Monthly Archive: June 2009
JAMES MACMILLAN: Seven Last Words from the Cross; Christus Vincit; Nemo te condemnavit; …here in hiding – The Dmitri Ensemble/ Graham Ross, conductor – Naxos
The third recording of a superb piece of music.
DAVID MATTHEWS: Symphony No. 1, Op. 9; No. 3, Op.37; No. 5, Op. 78A – BBC National Orchestra of Wales/ Martyn Brabbins, conductor – Dutton
Music that challenges and satisfies at the same time.
Giselle (complete ballet), Blu-ray (2006/2009)
A winning interpretation of the classic ballet with A1 image and sound
Piano Works during and after Russian Futurism Vol. 1 – NIKOLAJ OBUCHOV, WYCHNEGRADSKY & SERGEI PROTOPOPOV – Thomas Günther, piano – Cybele
A fascinating exploration of mostly unknown composers who carried on Scriabin’s pianistic achievements.
HAYDN: The Seasons (complete oratorio) – Genia Kuhmeier, soprano/ Werner Gura, tenor/ Christian Gerhaher, baritone/ Arnold Schoenberg Choir/ Concentus Musicus Wien/ Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor – Deutsche Harmonia mundi – 2 CDs
Not so much a secular sequel to the Creation, but instead a continuation of the religious themes first postulated there.
ARTHUR BUTTERWORTH: Symphonies No. 1 & No. 4; Viola Concerto; Composer talking about his life and work – Sarah-Jane Bradley, viola/ Royal Scottish National Orchestra/ Arthur Butterworth, conductor/ Halle Orchestra/ John Barbirolli, conductor – Dutton
This is a very underrated composer with good things to say, and we should be grateful for another addition to what is a small catalog on record.
BORIS TISCHENKO: Dante Symphony No. 1, “Among the Live”; No. 2, “Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here” – St. Petersburg Philharmonic/ conductors: Yuri Kochnev (No. 1), Nikolai Alexeev (No. 2) – Northern Flowers
The sound is that of the old Melodiya LPs, excessively treble-heavy and completely lacking any bass presence.
The Ramen Girl (2009)
Although rather exaggerated and formulaic, the film develops some interesting Japanese characters.
LISZT Symphonic Poems Vol. 5: Eine Symphonie zu Dantes Divina Commedia, S. 109; Deux Legendes, S. 354 – Gillian Keith, sop./Ladies’ Voices of City of Birmingham/ Sym. Chorus/BBC Philharmonic/ Gianandrea Noseda – Chandos
At once splashy and devotional, the music certifies, if not Liszt’s declaration of true faith, his conviction that Art itself provides a gateway to Salvation.
Shelly Berg – The Nearness of You – Arbors
The Nearness of You finds Berg doing a one-person performance, his first ever venture into solo piano.
Enrico Mainardi, cello, Vol. I = Works of BRAHMS, BOCCHERINI, VIVALDI, MARCELLO, HINDEMITH, MELIPIERO, PIZZETTI, R. STRAUSS – Doremi (3 CDs)
Mainardi’s easy, suave grace made him a romantic artist with a sensitive and polished approach to the works he championed.
SCHUBERT par Furtwaengler: Rosamunde: Entr’acte No. 3 in E-flat Major; Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944 “Great” – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Ninth Symphony)/ Wilhelm Furtwaengler – Tahra
From this tormented period in history a musical marriage of heaven and hell.
Audio News for June 12, 2009
HDMI v.1.4 Announced; Naxos to Distribute Ondine Label; VHF Signal Loss From DTV Stations
Jürgen Friedrich – Pollock – Pirouet
Except for a pure interpretation of a Monk tune, all of the songs are originals that showcase the threesome’s pastoral, economical and thoughtful tendencies.
HAYDN: Piano Trios Vol.1 (4) – The Florestan Trio – Hyperion
The Florestan Trio plays these four joyful Haydn works with grace and deep intelligence.
Home, Blu-ray (2009)
A most humanitarian filmic journey.
BACH: Flute Concertos – Marcello Gatti, transverse flute/ Ensemble Aurora/ Enrico Gatti, first violin/ conductor – Glossa
Beautifully expressive playing highlights a superb collection of newly-realized Bach concertos.
Nicholas Urie Large Ensemble – Excerpts from an Online Dating Service – Red Piano
Exploits the Internet as a foundation for Urie’s creativity, specifically the confessional expressions he discovered on personal ad websites.
Arve Henriksen, trumpet – Cartography – ECM
More strongly electronic than Henriksen’s previous work
PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 19; Chout Suite, Op. 21a; GLAZUNOV: Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 82 – Joseph Sivo, violin/ Suisse Romande Orchestra/ Horst Stein; London Symphony Orchestra/Claudio Abbado (Chout) – HDTT
Highly recommended to audiophiles who like their sounds tart and spicy.
CHOPIN: Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 & 3; 2 Nocturnes; Berceuse; Barcarolle – Marc-Andre Hamelin, piano – Hyperion
Hamelin’s admirers will adore these world-class Chopin performances.
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008)
The hugely popular wacky online musical created by “Firefly’s” Joss Whedon
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
