Comp.int.market 1992 Transport S.1 1993

Alfred Schnittke - Symphony No. 1 (1993) {BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-577} (Item #16)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 310 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 184 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 42 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1993 Grammofon AB BIS | BIS-CD-577
Classical / Contemporary Classical / 20th Century

As maiden symphonies go Alfred Schnittke’s First is a hugely ambitious enterprise. Scored for a large orchestra – including quadruple woodwinds, guitars, several saxophones and a number of soloists - it can seem intimidating at first. Indeed, hearing the clamour of bells at the start and the chaos that precedes the conductor’s arrival on stage you may well be tempted to switch off. But stay your hand, for this is a polystylistic masterpiece that assimilates a range of genres and periods in a remarkably organic way. Not only that, Schnittke uses his soloists and groups thereof in highly imaginative ways; all of which makes for a glorious kaleidoscope of sound and colour.

The Cure’s 30th anniversary re-issue of ‘Paris’ has now been expanded with the addition of 2 previously unreleased live tracks “Shake Dog Shake” and “Hot Hot Hot!!!”. ‘Paris’, a live set recorded at Le Zenith de Paris in October 1992 was originally released as a 2LP in 1993, and includes the singles “Lovesong”, “Catch”, “A Letter To Elise” and, fan favourite “Play For Today”. In tribute to this milestone, Abbey Road Studios presents a remastered cut by Robert Smith and Miles Showell.

The stellar 45-year career of singer-songwriter-guitarist Nils Lofgren receives a comprehensive retrospective in Face the Music, a Limited Edition 9CD + Bonus DVD boxed set that is individually hand signed and numbered by the artist.

Not much is known about Renegade, apart from the fact that they are Swedish, and they were formed in Jonkoping during 1988. They were from an era where Swedish bands were quite popular. When you hear the material on this their debut album 'Time To Choose', you can tell that some of their countrymen have been influencial. Get this and you won't be disappointed. Essential for anyone who appreciate fine vocals and some catchy traditional melodic rock: DA VINCI, FATE, BAD HABIT, ALIEN, TREAT, TNT.

"Von Groove" is the self-titled debut of the Canadians Von Grouve, with great songs and excellent guitars and vocals in the vein of Tyketto, Hardline and Firehouse.

Elgar’s Falstaff is a proud, good-humoured, larger-than-life knight, not the amorous figure of fun portrayed by Verdi: Henry IV rather than The Merry Wives of Windsor. This Falstaff needs careful handling, as the composer’s superb 1931 recording makes clear. Jeffrey Tate is remarkably successful in bringing the old fellow to life and, indeed, in putting him to sleep before the Dream Interlude, with its exquisitely nostalgic violin solo. This is a performance full of character and contrast, and it finds the LSO in true virtuoso form: excellent string playing and a suitably gruff bassoon for Falstaff’s protestations.

Mendelssohn's First Piano Concerto is much more popular, and more frequently played, than his Second. When you listen to this disc, you'll find out why. The First is an inspired piece with memorable themes, enjoyable but not ostentatious display for the piano, and a great sense of fun. The Second has unmemorable themes and a similar style without conveying the sense of fun. For those who like lesser Mendelssohn better than I do, this disc is very well played throughout, although the piano takes Howard Shelley's attention away from conducting and the orchestral playing isn't as distinctive as the piano playing.

Handel’s Ottone was one of the most popular operas of the composer’s career, with 34 known performances during his lifetime, beaten only by the 53 performances of Rinaldo. The premiere run in 1723 featured superstar Italian soloists including Senesino and Cuzzoni, and coincided with (and was perhaps the cause of) the height of London’s opera madness, with tickets changing hands for increasingly high prices on the black market. This recording of the 1723 version (Handel adapted the opera in later years for different singers) features James Bowman at the peak of his powers in the title role.