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)