Monthly Archive: October 2007
NIELSEN: Clarinet and Flute Concertos; Woodwind Quintet – Sabine Meyer, clarinet/ Emmanuel Pahud, flute/ Stefan Schweigert, bassoon/ Jonathan Kelly, oboe and English horn/ Radek Baborak, French horn/ Berlin Philharmonic/ Simon Rattle, conductor – EMI
Fully competitive readings by two of the world’s top players
HOLST: The Planets–Suite, Op. 32 – Vienna State Opera Orchestra/ Vienna State Academy Chorus/ Sir Adrian Boult – HDTT
Spectacular version (especially in 96K option) from a conductor closely associated with the warhorse
Audio News for October 26, 2007
Build Your Own Sputnik; 226 Symphonies in One Box; Net-based Outlets Filling In for Closed Classical CD Shops; Why Can’t You Hear the Difference?
“X Over Trombone” – NATHANIEL SHILKRET: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra; JAMES PUGH: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra; JEFF TYZIK: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra – James Pugh, trombone/ Colorado Symphony Orchestra/ Jeff Tyzik – Albany
A trio of crossover concertos featuring a trombone virtuoso
IsoMike Tests 2007B – Selections by Blue Knights Band, Fry Street Quartet, pianist Robert Silverman, Choir tests, Sonolumina Ensemble in complete Concerto a tre by INGOLF DAHL – Kimber Kable
Four-channel test recordings using the heart & egg-shaped experimental baffles developed by Ray Kimber
ERMANNO WOLF-FERRARI: Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra; Concertino for English Horn and Orchestra; Suite Concertino for Bassoon and Orchestra – Piet Van Bockstal, oboe & English horn/ Luc Loubry, bassoon/ West Saxony Symphony Orchestra/Hans Rotman – Talent
Three light and delightful woodwind concertos
Hollow Man, Director’s Cut, Blu-ray (2000)
Menacing modern sci-fi-ish twist on The Invisible Man
TSONTAKIS: Man of Sorrows; BERG: Piano Sonata; WEBERN: Piano Variations; SCHOENBERG: Six Little Piano Pieces – Stephen Hough, piano – Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton – Hyperion
As usual for Hyperion, the sound quality is nothing short of superb.
MENDELSSOHN: Piano Trios –Trio Wanderer (Vincent Coq, piano/ Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabedian, violin/ Raphael Pidoux, cello) – Harmonia mundi
Each is filled with passion and virtuosic writing and these virtues are brought to life by the members of Trio Wanderer.
Frank Zappa: Apostrophe / Over-nite Sensation (2007)
Well-done “rockumentary” with lots of extras will excite Zappa fans
The Elfin Knight = Ballads and Dances from Renaissance England – Joel Frederiksen, bass and director/ Ensemble Phoenix Munich – Harmonia mundi
Engaging, involved listening that will surely brighten your day
SAINT-SAËNS: Preludes & Fugues; Fantasies – Jan Lehtola, pipe organ – Alba
This turns out to be the only Cavaillé-Coll organ in Finland, and its rich and varied registrations come thru beautifully.
REINHOLD GLIÈRE: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra; Concerto for Horn and Orchestra – Quirine Viersen, cello/Eliz Erkalp, French horn/Royal Flemish Philharmonic/ Marc Soustrot – Talent
Two lyrical and melodic concertos from the Soviet era
Breathless – Criterion Collection (1961)
Godard’s path-breaking low-budget classic launched the New Wave movement.
Bob Dylan – Dylan – Columbia/Legacy (3 CD set)
So Who’s This Dylan Guy?
Audio News for October 23, 2007
New Entry in Wireless Sweepstakes; Wireless iPod Speakers; Home-Theater-In-A-Box With All the Trimmings
LISZT Recital by Polina Leschenko – Prelude and Fugue in a minor; Valse de l’opera Faust; Piano Sonata in b minor; BUSONI: The Bach Chaconne – Avanti Classic
No one would accuse Leschenko of sounding like a female pianist.
Count Basie Orchestra (Directed by Bill Hughes) – Basie is Back – Concord
Basie tribute recorded live in Japan
Meet the Robinsons, Blu-ray (2007)
Vibrant, detailed screen images, as usually experienced with animated features
Marvin Stamm Quartet – Alone Together – Jazzed Media JM 9002
A sweet CD/DVD set from Marvin Stamm
OFFENBACH: Entre Nous, Celebrating Offenbach – London Philharmonic Orchestra/David Parry – Opera Rara
For all who are interested in music as social history and for those music lovers which continue to be enchanted by Offenbach.
BEETHOVEN: Quartet No. 9 in C Major; Quartet No. 14 in C Sharp Minor – Busch Quartet – Dutton
From the recorded legacy of virtuoso violinist and chamber music specialist Adolf Busch (1891-1952)
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
