Brief Notes

Our collection of 25 short reviews includes Partch, Polyphony and Pavarotti

Jon Deak Symphonic Tales Cabrillo Festival Orchestra et al Naxos 8.559785

Folktales blended with orchestral and chamber music isn’t a new concept, but here the performers also narrate. A fun, live recording, although the sound quality could be more dynamic. (FP) ★★★

Bryce Dessner El Chan etc

Katia and Marielle Labèque (pianos) et al DG 481 8075

The Labèques bring fizz to Bryce Dessner’s Concerto for Two Pianos, but even they can’t stop it stalling periodically. El Chan shows the composer to be a more successful miniaturist. (OC) ★★★

Daniel Elms Islandia etc

Daniel Elms et al

New Amsterdam NWAM114

What begins as another slice of postclassical ambience quickly develops to reveal hidden depths and creative substance. Elms crafts a captivating soundworld; exquisite trumpet solos, too. (MB) ★★★★

Leifs Edda, Part II: The Lives of the Gods

Iceland Symphony Orchestra et al BIS BIS-2420

The sounds of Iceland’s landscape and folklore make their way into Edda II, the second part of the composer’s mammoth Norse myth-inspired trilogy. Expect a raw lyricism, tectonic force and a yodelling tenor. (RF) ★★★★

Lekeu Chamber Works

Bruno Monteiro (violin) et al

Brilliant Classics 95739BR

An emotionallydrenched sonata and trio show us a composer who was mature beyond his short-lived years. Intimate recording of passionate performances only adds to the impact. (MB) ★★★★ David Matthews

Symphony No. 9 etc

English Symphony Orchestra et al Nimbus Alliance NI 6382

The past is never far away in the Ninth Symphony, a work unafraid to be in dialogue with melody, tonality and tradition. It’s warmly played, as are the string orchestra Variations and Double Concerto. (RF) ★★★★

Moniuszko Opera songs for piano Cyprien Katsaris (piano)

The Fryderyk Chopin Institute NIFCCD 113 Moniuszko is acclaimed as the first national opera composer in Poland, but he’s still virtually unknown elsewhere. This recording is charming. (RF) ★★★

Partch Sonata Dementia etc

Harry Partch et al

Bridge Records BRIDGE 9525

Step into the inventive imagination of

Harry Partch, where unusual instruments and unexpected ideas thrive . The performances are direct. (RF) ★★★★

Gerard Schurmann Chamber and Instrumental Works

Mark Robson (piano) et al

Toccata Classics TOCC 0520 Sophisticated works from a creative and sensitive composer who I’m enjoying more and more; the flute pieces glow, the song cycles resonate. (MB) ★★★

Paul Smith Chant; Reflections etc Voces8; Apollo5 et al

VCM Records VCM 125

An immersive

(and effective) endeavour, with plainsong, modern instrumental and vocal hues and early opera sitting together surprisingly comfortably. Definitely one for headphones and a darkened room. (MB) ★★★★ Stanford Mass ‘Via Victrix’ etc BBC NOW et al Lyrita SRCD 382 Rescued from obscurity nearly a century after its composition, Stanford’s largescale post-war mass is definitely worth checking out. Impassioned performances here. (JP) ★★★★

Telemann Missa and cantatas for countertenor

Alex Potter (countertenor) et al

CPO 555 192-2

It’s easy to forget, in the shadow of Bach, just how beautiful Telemann’s church music can be. The cantatas, mass and instrumental music are winsomely performed; Alex Potter’s countertenor is a constant pleasure. (OC) ★★★★

Weigl Symphony No. 1 etc

Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-pfalz Capriccio C5365

One can hear the influence of Mahler in the orchestral style of Weigl, his compatriot and nearcontemporary. The performances here are lively, but finer details can struggle to emerge. (JP) ★★★

40 Works by Macmillan et al

The Sixteen Coro COR16172

To mark 40 years of The Sixteen, its members have chosen 40 favourite recordings from the extensive catalogue. The personallywritten introductions to each track are a thoughtful touch. (FP) ★★★★

1939 Works by Walton, Bartók et al Fabiola Kim (violin) et al

Solo Musica SM 308

Three stunning violin concertos written in 1939 during a time of immense instability in Europe, all painting a picture of life and times from varying perspectives. Perfectly judged performances, with superb precision throughout. (FP) ★★★★ Madame Schumann Works by Hensel, C Schumann et al

Ragna Schirmer (piano) et al

Berlin Classics 0301194BC

Homage is paid to Clara’s own concert programmes in this enjoyable two-disc set. The two recitals include works by her husband, Fanny Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Handel and Scarlatti. (RF) ★★★★

Mater Mundi Choral Works by Górecki, Gjeilo et al

Exeter College Chapel Choir et al Chorum CHORC 519

There’s plenty for choral enthusiasts to explore here, including Vytautas Miskinis’s Brittenlike Missa Brevis. Largely well sung, though the sopranos occasionally sound a little exposed. (JP) ★★★

Music Around the Bauhaus Works by Antheil, Wolpe et al Steffen Schleiermacher (piano) MDG 613 0878-2

A challenging but fascinating foray through piano music written during one of Germany’s most fecund art periods. Schleiermacher shines. (OC) ★★★★

Palimpsest Works by Ravel et al Richard Stoltzman (clarinet) et al Avie AV2409

Marimba, clarinet, bandoneon and bass looks odd on paper, but it works, helped by lively and eloquent playing. Ravel’s Pavane arranged for clarinet and marimba is an unexpected joy. (OC) ★★★★

Pavarotti Works by Puccini et al Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) et al

Decca 483 4894

Despite occasional ropey sound, this film soundtrack selection is a mightily enjoyable slice of the great tenor’s most familiar hits, a number of which are live recordings. (MB) ★★★

Quasi morendo Works by Sciarrino, Brahms and Pesson Reto Bieri (clarinet); Meta4

ECM 481 8082

Clarinettist Reto Bieri’s control and expressivity in Sciarrino’s haunting solo Let Me Die

Before I Wake is astonishing. He’s a soulful communicator in Brahms’s elegiac Quintet, too. Meta4 provide sumptuous support. (OC) ★★★★★

Silk Baroque JS Bach et al

Wu Wei (sheng) et al

Pentatone PTC 5186 800

Great arrangements that introduce the Chinese sheng to the likes of Telemann and Rameau. In some parts reflective, in others feisty and even folky, it’s inventive and rarely dull. ( JP) ★★★★

Singin’ Rhythm Percussion Works by Espel, Sammut, Pereira etc

Vivi Vassileva Quintet et al

Alpha Classics Alpha 463

Marimba and vibraphone enjoy the lion’s share of the action in music ranging from John Dowland to Vivi Vassileva’s own Kalino Mome for multi-percussion, the highlight of the disc. (JP) ★★★

Some Like It Plucked

Works by Gershwin, Satie et al Les Inventions Globe Records GLO 5272 Came for the title, stayed for the jazz harpsichord. Horovitz’s concerto fares best, written for the instrument itself, whereas it sounds harried and frenetic in the other transcriptions. (FP) ★★★

Supersize Polyphony Choral Works by Striggio and Tallis et al Armonico Consort et al

Signum Classics SIGCD560

In glorious sound, the Armonico Consort presents a selection of large choral works, with a handful of pieces by Bingen, delivered with delicacy. A total delight. (FP) ★★★★★

Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB),

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