Thursday, February 12, 2009

Classical Valentines

OK, I cheated, today is not Valentine's Day but in order to give some of you time to buy classical music discs as Valentine presents, I'm releasing this post early. So this is what the post will be like if posted on 14 February.

Today is Valentines's Day so let's see which classical musicians were born on this day and which classical music had its premiere today.


1602 - Francesco Cavalli, Italian composer, in Crema. Popular works include the operas La Calisto and The Loves of Apollo and Daphne. Other works are church music like Messa Concertata and other motets.

1784 - Heinrich Baermann, German composer, in Potsdam. Popular works include Adagio for Clarinet & Orchestra, Clarinet Concertinos, Concertstuck and Sonatas.

1959 - Renee Fleming, American soprano in Indiana.
Below are recommended discs by Fleming

Recommended DVD
Directed by Tony Palmer, rated 3 stars by Penguin Guide.

Recommended CD1
"Great Opera Scenes". Rated 3 stars, Key recording and Rosette award by Penguin Guide. "........an inspired collaboration (with Solti)."
Also recommended by Gramophone Guide. "The recording is faultless......"

Recommended CD2
"I Want Magic". Rated 3 stars by Penguin Guide. Also recommended by Gramophone Guide, a Gem recording.

First Performance (FP)

1880 - Berceuse for Violin and Orchestra by Faure.

Recommended CD
Rated 3 stars and Key recording by Penguin Guide. ".......a lovely collection in every way........."

Recommended CD
The Faure Album. Recommended by Gramophone Guide.

1914 - Josephs Legende, ballet by Richard Strauss in La Scala, Milan.

Recommended DVD
Rated 2.5 stars by Penguin Guide. '...............a gloriously expansive account of Strauss' score."

Recommended CD
Rated 3 stars by Penguin Guide. "......a remarkable addition to the catalogue." Also recommended by Gramophone Guide, a Gem recording. "......a magnificient account of the work."

Grab one and enjoy this Valentine's Day.

Ronald Kwok
http://cbpirate.com/s/cbp/ronaldkwok

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