THE GLORY OF GLOUCESTER
David Briggs ‘Live’, organ of Gloucester Cathedral
CHESTNUT CD 011 (2 CDs) 111’5 total
This is a compilation of recordings made on two occasions and includes a wide range of music from JS Bach, Dupre, Widor, Alain, Reger and Cochereau to transcriptions of Mahler and three substantial improvisations by Briggs. The most unusual of these is Disneyrama, which uses five themes from Disney films (“I was only allowed to use the first seven notes of each theme, for USA copyright reasons”)! A highly eclectic CD.
BERNARDINO RIBERA (c1520-?1580) – MAGNIFICATS & MOTETS
DE PROFUNDIS, director David Skinner
HYPERION CDA 68141 76’51
All but one of the 19 tracks on this disc are first recordings. It is incredible that so much early music has still to be rediscovered and championed. The items here come from a choirbook in Toledo Cathedral. The book was heavily vandalised, probably in the 18th Century and so some detective and repair work has been necessary to bring this music back to life. A very worthy undertaking resulting in an enjoyable CD.
TAVERNER – WESTERN WYNDE MASS / MISSA MATER CHRISTI SANCTISSIMA
CHOIR OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY, director, James O’Donnell
HYPERION CDA68147 58’36
Under the very capable direction of James O’Donnell the Abbey choir present these well crafted renditions of these two Taverner mass settings, pairing the second, less familiar mass with the Western Wynde. Like the previous CD some reconstruction of a missing part has been undertaken with the music. Full texts and translations are included, together with the very helpful printing of the source melody of Western Wynde.
BEDRICH SMETANA – CZECH DANCES / ON THE SEASHORE
GARRICK OHLSSON, piano
HYPERION CDA68062 62’15
Ohlsson presents a charming recording of this collection of short characteristic works for piano. An introduction to some unfamiliar and enjoyable music.
AVE MARIA – MUSIC FOR UPPER VOICES
ST CATHARINE’S GIRLS’ CHOIR, CAMBRIDGE, director Edward Wickham
RESONUS RES10170 66’15
This is a beautiful collection of mostly sacred contemporary works for upper voices. Mass settings by Leighton and Tavener sit alongside canticles from Diana Burrell and Joanna Marsh and settings of Ave Maria by Rebecca Clarke & Cecilia McDowall. There are two works by Judith Bingham and Three carols by Stevie Wishart. There is much to be enjoyed here.
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF – VESPERS, Op 37
ST THOMAS CHOIR of men & boys, Fifth Avenue, New York, conductor John Scott.
RESONUS RES10169 58’16
John Scott’s legacy continues with the release of this recording from his choir on Fifth Avenue. Rachmaninoff’s Vespers comes from a time when Western ears were less accustomed to the traditions of the Orthodox church. This recording presents a very assured performance of the music of the Russian Orthodox all night vigil from this bastion of the Anglican choral tradition in the US! It is an excellent example of how the music of worship can cross cultural barriers and have universal appeal.
J S BACH – CLAVIER-UBUNG III
STEPHEN FARR, Metzler organ of Trinity College, Cambridge
RESONUS RES10120 (2 Discs) 58’26 & 46’54
This is Stephen Farr’s first JS Bach recording. He presents this music in carefully registered and executed performances on this organ that has already been used for a number of recordings of Bach. An entrancing presentation of what itself is a well crafted collection of organ works.
SIGNS, GAMES & MESSAGES – WORKS FOR SOLO VIOLIN BY BARTOK & KURTAG
SIMON SMITH, violin
RESONUS RES10167 56’47
An unusual programme is presented on this recording by British violinist Simon Smith. The pairing of Kurtag’s Signs, Games & Messages from the 1980s with Bartok’s Sonata for Solo Violin of 1944 makes for very interesting listening. The Bartok sonata was a commission from Yehudi Menhuin and it makes great demands on the player. Kurtag’s work consists of a number of very short movements from a larger collection of short works for various solo instruments. All of this is music that inspires repeated listening. A genre that has much to be explored.
MOZART – PIANO TRIOS KV 502, 542 & 564
RAUTIO PIANO TRIO
RESONUS RES10168 57’11
More traditional fare is to be found on this disc. The Rautio piano trio breathe new life into this music in committed performances on period instruments.
ELIZABETH’S LUTES
ALEX McCARTNEY
VETERUM MUSICA 56’05
Alex McCartney not only plays lutes but makes them! On this CD we have an enchanting collection of fine performances of lute repertoire from a number of composers from the time of the court of Elizabeth I. Very enjoyable.
RAUTUVAARA – RUBAIYAT, BALADA, CANTO V, 4 SONGS FROM RASPUTIN
GERALD FINLEY & MIKA POHJONEN soloists
HELSINKI PHIL ORCH & MUSIC CENTRE CHOIR, John Storgards, conductor
ONDINE ODE1274-2 59’29
The recent death of the composer makes this release more poignant. Most of his work has been presented on CDs from Odine and here we have four contrasting works. Song cycles respectively for baritone and tenor with orchestra are to be found alongside Into the heart of light (Canto V)and the selection of songs from the opera Rasputin for mixed choir and orchestra.
THE PLEASURES OF THE IMAGINATION – ENGLISH 18th CENTURY MUSIC FOR HARPSICHORD
SOPHIE YATES, harpsichord
CHACONNE CHANDOS CHAN 0814 75’20
This lovely CD presents a varied selection of the English harpsichord repertoire. The longest section of the disc is given over to the seemingly recently rediscovered Richard Jones with his Third set of lessons in B flat major. Other composers are John Blow, Jeremiah Clarke, William Croft, Maurice Greene, Thomas Arne & Johann Christian Bach. A lovely excursion into a magical soundworld.
PRELUDIO – MUSIC FOR ORGAN BY CARSON COOMAN
ERIK SIMMONS, organ of Basilica Maria-Himmelfahrt, Krzeszow, Poland
DIVINE ART DDA 21229 (2 Discs) 68’39 & 72’19
This is a very welcome release, collecting a number of works for organ by this prolific American composer. Most of the works here have been inspired by aspects of Early music whilst combining them with more contemporary compositional techniques. A very interesting CD set.
DVD / BLU-RAY/ CD set
THE GRAND ORGAN OF GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL
JONATHAN HOPE, Gloucester Cathedral organ
PRIORY PRDVD 14 (Blu-ray/DVD/CD – 3 disc set)
The latest release in this line from Priory presents a varied and entertaining programme played by the cathedral’s Assistant Organist. Each of the three discs presents the same basic programme and there are bonus features on the two visual discs. Included alongside traditional fare such as Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 & Vaughan Williams’ Rhosymedre are transcriptions of Liszt, Elgar and Cochereau as well as this organist’s own transcription of Dukas’ The Sorceror’s Apprentice.
The bonus features include an explanation and introduction to the programme and a very detailed organ tour as well as narrated demonstrations and an astonishing bonus piece by Leo Sowerby which includes extended writing for pedals, Pageant. Throughout Jonathan Hope demonstrates his affinity with and thorough knowledge of this instrument as well as great musicianship.
SP