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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Leroy ANDERSON (1908-1975) The Waltzing Cat The Syncopated Clock,
The Typewriter, A Trumpeter’s Lullaby, Fiddle Faddle, Blue Tango, The Phantom Regiment, Bugler’s Holiday, The Waltzing Cat, Plink, Plank, Plunk! Sleigh Ride, Horse and Buggy, Belle of the Ball, The Irish Washerwoman, The Last Rose of Summer, Pyramid Dance, Chicken Reel, Concerto in C for Piano and Orchestra * Simon Tedeschi (piano) * Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mann Recorded in February 2003, at the Iwaki Auditorium of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Southbank Centre, Melbourne ABC CLASSICS 476 158-9 [69.04] [JW]

Performances are warm and sympathetic ... Anderson the Norman Rockwell of 1950s American music? I’ll have to go and have a look. ... see Full Review

Willem Mengelberg – Bach Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor BWV 1067 Recorded 17 April 1939 Orchestral Suite No.3 BWV 1068 – Air only Recorded April 1942 Double Violin Concerto in D minor BWV 1043 Louis Zimmerman and Ferdinand Helman (violins), recorded 21 December 1937 Keyboard Concerto in F minor BWV 1056 Agi Jambor (piano), recorded 17 April 1939 Wedding Cantata; Weichet nur, betrübt Schatten BWV 202 To van der Sluys (soprano) recorded 17 April 1939 Concertgebouw Orchestra/Willem Mengelberg ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0258 [73.27] [JW]

Collectors should perhaps treat this one with a fair degree of caution ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas and Arias Grosser Herr and Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen, from the Christmas Oratorio, Cantata BWV82: Ich Habe Genug (1727), Cantata BWV158: Der Friede sei mit dir (1727), Am abend, from the St Matthew Passion (1729), Mache dich, mein Hernxe rein, from the St Matthew Passion, Es ist vollbracht, from Cantata BWV159 (1729), Auf mit hellem schall, from Cantata BWV128 (1725), Hat man nicht mit seinen Kindern, from Cantata BWV211 (Coffee Cantata) (1735) Ralph Kohn, baritone English Chamber Orchestra/Ian Watson Recorded January, March 1994, St Jude’s, Hampstead, London CAPRIOLE CAPCD 1010 [63.20] [TB]

Ralph Kohn: confident tone and a sure awareness of appropriate phrasing. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St Matthew Passion (abridged) Evangelist - Karl Erb (tenor) Jesus – Willem Ravelli (bass) Jo Vincent (soprano) Ilona Durigo (alto) Louis van Tulder (tenor) Herman Schey (bass) Piet van Egmond (organ) Johannes den Hertog (harpsichord) Louis Zimmermann (violin) G. Blanchard (oboe d’amore) W. Peddemors (oboe da caccia) Hubert Barwahser (flute) Amsterdam Toonkunst Choir "Zanglust" Boys’ Choir Concertgebouw Orchestra/Willem Mengelberg Recorded on Psalm Sunday, 2nd April 1939 in the Concertgebouw Suite No.2 in B minor BWV 1067 Concerto in D minor for Two Violins BWV 1010 Louis Zimmermann and Ferdinand Helman (violins) Air from Suite No.3 in D major BWV 1068 (arr. Telico) Concertgebouw Orchestra Air from Suite No.3 in D major BWV 1068 (arr. Mahler) Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York Willem Mengelberg
Recorded 1929-38 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110880-82 [71.42 + 62.46 + 72.58] [JW]

Plenty of vitally imaginative music-making of the old school. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Adagio for strings, Op. 11* [7’45"] Symphony No 1, Op. 9** [21’39"] Piano Concerto, Op. 38*** [29’ 09"] Souvenirs, Op. 28 for piano four-hands **** [18’24"] Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23a* [12’07"] Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 14***** [23’37"] Capricorn Concerto, Op. 21 for flute, oboe, trumpet and strings****** [14’34"] Concerto for cello and Orchestra, Op. 22******* [26’11"] *Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch ** St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin ***John Browning (piano); St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin **** John Browning and Leonard Slatkin (piano) ***** Kyoko Takezawa (violin); St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin ******Jacob Berg (flute); Peter Bowman (oboe); Susan Slaughter (trumpet); St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin *******Steven Isserlis (cello); St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin Recorded: * 1957. Venue not specified ** and *** at Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis 6-7 October 1990 **** at Manhattan Center, New York City, 15 October 1990 ***** 24 April 1994; ****** 7 May 1995; ****** 2 December 1994 all at Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis BMG ARTISTES RÉPERTOIRES 74321 987042 [2 CDs 76’59"; 76’59"] [JQ]

Lack of documentation is a serious drawback but not such as to deny this set the warmest possible recommendation. ... see Full Review

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Opus 24* (1948) Second Essay, Opus 17 (1942) Third Essay, Opus 47 (1976) Toccata Festiva, Opus 36 (1960) ^ *Karina Gauvin, soprano ^Thomas Trotter, organ Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Marin Alsop Recorded 27 October 2002 (Knoxville), 3 May 1999 (Second Essay), 18 March 2001 (Third Essay), Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 11 June 2002, Paisley Abbey (Toccata) NAXOS 8.559134 [56.55] [TB]

Undoubtedly an excellent addition to an already distinguished collection of Barber performances ... see Full Review

Béla BARTÓK (1881 - 1945) Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Sz.106 (1936)(1) [33'04] Divertimento for String Orchestra, Sz. 113 (1939)(2) [27'22] Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Rec. Stefaniensaal, Graz, (1) 23-26 June 2001, (2) 23-25 June 2000 RCA RED SEAL 82876 59326 2 [60'26] [PSe]

'Authentic performance' of Bartók? Oh yes, and it does indeed furnish fresh insights. ... see Full Review

Amy BEACH (1867-1944) Morning Glories Quartet for Strings Op 89 (1921-29) # Violin Sonata Op 34 (1896) * Piano Trio Op.150 (1938) + Diane Pascal (violin) and Joanne Polk (piano) * Diane Pascal (violin), Astrid Schween (cello) and Joanne Polk (piano) + The Lark Quartet # Recorded at The Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Centre, Purchase College, State University of New York, June 1999 ARABESQUE Z6747 [59.54] [JW]

Part of Arabesque’s invaluable Beach series ... valuable and with the advantage of a fine recording and dedicated, understanding, expert performances. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 10 and late overtures Symphony No. 10 (1st movement) Gratulations-Menuett WoO 3 Overture ‘The Ruins of Athens’ Op. 113 Overture ‘Nameday’ Op.115 Overture ‘King Stephen’ Op. 117 Overture ‘Fidelio’ Op. 72 Funeral march from ‘Leonora Prohaska’ WoO 96 Overture ‘The Consecration of the House’ Op. 124 Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra/Douglas Bostock Rec. The House of Music, Padubice, Czech Republic, 5-6 April 2003 DDD CLASSICO CLASSCD 472 [61:21] [MC]

Fascinating and rewarding late orchestral works from Beethoven. Worth exploring! ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Concerto in D major Op.61 Cavatina from the Quartet in B flat major Op.130 Grosse Fuge in B flat major Op.133 Yehudi Menuhin (violin) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler Recorded live 30 September 1947 (Concerto), live 10 February 1952 (Grosse Fuge) and in the studio 15 October 1940 (Cavatina) ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0257 [72.27] [JW]

It’s great news that these performances are newly available – but interested parties should, if at all possible, sample before they buy. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor Op.37 Marguerite Long (piano) Paris Conservatoire Orchestra [Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire], recorded 1939 Triple Concerto, for Violin, Cello and Piano Op.56 Ricardo Odnoposoff (violin) Stefan Auber (cello) Angelica Morales (piano) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded 1937 Felix Weingartner NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110878 [68.35] [JW]

A warm welcome to the latest in this instructive series from Naxos. ... see Full Review

Artur Schnabel Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No.4 Op.58 Piano Concerto No.5 Op. 73 Emperor Piano Sonata No.30 Op.109 Piano Sonata No.32 Op.111 Artur Schnabel (piano) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Frederick Stock Recorded in 1942 BMG RCA RED SEAL 74321 987172 [2 CDs: 69.57 + 46.54] [JW]

An important set – compromised by indifferent transfers. ... see Full Review

The Busch String Quartet Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet No. 7 in F Op.59 No.1 Razumovsky String Quartet No. 8 in E minor Op.59 No.2 Razumovsky Busch String Quartet Recorded in New York, 1941 and 1942 BIDDULPH 80208-2 [75.55] [JW]

Transfers attractively done ... expands the Busch CD discography still further and enticingly. ... see Full Review

Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio. Opera in Two Acts Leonore, Kirsten Flagstad (sop); Florestan, René Maison (ten); Rocco, Alexander Kipnis (bass); Pizarro, Julius Huehn (bar); Marzelline, Marita Farell, (sop); Jaquino, Karl Laufkoetter, (ten); Don Fernando, Herbert Janssen (bar) Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera, New York/Bruno Walter Rec. from live broadcast on February 22nd 1941 GUILD HISTORICAL IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES SERIES GHCD 2269-2270 [72.19 + 78.20] [RJF]

For those who take a contrary view and are drawn to Flagstad's voice and Walter’s interpretation, the recording here is one of the finest I have heard from this period.... see Full Review

Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918 – 1990) Symphony No.1 Jeremiah (1942)aConcerto for Orchestra Jubilee Games (1986/9)b Helen Medlyn (mezzo-soprano)a; Nathan Gunn (baritone)bNew Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James JuddRecorded: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, August 2002 NAXOS 8.559100 [55:04] [HC]

Judd conducts a very fine reading of Jeremiah, and an equally fine one of the Concerto for Orchestra ... see Full Review

Franz BERWALD (1796-1868) Symphony No. 1 Sinfonie sérieuse (Allegro con energia [10'12]; Adagio maestoso [7'07]; Stretto [5'27]; Finale Adagio — Allegro molto [7'43]) (1842) [30.38] Symphony No. 2 Sinfonie capricieuse (Allegro [10'20]; Andante [7'26]; Finale Allegro assai [9'28]) (1842) [27.20] Symphony No. 3 Sinfonie Singulière (Allegro fuocoso [10'18]; Adagio [9'40]; Finale Presto [7'49]) (1845) [27.53] Symphony No. 4 Sinfonie naïve (Allegro risoluto [8'43]; Adagio [6'14]; Scherzo Allegro molto [5'41]; Finale Allegro vivace [6'34]) (1845) [27.21] Symphony in A (completed Druce). (1820) [16.34] Estrella de Soria Overture (1862) [7:56] Queen of Golconda Overture (1864) [7:41] Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Roy Goodman Rec. Berwaldhallen, Stockholm May, Oct 1995. DDD Previously issued as Hyperion CDA67081-2 2 CDs for the price of one HYPERION DYAD CDD22043 [2CDs: 70:53 + 74:28 = 145:21] [RB]

Deeply rewarding lyrical statements ... a recording capturing the idiosyncratic woodwind sparkle as well as the prominent bloom of the French Horns. ... see Full Review

Heinrich Ignaz von BIBER (1644-1704) The Rosary Sonatas (Die Rosenkranz-Sonaten) Sonatas 1-15 and the Passacaglia With Readings by Timothy West Pavlo Beznosiuk (violins) David Roblou (Harpsichord, chamber organ) Paula Chateauneuf (Theorbo, archlute) Richard Tunnicliffe (Viola da Gamba, Violone) Timothy West (Reader) Rec. 30 Nov – 4 Dec 2003, St Andrew’s Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire AVIE AV 0038 [2 CDs: 79.47 + 77.18] [JW]

Makes for enjoyably spiritual listening. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hildegard of BINGEN (1098-1179) Sapphire Night: O Frondens Virga; Karitas Habundat; O Euchari, Columba; In Matutinis Laudibus; Columba Aspexit. Anonymous 'O Gloriosa' Patricia VAN NESS (b.1951) ‘The Nine orders of the Angels' Tapestry/Laurie Monahan (soprano and harp) Carolann Buff, (mezzo-soprano) Recorded at Mandelslah, May 2003. DDD MUSIK DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 344 1193-2 [76.43] [GH]

I would be amazed if you did not become as besotted with this disc as I am. ... see Full Review

York BOWEN (1884-1961) Viola Sonata in C minor (1905) Phantasy for Viola and Piano Op 54 (1918) Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Viola Sonata (1922) Doris Lederer (viola) Jane Coop (piano) Rec. LSU Recital Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, March 2002 CENTAUR CRC 2660 [68.22] [JW]

Let’s hope these two musicians continue to cast their net over under-explored areas of repertoire with such perception. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No 2 in D Op.73 (1877) Tragic Overture Op.81 (1880) Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra/Hans Vonk Rec. Hilversum, MCO – Studio 1, June 2003 DDD, Super Audio CD PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC 5186 042 [59:02] [PCW]

Vonk’s reading of the symphony seems a bit underpowered and is not really distinctive … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Trio No.1 in B flat major Op.8 Piano Trio No.2 in C major Op.87 (1883) Edwin Fischer (piano) Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin) Enrico Mainardi (cello) Recorded live in 1951 (No.2) and 1953 (No.1) ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0165 [62.48] [JW]

Not sure that this reflects them at their best, or tonally most ingratiating ... but they should be heard. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Choral Works Four Songs for female chorus, two horns and harp, op.17 (1860) Six Songs and Romances for unaccompanied mixed chorus, op. 93a (1883-84) One of the Five Part-Songs for unaccompanied mixed chorus, op. 104 (1886-88) Two of the Marienlieder for mixed unaccompanied voices, op.22 (1860) One of the Three Motets for four and eight-part unaccompanied double chorus, op.110 (1889) Two Motets for mixed chorus, op.74 (no.1 from 1877; no.2 from 1863-70) Chamber Choir of Europe/Nicol Matt Martina Schrott (harp); Sebastian Schindler (horn); Sebastian Schorr (horn) Recording 2003, Kloster Bronnbach, Wertheim (Vier Gesänge), Schlosskirche Bad Durkheim DDD. SACD Original DSD Recording. BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92206 [59:18]

An attractive selection from Brilliant Classics of Brahms choral works. At super-budget price this release is well worth hearing. ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Sinfonia da Requiem Op. 20 (1940) [20.08] Peter Grimes - Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia (1945) [23.50] Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Perfect Fool - ballet Op. 39 (1923) [10.51] Egdon Heath (Homage to Thomas Hardy) Op. 47 (1927) [14.40] London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn Rec. Nov-Dec 1973 Kingsway Hall, London (Sinfonia); Aug, Oct 1974, Studio 1, Abbey Road, London (Holst; Grimes). ADD Great Recordings of the Century EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 62615 2 5 [69.48] [RB]

Very fine Britten bringing back memories from the 1970s coupled with slightly less good Holst ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (1937) St. Nicolas, Cantata Op.42 (1948) Mark Tucker (tenor) Zürich Boys’ Choir Zürich Chamber Orchestra/Howard Griffiths Recorded live at the Kirche Altstetten, Zürich, 25-27 February 2003 (Variations) and the live at the Zürich Tonhalle, 14-15 December, 2003 (St. Nicolas). DDD CLAVES 50-2302 [74’48] [TH]

A good Bridge Variations but the German speaking version of the cantata limits the sales potential to German-speaking markets ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Owen Wingrave Gerald Finley (bar) - Owen Wingrave; Peter Savidge (bar) - Spencer Coyle; Hilton Marlton (ten) - Lechmere; Josephine Barstow (sop) - Miss Wingrave; Anne Dawson (sop) - Mrs.Coyle ; Elizabeth Gale (sop) - Mrs. Julian; Charlotte Hellekant (mezzo) - Kate; Martyn Hill (ten) - Sir Philip Wingrave; Andrew Burden (narrator) Deutsches Symphony Orchestra, Berlin/Kent Nagano Also includes 'Benjamin Britten - The Hidden Heart' - a film directed by Teresa Griffiths Video Director: Margaret Williams ARTHAUS DVD 100372 [150 minutes]

... although, in truth, it has not quite ranked as one of Britten's best operas. Seeing this, stunning DVD however, I am now entirely won over and I feel that the work has been much underestimated... see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 5 (1876) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim Rec November 1991, Philharmonie, Berlin WARNER ELATUS 2564 61173-2 [71.50] [TB]

Bruckner would surely have been pleased with the passionate commitment shown here ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Complete Works for Cello and Piano Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BMV 903 (transcription from J.S. BACH) Kleine Suite (Little Suite), Op.23 (Kind. 215)
Serenata Op.34 (Kind.196) Kultaselle: Ten Variations on a Finnish Folk song (Kind.237)
Valse oubliée (transcription of Franz LISZT) Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Adagio con variazioni Duo Pepicelli: Angelo Pepicelli, piano; Francesco Pepicelli, cello
Rec. Montevarchi, Italy, 19th -21st January 2000 NAXOS 8.555691 [67.52] [JF]

A great CD introducing some extremely attractive works from two of Italy's greatest composers. Extremely well played into the bargain ... 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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