John CAGE (1912-92)
Complete Piano Music, Volume 3: Music of Changes. 
Steffen Schleiermacher (piano). Recorded on Fürstliche Reitbahn
Arolsen on October 24th-27th, 1997.
Dabringhaus und Grimm Scene MDG613 0785-2 [DDD] [54’40] [CC]
Transparency
and clarity seem to be the watch words of Schleiermacher’s playing,
along with positively quicksilver responses…see Full
Review
Gaspar
CASSADO (1897-1966)
Suite
for Cello Toshiro MAYUZUMI (b.1929)
Bunkaru for Cello Zoltan KODALY
(1882-1967) Suite for Cello op 8
Mineo Hayashi, cello Recorded Studio 1, RTBF-Flagey, Brussels April
1990 PAVANE ADW 7221
[59.29] [JW]
A
good, thoughtful programme and it is persuasively, if not always optimally,
played. Pavane’s imagination – and that of their soloist – is strongly
to be commended. … see Full Review
Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER Leçons
de ténèbres and Raga de la nuit avancée Sulochana
Brahaspati voice Veronique Dietschy soprano Alain Zaepffel counter-tenor
Ensemble Gradiva Recordings
made in the church of St-Jean de Grenelle in September 1991
K617 K617017 [72’27"] [PW]
This
CD does juxtapose the music of Marc-Antoine Charpentier with that of
Northern Indian classical music. … see Full
Review
Erik CHISHOLM
(1904-1965) Piano
Concerto No. 1 Piobaireachd (rev 1937) [35.59] Star Point
(1923-27) Sonatina in G minor (1922) Four Elegies (1929-40) Sonatina
No. 4 (1929-40)
With Cloggs On (undated)
Murray McLachlan (piano) Kelvin Ensemble/Julian Clayton
DUNELM RECORDS
DRD0174 [79.05] [CSS][RB][PS]
Penetrated
by a Baxian trumpet the music progresses in a nocturnal atmosphere of
remote loveliness, becoming more and more intense [CSS]
The
music of the British Isles is a much more varied phenomenon than timidly
popular anthologisers would have us believe. Chisholm's is a dissidently
nonconformist voice amid the gentle mainstream.[RB]
McLachlan’s virtuosity and his sympathy with Chisholm emerges in all
these pieces and, all told, the disc satisfyingly expands our knowledge
of the composer [PS]… see Full Review
Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor, Op
11 (1830) [40.29] Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor, Op 21 (1829) [31.51]
Krystian Zimerman (piano)
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Carlo Maria Giulini DDD: recorded
1979 (Op 11) and 1980 (Op 21)
DGG ORIGINALS 463 662-2 [72.26] [PL]
Truly
inspired performances of masterful music. The only question is whether
Zimerman subsequently bettered them. … see
Full Review
Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810-49)
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 Polonaise-Fantaisie
in A flat, Op. 61. Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 No. 1. Scherzo No. 4
in E, Op. 54.
Barcarolle in F sharp, Op. 60. Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op.
52. Nelson Goerner
(piano). Recorded in Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London in January 1996.
EMI Debut CDZ5 69701-2
[DDD] [77’16] [CC]
This
disc is a special achievement, especially as Goerner was a mere 28 years
old at the time of recording: his youth brings with it a freshness of
interpretation which sits well with his obvious aim of penetrating to
the fervent heart of Chopin…see Full Review
François COUPERIN (1668-1733)
Les Goûts-réünis:
Les Talens lyriques, Christophe Rousset Rec: May 1994, February 1995,
Studio 103, Maison de Radio France, Paris.
DECCA 458 271-2 [138.38] [KM]
Ensemble
playing in excellent soundbut the overall impression is one of music
that is forgettable. … see Full Review
Ruth CRAWFORD SEEGER
(1907-1953)
Little Waltz - Little Lullaby - Jumping the rope (Playtime) - Caprice
- Whirligig - Mr Crow and Miss Wren go for a walk - Sonata - Theme and
Variations - Five Canons - Kaleidoscopic Changes on an Original Theme
- Five Preludes (1924/5) - Four Preludes (1927/8) - Piano Study in Mixed
Accents - We Dance Together - The Adventures of Tom Thumba.
Jenny Lin (piano); aTimothy
Jones (narrator). Recorded at Nybrokajen, Stockholm, Sweden in August
2001. BIS CD1310
[75’28] [DDD] [CC]
Taiwanese
pianist Jenny Lin provides a useful survey of Crawford Seeger’s output
for piano and she plays with utter conviction. Very strongly recommended…see
Full Review
Louis-Claude
DAQUIN (1694-1772)
Nouveau Livre de Noëls pour l’orgue
Christian Mouyen, Organist Historic organ by: Dom Bedos, Abbatiale Sainte–Croix
de Bordeuax, France Recorded: November 1997, Abbatiale Sainte-Croix,
Bordeaux, France K.617
FRANCE K617078 [72’32] [ChA]
A
very good recording that presents convincingly Daquin’s improvisatory-style
Noëls … … see Full Review
Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Pelleas
et Melisande Sung in French Poem by Maurice Maeterlinck Mélisande
Anne Sofie von Otter (soprano) Pelléas Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone)
Chorus of Radio France
Orchestre Nationale de France Bernard Haitink (conductor)Recorded live
in concert at the Theatre de Champs Elysee on March 14th
& 16th 2001
NAÏVE V 4923 [3 CDs 161’ 14"] [CF]
Iridescent,
radiant and searingly poetic, this is a magical recording of a magical
score…see Full Review
Frederick
DELIUS
(1862-1934) Sea
Drift, Appalachia, A Song Before Sunrise, La Calinda from the opera
Koanga John Shirley-Quirk
(bar) London Symphony Chorus Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Richard Hickox
Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner Rec 1977, 1981,
ADD DDD ELOQUENCE DECCA
467 601-2 [76.30] [RB]
A
good low-budget Delius disc: two substantial works contrasted with two
brief poems. Marriner is very effective. Hickox glories in the grandeur
of the two major scores. … see Full Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
The Water Goblin, op. 107 (1) The Noon Witch, op. 108
(2) The Golden Spinning Wheel, op. 109 (3) The Wild Dove,
op. 110 (4). Czech Philharmonic
Orchestra/Václav Talich Recorded at the Domovina Studio, Prague,
14th July 1949 (1), The Dvořák Hall of Rudolfinum, Prague,
4th April 1951 (2), 20th March 1951 (3), 2nd
and 3rd April 1951 (4)
SUPRAPHON 11 1900-2 001 [75’49"] [CH]
We
are fortunate that two of the great "historical" Czech conductors,
Talich and Chalabala, have left such fine recordings of these works.
… see Full Review
Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Violin
Concerto Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Scottish
Fantasy Salvatore
Accardo, violin Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Colin Davis (Dvořák)
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig conducted by Kurt Masur Recorded 1978 (Dvorak)
1980 (Bruch) ELOQUENCE
PHILIPS 468 308-2 [62.28] [JW]
A
fine disc, the Dvořák is attractive but the Bruch is memorable.
… see Full Review
Edward ELGAR Violin
Sonata Arnold BAX Violin
Sonata No. 2 in D Minor
Tasmin Little (violin) Martin Roscoe (piano)
GLOBAL MUSIC NETWORK CD GMNC 0113 [64.00?] £13.00 from - email address
info@gmn.com [PS]
Tasmin
Little’s unfailingly lyrical impulse is excellent advocacy for the composers
with Martin. Roscoe partnering splendidly. The recording is full and
warm. … see Full Review
Richard EMSLEY
(born 1951) Helter-Skelter
(1981) Flow Form (1987)a For piano 3 (1997)a ...from
swerve of shore to bend of bay... (1985) finnissys fifty (1996)a
for guitar 1 (1998)b for piano 2 (1997)a The
Juniper Tree (1981)c
Ian Pace (piano)a; Alan Thomas (guitar)b; Claire
Lesser (soprano)c; Topologies (Nancy Ruffer, flutes; Christopher
Redgate, oboes; Julian Warburton, percussion; Guy Cowley, clarinets;
Bridget Casey, viola; Betsy Taylor, cello; Mikel Toms, conductor)Recorded:
Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, May 2000 (piano works), August 2000 (for
guitar 1), October 2000 (Helter-Skelter), October 2000 (...from
swerve of shore...) and Vestry Hall, London, December 2000 (The
Juniper Tree)
METIER MSV CD 92044 [75:29] [HC]
Emsley’s
demanding but thought-provoking music. No light easy stuff, but well
worth the effort. … see Full Review
Ahmed
ESSYAD (b1939)
Le Collier des Ruses, Chamber Opera
Sid Ahmed Agoumi, le notable
Driss Roukhe, le poete Sonia Mekkiou, Houcine Djiti, Mohammed El Ouarandi,
Jean Lorrain, Cecile Bonnet and Fabienne Gonzalez, sopranos Veronique
Reibold, mezzo Instrumental Ensemble Philippe Nahon Recorded Strasbourg,
September 1994 K617051
[2CDs: 89.13] [JW]
The
internal fissure between Schoenbergian inheritance and text is fatally
compromising to the fabric of the work. … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
The Dream of Gerontius Heddle
Nash, tenor, Gladys Ripley, contralto Dennis Noble, baritone Norman
Walker, bass Huddersfield
Choral Society Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Malcolm Sargent Sea
Pictures Gladys Ripley, contralto
Philharmonia Orchestra/George Weldon Recorded April 1945 (Gerontius)
1946 (Sea Pictures)
PEARL GEMS 0128 [2 CDs 113.20]
The
greatest recording of Gerontius ever made - a performance of such musico-dramatic
strength, such beauty and understanding that it is hard to conceive
that it will ever be surpassed. … see Full
Review
Robert FARNON - LIGHT MUSIC GEMS R
FARNON: Opening and Ending; Jumping Bean; Westminster
Waltz; Portrait of a Flirt; A Star is Born’ Manhattan Playboy; How Beautiful
is Night; Derby Day; Melody Fair; Moomin; On the Seashore; Jockey on
the Carousel; Journal Into Melody; Proscenium; Mid-Ocean; Malaga; Little
Miss Molly. Clive RICHARDSON:
Jamboree. Tony LOWRY: Seascape.
Colin SMITH: Looking Around.
Geoffrey HENMAN: Champagne
Various orchestras conducted by Robert Farnon
EVERGREEN C81 (MCE81) £8.95 (MC£7.50) from Evergreen, P O
Box 52, Cheltenham, Glos GL52 1YQ (56 mins approx.)
Vintage
recordings, over 50 years old in many cases but the transfers are good
and this is an enjoyable addition to Evergreen’s light music catalogue.
… see Full Review
Joel
FEIGIN (born
1951) Five
Ecstatic Poems by Kabir (1989)a Veränderungen (1995)
Four Poems by Linda Pastan (1987)a Four Fantasy Pieces (1987)
Four Poems of Wallace Stevens (1985, rev. 1996)a Nexus (1993)
First Tragedy (1982)a Echoes from the Holocaust (1993) Eight
Japanese Poems (1983, rev. 1993)a Transience (1994, rev.
1995) Christine Schadeberg
(soprano)a; Musicians’ Accord; Fred Cohen (conductor) Recorded:
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Chelsea, New York City, September 1995
and March 1996; The Mansion at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison,
NJ, March 1996 (Eight Japanese Poems)
NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1011 [2CDs: 69:36 + 57:06] [HC]
Feigin’s
sincere, communicative and deeply felt works well served with excellent
performances by dedicated artists who clearly love Feigin’s endearing
music. … see Full Review
Zdenĕk FIBICH (1850-1900)
Šárka
- opera in three acts (1897) libretto: Anežka Schulzová
Brno Janacek Opera Chorus/Josef Pančik Brno State PO/Jan Štych
rec Station Studio, Brno, 29 June - 7 July 1978 AAD
SUPRAPHON SU 0036-2 612 [2CDs: 130:56] [RB]
If
you have a taste for hyper-romantic 19th century nationalist opera you
must have this on your shelves. Music of wild, ungovernable savagery
with roots in Mendelssohn and Raff but sturdier and transcending any
echoes… see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Jean FRANÇAIX
(1912 – 1997) Symphony
in G major (1953) Sérénade (1934) Ouverture anacréontique
(1978) Pavane pour un Génie vivant (1987) Scuola di Ballo (1933)
The Ulster Orchestra/Thierry
Fischer Recorded: Ulster Hall, Belfast, September 2001
HYPERION CDA 67323 [70:23] [HC]
Recordings
of Françaix’s superbly crafted music are always a joy, and the
present release is no exception. Fine performances on all counts … see
Full Review
César FRANCK Symphony
in D minor, Psyché (four orchestral extracts) 
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg conducted by Jan Latham-Koenig
Recorded 3-4 July 2001, Salle Erasme du Palais de la Musique et des
Congrès de Strasbourg
AVIE AV 0003 [66’52"] [CA]
Although
one can admire some fine playing and the conductor’s considered view,
that crucial degree of fire is missing … see Full
Review
Hans GÁL (1890-1987)
The
Complete Piano Duos
Goldstone and Clemmow - Piano Duo Rec 2000?
OLYMPIA OCD 709 [67.00?] [CSS]
A
thoroughly enjoyable disc and must undoubtedly prompt a demand for more
Gál. … see Full Review
George
(1898- 1937)
and Ira GERSHWIN Porgy and Bess
Opera in three acts Libretto by DuBose Heyward. Lyrics by DuBose
Heyward and Ira Gershwin The large cast is headed by:- Porgy…Willard
White Bess…Cynthia Haymon
Glyndebourne Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Rattle Recorded
at Shepperton Studios in 1992.
EMI DVD 4 92496 9 [184 mins] [IL]
For
Gershwin enthusiasts a real treat, perfectly cast, beautifully sung
and very well staged. … see Full Review
George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Gershwin
in Hollywood (arranged by Robert Russell Bennett) (no date given)
An American in Paris (1928) Cuban Overture (1932) Symphonic
Picture from Porgy and Bess (arranged by Robert Russell Bennett)
(1943) New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra/James Judd recorded at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington,
New Zealand, July 2001 DDD Stereo
NAXOS 8.559107 [65.12] [DB]
Whether
or not you have several other recordings of these works this disc will
entertain and like me you will never again doubt the credentials of
this fine antipodean orchestra. … see Full
Review
Luis
GIANNEO (1897
– 1968) Piano
Sonata No. 2 (1943)a Suite (1933)b
Piano Sonata No. 3 (1957)c Sonatina (1938)b Six
Bagatelles (1957/9)c Improvisation (1948)b
Dora De Marinis (piano)a; Alejandro Cremaschi (piano)b;
Fernando Viani (piano)c Recorded: Schloss Gottesauer, Velte
Saal, Karlsruhe, August 2000
MARCO POLO 8.225205 [64:11] [HC]
Many
of these pieces use Argentinian folk rhythms rather than quote or rhapsodise
on folk-tunes, much in the same way as in Bartók’s so-called
imaginary folklore. … see Full Review
Orlando
GIBBONS (1583-1625)
Royal Fantasies Music for Viols, Volume 1 1.In Nomine
a5 No. 1 2.In Nomine a5 No. 2 3.In Nomine a5 No. 3 Fantasies of three
parts (London, 1621) 4.Fantazia a3 No. 1 5.Fantazia a3 No. 2 6.Fantazia
a3 No. 3 7.Fantazia a3 No. 4 8.Fantazia a3 No. 5 9.Fantazia a3 No. 6
10.Fantazia a3 No. 7 11.Fantazia a3 No. 8 12.Fantazia a3 No. 9 Music
with the Great Dooble Base 13.Fantazia a4 No. 1 14.Fantazia a4 No.
2 15.In Nomine a4 Music with the Great Dooble Base 16.Fantazia
a3 No. 1 17.Fantazia a3 No. 2 18.Galliard 19.Pavan De Le Roye Music
with the Great Dooble Base 20.Fantazia a3 No. 3 21.Fantazia a3 No.
4 Concordia Mark
Levy (treble viol) Joanna Levine (treble and great bass viol) Emilia
Benjamin (tenor viol) Daniel Yeadon (tenor and bass viol) Alison McGillivray
(bass viol) Gary Cooper (harpsichord) Rec: September 1998, Toddington
Church, Gloucestershire.
METRONOME 1033 [65.16] [KM]
A
wonderful musical dialogue that delights the ears and the heart. … see
Full Review
Orlando
GIBBONS (1583-1625)
Go from my Window Music for Viols,
Volume 2 1.Fantasia
a6 No. 5 2.Fantasia a6 No. 6 3.Go from my Window 4.What is our life?
(w/ voice) 5.Fantasia a2 No. 5 6.Fantasia a2 No. 6 7.Pavan a6 8.Galliard
a6 9.Fantasia a6 No. 3 10.Fantasia a6 No. 4 11.Fantasia a2 No. 1 12.Fantasia
a2 No. 2 13.Ah, dear heart (w/ voice) 14.The silver swan (w/ voice)
15.Fantasia a6 No. 1 16.Fantasia a6 No. 2 17.Fantasia a2 No. 3 18.Fantasia
a2 No. 4 Concordia Mark
Levy (treble viol) Reiko Ichise (treble viol) Joanna Levine (tenor viol)
Emilia Benjamin (tenor viol) Daniel Yeadon (bass viol) Alison McGillivray
(bass viol) Gary Cooper (organ)
Rachel Elliott (soprano) Rec: February and April 2000, St. Andrew’s
Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire.
METRONOME 1039 [59.14] [KM]
This
fine disc is the perfect complement to Concordia’s first part of their
survey of Gibbon’s viol music. … see Full Review
Umberto
GIORDANO (1867-1948)
Andrea
Chénier
Renata Tebaldi (Maddalena), José Soler (Andrea Chénier),
Ugo Savarese (Gérard), Ines Marietti (Bersi), Irma Colasanti
(Contessa, Madelon), Giuliano Ferrein (Tinville, Roucher), Armando Benzi
(Un incredibile) Coro Cetra, Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI/Arturo
Basile Recorded 25th May-2nd June 1953, Turin
WARNER FONIT 8573 87486-2
[2 CDs: 54’33"+55’39"] Superbudget [CH]
A
fine, sometimes great, performance by Tebaldi, splendidly conducted
by Basile. The rest of the cast is less impressive. … see Full
Review
Edward
GREGSON (born
1945) Contrasts: A Concerto for Orchestra (1983)
Alun HODDINOTT (born 1929)Concerto
for Orchestra Op.127 (1986) John McCABE
(born 1939) Concerto for Orchestra (1982)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; Douglas Bostock Recorded: Philharmonic
Hall, Liverpool, May 2001
CLASSICO CLASSCD 384 [78:08] [HC]
These
three substantial, superbly written works here receiving wonderful,
dedicated performances, DO communicate, and each of them represents
its composer at his very best. Not to be missed. … see Full
Review
Edvard GRIEG
(1843-1907) Part-Songs
for Male Voices:- Jaedervise (Western Wind) Min dejligste Tanke
(My sweetest thought) Aftenstemning (Evening Mood) Björneskytten
(The Bear Hunt) I Himmelen (In Heaven) Impromptu Album for Male Chorus,
op.30 (12 tracks) Den sildige Rose (The Lonely Rose) Inga Litamor Til
Ole bull (To Ole Bull) Valgsang (Voting Song)
Die Singphoniker Recorded Studio 1, Bayerischer Rundfunk, January –
June 2001 CLASSIC PRODUCTION
OSNABRÜCK (CPO) 999 835-2 [59:03] [GPJ]
Great
to see that Grieg is beginning to receive full recognition now for his
genius. Thank-you to CPO for an imaginative and highly entertaining
issue, with music-making of the highest quality. … see Full
Review
Georges
GURDJIEFF
(1877-1949) Thomas de HARTMANN
(1885-1956)
Piano Music Volumes 8 and 10 of the Auvidis Naive series in Ten Volumes
Alain Kremski (piano)
Vol 8 First
Dervish Prayer; Exercices Nos 3, 4, 6; Musique pour les mouvements Nos
8, 11, 13, 19, 29; 13 Octobre 1926, Slow Second Obligatory, Ancient
Greek Dance; I am, Father Son
AUVIDIS NAIVE V4880 [68.00] Vol 10 Musiques
des Sayyids et des derviches No 11; 18; Chants et Rhythmes asiatiques
Nos 11, 35, 40; Tibetan Melody; Greek Round; Greek Song; Greek Melody;
Ancient Greek Melody; Armenian Song; Kurdish-Greek Melody; Atamakh,
Kurdish Song; Sacred Dances.
AUVIDIS NAIVE V4882 [72.03] [RB]
The
music will be a draw to listeners who have discovered the music of Alan
Hovhaness but who hanker after a still greater and graver simplicity.
… see Full Review
Georg Friedrich HANDEL
(1685-1759) Judas
Maccabaeus - Heather Harper, soprano - Helen Watts, contralto - Alexander
Young, tenor - John Shirley-Quirk, bass - Amor Artis Chorale, John McCarthy
- Harold Lester, harpsichord and organ - English Chamber Orchestra
Johannes Somary - Recorded 1971.
REGIS RRC 2007 [2 CDs 143.54] [KM]
From
its overall vision to the fine soloists this thirty year old recording
still has much to offer...see Full
Review
Georg
Friedrich HANDEL
(1685-1759)
Theodora HWV 68
Kölner Kammerchor - Collegium Cartusianum, Peter Neumann Rec: Live
recording, February 6, 2000, Stadthalle, Wuppertal, Germany.
MDG 332 1019-2 [2 CDs 165.56] [KM]
Truly
satisfying; some of Handel’s finest music and one of its best recordings…see
Full Review
Joseph
HAYDN
(1732-1809) String Quartets, Opus 9
Quatuor Festetics
Rec 6-9 August 1998, Bibliotghèque des Techniques, Budapest
ARCANA A411 [2CDs: 66.02+70.03] [TB]
Festetics
perform the music with consummate skill and dedication. The music emerges
with vitality and freshness. … see
Full Review
Mikko HEINIÖ (born
1948) The
Knight and the Dragon (1999/2000)
Curt Appelgren (bass-baritone), Prince Erik; Helena Juntunen (soprano),
Marina; Charlotte Hellekant (mezzo-soprano), Göran Sköld;
Rúni Brattaberg (bass), Sören Drake; Aki Alamikkotervo (tenor),
Jester; Sari Nordqvist (contralto), Black Lady; Mia Huhta (soprano),
White Lady; Turku Opera Chorus; Turku Philharmonic Orchestra/Ulf Söderblom
Recorded: Turku Concert Hall, November 2000
BIS CD-1246 [76:51] [HC]
Another
example of the richness and variety of Finnish latter-day operatic vitality;
A work favourably comparing with Sallinen’s operas. … see Full
Review
Adolph Friedrich HESSE
(1808-1863) Fantasie
op 35, Concert Fantasie op 36, Fantasie op 87 Gaetano
PIAZZA (1750-?) Sonata for two organs Giovanni
Bernardo LUCCHINETTI (C18) Concerto for two organs Josef
BLANCO (C18) Concerto Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Fantasie KV594 Ludwig
Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Adagio WoO 33/1 Georg
Friedrich HANDEL (1685-1759) Hallelujah from the Messiah
Karel Golebiowski and
Zygmunt Strzep organs Recorded St Bernard Church, Hamburg May 1988
PAVANE ADW 7419 [60.06] [JW]
Thoroughly
enjoyable recital. Recording fine, the notes encouragingly honest but
most praise must go the performers … see Full Review
Vagn HOLMBOE
(1909-1996) Piano works Suono
da Bardo - symphonic suite (1949) Sonatina Briosa (1941)
Suite (1931) Small Piano Pieces (1930-32) Rumaesk Suite
(1937) Anker Blyme
(piano) rec 2-3 Sept 1998, Birkerod
DANACORD DACOCD 502 [62.27] [RB]
A
little regarded corner of Holmboe's catalogue. Well worth encountering
- not least for Suono da Bardo. ... see Full
Review
Gustav HOLST
(1874 – 1934)
The Planets, op. 32 Edward
ELGAR (1857- 1934) Variations on an Original Theme,
(‘Enigma’) op. 36
LSO/Boult (Elgar), LPO/Boult, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir (Holst) Recorded
August 1970, Kingsway Hall, London (Elgar), May to July 1978, Kingsway
Hall and Abbey Rd. Studio 1, London (Holst)
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 67748 2 7 [78:39] [GPJ]
Boult's
1978 Planets - a landmark recording; surely one of the finest EMI had
made up, to this point, and it still sounds fantastic. … see Full
Review
Charles IVES (1874-1954) Symphony
No.1 Symphony No.2 Variations on ‘America’ (orch. William Schumann)
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Orchestra Zubin Mehta
Recorded Los Angeles: May 1972-1975
DECCA ELOQUENCE 466 806-2 [74:23] [JL]
These
Zubin Mehta interpretations of the first two Ives Symphonies are nearly
thirty years old now but sound very good and remain among the best performances
available on disc. A good buy…see Full
Review
Leos
JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Taras
Bulba (1918) Zoltán
KODÁLY (1882-1967)
Concerto for Orchestra (1939) Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Concerto for Orchestra (1943)
Cleveland Orchestra/Christoph
von Dohnányi (Janáček) Philharmonia Hungarica/Antal Dorati (Kodály)
Israel PO/Zubin Mehta rec Sept-Dec 1973, Marl, Germany (Kodály), March
1975 Kingsway Hall (Bartók), Oct 1989, Masonic Auditorium, Cleveland,
Ohio (Janáček) ADD/DDD
ELOQUENCE DECCA 467 602-2 [77.57] [RB]
Great
value. Bartók, full of soloistic character and eccentricity. Janáček
soulful and considered and a good if woolly Kodály - still a rarity.
... see Full Review
Serge KAUFMANN
(born 1930) Cantabilea,
Le temps déchiréb, Elégie, Un
matin à Varsoviec, Et si un jourd,
Béatrice Barbary (soprano)cd; Anne Holroyd (mezzo-soprano)b;
Philippe Pennanguer (cello)a; Serge Kaufmann (speaker)c;
Ensemble vocal Marielle Rousseaud; Orchestre Bernard Calmel;
Bernard Calmel Recorded: Studio 49 OSF-Euterpe, Vanves, February 1996
PAVANE ADW 7362
[62:05] [HC]
An
attractive survey of Serge Kaufmann’s deeply humane music. Well worth
investigating. … see Full Review
Stefania de KENNESY (born
1961) Sunburst
(1993)a Beating Down (1995)b Nancy
BLOOMER DEUSSEN (born 1938) Two Pieces for Violin and Piano
(1990)c Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano (1993)b
Beth ANDERSON (born 1949) Trio:
Dream in d (1980)b Net Work (1984)a
Mary Kathleen Ernst (piano)abc; Teri Lazar (violin)bc;
Marcio Botelho (cello)bc Recorded: Harmony Hall, Fort Washington,
MD, May 1995 NORTH/SOUTH
RECORDINGS R 1015 [62:48] [HC]
I
am sorry not to be able to respond more enthusiastically to this release,
but I am convinced that many may derive much pleasure from these uncomplicated,
well-crafted and – no doubt – deeply felt pieces. … see Full
Review
Albert KETÈLBEY (1875-1959)
Original
historic recordings Vol. 2 - 1917-1939 The Sacred Hour – Rêverie;
Bells Across the Meadows;In a Fairy Realm – Suite; Algerian Scene; Fairy
Butterfly; King Cupid; In the Mystic Land of Egypt; Wedgwood Blue; Sanctuary
of the Heart; In a Persian Market; A Dream of Christmas; In a Monastery
Garden. Various
orchestras conducted by the Composer, Ray Noble, Charles Prentice and
Henry Geehl NAXOS 8.110848
[61:42] [IL]
Another
portion of nostalgic period charm for those with a very sweet tooth.
Not quite as appetising as Volume 1 but still perfectly attuned to the
world of the silents. … see Full Review
Aram KHACHATURYAN
(1903-1978) Spartacus
Suite (1956) [21.31] Masquerade Suite (1941) [17.09] Gayaneh
Suite (1943) [18.41]
London SO/Stanley Black rec 1975, 1978 ADD
DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 007-2 [68.47] [RB]
Khachaturyan
the master purveyor of hokum with the primitivistic tone softened a
click or two by Black and the LSO. ...see Full
Review
Wojciech KILAR
(b.1932)
Krzesany (1974) Angelus (1984) Exodus (1981) Victoria (1983)
Hasmik Papian-Soprano Cracow Philharmonic Chorus Jaček Mentel,
Chorus Master
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (Katowice) Antoni Wit Recorded
at the Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice, January 1994
Naxos 8.554788 DDD [65:11] [CT]
Anyone
with a liking for the later works of Górecki, Kancheli or maybe
even Arvo Pärt, will find much to enjoy in Kilar’s music…see
Full Review
Zoltán KODÁLY
(1882-1967) Háry
János suite (1925, 1927) Dances of Galánta
(1934) Peacock Variations (1939)
LSO/István Kertész rec 1964 (János, Galánta),
1970 (Peacock) ADD
ELOQUENCE DECCA 461 012-2 [66.15] [RB]
A
winning collection notwithstanding the age of the recordings first made
almost forty years ago. Try Kertesz's unabashedly romantic folksiness.
... see Full Review
Hans
KRASA (1899-1934)
Brundibar ‘Opera-Kit’ (CD and CD-ROM)
Czech: Bambini di Praga, Jerusalem van Leer Chamber Music Players,/Bohumil
Kulinsky
German: Tölzer Knabenchor, Polish Nightingales, Philharmonic
Children’s Choir/Raphael Sommer
French: Choeur d’enfants du Conservatoire Nationale de la Region
d’Aubervilles/Francis-Hugues Leclair
Swedish: Children’s Choir of Malmö Musikteater/Michael Adelson
Italian: Barbara Strowwi Ensemble, Musica Judaica/Francesco Lotoro
Recorded and produced under
the auspices of Jeunesses Musicales Internationale – no index number
[36:30] [GPJ]
A
moving and invaluable issue then; but you have to work hard to get at
its full significance. … see Full Review
Franz LACHNER (1803-1890)
Nonet
in F (1875), Octet in B flat, op. 156 (pub. 1850)
Consortium Classicum/Dieter Klöcker Recorded 1974
CPO 999 803-2 [65’20"] [CH]
Nice,
friendly music in nice, friendly performances. Recommended to nice,
friendly listeners. … see Full Review
Edouard LALO (1823-1892)
Symphonie
espagnole Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Introduction and rondo capriccioso, Havanaise Ernest
CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane
Arthur Grumiaux, violin Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux Manuel Rosenthal
Recorded Paris 1963 and 1966
ELOQUENCE PHILIPS 462 579-2 [77.53] [JW]
Grumiaux's
elevated art is well served by this excellent disc. … see Full
Review
Morten LAURIDSEN
(b.1943 - )
Lux Aeterna (1997) World Premiere Recording Les Chansons des
Roses (1993) Ave Maria (1997) World Premiere Recording Mid-Winter
Songs Orchestral Version (1990) World Premiere Recording O Magnum
Mysterium Los Angeles Master Chorale and Sinfonia Orchestra/Paul
Salamunovich Recorded June 9, August 29, 1997, and January 9 & 20
1998, in Sacred Heart Chapel, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.
DDD RUBEDO CANIS MUSICA RCM 19705 [76.23] [JP]
This
superb disc is a must. Tonal music - a mix between Arvo Pärt and
John Rutter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. … see Full
Review
Peter LIEBERSON
(b.1946) Drala
(1986) for orchestra - Concerto for Four Groups of Instruments
(1972-73) - Accordance (1975-76) for Eight Instruments - Three
Songs (1981) for Soprano and Chamber Orchestra - Ziji (1987)
for Clarinet, Horn, String Trio and Piano - Raising The Gaze
(1988) for Seven Instruments - Fire from "The Five Great
Elements" (1994-95) for Large Orchestra - Free and Easy
Wanderer (1998) for Chamber Orchestra - The Cleveland Orchestra
- ASKO Ensemble - London Sinfonietta - Rosemary Hardy (soprano)
Directed by Oliver Knussen - Recorded: Den Haag, Dr. Anton Philipszall,
12/1994 (Accordance, Raising) - Cleveland, Severance Hall, 11/1995 (Drala)
and 11/1996 (Fire) - Amsterdam, Waalse Kerk, 1/1997 (Concerto, Songs,
Ziji) - London, Henry Wood Hall, 8/1998 (Wanderer) DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 20/21 457 606-2 [67:37][CT]
A
fine anthology of Peter Lieberson’s music, spanning the years 1972-1995.
Oliver Knussen directs compelling performances, captured in dynamic,
natural sound. … see Full Review
Max
LIFSCHITZ (born
1948) Of
Bondage and Freedom (1991)a Raoul
PLESKOW (born 1931) Two Arabesques (1988) Laura
GREENBERG (born 1943) La Vida Es Sueño (1988)b
This Man Was Your Brother (1979)a Charles
DVORAK (born 1953) Amandla Mandela! (1991)c
Lynne Vardaman (soprano)a; Rachel Rosales (soprano)b;
H. Patrick Swygert (narrator)c; North/South Consonance; Max
Lifschitz Recorded: Recital Hall, University of Albany, June 1993 and
Great Hall, Long Island University, March 1990
NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1004 [71:55] [HC]
A
typical North/South Consonance enterprise exploring some little-known
by-ways of the American musical scene. … see Full
Review
Christian LINDBERG
(b.1958) Mandrake
in the Corner (1998-2000) Axel JØRGENSEN
(1881-1947) Suite for Trombone and Orchestra (1926) Egil
HOVLAND (b.1924) Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra Op.76
(1972) Jan SANDSTRÖM (b.1954)
Cantos de la Mancha for trombone and orchestra (1994-95)
Christian Lindberg –
trombone Singapore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lan Shui Recorded
at Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, March 2000 DDD
BIS BIS-CD-1128 [63:34] [CT]
Two
particularly fine works by Hovland and Sandström stand out in this
display of customary technical brilliance by Christian Lindberg. … 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]
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