Monthly Archive: October 2008
Miles Davis All-Stars Featuring John Coltrane – Broadcast Sessions – 1958-59 – Acrobat Music
An opportunity for fans of radio air shots of live jazz.
Audio News for October 17, 2008
Gramophone Magazine Includes Free SACD Disc; Sanyo Develops Faster Blue Laser; World’s Largest LED Screen; Digital-Input Audio Amp for Cars
Chaplin (1992/2008) 15th Anniversary Edition
Downey watched many of Chaplin’s films and got down the gestures, body language, and general demeanor to an astonishing degree.
Tommy Emmanuel, Center Stage (2008)
I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a guitarist who impressed me so much on so many levels!
Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major, op. 99; Piano Sonata in A Major, op. 120 – Jean-Claude Pennetier, piano/Regis Pasquier, violin/Roland Pidoux, cello – Harmonia mundi
This beautifully played and engineered document has much to recommend it, not the least of which are the fine balances in the trio’s parts.
BRITTEN: War Requiem – Annette Dasch, soprano/ James Taylor, tenor/ Christian Gerhaher, baritone/ Aurelius Boys Choir/ Festival Ensemble Stuttgart/ Helmuth Rilling, conductor – Hanssler
A new generation’s take on a seminal 20th century work.
Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet – “Fade Control” – Works of FULVIO CALDINI: Loud, Fade Control, Christe, Clockwork Toccata, Sonatina in Quartetto, Beata Viscera, Clockwork Game, Pensieri Del Tramonto -Channel Classics
This time we have all contemporary works by the same composer, and in a minimalist framework to boot.
VIVALDI: The Four Seasons Op. 8 Nos. 1-4; TARTINI: Sonata in G minor for violin and basso continuo “Devil’s Trill” – Joshua Bell, violin/Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/ John Constable, harpsichord – Sony Classical
A nice compromise between the wildest attack of ensembles such as Carmignola’s and Biondi’s and the old-fashioned straight-laced classical approach.
Man on Fire, Blu-ray (2004)
“Man on Fire” is an emotionally-charged but sometimes violent film.
BRAHMS: Violin Sonatas (complete) – Curtis Macomber, violin/ Derek Han, piano – Bridge BRAHMS: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G; Horn Trio; 7 Fantasien – Isabelle Faust, violin/ Teunis van der Zwart, natural horn/ Alexander Melnikov, pianp – Harmonia mundi
Two fascinating Brahms outings, one colorful and daring, and the other absolutely mandatory!
The Russian Piano Tradition: Tatiana Nikolayeva = TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44; Concert Fantasy in G Major, OP. 56 -Tatiana Nikolayeva, piano/ USSR State Symphony Orchestra/Nikolai Anosov (Concerto)/Kyrill Kondrashin – APR
Tatiana Nikolayev (1924-1993) belongs to the sturdy Russian school of virtuoso pianism established by Alexander Goldenweiser.
Martial Solal Trio – Longitude – Camjazz
Almost certainly our greatest living jazzman.
GLAZOUNOV: Symphony No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 58; La Mer, Op. 28; Introduction and Dance from Salome, Op. 90 – Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Jose Serebrier – Warner Classics
The Serebrier formulas all apply: plenty of verve, sympathy for all parts, a colossal sense of pageantry, all of which hearken back to mentor Stokowski.
Paul Bollenback – Invocation – Elephant Dreams
A modern jazz guitar master delivers his finest session to date.
Roy Assaf & Eddy Khaimovich Quartet – Andarta – Origin Records
The arrangements of the two standards are unique, there’s a fine post-bop effort, and the two leaders are excellent jazzmen.
MAURICE RAVEL: The Complete Piano Works Vol. II = Prelude; Menuet sur le Nom D’Haydn; Sonatine; Menuet Antique; Valse Nobles et Sentimentales; In the Style of Borodin; In the Style of Chabrier; Pavane; Le Tombeau de Couperin – Artur Pizarro, p. – Linn
Pizarro’s Bluthner concert grand sounds just about right – and free from the ear-drilling treble end of Steinways.
Audio News for October 14, 2008
Dish Network vs. Blu-ray Comparison; Huge Asian Electronics Fair; Free Download of Night on Bald Mt.; AES Fallout From Anti-SACD Paper; Digital Freedom Campaign for Digital Rights
Rudolf Serkin, piano = BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”; Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110 – Rudolf Serkin – BBC Legends
Serkin brings his passionate intuition and searching intellect to his favorite composer, Beethoven, in two recitals from Royal Festival Hall.
Corey Christiansen – Roll with It – Origin Records
Setting the standard for 21st century organ/guitar jazz.
Terry Plumeri – Blue in Green – GMMC Records
A very high level of virtuosity doesn’t necessarily translate into an altogether successful recording.
The Godfather, Parts I, II & III – The Coppola Restoration, Blu-ray (1972/1974/1990)
The original Godfather was rated by the American Film Institute as one of the best American feature films ever – right next to Citizen Kane
HANDEL: Parnasso in Festa – Diana Moore/ Carolyn Sampson/Lucy Crowe/ Rebecca Outram/Ruth Clegg/Diana Moore/Peter Harvey/ The King’s Consort and Choir of The King’s Consort/Matthew Halls – Hyperion
This is the premiere recording of an apparently unique example in Handel’s career of a fully-fledged “celebratory serenata.”
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
