Orchestra – Alto CD

Jewels of Russian Ballet

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:50 +0000

“Consistently, one registers the idiomatic feeling as well as of the finesse … If anyone thought that to get these players … would result in a routine account, that is the opposite of what has happened … they have responded with both refinement and red-blooded commitment … sound is exceptionally full and open” (Gramophone) “There’s plenty here that people will recognize instantly as favourites, even though they’d no idea what the titles were.” (interview Mark Ermler 1989)

[1] Stravinsky: The Firebird: Danse Infernale 4:16
[2] Glazunov: Raymonda: Galop 2:25
[3] Prokofiev: Cinderella: Finale 2:40
[4] Khachaturian: Spartacus: Variation of Aegina; Bacchanal 3:16

Minkus: Don Quixote:

[5] Basile’s Variation 0:49 [6] Variation II 1:07 [7] Finale 2:06
[8] Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker:Waltz of the Flowers 6:47
[9] Minkus: Don Quixote : Variations 40 & 41 4:59

Drigo: Le Corsaire

[10] Adagio 3:24 [11] Variation I 0:55
[12] Variation 11 1:49 [13] Galop 1:32

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet:

[14] Dance of the Knights 6:04 [15] Romeo and Tybalt Fight 3:46
[16] Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake: Valse, Act I, No.2 7:59

Glazunov: the Seasons:

[17] Bacchanal 1:00 [18] Waltz of the Cornflowers and Poppies 1:40
[19] Khachaturian: Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia 9:44
[20] Khachaturian: Gayaneh: Sabre Dance 2:27
[21] Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty: Valse, Act I, No 7 5:08
[22] Stravinsky: The Firebird: Finale 2:57

MARTINů: Double Concerto

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:49 +0000

“Golani’s unaffected account of the Rhapsody-Concerto, all the more eloquent for being understated .. the lovely Sinfonietta, a wartime work but apparently carefree gets a delightfully fresh performance … the powerful Double Concerto, again well played and recorded” (3* Penguin Guide)

Double Concerto for 2 String Orchestras Piano & Timpani

[1] Poco Allegro 6:30
[2] Largo 8:24
[3] Allegro 7:00

Jiří Skovajsa (piano), Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras

Sinfonietta Giocosa for Piano and Small Orchestra

[4] Poco allegro 8:15
[5] Allegretto poco moderato 5:49
[6] Allegro 7:25
[7] Andantino (moderato) – Allegro 7:21

Dennis Hennig (piano), Australian Chamber Orchestra
conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras

Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra

[8] Moderato 10:16
[9] Molto Adagio – Poco vivo –
Poco Allegro – Allegro – Andante (molto tranquillo) 11:54

Rivka Golani (viola), Bem Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Peter Maag

William Boyce: Eight Symphonies, Op. 2 Leopold Mozart: ‘Toy Symphony’ & Trumpet Concerto

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:49 +0000

“these fresh, inspirating, virile pieces, arguably the finest musical products of Georgian England… the music is finely done, the dances with a proper swing, the French overtures with rhythms that sound sharp but not unnaturally prickly …

Symphony No. 1 in B flat
‘NEW YEAR ODE’

[1] Allegro 2:01
[2] Moderato e dolce 2:12
[3] Allegro 1:27

Symphony No. 2 in A
‘BIRTHDAY ODE’

[4] Allegro assai 2:19
[5] Vivace 1:02
[6] Presto Allegro 1:29

Symphony No. 3 in C
‘THE CHAPLET’

[7] Allegro 2:28
[8] Vivace 1:19
[9] Tempo di Minuetto 1:27

Symphony No. 4 in F
‘SHEPHERDS LOTTERY’

[10] Allegro 2:21
[11] Vivace ma non troppo 1:21
[12] Gavotte: Allegro 2:10

Symphony No. 5 in D
‘ST.CECILIA’S DAY ODE’

[13] Allegro ma non troppo 3:56
[14] Tempo di Gavotta 1:36
[15] Tempo di Minuetto 2:09

Symphony No. 6 in F ‘SOLOMON’

[16] Largo 1:28
[17] Allegro 2:35
[18] Largetto 1:24

Symphony No. 7 in B flat
‘PYTHIAN ODE’

[19] Andante 3:57
[20] Moderato 1:12
[21] Jigg: Allegro assai 1:56

Symphony No. 8 in D minor
‘WORCESTER OVERTURE’

[22] Pomposo 3:13
[23] Allegro 2:18
[24] Largo Andante 2:16
[25] Tempo di Gavotta 3:32

Leopold Mozart (1719-87)
Trumpet Concerto in D major*
(Mainz Chamber Orchestra)
(Trumpet: Walter Holy)

[26] Adagio 4:57
[27] Allegro moderato 3:23

Cassation in G for Orchestra & Toys
‘Toy Symphony’

[28] Allegro 4:10
[29] Menuetto – Trio – Menuetto 3:55
[30] Finale 1:27

Britten: Simple Symphony ; Spring Symphony; Four Sea Interludes

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:42 +0000

(Spring Sym) “confirmed in my admiration by this, both technically and musically among the best things the gramophone has given us. The music is not difficult for any open-minded listener to enjoy…filled with the composer’s ecstatic response to the manifold beauties of springtime, of innocence and eager youth… Such a performance, and such a recording, were worth waiting for” (Gramophone) “Memorable as it is joyous” (Penguin Guide) (Four Sea Interludes) “evokes the very different moods of the Sea Interludes intensely and atmospherically”(Gramophone)

Simple Symphony Op.4
I Musici directed by Felix Ayo Rec.1959

[1] I. Boisterous Bourée 2.31 [3] III. Sentimental Sarabande 7.20
[2] II. Playful Pizzicato 3.12 [4] IV. Frolicsome Finale 2.47

Peter Grimes – Four Sea Interludes
Royal Opera House Orchestra conducted Benjamin Britten Rec.1958

[5] Dawn 3.35 [7] Moonlight 4.20
[6] Sunday Morning 3.49 [8] Storm 4.14

Spring Symphony Op.44
Jennifer Vyvyan (Sopr); Norma Proctor (Contralto); Peter Pears (Tenor) with the
Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden;
Chorus of Boys from Emanuel School, Wandsworth, London

[9] Part 1 Introduction: Shine Out (Anon. 16th century)
The Merry Cuckoo (Spenser) Spring the Sweet Spring (Nashe)
The Driving Boy (Peele, Clare) The Morning Star (Milton) 17.43
[10] Part 2 Welcome Maids of Honour (Herrick)
Waters Above Out on the Lawn I Lie in Bed (Auden) 11.14
[11] Part 3 When will my May Come (Barnefield)
Fair and Fair (Peele) Sound the Flute (Blake) 5.53
[12] Part 4 Finale:London, To thee I do Present (Beaumont/Flatcher) 7.18

Copland: Appalachian Spring; Billy the Kid Rodeo (4 Dance Episodes)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:42 +0000

“Dorati pioneered the first stereo recordings of the complete Billy the Kid and (this) caused a sensation …for precision of detail and brilliance of colour, while the generous acoustics offered ambient warmth…The gunshots were and remain electrifying….(Penguin Guide 3 stars) “The Dorati performance of Rodeo is excellent” (Gramophone)

Billy the Kid (complete ballet)

1. Introduction: The Open Prairie 3:40 6. Celebration (after Billy’s capture) 4:55
2. Street in a Frontier Town 3:32 7. Waltz from Billy the Kid 4:48
3. Mexican Dance & Finale 8:32 8. Billy’s Death 1:11
4. Prairie night (Card game at night) 3:05 9. The Open Prairie again 2:12
5. Gun Battle 2:01

Appalachian Spring (ballet suite) [24:52]

10. Very slowly 2:43 14. Solo Dance of the Bride 2:50
11. Allegro 2:45 15. Meno mosso 2:22
12. The Bride and her Intended 3:28 16. Variations on a Shaker Hymn 3:20
13. The Revivalist and his Flock 3:53 17. Moderato: Coda 3:28

*Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo [19:08]

18. Buckaroo Holiday 8:05 20. Saturday Night Waltz 4:06
19. Corral Nocturne 3:30 21. Hoe-Down 3:25

GLINKA: „Kamarinskaya“ Orchestral Dances

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:42 +0000

“almost 80 minutes of Russian-sourced dance music by Glinka and all in vivacious, colourful and spatially well-upholstered recordings. Ballet recordings conducted by Ermler are already well known. Here we are treated to the pointedly delicate, airily danceable and charming music from Ruslan, the Paganini-style bel canto and chuckle of the Dance for violin and orchestra.. (while) Demchenko is a gracious conductor creating space for these Bellinian confections drizzled over with a Russian accent” (Rob Barnett, MusicWeb) “Kamarinskaya, another hugely influential work (Tchaikovsky wrote that the ‘Russian symphonic school is all in Kamarinskaya, just as the whole oak is contained in the acorn’)” (James Murray)

Dances from Ruslan & Lyudmila

[1] Dances in Naina´s Castle 14:56
[2] Eastern Dances in the Black Sea Castle 7:25
[3] Dance for Violin and Orchestra 8:23
Irina Lebedeva (violin), Boris Demchenko, 1992
[4] Dance for Oboe & Cello with Orchestra 7:54
oboe Anatoly Lyubimov, cello Fedor Luzhanov,
Boris Demchenko, Moscow 1992
[5] Andante Cantabile & Rondo 11:50
Boris Demchenko, Moscow 1992
[6] Majestic Polonaise 4:35
Ilmar Lapins, Moscow 1994
Dances from Ivan Susanin Vladimir Fedoseyev, 1984
[7] Valse 5:56
[8] Krakowiak 5:47
[9] Mazurka 4:39
[10] Kamarinskaya 6:34
Konstantin Ivanov, Moscow 1982

Sings Gershwin “Our Love is Here to Stay” (The Songbook)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:27 +0000

“Once Ella joined Verve to be produced by the legendary Norman Granz, they embarked on the defining project of her career, to record one by one the classic “songbooks” of America’s best composers of the “golden age of popular song”, and the series provided hit after hit and have made younger generations familiar with standards and rare show tunes. Richard Rodgers said ‘Whatever she does to my songs, she always makes them sound better’. (MusicalMerit)

1. But Not For Me 3.34
2. My One And Only 2.38
3. Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off 4.28
4. Oh! Lady Be Good 4.01
5. Nice Work If You Can Get It 3.34
6. S’Wonderful 3.31
7. The Man I Love 3.52
8. That Certain Feeling 3.04
9. By Strauss 2.32
10. Someone To Watch Over Me 4.33
11. They All Laughed 3.05
12. A Foggy Day (In London Town) 3.33
13. Clap Yo’ Hands 2.31
14. Strike Up The Band 2.35
15. Soon 2.22
16. Bidin’ My Time 2.42
17. Our Love Is Here To Stay 3.56
18. Love Walked In 3.54
19. They Can’t Take That Away From Me 3.11
20. Embraceable You 4.52
21. Fascinating Rhythm 3.24
22. Funny Face 3.25

Jacques Brel: Ne Me Quitte Pas (Two classic albums)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:26 +0000

“The Belgian Leonard Cohen” (Iconic poet-songwriter)
“Over ensuing years Brel copyrights would find their way into the portfolios of a diversity of artists. Shirley Bassey, David Bowie, Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Nana Mouskouri, to name but a few. Ex-Walker Brother, Scott (Engel) Walker, was a particular champion, waxing an entire album of J.B.’s jewels in 1981, while latter-day admirers include the Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon and former Soft Cell frontman, Marc Almond. The likes of Marianne Faithfull and Nina Simone were among the earliest devotees, performing Brel’s work in French.” (John Tracy)

Jacques Brel : (4th album) La valse à mille temps

[1] La valse à mille temps (Brel) 3.52
[2] Seul (Brel) 3.31
[3] La dame patronesse (Brel) 2.39
[4] Je t’aime (Brel/Rauber) 2.22
[5] Ne me quitte pas (Brel) 3.52
[6] Les flamandes (Brel) 2.37
[7] Isabelle (Brel/Rauber) 3.14
[8] La mort (Brel) 2.54
[9] La tendresse (Brel) 2.39
[10] La colombe (Brel) 2.59

All above tracks with Orchestra conducted by François Rauber Rec.1959
Jacuqes Brel : (3rd album) Au Printemps (recorded 1958)

[11] Demain l’on se Marie (La chanson des Fiancés) (Brel) 2.32
[12] Au printemps (Brel) 2.41
[13] Je ne sais pas (Brel) 3.10
[14] Le Colonel (Brel/Waggenheim) 3.13
[15] Dors ma mie, bonsoir (Brel/Rauber) 3.45
[16] La lumière Jaillira (Brel/Rauber) 2.58
[17] Dites, si c’était vrai (Poéme) (Brel) 1.35
[18] L’homme dans la cité (Brel) 2.24
[19] Litanies pour un retour (Brel/Rauber) 2.11
[20] Voici (Brel/Rauber)

Music From The Films – Mantovani & His Orchestra

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:06 +0000

“In the new age of Hi-Fi stereo, no sound dominated the airwaves and turntables as much as the cascading strings and romantic arrangements of Mantovani, which were uniquely suited to great film themes, as on this, his biggest album” (MusicalMerit)

[1] Warsaw Concerto (Addinsell) 7.37
[2] Serenata d’amore (Mantovani) 4.16
[3] The Dream of Olwen (Williams) 3.50
[4] The Legend of The Glass Mountain (Rota) 3.43
[5] Story of Three Loves (Rachmaninov) 2.45
[6] Cornish Rhapsody (Bath) 6.38

Above all with Rawicz and Landauer (Two Pianos)
Album recorded in stereo issued 1960 (SKL4014)
Bonus Film Themes (stereo)

[7] Moulin Rouge Theme (Auric/Engwick) Rec.1958 2.55
[8] Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo (Kaper/Deutsch) Rec.1958 2.24
[9] Greensleeves (Trad/arr.Binge) Rec.1958 2.53
[10] Lonely Ballerina (Carr/Lambrecht) Rec.1958 2.56
[11] Around the World (Young/Adamson/Rouzaud) Rec.1959 2.05
[12] September Song (Weill/Anderson) Rec.1958 3.04
[13] Unchained Melody (North/Zaret) Rec.1958 2.31
[14] My Foolish Heart (Young/Washington) Rec.1958 4.37
[15] Laura (Raskin/Mercer) Rec.1958 3.41
[16] Love is a Many-Splendoured Thing (Fain/Webster) 1958 4.05
[17] Three Coins in the Fountain (Styne/Cahn) Rec.1958 3.33
[18] Summertime in Venice (Cicognini/Sigman) Rec.1957 3.43
[19] Limelight – Theme (Chaplin) Rec.1958 3.13
[20] Charmaine (Rapee/Pollack) Rec.1958 3.01

Piotyr Tchaikovsky (1840-93)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:05 +0000

(of his previous Tchaikovsky recordings) “As I have often felt with Rozhdestvensky’s recordings, their warm, easy spontaneity,…. suggests sessions where the aim was to communicate immediately and warmly in a near equivalent to live performance” (Gramophone)

‘Manfred’ Symphony Op.58

[1] I. Lento lugubre – Moderato con moto 16:01
[2] II. Vivace con spirito 9:38
[3] III. Andante con moto 10:35
[4] IV. Allegro con fuoco 18:31
[5] Overture in C minor (no Op.no) 13:50