Giacomo
CARISSIMI (1605-1674)
Historia
di Jepthe [21:38] Dai più riposti abissi [12:09] Historia di
Ionas [19:30] 
Consortium
Carissimi Recorded at the Museo Civico, Marino Italy, 25-28 November
2003 NAXOS 8.557390
[53:16] [KS]
In
all, this performance is perfectly acceptable
at a sort of collegiate level, but it is not
one for the history books. ... see Full
Review
George
Whitefield CHADWICK (1854-1931)
Symphony
No. 2 in B flat, Op. 21 (1886) [35’37]; Symphonic
Sketches (1895-1904) [30’10].
National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore
Kuchar. Rec. Grand Concert Studio of the National
Radio Company of Ukraine in Kiev on December
17th-21st, 2003. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559213 [65’47]
[CC]
Rewarding
listening, then, and works that will surely
give great pleasure. More, please. ... see
Full Review
Guillaume
de CHASSY
LUNES
Cantate Jazz Lune
[7.09] Ali Baba [4.39] Été 1917
[5.05] Séguiryia [10.04] Louie Louie,
por Buléria [8.02] Majos Desnudos [6.24]
Danse des Trolls [5.23] Post-scriptum [3.15]
Guillaume de Chassy (piano) Pierre Dayraud
(percussion) Les Élements Vocal Ensemble/Joël
Suhubiette Recorded in the Church of Saint-Pierre-des-Chartreux,
in Toulouse, July 2001
HORTUS 023 [50.01] [JW]
Does
it work? And more to the point, what actually
is it? Put simply; I’m not sure and I’ve no
idea - but I enjoyed listening to it. ...
see Full Review
Ernest CHAUSSON
(1855-1899)
Poème
de l’amour et de ma mer (1890) [25.26]
Elsa Maurus (mezzo) Hector
BERLIOZ (1903-1869) Les nuits
d’été (1843) [28.35] Elsa
Maurus (mezzo) Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) La Péri
(1912) [1909]
Orchestre National de Lille/Jean-Claude Casadesus
rec. 26-28 February 2003, Auditorium du Nouveau
Siècle, Lille. DDD
NAXOS 8.557274 [73.21] [TB]
An
imaginative programme of French music from
Naxos, featuring three quite wonderful pieces
... see Full
Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-49)
Piano
Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 (1844) [28’14].
Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3 (1835) [4’48]. Franz
LISZT (1811-86) Piano Sonata in
B minor, S178 (1853) [34’27]. Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Piano Sonata
No. 9, Op. 68, ‘Black Mass’ (1913)
[9’31].
Jean-Marc Luisada (piano). Rec. Temple du
Bon Secours, Paris on March 29th-April
2nd, 2004. DDD
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 645612 [77’32]
[CC]
Fascinating
programme but other hopes were well and truly
dashed. ... see Full
Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN
(1809-1847) Ballade
No.1 in G minor Op.23 (1831-5) [9.11] Ballade
No.2 in F major Op.38 (1836-9) [7.30] Ballade
No.3 in A major Op.47 (1840-41) [7.17] Ballade
No.4 in F minor Op.52 (1842) [11.00] Fantasie
Op.49 in F minor (1840-41) [11.39]
Jerome Rose (piano) No Recording details
MONARCH CLASSICS M20052 [46.59] [JW]
Climaxes
rushed and problems inherent in the recording
make this one very much for Rose’s admirers
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Eric
COATES (1886-1957)
Concert waltz: Footlights (1939) The
Three Men Suite (1935) The Selfish
Giant (1925) London Again Suite for
Orchestra (1936) Cinderella – A
Phantasy (1929) Summer Days Suite (1919)
Television March (1946)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/John
Wilson rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool,
England, 7-8 October 2003. DDD
AVIE AV2070 [79:14] [IL]
Sweet
tuneful nostalgic delight – a must for Eric
Coates admirers. ... see Full
Review
Aaron
COPLAND
(1900-1990) Piano
Fantasy (1955-7) [29:19] Piano Sonata (1939-41)
[21:56]: ((i) Molto moderato [7:59] (ii) Vivace
[5:00] (iii) Andante sostenuto [8:57]) Piano
Variations (1930) [11:53]
Benjamin Pasternak (piano) Rec. Toronto
Arts Centre, Ontario in August 2003 DDD
NAXOS 8.559184 [63:08] [PCW]
The
private side of Copland ... deeply felt readings
which penetrate to the heart of this personal
music ... see Full
Review
Arcangelo
CORELLI
(1653-1713) Complete Works Sonate
da Chiesa a trè Op.1 Nos 1-12 (1681) [68.45] Sonate da Camera
a trè Op.2 Nos 1-12 (1685) [73.01] Sonate a Quattro in D major
(WoO4) Tromba sola, due Violini e Basso [5.16] Sonate Postume a due
violini e violoncello col basso per l’Organo (WoO5-10) (1714) [33.50]
Sonate da Chiesa a trè Op.3 Nos 1-12 (1689) [70.41] Sonate da
Chiesa a trè Op.4 Nos. –12 (1694) [78.51] Sonate a violino e
violoncello o cembalo Op.5 Nos. 1–11 and La Folia (1700) [119.51] Concerti
Grossi Op.6 Nos 1-12 [130.32] Sinfonia (WoO1) to the Oratorio Santa
Beatrice d’Este [8.23] Sonata a Quattro WoO2 [6.26]
Rémy Baudet (violin) Musica Amphion Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord
and conductor) Recorded at the Dutch Reformed Church of Renswoude, the
Doopsgezinde Kerk of Deventer and the Augustinuschurch, Amsterdam in
the summer of 2004
BRILLIANT 92403 [10 CDs: 68.45 + 54.11 + 44.07 + 61.21 + 60.40 +
51.52 + 63.34 + 56.17 + 75.11 + 70.31] [JW]
You
won’t go terribly wrong with this box – but
you will seldom feel any kind of frisson.
... see Full
Review
Henry
COWELL
(1897 - 1965) Instrumental, Chamber and Vocal Music
Vols. 1 and 2 Quartet
for Flute, Oboe, Cello, and Harpsichord (1954) [10.51] Suite for Violin
and Piano (1925) [11.03] Polyphonica for Small Orchestra (1930) [3.48]
Irish Suite for String Piano and Small Orchestra (1929) [16.39] Homage
to Iran (1957) [14.50] Casual Developments (6) (1933) [7.43] Set of
Five (1952) [16.32] Songs (2), Poems of Catherine Riegger (1936) [4.23]:
Sunset; Rest Three Anti-Modernist Songs (1938) [6.55]: "A Sharp
Where You’d Expect a Natural"; "Hark! From the Pit a Fearsome
sound"; "Who Wrote This Fiendish ‘Rite of Spring?’" Piano
Works: Deep Color (1938) [6.36]; Piece for Piano with strings (1924)
[3.34]; The Fairy Answer (1929) [4.18]; Fabric (1920) [1.28]; Tiger
(1929) [3.01]; Vestiges (1920) [2.31]; Euphoria (1929) [0.59]; What’s
This (1915) [0.35]; Elegie (1941) [5.16]; The Banshee (1925) [2.05]
Continuum: Joel Sachs,
conductor, piano, and persian Drum; Cheryl Selzer, piano and harpsichord;
Mark Steinberg, Marilyn Dubow, Mia Su, violins; Ellen Lang, mezzo-soprano;
Raymond Murcell, baritone; Gordon Gottlieb, percussion; Jayn Rosenfeld,
flute; Marsha Heller, oboe, Maria Kitsopoulos, cello. Notes in English
and Deutsch. Recorded various locations in New York City, New York,
USA, between 1984 and 1992. Previously released on Musical Heritage
Society label. NAXOS
8.559192 [65.46] 8.559193 [59.44] in two jewel boxes, available
separately. [PSh]
A
fine introduction the music of an American
modern music pioneer; some of it is very enjoyable,
and the rest is at least fun. ... see Full
Review
Carl
CZERNY (1791-1857)
Nonet for Cor anglais, Clarinet, Bassoon, two Violins, Viola, Cello,
Double Bass and Piano (1850) Grande Sérénade Concertante for
piano, clarinet, French horn and cello, op. 126
Consortium Classicum Claudius Tanski (piano) rec. May 1994, Furstliche
Reitbahn, Arolsen, Germany DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 301 0518-2 [62:09][MC]
A
well recorded release from MDG Gold that will
delight chamber music lovers. ... see Full
Review
Carl
CZERNY
(1791-1857) Variations
on a Theme by Haydn Op.73 [27.31] Vienna Chamber
Orchestra/Helmut Froschauer, recorded Vienna,
1968 Karl STAMITZ
(1745-1801) Piano Concerto in F major
[21.32] Württemberg Chamber Orchestra/Jörg
Faerber, recorded Württemberg, undated
George Joseph VOGLER
(1749-1814) Variations on Marlborough
s’en va-t-en-guerre (1791) [22.04]
Prague New Chamber Orchestra/Alberto Zedda,
recorded Milan, 1963 Felicja Blumental (piano)
BRANA BR0024 [71.02] [JW]
A
return to form for Brana; sensitive and warm
1960s performances ... see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
An Introduction to… Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Written by Thomson Smillie David Timson, narrator Musical examples taken
from recording made by Choeur Régional Nord/Pas-de-Calais directed
by Eric Deltour and Orchestre National de Lille-Région Nord/Pas-de-Calais
directed by Jean-Claude Casadesus DDD
NAXOS 8.558172 [78:53] [PG]
Thomson
Smillie offers the key to understanding this
difficult opera. For anyone that has any interest
in this opera, this is a valuable disc. ...
see Full
Review
Issay
DOBROWEN (1891-1953)
Piano
Concerto in C sharp minor Op. 20 (1912-26) [34:53] Jugend-Sonate Op.
5b (1922) [8:52] Sonata-Skazka Op. 5a (1911) [9:54] Deuxieme Sonate
(1915) [11:09] Jørn
Fossheim (piano) Academic Orchestra of St Petersburg Philharmonia/Alexander
Dmitriev rec. Great Hall of the St Petersburg Philharmonia, 11 Sept
2002 (concerto); Sofienberg Kirke, Oslo, 15 Apr 2002. DDD
SIMAX PSC 1246 [64:53] [RB]
Attractive
late-romantic works of some substance even
if the manner and casing affectionately, even
lovingly, recall Medtner and Rachmaninov.
... see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
L’Elisir
d’amore, Comic opera in two acts. Libretto by Felice Romani
based on Eugene Scribe’s play ‘Le Philtre’. First performed at the Teatro
della Canobbiana, Milan, on 12 May 1832 Adina, Kathleen Battle (sop);
Nemorino, Luciano Pavarotti (ten); Sergeant Belcore, Juan Pons (bar);
Doctor Dulcamara, Enzo Dara (bass); Gianetta, Korliss Uecker (sop) Metropolitan
Opera Chorus. Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/James Levine Production,
John Copley Set and costume design, Beni Montresor
Lighting design, Gil Wechsler Recitative accompanist,
Dennis Giauque Video Director, Brian Large
Recorded November 1991
DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON DVD VIDEO 000440 073 4021 GH [128:00]
[RJF]
The
colourful sets and opulent costumes of this
production are a perfect complement to Donizetti’s
melodic music. Recommended to all lovers of
traditional productions. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Zoraida
Di Granata - Melodramma eroico in
two acts. Libretto by Bartolomeo Merelli.
First performed at the Teatro Argentina, Rome,
on the 28th January 1822. Revised
edition presented at the same theatre on the
7th January 1824 Given in new performing
editions prepared by Chris Moss and Robert
Roberts Cast for the 1822 edition
(CD 1, CD 2. CD 3 trs 1-9) Almuzir, King of
Granada. Bruce Ford (ten); Zoraida, in love
with, and loved by, Abenamet, Majella Cullagh
(sop); Abenamet, General of the Moors, Paul
Austin Kelly (ten); Ali, Almuzir's confidant,
Matthew Hargreaves (bass); Almanzor, friend
of Abenamet, Dominic Natoli (bass); Ines,
a Spanish slave and friend of Zoraida, Cristina
Pastorello (sop) Changes in cast for
the 1824 revisions (CD 3 trs.10-14
and CD 4)
Abenamet, Diana Montague (mezzo) The Geoffrey
Mitchell Choir. The Academy of St Martin in
the Fields/David Parry Recorded at St. Clements
Church, London. October and December 1998
OPERA RARA ORC17 [4CDs: 74.22 + 71.40
+ 54.54 + 64.19] [RJF]
Much
enjoyable listening here, complemented by
fine singing which can be enjoyed by all lovers
of this fertile and seminal period of operatic
composition in Italy. I recommend it without
reservation ... see Full
Review
Maurice
DURUFLÉ
(1902-1986) Messe
de Requiem, Op. 9 (1947)* [38’42"] Francis
POULENC (1899-1963) Laudes de Saint
Antoine de Padoue (1957-9) [6’48"]
Olivier MESSIAEN
(1908-1992) O Sacrum Convivium
(1937) [4’59"]
Patricia Fernandez (mezzo-soprano) Michel
Bouvard (organ) Ensemble Vocal Les Éléments/Joël
Suhubiette Recorded *in L’Église Nôtre-Dame
du Taur, Toulouse, 10-12 July 1999; in La
Chappelle des Carmélites, Toulouse,
February 1994
HORTUS 018 [50’38"] [JQ]
As
compared with the Truro choir there’s a greater
degree of warmth and maturity ... it uses
female sopranos and altos, the latter a crucial
difference in the blend. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Pascal
DUSAPIN (b. 1955) Perelà, Uomo
di fumo (2003)
John Graham-Hall (tenor, Perelà); Isabelle Philippe (soprano,
the Queen); Chantal Perraud (coloratura, Alloro’s daughter);
Martine Mahé (contralto, the Old Woman); Nora Gubisch (mezzo-soprano,
Oliva di Bellonda); Friedemann Röhlig (bass, Master of Ceremonies,
Minister); Scott Wilde (bass, Servant, Alloro, President of the
Court of Justice); Niels van Doesum (bass, First Guard, Pilone
the Philosopher); Nicolas Courjal (bass-baritone, Second Guard,
Rodella the Banker); Daniel Gundlach (falsetto, Archbishop);
Gilles Yanetti (the Parrot); Chorus of the National Opera, Montpellier
Montpellier National Orchestra/Alain Altinoglu Recorded: (live) Opera
Berlioz-Le Corum, Montpellier, May 2003
NAIVE MO 782168 [65:45 + 55:34][HC]
A
major release of a major work of our time ... see Full
Review
Antonin
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony
No. 9 in e minor, Op. 95 (1893) [38:25] With introduction of themes
by Stokowski [3:52] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Hungarian Dance no. 1 in g minor (1852) trans. Stokowski [3:17]
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Hungarian
Rhapsody no. 2 in d minor, S359 (1846) trans. Stokowski. [7:50] Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Rakoczy Marck-The Damnation of Faust
(1856) [3:37] Ottokar NOVÁČEK (1866-1900)
Perpetuum Mobile-concert caprice (trans. 1917 by Stokowski) [3:21]
Geroge ENESCU (1881-1955) Romanian
Rhapsody No. 1 in A, Op. 11. (1901) [9:58] The Philadelphia Orchestra/Leopold
Stokowski The Leopold
Stokowski Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski (Enescu) Recorded in
the Academy of Music, Philadelphia 5 & 8 October 1927 (Dvořák);
6 October 1927 (commentary); 17 March 1934 At Church Studio Camden.
NJ (Brahms); 18 November 1926 and 10 March 1927 (Liszt); 12 October
1927 (Berlioz); 8 December 1940 (Nováček). Enescu recorded at Lotus
Club, New York City, 22 March 1947. MONO
LIVING ERA AJC 8552 [71:03] [KS]
A
valid portrait of a time long gone in American
music-making. ... see Full
Review
George
DYSON (1883-1964)
At
the Tabard Inn - overture (1943-46) [11:13] Concerto da Chiesa
for string orchestra (1949-51) [19:06] Symphony in G major (1937)
[42:14] Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones Duncan Riddell (violin I); Helen
Cox (violin II); Stuart Green (viola); Timothy Walden (viola) Rec. Concert
Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, 1-2 Nov 2004,. DDD With the aid of the Sir
George Dyson Trust
NAXOS 8.557720 [72:33] [RB]
David
Lloyd-Jones makes something very special of
the Concerto da Chiesa and the other pieces
here are really very well done ... see Full
Review
George
DYSON (1883-1964)
At
the Tabard Inn - Overture * (1943-46) [11:40] Symphony in G† (1937)
[44:16] (I Energico [10:26]; II Andante [11:36]; III Allegro risoluto
- Molto moderato [10:00]; IV Poco adagio - Andante [12:06]) In Honour
of the City‡ (1928) [15:09]
London Symphony Chorus‡ London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox*‡
City of London Sinfonia/Richard Hickox† Recorded in: All Saints' Church,
Tooting, London, 5-6 March 1993 (Symphony in G); Blackheath Halls, London
30 September, 1, 4, 5 October 1996 (other works)
CHANDOS CHAN 10308X [71:28] [RB]
This
disc Chandos has the air and tone of a luxury
item. ... see Full
Review
Ross
EDWARDS (b.
1943) Ecstatic
Dances Flower Songs (1985/7)a
[11:06]
Etymalong (1984)b [7:48] Ecstatic
Dance (1978, rev. 1990)c [5:19]
The Tower of Remoteness (1978)d
[7:43] Ulpirra (1993)e [1:39] Prelude
and Dragonfly Dance (1991)f [7:58]
Kumari (1980)g [8:44] Marimba Dances
(1982)h [9:44]
The Song Companya; David Hewitt,
Philip South (percussion)a; Roland
Peelman (conductor)a; Lisa Moore
(piano)b; Patricia Pollett (viola)c;
Gwyn Roberts (cello)c; Nigel Westlake
(clarinet)d; David Bollard (piano)d;
Jo Dudley (recorder)e; Synergyf;
Roger Smalley (piano)g; Michael
Askill (marimba)h Recorded: Studio
200, ABC, April 1993 (Flower Songs),
August 1993 (Etymalong) and April 1994
(Prelude and Dragonfly Dance); The
Nickson Room, University of Queensland, February
1993 (Ecstatic Dance); Sir John Clancy
Auditorium, University of NSW, July 1990 (The
Tower of Remoteness); Studio 620, Perth,
March 1991 (Kumari) and Digital Audio
Studios, no date (Marimba Dances)
TALL POPPIES TP 051 [61:13]
Ross EDWARDS (b.
1943) Dance Mantras (1992)a
[4:58] Raft Song at Sunrise (1995)b
[7:36] Laikan (1979)c [13:27] Binyang
(1996)d [7:26] Ab Estatis Foribus
(1979)e [9:45] Enyato II (1993/4)f
[8:56] Ecstatic Dances (1978, rev. 1990)g
[8:39]
Sydney Chamber Choir, Nicholas Routley (director)ae;
Michael Askill (drum)a; Riley Lee
(shakuhachi)b; Australia Ensemblec;
Rebecca Lagos (percussion)c; Peter
Jenkin (clarinet)d; Daryl Pratt
(percussion)d; Patricia Pollett
(viola)f; Geoffrey Collins (flutes)g
Recorded: Studio 200, ABC, Sydney, April 1995
(Dance Mantras), June 1997 (Binyang),
December 1996 (Ab Estatis Foribus)
and April 1996 (Enyato II); Reverberation
Room at National Acoustics Laboratory, Sydney,
July 1996 (Raft Song); Sir John Clancy
Auditorium UNSW, December 1995 (Laikan)
and Studio 227, ABC Sydney, February 1995
(Ecstatic Dances)
TALL POPPIES TP 126 [61:55] [HC]
I
enjoyed these discs enormously ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Edward
ELGAR (1857
– 1934) Enigma
Variations, Op. 36
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis. Recorded
live in Worcester Cathedral, 30 June 2004.
DVD. (DTS Stereo, LPCM Stereo).
BBC OPUS ARTE OA 0917 D [85’00"][JPH]
Recommended
without reservation. I am sure that this release
will be one of my DVDs of the Year. ... see
Full Review
George ENESCU (1881-1955)
Symphonies Nos. 1–3 and Vox Maris CD1: Symphony No.
1 in E flat major Op.13 (1905) [31:05] Symphony No. 2 in A major, Op.17
(1911) [46:37] CD2 Symphony No. 3 in C major Op.21 (1919) [49:49] Vox
Maris, symphonic poem for soprano, tenor, voices and orchestra Op.31
(1950) [26:42]
Orchestre
Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo/Lawrence Foster (CD1) Marius Brenciu (tenor),
Catherine Sydney (soprano), Choeur de chambre Les Eléments/Joël
Suhubiete (CD2) Orchestre National de Lyon/Lawrence Foster Rec. Salle
Garnier, Monte-Carlo 24-25 Sept 1990 (No.1); 22-25 Sept 1992 (No.2);
Auditorium de Lyon, Lyon 10-14 Sept 2004 (No.3, Vox Maris) DDD
CD1 originally issued on EMI Classics CDC 7547632
EMI
CLASSICS 7243 5 86604 2 5 [77:49+76:32][CW]
Lawrence
Foster’s competitively-priced and conveniently packaged double album
merits a place in any serious Enescu collection. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH In The Shade of Forests
George
ENESCU
(1881-1955) Impressions d’enfance Op.28 (1940)
[22.01] Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) Tzigane – Rapsodie de concert
for violin and luthéal (original version)
(1924) [10.41] Sonata Op. posthumous (1897)
[12.37] Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Violin Sonata (1916-17) [13.14]
Nocturne et Scherzo (1882) – re-adaptation
by Phillipe Graffin [4.11] Il pleure dans
mon Coeur – transcribed Arthur Hartmann in
1908 and 1943 [3.04] La fille aux cheveux
de lin - transcribed Arthur Hartmann in 1910
[2.27] Minstrels - transcribed by Claude Debussy
in 1914 [2.22] Beau Soir - transcribed Arthur
Hartmann in 1941 [2.14]
Phillipe Graffin (violin) Claire Désert
(piano and luthéal) Recorded at Doopsegezinde
Kerk, Deventer and Musical Instrument Museum
(Tzigane) September 2004
AVIE AV2059 [73.11] [JW][KS]
A
fascinating disc. Not one I shall easily forget. Maybe the sniffing
will cause problems on repeated listening. A disc brimming with dedication
and admirable engagement. ...[JW]
Takes us to a realm of wonder ... pure joy
... Buy it soon, and prepare to be transported, transmuted, transfixed
and transfigured![KS] ... see Full Review
Mary
FINSTERER (b. 1962) CD1 Nextwave
Fanfare (1992)a [3:09] Nyx (1996)b [11:45] Constans
(1995)c [19:39] Omaggio alla Pietà (1992)d [4:49]
Catch (1992)e [7:12] Tract (1993)f [5:58] Ruisselant
(1991)g [13:53] CD2 Sequi (2001)h [14:32]
Achos (1999)i [8:41] Ether (1998)j [9:12] Kurz
(2000)k [3:18] Pascal’s Sphere (2000)l [20:29]
Sleep (2002) [22:36]
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Gunther Schuller (conductor)a;
Pittsburgh New Music Ensembleb; Australian Art Orchestrac;
The Song Company, Roland Peelman (conductor)d; Sydney Alpha
Ensemblee; David Pereira (cello)f; Le Nouvel Ensemble
Modernegil; Arditti String Quarteth; Geoffrey
Collins (flute)j; Perihelionk Recorded: no information,
published 2004 ABC
CLASSICS 476 176-0 [66:57 + 79:15][HC]
Committed
and convincing readings in this wide-ranging
compilation ... the best possible introduction
to her vital, highly personal sound-world.
I look forward to hearing more of her music.
An important release. ... see Full
Review
Gerald FINZI
(1901-1956)
I
said to love Op. 19b (I need not
go; At Middle Field Gate; Two
lips; In five score summers;
For life I had never cared greatly;
I said to love.) Let us Garlands
Bring Op. 18 (Come away, come away
Death; Who is Sylvia; Fear no
more the heat o’ the sun; O mistress
mine; It was a lover and his lass)
Before and After Summer Op.
16 (Childhood among the ferns; Before
and after summer; The self-unseeing;
Overlooking the river; Channel Firing;
In the mind’s eye; The too short time;
Epeisodia; Amabel; He abjures
love)
Roderick Williams (baritone) Ian Burnside
(piano) Potton Hall, Suffolk, 12-14 August
2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557644 [61'19"] [AO]
A
wonderful recording showing how English song
can be performed with freshness and musical
intelligence ... see Full
Review
Lukas
FOSS (b.
1922) The Complete Works
for Solo Piano Grotesque
Dance (1938) [04:02] [4:29]
Four
Two-Voiced Inventions (1938) [7:32]
[9:02]
Passacaglia
(1941) [5:43] [6:22]
Fantasy
Rondo (1946) [09:06] [9:24]
Prelude
in D major (1951) [2:12] [3:22]
Scherzo
Ricercato (1953) [5:00] [6:16]
Solo
(1981) [13:25] [13:17]
For
Lenny: Variation on "New York, New York" (1988)
[02:10] [2:31]
N.B. I have included the timings from Scott
Dunn’s recording on Naxos 8.559179
for comparison - highlighted
in orange. Interview of Mr Foss by
Mr. Beliavsky (2002) [8:52] Daniel Beliavsky,
piano Recorded at: - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 2002. SONATA BOP 001 [59:21] [54:43]
[JF]
An
important addition to the catalogue of 20th
Century American piano music. Combines scholarship
with fine playing. ... see Full
Review
César
FRANCK (1822-1890) Violin
Sonata in A major (1886) [30.05] Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Violin
Sonata in G minor (1916-17) [13.07] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Humoresque
Op.10 No.1 (1877) [2.45] Souvenir d’un lieu
cher Op.42 (1878) [16.57] Valse-Scherzo Op.34
(1877) [5.45]
Liza Ferschtman (violin) Bas Verheijden (piano)
Recorded at the Doopsgezinde Kerk Deventer,
spring 2004
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92539 [68.52][JW]
Some
of the playing is attractively inward there
are moments of rather unvarnished and static;
a lack of fantasy really. A lot of colour
from time to time though phrasing is inclined
to be a touch four-square. ... see Full
Review
Johann Jacob
FROBERGER
(1616 - 1667) Harpsichord
Toccatas and Partitas CD
1: Partita FbWV 620; Three Toccatas from
book 2 [1649]; Partita auf die mayerlin
FbWV 606; Tombeau fait a Paris sur la mort
de monsieur Blancheroche, FbWV 632; CD 2:
Partita FbWV 630; Three Toccatas from book
4 [1656] ; Partita FbWV 612 ‘Lamento sopra
la dolorosa perdita della Real Maesta di
Ferdinando IV Re de Romani’; lamentation
faite sur la mort très douloureuse
de Sa Majesté Impériale, Ferdinand
III.
Sergio Vartolo (harpsichord)
Recorded in Fumane, Italy, June 2000
NAXOS 8.557472-73 [55.58 + 56.05] [GH]
If
you are already collecting this series then
no further persuasion is necessary. As I
have said, this is fine music but it is
rather specialist. ... see Full
Review
Anthony
GILBERT (b.
1934) ...Into
the Gyre of a Madder Dance (1994)a [6:56] Certain Lights
Reflecting (1988/9)b [18:41] Unrise (2001)c [15:40]
On Beholding a Rainbow (1992/7, rev. 1998)d [32:05]
Susan Bickley (mezzo-soprano)b; Anthony Marwood (violin)d;
RNCM Wind Ensembleac; BBC Symphony Orchestrab;
RNCM Symphony Orchestrad; Clark Rundellac; Sir
Andrew Davisb; Garry Walkerd Recorded: (live)
Studio 1, BBC Maida Vale, London, January 1992 (Certain Lights Reflecting);
and Concert Hall of the RNCM, Manchester, May 1999 (On Beholding
a Rainbow) and June 2004 (...Into the Gyre of a Madder Dance,
Unrise) NMC D 105
[73:57] [HC]
Unreservedly
recommended and definitely not to be missed.
... see Full
Review
Hermann von
GLENCK (1883-1952)
Chamber Music and Songs: Serenade
for Flute, Viola and Harp [14:09] Nancy
Ruffer, flute; Levine Andrade, viola; Jean
Kelly, harp Zwei Lieder, op.20 (Blätterfall
op.20 No.1 for soprano [1:10]; Morgen op.20
No. 2 for soprano [1:47] Nachklänge
(1902) for soprano [1:33] Nachts
(1904) for bass [3:17] Altarbild (1911)
for bass [1:38] Nebel for bass [1:32]
Vier Lieder für eine Altstimme mit
Klavier (Morgen [1:52]; Mittag [1:39];
Abend [2:15]; Nacht [2:26]) Louise Innes,
soprano William Coleman, bass Edward Rushton,
piano Variationen Suite for two pianos
op.17 (Thema [0:57]; Marsch [4:29]; Heiter
bewegt [3:04]; Ruhig [10:34]; Allegro musso
ed inquieto [10:28]
Kalliopi Emmanuil, piano Isolda Crespi Rubio,
piano Recorded: St. Silas Church, Chalk Farm,
London - 22 March 2004 [1]- Wathen Hall, St.
Paul's School, Hammersmith, London - 15 April
2001 [2-11] - St. George's, Brandon Hill,
Bristol - 6 October 2003 [12-16] DDD
GUILD GMCD7286 [64:19] [RB]
A
gentle soul not pushing the envelope towards
atonality but gaining momentum towards gentle
dissonance as he moved into the 1930s ...
see Full Review
Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1636-1704)
Orphée
et Euridice (1774) [85.43]
Orphée – Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (haut-contre) Euridice – Catherine Dubosc
(soprano) Amour – Suzie Le Blanc (soprano) Opera Lafayette Orchestra
and Chorus/Ryan Brown Recorded 11th – 15th January
2002, Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts, University of Maryland,
USA NAXOS 8.660185-86
[41.03 + 44.40][RH]
Perhaps
we do need an ideal performance but Fouchécourt
and Brown provide a convincing argument
for this version of the opera. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Leopold
GODOWSKY
(1870-1938)The
Complete Studies on Chopin’s Etudes
Joyce Hatto (piano) Rec. The Concert Artist
Studios, Cambridge, 4th September
and 10th October 2004
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9147-2
[79.00] Rec. The Concert Artist Studios,
Cambridge, 1st September and 10th
and 11th October 2004
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9148-2
[77.58] [JW]
Formidable
and compelling, these performances by Joyce
Hatto represent a remarkable distinction.
... see Full
Review
Mozart Camargo
GUARNIERI (1907
- 1993) Piano
Concerto No. 1 (1931) [19’46"] Piano
Concerto No. 2 (1946) [22’57"] Piano
Concerto No. 3 (1964) [27’06"] Max
Barros (piano)
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas
Conlin recorded in the Warsaw Philharmonic
Hall from 20th – 21st
August 2004 (No. 1), and 24th
to 25th June, 2004, No. 2, and
4th – 5th January
2003 , No. 3. DDD
NAXOS 8.557666 [69’49"] [JPh]
With
an excellent soloist who never puts a foot (or more to the point hand)
wrong, this disc receives an unconditional welcome. Will we now get
Concerti 4 – 6, I wonder. ... see Full
Review
Jesús
GURIDI (1886-1961) Sinfonía pirenaica
(Pyrenean Symphony) (1945) [49.14] Bilbao Symphony Orchestra/Juan José
Mena Espatadantza (Sword Dance) from Amaya (1910-20) (Act II Scene IV) [3.28]
Bilbao Choral
Society/Bilbao Symphony Orchestra/Theo Alcántara (Sword Dance) Recorded
at the Euskalduna Concert Hall, Bilbao, February 2003 and at the Teatro
Arriaga, Bilbao, June 1997 (Espatadantza Sword Dance) from Amaya)
NAXOS
8.557631 [52.42][JW]
Luscious
melody and evocative writing ... a work
more talked about than heard. A fine chance
to put right that injustice. Performance
makes the best case for it. ... see Full
Review
Jacques
Fromental HALÉVY (1799-1862)
La
Juive (1835) (sung in German)
Erna Schlüter (soprano) Rachel; Joachim Sattler (tenor) Éléazar;
Maria-Meta Kopp (soprano) Eudoxie; Franz Fehringer (tenor) Prince
Léopold; Otto von Rohr (bass) Cardinal de Brogni; Rolf Heide
(baritone) Ruggiero; August Heimpel (bass) Albert; Werner Schmidt
(baritone) Le Crieur; Eugen Willmann (tenor) L’Officier Chorus and
Symphony Orchestra of the Hessian Radio/Kurt Schröder. Rec.
Frankfurt on September 6th, 1951. ADD
WALHALL ETERNITY SERIES WLCD0029 [148’24: 73’26 + 74’58] [CC]
Good
to have this performance, even if it is
in German. With Schröder a reliable
guide one should not sniff at the chance
of hearing this opera. ... see Full
Review
Franz
Josef HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony
No. 101 in D The Clock [27:55] Overture in D [3:55] Trumpet
Concerto in E-Flat [15:02] Symphony No. 100 in G Military [21:12]
The Vienna Symphony/Fritz
Busch Niederösterreichisches Tonkünstler Orchester/Fritz Busch Adolf
Holler, trumpet Recordings made in 1950, Vienna. Specific locations
and dates not listed. Mono.
ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0227 [68:23][KS]
Sadly
mediocre. ... see Full Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
Andreas Staier Edition: Haydn Sonatas and Variations CD
1 Late Sonatas Sonata in C Major H.XVI:48 Sonata in E Flat
Major H.XVI:49 Sonata in C major H.XVI:50 Sonata in D Major H.XVI:51
Sonata in E Flat Major H.XVI:52 CD 2 Opera XXX Sonata in C
Major H.XVI:35 Sonata in C Sharp Minor H.XVI:36 Sonata in D major
H.XVI:37 Sonata in E Flat Major H.XVI:38 Sonata in G Major H.XVI:39
Sonata in C Minor H.XVI:20 CD 3 Variations and Sonatas for Fortepiano
Arietta con 12 Variazioni in E Flat major H.XVII:3 Sonata in E
Minor H.XVI:34 Andante con 12 Variazioni in F minor H.XVII:6 Sonata
in D major H.XVI:33 Variation on the hymn ‘Gott erhalte’ H.III/77(?)
Andreas Staier,
fortepiano Recorded at Schulzentrum, Lindlar, German Republic. 27-30
November 1989 (CD 1), 9-12 October 1992 (CD 2) and 8-11 June 1992
(CD 3). DDD DHM DEUTSCHE
HARMONIA MUNDI 82876 67376 2 [3 CDs: 71:50 + 77:49 + 72:14] [MC]
Haydn’s
piano sonatas offer many delights and certainly
deserve to be better known. These accounts
performed on the fortepiano are rather an
acquired taste. If possible I would recommend
a listen before purchase. ... see Full
Review
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809) Arias
and Cantatas Scena di Berenice Hob.XXIVa;10
[12,20] Cantata composra per la Signora
Banti in Antigono di Pietro Metastasio Son
pietosa, son bonina Hob.XXXIIb;1 [4.30]
Aria per La Circe, ossia L’isola incantata
di Pasquale Anfossi e Gottlieb Naumann Arianna
a Naxos Hob XXVIb; 2 (orchestral version)
[17,59] Cantata Solo e pensoso Hob.XXIVb:
20 [7.17] Aria da Il Canzoniere di Francesco
Petrarca (Sonetto XXVIII) Miseri noi,
misera patria! Hob.XXIVa: 7 [10.41] Cantata
Arleen Auger (soprano) Handel and Haydn
Society Christopher Hogwood
Recorded at the Methuen Memorial Hall, Massachusetts,
October 1988
AVIE AV 2066 [53.02]
A
consistently elevated standard of singing
and performance ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732
– 1809) Die Schöpfung (The Creation)
Sunhae
Im (soprano) – Gabriel, Eva); Jan Kobow
(tenor) – Uriel; Hanno Müller-Brachmann
(bass) – Raphael, Adam; Christine Wehler
(alto)
VokalEnsemble Köln/Max Ciolek; Capella
Augustina/Andreas Spering Recorded by Deutschlandfunk,
Sendesaal, Köln, July 2003. DDD SACD
NAXOS
6.110073-74 [55:09 + 49:13] also available
as CD 8.557380-81 [GF]
Wonderful
set: premium quality at super-budged price!
Strongly recommended. ... see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
Die
Schöpfung (The Creation)
Max Emanuel Cencic, Gabriel (sop); Christian
Bauer, Uriel (ten); Ernst Jankowitsch, Raphael
and Adam (bass); Gertraud Schmid, Eva (sop);
Wiener Sängerknaben; Chorus Viennensis
Symphonieorchester der Wiener Volksoper/Peter
Marschik Recorded live in the Musikverein,
Vienna, 1994
CAPRICCIO
DVD CC93507 [concert: 104:00; bonus
28:00] [JL]
This
live concert recording has its moments but
there are problems with the performance
and, technically, with the DVD. ... see
Full
Review
Michael
HAYDN (1737-1806)
Concerto
in D Major for two Trombones and Orchestra
Leopold MOZART
(1719-1787) Serenade for Trumpet,
Trombone and Orchestra [19:37] Michael
HAYDN (1737-1806) Concerto in
D Major for two Trombones and Orchestra
[12:56] Jean FRANCAIX
(1912-1997) Theme and Variations
for Clarinet and Eleven Strings [8:55] Reinhard
SÜSS (b. 1961) Fortuna
Desperata Concerto for Piano and Chamber
Ensemble [34:20]
Otmar Gaiswinkler, trombone; Heinrich
Bruckner, trumpet; Walter Voglmayr, trombone;
Reinhard Wieser, clarinet; Reinhard Süss,
piano Wiener Concert-Verein/Yun-Sung Chang
Recorded at Symphonia Studio, Weiner Konzerthaus,
10-14 May, 2002 DDD
CAMERATA CM-28030 [76:04] [PG]
Disorientating
to have such widely dissimilar works on
the same CD ... see Full
Review
Gottfried August
HOMILIUS (1714-1785)
Music
for the Frauenkirche, Dresden: Der herr
ist Gott, de runs erleuchtet (Cantata
for Whitsun); Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr
geschmahet werdet (Cantata for the Sunday
after Ascension); Heilig ist unser Gott,
der herr Gott Zabaoth (Cantata for Trinity
Sunday); Gott fahret auf mi Jauchzen
(Cantata for Ascension day)
Vasiljka Jezovsek (soprano); Anne Buter
(alto); Hubert Nettinger (tenor); Christian
Hilz (bass). Dresden Kreuzchor; Dresden
Barockorchester/Roderich Kreile
Recorded at the Lukaskirche, Dresden, May
2004
CARUS 83.183 [73.23] [GH]
No
matter how good the performers are the music
is no more than second-rate and although
it is worth hearing it really does not stir
the soul or make a lasting impression. ...
see Full Review
Giorgio KOUKL (b.1953)
Drops of Light Fantasia [9.35] Jaroslav Klepáč
and Miroslav Langer (pianos) Trioplay [12.03] Josef Vacek (oboe)
Miloš Bydžovský (clarinet) Josef Svárovský (bassoon) Five Miniatures
[5.38] Giorgio Koukl (harpsichord) Ritournelles [6.16]
Josef Vacek (oboe) Josef Svárovský
(bassoon) Narcisse [7.13] Enrico
Cappelletti and Enrico Quadri (violins)
Akira Okitsu (viola) Mauro Poggio (cello)
Fylgjur [3.19] Alfred Rutz (flute)
Contest Piece [10.16] Jiří Koukl
(clarinet) Giorgio Koukl (piano) Divertimento
[10.30]
Alfred Rutz (flute) Miklos Barta (oboe)
Eric Schmid (clarinet) Martin Wunderle (bassoon)
William Bilenko (horn) No recording locations
or details
GASPARO GSCD 355 [65.29] [JW]
If
the chamber music of Les Six, Martinů,
Trojan, and Poulenc appeals to you then
so will Koukl. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
KROMMER
(1759-1831)
Oboe Quintets and Quartets Oboe
Quintet* in C, VII:12 (i) Allegro Moderato
[8:17] Adagio [6:53] Menuetto and trio:
Allegretto [3:48] Allegro [5:26] Oboe Quartet
in F, IX:22 (i) Allegro [4:49] (ii) Menuetto
and trio [3:29] (iii) Rondo [3:39] Oboe
Quartet in C, IX:21 (i) Allegro aperto [5:46]
(ii) Adagio [4:50] (iii) Rondo [3:15] Oboe
Quintet* in E flat, VII:13 (i) Allegro Moderato
[8:33] Andante moderato [5:50] Menuetto
and trio: Allegretto [4:07] Andante poco
allegretto [5:56]
Sarah Francis (oboe), Tagore String
Trio (Frances Mason, Brian Schiele, James
Halsey), with Jonathan Barritt* (viola)
Rec. St. Michael’s Church, Highgate, London
in August 2004 DDD
REGIS RRC1201 [75:29] [PCW]
This
music is well worth getting to know and
fine musicianship is on offer - quite a
bargain. ... see Full
Review
Christian
LINDBERG (b. 1958) A Composer’s Portrait
Helikon Wasp (2003) for conducting trombonist and orchestra
[16'31”] (a) The World of Montuagretta (2001-2002). Concerto
for Flute and Chamber Orchestra [20’50”] (b) Condon Canyon
(2000) for trombone and brass quintet [11'21”] (c) ´...Ty solen
är uppe!´ (1999) for trombone and male-voice choir [9'26”] (d)
Behac Munroh (2004) for trumpet, trombone and orchestra [16'35”]
(e) (a) Sao
Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP)/Christian Lindberg (trombone/conductor/
voice) (b) Sharon Bezaly (flutes)/Svenska Kammarorkestern/Christian
Lindberg (c) Stockholms Kammarbrass/Christian Lindberg (trombone)
(d) Christian Lindberg (trombone)/Orphei Drängar/Robert Sund (e) Ole
Edvard Antonsen (trumpet)/Christian Lindberg (trombone)/Basque National
Orchestra/Cristian Mandeal Rec. 2003/2004 in Brazil, Sweden and Spain.
Notes and texts included. DDD.
BIS BIS-CD-1428 [76’29”][ED]
Things
here to interest and amuse, though maybe not for the long term. For
some pieces one hearing will suffice, others prove more resilient:
take them at face value and nothing more. ... see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto
No. 1 in E flat [19.19] Mephisto Waltz [10.50] Héroïde
Funèbre (Symphonic Poem No. 8) [24.55]
Lazar Berman (piano) Symphony Orchestra of RAI Turin/Peter Maag
Recorded Live 1976/1978, RAI Turin
ARTS ARCHIVES 43041-2 [56.25] [RH]
The
combination of Berman caught live and the
rare symphonic poem means that, whatever
its limitations, this is a recording of
great interest to lover’s of Liszt’s music.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Années de pèlerinage – Deuxième
année: Italie S.161 [55:30], Supplement:
Venezia e Napoli S.162 [17:33]
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded 11th-12th
March 1996, 1st October 1999,
The Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge
CONCERT ARTISTS/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD
9150-2 [71:13] [CH]
The
"Dante Sonata" is a Liszt performance to set alongside the
greatest I know – a major addition to the Liszt discography. ... see
Full Review
Giya
KANCHELI (b. 1935) Symphony
No. 1 (1967) [20.33] Symphony No. 4 (1975) [18.39] Symphony No. 5
(1976) [19.49]
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra/James DePreist rec. Finlandia Hall,
Helsinki, June 1994. DDD
ONDINE ODE8290 [59’21”][JPh]
Recommended
highly, particularly if you cannot find the earlier Olympia
issues. ... see Full Review
Leon
KIRCHNER (b. 1919) Duo
for Violin and Piano (1947) [11:09] Elisabeth Perry, violin; Joel Sachs, piano "Flutings"
from Lily (1973) [3:13] Jayn Rosenfeld,
flute Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano (1954) [14:25] Geoffrey Michaels, violin; Beverly Lauridsen, cello;
Joel Sachs, piano Piano Sonata
(1948) [14:46] Cheryl Seltzer, piano Triptych
(1986/88) [20:53] Maria Kitsopoulos, cello; Mark Steinberg, violin
Triptych recorded
New York, 1992. All others recorded New York, 1983
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559195
[64:56][JW]
I
favour the Triptych and Duo rather than the Sonata and Trio forged
from a less directly communicative anvil. The performers strike the
right note throughout, whether yielding or defiant. ... see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT
(1811-1886) The Great
Romantic Les
Préludes (1854) [15:08] Hungarian
Rhapsody No. 2 (1847) [10:23] Piano Concerto
No. 1 in E-flat Major (1856) [19:23] Tasso
(1854) [19:24]
Hooshik Hwang (piano) Russian Federal
Orchestra/Vakhtang Jordania Recorded Moscow
2003; (Tasso, 2000)
ANGELOK1 CD-7752 [61:08] [JL]
Extrovert
performances that can be enjoyed by those
who do not go to Liszt for his dreamy, romantic
side. ... 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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