Monthly Archive: October 2014
Miguel Zenon – Identities are Changeable (TrackList follows) – Miel Music
Exploring the Puerto Rico/New York City bond…
CLEMENTI: Piano Concerto in C Major; Minuetto pastorale in D Major; Symphony in B-flat Major; Symphony No. 2 in D Major – Bruno Canino, piano/ Orch. Sinfonica di Roma/ Francesco La Vecchia – Naxos
We enjoy the music of the yet-maturing Muzio Clementi in this affectionate assemblage of youthful works.
Dylan Ryan/Sand – Circa [TrackList follows] – Cuneiform
A powerful trio with a propulsive, harder jazz rock propensity.
A Letter to Momo, Blu-ray (2014)
A magical experience of a family animated feature.
The Beatles – The Beatles in Mono LP Box Set – Parlophone/EMI/ Universal (14 LPs + extras)
From near-perfect pressings to fabulous packaging, The Beatles In Mono LP Box Set is an audiophile dream come true!
PROKOFIEFF: Symphonies No. 1 “Classical” and No. 2; Dreams – Sao Paulo Sym. Orch./ Marin Alsop – Naxos audio-only Blu-ray
Another fine audio-only Blu-ray of Prokofieff symphonies with Marin Alsop.
BEETHOVEN: The Complete Piano Sonatas – Mari Kodama, piano – PENTATONE – 10 SACDs box set
Mari Kodama’s superb artistry and a great price help this excellent set overcome some minor technical glitches.
Claire Martin with the Montpellier Cello Quartet – Time & Place – Linn
Claire Martin’s excellent vocals and the superb arrangements make this perhaps her best record yet!
Audio News for October 24, 2014
Bluesound Upgrades Their Multiroom Audio System; Audyssey Enhances Their Music Processing App; Avi-on Labs and Jasco Team for Home Automation; Koss Fall Intros; Sonos Sues Denon Over Heos Wireless System
Lang Lang – The MOZART Album – Lang Lang, piano – Sony Classical (2 CDs)
These superb performances by Lang Lang are unfortunately clouded by substandard sound on Disc 2.
“Concerto” = SALINAS: Danzas Peregrinas; EDWARDS: Arafura Dances; GOSS: Guitar Concerto – John Williams, guitar – SCW3“Reinventing Guitar II” = D. SCARLATTI: Five Sonatas; BACH: Prelude, Fugue & Allegro in E-flat Major; Toccata in e; HANDEL: “The Harmonious Blacksmith;” Chconne No. 2 in G Major – Smaro Gragoriadou, special guitars – Delos
Two unusual classical guitar CDs of interest.
“Concerto” = SALINAS: Danzas Peregrinas; EDWARDS: Arafura Dances; GOSS: Guitar Concerto – John Williams, guitar – SCW3“Reinventing Guitar II” = D. SCARLATTI: Five Sonatas; BACH: Prelude, Fugue & Allegro in E-flat Major; Toccata in e; HANDEL: “The Harmonious Blacksmith;” Chconne No. 2 in G Major – Smaro Gragoriadou, special guitars – Delos
Two unusual classical guitar CDs of interest.
PUCCINI: La Rondine (complete opera, in English), Blu-ray (2013)
Stratas in her prime is always worth a listen—and a viewing.
UNSUK CHIN: Alice in Wonderland (complete opera), Blu-ray (2013)
Clever, creative, and broadly esoteric, the whole thing is wrecked by the camera.
Canned Heat – Boogie With Canned Heat – Liberty Studios / Pure Pleasure – vinyl
Late ’60s roots pleasure on considerably better vinyl than we had back then.
Conrad Herwig – The Latin Side Of Joe Henderson featuring Joe Lovano – Half Note
A thoughtful program filled with sparkling ideas and a Latin vibe.
Supermensch – The Legend of Shep Gordon, Blu-ray (2014)
An amazing documentary on an amazing man in the entertainment business.
BACH: St. Matthew Passion (2011)
A top flight recording of Bach’s monumental opus performed as well as any on the market today.
WEILL: Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra; STRAVINSKY: L’histoire du soldat – suite; MILHAUD: Suite for violin, clarinet and piano/ Gabriele Pieranunzi, violin/ Enrico Pieranunzi, p./ Alessandro Carbonare, clarinet/ Soloists of the San Carlo Theatre, Naples/ Jeffrey Tate – Musica Media Concerto Classics
An outstanding release of 20th-Century chamber music rarities by KURT WEILL, IGOR STRAVINSKY and DARIUS MILHAUD.
Matthew Coley, marimbas – Cicularity [TrackList follows] – self
An enjoyable mostly solo classical marimba album.
Audio News for October 21, 2014
Sony’s New Digital Hi-Res Player Out Next Month; Huge Controversy Over Met’s Production of The Death of Klinghoffer; Sling & ViXS Collaborate on New Transcoder for TV Anywhere; CE Retail Sales Surge 6%
Mika Stoltzman, marimbas – If You Believe [TrackList follows] – self
A jazz-flavored marimba CD of interest.