Verdi Rigoletto Alan Opie (Rigoletto), Emma Matthews (Gilda), Paul O'Neill (Duke of Mantua), David Parkin (Sparafucile), Samuel Dundas (Count Ceprano), Gennadi Dubinsky (Count Monterone), Elizabeth Campbell (Maddelena, Giovanna), Opera australia Chorus, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Giovanni Reggoli (conductor), Elijah Moshinsky (director) OPOZ56009DVD | 5060266600081 | DVD
One of Opera Australia's best-loved productions. Inspired by Fellini's classic film La dolca vita, Verdi's dark melodrama is transposed into the world of modern day mafiosi. 'A classic production' (Sydney Morning Herald) 'A significant triumph' (The Opera Critic). Recorded in 2010
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Verdi Rigoletto Alan Opie (Rigoletto), Emma Matthews (Gilda), Paul O'Neill (Duke of Mantua), David Parkin (Sparafucile), Samuel Dundas (Count Ceprano), Gennadi Dubinsky (Count Monterone), Elizabeth Campbell (Maddelena, Giovanna), Opera australia Chorus, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Giovanni Reggoli (conductor), Elijah Moshinsky (director) OPOZ56010BD | 5060266600098 | Blu-ray
One of Opera Australia's best-loved productions. Inspired by Fellini's classic film La dolca vita, Verdi's dark melodrama is transposed into the world of modern day mafiosi. 'A classic production' (Sydney Morning Herald) 'A significant triumph' (The Opera Critic). Recorded in 2010
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Verdi Rigoletto
Verdi Rigoletto Alan Opie (Rigoletto), Emma Matthews (Gilda), Paul O'Neill (Duke of Mantua), David Parkin (Sparafucile), Samuel Dundas (Count Ceprano), Gennadi Dubinsky (Count Monterone), Elizabeth Campbell (Maddelena, Giovanna), Opera australia Chorus, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Giovanni Reggoli (conductor), Elijah Moshinsky (director) OPOZ56011CD | 560266600104 | CD2
One of Opera Australia's best-loved productions. Inspired by Fellini's classic film La dolca vita, Verdi's dark melodrama is transposed into the world of modern day mafiosi. 'A classic production' (Sydney Morning Herald) 'A significant triumph' (The Opera Critic). Recorded in 2010
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Delibes Lakme
Delibes Lakme Joan Sutherland (Lakme), Henri Wilden (Gerald), Clifford Grant (Nilakantha), Huguette Tourangereau (Mallika), Isobel Buchanan (Ellen), John Pringle (Frederick), Australian Opera Chorus, Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra, Richard Bonynge (conductor) OPOZ56012CD | 5060266600111 | CD2
Dame Joan Sutherland gvies a thrilling, nuanced performance as the heroine in this lyrical and exotic tale of a doomed romance between an Indian priest's daughter and a British army officer. 'a great talent at its height, enthralling by the sheer beauty of that stupendous voice' (The Sun). Recorded in 1976
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Verdi Il Trovatore
Verdi Il Trovatore Joan Sutherland (Leonora), Lauris Elms (Azucena), Kenneth Collins (Manrico), Donald Shanks (Ferrando), Jonathan Summers (Di Luna), Australian Opera Chorus, Elizabethan Orchestra, Richard Bonynge (conductor), Elijah Moshinsky (director) OPOZ56013CD | 5060266600128 | CD2
Fiery and full-blooded, Il Trovatore is a masterpiece of obsession, madness and revenge which binds together a mysterious gypsy woman, two mortal enemies and a woman who must betray her love or risk death. 'dramatically and vocally stunning' (The Australian), 'The Australian Opera has assembled one of its best casts under the baton of Richard Bonynge' (The Times). Recorded in 1983
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*Please click on each cover image for more
collectors corner july 2011
Contact your preferred music store for these great new releases.
Click on the album cover for more information about each recording.
Play excerpts from the CDs on the player below.
Armenian Rhapsody
Khachaturian Concert-Rhapsody for cello and orchestra, Zakarian Monograph, Sharafyan Suite, Komitas Krunk (Crane) for cello and piano Alexander Chaushian (cello), Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Eduard Topchjan (conductor), Emmanuel Hovhannisyan (duduk), Vache Sharafyan (piano) BIS | BISCD1948 | 7318590019481 | CD
Heartfelt Romantic/modern classics, some works with folk inspiration. Recorded in the Armenian capital of Jerevan with leading Armenian musicians, this fascinating album reveals the richness and diversity of Armenian orchestral and chamber music. Includes the haunting sound of the Armenian wooden flute, the duduk.
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Sibelius The Tempest, The Bard, Tapiola Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Okko Kamu (conductor) BIS | BISSACD1945 | 7318599919454 | SACD
Dramatic and lyrical Romantic theatre music and tone poems performed by Internationally-renowned Sibelius experts. The Tempest is Sibelius's most ambitious theatre score. Tapiola and The Bard were inspired by finnish folk traditions. Okku Kamu has succeeded Osmo Vanska as conductor of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
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R Strauss Ein Heldenleben, Four Last Songs Dorothea Roschmann (soprano), Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Yannick Nezet-Suguin (conductor) BIS | BISSACD1880 | 7318599918808 | SACD
Two contrasting Richard Strauss masterpieces - his thrilling autobiographical tone poem A Hero’s Life and his rapturous Four Last Songs, unforgettably sung by the internationally acclaimed soprano Dorothea Roschmann. Premiere BIS album from conductor Yannick Nezet-Suguin and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
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The music of female Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz links the Romantic and modern traditions and is beautifully played by the award-winning young soloist Joanna Kurkowicz. Vol 1 (CHAN10533) won the Diapason d'Or and was nominated for The German Record Critics Award 2009 and the Fredyrik Award 2010.
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Rachmaninov Symphony No 3
Prince Rotislav, Capriccio bohemien BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda (conductor) CHANDOS | CHAN10677 | 95115167724 | CD
The 6th and final volume in Chandos’s highly acclaimed Rachmaninov series, praised for its ‘full-blooded intensity’ (BBC Music Magazine). Prince Rostislav and Capriccio bohemian are welcome rarities. Also available Vol 1 Symphony No 1 (CHAN10475), Vol 2 Symphony No 2, The Rock (CHAN10589), Vol 3 Francesca da Rimini (CHAN10442), Vol 4 The Miserly Knight (CHAN10544) & Vol 5 Aleko (CHAN10583).
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Czech Music for Strings
Janacek String Quartet No 1 'Kreutzer Sonata' (arr. for string orchestra), Martinu Sextet (arr. for string orchestra), Haas Study for String Orchestra Janacek Chamber Orchestra CHANDOS | CHAN10678 | 95115167823 | CD
Exuberant, emotional music played by the award-winning Janacek Chamber Orchestra. Janacek's First String Quartet 'Kreutzer Sonata', based on Tolstoy's tragic story of marital jealousy, and his early Suite for Strings complement his student Pavel Haas's Study and Bohuslav Martinu's spirited Sextet.
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Vienna Premieres
Music by J Strauss I, II and III, Millocker, Ziehrer, Farbach jnr Marilyn Hill Smith (soprano), Johann Strauss Orchestra, Jack Rothstein (conductor) CHANDOS | CHAN106843X | 95115168424 | CD3
Vivacious waltzes and dances from Vienna’s golden age on three delightful discs. Performed with unique verve and authority by the Johann Strauss Orchestra conducted by Jack Rothstein, who was the leader of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. ‘designed to raise the spirits; the CD sound sparkles’ (Penguin Guide)
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Walton Symphonies Nos 1 and 2 BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor) HYPERION | CDA67794 | 34571177946 | CD
Authoritative performances of two British symphonic masterpieces. Walton's symphonies boast music of breathtaking energy and invigorating character, yet remain less well-known than they deserve to be. Also includes Walton’s intimate orchestral miniature Siesta.
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Beyond All Mortal Dreams - American a cappella choral music
Clausen Tonight eternity alone; Stucky Three New Motets; Gjelo Sanctus; Ferko Hildegard Triptych; Fissinger Lux aeterna; Willan Fair in face, I beheld her, Rise up my love, How they so softly rest; Paulus The day is done, Pilgrims' hymn, Hymn to the etern Trinity College Choir Cambridge, Stephen Layton (conductor) HYPERION | CDA67832 | 34571178325 | CD
Showcase of little-known but luminous American choral music that impressed acclaimed conductor Stephen Layton during his travels and which provide the context in which famous composers such as Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre learnet their craft. Stephen Layton conducts ‘vital and immaculate performances’ (MusicWeb) with one of the world’s leading choirs.
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Elgar Piano Quintet, String Quartet
Solo piano works - Mina, Laura Valse, March, Impromptu Piers Lane (piano), Goldner String Quartet HYPERION | CDA67857 | 34571178578 | CD
These leading Australian artists have an ever-growing Hyperion discography. Premiere recordings of the four solo piano pieces. Other Hyperion CDs with these acclaimed artists are also available include Bloch Piano Quintets (CDA67638), Bridge Piano Quintet, String Quartet No 4 (CDA67726) and Dvorak Piano Quintets (CDA67805).
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Dvorak Symphonic Variations, Symphony No 8 London Symphony Orchestra, Charles Mackerras (conductor) LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | LPO0055 | 854990001550 | CD
Sir Charles Mackerras and the London Philharmonic Orchestra created a joyful partnership for 45 years. His love of Czech music is evident from the outset. This 1992 live concert recording is a jewel in the crown of Australian-born Mackerras’s long and successful international career, both subtle and vivacious.
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Potiche - Original Soundtrack Various Artists NAIVE | NS91672 | 3298490916728 | CD
Film now showing in Australia. A veritable hit Parade from 1977 - includes J’ai oublié de vivre (Johnny Hallyday), More than a Woman (Bee Gees) and Sunny (Boney M), with Philippe Rombi’s original film score played by the Bel Arte Symphonic Orchestra.
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Symphonic Sargent Pepper Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ORCHID | RPOSP025 | 5050693245726 | CD
Complete iconic Beatles album arranged by Nick Townsend, with bonus tracks Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields Forever, All You Need Is Love, Yesterday, and Can’t Buy Me Love. Also features vocal ensemble Metro Voices (heard in Pirates of the Caribbean).
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Mahler Symphony No 3 Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano), Netherlands Radio Choir, Boys of the Breda Sacrament Choir, Rijnmond Boys Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mariss Jansons (conductor) ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA | RCO10004 | 5425008377018 | SACD
Critically acclaimed album: ‘this RCO issue takes some beating...every note is clear...the mezzo soloist is the marvellous Bernarda Fink, and the three choirs help make this an outstanding interpretatation.’ 4 STARS (The Daily Telegraph UK)
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Bohemian Impressions
Smetana Ma Vlast, Dvorak Czech Suite, In Nature's Realm, Suk A Summer's Tale - Intermezzo, Novak Moravian-Slovak Suite - The Lovers, The Country Musicians, Martinu Idyll, Janacek The Cunning Little Vixen Overture, The Saws, Fibich Poem Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaclav Neumann, Libor Pesek (conductors), Prague Philharmonia, Jiri Belohlavek (conductor) SUPRAPHON | SU4058 | 99925405823 | CD
A colourful compilation of favourite orchestral excerpts from popular works that express the beauty of Bohemia. These touching evocations of country landscapes enlivened by dashes of folk music brought their composers international fame.
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Chopin Scherzi, Etudes, Mazurkas Ivan Moravec (piano) SUPRAPHON | SU4059 | 99925405922 | CD
This iconic, critically acclaimed 1989 Chopin recording has been unavailable for many years. Moravec’s subtle pianism has been compared to Chopin’s own elusive artistry. If you wanted only one Chopin CD in your collection, this would be the one to have! Highly recommended.
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Gramophone Editor's Choice
Beethoven Violin Sonatas Vol 3
Violin Sonata in A Major Op 30 No 1, Violin Sonata in E Flat Op 12 No 3 , Violin Sonata in A Major Op 47 'Kreutzer' Alina Ibragimova (violin), Cedric Tiberghien (piano) WIGMORE HALL LIVE | WHLIVE0045 | 5065000924478 | CD
5 STARS, GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE
Final volume from the ‘star-kissed young performers’ (The Times) who have each toured Australia to rapturous audience and critical acclaim. Of the concert at the Wigmore Hall in May 2010, The Times commented 'The duo’s boldest showcase was the Kreutzer Sonata, with its firecracker outer movements and lovely soft centre'. Vol 1 (WHLive0036) and Vol 2 (WHLive0041) are also available.
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Falla Nights in the Gardens of Spain DVD
Music by Albeniz, Debussy, Falla, Granados, Ravel Joaquin Achucarro (piano), Berlin Philharmonic, Simon Rattle (conductor) EUROARTS | 2058808 | 880242588081 | DVD
Evocative and highly enjoyable concerts from Berlin and Madrid performed by internationally renowned artists. Pianist Joaquin Achucarro was named UNESCO's Artist for Peace and has won countless plaudits and prizes. Also on Blu-ray 2058884.
Schoenberg Gurrelieder Deborah Voigt (soprano), Mihoko Fujimura (mezzo), Stig Andersen (tenor), Herwig Pecoraro (tenor), Michael Volle (baritone), NDR Choir, MDR Radio Chorus Leipzig, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Mariss Jansons (conductor) BR KLASSIK | 900110 | 4035719001105 | DVD
This is the only recording of Schoenberg’s immense, Romantic choral/orchestral masterpiece Gurrelieder available on DVD. 'All of the soloists are first-rate, particularly Michael Volle’s impassioned Speaker. Video is excellent and engineers have provided a rich sonic tapestry of remarkable clarity considering the vast army of performers.' (ClassicalCDReview.com)
Dvorak Rusalka DVD Kristine Opolais, Klaus Florian Vogt, Nadia Krasteva, Gunther Groissbock, Janina Baechle, Bavarian State Opera, Tomas Hanus (conductor), Martin Kusej (director) C MAJOR | 706408 | 814337010645 | DVD2
Highly-praised production with young rising star soprano Kristine Opolais as Rusalka - 'dazzling' (Frankfurter Rundschau), 'natural, effortlessly glowing voice' (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). Includes bonus 'The Making of Rusalka'. Also available - for the first time - on Blu-ray 706504.
Australian Guitar Music Aleksandr Tsiboulski (guitar) NAXOS | 8570949 | CD | 747313094974
‘Add another name to Australia’s thriving classical guitar scene…Tsiboulski is the complete guitarist. His playing possesses a highly controlled, honed refinement, but he rises above the technical demands to reach a new level of concentrated, inner thought…The standout is Koehne’s rhapsodic A Closed World of Fine Feelings and Grand Design, which Tsiboulski plays with exquisite, perfectly judged phrases and aching tenderness. He is excellent, too, with Edwards’ Guitar Dances and Blackwattle Caprices…Sculthorpe’s ruminative From Kakadu and Djilile acquire an almost spiritual power.’ (The Australian, 5-star review)
Mozart Violin Concertos Richard Tognetti, Christopher Moore, ACO BIS | BISSACD1754 | SACD | 7318599917542
Undoubtedly one of the most popular and accessible classical albums by any Australian artist this year, this is the Australian Chamber Orchestra's much-anticipated first release dedicated solely to Mozart following a national tour featuring one of his violin concertos. It's set to rival Tognetti’s recordings of Bach which won three consecutive ARIA awards. Watch footage from the recording sessions, interviews with Tognetti and more on the dedicated mini-site: www.savd.com.au/aco
11 - 17 July 2011 Vivaldi - The French Connection 2
Concertos, including the world premiere of Il Gran Mogol (original version) and Violin Voncerto in B flat major Katy Bircher (flute), Gail Hennessy (oboe), Peter Whelan (bassoon), La Serenissima, Andrian Chandler (violin, director) AVIE | AV2218 | 822252221824 | CD
This marvelous album includes two world premiere recordings. Exciting, eloquent, effervescent concertos, extravagantly virtuosic in character, performed by the period-instrument ensemble La Serenissima. Vol 1 Vivaldi - The French Connection is also available on AV2178 (Gramophone Award-winner) PLAY TRACK 21
18 - 24 July 2011
Elgar Piano Quintet, String Quartet
Solo piano works - Mina, Laura Valse, March, Impromptu Piers Lane (piano), Goldner String Quartet HYPERION | CDA67857 | 34571178578 | CD
These leading Australian artists have an ever-growing Hyperion discography. Premiere recordings of the four solo piano pieces. Other Hyperion CDs with these acclaimed artists are also available include Bloch Piano Quintets (CDA67638), Bridge Piano Quintet, String Quartet No 4 (CDA67726) and Dvorak Piano Quintets (CDA67805). PLAY TRACK 12
25 - 31 July 2011 La Spagna - A Tune Throughout the Centuries Atrium Musicae de Madris, Gregorio Paniagua (director) BIS | BISSACD1963 | 7318599919638 | SACD
This legendary 1980 LP recording has been reissued on stunning SACD. La Spagna, a hugely popular tune across 17th-century Europe, makes a comeback! On this superb album variations on La Spagna by Josquin, Praetorius, Farnaby, van Eyck, Cabezon and many other composers come vividly to life alongside a bonus track on the SACD layer (Hans Kotter’s Spaniol Kochesberger). When first released, the LP was hailed as ‘a rousing sonic spectacular’ and this new SACD will delight a new generation of listeners.
Borodin Symphonies Nos 1-3 Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz (conductor) NAXOS | 8572786 | CD | 747313278671
Borodin’s symphonies exude lyricism and panache. The First took five years to complete but is a work of seamless melodic invention owing something to Mendelssohn, whose influence infuses it with delicious lightness. The Second Symphony is a more explicitly Russian work, pulsing with festive and marchlike elements, high-spirited and boldly nationalistic. The Third was left incomplete, and was reconstructed and orchestrated by Glazunov with considerable facility and imagination. Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony have already demonstrated their prowess in music by another of the 'Mighty Five', Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade (8572693), acclaimed as 'world class… nothing short of spectacular' (MusicWeb International).
Ferrara Fantasia tragica, Notte di tempesta, Burlesca, Preludo Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, Francesco La Vecchia (conductor) NAXOS | 8572410 | CD | 747313241071
Franco Ferrara’s gifts were prodigious. Born in Palermo he was a fine pianist, an even better violinist, playing under Toscanini, and later a conductor whose public performances were curtailed by illness, but whose private classes were famous. His compositions have been overlooked. The Fantasia tragica is a ‘symphonic homage’ to Shostakovich, modelled on the third movement (‘Eternal Memory’) of the Russian composer’s 11th Symphony. The youthful Burlesca attests to his high spirited and superbly realised string writing and shares something of a filmic heritage with Notte di tempesta, a late-Romantic score of fulsome accomplishment.
Stamitz, Hoffmeister Viola Concertos Victoria Chiang (viola), Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Markand Thakar (conductor) NAXOS | 8572162 | CD | 747313216277
Stamitz was a violinist, violist and composer, a formidable virtuoso who absorbed much from his predecessors in the Mannheim school. His Viola Concerto in D is a brilliantly conceived work, full of technical demands more often encountered in virtuosic nineteenth-century music. Allied to this is a rich sense of colour and intricate scoring, making this one of the outstanding works of its century. Hoffmeister is better known as a publisher but his two concertos are adorned with rich melodic beauty, elegance and tonal breadth. They are performed by soloist Victoria Chiang, acclaimed for her 'wonderfully deep, communicative sound' (Baltimore Sun).
Sauret Music for Violin and Piano Michi Wiancko (violin), Dina Vainshtein (piano) NAXOS | 8572366 | CD | 747313236671
The French composer, child prodigy and virtuoso violinist Emile Sauret is little-known today, but enjoyed a dazzling reputation during his lifetime. His career took him from the royal courts of Europe to the concert halls of America, with music that is playful, lyrical, ethereal and evocative, and this program contains some of his most distinctive and enchanting works. Michi Wiancko’s 'heightened expressive and violinistic gifts' (Gramophone) unite with acclaimed pianist Dina Vainshtein in a duo with a combined multi-award-winning pedigree.
Gesualdo Madrigals Book 3 Delitiae Musicae, Marco Longhini (conductor) NAXOS | 8572136 | CD | 747313213672
Book Three of Gesualdo’s Madrigals was published in 1595 and marked a strong change in his style. Rejecting leading poets of the time, Gesualdo preferred to set little known or indeed anonymous writers in order to evoke pathos and huge drama. This is now music of uncompromising directness and intensity, calling on the resources of dissonance and contrast, and using texts for their full expressive potential. Both previous issues in this series have received high accolades, the first, for example [8570548], being full of 'expression, style, heartfelt pulse, and imagination' (American Record Guide).
Irina Kulikova Guitar Laureate Series
Music by Bach, Sor, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Gallardo Del Ray, Tarrega Irina Kulikova (guitar) - Winner 'Alhambra' International Guitar Competition 2008 NAXOS | 8572717 | CD | 747313271771
Within this highly varied selection of original compositions and transcriptions we move from Bach’s masterful First Cello Suite transcribed by Irina Kulikova, to Fernando Sor’s Fantaisie, an ingeniously structured work that is vital and energetic yet at times intimate. Francisco Tárrega’s imperishable masterpiece of tremolo conjures up the Alhambra, Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Sonata, written for his friend Segovia, is a witty homage to Boccherini while Baroque and Broadway are the motors for California Suite by José María Gallardo del Rey. Irina Kulikova is one of the world’s most gifted young guitarists, a multiple prize winner and international performer.
Stanford Chamber Music Gould Piano Trio, David Adams (viola) NAXOS | 8572452 | CD | 747313245277
Stanford’s chamber music occupies an important position in his oeuvre. The Piano Trio No 1 was dedicated to the great Hans von Bülow and is an impressively large-scaled and lyrical work, exuding both elegance and vigour. The Piano Quartet No 2 was revived by the Gould Trio after long neglect in 2010. It too is an exceptional work, melodically profuse, including folkloric elements and balancing its clement and turbulent aspects with utter assurance. The violin pieces supply appealing qualities of tuneful playfulness. The Gould Trio’s recording of Stanford’s Piano Trio No 3 [8570416] was 'welcomed with open arms' (Gramophone).
