Word: lps
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Monteverdi: The Coronation of Poppea (Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, chorus and soloists conducted by Walter Goehr; Concert Hall, 3 LPs). Monteverdi's last opera (1642) and his most affecting score, rich in musical compassion and credible characterization. The story, which might have trouble with contemporary film censors, tells how Poppea, Nero's mistress, ousts the rightful empress and triumphantly takes her place on the Roman throne. The recording is notable for some superb singing by Soprano Sylvia Gähwiller and Contralto Maria Helbling in a fine cast...
Other notable new records: Debussy and Ravel Quartets, played by the Budapest String Quartet (Columbia); Deep River and other songs, sung by William Warfield (Columbia); Smetana's symphonic cycle, My Fatherland, played by the Chicago Symphony conducted by Rafael Kubelik (Mercury, 2 LPs); Twelve Spanish Dances by Granados, played by Pianist José Echániz (Westminster...
Honegger: Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher (Vera Zorina as Jeanne: Philadelphia Orchestra, soloists and choirs conducted by Eugene Ormandy; Columbia. 2 LPs). The burning of St. Joan, told in a magnificent mishmash of symbolism, poetry and high drama. Honegger's score contains movements of surpassing beauty, others of sheerest musical exhibitionism. A brilliant performance...
...Triumphs of Oriana (Randolph Singers conducted by David Randolph; Westminster, 2 LPs). Thirty-two madrigals commissioned in honor of the first Queen Elizabeth. The songs were written by 16th century composers, who were allowed to choose their own texts but were asked to end all with the refrain...
Other noteworthy new records: four of Handel's works for Ancient Instruments and Soprano, with Valarie Lamoree and the Pro Musica Antiqua of New York (Esoteric); Haydn's Seasons, with the RIAS Symphony, choirs and soloists conducted by Ferenc Fricsay (Decca. 3 LPs); seven evocations Of Gods and Demons, sung by Bass-Baritone George London (Columbia); Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy, played by the Paris Philharmonic Orchestra under Manuel Rosenthal (Capitol); Howard Swanson's Short Symphony, Franz Litschauer conducting the Vienna State Opera Orchestra (Vanguard); music by Rossini, Cambini and Bonporti, played by the Virtuosi...