Monthly Archive: October 2013
SCHUBERT: Vier Impromptus; Piano Sonata in B-flat Major – Rudolf Buchbinder, p.– Sony Classical
Austrian virtuoso Rudolf Buchbinder proves himself a master of the Schubert idiom, much in the manner – and worthy of the mantle – of Alfred Brendel.
TCHAIKOVSKY: String Quartets Vol. 2 = No. 3, Op. 30 and Children’s Album Op. 39 – Utrecht String Quartet – MD&G
A very listenable disc of lesser-known Tchaikovsky.
Ian Hendrickson-Smith, reeds – Tonight Is Now – Cellar Live
A stellar cast in a straight-ahead swinging session.
SCHUBERT: Piano Sonatas in C minor and in A; Impromptu in G flat, No. 3 – Inon Barnatan, p. – Avie
Young and spectacularly gifted, pianist Inon Barnatan plumbs the depths and scales the heights of two of Schubert’s late piano sonatas.
MOZART: Clarinet Quintet in A major; String Quartet in D minor – Jörg Widmann, clar. /Arcanto Quartett – Harmonia mundi
There’s always room for another well-done Mozart recording!
DVORAK: Cello Concerto in B Minor; Lasst mich allein; Cello Concerto Orig. Ending; Cello Concerto in A Major – Steven Isserlis, cello/ Mahler Ch. Orch./ Daniel Harding – Hyperion
Cello virtuoso Steven Isserlis finally has his fateful encounter with the Dvorak Concerto, supplementing the melodic colossus with pieces of historical and musical fascination.
Audio News for October 29, 2013
Bob Dylan and Nirvana Special LPs for Record Store Day Nov. 29; Classicalite’s Five Best Books on Music; Norwegian Brothers Invade America; Keith Jarrett’s First Classical Recording in 15 Years; Changes in the Whole-House Audio Area
“YVES RAMETTE, Cascading into Reverie: Works for Piano & Works for Orchestra” = Variations on a Theme of Honegger; Naïades; Pastels; Fontaines et Cascades; Sonate; Humoresque; Prélude, Fugue et Postlude; Sym. No. 3; Sym. No. 5, “Hymn for Life” – Eric Himy, p./ Czech Radio Sym. Orch./ Vladimir Válek / Netherlands Radio Phil. Orch./ Jan Stulen – Navona
The Fifth Symphony and especially the piano works are worth hearing.
“Rejoyce! The Best of Joyce DiDonato” – Joyce DiDonato, sop./ Various artists – Erato (2 CDs)
The first of what I am sure will be many “greatest hits” albums from this soprano.
Geri Allen, solo piano – Grand River Crossings: Motown & Motor City Inspirations – Motéma
Hometown pride is at the forefront of Geri Allen’s latest solo outlet.
“George Walker: Great American Orchestral Works Vol. 4” = 1. Sinfonia No. 4 (Strands); Antifonys for String Orch.; Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra; Movements for Cello and Orch. – Dmitry Kousev, c./ Sinfonia de Camera/ David Epstein – Albany
A good collection of contemporary music well played and well-recorded.
Jill Crossland, piano = MOZART: Fantasia in D Minor; Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je maman,”; BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, “Moonlight”; Six Bagatelles; BACH (arr. Busoni): 3 Chorale Preludes – Joyce Crossland, p. – Divine Art
British pianist Jill Crossland offers a strong recital in the German-Austrian tradition, her Fazioli instrument providing a supple bridge between the salon and the concert hall.
“In a New Light” – Trio Voce = ZEMLINSKY: Piano Trio in D Minor; SUK: Piano Trio in C Minor; ARENSKY: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor – Trio Voce – Con Brio
In three pianos trio from the late Nineteenth Century, Trio Voce makes an indelible impression for suave mastery of their respective medium.
Allen Toussaint – Songbook (2013)
New Orleans legend gives an amazing performance in this video.
Charles Evans – Subliminal Leaps – More is More
Teacher and student leap to progressive heights of saxophone artistry.
GUTHRIE – Woody Guthrie – American Radical Patriot – Rounder Records (6-CD set, DVD, 78 rpm disc, hard cover book)
The legendary songmaster in a whole new light.
Mapleshade Speaker Plinths, c. $495 pr. for tower speakers, Center Channel Bedrock c. $240
A useful tweak to improve the sound of most any speakers.
Audio News for October 25, 2013
Everest Records CD Reissues Again; Music Matters Ltd. Reissuing Blue Note Classics on 45 rpm Vinyl; CEA Honors Consumer Electronics Manufacturers and Retailers for Recycling
Pat Metheny – Tap: John Zorn’s Book Of Angels, Vol. 20 – Nonesuch Records/ Tzadik
Modern jazz master takes a courageous leap.
“FRED LERDAHL, Vol. 4” = Spirals; Three Diatonic Studies; Imbrications; Wake; Fantasy Etudes – Mirka Viitala, piano/ Odense Sym. Orch. /Scott Yoo /Argento Ch. Ens. /Michel Galante /BSO Ch. Players /David Epstein/ eighth blackbird – Bridge
If you want to acquaint yourself with the music of contemporary composer Fred Lerdahl, this is a good place to start.
Peter Bernstein with the Tilden Webb Trio – Cellar Live
A smart guitarist with a cool disposition and strong technique.
“American Masterpieces for Piano Duo” = WILLIAM BOLCOM: Recuerdos; AARON COPLAND: El Sálon México; DAVE BRUBECK: Points on Jazz, LEONARD BERNSTEIN Arias and Barcarolles – Diane Wang & Stacy Rodgers piano duo/ + Vocal duo – Albany
Enjoyable American music for two pianos.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
