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 4
M-R

Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]  [Part 7 Misc M-Z]






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

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No 4 (arranged by Erwin Stein) Christiane Oelze (soprano) Thomas Christian Ensemble rec. Schloß Esterhazy, Eisenstadt, Austria, 28-30 May 2004. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 603 1320-2 [55’23] [AO]

The one version that comes closest to capturing the logic of the transcription and the gloriousness of the original symphony. Real understanding, conviction and panache. … see Full Review

  RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen('Songs of a Wayfaring Lad')  Symphony No. 1 in D Major, 'Titan'  Christopher Maltman (baritone)  Philharmonia Orchestra/Benjamin Zander  including discussion disc  rec. Studio One, EMI Abbey Road (Songs), 11 July 2004; Watford Coliseum (Sym) 12-14 July 2004.  Symphony playable in DSD Surround and DSD Stereo on an SACD player. TELARC 2SACD-80628 [68.32 + 79.06] [JPr]

Mahler would have expected it to sound quite awful' - so why was it played so well on the recording?...see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860 - 1911) Symphony No. 7 in e, "Song of the Night" (1908) [78.11] San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas rec. DSD, live, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, California, USA, 12 March 2005. Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Photo of composer and musicians. CD tracks 2.0 stereo. SACD Tracks 2.0 stereo and 5.0 surround. Hybrid SACD SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY 821936-0009-2 [78.11] [PSh]

You will never regret buying this recording ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Film 1: Conducting Mahler Documentary featuring extracts from all the Mahler symphonies, plus interviews with conductors Bernard Haitink, Claudio Abbado, Simon Rattle, Riccardo Chailly and Riccardo Muti Film 2: I Have Lost Touch With The World An analysis of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony with Henry-Louis de la Grange, Riccardo Chailly and the Concertgebouw Orchestra Directed by Frank Scheffer – 1996 (Film 1) and 2004 (Film 2) ALLEGRI FILMS DVD 9D512 [132:00][TH]

Definitely one for Mahlerians but also a serious contender for lovers of the mysterious art of conducting, especially just what goes on in the rehearsal room. ... see Full Review   

Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Cello Concerto (1965) [25:55] Trois Danses for Oboe and Harp (1970) [17:05] Ballade for cello and chamber orchestra (1949) [17:03] Passacaille for strings (1952) [11:07] Quirine Viersen (cello); Henk Swinnen (oboe); Kerstin Scholten (harp) Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra/Kenneth Montgomery rec. Muziekcentrum van de omroep, Hilversum, June 2001, September 2004 ETCETERA KTC 1290 [71:13][PCW]

Martin’s cello concerto is a formidable work and here receives very powerful advocacy ... see Full Review

Toshiro MAYUZUMI (1929-1997) Symphonic Mood (1950) [18:45] Bugaku - Ballet in Two Parts (Court Dance Music) (1962) [23:29] Mandala Symphony (1960) [17:54] Rumba Rhapsody (1948) [8:12] New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa rec. Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand, 23-25 August 2004. NAXOS 8.557693 [68:20] [KS]

Yuasa leads first rate performances and upholds the integrity of the music. Even in the works that held less allure, I could still greatly appreciate the craftsmanship of this conductor and his dedication to the music. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Overture: The Hebrides (1829-30) [11:28] Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 55 (1907) [57:48] Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Jeffrey Tate rec. live, The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne, 24-25 June 2005 ABC CLASSICS 476 8365 [70:18] [DC]

The Melbourne orchestra on good form taking to Elgar like a Duck to orange sauce ... see Full Review

Quartet pour la fin du temps (1940) [51:56] Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Ensemble Incanto: Michaela Paetsch Neftel, violin; Ralph Manno, clarinet; Guido Schiefen, cello; Liese Klahn, piano  rec. 19-22 June 2000, Stiftskirche Bassum, Germany ARTE NOVA ANO 770760 [51:56] [KS]

This is a performance that deftly enables that kind of commitment, a true testament to these musicians, who forego the shallow temptation toward egotism, presenting instead a meaningful gift in sound.… see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Le nozze di Figaro - opera in four acts (1986) Tom Krause (baritone) – Il Conte di Almaviva; Anna Tomowa-Sintow (soprano) – La Contessa; Ileana Cotrubas (soprano) – Susanna; José van Dam (bass-baritone) – Figaro; Frederica von Stade (mezzo) – Cherubino; Jane Berbié (mezzo) – Marcellina; Jules Bastin (bass) – Bartolo; Heniz Zednik (tenor) – Basilio; Kurt Equiluz (tenor) – Don Curzio; Christiane Barbaux (soprano) – Barbarina; Zoltán Kélémen (bass) – Antonio; Christiane Barbaux and Marjon Lambriks – Due giovinette. Wiener Staatsopernchor Konrad Leitner (continuo) Wiener Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna, April and May 1978. ADD DECCA 475 7045 [3 CDs: 66:41 + 62:18 + 40:33] [GF]

"Mozart at 70", maybe – and why not? ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Così fan tutte - Drama giocoso in two acts, K.588 (1789-90) Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte Fiordiligi - Pilar Lorengar (sop) Dorabella - Teresa Berganza (mezzo) Ferrando - Ryland Davies (ten) Guglielmo - Tom Krause (bar) Don Alfonso - Gabriel Bacquier (bass) Despina - Jane Berbié (mezzo) Jeffrey Tate, harpsichord Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden London Philharmonic Orchestra/Georg Solti rec. Kingsway Hall, London October/November 1973/74. ADD DECCA 475 7033 [3 CDs: 46.53 + 71.04 + 65.48][MC]

A worthy addition to any serious collection in this the year of the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Requiem (1791) [41.03] Inter natos Mulierum, K.72 (1771) [5.09] Misericordias Domini, K.222 (1775) [6.09] Miriam Allan (soprano) Anne Buter (mezzo) Marcus Ullmann (tenor) Martin Snell (bass) Gewandhaus Kammerchor Leiziger Kammerorchester/Morten Schuldt-Jensen rec. Grosser Saal des Gewandhauses, Leipzig, Germany, 10-12 November 2004 NAXOS 8.557728 [52.21][RH]

This will appeal to you if you are looking for a small-scale, lithe performance ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario) Comedy with Music in one act (1786) [22:30] # Arias: Misera, dove son! ... Ah! Non son’io che parlo K 369; Uno moto di gioia K 579; Schon lacht der holde Frühling K 580 + Vado, ma dove? Oh Dei! K 583; Bella mia fiamma, addio! K 528; Nehmt meinen Dank, ihr holden Gönner! K 383 * Le nozze di Figaro: Overture @ Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) – Mademoiselle Silberklang; Edita Gruberova (soprano) – Madame Herz; Uwe Heilmann (tenor) – Herr Vogelsang; Manfred Jungwirth (bass) – Buff Wiener Philharmoniker/Sir John Pritchard # Edita Gruberova (soprano) Wiener Kammerorchester/György Fischer; Die Entführung aus dem Serail: Ha! Wie will ich triumphieren Manfred Jungwirth (bass), Wiener Haydn-Orchester/István Kertész + Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano), Wiener Kammerorchester/György Fischer* Wiener Philharmoniker/Sir John Pritchard @ rec. Grosser Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna 20–22 March 1989 (Schauspieldirektor + Figaro), June, September 1980 (Gruberova), September – October 1971 (Jungwirth) and December 1980 (Te Kanawa) DECCA ELOQUENCE 475 7049 [65:07] [GF]

Anyone who wants to try Der Schauspieldirektor can safely buy this and will have a substantial helping of lovely arias excellently performed as well. ... see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Khovanshchina – opera in five Acts (1871-1880), revised by Rimsky-Korsakov [160:43] Boris Freidkov (Prince Ivan Khovansky, bass), Ivan Nechayev (Prince Andrey Khovansky, tenor), Mark Reizen (Dosifey, bass), Vladimir Ulyanov (Prince Vasily Golitsin, tenor), Ivan Shaskov (Shaklovity, baritone), Yakov Mishenko (The scribe, tenor), Lavrenty Yaroshenko (Kuzka, bass), Vasily Tikhi (Streshnev, tenor), Ivan Yashugin (First Strelyets, bass), Andrey Atlantov (Second Strelyets, bass), Sofya Preobrazhenskaya (Marfa, mezzo), Nina Serval (Susanna, soprano), Valentina Volokitina (Emma, soprano) Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, Leningrad/Boris Khaikin Recorded 1946 in Leningrad Appendix A: Khovanshchina: Three extracts Powers mysterious [05:22] Nadezhda Obukhova (mezzo), Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra/I. Steinberg, 1944 I ran through the meadows and marshes [03:53] Nadezhda Obukhova, with orchestra, 1948 All is quiet in the Streltsy camp [04:53] Pavel Andreyev (tenor), with orchestra, ?1937 Appendix B: A selection of Mussorgsky’s songs Mephistopheles’ song in the Auerbach cella: Song of the Flea [03:05] Mark Reizen (bass), with piano, 1946 The Seminarist [04:48] Mark Reizen, Abram Makarov (piano), 1947 Hebrew Song [02:53], Tell me, gentle maiden [02:37] Sofya Preobrazhenskaya (mezzo, Abram Meierovich), 1951 Trepak (from Songs and Dances of Death) [04:24] Feodor Chaliapin (bass), orchestra/Lawrence Collingwood, London 1929 Gopak [03:09] Igor Gorin (bass), orchestra/Wilfred Pelletier, c.1939 The banks of the Don [1:53], Forgotten [02:15] Igor Gorin, Max Rabinowitsch (piano), 1939 The He-goat [02:34], Forgotten [02:09], Darling Savishna [01:10] Vladimir Rosing (baritone), Myers Foggin (piano) Night [03:42], Where are you, little star? [03:57] Mascia Predit (soprano), Gerald Moore (piano), 1950 CD restoration by Ward Marston NAXOS 8.111124-26 [3 CDs: 64:39 + 70:02 + 77:57] [CH]

True enthusiasts will want this for Mark Reizen’s Dosifey. ... see Full Review

Josef MYSLIVECEK (1737-1781) La passione di nostro Signore Gesu Cristo (c1770) [102 '26] Sophie Karthäuser (soprano) Maddalena; Jörg Waschinski (male soprano) Pietro; Yvonne Berg (contralto) Giovanni; Andreas Karasiak (tenor) Giuseppe d'Arimatea Das Neue Orchester/Christoph Spering. rec. Deutschland Radio, Cologne, 13-18 April 2004. Text and translation included CAPRICCIO SACD 71 025/26 [59'10 + 43'16] [CC]

We are in Capriccio's debt for revealing this little-known work to us in such polished terms. ... see Full Review

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) arr. Maurice ROSENTHAL (1904–2003) Gaïté Parisienne (1938) [38:48] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust (ballet music) (1938) [15:52] Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) arr. Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879–1936) Rossiniana (ballet music) (1925) [25:52] Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Georg Solti Suisse Romande Orchestra/Ernest Ansermet (Rossini/Respighi) rec. Kingsway Hall, London, May, 1960 (Offenbach; Gounod); Victoria Hall, Geneva, February 1967 (Rossini/Respighi). ADD. DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 2724 [77:44] [JPh]

Well done Australian Eloquence! ... see Full Review

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d’Hoffmann - opera in three acts with Prologue and Epilogue (1882) Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré founded on the stories of E.T.A. Hoffman. First produced at the Opéra Comique, Paris, 10 February 1882 Hoffmann, Vincenzo La Scola (ten); Olympia, Desirée Rancatore (sop); Giulietta, Sara Allegreta (sop); Antonia, Annalisa Raspagliosi (sop); Nicklausse, Elsa Maurus (mezzo); Lindorf/Dapertutto/Coppelius/Dr Miracle, Ruggero Raimondi (bass-bar); Spalazini, Thomas Morris (ten); Nathanael, Francesco Zingarello (ten); Stella, Tiziano Carraro (sop); Crespel /Luther, Lorenzo Muzzi (bass); Hermann /Schlémil, Nicolas Rivenq (bar); Chorus Lyrico Marchigiana Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana/Frédéric Chaslin rec. August 2004, production of the Arena Macerata, Italy. Presented in dts digital surround sound, Dolby, PCM 2.0 Menu language English. Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese. Notes and synopsis in Italian, English, German and French DYNAMIC DVD 33470 [2 DVDs: 169:00][RJF]

Despite some vocal limitations I enjoyed the challenge of the producer’s distinctly different concept. In its own way it tellingly illuminates Hoffmann’s tale. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Otto OLSSON (1879–1964) Requiem Op. 13 (1901–1903) Sylvia Lindenstrand (soprano); Inger Blom (alto); Björn Haugan (tenor); Olle Sköld (bass) Gustaf Vasa Oratorio Choir Royal Opera Orchestra/Anders Ohlson rec. 16 May 1993, Gustaf Vasa Church, Stockholm PROPRIUS PRSACD 9086 [67:44][GF]

Music of a young man with a positive view of life ... mirrored by the lightness and melodious quality of much of this Requiem. ... see Full Review

Wilhelm PETERSON-BERGER (1867-1942) Solitudo: The Complete Piano Music - Volume 4 Italiana: Solhymn (Sun Hymn); Vision antique: Dansande nymf (Vision antique: Dancing Nymph); Vision antique: Evoe Bacche!; Villa d'Este; Sorrentinsk serenade (Serenade of Sorrento); Tre nya danspoem (Three New Dance Poems): När mor var ung (When Mother Was Young); På gräset under lindarna (In the Grass Under the Lindens); Livets danslek (Life's Dance Game); Tre tondikter för piano (Three Tone Poems for Piano): Lycka (Happiness); In memoriam; Amerikansk dans (American Dance); Solitudo: Glam (Gaiety); Ungkarlsvalsen (Bachelor Waltz); Bukolikon (Bucholic); Tonfilm, barntillåten (Movie, Children Admitted); Gåtan (Enigma); Anakreontika I: Till lyran (To the Lyre); Till duvan (To the Dove); Drömtydning (Dream Interpretation); Anakreontika II: Oraklet (The Oracle); Flöjtspel på Peneios (Flute-playing on Peneios); Till Eros (To Eros); Anakreons dans (Anacreon's Dance) Olof Höjer (piano) rec. Dunkers Kulturhus, Helsingborg, Sweden, 5-7 May 2005 SWEDISH SOCIETY DISCOFIL SCD 1089 [78:40] [GF]

Höjer catches this to perfection. His are trustworthy readings and if that sounds less than enticing it is meant as a compliment...… see Full Review

Ignaz PLEYEL (1757-1831) String Quartets, op.2, nos. 1-3 String Quartet in A major, op 2 No.1 [17:19] (1. Allegro [8:49]; 2. Andante grazioso [5:19]; 3. Menuetto [3:11]) String Quartet in C major, op.2 No.3 [17:52] (4. Allegro moderato [7:27]; 5. Adagio cantabile [4:57]; 6. Finale: Allegro [5:27]) String Quartet in G minor, op.2 No.3 [20:30] (7. Adagio [6:51]; 8. Allegro assai [7:25]; 9. Grazioso [6:14]) Ensõ Quartet rec. Holy Martyrs Church, Bradford, Ontario, Canada, 31 January-4 February 2004 NAXOS 8.557496 [55:40] [GPJ]

This music may not be ‘deep’ or even especially original. It is, however, interesting, attractive and beautifully crafted ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) The Five Piano Concertos CD 1 [68'49] Piano Concerto No. 1 (1911-2) [16'44] Piano Concerto No. 4 (1931) [27'29] Piano Concerto No. 5 (1932) [24'36] CD 2 [68'22] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1913, rev. 1923) [37'38] Piano Concerto No. 3 (1916-21) [30'44] Oleg Marshev (piano.) South Jutland Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén Musikhuset, Sønderborg, Denmark, 30 July - 10 August 2001. DDD DANACORD DACOCD 584/5 [68:49 + 68:22] [PSe]

..this Danacord set offers fresh, original views of what had seemed to be repertoire so well-trodden that it was ripe for a preservation order. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Sonata no.6 in A op.82 [26:16]; Piano Sonata no.9 in C op.103 [24:30]; Piano Pieces from "Cinderella": The Quarrel op.102/3 [03:11]; Gavotte op.95/2 [02:20]; The Fairy of Autumn op.97/3 [01:03]; Orientalia op.97/6 [01:03]; Waltz. Cinderella and the Prince op.102/1 [06:18]; Légende op.12/6 [03:39]; Visions fugitives op.22/3 [01:12]; 4 [00:49]; 5 [00:20]; 6 [00:25]; 8 [01:26]; 9 [01:00]; 11 [00:52]; 14 [00:57]; 15 [00:42]; 18 [01:19]; Danza op.32/1 [02:34]; Valse op.32/4 [02:52]; Pensées op.62/3 [06:03]; Sonatine pastorale op.59/3 [02:53]; Rondo op.52/3 [04:41]; Valse op.96/1 [05:13]; Suggestion diabolique op.4/4 [03:05] Sviatoslav Richter (piano) rec. live Bunka Kaikan Hall, Tokyo, 2 December 1980 (Sonata 9 and "Cinderella"), 3 June 1981 (others), but see note in review regarding the dates. MEMORIA 991-011/12 [66:31 + 46:03] [CH]

This album documents an important musical relationship and an authoritative interpreter of some of the 20th century’s finest piano music in more than acceptable sound. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891–1953) The Love for Three Oranges, Opera in four acts and a prologue (1921)
Libretto by the composer, for Vsevolod Meyerhold’s adaptation of L’amore delle tre melarance by Carlo Gozzi. English version by Tom Stoppard. see review for cast Opera Australia Chorus, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra/Richard Hickox A production by Opera Australia recorded live at the Sydney Opera House in February 2005 CHANDOS CHAN 10347 (2) [49:34 + 49:52] [GF]

Two of the most amusing hours I have had for a very long time – and I am not leading a particularly dull life. Great entertainment presented with the highest possible production values. ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Il Tabarro (1915-16) Opera in one act, libretto by Giuseppe Adami Michele (baritone) - Juan Pons Giorgetta (soprano) - Teresa Stratas Luigi (tenor) - Placido Domingo Il Tinca (tenor) - Charles Anthony Il Talpa (bass) - Federico Davia La Frugola (mezzo) - Florence Quivar Stage production by Fabrizio Melano Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919) Pagliacci (1891-92) Opera in one act, libretto by the composer Canio (tenor) - Luciano Pavarotti Nedda (soprano) - Teresa Stratas Tonio (baritone) - Juan Pons Silvio (baritone) - Dwayne Croft Peppe (tenor)-Kenn Chester Stage production by Franco Zeffirelli Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York/James Levine Directed for video by Brian Large Recorded as a gala double bill September 1994 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DG DVD 00440 073 4024 [140:00] [TH]

All told, pretty good value on one disc, though neither production can match the vocal or audio quality of the best CD rivals… see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Dido and Aeneas (c.1680s?) Opera in three acts, libretto by Nahum Tate Dido - Catherine Bott (soprano) Belinda - Emma Kirkby (soprano) Aeneas - John Mark Ainsley  (tenor) Sorceress - David Thomas (bass) First Witch - Elisabeth Priday  (soprano) Second Witch - Sara Stowe  (soprano) Second Woman - Julianne Baird (soprano)  First Sailor - Daniel Lochmann   (tenor) Spirit - Michael Chance  (counter-tenor) The Academy of Ancient Music Chorus and Orchestra/Christopher Hogwood rec. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, September 1992 DECCA CLASSIC OPERA 475 7195 [52:35] [ED]

What a glorious composer Purcell is. A very welcome return for this hugely enjoyable recording that makes one admire Purcell’s music anew ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37 (1915) [54.00] Raissa Palmu (soprano) Erja Wimeri (alto) Eugen Antoni (tenor) Finnish National Opera Chorus/Eric-Olof Söderström rec. St. John’s Church, Helsinki, April-June 2001 NAXOS 6.110067 [54.00][SV]

A frustrating performance: its not inconsiderable strengths make a positive effect early on but are gradually offset by equally obvious and increasingly irritating shortcomings ... see Full Review

Jean Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Les Paladins (1760) Libretto by Duplat de Monticourt after a fable by La Fontaine Atis: Topi Lehtipou Argie: Stephanie d’Oustrac Orcan Laurent Naouri Nerine: Sandrine Piau Anselme: Rene Schirrer Manto: Francois Piolino Un paladin: Emiliano Gonzalez Toro Les Arts Florissants Orchestra and Chorus/William Christie rec. live, Théâtre du Chatelet, Paris, May 2004 Contents: Disc 1: Acts 1, 2 scenes 1-8; Disc 2: Act 2 scene 9 and Act 3 followed by a film by Reiner E. Moritz ‘Baroque that Rocks’ Picture Format: NTSC 16:9 anamorphic Sound Format: DTS Surround Sound; LPCM Stereo Region Code: All Menu languages: EN Subtitles: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT BBC OPUS ARTE OA0938 [71.56 + 128.09] [GH]

I have never enjoyed a Rameau opera as much. A warm and brilliant tribute to a truly great composer. A real joy ... see Full Review

Ferdinand RIES (1784-1837) String Quartets Vol. 1 String Quartet in C WoO37 (1827) [25:03] String Quartet in E flat WoO10 (1805) [27:19] Schuppanzigh Quartett rec. Deutchlandfunk, Sendesaal des Funkhauses, Köln, January, February 2004. DDD CPO 777 014-2 [52:30][PCW]

A valuable release with committed playing and fine sound: warmly recommended ... see Full Review

Nicolai Andreyevich RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Mlada - Opera in 4 acts. (1872-1903) Text by the composer after S. A. Gedeonov and Viktor Krylov. Prince Yaromir - Oleg Kulko Princess Voislava - Maria Gavrilova Prince Mstivoy - Gleb Nikolsky Morena - Galina Borisova Soul of Yaromir - Kirill Nikitin Witch - Yulia Malkhassiants The silent roles of Princess Mlada and Cleopatra are danced by Nina Ananiashvili Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra and chorus/Alexander Lazarev Video Production, Robin Scott; Video Direction, Barrie Gavin Producer, Boris Pokrovsky; Designer, Valery Levental; choreographer, Andre Petrov Recorded live at the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow, Russia, June 1992. NTSC 4:3 Color. AC-3/Dolby 2.0 stereo. Menus in English Subtitle languages: English, Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano, Portugués Region code 2, 3, 4, 5 [Region 1 version available from Kultur Video] WARNER MUSIC VISION/NVC ARTS 4509-92052-2 [138.00][PSh]

A terrific opera — a better than average story, attractive principals, great singing and dancing, spectacular stagecraft — makes a welcome and overdue debut in DVD. ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Piano Works, Vol. 5 Prélude Blaguer [6:39] Prélude soitdisant Dramatique [12:00] Prélude Pétulant Rococò [7:28] Prélude Inoffensif [10:01] Prélude Baroque [6:22] Prélude Semipastorale [14:44] Prélude Fugassé [4:22] Prélude Moresque [4:31] Bolero Tartare [9:46] Stefan Irmer (piano) rec. 10-12 November 2004, Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen, Germany. MUSIKPRODUCTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 618 1353-2 [77:01] [GPu]

Mischievous, witty music, sometimes serious and never solemn, played with insight and assurance ... see Full Review

Edwin ROXBURGH (b. 1937) Clarinet Concerto (1994)a [31:07] Saturn (1982)b [28:14] Linda Merrick (clarinet)a; RNCM Symphony Orchestraa; Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestrab; Edwin Roxburgha, Peter Starkb rec. RNCM, Manchester, October 2005 (Clarinet Concerto) and Haileybury College, Hertford, April 2005 (Saturn) NMC D119 [59:21][HC]

I had never heard any Roxburgh before; I am now really looking forward to hearing more. A splendid release which will hopefully trigger well-merited interest  ... see Full Review

Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Improvisation for violin and orchestra op. 89 (1956) [12:25] Improvisations on Virginal Pieces by Giles Farnaby op. 50 (Farnaby's Conceit; His Dreame; His Humour; Loth to Depart; Tell me, Daphne) (1939) [13:11] Violin Concerto op. 103 (1960) [30:19] Krysia Osostowicz (violin) Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa rec. 25-26 May 2004, Ulster Hall, Belfast. DDD NAXOS 8.557591 [57:04][CC]

A fine disc. Osostowicz is an ultra-sensitive interpreter of Rubbra's music ... 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