Monthly Archive: December 2011
Primakov in Concert, Vol. 2 = MENDELSSOHN, BACH, GLASS & DEBUSSY – Bridge
Four new composers added to the Russian pianist’s discography.
New York Dolls: Lookin’ Fine on Television
Sloppy, menacing and visceral: it’s the New York Dolls.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Two-Disc Edition, Blu-ray (2011)
Time called it the best action movie of the year, and it might be.
THE TIERNEY SUTTON BAND – American Road – BFM Jazz
Tierney Sutton is a vocalist who defies classification or categorization.
Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian – Further Explorations – Concord Jazz
Pianist Bill Evans’ spirit and aesthetic approach lives on.
BACH: The Complete English Suites, BWV 806-811 – Edith Picht-Axenfeld, harpsichord – Camerata (2)
A 1979 traversal of Bach’s brilliant set of keyboard suites that testifies to a noble character in the performer as well.
LARRY VUCKOVICH – Somethin’ Special – Tetrachord Music
A probing pianist with some interesting things to say.
“Debut” – Signum Saxophone Quartet – GRIEG: Holbergs Suite; ESCAICH: Tango Virtuoso; BARTOK: Six Roumanian Dances; SHOSTAKOVICH: Two Movt’ for String Quartet; ITURRALDE: Pequena Czarda – ARS
This is an auspicious surround sound debut recording for the Signum Quartet.
“Young Hearts on Fire: Music for Strings by Korngold, Rossini & Mendelssohn” – EnsembleCaméléon – Challenge Classics
Fresh insights into the work of three musical prodigies.
“Barbaric Beauty: Holland Baroque Society Meets Milŏs Valent, Violin” = TELEMANN and 18th-cent. Dance Manuscripts – Channel Classics
Telemann meets Polish folk music: a stimulating experience from Holland Baroque Society and guest Milŏs Valent.
The Rocketeer, 20th Anniversary Edition, Blu-ray (1991/2011)
A super-corny but good fun comic-book movie adaptation with a Commando Cody-type rocket-powered hero.
WOLF: Mörike Lieder – Susan Dunn, soprano/ Thomas Potter, baritone/ John Wustman, piano – MSR
A terrific performance of some of Wolf’s best lieder.
Audio News for December 16, 2011
Work on Wireless Audio Standard; Phoenix Gold Car Audio Launches
RACHMANINOV: Piano Concerto Nos. 3 & 4 – Leif Ove Andnes, p./ London Sym. Orch./ Antonio Pappano – EMI
Even as yet another tour of familiar musical ground, these performances by Andnes engage us with their sustained lyrical and bravura prowess.
VIVALDI: The Trial between Harmony and Invention, Op. 8 – The Avison Ens./ Pavlo Beznosiuk – Linn
A well-balanced and highly musical presentation of the complete Opus 8 series.
The Well-Tempered Steinway = BACH: 24 Preludes from The Well -Tempered Clavier, Book I etc. – Findlay Cockrell, p. – self
Cockrell proves a strong Bach exponent, articulate, digitally fluid and dramatically poised.
KAREL HUSA “Music of Life” = Cello Con.; Pastorale; Suite – U. of Louisville Sym./Paul York. c./ Kimcherie Lloyd – Ablaze
Some of this unique composer’s essential works performed with conviction!
The Rules of the Game, Blu-ray (1939/2011)
Some experts feel this may be the greatest film ever made.
"KURTÁG /BACH: Play with Infinity” = KURTÁG: Játékok; KURTÁG / BACH: Atiratok – Jean-Sébastien Dureau & Vincent Planès, pianos – Hortus
Intriguing music and musical juxtapositions, plus performances blessed by the composer. The big letdown is the recording quality.
Anthony Wilson – Seasons: Live at the Met. Museum of Art – Goat Hill (CD + DVD)
Four guitars, four guitarists, four seasons: a forecast for unforgettable and refined music.
Masters Of American Music – The Story Of Jazz, 5 DVD Set (2011)
DVD box set is a quintessential jazz experience.
The Claudia Quintet + 1 – What Is the Beautiful? – Cuneiform Rune
The Claudia Quintet + 1 featuring Kurt Elling and Theo Bleckmann – What Is the Beautiful? – Cuneiform Rune 327, 66:11 ****: (John Hollenbeck – drums, percussion, keyboards, producer; Ted Reichman – accordion; Chris Speed – clarinet, tenor saxophone; Matt Moran – vibraphone; Drew Gress – acoustic bass; Matt Mitchell – piano; Kurt Elling – vocals (tracks 1, 4, 7, 10, 12); Theo Bleckmann – vocals (tracks 2, 5, 8, 11) The confluence of poetry or spoken word with improvisational music goes as far back as the Harlem renaissance, became synonymous with the Beats, figured heavily in proto-rap music (Gil Scott-Heron and The Last Poets) and continues to flourish. Along the years, there have been many recordings of poets reading their work to jazz accompaniment. Some of it was great, some mediocre, most atrocious. Poet/visualist Kenneth Patchen (1911-1972) was no stranger to filtering his artistic mien through music with better-than-average collaborations with Allyn Ferguson, Al Neil, John Cage and unrecorded live performances with Charles Mingus (what a pity that was not taped). One hundred years after Patchen’s birth, composer/drummer John Hollenbeck and The Claudia Quintet +1 have released the celebratory hour-long Patchen tribute, What Is the Beautiful?, which reimagines Patchen’s […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
