"Almost a Song" la guitare
contemporaine - Hans
Werner HENZE (b.1926) Drei Tentos (1958) Leo
BROUWER (b.1939) Preludios Epigrammaticos (1981) Olivier
CHASSAIN (b.1957) Étoiles Toru
TAKEMITSU (1936-1996) All in Twilight Georges
DELERUE (1926-1992) Graphic Stephen
DODGSON (b.1924) Fantasy Divisions Antonio
RUIZ-PIPÓ Otoñales (1994) Edith
LEJET Almost a Song
Olivier Chassain (guitar) Pierre-Henri Xuereb (viola) Recorded at Studio
Corydalis, Limoges, France, 1997 DDD
METRONOME MET CD 1021 [69:00] [CT]
A
thoughtfully prepared disc in both performance and repertoire. Chassain
is clearly a fine advocate of music that he plays with commitment and
passion. … see Full Review
THE
GREAT LARRY ADLER Original
recordings Vol. 1 (1934-1947)
NAXOS NOSTALGIA
8.120608 [62’ 32"]
Rags
to Ravel, Debussy to De Falla, Kern to Kreisler, all played with total
artistry … see Full Review
AMERICAN
ANTHEM
Denyce Graves, soprano Compliation
RCA RED SEAL 63888 [60.04] [KM]
This
is the stuff of school bands, the CD for you if you need to have a disc
of American hymns to play at the next Tupperware party or NRA meeting.
… see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Music
around the Baltic Sea Vol
1 Heino Eller (1887-1970)
Five Pieces for String Orchestra Carl
Nielsen(1865-1931) Little Suite Op. 1 Jean
Sibelius (1865-1957) Suite Champêtre Ture
Rangstöm (1884-1947) Divertimento Elegiaco
Camerata Roman - Jan Stigmer, leader Recorded at Påskallavik Church
on January 1993
INTIM MUSIK IMCD 021 [54.51] [JF]
This
is a great CD. At least three minor masterpieces from Carl Nielsen and
two lesser-known composers. Beautifully played it is a true introduction
to Baltic music. Great sound too. … see Full Review
ELIZABETHAN
LUTE MUSIC FROM ROBERT DOWLANDS VARIETIE OF LUTE
LESSONS 1. Daniel Bachelar Monsieurs Almain
2. Laurencini Fantasie 3. Robert Dowland Volt
4. Anon. The first of the Queens Maskes 5. Anon. The
second of the Queens Maskes 6. Anon. The last of the
Queens Maskes 7. Anon. The Witches Dance in the Queens
Maske 8. Gregorio Huwet Fantasy 9. Daniel Bachelar Pavin
10. John Dowland Ferdinando Earl of Darby, his Galliard
11. John Dowland Fantasie 12. John Dowland The
most sacred Queene Elisabeth, her Galliard 13. John Dowland Sir
John Smith, his Almain 14. - Monsieur Ballard, his
Coranto 15 Alfonso Ferrabosco Pavin 16. John Perrichon Coranto
17. Anon. Volt 18. Jacobus Reis Fantasie
19. Robert Dowland The Lady Cliftons spirit 20. Robert
Dowland Sir Thomas Monson, his Pavin 21. Robert Dowland Sir
Thomas Monson, his Galliard
David Parsons - Lute Recordings made in the Chapel of Guys Hospital,
London in January 1999
METRONOME MET CD 1050 [5713"] [PW]
Unfortunate
that the performances on this disc do not meet the same levels of refinement
and elegance that the music sets out to attain. ...see Full
Review
BARBIROLLI -
ENGLISH MUSIC ALBUM Arnold BAX
(1883-1953) The
Garden of Fand (1913) George BUTTERWORTH
(1885-1916) A Shropshire Lad (1913) John
IRELAND (1879-1962) The Forgotten Rite; Mai-Dun;
These Things Shall Be Ralph VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on Greensleeves Fantasia
on a Theme of Thomas Tallis Edward ELGAR
(1856-1934) Enigma Variations (1899) Bavarian Dance No.
2 - Lullaby arr John BARBIROLLI
An Elizabethan Suite Suite for Strings by Henry Purcell Parry
Jones (ten); Hallé Choir (in These Things Shall Be)
Hallé Orchestra/John Barbirolli ADD and mono except for the Bax
and Butterworth. DUTTON
- THE BARBIROLLI SOCIETY CDSJB 1022 [139.44] [RB]
There
are some extraordinary things in this collection; indeed the first CD
is outstanding and should be in the collection of any British music
enthusiast. ... see Full Review
BAROQUE
INDIENANON
Puntete (Chant Populiare Guaray) ;ANON
Regina Coeli ; ZIPOLI (1688-1728)
Ave Maris Stella and Beatus Vir by ;Johann
BRENTNER (1689-1742) Cantemus Domino Jose
VALAZQUEZ (fl.c.1750) Nino Mio; Jose
de CAMPDERROS (c.1750-1802) Mass Extracts ; HANDEL
Organ Concerto In F Major; J.S.
BACH Sinfonia Douverture De La Cantata
Chorus and Orchestra Juvinil de Urubicha & Ensemble Instrumental
et vocal du Festival International de Sarrebourg conducted by Rubein
Dario Suarez-Arana and Juan-Franck Anselme and Jean Claude Malgoire.
Organ solo Francis Chapelet Recorded at the Cathedral du Sucre Bolivia,
April 1998 and at the church of Saint-Barthelémy Sarrebourg,
Brussels in May 1999
K 617 101 [79.12] [GH]
The
performances are fresh lively and full of character. The Mass extracts
are quite delightful. see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
LE
BELLE IMMAGINI W.A.
MOZART (1756-1791)
From
La Clemenza di Tito (1791) "Parto, ma tu, ben mio" [5:59]
"Deh, per questo istante solo" [6:38] From Le Nozze di
Figaro (1786) "Voi che sapete" From Lucio Silla (1772)
"Il tenero momento" From Idomeneo (1781) "Il
Padre adorato" From La Finta Giardinera (1774) "Va’pure
ad altri in braccio" Christoph Willibald
GLUCK (1714-1787) From Paride ed Elena (1770) "Le
belle immagini" "O del mio dolce ardor bramato oggeto!"
From La Clemenza di Tito (1752) "Se sento spirato sul volto"
Josef MYSLIVEČEK (1737 - 1781)
From Abramo ed Isacco (1776) "Deh, parlate" From
Antigona (1773) "Sarò qual è il torrente"
From L’Olimpiade (1778) "Che non mi disse un di!" "Più
non so trovano" Magdalena
Kožená, mezzo-soprano Prague Philharmonia/Michel Swierczewski
Rec Prague, Rudolfinum, Dvorak Hall, 9/2001
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 334-2 [68:18] [AT]
Essentially
a very musical disc, with a thoughtful selection of music, by three
composers intimately connected with Kožená’s Prague and Bohemia.
Kožená has a strong, expressive voice that has a pleasant tone
and a beautiful range of dynamics and an excellent facility for getting
between them. … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
CABARET
SONGS
BOLCOM
William (b. 1938)
Cabaret Songs: Over the piano, Fur (Murray the Furrier), He tipped
the waiter, Waitin, Song of Black Max, Amor, Places to live, Toothbrush
time, Surprise! The Actor, Oh Close the Curtain, George
WEILL Kurt (1900-1950) Nanna’s Lied, Youkali, Complainte
de la Seine, Je ne t’aime pas HOLLÄNDER
Friedrich (1896-1976) Lass mich einmal deine Carmen sein,
Nimm dich in acht vor blonden Frau’n, Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss auf
Liebe eingestellt, Die Kleptomanin BRITTEN
Benjamin (1913-1976) Carbaret Songs: Tell me the truth
about love, Funeral Blues, Johnny, Calypso
Malena Ernman (mezzo-soprano), Bengt-Åke Lundin (pianoforte) Recorded
October/November 2000, Danderyds Gymnasium, Sweden
BIS CD-1154 [75’ 20"] [CH]
In
this repertoire at least, Ernman is an absolutely super singer. … see
Full Review
CELEBRATION - FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF THE CELLIST,
JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER - Works for
Cello and Orchestra -
CD1 Joaquín RODRIGO Concierto
como un Divertimento - Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
Bachoianas Brasileiras No. 5 - aria - Edouard
LALO Cello Concerto - David POPPER
Gavotte No. 2 - Camille SAINT-SAËNS
Softly Awakes My Heart - Gabriel
FAURÉ Elégie - Manuel
de FALLA Ritual Fire Dance - CD2 - Frederick
DELIUS Cello Concerto - Frederick
DELIUS Serenade from Hassan - Gustav
HOLST Invocation - Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIANS Fantasia on Sussex Folk Tunes
- J S BACH Arioso - Frank
BRIDGE Scherzetto - Joseph
CANTELOUBE Baïlero - Max
BRUCH Kol Nidrei
Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) - LPO/Jesus Lopez-Cobos (Rodrigo; Lalo)
Philharmonia/Vernon Handley (Delius Concerto, RVW, Holst) - National
PO/Charles Gerhardt (the rest)
BMG 74321 84112 2 [CD1 73.09; CD2 75.52] [RB]
A
master cellist as adept, sensitive and enthusiastic about the étincellante
and operatic as about the quiet singer. Recommended. … see Full
Review
GREAT
CELLISTS - CASALS Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Cello Sonata No. 1 in F major,
Op.5, No.1 - Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5, No.2 - Cello Sonata
No.3 in A major, Op.69 - Cello Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op.102, No.1
- Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No.2 - Minuet in G major -
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Cello Sonata
No. 2 in F major, Op.99 - Pablo Casals (cello), Mieczyslaw Horszowski
(piano-Brahms, Beethoven Cello Sonatas 1,2, 4 & 5,), Otto Schulhof
(piano-Beethoven Cello Sonata No.3, Minuet) - Recorded in Paris, June
1939 (Beethoven Nos.1, 2 & 5), EMI Abbey Road Studio No.3, London,
November 1936 (Beethoven No.4, Brahms), Queen’s Hall Small Studio C,
London, March 1930 (Beethoven No. 3, Minuet)
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110949-50 [2 discs, 67.39, 67.14] Mono ADD [TH]
A
marvellous reissue, and a worthy follow-up to Naxos’s excellent re-mastering
of Casals’s legendary Bach Cello Suites. … see Full
Review
ELEVAZIONE
– THE MAGIC OF THE OBOE -
Tomaso ALBINONI
(1671-1751) - Concerto in d minor for oboe and strings, op.9 no.2 -
J.S.BACH (1685-1750) - Adagio in
F (Sinfonia from Cantata no.156) arr.Leslie Pearson - Alessandro
MARCELLO (1684-1739) - Concerto in c minor for oboe and strings
- Domenico ZIPOLO (1688-1726) -
Elevazione, for solo oboe, cello, strings and organ. arr. Victoria Hunt
- Domenico CIMAROSA (1749-1801)
- Concerto for oboe and strings, arr. Arthur
BENJAMIN - J.S.BACH
– Adagio
(Sinfonia from Easter Oratorio) - Tomaso ALBINONI
– Concerto
in D major for oboe and strings
Gordon Hunt, oboe/conductor, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra - Recorded
at the Louis de Geer Concert Hall, Norrköping, Sweden, April 2001
BIS Northern Lights
BIS-NL-CD-5017 [58:37] [GPJ]
A
great artistic success, but your response may depend on whether Hunt’s
noisy key-work is acceptable to you. … see Full
Review
Enrico
CARUSO (1873-1921)
CARUSO 2001
- Tenor of the Century Italian
Songs:-
Vienna Radio SO/Gottfried Rabl rec: orig 78s rec 1908-1921; orch tracks
Jan 2001 BMG CLASSICS
74321 82569 2 [59.14] [RB]
Open-minded
Carusophiles will want this latest of example of vocal platinum reanimation.
They are unlikely to be disappointed. … see Full
Review
CHRISTMAS
IN NEW ENGLAND
The Paul Madore Chorale Chamber Orchestra/Paul Madore Recorded Methuen
Memorial Music Hall; St Anne’s Church, Salem; St Mary’s Church, Danvers,
MA, USA ?1996 ZC RECORDS
7001 [72.51] [JW]
A
souvenir for admirers of the Chorale then and only that. … see Full
Review
DOMINGO
- THE VERDI TENOR Arias
from: Rigoletto, Aida, Il Trovatore, Un ballo in maschera, Alzira,
Ernani, Luisa Miller, Otello, I due foscari, Macbeth, Don Carlos, La
Traviata Conductors:
Giulini, Abbado, Gergiev, Maazel, Chung, Kleiber Recorded at various
venues between 1976-2000
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 478-2 [59’33"] [CF]
Domingo
is a wonderful actor as well as singer, bringing an intense musicality
and intelligence to his performances, and this is clear throughout this
compilation disc … see Full Review
AN ENGLISH CHORISTER’S SONGBOOK -
Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918): I was glad* - William
Byrd (1543-1623): Sing joyfully - Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847):
Hear my prayer* - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Jesu, joy of man’s
desiring* - Sir William Walton (1902-1983): Set me as a seal upon thy
heart - Thomas Weelkes (ca 1574-1623):O Lord, grant the King a long
life - Thomas Tallis (1505-1585): If ye love me - Richard Shepherd (b
1949): And when the builders* - Sir Charles Stanford (1852-1924): Beati
quorum via - Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941): Psalm 121 - Herbert Howells
(1892-1983): Like as the hart* - Thomas Tallis: Salvator mundi - Peter
Phillips (1560-1630): O crux splendidor - Sir Hubert Parry: My soul,
there is a country - Claudio Monteverdi: (1567-1643): Beatus vir - Sir
William Harris (1883-1947): Bring us O Lord God
Salisbury Cathedral Choir directed by Richard Seal. *With David Hall
/ Thomas Blunt (organ) - Recorded in Salisbury Cathedral, 6 – 8 March
1996 METRONOME MET
CD 1016 [74.00] [JQ]
anyone
wanting this precise programme or a memento of how the Salisbury choir
sounded in 1996 will find the recital generally enjoyable. … see Full
Review
FINNISH
HYMNS 21
Finnish hymns:- 1.
Ein’ feste Burg - 2. Jesus at the seat of Grace - 3. Only a moment in
time - 4. Alleluia, sing to Jesus - 5. When will the morning star 6.
From Gethsemane there is a path - 7. This is the great day - 8. Clasp
me, O Holy Spirit - 9. Veni, creator spiritus - 10. Moon and son - 11.
Nearer my God to thee - 12. The earth is the Lord’s - 13. May the hymn
of honour now resound - 14. Hear, O heavenly father - 15. Hear whom
the master calls blessed - 16. Who passes on the road - 17 Go Zion,
to meet your king - 18. The blessed day - 19. Abide with me - 20. Now
the world is in bloom - 21. Bless and keep us, Lord
Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä - Recorded August 2001,
at the Church of the Cross, Lahti, Finland
BIS-CD-1149 [76:29] [GPJ]
An
issue, then, principally for the Finnish market, but well worth hearing,
and enjoyable, if untaxing, to listen to. … see Full
Review
HAMMERED
BRASS. Petr
EBEN Quintet (Variations on a chorale)
Luciano BERIO Call Robert
CRAWFORD Hammered Brass Iannis
XENAKIS Khal Perr
Steve MARTLAND Full
fathom five The Wallace
Collection Rec 2001? (DDD)
LINN RECORDS CKD 162 [55.56] [DW]
Crawford
- a lament for the dying craft of metalwork. Berio splendid. Eben's
Quintet is immediate, likeable and comfortable. Performances first rate.
… see Full Review
GREAT CONDUCTORS: KOUSSEVITZKY
-
Modest MUSSORGSKY
(orch. Ravel) Pictures at an
Exhibition [29.51] Maurice RAVEL Rapsodie
espagnole [16.13] Ma Mère I’Oye [16.23] Boléro
[13.41] Boston Symphony Orchestra
Serge Koussevitzky - Recorded in Symphony Hall, Boston, October, 1930
(Pictures); April, 1945 (Rapsodie); October, 1947 (Ma
Mère I’Oye) and Tanglewood Music Shed, Lenox, Massachusetts,
August, 1947 (Bolero) Mono
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110154
[76:08] [TH]
A
classic disc transferred with loving care and craftsmanship. Anyone
who cares remotely about great orchestral playing need not hesitate.
… see Full Review
LEGEND
- Late Romantic Danish Works for double bass and
piano Ludvig
Hegner
(1851-1923) Legende
Op.5 (1896), Nocturne Op.6, Trois Morceaux, Fantasi, Elegie,
Mazurka de concert, Romance Franz Neruda
(1843-1915) Berceuse Slave (1881) Louis
Glass (1864-1936) Nocturne Op.33 (1902)
Per Dalsgaard Knudsen: double bass Karsten Munk: piano
Recorded Musikhuset Sonderborg, Denmark, June/August 2001.
DANACORD DACOCD 593 [65.03] [JF]
A
brave issue. Not everyone’s cup o' tea however double bass players and
enthusiasts will find much here to enjoy even if the music is a touch
Florien’s. Puts the double bass on the map as an expressive and even
warmly romantic instrument. Recommended as a rarity. … see Full
Review
Lorne MUNROE - Principal
Cello (1964-1996) NewYork Philharmonic Orchestra New
York Legends Series -
Samuel BARBER (1910-81) Cello Sonata
(1932) [18.55] - Marcel DICK (1898-1991)
Four Elegies and an Epilogue for Solo Cello (1949) [6.56]
- Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Cello
Sonatina (1937) [11.01] - John DOWNEY
(b. 1927) Lydian Suite for solo cello (1976) [14.50] - Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1946) Cello Sonata No. 2 (1843) [27.30]
Lorne Munroe (cello)
- Jonathan Feldman (piano) - rec 11, 12, 15 Sept 1996, Concordia College,
Bronxville, New York
CALA CACD0517 [79.24] [RB]
Mature
and flowing playing distinguish this disc which is at its best in the
Barber, Benjamin and Dick works.
… see Full Review
Musica
Vitae Hilding
Rosenberg
(1892-1988) The Congress Overture Jean
Sibelius (1865-1957) Rakastava Suite Op.14 Wilhelm
Stenhammar (1871-1927) Chitra Suite Op.43 Edvard
Grieg (1843-1907) String Quartet in G minor (arranged
for string orchestra by Thomas Liljeholm) Op.27
Musica Vitae conducted by Michael Bartosch Recorded at Hemmesjo
Church 14th –16th May 2001
INTIM MUSIC IMCD 076 [70.17] [JF]
This
is a fine CD full of gems. The Sibelius is beautiful music for lovers,
the Rosenberg is enlightening and the arrangement of the Grieg String
Quartet for string orchestra is well worth the price of this CD alone.
A revelation. … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH NIGHT SONGS FAURE,
DEBUSSY, MARX, STRAUSS RACHMANINOV
Renée
Fleming, soprano Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano Rec The Hit Factory, New
York 16-20 November 2000, 13-14 January 2001
DECCA 467 697-2 [73.01] [AT]
The
performances are gorgeous, the two musicians in complete sympathy with
each other and the music, alternately soaring convincingly and whispering
tenderly. Gorgeous.[AT]
BUT
A
sameness of approach that I found increasingly worrying and wearying.
Seldom less than technical finesse but equally seldom more than the
mere elucidation of text and music and sometimes not even that.[JW]
… see Full Review
Orgue
Historique de Tlacochahuaya 1.
Antonio de Cabezon, Juan Bermudo, .Francisco Andreu,
Sebastian Aguilera de Heredia, Francisco Correa de Arauxo, Pablo
Bruna, Juan Cabanilles, Pablo Bruna, Juan Cabanilles
Dominique Ferran - Organ
Recordings made on the historic organ of the Convent of San Jerónimo
at Tlacochahuaya (Province of Oaxaca, Mexico) 18-20 October 1994
K 617 - K617049 [6647] [PW]
Ferran
shows off the distinctive character of the remarkable little organ on
which he is playing. ...see Full Review
O’stravaganza Fantasy
on Vivaldi and the Celtic music of Ireland O’stravaganza
- Damhsaigh - Berçeuse de Gráinne pour Diarmait - Estro-Reel
- Il Sonno - Ceol cuàine - Il Duello - A Cláirseach -
Jig della Inquietudine - Eirin sonata - Bunch of rushes - Am cain -
Mister Bethag and the Princess - La Ciacconna rossa - Recorded in
Italy in April 2001
VIRGIN CLASSICS VC 545494-2 [58’19"] [CF]
It’s
not quite a case of the Red Priest appearing in Riverdance but somewhere
along those lines. … see Full Review
Un
Panorama De La Musique Symphonique Française -
ORCHESTRE DES CONCERTS LAMOUREUX/ALBERT WOLFF
(1884-1970) Méhul; Berlioz; Lalo; Saint-Saëns; Charpentier;
Roussel; Dupont; D'Indy; Franck; Rameau; Chabrier; Debussy; Rabaud;
Dukas; Schmitt; Laparra; Ravel - CD1 Etienne MEHUL
(1763-1817) Le
Jeune Henri - overture - Hector BERLIOZ
(1803-1869) Menuet des Follets - Danse des Sylphes - Edouard
LALO (1823-1892) - Namouna Suite I (5 movements) -
Rapsodie Norvégienne - Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) - Le Rouet d'Omphale - Gustave
CHARPENTIER (1860-1956) - Impressions d'Italie (extracts):
A mules; Napoli - CD2 Albert
ROUSSEL (1869-1937) - Symphony No. 3 - Gabriel
DUPONT (1878-1914) - La Farce du Cuvier - Vincent
D'INDY (1851-1931) Fervaal - Prelude Act I - Symphonie
sur un chant Montagnard Français (Jeanne-Marie Darré
- piano) - César FRANCK (1822-1890)
- Psyché (Le Sommeil de Psyché; Psyché
enlevée par les Zéphirs; Psyché et Eros)
- CD3 Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764)
- Castor et Pollux (four movements) - Emmanuel
CHABRIER (1841-1894) - Joyeuse Marche - España
- Bourrée Fantasque - Habanera - Gwendoline - overture
- Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Nuages;
Fêtes. Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un Faune
(Jean Boulze - flute) - Henri RABAUD
(1873-1943) - La Procession Nocturne - CD4 Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) L'Apprenti Sorcier - Florent
SCHMITT (1870-1958) Rapsodie Viennoise - Raoul
LAPARRA (1876-1943) La Habanera - prelude - Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Rapsodie espagnole - Menuet antique
- Ma Mere l'Oye (Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant;
Petit Poucet; Laideronette; Les entretiens de la Belle
et de la Bête; Le jardin féérique) La
Valse - Polydor recordings made 1929-1933 - ADD mono
TIMPANI 4C4024 [77.41; 75.30; 73.37; 75.06] [RB]
A lovingly
assembled and presented historical set. For dedicated collectors with
interests in Ravel, Debussy, the Lamoureux, Wolff, the Parisian scene.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH POPES
AND ANTIPOPES. MUSIC FOR THE COURTS OF AVIGNON
AND ROME Anon
Gloria,
Clemens deus artifex tota clentia Pictagore per dogmata/O terra sancta/Rosa
vernans Mayhuet de JOAN Inclite
flos orti Gebenesis EGIDIUS Courtois
et sages Philipoctus de CASERTA Par
les bons Gedeon Johannes CICONIA O
Petre, Christi discipule Bartolomeus
de BONONIA Arte psalentes VELUT
Benedicta viscera/Ave mater gratie/Ora pro nobis Johannes
CICONA Gloria Suscipe Trinitas TAPISSIER
Eya dulcis/Vale placens Antonio
de CIVITATE Clarus ortu/Gloriosa mater Nicolaus
ZACHARIE Gia per gran nobelta Johannes
BRASSART Te dignitas presularis Guillaume
DUFAY Balsamus et munda cera Supremum est Ecclesie
militantis Orlando
Consort Recorded for BBC Radio. First broadcast 11 and 18 September
1994. Released by arrangement with BBC Worldwide Ltd.
METRONOME MET CD 1008 [70.50] [JW]
There
were times listening to this deeply impressive recording when I wondered
whether the Orlando Consort were not, after all, the greatest ensemble
of its kind anywhere. Its that kind of disc....see
Full Review
BBC Legends: Sviatoslav Richter -
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Sonata
No. 37 in E major, Hob.XVI:22 - Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in F major, Opus 15 No. 1 - Nocturne
in E minor, Opus 72 No. 1 - Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Opus 22 - Eroica Variations,
Opus 35 - Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Symphonic Etudes, Opus 13 - Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) 12 Preludes (from Opus 23 & Opus 32)
Sviatoslav Richter - Rec 16 June 1967, Snape Maltings (Haydn, Chopin
Opus 72), 20 October 1968, Royal Festival Hall (Chopin Opus 15, Beethoven,
Schumann), 8 October 1969, Free Trade Hall, Manchester (Rachmaninov)
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4090-2
[2CDs: 68.50+75.01] [TB]
Richter
provides the benchmark by which all others are judged. … see Full
Review
PASCALE
ROUET - ORGAN DANSES À LORGUE 1.
Bernado Storace Balleto 240"
2. Giovanni Picchi Ballo
alla Polaccha 210" 3. Ballo hongaro 226"
4. Ballo todescha 120" 5. Passe
e mezzo 405" 6. Bernado
Storace Folia 437" 7.
Anon. Estampie 628"
8. Bernado Storace Chaconne 712"
9. Anon. Intabulata Nova
(9 danses) 808" 10. Bernado
Storace Passacaille 1223"
11. Pierre Attaignant 6 Danses 721"
12. Bernado Storace Spagnoletta 430"
13. Béla Bartók Danse
ruthène & 5 danses populaire Roumaines 614"
Pascale Rouet Recordings
made on the Christophe Moucherel organ (1725 - rebuilt by Barthelémy
Formentelli 1991) in the church of the Abbey of Our Lady of Mouzon on
2 & 3 July 1990
PAVANE ADW 7415 [7038"] [PW]
Bernado
Storace: Unjustly neglected, wonderfully invigorating music that places
Storace firmly at the beginnings of the Italian baroque. see Full
Review
RUBINSTEIN
ADAGIOS - Romantic Reveries for
piano and orchestra
from Piano Concertos by MOZART
(No. 21 - andante); GRIEG
(adagio); TCHAIKOVSKY (No.
1 andantino semplice); RACHMANINOV
(No. 2 adagio sostenuto); CHOPIN
(No. 2 - larghetto); BEETHOVEN
(No. 5 adagio un poco mosso); SCHUMANN
andantino grazioso; CHOPIN
(No. 1) Romance RACHMANINOV
Paganini Rhapsody variation 18; CHOPIN
Andante spianato
Arthur Rubinstein (piano) RCA Victor SO; Boston SO; Philadelphia; Chicago
SO; Symphony of the Air; New SO of London conductors: Wallenstein; Leinsdorf;
Ormandy; Reiner; Giulini; Skrowaczewski. Rec 1956-72
BMG - RCA VICTOR 09026 63904 2 [71.27] [RB]
Too
much of a good thing for most of us but as a soporific or as a soft-edged
introduction to the piano concerto it more than passes muster and Rubinstein
is apt to this mood. … see Full Review
The romance of Flute and
Harp Adolphe HASSELMANS
(1845-1912) La
Source Op 44 - Feuilles d’automne Benjamin
GODARD (1849-1895) Allegretto Op 116 - Felix
GODEFROID (1818-1897) Etude de Concert in E Flat minor Gabriel
FAURE (1845-1924) Berceuse op 16 Impromptu op 86 Franz
DOPPLER (1821-1883) Mazurka Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Spring Song - arr Anon John
THOMAS (1826-1913) Bugeilior Gwenith Gwyn (Watching the wheat)
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Le Cygne - arr Anon Georges BIZET (1838-1875)
Intermezzo - arr Anon Elias PARISH-ALVARS
(1808-1849) Serenade Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Syrinx Clair de lune
Philippa Davies. Flute
Thelma Owen, harp - Recorded Haberdasher’s Aske’s School, Elstree; no
date provided REGIS
RRC 1085 [59.19] [JW]
A
delightfully evocative programme - tender and sun-flecked … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Song
Compilation: s’amuse…auf deutsch
Franz LEHAR (1870-1948) I’ll
sing you my song, Come to me for tea, Kiss me, my darling Oscar
STRAUSS (1870 –1954) I am a woman who knows what she wants,
Ninon, Every woman has a secret longing, Why shouldn’t a woman have
an affair Wilhelm GROSZ (1894-1939)
Telephone Order Carl LOEWE
(1796-1869) The mother at the cradle, The tooth Adolf
JENSEN
(1837-1879)
Murmuring breeze Peter CORNELIUS (1824-1874)
Come together we’ll walk, A sound Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) An encounter, In the forest Johannes
BRAHMS ((1833-1897) Down there in the valley; O mother,
I want to have a thingy Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Who made up this little song, In praise of high intellect Hugo
WOLF (1860-1903) How to express joy, A girl’s first love
song, A summer cradle song Engelbert HUMPERDINCK
(1854-1921) When at night I go to sleep Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Warning Franz
VON VECSEY (1893-1935) Do you never think? Edmund
NICK (1891-1974) The coy shepherdess
Felicity Lott (soprano) with Graham Johnson (piano) (Recorded at
Rosslyn Hill Chapel, London March 1999)
FORLANE UCD16811 [67:59] [IL]
A
total delight. Dame Felicity Lott clearly enjoys these wonderful songs,
songs that are often very cheeky and sometimes romantic and sentimental.
… see Full Review
REFLECTIONS OF SPAIN Spanish
Favourites for Guitar : Joaquin MALATS
Serenata Espanola Francisco TÁRREGA
Capricho Arabe, Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Enrique GRANADOS Andaluza (Spanish Dance No.5), Danza
melancolica (Spanish Dance No.10), La Maja de Goya (from Tonadillas
al estilo antiguo), Valse poeticos Isaac
ALBÉNIZ Sevilla (from Op.47),Mallorca (Op.202),Asturias
(from Op.47) Antonio RUIZ-PIPO
Cancion y Danza No.1 David
Russell – Guitar TELARC
CD-80576 [68:15] [AD]
Interpretations
tasteful and considered - executed with absolute ease and with a beautifully
strong tone. The recorded sound is of highest quality with an ambience
that suits the music well. … see Full Review
SPANNING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
-
Dinos CONSTANTINIDES (b.1929) The
Oracle at Delphi (1994) - Gian Carlo MENOTTI
(b.1911) Clarinet Trio (1996) - Max
BRUCH (1836-1920) Two Pieces Op. 83 Nos 8 and 4 (1909)
- Jon DEAK (b.1943) Lad, A Dog:
The Trio The Verhdehr
Trio: Walter Verdehr (violin); Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr (clarinet); Kathryn
Brown (piano) - recorded with support from Michigan State University
CRYSTAL RECORDS
CD941 [66.49] [RB]
Another
stimulating and challengingly varied collection. … see Full
Review
Compilation:
SPANISH NIGHT
Amadeo
VIVES (1871-1932) Fandango (Dona Francisquita) Pablo
de SARASATE (1844-1908) Gypsy Airs, Concert Fantasy on
"Carmen" Emmanuel CHABRIER
(1841-1894) España Johann
STRAUSS II (1825-1899)
Spanish March Federico Moreno TORROBA
(1891-1982) La Petenara (La Marchenera)
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Capriccio
espagnol José SERRANO (1873-1941)
Romanza José Pablo MONCAYO
(1912-1958) Huapango Pablo LUNA
(1879-1942) Canción española Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) Méditation from Thaïs
Paul LINCKE (1866-1946) Berliner
Luft Sarah Chang (violin)*
and Ana Maria Martinez (soprano)† The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Placido Domingo At the Waldbühne, Berlin July 2001
TDK DVD DVWBSN [c.64.00]
[IL]
Colourful
light entertainment with noteworthy contributions from Chang and Martinez.
Like the curate’s egg, good in parts. … see
Full Review
BOOK
REVIEWS
Guitar
Technique: Intermediate to Advanced
by Hector Quine. Oxford University Press (Ł12.95)
Quine’s
achievement is remarkable. Clearly, precisely and without ambiguity
he explains not only the objectives, but also the pitfalls, of learning
the guitar. … see Full Review
[Part 1 New] [Part
2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]