Feb 2013 – Alto CD

Debussy : Complete Preludes (on 1 CD)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:20 +0000

“probably first choice for those wanting a modern digital recording offering the complete set…playing is very fine, recording most realistic and natural” (© Penguin Guide 3 stars) “this may yet prove to be one of the finest Debussy cycles on record” (© Gramophone) “Tirimo has a quite exceptional temperamental affinity with Debussy, with a fine ear for resonance and sonority, and exquisite subtlety of touch….(he takes) us into Debussy’s world and lets us experience its magic…do acquire it if you appreciate fine Debussy playing” (© Gramophone)

Préludes Book I

1. Danseuses de Delphes 2:59
2. Voiles 3:50
3. Le vent dans la plaine 2:18
4. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir 3:26
5. Les collines d’Anacapri 3:13
6. Des pas sur la neige 3:29
7. Ce qu’a vu le vent d’Ouest 3:34
8. La fille aux cheveux de lin 2:47
9. La sérénade interrompue 2:41
10. La cathédrale engloutie 5:59
11. La danse de Puck 2:47
12. Minstrels 2:29

Préludes Book II

13. Brouillards 3:06
14. Feuilles mortes 2:45
15. La puerta del vino 3:37
16. Les fées sont d’exquises danseuses 3:26
17. Bruyères 2:40
18. General Lavine – eccentric 2:49
19. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune 4:08
20. Ondine 3:11
21. Hommage à S. Pickwick Esq, P.P.M.P.C. 2:32
22. Canope 3:01
23. Les tierces alternées 2:30
24. Feux d’artifice 4:25

(BALLET) La Fille mal Gardée (hlts) / Boutique Fantasque (hlts)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:20 +0000

“John Lanchbery’s score for La fille is one of the great ballet scores of the modern era – a creation to delight even those who do not normally care for ballet. (This recording) is of vintage Decca excellence…“Solti’s Boutique is high-powered and sounds marvellous…Put on the start of La Boutique Fantasque and leave it on till you get to the Tarantella if you really want to hear how good the sound is. This Solti performance is sheer delight, played as it is with the combination of style and gusto it needs, a most exhilarating performance” (Gramophone)

La Fille Mal Gardée (Hérold arr. Lanchbery) – Excerpts
1. Introduction – Dance of the Cocks and Hens – Lise and the Ribbon 7:05
2. Thomas and Alain 3:13
3. Picnic – Flute Dance – Quarrel – The Fanny Ellsler Pas-de-Deux
(a) Introduction (b) Girl’s Solo (c) Adage (d) Man’s Solo (e) Coda 14:41
4. Simone – Clog Dance – Maypole Dance – Storm and Finale (Act 1) 7:41
5. Spinning – Tambourine Dance (aria con variazioni) – Harvesters 9:33
6. Thomas, Alain and the Notaries 1:03
7. Pas-de-Deux – Finale 6:53

La Boutique Fantasque (Rossini arr. Respighi) – Excerpts
8. Overture 2:00
9. Tarantella 2:09
10. Mazurka 2:46
11. Danse Cosaque 2:05
12. Can-Can 1:52
13. Valse lente 3:41
14. Nocturne 3:33
15. Galop 5:11

De Lalande: Choral Music for Versailles (Grands Motets)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:20 +0000

“vividly characterized performances of 3 Grand Motets… De profundis is a magnificent piece, as are the two lighter more joyful motets….. Cantate Domino represents the peak of the composer’s long career. With their sequences of brief, sharply contrasted movements, .. performances as lively and sensitive as these can be warmly recommended ….Warm full sound” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

I. Regina Coeli, S53

1. Regina Coeli Duo (haute-contre, basse-taille & Chœur 2:58
2. Quia Quem Meruisti Récitatif (basse-taille, haute-contre) 1:22
3. Resurrexit Trio (dessus, haute-contre, basse-taille) 1:22
4. Ora Pro Nobis Chœur 3:00

II. De Profundis, S23

5. De Profundis Clamavi Basse-taille & Chœur 5:18
6. Fiant Aures Quatuor (2 dessus, haute-contre, taille) 1:24
7. Si Iniquitates Taille 1:57
8. Quia Apud Te Trio (dessin, taille, basse-taille) 1:58
9. Sustinuit Anima Mea Dessus 2:40
10. A Custodia Chœur 1:32
11. Quia Apud Domine Hauts-contre 2:26
12. Et Ipse Redimit Chœur 1:42
13. Requiem Aeternam Chœur 4:27

III. Cantate Domino, S72

14. Cantate Domino Haute-contre & Chœur 2:12
15. Salvavit Sibi Haute-contre 2:08
16. Notum Fecit Petit Choeur de dessus & Chœur 3:02
17. Recordatus Est Trio (2 dessus, basse-taille) 2:55
18. Viderunt Omnes Dessus 4.40
19. Jubilate Basse-taille 1:34
20. Flumina Plaudent Manu Chœur 2:53
21. Gloria Haute-contre & Chœur 4:24

Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623) Anthems & Madrigals

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:20 +0000

“Anthony Rooley’s Consort in repertoire they do so well….This anthology might carry the subtitle of ‘Weelkes’ Greatest Hits’: from Thule to When David heard, the best-known pieces are all here, and there is no better-rounded overview of his music than this : familiar ideas and topics recur in different pieces…(Their) lighter touch has considerable charm…in the madrigals and canzonets such as As Vesta was or Harke all ye lovely Saints, and in the songs of mourning they find many affecting touches….all in all it is a pleasure to welcome…” (Gramophone)

1. WHAT HAVE THE GODS 6.14
2. ALLELUIA, I HEARD A VOICE 2.52
3. HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID 2.04
4. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO 3.10
5. AS VESTA WAS FROM LATMOS HILL 3.27
6: HARK ALL YE LOVELY SAINTS 3.24
7. LIKE TWO PROUD ARMIES 1.41
8. ALL PEOPLE CLAP YOUR HANDS 1.38
9. O HAPPY HE WHOM THOU PROTECT’ST 1.27
10. O HOW AMIABLE ARE THY DWELLINGS 2.23
11. CEASE NOW DELIGHT. 4.38
12. O, JONATHON, WOE IS ME FOR THEE 2.05
13. WHEN DAVID HEARD 3.24
14. DEATH HATH DEPRIVED ME 2.48
15. NOEL, ADIEU THOU COURT’S DELIGHT 5.48
16. CEASE SORROWS NOW 3.12
17. THULE, THE PERIOD OF COSMOGRAPHY 4.33
18. O CARE, THOU WILT DESPATCH ME 3.52
19. LORD, TO THEE I MAKE MY MOAN 2.20

Balalaika Favourites ! (Two balalaika Orchestras in Russian Folk Tunes)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:20 +0000

“virtuosity & splendid musicianship is the keynote…other instruments too between them they provide some very attractive sounds….(including) tremendously exciting Flight of the bumblebee, Dance of the Comedians and the charming Waltz of the Faun… Recording very natural-sounding with wide dynamic range” (Gramophone)

Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra

1. Fantasy on Two Folksongs (Nikolay Budaschkin) 7:01
2. At Sunrise (Trad. arr. Gorodovskaya ) 4:22
3. The Linden Tree (Pavel Kulikov) 4:17
4. Kamarinskaya (Nikolay Osipov) 2:42
5. Fantasy on Volga Melodies (Mikhailov-Shalayev) 4:45
6. In the Moonlight (Vasily Andreyev) 3:04
7. Midnight in Moscow (Vasily Soloviev-Sedoy) 2:28
8. Under the Apple Tree (Vasily Andreyev) 2:10
9. Snow Maiden, Op. 12 (Tchaikovsky) – Dance of the Buffoons 4:29
10. The Living Room (Yuri N. Shishakov) 1:25
11. Evening Bells (Trad/Koslov/Alyabyev) 4:15
12. My Dear Old Friend, Please Visit me (Trad. arr Poponov) 2:24
13. Waltz of the Faun (Vasily Andreyev) 4:19
14. Tale of Tsar Saltan: Suite, Op. 57 (Rimsky-Korsakov) –
Flight of the Bumblebee 1:11

Rec. June 1962, Moscow, for Mercury Living Presence
The Russian Balalaika Orchestra

15. Stepdastep /Steppe all around 4:03
16. Down Petershaya Street 3:11
17. Blue Duckling 3:20
18. Play My Whistle 3:12
19. Wind Is Blowing 3:58
20. Semyonovna 3:23
21. I Was Walking in the Forest 2:00
22. Kalinka 3:38

Traditional, arranged by Vyacheslav Grokhovsky, licensed from A-Tempo, Prague

Palestrina: Lamentations of Jeremiah, Book IV

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:58 +0000

“The present, 4th setting was discovered only in the 19th Century, and is recorded here complete for the first time….serene but poignant simplicity which Bruno Turner captures admirably with spacious tempi .. the quality of the singing from a group of eight is of a high order. So is the recording.” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Feria V. in Coena Domini

Lectio I 7.14
Lectio II 8.28
Lectio III 9.28

Feria in Parasceve

Lectio I 8:48
Lectio II 9:08
Lectio III 6.55

Sabbato Sancto

Lectio I 10:00
Lectio II 6:53
Lectio III 7.03

Schumann & Tchaikovsky Piano Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:58 +0000

(Schumann): “lacks no style” (Tchaikovsky): “The element of struggle for which this work is famous is all too clear: these two musical giants did not always agree” (Penguin Guide)

Robert Schumann
PIANO CONCERTO in A minor, Op. 54

1. I. Allegro affettuoso 14:15
2. II. Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso 5:08
3. III. Allegro vivace 10:10

Pyotr Tchaikovsky
PIANO CONCERTO No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

4. I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito 21:50
5. II. Andantino semplice – Prestissimo – Tempo I 6:44
6. III. Allegro con fuoco 7:01

French Chamber Music for Harp & Ensemble

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:58 +0000

(Ravel): « beauty & subtlety of Ravel’s sublime septet are marvellously realised by this Melos account…great delicacy of feeling…superb disc in every way » (Debussy): “hauntingly magical atmosphere…” (Ropartz: “abounds in gallic delights to charm the listener’s ear” (Roussel): “Osian Ellis’ fine musicianship…fine technique and musicality” (Penguin Guide Rosette)

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

[1] Introduction & Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet 10:20

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Sonata for flute, viola and harp

[2] Pastorale 5:54 [3] Interlude 5:00 [4] Final 4:25

Albert Roussel (1869-1937)
Sérénade for flute, string trio and harp, Op.30

[5] Allegro 3:55 [6] Andante 7:47 [7] Presto 4:06

Joseph Marie Guy Ropartz (1864-1955)
Prélude, Marine et Chansons

[8] Prélude 4:18 [9] Marine 2:55 [10] Chansons 4:24

François-Adrien Boieldieu (1775-1834)
Concerto for Harp*

[11] Allegro brillante 10:57 [12] Andante lento 4:09
[13] Rondeau: Allegro agitato 6:37

American Brass ! Copland * Bernstein * Barber * Ives * Cowell

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:58 +0000

“The very best in brass playing, brass-arranging, and brass-recording….players display every possible skill in the handling of the superlative arrangements by Eric Crees….music which lends itself ideally; ..West Side Story and El salón México …come up in places shining in a burnished brass colouring more effective than the originals. There remains the Bernstein Prelude, Fugue and Riffs…. Has a new masterpiece been born?” (c) Gramophone

Aaron Copland (1900-90)

[1] Fanfare for the Common Man 3:07

Leonard Bernstein (1918-90)
Suite from “West Side Story” (arr. Eric Crees)

[2] Prologue 4:17 [3] Something’s coming 2:55
[4] Mambo 2:24 [5] Maria – Cha cha 1:18
[6] Scherzo 1:53 [7] America
2:40
[8] Cool – Fugue 3:55 [9] Somewhere 4:23

Aaron Copland (1900-90)

[10] El Salon Mexico (arr. Eric Crees) 11:07

Henry Cowell (1897-1965)

[11] Fanfare for the Latin American Allies (arr. Eric Crees) 1:49

Samuel Barber (1910-81)

[12] Mutations from Bach 4:50

Charles Ives (1874-1954)

[13] Variations on “America” (arr. Eric Crees) 7:17

Aaron Copland (1900-90)

[14] Ceremonial Fanfare 3:52

Leonard Bernstein (1918-90)

[15] Prelude, Fugue and Riffs (arr. Eric Crees) 7:44

Purcell: Dido & Aeneas (plus Bonus Arias)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:58 +0000

“Janet Baker’s recording is a truly great performance. The radiant beauty of the voice is obvious enough, but the emotion is implied, as it should be in this music …the contrast between the opening phrase of When I am laid in earth and its repeat a few bars later is a model of graduated mezza voce…. Lewis and the ECO produce the crispest and lightest of playing, which never sounds rushed” (Penguin Rosette)

1. Overture 2:12

Act One

2. Shake the clouds from off your brow 1:02
3. Ah! Belinda, I am prest with torment 4:38
4. Whence could so much virtue spring? 1:59
5. Fear no danger 1:32
6. See your Royal guest appears 4:43
7. Wayward sisters 3:04
8. Ruin’d ere the set of sun 4:56

Act Two

9. Ritornelle…Thanks to these lonesome vales 3:24
10. Oft she visits 2:21
11. Behold, upon my bending spear 1:20
12. Stay, Prince 2:41

Act Three

13. Prelude…Come away, fellow sailors…Sailors’ Dance 2:22
14. See the flags…Destruction’s our delight…
The Witches’ Dance 3:22
15. Your counsel all is urged in vain 3:25
16. But death alas!…Great minds…Thy hand, Belinda 2:19
17. When I am laid in earth…With drooping wings 6:39

Bonus Tracks

18. Arise, ye subterranean winds (The Tempest: Purcell) 3:06
Hervey Alan
19. Halcyon days (The Tempest: Purcell) 5:44
Jennifer Vyvyan
20. What Shall I Do? (Dioclesian: Purcell) 4:37
Jennifer Vyvyan
18-20 Philomusica of London conducted Anthony Lewis; Rec. 1958