MusicWeb International One of the most grown-up review sites around 2024
60,000 reviews
... and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here Acte Prealable Polish CDs
 

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


Some items
to consider

new MWI
Current reviews

old MWI
pre-2023 reviews

paid for
advertisements

Acte Prealable Polish recordings

Forgotten Recordings
Forgotten Recordings
All Forgotten Records Reviews

TROUBADISC
Troubadisc Weinberg- TROCD01450

All Troubadisc reviews


FOGHORN Classics

Alexandra-Quartet
Brahms String Quartets

All Foghorn Reviews


All HDTT reviews


Songs to Harp from
the Old and New World


all Nimbus reviews



all tudor reviews


Follow us on Twitter


Editorial Board
MusicWeb International
Founding Editor
   
Rob Barnett
Editor in Chief
John Quinn
Contributing Editor
Ralph Moore
Webmaster
   David Barker
Postmaster
Jonathan Woolf
MusicWeb Founder
   Len Mullenger




Advertising on
Musicweb


Donate and keep us afloat

 

New Releases

Naxos Classical
All Naxos reviews

Hyperion recordings
All Hyperion reviews

Foghorn recordings
All Foghorn reviews

Troubadisc recordings
All Troubadisc reviews



all Bridge reviews


all cpo reviews

Divine Art recordings
Click to see New Releases
Get 10% off using code musicweb10
All Divine Art reviews


All Eloquence reviews

Lyrita recordings
All Lyrita Reviews

 

Wyastone New Releases
Obtain 10% discount

Subscribe to our free weekly review listing

 

Alphabetical Listing

PART 2
A-B

[Click here for the most recent reviews (last five days)]
Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[Recommended recordings]

 

Gregorio ALLEGRI (1582–1652) Miserere Mei; Missa ‘Vidi turbam magnam’; De ore prudentis; Repleti sunt omnes; Cantate Domino; Miserere Mei A Sei Voci/Berard Fabre-Garrus rec. 1993 NAIVE E8909 [61.37][RH]

As a fine exploration of Allegri’s talents this disc is highly recommendable. ... see Full Review

Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Symphonies 1 & 2, Variations on a theme of Tchaikovsky State Academic SO/Evgeny Svetlanov SVET 001031
Suites 1 & 2, Egyptian Nights suite State Academic SO/Evgeny Svetlanov SVET 002032
Suite 3, Fantasia, overtures State Academic SO/Evgeny Svetlanov SVET 003033 [JW]

Arensky and Svetlanov admirers will love these performances ... see Full Review

Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Piano Trio see RACHMANINOFF

Sir Malcom ARNOLD (1921-2006) Beckus the Dandipratt, Fantasy on a Theme of John Field, Concerto for Two Pianos, Concerto for Piano Duet Phillip Dyson, Kevin Sargent (pianos); Ulster O/Esa Heikkilä rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570531 [BW]

Two mainstream Arnold works and two little-known but worthwhile pieces.  The Three-hand Concerto comes close to rivalling the performance by its dedicatees and the whole CD is very worthwhile ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) Brandenburg Concertos European Brandenburg Ensemble/Trevor Pinnock rec. Sheffield City Hall / Henry Wood Hall, London – December 2006 / September 2007 AVIE AV2119 [51:49 + 42:34] [JL]

A delight if you like the Pinnock approach and a distinct improvement over its predecessor. ... see Full Review

Johann Christoph Friedrich BACH (1732–1795) Trios & sonatas Camerata Köln rec. 2004 CPO 7770872 [JV]

JCF Bach - a slight reputation. He deserves better as this splendid chamber music disc shows ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685–1750) The Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin: Vol. 2 Jacqueline Ross (violin) rec. 2006 GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 359 [78:39][JV]

Overall an impressive interpretation of three of Bach's solos for the violin, despite some shortcomings ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Mass in B minor Johannette Zomer, Dorothee Mields (soprano) Matthew White (counter-tenor) Charles Daniels (tenor) Peter Harvey (bass) Netherlands Bach Society/Jos van Veldhoven rec. 2006 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA25007 [JV]

Good performance, but not top-notch due to some shortcomings and inconsistencies … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1785-1850) Mass in B minor Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 2007 BIS SACD 1701/02 [52.58 + 54:33][JFL]

Among the handful of best recordings made, regardless of style ... see Full Review

Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910) Grand Fantasia on Russian Folksongs; Thirty Songs of the Russian People Joseph Banowetz (piano) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Konstantin Krimets rec. 2004-6 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0018 [79:28][RB]

Early bel canto Balakirev and folk music sung and played freshly with earthy resonance ... see Full Review

Sir Granville BANTOCK (1868–1946) Omar Khayyám - The Ruba’iyat according to Edward Fitzgerald set to Music for Three Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orchestra in Three Parts (1906-1909) cond.Vernon Handley
rec. 2005/2007 Three CDs for the price of two CHANDOS CHSA 5051(3) [3 CDs: 58:14 + 73:08 + 40:09] [JL]

A most rewarding joy ... see Full Review

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Prayers of Kierkegaard Bela BARTOK (1881-1945) Cantata Profana Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Dona Nobis Pacem Atlanta SO & Ch/Robert Shaw rec. 1997 TELARC CD80479 [RB]

Three grand choral works - superb in the Barber and Bartok – a shade less so in the RVW ... see Full Review

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Duke Bluebeard’s Castle Gustáv Beláček, Andrea Meláth, Bournemouth SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2007 NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660928  [DM]

This outwardly restrained performance burns with a slow, steady flame that is impossible to ignore ... see Full Review

Bela BARTOK (1881-1945) Cantata Profana see BARBER

Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Violin Sonata 2, Ballad, Legend, Sonata movements Laurence Jackson (violin) Ashley Wass (piano) rec. 2004 NAXOS 8.570094 [IL]

Committed and thoughtful performances of some of Bax’s most deeply-felt music ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Concerto Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) Violin Concerto Jascha Heifetz (violin); New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/Dmitri Mitropoulos & New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini rec. 1936-56 IDIS 6528 [75:04][BBr]

This might not be the Beethoven and Brahms we are used to, but it is the fiddling we desire ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonatas Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 & 8 Arthur Grumiaux (violin); Claudio Arrau (piano) rec. 1975-6 PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 4428302 [60:21 + 66:45][JW]

Not a meeting of musical minds ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas op. 2 Maurizio Pollini rec. 2006 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4776594 [CH]

Vital and explosive but too one-sided to offer real competition ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas Volume III John O’Conor rec. 1988 TELARC CD80185 [BW]

Straightforward performances, very slightly understated in places ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827) Fidelio - highlights Chorus of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin; Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan rec. 1970 CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 3933672 [58:55][GF]

Karajan’s dynamic extremes may be a little too much for some but the singing is first class ... see Full Review

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) La Sonnambula Orchestra and Chorus of the Lyon Opera/Evelino Pido rec. 2006 VIRGIN CLASSICS 3951382 [77.53 + 52.33][RJF]

A rare chance to hear contemporary opera singers in a well-balanced studio recording of the new critical edition ... see Full Review

Georges BIZET (1838–1875) Les Pêcheurs de Perles Annick Massis (soprano); Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro La Fenice di Venezia/Marcello Viotti rec. 2004 DYNAMIC 33459 [122:00][RM]

An Annick Massis gem ... see Full Review

Sir Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Morning Heroes Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) War Requiem Royal Liverpool PO & Ch/Sir Charles Groves (Bliss), CBSO & Ch/Sir Simon Rattle (Britten) rec. 1974/83 EMI CLASSICS BRITISH COMPOSERS 5059092 [EMc]

Bliss: inspired, deeply-felt, memorable. Britten: a fascinating and fresh performance ... see Full Review

Sir Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Music for Strings (1935) [26:36] Meditations on a Theme by John Blow (1955) [33:39] A Prayer to the Infant Jesus for unaccompanied women’s voices* (1968) [5:38] City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Hugo Rignold Ambrosian Singers/Philip Ledger* rec. January 1966, Kingsway Hall, London (except A Prayer to the Infant Jesus) LYRITA SRCD.254 [65:59] [MC]

A dark and serious score with dense textures that are superbly brought out ... see Full Review

William BOLCOM (b.1938) Complete Works for Cello Capriccio; Cello Suite No.1; Décalage; Dark Music; Cello Sonata Norman  Fischer (cello); Jeanne Kierman (piano); Andrea Moore (timpani) rec. 2006 NAXOS 8.559348 [67:22][DC]

A straight and uncomplicated recommendation for fans of both Bolcom and the cello. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) Violin Concerto see BEETHOVEN

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra; Clarinet Quintet Renaud Capuçon (violin); Gautier Capuçon  (cello); Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester/Myung-Whun Chung rec. 2007 VIRGIN CLASSICS 3951472 [72:21][KS]

There is but one word to describe this kind of music-making: perfect ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Variations on a Theme of Haydn see SCHUMANN

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Works for Piano Duo Sonata for Two Pianos, op.34b Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quintet Begoña Uriarte; Karl-Hermann Mrongovius (pianos) rec. 2006 ARTS MUSIC 47597-2 [70:35][JFL]

A recording that was "dead on arrival" ... see Full Review

Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972) Symphony No. 2; Festival Fanfare Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Tony Rowe rec. 1996 NAXOS 8.570506 [55:12][DW]

Brian was a unique force in British music … connoisseurs of off-the-beaten-track music will find much to enthral them here … see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Suite for solo cello No. 3 see TAVENER

Leo BROUWER (b. 1939) La ciudad de las columnas, Viaje a la semilla, Nuevos estudios sencillos, Antigua Manuel SAUMELL (1817-1870) 8 Contradanzas (arr. Leo Brouwer) Joaquin CLERCH (b. 1965) Yemaya Graham Anthony Devine (guitar) rec. 2006 NAXOS 8.570251 [BBr]

The Brouwer works are what matter on this disk – well worth investigating ... see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 5 Munich PO/Sergiu Celibidache rec. live 1993 EMI CLASSICS 5566912 [CH]

A timeless monument to two great musicians – Bruckner and Celibidache ... see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 9 (w/rehearsal extracts) Munich PO/Sergiu Celibidache rec. live 1995 EMI CLASSICS 5566992 [CH]

A unique but extreme example of Celibidache’s art in his final years ... see Full Review

Julius BURGER (1897-1995) Stille der Nacht for baritone and orchestra (c.1919) [10:55] ¹ Scherzo for strings (1939) [5:02] Cello Concerto (1938) [32:14] ² Variations on a Theme of Karl [Carl] Philipp Emanuel Bach (c.1945) [19:03] Legende for baritone and orchestra (c.1919) [12:43] ¹ Michael Krauss (baritone) ¹ Maya Beiser (cello) ² Radio Symphonie Orchester, Berlin/Simone Young rec. Jesus-Christus Kirche, Berlin, September 1994 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0001 [78:23] [JW]

A composer well worth getting to know, especially in performances as expert as these ... see Full Review

George BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916) Two English Idylls, The Banks of Green Willow, A ‘Shropshire Lad’ Rhapsody Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930) An Old Song for small orchestra Patrick HADLEY (1899-1973) One Morning in Spring - Rhapsody for small orchestra Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Procession, Merry-eye, Elegy for viola, string quartet and string orchestra, Music for a Prince London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult * Herbert Downes (viola); Desmond Bradley, Gillian Eastwood (violins); Albert Cayzer (viola); Norman Jones (cello) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1975-1985 ADD LYRITA SRCD.245 [68.46] [EM]

Lush and passionate performances of the most wonderful English miniature masterpieces! ... see Full Review

Dieterich BUXTEHUDE (c.1637-1707) Die Choralfantasien Volume 1 Pier Damiano Peretti, organ, rec. 2006 IFO ORG7224.2 [46:05] Dieterich BUXTEHUDE (c.1637-1707) Die Choralfantasien Volume 2 Pier Damiano Peretti, organ, rec. 2006 IFO ORG7224.3 [46:54][ME]

Among the most interesting, intelligent and beautiful recordings of the choral fantasies by Buxtehude available ... see Full Review

William BYRD (c.1540-1623) My Ladye Nevells Booke Elizabeth Farr (harpsichord) rec. August 2006 NAXOS 8.570139-41 [3 CDs: 78:01 + 76:04 + 70:46][GH]

Wonderful performances by Elizabeth Farr but she arpeggiates chords too often and to such an extent that this can on occasion compromise the pulse. ... see Full Review

William BYRD (1539/40-1623) The Tallis Scholars sing William Byrd Includes: Masses for 3, 4 & 5 voices, Tristitia et anxietas, The Great Service The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. 1983-2002 GIMELL CDGIM208 [MG]

Beautifully sung, cleanly phrased, finely balanced, revealing spirituality and poignancy … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH William BYRD (1539/40-1623) Second Service & Consort Anthems The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford/Bill Ives. rec. 2006 HARMONIA MUNDI USA HMU907440 [71:05][MG]

This CD excels in many ways; most of all in the revelation that this is music of feeling ... see Full Review

 


[Click here for the most recent reviews (last five days)]
Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
[Recommended recordings]


e preferred the "nothing" option,



EXPLORE MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

Making a Donation to MusicWeb

Writing CD reviews for MWI

About MWI
Who we are, where we have come from and how we do it.

Site Map

How to find a review

How to find articles on MusicWeb
Listed in date order

Review Indexes
   By Label
      Select a label and all reviews are listed in Catalogue order
   By Masterwork
            Links from composer names (eg Sibelius) are to resource pages with links to the review indexes for the individual works as well as other resources.

Themed Review pages

Jazz reviews

 

Discographies
   Composer
      Composer surveys
   National
      Unique to MusicWeb -
a comprehensive listing of all LP and CD recordings of given works
.
Prepared by Michael Herman

The Collector’s Guide to Gramophone Company Record Labels 1898 - 1925
Howard Friedman

Book Reviews

Complete Books
We have a number of out of print complete books on-line

Interviews
With Composers, Conductors, Singers, Instumentalists and others
Includes those on the Seen and Heard site

Nostalgia

Nostalgia CD reviews

Records Of The Year
Each reviewer is given the opportunity to select the best of the releases

Monthly Best Buys
Recordings of the Month and Bargains of the Month

Comment
Arthur Butterworth Writes

An occasional column

Phil Scowcroft's Garlands
British Light Music articles

Classical blogs
A listing of Classical Music Blogs external to MusicWeb International

Reviewers Logs
What they have been listening to for pleasure

Announcements

 

Community
Bulletin Board

Give your opinions or seek answers

Reviewers
Past and present

Helpers invited!

Resources
How Did I Miss That?

Currently suspended but there are a lot there with sound clips


Composer Resources

British Composers

British Light Music Composers

Other composers

Film Music (Archive)
Film Music on the Web (Closed in December 2006)

Programme Notes
For concert organizers

External sites
British Music Society
The BBC Proms
Orchestra Sites
Recording Companies & Retailers
Online Music
Agents & Marketing
Publishers
Other links
Newsgroups
Web News sites etc

PotPourri
A pot-pourri of articles

MW Listening Room
MW Office

Advice to Windows Vista users  
Questionnaire    
Site History  
What they say about us
What we say about us!
Where to get help on the Internet
CD orders By Special Request
Graphics archive
Currency Converter
Dictionary
Magazines
Newsfeed  
Web Ring
Translation Service

Rules for potential reviewers :-)
Do Not Go Here!
April Fools




Untitled Document


Reviews from previous months
Join the mailing list and receive a hyperlinked weekly update on the discs reviewed. details
We welcome feedback on our reviews. Please use the Bulletin Board
Please paste in the first line of your comments the URL of the review to which you refer.