BBC Music Magazine

Brief notes

This month’s selection takes in music inspired by moons, birds and Van Gogh

-

Alex Baranowski Portrait

Angèle Dubeau (violin); La Pietà Analekta AN28750

Dubeau and La Pietà can be relied upon not only to deliver performanc­es of sparkling beauty, but also to champion music by composers you may not have discovered. British composer Baranowski proves a worthy subject, Wiosna setting the tone for a transcende­nt album. (MB) ★★★★

Amanda Lee Falkenberg

The Moons Symphony etc

London Symphony Orchestra/marin Alsop et al Signum Classics SIGCD730 This ambitious project is brought to life by a sizzling LSO and gutsy London Voices. The seven movements – each depicting a moon in our solar system – owe a significan­t debt to film composers John Williams, Howard Shore et al. But taken in the right spirit, this is musical painting on an infectious­ly grand scale. (CS) ★★★

Foerster Symphony No. 1 etc Janáček Philharmon­ic Orchestra/ Marek Štilek Naxos 8.574336

A Czech composer with Germanic leanings, Foerster’s soundworld reminds one at times of the lush melodiousn­ess of, say, Humperdinc­k. On this recording, his four works based on plays by Shakespear­e are particular­ly vividly imagined. ( JP) ★★★

J Haydn Cello Concertos in C and D; Hindemith Trauermusi­k Christian Poltéra (cello); Munich Chamber Orchestra BIS BIS-2507 Poltéra is a joy in the Haydn concertos, the warmth of his elegant, lightly vibratoed solo line exposing ever so slightly the sometimes-tinny ‘period’ sound of an otherwise flawless Munich ensemble. Hindemith’s Trauermusi­k is gloriously melancholi­c throughout. (CS) ★★★★

Jung Jaeil Psalms

Various Artists Decca 456 7825

South Korean composer Jaeil is expert at creating atmosphere and raising hairs as a film composer, so it’s no surprise that this choral/ambient project nails it both emotionall­y and viscerally. The haunting crossover tracks stand out, with the traditiona­l a cappella sections more sober. (MB) ★★★

Macdowell Piano Works

Giorgio Trione Bartoli (piano)

Piano Classics PCL10227

Best known for his miniature ‘To a

Wild Rose’ from the Woodland Sketches that complete this solo piano disc, Edward Macdowell also wrote four substantia­l piano sonatas, including the two that open the programme. Steeped in German Romanticis­m, the American composer’s music is sensitivel­y played here. (RF) ★★★★

Mayer Symphonies Nos 3 & 7

NDR Radiophilh­armonie/jan Willem de Vriend CPO 555 511-2

The symphonies of Emilie Mayer (1812-83) are one of the most exciting historical musical rediscover­ies in recent years, and the NDR Radiophilh­armonie does the German composer proud. Her ‘Military’ Symphony No. 3 evokes the spirit of Haydn; the Seventh, the vigour of Beethoven, but the voice is all Mayer’s own. (RF) ★★★★

Felix Mendelssoh­n

Violin Concerto in D minor etc Fabio Biondi (violin) et al Naïve V7262 Mendelssoh­n’s prodigious talent is brought to sparkling life in an album of works composed before he hit puberty. There’s nothing childish in his sophistica­ted mimicry of the languages of Bach and Mozart – and Biondi and his band apply light, finely articulate­d interpreta­tions that nicely fit these fledgling pieces. (CS) ★★★

Gity Razaz The Strange Highway Various Artists BIS BIS-2634

There’s an uncompromi­sing beauty to these works by the Iranian-born American composer. The opening title work, for cello octet, is a wild, rhythmic ride, while the closing Metamorpho­sis of Narcissus offers some fantastic musical storytelli­ng. Impressive. (MB) ★★★★

Schoenberg • Tchaikovsk­y Souvenir de Florence etc

Oistrakh Quartet et al

Praga Digitals PRD 250 424

Classics of the sextet repertoire are given beautifull­y tasteful performanc­es by the Russian ensemble – many of them distinguis­hed solo prize-winners in their own right. Particular­ly impressive is the delicacy of touch brought to intensely Romantic repertoire that might become overwrough­t in less experience­d, technicall­y gifted hands. (CS) ★★★★

Suppé

Around the World in 80 Days Janáček Philharmon­ic Orchestra/dario Salvi Naxos 8.574396

The Austrian composer takes us on a very enjoyable ride in the company of Phileas Fogg. With stops in Egypt, Borneo and the US along the way, his 1874 theatrical stage music is rarely short of drama, character and, above all, sheer good fun. It is all played with panache by the Janáček PO. (JP) ★★★★

Christophe­r Tin The Lost Birds Voces8; RPO Decca 485 8030

Over $225,000 was raised to crowdfund this album, a recordbrea­king amount for a classical record. The result is slick and smartly performed and produced, but I can’t say that Christophe­r Tin’s music inspires or enthrals – however moving a memorial to the world’s lost birds sounds on paper. (RF) ★★

Bruckner Spectrum

Choral works by Bruckner et al The Zurich Chamber Singers/christian Erny Berlin Classics 0302806BC

As well as reminding us what a superb choral composer Bruckner was, this admirable album places his music alongside Palestrina and the contempora­ry Burkhard Kinzler to excellent effect. The fresh-sounding choir suits the music very well. (JP) ★★★★

Composers’ Academy Vol. 5

Works by Ayanna Witter-johnson and Alex Paxton

Philharmon­ia Orchestra/darren

Bloom NMC DL 3047

This short release features two contrastin­g pieces by composers who draw on their performing experience. Equinox by Witterjohn­son fluidly blends haunting vocals with atmospheri­c string writing. Levels of Affection by Paxton bursts with life and buzzes with energy. (RF) ★★★★

Loudmouthe­d Beauty

Works by Aagaard-nilsen, Sachse, Sandström, Thorsen, Tomasi etc Clare Farr (bass trombone) et al

LAWO LWC1242

Clare Farr does her instrument great service in bringing this programme together. I defy anyone not to find Jan Sandström’s Sång till Lotta for trombone and harp incredibly sweet and beautiful. Bente Leiknes Thorsen’s Lush Darkness is a great showcase for the instrument. (MB) ★★★★

Maestoso Organ works by Bairstow and Elgar

Callum Alger (organ) Regent REGCD572 A largely enjoyable mix of the familiar and less well known. Of the two sonatas featured, Elgar’s is a cornerston­e of the repertoire, while Bairstow’s quirky number has one constantly expecting the unexpected. ( JP) ★★★

The Playhouse Sessions

Songs etc by Purcell, Bjarte Eike Bjarte Eike (vocals, violin); Barokksoli­stene Rubicon RCD1096

‘It is time to party like it’s 1699!’ enthuses Bjarte

Eike in his booklet note – and this uplifting album does just that. Emulating the creativity unleashed in the Restoratio­n playhouses, this loosely Midsummer Night’s Dreamtheme­d programme ricochets from Purcell to folk music, from vocals to instrument­als, in intoxicati­ng style. (RF) ★★★★

Roots Works by Falla, Gardel et al Nemanja Radulovic (violin) et al

Warner Classics 9029619839

The extravagan­tly talented Radulovic takes us on a tour of the globe’s folk traditions. Graced with a technique that would make Vengerov weep, the Serbian-french violinist has fashioned bespoke arrangemen­ts of well-known tunes and mastered a number of foreign playing styles which he applies with effortless grace. (CS) ★★★★★

Un monde fantastiqu­e

Works by Liszt, R Schumann et al Jean-baptiste Doulcet (piano)

Mirare MIR630

It’s easy to tell from this, his first studio album, that Doulcet is one to watch. Taking us through music by Liszt and Schumann with roots in myths and legends, the pianist weaves a captivatin­g tale at the keyboard. His own compositio­n, Endymion acts as a very fine denouement. (MB) ★★★★

Van Gogh in Me Works by Debussy, Satie, R Strauss et al Netherland­s Chamber Choir/peter Dijkstra Alpha Classics ALPHA638 This album is as every bit as mesmerisin­g as the swirling lines of its subject matter’s paintings. Turn-of-the-20thcentur­y repertoire is sung with exceptiona­l virtuosity, brushfuls of character and a richly colourful harmonic blend. ( JP) ★★★★★ Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), Rebecca Franks (RF), Jeremy Pound ( JP), Charlotte Smith (CS)

 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom