Monthly Archive: March 2009
RICHARD STRAUSS: The Complete Songs, Volume 4 – Christopher Maltman, baritone/ Alastair Miles, bass/ Roger Vignoles, piano – Hyperion
This is a worthy issue, and one that I am happy to have finally come across—Strauss deserves no less.
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 5; Zander discusses Bruckner – Philharmonia Orchestra/Benjamin Zander, conductor – Telarc (2 CDs)
A noble try, though short of greatness—but it might just be enough considering the competition
Gidon Kremer & Kremerata Baltica (2007)
The 27 outstanding members of Kremer’s ensemble come from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
VARIOUS COMPOSERS: Dream of an Opera, Volumes I and II. Works from Chinese operas played on instruments – Rhymoi Music
First-time listeners may feel this music is growing on them like Lychee nuts.
Audio News for March 6, 2009
Where the DTV Transition Stands Now; Concord Records Launches “Centennial Celebration” Series; Dolby Laboratories Strives to Replace Anaglyph Versions of 3D Movies on Blu-ray with Polarized Glasses
SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor “Tragic”; Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Karl Munchinger – HDTT
Munchinger’s style would seem to elicit that clarity, natural sympathy, and athletic verve we associate with his German colleague Karl Bohm, both relatively “objective” practitioners of their art.
The French Connection II, Blu-ray (1975)
The sequel takes “Popeye” to Marseilles, France to track down the kingpin of the heroin-smuggling ring.
The French Connection, Blu-ray (1971)
Many consider this gritty film and its sequel Gene Hackman’s finest performances.
Audio News for March 3. 2009
People Won’t Give Up Their Electronics; Watching TV and Saving Energy; Sony Issues Discount Coupons for Blu-ray Discs; Japanese Electronics Makers Suffer Economic Woes; Samsung’s Super Bowl HDTV Survey
RAMEAU: Pieces de clavecin en concerts – Concertos Nos. 1 – 5 – Baroque Nouveau – Reference Recordings
Rameau arranged for chamber music presentation some of the most popular movements from his opera-ballets.
WAGNER: Tristan and Isolde (complete opera)
Patrice Chereau, the famed director of the Ring Cycle from the early eighties, reappears and delivers a stunning Tristan and Isolde.
OLIVIER MESSIAEN: Eclairs sur l’Au-Dela (Illuminations of the Beyond) – Vienna Philharmonic/ Ingo Metzmacher – KAIROS
In many ways it’s a summation of the composer’s life, a musical journey of supernatural transcendence that ends in spiritual resurrection.
David Nadien Town Hall Recital = Works of TARTINI, BEETHOVEN, VIEWUXTEMPS, BACH, SCHUMANN, WIENIAWSKI, VERACINI & KREISLER – Cembal d’amour
One of the great pities is that no student currently trains with this past master of his instrument, who once served as concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic.
Pierre Monteux a Paris = COUPERIN: La Sultane: Introduction et Allegro; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor – Maria Stader, sop./Helene Bouvier, mezzo-sop./Libero De Luca, tenor/Josef Greindl, bass/Choir of French Nat. Radio/ORTF/Monteux – Tahra
Tahra restores the concert of 6 November 1958, the last appearance of eighty-three-year old conductor Pierre Monteux in Paris before an orchestra.
Homage – Works highlighting various collectors’ violins and violas – James Ehnes, violin & viola – Onyx CD + DVD
A showcase for one of the finest string collections in the world
KARL GOLDMARK: Rustic Wedding Symphony, Op. 26; SUPPE: Pique Dame–Overture; Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna–Overture – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Robert Heger – Pristine Audio
The original American Victor “Red Seal” shellacs, from 1929, elicit such vivid colors as to make us doubt the age of this “golden age” performance!
VIVALDI: Four Seasons; GEMINIANI: Concerto Grosso No. 4 in F; No. 12 in D minor, “La Folia” – Christina Day Martinson, violin/ Boston Baroque/ Martin Pearlman, conductor – Telarc
This one goes to the top of the heap in surround recordings
Nina Sheldon – Harvest – Jazzed Media
A warm jazz voice that should be heard
Stargate – The Ark of Truth, Blu-ray (2008)
Continues from where TV series Stargate SG-1 left off after ten seasons.
“Fagott, Orchester” (Bassoon, Orchestra) = HONEGGER: Sinfonia; D’ALESSANDRO: Concerto for Bassoon and Strings; RAVEL: Alborada del Gracioso; STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite – Jokob Mayers, bassoon/ Hansestandt Philharmonic/Roman Brogli-Sacher – Musicaphon
The disc’s title gives more prominence to the orchestra’s first bassoonist than possibly any bassoonist has ever had.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
