Monthly Archive: March 2007
Children of Men (2006)
A bleak and grim apocalyptic look at the possible demise of humanity in the near future.
Volver (2006)
An intimate drama that examines the lives, tribulations, and strengths of a family of women in Spain.
Wagner: Lohengrin (complete opera)
A dramatic struggle of masculine and feminine, revenge and compassion
Audio News for March 31, 2007
Genesis SACD Release Nixed for North America; The Tape Project Launches
Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)
A spectacular Tang dynasty political and familial intrigue fueled by betrayal, vengeance, and deadly secrets.
WAGNER. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg
It is so well acted you can lose yourself in it and not notice the technical shortcomings.
Night School – An Evening with Stanley Clarke & Friends (2003/2007)
The concert provides a fine opportunity to see and hear the many different approaches and styles to bass playing among the various performers.
Audio News for March 28, 2007
Apple TV is Here; CEA Names 11 Hall-of-Famers; Another Approach to P2P Digital Piracy
POULENC: Gloria (1959-60); HONEGGER: Symphony No. 3 “Liturgique” (1945-46) – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Mariss Jansons (with Luba Organasova, soprano/Netherlands Radio Choir in Gloria) – RCO Live
Both composers were members of “Les Six,” and both works could be described as religious in nature.
Marc-André Hamelin – It’s All About the Music (2006)
Not just about Hamelin, but also the history and backgrounds of the great virtuoso composer-pianists of the Golden Age of keyboard music.
WILLIAM BLAND (n. 1947): Piano music = Sonata #4; Air de Ballet; Nouveau Rag; Pastorale; Sonata #14 – William Bland, piano – Bridge Records
Two unusual and highly rewarding 30-minute sonatas bookend this wonderful recital of music by William Bland, a 60-year-old American composer working in West Virginia
Best Classics 100 – 100 of the World’s Most Popular Pieces of Classical Music – EMI Classics
Extended Audio Discs with over 7 hours of music on 2 DVDs
David Russell – Art of the Guitar – Works of ALBENIZ, ARCAS, VILLA-LOBOS, MYERS, GRIEG, DEBUSSY, CARLEVARO, MARTZ, SOR, SOJO, BROCA, MAZA – Telarc
The classical guitarist’s 12th disc for the label
MAHLER: Symphony No. 8 in E Flat – Christine Brewer and other soloists/City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Youth Chorus/London Sym. Chorus/Toronto Children’s Chorus/City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/ Sir Simon Rattle – EMI Classics
An Extended Audio Disc, with DTS 5.1 & DD 5.1 + 48K PCM Stereo, but no video except for a short “Making Of…” documentary
BRAHMS: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34; Paganini Variations, Op. 35; Four Pieces from Fantasien, Op. 116 – Sviatoslav Richter, piano/ Tatrai String Quartet – Doremi
As always, Richter’s piano part feels like the panther can strike at any moment.
Spanish Album = Works of SOLER, GRANADOS, ALBENIZ, MOMPOU, LONGAS, DEBUSSY, RAVEL, SCHARWENKA, HIEMANN, HOUGH – Stephen Hough, piano – Hyperion
Glittering, boldly resonant, and forever virtuosic, Hough remains a debonair treat for the piano connoisseur
Variegated Vocalists
16 mostly jazz vocalists reviewed
Audio News for March 24, 2007
Blu-ray Leading Hi-Def Sales; Copyright Trial Testing “Fair Use” Concept; Burning HD Videos on Standard DVDs
PURCELL: Karina Gauvin sings Purcell – With Les Boréades /Francis Colpron – ATMA Classique
This is absolutely essential for Purcell lovers. And for music lovers, too.
MOZART: Symphonies 38 & 41 – Freiburger Barockorchester conducted by René Jacobs – Harmonia mundi
When you invite your friends over and put this recording on, they will stop whatever they are doing and listen until the entire CD is over.
Steve March Tormé – Tormé Sings Tormé – Band led by pianist Steve Rawlins – DVD with DVD-A + CD – AIX Records
A tribute to Mel Tormé from his son, with extensive historical footage and extras
Ethel (String Quartet) – Ethel Light – Works of TIMO ALAKOTILA, DON BYRON, MARY ELLEN CHILDS, CORNELIUS DEFALLO, DOROTHY LAWSON, MARY ROWELL, LENNIE TRISTANO, PAMELA Z, MARCELO ZARVOS – Cantaloupe Music
Ethel dresses up the string quartet with sound effects, whistles, striking the sides of their instruments for percussive effect.