> Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - Oct 2002 part 2 A-B: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

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PART 2
A to B
[[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]     



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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

The Adaskin Collection THOMAS ADASKIN (b.1906) Woodwind Quintet no.1 (1974) Musica Victoria for string quintet (2000) Sonatine Baroque for unaccompanied violin (1952) Woodwind Quintet no.2 (1993) Bergen Wind Quintet, Thüringer Salonquintett, Jack Glatzer, violin Recorded at Soiree Lane, Sooke, British Columbia, Canada, and the Philip T. Young Recital Hall, University of Victoria, British Columbia, February-March 2000 SOCAN MMI 05 [49:06] [RB]

Engaging and full of personality … see Full Review

Anton ARENSKY (1841-1906) Piano Concerto in F minor Op.2, Fantasia on Russian Folksongs Op.48 Sergei BORTKIEWICZ (1877-1952) Piano Concerto No.1 in Bb Op.16 Stephen Coombs (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Maksymiuk Recorded in Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow on 21, 22 August 1992 The Romantic Piano Concerto: Volume 4 HYPERION CDA66624 [70.40] [CF]

The Bortkiewicz has an awful lot going for it, lush tunes, rich tonal colours, highly romantic music … excitingly Russian dance-like rhythms. … see Full Review

Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) The Solo Keyboard Music - Volume 8 - Sonata in E major, W.62/17 (H.117) - ‘Petites Pièces’ (Character pieces): La Capricieuse, W.117/33 (H.113) - La Complaisante, W.117/28 (H.109) - Les Langueurs tendres, W.117/30 (H.110) - La Journalière, W.117/32 (H.112) - L’Irresoluë, W.117/31 (H.111) - Sonata in E flat major, W.65/28 (H.78) - ‘Petites Pièces’ (Character pieces): La Gause, W.117/37 (H.82) - La Pott, W.117/18 (H.80) - La Borchward, W.117/17 (H.79) - La Böhmer, W.117/26 (H.81) Miklós Spányi, clavichord - Rec: July 1999, House of the Lukijoki Youth Association, Finland. BIS CD-1087 [68.59] [KM]

C.P.E. is given the performer he deserves to make this fine music better known. … see Full Review

J. C. BACH (1735-82) Opera Overtures, Volume 3: Endimione; Temistocle; Lucio Silla; Amadis des Gaules (Overture and Incidental Music) The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead. Recorded at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead on April 1st-6th, 2000. [DDD] CPO 999 753-2 [62'09] [CC]

All performances by the Hanover Band under Anthony Halstead are of the highest order and will give the greatest pleasure. Recommended. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) An introduction to: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (1721) Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (1721) Music performed by: Cologne Chamber Orchestra, directed by Helmut Müller-Brüll (from Naxos 8.554608) - Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann - Recorded 2002, London NAXOS 8.558055-56 [2CDs: 152.00] [TB]

Although these discs are unlikely to become regular listening, they are well worth hearing for the musical secrets that they uncover. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Bach - Hudecek/Sitkovetsky Concerto for Violin and Strings in E major BWV 1042 Concerto for Violin and Strings in A minor BWV 1041 Concerto 2 Violins and Strings in D minor BWV 1043 Concerto 2 Violins and Strings in D minor BWV 1060 Vaclav Hudecek, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, violins Virtuosi di Praga/ Dmitry Sitkovetsky Rec: February 1995 SUPRAPHON SU 3085-2031 [63.42] [KM]

Far too many good recordings of these works to settle for this one … see Full Review
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RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Trio Sonatas London Baroque Ingrid Seifert, violin; Richard Gwilt, violin / viola; Charles Medlam, violoncello; Terence Charlston, harpsichord / organ. Rec: October - November 2001, St. Martin’s, East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. BIS CD-1345 [74.38] [KM]

New worlds of feeling in music that is certainly familiar … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Trio Sonata from A Musical Offering BWV1079 VIVALDI - Trio in A minor rv86 C.P.E. BACH - Trio Sonata in C major h571 (wq147) TELEMANN - Parisian Quartet no.3 in A major The Academy Ensemble Richard Blake, flute Rec: ?, Cranleigh School Chapel (original release in 1992). BLACK BOX BBM 3006 [55.09] [KM]

A lacklustre recording … fine music but suffering from uninspired playing and recording problems. … see Full Review
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Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Flute Sonatas Partita in A minor BWV1013 (for solo flute) Sonata in B minor BWV1030 Sonata in A major BWV1032 Sonata in E minor BWV1034 Sonata in E major BWV1035 Martin Feinstein, flute Maggie Cole, harpsichord Nicholas Roberts, cello Rec: June 2000, Potton Hall, Suffolk, England. BLACK BOX BBM 1060 [70.57] [KM]

Far from the best, though better than many. … see Full Review

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Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Mass in B Minor BWV 232 Sibylla Rubens, soprano Juliane Banse, soprano Ingeborg Danz, alto James Taylor, tenor Andreas Schmidt, bass Thomas Quasthoff, bass Gächinger Kantorei Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Helmut Rilling Rec: March 1999, Stadthalle Sindelfingen. HÄNSSLER 92.070 [112.34] [KM]

One of the finest recordings of the B Minor Mass on modern instruments. … see Full Review

Albert Fuller: Bach & Rameau for Harpsichord CD 1 [65:02] Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Eight Pieces de Clavecin (1724-47) Suite in A
CD 2 [55:36] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Italian concerto in F Selections from ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’, Book II (circa 1744) French Suite No. 6 in E (circa 1722-25) Suite from the ‘Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook’ (1725) Albert Fuller, Harpsichord Rameau: Recorded at the Mission High School Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, USA between the 19-21 August, 1987, using a William Hyman Harpsichord.
Bach: Recorded at The Presbyterian Church, Rye, New York, USA between the 20-22 April, 1992, using a Thomas & Barbara Wolf Harpsichord. (previously issued on RR-27 and RR-51) REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR-2105 [2CDs: 120:38] [MC]

Albert Fuller’s excellent performance and fine sound quality … a worthwhile addition to any collector’s music library … see Full Review


Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) "Life and Works" - Narrated Biography with Extensive Musical Examples". (Instrumental/Orchestral/Choral). Written and Narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. John Shrapnel as Johann Sebastian Bach. Other Parts Read by Trevor Nichols, Ruth Sillers and David Timson. Recordings taken from the NAXOS recorded catalogue. Various Recording Venues across Europe. Various Recording Dates. The full spoken text is available at - www.naxos.com/lifeandworks/bach/spokentext 4 CDs with 116 page illustrated booklet. CDs not available separately, see text. Naxos Website - www.naxos.com NAXOS - 8.558051-54 [4 Hours, 34 minutes, 45 seconds] [SM]

Care and attention to detail. Naxos treat the purchaser of this extensive set as an intelligent person … see Full Review

Walter BAER (born 1928) The Sunpainter's Delight Passagen I (1996) Passagen II (1997) Passagen III (1998) Erscheinungen (2000) Sequenzen für Klavier (1968) Zwei Klavierstücke (1968) Andrew Zolinsky (piano) Recorded: Potton Hall, Suffolk, December 2001 GUILD GMCD 7241 [71:13] [HC][GH]

Eminently idiomatic, taxing piano writing that calls for and receives colour, imagination and tonal variety [HC]
Little here I feel to retain much interest. … see Full Review [GH]


Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1908) Piano Concerto no.1 in F sharp minor (1856) Piano Concerto no.2 in E flat major (post-1910) Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1910) Piano Concerto in C sharp minor op.30 (1882/3) Malcolm Binns, piano English Northern Philharmonia/David Lloyd-Jones Recorded in Huddersfield, UK, 1992 The Romantic Piano Concerto – 5 HYPERION CDA 66640 [64’36"] [CN]

Generally pleasing, if unoriginal … see Full Review
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Granville BANTOCK (1868-1946) Violin Sonata No. 1 (1929) [27.05] - Violin Sonata No. 2 (1932) [27.33] - Coronach - Pro Patria Mori (1917) [5.52] - Salve Regina - Hail, Queen of Heaven (1924) [3.09] Lorraine McAslan (violin) - Michael Dussek (piano) - rec All Saints, East Finchley, 17-19 July 2000 DDD DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7119 [75.27] [RB]

Unassertive, stylistically confident music played with a rounded tenderness and with conviction. ... see Full Review

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Piano Concerto * - Die Natali - Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance * - Commando March + - Stephen Prutsman (piano) Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Martin Alsop - * Recorded in Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 10 and 11 March 2002 - Recorded in Henry Wood Hall, 18 March 2001† and 12 May 2002 + NAXOS 8.559133 [60:32] [IL]

Naxos’s fine Samuel Barber series continues with another attractive album, this time of rather less familiar works played with style. … see Full Review


Arnold BAX (1883-1953)
Violin Sonata No. 1 in E (1921) Violin Sonata in G minor (one movement) (1901) Ballad for violin and piano (1916) Legend for violin and piano (1915) Robert Gibbs (violin) Mary Mei-Loc Wu (piano) rec Potton Hall, Suffolk, 21 Nov 2001, St Silas (sonatas and Ballad), Kentish Town, 21 Sept 1999 (Legend) Recording supported by the Sir Arnold Bax Trust ASV CD DCA 1127 [60.38] [RB]

Sensitively imaginative treatment .. the works and the listeners are well served indeed. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hilary Hahn: Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto - Leonard BERNSTEIN Serenade for violin, strings, harp and percussion. Hilary Hahn (violin) Baltimore SO/David Zinman - Rec. DDD SONY CLASSICS SK60584 [74 36] [DW]

This is the best Beethoven Violin Concerto recording. Of that I cannot be gainsaid. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 32 Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 80 (1806) Andante WoO 57 Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op.13 ‘Pathétique’ (1798) Six Variations on an Original Theme, Op.34 (1802) Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat, Op. 81a ‘Les Adieux’ (1810) Leon McCawley (piano) Recorded at St. George’s Hill, Bristol, April 26-27 2000 BLACK BOX BBM 3003 [64.47] [TH]

Leon McCawley has certainly succeeded in making me listen to familiar music with fresh ears. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Three Piano Sonatas, op. 2, in f, A and C (1795) Artur Schnabel (pianoforte) - Recorded 23rd, 24th & 28th April 1934 (1), 9th April 1933 (2), 26th, 27th April 1934 EMI Abbey Road Studio no. 3 - Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110693 [66’26"] [CH]

The first instalment of what remains the locus classicus of Beethoven playing. It is as essential to us today as it was when it was new. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata No 9 Op 47 Kreutzer - Seven Variations in E Flat Major on Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen from Die Zauberflöte - Piano Trio Op 97 Archduke Alfred Cortot, piano - Jacques Thibaud, violin - Pablo Casals, cello - Recorded in London and Paris, 1927-29 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110195 [71’11] [JW]

A marvellous opportunity to hear the trio individually and collectively as Beethovenians of solid accomplishment. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Middle Quartets Quartet Op 59 No1 Quartet Op 59 No 2 Quartet Op 59 No 3 Quartet Op 74 Quartet Op 95 Budapest String Quartet Recorded at the Coolidge Auditorium at The Library of Congress between 1940-60 BRIDGE 9099A/C [3 CDs 155’38]

An invaluable addition in excellent sound, splendid documentation and full of concentrated wisdom. … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827) The Middle String Quartets Quartet Op 59 No 1 (1805-06) Quartet Op 59 No 2 (1805-06) Quartet Op 59 No 3 (1805-06) Quartet Op 74 (1809) Quartet Op 95 (1810) Juilliard String Quartet Recorded live [1983?] SONY CLASSICAL SB3K89896 [3 CDs 165.42]

Still challenging and worthy performances … see Full Review

Niels Viggo BENTZON (1919-2001) Symphony No. 3 (1947) [36.07] - Symphony No. 4 Metamorphosis (1948-49) [31.08] Aarhus SO/Ole Schmidt - rec. Aarhus, 1981, ADD DACAPO DCCD 9102 [68.32] [RB]

Two significant symphonies - one in transition the other in which Bentzon's originality and invention is fully developed and asserted. ... see Full Review

Alban BERG (1885-1935) Complete Chamber Music - String Quartet Op.3 (1909-10) Hier ist Friede Op.4 (1912) arranged for piano, harmonium, violin and cello by Alban Berg (1917) Four Pieces Op.5 (1913) arranged for viola and piano by Henk Guittart (1992) Adagio (1923-25) from Chamber Concerto, arranged for violin, clarinet and piano by Alban Berg (1935) Lyric Suite (1925-26) Schoenberg Quartet with Pierre Woudeberg (clarinet), Bob Zimmerman (harmonium) Sepp Grotenhuis (piano) - Rec 2000 CHANDOS CHAN 9999 [75.52] [TH]

A most useful collection. … see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869): Romeo and Juliet [100’ 08"] - The Damnation of Faust (excerpts)* [17’58"] - Rehearsal sequences: Romeo and Juliet [110’21"] - (Broadcast commentaries included) - Gladys Swarthout (mezzo soprano); John Garris (tenor); Nicola Moscona (bass); *Mack Harrell (baritone) - Chorus and The NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini - Recorded in NBC Studio 8H on 9 and 16 February 1947 (Romeo and Juliet) and 16 February 1947 (Damnation of Faust). Recording date of rehearsal sequence unknown. GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2218/20 [228’27"] [JQ]

Melodic gifts and his harmonic genius are all displayed at their greatest. … see Full Review

Arthur BLISS (1891 – 1975) String Quartet no.1 in B flat Major (1941) - Conversations (1923) - String Quartet in A Major c.1915 Nicholas Daniel – Oboe/Cor Anglais (tracks 5-9) - Michael Cox – Flute/Alto Flute (tracks 5-9) - The Maggini Quartet - Recorded 2000, Suffolk, UK NAXOS 8.557108 [70:00] [CN]

A great introduction to a composer very much underrated by the public at large … see Full Review

Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Symphony in E flat major (1954-55) [24.13] Evocations symphonic suite (1937) [18.58] Trois poèmes juifs for large orchestra (1913) [26.52] Malmö SO/Andrey Boreyko rec. Aug 2000 (Symphony; Evocations); May 2001, (Poèmes), Malmö Concert Hall, Sweden BIS BIS-CD-1183 [71.12] [RB]

One rather thin-lipped example of 1950s objectivity and two where the composer's well-stocked imagination reaches out with eloquence. ... see Full Review

Pierre BOULEZ (born 1925) Pli selon pli Christine Schafer (soprano) Ensemble Intercontemporain/Pierre Boulez Recorded in the Salle des Concerts, Cité de la Musique, Paris, January and February 2001 DG 471 344-2 [69’51"] [PQ]

The most complex and detailed recording yet of a piece still puzzling and profoundly beautiful. … see Full Review

York BOWEN (1884-1961) String Quartet No. 2 in D minor Op. 41 (c.1918) [28.29] String Quartet No. 3 in G major Op. 46(b) (1919) [27.04] Phantasy Quintet for bass clarinet and string quartet Op. 93 (1932) [14.02] Timothy Lines (bass clarinet) Archaeus Quartet rec Recital Room, Tonbridge School, Kent, 16, 18, 20, Dec 2001 BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS426CD [70.17] [RB][LF][MB]

A compellingly desirable addition to any open-minded collection. Bowen's chamber music is fresh and for most of the time quite unlike that of his British contemporaries. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No.3 in F major Op.90 (1883) Symphony No.4 in E minor Op.98 (1887) Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville MarrinerRecorded at Henry Wood Hall, London in October and November 1997 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC (ACADEMY SERIES) CD 98. 187 [75. 27] [CF]

Readings neither hang about nor indulge, and focus on thick string textures, dark colours and the lyricism of warm tone. … see Full Review
You may sample, download or purchase this disc

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Quintet Op 34 - Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) - Quintet for Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Contrabass and Piano The Trout The Budapest Quartet - Georges Moleux, bass - George Szell, piano [who speaks about acoustical recording and his early studies 3’51] Recorded at the Coolidge Auditorium of The Library of Congress October 11 1945 (Brahms) and May 16 1946 (Schubert) BRIDGE 9062 [77’41] [JW]

Refreshing to hear Szell’s idiomatic and subtle Brahmsian collaboration … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Neun Gesänge, Opus 69 (1877) - Vier Gesänge, Opus 70 (1875-77) - Funf Gesänge, Opus 71 (1877) - Funf Gesänge, Opus 72 (1876-77) - Juliane Banse (soprano) - Andreas Schmidt (baritone) Helmut Deutsch (piano) - Rec March 1996; October 1997; January 1998, Kleiner Sendesaal (SFB) CPO 999 446-2 [56.00] [TB]

An altogether splendid offering from artists who know and love this music … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Academic Festival Overture, Opus 80 (1876) - Tragic Overture, Opus 81 (1876) - Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Opus 15 (1857) - Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Opus 83 (1881) Rudolf Serkin (piano) - Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell - Rec 1968, CBS SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SB2K89905 [2CDs: 57.51+62.19] [TB]

Nothing is forced and unnatural, a real attraction for the discerning collector. Could hardly be more compelling. … see Full Review


Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) – Works for Solo Piano
Variations on an original theme, op.21 no.1 (1856) Piano Pieces, op.119 (1893) No.1- Intermezzo No.2 – Intermezzo No.3 – Intermezzo No.4 - Rhapsodie Variations on a theme by Handel, op.24 (1861) (Waltz in Ab) George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Suite no.1 (1733) Francisca Skoogh, piano Recorded June 5th-7th 2001, at Helsingborg Concert Hall, Sweden NYTORP MUSIK - NYTORP 5 [69:33] [GPJ]

A powerful and wholly stylish reading … see Full Review

Reiner BREDEMEYER (1929 – 1995) Die As(+-) (1973)a - Oboenkonzert (1977)b - Synchronisiert: Asynchron (1975)c - Schlagstück 5 (1970)d - Bagatellen für B. (1970)e Burkhard Glaetzen (oboe)ab; Ludwig Güttler (trumpet)a; Roswitha Trexler (soprano)c; Nancy Bello (soprano)c; Ensemblec; Dieter Brauer (piano)d; Joachim Gruner (percussion)d; Walter Olbertz (piano)e; Staatskapelle Berlinbe; Hartmut Haenchenb, Christoph-Albrecht von Kamptzc, Otmar Suitnere - Recorded: Lukaskirche, Dresden, February 1981a; Christuskirche, Berlin, February 1981b and June 1979e; SRK, Saal 1, Berlin, Junly 1975c; Studio Brunnenstrasse, Berlin, June 1980d BERLIN CLASSICS 0013032 BC [56:31] [HC]

It is clear that the 1970s were a period of experimentation and of final synthesis … see Full Review

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Phantasy Trio in C minor (1907) Piano Trio no.2 (1929) Miniatures (c.1908) The Bernard Roberts Piano Trio – Bernard Roberts, piano, Andrew Roberts, violin, Nicholas Roberts, ’cello Recorded at St.George’s, Brandon Hill, 2nd-3rd April 1995 BLACK BOX BBM1028 [57:13] [GPJ]

Effortlessly resourceful and imaginative, the Roberts Trio give a deeply felt and perfectly judged account. … see Full Review
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Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) The Canticles - My Beloved is Mine, Op.40 (1947) - Abraham and Isaac, Op.51 (1952) - Still Falls the Rain, Op.55 (1954) - Journey of the Magi, Op.86 (1971) - The Death of Narcissus, Op.89 (1974) - Folksong Arrangements - The Plough Boy; The Sally Gardens; The Foggy Dew; There’s none to soothe; O Waly Waly; The Ash Grove; Greensleeves. Ian Bostridge (tenor) David Daniels (countertenor) Christopher Maltman (baritone) - Timothy Brown (horn) Aline Brewer (harp) Julius Drake (piano) - Recorded at Air Studios, London, 11-17 September and 17 October 2001 VIRGIN CLASSICS VC 5 45525 2 [ 75.02] [ TH]

Uplifting experience, spiritual mystery, vividly realised. … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 3 in D minor (1877 version, ed. Oeser)* [61’46"] - Symphony No 8 in C minor (1890 version, ed. Haas)** [83’23"] Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink - Recorded in the Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna in *December 1988 and ** January 1995 PHILIPS DUO 470 534-2 [145’ 09"] [JQ]

An issue of very great distinction and I recommend it very highly. … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 1 in C minor - Second (Vienna) version (1890/91) - Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester conducted by Günter Wand - Recorded 11 July 1981 in the Grosser Sendesaal (now the Klaus von Bismarck Saal), Cologne BMG RCA 09026 63931 2 [48’15"] [JQ]

Those wanting a good recording of this symphony in the later version can invest with confidence. … see Full Review

RECORD OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 4 in E flat major "Romantic" (Haas edition)* [68’40"] Symphony No 5 in B flat major (Nowak edition)** [77’16"] Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink Recorded in the Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna in *February 1985 and ** December 1988 PHILIPS DUO 470 537-2 [145’ 56"] [JQ]

A peerless Fifth with a superb Fourth … surely irresistible. … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 6 in A major - Original version (1879/81) - Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester conducted by Günter Wand - Recorded 16-25 August 1976 in the Grosser Sendesaal (now the Klaus von Bismarck Saal), Cologne
BMG RCA 09026 63936 2 [53’18"] [JQ]

My allegiance to Klemperer’s gaunt and majestic reading remains unshaken. … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 7 in E major - Original version (1881/83) - Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester conducted by Günter Wand - Recorded 18 January 1980 in the Grosser Sendesaal (now the Klaus von Bismarck Saal), Cologne BMG RCA 09026 63937 2 [64’50"] [JQ]

A well-played performance and a very authoritative interpretation … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 8 in C minor - Second version (1888/90): Schalk/von Oberleithner edition (1892) Bayerisches Staatsorchester conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch - Recorded 5 December 1955 in the Kongresssaal des Deutschen Museums, Munich ORFEO C 577 021 B [70’14"] [JQ]

Admirers of Knappertsbusch may be attracted to this release but Brucknerians should look elsewhere … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 8 in C minor (Nowak Edition) (1887) Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Ricardo Chailly - Recorded 10th-12th May 1999, Grote Zaal, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam DECCA 466 653-2 [79:04] [GPJ]

A highly impressive reading, with gloriously confident and stylish orchestral playing. … see Full Review


Ignaz BRÜLL (1846-1907) Piano Concerto No.1 in F Op.10 (first recording) (1860) Andante and Allegro Op.88 (first recording) Piano Concerto No.2 in C Op.24 (1868) Martin Roscoe (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins Recorded in Caird Hall, Dundee on 7, 8 May 1998 The Romantic Piano Concerto: Volume 20 HYPERION CDA67069 [72. 57] [CF]

Roscoe plays magnificently, with bright tone and crisp articulation … see Full Review

Alan BUSH (1900-1995) Violin Concerto (1948) [28.54] Six Short Pieces (1983) [8.57] Dialectic (1929) [14.12] Manoug Parikian (violin) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Norman Del Mar rec. BBC Maida Vale, Studio 1, 22 Nov 1983 (concerto) Alan Bush (piano) rec The Art Workers Guild, Queens Square, Holborn, London, 11 May 1984 (Six Short Pieces) Medici String Quartet rec Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, London 17 July 1984 (Dialectic) CLAUDIO CB5151-2 [52.05] [PGW]

A welcome reissue of Hyperion’s 1985 recording of works representing Alan Bush at his best. … see Full Review


Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Piano Concerto in C Op.39
Marc-André Hamelin (piano) City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus (mens’ voices) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Mark Elder Recorded in Symphony Hall, Birmingham on 20/21 June 1999 The Romantic Piano Concerto: Volume 22 HYPERION CDA67143 [73. 48] [CF]

This is a landmark disc of an epic, landmark concerto, one of the finest in the Hyperion series. … see Full Review

Paul BÜTTNER (1870-1943) Heroic Overture (1925) [14.07] Symphony No. 4 (1917-19) [40.59] Berlin Radio SO/Hans-Peter Frank (overture) and Gerhard Pflüger (symphony) Rec ADD 1974 (overture); 26 June 1965 (symphony). ADD Deutscher Romantiker series - vol. 3 STERLING CDS-1048-2 [55.50] [RB]

Flourishing confidence and panache … see Full Review

 

[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


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