Glyndebourne 2015

Handel: Saul

OPUS ARTE OA 1216 D

Mozart: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail

OPUS ARTE OA 1215 D

These productions were greeted with great enthusiasm last summer and were also seen more widely when televised. Barrie Kosky’s approach to Saul hinges on the madness of the king, which is well conveyed by Christopher Purves in a very moving performance. Lucy Crowe and Sophie Bevan  are the women surrounding not just the king but Iestyn Davies’ beautifully sung David.

David McVicar allows the events of Die Entfuhrung to unfold within their historical context which actually works extremely well and allows characters to flower with ease. Both are well worth investing in.

Meyerbeer: Dinorah

Deutschen Oper Berlin, Enrique Mazzola

CPO 555 014-2

Meyerbeer is today better known for his influence than for his actual works and I can’t think that I have ever seen one staged live. All the more reason to value this live recording of a new edition of his final opera Dinorah which reworks pastoral themes to include storms and magic. It is a well-constructed piece and strongly cast though I doubt if it would really find a regular place is the repertoire.

Michael Haydn: Symphonies vol 1

Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, Patrick Gallois

NAXOS 8.573497

This is the first volume in what expects to be a complete recording of Michael Haydn’s symphonies and starts from those works which are most closely associated with Mozart – the Sinfonia in G was for a long time attributed to the younger composer. The four Sinfonias on this disc are lively pieces written for the court at Salzburg and prefigure much of what was to come later from Mozart himself.

Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne worte books 5-8

Ronald Brautigam, piano

BIS 1983

The delight in this recording is suddenly coming across old favourites in the midst of charming pieces which most of us probably don’t know. Brautigam’s approach is light and convincing without ever becoming too sentimental.

Imogen Cooper’s Chopin

CHANDOS CHAN 10902

The nine tracks on this CD are far ranging, including the Polonaise-fantaisie Op61 and the first and fourth Ballade, together with four Nocturnes. I particularly enjoy Imogen Cooper’s approach which has a naturalistic, open feel to the playing, allowing the nuances to emerge without effort.

British Cello Concertos

Raphael Wallfisch,

CHANDOS CHAN 241-56

This is a collation of recordings made with a number of different orchestras but highlighting Raphael Wallfisch’s enthusiasm and commitment to the British cello concerto which, with the exception of the omnipresent Elgar, are all too seldom heard.  Here we have concerti by Finzi, Bax, Bliss, Stanford and Moeran. Even if all are not totally to your taste there is bound to be something here to arouse interest. I particularly liked the Finzi as it is a rarity, and I have always enjoyed Stanford who is far too little heard today.

Brahms works for solo piano vol 6

Barry Douglas, piano

CHANDOS CHAN 10903

Twenty tracks and almost 80 minutes of playing make this a real bargain. The CD includes a wide range of pieces but focuses on seven Hungarian Dances. The only extended work is the Study No5 based on a Chaconne by Bach. This has been an increasingly impressive series – though I am not sure how much more we still have to come!