Monthly Archive: August 2010
Piotr Anderszewski: Unique Traveler, Blu-ray (2010)
A gorgeously filmed release, a little weird, but full of insights into the life of a major talent.
The Films of Hilary Harris (2006)
Organism is the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s epic vision of NYC which he shot over a period of 15 years.
Amina Claudine Myers Salutes Bessie Smith – Top Music International
Bluesy songs of Bessie Smith in a top-fidelity SACD import.
Dances = Works of GISMONTI, SCOTT, BOCCHERINI, PIAZZOLLA, TRADITION, LAGRENE, Etc. [TrackList below] – Aquarelle Guitar Quartet – Chandos
The British quartet has assembled here a fine program of 18 selections built around the theme of dance forms.
CILEA: Adriana Lecouvreur (complete opera, 2009), Blu-ray
This is a small-staged Lecouvreur that makes the most of its surroundings.
Esperanza Spalding – Chamber Music Society – Heads Up International
Sophistication and originality pushes the boundaries of fusion.
JOSEF SUK: Suite “Pohadka” Op. 16; ANTONIN DVORAK: Ceska Suite in D Major Op. 39 – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Zdenek Macal – Exton
Both suites get affectionate idiomatic readings from the Czech players.
Audio News for August 6, 2010
Panasonic to Launch Consumer 3D Camcorder; 3D Connectivity in New Denon Receivers; Warner Offering Free IMAX 3D Blu-rays With 3D TVs; Hacking Vulnerability in Mobile Devices; Singalong Album Maven Mitch Miller Dies
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 “Choral” – Elsie Suddaby, soprano/Nellie Walker, contralto/Walter Widdop, tenor/ Stuart Robinson, bass/(London) Symphony Orchestra/Albert Coates – Historic-Recordings
The fiery Albert Coates and a talented vocal ensemble deliver a classic reading of the Ninth.
John Lee Hooker Jr. – Live In Istanbul, Turkey – CCE
Blues For Today
Boult conducts SIBELIUS = Prelude to The Tempest, Op. 109, No. 1; Finlandia, Op. 26; Tapiola, Op. 112; The Oceanides, Op. 73; Night Ride and Sunrise, Op. 55; Pohjola’s Daughter, Op. 49 – London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult – Somm
A hearty selection from the 1956 classic renditions of Sibelius symphonic poems by Sir Adrian Boult originally made for Nixa (and issued in the U.S. on Vanguard).
Sun Ra Arkestra under dir. of Marshall Allen – Live At The Paradox – IOR
Capturing The Essence.
Roberto Occhipinti – A Bend in the River – Alma
During his latest album, A Bend in the River, bassist Roberto Occhipinti combines different elements into musical unity that has spacious depth.
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61; SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47 – Ida Haendel, violin/ Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Karel Ancerl – Supraphon
A classic combination of artists, so deftly played that every student of the violin should pursue these collaborations.
Caterina Lichtenberg and Mike Marshall – Adventure Music
Two modern mandolin masters, one from Europe and one from America, cover the full range of the mandolin repertoire, from Bach to Bandolim.
Hamilton de Holanda Quintet – Brasilianos 2 – Adventure Music CD + DVD
Virtuosic and fiery music that blurs the boundaries between folk, choro, progressive, and jazz music.
MandoMorphosis – 2010 – [www.mandomorphosis.com]
This mandolin ensemble pushes the boundaries of the mandolin repertoire.
MARCO DALL’AQUILA: Pieces for Lute [TrackList below] – Paul O’Dette, lute – Harmonia mundi
A worthy tribute to an important and forgotten composer, but the acoustics are not optimal.
“Childhood Memories” = Works of PROKOFIEV, SCHUBERT, BARTOK, BLOCH, FALLA, JANACECK & others – Mikhail Tsinman, violin / Nika Lundstrem, piano – Caro Mitis
This may be more a pleasing hodge-podge than a well-designed program, but there is still much to enjoy here.
Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2009)
The inaugural concert from Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Claudio Roditi – Simpatico – Resonance Records
Nice mix of bossa nova and straight modern jazz in original compositions.
Lucovico Einaudi Live in Berlin – Pondersosa
For aficionados of applause.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
