Monthly Archive: September 2010
Steven Bernstein – Solos – The Jazz Sessions (2010)
A practitioner of the trumpet and lesser known slide-trumpet, Bernstein has defied convention as a composer, arranger and bandleader.
AUBERT LEMELAND: Symphony No. 6, “Les Eléments”; Time Landscapes; Mémorial, “Dieppe”; Concert Nocturne – Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie /soloists/Jose Serebrier – Skarbo HERMANN NITSCH: Symphony No. 9 – Peter J. Marthe, cond. – Gramola (2)
I almost hesitate to review these two discs together. But here goes anyway. . . .
Stokowski Conducts = BACH: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor; TCHAIKOVSKY: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a; DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 “From the New World” – Philadelphia Orchestra (Tchaikovsky)/ Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski – Dutton
This Dutton issue offers such spectacularly smooth transfers we may as well indulge ourselves in the Stokowski Sound to best advantage.
“Blues” = Works of GERSHWIN, MARSHALL, ANTHEIL, DEBUSSY, JOPLIN, COPLAND, RAVEL for Violin & Piano – Matthew Trusler, violin/ Wayne Marshall, piano – Orchid Classics
There is much to enjoy here, including a fine-sounding recording.
Paul Chambers Sextet – Whims Of Chambers – Blue Note/Analogue Productions
Hi-Res reissue of 1956 session of jazz greats is compelling.
DUKAS: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; RAVEL: Mother Goose; KOECHLIN: The Bandar Log – Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra/ Marc Albrecht – PentaTone
******** MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ********
A delightful program of programmatic French music that comes alive in PentaTone’s excellent sonics.
ALFREDO CASELLA: Symphony No. 1 in B minor; Concerto for Strings, Piano, Timpani and Percussion – Naxos ALFREDO CASELLA: Symphony No. 2 in C minor Op. 112; A notte alta for piano and orchestra – Soloists/Orch. Sinfonia di Roma/Francesco La Vecchia – Naxo
The first two of a series of four CDs from Naxos devoted to the music of the early 20th century Italian composer Casella.
Jermaine Landsberger and Paulo Morello – Hammond Eggs – In + Out
On Hammond Eggs, organist Jermaine Landsberger and guitarist Paulo Morello take the soul-jazz template and add some fresh ingredients to spice up the palate.
Hadley Caliman & Pete Christlieb – Reunion – Origin Records
A bittersweet final reunion….
Bob Florence Limited Edition – Legendary – MAMA Records
The Bob Florence Limited Edition is not just another dance or big band.
Sebastian Sternal Trio, Featuring Anne-Marie Jean, vocals – Paris – Stockfish Records
European jazz trio adds French vocalist to musical ode to Paris.
Delicatessen, Blu-ray (1991/2010)
This is a very bleak setting with very black subject matter, but it’s not at all handled in a gory or tasteless fashion like a slasher film.
Louise Rogers – Black Coffee – Chesky Records
Musician and educator releases classy album of jazz vocals.
LEOS JANACEK: Piano Works Vol. 1 = Sonata 1.X.1905; On an overgrown path I & II; Reminiscence; In the Mist – Slavka Pechocova, piano – Praga Digitals
Janacek’s works exhibit much variety within his individual style, so even hearing the entire disc at one sitting does not seem repetitive.
Audio News for September 14, 2010
Sony Top Line LCD 3DTV Scores Except on Price; Apple Adds Features to AirPlay; New Inexpensive Whole-Home Wireless Audio System; Logitech Wireless Headset with Up to 40 ft. Range; Quincy Jones Endorses Headphones
LG BD590 250GB HD Network Blu-ray Player
An impressively-designed Blu-ray player at a reasonable price.
Eric Clapton: The 1960s Review (2010)
During the DVD Eric Clapton: The 1960s Review, viewers discover how Clapton attained the pinnacle of rock stardom and where and how got started.
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Blu-ray (1983/2010)
This is as different a WWII drama as Jacob’s Ladder was a Vietnam drama.
BACH: 6 Partitas, BWV 825-830 – Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano – Decca
Vladimir Ashkenazy contributes a set of Bach’s official Op. 1 Partitas whose intelligent virility should have us returning for repeated auditions.
This Is The Blues Volume 3 – Various Artists – Eagle Rock This Is The Blues Volume 4 – Various Artists – Eagle Rock
Blues anthologies combine the past and present in a respectful tribute to Blues giants.
PACHELBEL: Ingressus in c; Magnificat in C; Ingressus in e; Ingressus in G; Ingressus in g; Magnificat in F; Ingressus; JOHANN KRIEGER: Sonata à 5; JOHANN CASPAR KERIL: Sonata à 5 – The King’s Singers/ Charivari Agreable/ Kah-Ming Ng – Signum Classics
Charivari Agreable is a spot-on Baroque band of impeccable musicianship and with Signum’s airy sound and you have a winner all around.
Jacob’s Ladder, Blu-ray (1990/2010)
A very moving portrayal of a vet’s descent into hell, and well worth repeated viewings to catch details you might have missed the previous time.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
