Monthly Archive: October 2010
“Passing By” Songs by Jake Heggie – Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano/ Zheng Cao, mezzo-soprano/ Joyce DiDonato, soprano/ Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano, Paul Groves, tenor/ Keith Phares, baritone/ Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano/ Jake Heggie, piano – Avie
A wonderful recital of music by an unabashed romantic, sung to perfection by some of the world’s greatest artists.
CHARLES AVISON: Harpsichord Sonatas, Op. 5 & 7 – The Avison Ensemble – Divine Art
A little-known composer who deserves a lot more renown is here represented in excellent performances.
The Superbees – Top of the Rocks – Acetate
The Superbees’ new EP, Top of the Rocks, is a snarling, sneering and roaring six-song salvo.
Moulin Rouge, Blu-ray (2001/2010)
Baz Luhrmann’s wild and woolly film musical using current pop tunes.
ELGAR: Enigma Variations, Op. 36; VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis – Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent – HDTT
A HDTT restoration, available in various formats, from a 1959 HMV LP.
JOHN CORIGLIANO: Circus Maximus (Symphony No. 3 for large wind ensemble); Gazebo Dances for band – The University of Texas Wind Ensemble/ Jerry Junkin – Naxos (audio-only)
A 35-minute surround sound piece in which the audience becomes the center of the activity.
Psycho – 50th Anniversary Edition, Blu-ray (1960/2010)
The regenerated 5.1 surround soundtrack from the original mono track is one of the many attractions of this magnificent Blu-ray reissue.
Audio News for October 22, 2010
Blu-ray and Digital Distribution Sales Up; Sony High End TV Production to Suicide-Plagued Chinese Firm; U.N. Expert Touts Broadband as a Catalyst for Growth; Things to Consider in a New HDTV Besides Price
Fleur de Paris – Music by Michel Legrand, R.S. Louiguy, Satie, Debussy, Poulenc, Faure, and others – The Twelve Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic – EMI Classics
There is something always deliciously euphonious about 12 cellists playing together, especially when it is essentially the cello section of arguably the greatest orchestra in the world.
Jim Walker, flute/Mike Garson, piano – Pied Piper – Reference Recordings
All 12 of the tunes here are original compositions of pianist-composer Mike Garson, who was the long-time music director for David Bowie.
PHILIP GLASS: Violin Concerto No. 2 “The American Four Seasons” – Robert McDuffie, violin /London Philharmonic Orchestra/Marin Alsop – Orange Mountain Music
A new violin concerto by Philip Glass is a pleasant romp but the musical mind is left wanting more.
PETER VON WINTER: Septet for two violins, clarinet, two horns, and viola; Quartet for clarinet, violin, viola, and cello; Octet for violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, bassoon, two horns, and double bass – Consortium Classicum/Dieter Klocker – Orfeo
The members of the Consortium Classicum always sound as if they’re enjoying themselves royally, which translates to a happy listening experience.
The Bombastic Meatbats featuring Chad Smith – More Meat – Warrior
The Bombastic Meatbats are serious students of classic jazz-rock who have a solid sense of humor.
GLAZUNOV: Piano Concerto No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 92; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Major, Op. 100 – Elena Glazunov, piano/Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra/Alois Melichar – Pristine Audio
For authenticity of performance, we cannot surpass the Elena Glazunov renditions of the two piano concertos by her esteemed step-father.
DO.GMA #1 = TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48; Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70 – do.gma chamber orchestra/ Mikhail Gurewitsch, director – Audiomax
A new, young, and energetic ensemble tackling a couple of old warhorses.
2010 Chopin-Schumann Anniversary Edition = CHOPIN: Ballade No. 3; Prélude in C-sharp minor; Fantaisie in F minor; Berceuse; Barcarolle; Polonaise-Fantaisie; Waltz; Ballade No. 4; SCHUMANN: Kreisleriana; BACH: Partita No. 2 – Burkard Schliessmann – MSR
MSR achieves enlightenment with their first SACD multichannel release.
The Crimson Wing – Mystery of the Flamingos, Blu-ray + DVD (2010)
Another glorious nature feature – this one may remind many viewers of the wonderful “March of the Penguins.”
Le Concert Spirituel au temps de Louis XV = CORELLI: Concerto Grosso in D; TELEMANN: Two Suites; Concerto; RAMEAU: Les indes galantes (symphonies) – Soloists/Concert des Nations/Jordi Savall – Alia Vox
Another Savall winner, though the concept behind it is a little weak.
BRAHMS: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in B Minor (arr. Brahms for solo viola and string quartet); Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano in A Minor (arr. Brahms for viola, cello, and piano) – Centaur Records
The Clarinet Quintet in its arrangement for viola and string quartet doesn’t sound as “right” as the other two String Quintets (Op. 88 and 111) of Brahms and would need better advocacy than it gets here.
MOZART: Overture to The Magic Flute; Symphony No. 36 in C major K. 425, “Linz”; Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major K. 543 – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / James Lockhart – Royal Philharmonic Masterworks
These fine performances won’t replace classic ones but would make real sense as up-to-date supplements to your Mozart collection.
Oceans, Blu-ray 2-Disc Combo Pack (2010)
A thoughtful and functional nature documentary – not only glorious eye candy.
Come Away, Death = KORNGOLD: Come Away, Death; WOLFGANG PLAGGE: Sodergran Songs; SIBELIUS: Come Away, Death; MAJA SOLVEIG KJELSTRUP RATKJE: HVIL; FINZI: Come Away, Death; MUSSORGSKY: Songs and Dances of Death – Kielland/Osadchuk – 2L
A morbid title? Certainly, but don’t be put off by it as some wonderful music is here.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
