Monthly Archive: April 2007
The Queen (2006), Blu-ray & Standard
It doesn’t take an expert critic to appreciate the contribution made by Helen Mirren to The Queen.
Jiri Barta – Labyrinth of Darkness (2006)
His world of fantasy and horror has been characterized as influenced by Kafka, Poe, Fritz Lang, The Brothers Quay and fellow animator Jan Svankmajer.
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453; Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488 – Robert Casadesus, piano/ RAI Milan Symphony Orchestra/ Fernando Previtali – Archipel
The Andante has all the earmarks of a graduated, baroque sarabande, vocally phrased, an extended aria of singular beauty.
Woodshop = Darol Anger & Mike Marshall – Adventure Music
An update to a wonderful duo album which Anger and Marshall did 20 years ago for Windham Hill
La trompette retrouvée = RAMEAU: Suite from “Nais;” HAHN: A Chloris; CHABRIER: Suite for Trumpet and Piano; SAINT-SAËNS: Romanza; FAURÉ: Deuxième Sonate – Jonathan Freeman-Atwood, trumpet; Daniel-Ben Pienaar, piano – Linn
It is not such a simple matter to transcribe many of these works to the dynamic combination of trumpet and piano
Dreamgirls (2006), Blu-ray, 2-Disc Showstopper Edition
The first film role for Jennifer Hudson of American Idol fame, and it won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the recent Academy Awards.
HAYDN: Piano Trios: Piano Trio in F Major, Hob. XV:6; Piano Trio in A-flat Major, Hob. XV: 14; Piano Trio in C Minor, Hob. XV: 13; Piano Trio in G Major, Hob. XV: 5; Piano Trio in E Minor, Hob. XV: 12 – Trio Vivente – EigenArt
What strikes listeners of today is the joy in the unexpected, whether by way of harmony or instrumental alignments.
The Guardian, Blu-ray (2006)
For those who prefer their matinees wet
Funky Organ – B3 Jazz Grooves – HighNote Jazz After Midnight – Rudy Van Gelder recordings – HighNote
Two more fine jazz compilations with topflight artists
Audio News for April 27, 2007
Home Entertainment Show 2007 in NYC; Recycling Unwanted Electronics; Harman International Acquired; Head Monster Visits Middle East Conference; Cellist/Conductor Mstislav Rostropovich Dies
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player
If you have a hi-def flat panel or rear-projection set, or better yet an HD front projection system, you owe it to yourself to check out the HD-XA2
MORTON LAURIDSEN: Nocturnes and other choral music – Polyphony/Stephen Layton with Britten Sinfonia – Hyperion
Anyone who is interested in the best of choral music of our time will treasure this disc.
Ansermet = HAYDN: Symphony No. 85; DEBUSSY: Three Nocturnes; Iberia; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 4; BARTOK: Concerto for Orchestra; Ansermet interview – BBC Symphony Orchestra (Haydn, Debussy) BBC Ladies Chorus/ Philharmonia/Ernest Ansermet – BBC
Mathematician as well as musician, Ansermet eschewed romantic sentimentality in his interpretations, preferring the clear, understated style
Déjà Vu, Blu-ray (2006)
This was the first feature film shot in New Orleans since Katrina.
LUDWIG THUILLE: Piano Quintet in G minor; Piano Quintet Op. 20 in F flat major – Oliver Triendl, piano/Vogler Quartet – CPO
The Op. 20 doesn’t sound old-fashioned – just lacking in some of the extravagant expression expected from his friend Richard Strauss.
GEORGE LLOYD: Symphony No. 11 (1985) – Albany Symphony Orchestra/George Lloyd – Albany
He often referred to his scores, without embarrassment, as having plenty of “tunes.”
BRAHMS: Lieder – Bernarda Fink, soprano/ Roger Vignoles, piano – Harmonia mundi
A fine album of eminent craftsmanship and style
March of the Penguins, Blu-ray (2005)
This is a perfect film for HD display – the staggering vistas of Antarctica come across beautifully.
VLADIMIR GODÁR: Mater – Iva Bittova, voice/ Milos Valent, violin and viola/ Chamber Orchestra Solamente Naturali/ Bratislava Conservatory Choir/ Marek Stryncl, conductor – ECM
A new cantata that becomes one of the most desirable classical releases of the year
JOLIVET: Violin Concerto; CHAUSSON: Poeme – Isabelle Faust, violin/ Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/ Marko Letonja, conductor – Harmonia mundi
A brilliant release marred only by the stingy time
GÓRECKI: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 67 (“…songs are sung”) – Kronos Quartet – Nonesuch
Cut from the same cloth as the ‘Symphony of Sorrowful Songs’ and the most important Górecki work in 15 years
Ora Divina (The Sublime Hour), Volume 9 of “Il Salotto” – Diana Montague/ Bruce Ford/ Majella Cullagh/ Barry Banks/ Elizabeth Vidal/ Mark Stone/ Sine Bundgaard/ Paul Austin Kelly/ Roland Wood, singers/ Susie Beer, cello/ David Harper, piano – Opera Rara
Volume 9 in a continuing, eminently worthy series for opera lovers