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SUK, J.: Asrael (Bavarian Radio Symphony, Hruša) (900188)

Review by Richard Whitehouse
Gramophone, May 2020




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MOZART, W.A.: Mass No. 18, `Great` / MOZART, L.: Litaniae Lauretanae de BVM (Salzburg Bach Choir, Camerata Salzburg, Manze) (NTSC) (BVE08057)




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MOZART, W.A.: Mass No. 18, `Great` / MOZART, L.: Litaniae Lauretanae de BVM (Salzburg Bach Choir, Camerata Salzburg, Manze) (Blu-ray, HD) (BVE08058)




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MAHLER, G.: Symphony No. 5 / TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Live aus der Elbphilharmonie) (SoRyang, Yutaka Sado) (NTSC) (Gramola20004)




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SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Ascanio: Ballet / Overtures to Stage Works (Malmö Symphony, Märkl) (8.574033)

Saint-Saëns’ operatic works contain instrumental music of vivacity and charm but have been undeservedly overlooked. Ascanio contains a substantial and elaborate divertissement that fellow composer Reynaldo Hahn termed ‘the entire Renaissance in a few pages’. Les Barbares, a tale of conquest and revenge, includes a vivid Prologue and joyful ballet, while La Princesse jaune with its pentatonic writing, and La Jota aragonese laced with Spanish vitality, show the composer at his most generously carefree.




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SHAKESPEARE, W.: Shakespeare Trilogy - Julius Caesar / Henry IV / The Tempest (Donmar Warehouse, 2016) (4-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (OA1297BD)




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WHEELDON, C.: Within the Golden Hour / CHERKAOUI, S.L.: Medusa / PITE, C.: Flight Pattern [Ballets] (Royal Ballet, 2019) (NTSC) (OA1300D)




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WHEELDON, C.: Within the Golden Hour / CHERKAOUI, S.L.: Medusa / PITE, C.: Flight Pattern [Ballets] (Royal Ballet, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (OABD7265D)




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LABOR, J.: Piano Quintet / Piano Quartet (Karmon, Sachse, Grimm, De Groot, Triendl) (C5390)




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KAPUSTIN, N.: Saxophone Chamber Music (E. Blumina, P. Bruns, Clair-Obscur Saxophone Quartet) (C5369)




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ROBINSON, M.: Improvisations on The Fourteen Stations of the Cross Based on Themes by N. Rorem (M. Robinson) (DE3549)




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Opera Arias (Soprano): Bayrakdarian, Isabel - HASSE, J.A. / VIVALDI, A. / GLUCK, C.W. (The Other Cleopatra - Queen of Armenia) (DE3591)




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YE, Xiaogang: Chamber Music (December Chrysanthemum) (Les Temps Modernes) (DE3559)




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GOMES, C.: Schiavo (Lo) [Opera] (S. Vassileva, Pisapia, Borghini, Balbo, Terenzi, Cagliari Theatre Chorus and Orchestra, Neschling) (CDS7845.02)




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MALVEZZI, C. / MARENZIO, L. / CACCINI, G. / BARDI, G. de' / PERI, J.: Pellegrina (La) [Intermedi] (Coro Ricercare Ensemble, Modo Antiquo, Sardelli) (CDS7856)




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DONIZETTI, G.: Elisir d'amore (L') [Opera] (Dalla Benetta, R. Hernández, Esposito, Salerno, Bergamo Musica Festival Chorus and Orchestra, De Marchi) (CDS577)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Piano Quartets, WoO 36, Nos. 1-3 (The Young Beethoven) (Lüthi, Sonoko Asabuki, A. Foster, Miucci) (CDS7854)




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NOLA, A.: Sacred Works (Tristes erant Apostoli) (Visco, A. Zawisza, M. Fumagalli, A. Tosi, Cappella Neapolitana, A. Florio) (CDS7853)




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VERDI, G.: Simon Boccanegra [Opera] (Salzburg Festival, 2019) (NTSC) (802608)




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VERDI, G.: Simon Boccanegra [Opera] (Salzburg Festival, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (802704)




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MALAWI Code Sangala: Mizu (NXW76109-2)

Mizu means roots in Chichewa, the national vernacular language in Malawi. For Code Sangala it marks a musical journey back into the authentic sound of Malawi. The music is inspired by traditional Malawian dances, giving them a contemporary flair.




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IRAN Jon Hemmersam / Asal Malekzadeh: In the Moment (NXW76147-2)

The music on this album represents profound and direct communication between two human beings. Jon Hemmersam & Asal Malekzadeh had never met prior to the recording of this album, but they had the deep desire to create something beautiful together. In an entirely improvised set, they combine the sounds of the acoustic guitar and the Daf, a Persian drum.




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Guitar Recital: Kowalski, Mateusz - ASSAD, S. / BARRIOS MANGORÉ, A. / PONCE, M.M. / TÁRREGA, F. (Classical Guitarist) (CDAccordACD251)




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SZARZYŃSKI, S.S.: Completorium / Missa septem dolorum Beatae Mariae Virginis (Wrocław Baroque Ensemble, Kosendiak) (CDAccordACD261)




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Violin and Cello Recital: Sławek, Maria / Zdunik, Marcin - BACH, J.S. / GUBAIDULINA, S. / PENDERECKI, K. / YSAŸE, E. (Rejoice) (CDAccordACD264)




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Piano Recital: Siahaan, Jonathan - ALSTED, B. / CHRISTENSEN, S. / OLSEN, M. / ROFELT, K. / STAUNING, M. / WORSAAE, N. (Educate-S) (8.226611)




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MADSEN, A.G.: Nachtmusik / GUDMUNDSEN-HOLMGREEN, P.: For Violin and Orchestra (Duo Åstrand/Salo, Danish National Symphony, Bancroft, Collon) (8.226138)




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VIVALDI, A.: Concertos for Strings, RV 114, 119, 121, 127, 133, 136, 150, 154, 157, 159, 160, 164 (The Paris Concertos) (Modo Antiquo, Sardelli) (TC672260)




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PASCULLI, A.: Fantasies on Themes by Giuseppe Verdi (Grazia, Orchestra Senzaspine, M. Parmeggiani, Ussardi) (TC841602)




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AGNESI, M.T.: 12 Arias for Soprano, Strings and Continuo (E. De Simone, Ensemble Il Mosaico) (TC720101)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies (Complete) / Missa Solemnis (Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, Thielemann) (4-Blu-ray Disc Box Set) (749904)




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LA PHIL 100 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Dudamel, Mehta, Salonen) (NTSC) (753408)




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LA PHIL 100 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Dudamel, Mehta, Salonen) (Blu-ray, HD) (753504)




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Piano Trio and Quartets - ELSNER, J. / SZYMANOWSKA, M. / MOZART, W.A. / LESSEL, F. (Warsaw Music Salon) (Arte dei Suonatori) (CDAccordACD269)




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Piano Recital: Józsa, Peter - HAYDN, J. / SCHUBERT, F. / CHOPIN, F. / LISZT, F. / BRAHMS, J. (Portrait) (Gramola99213)




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HERNÁNDEZ, S.: Piano Music Initiation to the Shadow / Terra Santa / Fantasia for Piano / Don't Forget About That (S. Hernández) (8.579072)

The distinguished Spanish composer and pianist Sira Hernández is known especially for her involvement with multi-discipline arts projects at major international festivals and cultural events. Many of her works are inspired by Italian artists as can be heard on this album. Minimalist techniques and the significance of tonality and timbre in communicating darkness and light are heard in Iniciación a la sombra and the sewing-machine ostinatos of Fantasía para piano. The presence of God amidst the bleak spaces of madness are expressed in Terra Santa, and the intensity of Don’t Forget About That invites us to resist oblivion.




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Guitar Recital: Aguiar, Pedro - PEREIRA, M. / GNATTALI, R. / REIS, D. / GAROTO / GUINGA / GARCÍA AGUILERA, J. de D. / VILLA-LOBOS, H. / ASSAD, S. (8.574069)

Rooted in European music, native folk traditions and often infused by jazz, Brazilian music encompasses a huge variety of dance forms and songs. Prize-winning guitarist Pedro Aguiar has selected a panoramic recital to illustrate these elements which include the choro and music rich in melody and rhythmic vitality. From Villa-Lobos, whose Choros No. 1 is one of the most popular guitar solos ever written, through to the work of the revered Dilermando Reis, and on to contemporary examples of the genre, this is music of dazzling virtuosity and finesse.




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COLOMBIA Son Real Orchestra: Salsa (EUCD2900)




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CHINA / SYRIA Gao Hong / Issam Rafea: From Our World to Yours (EUCD2899)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Kord) (CDAccordACD075)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Chamber Music - Piano Quartet, Op. 16 / Minuets and Dances (Sofia Kim, Kroh, Segal, Sarid, IU Wind Ensemble, Dorsey) (8.574040-41)

In his first decade in Vienna, Beethoven seems to have been preoccupied with music for wind instruments. The best-known example is his Quintet in E flat major, Op. 16, which he arranged at the same time for piano quartet. He also wrote music for dances and settings of folk songs, and reflected the public’s interest in automata by writing for musical clock. The Napoleonic wars were mirrored in Beethoven’s music of the period, especially in his military compositions such as a series of Marches and the Equali, scored for trombones, which were later played at his funeral.




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Vocal and Piano Recital: Fingerlos, Rafael / Mouissi, Sascha el - BRAHMS, J. / SCHUBERT, F. / WOLF, H. / STRAUSS, R. / SCHUMANN, R. (Fremde Heimat) (OC1711)




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Violin Recital: Arnoldi, Roberto - ANZAGHI, D. / ARNOLDI, N. / GARBARINO, G. / SPINOSA, R. / VACCHI, F. (New Music for Solo Violin) (TC940003)




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TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Sacred Choral Works - Vesper Service / Hymn in honour of SS Cyril and Methodius (Latvian Radio Choir, Kļava) (ODE1352-2)




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SCRIABIN, A. / PASTERNAK, B.: Piano Works (Samson-Primachenko) (UP0213)




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SAURET, É.: 24 Études Caprices, Vol. 4 - Nos. 20-24 (Rashidova) (8.574159)

The final volume of the 24 Études-Caprices by the internationally renowned virtuoso Émile Sauret, crowns one of the most impressive but seldom performed bodies of solo violin writing in the entire canon. In the last five Études, once again played by Nazrin Rashidova on Sauret’s own Stradivarius violin, the full range of his art can be heard, from double- and triple-stopping, to registral leaps, chordal and staccato techniques and exercises for absolute control of the bow. Of Volume 3 (8.573975) The Strad wrote: ‘Rashidova plays superbly’.




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PROKOFIEV, S.: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 6 (German Radio Saarbrücken-Kaiserslautern Philharmonic, Inkinen) (SWR19086CD)




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INDIA Sabri Family (The) (EUCD2904)




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GROVEN, E.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 (Kristiansand Symphony, Szilvay) (8.573871)

Many interwar Norwegian composers tried to create a new national music by combining elements of authentic folk music with new techniques. Eivind Groven was considered one of the most innovative composers in this quest, integrating the structure of folk dances from his rural upbringing into familiar formal principles. Both symphonies make use of techniques of so-called ‘progressive transformation’, which led fellow composer Arne Nordheim to declare: ‘While others made instrumentations of folk tunes, Groven created sounds, for example in his [two] symphonies which, in my opinion, are quite unique.’




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BERSA, B.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 2 (Filipec) (GP832)

As with the first volume in this series (GP767), Blagoje Bersa’s piano works are organised according to their character and tonality rather than chronologically. They include elements of transcription drawing on Mozart and Beethoven but also characterful barcarolles that evoke Italian music, a taut and witty Bizarre Serenade, a simple but affecting Mélancolie, and an invitation to a Viennese ballroom in the Valzer, Op. 3.