Feb 2012 – Alto CD

Fritz Wunderlich – Arias

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“His singing of Mozart was exemplary …..style and elegance, perfect breath control, and superb diction. And a belief in what he was singing! All this in evidence in Ottavio’s sublime aria Dalla sua pace. What other singer has made Dies Bildnis into such a heartfelt love song? Few tenors have captured so well Belmonte’s anticipation of seeing his beloved Konstanze once again in O wie ängstlich. The three Handel arias which open this collection also serve to illustrate his awesome breath control and phrasing….It remains a source of much regret that Wunderlich’s career lasted a mere 11 years. Since his tragic death in 1966 opera lovers have ever speculated about what he might have achieved” (James Murray)

1. Ombra mai fu (Xerxes:Handel) 2:56
Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart / Alfons Rischner Rec.1958
2. Comfort Ye My People..Every Valley (Messiah:Handel) 8:00
Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart / Heinz Mende Rec.1959
3. Thou Shalt Break Them (Messiah:Handel) 2:28
Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart / Heinz Mende Rec.1959
4. Gefesselt steht der breite See (Die Jahreszeiten:Haydn) 6:25
Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart / Hans Müller-Kray Rec.1959
5. Dalla sua pace (Don Giovanni:Mozart) 3:57
Berlin Symphony Orchestra / Hans Zanotelli Rec.1960
6. Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön (Die Zauberflöte:Mozart) 4:05
7. Konstanze…O wie ängstlich* (Die Entführung aus dem Serail:Mozart) 5:12
8. Ach so fromm* (Martha:Flotow) 2:47
9. Mit gewitter und sturm (Der Fliegende Holländer:Wagner) 4:23
Staatskapelle Berlin / Franz Konwitschny Rec.1960
10. Ach, wie so herrlich zu schau’n (Ein Nacht in Venedig:J.Strauss II) 3:43
Berlin Symphony Orchestra / Fried Walter Rec.1960
11. Sei nicht bös (Der Obersteiger:Zeller) 3:15
Stuttgart Philharmonic / Fritz Mareczek Rec.1957
12. Adieu, Mignon !* (Mignon:Thomas) 4:35
13. Ingemisco (Requiem:Verdi) 3:43
Radio Sinfonieorchester, Stuttgart / Hans Müller-Kray Rec.1960
14. Che gelida manina* (La Bohème:Puccini) 4:41
15. Vieni la sera (Madama Butterfly:Puccini) with Pilar Lorengar, 13:14
Sieglinde Wagner / Berlin Symphony Orchestra / Klobucar Rec.1961
16. Addio fiorito assil (Madama Butterfly:Puccini) with Hermann Prey 2:08

The Best of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“Elisabeth Schwarzkopf possessed one of the most distinctive voices of the post-war era….her range of vocal colouring was quite staggering, and few sopranos before or since have possessed a similar ability to act with their voices.” (J. Murray)

1. Porgi amor (Le Nozze di Figaro:Mozart) 4:01
2. Dove sono (Le Nozze di Figaro:Mozart) 4:49
(both above as Countess Almaviva) with Vienna State Opera,
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan Rec.1950
3. Come scoglio (Cosi fan Tutte:Mozart) 4:38
Philharmonia Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan Rec.1954
4. In quali eccessi..Mi tradi (Don Giovanni:Mozart) 5:34
Phiharmonia Orchestra / Carlo Maria Giulini Rec.1960
5. Evening Hymn: Abends will ich schlafen gehn 2:51
(Hansel und Gretel: Humperdinck) with Elisabeth Grummer
Philharmonia Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan Rec.1953
6. Da geht er hin (Der Rosenkavalier: R. Strauss) 5:26
Philharmonia Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan Rec.1956
7. Der Musensohn (Schubert: with Edwin Fischer (Piano) Rec.1953 1:58
8. Die Forelle (Schubert: with Edwin Fischer (Piano) Rec.1953 2:06
9. Gretchen am Spinnrade (Schubert: with Edwin Fischer (Piano) Rec.1953 3:18
10. Der Nussbaum (Schumann: with Gerald Moore (Piano) Rec.1954 3:01
11. Wiegenlied (R. Strauss: with Gerald Moore (Piano) Rec.1957 4:17
12. Viljalied (Die Lustige Witwe:Lehár) 5:13
Chorus & Philharmonia Orchestra / Otto Ackermann Rec.1953
13. Sei nicht bös (Don’t be Cross) (Der Obersteiger:Zeller) 4:15
14. Meine Lippen sie küsen so heiss (Giuditta:Lehár) 5:04
(both above) Philharmonia Orchestra / Otto Ackermann Rec.1959
15. Czardas:Klänge der Heimat (Die Fledermaus:J.Strauss) 4:40
Philharmonia Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan Rec.1955
16. Songs My Mother Taught Me (Dvorak) 2:21
with Gerald Moore (Piano) Rec.1957
17. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes (Trad.:Johnson/arr.Quilter) 3:00
with Gerald Moore (Piano) Rec.1957
18. ’S Schätzli (Trad. Swiss) 1:58
with Gerald Moore (Piano) Rec.1951

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Opera Arias

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“This collection shows how directly he transplants Lieder-style into another genre…on the Mozart side the results are both convincing and intensely memorable. Fischer-Dieskau has twice recorded the part of Papageno, these earlier Fricsay versions have been preferred to the later Bohm …and in the Don Giovanni items….the Don’s Champagne Aria and Serenade are more mellifluous…. the two extracts from Falstaff, infinitely resourceful, mercurial performances from his Verdi recital -how refreshing to hear Verdi sung on the assumption that there is intelligent, as well as emotional, lyrical and rhetorical, sense to be made.” (Gramophone)…

1. Der vogelfänger bin ich ja* (Die Zauberflöte:Mozart) 2:48
2. Ein mädchen oder weibchen* (Die Zauberflöte:Mozart) 3:46
3. Champagne Aria: Finch’han dal vino** (Don Giovanni:Mozart) 1:19
4. Deh vieni alla finestra** (Don Giovanni:Mozart) 1:50

1-4 with RIAS Berlin Symphony Orchestra / Ferenc Fricsay *1955**1958

5. Ha! Welch ein augenblick (Fidelio:Beethoven) 2:55
Chorus and Orchestra of Bavaraian State Opera / Ferenc Fricsay Rec.1957
6. Als du in kuhnem Sange (Tannhäuser:Wagner) 2:55
Philharmonia Orchestra / Wilhelm Schüchter Rec.1952
7. Blick ich umher (Tannhäuser:Wagner) 5:25
Orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival / André Cluytens Rec.1955
8. O du mein holdern abendstern (Tannhäuser:Wagner) 2:35
Orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival / André Cluytens Rec.1955
9. Die Frist ist um (Der Fliegende Holländer:Wagner) 10:51
Orchestra of the Berlin State Opera / Franz Konwitschny Rec.1959
Verdi Arias 10-18 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Alberto Erede / Rec.1961
10. In braccio alle dovizie (I Vespri Siciliani) 5:50
11. Pari siamo (Rigoletto) 3:41
12. Cortigiani (Rigoletto) 4:45
13. Il balen (Il Trovatore) 3:07
14. Alla vita che t’arride (Un Ballo in Maschera) 2:50
15. Eri tu (Un Ballo in Maschera) 5:56
16. Per me giunto…O Carlo ascolta (Don Carlo) 6:23
17. Ehi! Paggio! L’onore! Ladri! (Falstaff) 4:29
18. Ehi Taverniere!…Mondo ladro (Falstaff) 6:25

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“Jolly Cotswolds Symphony… shows the Holstian flair for colourful orchestration and has folksy influence….Scherzo an attractive dance rhythm…..and finale a striking tune in 6/4…in the Perfect Fool we hear the composer at his most inspired …and like the whole programme, it is most vividly played and recorded… remarkable how well this fine Munich orchestra takes to English music” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Symphony in F major, Op.8 “The Cotswolds”

[1] I. Allegro con brio 3:56
[2] II. Elegy (In Memoriam William Morris) Molto adagio 9:59
[3] III. Scherzo: Presto. Allegretto 5:58
[4] IV Finale: Allegro moderato 7:27
[5] Walt Whitman Overture, Op.7 7:35

A Hampshire Suite, Op.28, No.2 (arr. Jacobs)

[6] I. March: Allegro 4:59
[7] II. Song Without Words: I’ll Love My Love (Andante) 2:21
[8] III. Song of the Blacksmith: Moderato e maestoso 1:22
[9] IV. Fantasia on the Dargason: Allegro moderato 3:19

The Perfect Fool Ballet Music, Op.39

[10] Andante 0:57
[11] Dance of Spirits of Earth: Moderato 4:00
[12] Dance of Spirits of Water: Allegretto 3:36
[13] Dance of Spirits of Fire: Allegro moderato 3:32
[14] Scherzo for orchestra (from an unfinished symphony) 5:55

Julian Bream …. in Concerto

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“Julian Bream does everything, it goes without saying… emotional depth is in the second movement of the Arnold, the slow movement—a threnody for Django Reinhardt—most imaginative. This concerto was written for Julian Bream and he plays it magnificently, as do the Melos Ensemble. The recording is first-rate—clear but not at all clinical….The Giuliani demonstrates Bream’s technique and musicianship.” (Gramophone) “Berkeley: Sonatina -an enjoyably amiable piece; Ravel: Pavane -very relaxed account; Roussel: Segovia- a characteristic touch of acerbity; the two sonatas of Cimarosa both very personable” (Penguin Guide)

Giuliani: Concerto in A for Guitar and Strings

1. 1st mvt. Allegro Maestoso 9:08
2. 2nd mvt. Andantino Siciliano 6:23
3. 3rd mvt. Alla polacca 7:39

Malcolm Arnold*: Guitar Concerto Op.67

4. 1st mvt. Allegro 6:03
5. 2nd mvt. Lento 11:31
6. 3rd mvt. Con brio 4:18

Lennox Berkeley: Sonatina Op.51 Rec.1960

7. (i) Allegretto 3:55
8. (ii) Lento 3:28
9. (iii) Rondo 3:17
10. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte Rec.1960 6:47
11. Roussel: Segovia Op.29 Rec.1960 2:23
12. Cimarosa: Sonata in C sharp minor Rec.1960 3:00
13. Cimarosa: Sonata in A Rec.1960 1:48

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“eminently recommendable account of Sibelius’s Second…. good, well-chosen tempos and no want of tenderness at the Andante sostenuto theme…. Mackerras holds the structure together “ (Gramophone) “Sibelians need this disc. Schmidt’s Fifth could easily stand as the only version in someone’s collection. … Rob Barnett (MusicWeb International) “Ole Schmidt’s excellent Nielsen symphonies cycle long made me want to hear more of him on disc….” (c) Gramophone

Symphony No.2 in D major, Op.43

[1] Allegretto 9:34
[2] Tempo andante, ma rubato 13:44
[3] Vivacissimo 6:01
[4] Allegro moderato 13:45

Symphony No.5 in E flat major, Op.82

[5] Tempo molto moderato 12:11
[6] Andante mosso 8:37
[7] Allegro molto 8:17

Pablo Casals: Song of the Birds / More Cello Encores

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“From 1950 Casals became a celebrity again ….He founded the Prades Festival where many recordings were made including, in 1954, his most sought-after recording after the Bach Suites: an arrangement by his brother of an old Catalan Christmas song Cant del Ocells (Song of the Birds). This piece …was very dear to Casals, so much so that he almost always ended his recitals with this tune. “ (c) James Murray

1. Cant dels Ocells (Song Of The Birds) (Trad./Orch.Casals) 3.10
2. Sant Marti del Canigo (Trad./Orch.Casals) 4.23
Both above with the Prades Festival Orchestra Rec.1950
3. Nana (from Seven Spanish Popular Songs) (De Falla) 2.11
with Eugene Istomin (Piano) Rec.1953
4. Aria (from Organ Pastorale in F) (J.S. Bach) 4.22
with the Perpignon Festival Orchestra Rec.1951
5. Recitative (from Organ Concerto No.3) (J.S. Bach/Trans.Rosanoff) 4.18
with Eugene Istomin (Piano) Rec.1953
6. Allemande (from Cello Suite No.1 in G major) (J.S. Bach) 1938 3.40
7. Prelude (from Cello Suite No.5 in C minor) (J.S. Bach) 1939 7.16
8. Adagio (from Piano Sonata No.9 in D major) (Haydn) (arr.) 6.06
with Eugene Istomin (Piano) Rec.1951

Five Pieces in Folk Style (Schumann) with Leopold Mannes (Piano) 1953

9. Vanitas, vanitatum: mit humor 3.13
10. Langsam 3.44
11. Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen 4.38
12. Nicht zu rasch 2.11
13. Stark und markiert 3.57

Five Concert Pieces for Cello and Piano (Couperin)

14. Prelude – 4.15 15. Siciliene – 2.54
16. La Tromba – 1.52 17. Plainte – 3.43
18. Air de diable (all with Mieczyslaw Horszowski (Piano) Rec.1950) 1.52
19. Melody in F (Rubenstein) with Nikolai Mednikoff (Piano) Rec. 1926 2.46

Evr’y Time We Say Goodbye- All-Time Romantic Duets

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:13 +0000

“the resulting album bursts with relaxed, musicianly banter and sexual chemistry. Charles is growling and suggestive, Carter squirrelly and coy, and it remains one of the all-time great duet sets” (MoJo Collection- Album of the Year 1961: Ray Charles & Betty Carter: tracks 1-12 )

1. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye (Porter) 4.39
2. You and I (Wilson) 3.23
3. Goodbye (Jenkins)/We’ll be Together Again (Laine/Fisher) 3.17
4. People Will say We’re in Love (Rodgers/Hammerstein II) 2.49
5. Cocktails for Two (Coslow/Johnston) 3.12
6. Side by Side (Wood) 2.20
7. Baby, it’s Cold Outside (Loesser) 4.07
8. Together (DeSylva/Brown/Henderson) 1.31
9. For All We Know (Lewi/Coots) 3.40
10. Takes Two to Tango (Hoffman/Manning) 3.19
11. Alone Together (Schwartz/Dietz) 4.41
12. Just You, Just Me (Klages/Greer) 1.55

(1-12) Ray Charles & Betty Carter 1961 with Jack Halloran Singers / Marty Paich

13. Passing Strangers Billy Eckstine & Sarah Vaughan 2.38
14. Baby (You’ve Got What it Takes) Dinah Washington & Brook Benton 2.43
15. Dream a Little Dream of Me Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong 3.05
16. True Love Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly 3.06
17. Dedicated to You Billy Eckstine & Sarah Vaughan 2.43
18. Two Sleepy People Dean Martin & Line Renaud 2.52
19. I’ll String Along With You Doris Day & Buddy Clark 3.08
20. My Romance Frank Sinatra & Dinah Shore 3.14
21. (We’ll have) Manhattan Dinah Shore & Tony Martin 3.10
22. Georgia on My Mind Ray Charles 3.33
23. Unchain my Heart Ray Charles 2.50

Britten: Piano & Violin Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:12 +0000

“with good well-balanced recording Servadei gives a strong dedicated muscular performance…..particularly impressive in the hushed and sustained passacaglia, entitled Impromptu (3rd mvt) which provided Walton with the theme for his Variations on a theme of Benjamin Britten.” “(Azizian) His is a superb technique, marked by flawless intonation and a wide tonal range. …in the Britten he adopts a manner at once lighter in the quicksilver bravura passages and more intimate and poetic in the lyrical writing, ending in a deeply felt account of the closing pages, one of Britten’s deepest inspirations” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.15 (1939, revised 1950)

[1] Moderato con moto 9:17
[2] Vivace 8:23
[3] Passacaglia: Andante lento 13:59

Piano Concerto D major, Op.13 (1938, revised 1945)

[4] Toccata (Allegro molto e con brio) 13:32
[5] Waltz (Allegretto) 5:21
[6] Impromptu (Andante lento) 9:18
[7] March (Allegro moderato – sempre alla marcia) 8:58

Monteverdi: Madrigale Erotici e Spirituale

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:12 +0000

“The performances of the madrigali erotici are more overtly impassioned than I have ever heard before…thoroughly ingenious recital” (Gramophone) “a gem of its type. Performances are powerful, direct, accurate, totally in tune and totally committed. I quote ‘What was outward, erotic and theatrical became inward, devotional and thoroughly christianised.’ So, highly enjoyable recordings and fascinating insight into the painstaking art of not allowing the Devil to have the best tunes !” (MusicWeb)

1. Quel augellin che canta (EK ET JC AK SG) 2:06
2. Qui laudes (EK ET JC AK SG) 2:25
3. Sfogava con le stelle (EK ET MN JC SG) 3:52
4. O stellae (EK ET MN JC SG) 3:36
5. Armato il cor (JC AK AR) 2:41
6. Heu bone vir (EK ET AR) 2:58
7. Parlo miser’o taccio (EK ET MN AR) 5:02
8. Longe, mi Jesu (JC AK SG GM) 5:36
9. Pianto della madonna (ET MN JC AK SG) 13:38
10. Piagn’e sospira (EK ET MN AK SG) 3:48
11. Plorat amare (EK ET MN AK SG) 4:01
12. Si ch’io vorrei morire (ET MN JC AK SG) 3:10
13. O Jesu, mea vita (ET MN JC AK SG) 3:23
14. Io mi son giovinetta (EK ET MN JC AK SG) 2:09
15. Rutilante in nocte (EK ET MN JC AK SG) 2:36