Meditation:
Classical melodies for a peaceful mind
Various soloists and orchestras. No recording
dates or locations given.
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92225 [77:47+60:28]
[MC]
Meditation:
Classical melodies for a peaceful mind delivers
just what it says on the box. … see Full
Review
Mezzo-Soprano
- Great Arias for the Mezzo Soprano Voice
… and to be Experienced as a Protagonist
CD No 1 Georges BIZET
(1838-1870) Carmen,
‘L’amour est un oiseau rebelle’. (Habanera)
Carmen, ‘Près des ramparts
de Séville’ Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le
nozze di Figaro, ‘Non so più
cosa son’ Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il barbiere
di Siviglia, ‘Una voce poco fa’Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson
et Dalila, ‘Mon coeur s'ouvre à
ta voix’ Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Don Carlo,
‘O don fatale’ Un ballo in Maschera,
‘Re dell’abisso’ Jeanette Nicolai,
(mezzo); Sonia Zaramella, (mezzo); Sarah M’Punga,
(mezzo) Orchestra and Chorus ‘Compagnia D’Opera
Italiana’/Antonella Gotto Recorded June-August
1997. No venue indicated
CANTOLOPERA 95037 [71.07] CD No 2 Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore,
‘stride la vampa’ Pietro
MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria
rusticana, ‘Voi lo sapete, o mamma’
Francesco CILEA
(1866-1950) Adriana Lecouvreur,
‘Acerba voluttà’ Ambroise
THOMAS (1811-1896) Mignon,
‘Connais-tu le pays’ Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze
di Figaro, ‘Voi che sapete’ Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Tancredi, ‘Di tanti palpiti’
Gaetano DONIZETTI
(1797-1868) La Favorita, ‘O
mio Fernando….Scritto in cielo’ Sonia Zaramella,
(mezzo); Sarah M’Punga, (mezzo) Orchestra
and Chorus ‘Compagnia D’Opera Italiana’/Antonella
Gotto Recorded June-October 1997. No venue
indicated
CANTOLOPERA 95046 [58.28] [RF]
Three
singers with distinctly different vocal characteristics
take on the roles as exemplars. … see Full
Review
Arturo Benedetti
Michelangeli Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Sonatas – No. 12 in A flat, Op. 26 (1801);
No. 11 in B flat, Op. 22 (1800). Franz
Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano
Sonata in A minor, D537 (1817). Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)Ballades,
Op. 10 (1854).
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano). Rec.
live at the RTSI Auditorium, Lugano, Switzerland
on April 7th, 1981.
EUROARTS/TDK
DV-MPSR [102’00] [CC]
For
those of us not privileged to enjoy him live,
this DVD opens a window just the slightest
amount on a pianist-enigma whose mystique
remains ever fascinating. ... see
Full Review
Nocturnes (complete)
- The Art of the Nocturne in the Nineteenth
Century
Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849)
John FIELD (1782-1837)
Camille PLEYEL
(1788-1855)Frederic
KALKBRENNER (1785-1849) Clara
SCHUMANN (1819-1896)
Louis LEFÉBURE-WÉLY
(1817-1870) Edmond WEBER
Charles-Valentin ALKAN (1813-1888)
Mikhail
GLINKA (1804-1857) Maria
SZYMANOWSKÁ (1789-1831) Ignacy
Feliks DOBRZYNSKI (1807-1867)
Bart van Oort (piano) Erard 1837 Agnieszka
Chabowska (piano) * Recorded January and June
2003, Maria Minor, Utrecht
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92202 [4 CDs: 58.21
+ 49.39 + 66.30 + 66.58] [JW]
More
conspectus than first choice set. I recommend
you sample van Oort’s way with Chopin and
Field to see if you appreciate it The final
disc is enjoyable all the way. Such are the
perils of a boxed set. ... see Full
Review
Norwegian
Classical Favourites Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Peer
Gynt Suite Op. 46 Morning mood In the Hall
of the Mountain King Norwegian Dance No. 2
Op. 35 Two Elegiac Melodies Op. 34; No. 2
Last spring Christian
SINDING (1856-1941) Six Pieces
for Piano Op. 32; Rustle of Spring Agathe
BACKER-GRØNDAHL (1847-1907)
Fantasy pieces Op. 45; Summer Song Johan
SVENDSEN (1840-1911) The Wedding
at Dovre, Norwegian Artist’s Carnival Op.
14 Festive Polonaise Op. 12 Johannes
HAMSSEN (1874–1967) Valdres-Marsch
Johan HALVORSEN
(1864-1935) Entry of the Boyars Ole
OLSEN (1850-1927) Funeral March
Op. 41 Rikard NORDRAAK
(1842-1866) Maria Stuart (arr. Halvorsen)
Purpose, Valse Caprice Sigurd
ISLANDSMOEN (1881-1964) Forest
Clearing Op. 15 Arne
EGGEN (1881-1955) Liti Kersti Suite,
Bjørgulv the Fiddler
Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset
Recorded in the Concert Hall of the ISO, Reykjavik,
June 2002
NAXOS 8.557017 [68.04][JP]
A
welcome light orchestral disc concentrating
on mainly turn-of-the-century, tonal and tuneful
pieces – a very successful mix, and it deserves
to do well. … see Full
Review
Maartje
Offers (1892-1944)
Christoph Willibald
von GLUCK (1714-1787) Orfeo
ed Euridice – Che faro senza Euridice Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848) La Favorita
– O mio Fernando Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore
– Stride la vampa Il Trovatore – Condotta
ell’ea in ceppi Don Carlo – O don fatale Aida
– Fu la sorte dell’armi a tuoi funesta Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Rienzi – Gerecher
Gott! Götterdämmerung – Seit er
von dir geschieden Ambroise
THOMAS (1811-1896) Mignon – Connais-tu
le pays? Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson
et Dalila – Printemps qui commence Samson
et Dalila – Amour! Samson et Dalila – Mon
Coeur s’ouvre à ta voix Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Xerxes
– Ombra mai fù Giuseppe
GIORDANI (c1753-1798) Caro mio
ben Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Ave verum Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Agnus Dei Adriaen
VALERIUS (c.1575-1625) Wilt heden
nu treden
Maartje Offers (contralto) with
Unidentified Orchestras conducted by A D Van
Buuren, Carlo Sabajno, John Barbirolli, George
Byng and Malcolm Sargent, LSO/Albert Coates,
String Quartet and Herbert Dawson (organ)
Recorded 1923-29
PREISER 89549 [78.31] [JW]
Offers
still has the power to move and to impress
… well transferred … a worthy salute to her
memory. … see Full Review
Elisabeth Ohms (1888-1974)
and Gertrude Kappel (1884-1971) Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio
– Abscheulicher Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon
– Ozean, du Ungeheuer Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Der fliegende
Holländer – Traft ihr das Schiff Der
fliegende Holländer – Versank ich jetzt
with Theodor Scheidl # Tristan und
Isolde – Mild und leise # Wesendonck Lieder
Schmerzen # Träume # Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der Rosenkavalier
– Kann mich auch an ein Mädel erinnern
Der Rosenkavalier – Oh, sei er gut, Quinquin
Der Rosenkavalier – Hab’ mir’s gelobt with
Adele Kern and Elfriede Marherr # Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Walküre
– Ho jo to ho! * Götterdämmerung
– Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort * Guiseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La Forza del
Destino – Pace, pace, mio Dio * Charles
François GOUNOD (1818-1893)
Faust – Engelchor! *
Elizabeth Ohms (soprano) except * Gertrude
Kappel (soprano) Orchestra of the Staatsoper,
Berlin/Manfred Gurlitt Orchestra of the Staatsoper,
Berlin/Julius Prüwer # Recorded 1924-29
PREISER 89521 [78.32] [JW]
The
original 78s have survived in good shape,
and sound well balanced and filtered. A pleasure
to listen to, as are Ohms and Kappel ... see
Full Review
Operatic
Duets for Baritone and Bass: Hampson and
Ramey Domenico CIMAROSA
(1749-1801) Il
Matrimonio Segreto, ‘Se fiato in corpo
avete’ Gaetano DONIZETTI
(1797-1868) Don Pasquale, ‘Cheti,
cheti immantinente’ Marino Faliero,
‘Israele, che vuoi?’ Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) I puritani,
‘Il rival salvar ti dei’…..’Suoni la tromba’
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901) Attila, ‘Uldino,
a me dinanzi’…’Tardo per gli anni’ Don
Carlos, ‘Restez!’ Simon Boccanegra,
‘Suona ogni labbro il mio nome’ Un
Giorno di Regno, ‘Tutte l’armi’
Thomas Hampson, (bar) and Samuel Ramey,
(bass) Munchner Rundfunkorchester/Miguel Gómez-Martinez
Recorded Studio 1, Bayerischer Rundfunk. July
1997
WARNER ELATUS 2564 60815-2 [73.11] [RF]
Those
who missed this enjoyable and well sung disc
first time round should not do so again at
its reduced price. Highly recommended. … see
Full Review
Pierce and Jonas
play Rare Works for Two Pianos and Orchestra
Pierre Max DUBOIS
(1930-1995) Concerto Italien pour deux
pianos et orchestre (1962) (I. Brilliante
5:44; II. Andante 6:38; III. Rondo 5:56) [18.20]
Roy HARRIS
(1898-1979) Concerto for Two Pianos and
Orchestra (1946) (I. Introduction/Toccata
6:36; II. Theme and Variations 10:00; III.
Moderately Fast 7:44) [24.20] Arthur
BENJAMIN (1893-1960) North American
Square Dance Suite for two pianos
and orchestra (1. Introduction and "Miller's
Reel" 1:19; 2. "The Old Plunk" 0:51; 3. "The
Bundle of Straw" 1:22; 4. "He Piped So Sweet"
2:41; 5. "Fill the Bowl" 1:42; 6. "Pigeon
on the Pier" 0:49 7. "Calder Fair" 1:49; 8.
"Salamanca" 1:39) (1950) [12.12]
Joshua Pierce and Dorothy Jonas (duo
pianists) Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
of Bratislava/Kirk Trevor rec. 25-26 May 2000
(Harris); 29-30 May 2000 (Benjamin); 30-31
May 2000 (Dubois) World Premiere Recordings
KLEOS CLASSICS KL-5129 [55:01] [RB]
A
most attractive disc in which the mood chart
moves at the lightest from the Benjamin to
the Dubois and onwards to the tragic-epic
tread of the symphonic Harris. ... see Full
Review
Hans
Reinmar (1895-1961)
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Don
Giovanni – Treibt der Champagner Don Giovanni
– Feinsliebchen, komm ans Fenster Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Un ballo in maschera
– Ja, nur du hast dies Herz Simon Boccanegra
– Adel, Plebejer, Genaus Volk Don Carlos –
Schon she ich den Tag erscheinen Otello –
Ich glaube an einen Gott Otello – Es war zur
Nachzeit with Marcel Wittrisch Jacques
OFFENBACH (1819-1880) The Tales
of Hoffmann – leuchte, heller Spiegel Giacomo
MEYERBEER (1791-1864) L’Africaine
– Dir, Königin, bin ich ergeben L’Africaine
– Wie hat mein Herz geschlagen Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen – Euren
Toast Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Tannhäuser – Als du in
kühmen Sange Tannhäuser – Blick’
ich umher Tannhäuser – O du mein holder
Abendstern Heinrich
August MARSCHNER (1795-1861) Hans
Heiling – An jenem Tag Engelbert
HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Königskinder
– Verdorben-gestorben Victor
NESSLER (1890-1939) Der Trompeter
von Säckingen – Behüt’ dich Gott
Franz ABT
(1819-1893) Wenn man beim Wein sitzt Soldatenart
Hans Reinmar (baritone) with Orchester der
Staatsoper/Hermann Weigert Orchester der Staatsoper/Frieder
Weissmann Berlin Philharmonic/Selmar Meyrowitz
Berlin Philharmonic/Wilhelm Franz Reuss Berlin
Philharmonic/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt Orchester
der Städtischen Oper, Berlin/Leo Borchert
Recorded 1927-35
PREISER 89112 [75.23] [JW]
Reinmar:
an engrossing issue, transfers are careful,
pitching is good, copies are clean – first
class in fact … this issue brings his artistry
to deserved light once again. … see Full
Review
Such a feast –Treble
solos sung by Jonathan Rendell Gottfried
Heinrich STÖLZEL (?) (1690-1749)
Bist
du bei mir (BWV 580) [02:37] George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Messiah
(HWV 56): I know that my redeemer liveth [05:44]
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695)
An Evening Hymn (Now that the sun hath
veil’d his light) (Z 193) [03:56] Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem
op. 48: Pie Jesu [03:22] Charles
Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Long
since in Egypt’s plenteous land [05:03] Paul
EDWARDS (b 1956) No small wonder
[02:41] Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) A New Year
Carol [02:30] Geoffrey
BURGON (b 1941) Nunc dimittis [02:45]
Max REGER (1873-1916)
Zwei geistliche Lieder: Ich sehe dich
in tausend Bildern [03:02] Meine Seele ist
still zu Gott [03:10] Matthew
OWENS (b 1971) O sacrum convivium
[03:17] Frank MARTIN
(1890-1974)/arr Ian
TRACEY The Lord’s Prayer [02:57]
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) The Call César
FRANCK (1822-1890) Panis Angelicus
[04:36] trad/arr
POWELL Amazing
Grace [02:53] Maurice
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Requiem
op. 9: Pie Jesu [03:56] Shaker
tune/arr Matthew
OWENS Lord of the dance
Jonathan Rendell, treble; Kathryn Greeley,
violin; William Conway, cello; Matthew Owens,
organ Recorded in January 2002 in St Mary’s
Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, UK DDD
LAMMAS RECORDS LAMM 138D [57:57] [JV]
A
nice recording of a fine singer in which worn
paths are mostly avoided ... see Full
Review
Ruggiero Ricci. Decca
Recordings 1950-1960. Original Masters. Niccolo
PAGANINI (1782-1840)
24 Caprices Op.1 Concerto for Violin
and Orchestra No. 1 in D major Op.6London
Symphony Orchestra/Anthony
Collins Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
No. 2 in B minor Op.7 La CampanellaLondon
Symphony Orchestra/Anthony
Collins Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane L’Orchestre
de la Suisse Romande/Ernest
Ansermet Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Sonata for
Violin and Piano in E flat Op.18 Carlo Bussotti
(piano) Carl Maria
von WEBER (1786-1826) Sonatas;
Six Sonates Progressives: Nos. 1-6 J99-104
Carlo Bussotti (piano) Pablo
de SARASATE (1844-1908) Concert
Fantasy on Carmen Op.25 Zigeunerweisen Op.20
London
Symphony Orchestra/ Piero
Gamba Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Havanaise
in E Op.83 Introduction and Rondo capriccioso
in A minor Op.28 London
Symphony Orchestra/Piero
Gamba Edouard
LALO (1823-1892) Symphonie Espagnole
in D minor Op.21 Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest
Ansermet Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Sonatas for
solo Violin: Op.31 No.1 and No.2 Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Solo Violin
Sonata in D Op.115 Aram
KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978)Concerto
for Violin and Orchestra in D minor
London
Philharmonic Orchestra/Anatole
Fistoulari
Ruggiero Ricci (violin) Accompaniments as
above Recordings made between 1950 and 1960
DECCA ORIGINAL MASTERS LIMITED EDITION 475
105-2 [5 CDs 74.06 + 66.28 + 65.43 + 72.19
+ 69.47] [JW]
This
splendid set … reminds us constantly of the
questing musicianship and provocative tonal
resources of a musical and discographic pathfinder.
… see Full Review
The Romantic
Flute
János Bálint (flute: pearl handmade
14K gold) Tünde Kurucz (piano) Katalin
Kramarics (flute) on Doppler (track 4) Recording:
2001, Licensed from Hungaroton, Hungary No
recording dates or locations given. DDD
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92190 [2CDs 60:07+63:40]
[MC]
Lots
of pleasure to be gained from this compelling
collection of flute works and the performances
are very fine indeed. ... see Full
Review
The Romantic
Guitar: Liebestraum,
Granada, Ave Maria, Sevilla,
Habanera, etc.
Alirio Diaz (guitar) No recording dates
or locations given.
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6478 [2CDs: 62:09+70:04]
[MC]
At
super-budget price this release from Brilliant
Classics is a steal and there are manifold
rewards in store. ... see Full
Review
Mstislav ROSTROPOVICH
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Cello
Concerto No. 1 in E flat, Op. 107a
(1959) [27’30]. Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sinfonia concertante in E minor for
Cello and Orchestra, Op. 125b (1952)
[36’18]. BONUS: Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Songs
and Dances of Deathc (1875-77)
[20’42]. Mstislav Rostropovich (abcello/cpiano);
cGalina Vishnevskaya (soprano);
aLondon Symphony Orchestra/Charles
Groves; bOrchestre National de
l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo/Okko Kamu. Rec.
aLondon on December 16th,
1961; bCannes, France, on January
12th, 1970; cORTF, Paris,
on January 20th, 1970. PAL. 4:3.
mono
EMI
CLASSICS CLASSIC ARCHIVE DVA 4901209 [84’21]
[CC]
In
all, then, a document to be snapped up, and
not just by fans of the cello. … see
Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Great Conductors of the 20th Century: Hermann
Scherchen Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Coriolan
Overture, op. 62: (1807) [8.05] Vienna
State Opera Orchestra (mono June 1954) Symphony
no.8 in F, op. 93 (1812) [23.20] Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra (mono 30 Sept 1954) Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882 - 1971) L’Oiseau
de Feu (1910): Suite (1919) [19.50] Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra (mono September 1954)
Arnold SCHOENBERG
(1874 - 1951) Suite in the Old Style
(G Major) for Strings (1935) [17.43] Berlin
Radio Symphony Orchestra (stereo 1 September
1959) Carl ORFF
(1895 - 1982) after William
BYRD (1543 - 1623) Entrata (1940)
[8.35] Vienna State Opera Orchestra (stereo
17 November 1960) Emil
Nikolaus von REZNIČEK (1860 -
1945) Donna Diana: Overture (1894)
[5.38] Vienna State Opera Orchestra (stereo
June 1957) Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Symphony
in G, Hob 1:100 "Military" (1794) [23.06]
Vienna State Opera Orchestra (stereo July
1958) Johannes BRAHMS
(1833 - 1897) Symphony no. 1 in c, op.
68 (1876) [44.14]
Vienna State Opera Orchestra (mono October
1952) Vienna Recordings made in the Mozart-Saal,
Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria. (1952-60) British
recordings made in the Walthamstow Town Hall,
London, UK (1954) German radio recording made
in Lankwitz Studio, Berlin, September 1959.
Hermann Scherchen conducting
Recordings are monophonic except the Schoenberg,
Byrd/Orff, Rezniček and Haydn. AAD
EMI CLASSICS IMG ARTISTS 7243 5 75956 2 9
[78.26 + 73.23] [CH]
I
don’t think you could doubt that a great conductor
and an original, enquiring mind was in charge
of every track here. ... see Full
Review
Royal
Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra: Great
Recordings from the Archives
IMG RSPO 1000-2 [1001-1008] [8
CDs: 71.04 + 79.17 + 70.19 + 79.40 + 79.54
+ 74.07 + 77.54 + 78.20] [JW]
Some
exceptionally valuable performances … some
readers may exercise caution but those interested
in a wide range of material of real rarity
will want to listen. … see Full
Review
Andrès
Segovia (1893-1987)
Mario
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO (1895-1968)
1-3. Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra [18:57]
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
(1887-1959) 4. Two Studies [ 4:43]
Federico Moreno TORROBA
(1891-1982)5. Madronos [ 2:51]
6. Dos Canciones Catalanas [ 3:12] TORROBA
(arr. Segovia) 7. Arada y Danza
(from Suite Castellana) [time not given] Isaac
ALBENIZ (1860-1909)
(arr. Segovia) 8. Sevilla (from
Suite Espanola) [ 4:01] 9. Torre Bermeja (from
Piezas Caracteristicas) [ 3:44] Enrique
GRANADOS (1867-1916) (arr. Segovia)
10. Danza Espanola No.5 in E Minor [ 3:51]
11. Tonadilla (La Maja de Goya) [ 4:14] Manuel
PONCE (1882-1948)
(arr. Segovia) 12. Sonatina Meridional
[ 8:33] 13. Rondo on a theme by F. Sor (from
Sonata Classique) [ 3:12] Joaquin
TURINA (1882-1949) (arr. Segovia) 14.
Fandanguilla [ 3:56] TORROBA
(arr. Segovia) 15. Arada & Danza (from
Suite Castellana) [ 4:49] Robert
de VISEE (c1660-1725) 16. Entrada
y Giga [ 3:14] 17. Bourée y Minuet
[ 2:40]
Andrès Segovia (1893-1987) (guitar)
New London Orchestra/Alec Sherman (track one)
REGIS RRC 1158 [73:37] [SA]
With
works by nine different composers there is
no difficulty in choosing a programme that
will help show why Segovia is still regarded
as the "guitar magician" the disc’s
title proclaims him to be. ... see Full
Review
The Smetana Quartet
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String
Quartet No. 1 in F major Op.18 No.1 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) String
Quartet No.20 in D major K499 Bedřich
SMETANA (1824-1884) String Quartet
No.1 in E minor From My Life
The Smetana Quartet Recorded BBC Studios,
Manchester, January 1963 (Beethoven) and Royal
Festival Hall, London, June 1965 (Mozart and
Smetana)
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4137-2 [77.40] [JW]
Demonstrating
the Smetana’s expected and most admired virtues.
Incisive accents, a delicious sway and all
strands concisely in place ... see Full
Review
Souvenirs:
Sublime Music for the Oboe
Diana Doherty (oboe) Sinfonia Australis/Mark
Summerbell Recorded at Goossens Hall at the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation, July
17th-20th August 4th,
2002 and January 27th-30th,
March 29th 2003
ABC CLASSICS 980 046-3 [71:44] [GPJ]
We
have here another case of that dread disease:
Adagioitis. I look forward to hearing Diana
Doherty in a more judiciously varied programme!
… see Full Review
Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf – Arias, Duets, Lieder
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Ackerman, recorded
1953
REGIS RRC1167 [78.25] [JW]
More
of a souvenir than a genuine proposition ...
see Full
Review
Spectrum for
Cello - Sixteen Contemporary Pieces Param
VIR (b. 1952) angel
blue Hilary TANN
(b. 1947) Lullaby Giles
SWAYNE (b. 1946) Spooky Song
John METCALF
(b. 1946) Continuous Study Sally
BEAMISH (b. 1956) Still Life
Rhian SAMUEL
(b. 1944) Tin Soldier Jonathan
DOVE (b. 1959) Prayer-wheel
Philip FLOOD
(b. 1964) Friday to Sunday Alissa
FIRSOVA (b. 1986) The Stonebreaker
Jonathan COLE
(b. 1970) Elegy Gavin
BRYARS (b. 1943) With Miriam
by the River Steve
MARTLAND (b. 1959) Sarabande
Richard CAUSTON
(b. 1971) Lunar Nicola
LeFANU (b. 1947) Prelude Rebecca
SAUNDERS (b. 1967) Song Kenneth
HESKETH (b. 1968) Cantilena
William Bruce (cello) Thalia Myers (piano)
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools
of Music (ABRSM Publishing) DDD
ABRSM PUBLISHING -ISBN: 186096 373 0 [31:01]
[CT]
After
two fine volumes of piano pieces, the innovative
Spectrum project continues with a volume for
cello ... see Full
Review
George SZELL
(1897-1970) - Great Conductors
of the 20th Century CD1
Daniel-François-Esprit
AUBER (1782-1871) Fra Diavolo:
Overture Cleveland Orchestra Recorded Masonic
Auditorium, Cleveland, 2nd November
1961 Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Symphony no.8 in G,
op.88 Cleveland Orchestra Recorded at Severance
hall, Cleveland, 28/29th April,
1970 Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) La Mer WDR Sinfonieorchester
Köln Live studio recording at Klaus von
Bismarck Saal, WDR, Cologne, 16th
November 1962 Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) Irmelin:
Prelude Cleveland Orchestra Recorded Masonic
Auditorium, Cleveland 28th October
1956 CD2 Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) L’Italiana
in Algeri: overture Cleveland Orchestra
Recorded Masonic Auditorium, Cleveland, 5th
May 1967 Peter TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Symphony no.5 in E minor,
op.64 WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln Live
studio recording at Klaus von Bismarck Saal,
WDR, Cologne, 24th June 1966 Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) The Mastersingers
of Nuremberg: Prelude to Act I New York
Philharmonic Orchestra Recorded at Carnegie
Hall, New York, 4th January 1954
Josef STRAUSS
(1827-1870) Waltz Delirien, op.212
Cleveland Orchestra Recorded at Severance
Hall, Cleveland, 5th January 1952
EMI CLASSICS IMG ARTISTS 7243 5 75962 2
0 [72:55+72:36] [GPJ]
Szell
was truly an aristocrat among conductors,
and nothing on this fine set falls below the
superb standards he set for himself and his
orchestras. ... see Full
Review
TENOR: Great Arias for
the Tenor Voice ... and to be Experienced
as a Protagonist
5CDs from CANTOLOPERA
The
exemplar singers is the weakest so far in
this Cantolopera series. I would not recommend
it for general listening. Putative protagonists
may find the orchestral backing useful for
trial and learning. ... see Full
Review
Jacques Thibaud in Concert
Edouard
LALO (1823-1892) Symphonie
espagnole Op.21 (1873) Orchestre Radio-Symphonique/Jean
Martinon, recorded in Brussels, February 1953
Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Violin Concerto No.1
in A minor Op.20 (1859) Introduction and Rondo
capriccioso Op.28 (1863) Hessischen Radio
Orchestra/Alceo Galliera, recorded Frankfurt,
29 April 1953 Ernest
CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème
Op.25 (1896) Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest
Ansermet, recorded Geneva, 17 November 1941
APR 5644 [67.09] [JW]
One
now has the luxury to add still further to
this great musician’s discography. ... see
Full Review
To Music
- Isobel Baillie and
Kathleen Ferrier – solos and duets from their
recordings: 1941-45 Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695) Come
Ye Sons of Art – Sound the Trumpet, Stript
of their green our groves appear, I saw that
you were grown so high The Indian Queen –
Let us wander not unseen [Chorus; We the spirits
of the air] King Arthur – Shepherd, shepherd,
leave decoying Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1750) arr.
Arthur SOMERVELL Ottone, Re di Germania
– Come to me, soothing sleep; Spring is coming
Thomas ARNE (1710-1778)
The Judgment of Paris – O ravishing delight,
The Tempest – Where the bee sucks Maurice
GREENE (1696-1755) Anthem; O God
of Righteousness – I will lay me down in peace,
Anthem; Praise the Lord, O my soul – O Praise
the Lord Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Orfeo
ed Euridice – What is Life? Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) The Dream of
Gerontius – My Work is done Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) To Music (An
die Musik) Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) With a waterlily
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) (49) Deutsche Volkslieder
– Sister Dear; Sweetheart [Feinsliebchen,
du sollst mir nicht barfuss geh’n] (6) Lieder
Op.3 No.1 – Constancy [Liebestreu] TRADITIONAL
O can ye sew cushions? O whistle
and I’ll come to you,Comin’ through the rye
Lady John Douglas
SCOTT (1810-1900) Think on me Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) (6) Duets
– Greeting; I would that my love
Isobel Baillie (soprano) and Kathleen Ferrier
(contralto) Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded
1941-45
APR 5544 [68.37] [JW]
These
discs have been something of a lacuna for
Ferrier admirers and they will be pleased
to make their acquaintance and savour their
charm. ... see Full
Review
Tribute to Sir Fred
André
MESSAGER (1853-1929), arr.
Lanchbery Les Deux Pigeons (1886)
(complete ballet) [62:18] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886), arr.
Constant LAMBERT Dante Sonata
[15:54] Alan
RAWSTHORNE (1905-1972) Madame
Chrysanthème (1955) [44:17] Francois
COUPERIN (1698-1733), arr. Gordon
JACOB Harlequin in the Street
(complete ballet) [28:52]
Jonathan Higgins, piano Judith Harris, mezzo-soprano
Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Barry Wordsworth Recorded
on 7-9 and 14-15 July 2003 in Sony Music Studios,
London. DDD
ASV SANCTUARY CD WLS 273 [78:12+71:09]
[PG]
An
excellent collection of lesser-recorded works,
and as such would be a generally solid addition
to any CD library. ... see Full
Review
The
Trio Sonata in 17th Century England Orlando
GIBBONS (1583 - 1625) Three
Fantasias á 3 (c.1620) [7.48] John
COPRARIO (1570? - 1626) Fantasia
Suite (1620s) [5.47] William
LAWES (1602 - 1645) Sett No. 1
(early 1620s) [9.30] John
JENKINS (1592 - 1678) Fancy and
Ayre (c.1650) [9.19] Fantasia á 3 (c.
1650) [5.04] Matthew
LOCKE (1621 - 1677) Suite in d
(1651) [6.13] Christopher
SIMPSON (1605 - 1669) Suite in
D (c.1650) [9.45] John
BLOW (1649 - 1708) Sonata in A
("early") [5.49] Ground in g (pre-1695)
[3.48] Henry PURCELL
(1659 - 1695) Sonata XX in D, Z.811 (1697)
[5.23]
London Baroque: Ingrid Siefert, Richard Gwilt,
vv; Charles Medlam, bass viol; Terence Charlston,
harpsichord, organ
BIS BIS-CD-1455 [70.15] [PSh]
Good
sound and polished but staid performances
of late Renaissance and early Baroque English
ensemble music. Put it on softly for people
to talk over at your next soirée ...
see Full Review
Ninon Vallin (Soprano)
Reynaldo HAHN
(1874-1947) Si
mes vers avaient des ailes, L’heure exquise
Ernest CHAUSSON
(1855-1899) Le Colibri Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Barcarolle,
Chanson de Printemps LEROUX
Le Nil Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Dolly
André MESSAGER
(1853-1929) Fortunio (Le vieille maison
grise) Henri DUPARC
(1848-1933) Chanson triste Benjamin
GODARD (1849-1895) Berceuse de
Jocelyn RENARD Le
temps des cerises Augusta
HOLMÈS (1847-1903) Noël
– Trois anges sont Venus Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Chanson de Solveig
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Chanson géorgienne
BEMBERG Chant
Hindou DALCROZE La
chère maison
FOUNTENAILLES Sais-tu YRADIER
Ay-Ay-Ay DE
BADET Intimité (after Chopin)
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Sérénade Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Villanelle
Jerome KERN
(1885-1945) La nuit est pour l’amour LONGAS
Près de l’étang Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violon du soir
arr. Calmette (Waltz No 5) DARCK
Chanson
Ninon Vallin (soprano) Unidentified accompanists
Undated [1920-30s]
MALIBRAN MR 553 [78.28] [JW]
Vallin:
something of a marvel, her breath sustained
and technically admirable, a certain insouciant
command, style and charm supported by knowing
characterisation. ... see Full
Review
Ramon
VARGAS (tenor) - Between Friends
Georges BIZET
(1838-1870) Les
Pecheurs de perles, ‘Au
fond du temple saint’ (Vassily Gerello, bar.)
Gioacchino ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Maometo II,
‘In questi estremi instanti’ (Barbara
Lavarian, sop. Vessilina Kasarova, mezzo)
Il barbiere di Siviglia,
‘All’idea di quell metallo’ (Manuel
Lanza, bar.) Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1868) L’Elisir
d’amore, ‘Ardir! Ha
forse il cielo mandato…Voglio dire, lo stupendo
elisir..Obbligato’ (Leo Nucci, bar.) Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Don Carlo,
‘E lui…Dio che nell’alma infondere’
(Vassily Gerello, bar.) Don Carlo,
‘È dessa!..ma lassù
ci vidremo’ (finale scene; Miriam Gauci, sop.)
La forza del destino, ‘Solenne
in quest’ora’ (Roberto Frontali, bar) Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Boheme,
‘In un coupe..O Mimi, tu piu non torni’ (Roberto
Frontali, bar)
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe
Verdi/Vjekoslav Sutej Rec. April 8th
to 15th 2003, in the Auditorium
di Milano, Milan
BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 54343 2 [56.08]
[RJF]
An
imaginative programme sung with appealingly
plangent tone, elegant phrasing and good characterisation
recorded in a natural, clear and airy acoustic.
... see
Full Review
Klára Würtz
plays
Romantic Piano Music CD1
Serge RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.
2 in C minor Op. 18 Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto
in A minor Op. 54 CD2 Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Waldesrauschen,
Gnomenreigen, Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat
major, Mephisto Waltz No. 1, Les jeux d’eaux
à la Villa d’Este, (From Années
de Pèlerinage III) Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Impromptu
in B flat major Op. 142 No. 3 "Rosamunde"
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Arabesque Op. 18 Frederic
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade No.
1 in G minor Op. 23 Barcarolle in F sharp
major Op. 60 Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) L’isle joyeuse
Klára
Würtz (piano) Rachmaninov: National Symphony
Orchestra of the Ukraine/Vladimir Sirenko
Recorded at the Chasse Theater, Breda, The
Netherlands, 1 February, 2003 Schumann: Nordwestdeutsche
Philharmonie/Arie van Beek Recorded at the
Philharmonie Hereford, Germany, 16 November,
2001 CD 2 Recorded at the Hervormde Kerk Rhoon,
The Netherlands, June 30-July 1, 2003
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92122 [63:36+69:53]
[MC]
Fine
performances ... Würtz deserves to be
better known. ... 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-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]
[Part 7 Misc M-Z]
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