Monthly Archive: November 2016

Jason Roebke Octet – Cinema Spiral – NoBusiness

Jason Roebke Octet – Cinema Spiral – NoBusiness

Unpredictable, Chicago-styled ensemble improvisation and composition. Jason Roebke Octet – Cinema Spiral [TrackList Follows] – NoBusiness NBCD 86, 52:39 [9/16/16] ****: (Greg Ward – alto saxophone; Keefe Jackson – tenor and sopranino saxophone, contrabass clarinet; Jason Stein – bass clarinet; Josh Berman – trumpet; Jeb Bishop – trombone; Jason Adasiewicz – vibraphone; Jason Roebke – […]

Joe Weed – The Vultures – TopMusic

Joe Weed – The Vultures – TopMusic

Joe Weed – The Vultures – TopMusic TM-SACD9801.2 stereo-only SACD, 34:33 ****1/2: This is a terrific hi-res release of updated ’50s and ’60s rock/pop instrumentals.  (Joe Weed – guitars, mandolin, fiddle; Jim Boggio – accordion; Todd Phillips – bass; Rob Ickles – dobro-, Joe Craven – percussion; Norton Buffalo – harmonica; Steve Pefley – drums; […]

LISZT: Transcendental Etudes – Kirill Gerstein, p. – Myrios Classics

LISZT: Transcendental Etudes – Kirill Gerstein, p. – Myrios Classics

Pianist Kirill Gerstein and producer Stephan Cahen deliver a titanic rendition of the Liszt magnum opus. LISZT: Transcendental Etudes, S. 139 – Kirill Gerstein, p. – Myrios Classics multichannel SACD MYR019, 64:00 (9/9/16) *****: The genesis for Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes extends backwards in time to the composer’s thirteenth year (1824), when he planned to compete […]

BRAHMS: Piano Trios – Vienna Piano Trio – MD&G; BRAHMS: Rhapsodies; Piano Sonata 3; Ballade – Mortensen, p. – LAWO

BRAHMS: Piano Trios – Vienna Piano Trio – MD&G; BRAHMS: Rhapsodies; Piano Sonata 3; Ballade – Mortensen, p. – LAWO

BRAHMS: Piano Trios No. 1 – Trio Op. 8  (Version of 1889); Trio Op. 87 ‒ Vienna Piano Trio ‒ MD&G multichannel SACD MDG 942 1962-6 (& 2+2+2); 63:31 (7/8/16) ***1/2: “In Finstrer Mitternach” = BRAHMS: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 74; Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 5; Ballade, Op. 10, No. 1 ‒ Nils Anders Mortensen, […]

Fantasia Andaluza – Petri Kumela & Joonas Widenius – Various works for classical and flamenco guitar – Alba Music

Fantasia Andaluza – Petri Kumela & Joonas Widenius – Various works for classical and flamenco guitar – Alba Music

Fantasia Andaluza – Petri Kumela & Joonas Widenius – Various works for classical and flamenco guitar  [TrackList follows] – Alba Music multichannel SACD ABCD391, 49:00 (7/29/16) ****: A unique disc that offers Spanish guitar with flamenco guitar. Fantasía Andaluza, the guitar duo record of Kumela and Widenius brings something a bit new to the music […]

Audio News for Tuesday, November 8, 2016

75% of Japanese Want Hacker Protection for Devices – Japanese consumers are very concerned about hacker attacks on the smart electronics in their homes. Most want an automated update service that prevents unauthorized access to data in devices over the Net. Electronica Trend Index 2020 surveyed 7000 consumers in seven countries and the Japanese consumers […]

Song Of Lahore – The Sachal Ensemble (2016)

Song Of Lahore – The Sachal Ensemble (2016)

Song Of Lahore – The Sachal Ensemble (2016) A compelling documentary about a Pakistani jazz group! Studio: Broadgreen Pictures 94174630 Directors: Andy Schocken & SharmeenObaid-Chinoy featuring The Sachal Ensemble and guest performers – Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Video 1.78:1 for widescreen 16:9, color Length: 82 minutes Ratings:  […]

Finding Dory, Blu-ray (3D available) (2016)

Finding Dory, Blu-ray (3D available) (2016)

A wonderful Pixar animated sequel to the original film of 2003. Finding Dory, Blu-ray (3D available) (2016) Voice-overs: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy Studio: Pixar/ Walt Disney Studios 138050 (11/15/16). 3 discs = Blu-ray, DVD & Extras|Director: Andrew Stanton Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD color Audio: English, DTS-HD […]

Frank Kimbrough Trio – Solstice – Pirouet

Frank Kimbrough Trio – Solstice – Pirouet

Frank Kimbrough Trio – Solstice – Pirouet PIT3097, 56:04 (10/7/16) *****: A great piano trio CD from the pianist with the Maria Schneider Orchestra. (Frank Kimbrough; piano / Jay Anderson; bass / Jeff Hirshfield; drums) The first thing I noticed about Frank Kimbrough’s Solstice is that it represents the work of three eminent and distinctive […]

SCHUMANN: Davidsbuendlertaenze; ELIASSON: Disegno 2; CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 2 “Funeral March” – Beth Levin, p. – Navona

SCHUMANN: Davidsbuendlertaenze; ELIASSON: Disegno 2; CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 2 “Funeral March” – Beth Levin, p. – Navona

Powerful and idiosyncratic, Beth Levin has her own ideas of “Romantic” repertory.   SCHUMANN: Davidsbuendlertaenze, Op. 6; ELIASSON: Disegno 2 for Piano; CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 2 in b-flat, Op. 35 “Funeral March” – Beth Levin, p. – Navona NV6016, 63:00 (1/8/16) [Distr. by Parma] ****: Philadelphia-born pianist Beth Levin (b. 1950) continues to perform […]

Slavic Soul Party! – Plays Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite – Ropeadope

Slavic Soul Party! – Plays Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite – Ropeadope

Ellington as you’ve never heard Ellington: let the party begin. Slavic Soul Party! – Plays Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite [TrackList follows] – Ropeadope RAD-314, 52:14 [9/16/16] ****1/2: (John Carlson, Kenny Warren – trumpet; Peter Hess – saxophone, clarinet; Peter Stan – accordion; Matt Musselman, Tim Vaughn – trombone; Ron Caswell – tuba; Chris Stromquist […]

MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde – Kathleen Ferrier, mezzo/ Set Svanholm, tenor/ NY Philharmonic/ Bruno Walter – Pristine Audio

MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde – Kathleen Ferrier, mezzo/ Set Svanholm, tenor/ NY Philharmonic/ Bruno Walter – Pristine Audio

Andrew Rose revives Kathleen Ferrier’s American debut, in her first Bruno Walter-led “Symphony of Songs” by GUSTAV MAHLER. MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde – Kathleen Ferrier, mezzo-soprano/ Set Svanholm, tenor/ New York Philharmonic/ Bruno Walter – Pristine Audio PACO 137, 58:20 (mono) [avail in var. formats from www.pristineclassical.com] ****: In this, Andrew Rose’s restoration […]

SCHUBERT – Piano Trios Op. 99 & 100 – Harmonia mundi

SCHUBERT – Piano Trios Op. 99 & 100 – Harmonia mundi

FRANZ SCHUBERT – Piano Trios Op. 99 & 100 – Staier Trio – Harmonia mundi 902233.34, (2 CDs) 51:38, 45:33 (10/21/16) [Distr. by PIAS] *****: (Andreas Staier – fortepiano/ Daniel Sepec – violin/ Roel Dieltiens – violoncello) Adjusting Schubertian attitudes with help from the fortepiano. The new Harmonia mundi release of Schubert’s late piano trios […]

Manatee Commune – Manatee Commune – Bastard Jazz

Manatee Commune – Manatee Commune – Bastard Jazz

Manatee Commune – Manatee Commune – Bastard Jazz BJCD14, (9/16/16), *****: Folktronica: Blending properties of traditional acoustic & contemporary electronic soundscapes. Manatee Commune, the musical moniker of Grant Eadie, is a Bellingham, WA raised musician that is pushing the envelope of downtempo music, using some never-before-thought-of techniques, bringing together a uniquely beautiful sound, and all […]

GALILEI: The Well-tempered Lute; Tones I – IV – Zak Ozmo – Hyperion

GALILEI: The Well-tempered Lute; Tones I – IV – Zak Ozmo – Hyperion

VINCENZO GALILEI: The Well-tempered Lute; Tones I – IV – Zak Ozmo, lute – Hyperion 68017, 63:03 (2/5/16) ****: A long-neglected work of Renaissance musical investigation of equal-temperament as applied to the lute. (Zak Ozmo – lute) In this recording of VIncenzo Galilei’s Libro d’intavolatore di Liuto by Zak Ozmo, we are introduced to a musical work […]

“O Eterne Deus” – Music of HILDEGARD VON BINGEN – Vajra Voices/ Karen Clark – Music & Arts

“O Eterne Deus” – Music of HILDEGARD VON BINGEN – Vajra Voices/ Karen Clark – Music & Arts

Millenium-old music from Hildegard von Bingen, visionary, mystic and polymath, sung by an inspired choir, Vajra Voices. “O Eterne Deus” – Music of HILDEGARD VON BINGEN – Vajra Voices/ Karen Clark – Music & Arts 1291, 50:20 (5/13/16) *****: As a man, I feel it may be inappropriate for me to review this all-female endeavour. […]

Eberhard Weber – The Jubilee Concert (2016)

Eberhard Weber – The Jubilee Concert (2016)

Weber – The Jubilee Concert (2016) A heartfelt tribute to a pioneer of European jazz! Performers: Eberhard Weber, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Jan Garbarek, Paul McCandless, SWR Big Band Studio: WDR/Jazz Haus (Distr. by Naxos Germany) Director: Thorsten Hubruch Video: 16:9 Color Audio:  PCM stereo (24-bit/48K) Length: 90 min. TrackList: Resume; Touch; Tubingen; Maurizius; Street […]

Audio News for November 4, 2016

Classical Music Can Be Your Best Friend in This Political Turmoil – Research suggests that classical music could be just the thing to calm you down. Sort of like Vivaldi replacing Valium. Recent Research in Bochum, Germany had 120 participants in which half lay down in silence while the other half listened to classical music. […]