Wagner: Das Rheingold

Sofia Opera

DYNAMIC 57897

I am unsure how this actually got to the point of being sold. Who – if anyone – was responsible for quality control? The sound throughout is appalling, as if there was a single microphone somewhere close to the orchestra and singers voices effectively vanished as they moved further upstage. This would be bad enough if the production warranted it but the grotesque costumes and lack of any sense of intelligent direction make this a painful experience. Some of the singers do themselves some justice vocally but the concept is so amateur as to be laughable. Rhine maidens on trampolines and Loge arriving by flying boat give an indication of the stream of ideas which misfire throughout. I thought, after many recent eccentric approaches to the Ring that I had seen it all. It appears I had not.

Paganini: Works for violin and guitar

Roberto Noferini, violin; Donato D’Antonio, guitar

TACTUS TC 781607

Paganini was a showman and many of these pieces live up to that expectation, needing a virtuoso performer – which Roberto Noferini certainly seems to be able to bring to them. Most are light weight, charming and easy on the ear, but this still allows us to appreciate the dexterity and sheer professionalism of the playing.

Bruckner: Symphony No6

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mariss Jansons

BR KLASSIK 900190

This is another in the series of fine live recordings, made on this occasion in Munich in 2015. Bruckner’s Sixth is something of an exception within the composer’s opus being shorter and more compact than his usual approach. This may reflect his growing sense of security and recognition both as teacher and as composer. Though he did not live to hear the work performed complete he was very aware of its strengths and the admiration with which individual movements had been received.

Haydn: Complete Keyboard Concertos

Melodie Zhao, piano; David Nebel, violin, Camerata Schweiz, Howard Griffiths

CPO 555 400-2

Something of a mammoth undertaking but a very convincing compilation even if most of us would not want to sit down and listen to nine concerti in succession. However, taken in bite size chunks this is an entertaining and convincing demonstration that Haydn seems incapable of ever being dull.

Sibelius: Violin Concerto & Humoresques

Nors S Josephson: Celestial Voyage

Fenella Humphreys, violin, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, George Vass

It is difficult to make a case for another recording of the Sibelius Violin Concerto (unless possibly in its original version which I feel needs to be far better known) so I assume this is a good excuse to get Nors S Josephson’s Celestial Voyage on disc. The work was completed in 2019 and draws not only on his close understanding of Sibelius but his love of rock n’ roll and in particular Space Rock.

Stradella: Cantatas & Serenatas Vol1

Alessandro Stradella Consort, Estevan Velardi

DYNAMIC CDS 7893

These are premiere recordings of what promises to be an extensive series to cover the major works of Stradella, though one has to admit that very little is actually known about him. As an introduction these go a long way to introduce us to his individual style and emotional impact.