Brief notes

This month’s selection includes string quartets, secular works and a solo harp

Britten

Elegy; Three Suites

Simone Libralon (viola)

Aulious Classics ALC0076

Well controlled performances of Britten’s Viola Elegy and Cello Suites (arranged by Nobuko Imai) characterise this solo album from Orchestra Sinfonica Milano violist Libralon – though he seems sometimes to be carefully feeling his way rather than skipping forward with direction and purpose.

(CS) ★★★

Belle Chen

Years of Pilgrimage Belle Chen (piano)

Eito Music E0023

Chen’s latest album of original works is part musical postcard and part love letter, the former her stylistic journey, the latter her homage to the composers she holds dear. Varied and dynamic with a handful of highlights; Gnomes Homes is great fun. (MB) ★★★

Bryce Dessner

Tromp Miniature

Colin Currie (marimba)

Colin Currie Records CCR0005-D

It’s hard not to be captivated by this marimba solo, released as a single on Currie’s own label. Its delicate introspection evolves into something more certain and hopeful. A perfect union of a composer’s vision and a performer’s innate musicality. (MB) ★★★★

Farrenc

Piano Works, Vol. 1 – Études

Maria Stratigou (piano)

Grand Piano GP912-13

Two discs packed with beguiling piano music, confirming once again that Farrenc has been unjustly neglected as a composer. The Op. 26 Études in particular display a remarkable range of moods, technical demands and captivating melodies. (SW) ★★★★

Franck Between Two Worlds – Piano Works

Yannick Van de Velde (piano)

Evil Penguin EPRC0048

Though Van de Velde sounds a touch too restrained in the Prélude, Choral et Fugue – it really needs to ring out more – there’s a lovely singing tone in the Prélude, fugue et variation, and the solo piano arrangement of the famous Violin Sonata makes for an interesting listen too. ( JP) ★★★

Peter Gregson

String Quartets Nos 1-4 Carducci Quartet et al

DG 486 3298

This release ties up Gregson’s modern quartet cycle very neatly. The works, gorgeously recorded, are enveloping and transportive, the composer’s well placed electronic hues elevating the traditional soundworld of the string quartet. This is a delight. (MB) ★★★★★

Handel Sweet Stillness – Nine German Arias; Violin Sonatas Mary Bevan (soprano), Davina Clarke (violin) et al

Voces8 Records VCM148

This luminous debut album from violinist Clarke exudes warmth and beauty, the bringing together of Handel’s vocal and sonata works well considered and all captured in glowing sound. The performances by Clarke and Bevan intertwine beautifully. (MB) ★★★★

Ivanovs Vocalises

Latvian Radio Choir/sigvards Klava SKANI LMIC144

With no words to follow or any great change in pace from one song to the next, trying to keep one’s concentration firmly fixed for a full 75 minutes can prove a tough ask. That said, there are some truly beautiful textures to be relished, immaculately sung by this estimable choir. ( JP) ★★★

Nico Muhly The Street

Parker Ramsay (harp); Choir of King’s College, Cambridge

King’s College KGS9966

An evocative multilayered work based on the stations of the cross, this generous two-disc release gives us two takes on Nico Muhly’s The Street. The first allows Ramsay’s solo harp to shine, the second features Alice Goodman’s text and haunting choir chant. Sublime storytelling. (MB) ★★★★★

Russell Pascoe

Secular Requiem

Truro Cathedral Choir, BBC NOW et al Regent REGCD549

Premiered in

2013, Pascoe’s large-scale choral work has some sublime a cappella moments and big, bold orchestral writing, though the word-setting is occasionally awkward. It receives first-rate performances right across the board here. (JP) ★★★★

Saint-saëns

Dances and Ballet Music Residentie Orkest The Hague Naxos 8.574463

Saint-saëns evokes figures from the past, including kings of Tudor England and medieval France, an ancient Persian queen and an infamous Biblical couple. The composer responds with his usual verve, vivacity and gift for atmosphere, and the performances sparkle. (SW) ★★★★

R Schumann

Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 (arr Mahler) ORF Radio Symphony/marin Alsop Naxos 8.574429

Contrary to what might be expected, Mahler, king of the large orchestra, actually lightened Schumann’s textures in these arrangements. The results, when played with such passion and precision as here, are hugely rewarding. ( JP) ★★★★

Sibelius Orchestral Songs Marianne Beate Kielland (mezzo) et al Lawo Classics LWC1239

These four cycles of Sibelius songs come from the 1890s and early 1900s. Like the contemporaneous First and Second Symphonies, a Romantic warmth pulsates from these rich, lyrical works. Mezzo Kielland balances purity and ardour perfectly. (SW) ★★★★★

Isobel Waller-bridge VIII (EP)

12 Ensemble Mercury KX 484 3216

In a match made in heaven, the ultra-cool and experimental 12 Ensemble teams with composer-of-the-moment Waller-bridge, who branches out from screen music with this album of string impressions. Each one is a masterstroke of minimalism, moving seamlessly from luminous chords to scurrying rhythmic fragments. (CS) ★★★★

A Breath Between the Strings Works by Tony Kinsey et al Gianluca Littera (harmonica) et al Dynamic CDS7965

The combination of harmonica and string quartet might seem eccentric, but the effect is often charming and whimsical. The former’s association with jazz cafés and bluesy folk music gently encourages the strings to indulge in lush, relaxed sounds. A breath of fresh air indeed! (CS) ★★★★

Homage to Jan Kubelík

Violin Concertos by Kubelík et al Pavel Šporcl (violin); Prague Symphony Orchestra Hanssler Classic HC22065 Kubelík’s First Violin Concerto, here given its premiere recording, ranges from declamatory orchestral fanfares to deeply sentimental solos. Šporcl handles its schmalz and technical demands with ease – though his following Mendelssohn could do with a little more Classical restraint. (CS) ★★★

Hungarian Pictures Works by Bartók, Liszt, Petrovics et al Salaputia Brass Quintett Oehms OC488 A nice selection of Central European music for brass. Sándor Szokolay’s (1931-2013) Hommage à Bartók mimics its dedicatee’s rhythmic verve and melodic tang, while György Ránki’s (1907-92) Serenade of the Sevenheaded Dragon mixes drama, wit and foreboding. (SW) ★★★

Icons Works by Glass, Cage et al Robert Mcduffie (violin), Elizabeth Pridgen (piano)

Orange Mountain OMM0162

Three 20th-century US icons are celebrated on this violin and piano album, though it’s the Corigliano (1962-3) that makes the strongest impression, Mcduffie meeting admirably its lyrical sweetness and jazzy, rhythmic challenges. The Glass and Adams are largely attractive, too, though their relentless semi-quavers can sometimes become a tad monotonous. (CS) ★★★

Japan Czech Inspiration

Works by Ifukube and Janáček Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra

ARS Produktion ARS38618

The ‘Czech’ part here shows Janáček in easy-going mood, in the rustic and melodious Lachian and Moravian Dances. The ‘Japan’ part is a simple but ear-catching Japanese Suite by Godzilla film composer Akira Ifukube. They work nicely together. ( JP) ★★★★

Parlando Chamber Works by Kodály, Enescu and Janáček

Trio Consonance Fuga Libera FUG802 French cellist Jérémy Garbarg leads fellow musicians in sensitive, nuanced performances of chamber music inspired by Eastern European folk traditions. Whether it’s Kodály’s ardent Cello Sonata or Enescu’s compact and compelling Piano Trio, Garbarg and co convey the intimacy and dialogue evoked by the disc’s title. (SW) ★★★★ Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB),

Jeremy Pound (JP), Charlotte Smith (CS),

Steve Wright (SW)