Monthly Archive: September 2014
LOUSSIER: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2; PADEREWSKI: Violin Sonata (Iwicki, Hauer) Polish Philharmonic Chamber Orch./ Kostecki – Naxos
Two exhilarating works by Loussier in a superb recording.
Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’ (1956) – Prestige/ Analogue Productions
Classic Miles in remastered SACD format…
Phil Woods – Woodlore (1956) [TrackList follows] – Prestige/ Analogue Productions
Going way back with Phil Woods…
Billy Childs – Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro – Sony Masterworks
A gorgeous tribute to Laura Nyro…
BLOCH: Israel Symphony; Suite for Viola and Orch. – Slovak Radio Sym. Orch./ Atlas Camerata/Delia Atlas/ Yuri Gandelsman, viola – Naxos
A rarely-recorded Bloch symphony and a fine viola suite.
The John Webber Quartet – Down For The Count – Cellar Live
An evocative album from an accomplished band.
Audio News for September 12, 2014
Bandleader Gerald Wilson Dies; Atlanta Symphony Locks Out Its Musicians Again; First Release of the Complete Seattle Opera Wagner Ring; Deezer and Sonos Offer Global CD-Quality Streaming
Charles Lloyd – Arrows Into Infinity, Blu-ray (2014)
Documentary shows a spiritual musician on a musical journey.
ELGAR: Symphony No. 1; Cockaigne (In London Town) Overture – Stockholm Philharmonic/ Sakari Oramo – BIS
A worthy Symphony No. 1 and a memorable Cockaigne.
PATRICK HAWES: Lazarus Requiem – Soloists/ Exeter Phil. and Cathedral Choirs/ Royal Scottish National Orch./ Patrick Hawes – Signum
A fine modern requiem with a new twist in its emphasis on the Lazarus story.
BARTOK: Kossuth – Symphonic Poem; Two Portraits; Suite No. 1 – Michael Ludwig, violin/ Buffalo Philharmonic Orch./ JoAnn Falletta – Naxos
JoAnn Falletta and her Buffalo Philharmonic find bravura vehicles in the scores of young Bartok, which showcase everyone in glowing colors.
“The Call of Wisdom” = WILL TODD: The Lord is My Shepherd; Stay With Me, Lord; The Call of Wisdom; Man Unkind; My Lord Has Come; That We May Love Again; Vidi Speciosam; Among Angels; You Have Seen the House Built; I Sing Because… – Tenebrae/ English Ch. Orch./ Nigel Short – Signum
A composer that will kindle sparks in the hearts of many, if not all.
PICKARD: Eden; Gaia Symphony – Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag Orchestra/ Andreas Hanson – BIS
Contemporary brass music played with passion and well recorded.
MYROSLAV SKORYK: Dytynstvo (Childhood); Diptych; Caprice No. 19; Violin Concerto No. 7; Melody; Cello Concerto; Spanish Dance; Carpathian Concerto for Orch. – Soloists /Odessa Philharmonic Orch./Hobart Earle – Naxos
This will remind you of a lot of other Baltic offerings from awhile ago.
Ahmad Jamal feat. Yusef Lateef – Live At The Olympia, June 27, 2012 – Jazz Village (2 CDs + DVD)
An historic concert featuring two of the top names in jazz, in both CD and video form.
“Gerard Souzay” (“Most-Wanted Recitals” series) = Baroque arias by GLUCK, HANDEL, LULLY, MONTEVERDI, RAMEAU – Decca
A rarity arrives again newly digitized. Souzay is generally great, but is this one of his best?
Accidental Stereo: Reconstructed Recordings, 1929-1933 – most of the classical recordings where the original 78 matches up with a standby recording made at the same time from another mic – Pristine Audio
A “happy accident,” indeed, as we hear stereo effects from golden age readings of significant repertory, brilliantly restored.
Annie Fischer, piano – The Essential Collection = Works of BEETHOVEN, MOZART & LISZT – Hungaroton
For the Annie Fischer centennial, Hungaraton proffers her potent keyboard art in two works that well defined her musical ambitions.
El Topo, Blu-ray (1971/2007/2014)
An ambitious and surrealistically bizarre allegory in the guise of a Western.
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Sheherazade – Toronto Sym./ Peter Oundjian – Chandos
A thrilling SACD in performance and recording – but a bit short on music.
Audio News for September 9, 2014
UHD Blu-rays Coming in 2015; The Film Detective to Reissue Restored Classic Titles; Summer Rebound for Consumer Electronics at Costco; Samsung Unveils 360-Degree VR System
Christian Jacob, piano – Beautiful Jazz – a private concert [TrackList follows] – Wilder Jazz vinyl
A solo jazz outing by this classically-based pianist, all analog, on vinyl.