{"id":6799,"date":"2022-04-21T22:14:15","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T21:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=6799"},"modified":"2022-04-21T22:14:15","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T21:14:15","slug":"cds-april-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=6799","title":{"rendered":"CDs April 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

BACH INSPIRED<\/span>
\nTHE BACH CHOIR<\/span>
\nFAUST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA<\/span>
\nDAVID HILL, conductor<\/span>
\nSTONE 5060192781182\u00a0 33\u201957<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a fascinating and very enjoyable release. The Bach Choir, obviously very at home with the original material here give fine performances of a musical response to the limitations of the lockdown. Six composers were asked to select a chorale from the St Matthew Passion <\/em>and create a new work to sit alongside it. The juxtaposition of the new and the old works very well. It is to be hoped that this new sequence may gain a place in the regular repertoire. The composers are Charlotte Harding, Carmen Ho, Gavin Higgins, Des Oliver, Heloise Werner and James B Wilson.<\/p>\n

PHILIP WILBY \u2013 AN ENGLISH PASSION ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW<\/span>
\nBELFAST CATHEDRAL CHOIR & SOLOISTS<\/span>
\nMATTHEW OWENS, CONDUCTOR<\/span>
\nRESONUS RES10298 67\u201944<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent times have seen Matthew Owens very actively building on the musical tradition of Belfast Cathedral. Alongside music in the liturgy there have been several recordings featuring the choir and organ. Here is a very interesting disc featuring fine recordings of recent repertoire from Philip Wilby. In his new Passion <\/em>(written for the cathedral) the composer effectively sets English hymn tunes found in the English Hymnal <\/em>of 1906 in the manner that Bach and others used the Lutheran chorale melodies, well known in their time and place. Also included on the CD are a setting of Gerard Manley Hopkins\u2019 poem, God\u2019s Grandeur <\/em>and The Knaresborough Setting <\/em>of the evening canticles, written for St John the Baptist Church in that town.<\/p>\n

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS \u2013 ON WENLOCK EDGE\/FOUR HYMNS\/THE HOUSE OF LIFE<\/span>
\nNICKY SPENCE, tenor,\u00a0 JULIUS DRAKE, piano, TIMOTHY RIDOUT, viola<\/span>
\nPIATTI QUARTET<\/span>
\nHYPERION CDA68378 69\u201950\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lovely release to coincide with Vaughan Williams\u2019 150th<\/sup> anniversary. Each of the works here in their own way are representative of the pastoral-spiritual \u2018English\u2019 idiom with which we associate him. For contrast there are also three more secular offerings of folk song settings including The saucy bold robber<\/em>. \u00a0Fine performances throughout of perhaps less familiar works.<\/p>\n

XIAOGANG YE \u2013 SEVEN EPISODES FOR LIN\u2019AN<\/span>
\nVARIOUS SOLOISTS<\/span>
\nDEUTSCHE STAATSPHILHARMONIE RHEINLAND-PFALZ<\/span>
\nSTEPHAN MALZEW & FRANK OLLU, conductors<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.579088\u00a0 73\u201904<\/span><\/p>\n

Another release of music from this prolific contemporary Chinese composer brings evocations of the people and places of that country. The main work here sets ancient Chinese texts and perhaps more so than the orchestral pieces shows more of a meeting of east and west. Twilight in Tibet <\/em>and Tianjin Suite, <\/em>both orchestral, paint vivid pictures of two very different locations. A lovely recording of world premieres.<\/p>\n

GEORGIOS AXIOTIS \u2013 A LOVE TRILOGY \u2013 SYMPHONIC IMPRESSIONSNEW FESTIVAL OPERA-SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SOFIA, <\/span>
\nBYRON FIDETZIS, conductor<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.574353\u00a0 77\u201943<\/span><\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t heard music from this composer before. Part of Naxos\u2019 Greek Classics series this is a very interesting release of mainly very lyrical music, mostly premiere recordings. The Love Trilogy <\/em>is the longest work here. Axiotis wanted to preserve a distinctive national flavour to his music but writes in a variety of styles. Remembrance of a Ball<\/em> for instance has a distinctly \u201clight music\u201d feel to it in comparison. Also included are Sunset, Prelude & Fugue, Lyrical Intermezzo <\/em>and Like a Game<\/em>.<\/p>\n

MARGARET BROUWER \u2013 REACTIONS \u2013 SONGS & CHAMBER MUSIC<\/span>
\nSARAH BEATY, mezzo-soprano, BRIAN SKOOG, tenor, <\/span>
\nMARI SATO, narrator & violin<\/span>
\nELIESHA NELSON, viola, SHUAI WANG, piano<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.559904\u00a0 56\u201900<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very interesting release, from another prolific composer, well known in their own country but perhaps less so further afield, this time in the American Classics strand. These are all recent works, written as a response to particular situations including the Covid-19 pandemic. As well as intensity and emotion there is also humour to be found, as in the work All lines are still busy<\/em> \u2013 responding to being placed on hold during a telephone call. Rhapsodic Sonata, <\/em>the longest work here, begins the CD. Declaration <\/em>(2005) is the oldest work.<\/p>\n

JENO TAKACS \u2013 PIANO CONCERTO \u2013 RHAPSODY FOR VIOLIN<\/span>
\nNINA KARMON, violin, OLIVER TRIENDL, piano<\/span>
\nGEORGIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA INGOLSTADT, <\/span>
\nEVAN-ALEXIS CHRIST, conductor<\/span>
\nCAPRICCIO C5438\u00a0 65\u201959<\/span><\/p>\n

Takacs lived from 1902 \u2013 2005. During that time he witnessed many seismic changes in the world including the shifting of his place of birth from being in Hungary to Austria. He was widely influenced by different cultures as well as his own and took pride in being someone who developed and changed as he continued to write. Also included on this CD are Serenade after ancient Contredanses from Graz, Passacaglia for Strings <\/em>and Three Pieces for Strings. <\/em>A great introduction to this composer.<\/p>\n

MASTER & PUPIL \u2013 <\/span>
\nEXPLORING THE INFLUENCES & LEGACY OF CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI<\/span>
\nSESTINA MUSIC, MARK CHAMBERS, conductor<\/span>
\nINVENTA INV1007\u00a0 71\u201918<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very interesting production highlighting the way that composers leave a legacy to be continued and developed by their students. Sestina Music have a similar approach to with more experienced musicians acting as mentors to the younger generation. Vocal music from Josquin and the two Gabrielis are placed here with Monteverdi alongside lesser known composers including Jaques de Wert and Giovanni Rigatti.<\/p>\n

TWO CLASSIC POLITICAL FILM SCORES<\/span>
\nREVUELTAS \u2013 REDES & COPLAND \u2013 THE CITY<\/span>
\nPOSTCLASSICAL ENSEMBLE, ANGEL GIL-ORDONEZ, conductor<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.574350\u00a0 68\u201927<\/span><\/p>\n

Although never intended to be listened to in this way these scores make for very enjoyable listening. World premiere recordings, these are fine reconstructions which have already featured on DVD releases. I am unfamiliar with Revueltas but The City <\/em>has moments that chime with other music by Copland.<\/p>\n

JOHANN LUDWIG KREBS \u2013 KEYBOARD WORKS VOL 2<\/span>
\nSTEVEN DEVINE, harpsichord<\/span>
\nRESONUS RES10300\u00a0 77\u201917<\/span><\/p>\n

You know that with Steven Devine baroque keyboard music is in good hands. Here is volume 2 in the Resonus series. Here we have fine performances of three longer works: Overture \u2018 nach dem Franzoischen Gout\u2019, Partita in B flat major <\/em>and Sonata in A minor<\/em>.<\/p>\n

SONGS OF ELIZABETH MACONCHY & RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS <\/span>
\nVOL 1<\/span>
\nJAMES GEER, tenor, RONALD WOODLEY, piano<\/span>
\nRESONUS RES10299\u00a0 66\u201915<\/span><\/p>\n

At first glance this may seem a strange pairing but Maconchy was a student of Vaughan Williams. Two very different styles sit together her, but both develop the British song tradition. I love the concept of this release and hope that, as we celebrate the 150th<\/sup> anniversary of RVW\u2019s birth those already drawn to his music may discover something of the beauty of Maconchy\u2019s settings and that her music will become more widely known. What will volume 2 bring?<\/p>\n

READY OR NOT<\/span>
\nPALAVER STRINGS<\/span>
\nAZICA ACD-71342 c55\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very welcome release. Unusual repertoire, all written by women and assured performances from this ensemble. The title of the CD refers to the fact that women have been writing music for centuries, whether audiences, performers and compilers of the repertoire are prepared to acknowledge this. Ranging from the 16th<\/sup> Century to the present day the programme includes a range of styles and genres including jazz and folk influences alongside more traditional \u2018classical\u2019 forms. An arrangement of Barbara Strozzi\u2019s\u00a0 Lagrime mie<\/em> sits alongside Fear the Lamb <\/em>by Akenya Seymour reflecting on the life and tragic death of Emmett Till. Grazyna Bacewicz\u2019 Concerto for String Orchestra <\/em>makes a powerful opening statement. A set of three contemporary fiddle tunes by Liz Knowles and Elizabeth Mooreends the CD in lighter vein. Very enjoyable.<\/p>\n

RAUTAVAARA \u2013 LOST LANDSCAPES: WORKS FOR VIOLIN & ORCHESTRA<\/span>
\nSIMONE LAMSA, violin<\/span>
\nMALMO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, ROBERT TREVINO, conductor<\/span>
\nONDINE\u00a0 ODE 1405-2\u00a0 57\u201932<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a transcendent intensity to Rautavaara\u2019s music which is heightened by this writing for strings.\u00a0 All of the music here is relatively recent, the earliest from 2005, but here rearranged for these forces. Lost Landscapes,<\/em> Fantasia, In the <\/em>Beginning and Deux Serenades <\/em>(completed by Kalevi Aho, after the composer\u2019s death) are the four works here. Music to be immersed in and a fitting presentation of some of Rautavaara\u2019s last work.<\/p>\n

SANDRO FUGA \u2013 PIANO SONATAS 1-3<\/span>
\nGIACOMO FUGA, CARLOTTA FUGA & CLAUDIO VOGHERA, piano<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.579110\u00a0 71\u201954<\/span><\/p>\n

Italian composer Sandro Fuga\u2019s work draws on classical forms and influences and pushes forward, negotiating the more extreme paths of the 20th<\/sup> Century and remaining rooted in traditional harmony. The three works here are regarded as the high point of his writing for the piano. The CD has additional interest from the involvement of two of his children.<\/p>\n

GERMAINE TAILLEFERRE \u2013 HER PIANO WORKS, REVIVED \u2013 1<\/span>
\nNICOLAS HORVATH, piano<\/span>
\nGRAND PIANO GP891 83\u201921<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the first of three volumes which seek to highlight the output of the only female member of Les Six. <\/em>Many of the pieces here are short but no less interesting for that. Alongside many original works are some reworkings of older French classical music. The whole series promises to be very rewarding with Nicolas Horvath\u2019s performances being highly praised by the composer\u2019s granddaughter.<\/p>\n

RECORDED RARITIES FROM MELODIYA<\/span>
\nDAVID OISTRAKH, violin<\/span>
\nALEXANDER GOLDENWEISER & ZARA LEVINA, piano<\/span>
\nBIDDULPH 85013-2<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is another release of historic recordings, from the 1940s and 1950s. The unaccompanied Bach Violin Sonata No 1 in G minor <\/em>begins the CD alongside two accompanied Sonatas by Medtner and Levina.<\/p>\n

SATIE \u2013 PIANO MUSIC VOL 5 \u2013 ESOTERIK SATIE<\/span>
\nNORIKO OGAWA, piano<\/span>
\nBIS 2345 76\u201904<\/span><\/p>\n

Satie was a fascinating figure, his music crossing several genres. This CD has collected some of the music, perhaps regarded as more obscure, which relates to his spiritual interests. Although perhaps a rather heavy listen in one sitting there is much of interest here and it is particularly good to have this curated selection. Committed performances from Noriko Ogawa on a historically appropriate instrument.<\/p>\n

20TH<\/sup> CENTURY FOXTROTS \u2013 4<\/span>
\nGOTTLIEB WALLISCH, piano<\/span>
\nGRAND PIANO GP855 75\u201921<\/span><\/p>\n

I am continuing to really enjoy this series which highlights jazz-inspired piano music from the early 20th<\/sup>Century. A number of world premiere recordings are included here in this disc which features music from France and Belgium. Wonderful music, beautifully played. I hope there will be more.<\/p>\n

ALBERT SCHNELZER \u2013 A FREAK IN BURBANK <\/span>
\n\u2013 CHAMBER & ORCHESTRAL WORKS<\/span>
\nILYA GRINGOLTS, violin, JAKOB KORANYI, cello<\/span>
\nHENRIK MAWE & DAVID HUANG, piano<\/span>
\nVASTERAS SINFONIETTA, SIMON CRAWFORD-PHILLIPS, conductor<\/span>
\nBIS 2483 77\u201934<\/span><\/p>\n

Released in his 50th<\/sup> year this CD is an excellent showcase for Swedish composer Albert Schnelzer. The sheer variety of music included here perhaps reflects his eclectic influences gained from experience in the classical and rock worlds. Throughout the disk there is a huge amount of vitality and diversity of colour. The title track, for orchestra, is one of the composer\u2019s most performed pieces. Dance with the Devil<\/em>, for solo piano, which follows, is an extremely extrovert piece \u2013 a fantastic performance from Henrik Mawe. Burn my letters <\/em>is a more reflective chamber orchestra piece. All the music here was written in the last 22 years. Excellent!<\/p>\n

SP<\/p>\n

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BACH INSPIRED THE BACH CHOIR FAUST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA DAVID HILL, conductor STONE 5060192781182\u00a0 33\u201957 This is a fascinating and very enjoyable release. The Bach Choir, obviously very at home with the original material here give fine performances of a musical … 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\/6799"}],"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=6799"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6800,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6799\/revisions\/6800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}