Monthly Archive: June 2009
HANDEL: Orlando, Blu-ray (2007/2009)
The Blu-ray disc is technically superb, with highly detailed images, deep black levels and excellent contrast.
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Liederkreis, Op. 39; Frauenliebe und –leben,Op. 42; Die Lowenbraut, Op. 31:1; Der Nussbaum, op. 25:3; Er ist’s, Op. 79:23; Widmung, Op. 25:1 – Marie-Nicole Lemieux, contralto/ Daniel Blumenthal, piano – Naïve
Highly accomplished renditions of two masterly song cycles, plus a few extras.
Emmanuel Feuermann, cello = BLOCH: Schelomo – Philadelphia Orchestra / Leopold Stokowski; R. STRAUSS: Don Quixote – Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy – Pristine Classical
The two works are coupled together on this new release from Pristine Classical, both superbly transferred by Mark Obert-Thorn.
Flute Mystery – Works of FRED JONNY BERG: Flute Mystery; Warning Zero; Pastorale; Vicino alla Montagna; Flute Concerto No. 1 – Emily Beynon, flute/ Catherine Beynon, harp/ Philharmonia Orch./ Vladimir Ashkenazy & Berg – 2L audio Blu-ray + SACD
Berg’s wide experience in many areas contributes to the great originality of his music.
OTTORINO RESPIGHI: La Primavera cantata; Quattro liriche; The Magic Pot – Adriano cond. – Naxos RESPIGHI: Works for Violin and Orchestra – Ingolf Turban, v./Eng. Ch. Orch./Marello Viotti – Claves
Rare Respighi on two fully-packed CDs.
Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women – Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women – Yep Roc
If roots rock needs an icon who brings out the best of Americana music, Dave Alvin is the man to pick.
BB King – Live At Montreux 1993, Blu-ray (2009)
Visually stunning, looking remarkably good for a 16-year old video source.
Verdi, La Traviata, Blu-ray (2006/2009)
Crank up the AC before the show starts, otherwise the flaming onscreen passion may cause your widescreen to spontaneously combust.
SCHUBERT: Die Schone Mullerin – Matthias Goerne, baritone/ Christoph Eschenbach, piano – Harmonia mundi
An illuminating new rendition of a very old favorite.
Elton John – The Red Piano, Live From Las Vegas, Blu-ray (2008/2009)
His voice is past its prime and the disc also has some technical problems.
“From Vaughan Williams’ Attic” = VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Selections include The Wasps Overture, Old King Cole, Serenade to Music, Scott of the Antarctic & others – VW & others conduct – Dutton
Rare recordings, literally rescued from a damp attic belonging to the composer.
Fritz Busch Conducts = DVORAK: Carnival Overture, Op. 92; BRAHMS: Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53; CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 – Guild
The “essential” Fritz Busch emerges in Beethoven’s resounding Fifth Symphony, a colossus of a rendition on a par with the best of Erich Kleiber.
GUSTAV MAHLER: The Complete Symphonies Nos. 1 – 9 with Adagio of No. 10 & Das Lied von der Erde + “Gustav Mahler Remembered” – Soloists/New York Philharmonic/Israel Philharmonic (Das Lied)/ Leonard Bernstein – Sony Classical (12 CDs)
The set of Mahler Symphony recordings that moved the composer from cult status to mainstream.
KURTAG: Kafka Fragments – Tony Arnold, soprano/ Movses Pogossian, violin – Bridge CD + DVD
The third available recording of Kurtag’s masterpiece is a worthy one.
Bobby Broom Trio – Bobby Plays for Monk – Origin Records
Bobby does Monk
Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow, and Antonio Sanchez – Quartet Live – Concord Jazz
The program benefits from a wide musical selection, including material penned by Carla Bley, Chick Corea, Duke Ellington, and the quartet musicians.
Sir Adrian Boult Conducts = VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Symphony No. 6 in E Minor; HADLEY: One Morning in Spring; BAX: Mediterranean; BERG: Lyric Suite – BBC Legends
Diverse pieces from three distinct programs given by Sir Adrian Boult that alter our perception of Boult as “merely” an exponent of British music.
Audio News for June 19, 2009
DVD Copying In Court Again; China’s Consumer Spending Grows; Over 5000 3D Theatrical Screens Worldwide; 2009 – The Year of the Touch Screen; Impressive Animation on Blu-ray
Paycheck, Blu-ray (2003/2009)
Another Philip K. Dick sci-fi tale adapted for the screen in a less cerebral form.
GOTTLIEB MUFFAT: Componimenti Musicali per Il Cembalo (Musical Components) (complete) – Mitzi Meyerson, harpsichord – Glossa
Altogether a gem of a collection for all early keyboard music fans.
FURTWÄNGLER – The Complete RIAS Recordings – Live recordings from 1947-1954 – Yehudi Menuhin/ Gerhard Taschner/ Berlin Philharmonic/ Wilhelm Furtwängler – Audite (12 CDs + bonus CD)
Comparison of many of these performances with the same on other issues in my collection confirms that the results of access to the master tapes has paid dividends in these cases.
CHARLES STANFORD: String Quintet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 85; Piano Quintet in D Minor, Op. 25 – Piers Lane, piano/RTE Vanbrugh Quartet – Hyperion
A pair of superior chamber works from Stanford, whose musical quality demands we lend an ear.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
