RECORDINGS OF
THE MONTH
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony no.5 in c minor op.67 Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Symphony no.8 in b minor D.759, ‘Unfinished’
London Philharmonic Orchestra Recorded at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon,
8 September 1969 Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Prélude a l’après-midi
d’un faune London Symphony Orchestra Leopold Stokowski (conductor)
Recorded at the Royal Festival Hall, London, 14 June 1972 Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux (conductor) Recorded in London
in 1961 EMI CLASSICS
DVA 492842-9
[93’57"] [PQ]
A
paean of joy and colour. … see Full
Review
York BOWEN (1884-1961)
Quintet
in C minor for horn and string quartet op.85 (1927) [26:02] Rhapsody
Trio in A minor for violin, cello and piano op.80 (1926) [14:22] Trio
in Three Movements, for violin, cello and piano op.118 (1945) [23:21]
Endymion Ensemble
Krysia Osostowicz: violin Fiona McCapra: violin (op.85 only) Catherine
Manson: viola (op.85 only) Jane Salmon: cello Stephen Stirling: horn
(op.85 only) Michael Dussek: piano (op.80 and op. 118 only) Recorded
at the All Saints Church, East Finchley, London, U.K. 24-26 April 2001
DDD DUTTON EPOCH CDLX
7115 [63:53] [MC]
Passionate,
glorious ethereal lyricism, searing emotions … See Full
Review
Alan
BUSH (1900-1995)
Three
Concert Studies for piano trio (1947) Two Easy Pieces for
cello and piano (1951) Two Melodies for viola and piano (1957)
Viola Sonatina (1978) Concert-Piece for cello and piano (1936)
Summer Valley for cello and piano (1988)
Adam Summerhayes (violin/viola) Catherine Summerhayes (piano) Joseph
Spooner (cello) rec 2001 DDD
MERIDIAN CDE 84458 [66.33] [RB]
An
engaging anthology illustrating Bush's styles from restrained pastoralism
to tragic intensity. ... see Full Review
Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986)
String
Quartet No. 1 Op. 35 (1933/1946) - String Quartet No. 3 Op. 112 (1964)
- Improvisation for Unaccompanied cello Op. 124 (1967) - Sonata for
Cello and Piano Op. 60 (1946)
Dante Quartet - Pierre Doumerge (cello) and Michael Dussek, (piano)
- Recorded at the Henry Wood Hall, London, April 2002
DUTTON LABS CDLX 7123 [71.41] [GH]
These
performances rank at a very high level and the disc, especially at medium
price is a must for lovers of twentieth century British music. … see
Full Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
The Early Chamber Music Piano
Quintet in C minor for piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass
(1903) [30'30] Nocturne and Scherzo for string quintet (1906)
[10'18] Suite de Ballet for flute and piano (edited Roy Douglas)
(1913-1924?) [5'50] Romance and Pastorale - for violin and piano
(c1914) [8'59] Romance for viola and piano (c1914) String
Quartet in C minor (1898) [25'27] Quintet in D major for
clarinet, horn, violin, cello and piano (1898) [24'50] Scherzo for
string quintet (1904) [5'57] Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes (Household
Music) for string quartet (1940/41)
The Nash Ensemble: Philippa Davies flute, Richard Hosford clarinet;
Richard Watkins horn; Marianne Thorsen violin; Elizabeth Wexler violin
(string quintet; Preludes); Simon Blendis violin (String Quartet in
C minor); Lawrence Power, Garfield Jackson viola (string quintet) Recorded
in Henry Wood Hall on 25-27 June; 15-18 July 2002. DDD
HYPERION CDA67381/2 [2CDs: 134'16: 62'09+72'16] [RB]
The
performers meet the music full on and play as if the young composer
was in the room with them. One of Hyperion's most commanding productions.
... see Full Review
Iannis
XENAKIS
(1922-2001) Works for Large Orchestra Vol.3 Synaphaï,
for Piano and Orchestra (1969) [16’26] Horos (1986) [15’48]
Eridanos (1972) [11’10]
Kyania (1990) [20’22]
Hiroaki Ooï (piano) Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Arturo Tamayo (conductor) Recorded in the Luxembourg Conservatoire,
March and May, 2002 DDD
TIMPANI 1C 1068 [64’18]
The
hallmark of a great composer … the torment, the contradictory side of
the creative impulse. … see Full Review
"Miniatures for Flute and
Guitar"
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Allegro,
from BWV 1033 (2.30) Siciliano, from BWV 1031 (2.30) Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Rondo in G Major, from Wq
133 (2.44) Niccolo
PAGANINI
(1782-1840) Polacca in F Major (6.51) François
Joseph GOSSEC 1734-1829 Tambourin
(l.26)
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791)
Alla turca, from K. 331 (3.04) Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Variations on a
Theme by Rossini (6.58) (1924) Scott JOPLIN
(1868-1917) Original Rags (4.17) Pjotr
I. TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Valse sentimentale, Op.51/6 (2.17)
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Bachianas
Brasileiras No.5 (4.56) (1945) Jacques IBERT
(1890-1962) Entr’acte (3.25) (1937) Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Pièce en forme de Habanera (2.58)
(1908) Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978)
Three Dances from "Gayaneh" (1943) Allegro (No.17) (2.33)
Andante (No.23) (5.54) Allegro vivace (No.6) (2.40)
Peter-Lukas Graf, Flute; Konrad Ragossnig, Guitar Recorded at Evangelische
Kirche, Steinen-Endenburg, April 1986
CLAVES CD 50-2013 (56.20) [PSh]
Brilliant
in every way, a perfect gift, a recording to cherish and hear over and
over again… see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony
No. 1 in C minor (1855-76) - Symphony No. 2 in D major (1877) - Symphony
No. 3 in F major (1883) - Symphony No. 4 in E minor (1884-5) - Violin
Concerto in D major * (1878) - Variations on a Theme by Haydn (‘St Anthony
Chorale’) (1873) - Academic Festival Overture (1880) - Tragic Overture
(1880 rev. 1881) - Alto Rhapsody † (1869) - Hungarian Dances (No. 1
in G major; No. 3 in F major; and No. 19 in B minor orch. by Dvorak)
(1873) - *Bernadette Greevy (contralto) with the Hallé Choir
- † Maurice Hasson (violin)
Hallé Orchestra conducted by James Loughran - Recorded in the
Free Trade Hall, Manchester in 1974 and 1975 and digitally remastered
at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in 1992 and 2002
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 5 75753 2 [4 CDs: 278:56] [IL]
Excellent
performances, critically acclaimed in their day and now gathered together
in an irresistible super-bargain 4 CD box set. Why pay more? … see Full
Review
Ernest
CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème
de l’amour et de la mer op. 19 (1), Chanson perpétuelle op. 37
(2), Mélodies op. 2 (3): 2. Le Charme, 3. Les Papillons, 4.
La dernière feuille, 5. Sérénade italienne, 7.
Le Colibri Jessye Norman
(soprano), Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra/Armin Jordan (1), Michel
Dalberto (pianoforte) (2, 3), Ronald Patterson (violin) (2), Salvatore
Sansalone (violin) (2), Jean-Pierre Pigerre (viola), Lane Anderson (violoncello)
(1, 2) Dates and locations not given
Warner Classics Apex 0927 48992 2 [44’ 46"] [CH]
A
super disc and a Chausson collection for the general listener whereas
the Hyperion complete Chausson mélodies is more specialised.
… see Full Review
Frederick
Delius (1862-1934)
A
Village Romeo and Juliet (1899-1901) Wendy Eathorne (sop) Vrenchen
- girl Elizabeth Harwood (sop) Vrenchen Corin Manley (treble) Sali -
boy Robert Tear (ten) Sali Benjamin Luxon (bar) Manz Noel Mangin (bass)
Marti John Shirley-Quirk (bar) The Dark Fiddler John Alldis Choir
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Meredith Davies Talk by Eric Fenby [27.20]
Recorded in the Kingsway Hall, London 18th -22nd
October 1971 Originally issued on LP in 1973
EMI CLASSICS 5757852 [2CDs: 68.10+68.46] [JF]
A
stunning reissue. One of the very best. Perhaps this is Frederick Delius's
masterpiece. A historic, moving and sheerly magical performance with
an all star cast at superbudget price. Well done EMI! … see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Symphonic
Poems Complete (see listing below)
Budapest Symphony Orchestra/Árpád Joó - Recorded
Budapest 1984/5 DDD - Super bargain price! - also available on HUNGAROTON
HCD1267781 at full price
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99938 [5CDs: 297.16] [PS]
The
best overall full set ever, both sound and performance, (at the best
price ever!) achieves authentic fervour and a Wagnerian grandeur reminiscent
of the best of Solti. But if all you want is Les Préludes and
a couple others … see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Don
Giovanni (1787) Don Giovanni (baritone) Eberhard Wächter Donna
Anna (soprano) Joan Sutherland Leporello (bass) Giuseppe Taddei Il
Commendatore (bass) Gottlob Frick Donna Elvira (soprano) Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf Don Ottavio (tenor) Luigi Alva Masetto (bass) Piero Cappuccilli
Zerlina (soprano) Graziella Sciutti
Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini
Recorded 7th-15th October, and 23rd-24th
November 1959, No.1 Studio, Abbey Rd. London UK
EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 7243 5 67869 2 9 [3
CDs: 61:39+64:52+35:49] [GPJ]
One
of the greatest musical and dramatic experiences available on disc,
then, and one that I personally will always treasure. … see Full
Review
Dame
Margaret Price (soprano): Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828)
Lieder:
Geheimnis D.491, Die Forelle D.550, Der Künig in Thule D.367, Gretchen
am Spinnrade D.118, Der Hirt auf dem Felsen D.965*, Auf dem Riesenkoppe
D.611, Du bist die Ruh’ D.776, La Pastorella al Prato D.528, Heidenröslein
D.257, Schwanengesang D.744, Wehmut D.404, Der blinde Knabe D.833b
- Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Frauenliebe
und Leben, op. 42 - Piotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Songs (sung in Russian): None but the lonely
heart, op. 6/5, Do not believe, my friend, op. 6/1, At the ball, op.
38/3 - Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Lieder:
O lieb’, so lang du lieben kannst! S.298, Die Lorelei S.273, Die stille
Wasserrose S.321, Es muss ein Wunderbares sein S.314, Kling leise, mein
Lied S.301 Dame Margaret
Price (soprano), James Lockhart (pianoforte), Jack Brymer (clarinet)*
- Locations: St. Dunstan’s, Cheam, GB (Schubert), Barking Town Hall,
GB (others) Dates: April 1971 (Schubert), August 1973 (others)
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 575 7732 [CH]
Some
of the most beautiful singing you’re ever likely to hear. … see Full
Review
Frank MARTIN
(1890-1974) Petite
Symphonie Concertante for Harp, Harpsichord, Piano and Double
String Orchestra (1945) - 6 Monologues aus ‘Jedermann’
(1943) - Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion and
Strings (1949) - Eva Guibentif (harp), Christiane Jaccottet (harpsichord),
Ursula Ruttimann (piano), Jean-Claude Hermenjat (flute), Jerome Capeille
(oboe), Michel Westphal (clarinet), Roger Birnstingl (bassoon), Bruno
Schneider (horn), Yves Guigou (trombone), Stephen Jeandheur (trumpet),
Yves Brustaux (timpani), Gilles Cachemaille (baritone)
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Armin Jordan - Recordings made between
December 1989 and June 1991 DDD
WARNER APEX 0927 48687 2 [62’42] [TH]
Lovers
of central European music in the war-torn years of the last century
should find much to stimulate and enjoy. … see Full
Review
Music
for Trumpet and Organ - Jan
Pieterszoon SWEELINCK
(arr. Thomas/Balsom) (1562-1621) Variations on "Mein
junges Leben hat ein End" - Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Allemande from Partita II, BWV 1004 - Henry
PURCELL (1659-95) Musike from "King Arthur"
- Traditional (arr. Thomas) Shenandoah - George
THALBEN-BALL (1896-1987) Elegy - Henri
TOMASI (1901-71) Semaine Sainte a Cuzco (1960) -
Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-92)
Vocalise-Etude, pour voix élevées - Petr
EBEN (1929-) Windows, after Marc Chagall (1980)
Alison Balsom (trumpet)
Quentin Thomas (organ) - Recorded at Paisley Abbey, Scotland, June 2002
DDD EMI CLASSICS
"DEBUT" 7243 5 75683 2 6 [57:46] [CT]
An
impressive debut disc by young trumpeter Alison Balsom, particularly
worthwhile for an atmospheric performance of Eben’s Windows, after Marc
Chagall … see Full Review
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[Detailed listing (last two
days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part
2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part
7 Misc M-Z]