Baker's Dozen Best Recordings 2014

Well! Here we are again. It is time to reflect on the past 12 months, review the defining events of 2014, recall celebrities who have passed away and of course the best of this and that. I concentrate on the latter, leaving the obits and news analysis to the talking heads of the TV. So yes, the best recordings of 2014 list is here. As usual, since the list is mine, I make the rules. These are not always brand new recordings, sometimes they are ones I heard for the first time in 2014 or dusted off my shelf. No pop or jazz, since that is not really my thing, and I am sure I have missed some “blockbusters” because the artists or repertoire were not of interest to me. No “Dude” or Sir Simon Le Rat (sic) or other “big names” recording more Mahler or whatever they are into now. You are more likely to find recordings of Havergal Brian (none this year though) or Morton Feldman (one this time around) than Bach, Beethoven or Brahms. So with all that, here are my baker's dozen favorite recordings, as usual listed in no particular order.

Britten: Works for String Orchestra Camerata Nordica, Terje Tonnesen, Director

BIS 2060

Britten tuned 100 in 2013 and of course big box releases were plentiful. With all the big guns firing, this 2013 release escaped me until this year. I have been slow to appreciate all of Britten's works; the “War Requiem”, “Peter Grimes” and “Sinfonia da Requiem” are givens, but much of his work long has baffled or left me cold. But this charming, well performed and enlightening disc opened the string orchestra works to my enjoyment. There is nothing “simple” about the “Simple Symphony”, the Bridge Variations is a masterpiece and Lachrymae is simply beyond description. Get this disc.

Yevhen (Yeven or Evgeny) Stankovych (Stankovich): Symphonies 1, 2 and 4 Theodore Kuchar, Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra

Naxos 8555741

These are actually 1995 Marco Polo recordings re-released on Naxos. I enjoy exploring the vast unknown of 20th century Russian/Soviet Bloc music. A lot of junk was produced (even by the big names) but there are many, many jewels buried in the trash heap. Ukrainian Yevhen Stankovych (seemingly the preferred spelling) is prolific yet lyrical, dramatic and listenable. Unlike many, the ghost of Shostakovich and Prokofiev is not overwhelming, but still always there. One of the jewels hidden in the pile.

Brahms and Schumann Piano Quintets Joyce Yang, Piano/Alexander String Quartet

Foghorn Classics FCL2014

The talented Alexanders and brilliant Joyce Yang take on two towers of 19th century chamber music, the Brahms Piano Quintet in f Op 34 and the Schumann Piano Quintet in Eb op 44. Frankly any recording that elicits a positive comment about Brahms from me is worth noting. No stodgy, elegant (read dull and technical) readings here, these are gutsy, lively, exciting and maybe even a bit edgy performances. Excellent production, including concise yet informative notes.

Bartók And Kodály Complete String Quartets Alexander String Quartet

Foghorn Classics FCL2009 (3 discs)

While we have the excellent Alexanders in front of us, mention must be made of this always intelligent, intense, musical, satisfying and well recorded set. Add this to the list of recordings that challenge and maybe surpass the classic Julliard recording of the Bartók cycle. Combine the fine and less well known Kodály quartets and you have a special release indeed.

Troubadour Blue: Nils Bultmann Works for Viola. Nils Bultmann, Hank Dutt violas, Parry Karp cello, Stephen Kent, didjeridu.

Innova 851

Thanks to I Care if You Listen and my fellow contributor Jarrett Goodchild, I had the notion to listen to this disc of works by San Francisco based composer/violist Nils Bultmann. Bultmann is one of the rare composers who can open your ear while not assaulting it, his music is tonal but inventive, rhythmic and visceral. The works on this recordings will both challenge and please. One simply has to hear “From the Depths” an imaginative and strikingly beautiful set of duos for viola and didjeridu and the “10 Viola Duets” for 2 violas are as often amusing as they are fascinating.

Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center: Music by Babbit, Arel, Davidovsky, Luening, El-Dabh, Ussachevsky.

Columbia/Sony 3268 (Available as an ArchivMusic on demand CD)

I remember this recording, released in 1964, from my teen years as I explored classical music. I don't think I ever owned a copy, but heard it at the library where probably most of the copies ended up. But it, along with other trail blazing recordings, led me to daydream about being an electronic music composer, which of course did not come to pass. This disc was on the cutting edge of the avant garde in the 60's, but now we giggle at the almost absurd series of bleeps, buzzes, warbles and squeals that comprise the works' electronic elements. The big names of the early electronic era are here and the compositions are representative of their time.... 50 years ago... seems like yesterday. Nostalgia for the radicals out there.

American Masters: Violin Works by Mason Bates, John Corigliano and Samuel Barber. Anne Akiko Meyers, Violin, Leonard Slatkin London Symphony Orchestra

eOne 7791

Three works for violin and orchestra from three American masters who share much more than is obvious. Barber (Violin Concerto 1939) was a mentor to Corigliano (Lullaby for Natalie 2010) who was Mason Bates' (Concerto for Violin “Archeopteryx” 2012) teacher. I reviewed this disc for I Care if You Listen in November and frankly I think I was too hard on the Bates Concerto. Further listening reveals a finely crafted, tuneful work that fits and compliments the other two works. The Barber is an utter masterpiece so maybe the others pale in comparison, but in that case, so do many others. Fine, fine recording. A keeper for sure.

Stanislaw Skrowaczewski: The Complete Oehms Classics Recordings. Music of Bruckner Brahms, Beethoven, Berlioz, Schumann, Skrowaczewski and others.  Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Bavarian Radio Chorus,  Saarbrücken Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Oehms Classics 90

The great Stanislaw Skrowaczweski turned 90 in 2013 and Oehms released this wonderful set of his recordings for them late last year. Complete Beethoven, Brahms, and Bruckner and Schumann Symphonies plus some Bartok, Berlioz, the two Chopin Piano Concerti and some of Skrowaczewski's own excellent compositions. I first heard him when he was the Music Director at Minnesota and always find his performances suave, exciting and musical. My conducting god, I drove 4 hours one way to hear him do Bruckner 8 and would do it again in a heartbeat. Lucky the performance here is first rate so I can stay in tonight.

Organ Polychrome: The French School. Jan Kraybill, Organ. Casavant Organ, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO                                         Reference Recordings RR133

A hallmark of a great concert hall is a great organ. Not used every day, but when a work requires an organ it is nice to have one around. The Casavant here is a fine “symphonic” organ and blends well with the orchestra. As a solo it is a fine instrument, especially under the control of Jan Kraybill, who oversees it and two other wonderful organs in Kansas City. Great, idiomatic performances of many of the French masters, including Widor (thankfully not the overdone “Toccata”), Vierne, Gigout, Guilmant, Franck, Alain... et al. Lease breaking sonics to boot.

Morton Feldman String Quartet #1, Three Pieces for String Quartet, Structures for String Quartet. Flux String Quartet                                                                               Mode 269 3 discs and DVD

At a mere 90 minutes instead of the 6 hours required for String Quartet # 2, # 1 is a trifle. But what a trifle; serene, glowing, glacial, energetic, softly ringing.... one incredible sound after another. Feldman is an acquired taste, but like that of scotch, anchovies or whatever... it is worth it for those in the know. The recording perfectly captures all the subtle changes in dynamics and harmonics. The DVD allows you to hear the whole quartet without interruption. Three Pieces and Structures are also vintage Feldman and are much, much shorter. It is a cold, misty dark December evening as I write this... I think I will pull this disc out... it fits.

Miraculous Metamorphoses: Bartok, Miraculous Mandarin Suite, Prokofiev, Love for Three Oranges Suite, Hindemith, Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. Kansas City Symphony, Michael Stern. 
Reference Recordings RR132

Performances that can stand with the best of them and sonics that sound fabulous even on my computer speakers combine for another Reference Recordings/Kansas City Symphony “hit”. One also has to give the Kansas City Symphony, Reference Recordings and all involved great credit for daring to record major standard repertoire pieces that often have some very heady competition.

Shostakovich Symphony # 14 (1969) Gal James, Soprano, Alexander Vinogradov Bass Vasily Petrenko Royal Liverpool Philharmonic                                                         Naxos 8.573132

Overall, an excellent performance but I still can not live without the Barshai led performances with Vishnevskaya/Reshetin or with Simoni/Vaneev in the Cologne recording. Barshai was there at the beginning and had the music in his veins. The Curtin/Estes Ormandy is a sentimental favorite, with some of the most impressively ghoulish cover art ever devised. I thought the Liverpool strings were a bit weak and James less impressive than Vinogradov, but other critics disagreed. Overall a fine addition to the Shostakovich canon.

Shostakovich Symphony # 13 “Babi Yar” Alexander Vinogradov, Bass, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Chorus                                                                               Naxos 8.573218 

If the 14th was a fine recording, then the powerful 13th was perfection. Vinogradov is dark, brooding, frightening and frightened with deep voice that is still clarion clear. The chorus is not as idiomatic as a fine Russian ensemble, but is clear and present, well blended with the other forces. This is also one recording that does not let down after the long and dramatic first movement, the other four are equal in their drama and pathos. Great performance and a fitting end to a fine cycle. Petrenko is just 38 so he may yet have an even finer cycle in store some day.

13 for '13: Baker's Dozen Best Recordings of the Year

As has become custom, here is my 13 for 13, the baker's dozen best CDs for the year. When compiling this list, I realized I did not do one for 2012, don't have a clue why. This is a quite subjective list and often includes recordings that may have been released earlier but just got around to hearing (or listing in this case) this year. If you note an abundance of Cedille and Naxos recordings listed, it is not because I am paid by them or have any connection. Those two labels just happen to be releasing some fine recordings of interesting repertoire as opposed to the junk (sorry... my opinion) that the “majors” are offering. And since it my list and my rules, there are two Havergal Brian recordings on the list, as usual.

So here are the chosen ones, not in any order whatsoever:

Kubelik Complete Masterpieces.

Mahler, Bartok, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Martinu, Janacek, Bruch, Mussorgsky, Smetana, Hindemith, Schoenberg, Mozart

Rafael Kubelik, various orchestras

Membran Documents 600038 10 CDs

Far from complete and mostly pre 1959 recordings from various places. Inexpensive, with good period sound and pressings. Worth the bargain price alone for the 1950's Chicago Symphony recordings which were wonderfully recorded but often manhandled when released on CD.

Havergal Brian

Symphony #10, Symphony # 30, Concerto for Orchestra, English Suite # 3

Martyn Brabbins Royal Scottish National SO

Dutton Epoch CDLX 7267 

Long overdue new recording of the 10^th and first recordings of the other works. Fine conducting and sound. A new Symphony cycle? We can only hope.

Havergal Brian

Symphonies 22, 23 and 24, English Suite # 1

Alexander Walker New Russia State SO

Naxos 8572833

A revival of the Naxos cycle? The earlier Penny/Leaper cycle seems to have stalled and there is precedence for Naxos not finishing a cycle for various reasons. Symphonies 23 and 24 are first recordings and thus invaluable for us Brian fanatics.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Symphony # 3, Symphonic Dances

Detroit SO, Leonard Slatkin

Naxos 8573051

Slatkin is back in the recording studio and so is the Detroit Symphony in brilliant sound and fine performances. Slatkin is a first rate Rachmaninoff interpreter; he takes the dramatic end of the Symphonic Dances just right and lets the gong “LV” and decay just as it should be. Top of my list for one of my favorite pieces.

Delights & Dances

Lees: Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra, Abel: Delights and Dances for String Quartet and Orchestra, An-Lun Huang: Saibei Suite No. 2: Saibei Dance , Fleischer: “West Side Story” Concerto for String Quartet and Orchesta (after Bernstein)

Mei-Ann Chen, Chicago Sinfonietta, Harlem Quartet 

Cedille 141

YAY! A new recording of the fascinating (and Kansas City premiered) Benjamin Lees String Quartet Concerto. Performed by Szell, Slatkin and others over the years but only a long out of print Igor Buketoff, Royal Philharmonic RCA LP to show for it. Fine performance in an excellent modern recording. The other works may appeal to some, but for me the Lees is worth the whole disc.

The Rascal and the Sparrow - Poulenc Meets Piaf

Francis Poulenc, et al

Antonio Pompa-Baldi Piano

Steinway and Sons 30015

A brilliantly conceived program mixing piano transcriptions of songs by the “rascal” Poulenc with transcriptions of songs by various composers made popular by the “sparrow” Edith Piaf. Not parlor music at all but tastefully well done. Of course included are “Non, je ne regrette rien” and “La vie en rose”.

“Drama Queens”:

Arias by Orlandini, Porta, Handel, Hasse, Cesti, Keiser, Monteverdi, Giacomelli, and Haydn; Joyce DiDonato, Alan Curtis, Il Complesso Barocco

Virgin Classics/Erato 2654

This is a 2012 recording that would have been on the list if I did one. Home town girl (I have a picture of me with Joyce to prove it) makes good in this wonderful collection of Royalty having a true operatic hissy fit.

Sean Hickey

Concerto for Cello, Concerto for Clarinet

Dmitry Kouzov, Cello Alexander Fiterstein, Clarinet. Vladimir Lande, St Petersburg State SO

Delos 3448

I reviewed these for www.Icareifyoulisten.com and you can read the whole thing here: http://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2013/09/sean-hickey-concertos-on-delos-recordings/ Decidely conservative in form and sound but unlike a lot of newer works, I have tended to listen to them frequently since they both have something to say.

Sir Edward Elgar

Enigma Variations, Vaughan: Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves, Vaughan Williams: The Wasps Suite

Kansas City Symphony, Michael Stern

Reference Recordings RR 129

Again the Kansas City Symphony and Reference Recordings dazzle with a superbly recorded disc of British repertoire. Even the Brits liked it, so you know it has to be good. The end of the Elgar with the subtle but present organ is the best on record.

The Soviet Experience Vol. 4: String Quartets by Dmitri Shostakovich and his Contemporaries.

Shostakovich String Quartet # 13, #14 and # 15, Schnittke String Quartet # 6

Pacifica String Quartet
Cedille 115

Great concept of pairing the Shostakovich String Quartets with an example of one of his contemporaries. Incredible performances and great sound in all 4 volumes. Replaces the classic Fitzwilliam cycle in my book.

John Cage: Works For Two Keyboards, Vol. 1

Suite for Toy Piano, Music for Amplified Toy Pianos, A Book of Music for 2 Prepared Pianos

Xenia Pestova, Pascal Meyer pianos

Naxos 8559726

Some of Cage's most colorful and listenable music. Excellent performances that transcend the gimmicks to make a revelatory listening experience.

Carlos Chavez, José P. Moncayo García, Samuel Zyman

Chavez: Concerto for Piano, “Meditación” for solo piano; Moncayo Garcia: “Muros Verdes”; Zyman: “Variations on an Original Theme”
Jorge Federico Osorio, piano, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional De Mexico
Cedille 140

I reviewed this for www.icareifyoulisten.com as well: http://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2013/06/carlos-chavez-piano-concerto-cedille-records/ A most welcome recording of Chavez's brash and big concerto. Other works are well done and quite good. Concerto was recorded live and captured a clean, exciting performance.

Morton Feldman

Early Piano Pieces

Sabine Leibner Piano

Wergo 6747

18 short solo piano works from 1950-1964 plus the later (1977), half hour long “Piano, for Piano”. Interesting contrasts between the atmospheric shorter works and the more characteristic long and meditative “Piano”. Leibner is simply the reference for Feldman's piano works. Check out her earlier recordings of Feldman's bigger piano works such as “For Bunita Marcus”. A disc for those who enjoy and appreciate Feldman's unique sound but do not have the hours to listen to his major works.

Baker's Dozen Best Recordings 2011

My annual Baker's Dozen best recordings of the year is here. Since it is my list, I set the rules which are frequently broken. Most of these are new recordings or releases for the year. Some may be new to me or simply old wine in new skins. Whatever the case, here is what I have enjoyed and noted for the year in no particular order:

1) MAHLER: SYMPHONY # 10. ILLUSTRATED LECTURE BY COOKE, BERTHOLD GOLDSCHMIDT LONDON SO (1964) AND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA (1960) TESTAMENT 1457

This 3 disc set was the Grammophone Magazine winner for Best Historic recording, and deservedly so.  Includes the 1960 BBC broadcast lecture by Deryck Cooke, illustrated with piano and orchestral examples, the full 1960 broadcast performance of the sketches as they had been compiled at that time by Cooke and finally the 1964 World Premiere of the 10^th by Berthold Goldschmidt and the London SO. All are recorded in decent mono and both orchestra performances exhibit somewhat scrappy playing, but what an incredible historical document.

2) IVES/BRANT: CONCORD SYMPHONY. COPLAND: ORGAN SYMPHONY. MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS SAN FRANCISCO SO  SFO 38

I first heard of Canadian Henry Brant (1913-2008) as a classical music crazed teen. I confess I wanted to write a piece for my High School auditorium based on his spatial music concepts. The high brass would sound out of the projector box, the tubas and trombones out of the vents in the floor, the strings on the stage, the winds in the isles.. the percussion in the hallway outside.. yeah I was nuts. His rendition of Ives’ Concord Sonata as a Symphony is all wrong; too modern and craggy for Ives, but an incredible and addictive listening experience. A bonus is a fine recording of Copland’s first symphony with the original organ part.

3) BRUCKNER: 9 SYMPHONIES. GUNTER WAND COLOGNE RADIO ORCHESTRA RCA/SONY 7776582

Budget priced reissue of these fine recordings of Bruckner’s major Symphonies, but does not include “Die Nulte” or the Symphony in F if you have to have those. Skrowaczweski/Saarbrucken is my standard, but for the price these can not be beat.

4) JOYCE DI DONATO: DIVA/DIVO. VIRGIN CLASSICS 41986   

Home town girl (I have a picture of me with Joyce to prove it) makes good in this wonderful collection of arias exploring gender bending trouser roles from Gluck to Richard Strauss.

5) CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: PIANO CONCERTO # 1 OP 39, PIANO CONCERTO # 2 OP 77, FANTASIE, OP 62. MARKUS BECKER, PIANO. THIERRY FISCHER BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES  HYPERION CDA 67817. ROMANTIC PIANO CONCERTO SERIES # 55

A recording for those who think C-M. Widor only wrote a famous Toccata for Organ to be used at Easter or weddings. These two bravura concerti and the brilliant “Fantasie” are simply fabulous music. A second set has appeared on Dutton/Epoch but seems to be hard to find. With great sound and easy availability, this is the one to have for sure.

6) HAVERGAL BRIAN: SYMPHONY # 1 “GOTHIC”. BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES, BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA, SOLOISTS AND CHOIRS HYPERION CDA679712

Renowned for its listing in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest symphony, the Gothic is, of course, rarely performed. But on July 17 2011, over 800 musicians under the direction of Martyn Brabbins performed this monster at a Royal Albert Hall Proms Concert. This is a live recording in fine sound and likely the best performance we’ll hear in a lifetime. 

7) HAVERGAL BRIAN: ORCHESTRAL MUSIC VOL. 1. BURLESQUE VARIATIONS ON AN ORIGINAL THEME, ENGLISH SUITE NO. 5, RUSTIC SCENES, ELEGY, LEGEND: “AVE ATQUE VALE”. GARRY WALKER BBC SCOTTISH  SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 00110

Every few years, Toccata Classics gives us some gems from the vast oeuvre of Havergal Brian, he of 32 symphonies and tons of unperformed and even lost works. In 2005 a recital of songs was well received and a welcome addition. This year Toccata seems to be embarking on an orchestral series, hopefully to include the symphonies, since the Naxos series seems to be abandoned. Volume 1 contains premiere recordings, first studio or professional recordings of works ranging from 1903 to 1968.

8)  HAVERGAL BRIAN: ORCHESTRAL MUSIC VOL. 2 MUSIC FROM THE OPERAS.  SYMPHONIC VARIATIONS ON ‘HAS ANYBODY HERE SEEN KELLY?’, THREE PIECES FROM ‘TURANDOT’, FAUST: NIGHT RIDE OF FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES, THE CENCI: PRELUDIO TRAGICO,  A TURANDOT SUITE (ARR. MALCOLM MACDONALD). GARRY WALKER BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 00113

Long neglected Havergal Brian (1876–1972) is having a banner year. His music is interesting and always colorful, albeit frequently clunky and not always structurally sound. This disc features orchestral excerpts from some of his 5 unperformed operas.

9) MARTINU SYMPHONY # 4, TRE RICERCARI, PIANO CONCERTO # 4

TURNOVSKY CZECH PHIL APEX 0927498222

Almost everyone first heard this wonderful Symphony via this old Turnabout LP that has seen several iterations over the years. Now available in a budget CD with great sound and couplings.

10)  MICHELLE BREEDT, SOPRANO NINA SCHUMANN, PIANO: “SHAKESPEARE INSPIRED”  TWO PIANISTS RECORDS 1039077

South African-born Michelle Breedt is featured in this innovative Shakespeare-in-song collection from Two Pianists Records, also from South Africa. Just about every English composer of note from Arne through Coates, Parry, Delius, Vaughan Williams and on to Britten and Rubbra is included. Most entertaining and enlightening.

11) ANDRZEJ PANUFNIK: SYMPHONIE ELEGIACA (NO. 2), SINFONIA SACRA (NO. 3), SYMPHONY NO. 10.  KONZERTHAUSORCHESTER BERLIN. LUKASZ BOROWICZ CPO-777 683-2

These works have all received fine performances before, especially the popular Sinfonia Sacra. But this finely played and recorded disc from the Polish Radio Symphony is especially sweet since Panufnik was exiled from and his music banned in his native Poland for so long. Volume 4 of an ongoing series of his symphonic works.

12) ALLAN PETTERSSON: SYMPHONIES NOS. 1 (ARR. LINDBERG) SYMPHONY #  2 NORRKÖPING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHRISTIAN LINDBERG BIS-1860 (PLUS DVD)

When I am depressed and ready to jump off a bridge, I listen to the music of Pettersson and suddenly I realize I am not as bad off as I thought. Pettersson’s music, from his first symphony to his last works, is relentlessly gloomy, dark, mysterious and angry; much like the man himself. Yet it is sincere and well written which is what makes it so interesting. The early, incomplete first Symphony is a performing edition by Lindberg receiving its first recording.

13) IVES: 4 VIOLIN SONATAS HILARY HAHN VIOLIN, VALENTINA LISITSA, PIANO DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON  001608202

Amazing that an Ives recording has been at the top of the Classical Music charts for a good part of the year, displacing the usual “crossover” glorp. Maybe the boys are buying the album because of the two pretty ladies on the cover. Whatever the motive, finest performances we can expect in a long time of these quirky and even fun pieces.

2010 Best Recordings of the Year

The time for my list of my 10-13 favorite recordings of the year is upon us.

Traditionally, one of the year's last posts on Puggingham Palace is a "baker's dozen" list of the best recordings of the year, in my humble opinion of course. Since it is my game, I set some loose rules; the recordings are mostly new releases for the past year but can also be older recordings that I heard for the first time or dug out of my collection.

2010 seemed to be a better year than 2009 for new releases. I had trouble making a list of 10 last year but the 13 I have chosen this year came easier. This was also a year of big box releases; reissues in large bargain sets of an artist's career recordings. You will see a couple of these in my list.

So as usual, in no particular order here are my top Baker's Dozen for 2010

1) Mahler Symphony # 10 Carpenter Edition. David Zinman, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra RCA 88697768962. So new it is not available in the US until Dec 7 but I got my copy from the UK (cheaper too). A new recording of the 10th is always welcome; when it is an excellent new recording of the Carpenter edition it is even more welcome. This edition is emerging as the only viable alternative to the Cooke edition.

2) Bernstein Symphony Edition Sony 768365. 60 bargain priced discs with almost all of Bernstein’s original Columbia recordings of symphonies. His complete Mahler, Beethoven, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Brahms cycles are included along with some Shostakovich, Schubert, Mozart and the indispensable Haydn.

3) Richard Strauss Great Scenes. Christine Brewer, Donald Runnicles, Atlanta SO Telarc 31755. So I plug people I know, it is my list and I can do as I please. Besides, this is one of the best Strauss recordings in a long time.

4) Dvorak Symphonic Poems: Noonday Witch, Golden Spinning Wheel, Water Goblin, The Wood Dove. Sir Charles Mackerras Czech Phil. Supraphon 4012, Mackerras (who died this year in July) may have been born in New York of Australian parents and brought up in Sydney, but he had an uncanny knack for Czech music. These live performances are simply the only way to hear this wonderful music. Has there ever been a more atmospheric beginning of the “Golden Spinning Wheel”?

5) "Transformations" Yuja Wang, piano. Deutsche Grammophon 001410802. Scintillating and bravura performances of Stravinsky, D. Scarlatti, Brahms and Ravel. I’ll take Wang’s musical, mature and brilliant performances over "Bang Bang" any day.

6) Weinberg Symphony # 1 and 7.Thord Svedlund, Gothenberg SO, Chandos 5078. I for one am thrilled to see new recordings of one of the Soviet Union's most important yet neglected composers. This is a continuation of the symphony series began a few years ago and, with 22 some symphonies, we have a ways to go. Good performances, usual quality Chandos sound.

7) Weinberg Cello Sonatas. Dmitry Yablonsky cello, Hsin-Ni Liu, piano. Naxos 8.570333. 2 Sonatas for Cello and Piano and 2 for solo cello from this prolific composer. Wonderful works, well played. This has been a good year for Mieczyslaw Weinberg (also spelled sometimes as Moisey Vainberg).

8) "Sacrificium" Cecilia Bartoli, Mezzo Soprano. Decca 001341202 (Deluxe CD with Book) Catalog # 001388602 for CD without book. Released late in 2009 (again my list so I can bend the rules), this unique album explores the world of the Castrati from the 17th and 18th centuries. 2 discs, a huge book with everything you ever wanted to know about Castrati (for the uninitiated, they were boys castrated at or before puberty to preserve a high voice. They had the range of a soprano but the power of a male voice) with too many artsy photos of Bartoli’s head on the torsos of male statues.

A ton of florid music, with probably more recorded notes per minute than any other disc in history. Well done and worth taking off the shelf now and then to explore this lost (thankfully) art. Available without the book but really it is worth the extra $10 for some fascinating reading.

9) Avner Dorman Concerto for Mandolin, Concerto for Piccolo, Concerto Grosso, Concerto in A for Piano. Various soloists, Metropolis Ensemble, Andrew Cyr. Naxos 8.559620. Where else can you find exciting, jazzy and brilliant contemporary concerti for mandolin and piccolo? The Concerto Grosso and early Piano Concerto make fine disc mates. Can I suggest a Ukulele Concerto?

10) Hendrik Andriessen Orchestral Works. Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Edo De Waart, Jean Fournet, Willem van Otterloo, Jaap Van Zweden, Albert van Raalte Conductors (recording dates 1947-2005). Etcetera 1307. A new to me 2007 release of orchestral works by Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen. Neo-classical (think Martinu, Hindemith, etc) in style, but never dry. Especially notable are the powerful “Ricercare” and the 4 compact symphonies. Hendrik should be heard more often; as with Egon Wellez he is more often talked about than actually performed. The discs may be hard to come by, Amazon usually has it and can be bought as a download as well.

11) Roussel Symphony # 4 Concert for Small Orchestra, Rhapsodie Flammade, Petite Suite, Sinfonietta. Stéphane Denève, Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Naxos 8.72135. Best cycle of the 4 symphonies of this much neglected master of neo-classic 20th century music.

12) Levine Conducts Mahler Symphonies 1, 3-7, 9 and 10. (London SO 1 and 6, Chicago SO 3, 4 and 7, Philadelphia Orchestra 5, 9 and 10) RCA. Reissues of great recordings long hard to get. Re-mastered sound is excellent. One of the best 3rds ever benefiting from Levine’s years of opera performances. I have been trying to back away from so much Mahler, but when this became available at a bargain price, I had to have it. Sadly, Levine never finished the cycle for RCA, thus the 2nd and 8th are missing. Been a real bitch to get a hold of this album for some reason. Only Amazon seems to have it in the US as of this date.

13) Icon: Alicia De Larrocha. Music of Soler, Granados, Albeniz, Turina, De Falla and Montsalvatge. Alicia De Larrocha (with Victoria De Los Angeles, Soprano) EMI 29486. I don't own this set, I have so much of it on other releases, but here is all of De Larrocha's EMI recordings, some of her best really, in an 8 CD bargain priced box. No one, but no one did this repertoire better.

Best Recordings of the Year 2009 edition

Traditionally, one of the year's last posts on Puggingham Palace is a "baker's dozen" list of the best recordings of the year, in my humble opinion of course. Since it is my game, I set some loose rules; the recordings are mostly new releases for the past year but can also be older recordings that I heard for the first time or dug out of my collection for the first time in a long time.

Maybe it was a slow year for recordings, poor economy and all, or maybe I have been a bit too critical, but I had difficulty getting a baker's dozen recordings for this year, so I stopped at 10. New releases did seem to be few and far between and featured more standard repertoire; recordings of which I have far too many. Nonetheless, I have compiled a list of some recordings that stood out in my mind for 2009. In no particular order:

1) Alkan, Liszt Piano works Raymond Lewenthal piano Elan Recordings 82276.

Lewenthal was destined for greatness, but a brutal attack left him physically and mentally scarred for years. Thus recordings from this early champion of Alkan and Liszt are rare. This is a release from 2003 of a legendary RCA recording long out of print. Remarkable pianism; listen to the clear, sharp staccato chords in the Alkan Etudes for example. This recording was introduced to me this year by Lance G. Hill, the host of a wonderful program on WPEL FM radio broadcast each Saturday night. More on this recording and Lance's broadcast here: Lewenthal Plays Liszt and Alkan.

2) Alfredo Cassella Symphony # 3, "Italia" West German Radio SO Cologne, Alun Francis CPO 777265

A major early 20th century symphony in its first appearance on CD. Written in 1939 on a commission from the Chicago Symphony, the symphony was initially well received but slid into oblivion along with Casella, who had the misfortune of being a Fascist sympathizer.

3) Britten's Orchestra: Sinfonia da Requiem, Passacaglia and 4 Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Kansas City Symphony, Michael Stern Reference Recordings RR 120.

When most of the US major ensembles are no where to be seen, the Kansas City Symphony releases another fine recording. Audiophile sound, competitive performances (and the competition is very stiff) and reasonably priced for a high end recording. Grammophone and Classics Today have concurred that this is a fine release.

4) Beethoven "Triple Concerto" for Violin, Piano and Cello arranged for Piano Trio by Carl Reinecke, Trio # 5 in D op 70/1 "Ghost". Arensky Trio Antes Edition 319202

Another older recording (2005) that I was introduced to this year. I happen to love Beethoven's sunny Triple Concerto even though some find it simplistic and facile. It sounds even better in an arrangement for piano trio, bringing out the wonderful inner voices and chamber like quality. Fine performance of the "Ghost" Trio is an added bonus.

5) Shostakovich Symphony # 11 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko. Naxos 8572082

Auspicious start to a new Shostakovich cycle. This sprawling work was long considered bottom drawer Shostakovich. But with exciting and well turned performances like this one, the power and drama shine through. Unfortunately, Petrenko's second disc, consisting of the 5th and 9th, was a disappointment.

6) Shostakovich "The Nose" St Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre Orchesta and soloists , Valery Gergiev. Mariinsky # 501.

Long overdue new recording of Shostakovich's loony masterpiece based on a story by Gogol. Who could not love a work about a run away nose that begins with a huge sneeze?

7) Yuja Wang Piano, music of Ligeti, Scriabin, Liszt and Chopin. DGG 001253402

Yuja Wang is an audience favorite here in KC with two appearances with the Symphony and a solo recital. This young pianist has all the technique of her more famous colleague Lang Lang but also delves deeper into her music. An eclectic yet electric recorded recital debut.

8) Bernstein "Mass". Baltimore SO, Alsop, Conductor Jubilant Sykes Celebrant. Naxos 8559622-23

Bernstein's Mass, written in 1971 for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, has been controversial even before its first performance. A bit dated, embarrassingly "hip"and crawling with every musical effect from rock, jazz, 12 tone to simple hymn, the piece seemed to be a one shot deal. But this recent recording, the best of the lot other than the original Bernstein led recording, has breathed some new life into the work. Many hate it but some now feel it is Bernstein's misunderstood masterpiece. Decide for yourself.

9) Franz Berwald Symphonies. Thomas Dausgaard Danish National Radio SO. Brilliant Classics 93699 2 discs.

Berwald's 4 sunny and attractive symphonies have suffered too long; Berwald only heard one in his life time (1796-1868). The 2nd and 3rd were premiered in the early 20th century and the 4th 10 years after his death. Recordings are not plentiful either. If you like Schumann, Dvorak or Grieg then Berwald is your cup of tea. This is a 2008 release of the well received Chandos recordings at 1/2 the price.

10) Mahler Symphony # 4 Ivan Fischer Budapest Festival Orchestra, Miah Persson Soprano. Channel Classics 26109

Well recorded, full of detail and a brisk, sparkling performance. Persson's solo is sweet and innocent without being cloying. Nicely done.

OK that is 10, can't think of 3 more. So HAPPY NEW YEAR! and happy listening from us at the Palace!

Wrestling With Bernstein's Mass

It was the musical commission of a generation. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis gave Leonard Bernstein quite a plum; compose a work for the highly anticipated opening of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The whole world would be watching, the audience glittering, an event tailor made for the showman in Lenny. Bernstein wrote: “I’ve always wanted to compose a service of one sort or another, and I toyed with ecumenical services that would combine elements from various religions and sects, of ancient or tribal beliefs, but it never all came together in my mind until Jacqueline Onassis asked me to write a piece dedicated to her late husband…The Mass is also an extremely dramatic event in itself—it even suggests a theater work."

"Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers" premiered in September 1971. Vietnam still raged, everything in society was questioned... everyone was cool, hip, flower power reigned. This "cool", "hip" and irreverent Mass was panned, lauded, dismissed, raved about, misunderstood and dismissed.. sometimes by the same critics. Embarrassingly 70's-ish, awkward, one moment highly classical, the next then trendy pop-ish, "Godspell" on steroids
(the two pieces had the same librettist), Mass seemed to be a one performance wonder. Jacqueline even stayed away.

A recording led by Bernstein soon came out on Columbia LPs. The day it appeared at the "Spin Shop", I snatched a copy...played the damn thing endlessly. My friend Rodger and I listened to it daily. Off to college, my friend and eventual roommate Steve also loved it. In fact, it was my hearing it coming from his room that led to us becoming long time friends. It was played endlessly then as well.

To this day, I know every note and word of this strange, zany, psychedelic recreation of the Roman Catholic Mass. That being in spite of not having heard it in years, the LPs being victims of a flooded basement years ago. I never got the CD version.

For a long time, it appeared that only the opening "A Simple Song", soon to be a staple of church performances and the "3 Meditations", taken from 3 instrumental interludes, would survive. A few performances cropped up now and then, but the Kent Nagano led German performance with Jerry Hadley as the Celebrant was the first recorded since 1971. Looking back, with nostalgia and a realization that little socially and politically had changed, Mass looked a little less geeky and silly.. and a bit more relevant and grown up.. as we had along with it. Critics seems to let up a bit and even say the piece might have some life left.

2009 has been an embarrassment of Mass riches, with two new recordings: Kristjan Jarvi led another German based performance for Chandos and now Marin Alsop leads a Baltimore performance on Naxos.

I have not heard the Nagano performance in total so I can not comment on it myself, but it was well received and compared favorably with the Bernstein. It was the first recording using Bernstein's revisions in the score and libretto. The Jarvi was quite good, but a bit on the fast side and I am not sure his cast really understood the piece.

However, the new Alsop/Jubilant Sykes performance is quite a revelation, and spot on for the most part. Sykes is more comfortable in the pop/gospel element, but pales a bit in comparison to Alan Titus' darker, more intense (and "classical") Celebrant in the Bernstein. Alsop's "Dona Nobis Pacem" section of the "Agnus Dei" is breathtaking in its intensity, but darn it, I missed Titus' more commanding, operatic breakdown, screaming "pacem!!" to the out of control cast and world as he breaks the chalice and spills the blood of Christ on the floor.

In a couple of classical music forums, I posted that I dismissed Mass as a dated, embarrassing mess.. part of me wants to simply hate the piece. But 40 years on(!!!) I am still wrestling with the damn thing. Yes some parts are corny (kazoo band still intact, some awfully silly lyrics, every musical style imaginable, sometimes within the same measure) and it still reeks of a bell bottomed, flower child, "peace, man", "dig this" society... but I think, maybe, if we give it a chance and overlook it weak points, it still will speak to us. Instead of being dated, it can show us we have not made a lot of progress socially in 40 years, only the names and clothing styles have changed.

Bernstein wanted this to be his magnum opus; he yearned to be remembered for Mass rather than West Side Story. That likely will not come to pass, but neither will this wacky, overblown...thing.. disappear. It has come back with a challenge to listen and reassess and to remind a fragile nation that "we've got quarrels and qualms and such questions, give us answers, not psalms and suggestions" is a cry heard on the streets today just as loud as it was in 1971.

Best Recordings 2008 Part II

Part two of my choice of a baker's dozen best recordings of 2008.

7) Roussel Symphony # 2, Pour une Fête de Printemps, Suite in F Naxos 8-570529 Royal Scottish National Orchestra Stéphane Denève

Second edition of the symphonies of this somewhat neglected French master. The 2nd is every bit as fine as the much more well known 3rd, but with its dark texture and overall gloomy mood, it is more of a challenge to listen to. But the rewards in doing so are many.

8) Siegmund von Hausegger "Natursymphonie" CPO 777-237-2 WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne Ari Rasilainen

If you like Mahler, Strauss or just plain long, richly scored works, this is your ticket. Von Hausegger wrote only a few orchestral works, so he put it all in this son of "Alpinesinfonie".

9) Elgar Cello Concerto Walton Cello Concerto Orfeo C 621 061-A Daniel Müller-Schott Oslo Philharmonic Previn

Müller-Schott is a fine cellist and this dark, brooding yet satisfying Elgar approaches the level of the legendary du Pré recording. I don't much care for Walton, but this is a convincing performance of his weakest concerto. If a performance makes me enjoy Walton, it has to be good. Previn's experience and ease with Walton and English music contributes a lot to this outstanding recording.

10) d'Indy Orchestral Works Vol 1 Chandos CHAN 10464 Rumon Gumba, Iceland SO

This disc, 1st of a projected series, shows that d'Indy wrote more than his once famous but now rarely heard Symphony on a French Mountain Air. "Jour d'été à la montagne" (1905) is another mountain inspired show piece, Strauss' Alpinesinfonie through Debussy's ears. The other works, "Souvenirs" and "La Foret Enchantée", are colorful and quite well done.

11) Villa Lobos Chôros # 11, 5 and 7 BIS 1440 John Neschling, Cristina Ortiz Piano, Sao Paulo State SO

Volume 1 of the complete Chôros from Brazil's premiere composer. # 11 is a huge hour long continuous piano concerto that has to be taxing to play, but a delight to hear. # 5 "Alma brasileira" is a short solo piano piece. # 7 is a wonderful and exotically scored tone poem. Wonderful stuff! The other two discs in this series are equally as good.

12) Mieczyslaw Karlowicz Symphonic Poems Naxos 8 570452 Antoni Wit, Warsaw Philharmonic

Karlowicz would have been a major voice in Polish music at the turn of the century. His death at 30 left us with just a few jewels such as on this wonderful disc. Wit milks this exuberant music for all it is worth.

13) Erkki Melartin Six Symphonies Ondine 931 Leonid Grinn Tampere Philharmonic

Released in 1999, I first heard Melartin's Mahler-esque, romantically charged symphonies for the first time a couple months ago. Melodic, well crafted, a little less dark and quirky than his contemporary Sibelius, his symphonies do have an unique voice and are well worth exploring.

Best Recordings 2008 Part I

Time for the annual round up of the baker's dozen of the best recordings of 2008. I cheat a bit, this is a list of mostly newly recorded or newly re-released recordings that I have heard this past 12 months. Some of them are not new for 2008 but I heard them for the first time this year and were a significant addition to my collection and thus recommended.

So in no particular order we have:

1) Foulds "A World Requiem" Chandos 5058 Soloists and Chorus, BBC SO Leon Botstein.

After laying unheard for some 80 years, A World Requiem was performed in November 2007. The recording of that event was soon released by Chandos. Intended to be performed annually to commemorate WWI, this pacifist leaning work begs comparison to Britten's "War Requiem". Wonderful performance, fascinating work. There is talk of performing it publicly again soon.

2) Ernö Von Dohnányi Violin Concerti # 1 and 2 Naxos 8-570833 Michael Ludwig Violin, Jo Ann Faletta Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Lyrical, dramatic, virtuosic works, # 2 written in 1949 is a bit darker and spicier harmonically.

3) Shakespeare's "The Tempest", Music by Arthur Sullivan and Jean Sibelius Reference Recordings 115 Michael Stern Kansas City SO.

Yes I am prejudiced and have an autographed copy. All that aside, this is a well done recording of some spectacular seldom heard music. The Sibelius is of his late years and is brooding, dark and powerful. The Sullivan is early (he was 19) but mature and colorful. Just so you don't think I am just highlighting a local favorite, Classics Today gave it their highest rating of 10/10 for performance and sound.

4) Messiaen Turangalîla-Symphonie St Louis SO 5186320 (available through the St Louis SO) Hans Vonk St Louis SO

Vonk got a bad rap in St Louis. The reticent and dour Dutchman wanted to make music, not fundraise. The Orchestra almost went bankrupt and Vonk died way to young of ALS. His recorded and musical legacy is just now getting the acclaim it deserves. This is a spectacular Turangalîla.

5) Mahler Symphony # 4 St Louis SO 5186323 Hans Vonk, Esther Heideman, soprano St Louis SO available as above.

Same comments apply here. A great performance, one of the best. Heideman is child-like without being cloying and sweet.

6) Arnold Philharmonic Concerto, Symphony # 6, Beckus the Dandipratt Overture, ETC. LPO 13 Vernon Handley London Philharmonic.

I heard Haitink perform the Philharmonic Concerto when it was new, written for the orchestra in 1976 for its American Tour. A section of the second movement, a fascinating duet for harp and snare drum, stuck with me for over 30 years. Recordings were none or elusive until I found this 2006 release. The passage I remember is just as harmonically and rhythmically interesting as I remembered. Now LSO has gone and released a Haitink recording of the work... gotta have that one too.

Look for #7-13 tomorrow!