NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
Vocal Retrospective: Les Introuvables du Chant Français - Vol. 1 by Ralph Moore & Mike Parr
A survey of Verdi's early and
less well-known operas by Ralph Moore
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Latest Acte Prealable releases
AP0496 Paula Szalit
- Piano Works and Song
AP0511 Károly Aggházy - Works for Piano
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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 music – a 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.