Monthly Archive: April 2008
Antennas Direct Indoor & Outdoor HDTV Antennas
Whether you still have analog TV sets or not, you might want to consider an antenna for OTA reception.
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio No. 1; Five Pieces; Piano Quintet in G Minor – Julian Rachlin, Janine Jansen, violins/ Yuri Bashmet, viola/ Mischa Maisky, cello/ Itamar Golan, piano – Onyx
If you are looking for a near-definitive version for your library, this one will fit the bill nicely.
Michael Rabin plays works of WIENIAWSKI, PAGANINI, SAINT-SAENS, SARASATE, DINICU – with Philharmonia Orch. & Hollywood Bowl Sym. – Mediciarts
Rabin plays the Lento section for its long-lined, Andalusian beauty; later he can burns our eyes and ears out with prestissimo sparks.
Audio News for April 11, 2008
Cure for TV Loudness Jumps; Commercial Device Repels Teens
Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet – One Dance Alone – Songlines
The Gravitas Quartet plays in a sort of chamber version of what used to be called the Third Stream.
Jessica Williams, solo piano – Songs for a New Century – Origin
All nine tracks are original by Williams, and they cover a wide range of emotions and styles.
Chick Corea & Gary Burton – The New Crystal Silence – Concord Jazz
A 2-CD set, 1 duo with Sydney Symphony; 2 just the duo alone
JOHN MCCABE: Ballet Suite No. 1, “Arthur Pendragon”; Piano Concerto No. 1; Pilgrim – John McCabe, piano/ BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/ Christopher Austin, conductor – Dutton
Unusual and esoteric fare that pay dividends if you are willing to invest time and patience.
Fire Burning in Snow: Baroque Music from Latin America 3 – Ex Cathedra/ Jeffrey Skidmore, conductor – Hyperion
Part 3 of a very interesting, yet fairly specialized, niche in South American Baroque history.
FRANZ SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden”; String Quartet No. 13 in A Minor, D. 804 “Rosamunde” – Takacs Quartet – Hyperion
This superb pair of readings by the Takacs Quartet is no less an audiophile’s delight.
Les Tisserandes – Traces/ Amorroma/ Zefiro Torna – Homerecords.be
A jazz/early music/folk music hybrid that will appeal to many people
FERDINAND RIES: Three Flute Quartets, Op. 145 – John Herrick Littlefield, flute/ Aaron Boyd, violin/ Ah Ling Neu, viola/ Yari Bond, cello – Naxos
Mature works by a friend of Beethoven who was also an excellent composer.
Traditions and Transformations: Sounds of Silk Road Chicago = BLOCH: Schelomo; SHARAV: Legend of Herlen; HARRISON: Pipa Concerto; PROKOFIEV: Scythian Suite – Yo-Yo Ma, cello/ Wu Man, pipa/ Silk Road/ Miguel Harth-Bedoya & Alan Gilbert – CSO-Resound
More Silk Road, but does the concept work in Chicago?
IVES: Universe Symphony – American Festival of Microtonal Music Orchestra/ Johnny Reinhard, conductor – Stereo Society
A side of Charles Ives you may not have known existed
Transient Glory II = Works of MACHOVER, SHENG, HYMAN, ARGENTO, DEL TREDICI & others – John Holden, piano/ Perspectives Ensemble/ Extension Ensemble/ Young People’s Chorus of New York City/ Francisco J. Nunez, conductor – Vital Records
A children’s chorus, but don’t touch that dial!
JOAQUIN RODRIGO – A Portrait: His Works; His Life – 22 tracks on 2 CDs, spanning his career; plus 88-page illustrated booklet with biographical essay by Graham Wade – Naxos
There were many Rodrigo works in varied styles which I had heretofore been completely unaware of.
John Beasley, piano – Letter to Herbie – Resonance Records
Herbie Hancock’s music has been an inspiration to John for some time.
RACHMANINOV: Songs; SHOSTAKOVICH: Spanish Songs, Op. 100; Five Romances, Op. 98 – Iris Oja, mezzo-soprano/ Roger Vignoles, piano – Harmonia mundi
Two composers linked only by nationality merged to create a very successful disc.
Audio News for April 8, 2008
Survey of Use of Computer Audio; UPnP – What Is It?
Gene Harris Quartet – Live in London – Resonance Heirloom
Sonics are very open and the non-annoying presence of the live audience adds a real excitement to the whole event.
Blue Man Group – How to be a Megastar Live! – Rhino DVD + CD
The whole thing lays on the irony with an iron hand.
BEETHOVEN: Concerto in C Major for Piano Trio and Orchestra, Op. 56; BRAHMS: “Double” Concerto in A Minor for Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra, Op. 102 – Christian Ferras, violin & various performers – Doremi
Featuring the outstanding partnership of three eminently gifted soloists, including Christian Ferras, along with cellist Paul Tortelier and pianist Eric Heidsieck.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
