Notable anniversaries - 2015

Jean Sibelius

January 2nd - Karl Goldmark (Hungarian composer) died 1915
February 12th - Émile Waldteufel (French composer) died 1915
March 15th - Charles Groves (English conductor) born 1915
March 20th - Sviatoslav Richter (Ukrainian pianist) born 1915
April 27th - Alexander Scriabin (Russian composer) died 1915
June 9th - Carl Nielsen (Danish composer) born 1865
August 10th - Alexander Glazunov (Russian composer) born 1865
October 1st - Paul Dukas (French composer) born 1865
October 12th - William Vincent Wallace (Irish composer) died 1865
November 6th - Edgard Varèse (French composer) died 1965
December 8th - Jean Sibelius (Finnish composer) born 1865

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December 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, December 3rd 2014

Presenter: Bernard Clarke





What's Opera Doc?

1. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 - Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Otto Klemperer (10:04)
2. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Cantata No. 63, "Christen, ätzet diesen Tag," BWV 63 (Chorus: Christen, atzet diesen Tag) - Bach Collegium Japan, cond. Masaaki Suzuki (5:07)
3. Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864): Les Patineurs, ballet (arranged by Constant Lambert; music from "Le Prophète," Act 3) - National Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Richard Bonynge (23:08)
4. Johann Strauss II (1825-1899): Zigeunerin-Quadrille, for orchestra (on themes from Balfe's opera "The Bohemian Girl"), Op. 24 - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Riccardo Muti (5:13)
5. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): Aida (Act II: Grand March & Ballet) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Herbert von Karajan (6:20)
6. Richard Wagner (1813-1883): What's Opera, Doc? - Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. Bryan, voices; Milt Franklyn, arranger (6:49)
7. Adolphe Adam (1803-1856): O Holy Night - Renata Tebaldi, soprano; New Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Anton Guadagno (4:10)
8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Symphony No. 34 in C major, K. 338 (i. Allegro vivace) - London Mozart Players, cond. Matthias Bamert (6.57)
9. Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Symphony No.2 in D major, Op. 43 (iv. Finale. Allegro moderato) - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, cond. Simon Rattle (14:24)

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November 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, November 5th 2014

'Digital Discoveries'
Presenter: Jim Bruce



1. Anon. (late 18th-C.): Pas Cadencé Des Sans-Culottes - The Brass and Percussion Ensembles of Gardiens de la Paix de Paris, cond. Désiré Dondeyne (1:23)
2. Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884): The Bartered Bride (Dance of the Comedians) - Vienna State Opera Orchestra, cond. Hermann Scherchen, (4:46)
3. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Piano Sonata in C sharp minor 'Moonlight', Op. 27 No. 2 (i. Adagio sostenuto) - Alessio Bax, piano (5:04)
4. Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Die schöne Müllerin, Op. 25, D. 795 (1. Das Wandern) - Florian Boesch, baritone; Roger Vignoles, piano (2:25)
5. Franz Schubert: Der Wanderer an den Mond, D. 870 - Florian Boesch, baritone; Malcolm Martineau, piano (2:28)
6. Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Danse macabre in G minor, Op. 40 - Matthew Trusler, violin; Martin Roscoe, piano (6:13)
7. Herbert Howells (1892-1983): Four Anthems to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Op. 9 (4. Salve regina) - Trinity College Choir Cambridge, cond. Stephen Layton (5:00)
8. Anton Bruckner (1824-1896): Symphony No. 9 in D minor (ii. Scherzo. Bewegt, lebhaft - Trio. Schnell) - London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Bernard Haitink (11:53)
9. Paul Dukas (1865-1935): La Péri, fanfare to the ballet - Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra, cond. Louis Frémaux (1:55)
10. Grigoras Dinicu (1889-1949): Hora Staccato - New Symphony Orchestra of London, cond. René Leibowitz (2:06)
11. Franz Liszt (1811-1886): La Campanella II, étude for piano in G sharp minor (Grand Paganini Étude No. 3) - Leonard Pennario, piano (4:37)
12. Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936): Meditation in D major, Op. 32 - Chloë Hanslip, violin; Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, cond. Alexander Vedernikov (4:16)
13. Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Nocturnes (2. Fêtes. Animé et très rythmé) - Orchestre des Concerts Colonne, cond. Pierre Dervaux (6:18)
14. George Frederick Handel (1685-1759): Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, HWV 72 (No. 23. Aria: Fra l'ombre e gl'orrori) - Christopher Purves, bass; Arcangelo, cond. Jonathan Cohen (6:59)
15. Richard Wagner (1813-1883): Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen (Overture) - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, cond. William Steinberg (11:53)


      Download sites (click to open separate window)
• ReDiscovery
• Hyperion Records
• BBC Music Magazine

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October 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, October 1st 2014

'Variations - and a fugue or two'
Presenter: John O'Hagan





Glenn Gould

1. Jacob van Eyck (c.1590-1657): Variations on ‘Wat Zal Men Op Den Avond Doen’ - Piers Adams, recorder (3:10)
2. Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1759): Sonata in G minor, K.30, “Cat fugue” - Scott Ross, harpsichord (4:31)
3. Henry Purcell (1659-1695): Dido and Aeneas (Recitativ and aria: “When I am laid in earth”) - Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, cond. Anthony Lewis (5:00)
4. Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Andante and variations in F minor, Hob XVII/6 - Bart van Oort, fortepiano (14:55)
5. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): Falstaff (Act 3 finale – Un coro e terminiam la scena....Tutto nel mondo è burla) - Tito Gobbi, baritone; Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus, cond. Herbert von Karajan (3:15)
6. Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Prelude and Fugue in D flat major, Op. 87, No. 15 - Tatiana Nikolayeva, piano (5:11)
7. Glenn Gould (1932-1982): So You Want to Write a Fugue? - Vocal quartet; Juilliard String Quartet (5:07)
8. Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Pulcinella (Gavotte with two variations) - Orquestra de Cambra Teatre Lliure, cond. Josep Pons (4:47)
9. Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst (1814-1865): Variations on “The Last Rose of Summer” - Midori, violin (9:56)
10. Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Orchestral Suite No. 3 in G major, Op. 55 (iv. Theme and variations) - London Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Adrian Boult (19:08)
11. Riccardo Drigo (1846-1930): Le Corsaire (Pas de deux) - London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Richard Bonynge (8:01)

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September 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, September 3rd 2014

'Music of the Night'
Presenter: Tadhg Donovan



1. Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne for Piano No. 8 in D Flat Major Op.27/2, B96 - Maurizio Pollini, piano (5:31)
2. Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943): Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37 (8. Praise be the name of the Lord; Khvalite imya Gospodne) - St Petersburgh Chamber Choir, cond. Nikolai Korniev (1:49)
3. Richard Strauss (1864-1949): Four Last Songs, o.Op. 150 (4. Im Abendrot, 'At Sunset') - Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, soprano; Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Otto Ackermann (7:11)
4. Manuel de Falla (1876-1946): El sombrero de tres picos, 'The Three-Cornered Hat' (Part II. The Night: Seguidillas, 'Dance of the neighbours') - Chicago Symphony Orchestra, cond. Daniel Barenboim (3:26)
5. Béla Bartók (1881-1945): Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major (ii. Adagio reglioso - poco piu mosso - tempo I) - Stephen Kovacevich, piano; London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Sir Colin Davis (10:57)
6. Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924): La Boheme (Che gelida manina) - Jussi Björling, tenor; RCA Victor Orchestra, cond. Thomas Beecham (5:00)
7. Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): Symphony No. 7 in E Minor (IV. Nachtmusik, Andante amoroso) - Polish National RSO, cond. Michael Halász (14:05)
8. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): A Midsummer Night's Dream, incidental music, Op. 61 (Scherzo in G minor, Allegro vivace) - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond. Rafael Kubelik (4:45)
9. Sergei Rachmaninov: Suite No. 1 ("Fantaisie-tableaux") for 2 pianos in G minor, Op. 5 (2. Night, Love: Adagio sostenuto) - Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andre Previn, pianos (6:20)
10. Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904): Rusalka, Op. 114 (Song to the Moon) - Anna Netrebko, soprano; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Gianandrea Noseda (5:02)

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June 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, June 4th 2014

'George Bernard Shaw: Music Critic'
Presenter: Tadhg Donovan



1. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Mass in B minor, BWV 232 (Cum Sancto Spiritu) - Slovak Philharmonic Choir, Capella Istropolitana, cond. Christian Brembeck (4.60)
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major K.543 (IV. Finale. Allegro) - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond. Rafael Kubelik (5.45)
3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Fantasia in C minor: K.475 - Daniel Barenboim, piano (13.51)
4. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, 'Eroica' (I. Allegro con brio) - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Wilhelm Furtwangler (16.37)
5. Frederic Chopin (1810-1849): Mazurka in A minor Op. 68, No. 2 - Tamás Vásáry (2.36)
6. George Frideric Handel (1686-1759): Rinaldo, HWV 7a (Lascia ch’io pianga mia crude sorte) - Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano; Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood (4.40)
7. George Frideric Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 (Thus saith the Lord; But who may abide the day of His coming) - Robert Hale, bass; Charles Brett, counter-tenor; Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists, cond. John Eliot Gardiner (5.37)
8. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): Il Trovatore (Ah Si, ben mio) - Giuseppe di Stefano, tenor; Choir and Orchestra La Scala Milan, cond. Herbert von Karajan (2.53)
9. Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major (III. Allegro molto – Misterioso – Un pochettino largamente – Largamente assai – Un pochettino stretto) - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, cond. Simon Rattle (9.15)
10. Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864): Le prophète (March) - David Hill, Westminster organ (4.05)

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May 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, May 7th 2014

Presenter: Gerry Hickey



1. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Chorale Prelude BWV 727 - Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen - Peter Hurford, organ (2.21)
2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Chorale Prelude BWV 645 - Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme - Peter Hurford, organ (5.12)
3. Edward Elgar (1857-1934): String Quartet in E minor, Op. 83 (ii. Piacevole - poco andante) - Gabrieli String Quartet (9.02)
4. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881): Dawn on the Moscow River, prelude for orchestra (from Khovanshchina), edited by Rimsky-Korsakov - Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Edward Serov (5.26)
5. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958): English Folk Song Suite (orchestrated by G. Jacob) - London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Adrian Boult (8.47)
6. Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Karelia Suite, Op. 11 - Berlin Philharmonic, cond. Herbert von Karajan (15.30)
7. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K. 543 (iii. Menuetto & Trio. Allegretto) - English Chamber Orchestra, cond. Daniel Barenboim (4.06)
8. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (iii. Presto) - London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Bernard Haitink (9.05)
9. Richard Strauss (1864-1949): Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche - Staatskapelle Dresden, cond. Rudolf Kempe (14.40)

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April 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, April 2nd 2014

'Weber and the 1820s'
Presenter: John O'Hagan





Carl Maria von Weber

1. Hector Berlioz (1803-1869): La Mort d'Orphée - Monologue et Bacchanale - Daniel Galvez-Vallejo, tenor; Choeur Régional Nord/Pas de Calais, Orchestre Nationale de Lille, Régional Nord/Pas de Calais, cond. Jean-Claude Casadesus (13.01)
2. Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826): Konzertstück in F minor, Op. 79 - Peter Rösel, piano; Staatskapelle Dresden, cond. Herbert Blomstedt (17.04)
3. Carl Maria von Weber: Der Freischutz, Op. 77 ("Wie nahte mir der Schlummer … Leise, leise, fromme Weise"; Chorus of Huntsmen) - Gundula Janowitz, soprano; Rundfundkchor Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden, cond. Carlos Kleiber (10.57)
4. John Field (1782-1837): Nocturne in B flat major - Míċeál O'Rourke, piano (4.06)
5. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Bagatelles, Op. 119 - Stephen Kovacevich, piano (14.20)
6. Franz Schubert (1797-1828): String quintet in C, D. 956 (ii. Adagio) - Aeolian Quartet; Bruno Schrecker, cello (15.29)
7. Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang, D. 957 (14. Die Taubenpost) - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone; Gerald Moore, piano (3.35)

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March 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, March 5th 2014

'Sketches of Andalucia'
Presenter: Jim Bruce



1. Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Carmen Symphony, arr. Serebrier (XII. Gipsy Dance) - Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, cond. José Serebrier (5.04)
2. Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): Rapsodie Espagnole (III. Habanera) - Hélène Mercier, Louis Lortie, pianos (2.51)
3. Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Estampes, (2. La soirée dans Grenade) - Lívia Rév, piano (4.48)
4. Manuel de Falla (1876-1946): Ritual Fire Dance (from "El Amor brujo") - Alicia de Larrocha, piano (3.55)
4. Joaquín Rodrigo (1902-1999): Concierto andaluz for 4 guitars & orchestra - Los Romeros; Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields, cond. Neville Marriner (23.59)
5. Agustín Lara (1897-1970): Granada - José Carreras, tenor; English Chamber Orchestra, cond. Roberto Benzi (3.58)
6. Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909): Suite española No. 1, Op. 47 (1. Granada, serenata in F major) - Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, cond. Enrique Bátiz (5.34)
7. Isaac Albéniz: Cantos de España, Op. 232 (4. Córdoba, in D minor) - Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, cond. Enrique Bátiz (8.26)
8. Joaquín Turina (1882-1949): Rapsodia sinfónica, for piano & orchestra, Op. 66 - Frank Wibaut, piano; London Philharmonic Orchestra, Enrique Batiz (9.10)
9. Manuel de Falla: La Vida breve (Act 1: scenes 4-5; Act 2: scene 1) - Victoria de los Angeles, soprano; Carlos Cossutta, tenor; Gabriel Moreno, flamenco singer; Orfeón Donostiarra, Orquesta Nacional de España, cond. Rafael Frübeck de Burgos (13.24)

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February 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, February 5th 2014

Presenters: Sheila Thomson & Bernard Clarke

Claudio Abbado (1933-2014)

1. Richard Rodney Bennett (1936–2012): Waltz from the film ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ - Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, cond. John Mauceri (3.33)
2. Marco Antônio Guimarães (1948- ): Heaven - Uakti (2.11)
3. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881): Songs & Dances of Death (3. Trepak) - Dmitri Hvorostovsky, bass; Kirov Orchestra, St. Petersburg, cond. Valery Gergiev (4.03)
4. Johann David Heinichen (1683-1729): Concerto for 2 horns, violin, 3 oboes, 2 flutes & strings in F major, Seibel 234 - Musica Antiqua Köln, cond. Reinhard Goebel (8.37)
5. Béla Bartók (1881–1945): Romanian Folk Dances for violin & piano - Midori, violin; Robert McDonald, piano (5.51)
6. Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967): Háry János, suite (4. The Battle and Defeat of Napoleon; 5. Intermezzo) - London Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Klaus Tennstedt (9.12)
7. Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944): Prelude for piano in D minor, Op. 84/3; Rigaudon, Op. 55/6 - Peter Jacobs, piano (7.56)
8. William Henry Harris (1883–1973): Faire Is the Heaven - Tenebrae, cond. Nigel Short (5.23)
9. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): I Vespri siciliani (Overture) - London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Claudio Abbado (9.00)
10. Modest Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (Prologue, scene 2: Coronation) - Anatoly Kotcherga, bass; Berlin Radio Symphony Chorus; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Claudio Abbado (8.11)
11. Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Symphony No. 6 in C major, D 589 - Chamber Orchestra of Europe, cond. Claudio Abbado (31.44)
12. Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764): Les Indes galantes (Overture) - Collegium Aureum (4.38)

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January 2014 - Meeting

Programme for Wednesday, January 8th 2014

'Music from the Cinema'

Presenter: Frank Murray

1. Alfred Newman (1901-1970): Song of Bernadette (The Vision) - 20th Century Fox Symphony Orchestra, cond. Alfred Newman (4.18)
2. Max Steiner (1888-1971): Now, Voyager (Title music) - National Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Charles Gerhardt (2.37)
3. Max Steiner: Gone with the Wind (Apotheosis) - National Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Charles Gerhardt (6.25)
4. Franz Waxman (1906-1967): Rebecca (Rebecca Suite) - National Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Charles Gerhardt (7.49)
5. Nino Rota (1911-1979): The Legend of the Glass Mountain (The Glass Mountain) - City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Nic Raine (4.10)
6. Ernest Gold (1921-1999): Exodus (Dawn / Finale – The Fight for Peace) - City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Nic Raine (6.48)
7. Maurice Jarre (1924-2009): Lawrence of Arabia (First Entrance to the Desert/Night and Star) - Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Tony Bremner (9.41)
8. James Horner (1953- ): Troy (Briseis and Achilles) - Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra, cond. James Horner (5.21)
9. Vangelis (1943- ): Chariots of Fire (Titles) - Vangelis (3.31)
10. Ennio Morricone (1928- ): The Mission (Gabriel’s Oboe; The Mission) - London Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Ennio Morricone (5.03)
11. Patrick Doyle (1953- ): Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire (Voldemort) - London Symphony Orchestra, cond. James Shearman (9.38)
12. Hans Zimmer (1957- ): Hannibal (To Every Captive Soul) - Lyndhurst Orchestra, cond. Gavin Greenhurst (6.57)
13. Howard Shore (1946- ): The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (The Journey to the Grey Havens) - London Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Howard Shore (7.37)
14. Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004): First Knight (Camelot Lives) - Studio Orchestra, cond. Jerry Goldsmith (5.41)

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