Monthly Archive: July 2008
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone = MAHLER: Kindertotenlieder; Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen – with NWDR Sinfonieorcheter/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt/Cologne Radio-Sym. Orch./Otto Ackermann/Orchestre National de France/Carl Schuricht – Tahra
This is the culmination of some essential Mahler performances the collector and the connoisseur of vocal magic will cherish deeply.
Logitech® Harmony® One Advanced Universal Remote SRP: $249.99
Based on our experience, this is the new remote to get from Harmony and given its street price, you can’t go wrong.
Rudolf Firkusny, piano = SCHUBERT: Three Pieces, D. 946; MARTINU: Fantasia et Toccata; MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition; CHOPIN: Mazurka , Op. 63, No. 3; SMETANA: Furiant; Concert Etude – BBC Legends
If Firkusny wanted to be Vladimir Horowitz, he could be.
RACHMANINOV: Symphony No. 2 in E minor Op. 27; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Capriccio Espagnol Op. 34 – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra/Edo de Waart – PentaTone
Rachmaninov’s richly colorful sound, with strong lyricism and great breadth, is on full view in this four-movement symphony.
Benjamin Herman Plays Jaki Byard – A Records
Saxist Herman is one of the most original and productive jazz musicians in the Netherlands today.
“Shakespeare’s Tempest” – SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN: Incidental music for The Tempest; JEAN SIBELIUS: Prelude & Suites #2 & #1 from Incidental music for The Tempest – Kansas City Symphony/Michael Stern – Reference Recordings
The added resolution of the HDCD codec does enhance transparency and dynamic range of the standard CD.
The Moody Blues Live: Lovely to See You (2005), Blu-ray
Blu-ray really didn’t add that much visually over the original DVD, but the surround fidelity made a giant leap sonically.
SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden” (arr. Lieberman); BARTOK: String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 7 (arr. Lieberman) – The American String Project – MSR Classics
SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden” (arr. Lieberman); BARTOK: String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 7 (arr. Lieberman) – The American String Project – MSR Classics 1269, 69:41 [Distr. by Albany] ***: The America String Project (founded 9-11-01) is a conductorless orchestra on the pattern of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; and like that group, the ensemble shifts the leadership position of concertmaster around, so that, respectively, Ani Kavafian and Jorja Fleezanis mold the Schubert and Bartok string orchestra arrangements by double-bass and principal founder, Barry Lieberman. Some years ago, I reviewed Jeffrey Tate’s string orchestra performance of Death and the Maiden in Mahler’s transcription; so, I wondered, why Lieberman felt the need to improve on Mahler’s adaptation. Lieberman answers my query in his liner note, in which he states he added bass fiddle parts in places Mahler felt the writing proved too challenging; also, Lieberman allows soli to enter the texture, as in Ani Kavafian’s elaborate, concertante playing in the trio of the Scherzo. Both arrangements were recorded live in Benaroya Hall, Seattle, May 2007. The execution of the The American String Project proves quite facile, the homogeneity of […]
Mon Oncle Antoine (1971)
This landmark Canadian feature is a perfect choice for the Criterion restoration treatment.
J.S. BACH: The Six French Suites, BWV 812-817 – Evgeni Koroliov, piano – Tacet
His confidence in the brisk gigues, with quick, ad libitum flourishes in grace notes and apoggiaturas, testifies to his fluid mastery.
McCoy Tyner Quartet – New York Reunion – Chesky
The surround SACD version of the earlier stereo SACD and the standard CD before that.
“Stardust Melody” – Beloved and Rare Songs of Hoagy Carmichael – A Records
Album producer and trumpeter Dick Sudhalter wrote a book “The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael.”
Karrin Allyson – Imagina (Songs of Brasil) – Concord Jazz
What a fine contribution to this second wave of bossa nova Karrin Allyson is offering!
Jumper, Blu-ray (2008)
A perfect mindless, action-oriented film for weekend afternoon viewing.
RICHARD WAGNER: Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)
This Flying Dutchman is set to such haunting music, and is replete with cinematic effects— crashing waves, authentic ships, a ghoulish crew dancing in shallow water, and real feasting.
Wilhelm Furtwangler Conducts = BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7; J. STRAUSS: Emperor Waltz; WEBER: Oberon Ov.; MENDELSSOHN: Fingal’s Cave Overture; WAGNER: Die Meistersinger: Prelude, Act I – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwaengler – Opus Kura
Transferred from the 78rpm shellac sources rather than from the tape originals, as has been EMI’s wont.
ALLEN & WALLACE SHAWN: The Music Teacher – Soloists/3 Pianos/Tomothy Long, conductor – Bridge
Some fine music, but a weird and questionable story
Audio News for July 4, 2008
Radical Changes in the Record Industry; ECM Records Wins Awards; Amazon Cuts Blu-Ray Pricing; Mitsubishi Introduces Simplified Home Theater; LG Electronics and Honeywell to Collaborate; Will Smith’s New Movie, Before You Can Rent It
ANONYMOUS: Estampies & Danses Royales: Le Manuscrit du Roi – Arranged and performed by Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI – Alia Vox
Using his “historically creative performance” method, Savall arranged it all in a vibrant, beguiling, and energetic fashion.
Bernstein Conducts SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 9 & SCHUMANN: Manfred Overture (1987/1985)
Near definitive readings for both these wonderful works
Crystal Tears = Music of Dowland and His Contemporaries – Andreas Scholl, counter-tenor/ Julian Behr, lute/ Concerto di Viole [+ bonus DVD] – Harmonia mundi
For those who like counter-tenors, this is splendid singing
HAYDN: The Creation – Sandrine Piau (Gabriel)/ Mark Padmore (Uriel)/ Neal Davies (Raphael)/ Peter Harvey (Adam)/ Miah Persson (Eve)/ Chetham’s Chamber Choir/ Gabrieli Consort and Players/ Paul McCreesh, conductor – Archiv (2 CDs)
Great, but a missed opportunity for surround
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
