Monthly Archive: February 2007
Sanyo PLV-Z5 High Definition LCD Home Theater Projector
A fantastic step forward in Sanyo’s line of projectors
PĒTERIS VASKS: Symphony No. 3; Cello Concerto – Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra/ John Storgårds, conductor/ Marko Vlönen, cello – Ondine
Best you listen to this SACD with its splendid surround sound, in a closed room with the phone off the hook.
“Quiet Beauty,” Heartsongs for Cello and Piano – James Todd, cello/ William Morse, piano & keyboards – Celloman Records
They skirt but do not fall into the New Age genre.
Leonard Pennario: The Early Years – 4 CD set from MSR
The secret of this large compendium of Leonard’s recorded legacy is to take it in small doses.
BACH: Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042; MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218; MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 – David Oistrakh, violin/ Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy – Naxos
A delight to have these old Columbia records by Russian violin virtuoso David Oistrakh reissued in lovingly-engineered, clean, crisp sound by Mark Obert-Thorn
ARVO PÄRT: Da Pacem = Da pacem Domine; Magnificat; Salve Regina; Two Slavonic Psalms – Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir/Paul Hillier/Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, organ – Harmonia mundi
Da pacem Domine, a prayer for peace, shows examples of the composer’s bell-like choral sounds which he calls tintinnabulation
“Piazzolla” – PIAZZOLLA: Las Cuatro Estaciones porteñas; Two tangos for orchestra and strings; Fuga y Misterio; Milonga del Angel; La Muerte del Angel; JOSE BRAGATO: Graciela y Buenos Aires – Les Violons du Roy/ Jean-Marie Zeitouni – Atma Classique
If you’re a surround sound aficionado, this is one you should have.
PIAZZOLLA: Concerto for Bandonéon; Tres movimientos tanguisticos porteños; Five Tangos – Pablo Mainetti, bandonéon/Luis Vidal, piano/ Chamber Orchestra of Lliure Theatre/Josep Pons – Harmonic mundi Deluxe Edition
…also featuring some of the sexiest and most artistic closeups of tango dancers one is likely to see anywhere.
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor; SCHOENBERG: Variations for Orchestra, Op. 31 – Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/ Kent Nagano – Harmonia mundi
Anti-traditional conceptions of two German masters from Kent Nagano, both recorded last year.
BECHARA EL-KHOURY: New York, Tears and Hope; The Rivers Engulfed; Violin Sextet; Waves; Forgotten Fragments – Hideki Nagano, piano/ Dimitri Vassilakis, piano/ London Symphony Orchestra/ Daniel Harding, conductor/ Martyn Brabbins, conductor – Naxos
The 9/11 work is a powerful, static piece of music that allows a more meditative reflection on the events of that day, as opposed to trying to preach something in a more vociferously musical manner.
BEETHOVEN: The Nine Symphonies – Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig/ Kurt Masur – PentaTone Classics Multichannel SACDs, RQR Series
The Beethoven Symphonies in surround sound are a no-brainer, considering the advantages of orchestral detail and resolution, as well as the impact of the more enveloping soundstage and hall ambiance.
Audio News for February 21, 2007
Two Mergers in Talking Stages; Sonny Rollins Podcasts
Thelonious Monk – Riverside Profiles – Riverside/Concord
A Riverside Monk primer
Robin Eubanks + EB3 – Live Vol. 1 – Robin Eubanks Music
Loops and Synths on Trombonist’s new CD + DVD
Charles Mingus At UCLA 1965 – Sunnyside (2 discs)
Long-lost Mingus treasure now out on CD
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 43 WDR Sinfonie-Orchester Koln/ Semyon Bychkov – Avie
The composer called the volatile work “my creative answer to unjust criticism.”
MOZART: Symphony No. 38 “Prague;” Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter” – Freiburger Barockorchester/ Rene Jacobs, conductor – Harmonia mundi
Music played brilliantly and with great excitement, but its fierceness comes at a price
Delfeayo Marsalis – Minions Dominion – Troubadour Jass
A delayed but welcome release from the most underrated Marsalis brother
Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue (30th Anniversary Edition) – Epic/Legacy
Lynne wrote some irresistible tunes, created very clever symphonically-oriented arrangements, and had a wonderful ear for production values.
Hidden Fresco – Albrecht Maurer, gothic fiddle/ Norbert Rodenkirchen, medieval flutes, harp – Nemu Records
Medieval improvisations of a slightly astringent character
THOMAS LINLEY the Younger: Music for the Tempest; Overture to the Duenna; In yonder grove; Ye nymphs of Albion’s beauty-blooming isle; Daughter of Heav’n, fair art thou! – soloists/ Parley of Instruments/ Paul Nicholson – Hyperion Helios
A composer who “had he lived, would have been one of the greatest ornaments of the musical world” – W.A. Mozart.
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 3; Variation on a Theme by Haydn – London Philharmonic Orchestra/ Marin Alsop – Naxos
An expansive reading that doesn’t quite make it into the first rank
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
