PO/Kirill Petrenko rec. 2020 BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER BPHR2003645
[77:12] [CCC] A performance of consummate musicality, perhaps not always reaching the level of the
greats.
Žibuoklė MARTINAITYTĖ (b. 1973)
Saudade, Millefleur, Horizons, Chiaroscuro Trilogy
-
Gabrielius Alekna (piano)
Lithuanian Ntl SO & Ch O/Giedrė Šlekytė rec. 2020 ONDINE ODE1386-2 [69:25]
[HC]
A fine composer’s portrait.
Jean-Paul-Égide MARTINI (1741-1816)
Requiem pour Louis XVI -
Le Concert Spirituel/Hervé Niquet rec. 2019 CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES SPECTACLES CVS022 [61:25]
[JV] Niquet obviously enjoyed the large noise he was allowed to produce.
Cecilia McDOWALL (b 1951) Organ
works - William Fox (organ)
Lucy Humphris (trumpet) rec. 2020 NAXOS 8.579077 [65:04] [JQ]
A fine and enjoyable disc which serves Cecilia McDowall’s organ music very well indeed.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Violin Concerto Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963)
& Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Violin
sonatas -
Fredell Lack (violin)
Leonid Hambro (piano) Stadium Concerts SO New York/Alexander Smallens rec.
1949/1953 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1740 [62:33]
[SG] The Hindemith and Copland make a welcome appearance
on CD.
Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864)
Alimelek oder Wird und Gast - Jan Kobow (tenor)
Lars Woldt (bass) Irene-Britta Stallmeister
(soprano) Chamber Ch Europe, Württemberg Philharmonie Reutlingen/Ola Rudner
rec. 2010 STERLING CDO1125/1126-2 [55:48 + 46:59]
[MP]
A valuable and reasonably solid premiere recording of Meyerbeer’s interesting first opera.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) String Quintets Nos 1
& 2 - Melos Qt,
Franz Beyer (viola) rec. 1987
Presto CD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 423 697-2 [47:56] [DD] Two very fine performances of somewhat neglected works.
Johann Peter MÜLLER (1791-1877) Woodwind Quintets
- The Richards Wind Quintet rec. 1976 CRYSTAL RECORDS CD252 [47:04]
[GPu] Sensitive and technically assured readings.
Nikolai
MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Complete
Symphonies Nos 1-27 - USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra
of the Russian Federation/Evgeny Svetlanov rec. 1965-94 ALTO
ALC3141 [14 CDs: 21 hrs] [RB] A real blessing at an accessible price.
Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931)
and George ENESCU (1881-1955) Violin Sonatas -
Mihaela Oprea (violin)
Jakob Alsgaard Bahr (piano)
rec. 2020 DANACORD DACOCD879 [70:42] [JF]
My big discovery here is Enescu’s splendidly played Violin Sonata.
Per NØRGÅRD (b. 1932)
Cello
Sonatas Poul RUDERS (b. 1949) Bravourstudien -
Wilhelmina Smith (cello) rec. 2019 ONDINE ODE1381-2 [62:21]
[RHa] A compelling and surprisingly accessible collection by a pair of modern Danish masters.
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Complete Piano Sonatas
- Dinara Klinton (Piano) rec. 2019/20 PIANO CLASSICS PCL10191 [3 CDs: 170:18]
[RC] In a crowded field of distinguished
pianists, young Dinara Klinton comes out on
top in Prokofiev's sonatas.
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphonies and Orchestral Music
- Singapore SO/Lan Shui
rec. 2008-2015 BIS-2512 SACD
[4
discs 296:11]
[IJ] A stand-out and compelling set well worthy of investigation.
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony No 1,
Symphonic Dances - Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin rec.
2018/19 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4839839 [80:52] [RMo]
This easily merits admittance into the ranks of the top recommendations for both works.
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Symphonies Nos 1-3, Symphonic Dances, The Rock, The Isle of the Dead -
Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Sladkovsky
rec. 2020 SONY CLASSICS 19439864962-4 [220:22] [GT] Sladkovsky’s superb Rachmaninov symphonic collection is a top recommendation.
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Symphony No.2 - Tokyo Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott rec. 2018
EXTON OVCL-00691 SACD [64:21] [MB]
One of the best Rachmaninov Seconds to have appeared for quite some years.
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Symphony No. 2 - London SO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2019 LSO LIVE LSO0851
[58:50]
[IJ] The considerable qualities of this new performance demand to be heard.
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) & Fernand de LA TOMBELLE (1854-1928) String Quartets - Mandelring Quartett rec. 2018
AUDITE 97709 [57:13] [MC]
The Mandelring Quartett is entirely responsive to the challenges presented by both scores.
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
The Snow Queen
-
Scottish Ballet O/Jean-Claude Picard rec. 2019 OPUS ARTE Blu-ray OABD7284D [99 mins]
[RMay] An inventive new production that might benefit from the odd tweak but still offers a highly enjoyable evening’s entertainment.
Florian ROSS (b. 1972)
Architexture - Florian Ross (piano), Sebastian Gille (soprano
and tenor saxophones), David Helm (bass), Fabian Arends (drums), Event
Wind Ensemble/Susanne Blumenthal rec. 2019
NAXOS 8.574066 [56:10] [GPu]
I know few other recordings which do so much for the reputation of ‘Third Stream Music’.
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Overtures
- Quintetto a Plettro “Giuseppe Anedda”
rec. 2019 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 95904 [62:32]
[MZ] Anyone looking for a different take on familiar classics will be interested in these vividly rendered works of frothy fun.
Ludomir RÓŻYCKI (1883-1953)
Phoenix Concerto Pyotr Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto - Janusz Wawrowski (violin), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Grzegorz Nowak rec. 2019
WARNER CLASSICS 9029519170 [60:02] [NB]
Well played but underwhelming.
Frederick RZEWSKI (b. 1938)
Songs of Insurrection -
Thomas Kotcheff (piano) rec. 2020 COVIELLO COV92021 [70:42]
[SB]
Disappointing: a sad come-down after The people united.
Guillaume SAINT-JAMES (b. 1967)
La Symphonie, Sketches of Seven -
Didier Ithusarry (accordion) O Victor Hugo Franche-Comté/Jean-François Verdier,
O Ntl Bretagne/Aurélien Azan Zielinski rec.
2019-2020 INDESENS RECORDS INDE147 [63:05]
[RB] Vitality and mood painting let loose in these two works bridging jazz to classical orchestra and back.
Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Works for 2
Pianos Vol 3 -
Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) & Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Piano sonatas (arr. Saint Saens) - Hiro
Takenouchi,
Simon Callaghan (piano) rec. 2019 NIMBUS NI5997 [55:29] [RCh]
Interesting arrangements in fantastic performances.
Erik SATIE (1866-1925)
An Erik Satie Entertainment -
Meriel Dickinson (mezzo-soprano)
Peter Dickinson (piano) rec. 1975 HERITAGE HTGCD171 [68:09]
[JF]
Satie may have been a genius, a charlatan, a joker or a lunatic - this fantastic disc shows he was a bit of each!
Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
20 Sonatas -
Margherita Torretta (piano)
rec. 2019 ACADEMY 2462 [50.19 + 49.56] [GH]
Thoughtful, scholarly, but highly involving performances of twenty great sonatas.
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies No. 3 & 8
- Vienna Philharmonic/Carlos Kleiber rec. 1979 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 415 601-2 [45:30] [DD] A surprisingly charmless Schubert 3 coupled with a superb Unfinished.
Clara
SCHUMANN (1819-1896) Romance - Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano) Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Holly Mathieson rec. 2019 DECCA
485 0020 [76:19] [RB] Deserves attention for the music and the performances.
Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Piano Sonatas
- Elina Christova (piano) rec. 2020 Private Release [63:41 + 75:02]
[RCh] Not my top choice but an impressive set nonetheless.
Arnold SCHOENBERG (1974-1951)
Verklärte Nacht, String Trio - Donal McInnes (viola 2), Jonathan Pegis (cello 2), LaSalle Quartet rec. 1982
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 423 250-2 [46:28] [RMo]
A reading of Verklärte Nacht sadly lacking in starlit magic paired with … something else.
Arnold SCHOENBERG
(1874-1951)
Pierrot Lunaire - Patricia Kopatchinskaja & ensemble rec. 2019
ALPHA 722
[72:49] [DMD]
An enthralling Pierrot that may not be to every taste.
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphonies Nos 9 & 10 - London Symphony Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda rec. 2019, 2020
LSO LIVE LSO0828 SACD [79:05] [JQ]
An excellent account of the Ninth, but Noseda doesn’t shake my loyalties in the Tenth.
Valentin SILVESTROV (b. 1937)
Handsome Skies - Alessandro Stella (piano) rec. 2017
KHA RECORDS KHA019 [53:39] [DC]
A warm bath of soothingly sophisticated piano sounds.
Robert
SIMPSON (1921-1997) Symphonies Nos 5 & 6 -
London Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis, London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Charles Groves rec. 1973-80 LYRITA SRCD389 [72:05]
[NB] One of the most revelatory archive/historical discs of the year.
Robert
SIMPSON (1921-1997) Symphonies Nos 5 & 6 -
London Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis, London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Charles Groves rec. 1973-80 LYRITA SRCD389 [72:05]
[RHa] Unmissable: the first concrete souvenir of 2021’s most important centenary.
Alexander Afanasyevich SPENDIAROV (1871–1928) Complete Piano Works & Chamber Works with Piano
-
Mikael Ayrapetyan (piano);
Yulia Ayrapetyan (piano); Vladimir Sergeev (violin); Demian Fokin (cello) rec. 2019 GRAND PIANO GP852-53 [2 CDs: 130:39] [RB] Grand Piano continue their strong Armenian line.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Ein Heldenleben - Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan rec. 1985
Presto CD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 415 508-2 [46:47] [JF]
A splendid opportunity to revisit Herbert von Karajan’s 1985 recording of Strauss’ great tone poem.
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Complete Tone Poems
-
SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg/François-Xavier Roth
rec. 2012-15 SWR CLASSIC SWR19426CD [5 CDs: 357:16] [GPJ]
Brilliant and often inspired performances of these great works, in outstanding modern recordings.
Marco STROPPA (b. 1959)
Miniature Estrose: Primo Libro, per pianoforte d’amore - Erik Bertsch (piano) rec. 2020
KAIROS 0015071KAI [63:00] [RHa]
Demanding and invigorating – new music for a new kind of piano.
Giuseppe TARTINI (1692-1770)
Suonate a violino e violoncello e cimbalo - Enrico Gatti (violin), Gaetano Nasillo (cello), Guido Morini (harpsichord) rec. 2000-2001
ARCANA A908 [2CDs: 129:40] [JV]
Gatti emphasizes the intimate and poetic features of Tartini’s music.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphonies Nos 2 & 4 - Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich/Paavo Järvi rec. 2019-20
ALPHA 735
[76:10] [DMD]
A real contender amongst Seconds, with a fine Fourth.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
The
Nutcracker - Los Angeles PO/Gustavo Dudamel rec.
2013 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 483 6274
[45:39 + 44:05] [DM]
A dull, monochrome take on a bright and colourful classic; lacklustre
sonics, too.
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Polonoise
- Aisslinn Nosky (violin), Holland Baroque
rec. 2020 PENTATONE PTC5186878 SACD
[67:50]
[BW] A fine addition to the available recordings of Telemann
Antonio VALENTE (c1520-c1580)
Intavolatura de Cimbalo, Napoli 1576 - Paola Erdas (virginal, harpsichord)
rec. 2019 HITASURA HSP005 [67:52]
[JV] Paola Erdas's playing is a joy to listen to.
Edgard VARÈSE (1885-1965) The Complete Works
- Royal Concertgebouw O, ASKO
Ens/Riccardo Chailly rec. 1992-98 DECCA 475 487-2 [2 CDs: 150:36] [RB] An elite production showcasing a composer whose orchestral whispers, shouts and howls still startle even today.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Hugh the Drover
- Corydon Singers and Orchestra/Matthew Best rec. 1994
HYPERION CDD22049
[101:42] [DMD]
An English operatic gem given an exemplary performance
Francesco VENTURINI (1675-1745)
Concerti di camera, Op 1 No 2, 9, 11 etc. - la festa musicale rec. 2019
AUDITE 97.775 [63:32] [JV]
It is regrettable that the excellent playing is compromised by an
unfounded addition of percussion.
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Il Giustino –
Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone
rec. 2018 NAÏVE OP30571 [3 CDs: 188 mins] [CRo]
Another valuable instalment of Naïve’s Vivaldi Edition with a vivid recording of an underrated opera.
Pancho VLADIGEROV (1899-1978)
Six Exotic Preludes, Ten Impressions - Nadejda Vlaeva (piano) rec. 2019
HYPERION CDA68327 [79:52] [RB]
Music of aristocratic power and beauty softened, in the case of one set, by salon-like concessions.
Pancho VLADIGEROV (1899-1978)
String Concertos - Georgi Badev, Dina Schneidermann, Emil Karmilarov (violin) Ventseslav Nikolov (cello)
Bulgarian Ntl Radio SO/Alexander Vladigerov, Bulgarian Ch O/Pancho Vladigerov
rec. 1970-75 CAPRICCIO C8064 [65:33 + 61:35]
[JW] Brilliantly punchy and colourful performances of Vladigerov’s
string concertos.
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786—1826)
Piano Concertos Nos 1 and 2, Konzertstück
- Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens
rec. 2018 BIS-2384 SACD
[56:17]
[BW] For all but those who completely cannot abide the fortepiano, this is my version
of choice.
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
The Freischütz Project. Highlights from
the opera -
Accentus/Frank Markowitsch,
Insula/Laurence Equilbey rec. 2019 ERATO 9029510954 [79:35]
[MC]
Top marks for the audio version but the staging on the DVD is uncompetitive.
Joseph WÖLFL (1773-1812) Piano Concertos Nos 1,
5 & 6 -
Yorck Kronenberg (piano)
SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslauten/Johannes Moesius
rec. 2006/7 CPO 777 374-2 [76:06] [RB] Amiable stuff: chipper, poetic and suffused with charm and calm.
Joseph WÖLFL (1773–1812)
Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3, Concerto da Camera -
Nataša Veljkovic (piano)
Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim/Johannes Moesus
rec. 2016 CPO 555 149-2 [70:34] [RB] Two piano concertos freshly brought out and delivered with sleight, conviction and splendour.
Ballade landaise
Works by Duparc, de Castéra, Bonnal & Le Junter -
Patrick Le Junter (piano) rec. 2012 AZUR CLASSICAL AZC103 [60:04]
[SG]
Charming and lyrical first encounters.
Emma Boynet (piano) The Complete Solo 78-rpm Recordings and Fauré LPs rec. 1933-1952 APR 6033 [82:42 + 82:15]
[JW] A valuable exponent of the august French School in an excellently compiled twofer.
British Piano Collection Vol. II Peter Jacobs (piano) rec. 1984-1991 HERITAGE HTGCD406 [4 CDs: 236:04]
[JF] An ideal opportunity for a new generation to hear this superbly performed repertoire of British piano music.
Il Cannone
Works by Paganini, Szymanowski, Schnittke and
others -
Francesca Dego (violin),
Francesca Leonardi (piano) rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHAN20223 [64:03]
[JW]
Paganini’s favourite violin unveiled in a fine programme, beautifully recorded.
Concertos for Mallet Instruments
Works by Alrich, Jenkins & Rorem -
Dame Evelyn Glennie (percussion) City Ch O of Hong Kong/Jean Thorel rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.574218 [71:01]
[GPu]
The Rorem is the finest and, I suspect, the most enduring work here.
Confessions of a Music Critic
by Christopher Morley publ. 2021 Brewin Books [JQ] An entertaining book, but it’s something of a missed opportunity.
This Curious Harp
20th Century British Music for Solo Harp -
Eleanor Hudson (harp)
rec. 2020 MPR 110 [68:33] [JW] Venturesome British repertoire, much new to disc, spanning the twentieth-century.
Lise Davidsen (soprano)
Beethoven, Wagner, Verdi - London PO/Sir Mark Elder
rec. 2020 DECCA 4851507
[63:28] [RMo] Often mightily impressive vocally but interpretively unvaried singing.
A Dream
Piano Transcriptions
- Jürgen Geiger (piano) rec.
2020 GENUIN GEN21726 [68:19]
[RCh]
A marvellous treasure trove for fans of piano transcriptions.
Entente Musicale
Music for Violin and Piano by Delius, Scott, Debussy, Ravel, Ireland and Bax - Clare Howick (violin) Simon Callaghan (piano) rec. 2019
SOMM RECORDINGS SOMMCD0625 [80:35] [SG]
Compelling and captivating.
Sergio Fiorentino (piano)
Live in USA rec. 1996-98 RHINE CLASSICS RH-015 [9 CDs: 673:02]
[JW] A comprehensive and Olympian overview of Fiorentino’s American concerts.
French
Duets Paul Lewis, Steven Osborne (pianos) rec. 2020 HYPERION CDA68329 [68:28]
[RWe]
Two fine pianists enjoy themselves in enchanting repertoire.
French Works for Flute Works by Saint-Saens, Franck, Widor & Duruflé
-
Adam Walker (flute)
Timothy Ridout (viola)
James Baillieu (piano) rec. 2020 CHANDOS CHAN20229 [71:01]
[JF]
Listeners will find every piece here captures their imagination from the first to the last bar.
Galop! Orchestral transcriptions
- Rachmaninov, Godowsky, Liszt &
Stanhope
-
David Stanhope and his Orchestra TALL POPPIES TP265 [73:24]
[NB] Interesting and effective arrangements compromised by sampled orchestra.
Gems of the Polish Baroque Ensemble Giardino di Delizie/Ewa Anna Augustynowicz
rec. 2019 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 95955 [49:20 + 48:39] [MW]
These are true, if unfamiliar, gems; a joy for anyone who loves Baroque music.
Glass-Bach Dresden
Works by JS Bach & Philip Glass -
Mark Steinbach (organ)
rec. 2019 ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0150 [50:03] [DC]
Glass and Bach with plenty of ‘get up and go’.
Good night, beloved The Sixteen/Harry Christophers
rec. 2020 CORO COR16184 [68:48] [JQ]
A lovely, nicely varied album.
Friedrich Gulda (piano)
Two Solo Recitals rec. 1959 SWR MUSIC SWR19098CD [3 CDs: 158:15]
[SG] A must-have for those who admire Gulda’s artistry.
Jascha Horenstein (conductor)
Horenstein in Gothenburg, Vol 4 - Works by Mozart & Mahler
rec. 1968 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC620 [76:27] [DD] A captivating live performance of the Mahler
4th under a great practitioner.
Ionisation Music of Penderecki, Varèse
& Ligeti
rec. 1969-72 VOX CDX-5142 [2 CDs: 130:43] [RB] Echoes of the mainstream avant-garde continue to resonate.
La Magnifique
Flute Music for the Court of Louis XIV
- Barthold Kuijken, Immanuel Davis (transverse flute)
Arnie Tanimoto (viola da gamba), Donald Livingston (harpsichord) rec. 2017
NAXOS 8.579083 [68:45] [JV]
Kuijken is a master of refinement and subtlety,
Davis is his congenial partner.
Margaret Marshall (soprano)
Songbird - Rediscovered recordings from my career rec. 1974-79 Private release [76:13]
[RMo] I urge all devotees of fine singing to enjoy this previously unheard testimony to the enduring appeal of Margaret Marshall’s lovely voice.
Miniatures Russes Rarities for Piano by Arensky & Lyadov
- Swetlana Meermann-Muret (piano) rec. 2020
GENUIN GEN21730 [59:04] [RCh]
Charming piano miniatures winningly played.
Music for the King of Scots
Inside the Pleasure Palace of James IV
- Binchois Consort/Andrew Kirkman
rec. 2019 HYPERION CDA68333 [55:20] [GH]
A fascinating and unique dive into little-known corners of early Scottish polyphony.
Music of the Four Realms Royal Scottish National Orchestra,
Philharmonia Orchestra, Sinfonia of London HERITAGE HTGCD169 [77:26]
[JF]
A delightful exploration of favourite and forgotten British music culled from the Four Realms of the still-United Kingdom.
Nightingale A Tribute to Jenny Lind
-
Elin Rombo (soprano)
Västerås Sinfonietta/Simon Crawford-Phillips rec. 2019 DB PRODUCTION DBCD196 [66:32]
[GF]
A mixed blessing: the orchestral works are excellent but the singing is not up to the mark.
Nordic Choral Music Youth Concert Ch
of the Choral Academy Dortmund/Felix Heitmann
WDR Radio Ch/Stefan Parkman rec. 2011-2019 HÄNSSLER CLASSICS HC20064 [72:45]
[GPJ]
Masterful performances of challenging repertoire from both choirs.
Antonio Oyarzabal (piano)
La Muse Oubliée rec. 2020
IBS CLASSICAL IBS52021 [73:17] [NB]
A wholly successful recital of high quality music, perceptively performed.
Rediscovered British Clarinet Concertos
-
Peter Cigleris (clarinet)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Ben Palmer rec. 2019 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD656 [77:19]
[JF]
I hope that clarinettist Peter Cigleris keeps up the good work and rediscovers many more forgotten scores.
Røta Ragnhild Hemsing (violin/hardanger fiddle); Mario Häring (piano);
Benedict Kloeckner (cello) rec. 2020 BERLIN CLASSICS 0301692BC [63:30] [JW] Norwegian folkloric impulses on the violin and Hardanger fiddle.
Ruta 100 Works by Piazzolla, Beytelmann & Ellington
-
Patagonia Express Trio
rec. 2017 BERLIN CLASSICS 0301569BC [70:08] [MR] The Piazzolla centenary is marked by a piano trio giving a most unusual take on his music along with pieces written in homage to him by a friend and musical partner.
Sacred Treasures of Spain
London Oratory Schola Cantorum/Charles Cole
rec. 2017 HYPERION CDA68359 [69:49]
[JV] The pieces recorded here are treasures indeed, especially in these excellent performances.
George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra
The Forgotten Recordings
rec. 1954-1955 SOMM ARIADNE 5011-2 [69:44 + 73:13]
[JQ]
A revelatory set.
Il Transilvano
Musical bridges between Italy and Hungary around 1600 - Prisma rec. 2020
EDITIONS AMBRONAY AMY312 [57:55] [JV]
A model of creative and stylish music making.
Visions of Childhood April Fredrick (soprano) English Symphony Orchestra/Kenneth Woods rec. 2020 NIMBUS NI6408 [79:30] [DC] An unusual but entirely engaging production.
Voyage
Clarinet and Piano Around the World.
Works by Cahuzac, Kovacs, Rezso, Lutoslawski,
Jacob & Schubert -
Eleanor Weingartner (clarinet)
Alfredo Isaac Aguilar (piano) rec. 2017 URTEXT JBCC315 [54:25]
[JW] Enticing clarinet repertoire.
A Celebration of Conductor and Composer Stephen Wilkinson
John Powell (baritone)
BBC Northern Singers, William Byrd Singers/Stephen Wilkinson PRIMA FACIE PFCD147 [61:00]
[JF]
This very fine disc of moving and accomplished choral music deserves every success.
Articles and Notices
Vocal Retrospective: 2. Trial of the Titos by Ralph Moore & Mike Parr
Schumann's Frauenliebe und Leben
- a survey by Ralph Moore
Cello Concerto
Project: 1971-80 - a new timeline by Patrick Waller