Works: Dvorák* – Romantic Pieces, Sonatina, Sonata. Suk – Four Pieces, Op. 17*. Smetana – From the Homeland. Martinu – Duos for Violin and Cello Nos. 1 and 2*. Sonatas for Violin and Piano (Janácek, Ježek, Brahms*, Grieg*, Respighi*, Debussy, Poulenc, Franck). Schubert – Sonatina, Op. 137, Duo, Op. 162. Mozart – Duo for Violin and Viola, K 424. Honegger – Sonatina for Violin and Cello*. Kodály – Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7*
Reissue / * first time on CD
Artists: Josef Suk – violin, Alfréd Holecek, Jan Panenka, Josef Hála – piano, Milan Škampa – viola, André Navarra – cello
On the morning on 7 July 2011 the agencies brought the sad news that one of the legends of 20thcentury
music had passed away. Josef Suk ranks among the most accomplished violinists of the epoch. When he
launched his artistic career, he was gifted with unquestionable talent but also felt the obligation to meet the
enormous general expectations (he was, after all, the grandson of the composer Josef Suk and great
grandson of the maestro Antonin Dvorak!).
Back in the mid-1950s he won international recognition – and began recording too. The presented recordings,
most of them on CD for the very first time, date from 1956-1967 and introduce Josef Suk as a mature artist with
a distinct interpretational approach and a beautiful, characteristic tone. Within a short time, he recorded,
primarily with pianists (Holecek, Panenka, Hala), a remarkably extensive repertoire, ranging from pieces by
his beloved Dvorak and Suk (to whom he would repeatedly return) to sonatas by Debussy and Janacek (for
which he received a Grand Prix du Disque de l’Academie Charles Cros), as well as duos by Kodaly and
Honegger with the cellist Andre Navarra.
These carefully remastered recordings serve as a historical document and, above all, bear witness to the art of
a superlative young musician whose name would later on be spoken of in the same breath as other legends.
Josef Suk’s early recordings – previously unreleased and bearing witness to the legendary 20th-century
violinist’s mastery.
Works: Havergal Brian Music From The Operas: 1 Symphonic Variations on ‘Has Anybody
Here Seen Kelly?’* 10–12 Three Pieces from ‘Turandot’ 13 Faust: Night Ride of Faust and Mephistopheles 14 The Cenci: Preludio tragico 15–20 A Turandot Suite (arr. Malcolm MacDonald). All except* first recordings.
Artists: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Garry Walker, conductor
The long-neglected British composer Havergal Brian (1876–1972) is gradually coming in from the
cold, with recordings on Naxos, Dutton, Testament and now Toccata Classics.
Self-taught, from a working-class family in Stoke-on Trent, he shot to fame when Henry Wood
discovered him for the 1907 Proms; but he remained an outsider to the British musical establishment,
and is as much known for his creative persistence in the face of utter neglect as for the extremely
serious and ambitious works that he produced.
His copious output famously includes 32 symphonies, begun when he was in his mid-forties and
continued at a constant rate well into his 90s. The first of these works, the famous Gothic Symphony,
was performed at the Proms this summer.
Not so well know is the fact that Brian also composed five operas, none of which has as yet been
professionally staged. These works contain much impressive orchestral music, and this CD presents
orchestral movements from four of them.
The Symphonic Variations on ‘Has Anybody here Seen Kelly?’ from Brian’s anti-war satire The Tigers
takes the famous music-hall song and puts it through kaleidoscopic symphonic development.
The most generous selection of music here comes from Brian’s opera Turandot (a third version, to
set alongside Puccini’s and Busoni’s): the Three Pieces Brian himself excerpted and the Turandot
Suite prepared by the Brian expert Malcolm MacDonald, who also provides the extensive booklet
notes.
"I consider this a very special disc." Nick Bernard - Music Web(Vol 1)
MOZART/HAYDN Duo Sonatas Podger/Rogers
CCSSA32411 Hybrid CD/SACD
FRETWORK Sublime Discourses John Milton/Martin Peerson
Works: W.A. Mozart
Duo for violin and viola in G major KV – 423
M. Haydn
Duo for violin and viola No. 1 in C major MH 335 (P127)
W.A. Mozart
Duo for violin and viola in B flat major KV 424
M. Haydn
Duo for violin and viola No. 2 in D major MH 336 (P128)
W.A. Mozart
Menuetto (from 12 Duos for Horn - KV 487)
Artists: Rachel Podger, violin Jane Rogers, viola
The Duos for Violin and Viola by Mozart have long been favourite pieces of ours – pieces we'd take out and
play when there wasn't a keyboard player or cellist to hand, or busk as teenagers to earn extra pocket
money. Back then, the audience's response clearly indicated how appealing these pieces were as our
takings always doubled when we played them! These works never cease to amaze – Mozart uses the two
instruments so effectively and with such exquisite craftsmanship that he never leaves one wondering where
the rest of the string quartet might have gone….They are also hugely engaging to play and so endlessly rich
and interesting that the appeal to the listener is guaranteed.
Mozart's reference to other genres is always fascinating. In this case the writing is dramatic, operatic even (the
violin taking the role as soprano diva (!) and the viola as the heroic tenor?!). One could perhaps go as far to
say that these duos are distillations of the art of chamber music as in the Haydn quartets, but more naturally
recreational and less self-conscious. For a violist they are about as exposed as you can be; hitherto very few
sonatas or con certi had been written for solo viola - and the accompaniment would seldom have been as
scant as a single violin. The conversational and imitative nature of the writing allows for freedom and
characterization, and it was refreshing and rewarding to be as spon taneous as possible in the recording
sessions.
It was also a diverting and enjoyable experience to record two of the Michael Haydn duos, previously
unknown to us both. The character of these pieces is often reminiscent of Austrian folk music and it really
seems as if you can hear the yodelling vernacular bouncing off the mountains in timely echoes. The
challenges in these works are quite different to those of his friend Wolfgang – the demands placed on the
violinist are obvious as the writing is busy, yet in need of a casual fluidity, whereas the violist has the task of
being constantly inventive with material which is largely accompanimental (melody and bass, in effect). Who
knows? Maybe Wolfgang and Michael tried these out during Mozart's visit to Salzburg when he helped his
friend complete a set of six Sonatas in 1783.
Works: Martin Peerson
1 Fantasia Acquaintance (G minor) a 6 (P III/2)
2 Almaine (G minor) a 6 (P III/U3)
3 Fantasia Beauty (G major) a 6 (P III/4)
4 Almaine (G major) a 6 (P III/5)
5 Piper’s Pavan (P VI/2)
6 Fantasia Chowse (D major and minor) a 6 (P III/6)
7 Almaine (G major) a 6 (P III/7)
8 Fantasia Delicate (D minor) a 6 (P III/8)
9 Almaine (G major) a 6 (P III/9)
10 Alman (P VI/1)
John Milton
11 Fantazia 1 (G minor) a 5 (M 16)
12 Fantazia 3 (G major) a 5 (M 18)
Martin Peerson
13 Fantasia (D minor) a 6 (P III/10)
14 Almaine (D major) a 6 (P III/11)
15 Fantasia Attendite a 5 (P III/1)
John Milton
16 Fantazia 2 (A minor) a 5 (M 17)
17 In Nomine, If that a sinner’s sighs (M 15)
17 Fantazia 4 (D minor) a 5 (M 19)
Martin Peerson
19 Fantasia (G major) a 6 (P III/12)
20 Almaine (G major) a 6 (P III/13)
21 Almaine (G major) a 6 (P III/14)
John Milton
22 Fantazia 5 (A minor) a 6 (M 20)
Martin Peerson
23 The Fall of the Leafe (P VI/3)
24 The Primerose (P VI/4)
25 Fantasia (D minor) a 6 (P III/15)
Artists: FRETWORK
Michael Chance countertenor
Sophie Yates virginals
A major new release from 2009 Gramophone Award-winning artists, FRETWORK
With additional contributions from Michael Chance and Sophie Yates.
The first recording of the complete instrumental music of two unjustly neglected 17th century English composers, Martin
Peerson and John Milton (father of the poet)
Includes all the works for viol consort, all the solo keyboard works and the single song with viol consort accompaniment.
23 of the 25 items are new to the catalogue.
A significant and invaluable contribution to the discography of 17th century English music in incomparable performances
from some of the world’s finest artists in this field.
Works: C. Ph. E. Bach (1714 - 1788)
Sonata in D minor, Wq 69 (H53)
Fantasia in D major, Wq 117/14
La Böhmer (Murky), Wq 117/26
Sonata in E-flat major, Wq 65/42 (H189)
Britten (1913 - 1976)
5 Waltzes, op. 3 (1925, rev. 1969)
Holiday Diary, op. 5 (1934)
Night-Piece (Notturno, 1963)
Artists: Dejan Lazic, piano
The word liaison can be translated in many ways: affair, affinity, connection, link, relationship, union. The CDs in the Liaisons
series each feature two particular composers, enabling us to explore their musical worlds, sources of inspiration and degree
of influence. At the same time, the recordings reveal their most conspicuous differences and their common denominators.
Some of these composers are not often heard together (for example D. Scarlatti & Bartók or C.Ph.E. Bach & Britten).
However, when time barriers and stylistic differences are put aside, many similarities may be discovered: as if the dialect is
different, but the language common. On the other hand, composers who we may imagine to be very similar and easy to
combine in any programme (for example Schumann & Brahms), reveal a whole new world of diversity and contrast when
heard together. Through a careful choice of composers and compositions on each CD, the Liaisons series offers a bright
spectrum of colours, variety and dynamic range, challenging the listener anew with every release.
The present third volume combines the very few original works for piano solo by Benjamin Britten with C.Ph.E. Bach's
Prussian Sonatas. Britten's pieces, in all their minimalism, "unusual purity" (Arvo Pärt), perfect clarity and sometimes even
emotionally restricted formality, contrast with the emerging Sturm und Drang atmosphere of Bach's sonatas, with their
freedom and variety of structural design, lucid style, delicate and tender expression, inventiveness and extreme
unpredictability. Dejan Lazic
(…) the pianist's touch with
Schumann is among the best I have
ever heard (…) American Record Guide, Liaisons Vol 2
Works: Rogier: Missa Inclita stirps Jesse
Sanctus de la Misa Philippus Secundus Rex Hispaniae
Da pacem, Domine a6
Cabezón, H: Cancion francesca glosada
Ave maristela
Clemens: Inclita stirps Jesse
Artists: Magnificat - Philip Cave (conductor)
His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts
This recording, the second celebrating the 450th anniversary of Rogier’s birth, is a new collection of
premiere recordings by the Renaissance composer, including the Missa Philippus Secundus Rex Hispaniae
and a selection of Iberian Polyphony.
Magnificat, who specialise in the restoration and performance of neglected choral masterpieces of the
16th and 17th centuries, received critical acclaim for its previous Rogier recording, which IRR described as
“brilliantly realised” and “an excellent recording”.
The lush textures and colours for which Rogier is renowned are highlighted by the singers and musicians,
which include His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, in this historically-informed performance that is bursting
with vitality and energy. Directed by Philip Cave, Magnificat is one of the world’s premier vocal ensembles.
Previous recordings have been very successful: Thomas Tallis Spem in alium was hailed as “quite the best
recording” by Gramophone Magazine and was First Choice in Building a Library on BBC Radio 3's CD
Review. In addition, its recording of Victoria’s Officium Defunctorum was named Critics’ Choice by
Gramophone Magazine and chosen by The Rough Guide as one of its 100 Essential Classical CDs.
In association with Linn Records, Magnificat has undertaken many highly successful recording projects of
music from ‘The Golden Age’, including works by Gesualdo, Guerrero, Josquin, Rebelo, Victoria, Allegri,
Tallis, Rogier and Palestrina
Works: James MacMillan: 1. And lo, the Angel of the Lord
2. Qui meditabitur (Strathclyde Motet)
3. O Radiant Dawn (Strathclyde Motet)
4. Lux aeterna (Strathclyde Motet)
5. Os mutorum(Strathclyde Motet)
6. Bring us, O Lord
7. Canticle of Zachariah (Strathclyde Motet)
8. Benedictus Deus
9. Advent Antiphon
10. Pascha nostrum immolutes est (Strathclyde Motet)
11. Who are these Angels?
12. Think of how God loves you
13. Benedicimus Deum caeli (Strathclyde Motet)
14-19. Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman
Artists: Cappella Nova
Cappella Nova follow on from their “undeniably beautiful” (The Financial Times) Linn debut, ‘James MacMillan –
Tenebrae’, with their second volume of choral works by the leading contemporary composer. The outstanding Scottish group have a unique relationship with James MacMillan, the composer having written several works for them. All of the tracks are premiere recordings, recorded under the supervision of the composer. Included is the last of the Strathclyde Motets – seven having been included on ‘Tenebrae’. Also included is the mass James MacMillan wrote specifically for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Scotland in September 2010, sung by over 150,000 people.
Cappella Nova is “famous for its performances of contemporary music” (The Guardian), having commissioned
and premiered more than 60 new works since 1986. Besides appearances in many British festivals, the group has toured many times abroad, including several visits to Europe and the USA.
James MacMillan launched his international career at the BBC Proms in 1990 with the critically acclaimed The
Confession of Isobel Gowdie. Since then MacMillan has been awarded a CBE (January 2004) and has created
one of the strongest portfolios of contemporary compositions with many award-winning recordings and
acclaimed concert performances worldwide.
“the duty of reviewing was
never anything but a pleasure”. Gramophone on ‘James MacMillan – Tenebrae’ (Linn CKD 301)
Works: HARVEY:1 Bird Concerto with Pianosong 30’39
Hidéki Nagano, piano; David Atherton, conductor
London Sinfonietta
Recorded live at the Warsaw Autumn Festival 2009 by Polish National Radio
2 Ricercare una melodia for oboe 5’24
Gareth Hulse, oboe; Sound Intermedia, live electronics
Recorded live by BBC Radio 3
3 Other Presences 11’07
Paul Archibald, trumpet; Sound Intermedia, live electronics
Recorded live by BBC Radio 3
4 Ricercare una melodia for cello 6’51
Tim Gill cello; Sound Intermedia, live electronics
Recorded live by BBC Radio 3
Artists: Hidéki Nagano piano, Gareth Hulse oboe, Paul
Archibald trumpet; Tim Gill cello, London Sinfonietta,
David Atherton, conductor
Jonathan Harvey won a Gramophone Award in 2008 for his NMC CD Body Mandala. The works,
commissioned by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, explore his fascination with Eastern philosophies.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra celebrates the life and work of Jonathan Harvey in two days of concerts, films
and talks at the Barbican, London. Total Immersion runs from the 28-29 January 2012.
Harvey’s Bhakti was the first release on NMC in 1989. • Jonathan was invited by Pierre Boulez to work at
IRCAM in the early 1980s.
Bird Concerto - Harvey's hommage to Messiaen - is a celebration of the kind of technical advances in
electroacoustics which the creator of Oiseaux exotiques and the Catalogue d’oiseaux was never able to
explore. Harvey started writing the piece when he was in California and says that ‘indigo bunting, orchard
oriole, golden crowned sparrow ... are some of the forty colourful Californian birds whose songs and cries
sparked the ignition of this work’. The bird sounds have been innovatively transformed to create a mesmeric
dialogue between nature and art. Harvey sets the piano soloist (the work was commissioned by pianist
Joanna MacGregor) the challenge of combining piano playing and triggering a sampler/ synthesizer so that
the live electronics can be realised in real-time performance. Other works on this disc are Other Presences, for
trumpet and multi-loop effects, and two versions of the canonic Ricercare una melodia (1984) originally
written for trumpet and quadraphonic tape-delay system, but here performed on oboe and cello, with live
electronics from Sound Intermedia.
PURCELL "Twelve Sonatas In Three Parts" Retrospect Trio
Works: Henry Purcell: 1-5: Sonata I in G minor, Z.790; 6-11: Sonata II in Bb Major, Z.791; 12-17: Sonata III in D minor,
Z.792; 18-21: Sonata IV in X Major, Z.793; 22-27: Sonata V in A minor, Z.794; 28-31: Sonata VI in C Major, Z.795;
32-37: Sonata VII in E minor, Z.796; 38-42: Sonata VIII in G Major, Z.797; 43-47: Sonata IX in C minor, Z.798; 48-
51: Sonata X in A Major, Z.799; 52- 55: Sonata XI in F minor, Z.800; 56 -61: Sonata XII in D Major, Z.801
Artists: Retrospect Trio
This second Purcell release by Retrospect Trio has been hotly anticipated since its debut
recording, a Finalist at the 2009 Gramophone Awards, was released; BBC Music Magazine
described the follow up as “a mouthwatering matter of urgency."
The four Baroque instrumentalist super stars - Sophie Gent (violin), Matthew Truscott (violin),
Jonathan Manson (cello and viola da gamba) and Matthew Halls (director, keyboards) - are
reunited in ‘Henry Purcell: Twelve Sonatas in Three Parts’.
Recorded at St George’s, Chesterton, the recording beautifully captures the timeless beauty of
Purcell’s most highly regarded instrumental works.
Founded by Matthew Halls, Retrospect Ensemble takes its musicians and audiences on an
exciting journey, exploring the repertoire of four centuries and embracing the practices, styles
and aesthetics of former ages with renewed vigour and a fresh approach.
Retrospect performs regularly at Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall, London, and has appeared
at major UK festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival and Norfolk and Norwich
Festival.
Matthew Halls has established himself as one of today’s leading young conductors. A former
Artistic Director of The King’s Consort, he has conducted in prominent venues throughout the UK
and Europe.
This is the highly-anticipated second recording in the Avison Ensemble’s Baroque series, which includes
the complete recording of Antonio Vivaldi’s virtuosic violin concertos by the outstanding period instrument
orchestra. Directed by Pavlo Beznosiuk, Britain’s foremost Baroque violin virtuosi, the ensemble presents an insightful
performance of the masterpiece that is brimming with energy.
Vivaldi’s Concerti Opus 8 includes The Four Seasons which is, without a doubt, Vivaldi’s best-known work.
Each of the twelve concertos is extremely demanding and Beznosiuk’s virtuosity permeates throughout
each performance. The thematic elements within each innovative work results in a collection that is colourful, fresh and
emotionally charged. Opus 8 is a true testament of Vivaldi’s ability for invention and variation.
Formed in 1985, the Ensemble has attracted great critical acclaim. The Guardian commented: “I’d take
the Avison Ensemble over Karajan…any day”.
The Avison Ensemble comprises some of Europe's leading Baroque musicians, including artists from The
Hague, Germany, France, Austria and London, with international soloists from all over the globe. Pavlo Beznosiuk, the UK's foremost baroque violin virtuoso, is in demand as a soloist and orchestral leader performing regularly with the Academy of Ancient Music and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Works: MOZART:Divertimento No. 17 in D Major for 2 violins, viola, bass and 2 horns - March, K. 445 (320c)
Divertimento, K. 334 (320b)
Quartet for oboe, violin, viola and cello in F Major, K. 370
Artists: Scottish Chamber Orchestra with Alexander
Janiczek Robin Williams, oboe
Director and violinist Alexander Janiczek leads principal players from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in
this beautifully intimate recording.
Mozart’s writing allows each player to shine and demonstrates the depth of talent within the ensemble,
illustrating why this orchestra has had such extensive success with its previous Mozart recordings.
The works on this disc are full of well-known tunes which demonstrate Mozart’s trademark melodic beauty.
Acclaimed oboist, Robin Williams, gives a dazzling performance of the composer’s great masterpiece.
This is the fourteenth recording in the orchestra’s hugely successful partnership with Linn Records, a series
that includes the award-winning Mozart Symphonies recordings with the late Sir Charles Mackerras.
Alexander Janiczek is a highly sought after director, soloist, guest leader and chamber musician who in
addition to his appointment at the SCO, is a guest director of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and
Camerata Salzburg. The Orchestra has a large UK fan base following recent performances in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen. The SCO has an impressive recording history including a Grammy-nominated set of Brahms Symphonies, winning the Orchestral category of the BBC Awards in 2009 and a 2011 ECHO Klassik Award for its Mozart
recordings, in addition to much critical acclaim.
Works: POULENC: Mass in G major (1937)
Sept Chansons (1936)
Un soir de neige (1944)
Figure Humaine (1943)
Artists: Swedish Radio Choir
Peter Dijkstra Conductor
"To issue a CD of Poulenc's most important choral work is to make a huge statement, and to take something of a risk. Why
does one do it? Aren't there enough recordings already? Having said that, in my case it's simply dire necessity. This work is
so beautiful, so impressive, and so important to the canon of twentieth-century choral music, that I cannot resist having a
say of my own. I do believe that Poulenc´s 12-part Figure humaine is the most beautiful and impressive a cappella choral
work that I know. The poet Eluard and composer Poulenc formed a perfect match. Eluard's poignant and sinister surrealistic
texts are very moving, and their wonderfully expressive language depicts the horrors of the Second World War. It is without
doubt a harrowing work, with a pièce de résistance to end: the eighth and final movement Liberté. In the most beautiful
words, it expresses the omnipresent urge for liberty. Poulenc's setting is simply wonderful, with a gigantic buildup to the
concluding, ultimate cry of LIBERTÉ! It is a great joy to perform this sort of music with my Swedish Radio Choir. The ensemble
is a very strong group, and most eager to stretch its boundaries. The strength of the group is not merely the sum of its
individual qualities...the choir must achieve the greatest unity and blend, but also allow
space for individual colour. It is at such moments that the listener feels personally involved, and the music gains a human
aspect. I am convinced that this is the sound Poulenc had in mind when he wrote Figure humaine." Peter Dijkstra
By Post to:- The Woods, Sussex House, 17a High Street, Bognor Regis,
West Sussex PO21 1RJ
(If you haven’t got an order form please just use your own stationery)
If you prefer to order by phone (we are here Mon - Sat 9.00am - 5.30pm), you can dial either 01243 827712 or 01243 842615
By Fax on:- 01243 842615
Via e-mail to:- thewoodstcdc@yahoo.com
All items subject to availability.
Our lists are correct to the best of our ability but - owing to the vagaries of time, record companies and even us on occasion - may be subject to change.
If any details on a disc you order have changed since a list was posted on the site then we shall notify you before supply.
BBC Radio 3 CD Review
