Monthly Archive: July 2014
“Enigma” = HINDEMITH: Viola Sonata; MIKHAIL KUGEL: Prelude-Ysaye; Sonata-Poeme; STRAVINSKY: Elegy; BACH/ KODALY: Chromatic Fantasy; VIEUXTEMPS: Capriccio; PENDERECKI: Cadenza; KREISLER/KUGEL): Recitativo-Scherzo – Dana Zemtsov, solo viola – Channel Classics
Zemtsov demonstrates with passionate authority just how versatile an instrument the viola is.
Alexander Brailowsky = MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition; BORODIN: Scherzo in A-flat Major; DEBUSSY: Reflets dans l’eau; CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 2 “Funeral March” – Alexander Brailowsky, p. – MeloClassic
In a recital from Paris, 1949, Alexander Brailowsky testifies to his poetic virtuosity, though within certain limits.
JANACEK: On the overgrown path (Book I); SCHUMANN: Waldszenen; Kinderszenen – Marc-Andre Hamelin, p. – Hyperion
Hamelin once again proves his mettle as a fine Schumann interpreter, and adds Janacek’s masterpiece as a romantic sequel.
From the Imperial Court: Music for the House of Hapsburg [TrackList follows] – stile antico – Harmonia mundiAmorosi pensieri: Songs for the Habsburg Court – Cinquecento – Hyperion
Two new discs explore the phenomenon of music in the Hapsburg Empire, both different, and both wonderfully effective.
From the Imperial Court: Music for the House of Hapsburg [TrackList follows] – stile antico – Harmonia mundiAmorosi pensieri: Songs for the Habsburg Court – Cinquecento – Hyperion
Two new discs explore the phenomenon of music in the Hapsburg Empire, both different, and both wonderfully effective.
RUUD VAN EETEN: “Inner Music” = Punctus Einz; Jhero; Piano Quintet No. 1 – Amstel Sax Q./Matangi String Q./Saskia Lankhoorn, p.– Navona
An interesting but incomplete impression left by these unfamiliar works.
The Who – Quadrophenia, Live In London, Blu-ray (2014)
The 1973 double album gets a much deserved hi-res upgrade on this concert Blu-ray.
DUTILLEUX: Symphony No. 1; Tout un monde lointain; The Shadows of Time – Soloists/ Seattle Sym./ Ludovic Morlot – Seattle Sym. Media
It’s good to have the SSO back in action with music that serves its tradition well.
Works of R. STRAUSS-LISZT-KORNGOLD-BUSONI-SCHREKER: (TrackList follows) – Orch. de la Suisse Romande/ Kazuki Yamada – PENTATONE
Buoyant renditions of dance music expertly recorded.
KARL JENKINS: Motets – Polyphony/ Stephen Layton – DGG
A better birthday celebration could hardly be imagined on this terrific disc.
Audio New for July 29, 2014
Chicago Jazz Festival to Honor 100th Anniversary of Sun Ra; Classical News; Thiel Audio Makes Major Changes; Amazon Reports $126M Loss in Q2; LG Reports 165% Increase in Profits for Q2
A French Baroque Diva: Arias for Marie Fel – Carolyn Sampson, sop./ Ex Cathedra/ Jeffrey Skidmore – Hyperion
Carolyn Sampson brings to light the artistry of one of the greatest artists of the enlightenment, Marie Fel—and the results are superb.
O’Connor Method – Mark O’Connor Plays The Classics
Musician/educator brings style to American classics.
Jaco Pastorius – Modern American Music…Period! The Criteria Sessions [TrackList follows] – Omnivore
Early Jaco that is a must-hear for long-time fans.
The Huberman Week Festival = Works of BACH, VIVALDI, BEETHOVEN, MENDELSSOHN, TCHAIKOVSKY, ELGAR, SIBELIUS & BARTOK – violin soloists/ Israel Philharmonic Orch./ Zubin Mehta – Helicon (4 CDs)
Devotees of “the Jewish fiddle” will discover virtuoso treasures from this Festival of Music devoted to Bronislaw Huberman, from Israel, 1982.
FIBICH: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 = Othello; Zaboj, Slavoj, and Ludek; Toman and the Wood Nymph; The Tempest; Spring – Czech National Sym. Orch./ Marek Stilec – Naxos
The orchestral music of Fibich follows Liszt and Smetana in his own terms, often poignant and powerful.
Transcendence, Blu-ray (2014)
Its fears of technology and A.I. seem now out of date and too late.
FRANCK: Piano Works [TrackList follows] – Jorg Demus, piano – Piano Classics
Jorg Demus plays a rare anthology of Cesar Franck, well beyond the usual cluster of three masterpieces.
“European Folkscapes” [TrackList follows] – Apollo Chamber Players – Navona
Time to pull out the musical passport again.
Sidney Bechet 1937-1938 [TrackList follows] – The Chronogical ClassicsThe Bechet Legacy [TrackList follows] – Bob Wilber & Glenn Zottola – Classic Jazz (2 CDs)
Sidney Bechet: the original and Bob Wilber’s Legacy.
Sidney Bechet 1937-1938 [TrackList follows] – The Chronogical ClassicsThe Bechet Legacy [TrackList follows] – Bob Wilber & Glenn Zottola – Classic Jazz (2 CDs)
Sidney Bechet: the original and Bob Wilber’s Legacy.
Sonny Rollins Quartet – Tenor Madness (1956) – Prestige /Analogue Productions
A tenor saxophone legend records with phenomenal group.