Monthly Archive: March 2010
Michael Treni Big Band – Turnaround – The Bell Production Co.
The 16-piece band combines a number of jazz veterans with younger players, and all obviously interested and excited about what they’re doing.
"Peiwoh" – Arianna Savall (vocal, triple harp, gothic harp, celtic harp)/ Petter Johansen (vocal)/ Ferran Savall (vocal and theorb)/ Javier Mas (12-string guitar and lute)/ Mario Mas (guitar)/ Bjørn Kjellemyr (double bass) – Alia Vox
Peiwoh – the name is fragrant with courtly love and music’s soothing power.
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” – NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini – Opus Kura
The 1942 radio premier broadcast of the Shostakovich Seventh by the NBC Symphony and Arturo Toscanini, in a remastering from a distinctly different source than the commercial RCA inscription.
Beecham in Seattle = WAGNER: Prelude, Act III Meistersinger; Prelude Act I; Overture to The Flying Dutchman; ELGAR: Enigma Variations; Serenade in E Minor for Strings: Largo; DELIUS: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring – Seattle Sym. – Pristine Audio
Derived from cassettes made from 1943 acetates that had to be destroyed according to a performance agreement.
The Fourth Kind, Blu-ray (2010)
Fact or sci-fi fiction? Mila says you decide.
CLAUDE BOLLING: Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio (1975/2004)
Glorious Versailles backgrounds for a short but upbeat baroque chamber jazz performance of Bolling’s first such suite.
SCHOENBERG: Solo Piano Music (complete); STEUERMANN: Suite; Arrangements for 2 & 3 Pianos – POULENC: Toccata; STRAUSS: Themes from “Die Fledermaus”; Perpetuum Mobile; SCHUBERT: Whither? – Eduard Steuermann, p. (Schoenberg)/ 4 other pianists – Tacet (2 CDs
An important and influential recording comes back to light, though Sony is probably sitting on the original tape.
Baltic Exchange = UGIS PRAULINS: Missa Rigensis; Laudibus in sanctis; MAIJA EINFELDE: Cycle of Fricis Barda Poems; URMAS SISASK: Benedictio; VYTAUTAS MISKINIS: Angelis suis Deus; Pater noster – Choir of Trinity College Cambridge/ Stephen Layton – Hyperion
More wonderful Hyperion discoveries.
LITA GRIER: 5 Songs for Children; Sneezles; 5 Songs from A Shropshire Lad; 2 Songs from Emily Dickinson; Songs from Spoon River; Reflections of a Peacemaker – Soloists/Chicago Children's Choir/Josephine Lee – Cedille
The first ever disc of a talent dormant far too long.
George Crumb, “Bad Dog” (2009)
A tribute done with love and affection of one of modern music’s greats.
WILLIAM KRAFT: Encounters – Southwest Chamber Music/ Tambuco Percussion Ensemble – Cambria (3 CDs)
At last! A worthy collection of a worthy modern composer in state of the art sound.
CARL RUTTI: Requiem – Olivia Robinson, soprano/ Edward Price, baritone/ Jane Watts, organ/ The Bach Choir/ Southern Sinfonia/ David Hill – Naxos
A moving and very personal reflection couched in the confines of the Latin requiem.
GLUCK: Orpheus und Eurydike, Blu-ray (2010)
Opera and dance can combine, but can they compete?
Ponyo, Blu-ray – 2-disc Combo Pack (2009)
The timeless story from this master of family animation comes off as a dazzling experience, even if it’s not quite up to the level he achieved with Spirited Away.
Audio News for March 5, 2010
Mandatory 3D Formats for Home Use Announced; CBS and Sony Unveil New 3D Consumer Research Center; LG Electronics Promotes Smart Grid Technology; YouTube Adds Auto-Captioning for Videos; Top Asian Manufacturers Accused of Price-Fixing Optical Disc Drives in U.S.
Mike LeDonne – The Groover – Savant
“Old school” in a good way.
Orrin Evans – Faith in Action – Posi-Tone
The buzz has caught me.
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (First Version, 1887) – Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra/ Simone Young – Oehms Classics
This live performance on the 1887 version of Bruckner’s Eighth is a gigantic edifice of beauty, conviction, and originality.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58; Piano Concerto No.5 in E Flat Major, Op. 73 – Olli Mustonen, piano/ Tapiola Sinfonietta – Ondine
In the Beethoven Fourth Concerto, Mustonen presented himself as a pianist with self-assurance and a consistency in style.
CLARA SCHUMANN –Trio in G Minor Op. 17; ROBERT SCHUMANN –Trio in G Minor Op. 110; WOLFGANG RIHM – Fremde Szene III – Boulanger Trio – Ars Produktion
The Clara Schumann and Robert Schumann trios make real sense as discmates, sharing the same key and of course many other elements that are natural to this famous husband-and-wife team.
MENDELSSOHN: The Complete String Symphonies – Festival Strings Lucerne/ Achim Fiedler – Oehms Classics
It’s gratifying to note that Mendelssohn’s reputation has been rehabilitated in the last half of the 20th century so that he can take his rightful place among the greatest of Romantic composers.
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Carl Schuricht – HDTT
A demonic 1962 performance, this disc provides the perfect complement to Schuricht’s equally inspired reading of the score from 1951 Stuttgart, offered through Music&Arts.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
