Monthly Archive: March 2008
BIZET: Carmen excerpts – Margaret Klose, Carmen/Rudolf Schock, Don Jose/ Elfriede Troetschel, Micaela/Marla Reith, Frascquita/Pia Coursave, Mercedes/ RIAS Chamber Choir and Symphony-Orchestra/Ferenc Fricsay – Audite
This fine series of excerpts transcends its “political” intentions with a performance of enduring, aesthetic understanding.
Pierrot Le Fou, 1965
Considered a high point of the French New Wave, this Godard/Belmondo effort – as crazy as its title – may please or madden
Cannonball Adderley Sextet – In New York – Riverside Records (Keepnews Collection)
Cannonball’s sextet visits the Big Apple
Milt Jackson & Wes Montgomery – Bags Meets Wes! – Riverside Records (Keepnews Collection)
Two of the best at their best
Blue Mitchell, trumpet – Blue Soul – Riverside Records (Keepnews Collection)
Cause for Celebration
Bill Evans Trio – Portrait in Jazz – Riverside Records (Keepnews Collection)
Portrait of a Piano Genius
MAHLER: Des Knaben Wunderhorn – Stephan Genz, baritone/ Roger Vignoles, piano – Hyperion
Relatively rare on records, this new release will fill many a gap
BROUWER: The City of Columns; Journey to the Source; New Simple Studies; Album Leaf-The Raindrop; Suite No. 1, “Antigua”; MANUEL SAUMELL: Contra Dances; JOAQUIN CLERCH: Yemaya – Graham Anthony Devine, guitar – Naxos
A superb series continues featuring music that everyone, not just guitar lovers, should know
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Genoveva (complete opera) – Annette Dasch (Genoveva)/ Michael Konig (Golo)/ Andrea Baker (Margaretha)/ Morten Frank Larsen (Pfalzgraf)/ Thomas de Vries (Hidulfus) – Chorus & Orch. of Hesse State Theater/Marc Piollet – Acousence
An excellent, needed recording of a neglected masterpiece with some of the best music the composer ever penned
Audio News for March 21, 2008
Avoiding DRM Problems; Wireless Solution from Your PC to Your Home Audio System; Recording Industry vs. The People
SCHUBERT: Piano Trio No.1, op. 99; Piano Trio No. 2, op. 100; Notturno in E-flat; Sonatensatz in B-flat – Trio Wanderer – Harmonia mundi
Great sounding readings of the two finest piano trios in the literature
STRAVINSKY: Piano-Rag Music; Circus Polka; Piano Sonata; Serenade in A; Tango; Four Etudes; Scherzo; Piano Sonata in F-sharp minor – Victor Sangiorgio, piano – Naxos
Rarely performed works that reveal a most attractive (and unknown) side of the composer
BUXTEHUDE: Complete Organ Works – Rene Saorgin, organ – Harmonia mundi
Available again, this seminal 5-CD set from the sixties has lost none of its audiophile appeal
BYRD: Mass for Five Voices; Mass for Four Voices; Mass for Three Voices; Ave verum corpus; Infelix ego; Vigilate; Tristitia et anxietas; Ne irascaris, Domine; Prevent us, O Lord; The Great Service; more – Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips – Gimell
Newly-coupled disc of previously-released definitive performances
BEETHOVEN: The Piano Concertos with Vladimir Ashkenazy; also Symphony No. 8 (1974)
Over four hours’ worth of a Beethoven festival of significance.
Mirror Canon – Piano Music from the First and Second Viennese Schools = BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 32 in C minor; SCHOENBERG: Sechs kleine Klavierstücke; WEBERN: Vier Stücke für Geige und Klavier Op. 7; BERG: Piano Sonata Op. 1 – Tor Espen Aspaas, piano – 2L
Aspaas’ discussion of this sonata, his magnificent performance of it, and the transparent 2L surround sound had my hearing the Beethoven in an entirely new light.
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels – Afro Bop Alliance – Heads Up
The 19-piece aggregation comes about because this is not just the Caribbean Jazz Project band but a joint project with the Afro Bop Alliance Latin band.
MIKE OLDFIELD: Music of the Spheres – Lang Lang, piano/Hayley Westenra, lead vocals/ Sinfonia Sfera Orchestra/Karl Jenkins – Decca
Oldfield enters the classical realm with his interpretation of the Music of the Spheres.
Yes – Live at Montreux 2003, Blu-ray
The classic prog rock band is back with the original lineup and they rock!
HAYDN: The Creation (complete oratorio) (1990)
A multimedia experience of remarkable artistic power.
Full Metal Jacket, Blu-ray (2006)
Good, but a later, much more attractive deluxe package is available at the same price.
Dan In Real Life, Blu-ray (2008)
An extremely entertaining watch, and I felt it really showcased Steve Carell’s talents as an actor.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
