BBC Radio 3's Classical CD Review

19 April 2008

2008-04-19T01:54:00.000-07:00

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after braodcast

Saturday 19 April 2008 (Radio 3)

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

In this week's programme:

WEISSENBERG: En Avril, a Paris (arrangement of Charles Trenet song) from disc Marc-Andre Hamelin in a state of jazz

SEE FULL LISTING UNDER DISC OF THE WEEK

Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano)

Hyperion CDA67656 (CD)

D'INDY: Jour d'ete a la montagne Op. 61 (first movement)

(c/w La Foret enchantee; Souvenirs)

Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Rumon Gamba (conductor)

Chandos 10464 (CD)

ROUSSEL: Symphony No. 2 (second movement)

(c/w Pour une fete de printemps; Suite in F)

Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Stephane Deneve (conductor)

Naxos 8.570529 (CD, Budget)

Building a Library Recommendation

VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 6

Reviewer - Stephen Johnson

This week's recommendation will be placed on the website on Monday 21st April

The Essential Tallis

Alexandra Buckle talks to Andrew McGregor about her must-have discs of Tallis' music. With extracts from the following:

TALLIS: Te lucis ante terminum; Salvator mundi; Spem in alium; In iejunio et fletu; O Salutaris hostia; Lamentations I; Lamentations II; Miserere; Mass for 4 voices

Magnificat, Philip Cave (conductor)

Linn Records CKD 233 (Hybrid SACD or digital download, Mid Price)

TALLIS: O salutaris hostia for five voices; In ieiunio et fletu for five voices; Salvator mundi (I) for five voices; In manus tuas Domine for five voices; Salvator mundi (II) for five voices; The Lamentations of Jeremiah (I) for five voices; O sacrum convivium for five voices; O nata lux de lumine for five voices ; Te lucis ante terminum for five voices; The Lamentations of Jeremiah (II) for five voices; Spem in alium for eight five-part choirs

Winchester Cathedral Choir (Winchester College Quiristers, Vocal Ars Chorus), David Hill (conductor)

Hyperion CDA66400 (CD)

TALLIS: Jesu salvator saeculi; Gaude gloriosa; Sermone blando angelus; Magnificat a5; Nunc dimittis a5; Mihi autem nimis; Absterge Domine; Derelinquat impius; Loquebantur variis linguis; Suscipe quaeso Domine; O nata lux

The Cardinalls Musick, Andrew Carwood (director)

Hyperion CDA67548 (CD)

TALLIS: Spem in alium; Sancte Deus; Salvator mundi, salva nos I; Salvator mundi, salva nos II; Gaude gloriosa; Miserere nostril; Loquebantur variis linguis; If ye love me; Hear the voice and prayer; A new commandment; O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit; Purge me, O Lord; Verily, verily I say unto you; Remember not, O Lord God; Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter; O Lord, in thee is all my trust; Christ rising again; Blessed are those that be undefiled; Lamentations of Jeremiah I and II; Absterge Domine; O sacrum convivium; In manus tuas; Salve intemerata; Magnificat (4vv); Ave Dei patris filia from disc The Tallis Scholars Sing Thomas Tallis

The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips (conductor)

Gimell CDGIM 203 (2CDs, Budget))

TALLIS: Third Tune: Why fum'th in fight; Fifth Tune: E'en like the hunted hind; Second Tune: Let God arise; Sixth Tune: Expend, O Lord; Eighth Tune: God grant with grace; First Tune: Man blest no doubt; Veni creator: Come Holy Ghost; Seventh Tune: Why brag'st in malice; Fourth Tune: O come in one to praise the Lord
(c/w BYRD: Vigilate; Ne irascaris Domine (Cantiones sacrae I, 1589); Exsurge Domine (Cantiones sacrae II, 1591); Infelix ego (Cantiones sacrae II); Laetentur coeli (Cantiones sacrae I); Quis est homo (Cantiones sacrae II) ; Mass Propers for Pentecost ; Communion: Factus est repente (Gradualia II, 1607); Tribulationes civitatum (Cantiones sacrae I); Laudibus in sanctis) from disc Heavenly Harmonies
Stile Antico

Harmonia Mundi HMU 807463 (Hybrid SACD)

Played but not included:

Thomas Tallis: The Complete Works Volume 9 (Instrumental Music and Songs)

(c/w Instrumental - Consort: In Nomine I, In Nomine II, ASolfinge Song, Salvator Mundi (trio), Fantasia, Felix Namque II (for lute); Instrumental - Virginals: Felix Namque I, When shall my sorrowful sighing slake, Like as the doleful dove, O ye tender babes of England, Purge me (Fond Youth), Per haec nos (extract from Salve intermerata), Apoint, Lesson 2 in 1, Remember not, O Lord God; Instrumental - Organ: Per haec nos, Apoint, Lesson 2 in 1; Songs: Tu Nimirum, When shall my sorrowful sighing slake, Like as the doeful dove, O Ye tender babes of England, William Byrd: Ye sacred muses, Litany (for organ), Dubia I, Dubia II,

Felix Namque I (organ), Andrew Benson-Williams (organ); Laurence Cummings (virginals); Lynda Sayce (lute); Stephen Taylor (counter tenor); Charivari Agreable; Chapelle du Roi, Alistair Dixon (conductor)

Signum Classics SIGCD042 (CD)

BBC Legends and Wigmore Hall Live

BEETHOVEN*: Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor" (recorded 29th January 1992 Usher Hall, Edinburgh)

GERSHWIN **: Piano Concerto in F major (recorded 14th September 1985, Royal Albert Hall, London)

Shura Cherkassky (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra**, Vernon Handley** (conductor), BBC* Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ronald Zollman (conductor)*

BBC Legends BBCL4231-2 (CD, Mid Price)

CASALS: Prelude; CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 3 Op. 58 (recorded 9th June 1984, Aldeburgh); JS BACH arr. Liszt: Organ Prelude and Fugue BWV 543; MOZART: Piano Sonata in F K. 332; VILLA-LOBOS: A Mare Encheu; Passa, Passa Gaviao; CHOPIN: Mazurka in B flat minor Op. 24 No. 4; Mazurka in C major Op. 56 No. 2; MENDELSSOHN: Song Without Words in C Major, Op. 67 No. 4 (Spinning Song)

(recorded 21st June 1987, Aldeburgh)

Mieczyslaw Horszowski (piano)

BBC Legends BBCL 4230-2 (CD, Mid Price)

MOZART: Piano Sonata in B flat major K. 570; BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata in D minor Op. 31 No. 2, 'The Tempest'; SCHUMANN: Arabeske Op. 18; CHOPIN: Mazurka in B minor Op. 33 No. 4; Nocturne in B major Op. 32 No. 1; Etude in F minor Op. 25 No. 2; Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor Op. 66; SCHUMANN: Traumerei Op. 15 No. 7

(recorded 4th June 1991, Wigmore Hall, London)

Mieczyslaw Horszowski (piano)

Wigmore Hall Live WHLive0023 (CD, Mid Price)

NB - this is to be released 28th April 2008

LOCKE: Musick for His Majesty's Sackbutts & Cornetts (recorded 15th February 1966, Royal Festival Hall, London); SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38, "Spring" (recorded 30th November 1965, Royal Festival Hall, London); BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 73 (recorded 15th February 1966, Royal Festival Hall, London)

London Symphony Orchestra, Istvan Kertesz (conductor)

BBC Legends BBCL 4229-2 (CD, Mid Price)

Disc of the Week

Marc-Andre Hamelin in a state of jazz

(c/w FRIEDRICH GULDA: Exercise No 1 from Play Piano Play; NIKOLAI KAPUSTIN: Sonata No 2 Op 54; FRIEDRICH GULDA: Exercise No 4 from Play Piano Play; ALEXIS WEISSENBERG : Sonate en etat de jazz; FRIEDRICH GULDA: Exercise No 5 from Play Piano Play; Prelude and Fugue; ALEXIS WEISSENBERG: Six arrangements of songs sung by Charles Trenet - 1) Coin de rue, 2) Vous oubliez votre cheval, 3) En Avril, a Paris, 4) Boum! 5) Vous qui passez sans me voir, 6) Menilmontant; GEORGE ANTHEIL: Jazz Sonata)

Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano)

Hyperion CDA67656 (CD)

Next Week

.

On next week's programme Tess Knighton recommends a recording of Josquin's Missa Pange Lingua (Building a Library) and Andrew McGregor talks to Paul Lewis reflecting on his cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas for Harmonia Mundi as the last one is released.

CD Review on 17th May will be marking Radio 3's Chopin Experience weekend. We'd like you to send in suggestions of what you regard as the quintessential Chopin recordings. During the programme that day Andrew will be joined in the studio by performer and academic David Owen-Norris to play and discuss your suggestions.

You can contact the programme through the CD Review website, e-mail (cdreview@bbc.co.uk) or by calling the Radio 3 Audience Line 08700 100 300.

12 April 2008

2008-04-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday 12 April 2008 (Radio 3)

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

CD Review

In this week's programme:

BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D major Op. 61 (first movement); MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D K218 (1st movement cadenza by Nigel Kennedy)

(c/w HORACE SILVER arr. Kennedy: Creepin' In)

Nigel Kennedy (violin and conductor), Polish Chamber Orchestra

EMI 3953732 (CD)

Classic FM Magazine, April 2006
On "Inner Thoughts"
"There's no question about the calibre of these recordings... It's a tribute to his outstanding career"

Album Description
For over twenty-five years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos and is one of the most important violinists Britain has ever produced. His virtuosic technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to both the classical and contemporary repertoire. He is the best selling classical violinist worldwide.

This album combines his first-ever Mozart recording with a fresh perspective on the Beethoven violin concerto he first recorded in 1992. He collaborates again with the Polish Chamber Orchestra of which he has been Artistic Director since 2002. He directs the orchestra from the violin in both concertos to achieve a more direct communication of the orchestra members and the cadenzas are very much his own.

Kennedy says the main reason for re-approaching the Beethoven concerto is that today, he hears the piece as having more rhythmic vitality which he wants to bring out in his new recording, despite still cherishing his first recording with Tennstedt, which he said had a more old-fashioned, romantic approach and was played slower.

Listen out for the Mozart cadenza which definitely gives the piece a contemporary edge. It was recorded with his electric violin and Kennedy expresses in it what the concerto means to him personally and wants to open listeners' minds to change their view of the piece. He has also introduced a harpsichord to the work which adds warmth and gives it even more life.

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7 (2nd movement)

(c/w Symphony No. 4)

Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Jarvi (conductor)

RCA Red Seal 88697129332 (Hybrid SACD)

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen - Trailer

This is a movie trailer about The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen showing excerpts from Dvorak's New World Symphony and Richard Strauss' Metamorphosen for 23 solo strings conducted by Paavo Järvi. Also included are excerpts from Beethoven's 7th Symphony performed at the Proms in 2003 under Daniel Harding. Paavo Järvi provides comments about the orchestra. The DVD was produced in 2003.

For more information about The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen visit:
http://www.kammerphilharmonie.com

Building a Library Recommendation

SCHUMANN: Piano Quintet in E flat Op. 44

Reviewer - David Fanning

This week's recommendations will be placed on the website on Monday 14th April.

Next week Stephen Johnson examines recordings of Vaughan-Williams' Symphony No. 6.

Jonathan Swain joins Andrew to pick out some highlights from the new EMI Triples reissues - 3 CDs for the price of one. With extracts from the following discs:

BERWALD: Overtures, Concertos and Symphonies (Overture to Drottningen av Golconda (The Queen of Golconda); Overture to Estrella de Soria; Overture to The Queen of Golconda; Concertos; Symphony No. 1 in G minor 'Sinfonie serieuse'; Symphony No. 2 in D major 'Sinfonie capricieuse'; Symphony No. 3 in C major 'Sinfonie singuliere'; Symphony No. 4 in E flat major 'Sinfonie naive')

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulf Bjorlin (conductor)

EMI 5009202 (3CDs, Budget)

RACHMANINOV: Symphonies Nos. 1-3, Symphonic Dances, Isle of the Dead, Scherzo in D, Vocalise

St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariss Jansons (conductor)

EMI 5008852 (3CDs, Budget)

VILLA-LOBOS: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1-9, Momoprecoce, Concerto for guitar & small orchestra

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Enrique Batiz (conductor)

EMI 5008432 (3CDs, Budget)

BRAHMS: The Concerto Album

(Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83; Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77; Double Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op. 102; Tragic Overture, Op. 81; Variations on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56a 'St Anthony Variations')

Claudio Arrau, Pierre Fournier, Alceo Galliera, Carlo Maria Giulini, Otto Klemperer, David Oistrakh, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise

EMI 5094212 (3CDs, Budget)

BARTOK: The Concerto Album

(Concerto for Orchestra, Sz.116 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rafael Kubelik; Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz 112 - Kyung-Wha Chung, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle; Piano Concerto No. 2, BB 101, Sz. 95 - Sviatoslav Richter, Orchestre de Paris, Lorin Maazel; Piano Concerto No. 3, BB 127, Sz. 119 - Martha Argerich, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Charles Dutoit; Violin Concerto No. 1, Sz 36 - Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Philharmonia Orchestra, Libor Pesek; Viola Concerto, Sz120 (Ed. Tibor Serly) - Tabea Zimmermann, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, David Shallon; The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19, Sz. 73 (Suite) - Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Sz. 106 - Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy)

EMI 5094072 (3CDs, Budget)

RAVEL: Orchestral Works

(Valses nobles et sentimentales; Bolero; Sheherazade - Ouverture de feerie; Rapsodie Espagnole; Ma Mere l'Oye; Le Tombeau de Couperin; Daphnis et Chloe; Pavane pour une infante defunte; Alborada del gracioso (Miroirs No. 4); Une barque sur l'ocean; Menuet antique; La Valse)

Orchestre de Paris, Jean Martinon (conductor)

EMI 5008922 (3CDs, Budget)

Disc of the Week

BEETHOVEN: Bagatelles Op. 126; Fur Elise

(c/w Bagatelles Op. 33 and 119)

Linda Nicholson (Fritz Fortepiano of 1815)

Accent ACC24180 (CD)

Next Week

On next week's programme Stephen Johnson recommends a recording of Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 6 (Building a Library) and Alexandra Buckle talks about Tallis recordings.

5 April 2008

2008-04-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Saturday 5 April 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:
09.05am

MOZART: Sonata in A KV 305 from disc Complete sonatas for keyboard and violin Vol 5

(c/w Sonata in C KV 403 (385c); Sonata in B flat KV31; Sonata in D KV 306)

Rachel Podger (violin); Gary Cooper (fortepiano)

Channel Classics CCS SA 25608 (Hybrid SACD)

MICHAEL NYMAN: In Re Don Giovanni

(c/w Revisiting the Don ; Trysting Fields; Not Knowing the Ropess, Wedding Tango; Wheelbarrow Walk; Fish Beach; Knowing the Ropes; O my Dear Papa; I am an unusual thing;
Profit and Loss)

Michael Nyman Band

Mn Records MNRCD 113 (CD)

MOZART: Cosi fan tutte or The School for Lovers

English version by Marmaduke Browne, adapted by John Cox
Fiordiligi, Janice Watson (soprano)
Dorabella, Diana Montague (mezzo soprano)
Guglielmo, Christopher Maltman (baritone)
Ferrando, Toby Spence (tenor)
Despina, Lesley Garrett (soprano)
Don Alfonso, Thomas Allen (baritone)
Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Gareth Hancock (assistant conductor), Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

Chandos Opera in English CHAN 3152(3) (3 CDs) (Mid Price)

MOZART: Vesperae Solennes de Confessore (K339)

(c/w MOZART Ave verum Corpus; FAURE: Requiem)

Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano); Ruth Massey (alto); Mark Dobell (tenor); Roderick Williams (baritone);
The Sixteen; Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Harry Christophers (conductor)

CORO Live COR 16057 (CD)

Building a Library Recommendation

SCRIABIN: Le Poeme de l'extase

Reviewer - William Mival

New Releases - Vaughan Williams and Finzi

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge - From far, from eve and morning

(c/w IVOR GURNEY: Ludlow and Teme; IAN VENABLES: Songs of Eternity and Sorrow, Op.36)

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

Signum Classics SIGCD112 (CD)

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge - Is my team ploughing?

(c/w Piano Quintet in C minor; Romance and Pastorale - two pieces for violin and piano)

Mark Padmore (tenor); Schubert Ensemble with Alison Dods (violin)

Chandos CHAN 10465 (CD)

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge - Clun

(c/w WARLOCK: The Curlew; BLISS: Elegiac Sonnet; IVOR GURNEY: Ludlow and Teme)

James Gilchrist (tenor); Anna Tilbrook (piano); Michael Cox (flute) Gareth Hulse (cor anglais)
The Fitzwilliam String Quartet

LINN CKD 296 (CD)

FINZI: Dies Natalis, Op.8 - The Rapture

(c/w FINZI: Romance for string orchestra Op.11; WALTON: Sonata for string orchestra (l972)

Toby Spence (tenor); Scottish Ensemble; Jonathan Morton (artistic director)

WIGMORE HALL WHLive0021 (CD)

FINZI: Dies Natalis, Op.8 - Wonder

(c/w Prelude for String Orchestra; The Fall of the Leaf (Elegy) (compl. Howard Ferguson); Two sonnets for Tenor and Orchestra; Nocturne (New Year Music); Farewell to Arms)

James Gilchrist (tenor), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, David Hill (conductor)

NAXOS 8.570417 (CD)

New Recordings

Wiebke Thormahlen talks to Andrew about recent releases of Baroque violin and cello repertoire, on both period and modern instruments. With extracts from the following discs:

CPE BACH: Gamba Sonatas & Fantasias

Solo a Viola da Gamba e Basso in D major H 559
Fantasie in A major H.278; Fantasie in C minor H.75; La Stahl H.94; Solo a Viola da Gamba e Basso in C major H 558; Les Langueurs Tendres H.110

Lorenzo Ghielmi (fortepiano), Vittorio Ghielmi
(viola da gamba), Gianluca Buratto (bass-baritone)

WINTER & WINTER910 140-2 (CD)

CPE BACH: Viola da gamba Sonatas

Sonatas in C major, Wq.136, H.558; D major, Wq.137, H559; Trio sonata in G minor, Wq.88 H.510

Dmitry Kouzov (cello), Peter Laul (harpsichord and piano)

NAXOS 8.570740 (CD)

JS BACH: Unaccompanied Sonata No.2 in A minor;
BARTOK: Sonata No.1 for violin and piano Sz.75 BB84

Midori (violin), Robert McDonald (piano)

SONY 82796977452 (CD)

Boccherini : Sei Quartetti per Archi, Op.2
QuartettI Nos. I to VI
Alea Ensemble

STRADIVARIUS STR 33758 (CD)

BUXTEHUDE : Sonatas for violin, viola da gamba and cembalo Op.1 (buxWV 252-258)

L'Estravagante: Stefano Montanari (violin), Rodney Prada (viola da gamba), Maurizio Salerno (cembalo)

ARTS 47731-8 (SACD)

BUXTEHUDE: Six Sonatas (Complete Chamber Music 3)

Sonatas in G major, BuxWV 271; A minor, BuxWV 272; F major, BuxWV 269; D major BuxWV 267; B flat major BuxWV 273; C major BuxWV 266

John Holloway and Ursula Weiss (violins), Jaap ter Linden and Mogens Rasmussen (viola da gamba), Lars Ulrik Mortensen (harpsichord and organ)

Naxos 8.557250 (CD)

BIBER: Mensa Sonora, seu Musica instrumentalis' Pars I to VI

Purcell Quartet

CHAN 0784 (CD)

Disc of the Week

HAYDN: The Creation (Part 1 played)

Sandrine Piau (soprano),Miah Persson (soprano), Ruth Massey (contralto), Peter Harvey (baritone), Mark Padmore (tenor), Neal Davies (bass), Chetham's Chamber Choir, Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh (conductor)

Archiv 477 7361 (2 CDs, Mid Price)

Album Description
Acclaimed for their recordings of large-scale masterpieces including Bach's St Matthew Passion, Handel's Saul and Mozart's Mass in C Minor, Paul McCreesh and his Gabrieli Consort turn their attention to Haydn's greatest work: The Creation
Paul McCreesh has revised large parts of the text of the English-language version, also rewriting the recitatives "as Haydn might have done had he been more familiar with the English language"

Not only is this the world premiere recording of this newly revised version, it is also the first release of Die Schoepfung in its equally authentic English version in the Deutsche Grammophon catalogue

Employing a luxuriously large cast of five soloists, almost 100 singers and 113 players as used by Haydn for the premiere of the German version, this promises to be the English-language recording of The Creation

McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort are regarded as highly acclaimed experts in recreating large-scale orchestral/choral works as they might have been performed historically; here they bring their unique insight to Haydn's well-loved masterwork

Next Week

On next week's programme David Fanning examines recordings of Schumann's Piano Quintet in E flat Op.44 and Jonathan Swain picks out some highlights from EMI's bumper set of re-issues of recordings from some of the leading musicians of the stereo age.

29 March 2008

2008-03-29T01:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-27T03:12:00.000-07:00

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

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

2008-03-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

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

2008-03-01T03:03:00.000-08:00

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

Amazon.com Widgets

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

23 February 2008

2008-02-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

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.

This week's programme:

JOHANN CASPAR FERDINAND FISCHER: Suite No. 1 for Orchestra (Overture); Missa Sancti Michaelis Archangeli (Kyrie)

(c/w Missa in Contrapuncto)
Veronika Winter (soprano), Jenny Haecker (alto), Henning Voss (tenor), Nils Giebelhausen (tenor), Matthias Gerchen (bass), Handel's Company, Kammerchor der MarienKantorei Lemgo, Rainer Johannes Homburg (conductor)

MDG 905 1477-6 (Hybrid SACD)

1. Ouverture
2. Marche
3. Air Des Combattants
4. Riguadon
5. Menuet
6. Chaconne
7. Kyrie
8. Gloria In Excelsis
9. Laudamus Te
10. Gratias Agimus Tibi
11. Domine Deus
12. Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi
13. Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus
14. Amen
15. Credo In Unum Deum
16. Genitum Non Factum
17. Et Incarnatus Est
18. Et Resurrexit
19. Et In Spiritum Sanctum
20. Et Unam Sanctam Catholicam
21. Amen
22. Sanctus
23. Osanna
24. Benedictus
25. Osanna
26. Agnus Dei
27. Dona Nobis Pacem
28. Kyrie (Pro Adventu)
29. Gloria In Excelsis Deo
30. Gratias Agimus Tibi
31. Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi
32. Quoniam To Solus Sanctus
33. Amen
34. Credo In Unum Deum
35. Genitum, Non Factum
36. Crucifixus
37. Et Resurrexit
38. Et Unam Sanctam Catholicam
39. Et Vitam Venturi
40. Amen
41. Sanctus
42. Hosanna
43. Benedictus
44. Hosanna
45. Agnus Dei
46. Dona Nobis Pacem
47. Kyrie (Pro Quadragesima)

MOZART: Requiem (Tuba mirum, Rex tremendae)

Marie Arnet (soprano), Anna Stephany (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Darren Jeffrey (bass)
London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (conductor)

LSO Live LSO0627 (Hybrid SACD, budget) or LSO0127 (CD, Budget)

1. Requiem: No 1. Introitus and Kyrie: Requiem and Kyrie 7:13 $0.89
2. Requiem: No 2. Sequence: Dies irae 1:44 $0.89
3. Requiem: No 3. Sequence: Tuba mirum 3:37 $0.89
4. Requiem: No 4. Sequence: Rex tremendae 2:13 $0.89
5. Requiem: No 5. Sequence: Recordare 6:03 $0.89
6. Requiem: No 6. Sequence: Confutatis maledictis 2:44 $0.89
7. Requiem: No 7. Sequence: Lacrimosa 2:58 $0.89
8. Requiem: No 8. Offertorium: Domine Jesu 3:54 $0.89
9. Requiem: No 9. Offertorium: Hostias 4:36 $0.89
10. Requiem: No 10. Sanctus: Sanctus 1:47 $0.89
11. Requiem: No 11. Benedictus: Benedictus 4:33 $0.89
12. Requiem: No 12. Agnus Dei and Communio: Agnus Dei 8:45 $0.89

MOZART: Requiem MP3 showcase

Amazon.com Widgets

SCHUBERT: Mass in E flat D950 (Agnus Dei)

Susan Gritton (soprano), Pamela Helen Stephen (mezzo-soprano), Mark Padmore (tenor), James Gilchrist (tenor), Matthew Rose (bass)
Collegium Musicum 90, Richard Hickox (conductor)
Chandos CHAN0750 (CD)

NB. This is released 3rd March 2008

Building a Library Recommendation

BARTOK: Violin Concerto No. 2 Sz112*

Bartok The Concerto Album

Reviewer - Piers Burton-Page

The recommendation will be placed on the website after the programme.

Next week Jeremy Summerly examines recordings of Poulenc's Gloria.

New Releases

Andrew talks to Hilary Finch about some new chamber music releases. With extracts from the following discs:

BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio No. 3 Op. 1 No. 3; Piano Trio No. 5 Op. 70 No. 1, 'The Ghost'
HUMMEL: Piano Trio No. 4 Op. 65

Andreas Staier (fortepiano), Daniel Sepec (violin), Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello)

Harmonia Mundi HMC 901955 (CD)

1. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: I. Allegro con brio 9:21 $0.99
2. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: II. Andante cantabile con variazione 7:20 $0.99
3. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: III. Menuetto quasi allegro 3:42 $0.99
4. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: IV. Prestissimo 7:38 $0.99
5. Piano Trio no.5 in D major, op.70 no.1 - "Geister-Trio": I. Allegro vivace con brio 10:20 Album Only
6. Piano Trio no.5 in D major, op.70 no.1 - "Geister-Trio": II. Largo assai ed espressivo 8:27 $0.99
7. Piano Trio no.5 in D major, op.70 no.1 - "Geister-Trio": III. Presto 7:57 $0.99
8. Piano Trio op.65 in G major: I. Allegro con spirito 7:27 $0.99
9. Piano Trio op.65 in G major: II. Andante grazioso 4:08 $0.99
10. Piano Trio op.65 in G major: III. Rondo. Vivace assai e scherzando 3:54 $0.99

Beethoven, Hummel, Piano Trios, MP3 Downloads

Amazon.com Widgets

SCHUBERT: Piano Trio No. 1 Op. 99 (D.898); Notturno in E flat major D.897; Piano Trio No. 2 Op. 100 (D.929); Sonatensatz D.28

Trio Wanderer

Harmonia Mundi HMC 902002.03 (2 CDs, Mid Price)

JS BACH: Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue) BWV 1080

Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano)

Deutsche Grammophon 477 7345 (CD)

1. Contrapunctus 1
2. Contrapunctus 2
3. Contrapunctus 3
4. Contrapunctus 4
5. Contrapunctus 5
6. Contrapunctus 6. a 4 in Stylo Francese
7. Contrapunctus 7. a 4 per Augmentationem et Diminutionem
8. Contrapunctus 8. a 3
9. Contrapunctus 9. a 4 alla Duodecima
10. Contrapunctus 10. a 4 alla Decima
11. Contrapunctus 11. a 4
12. Contrapunctus inversus 12.1 a 4
13. Contrapunctus inversus 12.2 a 4
14. Contrapunctus inversus 13.1 a 3
15. Contrapunctus inversus 13.2 a 3
16. Canon alla Ottava
17. Canon alla Decima in Contrapunto alla Terza
18. Canon alla Duodecima in Contrapunto alla Quinta
19. Canon per augmentationem in Contrario Motu
20. Fuga a 3 Soggetti (Contrapunctus 14)

CLEMENTI: The Complete Sonatas - 1
(Six Sonatas Op. 1; Three Sonatas Op. 2; Sonata in G major WO14; Three Sonatas Op. 7; Three Sonatas Op. 8; Sonata in A flat major WO13)

Howard Shelley (piano)

Hyperion CDA67632 (2 CDs)

Session Report

Late Mozart Symphonies. CD Review eavesdrops on the Glasgow City Halls sessions for Sir Charles Mackerras' latest recordings of Mozart Symphonies with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

MOZART: Symphonies 38-41

Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)
Linn CKD 308 (2 Hybrid SACDs, 2 for the price of one plus digital download)

Disc of the Week

R. STRAUSS: 4 Last Songs

(c/w An Alpine Symphony)
Anja Harteros (soprano), Staatskapelle Dresden,
Fabio Luisi (conductor)

Sony 88697141972 (Hybrid SACD)

Next Week

On next week's programme Jeremy Summerly recommends a recording of Poulenc's Gloria (Building a Library), Sir John Tusa reviews recent releases of Czech music and Sir Simon Rattle talks with Andrew McGregor about his work with the Berlin Philharmonic, including his recording of Mahler's 9th Symphony and Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition'

16 February 2008

2008-02-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

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. Including:

CD Review

CHOPIN: Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 ('Minute Waltz')
(c/w Barcarolle OP. 60; Mazurkas Op. 59 Nos. 1-3; Impromptu)
Ingrid Fliter (piano)

5099951489953 (downloadable EP of highlights - the full concert on CD will be available from April 2008 as 5099951489922)

BO LINDE: A Merry Overture Op. 14
(c/w Musica Concertante OP. 27; Suite Variee Op. 21; Suite Boulogne OP. 32)
Gavle Symphony Orchestra, Petter Sundkvist (conductor)

Swedish Society Discofil SSACD 1132 (Hybrid SACD)

KODALY: Hary Janos Suite - Intermezzo
(c/w Summer Evening; Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song (The Peacock))
Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Adam Fischer (conductor)

Budapest Music Centre Records BMC CD141 (CD)

BARTOK: Violin Concerto Op. Posth. ('no. 1')*

(c/w Rhapsody for piano and orchestra Sz 27; Scherzo for orchestra and piano Sz 28)
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra*, Zoltan Kocsis (conductor)*
Budapest Festival Orchestra, Ivan Fischer (conductor)

Hungaroton HSACD 32504 (Hybrid SACD)

Building a Library Recommendation

VIVALDI: Stabat Mater RV 621

Reviewer - David Vickers

First Choice:

(c/w Nisi Dominus RV 608, Salve Regina RV 616, Concerto for viola d'amore FII No. 2)
Carlos Mena (counter tenor), Ricercar Consort, Philippe Pierlot (director)

Mirare MIR 9968

1. Salve Regina Andante
2. Ad Te Clamamus Allegro
3. Ad Te Suspiramus Larghetto
4. Eja Ergo Allegro
5. Et Jesum Andante
6. O Clemens Andante
7. Stabat Mater Dolorosa
8. Cujus Animam
9. O Quam Tristis
10. Quis Est Homo
11. Quis Non Posset
12. Pro Peccatis
13. Eja Mater
14. Fac Ut Ardeat
15. Amen
16. Allegro
17. Largo
18. Allegro
19. Nisi Dominus
20. Vanum Est Vobis
21. Surgite Postquam Sederitis
22. Cum Dederit Dilectis
23. Sicut Sagittae
24. Beatus Vir
25. Gloria Patri
26. Sicut Erat
27. Amen
28. Silence
29. Gloria (Nisi Dominus) (Version Avec Viole De Gambe)

Next week Piers Burton-Page examines recordings of Bartok's 2nd Violin Concerto.

10.15 New Releases

MOZART: Symphony no.40 (first movement)
(c/w Symphonies 38-39 and 41)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

LINN CKD 308 (download available now, Hybrid SACD for release 25/02/08)

JOSQUIN: Missa Ad fugam (Agnus Dei I - III)
(c/w Missa Sine nomine; Missa Ad fugam revisions attributed to Josquin)
Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips (conductor)

Gimell CDGIM 039 (download available now, CD for release 03/03/08)

Downloads

Andrew talks to James Jolly, Gramophone editor-at-large and expert on the rapidly-expanding field of classical music downloads. Along with explaining the basics of downloads, they discuss the range of material available and recommend recent highlights. With extracts from the following:

ADES: Violin Concerto (3rd movement)

Anthony Marwood (violin), Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Thomas Ades (conductor)

EMI 5099950027156 (download available now, CD for release later in 2008)

MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 4 (2nd movement)
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly (conductor)

Decca Concerts download
(download only)

MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto (3rd movement)
Jascha Heifetz (violin), New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Guido Cantelli (conductor)

Pristine Audio download 344336/7 (download available now, CD released as Pristine Audio PASC 094)

BACH: 'Mache dich mein Herze rein' (St Matthew Passion)
Matthew Brook (bass), Dunedin Consort, John Butt (conductor)

Linn download
(download available now, 3 Hybrid SACDs CKD 313 for release 10/03/08)

Respighi Belkis, Queen of Sheba (War Dance)

(c/w Metamorphoseon)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Geoffrey Simon (conductor)

Chandos download
(download available now, CD released as CHAN 8405)

Amazon.com Widgets

1. Belkis, Queen of Sheba: Suite, P. 177: I. The Dream of Solomon Philharmonia Orchestra 8:02 $0.90
2. Belkis, Queen of Sheba: Suite, P. 177: II. War Dance Philharmonia Orchestra 2:54 $0.90
3. Belkis, Queen of Sheba: Suite, P. 177: III. The Dance of Belkis at Dawn Philharmonia Orchestra 6:21 $0.90
4. Belkis, Queen of Sheba: Suite, P. 177: IV. Orgiastic Dance Philharmonia Orchestra 5:19 $0.90
5. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Theme: Andante moderato Philharmonia Orchestra 1:49 $0.90
6. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus I: Moderato non troppo Philharmonia Orchestra 1:53 $0.90
7. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus II: Allegretto Philharmonia Orchestra 1:38 $0.90
8. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus III: Lento Philharmonia Orchestra 2:22 $0.90
9. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus IV: Lento espressivo Philharmonia Orchestra 2:38 $0.90
10. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus V: Molto vivace Philharmonia Orchestra 0:37 $0.90
11. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus VI: Vivo Philharmonia Orchestra 0:43 $0.90
12. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus VII: Cadenza Philharmonia Orchestra 6:38 $0.90
13. Metamorphoseon Modi XII, P. 169: Modus VIII: Andantino Mosso Philharmonia Orchestra 1:21 $0.90
14. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus IX: Lento non troppo Philharmonia Orchestra 2:19 $0.90
15. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus X: Molto allegro Philharmonia Orchestra 0:41 $0.90
16. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus XI: Molto allegro Philharmonia Orchestra 0:51 $0.90
17. Metamorphoseon modi XII, P. 169: Modus XII: Vivo non troppo Philharmonia Orchestra 2:03 $0.90

Brahms Vergebliches Standchen

(c/w other live and studio recordings, 1952-2007)
Inga Nielsen (soprano), Friedrich Gurtler (piano)

Chandos CHAN 10444 (2 CDs)

Disc: 1
1. Athalia
2. Idomeneo
3. Fidelio
4. Lucia Di Lammermoor
5. La Traviata
6. Faust
7. Manon
8. Tannhauser
9. Die Frau Ohne Schatten
10. Elektra

Disc: 2
1. Waldensamkeit
2. Vergebliches Standchen
3. Och Moder, Ich Well En Ding Han
4. Stabat Mater
5. Concert Aria, KV 505
6. Im Abendrot
7. Erwartung
8. Die Lustige Witwe
9. Showboat
10. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
See all 13 tracks on this disc

Interview with Thomas Dausgaard

With extracts from the following discs:

BERLIOZ: Lelio

(c/w Le Carnival romain; Helene)
Jean-Philippe Lafont (bass-baritone)
Sune Hjerrild (tenor), Gert-Henning Jensen (tenor)
Danish National Choir, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard (conductor)

Chandos CHAN10416 (CD)

1. Le Carnaval Romain, Op. 9: Allegro assai con fuoco - Andante sostenuto - Tempo I Allegro vivace Danish National Symphony Orchestra 9:17 Album Only
2. Helene, Op. 2, No. 2: Ballade - Allegro Danish National Choir 3:34 $0.90
3. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "Dieu! je vis encore" Jean-Philippe Lafont 2:53 $0.90
4. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Le Pecheur. Ballade de Goethe. Andantino Gert Henning-Jensen 5:14 $0.90
5. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "Etrange persistance d'un souvenir!" - Jean-Philippe Lafont 2:40 $0.90
6. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Choeur d'ombres. Largo misterioso Jean-Philippe Lafont 5:52 $0.90
7. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "O Shakespeare! Shakespeare!" Jean-Philippe Lafont 3:38 $0.90
8. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Chanson de brigands. Allegro marcato con impeto Sune Hjerrild 4:11 $0.90
9. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "Comme mon esprit flotte incertain!" Jean-Philippe Lafont 1:49 $0.90
10. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Chant de bonheur - Hymne. Larghetto un poco lento Sune Hjerrild 5:02 $0.90
11. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "Oh! que ne puis-je la trouver" Jean-Philippe Lafont 1:28 $0.90
12. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: La Harpe eolienne - Souvenirs. Larghetto Danish National Symphony Orchestra 2:55 $0.90
13. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "Mair pourquoi m'abandonner a ces dangereuses illusions?" Jean-Philippe Lafont 5:06 $0.90
14. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Introdution. Andante non troppo lento - Danish National Choir 3:15 $0.90
15. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: La Tempete. Allegro assai, un peu retenu en commencant - Danish National Choir 2:34 $0.90
16. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: L'Action. Un peu moins vite - Danish National Choir 6:54 $0.90
17. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Le Denoument. Tempo I piu animato con fuoco - Presto Danish National Symphony Orchestra 1:50 $0.90
18. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Lelio: "Assez pour aujord'hui" Jean-Philippe Lafont 0:32 $0.90
19. Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, Op. 14bis: Coda. Allegro meno mosso Jean-Philippe Lafont 0:49 $0.90

BERLIOZ: Lelio MP3 showcase

Amazon.com Widgets

SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 4 (1841 version), 2nd movement Op. 120

(c/w Symphony No. 2 Op. 61; Overture to 'Scenes for Goethe's Faust'; Julius Caesar Overture Op. 128)
Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard

BIS SACD 1519 (Hybrid SACD)

DVORAK: Symphony No. 6, 4th movement Op. 60

(c/w Symphony No. 9, Op. 95)
Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard

BIS SACD 1566 (Hybrid SACD)

Disc of the Week

JANACEK: The Excursions of Mr. Broucek

Jan Vacik, Peter Straka, Roman Janal, Maria Haan, Zdenek Plech, BBC
Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiri Belohlavek (conductor)

Deutsche Grammophon 477 7387 (2 CDs)

Next Week

On next week's CD Review Piers Burton-Page recommends a recording of Bartok's 2nd Violin Concerto (Building a Library), there's a session report on the most recent in a series of Mozart Symphony recordings with Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Hilary Finch discusses some new releases with Andrew McGregor.

Fire Burning in the Snow

2008-02-08T03:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday 9 February 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.

CD Review

WHITE: Christe qui lux es et dies (IV)

(c/w Lamentations a 5; TYE: Agnus Dei from Mass: Euge bone; Peccavimus cum patribus nostris; PARSONS: Ave Maria; O bone Jesu;
The Sixteen, Harry Christophers (conductor)
Coro COR16056 (CD)

ANON: Glorioso Domina from disc Francisco Javier: La Ruta de Oriente (Francis Xavier - The Route to the Orient)

Hesperion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hiroyuki Koinuma, Ichiro Seki, Yukio Tanaka, Prabhu Edouard, Ken Zuckerman, Montserrat Figueras, Jordi Savall (director)
AliaVox AVSA 9856 (2 Hybrid SACDs and book)

BEAMISH: Viola Concerto No. 2, 'The Seafarer' (2nd movement)

(c/w Whitescape; Sangsters)
Tabea Zimmermann (viola), Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Ola Rudner (conductor)
BIS CD 1241 (CD)

Building a Library Recommendation

MOZART: String Quartet No. 23 in F K590

Reviewer - Peter Quantrill

Overall choice:

Quatuor Mosaiques
Naive E8888 (CD)

Traditional Instrument Choice:
Tokyo Quartet
Buddulph BID80215

Next week David Vickers examines recordings of Vivaldi's Stabat Mater.

New Releases

Rob Cowan looks at some recent issues of historic recordings. With extracts from the following discs:

Historical Russian Archives: Alexander Gauk Edition

(CD 1: SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 Op. 47; RACHMANINOFF: Russian Folk Songs for Chorus Op. 41; 'Spring', Cantata for Baritone Op. 20

CD 2: SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 11 Op. 103; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: The Song of Oleg the Wise Op. 58;

CD 3: KHACHATURUIAN: 'Sparticus', Suite; GLINKA: Premiere Polka;
Kamarinskaya;

CD 4: KHATCHATURIAN: Symphony No. 1; GLINKA: Memory of Friendship; Patriotic Song;

CD 5: MYASKOVSKY: Symphony NO. 17 Op. 41; PROKOFIEV: Flourish, Mighty Homeland Op. 114; Russian Overture, Op. 72; IVANOV-RADKEVICH: Russian Overture;

CD 6: TCHAIKOVSKY: The Seasons Op. 37; BALAKIREV: Islamey; GLAZUNOV: Spring OP. 34; Waltz Op. 42 No. 3; ARENSKY: March, in memory of Suvorov; In the Fields Op. 36 No. 24; Waltz from '6 Children's Pieces' Op. 34;

CD 7: TCHAIKOVSKY: Hamlet Op. 67a; Fatum Op. Posth.77;

CD 8: TCHAIKOVSKY: Snegourotchka, Snow Maiden Op. 12;

CD 9: LISZT: Eine Faust-Symphonie;

CD 10: BEETHOVEN: Overture Coriolan; MENDELSSOHN: Overture Ruy Blas; BIZET: Patrie, Overture Op. 19; CASELLA: Italia, Rapsodia per orchestra; ENESCU: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1; MILHAUD: Suite Provencale)

USSR State Radio and TV Symphony and Chorus, Alexander Gauk (conductor)

Brilliant Classics 8866 (10 CDs, Budget)

Charles Munch Conducts Beethoven - Unissued Concert Performances With the Boston Symphony Orchestra 1954-1957

(Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral'; Symphony No. 7; Piano Concerto No. 3; Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor' Op. 73; Symphony No. 3 'Eroica' Op. 55; String Quartet No. 16 Op. 135; Violin Concerto; Leonore Overture No. 2 Op. 72; Die Weihe des Hauses, Op. 124 Overture)

Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (conductor)

Pristine Audio WHRA-6014 (5CDs, Budget)

Famous Mendelssohn Recordings

(Symphony No. 4 Op. 90,
Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 25,
Symphony No. 5 Op. 107)

Halle Orchestra, Hamilton Harty (conductor);
Ania Dorfmann (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, Walter Goehr (conductor);
L'Orchestre de la Societe du Conservatoire e Paris, Charles Munch (conductor)

Dutton CDBP 9781 (CD, Budget)

BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4; WAGNER: Siegfried-Idyll

Kolner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, Hans Knappertsbusch (conductor)

Orfeo C 723 071 B (CD, Mid Price)

The Beecham Collection

(BOCCHERINI: Overture in D; GRETRY: Ballet Suite Zemire et Azor; LISZT: Die Loreley; FRANCK: Le Chasseur Maudit; ELGAR: Enigma Variations)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham (conductor)

Somm Beecham 22 (CD, Mid Price)

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9, "Choral"
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano), Elisabeth Hongen (alto), Hans Hopf (tenor), Otto Edelmann (bass), Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwangler (conductor)

Orfeo C 754 081 B (CD, Mid Price)

1. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso
2. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': II. Molto Vivace
3. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': III. Adagio Molto E Cantabile-Andante Moderato-Adagio
4. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': IV. Presto-Allegro Ma Non Troppo-Allegro Assai-Presto-Allegro...

Session Report: Fire Burning in the Snow

How do Jeffrey Skidmore's Ex Cathedra Consort and Baroque Ensemble recreate the exuberant Baroque music of Latin America in a north London church?

Fire Burning in the Snow

(with works by Juan de Araujo and Diego Jose de Salazar)

Ex Cathedra Consort and Baroque Ensemble, Jeffrey Skidmore (director)

Hyperion CDA67600 (CD)

1. Hanacpachap cussicuinin (verses 1- 5)(Anonymous)
2. Dixit Dominus (Juan de Araujo)
3. Silencio (Juan de Araujo)
4. Dime, amor (Juan de Araujo)
5. A, del la region de luces ! (Juan de Araujo)
6. Hanacpachap cussicuinin (verses 6 - 10) (Anonymous)
7. A, del cielo ! (Juan de Araujo)
8. Fuego de amor ! (Juan de Araujo)
9. En el muy gran Padre Ignacio (Juan de Araujo)
10. Hanacpachap cussicuinin (verses 11- 15) (Anonymous)
11. Salga el torillo hosquillo! (Diego Jose de Salazar)
12. Dios de amor (Juan de Araujo)
13. A, del tiempo! (Juan de Araujo)
14. Hanacpachap cussicuinin (verses 16- 20) (Anonymous)

Disc of the Week

BIZET: Jeux d'Enfants, Op. 22
(c/w Symphony in C Major; CHABRIER:
Suite Pastorale)

Les Siecles, Francois-Xavier Roth
(conductor)

Mirare MIR 036 (CD)

Next Week

On next week's CD Review David Vickers recommends a recording of Vivaldi's Stabat Mater (Building a Library), there's an interview with conductor Thomas Dausgaard and James Jolly talks about the whole area of music downloads.

2008-02-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Saturday 2 February 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.

CD Review

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 (first movement)

(c/w Symphony No. 3 Op. 55)
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Paavo Jarvi (conductor)

RCA 8869700655 2 (Hybrid SACD)

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6 Op. 68, 'Pastoral' (third movement)

(c/w Symphony No. 1 Op. 21)
Minnesota Orchestra, Osmo Vanska (conductor)

BIS SACD 1726 (Hybrid SACD)

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 Op. 73, 'Emperor'

Mikhail Pletnev (piano), Russian National Orchestra, Christian Gansch (conductor)
Deutsche Grammophon 477 6417 (CD)

Building a Library

WAGNER: Ring Cycle on DVD

Reviewer - Patrick Carnegy

First choice:

Donald McIntyre, Heinz Zednik, Hermann Becht, Hanna Schwarz, Siegfried Jerusalem, Matti Salminen, Gwyneth Jones, Jeannine Altmeyer, Peter Hofmann, Gabriele Schnaut, Manfred Jung, Fritz Hubner, Franz Mazura, Gwendolyn Killebrew, Choir and Orchestra of the Bayreuther Festspiele, Pierre Boulez (conductor)

Deutsche Grammophon 00440 073 4057 (8 DVDs, including Bonus DVD on the making of this production. Each opera also available separately)

Das Rheingold I - Loge's monolog

Das Rheingold II - finale

Die Walküre, act one

Wagner - Die Walküre, Act One, scene 2: Hunding (Salminen)

Die Walküre, act two

Wagner - Die Walküre: "The Ride of the Valkyries" (Boulez)

Die Walküre: Winterstürme - Du bist der Lenz

Die Walküre: Nicht sehre dich Sorge um mich (Altmeyer)

Siegfried, act one

Siegfried, act one

Siegfried, act two, Forest Murmurs

Götterdämmerung Act 1 Sc 2

Götterdämmerung Act 1 Sc 3

Götterdämmerung, act two

Götterdämmerung, act three

Next week Peter Quantrill examines recordings of one of Mozart's 'Prussian' Quartets, K90 in F Major.

Harmonia Mundi at 50

With extracts from the following discs:

BIZET: L'Arlesienne Overture
(c/w Symphony in C major)
Orquesta Cuidad de Granada, Josep Pons (conductor)

Harmonia Mundi HMA1951675 (CD, Mid Price)

BYRD: Miserere mihi, Domine

(c/w works by John Sheppard, Thomas Tallis, Robert White and Hugh Aston)
Stile Antico

Harmonia Mundi HMU907419 (CD)

1. Sheppard: Libera nos I & II 5:36 $0.99
2. Salva nos, Domine 0:46 $0.99
3. Byrd: Christe, qui lux es et dies 3:48 $0.99
4. Sheppard: In pace in idipsum 5:28 $0.99
5. Tallis: In manus tuas 2:41 $0.99
6. Sheppard: Jesu, salvator saeculi, verbum 5:39 $0.99
7. Sheppard: In manus tuas I 3:59 $0.99
8. Sheppard: In manus tuas II & III 3:18 $0.99
9. Miserere mihi, Domine 0:29 $0.99
10. Tallis: Miserere nostri, Domine 3:12 $0.99
11. Byrd: Miserere mihi, Domine 2:43 $0.99
12. Tallis: In pace in idipsum 5:47 $0.99
13. White: Christe, qui lux es et dies 5:55 $0.99
14. Veni, Domine 0:36 $0.99
15. Byrd: Nunc dimittis 7:02 $0.99
16. Tallis: Te lucis ante terminum 2:56 $0.99
17. Aston: Gaude, virgo mater Christi 14:34 Album Only

Music for Compline MP3 Showcase

Amazon.com Widgets

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 Op. 55
(c/w 12 Contretanze WoO14; Die Geschopfe des Prometheus Op. 43)
Helsinborg Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Manze (conductor)

Harmonia Mundi HMU 807470 (CD)
(released March 31st 2008)

SCHUBERT: Sehnsucht
Matthias Goerne (baritone), Elisabeth Leonskaja (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMC 901988 (CD)
(released March 31st 2008)

CHARPENTIER: Te Deum H. 146)

Amazon.com Widgets

Disc of the Week

MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 27 K 595
(c/w Clarinet Concerto K. 622)
Andreas Staier (fortepiano), Lorenzo Coppola (clarinet), Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz (conductor)

Harmonia Mundi HMC 901908 (CD)

Next Week

On next week's CD Review Peter Quantrill recommends a recording of Mozart's String Quartet K590, there's a session report on the disc 'Burning in the Snow' and Rob Cowan reviews some historic recordings

2008-01-26T01:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday 26 January 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.

CD Review

L. ANDERSON: The Classical Jukebox

(c/w Bugler's Holiday; Blue Tango; The First Day of Spring; Belle of the Ball; Governor Bradford March; Clarinet Candy; The Captains and the Kings; The Golden Years; Chicken Reel; Fiddle-Faddle; China Doll; Balladette; Arietta; Piano Concerto in C major)

BBC Concert Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin (conductor), Jeffrey Biegel (piano)

Naxos 8.559313 (CD, Budget)

WAGNER arr. Vlieger: The Ring - An Orchestral Adventure

(c/w Siegfried Idyll)

Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi (conductor)

Chandos CHSA 5060 (Hybrid SACD)

1. 'Das Rheingold': Vorspiel
2. 'Das Rheingold': Das Rheingold
3. 'Das Rheingold': Nibelheim
4. 'Das Rheingold': Walhall
5. 'Die Walkure': Die Walkuren
6. 'Die Walkure': Feuerzauber
7. Siegfried: Waldweben
8. Siegfried: Siegfrieds Heldentat
9. Siegfried: Brunnhildes Erwachen
10. 'Gotterdammerung': Siegfried Und Brunnhilde
11. 'Gotterdammerung': Siegfrieds Rheinfhart
12. 'Gotterdammerung': Siegfrieds Tod
13. 'Gotterdammerung': Trauermusik
14. 'Gotterdammerung': Brunnhildes Opfertat

STRADELLA: San Giovanni Battista - from the second part

Anke Herrmann (soprano - Salome), Martin Oro (counter tenor - San Giovanni Battista), Antonio Abete (bass - Herode), Fredrik Akselberg (tenor - Consigliere), Elena Cecchi Fedi (soprano - Herodiade), Academia Montis Regalis, Alessandro de Marchi (conductor)

Hyperion CDA67617 (CD)

1. Sinfonia A 3 W-K30
2. Sinfonia
3. Amiche Selve - Deste Un Tempo
4. Selve Beate - Dove, Battista? - Alla Corte
5. Soffin Pur, Rabbiosi Fremiti
6. Restate - Dove, Battista, Dove?
7. Sinfonia
8. Invitto Herode
9. Volin Pure Lontano Dal Sen
10. Si, Si Dei Tuoi Divoti - Anco In Cielo
11. Ma Poi Lasciando
12. Sorde Dive
13. Non Piu Cedo - Non Fia Ver - Non Piu, Ferma
14. Tuonera Tra Mille Turbini
15. S'uccida Il Reo
16. Provera Se Questo Scettro
17. Freni L'orgoglio
18. Sinfonia a 3 W-K32: Adagio
19. Vaghe Ninfe Nel Giordano
20. Giorno Si Lieto - Anco Il Sol

Building a Library Recommendation

WAGNER: Gotterdammerung

Reviewer - John Deathridge

First choice:

Siegfried - Wolfgang Windgassen;
Brunnhilde - Birgit Nilsson;
Alberich - Gustav Neidlinger;
Hagen - Gottlob Frick; Gutrune - Claire Watson;
Gunther - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau;
Waltraute - Christa Ludwig;
Woglinde - Luicia Popp;
Wellgunde - Gwyneth Jones;
Flosshilde - Maureen Guy;
1 Norn - Helen Watts;
2 Norn - Grace Hoffman;
3 Norn - Anita Valkki

Vienna Philharmonic, Sir Georg Solti (conductor)

Decca 455 5692 (4 CDs, Mid Price)

Disc: 1
1. Gotterdammerung: Prolog: Welch Lich leuchtet dort
2. Gotterdammerung: Prolog: Treu beratner Vertraege Runen
3. Gotterdammerung: Prolog: Es ragt die Burg, von Riesen gebaut
4. Gotterdammerung: Prolog: Zu neuen Taten, teurer Helde
5. Gotterdammerung: Prolog: Willst du mir Minne schenken

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2
1. Gotterdammerung: Erster Aufzug - Zweite Szene: Deinem Bruder bot ich mich zum Mann
2. Gotterdammerung: Erster Aufzug - Zweite Szene: Bluhenden Lebens labendes Blut
3. Gotterdammerung: Erster Aufzug - Zweite Szene: Frisch auf die Fahrt!
4. Gotterdammerung: Erster Aufzug - Zweite Szene: Hier sitz' ich zur Wacht
5. Gotterdammerung: Erster Aufzug - Dritte Szene: Altgewohntes Geraeusch

See all 9 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3
1. Gotterdammerung: Zweiter Aufzug: Vorspiel
2. Gotterdammerung: Zweiter Aufzug - Erste Szene: Schaefst du, Hagen, mein Sohn?
3. Gotterdammerung: Zweiter Aufzug - Zweite Szene: Hoiho, Hagen! Muder Mann!
4. Gotterdammerung: Zweiter Aufzug - Zweite Szene: Heiss mich willkommen, Gibichskind!
5. Gotterdammerung: Zweiter Aufzug - Dritte Szene: Hoiho! Hoihohoho!

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4
1. Gotterdammerung: Dritter Aufzug - Vorspiel
2. Gotterdammerung: Dritter Aufzug - Erste Szene: Frau Sonne sendet lichte Strahlen
3. Gotterdammerung: Dritter Aufzug - Erste Szene: Ein Albe fuhrte mich irr
4. Gotterdammerung: Dritter Aufzug - Erste Szene: Was leid' ich doch das karge Lob?
5. Gotterdammerung: Dritter Aufzug - Erste Szene: Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Siegfried's Tod & Trauermarsch Wolfgang Windgassen

Super-Budget Choice:

Siegfried - Rene Kollo;
Gunther - Hans Gunter Nocker;
Alberich - Siegmund Nimsgern;
Hagen - Matti Salminen;
Brunnhilde - Jeannine Altmeyer;
Gutrune - Norma Sharp;
Waltraute - Ortrun Wenkel;
1 Norn - Anne Gjevang;
2 Norn - Daphne Evangelatos;
3 Norn - Ruth Falcon;
Woglinde - Lucia Popp;
Wellgune - Uta Priew;
Flosshilde - Hanna Schwarz

Staatskapelle Dresden, Marek Janowski (conductor)

RCA 82876557092 (only available as part of a 14 CD set of the complete Ring Cycle, Super Budget)

Disc: 1
1. Prelude - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2
1. Wer Helfe Mir? - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3
1. Prelude - Siegfried Jerusalem
See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4
1. Prelude - Siegfried Jerusalem
See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5
1. Siegmund! Sieh Auf Mich - Siegfried Jerusalem
See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 6
1. Hier Bin Ich, Vater - Siegfried Jerusalem
See all 9 tracks on this disc

Disc: 7
1. Prelude
See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 8
1. Bist Du Es, Kind?
See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 9
1. Aber Wie Sah Meine Mutter Wohl Aus?
See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 10
1. Dir Unweisen Ruf' Ich Ins Ohr
See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 11
1. Welch Licht Leuchtet Dort?
See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 12
1. Deinem Bruder Bot Ich Mich Zum Mann
See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 13
1. Hoioh, Hagen! Muder Mann!
See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 14
1. Was Leid' Ich Doch Das Karge Lob?
See all 15 tracks on this disc

Next week Patrick Carnegy concludes CD Review's analysis of Wagner's epic Ring Cycle with a look at the six available DVD versions.

Chamber Music

BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio Op. 1 No. 3 (1st movement)

(c/w Piano Trio Op. 70 No. 1; HUMMEL: Piano Trio Op. 65 No. 4)
Andreas Staier (fortepiano), Daniel Sepec (violin), Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello)

Harmonia Mundi HMC 901955 (CD)

1. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: I. Allegro con brio 9:21 $0.99
2. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: II. Andante cantabile con variazione 7:20 $0.99
3. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: III. Menuetto quasi allegro 3:42 $0.99
4. Piano Trio no.3 in C minor, op.1 no.3: IV. Prestissimo 7:38 $0.99
5. Piano Trio no.5 in D major, op.70 no.1 - "Geister-Trio": I. Allegro vivace con brio 10:20 Album Only
6. Piano Trio no.5 in D major, op.70 no.1 - "Geister-Trio": II. Largo assai ed espressivo 8:27 $0.99
7. Piano Trio no.5 in D major, op.70 no.1 - "Geister-Trio": III. Presto 7:57 $0.99
8. Piano Trio op.65 in G major: I. Allegro con spirito 7:27 $0.99
9. Piano Trio op.65 in G major: II. Andante grazioso 4:08 $0.99
10. Piano Trio op.65 in G major: III. Rondo. Vivace assai e scherzando 3:54 $0.99

Beethoven, Hummel, Piano Trios, MP3 Downloads

Amazon.com Widgets

L. BERKELEY: String Quartet No. 1, Op. 6 (4th movement)

(c/w String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15; String Quartet No. 3, Op. 76)
Maggini Quartet

Naxos 8.570415 (CD, Budget)

1. String Quartet No. 1, Op. 6: I. Allegro - Moderato 7:51 $0.90
2. String Quartet No. 1, Op. 6: II. Andante non troppo - Lento 5:51 $0.90
3. String Quartet No. 1, Op. 6: III. Scherzo: Vivace 3:57 $0.90
4. String Quartet No. 1, Op. 6: IV. Theme and 6 variations: Moderato 8:48 Album Only
5. String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: I. Allegro moderato 7:11 $0.90
6. String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: II. Lento 5:30 $0.90
7. String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15: III. Allegro 5:47 $0.90
8. String Quartet No. 3, Op. 76: I. Allegro moderato 4:32 $0.90
9. String Quartet No. 3, Op. 76: II. Allegro vivace 2:21 $0.90
10. String Quartet No. 3, Op. 76: III. Lento 6:05 $0.90
11. String Quartet No. 3, Op. 76: IV. Molto vivace 5:03 $0.90

New Bach Releases

With extracts from the following discs:

BACH: Six Concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg

Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord and director), European Brandenburg Ensemble

AVIE AV2119 (2 CDs)

BACH: Brandenburg Concertos

Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord and director), The English Concert

Archiv (3 CDs, Mid Price)

Disc 1

1. Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F, BWV 1046 - 1. (without tempo indication) 4:06 $0.99
2. Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F, BWV 1046 - 2. Adagio 4:13 $0.99
3. Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F, BWV 1046 - 3. Allegro 4:05 $0.99
4. Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F, BWV 1046 - 4. Menuet - Trio - Polonaise 7:25 Album Only
5. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 in F, BWV 1047 - 1. (without tempo indication) 5:13 $0.99
6. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 in F, BWV 1047 - 2. Andante 3:52 $0.99
7. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 in F, BWV 1047 - 3. Allegro assai 3:03 $0.99
8. Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G, BWV 1048 - 1. (without tempo indication) 5:45 $0.99
9. Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G, BWV 1048 - 2. Adagio (BWV 1019a) 0:32 $0.45
10. Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G, BWV 1048 - 3. Allegro 4:43 $0.99
11. Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G, BWV 1049 - 1. Allegro 6:54 $0.99
12. Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G, BWV 1049 - 2. Andante 3:46 $0.99
13. Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G, BWV 1049 - 3. Presto 4:44 $0.99

Disc 2

1. Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV 1050 - 1. Allegro 9:45 Album Only
2. Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV 1050 - 2. Affetuoso 5:09 $0.99
3. Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV 1050 - 3. Allegro 5:06 $0.99
4. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B flat, BWV 1051 - 1. -- 6:02 $0.99
5. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B flat, BWV 1051 - 2. Adagio ma non tanto 5:19 $0.99 6. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B flat, BWV 1051 - 3. Allegro 5:23 $0.99
7. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 1. Ouverture 5:36 $0.99
8. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 2. Courante 1:58 $0.45
9. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 3. Gavotte I-II 2:43 $0.99
10. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 4. Forlane 1:13 $0.45
11. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 5. Menuet I-II 3:08 $0.99
12. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 6. Bourrée I-II 2:20 $0.99
13. Suite No.1 in C, BWV 1066 - 7. Passepied I-II 2:25 $0.99

Disc 3

1. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 1. Ouverture 6:09 $0.99
2. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 2. Rondeau 1:58 $0.45
3. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 3. Sarabande 2:53 $0.99
4. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 4. Bourrée I-II 1:56 $0.45
5. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 5. Polonaise 3:41 $0.99
6. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 6. Menuet 1:30 $0.45
7. Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067 - 7. Badinerie 1:32 $0.45
8. Suite No.3 in D, BWV 1068 - 1. Ouverture 6:04 $0.99
9. Suite No.3 in D, BWV 1068 - 2. Air 4:47 $0.99
10. Suite No.3 in D, BWV 1068 - 3. Gavotte I-II 3:18 $0.99
11. Suite No.3 in D, BWV 1068 - 4. Bourrée 1:11 $0.45
12. Suite No.3 in D, BWV 1068 - 5. Gigue 2:51 $0.99
13. Suite No.4 in D, BWV 1069 - 1. Ouverture 7:20 Album Only
14. Suite No.4 in D, BWV 1069 - 2. Bourrée I-II 2:40 $0.99
15. Suite No.4 in D, BWV 1069 - 3. Gavotte 2:02 $0.99
16. Suite No.4 in D, BWV 1069 - 4. Menuet I-II 3:53 $0.99
17. Suite No.4 in D, BWV 1069 - 5. Réjouissance 2:42 $0.99

BACH: Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-4

I Barocchisti, Diego Fasolis (harpsichord and director)

Arts and Music 47715-8 (Hybrid SACD)

BACH: Mass in B minor BWV 232

Mechtild Bach, Daniel Taylor, Marcus Ullmann, Raimund Nolte, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Barockorchester Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius (conductor)

Carus 83211 (2 CDs, Mid Price)

BACH: Mass in B minor BWV 232

Bach Collegium Japan, Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Rachel Nicholls (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter tenor), Gerd Turk (tenor), Peter Kooij (bass), Masaaki Suzuki (conductor)

BIS 1701/02 (2 Hybrid SACDs)

Disc of the Week

HEINER GOEBELLS: Landschaft mit
entfernten Verwandten

David Bennet (voice), Georg Nigl (baritone),
Ensemble Modern, Deutscher Kammerchor,
Frank Ollu (conductor)

ECM 1811 (CD)

Next Week

On next week's CD Review Patrick Carnegy recommends a DVD version of Wagner's Ring Cycle (Building a Library) and CD Review goes to Arles to talk to some of the key players in Harmonia Mundi about this proudly independent company's activities both in France and internationally.

BBC Radio 3's Classical CD Review

19 April 2008

In this week's programme:

Building a Library Recommendation

The Essential Tallis

BBC Legends and Wigmore Hall Live

Disc of the Week

Next Week

12 April 2008

CD Review

Building a Library Recommendation

Disc of the Week

Next Week

5 April 2008

On this week's programme:09.05am

Building a Library Recommendation

New Releases - Vaughan Williams and Finzi

New Recordings

Disc of the Week

Next Week

29 March 2008

On this week's programme:

Building a Library Recommendation

Listener Requests

New Recordings

Listener Requests

Disc of the Week

Next Week

Saturday 22 March 2008

On this week's programme:

Building a Library

New Releases

Disc of the Week

Next Week

Saturday 15 March 2008

On this week's programme:

Building a Library Recommendation

New Releases

Disc of the Week

Next Week

Debussy: Preludes, Book 2

On this week's programme:

Building a Library Recommendation

Listener Requests

New Releases

Listener Requests

Disc of the Week

Next Week

CD Review

On this week's programme:

Building a Library Recommendation

New Releases

Interview with Sir Simon Rattle

Disc of the Week

Next Week

23 February 2008

This week's programme:

Building a Library Recommendation

New Releases

Session Report

Disc of the Week

Next Week

16 February 2008

CD Review

Building a Library Recommendation

10.15 New Releases

Downloads

Interview with Thomas Dausgaard

Disc of the Week

Next Week

Fire Burning in the Snow

Saturday 9 February 2008

CD Review

Building a Library Recommendation

New Releases

Session Report: Fire Burning in the Snow

Disc of the Week

Next Week

Saturday 2 February 2008

CD Review

On this week's programme:
09.05am