Monthly Archive: April 2008
RON GEORGE: The Floating Bubble; JOHN BERGAMO: Gupta Slika Chand; BEN JOHNSTON: Sleep and Waking – Innova
With his unique instruments and the variable microtonal tuning system George worked out, he appears to be a sort of Harry Partch Jr.
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra: Hans Vonk = BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21; BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 – St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Hans Vonk cond. – PentaTone
These two performances from Powell Symphony Hall attest to the joie de vivre Vonk could generate from his St. Louis players.
The Golden Compass, Blu-ray (2008)
Must agree with the critics calling this one of the finest fantasy films of all time.
R. STRAUSS: Don Quixote, Op. 35; HAYDN: Symphony No. 92 in G Major “Oxford” – Emanuel Feuermann, cello/NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini – Opus Kura
For those who do not consider Toscanini a “romantic” conductor, this incendiary conception will prove a decisive tonic.
STRAVINSKY: Suite from The Soldier’s Tale; BENSHOOF: A Whimsical Solution; CORAY: Sanctuary; BARTOK: Contrasts – Alaska Pro Musica (clarinet/violin/piano) – MSR Classics
The two centerpiece works by living composers are both world premiere recordings.
Audio News for April 29, 2008
HDMI Competitor; Software Separates Notes in a Chord
The Lindemann Series Vol. V = SCHUMANN: Violin Sonata in D Minor; SCHUBERT: Sonata in a Minor “Arpeggione”; BENJAMIN: Sonata; PAGANINI: Allegretto; HUBAY: Der Zephir – Hartmut Lindemann, viola/ Hasihiba, piano/Viazovskly, guitar – Tacet
The Arpeggione Sonata with guitar accompaniment is a serenade of Iberian beauty by way of Vienna.
MENDELSSOHN: The 13 Complete String Symphonies; alternate version of String Symphony No. 8 with added winds – Amsterdam Sinfonietta/Lev Markiz – BIS
Not a hybrid nor hi-res SACD, but runs an unbelievable 4 hours 15 minutes!
The Scott Lavender & Roger Shell Duo – ‘Round Midnight – RSSL Duo Productions
The Duo members found a way to combine their mutual love both both classical music and jazz in making this album.
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder – Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947 – Skaggs Family Records
An energetic and infectiously fun recreation of the beginning of Bluegrass music by one of today’s best Bluegrass bands.
Greg Spatz – Fiddler’s Dream – SeaSqwrl Records
Virtuosic and soulful fiddle and bouzouki renditions of Celtic, folk, and Bluegrass tunes.
Wei Li, guzheng solo – Red Cliff Capriccio – First Impression Music
Rather than a super-remastering of a historic analog recording, this is a brand new digital recording made just last year at Skywalker Sound.
“Fire Beneath My Fingers” – VIVALDI: “La Tempesta di Mare” Concerto; Sonata in A minor RV 86; Concerto in G minor KV 106; Concerto in B Flat Major; TARTINI: Concerto in A Major; SAMMARTINI: Concerto in F Major – Musica Pacifica – Dorian
Their standards of accuracy and virtuosity sound higher than most of the other early music ensembles which have received attention and popularity.
The Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 2 = Five Biblical Songs; Te Deum; Violin Concerto in A minor
One of a six-part video series devoted to the music of Antonin Dvorak.
SCHUBERT: Sehnsucht (Longing) – Matthias Goerne, baritone/ Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano – Harmonia mundi
Fine Schubert, though a walk on the dark side
GUSTAV MAHLER: Symphony No. 4 – Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman/ Luba Orgonášová, soprano – RCA Red Seal
In Zinman’s hands Mahler is for relaxing and I don’t think Mahler would have agreed at all with that.
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Peter Cooper – Mission Door – Red Beet Records
A talented singer-songwriter takes a wry and witty look at hardships, relationships, racism, drinking, and baseball.
Audio News for April 26, 2008
New Disklavier Does It All; Pristine Classical Offers 96K Downloads of Enhanced Historical Recordings; Blaupunkt Car Head End Unit Is CD-Free; Klipsch and B&W Joint Effort
The Orphanage, Blu-ray (2008)
A wonderful Spanish supernatural thriller in the vein of The Sixth Sense.
BANTOCK: Omar Khayyam – Catherine Wyn-Rogers, mezzo-soprano/ Toby Spence, tenor/ Roderick Williams, baritone/ BBC Symphony Chorus/ BBC Symphony Orchestra/ Vernon Handley, conductor – Chandos (3 SACDs)
A Victorian look at 13th century Persia, by a wonderful composer in first-rate surround sound
Com One Phoenix Wi-Fi Radio
It’s short wave in hi-fi!