Monthly Archive: September 2016
Audio News for September 23, 2016
Where Are All the Women in Classical Music? – There is a large dearth of women in leadership roles in classical music. The October listing of classical events in the NY Times had only one piece composed by a woman and one piece conducted by a woman. Women have tended to be well-represented in the […]
Beauty and the Beast, Blu-ray (1991/2016)
The 25th anniversary edition of a classic widescreen animation from Disney. Beauty and the Beast, Blu-ray (1991/2016) Cast (Voice-overs): Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach Directors: Brian McEntee, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise Music: Alan Menken Studio: Walt Disney Collection 136699 (9/20/16) Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD Technicolor Audio: English DTS-HD MA […]
Dave Brubeck Trio Featuring Gerry Mulligan – Blues Roots – Columbia/ Pure Pleasure – vinyl
Brubeck and Mulligan stretch out… Dave Brubeck Trio featuring Gerry Mulligan – Blues Roots [TrackList follows] – Columbia/ Pure Pleasure CS 9749 vinyl (1968) [6/17/16] ****: (Dave Brubeck – piano & honky-tonk-tuned piano; Gerry Mulligan – baritone sax; Jack Six – acoustic and Fender bass; Alan Dawson – drums) When the Dave Brubeck Quartet split […]
Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Bright Moments – Atlantic Records/ PurePleasure / Hi Horse – vinyl (2)
An energy transfusion from Rahsaan Roland Kirk… Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Bright Moments – Atlantic Records/ PurePleasure / Hi Horse PPAN SD2-907 (2 vinyl set) – 1973 ****1/2: (Rahsaan Roland Kirk – tenor sax, flute, stritch, manzello, nose flute; Ron Burton – piano; Henry Pearson – bass; Robert Shy – drums; Todd Barkan – synthesizer, […]
ROAM Ropes Wireless Earphones & Amp
Beautifully designed and packaged, but ear buds cannot equal good over-the-ear headphones. ROAM Ropes Wireless Earphones & Amp List: $199; $150 at Amazon Ropes are an attempt to equal the impact on the audio world of the Beats headphones in 2008. They are high-style earbuds with a built-in DAC (50 MIPS with 24-bit stereo), Bluetooth […]
High Risk – Dark Territory – Greenleaf Music
“Welcome to the future.” High Risk – Dark Territory [TrackList follows] – Greenleaf Music GRE-CD-1049, 40:10 [7/8/16] ****: (Dave Douglas – trumpet, producer; Jonathan Maron – electric and synth bass; Mark Guiliana – acoustic and electric drums; Shigeto – electronics) Trumpeter Dave Douglas knows more than a bit about heading into unknown or new terrain. He […]
Martha Argerich/Itzhak Perlman – Works for Violin & Piano by SCHUMANN, BACH & BRAHMS – Warner Classics
Martha Argerich/Itzhak Perlman = SCHUMANN: Violin Sonata No. 1 in a, Op. 105; Drei Fantasiestuecke for Piano and Violin, Op. 73; BRAHMS: Scherzo in c from F.A.E. Sonata; BACH: Violin and Keyboard Sonata in c, BWV 1017 – Itzhak Perlman, v./ Martha Argerich, p. – Warner Classics 0190295937898, 50:58 (9/30/16) ****: A great pairing in […]
Al Jarreau – Live At Montreux, 1993 – Eagle Records
Al Jarreau – Live At Montreux, 1993 – Eagle Records ER203992, 71:02 ****: A sure-footed musical exploration by Al Jarreau at his peak. (Al Jarreau – vocals; Paulinho Da Costa – percussion; Steve Gadd – drums; Eric Gale – guitar; Marcus Miller – bass; Philippe Saisse – synthesizer; Joe Sample – keyboards; Patches Stewart – […]
Audio News for September 20, 2016
Amazon’s Echo is Taking Over the World – The $180 small cylindrical speaker is much more than that, and there is a new $50 version called the Dot which can also be used with existing audio systems, and software which keeps multiple units from answering your voice commands. Amazon is building its Alexa army, tied […]
Blunt Talk series – Season 1, (2016)
A most interesting TV series and a quite different role for Patrick Stewart. Blunt Talk series – Season 1, (2016) Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jacki Weaver, Adrian Sarboroght, Richard Lewis Studio: Starz cable TV/ Anchor Bay ST63694 (8/30/16) (2 discs) Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English DD 5.1 Subtitles: Spanish, English SDH Extras: Inside […]
Aerial America – New England Collection, Blu-ray (2013)
Aerial America – New England Collection, Blu-ray (2013) Cast: Jim Conrad – narrator Director: Richard Mervyn Studio: Tusker Television for the Smithsonian Channel IMG1229BD (7/9/13) Video: various aspect ratios for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DD 5.1 Length: 276 min. Rating: ** A less than inspiring travelogue, with less than pristine video. This Blu-ray […]
MOZART and SCHUBERT works played by pianist Annie Fischer – Praga Digitals
Hungarian virtuoso Annie Fischer brings refined energy and passion to Mozart in classic performances. MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 20 in d, K. 466; Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482; Rondo in D Major for Piano and Orchestra, K. 382; SCHUBERT: Impromptu in f, D. 935, No. 4 – Annie Fischer, p./ Philharmonia […]
Zodiac Trio – “Dreamtime” = Works of DANIELPOUR, LIST & MACKEY – Blue Griffin
Very exciting ensemble and some compelling modern works. Zodiac Trio – “Dreamtime” = RICHARD DANIELPOUR: Lamentations; ANDREW LIST: Klezmer Fantazye; Visions from the Aboriginal Dreamtime; JOHN MACKEY: Breakdown Tango; various composers: Zodiac: Across the Universe – The Zodiac Trio – Blue Griffin BGR391, 58:05, (3/08/16) (Distr. by Albany) ****: (Vanessa Mollard, violin/Kliment Krylovskiy, clarinet/Riko Higuma, […]
CHOPIN: 24 Mazurkas – Pavel Kolesnikov, p. – Hyperion
A solid and sensuous reading of Chopin’s most prolific national vehicle. CHOPIN: 24 Mazurkas – Pavel Kolesnikov, p. – Hyperion CDA68137, 69:19 (9/2/16) [Distr. by Harmonia mundi/PIAS] ****: Chopin took the genre of the Polish mazurka and made it his own, composing some 58 “official” works, making it the most active vehicle for his experiments […]
Emma Johnson, clarinet – “An English Fantasy” – Works of TODD, READE, DANKWORTH & HAWES – Nimbus Alliance
Charming new pieces played wonderfully! Emma Johnson, clarinet – “An English Fantasy” = WILL TODD: Concerto for Emma; PAUL READE: Suite from “A Victorian Kitchen Garden”; JOHN DANKWORTH: Clarinet Concerto – “The Woolrich”; PATRICK HAWES: Clarinet Concerto – with BBC Concert Orch./Philip Ellis – Nimbus Alliance NI6328 [Distr. by Naxos], 69:19 (8/12/16) ****: I have […]
MOSZKOWSKI: From Foreign Lands – Rediscovered Orchestral Works – SF Ballet Orch./ Martin West – Reference Recordings
A delightful set of rediscovered orchestral works of Moszkowski. MORITZ MOSZKOWSKI: From Foreign Lands – Rediscovered Orchestral Works [TrackList follows] – San Francisco Ballet Orch./ Martin West – Reference Recordings HDCD RR-138, 72:45 [Distr. by Naxos] ****: Although Moszkowski composed an opera, ballet, three orchestral suites, a symphony, songs, concertos, and chamber music, if this […]
“Heaven and Earth – A Duke Ellington Songbook” – Danielle Talamantes, sop./ Henry Dehlinger, p. – MSR
I’m tempted to say that if you buy only one disc this year, it should be this one. “Heaven and Earth – A Duke Ellington Songbook” – Danielle Talamantes, soprano/ Henry Dehlinger, piano – MSR Jazz MS 1617, 50:47 [Distr. by Albany] *****: Just to double check, I sought out my review of Danielle Talamantes’s […]
PETER RICHARD CONTE – Virgil Fox Remembered – organist Peter Richard Conte playing the Wanamaker Organ – Raven
PETER RICHARD CONTE – Virgil Fox Remembered – with organist Peter Richard Conte playing the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia (TrackList follows) – Raven 976, 67:00 (7/12/16) ***1/2: A heartfelt tribute to master showman and organist Virgil Fox. Virgil Fox was a colorful musical personality and also a superb organist. In the 1970s Fox gained recognition […]
Monteux Tanglewood Volume 3: 1961, Part One – Concertos – RACHMANINOFF, BARTOK, VIOTTI – Pristine Audio
The Monteux set of Boston collaborations proves exciting and compelling in new repertory. Monteux Tanglewood Volume 3: 1961, Part One – Concertos – RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto No. 2 in c, Op. 18; BARTOK: Rhapsody No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra; VIOTTI: Violin Concerto No. 22 in a – Gary Graffman, p./ Isaac Stern, v./ Boston […]
BACH: Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in f; HAYDN: Piano Con. in D; MENDELSSOHN: Piano Con. in a – Joshua Pierce, p./ Slovak Nat. Sym. Orch./ Kirk Trevor – MSR Classics
Fine, persuasive pianism from a well-known source. BACH: Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in f, BWV 1056; HAYDN: Piano Concerto in D, Hob. XVIII; MENDELSSOHN: Piano Concerto in a – Joshua Pierce, p./ Slovak National Sym. Orch./ Kirk Trevor – MSR Classics 1496, 62:44 [Distr. by Albany] ****: It comes as no surprise to me that […]
Scott Morgan – Songs Of Life – Miranda Music
Scott Morgan – Songs Of Life – Miranda Music MMCD 1024, 50:38 ***: A release filled with promise. (Scott Morgan – vocals; Fred Hersch – piano; Matt Aronoff – bass; Ross Pederson – drums; Special Guests – Joel Frahm – tenor sax tracks 3/5/8; Janis Siegel – vocals track 10) An internet search of the […]
CHOPIN: Sel. of Nocturnes, Mazurkas & Ballades – David Korevaar, p. – MSR
Beautiful playing, but lacking a sense of abandon. CHOPIN: Nocturne in c, Op. 48, No. 1; Ballade No. 1 in g, Op. 23; Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 55, No. 2; Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47; Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No.2; Mazurka in G major, Op. 50, No. 1; Mazurka […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
