Monthly Archive: October 2013
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D; BARBER: Violin Concerto; PAUL BEN-HAIM: Three Songs Without Words – Zina Schiff, violin/ MAV Sym. Orch./ Avlana Eisenberg – MSR Classics
A very good recording of Schiff’s art, noticeable with especial radiance in the Barber.
ROBERT DeGAETANO: Piano Concerto No. 1; FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 1 – Robert DeGaetano, p./ Moravian Phil. Orch./John Yaffé – Navona Records (CD+DVD)
Very interesting look at this talented pianist-composer.
“Io Vidi in Terra” = Jose Lemos, countertenor/ Jory Vinikour, harpsichord/ Deborah Fox, Theorbo – Sono Luminus Pure Audio Blu-ray+CD
Countertenors seem to me quite artificial in nature. But artists like Lemos stand previous assumptions on their head.
French Oboe Sonatas = SAINT-SAENS: Sonata in D Major for Oboe ad Piano; POULENC: Sonata for Oboe and Piano; KOECHLIN: Sonata for Oboe and Piano; MESSIAEN: Vocalise-Etude – Thomas Indermuehle, oboe/ Eriko Takezawa, p. – Camerata
Consistent elegance marks this fine assemblage of French oboe sonatas performed at the Complesso Museale di Santa Croce, Umbertide, Italy.
BACH: St. Matthew Passion – Werner Gura (Evangelist)/ Johannes Weisser (Christus)/ Sunhae Im & Christina Roterberg (sop.)/ RIAS Chamber Chorus/ Academie fur Alte Musik Berlin/ Rene Jacobs – Harmonia mundi (2 SACDs+DVD)
The best recording of this piece ever made. What else can I say?
LISZT, CHOPIN, PIXIS, THALBERG, HERZ and CZERNY: “Hexaméron” – solo pieces by the above named composers plus Leon Buche – Johann Blanchard, Leon Buche, Carlos Goicoechea, Caroline Sorieux, Kanako Yoshikane and Clauius Tanski, piano(s) – MD&G
A grand 19th century concert as realized in stunning SACD sound for the modern world.
Felipe Salles – Departure – Tapestry Records
Brazilian reed player delivers serious bop.
Yoron Israel & High Standards – Visions/The Music Of Stevie Wonder – Ranja Music
Jazz tribute to Stevie Wonder glows with musicality.
NightCrawlers Vol. 3 – Cellar Live
A solid good-time session from a dedicated band.
The Modern Jazz Quartet, Germany 1956-58 – Lost Tapes series – Jazz Haus/SWR Music/ArtHaus Musik
What a kick for those of us who hold the MJQ in the highest repute!
“JOSEPH BYRD: NYC 1960-63” = Animals; Loops and Sequences; Three Aphorisms; Densities I; Four Sound*Poems; Water Music; Prelude to “The Mystery Cheese-Ball” – American Cont. Music Ens./ Clarice Jensen & Alan Zimmerman – New World
Joseph Byrd: NYC 1960-63 provides a musical trip back in time—and is literally a trip, if you’re up for it.
David Fung, piano – Evening Conversations = MOZART: Fantasie in C Minor, K. 475; CHOPIN: Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. Posth.; DUN: Eight Memories in Water Colors, Op. 1; RACHMANINOV: Preludes, Op. 32: Nos 8-12; SCHUMANN: Arabesque in C Major, Op. 18; Kinderszenen, Op. 15; SCARLATTI: 3 Sonatas – David Fung, p. – Yarlung Records
David Fung’s 1996 recital assumes an even more potent luster in this new processing, the recital itself a fine testament to a young pianist with flair and fingers meant for the Romantic repertory.
The Swingle Singers – Weather To Fly – World Village
A unique and refreshing approach to a non-traditional songbook.
Uri Sharlin & his Dogcat Ensemble – Back to the Woods – Folk Dune
An innovative world music ensemble with Israeli origins.
Audio News for October 22, 2013
New Aggregator Purifier App; Christie Vive Audio Cinema Speakers; Avid Announces Plug-Ins for Pro Tools; From a Blog on Computer Audio
AARON COPLAND: Third Symphony – London Sym. Orch./ Aaron Copland – Everest/ Countdown Media
One of the exceptional Everest recordings of a composer conducting his own work.
“THOMAS FORTMANN: In Dust We Trust” = Piano Trio “Prolitheus Suite”; Sonata for Violin and Piano “A Southern Diary”; Four Pieces for Two Violins “Con Pepe e Zucchero” – Andrzej Grabiec (Piano Trio), Manrico Padovani, and Natasha Korsakova (Four Pieces), v. /Mischa Quint, c. /Carlo Alessandro Lapegna (Piano Trio) & Akemi Masuko, p. – Métier
A sometimes wild-and-crazy musical mix from Swiss composer Thomas Fortmann.
BERG: Violin Concerto; BARTOK: Rhapsody No. 2; Violin Concerto (No. 2) – Isaac Stern, v./ New York Philharmonic/ Leonard Bernstein – Praga
Mysterious origins for this release, but in the end I don’t really care. It’s great to have it in this format.
Tom McDermott – Bamboula – Minky Records
McDermott is clearly a great New Orleans pianist and composer.
Brainwave discussions (2013)
A compelling series of talks on the many mysteries of the mind, with celebrities and scientists.
Randy Brecker – The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion – Piloo (CD+DVD)
Randy Brecker and the boys (and one special gal) get together for a return engagement.
BRITTEN Death in Venice (complete opera), Blu-ray (2010/13)
Britten’s Death in Venice now in Blu-ray.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
