Monthly Archive: January 2009
L’art de Aida Stucki = BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61; BACH: Violin Concerto No 2 in E Major, BWV 1042 – Aida Stucki, violin/Studio-Orchestra Beromuenster, Zurich/Walter Barylli (Bach)/Vienna State Opera Orchestra/Hermann Scherchen – Tahra
This important document literally rescued–by Ms. Stucki–from the “housecleaning” of Swiss Radio archives should revive the violinist’s repute.
The Bourne Trilogy, Blu-ray (2009)
A blockbuster Blu-ray blast for fans of Matt Damon as the unstoppable amnesiac CIA assassin.
HUMPERDINCK: Hansel und Gretel (2007/2008)
In this reimagining of Engelbert Humperdinck’s beautifully realized fairy tale opera we contemplate journalism and not mythology.
The Blue Note 7 – Mosaic – A Celebration of Blue Note Records – Blue Note
This stellar septet was put together to tie in with the 70th anniversary of the Blue Note record label.
Mordecai Shehori: The Celebrated New York Concert, Vol. 3 = Works of BACH, BEETHOVEN, CHOPIN, LISZT, SCHUBERT-LISZT & ROSENTHAL – Cembal d’amour
When Shehori pours on the fff, watch out! An Israeli-born pianist with Vienna blood, a musical cosmopolite’s dream? Ask the delirious audience.
MOZART: Serenade in B flat Major for 13 winds “Gran Partita”; ALBAN BERG: Chamber Concerto (Kammerkonzert) for piano, violin and 13 wind instruments – Mitsuko Uchida, p./ Christian Tetzlaff, v./ Ensemble Intercontemporain/ Pierre Boulez – Decca
Pierre Boulez conducts Mozart and Berg chamber music for woodwinds in brilliant performances.
“The Rise of the North Italian Violin Concerto: 1690-1740, vol. 3”- Music of TARTINI, VIVALDI, LOCATELLI, SAMMARTINI – La Serenissima/ Adrian Chandler – Avie
La Serenissima play these Italian violin concertos with unrestrained joy on a thoroughly enjoyable CD.
JOSEPH HAYDN: Harpsichord Concertos in F & G; Divertimento in F – Ewald Demeyere, harpsichord/La Petite Bande/Sigiswald Kuijken – Accent
With the lovely, well-balanced sound of Demeyere’s harpsichord with the small baroque orchestra of longtime early music specialist Kuijken, the final result is most worthwhile.
Audio News for January 30, 2009
Independent Films’ Huge Sales Increase on Net; Message from BIS Recordings About SACDs; Adobe Flash Brought to Consumer Electronics by Sigma Designs; Streaming YouTube to the Boob Tube
MOZART: Sinfonia concertante K. 364. Concerto for two pianos K. 365 – Håvard Gimse and Vebjørn Anvik, pianos/ Lars Anders Tomter, viola/ Iona Brown, violin & conducting the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra – Chandos Classics
The recordings are thrilling and colorful, especially in the Sinfonia concertante with its extra orchestral violas.
ROBERT SCHUMANN: The Complete Symphonies (ed. Gustav Mahler) – Gewandhausorchester/Riccardo Chailly – Decca (2 CDs)
These inscriptions of the familiar Schumann symphonies in Mahler’s amended edition will legitimize for many the textual adjustments made for clarity’s sake.
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008)
The director cannot even travel to Britain due to concerns that anyone could make a citizens’ arrest of him.
Audio News for January 27, 2009
Possible Delay of DTV Changeover; Surround Sound for iTunes Coming?; AstoundSound Stereo Expander Launched
Nadia Reisenberg: A Chopin Treasury = 20 Nocturnes; Barcarole in F-sharp Major, Op. 60; Berceuse in D-flat Major, Op. 57; Allegro de Concert in A Major, Op. 46; Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58; 56 Mazurkas – Nadia Reisenberg, piano – Bridge (4 CDs)
We could hardly ask for a better, extended sojourn into the rich tradition of her Chopin experience.
Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette (piano/bass/drums) – Yesterdays – ECM
ECM is also releasing this as a 180 gram vinyl pressing – the first LP from the label in 15 years!
Smile = Music by CHAPLIN, MESSIAEN, PAART, PIAZZOLLA, SCHUBERT, and others – Anne Akiko Meyers, violin/Akira Eguchi, violin – Koch Inter. Smile = CHAPLIN, PAART, PIAZZOLLA, DEBUSSY, others – Amy Dickson, saxophone/Catherine Milledge, piano – Sony/BM
Two recitals of tuneful lighter solo pieces with exactly the same title.
Enrico Rava – New York Days – ECM
What stands out on all of the 11 tracks – mostly Rava originals – is the playing of the front liners Rava and saxist Turner.
HARRI VUORI: Symphony No.1 (2003); Symphony No.2 (2007) – Hyvinkää Orchestra / Tuomas Pirilä – Toccata Classics
Those wishing to sample some well-written contemporary music will find plenty to enjoy here.
Mike Clark (Blueprints of Jazz, Vol.1) – Talking House Records
This sounds very much to me like the current equivalent of a band which could achieve the heights and recognition of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
Frank Sinatra, On The Radio 1949-50 – The Lucky Strike Show – Acrobat Music
The intrinsic musical value of these Sinatra recordings is enough to warrant interest in this release.
HANDEL: Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day; Organ Concerto No. 13; “Zadok the Priest” Coronation Anthem – Soloists/Coro della Radio Svizzera/ I Barocchisti/Diego Fasolis, cond. – Arts
It’s interesting to hear a Handel work that has similarities to Messiah but is on a more secular subject.
Elvin Bishop – The Blues Rolls On – Delta Groove
Elvin Bishop has released an inspirational recording that is a wonderful overview of modern blues.