Sept 2015 – Alto CD

Beethoven String Quartets Op.59 (1-3) ‘Razumovsky’ Op.74 ‘Harp’

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

“(They) open Op.59/I like a relaxed invitation … (their) nourishing perceptions are worth anyone’s time” (Gramophone) “Extra sharpness of characterization as well as the extra warmth, compared with their earlier cycle … (No.2): the sublime molto adagio has an inner hush beyond the earlier set. (‘Harp’): fun brought out in the first movement … the adagio treated songfully…excellent sound.” ( Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Disc One (74:54)

String Quartet in F, Op.59 No.1 (‘Razumovsky’)

[1] I: Allegro 11:13
[2] II: Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando 9:20
[3] III: Adagio molto e mesto – 14:18
[4] IV: Thème Russe (Allegro) 8:32
String Quartet in C, Op.59 No.3 (‘Razumovsky’)
[5] I: Introducione (Andante con moto) – allegro vivace 10:44
[6] II: Andante con moto quasi allegretto 8:52
[7] III: Menuetto (Grazioso) 5:13
[8] IV: Allegro molto 6:38

Disc Two (68:08)

String Quartet in E minor, Op.59 No.2 (‘Razumovsky’)

[1] I: Allegro 12:59
[2] II: Molto adagio 12:32
[3] III: Allegretto 6:57
[4] IV: Presto 5:26

String Quartet in E flat, Op.74 (‘Harp’)

[5] I: Poco adagio – allego 9:47
[6] II: Adagio, ma non troppo 8:50
[7] III: Presto – 4:59
[8] IV: Allegretto con variazioni 6:34

Great Russian String Quartets

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

(Borodin) “movement-by-movement comparison makes it clear that …the Borodins win hands down … their internal balance at every point is irreproachable (Gramophone) (Glazunov): “reconciliation between the traditions of Borodin and Tchaikovsky … Shostakovich Quartet have great feeling for this music and play with real conviction” (Penguin Guide); (Tchaikovsky): “their earlier recordings (as here) are unassailable recommendations. Look no further” (Penguin Guide); (Prokofiev): “an excellent performance, which at times even matches the abandon and attack of the Hollywoods. The Second a work of real quality which has the astringent flavouring and poetic flair that characterize Prokofiev at his best” (Gramophone) (Shostakovich): “(They)…bring a special intensity to this repertoire as well as effortless technical address, and a tonal blend which gives their readings a strong claim on the collector’s allegiance.” (©Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Alexander Borodin (1833-87) Disc A
STRING QUARTETS No.l (1877-9) and No.2 (1881)

String Quartet No.1 in A major
[1] Moderato – Allegro 13:40
[2] Andante con moto 8:20
[3] Scherzo: Prestissimo 5:25
[4] Andante – Allegro risoluto 10:34
String Quartet No.2 in D major
[5] Allegro moderato 7:53
[6] Scherzo: Allegro 4:47
[7] Nocturne: Andante 8:12
[8] Finale: Andante – Vivace 6:51
ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Disc B
String Quartets No. 3 in G major op.26 “Slavonic”;
No.5 in D minor Op.70; Music From “The Fridays”
String Quartet No.3 in G major, Op.26 (28:04)
[1] I. Moderato 5:37
[2] II. Interlude. Moderato 5:14
[3] III. In Mazurka Style. Allegretto 6:00
[4] IV. Finale. Une fete slave. Allegro moderato 11:12
String Quartet No.5 in D minor, Op.70 (28:53)
[5] I. Andante – Allegro 9:19
[6] II. Scherzo. Allegretto 4:22
[7] III. Adagio 8:04
[8] IV. Finale. Allegro 7:06
“The Fridays” cycle for String Quartet:
[09] Prelude & Fugue (Book 1, No.1) 10:22
[10] Kuranta (Book II, No.6) 2:04
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Disc C
String Quartets Nos.1 & 2
String Quartet No.l in B minor, Op.50 (26:21)
1. Allegro 8 :07
2. Andante molto. Vivace 7:00
3. Andante 11:09
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.92 (23:40)
4. Allegro sostenuto 6:33
5. Adagio 8:26
6. Allegro 8:37
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93) Disc D
String Quartets No.1, No.2
String Quartet No.1 in D major, Op.11
[1] Moderato e semplice 10:26
[2] Andante cantabile 6:35
[3] Scherzo: Allegro non tanto 3:43
[4] Finale: Allegro giusto 6:42
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.22
[5] Adagio – Moderato assai 11:36
[6] Scherzo: Allegro giusto 5:23
[7] Andante ma non tanto 12:23
[8] Finale: Allegro con moto 5:42
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) Disc E
GREAT STRING QUARTETS Nos. 4, 8, 10
String Quartet No.4 in D Major, Op.83 (1949) 24:36
1. I. Allegretto 3:55
2. II. Andantino 7:18
3. III. Allegretto – IV. Allegretto 13:22
String Quartet No.8 in C Minor, Op.110 (1960) 20:53
4. I. Largo 4:39
5. II. Allegro molto 2:45
6. III. Allegretto 4:33
7. IV. Largo 5:28
8. V. Largo 3:26
String Quartet No.10 in Ab Major, Op.118 (1964) 23:57
9. I. Andante 4:10
10. II. Allegretto furioso 4:10
11. III. Adagio 6:34
12. IV. Allegretto – Andante 9:01
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) Disc F
GREAT STRING QUARTETS Nos. 7, 9, 11, 13
String Quartet No.7 in F# Minor, Op.108 (1960)* 12:06
[1] I. Allegretto 3:17 [2] II. Lento 3:18
[3] III. Allegro – Allegretto 5:30
String Quartet No.9 in Eb Major, Op.117 (1964)* 28:22
[4] I. Moderato con moto 4:15 [5] II. Adagio 4:42
[6]. III. Allegretto 3:53 [7] IV. Adagio 4:42 [8] V. Allegro 10:47
String Quartet No.11 in F Minor, Op.122 (1966)** 16:38
[9] I. Introduction: Andantino 2:11 [10] II. Scherzo: Allegretto 2:40
[11] III. Recitative: Adagio 1:27 [12] IV. Etude: Allegro 1:15
[13] V. Humoresque: Adagio 1:08 [14] VI. Elegy: Adagio 4:31
[15] VII. Finale: Moderato 3:22
String Quartet No.13 in Bb Minor, Op.138 (1970)**
[16] Adagio – Doppio movimento – Tempo primo 18:12

Poetry Album

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

‘Great voices always enhance our understanding and enjoyment of classic poetry’

Robert Donat reads his choices:
1. Rudyard Kipling: The Way through the Woods 1:03
2. Robert Bridges: Nightingales 1:16
3. John Keats: Bright Star 1:01
4. Keats: La Belle Dame Sans Merci 2:23
5. Keats: Ode to Melancholy 1:54
6. Keats: When I Have Fears 0:57
7. Percy Shelley: Adonais (in memory Keats) 3:33
Laurie Lee & James Mason
8. Laurie Lee: The Abandoned Shade (author) 1:08
9. Laurie Lee: Day of these Days (author) 1:11
10. Robert Browning: The Bishop Orders his Tomb (James Mason) 10:09
Alec Guinness’ choices
11. Edith Sitwell: I do Like to be Beside the Seaside (Façade) 1:13
12. Edith Sitwell: Polka (Façade) 1:06
13. Hilaire Belloc: Tarantella 1:13
14. Walter James Turner: Romance (‘Chimborazo Cotopaxi’) 1:12
15. Robert Graves: Through Nightmare 0:47
16. W.H. Auden: Hearing of Harvest, Rotting in the Valley 2:33
17. Anon: Clerk Saunders 5:56
18. Anon: King John and the Abbot of Canterbury 5:37
19. Wm.Shakespeare: Henry VI, Part 3 – Act 2, Scene 5: Soliloquy 1:59
20. Robert Browning: A Toccata of Galuppi’s 3:56
21. Ogden Nash: Serviette in a Lovely Home 2:36
22. Arthur Hugh Clough: Spectator Ab Extra 0:52
23. William Blake: Night 2:03
24. Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Leaden Echo & the Golden Echo 4:12
War Poets (selection)
25. David Jones: In Parenthesis (excerpt) 2:26
(C. Day Lewis, Hugh Burden, John Stride, Gary Watson)
26. Robert Graves: The Survivor (V.C. Clinton-Baddeley) 1:20
27. Wilfred Owen: Strange Meeting (Alec Guinness) 2:54
28. Wilfred Owen: Arms & the Boy (Carleton Hobbs) 0:52
29. Wilfred Owen: Futility (Robert Donat) 0:58
30. Rupert Brooke: The Hill (Robert Donat) 0:57
31. Siegfried Sassoon: The Death Bed (Robert Donat) 4:01
32. Henry Reed: Naming of Parts (author) 2:12

Edward Elgar: Variations on an original theme ‘Enigma’ Nursery Suite; Introduction & Allegro; March No.4

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

“From the iconic 1932 photo on the steps of Abbey Road with the Composer himself, Menuhin became associated all his long life with performances and recordings of Elgar” (J.Murray) “Menuhin’s account of the Variations… is the interpretation of a musician who has lived long with this music and loves it. He …takes immense care (to) direct the listener to yet another facet of this inexhaustibly fascinating score. Nothing ‘routine’ here, nor in the RPO’s playing.” (Michael Kennedy)

[1] Pomp & Circumstance March No.4, Op.39 5:04
Nursery Suite
[2] Aubade 4:41
[3] The Serious Doll 3:26
[4] Busy-ness 2:29
[5] The Sad Doll 1:46
[6] The Waggon Passes 1:29
[7] The Merry Doll 1:32
[8] Dreaming – Envoi 7:19
[9 ] Introduction and Allegro for strings, Op.47 14:37
“Enigma” Variations, Op.36
[10] Theme 1:26
[11] C.A.E 1:56
[12] H.D.S-P 0:53
[13] R.B.T 1:21
[14] W.M.B 0:34
[15] R.P.A 2:17
[16] Ysobel 1:18
[17] Troyte 1:03
[18] W.N 1:51
[19] Nimrod 4:02
[20] Dorabella 2:54
[21] G.R.S 1:01
[22] B.G.N 2:33
[23] Romanza 3:11
[24] E.D.U Finale 5:41
TOTAL TIME: 75:00

Baroque Bohemia & Beyond: Vol VII*

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

(of ALC 1201: Schimpke, Gassmann, Jírovec ): “a now long-running series revealing just how full of depth is the wellspring of the Bohemian musical diaspora. If the names Schimpke, Gassmann and Jírovec mean nothing to you, then you are certainly not alone. But each composer offers a revealing sidelight on both his heritage and his milieu, as reflected in these three orchestral works. These works, all by lesser known émigré composers, all offer up delightful surprises and noteworthy features. They’re played with grace and warmth. And they are well worth a listen.” (MusicWeb)

Vojtĕch Matyáš Jírovec:
Symphony in C major, Op.6 No.1
[1] I. Adagio – Allegro molto 8:18
[2] II. Andante 5:59
[3] III. Minuetto: Allegro 4:36
[4] IV. Allegro ma non troppo 5:55
Franz Christoph Neubauer:
Symphony in Bb major, Op.8 No.6
[5] I. Adagio – Allegro 8:05
[6] II. Cantabile 6:18
[7] III. Allegretto 6:32
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf:
Symphony in Bb major
[8] I. Presto assai 7:07
[9] II. Andante 4:51
[10] III. Menuetto 2:20
[11] IV. Presto 4:13

Willard White in Concert

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

“As one of the world’s leading bass baritones Willard White is in constant demand…… Although gifted with a wonderful sense of humour, he is also known for his portrayal of unsympathetic characters such as Nick Shadow, Mefistopheles, etc. (His) dignified stage presence also enables him to be particularly effective in larger-than-life roles such as Wotan, Sarastro and Godunov. However the role for which he has achieved the greatest plaudits and one that he has made entirely his own is Porgy, so memorably portrayed at Glyndebourne and since.” (James Murray)

1. Go Down Moses (Trad., arr. Carl Davis) 3.03
2. Deep River (Trad. Arr. Carl Davis) 3.20
3. Didn’t my Lord Deliver Daniel (Trad., arr.Carl Davis) 2.32
4. Fin Ch’han dal Vino (Mozart-Don Giovanni) 1.37
5. Vous Qui Faites l’endormie (Gounod-Faust) 2.34
6. Pearl Fishers’ Duet (Pearl Fishers-Bizet)*(with B.Bottone) 5.54
7. Ballroom Waltz & Midnight (RLPO)(Cinderella-Prokofiev) 5.04
FIVE OLD AMERICAN SONGS (Aaron Copland)
8. The Boatman’s Dance 2.37
9. The Dodger 2.08
10. Long Time Ago 2.30
11. Simple Gifts 1.43

12. I Bought Me a Cat 2.21

13. On the Beach at Midnight Alone (Carl Davis)* 6.26
14. Gershwin in Hollywood (RLPO) (Arr.R.Russell Bennett) 11.14
15. Some Enchanted Evening (Rodgers & Hammerstein) 3.37
16. I got Plenty o’ Nuttin’ (Porgy & Bess- Gerswhin) 2.50
17. Ol’ Man River (Kern & Hammerstein) Robert Shepley-banjo 3.43

Carl Nielsen: Overtures & Suites

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

“you can relish this recommendable collection which concentrates on the lighter and more concise Nielsen (five of the nine tracks are theatre music). This is a vividly characterised and easily recommendable anthology and the Little Suite receives one of its most winning recordings ever.” (Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International)

[1] Prelude to Act 2 of “Saul and David” 5:35
[2] Rhapsody Overture FS 123 9:31
“A fantasy voyage to the Faeroes”
[3] The Mother (FS94) (Prelude, 7th scene) 4:00
[4] Little Suite for Strings, Op.1/FS6 16:30
[5] Pan and Syrinx, pastorale Op.49/FS87 8:36
[6] En Sagadrøm FS46 8:44

from the opera “Maskarade”:

[7] Overture 4:29
[8] Prelude to Act 2 4:28
[9] Dance of the Cockerels 5:11

Johannes Brahms String Sextets 1 & 2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“(1st Sextet) revelling in the work’s glorious fullness, but of course The Lindsays and colleagues are able to put heart and soul into the music while keeping a careful control of the overall balance … wholehearted character of the playing is a big advantage … (They all) delight us with a range of the most beautiful, transparent sonorities … both sextets have a compelling sense of direction – in the Second’s magnificent first movement, we can feel what a giant young Brahms had become.” (Gramophone)

String Sextet No.1 in B flat, Op.18
[1] Allegro ma non troppo 14:48
[2] Andante, ma Moderato 9:42
[3] Scherzo (Allegro molto – Animato –
Tempo I – piü animato) 3:14
[4] Poco Allegretto e grazioso – Animato, poco a poco piü 10:21
String Sextet No.2 in G, Op.36
[5] Allegro non troppo 14:38
[6] Scherzo (Allegro non troppo – Presto giocoso –
Tempo I – Animato) 7:39
[7] Poco Adagio 9:17
[8] Poco Allegro – Animato 8:46

Dvořák String Sextet Op.48, String Quintet Op.77

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“enjoyable Dvořák coupling worthy of joining the list of recommendations”
“The Sextet, one of Dvořák’s finest chamber works, makes an excellent pairing with the double-bass Quintet … a striking contrast to the Sextet’s expansive richness. The Nash Ensemble are well recorded and play with refined expression while attacking the brilliant, quasi-orchestral music in the two finales with force and spirit. I particularly enjoyed the smiling, sunlit atmosphere in the Sextet’s first movement; and there’s beautiful playing, too, in the Quintet’s Andante and Intermezzo.” (Gramophone)

String Sextet in A (two violins, two violas & two cellos, B80, Op.48(1878)
[1] I: Allegro moderato 14:12
[2] II: Dumka (Elegie): Poco Allegretto 7:06
[3] III: Furiant: Presto 4:11
[4] IV: Finale: Tema con Variazioni 7:50
String Quintet in G for two violins, viola, cello & double bass,
B49 Op.77 (1875)
[5] I: Allegro con fuoco 10:58
[6] II: Scherzo: Allegro vivace 7:43
[7] III: Poco andante 7:52
[8] IV: Finale: Allegro assai 7:04
[9] Intermezzo in B for two violins, viola, cello & double bass,
B49 (1875) 4:34

Miklós Rózsa: Cello Concerto; Sinfonia Concertante

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“(Cello Concerto) composed for Janós Starker, it is not hard to see the appeal. Unlike many film composers, Rózsa understood that writing in abstract demanded a different approach, not least in placing his melodic genius at the service of the musical argument. Expertly balanced between soloist and orchestra, the Hungarian flavour hints at what a late Bartok cello concerto might have sounded like . (Sinfonia concertante) written originally alongside the score of Ben-Hur for Heifetz and Piatigorsky. Raphael Wallfisch clearly has an affinity with these splendid works and the BBC Concert Orchestra are on great form … Graffin partners Wallfisch adroitly … warmly recommended.” (Gramophone)

Cello Concerto Op.32
[1] I: Moderato 13:21
[2] II: Lento con grande espressione 9:59
[3] III: Allegro vivo 8:59
Sinfonia Concertante Op.29
[4] I: Allegro non troppo 10:03
[5] II: Tema con variazione 11:34
[6] III: Allegro con brio 8:20