{"id":1411,"date":"2013-12-03T12:55:27","date_gmt":"2013-12-03T12:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=1411"},"modified":"2013-12-03T14:43:35","modified_gmt":"2013-12-03T14:43:35","slug":"december-cds-dvds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=1411","title":{"rendered":"December CDs & DVDs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bach<\/a><\/p>\n

Bach: Christmas Oratorio<\/span><\/p>\n

Choir of Trinity College Cambdirge, OAE, Stephen Layton<\/span><\/p>\n

HYPERION CDA68031\/2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 151\u201949<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many recordings of the Bach Christmas Oratorio<\/i> but this is a welcome addition. Crisp and enthusiastic, with bright tempi and clarity of text, it has counter-tenor Iestyn Davies among the soloists under the enthusiastic direction of Stephen Layton. Well worth buying even if you have other recordings already.<\/p>\n

\"joy<\/a><\/p>\n

Joy to the World: An American Christmas<\/span><\/p>\n

Handel & Haydn Society, Harry Christophers<\/span><\/p>\n

CORO COR16117\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 63\u201902<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be put off by the title. The American of the title refers to one of the oldest choral societies in the States, not to the source of the music! This is a fine selection covering familiar and much rarer items \u2013 ranging from Howells to Bob Chilcott alongside Holst and trad – \u00a0all recorded with great sense of style and\u00a0 lightness of texture.<\/p>\n

\"hark<\/a><\/p>\n

Hark the Herald Angels Sing<\/span><\/p>\n

Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks<\/span><\/p>\n

BRKLASSIK 900507\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 73\u201929<\/span><\/p>\n

A charming collection which includes solo musical items from oboist Francois Leleux. A reflective approach but effective.<\/p>\n

\"beauty<\/a><\/p>\n

Sullivan: The Beauty Stone<\/span><\/p>\n

Soloists, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Rory Macdonald<\/span><\/p>\n

CHANDOS CHAN 10794(2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57\u201918, 72\u201904<\/span><\/p>\n

Most readers will be familiar with Gilbert & Sullivan, and many will be aware of Sullivan\u2019s Ivanhoe<\/i> but few I suspect will know of The Beauty Stone<\/i> and still fewer have heard any of its music. This new recording fills that gap and explains some of the problems the work has had since its first performances in 1898. The score is one of the most convincing Sullivan ever produced, the orchestration more complex and the melodic lines as good as anything in the Savoy operas. At this point readers can hear the coming but.<\/i> In this case the but<\/i> is the story line and libretto. The failure of Ivanhoe<\/i> does not seem to have deterred Sullivan from returning to his love of the gothic, which proves the biggest stumbling block for the modern listener. There were times I felt myself wishing I could hear this in German or Italian, for then I need only concern myself with the score!<\/p>\n

If you can get past the text there is a great deal to enjoy, particularly the solo singing from Toby Spence and Rebecca Evans, and the orchestral work from the BBC under the careful guidance of Rory Macdonald. However, I doubt if even the most adventurous of operatic groups would risk staging it. Let us grateful for the recording!<\/p>\n

\"gounod<\/a><\/p>\n

Gounod: Complete works for pedal piano & orchestra<\/span><\/p>\n

Howard Shelley, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana<\/span><\/p>\n

HYPERION CDA67975\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u201956<\/span><\/p>\n

Every so often a cd comes out which blows you away. This new Gounod disc is just such a one. The recording is an absolute delight throughout and I\u2019ve played it many times to remind myself just how good it is. The opening Suite concertante in A major bubbles with enthusiasm and is not outdone by the following concerto for pedal-piano. If the Fantaisie sur l\u2019hymne national russe seems just a bit of fun it is none the less played with great panache. You really need to hear it!<\/p>\n

\"war<\/a><\/p>\n

Britten: War Requiem<\/span><\/p>\n

Soloists, Chor und Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mariss Jansons<\/span><\/p>\n

BRKLASSIK 900120\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 87\u201900<\/span><\/p>\n

There have many new recordings and reissues to mark the Britten centenary and this new War Requiem<\/i> is an apt reminder not only of the passion of the work itself but its versatility in the hands of different conductors.<\/p>\n

Mariss Jansons takes an unexpectedly rapid approach to the opening and hurls Mark Padmore into What passing bells. <\/i>No tempi are out of place but there is an urgency to the recording which speaks as much for concern for the living as a memorial to the dead. \u00a0Emily Magee\u2019s rich soprano cuts through effortlessly, as Britten intended with Galina Vishnevskaya originally. Recorded live in Munich the balance is excellent and the boys choir distant without being remote. A fine tribute.<\/p>\n

\"mahler<\/a><\/p>\n

Mahler: Symphonies 1, 2 & 3<\/span><\/p>\n

Philharmonic Orchestra, Lorin Maazel<\/span><\/p>\n

SIGNUM SIGCD360\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These recordings were made live in the Royal Festival Hall in the spring of 2011. I wish I had been there. Lorin Maazel brings a transparency of texture to the orchestra which is captivating. This, together with a sense of joy and exultation, must place them amongst the best recordings currently available. Of the soloists, Sarah Connolly is particularly effective in the third symphony.<\/p>\n

\"Elgar<\/a><\/p>\n

Elgar: Symphonies 1 & 2<\/span><\/p>\n

David Briggs, organ of Worcester Cathedral<\/span><\/p>\n

ACCLAIM APCD4016\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57\u201902\u00a0 63.02<\/span><\/p>\n

Recorded live in Worcester Cathedral in April 2012 this is the latest in a series of transcriptions from David Briggs. Much as one can admire the playing and the skill of the work it is difficult not to simply ask Why?<\/i> With the Mahler transcriptions the changes in texture allowed us to hear things which were too often hidden within a full orchestra, but Elgar\u2019s scoring is not like that. His balance is such that we hear exactly what he wants us to hear. As such there is little gain here. The Second Symphony works better than the first as its extrovert character lends itself more overtly to the organ. But that is not enough excuse in the long run.<\/p>\n

\"jansons<\/a><\/p>\n

Brahms: Symphony No2, Janacek: Glagolithic Mass<\/span><\/p>\n

Chor und Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mariss Jansons<\/span><\/p>\n

ARTHAUS 101684<\/span><\/p>\n

Another live recording and one which allows us to see Mariss Jansons conducting in close up. While we may not want this in the concert hall it is a distinct advantage in recordings as we can follow the nuances and sensitivity of his approach to these scores. What impresses is the lightness of texture and romantic flair in the Brahms. If the Janacek is denser it never seems over complex and the soloists are radiant.<\/p>\n

\"trojans\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Berlioz: The Trojans<\/span><\/p>\n

Royal Opera, Antonio Pappano<\/span><\/p>\n

OPS ARTE OA 1097 D\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 254\u201900<\/span><\/p>\n

David McVicar\u2019s production was seen in the Royal Opera House in June 2012 and given as a concert performance at that summer\u2019s proms. It has the great benefit of working well in close up, and the soloists are never less than convincing. In the large scale scenes, the vast sweep of the action within the metallic walls impresses and the timeless design allows for concentration on the universal impact of war. Eva-Maria Westbroek is a fine Dido and the whole saga is held together by the Aeneas of Bryan Hymel. Most of the choreography is convincing though rather too similar in style. Chorus and orchestra under Antonio Pappano are passionate and committed bringing the great marches and choral scenes to life, in contrast to the delicacy of the many intimate scenes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bach: Christmas Oratorio Choir of Trinity College Cambdirge, OAE, Stephen Layton HYPERION CDA68031\/2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 151\u201949 There are many recordings of the Bach Christmas Oratorio but this is a welcome addition. Crisp and enthusiastic, with bright tempi and clarity of text, it … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1411"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1414,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411\/revisions\/1414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}