Brief notes
Our collection of 25 further reviews features soloists, symphonies and songs
JS Bach Cello Suites Nos 1-6 Sophie Webber (cello) Gimpy Records Gimpy1801 Though perhaps lacking in authoritative zing, the Us-based, English-born cellist delivers what is by turns a passionfuelled and meditative performance of Bach’s best. (MB) ★★★
Bruckner Piano Works Ana-marija Markovina (piano) Hänssler Classic HC17054 Why do we not hear Bruckner’s piano music more often? These galumphing, leaden-booted works should tell you why. If there is any charm lurking within, Markovina doesn’t share it. (JP) ★★
Gloria Coates Piano Quintet, etc Roderick Chadwick (piano); Kreutzer Quartet, et al Naxos 8.559848 Both of these Emilydickinson-inspired pieces are bracing and intriguing, with quarter-tone tuning in one and a distinctive brasspercussion palette in the other. Committed performances. (RF) ★★★★
Michael Gordon Clouded Yellow, etc Kronos Quartet Cantaloupe CA21140 An uncompromising album marking Gordon’s music for the barrier-breaking quartet. Abrasive and emotionally intense, Exalted is a highlight. (MB) ★★★
Hahn Chamber Music & Song James Baillieu (piano), Benjamin Baker (violin), et al Champs Hill Records CHRCD 139 Bookended by two chamber works, it is the shorter pieces at the centre of this programme that enchant the most. Sublimely tender performances too. (MB) ★★★★
Harbison • Stucky • Ruggles Orchestral Works NOI Philharmonic/david Alan Miller Naxos 8.559836 There’s a lot to enjoy in these vibrant performances, from the otherworldly atmosphere conjured up in Stucky’s Concerto to the almost Disney-like bonhomie that pervades the Harbison. (JP) ★★★★
William Jackson Sonata in A minor; Songs and Canzonets Emma Kirkby (soprano); Ars Musicae Toccata Classics TOCC 0477 Jackson's music isn't the finest (think second-rate Corelli) but then it isn't given the finest of chances. Despite a trio of top soloists, the Mallorcan ensemble Ars Musicae needs a bit of TLC. (OC) ★★
Janá ek String Quartets Acies Quartet Gramola GRAM99002 If you want your Janá ek string quartets raw and guttural, this is the recording for you. The sound takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s not at odds with this visceral music. (RF) ★★★★
Christian Lindberg Viola Concerto (‘Steppenwolf’), etc Rafael Altion (viola), et al BIS BIS-2308 Thrilling orchestral storytelling abounds, though the concerto is outshone in my view by the glorious musical cavalcades that follow in Tales of Galamanta. (MB) ★★★★★
Lourié Piano Works Christian Erny (piano) Ars Produktion ARS 38 248 Lourié’s style is hard to pinpoint, with a blend of French and Russian influences. The result is a shimmering disc tracing the young composer’s development. (FP) ★★★
Mayuzumi Samsara, etc Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra/yoshikazu Fukumura Naxos 8.573916 A vibrant and dramatic trio of symphonic works, exploring the virtuosic capabilities of each instrument. Climactic, intense and delivered with precision. (FP) ★★★★
Mendelssohn Organ Music Matthias Havinga (organ) Brilliant Classics 95658 Mendelssohn’s organ sonatas require tons of panache – which is what we have here. Phrasing could be a bit more expansive, but registrations are beautifully selected and faster movements pack a punch. (OC) ★★★★
Milhaud La Bien-aimée Rex Lawson (pianola), et al Nomadmusic NMM051 A fun ballet for pianola and orchestra, musing on Schubert and Liszt. It was resurrected by the musicians that appear on this good first recording. (RF) ★★★★
Moyzes Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Ladislav Slovák Naxos 8.573650 These two early20th century symphonies from one of Slovakia’s most important composers are lushly Romantic, bigboned works. Enjoyable stuff. (JP) ★★★★
Schumann • Burgmüller Symphony No. 2 in D, etc Colibri Ensemble/alexander Lonquich Odradek ODRCD355 The concerto benefits from Lonquich’s snappy articulation, but he is way too closely miked. The Burgmüller is a pleasant enough addition. (OC) ★★★
Sibelius Symphony No. 2 Grieg Aus Symphonische Tänze Gürzenich Orchestra/kitajenko Oehms OC 457 Kitajenko takes his time to admire the scenery in Sibelius’s Second Symphony. And glorious scenery it is too, but his dawdling pace may well test the patience of some. ( JP) ★★★
Tchaikovsky • Gulda Cello Concertos Jakob Spahn (cello), et al Hännsler Classic HC18016 The Gulda concerto straddles too many musical genres to be taken seriously in comparison to this wonderfully sensitive interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s. (FP) ★★★
Daydreams Works by JS Bach, Enescu, Chopin, Adams et al Yevgeny Sudbin (piano), et al Pentatone PTC 5186736 An incredibly varied collection of recordings from Tippet Rise’s summer festival, with a standout new work for cello and piano. (FP) ★★★★
Early Departures Works by JS Bach, Lipatti and Janá ek Matei Varga (piano) Sono Luminus DSL-92223 Varga’s poignant homage to composers who died far too young includes delightful world premieres by Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti. (OC) ★★★★
In Between Works by Liszt, Clara Schumann, et al Sophie Pacini (piano) Warner Classics 9029570494 A shame that on this well-played recording celebrating husband-and-wife Schumanns and brother-and-sister Mendelssohns, Clara and Fanny are only allotted eight minutes. (RF) ★★★
Mcqueen Works by Nyman Michael Nyman Band et al MN Records MNRCD145 Essentially a Nyman best of, this is a beautifully curated soundtrack to the late fashion designer Alexander Mcqueen’s personality, passion and pain. (MB) ★★★★
The Nightingale’s Response Works by Purcell, Vivaldi et al Fontanella Recorder Quintet bcr bcr015 41.03 mins These bird-inspired works date from the 16th-century to the present day. Some will be familiar, others less so. All tweet along rather charmingly. (JP) ★★★★
One Byrde in Hande Works by William Byrd Richard Egarr (harpsichord) Linn CKD 518 Richard Egarr explores with affection and intelligence the rich world of Byrd’s keyboard music, on a modern copy of a Ruckers harpsichord. Bells is a real gem. (RF) ★★★★
Out of the Silence Works by John Mcleod Evelyn Glennie (percussion), et al Delphian DCD34196 Beginning in hushed tones, this develops into something magical. Mcleod’s percussion concerto is particularly impactful, utilising the nuanced sounds of every instrument. (FP) ★★★★
Russian Romantics Works by Glinka, Glazunov and Rubinstein Hideko Udagawa (violin), Alexander Panfilov (piano) Northern Flowers NF/PMA 99130 Fascinating repertoire of Russian rarities, including a Cesar Cui world premiere recording, although performances aren’t uniformally ideal. Panilov provides fine but vital support. (OC) ★★ Reviewers : Michael Beek (MB), Oliver Condy (OC), Rebecca Franks (RF), Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)