Music in the Mail - P.O. BOX ONE - BRIGHTWATERS, N.Y. 11718 Classical Music CDs ! Also, CD Reviews, Music Articles, Audio History Explored, Web Music Sound Files!

THE "UNWANTED OPINION" CD REVIEWS

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THE UNWANTED OPINION NEWSLETTER Vol. 1 No. 3 SPRING 1996

INSIDEHIGHLY RECOMMENDED CD'S
+GRETRY Turkish Delight
+LITTLE RASCALS ON MARS
+GRAUN: Cleopatra&Caesar
+CONSTANT LAMBERT ballets
+MAX BRUCH oratorio
+Naxos GLIERE:RED POPPY
+Naxos GLAZOUNOV:RAYMONDA
+Naxos Swedish Orch.Favorites
+Supraphon CZECH Festival
+ operas & oratorios by: Dvorak,Smetana and Fibich.
+ CZECH orchestral works by:
Dvorak, Smetana,Vranicky, Martinu, Fibich, Ostrcil,Fibich
+Bis Sibelius: Sym#5-original
+Bis Sibelius:Everyman Music
+Bis Tobias:Jonah Oratorio

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THE UNWANTED OPINION NEWSLETTER Vol. 1 No. 4 SUMMER 1996

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CD'S INSIDE:
+SCORE WITH SHOSTAKOVICH
+ANTHEIL ANTHEM
+PLAYED WITH ELAN
+FIDELIO # ZERO
+LUCEFARUL
+SEEKING DE SICA
+FELIX MENDELWEBER
+RULE HYPERION
+CONSERAMODERN
+GREAT ODDBALL
+RUSSIAN ITALIAN
+CHANDOSE
+WARNING EDITORIALIZING!!!
+SILVA AMERICA
+UNCROWNING AFFAIR

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THE UNWANTED OPINION NEWSLETTER Vol. 2 No. 1 FALL 1996

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CD'S INSIDE:
+MORE YOUNOWHOS
+BRILLIANT SHOOTING STAR
+ANCIENT FRIEND/new version
+GOLOVANOV GOAL COMING
+THE RUSSIAN KING OF KINGS
+SON OF DVORAK
+WAGNERIAN REVENGE
+MAHLER LEMONJUICEALERT
+TCHAIKOVSKY NOT GAY
+SMILING BRUCKNER
+SYM.DISCOVERS COLUMBUS
+HERMANN SCHERCHEN Fan
+LORDY LORDY
+FAIR GOOD GLAZOUNOV
+STOKY STOKY
+HOVHANESS:RUBAIYAT
+GADE GET WITH IT
+SWEDISH Vaughan WILLIAMS
+TJEKNKHACHATKABAVORIN

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THE UNWANTED OPINION
NEWSLETTER
Vol. 1 No. 1
FALL 1995
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CD'S

INSIDE
+Marco Polo-VonSuppe,Gunga Din
Augusta Holmes, China Heroes
+Victor Herbert- on Newport
+Hyperion handles Handel,
fairy's & a Scotsman
+Koch-The Little Rascals
+Chandos-Snow Maiden, Alwyn,
Stokowski Encores
+Vanguard & Everest Reissues
+Silva America wins WW II
+Mono Madness
+Feeling IMPish
+Quit Russhin Me!
+Son of Mendelssohn
+In the Alhambra
======================
The Unwanted Opinion
published by:
Music in the Mail - P.O. Box 1
Brightwaters, N.Y. 11718
edited by: Joseph Bonfanti


Brief reviews written without
the usual pomp or hubris.
Dedicated to the informed
classical collector who has
been disappointed time after
time by reviewers who hate
what you like and like what
you hate!

MARCO POLO CHOICES ----
VON SUPPE OVERTURES 3 VOLUMES 8.223647 VOL. 1, 8.223648 VOL. 2 AND 8.223683 VOL. 3. HIGHLY ENJOYABLE Much on each CD contains material never before available. OK, the standard overtures have been available by great conductors like Paray or Barbirolli but we are unlikely to see other versions of most of these works. Featured are rarely heard Overtures like Tricoche and Cacolet,Franz Schubert Ovt. (which begins with a furious orchestral version of Erlkonig), Triumph, Heimkehr von der Hochzeit, Die Frau Meisterin, Des Wanderers Ziel, Isabella, Das Modell, Der Kramer und sein Kommis, Paragraph 3, Carnival and Donna Juanita. Other fillers include various orchestral works, polkas and waltzes. Alfred Walter leads the Slovak State. Philharmonic Orchestra. ****

AUGUSTA HOLMES ORCH. WORKS
8.223449 Based on this CD she would get my vote for best women composer of the 20th Century (she died in 1903!). Franz Liszt style tone poems with some Richard Strauss
orchestral gloss. Works include: Poland- Symphonic Poem, Night and Love, Ove rture for a Comedy, Symphonic Poem, Andromeda. This is absolutely first rate stuff! Powerful, lyrical, passionate, and indomitable! DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!!
Samuel Friedmann conducts the Rheinland Philharmonic. Great sounding brass*****

CHINESE MUSIC SERIES 8.223918
Tokyo Phil. cond. Lim Kektjiang. I have been waiting for this one to come out on CD. These are ADD 1979 recordings - really fine sound! Spring Festival Overture- pure tonal joy.
The White-Haired Girl Ballet folk song melodies scored for full symphony orchestra, a very delightful work. The CHINESE MUSIC CD concludes with Heroes' Monument by Chu Wei
which can only be described as the Shostakovitch 7th Symphony (last movement) bumping into the Great Wall. Everyone survives even your sound system (just barely). ****

CAPTAIN BLOOD 8.223607
Enough Swash to Buckle you! Orchestral Suites from the films: The King's Thief by Miklos Rozsa, Scaramouche by Victor Young, The 3 Musketeers by Max Steiner &Erich Wolfgang Korngold-Captain Blood.Richard Kaufman conducts the Brandenburg Philharmonic in a very juicy
recording. Sonic satisfaction to match your wildest Hollywood Studio System dreams.****

HISTORICAL ROMANCES 8.223608
Good grief!... I never thought I would take this one out of my CD player. Works include: Korngold: Juarez Overture and Devotion, Steiner: The Charge of the Light Brigade, and Alfred Newman: Gunga Din. The first CD of the score to one of the greatest films ever made! As a film professor, one of my joys is running the film society at the college..I had scheduled Gunga Din and this CD came just 2 weeks before our screening. Many of us know this score...but we may never really
hear how dramatic, moving or memorable it is till we experience it on this CD!
Richard Kaufman again conducts. *****

Victor Herbert
THINE ALONE -NEWPORT NPD 85572 Orchestral Works and Songs performed by the Manhattan Orchestra cond.by R.A.Clark You can retire your old Ormandy LP with the Philadelphia Orchestra now. Orchestral works like the Irish Rhapsody, The World's Progress, PanAmericana, The President's March, Butterfly Waltz,Cannibal Dance**** ( from ALLEGRO)

HYPERION HAPPY ----
MUSIC OF THOMAS LINLEY
CDA 66767 TEMPEST MUSIC CDA 66613 LYRIC ODE
Wonderfully evocative music performed with a great deal of charm and vigor by the Parley Baroque Orchestra and Chorus. The Tempest CD contains 3 other cantatas.****
Even better was their earlier CD of Linley (1756-1778) titled A Lyric Ode-on the Fairies,Aerial Beings and Witches of Shakespeare. Sort of a Handel does the Mendelssohn:Walp- urgisnacht! These are large scale choral works with strings,winds, brass and percussion.*****

HANDEL:OCCASIONAL ORATORIO CDA 66961/2 (2CD)
For me the occasion lasted nearly a week- I could not stop playing this!
Written in 1746 to raise flagging spirits in London (the Army of George II was doing battle against Prince Charles for the English throne). This may be the most exciting oratorio ever written. The work is not entirely original-Handel took from other works including a rousing version of Zadok the Priest.This is the Handel of war (trumpets & drums ablaze),hope, faith, joy,
inspiration and redemption.*****

HUGH THE DROVER 66901(2CD)
What a joy to hear a great romantic ballad opera written in our own language. I suppose the closest we ever came was Show Boat or Porgy and Bess. Listen to how the words wrap around the music,
pure poetry. This version has a more lively feel about it then the EMI set. Lots of color and a
balance that at times favors the orchestra. Matthew Best conducts the Croydon Orch. ****

SIR ALEXANDER MACKENZIE (1847-1935) CDA 66764 Cricket on the Hearth Ovt., 12th Night and Coriolanus Incidental Music and Burns-Second Scottish Rhapsody. Very Good stuff
-with the BBC Scottish. Highly enjoyable post-romantic British. ***
VICTORIAN CONCERT OVT'S.- mostly first recordings of Overtures by Mackenzie, Sullivan, German and others. CDA 66515- more very fine selections. ****


KOCH CATCH----
LITTLE RASCALS KOCH 8702
I can't say I expected it but, I am glad it happened. The Beau Hunks play the original music and background themes to all the Hal Roach Classic Comedies - Charlie Chase, the Little Rascals,Laurel and Hardy!If you are anywhere between 16 and 86 this music is already a memorable part of your life. P.S. the CD has 50 tracks, think what this can mean to your home movies.****



TCHAIKOVSKY: SNOW MAIDEN CHANDOS 9324 Detroit Sym-Jarvi(79min)
The third recording in 50 years of one of the best works written by Tchaikovsky. This version has cleaner sound and a much better orchestral balance than either Russian version (why is one soprano always louder than a full symphony orchestra and chorus on some Russian recordings?). ****

ALWYN:FILM MUSIC CHANDOS 9243
Symphonic suites from Odd Man Out(1946) Fallen Idol (1948), Rakes Progress(1945) and History of Mr. Polly (1949) Hickox conducts the London Sym.(72 min). Now that you are familiar with his fine sym phonies, get to know how good a film score composer he was. Tons of atmosphere in every shape, tone and size.****

HAYDN:SYM 99 THRU 104 (3 CD SET)
VANGUARD SVC 14/16. Mogens Woldike conducts the Vienna State Orch.
I used to think that my favorite versions of the late Haydn Symphonies were either Scherchen or Woldike... Now one of them is out on CD! Hear the drum really roll in the Drum Roll #103, feel the energy and rollick in Sym#102. Aside from individual versions by Monteux or Toscanini these are just about as good a set of the six as it gets! Stereo sound is GREAT! *****

STOKOWSKI ENCORES Chandos 9349
World premiere recordings of some items never recorded by the Maestro himself. 15
encore items includes:Shostakovitch:United Nations March, Mozart:Turkish March, Schubert:Serenade,Ippolitov-Ivanov:In the Manger. Recommended because of the rarity of the material! Played in a rather reserved manner (these are encores!) by the BBC Symphony under Matthias Bamert. ***

ARNOLD:SYM#3 & VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: SYM#9- first versions.
EVEREST 9001. Now I hope you have been enjoying the remarkable sound on these reissues. This 1959 version of the Arnold (LPO under Composer) is better in both sound and performance than the latest CHANDOS attempt. The Vaughan Williams 9th with Sir Adrian Boult has the spoken comments by Sir Adrian restored! (1958 London Philharmonic) ****


SCHUBERT:GRAND DUO SYMPHONY
KOCH 7307 American Sym. Leon Botstein Schubert orchestrated by Joachim, Mottl and Webern. Better sound than usual for Koch.The American Symphony recorded this at SUNY, Purchase Performing Arts Center .
Thoughts of old Vanguard recordings danced in my head as I reacquainted myself with this wonderful music. ****

SUK RARITIES Supraphon 11 1825 -2
Praga, Dramatic Ovt. Op.4, Meditation on St. Wenceslas, Legend of Dead Victors and Towards a New Life. Prague Sym-Petr Altrichter cond. Lots of nice works on this CD. We are given full throated performances in a slightly dark but impressive sounding recording. ***

THE LONGEST DAY Silva America 1036
Paul Bateman leads the City of Prague Philharmonic. Very attractive CD booklet with original movie posters for each film!
Music from 1950's,60's&70's films about WW II. Includes: Addison:A Bridge Too Far, Bernstein:Bridge at Remagen,
Great Escape,Clifton Parker:Sink the Bismarck,Goldsmith:In Harms Way. Also, music from: Das Boot, Where Eagles Dare,
Night of the Generals, Battle of Britain Suite, MacArthur, Patton, 633 Squadron and more!
A pleasing combination of very infectious music, some subtle and some delivered with all the rhythmic impact of a panzer division. Clean sound, with close miking.****

CARL LOEWE SCHWANN 1539
Here is one example when a new Loewe becomes a high! Loewe died in 1869, this disc features his Symphonie in d and the Piano Concerto in A. Pianist Ewa Kupiec (she is featured in an eyecatching photo) & Jacques Houtmann conducts
the Lorraine Philharmonie. Romantic music in a style slightly reminiscent of Schumann.****



MONO MADNESS------
MUSIC&ARTS 857 STOKOWSKI All-American Orch.1940-41 (74min)
This disc contains two unforgettable performances-Beethoven:Sym#5 and Brahms:Sym:#1. The Fifth opens with the slowest and most powerful first movement "fate" theme ever heard! Fate isn't knocking at the door, it is being kicked in! This performance puts into perspective the romantic mystique surrounding this symphony and captures like no other performance ever will, the fervor of the time -1941 - as we summon the most resounding V for VICTORY ever heard. Brass seems doubled and there are many Sto kowskian orchestral "touch ups". The Brahms First concludes this disc in an equally unique and fitting way. Orchestral textures becomes organ like and we seem to ascend into some cathedral beyond the clouds.. Sound is astonishingly hi-fi! You will be playing and talking about this disc till the day fate knocks at your door in and you ascend to heaven! A MUST BUY *****

THE SIBELIUS SYMPHONIES Beulah 1PD8 Sym#1&#7& Karelia Ovt.
Beulah 2PD8 Sym#2 & Sym#6
Beulah 3PD8 Sym#3 & tone poems
Beulah 4PD8 Sym#4 & Sym#5
Anthony Collins & London Sym. (QUALITON)
If I had to choose only one Sibelius cycle, this would be it. Sound is rich, lush and full in the best Decca FFRR tradition. Yes, there have been more romantic and vividly thrilling performances of #1 and #2 - (the Bernstein VPO performances on DG storm the heavens). However, there has never been a cycle that was more consistently satisfying than this one (save for the currently unavailable Barbirolli version). I get the feeling this Collins set may not be around forever, grab it. ****

SCHURICHT- VPO 1956 UN DAY (ALBANY)
Archiphon ARC-4.0 Beethoven:7th,
Egmont Ovt.,Mozart:#35, Mendels sohn:Scherzo. Rich, warm sound, stylish VPO playing - ***

LAWRENCE TIBBETT:The Song is YOU
MEMOIR CLASSICS CDMOIR 427
By far the finest of all the Tibbett CD's. No disc better exemplifies the vocal glories that America once had. What Barrymore was to text, Tibbett was to lyrics. Highlights: New Moon: Wanting You, Lover Come Back, Southerner(soundtrack):Without a Song, Life is a Dream; Cuban Love Song, Tramps at Sea, Porgy & Bess, Road to, Battle Hymn of Republic, Going Home, Kingdom By the Sea, Rogue Song, My Own United States., etc. No extra charge for tears, goosebumps, or awe. POUNCE ON THIS ONE! ***** (QUALITON)

BOSTON SYMPHONY ACOUSTICS
BSO Classics 171002 First recordings of the BSO with Karl Muck from 1917 also includes the first Koussevitzky recordings from 1928 (Electrical). Many of the Muck recordings were never issued in any format includes: Wolf-Ferrari:Secret of Susanna, Beethoven:Sym#7 finale, and the first issue of alternate takes by Serge Koussevitzky of Petrouchka and Daphnis et Chloe. The CD booklet gives a fascinating history of these projects. The sound is more vivid than you might imagine! "There is a well authen- ticated story relating to the effect of the first record, that of the Tchaikovsky 4th Finale, upon the men who made it. Dr. Muck, Victor Herbert and some others had been delayed, and reached the laboratories sometime after the orchestra ...As they came to the door of the recording hall, someone exclaimed, "What are those men rehearsing the Tchaikovsky again for? They should be working on the Lohengrin Prelude!" But on opening the door it was discovered that records were being played! A greater stride was taken with those two discs than probably by any before or since." *** (ALLEGRO)

WILLEM MENGELBERG The Complete 1922-25 New York Philharmonic recordings
When you buy this set, you have bought the greatest mid-range test CD ever made. You have also purchased the finest versions of Liszt:Les Preludes, Strauss:Heldenleben, Saint Saens: Le Rouet d'Omphale, and Schelling:A Victor Ball ever recorded! Now you assume I have lost my mind - how could an acoustic recording of Les Preludes compete with an electrical mono recording, a stereo recording, or a DDD recording? Listen and lose your mind too. It does!
Other memorable Mengelberg performances in this N.Y. Philharmonic set includes: fascinating renditions of Flying Dutchman, Coriolanus, Oberon, and Rosamunde Ovt's. Halvorsen:Boyars March, Tales from the Vienna Woods, Mengelberg:Praeludium etc. The Heldenleben is an alternative perform- ance of the legendary 1928 electricals. Biddulph WHL 025-26 (2cd set) *****

MARK BROTHERS SING AND PLAY
Chansons Cinema CIN 004 (3CD SET)
At first glance insanity, at second glance pure madness... Marx Brothers style. Nearly every note of music(?) from all the classic films: Cocanuts (1929) thru The Big Store.
Includes even the opening title credit and closing title out music...every Harpo harp, every Chico key tickle.. every Groucho griping lyric and every song done by real vocalists like Lillian Roth, Tony Martin, Alan Jones, Kitty Carlisle and Margaret Dumont! Hold on listen... .. Here comes L-Y-D-I-A , He means Lydia, Lydia the Tattoed Lady! Great party fun *** (QUALITON)

TOSCANINI CONDUCTS TONE POEM
DELL'ARTE DA 9024. Here we have a new addition to the finest sounding series of historic Toscanini CD's ever released. Includes the only version of Paul Graener (1972-1944):Flute of San-Souci (A delightful neo-classical /20th century work - like Strauss: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme). CD also includes all of the Maestros Liszt recordings: From the Cradle to the Grave, a lease breaking Liszt:Hungarian Rhapsody #2 and Orpheus. You can always spot a really ignorant music lover when he tells you Toscanini conducted everything too fast. This Orpheus is among the most lyrically expansive versions you will ever hear. Compare the Toscanini version at 14'O8 with to the Beecham performance at 10'48. CD includes Sibelius:En Saga& Sousa**** (ALBANY)

OTHER TOSCANINI DELL'ARTE:
+DA 9019 ATTERBERG:SYM #6, SIBELIUS:SYM #2(not RCA version). The most exciting perfomances of both works.
+DA 9020 Rubbra: Brahms Handel Var. Roger-Duccasse :Sarabande, Roy Harris 3rd Sym,Kabalevsky, Paganini and Sibelius.
(Definitive Rubbra and Harris performances)
+DA 9022 Schubert & Schumann:Sym#2
+DA 9021 Meyerbeer:Dinorah, Roussel: Spider's Feast, Franck:Sym (not RCA)
All CD's SOUND HI FI **** OR ***** performance ratings

FEELING IMPish (ALLEGRO)
Good Sound, Artists and Low Price - Allegro Imports IMP/PICKWICK
MENDELSSOHN Orchestral Works Philharmonia -Francesc.o D'Avalos:
+Sym #3 & #4, Son & Stranger Ov Ruy Blas Ov (78 min)MCD 88 ***
+Sym # 2 & St. Paul Overture. MCD 83 (76 min) ****
+Sym#5, Die Erste Walpurgisnacht MCD 68 (62 min) ****
+Midsummer (complete), Fair Melusina Ov MCD 78 ****
+Sym#1, Marriage of Comacho, Calm Sea&Prosperous Voyage, Hebrides, Athalie, & Trumpet Ovt. MCD 81 (76 min) ****
I doubt we will hear a better DDD version of this much Mendelssohn by one artist. The performances are usually expansive and weighty. The recordings are slightly dark some- times favoring the horns. Clearly, no match for Munch or Toscanini in #3 or #4. Sym #2 is best of all and #5 just misses the Toscanini fervor. Some of the overtures have never been done better and Walpurgisnacht is very rousing. You needed a new cycle anyway...go for it.

ALBENIZ:PIANO CONCERTO, NAVARRA, CATALONIA and
IBERIA IMGCD 1607 (65min)
Albeniz for full orchestra includes the only recordings of Piano Con. & Catalonia (a highly exuberant 1899 orchestral work). Full-blooded, fast and razor sharp. Enrique Batiz conducts the London Sym & Royal Phil. (Ciccolini pianist) ****


More Hyperion BLOW&DRAGHI CECILIA ODES
First CD St.Cecilia Odes (72 min)
Parley Instruments, Chorus & Soloists Hyperion CDA 66770. The Blow is the real find here with the full festivities beginning at the very outset. Draghi score holds forces in reserve till "The trumpets loud clangor". Joyously inspiring ****

CHABRIER:BRISEIS CDA 66803
75 min. of unfinished opera. A very satisfying CD. The sections hold to-
gether nicely. At times, introspective with an intimate Tristanlike quality. The final section (Glory to Jesus..Let us sing Hymns of Victory) is as big and boldly heroic as Massenet:Esclarmonde. One of the grandest closing moments in all of French opera.
Joan Rodgers, Mark Padmore- Jean Yves Ossonce cond. BBC Scottish Orch. ****

NAXOS KNOCKOUT!
MASSENET: 7 ORCHESTRAL SUITES
Naxos 8.553124 (1to3) & 8.553125 (4to7) ****
Here we go, at last a complete cycle of these delicious Massenet orchestral landscapes.
Jean-Yves Ossonce directs the New Zealand Symphony. His tempi are on the excited side, as is the timpinist. Strings are just a shade on the lean side. These are not lush or very stylized performance (Sebastian, Fournet, Wolff or Bonynge). Vigorous,yes. Sometimes I got the feeling I was being tossed about in a sonic washing machine... I emerge battered and very clean - indeed. Great fun.

FILMS SCORE!
LAVAGNINO: FALSTAFF (Chimes at Midnight) CAM CSE 098. Dolby sound remastered score to Orson Welles 1966 film.
Delightful and highly original score to one an unsung filmic masterpiece. Highly colorful score with exotic instrumentation which seems Spanish even Arabic at times.
Unexpected treat- in very good sound *** (QUALITON)

WHEN I'M CALLING YOU (76 min)
The very finest Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy compilation. Includes not only their classic duets together but seldom heard solo performances from films they made separately. Magnificently clear optical soundtrack recordings made from 1929 thru 1941. 22 tracks. ASV -AJA 5124 ****

Amer.Youth -Stoky
MUSIC & ARTS 845 STOKOWSKI
All-American Youth Orchestra 1940/41
Brahms:Sym#4, Bach, Mendelssohn: Scherzo, Strauss:Death & Transfiguration. Another great Hi-Fi sounding CD with the AAYO! This impassioned recording of Bach/Stokowski:Andante Sostenuto is the only version that Stoky recorded.
The Brahms and Strauss are a tribute to a lost tradition of conducting. The triumph of style over notation, in the true romantic tradition. ***

QUIT RUSSHIN ME!
Taneyev:At the Reading of a Psalm op.36
USSR Orch. Soloists & Chorus- Svetlanov
Russian Disc CD 10 044 *** AAD
Monumental 64 min cantata from 1915. Foreshadows works like,
Shostakovitch: Song of the Forest but with an intense teligious and mystical fervor. A wonderful work that will keep your friends guessing about who, what and when composed... Somewhere between Post- Tchaikovsky and Pre-Shostakovitch. (This work is as great as the Taneyev:Sym#4. Recordings include: Chandos 8953-Jarvi & Marco Polo 8.223196 Gunzenhauser).

KARAYEV: Seven Beauties& The Path of Thunder-Ballets. Russian Disc CD 11 067
Rauf Abdullayev-Ostankino Radio&TVSym First rate second rate music!
Do you enjoy the lilting melodies, energy and drive of Khachaturian: Gayne? These Kara Karayev works from the 1950's are nearly as good. Satisfying works you will want to play again and again. ****

GLIERE:Bronze Horsemen Chandos 9379
(&Horn Concerto)Downes-BBC Sym 71min At last you can retire that old Urania LP!
Lush and resonant recording of this fine Gliere work - band 8 -Hymn to the Great City - try it ...you can't eat just one-- you will play it again and again! ***

Son of Mendelssohn (QUALITON)
Well ..OK would you a believe daughter ?
I thought not! In any case, upon completion of her second symphony in 1879 Elfrida Andree proclaimed 'Mendelssohn lives on!'Very interesting romantic music, not exactly trend setting by any means. Also includes her 1897 Fritof Suite.
ANDREE: Sym:#2 , Fritiof Suite.Stockholm Sym. - Sjokvist ***STERLING CDS 1016 58 min.


In the Alhambra
You can' t say I don't take you places! ALMAVIVA DSI 0104 (QUALITON)
Fascinating 19th Century Spanish Sym phonic music by R.Chapi (Fantasia Moreisca & Los Gnomos de la Alhambra),Breton:En La Alhambra, Monasterio:Adios a la Alhambra and more! Juan de Udaeta conducts
the Granada City Symphony. Very exotic stuff indeed-highly recommended. ***(Orch & recording are bit brittle sounding)

THE UNWANTED OPINION

NEWSLETTER
Vol. 1 No. 2
WINTER 1996
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CD'S

======================
The Unwanted Opinion
published by:
Music in the Mail - P.O. Box 1
Brightwaters, N.Y. 11718
edited by: Joseph Bonfanti


Brief reviews written without
the usual pomp or hubris.
Dedicated to the informed
classical collector who has
been disappointed time after
time by reviewers who hate
what you like and like what
you hate!



INSIDE
CPO MEETS SON OF WAGNER
STOKOWSKI - CALA GALA
ULRICH SOMMERLATTE-WHO?
MAN finds GOLD - ABRAHAM
IS IT SUPPE YET?
TELLING TELEMANN
BRUNO WALTER 1927 WAGNER
GLARING BLARING GLIERE
TCHERPNIN & MINKUS Ballets
VERY 'NAIS' RAMEAU !!!
FOREST OF THE AMAZON*****
SCHARWENKA MASTERPIECE
GREAT GRECHANINOV
WACKO SCHUMANN
ARRIAGA & BRETON
GERMAN INVASION NEWS
SAINT SAENS RARITIES
TOP HANDEL JUDAS
BLISS AND MUCH MORE

CPO-Son of Wagner

CPO 999 003 Vol 1. Siegfried Wagner
CPO 999 300 Vol. 2 Siegfried Wagner
Rheinland Philharmonic- W.A. Albert cond.
Delightful Overtures, Preludes& Orchestral Interludes, many in their first recordings.
Simply marvelous music, most exceedinglyjoyous in spirit and filled with wonder and
fantasy - a user friendly mix of his dad and Rimsky-Korsakov! Nice clean sound. ****



Marco Polo 8.223730 VON SUPPE - Vol 4 (see issue Fall 1995 for more Suppe)
More first recordings including: Summer Nights Dream,Mozart, Flotte Bursche, Zehn Madchen, Kinderein, Journey thru Africa, and Solemn Ovt. Walter- Slovak Phil.****

Stoky CALA Gala CALA 0502 (Allegro Imports)
La Marseillaise, Saltarello, Balance Test March, Oh Susannah, Dance of 7 Veils, Adirondack Suite, Tyrolean Dances, March Slav, Romeo&Juliet, Scriabin, Messiah etc.
Includes a l935 Philadelphia Gala in Hi-Fi!! Stokowski shares a wicked sense of humor with his audience, taking pot shots at music critics, his board of trustees, and "serious" music appreciation. I quickly found myself "attending"this concert, laughing with the audience and amazed by the sound of this CD. Provides true Stoky insights. ****

Ulrich Sommerlatte
Old Western Suite, Dream Ballet, Rose of Shiraz, Tramulus, Romanesca, Doina, Venetian Suite, Metropolis, Night Express, Farewell, Mona Lisa.KOCH-SCHWANN 3-1319-2
Olaf Koch cond. Thuringern Phil. Suhl. Born 1914, in Germany, Sommerlatte
was a master pupil of Furtwangler, before he found his calling for writing melodic compositions in the light classical vein. His works are short suites or ballets, many based on colorful locales: Old Western Suite (the West in the American tradition of Copland , Gould or Siegmeister), Venice Suite,Dream Ballet, Night Express, Metropolis,Mona Lisa.
Think Grofe with a European accent! Most enjoyable listening. ****


TELLING TELEMANN Thunder Ode and Lord is King- (DELTA)
Capriccio 10 556 Telemann cantatasH. Max cond. Rheinische Kantorei.
Part of an new series of Telemann Cantatas. Both works employ choirand orchestral
forces (including brass and timpani). This is the first record- ing of The Lord is King. Because of the vigor of it and the more familiar Ode of Thunder, we had to mention this major cycle. ***

MAN finds GOLD MANGOLD: ORATORIO-ABRAHAM
Christophorus 77172 (2cd) 138 min. W.Seeliger - Darmstadt Orch&Choir
Written by Carl Amand Mangold in 1860. This CD is a rediscovery of a major oratorio akin to that of Men- delssohn. In particular, the finale is among the most inspiring and
melodic of any oratorio ever written. Nice warm CD sonics a plus.*** (QUALITON)

MARY MARTIN the DECCA Years 1938-46 KOCH 3-7906-2
I'll Walk Alone, My Heart Belongs to Daddy,Mountain, High, Valley Low, Let's Do It,
I Get a Kick Out of You, 16 Selections. Great transfers from masters - Hi-Fi sounding.
Cole Porter, Irving Berlin & Mary Martin...who could ask for anything more? ***


MARCO POLO 8.223779 67 min.
Performed in 1909 as the first ballet of Dyagilev's Ballet Russe and the vehicle for the Paris debut of Nijinsky. This lushly scored Tcherepnin ballet is for large forces, the sonorities are ripe Richard Strauss with a Russian accent. Fine full sonics with an open soundstage & with just the right amount of concert hall space evident. ****


BRUNO WALTER conducts WAGNER IRON NEEDLE 1309 (Qualiton)
Bold clear sounding studio recordings with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1925 27 era. Some items (Parsifal scenes) were never again done in studio by Walter.Brass is forward and loud, lots of push and sweep from the orchestra.
Really fine look at the youthful Walter. Ticks and pops removed (the high frequencies seem intact). The full power of the 78 sound is there ***

VIVA VILLA VILLA LOBOS Forest of the Amazon 73 min
CONSONANCE 81-0012 (Albany)
Alfred Heller and Moscow Radio Sym & Choir. Renee Fleming soprano.
First complete version of this fully reconstructed Villa Lobos masterpiece. Heller was a protégé of the composer and worked with Villa Lobos on the extensive cuts needed on the score for the 1959 United Artists recording. Savage, tender, bold, lush, opulent, evocative - the 20 sections form one of musics most expansive tone poems to nature. Great sound *****


WAGNER: Das Liebesverbot ORFEO C 345 953 Live 1983 performance -Sawallisch cond.
Fine sounding live Bayreuth performance of Wagners most festive & user-friendly opera.
Plenty of tuneful chorus and soloist stuff here. Hermann Prey is great. Sawallisch is in a hurry at times keeping the tempo fast and energy levels high. 3CD (152 min) *** (QUALITON)

MINKUS :DON QUIXOTEcomplete ballet world premiere Capriccio (Delta) 10540/41 128 min
Sofia Orchestra Boris Spassov cond.At last, a complete 4 act version of the famed 1869 - well not really,
the history of this ballet is a problem child. The music is festive, fun and only a cut below Delibes. Lots of highly colorful music in a slightly flat, percussion forward, strings somewhat muted recording- its no Dorati Mercury !***

Marco Polo8.223675 St. Petersburg Orch. Anichanov cond..
GLIERE: Heroic March , Shakh-Senem, Gyul'Sara.
The Heroic March is a somewhat loud Tchaikovsky:March Slav !!! Powerful, primitive even brutal at times- I guess I had fun! Some raw brass and close miked percussion on this CD- live dangerously! Highly ethnic exotic Azerbaijan/Mongolian goings on here. Compare this with the refinedChandos recording of the Bronze Horseman and don't play during a full moon, the Wolfman may appear. ****

MARCO POLO 8.223629 Works by Ippolitov-Ivanov: Yar-khmel- Spring Ovt., Symphonic Scherzo, Ossian -3 Tableaux, Jubilee March, Armenian Rhapsody,& The Life of Schubert! - Donald Johanos cond. Slovak Radio. More exotic goodies.****


RAMEAU Nais & Le Temple de la Glorie McGegan cond. 72min HM 907121
A sonic jump for joy! Spirited dance music from two of the best works by Rameau. The ensemble playing is sharp and the recording is full and captures every detail. Many of the dances are richly colored with period percussion instruments.*****

HYPERION CDA66790 70 min. Hough pianist Lawrence Foster Birmingham Sym.
Scharwenka :Piano Con.#4 andVonSauer:Piano Con#1 What a great piano concerto composer Scharwenka was! Perhaps the most exciting CD to date of the entire series of Romantic Piano Concertos.
As fine as the Emil von Sauer is, the Scharwenka is even finer. If you enjoy the lush romanticism of a Saint Saens: Con. #4 or a D'Indy: Symphony on a French Mt. Air, this CD has your name on it. First Rate music. *****

BLISS IS BLISS -London Sym-SirArthur Bliss (ALLEGRO)
Dutton 2501 77 min. Mono&Stereo1935-57 Decca
If you needed only one Bliss CD in your collection- surely this is it! Many of the items in 1950's hi-fi/ or stereo Decca tapes. Things to Come Suite is (Stereo also includes 1935 Things to Come cuts)- among the greatest film scores ever written! Also, Color Sym, Baraza Suite (1946 film- Men of 2 Worlds) and Intro.& Allegro. Includes Decca notes & original cover art. ****

GERMAN INVASION
VOL. 1 Marco Polo 8.223695 66 min
VOL. 2 Marco Polo 8.223726 58 min.
Some pleasant conservative music here. Sir Edward German was influenced by the serious Sir Arthur Sullivan (good role model). Works range from good: Norwich Sym, Theme & Variations, to better:The Seasons, Valse Gracieuse, to best: Richard III Ovt.,Welsh Rhapsody. RTE Orch- Penny cond. ***

INTRADA (Koch) MAF 7056D Bruce Broughton- Sinf. London &Chorus,& Soloist 54 min.
Fitting memorial to the last great Holly- wood Composer - Miklos Rozsa. Here is complete score to his classic Julius Caesar. Music ranges from savage to sacred with lots of stops between.
Excellent sound ***

CHANDOS 9397 Alexander Grechaninov Sym. # 1, Missa Sanctus Spiritus, Snowflakes 69 min.
If you are like me and can't listen to the two Kalinnikov Symphonies enough, you have two choices: either seek medical help or buy this CD! Grechaninov who died in 1956, had the world premiere of his symphony conducted by his teacher, Rimsky- Korsakov in 1895! Valery Polyansky cond. the Russian State Sym. The performance is vigorous but hardly definitive but why wait another 100 years for a second recording. Fine sound. ****

ARRIAGA ARRIVED ASTREE E 8532 (only 46 min) (HM dist.)
OK, I dare you to write a better overture when you are 12 years old! Arriaga lived to the ripe old age of 20! All his orchestral works are on this CD. Including: Nonetto Ovt. Op. 1, the first recording of the original version of his Symphony and the unbelievably infectious overture to Los Esclavos Felices, which has a glorious finale that never wants to end! Jordi Svall cond. Le Concert des Nations. I heard the new Hyperion Arriaga /Vorisek CD with Mackerras but in comparison, it seemed dull, lifeless and without much inflection or punch. Now I doubly embrace this 45 min CD as if it played 80 minutes! ***


WACKO SCHUMANN (QUALITON)
Is it true?: a) Florian Merz is the illegitimate son of Hans Knappertsbusch. b) Florian Merz ran in lead shoes for over six months before recording this Schumann cycle. c) recorded timpani can sound likeTNT detonations. - (the correct answer is C and possibly B! )

NEW RELEASE - LIVE RECORDING:
EBS 6091 SW Philharmonie -Florian Merz
Overture, Scherzo & Finale and premiere recording of the 1841 version of the Sym. #4 arranged by Johannes Brahms and Franz Wullner. The CD liner notes state that Merz received his diploma in music from Adolf Holler - was this a misprint? Everyone should appreciate an attempt at a new insight into classic works or a unique interpretive vision...no matter no matter how deviant.
A must hear! *****
PREVIOUS RELEASE: EBS 6088 (3CD)
Schumann: Orchestral Works- Florian Merz and the Dusseldorf Philharmonie. When this set came out about 2 years ago, I took great delight in playing it for 2 friends, to see the shocked expression on their faces. After it was over, the same response -get me a copy on the next Qualiton order!
Works include the untouched original instrumentation of all 4 symphonies (not an easy listen for the faint of heart!), Overtures to Julius Caesar, Manfred, Bride of Messina and don't laugh, the first recording of a fine work: the Festival Overture on the Rhine Wine Song for soloists, chorus and orchestra! Talk about getting drunk on music, this work is akin to the great Beethoven:Choral Fantasy.
"There's been a drumming and trumpeting within in me for a few days now (trumpets in C)", wrote Schumann to Felix Mendelssohn in September 1845, " I don't yet know
what it will bring?" Perhaps Florian Merz does. A Must Hear CD *****

SPANISH EROICA ??? NEWPORT full price 59 min NPD 85604 (ALLEGRO)
Bragado-Darman cond. Castilla y Leon Sinfonica The major work on this disc is the
second Symphony of Tomas Breton written in 1883 it is ofthe classical world of theBeethoven
Eroica with a dash of Gounod and some bits of Spanish spice, lying just under the surface.
The last movement is the longest and bridges the gap between classical beginnings and romantic endings - truly an inspired even hypnotic composition that hints of late Raff and even Bruckner - but ends in a world of sunshine and triumph - much like the Eroica does. The disc concludes with the 1916 tone poem Salamanca which is somewhat Spanish modern (or is that a type of furniture?). Sound is close and a bit on the coarse side. The orchestra is a little lean in the strings, but this group plays its heart out and the brass is fine. Just play this last movement for a friend and watch him tear his (or her) hair out trying to identify it stylistically! A MUST BUY ***** (waiting re-release currently not available 6/96)

The Princess Shian-Fei SUNRISE 8531(Qualiton) 70min
Music of CHIANGWEN-YEN Moscow Conserv.Orch - Nikolayev
Am I allowed to say that this CD contains some very fine music which is quite difficult to describe, so you should buy it and figure it out for yourself? You still need more information? OK, The composer was born in 1910.
Still more? Oh well, Three works on CD are: Princess Shain-Fei (was she Irish?) in 3 Acts
I think it's a ballet, (Unfortunately, all the CD notes are in Chinese),The Symphonia Universalis,
the Orchestral Suite- Song of the Ali Mountains (perhaps a tribute to a famous boxer). Very melodic, very conservative, for a brief instant a John Williams film score, then Philip Glass in classic harmony, then Bartok:Miraculous Mandarin without as much dissonance. ****


TOP JUDAS ***** HARMONIA MUNDI 907077.78
CD#1 - 78 min CD#2 - 79 min
NICHOLAS McGEGAN- Philharmonia Baroque Orch. UC Berkeley Chorus
Being a Handel Oratorio nut and especially of Judas MacCabaeus which is the near equal of Messiah, we publish this slightly belated review. The usual preference is for UK forces doing Handel (the King serieson Hyperion is quite good), here is an exceptional exception to the rule.The King version only begins to pick up steamabout half way through the performance.
The HM version under McGegan takes command from the opening chord, holds and builds throughout the entire work. Some of the earlier McGegan HM's were a bit on the underwhelming side- weak string playing, poor intonation from the chorus and fairly edgy digital sound. Things have apparently gotten better over the last 2 or 3 years.
A bit of background, many of the earlier stereo versions (most issued on LP) are performed with modern forces and don't seem able to negotiate the orchestral passages with the needed dexterity. Some of the older singers (Peerce,Young etc.) are great but need the proper style & spirit from the orchestral accompaniment.The Mackerras Archiv seemed the best of the lot. Each of these versionswere cut!. So here I thought I had it as good as it could be with the Hyperion and HM sends me
a sampler CD of the McGegan.... OH BOY! McGegan gets more enthusiasm from his forces,
crisp and energized brass, very sharp percussion, greatly improved string tone (OK not 100%), excited and involved singers who get better with every listen. Sound is excellent. Best of all, look at the running time of these CD's- nearly 80 min. each disc-
McGegan has an Appendix on the second disc which contains 8 tracks of additionally and alternate sections of Judas.
Highest Recommendation *****

THE SAINT-SAENS NEWS
VALOIS 4688 (HM) David Robinson - Monte-Carlo Orch. 66 min
JAVOTTE Fantasy ANDROMAQUE Suite ALGERIENNE Rhapsody BRETONNE
Anyone listening to the jaunty 21 minute JAVA Fantasy (Javotte) may swagger about their listening area for several hours. Hidden gems from a master. Don't miss this unforgettable CD release*****

SAINT- SAENS LA FOI op. 130 FETE Overture op 133 PHAETONSYM. #2 - 74 min.
PAN 510 078 Qualiton Zollman cond. Basler Sym. (Switzerland)
This CD contains the first release of two of Saint-Saens final works - written when he was 74. La Foi uses antique and Arabic keys to simulate the Egyptian Pharaoh's music. His highly festive overture FETE is generous in the writing for the brass instruments. Excellent sound ***

CALA 1015 **** CALA 1016 ****
VOL.1 Saint- Saens VOL.2 Saint-Saens
PARYSATIS Ballet MUSE ET POETE
TARANTELLE La Princess JAUNE
AFRICA fantasy JOTA Aragonese
ASCANIO Waltz Grand Fantasy on Samson et Dalila
REQUIEM MASS SYM.#3, Song Version- Dance Macabre


GEOFFREY SIMON - LONDON PHIL.
Both of these discs have running times of over 78 min. In addition to the works listed above, Vol. 1 contains the world premiere of Sarabande et Rigaudon, and March Militare Francaise. Vol. 2 also containsthe world premiere of the song version of Dance Macabre and the Sym. #3 - ORGAN
utilizing the Winchester Cathedral Organ.These Cala Recordings first issued in 1993
Grab them before it is too late. (Allegro)

THE UNWANTED OPINION
NEWSLETTER
Vol. 1 No. 3
SPRING 1996
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CD'S

=======================


INSIDE
+GRETRY Turkish Delight
+LITTLE RASCALS ON MARS
+GRAUN: Cleopatra&Caesar
+CONSTANT LAMBERT ballets
+MAX BRUCH oratorio
+Naxos GLIERE:RED POPPY
+Naxos GLAZOUNOV:RAYMONDA
+Naxos Swedish Orch.Favorites
+Supraphon CZECH Festival
+ operas & oratorios by: Dvorak,Smetana and Fibich.
+ CZECH orchestral works by:
Dvorak, Smetana,Vranicky, Martinu, Fibich, Ostrcil,Fibich
+Bis Sibelius: Sym#5-original
+Bis Sibelius:Everyman Music
+Bis Tobias:Jonah Oratorio



======================
The Unwanted Opinion
published by:
Music in the Mail - P.O. Box 1
Brightwaters, N.Y. 11718
edited by: Joseph Bonfanti


Brief reviews written without
the usual pomp or hubris.
Dedicated to the informed
classical collector who has
been disappointed time after
time by reviewers who hate
what you like and like what
you hate!


FINE GRAUN SIRLOIN
GRAUN: CLEOPATRA & CAESAR
RENE JACOBS c.Concerto Koln(3 hr.18m)
Harmonia Mundi 901561/63 HM
Janet Williams, Iris Vermillion (3cd set)
Includes:Free #4 CD featuring Jacobs.****
One of the most consistently enjoyable baroque operas ever recorded. Highly engaging - aria after
aria, chorus after chorus - painlessly short recitatives that don't bog down the flow of the musical
drama. Graun has spectacle,pomp, power - played and sung with great conviction. Crisp, clean, up-front orchestral balance


RICERCAR RICHES
GRETRY: LE CARAVANE DU CAIRE
MARC MINKOWSKI c.-WDR coproduction
Jules Bastin, Greta de Reyghere etc.
Opera Ballet in 3 Acts. (2 CD) 120min
RicercarRIC100084/085 Qualiton
A real "Turkish" delight - one of the most extroverted classical works you may ever hear. It was
the rage of Paris in 1783. The percussion in the overture alone might wake the dead and test your
system too. To quote:"A Masterpiece... Gretry's talent lay in his ability to fuse these
brightly-coloured elements together with music that was perfect in its aptness for the opera-ballet
genre, a style with a glorious past but still little known." Fine"live" performance ****


JUST PLAIN GOOFY
ON WITH THE SHOW
the original Little Rascals music
Koch 8705 KOCH
CELEBRATION ON PLANET MARS
a Tribute to Raymond Scott
Koch 7909 KOCH
The perfect companion albums to the previously released Koch 8702 LITTLE RASCALS
(reviewed Fall 1995).
On with the Show features the 1930's music of Leroy Shields newly recorded in authentic Lo-Fi.
Like chips, you can't just eat one. A blast of great fun. Guaranteed to cheer you up while you slave
away in front of a computer or liven any social gathering. ****
Raymond Scott 1908-1994 seems to have been one of the most inventive composers working in
the field of film & popular music. "Discovering Raymond Scott is like stumbling cross the Dead
Sea Scrolls of 21st Century music...." Scott was an electronic musical
visionary his impact spanned from the dawn of Swing era thru the age of the MIDI. Bandleader,
world-renowned composer (many of his tunes will be familiar), engineer, & inventor. This may be
among the most far out assemblage of sounds, rhythms and nutty musical
ideas to be out on one CD. The grandfather of the gimmick-before Leroy gazed thru his
Anderson, or Zappa ever zapped, or Jones Spiked... Raymond Scott had been there. Both CD's
are newly recorded and produced by the BEAU HUNKS under Gert-Jan Blom. Go on, Live it up!****



CONSTANT DELIGHT
Ballet Conductor Supreme- (75min) Constant Lambert-
Royal Opera House (VAI)
Time Machine 0099
During his short life (1905-1951) Constant Lambert revitalized the English ballet scene. The
highlight of this CD
is the ballet The Rakes Progress by Gavin Gordon. Re-discover this delight which was once
available on an early Columbia LP. Other works include: Liszt arr. Jacob: Apparitions; William
Boyce arr. Lambert:Prospect Before Us; Walteufel: Sur La Plage and Weinberger: Under the
Spreading Chestnut Tree. Beautiful transfers.****




LAY IT ON ME
Max Bruch:Lay of the Bell
Hans Rademann- Dresden Phil.
Thorofon DCTH 2291/2
(2cd 103min) ( Qualiton)
Written in 1878 this Bruch oratorio has many beautiful, highly poignant sections. You may feel
that the final chorus alone, makes this set worth the price. One of the most spiritual and deeply
moving works of this kind. The orchestral sound is slightly muffled and tentative but OK. The
organ has presence, the chorus is good, soloists likewise. ***


BISSIDE OURSELVES
Premiere-Sibelius:Sym#5 (4 mvt. 1915 version) & En Saga (original 1892 version) Bis 800
Osmo Vanski-Lahti Sym (59 min Qualiton)
If you feel that the Sibelius: Sym #5 is among our greatest symphonies, this disc may be a must
purchase. It will certainly prove to be an eye opener from beginning till end. We are not talking
about slight cosmetic changes folks...if you ever wondered about those quirky final chords.. try
this finale on for size!The original En Saga is at times more primitive in feel (also more romantic in sections) it runs
nearly 22 minutes.You may even prefer it to the revision.Cleaner and more open sound than usual from Bis. ****



Premiere- Sibelius:Jedermann op. 83, Belshazzar's Feast (original score) op. 51 Bis 735 64 min.
Here we go again. This CD also includes a 1906 work called the Countess's Portrait. /The 1916
Jedermann is a major composition of over 40 minutes. It was written as incidental music to a play
Everyman by Hugo Von Hofmannstahl.
This is Sibelius of the first rank, it is hard to believe that a work this great was never recorded
before. Sibelius obviously could have a great flair for theatrical works. Once or twice parts of the
vocal writing seemed to border on Finnish Verismo...! A large work, it is scored for soloists,
choir, organ and orchestra! ****

WHALE OF A TALE..Tobias:Jonah's Mission-oratorio
Jarvi-Estonian St. Orch, Choir,Soloists Bis 731/732(2 CD 115 min) Qualiton
Here is a big oratorio to swallow.. About a man and a whale. Written in 1909 by Rudolf Tobias
this is his masterpiece. The chorus and orchestra dominate most of the numbers with the soloists
filling in the canvas. It you enjoy large scale oratorios by Schmidt or Pfitzner this is your meat.
Sound just a bit on the tubby side..but that sure helps move the woofers when the organ plays! ***

SEEING RED TWICE
Gliere:The Red Poppy
Andre Anichanov-St Petersburg Sym
Naxos 8.553496/7 (2cd)
At last, the complete ballet all 109 minutes of it. OK, so the performance doesn't have the panache
of that Westminster LP by Hermann Schercen (but then what does!). The Naxos sound is a tad
reverberant, slightly distantand lacking a bit on the string gloss, but here is a complete version of one of the finest 20th century
ballets ever written for $10! Grab it. ***

Glazounov:Raymonda 142 min
Alexander Anissimov-Moscow Sym
Naxos 8.553503/4 (2 CD) ****
Yes, two tightly packed CD's of this wondrous ballet by one of this centuries greatest
orchestrators. Written in 1898 and revised again in 1909. Filled with grace and grandeur, nobility
and sentiment, it cuts a wide path from hymn like fervor to shimmering quiet romantic sounds....
this is pure ballet heaven. The performance even gets some of that authentic "Russia"orchestral
tone from the Moscow Sym (note the distinctive trombones). Nicely recorded in the Mosfilm
Studio in 1995, you should be delighted with presence and gloss on these CD's.

SWEDISH MEATBALL
Swedish Orchl. Favorites
O.Kamu - Helsingborg Sym.
Naxos 8.553115 69 min
A great starter CD for just about everyone. Includes: Midsummer Vigil, Elegy, Polka from
Roslagen; Soderman: Swedish Festival Music; Larsson: Pastoral Suite and Epilogue-Winters Tale;
Peterson Berger:Frosoblomster Suite & Stenhammer. Very good sound and conducting. ***



CZECH IT OUT
Let this be our own Prague Spring Music Festival, as we do some catch up to note some of the
many worthwhile releases from the Supraphon label.
Czech Operas & Oratorios:
Dvorak: St.Ludmila
112141 (2cd) *****
Dvorak: Devil & Kate
11 1800 (2cd) ****
Dvorak: Dimitrij
11 1259 (3cd) ***
Dvorak: Cunning Peasant
SU 0019 (2cd) ***
Dvorak: Rusalka
SU 0013 (2cd)****
Dvorak:Jacobin
11 2190 (2cd)****
Dvorak:Specter's Bride & Novak: The Storm '61&'56 perf. 111982 (2cd)***
Smetana: The Kiss
11 2180 (2cd)***
Smetana: Devil's Wall
11 2201*** (2cd)
Smetana:Dalibor
11 2185 (2cd)****
Smetana:Brandenburgers in Bohemia (2cd)****
Smetana:Bartered Bride
SU 0040 2cd ****
Fibich:Bride of Messina
11 1492 2cd ***
Blodek(1834-74):In the Well
SU 0033 (1cd) ****
First mention is Dvorak:St. Ludmilla, it is the only ***** ( highest recommendation ) item in this
section. Doubt this fine work will fail give you great pleasure. The St. Ludmila oratorio is one of
the best works that Dvorak wrote. This performance from 1963, conducted by Vaclav Smetacek
and the Czech Phil. is imbued with religious inspiration and pure joy. It typifies the type of highly
idiomatic Czech singing and orchestral playing that appears to be lost as we approach the 21st
Century. Stereo is wall-to-wall with close up miking on top brass and tight drums when needed
(alas- some vocal solos are a bit close in for my taste). GRAB IT! *****

Smetana: Bartered Bride and Dvorak: Russalka are perhaps the two best known Czech operas.
Both performances are conducted by Zdenek Chalabala (the Toscanini of Czech Opera!) with the
Prague National Theatre. These stereo recordings from the early 1960's capture that long lost
feeling of an authentic Czech performing tradition.
Compare either with the newer DDD Czech versions and the point is made. The singing has heart
and you really get to believe in the wonder of these folk tales. The playing time is 132 min and
149 min respectively - each opera is tightly squeezed on 2 CD sets and are mid-priced.. What more
do you want!

Smetana:Devil's Wall 137 min on 2CDs is also a Chalabala performance with many of the same
1960's Prague Theatre soloists: Ivo Zidek, Vaclav Bednar, Milada Subrtova (who was Rusalka &
Hedvika in Devil's Wall).
Devil's Wall is a "Comic Romantic" opera from 1882. It is a romantic tale with a happy ending (but
hardly a ha-ha comedy). Set in the 13th Century, a tale of love found at last, between a secluded
countess and an older man.

Smetana:Brandenburgers in Bohemia is a 1963 performance (149 min on 2 CD's) of the first opera
by Smetana. Written in 1862 it is heroic in scope and subject. It concludes with a magnificent
chorus in praise of freedom:"Long live truth.. Long live our Rights!" It opened a new epoch in
Czech national music and remains one of the movements crowning achievements.
First rate sound & performance.

Similar in scale is Dalibor a tragic opera in 3 Acts. It was revised in 1870. Smetana again deals
with the story of an oppressed people and the heroic life of a man sentenced to death by feudal
powers in 1498. Powerful music to stir the blood and send goosebumps down your spine!
Excellent sound from this 1967 studio recording conducted by Jaroslav Krombholc and the Prague
National Theatre. 145 min on 2 CD.

The Kiss was written by Smetana during the end of his career and premiered in 1876 when the
composer was completely deaf. It was a great success. The plot centers around the power of love
to overcome every obstacle. It is filled with wonderful things: several great duets & arias, fun filled
dances and choruses etc. The performance is from 1980 in Brno. Frantisek Vajnar conducts a cast
including: Eduard Haken, Eva Depoltova and Leo Vodicka. 2CD 113 min. Most enjoyable.
The Vilem Blodek (1834-1874) comic opera in 1 Act The Well, proved to be a delight. His style
sounds a bit like that of Flotow in Martha. Great overture, lively chorus and memorable tunes.Jan
Stych cond Prague NationalTheatre. 1 CD 67 min. Discover!

Dvorak: Jacobin was written in 1888 and revised again in 1898.
The opera features many important choral items (church scenes & cantatas), some dance sections
and heartfelt solos. Especially fine bass and soprano parts. The plot is about the alienation between
father and son with a final blessing by dad to his sons new bride. A 1994 recording on 2 CD. Jiri
Pinkas conducts Brno State. 155 min.

Kate and the Devil by Dvorak was premiered in 1899, the magnificent overture which is the best
known part of the opera was written last. The opera has much appeal because of its combination of
fairy tale and folk music, it is as close in feel to a Czech tone poem as an opera can be. At times, it
feels like a Czech version of Hansel & Gretel. What a really sweet treat this work is. Jiri Pinkas
conducts Brno Opera. This 1980 recording is on 2 CD -118 min. Great AAD sound. Leap!
Dvorak:The Cunning Peasant a 1986 Prague Radio- Frantisek Vajnar features Vaclav Zitek & Eva Depoltova.
This 1877,2 Act comic opera was a great success. It helped establishthe rising popularity of Czech Opera throughout
the Austrian Empire and Germany. Some critics did not understand the emerging trend.
Edward Hanslick believed the opera exhibited a "heavysymphonic style" and thought the ballet in the second act
was more like the Scherzo of a Dvorak symphony.
In retrospect, this sounds like two good reasons to want this opera! (120min) ***

Dvorak:The Specter's Bride & Fibich:The Storm are two cantatas ably performed by the Czech
Phil. Under Jaroslav Krombholc (2CD mid-price 155 min). The Dvorak is 1961 Stereo, Novak is
1956 Mono. Somber works.

Dimitrij is a Czech Boris Godunov. First performed in 1882 the work was revised at least twice.
Originally, a 5 act libretto, the work was changed by Dvorak to emphasize the simultaneity of the
operas contemplative moments in (ensembles and solos) and to contrast them with the collective
drama elements (the Russian peoples choruses acting and reflecting these events independently).
This is a 1989 Prague Radio performance conducted by Gerd Albrecht. No Boris, but interesting.
( 3CD set 191 min.) ***

The Bride of Messina by Fibich sounds like a heroic Czech opera written in a style more akin to
Massenet then Dvorak. A Tragic Opera in 3 Acts it was first performed in 1884. Frantisek Jilek
conducts this fine sounding 1975 Prague Radio recording. (2 CD 136 min.) ***


CZECH SYMPHONIC WORKS:

Smetana:Wallenstein's Camp, Richard III, Hakon Jarl; Dvorak:In Nature's Realm, Scherzo
Capriccioso - 70 min
Karel Sejna-Czech Phil. SU 1915 *** (mono '58)
Smetana:Festive Sym, op6; Festive Ovt. Op 4; Dvorak:
Cunning Peasant; Skroup: The Tinker Ovt. - 69 min **** Karel Sejna-Czech Phil.
SU 1914 (Stereo/Mono)
Suk:Summer Tale, Meditation on Czech Chorale; Dvorak: Husitska.
SU 1923 *** mono
Karel Sejna-Czech Phil.-73 min

Novak:In the Tatras, Eternal Longing; Fibich:Water Goblin, & Christmas Day
Karel Sejna-Czech Phil. - 68 min. SU 1922 (Stereo/ Fibich is Mono) ***
Dvorak: 10 Legends, Sym. Var. ***
Karel Sejna- Czech Phil - 64 min. (Mono)

Postage stamp covers, postage stamp size reviews of these mid-price historic releases under the
noted conductor Karel Sejna, who with Talich seemed to be the cat's whiskers of Czech
symphonic conducting. The Smetana tone poems were the first available on LP and have much to
offer in authenticity, drive and insight. The fine Stereo sound in the Smetana Festive Symphony
offers a wide soundstage to this vigorous **** performance. The Dvorak Legends get just the right
a loving, warm touch. In the case of the Fibich ***, this is the only available version of this
unusual format of narrated musical melodramas.

Vranicky:Sym.D Op.52; c (no opus) 11 0956 56 min DDD
Vranicky: Sym D op. 36, C op. 11
11 1332 57 min DDD
B. Gregor cond. Dvorak Chamber Orch Delightful big-boned classical works
(scored similar to the later Haydn syms) of Pavel Vranicky (1756-1807). First rate music by the #1
Czech classical era symphonist - highly infectious stuff - pure joy! Nice close bright sound. ****

Ostrcil: Sym A,op.7 & Sinfonietta
11 1826 78 min. Belohlavek-Prague
Tell your friends you found a lost Dvorak symphony, they may believe you. Otkar Ostrcil wrote
this sunny romantic work in 1904 when he was 25. After the first movement, look down to see
how many clouds you are walking on! ****

Martinu: Butterfly that Stamped
11 0380 42 min Belohlavek-Prague
One of the oddest and best works by this prolific composer. A strangely magical ballet with a
chanting wordless chorus. Based on a 5 part Kipling story, this 1926 Paris premiere was an early
success for Martinu. Sounds like The Rite of Spring meets Daphnis on Fog Island with King Kong
and Max Steiner not too far away. Enjoy. ****

Fibich:Comenius (Festive Ovt.), Zaboj, Slavoj & Ludfek (Sym poem), Toman and
the Wood Nymph, The Fall of Arkona Ovt.
11 1823 54 min V. Valkek-Prague
If you are like me, it is hard to put your finger on the Fibich style. You might think parts of the
Comenius Ovt. were written by Elgar! In any case if you like late Brahms, mid-period Wagner or
Smetana heroics - Fibich is your cup of tea. These are some of his most dramatic and accessible
works.
DDD recording is a bit tubby&dark ***

INSIDE
+MORE YOUNOWHOS
+BRILLIANT SHOOTING STAR
+ANCIENT FRIEND/new version
+GOLOVANOV GOAL COMING
+THE RUSSIAN KING OF KINGS
+SON OF DVORAK
+WAGNERIAN REVENGE
+MAHLER LEMONJUICEALERT
+TCHAIKOVSKY NOT GAY
+SMILING BRUCKNER
+SYM.DISCOVERS COLUMBUS
+HERMANN SCHERCHEN Fan
+LORDY LORDY
+FAIR GOOD GLAZOUNOV
+STOKY STOKY
+HOVHANESS:RUBAIYAT
+GADE GET WITH IT
+SWEDISH Vaughan WILLIAMS
+TJEKNKHACHATKABAVORIN
======================
The Unwanted Opinion:
CD Reviews You Never Cared Were Written
Published by:
Music in the Mail - P.O. Box 1
Brightwaters, N.Y. 11718
Written by: Joseph Bonfanti
Edited by: Roman Spinner


Brief reviews written without
the usual pomp or hubris.
Dedicated to the informed
classical collector who has
been disappointed time after
time by reviewers who hate
what you like and like what
you hate!

MORE YOUNOWHOS- ***
MYTO 2 MCD 961.141 (150 MIN 2CDS)
MEYERBEER: LES HUGUENOTS - Gedda, Shane,Diaz,Scovotti-Marzendorfer Vienna '71
We don't exactly have a glut of well sung Meyerbeer do we? Here is one with the greatest French tenor of the past 25 years. This stereo version, taken at brisk tempos by Marzendorfer is an adrenalin rush. Similar to the conducting style we got at the Met 75 years ago, with Artur Bodanzky or Ettore Panizza! Gedda is in top form, as are the other soloists. Great fun to hear the chorus and orchestra really whip up that old Meyer 'Beer' into heavy foam! Fine, close, yet wide stereo.

BRILLIANT SHOOTING STAR*****
WILLIAM KAPELL CONCERTOS &SOLO
All selections previously unpublished:
BEETHOVEN:PC#2; RACHMANINOV: PAGANINI RHAP. +CHOPIN, SCHUBERT
PEARL 9194 (80 MIN) (bit of disc noise)
One word review: WOW! CD also includes memories about Kapell by his widow Dr. Anna Lou DeHavenon. Documents the short (1940 to 1953) tragic career of one of the greatest virtuosic pianists of our century. Among the best Beethoven &Rachmaninov
(10/28/45 Arthur Rodzinski cond. NY Phil.)

ANCIENT FRIEND/ NEW VERSION
HALVORSEN: SUITE ANCIENNE, op.31 and MASCARADE SUITE,+ NORWEGIAN DANCES Ari Rasilaien -Norw.Radio Orch.
NKF CD 50033 (Qualiton) * * * * *
Growing up in NY City, WQXR Radio helped form my distortedly hedonistic cultural values. They had the good taste to find rare gems in their huge record vault and regularly air them. A Halvorsen recording by Fjeldstad (even then out-of-print!) is a case in point. What a delight it is to have an new CD version of these works. Suite Ancienne
conjures up a wide array of sounds and moods.. impossible to express in words. Also, it is hard to write as this enticing music is playing, since I'd much rather just listen to it ..HAVE A NICE DAY NOW.

GOLOVANOV GOAL COME TRUE
As I now write, in a cold sweat and with trembling fingers... A dream is coming true! One of the treasures of my very warped LP past (me, not the LP!) is making CD silver. - - - So, the entire world is given notice that Volume 1 of the complete Liszt symphonic poems conducted by Nikolai Golovanov has been issued. When the entire cycle is reissued, I will again be a whole person. Till then, I will simply have to hold my breath. These are heroic, highly romantic, big-boned Mengelbergian interpretations from the very early 1950's in assertively
crude Soviet Hi-Fidelity. Sound is tossed like a large Red brick (beware-faint of heart).
Arlecchino ARL A03 (Jem Music) *****
Mountain Sym, Prometheus, Mazeppa

THE RUSSIAN KING OF KINGS
GLAZUNOV: KING OF THE JEWS,op 95
CHANDOS 9467 Rozhdestvensky -Russian State Orch (52 min). ****
What a pleasure to hear the near perfect Glazunov sound Chandos has caputred from the best Russian conductor of the last 20 years. Gennady Rozhdestvensky recorded the definitive cycle of the Glazunov Symphonies in the early 1980's. Now he has recorded an inspired work, a musical equivalent to the epic wide-screen religous films Hollywood made in the 1950's! "Bold, beautiful, sacred, touching, a story of one man against an empire..."
Ready when you are Mr. De Mille." *****

.
.
CLASSICAL NATIONAL ENQUIRER PAGE - "IF WE PRINT IT MUST BE TRUE":

SON OF DVORAK
Classical National Enquirer headline:
"Siegfried Wagner Actually Fathered by Antonin Dvorak .. Humperdinck Jealous! " Well, judging by these selections it might be true!
CPO 999 377-2 Volume 3 (Naxos)
CPO 999 378-2 Volume 4
CPO 999 366-2 Symphonic Poems
Here are the next three installments in the complete overtures and tone poems of Siegfried Wagner on CPO.
Only 3 of the greatest CDs ever issued - thats all. "If you only going to try one unfamiliar romantic composer this year.. let it be Siegfried Wagner ".. 3 thumbs up! Siskel Ibert - (Jacques little brother turned idiot movie critic). This stuff shimmers, it glows, it is heaven come to earth... glory, bliss, magic in the form of MUSIC... Absolute complete contentment, walking on clouds, joy beyond belief. SIX Stars! (sorry, we only allow 5) * * * * *
W.A. Albert cond. Rheinland Hamburg Phil. Excellent sound.

WAGNERIAN REVENGE!
Classical National Enquirer headline:
"Wagner Asserts...Siegfried Is My Son..... Offers Proof " :
ORFEO C312 941A (Qualiton)
K.Rickenbacher Bamberg Sym.
Wagner: Cantatas for Chorus Orchestra: On the Beginning of the New Year(1835); Nicolay- Tsar Nicholas I (1837); Webers Grabe, La Descente de la Courtille etc.
Direct quotes from the National
Enquirer Wagner interview: "When I was a lad , I served a term as composer boy and courts intern, while polishing the Handel on my big Brass door, I took time, these youthful works to score. Filled with festive fun, frolic, pomp and punch...I did it long before I took Tristan and Isolde out to lunch." Great sound and highly spirited performances. ****
SMILING BRUCKNER!
Wilhem Furtwanger claims:" I Once Had Fun".. Comment Sends Shock Through Muscial World..... Fritz Reiner Doubts Authenticity Of Statement...."ENQUIRER EXCLUSIVE: Furtwangler quote: " I was young once, had some fun too. Long before my Second and Third symphonies, of course. Wrote these rather tune-filled works in the later 19th and very early 20th centuries, used Bruckner as my model. I painted a big smile on his photo with a black magic marker and looked up at it just to remind me that music could be a bit of fun as well."
Marco Polo 8.223645 (Naxos) ****
FURTWANGER:OVT. IN E, op. 3; SYM.#0 In D, SYM. #0 in b (1903 &1908)
Alfred Walter- Slovak St.- nice smooth sound.

TCHAIKOVSKY NOT GAY
Tchaikovsky claim to the Classical National
Enquirer, quote: "My music is not always gay- happy ballets, marches, waltzes and capriccios aside, I have a darker serious side as well."
His estranged wife Antonina Milykova only quote was that "It would be a long cold walk in the Moskov River before I see him again." Madame von Meck was totally unavailable for comment.
IMP 30366 00122 (Allegro)
Derek Gleeson cond. London Phil. &Choir.
Here are some "World Premier Commercial Recordings":

TCHAIKOVSKY: ODE TO JOY, and ORIGINAL ROMEO &JULIET FANTASY
plus PROKOFIEV:ZDRAVISTA Lenin Cantata op. 85-(sorry, due to space restrictions the Prokofiev exclusive on his joyous friendship with Lenin and Stalin was edited. For the many joys of working in the Soviet Peoples service Prokofiev referred us to Trotsky. Attempts to find Trotsky, on a "very extended" holiday in Mexico failed. We axed him to reply, but a spokesperson said he had already been reached for pointed comment).

Set to Schillers Poems, this early work of Tchaikovsky is the major find. Not exactly a "Snow Maiden" but quite good. Also, the Romeo is a vastly different work from the familiar version we know. This is an unusual performance taken at fairly large, broad, tragic, ponderous tempo. The conductor fails to fully pull it off, but you should be amused and delighted. ****

MAHLER LEMON JUICE ALERT
The wildest, weirdest, sourest, and just about best performance of Mahler: Sym#7 has been reissued on Vox CDX2 5520 Hans Rosbaud -Berlin Radio. Possibly proves Classical National Enquirer theory that Mahler was thinking of making this his first atonal symphony! Also includes Bruckner:Sym #4 with Klemperer and Vienna Sym. Clean, crisp hi-fi mono. (ADD means add sweet and low) ****

1864 SYMPHONY DISCOVERED COLUMBUS! National Classical Enquirer Exclusive:
BAYER BR 100160 (QUALITON)
JOHANN JOSEPH ABERT (1832-1915):
COLUMBUS-Portrait Of The Sea In The Form Of A Symphony; Concerto- Double Bass; Var. for Double BassOrch.
Werner Stiefel cond. Bohuslav-Martinu Philharmonie., Zlin.(Thomas Lom, soloist)

Successful composer and a regular musical fixture in Stuttgart for over 50 years, this virtuosic double bass player, turned court music director and opera composer is rescued from near total obscurity with this new CD. The works are very conservative romantic (mid-19th century in both orchestration and form). Very nice work in OK Sound and Performance.
However, since the CD liner notes are so poor, how can I resist but to quote from them:
"In the last movement Abert intends to draw a dramatic picture of a stormy day on the sea and a severe quarrel between the sailors and their captain. But with this work the composer is less successfull than with the preceding movements. The storm is merely loud. The outburst of sheer energy ist shrewdly calculated to bring down the house. Thus the fight between the two parties, especially its conclusion, is not convincing.... We hear the gay march theme from the beginning of the movement. Unexpectedly the atmosphere changes again: the picture of the storm being drawn.
Towards the end of the movement Abert is able to fascinate the listener for the last time. He gradually combines the two main themes into one great joyful finale, but with the above mentioned ear-piercing noise the audience of today does not like. Despite the insuffiences of the last movement "Columbus" is a nice example of the early form of program music written in Germany." ***

WELCOME TO HERMANN SCHERCHEN FAN CLUB
If ever asked to rattle off a list of my top 10 conductors, I sound nearly sane for the first two or three names (Toscanini, Furtwanger etc.)...then I say Hermann Scherchen and we sometimes get that strange look. Happy to report, we now sell Tahra Records- distributed by Jem Music. Just $12 per cd (even bonus sets).
Tahra is currently the finest and most active CD label devoted to unearthing performances by many of the great conductors of the past. It is run by Myrian Scherchen (his daughter) so Hermann Scherchen recordings get a major emphasis.
Many of these performances are live concerts or broadcasts, some stereo. Sound is always good or very good.
While not always having the advantage of the fine demonstration quality hi-fi and stereo sound this great conductor had on many of his commercial Westminster LPs, these CDs are nearly as wonderful. Many Tahra items are the first Scherchen
performances in any recorded format.
Let me list the Tahra recordings of Scherchen currently issued:

TAH 185/189 (5 CD SET FOR THE PRICE OF JUST 3 CDs!) $36
A Tribute to Hermann Scherchen- "The BEST-KNOWN UNKNOWN"
Bach:Musical Offering 1950 Vienna; Beethoven:Sym#9 #8 Stereo 1965 Lugano rehearsal/performance; Berlioz:Les Troyens Ballet '52 Paris; Verdi:Nabucco Ovt Prokofiev:Lt Kije SW Radio 1962;
Kalinnikov:Sym#1 1950 Czech Phil
Bach/Schoenberg:Prel
Schoenberg Sym#1, op.9,Krenek: Sym#1 1955 Swiss Radio; Schoenberg:La Danse autour du Veau d'Or Darmstadt 1951; Bartok:
Music Perc.Sts,Celesta 1954 Swiss
TAH 147 MAHLER (4 CD SET FOR PRICE OF JUST 2 CDs!) $24 Sym #6; Sym#3; Sym#10 Leipzig
1960; Sym #8 first mvt. Berlin State 1951; plus Kindertotenlieder
Cervena, alto Leipzig 1960
TAH 120 MAHLER:Sym#8 1951 Vienna Fest. Anday,Wiener,Majkut
TAH 103 MusicVol 1 Leipzig'60
Schumann:Manfred; Beethoven:Prometheus
TAH 104 MusicVol 2'60Leipzig
Mendelssohn:Midsummer Nights Dream; Grieg:Peer Gynt
TAH 105 MusicVol. 3'60Leipzig
Beethoven:Egmont; Bizet:L'Arlesienne
TAH 108/09 Bach:Art of the Fugue Stereo
includes rehearsals Toronto Dec.1965
TAH 112 Tchaikovsky:Sym#6; Wagner:Sieg fried Idyll (chamber version) NW Ger.Phil '60
TAH 113 Mozart:Les Petits Riens, Ser. #13;
Con. FluteVienna St. Orch 1940's
TAH 116 SCHERCHEN AT LUGANO '62
Dvorak:Cello Con (Fournier); Brahms:Sym#3
TAH 126/128 SCHERCHEN CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN: (mono&stereo) Sym#1, #2; Ruins of Athens; Consecration of the House; Egmont; An die Hoffnung; Grosse Fugue (rehearsal performance); Wellington's Victory (rehearsal performance)Lugano '65;
Leipzig 1960; SW Radio 1962; Toronto '65
Berlioz Review: * * * * *
TAH 143/44 Berlioz: Les Troyens a Carthage Paris '52 Giraudeau,Collard,Depraz,Mandikian
Scherchen ranks with Toscanini and Munch (Paray, Monteux, Beecham etc.) as the finest Berlioz conductor within the last 50 years. This magnificent sounding Hi-Fidelity
version of Berlioz: Les Troyens a Carthage makes any other version seem stillborn. If you want to give Scherchen a fair try, start here. Tap into the Frenchest sounding (played
and sung) Berlioz you may ever hear !
If you don't like this performance, I can eat your returned CDs at no additional charge. (Mind you, you won't get your money back- I may simply eat your returned copy of the Berlioz with my morning milk and corn flakes.)

Other interesting TAHRA sets:
THE ART OF HANS KNAPPERTSBUSCH TAH 132/135 NDR Sym. Direct from NDR Archive masters. Bruckner:Sym#3; all-Wagner Concert with Christa Ludwig; Beethoven: Coriolan Ovt; Piano Con#5 (Andor Foldes) and Sym:#8 (not just any Beethoven: Sym#8 - but the slowest, broadest, weirdest and most demented in the ENTIRE universe - - - - and one you should not be without!)

PIERRE MONTEUX IN AMSTERDAM
TAH 175/178 Berlioz:Sym.Fantast; Brahms: Tragic Ovt ,Sym#1 #3;Vio.Con(Milstein); Sibelius: Violin Con (Damen);
and Stravinsky:Petrouchka


LORDY LORDY
Two CDs devoted to the music of Lord Berners have been issued.
Marco Polo 8.223780
BERNERS: Les Sirenes; Caprice Peruvien; Cupid Psyche
D.L.Jones RTE Sinf. ***
Those familiar with the excellent EMI CD of the Triumph of Neptune or the classic Beecham LP version of the same work, have some idea about what to expect. Les Sirenes Cupidare nearly as good.
BERNERS:Wedding Bouquet; Luna Park Alwyn RTE Choir Sinf.
Marco Polo 8.223716 ** A Less
satisfying issue: quirky G. Stein words, it never seems to get off the ground. Luna Park is bit better.

FAIR GOOD GLAZOUNOV
Hyperion CDA 66877 ***
PAN 510 085 (Qualiton) ***
Two competing versions of the Glazounov:Piano Concertos #1 have just come out, neither sets the world on fire. It may be a long time (if ever) before we get a great version of these excellent works, so consider trying one or the other. The PAN has deeper, darker sound with a bit more commited piano playing. The Hyperion may have a better pianist who is more emotionally distant. The Hyperion orchestra is more foward with shallower bass (nice authorative cymbals, however). PAN has the Glazounov: Carneval Overture (nice organ pedal) in a fairly heavy, almost Germanic sounding performance. KA. Kolly piano, H.Griffiths cond. Slovak Radio Orch. The Hyperion has a fairly forgetful work by Alexander Goedicke (Concertstuck)as the filler. S.Coombs piano, M.Brabbins cond. BBC Scottish Sym. In short, a battle of pygmy versus pygmy. Like fighting over who is a better Mahler conductor Ozawa or Haitink!

HOVHANESS:RUBAIYAT***
DELOS 3168 Schwartz-Seattle Sym
I thought I might be getting tired of the Hovhaness series on Delos by now, but I am not. Most enjoyable.
Dig that Accordion!!! + Exile Sym.; Jap.Woodprint Fantasy; Orpheus Meditation

STOKY STOKY
CALA 0506 Stokowski Hollywood NYC
Tchaikovsky:Sym#6; Strauss: Death&Transf.
Fine performances you might consider ***
CALA 0505 Stokowski Russian Masterworks
Russ.Easter Ovt;Tchaikovsky:Humoresque.; Firebird Suite; Love 3 Oranges March; and Tchaikovsky: Sym#4
NBC Sym 1942 performances.
Highlights include the vocal bass soloist in the Russian Easter Overture (N.Moscona).
Very, very nice NBC playing (as usual).
Both CD issues have good clean sound ****

BSO VOL 2 KOUSSEVITZKY
BSO CLASSICS 441122 (ALLEGRO)
Another fine edition in the series. The informative booklet is as enjoyable as the CD!
These are the historic Nov.1944 sessions (just how - booklet tells why). Also, marks return of BSO to recording studios after 4 year absence. Tchaikovsky:Sym#5; Roman Carnival Ovt.; Debussy:Faune first release of the Corell/Pinelli Suite. Nice sound ***

GADE GET IT WITH IT
Kontrapunkt 32180 (Allegro) Gade:Comala
Rasmussen Choir,Soloists,Sonderjylland Sym
Written in 1846 this "romantic cantata" is very close to being a Danish Lohengrin. If you like that idea, you will like this good work. Nice sound and performance. ***
Kontrapunkt 32180 Rasmussen Orch,Choir
Gade:Zion; Heilige Nacht; Gefion Cantatas
These works date from the 1862-74. If you enjoy the Mendelssohn style of oratorio, these works satisfy with sweet sacred sounds. ***
CPO 999 362 (70 min) O.Schmidt- Rheinland
Gade: Ossian Echos; Hamlet; Summer Day in the Country; Holbergiana ***
The primary work is a rare find- a 24 min. tone poem- Summer Day (5 movement work with Storm and Merry Folk movements - sort of a mini-Beethoven 6th). Nice sound, very laid back performance. Chandos version with the Sym#1; Ossian; Hamlet is far better.

SWEDISH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
CPO 999 367 Sym#1 Spring Hymn
CPO 999 368 Sym#2Dramatic Intermezzo
CPO 999 369 Sym #3 Sym #4
Ture Rangstrom (1884-1947) wrote in a post romantic idiom not unlike the great British
composer. Searching, probing, melodic though not especially tuneful. This is a fine sounding new cycle of his 4 symphonies.
Michail Jurowski cond. Norrkoping Sym.***
TJEKNKHACHATKABALEVORIN
=ASV 967 Kabalevsky:Romeo&Juliet;
Comedians;Breugnon Suites
=ASV 858 Khachaturian:Symphonies#1; #3
=ASV 859 Khachaturian:Sym#2&Stalingrad
=ASV 884 Khachaturian:Valencian Widow; Gayaneh Suite #2 Tjeknavorian:Dances
=ASV 773 Khachaturian:Gayaneh Suite#1; Masquerade; Spartacus &Ippolitov-Ivanov
=ASV 946 Khachaturian: Ode in Memory of Lenin; Lermontov Suite; Russian Fantasy;
Greeting Overture and Festive Poem
=ASV 964 Khachaturian:Piano Con (Kuhn); Waltz and Polka for Band; Dance Suite LORIS TJEKNAVORIAN -Armenian Phil.
Nice conducting by Tjeknavorain with highly idiomatic playing by the Armenian Philharmonic. Series highlights include: ASV 946 which is filled with some first recordings of several of those large "praise the Peoples" works required by Stalinist era Soviet composers. The performances of the Three Symphonies and Battle of Stalingrad is 'in your face' and blaringly loud (what the composer wanted, judging by his still best, GO FOR IT, version of #2 on London). The Gayaneh suites are, of course, the finest currently available. I only wish the sonics were as good as RCA had captured in Tjeknavorian's definitive LP set of the complete Gayaneh, done about 20 years ago! The sound on most of these ASV recordings is a bit harsh, fuzzy and shallow (e.g. you hear the lower bass or percussion but don't 'feel' it move). One can almost sense the level meters 'pin' on these blaring climaxes. Sort of like taking too much off the top bottom of a large Christmas tree, to get it in your living room. For this reason, we rate each CD ***