Monthly Archive: July 2007
Roving Mars, Blu-ray (2006)
Take the ride of a lifetime, courtesy of an IMAX 70mm feature with some computer animation
Coming To America: Sp. Collector’s Edition, Blu-ray (1988)
Nearing the twentieth anniversary of its initial release, “Coming to America” still holds up well as a comedy film
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor
1969 videotape of the renowned conductor Celibidache, who hated to make recordings
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge; WARLOCK: The Curlew; BLISS: Elegiac Sonnet; GURNEY: Ludlow & Teme – James Gilchrist, tenor/ Anna Tilbrook, piano/ Michael Cox, flute/ Gareth Hulse, English horn/ Fitzwilliam String Quartet – Linn
If you lack these pieces in your collection, look no further, and if you want the Super Audio version this is mandatory.
Bill Mays’ The Inventions Trio – Fantasy – Palmetto Records
Mays is one of the few jazz artists who sometimes includes classical repertory into a jazz context
Jean Cocteau’s Les Enfants Terribles (1950)
One of Cocteau’s best films – right up there with Orpheus and Beauty and the Beast.
The Fifth Element, Blu-ray (replacement version)
The full 1080p resolution does make the film look even more amazing than it did before.
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Works for Orchestra: Overture to The Maid of Pskov; Legend (Conte féerique); Neapolitan Song; Overture to The Tsar’s Bride; Sinfonietta on Russian Themes; Capriccio espagnol – BBC Philharmonic conducted by Vassily Sinaisky – Chandos
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Works for Orchestra: Overture to The Maid of Pskov; Legend (Conte féerique), Op. 29; Neapolitan Song. Op.63; Overture to The Tsar’s Bride; Sinfonietta on Russian Themes, Op. 31; Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34 – BBC Philharmonic conducted by Vassily Sinaisky – Chandos 10424, 74:32, *****: A splendid audiophile showpiece and a lot of fun besides. Not for nothing is Rimsky-Korsakov known as the Russian colorist par excellence, and these compositions – none of which has been over-recorded except for the Capriccio espagnol – demonstrate this quality of his to perfection. The opening movement of the five-movement Legend is deeply indebted to Berlioz; no wonder since Rimsky’s important Principles of Orchestration was heavily influenced by the French composer’s similar Treatise. The Neapolitan Songs, a three-minute arrangement of Funiculi, funicula, makes a great party piece. The familiar Capriccio is given a reading intoxicated with vivid splashes of instrumental color and virtuosity. The clarinettist in particular savors each note, each a wild flight of stratospheric fantasy. And throughout, Sinaisky conducts with a combination of savage fury and elegant command that never allows even one bar to become routine. If you like this CD, note that Sinaisky has made several recordings with the BBC […]
MARTINU: 8 Preludes; Window on the Garden; Fables; 3 Sketches; Le Noel; Dance Sketches; – Foxtrot – Giorgio Koukl, piano – Naxos
Only a few of Martinu’s piano works receive the attention usually accorded his chamber music and symphonies.
PROKOFIEV: Scythian Suite Op. 20; STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring – Dallas Symphony Orchestra/ Eduardo Mata – Dorian Recordings
Dorian’s audiophile catalog is available once again!
Brotherly Jazz – The Heath Brothers (2006)
The brothers had a special connection which made their quartet – with pianist Jeb Patton for this appearance – a musical gem
Audio News for July 28, 2007
Dorian Records Revived; Sony Introduces HD Radio; Streaming Movies On iPhones; Blu-ray Inches Ahead in Format War
* SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2; Pohjola’s Daughter – London Symphony Orchestra/ Sir Colin Davis – LSO Live
******** MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ********
BUSONI the Visionary = Red Indian Diary: Book One; Seven Elegies; Chaconne from Bach’s D Minor Partita – Jeni Slotchiver, piano – Centaur
Busoni’s work with a collection of Native American tunes was similar to what Bartok and Kodaly were doing in Hungary.
Audio News for July 25, 2007
Digital Music Sales Grow; GalleryPlayer to Issue Blu-rays; Runco International Acquired by Planar Systems; Wireless Lamp/Speaker
Paul Bollenback – Brightness of Being – Elefant Dreams
Guitarist Paul Bollenback leads a diverse group of players through his original compositions and some intriguing covers.
Jerry Bergonzi Quartet – Tenorist – Savant
I suspect this is the tenorman’s best recorded work, enhanced by stupendous sonics.
SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 99; TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 35 – David Oistrakh, violin/ New York Philharmonic/ Dimitri Mitropoulos (Shostakovich)/ Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy – Sony Classical
Wonderfully rich tone from Oistrakh; even his pizzicati glow.
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in A Minor; 3 Etudes by Paganini, Op. 10; Maerchenbilder for Viola and Piano, Op. 113; 3 Fantasiestuecke for Cello and Piano – Pierre Fournier, cello/ Yuri Bashmet, viola/ USSR State Orchestra/ George Georgescu – Doremi
Richter captures the aggressive and dreamy sides of Schumann’s musical persona.
BRAHMS: Complete Works for Violin and Piano = Violin Sonata No. 1 in G, Op. 78; Violin Sonata No. 2 in A, Op. 100; Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108; Sonata-Movement in C Minor – Nikolaj Znaider, violin/ Yefim Bronfman, piano – RCA Red Seal
We are privy to a special collaboration of Brahms acolytes.
Duke Pearson, piano: The Right Touch – Blue Note
Pearson was very underrated in the pantheon of jazz pianists.
Mulgrew Miller: Live At Yoshi’s, Volume One – Mulgrew Miller, piano; Derrick Hodge, bass; Karriem Riggins, drums – MaxJazz
This album has offered me an incredible amount of listening pleasure over the last couple of weeks.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
