The New Releases for Thursday, November 19, 2009

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• Rogue's Comedy Overture
  Sir Arnold Bax
  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley, conductor
  Lyrita 296
  Buy
  As a big of light-hearted fun following the completion of his serious Sixth Symphony the previous year (also included on this CD), Bax's concert overtures is a virtuoso romp, delight-full for listeners and players equally. The Lyrita catalogue is a prime destionation for musical Anglophiles.
  10:04 p.m.
• Madrigals, Book VIII (selections)
  Claudio Monteverdi
  Guillemette Laurens, soprano; Akademia (voices and instruments)/Françoise Lasserre, director
  Zig Zag Territories 051003
  Buy
  The essence of early opera is only just around the corner from these vocally adroit and emotionally compelling scenes created for the entertainment of an intimate, intellectual circle of well-heeled patrons. Poetry and the melodic muse mingle most fervently, and this ensemble, Akademia, brings history alive with soul-stirring immediacy.
  10:15 p.m.
• Aria, "Nel profondo", fr Orlando Furioso; Aria, "Cento donzelle", fr La Fida Ninfa; Aria, "Hori il cor, gia lacero", fr Griselda
  Antonio Vivaldi
  Marie-Nicole Lemieux, contralto; Ensemble Matheus/Jean-Christophe Spinosi, conductor
  Naïve 5212
  Buy
  Since the first public opera house was opened in Venice in 1637, is it surprising that the Red Priest might write for it? He did, prolifically, and Lemieux's ravishing and vivid portrayals give a hint of what Venetian audiences enjoyed...the same cutting-edge virtuosity as found in his instrumental scores, but with words and human passion attached. A marvelous introduction, should this repertoire be unknown to you.
  10:27 p.m.
• "Porgy & Bess" Suite
  George Gershwin (trans. Franck Villard)
  Michel Lethiec, clarinet; Sinfonia Finlandia/Patrick Gallois, conductor
  Naxos 8.570939
  Buy
  Villard's made something of a clarinet 'concerto' out of Gershwin's opera (and other scores), all to very good effect. Lethiec is a winsome soloist, and the Finnish orchestra backs him like the Benny Goodman Band. Fun.
  10:43 p.m.
• Mayn libe tokhter; Yingele nit veyn
  Jack Laurence & Dorothy Collins; Abraham Ellstein
  Isabelle Georges, vocals; Sirba Octet; Orchestre de Paul Pays de Bearn/Fayçal Karoui, conductor
  Yiddish Rhapsody Ambroisie 191
  Buy
  A surprise 'find', live-concert performances that convey the chemistry shared by musicians and audience. The Borscht Belt in southwestern France? Why not? This is music of and for the kosher heart and soul.
  10:51 p.m.
• The Running Set ; Piano Concerto in C
  Ralph Vaughan Williams
  Ashley Wass, piano; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/James Judd, conductor
  Naxos 8.572304
  Buy
  Prize-winner Ashley Wass (the first 'exclusive' artist to be signed by Naxos) is a splendid young talent, and the VW Concerto is much better than its general neglect would have you imagine. The slow movement Romanze, in particular, is as lovely as anything from this composer and, following the muscular fugue-and-dance finale, the hushed conclusion is delicious and haunting. And the 'Royal Liverpool Sound' wins hands down, too.
  11:04 p.m.
• Serenade; Andante, fr Viola Sonata
  FRANK BRIDGE; SIR ARTHUR BLISS
  Enikö Magyar, viola; Tadashi Imai, piano
  Naxos 8.572407
  Buy
  Is the viola making a comeback? After Aaron David Carpenter last week, here's another stylish soloist who, with her pianist (both fresh from the Royal Academy of Music) is destined for big things by the evidence here. The several Bridge miniatures are charming, while sonatas by Bax and Delius provide real depth and substance. Beautifully balanced sound, too.
  11:11 p.m.