Monthly Archive: May 2006
PROKOFIEV: Classical Symphony in D; Piano Sonata No. 7; Cello Sonata in C Major; March from The Love for 3 Oranges; TCHAIKOVSKY: Melodie; RACHMANINOV: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 – Polina Leschenko, p./ Martha Argerich, p./ etc. – Avanti Classic
Fine performances from musician friends of Martha Argerich
Audio News for May 8, 2006
Hi-Def Launches Facts; DirecTV’s Status; Coding Technologies and DTS Debut 5.1 Audio for HDTV; High End Audio at CES To Move
JAMES HORNER: The Legend of Zorro (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Sym. Orchestra conducted by James Horner – Sony Classical
Full symphonic swashbuckling music a la Doug Fairbanks, only in hi-res surround
“Marimba Madness” – Marimba music from South Africa, Guinea, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Ghana & U.S. – Kite Giedraitis
The infectious rhythms of massed balophons
Crumb (1995)
Revealing documentary on the very odd cartoonist of Mr. Natural, Zap Comix and Fritz the Cat fame
MOZART: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra K.364; Duo for Violin and Viola G K.423 – Igor and David Oistrakh/ Moscow Philharmonic/ Kiril Kondrashin cond. – Decca/First Impression Music xrcd
One of the best classical recordings ever, in music/performance/sonics
Vantage Point – Resolution (Simon Philips drums, Jeff Baliko piano, Walt Fowler trumpet, Brandon Fields, sax and Alphonso Johnson bass) – AIX Records
Rhythm-driven jazz, accessible in many ways – hi-def video, different DD & DTS 5.1 mixes, 96K PCM, as well as 5.1 MLP
HAYDN: Symphony No. 100 in G Major “Military;” Symphony No. 101 in D Major “The Clock;” HINDEMITH: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber – London Philharmonic Orchestra/ London Symphony Orchestra (Hindemith)/ Eugen Jochum – BBC Legends
Jochum’s hearty readings date from 1973 and 1977
John Browning Edition III = BEETHOVEN: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120; Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2 “The Tempest” – John Browning, piano – MSR Classics
The demands of Beethoven’s biggest piano work holds no terrors for Browning
THE FLAMING LIPS – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 5.1 – Warner Bros.
A loose-as-a-goose experiment with pop rock in surround sound
Perspectives: Gidon Kremer – Works of BACH, MOZART, SCHUBERT, SHOSTAKOVICH, BERNSTEIN, PAERT – DGG
Two-CD set of reissues from 1981-1997 illustrates violinist Kremer’s wide-ranging repertory
Daniel Smith – Bebop Bassoon (Smith, bassoon; Martin Bejerano, piano; John Sullivan, bass; Ludwig Afonso, drums) – ZahZah
Bassoonist Smith is equally at classical and jazz genres and proves it on this swingin’ CD
“Symphonic Dances” = BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; RACHMANINOFF: Symphonic Dances; GABRIELA LENA FRANK: Three Latin American Dances – Utah Symphony/ Keith Lockhart – Reference Recordings
Brilliant music in brilliant sonics, plus a new composition you’ll want to actual hear again
Hi-Def Tape Transfers Offered on Audiophile CD-Rs
Open Reel Recordings in the Public Domain see new life on CD
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Two-Disc Special Edition
The classic Tennessee Williams play in its unforgettable film version, restored and with an entire separate disc of bonus extras
Audio News for May 2, 2006
Regional Coding a Possibility for Hi-Def DVDs?; Warner’s New Approach to Music Sales; New CEA Standard for Powered Subwoofers
Steve Strauss – Just Like Love – Strauss, vocals & guitar – Stockfisch
Blues-influenced singer-songwriter with a second guitar, accordion and bass
Christian Willisohn – Hold On – vocals & piano – Stockfisch
CD layer adds instrumental backing not present on the SACD layers
MAHLER: Symphony No. 9 in D Major – BBC Symphony Orchestra/ Bruno Maderna – BBC Classics
Though composing in serial/avant style, as a conductor Maderna was a staunch Romantic, and his 1971 Mahler performance warrants a listen
BOBBY PREVITE – The Coalition of the Willing – Ropeadope
An utterly original NYC drummer and composer focuses his talents on instrumental rock
RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloé (complete ballet); Rapsodie espagnole; Pavane pour une infante défunte – Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden/London Symphony Orchestra/ Pierre Monteux – Decca
Amazingly close sonically to the audiophile vinyl reissue
SPYRO GYRA – Wrapped in a Dream – (Jay Beckenstein, reeds; Tom Schuman, keyboards etc.) – Heads Up
Their 25th album, and another new direction
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
