Bulletin Autumn 2008 No. 149 £1.75 NEW RELEASES www.hyperion-records.co.uk BRITTEN PIANO CONCERTO CLEMENTI DIVERSIONS / YOUNG APOLLO THE COMPLETE PIANO SONATAS The three compositions which comprise VOLUME 2 Britten’s music for solo piano and This is the second volume in a complete orchestra constitute a unique, yet still little chronological survey of the Clementi explored, part of his output. Here they are sonatas. After the somewhat frivolous brought together in a stunning disc that delights of Volume 1, Volume 2 displays pays tribute to the great artistry of all Clementi in more serious and weighty involved. form. The selection recorded here is of STEVEN OSBORNE pieces that begin to reveal depths of BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA expression seldom encountered in the ILAN VOLKOV composer’s earlier music. CDA67625 CDA67717 HOWARD SHELLEY SCHUMANN DICHTERLIEBE MARTINUO & OTHER HEINE SETTINGS THE COMPLETE MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND Why another Dichterliebe recording? ORCHESTRA VOLUME 4 Because Gerald Finley has simply one This is the fourth volume in Hyperion’s set of the greatest voices of his generation, of the complete works for violin and and is an artist at the peak of his powers. orchestra by Martinuo , featuring the He brings to this noble cycle the supreme wonderful Bohuslav Matoušek. Many first musical understanding that characterizes recordings are included in the series, as all his performances. This is his fourth well as works totally unperformed outside disc with collaborator Julius Drake, and the Czech Republic. the partnership has proved to be a BOHUSLAV MATOUŠEK uniquely rewarding one. CZECH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA GERALD FINLEY / JULIUS DRAKE CDA67676 CDA67674 CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD MORALES MAGNIFICAT THE STUDY OF LOVE FRENCH SONGS MOTETS & LAMENTATIONS AND MOTETS OF THE 14TH CENTURY Morales was the first Spanish composer ‘A wonderful addition to the catalogue, to achieve true international fame, and was and the recorded sound … is superlative’ described by contemporaries as ‘the light (Gramophone) of Spain in music’. The longest work on ‘A simply superb CD … a recording this disc is Morales’s Magnificat primi which you might use to snare those as toni. This is the first recording of any of yet unconverted and resistant to the Morales’s Magnificats to present the entire beauties of the Gothic’ (Fanfare, USA) work as the composer originally intended. GOTHIC VOICES THE BRABANT ENSEMBLE CHRISTOPHER PAGE STEPHEN RICE CDA67694 CDH55295 PORPORA CANTATAS FOR SOPRANO MOZART Porpora is best known for his open rivalry EPISTLE SONATAS with Handel on the London operatic scene. ‘Not to be missed. But this dazzling new disc from Auser Buy it at once!’ Musici shows the composer to be a (Musical Opinion) profound musician with a rich and wide- ‘An hour’s delightful listening. ranging output, a mastery of compositional Warmly recommended’ (CD Review) technique and a keen sense of theatre and ‘Cannot fail to delight’ dramatic pacing. Stylishly performed and (BBC Music Magazine) recorded, this disc will surely force a THE KING’S CONSORT reappraisal of Porpora’s artistry and ROBERT KING reawaken interest in this great composer. ELENA CECCHI FEDI / AUSER MUSICI CDA67621 CDH55314 PAWEL/ /LUKASZEWSKI CHORAL MUSIC CORELLI LA FOLIA This latest disc from Trinity showcases the ‘The most persuasive talent of this marvellous young choir in a account of Corelli on disc’ disc of seductively beautiful spiritual music (The Rough Guide 100 from Poland. Pawel/ L/ ukaszewski is the Essential CDs) most outstanding of the younger generation ‘Highly enjoyable’ (Gramophone) of Polish composers specializing in sacred ‘Excellent performances from all choral music. Conductor Stephen Layton concerned, and recording quality to match’ is one of L/ ukaszewski’s most enthusiastic (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs) proponents. He communicates this deep THE PURCELL QUARTET understanding of L/ ukaszewski’s music to his young singers, coaxing from them a committed and potent performance. CDA67639 CDH55240 THE CHOIR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE / STEPHEN LAYTON FRMS BULLETIN Autumn 2008 No. 149 CONTENTS Editor Thelma Shaw EDITORIAL Page 15 Cann’s Lane Division of labour or, many hands make light work 2 Hethersett OUT & ABOUT Norwich NR9 3JE Federation Tel: 01603 812996 Daventry Music Weekend a Sellout 3 Regional Groups Editorial copy If your copy is in manuscript form Yorkshire Region’s Music Weekend at Scarborough 9 or on CD or floppy disc, send it West Middlesex Group’s Festival of British Music 12 direct to the Editor at the above Societies address. Rachmaninov revealed at Goudhurst 12 If your copy is available as an Kettering & District Jubilee 12 email attachment send it to: Rare presentation at Radlett 13 [email protected] Ickenham Gramophone Club celebrate 60 years 13 Editorial deadlines Epsom RMS recognises Secretary’s long service 14 st President of Horsham 90 years young 14 Spring issue: 31 December Autumn issue: 30th June REVIEWS New, nostalgic & historical from Dutton Advertising Music by Budd, Chagrin, Carr, Sutherland and Addinsell Advertisements are available from British Light Music Premières – Vol. 5 15 £35. For information on rates and Fire Island –Music for Flute 15 discounts contact the Editor or the Billy Mayerl – a miscellany for solo piano 16 Advertising Manager: New releases on Historical label 16 [email protected] Wyastone produce Hallé and unearth treasure (full address inside back cover) Elgar: Symph. no.2; Intro and Allegro for Strings (Hallé label) 17 Albert Herring conducted by Britten (Nimbus label) 17 Circulation If you would like your own copy of Naxos presents world première of Alan Hovhaness Bulletin sent direct, contact the Fanfare for the new Atlantis; Guitar Concert no.2; Distribution Manager Symphony no.3; 18 [email protected] Variety from Hyperion (full address inside back cover) Handel opera arias; Lionel Monckton’s songs from the shows Copies are distributed to all In a state of jazz, piano music played by Marc-André 18 affiliated societies and to the For your bookshelf Federation’s Associates, with a The Making of Music: James Naughtie 19 total estimated membership in the Questions of Music: Norman Edwards 19 region of 10,000. SPECIAL FEATURES NB Copyright. The material A Tribute to Michael Smith by Roderick Shaw 21 content of Bulletin may not be Evelyn Barbirolli, a personal memoir by Lyndon Jenkins 22 reproduced elsewhere without the Handel and the Divas 23 formal permission of the NEWS & VIEWS publishers, The Federation of From the Chairman’s desk 24 Recorded Music Societies Ltd. What’s in the Secretary’s postbag? 25 Printed by: The Max Kettlestring Lane Clifton Moor Front cover: G. F. Handel Please note that the address York YO30 4XF The Royal Collection of the FRMS website is 2008 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II www.thefrms.co.uk ISSN 0928150 1 EDITORIAL Division of labour - or many hands make light work pleasant faint buzz of je ne Chairman and Vice- sais quoi when it gets to Chairman work as a team Saturday. But not today! but in other cases, for The Bulletin is finished, just instance the office of about ready to go to print – programme secretary, one except for my editorial! person has responsibility for Usually, there is always finding and liaising with something I want to say, or speakers to cover the whole some pertinent bee buzzing year – quite a task. It might This heading refers to some around, trying to get out of be worth considering how to words that you will find on my bonnet and onto paper. divide this responsibility p.27, and which I’ll get But not this time. That is between several people, each round to in due course. until, in the small hours of one responsible for this morning, I remembered providing speakers for, say, I wonder how many of you those words on p.27. four or even fewer meetings. remember a broadcast on the BBC Light Programme from Among the great number of Or how about trying a single days of yore, when we were Societies that I have visited, ‘brainstorming’ meeting at very young and carefree? It or with which I have contact, the beginning of the year was Record Roundup, there is a small handful when every member could compèred by a very cheerful battling from a lack of make suggestions and a Jack Jackson late on Friday people ready to take office. consensus reached as to how nights. As Big Ben struck This means that the burden the task could be allotted. midnight he would say: of running the Society falls It is possible to make many “Oh boy! It’s Saturday!” continually on the same few variations on this theme of This signalled the start of the people (or, in a couple of division of labour. If weekend, time to slow down cases, even one person). adopted, a job-sharing and forget the weekly There are all kinds of scheme could revitalise a treadmill, deadlines and reasons for this sometimes flagging Society. general hurly burly that almost insoluble problem, In this way, harking back to came with the daily routine but it occurred to me that it p.27, Everybody would play of work, whatever that might might be worth trying to a part, Nobody would have be, and generally a time to have more than one person too daunting a job and poor do one’s own thing. sharing the duties of an old Muggins, whoever that Even after years of officer. might be, would be able to ‘retirement’ I still get a It usually happens that the relax a bit more! Thelma Shaw Important events before Christmas! 25 October: FRMS 72nd AGM hosted by Bristol Music Club. Details on page 26 15 November: FRMS Central Region AUTUMN MUSIC DAY. Details on page 27 21 – 23 November: Friends of Torbay MUSIC WEEKEND.