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PART 4
M-R

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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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Edward MACDOWELL (1861-1908) Suite in E minor Op.10 (1906) [29.44] Fireside Tales Nos 4 and 5 Op.61 (1902) [7.19] Sonata Eroica Op.50 (1895) [31.27] Étude de Concert Op.36 (1889) [4.33] Sandra Carlock (piano) Recorded at St Philip’s, London, August 2004 SOMM CD 043 [74.03] [JW]

I hope this is the start of a MacDowell series from Sandra Carlock because she’s clearly a first class interpreter of his music ... see Full Review

Leevi MADETOJA (1887-1947) The complete works for solo piano CD 1 Juhlamarssi, (Festive March) Op. 5 no 1 (1910) [3:39] Kuusi Pianokappaletta, (Six Pieces for Piano) Op. 12 (1912) [20:05] (Valssi 3:16]; Kansanlaulu [2:22]; Scherzino [2:34]; Menuetto vanhaan tyyliin [4:06]; Kehtolaulu [3:52]; Romanssi [3:55]) Pianosävellyksiä, (Three Pieces for Piano) Op. 17 (1912) [4:10] (Du var mig mera nära (Olit minua lähinnä) [1:05]; Pieni romanssi [1:51]; Tanssi [1:14]) Pienoiskuvia pianolle, (Miniatures for Piano) Op. 21 (1914) [8:37] (Iltatähti [2:23]; Valsette [1:21]; Nocturne [2:29]; Leikki [0:44]; Lasten marssi [1:40]) Pieniä Pianokappaleita, (Four Small Pieces for Piano) Op. 31 (1915) [8:27] (Paimenen unelma [2:54]; Prélude [1:07]; Pieni Satu [1:37]; Vanha muisto [2:49]) CD 2 Pastoraalisarja, (Suite Pastorale) Op. 34 (1916) [10:04] (Aamu [2:21]; Caprice [1:54]; Legenda [3:32]; Valssi [2:17]) Kuoleman puutarha, (The Garden of Death) Op. 41 (1918–1921) [14:11] (Andante andantino [4:02]; Poco lento – con moto [5:09]; Berceuse [4:59]) Vapauden Marssi, (Freedom March) Op. 42 no 4 (1918) [0:56] Pianosävellyksiä, (Piano Pieces) Op. 65 (1931) [8:12] (Andantino [1:55]; Tempo di menuetto [2:29]; Canzonetta [1:47]; Gavotte [0:48]; Allegro scherzando [1:12]) Kehtolaulu (Lullaby) (1915) [2:09] Mika Rännäli (piano) rec. live Tulindberg Hall, Oulu Music Centre, 15-16 May 2004. DDD ALBA ABCD 206:1-2 [45:23 + 35:52] [RB]

A valuable set, most naturally recorded. It is played by a fine advocate well attuned to the music and its endearingly soft melancholia ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 1 in D major (1888) [57:24] Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen* (1883-5) [15:11] *Norman Foster (bass-baritone) Vienna Symphony Orchestra; *Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein Recorded in 1952; *1953 AAD PREISER 90669 [72:35] [JQ]

The songs are very satisfying but I shall try to hear Horenstein’s later account of this work in preference to this earlier one. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 9 (1909) San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas rec. live, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 29 Sept-3 Oct 2004. DDD and SACD SFS MEDIA 821936-0007-2 [89.27] [AO]

An unpretentious family snapshot for those who know the orchestra well ... see Full Review

Padre Giovanni Battista MARTINI (1706-1784) Requiem e Missa Solemnis Toccata per l’Offertorio [5:09] Elevazione [4:06] Post Communio [1:43] Requiem:- Kyrie-Christe-Kyrie [2:52] Dopo l’Epistola [0:20] Dies Irae [8:12] Offertorio [3:42] Sanctus [1:01] Elevazione [4:34] Agnus Dei [0:54] Post Communio [2:01] Toccata [6:44] Missa Solemnis:- Kyrie-Christe-Kyrie [2:24] Gloria [3:44] Per dopo l’Epistola [0:24] Alleluia [0:28] Offertorio [3:07] Sanctus [0:54] Elevazione [4:30] Agnus Dei [0:27] Post Communio [2:29] Toccata per il Deo Gratias [2:54] Elean Sartori (organ), "Melodi Cantores", Decio Biavati, Andrea Favari (soloists), Mirko Maltoni, Mauro Medri, Walid Zogheib/Elena Sartori Recorded 23rd -25th May 2002, Church of San Michele in Bosco, Bologna, Italy TACTUS TC701306 [62:39] [GPJ]

This CD makes fairly unsatisfactory listening, in that much of the music barely makes sense outside its religious context. ... see Full Review

Jules MASSENET (1842 – 1912) An Introduction to … Werther Written by Thomson Smillie. Narrated by David Timson. Music from the complete recording on Naxos 8.660072-73 NAXOS 8.558173 [79:24] [GF]

The target-group for this set is those unacquainted with Werther this doesn’t mean that they are fools. Smillie with new insights also speaks to experienced operaphiles. Timson’s conversational tone feels absolutely right. ... see Full Review

Saverio MERCADANTE (1795-1870) Flute Concerto in D* (c.1819, rev. Pietro Spada) [18:52] Flute Concerto in E* (c.1819) [20:28] Flute Concerto in E minor† (c.1819) [19:41] Sinfonia on themes from Rossini’s Stabat Mater (1843) [10:24] Jean-Pierre Rampal (flute)*† English Chamber Orchestra*, I solisti Veneti†, Orchestre National de l’Opera de Monte-Carlo/Claudio Scimone rec. Church of St. Barnabas, London in November 1979* (no dates or locations are provided for the other items) WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 61791-2 [70:55] [PCW]

Rampal plays these concertos with obvious affection and without affectation … see Full Review

Richard MILLS (b. 1949) Aeolian Caprices (1990) [6:00] Soundscapes for Percussion and Orchestra, (1983) [23:20] Seaside Dances (1989) [23:52] Fantastic Pantomimes (1987) [17:00] Gerhard Mallon, flute Anthony Camden, oboe Paul Dean, clarinet Neil Crellin, horn Queensland Symphony Orchestra/Richard Mills (conductor) (percussion on Soundscapes); Werner Andreas Albert (conductor on Soundscapes) Recording location and dates not included ABC ELOQUENCE 476 7595 [70:50] [PG]

Well recorded and produced. Music that is convincingly composed and performed. If you have not yet experienced Mills’ music, this is probably as good a place as any to start. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791): Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183 [22:33] Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201 [22:09] Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 ‘Haffner’ [17:54] Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/István Kertész Rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna, November 1972 ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7401 [62:54] [ED]

Why not pick up a few other Kertész volumes while you’re at it. You can hardly go far wrong. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Symphony No. 33 in B Flat KV 319 (1779) [19’20"] Symphony No. 39 in E Flat KV 543 (1788) [25’52"] Symphony No. 40 in G minor KV 550 (1788) [25’41"] Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/István Kertesz. rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna, October 1963 (Nos. 33, 39), November 1972 (No. 40). ADD ELOQUENCE 476 7402 [71.05] [JPh]

Very highly recommended, and a feather in the hat of Australian Eloquence. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Clarinet Concerto in A major KV 622 (1791) [29:47] Carl Maria von WEBER (1786–1826) Clarinet Concerto No.2 in E Flat, Op. 74 (1811) [21:50] Louis SPOHR (1784–1859) Clarinet Concerto No.1 in C min, Op. 26 (1809) [20:00] Gervase de Peyer (clarinet) London Symphony Orchestra/Peter Maag. rec. Kingsway Hall, London, November 1959; Decca Studio No. 1, West Hampstead, London, January 1961. ADD; DDD on the sleeve, probably in error DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7404 [71:57] [JPh]

This is another bargain from Down Under and deserves a place on our shelves. Highly recommended. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 16 in D major, K. 451 [21:58] Sonata in G major for violin and piano, K. 379 [20:37] Concerto in D major for violin and piano, K. App. 56/K. 315f [25:12] Daniel Hope (violin) Sebastian Knauer (piano) Camerata Salzburg/Sir Roger Norrington Recorded at the Main Hall of the Mozarteum, Salzburg, 17-19 May 2004 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61944-2 [67:47][JR]

Definitely one to own. The newly completed concerto provides sufficient motivation in and of itself. It’s not often that “new” Mozart pieces become available.... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Flute Concerto No 2 in D major, K314 [17.53] Concerto for Flute and Harp, K299 [27.53] Flute Concerto no 1 in G major, K313 [24.29] Patrick Gallois (flute), Fabrice Pierre (harp) Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Patrick Gallois, Katarina Andreasson (directors) rec Aug 2002, Örebro Concert Hall, Sweden NAXOS 8.557011 [70.15][PW]

Verve and commendable precision ...the lessons of the period instrument groups have been well learned ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sonata in C K.330 [18:41], Variations on a Minuet by Duport K.573 [13:57], Fantasia in D minor K.397 [05:58], Fantasia in C minor K.475 [13:27], Sonata in C minor K.457 [18:45] ZEYNEP Ucbasaran (piano) Recorded 1st-3rd February 2005 at the Abravanel Hall, Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara, California, USA EROICA JDT 3222 [70:48] [CH]

Some highly musical Mozart to add this artist’s growing discography. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Concert Arias Il re pastore KV 208 (1775) [12:19] Voi avete un cor fedele KV217 (1775) [6:18] Ah, lo previdi! KV 272 (1777) [11:20] Zaide KV 344 (1780) [10:51] Nehmt meinem Dank, ihr holden Gonner! KV 383 (1782) [3:36] Ch’io mi scordi di te? KV 505 (1717-1786) [10:20] Emma Kirkby (soprano) The Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood. rec. Walthamstow Town Hall, London, November 1988, April 1989. DDD DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7459 [55:09] [JPH]

This is a superb issue, and deserves wide circulation – well done Universal Australia .... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Exultate, jubilate KV 165 (1773) [13:27] Regina coeli KV108 (1771) [13:31] Ergo interest KV 143 (1772) [5:36] Regina coeli KV 127 (1772) [5:15] Emma Kirkby (soprano) Westminster Cathedral Boys Choir, Chorus of The Academy of Music (KV 108 and 127), The Orchestra of The Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood. rec. Kingsway Hall, London, November 1988, April 1989. DDD ABC ELOQUENCE 476 7460 [47.12] [JPH

This is a superb issue, and deserves wide circulation I can recommend it highly. The UK’s loss is Australia’s gain. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) La Clemenza di Tito (1791) - Overture [4'45]; Come ti piace imponi [2'50]; Deh se piacer mi vuoi [5'29]; March [1'35]; Del più sublime soglio [3'04]; Ah perdona al primo affetto [3'07]; Ah, se fosse intorno al trono [2'16]; Parto, ma tu ben mio [6'56]; Deh, conservate, oh Dei [7'03]; Torna di Tito a lato [2'31]; Ah grazie si rendano [3'27]; Tu fosti tradito [3'21]; Deh per questo istante solo [7'52]; Se all'impero, amici Dei [5'05]; S'altro che lacrime [1'51]; Ecco il punto, oh Vitellia [2'17]; Non più di fiori [7'45]; Tu, è ver, m'assolvi [4'24]. Philip Langridge (tenor) Titus; Lucia Popp (soprano) Vitellia; Ruth Ziesak (soprano) Servilia; Ann Murray (mezzo) Sextus; Delores Ziegler (mezzo) Annius; László Polgár (bass) Publius; Chorus and Orchestra of Zürich Opera/Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Rec. Grosse Kirche Altstetten, Zürich, in March 1993. DDD WARNER APEX 2564 61518-2 [76'32] [CC]

For anyone who wants an excellent introduction to this fascinating opera, look no further. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Die Entführung aus dem Serail Teresa Stich-Randall (soprano) – Konstanze, Nicolaï Gedda (tenor) – Belmonte, Carmen Prietto (soprano) – Blonde, Michel Sénéchal (tenor) – Raffaele Arië (bass) – Osmin, Jean Vernier (speaking part) – Bassa Selim Chorale Elisabeth Brasseur Orchestre de la Société du Conservatoire/Hans Rosbaud Recorded at Aix-en-Provence, 11 July 1954 WALHALL WLCD 0064 [58:56 + 51:19] [GF]

This version impresses on its own terms Well worth the modest outlay allowing us to hear Gedda, Stich-Randall and Arië in their early prime. ... see Full Review


Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni – Benjamin Luxon (baritone) Leporello – Stafford Dean (baritone) Donna Anna – Horiana Branisteanu (soprano) Donna Elvira – Rachel Yakar (soprano) Don Ottavio – Leo Geoke (tenor) Zerlina – Elizabeth Gale (soprano) Masetto – John Rawnsley (baritone) Commendatore – Pierre Thau (bass) The Glyndebourne Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink Rec. Glyndebourne Festival Opera/Southern Television Production, 1977. DVD Region 0 ARTHAUS MUSIK EUROARTS 101 087 [168’00"] [ED]

A set that tends to wear its qualities lightly .... largely because of the voices (Luxon, Dean and Branisteanu), this set serves as an appendix to other classic interpretations ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Don Giovanni - Dramma giocoso in two acts Don Giovanni ... Carlos Álvarez (baritone) Il Commendatore ... Franz-Josef Selig (bass) Donna Anna ... Adrianne Pieczonka (soprano) Don Ottavio ... Michael Schade (tenor) Donna Elvira ... Anna Caterina Antonacci (soprano) Leporello ... Ildebrando d’Arcangelo (baritone) Zerlina ... Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano) Masetto ... Lorenzo Regazzo (bass) Chorus and Orchestra Wiener Staatsoper/Riccardo Muti Recorded live at the Theater an der Wien, 26-27 June 1999. DDD DVD TDK DVW-OPDG [173.00] [RMK]

Musically very good overall but not a production to recommend. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-179l) Requiem in d, K 626 (completed Süßmayr) (1791) [60.00] Edith Mathis, soprano; Trudeliese Schmidt, alto; Peter Schreier, tenor; Gwynne Howell, bass. Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Colin Davis. Recorded NTSC 4:3. Sound PCM stereo 2.0 48/16. Menus in Deutsch, Français, English, Castellano. Notes in English, Français, Deutsch. Latin text. no translations. DVD 5 format. region 0 [All regions] ARTHAUS MUSIK RM ARTS 100449 [60.00] [PSh]

An excellent traditional video version in superior sound. ... see Full Review

Tristan MURAIL (b. 1947) The Complete Piano Music CD 1: Comme un oeil suspendu et poli par le songe (1967); Estuaire (1971); Territoires de l'Oubli (1978); Cloches d'adieu, et un sourire (in memoriam Olivier Messiaen) (1992); la Mandragore (1993) [57.31] CD 2: Les Travaux et les Jours (2003) [39.19] Marilyn Nonken (piano) rec. October 2003, University of Manchester, Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall. DDD METIER MSV CD 92097 [57.31 + 39.19] [GH]

I am constantly possessed by an impression of something beyond the world, not conventionally religious, but spiritual. This is music to which I shall be happy to return. ... see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Tableaux d’une exposition (Pictures at an Exhibition) (various orchestrations) (1874) [35:59] men of the BBC Symphony Chorus (in "Great Gate of Kiev") BBC Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin Recorded live at Promenade Concert, Royal Albert Hall, 1 September 2004. DDD Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Pines of Rome (1924) [22:30] BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Tadaaki Otaka Recorded live at Promenade Concert, Royal Albert Hall, 6 August 2004. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61954-2 [58:24] [LF]

Not a version for every day, but a vivid memento of a great evening ... see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 – 1881) Boris Godunov (1868) Highlights Prologue: Da zdrávstvuet tsar Borís Feódorovich! (Coronation of Boris) Act II: Skázochka pro to i syo – A preslávny vityá, dostóiny konovód (Apartments scene) Act III scene 2: Váshey, strásti ya nye vyéryu (Polonaise) – O tsaryévich, umolyáyu (Love duet) Act IV scene 2: Chur, chur! Kto govorít: ubíytsa? (Death of Boris) Act IV scene 3: Deo, Gloria, Gloria (The Simpleton in the Kromy Forest) Ruggero Raimondi (bass) – Boris Godunov; Vyacheslav Polozov (tenor) – Gregory/Dimitri; Paul Plishka (bass) – Pimen; Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano) – Marina; Nikita Storoyev (bass) – Rangoni; Kenneth Riegel (tenor) – Prince Shuisky; Matthew Adam Fish (treble) – Feodor; Catherine Dubosc (mezzo-soprano) – Xenia; Mira Zakai (mezzo-soprano) – Nurse; Nicolai Gedda (tenor) – Simpleton; Jacques Trigeal (tenor) – Lavitski; Michel Pastor (bass) – Chernikovsky. The Chevy Chase Elementary School Chorus, The Oratorio Society of Washington, The Choral Arts Society of Washington, National Symphony Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich. Recorded in July 1987, in the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington DC WARNER APEX 2564 61520-2 [65:32] [GF]

At budget price this disc is well worth having for Raimondi’s beautifully sung and deeply felt Boris ... see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Aladdin Suite (1919) [24:55] Cupid and the Poet (1930) [5:33] Saga-Drøm (1907-08) [9:48] Helios Overture (1904) [9:54] Maskarade: Overture; Prelude to Act II (1904-06) [8:25] Pan and Syrinx (1918) [9:10] South Jutland Symphony Orchestra/Niklás Willén rec. 8-12 Oct 2002, Musikhuset, Sønderberg, Denmark. DDD NAXOS 8.557164 [67:46] [RB]

The Nielsen-curious could hardly start in a better place ... essential to any Nielsen collection ... see Full Review

Nicolo PAGANINI (1782 - 1840) Violin Concerto No.1 in B major Op. 6 (1811) [38’00"] Richard STRAUSS (1864 - 1949) Violin Concerto in D min Op. 8 (1889) [32’03"] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1893) Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34 (1877) [7’47"] Boris Belkin (violin) Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta (Paganini) Radio Symphony Orchestra, Berlin/Vladimir Ashkenazy (Strauss) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy (Tchaikovsky) recorded Thomas Mann Auditorium, Tel Aviv, Apr 1976 (Paganini), Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, Jan 1991 (Strauss), Kingsway Hall, London (Tchaikovsky). ADD/DDD. ELOQUENCE 476 7488 [77.25] [JPh]

The playing of all three works is exemplary. At Australian Eloquence prices this makes superb value. ... see Full Review

Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914-1991) Sinfonia Sacra (1963) [21.09] Symphony No. 10 (1988-1990) [15.56] Cello Concerto (1991) [19.19] Andrzej Bauer (cello) Warsaw Philharmonic-National Orchestra of Poland/Kazimierz Kord rec. Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Jan 2000 (Sacra, 10), March 2000 (Concerto). DDD CD ACCORD ACD 072-2 [55.35] [RB]

Wilhelm PETERSON-BERGER (1867-1942) Symphony No. 5 in B minor Solitudo (1932-33) [28:36] Violin Concerto in F sharp minor (1928) [34:12] Ulf Wallin (violin) Norrköping SO/Michail Jurowski rec. 25-26 April 2003, De Geer Hall, Norrköping CPO 999 984-2 [62:48] [RB]

A resoundingly successful chapter in CPO's complete Peterson-Berger project ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John PICKARD (b. 1963) Gaia Symphony (1991-2003) ([Part One – Tsunami [13:33]; Window 1 – Water-Fire [3:05]; Part Two – Wildfire [12:22]; Window 2 – Fire-Air [3:45]; Part Three – Aurora [11:25]; Window 3 Air-Earth [2:15]; Part Four – Men of Stone [15:52]) Buy As You View Band/Robert Childs rec. St. Julian’s School, Newport and Cwmbran Council Chambers, March 2001 and February 2005 DDD DOYEN DOY CD188 [62:22] [CT]

A ground-breaking work for brass band of gargantuan proportions ... see Full Review

Patrick PIGGOTT (1915-1990)Piano Music: First Piano Sonata - Fantasia quasi una Sonata (Revised 1975) [22:44]; Eight Preludes and a Postlude (Third Set) [19:06]; Second Piano Sonata (1979-1980) [28:54] Malcolm Binns, piano
Recorded at the Music Hall of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, on the 26th September and 10th October 2004. DDD BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS430CD [70.44] [JF]

An essential recording for all listeners interested in little know British composers. An interesting programme of all previously unrecorded music. ... see Full Review

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) The Five Piano Concertos Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat Major Op. 10 (1911-12) [16:44] Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor Op. 16 (1912-13 revised 1923) [37:38] Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major Op. 26 (1917-21) [30:44] Piano Concerto No. 4 (left hand) in B flat Major Op. 53 (1931) [27:29] Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major Op. 55 (1932) [24:36] Oleg Marshev, piano South Jutland Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén Recorded in Musikhuset, Sønderborg 30 July–10 Aug 2001 DDD DANACORD DACOCD 584-585 [69:49 + 68:22] [JF]

This is a fine addition to the vast list of recordings of the Five Prokofiev Piano Concertos. It could well be your first choice. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)/Mikhail CHULAKI Ivan the Terrible, ballet in two acts. Principal dancers: Ivan IV – Irek Mukhamedov Anastasia – Natalya Bessmertnova Prince Kurbsky – Gedminas Turanda The Bolshoi Ballet The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and Children’s Choir/Algis Zhuraitis Rec. Bolshoi Theatre, 1990. DVD Region 0. ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 107 [114’00"] [ED]

Of interest to lovers of ballet. Those whose passion is Prokofiev’s music in its pure form must approach with caution. ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Dido and Aeneas (1689) Nicola Wemyss (soprano) Dido; Matthew Baker (baritone) Aeneas; Francine van der Heijden (soprano) Belinda; Penni Clarke (mezzo) Second Woman; Helene Rasker (contralto) Sorceress; Maaike Poorthuis (soprano) First Enchantress; Yong-Hee Kim (mezzo) Second Enchantress; Rowena Simpson (soprano) Spirit; Richard Zook (tenor) Sailor Musica ad Rhenum Choir; Musica ad Rhenum (Franc Polman, Alida Schat, violins; Örzse Adam, viola; Cassandra L. Luckhardt, viola da gamba; Menno van Delft, harpsichord; David van Ooijen, baroque guitar)/Jed Wentz Rec. Church Maria Minor, Utrecht, The Netherlands on September 13th-14th, 2004. DDD BRILLIANT CLASSICS SACD 92538 [55'29][CC]

Enjoyable, then, though soloists variable. Much to delight here, not least from the 'orchestra' and its all-pervasive sense of style. ... see Full Review

Joseph Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Cello Concertos Cello Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.193 (1874) [23.09] Cello Concerto No.2 in G major Op. posthumous (1876) [29.54] Begegnung Phantasiestücke for cello and piano Op.86 No.1 (1854) [7.23]+ Duo for cello and piano in A major Op.59 (1848 revised 1852) [15.35]+ Daniel Müller-Schott (cello) Robert Kulek (piano)+ Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Hans Stadlmair No recording details TUDOR 7121 [76.26] [JW]

Müller-Schott is the lynchpin of the programme and he has the measure of Raff’s sometimes wayward and ill-focused muse ... see Full Review

Joseph Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Violin Sonatas Volume 1 Violin Sonata No.1 Op.73 in E minor (1853-54) [30.41] Violin Sonata No.3 in D major Op.128 (1865) [25.45] Chromatic Violin Sonata No.4 Op.129 [14.53] Ariadne Daskalakis (violin) Roglit Ishay (piano) No Recording details TUDOR 7122 [71.37] [jw]

Too much sugar can kill a Cavatina but a little sweetener here wouldn’t have gone amiss. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Les Indes galantes – Opéra ballet in a prologue and four entrées. (1735): Libretto by Louis Fuzelier. Prologue Hébé – Danielle de Niese Bellone – João Fernandes L’Amour – Valérie Gabail First entrée:  Le Turc généreux Osman – Nicolas Cavallier Emilie – Anna Maria Panzarella Valère – Paul Agnew Second entrée: Les Incas du Pérou Huascar – Nathan Berg Phani – Jaël Azzaretti Don Carlos – François Piolino Third entrée:  Les Fleurs-fête persane Tacmas – Richard Croft Ali – Nathan Berg Zaïre – Gaële Le Roi Fatime – Malin Hartelius Fourth entrée:  Les Sauvages Adario – Nicolas Rivenq Damon – Christoph Strehl Don Alvar – Christope Fel Zima – Patricia Petibon Les Arts Florissants/William Christie Andrei Serban, stage director Blanca Li, choreographer Recorded live, Opéra Naional de Paris-Opéra Garnier on 22, 24, 25 September 2003. Playable in all regions. OPUS ARTE 0923 D [107:58 + 143:11][JR]

Remarkable in all respects.  A must-have for opera lovers as well as Baroque music enthusiasts. ... see Full Review

Giulio REGONDI (1822-1872) Premier Air Varié, Op. 21 [10:24] – Rêverie, Op. 19 [9:28] – Étude No. 4(b) [3:08] – Deuxième Air Varié, Op. 22 [10:58] Johann Kaspar MERTZ (1806-1856) From Bardenklänge (Bardic Sounds), Op. 13: Polonaise No. 1 [2:23] – Polonaise No. 2 [5:48] – Polonaise No. 3 [4:09] – Polonaise No. 4 [4:32] – Polonaise No. 5 [5:21] – Polonaise No. 6 [4:41] – Polonaise No. 7 [3:56] – Rondino [7:02] Ricardo Gallén (guitar) rec. Green Room, Offord Hall, Aurora, Ontario, Canada, 12–16 September 2002 NAXOS 8.555285 [71:50][GF]

This disc goes straight into the top-ten list for guitar recordings ... see Full Review

Karin REHNQVIST (b. 1957) On a Distant Shore (2000)a [17:47] Beginning (2003)b [16:08] Arktis Arktis! (2000/1)c [31:50] I himmelen (1998)d [3:20] Martin Fröst (clarinet)a; Kungsbacka Piano Triob; Swedish Chamber Orchestraac; Peter Sundkvista, John Storgårdsc; Adolf Fredrik’s Girls Choir, Bo Johanssond Recorded: Örebro Concert Hall, May 2003 (On a Distant Shore) and March 2004 (Arktis Arktis!); Västerås Concert Hall, February 2005 (Beginning) and Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm, March 2005 (I himmelen) BIS CD-1396 [70:33] [HC]

I doubt that there is a better introduction to her highly personal sound-world than this generously filled, superbly and convincingly played composer’s portrait. ... see Full Review

Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) La Campana sommersa (The Sunken Bell) - opera in four acts (1925-27) Rautendelein ... Laura Aikin (soprano) Enrico ... John Daszak Ondino ... Roderick Earle The Faun ... Kevin Connors (tenor) Magda ... Alessandro Rezza The Curate ... Peter Klaveness (bass) The Schoolmaster ... Paul Kong (baritone) The Barber ... David Alegret (tenor) Sorceress ... Ewa Wolak (contralto) Orchestre National de Montpellier et Choeur Opéra Junior/Friedemann Layer Rec. live, 4 Oct 2003, Opéra Berlioz – (Le Corum) au Festival de Radio France et Montpellier ACCORD 2 CD 476 1884 [73: 40 + 69:39] [AB]

The premiere world recording of what was probably the most successful of Respighi's operas in an excellent performance. ... see Full Review

Josef Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Vom Goldenen Horn Op.182 (1895) [30.38] Liebesgarten Op.80 (1874) [13.55] In Sturm und Frieden Op.170 (1892) [23.18] Silke Schwarz (soprano) Christine Müller (alto) Hans Jörg Mammel (tenor) Markus Volpert (bass) Chia Chou (piano) Freiburger Vokalensemble/Wolfgang Schäffer Recorded at SWR Studio, Karlsruhe, February 2005 CARUS 83.177 [68.05] [JW]

Pleasurable, if not always exciting, listening. ... see Full Review

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Capriccio Espagnol Op. 34 (1887) [15:14]Le Coq d'Or suite (1908) [25:27] Russian Easter Festival Overture Op. 36 (1887) [15:09] Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887) Polovtsian Dances (1887) [11:16] London Symphony Orchestra Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra/Antal Dorati Rec. Walthamstow Town Hall, 4 July 1956 (Dances); 5 July 1956 (Coq); 9 June 1959 (Capriccio, Overture). Originally issued on LPs SR90122 (Coq, Dances); SR90265 (Capriccio, Overture). ADD SACD reviewed in CD format MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE 475 6194 SACD [67:06] [PSe]

A first-class example of Dorati’s art, in recordings from the "Living Presence" top-drawer. Essential listening for anyone whose knees are weakened by seductive orchestral colour. ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Le Comte Ory - An opera in two acts. Libretto by Eugene Scribe and Charles Gaspard Delestre-Poirson. First performed at the Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique, Paris on 20th August 1828 Count Ory, a young and licentious nobleman ... Marc Laho (ten); Countess Adele ... Annick Massis (sop); Isolier, page to Count Ory and in love with the Countess Adele ... Diana Montague (mezzo); Raimbaud, friend to Count Ory ... Ludovic Tézier (bar); Governor, tutor to Count Ory ... Julien Robbins (bass); Ragonde, companion to Countess Adele ... Jane Shaulis (mezzo); Young Nobleman, friend of Ory ... Colin Judson (ten); Alice, a young peasant ... Stella Woodman (sop) The Glyndebourne Chorus. London Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Davis Recorded at the Glyndebourne Festival, 1997 Director: Jérôme Savory; Designer: Ezio Toffolutti; Lighting Designer: Alain Poison; Lighting Director: Brian Turner. Directed for video by Brian Large Picture format NTSC 4:3. Colour. Sound in linear PCM stereo. Subtitles in English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese WARNER MUSIC VISION DVD VIDEO 0630-18646-2 [141:00] [RJF]

I cannot see this masterly production being bettered on DVD in the near future. The high quality of the ensemble and the unity of the solo singing is matched by first rate audio quality and video direction ... 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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