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Thursday September 30th

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Art of Fugue - Filippo Gorini (piano) rec. 2020 ALPHA CLASSICS 755 [64:36 + 32:41] [DC] A truly admirable recording in every way.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No 3 Étienne Nicolas MÉHUL (1763-1817) Overture Les Amazones - Les Sičcles/François-Xavier Roth rec. 2020 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902421 [54:14] [MC] A standout period-instrument performance of the Eroica.

Clifford CRAWLEY (1929-2016) Moods and Miniatures - Maureen Volk, Beverly Diamond (piano) Christine Carter (clarinet) Michelle Cheramy (flute) rec. 2017 CENTREDISCS CMCCD28621 [73:59] [RCh] Attractive and communicative music from a passionate educator.

Christopher GUNNING (b. 1944) Symphony No 5, String Quartet No 1 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Christopher Gunning, Juno Quartet rec. 2008, 2011 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD676 [75:76] [WK] This disc should win new friends for the concert music of Christopher Gunning.

Jacobus REGNART (c.1540-1599) Missa Christ ist erstanden and other works - Cinquecento rec. 2020 HYPERION CDA68369 [64:45] [BW] Lovers of the music of this period need not hesitate.

Josef SCHELB (1894-1977) Piano Concerto, Viola Concerto, Cor Anglais Concerto - Tatjana Blome (piano), Sarina Zickgraf (viola), Dominik Wollenweber (cor anglais), Kammersymphonie Berlin/Jürgen Bruns rec. 2021 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0604 [63:33] [JW] Another impressive release of Schelb’s music from Toccata.

The Kaprálová Companion edited by Karla Hartl & Erik Entwistle publ. 2011 Lexington Books [SG] This remains the go-to reference book for information on the composer.

Wednesday September 29th

Ronald BINGE (1910–1979) Elizabethan Serenade, Sailing By and other works - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Ernest Tomlinson rec. 1992 NAXOS 8.555190 [72:26] [BW] Another fine reissue which, I hope, heralds many more such.

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No 1, Tragic Overture Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) Eliza Overture - Alexander Melnikov (piano) Sinfonieorchester Basel/Ivor Bolton rec. 2020 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902602 [74:07] [DMD] Another highly accomplished version on a period piano.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Études Op 25, Scherzi - Beatrice Rana (piano) rec. 2020-2021 WARNER CLASSICS 9029676424 [75:47] [MC] Chopin performances as exceptional as these from Beatrice Rana do not come along too often. 

Witold MALISZEWSKI (1873–1939) Symphonic Works - Opole Philharmonic/Przemysław Neumann rec. 2018–2020 DUX 1716-18 [3 CDs: 197:32] [SG] Music that’s uplifting, lyrical, deftly crafted and colourfully scored.

Nino ROTA (1911-1979) Chamber Music - Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Paul Meyer (clarinet), Éric Le Sage (piano) rec. 2020 ALPHA 746 [62.25] [MW] An extraordinary recording of remarkable musica recording of the year.

Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) Symphony No 4 Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) Piano Concerto No 2 - Alexander Korsantia (piano), Stuttgarter Philharmoniker/Dan Ettinger rec. 2020 HANSSLER CLASSIC HC20046 [77:24] [MG] Ettinger is more attuned to poetic reflection than barnstorming thrills.

Écrire le Temps Nicolas de GRIGNY (1672-1703) Organ works Nicolas LEBČGUE (1631-1702) Motets - Nicolas Bucher (organ) Marion Tassou (soprano) Vincent Ličvre-Picard (tenor) Ens Gilles Binchois/Dominique Vellard rec. 2019 HORTUS 184/85 [2 CDs: 159:13] The combination of organ and interpreter does full justice to Grigny's organ works.

Moye Chen (piano) Four Worlds rec. 2018 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4817037 [77:03] [RCh] Coruscating playing in this homage to the giants of the past.

Tuesday September 28th

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Shaping Chopin - Anna Fedorova (piano) rec. 2020 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS43621 [63:35] [CSa] A few quibbles but Fedorova's command of her tonal resources is wonderful.

François COUPERIN (1668-1733) Les Concerts Royaux - I Fiori Musicali URANIA LDV14031 [55:54] [BW] Attractive and distinctive performances, but not quite a winner.

Ruth GIPPS (1921-1999) Dedication - Peter Cigleris (clarinet) Gareth Hulse (oboe) Duncan Honeybourne (piano) Tippett Qt rec. 2020 SOMM RECORDINGS SOMMCD0641 [67:37] [JF] A fascinating and rewarding conspectus of Ruth Gipps’s chamber music for clarinet.

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Hoffmanns Erzählungen/Les Contes d’Hoffmann - Hanns Nocker (tenor) Melitta Muszely (soprano) Berlin Komische Oper Ch & O/Karl-Fritz Voigtmann rec. 1970 ARTHAUS MUSIK Blu-ray 109435 [131:00] Not a first choice for Offenbach’s opera but curiously fascinating despite massive cuts to the music.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Die Schöne Müllerin - David Greco (baritone) Erin Helyard (fortepiano) rec. 2019 ABC CLASSICS 4818741 [66:12] [DMD] A highly enjoyable account that wears its considerable erudition lightly.

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphonies Nos. 1, 14, 15 and Chamber Symphony - Boston SO/Andris Nelsons rec. 2018-20 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4860546 [83:15+74:07] [DM] A fine First and an exceptional Fifteenth; otherwise, a disappointment.

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Piano Quintet, Fantasies - Nikolaus Resa (piano) Rundfunk-Sinfonie O Berlin (members) rec. 2017-2018 CAPRICCIO C5381 [64:22] [JQ] Extremely accomplished performances of Stanford’s chamber music from Berlin.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) 12 Violin Sonatas, The 4 Seasons - Dénes Kovács (violin) János Sebestyén (harpsichord) Mária Frank (cello) Hungarian Radio Chamber O/Lamberto Gardelli rec. 1967-68 DOREMI DHR-8145-6 [75:12 + 65:27] [SG] Another volume paying handsome tribute to a great artist.

Monday September 27th

Sir Malcolm ARNOLD (1921-2006) A Centenary Celebration - Peter Fisher (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) rec. 2020 SOMM RECORDINGS SOMMCD0640 [69:03] [JF] Essential listening for all Malcolm Arnold enthusiasts - no more need be said.

Ros BANDT (b. 1951) Medusa Dreaming - The Medusa Ensemble rec. 2010 NEUMA 145 [56:36] [RHa] A timely release; an exquisite semi-improvised paean to water and its impending scarcity, a tasteful synthesis of ancient and modern.

Ernst von DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960) Suite, American Rhapsody Leó WEINER (1885-1960) Serenade - ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Roberto Paternostro rec. 2019-20 CAPRICCIO C5380 [74:40] [LW] Dohnányi and Weiner delight in first-rate performances.

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) The Snow Maiden - Aida Garifullina (soprano) Choeurs et Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Paris/Mikhail Tatarnikov rec. 2017 BEL AIR CLASSIQUES DVD BAC186 [2 discs: 194 mins] [JQ] A welcome first video recording of the opera Rimsky-Korsakov considered his finest work.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Complete Symphonies - Malmö Symphony Orchestra/Marc Soustrot rec. 2013 NAXOS 8.503301 [3 CDs: 205:11] [RCh] A good helping of orchestral Saint-Saëns in committed performances.

Nicola Benedetti (violin) Baroque Works by Geminiani and Vivaldi - Benedetti Baroque Orchestra rec. 2020 DECCA 485 1891 [52:26] [MR] Nicola Benedetti and 11 hand-picked period-instrument specialists deliver fun, compelling and fully integrated playing.

Freak Out Extraordinary Music for Organ - Tom Bell (organ) rec. 2018 REGENT RECORDS REGCD540 [79:41] [DMD] An absolute riot of an album!

Friday September 24th

Chabuka AMIRANASHVILI (20th C.) Mystic of the Horizon - Chabuka Amiranashvili (all instruments – multi-tracked) rec. 2020 MEMO MUSIC MM6172 [49:31] [PRB] Some lavish sounds and textures, but Georgia’s not really on his mind.

Louise FARRENC (1804-1875) Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 - Insula orchestra/Laurence Equilbey rec. 2021 ERATO 9029669852 [64:51] [JQ] A composer of genuine worth, exceptionally well served on this CD.

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Introit, Eclogue and other works - London PO/Sir Adrian Boult; New PO/Vernon Handley rec. 1977/78 LYRITA SRCD.239 [79:26] [BW] A reminder of the high quality of this recording.

Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Works for Harp & Piano - Duo Praxedis rec. 2021 ARS PRODUKTION ARS38592 [2 CDs: 113:13] [MR] Celebrating the Piazzolla centenary with generous arrangements of a choice selection of tangos for harp and piano.

Dénes Kovács (violin) Vol. 3: Violin Concertos & other works by Hungarian Composers rec. 1953-82 DOREMI DHR-8121-4 [4 CDs: 294:10] [JW] The best volume yet in Doremi’s series of Kovács LP restorations: exciting repertoire, outstanding performances.

Love Songs Angela Hewitt (piano) rec. 2020 HYPERION CDA68341 [75:57] [DD] One of the best piano CDs I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear.



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