Monthly Archive: February 2014
Audio News for February 28, 2014
Sony to Expand Hi-Res to More Products; Reasons for Hi-Res
Gravity, 3D Blu-ray (2013)
A powerful combination of video, audio, 3D, a strong plot and great performances makes for a perfect Blu-ray experience.
Matt Wilson Quartet + John Medeski – Gathering Call – Palmetto Records
Although Wilson is a drummer of tireless vigor, the results do not match the effort.
PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 3; Symphony No. 5 – Denis Matsuev, p./ Mariinsky Orch./ Valery Gergiev – Mariinsky
Exceptional performances of both works – a good fit for Gergiev’s strong approach.
MUSSORGSKY: Russian Songs (orch. Markevitch); Pictures at an Exhibition; STRAVINSKY: Symphony of Psalms – Galina Vishnevskaya, sop./ Russian State Academic Choir/ Berlin Philharmonic/ Russian Symphony Orch./ Igor Markevitch – Praga Digitals
An album that shows just how magnificent great SACD remastering can sound.
Marie et Marion [TrackList follows] – Anonymous 4 – Harmonia mundi
A beautiful recording from a well-established source, round number two from the Montpellier codex.
Herbert von Karajan – For the First Time After WW II in the USA with the Berlin Philharmonic = Works of MOZART, R. STRAUSS, BRAHMS & BEETHOVEN – Andromeda (2 discs)
Step back almost 60 years for Herbert von Karajan’s first post-War appearance in Washington, D.C. with rousing performances of Mozart, Strauss, and Brahms.
SUNLEIF RASMUSSEN, “Motion/Emotion” = Lapland Chamber Orch. Wind Quintet/John Storgårds – DaCapo
Complex and fascinating wind music twinkles like the northern lights.
BERLIOZ: L’Enfance du Christ – Yann Beuron, narr./ Veronique gens, sop./ Swedish Radio Sym. Orch. & Choir/ Robin Ticciati – Linn (2 discs)
Berlioz for the modern age? Certainly! But Ticciati is very persuasive even if he doesn’t supplant the greats of the past.
Music from the Age of Louis XIV – John Kitchen, harpsichord – Delphian
This superb disc is a wonderful representation of the French Harpsichord School, played with sophistication, emotion, and mastery.
J. S. BACH: Oeuvres pour clavier (Keyboard Works) – Hank Knox, harpsichord – Early-Music.com
Wonderfully executed in an engaging and meaningful way, it is well worth a listen!
Audio News for February 25, 2014
Audyssey 60 Degrees Introduced; Spotify New Service: Forgotify; Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Great Season; Sacramento Philharmonic/Opera Chief Quits; Yahoo’s New Aviate App; Netflix Ensures Its Subscribers Receive Unimpeded Movie Streaming
Bob Dorough – Eulalia [TrackList follows] – Merry Lane Records
Far from your usual jazz vocalist, Dorough is an acquired but extremely worthwhile taste.
Ladies First! = Arias by HAYDN – Lisa Larsson, sop./ Combattimento Consort Amsterdam/ Jan Willem de Vriend – Challenge Classics
Larsson turns to neglected Haydn with great effect.
TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 – Denis Matsuev, p./ Mariinsky Orch./ Valery Gergiev – Mariinsky
Matsuev has the measure of this music, though a few places the interpretative choices don’t really work.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 3 = Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, “Pastorale”; Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major; Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, “Waldstein” – Jonathan Biss, p. – Onyx
Jonathan Biss extends his persuasive grasp of the Beethoven sonatas with three works from Beethoven’s “new path” period.
Paul Bley – The Complete Remastered Recordings – [TrackList follows] – Black Saint/Soul Note Records (10 CDs)
A big bountiful bundle of Bley for all tastes.
The Grand Canyon Project = Music for Solo Cello by Yu-Hui Chang, Marti Epstein, Howard Frazin, Laura Kaminsky, John Kennedy, Jeffrey Mumford, David Rakowski, Jan Swafford, Andy Vores and Dalit Hadass Warshaw – Rhonda Rider, cello – MSR Classics
Musical reflections of The Grand Canyon well played and nicely recorded.
Victor de Sabata – The Complete Berlin Philharmonic Recordings = BRAHMS, STRAUSS, RAGNER, VERDI, KODALY, RESPIGHI – Berlin Philharmonic Orch./ Victor de Sabata – Pristine
The complete 1939 Berlin Philharmonic recordings by Victor de Sabata, whom many considered the finest conductor of his generation.
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D; Romance No. 1 in G; Romance No. 2 in F – New York Philharmonic/ Anne-Sophie Mutter, v./ Kurt Masur – DGG stereo-only Pure Audio Blu-ray
A great recording now available in hi-res but only two channels.
BEETHOVEN: Quintet in E-flat; EURICO CARRAPATOSO: Cinco Elegias; LIGETI: Six Bagatelles; STEPHEN MONTAGUE: Thule Ultima; ROSETTI: Quintet; IBERT: Three Short Pieces; EDUARDO DI CAPUA: ‘O sole mio – Ensemble Carion – Ars Produktion
Fantastic sound and thrilling playing make for a disc of unqualified excellence.
The Sacred Spirit of Russia – Conspirare/ Craig Hella Johnson – Harmonia mundi
Bravo to all concerned in one of the finest Russian choral music releases in years.