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PLINIO FERNANDES \u2013 SAUDADE<\/span> A lovely album, the first solo release on a major label by this Brazilian guitarist including fine performances of arrangements of popular songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim and a number of Preludes<\/em> by Villa-Lobos. On three tracks he is joined by another renowned musicians -Sheku (cello) & Braimah (violin) Kanneh-Mason and Maria Rita (voice).<\/p>\n MOONSTRIKE<\/span> This is a remarkably fresh release of wonderful performances of three new commissions of \u2018globally-inspired\u2019 music reflecting specific cultures. Jennifer Higdon\u2019s In the shadow of the mountain<\/em> (2020) is inspired by the composer\u2019s upbringing in the Appalachian mountains. Jerod Impichchaachaaha\u2019 Tate\u2019s MoonStrike<\/em> (2019) brings together three American Indian legends and combines them with the founder of the Apollo Chamber Players\u2019 love of space. This features narration from Chikasaw astronaut John Herrington, the first American Indian citizen to fly in space. Pierre Jalbert\u2019s L\u2019esprit du Nord (Spirit of the North)<\/em> (2019) ends the disk, this work drawing on French-Canadian musical traditions.<\/p>\n MOTHER SISTER DAUGHTER<\/span> Beautifully produced all round this CD brings fine performances of a well planned and researched programme with the focus on devotional music created and performed by women of the convent where Galileo Galilei\u2019s daughter resided. The larger part of the programme consists of three sets of Vespers<\/em> \u2013 those of St Lucy<\/em> and two of St Clare<\/em>. A further Renaissance liturgical sequence, parts of a Mass of the Blessed Virgin and a contemporary composition, The veiled Sisters<\/em>, by Joanna Marsh, completes the disc. Recorded in Cambridgeshire the singers (a female ensemble in existence for over thirty years)) are complemented with reproduction period instruments.<\/p>\n JOHANN PACHELBEL \u2013 HEXACHORDUM APOLLINIS; CHACONNE IN C MAJOR<\/span> The title work on this disc is a fascinating composition. A set of 6 arias with variations written for either harpsichord or organ. Mathematically complex with symbolism relating to numerology and the Kabbalah the booklet notes point out some interesting features and point to a work that should perhaps be more widely known and appreciated. The Chaconne<\/em> is a more known work. As with his other four symphonies<\/em> these date from the latter part of Martinu\u2019s life, during his time in America. These are two substantial works. No 6 is alternately titled Fantaisies symphoniques. Both of these works have innovations and show a progression in the composer\u2019s writing. Extending ideas of structure and of harmonic progression and influenced by his move to the US Martinu, however, never abandons the foundations of his Czech beginnings.<\/p>\n EDWARD GERMAN \u2013 BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC 10<\/span> I got to know some of Edward German\u2019s music first of all through popular piano transcriptions and still only know a couple of his works. Here we have them \u2013 suites<\/em> from Henry VIII<\/em> and Merrie England<\/em> together with incidental music from a number of other productions \u2013 Nell Gwyn, Romeo & Juliet, Tom Jones<\/em> as well as The Tempter<\/em> and Gipsy Suite<\/em>. As with other release in this strand the music is melodic and often quite memorable. Another lovely release.<\/p>\n JOHN BURGE \u2013 SINFONIA ANTIQUA \u2013 ONE SAIL<\/span> This highly enjoyable disk brings a compilation of the Canadian composer\u2019s work all of which has been commissioned by Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra. There is a lot of rhythmic energy to be found here as well as reflection and interesting shifts of harmony. Burge\u2019s music seems to spring out of earlier traditions but with fresh things still to say. Alongside the two title works are also Forgotten Dreams<\/em> and Upper Canada Fiddle Suite.<\/em><\/p>\n KONSTANTIN VASSILIEV \u2013 GUITAR WORKS 1<\/span> Inventive and at times quite mesmerising, this is a wonderful collection from highly talented guitarists of Vassiliev\u2019s music. It is good to see this release from Naxos which shines a light on this contemporary composer whose sound world crosses the boundaries of jazz, contemporary Western styles and Russian traditional music. Very enjoyable.<\/p>\n TOURNAMENT FOR TWENTY FINGERS<\/span> JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH \u2013 6 SUITES FOR CELLO SOLO<\/span> This is a lovely production. These fresh recordings of the 6 solo cello suites<\/em> are the result of meticulous research and preparation by cellist David Stromberg. The first five suites are performed on a baroque cello which, according to the notes, has a slightly different tuning for number five. The sixth was apparently originally written for a five-stringed instrument which is used here. Straightforward and very accessible notes are included in the accompanying booklet.<\/p>\n KLAS TORSTENSSON \u2013 LANTERN LECTURES<\/span> Contemporary Swedish born composer Klas Torstensson has spent much of his working life in the Netherlands. Here is an exciting performance of a work completed in 2002. The title of the work harks back to eductional slide lectures, with each movement centred on a natural Nordic phenomenon. Between each movement is a shorter Brass Link<\/em>. The music is often percussive and with striking contrasts of timbre and dynamic.<\/p>\n SP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PLINIO FERNANDES \u2013 SAUDADE PLINIO FERNANDES, guitar DECCA GOLD (impossible to read the issue number-so small!) A lovely album, the first solo release on a major label by this Brazilian guitarist including fine performances of arrangements of popular songs … Continue reading
\n PLINIO FERNANDES, guitar<\/span>
\n DECCA GOLD (impossible to read the issue number-so small!)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n APOLLO CHAMBER PLAYERS<\/span>
\n JOHN HERRINGTON, narrator<\/span>
\n AZICA ACD-71352 59\u201945<\/span><\/p>\n
\n MUSICA SECRETA, LAURIE STRAS, director<\/span>
\n LUCKY MUSIC LCKY001<\/span><\/p>\n
\n ENRICO BISSOLO, harpsichord<\/span>
\n DYNAMIC CDS7961 58\u201938<\/span><\/p>\n
\nBOHUSLAV MARTINU \u2013 SYMPHONIES 5 & 6<\/span>
\n RADIO-SINFONIEORCESTER STUTTGART DES SWR<\/span>
\n ROGER NORRINGTON, conductor<\/span>
\n SWR CLASSIC SWR19119CD 60\u201918<\/span><\/p>\n
\n SLOVAK RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA<\/span>
\n ADRIAN LEAPER, conductor<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.555171 67\u201928<\/span><\/p>\n
\n JOANNA G\u2019FROERER, flute, RACHEL MERCER, cello<\/span>
\n THIRTEEN STRINGS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, KEVIN MALLON, conductor<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.579073 64\u201923<\/span><\/p>\n
\n YURI LIBERZON, guitar, PATRICK O\u2019CONNELL, guitar<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.574315 71\u201930<\/span><\/p>\n
\n EMMA ABBATE & JULIAN PERKINS, piano four hands<\/span>
\n BIS BIS-2578 69\u201947<\/span>
\nThis is a fabulous compilation of twentieth century British piano duets performed brilliantly by Emma Abbate & Julian Perkins. There is a special link between performers and one of the composers, Stephen Dodgson (Tournament for Twenty Fingers<\/em> and Sonata for piano duet<\/em>). The piano on which these recordings was made was bequeathed by him to the duo. Beginning with Lennox Berkeley \u2013 Palm Court Waltz, Sonatina in E flat<\/em> and Theme and variations<\/em> there is a huge variety of mood and structure in this programme. Richard Arnell\u2019s Sonatina for piano duet<\/em> and Constant Lambert\u2019s Trois pieces negres pour les touches blanches<\/em> complete the disk. A very welcome release of little heard repertoire.<\/p>\n
\n DAVID STROMBERG, baroque cello, cello piccolo<\/span>
\n OEHMS 0C498 (2CDs) 60\u201903 & 79\u201930<\/span><\/p>\n
\n NORRBOTTEN NEO, CHRISTIAN KARLSEN, conductor<\/span>
\n BIS BIS-2516 71\u201906<\/span><\/p>\n