Monthly Archive: November 2006
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor; Symphony No. 3 in F Major
Leonard Bernstein conducts the Israel Philharmonic in 1973
Cheryl Bentyne – The Book of Love – Telarc
Spend a lovely afternoon listening to the warmth of Cheryl Bentyne’s expressive interpretations.
Survey of New Christmas & Holiday CDs
15 New Releases of the Season
The Paul Carlon Octet featuring Ileana Santamaria – Other Tongues – Deep Tone
Most enjoyable Latin-flavored jazz I’ve heard in years!
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”; LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1 in F Minor; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C Sharp Minor; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 in D Major; “Sounds of Nature” discussion – NBC Symphony Orchestra/ Leopold Stokowski
Stokowski does achieve a fabulous homogeneity of sound
Jacques D’Ambroise: Portrait of a Great American Dancer
In the interview extra D’Ambroise basks in his memories and a lifetime of achievement
Buddy Guy: Can’t Quit the Blues – Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Eric Clapton, et al. – Legacy 3 CD + 1 DVD set
Eric Clapton once said Guy was the best guitarist he ever heard.
EZEQUIEL VINAO: Arcanum – Absolute Ensemble/ Kristjan Jarvi, Conductor/ Janet Youngdahl, Soprano – BIS
For those interested in Medieval and Renaissance music, or the music of Messiaen
The Symphonic Jean Michel Jarre – 20 Selections from past albums in orchestral versions – Crouch End Festival Chorus/Charlotte Kinder, solo soprano/ The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/ Nic Raine – Tadlow Music Limited Edition Release
2 HDCD CDs plus DD 5.1 DVD with all the selections in 24-bit surround
FERDINAND HEROLD: La somnambule (ballet) – Orchestra Victoria/Richard Bonynge – Melba Records
Lavish production of ballet music probably unheard for over 150 years
GERSHWIN: Porgy and Bess (complete opera) – Alvy Powell, Marquita Lister, Lester Lynch, Robert Mack/ Nashville Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Blair Children’s Chorus, Tennessee State University Band/ John Mauceri, conductor – Decca
An intriguing conception – but is it what Gershwin wanted?
EINOJUHANI RAUTAVAARA: Symphony No. 1, Adagio Celeste, Book of Visions – National Orchestra of Belgium/ Mikko Franck, conductor/ Ondine
Rautavaara’s is a noble signature maintaining the Sibelian legacy.
Glenn Gould Hereafter (2005)
Touching retrospective documentary on the eccentric pianist from a director who has done several previously.
Audio News for November 21, 2006
Holiday Home Electronics; Gender Differences in Holiday Shopping; CEA Enlists 3 Doors Down to Promote Great Audio
Anna Russell Takes on Nabucco & The Magic Flute – VAI Audio
The musical parodist performs in Sydney in 1973
Gloomy Sunday (1999-2006)
A sad but magnificent WWII-period drama
Dizzy Gillespie, Live in ’58 & ’70
Dizzy in both a quintet and fronting a great big band
Sonny Rollins – Sonny, Please – Doxy Records
At the top of his art, on his own record label
Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele – Dragon & Gently Weeps – both Hitchhike Records
Gets an amazing variety of sounds out the humble 4-string uke!
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor – Radio Symphony SWR, Stuttgart/Carlo Maria Giulini – Hanssler
Carlo Maria Giulini, one of the aristocrats of the conductor’s art
George Benson and Al Jarreau – Givin’ It Up – George Benson, vocals, guitar/Al Jarreau, vocals – Concord Records/Monster Music Super Disc
Benson and Jarreau give a stellar performance and make you feel like you are right there.
JOHN ADAMS: Violin Concerto; JOHN CORIGLIANO; Chaconne from The Red Violin; ENESCU: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1; FRANZ WAXMAN; Tristan and Isolde Fantasia – Chloë Hanslip, violin/Charles Owen, piano/ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/ Leonard Slatkin – Naxos
Works by American composers for violin and orchestra
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
