Monthly Archive: March 2015
“1865: Songs of Hope and Home from the American Civil War” – Anonymous 4/ Bruce Molsky – fiddle, banjo, guitar, vocals – Harmonia mundi
Great songs given stylized but very effective readings. Maybe too beautiful?
“The Orchestra” – Claudio Abbado & The Mozart’s Orchestra, Blu-ray (2013)
A moving tribute to Abbado and the musicians of the Orchestra Mozart.
LISZT: Missa Choralis; KODALY: Agnus Dei; Psalm 114; Psalm 121 – Elisabeth Thomann, soprano/ Elfriede Jahn, alto/ Stafford Wing, tenor/ Eishi Kawamura, bass/ Harald Buchsbaum, baritone/ Josef Nebois, Organ/ Vienna Chamber Choir/ Hans Gillesberger (Liszt)/ The Whikehart Chorale/ Lewis Whikehart – Tuxedo Music
Two major Hungarian composers make distinct contributions to the liturgical music of their respective times.
Audio News for March 20, 2015
QSM Five-Year Partnership with Decca; Article on How to Use Mobile Device to Control Home Theater System; Samsung’s Milk Music Now Available on Any Web Browser; Apple’s Streaming Service to Launch in June; Advancements in Projectors for Home Theater
The Warren Vaché Quintet Remembers Benny Carter – Arbors Jazz
This first-rate band makes remembering Benny Carter a pleasurable earful.
RAVEL: La Valse; Ma mere l’Oye; Tzigane; Bolero; Pavane pour une infante defunte – Gordan Nikolic, violin/ Netherlands Phil. Orch. Amsterdam/ Carlo Rizzi – Tacet audio-only Blu-ray
Outstanding hi-res readings that hold up well under scrutiny.
A MusiCares Tribute To Paul McCartney, Blu-ray (2015)
Well past sixty-four, the music community still needs McCartney!
Lara Downes, piano – A Billie Holiday Songbook – Steinway & Sons
A well-intentioned tribute to the singer on her centenary.
Martha Argerich Vol. 4 (1955-65) = All CHOPIN works – Doremi
Doremi extends the legacy of the youthful Martha Argerich with excerpts of her Chopin Competition efforts, and a firestorm of talent they witness.
Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet – Vocal Madness – HouseKat
The Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet takes hipness to a new level and swings with élan.
“Pandora’s Last Gift” = CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT: Wind Quartet; Spring’s Garden; Orfordness; Capriccio; Spirit of the Dance; The Long Wait (Elegy); In Celebration; Helter Skelter; Concertino – Soloists – Metier
An interesting composer, in great performances and sonics.
CARL VOLLRATH: “Past Recollections – Music for Clarinet and Piano, Vol. 1” (TrackList follows) – Michael Norsworthy, clar./Yoko Hagino, p. – Navona
Very pleasant works and some very fine playing make this worth investigating.
Wolfy – The Incredible Secret (2015)
A wonderful hand-drawn animated French-Belgian feature.
“Northern Lights” = Works of ERIKS ESENVALDS – Sally Pryce, harp/ Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/ Stephen Layton – Hyperion
Lovely music that lacks only some needed tension for seasoning.
Victory at Sea (1954/2015)
The latest restoration of this important 1950s feature from the TV series.
Chuck Berry – The Complete Chess Singles, As & Bs 1955-1961 – Acrobat Music (2 CDs)
This is a great retrospective of the King of Rock & Roll.
House of Wax, Blu-ray 3D (1953/2013)
Martin Scorsese says this is the best 3D feature film ever made.
Audio News for March 17, 2015
Pay-TV Subscribers Fall by 4000 in 2014; Pioneer Car Audio Shows New Units; Wireless Audio Beginning to Take Over; Object-Based Surround Coming to TV
The Dance of Reality, Blu-ray (2014)
Typical Jodorowsky but perhaps not his masterpiece.
RAMEAU: Pieces du Clavecin (complete harpsichord works) – Mahan Esfahani, harpcd. – Hyperion (2 CDs)
Esfahani throws his hat into the Rameau ring, with quite a lot of success.
Doug Macleod – Exactly Like This – Reference Recordings
Bluesman and technology make a great pair.
The Sword of Doom, Blu-ray (1966/2015)
A skillful use of black & white widescreen format, and a samurai film classic.