Catalogue – Alto CD

J.S. Bach: St. John Passion, BWV 245

amuletts — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:43:31 +0000

Alto returns the acclaimed 1996 recordings of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion by the King’s College Choir, Cambridge under the direction of Stephen Cleobury, and joined by an impressive array of Baroque specialists headed by the tenor John Mark Ainsley (Evangelist), the bass Stephen Richardson as Christ, soprano Catherine Bott, alto Michael Chance, and baritone Stephen Varcoe. The orchestra, the Brandenburg Consort, founded by Roy Goodman, was one of the leading period-instrument ensembles specializing in the music J.S. Bach and his contemporaries.

St. John Passion was first performed in 1724 as part of a church service during Holy Week at St.Thomas’ Church in Leipzig with other items being added the following year, included in this recording (‘1725 setting’), although later Bach reverted to the original 1724 version. With its trial scenes St John Passion is noticeably more dramatic than the St. Matthew Passion which followed a couple of years later.

“A lively, well-paced version with original instruments and excellent team of characterful soloists, with the fresh-toned (King’s Choir) boy trebles adding dramatic bite. What especially distinguishes this set is that the alternative numbers that Bach wrote for a revival in 1725, are given in an appendix, including the Chorale fantasy in place of the opening …Most enjoyable” —Penguin Guide, 3 stars

“fine contributions especially from Stephen Varcoe, and an exceptionally immediate and affecting ‘Es ist vollbracht’ from Michael Chance.” —Gramophone

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5

amuletts — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:35:37 +0000

Alto returns Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra’s critically acclaimed recordings of Jean Sibelius’ Symphonies Nos 2 & 5 to international availability. Hailed as Gramophone Magazine and Classic FM discs of the month upon initial release, Sir Colin Davis is a strong advocate for the music of Jean Sibelius. Davis was once quoted as saying, “conducting Sibelius is like looking at oneself in the mirror. I look in the mirror and see the pitilessness of life, yet I find the strength to go on. Sibelius was happy when he was in company, depressed when he was alone. I am the same’.

Each of Sibelius’s seven numbered symphonies possesses a quite different character, a fact that has led his followers to assert that he is the finest symphonist since Beethoven. These two renditions have been brought back to life in these newly remastered editions from Paul Arden-Taylor.

“Davis reminds us now just how great he is in Sibelius with a marvellous new recording of the Second … the strength of this performance, where a patient (and more involving) build-up leads to a shattering finale. Davis loves Sibelius, and the orchestra clearly love playing it for him. Listening to a Sibelius performance of this calibre, there’s no other composer one would rather hear.” —Gramophone, Album of the Month (Symphony No. 2)

Album of the Month, Classic FM (Symphony No. 5)

Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43

I. Allegretto
II. Tempo andante, ma rubato
III. Vivacissimo
IV. Allegro moderato

Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 (1919 Version)

I. Tempo molto moderato
II. Andante mosso
III. Allegro molto

Edvard Grieg: String Quartets 1 & 2

amuletts — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:31:22 +0000

String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 27

I. Un poco Andante — Allegro molto ed agitato
II. Romanze. Andantino — Allegro agitato
III. Intermezzo. Allegro molto marcato — Più vivo e scherzando
IV. Finale. Lento — Presto al Saltarello

Fugue in F Minor
Andante con moto in C Minor for Piano Trio

String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, EG 117 (Completed by Julius Röntgen)

I. Sostenuto – Allegro vivace e grazioso
II. Allegro scherzando
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro giocoso

Alto returns to international availability, the Raphael Quartet’s acclaimed 1993 recordings of Edvard Grieg’s String Quartets 1 & 2, the Allegro con fuoco from the Fugue in F minor for string quartet, and the Andante con moto in C minor for piano trio with pianist Jet Röling.

The Raphael String Quartet was known far beyond their native Holland. Founded in the early 1980s, they came to prominence winning four distinctions at the European Broadcasting Union String Quartet Festival in 1983. The recipients of a number of important commissions, they have recorded extensively including works by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Grieg, Janáček and Shostakovich.

These sumptuous chamber music recordings have been newly remastered and restored by engineer Paul Arden-Taylor.

“The Raphael Quartet give us … plenty of spirit, and the recorded sound is excellent.” —Penguin Guide, 3 Stars

A Nation Sings – Welsh Song Festival also ‘with Rhos & Treorchy Male Voice Choirs

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:05:50 +0000

Here, indeed, is artistic talent bearing the indelibly engraved hallmark of suffering and heroism translated for all time into song.

‘Gymanfa Ganu’ / 5,000 Voices

[1] Diadem 3:48 [2] Trewen 3:11 [3] Aberystwyth 2:37

[4] Llef (Cry) 2:42 [5] Calon Lan (Guileless Heart) 2:54 [6] Sanctus 3:40

[7] Cwm Rhondda 3:10 [8] Builth 2:36 [9] Rachie 3:04

[10] I Need Thee Every Hour 3:42 [11] Bryn Calfaria (Calvary Hill) 1:55

[12] Rhyd y Groes 4:55 [13] Crimond 2:30

Director: Terry James; Royal Albert Hall Organ: Cyril Anthony; Words: Emyr Jones

Treorchy Male Voice Choir

Conductors: John Haydn Davies, John Cynan Jones* Organ (14): D.J. Rees

[14] Zion Hears the Watchmen Singing (‘Sleepers Awake’- JS Bach) 5:00

[15] O Bone Jesu 2:00 [16] A Russian Hymn 2:26

[17] Come Let Us to the Lord Our God* 2:08

Rhos Male Voice Choir

Director: Edward Jones; Organ: John Tudor Davies

[18] Ave Verum 3:39 [19] Ar Doriad Dydd (At Break of Day) 2:18

[20] Myfanwy 3:22 [21] Tydi A Roddaist (Thou Gavest) 3:16

[22] Hiraeth (Exiles Longing) 3:59 [23] Psalm 23 (Schubert) 6:21

[24] Hen Wlad Fy Nhadru (Welsh National Anthem) 1:40

TOTAL TIME 78:00 Recordings 1958-62

LP Audio restoration & remastering: Gene Gaudette & Paul Arden-Taylor

Tartini ‘Devil’s Trill’ & ‘Didone abbandonata’ Sonatas Vivaldi: Five Double Violin Concertos

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:04:00 +0000

(Tartini) “the Oistrakh version remains unrivalled … (he) commands a winning sweetness of tone … and is helped by a rounder and richer recorded quality.”
(Vivaldi): “the harpsichord comes to life with a vengeance, being especially enterprising in the finale. The playing of the two soloists is, needless to say, the height of efficiency.” (Gramophone)

Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) Sonata in G minor ‘Devil’s Trill’ [15:12]

[1] Larghetto affetuoso – Allegro 6:51 [2] Grave – Allegro assai – Grave –

Allegro assai – Grave 4:52 [3] Allegro assai – Adagio 3:28

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Concerto Grosso in A minor Op.3 No.8 ‘The Echo’ P2 (RV522) [12:12]

From L’estro armonico (Con violino principale con altro per eco in lontano)

[4] I. Allegro 3:53 [5] II. Larghetto e spiritoso 4:22 [6] III. Allegro 3:57

Concerto for Two Violins in G minor P366 (RV517) [9:13]

[7] I. Allegro 3:32 [8] II. Andante 2:05 [9] III. Allegro 3:35

Concerto for Two Violins in D major P189 (RV512) [8:59]

[10] I. Allegro molto 3:10 [11] II. Largo 2:37 [12] III. Allegro 3:10

Concerto for Two Violins in C minor P436 (RV509) [9:52]

[13] I. Allegro ma poco e cantabile 4:08 [14] II. Andante molto 2:52 [15] III. Allegro 2:51

Concerto for Two Violins in D minor P281 (RV514) [10:47]

[16] I. Allegro non molto 4:05 [17] II. Adagio 3:29 [18] III. Allegro molto 3:12

Tartini: Sonata in G minor Op.1 No.10 “Didone abbandonata” [12:30]

[19] I. Adagio 6:09 [20] II. Presto non troppo 1:45

[21] III. Largo 1:49 [22] IV. Allegro commodo 2:46

David Oistrakh, violin;

with: Igor Oistrakh, RPO, Eugene Goossens (4-6) (1961, DGG);

Isaac Stern, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (7-18)

(CBS 1961); Lev Oborin, (1-3), (EMI,1957); Vladimir Yampolsky,

(19-22), (Paris- live 1959) pianos

TOTAL TIME 79:00 Mastering: Paul Arden-Taylor

Alexander Glazunov: Symphony 8 / Raymonda Dances / Finnish Fantasy / Mazurka in G

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:03:28 +0000

‘Every time I listen to a Glazunov symphony I think, why isn’t this more often performed? The sound is gorgeous and we set out with good symphonic material, so that the ear is captured and one’s mind engaged … Svetlanov and his orchestra do it superbly, and it is extremely well recorded. With ballet music Glazunov is, of course, very much on home ground and the Raymonda dances are delightful.’ (Gramophone)

Symphony No.8 in E flat major, Op.83 [42:03]

[1] Allegro moderato 10:53

[2] Mesto 11:41

[3] Allegro 6:42

[4] Finale: Moderato sostenuto – Allegro moderato 12:46

Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra 1962; Engineers:

S. Pazukhin, M. Kozhukhova

Ballet: La Raymonda, Op.57 (excerpts) [15:37]

[5] Valse (Act 1 Scene 1) 5:22

[6] Adagio (Act 2) 4:01

[7] Danse Espagnole (Act 2) 2:08

[8] Danse Hongroise (Act 3) 4:03

Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Moscow 1961

[9] Mazurka in G, Op.18 7:40

Rec Sept 1961 Moscow; Engineer S. Pazukhin

[10] Finnish Fantasy, Op.88 12:18

Rec Sept 1962 Moscow; Engineer Alexander Grosman

(9.10) USSR TV & Radio Grand Symphony Orchestra

Richter plays Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 / Piano Sonata No.2 etc

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:02:43 +0000

(Concerto) “Richter’s performance has all the intensity of a live occasion and finds him in splendid form. … the basic structure is always kept in sight: there is impressive weight and authority as well as a warm Brahmsian feeling and it is far more dashing and spontaneous than his later recording (with Maazel)” (Penguin Guide 3 stars) (Sonata) ‘This was an extremely successful concert and it really should come out on record’. (Sviatoslav Richter) (1st issue on single CD)

Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat major, Op.83 [46:24]

[1] I. Allegro non troppo 16:39

[2] II. Allegro passionato 8:33

[3] III. Andante 12:34

[4] IV. Allegro gracioso 8:37

with Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Erich Leinsdorf (1960)

Piano Sonata No.2 in F sharp minor, Op.2 [24:56]

[5] I. Allegro non troppo, ma energico 5:34

[6] II. Andante con espressione 5:08

[7] III. Scherzo. Allegro 3:53

[8] IV. Finale. Introduzione: Sostenuto –

Allegro non troppo e rubato 10:20

[9] Intermezzo in C major, Op.119 No.3 2:09

[10] Rhapsody in E flat major, Op.119 No.4 3:56

Above all recorded live, Moscow, 1959

J S Bach Organ Favourites from the Mighty Willis Organ, Liverpool

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:01:46 +0000

“This remains a classic example of cathedral Bach playing at its best, absolutely clear despite the vast acoustic and with dignified tempos which marry the music to the building, without in any way detracting from the excitement. I still hold my breath for the final pedal-reed entry in the ‘St Anne Fugue’. The glorious majesty of the Willis organ is here encapsulated in all its splendour.” (Gramophone)

Toccata & Fugue in D minor BWV 565

[1] Toccata 2:59 [2] Fugue 6:58

[3] Chorale Prelude: Liebster Jesu BWV 731 2:40

[4] Chorale Prelude: O Mensch, bewein BWV 622 5:06

[5] Fantasia in G major BWV 572 10:00

Prelude & Fugue in C major BWV 545

[6] Prelude 2:03 [7] Fugue 4:10

[8] Chorale Prelude: Wachet auf (Sleepers awake) BWV 645 4:52

[9] Chorale Prelude: Ach bleib’ bei uns BWV 649 3:14

[10] Fugue in E flat major BWV 552 ‘St. Anne’ 6:51

[11] Sinfonia from Cantata 29 ‘Wir danken dir Gott’ 4:37

(arr. Rawsthorne)

[12] Toccata in F major BWV 540 9:50

BONUS TRACK (Organ of Coventry Cathedral)

[13] Air from Suite No.3 in D BWV 1068 (arr. Rawsthorne) 5:27

Total Time 69:00

Recorded: 1-12 in 1980; 13 in Coventry 1984. All originally issued via Polydor,

EMI, Chalfont. Producer, Balance Engineer and Licensor: Brian B. Culverhouse.

The Gems of Palestrina Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c1525?-94)

amuletts — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:03:11 +0000

“This is one of Pro Cantione Antiqua’s most carefully researched and best-sounding performances … It is also something of a market leader among Palestrina recordings, since it almost certainly comes closer than any other to re-creating the sound of this music as the composer himself knew it.” (Gramophone) … “Pride of place to my mind goes to Pro Cantione Antiqua’s evocative performance of Missa Papae Marcelli … complemented by the famous Stabat mater ” (Penguin Guide 3*)

Missa Papae Marcelli [36:58]

1. Kyrie 5:02

2. Gloria 6:21

3. Credo 9:46

4. Sanctus 3:59

5. Benedictus 3:24

6. Agnus Dei I & II 8:23

7. Stabat Mater 11:41

8. Super Flumina Babylonis (Motet) 3:57

9. Sicut Servus (Motet) 5:45

Missa Brevis [19:40]

10. Kyrie 2:36

11. Gloria 2:54

12. Credo 5:17

13. Sanctus 1:41

14. Benedictus 2:06

15. Agnus Dei 5:04

Gavriil Nikolayevich Popov (1904-72) Symphonies Nos.2 ‘Motherland’ & No.5

amuletts — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:02:00 +0000

“Then came a Second Symphony, simpler in mood and written with deep patriotism in the middle of the war. It is also excellently composed, and genuinely symphonic despite its fashioning from film music … so much passion and conviction in this performance, by a conductor who has clearly taken great trouble to convey his belief in it.” (Gramophone) “Shostakovich admired his music which is finely paced, expertly constructed and brilliantly scored” (Penguin Guide)

Symphony No.2 ‘Motherland’, Op.39 [35:06]

[1] I. Andante con moto e molto espressivo 7:39

[2] II. Presto giocoso 7:12

[3] III. Largo 13:13

[4] IV. Presto 7:01

USSR Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Gennady Provotarov

Sound Engineer – D. Gaklin Recorded Moscow, May 1961

Symphony No.5 ‘Pastoral’, Op.77 [44:21]

[5] I. Pastorale – II. Storm 17:30

[6] III. Struggle – IV. Hopes – V. Pastorale 26:50

USSR State Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Gurgen Karapetyan

Sound Engineer –Severin Pazukhin

Recorded in Moscow 1963