Monthly Archive: March 2016

“Vienna New Year’s Concert 2016”: Music by STOLZ, ZIEHRER, WALDTEUFEL, HELLMESBERGER and The STRAUSSES =- Vienna Philharmonic/ Jansons – Sony Classical

“Vienna New Year’s Concert 2016”: Music by STOLZ, ZIEHRER, WALDTEUFEL, HELLMESBERGER and The STRAUSSES =- Vienna Philharmonic/ Jansons – Sony Classical

“Vienna New Year’s Concert 2016”: Music by STOLZ, ZIEHRER, WALDTEUFEL, HELLMESBERGER and The STRAUSSES – Vienna Philharmonic/ Mariss Jansons – Sony Classical 88875174802, 112 mins (2 CDs) (1/22/16) *****: One of the best of the New Year’s Concert series. This is one of the best in the long history of Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concerts, […]

BRAHMS: Sonata in f minor for 2 Pianos; Variations on a Theme by Haydn – Eleonora Spina & Michele Benignetti, pianos – Brilliant Classics

BRAHMS: Sonata in f minor for 2 Pianos; Variations on a Theme by Haydn – Eleonora Spina & Michele Benignetti, pianos – Brilliant Classics

BRAHMS: Sonata in f minor for Two Pianos, Op. 34b; Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56b – Eleonora Spina & Michele Benignetti, pianos – Brilliant Classics 94956, 60:22 (7/31/15) [Distr. by Naxos] ****: Two of the Brahms orchestral works have their alternate egos realized in glowing terms on two pianos. This first disc […]

DEBUSSY: Violin Sonata in g; Cello Sonata in d; Flute, Viola, and Harp Sonata; Syrinx for Solo Flute – Boston Sym. Ch. Players – Pentatone

DEBUSSY: Violin Sonata in g; Cello Sonata in d; Flute, Viola, and Harp Sonata; Syrinx for Solo Flute – Boston Sym. Ch. Players – Pentatone

An outstanding release wonderfully brought back to life. DEBUSSY: Violin Sonata in g; Cello Sonata in d; Flute, Viola, and Harp Sonata; Syrinx for Solo Flute – Boston Sym. Ch. Players – Pentatone multichannel SACD (4.0) PTC 5186 226, 46:11 [Distr. by Naxos] *****: For those of you who don’t remember, the Boston Symphony Chamber […]

Piotr Szewczyk, solo violin – “Violin Futura” – Navona (2 discs)

Piotr Szewczyk, solo violin – “Violin Futura” – Navona (2 discs)

Piotr Szewczyk, “Violin Futura”, Thirty-three commissioned works from composers around the world [TrackList follows] – Piotr Szewczyk, solo violin – Navona NV6028 [Distr. by Parma], TT: 101:22, (two CDs) (2/12/16) ***: 
Very impressive violin work in a cutting-edge but nearly exhausting collection.
 Nearly exhausting is this modern solo violin collection both for the incredible talent […]

“Mezzotints” = STALE KLEIBERG: String Quartet No. 2; Ruf und Nachklang (piano); Ashes (violin solo); Piano Trio No 2; Violin and Cello Sonata; Sonanze e cadenza – Soloists – 2L Blu-ray & SACD

“Mezzotints” = STALE KLEIBERG: String Quartet No. 2; Ruf und Nachklang (piano); Ashes (violin solo); Piano Trio No 2; Violin and Cello Sonata; Sonanze e cadenza – Soloists – 2L Blu-ray & SACD

Hard to describe, but once you listen, easy to understand. “Mezzotints” = STALE KLEIBERG: String Quartet No. 2; Ruf und Nachklang (piano); Ashes (violin solo); Piano Trio No 2; Violin and Cello Sonata; Sonanze e cadenza (violin and piano) – Marianne Thorsen, violin/ Oyvind Gimse, cello/ Bard Monsen, violin/ Ole Wuttudal, viola/ Jorgen Larsen, piano […]

MOZART: Flute & Harp Concerto; Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds – Soloists/Oslo Philharmonic/Buribayev & Enegard – LAWO

MOZART: Flute & Harp Concerto; Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds – Soloists/Oslo Philharmonic/Buribayev & Enegard – LAWO

MOZART: Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C Major, K. 299; Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds in E-Flat Major, K297B – Per Flemström, flute / Birgitte Volan Håvik, harp / Pavel Sokolov, clarinet/ Per Hannisdal, bassoon/ Inger Besserudhagen, horn/ Oslo Philharmonic Orch./ Alan Buribayev (K. 299) / Arvid Enegård (K. 297B) – LAWO Classics […]

The Doug Webb Quartet – Sets the Standard – VSOP & The American Jazz Quintet – Gulf Coast Jazz – Wade in the Water – VSOP

The Doug Webb Quartet – Sets the Standard – VSOP & The American Jazz Quintet – Gulf Coast Jazz – Wade in the Water – VSOP

Two new releases from V.S.O.P Records to recommend… The Doug Webb Quartet – Sets the Standard – VSOP 128CD, 59:10 (3/18/16)  ****: (Doug Webb – tenor sax, soprano sax; stritch; Alan Broadbent – piano; Putter Smith – bass; Paul Kreibich – drums) The American Jazz Quintet – Gulf Coast Jazz – Wade in the Water […]

DVORAK: Stabat Mater – Soloists/Radio Sym. & Choir of Bavarian Radio/ Mariss Janssons – BR Klassik

DVORAK: Stabat Mater – Soloists/Radio Sym. & Choir of Bavarian Radio/ Mariss Janssons – BR Klassik

This live performance maintains an air of piety and devotion requisite to its powerful musical occasion. DVORAK: Stabat Mater, Op. 58 – Erin Wall, sop./ Minoko Fujimura, mezzo-sop./ Christian Elsner, tenor/ Liang Li, bass/ Choir of the Bavarian Radio/ Bavarian Radio Sym. Orch./ Mariss Janssons – BR Klassik 900142, 77:55 [Distr. by Naxos] (1/8/16) *****:  […]

KATI AGÓCS: The Debrecen Passion & other works – Soloists/BMOP/Rose – BMOP

KATI AGÓCS: The Debrecen Passion & other works – Soloists/BMOP/Rose – BMOP

KATI AGÓCS: The Debrecen Passion; Requiem Fragments; By the Streams of Babylon; Like Treasure Hidden in a Field; Vessel – Kati Agócs, sop./Lisa Bielawa, sop./Katherine Growdon, mezzo-sop./Margot Rood, sop./Sonja Tengblad, sop./ Lorelei Ensemble/Boston Modern Orchestra Project /Gil Rose – BMOP Sound 1046, 57:00 multichannel SACD (2/02/16) ****: More outstanding vocal work from this emerging contemporary […]

PROKOFIEV: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 – Vadym Kholodenko p./ Fort Worth Sym./ Miguel Harth-Bedoya – Harmonia mundi

PROKOFIEV: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 – Vadym Kholodenko p./ Fort Worth Sym./ Miguel Harth-Bedoya – Harmonia mundi

PROKOFIEV: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 – Vadym Kholodenko p./ Fort Worth Sym./ Miguel Harth-Bedoya – Harmonia mundi multichannel SACD HMU-807631, 57:03 (2/5/16) **** (performance) **1/2 (recording): A dynamic performance of two Prokofiev concertos with disappointing recorded sound. Winner of the gold medal in the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Vadym Kholodenko has […]

SCHUMANN: Phantasie in C Major, Op. 17; BRAHMS: Ten Intermezzi – Iskander Zakirov, p. – Blue Griffin

SCHUMANN: Phantasie in C Major, Op. 17; BRAHMS: Ten Intermezzi – Iskander Zakirov, p. – Blue Griffin

Kindred Romantic spirits Schumann and Brahms provide the lyric and passionate content of Zakirov’s recital.  SCHUMANN: Phantasie in C Major, Op. 17; BRAHMS: Ten Intermezzi – Iskander Zakirov, p. – Blue Griffin BGR 387, 64:38 (1/5/16) [Distr. by Albany] ****: Iskander Zakirov was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to a family of professional musicians. He started […]

Paris Belongs To Us, Blu-ray (1961/2016)

Paris Belongs To Us, Blu-ray (1961/2016)

A supposed first in the French New Wave, but not a classic. Paris Belongs To Us, Blu-ray (1961/2016) Cast: Betty Schneider, Jean-Claude Brialy Director: Jacques Rivette Studio: MK2/ Janus Films/The Criterion Collection 802 (3/8/16) Video: 1.37:1 for 4:3 display, 1080p HD black & white Audio: French, PCM mono Subtitles: English Extras: New interview with Richard […]

Florian Hoefner Group – Luminosity – Origin

Florian Hoefner Group – Luminosity – Origin

Musical storytelling which mixes compositional originality with instrumental brilliance. Florian Hoefner Group – Luminosity [TrackList follows] – Origin 82706, 54:28 [1/15/16] ****: (Seamus Blake – tenor and soprano saxophone; Florian Hoefner – piano; Sam Anning – bass; Peter Kronreif – drums) Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is a time-honored tradition in jazz. Pianist Florian Hoefner—born […]

Benjamin Beilman, v. – Spectrum = Works of SCHUBERT, JANACEK, STRAVINSKY & KREISLER – Warner Classics

Benjamin Beilman, v. – Spectrum = Works of SCHUBERT, JANACEK, STRAVINSKY & KREISLER – Warner Classics

Benjamin Beillman’s “Spectrum” displays a fine virtuoso talent in a variety of persuasive styles. Benjamin Beilman – Spectrum = SCHUBERT: Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574 “Grand Duo”; JANACEK: Sonata for Violin and Piano; STRAVINSKY: Divertimento for V. & P.; KREISLER: Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta – Benjamin Beilman, v./ Yekwon Sunwoo, p. – Warner Classics […]

Crimson Peak, Blu-ray (2016)

Crimson Peak, Blu-ray (2016)

A Gothic romance masterpiece from Guillermo del Toro, set in the early 20th century. Crimson Peak, Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Hessican Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam Director: Guillermo del Toro Studio: Universal Home Entertainment 61163118 (2/9/16) [2 discs] Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 1080p HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 7.1, DTS Headphone 2.0, English […]

“Cesko” – Works of SCHULHOFF, & DVORAK – Ragazze Q. – Channel Classics

“Cesko” – Works of SCHULHOFF, & DVORAK – Ragazze Q. – Channel Classics

“Česko” = ERWIN SCHULHOFF: String Quartet No. 1; DVOŘÁK: String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106; SCHULHOFF: Esquisses de jazz (arr. Leonard Evers) – Ragazze Quartet – Channel Classics multichannel SACD CCS SA 36815, 65:00 [Distr. Harmonia mundi] (5/15/15) ****: A very attractive program of Bohemian yin and yang. The “young Dutch/British” Ragzze […]

Audio News for March 4, 2016

Black Violin Breaks Stereotypes of Classical and Race; DVIGear UHD Multiviewer Switcher/Scaler Allows Various Presentation Environments; Microsoft’s Xbox Chief Says Their Games Console Will Be Upgraded Regularly – Like Other Digital Products; Smart Audio Provides Automated Audio Production for Telecasters; The Economic Times of India Recommends Eight Tech Upgrades

Noah’s Ark (2016)

Noah’s Ark (2016)

Not the best Noah movie, but enjoyable nevertheless… Noah’s Ark (2016) Cast: David Thelfall, Joanne Whalley, Nico Mirallegro Director: Kenneth Glenaan Studio: Cinedigm GP5049 (2/2/16) Video: Enhanced for 16:9 1080i HD color Audio: Englsh DD stereo Length: 88 min. Rating: ***1/2 There are other Noah movies which may be better that this one but I […]