{"id":2100,"date":"2014-12-19T09:21:54","date_gmt":"2014-12-19T09:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=2100"},"modified":"2014-12-19T09:22:32","modified_gmt":"2014-12-19T09:22:32","slug":"dvds-cds-december-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=2100","title":{"rendered":"DVDs & CDs December 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strauss: Arabella<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Staatsopernchor & Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

UNITEL CLASSICA 717208<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Recorded live at the Easter Festival in Salzburg this year, the production has a welcome frisson not only from the quality of the singing but the simplicity of Florentine Klepper\u2019s production which throws most of the weight onto the singers and the sensitivity of their characterisation. Renee Fleming and Thomas Hampson are outstanding as Arabella and Mandryka, and there is an exceptional Zdenka from Hanna-Elisabeth Muller. Christian Thielemann may look unduly calm in the pit but he has no problem creating the emotional storms the score requires.<\/p>\n

Wagner: Parsifal<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

OPUS ARTE OA 1158 D<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I found this production very effective in the opera house and it transfers to DVD with very little loss of impact. While Stephen Langridge\u2019s production upset some, I found the sense of new life \u2013 even of resurrection \u2013 at the end completely convincing. The musical quality is also of the highest throughout, Antonio Pappano proving yet again he is a fine Wagnerian, and directs a world class cast led by Simon O\u2019Neill and Gerald Finley. Willard White\u2019s Klingsor is surprisingly sympathetic, shifting the balance of the second act and forcing us to reconsider the moral world Wagner creates.<\/p>\n

Mahler Chamber Orchestra<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

With Steven Isserlis, cello, under Teodor Currentzis<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

EUROARTS 2059818<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This recording was made live in the Concertgebouw, Bruges, in 2013 and brings an interesting if challenging programme. It opens with an exhilarating performance of Shostakovich\u2019s first Cello Concerto with fiery playing from Stephen Isserlis. This is followed by a more reserved Sinfonietta <\/i>by Benjamin Britten before returning to Shostakovich and his First Symphony. While enjoyable as a one off, it strikes me as an unlikely choice for repeated listening.<\/p>\n

Bach: Mass in B minor<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

HYPERION CDA6805 1-2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

While some of the solo singing impresses, the approach by Jonathan Cohen is often too staid to involve the listener. The opening sections in particular lack dramatic impact and passion, leaving us feeling the music is worthy but ultimately rather dull. It picks up somewhat from the Credo<\/i> but by then our appreciation has dropped and it never really recovers a sense of involvement. A pity, the musical qualities are potentially very strong.<\/p>\n

Dvorak: Requiem<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Antoni Wit<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NAXOS 8.572874-75<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There was a time when the Dvorak Requiem <\/i>was as familiar as the Verdi or Mozart settings. As fashions change it seems to have dropped out of the regular repertoire which is a pity for it is a very fine work as we can hear from this new recording with Polish forces under Antoni Wit. At Naxos\u2019 low prices this is a real bargain if you don\u2019t know the work well.<\/p>\n

Debussy: La Mer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Lan Shui<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

BIS 1837<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra was very well received when it appeared at the Proms this summer and here prove it was not a one day wonder. The approach to a familiar programme of Debussy \u2013 which also includes L\u2019apres midid d\u2019un faune<\/i> and Images \u2013 <\/i>is sound and musically impressive. Lan Shui has a secure feel for the scores, creating long flexible paragraphs full of individual delights.<\/p>\n

GLASGOW TOCCATA \u2013 ORGAN MUSIC BY ALAN GIBBS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

KEVIN BOWYER, organ of Glasgow University Memorial Chapel<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

PRIORY 1141 (3 CD set)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This set collects a fine selection of Alan Gibbs\u2019 music expertly performed by contemporary organ champion Kevin Bowyer. It is a follow up to Bowyer\u2019s earlier recording of Gibbs\u2019 music and does not duplicate any of the items on that CD. The organ is the substantial 1927 Willis \/ 2005 Harrison which sounds superb. The programme is well constructed so that it is an engaging listening experience as well as being a good record of this music. I found the first disk the most enjoyable with its emphasis on hymn inspired pieces but enjoyed the whole recording.\u00a0The notes group the pieces into particular themes (e.g.\u00a0 \u201cSerial works\u201d, \u201cFor Germany\u201d, \u201cFor Scotland\u201d) instead of a chronological commentary.\u00a0 I found this to be an interesting way to look at the programme. As well as shorter pieces and sets there are a number of longer pieces including Sonatas 2 & 3.<\/p>\n

OLIVIER MESSIAEN \u2013 LES CORPS GLORIEUX & other works for organ<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

KEVIN BOWYER, organ of Glasgow University Memorial Chapel<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

PRIORY 1142<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

An interesting comparison to the above CD set is this single disk from the same organist and organ. The other works are Offrande au Saint-Sacrament<\/i>, Prelude<\/i>, Monodie <\/i>and Verset pour la fete de la dedicace<\/i>.\u00a0As to be expected this is another polished production. There are notes on the pieces by the performer. The first two pieces were only discovered after the composer\u2019s death. A good all-Messiaen recital for anyone not wanting the complete works.<\/p>\n

SAINT-SAENS- ORGAN WORKS VOL 4 Miscellaneous Works<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

GERARD BROOKS, organ of Collegiate Church of Staint-Hippolyte de Poligny<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

PRIORY 1107\u00a0 78\u201956<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It is unfair to judge a single disk from a collection without hearing them all. This is a good recording of a large collection of music and is the final CD of a set of 4.\u00a0 Much of the music is service music which in the context of worship (or as a single item in a more varied concert) would have been fine but I tired of this programme. However, a couple of lively marches towards the end did reawaken my interest. As part of the set I\u2019m sure this is a welcome conclusion but for me it doesn\u2019t really work as a standalone disk.<\/p>\n

MUSIC FOR EVENSONG AT GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL COMMEMORATING THE START OF THE \u201cWAR TO END ALL WARS\u201d ON 4TH<\/sup> AUGUST 1914<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR, conductor ADRIAN PARTINGTON<\/span><\/strong>
\n JONATHAN HOPE, organ of Gloucester Cathedral<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

PRIORY 1128<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It may be argued that commemorations of the start of the First World War have already reached saturation point. However, it must be said that alongside the need to remember the beginning of such a shameful episode in the history of the modern world, it has been good to revisit some of the largely forgotten musical material from this time.\u00a0I like the idea of commemorating important occasions with a carefully constructed sequence such as this. Included in this act of worship is an extended chorale prelude and a chant by Ivor Gurney, music from that time by Naylor, Goss and Vaughan Williams. Settings by Neil Cox and John Sanders,\u00a0 both musicians more recently associated with the cathedral, are featured. The service ends with Parry\u2019s \u201cThe Wanderer\u201d Toccata and Fugue<\/i>. Interesting and moving.<\/p>\n

THE COMPLETE PSALMS OF DAVID VOLUME 7 SERIES 2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

WAKEFIELD CATHEDRAL CHOIR, director THOMAS MOORE, organ SIMON EARL<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

PRIORY 1120\u00a0\u00a0 75\u201953<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Another very welcome addition to the current series of Psalms sung to Anglican chant. This volume covers psalms\u00a0 89-104. As with previous volumes there is an interesting selection of chants and well chosen registration which brings additional colour and expression to the psalms. The choir creates a very clear sound and, whilst full texts are included in the booklet, it is often possible to completely follow the words unaided. Sadly this is not always the case with recordings or in live situations. This is proving to be an excellent new series.<\/p>\n

BH\/SP<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Strauss: Arabella Staatsopernchor & Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann UNITEL CLASSICA 717208 Recorded live at the Easter Festival in Salzburg this year, the production has a welcome frisson not only from the quality of the singing but the simplicity of Florentine … 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\/2100"}],"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=2100"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2102,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2100\/revisions\/2102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}