Monthly Archive: January 2011
Matt Panayides – Tapestries of Song – Pacific Coast Jazz
A traditionally-minded debut lined with swing, straight ahead grooves and a few pensive contrasts.
JOHANN MELCHIOR MOLTER: Overture in C; Trumpet Concerto in D; Sonata grossa in g; Violin Concerto in F; Sinfonia in A; Concerto in F – Hans-Martin Rux, natural trumpet/ Martin Jopp, violin/ Main-Barockorchester Frankfurt – Aeolus
Spectacular music is equally engaging surround sound – don’t miss this one!
RICHARD STRAUSS: Also sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan; Till Eugenspiegels lustige Streiche; Metamorphosen; Tod und Verklarung – Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra/ Herbert Blomstedt, conductor – Dal Segno (2 CDs)
Very nice to have these beautiful 20-year-old recordings from the Denon label back in circulation.
The Dave Liebman Big Band LIVE – As Always – MAMA Records
Big Band Bash.
CARL NIELSEN: Symphonies 4 & 5 – London Symphony Orchestra/Colin Davis – LSO Live
Two great twentieth century symphonies by Carl Nielsen, given exciting performances in superb SACD sound.
Taj Mahal – The Natch’l Blues – Columbia Records/Pure Pleasure Records LP
Blues man modernizes a traditional genre.
RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloé (complete ballet); Boléro; Pavane – London Symphony Chorus & Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev – LSO Live
Gergiev’s fantastic conducting job here brings out the color and dynamics while highlighting every small detail.
HINDEMITH: Complete Music for Viola and Orchestra = Konzertmusik, Op. 48; Der Schawnendreher; Trauermusik; Kammermusik No. 5, Op. 36 No. 4 – Lawrence Power, viola / BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / David Atherton – Hyperion
Power and Atherton trace Hindemith’s growth as a composer and do this musical journey full justice.
Beoga – Live At Stockfisch Studio – Stockfisch Records LP
LP release of same live concert as SACD offers flawless acoustics.
Jeff Palmer/Devin Garramone/John Fisher – Permutation – Rank
Permutation is a soulful funk-fest for devotees of Hammond B-3 organ trios.
Leslie Pintchik Quartet – Live In Concert – Pintch Hard Records (DVD + CD)
New Yorker delights hometown crowd with new release.
MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E Minor; Octet – James Ehnes, violin / Erin Keefe, Andrew Wan, and Augustin Hadelich, violins / Cynthia Phelps and Richard O’Neill violas / Robert deMaine and Edward Arron, cellos – Philharmonia Orch./Ashkenazy – Onynx
A fine Concerto and a great Octet performance—this disc is a definite keeper.
Audio News for January 18, 2011
Transition from Analog to DTV Not Perfect; Samsung Now Leading Consumer Technology Company in the World; Sony’s New Line of Wi-Fi-enabled Devices
RICHARD ARNELL – BALLET MUSIC: The Great Detective – The Angels – BBC Concert Orchestra/Martin Yates – Dutton
Beguiling ballet music with stunning variety and brilliant orchestration makes this a dramatic and tuneful romp that needs no stage to entertain.
GIUSEPPE SAMMARTINI: Harsichord Concerto in A Major; Flute Concerto in D Major; Flute Concerto in A Major; Oboe Concerto No. 9 in B-flat Major; Oboe Concerto No. 12 in C Major – Soloists/I Musici Ambrosiani /Paolo Suppa – Dynamic
The music from London is Sammartini’s best and brings out the best performances, but this is a pleasing disc overall.
Music for Clarinet & Piano by DRAESEKE, MENDELSSOHN, BEETHOVOEN & BURGMULLER – Pierce-Aomori Duo/Daniel Barrett, cello – MSR Classics
This disk should provide inspiration for clarinetists and much enjoyable listening for the rest of us.
Bill Lowe/Andy Jaffe Repertory Big Band – An Imperfect Storm – Big Round Records
An Imperfect Storm is a product of two groups of accomplished jazz-loving musicians coming together a world apart playing with heart.
The Chris Crocco Fluid Trio+ – GPA
Guitarist Chris Crocco shows how to avoid the sophomore slump on his second release.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, “Emperor”; Choral Fantasia in C Minor for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra – Philippe Entremont, piano/Choeur de l’ORTF/Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Jean Martinon – Cascavelle
Performances from Jean Martinon’s Beethoven bicentennial concerts that resound with energy and high definition, grandly festive.
MIKHAIL GLINKA: ‘Orchestral Works’ – Musica Viva/ soloists/Alexander Rudin – Fuga Libera Recordings
A look at lesser known works of a Russian master begs for more!
Curtis Woodbury – Curtis Woodbury – Jazz Hang Records
Skilled instrumentalist releases auspicious debut.
BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 “Kreutzer”; FAURE: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13 – Albert Sammons, violin/William Murdoch, piano/Edie Miller, piano (Faure) – Pristine Audio
“Rare and Unissued Violin Sonatas” by Albert Sammons reads the blurb, and the results justify the purchase of these classic renditions by Britain’s great auto-didact of the violin.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
