BALAKIREV: ORCHESTRAL WORKS, Dinara Klinton; Niederrheinsche Sinfoniker; Mihkel Kütson/MDG Those with a taste for colourful orchestral music with a Russian flavour will have explored the work of Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin and co. But how familiar are most music lovers with the exquisitely turned compositions of Mily Balakirev? The relative neglect of his scores – both on disc and in the concert hall — is inexplicable, although the composer has had his advocates over the years: Sir Thomas Beecham particularly favoured the lively First Symphony. This generous selection by the Niederrheinsche Sinfoniker under Mihkel Kütson is particularly welcome, not just for the repertoire it supplies but for the pointed and sympathetic performances in wide-ranging, warm sound. The First Piano Concerto, with Dinara Klinton as soloist, plus the Second Symphony and two overtures, are given nigh-definitive performances here, and it’s to be hoped that the disc will go some way to redressing the balance where Balakirev is concerned.
MUSIC FOR STRINGS: VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, HOWELLS, DELIUS, ELGAR, Sinfonia of London, John Wilson/Chandos Just how long can John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London maintain this astonishing streak of high quality CD offerings in a variety of fields? Recordings, what’s more, which are couched in the very best surround sound that Chandos can offer? As this latest offering proves, there is not the slightest sign of this winning streak faltering. Take, for instance, the exquisite reading of Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, which is given a nigh- definitive reading, as is Delius’s charming Late Swallows. Howells’ Concerto for String Orchestra is, perhaps, the ringer on the disc – relatively few listeners will be familiar with it, but this heartfelt reading should win the piece many new friends. If the recording of Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings perhaps lacks the bite of such classic readings as that by Benjamin Britten, it is still a highly accomplished reading – and the disc as a whole is unmissable.
SCHUBERT: SYMPHONY NO. 8 IN C MAJOR D 944, Concerto Budapest, András Keller/TACET While the Tacet label is most noted for its ambitious surround sound capabilities (that’s to say actual surround sound with every channel available to SACD equipment utilised to the full; essentially, the listener is put in the centre of the orchestra), this notion would go for nothing if it were not matched by performances of style and substance that do service to the music. That is very much the case with this latest take on Schubert’s C Major masterpiece, here given an urgency that — while it may not be to every taste — makes for a truly exhilarating listening experience.
SOR: MES ENNUIS, Frank Bungarten, guitar/MDG The eternal problem with any guitar recital is the relatively limited sound palette, so that an hour or so of guitar music has the listener feeling the need for other musical nourishment. Not so when the guitarist is as multitalented as Frank Bungarten, who finds every ounce of colour in these deliciously nuanced pieces. What’s more, guitar recitals have rarely been given such sympathetic and subtle recordings. A disc to cherish.
NEEME JÄRVI IN CONCERT, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi/Chandos As well as being a thoroughly attractive concert conducted with characteristic élan by Chandos star conductor Neeme Järvi, this program represents for collectors a very useful way of acquiring a variety of pieces, some unfamiliar, some less so. Wagner’s early overture Polonia may share a name with a piece by Elgar, but is a rather different kettle of fish – and makes for an unusual discovery. As is Reger’s sumptuous Serenade, here delivered with aplomb. With equally attractive pieces by Brahms and Mozart, this is a very tempting disc.
PERPETUUM: ADAMS, BACH, BEETHOVEN, ETC. Anthony Romaniuk, piano/ALPHA When so many discs in the classical music mode tread a well worn path, it’s a pleasure to welcome something which attempts something different. That is certainly the case in this recital by Anthony Romaniuk, whose remarkably eclectic choice of piano repertoire from Beethoven to John Adams makes for an ear-tingling and surprising experience.
WEIGL: PIANO CONCERTO OP. 21, etc., Soloists, Jenaer Philharmonie, Simon Gaudenz/CPO While the music of Weigl may be little-known to most listeners, discs such as this impressive reading of the composer’s Piano Concerto suggests that the neglect of his music is a loss for listeners. While the music is unlikely to instantly convert the casual listener, more patient aficionados will find much to reward them.
WEINBERG: COMPLETE WORKS FOR VIOLIN & PIANO, VOL.4, Yuri Kalnits, Igor Yuzefovich, violins, Michael Csanyi-Wills, piano/TOCCATA This series of Weinberg’s remarkable works for violin and piano goes from strength to strength, with the musicality of Yuri Kalnits, Igor Yuzefovich, (violins) and Michael Csanyi-Wills (piano) doing full justice to the composer’s incisive chamber works. It was once considered that Weinberg’s hefty tally of symphonies represented his most characteristic music, but this series is proving that Weinberg’s works for violin and piano are equally worthy of attention.
SIVELOV: SYMPHONIES 1 & 5, Malmo Opera Orchestra, Joachim Gustafsson/NAXOS More unorthodox repertoire from Naxos. Sivelov’s symphonies 1 & 5, persuasively performed by the Malmo Opera Orchestra under Joachim Gustafsson may remain a minority taste, but there is no denying that the music’s sinewy charm is here comprehensively realised.
ARNOLD: CLARINET CONCERTO NO. 1, PHILHARMONIC CONCERTO, DIVERTIMENTO NO.2, ETC., BBC Philharmonic, Michael Collins, Rumon Gamba/Chandos The days when the highly attractive music of Malcolm Arnold was egregiously neglected by the BBC and concert promoters in favour of then-fashionable pieces (most of which have sunk without trace) are, thankfully, over — and the music of one of the great British composers is finally receiving its due, not least because of the efforts of such labels as Chandos. This is a particularly attractive compilation with the Divertimento No 2 in particular deserving a far wider currency. As always, when listening to Arnold, it remains a source of regret that the composer’s final years were so troubled – and it’s possible to wonder if his alcoholism would have been so ruinous for him had his music achieved the currency it deserved.
NORDHEIM: THE TEMPEST, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner/Lawo This contemporary piece scored for orchestra, electronics and two voices is one of the most unusual takes on Shakespeare’s The Tempest yet to appear. It may not displace such previous entries as the Sibelius orchestral suite, but will tickle the aural palettes of the adventurous.
ORGELPUNKT: BACH, MESSIAEN, PRAETORIUS, etc., Eckhard Manz, organ/MDG This is another disc with a constantly surprising and ear-pleasing choice of repertoire, with composers of an older generation (such as Bach) set against the dramatic modern organ works of Messiaen. Eckhard Manz’s performances of these pieces are nonpareil, but any contemporary recording of organ work such as this requires comprehensive, wide-ranging sound – and that is precisely what is on offer here. A must for all organ music enthusiasts.