Monthly Archive: January 2008
Vaclav Talich, Special Edition 17 = Works of SMETANA, BLODEK, KOVAROVIC, JANACEK, SUK & DVORAK – Czech Philharmonic/Talich – Supraphon
The eminently athletic 1929 survey proved to be the benchmark for all future readings of the impressive Ma Vlast cycle.
The Naked Prey (1966)
A riveting tale of survival and courage in colonial Africa.
Audio News for January 15, 2008
CES Product Debuts; RCA Converter Box Certified for Analog TV Coupon Program
CHOPIN: Chopin in Vienna – Pierre Goy, fortepiano – Lyrinx
Excellent readings of a mix of Chopin Polonaises, Waltzes, Mazurkas and Nocturnes, all played on a fortepiano that is a copy of a Conrad Graf instrument from Vienna of 1826.
SCHUBERT: Sonatas for Violin and Piano Nos. 1, 2, 3 and Op. 162 – Richard Egarr, fortepiano; Andrew Manze, violin – Harmonia mundi
Egarr’s mastery of the instrument is complete, and the recording and performances are first-rate.
KANCHELI: Styx, for Viola, Choir and Orchestra; TAVENER: The Myrrh-Bearer, for Viola, Chorus and Percussion – Maxim Rysanov, viola/ Liepaja Symphony Orchestra and Choir (Kancheli) with the Men of the State Choir of Latvia (Tavener)/ Maris Sirmais – Onyx
Get ready for a shocking dynamic range in Kancheli’s music
Evan Christopher – Delta Bound – Arbors Jazz
He’s a fresh new voice on the instrument who is also steeped in the tradition of the New Orleans clarinet style.
BRAHMS: Sonatas for Viola and Piano Nos. 1 and 2; SCHUMANN: Marchenbilder (Four Fairytale Pictures for Viola and Piano) – Marie-Josephe Jude, piano; Yuri Gandelsman, viola – Lyrinx
The SACD multichannel recording places the two players in a perfect representation of the recorded acoustic.
FAURE: Works for Piano – Herve Billaut, piano – Lyrinx
Faure’s work serves as a precursor and bridge to the Impressionists, Ravel and Debussy
VERDI: Missa da Requiem – Aachen Symphony Orchestra – Marcus Bosch, conductor – Coviello
From the opening notes, it’s obvious that this disc is something very special indeed.
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 7 – Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Bernard Haitink, conductor – CSO RESOUND
Chock full of all the trademark CSO flourishes, including spectacular massed brasses, incredibly sweet strings and thunderous percussion.
SCHUMANN: Humoreske, Sonata in F sharp minor – Angela Hewitt, piano – Hyperion
Hyperion discs remain the benchmark for recorded piano sound, and of course Angela Hewitt is always incredible.
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Cantatas, Nos. 26, 62, 116, 139 – Bach Collegium Japan – Masaaki Suzuki, conductor – BIS
The first in a re-release on SACD of the BIS Bach Cantata Series
BRAHMS: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra; Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra (double concerto) – New Westphalian Philharmonic Orchestra – Conrad van Alphen, conductor – EBS (2 discs)
The two short discs give an opportunity to compare the cello-only version with the final double concerto.
Harman Kardon AVR 240 Series Multichannel Receiver
A lot of multichannel performance out of an inexpensive receiver if you have fairly efficient speakers
Arie di bravura – Diana Damrau, soprano/ Le Cercle de l’Harmonie/ Jeremie Rhorer, conductor – Virgin Classics
At last—a head to head comparison between two classical period Top Guns, and a soprano who knows how to make them come alive.
J.S. BACH: The Six Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046-1051 – European Brandenburg Ensemble/Trevor Pinnock – AVIE
These performances by the eponymous Brandenburg Ensemble enjoy a warm, intimate sonic patina that often reminds one of their antique antecedents.
* BRUCH: Symphonies No. 1, Op. 28; No. 2, Op. 36; No. 3, Op. 51; Violin Concerto No. 2, Op.44; Concert Piece for Violin and Orchestra; Swedish Dances – Ursula Schoch, violin/ New Westphalian Philharmonic Orchestra/ Johannes Wildner – EBS (3 discs)
******** MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ********
Definitely a release to fill an important gap, in sound to die for
SAINT-SAENS: Africa, Parysatis – Airs de ballet, La jota aragonese, Grand Fantasy, Tarantelle, Sarabande et Rigaudon, Danse macabre, Marche militaire francaise, The Muse and the Poet, Valse-Finale – London Philharmonic/Geoffrey Simon – Cala Records
A fascinating program of off-the-beaten-track Saint-Saens
Santana – Santana – Columbia/Mobile Fidelity
The gold CD reissue of Santana’s very first album actually beats the vinyl sonically
Pioneers of Television (2008)
Almost four hours of old video nostalgia and reminiscinces
MOZART: Symphonies, vol. 6, No. 19 in E-flat, No. 20 in D, No. 21 in A, No. 26 in E-flat – Danish Radio Sinfonietta/ Adam Fischer – DaCapo
The first ever complete Mozart symphonies series on SACD
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
