Monthly Archive: June 2011
The Eagle, Blu-ray (2011)
Quite an adventure in an environment not often seen in films, and plenty of sword-and-shield action for those who appreciate that sort of blood and thunder.
Audio News for June 17, 2011
New Audio Restoration Software Ends Wow and Flutter; Walmart Adds Roku and Sci-Fi Thriller Via Vudu; Harman Kardon Upgrades New AVR Line; Soundcast Upgrades Its Wireless Audio System
“Groteske” = Works by KIEREN MACMILLAN; KORNGOLD; JÉRÔME BERNEY; FRANK MARTIN; JEROME BERNEY – Gall
Both these albums feature works of musical fusion. Both have their attractions as well as drawbacks; the recorded sound is an issue for me.
MAURO GIULIANI: Works for Flute and Guitar – Lieberknecht/Bungarten flute/guitar Duo – MD&G
Music mostly from Giuliani’s second creative period; attractive pieces attractively played and recorded.
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio No. 1 “Poème”; Seven Romances; Piano Trio No. 2 – Susan Gritton, sop./ Florestan Trio – Hyperion
Works from three distinct periods in Shostakovich’s creative life.
Monty Alexander – Uplift – Jazz Legacy Productions
An inspired concert album from an undervalued pianist.
“Tastes of Europe: TELEMANN & PROWO: Trios & Quartets” = Ensemble Meridiana – Linn
An enticing musical experience.
‘Orchestra 2001 – To the Point’ = Works of JENNIFER HIGDON, ANDREW RUDIN, GUNTHER SCHULLER, ROMEO CASCARINO & JAY REISE – Soloists/'Orchestra 2001'/James Freeman – Innova
This disc makes me want to find out more about all these composers but especially those, like Reise and Cascarino, whose music was a revelation for me.
SCHUBERT: Sym. No. 9 – Budapest Festival Orchestra/ Ivan Fischer – Channel Classics Sym. No. 7; Sym. No. 8 “The Great” – Musikkollegium Winterthur/Douglas Boyd – MD&GSym. 9 in C “The Great” – Royal Flemish Philharmonic/Philippe Herreweghe – PentaTone
FRANZ SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 9 in C, “The Great” – Three SACD Versions
Sviatoslav Richter Archives Vol. 20 = JANACEK: Concertino for Piano; HINDEMITH: Sonata for Viola and Piano; Piano Sonata No. 2; Sonata for Bassoon and Piano; Sonata for Trumpet and Piano – Doremi
Doremi presents a series of live performances from Budapest and Moscow, 1978-1985.
GORDON GETTY Orchestral Music – Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/ Sir Neville Marriner – PentaTone
Orchestral works from the current composer known primarily for his vocal music.
The Manchurian Candidate, Blu-ray (1962/2011)
This super-classic is one of the most savy satirical political thriller films ever made.
Jamaaladeen Tacuma – For the Love of Ornette – Jazzwerkstatt
A tribute, an homage, and a continuation of the theory and form of Ornette Coleman’s harmolodics compositional approach.
The New Gary Burton Quartet – Common Ground – Mack Avenue
Burton says he’s always liked the vibes-guitar sound and wanted that to be central to his new quartet.
Hiromi/The Trio Project – Voice Telarc/Concord Music Group
An amazing young pianist/composer who works in a wide range of styles.
Eddie Mendenhall – Cosine Meets Tangent – Miles High Records
A remarkable presentation both in music and the skills of these talented musicians.
Al Di Meola/World Sinfonia – Pursuit Of Radical Rhapsody – Concord Music Group/Telarc
The musical intensity fluctuates as the ensemble attempts to generate many different world music cultures.
Audio News for June 14, 2001
Pioneer Launches AppRadio and Voice Control; Hyundai Starts Blue Link Telematics Services;Paris Opera’s Ring Cycle;
Branford Marsalis/JoeyCalderazzo – Songs Of Mirth And Melancholy – Marsalis Music
Songs Of Mirth And Melancholy could easily bring jazz listeners to classical music…or is it the other way around?
Jazz Incorporated – Live at Smalls – Smalls Live
For fans of Pelt, and those that are in the mood for a New York club “experience,” Jazz Incorporated’s live Smalls’ set fits the bill nicely.
Swingadelic – The Other Duke – Tribute to Duke Pearson – Zoho
A tribute to Duke Pearson – the under-recognized pianist, composer, arranger, and A&R front man for Blue Note Records
Art Pepper Quartet – Blues for the Fisherman / Unreleased Art Pepper, Vol. VI / Live at Ronnie Scott’s London – Widows Taste (4 CDs)
The CD version of the recently-reviewed seven-LP vinyl reissue set.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
