Nov 2019 – Alto CD

AIDA (Verdi)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:33 +0000

“Leontyne Price is an outstandingly assured Aida, rich, accurate, and imaginative, while Solti’s direction is superbly dramatic, notably in the Nile scene. Merrill is a richly secure Amonasro, and John Vickers splendidly heroic as Radames. Solti’s version brings full spacious sound, more open and with greater presence than most since” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Act One

1. Prelude 04:06

2. Si: corre voce che l’Etiope ardisca 1:41

3. Se quell guerrier io fossi!…Celeste Aida 04:36

4. Quale insolita gioia 06:31

5. Alta cagion v’aduna 6:29

6. Ritorna vincitor! 07:25

7. Possente, possente Fthà 05:52

8. Mortal, diletto ai Numi 05:28

Act Two (Part One)

9. Chi mai fra gl’inni e i plausi 06:40

10. Fu la sorte dell’armi a’tuoi funesta 07:39

11. Su! del Nilo al sacro lido 02:47

12. Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside 03:17

13. March 06:02

14. Vieni, o guerriero vindice 02:18

15. Salvator della patria, lo ti saluto 02:01

16. Che veggo!…Egli?…Mio padre! 01:01

17. Quest’assisa ch’io vesto vi dica 01:03

18. Ma tu, Re, tu signore possente 04:11

CD Two [72:36]

Act Two (Concl.)

1. O Re: pei sacri Numi 02:22

2. Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside 03:10

Act Three

3. O tu che sei d’Osiride 04:57

4. Qui Radames verrà!…O Patria mia 07:15

5. Ciel! mio padre! 08:01

6. Pur ti riveggo, mia dolce Aida 02:57

7. Fuggiam gli ardori inospiti 06:41

8. Tu…Amonasro!…tu!..il Re? 02:43

Act Four

9. L’aborrita rivale a me sfuggia 03:14

10. Già I Sacredoti adunansi 06:50

11. Ohimè…morir mi sento! 04:49

12. Radames! Radames! Radames! 07:03

13. La fatal pietra 02:27

14. Presago il core della tua condonna 04:19

15. O terra, addio; addio valle di pianti 05:42

Berlioz: Les Troyens

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:33 +0000

“Davis … magnificently crowns his whole career as a Berlioz interpreter, generally outshining even his pioneer version of 30 years earlier…[Lang] is superb, firm, rich and intense, investing every phrase with emotional power, instantly establishing her dominance…Heppner excels himself” (Penguin Guide ROSETTE)
Gramophone Awards’ Best Opera; Academie Charles Cros’ Grand Prix du Disc
Opera News’ Recordings of the Year; Grammy Opera of the Year Award 2001.
“However many superlatives are lavished on Sir Colin’s new recording of Les Troyens, nothing prepares the listener for hearing the first time.” (Gramophone)

Disc 1 [62:21]

1. Acte I, No. 1 – “Ha, Ha! Après dix ans” 3:51

2. Acte I, No. 2 – “Les Grecs ont disparu!” 3:34

3. Acte I, No. 2 – “Malheureux Roi!” 5:11

4. Acte I, No. 3 – “C’est lui!” 1:42

5. Acte I, No. 3 – “Reviens à toi … Pauvre âme … Si tu m’aimes …

Mais le ciel et la terre … Quitte-nous dès ce soir” 14:07

6. Acte I, No. 4 – “Dieux protecteurs de la ville éternelle” 5:41

7. Acte I, No. 5 – Combat de Ceste – Pas de Lutteurs 1:32

8. Acte I, No. 6 – Pantomime 8:06

9. Acte I, No. 7 – “Du peuple et des soldats” 1:13

10. Acte I, No. 8 – “Châtiment effroyable!” 6:34

11. Acte I, No. 9 – “Que la déesse … A cet objet sacré” 1:35

12. Acte I, No. 10 – “Non, je ne verrai pas la déplorable fête” 2:09

13. Acte I, No. 11 – Final. Marche Troyenne. “De mes sens éperdus” 7:00

Disc 2 [68:55]

1. Acte II, No. 12a – Scène et Récitatif: Introduction 1:59

2. Acte II, No. 12b – Scène et Récitatif: Introduction 0:54

3. Acte II, No. 12c – “O lumière de Troie! … Ah! Fuis, fils de Vénus!” 5:47

4. Acte II, No. 13 – “Quelle espérance … Le salut des vaincus …” 2:33

5. Acte II, No. 14 – “Ha! Puissante Cybèle” 3:10

6. Acte II, No. 15 – “Tous ne périront pas … Oh digne soeur d’Hector!” 4:14

7. Acte II, No. 16 – “Complices de sa gloire … Le trésor!” 5:25

8. Acte III, No. 17 – “De Carthage les cieux” 1:30

9. Acte III, No. 18 – Chant National “Gloire à Didon” 2:23

10. Acte III, No. 19a – “Nous avons vu finir sept ans à peine” 1:39

11. Acte III, No. 19b – “Chers Tyriens!” 5:28

12. Acte III, No. 20 – Entrée des Constructeurs 1:06

13. Acte III, No. 21 – Entrée des Matelots 1:06

14. Acte III, No. 22 – Entrée des Laboureurs 1:58

15. Acte III, No. 23 – “Peuple! tous les honneurs” 3:04

16. Acte III, No. 24 – “Les chants joyeux” 10:40

17. Acte III, No. 25a – “Échappés à grand peine” 0:28

18. Acte III, No. 25b – “Errante sur les mers” 1:44

19. Acte III, No. 26 – Marche Troyenne :

“J’éprouve une soudaine et vive impatience” 2:01

20. Acte III, No. 27 – “Auguste reine, un peuple errant et malheureux” 3:26

21. Acte III, No. 28 – Final. “J’ose à peine annoncer … Reine! Je suis

Énée! … Des armes! Des armes!” 8:08

Disc 3 [56:23]

1. Acte IV, No. 29 – Chasse Royale et Orage (Pantomime) 9:10

2. Acte IV, No. 30 – “Dites, Narbal, qui cause vos alarmes?” 3:28

3. Acte IV, No. 31a – “De quels revers menaces-tu Carthage” (Air) 1:43

4. Acte IV, No. 31b – “Vaine terreur!” (Cavatine) 0:27

5. Acte IV, No. 31c – “De quels revers menaces-tu Carthage”

(Air et Cavatine) 1:50

6. Acte IV, No. 32 – Marche pour l’Entrée de la Reine 1:25

7. Acte IV, No. 33a – Pas des Almées (ballet) 4:28

8. Acte IV, No. 33b – Danse des Esclaves (ballet) 4:15

9. Acte IV, No. 33c – Pas d’Esclaves Nubiennes (ballet) 1:23

10. Acte IV, No. 34a – “Assez, ma soeur” 2:01

11. Acte IV, No. 34b – Chant d’Iopas. “O blonde Cérès” 4:42

12. Acte IV, No. 35a – “Pardonne, Iopas” 1:30

13. Acte IV, No. 35b – “O pudeur! Tout conspire” 4:40

14. Acte IV, No. 36a – “Mais bannissons ces tristes souvenirs” 0:41

15. Acte IV, No. 36b – “Tout n’est que paix et charme” 4:26

16. Acte IV, No. 37 – “Nuit d’ivresse et d’extase infinie!” 10:07

Disc 4 [51:49]

1. Acte V, No. 38 – Chanson d’Hylas. “Vallon sonore” 5:35

2. Acte V, No. 39 – “Préparez tout, il faut partir enfin …

Chaque jour voit grandir” 2:32

3. Acte V, No. 40 – “Par Bacchus!” 2:19

4. Acte V, No. 41a “Inutiles regrets!” 1:43

5. Acte V, No. 41b “Ah! quand viendra l’instant des suprêmes adieux” 4:53

6. Acte V, No. 42 – “Énée!” 2:24

7. Acte V, No. 43 – “Debout, Troyens! éveillez-vous, alerte!” 2:02

8. Acte V, No. 44a – “Errante sur tes pas …” 4:05

9. Acte V, No. 44b – “Italie!” 0:55

10. Acte V, No. 45 – “Va, ma soeur, l’implorer” 3:03

11. Acte V, No. 46 – “En mer! voyez! six vaisseaux!” 4:27

12. Acte V, No. 47 – “Ah! Ah! Je vais mourir” 3:14

13. Acte V, No. 48 – “Adieu, fière cité” 3:46

14. Acte V, No. 49 – Cérémonie Funèbre. “Dieux de l’oubli, dieux du

Ténare … S’il faut enfin qu’Énée aborde Italie” 4:39

15. Acte V, No. 50 – “Pluton … semble m’être propice” 3:48

16. Acte V, No. 51 – “Ah! Au secours! La reine s’est frappée!” 1:03

17. Acte V, No. 52 – Imprécation. “Rome … Rome … immortelle! …

Haine éternelle à la race d’Énée!” 1:13

Jungle Book & Just So Stories…

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:33 +0000

“Karloff ideal for children with characterful readings and a smiley inviting voice”

Just So Stories

[1] How the Whale Got His Throat 6:44

[2] How the Camel Got His Hump 6:13

Jungle Book Stories

[3] Mowgli’s Brothers 26:57

[4] How Fear Came to The Jungle (Part 1) 19:34

[5] How Fear Came to The Jungle (Part 2) 18:13

Elgar: Symphony No.2 & Two Marches

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:33 +0000

“The dynamic range is remarkable with whispered pianissimos of breath-taking gentleness set against glorious brass” (Penguin Guide) Sunday Times’ Best Classical Recordings 2002: The Guardian’s Best Classical CDs of 2002;
“Larger than life, but capturing every mood with humanity and tenderness.” (BBC Radio 3 Building a Library top budget choice);
“This is one of the most passionate and detailed accounts on disc…this is world-class playing from the LSO.’ (Classic FM)

[1] Coronation March, Op. 65 10:10

[2] Imperial March, Op. 32 4:07

London Symphony Orchestra / Barry Wordsworth

Symphony No. 2 in E flat Major, Op. 63 [57:40]

[3] I. Allegro vivace e nobilimente 18:21

[4] II. Larghetto 16:19

[5] III. Rondo. Presto 8:26

[6] IV. Moderato e maestoso 14:33

London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis

Mahler: Symphony No.8 ‘of a Thousand’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:33 +0000

“This is a great disc, and no mistake. It is the first to which I am glad to give the “IRR Outstanding” appellation. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.’ (International Record Review).
“at once the most ambitious and the most impressive in Gergiev’s Mahler series…The atmosphere of a great occasion is caught admirably, with the timpani and organ very impressive…A most competitive version.” (Penguin Guide)
“the final Chorus Mysticus brings a real sense of gravitas and uplift. The massed voices are wonderfully hushed” (Gramophone)

Part I

1. I. Veni, Creator Spiritus 01:26

2. II. Imple Superna Gratia 03:55

3. III. Infirma Nostri Corporis 06:12

4. IV. Accende Lumen Sensibus 04:44

5. V. Veni, Creator Spiritus 03:47

6. VI. Gloria Patri Domino 02:52

Part II

7. I. Poco Adagio 12:30

8. II. Ewiger Wonnerbrand 01:34

9. III. Wie Felsenabgrund Mir Zu Füßen 04:30

10. IV. Gerettet Ist Das Edle Glied 03:08

11. V. Uns Bleibt Ein Erdenrest 02:48

12. VI. Höchste Herrscherin Der Welt! 04:02

13. VII. Dir, Der Unberührbaren 03:37

14. VIII. Bei Der Liebe, Die Den Füßen 05:01

15. IX. Neige, Neige, Du Ohnegleiche 04:12

16. X. Komm! Hebe Dich Zu Höhern Sphären! 01:10

17. XI. Blikket Auf 06:16

18. XII. Alles Vergängliche 05:30

Beethoven Symphonies 4 & 6 ‘Pastoral’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:32 +0000

(4th) “complete confidence exists between the LSO, in magnificent form, and its conductor.This disc is a climax to the series” (BBC 5*)
(6th) “For anyone who wants first-rate stereo sound and a broadly traditional reading, it is hard to imagine more profoundly satisfying accounts than these. The playing of the LSO is nowadays quite magnificent” (BBC 4*)
“Very appealing, this – Both readings are profoundly satisfying, the work of musicians who know the scores backwards, love playing them and know what not to do … Haitink and the LSO seem set to provide one of the top Beethoven cycles of the digital era.” (Gramophone)

Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60 [32:43]

[1] I. Adagio – Allegro vivace 11:18

[2] II. Adagio 9:05

[3] III. Allegro vivace 5:37

[4] IV. Allegro ma non troppo 6:40

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 ‚Pastoral‘[41:30]

[5] I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der

Ankunft auf dem Lande. Allegro ma non troppo 11:38

[6] II. Szene am Bach. Andante molto mosso 11:48

[7] III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute. Allegro 4:59

[8] IV. Gewitter, Sturm. Allegro 3:31

[9] V. Hirtengesang – Frohe und dankbare Gefühle

nach dem Sturm. Allegretto 9:32

Very Best of RICHARD TAUBER

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:32 +0000

“During the War years especially, England’s favourite tenor – having starred in Opera roles in Germany, he moved most successfully into Operetta and popular song and captured the hearts of Londoners during the Blitz”

1. You Are My Heart’s Delight (from ‘The Land Of Smiles) 03:23

2. Girls Were Made to Love and Kiss (from ‘Paganini’) 03:12

3. O Maiden, My Maiden (from ‘Frederica’) 03:21

4. Du bist meine Sonne (from ‘Giuditta’) 03:36

5. Schön ist die Welt (from Schön ist die Welt) 03:17

6. Merry Widow Waltz (from ‘The Merry Widow’) 03:12

7. Serenade (from’ Frasquita’) 03:07

8. Patiently Smiling (from ‘The Land Of Smiles’) 03:28

9. Don’t Be Cross (from ‘Der Obersteiger’) 03:16

10. Komm Zigan (from ‘Countess Maritza’) 02:53

11. Roses from the South (Strauss) 03:13

12. One Day When We Were Young (from ‘The Great Waltz) 02:51

13. I’m in Love with Vienna (from ‘The Great Waltz’) 02:24

14. Vienna City of My Dreams 03:06

15. Tales from the Vienna Woods (strauss) 03:06

16. Nightingale Song (from ‘Der Vogelhandler’) 03:14

17. Im Chambre Separée (from ‘Der Opernball’) 02:59

18. Your Love Could be Everything (from ‘Old Chelsea’) 02:58

19. My Heart and I (from ‘Old Chelsea’) 03:10

20. Simple Little Melody (from ‘Land Without Music’) 03:04

21. You Mean the World to Me (from ‘The Singing Dream’) 03:29

22. Pedro the Fisherman (from ‘The Lisbon Story’) 03:16

23. Because 03:09

24. Goodbye (from ‘White Horse Inn’) 02:59

The PURCELL ALBUM

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:32 +0000

“enjoyable anthology edition showing Deller at his finest. The others are good too, especially Gerald English … warm, expressively played instruments” (Penguin Guide)
“ Vanguard’s reissues of Purcell, the composer most closely associated with Deller … the purity of tone, the extraordinary resonance of lower and middle notes, the technical skill and sensitivity of his singing all remain … Stylish playing by George Malcolm and others (including young Neville Marriner) … celebrated not only Deller himself but his generation who did so much to bring Purcell out to reveal his genius” (Gramophone)

1. Oedipus (1692, Z.583) – Song: Music for a while 04:04

2. King Arthur (1691, Z.628) – : Fairest isle, all isles excelling 02:41

3. Pausanias (1695, Z.585) – Sweeter than roses 03:34

4. The Indian Queen (1695, Z.630) – I attempt from love’s sickness to fly 02:17

5. Song: If Music be the Food of Love (1st version, 1692, Z.379A) 02:36

6. Welcome to All the Pleasures “Ode On St. Cecilia’s Day”, Z. 339 –

Here The Deities Approve 04:39

7. Rejoice in the Lord Alway “Bell Anthem”, (c.1682-85, Z.49) 9.24

from The Fairy-Queen (1692, Z.629)

8. Mystery’s Song 0:54

9. Secrecy’s Song 2:01

10. Epithalamium: Thrice happy lovers 03:03

11. The Plaint 7:25

from Dido and Aeneas (c.1688, Z.626)

12. Overture 2:44

13. Fear no danger to ensue 1:45

14. Thy hand, Belinda

When I am laid in earth (Dido’s Lament)-

With drooping wings ye Cupids come 6.30

from My Beloved Spake (1677, Z.28)

15. Ouverture (Sinfonia) 1:03

16. My Beloved Spake 0:54

17. My Beloved is Mine 3.02

from Hail! Bright Cecilia (1692, Z.328)

18. The Fife and all the Harmony of War 3:04

19. Hail! Bright Cecilia 4.57

from Come Ye Sons of Art (1694, Z.323)

20. Sound the Trumpet 2:40

21. Come, Come, Ye Sons of Art 1:29

22. Strike the Viol 5:11

23. See Nature Rejoicing 2:46