{"id":3274,"date":"2016-11-08T13:31:20","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T13:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=3274"},"modified":"2016-11-08T13:31:20","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T13:31:20","slug":"cds-november-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=3274","title":{"rendered":"CDs November 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"
Handel: Messiah (arr Davis)<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Mendelssohn Choir, Sir Andrew Davis<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
CHANDOS CHSA 5176(2)<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Most professional performances of Messiah<\/i> these days take account of baroque praxis even if they perform on modern instruments. Sir Andrew Davis here takes a very different approach, re-scoring much of the oratorio not only for modern instruments but for combinations which Handel could never have contemplated. For most of the time this works well. Use of clarinets and a more romantic sound for the continuo is easy enough on the ear. The moments which startle are those which involve unexpected percussion \u2013 the snare-drum in Thus saith the Lord<\/i> and the cymbals in But who may abide \u2013<\/i> and occasionally the over-exuberance of the brass. But it is well sung throughout and for anybody wanting what passed for normal fifty years ago, this may be just the thing.<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wagner: Die Walkure<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Honk Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Jaap van Zweden<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
NAXOS 8.660394-97<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

I had enthused about Das Rheingold<\/i> when it was issued last year and this new Die Walkure<\/i> certainly lives up to expectation. First of all the acoustic is splendid, giving real clarity to the voices with a sense of space around them, and an orchestral ambience which is constantly enthralling. Stuart Skelton, surely the finest heldentenor now singing, is magnificent as Sigmund, heroic and sensitive throughout and ringingly secure in the top passages. Heidi Melton is a sensitive Sieglinde who warms and develops as the evening progresses. Falk Struckmann, himself a fine Wotan, is a suitably black Hunding. Matthias Goerne and Petra Lang are perhaps better known and live up to expectations, and there are no weaknesses among the Valkyries.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m really looking forward to the rest of the Cycle which could easily earn its place among the finest ever recorded. Jaap van Zweden has set the orchestra among the best in the world.<\/p>\n

MOZART \u2013 PIANO DUETS Vol 1<\/strong><\/span>
\n Julian Perkins & Emma Abbate<\/strong><\/span>
\n RESONUS RES10172 68\u201904<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

Successful piano duet playing places particular demands on the performers and here the two pianists are working very well together. This is a programme of more substantive works written for this particular genre. As well as the Sonatas in C major, D major & Bb major <\/i>the programme also includes Johann Christoph Bach\u2019s two movement Sonata in A major. <\/i>A second volume, also on period instruments,\u00a0 is to follow.<\/p>\n

JOSEPH BODIN de BOISMORTIER \u2013 6 SONATES, Op 51<\/strong><\/span>
\n Elysium Ensemble<\/strong><\/span>
\n RESONUS RES 10171 71\u201924<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

Resonus are to be congratulated on their recent output of unusual repertoire. Here is another fascinating disc presenting these six compositions for flute and violin, published in Paris in 1734. This neglected repertoire is made to sound very fresh in these performances.<\/p>\n

MUSIC FOR A PRUSSIAN SALON<\/strong><\/span>
\n Boxwood & Brass<\/strong><\/span>
\n RESONUS RES 10177 72\u201953<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

The five piece period woodwind and brass ensemble make a lovely sound, bringing this 18th\/ <\/sup>early 19th<\/sup> Century music to life in a way that is entertaining and very accessible. Franz Tausch\u2019s XIII Pieces en Quatuor, Op 22 for 2 clarinets, horn & bassoon <\/i>are presented in two suites which bookend the performance. Sandwiched between these are Johann Stamitz\u2019 Three Quartets for clarinets & horns<\/i> and Concert-Trio for clarinet, horn & bassoon <\/i>by Bernhard Henrik Crusell.<\/p>\n

RAVEL & SAINT-SAENS PIANO TRIOS<\/strong><\/span>
\n Fidelio Trio<\/strong><\/span>
\n RESONUS RES10173 59\u201958<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

This is the first recording by the Fidelio Trio on the Resonus label. Saint-Saens\u2019 Piano Trio No 2 in E minor <\/i>is paired here with Ravel\u2019s only Piano Trio<\/i>. A very enjoyable chamber music recital.<\/p>\n

BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATAS Opp 31, 78, 79, 81A & 90<\/strong><\/span>
\n Paavali Jumppanen, piano<\/strong><\/span>
\n ONDINE ODE 1290-2D (2 CDs) 71\u201932 & 47\u201920<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Paavali Jumppanen gives fine performances of this more traditional fare. The interesting booklet notes draw attention to some of the features of these works which trace developments in Beethoven\u2019s compositional style.<\/p>\n

PIERRE de la RUE \u2013 MISSA NUNCQUA FUE PENA MAYOR<\/strong><\/span>
\n The Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice, conductor<\/strong><\/span>
\n HYPERION CDA68150\u00a0 78\u201955<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is an enjoyable recording of renaissance choral music from the continent by experienced performers. As well as the Mass which gives the CD its title we also hear Pierre de la Rue\u2019s Salve Regina IV, Magnificat sexti toni <\/i>and Missa Inviolata<\/i>.<\/p>\n

C.P.E. BACH \u2013 THE SOLO KEYBOARD MUSIC, Vol 31<\/strong><\/span>
\n \u2018FUR KENNER UND LIEBHABER\u2019 SONATAS FROM COLLECTIONS 1 & 2<\/strong><\/span>
\n Miklos Spanyi, clavichord<\/strong><\/span>
\n BIS RECORDS\u00a0 BIS-2131 73\u201923<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It is no surprise that this prolific, but long neglected, composer\u2019s keyboard output has already filled 30 volumes! Here are seven sonatas of varying lengths (the longest 19\u201907, the shortest 6\u201924) played on a 1991 clavichord. Very enjoyable but perhaps a release for the completist collector.<\/p>\n

C.P.E. BACH \u2013 BURGERCAPITAINSMUSIK 1780<\/strong><\/span>
\n Barockwerk, Hamburg, Ira Hochman, director<\/strong><\/span>
\n CPO 555 016-2\u00a0 62\u201957<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very interesting release of music written by CPE Bach commissioned by the Civic Captains of Hamburg, a group with great influence on the life of the city, for their annual gala. The commission was in two parts \u2013 an oratorio to be presented around noon and a serenata to accompany the evening banquet. CPE Bach composed music for these occasions in 1780 and again in 1783. Here we have the first such offering. The oratorio Hebt an, ihr Chore der Freuden<\/i> is followed by the serenata Der Trommeln Schlag, der Pfeifen Spiel<\/i>. A fascinating revival of music for a particular occasion.<\/p>\n

Bravura: Vivaldi & Handel<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Gabriella Di Laccio, soprano, Musica Antiqua Clio, Fernando Cordella<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
DRAMA MUSICA DRAMA 001<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

An exciting mix of the familiar \u2013 Rinaldo, Giulio Cesare \u2013 <\/i>and the less so \u2013 Vivaldi\u2019s Juditha Triumphans <\/i>and L\u2019Olimpiade. <\/i>Garsington Opera showed us just what a fine work this latter one is, and the whole disc bubbles with energy and risky coloratura with which Gabriella Di Laccio has no obvious difficulties.<\/p>\n

The Celebrated Distin Family<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
The Prince Regent\u2019s Band<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
RESONUS RES 10179<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

What a wonderful find! This is exactly what we need in the build up to Christmas. Much of the music is familiar \u2013 arrangements of Meyerbeer, Donizetti, Verdi and Arne \u2013 alongside works by Henry and Theodore Distin with lesser known pieces. The Distin Family blazed a trail across Europe and the USA\u00a0 thanks to an encounter with Adolphe Sax who introduced them to valved brass and the new saxhorn. I can\u2019t recommend this too highly \u2013 it is a gem!<\/p>\n

Schoenberg: Gurrelieder<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus, Edward Gardner<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
CHANDOS CHSA 5172(2)<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

This recording has such a strong cast it could hardly fail. Alwyn Mellor, Stuart Skelton and James Creswell are in the front rank of Wagner singers which Schoenberg\u2019s work requires, and Edward Gardner draws expressive and moving performances from them and the Bergen forces. Might we get a live performance in this country?<\/p>\n

Debussy: Four-Hand Piano Music \u2013 2<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Jean-Pierre Armengaud, Olivier Chauzu<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
NAXOS 8.573463<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

It is difficult to raise much enthusiasm about this recording \u2013 though the playing itself is not at fault. The problem lies in the arrangements which in most cases simply don\u2019t work if one knows the original. I can understand that they may be fun to play but the listener is left yearning for the original.<\/p>\n

Chopin & Schumann<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Horacio Gutierrez, piano<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
BRIDGE 9479<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

The 24 Preludes Op28 in a performance which focuses on the continuity which Chopin intended for the cycle \u2013 and how well this works. It is almost like a live performance where one is encouraged to see the work as a whole rather than a series of lollipops \u2013 a fate which is all too frequent for Chopin\u2019s Preludes. Schumann\u2019s Fantasie Op17<\/i> is a more challenging work but none the less given integrity and emotional truth here.<\/p>\n

J S Bach: Works for Lute<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Johannes Monno, guitar<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
HANSSLER HC 16085<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

The guitar is fine \u2013 and these are entertaining pieces throughout \u2013 but the lute is a different instrument altogether and there is a sense that the pieces lose something in the translation. However this is a bargain given its twenty-seven pieces across the two discs.<\/p>\n

SP & BH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Handel: Messiah (arr Davis) Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Mendelssohn Choir, Sir Andrew Davis CHANDOS CHSA 5176(2) Most professional performances of Messiah these days take account of baroque praxis even if they perform on modern instruments. Sir Andrew Davis here takes … 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\/3274"}],"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=3274"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3275,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3274\/revisions\/3275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}