Page 93 - BBC Music (January 2020)

Vivaldi Airs & Concertos The month in box-sets
Jupiter Alpha Classics ALPHA 550
This Vivaldi is vital
and exciting in the
hands of Thomas
Dunford’s new
starry supergroup.
Ferocious and fizzing, mezzo Lea
Desandre is a force to be reckoned
with. (MB) HHHHH

Evensong Live 2019
Works by Parry, Byrd, Walton et al
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
King’s College KGS0038
Recorded at various
Evensong services,
this mix of choral
music old and new
is as glorious as you’d
expect, and with superb programme
notes to boot. (FP) HHHH

Forgotten Treasures
Works by Schmidt, Weiner et al
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Beau Fleuve Records 605996-998531
A lovely disc, Quite the character:
Raymond Lewenthal
imaginatively
had stage presence
programmed
and aptly titled.
Martucci’s exquisite
Notturno is perhaps the pick of the Classic piano recordings from the past
gems revealed, though Weiner’s
sprightly Hungarian Folkdance This month’s round-up also includes box-sets of music by Edvard Grieg
Suite is also good fun. (JP) HHHH

Homage to Women Composers Her command of the keyboard was, The Edvard Grieg Edition (Brilliant
Works by Thea Musgrave et al for many, beyond compare and in Classics 95914) is a generous
Ruth Lomon & Iris Graffman Wenglin Cécile Ousset – The Decca France release, delivering 25 discs of
(piano) Navona Records NV6254 Recordings (Decca 482 7395) we the Norwegian composer’s works.
The culmination of are treated to the French pianist’s Conductor Bjarte Engeset oversees
years of research, debut releases. The seven-disc proceedings on eight discs of
this disc uncovers set features recordings made orchestral works and works for
piano duos by female from 1971-76, all remastered and voice and orchestra; under his
composers from the appearing on disc for the baton are both the Royal
Romantic period through to the late very first time. Beethoven Scottish National Orchestra
20th century. Synchronicity could dominates with the complete Ousset’s 1970s and the Malmö Symphony.
be tighter, but the project is seriously piano variations taking up recordings appear on Beyond that we’re treated
commendable. (FP) HHH four discs; an ambitious disc for the first time to three discs of chamber
undertaking, it would be music, seven discs of piano
Souvenirs of Spain & Italy Ousset’s last takes in the music performed by Håkon
Works by Vivaldi, Turina et al studio for the label. Austbø and another seven of songs, featuring
Sharon Isbin (guitar) et al Raymond Lewenthal – The Complete RCA soprano Marianne Hirsti – among others.
Cédille CDR 9000 190 and Columbia Album Collection (Sony Classical If you’d prefer to focus on Grieg’s orchestral
You can almost hear 19075853642) charts the American pianist’s music, and in super high-quality sound, then
the fizz of prosecco mid-late 1960s recordings. A late starter at you might want to plump for Edvard Grieg –
and cava as Isbin and 15, natural ability foreshadowed a precocious Complete Symphonic Works (Audite 21.439).
the Pacifica Quartet talent and – eventually – an extrovert Presented across five Super Audio CDs, the
enjoy each other’s performer. His championing of overlooked set takes in the likes of the Peer Gynt suites,
company in this Mediterranean- Romantic piano repertoire is well represented Symphonic Dances, Norwegian Dances, the
inspired disc. A ray of sunshine to across these eight discs, with solo works and Symphony in C minor, Piano Concerto in A
brighten winter days. (JP) HHHH concertos by Alkan, Rubinstein, Scharwenka minor and orchestral songs. Eivind Aadland
Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), and Henselt. There’s Liszt, too, with the conducts the WDR Symphony, with solo
Oliver Condy (OC), Rebecca Franks (RF), premiere release of the pianist’s archived 1966 support from soprano Camilla Tilling, baritone
Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound (JP) recordings of Années de pèlerinage (I & II). Tom Erik Lie and pianist Herbert Schuch.

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE 95