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Presto News - 5th January 2009Lindsays lead the bargains |
 To welcome in the New Year we’ve just started one of our very occasional Half Price Special Offers. Amongst other things it includes virtually the entire catalogue of the Lindsays, including both of their Beethoven String Quartet cycles as well as their highly acclaimed Haydn Quartet series.  The Lindsays The Lindsays disbanded and went their separate ways back in 2005, and soon after that their record label (ASV – part of a group called Sanctuary) was bought by Universal (the major which also owns Decca, DG and Philips). It was bought for the pop rather than the classical side and resulted in all the classical catalogue disappearing overnight. Since then it has gradually been trickling back and most (but not all) of the very good recordings are now available again, including almost all the recordings made by the Lindsays. Of their two Beethoven Quartet cycles the second one (completed in 2003) is generally considered superior to the first (late 1970s) one, although before it appeared, their first cycle was still considered one of the best cycles on record, winning a Gramophone Award amongst other things. I was reading about the TV presenter John Suchet recently (who has written several books on Beethoven). He laments the fact that he had waited until his fifties before discovering Beethoven’s String Quartets. He had previously felt frightened by them but in hindsight now regrets missing out on thirty years of listening time! I think there is a certain aura about the quartets - particularly the late ones - which gives some people this view, but it really is misplaced and I’d urge anyone to get to know them, and with these Lindsays recordings currently at half price, there has never been a better time to start. After my glowing appraisal of the Quatuor Mosaïques’ Haydn recordings late last year (Newsletter 11th Nov 08) I was accosted by Presto Classical’s owner about how I could write a whole article on Haydn Quartets and not mention the Lindsays. I suppose it comes down to how you want your Haydn to sound. For me the purity of the Mosaïques’ sound combined with their suppleness of phrasing and dynamics is a winning formula, but I have to admit that if you want to go right to the heart of the music, the depth of understanding which the Lindsays demonstrate throughout their Haydn recordings is unparalleled. They haven’t recorded a complete cycle, but all the most important ones are available and there are several Penguin Rosettes and Building a Library Recommendations amongst them. Half Price Lindsays recordings:
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Chris O'Reilly - chris@prestoclassical.co.uk |
New Releases5th January 2009 |
This is just the pick of the recent releases. The New Releases and Future Releases pages are always available for browsing all the new and forthcoming releases. |
 Holst - Orchestral Works Volume 1Joyful Company of Singers & BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard HickoxThe first disc of what was projected to be a cycle, cut tragically short by the recent death of Richard Hickox, one of the foremost exponents of British music. Holst had no desire to be predictable and if he has sometimes seemed to be eclipsed by his more gifted contemporaries he remains one of the most original and innovative musicians of the past century. This recorded survey is sure to shine new light on his neglected works and introduce a new audience to his orchestral music. |
 Beethoven: Diabelli VariationsStephen Kovacevich (piano)Very special release indeed, the return after more than 40 years to the piece that first brought him worldwide fame – Stephen Kovacevich in Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations. "His understanding of Beethoven's juxtapositions of beauty and crudity, reflection and action, and the sheer dynamic range, are fully exposed in this new version, which captures the piano sound beautifully. A disc to treasure.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2009 |
 Purcell: Dido and AeneasSarah Connolly), Gerald Finley, Lucy Crowe, Patricia Bardon, William Purefoy, Sarah Tynan, John Mark Ainsley, Carys Lane & Rebecca Outram, OAE, Steven Devine (director) and Elizabeth Kenny (conductor)Chandos’ featured release is a new recording of the first English operatic masterpiece, Purcell’s tragedy Dido and Aeneas. Starring Sarah Connolly, Gerald Finley, with the Orchestra and Choir of the Age of Enlightenment, it is released to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Purcell’s birth. This impressive performance by an extraordinary group of musicians makes for a significant addition to the catalogue. |
 Chopin - Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 & 3Marc-André Hamelin (piano)Recent discs from Marc-André Hamelin have concentrated on music which is obscure, under-recorded or virtually unplayable. However in this latest recording he turns his attention to two mainstays of the Romantic repertoire: Chopin’s Piano Sonatas Nos 2 and 3. The results are simply staggering: playing of matchless brilliance and consummate artistry, stunningly recorded. |
 Joseph Marx - Orchestral Songs and Choral WorksChristine Brewer (soprano), Trinity Boys Choir, Apollo Voice, BBC Symphony Chorus & BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jirí BelohlávekThe Austrian composer Joseph Marx (1882-1964) was for much of his long career a musical authority of world renown. Within his large output, his songs were amongst his greatest musical achievements, unifying romanticism, impressionism and expressionism with revolutionary results. Many thought him the rightful successor to Hugo Wolf and yet today the name and music of Joseph Marx have fallen into obscurity. |
 Crusell: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 3Martin Fröst (clarinet), Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Okko KamuMartin Fröst’s latest offering consists of the three concertos by Bernhard Henrik Crusell, the almost exact contemporary of Weber. Crusell developed a reputation on the continent as one of the greatest virtuosos on the clarinet, and his three concertos were printed by prestigious publishing houses in Leipzig. Charming and spirited, these works also make great demands on the performer. |
 Dowland - In Darkness Let Me DwellHille Perl (viola da gamba), Dorothee Mields (soprano) & Lee Santana (lute), The Sirius ViolsFor her new album In Darkness Let Me Dwell, viola da gamba virtuoso Hille Perl has selected some of Downland’s songs, coupled with instrumental pieces from his famous collection Lachrimae, or Seven Tears (1604). Together with her viola da gamba ensemble The Sirius Viols, the Amercian lutenist Lee Santana and the soprano Dorothee Mields Hille Perl eloquently portrays the melancholy spirit of Dowland’s music. In the songs, the solo lute pieces, the gaillards and pavanes for viola da gamba consort this melancholy is infinitely touching, and highly expressive. |
 Haydn - Italian Ariashomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone) & Genia Kühmeier (soprano), Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der GoltzThomas Quasthoff’s great artistry needs no introduction. Here he follows up his much-raised Bach Cantatas recording with another project perfectly suited to his dark-hued, flexible voice. In anticipation of the forthcoming Haydn year – the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death falls in May 2009 – Quasthoff turns his attention to the Viennese master’s considerable operatic output, with an album of arias drawn from both Haydn’s comic and serious operas. |
 BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewSaturday 3rd January 2009 |
Building a Library - Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232 |
 First Choice(coupled with Caldara: Missa Dolorosa (1735) and Crucifixus a 16 Voci)Balthasar Neumann Chor & Ensemble, Thomas Hengelbrock |
Disc of the Week |
 Brahms: Piano Quartets Nos. 1-3 (Complete)Renaud Capuçon, Gautier Capuçon, Gérard Caussé & Nicholas Angelich |
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