Monthly Archive: September 2011
Classical World Music by HEINRICH SCHWEIZER – Various artists – Gallo
I almost shrugged this one off, and what a mistake it would have been!
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor – Bavarian Radio Sym./Rafael Kubelik – Audite
Kubelik’s live 1970 account of the Bruckner D Minor Symphony bears welcome in its eye for anyone who seeks a fervent reading of the composer’s first full statement of his monumental personality.
Wizards! Finale – Wizards! – Crystal
A fond farewell to the genius of oboist Mark Weiger and his dazzling colleagues.
BRAHMS: Horn Trio; MOZART: Horn Quintet – Opening Day
A fabulous recording of the Horn Trio, though the Mozart arrangement wasn’t the greatest idea.
KENNY BURRELL – Tenderly – Solo Guitar Concert – High Note
A significant jazz guitarist in his first solo record.
REICHA: Woodwind Quintets Nos. 3 & 4 – Westwood Quintet – Crystal
The end draws near, and it’s been a great ride.
Citerissima = Folk music, classical arrangements, and blues – Hungaroton
Whither the Zither? Fans will drool, others shake their heads.
Dumbo, 70th Anniversary, Blu-ray (1941/2011)
The animation is echt-Disney and a delight.
Audio News for September 23, 2011
Changes in European Copyright Law; SiriusXM to Provide New Services; Dual CD Receiver; Netflix Changes to Quikster; B & O Expands with Sub-Brand
LISZT: Annees de Pelerinage: Italy – Christine Stevenson, p. – RFZ
Australian virtuoso Christine Stevenson applies a finely honed palette to render Liszt’s Years of Pilgrimage in splendid colors.
‘NOTABLE WOMEN – Trios by Today's Female Composers’ – Lincoln Trio – Cedille
Debut recording by an outstanding ensemble with some great music!
CHRISTIAN McBRIDE BIG BAND – The Good Feeling – Mack Avenue
The Good Feeling indeed!
KURT WEILL: The Threepenny Opera – Historic Original Recordings 1928-1944 – Lenya, Weill, Otto Klemperer, many others – Capriccio (2 CDs)
A must-have set for any Brecht/Weill fan.
Ben Webster with Tete Montoliu Trio – Gentle Ben – Ensayo/Analogue Productions
A full set of the unique tenor sound of Ben Webster.
* WEINBERG: Symphony No. 3; Suite No. 4 from “The Golden Key” – Gothenburg Symphony Orch./ Thord Svedlunc – Chandos
********** MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH *********
STANFORD: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor; Concert Variations upon an English Theme – Finghin Collins, piano / Kenneth Montgomery – Claves
The performers seem to have a special affinity for the music of their countryman, and they benefit from a recording of real refinement.
MOZART: Complete Works for Two Pianos – Pierce and Jonas, duo-pianists/ Slovak Philharmonic/ Paul Freeman – MSR
Life-asserting music from Mozart; too bad there aren’t more two-piano works in his catalog.
Works of PATRICIA MOREHEAD: “Good News Falls Gently” = Navona Records
Pleasant enough and interesting but with mixed results.
Pfitzner Conducts Overtures = by MOZART; WEBER; MENDELSSOHN; LORTZING; & LANNER – Berlin State Opera Orch./ Berlin Philharmonic / Hans Pfitzner – Pristine
The usually severe anti-modernist Pfitzner reveals several new strings in his musical harp, a persona that charms in as well executes his chosen repertory with fierce acumen.
Audio News for September 20, 2011
Classical News; Best Buy Earnings Fall 30%; Channel Master TV Offers Subscription-Free HDTV Service; New Custom Speaker Brands at CEDIA; New Tube Amp Company Formed
BRUCH: Violin Concerto No. 1; Violin Con. No. 2; BEETHOVEN: Romances; SPOHR: Concerto No. 8 – Jascha Heifetz, v./ London Sym. / Sir Malcolm Sargent/ RCA Victor Orch./ Izler Solomon/ William Steinberg (Beethoven) – Naxos
More magical Heifetz from his most fertile early 1950s period, especially in two rarities, by Bruch and Spohr, respectively.
CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 2; SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 9 – Karolyi, p./ RIAS Sym./ Leo Blech – Audite
Two “neglected” masters–Julian von Karolyi and Leo Blech– return in vivid colors for a concert of Chopin and Schubert from 1950, viscerally restored by Audite.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
