New Releases

CHAN 10103

Vaughan Williams
(England, 1872-1958)

Symphony No. 6 in E minor
Nocturne* A setting of Whispers of Heavenly Death by Walt Whitman
Symphony No. 8 in D minor

Roderick Williams baritone*
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox

Richard Hickox’s Vaughan Williams symphonies have collected many awards and accolades. His pioneering account of the original 1913 version of A London Symphony was Gramophone’s 2002 ‘Record of the Year’,‘Orchestral Disc of the Year’ at the 2002 Classical Brits and nominated for a Grammy Award. Hickox’s Symphony No. 5 was recently awarded ‘Top Choice’ on Radio 3’s ‘Building a Library’.

Of major interest is the premiere recording of Vaughan Williams’s Nocturne, which was only discovered in 2000. Its first known performance was given at the Three Choirs Festival in 2001, conducted by Richard Hickox.

This disc, recorded to Chandos’ usual high standards, is also available as a surround sound hybrid SACD (CHSA 5016).

Notes on the music

REVIEWS

‘…surpassingly beautiful performance… The finesse of the playing at the end of the slow movement is magical…’
The Sunday Telegraph on CHAN 10001 (Symphony No. 3 etc.)

‘…Richard Hickox presides with superb control and a feeling for the idiom that has made his unfolding Vaughan Williams symphony cycle for Chandos such a joy… this original version of A London Symphony is one of those records surely destined for classic status…’
Gramophone on CHAN 9902 (A London Symphony etc.)

‘This must be the most winningly played and recorded performance of this masterful work yet put on disc.’
The Times on CHAN 9984 (Symphony No. 4 etc.)

PREVIOUS RELEASES
Symphony No. 3 (Pastoral) etc. – CHAN 10001
Symphony No. 4 etc. – CHAN 9984
Symphony No. 2 (London) etc. – CHAN 9902
Symphony No. 5 etc. – CHAN 9666

CHAN 3100

Bruce Ford, one of the world’s leading bel canto tenors, presents his second disc in Chandos’ Great Operatic Arias series. His first disc received fine reviews.

Bruce Ford is performing the title role in Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini at the BBC Proms on Sunday 17 August and will also be appearing in Rossini’s Zelmira at the Edinburgh Festival on 31 August.

Bruce Ford is partnered with equally distinguished soloists in many duets, and supported by David Parry and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, who have received tremendous critical acclaim throughout the Opera in English series

Great Operatic Arias

REVIEWS

Bruce Ford’s previous solo disc in the Opera in English series (Great Operatic Arias – CHAN 3006) received excellent reviews: ‘One of the finest of today’s bel canto tenors… Ford’s attractive timbre, smooth legato and impressive high notes are well deployed throughout this disc.’
BBC Music Magazine

‘Bruce Ford is a well-trained singer, gifted with a voice of fine quality, skilled in florid work not sung with the aid of aspirates or other ‘separation’ devices; he sings expressively while… preserving a true legato; and, most important in this present context, his diction is clear and natural.’
Gramophone

‘It’s a pleasure to hear these [arias] so ardently sung; Ford’s voice is beautiful, his technique never less than solid, with impeccable enunciation and style.When called for… the tenor shows spectacular coloratura facility.’
Opera News

Sergey Vasil’yevich Rachmaninov
(1873–1943)

The Rock, Op. 7
Symphonic poem after A. Chekhov
Prince Rostislav
Symphonic poem after A.K. Tolstoy
Scherzo in D minor
Caprice bohémien, Op. 12
The Isle of the Dead, Op. 29
Symphonic poem after A. Böcklin

Russian State Symphony Orchestra
under Valeri Polyansky

CHAN 10104

Polyansky and his Russian forces continue their series of works by Rachmaninov.

This CD features some of Rachmaninov’s most famous tone poems and orchestral works, and includes one rarity – Prince Rostislav – a colourful and striking tone poem for large orchestra.

Polyansky and his Russian orchestra are renowned for their interpretations of their native repertoire and their other recordings of works by Rachmaninov have been well reviewed.

Rachmaninov's music

REVIEWS

‘A highly accomplished reading of Rachmaninov’s glorious Symphonic Dances …’
Gramophone on CHAN 9759 (Symphonic Dances)

‘Themes are supply shaped, with yielding accompaniments and autumnal colourations. Climaxes are lovingly moulded and the whole texture shimmers and glows.’
International Record Review on CHAN 9802 (Symphony No. 3)

PREVIOUS RELEASES
Rachmaninov – Symphony No. 1 etc. – CHAN 9822
Rachmaninov – Symphony No. 3 etc. – CHAN 9802
Rachmaninov – Symphonic Dances etc. – CHAN 9759
Rachmaninov – Symphony No. 2 etc. – CHAN 9665

CHAN 10105

Edward Gregson
(b. 1945)

premiere recordings
Blazon (1992)
Clarinet Concerto (1994, revised 2002)*
Stepping Out (1996) for string orchestra
Violin Concerto (1999, revised 2001)

Michael Collins clarinet*
Olivier Charlier violin†
BBC Philharmonic
Martyn Brabbins

Edward Gregson is one of Britain’s most versatile composers, whose music has been performed, broadcast and recorded worldwide. His concerti for wind instruments are established repertoire in many countries. A noted conductor of contemporary music, Edward Gregson has also held numerous academic posts and is currently Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music.

All of the works on this CD are premiere recordings and the Clarinet Concerto is here performed by the soloist for whom it was written.

Internationally renowned violinist Olivier Charlier was described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘staggeringly virtuosic’. Charlier was the soloist in Chandos’ recordings of concertos by Lalo, Schurmann, Dutilleux and Gerhard, all of which received outstanding reviews.

Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Philharmonic have proved a superb combination in Chandos’ recordings of music by Bax, Clifford and Bainton, which received tremendous critical acclaim.

About Edward Gregson's music

REVIEWS
‘…Martyn Brabbins… secures a splendidly secure and committed response from the BBC Philharmonic, and the disc as a whole certainly merits the investigation of any reader who enjoys venturing off the beaten track.’
Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ on CHAN 10019 (Clifford/Bainton)

‘Martyn Brabbins directs a set of performances as crisply polished as they are infectious, and Chandos’s sound is characteristically sumptuous to match.’
Gramophone on CHAN 9879 (Bax)

‘What a remarkably adaptable conductor is Martyn Brabbins – able to sound keen and in intelligent control in British music from Arnold Bax to Harrison Birtwistle.’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 9879 (Bax)

Sergey Vasil’yevich Rachmaninov
(1873–1943)

Complete Piano Preludes

From Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3
Prélude in C sharp minor
(à Monsieur A. Arensky)
Ten Preludes, Op. 23
(à Monsieur A. Siloti)
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32

Rustem Hayroudinoff piano

CHAN 10107

This new recording by Rustem Hayroudinoff offers a fresh interpretation of Rachmaninov’s famous Preludes.

Since his London debut in 1994, Rustem Hayroudinoff has performed in the US, Japan, Germany and Eastern Europe and has appeared at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues. His performances are broadcast on radio worldwide and on BBC Radio 3 where he is a regular featured guest on the programme In Tune.

The music here represents some of Rachmaninov’s greatest piano music, universally loved and admired.

Rachmaninov's piano Preludes

REVIEWS

‘This CD is a breath of fresh air in every way… Hayroudinoff ’s performances are tender and brilliant, enhancing the music’s many facets with glowing tone, exquisite phrasing and an unerring sense of comic timing… if this disc is anything to go by, he’s a pianist out of the ordinary…’
BBC Music Magazine, ‘Best of 2001’

‘Rustem Hayroudinoff is a well-prepared and stylish exponent…’
International Record Review

CHAN 0700

Georg Philipp Telemann
(1681–1767)

Ouverture in G major
Burlesque de Quixotte
Ouverture in B minor
Concerto in D major

Collegium Musicum 90
Simon Standage director

This CD is dedicated to the memory Micaela Comberti (28 September 1952–4 March 2003), founder member and principal of Collegium Musicum 90. This was her last recording with the orchestra.

Simon Standage is particularly renowned for his Telemann recordings with Collegium Musicum 90.

The repertoire here is especially vivacious and rich in melodic invention, with the doubling of oboes and bassoons used to striking effect.

Telemann’s penchant for colour is strongly evident in the Burlesque de Quixotte. The sound ideally combines the sharp focus of period performance and the rich sonority for which Chandos is famous.

Collegium Musicum 90 is regarded as one of today’s premiere early music groups and regularly receive outstanding reviews for their Chaconne recordings.

Telemann and the music on the disc

REVIEWS
‘Soloists are outstanding throughout and performances are generally sharp and expressive, maintaining the high standards Collegium Musicum 90 have set on their previous Telemann recordings. Warmly recommended.’
BBC Music Magazine ‘Best of 2001’ on CHAN 0661 (Ouverture Comique)

‘Collegium Musicum 90’s sterling work on behalf of Telemann continues… performances are uniformly neat, well-turned and tasteful… Standage brings a classy elegance and poise…’
Gramophone on CHAN 0661 (Ouverture Comique)

‘Telemann’s music invariably raises the spirits, as do these beautifully recorded, stylishly played performances.’
The Sunday Times on CHAN 0593 (Music of the Nations)

‘…performances are clean, neatly characterized and brightly recorded…’
Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ on CHAN 0593 (Music of the Nations)

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
(1562–1621)

Toccata, a3, D 31/L
Psalm 140, D 41/A
‘Hexachord’ Fantasia, F1, D 7/L 5
Fantasia ‘Ut re mi fa sol la à 4 voci’
Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein, D 38/A 7 Echo Fantasia, d3, D 5/L 11
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, D 32/A 1
Fantasia ‘met bindingen’, F3, D 8/L 27
Mein junges Leben hat ein End, D 48/N 6
Toccata, a1, D 29 /L 17
Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott, D 36/A 5
Toccata, G1, D 23/L 18
Psalm 116, D 40/A 11
Fantasia, g2, D 12/L 8

Robert Woolley plays the Van Hagerbeer organ of the Pieterskerk, Leiden

CHAN 0701

Sweelinck is one of the great keyboard composers of the baroque era and his organ works comprise some of the most richly imaginative music of the period.

Robert Woolley has a large discography on Chandos, both as a soloist and with The Purcell Quartet, the ensemble he co-founded in 1983. An internationally regarded authority on the music of this period, he broadcasts regularly for the BBC and has recorded on many historic instruments. For this recording, he plays the recently restored 1643 Van Hagerbeer organ of the Pieterskerk, Leiden.

None of the music in this varied and rewarding programme is well represented in the catalogue.

Sweelinck and his music

REVIEWS

‘An enjoyable and instructive issue, worthy of attentive listening.’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 0559 (Gibbons)

‘A beautifully refreshing CD, highly recommended.’
Organists’ Review on CHAN 0559 (Gibbons)

‘…delightfully played by Robert Woolley… a fine addition to the catalogue.’
Gramophone on CHAN 0588 (Tallis)

CHAN X10108

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
(1840–1893)

Festival Overture
on the Danish National Anthem, Op. 15
Hamlet, Op. 67bis
Overture and incidental music Overture

Janis Kelly soprano
Derek Hammond-Stroud baritone
London Symphony Orchestra
Geoffrey Simon

Geoffrey Simon’s Tchaikovsky recordings for Chandos remain an important part of the CD catalogue for the excellence of their interpretation and sound quality.

These important recordings of rare Tchaikovsky repertoire are now available at mid-price for the first time on the Chandos Classics Label.

This CD contains the first ever recording of Tchaikovsky’s complete incidental music for Hamlet.

Tchaikovsky and Hamlet

REVIEWS
‘High praise originally greeted this enterprise, on all grounds – music, performance and recorded sound – and a decade on, there is little competition… a fascinating appendix for the eager Tchaikovskian.’
Gramophone

‘The performances here under Geoffrey Simon are excitingly committed and spontaneous; the orchestral playing is nearly always first-rate, and the digital recording has spectacular resonance and depth to balance its brilliance.’
The Penguin Complete Guide

Paula Bott soprano
Teresa Shaw contralto
James Oxley tenor
Bryn Terfel baritone
Roderick Elms organ
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox

John Ireland
(1879–1962)

CHAN X10110

This well-loved recording of some of the best orchestral and choral works of John Ireland is now available on Chandos’ Classics label.

The release boasts distinguished forces: the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, on top form for this recording, are well matched by soloists Paula Bott,Teresa Shaw, James Oxley and Bryn Terfel, who is featured here in one of his earliest recordings.

Although Ireland wrote a number of songs and his piano music dominated the repertoire of British music teaching for many years, there are only a dozen or so works for orchestra.This programme thus gives a strong impression of his orchestral style.

About the music on this disc

REVIEWS

‘This excellent Ireland disc, probably all you’ll ever need of this prolific Mancunian composer and organist whose pupils included Britten, shows him at his evocative best… Epic stuff.’
The Observer

‘Richard Hickox is a sympathetic interpreter of the composer and obtains sensitive results (and good singing) in The Holy Boy and These things shall be.The disc is of particular interest in that it brings a rarity, Vexilla Regis for chorus, brass and organ. First-class recorded sound.’
The Penguin Complete Guide