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             


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



Error processing SSI file
Alphabetical Listing

Recommendations

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]



RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert ALDRIDGE (b. 1954) Elmer Gantry Soloists, Milwaukee SO/William Boggs rec. 2010 NAXOS 8.669032-33 [69:24 + 72:14] [GF]

Totally captivating.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Organ Transcriptions Martin Schmeding (organ) rec. 2011 ARS PRODUKTION ARS 38109 [75:19] [DC]

Superb release in every regard. An all-round organ hit release. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Complete Symphonies Royal Flemish Philharmonic/Philippe Herreweghe rec. 2004-09 PENTATONE PTC 5186 312 [5 discs: 5:36.49] [ST]

Combines the best of the old with the best of the new amid a wonderful clarity of the sound. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet Aaron Jay KERNIS (b. 1960) String Quartet Jasper Qt rec. 2011 SONO LUMINUS DSL-92142 [71:12] [BR]

The Jasper Quartet gives off joyous energy like sparks. Don’t miss this album.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Luis de BRICEÑO (fl early 17th C) El Fenix de Paris Le Poème Harmonique/Vincent Dumestre rec. 2011 ALPHA 182 [71:08] [JV]

One of the most original and exciting discs I have heard recently.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Violin Concerto, Double Concerto, Lachrymae Anthony Marwood (violin), Lawrence Power (viola) BBC Scottish SO/Ilan Volkov rec. 2011 HYPERION CDA67801 [64:18] [MG]

Distinctive soloists matched by sensitively weighted, varying orchestral presence.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Complete Waltzes and Impromptus Vladimir Feltsman (piano) rec. 2-3 June, 2010, DDD NIMBUS NI 6184 [70:28] [RMo]

This goes straight to the top of my list of favourite Chopin CDs.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1906-1975) Complete Orchestral Works for track listing see end of review Orchestre National de Lyon/Jun Märkl rec. 2007-2011 NAXOS 8.509002 [9 CDs: 9:08.49] [PCG]

Important for its completeness but it has other claims to our attention as well.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton EBERL (1765-1807) Trio, Potpourri en Trio, Grand Sextet Trio Van Hengel; Alida Schat (violin) Vappu Helasvuo (viola) Bart Aerbeydt (horn) rec. 2009/10 RAMEE RAM1103 [69:15] [Byz]

This really is excellent music: as deep as it is broad, brimming with vigour, poetry, harmony and brilliance.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sofia GUBAIDULINA (b. 1931) The Lyre of Orpheus, The Canticle of the Sun Gidon Kremer (violin) Marta Sudraba (cello) Kremerata Baltica Nicolas Altstaedt (cello) Andrei Pushkarev, Rihards Zalupe (percussion) Rostislav Krimer (celesta) Riga Chamber Ch/Mãris Sirmaisrec. 2006-2010 ECM NEW SERIES 2256 [69.07] [GH]

No praise can be too high.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Choral Works The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/Stephen Layton Simon Bland and Jeremy Cole (organ) 2011, DDD Original texts and English translations included HYPERION CDA67914 [64:09][JQ]

A most distinguished release of glorious music by Herbert Howells, superbly performed.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe MARTUCCI (1856-1909) Piano Concerto 1, La canzone dei ricordi Gesualdo Coggi (piano) Silvia Pasini (mezzo) Roma SO/Francesco La Vecchia rec.2007/8 NAXOS 8.570931 [67:53] [CH]

On this showing La Vecchia was born to conduct Martucci. A masterly, even great, vocal performance from Silvia Pasini.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH NEIDHART (c.1185-c.1240) A Minnesinger and his 'Vale of Tears' : Songs and Interludes Ensemble Leones rec. 2010 NAXOS 8.572449 [64:39] [Byz]

Peerless musicianship.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Francis POTT (b. 1957) In The Heart Of Things Grace Davidson (soprano) Commotio/Matthew Berry rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.572739 [66.58] [PCG]

A most beautiful disc of some absolutely beautiful music.

RECORDING OF THe MONTH Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Le festin de l’araignée, Pâdmavatî suites Royal Scottish Ntl O/Stéphane Denève rec. 2010 NAXOS 8.572243 [54:42] [BR]

As sad as it is that this Naxos series had to end, the final volume is just as glorious as the first four.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann SCHELLE (1648 - 1701) Sacred Music The King's Consort/Robert King rec. 2000, Texts and translations included HYPERION HELIOS CDH55373 [78:54] [JV]


If you didn’t get this recording when first released this is your chance to make up for lost time. Don't miss it.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphonies 1-3 Netherlands Radio PO & Ch/Mark Wigglesworth rec. 2006/10 BIS-SACD-1603 [81:13] [DM]

A triumph for all concerned.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Seven Preludes, Viola Sonata, Five Pieces from The Gadfly Lawrence Power (viola); Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano) rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA 67865 [57.05] [PCG]

Absolutely essential for the Viola Sonata but the Gadfly pieces make a superb additional cause for heartfelt recommendation.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Rake’s Progress Miah Persson (soprano) Topi Lehtipuu (tenor) Matthew Rose (baritone) Glyndebourne Ch, London PO/Vladimir Jurowski rec. 2010 OPUS ARTE OA1062D [140:00 (opera) + 19:00 (extras)] [WH]

A brilliant performance of an opera like no other, in a classic Glyndebourne production.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Der Tag des Gerichts, Die Donnerode, Der Herr ist König Barbara Schlick, Harry van der Kamp Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 1990/92 CAPRICCIO C5098 [70:45 + 65:30] [JV]

This set is a must for every Telemann fan. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH From the Old World to the New Songs by Loeffler, Brahms, Bridge & Copland Karina Lucas (mezzo) Rebecca Jones (viola) Simon Lane (piano) rec. 2009 SONIMAGE SON11101 [76:05] [SA]

A true partnership of equals.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH A Musical Journey - Norway Featuring music of Edvard Grieg NAXOS 2.110274 [55.57] [RJF]

A winner for all lovers of Grieg’s music, and his captivating country, alongside spectacular photography. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH A Musical Odyssey in St Petersburg Renée Fleming (soprano) Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone) Ivari Ulja, Olga Kern (piano) State Hermitage O/Constantine Orbelian rec. 2009 DECCA 074 3383 [91:00 + 23:00 (bonus)] [RJF]

A must for every lover of fine singing in wonderful venues in a magnificent city. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Orlando Furioso Madrigals on the poem by Ludovico Ariosto La Compagnia del Madrigale/Giuseppe Maletto rec. 2009/10 ARCANA A363 [69:49]  [JV]

The repertoire on this disc is of supreme quality, and so are the performances. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Songs of the Baltic Sea National Youth Choir of Great Britain/Mike Brewer rec. 2010 DELPHIAN DCD34052 [76:59] [JQ]

A disc that confirms and enhances the National Youth Choir’s reputation for excellence and enterprise.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH A Song of Farewell Music of Mourning and Consolation Gabrieli Consort/Paul McCreesh 2009 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD281 [75:56] [JQ]

A disc of great distinction.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sublime Discourses The Complete Instrumental Music of John Milton and Martin Peerson Fretwork; Michael Chance (alto) Sophie Yates (virginals) rec. 2009/10 REGENT RECORDS REGCD341 [61:34] [JV]

This disc should receive the full attention of all who are interested in the music of the English renaissance.

 

 


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]


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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.