Hans
ABRAHAMSEN (b. 1952) Stratifications
(1973/5)a [8:51] Nacht und Trompeten (1981)a [10:21]
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1999/2000)b [15:21] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750) Befiehl du deine Wege BWV
272 (arranged Abrahamsen 1991)c [7:03] Carl
NIELSEN (1865 – 1931) Three Piano Pieces Op.
59 (1926, arranged Abrahamsen 1990)c [10:15] Per
NØRGÅRD (b. 1932) Breaking (1983, arranged Abrahamsen
1992)c [5:13] Arnold
SCHOENBERG (1874 – 1951) Four Pieces from Sechs
kleine Klavierstücke Op.19 (1911, arranged Abrahamsen 1998)c
[5:25] Anne Marie Abildskov
(piano)b; Danish National Symphony Orchestra/DRa;
BIT20 Ensemblebc; Thomas Dausgaarda, Ilan Volkovbc
Recorded: Danish Radio Concert Hall, March 2000 (Stratifications,
Nacht und Trompeten); and NRK AS Grieghallen and NRK Minde, May
2002 DA
CAPO 8.226010 [62:39][HC]
As
fine an introduction to this composer’s personal sound world as might
be desired. Excellent performances caught in fine recording. Well
worth investigating ... see Full
Review
Hugo
ALFVÉN (1872-1960)
Symphony
No. 4 From the Outermost Skerries Op. 39 (1919) Festival
Overture Op. 52 (1944)
Arndis Halla, (soprano vocalise), Johann Valdimarsson, (tenor vocalise),
Sigrun Edvaldsdottir (violin), Richard Talkowsky (cello), Kristjan
Th. Stephensen, (cor anglais) Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén.
Rec. Haskolabo University Cinema Auditorium, Reykjavik, Iceland, 10–13
June 2003 DDD.
NAXOS 8.557284 [58’12”][JP]
This
very attractive disc. All of this for £4.99! We don’t know how lucky
we are. ... see Full Review
Beth
ANDERSON (b.1950) Quilt
Music (1983) [24:49] Joseph Kubera (piano) Cat Songs: Lazy
Pussy [1:48]; Kilkenny Cats [0:41]; Tyger Tyger
[3:34]; Hey Diddle Diddle [0:36]; She Sights a Bird
[1:10]; The Widow and Her Cat [1:34] Dreaming Fields:
The Sugarplum Tree [4:19]; The Gingham Dog and the Calico
Cat [2:08]; Wynken, Blynken, & Nod [3:45] Harlem
Songs*: Song [3:10]; Southern Roads [3:45]; Tableau
[1:24]; While You Love Me [2:15]
Keith Boardman (baritone), Johannes Wallmann (piano), *Darren Campbell
(string bass) Belgian Tango [3:11]; Dr. Blood’s Mermaid
Lullaby [3:06] Tale No 1 (2000) [2:47]; Tale No 2
(2000) [2:24] Ana Milosavljevic (violin), Terezija Cukrov (piano)
Cleveland Swale (2001) [9:15] Darren Campbell (string bass),
Kirsty Matheson (string bass), Johannes Wallmann (piano) No Recording
information DDD ALBANY
TROY 709 [76:05][PCW]
A
potpourri of works which are tuneful, original and worth exploring
… see Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Keyboard Concertos Concerto
for two keyboards in C minor, BWV 1062 Concerto for two keyboards in
C major, BWV 1061 Concerto for three keyboards in D minor, BWV 1063
Concerto for two keyboards in C minor, BWV 1060
Güher and Süher Pekinel (Piano) Zürcher Kammerorchester/Howard
Griffiths rec. Neumunster, Zurich 23-25, 27 June 2003.
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61950-2 [58:29] [ZT]
Can
be enthusiastically recommended to provide
56 minutes of musical pleasure to all except
the "pre-occupied purist". ... see
Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Goldberg
Variations BWV988
Jenő Jandó (piano) Recorded Phoenix Studios,
Budapest, February 2003
NAXOS
8.557268 [77.29] [JW]
Next
to Hewitt, say, it must cede recommendation,
even at budget price ... see Full
Review
J.S.
BACH (1685-1750)
Cello Suites (complete)
Maria Kliegel (cello) Recorded at the Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, Hungary, May 2003. DDD
NAXOS 8.557280-81 [71.56 + 76.56] [ZT]
Something
special both for insatiable Bach cello suite
"nuts" as well as neophytes embarking
on a new musical odyssey ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, Vol. I Sonata
No. 1 in b minor BWV 1014 [13:25] Sonata No. 2 in A Major BWV 1015 [13:30]
Sonata No. 3 in E Major BWV 1016 [16:30] Sonata No. 4 in c minor BWV
1017 [15:23] James Ehnes,
violin Luc Beauséjour, harpsichord Recorded November 9-11 2004
at Domaine Forget, Canada.
ANALEKTA AN 2 9829 [59:28] [KS]
A
disc that will have pride of place on my shelf
and one that is sure to get repeated listening.
... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Sonatas and
Partitas for unaccompanied violin (ca. 1720)
CD1
[77:56] Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV1001 [19:05]
Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 [31:04]
Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV1003 [27:47] CD2
[76:02] Partita No. 3 in E major, BWV1006
[20:07] Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV1002
[29:49] Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV1005 [26:06]
Oleg Kagan (violin) recorded live in the Concertgebouw,
Amsterdam, 16 April 1989
WARNER ELATUS 2564 61885-2 [77:56 + 76:02]
[PL]
Some
extraordinary playing of extraordinary music,
and a record of an extraordinary occasion.
... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Suites for unaccompanied cello (ca. 1720)
transcribed for viola CD1
[57:03] Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV1007 [17:36] Suite No. 2 in D minor,
BWV1008 [19:21] Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV1009 [20:06] CD2 [73:32]
Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV1010 [22:24] Suite No. 5 in C minor,
BWV1011 [22:55] Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV1012 [28:13]
Nobuko Imai (viola) recorded in the Théâtre La Musica,
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, June 1997 (Nos 1-3) and January 1999
(Nos 4-6) PHILIPS 475
6219 [57:03 + 73:32] [PJL]
Bridges
the gap between old-time expressive indulgence
and latter-day historically-informed performance
practice. I recommend this whole-heartedly.
... see Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Fantasia
and Fugue in A minor BWV904 (1714-17) [7'59]
Aria Variata 'alla Maniera Italiana' BWV989
(1709) [16'16] Sonata in D major BWV963 [8'52]
Partie in A major BWV832 [8'45] Suite in F
minor BWV823 [8'26] Fantasia and Fugue in
A minor BWV944 [5'51]
Angela Hewitt (piano) Recorded in Henry
Wood Hall, London, on 3–5 February 2004
HYPERION CDA67499 [67.42] [JW]
The
last of Hewitt’s CDs of solo Bach. A significant
series, a laudable one, and there’s no lessening
in perception in this volume. ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) St John Passion (BWV 245) (1st
version, 1724; reconstruction: Pieter Dirksen) The Netherlands
Bach Society: Caroline Stam, soprano; Peter de Groot, alto; Charles
Daniels, Gerd Türk (Evangelist), tenor; Stephen MacLeod (Jesus),
Bas Ramselaar, bass [concertists]; Marjon Strijk, soprano; Marleene
Goldstein, Elsbeth Gerritsen, contralto; Simon Wall, tenor [ripienists]
Alfredo Bernardini, Peter Frankenberg, oboe, oboe d'amore; Antoinette
Lohmann, Pieter Affourtit, violin; Jan Willem Vis, viola; Lucia Swarts,
cello; Mieneke van der Velden, viola da gamba; Robert Franenberg, double-bass;
Mike Fentross, theorbo; Siebe Henstra, harpsichord; Pieter Dirksen,
organ Dir: Jos van Veldhoven Recorded March 2004 at the Waalse Kerk
in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. DDD CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS
SA 22005
[37:13 + 74:22][JV]
A most interesting recording of a reconstruction of the very first
version of Bach's St John Passion, in a performance with one voice
per part … see Full Review
J.S.
BACH
(1685-1750) St. Matthew Passion - excerpts (Part One): 1 1 Kommt, ihr Töchter chorus [8:01], 2 8 Blute nur aria
(soprano) [4:44] 3 18 Da kam Jesus recitative (Evangelist,
Jesus) [1:52] 4 20 Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen, aria
(Tenor) [4:44] 5 26 Und er kam und fand sie recitative
(Evangelist. Jesus, Judas) [2:31] 6 27A So ist mein Jesus,
aria (soprano, alto) [4:55] 27B Sind Blitze.sind Donner chorus
7 29 O Mensch, bewein dein Sunde groß chorale [5:55] (Part
Two): 8 30 Ach! nun ist mein Jesus
hin! aria(alto) [3:37] 9 36A Und der Hohepriester antwortete
recitative (Evangelist,Pontifex,Jesus) [2:02] 36B Er ist des
Todes schuldig! Chorus, 36C Da spieten sie aus recitative
(Evalgelist) 36D Weissage uns, Christe chorus 10 39
Erbarme dich aria(alto) [6:08] 11 45A Aber die Hohenpriester
recitative(part Evangelist,Piatus) [1:02] 45B Laß ihn kreuzigen!
chorus, 12 46 Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe!
chorale [0’38], 13 49 Aus Liebe,aus Liebe aria (soprano)
[5:23], 14 50A Sie schrieen aber noch mehr recitative(Evangelist)
[1:48], 50B Laß ihn kreuzigen! Chorus 50C Da aber Pilatus sahe
recitative (Evangelist,.Pilatus) 50D Sein Blut komme über
uns chorus 50E Da grab er ihnen Barrabam los recitative (Evangelist)
15 52 Konnen Tranen meiner Wangen aria (alto) [5:40],
16 53A Da nahmen die Kriegsknechte recitative(Evangelist)
[1:11] 53B Gegrüßet seist du, judenkönig! chorus, 53C Und speieten
ihn an recitative(Evangelist), 17 54 O Haupt voll Blut
und Wunden chorale[1:57]. 18 58A Und oben zu seinen Haupten
hefeten recitative[part] (Evangelist) [2:10] 58B Der du den Tempel
Gottes zerbrichst chorus, 58C Desgleichen auch die Hohenpriester
recitative (Evangelist) 53D Andern hat er geholfen chorus,
19 60 Sehet, Jesus hat die Hand aria (alto)[ 2:58, 20
61A Und von der sechsten Stunde an recitative (Evangelist,
Jesus) [2:31] 61B Der rufet dem Elias! chorus, 61C Und bald
lief einer unter ihnen recitative (Evangelist) 61D Halt! Laß
sehen chorus,61E Aber Jesus schriee recitative (Evangelist)
21 62 Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden choral [1:25], 22
63A Und siehe da recitative (Evangelist [1:34] 63B Wahrlich,dieser
ist Gottes Sohn gewesen chorus 23 67 Nun ist der Herr
zu Ruh gebracht recitative( bass, tenor,alto,soprano) [1:50],
24 68 Wir setzen uns mit Tränen neider chorus [5:27]Nancy
Argenta, soprano Robin Blaze, counter-tenor Makoto Sakurada, tenor Gerd
Türk, bass Peter Kooij, bass Chiyuki Urano, bass Bach
Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki Recorded in March 1999 at the Kobe Shoin
Womens’s University, Japan
BIS BIS-SACD-1500 [81:18][ZT]
A
splendid performance ... not necessarily better
than favoured versions but different in a
very positive and moving way. The overall
performance, combined with different presentation
options, make it a serious contender for first
choice. ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) St
Matthew Passion BWV 244 (1727) Christoph
Prégardien (tenor) – Evangelist Max
van Egmond (bass) – Jesus René Jacobs
and David Cordier (counter tenors) Marcus
Schäfer and John Elwes (tenors) Klaus
Mertens and Peter Lika (basses) Tölzer
Knabenchor Men’s Choir of La Petite Bande
La Petite Bande/Gustav Leonhardt Recorded
Doopsgezinde Church, Haarlem, March 1989 St
John Passion BWV 245 (1724 revised
1730 and late 1740s) Christoph Prégardien
(tenor) – Evangelist Harry van der Kamp (bass)
– Jesus Barbara Schlick (soprano) René
Jacobs (counter tenor) Nico van der Meel (tenor)
Max van Egmond (bass)
Choir and Orchestra of La Petite Bande/Sigiswald
Kuijken Recorded Doopsgezinde Gemeente, Haarlem,
March – April 1987
BMG CLASSICS DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 82876
67402 2 [5 CDs 74.40 + 51.20 + 46.32 +
59.30 + 62.49] [JW]
Neither
ultimately convinces but I would argue that
the Leonhardt contains a stratum of profundity
that repays close listening. ... see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750)
Mass
in B minor, BWV232 (various dates, 1723-49)
[108:20] Sunhae Im (soprano), Marianne Beate
Kielland (mezzo-soprano), Ann Hallenburg (alto),
Markus Schäfer (tenor), Hanno Müller-Brachmann
(bass-baritone)
Dresden Chamber Choir; Cologne Chamber Orchestra/Helmut
Müller-Brühl recorded by Deutschlandfunk,
Sendesaal Köln, November 2003
NAXOS 8.557448-49 [53:32 + 54:44] [PJL]
Well
worth buying ... its ideal role is as a complement
to more ‘senior’ readings which this issue,
for all its strengths, cannot possibly displace.
... see Full
Review
Osvaldas
BALAKAUSKAS (b.
1937) Requiem
in memoriam Stasys Lozoraitis (1995) [52:56]
Judita Leitaitė (mezzo) Vilnius Municipal
Choir ‘Jauna Muzika’/Vaclovas Augustinas Christopher
Chamber Orchestra of Vilnius/Donatas Katkus
Recorded at the Lithuanian Radio 6-10 February
2003.
NAXOS 8.557604 [52:56] [KS]
A
work that seems destined for the library shelves
not to be heard much in the future. Buy this
one at your own risk. ... see Full
Review
Béla
BARTÓK (1881
– 1945) Piano
Concerto No.1 (1926)a [23:16] Piano Concerto No.2 (1930/1)b
[27:04] Piano Concerto No.3 (1945)c [25:49]
Krystian Zimerman (piano)a; Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)b;
Hélène Grimaud (piano)c; Chicago Symphony Orchestraa;
Berliner Philharmonikerb; London Symphony Orchestrac;
Pierre Boulez Recorded: Orchestra Hall, Chicago, November 2001 (No.1);
Philharmonie, Grosser Saal, Berlin, February 2003 (No.2) and Jarwood
Hall, London, October 2004 (No.3)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5330 [76:25] [HC]
A
splendid release that is self-commending ...
see
Full Review
Bela
BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Piano
Concerto No. 3: (1: Allegretto: [6.57];
2: Marcia funebre; Adagio religioso: [10.14];
3: Scherzo; Allegro vivace: [6.53]) [24.04]
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 1 Titan (1: Langsam,
schleppend. Im Anfang sehr gemachlich: [15.39];
2: Kraftig: [7.07]; 3: Feierlich und gemessen:
[11.17]; 4: Sturmisch bewegt: [20.08]) [54.11]
Annie Fischer (piano) Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra/Georg Solti Mono: Digitally Remastered.
Made in Germany Recorded live at the Salzburg
Festival, 16 August 1964
ORFEO C628 041 B [78:58] [AR]
Can
only be recommended for the incisive and stylish
playing of Annie Fischer – the rest is disappointingly
dreary and unmusical. ... see Full
Review
Béla
BARTÓK
(1881-1945) The
Miraculous Mandarin (complete ballet)
(1926) Dance Suite (1923) Hungarian
Pictures (1931)
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Marin
Alsop Recorded at the Lighthouse Concert Hall,
Poole, Dorset, July 2004
NAXOS 8.557433 [62’12] [TH]
Solti’s
earthiness and energy carry the day, easily
preferable to Alsop’s softer-grained reading.
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1827) The
Symphonies, Leonore Overture, No. 1, Op. 138
(1807) Leonore Overture, No. 2, Op. 72a (1805)
Leonore Overture, No. 3, Op. 72b (1806) Fidelio
Overture, Op. 72c (1814)
Soile Isokoski (soprano); Rosemarie Lang
(alto); Robert Gambill (tenor); René
Pape (bass) Chorus of the Deutsche Staatsoper,
Berlin Staatskapelle Berlin/Daniel Barenboim.
Rec. May – July 1999, Grosser Sendesaal, Berlin.
DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564-61890-2 [6 CDs: 73.42
+ 71.56 + 72.07 + 67.16 + 67.34 + 76.40] [JPh]
Snap
this up whilst it is still available at this
price or at least until someone at Warner
Classics realizes what they have done. ...
see Full
Review
Koussevitzky à Paris Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony
No. 9 Op.125 Janine Micheau (soprano) Solange
Michel (mezzo) Georges Jouatte (tenor) Charles
Cambon (baritone)
RTF Choir Orchestre National de France/Serge
Koussevitzky Live recording in the Theatre
Champs-Elysées, 25th May
1950 Rehearsal; First movement of the
Symphony No. 9 [extract 10.27] Boston Symphony
Orchestra/Serge Koussevitzky Recorded live
in 1949
TAHRA TAH549 [76.38] [JW]
Immensely
exciting but also immensely approximate. ...
see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony
No. 4 in B flat major, Op.60 (1806) [33:37]
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op.67 (1807) [32:36]
Minnesota Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä
rec. Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
USA, 30 April 2004 (Symphony No. 4); 1 May
2004 (Symphony No. 5) BIS
SACD 1416 [67:03] [PJL]
As
good as any in the catalogue - as long as
you don’t want your Beethoven breaking records!
... see
Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Overtures
Coriolan,
Op.62 [8’10] Creatures of Prometheus, Op.43 [7’15] Ruins of Athens, Op.113 [5’53] Fidelio,
Op.72 [7’27] Leonore 1,
Op.138 [10’17] Leonore 2,
Op.72 [13’40] Leonore 3,
Op.72 [13’59] Egmont,
Op. 84 [8’13] Chamber
Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded ‘live’ (except Coriolan)
in the Stefaniensaal, Graz, June 1993, in the Musikverein, Vienna, November
1993 and in the Concert Hall, Athens, April 1996
WARNER ELATUS 2564 61779-2 [76’09][TH]
There’s
some great music here, so go and treat yourself. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Piano Works
- Volume 8 Piano
Sonata No. 27 in E minor Op.90 (1814) [12:24]
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Op.101 (1816) [19:17]
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat Op.106 Hammerklavier
(1818) [40:48]
Artur Schnabel (piano) Rec. EMI Abbey Road
Studio No 3, London, Jan-Feb 1932 (op.90),
April 1934 (Op.101), Nov 1935 (Op.106) ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110762 [72:49] [PCW]
I
can’t believe that anyone would now listen
to this Hammerklavier for pleasure in preference
to almost any modern reading … see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)Complete
Beethoven Sonata Society Recordings - Volume
9 Piano Sonatas – No. 30 in E, Op. 109a
(1820) [20’21]; No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110b
(1822) [18’25]; No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111c
(1822) [26’00]. Artur
Schnabel (piano). From HMV aDB1822-24,
bDB1957-59, cDB1656-59.
Rec. Abbey Road Studio No. 3 on aMarch
22nd, bJanuary 21st,
cJanuary 21st, March
21st-22nd and May 7th,
1932. ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110763 [65’04] [CC]
A
reminder of Schnabel’s true greatness … Magnificent. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Serkin
Plays Beethoven: The 1945-1952 Solo Piano Recordings for Columbia
Piano Sonatas: No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2a (1801)
[15’54]; No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, ‘Pathétique’b (1798)
[18’05]; No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, ‘Appassionata’c
(1805) [23’50]; No. 26 in E flat, Op. 81a, ‘Les adieux’d
(1810) [15’01]; No. 21 in C, Op. 53, ‘Waldstein’e
(1804) [26’06]; No. 30 in E, Op. 109f (1822) [21’53]; No.
24 in F sharp, Op. 78g (1809) [10’28[. Fantasy, Op.
77g (1809) [8’52].
Rudolf Serkin (piano). From Columbia originals. Rec. aMay
28th-30th, 1951, bJune 5th,
1945, cJuly 14th and 29th, 1947, dMay
1st and 28th-30th, 1951, eSeptember
8th-10th, 1952, fJuly 22nd,
1952, gDecember 1st, 1947. ADD
MUSIC & ARTS CD-1141(2) [141’25: 73’10 + 68’15][CC]
Great
to be reminded of the stature of Rudolf Serkin’s Beethoven … A veritable
treasure trove. ... see Full Review
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801 – 1835)
Norma (1831) Maria Callas
(soprano) – Norma Mario Filippeschi (tenor)
– Pollione Ebe Stignani (mezzo-soprano) -
Adalgisa Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (bass) – Oroveso
Paolo Caroli (tenor) – Flavio Rina Cavallari
(soprano) – Clotilde
Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala,
Milan/Tullio Serafin Recorded from 23rd
April to 3rd March 1954 in the
Cinema Metropol, Milan Reissue Producer and
Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn Appendix:
Highlights from Norma performed by Legendary
Singers (1927 – 1936) Ezio Pinza (bass);
Francesco Merli (tenor); Rosa Ponselle
(soprano); Irene Minghini-Cattaneo (mezzo-soprano);Marion
Telva ; Ezio Pinza (bass); Gina
Cigna (soprano); Tancredi Pasero (bass)
; Giovanni Breviario (tenor)Recorded
from 25th August to 7th September
1937 at the Teatro Nuovo, Turin Reissue Producer
and Restoration Engineer: Ward Marston
NAXOS 8.110325-27 [62:34 + 62:06 + 73:42]
[RJF]
Overwhelming
in its emotional impact ... see Full
Review
Luciano
BERIO (1925-2003)
Epifanie
(1965) [29:23]¹ Coro (1976) [47:26]²
Cathy Berberian (mezzo) ORF-Chor, ORF-Symphonieorchester/Leif
Segerstam recorded Salzburg Festspiele, 18
August 1974¹, 8 August 1977². DDD
ORFEO C 626 041 B [77:12] [AO]
An
unsurpassable live Epifanie with Berberian
in stunning form ... see Full
Review
Herman BERLINSKI
(1910-2001) Avodat
Shabbat, Friday Evening Service (1958,
rev 1963)
Robert Brubaker, ten; Constance Hauman,
sop; Elizabeth Shammash, mezzo Ernst Senff
Chor. Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Gerard
Schwarz Recorded Berlin, April 2000
NAXOS 8.559430 [72:19] [JL]
This
first recording of a Jewish choral work is
a major addition to the Naxos American Classics
series ... see Full
Review
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
Symphonie
Fantastique, Op. 14 (1830) Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71A (1892)
Cleveland Orchestra/Lorin Maazel Recorded Ohio 1982 (Berlioz); 1981
(Tchaikovsky) TELARC
SACD-60650
[69:27][JL]
Brilliant
sound and playing from this re-issue that may not, for some, get to
the passionate heart of the Berlioz masterpiece. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Luciano
BERIO (1925
– 2003) Naturale
(1985)a [18:40] Chemins II (1967)b
[13:18] Morton FELDMAN
(1926 – 1987) Rothko Chapel (1971)c
[23:12] The Viola in My Life II (1970)d
[9:46]
Christophe Desjardins (viola); Jacqueline
Ott (percussion)a; Basler Madrigalistenc:
Collegium Novum Zürichbcd;
Jonathan Nott (conductor)bcd Recorded:
DRS Radiostudio 1, Zürich, March 2004
AEON AECD 0425 [65:14] [HC]
Desjardins
is a formidable musician. Faultless technique
hand in hand with generous musicality. A marvellous
release ... see Full
Review
Leonard BERNSTEIN
(1918-1990) Mass,
A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers (1971)
Olle Persson (celebrant) Katarina Choir Members of the Stockholm
Philharmonic Orchestra/Lars-Ewe Nilsson Recorded ‘live’ in the Katarina
Kyrka, Sweden, 22-25 October 1998
NOSAG CD x04 [64’08+55’08] [TH]
Do
acquaint yourself with this magnificently
bizarre, infectious, glorious mish-mash of
a piece, but get the real article with the
man himself at the helm. ... see Full
Review
Heinrich Ignaz
Franz VON BIBER (1644-1704)
Harmonia artificioso-ariosa: diversi mode
accordata, 1712 CD
1 Partia I for two violins and b.c. in d minor
[17:35] Partia II for 2 violini piccoli and
b.c. in b minor [10:36] Partia III for two
violins and b.c. in A [10:25] Partia IV for
violin, viola and b.c. in E flat [09:32] CD
2 Partia V for two violins and b.c. in g minor
[10:54] Partia VI for two violins and b.c.
in D [17:41] Partia VII for two viole d'amore
and b.c. in c minor [19:49]
Musica Antiqua Köln: Reinhard Goebel,
Stephan Schardt, violin, violino piccolo,
viola d'amore; Karlheinz Steeb, viola; Klaus-Dieter
Brandt, cello; Léon Berben, harpsichord
rec. November 2003, Studio of Deutschlandfunk,
Cologne, Germany. DDD
ARCHIV 474 965-2 [48:46 + 48:53] [JV]
An
outstanding achievement ... will be very difficult
to find a performance which better and more
convincingly explores the content of these
brilliant compositions. ... see Full
Review
Heinrich
Ignaz Franz VON BIBER (1644-1704)
The Rosary Sonatas
Pavlo Beznosiuk, violin; Richard Tunnicliffe,
viola da gamba, violone; Paula Chateauneuf,
theorbo, archlute; David Roblou, harpsichord,
organ Timothy West, reader (*) Recorded in
November and December 2003 at St Andrew's
Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire, UK DDD
AVIE AV0038 [79:47 + 77:18]
Heinrich Ignaz Franz
VON BIBER (1644-1704) The Mystery Sonatas
Sonnerie: Monica Huggett, violin; Emilia Benjamin,
viola da gamba, lirone; Elizabeth Kenny, archlute,
theorbo, guitar; Frances Kelly, harp; Matthew
Halls, harpsichord, organ Recorded in May
and December 2003 and January 2004 in St Silas's,
Kentish Town, London, UK. DDD
ASV GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 350 (Vol. 1), CD
GAU 351 (Vol. 2) (only available separately)
[60:27 + 57:18] [JV]
Two
strongly different approaches to Biber's brilliant
Mystery Sonatas. Unfortunately both have major
flaws ... see Full
Review
Sir
Harrison BIRTWISTLE (b.
1934) The
Axe Manual (2000) [22:11]; Oockooing
Bird (c. 1950) [3:26]; Sad Song
(1971) [2:20]; Berceuse de Jeanne (1984)
[3:11]; Précis (1960) [3:23];
Hector’s Dawn (1987) [1:27]; Ostinato
with Melody (2000)* [5:07]; Betty Freeman:
Her Tango (2000)* [2:08]; Saraband:
The Kings Farewell (2001)* [2:58]; Harrison’s
Clocks (1997-8) [24:45]
Nicolas Hodges (piano), Claire Edwardes (percussion
on The Axe Manual), Recorded 5-9 July
2004 in Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, Funkhaus
Wallrafplatz Köln DDD *First recordings.
METRONOME MET CD 1074 [70:58] [BH]
One
of the most adventurous young pianists on
the scene today ... see Full
Review
Luigi
BOCCHERINI
(1743-1805) Cello
Concertos - Volume 3 Cello Concerto No. 9 in B flat G.482 [18:19]
Cello Concerto No. 10 in D G.483 [21:17] Cello Concerto No. 11 in C
G.573 [17:25] Cello Concerto No. 12 in E flat G.deest [14:53]
Raphael Wallfisch (cello) Northern Chamber Orchestra/Nicholas Ward Rec.
St. Thomas’s Church, Stockport, UK, May 2004 DDD
NAXOS 8.557589 [71:54][PCW]
Lively
and sympathetic performances ... see Full
Review
Hakon BØRRESEN
(1876-1954)
Den
kongelige gaest (The Royal Guest)
- opera in one act (1919) [79:20] Comedy to
music in one act - Libretto by Svend Leopold
after Henrik Pontopiddan’s short story Stig
Fogh Andersen, tenor ... Arnold Høyer
Tina Kiberg, soprano ... Emmy, his wife Edith
Guillaume, alto ... Ane, the Høyers’
maid Lise-Lotte Nielsen, soprano ... the servant
girl Guido Paevatalu, baritone ... the guest
Odense Symphony Orchestra/Tamás
Vetö Recorded at Odense Concert Hall
on 10-13 and 16-17 June 2003 With the financial
support of Komponist Hakon Børresen
og hustru Nanna Børresen, født
Berg’s legat Rec. Odense Concert Hall, 10-13,
16-17 June 2004. DDD
DACAPO 8.226020 [79:20] [RB]
Fans
of romantic opera - and even of operetta -
wanting a day out in an unfamiliar place must
hear this. Recommended strongly. A success
in every way. ... see Full
Review
Sergei
BORTKIEWICZ
(1877-1952) Violin
Sonata in G minor op. 26 (1930s) [32:43] Suite
for violin and piano op. 63 (1940s) [13:28]
Three Piano Pieces (transcribed by the composer
for violin and piano) [8:32] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Morceaux
de Salon op. 6 [8:39]
Cristian Persinaru (violin) Nils Franke
(piano) Rec. Parry Hall, Eton College, 23-25
Oct 2002 (sonata, suite); 3-4 June 2004. DDD
WARNER APEX 2564 61990-2 [66:21] [RB]
A
strong late-romantic Russian contender among
this month’s batch of new releases. ... see
Full Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony
no.1 in c, op.68 (1876) [43:40] Symphony no.2 in D, op.73 (1877) [37:32]
NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo
Toscanini Recorded in Carnegie Hall, New York, November 6th
1951 (no.1) and February 11th 1952 (no.2)
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 62322 2 [79:23] [CH]
Not
all aspects of the myth are borne out by this
reissue, but these are performances that need
to be heard. ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Piano
Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15
Arthur Rubinstein (piano) Chicago Symphony
Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded at Orchestra
Hall, April 17th 1954
RCA
RED SEAL LIVING STEREO SUPER AUDIO CD 82876
66378 2 [46.20] [JW]
Profoundly
impressive, and constitutes Rubinstein’s greatest
recording of this concerto. ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Piano
Trio No. 3 in C minor, Op. 101 (1886) [21.37]
Piano Trio No. 4 in A, Op. posth.* (1856?)
[34.12]
Trio Fontenay rec. Teldec Studio, Berlin,
November 1987 and *May 1989
WARNER APEX 2564 61690 2 [55.49] [SV]
The
members of the Trio Fontenay ... know how
to meld into a unified, responsive ensemble
without losing their distinctive timbres ...
see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Four-Hand Piano Music Vol.
13
String Sextet No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 18 (arranged for piano duet)
(1859-60) String Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36 (arranged for piano
duet) (1864-65)
Silke-Thora Matthies (piano) Christian Kohn (piano) Rec. Clara-Wieck-Auditorium,
Sandhausen, Germany, 2-4 Nov 1999. DDD
NAXOS 8.554817 [74:35][MC]
Another
collectable volume in Naxos’s impressive series
of Brahms’s four hand piano music.... see
Full Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Lieder: Complete Edition Vol. 8 7
Lieder op.95 [10:42], 4 Lieder op.96 [10:16],
6 Lieder op.97 [10:40], 5 Lieder für
eine tiefere Stimme op.105 [13:23]
Juliane Banse (soprano, op.95/1,2,4,5,6;
op.96/2; op.97/4,5,6, op.105/2,3), Andreas
Schmidt (baritone, op.95/3,7; op.96/1,2,4;
op.97/1,2,3; op.105/1,4,5), Helmut Deutsch
(piano) Recorded October/November 1997 and
January/June 1998 in the Kleiner Sendesaal
(Radio Berlin Brandenburg)
CPO 999 448-2 [45:13] [CH]
Serviceable
overall, with some fine performances of individual
songs. ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Choralvorspiel
und Fuge uber 'O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid' [8'16] Praludium und
Fuge in a moll [5'50] Fuge in as-moll [7'41] Praludium
und Fuge in g-moll [7'24] Elf Choralvorspiele [32'57]
François Menissier, organ, Rec. Sint Maartenskerk, Zaltbommel,
(The Netherlands) and St Maria, Schramberg, (Germany), 20th August 2000
and 24-25th September 2003. DDD
EDITIONS HORTUS 031 [62'08] [CB]
This
recording of the complete Brahms organ works
is a model of its kind and is unlikely to
be superseded any time soon. Make sure you
add it to your collection. ... see Full Review
This hard-to-find
recording may be purchased from MusicWeb
Walter BRAUNFELS
(1882-1954)Phantastiche
Erscheinungen eines Themas von Hector Berlioz
Op. 25 (1914-17) [48:43] Serenade Op.
20 (1910) [25:39]
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Dennis Russell
Davies rec. Grosser Sendesaal, Funkhaus ORF,
Dec 2001; March 2001. DDD
CPO 999 882-2 [75:15] [RB]
These
two rather backward-looking works are enthusiastically
performed and will provide romantic rewards
for the curious the Serenade rather more so
than the Berlioz Erscheinungen ... see Full
Review
Frank
BRIDGE
(1879-1941) String
Quartet No.2 in G minor (1914-15) [23:54]
Phantasy Piano Quartet in F sharp minor (1909-10)
[12:14] String Quartet No.4 (1937) [23:24]
Martin Roscoe (piano) Maggini Quartet Recorded
at Potton Hall, Suffolk, June 10-12, 2003
NAXOS 8.557283 [59:33] [TH]
Naxos
continues its valuable Bridge series with
yet more superbly performed chamber works.
... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN
(1913-1976) Serenade,
Op.31 (1943) [22:57]: (Prologue [1:23]; Pastoral [3:14];
Nocturne [3:36]; Elegy [4:09]; Dirge [3:21]; Hymn
[1:58]; Sonnet [3:44]; Epilogue [1:32]); Nocturne,
Op.60 (1958) [26:35]: (On a poet’s lips I slept [3:18]; Below
the thunders of the upper deep [2:56]; Encinctured with a twine
of leaves [2:49]; Midnight’s bell goes ting, ting, ting, ting
[2:31]; But that night on my bed I lay [2:56]; She sleeps
on soft, last breaths; but no ghost looms [4:09]; What is more
gentle than a wind in summer [3:41]; When most I wink, then do
mine eyes best see [4:15]); Phaedra, Op.93 (1975)
[14:57]: (Prologue – In May, in brilliant Athens [1:32]; My
lost and dazzled eyes [1:02]; Venus resigned her altar to my
new Lord [0:43]; Phaedra in all her madness stands before you
[1:42]; The wife of Theseus loves Hippolytus [1:28]; Oh Gods
of wrath [2:26]; Death to the unhappy’s no catastrophe [1:46];
My time’s too short, your highness [1:42]; Chills already
dart along my boiling veins [2:38])
Philip Langridge, (tenor); Ann Murray (mezzo); Frank Lloyd (horn). English
Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford (Serenade, Phaedra),
Northern Sinfonia/Steuart Bedford (Nocturne)
rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, July 1994. DDD
NAXOS 8.557199 [64.29] [EM]
Overall
a superlative disc, with flawless and very characterful performances.
I cannot recommend this CD highly enough. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Serenade
for tenor, horn and stings, Op. 31 (1943) [22:57] Nocturne, Op. 60 (1958)
[26:35] Phaedra, Op. 93 (1975) [14:57]
Philip Langridge, tenor Ann Murray, mezzo Frank Lloyd, horn English
Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford (Serenade and Phaedra) Northern Sinfonia/Steuart
Bedford (Nocturne) Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London (Serenade and
Phaedra) and St. Nicolas Newcastle, UK in July 1994.
NAXOS 8.557199 [64:29][KS]
Superb
sound quality ... a must-have for any lover
of fine singing. Recommended without a moment’s
hesitation. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-76)
Les
Illuminations, Op 18 (1940) [22:15] Variations
on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op 10 (1937)
[26:28] Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings,
Op 31 (1943) [24:02]
Toby Spence (tenor) Martin Owen (horn) Scottish
Ensemble/Clio Gould (violin) recorded at the
Caird Hall, Dundee, 28-30 July 2003
LINN CKD 226 [72:45] [PL]
there
are no competitors: this coupling is unique,
and the immediacy of Linn’s recording puts
this disc in a class of its own. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John Browne (fl.
c. 1490) Music from the Eton Choirbook Salve
regina I [13:25] Stabat iuxta [12:25] Stabat mater
[15:56] O Regina mundi clara [13:55] O Maria salvatoris
[15:44] The Tallis Scholars/Peter
Phillips Recorded in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Salle,
Norfolk, England. [No date given]
GIMELL CDGIM 036 [71:25] [JF]
Near
perfect music from the late fifteenth century sung in glorious style.
A most moving and satisfying disc. ... see Full
Review
Dave
BRUBECK (b. 1920) The Gates of Justice (1969) [50:13]
Dave Brubeck Trio Kevin Deas, baritone Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, cantor
tenor Baltimore Choral Arts Society/Tom Hall Russell Gloyd, conductor
rec. Kraushaar Auditorium/Goucher College, Baltimore, MD, USA, 25 March
2001 DDD NAXOS
8.559414 [50:13][PG]
A
triumph. The positives far outweigh the flaws. Can be recommended to
jazz and classical fans alike without apologies ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER
(1824-1896) The
Nine Symphonies and Helgoland Symphony No. 1 in C
minor (1866 Linz version, Nowak edition) [49:44] Helgoland* (1893)
[11:13] Symphony No. 2 in C minor (1877, Nowak edition as revised by
Bornhöft and Carragan) [62:25] Symphony No. 3 in D minor (1877 version)
[59:36] Symphony No. 4 in E flat (1878/1880 version) [68:23] Symphony
No. 5 in B flat (Original version, 1878) [72:02] Symphony No. 6 in A
(1881) (Nowak/Haas edition) [54:45] Symphony No. 7 in E (1883) [70:40]
Symphony No. 8 in C minor (1890, Haas edition) [77:02] Symphony No.
9 in D minor (1896) [63:30]
*Male voices of the Rundfunkchor, Berlin und Ernst Senff-Chor Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim Rec. Philharmonie, Berlin and
Deutsches Schauspielhaus Berlin (Symphonies Nos. 5, 7 only), 1990-1997.
DDD WARNER CLASSICS
2564 61891-2 [9 CDs: 589:20: 60:57 + 62:25 + 59:36 + 68:23 + 72:02
+ 54:45 + 70:40 + 77:02 + 63:30][PCW]
Barenboim’s
set is the best value “complete” Bruckner around at the moment ... see
Full Review
Anton
BRUCKNER
(1824-1896) Symphony
No.5 in B flat WAB 105 edited Haas (1935)
and Nowak (1951 and 1989; revisions 1985)
Excerpts from the rehearsals
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Recorded in the Musikverein, Vienna, 7-14th
June, 2004
RCA
RED SEAL 82876 60749 2 [73.08 + 74.49]
[JW]
Many
will welcome Harnoncourt’s leaner and more
jittery Bruckner 5 but it felt to me like
a case of too many side chapels and not enough
cathedral. ... see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony No.5 in B flat WAB 105 edited
Haas (1935) and Nowak (1951 and 1989; revisions
1985) Excerpts from the rehearsals
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Recorded in the Musikverein, Vienna, 7-14th
June, 2004
RCA
RED SEAL 82876 60749 2 [73.08 + 74.49]
[TB]
Harnoncourt’s
the remarkable vision of this great symphonic
master ... see Full
Review
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE
(c.1637-1707)
complete
works for organ volume 2 see review for
details
Byne Bryndorf, organ Rec: St Mary's Church,
Elsinore, Denmark, 11-12 Feb 2003. DDD
DA CAPO 8.226008 [51'04] [CB]