Monthly Archive: May 2011
Audio News for May 31, 2011
CEA Announces Industry Leaders to 2011 CE Hall of Fame; Affordable Music Server Software for Classical Fans; Big Bucks Spent on Consumer Electronics
Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray & 3D Universal Disc Player
The latest and flagship deck from the line that has combined high quality and reasonable price, plays 3D, has the latest DAC technology, and easily downloads movies.
R. STRAUSS: 17 Lieder; Brentano Lieder, Op. 68 – Diana Damrau, soprano/Munich Philharmonic /Christian Thielemann – Virgin Classics
In the tradition of Schwarzkopf and Elisabeth Schumann, soprano Damrau renders a diaphanous visionary recital of the Strauss orchestral songs.
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”; R. STRAUSS: Don Juan – Concertgebouw Orch./ Willem Mengelberg – Pristine
The iconoclastic Willem Mengelberg has an Eroica to complete his rousing 1940 survey of the Beethoven Nine.
McKinley Black – Beggars, Fools And Thieves – Stockfisch Records
Indie artist showcases a songwriting talent with a special voice.
The Terminator, Blu-ray (1984/2011)
This is amazingly the fourth release of Terminator on Blu-ray.
Deborah Pearl – Souvenir of You – Evening Star
A wonderful mix of melodies that are full of joy, some blues, and even a samba.
The Sheryl Bailey 4 – For All Those Living – PureMusic
A guitarist who should be better known puts the focus on traditionally-oriented jazz material.
Third River Rangoon – Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica – Exotica for Modern Living
Get your lava lamp, bongos and black Russian and join in these amazing sounds.
MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde- Fritz Wunderlich, tenor/ Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, bar./ Vienna Sym./Josef Krips – DGG
A live concert from 1964 of Mahler’s elegiac song-symphony becomes “something extraordinary for all concerned” who relish this epic tragic work.
GRAZYNA BACEWICZ: Piano Quintet No. 1; Sonata No. 2; Piano Quintet No. 2 – soloists – DGG
Two intriguing piano quintets and a riveting piano sonata by the twentieth century composer Grazyna Bacewicz showcase the brilliance of pianist Krystian Zimerman.
ROBERT FUCHS: Serenade No. 1 in D, Op. 9; Serenade No. 2 in C, Op. 14; Andante grazioso and Capriccio, Op. 63 – Cologne Chamber Orchestra /Christian Ludwig – Naxos
A very attractive introduction to the work of a forgotten master.
Milos – Mediterraneo – Milos Karadaglic, guitar – DGG
A new guitar wunderkind shows great promise.
Felonious Bosch – Toybox – Omnium Records (DVD-Audio)
Alternative band from the Twin Cities brews an intriguing concoction on DVD-A.
“AMERICAN WEAVINGS” = Works of WEAVER, GABLE, THOMAS, PINKHAM, PHILLIPS – Crystal Records
Who knew that there are some wonderful works for viola and organ? Here are some!
Bruce Barth Trio – Live At Smalls – SmallsLive
Good things come in “Smalls”packages.
Audio News for May 27, 2011
Promising Survey on Home 3D Adoption; Sonos and MOG Team Up for Home High-Quality Streaming; THX Project to Bring Cinema’s Perfection to the Home
Allegri’s Miserere & Music of Rome = Works of ANERIO; GALLEGRI – Cardinall's Musique/organists/Carwood
All contain hints of Palestrina’s influence to some degree, even when that influence is being avoided.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto in G; Piano Sonata No. 14, “Moonlight”; Piano Sonata No. 31 – Dejan Lazic, piano/ Australian Chamber Orch. – Channel Classics
Good intentions and vast intelligence doesn’t always guarantee a successful outing on this beautifully-recorded disc.
Colin Vallon Trio – Rruga – ECM Records
Swiss jazz trio raises the bar with style and verve.
“Jazz” – Compilation with a dozen jazz legends [TrackList below] – Putumayo World Music: “Women of Jazz” – Compilation with ten great female jazz voices – Putumayo World Music
Two of the several fine jazz-oriented compilations on this label.
Log-Book – Philippe Vannod, piano solo – VDE 88 Fingers – Eyran Katsenelenbogen, piano solo – Eyrean Records
A pair of most interesting solo piano jazz-flavored improvisations.