Monthly Archive: August 2010
Emil Gilels Legacy, Vol. 8 = Music of VLADIGEROV, BARTOK, SMETANA, RAVEL, MENDELSSOHN, CHOPIN, KHACHATURIAN – Doremi
The Olympian Emil Gilels in repertory that dramatically adds to his already important legacy.
Charles Mingus – Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus – Impulse/Universal/Analogue Productions The Gil Evans Orchestra – Out of the Cool – Impulse/Universal/Analogue Productions
A major improvement over the previous CD reissues of these two classical modern jazz ensemble sessions.
BERLIOZ: Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14; Le Roi Lear, Op. 4 – Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra/ Marek Janowski, conductor – Pentatone
There is always room for another terrific SACD recording of this work, and here it is.
ULRICH LEYENDECKER: Concert for Guitar and Orchestra; Evocation; Symphony No. 4 – Maximilian Mangold, guitar/ Northwest German Philharmonic/Romely Pfund, conductor/ SWR Rundfunk Orchestra Kaiserslautern/ Per Borin, conductor/ SWR Radio-Symphony Orchestra
A mixed bag in this Jekyll and Hyde release.
Russian Music for Cello and Piano = MYASKOVSKY: Sonata No. 2; SCRIABIN: Etude, Op. 8, No. 11; SCHNITTKE: Musica nostalgica; PROKOFIEV: Adagio from “Ten Pieces from Cinderella" RACHMANINOFF: Sonata in g – Wendy Warner, c./Irina Nuzova, p. – Cedill
Chicago cellist Wendy Warner plays with a perfect understanding of the subtle and not-so-subtle stylistic differences that inform this music of different eras, different esthetics.
SMETANA: String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor “From My Life”; String Quartet No. 2 in D Minor – Bennewitz Quartet – Coviello Classics
Smetana reserved his more autobiographical statements for the intimate context of chamber music.
BACH: Unaccompanied Cello Suites (Complete) – Winona Zelenka, cello – Marquis
Look no further—the closest thing to a definitive set of these amazing pieces that I have ever heard.
SCHUBERT: Die Schone Mullerin – Barbara Hendricks, soprano/ Roland Pontinen, piano – Arte Verum
As expected, well sung. But is this cycle suited to the female voice?
Elisabeth Hoengen, contralto = Sel. of VERDI, BIZET, ST.-SAENS, WAGNER, R. STRAUSS – Preiser
Among the most durable and versatile of German mezzo-sopranos, Elisabeth Hoengen moves us with performance resonant with dramatic intensity.
Audio News for August 3, 2010
Dutch Composer/Bandleader Willem Breuker Dies; Focus Enhancements Spins Off Semiconductor Division; Hi-Fi Magnate Sidney Harman Buys Newsweek Magazine; Samsung Series 9 Ultimate Home Theater System in Development
JACOB FROBERGER: Complete Ricercari; Chigi Toccatas – Bob van Asperen, organ – Aeolus
The composer with the funny name is well worth getting to know.
Harry Partch, Enclosure 8 (1958-2006/2010)
He created his own musical scale of 43 tones to the octave and designed and built a series of very unusual-looking and sounding home-made instruments to play his scores.
Jim Rotondi – 1000 Rainbows – Posi-Tone
Trumpet and vibes, a winning combination….
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98; MOZART: Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543 – London Symphony Orchestra/Josef Krips – Pristine Audio
Luxuriant Brahms and spirited, idiomatic Mozart from a master of the Viennese style, Josef Krips.
Patty Cronheim – Days Like These – Say So Records
Jazz chanteuse hits the mark with inspired vocals and poised arrangements.
“IK!” (I) – Nederlands Blazers Ensemble with guests and young composers, Live at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam New Years Day 2010 – CD + DVD NBE Live/Vara
A wild musical mix on New Year’s in Amsersterdam.
GEORGE ROCHBERG: Piano Music 3 = Partita Variations; Nach Bach; Sonata-Fantasia – Sally Pinkas, piano – Naxos
Vastly important works played with love and devotion—get to know this composer!
LUTOSLAWSKI: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4 – NFM Wroclaw Symphony Orchestra/ Jacek Kaspszyk – CD Accord
An important and magnificent release that gives us the best sound the composer has ever had.
Esoteric Sound Rek-O-Kut Rondine 3 Turntable
For the serious vintage music listener there is no turntable out there I know of with the speed flexibility to accommodate for the many different types of records made over time.
Patrick Stanfield Jones – A Heart and an Open Road – Motema Music
An impressive debut from this Northeastern troubadour combines musical genres with catchy tunes and showmanship.
Editorial for August 2010
Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6 Our August drawing/giveaway is for the compact DACport combination 96K/24bit USB DAC and Class A headphone amp, which makes the audiophile experience portable. Its cross-platform plug-and-play operation (no drivers required) sets new standards for portability, convenience and audio quality. No batteries – it takes its power from your laptop via USB. Hear 48K and 96K audio DVDs and downloads without downsampling by your computer, and using AdaptiWave 24-bit USB technology. Go Here to Register on our site this month for your chance to be the lucky owner of this compact super-quality computer audio accessory. The winner will be announced next month. The lucky winner of the Ton Koopman Complete Bach Cantatas 67-CD boxed set from Challenge Records ($400 retail value) which we offered in our July drawing is Fritz Steyben of Sarasota, FL. Congratulations Fritz! EDITORIAL AUDIOPHILE AUDITION began in 1985 as a weekly national radio series hosted by John Sunier, which aired for 13 1/2 years on up to 200 public radio and commercial stations coast to coast. In September 1998 its site for programming information was expanded to the present Internet publication. August 2010 is our 138th issue, and features improved […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
