Monthly Archive: March 2006
Audio News for March 18, 2006
Home Networking Via AC Lines; Philips’ Advanced Remote Controls; HDTV Penetration Now 15%; Panamax Acquires Furman
Talking Heads – More Songs about Buildings and Food – Rhino
DualDisc with DVD-A 5.1 option on DVD side
3 Doors Down — Away From the Sun – Live From Houston, Texas (2005)
DualDisc with live concert videos and other audio options
Dr. John – Right Place, Right Time (Live at Tipitina’s, Mardi Gras ’89) – Skinji Brim/Hyena
The good doctor and his producer selected this live party from 600 tapes of 20+ years of his performances
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major; MOZART: Concerto in F Major for 3 Pianos and Orchestra – Robert Casadesus, piano/ Robert, Gaby, and Jean Casadesus, pianos/ Orchestra Nat. de France/ Carl Schuricht (Brahms)/ RAI Orchestra/Previtali – Urania
Live recordings from the legacy of the “first family of the keyboard”
BACH: Goldberg Variations; 14 Canons – Richard Egarr, harpsichord – Harmonia mundi (2)
Far from another routine Goldberg, this one is thoroughly prepared, beautfully played and lovingly recorded with exquisite detail
MOZART: Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 4; Adagio K.261; Rondo K.269 – Julia Fischer, violin/ Netherlands Chamber Orchestra/ Yakov Kreizberg – PentaTone
Another superb performance by the young German violinist
ELGAR: Cello Concerto in E Minor Op. 85; BACH: Suites Nos. 1 in G & 2 in D minor for solo cello – Jacqueline du Pré, cello/ BBC Symphony Orchestra/ Sir John Barbirolli – Testament
A vivid 1967 version of du Pré’s signature concerto, in excellent stereo
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101; 15 Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme, Op. 35 “Eroica;” WEBER: Konzerstueck in F Minor, Op. 79 – Friedrich Gulda, piano/ Vienna Philharmonic/ Volkmar Andreae – Archipel
Early recordings by a keyboard virtuoso with some bold conceptions
Walk the Line (2005) Collectors’ Edition
Unlike the Ray Charles biopic, the lead actors actually perform all the songs in the Johnny Cash film
Nine Lives (2006)
Nine provocative interweaving character studies
BEETHOVEN: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 7 (Piano Concerto No. 3; Piano Concerto op. 61a) – Boris Berezovsky, piano, with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra Örebro conducted by Thomas Dausgaard – Simax
Dynamic, illuminated Beethoven from Norway!
BIBER: Missa Christi resugentis (incl. two fanfares and seven instrumental sonatas) – Choir of the English Concert/ The English Concert/ Andrew Manze – Harmonia mundi
Spatial spectacular incorporating many colorful instrumental sonatas into the choral/orchestral Mass proper
FRANK LEE SPRAGUE: Concerto for Violin with Orchestra – Wichita Falls Records
no comment
Carl Schuricht Conducts, Vol. XIV = REZNICEK: Theme and Variations for Large Orchestra and Baritone “Tragische Geschichte;” R. STRAUSS: Overture to Guntram; PFITZNER: Overture; REGER: Variations and Fugue – McDaniel, bar./Stuttgart Radio-Sym. – Hanssler
A master craftsman and responsive ensemble in fresh and unfamiliar scores
Zino Francescatti: Violin Concertos and a Treasury of Chamber Works – Music&Arts, 4 CDs
An embarrassment of riches from the great violinist of sweet and rounded tone, perfumed elegance, yet great intensity when called for
Audio News for March 14, 2006
Sony Announces First Blu-ray Releases; Amazon Movie Downloads; XM Radio Broadcasting in Surround
DVORAK: Arrangements for wind quintet of Quartet Op. 96, Slavonic Dances, Bagatelles, Op. 47 – Ma’alot Quintet – MDG
A charming new take on Dvorak
PROKOFIEV: Humoresque Scherzo for four bassoons; Classical Symphony transcription for two pianos; Overture on Hebrew Themes; Quintet in G Minor Op. 39; Romeo & Juliet Suite for Wind Octet – Czech Nonet and Friends: Prague Winds – Praga Digitals
Superbly-performed chamber music program highlighted by a wind octet version of Romeo & Juliet and a two-piano Classical Symphony
Howl’s Moving Castle (2005)
The latest animation fantasy from Japan’s Miyazaki
“Tockà” – SCRIABIN: Sonata No. 2; Fantasy in b minor; Prelude in g minor; RACHMANINOFF: Sonata No. 2 in b-flat minor – Gunilla Süssmann, piano – NMA
Music of longing from a fine pianist on a Norwegian label
COLTRANE – One Down, One Up – John Coltrane, tenor and soprano saxophone/ McCoy Tyner, piano/ Jimmy Garrison, bass/ Elvin Jones, drums – Impulse
Double-disc live recording from 1965 includes Trane’s longest recorded solo – 27:40
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
