Monthly Archive: April 2012
MOZART: Missa brevis in C Major, K. 220; Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504 “Prague”; HAYDN: Nine German Dances -Soloists/RAI Orch./Lovro von Matacic – Archipel
Matacic extended his repute for explosive musical prowess at RAI concerts in Naples and Turin.
“BEETHOVEN’S BEETHOVEN” = Symphony No. 2 arr. for piano trio by Beethoven; Quintet for Piano and Winds arr. for p. quartet by Beethoven – Van Swieten Society – Quintone
Reliable and attractive music-making here, but not very good value.
Philippe Baden Powell, solo piano – Piano Masters Series, Vol. 2 – Adventure Music
Philippe Baden Powell brings confidence, control and diversity to his solo piano venture.
JOHANN CHRISTIAN SCHIEFERDECKER: Musicalische Concerte (excerpts) – Elbipolis Barockorchester Hamburg – Challenge Classics
Who is Johann Christian Schieferdecker? If you’re a lover of the Baroque, I think you’ll want to find out.
Koczalski plays CHOPIN = (incl. Piano Con. No. 2) – Music & Arts (2 CDs)
Koczalski, an emissary from Chopin’s 19th Century musical world, bestows upon us lights of that Romantic style that may well have passed away.
Mal Waldron Quintets – Soul Note/Black Saint Records box set (4 CDs)
Re-mastered box set shines a favorable light on jazz improvisation.
Orchestre National de Jazz – Shut Up and Dance – Bee Jazz Bee (2 CDs)
Dance music designed more for the brain than the body.
ALLAN PETTERSSON: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2 – Norrköping Sym. Orch./ Christian Lindberg – BIS (CD + DVD)
A remarkable completion of the composer’s First Symphony, but the work itself might prove too challenging for many.
Audio News for April 27, 2012
The CALM Act – New Loudness Rules; France to Ban Silver Screens; Music-Induced Hearing Disorders; Vinyl Pressing Plants; Connected Home Research
WAGNER: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (complete opera) – Soloists/Rundfunk Sym., Berlin/ Marek Janowski – PentaTone (4 discs)
Excellent work from the chorus and orchestra, plus generally reliable singing from the soloists in this beautifully recorded Meistersinger.
STRAVINSKY: The Firebird (complete ballet); Greeting Prelude; Arrangements of TCHAIKOVSKY: Pas-de-deux; SIBELIUS: Canzonetta; CHOPIN: Nocturne in A-flat; Grande Valse Brilliante – Bergen Philharmonic Orch./ Andrew Litton – BIS
Rather smooth and refined, but always convincing, and with some fine fillers to boot.
Eduard van Beinum Conducts HAYDN: Sym. No. 96; BRAHMS: Sym. No. 3; RAVEL: Rapsodie Espagnole; TCHAIKOVSKY: Andante cantabile – Concertgebouw Orch. of Amsterdam/ London Philharmonic Orch. (Brahms)/ Eduard van Beinum – Dutton
The precise and inspired workman Beinum finds a series of potent vehicles in this exciting Dutton restoration.
The Sound of Jazz – Soundtrack from 1957 CBS-TV Special – [TrackList follows] Columbia/ Pure Pleasure Records vinyl
The stereo soundtrack version of the most perfect hour of jazz ever carried on national TV.
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis – Consummation – Blue Note/ Pure Pleasure Records – vinyl
Iconic jazz orchestra ushers in a new era for big band music.
Music of CHINARY UNG: Vol. 3 = Spiral XI : Mother and Child; Spiral IX : Maha Sathukar – Soloists – Bridge
Complex but fascinating music challenges the listener and the performer.
B.B. King – Singin’ The Blues – Crown Records (1957)/ Pure Pleasure Records vinyl
The early career of the King Of Blues is captured on audiophile vinyl.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Wasted – Tone Tide Records
Writing, living and singing about good times with some pals is what this album is all about.
ANTON BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 4, “Romantic” – London Sym. Orch./ Bernard Haitink – LSO Live
Haven’t heard all the huge selection of Bruckner Fourth SACDs, but prefer this one of those I have.
Clemens Krauss conducts RICHARD STRAUSS = Till Eulenspiegel; Tod und Verklaerung; Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme – Orch. del Teatro alla Scala/ London Philharmonic Orch./ Vienna Philharmonic Orch./ Clemens Krauss – Dutton
A diverse assortment of Richard Strauss scores, performed by his chief acolyte Krauss, who recognizes in the master the “ultimate connoisseur.”
Viktoria Mullova – The Peasant Girl – Viktoria Mullova, violin/ The Matthew Barley Ensemble – Onyx
While most of the jazz pieces are innocuous, they can also seem a bit trite.
MONTEVERDI: L’incoronatione di Poppea, Blu-ray (2011)
The production seems to have everything but subtlety, but in its way it is effective and compelling.
RACHMANINOFF: Symphonic Dances; STRAVINSKY: Symphony in Three Movements – London Sym. Orch./ Valery Gergiev – LSO Live
A smashing multichannel interpretation of Rachmaninoff’s final orchestral work.