Monthly Archive: January 2013
ParaNorman, Blu-ray (2012)
Another good family animated feature using stop-motion technique, though I preferred Frankenweenie.
LIPATTI: Concertino en style classique; Sonatine; Piano Sonata in D Minor; Navarra; Nocturne in F-sharp Minor; Nocturne in A Minor; Fantasie; Pastorale in F; Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd! – Luiza Borac, piano/ Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/ Jaime Martin – Avie (2 discs)
Luiza Borac pays fine homage to Romanian virtuoso Dinu Lipatti, whose untimely passing in 1950 stole from us not only a fine pianist but a promising composer of note.
BACH: Partita in D Minor for solo violin; Chorales; Ciaconna; FAURÉ: Requiem – Gordan Nikolitch, v./ Grace Davidson, sop./ William Gaunt, bar./ London Sym. Orch. Ch. Ens./ Tenebrae/ Nigel Short – LSO Live
There is some beautiful music-making here but also some questionable choices as far as presentation goes.
“Florence Mustric Plays, Vol. 4: Symphonies Spectacular and Sublime” = MARCEL DUPRÉ: Three Preludes & Fugues; FRANCK: Three Chorals – Florence Mustric, organ – MSR Classics
Very musical performances but hardly exciting ones. And while both pay homage to Baroque forms, they don’t make the grandest impression on a Baroque-style organ.
SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major; Symphony No. 6 in C Major – Tonhalle Orch. Zurich/ David Zinman – RCA
David Zinman and the Tonhalle Orchestra extend their Schubert symphony survey with two charming renditions of the lyrical works of the 1816-1817 period.
FREDERIC RZEWSKI: The People United Will Never Be Defeated! – Ole Kiilerich, piano – Bridge
A new rich and full recording of Rzewski’s 36 Variations on a Chilean folksong.
Audio News for January 18, 2013
What Tickled CES 2013; Radical New Speaker from Gallo; DTS Announces DTS Headphone:X; Flingo’s Samba System Integrated Into Smart-TVs
Paco De Lucia & Group – Jazz (2012)
A fine concert of the New Flamenco, with flute, percussion and a dancer.
Dezron Douglas Quintet – Live At Smalls – SmallsLive
A smart band of forceful improvisors.
The Mike Longo Trio – A Celebration Of Diz And Miles – Consolidated Artists
A tribute to two of the most important figures in modern jazz.
ANDREW MAY: ‘Imaginary Friends’ = Shimmer; Chant/Songe; Retake; Ripped-Up Maps; The Twittering Machine; Wandering Through the Same Dream; Vanishing – Andrew May, electronics/various soloists – Ravello Records
Interesting pieces that spark the imagination.
* BRITTEN: War Requiem – Soloists/ Netherlands Radio Choir / Netherlands Children’s Choir/ Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orch./ Jaap van Zweden – Challenge Classics (2 discs)
************ MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ************
It’s certainly one of the finest SACD versions of this work.
Nancy Osborne with the Don Peake All-Stars – Songs in the Key of Love – NJOY Records
An excellent presentation of some great songs of several generations.
Frankenweenie, Blu-ray 3D 4-disc combo pack (2013)
Great fun in 3D for both kids and their parents, with lots of retro bits aping the Universal horror classics of the 1930s.
Audio News for January 15, 2013
CNet Boo-Boo; DEG Names Walmart Retailer of the Year; Sony Classical Relaunches OKeh Label; Audio Control Amp to Improve Sonics of Home Audio Wireless Distribution Systems; 84-inch 4K UHD Display Competitors
![Music for Two Organs – The Viennese Habsburg Court of the 17th Century [TrackList follows] – David Blunden & Johannes Strobl, Bossart organs of Abbey Church of Muri/chorus on some tracks – Audite](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MusicTwoOrgans-SA.jpg)
Music for Two Organs – The Viennese Habsburg Court of the 17th Century [TrackList follows] – David Blunden & Johannes Strobl, Bossart organs of Abbey Church of Muri/chorus on some tracks – Audite
Actually music for one or two organs plus a small choir singing Gregorian chant on some tracks.
![Dave Douglas – The Complete Remastered Recordings on Black Saint & Soul Note (2012) [10/22/12, 6-CD set] – CAM/KEPACH Music](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DaveDouglasBoxSet1.jpg)
Dave Douglas – The Complete Remastered Recordings on Black Saint & Soul Note (2012) [10/22/12, 6-CD set] – CAM/KEPACH Music
Dave Douglas’ wide-ranging and wildly eclectic ‘90s era re-examined.
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 3; MAHLER: Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” – Anny Felbermeyer, sop./ Sonja Dreksler, alto/ Austrian Radio Choir/ Vienna Sym. Orch./ F. Charles Adler – Music&Arts (2 mono CDs)
Two previously unreleased performances by F. Charles Adler testify to his authenticity in the great Viennese tradition which he inherited directly from Mahler.
Branded, Blu-ray (2012)
I’m undecided whether this is an outrageously pertinent film or pure drivel.
![“Pas de Deux: French Music for Piano Duo” [TrackList follows] – Piano Duo Mono & Rica Bard – Audite](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PasDeDeuxSA.jpg)
“Pas de Deux: French Music for Piano Duo” [TrackList follows] – Piano Duo Mono & Rica Bard – Audite
A wonderful two-piano and piano 4 hands album with works by four French composers, and all of them winners.
The Man Who Knew Too Much, Blu-ray (1934/2013)
The first version of Hitchcock’s thriller, shot in England in 1934 and beautifully restored.
Tom Dempsey/Tim Ferguson Quartet – Beautiful Friendship – Planet Arts
Jazz music which shows close camaraderie and musical unity.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
