Mozart Horn Concertos
An attractive collection of Decca's mid-price Ovation reissues of which the top half-dozen are among this company's finest CDs
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Georges Bizet
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 71
Catalogue Number: 466 421-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (L')Arlésienne - Suites |
Georges Bizet, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Georges Bizet, Composer Montreal Symphony Orchestra |
| Carmen |
Georges Bizet, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Georges Bizet, Composer Montreal Symphony Orchestra |
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 70
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 466 423-2DM
Composer or Director: George Gershwin
Label: Decca
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 53
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 466 424-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Rhapsody in Blue |
George Gershwin, Composer
Cleveland Orchestra George Gershwin, Composer Katia Labèque, Piano Marielle Labèque, Piano Riccardo Chailly, Conductor |
| Lullaby |
George Gershwin, Composer
Cleveland Orchestra George Gershwin, Composer Riccardo Chailly, Conductor |
| (An) American in Paris |
George Gershwin, Composer
Cleveland Orchestra George Gershwin, Composer Riccardo Chailly, Conductor |
| Cuban Overture |
George Gershwin, Composer
Cleveland Orchestra George Gershwin, Composer Riccardo Chailly, Conductor |
Composer or Director: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 65
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 466 419-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| 1812 |
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Montreal Symphony Orchestra Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer |
| Capriccio Italien |
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Montreal Symphony Orchestra Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer |
| (The) Nutcracker |
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Montreal Symphony Orchestra Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer |
| Marche slave, 'Slavonic March' |
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Montreal Symphony Orchestra Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer |
Composer or Director: Franz Schubert
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 75
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 458 608-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Quintet for Piano and Strings, 'Trout' |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Alois Posch, Double bass András Schiff, Piano Franz Schubert, Composer Hagen Qt |
| (6) Moments musicaux |
Franz Schubert, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Franz Schubert, Composer |
Composer or Director: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 69
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 458 607-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (4) Concertos for Horn and Orchestra |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Barry Tuckwell, Horn English Chamber Orchestra Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
| Fragment for Horn and Orchestra (Concerto Movement |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Barry Tuckwell, Horn English Chamber Orchestra Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
| Rondo for Horn and Orchestra, "Concert Rondo" |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Barry Tuckwell, Horn English Chamber Orchestra Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
| Rondo for Horn and Orchestra |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Barry Tuckwell, Horn English Chamber Orchestra Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
| Concerto for Horn and Orchestra |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Barry Tuckwell, Horn English Chamber Orchestra Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
Composer or Director: Johann Sebastian Bach
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 79
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 466 420-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Easter Oratorio |
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Elly Ameling, Soprano Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer Karl Münchinger, Conductor Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra Tom Krause, Baritone Vienna Academy Choir Werner Krenn, Tenor |
| Magnificat |
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Elly Ameling, Soprano Hanneke van Bork, Soprano Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer Karl Münchinger, Conductor Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra Tom Krause, Baritone Vienna Academy Choir Werner Krenn, Tenor |
Composer or Director: Maurice Duruflé, Gabriel Fauré
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 79
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 466 418-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Requiem |
Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Benjamin Luxon, Baritone Gabriel Fauré, Composer George Guest, Conductor Jonathon Bond, Treble/boy soprano St John's College Choir, Cambridge Stephen Cleobury, Organ |
Composer or Director: Fryderyk Chopin
Label: Decca
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 76
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 466 422-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 |
Fryderyk Chopin, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Fryderyk Chopin, Composer Jorge Bolet, Piano Montreal Symphony Orchestra |
| Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 |
Fryderyk Chopin, Composer
Charles Dutoit, Conductor Fryderyk Chopin, Composer Jorge Bolet, Piano Montreal Symphony Orchestra |
Composer or Director: Felix Mendelssohn
Label: Ovation
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 76
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 466 425-2DM
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 1, Andante con moto in E |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 2, Andante espressivo in A minor |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 6, Andante sostenuto in G minor, 'Venetian Gondola Song' (1830) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 4, Agitato e con fuoco in B minor |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 6, Allegretto in F sharp minor, 'Venetian Gond |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 6, Andante con moto in A flat, 'Duetto' |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 1, Andante con moto in A flat |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 1, Andante espressivo in G |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 6, Andante grazioso in A |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 4, Presto in C, 'Spinnerlied: The Bee's Wedding' |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 6, Allegro non troppo in E |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 6, Allegretto con moto in B flat |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
| (48) Songs without Words, Movement: No. 5, Allegro vivace in A minor, 'Kinderstück' |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
András Schiff, Piano Felix Mendelssohn, Composer |
Author: Ivan March
Leading this batch is Munchinger's splendidly alive and stylish coupling of two Bach choral masterpieces, the Easter Oratorio and Magnificat. With first-class soloists common to both, Elly Ameling in her most radiant voice, and vintage analogue recording (the trumpets gleaming resplendently), this is an outstanding example of joyfully authentic Bach from the late 1960s, using modern instruments.
Just as recommendable, perhaps, is Dutoit's uniquely generous Montreal pairing of both of Bizet's delightfulL'arlesienne suites plus the two orchestral suites from Carmen; they're unsurpassed in the present catalogue. There is a Beechamesque feeling in the zest and panache of Dutoit's direction here, and the orchestral playing, woodwind and strings alike, is a sheer delight. The scored vocal numbers from Carmen are particularly successful, helped by the demonstration standard of the digital recording and, of course, the warm Montreal acoustic.
After this, Jorge Bolet's strikingly intimate coupling of the two Chopin piano concertos is marginally disappointing. He made them in the last year of his life and though the pianistic colour is as impressive as ever, especially in the gently restrained slow movements, there's a hint of lethargy elsewhere at times and (especially in the finales) the music needs more extrovert glitter.
It is the restrained intimacy of George Guest's St John's performances of the Durufle and Faure Requiems that gives this particular CD its special individuality. In both works, boy trebles sing the 'Pie Jesu' with affecting simplicity, Jonathan Bond in the Faure and a young Robert King in the Durufle, and, of course, trebles also feature in the choir. In the Durufle, an organ accompaniment is used to emphasise a smaller scale of approach, so that if you are not looking primarily for drama in this music, these atmospheric recordings will be found very satisfying.
There is certainly no want of extrovert brashness in Chailly's Gershwin programme, and the Labeque sisters treat Rhapsody in Blue very freely, creating, in virtuoso touches of their own, every opportunity to enjoy themselves. They fully capture the music's exuberance, and An American in Paris and the Cuban Overture are treated with similar uninhibited boisterousness. The Cleveland players, too, are on top bravura form, and the recording is brilliant to match.
The two CDs featuring Andras Schiff show this highly imaginative artist at his finest. Both his coupling of the Mendelssohn piano concertos, combining poetic delicacy with vivacious virtuosity, and the effervescent, light-hearted account of Schubert's Trout Quintet, which he leads so winningly, stand out from the many competitive versions in the catalogue. To the former he adds an appealing selection of Songs without Words and having given us - in partnership with the superb Hagen Quartet - a wonderfully fresh yet penetrating account of Schubert's most infectious chamber work, he adds a distinctive set of the Moments musicaux, full of magical insights. Both discs are given naturally balanced digital recordings out of Decca's top drawer.
Unless you want the works played on an authentic hand-horn (for which there is a strong case), Barry Tuckwell's accounts of Mozart's four horn concertos, plus the two Rondos and the unfinished fragment, are second to none. He was a natural successor to Dennis Brain and plays with an easy fluency as well as distinctive Mozartian charm and geniality, accompanying himself while directing the ECO very stylishly. These are his later digital versions, and very good they are, too.
Mainly through the advocacy of his consistently excellent Decca records, Herbert Blomstedt has steadily emerged as one of the outstanding conductors of our generation. He directs the San Francisco orchestra in a superbly exciting Don Juan, then takes us on an opulently spectacular journey up Strauss's very own Alpine mountain, and back down again. The spectacular 'Sunrise' and the echoing horns in the forest at the opening are matched by the gently sensuous calm of the 'Sunset' and 'Epilogue' (Strauss was at his most affecting in epilogues). Sonically thrilling, this coupling is another jewel in the Blomstedt crown.
Dutoit's Tchaikovsky triptych is also impressive as sheer sound, although this CD has, perhaps, been remastered since I first reviewed it (10/86 - it seems even better balanced than I remembered it). I quote from my original comments. The Capriccio italien 'combines a nice elegance in the decorative string writing with plenty of sparkle'; the Nutcracker Suite brings at times a 'chamber-music refinement', although the 'Waltz of the flowers' is 'not as exhilarating as some versions'. 1812 is also an individual rather than barnstorming account, and it no longer has canon, a tolling bell, carillon and synthesised effects to add to the spectacle. The performance, although exciting, 'does not make you sit on the edge of the chair'.'
Just as recommendable, perhaps, is Dutoit's uniquely generous Montreal pairing of both of Bizet's delightful
After this, Jorge Bolet's strikingly intimate coupling of the two Chopin piano concertos is marginally disappointing. He made them in the last year of his life and though the pianistic colour is as impressive as ever, especially in the gently restrained slow movements, there's a hint of lethargy elsewhere at times and (especially in the finales) the music needs more extrovert glitter.
It is the restrained intimacy of George Guest's St John's performances of the Durufle and Faure Requiems that gives this particular CD its special individuality. In both works, boy trebles sing the 'Pie Jesu' with affecting simplicity, Jonathan Bond in the Faure and a young Robert King in the Durufle, and, of course, trebles also feature in the choir. In the Durufle, an organ accompaniment is used to emphasise a smaller scale of approach, so that if you are not looking primarily for drama in this music, these atmospheric recordings will be found very satisfying.
There is certainly no want of extrovert brashness in Chailly's Gershwin programme, and the Labeque sisters treat Rhapsody in Blue very freely, creating, in virtuoso touches of their own, every opportunity to enjoy themselves. They fully capture the music's exuberance, and An American in Paris and the Cuban Overture are treated with similar uninhibited boisterousness. The Cleveland players, too, are on top bravura form, and the recording is brilliant to match.
The two CDs featuring Andras Schiff show this highly imaginative artist at his finest. Both his coupling of the Mendelssohn piano concertos, combining poetic delicacy with vivacious virtuosity, and the effervescent, light-hearted account of Schubert's Trout Quintet, which he leads so winningly, stand out from the many competitive versions in the catalogue. To the former he adds an appealing selection of Songs without Words and having given us - in partnership with the superb Hagen Quartet - a wonderfully fresh yet penetrating account of Schubert's most infectious chamber work, he adds a distinctive set of the Moments musicaux, full of magical insights. Both discs are given naturally balanced digital recordings out of Decca's top drawer.
Unless you want the works played on an authentic hand-horn (for which there is a strong case), Barry Tuckwell's accounts of Mozart's four horn concertos, plus the two Rondos and the unfinished fragment, are second to none. He was a natural successor to Dennis Brain and plays with an easy fluency as well as distinctive Mozartian charm and geniality, accompanying himself while directing the ECO very stylishly. These are his later digital versions, and very good they are, too.
Mainly through the advocacy of his consistently excellent Decca records, Herbert Blomstedt has steadily emerged as one of the outstanding conductors of our generation. He directs the San Francisco orchestra in a superbly exciting Don Juan, then takes us on an opulently spectacular journey up Strauss's very own Alpine mountain, and back down again. The spectacular 'Sunrise' and the echoing horns in the forest at the opening are matched by the gently sensuous calm of the 'Sunset' and 'Epilogue' (Strauss was at his most affecting in epilogues). Sonically thrilling, this coupling is another jewel in the Blomstedt crown.
Dutoit's Tchaikovsky triptych is also impressive as sheer sound, although this CD has, perhaps, been remastered since I first reviewed it (10/86 - it seems even better balanced than I remembered it). I quote from my original comments. The Capriccio italien 'combines a nice elegance in the decorative string writing with plenty of sparkle'; the Nutcracker Suite brings at times a 'chamber-music refinement', although the 'Waltz of the flowers' is 'not as exhilarating as some versions'. 1812 is also an individual rather than barnstorming account, and it no longer has canon, a tolling bell, carillon and synthesised effects to add to the spectacle. The performance, although exciting, 'does not make you sit on the edge of the chair'.'
Bizet L'Arlesienne & Carmen Suites
Strauss Alpine Symphony
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Tchaikovsky - Orchestral Works
Schubert Trout Quintet; Moments Musicaux
Mozart Horn Concertos
Bach - Sacred Masterworks
Faure/Durufle Requiems
Chopin Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2
Mendelssohn Piano Concertos 1 & 2; Songs Without Words
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