Monthly Archive: June 2010
Erik Friedman plays = MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E Minor; PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major; SAINT-SAENS: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso – Erik Friedman, v./London Sym. Orch./ Seiji Ozawa (Mendelssohn)/ Chicago Sym./Walter Hendl – HDTT
Heifetz protégé Erick Friedman makes his own high marks in concertos by Mendelssohn and Paganini, with the Saint-Saens an added bon-bon.
Johanna Martzy, Vol. 2 = BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61; MOZART: Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 454 – Johanna Martzy, violin/Jean Antonietti, piano/Radio Svizzera Italiana Orchestra/Otmar Nussio – DOREMI
DOREMI provides a real service to music and to record collectors with these inspired performances by the Romanian virtuoso.
Quartet Equinox – Philip’s Wish – DIP Records
He recorded all four performers simultaneously in a studio in Torrance, CA, for the most realistic sonic representation of each instrument and all four working together in real time.
J.S. BACH: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba: G Major, BWV, 1027; D Major; G Minor; Jesu mein Freude; Von Himmel hoch da komm’ich her; Gottes Sohn ist kommen; In dir ist Freude; more – Jan Vogler, cello/Martin Stadtfeld, piano – Sony
“A happy borealis of sound” seems the perfect epithet to describe this marvelous music, superbly rendered.
TELEMANN: Die Tageszeiten (The Times of the Day); Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank we all our God) – Monika Mauch, soprano/ Gerhild Romberger, alto/ Hans Jorg Mammel, tenor/ Gotthold Schwarz, bass/ Basel Madrigalists/ L’arpa festante/ Fritz Naf – Carus
Telemann never ceases to amaze, his invention unending.
PHILIP GLASS: Itaipu; Three Songs – Los Angles Master Chorale/ Grant Gershon, conductor/ Crouch End Festival Chorus/ David Temple, conductor/ National Sinfonia – Orange Mountain Music
This second Itaipu recording edges out the world premiere Shaw reissue.
PALESTRINA: Missa Te Deum laudemus; Tu es Petrus; Missa Tu es Petrus; VICTORIA: Te Deum laudemus – Choir of Westminster Cathedral/ Martin Baker, conductor – Hyperion
Fine renderings of important works by two composers, especially the Missa Tu es Petrus (which is not recorded much) make this a necessary acquisition for ancient music lovers.
Audio News for June 29, 2010
Retail Sales in U.S. Fall; Obama Signs Plan to Auction More Spectrum for Mobile Devices; Francis Dreyfus 1940-2010; WHDI 2.0 to Coexist with Wi-Fi
Charnett Moffett – Treasure – Motéma
On his latest album, Treasure, bass exemplar Charnett Moffett continues his exploration of all things in the bass universe.
LISZT: Funérailles; Spanish Rhapsody; Transcendental Etude No.10; Chopin: 3 Waltzes, Op.14; Ballade No.4 Op.52; SCRIABIN: Mazurka (Op.25 No.3; Op.40 Nos. 1&2); 2 Poems, Op.32; 5 Preludes, Op.15; Vers la Flamme Op.72 – Oleg Marshev, piano / Danacord
Marshev’s interpretation of Scriabin’s overwrought idiom is a convincing account.
VILLA -LOBOS: Piano Trios 1, 2, and 3; FERNANDEZ: Trio Brasileiro – Damocles Trio – Claves
A delightful disc of piano trios that traces the early development of the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Chandos 96K/24bit Classical Downloads
The British label Chandos has joined the hi-res downloads trend, even offering some multichannel albums and some not available on SACD at all.
MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64; BRUCH: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 – Ruggiero Ricci, violin/London Symphony Orchestra/Pierino Gamba – Pristine Audio
A visceral document of superb virtuoso violin playing by Ruggiero Ricci in two standard concertos.
HAYDN: 3 String Quartets Op. 55 (Volume 9) – Auryn Quartet – Tacet
The excellence continues with a smoking reading of the “Razor” Quartet.
CEntrance DACport USB 96/24 Headphone Amp
The DACport sounded far better than any of the portable headphone amps, and if I had an iPod I’m sure it would be paired up with it constantly.
The Songs of Johannes Brahms Vol. 1 – Angelika Kirchschlager, mezzo-soprano/ Graham Johnson, piano – Hyperion
Here we go again—and what a thrill it will be…
Goethe Vertonungen (Goethe Settings) = MENDELSSOHN: Overture in D, “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage”; The First Walpurgis Night; BRAHMS: Alto Rhapsody; SCHUMANN: Requiem for Mignon – Soloists/SWR Sym./Hans Michael Beuerle – Ars Musici
A happy coincidence of little-played and terrific music all on one disc—and the sound is great.
RACHMANINOFF: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31 – Kārlis Rūtentāls, tenor / Gundrars Dziļums, bass /Latvian Radio Choir / Sigvards Kļava – Ondine
One creative high point is a remarkable low note sustained by the basses at the end of the Credo section, a loooow B-flat that sounds for all the world like the throat singing of Tibetan monks
Karajan in Hollywood = WAGNER: Overture to Die Meistersinger; IVES: The Unanswered Question; MOZART: Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 485 “Haffner”; R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben – Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan – Pristine Audio
Karajan in an expansive mood in Los Angeles, performing his only inscription of music by Charles Ives, along with standard virtuoso works.
Night Train to Munich (1940/2010)
This is a World War II chase movie basically, but a very good one by the director who went on later to do such classics as The Third Man
BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio in E-flat, Hess 47; Piano Trio in D, Halm Anhang 3; Piano Trio in E-flat, Op. 63 – Beethoven Project Trio – Cedille
More than just recycling, these works and performances deserve widespread attention.
MOZART: Piano Concertos, Vol. I = Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor; Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major; Piano Concerto No. 26 in D Major “Coronation”; Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major – Vassily Primakov, p./Odense Symphony Orch./Scott Yoo – Bridge (2)
Primakov makes a marvelous beginning for a complete Mozart cycle, as intelligently enthusiastic as it is lovely.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
