Monthly Archive: November 2013
HANNS EISLER: Ernste Gesang; Lieder with Piano on poems by Brecht; Sonata No. 1 – Matthias Goerne, bar./ Thomas Larcher, p./ Ensemble Resonanz – Harmonia mundi
Music that begs to be heard and needs to be heard, by a virtually unknown, but tormented composer.
“Toccatas” – Modern American Music for Harpsichord – Works of MEL POWELL, HENRY COWELL, NED ROREM, SAMUEL ADLER, ROBERT MUCZYNSKI, THOMAS BENJAMIN, ROBERT MOEVES, STEPHEN BLUMBERG, PATRICIA MOREHEAD & HAROLD MELTZER – Jory Vinikour, harpsichord – Sono Luminus (Pure Audio Blu-ray+CD)
Hi-res program of contemporary works for harpsichord.
Art Pepper – Unreleased Art, Vol. VIII – Live at the Winery – Widow’s Taste Records
Jazz rock – a happy afternoon with Art Pepper…
MENDELSSOHN: Preludes And Fugues, Op. 37 and Op. 35 – Adam Lenart, organ – MD&G
Much to like in this collection of excellently-performed and recorded Mendelssohn organ works.
“REZA VALI: Toward the Endless Plain” = VALI: Folk Songs, Set No. 8; Folk Songs, Set No. 14; Toward That Endless Plain: Concerto for Persian Ney and Orch. – Janna Baty, mezzo-sop./ Khosrow Soltani, Persian ney / Boston Modern Orch. Project / Gil Rose – BMOP/sound
Works that successfully and very memorably merge Western and Middle Eastern musical traditions.
Audio News for November 5, 2013
Five Common Home Theater Mistakes; Jump in Sell-Thru Revenue for Electronics in Q3 According to DEG; The Economist Says Digital Divide Should be Redefined; Google, Yahoo, Twitter, Others Seeking More Screen Time With You
CHOPIN: Polonaises = 2 Polonaises; 2 other Polonaises; Polonaise in F-sharp Minor; Polonaise in A-flat Major; Polonaise-Fantasie in A-flat Major – Rafal Blechacz, p.
The collection of Chopin polonaises find a sympathetic and often passionate acolyte in Blechacz, who takes his place among the virile interpreters of the Polish keyboard master.
Van Morrison – Moondance (Deluxe Edition) – Warner Brothers/Rhino R2 536560 – (4 CDs+1 Pure Audio Blu-ray)
A unique opportunity to witness the making of Moondance in detail…
Duke Pearson – The Duke Pearson Big Band/Baltimore 1969 – Uptown Records
Historically significant, though the audio quality is lacking…
Volker Kriegel, guitar – Mainz 1963-69 “Lost Tapes” Series – Jazz Haus/SWR Music/ArtHaus Musik (2 CDs)
This excellent German guitarist of the ’60s is a real surprise.
SVEN HELBIG: “Pocket Symphonies” – Faure Quartet/ MDR Leipzig Radio Sym. – DGG
An introspective and slightly enigmatic meditation on life, memory and truth.
Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, Steve Swallow – Trios – ECM
Pianist Carla Bley and her long-going trio return to the past for new inspiration.
“horizontal & vertical – music for flute and organ” = Works of POULENC, DEBUSSY, BEYER, MARTIN, ALAIN, GODARD, DONJON – Schaaff, flute/ Volke, organ – Motette
The Poulenc arrangement is questionable, but the Debussy has a special air of mystery, and the playing is fine indeed.
Alon Goldstein / Israeli Music for Piano = JOSEF TAL: Sonata; MORDECAI SETER: Moto perpetuo; BEN-ZION ORGAD: Toccata; JAN RADZYNSKI: Canto; PAUL BEN-HAIM: Music 1967 – Alon Goldstein, p. – Israel Music Institute
Israeli piano music in the twentieth century: something borrowed, something new.
Sultans of String – Symphony! – Red River Entertainment
An unusual mix of musical genres with some inspired instrumentals, backed by a symphony orchestra.
Arrau at Tanglewood = MOZART: Piano Sonata No. 5 in G Major; Piano Sonata No. 8 in A Minor; Fantasie in C Minor; Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Minor; Piano Sonata No. 17 in B-flat Major; Piano Sonata No. 18 in D Major – Claudio Arrau, p. – Music & Arts (2 CDs)
A previously unreleased all-Mozart recital by Claudio Arrau from Tanglewood should prove indispensable to the connoisseur of great keyboard playing.
NICK PEROS: Motets – The Renaissance Singers/ Richard Cunningham – Phoenix RecordsNICK PEROS: Songs – Heidi Klann, soprano/ Alayne Hall, piano – Phoenix Records
Interesting and attractive music being released once again. (Two separate CDs.)
Maz Jobrani: I Come in Peace (2013)
A very funny comedy special that deals with some international subjects not usually discussed by comics.
The Dave Robbins Electric Band – ZAP! – Cellar Live
Fusion is not about to make a comeback with this release.
Home Page for November 2013
Our November drawing/giveaway again is unusual: It is for three copies of the new Decca hi-res remastering of Benjamin Britten’s original conducting of his own very moving War Requiem in 1963, with Vishnevskaya, Peter Pears and Fischer-Dieskau as soloists. Gramophone called it “one of the most magnetic performances of British music ever put on record.” The original tapes have been carefully remastered to a 96K/24-bit PCM stereo Pure Audio Blu-ray, as well as to a standard CD, plus a second CD on the rehearsing of the work. Here is our review of it. To be eligible, all you need do is register on our simple form this month; we will not share your email address with anyone. The three lucky winners will be announced on our Editorial Page next month, and you’ll find more details on our November Editorial Page. Our 15 Christmas/holiday disc reviews are now up in the Features section!
Audio News for November 1, 2013
Studios To Adopt New Digital HD Name for Videos; California Startup Uses Crowdfunding Campaign; B&O Wireless Speakers with 24bit Sound; Consumer Electronics Association Ultra HD Event; SiriusXM Posts Gains; Onkyo Develops Hi-Res Audio Player iOS App
Editorial for November 2013
Decca Records has donated three copies of the three-disc BENJAMIN BRITTEN: War Requiem for our November drawing, celebrating the Britten Centenary. One disc is a Blu-ray audio-only version of the 96/24 stereo remastering from the original 1963 tapes of Britten conducting the soloists, Melos Ensemble and London Symphony in his moving work, using poetry of the WWI casualty Wilfred Owen. The latest techniques and extensive comparison with the LPs and later remasterings have been used in the transfer from the originals. The second disc is a CD version and the third is titled “Rehearsing the War Requiem.” (We will also review the album this month.) To be eligible, just register this month via our simple non-intrusive form, and we won’t share your email address. The three winners will be listed in this space next month. Here are the seven lucky winners of last month’s Mack Avenue Records giveaway. Each one will be receiving a different new double-disc audiophile vinyl release by either Christian McBride (2), Gary Burton, Kenny Garrett, Stanley Jordan, Kevin Eubanks or the Yellowjackets: Joy Adams, Jeremiah KY; Chris Harriott, Bloomfield NJ; Michael Lloyd, Plainfield IL; Patricia Cardettino, Schenectady NY; Jim Dukey, Oakland CA; Terry Hirsch, Thompsons Stations […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
