Nov 2023 – Alto CD

Percy Grainger: The Warriors & more Orchestral Works

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:57 +0000

“If you have a weakness for Grainger the orchestral wizard, then this is one disc you simply cannot afford to be without … I hope Simon will soon follow it up (I long for new recordings of priceless miniatures like Children’s March and Colonial Song); in the meantime, see if you agree with Delius who thought The Warriors “by far Grainger’s greatest thing” . I know I do.” (critic’s Choice, Dec.1990, Gramophone)

[1] The Warriors** 18:05

[2] Beautiful Fresh Flower 2:39

[3] Hill-Song No.1* 13:12

[4] Irish Tune from County Derry 5:28

[5] Hill-Song No.2* 4:40

[6] Colleen Dhas* 3:09

Danish Folk-Music Suite:

[7] The Power of Love 3:34

[8] Lord Peter’s Stable-Boy 2:51

[9] The Nightingale and the Two Sisters 4:40

[10] Jutish Medley 7:51

Saxophone Concertos & Quartets

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:57 +0000

[Villa Lobos] ‘incorporates nationalistic musical elements of Brazil along with melodic, lullaby-like themes, to make a truly contrasting and interesting three-movement work.’ (Classic FM) ‘Brazilian sonorities and rhythms are a perfect match for the saxophone’ (WFMT) [Glazunov] ‘persistence paid off for Raschèr, who badgered Glazunov to write him a concerto. The Russian relented and the result – three short, pleasingly lyrical movements – was premiered by Raschèr’ (BBC Music Magazine) ‘Glaznov’s Quartet is a foundational piece for the instrument’ (WFMT)

[1] Alexander Glazunov:

Concerto in Eb for alto saxophone & strings, Op.109 14:44

Heitor Villa-Lobos:

Fantasia for soprano saxophone, 3 horns & strings [10:33]

[2] Animé 4:32 [3] Lent – Tres animé 6:01

[4] Frank Martin: Ballade for tenor saxophone & orchestra 8:30

Jean Rivier: Concerto for alto saxophone, trumpet & strings [17:02]

[5] Allegro burlesco 5:25 [6] Adagio 5:59 [7] Vivacissimo 5:37

[8] Alexander Glazunov: Canzona Variée (Quartet in Bb Op.109) 10:40

Jean Françaix: Petit Quatuor [6:50]

[9] Gaguenardise (Allegro) 2:31 [10] Cantilène (Lento ma non troppo) 2:05

[11] Sérénade comique (Molto vivo) 2:13

[12] Nikolaus Schäuble: ‘Duke Ellington Medley’ 9:45

themes by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Mercer, Juan Tizol, Tadd Dameron

Chants of Hildegard von Bingen Luminous Spirit

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:57 +0000

[Gramophone Editor’s Choice 12/1998] ‘Lamoreaux’s sensitive recital throws new light upon the genius of the abbess. Her voice, pellucid and supple, is perfectly at ease with Hildegard’s demands. The instrumental additions, of other periods and styles, are drawn from the melodies, and musically rather clever.’(Gramophone)

1. Hodie Aperuit – Antiphon 2:48

2. O Gloriosissimi Lux – Antiphon 6:41

3. O Viridissima Virga – Sequence 5:39

4. Caritas Habundat in Omnia – Antiphon 2:50

5. O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti – Sequence 7:17

6. O Tu Illustrata – Antiphon – instrumental 5:47

7. O Lucidissima Apostolorum Turba – Responsory

(solo soprano) 4:37

8. O Eterne Deus – Antiphon 2:28

9. Ave Maria – Responsory 6:52

10. Deus enim rorem – instrumental 2:56

11. Vos Flores Rosarum – Responsory 5:49

12. Cum Erubuerint – Antiphon – instrumental 2:06

13. Ave Generosa – Hymn 5:17

14. O Ecclesia – Sequence 10:39

Jerome Moross: Symphony: Last Judgement; Variations on a Waltz for Orchestra; Biguine: A Tall Story

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:57 +0000

‘Dominating my Critics’ Choice for 1993 are Koch ‘s outstanding discs of concert works by esteemed film composers … Although the disc of Moross world premieres is especially exciting, both are distinguished not only by superb sound but also by wonderfully bold and intuitive performances that capture the distinctive style of each composer” (Gramophone) “his music’s apparent simplicity and accessibility- is often quite sophisticated … this should not surprise us once we recognize counterpoint is basically the science of composition with melody; and the wellsprings of melody flowed for few composers more abundantly than for Moross” (Christopher Palmer)

Symphony No. 1 (1943) [20:07] (John Alley, piano, 2nd mvt.)

1. Theme & Variation 4:27 2. Sonata-Scherzo 7:06

3. Invention 5:12 4. Fugue 3:21

The Last Judgement (1953) [23:06]

5. I. The Resurrection of Eve: Poco allegretto 2:03

6. II. Eve is refused admittance into Heaven: Agitato ma non troppo 1:13

7. III. Adam charges Eve with the Original Sin: Allegro marcato 1:08

8. IV. Adam’s Story (a) Adam and Eve in Eden: Andante con moto 2:18

9. V. Adam’s Story (b) Adam and Eve and the Benefactor: Allegretto 1:30

10. VI. Adam’s Story (c) Eve and the Benefactor: Allegro moderato 4:45

11. VII. Eve’s Denial: Allegro ma non troppo 1:17

12. VIII. The Exorcising of the Evil One: Allegro molto 2:33

13. IX. Eve’s Story: Allegro moderato e marcato 4:47

14. X. The Beatification of Eve: Andante con moto 1:28

Variations on a Waltz for Orchestra (1946/66) [14:17]

15. Waltz: Allegretto 1:16 16. Variation 1: Allegro molto 1:02

17. Variation 2: Con brio 1:11 18. Variation 3: Grazioso 1:31

19. Variation 4: Presto 1:19 20. Variation 5: Andante 2:25

21. Variation 6: Allegro ma non troppo 0:37

22. Variation 7: Allegro leggiero 0:57

23. Variation 8: Allegretto cantabile 2:31

24. Variation 9: Vivace 1:23

25. Biguine (1935) (with N.Z.S.O) 4:43

26. A Tall Story for Orchestra (1938) (with N.Z.S.O) 9:00

Stand by Me: 30 Soul & Chiffon HITS

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:57 +0000

“in mid-1950’s USA the Teenager was born of the post-war boom. A new retail demographic was determined to impose their tastes away from sheet-music to newly invented 45’s, LP’s and Charts: a major worldwide industry was born” (MusicalMerit)

1. Stand by Me – Ben E. King 2:58

2. Save the Last Dance for Me – The Drifters 2:28

3. Another Saturday Night – Sam Cooke 2:42

4. Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker 2:17

5. Please Mr. Postman – The Marvelettes 2:26

6. The Loco-Motion – Little Eva 2:22

7. He’s So Fine – The Chiffons 1:51

8. Don’t Make Me Over – Dionne Warwick 3:13

9. Spanish Harlem – Ben E. King 2:52

10. Take these Chains from My Heart – Ray Charles 2:55

11. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding 2:31

12. Can I Get a Witness – Marvin Gaye 2:48

13. At Last – Etta James 2:59

14. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? – The Shirelles 2:40

15. Tell Him! – The Exciters 2:27

16. To Know Him is to Love Him – Teddy Bears 2:22

17. Up on the Roof – The Drifters 2:34

18. You Better Move on – Arthur Alexander 2:43

19. Baby it’s You – The Shirelles 2:40

20. Just One Look – Doris Troy 2:29

21. Make it Easy on Yourself – Jerry Butler 2:39

22. Let’s Stick Together – Wilbert Harrison 2:27

23. Heat Wave – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas 2:43

24. You’re No Good – Betty Everett 2:21

25. Cry to Me – Solomon Burke 2:32

26. Bring it on Home to Me – Sam Cooke 2:42

27. My Boyfriend’s Back (live) – The Angels 2:11

28. Da Doo Ron Ron – The Crystals 2:13

29. Chain Gang – Sam Cooke 2:34

30. I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles digital 4:15 2:37

Total Time 78:33

Produced by Tony Watts Final Master: Paul Arden-Taylor