Monthly Archive: February 2015
![Perfect Strangers: HEINER GOEBBELS/ FRANK ZAPPA works [TrackList follows] – Norwegian Radio Orch./ Heinrich Sondergard (09/09/14) – LAWO Classics](https://i1.wp.com/www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/PerfectStrangers.jpg?resize=122%2C121&ssl=1)
Perfect Strangers: HEINER GOEBBELS/ FRANK ZAPPA works [TrackList follows] – Norwegian Radio Orch./ Heinrich Sondergard (09/09/14) – LAWO Classics
A stunning recording of the music of two contemporary visionaries.
Audio News for February 20, 2015
Questions for RadioShack’s Board; DSI Adds Philips AV Line; Dish Systems – To Buy or Sell?; Increase of Channels via Sling TV; Carriers Win Spectrum, But Still Not Enough
Manuel Valera And The New Cuban Express – In Motion – Criss Cross Jazz
All the delightful elements of Afro-Cuban jazz are on full display with this assertive offering from a stellar band.
BUXTEHUDE: Membra Jesu Nostri – Duke Vespers Ens./ Cappella Baroque/ Brian Schmidt – MSR
A fresh and vibrant performance from an unexpected source.
Pom Poko, Blu-ray (1994/2015)
A fine Studio Ghibli animation feature for the whole family, especially if you’re into Japanese folklore.
MARTIN BRESNICK: Prayers Remain Forever – Lisa Moore, piano / Artist Unknown, vocals/ Sarita Kwok, violin/ Michael Compitello, vibes/ Ian Rosenbaum, marimba/ Double Entendre Music Ens. – Starkland
Contemporary chamber music that is engaging and thought provoking.
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 in c Minor; HANDEL: Concerto Grosso in D Major; Concerto Grosso in g Minor, No. 6 – London Sym. Orch./ Felix Weingartner – Yves St-Laurent Studio
“Classical” maestro Felix Weingartner has his work in Brahms and Handel restored, and the musical moments well articulate the refined qualities of his conducting art.
“East Meets West II – Clarinet Music by Chinese Composers Overseas” = (TrackList follows) – Jun Qian, clarinet/various performers – Albany
Fascinating and highly unusual but well worth your time.
Lady Be Good (2014)
An excellent look at the subject of women instrumentalists in jazz history.
GOUNOD: Requiem in C Major; DVORAK: Mass in D Major – Anne Bretschneider, sop./ Christine Lichtenberg, alto/ Holger Marks, tenor/ Georg Witt, bass/ Hye-Lin Hur, organ/ Rundfunkchor Berlin/ Polyphonia Ensemble Berlin/ Risto Joost – Carus
Two deliberately under-stated choral works testify to the faith, pious and artistic of two choral masters.
VIEUXTEMPS: Cello Concerto No. 1 in a Minor & No. 2 in b Minor; YSAYE: Meditation in b Minor, “Poeme,”; Serenade in A Major – Alban Gerhardt, cello/ Royal Flemish Philharmonic/ Josep Caballe-Domenech – Hyperion
Cello music from two violin masters produces music of powerful, impressive vitality, especially the Ysaye Meditation.
The Holy Mountain, Blu-ray (1973/2014)
A typical crazy Jodorowsky cult film with a savage religious allegory. Not for the faint of heart.
MOHAMMED FAIROUZ: Follow, Poet – Kate Lindsay, mezzo/Paul Muldoon, spoken word/Ensemble LPR/ Evan Rogister – DGG
Deeply moving work from this bright young composer.
![David Helbock Trio – Aural Colors [TrackList follows] – Traumton](https://i1.wp.com/www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/HelbockX.jpg?resize=108%2C108&ssl=1)
David Helbock Trio – Aural Colors [TrackList follows] – Traumton
Jazz and classical blended with a European viewpoint.
“American Lyricism” = THEOFANIDIS: All Dreams Begin With the Horizon; DANIELPOUR: The Enchanted Garden: Preludes, Book II; MONICA HOUGHTON: Piano Sonata; JUSTIN MERRITT: Chaconne: Mercy Endures; PIERRE JALBERT: Toccata – Christopher Atzinger, p. – MSR
Lyrical modern American music? Just take a listen.
SCHOENBERG: Pelleas und Melisande; Variations for Orch. – Israel Philharmonic Orch./ Zubin Mehta – Helicon
Zubin Mehta leads two distinct personae in the Schoenberg canon, and they persist in their testing of our musical perceptions.
“Mostly Transcriptions” = BACH-BUSONI, SCHUBERT-LISZT, CHOPIN-LISZT, SCHUMANN-LISZT, SCHUBERT-LISZT – Tien Nsieh, p. – Titanic
Volume 1 proves every bit as ingratiating as Volume 2.
JOHN LUTHER ADAMS: Become Ocean – Seattle Sym./ Ludovic Morlot – Cantaloupe (CD+DVD)
Immensely satisfying portrait of the sea.
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: A Cambridge Mass; PARRY: Blest Pair of Sirens – Olivia Robinson, sop./ Rebecca Lodge, contr./ Christopher Bowen, tenor/ Edward Price, bar./ Martin Ennis, organ/ The Bach Choir/ New Queen’s Hall Orch./ Alan Tongue – Albion
It’s not often we get world premieres from this particular age in music—this one is quite significant!
King Crimson – Live At The Orpheum – Panegeric/ Discipline Global Mobile (CD + DVD-Audio)
Robert Fripp continues the legacy of King Crimson with this live two-disc release.
Big Hero 6, Blu-ray (2015)
Got Oscar for Best Animated Feature of the Year, also in 3D.
TORROBA: Guitar Con. No. 1 “Concierto en Flamenco”; Diologos entre guitarra y orquestra; Aires de La Mancha; Suite castellana – Pepe Romero & Vicente Coves, guitars/ Malaga Philharmonic Orch./ Manuel Coves – Naxos
Pepe Romero and his pupil Vicente Coves deliver a fine ensemble of Torroba works for guitar, including a world premier.