Monthly Archive: December 2008
Edition Ferenc Fricsay, Vol. IV =TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44; LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major – Shura Cherkassky, piano/RIAS Symphony Orchestra/Ferenc Fricsay – Audite
Cherkassky is all lightning fingers, double octaves, brilliant runs, fluttering arpeggios, and grandly punctuated, sweeping melodies.
STANFORD: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major; Clarinet Concerto, Op. 80 – Robert Plane, clarinet/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones – Naxos
Lovely, melodic expression, fluency of texture, folkish charm, and an easy way with part writing and counterpoint, all point to a thoroughly Europeanized, romantic ethos.
SIBELIUS: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4 – London Symphony Orchestra/ Sir Colin Davis – LSO Live
Exceptionally powerful performances of two of the Finnish master’s great symphonies
Renolds Jazz Orchestra – Cube – Shanti Records
A fascinating big band suite compromised by the vocals
“Wallermania” – Tribute to Fats Waller by Alex Hassan, piano – Shellwood Productions
This packed collection exposes some of the terrific songs of the huge number which Waller wrote but which have been overshadowed by the popularity of just a few of his big hits.
Rush– Snakes & Arrows Live, Blu-ray (2008)
The thing that consistently amazed me was how much I enjoyed songs from the periods both earlier and much later than most of my experiences with the band.
Mamma Mia! The Movie, Blu-ray (2008)
Now we know Meryl Streep can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to!
Bernstein Conducts Bernstein (1985-86/2008)
Bernstein conducts three of his most enjoyable all-instrumental orchestral works in this fine video.
INGOLF DAHL: Concerto a tre; BOHUSLAV MARTINU: Serenade for to clarinets, violin, viola & cello; KAREL HUSA: Evocations de Slovaquie – Sonolumina Ensemble – Isomike
One or two clarinets and two or three strings make a rich and satisfying chamber sound, like a mini-symphony.
SAINT-SAENS: Piano Concertos Vol. I – No. 1 in D Major Op. 17; No. 2 in G minor Op. 22; No. 4 in C minor Op. 44 – Anna Malikova, piano/WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne/Thomas Sanderling – Audite
This goes with Vol. II which we reviewed, amazingly, three years back.
Audio News for December 19, 2008
AV Technology Not Just for the Young; Music Matters More to Mac Users; Milestone Meeting Progresses a Global Networking Standard; Another Format War?
VIVALDI: Concertos for Two Violins – Viktoria Mullova & Giuliano Carmignola/ Venice Baroque Orchestra/ Andrea Marcon – Archiv
If your expectations do not include musical profundity, you will not be disappointed by this superb release.
STRAVINSKY: Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) (2003/2008)
Uwe Scholz was a unique young choreographer who died in 2004 and had blazed a new path of “soulscapes” in his choreography.
Sonny Rollins in Vienne (2008)
A fine concert with the legendary saxist, recorded on location in 2006 in a huge Roman amphitheater in Vienne, France
“Melville’s Dozen” – Music by 13 living American composers – Nicola Melville, piano – Innova Recordings
There are homages to well-known composers, influences of rock, folk and jazz, musical humor, and unexpected combinations of genres.
BACH: Cantata No. 209; Triple Concerto in A-minor, BWV 1044; TELEMANN: Concerto in A from Tafelmusik – Ashley Solomon, flute/ Rodolfo Richter, violin/ James Johnstone, harpsichord/ Lucy Crowe, soprano/ Florilegium – Channel Classics
Another fine effort from Britain’s Florilegium
MENOTTI: Amahl and the Night Visitors (complete opera); My Christmas – Ike Hawkersmith (Amahl)/ Kirsten Gunlogson (Mother)/ Dean Anthony (Kaspar)/ Todd Thomas (Melchior)/ Chicago Sym. Chorus/ Nashville Sym.& Chorus/Willis & Mabry, cond. – Naxos
Finally! Another Amahl—but does it hold up to the classic original recording?
HAYDN: A Haydn Celebration, 1809-2009 – a sampler selected from existing Harmonia mundi recordings, performed by various artists including Rene Jacobs, Alain Planes, Andreas Staier, Bernarda Fink, Jerusalem and Casals Quartets, Werner Guera and the Freibu
Harmonia mundi’s introduction to its contributions for the upcoming Haydn year is both lavish and authoritative, both in presentation and performances.
Burn After Reading, Blu-ray (2008)
It’s interesting how the Coens banked off Clooney’s role in “Syriana” and Swinton’s character in “Michael Clayton” in the plot of “Burn.”
TOIVO TULEV – Songs – Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir – Tallinn Chamber Orchestra – Paul Hillier, Director – Harmonia mundi
It’s works like this that continue to make the need for a viable hi-res surround medium such as SACD so dire.
BEETHOVEN – Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1 – Igor Tchetuev, piano – Caro Mitis
This Beethoven sonata cycle could be one for the ages. Very highly recommended!
Rafael Fruhbeck De Burgos Conducts The National Orchestra of Spain – El Tambor de Granaderos, Cadriz, El Baile de Luis Alonso, Benamor, La Revolsta, Las Golondrinas, El Bateo, La Tempranica, Bohemio, La Venta de los Gatos – London/HDTT DVD-R & HQCD
We compare the DVD-R and HQCD versions of this reissue from prerecorded tape
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
