Bach: Keyboard Concertos - REVIEW

Bach: Keyboard Concertos
Retrospect Ensemble, Matthew Halls (hpsd/dir)
Linn CKD410 (hybrid-SACD)
A hugely welcome disc that finds an exhilarating mix of warmth and sheer joy. Halls surrounds himself with excellent players, one to a part, who dazzle with their accuracy and panache; a perfect foil to his own eager virtuosity. Excellent sound in both stereo and surround.
*****

Turnage: Orchestral works vol.3 - REVIEW

Mark-Anthony Turnage: Orchestral works vol.3
various soloists and conductors; London Philharmonic Orchestra
LPO 0066
Showing remarkable commitment to, and faith in, the composer's ability freshly to mint new sounds and exciting textures, the LPO's final collection of recent works by Turnage is even more interesting than its two predecessors. Soloists Lawrence Power, Michael Collins and Christian Tetzlaff respond vividly to the many technical and interpretative challenges thrown their way, and maestri Stenz, Alsop and Jurowski preside over performances that can only be described as definitive. Urgently recommended
*****

Dvorak: Symphonies nos.3&6 - REVIEW

Dvorak: Symphonies nos.3&6
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Jose Serebrier
Warner 2564657753
A lovely record from an old-school maestro with nothing to prove, content to inspire his players to performances of natural grace and unforced virtuosity. Rubato is always idiomatic and flexible, and rhythms dance in these most genial of works. Sound is good, and the only drawback of such a generous coupling is the mere four seconds between symphonies
****

Henk Neven: The Sea - REVIEW

The Sea: songs by Faure, Schubert & Debussy
Henk Neven (baritone), Hans Eijsackers (piano)
Onyx 4102
A delightful recital that effortlessly transcends the potential naffness of the title. Neven's melodies are every bit as persuasive, as idiomatic as his Lieder, finding great poetry in well-chosen songs by Faure and Debussy. The many facets of Schubert's fascination with all things aquatic come off equally well, with a dashing Schiffer and a haunting Gondelfahrer. Throughout, Eijsackers proves an insightful and gifted collaborator, and the recording team do the project proud
*****

Beethoven: Symphonies - REVIEW

Beethoven: Symphonies nos.1-9
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Franz Bruggen
Glossa GCDSA921116 (5 hybrid-SACDs)
Twenty years on from his pioneering, long-deleted Philips set, Bruggen's Beethoven is again a breath of fresh air. Tempi may not be as fleet as some other recent period instrument versions, but every bar crackles with energy and delight. Excellent recorded sound, capturing a natural concert hall perspective
*****

Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier - REVIEW

Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1 & 2
Andras Schiff (piano)
ECM New Series 4764827 (4CD)
In what is not so much a radical rethink of his quarter-century-old Decca set as a wholly organic refinement, Schiff proves yet again what a masterful musician he is. Pedaling is almost entirely shunned, ornamentation is tastefully reined-in; yet every piece dances and sparkles with life in a perfect matching of clarity with warmth. This must now be the prime recommendation for anyone wanting these works on the piano.
*****

Schumann: Violin Concerto - REVIEW

Schumann: Violin Concerto in D minor; Concerto in A minor, Op.129; Fantasy in C, Op.131
Anthony Marwood (violin); BBC Scottish SO, Douglas Boyd
Hyperion CDA 67847
Adding Schumann's own transcription of the Cello Concerto to the little-heard Fantasy and the belatedly-discovered Violin Concerto, Marwood's disc is a delight from start to finish. He makes a persuasive case for the neglected D minor concerto; invests the late Fantasy with his trademark tenderness and sweet-toned beauty; and sets the bar for cellists at the highest possible level. Excellent notes and recorded sound.
*****

Alexander Tcherepnin: Piano Music 1913-1961 - REVIEW

Alexander Tcherepnin: Piano Music 1913-1961
Alexander Tcherepnin, Mikhail Shilyaey (piano)
Toccata Classics TOCC 0079
An inspired idea to open the disc with a selection of 1960s archival recordings by this most dynamic of composer-pianists. Here, two compact but imposing sonatas show a highly individual harmonic language and a fearsome performing technique. If he perhaps gets the lion's share of repertoire, his younger colleague makes the most of a series of thirty well-crafted, accessible miniatures, yielding nothing in terms of pianism. Well worth exploring.
****

Music for Kings and Courtiers - REVIEW

Music for Kings and Courtiers: pieces by de Visee, Corbetta, Hurel, etc
Gordon Ferries (guitar, lute & theorbo)
Delphian DCD34111
A beautifully-recorded selection of 16th and 17th century repertoire brought vividly to life by Scottish virtuoso Gordon Ferries. He carefully matches each set to one of four fine replica instruments, and perfectly captures each mood from the grave beauty of de Visee's 'Royal' Allemande to the astonishingly 'modern' harmonies of Restoration composer Francesco Corbetta. Warmly recommended.
*****

"The Thatcher Effect"...???

I believe it's something to do with the way the brain processes visual imagery...
But, upside-down, I think these two CD covers look pretty similar (try looking at them again, the right way round!)

Bruckner: Symphony no.5 - ARCHIVE REVIEW, June 2012

Bruckner: Symphony no.5
Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Claudio Abbado
Accentus ACC20243 (DVD), ACC10243 (blu-ray)
Two groups of people will need no encouragement to buy this (albeit pricey) performance on DVD or blu-ray: those who have been following Abbado’s revelatory Mahler cycle filmed by EuroArts (and latterly Accentus); and those who heard these musicians bring the work to the RFH last year. Anyone else should simply buy it, mortgaging the cat if need be. Crystal-clear camera work and perfect sound.
*****
Winner of 2012 Gramophone Award (DVD Performance)

Mouton: Missa Dictes moy toutes voz pensees, etc - REVIEW

Jean Mouton: Missa Dictes moy toutes voz pensees; Nesciens mater, etc
The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips
Gimell CDGIM047
A fascinating exploration of a little-known composer and a unique soundworld, Phillips' latest offering pairs a major mass setting with vividly characterised (and often fiendishly difficult) motets that really do deserve to be heard in such a fine, clear recording. Every bit as interesting and beautiful as his contemporary Josquin, Mouton has been the subject of a small flurry of CDs in recent months; none surpass the current disc.
****

Chopin: Concerto in F minor; Sonata in B flat minor, etc - REVIEW

Chopin: Concerto in F minor, Op.21*; Sonata in B flat minor, Op.35, etc
Khatia Buniatishvili (pf); Orchestre de Paris, Paavo Jarvi*
Sony 88691971292
Listeners familiar with Buniatishvili's art will recognise a formidable technique placed wholeheartedly at the service of an inspired, heat-of-the-moment imagination. Her love for Chopin is never in doubt: these are fiery readings that are never dull, even if her entirely personal response to these pieces occasionally leads to interpretative excesses.
Many will feel artistry at this level deserves better than the sexed-up cover and booklet images.
****

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies nos. 1 - 3 - REVIEW

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies nos. 1 - 3
LSO, Valery Gergiev
LSO Live LSO0710 (2 hybrid-SACDs)
Here at his least wilful and most persuasive, Gergiev presents these early works with utter commitment and great verve. Special mention must be made of the solo contributions, with wind passages especially winning. Excellent sound recorded in London and, unusually for this label, in Switzerland.
*****

Isserlis / Ades: Lieux retrouves - REVIEW

Janacek: Pohadka. Faure: Sonata in G minor, Op.117. Ades: Lieux retrouves. works by Liszt and Kurtag
Steven Isserlis (vc), Thomas Ades (pf)
Hyperion CDA67948
Isserlis is here in commanding form in a fascinating, generous recital that takes in Liszt at his darkest and strangest, Faure's final masterpiece in the genre, and the CD premiere of a characteristically eclectic, brilliant piece by Thomas Ades. The composer of Lieux retrouves, which is both warmly mature and horrifically difficult, reminds us just how fine a pianist he is, and Hyperion's sound does everyone credit. Recommended.
*****