{"id":6963,"date":"2022-10-31T10:16:15","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T10:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=6963"},"modified":"2022-10-31T10:17:02","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T10:17:02","slug":"cds-october-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=6963","title":{"rendered":"CDs October 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

HENRI TOMASI \u2013 COMPLETE VIOLIN WORKS
\n<\/span>STEPHANIE MORALY, violin
\n<\/span>ROMAIN DAVID, piano
\n<\/span>ORCHESTRE DE LA GARDE REPUBLICAINE, SEBASTIEN BILLARD
\n<\/span>NAXOS 8.579091 61\u201952<\/span><\/p>\n

These early\/mid twentieth century pieces are, as the notes state, \u2018little known\u2019. Written in a easy style with melody to the fore and with interesting use of colour and contrasts of virtuosity and emotion. A useful collection of this lesser known French composer\u2019s output.<\/p>\n

RUED LANGGAARD \u2013 PIANO WORKS VOL 4<\/span>
\n BERIT JOHANSEN TANGE, piano<\/span>
\n DA CAPO 6.220662 64\u201927<\/span><\/p>\n

This further volume of piano music shows Langgaard\u2019s familiarity with the romantic piano tradition. There is much of interest here in these committed performances by Berit Johansen Tange.<\/p>\n

ALMEIDA PRADO \u2013 COMPLETE NOCTURNES<\/span>
\n ALEVSON SCOPEL, piano<\/span>
\n GRAND PIANO GP890 70\u201903<\/span><\/p>\n

The Brazilian composer Jose Antonio Rezende de Almeida Prado died in 2010 leaving a wealth of interesting and inventive music. Coupled with the 14 Nocturnes<\/em> here is the earlier work, Ilhas (Islands)<\/em>. Throughout this music we hear how he develops the romantic piano tradition with a number of twentieth century elements and influences including Latin American rhythm, Brahms, Messiaen and Scriabin.<\/p>\n

RICHARD DANIELPOUR \u2013 TWELVE ETUDES FOR PIANO<\/span>
\n STEFANO GRECO, piano<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.559922 65\u201940<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very enjoyable release of world premiere recodings. Contemporary American composer Richard Danielpour\u2019s music brings a wide range of emotion and styles out of the piano. Together with the set of varied etudes we have the exuberant and expansive Piano Fantasy \u201cWenn ich einmal soll scheiden<\/em> and two very recent short works, Lullaby<\/em> and Song without words<\/em>.<\/p>\n

ELGAR – COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS<\/span>
\n TOM WINPENNY, organ of Hereford Cathedral<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.574366 86\u201957<\/span><\/p>\n

Containing the familiar Organ Sonata No 1<\/em> and the Vesper Voluntaries<\/em> this CD also features Elgar\u2019s own organ arrangements and arrangements by others. These include Pomp & Circumstance March No 4<\/em>, Nimrod<\/em>, Imperial March<\/em> and Organ Sonata No 2.<\/em> Unknown to me were the Loughborough Memorial Chime<\/em> and Solemn March from The Black Knight<\/em>. A comprehensive and enjoyable collection of fine performances by Tom Winpenny on a very appropriate organ.<\/p>\n

RUSSIAN BALLADS \u2013 PROKOFIEV + SHOSTAKOVICH + KISSIN<\/span>
\n GABRIEL SCHWABE, cello ROLAND PONTINEN, piano<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.574377 78\u201958<\/span><\/p>\n

In these days of terrible war against the people of Ukraine perhaps we may question whether we should celebrate music from this area. On the other hand it is perhaps good to remember that much of beauty and significance has come from this place in the past.
\nI have always had an affection for Russian music and here we have a lovely collection of works for cello and piano. Prokofiev takes the lion\u2019s share with three pieces – his Ballade in C minor,<\/em> Cello Sonata<\/em> and Adagio from Cinderella<\/em>. There is another Cello Sonata<\/em> from Shostakovich and a much more recent one by Evgeny Kissin. Lovely performances.<\/p>\n

BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC 11: RON GOODWIN<\/span>
\n NEW ZEALAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, RON GOODWIN, conductor<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.555193 69\u201957<\/span><\/p>\n

This enjoyable series continues with this volume of music by a man known primarily for his film scores. Conducted by the man himself the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra give committed and often energetic performances throughout. I have to say that apart from the opening 633 Squadron Main title theme<\/em> all of this music was unknown to me and very interesting for that. The London Marathon theme from The Trap<\/em> is in a similar style as are some other elements of other works here. There are also pieces in very different styles such as the New Zealand Suite<\/em> and Arabian Celebration<\/em>. As well as lovely melodies there is some very varied orchestration. Great fun!<\/p>\n

BENT SORENSEN \u2013 THE ISLAND IN THE CITY<\/span>
\n TRIO CON BRIO COPENHAGEN<\/span>
\n DANISH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE, conductor<\/span>
\n DA CAPO 8.226086 58\u201921<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Sorensen is often regarded as an introspective writer there is much here that is bold and exciting. This is a welcome release of world premiere recordings of the title track (L\u2019Isola della Citta)<\/em> and his Second Symphony.<\/p>\n

WALTON \u2013 THE COMPLETE FACADES<\/span>
\n HILA PITMANN, FRED CHILD, KEVIN DEAS, narrators<\/span>
\n VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL CHAMBER PLAYERS, JO ANN FALLETTA, conductor<\/span>
\n NAXOS 8.574378 53\u201959<\/span><\/p>\n

I love the combination of spoken word and music and I especially love Fa\u00e7ade for it\u2019s quirkiness and eccentricity that many would say makes it so English. It is wonderful to have this release which combines the original 22 piece composition with Fa\u00e7ade 2<\/em> (from the late 1970s, with another 8 short movements. This CD also includes another 4 additional numbers which were rejected by the composer during the composition and compilation process. My problem (perhaps one I need to get over?) is that here the narration is by Americans. Of course I have no problem with that generally, and it is done very well, but it is the eccentric roots of this work that makes me long for continuity in this respect.<\/p>\n

MATIAS VESTERGARD \u2013 IDYLLS, ELEGIES<\/span>
\n ESBJERG ENSEMBLE, REI MUNAKATA & MAGNUS LARSSON, conductors<\/span>
\n SIGNE ASMUSSEN, soprano<\/span>
\n DA CAPO 8.226546 58\u201921<\/span><\/p>\n

This is very welcome release gathers a number of early compositions from contemporary Danish composer Matias Vestergard (born in 1989). Eclectic influences can be found in these works, from chorales of the Lutheran church or 1920s jazz. A very interesting introduction to the work of this composer, who was new to me.<\/p>\n

LUDGER BRUMMER \u2013 SPHERES OF RESONANCE<\/span>
\n LUDGER BRUMMER, ZKM Institute for Music & Acoustics\/Hertz Laboratory, Karlsruhe<\/span>
\n WERGO WER 20772<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly evolving, immersive soundscapes are to the fore here in this wonderful compilation of computer\/electronic music from Ludger Brummer, Director of the Hertz Laboratory. Reminding me of the delight I took from discovering the music contained in an earlier series from Wergo (Computer Music Currents) many years ago this music sounds fresh and at the same time both other-worldly and pure. Although I couldn\u2019t get the recommended link to work I did find a YouTube recording of Cellularium<\/em> which shows how the music is paired with a stunning light installation. Eight works are included here, most of them lasting around 20 minutes each. The accompanying notes to each are full of interest and whilst I don\u2019t pretend to understand much of the techniques and processes employed I love this music!<\/p>\n

BEN LAHRING \u2013 DRIFTWOOD<\/span>
\n BEN LAHRING, guitar<\/span>
\n www.benlahring.com<\/span><\/p>\n

This contemplative album of solo guitar music from guitarist Ben Lahring showcases his talent as both performer and composer. There are some beautiful tracks here with sensitive performances highlighting the lyrical nature of the instrument. The self-composed title track is particularly expressive. The centrepiece of the album is the three-part Firstborn of the Dead<\/em>. Alongside other works of the composer are pieces by Liona Boyd, William Beauvais, Graeme Koehne and one I found particularly intriguing, Searching for a chorale<\/em>, by Seymour Bernstein, which cleverly reworks material from well-known chorales into something new. A gentle but still at times stimulating recording.<\/p>\n

MOMENTUM<\/span>
\n MIRIAM K SMITH, cello<\/span>
\n SANDRA WRIGHT SHEN, piano<\/span>
\n AZICA ACD-71354<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a lovely production, comprising sensitive performances from this wonderful pairing of musicians. Here we find contrasting works from three highly influential twentieth century composers. The longest work is Prokofiev\u2019s Cello Sonata in C major<\/em> which opens the disk, followed by Stravinsky\u2019s Suite Italienne.<\/em> The final work is Nadia Boulanger\u2019s Trois Pieces pour violoncello et piano<\/em> \u2013 short but inventive.<\/p>\n

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

HENRI TOMASI \u2013 COMPLETE VIOLIN WORKS STEPHANIE MORALY, violin ROMAIN DAVID, piano ORCHESTRE DE LA GARDE REPUBLICAINE, SEBASTIEN BILLARD NAXOS 8.579091 61\u201952 These early\/mid twentieth century pieces are, as the notes state, \u2018little known\u2019. Written in a easy style with … 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\/6963"}],"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=6963"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6967,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6963\/revisions\/6967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}