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This recording project aims to reclaim the work and music of Johann Kuhnau, predecessor of JS Bach at St Thomas\u2019, Leipzig. It is clear from this volume that this composer\u2019s music is well worth revisiting. Two large scale cantatas for Ascension bookend this programme \u2013 Ihr Himmel, jubiliert von oben <\/em>and Lobet, ihr Himmel, den Herrn<\/em>. Smaller scale works for a variety of forces are also included here including Bone Jesu, care Jesu <\/em>for solo soprano, 2 violins and continuo. Laudate pueri dominum<\/em> is scored for solo tenor and varied instruments including two violins tuned in the unusual scordatura fashion. These are lovely live performances of music and a composer that has largely been forgotten for too long.<\/p>\n Guillaume de Machaut is a significant and influential composer from the 14th<\/sup> Century. However, much of his music is still not well-known. It is good, then, to have this new collection of largely secular music delivered expertly by the ever reliable Orlando Consort.<\/p>\n The title of the disc is derived from the longest piece included here, En demantant et lamentant<\/em> \u2013 a lament for the \u2018Lion of nobility\u2019, thought to be King John II of France, captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. A number of shorter pieces make up the rest of the programme. Full texts and background notes make for an interesting historical document as well as an enjoyable listening experience.<\/p>\n Small, but beautifully formed, this first recording from Musica Poetica, runs to just under 45 minutes. Like the first CD in this month\u2019s batch, the focus is on a composer who has links with JS Bach. The group have been exploring the music of Franz Tunder, organist at Lubeck and father-in-law of Buxtehude. He was influenced by Italian developments in music and may have been taught by Frescobaldi. He went on to develop his own distinct musical style. Alongside four of his vocal works, including\u00a0 a setting of Ein\u2019 feste <\/em>Burg, are pieces by Frescobaldi and Buxtehude. A well balanced and finely executed recital.<\/p>\n This is a very welcome release and items from it have already been featured several times on Radio 3. There are several recordings of some of Bowen\u2019s (1884-1961) music already available but it is only relatively recently that his writing is being rediscovered and reassessed. This is a very good collection of pieces \u2013 Fragments from Hans Andersen<\/em>, 12 Studies for piano <\/em>and two Concert Studies<\/em>. There is much to explore and enjoy here from an often overlooked British composer.<\/p>\n This is another debut release-this time for The Gould Piano Trio. Here are three relatively modern works with links to America. The two Piano Trios<\/em> are by Amy Beach and Rebecca Clarke. Charles Ives\u2019 music is his Trio for violin, cello and piano.<\/em> These performances make for a very enjoyable CD.<\/p>\n Part of Naxos\u2019 American Classics Series this is CD contains a very good selection of Steve Reich\u2019s work. Arranged chronologically it shows something of the way in which the composer\u2019s music has developed, from minimalism to more complex techniques and structures including the use of electronics and tape. The oldest work Music for Two or More Pianos <\/em>dates from 1964 and this is a world premiere recording. Phasing and sampling feature alongside more conventional instrumentation and two of the works here, New York Counterpoint <\/em>and City Life<\/em> (1995) especially draw on urban influences. This is a very welcome and enjoyable release and could be an exciting introduction to music that crosses boundaries of categorisation.<\/p>\n SP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" JOHANN KUHNAU \u2013 COMPLETE SACRED WORKS VI OPELLA MUSICA \/ CAMERATA LIPSIENSIS, GREGOR MEYER, conductor and organ CPO 555 305-2\u00a0\u00a0 57\u201935 This recording project aims to reclaim the work and music of Johann Kuhnau, predecessor of JS Bach at … Continue reading MACHAUT \u2013 THE LION OF NOBILITY<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
THE ORLANDO CONSORT<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
HYPERION CDA68318\u00a0 61\u201901<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
TUNDER APPRECIATED<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
MUSICA POETICA, OLIVER JOHN RUTHVEN, conductor and chamber organ<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
VETERUM MUSICA VM020 44\u201918<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
YORK BOWEN- FRAGMENTS FROM HANS ANDERSEN & STUDIES<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
NICOLAS NAMORADZE, piano<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
HYPERION CDA68303\u00a0 66\u201933<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
CLARKE-IVES-BEACH PIANO TRIOS<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
GOULD PIANO TRIO<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
RESONUS RES10264 60\u201935<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
STEVE REICH \u2013 EIGHT LINES; CITY LIFE<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
HOLST-SINFONIA, KLAUS SIMON, conductor and piano<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
NAXOS 8.559682\u00a0 73\u201924<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n