Monthly Archive: May 2009
MARK O’CONNOR: Americana Symphony “Variations on Appalachia Waltz;” Concerto No. 6 “Old Brass” – Mark O’Connor, violin/ Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/ Marin Alsop, conductor/ Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston/ Joel Smirnoff, conductor – Shore Fire Media
For Mark O’Connor, “Americana Symphony” is more than simply an album of musical notes coming out of his violin and pen. It is the voices tracing from the great Rocky Mountains landscapes to the Brass Ankles tribe.
“English Rhapsody” = Works of BUTTERWORTH, DELIUS, GRAINGER & TRAD. – Soloists/Halle Orch. & Choir/Sir Mark Elder – Halle
Butterworth remains a lad who “died in [his] glory and will never be old.”
Thomas Marriott, trumpet – Flexicon – Origin
One of the best examples of what is going on in the Puget Sound vicinity is trumpeter Thomas Marriott.
The X-Files: Fight the Future, Blu-ray (1998)
The story is crafted well-enough to make it an enjoyable science-fiction experience for those who have not previously seen the X-Files.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 4, 5 – Artur Pizarro, piano/ Scottish Chamber Orchestra/ Charles Mackerras, conductor – Linn
Mackerras continues to enjoy superb swan songs, this time with some supple pianism.
David Sanborn Live at Montreux 1984 (2009)
There are some really first rate performances here, and true fans will find this disc indispensable.
Audio News for May 15, 2009
Apple and Blu-ray Again?; Survey of “Media Savvy” Consumers; Moxi DVR for HD; Big Price Cut on 103-inch Plasma Display; Blu-ray Deals
Michelangeli in BEETHOVEN’s Emperor Concerto (1967)
The Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache always saw in Michelangeli a colleague, and not merely another competent pianist: “Michelangeli makes colors; he is a conductor.”
Marcus Roberts Trio – New Orleans Meets Harlem, Vol. 1 – J-Master
The Marcus Roberts Trio offers music with a steady sensibility that has an emotional edge, a sense of fun, and style to match.
Grant Geissman, guitar – Cool Man Cool – (with Chuck Mangione, Russell Ferrante, Tom Scott, Jerry Hahn, Chick Corea, Patrice Rushen, Van Dyke Parks and others) – Futurism Records
A highly original and extremely varied musical journey
The Cure – Trilogy, Blu-ray (2009)
The legendary band plays their goth-rock trilogy
Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland – One With Everything, Blu-ray (2009)
I really felt that the music of Styx was once again relevant – I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t enjoy this excellent concert performance.
BRAHMS: Six Lieder and Romances, Op. 93a; Three Quartets, Op. 64; Five Songs, Op. 104; Gypsy Songs, Op. 103; Dem Dunkel Schoss der Heil’gen Erde, WoO20 – Christopher Glynn, piano (Opp. 64, 103)/Consortium/Andrew-John Smith, conductor – Hyperion
Elegant, refined music-making of a kind that held a special place in the Brahms oeuvre.
Ortofon 2M Blue MM Phono Cartridge SRP: $199
Elevated the playback of my LPs to a level I could never have dreamed possible from a $200 cartridge.
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Davidsbundlertanze, op. 6; Arabeske, op. 18; Gesange der Fruhe, Op. 133 – Paolo Giacometti, piano – Channel Classics
Wonderful Schumann captured in flawless surround sound
Gary Moore & Friends – One Night In Dublin, A Tribute To Phil Lynott, Blu-ray (2009)
All former Thin Lizzy members felt a musical tribute was in order, and a concert was given that reunited them in celebration of Phil Lynott’s life; this excellent Blu-ray disc documents that concert.
Audio News for May 12, 2009
Sharp Forecasts Return to Profit; Avid Launches Advanced Digital Console Piano; Consumers Taking Advantage of Alternatives to Expensive Cable TV
HAYDN: 9 Piano Trios – Beaux Arts Trio – PentaTone (2 discs)
This two disc set, priced as for a single, has given me enormous pleasure.
André Previn – An 80th Birthday Celebration – André Previn, conductor and piano
You can chase André Previn all your life, and never catch up, but BMG has done its fair share with a special tribute to mark the Maestro’s 80th birthday.
RUDOLPH SIMONSEN: Symphony No. 1 “Zion”; Symphony No. 2 “Hellas”; Overture in G minor – Søonderjyllands Symphony Orchestra/Israel Yinon – CPO
A most unusual Danish composer of the generation following Nielsen
Shura Cherkassky: The Complete HMV Stereo Recordings – Works of BACH, BEETHOVEN, SCHUBERT, CHOPIN, LISZT, GERSHWIN, POULENC, Others – First Hand Records (2 discs)
A solid set dedicated to a wonderfully impish and singular keyboard artist.
SCHUBERT: Piano Sonata in G Major, D. 894 “Fantasy”; Four Impromptus, D. 935 – Andreas Staier, fortepiano – Harmonia mundi
For the Schubert connoisseur, a rare treat in the highly stylized manner of the period.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
