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Classical Editor: Rob Barnett Founder Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com
PART 3 |
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L] [Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] |
Search the entire MusicWeb site Any review; Any Article |
Antonio De CABEZON (1510-1566) Tientos y Glosados
Ensemble Accentus/Thomas Wimmer Recorded March 1997, Karthouse, Mauerbach, Austria
There is no doubt that Naxos Early Music department is striking out into some fascinating areas, and they have found fine musicians to take us into some exciting repertoire. Highly recommended.
André CAMPRA (1660-1744) Motets [47.11] Cum invocarem exaudivit me Deus, Salve Regina, Domine, Dominus noster, Récit de Tierce en taille, Benedic animamea Domino, Tota pulchra es amica mea
This is a lovely recording - the voices are excellent, the sound is wonderful, and the music moving and intense. The only criticism is the relatively short timing of the disc, which definitely leaves this listener wanting to hear more.
Eric COATES (1886 -1957) Historical recordings 1926 to 1940 By The Sleepy Lagoon - Symphony Orchestra, 1940 Summer Days Suite- New Queen's Light Orchestra, 1926 Wood Nymphs - Valsette - The Queen's Hall Light Orchestra, 1926 The Jester at the Wedding - Symphony Orchestra, 1934 Symphonic Rhapsody on "I Pitch my Lonely Caravan" - Symphony Orchestra, 1933 Symphonic Rhapsody on "I Heard You Singing" and "Bird Songs at Eventide" - Symphony Orchestra, 1933 London Suite - Symphony Orchestra, 1933 Summer Afternoon - Idyll Symphony Orchestra, 1934 Cinderella - A Phantasy - Symphony Orchestra, 1935 London Bridge - March, 1934
This disc is a must for nostalgics but if you like the music, is worth having for the performances that shine through the old recorded sound.
Mats Ek's Carmen Bizet/Schtschedrin
[51 min] DVD Region Code: 2,5. PCM Stereo PAL Recorded Stockholm, 1996 [PGW]
The Rodion Schtschedrin Carmen suite has become deservedly popular in the concert hall and with percussion-emphasised rhythms has proved well suited to dancing and used by many choreographers. It makes an effective aural backdrop to the compelling picture, with good selection of camera angles.
American Piano Music played by Peter Vinograde
Aaron COPLAND Passacaglia (1921-22) [5.41] Piano Fantasy (1955-57) [28.10] Paul CRESTON Seven Theses (1933) [9.23] Metamorphoses (1964) [18.19] Mark ZUCKERMAN On the Edges (1996) [11.15]A lovely and unfashionable disc. It may yet play its part in stirring rising generations of pianists to take a 'dangerous' turn and shake the piano establishment. An antidote to softer romanticism.
Harold CRAXTON (1885-1971) Transcriptions and Songs
Distinguished by skilled word-setting and challenging and intriguing tonality. Our reviewer Mr Howell to whom this project owes a great deal is a welcome and constant presence throughout each of these pieces.
Franz DANZI (1763-1826) Wind Quintet in A major, Op. 68, No. 1 Wind Quintet in F major, Op. 68, No. 2 Wind Quintet in D minor, Op. 68, No. 3 Sonata for horn and piano in E minor, Op. 44*
Three delightful wind quintets and a major horn sonata, excellently played and recorded. At almost seventy-nine minutes and super-bargain price, this disc is highly recommended.
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images Set 1, Images Set 2, Images oubliées, Estampes, Masques pour piano, L'isle joyeuse
The unique sound-world of Debussy is delivered with the utmost conviction.
Frederick DELIUS (1874-1934).The Beecham Collection Brigg Fair. Symphony Orchestra, recorded December 11 1928 & July 10 1929; On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring and The Walk to the Paradise Garden (from A Village Romeo and Juliet). Orchestra of the Royal Philharmonic Society, rec. December 19-20 1927; Sea Drift*. Dennis Noble, Manchester Beecham Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, rec. November 11 1928; North Country Sketches: 'Autumn'* and 'Winter Landscape'*; Song before Sunrise*; A Dance Rhapsody (No 2)*. London Philharmonic Orchestra, rec. October 16 1945. (* previously unissued)
The two recordings that make this issue specially important are the freshly-minted Brigg Fair from 1929 and Dennis Noble's strong delivery of Sea Drift. With the 1934 Leeds Festival Arabesque and Songs of Sunset in the previous release in this series, SOMM is coming up with real treasures. What next?
John DUARTE (b. 1919) Guitar Music
The music on this disc should be enjoyed by most people, not only guitar aficionados.
Marcel DUPRÉ Choral Works Quatre Motets Op 9 Final from La France au Calvaire Op 49 Ave Verum op34 no. 1 Deux Motets 0p53 De Profundis Op 18
I do recommend you make this discovery for yourself. Unless you have a very hardened heart you will, you must, respond warmly to this angelic music.
Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet in E flat, Op. 51 (1878/79) String Quartet in A flat, Op. 105 (1895)
There is both charm and beauty in these performances….however a greater degree of vitality and unashamed abandon would have made this a truly memorable disc.
Manuel de FALLA El Amor Brujo Enrique GRANADOS Tonadillas Jesus GURIDI Seis Canciones
Cello Octet Conjunto Iberico has demonstrated, again and again, that the cello is the most self sufficient of non-keyboard instruments, and that eight cellos can do nearly as much as a whole orchestra. Their fresh recreation of El Amor Brujo makes this CD well worth considering.
John FERNSTRÖM (1897-1961) Symphonic Prologue (1949) Symphony No. 6 (1939) Initimate Miniatures for string orchestra (1925)
One of two valuable Fernstrom primers from BIS.
John FERNSTRÖM (1897-1961) Songs of the Sea (1942) Symphony No. 12 (1951) Rao-Nai-Nai's Songs - Chinese Rhapsody (1939)
First choice to launch your Fernström collection. The place to start.
Hubert Foss and his Friends A r ecital of songs
Throughout, Pullin's lyric tenor, Macdonald's sensitive accornpaniment, and the clarity of the recording do real justice to Foss's songs.
François FRANCOEUR (1698-1787) Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Suites de Simphonies Simphonies pour le festin royal de monseigneur le comte d'Artois (1773) [34.15] Suite de divertissement des Indes Galantes (1735) [21.18]
A delightful recording of some 'light' music from 18th century France. The recording captures perfectly the atmosphere of grace and joy this music was written to express.
GILBERT & SULLIVAN Vintage Collection The Mikado Trial by Jury (complete without dialogue)
I have enjoyed other recordings of these works more - for example Sargent's EMI recordings made only a few years later.
Enrique GRANADOS (1867 -1916) Symphonic Poem 'Dante'*; Cinco Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanoles (Orchestrated by E.Ferrer); La Maja Y El Ruiseñor** & Intermezzo from Goyescas
Adrian Leaper is a remarkable conductor and his direction is exemplary. Obviously the Spanish air is having an effect. He tweaks out of the music every nuance of characteristic expression. Nancy Fabiola Herrera has the ideal darkly hewn quality coupled with clarity of text delivery.
Alexander GRECHANINOV (1864-1956) Symphony No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 6 (1894)
Agreeable music with recordings well mastered. Play with energy and commitment if lacking the polish of the Chandos series.
THE BEST OF GERSHWIN
I always feel dissatisfied with anything which presumes to label music as 'The Best of'. This disc does nothing to make me change my mind.
Alexandre GUILMANT (1837 - 1911) Allegro Op.81 (1894) Marche Fantaisie Op.44 (1875) Meditation sur le Stabat Mater Op.63 (1884) Final alla Schumann Op.83 (1895) Symphony No.l in D minor Op.42 (1874, rev. 1877) Leon BOËLLMANN (1862 - 1897) Fantaisie Dialoguee Op.63 (1896) François-Joseph FÉTIS (1784 - 1871) Fantasie Symphonique (1866)
Guilmant and Boëllmann deserve to be better known. Full marks to all concerned. Really well worth investigating.
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust. Opera in five Acts (1859)
Mephistopheles: Roger Rico, bass Valentin: Roger Bourdin, baritone Wagner: Ernest Frank, baritone Siebel: Huguette Saint-Arnaud, mezzo soprano Marguérite: Geori Boué, soprano Martha: Betty Bannermann, mezzo soprano Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus/Beecham CD transfer of 1948 HMV recordingThis Faust is high on the list of successes in the Naxos "historic" series, and makes a good case for performing the opera in its original French.
Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Water Music * Variant in F major [4.02] Suite no. 1 in F major [25.51] Variant in F major [3.27] Suite no. 3 in G major [10.11] Suite no. 2 in D major [9.44] Music for the Royal Fireworks ** [15.59] Rec: * 1983; ** 1991.
Definitely one of the best recordings of these two works, Gardiner's performances are precise, just and perfectly balanced.
George Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Concerti Grossi Opus 3
Modern orchestras always tend to sound simply too lush to provide the clarity of texture and line demanded by baroque music. The Northern Sinfonia falls straight into this trap.
HAENDEL (1685-1759) Arminio
While not one of Haendel's greatest operas, all Haendel lovers will want to own this, the first recording of Arminio. The performance is excellent, and the work contains some real gems.
Howard HANSON (1896-1981) Hanson Orchestral Works Vol. 1. Symphony No. 1 Nordic (1922) Merry Mount Suite (1938) Pan and the Priest - symphonic poem (1926) Rhythmic Variations on Two Ancient Hymns
Not especially long playing time but it's a good, if not rousing, start to the series.
Johann Adolf HASSE (1699-1783) Mass in G Major
A fine recording of an attractive work by a little-known composer. Hasse, teacher of Haydn and Mozart, was a master of the opera seria. This, his final work, while sounding more like an opera than a mass, is beautiful indeed.
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony no. 27 in G major Symphony no. 28 in A major Symphony no. 31 in D major 'Horn Signal'
A highly enjoyable disc of three of the most engaging of Haydn's earlier symphonies
Josef HAYDN Piano Concerto in D, Hob XVIII/11 Piano Concerto in F Hob XVIII/3 Max KÜHN Piano Concierto de Tenerife, for Piano and Large Orchestra
Warren Thew (Piano) Camerata Zurich/Räto Tschupp Rec. Alstetten Church; Zurich 29 & 31 January 1972 (Haydn) and January 1976 (Kuhn - day not stated)
Good performances of two of Haydn's best Piano concertos coupled with a contrasting modern (but accessible) concerto.
Heinrich von HERZOGENBERG (1843-1900) Klavierquartett op.75 in E minor, Streichtrio op.27/1 in A major
I found the string trio dull, but the piano quartet quite a different matter, well worth knowing. It should appeal to chamber music societies whose members know what they like and like what they know.
Kurt HESSENBERG (1908-1994) Concerto No. 1 for Orchestra (Concerto Grosso) (1938) Symphony No. 2 (1943)
A most intriguing disc, thoroughly well documented. A real credit to Cassandra's sense of adventure. Long may such ventures continue.[RB] This is a fine CD. Two works by a forgotten composer who well deserves to be rediscovered. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that Kurt Hessenberg was probably a genius. A must for all lovers of the best in 'neo-classicism.' [JF]
Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Concert Music for Strings and Brass Op. 50 Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber
The triumph of this, the fifth instalment in the Chandos survey of Hindemith's orchestral music, is the Violin Concerto, which is performed with tremendous panache by the Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos.
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1996) Cello Concerto (1975) * Benedic Domino (1952) ** Triade (1970s) *** Quintet (1961) ****
A worthy mixed genre Holmboe collection of largely analogue originals from 1975, 1977 and 1979 in superb sound
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1996) Recorder Concerto (1974) Flute Concerto No. 1 (1976) Flute Concerto No. 2 (1982)
The star here is the thoroughly grown up Recorder Concerto but the Flute Concertos have powers to charm and shiver.
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1996) Concerto No. 11 for trumpet and orchestra (1948) Concerto No. 12 for trombone and orchestra (1950) Tuba Concerto (1976) Intermezzo Concertante for tuba and orchestra (1987)
The Trumpet Concerto is the instant draw in this fine collection.
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1996) Four Symphonic Metamorphoses Epitaph (1954) Monolith (1960) Epilog (1962) Tempo Variabile (1972)
Aalborg SO/Owain Arwel Hughes rec May, Dec 1996, Aalborg, DDD
These Metamorphoses require persistence and even when as well performed and recorded as they are here they would not be the first place to begin to sift through the Holmboe lists.
Bill HOPKINS (1943- 1981) Complete Piano Music
Bill Hopkins' music is beautiful, fascinating and important and should now become more widely known thanks to this new release.
Joseph JONGEN (1873 - 1953) Symphonie Concertante Op.81 (1926) Marcel DUPRÉ (1886 - 1971) Cortege et Litanie Op.19 No.2 (1921) Concerto in E minor Op.31 (1928)
Ingolstadt Philharmonic/Alfredo Ibarra Recorded: Ingolstadt Munster, August 1997Excellent performances of magnificent pieces in a very warm and natural recorded sound
Josquin Des PREZ (c.1455-1521) Missa Fortuna Desperata;
The contribution The Clerks Group are making to our understanding of early Flemish polyphony is very significant. This CD is all about the chanson 'Fortuna Desperata', as every work with the exception of the wonderful 'Adieu mes amores' is based on it.
Gideon KLEIN, Pavel HAAS, Rudolf KAREL, Stepan LUCKY Chamber Compositions: Rudolf Karel (1880-1945) Nonet op 43 Stepan Lucky (b 1919) Divertimento for Wind Quintet Pavel Haas (1899-1944) Wind Quintet op 10 Gideon Klein (1919-1945) Divertimento
The performances here are all deeply impressive. The Academia Wind Quintet Prague, in particular, is an outstanding group whose expressive, technical and stylistic qualities lend distinction to the music and to this disc.
Hermann D. KOPPEL (1908-1998) Symphony No. 6, Op. 63 Sinfonia breve (1957) Symphony No. 7, Op. 70 (1960 - 61) Concerto for Orchestra, Op. 101 (1977 - 78)
It is very strange that these works have not been widely performed, even in the composer's home country, and it is to be hoped that they will achieve more popularity from these recordings [JP]
Koppel's translucent writing blends with Stravinskian exhilaration.[RB].Herman D KOPPEL (1908-1998) Live Historical recordings Herman D Koppel, piano (except items 2 and 3) KOPPEL Piano Concerto No 3 op 45 Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Erik Tuxen KOPPEL Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra op 43 Else Marie Bruun violin Julius Koppel viola Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Mogens Woldike KOPPEL Clarinet Concerto op 35 Louis Cahuzac clarinet Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Erik Tuxen JOLIVET Concerto for piano and Orchestra Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Erik Tuxen STRAVINSKY Concerto for Pianoforte and Wind Instruments Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Thomas Jensen BARTÓK Piano Concerto No 1 Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Nicolai Malko
With conductors such as Tuxen, Woldike, Jensen and Malko and the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra in excellent form throughout, these recordings reflect the dual legacy of a most intriguing musician
Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) Lenaustemninger (1917) I Blomstringstiden (1917) Septet (1915) String Quartet in A flat major (1918) Humoresque (1922-23)
A lovely disc with a time bomb in the shape of the Humoresque.
Joseph LANNER (1801-43) Neue Wiener Ländler, op.1, Dornbacher Ländler, op.9, Trennungswalzer, op.19, Badner Ringln, op.64, Pesther Walzer, op.93, Die Werber, op.103, Die Kosenden, op.128, Hofballtänze, op.161*, Steyrische Tänze, op.165*, Die Romantiker, op.167, Abend-Sterne, op.180, Die Schönbrunner, op.200*
The recordings are rather close but have plenty of brilliance, so this is the ideal opportunity to hear Lanner as a change from Strauss.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Saga Symphony (1941)
Surely the definitive recording of one of the strangest of symphonies from the 1940s - allied to no school or calling - sui generis.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Geysir (1961) [9.46] Trilogia Piccola (1920-24) [11.50] Trois peintures abstraites (1955) [5.52] Icelandic Folk Dances (1929-31) [12.25] Overture to Loftur (1927) [7.33] Consolation - Intermezzo for string orchestra (1968) [6.20]
This is highly recommendable in its own right but also as a Leifs taster for the wee timorous ones - as are most of us when exploring this far afield.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Iceland Overture, Requiem, Loftr-Suite, Réminiscence du Nord (1952), Hekla (1961), Elegy (1961)
Extraordinary music of real individuality. Hekla is superbly done.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Organ Concerto (1930) Variazioni Pastorale - Variations on a Theme by Ludwig van Beethoven (1930) Fine II - Farewell to earthly life (1963) Dettifoss (1964)
Typical of BIS that this series offers so many world première recordings. Do try to hear Fine II.
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Les Préludes, Orpheus, Tasso, Festklänge
Frühbeck de Burgos's performances with the excellent Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra is captured in a typically truthful and ambient BIS recording.
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Works for Piano and Orchestra, Volume 2: De profundis, op. 668, S691
Malédiction, op. 452, S452 Fantasia on Hungarian Folk tunes, op. 458, S123 Totentanz, op. 457, S126It is good to hear the interesting early De profundis. Refined piano playing but lacks the last degree of excitement in the more extrovert works.
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Works for Organ, Vol. 1
A recording for the organ specialist rather than casual listening.
Carl LOEWE (1796-1869) Lieder, volume 14:
CPO recording nicely unobtrusive and Kurt Moll in particularly fine voice too. Loewe revealed as a master of his craft, in performances which carry the utmost conviction.
Fernando LOPES-GRAÇA (1906 - 1994) Quartetto de Cordas No. 1 Op.160 (1964) Catorze Anotações Op.170 (1966) Suite Rústica No.2 Op.166 (1965)
The celebrated Tatrai Quartet prove deeply sympathetic and play these unfamiliar, though very attractive, works with conviction and commitment.
Fernando LOPES-GRAÇA (1906 - 1994) Três Sonetos de Camões Op.27 (1939) Aquela Triste e Leda Madrugada Op.112 (1959) Seis Sonetos de Camões Op.215 Dez Novos Sonetos de Camões Op.231 (1984)
Really well worth having, even if you are far from fluent in Portuguese this communicates strongly through wholeheartedness and sincerity.
Fernando LOPES-GRACA (1906 - 1994) Quartetto de Arcos No.2 (1982) Canto de Amor e de Morte (1961) (a) Quartetto de cordas da Oficina Musical de Porto - Olga Prats, piano
Lopes-Graça's music radiates a deeply-felt humanity expressed with humility and sincerity in quite convincing musical terms.
Christian LUMBYE (1810-1874) Complete Orchestral Works Vol.5
Those who enjoy the atmosphere of the Vienna New Year's Day broadcasts will enjoy this volume.
THE BEST OF Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Symphonic Variations, Overture for Strings; Little Suite, Piosenka (Song), Concerto for Orchestra Movements 1 and 2, Funeral Music (Epilogue) , Jeux Venetiens (parts 3 and 4), Cello Concerto (Cantilena and Finale), Paganini Variations (complete), Chain II Movement 3, Piano Concerto Movement 4.
It is good to have performances of Lutoslawski played by Polish musicians who obviously know and regard this music very highly. It is a useful introduction to the composer but like all compilations leaves you feeling just a little frustrated.
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]
Classical Editor: Rob Barnett, Reviewers: Rob Barnett, Ian Lace, Len Mullenger, and: Richard Adams, Colin Anderson, Arthur Baker, Grace Barber, Terry Barfoot, Peter Bates, Marc Bridle, Arthur Butterworth, Frank Cadenhead, Colin Clarke, Paul Conway, Jim Cooke, Gary Dalkin, Andy Daly, Tony Duggan, Harry Downey, Christopher Fifield, Lewis Foreman, Simon Foster, John France, Julian Hellaby, Christopher Howell, Simon Jenner, Stephen Lloyd, Kirk McElhearn, Gwyn Parry-Jones, John Phillips, John Quinn, Ailís Ní Ríain, Humphrey Smith, Philip Scowcroft, Adrian Smith, Colin Scott-Sutherland, Andrew Seivewright, Paul Serotsky, Christopher Thomas, Richard Walker, Richard Whitehouse, Jonathan Woolf, Peter Grahame Woolf, David Wright. A complete list of contributors can be seen here
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