Brief notes

Our collection of 25 further reviews takes us from rising stars to hidden gems

JS Bach The Art of Fugue Austrian Art Gang

Gramola 99142

What do five men on a green tractor have to do with Bach?

I’ve no idea. But this baffling cover did make me pick up this jazzed-up Art of Fugue. That said, the result is a bit of an acquired taste. (RF) ★★★

Blackford Niobe

Tamsin Waley-cohen (violin); Czech Philharmonic/ben Gernon

Signum Classics SIGCD539

This concerto is based on the story of Niobe, who was destroyed by the goddess Leto. It’s played with searing tone by Waleycohen, but is less memorable than hoped. (RF) ★★★

Daugherty Dreamachine, etc Evelyn Glennie (percussion), Albany Symphony/david Alan Miller, et al Naxos 8.559807

Three concertos, with top-notch soloists. Michael Daugherty’s idiom is colourful, tonal and well-crafted, though not always distinctive. (RF) ★★★

Debussy

Music for Two Harps and Voice Duo Bilitis Brilliant Classics 95657BR

With rare repertoire for female voice and two harps, this disc stands out from the many releases in Debussy’s centenary year. Ethereal performances of considered arrangements. (FP) ★★★★

Diamond Symphony No. 6, etc Indiana University Chamber & Philharmonic Orchestras/arthur Fagen Naxos 8.559842

Clean lines and uplifting melody in abundance. The Symphony is perhaps overshadowed by his delightfully tuneful Romeo & Juliet suite. (MB) ★★★★

Ekier • Szymanowski Piano works Wojciech Pyr (piano)

Dux DUX1458

The works of Jan Ekier are vibrant and engaging, while Szymanowski’s are reflective and melancholic. Pyrc´ plays with wonderful insight and a delicate touch. (FP) ★★★★

La Rue Masses

Beauty Farm

Fra Bernardo FB 1800751

Behind the curious cover lurk premiere recordings of masses by a talented contemporary of Josquin des Prez. Pierre de la Rue’s cause, alas, isn’t helped by singing that is occasionally frayed around the edges. (JP) ★★

Nowowiejski

Symphonies Nos 2 & 3 Poznan Philharmonic/borowicz Dux DUX1446

Two characterful but contrasting symphonies. One is tempestuous and spiky with Stravinsky-like touches, the other more melodious and infused with quirky humour. (JP) ★★★★

Preisner Piano music Jeroen van Veen (piano) Brilliant Classics 95411BR

The helpings here are generous, the performance bright and breezy, but this two-disc set lacks stylistic variety. A little too much for one sitting. (MB) ★★

Rachmaninov All-night Vigil Agnieszka Rehlis (mezzo), Choir of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic, et al Dux DUX1404

Rachmaninov’s work requires big voices, and that’s what we get here: full-throated, bold singing, full of intensity (and proper, low basses). A few, tiny intonation issues. (OC) ★★★

Ravel • Debussy Sonatas

Blake Pouliot (violin), Hsin-i Huang (piano)

Analekta AN2 8798

Pouliot’s playing is utterly electric throughout, full of nuance and character. Huang provides beautifully controlled, rock-solid support. (OC) ★★★★★

Ravel • Szymanowski

String Quartets

Joachim Quartet

Calliope CAL1747

The players bring out the sensuality of Szymanowski’s two quartets, which sandwich a vibrant reading of Ravel’s 1902 quartet. The booklet notes are hard work. (RF) ★★★★

Sibelius • Rautavaara

Violin Concertos

Tobias Feldmann (violin); Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, et al Alpha ALPHA357

Feldmann glitters in Rautavaara’s 1977 Violin Concerto, but there’s a heavy feeling that weighs down Sibelius’s 1905 Violin Concerto. (RF) ★★★

Smetana Festive Symphony, etc Berlin Radio Symphony Orch/ang Naxos 8.573672

Smetana’s Festive Symphony is a vibrant, celebratory affair. As with the Bartered Bride excerpts, it is performed here with a winning joie de vivre. (JP) ★★★★

Stanford Concert Overture, etc Leon Mccawley (piano), Sergey Levitin (violin), Royal Northern Sinfonia, et al Dutton CDLX 7350

Stanford learnt a lot from Brahms and Mendelssohn if these entertaining albeit slightly forgettable works are anything to go by. Enjoyable performances all round. (OC) ★★★

R Strauss Aus Italien

Wolf-ferrari Suite Veneziana Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Capriccio C5344

The orchestra are engaging guides on this largely sunny tour of Italy-inspired Romanticism.

The rarely heard Wolf-ferrari is a particular treat. (JP) ★★★★

Hidden Gems Works by Locatelli, Corelli, Gesualdo, Nico Muhly, etc Calefax Reed Quintet

Pentatone PTC5186 696

Superb performances and charming programme notes, but the programme’s eclecticism sometimes slightly jars. (FP) ★★★★

Matthew Gee’s Amazing Sliding Circus! Works by Stravinsky, Sondheim, Leoncavallo, etc Matthew Gee (trombone), et al

MG Music GEE002

It’s impossible not to be charmed by this colourful celebration of the versatile trombone. Matthew Gee and co. clown around, but with serious musicality. (MB) ★★★★

Mirages Songs by Fauré Bettina Smith (mezzo), Jan Willem Nelleke (piano)

Lawo LWC1146

This disc is only 49 minutes long which seems a little mean, but the rich, expressive singing and alert, responsive pianism are first rate, so all is forgiven. (OC) ★★★★

Nothing Proved Works by Norderval, Olson and White Parthenia, et al

MSR Classics MS1635

A collection of new works composed for viols, voice, and electronics. The music is at times haunted, barbed and beautiful. (MB) ★★★

Parts to Play Works by Prokofiev, Timo Andres, Libby Larsen, etc Moonkyung Lee (violin)

Navona Records NV6165

Prokofiev’s Sonata sits alongside works by contemporary composers in this innovative programme. Despite some slight audible violin squeaks, the recorded sound is very clear. (FP) ★★★

Polish Music Works by Penderecki, Weinberg, Mlynarski Warsaw Philharmonic/jacek Kaspszyk Warner Classics 9029569978

A rich orchestral sound makes this disc of largely forgotten Polish scores particularly impactful. The programme shows off the country’s musical traditions in a splendid way. (FP) ★★★★

Reiselust Works by Beethoven, Spohr and Mendelssohn

Eldering Ensemble

Genuin GEN18607

Mendelssohn’s big-hearted Piano Trio No. 2 is the highlight here, while Beethoven’s ‘Ghost’ Trio is also played with spirit. Not convinced by the Spohr, but it provides light relief. (OC) ★★★

Rejoice! Choral works by Stanford, Pärt, Macmillan, Howells, etc Bachchor Salzburg/alois Glassner Gramola GRAM99156

An imaginative programme, and the choir’s blend is immaculate. It’s desperately prim and passionless, however, and the anodyne organ accompaniment and dry recording help neither. (JP) ★★

The House of the Mind Works by Howells, Stanford, Muhly, etc Choir of Queen’s College/owen Rees Signum Classics SIGCD491

A diverse choral programme that juxtaposes liturgical standards with more modern takes.

It’s a rich, introspective and evocative recording. (MB)

★★★★

Reviewers : Michael Beek (MB),

Oliver Condy (OC), Rebecca Franks (RF), Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)