Nov 2015 – Alto CD

Battle Hymn of the Republic – Very Best of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:57 +0000

This great and popular American Choir, born in 1873, has been referred to by U.S. Presidents as ‘America’s Choir’. Its twin unmatchable legacies are well-sampled here: inspirational and comforting songs from both sides of their Civil War, and favourite hymns in settings popularised across the USA (MusicalMerit)

Further Notes

1. The Battle Hymn Of the Republic (Trad arr P.J.Wilhousky) 1961 3:16
2. Lorena (Trad arr Alexander Schreiner) 1961 4:00
3. Sweet Evelina (Trad arr Leroy J. Robertson) 1961 3:04
4. When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Trad arr P.J. Wilhousky) 1961 2:52
5. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (Trad arr Roy Ringwald) 1961 3:41
6. Dixie (Trad arr Jay Welch) 1961 1:45
7. Aura Lee (Trad arr Leroy J. Robertson) 1961 3:36
8. The Battle Cry Of Freedom (Trad arr Lowell L. Durham) 1961 3:19
9. He’s Gone Away (Trad arr Katherine K. Davis) 1961 3:28
10. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (Trad arr Leroy J. Robertson) 1961 3:22
11. Tenting On The Old Camp Ground (Trad arr Normand Lockwood) 1961 5:14
12. Sheep May Safely Graze (J.S. Bach arr Walton/Davis) 1958 4:46
13. Onward Christian Soldiers (Sullivan/Baring-Gould) 1960 1:53
14. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Bach/Luther) 1958 2:03
15. O God Our Help In Ages Past (Watts/Croft) 1960 1:58
16. I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Edwards/Medley) 1960 2:25
17. David’s Lamentation (Billings) 1959 1:39
18. My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (Thomson) 1962 2:41
19. Come, Come, Ye Saints (Robertson) 1959 2:19
20. Nearer My God To Thee (Adams/Carey) 1960 2:25
21. Rock Of Ages (Rehead/Toplady) 1960 1:33
22. Lead Kindly Light (Trad) 1960 1:51
23. All Creatures Of Our God And King (St.Francis of Assisi) 1960 2:21
24. The Lord’s Prayer (Malotte) 1959 3:12
25. Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah (Hughes/Williams) 1960 2:07
26. Abide With Me (Monk/Lyte) 1960 2:07

Alfred Schnittke: Viola & Cello (no.1) Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:57 +0000

“Both these especially lyrical works were composed specifically for (these) star players whose recordings have generally been accepted as definitive….(Viola) Improving on Yuri Bashmet’s recordings…was never going to be an easy task. Other performers may play the piece, but Bashmet lives it” (Cello):“The Schnittke concerto was written for Gutman, and she takes possession of it with playing that blazes with emotional conviction as well as technical command…(It) comes to life…in a finale that seems to cross the anguished soul-searching of the last section of Berg’s Violin Concerto with the heaven-storming assertions that conclude Mahler’s Third Symphony. Schnittke added (this) after his near fatal illness in 1985, and its blend of triumph and foreboding is awesome” (© Gramophone)

Viola Concerto (1985) (35.21)

[1] Largo 4:52
[2] Allegro molto 13:00
[3] Largo 17:39

Cello Concerto No.1 (1986) (42.14)

[4] Pesante. Moderato 14:58
[5] Largo 10:23
[6] Allegro vivace 3:34
[7] Largo 13:18

Ashkenazy plays Chopin

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“Ashkenazy won second prize at the Frédéric Chopin Competition in Warsaw (1955), first prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels (1956) and shared first prize in the Tchaikovsky Competition (1962), after which his career took off worldwide. This collection is devoted to Chopin, whose works have been central to Ashkenazy’s career and for whose music he has won so many awards”(MusicalMerit)

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

Widor: Organ Symphony No.5 & excerpts Sym.6 & 8. Romantic French Organ Encores

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“Sanger’s account of the Widor No.5 is first class in every respect and is recorded with fine bloom and clarity. His restraint in registering the central movements prevents Widor’s cosy melodic inspiration from sounding sentimental, and the finale is exciting without being overblown. The organ has a pleasingly wide palette of colour, suprisingly well suited to this repertoire” (Penguin 3 stars)

Widor: Symphony No.5 in F minor, Op.42 No.1

[1] Allegro vivace 10:18
[2] Allegro cantabile 7:13
[3] Andantino quasi allegretto 7:25
[4] Adagio 4:43
[5] Toccata: Allegro 5:39

Widor: Symphony No.8 in B major, Op.42 No.4 (excerpt)

[6] Prelude: Adagio 3:49

Widor: Symphony No.6 in G major, Op.42 No.2 (excerpt)

[7] Allegro 8:24
[8] Jongen: Sonata Eroica, Op.94 17:35
[9] Mulet: Tu Es Petra 4:40
[10] Gigout: Minuetto 4:24
[11] Boellmann: Toccata (Suite Gothique, Op.25) 3:48

Debussy: String Quartet / Sonata for Cello Ravel: String Quartet : Introduction & Allegro

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

(Cello Sonata) “triumphant … Rostropovich’s own superb playing in a variety of styles, admirably partnered by Britten (an outstanding chamber music pianist), a splendid performance of the Debussy sonata … notable for its sensitivity, fluidity and fantasy, and the remarkable rapport evidently existing between these two artists” (Gramophone) (Ravel): “beauty & subtlety of Ravel’s sublime septet are marvellously realised by this account…great delicacy of feeling…superb in every way … Osian Ellis’ fine musicianship…fine technique and musicality” (Penguin Guide) (Quartets: Not Reviewed UK)

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
String Quartet in G minor, Op.10

[1] I. Animé et très décidé 6:16
[2] II. Assez vif et bien rythmé 3:33
[3] III. Andantino, doucement expressif 7:03
[4] IV. Très modéré – En animant peu à peu
– Très mouvementé et avec passion 7:14
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
String Quartet in F major
The Borodin Quartet
[5] I. Allegro moderato – très doux 8:37
[6] II. Assez vif – très rythmé 6:19
[7] III. Très lent 10:24
[8] IV. Vif et agité 5:06
Claude Debussy: Sonata for Cello & Piano
[9] I. Prologue: Lent, sostenuto e molto risoluto 5:05
[10] II. Sérénade: Modérément animé 3:26
[11] III. Finale: Animé, léger et nerveux 3:47
Maurice Ravel: Introduction & Allegro
[12] Introduction and Allegro for harp,
flute, clarinet and string quartet 10:15

Royal Ballet Gems: Les Deux Pigeons / Dante Sonata

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“Les deux pigeons, with its prettily romantic and engagingly French music was refashioned by John Lanchbery, in favour of Ashton’s eternal triangle. The pigeons remain, to add a nice sentimental touch to the romantic reconciliation of the lovers. Wordsworth’s performance is most elegantly turned, and very agreeable listening. Lambert’s masterly transcription of Liszt’s Dante Sonata is a tour de force of romantic hyperbole … as it swings between gloomy intensity and sweet celestial romanticism … played with great conviction and ardour. (Both) scores are played with finesse, colour and commitment. The recording is excellent. Recommended.” (Gramophone)

André Messager (1853-1929) arr Lanchbery:
Les Deux Pigeons (1886)

ACT 1

1. Introduction 4:28
2. Scène 2 – Entrée de Mikalia 1:40
3. Scène 3 – Entrée de Pepio 1:36
4. Pas de deux pigeons 3.48
5. Danse des jeunes filles 1:02
6. Allegro agitato 1:28
7. Scène 4 – Entrée des Bohémiens 3:04
8. Musique de scène 0:30
9. Thème (et Variations) 1:35
10. Variation 1 1:08
11. Variation 2 0:47
12. Variation finale 2:14
13. Musique de scène 4:56

ACT 2

14. Prélude 3:24
15. Valse 3:37
16. Divertissement 2:38
17. Gourouli seule 2:01
18. Variation de M.Vasques 0:53
19. Danse Bohémienne 3:48
20. Finale 3:31
21. Le Retour 13:48
Franz Liszt (arr Lambert):
22. Dante Sonata (Jonathan Higgins – piano) 15:55

Mendelssohn String Quartets Op.13, Op.80 & 4 Pieces Op.81

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“the searing intensity of the Elias’s playing lays bare their shock value (of these Quartets) … Twenty years separate the two quartets, and what a distance he travelled in that time. Yet Op.13 was already an extraordinarily confident piece .. In the Elias’s reading there is a wonderful story-telling aspect to the Intermezzo … in the remarkable Quartet #6 Op.80 the Elias clearly have four powerful personalities at work – how much more they bring out the heart-stopping melodies that seem to flow so effortlessly – apt given that he wrote it in the wake of his sister Fanny’s death … melodies in such movements as the gentle, consolatory theme that opens the slow movement of the Sixth, or the second of the Four Pieces (Op.81)”(Gramophone)

String Quartet No.2 in A minor, Op.13 (1827)

- [1] I. Adagio- allegro vivae 8:16
- [2] II. Adagio non lento 8:27
- [3] III. Intermezzo; Allegretto con moto – Allegro di molto – Tempo 1 4:17
- [4] IV. Presto- adagio 9:42

Four Pieces, Op.81 (1827-47)

- [5] I. Fugue in E flat: A tempo ordinario (1827) 5:21
- [6] II. Capriccio in E minor: Andante con moto
  – Allegro fugato, assai vivace (1843) 5:26
- [7] III. Theme and variations in E: Andante
  – Un poco più animato – Presto – Andante (1847) 5:39
- [8] IV. Scherzo in A minor: Allegro leggiero (1847) 3:27

String Quartet No.6 in F minor, Op.80 (1847)

[9] I. Allegro vivace assai – Presto 7:13
[10] II. Allegro assai 4:56
[11] III. Adagio 8:11
[12] IV. Finale: Allegro molto 5:49

Mozart: The Two Piano Quartets K478, K493

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“Mozart’s piano quartets, sharply contrasted, are among the finest of his chamber works, with K478 bringing depths that G minor always seems to draw from him. This new performance … has a better, more just balance, so that sparkling piano is a constant delight … partnered by an exceptionally strong trio of string players … lighter and faster than rivals, yet dazzlingly clear… The E flat K493 … more orchestral texture, but again this performance is lighter and the slow movement more tenderly expressive. In the finale too the Nash play with extra sparkle, with rhythms jauntily sprung … far more charming than … rivals, and the rapid triplet figuration is a delight to the ear … this new offering stands among the finest.”(Gramophone)

Piano Quartet in G minor, K478 (1785)
[1] I: Allegro 14:24
[2] II: Andante 6:57
[3] III: Rondo: Allegro moderato 7:45
Piano Quartet in E flat, K493 (I786)
[4] I: Allegro 15:20
[5] Il: Larghetto 13:22
[6] III: Allegretto 8:51