Page 98 - FULL BOOK Isata Kanneh-Mason Childhood Tales

Piano Sonata No. 3, both nicely done. Plus Grosvenor’s charming solo transcription of the little
“Abendlied” from the 12 Klavierstücke für kleine und große Kinder, and Clara Schumann’s
Op.20 Variations.

Brahms described his Op. 117 3 Intermezzi as “three lullabies of my sorrows”, Katy Hamilton’s
cogent booklet essay suggesting that these reflective miniatures are better suited to a recording
studio than the concert hall. Grosvenor judges their mood well; listening to the third one is like
bathing in dark chocolate, Grosvenor’s handling of the final cadence exquisitely judged. Decca’s
sound is superb; it’s good to know that major labels are still capable of releasing serious stuff.
Plus this CD plays for nearly 86 minutes, so you really get your money’s worth.

Verdi Choruses Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala/Riccardo Chailly (Decca)

Released to celebrate Riccardo Chailly’s 70th birthday, this is an indecently
enjoyable Verdi anthology, even if you’re not a fan of operatic ‘best of’ collections. You’d expect
nothing less from these forces. Chailly’s direction is clear and unfussy, and the La Scala chorus’s
singing is matchless. They make a wonderfully rich sound at a low dynamic level, and will make