Munch conducts French Orchestral Works

Advantages: Some less often heard pieces by Robert Stolz
Disadvantages: Insensitive conducting which swamps singers

...Having lived and worked in Vienna for several years, I\'ve always had a big soft spot for operetta, waltzes and Viennese music in general. Done well it can be as satisfyingly enjoyable to listen to as drinking a mug of my favourite Austrian Kaffeehaus speciality - \"heisse Schokolade\" (hot chocolate) topped with a big dollop of perfectly whipped cream... Unfortunately, listening to this CD - which is with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Iain Sutherland and the two vocal soloists Julia Migenes and Sebastian Reinthaller - is like forcing yourself to drink thin watery cheap cocoa with nasty sludgey powdery lumpy bits lurking in the bottom. It isn\'t good at all, I\'m afraid. Robert Stolz lived from 1880 to 1975 and really continued the Viennese style of operetta and light orchestral music that had been so successfully developed... Read review

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Advantages: Great work
Disadvantages: none

...It is an amazing fact that a year after its first performance Anthony Payne's elaboration of Elgar's sketches for his Third Symphony have become part of the mainstream orchestral repertoire. Payne, a musicologist and a composer, took on the monumental task of pieceing together the few sketches that Elgar left before his death and expanding them in a complete symphony. The results are incredible. Although Payne is cautious to guard against calling the symphony an original Elgar work (as so much was of Payne's invention)the piece has an unmistakable Elgar feeling. Originally recorded by the partnership that gave the work's first performance (Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra) this new recording with the Bournemouth Symphony conducted by Paul Daniel (music director at English National Opera) is a much weightier and envigorating... Read review

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Advantages: Comic opera at it's best
Disadvantages: Can be difficult to follow

...separate parts – the highlight of the opera. After much confusion, the truth is finally ousted and a double wedding takes place. The orchestration is played by English Chamber Orchestra consisting of violins, violas, cellos, double basses, piccolo, flutes, oboes, clarinets, French Horns and a single bassoon, conducted by Marcello Viotta. I thoroughly enjoyed the CD. This version is as lively and full of fun, as the live performance I went to. Colourful and larger-than-life characters abound and the lively production and performance lifted my spirits. I am at a loss to know why this opera is not very well known. Rossini excels in composing memorable melodies and this opera is no exception. The central ensemble is sparkling and captivating. Each time you play the CD, you hear something different. If you take the plunge and listen... Read review

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