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             

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]

 
Friday March 31st

DAILY CD REVIEWS





Hoffnung Music Festivals 1956,58,61
2CDs:£17 postage included World-Wide [mono/stereo]
This is a must for all Hoffnung enthusiasts.
Purchase here    see review


Hoffnung - A Last Encore
On 2 CDs lasting 1 hour 45min, this contains all the recordings of Hoffnung preserved in the BBC archives. They include the famous and hilariously funny Bricklayer story. [mono]
£14 postage included world-wide Purchase
FEBRUARY Offer: UK and EU only £12 postage included
Use this button only


See a new Hoffnung Cartoon every day
Available for the FIRST TIME - a DVD of 7 animated Hoffnung cartoons as shown on the BBC in the 1960s in FULL COLOUR plus animated Gilbert and Sullivan Ruddigore. £14.99 Details
 


NEW and RECENT ARTICLES
 

 

Plenty of the plain by Arthur Butterworth
A Glass of Wine with the Flautist Rachel Smith - John France
AGEING AUDIENCES FOR CONCERT MUSIC by Arthur Butterworth
Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) This set is a pinnacle in the history of recorded music The Complete Keyboard Sonatas
Scott Ross (harpsichord)[PCW] Ongoing Review Review now complete
Richard Stoker, Janet Craxton & ‘Polemics’
by John France
ROBERT HUGILL - WEBLOG - December 2005 - January 2006
MusicWeb Reviewer’s Log: March 2006 Reviewer: Patrick C Waller
Mahler Symphony No.2 - Tony Duggan Survey - revised March 06
Ronald Finch (1920-1992): A biographical outline by Averil Davies

 

Alwyn recordings news



MUSICWEB SHOP August September  October November December January   March
MusicWeb is selling these labels:
Concert Artist Hyperion MSR  Toccata

 

CD WALLETS Get rid of those bulky plastic cases and store CDs and booklets in thin plastic wallets. "orange-peel" translucent 70 micron PVC, 70 mm x 70mm with tuck-in flap £5 £3 per 100 wallets plus P&P New improved non-slippery wallets

CONCERT ARTIST MOZART The Complete Piano Sonatas, Fantasy in C minor, K.475 Joyce Hatto plus a free sampler disc. 5 discs for the price of 3 : £37.50 post-free World-wide
Reviews: Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Volume 5

New from Avie here

New from British Music Society: Arnold Cooke Three String Sonatas Premiere recordings

New from Arcodiva
Anthony Collins Sibelius Cycle It is difficult to find this set at the moment so we have made arrangemants that you can purchase it through MusicWeb - see review



Click for MUSICWEB RECORDINGS OF THE YEAR


RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kurt ATTERBERG (1887-1974) Sinfonia per archi, Op.53 (1953 arr. 1960) [29:17] Adagio Amoroso for violin and orchestra (1967) [8:04] Intermezzo (1921) [8:26] Prelude and Fugue (1917 arr. 1933) [3:11] Suite No. 7 (after Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra), Op.29 (1926) [13:30] Camerata Nordica/Ulf Wallin (violin and conductor) rec. Virserum Kyrka, Sweden, March, Nov 2004. DDD CPO 777 156-2 [62:38] [RB]

Utterly unmissable. Beautiful coaxed and balanced dynamics, subtle and diaphanous textures contrast with resinous attack ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio, Opera in two acts (1804-05, rev. 1814) CD 1 Leonore Overture No. 2, Op. 72 (1805) [15.46] Fidelio, Act 1 CD2 Fidelio, Act 2 Leonore Overture No. 1 in C major, Op. 138 (1807) [11.27] Leonore Overture No. 3 in C major, Op. 72 (1805-06) [15.26] Fidelio Overture, Op. 72 (1814) [06.54] Kwangchul Youn, bass - Don Fernando Falk Struckmann, bass-baritone - Don Pizarro Plácido Domingo, tenor - Don Florestan Waltraud Meier, mezzo - Leonore René Pape, bass - Rocco Soile Isokoski, soprano - Marzelline Werner Güra, tenor - Jaquino Klaus Häger, bass - second prisoner, Chor der Deutschen Staatsoper, Berlin Staatskapelle Berlin/Daniel Barenboim, rec. May/June 1999, Broadcasting Hall, main radio station in former East Germany, Berlin. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 3984 25249-2 [77.54 + 79.56] [MC]

A dramatic and exciting performance. One of the finest modern Fidelios on record. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata No.24 in F sharp major, Op.78 (1809) [11’03] 33 Variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op.120 (1823) [58’37] Nikolai Demidenko (piano) rec. St. Paul’s School, London 17-18 Feb 2005 ASV GOLD GLD 4017 [69’40] [TH]

A release of outstanding interest to both pianophiles and lovers of this wild, occasionally wacky, astonishing masterpiece. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH On Photography Gavin BRYARS (b. 1943) And so ended Kant’s travelling in this world (1997) [7:50] Three poems of Cecco Angiolieri (1997) [14:00] On Photography (1983) [13:14] Arturs MASKATS (b. 1957) Da ispravitsja molitva moja (1936) [12:17] Valentin SILVESTROV (b. 1937) Diptychon (date of composition not given) [12:17] Janis Maleckis (piano); Gavin Bryars (harmonium); Edgars Saksons (percussion); Monta Martinsone (soprano); Gundars Dzilums (baritone), Ensemble Cosmos Latvian Radio Choir/Sigvards Klava (conductor), Kaspars Putnins (On Photography) rec. 10-14 January 2005, St. Johns Church; Riga Reformer’s Church, Riga Latvia. GBR RECORDS BCGBCD07 [70:39] [DB]

Stunning performances of new works. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Sonata in B flat minor op.35 [26:39]; Ballade in G minor op.23 [09:23]; Andante spianato et Grande polonaise brillante op.22 [13:34]; Fantasia op.49 [13:29]; Waltz in A flat op.69/1 [04:34]; Waltz in A flat op.34/1 [05:53]; Waltz in E flat op. posth [03:11]; Scherzo no.2 in B flat minor op.31 [10:55]; Mazurka in A minor op.68/2 [03:22]; Mazurka in B minor op.33/4 [06:25]; Mazurka in D flat op.30/3 [03:36]; Berceuse in D flat op.57 [04:34] Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) rec. Turin, 1962, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana OPUS ARTE OA 0940 D [106:00][CH]

A quite extraordinary experience, something timeless ... see Full Review

RECORD OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) The Complete Piano Works Vol. 2 12 Études [46:57], La Plus que lente [4:47], 2 Arabesques [6:38], Hommage à Haydn [2:05], D’un Cahier d’esquisses [4:23] Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, 28 December 2001 (Études), 4 April 2002 (Arabesques), 10 July 2002 (Hommage and Cahier), no date given for "La Plus que lente". CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9131-2 [65:22] [CH]

This looks like becoming a classic version. Indispensable, and especially recommended to those who have so far not warmed to the "Études". ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George ENESCU (1881–1955) Piano Music, Vol. 2 CD1: Prelude and Fugue in C major (1903) [15:10]; Nocturne in D flat major (1907) [20:27]; Scherzo (1896) [5:58]; Pièce sur le nom de Fauré (1922) [3:05] CD2: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor Op. 24/1 (1924) [25:08]; Piano Sonata No. 3 in D major Op. 24/3 (1934) [23:30] Luiza Borac (piano) rec. 4-5, 7 July 2005, St. Dunstan’s Church, Mayfield, England AVIE AV2081 (SACD) [44:50 + 48:53] [GF]

One must wonder why this music isn’t heard more often,. Two discs abounding in ravishing pianism ... hard to imagine this music better played. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph JONGEN (1873 – 1953) Piano Music: Volume 2 CD 1 Toccata Op.91 (1929) [4:05] Sarabande triste Op.58 (1918) [5:45] Sérénade Op.19 (1901) [5:27] Deux études de concert Op.65 (1920) [13:01] Mazurka Op.126bis (1943) [5:16] Mazurka et Napolitania Op.76 (1924) [12:32] Première Ballade Op.105 (1936) [9:00] Deuxième Ballade Op.119 (1941) [11:58] CD 2 Bourrée dans le style ancien Op.123 (1942) [8:00] Sarabande dans le style ancien (1902) [2:57] Troisème étude Op.84 (1924) [3:18] Trois pièces Op.102 (1936) [7:57] Jeux de Nymphes Op.91 No.2 (1927) [3:27] En forme de valse Op.43 (1913) [5:42] Treize Préludes Op.69 (1923) [38:45] CD 3 Dix Pièces Op.96 (1932) [30:34] Fantasie sur deux Noëls populaires wallons Op.24 (1902)a [15:07] Pages intimes Op.55 (1917)a [8:16] Jeux d’enfants Op.120 (1941)a [9:19] Trois pièces Op.129 (1950)a [10:25] Intermezzo-piccolo Op.136bis (1950)a [2:48] Diane Andersen (piano); Diane Andersen, André De Groote (piano duet)a rec. Recital Studio, Tihange, Belgium, no date, published 2005 PAVANE ADW 7477-9 [70:59 + 70:59 + 77:15] [HC]

Pure joy from first to last, and a must for all the admirers of Jongen’s music. All who respond to Debussy’s, Ravel’s or Ireland’s piano music will find plenty to enjoy here. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni (1787) Wojtek Drabowicz (baritone) - Don Giovanni; Anatoly Kocherga (bass) - Commendatore; Regina Schörg (soprano) - Donna Anna; Marcel Reijans (tenor) - Don Ottavio; Véronique Gens (soprano); Keanchul Youn (bass) - Leporello; Felipe Bou (bass) - Masetto; Marisa Martins (soprano) - Zerlina; Chamber Choir of the Palau de la Música Catalana; Orchestra Academy of the Gran Teatro del Liceu/Bertrand de Billy. Director: Calixto Bieito. rec. Gran Teatro del Liceu, 12, 17 December 2002. OPUS ARTE OA 0921 D [2 DVDs: 156'00][CC]

A wonderful set, and certainly my preferred modern-day Giovanni on DVD. I was left stunned in admiration ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nicolò PAGANINI (1782 – 1840) Guitar Music Grand Sonata in A major [21:35]; Sonata No. 4 in D major [3:51]; Ghiribizzi [8:56]: Nos. 15; 16; 37; 38; 22; Sonata No. 30 in A major [3:11]; Sonata No. 6 in F major [4:15]; Sonata No. 14 in F major [5:09]; Three Caprices (originally for solo violin) [14:06]: Nos. 11; 5; 24 Marco Tamayo (guitar) rec. St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 10-13 June 2004 NAXOS 8.557598 [61:04] [ZT]

There is no finer recording in existence of Paganini’s music for solo guitar. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sacred Choral Music - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks Francis POULENC (1899-1963) 1. Salve Regina [4:12] Missa in G 2. Kyrie [3:19] 3. Gloria [3:41] 4. Sanctus [2:25] 5. Benedictus [3:31] 6. Agnus Dei [4:59] Soloists: Masako Goda, soprano; Gabriele Weinfurter, alto; Andreas Schulist, tenor. 7. Ave verum Corpus [2:08] 8. Exultate Deo [2:37] 4 Bußpsalmen 9. Timor et tremor [3:02] Vinea me electa [3:44] 11. Tenebrae facta sunt [4:00] 12. Tristis est anima mea [3:04] Soloist: Prisker Eser-Streit, soprano Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902 -1986) Quatre Motets sur des thèmes grégoriennes 13. Ubi caritas [2:06] 14. Tota pulchra es [1:57] 15. Tu es Petrus [0:56] 16. Tantum ergo [2:56] Ton de LEEUW (1926-1996) 17. Prière [9:02] Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) O sacrum convivium [5:10] Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Peter Dijkstra Rec. 16-20 July 2004, Bavaria Studio, Munich, Germany OEHMS CLASSICS OC540 [64:06] [GPJ]

A rare treat for lovers of choral music, and for lovers of French music too ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk - opera in four acts (1934) Libretto: Dmitri Shostakovich and Alexander Preys, after the novella by Nikolay Leskov Katerina Ismailova - Nadine Secunde Sergey - Christopher Ventris Boris Ismailov - Anatoli Kotcherga Zinoviy Ismailov - Francisco Vas Shabby Peasant - Graham Clark Aksinya - Mireille Capelle Sonyetka - Nino Surguladze Chief of Police - Juha Kotilainen Teacher - John Hurst Priest - Maxim Mikhailov Old Convict - Yevgeny Nesterenko Chamber Chorus of the Palau de la Música Catalana Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona/Alexander Anissimov Stage Director: Stein Winge Video Director: Toni Bargalló Recorded live at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, May 2002
LPCM Stereo, Dolby Digital Surround, Format - NTSC 16:9 EMI CLASSICS 5 99730 9 [2 DVDs: 187:15] [ABa]

An exceptionally good performance of a very important opera that so seldom appears on the stage. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Eric WHITACRE (b. 1970) Cloudburst and other choral works i thank You God for most this amazing day (1999) [6:05] I hide myself (1991) [2:51] Sleep (2000) [5:33] i will wade out (1999) [2:45] Go, lovely Rose (1991) [4:07] When David heard (1999) [12:57] hope, faith, life, love (1999) [3:50] Cloudburst* (1993) [8:25] With a lily in your hand (1991) [2:27] This Marriage (2004) [2:59] Water Night (1995) [5:03] A Boy and a Girl [2002) [4:25] Her sacred spirit soars (2002) [5:08] Lux aurumque (2000) [4:08] Polyphony/Stephen Layton. *with Stephen Betteridge (piano); Robert Millett (percussion); pupils of The Lady Eleanor Holles School, Hampton, Middlesex rec. The Temple Church, London, 3-5 January 2005. DDD HYPERION CDA67543 [70:50] [JQ]

Whitacre’s a highly significant composer with a very genuine gift for choral writing with that priceless ability to communicate strongly and effectively with his audience. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Delectatio Angeli: Music of love, longing and lament John BEDYNGHAM (c.1460) O rosa bella [3.38]; Bernart de VENTADORN (1125-1195) Can vei la lauzete mover [7.15]; Jehan VAILLANT (fl.c.1360-90) Par maintes foys [2.49]; Etienne de MEAUX (fl.c.1300) Trop est mes maris jalos [3.28]; Francesco LANDINI (1325-1397) Giunta vaga bilta [2.35]; Matheus de PERUSIO (d.1418) le greygnour bien [4.36]; Johannes CICONIA (1335-1411) Per quella strada [3.19]; Guillaume DUFAY (c.1397-1474) Hélas mon dueil [3.14]; L’alta belleza tua [1.38]; Anon English 13th Century English Dance; Anon Spanish c.1300 Four Planctus (La Huelgas ms) [15.54] Catherine Bott and friends (Pavlo Beznosiuk and Mark Levy (medieval fiddles)) rec. Angel Studios, Islington, London, April 2001. HYPERION CDA 67549 [62.26] [GH]

I enjoyed practically everything that this disc offered with the Dufay being the star. I know of no just cause or impediment why everyone else shouldn’t do so as well. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Grigory Sokolov plays Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms CD 1 and 2 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080 (circa 1749-50) Partita No. 2, BWV 826 (circa 1727) rec. Gramzapis Studio, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1982 (available individually on OPUS 111, OP30346) CD 3 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Rondo in C major, Op. 51, No. 1 (1797) Rondo in G major, Op. 51, No. 2 (1800) Rondo alla ingharese quasi un capriccio (Rage over a lost penny), Op. 129 (1795) Sonata No. 4 in E flat major, Op. 7 (1797) Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101 (1816) rec. Villa dei Cedri, Cola di Lazise, Italy, March 1991 (available singly on OPUS 111, OP30420) CD 4 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) 24 Préludes, Op. 28 (1831-39) rec. Salle Adyar, Paris, France, June 1990 (available singly on OPUS 111, OP30336) CD 5 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Four Ballades, Op. 10 (1854) Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5 (1853) rec. Salle Gaveau, Paris, France, 10 December 1992 (Ballades), 20 December 1993 (Sonata) (available singly on OPUS 111, OP30366) Grigory Sokolov (piano) NAÏVE OP30421 [5 CDs: 54:39 + 55:33 + 71:13 + 60:06 + 66:58][MC]

Accolades for these sterling performances. Should anyone want evidence of a true genius at work then this set provides it ... see Full Review


HISTORICAL RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Lionel Tertis – The Complete Columbia Recordings 1924-1933 BIDDULPH 80216-2
[4 CDs: 79.39 + 70.55 + 76.04 + 79.27]

 


BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) CD 1 [63:59) Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 BWV 846-869 (1722)  Rec. March 1949 in RCA Studio B, New York, New York and Feb 1951, Lakeville, Connecticut  CD 2 [68:42] Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 BWV 846-869 (1722) Rec. February 1951 in Lakeville, Connecticut CD 3 [54:30] Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 BWV 870-893 (1738-1742) Rec. June 1951 to March 1954, Lakeville, Connecticut CD 4 [64:08]  Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 BWV 870-893 (1738-1742) Rec. June 1951 to March 1954, Lakeville, Connecticut CD 5 [61:43]  Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 BWV 870-893 (1738-1742) Rec. June 1951 to March 1954, Lakeville, Connecticut CD 6 [64:40]Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 1(1741-1742) [48:44] Rec. New York, 5–12 June 1945; Concerto in D major after Vivaldi, BWV 972 (1708-1717) [8:43]  Rec. 2 July 1946, Lotus Club, New York City;  Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 906 (ca.1738) [3:43]  Rec. Lakeville, Connecticut, 1957; Prelude, Fugue and Allegro for Lute in E flat major, BWV 998 (ca.1740) [12:40]  Rec. 20 February 1946, Lotus Club, New York City  CD 7 [64:35] Two-Part Inventions BWV 772-786 (1723) Rec. Lakeville, Connecticut (1954 - 1955); Fantasie in C minor, BWV 919 (after 1712) [1:25]  Rec. 2 May 1946, Lotus Club, New York City;  Three-Part Inventions, BWV 787-801 (1723) Rec. Lakeville, Connecticut (1958 - 1959);
Capriccio in B flat major on the Departure of his Most Beloved Brother, BWV 992 (ca.1704) [11:12]  Rec. 11-12 September 1957, Lakeville, Connecticut; Partita for Keyboard no 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (1726-1731) [19:25] Rec. February and March 1957, Lakeville, Connecticut Wanda Landowska, harpsichord
(ADD) RCA RED SEAL 82876-67891-2 LC 00316 [7 CDs: 63:59 + 68:42 + 54:30 + 64:08 + 61:43 + 64:40 + 64:35] [DC]

At somewhere just under three pounds a disc this box comes in as something of a bargain, so, make the most of it! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Water Music (c.1715-17 rev 1736) Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major, HWV 348 [29’24"] (I. Overture. II. Adagio e staccato 05:07; III. Allegro. IV. Andante 06:53; V. Allegro 03:42; VI. Air 02:29; VII. Minuet 02:11; VIII. Bourree 02:11; IX. Hornpipe 02:41; X. Allegro 04:09) Water Music: Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349 (1717) (I. Allegro 02:07; II. Alla Hornpipe 02:59; III. Minuet 01:52; IV. Lentement 02:05; V. Bourree 01:25 Water Music: Suite No. 3 in G major, HWV 350 (1717) (I. Sarabande 02:59; II. Rigaudon I and II 02:38; III. Minuet I and II 03:34; IV. Bourree I and II 01:41) Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749) HWV 351 [20:06]
(I. Overture 07:17; II. Bourree 03:05; III. La paix 03:23; IV. La rejouissance 03:05; V. Minuet I - Minuet II 03:17)  Aradia Ensemble/Kevin Mallon rec. St Anne’s Church, Toronto, Canada, 5-8 Jan 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557764 [71:00] [DD]

A winner from start to finish - Handel’s music is given a splendid rendition! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel - A fairy opera in three acts (1890-93) libretto by Adelheide Wette Hänsel: Frederica von Stade (mezzo) Gretel: Ileana Cotrubaş (soprano) Mother: Christa Ludwig (mezzo) Father: Siegmund Nimsgern (baritone) The Sandman: Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) The Dew Fairy: Ruth Welting (soprano) The Witch: Elisabeth Söderström (soprano) Children’s chorus of the Cologne Opera Gürzenich Orchestra/John Pritchard rec. 1978, Erholungshaus, Leverkusen, Germany. ADD. CD 2 contains a PDF file with the libretto in German, English, French and Italian. SONY CLASSICAL S2K 96455 [61.22 + 46.20] [ED]

When it comes to the music however, this is a set without a weak link and it provides continual pleasure. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Madama Butterfly (1904) [135:29] Victoria de los Angeles (Madama Butterfly, soprano), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Pinkerton, tenor), Tito Gobbi (Sharpless, baritone), Anna Maria Canali (Suzuki, mezzo), Maria Huder (Kate Pinkerton, mezzo), Renato Ercolani (Goro and Prince Yamadori, tenor), Bruno Sbalchiero (Imperial Commissioner, bass), Arturo La Porta (Zio Bonzo, bass) Rome Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Gianandrea Gavazzeni rec. 1954 (no other information) La Bohème: Sì, mi chiamano Mimì [05:01], Donde lieta uscì [03:09] Victoria de los Angeles (soprano) Rome Opera Orchestra/Giuseppe Morelli, rec. 1954 REGIS RRC 2070 [69:12 + 74:27] [CH]

A thrilling and moving experience with no weak link … a classic set ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The War Symphonies: No. 4 in C minora (1935/6) [64'12]; No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47b (1937) [48'09]; No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54c (1939) [27'53]; No. 7 in C, Op. 60, 'Leningrad'd (1941) [78'50]; No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65e (1943) [63'16]; No. 9 in E flat, Op. 70c (1945) [25'45]. Kirov Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, dRotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra/Valery Gergiev. DDD PHILIPS 470 841-2 [5 CDs] [CC]

A must for all students of Shostakovich. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Pulcinella* (1920) [36:22] The Fairy’s Kiss** (1928) [42:01] Diana Montague, (mezzo)* Robin Leggate, (tenor)* Mark Beesley, (bass)* Philharmonia Orchestra/Robert Craft * London Symphony Orchestra/ Robert Craft ** rec. Abbey Road Studio No.1, London, 3-5 January 1995 (The Fairy’s Kiss), 31 January and 1 February 1997 (Pulcinella). DDD NAXOS 8.557503 [78:23] [DC]

This CD attracts another unhesitating recommendation and collectors should add it to the Stravinsky/Craft section on their shelves. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sir Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) Concerto for Double String Orchestra (1938-39) [22.25] Little Music for String Orchestra (1946) [10.59] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Five Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’ (1939) [11.12] Partita for Double String Orchestra (1946-48) [20.21] English Sinfonia/John Farrer rec. 23, 27 November 1995, Walthamstow Town Hall, London (Concerto); May 1992, Henry Wood Hall, London (Little Music); 1-2 July 1996, St Giles Cripplegate, London (Vaughan Williams) SANCTUARY CLASSICS CD RSN 3057 [65.11] [DC]

A welcome collection of interesting and attractive pieces for strings. These yield little or nothing to more expensive versions ... see Full Review
 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The John Browning Edition 4 Volumes See review for details MSR CLASSICS MS 1120-3 [63.59]

A heart-warming selection and shows just what a powerful and impressive musician he was. Gives a strong insight into the younger Browning’s sensitive musicianship. ... 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


We are grateful to clipart.com for some of the special graphics used on these pages



PREVIOUS CLASSICAL
CD REVIEWS

Editor Rob Barnett  

 FILM MUSIC
CD REVIEWS

Editor Ian Lace

BUY
your CDs on-line and benefit this site

Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed in reviews or articles on this site are those of the author and  do not necessarily represent the views of the site owner, Len Mullenger or the Editors.  Reviewers and authors retain copyright in their work unless it has been paid for or commissioned by the site owner.



Return to Front page