Colin Davis – Alto CD

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5

amuletts — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:35:37 +0000

Alto returns Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra’s critically acclaimed recordings of Jean Sibelius’ Symphonies Nos 2 & 5 to international availability. Hailed as Gramophone Magazine and Classic FM discs of the month upon initial release, Sir Colin Davis is a strong advocate for the music of Jean Sibelius. Davis was once quoted as saying, “conducting Sibelius is like looking at oneself in the mirror. I look in the mirror and see the pitilessness of life, yet I find the strength to go on. Sibelius was happy when he was in company, depressed when he was alone. I am the same’.

Each of Sibelius’s seven numbered symphonies possesses a quite different character, a fact that has led his followers to assert that he is the finest symphonist since Beethoven. These two renditions have been brought back to life in these newly remastered editions from Paul Arden-Taylor.

“Davis reminds us now just how great he is in Sibelius with a marvellous new recording of the Second … the strength of this performance, where a patient (and more involving) build-up leads to a shattering finale. Davis loves Sibelius, and the orchestra clearly love playing it for him. Listening to a Sibelius performance of this calibre, there’s no other composer one would rather hear.” —Gramophone, Album of the Month (Symphony No. 2)

Album of the Month, Classic FM (Symphony No. 5)

Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43

I. Allegretto
II. Tempo andante, ma rubato
III. Vivacissimo
IV. Allegro moderato

Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 (1919 Version)

I. Tempo molto moderato
II. Andante mosso
III. Allegro molto

Great Anthems & Choruses

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:47:04 +0000

(Hickox) “fine digital collections sung with fervour and discipline … zestfully infectious … shaped beautifully … brass resonantly sonorous … fully in the demonstration bracket” (Penguin Guide)

01. O Fortuna (Carmina Burana – Orff) 2:48

02. Les Voici (Carmen – Bizet) 4:00

03. A Deux Cuartos (Carmen – Bizet) 2:04

04. Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore – Verdi) 2:57

05. Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco – Verdi) 5:18

06. Soldiers’ Chorus (Faust – Gounod) 3:00

07. Gli arredi festivi (Nabucco – Verdi) 4:40

08. Grand March (Aida – Verdi) 4:14

09. Polovtsian Dances (extract) (Prince Igor – Borodin) 3:45

10. Zadok the Priest (Handel) 2:58

11. See the Conquering Hero (Judas Maccabeus – Handel) 2:52

12. Hallelujah (Messiah – Handel) 3:38

13. Lacrimosa (Requiem – Mozart) 2:57

14. Shepherds’ Farewell (L’Enfance du Christ -Berlioz) 4:33

15. Lord of the Dance (S.Carter) 3:04

16. Myfanwy (J.Parry) 2:50

17. Linden Lea (Vaughan Williams) 2:03

18. All Thro’ the Night (Trad./E.Jones) 2:36

19. The Long Day Closes (A.Sullivan) 3:49

20. Nkosi Sikele’le Afrika (E.Sotonga) 3:10

21. Ode to Joy (extract) (Symphony 9 – Beethoven) 8:35

Berlioz: Harold in Italy Op.16, & Overtures: Benvenuto Cellini; Beatrice et Benedict; Royal Hunt and Storm

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:58 +0000

“Yet again Sir Colin Davis demonstrates his supreme mastery as a Berlioz interpreter … especially fascinating is to compare this latest Harold en Italie with earlier versions – the biggest contrast is the extra tautness of Davis’s interpretation, with speeds consistently faster … the textures are sparer, sharper and lighter – bringing extra incisiveness all round. One other benefit is that the magnificent Tabea Zimmermann, is balanced as part of the orchestra. The beauty of her tone, with its nut-brown colours on the C-string, is never masked, but the balance allows pianissimi of a delicacy never achieved by the 1975 version. In the introduction there is a repeat marked ‘pianissimo possibile’ – just what you hear in magic tones.” (Gramophone)

Harold en Italie [40:14]

5. Overture: Benvenuto Cellini 10:08
6. Overture: Béatrice et Benedict 8:10
7. Les Troyens: Act IV-29 – Chasse Royale et Orage 9:10

Jean Sibelius Symphonies nos 4 & 7

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:27 +0000

“What makes Davis’s Sibelius compelling is that he manages to have it both ways. He gives these fine players the encouragement to turn individual passages into moments of spine-tingling magic …But he never loses sight of the bigger objective, which is to pull together, bit by bit, the seemingly disparate themes … I doubt whether I shall ever hear an orchestra and conductor achieve a closer rapport in Sibelius” (BBC Radio 3) “one of the finest performances of Sibelius’s Seventh ever on disc” (Classic FM) “Mature wisdom and beautiful playing” (The Times)

Symphony No.4 in A minor Op.63 [38:37]

[1] I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio 11:42
[2] II. Allegro Molto Vivace 4:57
[3] III. Il Tempo Largo 12:40
[4] IV. Allegro 9:17

Symphony No.7 in C major Op.105 [22:27]

[5] I. Adagio – Un pochettino meno adagio –
Vivacissimo – Adagio – Allegro molto moderato –
Vivace – Presto – Adagio 22:27

Verdi: Requiem Mass

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:27 +0000

‘Sir Colin Davis conducts the Requiem with a judicious mix of fire and meditative calm’ (Gramophone) ‘a strong set of soloists … Every note fills me with affection and wonder, and that’s rare … his performance really feels like a live one as if we’re hearing this glorious score straight out of the crucible in which it was forged … From the Domine Jesu Christe onwards everyone seems gripped by the unfolding drama, prompting them to give of their individual and collective best … there’s a tension in the orchestra – a sense of approaching finality … that dark, tolling figure in the Lux Aeterna is unforgettable, the soloists singing with a liberating loveliness that’s equally memorable … Dies irae is (another) case in point … Sir Colin’s performance is in another league entirely’ (MusicWeb)

Disc 1 [45:39]

1. I. Requiem Aeternam 9:09
2. II. Dies Irae 2:17
3. III. Tuba Mirum 3:26
4. IV. Liber Scriptus 5:02
5. V. Quid Sum Miser 3:36
6. VI. Rex Tremendae 3:35
7. VII. Recordare 3:58
8. VIII. Ingemisco 3:28
9. IX. Confutatis 5:27
10. X. Lacrymosa 5:37

Disc 2 [36:25]

1. XI. Domine Jesu Christe 4:17
2. XII. Hostias 5:29
3. XIII. Sanctus 2:36
4. XIV. Agnus Dei 4:28
5. XV. Lux Aeterna 6:15
6. XVI. Libera Me, Dies Irae, Requiem Aeternam 7:24
7. XVII. Libera Me 5:52

Beethoven: Mass in C, Op.86 Symphony No.9 – 4th Mvt ‘Ode to Joy’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:27 +0000

‘Colin Davis leads a superb quartet of soloists and brings out all the humanity and tenderness of the music with his customary skill. The LSO Chorus responds brilliantly’ (Classic FM) ‘Colin Davis who meets the work on its own particular ground with such imagination and style in this version. The great fugal perorations are crisper under Davis – more Haydnesque, you might say’ (Gramophone) [9th sym] BBC Radio 3 CD of the Week. ‘This has impressed everyone … a feeling of immediacy and drama tempered with vision and maturity.’ (BBC) ‘Feel the warmth of Finley’s opening bass solo, marvel at the open throats of the LSO Chorus.’ (The Times)

Mass in C [46:06]*

[1] I. Kyrie 5:40
[2] II. Gloria 10:13
[3] III. Credo 11:20
[4] IV. Sanctus 3:34
[5] V. Benedictus 7:39
[6] VI. Agnus Dei 7:38

Symphony No 9 (Op.125); 4th Movement **

[7] Presto – Allegro ma non troppo –
Vivace – Adagio cantabile 24:30

Mozart: Requiem Mass K.626

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:06 +0000

this is a grandly scaled, nobly contoured reading, by turns monumental and ferociously dramatic. With biting choral attack, searing, spitting strings and scything trumpets, the Dies irae has a terrifying intensity I have rarely heard equalled. The Rex tremendae, too, is overwhelming in its desperate fervour and grimly sustained impetus, with the inexorable dotted rhythms hewn from granite … If you want a traditionally conceived budget-price Requiem, well sung, superbly played and vividly recorded, Davis’s performance has much to commend it.” (Gramophone)

1. Requiem und Kyrie 7:13
2. Dies Irae 1:44
3. Tuba mirum 3:37
4. Rex tremendae 2:14
5. Recordare 6:03
6. Confutatis maledictis 2:44
7. Lacrimosa 2:58
8. Domine Jesu 4:15
9. Hostias 4:36
10. Sanctus 1:46
11. Benedictus 4:33
12. Agnus Dei 8:46