Not Unduly Christmassy

The latest edition of BBC Music magazine has an organ recital as the free cover disc. Messaien : La Nativite du Seigneur Hakim : Le Tombeau d'Olivier Messaien Performer : Naji Hakim organ. Played on the organ of Messiaen's church where Hakim was his successor, Church of La Trinite Paris.

A Very Personal Requiem

Howells : Hymnus Paradisi Performers : BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Richard Hickox, chorus master Stephen Jackson. Joan Rodgers soprano, Anthony Rolfe Johnson tenor Purchased after seeing this piece performed at this years BBC Proms. Disc also contains A Kent Yeoman's Wooing Song with the same forces apart from Alan Opie baritone instead of Anthony Rolfe Johnson.

Across The 20th Century Piano Spectrum

Stravinsky : Three Movements From Petrushka Prokofiev : Piano Sonata No 7 Webern : Variations for Piano Boulez : Second Sonata for Piano Performer : Maurizio Pollini piano.

Off The Beaten Clarinet Track

Francaix : Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra ; Theme and Variations for Clarinet and String Orchestra. Prokofiev : Sonata Op 94 ( originally for flute and piano, transcribed for clarinet and orchestra by Kent Kennan ) Performers : Shirley Brill, clarinet. National Radio Orchestra of Romania conducted by Adrian Morar. The Prokofiev transcription works especially well.

Cavalier Airs

William Lawes : Consorts to the Organ. Performers : Phantasm with Daniel Hyde organ. Seven sets of fantasies, airs and dances with a maverick edge.

It's A Gas, Gas, Gas

Artistically, the worst thing to happen to Rod Stewart was Maggie May being such a massive worldwide hit, which led to entry into the then fledgling tabloid celeb scene and a descent into crowd and record company pleasing middle of the road lowest common denominator mediocrity. And laughing all the way to the bank ! But lest it be forgot, for a short spell the Faces were a stonking rock band and his early solo career showed surprising sensitivity and understated musicality which is best represented on Gasoline Alley, one of those essential albums and one to best represent his career.

Discovering Martin

Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Frank Martin Violin Concerto. Performers: Baiba Skride violin, BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Thierry Fischer Orchestral fillers : Honegger Pacific 231 and Rugby and Stravinsky Circus Polka. The Martin is the real discovery.