Vocal fireworks and great composers
This month’s round-up takes us from Suzanne Danco to Beethoven
Soprano Suzanne Danco’s mastery of Mozart and French song saw her unrivalled in her day, and that repertoire sits at the heart of The Decca Recitals (Eloquence 484 0868). Taking in recordings from 1947-56, this eight-disc collection showcases Danco’s formidable talent in what is a relatively small recorded legacy. Small though it may be, the variety and quality speaks for itself; beyond the works for which she is best-known are pieces by composers as far apart in time as Caccini and Richard Strauss.
Memorable vocals are also on display in Legendary Voices (Orfeo C 200021), which is released to mark Orfeo’s 40th anniversary. The German label found its voice, quite literally, with recordings of operatic rarities, performed by some of the great talents of the day. This ten-disc set features 11 singers and a feast of repertoire from the stage. Highlights include Brigitte Fassbaender singing Handel, Gluck, Mozart and Wagner, a disc of Carlo Bergonzi and Dietrich Fischer-dieskau duets, plus the fabulous Grace Bumbry with recordings of Massenet, Cherubini, Gounod and more.
Bach Transcriptions (Brilliant
95943) is a colourfully-packaged celebration of Johann Sebastian. Comprised of 20 discs, it brings together an array of reimaginings and reconstructions of the master’s music. Busoni’s famous and muchloved transcriptions are joined by those of d’albert, plus 20th-century projects by the likes of Gustav Leonhardt and Leopold Stokowski. Highlights here include two sets of Goldbergs, for string trio and recorder quintet respectively, and harpsichord works reimagined for all manner of string instruments.
Beethoven’s World 1799-1851 (Solo Musica SM 283) is a five-disc set released to accompany a concert project by the Casal Quartet. It serves to shine a light on not just the music of the great composer, but of those around him – whether influencing him or influenced by him. Each disc takes a period in time as its basis and features works by Beethoven, Haydn, Gyrowetz, Schubert, Donizetti, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Czerny. The extensive notes illustrate just how the times in which he lived shaped Beethoven’s music, but equally how his music shaped the times.