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Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone = MAHLER: Kindertotenlieder; Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen - with NWDR Sinfonieorcheter/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt/Cologne Radio-Sym. Orch./Otto Ackermann/Orchestre National de France/Carl Schuricht - Tahra Published on July 07, 2008 This is the culmination of some essential Mahler performances the collector and the connoisseur of vocal magic will cherish deeply.


Rudolf Firkusny, piano = SCHUBERT: Three Pieces, D. 946; MARTINU: Fantasia et Toccata; MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition; CHOPIN: Mazurka , Op. 63, No. 3; SMETANA: Furiant; Concert Etude - BBC Legends Published on July 07, 2008 If Firkusny wanted to be Vladimir Horowitz, he could be.

Wilhelm Furtwangler Conducts = BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7; J. STRAUSS: Emperor Waltz; WEBER: Oberon Ov.; MENDELSSOHN: Fingal’s Cave Overture; WAGNER: Die Meistersinger: Prelude, Act I - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwaengler - Opus Kura Published on July 04, 2008 Transferred from the 78rpm shellac sources rather than from the tape originals, as has been EMI’s wont.

Edition Geza Anda III = SCHUMANN: Kreisleriana, Op. 16; Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13; Carnaval, Op. 9; Romance in F-sharp Major, Op. 28, No. 2; CHOPIN: 24 Preludes,  Op. 28; 12 Etudes, Op. 12 - Geza Anda, piano - Audite Published on July 02, 2008 Anda’s handling of the last section of Carnaval--quick and playful--rebounds light and dark forces, childhood reveries wrapped in adult ecstasies.

VERDI: Messa da Requiem--in Memory of Manzoni - Hilde Zadek, soprano/Margarete Klose, mezzo-soprano/Helge Rosvaenge, tenor/Boris Christoff, bass/Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde Wien/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra - Audite Published on July 01, 2008 If music be the food of (political) forgiveness, this performance is Karajan’s Day of Atonement.

RONALD STEVENSON: Passacaglia on DSCH - Ronald Stevenson, piano - Appian Published on June 30, 2008 The models for this grueling 74-minute single-movement work are Bach's Goldberg Variations, Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, and Busoni’s Fantasia Contrappuntistica!

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55 “Eroica”; Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36; Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 - Bavarian Radio-Symphony Orchestra/Karl Bohm - Audite Published on June 29, 2008 The whole ensemble lights up in Beethoven’s controlled hysteria, all dictated by a 79-year-old conductor in full possession of all principals.

MAHLER: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor “Resurrection”; HAYDN: Symphony No. 86 in D Major - Hanni Mack-Cosack, sop./Hertha Toepper, contralto/Chorus and Orchestra of the Radio-Symphony Stuttgart/ Bach-Choir Stuttgart/Carl Schuricht - Hanssler Classic (2 CDs) Published on June 25, 2008 Another excellent addition to the recorded legacy of Carl Schuricht; perhaps, along with Celibidache the world’s greatest “wandering” conductor with no regular appointment.

R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 - Scipione Guidi, violin/Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York/Willem Mengelberg - Pristine Audio Published on June 25, 2008 Recorded December 1928, this is a spectacular performance of the Richard Strauss ode to musical and personal aggrandizement.

BEETHOVEN: The Late String Quartets - Busch Quartet & Busch Chamber Players - EMI Classics Published on June 22, 2008 The restored sound enjoys the rich nuances of the ensemble with virtually no sonic crackle or various signs of age.

Gregor Piatagorsky, cello = MENDELSSOHN: Cello Sonata No. 2 in D Major; CHOPIN: Cello Sonata in G Minor; R. STRAUSS: Cello Sonata in F Major - Gregor Piatagorsky, cello/Leonard Pennario, piano/Rudolf Firkusny, piano (Chopin) - Testament Published on June 19, 2008 The Testament release is culled from several RCA recordings.

RACHMANINOV: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Prelude in C-sharp Minor - Artur Rubinstein, piano/NBC Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir Golschmann/Philharmonia Orchestra/Walter Susskind (Rhapsody) - Naxos Historical Published on June 19, 2008 Though many collectors already own the RCA Rubinstein Edition, they may gravitate to these enhanced restored-sound inscriptions made possible by Mark Obert-Thorn and Naxos.

SMETANA: Ma Vlast (My Fatherland) - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Vaclav Talich - Opus Kura Published on June 18, 2008 Amazing that we can listen to an important interpretation such as this which was recorded almost 80 years ago!

Richard Strauss conducts = R. STRAUSS: Der Rosenkavalier; Waltz, Act III; MOZART: Die Zauberfloete Overture; GLUCK: Iphigenie in Aulis Overture; CORNELIUS: Overture; WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde--Prelude;The Flying Dutchman Ov. - Dutton Published on June 17, 2008 These are all instrumental selections because Strauss actually feared an inscribed opera would set too many musical precedents in stone.

Edition Geza Anda, Vol. II = BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major; Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major; Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major; BRAHMS: Piano Sonata No. 3; 3 Intermezzi; LISZT: Sonata in b - Cologne Radio-Sym./Geza Anda, piano & cond. - Audite (2) Published on June 16, 2008 A splendidly-mounted set celebrating “the troubadour of the piano"

Monique de la Brouchollerie, piano, Vol. 2 = Works TCHAIKOVSKY, BRAHMS, SAINT-SAENS, CHOPIN, HAYDN & SZYMANOWSKI - Doremi (2 CDs) Published on June 14, 2008 She projects the musical equivalent of Gina Bachauer, easily, maybe a Gallic, female Backhaus.

ELGAR: Cello Concerto in E Minor; BRAHMS: Double Concerto in A Minor; DEBUSSY: Cello Sonata - Paul Tortelier, cello/Yan Pascal Tortelier, violin/BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult (Elgar)/Sir John Pritchard/Ernest Lush, p. - BBC Legends Published on June 12, 2008 The BBC archives give us three discreet concerts, of which the Elgar Cello Concerto with Boult at the Royal Festival Hall proceeds with sizzling acuity.

SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43; Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 82 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (No. 2)/Halle Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli - Testament Published on June 11, 2008 The Fifth is a superbly controlled realization in which the Halle winds and strings seem to deliver every nuanced gesture their conductor demands.

DVORAK: Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 “Dumky” - Louis Kentner, piano/Henry Holst, violin/Anthony Pini, cello - Pristine Audio Published on June 07, 2008 Great musicianship, just give us more of it for the dollar, Pristine.

Rafael Kubelik Conducts = DVORAK: Symphonic Variations, Op. 78; MARTINU: Incantation; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 - Rudolf Firkusny, piano/Philharmonia Orchestra/Rafael Kubelik - Testament Published on June 03, 2008 His credentials long established in music of his native land, the Symphonic Variations of Dvorak were standard repertory, allowing Kubelik to bask in the interplay of winds and horns.

BRAHMS: Serenade No. 1 in D Major; Serenade No. 2 in A Major; Academic Festival Ov.; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major; 5 Part-Songs; SCHUBERT (arr. Brahms): Jaeger, ruhe von der Jagd - Robert Casadesus/NY Ladies Choir/NY Philharmonic/Toscanini - Guild Published on June 02, 2008 Suave, unhurried Brahms from The Maestro, Arturo Toscanini

BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem (German Requiem), Op. 45 - Lucia Popp. Soprano/Thomas Allen, baritone/London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus/Klaus Tennstedt - BBC Legends Published on June 02, 2008 Many eager acolytes will wish to supplement Tennstedt’s commercial EMI inscription with this monumentally personal realization of an epic moment of spiritual consolation.

Piano Archives: Clara Haskil plays MOZART = Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major; Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor - Clara Haskil, piano/Paris Conservatory Orchestra/Jerzy Katlewicz (Concerto No. 19)/Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan - Tahra Published on May 31, 2008 We tend to associate Haskil with Mozart interpretation almost exclusively, often disregarding the breadth of her repertory.

WALTON: Belshazzar’s Feast - Dennis Noble, baritone/ London Philharmonic Choir/ London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult - Pristine Audio Published on May 29, 2008 This fine interpretation of William Walton’s popular oratorio features baritone Dennis Noble in splendid voice and diction.

Kapell Rediscovered: The Australian Broadcasts - 2-CD set Published on May 27, 2008 Collectors will listen to it often, in spite of the sonic defects that make some moments almost unbearable.

Cherkassky = PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16; SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 35; CHASINS: 3 Chinese Pieces; POULENC: Toccata; STRAVINSKY: Circus Polka; BEETHOVEN: Bagatelle in G Minor - Medici Arts Published on May 26, 2008 Sparkling runs and wicked, percussive riffs alternate lyrical outpourings with bold, saucy strokes and motor propulsion.

Piano Archives: Arturo Benedetti Michelangelo = SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54; LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major; RACHMANINOV: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 40; CHOPIN: Waltz - Tahra Published on May 25, 2008 Push your Best of the Year CDs over one entry to the right!

Fritz Reiner = PROKOFIEV: Peter and the Wolf; MOZART: The Impraesario-- Overture; SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor; TCHAIKOVSKY: Marche Miniature; DEBUSSY: Fetes; BACH: Fugue in G Minor - NBC Sym./NY Philharmonic/ Chicago Sym. - Guild Published on May 23, 2008 The sound actually seems to improve as the music (briskly) proceeds, the audience heartily moved by Reiner’s frenzied energy.

MAHLER: Symphony No. 9 in D Major - BBC Philharmonic/ Kurt Sanderling - BBC Classics Published on May 23, 2008 From the opening movement, Sanderling reveals a kinship with an older form of Mahler interpretation.

Monique Haas plays MOZART= Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major; Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major; BACH: Italian Concerto in F Major; RAMEAU: Les Cyclopes - Monique Haas, piano/SWF Sinfonieorchester/Hans Rosbaud /NDR Sym./Schmidt-Isserstedt - Tahra Published on May 20, 2008 Pianist Monique Hass occupies a special place in French keyboard artistry for her adherence to a modernist aesthetic, and her advocacy of the post-Ravel classicists.

MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 “Italian”; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61--three excerpts - Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy - HDTT Published on May 19, 2008 Has the usual traits we associate with the Ormandy- Philadelphia sound, namely the streamlined luster of the strings and the dead-on accuracy of the wind playing.

SIBELIUS: Finlandia, Op. 26, No. 7; Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39; Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46: 5 excerpts; Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105 - Helsinki City Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski - Guild Published on May 16, 2008 The E Minor Symphony is one of four Stokowski led and inscribed with some constancy.

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37; Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”; Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101 - Friedrich Gulda, piano/Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra/Mario Rossi - MediciArts Published on May 15, 2008

Cellist Vladimir Orloff, Vol. 2 = TCHAIKOVSKY: Rococo Variations, Op. 33; BOCCHERINI: Sonata No. 6 in A Major; VALENTINI: Sonata in E Major; HAYDN: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2: Adagio and Allegro molto - Vladimir Orloff, cello/various perf. - Doremi Published on May 13, 2008 A musically rich find in every sense.

BACH: Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041; Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042; Double Violin Concerto in D Minor; MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major “Turkish” - Jascha Heifetz, violin/Alfred Wallenstein, Franz Waxman, Malcolm Sargent - Naxos Published on May 13, 2008 Classic inscriptions 1946-1953 by virtuoso Jascha Heifetz, whose name remains synonymous with technical--if not stylistic-- perfection.

BRAHMS: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90; Tragic Overture in D Minor, Op. 81 - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra/William Steinberg - HDTT (CD-R) Published on May 12, 2008

Willem Mengelberg Conducts = GLUCK: Alceste Overture; SCHUBERT: Rosamunde Overture; Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944 “The Great” - Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam/Willem Mengelberg - Opus Kura Published on May 11, 2008 Mengelberg’s was a musical kingdom answerable only to himself. Wickedly compelling!

RESPIGHI: The Pines of Rome; Brazilian Impressions; ROSSINI: La Boutique fantasque (arr. Respighi) - Philharmonia Orchestra/Alceo Galliera cond. - MediciArts Published on May 11, 2008 Galleria keeps it all moving sweetly and buoyantly, never too serious for its own good but all for our renewable delectation.

BIZET: Symphony in C Major; L’Arlesienne Suites; DEBUSSY (orch. Caplet): Children’s Corner Suite - Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski - Cala Published on May 09, 2008 Many thanks to the Leopold Stokowski Society for their promotion of these fine recordings, remastered pungently.

Famous MENDELSSOHN Recordings = Symphony No. 4 in A Major “Italian”; Piano Concerto no. 1 in G Minor; Symphony No. 5, “Reformation” - Halle Orchestra/Harty (Italian)/Ania Dorfman, piano/ London Sym./Goehr (Con.)/Paris Conser. Orch./Munch - Dutton Published on May 07, 2008 Vintage Mendelssohn performances assembled under one roof, as it were.