Adolphe
ADAM (1803-1856)
La
Jolie Fille de Gand, ballet (1842)
Queensland Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Mogrelia - Rec. Ferry Road Studio,
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, March 1996
MARCO POLO 8.223772-73 [CD1 66.45, CD2 69.04] [RW]
The
reading sometimes misses sparkle and energetic vitality though the orchestra
and recording sound well. … see Full
Review
Thomas
Augustine ARNE Eight
Overtures, Harpsichord Concerto No 5, Organ Concertos Nos 4-6 and other
selections Various recordings made in 1953, 1960, 1967, 1969, 1973,
1991 DECCA - BRITISH
MUSIC COLLECTION 470 372-2 [CD1 72’08"+CD2 76’03"]
Something
of a mixed bag. Arne does not withstand close comparison with the work
of a superior technician and melodist such as Boyce. … see Full
Review
Malcolm
ARNOLD (born
1921) Rinaldo
and Armida Op.49 (1954) Little Suite No.2 Op.78 (1962) Homage to the
Queen: Ballet Suite Op.42A (1953) Concerto for Organ and Orchestra Op.47
(1954) Ulrik Spang-Hanssen
(organ); Royal Aarhus Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra; Douglas Bostock
Recorded: Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus and Gellerup Church, Aarhus,
September and November 2001
CLASSICO CLASSCD 424 [64:43] [HC]
No
Arnold fan will want to be without this most welcome release; but, make
no mistake, others will find much to enjoy here. … see Full
Review
Kurt
ATTERBERG
(1887-1974) Symphony
No. 2 in F major (1913) Symphony No. 5 in D minor (1922)
Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt/Ari Rasilainen - recorded March 6-11
2000, Sendesaal des HR
CPO 999 565-2 [75:34] [IL]
Virile,
Late-Romantic music full of colour and excitement given powerful, committed
performances. Another jewel in Rasilainen’s Atterberg symphonies cycle.
… see Full Review
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Transcriptions I -
Partita in A minor BWV 827, Sinfonia no. 1 BWV 787, Italian Concerto
BWV 971, Sinfonia no. 15 BWV 801, French Suite no. 2 BWV 813
Vera Hilger, violin - Norbert Hilger, cello. Rec: September 2000, Taufkapelle
der Peterskirche, Leipzig, Germany.
QUESTAND VKJK 0104 [53.31] [KM]
While
the playing varies, the overall sound is so interesting that one can
overlook the occasional weaknesses. … see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750)
Transcriptions II -
French Overture BWV 831, French Suite no. 5 in G major BWV 816, Partita
no. 2 in C minor BWV 826 - Vera Hilger, violin, viola
Norbert Hilger, cello. Rec: September 2001, Taufkapelle der Peterskirche,
Leipzig, Germany.
QUESTAND VKJK 0206 [72.41] [KM]
Another
interesting recording, which, in spite of its flaws, shines new light
on some of Bach’s finest music. … see Full
Review
J.S.
BACH (1685-1750)
Violin
Concertos BWV 1041 and BWV 1042 - Double Concerto for Two Violins BWV
1043 - Concerto for Violin and Oboe BWV 1060 - Roberto Michelucci, violin
Felix Ayo, violin (BWV
1043) Leo Driehuys, oboe (BWV 1060) I Musici Recorded 1958-1961
PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 456 554-2 [69’56] [JW]
A
pleasing conspectus of I Musici’s evolving approach to Bach playing
at the dawn of the 1960s. … see Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750)
Brandenburg Concertos - Orchestral Suites - Triple Concerto for flute,
violin, harpsichord and strings - CD1 [79.09] Brandenburg Concertos
Nos.1–5 BWV 1046–1050 - CD2 [66.28] Brandenburg Concertos No.6 BWV 1051,
Orchestral Suites Nos.1–2 BWV 1066–7 - CD3 [68.42] Orchestral Suite
Nos. 3-4 BWV 1068-9, Triple Concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord
and strings BWV 1044 Münchner
Bach Orchester, Karl Richter - Rec: 1961 (BWV 1066-9), 1968 (BWV 1046-51),
1981 (BWV 1044) ARCHIV
463 657-2 [214.09] [KM]
A
bit too German, and not French enough for my taste, but these performances
are full of deep spirit and thought. … see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) A Bach Album
His Majestys Consort of Voices His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts directed
from the organ by Timothy Roberts Rec: November - December 2000, Church
of St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead, London.
HYPERION CDA 67247 [61.08] [KM]
While
one may be skeptical of such an experiment at first, the results are
stunning. This is certainly one of the most interesting "derivative"
Bach albums I have heard in a long time. … see
Full Review
Amy
Marcy Cheney BEACH (1867-1944)
'Chanson D'Amour ' Ecstasy,
Op.19 No 2 - Chanson d'amour, (1898) - A Mirage Op.100
No 1 - Stella Viatoris, Op.100 No 2 - Rendezvous, (1928)
- Three Browning Songs, Op 44 - Romance for Violin and Piano, (1898)
- Three Shakespeare songs, Op. 37 - Piano Trio in A minor, Op.150 (1938)
- Nahe des Geliebten, Op.35 No 3 - Ich sagte nicht,
Op.51 No 1 - Wir drei, Op.51 No 2. - Je demande a l'oiseau,
Op.51 No 4. - Canzonetta, Op.48 No 4. - Elle et moi, Op.21
No 3. Emma Kirkby (sop)
The Romantic Chamber Group of London. Recorded at St Martin's Church,
East Woodhey, Hampshire, England. Nov. 2000 Full price.
BIS-CD-2145 [65.45] [RJF]
A
mismatch that does neither composer nor singer a service … see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
The
String Quartets - Op 18 Nos 1-6, The Fine Arts Quartet - Recorded 1969
EVEREST EVC 9051/52
[2 CDs 143’20] Op 59 Nos 1-3, Op 74, Op 95, The Fine Arts Quartet
- Recorded 1969 EVEREST
EVC 9053/55 [3 CDs 149’32] Op 127, Op 130, Op 131, Op 132, Op 135,
Grosse Fugue Op 133, The Fine Arts Quartet - Recorded 1969
EVEREST EVC 9056/58 [3 CDs 196’53] [JW]
As
nourishing and welcome as spring water and of a purity cool and crisp
and clear. … see Full Review
RECORD
OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Kreutzer Sonata Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Rhapsody No 1 for Violin and Piano, Violin Sonata No 2 Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Violin Sonata
Joseph Szigeti, violin Bela Bartók, piano Recorded Library of
Congress, Washington April 13th 1940
VANGUARD OVC 8008 [69’40] [JW]
One
of the most decisively important sonata recitals on record. Vanguard’s
exemplary production is a matter for rejoicing. … see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin
Sonata No 9 Kreutzer - Piano Concerto No 3 - Andante Favori
Benno Moiseiwitsch, piano - Jascha Heifetz, violin - Philharmonia Orchestra
- Malcolm Sargent - Recorded 1949-50
APR 5610 [73’50] [JW]
A
more than pleasurable experience to listen to this previously unissued
performance. … see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano
Concerto No 3 - Arthur BLISS (1891-1975)
Piano Concerto - Solomon, piano - BBC Symphony Orchestra (Beethoven)
- Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (Bliss)
Adrian Boult - Recorded 1943-44
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110682 [71’44] [JW]
Another
splendid Solomon disc, this time of the two Concerto performances recorded
during the latter stages of the War … see Full
Review
BENJAMIN,
BRITTEN, BRUCH Double Concertos for Violin
and Viola
Arthur BENJAMIN Romantic Fantasy Benjamin
BRITTEN ed. Colin MATTHEWS Double Concerto (1932) Max
BRUCH Double Concerto Op.88
Benjamin Schmid (violin)
Daniel Raiskin (viola) Berlin Symphony Orchestra/Lior Shambadal Recorded
at Jesus Christ Church, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany, 24 - 26 September 2001
ARTE NOVA 74321 89826
2 [63’59"]
An
imaginative combination of works with Benjamin’s Romantic Fantasy the
discovery. … see Full Review
CAREY
BLYTON The
Early Songs. Three
A M; Two Pensive Songs; Toi et Moi; Moresques; Symphony in Yellow; The
Poetry of Dress; What Then is Love? The Sea Dog’s Song; Prayers From
the Ark; The Flea; The Rose and the Nightingale (arr. from Rimsky-Korsakov);
Indigo Blues. Stephen
Roberts (baritone) Ian Partridge (tenor) Sheherazade Beryl Korman (soprano)
David Campbell (clarinet) Jennifer Partridge (piano) Rec 2000?
UPBEAT CLASSICS URCD 160 [65.00?] [PS]
This
well recorded disc is happily recommendable … see Full
Review
Joseph-Ermend
BONNAL
(1880-1944) Paysages
Euskariens (1931) Noël Landais (1918) Paysage Landais
(1904) Petite Rhapsodie (1898) Reflets Solaires (1905)
Symphonie pour Grand Orgue d'Après 'Media Vita' - Répons
du temps de la Septuagésime (1932)
Jean-Pierre Lecaudey (organ) Grandes Orgues Adema de la Kathedrale Basiliek
St Bavo a Haarlem. rec: DDD
PAVANE ADW 7357 [54.09] [RB]
Bonnal
is one of the undiscovered and, by the French, still unpromoted treasures
of their romantic-impressionistic fleuve. ... see Full
Review
Alexander
BORODIN (1833-1878)
Prince
Igor - Overture, Prince Igor - Polovtsian Dances - Symphony
No. 2 - Symphony No. 3
LSO and LS Chorus/Georg Solti (Prince Igor); LSO/Jean Martinon
(2); L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet (3) rec 1966 (Igor);
1961 (2); 1955 (3) ADD
DECCA ELOQUENCE 467 482-2 [65.38][RB]
A
good inexpensive introduction to Borodin's orchestral music. ... see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Lili BOULANGER (1883-1918)
Clairières
dans le ciel* Trois morceaux pour piano, Quatre mélodies§
Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (tenor)*
Áonia de Beaufort (mezzo soprano)§ Alain Jacquon (piano) Recorded
16-18 October 1997, Théâtre de Poissy, France
TIMPANI 1C1042 [55.30] [TB]
A
most distinguished issue, and I hope it becomes as widely distributed
as it deserves to be. … see Full Review
Johannes BRAHMS (1903-1895)
Serenade No.1 in D, Op.11 - Serenade No.2 in A, Op.16 - Liebeslieder
Waltzes (selection from Opp.52 & 65)* Ingrid Sieghart (soprano)
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde Wien*
Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Gary Bertini - 28-30 May 1982, Rosenhügel-Studio,
Vienna ORFEO C 008
102 A [2 CDs: 88’43"][CA]
Charming
pieces brought off with affection … see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Alto
Rhapsody Op 53 Nanie Op 82 Four Serious Songs Op 121 Five Songs Op 94
Helen Watts, contralto
with the Choirs of Suisse Romande and Pro Arte de Lausanne and the Orchestre
de la Suisse Romande conducted by Ernest Ansermet (Alto Rhapsody, Nanie)
Recorded 1967 John Shirley-Quirk, Baritone with Martin Isepp, piano
(Four Serious Songs, Five Songs) Recorded 1971
DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 245-2 [57’50] [JW]
Another
opportunity to acquire a recital of integrity, musical wisdom and deep
understanding. … see Full Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin
Concerto Violin Sonata No 1
Christian Ferras, violin Pierre Barbizet, piano Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan Recorded 1964 (Concerto) 1968 (Sonata)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
ELOQUENCE 457 298.2 [67’56]
Many
will admire the more edgy and nervous insight Ferras’s playing brings
to the romantic literature. … see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Clarinet
Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Philippe Cuper (clarinet) Talich Quartet Recorded live, 26 June, 1996
at the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne
CALLIOPE CAL 6249 [67.56] [TH]
For
those who like their chamber music served up with a sunny, relaxed disposition.
… see Full Review
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Sonata
in C major, Opus 1 Sonata in F sharp minor, Opus 2 Scherzo, Opus 4
François Kerdoncuff (piano) Recorded November 1991, April 1992,
Salle Adyar, Paris
TIMPANI 1C1014 [65.41] [TB]
The
two compellingly interpreted sonatas dominate. Timpani presentation
standards of highest order. … see Full
Review
You
may sample, purchase or make HUGE savings by downloading this disc
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Serenade
for Tenor, Horn and Strings
Folksongs William WALTON (1902-1983)
Façade
Peter Pears, tenor Dennis Brain, horn Benjamin Britten, piano The
Boyd Neel String Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Britten Dame Edith
Sitwell Peter Pears English Opera Group Ensemble conducted by Anthony
Collins Recorded 1944-1961
DECCA 468 801-2 [73’42]
Self-recommending
of course. … see Full Review
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony
No 8 - Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
Rudolf Kempe - Recorded Tonhalle Zurich Studio November 1971
SOMM CD 016-2 [2 CDs 82’02] [JW]
A
performance that was a little too agnostic for this reviewer … see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER
(1824-96) Symphony No.8 in C minor (1890
version edited by Robert Haas) Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe (Recorded in Tonhalle Zurich Studio, 12/13
November 1971) SOMM
CELESTE SERIES SOMM CD 016-2 [2CDs: 82.02] [TD]
A
welcome addition to the Kempe discography though not a top recommendation.
… see Full Review
Emmanuel
CHABRIER
(1841-1894) Mélodies
Agnès Mellon (soprano), Françoise Tillard (piano) *François
Charruyer (bassoon) Franck
Leguérinel (baritone), Françoise Tillard (piano) Recorded
24-26 February 1997, Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, Paris
TIMPANI 1C1038 [76.54] [TB]
Chabrier
is an appealing melodist and a master of musical wit. … see Full
Review
You
may sample, purchase or make HUGE savings by downloading this disc
Detailed listing (last two
days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] [Part
7 Misc]
Revolving
notes from clipart.com