ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT This Year’s Best Recordings

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 7

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT This Year’s Best Recordings

These recordings have been chosen from those reviewed in “The Press" in 1965 as the year’s best They are firstclass interpretations and well engineered, and should, in a field notorious for rapid obsolescence, compare favourably with whatever the next few years should bring. Stereo numbers are given except in cases where only mono editions were issued. Club issues, denoted by an asterisk, can be obtained from the clubs or ordered through retailers.

BACH: Coffee Cantata. Peasant Cantata. FischerDieskau, Otto, Troxel; Berlin Philharmonic, Forster. H.M.V. ASDM-475 and -World STZJ6O.—A fine musical brew.

BIZET: Carmen. Price, Corelli, Merrill, Freni, et al; Vienna State Opera, Karajan. R.C.A. Victor LD5.6164 (three 12in).—The warm dusky Carmen of Leontyne Price, other international stars, and the effective, tradition-eschewing reading of Karajan allied in a vivid recording. CANTELOUBE: Songs of the Auvergne. Davrath; orchestra, de la Roche. Vanguard mono MCLP. 6171. Enchanting folk songs enhanced by orchestral settings and beautifully sung. CHOPIN: Waltzes, Nos. 1-14. Rubinstein. R.C.A- Victor mono LM.2726.—Rubinstein updates his interpretation in a manner even more eloquent than before.

DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Philharmonia, Klemperer. Colombia SAXJL2SS4.—A great 80-year-old’s fresh and noble account of an often-heard score, stunningly recorded. FAURE: Requiem. Caillard Chorale, Monte Carlo Opera, Fremaux. -World STZ.2S& The simplicity and feeling of this gentle, consoling work beautifully captured. HAYDN: Symphony No. 82 “The Bear.” Symphony No. 83 “The Hen.” New York Philharmonic, Bernstein. CBS. SBR. 72240.—An irresistible performance that makes ursine and barnyard Haydn worth discovering.

MOZART: Don Giovanni (highlights). Wachter, Sutherland, Alva, Schwarzkopf,

Sciuttl, Taddei; Philharmonia, GiulinL Columbia 5AXM.2559. —Ten arias and one duet from a fine set, with some superb singing by Sutherland and Schwarzkopf. NICOLAI: The Merry Wives of Windsor. Frick, Putz, Utz, Mathis, Wunderlich, et al; Bavarian State Opera, Heger. HJLV. ASDM.SBO-8L (two 12in).—A sparkling performance of an amusing comic operaPUCCINI: La Boheme. Freni, Gedda, Sereni, et al; Rome Opera, Schippers. -World 5ZX.525 (two 12in):— The best "Boheme” since Beecham’s ingratiating 1957 recording and certainly the best in stereo. RODRIGO: Concerto de Aranjuez. Bream; Melos Chamber, Davis. BRITTEN: Courtly Dances from “Gloriana.” VIVALDI (arr. Bream): Lute Concerto in D. Bream Consort R.C.A Victor LSCJ73o.—Lively perform-

ances that leave little to be desired. SCARLATTI: Sonatas. Horowitz. CBS SBR.47soBs—The legendary pianist as a master of poetry as well as pace.

STRAVINSKY conducts his choral Music. ZvesdoiiM. T. S. Eliot Anthem. “Von Himmel hoeh” Variations. Babel. A Sermon, a Narative, a Prayer. Festival Singers of Toronto, C.B.C. Symphony. CBS SBR.47soB3—The best of some mixed Stravinsky bags, interestingly set forth. TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 4 Pittsburg, Steinberg. Command Classics SNDL. 931329 (stereo only).—A sympathetic reading more tonally exciting than usual because of its vivid recording. TELEMANN: Three Concert!, Suite Concertante. Munich Pro Arte, RedeL -World SRZ.6l33.—Stylish performances of music full of melodic beauty. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 5 Philharmonia Barbirolli. -World STZJS7 A warm and engrossing account of VW at his ruminative best.

VERDI: Opera Choruses. ST Cecelia Academy of Rome, Franehi. Decca SXLM.6I39. Rousing choruses, both popular and lesser known, stirringly sung, and magnificently recorded. RECITALS Feodor Chaliapin (bs). Songs and Arias. HJLV. mono COLH.I4I. Recordings made by the gifted and communicative Russian bass between 1926 and 1933 available once again.

Boris Christoff (bs). Tsars and Kings. H.M.V. mono MALP.2—Operatic rulers portrayed with their emotional kingdoms aflame. Artur Schnabel (pno. Beethoven Sonatas Nos. 3, 4. H.M.V. mono COLH.S2. Sonatas Nos. 21 “Waldstein,” 22, 23 “Appassionato.” H.M.V. mono COLH-59. Sonatas Nos. 24, 25, 26 “Les Adieux,” 27. -World mono CO.42o.—The presentation of major musical ideas is paramount in these recordings from the 1930 s by “the man who invented Beethoven,” which, with the graceful playing, more than makes up for their age and limitations in the pianist’s technique.