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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

American Piano Classics Leroy ANDERSON (1908-1975) Piano Concerto in C† (1953) George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Second Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra† (original version, 1931) Louis Moreau GOTTSCHALK (1829-1869) Grand Tarantelle* - Arr. Hershey Kay Euday BOWMAN (1887-1949) 12th Street Rag* (1914) Scott JOPLIN (1868-1917) The Entertainer* (1902); Solace§ (1909); Maple Leaf Rag* (1899) (all arr. Erich Kunzel) Morton GOULD (1913-1996) Interplay (American Concertette for Piano and Orchestra)* (1943) Stewart Goodyear† (piano) William Tritt *(piano) Keith Lockhart§ (piano) Cincinnati Pops Orchestra/Erich Kunzel Rec. Music Hall, Cincinnati, 1985-1992. DDD TELARC CD-80112 [68:13] [PCW]

If you don’t seem to have enough music at the classical/jazz interface, then this disc should be high on your wish list ... see Full Review

Arcadian Murmurs Claude DEBUSSY (1862 – 1918) Syrinx (1913) Cyril SCOTT (1879 – 1970) The Ecstatic Shepherd (1922) Ary van LEEUWEN (1875 – 1953) Pan’s Lament (1935) Francis POULENC (1899 – 1963) Le joueur de flûte berce les ruines (1942) Charles DELANEY (born 1925) Hymn of Pan (1949) Roger BOURDIN (1923 – 1976) Chanson de Pan (1968) Pan blessé (1970) Benjamin BOONE (born 1963) The Wood Nymph of Nonacris (1989) Mark HIJLEH (born 1963) Syrinx, Too (2002) Binnette LIPPER (born 1939) Flute Flight (2003) Margarita ZELENAIA (born 1954) Pan’s Pastoral for a Shepherd (2003) Gene PRITSKER (born 1971) Pan(ic) (2003) David GOLIGHTLY (born 1948) Three Pan Love Songs (2003) Pierre THILLOY (born 1970) Le Rêve de Pan (2003) Nina Assimakopoulos (flute) Recorded: EMA Studios, Recital Hall, Houghton College, Houghton NY, July 2003 EUTERPE RECORDINGS 202 [45:10] [HC]

Assimakopoulos plays beautifully throughout and her superb readings are beautifully recorded. ... see Full Review

Irina Arkhipova and [Russian] State Chamber Choir Alexander Andreyevich ARKHANGELSKY (1846 - 1924) Praise the name of the Lord [5.23] Dmitri Stepanovich BORTNYANSKY (1751 - 1825) Lord, let me know my end [10.55] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873 - 1943) Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op.31: Ektene of Supplication [3.09]; Blessed the Lord, O my soul [9.20] Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1893) Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op.41: Our Father [1.23]; Praise the Lord from the Heavens [3.28] Pavel Grigorievich CHESNOKOV (1877 - 1944) The eternal [3.02]; Unfailing intercessor of Christians [4.00]; Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as incense [6.24] Georgy IZVEKOV (18?? - 1930) Appease my ills [4.10] G. DAVIDOVSKY (late 18th century) Now let thy servant depart in peace [1.51 Irina Arkhipova, mezzo-soprano Russian State Chamber Choir/Valery Polyansky Recorded in Moscow, Russia, in 1990 Notes in Russian and English. Photos of the artists. TALENTS OF RUSSIA [Talanti Rossiy] RCD 13001 [52.55] [PSh]

An excellent sampler of the best of Russian church music from many centuries ... see Full Review

Claudio Arrau in Concert 3 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major Op.109 Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major Op.110 Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor Op.111 Claudio Arrau (piano) Recorded at the Theresa L Kaufman Concert Hall, 92nd Street YM-YWHA, New York, 20th December 1975 APR 5633 [69.55] [JW]

An adjunct to Arrau’s commercial discography, this Christmas recital reveals once again Arrau’s intense spiritual identification with late Beethoven ... see Full Review

Leo Borchard (1899-1945) Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker – Extracts (1892) Romeo and Juliet – Fantasy Overture (1880) Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon – Overture (1826) Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Stenka Razin – Poème Op.13 (1886) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Leo Borchard Recorded 1934-35 (Nutcracker – commercial Telefunken) and radio broadcasts (remainder) dating from 1945 TAHRA TAH520 [73.34] [JW]

But for a cruel end, Borchard would have taken a prestigious place in the regeneration of post-War Germany. Tahra show us what we have lost. ... see Full Review

British Light Classics Sir Malcolm ARNOLD (b. 1921) English Dance, Op. 33 No. 1 (1951) Eric COATES (1886-1957) Calling all Workers (1940) By the Sleepy Lagoon (1930); Dam Buster’s March (1955) Arthur WOOD (1875-1953) Barwick Green (1925) Vivian ELLIS (1903-1996) Coronation Scot (1948) Haydn WOOD (1882-1959) The Bandstand (1936) Hubert BATH (1883-1945) Cornish Rhapsody (1945) Robert FARNON (b .1917) Portrait of a Flirt (1949) Westminster Waltz (1956) Trevor DUNCAN (b.1924) March, from Little Suite (1960) Charles WILLIAMS (1893-1978) Rhythm on Rails (1956) Heart O’ London (1953) The Devil’s Galop (1944) Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Jamaican Rumba (1938) Edward WHITE (1910-1994) Puffing Billy (1954) Anthony COLLINS (1893-1963) Vanity Fair (1952) Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Chanson de Nuit (1897) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth Recorded 4-5 April 2003, Henry Wood Hall, London WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61438-2 [59.35] [TB]

Not a first choice but there are some appealing features and anyone buying this disc is unlikely to be disappointed. ... see Full Review

Heidi Brunner (Soprano) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Scene with Rondo (for soprano and orchestra with piano) K505 (1786) Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Wesendonck Lieder (with piano accompaniment) (1858) Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Cantata Arianna á Naxos (for soprano and piano) Hob.XXVIb/2 (1789) Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Il Tramonto (lyric poem for voice and string orchestra) (1914) Heidi Brunner (soprano) Kristin Okerlund (piano) Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Bertrand de Billy Rec. 2002-3, ORF Sendesaal. DDD OEHMS OC 325 [64:26] [PCW]

A delightful disc … Heidi Brunner is clearly an artist to watch … see Full Review

Maria Callas Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 - 1835) Qui la voce from I puritani (1); Casta Diva from Norma (1) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1798 - 1848) Ardon gl’incensi (Mad Scene) from Lucia di Lammermoor (2) Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) Anch’io dischuiso from Nabucco (3); Vini! t’afretta! from Macbeth (3); E strano..Ah, fors’e lui..Sempre libera from La Traviata (4); Addio del passato from La Traviata (4); Parigi, o cara from La Traviata (4) Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834 - 1886) Suicidio! from La Gioconda (5) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 - 1924) Vissi d’arte from Tosca (6) REGIS RRC 1165 [76.13] [RH]

An interesting selection of Callas’s early recordings ... see Full Review

The British Cello Phenomenon CD1 Douglas Cameron/National Symphony Orchestra ROSSINI William Tell Overture (Part I) [3'22"] John Barbirolli/Ethel Bartlett BACH Gamba Sonata BWV1027 Adagio [4'20"] W.H. Squire/Hamilton Harty Benjamin GODARD Berceuse de Jocelyn [3'32"] Beatrice Harrison/Orchestra/Eric Fenby DELIUS Elegy [3'19"] Cedric Sharpe/Cecil Dixon POPPER Polonaise de Concert Op. 14 [3'43"] Felix Salmond GRIEG To Spring [2'59"] Lauri Kennedy/Dorothy Kennedy POPPER Hungarian Fantasy [4'29"] Anthony Pini/Orchestra SAINT-SAËNS Softly Wakes My Heart from Samson and Dalila Op. 47 [2'54"] Raymond Clark/Orchestra of the ROH, Covent Garden/Constant Lambert TCHAIKOVSKY Sleeping Beauty Op 66/ Vision Scene (Act II) [4'33"] Reg Kilbey/Jack Byfield MASSENET Elégie [3'59"] Denis Vigay/Academy of St Martins/Neville Marriner SUPPÉ Overture 'Morning, Noon and Night' (Part) [3'20"] Alan Dalziel/John Constable FAURÉ Elégie [6'29"] Thomas Igloi/Clifford Benson FAURÉ Sonata No. 2 Op. 117: Andante [6'08"] Keith Harvey/Lynn Hendry DEBUSSY arr. HARVEY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune [8'30"] Jacqueline du Pré/Christopher Finzi/Newbury String Players RUBBRA Soliloquy [16'24"] [CD2] Norman Jones/Philharmonia/Gardelli VERDI Overture to 'I Masnadieri' (part) [4'24"] Derek Simpson/Ernest Lush SCHUBERT Arpeggione Sonata: III Allegretto [9'53"] Douglas Cummings BACH Suite in d BWV 1008 Allemande [4'10"]; Courante [2'36"] Moray Welsh DUTILLEUX Strophe No. 3 [2’41"] Chris van Kampen/Ian Brown JANÁČEK Pohadka III [3'46"] Raphael Wallfisch/Lynn Hendry CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO Figaro [5'31"] Colin Carr KODALY Solo Sonata Op. 8 Allegro molto vivace [11'39"] Alexander Baillie/Dominic Harlan GLIÈRE Albumblätter: No.5 [2'31"]; No.12 [2'13"] Robert Cohen/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton WALTON Concerto: II Allegro appassionato [6'24"] Steven Isserlis/Stephen Hough FAURÉ Après un Rêve [3'25"] Tim Hugh HANDEL/HALVORSEN Theme and Variations [5'36"] Clive Greensmith/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Carl Davis WOOD ‘Tom Bowling' from Fantasia on British Sea Songs [2'03"] Paul Watkins/BBC Symphony Orchestra HOLST Invocation [9'53"] Rec 1930s-1990s; mono/stereo CELLO CLASSICS CC1010 [77.45+79.23]

Let’s be happy we have what we have here. No need to be D Flat about this one. ... see Full Review

Enrico CARUSO, tenor (1873-1921): The Complete Recordings. Volume 12 (1919-1920) se review for details Recorded in Camden, New Jersey, in September 1919, January, and September 1920. Accompanied by the ‘Victor Orchestra’/Josef Pasternack except tr.18 played by the ‘Victor military band’ NAXOS HISTORICAL ‘GREAT SINGERS SERIES’ 8.110753 [68.50]

An interesting issue, then, if not one I shall reach for every day ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Van Cliburn: Concert Pianist Disc 1 (DVD Video): Documentary, Van Cliburn – Concert Pianist [58’17]. Disc 2 (CD Audio Disc): Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)/Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Widmung, S566 (1848) [4’04]. Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3 (1829-32) [4’47]. Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39 (1839) [7’15]. Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Étude-Tableau in E flat minor, Op. 39 No. 5 (1916/17) [5’17]. Prélude in C sharp minor, Op. 3 No. 2 [4’51]. Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) L’Isle joyeuse (1904) [6’42]. Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Intermezzo in A, Op. 118 No. 2 (1892) [6’12]. Waltz in A flat, Op. 39 No. 15 (1865) [2’00]. Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S514 (1859-60) [10’49]. Van Cliburn (piano). DVD + CD; DVD: English Narration; French and German subtitles available. Dolby Digital 2.0. Picture Format 4:3. DVD 5 PAL. RCA LEGENDARY VISIONS 82876 58241-9 [58’17 + 52’02] [CC]

A fascinating, riveting documentary complemented perfectly by a CD of the most magical piano playing. ... see Full Review

Classical Cello Concertos Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Leonardo LEO (1694-1744) Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) see review for details BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92198 [7 CDs: 68:57 + 63:26 + 72:37 + 74:42 + 37:21 + 44:03 + 50:38] [JW]

Temptingly cheap ... poses no problematic questions. These are all very recommendable performances ... see Full Review

Come, Holy Spirit: Music for Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) God is gone up (1951) Thomás Luis de VICTORIA (1548-1611) Ascendens Christus William BYRD (c. 1539-1623) Alleluia. Ascendit Deus Durate LOBO (c. 1565-1646) Regina caeli laetare J.S. BACH (1685-1750) Fantasia super Komm, Heiliger Geist, BWV 651, for organ Komm, Gott, Schopfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 667, for organ Kyrie, Gott Heiliger Geist, BWV 671, for organ Giovanni Perluigi de PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Veni sancte spiritus Spiritus sanctus Thomas TALLIS (c. 1505-1585) If ye love me O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit Loquebantur varlis linguis Jonathan HARVEY (b. 1939) Come, Holy Ghost (1984) Orlando de LASSUS (c. 1531-1594) Tibi laus, tibi gloria Sir John TAVENER (b. 1944) Prayer to the Holy Trinity (1995) Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599) Duo seraphim Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) Let all the world in every corner sing (1965) The Choir of the Queen’s College, Oxford/Owen Rees (director) George Parsons (organ) Recorded: Queen’s College, Oxford, England, 1-3 July 2003 GUILD GMCD 7276 [58:07] [MC]

No one investing in this well presented Guild release is likely to be disappointed. ... see Full Review

Cori Spezzati: Venetian polychoral music of the 16th Century Giovanni GABRIELI 'Ahi senza te'; Dolce leggiadre e belle; Alma corte se bella; Kyrie Eleison; Fuggi pur se sai; Amor dove mi quidi; Omnes gentes plaudite. Andrea GABRIELI 'In nobil sanque'; Alla battaglia; Ale quancie de rose; Gloria; Alessandro Striggio 'Ninfe leggiadre s bella'; Adrian WILLAERT 'O bene mio ' Johann GRABBE 'Cor mio'; Hans NIELSEN 'Deh dolce anima'; Claudio MERULO Sanctus; Benedicamus Domine; Hodie Christus natus est; Agnus dei Chamber Choir of Europe/Nicol Matt No recording details supplied BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92209 [61.21]

Freshness of tone and the blossom of youth ... strong factors which I find quite captivating. ... see Full Review

Duetto: Great Opera Duets and to be Experienced as a Protagonist Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata, ‘Parigi, o cara’. (lyric tenor and coloratura or flexible lyric soprano); ‘Libiamo ne’ lieti calici’ Il Trovatore, ‘Ai nostri monti’. (spinto tenor and dramatic mezzo) Don Carlo, ‘Dio che nell’alma infondere’. (lyric tenor and true baritone) Aida, ‘O terra addio’. (Spinto tenor and lyrico spinto soprano) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni, ‘La ci darem la mano’. (light soprano and either a baritone or bass with a good top) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1868) Don Pasquale, ‘Tornami a dir che m’ami’. (light lyric tenor and light flexible soprano) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Boheme, ‘O soave fanciulla’. (lyric tenor and lyric soprano) Orchestra and Chorus ‘Compagnia D’Opera Italiana’/Antonella Gotto Sung by Linda Campanella, (sop); Antonia Cifrone, (sop); Marcella Polidori, (sop); Sarah M’Punga, (mezzo) Silvano Santagata, (ten); Stefano Secco, (ten); Albetro Gazale, (baritone); Matteo Peirone, (basso brillante) Recorded June-November 1997. No venue indicated CANTOLOPERA 95044 and 95054 [55.05 + 56.03]

These discs can be recommended to any singer wishing to extend their repertoire, practising as much as they like before the more difficult task of realising the music with a live partner. ... see Full Review

Estonian Composers (II) Helena TULVE (b. 1972) Tracesa Mirjam TALLY (b. 1976) Swinburneb Tōnu KŌRVITS (b. 1969) Streamc Timo STEINER (b. 1976) Descendants of Caind Tōnis KAUMANN (b. 1971) Long Playe Märt-Matis LILL (b. 1975) Le Rite de Passage (1999)f Mart SIIMER (b. 1967) Water of Lifeg Ardo-Ran Varres (narrator)b; Iris Oja (soprano)b; Alar Pintsaar (baritone)b; Vambola Krigul (percussion)b; Külli Möls (accordion)b; Robert Jürjendal (electric guitar)b; Virgo Veldi (saxophone)c; Madis Metsamart (percussion)c; The Bowed Piano Ensembled; Teet Järvi (cello)g; Monika Mattiesen (flute)g; NYYD Ensemble, Olari Elts (conductor)aef Recorded: Estonian Radio, 1998 (Siimer), 1999 (Lill), 2000 (Kōrvits) and 2001 EESTI RAADIO ERCD 32 [77:57] [HC]

A very useful and enjoyable cross-section of recent works by Estonians of the younger generations ... partly answers the question "Well, Pärt, Sumera, Rääts, Tüür, what next?" ... see Full Review

French Organ MusicJean LANGLAIS (1907-1991) Suite Brève (1947) Incantation pour un jour Saint (1949) Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Offrande au Saint Sacrement Gaston LITAIZE (1909-1991) Scherzo (1932) Lied (1934) Epiphanie Guy ROPARTZ (1864-1955) Prélude funèbre (1896) Louis VIERNE (1870-1937) Three Improvisations Marcel DUPRE (1886-1971) Evocation (1941) Colin Walsh (organ of Lincoln Cathedral) Recorded at Lincoln Cathedral 1 - 4 September 2003. DDD GUILD GMCD 7278 [77.22][MC]

The recording of the organ of Lincoln Cathedral is of the highest quality and Guild are to be congratulated on a release that is hard to fault ... see Full Review

French Saxophone: Twentieth Century Music for Saxophone and Orchestra Henri TOMASI (1901-1971) Saxophone Concerto (1949) [19.33] André CAPLET (1878-1925) Légende for saxophone and orchestra (1903) [15.06] Jean ABSIL (1893-1974) Fantaisie-Caprice for saxophone and string orchestra (1971) [6.26] Marius CONSTANT (b.1925) Musique de Concert for saxophone and twelve instruments (1954) [10.18] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Rapsodie for orchestra and saxophone (1911) [11.49] Dominique Tassot (saxophone) Münchner Rundfunkorchester/Manfred Neuman Rec. 27-29, 31 May, June 2002, Studio 1, Bayerischer Rundfunk, München. DDD AUDITE 97.500 [63.19] [RB]

I really liked this collection. It is well played in every department. The selection reflects an audacity and valour rare in today’s industry. … see Full Review

Wilhelm Furtwängler-Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No.8 (RRG 17.X.1944) Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) The Hebrides (HMV 14.II.1949) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 in G) K525 (HMV 1.IV.1949) Johann STRAUSS (1825-1899) Kaiserwalzer, Opus 437 (HMV 24.I.1950) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.4 (HMV 25/30.I.1950) Symphony No 7 (HMV 18/19.I.1950) Leonore III (Live 22.VIII.1950) Coriolan Overture (Live 1951) Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Ma Vlast – Vltava (HMV 24.I.1951) Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No.88 (Live 22.10.1951) Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony No.1 (Live 29.X.1951) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler Recorded 1944-51, exact dates as above TAHRA FURT 1084-1087 [4 CDs 77.01 + 70.38 + 69.02 + 63.34] [JW]

As a conspectus it achieves its objectives with conspicuous success. ... see Full Review

Alban Gerhardt (cello) Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Suite No. 5 in C minor for solo cello, BWV 1011 (c1720) Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Suite No. 1 for solo cello, Op. 72 (1964) Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967) Sonata for solo cello, Op. 8 (1931) Alban Gerhardt (cello) Recorded May-June 2003, Tonstudio van Geest, Sandhausen OEHMS CLASSICS OC 332 [76.54] [TB]

Gerhardt’s technical command is impressive ... he proves a sensitive and compelling advocate ... see Full Review

Beniamino GIGLI (tenor) (1890-1957) The Gigli Edition, Volume 4: Camden and New York Recordings, 1926-27 See review for details NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110265 [67.15]

Gigli’s honeyed voice well caught and very little extraneous noise. Enthusiasts need not hesitate. ... see Full Review

Beniamino GIGLI (tenor) 1890-1957 A Life In Words And Music - written and narrated by Graeme Kay - includes 40 original recordings (1918-1952) Various orchestras and conductors. Recorded 1918-1952 Bargain Price NAXOS 8.558148-51 [4CDs: 78.26+75.27+79.33+79.06] [RJF]

Strongly recommended to all those interested in singers as well as to lovers of this rather rotund little man who possessed the most beautiful and honeyed 'mezza voce' the tenor business has ever heard. ... see Full Review

THE GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC - An Introduction. see review for content details Recorded 1933-1953 GUILD GLCD 5101 [78.23] [JW]

A warm welcome then to the vitality and melodic warmth of these generous performances. ... see Full Review

THE GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC-The 1940s see review for content details
Recorded c.1943-49 GUILD GLCD 5102 [76.41] [JW]

As these performances show the range of Light Music was considerable and its practitioners and executants of the highest calibre. ... see Full Review

THE GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC - The 1950s see review for content details Recorded Recorded c.1950-53 GUILD GLCD 5103 [77.52] [JW]

There was a place for such music then and there is still now – any more, Guild? ... see Full Review

Heartache – An Anthology of English Viola Music Eric COATES (1886-1957) First Meeting Alec ROWLEY (1892-1958) Reverie, Aubade, Farandole Alfred MOFFAT (1866-1950) Longing Thomas DUNHILL (1877-1946) In Courtly Company, Alla Sarabanda Adam CARSE (1878-1958) Heartache,Calm Reflection, Breezy Story Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Allegro appassionato, Pensiero Rebecca CLARKE (1886-1979) Morpheus I’ll bid my heart be still Lionel TERTIS (1876-1975) Sunset Benjamin DALE (1885-1943) Romance Adam CARSE (1878-1958) Gently Swaying Norman FULTON (1909-1980) Introduction, air and reel Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Canto Popolare from Alassio (In The South) Dame Avril Piston (viola) Shamonia Harpa (piano) Recorded Potton Hall, Suffolk, November 2002 GUILD 7275 [73.30] [JW]

Courtly elegance, wistfulness ... an alluring sway and glint ... see Full Review

Frank Huang Violin Fantasies Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasy for Violin and Piano in C major, D. 934, Op. 159 Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST (1814 - 1865) Fantaisie brillante sur l'opéra 'Otello' de Rossini, Op. 11 Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Phantasy for Violin with Piano Accompaniment op. 47 (1949) Franz WAXMAN (1906-1967) Carmen Fantasy Frank Huang (violin) Dina Vainstein (piano) rec. 17-19 July 2002, Country Day School Performing Arts Centre, King City, Ontario, Canada. DDD NAXOS 8.557121 [57'18] [RNB]

Fine examples of the multi-faceted fantasy genre, excellently played. ... see Full Review


Jigs, Airs and Reels Franz REIZENSTEIN (1911 – 1968)
Partita Op.13 (1939, arr. 1953) John JEFFREYS (b. 1927) Prelude and Jig for John Turner (2000, rev. 2001) Malcolm ARNOLD (b. 1921) Fantasy Op.140 (1991) William Lewarne HARRIS (b. 1929) Quintet (2002) Robin WALKER (b. 1953) Dances from The Bells of Blue Island (2001, rev. 2003) Edward GREGSON (b. 1945) Romance (1964, rev. 2003) Philip COWLIN (b. 1920) Concertino (2003) Ernest TOMLINSON (b. 1924) Chadkirk Idyll (2002, rev. 2003) John VEALE (b. 1922) Triptych (2003) John Turner (recorder); Camerata Ensemble Recorded: Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Manchester University, September 2003 CAMPION CAMEO 2034 [76:59] [HC]

This hugely entertaining release is yet another feather in John’s cap, and I urge you to get it. You will surely enjoy it as much as I did. ... see Full Review

The Art of Julius Katchen Volume 1 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 (1797) Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19 (1795) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 (1800) Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major ‘Emperor’, Op. 73 (1809) Rondo in B flat major for piano and orchestra (1794) Julius Katchen (piano) London Symphony Orchestra/Piero Gamba Recorded January 1965 (No. 1), June 1963 (No. 2), December 1963 (No. 5) Walthamstow Assembly Hall, September 1958 (No. 3; Rondo) Kingsway Hall, London
DECCA 460 822-2 [2CDs: 75.21 + 74.38] [TB]

Katchen - an apt memorial tribute. ... good sound, clear textures, a pleasing balance ... see Full Review

The Art of Julius Katchen Volume 2Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (1806) * Choral Fantasia, Op. 80 (1807) Julius Katchen (piano) London Symphony Chorus*; London Symphony Orchestra/Piero Gamba Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major, K415 (1782)Julius Katchen (piano) London Symphony Orchestra/Peter Maag Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466 (1785) Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K503 (1786) Piano Sonata in A major, K331 Julius Katchen (piano) Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra/Karl Munchinger Recorded October 1954 (Mozart K331); August 1955 (Mozart K415), Decca Studio West Hampstead; June 1963 (Beethoven Opus 58), January 1965 (Beethoven Op. 80), Walthamstow Assembly Hall London); September 1966 (Mozart K466; K503), Schloss Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart DECCA 460 825-2 [2CDs: 74.10 + 77.32] [TB]

An interesting collection ... the sound is truthful and accurate, while background noise at a minimum. Crisp articulation and poised shaping of rhythm ... the hallmarks of this great pianist’s playing. ... see Full Review

The Art of Julius Katchen (1926 - 1969), Volume 4 Franz LISZT (1811 - 1886) Piano Concerto #1 in Eb, S.124 (1849) [18.49] Piano Concerto #2 in A, S.125 (1839) [19.48] Mephisto Waltz #1 S.599 (1861) [9.44] Harmonies Poétiques et Réligieuses, #7: Funérailles S.13 (1834) [11.16] Hungarian Rhapsody #12, S.244 (1885) [8.49] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Ataúlfo Argenta Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907) Piano Concerto in a, Op 16 (1868) [27.50] Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/István Kertész Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) [29.57] Mily Balakirev (1837 - 1910) Islamey (1869) [7.56] Julius Katchen, piano Various recordings locations and dates ADD Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Photo of the artist. DOUBLE DECCA 460 831-2 [2CDs: 134.41] [PSh]

Exceptional concerto recordings by a great virtuoso, a fine Pictures, and some awful solos ... see Full Review

Paul van Kempen Volume 2 Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 104 Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony No.5 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No.9 Concertgebouw Orchestra/Paul van Kempen Recorded 1943 TAHRA TAH 514-515 [2 CDs 55.49 + 52.16] [JW]

Very successful transfers ... wartime recordings of real value. Schubert: the best of him – never a negligible conductor ... almost everything he recorded was of some value. ... see Full Review

From The Golden Treasury Of Latvian Organ Music Alfrēds KALŅINŠ (1879 – 1951) Fantasy in G minor (1902) Pastoral in B major (1913) Jōzeps MEDIŅŠ (1877 – 1947) Prelude No.1 (1939) Pēteris BARISONS (1904 – 1947) The Prayer (1938) Tālivaldis KENINŠ (b. 1919) Introduction, pastoral and Toccata (1983) Pēteris VASKS (b. 1946) Te Deum (1991) Aivars KALĒJS (b. 1951) Per aspera ad astra (1989) Rihards DUBRA (b. 1964) The Longing for Eternal Hills (1995) Vita Kalnciema, at the organ of Riga Cathedral Recorded: no info available, published 2003 MANSCD LCLA 026 [74:59] [HC]

Reviewing discs may often yield unexpectedly delightful surprises. This is the case with this magnificent release that I cannot but strongly recommend. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Dimitri Illarionov (guitar) Mauro GIULIANI (1781-1829) Grande Ouverture; Alexandre TANSMAN (1897-1986) Cavatina; Roland DYENS (b.1955) Valse en skai; Igor REKHIN (b.1941) from 24 Preludes and Fugues: No. 6 in D minor, No. 21 and Bb major and No. 3 in Db major; Nikita KOSHKIN (1956) Marionette; Mario CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO (1895-1968); Francisco TARREGA (1852-1909) Variations on Carnival of Venice Dimitri Illarionov (guitar) Recorded at St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, January 2003 Naxos Laureate Series NAXOS LAUREATE 8.557293 [58.11] [GH]

Illarionov is as fine a guitarist as I have ever heard. He is aided and abetted by this beautifully chosen recital which one can listen to from start to finish. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH London Pride – A Celebration of London in Song Lionel MONCKTON Chalk Farm to Camberwell Green [3'07] Madeleine DRING (John Betjeman) Business Girls [2'12] Sandy WILSON A Room in Bloomsbury [3'03] George GERSHWIN (Ira Gershwin) A foggy day in London town [4'12] William WALTON (Anon) Rhyme [2'00] David Owen NORRIS Big Ben Blues [3'42] Ewan MACCOLL Sweet Thames, flow softly [3'18] BOYCE/arr. FRANKLIN (Lockman) The Pleasures of Spring Gardens, Vauxhall [3'38] Jonathan DOVE Five Am’rous Sighs [8'04] (Mary Montagu) Between your sheets you soundly sleep [2'50]; (Mary Montagu) Finish! Finish, these Languors make me sick [1'02]; (Matthew Prior) My heart still hovering round about you [1'20]; (Mary Montagu) All these dismal looks and fretting [1'41]; (Matthew Prior) Venus, take my votive glass [1'21]) Kit and the Widow Wimbledon Idyll [4'25] Harold FRASER-SIMSON (A.A. Milne) They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace [2'17] Michael CARR/Billy MAYERL (Jimmy Kennedy) Mayfair merry-go-round [3'01] Harry DACRE While London’s fast asleep [4'56] Richard Rodney BENNETT Let’s go and live in the country [2'30] Manning SHERWIN (Eric Maschwitz) A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square [5'50] Bennett SCOTT (A.J. Mills) Take me in a Taxi, Joe [3'43] Donald SWANN (Joyce Grenfell) Joyful Noise [6'07] Noel COWARD London Pride [5'31] Catherine Bott (soprano) David Owen Norris (piano) Recorded live at the Savage Club, London, 23rd and 26th May 2003. DDD HYPERION CDA67457 [71.58] [EM]

I cannot recommend this disc highly enough. It positively radiates intelligence and wit in performances of consummate musicianship. A truly delightful gallimaufry! ... see Full Review

Love From A Stranger Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 – 1976) Love from a Stranger (1937, ed. Colin Matthews) Roberto GERHARD (1896 – 1970) This Sporting Life (1963, ed. David Matthews) Elisabeth LUTYENS (1906 – 1983) The Skull (1965, ed. Bayan Northcott) Richard Rodney BENNETT (b. 1936) The Return of the Soldier (1982) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Jac van Steen Recorded: Studio 1, BBC, Maida Vale, London, March 1999 (Britten) and October 2002 (last track of Bennett, recorded November 2003, conductor Martyn Brabbins) NMC D 073 [63:22] [HC]

This is a most desirable release, not only for film buffs, but also for those who want to explore some byways of British contemporary music represented here by Gerhard and Lutyens. ... 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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