Monthly Archive: March 2009
Mark Masters Ensemble – Farewell Walter Dewey Redman – Capri Records
With striking contributions from jazz aces Oliver Lake, Tim Hagans, and Peter Erskine this large ensemble makes quite an impression.
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54; Noel Mewton-Wood, piano / Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra / Walter Goehr – Pristine Audio
Those who have been collecting Pristine’s Mewton-Wood series will need no encouragement to sample this new release.
Schurict a Hamburg = BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 93; BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 – NWDR Sinfonieorchester, Hamburg/Carl Schuricht – Tahra
Much like his contemporary Wilhelm Furtwaengler, Carl Schuricht can educe a leisurely, measured nobility of tempo and affect from ensembles that know his working methods and expressive means.
GORECKI: Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs” – Christine Brewer, soprano/ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/ Donald Runnicles, conductor – Telarc
Not as ecstatic as Upshaw, yet orchestrally superior to all comers—but it should have been in SACD!
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan, Op. 20; Aus Italien, Op. 16; Don Quixote, Op.35 – Jan Vogler, Cello; Sebastian Herberg, Viola/ Staatskapelle Dresden/ Fabio Luisi – Sony Classical
This is the third installment of what promises a successful series thus far.
CHOPIN: Two Nocturnes, Op. 55; 3 Mazurkas, Op. 56; 3 Mazurkas, Op. 59; Berceuse in D; Sonata No. 3 – Katia Skanavi, piano – Lyrinx
Not entirely successful, but with a firm point of view and a rousing Third Sonata.
SALOMON JADASSOHN: Piano Concertos No. 1 in C minor & No. 2 in F minor; FELIX DRAESEKE: Piano Concerto in E flat Major – Markus Becker, piano/Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Michael Sanderling – Hyperion
A complete contrast in political fallout affected the popularity of the two composers following their deaths.
Sonatas for Baroque Guitar – LUDOVICO RONCALLI: Sonatas Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 & 8 – Richard Savino, Baroque guitar – Dorian
The works are well known to modern classical guitarists, but there has been no recording of them on the baroque guitar.
Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette – Live in Japan 1993 & 1996 (2008)
Both Jarrett and ECM are famous for their attention to detail and exactingly high standards, and Live in Japan 93/96 shows a meticulous concentration to all aspects, both for the ear and the eye.
Marianne Faithfull – Easy Come Easy Go – 12 Songs for Music Lovers – Decca
This is a thoroughly lived-in voice which strikingly communicates the drama of each song.
Pitch Black, Blu-ray (2000) – Unrated Director’s Cut
Vin Diesel does a fine job fleshing out his dangerous-killer-muscleman character.
Flute and Friends = HILARY TANN: From Song of the Amergin; BEACH: Theme and Variations; BEAMISH: Words for My Daughter; MUSGRAVE: Impromptu; FARRENC: Flute Trio – Emily Beynon, flute & ensemble – Channel Classics
The second in a series that could well be a landmark.
Audio News for March 20, 2009
Panasonic Adds DivX and Web-Enabled Technology to Plasma Displays; Digitize Those Old Cassettes; Portable DTVs; Accessories for Audiophiles With iPods; How to Create a High-Def Speaker for Under a Buck
Polyhymnia Tenth Anniversary
Highlights of the first 10 years as an independent recording company.
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, OP. 68; SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 – Jorge Bolet/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt – BBC Legends
An extroverted, lithe Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C Minor with the LPO, a rendition serious, at times radiant with affectionate energy, and hewn in a panoply of variegated colors.
VIVALDI: Four Seasons; PIAZZOLLA: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires – Lara St. John, violin/ Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela/ Eduardo Marturet, conductor – Ancalagon
Do we need another Four Seasons? With playing and sound like this, yes we do!
BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77; KORNGOLD: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 – Nikolai Znaider, violin/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Valery Gergiev – RCA Red Seal
The 1945 Korngold Concerto seems tailor-made for the sentimental approach Znaider sports.
HOWELLS: Requiem; WHITACRE: 2 Selections from Three Songs of Faith; GRANTHAM: We Remember Them; ILDEBRANDO PIZZETTI: Messa di Requiem; PAULUS: The Road Home; ELIZA GILKYSON: Requiem – Conspirare/ Craig Hella Johnson, conductor – Harmonia mundi
A ravishing choral album exquisitely rendered in stunning sound—need more?
Don Byron – Ivey-Divey – Blue Note
I think Byron has done it again – surprised us with an unusual concept that improves the whole effort rather than hampering it in any way.
White Rocket – White Rocket – Diatribe
The unusual configuration of trumpet, piano, and drums also lends itself to a triad unity, since the bass-less structure forces the participants to take on different roles in each composition.
POULENC: Violin Sonata; FAURE: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13; RAVEL: Violin Sonata; Tzigane – Arabella Steinbacher, violin/Robert Kulek, piano – Orfeo
Steinbacher’s performance will sear the feathers off any audiophile’s sound system while raising the temperatures of all who care to listen.
BEETHOVEN: String Quartets (complete); String Quintets: in E-flat, op. 4; in C, op. 29; various quartet and quintet fragments – Endellion Quartet/ David Adams, viola – Warner Bros.
Bad-boy readings that are surprisingly effective.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
