Monthly Archive: March 2004
Home Page-March 2004
March 2004 Contents 4 Component Reviews this month 61 Hi-Res Disc Reviews incl. more DVD-Audio: Jazz (Pt. 1) Marian McPartland, Jane Monheit, Gil Evans, Jim Hall Classical (Pt. 2) Mahler 3rd & 8th, Messiaen’s Turangalila Pop and everything else (Pt. 3) Tubular Bells DVD-A is the Disc of the Month, BS&T, Joe Beck, Steely Dan, Seabiscuit soundtrack 26 DVD-Vs, including 11 Music Videos (Classical & Pop); Summary of the Audio & HT Press Special Feature on LA’s Disney Hall + Classical Hall of Fame List Weekly Audio News: MAR. 3; MAR. 10; MAR. 17; MAR. 24; MAR. 31 = Best Buy a Best Buy?; Americans’ Multi-tasking Video Viewing; Hi-Fi Codec from Qualcomm To Our Readers: You are urged to register with our site in order to be eligible for future product giveaways and a future newsletter. You do that by simply clicking Right Here. We will not sell your information to marketers.
Classical CD Reviews, Part 2 of 2
March 2004 Pt. 2 of 2 [Pt. 1] BRAHMS: Double Concerto in A Minor, Op. 102; Symphony No. 2 in d Major, Op. 73 – Gordan Nikolitch, violin; Tim High, cello; Bernard Haitink conducts London Symphony Orchestra – LSO 0043 74:50 (Distrib. Harmonia Mundi): Recorded live in May 17-18, 2003 at the Barbican Center, London, this disc bespeaks some lovely playing and infinite, warm sympathy between conductor and orchestra. The soloists in the Double Concerto are principals from the LSO, and they play fervently and passionately, without lapsing into the academic mode of musical acumen without poetry. I am not too find of the rather staid, imperial tempo of the outer movements, which is a bit too Elgarian for my taste. The tone of the piece becomes elegiac, without the occasional bristle of unbuttoned gypsy style the Vivace non troppo can tolerate. Still, if one accepts its status as ‘orchestral chamber music,’ the rendition certainly works. The D Major Symphony has had many expert renditions; this one tries hard to be the most sonically compelling. For sheer loveliness of orchestral tone, Haitink evokes a palette we associate with the homogeneity Koussevitzky and Mengelberg achieved with their respective ensembles. The […]
Classical Reissue Reviews, Part 2 of 2
March 2004, Pt. 2 of 2 SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto Op. 129 (rec. 1962); HINDEMITH: Cello Concerto (1940) (rec. 1967); A Tortelier master class: The Hindemith Concerto – Paul Tortelier, cello, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Dorati (Schumann) and the New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Sir Edward Downes (Hindemith) – BBC Legends 4133-2 (63 mins.): Although the great and charismatic French cellist and composer Paul Tortelier (1914-1990) had a massive impact on the history of the cello on LP as it transitioned from mono to stereo, particularly through his recordings of Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham and Rudolf Kempe, his recordings of the rest of the major repertory for his instrument were not always successful (perhaps his occasionally untidy tone and spontaneous sense of occasion were not entirely compatible with the discipline required by the recording studio). His commercial recording for Supraphon of the unaccountably neglected Hindemith Concerto benefits from a strong, poetic accompaniment by the Czech Philharmonic under Karel Ancerl (due for reissue eventually on Supraphon’s Ancerl Gold series) but Tortelier’s playing, though more technically immaculate, lacks the abandon it has here (even if Downes is a more mundane conductor). As far as […]
Classical Reissue Reviews, Part 1 of 2
March 2004, Pt. 1 of 2 DEBUSSY: Jeux–poeme danse; Six epigraphes antiques (Orch. Ansermet)/DUKAS: La Peri; The Sorcerer’s Apprentice/SAINT-SAENS: Danse macabre Ernest Ansermet conducts Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and Paris Conservatory Orchestra (Dukas) Testament SBT 1324 69:02 (Distrib. Harmonia Mundi): Vintage 1953-1955 performances led by Ernest Ansermet (1883-1969), mathematician and conductor extraordinaire, known for the chaste and self-effacing literalism of his style, which eschewed aggrandized subjectivity. Ansermet’s reputation, somewhat like that of Munch and Inghelbrecht, lies mainly in French music, but his range was quite broad and embraced Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, Bloch, Falla, Handel, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky. A strong similitude of taste and style exists between Ansermet and Igor Markevitch, although the latter tends to be more fiery in temperament. But I recall that one of Ansermet’s last records for London Decca, his performance of the Lalo Scherzo, had my telephone ringing at WHRW-FM, where I broadcast it for the SUNY Binghamton station. At least two inscriptions included by Testament are noteworthy: La Peri, from 1955, is in sterling, stereo sound, and it has strong personality and lovely, arched phrasing. It omits the more famous fanfare, but the ballet proper is exalted Dukas. The Debussy ballet Jeux received its […]
Jazz CD Reviews
Candido & Graciela – Inolvidable; Chesky Records JD249 CD: Much like the Buena Vista Social Club release, this disc has some interesting history behind it. Apparently, Graciela was known as the First Lady of Afro-Cuban Jazz and was the lead vocalist for a popular band from the 1940s through the 1970s. She went on to perform with Mario Bauza’s band. After the death of her brother-in-law in 1993, Graciela quit performing. Even though Graciela is 88 years old, legendary conguero Candido Camero asked her to join him to record the tunes on this CD. Everyone involved in the project seem fortunate and thankful to have had the opportunity to take part. If you have even the remotest interest in Afro-Cuban jazz, then this CD is a must get! Recording quality on this disc is in the Chesky tradition, in other words, amazing! The recording was made in a Manhattan church, and sounds like a really good small venue. Songs included are: Si Tu Supieras; Cachita; La Vida Es Un Sueno; Amor Ciego; Conga Jam; Tu Mi Delirio; Quien Eres Tu; Esvelo; Tu Me Acostumbraste; Contigo En La Distancia; Iolvidable, Parte I; Iolvidable, Parte II. -Brian Bloom Joel Frahm, tenor […]
Classical CD Reviews, Part 1 of 2
Part 1 of 2 [Part 2] Soir, dit-elle – Works by BRYARS, POWER, IVAN MOODY, ANDREW SMITH, OLEH HARKAVYY – Trio Mediaeval – ECM CD 1869/ 476 1241: This second album by the Trio Mediaeval brings their three gorgeous voices (coloratura, soprano, contralto) to the public in an a capella style that has had adherents from the twelfth century through today. Recorded in April, 2003, in Propstei St. Gerold, Austria, this ear-opening performance owes a debt to Hildegard von Bingen (and those women who followed her in plainsong and chant), and Leonel Power (c.1370-1445). Yet, it is also modern in its harmonic sense, benefitting from the works of modern composers Gavin Bryars (b. 1943), Oleh Harkavyy (b. 1968), Ivan Moody (b. 1964), and Andrew Smith (b. 1970). Alternating old and new, simple and subtly complex, this album achieves a kind of timelessness. It is a kind of meditation music, and listening to it helps me find my center, helps me stay grounded in the present. Trio Mediaeval features Norwegian Linn Andrea Fuglseth, whose musical pedigree includes having sung with a handful of highly regarded vocal groups, having studied with many noted practitioners of period singing, and having won prizes […]
DVD-Video Reviews, Part 3 of 3
Part 3 – March 2004 [Part 1] [Part 2] Decasia: The State of Decay (2004) Film by Bill Morrison Music by Michael Gordon Studio: Plexifilm Video: 4:3 B&W Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Extras: Audio interview with Morrison and Gordon from WNYC Length: 67 min. Rating: **** Morrison’s experimental feature could well appeal to the same audience as the Steve Reich video also reviewed this issue, but it probably has a wider appeal. In fact the Village Voice called it a movie with both avantgarde and universal appeal – though that may be overstating things a bit. Decasia has already won awards at Sundance and elsewhere and can truthfully say it is definitely like no other film you have ever seen, or actually no other film ever made previously! In fact, Morrison didn’t shoot a single frame of Decasia, although he is still a master filmmaker. Morrison is an artist who is into things which have decayed. I was reminded of the artist who collects and photographs decaying dice; their material eventually breaks down in amazing ways, going one better than Salvador Dali’s distortions of reality. Well, Morrison’s medium is celluloid nitrate motion picture film, which was used by the film […]
DVD-Video Reviews, Part 2 of 3
Pt. 2 of 3 – March 2004 [Part 1] [Part 3] Now Showing: Unforgettable Moments from the Movies (2003) [Illustrated Book and DVD] Author: Joe Garner Hosted and Narrated by: Dustin Hoffman Published by: Andrews McMeel Publishing Garner Creative Concepts Inc. DVD: Video: 4:3 with letterbox display of widescreen films Audio: Dolby Digital stereo Extras: The book Length: 2 hrs. Rating: **** Now Showing: Unforgettable Moments from the Movies by Joe Garner features scenes and commentary on twenty five movies from 1939’s Wizard of Oz to 2002’s Lord of the Rings. We get a package of a 160 page book with many photographs as well as a companion DVD hosted and narrated by Dustin Hoffman and including two hours of scenes from each of the twenty five featured films. We see memorable scenes and stills from each film as Hoffman gives a summary of the plot and intriguing commentary on the making of each film. It was very valuable to me to note films I have missed and now feel compelled to see, such as Five Easy Pieces, On the Waterfront and Wall Street to name a few. Although I swore I would never see the very long Lord of […]
DVD-Video Reviews, Part 1 of 3
March 2004, Pt. 1 ALL MUSIC VIDEOS [Pt. 2] [Pt. 3] Claudio Abbado conducts BEETHOVEN: Symphonies 4 & 7 (2003) Studio: EuroArts Video: 16:9 widescreen enhanced Audio: DTS 5.1, Dolby 5.1, PCM Stereo Extras: Multi-angle switching on 7th. 14 p. booklet Length: 81 min. Rating: **** This was one of the most enjoyable video concerts of symphonic repertory I have yet seen. All the elements were of the very highest quality. When you start with the Berlin Philharmonic doing Beethoven how can you lose? Then you have the conductor who stepped in to lead the world’s finest orchestra following the death of Karajan. He had just overcome a serious illness and the orchestra was invited to perform all nine Beethoven symphonies in the strikingly beautiful Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. The audience in the hall entirely surrounds the orchestra. Abbado had been reconsidering the performance styles of the symphonies and decided on a fresh approach which greatly reduced the size of the string section. The low end instruments, for example, were reduced to just three basses and four cellos. He also adopted faster tempi in many of the movements. The reproduction of the orchestral sound of this exciting […]
Hi-Res Disc Reviews, Part 3 of 3 Rock/Jazz/Misc.
61 SACD & DVD-A Reviews March 2004 – Pt. 3 – Rock/Jazz/Misc. [Part 1] [Part 2] click on any cover to go directly to its review ***********MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH********* Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells 2003 – Warner Music DVD-A R9 60204: Here’s a new twist on the ploy of record companies selling fans the same classic recording over and over again in different guises. Tubular Bells aficionados long enough in the tooth will recall the original LP, which was quite a trip back there in 1973. Then there was the boxed set of it plus all the later spin-offs from it by multi-instrumentalist Oldfield, which was in SQ quad and quite a good demo of the primitive surround sound of that era. (Matter of fact, it sounds very good even today played thru ProLogic II or Circle Surround II.) Then we had the transfer to CD, which of course was inferior to the vinyl versions. The rock classic sort of took a back burner for a while, then came on the scene again in 2002 in an SACD version on Virgin. It appears the original quad mix was pretty much transferred to the new format, but […]
Hi-Res Disc Reviews, Part 2 of 3 Classical
61 SACD & DVD-A Reviews March 2004 – Part 2 of 3 – Classical click on any cover to go directly to its review [Part 1] [Part 3] LOPE DE VEGA et al: Entremeses Del Siglo De Oro – Hespèrion XX./Jordi Savall – AliaVox stereo SACD AVSA 9831: In AliaVox’s release of the album Entremeses Del Siglo De Oro: Lope de Vega y su tiempo (1550-1650), which translates to “Intermission [music] of the Golden Century: Lope de Vega and his era,” we find soprano Montserrat Figueras and the group Hespèrion XX, Jordi Savall conducting, bringing us some of the finest examples of period music that I know of. The voice of Montserrat Figueras has the limpid and pure quality of a fine recorder, that is, each note is nearly as possible free from embellishment that became part and parcel of vocal training in the following centuries. The ensemble playing of Hespèrion, a group I’ve known for ten years, has never sounded better. Hats off to Jordi Savall. The music itself is akin to entre-act music written for the Elizabethan theater, most notably Shakespeare’s plays. You’ll note the similarity of the Spanish word entremeses and the English word intermission. I […]
Hi-Res Disc Reviews, Part 1 of 3 Jazz
61 SACD and DVD-A Reviews This Month! March 2004, Pt. 1 of 3 – Jazz [Part 2] [Part 3] click on any cover to go directly to its review Billy Cobham – Spectrum; Rhino R9 78408 DVD-A: The music on this disc is thematic. Early tracks utilize electric guitar and are fast-paced, reminiscent of Joe Satriani’s Surfing With the Alien. Track 2 is much more straight ahead 70s style jazz with good horn/flute presence and even some psychedelic keyboard for flavor. Drum solos pervade the early tracks and present later in the album as well. Track 4 sounds like something by Popol Vuh or a sci-fi film soundtrack. The predominance of electronic sounds adds a weirdness/uniqueness factor that will appeal to some and turn others away. Although I found this album a bit shaky for me in the start, by the middle of track 4 and into track 5 I was won over. Track 6 starts off strangely but segues into a smooth jazz/funk tune that I really liked. This disc is not for everyone, but those who dig it will have found their groove. This DVD comes 2-sided with one side stereo and one side surround. I really […]
Component Review, Part 4 of 4
March 2004, Part 4 [Pt. 1] [Pt. 2] [Pt. 3] Toshiba Combo 27-inch Flat Color TV with VHS VCR & DVD Video Player – MW27FN1 (-R) SRP: $699 SPECS: Speakers: 2-way, 46mm & 99mm, 8 ohm, 2.5W amp Power supply: AC 120V, 60Hz Power consumption: 145w Weight: 97 lbs. Dimensions: 29 1/8 W x 25 3/8 H x 19 5/16 D Tuner: 181 channel freq. synthesized VHF 2-13; UHF 14-69; CATV 113 channels Display: Digital comb filter Video head: 4 rotary heads Video audio: Hi-Fi 2 track format, response 20-20K, dynamic range over 90 dB Fast winding speed: Appox. 1 min. 48 sec. with T-120 tape DVD audio: 48K sampling 4Hz-22kHz; 96K sampling 4Hz-44kHz, S/N: 90 dB Harmonic distortion .06%; Wow & flutter less than .01% Wrms; dynamic range over 90dB Decodes Dolby Digital audio from TV, DVDs or VHS tapes, also DTS at digital out jack Toshiba America Consumer Products 82 Totowa Road Wayne, NJ 07470-3191 973-628-8000 ext. 4250 www.toshiba.com Intro The well over 100 pound weight of the box was an indication that this wasn’t one of the those mostly plastic TVs that self-destruct after a couple years. Toshiba has maintained a reputation for excellent consumer electronics products […]
Component Review, Part 3 of 4
March 2004, Part 3 [Pt. 1] [Pt. 2] [Pt. 4] Music Hall Mambo Stereo Integrated Amplifier SRP: $1300 Music Hall 108 Station Road Great Neck, NY 11023 516-487-3663 (voice) 516-773-3891 (fax) https://www.musichallaudio.com/ Basic Description Stereo class-A 50 wpc integrated amplifier with 24-bit/96kHz upsampling DAC; remote control; 1 toslink and 1 coaxial digital input; 5 analog inputs; 5-way binding posts; high quality detachable IEC power cord; 1-year warranty; 17” W x 16.5” D x 5” H; 50 lbs (packaged). Equipment B&W 703 loudspeakers, Marantz DV8400 universal player, NAD C521BEE CD player (for digital vs. analog testing), Musical Fidelity A3.2 Integrated Amplifier (for comparison), Audioquest King Cobra interconnect, VSD-3 coaxial digital, and CV-6 speaker cables. Setup After receiving the amplifier, I hooked it up and ran it for a couple of weeks. I was immediately impressed with the build quality of the amplifier. The power cord that came with the unit is particularly heavy-duty, and I can’t imagine anyone opting for an upgraded cord unless they wanted to spend more than a few hundred dollars for the upgrade. There is a hard power switch on the back of the unit, and a soft power switch on the front for remote control use. […]
Component Review, Part 2 of 4
No. 2 [No. 1] [3] [4] • March 2004 Lumagen Vision Pro Video Scaler Key Features Inputs 8 programmable inputs. Up to 8 Composite, 8 S-Video, 4 Component, 2 pass-through NEW Optional SDI input (factory upgradeable) Professional grade BNC’s used for all inputs Up to 2 Pass-through inputs, with 300 MHz bandwidth Studio quality TV decoder with 10-bit A/D Adaptive comb-filter (3 or 4 line) for reduction of cross-luma and cross-chroma artifacts Automatic selection of NTSC (M, Japan, 4.43), PAL (B, D, G, H, I, M, N, Nc) or SECAM (B, D, G, K, K1, L) for composite and S-Video. Video Processing Film pull-down reconstruction (3:2 and 2:2) Per-pixel motion-adaptive video de-interlacing Detail-enhancing resolution scaling Programmable cropping for each input memory Black-level, contrast, color and hue calibration Chroma-phase calibration Source aspect ratio selection of 4:3, letterbox and 16:9, with two zoom levels each Two memories per input, for input calibration and, output setup Output Professional grade BNC’s used for the output Programmable output resolution from 480p to 1080p in scan line increments, plus 1080i Programmable vertical refresh rate from 48 to 75 Hertz, in steps of 0.01 Hertz Programmable output aspect ratio from 1.33 to 2.35, in steps of 0.01 […]
Component Review, Part 1 of 4
March 2004, Review 1 [2] [3] [4] ACOUSTECH 5.1-CHANNEL LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM Acoustech 42 Alpha Drive Highland Heights, OH 44143 (888) 461-4628 www.bicamerica.com One of the highlights of this year’s CES show was the introduction of a fresh series of loudspeakers from a well-established U.S.-based manufacturer. Designed with a horn tweeter system, this new speaker line is named “Acoustech” and is a division of BIC America. I placed a request to audition these Acoustech speakers and was fortunate enough to be the first reviewer to receive a complete system to evaluate. Upon receiving the Acoustech line, consisting of two main channel towers (Model HT-75), one center channel (Model HT-65), two surrounds (Model HT-63), and a powered subwoofer (Model H100), I thought it would be appropriate to perform a direct comparison between them and selected speakers from the Klipsch line. I tried to select those Klipsch speakers that I thought would match up most closely to the Acoustechs either in price or size. As such, I acquired the following Klipsch speakers to use in this comparison review: Reference RF-3II main channel towers, Reference RC-35 center channel, Synergy SF-1 main channel towers, and a Synergy KSW-10 powered subwoofer. As a point of reference, […]
Feature March 2004 Disney Concert Hall + Classical Hall of Fame
Special Features This Month: Disney Concert Hall + Classical Hall of Fame The New Gold Standard for Audiophiles No, it’s not a new $50,000 speaker system or a new SACD player! And it’s not another proclamation from Harry Pearson. It’s the experience of hearing an orchestra perform live at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Until you hear how really glorious an orchestra can sound in this landmark acoustical masterpiece, you have no idea how powerful and intimate a symphony orchestra can sound. It’s the new gold standard for orchestra lovers. Architect Frank Gehry’s exterior – a cornucopia of shiny, hot/cold multi-angled stainless steel receives the most publicity. My visit there in early February was filled with bustling tourists clamoring to see the hall. From a distance the façade is a brilliant melange of miraculously integrated slanted and curved surfaces. In the bright sunshine walking next to the building the reflection of the heat off the structure warmed the cool air and blinded the eyes. Even the gardens surrounding the upper level of the structure (accessible to anyone, not just ticket holders) failed to soften the hard surfaces that towered over the greenery. An outside children’s amphitheatre of cement […]
Index to All 143 Discs Reviewed for March 2004
Index to All 143 Discs Reviewed for March 2004: Hi-Res Discs Pt. 1 (Jazz) – Billy Cobham – Spectrum, Marian McPartland with String – Silent Pool, Jane Monheit x 2: Never Never Land/Come Dream With Me, Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Bros., John Pizzarelli – My Blue Heaven, Jack McDuff and Joey DeFrancesco – It’s About Time, Gil Evans & Ten, Dorian Michael – Acoustic Blues, Cheryl Bentyne – Among Friends, Ray Brown Trio – Summer Wind, Mongo Santamaria – Live at Jazz Alley, Tierney Sutton – Dancing in the Dark, Jim Hall – Concierto, Tommy Turrentine plus Max Roach Quintet, Romero Life at Trinity Church, Diana Krall – The Look of Love, Two Reference DVD Recordings from Mataxas Audio Hi-Res Discs Pt. 2 (Classical) – Entremeses Del Siglo De Oro: Lope de Vega and his Era; BRAHMS: Requiem – Herreweghe; WOLFGANG HUFSCHMIDT: Meissner Te Deum; VON KESSELS: Requiem; MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition, Night on Bald Mt., BORODIN: Steppes of Central Asia – Slatkin; SHOSTAKOVICH: Sym. No. 7 Leningrad – Gergiev; SHOSTAKOVICH: Sym. Nos. 5 & 6 – Oleg Caetani; 17th Century Music and Dances from the Viennese Court – Arts Antiqua Austria; MESSIAEN: Turangalila-Symphonie – Chailly; Percussion XXth […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
