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Alphabetical Listing

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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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]

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James MacMILLAN (b. 1959) Three Interludes from “The Sacrifice” (2007) [14:28] Quickening (1998) [45:37] The Hilliard Ensemble City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus/Simon Halsey BBC Philharmonic/James MacMillan rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 3 March 2007 and 22 February 2008. CHANDOS SACD CHSA 5072 [60:05] [KS]

Challenging new music worthy of repeated hearing. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 6 Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Metamorphosen New PO/John Barbirolli rec. 1967 EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 2126902 [48:41 + 62:44] [JFL]

Barbirolli’s most interesting Mahler recording ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860–1911) Symphony 8 Christine Brewer, Soile Isokoski, London SCh City of Birmingham SO & Ch/Sir Simon Rattle rec. live, 2004 EMI CLASSICS 2285292 [77.36] [AS]

A superb rendition of a great masterpiece well captured ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4 see MOZART

Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Polyptyque Six Images de la Passion du Christ; Maria-Triptychon; Passacaille German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra/Christoph Poppen rec. 2006 ECM NEW SERIES ECM2015 1733930 [57:57][BW] 

Frank Martin would be justly proud ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Nipponari – Seven songs to Japanese lyrical poetry for female voice and small orchestra (The Blue Hour; Old Age; A Memory; Life in Dreams; Footsteps in the Snow; A Look Back; By the Sacred Lake) H68 (1912) [21:35] Magic Nights (Kouzelné noci) – Three songs to Chinese texts for soprano and orchestra H119 (In a Foreign Land; Untouched by Spring; The Mysterious Flute) (words by Li Tai-Po, Chang Yo-Su, transl. Hans Bethge) (1918) [15:19] Czech Rhapsody (Česká rapsodie)* – Cantata for baritone, mixed choir, organ and orchestra H118 (1918) [36:11] Dagmar Pecková (soprano); Ľubica Rybárska (soprano); Ivan Kusnjer (baritone) Kühn Mixed Choir/Pavel Kühn Prague Symphony Orchestra/Jiří Bělohlávek Rhapsody rec. 1985/1988 . DDD SUPRAPHON SU 3956-2 [73:23] [RB]

Delightful early Martinů – fragile beauty and patriotic fervour ... see Full Review

Joseph MARX (1882-1964) Eine Frühlingsmusik; Idylle; Feste Im Herbst Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien/Johannes Wildner rec. 2007 CPO 7773202 [63:06] [RB]

Three lush but lucid nature portraits ... see Full Review

Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Zanetto Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni (soprano) Romina Basso (mezzo) Savona SO/Bruno Aprea Includes recital by Gavazzeni & interviews rec. live, 2003 KICCO CLASSIC KCOU9005 [c.91:00] [CH]

A stopgap to hint that there could be a really fine opera awaiting discovery ... see Full Review 

Colin MATTHEWS (b. 1946) Pluto – The Renewer see HOLST

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Complete Symphonies New Philharmonia Chorus, Helen Donath (soprano), Rotraud Hansmann (soprano), Waldemar Kmentt (tenor) New Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus,Wolfgang Sawallisch rec. 1967 Licensed from Decca Complete String Symphonies Amsterdam Sinfonietta/Lev Markiz rec. 1994-1996, Licensed from BIS BRILLIANT CLASSICS 93777 [07:32:00] [ST]

Unmissable. Invest with confidence. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) String Quartet Op.80 Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quintet James Tocco (piano); Alexander String Quartet FOGHORN CLASSICS ASQ1983 [57:35][JW]

A rewarding brace of performances ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) A Tribute to Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy 9 Songs without Words, Rondo Capriccioso, Variations Sérieuses, Piano Concerto in A minor Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort (piano) Camerata Con Cor(d)e String O/Alain Roelant rec. 2008 PHAEDRA CLASSICS 292019 [70:27] [MC]

Splendid playing promises much for a future that looks exceedingly rosy ... see Full Review

Johann MATTHESON (1681-1764) Keyboard Suites Colin Booth (harpsichord) rec. 2007 SOUNDBOARD SBCD208 [76:06 + 77:19] [BW]

Attractive music spanning varied moods, well played and recorded ... see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567–1643) Vespro della Beata Vergine Arnold Schoenberg Choir; Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt rec. 1986 DAS ALTE WERK 2564694648 [45.47 + 49.03][RH]

Entirely fails to convince ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphonies 29, 35 & 38-41 Philharmonia O, New PO/Otto Klemperer rec. 1956-65 EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3458102 [79:00 + 75:29] [SV] 

A necessary counterweight to lighter, chamber-scaled performances ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Serenade K203, Colloredo; Divertimento K251 etc. Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Alexander Janiczek (violin) rec. 2008 LINN RECORDS CKD320 [64:05][MG]

Sheer, straightforward enjoyment … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Serenade for 13 wind instruments, “Gran Partita” Alban BERG (1885-1935) Chamber Concerto Mitsuko Uchida (piano); Christian Tetzlaff (violin); Ensemble Intercontemporain/Pierre Boulez rec. 2008 DECCA 4780316 [79:49][MSJ]

Intriguingly paired Mozart and Berg ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Late Piano Sonatas Zeynep Ucbasaran (piano) rec. 2008 EROICA JDT3404 [58:11 & 60:16] [CH]

Excellent overall, but K.333 and K.570 are exceptional ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail Laura Aikin, Edgaras Montvidas, Netherlands CO/Constantinos Carydis rec. live, 2008 OPUS ARTE OA1003D [214:00] [ST]

A Seraglio to make you think ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni Overture Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 4 Dame Felicity Lott (soprano) BBC Nthn SO/Kurt Sanderling rec. 1978 BBC LEGENDS BBCL42482 [60:40] [JQ]

Admirers of Mahler or of Kurt Sanderling should hear this CD ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Le nozze di Figaro Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra/Vittorio Gui rec. 1953 EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 2126812 [3 CDs: 70:43 + 73:08 + 76:14][GF]

A classic set that is worth anyone’s money ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Donna - Opera and Concert Arias Diana Damrau (soprano) Le Cercle de L’Harmonie/Jérémie Rhorer rec. 2008 VIRGIN CLASSICS 2120232 [73:21] [GF]

Some reservations but there is a lot to admire here ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1891) Piano Sonatas see HAYDN

Nikolai MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Symphonies Nos. 23 & 24 Russian Federation Academic SO/Evgeny Svetlanov rec. 1991-93 ALTO ALC1024 [72:36] [RB] 

Two wartime symphonies – one stirringly heroic; the other folksy ... see Full Review

Johann NESTROY (1801-1862) and Carl BINDER (1816-1860) Tannhäuser in 80 Minuten Robert Meyer (actor and singer); Neue Wiener Concert Schrammeln rec. 2008 PHOENIX EDITION 804 [85:00][GF]

A highly entertaining performance ... see Full Review

Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) La Belle Hélène Les Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski rec. 2000 ARTHAUS 107000 [127:00 (opera); 26:00 (interviews)] [ST]

Tremendous fun ... see Full Review

George ONSLOW (1784-1853) Violin Sonatas Op. 16 Nos. 1-3 Ilia Korol (violin); Norbert Zeilberger (fortepiano) rec. 2007 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72196 [75:24][MC] 

Rare Onslow … fascinating and splendidly performed ... see Full Review

Alexandër PEÇI The Broken Song Mariana Leka (soprano); Rovena Kureta (soprano); Rikard Ljarja (speaker); Ensemble Spectrum; AMRA Ensemble/Zhani Ciko rec. 2000, DDD LABOR RECORDS LAB 7065 [57:39] [BBr]

Insufficient musical interest here ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Piano Concerto No. 3 Martha Argerich (piano); Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal/Charles Dutoit rec. 1997 EMI CLASSICS 2285312 [70:12][LW] 

Cause for celebration ... see Full Review

Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Lieutenant Kije suite, Dreams, Andante, Autumnal, The Stone Flower suite Scottish Ntl O/Neeme Järvi rec. 1985/9 CHANDOS CHAN10481X [78:42] [TH]

Another excellent budget reissue … very desirable ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891 – 1953) Ode to the End of the War see RIMSKY–KORSAKOV

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) My Puccini - Angela Gheorghiu Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) rec. 1999-2004 EMI CLASSICS 2174412 [75:26 + 66:44][RJF]

Well if not uniformly outstandingly sung ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème Giuseppe Di Stefano, Maria Callas, Ch & O Teatro alla Scala di Milano/Antonino Votto rec. 1956 NAXOS 8.111332-33 [79.02 + 76.23] [RMo]

A lot of great music on offer here ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Turandot Maria Callas, Eugenio Fernandi, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Ch & O Teatro alla Scala di Milano/Tullio Serafin rec. 1957 NAXOS 8.111334-35 [77:26 + 41:16] [RMo]

First choice remains with the Mehta ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Mr Henry Purcell’s Most Admirable Composures James Bowman (counter-tenor) The King’s Consort/Robert King rec. Radley College, Oxfordshire, England, 9-10 April, 1988. DDD. Texts included. HYPERION HELIOS CDH55303 [57:55] [BW]

Hard to imagine this music better interpreted ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Complete Sacred Music – Anthems, Services and Devotional Songs Full contents at the end of the review Booklet with notes and texts. HYPERION CDS44141-51 [11 CDs: 738:56] [BW]

An essential purchase for Purcell year and well beyond ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Dido and Aeneas Collegium Musicum 90/Richard Hickox rec. 1995 WARNER 882223 [55:58] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Dido and Aeneas Aeneas Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin/Attilio Cremonesi rec. 2005 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101311 [97:53][MG]

Hickox: sensitive but sober, Cremonesi: vibrant but the choreography dominates … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Leif Ove Andsnes (piano); Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonio Pappano rec. 2005 EMI CLASSICS 5181842 [58:30][JW]

Powerfully shaped readings – rewarding and enticing ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943) Symphony 1 see RIMSKY–KORSAKOV

Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Castor et Pollux Chorus of De Nederlandse Opera; Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset rec. 2008 OPUS ARTE OA0999D [2 DVDs: 155:00][BW] 

Everything here is just about right ... see Full Review

Rolf RIEHM (b. 1937) 1.Aprikosenbäume gibt es, aprikosenbäume gibt es (2004) [29:27] 2. Ahi bocca, ahi lingua (1991/1994) [16:15] 3. Schlaf, schlaf, John Donne... (1997) [19:20] Theo Nabicht (bass clarinet); Ensemble Ascolta (1); Hilliard Ensemble (2); Ensemble Recherche (3). rec. Kleine Sendesaal des WDR, Köln, 19, 21 December 2006 (1), and 24 April 1994 (2). Experimentalstudio Freiburg, 26 March 1998 (3). CYBELE SACD 860.701 [65:04] [DC]

Attracted by the promise of apricot sweetness - this can be bitter fruit. ... see Full Review

Ferdinand RIES (1784-1838) Die Könige in Israel Nele Gramß, Gerhild Romberger, Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 2005 CPO 777 221-2 [53:33 + 56:20] [JV]

Musically enthralling oratorio in an outstanding performance ... see Full Review

Nikolai RIMSKY–KORSAKOV (1844 – 1908) Russian Easter Festival Overture Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943) Symphony 1 Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891 – 1953) Ode to the End of the War BBC SO/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky rec. 1978/79 BBC LEGENDS BBCL42332 [68:46] [BBr]

He brought out the very best in his players ... see Full Review

Edwin ROXBURGH (b. 1937) Oboe Music Study 1, Aulodie, Images, Eclissi, Antares, Elegy, Cantilena Christopher Redgate (oboe, oboe d’amore); Stephen Robbings (piano) Ensemble Exposé/Roger Redgate rec. 2008 METIER MSV28508 [66:08] [HC]

A very fine disc ... see Full Review

 

 


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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


 



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