Monthly Archive: December 2010
D’INDY: Istar, 0p.42, Choral varie, 0p. 55, Symphony No. 3, Op. 70, Diptyche mediterraneen – Iceland Symphony Orchestra /Sigurour Flosason, saxophone/Rumon Gamba, conductor – Chandos
The third in a fascinating collection of music by this French eccentric begs hearing more!
Ensemble Polaris – Vikings On Vacation – Pipistrelle
Eclectic band makes a geographic statement.
SAINT-SAENS: Cello Concerto No. 1; Cello Sonata No. 2; Romance for cello and piano; Serenade; Carnival of the Animals – Henri Demarquette, cello/ Boris Berezovsky and Brigitte Engerer, piano/ Ensemble Orchestra of Paris/Joseph Swensen – Mirare
This unusual but highly creative tribute to Demarquette’s countryman Camille Saint-Saens is a particular pleasure.
Treme – Music From The HBO Original Series, Season 1 – Geffen Records
The HBO series on post-Katrina New Orleans releases a stunning collection of regional music.
Kevin Eubanks – Zen Food – Mack Avenue Records
Philadelphia guitarist pours heart and soul into new album.
R. STRAUSS: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30; WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde: Prelude, Act III; MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 “Scottish” – Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Artur Rodzinski – Historical Recordings
A sterling reissue testament to Artur Rodzinski–his complete Chicago Symphony inscriptions–in potent sound.
Chaise Lounge – Symphony Lounge: Capital City Symphony – Big Round Records
Hip grooves and relaxed vibe play a cool hand.
Helio Alves – Música – Jazz Legacy Productions
Classical music’s loss is a gain for the jazz community.
SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto in A Minor; Adagio and Allegro; Fantasiestuecke for Piano and Cello; Five Pieces in Folk Style – Jan Vogler, cello/Bruno Canino, piano/Munich Chamber Orchestra/Christoph Poppen – Berlin Classics Edel Kultur
A handsomely mounted reissue of the Schumann cello works with the gifted Jan Vogler and veteran pianist Bruno Canino.
Arturo Toscanini: Gala Concert from the Benefit Pension Fund, NY Philh. = HAYDN: Symphony No. 101 “Clock”; RESPIGHI: The Pines of Rome; SIBELIUS: The Swan of Tuonela; WAGNER: Siegfried’s Funeral March; WEBER: Overture to Euryanthe – Guild
The Benefit Pension Fund concert at Carnegie Hall with Arturo Toscanini conducting returns to us in a blazing restoration.
Ellen Rowe Quartet – Wishing Well – PKO Records
Quiet and meditative jazz performed with heart and soul.
HOLST: The Hymn of Jesus; The Perfect Fool–Ballet Music; Egdon Heath – BBC Chorus and Symphony Orchestra/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult – HDTT
Adrian Boult performs three Holst staples in exemplary sound: fine fare for Boult, a bit unsettling to the rest of us.
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Scheherazade; MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Ravel) – London Symphony Orchestra (Rimsky-Korsakov) /Royal Philharmonic Orchestra /Sir Eugene Goossens – Guild
Two sonic splendors from the legacy of Sir Eugene Goossens, here at the top of his form in Russian standards.
Fourplay – Let’s Touch The Sky – Heads Up
Veteran contemporary jazz group flexes their muscle.
Goossens in Cincinnati, Volume 1 = GRIEG: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1; DELIUS: Walk to the Paradise Garden; STRAVINSKY: Le Chant du Rossignol; CHABRIER: Marche Joyeuse; SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 4 – Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Sir Eugene Goosens – Historic Rec.
Transfers a series of Goossens’ marvelously vivid, often emotionally pungent, recordings in this first volume of performances, 1945-1946.
Bob Gluck – Something Quiet – FMR
Something sometimes quiet but certainly not restrained or inhibited.
HOVHANESS: Fanfare for the New Atlantis, Op. 281; Guitar Concerto No. 2, Op. 394; Symphony No. 63, “Loon Lake”, Op. 411 – Javier Calderon, guitar/ Royal Scottish National Orchestra/ Stewart Robertson, conductor – Naxos
Hovhaness fans should rejoice at Naxos’s continuing dedication to the composer, and these performances are all anyone could ask for.
DEBUSSY: 12 Etudes – Pascal Roge, piano – Onyx
It’s nice to have Roge back in the studio, especially when the music is by the great Frenchman.
MONTEVERDI: Vespers of 1610; Magnificat a 6 – Seraphic Fire and Western Michigan University Chorale/ Patrick Quigley – Seraphic Fire Media
There are two reasons to listen to this uniquely-orchestrated version of Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Blessed Virgin 1610.
Despicable Me, Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Copy (2010)
Though the humor is often juvenile, it’s an imaginative family movie that should entertain.
Hot Club Sandwich – And If Only – www.hotclubsandwich.com
A delightful and surprising mix of Gypsy Jazz and Western Swing hits all the right buttons.
Audio News for December 21, 2010
Wireless Networking To Be Improved Soon; Dr. John Named to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Sirius XM Radio Adds New Satellite
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
