Contents

You might think it vaguely disturbing to have the chrysalis-stage left out entirely, the butterfly appearing fully formed. Certainly, if you were to hear this disc of Beethoven piano concertos on test pressings with no identifying marks whatsoever you would probably be wondering who, among the...

Kre!sler, Berlin Si Op Orcit, Blech (9/92) (BIDD) LABO49/50 KulenkamplT, BPO, Schmidt'tsscrstedt (11/93) (TELD) 9031-76443-2

RCA Victor Gold Seal !i fD 09026 61793-2 (69 minutes: ADD). Items marked a from SB2007 (12/58), 55B2134 (1/62), cSB2059 (2160).

Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody in C sharp minor, S244 No. 12. Gina Bachauer (p1); alandon Symphony Orchestra I Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. Mercury Living Presence fO 434340-2MM (77 minutes: ADD). Item marked a from AMS 16137 (9/63), 'Philips SGL5823 (10/65), bdnew to UK.

Why is there such fierce resistance to the music of Birtwistle? He does seem to be the composer many British music-lovers love to hate - and pet hates are the hardest of all to crack. Still, I can see why there could be difficulties for some. We in the West are used to approaching music...