Brief Notes

Harri Ahmas Organ Works

Jan Lehtola (organ) et al

Toccata Classics TOCC 0525

A welcome introduction to the Finnish composer whose organ music echoes Petr Eben’s angular tonalism. The organ’s clean, immediate sound adds brilliant clarity. The Sonata deserves wide currency. (OC) ★★★★

JS Bach • Jalbert • Pärt • Vasks Violin Concertos etc

Margaret Batjer (violin) et al BIS-2309 Its moods ranging from otherwordly to feisty, Pierre Jalbert’s Violin Concerto has its memorable moments. The real pleasure, though, lies in the Bach, Pärt and Vasks that follow. (JP) ★★★★

Beethoven

The Creatures of Prometheus Warren Lee (piano) Naxos 8.573974 This piano version of The Creatures of Prometheus understandably lacks the colour of the ballet proper, yet is enjoyable enough in the capable hands of Warren Lee. (CJ) ★★★

Bizet • Gounod Choral Works Munich Motet Choir et al

Hänssler Classic HC19046

These two French composers’ liturgical works aren’t in the same league as their operas – some lovely moments, especially in the Te Deum, but in truth neither works leave the runway. (OC) ★★★

Bruckner Piano Works

Francesco Pasqualotto (piano)

Brilliant Classics 95619

Bruckner’s piano works were clearly intended for domestic performance – no hint of his great symphonies in these rather superficial miniatures. Fine playing, but a slightly muddy recorded sound. (OC) ★★

Alexander Chapman Campbell Piano Works

Alexander Chapman Campbell (piano) Signum Classics SIGCD0816

A short but sweet selection of piano solos performed by the young Scottish composer. Engaging, emotional and lyrical; I just wish there was more to hear. (MB) ★★★

Charlton Choral Works etc Brussels Chamber Choir et al

Et’cetera KTC 1662

Alan Charlton presided over these recordings before his untimely death, aged 47, last year. His innovative musical artistry comes through in heartfelt and energetic performances. (MB) ★★★★

Chopin • Takemitsu • Serocki • Szymanowski Piano Works Miyako Arishma (piano)

Steinway & Sons 30118

Serocki’s Suite of Preludes is the Bartókian star here in an imaginative programme that juxtaposes music of three Polish composers and a Takemitsu miniature. Terrific, alert playing. (OC) ★★★★

Faccio Amleto

Vienna Symphony Orchestra et al Naxos 8.660454-55

To buy or not to buy? The occasional moment of iffy recorded balance aside, there’s not much rotten in the state of this spirited live performance of Faccio’s rarely heard Shakespearean opera from 1865. (JP) ★★★

Philip Glass Symphony No. 5 Trinity Wall Street

Orange Mountain OMM0143

This work is rarely performed because of the massive forces required, so this release including a concert performance and interview on DVD is a rare treat. (FP) ★★★★

Liszt • Arvo Pärt Choral Works Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Ondine ODE 1337-2

Kalle Randalu draws solemnity from the piano solos in Liszt’s late work Via Crucis, paired here with four pieces by Pärt; the a capella Solfeggio (1963) and Summa (1977) are highlights. (CJ) ★★★

Jimmy López Bellido

Symphony No. 1 etc

Forth Worth Symphony Orchestra MSR Classics MS 1737

So much to enjoy in these two broad orchestral works; both are wild flights of symphonic fancy, filled with colour and drama. The Fort Worth Symphony gleams. (MB) ★★★★

Mozart Die Zauberf löte Chamber Orchestra of Europe et al DG 483 6400

Tenor Rolando Villazón sings Papageno in this live recording of Mozart’s classic opera from Baden-baden. Flautist Clara Andrada de la Calle impresses.

(CJ) ★★★★

Ravel Chamber Works Maria Milstein (violin) et al Mirare MIR416

Sisters Nathalia and Maria Milstein explore the influence of time and place on Ravel’s chamber music. A chronological programme highlights his development superbly, with fine sound and impressive virtuosity. (FP) ★★★

Reizenstein

Piano Concerto No. 2 etc

Oliver Triendl (piano) et al CPO 555 2452 A German plying his trade in mid-20thcentury England, Reizenstein’s style has a touch of, say, Walton about it, with glimpses of Sibelius in the Serenade. Sadly, it’s not hugely distinctive. ( JP) ★★★

Will Todd Mass in Blue

Nonsuch Singers et al Convivium CR047 Todd’s jazz mass is snappily performed, but it all veers precariously into lounge. The choir, happier no doubt in Tallis and Parry, sounds out of its comfort zone.

(OC) ★★★

Weber Flute Works

Kazunori Seo (flute) et al Naxos 8.573766 Brilliant flute works are performed here alongside chamber works arranged for the instrument. Light, controlled playing, but with slightly shrill high notes. It could benefit from a more varied approach. (FP) ★★★

21st Century Double Bass

Works by Robin Walker et al

Leon Bosch (double bass) et al

Meridian CDE 84655

From the frenetic bursts in Parkin’s December series to the earthy resonance of Roxanna Panufnik’s Shosholoza, soloist

Leon Bosch dazzles in this varied programme of largely premiere recordings. (CJ) ★★★★

A Bernstein Story

Works by Bernstein, Reich et al Sebastian Studnitzky (piano) et al Berlin Classics 0301109BC

Jazz pianist and classical clarinettist join forces in new interpretations of music by Bernstein, Stravinsky and Reich. An unexpected delight. (FP) ★★★★

Emergence: Emily Dickinson Works by Copland et al

Nadine Benjamin (soprano) et al

Stone Records 5060192780864

Nadine Benjamin’s renditions of 20thand 21st-century musical settings of poems by Emily Dickinson are a great tribute. The singing is beautifully controlled, with care for the text. (FP) ★★★★

Mademoiselle in New York Works by Gershwin et al

Lucienne Renaudi Vary (trumpet) et al Warner Classics 9029540710

This is a riot. Renaudin Vary’s trumpeting shines more than her singing, but it’s a fabulously zesty programme. Bill Elliott’s arrangements are a real highlight. (MB) ★★★★

Praga Rosa Bohemiae

Works by Grudencz et al

Cappella Mariana

Supraphon SU 4273-2

Works by Josquin and Obrecht are among the gems in this excellent collection. Crisp, one-to-a-part performances benefit from majestic recorded sound.

( JP) ★★★★★

Salvator Mundi

Works by Byrd, Stanford et al Roger Sayer (organ) et al

Edition EDN1132

English choral works performed by saxophone and organ? Yep. Gorgeous arrangements played with sophistication ensure that this most unlikely of combinations works rather well. ( JP) ★★★★

Silenced Voices

Works by Kuti, Frid et al

Black Oak Ensemble

Cedille CDR 90000 189

All but one of these composers died at the hands of the Nazis. As such, there’s more than a shadow of pathos over this otherwise delightful clutch of chamber works. (MB) ★★★★

Twentieth Century Oboe Sonatas Works by Poulenc et al

Alex Klein (oboe) et al

Cedille CDR 90000 186

Alex Klein gives a richly detailed account of oboe sonata stalwarts by Bowen, Poulenc and Saint-saëns; the lesser-known Dutilleux and Bozza works add depth. (CJ) ★★★★

Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB),

Oliver Condy (OC), Claire Jackson (CJ), Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)