Monthly Archive: May 2008
Frank Kimbrough, solo piano – Air – Palmetto Records
He feels the solo route is a natural way “to abound in newness,” and that’s what he does on this enjoyable CD.
JON LORD: Boom of the Tingling Strings (Piano Concerto); Disguises – Nelson Goerner, piano (Concerto)/Odense Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mann – EMI Classics
The unusual title of the concerto comes from a line in a 1918 D.H. Lawrence poem, “Piano.”
Taylor Eigsti – Let It Come to You – Concord Jazz
The impressive Fallback Plan Suite ties into the composer’s philosophy of accempting things in his life that are out of his control.
Con Air, Blu-ray (1997)
As with most Jerry Bruckheimer-produced flicks, there are plenty of scenes with explosions, chases, and weapons.
Juno, Blu-ray with Digital Copy (2007)
Ellen Page is talented beyond her years and well-deserving of Best Actress Oscar nomination that she received.
Monique Haas plays MOZART= Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major; Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major; BACH: Italian Concerto in F Major; RAMEAU: Les Cyclopes – Monique Haas, piano/SWF Sinfonieorchester/Hans Rosbaud /NDR Sym./Schmidt-Isserstedt – Tahra
Pianist Monique Hass occupies a special place in French keyboard artistry for her adherence to a modernist aesthetic, and her advocacy of the post-Ravel classicists.
J. S. BACH: Goldberg Variations – Winfried Bönig, organ – Motette
A must-have disc from the pedagogical point of view and for those who like me think that Bach, to quote a friend of mine, “is everything” in music.
Art Pepper – Unreleased Art, Vol. 3 – The Croydon Concert – May 14, 1981 – Widows Taste
More Pepper treasures courtesy of Laurie Pepper
Audio News for May 20, 2008
SACD Totals From Record Labels; JVC/Kenwood Merger; More Versatile iPod Dock Launched
MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 “Italian”; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61–three excerpts – Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy – HDTT
Has the usual traits we associate with the Ormandy- Philadelphia sound, namely the streamlined luster of the strings and the dead-on accuracy of the wind playing.
Yellowjackets, featuring Mike Stern – Lifecycle – Heads Up
The new collaborative effort has two original tunes from Stern, with the rest of the ten tracks coming from the various group members.
Mark Weinstein, flute – Straight No Chaser – Jazzheads
He has a lot of little melodic twists that add interest and contribute to the rhythmic propulsion.
Charlie Parker & Arne Domnerus In Sweden – Oktav
A historic 1950 visit with Bird and Domnerus
Wayne Escoffery & Venerations – Hopes and Dreams – Savant
Another step forward for Wayne Escoffery
KHACHATURIAN: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra – Peter Katin, piano/London Symphony Orchestra/ Hugo Rignold – Classic Records
A brilliant piano concerto colored by the Armenian folk background of the composer.
“Orford Six Pianos” – ST.-SAENS: Danse macabre; PROKOFIEV: from Romeo & Juliet; GOUNOD: Waltz from Faust; ROSSINI: Barber of Seville Overture; RACHMANINOFF: Italian polka; WILBERG: Themes from BIZET’s “Carmen;” HOLST: Grand Galop – ATMA Classique
Whee! A soundstage overrun by six grand pianos!
Music for Flute and Harp – FAURE: Fantasie Op. 79; KOECHLIN: 14 Pieces; DAMASE: Sonata; PETRIC: A Moray Fantasy; MOZART: Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra – Dieter Flury, flute/Mojca Zlobko-Vajgl, harp/ Slovenian Phil./Tetsuji Nonna – Camerata
The big interest for me was the 14 pieces by Charles Koechlin, composed in 1936.
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 Op. 47; Coachman’s Dance – Moscow State Symphony Orchestra/ Pavel Kogan – Classic Records HDAD
A newly-recorded project done nine years ago in Graz, Austria by the well-known producing team of Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz.
BACH Cantatas Series Volumes 3 & 27 – Soloists/Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner – Soli Deo Gloria
The Bach pilgrimage continues, to noted effect…
RICHARD ARNELL: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 – MusicaNova Orchestra/Warren Cohen – Con Brio Recordings
Arnell, who is now 90, is considered one of Britain’s most important living composers.
MARTINU: Suite Concertante, H276; Suite Concertante, H276A; Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola – Bohuslav Matousek, violin and viola/ Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Christopher Hogwood, conductor – Hyperion
Hogwood continues to show mastery over the music of this underrated composer.
Virginia Mayhew Sextet – A Simple Thank You – Rema Recordings
Welcome back, Virginia!
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
