June 2012 – Alto CD

The Merrymakers – British Light Classics

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:36 +0000

“For over four decades I conducted the BBC’s Light Orchestras in programmes like Melodies for You, Invitation to Music, Music while you Work, Friday Night is Music Night and their annual International Festival of Light Music…Radio Clyde transmitted “live” my “Pops at the Philharmonic” concerts, and I also conducted the light orchestras of Europe; With the exception of the BBC Concert Orchestra, these orchestras no longer exist, so I have put together a selection of favourite pieces, hoping to bring back the glamour of the Golden Age of Light Music” (Iain Sutherland)

1 Overture: The Merrymakers (Eric Coates) 4:28
2 The Girl from Corsica (Trevor Duncan) 3:48
3 Little Serenade (Ernest Tomlinson) 3:03
4 Dance in the Twilight (from Springtime Suite – Eric Coates) 4:55
5 Sutherland’s Law Theme (Hamish McCunn arr Iain Sutherland) 3:31
6 March: Things to Come (Arthur Bliss) 3:58
7 The Watermill (Ronald Binge) 3:03
8 Playful Scherzo (Peter Hope) 3:45
9 Dusk (from Fancy Dress Suite – Cecil Armstrong Gibbs) 3:13
10 Seventeen Come Sunday (Vaughan Williams) 3:19
11 Theme from Limelight (Charlie Chaplin arr Reg Tilsley) 3:46
12 Overture: The Arcadians (Lionel Monckton arr Arthur Wood) 5:15
13 The Dream of Olwen (Charles Williams) 3:19
14 English Dance No.6 (Malcolm Arnold) 1:29
15 My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose (Trad arr Gordon Langford) 3:57
16 Mexican Hat Dance (Trad arr Peter Hope) 4:16
17 Suo Gan (Trad arr Adrian Staines) 3:11
18 Dick’s Maggot (from Suite of English Folk Dances – E.Tomlinson) 2:38
19 Bells Across the Meadow (Albert W Ketèlby) 4:28
20 Overture: Tam o’ Shanter (Malcolm Arnold) 8:21

Tchaikovsky: String Quartets No.1, No.2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:36 +0000

“the Shostakovich Quartet is notable for their powerful playing and their ability to get deeply into the emotions of a work” (MusicWeb, 2008) “versions by the Shostakovich Quartet are also masterly…the early pieces dating from Composer’s student days….are of interest as is anything that the master penned…” (c) Penguin Guide

Five Early Pieces
[1] No.1 in D major 1:08
[2] No.2 in Bb major 1:31
[3] No.3 in E major 1:17
[4] No.4 in E minor 2:56
[5] No.5 in G major 1:50
String Quartet No.1 in D major, Op.11
[6] Moderato e semplice 10:33
[7] Andante cantabile 6:36
[8] Scherzo: Allegro non tanto 3:33
[9] Finale: Allegro giusto 9:32
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.22
[10] Adagio – Moderato assai 12:10
[11] Scherzo: Allegro giusto 5:43
[12] Andante ma non tanto 11:59
[13] Finale: Allegro con moto 6:33

Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks: Cole Porter & Irving Berlin

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:36 +0000

“Ella herself acknowledged that Cole Porter album was a ‘turning point in my life. Doing those song books helped me get into spots I’d never been able to play before’. Porter simply 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)

Cole Porter Songs with orchestra conducted by Buddy Bregman (1956)
[1] Anything Goes 3.31
[2] I Get A Kick Out Of You 4.11
[3] You’re the Top 3.43
[4] Let’s Do It 3.43
[5] Begin The Beguine 3.47
[6] You Do Something To Me 2.29
[7] I Love Paris 5.06
Irving Berlin Songs with Paul Weston and his orchestra (1958)
[8] Isn’t this a Lovely Day? 3.26
[9] Cheek to Cheek 3.45
[10] How Deep is the Ocean? 3.08
[11] Blue Skies 3.43
[12] Always 3.06
[13] Let’s Face the Music and Dance 2.55
[14] It’s a Lovely Day Today 2.25
[15] I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm 2.56
Cole Porter Songs with orchestra conducted by Buddy Bregman (1956)
[16] Always True To You In My Fashion 2.57
[17] Just One Of Those Things 3.41
[18] I’ve Got You Under My Skin 2.50
[19] From This Moment On 3.28
[20] Night And Day 3.14
[21] Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye 3.42
[22] BONUS TRACK: April In Paris (Duke/Harburg) 4.42
with Count Basie Orchestra (Rec.1956)

MOZART: Piano Concertos 20 & 22

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

“pianism of a high order: crisply articulated, with fine balance between incidental details and the overall shape of a movement, and indeed of the whole work. The emotional content is brought out with no exaggeration: Tirimo brings out the essence of the music, nothing being allowed to come between the composer and us”. (International Record Review on Mozart sonatas) “Tirimo’s playing exhibits the same qualities that won praise for his solo recordings – good, honest interpretations which do not interpose between the music and the listener. No current single disc offers this logical coupling. Tirimo offers performances which would satisfy in any concert and I cannot imagine anyone regretting the small outlay required”(MusicWeb)

No. 22 (K482) in E flat major

No. 20 (K466) in D minor

Piano Concerto No.22, K482 in E flat major, 1785

[1] i. Allegro 13:43
[2] ii. Andante 9:14
[3] iii. Allegro-andantino cantabile-allegro 13:18
Piano Concerto No.20, K466 in D minor, 1785
[4] i. Allegro 14:08
[5] ii. Romance 9:15
[6] iii. (Rondeau. Allegro assai) 8:21

Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

‘it is fascinating to observe the skill with which Lassus reworks his models (for parody masses), chosen most commonly from among Italian madrigals, French chansons and Latin motets…Ex Cathedra offer a clear alternative to King’s. Their account of the motet Vinum bonum itself is more involving, and for the Mass theirs is the more dynamic reading… Ex Cathedra present a contrasting series of motets for three to eight voices, and the wind ensemble round out the disc with 3 bicinia, two-part pieces excerpted from his vocal music’(Gramophone)

[1] Musica Dei donum a 6 4:32 Missa ad imitationem Vinum bonum
[2] Bicinium III 1:09
[3] Vinum bonum a 8 3:43

Missa ad imitationem Vinum bonum

[4] Kyrie 2:05
[5] Gloria 3:28
[6] Salve Regina a 6 3:52
[7] Bicinium XIV 1:57
[8] Laudent Deum a 4 0:42
[9] Justorum animae a 5 3:05
Missa ad imitationem Vinum bonum
[10] Credo 5:07
[11] Quam pulchra es a 6 6:48
[12] Agimus Tibi a 3 1:28
[13] Christus resurgens a 5 2:45 Total time 68:37
Missa ad imitationem Vinum bonum
[14] Sanctus 1:54
[15] Benedictus 1:46
[16] Tristis est anima mea a 5 3:56
[17] Bicinium IX 1:55
[18] Ave verum corpus a 6 4:07
Missa ad imitationem Vinum bonum
[19] Agnus Dei 2:27
[20] Bone Jesu a 8 4:59
[21] Tui sunt coeli a 8 2:52
[22] Vide homo a 7 3:50

Joan Sutherland Collector’s Album: Rare Broadcasts

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

“includes the most perfect trill (the Bononcini) we have ever heard” (alto) ‘After so many spinto Annas who sound like refugees from Brünnhilde’s riding club, it was a revelation to hear a fresh, young lyric voice of uncommon purity at the command of an impeccable musician…She did not stun with bravura; she captivated with humanity’ (Opera Magazine on Sutherland’s Donna Anna 1957/8)

1. Ecco l’infido…Di, cor mio, quanto t’amai (Alcina:Handel) 7:25
with Norma Procter, Thomas Hemsley / Capella Coloniensis
/ Ferdinand Leitner. 1959
2. Tiranna gelosia…Tornami a vagheggiar (Alcina:Handel) 5:00
with Capella Coloniensis / Ferdinand Leitner. 1959
3. Ah! Ruggiero crudel…ombre pallide, lo so m’udite (Alcina:Handel) 7:00
with Capella Coloniensis / Ferdinand Leitner. 1959
4. Se ti perdo (Haydn) with Dennis Brain (Horn)/Goldsborough Orchestra 10:55
conducted by Charles Mackerras. 1956
5. Exsultate, jubilate (Mozart) 14:31
with the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra / Alberto Erede.1959
6. Madre, deh placati..Ah! di contento (Emilia di Liverpool:Donizetti) 5:00
with April Cantelo, with Liverpool Music Singers Group
/Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / John Pritchard.1957
7. Confusa e alma…non intende il mio contento 6:41
(Emilia di Liverpool:Donizetti) with Liverpool Music Singers Group
/Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / John Pritchard.1957
8. La fiorala Fiorentina (Rossini) with Richard Bonynge (Piano).1957 3:36
9. Canzonetta:La promessa (Soirées musicales:Rossini) 3:17
10. Arietta: L’orgia (Soirées musicales:Rossini) /Ernest Lush (Piano).1958 3:23
11. Tirolese: La pastorella dell’Alpi (Soirées musicales:Rossini) 2:09
12. Barcorola: La gita in gondola (Soirées musicales:Rossini) 2:54
13. Per la gloria d’adoravi (Griselda:Bononcini) 4:47
14. Cherry Ripe (Horn) with Richard Bonynge (Harpsichord). 1961 1:53
(Tracks 9, 11-13 with Richard Bonynge (Piano). 1960 (T.13= 1961):

Music for Viola & Piano

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

“there is much to be said for the spareness of the contrast achieved by the alto stringed instrument alongside the piano in the more elegiac viola sonata. In this form, the piece is lonelier, the viola nobler. Bashmet’s version of the original version (with Sviatislav Richter on Olympia, recorded in 1985, issued in 1997) makes a very powerful case for it.” (Positive Feedback Online Oct 2006) (5* award on RateYourMusic.com)

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)
Viola Sonata in F major, Op. 11 No. 4
[1] I. Fantasie 3:11
[2] II. Theme with Variations 4:31
[3] III. Finale: Theme with Variations 9:53
Benjamin Britten (1913-76)
[4] Lachrymae for viola and piano, Op. 48 15:06
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75)

Viola Sonata, Op. 147
[5] I. Moderato 11:46
[6] II. Allegretto 6:58
[7] III. Adagio 17:05

Organ Extravaganza !- de Montfort & Holbrook

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

‘two of England’s most powerful organs played superbly just for entertainment’
(Organist’s Review): ‘reference performances recorded with stunning impact’

The Taylor organ in the De Montfort Hall, Leicester

1. Toccata Giubiloso (Jeremy Nicholas) 3:38
2. Danse Macabre (Saint-Saens arr E.H.Lemare) 7:49
3. Prelude in C# minor (Rachmaninov arr Vierne) 4:06
4. Devil’s Galop – “Dick Barton” (Williams arr Blackmore) 1:38
5. Penguins’ Playtime (Nigel Ogden) 2:29
6. In a Persian Market (Ketelbey arr Matthews) 6:09
7. Toccata sur “Pat le Facteur” (Edward Marsh) 5:04
8. Etude Symphonique (Bossi) 4:36
9. Tuba Tune (Norman Cocker) 4:28

The Hill, Norman & Beard organ in the Royal Hospital School Chapel, Holbrook, Suffolk

10. March: The Dam Busters (Eric Coates arr. Edward Marsh) 4:13
11. In Party Mood – “Housewives’ Choice” Theme
(Jack Strachey arr. George Blackmore) 4:14
12. Marche aux Flambeaux (Scotson Clark ed. Edward Marsh) 4:15
13. The Parade of the Tin Soldiers (Leon Jessel) 3:28
14. Stars and Stripes Forever (J.P. Sousa arr. Edward Marsh) 3:46
15. Funeral March of a Marionette – “Hitchcock” Theme
(Gounod arr. W.T. Best) 4:30
16. Colonel Bogey (Kenneth J. Alford) 4:36
17. Chanson de Matin (Elgar arr. A. Herbert Brewer) 2:54
18. Toccata (Joseph Jongen) 4:39

Grieg & Sibelius Favourites ‘From Fjord & Forest’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

‘I enjoyed this (Mackerras) record very much indeed, for its excellent performances, and for its variety, sensibly arranged to afford the greatest enjoyment -a good blend of the very familiar and the less well known….Mackerras is as sympathetic to such things as the Grieg Elegiac Melodies as he is effective with Finlandia. Sibelius’ beautiful Elegy gets a particularly lovely performance. A highly enjoyable miscellany’ (Gramophone)

[1] Grieg orch Huppertz: Wedding Day at Troldhaugen* 5:51
Grieg: Two Elegiac Melodies Op.34*
[2] The Heart Wounds 2:54 [3] Last Spring 4:41
Grieg: Norwegian Melodies Op.63 No.2*
[4] Cow-Keeper’s Tune 3:17 [5] Country Dance 2:11
[6] Sibelius: Valse Triste* Op.44 5:06
Sibelius: from King Christian Suite*
[7] Elegie 5:27 [8] Musette 2:21
Sibelius: from Pelleas and Melisande Suite* Op.46
[9] Entr’acte 2:29 [10] At the Castle Gate 3:19
[11] Grieg: Holberg Suite – 1st movement (RPO/Simonov) 2:48
Grieg: from Peer Gynt Suite (RPO/Ermler)
[12] Morning 4:20
[13] Anitra’s Dance 3:30
[14] Hall of the Mountain King 2:30
[15] Sibelius: Intermezzo from Karelia Suite (RPO/Mackerras) 3:44
[16] Sibelius: The Swan of Tuonela Op.22/3 (RPO/Schmidt) 8:17
(Cor angais solo: Geoffrey Browne)
[17] Sibelius: Finlandia (RPO/Mackerras) 8:29