Nov 2018 – Alto CD

Edward Elgar: Symphony No.1; In the South

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:12 +0000

“a blaze from heaven descended on him while he was conducting this extremely good First Symphony. He sets a well-nigh perfect tempo for the march and follows with a really lively, excited allegro. Even better though, the playing captures that elusive vein of fantasy that is Elgar … moments of magic explain why Elgar wraps himself round our hearts … are all here in the beautifully balanced recording. Marriner knows where he is going and the final pages are superb.” (Gramophone)

In the South (Alassio) Op.50 – Concert Overture
[1] Vivace 21:15
Symphony No.1 in A flat, Op.55
[2] I. Andante. Nobilmente e semplice 18:16
[3] II. Allegro molto 7:02
[4] III. Adagio 14:09
[5] IV. Lento-allegro 12:42

Andrés Segovia: ‘Guitar Fantasia’: Rodrigo * Ponce * Castelnuovo-Tedesco * Villa-Lobos * Albéniz

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:12 +0000

“an outstanding production for the interest of the music, and for the superb quality of both playing and recording. Manuel Ponce’s concerto for Segovia has symphonic leanings … and southerly leanings, extending to authentic native tunes and sultry guitar rhythms. The combination is fascinating … Rodrigo’s Fantasia benefits from the tone-colour of the guitar, enhanced further by this particularly good recording … Segovia ensures for posterity … his superlative playing” (Gramophone)

Fantasia para un Gentilhombre (Rodrigo) [21:31]
with the Symphony of the Air conducted by Enrique Jorda, 1958
[1] Villano y Ricercare (Adagietto – Andante moderato) 4:49
[2] La Españoleta – Toques de la Caballeria de Nápoles
(Adagio – Allegretto molto ritmico) 9:16
[3] Danza de las Hachas (Allegro con brio) 2:11
[4] Canario (Allegro ma non troppo) 5:14
Concierto del Sur (Ponce) [25:23]
with the Symphony of the Air conducted by Enrique Jorda, 1958
[5] Allegretto 13:00
[6] Andante 6:29
[7] Allegro moderato e festivo 5:52
[8] Capriccio Diabolico (Castelnuovo-Tedesco) 1954 9:10
[9] Theme, Variations and Finale (Ponce) 1954 7:55
[10] Prelude No.1 in E minor (Villa-Lobos) 1952 4:20
[11] Leyenda (Albéniz) Rec.1952 6:24

Mahler: Symphony 9 (+interview), Symphony 4

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:12 +0000

(in the year before Dr.Walter’s own death .. his friend Mahler’s own 9th symphony) “he unerringly builds up consistent structure, controlling tempo closely … middle movements are sharply focussed, and the finale tough and stoically strong” (3 stars) (4th) “sound has attractively vivid detail, naturally glowing … everything Reiner does sounds spontaneous … Viennese influence strong … slow movement striking intensity … Lisa della Casa in ravishing voice” (both Penguin Guide)

Movie Magic: 20 big Themes – Space, Action & Romance

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:12 +0000

‘Films are fantasy – and fantasy needs music’ (Jack L Warner / Warner Bros.)

[1] Star Wars (Episode 4) (John Williams) 5:35
[2] 633 Squadron (Ron Goodwin) 3:04
[3] Thunderbirds (Barry Gray) 2:53
[4] Gigi (Theme and Thank Heaven) (Frederick Loewe)* 4:16
[5] Bridge on the River Kwai (Kenneth Alford, Malcolm Arnold)* 2:53
[6] Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Theme & Moon River) (Henry Mancini)* 3:26
[7] Theme from Superman (John Williams) 4:34
[8] The Big Country (Jerome Moross) 3:08
[9] Laura (Dave Raksin)*/** 4:12
[10] Guns of Navarone (Dmitri Tiomkin)* 2:42
[11] Somewhere in Time (John Barry)*/** 3:57
[12] Carousel Waltz (Rodgers)* 3:08
[13] The Magnificent Seven (Elmer Bernstein) 3:53
[14] Bilitis (Francis Lai)*/** 3:11
[15] Raiders of the Lost Ark (John Williams) 4:23
[16] The Deer Hunter (Stanley Myers)** 2:13
[17] The Great Escape (Elmer Bernstein)* 2:38
[18] Chi Mai / Life & Times of David Lloyd George (Ennio Morricone)* 4:02
[19] James Bond Medley (Main Themes) (Monty Norman, John Barry) 9:05
[20] Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams)* 5:13

Czech Piano Music Anthology (Dvořák – Fibich – Janáček – Smetana)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:12 +0000

(Dvořák) ‘he plays the set with great understanding … deft and sensitive’ (Fibich): ‘full of strong poetic feeling and beauty of melodic line … played with great sensitivity and subtlety … haunting music, fine pianism” (Penguin Guide) (Janáček): ‘Kvapil responds most vividly to the shorter pieces on this excellent record … interesting, intelligent and well-executed performances’ (Smetana): ‘Smetana’s originality is better revealed in the shorter pieces …. comparisons with Chopin….same ability to take a national dance and turn it into harmonic and rhythmic explorations.’ (most: Gramophone)

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) (on Composer’s Boesendorfer)
Tema Con Variazione (Op.36) [B.65]
[1] Tema, tempo di minuetto 15.15
(Variations I to VIII)
Poetické Nálady (Poetic Tone Pictures) (Op.85) [ B.161]
[2] No.I Noční cestou (On the Road at Night) 5:31
[3] No.2 žertem (Toying) 4:17
[4] No.3 Na starém hradě (At the Old Castle) 4:06
[5] No.4 Jarní (Spring Song) 3.57
[6] No.5 Selská balada (Peasant’s Ballad) 3:40
[7] No.6 Vzpomínání (Reverie) 4:03
[8] No.7 Furiant 2:53
[9] No.8 Rej skřítků (Goblin’s Dance) 3:12
[10] No.9 Serenáda (Serenade) 4:25
[11] No.10 Bakchanale (Bacchanale) 4:27
[12] No.11 Na táčkách (Tittle-tattle) 4:01
[13] No.12 U mohyly (At a Hero’s Grave) 5:10
[14] No.13 Na svaté hoře (At Svatá Hora) 2:44
Zdeněk Fibich (1850-1900): Piano Music
Nálady, dojmy a upominky (opp. 41,44,47, & 57) (1982-99)
(Moods, Impressions, and Reminiscences)
[1] No.358 Tema con variazione, E minor/major (0p.57) 8:04
[2] No.20 Zárlivosti, g minor (Op.41) 2:11
[3] No. 24 Sny, kdyby se ze žárlivosti zabil, g minor (Op.41) 2:15
[4] No.35 a minor (Op.41) 1:28
[5] No.67 Znaménka na Anežčine krku, C major (Op.41) 1:12
[6] No.127 Jak jsme spolu rozmlouvali, C major (Op.41) 1:42
[7] No.139 Večery na žofine, D flat major (Op.41) 1:14
[8] No.183 Anežčin portret, B flat major (Op.44) 2:53
[9] No.21 Fantasticá soirée, b flat minor (Op.41) 1:27
[10] No.25 Jak udelal Anežce bolest, f minor (Op.41) 2:30
[11] No.19 e minor (Op.41) 2:22
[12] No.103 a minor (op.41) 1:56
[13] No.81 b flat minor (Op.41) 1:26
[14] No.87 B flat major (Op.41) 0:54
[15] No.94 č, A flat major (Op.41) 2:21
[16] No.281 d minor (Op.47) 1:35
[17] No.282 f# minor (Op.47) 1:09
[18] No.355 A major (Op.57) 2:46
[19] No.368 d minor (Op.57) 2:46
Malírské studie (Op.56) (1898-99) (Studies of Paintings)
[20] Lesní samota (Forest Solitude) F major 7:00
[21] Spor masopustu s postem (Quarrel between Shrovetide and Lent), C major 5:12
[22] Rej blažených (Dance of the Blessed Ones), C major 3:35
[23] Jo a Jupiter (Io and Jupiter) , E minor 6:22
[24] Zahradní slavnost (The Garden Party), C major 5:50
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) Radoslav Kvapil, (Steinway piano)
Po zarostlém chodníčku – I řada (On an Overgrown Path- Book I)
[1] Naše večery (Our Evenings) – moderato 4:14
[2] Lístek odvanutý (A Leaf Blown by the Wind) – andante 3:36
[3] Pojdte s náme (Come with Us) – andante – 1:20
[4] Frýdecká panna Maria (The Virgin of Fyrdek) – grave- 3:57
[5] štebetlay jak laštovičky (They chatted like Little Swallows) con moto- 2:09
[6] Nelze domluvit (Words fail me !) – andante- 2:26
[7] Dobrou noc! (Good Night !) –andante- 3:29
[8] Tak neskonale úzko (Unutterable Anguish) –andante 3:22
[9] V pláči (In Tears) – larghetto 3:05
[10] Sýček neodletel ! (The Little Owl still calls) –andante 4:11
Po zarostlém chodníčku – II řada (On an Overgrown Path, Book II)
[11] Andante 2:57
[12] Allegretto 4:01
[13] Piu mosso 2:44
[14] Vivo 2:43
[15] Allegro-adagio 5:50

I:x:1905 (Piano Sonata)

[16] Předtucha (Con moto) 6:10
[17] Smrt (Adagio) 6:29

V mlhách (In the Mists)

[18] Andante 3:35
[19] Molto adagio 4:32
[20] Andantino 3:40
[21] Presto 4:10
Smetana: Dances and Dreams for Piano
(From) Tři salonni polky (Three Salon Polkas) (Op.7) (1854)*
[1] Polka in F# major – vivo 4:30
[2] Polka in E major – allegretto ma non troppo 1:49
(From) Tři poetickě polky (Three Poetic Polkas) (Op.8) (1854)*
[3] Polka in Ab major – allegro 2:27
Sny (Dreams) (1875)*
[4] Zaniklé šteští (Bygone Happiness) – vivo – quasi andante – più vivo 4:20
[5] Útecha (Consolation) – moderato – moderato assai – lento –
poco meno allegro 4:45
[6] V Čechhách – vsenický příbeh (In Bohemia – Country Tale)
moderato e rubato – più allegro – più vivo 5:09
[7] V salone (In the Salon) – allegro comodo 3:51
[8] Před hradem (Before the Castle) – moderato ma energico 5:00
[9] Slavnost českých venkovanů (Festival of Bohemian Country Folk)
molto vivace – vivo ed energico – più lento – Tempo I – presto 4:47

české tance (Czech Dances) II (1879)

[10] Furiant 5:47
[11] Slepička (Little hen) 3:17
[12] Oves (Oats) 5:09
[13] Medvěd (The Bear) 3:25
[14] Cibulička (Little Onion) 4:53
[15] Dupák (Stomp Dance) 3:51
[16] Hulán (The Lancer) 4:55
[17] Obkročák (Stepping Round) 3:21
[18] Sousedská (Neighbour’s Dance ) 4:38
[19] Skočná (Hopping Dance) 3:38

David Oistrakh: Encores

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:11 +0000

(contains EMI’s Great Recordings collection plus 6 more !) “the playing itself is certainly as beautiful as one could imagine, with good balance on the stereo between violin and piano.” (Gramophone) “the kind of favourites that flecked his concerts with such consistent beauty. The subtlety of his vibrato usage and the sophistication he employs bring their own very true rewards. As indeed does the certain tristesse he finds in the final bars – unusually so.” (MusicWeb)

[1] Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune 4:37
[2] Manuel de Falla: Jota (from Suite Populaire Espagnole,
for violin & piano (arr. by Kochanski) 2:57
[3] Eugene Ysaÿe: Extase, Op.21 9:45
[4] Pyotr Tchaikovsky: Valse Scherzo in C major, Op.34 5:26
[5] Josef Suk: Love Song, Op.7, No.1 (Liebeslied) (arr.Kocian) 6:02
[6] Zoltan Kodály: Three Hungarian Folk Dances (Kállai kettos),
for violin & piano (authorized arr. Fejgin) 4:15
[7] Henryk Wieniawski: Légende in G minor, Op. 17 7:21
[8] Aleksander Zarzycki: Mazurka in G major for violin & piano, Op.26. 4:45
[9] Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances (Rumänische Volkstänze) 5:37
[10] Karel Szymanowski: The Fountain of Arethusa 5:17
[11] Pancho Vladigeroff: Song from the Bulgarian Suite, Op. 21/2 6:19
[12] Sergei Prokofiev: The Love for the Three Oranges (March) 1:33
[13] Sergei Rachmaninov: Vocalise (arr.violin & piano) Op.34/14 6:49
[14] Aram Khachaturian: Dance in B flat major 4:19

Baroque Christmas: Sanctus

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:11 +0000

“this is a studiously well-curated programme (by Jeffrey Skidmore) of music for the Nativity, almost all from the baroque period. In our view It provides a superior and enjoyable listening experience for Christmas-time” (MusicalMerit) “Recommended very strongly indeed !” (Organists Review magazine)

1. SANCTUS (J S Bach) 5:31
2. NOIE, NOIE EST VENUE (Montancy)
NOUS SOMMES EN VOYE (Anon. 1:38
3. NOE, NOE! PASTORES,CANTATE DOMINO (Bouzignac) 4:18
4. TOUS LES BOURGEOIS DE CHASTRE (Crestot)
TOUS LES BOURGEOIS DE CHARTRES (Corrette) 0:46
5. SALVE PUERULE (Charpentier) 6:16
6. ECCO IL MESSIA (Anon.) 4:30
7. MAGNIFICAT a 14 (G Gabrieli) 6:31
8. CHRISTE, REDEMPTOR OMNIUM (Monteverdi) 2:50
9. CONCERTO GROSSO, Op.6 No.8. Fatto per la notte di Natale (Corelli) 14:55
10. QUANDO NASCETTE NINNO (Anon.) 2:25
11. MESSIAH (Handel) Pifa (“Pastoral Symphony”) – There were shepherds –
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them – And the angel said unto
them – And suddenly there was with the angel – Glory to God 4:18
12. THUS ANGELS SUNG (Gibbons) 1:23
13. WIE SOLL ICH DICH EMPFANGEN? (J S Bach) 1:28
14. HODIE CHRISTUS NATUS EST (Sweelinck) 3:40
15. IN DULCI JUBILO (Scheidt) 3:47
16. EHRE SEI GOTT (Schütz) 2:26
17. IN DULCI JUBILO (Buxtehude) 7:01
18. ACH MEIN HERZLIEBES JESULEIN (J S Bach) 1:23

Sibelius Piano Music

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:11 +0000

“a sympathetic and sensitive guide to this repertoire …. well recorded. She produces a wide range of keyboard colour and a good dynamic range. On the whole the set makes a clear first choice in this repertoire” (Penguin Guide 3 stars) “She is not one of the bash and glitter school. Her approach reaches the heart of the music by stealth … soft playing which is yet deep in tone” (Musical Opinion)

[1] Valse Triste 4:48
[2] Oeillet, Op.85 No.2 2:06
[3] March, Op.5 No.3 2:10
[4] Romance, Op.24 No.9 4:14
[5] Air de Danse, Op.34 No.2 0:56
[6] Kavaljeren 1:29
[7] Impromptu, Op.5 No.5 3:33
[8] Valse, Op.34 No.1 2:07
[9] Mandolinato 1:11
[10] Gavotte, Op.94 No.6 1:45
[11] Romance, Op.24 No.2 7:28
[12] Valsette, Op.40 No.1 1:02
[13] Humoresque, Op.40 No.3 1:16
[14] Berceuse, Op.40 No.5 2:00
[15] Polonaise, Op.40 No.10 1:39
[16] Bells, Op.65 (Kallion) 2:44
[17] Musical Box, Op.76 No.9 1:11
[18] Kleiner Walzer, Op.97 No.3 1:29
[19] Rondoletto, Op.40 No.7 1:20
[20] The Oarsman, Op.103 No.3 2:33
[21] Petite Marche, Op.99 No.8 1:25
[22] Valse Lyrique, Op.96a 5:28
[23] Esquisse, Op.76 No.1 0:57
[24] Danse, Op.94 No.1 1:06
[25] Etude, Op.76 No.2 1:21
[26] Nocturne, Op.24 No.8 3:10
[27] Romance, Op.101 No.1 3:56
[28] Finlandia, Op.26 No.7 9:14

Rodrigo: Guitar Concerto (‘de Aranjuez’); Fantasia para un Gentilhombre; Harp Concerto (Concierto Serenata); Zarabanda Lejana

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:11 +0000

(Guitar) “Yepes’ cadenza is as clean and bright as a new pin, and his rapid repeated-note finish is fantastic.” “I am coming to regard the Fantasia para un gentilhombre with its gracious nobility and baroque feeling as a masterpiece to match the more famous Concierto de Aranjuez.” (Harp): “Zabaleta plays most beautifully and the recording is immaculate.” (Gramophone)

Concierto de Aranjuez (1939) [21:05]
Narciso Yepes (guitar) / Spanish National Orchestra / Ataulfo Argenta
1. Allegro con spirito 5:56
2. Adagio 9:53
3. Allegro gentile 5:15
Fantasia para un Gentilhombre (1954) ‘Fantasia for a Courtier’ [22:20]
Narciso Yepes (guitar) / Spanish National Orchestra / Rafael Frübeck de Burgos
4. Villano y Ricercare (Adagietto – Andante moderato) 5:24
5. Españoleta y Fanfare de la Caballería de Nápoles
(Adagio – Allegretto molto ritmico) 9:49
6. Danza de las hachas (Allegro con brio) 2:03
7. Canario (Allegro ma non troppo) 5:04
Concierto Serenata (Harp Concerto) (1954) [22:50]
Nicanor Zabaleta (harp) / Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra / Ernst Märzendorfer
8. Estudiantina (Allegro ma non troppo – Andante) 8:14
9. Intermezzo (Molto tranquillo) 8:12
10. Sarao (Allegro deciso) 6:23
11. Zarabanda Lejana (Andrés Segovia, guitar) 5:00