Monthly Archive: August 2016

Bobby Avey – Inhuman Wilderness – Innervoice Jazz

Bobby Avey – Inhuman Wilderness – Innervoice Jazz

The human condition becomes musically portrayed on pianist Bobby Avey’s latest. Bobby Avey – Inhuman Wilderness [TrackList follows] – Innervoice Jazz IVJ 102, 45:43 [6/24/16] ****: (Bobby Avey – piano, producer; John O’Gallagher – alto saxophone (tracks 2-3, 6, 8); Thomson Kneeland – bass; Jordan Perlson – drums) It may not be readily apparent when […]

MOZART: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (comp. opera), Blu-ray (2015)

MOZART: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (comp. opera), Blu-ray (2015)

A setting according to Mozart’s original intentions? What heresy! MOZART: Die Entfuhrung aus den Serail [The Abduction from the Seraglio] (complete opera), Blu-ray (2015) Performers: Sally Matthews (Konstanze)/ Edgaras Montvidas (Belmonte)/ Tobias Kehrer (Osmin)/ Mari Eriksmoen (Blonde)/ Brenden Gunnell (Pedrillo)/ Franck Saurel (Pasha Selim)/ The Glyndebourne Chorus/ Orch. of the Age of Enlightenment/ Robin Ticciati Producer: George Bruell […]

Elvis Presley – Way Down in the Jungle Room – RCA/Legacy – vinyl (2)

Elvis Presley – Way Down in the Jungle Room – RCA/Legacy – vinyl (2)

Elvis Presley – Way Down In The Jungle Room [Tracklist follows] – RCA/Legacy 88985318111 – stereo double vinyl, TT: 76:40 ***1/2: Vinyl release of Elvis Presley’s last sessions is welcome, but at times disappointing! (Elvis Presley – vocals; James Burton – guitar; Charlie Hodge – guitar; John Wilkinson – guitar; Chip Young – guitar; Jerry […]

Beecham ABC, Vol. 4 – Pristine Audio

Beecham ABC, Vol. 4 – Pristine Audio

The last of the Beecham ABC Network concerts evokes thunderous applause at every piece. Beecham – The ABC Blue Network Concerts, Vol. 4 = HAYDN: Symphony No. 102 in B-flat Major; MOZART: The Impreasario – Ov., K. 486; SAINT-SAENS: Omphale’s Spinning Wheel, Op. 31; BERLIOZ: Les Troyens: Royal Hunt and Storm; Hungarian March from La […]

Kavakos, v. – Virtuoso = Works of Tarrega, Paganini, Falla, Stravinsky, Sarasate, Elgar, Etc.

Kavakos, v. – Virtuoso = Works of Tarrega, Paganini, Falla, Stravinsky, Sarasate, Elgar, Etc.

True virtuoso fiddle-playing! “Kavakos – Virtuoso” = STRAVINSKY: Danse russe; Chanson russe; SARASATE: Caprice basque; Romanza andaluza; TARREGA: Recuerdos de la Alhambra; FALLA: Danza del molinera; PAGANINI: Introduction and Variations on “Nel cor piu non mi sento”; Variations on “God Save the King”; WIENIAWSKI: Caprice-valse; R. STRAUSS: Waltzes from Der Rosenkavalier (arr. Prihoda); DOHNANYI: Gypsy […]

MAX REGER: Comp. Works for Clarinet & Piano – Robert Oberaigner, clar./Michael Schöch, p. – MD&G Scenes

MAX REGER: Comp. Works for Clarinet & Piano – Robert Oberaigner, clar./Michael Schöch, p. – MD&G Scenes

Another nice addition to the growing Reger renaissance. MAX REGER “Complete works for Clarinet and Piano” = MAX REGER: Sonata No.1 in A-flat major, Op.49/1; Sonata No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 49/2; Sonata in B-flat major, Op.107; Tarantella; Album Leaf – Robert Oberaigner, clarinet/Michael Schöch, p. – MD&G Scene MDG 903 1963-6, 79:33 (8/05/16) […]

RACHMANINOV: All-Night Vigil – London Sym. Chorus/ Simon Halsey – LSO Sing

RACHMANINOV: All-Night Vigil – London Sym. Chorus/ Simon Halsey – LSO Sing

LSC enters the fray with a release of highly competitive value. RACHMANINOV: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37 – London Symphony Chorus/ Simon Halsey – LSO Sing multichannel SACD LSO0781, 53:28 [Distr. by Naxos] (6/10/16) *****: If there is any work of Rachmaninov’s that has benefitted from the surround sound revolution, it is certainly his seminal All-Night […]

RACHMANINOV: P. Con. No. 3; The Bells – Van Cliburne, p./Sym. of the Air/Soloists/ Krill Kondrashin – Praga Digitals

RACHMANINOV: P. Con. No. 3; The Bells – Van Cliburne, p./Sym. of the Air/Soloists/ Krill Kondrashin – Praga Digitals

The best version yet of this classic. RACHMANINOV: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d, Op. 30; The Bells, Op. 35 – Van Cliburn, p./ Symphony of the Air/ Elizaveta Shumskaya, sop./ Mikhail Dovenmann, tenor/ Alexei Bolshakov, bar./ Moscow P.O./ Kirill Kondrashin – Praga Digitals Reminiscences stereo-only SACD PRD/DSD 350 123, 78:01 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] […]

HANDEL: Messiah (complete) – Soloists/Mormon Tabernacle Choir – CFN – (2 CDs + DVD)

HANDEL: Messiah (complete) – Soloists/Mormon Tabernacle Choir – CFN – (2 CDs + DVD)

The third complete Messiah recording from this legendary ensemble. HANDEL: Messiah – Sonya Yoncheva (soprano), Tamara Mumford (mezzo-soprano), Rolando Villazon (tenor), Bryn Terfel (bass), Mormon Tabernacle Choir/ Orch. at Temple Square/ Mack Wilberg – Mormon Tabernacle Choir CFN 1631-2 (2 CDs) + Bonus DVD – 320k or FLAC download, TT: 2:23:26, 40:17 (DVD) (3/4/16) ****: […]

Genius (2016)

Genius (2016)

A fascinating story of a famous writer’s struggles to get his books published. Genius (2016) Cast: Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Laura Linney, Guy Pearce Director: Michael Grandage Studio: Summit/ Lionsgate (9/6/16) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish Extras: “Genesis of Genius,” “Painting a Portrait […]

Audio News for August 30, 2016

Audiophile Gurus Forecast Best Buy – Best Buy has been in the news lately, both for prognostications about its longterm future (Money Magazine, CNBC, Bloomberg, Forbes, NPR) and the short term implications of its expanding its Hi-Res Listening Station displays – developed with Sony Electronics, and now available in 82 Magnolia Design Centers at Best Buy, […]

MOZART: Piano Concertos No. 12 & No. 17 – Alfred Brendel, p./ Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/ Neville Marriner – Pentatone RQR

MOZART: Piano Concertos No. 12 & No. 17 – Alfred Brendel, p./ Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/ Neville Marriner – Pentatone RQR

If there is any justice in the world, this will continue through the whole series. MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K. 414; No. 17 in G, K. 453 – Alfred Brendel, p./ Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/ Neville Marriner – Pentatone multichannel (4.0) SACD PTC 5816 236, 55:47 [Distr. by Naxos] […]

NICOLAS KAVIANI: Te Deum; Tous Les Matins du Monde – Moravian Philharmonic Orch./Janacek Opera Choir/ Soloists/Petr Vronsky – Navona CD & DVD

NICOLAS KAVIANI: Te Deum; Tous Les Matins du Monde – Moravian Philharmonic Orch./Janacek Opera Choir/ Soloists/Petr Vronsky – Navona CD & DVD

Traditional religious text treated like a traditional setting of traditional religious text. NICOLAS KAVIANI: Te Deum; Tous Les Matins du Monde – Moravian Philharmonic Orch./Janacek Opera Choir/soloists/Petr Vronsky – Navona NV6021 + DVD documentary (2 discs)  [Distr. by Parma] (7/08/16) 48:20 **1/2: Nicolas Kavaiani, from the bio on a piano accompanist website, is a composer, […]

What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD

What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD

A terrific documentary on the life of this important vocalist in jazz, plus a CD of some the songs most associated with her career.  What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD (2015) Director: Liz Garbus Cast: Nina Simone and many of her friends and family Studio: Netflix/RadicalMedia/Moxie Firecracker Prod./Universal/Eagle Vision Blu-ray EVB335429 (9/2/16) + standard […]

Monty Alexander Trio – Montreux Alexander – MPS Music – vinyl

Monty Alexander Trio – Montreux Alexander – MPS Music – vinyl

Monty Alexander Trio – Montreux Alexander – MPS Music 0210986MSW (2016) stereo vinyl, 45:40 ****1/2: Jamaican pianist wins over Montreux in 1976, and the performance gets a sonic upgrade. (Monty Alexander – piano; John Clayton – doublebass; Jeff Hamilton – drums) Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander emerged on the music scene as a teenager in Miami. […]

CORIGLIANO: Sym. No. 1; TORKE: Bright Blue Music; COPLAND: Appalachian Spring suite – Nat. Orch. Institute Phil./ David Alan Miller – Naxos

CORIGLIANO: Sym. No. 1; TORKE: Bright Blue Music; COPLAND: Appalachian Spring suite – Nat. Orch. Institute Phil./ David Alan Miller – Naxos

Three 20th-century American symphonic scores magnificently performed and recorded. CORIGLIANO: Symphony No. 1; TORKE: Bright Blue Music; COPLAND: Appalachian Spring (Suite) – National Orch. Institute Philharmonic/David Alan Miller – Naxos American Classics 8.559782, 73:58 *****: This is a varied cross-section of American orchestral works of the 20th century superbly performed and recorded. The amateur musicians […]

TCHAIKOVSKY: Swan Lake Suite – Menuhin, v./Philharmonia Orch./ Efrem Kurtz – HiQ xrcd24

TCHAIKOVSKY: Swan Lake Suite – Menuhin, v./Philharmonia Orch./ Efrem Kurtz – HiQ xrcd24

TCHAIKOVSKY: Swan Lake, Op. 20: (Suite from the Ballet) – Yehudi Menuhin, v./ Philharmonia Orch./ Efrem Kurtz – Hi-Q xrcd24 HIQXRCD49, 60:00 (6/24/16)  [Distr. by Warner Classics] ****: A fine xrcd remastering of a classic performance recording. Once more, Hi-Q remasters Parlaphone 1958 original analog recordings from the three Tchaikovsky ballets recorded in excerpts by […]

The Cell, Blu-ray (2016)

The Cell, Blu-ray (2016)

Stephen King thinks the cell phone is bad – REAL bad… Cell, Blu-ray (2016) Cast: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Stacy Keach Director: Tod Williams Studio: Saban Fims, 120dB Films, Genre Co./Lionsgate (9/27/16) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish Extras: Audio […]

Audio News for August 26, 2016

Sony Is Advertising a Hi-Res Turntable – There cannot be such a thing as a hi-res turntable. It may be designed to convert vinyl discs to audio files, but it is not therefore hi-res. Vinyl may often sound fantastic, but it is not hi-res and never will be. Post-iPod Players – Both new and experienced […]

HANDEL: Trio Sonatas for Two Violins and Basso Continuo ‒ The Brook Street Band ‒ Avie

HANDEL: Trio Sonatas for Two Violins and Basso Continuo ‒ The Brook Street Band ‒ Avie

HANDEL: Trio Sonatas for Two Violins and Basso Continuo [TrackList follows] ‒ The Brook Street Band ‒ Avie AV2357, 76:10 (3/4/16) ****: An entertaining and enlightening appendix to the Brook Street Band’s Handel Trio Sonata series. Here we have the Brook Street Band batting cleanup, providing a fascinating appendix to their important survey of Handel’s […]