MusicWeb reviewers select their Recordings of the Year
Reviewers were allowed a totally free choice. They were not restricted
to discs they had reviewed.
PART TWO Part
1
Click on cover to read a full review
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John
Quinn |
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Mother
and Child Jonathan
DOVE (b.1959): Seek him that maketh the seven
stars (1995) [6’28"] Francis
POTT (b.1957): The souls of the righteous (2000)*
[9’34"] Giles SWAYNE
(b.1946): Magnificat (1982) [4’05"] John
TAVENER (b.1944): Mother and child (2003)* [12’44]
Alexander L’ESTRANGE (b.1974):
Lute-book lullaby* [4’17"] Jeremy
FILSELL (b.1964): O be joyful in the lord* [2’16"]
Richard Rodney BENNETT
(b.1936): The seasons of his mercies [6’23"] Francis
POTT: My song is love unknown (2002)* [17’31"]
William Kendall (tenor) Andrew Busher (tenor) Carys Lane
(soprano) Jeremy Filsell (organ) _files/smallredball.gif) Tenebrae
directed by Nigel Short Recorded in the Temple Church, London
4-7 March 2003 * first recording SIGNUM
SIGCD501 [63’22"]
This
outstanding CD of twentieth century British choral music
came my way in the summer. I suspected then that it would
be one of my recordings of the year and so it has proved
to be. Indeed, by a short head it is my Recording of the
Year for 2003. The music on the disc is all first-rate and
is performed with stunning virtuosity by Nigel Short and
his handpicked choir. A few weeks after I submitted my review
I had the good fortune to hear Tenebrae in concert in the
wonderful surroundings of Tewkesbury Abbey. They included
in their programme then the items on this disc by Giles
Swayne and Sir John Tavener.I can vouch that the choir is
as impressive and accurate ‘live’ as they are on disc. The
Tavener piece made a tremendous impression in a concert
performance and is superbly sung on the CD also. This marvellous
disc offers ample reassurance that eloquent and accessible
music is still being written today for the English Church.
JQ
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John
RUTTER (b. 1945) Requiem* (1985) [34’24"]
Arise, shine’** (1999) [4’40"] Come down, O Love Divine’
(1998) [6’51"] Musica Dei Donum’*** (1998) [5’50"]
A Clare Benediction’** (1998) [3’30"] Go forth into
the world in peace’** (1988) [2’42"] Toccata in 7*
(1974) [2’06"] Variations on an Easter Theme**** (1983)
[7’45"]
*Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano The Choir of Clare College,
Cambridge directed by Timothy Brown Members of the City
of London Sinfonia and Nicholas Rimmer (organ) **with Nicholas
Rimmer (organ) ***with Karen Jones (flute) ****Nicholas
Rimmer and Nicholas Collon (organ) Recorded in Douai Abbey,
Berkshire, England, July 2002
NAXOS 8.557130 [68’56"]
Another
splendid choral recording, just pipped by a whisker as my
Recording of the Year by the Tenebrae disc. This CD features
the first ever recording of the alternative, small ensemble
scoring of John Rutter’s moving and eloquent Requiem.
In my original review I weighed up the pros and cons of
this recording against the composer’s own in which he uses
the fuller orchestral version. There are points in favour
of both (excellent) recordings although the reduced scoring
produces a greater intimacy, which some collectors may prefer.
There is no doubt that this new recording is exceptionally
fine with the Clare College choir on top of their very considerable
form. A selection of shorter choral pieces and two organ
works complete a very desirable programme. This CD is another
feather in the Naxos cap and is urgently recommended.
JQ
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Ned
ROREM (b. 1923) Symphony No 1 (1950)* [22’11"]
Symphony No 2 (1956)* [22’20"] Symphony No 3 (1958)
[24’19"] * World première recordings
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by José Serebrier
Recorded in The Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, UK, 8-9 January
2003
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559149 [69’12"]
This
very enterprising disc celebrates the 80th birthday
of the American composer, Ned Rorem, which occurred in October
2003. It would be hard to imagine a better birthday present
to a composer. Rorem has become best known for his songs,
and deservedly so. However, it’s scandalous that these three
engaging and accessible symphonies have fallen into neglect
since each was first performed. Indeed, it would appear
that these recordings represent the first performances that
any of these symphonies has received for many years.
José
Serebrier and the Bournemouth players prove to be splendid
advocates of these important scores and I’m tremendously
impressed that Naxos has had the courage and discernment
to make recordings of them available to a wide audience.
Anyone who cares about the survival of the symphony in modern
times should hear these performances, which are presented
in first-rate sound. Excellent notes by the conductor, to
which the composer also has contributed, further enhance
the attractions of the release. Bravo, Naxos! Happy Birthday,
Ned Rorem.
JQ
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Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) 'Elias',
Op. 70 (1846-7) [128’12"] Christine
Schäfer (soprano); Cornelia Kallisch (alto); Michael Schade
(tenor); Wolfgang Schöne (baritone) Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart/Helmuth Rilling 'Paulus’,
Op. 36 (1834-6) [131’11"] Juliane
Banse (soprano); Ingeborg Danz (alto); Michael Schade (tenor);
Andreas Schmidt (bass) Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart Prager
Kammerchor Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Helmuth Rilling
Recorded: 3 – 7 July 1994, Liederhalle Stuttgart, Germany
(‘Elias’); 17 – 19 November 1994, Rudolfinum Dvořák
Hall, Prague (‘Paulus’)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99953
[65’16"+62’56"+72’25"+58’46"]
I’ve
reviewed several very fine performances by Helmuth Rilling
this year but these two would grace any collection. The
performances of both oratorios were originally issued by
Hänssler Classics and are worthy of comparison with the
finest available versions currently available. The solo
teams in both works are very strong. Wolfgang Schöne is
a committed and eloquent Elias, and among the other soloists
Michael Schade is especially praiseworthy. The choral singing
is consistently incisive, responsive and full-toned and
the orchestral contributions are equally impressive. Helmuth
Rilling evinces complete command of the structure of each
oratorio and directs dramatic and convincing performances.
The recorded sound is excellent throughout. One small drawback
is the absence of texts and translations but this should
not deter purchasers. At super budget price the set represents
outstanding value for money and as far as I’m concerned
it’s the Bargain of the Year.
JQ
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Mewton-Wood
plays Twentieth Century Piano Concertos Arthur
BLISS (1891-1975) Piano Concerto (1938-39) [37.36]
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Concerto for piano and wind instruments (1924) [20.06]
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings Op. 35 (1933)
[21.08] Noel
Mewton-Wood (piano) Harry Sevenstern (trumpet) (Shostakovich)
Utrecht Symphony Orchestra (Bliss); Residentie Orchestra,
The Hague (Stravinsky); Concert Hall Symphony Orchestra
Walter Goehr (conductor) rec. 1952 (Bliss, Stravinsky);
1953 (Shostakovich). mono. ADD Transferred by Bryan Crimp
from LPs drawn from the collection of Robert Milnes Financial
assistance from the Bliss Trust Originally issued as Concert
Hall LPs: CHS1167 (Bliss); CHS1160 (Stravinsky); CHSH4 (Shostakovich)
BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY HISTORIC BMS101CDH [79.00]
I
have been fortunate in receiving several significant historical
issues to review this year. However, I think this is the
most important. It celebrates the Icarus-like talent of
Noel Mewton-Wood, the Australian pianist who died at a tragically
young age in December 1953. By coincidence, at about the
same time that this CD arrived in the shops APR issued an
air-check recording of the 1939 world première performance
by Solomon (another essential purchase for lovers of Bliss’s
music, despite the sonic limitations). The recorded sound
on this Mewton-Wood studio recording is immeasurably better
of course and, as I indicated in my original review, the
young Australian tyro matches Solomon for virtuosity and
intensity. For admirers of the Bliss concerto this, I think,
is definitely now the recording of choice.
I still can’t get too enthusiastic about the Stravinsky
Piano Concerto, as a piece but Paul Shoemaker, who
admires that work more than I do and knows it
better,
corrected any imbalance in my review. Pace Paul,
I think the performance of the Shostakovich concerto that
completes the programme is an excellent one. This splendid
collection recordings enables us to enjoy and celebrate
some breathtaking pianism, captured in very decent sound.
The accompanying documentation is first class. Without question
this is my Historic Issue of the Year.
JQ
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Donald
Satz |
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Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Andras Schiff, piano Recorded in Concert, Stadtcasino, Basel,
October 2001
ECM B0001063 [70:43]
A vital
and exhilarating set of performances that totally eclipses
Schiff’s 1983 interpretation on Decca. Schiff’s
superb poetry, articulation, buoyancy, and elasticity make
this version among the few essential for one’s Bach
music library. Add in vivid sound that is state-of-the-art
in every respect, and we have one of the greatest Bach recordings
ever made. DS
Read
a review from the BBC
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The Romantic Piano Concerto – Volume 31
Robert Fuchs (1847-1927)
Piano Concerto in B flat minor, Op. 27 (1879-80) Friedrich
Kiel (1821-1885)
Piano Concerto in B flat major, Op. 30 (1864)
Martin Roscoe, piano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Martyn
Brabbins, conductor Recorded at City Hall, Glasgow, December
2001
HYPERION 67354 [63:34]
One
of the most rewarding volumes of an exceptional series from
Hyperion. The Fuchs Concerto is a stunning work excellently
blending solo piano and orchestra that looks into the core
of human angst. Kiel’s Concerto is a sunnier affair
also displaying superb instrumental balance. Together, they
represent a well-contrasted program played with exceptional
attention to detail and sweep by Roscoe and Brabbins. This
is grand Romantic era music that cries out for more recordings
and concert dates. DS
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Louis Moreau GOTTSCHALK (1829-1869)
Piano Music 1. Le banjo, Fantaisie grotesque,
Op.15 2. Bamboula, Danse de nègres, Op.2 3. Le bananier,
Chanson nègre, Op.5 * 4. La savane, Ballade créole,
Op.3 * 5. Tremolo, Grande étude de concert, Op.58
* 6. La jota aragonesa, Caprice espagnol, Op.14 * 7. Manchega,
Étude de concert, Op.38 8. Souvenirs d’Andalousie,
Caprice de concert sur la caña, Op.22 * 9. Souvenir
de Porto Rico, Marche des Gibaros, Op.31 * 10. L’étincelle,
La scintilla, Op.20 * 11. La gallina, Op.53 12. Suis-moi!,
Caprice, Op.45 13. Pasquinade, Caprice, Op.59 14. Tournament
Galop 15. The Dying Poet, Meditation 16. The Union, Paraphrase
de concert on the national airs; Star Spangled Banner, Yankee
Doodle, and Hail Columbia, Op.48
Cecile Licad (piano) Recorded at Auditorium de la Banque
de Luxembourg, October 1-3, 2001 Recorded Live at
Auditorium de la Banque de Luxembourg, October 4, 2001*
NAXOS 8.559145 [75:08]
An unconventional
set of performances that highlights the rhythmic swing and
vitality of Gottschalk’s piano music. Licad’s
readings, pulsating with adventure, give us an inside glimpse
of the mindset of a young and growing nation ready to take
on new challenges. Be ready to adjust any preconceptions
you might have about this music; Licad deserves nothing
less. DS
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Paul
Serotsky |
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Gustav
MAHLER (1860
- 1911) Symphony No. 1 in D (transcription for
solo piano by Chitose Okashiro)
Chitose Okashiro (pf)
CHÂTEAU C10001
I
called this "astonishingly audacious". My opinion
has not changed one jot. What still resonates most in my
mind is that Okashiro actually achieves what she sets out
to do. This is not, as you might expect, simply to impress
us with her formidable technique, but to use the principles
of "arrangement" to find something new to tell
us about a work that has, in its original orchestral garb,
achieved "warhorse" status. P Serotsky
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Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1918
- 1990) On the Waterfront - Symphonic Suite (1954)
Chichester Psalms (1965) On the Town - Three Dance Episodes
(1944)
Soli/Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Marin Alsop
NAXOS 8.559177
For
once in my life, I couldn't give a proverbial "monkey's"
about the running time. Marin Alsop chose her debut recording
as the BSO's new principal conductor as the proper moment
to pay tribute to her personal hero. It was a noble gesture,
happily backed up by splendid, authoritative and above all
thoroughly entertaining performances, a cake with lashings
icing courtesy of one of Naxos's finest recordings. "Chichester
Psalms", rightly the centrepiece of the programme,
is an absolute treasure. P Serotsky
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Paul Shoemaker |
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Johann Sebastian BACH (1685
- 1750) Brandenburg Concerto #3, BWV 1048 (1721) [12.27]
Brandenburg Concerto #5, BWV 1050 (1721) [21.53] Suite #3
in D, BWV 1068 (1727?): #2, Air ("on the G String")
[5.33]
Nicolae Licaret, harpsichord Soloists from the "George
Enescu" Philharmonic Orchestra Christian Mandeal, conductor
Recorded at the Atheneum, Bucharest, Romania, 31 August
2001. Four audio tracks: MLP 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital
5.1 "Audience" Mix; DTS "Stage" Mix,
PCM Stereo. Technical notes in English. No photos or comments
on the music or performers. www.aixrecords.com Mark Waldrep,
producer, recording and mastering engineer, and artistic
direction. playable on DVD players and DVD Audio players.
Not playable on CD players.
AIX
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT DVD AUDIO/VIDEO 1338 AX _files/DVD.gif) [39.53]
In an
important sense this is the first time these works have
ever beentruly recorded at all, the first time where every
part could be heard in proper spatial as well as sonic relationship
to each other part. For the first time the listener is actually
present at the performance and hears the music just as the
composer intended it to be heard. By comparison, previous
recordings, even good wide stereo versions, were not much
better off than listening through a keyhole. This recording
which can be played on any DVD machine is also a tribute
to the DVD medium and the expanding realization of its potential
service to great music. And this election is a vote of thanks
to producer Mark Waldrep who went ahead an made this recording
available at a time when the
major recording companies were paralyzed by wrangling over
'watermarking' and 'copy protection.' Hopefully, may he
never regret doing this for us. P
Shoemaker
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Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000)
Symphony No. 2 Mysterious Mountain Op. 132 (1955) [19.23]
Symphony No. 50 Mount St Helens Op. 360 (1981) [29.16] Symphony
No. 66 Hymn to Glacier Peak Op. 428 (1991) [18.38] Storm
on Mount Wildcat Op. 2 No. 2 (1931) [3.37]
Royal Liverpool PO/Gerard Schwarz Recorded Philharmonic
Hall, Liverpool, UK, 9 August 2002 Notes in English. Photographs
of the composer and performers. Booklet cover painting by
Alan Hovhaness. CD stereo and SACD 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround
sound. Hybrid SACD TELARC
SACD 60604 [71.45] Plays on SACD players and on CD players.
Alan
Hovhaness was to the 20th Century
what Mozart was to the 18th in that
audiences waited for him to write
new works and a Hovhaness premier
could fill a concert hall. Gerard
Schwartz made a personal committment
in Seattle to bring the composer's
works to the public, and now, with
a different orchestra on a different
continent, that commitment moves
forward with a recording which can
match, some will say exceed, one
of the great recordings of the 20th
century.
P Shoemaker
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Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)
Concerto in F major, H.454, W. 38 (1763) [21.26] Sonatina
in D major, H. 456, W. 102 (1763) [17.15] Concerto in C
major, H.423, W.20 (1746) [26.34] [all World Premier
recordings] Miklós
Spányi, tangent piano, built in 1998 by G. Potvlieghe,
Ninove, Belgium, after B. Pastori, 1799. Concerto Armonico,
Péter Szüts, leader - performing on period instruments
Cadenzas: Concerto in F major, (2nd movement): original
Concerto in C major, (2nd movement): improvised at the recording
session. Recorded Phoenix Studio, Budapest, Hungary, November
1999 Notes in English, Deutsche, and Français. Photos
of artists and instruments. The Complete Keyboard Concertos,
Volume 12
BIS CD 1127 [66.12]
In
Bach repertoire the 20th Century was the century of the
'Goldberg Variations,' beginning with the first public performances
by Donald Francis Tovey, then Landowska, Glenn Gould, and
Murray Perahia. And also of 'Art of the Fugue' which had
its very first public first performance in 1923 and its
first complete performance in 1931, again with Tovey.
It looks like the 21st Century
will be the century of CPE Bach. This brilliant, ever astonishing
series documenting the keyboard Concerti which is not yet
complete joins other performances and discoveries of, for
example, flute concerti, which have almost become 'warhorses,'
and will hopefully soon be joined by committed exploration
of the operas and other vocal music. I predict: by
2099 we will wonder how we ever got along without all this
amazing music. Paul Shoemaker
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Johann
STRAUSS (the younger) (1825 - 1899) Simplicius
- operetta in three acts (1887, rev. 1999)
[132.00]
Libretto by Victor Léon, after Der abentheurliche
Simplicissimus Teutsch, by Johann Jakob Christoffel von
Grimmelhausen, 1688.
Michael Volle, Hermit; Martin Zysset, Simplicius; Rolf Haunstein,
General von Vliessen; Elizabeth Magnuson, his daughter;
Piotr Beczala, Arnim von Grübben; Oliver Widmer, Melchior
the Astrologer; Louise Martini, Schnapslotte; Martina Jankova,
Schnapslotte’s daughter; Liliana Nikiteanu, Ebba,
a Swedish spy. Sung in German Stage Director, David Pountney;
Choreography, Philipp Egli Chorus,
Children’s Choir and Orchestra of the Zürich
Opera House/Franz Welser-Möst Recorded at the Opernhaus,
Zürich, Switzerland, 2000 Notes and synopsis in Deutsch,
English and Français. No text. Menus and Subtitles
in Deutsch, English, Français, Castellano PAL 16:9
Format DVD 9 Region Code 2,5. Vision control by Karl Künzler
Sound PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 100 364 [132.00]
A wonderfully clear recording
of a brilliant performance and staging of a 'lost' work
by a famous composer, one with a vital message for its own
time as well as today. Beautiful new music, colourful stagecraft,
great entertainment—what more do we deserve?
Paul Shoemaker
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Kevin
Sutton |
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Friedrich
Ernst FESCA (1789-1826)
Symphony No. 2, op. 10 in D (ca.
1809) [25:26] Symphony No. 3, op.
13 in D (1816) [28:25] Cantemire
Overture [7:13]
NDR Radiophilharmonie/Frank
Beermann Recorded 25-28
September and 6-9 November 2001
in Hanover DDD
CPO 999 869-2 [61:04]
Cpo have scored
again with this splendid disc of symphonies by the heretofore
unsung Friedrich Ernst Fesca. This is lively, buoyant playing
of music that should most certainly be heard in the concert
hall. A contemporary of Beethoven and a Harbinger of Brahms,
Fesca was known primarily as a violinist. This excellent
performance by Frank Beermann and the Berlin Radiophilharmonie
proves that he was a composer of considerable merit.
KS
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Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata for two violins
in C, Op. 56 (1932) [13:40] Sonata No. 1, for violin and
piano in f minor, Op. 80 (1938/1946) [21:38] Sonata No.
2, for violin and piano in D, Op. 94a (1944) [23:48]
Jaakko Kuusisto, Violin I (op. 56), solo (op. 80)
Pekka Kuusisto, Violin II (op. 56), solo (op. 94a) Iikka
Paanannen, piano (op. 80) Paija Kerppo, piano (op. 94a)
Recorded at the Finnish Broadcasting Company Studios
in September, 1998 DDD
WARNER APEX 2564 60623-2 [68:17]
A magnificent rendition
by the brothers Kuusisto of some striking music. Full of
“wintry” beauty, this disc shows one of the
twentieth century’s most versatile composers in his
finest hours. A must have for lovers of the violin and of
chamber music of the first order. KS
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Augustin
BARRIOS (1885-1944) Guitar
Music, vol. 2: Invocación a Mi Madre
(ca. 1929) [4:29] La Catedral (1921) [8:13] Confesion (1923)
[4:35] Canción de la Hilandera (1933) [2:55] Oración
(Plegaria) (no date available) [3:50] Madrecita (ca 1920)
[2:06] La Samaritana (ca 1922) [5:00] El Sueño de
la Muñequita (ca. 1920) [2:42] Contemplación
(1922) [4:29] Oración Para Todos (no date available)
[3:02] Minuet in B (1928) [3:20] Minuet in E (ca 1940) [2:05]
Minuet in A (ca 1924) [2:05] Minuet in C (ca 1940) [1:24]
Divagación en imitación al violin (ca 1914)
[3:26] Variations on a theme of Tárrega (1939) [12:26]
Enno Voorhorst, guitar Rec. 22-26 Feb 2001, St.
John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. DDD
NAXOS 8.555718 [66:57]
A writer of music of great
charm and beauty, Augustin Barrios is a composer who had
to wait far too long to be widely enjoyed by the public.
Enno Voorhorst presents a delightful recital of gems from
this Latin wanderer. Music to soothe the savage beast in
us all, this is a must have for lovers of the guitar. KS
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Christopher
Thomas |
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John
CORIGLIANO (b. 1938) Symphony No. 1 (1989)
Stephen
Hough (piano) John Sharp (cello) Chicago Symphony Orchestra
/Daniel Barenboim Recorded at Orchestra Hall, Chicago,
15-17 March 1990
WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 0927-49011-2 DDD [40:41]
John
Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1 amounts to an orchestral
requiem for friends of the composer lost to AIDS. I mentioned
in my review that the composer is open and lucid in his
own notes on the work printed in the booklet note and I
will therefore simply say that this is one of the most compelling,
emotionally turbulent and disturbing yet beautiful works
that I have heard for some time. Above all, it is movingly
honest and at mid-price an experience not to be missed.
CT
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Derek
BOURGEOIS (b.1941) Apocalypse Op. 187 (2003)
Sonata for Trombone and Brass Band Op. 156B (1998) Blitz
Op. 65 (1981) Concerto Grosso for Brass Band Op. 61A (1983)
Ian Bousfield (trombone) Yorkshire Building Society
Band/Dr. David King Rec. Peer Hall, University
of Salford, 14th-16th March 2003 DDD
EGON SFZ113 [69:45]
The immensely
prolific Bourgeois has, to date, completed fifteen symphonies.
Incredibly, five of these have been written during 2003
following his retirement to Mallorca. He has long enjoyed
an established reputation as a composer for brass and the
three major works for brass band given here not only demonstrate
his teeming imagination but also the magnificent abilities
of the Yorkshire Building Society Band under their inspirational
conductor David King. The recent Sonata for Trombone and
Brass Band shows a rather different side to his nature,
adding up to a fine showcase for both composer and band.
CT
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Kalevi
AHO (b. 1949) Symphony No. 3 Sinfonia Concertante
for violin and orchestra (1971/73) Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Songs and Dances
of Death for bass and orchestra (1875-77/1984) arranged
and orchestrated by Kalevi AHO
Matti Salminen (bass) Jaakko Kuusisto (violin) Lahti Symphony
Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä Recorded February
2001 (Symphony) and May 2000 (Songs and Dances) Sibelius
Hall, Lahti, Finland DDD
BIS BIS-CD-1186 [59:41]
If voting
for the best-engineered disc of the year it would be a close
call between this recording and the Chandos recordings of
music by father and son Lennox and Michael Berkeley. In
point of fact the Berkeley discs were very close in my shortlist
for disc of the year generally but in the final analysis
the Aho has managed to convince me. The ghost of Shostakovitch
had not been fully shaken off by the time Aho came to write
this work, a hybrid symphony cum violin concerto. He was
after all, only twenty- two when he wrote it. Yet his sense
of structure and pacing is masterful and he ultimately succeeds
in creating something that is very much his own. The performance
by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra under Osmo Vänskä,
a team who seem to be growing in stature at a remarkable
rate, is exemplary as is the sonically spectacular sound.
CT
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Johan van Veen |
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Georg
GEBEL d.J. (1709-1753) Johannes Passion
(Der leidende. sterbende und begrabene Jesus)
Ika Kruse (Ancilla), Dorothee Mields (arias), soprano; Thomas
Riede (Petrus), Henning Voss (arias), alto; Mirko Heimerl
(Servus), Jan Kobow (Evangelist and arias), tenor; Sebastian
Bluth (Jesus), Friedemann Klos (Pilatus), ; Klaus Mertens
(arias), bass Ensemble inCanto Weimar (Tilo Krause), Weimarer
Barock-Ensemble Director: Ludger Rémy Recorded 7-15
July 2002 at the Redoute in Weimar DDD
CPO 999 894-2 [41:23+61:25]
It doesn’t happen
that often that a totally unknown work turns out to be a
real treasure. But that is exactly the case here. The St
John Passion by the German composer Georg Gebel the Younger
is a splendid work to listen to. In fact, of all the Passions
from 18th-century Germany I have heard over the years, this
one by Georg Gebel is one of the most interesting, enthralling
– both musically and spiritually – and expressive.
JvV
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‘Rariora
& Marginalia’ Philipp
Friedrich BÖDDECKER
(1607-1683) Sonata in d
minor [07:21] Sonata sopra ‘La
Monica’ [06:11] anon (Nicolaus
A. Strungk?, c1640-1700) Contrapunct
sopra la Baßigaglos d’Altr.
(Variations on the chorale ‘Wie
schön leuchtet der Morgenstern’
[13:49] Johann
Paul VON WESTHOFF (1656-1705)
Sonata ‘La Guerra’
[12:17] Giovanni
Battista BOVICELLI (c1594)
Diminutions on ‘Io son ferito ahi lasso’ (Da
Palestrina) [05:56] Georg
MUFFAT (1653-1705) Sonta per violino solo
(Prague, 1677) [12:20] Antonio
BERTALI (1605-1669) Chiacona [08:29]
The Rare Fruits Council: Manfredo Kraemer,
violin; Josep Borrás, dulcian; Balász Máté,
cello; Eduardo Egüez, theorbo, guitar; Alessandro de
Marchi, harpsichord, organ Rec. March 2001 at the Abbey
of Brunenthal, Austria DDD
ASTRÉE E-8840 [66:28]
A fascinating programme
of music for violin by mainly German and Austrian composers
who were all heavily influenced by the Italian style. All
the pieces on this recording are of high quality, and technically
very demanding. Manfredo Kraemer and his colleagues use
their impressive technical skills to reveal the content
of every single piece. JvV
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George
Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Suites
de Pieces pour le Clavecin (1720)
CD 1 Suite No. 1 in A (HWV 426) [12:56] Suite No.
6 in f sharp minor (HWV 431) [09:41] Suite No. 5 in A (HWV
430) [13:46] Suite No. 7 in g minor (HWV 432) [23:04] CD
2 Suite No. 2 in F (HWV 427) [09:18] Suite No.
8 in f minor (HWV 433) [14:35] Suite No. 4 in e (HWV 429)
[14:46] Suite No. 3 in d minor(HWV 428) [25:53]
Ludger Rémy, harpsichord (Bruce Kennedy, 2000, after
Michael Mietke, Berlin, c1700) Recorded in December 2001,
February 2002, Studio, Radio Bremen, Germany. DDD
CPO 999 940-2 [59:49+64:55]
These suites belong to the
most popular harpsichord works by Handel. This is by far
the most dramatic, bold and imaginative recording I have
ever heard. It attracts and holds the listener's attention
from beginning to end. The booklet contains a short essay
by the performer on his considerations regarding the interpretation
- recommended reading. JvV
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‘Magdalena
– Medieval Songs for Mary
Magdalen’ anon
Magdalena degna da laudare (lauda)
[03:50] St
Lorenzo GIUSTINIANI (1381-1456)
O Magdalena che portasti [04:27]
Christian
of LILIENFELD (14th c) Ave,
clari generis dulcis Magdalena [05:02]
anon
Chanter voel par grant amour [04:03]
WIPO of Burgundy
(11th c) Victime paschali
laude [01:48] anon
Ortorum virentium/Virga Yesse/Victime
paschali laudes [01:07] Benedicamus
Domino/Victime paschali laudes [02:17]
Novum festum celebremus [02:32]
Parlamento (istampita) [03:06] Co la madre del beato [04:02]
Hodie mater gaudeat ecclesia [02:36] Salve, pia Magdalena
[01:15]
O Maria Magdalena [01:15] Benedicamus Domino Magdalena [00:58]
Magdalenam laude plenam [00:50] Ave, beata femina [01:43]
Psallat immensas chorus [03:07] Ave, plena Magdalena [03:39]
O Maria, prius via [03:46] Peccatrice nominata (instr) [03:05]
Conon DE BETHUNE (d
1219) Chançon legiere (estampie) [02:16]
Peccatrice nominata (lauda) [03:04] O Madalena ch’andasti
al sepolcro (lauda) [05:40] Philippe
DE GREVE (13th c) O Maria, noli flere [03:28]
Joglaresa: Belinda Sykes, voice and direction; Jenny Cassidy,
Caitríona O’Leary, Dessislava Stefanova, voice;
Ben Davis, medieval fidel; Riccardo Delfino, voice, medieval
harps, hurdy-gurdy Recorded in April 2003 at St Andrew’s
Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire, Britain DDD
AVIE AV0026 [69:09]
Mary Magdalen was one of
the women who followed Christ and served him with their
possessions. The booklet contains an interesting essay about
the origin and development of the worshipping of Mary Magdalen
in the Christian Church of the Middle Ages. The music and
the texts demonstrate the importance and the mystic character
of the worship of Mary Magdalen and of saints in general.
The repertoire and Joglaresa's performance are enthralling.
JvV
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Jonathan
Woolf |
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The
Beecham Collection Ferruccio
BUSONI (1866-1924) Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra Noel
Mewton-Wood (piano) BBC Men’s Chorus BBC Symphony
Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham Recorded live in broadcast
at BBC Studio No. 1, Maida Vale, London, January 1948
SOMM-BEECHAM 15 [68.56]
Previously unissued and
released now in perfectly acceptable sound for a live broadcast
performance of this vintage comes an incandescent Busoni
Piano Concerto. It conjoins the youthful Noel Mewton-Wood
and the sixty-nine year Beecham, who had conducted the Australian's
first concerto performance eight years before. In terms
of its architectural cogency and leonine command it offers
startling perspectives on both the pianism of Mewton-Wood
(not finger perfect but in every other respect strikingly
engaged and fast, Petri-like in Busonian grasp) and the
executant perception of its conductor. This is why we collect
historical recordings. JW
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Jean
CRAS (1879-1932) String trio (1926) Albert
ROUSSEL (1869-1937) String Trio Op.58 (1937)
Jean FRANÇAIX
(1904-1997) String Trio (1933)
Offenburg String Trio (Frank Schilli (violin), Rolf Schilli
(viola), Martin Merker (cello) Recorded in Blumenstein Church,
1996
ANTES EDITION BM CD 31.9185 [51.50]
Though their Françaix
and Roussel are fine enough recomendations in their own
right it's for the Offenburg's Jean Cras Trio that I especially
commend this disc. The ceaseless invention and individuality
of expression of this remarkable work is conveyed with perfectly
idiomatic understanding by a group whose first recording,
amazingly, this is. Let's have more and soon. I called the
body of work they played here "wilful and complex"
and rehearing the disc has only deepend my admiration for
it and for the performances. JW
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PART ONE
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