Monthly Archive: December 2008
BACH: The Goldberg Variations – Burkard Schliessmann, piano – Bayer Records (2 discs)
The sound on this new SACD is astonishingly good – it’s about as close to reference quality as a piano recording gets.
MOZART: Piano Concertos 21 and 22 – Jonathan Biss, piano /Orpheus Chamber Orchestra – EMI Classics
This new disc pairs Biss with the conductorless Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in two of Mozart’s most admired works.
Europa (Zentropa) (1991)
A fascinating journey into a very dark time and place.
War – Greatest Hits Live, Blu-ray (2008)
An absolute blast: the band cranked out a non-stop procession of their big hits, all the time accompanied by a running narrative from Lonnie Jordan.
Georges Bizet: Carmen, Blu-ray (2008)
A treasure, with not only the full length opera, but also a trove of bonus materials as well – very unusual for a full-length opera disc.
Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, Blu-ray (2008)
Documents a 2007 appearance in Japan by the Dresden State Opera – their first in more than a quarter century.
LA SARDANA: Cobla Sant Jordi-Ciutat de Barcelona/Xavier Pagés (conductor) – World Village
This disc will put any audio system to the test – I dare you to listen to this disc loud. Great sound engineering!!!
BRAHMS: Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 – Ileana Cotrubas, soprano/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone/ Edinburgh International Festival Chorus/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini – BBC Legends
Giulini, although a lover of the music of Brahms, long eschewed the Requiem for aesthetic reasons, unable in his musical logic to synthesize the “contrived,” contrapuntal elements of the score.
GIOVANNI BENEDETTO PLATTI: Concerti Grossi After Corelli – Nos. 4 in F Major, 5 in G minor, 10 in F Major; Concerto with Cello Obligato VIII in D Major; Concerto “per Oboe” in G minor – Soloists/Akademie für Alte Musik, Berlin – Harmonia mundi
The rich and sometimes exotic harmonies and melodies of these works make them as interesting as anything of Corelli.
KNUDAGE RIISAGER: Benzin – complete ballet; Archaeopteryx; Til Apollon, Lysets Gud – Danish National Symphony orchestra/DR/ Owain Arwel Hughes – DaCapo
The producers of this disc were certainly straightforward about the terrible reviews this unusual ballet received at its premiere.
Audio News for December 9, 2008
New Format Launched: DVCD+; Boston Symphony To Begin Hi-Def Downloads; HDGiants and moodSeer Partner on Music Server Installs
HAYDN: Arietta and Variations; BEETHOVEN: 32 Variations in C Minor; Piano Sonata No. 14, “Moonlight”; BRAHMS: Intermezzo in B-flat Minor; Rhapsody in G Minor; Rhapsody in E-flat Major; LISZT: Mephisto Waltz 1 – Mindru Katz, p. – Cembal d’amour
Considering that the Moonlight, the Brahms, and the Liszt are all new to the Katz discography, this disc comes highly recommended.
Lost: The Complete Fourth Season, 5 Blu-ray discs (2008)
This package is just short of magnificent and very highly recommended!
“Divertissements” – Lavinia Meijer, harp – SALZEDO: Trois Morceaux; CAPLET: Divertissements; IBERT: Six Pieces – Channel Classics
The concert harp is not an easy instrument to properly record, and seems ideal for the SACD medium.
The Living Sea, IMAX Feature, Blu-ray (1995/2008)
This classic IMAX film explores the mysteries of the ocean depths with visits to Hawaii, California, Oregon, Alaska, Nova Scotia, the Red Sea and Palou.
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59, No. 1 “Rasumovsky”; String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat Major, Op. 127 – Busch Quartet – Dutton
What lasts is the Quartet’s absolute homogeneity of sound, their deep appreciation for Beethoven’s profound figures.
RACHMANINOV: The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostum, Op. 31 – Corydon Simgers/Deacon: Peter Scorer/Matthew Best, conductor – Helios
The work creates an exalted, aerial tapestry of tender, then explosive power, on a par with the composer’s more popular Sacred Vespers.
DMITRY SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 14 Op. 135 for soprano, bass and chamber orchestra – Beethoven Orchester Bonn/Iano Tamar (sop.)/Taras Shtonda (bass)/Roman Kofman (conductor) – MDG
Dedicated to four admired writers who suffered much and basically died for their ideological sins of freedom.
A Clutch of Christmas CDs
Eight classical, jazz and pop albums to brighten your holidays
PAUL CHIHARA: Ain’t No Sunshine; Piano Quintet; Minidoka; An Afternoon on the Perfume River – Bridge
Fine music by a long-established American composer
Various Artists – Justin Time 25th Anniversary Collection – Justin Time
The profusion of talent ranges far and wide, from piano legends to gospel, and hybridized hip hop to tango, and pop to blues and more.
“Homage to Bach” – SCHUMANN: Excerpts from Klavier Pieces for the Young, Op. 68; Four Pieces, Op. 32; Excerpts from Seven Klavier Studies in Fugal Form, Op. 126; Waldszenen, Op. 82; Kinderszenen, Op. 15 – Andreas Staier, piano – Harmonia mundi
A disc clearly for initiates, these versions recommend themselves to the true “fancier” of Schumann.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
