One of the least explored areas of Beethoven’s compositions is the miscellaneous sequence of canons, early exercises in counterpoint, mature jokes and jeux d’esprit that he wrote over many years. He composed a two-part canon for the composer Hummel in 1816 and in 1823 one for four voices (written in a tavern) for Count Lichnowsky. He also wrote birthday and Christmas greetings for colleagues and friends, and songs that punned on recipients’ names or poked fun at them. Viennese chamber choir Cantus Novus Wiendraws on an extensive repertoire of Baroque, Classical, and contemporary music, including a cappella choral music, oratorios by Handel and Haydn, and requiems by Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, and Fauré. Contemporary music is one of the choir’s focal points, including regular world premieres of commissioned pieces. The choir has been conducted by Thomas Holmes since 2001. Ensemble Tamanial is a vocal quartet based in Vienna, Austria. The ensemble was established to provide a place in which to grow and learn as musicians through undertaking soloist responsibility across a wide variety of musical styles, including Renaissance, Classical, Romantic and also in contemporary works. For these Beethoven recordings the ensemble have been working closely with Thomas Holmes as their musical director and wish to express their deep gratitude.
Percy Grainger called the saxophone ‘the world’s finest wind-tone tool, the most voice-like’, and wrote for it a series of fascinating but hitherto little-explored works. These arrangements are special in that, unusually, Grainger largely abandoned his idea of ‘elastic scoring’ and noted specific instrumental configurations. The selections include the music of J.S. Bach, British and Norwegian folksongs, old polyphonic instrumental and vocal music, as well as two original compositions, each indelibly stamped with Grainger’s experiences as pianist, folk-song collector, and proponent of early music.
Morton Subotnick is a living legend. A leading innovator of electronic music, he has used many important technological breakthroughs in his work as a composer. This release, originally recorded and released in the 80s on LP by Nonesuch Records, has been specially remastered for this reissue. It features The Wild Beasts, a work inspired by an exhibition of Les Fauves paintings, and After the Butterfly, a concerto-like work for trumpet, instrumental ensemble and electronics.
To celebrate the centenary of the birth of Sir Michael Tippett, Chandos is releasing Richard Hickox's acclaimed recordings of his symphonies and the Suite from the opera New Year, packaged in a handsome box - and at a special price: 3 discs for the price of 2.
This is the third reissue of Chandos' set of Hamilton Harty's complete orchestral works, and if you haven't heard this incredibly derivative but equally incredibly charming composer you're in for a treat. The influences range from Dvorák (Irish Symphony) to Rachmaninov (Piano Concerto), with plenty of Irish color in evidence everywhere else--but the one constant is Harty's skill at orchestration and general level of craftsmanship. The performances, featuring Bryden Thomson and the Ulster Orchestra in their first flush of success, have not been surpassed. It's a little sad to hear a set like this and recall just how exciting a label Chandos was at the time, how much new music there was to savor, and what a pace-setter these recordings were technically. Whether you listen out of nostalgia or simply to find something new and interesting, by all means do listen! --David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
