Monthly Archive: March 2013
Serge Koussevitzky conducts The New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orch. = CORELLI: Suite for String Orchestra; RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2; SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5; DEBUSSY: La Mer; TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 – NY Philharmonic – West Hills Radio
In his New York appearances, Serge Koussevitzky revitalizes the “Dead End Kids” New York Philharmonic during a critical period of transition, with programs that include a Shostakovich Fifth, new to Koussevtizky’s repertory.
Free DSD Firmware Update for Oppo 103 & 105 Universal Disc Players
Oppo BDP-103 and105 players can now play DSD files. A free update gives users a taste of the ultra-high end.
Audio News for March 29, 2013
PlayOn Supports Redbox Instant; MartinLogan Expands Bezel-Less Speaker Designs; Communications Biggies Don’t Care About Coming Quake; Yamaha Adds Mobile HD Link to Receiver-Based HTiBs
![LUDOVICO EINAUDI: In a Time Lapse [TrackList follows] – Einaudi, keyboards & electronics/Daniel Hope, violin/string ensemble/others – Ponderosamusic&art DEUTER: East of the Full Moon [TrackList follows] – composed, played and produced by Deuter – Newearthrecords.com](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/EinaudiDeuter2.jpg)
LUDOVICO EINAUDI: In a Time Lapse [TrackList follows] – Einaudi, keyboards & electronics/Daniel Hope, violin/string ensemble/others – Ponderosamusic&art DEUTER: East of the Full Moon [TrackList follows] – composed, played and produced by Deuter – Newearthrecords.com
Two most worthwhile New Age releases.
Zodiac Trio – IGOR STRAVINSKY: Suite from ‘The Soldier’s Tale’; NICOLAS BACRI: A Smiling Suite; GALINA USTVOLSKAYA: Trio; BÉLA BARTÓK: Contrasts – Zodiac Trio (Kliment Krylovsky, clar./ Vanessa Mollard, v./ Riko Higuma, p.) – Blue Griffin
Excellent new ensemble and a couple of pleasant surprises.
![VIERNE – WIDOR – LANGLAIS: Masses – [TrackList follows] Choir and Organs of the Cologne Hohen Dom – Organists: Winfried Bönig & Ulrich Brüggemann – Motette](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/VIERNEWIDORLANGLAIS-SA.jpg)
VIERNE – WIDOR – LANGLAIS: Masses – [TrackList follows] Choir and Organs of the Cologne Hohen Dom – Organists: Winfried Bönig & Ulrich Brüggemann – Motette
Three shorter masses featuring double organs, and three interesting organ solos.
Antonio Sanchez – New Life – Cam Jazz
On his third outing, drummer Antonio Sanchez goes from mythology to the Middle East and from midnight tales to family life.
MCLEAN: “Soundworlds” = Concerto: States of Being; Ritual of the Dawn; Demons of the Night; Magic at Zanadu (MAX); Ice Canyons; Rainforest Images II – Barton McLean, keyboards/computer/ Ensemble – Innova
A new music composer strongly into ambient/environmental sounds as well as electronics.
![* BERLIOZ: Seven Overtures [TrackList follows] – Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/ Sir Andrew Davis – Chandos](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BerliozOverturesChandosSA.jpg)
* BERLIOZ: Seven Overtures [TrackList follows] – Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/ Sir Andrew Davis – Chandos
A brilliant hi-res surround recording of the seven Berlioz Overtures.
Shura Cherkassky: The Complete UK World Record Club Solo Recordings = BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 32; Variations and Fugue on a Theme from Prometheus “Eroica,”; CLEMENTI: Piano Sonata in B-flat Major; CHOPIN: Fantasie-Impromptu in C-sharp Minor; Barcarolle in F-sharp Major; Nocturne in F Minor No. 1; Waltz in E Minor; Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor; SCHUMANN: 3 Fantasiestuecke; Der Contrabandiste; LISZT: Consolation No. 3; Grand Galop Chromatique; Liebestraume No. 3; “La Campanella” Etude – Shura Cherkassky, p. – Guild
A double-disc collection from a most exciting pianist for certain.
CHOPIN: Etudes Op. 10 Nos. 4, 10, and 11; Etudes Op. 25 Nos. 5, 8, 11, and 12; Ballades Op. 23, 38, 47, and 52; Nocturne No. 1; Nocturne No. 2; Polonaise No. 7, “Polonaise-fantaisie” – Sviatoslav Richter, p. – Praga DigitalsRAVEL: Gaspard de la nuit; Piano Concerto in G; Valses nobles et sentimentales; DEBUSSY: Children’s Corner – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, p. – Praga Digitals
Both of these recordings offer valuable insights into the artistry of legendary pianists. For me, though, the Richter is a far more appealing artifact. (Note: these are SACDs.)
Lincoln, Blu-ray (2012-2013)
A great motion picture in a winning Blu-ray presentation.
‘Valossa – From Darkness to Light’ (TrackList follows) – Kaamos Chamber Choir/ Dani Juris – Alba
Excellent a capella singing in a cleverly constructed program!
Audio News for March 26, 2013
Panasonic TVs Adding Dragon Voice-Recognition; More CE Products with Bluetooth AptX; Apple and HP Lead in PC Study; BenQ Introduces Short-Throw 3D HD Projector; Bolshoi Ballet to be Audited
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor; Symphony No. 6 in D Minor; Symphony No. 7 in C Major – Philadelphia Orch./ Leopold Stokowski/ Finnish National Radio Orch./ Georg Schneevoigt/ BBC Symphony Orch./ Serge Koussevitzky – Naxos Historical
Mark Obert-Thorn concludes his series of historic Sibelius symphonies with the 1932-1934 inscriptions that set the standard for the more enigmatic of the composer’s late scores.
MESSIAEN: Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum; Le tombeau resplendissant; Hymne – Orch. National de Lyon/ Jun Märkl – Naxos
Märkl’s Et expecto is a bit understated, but the other, relatively obscure works on the program make this an album worth sampling.
CARLO TESSARINI: Complete (Twelve) Violin Concertos, Op. 1 – Marco Pedrona/ Ensemble Guidantus – Indésens (2 CDs)
A useful introduction to the music of Carlo Tessarini, a Vivaldi contemporary and rival.
Kevin Eubanks – The Messenger – Mack Avenue
Kevin Eubanks: back to jazz and away from the TV lights.
Hitchcock, Blu-ray (2013)
While not a perfect film, both Hopkins and Mirren shine in this story about their relationship and the making of Psycho.
Bernt Rosengren Big Band – with Horace Parlan, piano & Doug Raney, guitar – Caprice Records
A big band that plays with power and potency.
DUTILLEUX: Correspondences for Soprano and Orchestra; “Tout Un Monde Lointain…” for cello and orchestra; Shadows of Time – Barbara Hannigan, sop./ Anssi Karttunen, cello /Orch. Philharmonique de Radio France/Esa-pekka Salonen – DGG
Three masterpieces of the French contemporary composer, Henri Dutilleux, receive superb performances from conductor/composer Esa-pekka Salonen.
The Three Musketeers, Blu-ray 3D (2011/2012)
Great fun, terrific 3D, costumes, swordplay, flying airships—what more could you want? A sensible plot? Aww….
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
