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Classical
Music |
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Fiddler
Tam: The Music of Thomas Erskine
David McGuinness, Concerto Caledonia
Linn Records CKD 240 Reviewed by RP
A son of Scotland and contemporary of Haydn, Thomas Erskine (the 6th Earl
of Kellie) was an eminent violinist and prolific composer. His cavalier
approach to the Baroque resulted in an often euphoric, exceptionally lovely,
highly enjoyable and varied body of work that combines lyricism and wit
with some marvellous harmonies. Death Is Now My Only Treasure and The
Lover’s Message featuring the soprano Mhairi Lawson drip with Masonic
symbolism and metaphysical rakishness.
His “message” is a coy yet charmingly insincere one - playing
the “dying for love” card for all it’s worth in the
time honoured pursuit of sexual congress. David McGuiness’ keyboard
skills on the harpsichord and his sympathetic direction of the Concerto
Caledonia players both here and for other pieces like the lively The Maid
Of The Mill Overture, the vivid and emotionally sophisticated Quartet
in A and through the courtly elegance found in the Trio Sonata No.5 in
E effortlessly guides us amongst the trysts, expressive exchanges and
poetic conceits. Performed on period instruments, this atmospheric recording
taped in the Crichton Collegiate church, Midlothian and at St. Judes on
the Hill in London has persuasive warmth, delicacy and refinement about
it that adds to an amiable and occasionally impassioned gesture or two
buried within this agreeable music. |
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Shostakovitch:
Piano Works
Vladimir Ashkenazy, Piano
Decca 470 649-2 Reviewed by RP
A great piano recording and fine performance full of robust firmly located
images, which also shows us just how much delicacy this format possesses.
It recreates each and every subtle dynamic shift or explosive exclamation
delivered by the impeccable and dexterous hands of Vladimir Ashkenazy
in this wonderfully coherent and consistent approach. He gives a virtuoso
display throughout, right from an opening Piano Sonata No.2 whose sparse
thematic
material is woven around this most traditional of forms to those miniatures
like the Nocturne from The Limpid Stream or Lyric Waltz originally found
in Dances of the Dolls. Then there’s those Aphorisms Op.13: ten
youthful, short, revolutionary pieces, ever so pithy in nature, which
are loosely associated with dance forms. “Succinct” is the
watchword both here and in the quite charming rendition of his Five Preludes
and that capricious and very popular work, the Three Fantastic Dances.
Shostakovich piano compositions are not always comfortable or easily accessible
but they have undeniable character and Ashkenazy (who is an elegant master
of shape, tonality and drama) perhaps more than any of his esteemed peers,
cuts to the heart of each structure to expose the underlying intent. |
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Rachmaninov:
Piano Concerto No.2 & Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini
Lang Lang, piano, Valery Gergiev,
Marinsky Theatre Orchestra
DGG 00289 477 5499 Reviewed by RP
The Second Piano Concerto is one of my favourites because of those broadly
romantic moods so tinged with suffering and its grand sweeping melodies
of tremendous beauty. Chinese born pianist Lang Lang taps into the expressive
heart of this music through a precise, fluent and eminently likeable reading
that
balances differing demands within a score that calls both for considered
reflection and vitality.
He adopts safe speeds (unlike Richter’s controversial and famously
slow, yet highly successful reading of the first movement coupled to a
breakneck tempo for the allegro found in his early 1960s recording for
this label) but does not overstate a languid and relaxed side heard in
the slower sections of this concerto. For the Rhapsody his elasticity
and flair conveys the true sense of impetus, excitement and virtuosity
underpinning this music. Conductor, orchestra and soloist really gel in
these performances and the instrumental balance has been astutely engineered
to reveal that rich, sonorous and firmly focused piano timbre as well
as the wider enveloping warmth conveyed by the Marinsky Theatre players.
Overall, this is an excellent recording of a powerful and persuasive rendition
possessing considerable emotional depth.
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Handel:
Six Violin Sonatas
Bach: Partita No.2
Alfredo Campoli, violin; George Malcolm, harpsichord
Testament SBT 1358 Reviewed by RP
The Partita No.2 with its renowned Chaconne dates from 1948 and is the
only unaccompanied Bach recording made by Campoli, so in one respect it
is a valuable musical document.
However this is a performance that I am not completely comfortable with,
mainly due to a rather seesawing nature to the chords and an understated
almost modest approach to such a virtuoso piece. However, the Six Violin
Sonatas ascribed to Handel have more purposeful, strongly melodic and
rhythmic qualities. Campoli’s playing here, and that of his eminent
accompanist, George Malcolm, conveys the stately magnificence of this
score with great assurance. Testament’s transfer improves upon an
early 1950s Decca LP. The instrumental balance is superior, with the violin
better focused, revealing the tonal richness and warmth of the Campoli
technique. True, there are a few lapses of phrasing in the slower movements
but these can be overlooked because of the obvious rapport that these
musicians had for chamber works of this kind. It certainly illuminates
how their approach fifty years ago differed from that of today’s
luminaries of bow and board.
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Hugo
Alfvén: Symphony No. 4, ‘From The Outermost Skerries’
Iceland Symphony Orchestra;
Niklas Willén, cond.
Naxos 8.557284 Reviewed by RP
A soft murmur, like water silently flowing its way, vents in an eruptive
demonstration of the sheer force of the ocean. Suddenly silence, a solo
violin creates the atmosphere of moonlight shining on dark water. “The
action takes place in the Skerries, where sea rages among the rocks...”
Seldom have pictures of nature been painted in music with such a vividness
and attention to detail to make a program unnecessary! One wonders whether
he was also a talented water colourist – he uses the orchestra almost
as if he’s using paint! God moves in mysterious ways, but one also
wonders why Hugo Alfvén hasn’t been paid as much attention
as he deserves.
Alfvén, like George Enesco, transformed the love of his country
into music. Inspired by the rich and colourful traditional and folk music,
his compositions are deeply seated on the sound of the symphonic poems
of Smetana and others from the 19th century. Perhaps this retrospective
focus and lack of obvious innovation explains his failure to reach a public
outside Sweden. His use of human voices as musical instruments is really
touching, and fits perfectly. The male and female voices bear witness
to a love story – but the star role is reserved for nature, and
that provides more than enough fuel for great emotion and drama, for sure!
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Respighi:
Ancient Dances And Airs For Lute Suites 1,2 & 3
Antal Dorati conducting the Philharmonia Hungarica
Mercury 470 637-2 MSA Reviewed by RP
Some forty-five years after they were originally recorded these brilliant
and exceptionally sensitive performances by Dorati’s countrymen
remain the finest available. Respighi’s taxing Twentieth Century
string orchestration of Renaissance and Baroque dance music with its three
or four part chords and exposed high notes are eloquently delivered through
an enviable degree of delicacy, elegance and liveliness. Exquisite, atmospheric
and beautifully sculpted scenes effortlessly unfold before us. Played
out with such sublime virtuosity, especially in the harpsichord part,
that this version demands a place in every collection. The choice of format
though will provoke a much more intense debate. I have American, British
and French LPs and the standard CD release to choose from as points of
reference. The CD layer is the same as before, but the SACD’s layer’s
position within this hierarchy is an interesting one. It does not replace
my U.S. FR1/FR3 pressing SR 90199 at the top of the pile (RSF probably
owns an even better cut) but does possess sufficient clarity, detail and
warmth to take second spot. What it lacks is that musical snap and sheer
presence, naturalness and instrumental lustre heard from the LP. However,
at £11.99 the SACD is realistically priced; a pristine vintage vinyl
copy will set you back much more. |
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Audiophile
Recordings |
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Mel
Tormé with The Marty Paich Orchestra - Swing Schubert Alley
Speakers Corner Records Reviewed by DDD
Tormé’s recording career as a jazz vocalist spanned half
of the twentieth century. He recorded extensively for Bethlehem in the
1950s, Verve in the 1960s and Concord Jazz during the last two decades
of the century. This 1960 Norman Granz production, (originally released
as Verve MG VS-6146) teams Tormé with the Marty Paich Orchestra
capturing a swinging session with these musicians at the top of their
game. The orchestra of west coast all-stars includes Art Pepper, Frank
Rosolino, Red Callender and Bill Perkins. Like Paich’s better known,
and extremely collectible LPs on Warner Bros. Records from the late 1950s,
this is west coast jazz at its finest. Tormé performs a selection
of show tune chestnuts (from the likes of Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein
and Oscar Hammerstein) chosen for their jazz potential. Torme’ voice
during this period is a fascinating blend of Tony Bennett and Wayne Newton.
I had not listened to this record in many years, and within seconds of
dropping stylus on vinyl, my attention was transfixed and I was scribbling
notes about how this record knocked my socks off.
I cannot think of another Tormé album I prefer; it catches him
at the peak of his vocal powers, in stunning sound. Speakers Corner has
done another great job in mastering this well recorded session.
Don’t miss this under-appreciated treasure.
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Tchaikosky:
Violin Concerto in D, Piano Concerto No. 1
Tetzlaff; Lugansky.
Nagano, Russian N.O.
Pentatone Classics PTC 5186 022 Reviewed by RSF
This is one excellent disc! While I’m sure you’ve already
got your favourite recordings of these two Tchaikovsky concertos, I think
you owe it to yourself to add this one to your collection. Prior to hearing
the violin concerto, I was not familiar with Tetzlaff’s recordings.
This German violinist certainly delivers the goods. There is nothing romantic
about his playing and he delivers a precise reading that follows the music’s
cohesive construction. But as good as Tetzlaff is with his violin, so
too is Lugansky with the piano. I think he is currently one of the top
pianists on the classical circuit. He’s very well represented in
the recorded catalogues and has been recording since he was thirteen!
While he is well known for his Rachmaninov (and he has performed a fabulous
Chopin Etudes disc for Erato), I find his Tchaikovsky mesmerizing. His
pace is rapid but not overbearing, insightful but still youthful, and
his technique is exciting and gripping. As is the case with all Pentatone
Classics, the CD layer is an exceptionally down-conversion of the DSD
layers.
While this is not a new release it was new to me and I hope it will find
a home with you. Not to be missed!
Supplier: www.pentatonemusic.com |
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Rosemary
Clooney and Duke Ellington - Blue Rose
Pure Pleasure Records Reviewed by DDD
Like Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney spent her golden years recording
for Concord Jazz. This recording, originally released as Columbia CL 872,
may be the jewel of her discography. George Clooney’s aunt Rosemary
puts her stamp on eleven Ellington/Strayhorn tunes backed by the Ellington
band. During her early recording years, most of Clooney’s output
was more pop oriented but she established her jazz credentials with this
album, becoming one of Concord Records’ jazz stalwarts by the ‘8o’s.
She turns in excellent renditions of several songs, especially ‘It
Don’t Mean A Thing’ and ‘Mood Indigo’, but some
of her work may seem a little tame in comparison to the top echelon of
jazz vocalists from the golden era.
Or maybe it’s just that I can’t get the picture of Clooney’s
role in White Christmas out of my mind when listening to her sing. Still,
she puts almost any female jazz vocalist on the scene today to shame.
The mono recording, like other Ellington Columbia recordings of the day,
is as well done as anything that was being recorded at the time.
Even though Clooney’s vocals were overdubbed, it does not detract
from an extremely fine recording.
Sit back with this splendid sounding record and wonder why nobody does
it this way anymore. Kudos to Pure Pleasure for another winner.
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Ludwig
Van Beethoven: Quatuors à cordes no.7, 8 & 9; "Razumovsky"
op.59 no.1, 2 & 3.
The Tokyo String Quartet.
Harmonia Mundi HM807423/4 Reviewed by RSF
The Tokyo String Quartet has captivated audiences and critics alike since
it was founded more than 30 years ago. It is comprised of violist Kazuhide
Isomura, a founding member of the group; second violinist Kikuei Ikeda,
who joined the ensemble in 1974; cellist Clive Greensmith, the former
Principal Cellist of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who joined
in 1999; and first violinist Martin Beaver, who joined the ensemble in
2002.
A new recording for Harmonia Mundi and a celebration of the quartet’s
new configuration, we are treated to an exceptionally skilful performance
of Beethoven’s quartets. With the revolutionary quartets of Opus
59, Beethoven left behind the classical confines of the genre and gave
it a truly symphonic dimension. Count Andreas Kirillovich Razumovsky,
the Russian ambassador in Vienna commissioned these works in 1806 and
they were completed by Beethoven in six short months. The masterful playing
here provides the perfect balance between technical control and emotional
freedom. Harmonia Mundi has given us spectacular sound and the Tokyo gives
us approximately 108 minutes of sheer excitement and beauty. These readings
are exceptionally polished and are the first offering in a new set of
Beethoven quartets by this fabulous group of players.
Supplier: www.harmoniamundi.com |
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Gerry
Mulligan meets Ben Webster
Speakers Corner Records Reviewed by DDD
This LP combines the sound of Ben Webster, the tenor saxophone’s
most luscious sounding proponent, with Mulligan’s equally mellow
baritone sax to give us the equivalent of double-double chocolate cake.
It’s a true orgy of sound. The session was recorded in 1959, and
in addition to Webster and Mulligan it features the classic west coast
rhythm section of Jimmy Rowles on piano, Mel Lewis on drums and Leroy
Vinnegar on bass. The LP mixes a number of slow ballads and up-tempo swinging
numbers. Most are Gerry Mulligan compositions, and they are all perfectly
suited to bring out the vibrato-laden sound of both soloists. The record
was originally released as Verve MG VS-6104 with a photo cover of the
two horn players, different from the art cover used on the mono release
(MG V8343). This music is available on a CD in its original form and as
a “complete” two CD package, including alternate takes. This
stereo re-issue gives up nothing
to the mono version, with the soloists occupying their own space, rather
than being each stuck left and right in their respective speakers. Any
way you get this music, it is a desert island disc. Speakers Corner has
done an exemplary job of remastering this well recorded session, in rich
sound unrivaled by any CD. It deserves my highest recommendation.
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Sergei
Rachmaninov: Piano Works
Yevgeny Sudbin
Bis 1518 Reviewed by RSF
Released in November of 2005, Sudbin’s second disc for Bis is a
tour de force. The engineers have done a remarkable job in capturing the
incredible sound and power of his Steinway Grand ‘D’. From
the first moments of the Chopin Op. 22, you will be captured by the exquisite
playing of this young master. I’ve only listened to this disc in
stereo and whilst the CD layer is quite remarkable, I can only imagine
what this will sound like on a full blown multi-channel configuration.
After last year’s outing at the Northern Sound & Vision show
in Manchester it’s not hard to imagine how much better a piano sounds
in Multi-Channel surround than in stereo.
This is playing of the highest order. For someone who is only 26, it’s
really quite amazing the vivid skills Sudbin brings to his piano. This
is as exciting a piano disc of Rachmaninov works as I’ve ever heard.
The performances are colourful, passionate and offer a deep sense of understanding
you rarely hear from someone who’s as young as Sudbin. I am looking
forward to more from this grand pianist.
He’ll have you sitting on the edge of your chair, holding on for
dear life. Outstanding in every sense of the word!
Supplier: www.bis.se |
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