Sullivan: (The) Gondoliers; Cello Concerto

When Everyone is Somebody, Then No-one?s Anybody

Advantages: A glorious fun filled romp. Great sunny mediterranean tunes. Twisted plot that all comes right in the end
Disadvantages: None

The operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan are much loved and treasured musical gems from a bygone era. They are as popular now as they ever were when written over a century ago - as can be seen by the clamour for tickets, the enthusiasm of audiences and the dedication of amateur societies in London, the provinces and around the world. I was delighted to see a production of ?Ruddigore? by the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society in Tynemouth a couple of weeks ago. Depending on your definitions there are fourteen titles in the catalogue (including the now lost ?Thespis?). The most popular of the ?big five? ? and those now most frequently performed ? are ?The Mikado?, ?HMS Pinafore?, ?The Gondoliers?, ?Pirates of Penzance? and ?Iolanthe?. Themes from these operas still have the effect of getting toes tapping and promoting whistling whenever ...

Newfloridian 28.06.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Sullivan: The Gondoliers; Cello Concerto

Familiar concertos by Vivaldi

Advantages: Classic Concertos for Everybody
Disadvantages: Strings only!!!no woodwind...boo!

No.2 in g minor Allegro non molto - Allegro / Adagio - Presto - Adagio / Presto Here the strings adopt a heady, moody summer style. The oppressive heat and looming storm is aptly labelled "Summer Storm." you can almost count down the the looming storm. The style reflects the dripping heat and you can imagine you are in a heat shimmer some where in a desert, or in a meditterranean abode having an afternoon nap! 3:Autumn: Concerto No.3 in F Major, Allegro (Peasant Dance and Song) / Adagio molto (Sleeping Drunkards) / Allegro (The Hunt) There is hint of the fading sun, and time if busyness wiuth the harvest and preparations for winter. This isn't as well known as the other pieces on the CD, but well worth a listen, as you can really tell the difference between the seasons. Each has a signature which is instantly recognisable. 4 ...

armychick 22.07.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Vivaldi: (The) Four Seasons; Violin Concertos

Not du Pré, But Still Cause For Celebration!

Advantages: Highly burnished, engaging, musically intelligent and emotionally mature playing; beautiful tone is never saccharine.
Disadvantages: Nil.

many today, and the shadow it casts upon all future performers is not easily avoided. Well, with this new, all-Elgar CD recording for EMI (the same label that releases Ms du Pré's works), the thirty-year-old Ms Clein makes the Cello Concerto her own, but does so without ignoring the legacy of Ms du Pré. (She'd already played it before at age 16, which won her the BBC Young Musician Award.) The two women couldn't be more different in their playing styles, yet both are equally deserving of everyone's full attention. CLEIN vs. DU PRÉ Ms Clein's style hews far from the desperation that Ms du Pré brought to her relatively ragged version, with a tempestuousness that was scary in its immediacy. Similar to the du Pré entrance, Ms Clein's rapid attack in the concerto's opening bars sinks its hooks into you at once, and henceforth, it becomes ...

zerbine28 28.06.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Elgar: Cello Concerto; Arrangements for Cello and Orchestra