Sept 2023 – Alto CD

Respighi Violin Concertos & Suite

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:56 +0000

“Cappelletti and Bamert’s coupling is salutary in what little remains to apologize for in Respighi’s music when played with real opulence and virtuosity. The fact is that the Concerto belies its name: both have shrewdly perceived that Respighi’s use of modality enables him to explore both early music and folklore … The lushness sounds much more natural in the context of a late-romantic violin concerto, with a big and bold performance of rich and dramatic gesture. Cappelletti, a striking and accomplished soloist, makes the most of the finale’s punch and vigour, but also of the musing beauty of the slow movement. I now prefer this (version)” … “romantic warmth is also a feature of Barra’s Poema (suite), Respighi in neo-baroque lush harmonies with a baroque-size orchestra” (Gramophone)

Concerto gregoriano for violin & orchestra [32:16]

[1] I. Andante tranquillo 9.15

[2] II. Andante espressivo e sostenuto 10.32

[3] III. Finale (Alleluia): Allegro energico 12.28

Concerto all’antica for violin & orchestra [30:35]

[4] I. Allegro 12.45

[5] II. Adagio non troppo 8.44

[6] III. Scherzo: Vivace – Tempo di minuetto – Vivace 9.06

[7] Poema autunnale for violin & orchestra 13.30

RICHTER plays PROKOFIEV; Sonatas 2,9 and Concertos 1, 5

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:56 +0000

5th Concerto) “Richter’s account is a classic..it cannot be recommended too strongly…..this concerto could have sounded contrived BUT when put over with the rhythmic bite, the technical aplomb, and the pungency of characterisations that we see here….a very different story !” (Penguin Guide 3 stars) (9th Sonata) “others are too sentimental… I really do connect with Richter the most in Prokofiev.” (Talking Classical) “Richter was possibly the greatest Prokofiev pianist who ever lived. He had a unique way of unlocking the music’s pianistic beauty and poignant lyricism while still pushing its steel-edged rhythms to the proverbial max” (Classics Today)

Piano Sonata No.2 in D minor, Op.14 [17:16]

[1] I. Allegro ma non troppom 6.13

[2] II. Scherzo: Allegro marcato 1.47

[3] III. Andante 4.58

[4] IV. Vivace – Moderato – Vivace 4.17

Piano Sonata No.9 in C, Op.103 ‘dedicated to Sviatoslav Richter’ [24:21]

[5] I. Allegretto 7.38

[6] II. Allegro strepitozo 2.54

[7] III. Andante tranqillo 8.28

[8] IV. Allegro con brio ma non troppo presto 5.19

Piano Concerto No.1 in Db, Op.10 [14:02]

[9] I. Allegro brioso 6.32

[10] II. Andante assai 3.27

[11] III. Allegro scherzando 4.02

Bernard Herrmann Symphony No.1; Suite: Devil & Daniel Webster; Concerto Macabre; For the Fallen

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:56 +0000

“Like Korngold, Herrmann was a consummate movie composer: his only Symphony -inventive, soundly constructed, always eventful and excitingly scored – successfully taps a harmonically tangy, neoromantic vein reminiscent of Barber at his best … The Devil & Daniel Webster (Suite) was assembled shortly after the film’s score won its Oscar … Herrmann treats several New England folk-tunes to his own special brand of orchestral wizardry. The score is both a gentle, sepia-tinted portrait of rustic Americana and a wickedly endearing account of Mr Scratch’s devilish interventions … the 1943 berceuse For the Fallen, is a brief, but poignant lament for the soldiers killed in action … James Sedares and the NZSO are on top form throughout this valuable addition to Koch’s concert works by acclaimed film composers” (Gramophone)

Symphony No.1 [36:00]

[1] Maestoso – Allegro 13.52

[2] Scherzo 5.56

[3] Andante sostenuto 8.42

[4] Rondo – Finale 7.29

[5] Concerto Macabre for piano & orchestra 10:55

from the film “Hangover Square”

Sara Davis Buechner (piano)

[6] For the Fallen – a Berceuse 6.51

Suite: The Devil and Daniel Webster [20:04]

[7] Mr Scratch 5.29

[8] Ballad of Springfield Mountain 4.36

[9] Sleighride 1.58

[10] The Miser’s Waltz 5.22

[11] Swing Your Partners 2.37

Górecki: Symphony No.3 ‘sorrowful Songs’ Three Pieces in Olden Style; Totus Tuus

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:56 +0000

[Symphony] “my ultimate recommendation goes not to Nonesuch’s success, but to the moving recording on Koch Schwann – this is heartfelt music-making, pure and simple, that succeeds admirably in conveying the sorrow of these aptly named songs. Koch also provide better value money with their inclusion of the very approachable Three Pieces in Old Style” [Totus tuus] “It’s a simple, fetching, unaccompanied motet, written for Pope John Paul’s visit to Poland” (Gramophone)

Symphony No.3 ‘Symphony of Sorrowful Songs’ Op.36 [45:12]

[1] Lento 24.23

[2] Lento e Largo 8.34

[3] Lento cantabile, semplice 12.14

Three Pieces in Olden Style [8:32]

[4] I 3.19

[5] II 1.56

[6] III 3.16

[7] Totus Tuus Op.60 [10.50]

Copland: The Red Pony, Clarinet Concerto, Tender Land, Latin American Sketches

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:35 +0000

“(Red Pony) Copland displaying his simple gifts for the ready folk-tune and here the Phoenix woodwinds have what it takes … It was interesting re-hearing his Tender Land suite. So skillful is Copland’s orchestral transcription that one might easily be lulled into thinking this had been conceived solely for orchestra. As trumpets signal a new dawn over the open prairies, Laurie and Martin’s love blossoms in some of the most generous music outside Appalachian Spring. That evocative solo trumpet again leads the emotional surge. No problems with the barn dancing ‘Party Scene’. This is Steinbeck country just as surely as is The Red Pony. Sedares leads a spirited rendition, his warm and willing woodwinds stealing the honours” (Gramophone)

The Red Pony (suite from the film) [26:00]

[1] Morning on the Ranch 5.08

[2] The Gift 5.13

[3] Dream March 2.55

[4] Circus Music 1.56

[5] Walk to the Bunkhouse 3.05

[6] Grandfather’s Story 4.20

[7] Happy Ending 3.21

Three Latin-American Sketches [10:30]

[8] Estribillo 3.11

[9] Paisaje Mexicano 3.45

[10] Danza de Jalisco 3.32

The Tender Land (suite from the opera) [21:18]

[11] Introduction and Love Music 10.22

[12] Party Scene 4.51

[13] Finale: The Promise of Living (Barn Dance) 6.05

[14] Clarinet Concerto* / Eduard Brunner (clarinet) 14:56