Monthly Archive: June 2011
SAINT-SAËNS: Integral Cello Works = Concerto No. 1; Concerto No. 2; Cello Sonata No. 2; Cello Sonata No. 1 & other works – Soloists/Orch. del Teatro Marrucino/ Piero Bellugi – Eloquetia
Very successful performances of music both familiar and not-so.
Keb’ Mo’ – Keb’ Mo’ – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
This SACD reissue of a 1994 recording will bring a smile to blues fans.
Jane Bunnett & Hilario Duran – Cuban Rhapsody – Alma Records
Canadian jazz flutist/soprano saxist Bunnett and Cuban pianist Duran explore the world of Cuban son and semi-classical works by Lecuona and others.
Bill Evans – The Sesjun Radio Shows (2 CDs) – 60:58/66:28 – Out Of The Blue /T2 Entertainment
This 1979 concert is a compelling recording of a jazz icon.
Penguin Cafe Reissues
The late Simon Jeffes created a strange and wonderful musical world with his Penguin Cafe recordings. Now his son has reissued three albums and created a fourth in the same style.
SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 15 in G Major, D. 887; BERG: String Quartet Op. 3 – Kuss Quartet – Onyx
An unusual pairing—and an appealing one. Unfortunately, the performance of the Schubert leaves a lot to be desired.
Mike Rood – The Desert and the City
Guitarist Mike Rood is anything but rude on his even-tempered, mostly understated debut.
Corea, Clarke & White – Forever – Concord Records
Disc 1 of this set is an all-acoustic compilation of eight tunes, with the first four and the closing two all recorded live at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA.
MAHLER: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, “Resurrection” – Soloists & Choir / /Israel Philharmonic/ James Levine – Helicon
A fine and welcome addition to the Mahler discography.
LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2; BRAHMS: Sym. No. 1 – Aldo Ciccolini, piano/ Orch. de la Suisse Romande /Ferenc Fricsay – Cascavelle
Fine historic performances from the OSR enter the catalog, each a testament to inspired interpreters of Liszt and Brahms.
American Graffiti – Special Edition, Blu-ray (1973/2011)
An iconic classic, and fans who already had earlier DVD versions are crowing about how much improved in both picture and sound this Blu-ray version is.
The Mike Eldred Trio – 61 and 49 – ZohoRoots
An ear-popping delight with style and heart.
Audio News for June 3, 2011
SRS Labs Offers iWow 3D Hardware Adaptor; VRM Box Lets Recordists Hear Mixes via Ten Different Playback Systems; Comcast Offers IT Support and Insurance Service; New Technology Expands Wireless Audio Connectivity; Samsung Takes Lead in U.S. Plasma Market
FABIÁN PAN ISELLO: Various works – Dimitri Vassilakis, p. – Neos
Dimitri Vassilakis’s remarkably assured pianism may be the best reason to sample this disc.
BRAHMS: String Quartet Op. 51; SCHOENBERG: Verklärte Nacht, versions for string orchestra – Amsterdam Sinfonietta / Candida Thompson – Channel Classics
Suitably lush Schoenberg and equally, but inappropriately, lush Brahms may be a misfire by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
Fritz Busch = Works of BRAHMS; BEETHOVEN; MOZART; REGER – Wuertembergischen Landes-Th./Dresden St. Orch./Danish Radio Sym. Orch. – Guild
The earliest recordings of conductor Fritz Busch, as well as some of his last concert appearances, testify to a past master of his craft.
GUI SOOK LEE: Stillness & other works – percussion ens. – Ravello “Scream” = MASSIMO BOTTErR- Zeula – Stradivarius
East is East, and West is West. . . .
Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble – Couldn’t Stand The Weather – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Re-release of his second album is a feast of Texas blues.
California Concert – The Hollywood Palladium – CTI Records/Sony Masterworks
Summit of contemporary jazz giants is a resounding success.
MOZART: Don Giovanni; ROSSINI: Il Barbiere di Seviglia – Netherlands Wind Ensemble – Pentatone
There is no wind band more glorious than the Netherlands Wind Ensemble.
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 8; String Quartet in C Major; BARTOK: String Quartet No. 5; String Quartet No. 6 – Hungarian Quartet – Testament
Distinctive live renditions of Bartok and Beethoven from the great European ensemble whose studies with Bartok legitimized their persuasive power.
Classica Venezolana – Annette Maiburg, flute/ Fabiola Jose, soprano/ Nirse Gonzalez, guitar/ Jesus Gonzalez Brito, cuatro – MDG
A marvel of precision, execution, and highly emotional playing, not to mention the fabulous music.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
