NEW & RECENT ARTICLES
Exploring Ruth Gipps’s
Cringlemire Gardens
by John France
Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben - A survey
by Ralph Moore
Constance Warren and her Heather Hill for string orchestra
by John France
Ian Lace (MWI reviewer) -
an appreciation by Len Mullenger
NOTICES
Latest Acte Prealable releases
AP0483 Rene de
Boisdeffre Songs Vol 3
AP0511 Agghazy Works for piano
AP0512
Katski Chamber Music
AP0513 Boisdeffre Works for Violin and Piano 2
AP0514 Lwowskie Lviv Songs
AP0515 Boisdeffre Piano Sextets
AP0516 Zaremba Chamber Music
AP0517-8 2CDs Fernand de La Tombelle
Organ Music
AP0519 Boisdeffre Works for Violin and Piano 3
AP0521
Zelenski If you love me
AP0526 Artur Cieslak Independent
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Monday January 31st
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas
& Partitas for Solo Violin -
James Ehnes (violin)
rec. 2020 ONYX 4228 [69:43 + 72:00] [ST]
Ehnes’ second recording of Bach’s works for solo violin is the finest I’ve heard in years.
Lord BERNERS (1883-1950)
A Wedding Bouquet, Luna Park - RTE Chamber Choir, RTE Sinfonietta/Kenneth Alwyn rec. 1994
NAXOS 8.555223 [52:07] [SB]
Delightful works by this eccentric aristocrat.
Sir Arthur BLISS (1891-1975)
The Lady of Shalott, Rout, Two Contrasts - Ilona Domnich (soprano), BBC Concert Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins rec. 2020
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7387 [77:38] [JW]
A charming ballet is the focus of a disc augmented by orchestrations, adaptations and novelties.
Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972)
Symphonies Nos 3 & 17 - Ronald Stevenson (piano),
David Wilde (piano), New Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra/Stanley Pope rec. 1974/76
HERITAGE HTGCD153 [67:29] [JF]
Essential for all Havergal Brian aficionados.
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Pelléas et Mélisande - Vannina Santoni, Julien Behr, Chorus of Opéra de Lille, Les Siècles/François-Xavier Roth rec. 2021
HARMONIA MUNDI HMM905352.54 [157:55] [DMD]
A real contender amongst modern accounts, resplendent on period instruments.
Philip
GLASS (b. 1937) Akhnaten
- Anthony Roth Costano (countertenor) Metropolitan Opera Orchestra &
Chorus/Karen Kamensek rec. 2019 ORANGE MOUNTAIN DVD OMM5011 [172:00]
[MP]
A standout release boasting superb music and production standards.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901)
Un ballo in maschera -
Giuseppe Di Stefano (tenor) Tito Gobbi (baritone) Maria Callas (soprano)
Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milano/Antonino Votto
rec. 1956 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO187 [50:52 + 79:46] [RMo]
Pristine render an already fine recording considerably more desirable via its Ambient Stereo remastering.
Cieco Amor Opera arias written for Giuseppe Maria Boschi
-
Sergio Foresti (baritone)
Abchordis Ensemble/Andrea Buccarella
rec. 2018 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72875 [71:07] [CRo]
Provides a valuable insight into the abilities of, respectively, a
historic and a contemporary singer.
Friday January 28th
Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Sonatas
& Rondos -
Marc-André Hamelin (piano) rec. 2021 HYPERION CDA68381/2 [63:32 + 77:29]
[SG]
Stunning virtuosity, sheer musicality and sense of drama showcase these magnificent works to perfection.
Nikolay MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950)
Vocal Works Vol. 1 - Tatiana Barsukova,
Elizaveta Pakhomova (soprano) Marina Dichenko
(violin) Olga Solovieva (piano)
rec. 2007-20 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0355 [68:27] [JW]
Myaskovsky’s song cycles finally given comprehensive recordings.
Petros PETRIDIS (1892-1977) Requiem for the Emperor Constantine Palaiologos,
Symphony No. 3,
Concerto Grosso -
Sofia Amadeus O, Nikolaos Mantzaros Wind Ens/Byron Fidetzis rec. 1989/2006
NAXOS 8.574354-55 [59:30 + 69:48]
[CL] A stark, Byzantine Requiem, a Haydnesque symphony, and a lively Concerto Grosso - don’t hesitate.
Henry PURCELL (1659-95)
fantazias -
Chelys Consort of Viols
rec. 2019 BIS SACD BIS-2583 [62:38] [RMo]
The advantages of this new recording mean that devotees of Purcell’s oeuvre need not hesitate.
Pierre ROBERT (c1622-1699)
Grands Motets Henry DU MONT (1610-1684) Dum esset Rex -
Les Pages & Les Chantres Centre de musique
baroque Versailles, Concerto Soave/Olivier Schneebeli
rec. 2020 CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES SPECTACLES CVS051 [63:56]
[JV] This disc eloquently demonstrates the quality of Robert's music.
Alfons SZCZERBIŃSKI (1858-1895) Complete
Piano Works Vol. 1 - Giorgio Koukl (piano) rec. 2021 GRAND PIANO
GP876 [62:04] [RCh] Attractive miniatures that echo earlier romantic masters.
Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930)
Songbook -
Luci Briginshaw (soprano)
Eleanor Meynell (piano)
rec. 2020/21 CONVIVIUM CR062 [56:22] [MR] If there are some reservations about the singing, there are absolutely none about the accompaniment.
Anaëlle Tourret (harp)
Perspectives rec.
2021 ES-DUR ES2085 [49:48]
[GPu]
A well-chosen programme played with sympathetic intelligence and technical assurance in fine sound.
Thursday
January 27th
Christoph GRAUPNER (1683-1760)
Easter Cantatas - Knabenchor 'Capella Vocalis', Pulchra Musica Baroque
Orchestra/Christian Bonath rec. 2019
CAPRICCIO C5411 [57:27] [JV]
Four first recordings, an important contribution to the Graupner discography.
JOSQUIN Desprez (c1450-1521)
Giosquino: Josquin Desprez in Italia -
The Gesualdo Six,
La Reverdie,
La Pifarescha,
Odhecaton/Paolo Da Col
rec. 2020 ARCANA A489 [77:17] [ST]
A disc that’s as beautifully sung as it is planned, commemorating Josquin’s time in Italy.
Felix MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY (1809-1847)
Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 - Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Thomas Dausgaard rec. 2019
BIS BIS-2469 SACD [66:26] [DBi]
Dausgard turns to Mendelsson with two vital performances.
Moritz MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Orchestral Music Vol.
3 -
Sinfonia Varsovia/Ian Hobson
rec. 2019/21 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0598 [60:27] [EJW]
An enjoyable programme, but it does not match the inspiration of Moszkowski’s piano concerto.
Jean Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764)
Ouvertures - Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset rec. 1996
DECCA 476 2596 [69:48] [RMo]
The programme and its execution have not aged a day since its issue over a quarter century ago.
Ludomir RÓŻYCKI (1883-1953)
Violin Concerto, Transcriptions from the ballet 'Pan Twardowski' - Ewelina Nowicka (violin), Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice/Zygmunt Rychert rec. 2001, 2010
CPO 555 421-2 [49:31] [RCh]
A feast of richly harmonic and inventive works.
Sam SADIGURSKY (b. 1979)
The Solomon Diaries Vols 1-3 -
Sam Sadigursky (clarinet)
Nathan Koci (accordion, piano, banjo)
Katrina Lenk (vocals)
rec. 2020/21 ADHYÂROPA RECORDS [104:20] [DMD]
A profound experience that leaves room to dance and sing.
Igor Markevitch (conductor)
The Philips Legacy rec. 1959-68 ELOQUENCE 484 1744 [26 CDs: 26 hours]
[JW] Another admirably compiled and presented Eloquence Markevitch box to join his DG legacy set.
Wednesday January
26th
George ENESCU (1881–1955)
Violin Concerto, Phantasy - Carolin Widmann (violin), Luiza Borac (piano), NDR Radiophilharmonie/ Peter Ruzicka rec. 2021 CPO 555 487-2 [53:33]
[CL]
CPO presents more Enescu discoveries: the Phantasy is satisfying but the unfinished Concerto is for the completist.
Frank FERKO (b. 1950) & Leo SOWERBY
(1895–1968) Organ Music - David Schrader (organ) rec. 2019–2020 CEDILLE RECORDS CDR90000204 [79:25 + 79:04]
[WK]
No fan of organ music or of American composers should miss these discs.
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Vol 1: Death & Transfiguration - Kenneth Hamilton (piano)
rec. 2020/21 PRIMA FACIE PFCD167/168 [76:57 + 75:03]
[JF]
An illuminating and enjoyable release from Prima Facie that ticks all the boxes of excellence.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Dedicated To Haydn Vol. 2 String
Quartets Nos 14, 17 & 18 - Engegård Quartet rec. 2020 LAWO CLASSICS LWC1219 [79:53]
[RMo]
If you respond to the Engegård’s bright tone and swift tempi, this collection is for you; those who prefer a more leisurely approach will look elsewhere.
Niels RØNSHOLDT (b.1978)
Archive of Emotions & Experiences Book 1: Birds
- Lenio Liatsou (piano)
rec. 2020 DACAPO 8.226712 [42:37]
[DMD]
An entrancing work that casts an irresistible spell.
Fernando SOR (1778-1839)
Works for Guitar - Eduardo Fernández (guitar)
rec. 1989 DECCA 425 821-2 [68:42]
[ZT]
A treasure from the late 20th century.
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Rigoletto - Ettore
Bastianini (baritone) Renata Scotto (soprano)
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Gianandrea Gavazzeni rec. 1960 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO184 [55:35 + 63:48]
[ST]
A welcome issue in excellent sound, but the lead performers are one-dimensional, and it doesn’t replace my top choice.
Julian Bream (lute, guitar)
A Tribute Vol. 2: Live Performances and Broadcasts 1956-1965 - Peter Pears (tenor), Carmirelli Quartet, Scottish National Orchestra/Alexander
Gibson DOREMI DHR-8151-2 [79:46 + 78:46]
[JW]
Bream in live performance and broadcast; premieres and illustrious partners heard on the wing.
Tuesday January
25th
Hendrik ANDRIESSEN (1892-1981)
Orchestral Works & Concertos - Netherlands Radio Chamber O/David Porcelijn,
Thierry Fischer rec. 1991-1998 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 96105 [63:17 + 58:40]
[JW] A reissued twofer explores the orchestral and vocal works of a leading Dutch composer.
Daniel-François-Esprit AUBER (1782-1871)
Zanetta, Zerline overtures & excerpts Philippe MUSARD (1792-1859) Quadrille -
Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra/Dario Salvi rec. 2020 NAXOS 8.574335 [77:39]
[RMay]
Expertly delivered performances add to our appreciation of Auber’s considerable musical output.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 3 Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) 6 Stücke in kanonischer Form -
Tessa Uys, Ben Schoeman (piano duo) rec. 2020 SOMM SOMMCD0637 [68:26]
[JWe]
Utterly convincing, dedicated playing of a superb arrangement - I look forward to further volumes.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Clarinet sonatas Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Grand Duo Concertant
- Anthony McGill (clarinet)
Gloria Chien (piano) rec. 2020 CEDILLE CDR90000207 [67:15]
[CL]
McGill and Chien are two halves of a whole, injecting all the nuance of phrasing, dynamic shading, and sheer enjoyment of music making one could want.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 4
-
Wiener Philharmoniker/Christian Thielemann rec. 2020 SONY 19439914112 [69:42]
[RMo]
A disappointing continuation of Thielemann’s ongoing cycle - oddly flat, disengaged Bruckner, despite beautiful playing from the VPO.
Sir Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998)
Concerto for Orchestra, Triple Concerto -
György Pauk (violin), Nobuko Imai (viola), Ralph Kirshbaum (cello),
London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis rec. 1964/81 PHILIPS 476 7144 [65:01]
[JF]
Definitive recordings of two of Tippett’s orchestral masterpieces.
Catalan Concertinos and Fantasias Works by Manén & Migó -
Kalina Macuta (violin); Sergi Pacheco, Daniel Blanch (piano); National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Volodymyr Sirenko
rec. 2018 TOCCATA NEXT TOCN0010 [77:14]
[PRB]
A useful addition for those with a penchant for all things Catalonian.
Aldo Ciccolini (piano) Works by Satie
& Franck -
Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire/André Cluytens rec.
1953/56 PRISTINE AUDIO PAKM087 [60:45] [DC]
A nostalgic look back at the foundations of a now global phenomenon.
