Feb 2014 – Alto CD

Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet Suites 1 & 2, Symphony No.1, Lieutenant Kije (suite)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

“The Suites don’t conform to the order of their playing in the full ballet and often Prokofiev (eg. Montagues and Capulets) incorporates passages from other scenes. One of the highlights is Death of Tybalt which is a conflation of scenes at the end of Act 2, illustrating Romeo’s anxiety as Mercutio and Tybalt fight, his decision to take revenge, Tybalt’s death and the consequent grief…. In contrast to his earlier ballets there is much warmth and delicacy here.” (c) James Murray

Romeo & Juliet (highlights from ballet Suites 1 & 2)

[1] Montagues and Capulets / Dance of the Knights 5:30
[2] The Child Juliet 4:08
[3] Friar Lawrence 2:41
[4] Morning Dance 2:23
[5] Minuet 3:24
[6] Masks 2:07
[7] Death of Tybalt 5:41
[8] Dance 2:04
[9] Romeo at Juliet’s Grave 6:42

Symphony No.1 “Classical”

[10] Allegro 4:25
[11] Larghetto 4:23
[12] Gavotta 1:50
[13] Finale 4:12

Suite: Lieutenant Kije

[14] Birth of Kije 4:33
[15] Romance 5:09
[16] Wedding of Kije 3:04
[17] Troika 3:02
[18] Burial of Kije 6:14

Ella Fitzgerald sings SongBook Hits: Rodgers & Hart / Gershwins

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

“Ella herself acknowledged the Cole Porter Songbook album (ALN 1932) was a ‘turning point in my life. Doing those songbooks got me into spots I’d never been able to play before’. Porter commented ‘My, what marvellous diction that girl has’. Ira Gershwin was more appreciative remarking ‘I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them’ whilst Richard Rodgers said ‘Whatever she does to my songs, she always makes them sound better’.” (James Murray)

Rodgers & Hart Songbook –

[1] (We’ll have) Manhattan 2.49
[2] The Lady is a Tramp 3.22
[3] With a Song in My Heart 2.44
[4] Ten Cents a Dance 4.05
[5] I Didn’t Know What Time it Was 3.45
[6] I Could Write a Book 3.37
[7] My Funny Valentine 3.53
[8] Mountain Greenery 2.14
[9] Lover 3.14
[10] Blue Moon 3.10

(George & Ira) Gershwin Songbook –

[11] Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off 4.26
[12] Nice Work if You Can Get it 3.32
[13] S’Wonderful 3.28
[14] Someone to Watch Over Me 4.30
[15] They All Laughed 3.02
[16] A Foggy Day (in London Town) 3.30
[17] Our Love is Here to Stay 3.52
[18] They Can’t Take that Away from Me 3.07
[19] Embraceable You 4.49
[20] Fascinating Rhythm 3.21

Bonus Track

[21] Mack the Knife (Weill/Brecht/Blitzstein) live in Berlin 1960 4.21

Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 1 & 3 Preludes in E flat major Op23/6; in C sharp minor Op3/2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

(No.1) “On the occasion of the first Western-engineered recordings made in the USSR, soloist and orchestra plainly challenged each other to the limit and (the producers) brilliantly captured the warmly romantic and chimerical interpretation which resulted. Solo playing…scintillating..” (No.3) “the simple opening benefits from the extra warmth, and Janis lets the theme unwind with appealing spontaneity, and in the great closing climax to the finale, the passion is built up – not too hurriedly- to the greatest possible tension….two favourite Preludes most persuasively played.” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Piano Concerto No.1 in F sharp minor, Op.1

[1] Vivace – Moderato 11:56
[2] Andante 5:34
[3] Allegro vivace 7:10

Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op.30

[4] Allegro ma non tanto 14:56
[5] Intermezzo: Adagio 10:15
[6] Finale: Alla breve 12:50
[7] Prelude in E flat major, Op.23 No.6 2:51
[8] Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.3 No.2 3:49

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis (Mass in D, Op.123)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

“It was not in doubt that Bernstein would respond vividly and warmly to its dramatic and emotional qualities … He has wonderful support from the Westminster Choir who respond unfailingly and remain fresh and untiring. Their soft singing is beautiful … Bernstein has also an excellent solo quartet: Lewis …some beautiful singing … Borg’s dark bass a solid foundation … fine tone and musicianship of Carol Smith. Eileen Farrell is a tower of strength. Her glorious voice, splendid attack and impeccable intonation give constant pleasure. Let me here praise the exquisite playing of John Corigliano and the New York Philharmonic. Bernstein … and the fine forces which he has inspired, have given us here a most musical, deeply felt and, where applicable, thrilling performance of the Missa Solemnis.” (Gramophone)

1. Kyrie 9:21
2. Gloria: Gloria in excelsis Deo 4:26
3. Gloria: Qui tollis 5:54
4. Gloria: Quoniam 6:12
5. Credo: Credo in unum Deum 4:09
6. Credo: Et incarnatus est 5:20
7. Credo: Et resurrexit 9:26
8. Sanctus: Sanctus 6:39
9. Sanctus: Benedictus 9:49

10. Agnus Dei: Agnus Dei 6:30
11. Agnus Dei: Dona nobis pacem 8:15

MOZART: Piano Concertos 22 & 25 plus Rondo A minor K511

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

“Another unforgettable early Brendel coupling, with the sound very respectable in its CD transfer. The E flat concerto is better-focussed than (before on LP) and the excellent wind-playing is well caught. Brendel plays the first movement of No.22 with authority, the Andante variations very beautifully and the Finale enchantingly. No. 25 shows Brendel at his most commanding and Angerer sets the scene admirably with an imposing opening …Again the solo phrasing is eminently stylish, the …lyrical theme of the 1st movement giving much pleasure and the Finale given the lightest touch.” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Piano Concerto No.22 in E flat major, K482

[1] i. Allegro 12:44
[2] ii. Andante 8:51
[3] iii. Allegro – Andantino cantabile – Allegro 12:07

Piano Concerto No.25 in C major, K503

[4] i. Allegro maestoso 13:57
[5] ii. Andante 7:43
[6] iii. Allegretto 8:55
[7] Rondo No.3 in A minor, K511 Andante 11:28

Very Best of Paul Robeson ‘Ol’ Man River’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

“he opened his mouth and let out that tremendous resonant voice of his to the last stop, and Ol’ Man River echoed from the far hills around us. His voice filled the universe and we were carried with it to glorious heights” (Crosby Gaige)

1. Ol’ Man River (Showboat) (Kern/Hammerstein II) (g/1928) 3:51
2. Canoe Song (Sanders of the River) (Spoliansky/Wimperis) (b/1935) 2:55
3. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (Trad.arr.Brown) (e/1933) 2:43
4. Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific) (Rodgers/Hammerstein II) (f/1960) 3:50
5. All God’s Chillun Got Wings (Trad.arr.Johnson) (a/1931) 1:48
6. Skye Boat Song (McLeod/Boulton arr.Lawson) (f/1960) 2:27
7. The Riddle Song (arr.Love) (f/1960) 2:05
8. I’ll Walk Beside You (Lockton/Murray) (f/1960) 2:16
9. Shortnin’ Bread (Wolfe/Wood) (c/1933) 1:07
10. Lazybones (Carmichael/Mercer) (c/1933) 3:17
11. All Through the Night (Trad.arr.Somervell) (d/1937) 3:16
12. Land of My Fathers (Trad.arr.Love) (f/1960) 3:01
13. River Stay Away from My Door (Dixon/Woods) (c/1931) 3:23
14. When it’s Sleepy Time Down South (Rene/Muse) (c/1931) 3:21
15. Just a’Wearyin’ for You (Stanton/Jacobs/Bond) (f/1960) 3:01
16. Down de Lovers’ Lane (arr.Love) (f/1960) 2:24
17. Duet: I Still Suits Me (Showboat) (Kern/Hammerstein II) (d/1936) 2:48
18. Lonesome Road (Shilkret/Austin) (c/1929) 2:48
19. Rockin’ Chair (Carmichael) (c/1931) 3:27
20. It Ain’t Necessarily So (G&I Gershwin) (d/1938) 2:28
21. Old Folks at Home – “Swanee River” (Foster) (d/1934) 1:26
22. Song of the Volga Boatmen (Trad.) (d/1938) 2:41
23. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (Trad.) (a/1936) 2:00
24. Shenandoah (Trad.arr.Henry) (a/1936) 3:09
25. Mighty Lak’ a Rose (Nevin/Stanton) (c/1929) 3:17
26. Water Boy (Trad.arr.Robinson) (e/1933) 2:31
27. Joe Hill (Robinson/Hayes) (a/1942) 2:40
28. Ma Curly-Headed Baby (Clutsam) (f/1960) 2:55
29. Deep River (Trad.arr.Burleigh) with uncredited orchestra (1940) 2:21

Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2, Piano Concerto, 7 Lyric Pieces

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:05 +0000

“in imagination and delicacy of feeling, combined with natural authoritative brilliance, this … performance is unsurpassed….moment of magic…natural spontaneous flow…consistently disarming…one of the great bargains of the catalogue” (Penguin Rosette 1998 re Concerto/Lyric Pieces) “I urge you to buy it,….. for the concerto is very special and will certainly be a candidate for my “Critics’ choice” in December.” (Gramophone)

Peer Gynt Suite No.1

[1] Morning 4:21
[2] Death of Aase 5:15
[3] Anitra’s Dance 3:32
[4] In the Hall of the Mountain King 2:26

Peer Gynt Suite No.2

[5] Ingrid’s Lament 4:52
[6] Arabian Dance 4:37
[7] Peer Gynt’s Homecoming 2:50
[8] Solveig’s Song 5:03

Piano Concerto in A minor Opus 16

[9] Allegro molto moderato 13:44
[10] Adagio 6:30
[11] Allegro moderato molto e marcato 10:22

(Seven selected) Lyric Pieces

[12] Arietta (Op.12, No.1) 1:50
[13] Elves’ Dance (Op.12, No.4) 0:44
[14] Butterfly (Op.43, No.1) 1:58
[15] To Spring (Op.43, No.6) 2:44
[16] Notturno (Op.54, No.4) 3:58
[17] Sylph (Opus 62, No.1) 1:50
[18] Summer Evening (Opus 71, No.2) 2:42

The Very Best of Maria Callas

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:05 +0000

These recordings reflect the best choices from many for a single disc of ‘La Divina’. “These are (mainly) recordings from the 1950’s when the voice was still in fine condition and the artistry at its most magnetic” (Penguin Guide)

1. Casta diva (Norma:Bellini:Romani) – 5.35
2. Qui la voce (I Puritani:Bellini:Pepoli) – 4.42
Orchestra of RAI, Turin conducted by Arturo Basile, 1949
3. Ah non credea mirarti (La Sonnambulla:Bellini:Romani) – 4.49
with Nicola Monti, La Scala, Milan / Antonino Votto, 1957
4. Mad scene (Final section):Spargi d’amaro pianto – 4.10
(Lucia di Lammermoor:Donizetti:Cammarano)
Orchestra of RIAS, Berlin / Herbert von Karajan, 1955
5. D’amore al dolce impero (Armida:Rossini:Schmidt)– 6.40
Orchestra of RAI San Remo / Alfredo Simonetto, 1954
6. Anch’io dischiuso (Nabucco:Verdi:Solera) – 8.15
7. Vieni! t’affretta (Macbeth:Verdi:Piave & Maffei) – 6.06
Orchestra of RAI Turin / Oliviero de Fabritiis, 1952
8. Ah fors’ e lui.. sempre libera with Cesare Valetti (La Traviata:Verdi:Piave) 9.31
9. Addio del passato (La Traviata:Verdi:Piave) – 4.15
Orchestra of Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Nicola Rescigno, 1958
10. Suicidio ! (La Gioconda:Ponchielli:Gorrio)– 4.18
Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Antonino Votto, 1959
11. Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix (Samson et Dalila:Saint-Saens:Lemaire)– 5.15
French National Radio Orchestra conducted by Georges Pretre, 1961
12. Ebben? ne andro lontano(La Wally:Catalani:Illica) – 4.53
Philharmonia Orchestra / Tullio Serafin, 1954
13. Un bel di vedremo (Madama Butterfly:Puccini:Giacosa & Illica)– 4.43
Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Herbert von Karajan, 1955
14. Vissi d’arte (Tosca:Puccini:Giacosa & Illica)– 3.15
Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Victor de Sabata, 1953