29 March 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast
Saturday 29 March 2008 (Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

VENABLES: Songs of Eternity and Sorrow Op. 36 (Easter Hymn) from disc On Wenlock Edge

(c/w VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge; GURNEY: Ludlow and Teme)

Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Simon Crawford-Philips (piano), Dante Quartet

Signum Classics SIGCD 112 (CD, Mid Price)


R. STRAUSS: Standchen (Op. 17 No. 2) from disc Richard Strauss: The Complete Songs Volume 3

(c/w Nichts Op 10 No 2; Die Zeitlose Op 10 No 7; Die Verschwiegenen Op 10 No 6; Seitdem dein Aug' in meines schaute Op 17 No 1; Das Geheimnis Op 17 No 3; Aus den Liedern der Trauer Op 17 No 4; Nur Mut! Op 17 No 5; Barkarole Op 17 No 6; Wozu noch, Madchen, soll es frommen Op 19 No 1; Schon sind, doch kalt die Himmelssterne Op 19 No 3; Hoffen und wieder verzagen Op 19 No 5; Ach weh mir ungluckhaftem Mann Op 21 No 4; Die Frauen sind oft fromm und still Op 21 No 5; Heimliche Aufforderung Op 27 No 3; Ich trage meine Minne Op 32 No 1; Sehnsucht Op 32 No 2; Liebeshymnus Op 32 No 3; O su?er Mai! Op 32 No 4; Himmelsboten Op 32 No 5; Fur funfzehn Pfennige Op 36 No 2; Anbetung Op 36 No 4; Winterweihe Op 48 No 4; Winterliebe Op 48 No 5; Freundliche Vision Op 48 No 1)

Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Roger Vignoles (piano)

Hyperion CDA67602 (CD)


RACHMANINOV: Khristos Voskres (Christ is Risen)

(c/w My otdokhnyom Op. 26/3 ; Noch ; Koltso Op. 26/14 ; Ya zhdu tebya Op. 14/1 ; Duma Op. 8/3 ; O net, molyu, ne ukhodi! Op. 4/1 ; O ne grusti Op. 14/8 ; Prokhodit vsyo Op. 26/15 ; Kak mne bolno Op. 21/12 ; V moyei dushe Op. 14/10 ; Utro Op. 4/2; Son Op. 8/5 ; V molchanii nochi tainoi Op. 4/3 ; SHOSTAKOVICH : Spanish Songs Op. 100)

Iris Oja (mezzo-soprano), Roger Vignoles (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMU907449 (CD)


SCHUBERT: Das Weinen D. 926

(c/w Fahrt zum Hades D526; Freiwilliges Versinken D700; Des Fischers Liebesgluck D933; Der Winterabend D938; Memnon D541; Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren D360; Der Schiffer D536;
Sehnsucht D636; Der Jungling am Bache D638; An Emma D113; Der Pilgrim D794; Gruppe aus dem Tartarus D583; Hoffnung D295; Grenzen der Menschenheit D716)

Matthias Goerne (baritone), Elisabeth Leonskaja (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMC901988 (CD)


SCHUBERT: Die schone Mullerin D795 (Das Wandern)

Christoph Pregardien (tenor), Michael Gees (piano)

Challenge Classics CC72292 (Hybrid SACD)

Building a Library Recommendation

HAYDN: The Seasons

Reviewer - Simon Heighes

First Choice:

Marlis Petersen (soprano), Werner Gura (tenor), Dietrich Henschel (baritone), RIAS-Kammerchor,
Freiburger Barockorchester, Rene Jacobs (conductor)

Harmonia Mundi HMC901829-30 (2 CDs) or HMC801829-30 (2 Hybrid SACDs)

Listener Requests

MOZART: Piano Concerto in A K488*

(c/w Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor K466; Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat K482; Symphony No. 28 in C K200; Piano Concerto No. 21 in C K467)

Geza Anda (piano/director)*, Camerata Academica Salzburg*

Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, Constantin Silvestri (conductor), Joseph Keilberth (conductor)

Audite 23.407 (2CDs, Mid Price)

New Recordings

Andrew talks to Alyn Shipton about new recordings of American minimalist works. With extracts from the following discs:

GLASS: Booking of Longing (A Song Cycle based on the Poetry and Images of Leonard Cohen)

Leonard Cohen (spoken text), Dominique Plaisant, Tara Hugo, Will Erat & Daniel Keeling (singers); Philip Glass Ensemble (including Philip Glass keyboard); Michael Riesman (conductor)

Orange Mountain Music OMM0043 (2 CDs)


GLASS: Complete String Quartets

The Smith Quartet

Signum Classics SIGCD117 (2 CDs, Mid Price)


RILEY: The Cusp of Magic

Kronos Quartet, Wu Man (pipa)

Nonesuch 7559 79959 8 (CD, Mid Price)


GLASS: The Piano Music

(Opening (from "Glassworks") "Trilogy Sonata" (arranged by Paul Barnes); Knee Play no. 4 (from Einstein on the Beach); Satyagraha (conclusion Act 3); Dance (from Akhnaten scene 3); The Poet Acts; Morning Passages; Something She Has To Do; I'm Going to Make a Cake; An Unwelcome Friend; Dead Things; Why Does Someone Have to Die; Tearing Herself Away; Escapei; Choosing Life; The Hours)

John Lenehan (piano)

Sony 88697 119572 (CD)


Minimal Piano Collection, Volumes I-IX

Jeroen van Veen (piano)

Brilliant Classics 8551 (9 CDs, Budget)

Listener Requests

BEETHOVEN: Bagatelles Op. 126

(c/w Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15)

Piotr Anderszewski (piano/director), Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Virgin Classics 50211128 (CD, Mid Price)

Disc of the Week

JS BACH: Cantata BWV 30a 'Angenehmes Wiederau'

(c/w Vereinigte Zwietracht BWV207)

Monika Frimmer (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter tenor), Markus Schafer (tenor), Stephan MacLeod (bass), Les Chantres du Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, Cafe Zimmermann, Gustav Leonhardt (conductor)

Next Week

On next week's programme William Mival recommends a recording of Scriabin's Poeme de l'extase (Building a Library) and Wiebke Thormahlen discusses new Baroque releases with Andrew

Saturday 22 March 2008

Saturday 22 March 2008 (Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

BRAHMS: Violin Sonata No. 1 Op. 78 (first movement)

(c/w Violin Sonatas No. 2 Op. 100 and No. 3 Op. 108)
Ilia Korol (violin), Natalia Grigorieva (19th century Streicher piano)

Challenge Classics CC72194 (CD)

BRAHMS: Cello Sonata No. 2 (final movement)
(c/w Cello Sonata No. 1; SCHUMANN: Five Pieces in Folk Style)
Clive Greensmith (cello), Boris Berman (19th century Steinway piano)
Biddulph 80226-2 (CD)

FRANCK: Violin Sonata in A major

(c/w SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Sonata Op. 134)
Sergey Khachatryan (violin), Lusine Khachatryan (piano)

Naive V 5122 (CD)

Album Description
This new CD presents two of the rising stars of instrumental performance, violinist Sergey Khachatryan and his pianist sister Lusine Khachatryan in recordings of the Violin Sonatas of Franck and Shostakovich. César Franck's Sonata in A was written in 1886, and like his symphony it is united by a cyclic use of thematic material that connects the movements. It has become one of the most popular chamber works in the repertoire. The Violin Sonata of Dmitri Shostakovich was written in 1969 and is a work of extraordinary intensity. The piano is often an equal partner in the piece and doesn't so much accompany the violin as echo and goad it. The snaking melody that opens the piece was one of Shostakovich's first forays into the 12-tone method of Schoenberg, and the restless and wry feeling it introduces is maintained throughout the piece.

Sergey Khachatryan was born in 1985 in Yerevan, Armenia. In December 2000 Sergey won the Eighth International Jean Sibelius competition, and in 2005 he claimed First Prize at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Sergey performs as soloist with an impressive list of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He has worked with many of the world's great conductors, including Kurt Masur, Valery Gergiev, Bernard Haitink, Christoph von Dohnányi, Michael Tilson Thomas and Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Sergey and Lusine Khachatryan give recitals at international venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.

Sergey Khachatryan's debut recording for Naïve of the Violin Concertos of Khatchaturian and Sibelius was extremely well received by the press and was an Editor's Choice in the Gramophone. "His distinctive sound is one that I'm sure we'll be encountering often" - James Jolly, Gramophone. Last year's recording by Khachatryan of both Shostakovich Violin Concertos was similarly acclaimed.


HEINRICH WILHELM ERNST: Erlkonig: Grand Caprice for solo violin, after Schubert

(c/w Othello Fantasy; Six Polyphonic Studies for solo violin; Elegy)
Hyperion CDA67619 (CD)

Building a Library

STRAVINSKY: Rite of Spring

Reviewer - Rob Cowan

First Choice: Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, Peter Eotvos (conductor)
(c/w Mavra, with the Goteborgs Symfoniker)

BMC (Budapest Music Centre) BMC CD 118 (CD)


Next week Simon Heighes examines recordings of Haydn's The Seasons.

New Releases

Andrew talks to Berta Joncus about further releases in cantata cycles from Masaaki Suzuki and John Eliot Gardiner, as well as a new St. Matthew Passion from the Dunedin Consort & Players. With extracts from the following discs:


JS BACH: Matthew Passion (Last Performing version, 1742)

Nicholas Mulroy (The Evangelist), Matthew Brook (Jesus), Susan Hamilton (soprano), Cecilia Osmond (soprano), Clare Wilkinson (alto), Annie Gill (alto), Malcolm Bennett (tenor), Brian Bannatyne-Scott (bass), Dunedin Consort & Players, John Butt (conductor)
Linn CDK313 (3 SACDs or digital download, Budget)

JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 27

(Cantatas for Whit Tuesday
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048
Erwunschtes Freudenlicht BWV 184
Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen BWV 175
Soloists: Lisa Larsson, Nathalie Stutzmann, Christoph Genz, Stephen Loges
Recorded: Holy Trinity, Blythburgh
Cantata for Trinity Sunday
Hochsterwunschtes Freudenfest BWV 194
Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding BWV 176
O heil'ges Geist- und Wasserbad BWV 165
Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott BWV 129
Soloists: Ruth Holton, Daniel Taylor, Paul Agnew, Peter Harvey
Recorded: St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall)

The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)

Soli Deo Gloria SDG 138 (2 CDs)


JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 3

(Cantatas for the Fourth and Fifth Sundays after Trinity
Ein ungefarbt Gemute BWV 24
Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe BWV 185
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 177
Gott ist mein Konig BWV 71
Soloists: Magdalena Kozena, Nathalie Stutzmann, Paul Agnew, Nicolas Teste,
Joanne Lunn, William Towers, Kobie van Rensburg, Peter Harvey
Recorded: Tewkesbury Abbey (final cantata Blasiuskirche, Muhlhausen)
Cantata for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir BWV 131
Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten BWV 93
Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden BWV 88
Soloists: Joanne Lunn, William Towers, Kobie van Rensburg, Peter Harvey
Recorded: Blasiuskirche, Muhlhausen)
The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)
Soli Deo Gloria SDG 141 (2 CDs)

JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 38 (Solo Cantatas)

(Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht, BWV52
Ich habe genung, BWV82
Ich armer Mensch, ich Sundenknecht, BWV55
Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, BWV58)
Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Peter Kooij (bass), Gerd Turk (tenor), Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki (conductor)
BIS SACD 1631 (SACD)

JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 37 (Solo Cantatas)

(Gott soll allein mein Herze haben, BWV 169
Vergnugte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170
Geist und Seele wird verwirret, BWV 35
Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, BWV 200)
Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Bach Collegium Japan Masaaki Suzuki (conductor)
BIS SACD 1621 (SACD)

JS BACH: Secular Cantatas

(Angenemes Wiederau BWV30a
Vereinigte Zwietracht BWV207)
Monika Frimmer (soprano), Robin Blaze (alto), Markus Schafer (tenor), Stephan MacLeod (bass),
Les Chantres du centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, Olivier Schneebeli, Cafe Zimmermann, Gustav Leonhardt (conductor)

Alpha 118 (CD)

1. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
2. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
3. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
4. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
5. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
6. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
7. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
8. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
9. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
10. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
11. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
12. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
13. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
14. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
15. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
16. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
17. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
18. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
19. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
20. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
21. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
22. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
23. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207

Disc of the Week

MOZART: Symphony 38 K. 504 ("Prague)

(c/w Symphonies 39-41)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

Linn CKD 308 (2 SACDS or digital download, Mid Price)

Review
Simply the excellent performance you would expect from the SCO under Sir Charles Mackerras. --The Sunday Herald

Product Description
2 SACD DISCS Mozart Symphonies 38 Through 41 Scottish Chamber Orchestra Sir Charles Mackerass This eagerly anticipated addition to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra series sees Mozart specialist Sir Charles Mackerras deliver a truly memorable recording of Mozart s four last symphonies. Sir Charles s fruitful partnership with the SCO has been evident since their highly successful recording of Mozart Requiem (CKD 211) was received to wide critical acclaim in 2003. Their special relationship and musical synchronicity makes Mozart Symphonies Nos 38 41 equally exhilarating. The Vienna Symphonies show Mozart at his most diverse, both in musical content and in orchestral colouration. Notable firsts include Mozart s use of clarinets rather then traditional oboes as the main woodwind instrument in Symphony No 39 and the introduction of a new orchestral colour in the form of muted violins in the Jupiter . Sir Charles Mackerras, the SCO s Conductor Laureate, has produced numerous award- winning recordings, performed fifty times at the Edinburgh Festival and in 2005 was the first recipient of the Queen s Medal for Music . The Orchestra has a large international fan base following recent performances in Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, the USA, Portugal and the Netherlands. The SCO s previous Mozart recordings have been critically acclaimed; Mozart Serenades and Mozart Wind Concertos each consistently received four and five star reviews and BBC Music Magazine named Sir Charles Mackerras s Mozart Requiem a Benchmark Recording in January 2007. Recommended track: Disc 2, track 1 -Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra demonstrate their Mozartean flair in a sparkling performance of the opening movement of Symphony No 40

Next Week

On next week's CD Review Simon Heighes recommends a recording of Haydn's oratorio The Seasons (Building a Library) and Alyn Shipton discusses some recent Philip Glass recordings with Andrew McGregor.

Saturday 15 March 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

HANDEL: Concerto Grosso in F major Op. 6 No. 9 (movements 1 and 2) from disc Handel Concerti Grossi Op. 6 Nos. 7-12, Volume 2

(c/w Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 6, No. 7; Concert Grosso in C minor, Op. 6, No. 8; Concerto Grosso in F major, Op. 6, No. 9; Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op. 6, No. 10; Concerto Grosso in A major, Op. 6, No. 11; Concerto Grosso in B minor, Op. 6, No. 12)

Boston Baroque, Martin Pearlman (director)
Telarc CD 80688 (CD)

Album Description
The first half of Handel's Concerto Grossi Op. 6 Nos. 1 - 6 marked Boston Baroque's debut release with Telarc in 1992. American Record Guide hailed the debut recording as "...full of imagination and resourcefulness, bringing pungent new personality to these pieces." Gramophone wrote "...meticulously prepared...enlivened by spirited and warmly coloured playing. I shall look forward to the sequel." And CD Review welcomed Boston Baroque as "a world class member of the original instruments club."
In the fall of 1739, immediately after finishing his Ode for St. Cecilia's Day, Handel began composing twelve concerti grossi, completing the entire set within the astonishing space of one month. The dates of completion written at the ends of the concertos range from September 29 to October 30, meaning that Handel composed on average one concerto every two-and-a-half to three days.

Martin Pearlman is one of the US's leading interpreters of Baroque and Classical music on both period and modern instruments. Hailed for his "fresh, buoyant interpretations," and his "vivid realizations teeming with life," Pearlman has been acclaimed for more than thirty years in the orchestral, choral, and operatic repertoire from Monteverdi to Beethoven. Boston Baroque is the resident professional ensemble for Boston University's Historical Performance Program.

1. I. Largo
2. II. Allegro
3. III. Largo, E Piano
4. IV. Andante
5. V. Hornpipe
6. I. Allemande
7. II. Grave
8. III. Andante Allegro
9. IV. Adagio
10. V. Siciliana (Andante)
11. VI. Allegro
12. I. Largo
13. II. Allegro
14. III. Larghetto
15. IV. Allegro
16. V. Menuet
17. VI. Gigue
18. I. Overture: (Grave)/Allegro
19. II. Air (Lento)
20. III. Allegro
21. IV. Allegro
22. V. Allegro Moderato
23. I. Andante Larghetto
24. II. Allegro
25. III. Largo
26. IV. Andante
27. V. Allegro
28. I. Largo
29. II. Allegro
30. III. Larghetto, E Piano
31. IV. Largo
32. V. Allegro


HANDEL: Organ Concerto in F major Op. 4 No. 5 from disc Organ Concertos Op. 4

(c/w Organ Concerto in G minor Op. 4 No. 1; Organ Concerto in B flat major Op. 4 No. 2; Organ Concerto in G minor Op. 4 No. 3; Organ Concerto in F major Op. 4 No. 5; Concerto in B flat major Op. 4 No. 6)
Academy of Ancient Music, Richard Egarr (organ and direction)

Harmonia Mundi HMU807446 (Hybrid SACD)

1. Larghetto, E Staccato
2. Allegro
3. Adagio
4. Andante
5. A Tempo Ordinario, E Staccato
6. Allegro
7. Adagio, E Staccato
8. Allegro, Ma Non Presto
9. Adagio
10. Allegro
11. Adagio
12. Allegro
13. Allegro
14. Andante
15. Adagio
16. Allegro
17. Larghetto
18. Allegro
19. Alla Siciliana
20. Presto
21. Andante Allegro
22. Larghetto
23. Allegro Moderato


PAUL AYRES after Handel: 'The Departure of the Queen of Sheba' from disc Handel-inspired

(c/w HANDEL: Sinfonia from Solomon ('The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba'); JOHN HAWKINS: Footnote; HANDEL: Voluntary in C; ALAN SMITH: Scherzo on 'Gopsal'; HANDEL: Air and Bourree, from Water Music; SATORU IKEDA: Water Bubbling; HANDEL: Overture to 'Esther'; Siciliano and Minuet, from Fireworks Music; JOHN ELLIS: Overture and Gigue, from Handel-Inspired Suite. HANDEL: Fugue in A minor; Krzysztof Aleksander Janczak: Le Tombeau d'Handel; HANDEL: Two Pieces for Mechanical Clock; William Wolstenholme: Introduction and Allegro, from Sonata in the style of Handel; Jos Martens: Little Prelude; Akmal Parwez: In Handel's Name; Alexandre Guilmant: Paraphrase; Thomas Neal: Lednah Loblied; Samuel Wesley: Variations on a theme in Handel's Otto)
Paul Ayres (organ) playing Goetze and Gwynn's 'Handel House' organ at the St. George's Church, Hannover Square (London)

Priory PRCD 894 (CD)

HANDEL: Act 3, Scene 6 from Tolomeo

Ann Hallenberg (Tolomeo)*, Karina Gauvin (Seleuce), Petro Spagnoli (Araspe), Anna Bonitatibus (Elisa), Romina Basso (Alessandro), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (conductor)

Archiv Produktion 477 7106 (3 CDs, Mid Price)

Building a Library Recommendation

BIBER: 'Rosary' or 'Mystery' Sonatas

Reviewer - Francis Knights

First Choice:



John Holloway (violin), Tragicomedia: Davitt Moroney (harpsichord/organ), Stephen Stubbs (lute/chitarrone), Andrew Lawrence-King (harp/regal), Erin Headley (gamba/lirone)

Virgin Veritas 0724356206229 (2CDs, Budget)

Other Recommendations:

Andrew Manze (violin), Richard Egarr (harpsichord/organ), Alison McGillivray (cello [Sonata XII])

Harmonia Mundi HMU 907321.22 (2CDs, Mid Price)

Disc: 1
1. Praeludium
2. Aria, Variato
3. Finale
4. Sonata
5. Allamanda
6. Finale
7. Sonata
8. Courette, Double
9. Finale
10. Ciacona
11. Praeludium
12. Alamanda
13. Giugue
14. Sarabanda, Double
15. Lamento
16. Allamanda
17. Sarabanda, Variatio
18. Sonata
19. Guigue, Double 1, Double 2
20. Sonata
21. Courente, Double
22. Finale

Disc: 2
1. Praeludium
2. Aria
3. Variatio, Cont.
4. Sonata
5. Surexit Christus Hodie
6. Adagio
7. Intrada
8. Aria Tubicinum
9. Allamanda
10. Courente, Double
11. Sonata
12. Gavotta
13. Guigue
14. Sarabanda
15. Sonata
16. Aria
17. Sonata
18. Aria, Variatio
19. Canzona
20. Sarabanda, Double
21. Passangalia For Unaccompanied Violin
22. Scordatura Briefly Explained




Maya Homburger (violin), Camerata Kilkenny: Malcolm Proud (harpsichord/organ), Brian Feehan (theorbo), Siobhan Armstrong (harp), Sarah Cunningham (gamba), Barry Guy (double bass)

Maya Recordings MCD0603 (2CDs)

1. Praeludium of Mystery Sonata No. 1: Annunciation
2. For Violin: Celebration
3. Four Songs for Baroque violin and double-bass: Immeasurable Sky
4. For Baroque Violins: Ceremony
5. For Double Bass: Still
6. Foer Baroque Violin and Double Bass: Breathing Earth


Next week Rob Cowan examines recordings of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.

New Releases

Conductor and performance practice specialist John Traill joins Andrew for a round up of recent releases of Beethoven symphonies. Includes extracts from the following discs:

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7

(c/w Weber: Adagio from the Clarinet Concerto No. 1; Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri - Sinfonia; Johan Wilhelm Wilms: Rondo from Sinfonia a grand orchestre)

Budapest Festival Orchestra, Ivan Fischer (conductor)

Channel Classics CCS SA 25207 (Hybrid SACD)


BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 6 (from disc Beethoven Symphonies)

Minnesota Orchestra, Osmo Vanska (conductor)

BIS-SACD-1716 (Hybrid SACD)

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5

(c/w DVORAK: Symphonic Variations Op. 78; MARTINU: Incantation (Piano Concerto No. 4))
Philharmonia Orchestra, Rudolf Firkusny (piano), Rafael Kubelik (conductor)

Testament SBT 1421 (CD, Mid Price)


BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7

Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (conductor)
Naxos Historical 8.111248 (CD, Budget)


BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 8

Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor)
PentaTone Classics PTC 5186 316 (Hybrid SACD)

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 8

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Jarvi (conductor)

RCA Red Seal 88697 006552 (Hybrid SACD)

Disc of the Week

HANDEL: Amadigi di Gaula

Maria Riccarda Wesseling (mezzo), Elena de la Merced (soprano), Sharon Rostorf-Zamir (soprano), Jordi Domenech (countertenor), Al Ayre Espanol, Eduardo Lopez Banzo (harpsichord and conductor)

Ambroisie AM133 (2CDs, Mid Price)

Album Description
'Amadigi di Gaula' was inspired by a text written by the French writer Antoine Houdar de la Motte entitled "Amadis de Grèce". Destouches had already composed music around this text sixteen years before Handel. It was the composer's fifth London opera and received its first performance in London at the Haymarket Theatre on 25 May 1715. The original cast included the celebrated castrato Nicolo Grimaldi. It was a great success and received a known minimum of 17 further performances in London through 1717, and a similar number in Hamburg from 1717-1720, with a different title, 'Oriana'. It then fell into neglect until a revival performance in 1968 at the Abbey Hall, Abingdon, by the English based "Unicorn Opera Group".
Although the plot of 'Amadigi di Gaula' is convoluted, it has at its centre a fairly simple premise. Amagigi, "a famous hero", and Dardano, Prince of Thrace, are rivals for the love of Oriana, daughter of the King of the Fortune Islands. Oriana is in love with Amadigi, as is the sorceress Melissa who throughout the opera tries to captivate him with potions and spells. Needless to say after various twists, true love conquers all and Amadigi and Oriana end up in each others arms.

Eduardo Lopez Banzo second album for Ambroise, featuring another of Handel's operas "Rodrigo", will be released later in the year.

Next Week

On next week's programme Rob Cowan recommends a recording of Stravinsky's ballet 'Rite of Spring' (Building a Library) and performer and academic Berta Joncus discusses new Bach Passions and Cantata recordings

Debussy: Preludes, Book 2

Saturday 8 March 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

VILLA-LOBOS: Symphony No. 10 Amerindia (3rd movement)

Lothar Odinius (tenor), Henryk Bohm (baritone), Jurgen Linn (bass-baritone), Members of the Staatsopernchor Stuttgart, SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Carl St. Clair (conductor)

CPO 999 786-2 (CD, Mid Price)


SCHMIDT: Das Buch Mit Sieben Siegeln ('Und als das Lamm der Siegel drittes auftat'; Und als das Lamm der Siegel viertes auftat)

Johannes Chum (tenor - St. John), Robert Holl (bass baritone - Voice of the Lord), Sandra Trattnigg (soprano), Michelle Breedt (mezzo-soprano), Nikolai Schukoff (tenor), Manfred Hemm (bass), Robert Kovacs (organ), Wiener Singverein, Tonkunstler orchester Niederosterreich, Kristjan Jarvi (conductor)

Chandos CHSA 50612 (2 Hybrid SACDs, Mid Price)

RONTGEN: Aus Goethes Faust ('Vor dem Tor')

Machteld Baumans (soprano), Marcel Beekman (tenor), Andre Morsch (baritone), Andre Post (tenor), Mark Richardson (baritone), Dennis Wilgenhof (bass), Gijs van Schoonhoven (organ), Kooir van de Nationale Reisopera Enschede, Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn (conductor)

CPO 777 311-2 (CD, Mid Price)

Building a Library Recommendation

DEBUSSY: Piano Preludes Book II

Reviewer - Stephen Plaistow

First Choice:

(c/w Preludes Book 1, 'Les soirs illumines par l'ardeur du charbon') from disc Debussy Complete Works for Solo Piano, Volume 1
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)

Chandos CHAN10421 (CD)

1. Lent Et Grave
2. Modere (Dans Un Rythme Sans Rigeur Et Caressant)
3. Anime
4. Modere (Harmonieux Et Souple)
5. Tres Modere
6. Triste Et Lent
7. Anime Et Tumultueux
8. Tres Calme Et Doucement Expressif
9. Moderement Anime
10. Profondement Calme (Dans Une Brume Doucement Sonore)
11. Capricieux Et Leger
12. Modere (Nerveux Et Avec Humor)
13. Modere (Extrement Egal Et Leger)
14. Lent Et Melancolique
15. Mouvement De 'Habanera' (Avec De Brusque Oppositions D'Extreme Violence Et De Passionnee Douceur)
16. Rapide Et Leger
17. Calme (Doucement Expressif)
18. (Dans Le Style Et Le Mouvement D'Un Cake-Walk)
19. Lent
20. Scherzando
21. Grave
22. Tres Calme Et Doucement Triste
23. Moderement Anime
24. Moderement Anime
25. Lent Et Reveur - Plus Lent Jusqu'a La Fin


Historic Choice:

(c/w 10 Preludes from Book 1; L'isle joyeuse; Cloches a travers les feuilles; La Serenade interrompue; CHOPIN: Ballade No. 3 in A flat major Op. 47; Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54; 4 Mazurkas Op. 24; Barcarolle in F sharp major Op. 60; excerpts from Etudes Op. 10; PROKOFIEV: Dance, Op. 32 No. 1)
Sviatoslav Richter (piano)

BBC Legends BBCL 4021-2 (2 CDs, Mid Price)

Disc: 1
1. Ballade No. 3 In A Flat Major, Op. 47
2. Scherzo No.4 In E Major, Op.54: Presto
3. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 1 In G Minor. Lento
4. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No.2 In C Major. Allegro Non Troppo
5. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No.3 In A Flat Major. Moderato
6. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No.4 In B Flat Minor. Moderato
7. Barcarolle In F Sharp Major, op.60: Allegretto
8. 10 Preludes From Book 1: 1. Danseuses De Delphes
9. 10 Preludes From Book 1: 2. Violes
10. 10 Preludes From Book 1: 3. Le Vent Dans La Plaine
See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2
1. L'Isle Joyeuse
2. Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles Lent
3. Dance, Op.32 No.1
4. Etudes, Op. 10: No.12 In C Minor. Allegro Con Fuoco
5. Etudes, Op. 10: No.3 In E Major. Vivace Ma Non Troppo
6. Etudes, Op. 10: No.1 In C Major.
7. Etudes, Op. 10: No.4 In C Sharp Minor. Presto
8. Etudes, Op. 10: No.6 In E Flat Minor.
9. Etudes, Op. 10: No.10 In A Flat Major. Vivace Assai
10. Etudes, Op. 10: No.12 In C Minor. Allegro Con Fuoco
See all 23 tracks on this disc




Budget Choice:

(c/w Preludes Book 1)
Martino Tirimo (piano)
Regis RRC1111 (CD, Budget)


Next week Francis Knights examines recordings of Biber's Mystery or Rosary Sonatas.

Listener Requests

SCHOENBERG: Violin Concerto (second movement)
(c/w SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto Op. 47)
Hilary Hahn, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor)
Deutsche Grammophon 477 7346 (CD)


LISZT: Piano Concerto No.1 (fourth movement)

(c/w SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto No. 1 for piano, trumpet and strings in C minor, Op. 35; PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10)
Lise de la Salle (piano); Lisbon Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra, Gabor Baldocki (trumpet), Lawrence Foster (conductor)
Naive V5053 (CD)

New Releases

Richard Morrison has been watching three new opera DVDs: Eugene Onegin from the New York Met starring Renee Fleming; Mussorgsky's epic drama Khovanshchina from Barcelona's Liceu; and a real rarity - Thomas Hampson as Busoni's anti-hero Doktor Faust.


TCHAIKOVSKY: Eugene Onegin



Renee Fleming (Tatiana), Elena Zaremba (Olga), Svetlana Volkova (Madame Larina), Larisa Shevchenko (Filippyevna), Ramon Vargas (Lenski), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Eugene Onegin), Keith Miller (A Captain), Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (Triquet), Richard Bernstein (Zaretski), Sergei Aleksashkin (Prince Gremin), Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet, Valery Gergiev (conductor)

Decca 074 32489 (2 DVDs, Mid Price)

Opera Review | 'Eugene Onegin'
Star Power, Charisma and Ardor in ‘Onegin’

The Metropolitan Opera’s affecting revival of its 1997 production of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” which opened on Friday night, is all the more impressive because it might have turned out so differently. In a risky move, the production brought major Russian artists steeped in their national operatic heritage together with two Met stars making brave forays into far-afield repertory.

The Russian maestro Valery Gergiev conducted, in his first Met performance of this work, Tchaikovsky’s best-known operatic masterpiece. It is an adaptation of Pushkin’s novel in verse about the dashing, worldly and aloof Onegin, who learns too late from a bookish, love-struck young woman that life will pass him by unless he dares to be emotionally vulnerable. In addition this was the first Met Onegin for the baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who was born to play the role.

Read more...

Renee Fleming - Eugene Onegin - Letter Scene (part 1)



Renee Fleming - Eugene Onegin - Letter Scene (part 2)



Ramon Vargas as Lensky "Kuda, kuda vy udalilis" Eugen Onegin



Hvorostovsky & Vargas - Eugene Onegin - Duel Scene




BUSONI: Doktor Faust

Thomas Hampson (Doktor Faust), Gunther Groissbock (Wagner, his medical student and Master of Ceremonies), Gregory Kunde (Mephistopheles), Reinaldo Macias (The Duke of Parma), Sandra Trattnigg (The Duchess of Parma), Martin Zysset (a lieutenant), Chorus and Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House, Philippe Jordan (conductor)

Arthaus Musik NTSC101283 (2 DVDs)




MUSSORGSKY: Khovanshchina

Vladimir Ognovenko (Pricne Ivan Khovansky), Vladimir Galouzine (Prince Andrei Khovansky), Robert Brubaker (Prince Vasily Golitsyn), Nikolai Putilin (Shaklovity), Vladimir Vaneev (Dosifei), Elena Zaremba (Marfa), Graham Clark (Scribe), Nataliya Tymchenko (Emma), Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Michael Boder (conductor)

Opus Arte OA0989 D (2 DVDs)

Listener Requests

MONTEVERDI: Lagrime d'amante al sepolcro dell'amata (Sestina from Il sesto libro de madrigali 1614) from disc Fire and Ashes

(c/w allo - Tirsi e Clori, Chiome d'oro, Vorrei baciarti, Ardo avvampo, Ogni amante (Book VIII), Con dolce tormento, E cosi a poco a poco, Batto qui pianse, Che dar piu, Si ch'io vorrei (Book IV), Rimante in pace (Book III))
I Fagiolini, Robert Hollingworth (director)
Chandos CHAN 0749 (CD)


ROUSSEL: Symphony No.3 Op.42 (2nd movement)

(c/w Le Festin de l'araignee, Op. 17)
Orchestre de Paris, Christoph Eschenbach (conductor)

Ondine ODE 11072 (CD)


BARTOK: The Wooden Prince: "The Prince builds a wooden prince"

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop (conductor)

Naxos 8.570534 (CD, Budget)

Disc of the Week

SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1 in B flat Major Op. 38 ('Spring Symphony')

(c/w Overture to Schiller's 'Braut von Messina', Op. 100, Overture to the opera 'Genoveva', Op. 81; Symphony in G minor, 'Zwickau Symphony';
Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op. 52)
Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard

BIS SACD 1569 (Hybrid SACD)

Next Week

On next week's programme Francis Knights recommends a recording of Biber's Mystery or Rosary Sonatas and conductor John Traill discusses new releases of Beethoven Symphonies.

CD Review

Saturday 1 March 2008 (Radio 3)

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

VIVALDI: Sonata 11 in B minor ('Preludio')

(c/w Complete Op. 1 Sonatas)

Enrico Gatti (violin), Rossella Croce (violin), Judith-Maria Becker (cello), Monica Pustilnik (archlute), Guido Morini (harpsichord and organ)

Glossa GCD 921203 (2 CDs)


VIVALDI: 'Sin Nel Placido Soggiorno' from La fede tradita e vendicata) from disc Amor Profano - Vivaldi Arias

(c/w 'Siam navi all'onde' from L'olimpiade; 'Ah fuggi rapido' from Orlando Furioso; 'Non m'afflige il tormento di morte' from Tito Manlio; 'Quegl' occhi luminosi' from Semiramide; 'Squarciami pure il seno' from Il Tigrane; 'Se in campo armato' from Catone in Utica; Sinfonia from Il Tamerlano; 'Agitata da due venti' from Griselda; 'Dopo si rei disastri' from Tito Manlio; 'Amato ben tu sei la mia speranza' from La verita in cimento; 'Combatta un gentil cor' from Tito Manlio; 'La farfalletta' (adapted by Andrea Marcon); 'Or che cinto ho il crin d'alloro' from Guistino)

Simone Kermes (soprano), Venice Baroque Orchestra, Andrea Marcon (conductor)

Archiv Produktion 477 6618 (CD)


VIVALDI: 'Per laceralo' from Teuzzone RV 736 from disc Arie Ritrovate

(c/w 'Sarai qual padre mio' (reconstructed by Ottavio Dantone and Fredeeric Delamea); '[Se vincer non si puo' from La verita in cimento RV 739; 'Mi vuoi tradir lo so' from La verita in cimento RV 739; Recitative then Aria 'Con palme ed allori' from Scanderbeg RV 732; Concerto for Strings RV 136; 'Abbia respiro il cor' (reconstructed by Ottavio Dantone and Frederic Delamea); 'Perche lacero il foglio' (reconstructed by Ottavio Dantone and Frederic Delamea); 'Tu dormi in tante pene'from Tito Manlio RV 738-A; Concerto Violin RV 369; Recitative then Aria 'S'a voi penso, o luci belle' from Scanderbeg RV 732; 'Vedi le mie catene' from Teuzzone RV 736; 'Porta il sol del tuo sembiante' from Orlando furioso RV Anh 84; 'Alma mia fra tanti affanni' from Teuzzone RV 736)

Sonia Prina (contralto), Stefano Montanari (violin), Accademia Bizantina, Ottavio Dantone (director / harpsichord)

Naive OP 30443 (CD)

Album Description
This new release in Naïve's acclaimed Vivaldi Edition is dedicated to forgotten opera arias. Some of these arias were lost in the 18th century and have been found in manuscripts from Vivaldi's personal collection held in Turin. This includes two arias from Scanderbeg, an opera composed by Vivaldi in 1718. The opera itself has been lost and the pieces featured on this new CD are the only ones that remain from this work. The second part of the disc is made up of arias that are well-known but are performed here in different versions. They are taken from "Orlando furioso", "Tito Manlio" and "La Verità in Cimento". The release also includes two string concertos which feature the outstanding violinist Stefano Montanari who has himself appeared with great success on previous recordings in the Vivaldi Edition.

The Accademia Bizantina, an orchestra specialising in 17th and 18th century repertoire played on original instruments, has been directed by the harpsichordist Ottavio Dantone since 1996. In that time the group has risen to become one of the most highly regarded period orchestras today, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the interpretation of Baroque music. Contralto Sonia Prina is a highly regarded interpreter of early opera and has in recent years been Clarice in Rossini's La pietra di paragone at the Théâtre du Châtelet, and performed the title role in Handel's Rinaldo at La Scala Milan under the direction of Ottavio Dantone.


VIVALDI: Nisi Dominus RV 608



(c/w Crucifixus from the Credo RV 592; Stabat Mater RV 621)

Philippe Jaroussky (counter-tenor), Marie-Nicole Lemieux (contralto), Ensemble Matheus, Jean-Christophe Spinosi (conductor)

Naive OP 30453 (CD)

Building a Library Recommendation

POULENC: Gloria

Reviewer - Jeremy Summerly

First Choice:



(c/w HONEGGER: Symphonie Liturgique)
Luba Orgonasova (soprano), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mariss Jansons (conductor)
RCO Live RCO06003 (SACD)

1. Gloria: Gloria 2:19 $0.89
2. Gloria: Laudamus te 3:01 $0.89
3. Gloria: Domine Deus 4:04 $0.89
4. Gloria: Domine Fili, unigenite 1:21 $0.89
5. Gloria: Domine Deus, Agnus Dei 5:25 $0.89
6. Gloria: Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris 6:27 $0.89
7. Symphony No. 3 - Liturgique: Dies Irae: Allegro moderato 7:13 $0.89
8. Symphony No. 3 - Liturgique: De profundis clamavi: Adagio 11:29 Album Only
9. Symphony No. 3 - Liturgique: Dona nobis pacem: Andante 10:27 Album Only

MP3 Player showcase




Budget Choice:

(c/w VERDI: Messa Da Requiem; PUCCINI: Messa di Gloria)
Reinaldo Macias (tenor), Marcos Fink (bass), Brigitte Fournier (soprano), Chorus and Orchestra of the Gulbenkian Foundation (Lisbon), Michael Corboz (conductor)
Virgin Classics 5 62322 2 (CD, Budget)


Next week Stephen Plaistow examines recordings of Debussy's second book of piano preludes.

New Releases

Sir John Tusa picks out some highlights of the many discs appearing recently of Czech music. With extracts from and discussion about the following discs.

DVORAK: Piano Trio in B flat major Op. 21 B51



(c/w ZDENEK FIBICH: Piano Trio in F minor; MARTINU: Piano Trio No. 2 in D minor H 327)

Smetana Trio

Supraphon SU 3927-2 (CD)


GIDEON KLEIN: String Trio (Terezin 1944) from disc Gideon Klein: The Chamber Music for Strings

(c/w Four Movements for String Quartet; String Quartet Op. 2; Duo for Violin and Viola; Preludium for Viola Solo; Duo for Violin and Cello; Fantasy and Fugue for String Quartet)
Kocian Quartet
Praga Digitals PRD/DSD 250 224 (SACD)

Bedrich Smetana - Complete Orchestral Works

(Ma Vlast; Wallenstein's Camp, Symphonic Poem Op. 14; Hakon Jarl, Symphonic Poem Op. 16; Richard III, Symphonic Poem Op. 11; Overture to 'The Bartered Bride'; Three Dances from 'The Bartered Bride'; Doktor Faust, Overture to the puppet-play by Matej Kopecky; Venkovanka, The Peasant Woman, Polka; Nasim Devam, To our Girls, Polka; Festive Symphony in E major Op. 6; Festive Overture in C major; Festive Overture in D major Op. 4; Prague Carnival, Introduction and Polonaise; March of the National Guard; Shakespeare Festival March Op. 20)

Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra, Theodore Kuchar (conductor)

Brilliant Classics 93634 (3 CDs, Budget)

Product Description
Bedřich Smetana was the first major nationalist composer of Bohemia. Probably best known for his opera The bartered bride and of course The Moldau (from `My fatherland') most of his orchestral music is rather neglected by the average symphony orchestra.

Smetana's predilection for anything Bohemian shines through not just in his music but also particularly in the subjects of his symphonic poems and opera. A keen dancer himself, his music often echoes his native dance tunes as well.

The composer also had a keen interest in the theatre. Hence the subjects of his early symphonic poems which were based on works by Shakespeare, Schiller and Oehlenschläger. Of his later symphonic poems the series `Má Vlast', especially `Vltava'(the Moldau) is very well-known.

Of course no orchestra but the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Theodore Kuchar could play this music better: this is the genuine article. On these three CD's one can hear the ultimate performances of this most pleasant and vivacious music.


SMETANA: Vltava from Ma Vlast; Janacek: The Cunning Little Vixen - Suite from the Opera (arr. V. Talich) from disc Vaclav Talich Special Edition 17

(c/w Vysehrad and Sarka from Ma Vlast; Libuse - Overture; Our Lasses - polka (Nasim devam); Prague Carnival - introduction and polonaise; The Two Widows - Recitative and Aria of Anezka; Dvorak: The Noon Witch (Polednice); SUK: A Fairy Tale (The Game of the Swans and the Peacocks); Kovarovic: Miner's Polka for orchestra; Blodek: In the Well (Vstudni) - Overture; Act II. Bonus: Vaclav Talich speaking, recordings of parts of rehearsal - Dvorak: Cello Concerto, Symphony No. 9)

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Ludmilla Dvorakova (soprano), Mstislav Rostropovich (cello), Pragude Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vaclav Talich (conductor)

Supraphon SU 3837-2 (2 CDs, Mid Price)


MARTINU: Concerto for violin, piano and orchestra H342 from disc Music for Violin and Orchestra Vol. 2

(c/w Concerto da camera H285; Czech Rhapsody, arr. for violin and orchestra by Jiri Teml H307A)

Bohuslav Matousek (violin), Karel Kosarek (piano), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Hogwood (conductor)

Hyperion CDA67672 (CD)

Interview with Sir Simon Rattle

Sir Simon Rattle talks about his recent work with the Berlin Philharmonic, including his recording of Mahler's 9th Symphony and Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition'. With extracts from the following discs:

MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition; BORODIN: Symphony No. 2; Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)

EMI 517582 2 (CD)

Silvesterkonzert der Berliner Philharmoniker 2007 - Part I



Silvesterkonzert der Berliner Philharmoniker 2007 - Part II



Live aus Berlin: Silvesterkonzert der Berliner Philharmoniker 2007 Seit nunmehr 31 Jahren markiert das Silvesterkonzert der Berliner ... all » Philharmoniker das Ende des Klassik-Jahres im ZDF (das ebenso traditionell am jeweils nächsten Morgen mit dem Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker eingeläutet wird).

Zum Jahresausklang 2007 hat der Berliner Chefdirigent Sir Simon Rattle ein imposantes Klanggewitter russischer Provenienz zusammengebraut.

Alexander Borodins "Polowetzer Tänze" sind äußerst effektvolle Miniaturen, in denen der Komponist den Kontrast zwischen der russischen und asiatischen Welt auf ebenso originelle wie mitreißende Weise in Töne fasst. Ursprünglich waren diese Tänze Teil der Oper "Fürst Igor", doch für ein Pariser Gastspiel ihres "Ballet Russe" entwickelten Impresario Serge Diaghilew und Choreograph Mikhail Fokine aus den "Polowetzer Tänzen" eine ganz eigene Bühnenversion von Borodins "russischen Volkstänzen".

Die ungezügelte Wildheit und Ausdruckskraft dieses Balletts war eine Neuheit im Paris des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts und begeisterte das Publikum. Diese Popularität überdauerte Jahrzehnte und schwappte schließlich über den Atlantik: in den 50er Jahren erklangen Borodins Tänze sogar am Broadway (im Musical "Kismet") und wurden, noch einmal neu arrangiert, zum Welthit, den u.a. Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett und die Four Aces im Programm hatten.

Auch das wohl bekannteste Klanggemälde russischer Herkunft wurde erst in einer Bearbeitung zum Welterfolg: Modest Mussorgskys "Bilder einer Ausstellung" wurden zu Lebzeiten des Komponisten mehr oder weniger ignoriert. Gedruckt wurde der Klavierzyklus überhaupt erst einige Jahre nach Mussorgskys Tod (1886), fand aber trotzdem nur selten den Weg auf das Konzertpodium.


MAHLER: Symphony No. 9

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)

EMI 5012282 (2 CDs)

Product Description

Oberösterreichische Nachrichten, August 29, 2007
`Sir Simon Rattle has once again demonstrated his great affinity for this music and his ability to recreate it in the most thrilling fashion.[...] It is hardly possible to imagine a realization of this music at once more moving and more menacing. The finale was heavenly, with the Berliners pulling out all the stops. Outstanding solo playing, subtly savoured colours, saturated and warmly sonorous wind chords and a pianissimo that died away into utter oblivion - all these contributed to making this a sensational concert.'

Album Description
Simon Rattle began recording the Mahler symphonies for EMI Classics in 1987, the first foray being Symphony No. 2 with the CBSO, and the subsequent cycle has seen great critical success. Gramophone said of Sir Simon's earlier recording of Mahler 9 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for EMI: "How thrilling it is to hear the score projected at white heat! This is at various times the loudest, softest, fastest and slowest Mahler Ninth on disc." And the magazine commented on his Mahler 10 recording with the BPO, which was his first Mahler with the orchestra: "Rattle makes the strongest possible case for an astonishing piece of revivification that only the most die-hard purists will resist. Strongly recommended."

With over 225k sales to date, his recordings of Mahler 5 and 10 with the BPO have certainly been a huge hit, and this new recording of Symphony No. 9 is sure to be just as successful amongst his many fans.


BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem



Dorothea Roschmann (soprano), Thomas Quasthoff (baritone), Rundfunkchor Berlin, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)

EMI 3653932 (CD)

1. I. Selig Sind, Die Da Leid Tragen
2. II. Denn Alles Fleisch, Es Ist Wie Gras
3. III. Herr, Lehre Doch Mich
4. IV. Wie Lieblich Sind SDeine Wohnungen
5. V. Ihr Habt Nun Traurigkeit
6. VI. Denn Wir Haben Hier Keine Bleibende Stadt
7. VII. Selig Sind Die Toten

Editorial Reviews

This is a big, monolithic performance of this somewhat monolithic work, but it doesn't sound impenetrable as it occasionally can. The second movement is as gigantic as any might want, but there's great spring in its last few minutes; elsewhere, Sir Simon Rattle leads with a clarity and energy that are decidedly not lament-like. The 4th movement, "Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen," seems to sway under Rattle's baton; it appears as a light interlude. There is great warmth in the "Ich habt nun Traurigkeit" movement and all pomp seems to die away. The fugal moments are crystal clear, even with the large orchestra and chorus (this is clearly not a "period" instrument performance), and both soloists--baritone Thomas Quasthoff and Dorothea Röschmann--sing their music with close attention to the text. The Berlin Philharmonic and Rundfunkchor are superb. This is a beautiful reading of a work that can be forbidding – highly recommended. --Robert Levine

After the interview extracts from the following disc:

JOHANNES MARIA STAUD: 'Apeiron' from disc Apeiron

(c/w Incipit III (Esquisse retouchee II); Towards a Brighter Hue; Violent Incidents (Hommage a Bruce Nauman); Peras)

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle; WDR Sinfonieorchester, Lothar Zagrosek (conductor); Windkraft Tirol Kasper de Roo, Marcus Weiss (saxophone); Uwe Dierksen (trombone), Marino Formenti (piano), Ernst Kovacic (violin))

Kairos 0012672KAI (CD)

Disc of the Week

WHITE: Lamentations a5 from disc Treasures of Tudor England



(c/w Christe qui lux es dies IV; PARSONS:
Ave Maria; O bone Jesu; TYE: Agnus Dei
from Mass: Euge bone; Peccavimus cum
patribus nostris)

The Sixteen, Harry Christophers (conductor)

Coro COR16056 (CD)

Next Week

On next week's CD Review Stephen Plaistow recommends a recording of Debussy's Piano Preludes (Book II) and Richard Morrison reviews Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky and Busoni opera DVDs