Penguin Guide to 1000 Finest Classical Recordings - Must-Have CDs and DVDs

joseph_li

MATHIAS, William (1934–92)
(i–ii) Dance Overture, Op. 16; (iii; ii) Divertimento for String Orchestra, Op. 7; (i–ii) Invocation & Dance, Op. 17; (iv; ii) ‘Landscapes of the mind’: Laudi, Op. 62; Vistas, Op. 69. (iii; ii) Prelude, Aria & Finale for String Orchestra, Op. 25; (v) Sinfonietta, Op. 34
Lyrita (ADD) SRCD 328. (i) LSO; (ii) Atherton; (iii) ECO; (iv) New Philh. O; (v) Nat. Youth O of Wales, Davison

As this collection readily bears out, William Mathias was a composer of genuine talent, versatile as well as inventive. The joyful Dance Overture is vividly scored, rather after the manner of Malcolm Arnold, and the Invocation and Dance has genuine spontaneity. The Divertimento and Prelude, Aria and Finale have a family likeness in presenting workmanlike Hindemithian arguments in fast movements and warm lyricism in slow ones, although the Aria is restrained and ethereal. The colourful, extrovert Sinfonietta was written for the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra in 1967. Its Lento has a delectable blues flavour, and the finale too is popularly based rhythmically, with its lively and sometimes pungent syncopations. Undoubtedly the two most remarkable works here are the two pieces described by their composer as ‘Landscapes of the mind’. Laudi, written in 1973, a ‘landscape of the spirit’, opens with temple bells and then contrasts bold cross-rhythms with gently voluptuous string sonorities, closing with a serene yet sensuous benediction, somewhat after the manner of Messiaen. The even more mystically evocative Vistas was inspired by the composer’s visit to the USA in 1975. Here an Ivesian influence is unmistakable and, though there are ambiguous bursts of energy, the sections of restrained scoring, with evocatively distant trumpet-calls, are luminously atmospheric. Performances throughout are of the highest calibre, with Atherton at his most perceptive, and the recordings (for the most part engineered by Decca) are outstanding.

这套专辑充分印证了威廉·马赛厄斯作为作曲家的非凡才华——兼具多面性与创造力。欢快的《舞蹈序曲》以生动配器彰显马尔科姆·阿诺德式的风格，《祈愿与舞曲》则流露浑然天成的即兴感。《嬉游曲》与《前奏曲、咏叹调与终曲》虽呈现家族相似性——快板乐章体现欣德米特式的工整结构，慢板则蕴含温暖抒情性，但其中《咏叹调》却展现出内敛空灵的特质。1967年为莱斯特郡学校交响乐团创作的《小交响曲》色彩绚烂、外向奔放，其慢乐章融入迷人的蓝调风味，终章则以跃动的切分节奏展现通俗基底。

毫无疑问，集中最引人瞩目的当属作曲家自述为"心灵风景"的两部作品。1973年创作的《赞歌》作为"精神景观"，以庙宇钟声开篇，随后将 bold 的交叉节奏与弦乐柔媚音色并置，最终以梅西安式的静谧而感官化的祝福作结。更具神秘气息的《远景》则源自作曲家1975年的美国之行，其中艾夫斯式的影响清晰可辨：在能量迸发的混沌段落之间，那些配器克制的片段因远方小号的召唤而焕发空灵光泽。

整张专辑的演绎皆属顶尖水准，阿瑟顿的指挥洞察力尤为卓越，录音（大多由迪卡工程师操刀）效果更是超群绝伦。
（源于DeepSeek翻译）


我废了九牛二虎之力也没找到这张碟。

joseph_li

MATTHEWS, Colin (born 1946)
(i) Horn Concerto; (ii) Alphabetical Order
Hallé CDHLL 7515. (i) Watkins; (ii) Goodman (nar.); (i–ii) Hallé O, cond. (i) Elder; (ii) Gardner

We know Colin Matthews mainly from his brilliant orchestrations of Debussy’s piano Préludes. Now he shows his paces with a highly original Horn Concerto which is mostly gently expressive, but also momentarily boldly forceful. It has a superbly confident soloist in Richard Watkins. Now for something entirely different. Alphabetical Order is an engagingly friendly but never bland setting, spiced with wit, of Christopher Reid’s encapsulation of the alphabet. Narrator Henry Goodman, the Hallé Children’s Chorus and the orchestra under Edward Gardner clearly enjoy themselves, and so do we.

我们最初是通过科林·马修斯对德彪西钢琴《前奏曲》的精妙管弦乐改编而熟知这位作曲家。如今，他以一部极具原创性的《圆号协奏曲》再展才华——作品整体以细腻抒情见长，间或迸发磅礴力量，由技艺超群的独奏家理查德·沃特金斯精彩呈现。而《字母表序曲》则展现出全然不同的风貌：这部为克里斯托弗·里德字母诗谱写的作品充满亲和力却不失棱角，机智诙谐的笔触跃然音符之间。叙述者亨利·古德曼、哈雷儿童合唱团与爱德华·加德纳执棒的乐团显然乐在其中，听众亦能感同身受这般欢愉。
（源于DeepSeek翻译）


https://115cdn.com/s/swwk7n93hq9?password=3377&#
Matthews, Colin - Alphabicycle Order & Horn Concerto - Henry Goodman [Halle]

joseph_li

MAYERL, Billy (1902–59)
Piano Miscellany
Dutton CDLX 7211. Leslie De’ath

Billy Mayerl was the most popular English composer/performer of light music in the syncopated style in the 1920s and 1930s. It is indeed a very English style; he never went to America, not sure if he would be welcome there, with Gershwin reigning. But that only makes his music the more individual. Marigold was his most famous piece and that, alas, is not included here, but much else is, and Leslie De’ath knows just how to play it, with crisp fingers, a swinging rhythm and a light touch. There are two dozen delectable pieces to choose from and the collection is of a quality that you can play right through, or pick and choose. Try the opening and closing Irishry, the charming Meadowsweet and Alpine Bluebell from ‘In my Garden’, or the deliciously frivolous Milkman’s Scherzo and Clowning, and the two insect oddities, Ladybird Lullaby and Praying Mantis. For gentle poetry sample The Forgotten Forest and you will surely be hooked. The recording is excellent.

比利·梅耶尔堪称1920-30年代切分音风格轻音乐领域最受欢迎的英国作曲家兼演奏家。这是一种极具英伦特质的风格——由于格什温在美国乐坛的统治地位，他始终未敢踏足美洲，唯恐不受欢迎。但这份克制反而成就了他更鲜明的个人风格。虽然其最负盛名的《金盏花》未收录于此，但莱斯利·迪亚斯以灵动指触、摇曳节奏与轻盈触键完美诠释了其余佳作。二十四首精致小品既可一气呵成欣赏，亦可随心挑选：开篇与终曲的《爱尔兰风情》、选自《我的花园》的迷人《绣线菊》与《高山蓝铃草》、谐趣横生的《送奶工谐谑曲》与《小丑杂耍》，以及以昆虫为题的两首怪诞之作《瓢虫摇篮曲》与《螳螂祷歌》都值得玩味。若偏爱诗意慢板，《被遗忘的森林》定能令您沉醉。录音品质亦属上乘。
（源于DeepSeek翻译）


https://115cdn.com/s/swwk7n03hq9?password=3377&#
Mayerl, Billy - A Miscellany for Solo Piano - Leslie De'Ath [Dutton]

joseph_li

MELOS ENSEMBLE (with Osian Ellis, harp)
RAVEL: Introduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet, Harp & Strings. DEBUSSY: Sonata for Flute, Viola & Harp. ROPARTZ: Prélude, Marine et Chansons. ROUSSEL: Sérénade
Australian Decca Eloquence (ADD) 480 2153

A desert island disc if ever there was one! The ethereal Debussy sonata and the equally heavenly Ravel Introduction and Allegro receive immaculate performances that have not been surpassed since the present record appeared in the early 1960s. The magical Roussel Sérénade has never been performed better, and the Ropartz rarity gives unfailing delight. Inspired playing and beautifully balanced recorded sound.

这绝对是一张值得珍藏的"荒岛唱片"！德彪西空灵的奏鸣曲与拉威尔同样超凡的《引子与快板》，自1960年代本唱片问世以来，其精湛演绎始终无人超越。鲁塞尔那首充满魔力的《小夜曲》在此获得了空前绝后的诠释，而鲜为人知的罗帕茨作品同样带来恒久的愉悦。充满灵性的演奏与完美平衡的录音效果相得益彰。
（源于DeepSeek翻译）


https://115cdn.com/s/swwk76n3hq9?password=3377&#
[4802152] Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Seiber - Peter Pears, Dorian Singers, Melos Ensemble [DECCA]等5个文件(夹)
我不太明白为什么DECCA雄辩系列为Melos Ensemble几张碟配的封面图一张比一张劲爆，已经到了难登大雅之堂的程度，还好相关的分享没被5盘卡住。