This month’s selection features new names to discover and works to cherish
Bruckner • M Haydn
Motets
MDR Leipzig Radio Choir/philipp Ahmann Pentatone PTC 5186 868 Bruckner’s superb choral works unfortunately tend to be eclipsed by his own symphonies; ditto Michael Haydn by his famous brother. In this fine coupling, both enjoy their deserved moment in the spotlight in polished, passionate performances. (JP) ★★★★
Christopher Cerrone
The Arching Path
Timo Andres (piano); Ian Rosenbaum (percussion) et al In a Circle ICR021 Cerrone’s music explores concepts of place and memory and these works offer a potent and dynamic listening experience. There’s a great physicality to the performances here, making Cerrone’s soundworld almost tangible. Double Happiness is the album’s appealing, softer centre. (MB) ★★★★
Dvo ák • Martin
Cello Concertos
Victor Julien-laferrière (cello); Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège Alpha Classics ALPHA 731 Julien-laferrière’s rather ponderous approach to Dvo ák’s familiar concerto can feel like hard work at times, but things perk up considerably with his thrillingly feisty performance of the less well known Martin . A game of two halves, as it were. ( JP) ★★★
Herrmann • Rózsa
String Quartets etc
Ensemble Merian Brilliant 96230
It makes sense to put quartets by these Hollywood legends of old together, not just because they were cinematic contemporaries. There’s spikiness and melancholic romance to be found in both works, though I prefer Herrmann’s Echoes at more of a lick. (MB) ★★★
Laura Kaminsky Fantasy etc
Ursula Oppens Cedille CDR 90000 202 This collection of world premiere recordings is the creative pinnacle of a decades-long collaboration between composer and pianist. The jarring dissonances and agitated rhythms that pervade the works belie the beauty that exists beneath. Listen and you’ll find it. (MB) ★★★
Korngold • Janá ek
Chamber Works
Ivo Kahánek (piano); Janá ek String Quartet Centaur CRC 3809
The virtuosity on display here is quite astonishing. The longstanding Janá ek Quartet is joined by fellow Czech pianist Ivo Kanánek for Korngold’s Quintet, before paying tribute to their namesake in a programme that gels superbly. (FP) ★★★★
Kozeluch
Concertos and Symphony
Sergio Azzolini (bassoon) et al; Camerata Rousseau
Sony Classical 19439788202
A contemporary of Mozart, Kozeluch doesn’t make any attempt to tug at the heart strings in these works. They are, however, gloriously convivial, and performed here with brio aplenty. Perfect listening for a sunny summer morning, cup of coffee at the ready. (JP) ★★★★
Moby
Reprise
Moby, Víkingur Ólafsson (piano) et al DG 483 9865
Just as Pete Tong did in 2016, Moby has released his dance tracks with orchestral accompaniment – primarily made up of strings playing repeated patterns and long notes. A starry line-up of guests, but the arrangements could be more inventive. (FP) ★★★
Mompou
Música callada
Giancarlo Simonacci (piano)
Da Vinci Classics C00358
Mompou’s Voices of Silence reveals itself most fully through repeated and close listening. There’s a deceptive simplicity to this music, its subtle details and air of childlike fantasy revealed with great warmth of expression by Simonacci in this intimate recording. (MB) ★★★
Jacob Mühlrad
Time
Swedish Radio Choir et al DG 485 5618
The cover makes you look again and the music makes you think twice, for Muhlrad’s perspective is 21st-century and yet seems to have one foot rooted in the past. Time is, in fact, timeless, not to mention haunting and beautiful. (MB) ★★★★★
Christopher Tyler Nickel Symphony No. 2
Northwest Sinfonia/clyde Mitchell Avie AV2456
Despite this symphony not being programmatic in its nature, Nickel paints the most vivid of pictures with this singlemovement work. Epic without being at all overdone, the tension is built with thrilling orchestral textures reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann. Riveting. (MB) ★★★★
Novák
Pan – A Tone Poem for Piano Tobias Borsboom (piano)
Piano Classics PCL10219
Novak’s fivemovement tone poem for solo piano takes us on an evocative journey through forests, sea and mountains in music that has echoes of Debussy, Liszt and even Musorgsky. An epic piece, done sterling service here by pianist Tobias Borsboom.
( JP) ★★★★
Potter
Symphony No. 1 etc
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Robert Forkas CPO 555274-2
How fascinating to discover Potter, once a pioneer of the piano in England. The shadows of Mozart and Beethoven loom large here, so no surprise then to learn Potter was an admirer and great interpreter of their music at the keyboard.
(MB) ★★★
Ró ycki
Choral Works
NFM Baroque Ensemble NFM ACD 280 Across these two discs, Ró ycki’s entire musical output has been recorded – showing how much has been lost in history. The singers are joined by strings, sackbuts and cornetts in these sensitively delivered religious choral works. A fitting tribute. (FP) ★★★
José Serebrier
Last Tango Before Sunrise etc Malaga Philharmonic et al Reference FR-743
A spread of pieces, from piano sonata to symphony for percussion ensemble via works for flute and orchestra. The blend of sound has been approached slightly differently for each instrumentation, but the overall impact is vibrant and fun.
(FP) ★★★
Wolf-ferrari
Violin Sonatas Nos 1-3 Emmanuele Baldini (violin), Luca Delle Donne (piano) Naxos 8.574297
The ‘Dreams and Drama’ title of this disc is entirely apt. Baldini and Donne are a terrific partnership, bringing out every nuance in these comparatively unknown works and relishing Wolf-ferrari’s penchant for a good tune. Highly recommended.
( JP) ★★★★★
Female
Works by R Clarke, Beach, C Schumann and Farrenc
Lucie Bartholomäi (violin), Verena Louis (piano) Genuin GEN21751
The overly simplistic title does a disservice to its well considered programme of works and miniatures by Romantic female composers. Bartholomäi’s playing comes into its own in Clarke’s impassioned writing – if only the quieter phrases had as much impact and control. (FP) ★★★
Isolation Songbook
Works by Owain Park, Héloïse Werner et al
Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano), Michael Craddock (baritone), Alexander Soares (piano)
Delphian DCD34253
For her debut album, Helen Charlston invited composers to ‘bear witness’ to the period of isolation. With a programme that is widereaching and runs the gamut of human emotion, this is a powerful momento for us all. (FP) ★★★★
Spanish Piano Concertos
Works by Narro, Martinez and Palomino
Melani Mestre (piano), Natalia
Borysiuk (violin) et al Hänssler HC20016 A rare chance to enjoy three charming but largely forgotten piano concertos (and one violin concerto) from the late 18th century. Though some of the orchestral string playing lacks polish, the piano soloist Melani Mestre plays with plenty of bounce. (JP) ★★★
Tango Concertante, Vol. 1 Works by Piazzolla et al
Omar Massa (bandoneon), ardetrio
Ars Produktion ARS38324
On its debut recording, ardetrio pays tribute to the centenary of Piazzolla. The tempos are more flexible than other interpretations, but it’s a wellrounded programme with all the hits. Occasionally a touch too much bandoneon vibrato for some tastes. (FP) ★★★
Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), Freya
Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)