MusicWeb International One of the most grown-up review sites around 2023
Approaching 60,000 reviews
and more.. and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here Acte Prealable Polish CDs
 

Presto Music CD retailer
 
Founder: Len Mullenger                                    Editor in Chief:John Quinn             



PART 5
S-Z

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]






Would you like a hyperlinked weekly summary of the CDs we have reviewed?
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join Now' button.
You can unsubscribe yourself at any time.
Powered by groups.yahoo.com
Sample: See what you will get




ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Kaija SAARIAHO (b. 1952) Cendres (1998)a Noa Noa (1992)b Mirrors (1997 version)c Spins and Spells (1996)d Monkey Fingers, Velvet Hand (1991)e Petals (1988)f Mirrors (1998 version)g Laconisme de l’aile (1982)h Six Japanese Gardens (1993/5)i Wolpe Trio (Lesley Olson, fluteabcg; Scott Roller, celloacdfg; Susanne Achilles, pianoae); Andreas Boettger (percussion and live electronics)i; Thomas Neuhaus (live electronics)bfh rec. Sendesaal, Deutschland Radio, Funkhaus, Köln, May 2001 KAIROS 0012412KAI [72:12] [HC]

All these pieces get superb, immaculate readings and are beautifully recorded. A real winner. ... see Full Review

Stellan SAGVIK (b.1952) Missa Maria Magdalena Boel Adler (mezzo soprano) – Maria Magdalena Olle Persson (baritone) – Jesus Jan Nilsson (tenor) – Evangelist Madelaine Wibom (soprano) – Marta Marianne Lundquist (soprano) – Angel Kjell Gustafson (bass) – Joseph Ralph Gustafsson and Matthias Kjellgren (organ) Maria Magdalena Motettkör/Ragnar Bohlin Stockholm Blåsarsymfoniker/Mika Eichenholz Recorded live in Maria Magdalena Church, Stockholm, April 1996 NOSAG CD 017 [78.51] [JW]

This is never an easy listen but the concentration seldom sags. Curiosity may well be rewarded. ... see Full Review

Juan García de SALAZAR (1639-1710) Complete Vespers of Our Lady Juan García de SALAZAR and García de OLAGÜE Salmo 112: Laudate Pueri Dominum [3:05]; Salmo 126: Nisi Dominus [2:18] García de OLAGÜE (17th/18th Century) Verso De Clarin I (Organ) [0:58]; Verso De Clarin II (Organ) [0:41] José XIMÉNEZ (1601-1672) Batalla Del Sexto Tono (Organ) [4:34] Anonymous Benedicamus Domino (Plainchant) [0:45] Ministriles de Marias Josep Cabré, baritone Capilla Peñaflorida Recorded at Villabuena, Spain, 18- 21 December, 2000 DDD NAXOS 8.555907 [69:16] [PG]

A great deal of care has been put into this album. Well performed and recorded. García de Salazar’s work, while no longer familiar, is very good. ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista SAMMARTINI (c.1700/01 – 1775) Il pianto degli Angeli della pace, J-C 119 Symphony in E flat major, J-C 26 Silvia Mapelli (soprano) Ainhoa Soraluze (mezzo) Giorgio Tiboni (tenor) Capriccio Italiano Ensemble/Daniele Ferrari Recorded Monza, Milan, 26 March 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557432 [54.09] [RH]

A rather disappointing foray into the lesser known reaches of Sammartini’s catalogue. ... see Full Review

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660 - 1725) The Cecilian Vespers (1721) [89.31] Includes Psalms, Hymns, and Antiphons "Dixit Dominus" [17.03]; "Cantibus organis" [5.24]; Laudate Pueri" [16.24]; "Valerianus" [6.03]; Laetatus sum" [17.16]; "Nisi Dominus" [3.03]; "Lauda Jerusalem" [3.34]; "Jesu corona" [7.50]; "Magnificat" [9.40] with brief connecting antiphons and chants as assembled for the original 1721 performance. Nisi Dominus [14.42] Salve Regina [14.49] Recorded in 5.1 surround sound utilising the DSD system before a live audience in the First Congregational Church, Berkeley, California, USA, 18 April 2004. Audi Filia [11.39] Recorded in 5.1 surround sound utilising the DSD system in the First Congregational Church [no live audience], Berkeley, California, USA, 20 April 2004. Susanne Rydén and Dominique Labelle, sopranos; Ryland Angel, counter-tenor; Michael Slattery, tenor; Neal Davies, baritone and chanteur. Philharmonia Chorale; Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra/Nicolas McGegan Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Photos of the artists and performance. Complete texts and translations. Reproduction of manuscript autograph page. Hybrid SACD also playable on CD players. AVIE AV0048 [64.21 + 66.20] [PSh]

The most exciting high baroque choral vocal music you can hear anywhere, brilliantly recorded so every tiny detail is present. ... see Full Review

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660 - 1725) Il Vespero di Santa Cecilia (1738) [90.11] Nisi Dominus (1738) [14.42] Salve Regina (1738) [14.49] Audi Filia (1738) [11.39] Susanne Ryden (soprano) Dominique Labelle (soprano) Ryland Angel (countertenor) Michael Slattery (tenor) Neal Davies (baritone and cantor) Philharmonia Chorale Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra/Nicholas McGegan rec. live 17-18 April 2004, First Congregational Church, Berkeley, California. ‘Audi, Fili’ recorded without an audience, 20 April 2004 at the same venue. AVIE AVIE 0048 [64.21 + 66.20] [RH]

A first recording of this lovely music ... I look forward to returning to it. ... see Full Review


Max von SCHILLINGS (1868-1933)
Mona Lisa - opera in two acts (1915) Ein Fremder/Messer Francesco del Giocondo – Mathieu Ahlersmeyer (baritone) Eine Frau/Mona Fiordalisa, Gattin des Francesco – Inge Borkh (soprano) Ein Laienbruder/Messer Giovanni de’ Salviati – Hans Beirer (tenor) Messer Pietro Tumoni – Wilhelm Lang (bass) Messer Arrigo Oldofredi – Horst Wilhelm (tenor) Messer Alessio Beneventi – Erich Zimmermann (tenor) Messer Sandro da Luzzano – Otto Hüsch (bass) Messer Masolino Pedruzzi – Hanns Pick (bass) Mona Ginerva ad Alta Rocca – Maria Reith (mezzo soprano) Dianora, Francescos Töchterchen aus erster Ehe – Alice Zimmermann (soprano) Piccarda, Zofe der Mona Fiordalisa – Emmi Hagemann (soprano) Chor and Orchestra of the State Opera, Berlin/Robert Heger Recorded 1953 Glockenlieder Die Frühglocke Die Nachzügler Ein Bildchen Mittagskönig und Glockenherzog Peter Anders (tenor) Staatskapelle Berlin/Robert Heger Recorded May 1943 PREISER 90573 [66.45 + 75.53] [JW]

Though it’s now perhaps little more than a curio this is a work that still has the power to resonate in the mind. ... see Full Review

Artur SCHNABEL (1882-1951) String Quartet No. 5a (1940) [26’30]. bPiano Trio (1945) [21’50]. Seven Piano Piecesc (1946/7) [14:18] aPellegrini String Quartet (Antonio Pellegrini, Thomas Hofer, violins; Fabio Marano, viola; Helmut Menzler, cello); bRavinia Trio (Saiko Sasaki, piano; Rainer Schmidt, violin; Helmut Menzler, cello); cBenedikt Koehlen (piano). Rec. Funkhaus Wallrafplatz, Köln, on aFebruary 20th-22nd, 2002, cOctober 13th, 1992, bHans Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden, on June 23rd, 1997. DDD CPO 999 881-2 [62’17] [CC]

This disc is of far more than interest value. Composition was clearly an important artistic outlet for Schnabel. Maybe this disc opens the door for further exploration?. I do hope so. ... see Full Review

Othmar SCHOECK (1886-1957) Erwin und Elmire op. 25 - Gesänge zu dem Singspiel von Goethe (1916) [57:02] Jeanette Fischer (sop) - Elmire, the daughter of Olympia; Mareike Schellenberger (mezzo) - Olympia, the mother of Elmire; Hans Christoph Begemann (bar) - Erwin, in love with Elmire; Tino Brütsch (ten) - Bernardo, elderly philosopher. Zürcher Kammerorchester/Howard Griffiths rec. 8-13 July 2002, Neumünsterkirche, Zürich. DDD CPO 999 929-2 [57:02] [RB]

This little gem of an opera ... high spirits rule the day ... the cast are its equal in elan and technique. ... see Full Review

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) The Music of Arnold Schoenberg, Volume 2. Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra in B flata (1933) [20’36]; Suite for Piano, Op. 25b (1921/3) [13’17]. Gurrelieder (1900/1923 chamber version) - Lied der Waldtaubec [12’56]. The Book of the Hanging Gardens, Op. 15d (1908) [26’38]. Spoken interview with Arnold Schoenberg rec. composer’s home, July 1949 [6’31]. aFred Sherry String Quartet (Jennifer Frautschi, Jesse Mills, violins; Richard O’Neill, viola; Fred Sherry, cello); bdChristopher Oldfather (piano); cdJennifer Lane (mezzo); cTwentieth Century Classics Ensemble (New York)/Robert Craft. rec. American Academy of Arts and Letters, aOct 2002, bdSept 2001, cMay 2000. DDD NAXOS 8.557520 [79’59] [CC]

A simply gripping selection of Schoenberg’s music. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) The Complete Symphonies Staatskapelle Dresden/Sir Colin Davis BMG CLASSICS RCA RED SEAL 82876 60392-2 [PL]

A uniformly strong ‘library’ set, and I urge you to hear it. ... see Full Review

Franz Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) The Great String Quartets CD1 String Quartet No. 13 in A minor ‘Rosamunde’, Op.29/1, D.804 (1824) String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ‘Death and the Maiden’ D.810 (1824) CD2 String Quartet No. 12 in C minor, D.703 ‘Quartettsatz’ (1820) String Quartet No. 15 in G major, Op.161, D.887 (1826) Brandis Quartet BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92288 [78:35 + 52:45] [MC]

Warm expressiveness and sumptuous textures ... maybe just a touch too cloying ... I certainly fully intend to revisit this set in the future. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasie in F minor for piano duet, D 940 [18’39] Rondo in A major for piano duet, D 951 [9’32] Piano Sonata in A major, D 664 [23’28] Piano Sonata in A minor, D 784 [23’13] Allegro in A minor for piano duet Lebensstürme, D 947 [17’14] Maria João Pires and Ricardo Castro (piano) Recorded at Igreja da Cartuxa, Caxias, Portugal, May 2004 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5233 [52’05+41’08] [TH]

Given the quirkiness of the programming and packaging, I can’t imagine buyers being tempted from much safer recommendations such as Lupu and Perahia ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Carnaval op.9 (1834/35)
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Venezia e Napoli (supplement to "Les Annees de Pelerinage"; 1858)
,Mephisto Waltz No.1 in A major [11:41] ,Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 in C sharp minor [10:03] Jakub Cizmarovic (piano) Recorded July 2003 at the Telos Music Studios, Mechernich ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 64002 2 [73:47] [SA]

At only twenty Cizmarovic certainly has a tremendous future ahead of him – I wonder if we’ll see him at the Leeds Piano Competition? ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56) Lieder: Gesänge, Op. 89 (1850) – No. 5, Ins Freie (1850) [2’21]; Myrthen, Op. 25 (1840) – No. 1, Widmung [2’12]; No. 7, Die Lotosblume [1’54]; No. 21, Was will die einsame Träne? [2’59]; No. 24, Du bist die Blume [1’58]; No. 25, Aus den östlichen Rosen [1’24]; No. 26, Zum Schluss [2’26]; Gedichte, Op. 36 (1840) - No. 5, Dichters Genesung [2’47]; No. 6, Liebesbotschaft [5’37]; Romanzen und Balladen, Op. 45 (1840) – No. 3, Abends am Strand [3’11]; Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 127 – No. 3, Es leuchtet meine Liebe [2’12]; Gesänge, Op. 142 (1852) – Mein Wagen rollet langsam [2’47]; Gedichte, Op. 90 (1850) – No. 2, Meine Rose [4’51]; No. 3, Kommen und Scheiden [1’14]; No. 4, Die Sennin [1’54]; No. 5, Einsamkeit [2’59]; No. 6, Der schwere Abend [1’26]; Gesänge, Op. 31 (1840) – No. 1, Die Löwenbraut [9’06]; Belsazar, Op. 57 (1840) [4’58]; Lieder, Op. 40 (1840) – Der Soldat [3’19]; Lieder und Gesänge IV, Op. 96 (1850) – No. 1, Nachtlied [3’19]; Gesänge, Op. 83 – No. 3, Der Einsiedler [3’39]; Romanzen und Balladen II, Op. 49 – No. 1, Die beiden Grenadiere [3’16]; Gedichte aus ‘Liebesfrühling’, Op. 37 (1840) – No. 1, Der Himmel hat eine Träne geweint [2’12]; Minnespiel, Op. 101 (1849) – No. 4, Mein schöner Stern! [2’23] Matthias Goerne (baritone); Eric Schneider (piano). Rec. Reitstadel, Neumarkt, Germany, on October 13th-4th, 2003. DDD Texts and translations included. DECCA 475 6012 [77’36] [CC]

Goerne: intelligence as well as the natural beauty of voice. The two come together magnificently in this sterling Schumann recital. ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856): Duets and Piano Works Duets: Erste Begegnung Op. 74 No. 1; Liebesgram Op. 74 No. 3; Botschaft Op. 74 No. 8; Mailied Op. 79 No. 10; Das Glück Op. 79 No. 16; Frühlingslied Op. 79 No. 19; Die Schwalben Op. 79 No. 21; Wenn ich ein Vöglein Wär Op. 43 No. 1; Herbstlied Op. 43 No. 2; Schön Blümelein Op. 43 No. 3; Mailied Op. 103 No. 1; Frühlingslied Op. 103 No. 2; An die Nachtigall Op. 103 No. 3; An den Abendstern Op. 103 No. 4; Ei Mühle, liebe Mühle Op. 112 No. 20; Ländliches Lied Op. 29 No. 1; Sommerruh (No. opus number); Bedeckt mich mit Blumen Op. 138 No. 4
PiaNo. Works: Abschied, Op. 82 No. 9 (from Waldszenen); Botschaft, Op. 124 No. 18 (from Albumblätter); Vogel als Prophet, Op. 82 No. 7 (from Waldszenen); Der Dichter spricht, Op. 15 No. 13 (from Kinderszenen); Träumerei, Op. 15 No. 7 (from Kinderszenen) Anneli and Lilian Druve (sopranos), Lars Hägglund (piano) Recorded 18 June 1999, in Studio 12 Swedish Television, Gothenburg (piano works) and 19 June 1999, in Fristad Church. NOSAG RECORDS CD 046 [57:51] [GF]

However much I admire the boldness and the ambitions I think this enterprise should have been restricted to a more local market. ... see Full Review

The Mystic and the Muse: Piano music of Cyril Scott and Roger Quilter Roger QUILTER (1877-1953) Three Studies for piano (Molto Allegro con moto: Molto Allegro amabile: Vivace misterioso e Legato); Three Pieces for piano (Dance in the Twilight: Summer Evening: At a Country Fair); Two Impressions for Piano (In a Gondola: Lanterns) Country Pieces for piano (Shepherd Song: Goblins: Forest Lullaby: Pipe and Tabor) Cyril SCOTT (1879-1970) Carillon; Rainbow Trout; Zoo (Animals for piano); Second Piano Sonata (1935) Clipper Erickson (piano) Cover: Untitled pastel by Cyril Scott DIRECT TO TAPE RECORDING CO DTR 2013 [59.64] [CSS]

The playing by this enterprising pianist is authoritative with no lapses into lush sentiment even in the lighter Quilter. It is a delightful recording ... see Full Review

Peter SCULTHORPE (b. 1929) Earth Cry (1974) [13:55] * Memento Mori (1993) [14:29] Piano Concerto (1983) [21:26] # From Oceania (1970; 2003) [5:32] Kakadu (1988) [15:44] William Barton (didjeridu)* Tamara Anna Cisłowska (piano)# New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd rec. Wellington Town Hall, 10-12 Sept 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557382 [71:06] [CC]

There seems to be no-one quite like him. Should go a long way to propelling Sculthorpe to his rightful place in our contemporary musical consciousness. He has important things to say. We should listen, and carefully. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Symphony No. 4 in C minor Op. 43 (1936) Kirov Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre, St. PetersburgValerie Gergiev. rec. live 20-22 Nov 2001, Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia. DDD PHILIPS SACD 4756190 [64:14] [JPh]

A notable addition to the on-going Shostakovich cycle from Gergiev and his colleagues, aided and abetted by the recording. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Suite for Variety Orchestra No.1 (Jazz Suite No.2) (1938) - reconstructed McBurney Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Themes Op.115 (1963) Jazz Suite No.1 (1934) Novorossijsk Chimes Festive Overture Op.96 Ballet Suites The Bolt Op.27a The Limpid Stream Op.39a (1935) The Golden Age Op.22a (1930) Film Music Hamlet-Suite (1964) Gadfly – Suite Op 97a (1955) National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore Kuchar Recorded June 1-8 [year?], Grand Studio of the National Radio Symphony Company of the Ukraine in Kiev BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6735 [3 CDs: 50.45 + 55.48 + 72.11][JW]

It takes precision, authority and a good ear for balance to deliver such consistently enjoyable performances. ... scores very highly indeed. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-75) Chamber Symphony, Op. 83a (String Quartet No 4, orch. Barshai) (1949) [23:32] Symphony for Strings and Woodwinds, Op. 73a (String Quartet No 3, orch.. Barshai) (1946) [32:47] Tapiola Sinfonietta/Jean-Jacques Kantorow recorded at the Tapiola Concert Hall, Finland, 2-5 May 2001 BIS-CD-1180 [56:57] [PJL]

This is a challenging and absorbing listening experience. Strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-75) Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a (String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110, arr. Barshai, 1960) [22:58] Anti-formalist Rayok*, arr. Spivakov (1948) [19: 35] Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 11 (1924) [9.52] Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-98) Prelude in memory of Dmitri Shostakovich [5:21] *Alexei Mochalov (bass) and the Choir of the Academy of Choral Art; Moscow Virtuosi/Vladimir Spivakov recorded in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, 15-17 May 2003 CAPRICCIO 67 115 [57:46][PJL]

An outstandingly committed performance, but we are repeatedly made aware that this piece is an orchestral transcription of a string quartet original. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Pohjola’s Daughter. Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 49* [12’23"] The Maiden with the Roses (No. 3 from Swanwhite, Op. 54)** [3’06"] Tapiola, Op. 112*** [17’19"] Symphony No 7 in C major, Op. 105**** [21’20"] Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) The Last Spring (Elegiac Melodies, Op.34, No.2)***** [4’52"] Boston Symphony Orchestra/Serge Koussevitzky; ****BBC Symphony Orchestra/Serge Koussevitzky rec. Symphony Hall Boston except **** ‘live’, Queen’s Hall, London; *6 May 1936;**29 December 1936; ***7-8 November 1939; ****15 May 1933; *****20 March 1940. ADD NAXOS 8.110168 [59’00"] [JQ]

Superb music making. Great value for money and is self-recommending. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Karelia Music (1893) [44:08] Press Celebrations Music (1899) [34:27] Tellu Virkkala, soprano Anna-Kaisa Liedes, soprano Juha Kotilainen, baritone Tampere Philharmonic Choir Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra/Tuomas Ollila rec. Tampere Hall, Jan 1998. DDD ONDINE ODE 9130 [78:45] [RB]

Sibelius presented with unshakeable confidence. Outstanding - one of the glories of the catalogue. No Sibelian should be without this disc. ... see Full Review

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Requiem, Op. 63 (1896): Introit [8.03], Kyrie [4.40], Gradual [4.38], Sequence – Dies Irae [30.21], Offertorium [11.37], Sanctus [10.07], Agnus Dei et Lux aeterna [11.01]. The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan - excerpts (1879): Overture [7.53], Ballet music no. 1 [7.20], There’s a Bower of Roses [5.05], Ballet music no. 2 [3.17] RTE Philharmonic Choir, Peter Kerr (ten), Nigel Leeson-Williams (bass), Frances Lucey (sop), Colette McGahon (mezzo), Virginia Kerr (sop – Khorassan) RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland/Adrian Leaper (Requiem), Colman Pearce (Khorassan) rec. National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland, February, September 1994, DDD NAXOS 8.555201-02 [59:34 + 44:55] [EM]

It is the Requiem that one should purchase this disc for. I am convinced that it should be in the canon of great requiems, along with the Brahms, Verdi and Fauré. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) String Quartet no.1 in G op.44 (1891) [29:01] String Quartet no.2 in A minor op.45 (1891) [27:03] Fantasy for Horn and String Quartet* (1922) [11:47] RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, with Stephen Stirling (horn)* Recorded 22nd-24th September 2003 in the Henry Wood Hall, London HYPERION CDA67434 [68:09] [CH]

Urgently recommended, and not only to lovers of British music. ... see Full Review

Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Die Fledermaus - Operetta in three acts
Libretto: Carl Haffner and Richard Genée - Revised: Peter Weiser and Otto Schenk
Gabriel von Eisenstein ... Bernd Weikl Rosalinde ... Lucia Popp Frank ... Erich Kunz
Prinz Orlofsky ... Brigitte Fassbaender Alfred ... Josef Hopferwieser Dr Falke ... Walter Berry Dr Blind ... Anton Wendler Adele ... Edita Gruberova Ida ... Karin Göttling Frosch ... Helmut Lohner Iwan ... Karl Caslavsky Chor der Wiener Staatsoper Ballett der Wiener Staatsoper Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper/Theodor Guschlbauer Recorded live at the Wiener Staatsoper, 31 December 1980 Directed for stage and TV by Otto Schenk TDK DVD Video DV-CLOPDFM [169:00] [IL]

A sparkling performance from a star cast; sumptuously staged and costumed. A real feast for eye and ear. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Three Pieces (1914) 1 – 0:59, 2 – 2:00, 3 – 3:58; Concertino [5:59], Double Canon: Raoul Dufy in memoriam [6:25] Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-98) Canon: In memory of Stravinsky [6:25] Nikolay ROSLAVETS (1881-1934) Quartet No. 3 [12:59] Dmitri SMIRNOV (b. 1948) Quartet No. 2, I – Andantino [6:20], II – Lento [8:47] Elena FIRSOVA (b. 1950) Quartet No. 4: Amoroso [15:21] Chilingirian Quartet: Levon Chilingirian (violin), Charles Sewart (violin), Simon Rowland-Jones (viola), Philip De Groote (cello) Recorded 27-28 April and 6-7 June 1994 in All Saints’ Church, Petersham, Surrey. DDD RCA-BMG CATALYST 82876 64283-2 [65’04"] [BH]

I can’t praise this quartet and CD enough, both for the artists’ warm, colorful playing and for the enticingly different, but well-considered program. ... see Full Review

Sergei TANEYEV (1856-1915) Concert Suite for Violin and Orchestra Op. 28 (1919) [42:24]: (I Prelude (Grave) [7:03]; II Gavotte (Allegro moderato) [5:55]; III Fairy tale (Andantino) [9:26]; IV Tema con variazioni [13:23]: (Tema (Andantino) [0:57]; Variazione finale e coda [3:56]; Var. I (Allegro moderato) [1:09]; Var. II (Allegro energico) [1:27]; Var. III (Tempo di Valse); Var. V (Presto scherzando) [0:50]; Var. IV Fuga doppia (Allegro molto) [1:44]; Var. VI (Tempo di Mazurka. Allegro con fuoco) [1:25]); V Tarantella (Presto) [6:34]) Entr'acte (The Temple of Apollo at Delphi) (1895) [5:23] Oresteya Overture (1889) [16:48] Pekka Kuusisto, violin Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy rec. House of Culture (Suite), Finlandia Hall (Entr’acte; Overture), Helsinki May 2000. DDD ONDINE ODE 9590 [64:57] [RB]

This is serious music yet without severity and full of appealing humanity. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir John TAVENER (b.1944)
The Veil of the Temple (2002) [148’17"] Patricia Rosario (soprano); Simon Wall, Nathan Vale (tenors); Thomas Guthrie, Andrew Rupp (baritones); Adrian Peacock, Jeremy Birchall (basses) The Choir of the Temple Church, London; The Holst Singers Instrumental Ensemble; Members of English Chamber Orchestra/Stephen Layton Abridged concert version recorded live at the première performances of the complete score in the Temple Church, London on 27-28 June (overnight), 1 July and 4-5 July (overnight) 2003. DSD SACD HYBRID BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876661542 [76’25" + 71’52"] [JQ]

This release is a major event. I cannot recommend it too highly. ... see Full Review

Piotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Romeo and Juliet [20:51] Symphony No. 6 in b minor, Op. 74 [49:43] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Romeo and Juliet) St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Symphony) Yuri Temirkanov, conductor Recorded September 1989 at All Saints’ Church, Tooting, England (Romeo) and April 8,9, and 11 1992 at Philharmonic Hall, St. Petersburg. (Symphony) BMG-RCA 82876 62320 2 [70:43] [KS]

Temirkanov knows the tradition, the style and the score intimately ... see Full Review

Thomas D.A. TELLEFSEN (1823-1874) Sonata for Piano and Violin op. 19 [26:10] Sonata for Piano and Cello op. 21 [21:47] Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello op. 31 [32:59] Einar Steen-Nokleberg - piano Atle Sponberg - violin Oystein Birkeland - cello Rec. Sofienberg Church, Oslo, 9-10 September and 8-10 November 2001 SIMAX CLASSICS PSC 1226 [81:00]. [MW]

Tellefsen, although relatively unknown compared to some of his contemporaries, deserves to be more widely heard ... see Full Review

Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) Remembering Tippett - Historic Recordings from the 1940s Fantasy Sonata (1936-38) [21:09] Concerto for Double String Orchestra (1938-39) [21:15] String Quartet No. 2 in F sharp (1941-42) [20:20] Thomas TALLIS Spem in alium [12:02] Phyllis Sellick (piano) (Sonata) Walter Goehr and his orchestra (Concerto) Zorian Quartet (Quartet) Morley College Choir/Michael Tippett (Spem) Rec. Decca London Studio, Remington Van Wyk, 1941 (sonata); Levy’s Sound Studios, 73 New Bond St, London, summer 1943 (Concerto); Decca London Studios, 18-20 Dec 1947 (quartet); HMV Abbey Rd, 7 Oct 1948 (Spem) NMC ARCHIVE SERIES NMC D103 [75:16] [RB]

A specialist CD: generously timed and exhaustively documented. Recommendable to students of British music during the 1930s and performance practice in the 1940s as well as to Tippett fans everywhere.... see Full Review

Sir Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) The Rose Lake (1995) The Vision of St.Augustine (1965) John Shirley-Quirke (baritone) London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Sir Colin Davis (Rose Lake) Sir Michael Tippett (Vision) rec. Walthamstow Town Hall, 17 April 1997 (Rose Lake) and 7-8 June 1971 (Vision) BMG-RCA CATALYST 8287664284 2 [68’19] [TH]

Whatever your thoughts about the coupling, The Rose Lake demands your attention. ... see Full Review

Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) Boyhood's End: Allegro non troppo, Andante, Allegro molto, Allegro piacevole Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) A Young Man's Exhortation Op. 14: A Young Man's Exhortation, Ditty, Budmouth Dears, Her Temple, The Comet at Yell'ham, Shortening Days, The Sigh, Former Beauties, Transformations, The Dance Continued. Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Who are these children? Op. 84: A Riddle, A Laddie's Song, Nightmare, Black day, Bedtime, Slaughter, A riddle, The Larky Lad, Who are these children ?, Supper, The Children, The Auld Ark. Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente: Menschenbeifall, Die Heimat, Sokrates und Alcibades, Die Jugend, Hälfte des Lebens, Die Linien des Lebens Um Mitternacht Mark Padmore (tenor) Roger Vignoles (piano)Recorded East Finchley, 11-13 February 2004. DDD HYPERION CDA67459 [78:11] [AO]

Padmore sings with exquisite beauty but lacks depth of interpretation – a Bostridge manqué. ... see Full Review

Boris TISHCHENKO (b. 1939) Symphony No. 7, Op. 119 (1994). Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Yablonsky. Live recording at the Grand Hall, Moscow Conservatory, February 26 2002 NAXOS 8.557013 [52.42][JW]

There is a compelling force to this symphony: unsettling, wearing masks, ultimately military – and catastrophic. ... see Full Review

Ernst TOCH (1887 - 1964) Capriccetti, Op 36 (1925) [6.59] Kleinstadtbilder, Op 49 (1929) [11.57] Sonata, Op 47 (1928) [8.05] Burlesken, Op 31 (1923) [8.54] Konzert-Edüden, Op 55 (1931) [22.34] Christian Seibert, piano Recorded WDR Funkhaus, Köln, Germany, 17 April 2003 Notes in Deutsch, English, Français. Photo of composer and performer. CPO 999 926-2 [59.16] [PSh]

The intimate thoughts of a great symphonist and film-score writer. ... see Full Review

Joaquín TURINA (1882-1949) Piano Music 1 Danzas fantásticas Op.22 (1919) Tres danzas andaluzas Op.8 (1912) Danzas gitanas Op.55 (1929-30) Danzas gitanas Op.84 (1934) Dos danzas sobre temas populares españolas Op.41 (1926) Bailete; Suite de danzas del siglio XIX Op.79 (1933) Jordi Masó (piano) Recorded in the Auditorium, Jafre, Spain, April 2003 NAXOS 8.557150 [70.27] [JW]

Masó: I remain impressed ... a good, crisp touch and an active command of the idiom. ... see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Nine Symphonies A Sea Symphony (Symphony No. 1) (1909) Symphony No. 2 A London Symphony (1913) Symphony No. 8 in D minor (1955) Symphony No. 4 in F minor (1931) Symphony No. 5 in D major (1943) Symphony No. 6 in E minor (1944) Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910) The Lark Ascending (1921) Fantasia on Greensleeves (1934) Overture – The Wasps (1909) Sinfonia Antartica (Symphony No. 7) (1952) A Pastoral Symphony (Symphony No. 3) (1921) Symphony No. 9 in E minor (1956-58) Job – A Masque for Dancing (1930) Amanda Roocroft (soprano); Thomas Hampson (baritone) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Andrew DavisRec. St. Augustine’s Church, London October 1990 (No. 6, Tallis Fantasia, Lark Ascending) December 1992 (Nos. 4 and 5) March 1993 (Nos. 2 and 8) April 1995 (No. 9, Job) March 1996 (Nos. 3 and 7) Blackheath Concert Hall, London, February 1994 (No. 1) DDD WARNER CLASSICS 256461730-2 [6 CDs: 65:33 + 76:54 + 76:30 + 76:22 + 77:27 + 79:11] [CT]

Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra in an uneven six CD survey of the VW symphonies. ... see Full Review


Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Symphony No. 7 Sinfonia Antarctica American Symphony Orchestra with (unidentified) narrator and soprano and Women’s Chorus/Ainslee Cox, New York premiere performance, 13th April 1970 Robert SIMPSON (1921-1997) Symphony No. 3 Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra/Ainslee Cox American premiere performance, 8th December 1974 Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Elegy for Strings Op. 58 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Ainslee Cox THEO VAN DER BURG [77.34] [JW]

Two important American performances led by a strong and determined conductor. Recordings that are crude in places but the experience is visceral ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) Attila - Lyric drama in a prologue and three acts Attila, King of the Huns ... Samuel Ramey (bass) Ezio, a Roman general ... Giorgio Zancanaro (baritone) Odabella, daughter of the ruler of Aquileia ... Cheryl Studer (soprano) Foresto, a knight of Aquileia ... Kaludi Kaludov (tenor) Uldino, Breton slave of Attila ... Ernesto Gavazzi (tenor) Leone, an old Roman ... Mario Luperi (bass) Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala / Muti Recorded live in 1991 at Teatro alla Scala, Milan OPUS ARTE DVD 09478 03010 [118:00] [RM]

An exuberant performance: the mid-price makes it a real bargain ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) Don Carlo (1884) Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass) Philip II Jose Carreras (tenor) Don Carlo Piero Cappuccilli (baritone) Rodrigo Matti Salminen (bass) The Grand Inquisitor Franco De Grandis (bass) A Monk Fiamma Izzo D’Amico (soprano) Elizabeth of Valois Agnes Baltsa (mezzo) The Princess Eboli Antonelli Bandelli (mezzo) A Voice from on High Horst Nitsche (bass) The Count of Lerma Volker Horn (tenor) A Royal Herald Natale de Carolis (bass baritone) A Flemish Deputy Noel Ramirez (tenor) A Flemish Deputy Petteri Salomaa (bass) A Flemish Deputy Roberto Servile (bass) A Flemish Deputy Goran Simic (bass) A Flemish Deputy Alfred Sramek (baritone) A Flemish Deputy Choirs of Bulgarian National Opera, Sofia, Salzburg Concert Choir and Vienna State Opera Chorus Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan. Recorded live at the Salzburg Easter Festival, 1986. DVD. (PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital Stereo). SONY SVD 48312 [179’46”][JP]

Sumptuous sets, very good, rather than famous, voices and superbly executed by the orchestra ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) I Due Foscari (1844) Francesco Foscari ... Renato Bruson (baritone) Jacopo Foscari ... Alberto Cupido (tenor) Lucrezia Contarini ... Linda Roark-Strummer (soprano) Jacopo Loredano ... Luigi Roni (bass) Barbarigo ... Renato Cazzaniga (tenor) Pisana ... Monica Tagliasacchi (soprano) Fante ... Aldo Bottion (tenor) Servant of the Doge ... Aldo Bramante (bass) Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala, Milano/Gianandrea Gavazzeni Recorded 1988, Teatro alla Scala (live performance) OPUS ARTE OA LS 3007 D [114.48][TB]

This performance will give much pleasure, if that is the right word for so remorselessly tragic a work. ... see Full Review

Toscanini conducts VERDI Falstaff - rehearsals (1950) Alice Ford: Herva Nelli, sop Nanetta: Teresa Stich-Randall, sop Mistress Page: Nan Merriman, mezzo Falstaff: Giuseppe Valdengo, bar Dame Quickly: Cloe Elmo, mezzo Ford : Frank Guerrara, bar Pistol: Norman Scott, bass NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini Originally issued in 1986; newly restored by Graham Newton (2003) MUSIC & ARTS CD-4248(2) [61:51 + 63:17] [JL]

Buying these discs will allow you to own an important historical document on conducting and to hear one of the greatest conductors lavishing love on an opera once described by him as "the most beautiful of all". ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901). Opera Explained Series. An Introduction to Falstaff Narrative written by Thomson Smillie and spoken by David Timson Musical extracts taken from complete Naxos recording (8.660050-51), conducted by Will Humburg NAXOS EDUCATIONAL - OPERA EXPLAINED SERIES 8.558158 [78.54] [RJF]

A complex opera well explained. However, an opportunity is missed to give a broader contextual introduction ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) Il Trovatore (1853) Pierro Cappuccilli (baritone) ... Il Conte di Luna Raina Kabaivanska (soprano) ... Leonora Fiorenza Cossotto (mezzo) ... Azucena Placido Domingo (tenor) ... Manrico Jose van Dam (bass-baritone) ... Ferrando Maria Venuti (soprano) ... Ines Heinz Zednik (tenor) ... Ruiz Karl Caslavsky (bass) ... An Old Gypsy Ewald Aichberger (tenor) ... A Messenger Vienna State Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan. Recorded live at the Wiener Staatsoper, 1 May 1978 Stage Direction – Herbert von Karajan. DVD. (Dolby Digital Stereo 5.1, DTS 5.1 and LPCM Stereo). TDK DV-CLOPIT [151:00] [JPh]

Another of TDK’s Opera Videos well worth purchasing. It should give hours and hours of enjoyment. Very highly recommended. ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Orlando Furioso (1727) [182:40] Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Orlando, contralto), Jennifer Larmore (Alcina, mezzo-soprano), Veronica Cangemi (Angelica, soprano), Philippe Jaroussky (Ruggiero, counter-tenor), Lorenzo Regazzo (Astolfo, bass-baritone), Ann Hallenberg (Bradamante, mezzo-soprano), Blandine Staskiewicz (Medoro, mezzo-soprano), Choeur "Les Éléments", Ensemble Matheus/Jean-Christophe Spinosi
Recorded in June 2004 in the Eglise Abbatiale de Daoulas, Bretagne, France NAÏVE OP 30393 [3 CDs: 70:38 + 66:21 + 45:41] [CH]

A recording which is not afraid to take risks. ... see Full Review


Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Orlando Furioso: Ouvertura, Nel profondo cieco mondo, Sol da te mio dolce amor, Sorge l’irato nembo, Vorresti amor da me? Che bel morirti in sen, Se cresce un torrente, Qual candido fiore, Chiara al pari di lucida stella, Al fragor de’ corni audaci, Così potessi anch’io, Dove il valor combatte, Poveri affetti miei, Fonti di pianto, Anderò, chiamerò dal profondo, Con mirti e fiori Marilyn Horne (Orlando, mezzo-soprano), Victoria de los Angeles (Angelica, soprano), Lucia Valentini-Terrani (Alcina, mezzo-soprano), Carmen Gonzales (Bradamante, mezzo-soprano), Lajos Kozma (Medoro, tenor), Sesto Bruscantini (Ruggiero, baritone), Nicola Zaccaria (Astolfo, bass), Coro Amici della Polifonia, I Solisti Veneti/Claudio Scimone Recording first published 1978 (no other details given) WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 61512-2 [72:45] [CH]

Despite some great names, the new recording of this opera under Spinosi has made this one redundant. ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Twelve Concertos for Violin and Strings Op.8 (Il Cimento dell’Armonia e dell’Inventione) Concertos 1-4 The Four Seasons+ No.5 in E flat major La tempestra di mare RV253 No.6 in C major Il piacere RV180 No.7 in D minor RV242 No.8 in G minor RV332 No.9 in D minor RV236 No.10 in B flat major La caccia RV362 No.11 in D major RV210 No.12 in C major RV178 Concerto for two violins in D major RV513# Louis Kaufman (violin) Peter Rybar (violin)# Concert Hall Chamber rchestra/Henry Swoboda+ Winterthur Symphony Orchestra/Clemens Dahinden Recorded New York, 1947 (Four Seasons) and Zurich, 1950 (remainder) NAXOS 8.110297-98 [63.51 + 62.43] [PSh] [JW]

A brilliant accomplishment, a classic recording treasure brought stunningly back to life.[PSh]

Kaufman: opulent expressivity, a compound of molten Elman, MGM warmth and quicksilver contemporary athleticism ... highly idiosyncratic and personalised [JW]... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) La Pastorella: Baroque Chamber Concertos from Venice Concerto La Pastorella (The Shepherdess) for recorder, oboe, violin, bassoon and continuo in D major, RV 95 (circa 1720s) Concerto for recorder, oboe and bassoon in G minor, RV 103 Sonata for flute, violin, cello in C major, RV 801 (circa 1710) Concerto for recorder, oboe, violin, bassoon and continuo in G minor, RV 105 Trio for lute, violin and continuo in C major, RV 82 (circa 1729-30) Sonata for recorder, bassoon and continuo in A minor, RV 86 (circa 1730s) Fiori Musicali: Pamela Thorby (recorder); Gail Hennessy (oboe); Andrea Morris (violin); Katy Bircher (flute); Sally Holman (bassoon); Peter McCarthy (contrabasso); Jennifer Morsches (cello); David Miller (lute and theorbo); Penelope Rapson (director/harpsichord and organ) rec. 5-7 Oct 2004, St. Mary’s Church, Everdon, Northamptonshire, UK. DDD METRONOME MET CD 1061 [64:00][MC]

Fascinating and most attractive compact scores from Vivaldi but not presented at their best. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883): Götterdämmerung, highlights
Prologue: Dawn; Willst du mir Minne schenken – Lass ich, Liebste, dich hier – Durch deine Tugend allein (Brünnhilde, Siegfried) – Siegfried’s Rhein Journey Act I: Höre mit Sinn, was ich dir sage! (Waltraute) Act II: Hoiho! Ihr Gibichmannen (Hagen) – Was tost das Horn? (Chorus) – Rüstet euch wohl (Hagen, Chorus) – Heil dir, Gunther! (Chorus, Gunther) Act III: Brünnhilde! Heilige Braut! (Siegfried) – Funeral March; Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort – O ihr, der Eide ewige Hüter! – Mein Erbe nun nehm’ ich zu eigen – Fliegt heim, ihr Raben! – Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegrüsst! (Brünnhilde) – Zurück vom Ring (Hagen) Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor) – Siegfried; Bodo Brinkmann (baritone) – Gunther; Philip Kang (bass) – Hagen; Anne Evans (soprano) – Brünnhilde; Waltraud Meier (mezzo-soprano) – Waltraute; Chorus and Orchestra from the Bayreuth Festival/Daniel Barenboim Recorded in the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, June, July 1992 WARNER APEX 2564 61513-2 [73:18] [GF]

I will definitely return to this disc, for the wonderful playing of the orchestra, for the intensity and, in the death scene, for the poetry of Jerusalem and for Evans’ warmth ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Opera Choruses The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Finale (excerpts) (Act 3). (David: Goran Eliasson, ten) The Flying Dutchman Chorus of Norwegian Sailors and Girls (Act 3). (Steersman: Göran Eliasson, ten) Tannhäuser Procession into the Hall of Song (Act 2, Scene 4) Lohengrin Bridal Procession (Act 2, Scene 4) Rienzi The Messengers of Peace (Act 2). (Rienzi: Lars Cleveman, ten; Messenger of Peace, Marianne Staykov, sop) Parsifal The Journey to Montsalvat (Act 1) (Gurnemanz; Lennart Forsén, (bass); Titurel: John Erik Eleby, ten) Soloists and Chorus of the Royal Swedish Opera. Royal Swedish Orchestra /Leif Segerstam Recorded at the Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm, Sweden, 14-20 March 2003 NAXOS 8.557714 [77.49][RJF]

Lovers of operatic chorus singing as well as Wagnerians, should add this disc to their collection. It has provided me with much listening pleasure. ... see Full Review


William WALTON (1902-1983)
Symphony No. 2 (1959-60) Variations on a Theme of Hindemith (1962-3) Partita (1957) Violin Concerto (1938-9) Belshazzar's Feast (1930-1) Capriccio Burlesco Johannesburg Festival Overture Zino Francescatti (violin) Walter Cassel (baritone) Rutgers University Choir Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy Cleveland Orchestra/Georg Szell (Symphony, Variations, Partita) New York PO/André Kostelanetz (Overture and Capriccio) Recorded late 1950s-early 1970s SONY SB2K89934 [2 CDs: 72.21 + 70.41] [JW]

Vibrant and musically invigorating set ... see Full Review

Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Piano Sonatas Sonata No. 1 in C major Op.24 (1816) Sonata No. 2 in A flat major Op.39 (1816) Sonata No. 3 in D minor Op.49 (1816) Sonata No. 4 in E minor Op.70 (1822) Jan Vermeulen (fortepiano) Recorded in Steurbaut Studios, Gent, 1991/92 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92441 [65.44 + 55.15][JW]

Worthwhile as an example of performance practice but no substitute for Mewton-Wood or Cortot in their various recordings ... see Full Review

Dag WIRÉN (1905-1986) Romantic Suite Op.22 (1945) [10:53] Concertino for Flute and Orchestra* Op.44 (1972) [12:20] Ballet: Plats på scenen Op.32 (1957) [23:27] *Jan Bengtson (flute) DalaSinfoniettan/Stefan Karpe Rec. Kristinehallen, Falun in January 1999 DDD NOSAG CD 041 [47:01][PJW]

No boundaries pushed back but good, tuneful listening. The playing of the DalaSinfoniettan and the recording are most impressive ... see Full Review

Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876-1948) Sly (1927) Sly – Hans-Dieter Bader (tenor) Dolly – Deborah Polaski (soprano) Der Graf – Klaus-Michael Reeh (baritone) Mohr – Dantes Diwiak (tenor) Indianer – William Forney (tenor) Alter Diener – Sanders Schier
Chinese – Gilbert Dubuc (baritone) Artz/Ein Freund des Grafen – Barr Peterson (bass) Musiker – Hans Sojer (tenor) John Plake – Siegfried Haertel (bass baritone) Snare/Ein Freund des Grafen – Wolfram Bach Die Wirtin – Gertraud Wagner (mezzo soprano) Ein Freund des Grafen – Leonard Delany Rosalina – Monika Frimmer (soprano) Choir and Orchestra of the Niedersächsischen State Opera, Hannover/Robert Maxym Recorded at the Niedersächsischen State Theatre, Hannover, November 1982 ARTS 47549-2 [63.30 + 46.24] [JW]

Brittle and brutal though it may ultimately be, it’s certainly worth your occasional acquaintance. ... see Full Review

Gabriel YARED (b. 1949) Clavigo - Ballet in two parts - after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Choreography by Roland Petit Clavigo ... Nicolas Le Riche Marie ... Clairemarie Osta The Stranger ... Marie-Agnes Gillot Carlos ... Yann Bridard Beaumarchais ... Yann Saїz Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Paris/Richard Bernas Recorded live at the Opéra National de Paris, Palais Garnier, October 1999 TDK DVD VIDEO DV-BLCLAV [87:00] [I&GL]

Fascinating modern ballet with wonderfully imaginative Petit choreography and a memorable Yared score ... see Full Review

Alexander von ZEMLINSKY (1871–1942) Eine Florentinische Tragödie, Op.16 (1916) Libretto by the composer, after Max Meyerfeld’s translation of the play by Oscar Wilde Iris Vermillion (mezzo-soprano) — Bianca Viktor Lutsiak (tenor) — Guido Albert Dohmen (bass-baritone) — Simone Élisabeth Balmas (violin solo) Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Armin Jordan rec. Live in concert, 13 September 2003, Radio France Paris (Salle Olivier Messiaen) NAÏVE V 4987 [60:23] [CW]

Realistically, two recordings of Eine Florentinische Tragödie are going to be enough for most collectors, and the new Naïve simply isn’t compelling enough to oust those 1997 versions from the shelf. Now if Bryn Terfel were to have a shot at it ... 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]



Error processing SSI file

Return to Front page