Fandango: music for solo guitar and string quartet

Johan Lofving, guitar; Consone Quartet

RESONUS RES 10260

Most of this recording is given over to solo pieces from the late eighteenth / early nineteenth century with the addition of Boccherini’s unusual but appealing quintet. The recording demonstrates the range of guitar music at a time when it was popular as a classical instrument.

J S Bach: Orgelbuchlein

Stephen Farr, Trost organ, Waltershausen

RESONUS RES 10259

The Trost organ dates from 1730 and is huge. While there is much to enjoy in the range of approach which Stephen Farr brings to the Orgelbuchlein I cannot help feeling that the works really sit more comfortably on a much smaller instrument. There is often an intimacy in the writing which is lost in the vast spaces of enormous church buildings. However this is highly subjective and I accept that there will be many very happy with both the sound produced and the quality of the playing.

Mahler: Symphony No 6

Essener Philharmoniker, Tomas Netopil

OEHMS OC 1716

I found Tomas Netopil’s approach too introspective in the opening movement – a lack of fire where it normally overwhelms – but the slow movement works very well and the playing is splendid throughout. If you want a different approach, this may appeal.

Janacek: From the House of the Dead

Bavarian State Opera, Simone Young

BELAIR BAC173

While musically impressive this is somewhat difficult to follow on a tv screen. The production uses video clips and it is not always clear to what extent what we are watching is current, in the mind of the singer or a comment on the action. Not being able to see all the stage, which we would in the theatre, we can’t choose what to focus on. This said, the musical side is impressive with Peter Rose outstanding as Gorjancikov, but supported by a fine cast of singers who can act with intelligence.

Ferruccio Busoni: Violin Sonatas

Ingolf Turban, violin, Ilja Scheps, piano

CPO 555 213-2

I found this pleasant but not really engaging. The sort of pieces one might encounter at a lunchtime recital in an arts festival but unlikely to be something one returns to regularly. Useful to add to a larger collection.

Brahms: Songs of Loss and Betrayal

Simon Wallfisch, baritone; Edward Rushton, piano

RESONUS RES 10258

These are highly personal pieces from Brahms, bringing an intimacy and intensity meant for almost domestic enjoyment, even when the text is challenging. The cd includes Lieder und Gesange von G F Daumer Op57; Funf Lieder Op105; Funf Lieder Op94 and Lieder und Gesange Op32.

Verdi; Nabucco

Teatro Regio di Parma, Francesco Ivan Ciampa

DYNAMIC 37867

The approach is unconventional – seemingly set on board a vast container ship – but the modern costumes and sense of servitude is very well presented, and given the excellent singing throughout it is actually very moving despite any potential reservations about the setting. If you get a chance look at Va pensiero which is superb in its simplicity.