{"id":3743,"date":"2017-08-11T12:19:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-11T11:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=3743"},"modified":"2017-08-25T14:48:09","modified_gmt":"2017-08-25T13:48:09","slug":"august-dvdscds-2017-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=3743","title":{"rendered":"August DVDs\/CDs 2017 (1)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Concert Favorites<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
Raymond Chenault, John-Paul Buzard organ in All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
GOTHIC G 49305-06<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n

While very enjoyable, this double CD is not quite what one might expect. The Concert Favorites<\/em>(sic) are those of the organist not necessarily the audience. As such this is a lively and often challenging collection opening with a brisk Toccata by Dutch composer Marius Monnikendam. Pieces by Guilmant and Jongen prove more familiar but there is a pleasing tendency to find modern works which are reflective rather than brash. One such is the fine Rorate Caeli<\/em> by Jeanne Demessieux, a pupil of Dupre. The first cd concludes with the Salve Regina <\/em>from Widor\u2019s Second Symphony which allows Raymond Chenault to demonstrate the breadth of the organ\u2019s registration.<\/p>\n

The second disc opens with a bright reading of the Sortie en La Majeur<\/em> by Dubois. The intensity of Langlais Incantation Pour un Jour Saint<\/em> contrasts with the gentle sensitivity of Dupre\u2019s Lamento. <\/em>\u00a0It is worth noting here that the liner notes contain reproductions of a range of works of art which mirror the music \u2013 a worthwhile and thoughtful addition.<\/p>\n

It is good to hear Cochereau\u2019s Berceuse<\/em> included before the final ecstatic Allegro Deciso <\/em>from Dupre\u2019s Evocation Poeme Symphonique. <\/em>\u00a0The John-Paul Buzard organ rings well in the generous acoustic which is here recorded to allow the ambience of the building to speak.<\/p>\n

A fine solo set and worth seeking out.<\/p>\n

Cipriani Potter: Piano Concertos 2 & 4: Variazioni di bravura on a theme of Rossini<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Howard Shelley, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
HYPERION CDA 68151<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

When one reads Cipriani Potter\u2019s biography it is surprising that this appears to be the first recordings of these works. His influence on nineteenth century music through the RAM and his own promoted concerts should alone make his name more familiar, and the quality of the works recorded here is surely not in doubt.<\/p>\n

The second piano concerto was completed in 1832. While very obviously a romantic work, the influence of Mozart and Beethoven are clear in the structure and clean lines. The delicacy of the Andante con motto<\/em> is particularly impressive from Howard Shelley. The fourth concerto came three years later and concludes with an idiosyncratic Allegro<\/em> which exemplifies the composer\u2019s own voice lifting out of the earlier influences.<\/p>\n

Cipriani Potter was an admirer of Rossini and the set of six variations are based on an aria from Ermione \u2013 <\/em>the work listeners may have come across as its reuse in Mathilde di Shabran <\/em>\u00a0is unlikely to have crossed their paths.<\/p>\n

A delight to encounter the works and \u2013 given the large range of compositions by Cipriani Potter \u2013 let us hope others may be encouraged to explore his oeuvre more closely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

John Sheppard: Media Vita<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
HYPERION CDA 68187<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

It seems from the liner notes that one of the reasons John Sheppard was overlooked during the Tudor revival was that his dates were effectively unknown and that there was, therefore, nowhere to hang an anniversary! That such glorious scores should remain unknown seems unbelievable once they are encountered. The sensual slow unfolding of Media vita<\/em> is captivating in its beauty, the polyphony rolling with gentle magnificence within the ample acoustic of All Hallows, Gospel Oak.<\/p>\n

The Missa Cantate <\/em>probably dates from the period of transfer between Mary and Elizabeth, and if the richness of the six-part scoring is not as overtly sensual as that of the Media vita<\/em> it is equally compelling. Between these two major works comes Gaude Maria, <\/em>with greater use of plainchant to progress the liturgy.<\/p>\n

The balance of voices is exemplary and the recording is richly recommended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Verdi: Il Trovatore<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Macerata Opera Festival, Daniel Oren<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
DYNAMIC 37769<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

The stage for the Macerata Festival is vast, making entrances difficult given the distance across the stage. In crane shots the orchestra looks somewhat lost sitting against the centre of the stage and leaving large areas in darkness to either side. Much of this may account for the way the production either focuses on individual singers, or adds in large amounts of extraneous detail to fill out the picture. Throughout the production we encounter the figure (ghost?) of Azucena\u2019s mother being burnt at the stake, and a decaying child who wanders through, apparently her dead son.<\/p>\n

Crowd scenes are well handled given the size and the musical impact is strong. Casting is secure with Piero Pretti an heroic Manrico and Enkelejda Shkosa a suitably wild Azucena. Probably worth returning to musically though the production itself would not really survive many viewings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Puccini: Tosca<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
ARTHAUS 1099292<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

Dating from 2011, this is a film version of the opera by Benoit Jacquot and it is difficult to work out quite who the expected audience are. Shots move between the recording studio and a large \u2013 very large \u2013setting with an obviously added acoustic. Additionally there are live sheep in act three though no chorus in act one. The constant shifts are disconcerting. Just as we become immersed in the action \u2013 and some fine characterisation from Ruggero Raimondi\u2019s Scarpia \u2013 we cut back to the studio, or library shots of Rome. As such it is difficult to get fully involved, which is a pity as the musical side of the production is excellent, with Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna familiar, but none the less welcome, protagonists.<\/p>\n

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

Concert Favorites Raymond Chenault, John-Paul Buzard organ in All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia GOTHIC G 49305-06 While very enjoyable, this double CD is not quite what one might expect. The Concert Favorites(sic) are those of the organist not necessarily … 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\/3743"}],"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=3743"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3755,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3743\/revisions\/3755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}