Monthly Archive: May 2007
Donald Byrd – The Cat Walk – Blue Note RVG Edition
One Cool Reissue
Roy Haynes/Phineas Newborn/Paul Chambers – We Three – Prestige RVG Remaster
We Three – a Forever Sweet Gem
Horszowski Recital = BACH: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826; MOZART: Piano Sonata in B-flat Major; CHOPIN: Nocturne in C Sharp Minor; Nocturne in D-flat Major; Mazurka in C Major; DEBUSSY: Children’s Corner – Horszowski – BBC Legends
Horszowski’s Chopin is not quite like anyone else’s.
Black Rain, Blu-ray (1989), Special Collectors’ Edition
It created some controversy over accusations that it had a racist slant to its story of two NYC-based detectives chasing a cold-blooded Japanese Yakusa killer back to Japan
Roland Kirk – Kirk’s Work – Prestige RVG Remaster
The Awesome Tag Team of Roland Kirk and Jack McDuff
HANDEL: Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno – Natalie Dessay (Bellezza)/ Ann Hallenberg (Piacere)/ Sonia Prina (Disinganno)/ Pavol Breslik (Tempo)/ Emmanuelle Haïm, conductor (harpsichord, organ)/ Le Concert D’Astrée – Virgin
An essential recording of Handel’s first Oratorio that fills a large gap in the current discography
Stargate, Blu-ray (1994)
Stargate combined the lure of outer space/aliens adventure with the mysteries of ancient Egyptian culture – a very clever mix.
Audio News for May 12, 2007
True Hi-Res Downloads from Linn Records Site; Innovation in Home Theater Speakers from Niles; Freeware Solution to Testing Effects on Audio Signal of Various Tweaks; Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C.
Thelonious Monk Trio – Thelonious Monk Trio – Prestige/Concord Rudy Van Gelder Remasters
This was at a time when Monk hadn’t yet made the cover of TIME and was generally thought of as a quirky, somewhat nutty pianist, not a genius.
Tord Gustavsen Trio – Being There – ECM
This disc will be paired with Vladimir Godar’s Mater as our June ECM giveaway to ten Audiophile Audition readers!
Robert Fonseca, piano – Zamazu – Enja
Zamazu represents the future of Cuban music – Variety called it the Next Generation after the Buena Vista Social Club.
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 “Choral” – Ingeborg Wengler, soprano/ Ursula Zottenkopf, alto/ Hans-Joachim Rotzsch, tenor/ Theo Adam, bass/ Rundfunkchor Leipzig/ Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/ Franz Konwitschny – Berlin Classics
Recommended as a magnificent blast from the past.
The Fred Hersch Trio – Night & The Music – Palmetto Records
Seven of the ten tracks are first takes
Thad Jones – Detroit-New York Junction – Blue Note RVG Series
Function at the Junction
Art Taylor – A.T.’s Delight – Blue Note RVG Edition
What a Delight!
Holly Hofmann & Mike Wofford Jazz Duo (flute & piano) – Live at Athenaeum Jazz Vol. 2 – Capri Records
Phil Woods called Hofmann the best jazz flutist today, along with Hubert Laws.
Billy Bang Quintet, Featuring Frank Lowe – Above & Beyond: An Evening in Grand Rapids – Justin-Time
Bang and Lowe collaborated for over a quarter-century, creating a powerful avantgarde duo expression
ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 – Grand Rapids Symphony/ David Lockington, conductor – Naxos
Music that will surprise and delight, from an esoteric source
“Exultate” = DANIEL GAWTHROP: Sketchbook One; Sketchbook Two; Caprice; Nocturne; Toccata Brevis; Partita on Hyfrydol; Chorale; O Jersusalem, A Symphony for Organ – Mary Mozelle, organ – MSR Classics
World premiere CD devoted to this talented composer
STRAVINSKY: Le Sacre du printemps; Three Pieces for String Quartet; Concerto in E-flat Major “Dumbarton Oaks”; Septet; Movements; Tanz (all arr. for piano duet and 2 pianos) – Bugallo-Williams, piano duo – Wergo
Confined within the parameters of one piano, Le Sacre emerges as an angular, ferocious, rhythmic exercise
Night at the Museum, Blu-ray (2006)
I think intelligent adults will enjoy most of this film as much as their offspring.
“Mare” = Works for 4 Pianists – TRYGE MADSEN: Grotesques and Arabesques; WOLFGANG PLAGGE: Mare; Concerto Grosso III, BJØRN KRUSE: Boogie Retention – Aurora (Piano) Quartet – 2L
All of these works are basically tonal and make imaginative use of multi-keyboards.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
