Monthly Archive: August 2013
Audio News for August 30, 2013
Forbes Weighs In on Pono Probability; GEEK USB DAC for Headphones; Three Classical Recordings Distributors Have Failed; Other Classical News; Home Appliances Devour Major Amount of Energy
HOLST: The Planets – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orch./Zubin Mehta – London (1971)/Original Recordings Group 45rpm vinyl (2 discs)
A super audiophile re-release of this orchestral warhorse.
Lorraine Feather – Attachments – Jazzed Media
Life stories offered in a most compelling way.
Going Underground (2013)
Fascinating documentary on McCartney, the Beatles and the U.K. counter-culture.
BRUNO MANTOVANI: Huit moments musicaux; Cinq pieces pour Paul Klee; Suonare pour piano; D’une seule voix; All’ungarese – Clair Désert, p./Trio Wanderer – Mirare Records
Very interesting works whose future is unclear.
Klemperer = MOZART: Masonic Funeral Music; SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”; BERLIOZ: Love Scene from Romeo and Juliet Symphony; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 1 – New Philharmonia Orch./ Otto Klemperer – Testament (2 CDs)
The Klemperer concert in honor of musical philanthropist Victor Gollancz provides gorgeous delights in the course of an evening of fine music-making, including some rare Berlioz.
“Big Bands Live” – Orchester Kurt Edelhagen featuring Mary Lou Williams & Caterina Valente – Jazz Haus
A textbook showcase of swing music.
“L’Harmonium de LEMMENS et de GUILMANT” = GUILMANT: 9 short works; Fourth Sonata Op. 61; LEMMENS: Invocation; Nocturne; Berceuse; Reverie; Walpurgis Night – Joris Verdin, Mustel harmoniums – Gallo “L’Harmonium Francais” – BIZET: 3 pieces; BERLIOZ: Serenade agreste a la Madone; ROSSINI: Prelude religieux; LEFEBURE-WELY: Six Versets in Major and Minor; BOELLMANN: Three Offertories; GUILMANT: Scherzo; Prayer & berceuse; MOUQUET: Suite Symphonique in A-flat Major; MUSTEL: Scenes et Airs de Ballets – Jordis Verdin, Debain & Mustel harmoniums – Ricercar
A now-unusual instrument which was extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Klemperer = MOZART: Symphony No. 40; BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 7 – New Philharmonia Orch./ Otto Klemperer – Testament (2 CDs)
The familiar conjunction in Klemperer’s repertory of Mozart and Bruckner proves as apocalyptic as the audience appreciation of the works themselves.
“Le charme de la vieille Europe” (The Charm of Old Europe): Works of WARLOCK; SAINT-SAËNS; FAURE; HEMSI; SARASATE; & WEINER – Orch. de Lancy-Genève – Roberto Sawicki, violin & cond. — Doronmusic
An eclectic collection of various composers in mediocre sound and performance.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas No. 23 “Appassionata,” No. 17 “The Tempest” and No. 18 – Svjatoslav Richter, piano – Praga Digitals SCHUBERT: Piano Sonatas Nos. 17 and 16 – Svjatoslav Richter, p. – Praga Digitals
More limited edition Svjatoslav Richter Beethoven and Schubert in superlative hi-res mono sound.
Audio News for August 27, 2013
Jazz Legend Marian McPartland Dies at 95; Denon Music Maniac Headphones; TiVo’s New DVRs; Wired Still Better Option Than Wireless
KIMMO HAKOLA: Guitar Concerto; TOSHIO HOSOKAWA: Voyage IX, Awakening; Blossoming II, for Ch. Orch. – Timo Korhonen, guitar/ Oulu Sym. Orch. /Santtu-Matias Rouvali – Ondine
Good performances and interesting music make for a well -pent hour.
Lage Lund, Will Vinson, Orlando le Fleming – OWL Trio – Losen Records
The best sort of chamber jazz from this lyrical piano-less & drum-less trio of musicians.
The Moody Blues – The Six DVDs from the Timeless Flight package
Here are the six DVDs include in the lavish Timeless Flight boxed set, which in its complete form is a must for Moodies fans.
Mike Arroyo Jazz Organ Trio – Full Circle – Self
Church hymns get a jazzy take!
Joey Calderazzo, piano – Secrets – Audioquest/ Master Music xrcd24
A most pleasing piano trio, mostly with instrumental backing, on an audiophile xrcd24 reissue.
Arthur C. Clarke Collection (2013)
The complete 50-episode series of half-hour shows hosted by Arthur C Clarke on strange and bizarre occurrences.
The Colón Ring: Wagner in Buenos Aires, Blu-ray (2013)
A fascinating film that documents a unique attempt at summarizing Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
The Wrong Object – After the Exhibition – MoonJune
The Wrong Object: the right music for adventurous, post-Zappa listeners.
Earl Klugh, guitar – Hand Picked – Heads Up
Jazz legend reprises acoustic roots.
Scott Hamilton – Swedish Ballads & More – Charleston Square Recordings
A delightful album done in Hamilton’s usual agile and thoughtful style.