Feb 2020 – Alto CD

Schubert: Piano Sonatas Nos.16 & 17, Impromptu No.2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:56 +0000

“Richter’s interpretations in these years had an elemental power, unselfconscious abandon that was refined and tempered in later life . These entirely unedited performances, given over more than three decades from the mid 1950s to late 1980s, feel not only live but somehow extraordinarily real. Not that Richter ever gives the impression of playing for the microphone, and his vision of musical structures remains constant whether in the studio or concert-hall. … The Schubert D major Sonata (studio recording 1956) is a tower of inner strength” (Gramophone)

Piano Sonata No. 16 in A minor, D.845 (1825) [35:20]

[1] I. Moderato 12:50

[2] II. Andante poco mosso 10:03

[3] III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace – Trio. Un poco più lento 7:45

[4] IV. Rondo. Allegro vivace 4:41

Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major, D.850 (1825) [39:06]

[5] I. Allegro vivace 7:36

[6] II. Con moto 15:16

[7] III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace – Trio 8:45

[8] IV. Rondo. Allegro moderato 7:27

[9] Impromptu in Eb major, D.899 No.2 (1827) 4:10

Rubinstein plays CHOPIN Favourites

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:56 +0000

“The wealth of nuance, colour and dynamic contrast, led me to reconsider former opinions. Rubinstein’s 1949 Chopin Nocturnes, for instance, have a nervous energy that taps into the music’s tragic undertones more cogently than (his others). (likewise) the 1953 Waltzes literally dance off the page with irresistible brio … By the beginning of the 1960’s Rubinstein was well established as the elder statesman of Chopin playing. He had an unrivalled authority and total engagement and his stance seemed just right … his beautifully vocal phrasing gave the impression of letting melody rise and fall under its own power.” (Gramophone)

1. Polonaise in A, Op.40, No.1 (“Military”) 5:29

2. Nocturne in Eb, Op.9, No.2 4:11

3. Waltz in Ab, Op.34, No.1 (“Valse Brillante”) 4:28

4. Waltz in C# minor, Op.64, No.2 3:45

5. Waltz in Db, Op.64, No.1 (“Minute” Waltz) 1:42

6. Polonaise in Ab, Op.53 (“Heroic”) 6:43

7. Berceuse in Db Op.57 4:36

8. Mazurka in D, Op.33, No.2 2:25

9. Fantasie-Impromptu in C# minor, Op. 66 (Posth.) 5:15

10. Mazurka in Bb, Op.7, No.1 2:12

11. Nocturne in G minor, Op.37, No.1 5:27

12. Barcarolle, Op.60 9:28

13. Nocturne in F#, Op.15, No.2 3:33

14. Nocturne in Db, Op.27, No.2 5:12

15. Ballade in G minor, Op.23 9:20

Myaskovsky: Symphony 6 / Slavonic Rhapsody

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:56 +0000

“probably the most significant Russian symphony between Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique (1893) and the Fourth Symphony of Shostakovich (premiered 1961)” (MusicWeb)
“But it was No.6 which was to be hailed as the first Soviet symphony, not least for the May Day celebrations 1969 Revolutionary songs (French in origin) used in the finale. This is a splendidly fiery, memorable and ultimately moving work, which deserves a big-occasion performance … By far the best of the three available recordings is (this) classic USSR SO/Kondrashin (ex Russian Disc)”

[1] Slav Rhapsody in D minor, Op.71 11:34

[2-5] Symphony No.6 in E flat minor, Op.23 (1921-23, rev.1947) [65:21]

[2] I. Poco largamente – Precipitato – Allegro feroce 22:23

[3] II. Presto tenebroso – Andante moderato – Tempo I 9:04

[4] III. Andante appassionato 16:13

[5] IV. Allegro vivace (quasi Presto) 17:40

Very Best of GENE KELLY

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:56 +0000

‘Includes 79 minutes of re-mastered, full length original hits, with the masterpiece soundtrack ‘Singin in the Rain’ and classic duets with Garland, Sinatra, Astaire etc’

[1] Singin’ in the Rain 02:55

[2] Fit as a Fiddle (with Donald O’Connor) 01:35

[3] You Were Meant for Me 03:09

[4] Moses Supposes (with Donald O’Connor) 02:50

[5] Good Mornin’ (with Debbie Reynolds & Donald O’ Connor) 02:49

[6] All I Do Is Dream of You 03:08

[7] Broadway Melody 02:52

[8] You Are My Lucky Star (with Debbie Reynolds) 02:49

[9] The Babbit and the Bromide (with Fred Astaire) 03:34

[10] Nina 02:55

[11] I Got Rhythm 03:30

[12] S’Wonderful (with Georges Guetary) 02:59

[13] Love Is Here to Stay 03:57

[14] Be a Clown (with Judy Garland) 02:36

[15] Take Me Out to the Ball Game (with Frank Sinatra) 02:05

[16] For Me and My Gal (with Judy Garland) 04:23

[17] Almost Like Being in Love 04:21

[18] Heather on the Hill 06:33

[19] You Wonderful You (with Judy Garland) 03:09

[20] I Like My Self 04:05

[21] Do I Love You? 04:46

[22] Long Ago (And Far Away) (with Rita Hayworth) 03:38

[23] New York, New York (with Frank Sinatra & Jules Munshin) 03:10

Ten Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:56 +0000

“A rich treasury of pianism styles on display from 10 legendary performers, sampled here for collectors and chosen from the giants of the keyboard”

Marta Argerich Debut album plus live Chopin

Chopin:

1. Grand Valse Brillante, op.34/1 05:05

2. Nocturne no.16, op.55/2 04:40

3. Etude, op.10/1 01:49

4. Etude, op.10/10 02:05

5. Mazurka no.38, op.59/3 03:10

6. Scherzo, op.39 06:25

7. Barcarolle, op.60 08:02

8.& 9. Brahms: 2 Rhapsodies, op.79 08:25/6:26

10. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody no.6 06:17

11. Ravel: Jeux d’eau 05:21

12. Prokoviev: Toccata 04:05

CD2 [79:14]: Vladimir Ashkenazy plays Chopin [ALC1281]

Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor Op.58

[1] I. Allegro maestoso 9:06

[2] II. Scherzo (molto vivace) 2:40

[3] III. Largo 9:19

[4] IV. Finale (Presto non tanto) 4:54

[5] Barcarolle Op.60 8:56

[6] Valse No.2 in Ab Op.34 No.1 4:29

[7] Valse No.6 in Db Op.64 No.1 (‘Minute Waltz’) 1:43

[8] Mazurka No.35 in C minor Op.56 No.3 5:15

[9] Mazurka No.36 in A minor Op.59 No.1 4:07

Etudes Op.10

[10] No.1 C major 1:58

[11] No.2 A minor 1:17

[12] No.3 E major 4:10

[13] No.4 C sharp minor 2:00

[14] No.5 G flat major 1:37

[15] No.6 E flat minor 3:59

[16] No.7 C major 1:26

[17] No.8 F major 2:18

[18] No.9 F minor 2:14

[19] No.10 A flat major 2:23

[20] No.11 E flat major 2:35

[21] No.12 C minor “Revolutionary” 2:37

CD3 [70:52]: Alfred Brendel plays Schubert Impromptus [ALC1109]

Impromptus D899

1. No.1 in C minor-Allegro molto moderato 08:34

2. No.2 in E flat-allegro 04:23

3. No.3 in G flat-andante 05:21

4. No.4 in A flat-allegretto 07:14

Impromptus D935

5. No.1 in F minor-allegro moderato 08:59

6. No.2 in A flat-allegretto 05:22

7. No.3 in B flat-theme and variations, andante 10:26

8. No.4 in F minor-allegro scherzando 05:26

Moments Musicaux Op.94 (selection)

9. No.3 in F minor-allegro moderato 01:44

10.No.4 in C sharp minor-moderato 04:42

11.No.5 in F minor-allegro vivace 02:06

12.No.6 in A flat-allegretto 06:26

CD4 [74:40]: Emil Gilels – Live in Russia [ALC1300 amended]

Schumann: Piano Sonata in F sharp minor, Op.11

1. Introduzione: Un poco adagio – Allegro vivace 09:13

2. Aria 2:52

3. Scherzo e intermezzo 4:12

4. Finale: Allegro un poco maestoso 11:23

Chopin: Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat minor ‘Funeral March’, Op.35

5. Grave – Doppio movimento 5:31

6. Scherzo 6:52

7. Marche funebre: Lento 7:29

8. Finale: Presto 01:25

Tchaikovsky: Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, Op.80

9. Allegro con brio 10:27

10. Andante 4:22

11. Scherzo: Allegro vivo 5:50

12. Allegro vivo 4:49

CD5 [79:05]: Glenn Gould plays J.S. BACH [ALC1418- april 2020]

[1-32] Goldberg Variations BWV 988 (Aria & 30 Variations) [38:28]

1. Aria 1:55 17. Variation No.16 1:17

2. Variation No.1 0:44 18. Variation No.17 0:53

3. Variation No.2 0:37 19. Variation No.18 0:46

4. Variation No.3 0:54 20. Variation No.19 0:42

5. Variation No.4 0:29 21. Variation No.20 0:47

6. Variation No.5 0:36 22. Variation No.21 1:42

7. Variation No.6 0:34 23. Variation No.22 0:42

8. Variation No.7 1:08 24. Variation No.23 0:54

9. Variation No.8 0:45 25. Variation No.24 0:56

10. Variation No.9 0:38 26. Variation No.25 6:26

11. Variation No.10 0:42 27. Variation No.26 0:53

12. Variation No.11 0:53 28. Variation No.27 0:49

13. Variation No.12 0:56 29. Variation No.28 1:10

14. Variation No.13 2:10 30. Variation No.29 1:00

15. Variation No.14 0:58 31. Variation No.30 0:48

16. Variation No.15 2:19 32. Aria da capo 2:10

Partita No.5 in G major BWV 829 [9:50]

33. Praeambulum 1:46

34. Allemande 1:49

35. Courante 0:40

36. Sarabande 2:01

37. Tempo di Minuetto 1:04

38. Passepied 0:47

39. Gigue 1:39

Partita No.6 in E minor BWV 830 [22:46]

40. Toccata 9:50

41. Allemande 2:03

42. Courante 2:16

43. Air 0:42

44. Sarabande 3:36

45. Tempo di Gavotta 0:51

46. Gigue 3:26

47. Fugue in F sharp minor BWV 883 (Well-tempered Clavier Book II) 3:16

48. Fugue in E major BWV 878 (Well-tempered Clavier Book II) 4:18

CD6 [75:38]: Vladimir Horowitz: ‘Last of the Romantics’ [ALC1357]

[1] Mozart: Rondo alla Turca 3:43

[2] Chopin: Waltz No.3 in A minor, Op.34, No.2 4:58

[3] Chopin: Barcarolle, Op.60 8:40

[4] Mendelssohn: Songs without Words Elégie/Spring Song 7:03

[5] Mendelssohn/Horowitz: Wedding March and Variations after Liszt 6:05

[6] Schumann: Arabesque, Op.18 6:35

[7] Liszt/Horowitz: Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 8:48

[8] Liszt/Horowitz: Hungarian Rhapsody No.19 9:46

[9] Scriabin: Sonata No.9 in one movement ‘Black Mass’, Op.68 6:22

[10] Moszkowski: Étincelles 2:12

[11] Debussy: Children’s Corner Serenade for the Doll 2:55

[12] Bizet/Horowitz: Variations on Themes from Carmen 3:35

[13] Sousa/Horowitz: Stars and Stripes Forever 3:53

CD7 [77:15]: Wilhelm Kempff plays Mozart Concertos [ALC1323]

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488 [24:47]

[1] I. Allegro 11:02

[2] II. Adagio 5:55

[3] III. Allegro assai 7:49

Piano Concerto 24 in C minor, K491 (1786) [30:16]

[4] I. Allegro 13:05

[5] II. Larghetto 7:01

[6] III. Allegretto 10:10

Piano Concerto No. 8 in C Major, K. 246, “Lutzow” [21:54]*

[7] I. Allegro aperto 7:12

[8] II. Andante 6:58

[9] III. Rondeau: Tempo di minuetto 7:44

CD8 [78:28]: Sviatoslav Richter plays Schubert Sonatas [ALC1074]

Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, Op.posth. (D958) [31:58]

[1] I. Allegro 11.30

[2] II. Adagio 8.18

[3] III. Menuetto, Allegro 3.32

[4] IV. Allegro 8.37

Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat major, Op.posth. (D960) [46:26]

[5] I. Molto moderato 24.33

[6] II. Andante sostenuto 10.05

[7] III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza 3.54

[8] IV. Allegro non troppo 7.52

CD9 [75:05]: Artur Rubinstein plays Chopin [ALC1419]

1. Polonaise in A, Op. 40, No. 1 (“Military”) 5:29

2. Nocturne in Eb, Op. 9, No. 2 4:11

3. Waltz in Ab, Op. 34, No. 1 (“Valse Brillante”) 4:28

4. Waltz in C# minor, Op. 64, No. 2 3:45

5. Waltz in Db, Op. 64, No. 1 (“Minute” Waltz) 1:42

6. Polonaise in Ab, Op. 53 (“Heroic”) 6:43

7. Berceuse in Db Op. 57 4:36

8. Mazurka in D, Op. 33, No. 2 2:25

9. Fantasie-Impromptu in C# minor, Op. 66 (Posth.) 5:15

10. Mazurka in Bb, Op. 7, No. 1 2:12

11. Nocturne in G minor, Op. 37, No. 1 5:27

12. Barcarolle, Op. 60 9:28

13. Nocturne in F#, Op. 15, No. 2 3:33

14. Nocturne in Db, Op. 27, No. 2 5:12

15. Ballade in G minor, Op. 23 9:20

CD10 [77:17]: Artur Schnabel plays Beethoven [MC3201/1]

Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor ‘Moonlight’, Op.27 No. 2

1. Adagio sostenuto 4:56

2. Allegretto – Trio 02:13

3. Presto agitato 6:32

Piano Sonata No.15 in D major ‘Pastorale’, Op.28

4. Allegro 07:17

5. Andante 07:20

6. Scherzo. Allegro vivace 02:04

7. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo 04:33

Piano Sonata No.21 in C major ‘Waldstein’, Op.53

8. Allegro con brio 10:02

9. Introduzzione. Allegro molto –

Rondo. Allegro moderato – Prestissimo 14:07

Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat major ‘Les Adieux’, Op.81A

10. Das Lebewohl. Adagio – Allegro 06:54

11. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo 03:10

12. Das Wiedersehen. Vivicissimamente 05:02

13. Bagatelle in A minor ‘Für Elise’, WoO59 03:02

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Shepherds’ Farewell / Romeo & Juliet (exc)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:55 +0000

“Berlioz’s greatest interpreter of modern times recorded it three times, but this most recent version is the most gripping and satisfying, deftly treading a fine line between self-revelation and self-indulgence. The volcanic outpourings of feeling are as intense as they should be, yet in the quieter moments – Davis achieves a wonderfully expressive pianissimo, in which every detail seems to convey meaning’ (Gramophone)

[1] Shepherds’ Farewell (L’Enfance du Christ, Op.25)* 4:33
[2] Romantic Excerpt (Romeo et Juliette, Op.17) 7:20
Scene 1c – “Premiers transports que nul n’oublie!”
Symphonie Fantastique Op.14/H48 [57:10]
[3] I. Rêveries – Passions 15:49
[4] II. Un Bal 6:35
[5] III. Scène aux champs 17:16
[6] IV. Marche au supplice 7:01
[7] V. Songe d’une nuit de sabbat 10:27

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:55 +0000

“This beautiful performance deserves to win many new friends for Dvořák’s most Brahmsian symphony. Davis’s love of this music shines out of every bar.” (Gramophone)
“culminating in a towering account of the finale, which unlike many, here emerges as a fully satisfying conclusion”
“More successfully than any other recording, Davis captures the slow movement’s elusive heart of darkness.”

Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70 (1884-5) [39:57]

[1] I. Allegro maestoso 11:09

[2] II. Poco Adagio 11:20

[3] III. Scherzo. Vivace 7:40

[4] IV. Finale. Allegro 9:46

Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 (1889) [39:05]

[5] I. Allegro con brio 10:02

[6] II. Adagio 11:19

[7] III. Allegretto grazioso – Molto Vivace 6:59

[8] IV. Allegro ma non troppo 10:44

Percy Grainger Favourites

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:55 +0000

“one of the most enjoyable records that I have heard for a long time and fills a gap in the catalogue … The greatest joy is the famous clog dance Handel in the Strand, a rare bit of musical humour that never fails with its impudence … The playing indeed is splendid throughout and the recording is absolutely first-rate with just that little extra touch of realism from stereo. This is a record that deserves to sell like the proverbial hot cakes.” (Gramophone)
“Lively and sympathetic performances … the rhythmic pieces come off best in sound always clear and clean”

1. Country Gardens 02:16

2. Shepherd’s Hey 02:07

3. Colonial Song 06:04

4. Children’s March 04:13

5. The Immovable Do 04:28

6. Mock Morris 03:38

7. Handel in the Strand 04:19

8. Irish Tune from County Derry 03:35

9. Spoon River 04:05

10. My Robin is to the Greenwood Gone 04:09

11. Molly on the Shore 04:19

12. Hill Song No.2 05:42

Lincolnshire Posy

13. “Lisbon” (Sailor’s Song) 1:24

14. “Horkstow Grange” (Miser & his Man: A Local Tragedy) 02:46

15. “Rufford Park Poachers” (Poaching Song) 03:37

16. “The Brisk Young Sailor” (returned to wed his true love) 01:34

17. “Lord Melbourne” (War Song) 02:50

18. “The Lost Lady Found” (Dance Song) 02:16

from Suite on Danish Folk Songs*

19. Lord Peter’s Stable-Boy 2:47

20. Jutish Medley 7:55

(*Arrhus Orchestra /Per Dreier / Percy Grainger (piano)

POULENC: Les Biches / Organ Concerto / Gloria / Litanies de la Vierge de Rocamador

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:55 +0000

“The racy style of the orchestral playing is instantly infectious in the opening rondeau with catchy trumpet solo” (Gramophone)
“Like so many of his religious works, it finds the composer at his best: behind its joyous, lucid facade lies a deep sincerity, which in the Domine Deus attains real beauty. Rosanna Carteri floats her octave rises exquisitely and is most touching in her litany of “Qui tollis peccata mundi”
“it is certainly the best of his concertos … and despite the marking of Allegro giocoso for the first main section and an exuberant finale, there are undertones of serious drama-and the last pages are prayerful. Both soloist, and orchestra, are alert, vital and rhythmic, and, despite the difficulties of balancing an orchestra against a modern organ, are brilliantly engineered”

[1-5] Suite: Les Biches (1922-3) [19:23]

1. Rondeau 3:43

2. Adagietto 3:39

3. Rag-Mazurka 5:39

4. Andantino 3:04

5. Final 3:16

[6] Litanies à la Vierge Noire de Rocamadour (1936) 9:17

[7-13] Concerto in G minor for organ, strings & timpani (1938) [22:20]

7. Andante 3:14

8. Allegro giocoso 2:03

9. Andante moderato 6:39

10. Tempo allegro. Molto agitato 2:45

11. Tres calme. Lent 2:36

12. Tempo de l’Allegro intial 1:48

13. Tempo Introduction. Largo 3:12

[14-19] Gloria (1959) [26:28]

14. Gloria 3:10

15. Laudamus Te 3:06

16. Domine Deus 4:31

17. Domine Filii unigenite 1:27

18. Domine Deus Agnus Dei 7:24

19. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patri 6:48