Nov 2020 – Alto CD

Christmas Poetry & Prose – read by Great Voices

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:19 +0000

“Few things capture Christmas as well as poetry, and many have become standard, including ones whose verses became carols too”

Preparations

1. Clement Moore: ‘Twas the Night before Christmas (A Visit from

St.Nicholas) / Basil Rathbone 3:15

2. Robert Frost: Stopping by Woods / Robert Frost 0:50

3. Robert Frost: Dust of Snow / (author) 0:17

4. Eugene Field: When Santa Claus Comes / Jonathan Jones 0:45

5. John Betjeman: Christmas / Alec Guinness 2:13

6. E.E. Cummings: Little Tree / Jonathan Jones 1:23

Seasonal Regrets

7. Emily Dickinson: ‘Twas just this time last year I died /

Annette Daniels Taylor 1:17

8. Alfred Lord Tennyson: Ring out Wild Bells !

(Canto CVI from In Memoriam A.H.H) / Jonathan Jones 2:05

9. Jill Furse: Carol / Robert Donat 0:42

10. Henry W. Longfellow: Christmas Bells / Jonathan Jones 1:59

Celebrations & Mythology

11. Edgar Guest: At Christmas / Jonathan Jones 2:23

12. Theodore Watts-Dunton: Wassail Chorus at the Mermaid

Tavern / Robert Donat 3:12

13. William Wordsworth: Minstrels / Jonathan Jones 1:02

14. Walter de la Mare: Mistletoe / Jonathan Jones 0:52

15. C.Day Lewis: The Christmas Tree / (author) 1:29

16. John Mason Neale: Good King Wenceslas / Jonathan Jones 1:54

Christmas Scenes

17. Shakespeare: When Icycles Hang / Claire Bloom 0:52

18. William Wordsworth: A Boisterous Winter Evening / Alec Clunes 2:20

19. Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Frost at Midnight /

Richard Burton & Dulcie Gray 4:39

20. Laurie Lee: Christmas Landscape / Jonathan Jones 1:40

21. Thomas Hardy: Snow in the Suburbs / Carleton Hobbs 1:06

22. James Stephens: Donnybrook / Lewis Jones 0:57

23. Odette Tchernine: The Snow / Dulcie Gray 1:08

Biblical

24. Hilaire Belloc: Noel / Robert Donat 1:27

25. Sara Teasdale: Christmas Carol / Jonathan Jones 1:16

26. T.S. Eliot: Journey of the Magi / Alec Guinness 2:33

27. Thomas Hardy: The Oxen / Robert Donat 0:42

28. Christina Rosetti: In the Bleak Midwinter / Jonathan Jones 1:51

29. John Alexander Chapman: Christus Natus Est / Robert Donat 1:14

30. Anon. Cherry Tree Carol / Alec Guinness 2:11

31. Anon. I Syng of a Mayden (‘Early Carol’) / Robert Donat 0:48

32. St.Francis of Assisi: Prayer / Robert Donat 1:52

Prose & New Year

33. Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales / (read by author) 19:48

34. Robert Burns: Auld Lang Syne / Frederick Worlock 1:10

Shostakovich Piano Concertos 1&2; Concertino for Two Pianos; Piano Trio no.2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“We present a legendary cast of soloists in a selection of the Composer’s piano works, including the rare Concertino, written for and played with his son Maxim. [Concerto No.2] “performance brilliant by any standards, completely in sympathy with both concertos … in Shostakovich I don’t think it is merely the stereo sound that gives Bernstein the extra brilliance and vivacity … while the ensemble with the New York orchestra is spot on.” (Gramophone)

Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, Op.35 [21:56]

[1] Allegro moderato 5:51 [2] Lento 7:43

[3] Moderato 1:53 [4] Allegro con brio 6:28

Piano Trio No.2 in E minor, Op.67 [23:44]

[5] Andante 6:50 [6] Allegro con brio 2:50

[7] Largo 4:19 [8[ Allegretto 9:44

[9] Concertino in A minor for 2 pianos, Op.94 [7:50]

Piano Concerto No.2 in F major, Op.102 [19:02]

[10] Allegro 7:09 [11] Andante 6:32

[12] Allegro 5:21

HILDEGARD von BINGEN Vespers from Her Abbey

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“Here, at last, is Hildegard sung by Benedictine nuns…living the same life, breathing the same air, and trying to capture the spirit of their great predecessor … they represent really lovely, rather unusual tones, beautifully sung, and with understanding” (© Gramophone) “it seems to me absolutely to catch the spirit of her music: this Vespers disc, sung by the nuns of the Abbey of St Hildegard in Eibingen. (Gramophone Critics’ choice 1998)

1. Opening Verse “Deus in Auditorium” 1:02

2. 1st Antiphon: “O aeterne Deus” with Psalm 109/110 6:24

3. 2nd Antiphon: “Spiritus Sanctus” with Psalm 110/111 7:53

4. 3rd Antiphon: “O magne Pater” with Psalm 129/130 7:42

5. 4th Antiphon: “Caritas abundat” with Psalm 130/131 5:23

6. Lesson: Revelations 21, 1-5 1:50

7. Responsory “O vis aeternitatis” 6:08

8. Sequence: “O ignis Spiritus Paracliti” 5:46

9. Magnificat Antiphon: “O quam mirabilis”, Magnificat 8:14

10. Closing Prayers: Kyrie & Pater noster 2:29

11. Sequence: To St. Disibod: “O praesul verae civitatis” 6:49

12. Sequence: To St. Rupert: “O Ierusalem, aurea civitas” 9:38

Engineer & editing: Christoph Martin Frommen

Originally issued by Ars Musici (c) Abtei Hildegard

Crisantemi: Italian String Quartets Puccini – Cherubini – Verdi

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“an essential disc for Puccini-fanciers … these chips off the workbench fascinatingly illuminate what we know of the opera composer … recorded sound is very vivid and immediate for the excellent Raphael Quartet.” … “Among the six quartet pieces I crisantemi is justly well known a charming piece that provided material for Manon Lescaut. The second of the three Minuets similarly gave Puccini the idea for the brilliant opening of that opera … Scherzo in A minor of the same year is delightful, presumably intended as another movement for the quartet” (Gramophone)

Puccini: Crisantemi; 3 Minuets; Scherzo; Quartet Movement [24:02]

1. Crisantemi (Andante mesto) 6:00

2. Minuetto I (Moderato) 3:39

3. Minuetto II (Allegretto) 2:38

4. Minuetto III (Assai mosso) 2:50

5. Scherzo in A minor (Allegro vivo) 0:58

6. Allegro moderato (Quartet in D major) 7:55

Cherubini: String Quartet No.1 in Eb major** [33:06]

7. I. Adagio – Allegro agitato 12:24

8. II. Larghetto sans lenteur 9:08

9. III. Scherzo. Allegretto moderato 6:53

10. IV. Finale. Allegro assai 4:40

Verdi: String Quartet in E minor** [21:24]

11. I. Allegro 7:09

12. II. Andantino 7:01

13. III. Prestissimo 3:15

14. IV. Scherzo Fuga. Allegro assai mosso 3:59

Benjamin Britten: Choral Music

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“Benjamin Britten had a rare genius for setting words to music, becoming one of the most successful choral composers of the 20th Century … Voices and organ make a mystical union, spotlighting their sonorous incompatibilities … Rejoice: “Once again the composer extracts a first-rate performance” “Gloriana Dances: choral singing of such quality … balance of the recording … exceptionally life-like and satisfactory, and the sound as good as I have heard …no carol is more perfect in its simplicity than his Hymn to the Virgin … I also enjoy Britten’s church music from New College, Oxford, directed by David Lumsden. This includes the Hymn to St Cecilia.” (Gramophone)

[1] Festival Te Deum (St. John’s) 5:59

[2] A Hymn to the Virgin (St. John’s) 3:17

Missa Brevis (Worcester) [10:13]

[3] Kyrie 1:35 [4] Gloria 3:02

[5] Sanctus & Benedictus 3:18 [6] Agnus Dei 2:17

[7] Hymn to St Cecilia (New College 11:02

[8] Rejoice in the Lamb (Purcell Singers) 15:38

Choral Dances from ‘Gloriana’ (L.S.O Choir) [8:46]

[9] Time 1:20 [10] Concord 2:30 [11] Time & Concord 1:09

[12] Country Girls 0:57 [13] Rustics & Fishermen 0:48

[14] Final Dance of Homage 2:00

[15] Jubilate Deo (Trinity College) 2:26

[16] Carry Her over the Water (Trinity College) 2:27

[17] Deus in Adjutorium Meum (Trinity College) 4:53

[18] Venite Exultemus Domino (Trinity College) 5:35

[19] Jubilate Deo (1934) (Trinity College) 2:32

Julian Bream plays J S Bach & Spanish Guitar Music

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“The Classical guitarist who as a performer and developer of repertory was a towering figure in the history of the instrument: Julian Bream’s love affair with the classical guitar began after he heard a recording of Andrés Segovia. His debut at the Wigmore Hall, London, in 1951 proclaimed the arrival of a seminal figure in the history of the instrument around the world” (John Duarte, John Amis / The Guardian)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

[1] Partita for Violin No.2 in D Minor, BWV 1004 – Chaconne 15:41

[2] Prelude in C Minor BWV 999 (played in D Minor) –1:42

Suite in E Minor, BWV 996: [3] Sarabande 4:15 [4] Bourrée 1:35

From: Partita for Lute in C Minor, BWV 997 (played in A Minor) –

[5] Prelude 2:51 [6] Fugue 6:37

Fernando Sor (1778-1839)

from Estudios [7] Estudio No.5 (Op.35,No.22) 2:03

[8] No.12 (Op.6,No.6) 4:33 [9] No.9 (Op.31,No.20) 1:11

[10] Minuetto from Sonata, Op.22 3:45

[11] Largo from Fantasia No.2, Op.7 4:31

[12] Rondo Allegretto, From Sonata, Op. 22 1:44

[13] Andante largo, Op.5, No.5 6:23

Joaquín Turina (1882-1949) Homenaje a Tárrega, Op.69

[14] Garrotín 2:27 [15] Soleares 2:08

[16] Fandanguillo, Op.36 5:20

[17] Andante from Sonata in D Minor Op.61 4:47

[18] Ráfaga, Op.53 2:47

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)

[19] Homenaje ‘Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy’ 3:45

J.S.BACH Concertos for Harpsichord & Strings BWV 1052-8; Italian Concerto BWV 971

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“crisp, clear-sighted approach, all proceeds at a proper tempo and, where appropriate, with a spring in its heels. The slow movements are sensitively expressive…. this is basically how such works would have been heard in their time, you may feel this is the way it should be…. The strings are ‘authentic’ and respectful of every element ….I thoroughly enjoyed this and the superb recording” “Ivor Bolton is close enough to be heard in realistic balance, (his) clean and incisive fingers bring the music to life in these most enjoyable recordings.” (Gramophone)

CD1 [63:20]

Concerto No.1 in D minor, BWV 1052 [22:49]

[1] Allegro 7:42 [2] Adagio 6:57 [3] Allegro 8:09

Concerto No.4 in A major, BWV 1055 [14:19]

[4] Allegro 4:23 [5] Larghetto 5:44

[6] Allegro ma non tanto 4:11

Concerto No.5 in F minor, BWV 1056 [9:34]

[7] (Allegro) 3:07 [8] Largo 2:43 [9] Presto 3:42

Concerto.No.6 in F major, BWV 1057 [16:38]

[10] (Allegro) 7:10 [11] Andante 4:36 [12] Allegro assai 4:51

CD2 [64:00]

Concerto No.3 in D major, BWV 1054 [16:25]

[1] (Allegro) 7:44 [2] Adagio e piano sempre 5:54

[3] Allegro 2:46

Concerto No.2 in E major, BWV 1053 [20:17]

[4] (Allegro) 8:13 [5] Siciliano 5:17 [6] Allegro 6:46

Concerto No.7 in G minor, BWV 1058 [14:07]

[7] (Allegro) 3:56 [8] Andante 6:11 [9] Allegro assai 3:59

Italian Concerto F major (solo hpschd), BWV 971 [13:00]

played by David Ponsford

[10] Allegro 4:16 [11] Andante 4:09 [12] Presto 4:34

(1-9) Sponsored originally by Lufthansa and issued on IMP.

Harpsichord: copy of Ruckers-Taskin by Ferguson Hoey (Oxford 1982) tuned and

maintained by Mark Ransom Producer: Ben Turner

Engineer: Trygg Tryggvason; Editing & post-production: Finesplice Ltd

Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, 22/23 December 1987

(10-12) Harpsichord by Andrew Garlick (1993) after Jean-Claude Goujon (c.1749)

Recording: Paul Arden-Taylor; Venue: Westonbirt School Chapel, 18 April 2000