Monthly Archive: November 2005
Aldo Ciccolini plays Three Concertos = SAINT-SAENS: Piano Concerto No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 44; Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 “Egyptian‚’” RAVEL: Piano Concerto in G Major – VAI
1974 and 1985 TV concerts featuring the virtuoso Italian pianist
The Ben Thomas Group featuring Eric Likkel – Treskaidekaphobia (Thomas, vibes & timbales; Likkel, clarinet & bass clarinet; Laura Caviani, piano; Clipper Anderson, bass; John Bishop, drums; Tom Bergersen, congas) Origin Records
Some unusual but accessible sounds on this Seattle sextet session
KARL JENKINS: The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace (2005)
A powerful anti-war message in music, poetry, text and news images
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35; Meditation, Op. 42, No. 1; Danse russe from Swan Lake, Act III – Joshua Bell, violin/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/ Michael Tilson-Thomas – Sony Classical
Joshua Bell seems to be one of those performers who actually live up to their overblown publicity
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61; Symphony No. 7 in A Major – Jascha Heifetz, violin/ NBC Symphony Orchestra/ New York Philharmonic Orchestra (7th Symphony)/ Arturo Toscanini – Opus Kura
Heifetz & Toscanini – can’t miss, in spite of crackly 78s and poor liner notes
HUMPERDINCK: Haensel und Gretel (Complete Opera) – cond. by Fitz Lehmann (1953) – Preiser
Excellent alternative to Karajan’s version, with good restoration of the original mono recording
SCARLATTI: 4 Sonatas; BEETHOVEN: 7 Bagatelles, Op. 33; SAYGUN: Inci’s Book, Op. 10; 5 Preludes on Aksak Rhythms, Op. 45; BERNSTEIN: Touches; MUCZYNSKI: Six Preludes, Op. 6 – Zeynap Ucbasaran, piano – Eroica Classical
Exciting self-published recital program from the Turkish pianist
Leonard Bernstein: Symphony No.3 Kaddish; Chichester Psalms – Yvonne Kenney,soprano/ Williard White,speaker/ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/ Gerard Schwartz- Naxos Milken Archive
Bernstein’s dramatic scores often found cliched by this reviewer
HANDEL: Organ Concertos (selection) – No. 1 in G Minor Op. 4/1, No. 3 in G Minor, No. 10 in D Minor, No. 14 in A Major, Harp Concerto in B flat major – Christian Schmitt, organ/Charlotte Balzereit, harp/Stuttgart Chamber Orch./Matt – Brilliant Classics
Handel borrows from himself in some of these works, including the included Harp Concerto
CORELLI: 12 Concerti Grossi Op. 6 – Musica Amphion/Directed from the harpsichord by Pieter-Jan Belder – Brilliant Classics (2)
Masterpieces of the concerto grosso form
KARL JENKINS: The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace – Soloists/National Youth Choir of Great Britain/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Jenkins – Virgin Records KARL JENKINS: Requiem; In These Stones Horizons Sing – soloists/Welsh Nat. Opera/Jenkins – EMI Classics
Three accessible and very melodic choral/orchestral works by the versatile Welsh composer
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61; MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 – Nikolaj Znaider, violin/ Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/ Zubin Mehta – RCA
Fresh and passionate performances but up against very heavy competition
SCRIABIN: Sonata No. 3 in F# Minor; 5 Preludes, Op. 15; MEDTNER: Sonata–Reminiscenza in A Minor; STRAVINSKY: 3 Movements from Petrouchka – Evgeny Kissin, piano – RCA
Zesty performances in great sound of non-standard repertory
Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
At-risk youngsters get passionate about ballroom dancing competition
It’s the Room Stupid & Remote Rant
Two observations by Geoff Husband of the Italian web audio publication TNT-AUDIO
BACH Classics – DTS Classical Collection – London Philharmonic Orchestra/Don Jackson – DTS Entertainment Double-Disc
Third release of these collections, but in a form that should appeal to many different users
Charles Munch: The Concert Hall Recordings – Scribendum (4 CDs)
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”; ALBENIZ: Iberia Suite; BIZET: Symphony in C Major; Jeux d’Enfants; Overture “Patrie,” Op. 19; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Russian Easter Overture; Excerpts from Le Coq d’or; DEBUSSY: Iberia; La Mer; BORODIN: In the Steppes of Central Asia; MOUSSORGSKY: Khovanschina Suite; FRANCK: Symphony in D Minor – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven; Franck)/ Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Charles Munch
BACH: Alles mit Gott – Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano, other soloists and The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists/John Elliot Gardiner – Soli Deo Gloria
First recording of a just-discovered Bach vocal work
Derek and the Dominos – Layla and other assorted love songs (Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle) – Polydor
A true rock classic now even more nostalgic and exciting with three more channels plus hi-res!
Audio News for November 1, 2005
Wi-Fi Chaos Approaching?
John Browning = BACH: Ich ruf zu dir, Jesu Christ; CHOPIN: Fantasie in F Minor; Mazurka in F Minor, Op. 53, No. 2; Mazurka in F Minor, Op. 68, No. 4; Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor; SCHUBERT: Impromptu in A-flat Major No. 2 – MSR Recordings
Emotional live recital from evening of the Kennedy assassination
Editorial for November 2005
We are dedicated to your auditional wellbeing!
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
