June 2015 – Alto CD

Bach & Vivaldi Double Violin Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“Oistrakh’s justly renowned performances … the playing is peerless. In the Bach Double Concerto, father and son are suitably contrasted in timbre and the performance of the great slow movement is Elysian.” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)
“The soloists play on the string almost throughout, with much less staccato than most listeners will be used to … and there is some delightful and assured playing all through. (Vivaldi): … the harpsichord comes to life with a vengeance, being especially enterprising in the finale. The playing of the two soloists is, needless to say, the height of efficiency.” (Gramophone)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Concerto for Two Violins in D minor BWV1043*
1. I. Vivace – 4:11 2. II. Largo ma non tanto – 7:26 3. III. Allegro – 5:15
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Concerto for Two Violins in G minor P366 (RV517)**
4. I. Allegro – 3:32 5. II. Andante – 2:05 6. III. Allegro – 3:35
Concerto for Two Violins in D major P189 (RV512)**
7. I. Allegro molto – 3:10 8. II. Largo – 2:37 9. III. Allegro – 3:10
Concerto for Two Violins in C minor P436 (RV509)**
10. I. Allegro ma poco e cantabile – 4:08
11. II. Andante molto – 2:52 12. III. Allegro – 2:51
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor P281 (RV514)**
13. I. Allegro non molto– 4:05 14. II. Adagio – 3:29 15. III. Allegro molto – 3:12
Concerto Grosso in A minor Op.3 No.8 ‘The Echo’ P2 (RV522)*
From L’estro armonico (Con violino principale con altro per eco in lontano)
16. I. Allegro – 3:53 17. II. Larghetto e spiritoso – 4:22 18. III. Allegro – 3:57

Emil Gilels in Leningrad Chopin – Schumann – Liszt

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“Now here was a great pianist if ever there was one.” (of 1968 concert, part here): Such is the quality of his pianism … highly recommendable issue … There are some smudges but of little account given the musical insights and the beauty of sound he produced . The Rhapsodie Espagnole is pretty breathtaking.” (Penguin Guide)

Frederic Chopin:
Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat minor ‘Funeral March’, Op.35
1 Grave – Doppio movimento 5:31
2 Scherzo 6:52
3 Marche funebre: Lento 7:29
4 Finale: Presto 1:28
5 Etude in A flat major, Op.Posth. No.3 1:57
6 Etude in F minor, Op.25 No.2 1:24
Robert Schumann: Piano Sonata in F sharp minor, Op.11
7 Introduzione: Un poco adagio – Allegro vivace 9:13
8 Aria 2:52
9 Scherzo e intermezzo 4:12
10 Finale: Allegro un poco maestoso 11:30
11 Franz Liszt: Rhapsodie Espagnole 12:58

LA TRAVIATA (Verdi : Piave)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“Anna Moffo makes a most beautiful Violetta in a performance that is never less than sympathetic … her unaffected manner and and care for phrasing and tonal nuances make for a performance to match amost any in the catalogue at whatever price. Richard Tucker makes for a strong but not coarse Alfred … the casting is more consistent than most versions.” (Penguin Guide). “the intelligence of the performance very pleasing. She can really ‘ask a question’ in singing, can differentiate clearly between remorse and gratitude. The great duo scene with Germont is very delicately done. I have pleasure and growing admiration in many details in the performance (including) the dignity and resignation in the beautiful Addio del passato (lovely phrasing) in replay after replay. Robert Merrill puts a lovely baritone to the service of (the father). This is a sound I like to listen to” (Gramophone)

Violetta Valery …………………………………………. Anna Moffo
Alfredo Germont…………………………………………………. Richard Tucker
Giorgio Germont…………………………………………………..Robert Merrill
Flora Bervoix ……………………………………………………. Anna Reynolds
Annina……………………………………………………………. Liliana Poli
Gastone ………………………………………………………….. Piero de Palma
Baron Duphol…………………………………………………………..Franco Calabrese
with the Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
conducted by Fernando Previtali

CD One (63:38)
Act One
1. Prelude – 3:47
2. Dell’invito trascorsa e gia l’ora – 4:51
3. Brindisi: Libiamo ne’lieti calice – 2:54
4. Che e cio? – 2:16
5. Un di, felice, eterea – 3:14
6. Ebben? Che diavol fate? – 3:01
7. E strano! e strano! – 1:15
8. Ah, fors’ é lui – 2:53
9. Follie! Follie! – 0:53
10. Sempre libera – 3:33
Act Two, Scene One
11. Lungi da lei per me non v’ha diletto! – 1:44
12. De’ miei bollenti spiriti – 1:56
13. Annina, donde vieni? – 0:50
14. Alfredo? – 0:41
15. Madamigella Valéry? – 3:05
16. Pura siccome un angelo – 3:01
17. E grave il sagrifizio – 3:31
18. Ah! Dite alla giovine – 4:16
19. Imponete – 1:13
20. Morro! La mia memoria non fia ch’ci maledica – 3:39
21. Dammi tu forza, o cielo!…Amami, Alfredo – 3:43
22. Ah, vive sol quel core all’amor mio! – 2:09
23. Di Provenza il mar – 5:01
Disc Two (78:08)
Act Two, Scene Two
1. Avrem lieta di maschere la notte…Noi siamo zingarelle – 4:08
2. Di Madride noi siam mattadori – 2:42
3. Alfredo! Voi! – 0:33
4. Qui desiata giungi – 3:22
5. Invitato a qui segiurmi – 2:00
6. Ne appellaste? Che volete? – 0:29
7. Ogni suo aver tal temmina – 1:44
8. Di sprezzo degno – 1:46
9. Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core – 1:47
10. Quanto peni! fa cor! – 2:29
Act Three
11. Prelude – 3:41
12. Annina? – 4:17
13. Teneste la promessa – 1:29
14. Addio, del passato – 2:40
15. Largo al quadrupede – 0:46
16. Signora! – 1:36
17. Parigi, o cara – 3:39
18. Ah, non piu, a un tempio – 1:18
19. Ma se tornando non m’hai salvato…Ah! Gran Dio! Morir si giovine – 1:58
20. Ah, Violetta! – 1:15
21. Piu a me t’appressa – 0:26
22. Prendi, quest’e l’immagine – 3:04
23. E strano! – 1:08
Verdi “Bonus” Arias with Maria Callas
(from Verdi Arias & Mad Scenes ALC 1156)
24. Nel di della vittoria…Vieni! T’affretta 7:47
25. La luce langue 4:09
26. Sleepwalking Scene: Una macchia 11:17
(all above: Macbeth:Verdi:Piave & Maffei)
27. Surta è la notte…Ernani Ernani involami…
Tutto sprezzo che d’Ernani (Ernani) 6:13

Sax with Cocktails

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

Latest in the highly successful ‘Jazz for Cocktails’ series (ALN 1915, 1925, 1940)
“This inspired new instrumental volume features 23 Saxophone Masterpieces by All-Time Great artists providing another superior musical evening”

1. Cocktails for Two (Johnston/Coslow) 2.40
Ben Webster & Coleman Hawkins with Oscar Peterson 1957
2. Cry Me a River (Hamilton) Dexter Gordon 1955 3.11
3. Night and Day (Porter) Don Byas 1951 2.34
4. Autumn Leaves (Kosma/Prevert) Stan Getz 1952 3.05
5. Nancy (with the Laughing Face)(Van Heusen/Silvers) John Coltrane 1962. 3.11
6. Dearly Beloved (Kern/Mercer) – Sonny Rollins 1957 3.03
7. Stardust (Carmichael/Parish) Lester Young with Oscar Peterson 1952 3.33
8. Besame Mucho (Velasquez/Skylar) Art Pepper 1956 3.57
9. Blue and Sentimental (Basie/Livingston/David) Georgie Auld 1953 4.20
10. Memories of You (Blake/Razaf) Lee Konitz 1957 3.11
11. Don’t Blame Me (McHigh/Fields) Charlie Parker 1947 2.45
12. Fools Rush In (Bloom/Mercer) Zoot Sims 1956 4.28
13. La Vie en Rose (Louiguy/Piaf) Sonny Stitt 1952 3.03
14. Warm Valley (Ellington) Johnny Hodges 1954 3.23
15. There Will Never be Another You (Warren/Gordon) 3.25
Lester Young with Oscar Peterson 1952
16. Detour Ahead (Carter/Ellis/Frigo) Stan Getz with Oscar Peterson 1957 3.35
17. Street of Dreams (Young/Lewis) Gene Ammons 1952 2.55
18. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers/Hart) Gerry Mulligan 1958 2.55
19. A Gentle Breeze (Sears/Raleigh/Lovett) Johnny Hodges 1951 3.18
20. Body and Soul (Green/Eyton/Heyman/Sour) Gerry Mulligan 1955 5.43
21. These Foolish Things (Strachey/Maschwitz) Art Pepper 1953 2.39
22. A Foggy Day (in London Town) (G. & I. Gershwin) 2.40
Cannonball Adderley 1957
23. With a Song in My Heart (Rodgers/Hart) Sonny Rollins 1951 3.06

Elgar: Cello Concerto Serenade for Strings

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:13 +0000

“this has a freshness and vitality that suggest Tortelier has pointedly re-studied the score … Tortelier’s playing is admirably faithful to Elgar’s markings. The work’s emotional impact is projected without maudlin sentiment… all the more moving for being simple and unaffected (and how beautifully Groves and the RPO treat the accompaniment). Like the composer, Tortelier reserves the fullest weight for the finale … a bright, resonant recording, ideally balanced, to my ears…. The same lofty musicianship and quest for beauty of sound are encountered in the Rococo Variations….Dvořák’s charming Rondo in G minor, wuth faint pre-echoes of the concerto that was to follow.” © Gramophone

Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85

1. Adagio – Moderato 7:25
2. Allegro molto 4:28
3. Adagio 4:22
4. Allegro- Moderato-Allegro ma non troppo 11:42
5. Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 19:14
6. Dvořák: Rondo in G minor, Op.94 7:43

Elgar: Serenade for Strings, Op.20

7. Allegro piacevole 3:32
8. Largo 6:33
9. Allegretto 3:05

Schubert String Quintet in C major Mozart Divertimento K136 ‘Salzburg Symphony #1’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:13 +0000

“a virile performance of what is arguably Schubert’s greatest chamber work. Their style is direct with no mannerisms whatsoever … depth of concentration that the players convey in every bar… Finale is fresh and rustic-sounding … In the slow movement (they) adopt the slowest possible adagio.. the inner tension (of which) holds one breathless through hushed pianissimos of the most intense beauty … This is a clear first bargain choice, and there are few premium-priced discs which approach let alone match its intensity” (Penguin Guide, 3 stars)

Schubert: Quintet in C major, Op.163, D956

[1] I allegro ma non troppo 15:45
[2] II adagio 15:31
[3] III Scherzo: presto 12:06
[4] IV allegretto 10:25

Mozart: Divertimento in D major, K.136 / “Salzburg Symphony No.1”

[5] I allegro 5:37
[6] II andante 7:16
[7] III presto 3:42

Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No.2 / Souvenir de Florence (sextet)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:13 +0000

‘The Second Quartet in particular is a most memorable piece, with its first-movement fusion of song, dance and symphonic rhetoric, its action-packed sequences and strong melodies. (Souvenir): Rostropovich is, of course, a compelling presence … driving tempos, distinguished solo work and an overall interpretation that is notably exciting in its own right.’ (Gramophone) ‘Both their earlier recordings (as here) are unassailable recommendations. Look no further’ (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.22 [35:03]

[1] Adagio – Moderato assai 11:36
[2] Scherzo: Allegro giusto 5:23
[3] Andante ma non tanto 12:23
[4] Finale: Allegro con moto 5:40

Souvenir de Florence (sextet) in D minor, Op.70 [33:54]
Also with Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) and Genrikh Talalyan (viola)

[5] I. Allegro con spirito 10:11
[6] II. Adagio cantabile e con moto 10:31
[7] III. Allegretto moderato 6:17
[8] IV. Allegro con brio e vivace 6:53

Borodin Quartet play Haydn & Mozart favourites Haydn String Quartet Op.64/5 ‘The Lark’ Mozart String Quartet No 15, K421; Clarinet Quintet K581

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:13 +0000

‘

1st issue in west: „(One of the few Soviet groups) often given permission to play outside the USSR, the Borodin Quartet became internationally famous through concerts and recordings and they became particularly associated with the works of Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky.“ (James Murray)

F. Josef Haydn: String Quartet in D major, Op.64 No.5 ‘Lark’ [18:59]

[1] Allegro moderato 6:44
[2] Adagio cantabile 6:17
[3] Menuetto: Allegretto 3:43
[4] Finale: Vivace 2:13

W.A. Mozart: String Quartet No.15 in D minor, K421/417b [20:31]

[5] Allegro 5:15
[6] Andante 6:22
[7] Menuetto: Allegretto 3:46
[8] Allegro ma non troppo – Piu allegro 5:05

W.A. Mozart: Quintet in A major for Clarinet & String Quartet, K581 [28:15]

[9] Allegro 6:39
[10] Larghetto 6:31
[11] Menuetto 6:28
[12] Allegretto con variazioni 8:35