Monthly Archive: November 2008
Leon Fleisher Six-CD Reissue Set from Sony Classical
San Francisco pianist Leon Fleisher, who continues active in the concert hall and in the recording studio, was a student of Artur Schnabel.
S.M.V. – Thunder – Heads Up
Lots of energy from three leading but rather diverse electric bassists
Chico Pinheiro & Anthony Wilson – Nova – Goat Hill Recordings
A beautifully matched pair of finger-style guitarists produces music of note
John Cariddi – Come Together – Guavajamm Entertainment
Some pleasant moments, but one soon tires of the synthesized sounds
24 Redemption
This special was intended as a bridge to the upcoming new season starting in January.
Audio News for November 28, 2008
DTV Coupon Program & Poll; Low-Cost Wireless Home Audio System; Blu-ray Player Pricing to Fall; Do-It-Yourself Wiring
J.S. BACH: Cembalo Concertos = BWV 1052 in D minor; BWV 1053 in E Major; BWV 1056 in F minor; BWV 1054 in D Major – Francesco Cera, harpsichord/I Barocchisti/ Diego Fasolis – Arts
I can’t think of any early keyboard concertos for which performance on the instrument for which they were written is more important than the Bach concertos.
BERLIOZ: Romeo et Juliette–Dramatic Symphony; Les Nuits d’ete – Jessye Norman, soprano/John Aler, tenor/Simon Estes, bass/The Westminster Choir/Philadelphia Orch./Riccardo Muti/Janet Baker, mezzo/New Philharmonia Orch,/Sir John Barbirolli – EMI Classics
These fine performances grace the Berlioz catalogue both with intelligence and ardent, stylistic devotion.
Dolphins, IMAX feature, Blu-ray (2008)
Dive into the mysteries of these intelligent sea creatures.
The Wonderful World of Vinyl; Marantz TT-15S1 Turntable Reviewed
An introduction on getting back into vinyl or trying it for the first time and a review of a quality entry-level turntable system.
BRAHMS: String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 67; String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 51, No. 1 – Takacs Quartet – Hyperion
These two, graceful and finely etched Brahms quartets by the Takacs Quartet might be dedicated to the Greek goddess Themis, the keeper of Divine Balance.
Les Grands Interpretes: Pierre Fournier = SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto in A Minor; DVORAK: Cello Concerto in B Minor – Pierre Fournier, cello/Symphony of the SW German Radio/Han Rosbaud/NW German Radio Sym., Hamburg/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt – Tahra
This Fournier reissue proves the perfect complement to the recent issue from Medici Arts of fairly contemporaneous live broadcasts 1952-1962 of the Dvorak coupled with the Elgar Concerto.
KLARENZ BARLOW Clavier Works = Ludus regalis – 13 Preludes & Fugues; 4 Pieces for Player Piano; Cogluotobusisletmesi for four claviers – Herman Kretzchmar, piano/Klarenz Barlow, player piano/Klavierquartett – Cybele Records
A very advanced avantgarde collection of works for piano and at the same time a fascinating aural/surround sound experience.
PHILIP GATES: A Garland for Gatsby; Piano Quintet; The Lake Isle – Philip Gates, piano/ Carducci Quartet Andrew Knights, oboe – Melodist
Mr. Gates draws inspiration for his works from many different genres including folk music and jazz.
“Les Grandes Eaux Musicales de Versailles” = Works of JEAN-BAPTISTE LULLY, JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU, HENRY DESMAREST, CHARLES GOUNOD, NICOLO PORPORA – Christophe Rousset leading Les Talens Lyriques et al. – Naive/Ambroisie
Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques have compiled from past recordings a musical tour of the canals and fountains of Louis XIV’s gardens at Versailles.
Opera & Ballet – The Blu-ray Experience (2008)
Sampler intended to introduce the appeal of Blu-ray’s 1080p hi-res picture and lossless hi-res surround sound to viewers of opera and ballet on DVD.
JOHN ADAMS: A Flowering Tree – Russell Thomas, tenor/ Jessica Rivera, soprano/ Eric Owens, bass-baritone/ Schola Contorum Caracas/ London Symphony Orchestra/ John Adams, conductor – Nonesuch
Adams has grown into possibly our finest living composer. He never utilizes anything other than an utterly appropriate compositional element, a hallmark of this score’s beauty and poise.
JOSEPH MARX: Eine Fruhlingsmusik (Spring Music); Idylle, Feste im Herbst (Feasts in Autumn) – Vienna Radio Symphony/Johannes Wildner – CPO
Marx’s models were Debussy, Scriabin and Reger.
Audio News for November 25, 2008
Naxos Promises Lossless Downloads and Blu-ray Audio; Epson Introduces Under-$800 Front Projector; Silicon Mountain Combo HDTV/PC/Blu-ray Player; ZVOX Unveils Slender HT Audio System; Wireless Low Bass Transducer Launched
Joey DeFrancesco – Joey D! – High Note
Breaking in the new Diversi organ….
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor op.67; Symphony No. 6 in F major “Pastorale” op. 68 – Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra-Sopot/Wojciech Rajski – Tacet
If anybody still out there dares to say that regular CDs are just as good as a hi-res surround sound SACD all they have to do is listen to this disc with the appropriate equipment.
Habib Yammine – Thurayya—Pléides – Le Chant du Monde
Rhythmically intricate Arabic classical, folk, and popular music lovingly rendered by a master percussionist
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
