SCHUBERT – IMPROMPTUS & 3 PIANO PIECES
STEVEN OSBORNE, piano
HYPERION  CDA68107  (75’58)

This is a very enjoyable recording by Steven Osborne of some of Schubert’s more substantial solo piano pieces. Osborne performs with great feeling throughout and the programme is well balanced. The recording also includes Variations on a theme by Anselm Huttenbrenner, a work i was unfamiliar with.

FORGOTTEN VIENNA
THE AMADE PLAYERS & CHOIR of SIDNEY SUSSEX COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, DAVID SKINNER, Director
RESONUS RES10157 (71’43)

This is the debut recording of the London-based period instrument ensemble, The Amade Players.
The CD contains music of lesser known composers of the early classical era. There are three instrumental works and one setting for choir and orchestra, Wanhal’s Requiem Mass in E flat. The instrumental pieces are Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf’s Concerto for 2 violins in C major, Karl Ordonez’ Sinfonia in C major and the Symphony in A minor and Violin Concerto in B flat, both by Johann Baptist Wanhal.

BOUND TO NOTHING – The German Stylus Fantasticus
FANTASTICUS
RESONUS  RES10156 (71’15)

Like the previous disc this presents less familiar music in fresh performances. The music of the German Stylus Fanasticus period was highly inventive and experimental and whilst the shock value has diminished over the centuries this is music that still has charm and holds the attention. Fantasticus are Rie Kimura, baroque violin, Robert Smith, viola da gamba and uillermo Brachetta, harpsichord.

Stephen Page