Monthly Archive: May 2013
MAHLER: Complete Symphonies 1 – 10; etc. – Royal Concertgebouw Orch. (various conductors), Blu-ray (2013, 11 discs)
This is a quite amazing collection of all the Mahler symphonies, including Deryck Cooke’s revision of No. 10.
Mac Gollehon — La Fama – American Showplace Music
A compilation of performances excellently coordinated to give delight in the realm of Latin jazz and rhythms.
Dave Lalama – The Dave Lalama Big Band – The Hofstra Project
For those of us who remember the Big Bands through history.
REGER: Mozart Variations & other works – Concertgebouw, Berlin Philharmonic & other orchestras – Guild (2 CDs)
Guild resurrects rare wartime inscriptions of the music of Max Reger, inscribed by devoted disciples of his Romantic and contrapuntal art.
Conductus 1: Music & Poetry from Thirteenth Century France – John Potter, Christopher O’Gorman, Rogers Covey-Crump, tenors – Hyperion
A release exploring the hidden byways of a two century period at the beginnings of polyphony.
MAHLER: Symphony No. 4 in G Major; DUKAS: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Sena Jurinac, sop./ Vienna Sym. Orch./ Karl Rankl – Guild
A reissue of special merit, this document from Vienna 1954 offers a truly inspired reading of the Mahler Fourth by a conductor too often overlooked in the annals of fine interpreters.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major; Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight”; Fantasy in g minor; Piano Sonata No. 24 in F Sharp Major – Jonathan Biss, p. – Onyx
Alternately poignant and witty, thoughtful and emotionally explosive, Jonathan Biss delivers a second installment of his Beethoven Sonata cycle sure to compel repeated hearings.
BRITTEN: Cello Symphony; Cello Sonata in C; Solo Cello Suites 1 – 3; Tema ‘Sacher’ – Alban Gerhardt, cello/ Steven Osborne, p./ BBC Scottish Sym. Orch./ Andrew Manze – Hyperion (2 CDs)
A terrific compilation of all the Britten Cello works all in one place.
40 Tracks For 40 Years – Delos’ 40th Anniversary Celebration – [TrackList & performers follows] Delos (3 CDs)
A fine re-issue collection with some classic tracks, and all complete pieces/movements.
Audio News for May 24, 2013
Details on Google Glass; Auto Volume-Adjustment App for iPhones; Nearly 50% of Americans Sitting on Hidden Money; Classical News; GoldenEar Expands In-Ceiling Speaker Series
RACHMANINOV: The Piano Concertos (complete); Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini – Valentina Lusitsa, piano/ London Sym. Orch./ Michael Francis – Decca
The risk pays off in the end—Lusitsa has given us a set fully worthy of her predecessors.
ANTHONY PICCOLO: “Imaginary Symphony & other tales” – Imaginary Symphony No.1; Sonata for Cello Solo; Fever Time; Flûtes de suite; Fanfare-Sonatina for 4 horns – Moravian Philharmonic Orch./Campanella Children’s Ch./Petr Vronsky/Hamelin Children’s Ch./Anthony Piccolo, cond./various soloists – Navona
Some very imaginative music sure to entertain!
WEBER: Der Freischütz (complete opera) – Soloists/ London Sym. Orch. and Chorus/ Colin Davis – LSO Live (2 discs)
Colin Davis’ last considerable thoughts on a work that he loved dearly.
Last Shop Standing – The Rise, Fall And Rebirth Of The Independent Record Shop (2013)
A glimpse into the enthusiastic cult surrounding india record shops.
BRUCKNER: Mass No. 3 in f – Soloists/ Rundfunkchor Berlin/ Orch. de la Suisse Romande/ Marek Janowski – Pentatone
With superb sound and excellent performances, there is little reason not to acquire this disc.
“Nostalgia: Lyrical Finnish Music for Strings” = Works of SIBELIUS, MARIKANTO, JARNEFELT, KLAMI, others – Ostrobothnian Ch. Orch. – Alba
A well-played collection of Finnish string classics.
JOSEPH BALTHASAR HOCHREITHER: Requiem; Missa Jubilus sacer – Soloists/ St. Florianer Sängerknaben/ Ars Antiqua Austria/ Gunar Letzbor – Pan Classics
Worthy performances of a questionably worthy composer.
Joshua Kwassman – Songs of the Brother Spirit – Songs of the Brother Spirit True Revolution/ Squareast
Friendship, family and memory suffuse this reflective debut.
ELGAR: The Apostles – Hallé Orchestra/ Hallé Choir and YouthChoir/soloists/ Sir Mark Elder – Hallé Records (2 CDs)
Excellent performance should be in a complete Elgar collection.
Nina Simone – Little Girl Blue – Bethlehem Records/ Pure Pleasure Records – vinyl
Auspicious debut of classic jazz artist is brilliant on audiophile vinyl; an amazing performer.
JĀNIS MEDIŅŠ: 24 Dainas – Jonathan Powell, piano – Toccata Classics
A Latvian composer in the vein of Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, yet with a lot to say for himself.
HANS GÁL: Symphony No. 2 in F; SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 4 in D Minor – Orch. of the Swan /Kenneth Woods – Avie
A fine performance of Schumann’s Fourth, but the real attraction here is Gál’s Second, a work of deep feeling.