RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Jan
CARLSTEDT (1926–2004) String
Quartet No.1 in D minor Op.2 (1951/2) [19:18] String Quartet
No.2 Op.22 (1966) [26:34] String Quartet No.3 Op.23 (1967) [20:08] Lysell
Quartet rec. Eklidens skolas aula, Nacka, Sweden, July 1993 and
October 1995 ACOUSTICA
ACCD-1013 [66:46] String Quartet No.4 Op.31 (1972) [25:21]
String Quartet No.5 Op.32 (1977) [22:24] String Quartet No.6
Op.60 (1998) [25:01] Lysell
Quartet rec. Eklidens skolas aula, Nacka,
October 1995 and Dala-Järna kyrka, January 2004 ACOUSTICA
ACCD-1015 [72:57] [HC]
They
may not have the sophistication of Bartók’s quartets nor the all-embracing
concerns of Shostakovich, but they represent their composer at
his best. They are just too fine to be ignored ... see Full
Review
Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (1643-1704)
Te Deum H146 [22:57] Messe pour plusieurs instruments au lieu
des orgues H 513 [26:51]
Claire Lefilliâtre (soprano); François-Nicolas Geslot (haute-contre);
Bruno Boterf (tenor); Jean-Claude Sarragosse (bass) (H146) Chœur de
Chambre de Namur, Les Agrémens (H146), La Fenice (H513)/Jean Tubéry
rec. September 2004, Église du prieuré, Cons-La-Grand-Ville (H146);
October 2004, Église abbatiale, Pontigny (H513)
RICERCAR RIC245 [49:50] [JV]
Splendid
performances of two sacred works by Charpentier – the mass is especially
interesting for its highly original scoring and for the way it
is performed here … see Full Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No.2
in F minor Op.21 (1829) [29:32] Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor Op.30 (1909)
[35:22] Witold
Malcuzynski (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra/Paul Kletzki rec.
November 1946 (Chopin); April 1949 (Rachmaninov)
GUILD GHCD 2323 [65:11][JW]
A
rather unbalanced disc. Performances generally
very recommendable. I just wish the transfers
were better. ... see Full
Review\
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturnes CD
1 B flat minor, Op. 9, no. 1 [6:33]; E flat major, Op.
9, No. 2 [5:03]; B major, Op. 9, No. 3 [7:16]; F major, Op.
15, No. 1 [5:04]; F sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 [4:05]; G minor,
Op. 15, No. 3 [5:06]; C sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1 [5:34];
D flat major, Op. 27, No. 2 [6:01]; B major, Op. 32, No. 1
[5:33]; A flat major, Op. 32, No. 2 [6:44]; G minor, Op. 37,
No. 1 [8:16] CD 2 G major, Op. 37, No. 2 [7:18]; C
minor, Op. 48, No. 1 [6:42]; F sharp minor, Op. 48, No. 2 [7:29];
F minor, Op. 55, No. 1 [5:25]; E flat major, Op. 55, No. 2
[6:27]; B major, Op. 62, No. 1 [7:48]; E major, Op. 62, No.
2 [6:42]; E minor, Op. 72, No. 1 [4:29]; C sharp minor, Op.
posth. [4:08]; C minor, Op. posth. [3:39] Elizabeth
Leonskaja (piano) rec. Teldec Studios, Berlin, 1991,
1992. DDD WARNER
APEX 2564 64374-2 [66:06 + 61:09] [WK]
An
original view of the complete nocturnes at a budget price ... see Full
Review
Muzio
CLEMENTI (1752-1832)
Sonatina
Op.36, no.1 in C Major (1797, revised 1820)
[3:32] Sonatina Op.36, no.4 in F Major (1787,
revised 1820) [6:08] Sonata Op.13, no.6 in
F Minor (1785, revised 1807?) [14:41] Sonatina
Op.36, no.2 in C Major (1797, revised 1820)
[5:26] Sonata Op.24, no.2 in B flat Major
(1788-9) [13:29] Sonatina Op.36, no.6 in D
Major (1797, revised 1820) [6:04] Sonata Op.34,
no.2 in G Minor (1795) [20:17]
Liv Glaser (fortepiano) rec. 26-30 June
2005, The Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto.
SIMAX PSC 1258 [69:43] [GPu]
A
rewarding recital of piano pieces by Clementi,
equally instructive and enjoyable, well-played
on a fine modern replica of a Clementi piano…see
Full
review
Arnold
COOKE (1906-2005)
Concerto
in D for string orchestra (1948) [16:07] Symphony No. 1 (1947) [36:40]
Jabez and the Devil - Suite (1959) [18:02]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. 1970, 1979,
1977. ADD LYRITA SRCD.203
[70:53] [RB]
Fascinating
insights into a composer we may have come
to view as rather grey … see Full
Review
Carson
COOMAN (b.
1982) Symphony
No. 2 Litanies of Love and Rain Op. 574 (2004) [10:26]
Partita for baroque flute Op. 526 (2003) [6:05] 2 Piano
Concerto Op. 649 (2005) [8:41] Vision for violin and
organ Op. 646 (2005) [3:38] Symphony No. 3 Ave
Maris Stella Op. 650 (2005) [16:34] Songlines, Sun Dreaming Op.
307 (2001) [6:53] Sonata
for violin and organ Op. 573 (2004) [21:24] Stephen Schultz
(baroque flute), Nora Skuta (piano), Rachel Gough (violin),
Rupert Gough (organ) Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra
(op. 307), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (opp. 574, 649,
650)/Kirk Trevor (opp. 307, 574, 649, 650) rec. Slovak Radio
Hall, Bratislava, 15 April 2005, 11 November 2005, 10 March
2006 (opp. 574, 649, 650); Kresge Recital Hall, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, 24 September 2005 (op. 526); Philharmonic
Hall, Zlin, Czech Republic, 12 December 2001 (op. 307); Chapel
of the Royal Holloway, University of London, 12 January 2006
(opp. 573, 646); DDD NAXOS
AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559329 [73:40] [PCW]
A
natural successor to Hovhaness … see Full
Review
Carl
DAVIDOFF (1838-1889) Cello
Concerto No. 1 op. 5 in B minor (1859) [19:53] Cello Concerto
No. 2 op. 14 in A minor (1863) [26:37] Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)Variations
on a Rococo Theme op. 33 [18:34] Wen-Sinn
Yang (cello) Latvian National SO/Terje Mikkelsen rec. Reformatu
baznica, Riga, November 1997-March 1998 CPO
777 263-2 [65:23] [RB]
Davidoff
proving himself the troubadour of the cello with an interest in
melody over mere pyrotechnics ... see Full
Review
A "Hatto
Original" Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Préludes – Book
I [37:04]
Préludes – Book II [37:26] Izumi Tateno (piano) rec. 9-13.1.1988 (Book I), 10-11.8.1989 (Book II), Järvenpää Hall, Järvenpää,
Finland FINLANDIA FACD
411 [75:39] Originally issued in Japan on Pony Canyon D32L0006 (Book I) and
PCCL-00085 (Book
II) [CH]
I
love these performances more than most others. A golden light hovers
over the playing ... see Full
Review
Lex
van DELDEN (1919–1988) String Quartet III “Willinck
Tetraptych” Op.106 (1979) [15:36] String Quartet II
Op.86 (1965) [20:19] String Quartet I Op.43 (1954)
[19:09] Musica di Catasto Op.108 (1981)a [11:04]
Utrecht String Quartet;
Quirijn van Regteren Altena (double bass)a rec. Doopsgezinde
Kerk, Haarlem, The Netherlands, April 2006
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 603 1436-2 [66:36][HC]
These
tense, troubled and beautiful quartets belong to the 20th
century mainstream and are somewhat at odds with the new trends that
once prevailed amongst the younger Dutch composers ... see Full
Review
Steve
DOBROGOSZ (b.1956) When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard
Bloom’d: A Song for Choir and Orchestra
Steve Dobrogosz (piano) St Jacobs Chamber Choir Uppsala Chamber
Symphony Orchestra/Gary Graden rec. 13 November 2005, Uppsala University
Auditorium NOSAG CD
125 [79:56][GPu]
An
interesting setting of a great poem, but Dobrogosz’s musical idiom isn’t
rich or various enough to do his text full justice … see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Don Pasquale
- dramma buffo in three acts (1843)
Don Pasquale…an
old-fashioned, elderly bachelor, tight-fisted, credulous, obstinate
but basically good-natured … Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass); Dottor Malatesta
… a physician, good-humoured and enterprising, friend of Don Pasquale
and also a close friend of Ernesto … Lucio Gallo (baritone); Ernesto
… Don Pasquale’s nephew, an ardent young man in love with Norina …Gregory
Kunde (tenor); Norina … a passionate young widow, will not tolerate
contradiction, but honest and sensitive … Nuccia Focile
(soprano); A notary … Claudio Giombi Orchestra and Chorus of
Teatro alla Scala/Riccardo Muti rec. live, Teattro alla Scala, Milan,
1994 Director: Stefano Vizioli Region 0, AC-3, Classical, Colour, Dolby,
DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, PAL, Subtitled. 1.33:1
TDK DVWW-OPDPSC
[130.00][RM]
A
sparkling production full of verve. ... see Full
Review
Maurice DuruflÉ (1902-1986)
Complete Organ Music Fugue sur le
thème du Carillon des heures de la Cathédrale de Soissons Op. 12 (1962) [3:30] Prélude, Adagio et Choral
varié sur le thème du 'Veni Creator' Op. 4
(1930) [20:09] Prélude sur l'Introït de l'Epiphanie Op. 13 (1961) [2:15] Scherzo
Op. 2 (1924) [6:01] Prélude et Fugue sur le
nom d'Alain Op. 7 (1942) [12:35] Méditation
Op. posth. (1964) [3:43] Hommage
à Jean Gallou (1953) [1:54] Suite Op.
5 (1933): Prélude, Sicilienne, Toccata [23:14]
Henry Fairs (organ) rec. Church of Notre Dame d’Auteuil,
Paris, 5-6 June 2006. DDD
NAXOS 8.557924 [73:21][JF]
The
present disc would make an ideal first instalment for that Duruflé collection
... see Full Review
Antonin
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony No.
7 in D minor (1885) [37:23] Symphony No. 8 in G major (1889) [34:27]
London Symphony
Orchestra/Antal Dorati rec. 1963 (No. 7), 1959 (No. 8), Watford Town
Hall, London MERCURY
LIVING PRESENCE
434 312-2 [71:50][PB]
Highly
sympathetic and rewarding performances of these superb works. ... see
Full Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Disc 1 Symphony
No. 1 in A flat Op.55 (1908) [48:37] (I: Andante. Nobilmente e semplice
– Allegro; II: Allegro molto; III: Adagio; IV: Lento – Allegro) Disc
2 Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 (1911) [51:16] (I: Allegro vivace
e nobilmente; II: Larghetto; III: Rondo (Presto); IV: Moderato e maestoso)
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir
Adrian Boult rec.1968 . ADD 2 CDs for the price of 1
LYRITA SRCD.221 [48:37 + 51:16] [RB]
Not
the most passionately headstrong of readings
but full of the satisfaction of maturity.
Should be in the collection of all Elgarians.
... see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Symphony no. 2 in E flat major
op. 63 (1911) [48:03] * Ditto: First take of first part of second movement
[04:18]* Cello Concerto in E minor op. 85 (1919) [25:11]**
Beatrice Harrison (cello)** London Symphony Orchestra*, New Symphony
Orchestra**/Edward Elgar rec. 1 April, 15 July (second take of first
part of second movement) 1927*, 23 March, 13 June 1928**, Queen’s Hall,
London*, Kingsway Hall, London**
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111260 [77:31][CH]
Some
essential documents of British musical history ... see Full
Review
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
The
Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38* (1899) [86:31] Variations on an Original
Theme, ‘Enigma’, Op. 36 (1899) [29:16] The Holly and The
Ivy** (1898) [4:58] *Jane Irwin (mezzo); Justin Lavender (tenor);
Peter Rose (bass)* ** City
of Birmingham Symphony Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sakari
Oramo rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 27, 29, 30 August, 1 September
2006. DDD ** world première recording
CBSO CD003 [68:11 + 52:56] [JQ]
This
is a noteworthy set and a handsome 150th anniversary
tribute to Elgar ... see Full
Review
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Seven
Piano Pieces Impromptu No.2 in F minor Op.31 (1883) [3.41]
Nocturne No.6 in D flat major Op.63 (1894) [7.04] Barcarolle
No.2 in G major Op.41 (1885) [5.55] Nocturne No.13 in B minor
Op.119 (1921) [6.40] Barcarolle No.1 in A minor Op.26 (c.1880)
[4.37] Nocturne No.4 in E flat major Op.36 (1884) [5.57] Thème
and Variations in C sharp minor Op.73 (1895) [12.28] Kathleen
Long (piano) rec. London, 1951 PRISTINE
AUDIO PAKM015 [46.22][JW]
I
happen to be delighted to see Kathleen Long’s early 1950s Decca
Fauré recordings once more available. ... see Full
Review
Brian
FERNEYHOUGH (b.
1943) Missa
Brevis (1969) [14.23] The Doctrine
of Similarity (13 Canons) (1999-2000)
[28.71] Two Marian Motets (1966/2002)
[10.12] Stelae for Failed Time (2001)
[14.06]
BBC Singers Lontano/Odaline de la Martinez rec. Maida
Vale Studio 1, 15 August 2003 (Doctrine of
Similarity), 26 August 2004 (Stelae for Failed
Time); St. Silas Kentish Town, 25 February
2005 (Missa Brevis), 2 September 2005 (Marian
Motets)
METIER MSV28501 [67.12] [RH]
In
a world where contemporary classical music
seems to be increasingly minimal or post-Modern,
Ferneyhough’s brand of maximal modernism acts
as a beacon to us all. ... see Full
Review
Heinrich
FINCK (1444-1527)
Missa Dominicalis [28:08] Veni redemptor dominum (Hymnus)
[06:10] Rorate coeli (introitus) [04:15] Audi filia (tractus)
[03:39] Ecce virgo (communio) [01:48] Deo dicamus regi potenti
(Natalis Domini cantica) [02:16] Von hin scheid ich [04:34]
Auf gut Gelück [02:40] O schönes Weib [02:48] Habs
je getan [02:52] Mein herzigs G [03:18] Ach herzigs Herz
[02:32] Stimmwerck (Franz
Vitzthum, (alto); Klaus Wenk, (tenor); Gerhard Hölzle, (tenor); Marcus
Schmidl, (bass)) rec. 2005, Studio of Cavalli-Records, Bamberg, Germany.
DDD CAVALLI RECORDS CCD325
[65:06] [JV]
Stimmwerck
presents a well-chosen selection of music by the unjustly neglected
Heinrich Finck – a promising start to a series of discs of music
by German renaissance composers ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gerald FINZI
(1901-1956)
Clarinet Concerto Op. 31 (1949) [29:19] Cello Concerto Op.40 (1956)
[41:06] John Denman (clarinet)
Yo-Yo Ma (cello) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Vernon Handley (clarinet
concerto) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley (cello concerto)
rec. 1977, 1979. ADD
LYRITA SRCD.236 [70:28] [RB]
The
pastoral mystic at prayer – ecstatic in soliloquy
and in irrepressible delight … see Full
Review
Gerald FINZI
(1901-1956) Music
for 'Love's Labour's Lost' for string
orchestra (1946, 1952) [28:33]** Let us
Garlands bring - Five Shakespeare Songs for
Baritone and String Orchestra (Come away death;
Who is Sylvia?; Fear no more the heat o' the
sun; O mistress mine; It was a lover and his
lass) Op. 18 (1942) [14:58]† Two Sonnets
by John Milton for Tenor and small Orchestra
(When I consider; How soon hath time) (1928)
[8:32]* Farewell to Arms for Tenor
and small Orchestra (1940, 1926-28) [9:00]*
In terra pax (Christmas Scene) for
Soprano, Baritone, Chorus and Orchestra (1954-56)
[16:21]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley
** John Carol Case (baritone)†, Ian Partridge
(tenor)* Jane Manning (soprano), John Noble
(baritone), John Alldis Choir New Philharmonia
Orchestra/Vernon Handley rec. 1970s? London.
ADD
LYRITA SRCD.237 [77.38] [RB]
Transcendent
Finzi generously assembled and perfectly performed
... see Full
Review
Gerald FINZI
(1901-1956) Five Bagatelles arr.
Lawrence Ashmore (1950s) [15:01] Clarinet Concerto in C minor op.
37 (1949) [29:50] Lawrence ASHMORE (b. 1930) The Four Seasons
[21:16] Greensleeves [4:18]
Richard Stoltzman (clarinet) Guildhall String Ensemble/Robert Salter
rec. 1990, London. DDD RCA-BMG 60437-2-RC
[70:45][RB]
A rather dry-eyed perspective ... miraculous breath control ... burred
and grained wood tones ... see Full
Review
Gerald FINZI
(1901-1956)
A Severn Rhapsody, Op. 5 (1923) [6.14] Nocturne, Op. 7
(c.1925) [10.23] Three Soliloquies for small orchestra (1946): (Grazioso
[1.40]; Adagio [1.40]; Allegretto [1.19]) Romance for string
orchestra, Op 11 (1928) [8.08] Prelude for string orchestra, Op 25 (date
uncertain) [5.16] Introit for small orchestra and solo violin, Op 6
(1925) [9.48] The Fall of a Leaf - Elegy for Orchestra Op 25
[9.14] Eclogue for piano and orchestra (1956) [10.33] Grand
Fantasia and Toccata for piano and orchestra (1953) [15.14]
Rodney Friend (violin), Peter Katin (piano) London
Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult New Philharmonia Orchestra/Vernon
Handley (Eclogue, Fantasia) rec. 1978 (Boult); 1977 (Handley), venues
not given. ADD LYRITA
SRCD.239 [79.26] [GH]
For
anyone new to Finzi this disc is an ideal place to start: music
which sums up his style, superbly recorded and incomparably performed
... see Full Review
César
FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony in D minor
(1886-8) [38:53] (1) Variations symphoniques (1885) [16:45] (2) Prélude,
choral et fugue (1884) [19:55] (3) Piano Quintet in F minor (1878-9)
[40:18] (4) Violin Sonata in A (1886) [29:54] (5)
Jean-Philippe Collard (piano) (2-5), Augustin Dumay (violin) (5), Quatuor
Muir (4), Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson (1-2) rec.
5 December 1983, 4 January 1984 (1-3), 17-18 December 1983 (4), 4-5,
9-10 July 1989 (5), Salle Wagram, Paris.
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 0946 3 81783 2 3 [75:50 + 70:19][CH]
Not
really the best way to get your basic Franck. ... see Full
Review
Philip
GLASS (b. 1937) Dracula (arr.
Michael Reisman) (2007) [67:51] Michael
Reisman (piano)
rec. Looking Glass Studios, NY ORANGE
MOUNTAIN OMM0033 [67:51]
[KM]
An
enjoyable arrangement of Glass’s score for Dracula played on piano
... see Full Review
Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) The Complete
Symphonies [343:08] CD 1 [72:53] Symphony No.1 in E major, Op.5
(1881) [34:48] Symphony No.6 in C minor, Op.58 (1896) [37:27] CD 2 [64:20]
Symphony No.2 in F sharp minor, Op.16 (1886) [43:10] Mazurka in G major,
Op.18 (1888) [9:44] Ot mraka ka svetu (From Darkness to Light),
Op.53 (1894) [10:14] CD 3 [60:23] Ballade in F major, Op.78 (1902) [9:35]
Symphony No.3 in D major, Op.33 (1890-92) [50:15] CD 4 [75:11] Symphony
No.4 in E flat major, Op.48 (1893) [34:35] Symphony No.8 in E flat major,
Op.83 (1905) [40:05] CD 5 [70:21] Symphony No.5 in B flat major, Op.55
(1895) [35:28] Symphony No.7 in F major, Op.77 (1902) [34:12]
BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Tadaaki Otaka rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea,
Dec 1997 (1); March 1992 (2, Mazurka, Darkness, Ballade); May 1998 (3);
April 1997 (4); April 1995 (5); January 1998 (6, 8); February 1998 (7).
DDD 5 discs for the price of 2
BIS-CD-1663/64 [5 CDs: 72:53 + 64:20 + 60:23 + 75:11 + 70:21][RB]
If
you like your Glazunov languidly accentuated then this splendidly recorded
Bis set from Otaka and the BBC NOW is for you ... see Full
Review
Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Five Novelettes
Op.15 (1891) [31:16] String Quintet in A major Op.39 (1881) [32:12]
* Fine Arts Quartet with
Nathaniel Rosen (cello) * rec. The American Academy of Arts and Letters,
New York, February 2005
NAXOS 8.570256 [63:28][JW]
Genial
Glazunovians will enjoy the wares on offer ... see Full
Review
Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Music
for the Chapel Royal Let God Arise HWV256b
(1725-26) [12:32] I will magnify thee HWV250b (1723-24)
[18:11] As pants the hart HWV251d (1720-22) [11:54] O Sing
unto the Lord HWV249a (1713-14) [11:19] Two movements from As
pants the hart HWV251a (1712-13) [6:59]
Choir of the Chapel Royal Musicians Extra-ordinary/Andrew Gant rec.
Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London, July 2005
NAXOS 8.557935 [60:55][JW]
The
Musicians Extra-ordinary sound like an expert group of specialists.
They and the chorus are especially felicitous. ... see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Giulio Cesare - dramma per musica in tre atti HWV
17 (1724) Flavio Oliver
– Giulio Cesare, David Mendéndez – Curio, Ewa Podleś – Cornelia
Maite Beaumont – Sesto, Elena de la Merced – Cleopatra, Jordi Domènech
– Tolomeo, Oliver Zwarg – Achilla, Itxaro Mentxaka – Nireno, Héctor
Manzanares – Coccodrillo Orquestra Simfònica I Cor del Gran Teatre del
Liceu/Michael Hofstetter Herbert Wernicke (adaptation and stage direction)
rec. live, July 2004, Gran Teatro del Liceu, Barcelona Picture format:
16:9 anamorphic NTSC Region: 0
TDK DVWW-OPGCES [2 DVDs:
84:00 + 132:00] [DC]
All of the drama and fun, most of it intended, of a grand night out
... see Full Review
Howard HANSON (1896-1981)
Merry Mount - opera in three acts and six scenes op. 31
(1933) [124:02]
Lady Marigold Sandys - Lauren Flanigan (soprano) Sir Gower Lackland
- Walter MacNeil (tenor) Wrestling Bradford - Richard Zeller (baritone)
Praise-God Tewke - Charles Robert Austin (bass) Christopher Bristol,
(tenor); Gene Buchholz, (bass); Fred K. Dent, (baritone); Byron Ellis,
(bass-baritone); Rosy Freudenstein, (alto); Paul Gudas, (tenor); Diana
Huber, (soprano); Daniel Jessup, (bass); Barry Johnson, (baritone);
Gino Luchetti, (tenor); Louise Marley, (mezzo); Joachim Schneider, (baritone);
Nan Beth Walton, (alto) Seattle Symphony Chorale; Northwest Boychoir/Joseph
Crnko; Seattle Girls' Choir/Dr Jerome Wright Seattle Symphony/Gerard
Schwarz rec. live, Seattle Center Opera House, Washington, 28-29 October
1996. DDD Detailed tracklisting at end of review
NAXOS AMERICAN OPERA CLASSICS 8.669012-13 [45:13 + 78:49][RB]
Hanson's
singing and lyrical impulse is heard at full stretch. This splendidly
representative red-blooded recording should win Merry Mount new admirers.
... see Full Review
Johann
Michael HAYDN (1737-1806) Vocal
and Instrumental Works Missa Tempore Quadragesimae (MH553)
[14:21] Symphony in E flat (MH340/P17) [14:36] Ave
Regina (MH140) [10:46] Divertimento in A (MH299/P121)
[16:23] Responsoria ad Matutinum in Nativitate Domini (MH639)
[11:49] Ex Tempore/Florian
Heyerick (140, 553, 639), Academia Palatina (340), Marcolini
Quartett (299) rec. September, October, November 2006, SRC
Steurbaut, Ghent, Belgium (140, 299, 553, 639); September 2006,
Kirche St. Maria, Schwetzingen, Germany (340) ETCETERA
KTC4020 [67:58] [JV]
An
overview of the music of Johann Michael Haydn - recommended to
those music lovers who are open to music which didn't - and doesn't
- shake the world ... see Full Review
Joaquim HOMS
(1906–2003) Suite “Between Two Lines” (1948)
[9:52] Concertino for Piano and Chamber Orchestra (1946/7)a
[16:42] Suite for Piano Op.1 (1921)a [5:34] Adagio for Strings
(1950) [10:55] Cycle I “El caminant i el mur” (1962)b
[9:11] Diptych I (1976)a [4:58] Soliloquy II for
Strings (1974) [6:26] Jordi
Masó (piano)a; Montserrat Torruella (mezzo-soprano)b;
Granollers Chamber Orchestra/Francesc Guillén rec. Teatre Auditori
de Granollers, Spain, January 2006
NAXOS 8.570306 [64:24] [HC]
This
marks the composer’s centenary and offers the best introduction
possible to his personal, endearing sound-world ... see Full
Review
John IRELAND
(1879-1962) Concertino
Pastorale for string orchestra [19:40] The Holy Boy (A
Carol of the Nativity) for string orchestra [2:30] A Downland
Suite for string orchestra [8:50] Frank
BRIDGE (1879-1941) Rosemary (No. 1 of two Entractes)
[3:26] Suite for string orchestra [20:52] Sally in our Alley
(No. 1 of Two Old English Songs) [3:29] Cherry Ripe (No.
2 of Two Old English Songs) [3:11] Lament for string orchestra
[3:35] Sir Roger de Coverley, Christmas Dance [4:25]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1970, 1979, 1977.
ADD LYRITA SRCD.242
[70.02] [RB]
Immaculately
turned Bridge and Ireland … fascinatingly
partnered … see Full
Review
Gordon JACOB (1895-1984)
Symphony No. 1 (1929) [34:18]* Symphony No. 2 in C major (1945) [32:01]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry
Wordsworth rec. 1992. DDD * premiere recording
LYRITA SRCD.315 [66:25] [RB]
While
it may take a while to read your way into Jacob's style you will
find plenty of familiar way-markers and the rewards keep coming
with every audition. ... see Full
Review
Leos
JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Glagolitic
Mass (1927) [39:30] Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, op.
60, (1920) [36:46] Sheila
Armstrong (soprano), Ameral Gunson (mezzo), Robert Tear (tenor),
William
Shimell (bass)
London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt rec. Royal Festival
Hall, London 12 May 1985 (Janáček), 4 May 1986 (Strauss) BBC
LEGENDS BBCL 4208-2 [76:16] [DM]
Janáček:
hardly an indispensable addition to Tennstedt’s
recorded legacy but the Strauss is genial
and elegant ... see Full
Review
John JENKINS
(1592-1678) Five
Part Consort Music: Fantasy No. 1 in G
[2.57]; No. 7 in c [4.05]; No. 9 in c [2.58];
No. 17 in C [3.53]; No. 11 in c [3.32]; No.
6 in g [3.29]; No. 13 in d [3.24]; No. 15
in D [2.40]; No. 12 in d [2.48]; No. 16 in
D [2.36]; No. 14 in d [2.50]; No. 3 in g [3.08];
No. 8 in c [3.47]; No. 5 in g [2.49]; No.
2 in g [2.49]; No. 4 in d [4.02] No. 10 in
c [3.47]; Pavans: No. 1 in G [6.30]; No. 2
in g [3.20]; No. 3 in F [4.56]
Phantasm; Mikko Perkola (tenor viol) rec.
Magdalen College, Oxford, 14-17 August 2006.
DDD
AVIE AV2120 [73.21] [GH]
I
like this disc and although it might appear
to be a little bit ‘niche market’, if you
are interested in this repertoire then this
is a very good place to start. ... see Full
Review
John JOUBERT
(b. 1927) Song-cycles and chamber music
The
Hour Hand for soprano and recorder op.
101 (1982) [6:24] Shropshire Hills for
high voice and piano op. 155 (2003) [10:28]
Improvisation for recorder and piano
op. 120 (1988) [6:07] Kontakion for
cello and piano op. 69 (1971) [13:23] The
Rose is Shaken in the Wind for soprano
and recorder op. 137 (2001) [6:07] Six
Poems by Emily Brontë for soprano
and piano op. 63 (1965?) [21:23]
Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano); John Turner
(recorder); Richard Tunnicliffe (cello); John
McCabe (piano) rec. Cosmo Rodewald Concert
Hall, Manchester University, 18-19 December
2006. DDD first recordings made in presence
of composer TOCCATA CLASSICS
TOCC 0045 [76:26]
[RB]
Joubert
has carved out his own distinctive and very
seriously passionate corner of the English
tradition ... see Full
Review
Daniel JONES
(1912-1993) Symphony
No. 4 (1954) [31:35]* Symphony No. 7 (1972)
[21:54]* Symphony No. 8 (1972) [24:32]**
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Groves*
BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra/Bryden Thomson**
rec. 18-19 April 1972, Studio No. 1 Abbey
Road, London (4, 7) originally released on
EMI ASD 2855; 10-11 February 1979, BBC Llandaff
originally released on BBC Regium REGL 359
(8). ADD The original recordings with support
from the Welsh Arts Council. CD transfer and
re-mastering supported by the Arts Council
of Wales.
LYRITA SRCD.329 [78.05] [RB]
Three
intriguing symphonies from a Welsh magician
of the orchestra ... see Full
Review
Manolis KALOMIRIS
(1883–1962) Triptych (1937/40) [22:16] Symphony
No.3 in D minor “Palamian” (1955)* [30:39] Three Greek Dances (1934)
[8:46] The Destruction of Psará (1949?)* [1:34]
Nikitas Tsakiroglou (narrator)* Athens State Orchestra/Byron Fidetzis
rec. Athens Concert Hall Recording Centre, June-July 2005
NAXOS 8.557970 [63:15] [HC]
Often
beautiful and powerfully gripping music ... see Full
Review
Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897–1957) Das Wunder
der Heliane (1927) [167:48]
Anna Tomowa-Sintow (soprano) – Heliane; Hartmut Welker (baritone) –
Der Herrscher; John David de Haan (tenor) – Der Fremde; Reinhild Runkel
(mezzo) – Die Botin; René Pape (bass) – Der Pförtner; Nicolai Gedda
(tenor) – Det Schwertrichter; Martin Petzold (tenor) – Der junge Mensch
Rundfunk Chor Berlin Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/John Mauceri rec.
20-29 February 1992, Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Dahlem, Berlin. DDD originally
released, 1993, Decca’s Entartete Musik series 436 636-2
DECCA 475 8271 [3 CDs: 56:04 + 61:25 + 50:19][GF]
This
mystery play-based opera may be hard to penetrate but it has a humane
message we sorely need in this cruel world and it abounds in gorgeous
music, gorgeously played and sung in a gorgeous recording. ... see Full
Review
Orlando di LASSO (LASSUS) (1532-1594)
Marienvesper Introitus [1:16] Dixit Dominus [7:05]
Laudate Pueri [6:13] Laetatus sum [8:25] Nisi Dominus
[6:55] Lauda Jerusalem [10:02] Responsorium [5:13] O
gloriosa Domina [5:05] Salve Regina [3:16] Magnificat
[6:28] Salve Regina [3:18] Benedicamus [0:39]
Weser-Renaissance: Susanne Rydén (soprano); Monika Mauch (soprano);
Marnix De Cat (alto); Hans Jörg Mammel (tenor); Johan Linderoth (tenor);
Kees Jan De Koning (bass); Job Boswinkel (bass); Gephard David (cornett);
Frithjof Smit (cornett); Ole Andersen (trombone); Wim Becu (trombone);
Adam Woolf (trombone); Adrian Rovatkay (dulcian)/Manfred Cordes rec.
11-13 July, 2005, Stiftskirche Bassum, Germany. DDD
CPO 777 182-2 [64:22] [MS]
Beautiful,
undemonstrative music from late sixteenth century Munich by the
Franco-Flemish Lassus well performed with corresponding suaveness
by period-instrument and choral specialists … see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Symphonic Poems Vol. 3 Mazeppa S.
100. Symphonic Poem No.6 (1854) [16:33] Héroïde
funèbre S. 102. Symphonic Poem No.
8 (1857) [22:41] Prometheus
S.99. Symphonic Poem No. 5 (1850) [12:27] Festklänge S. 102.
Symphonic Poem No. 7 (1854) [19:07]
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda rec. 12-13 December 2006,
Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester
CHANDOS CHAN 10417 [71:24][DM]
With
performances as resolutely earthbound as this you will need to search
elsewhere for real musical inspiration. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Complete
Piano Music, Vol. 24 Four Mephisto Waltzes (1856-85)
[36:04]: (No. 1, (1856-61) S514 [12:05]; No. 2, S515 (1878/79-81)
[11:12]; No. 3, S216 (1883) [9:48]; No. 4, S696 (1885) [2:59]
) Two Elegies (1874-78) [10:58]: (No. 1, S196 (1874) [5:45];
No. 2, S197 (1878) [5:13]) Grosses Konzertsolo, S176 (1849-50)
[23:08] Giuseppe
Andaloro, piano rec. 8-9 March 2005, Potton Hall, Westleton,
Saxmundham, Suffolk. DDD NAXOS
8.557814 [70:10] [MC]
For
Naxos Andaloro makes an inspired choice as soloist. One senses
his complete involvement with the significant demands of Liszt’s
challenging music ... see Full Review
Detailed
listing
(last five days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part
2 A-B]
[Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L][Part
7 Misc M-Z]
[Recommended recordings]