Monthly Archive: March 2015
JAMES ADLER “Introspections” = Music by JAMES ADLER, KEVIN CUMMINGS, PAUL TUROK and SETH BEDFORD (TrackList follows) – James Adler, p./various soloists/ U.S. Marine Ch. Orch./Jason K. Fettig – Albany
A rather mixed bag offers some rewards but the concept is odd.
Audio News for March 13, 2015
Mark Waldrep of AIX Comments On Hi-Res Mis-promotion; Apple TV Losing Share of Streaming Video Devices; Music Streaming Continues to Rise; Connected Audio Products Connect With Consumers
“Mass & Motets” = BRAHMS: Missa canonica; Motets (2); other Motets (2); Motets (3); Fest- und Gedenksprüche; Swedish Radio Choir/ Peter Dijkstra – Channel Classics SACD “Choral Works” = BRAHMS: Warum ist das Licht gegeben?; Intermezzo in B minor; Gesänge (5); Schicksalslied; Motets (3); Fest- und Gedenksprüche; Drei Quartette – Philip Mayers, Angela Gassenhuber (piano)/ Cappella Amsterdam/ Daniel Reuss – Harmonia mundi
Two superb examples of Brahms’s choral expertise.
“Mass & Motets” = BRAHMS: Missa canonica; Motets (2); other Motets (2); Motets (3); Fest- und Gedenksprüche; Swedish Radio Choir/ Peter Dijkstra – Channel Classics SACD “Choral Works” = BRAHMS: Warum ist das Licht gegeben?; Intermezzo in B minor; Gesänge (5); Schicksalslied; Motets (3); Fest- und Gedenksprüche; Drei Quartette – Philip Mayers, Angela Gassenhuber (piano)/ Cappella Amsterdam/ Daniel Reuss – Harmonia mundi
Two superb examples of Brahms’s choral expertise.
“Magnificat & Concerti” = VIVALDI: Concerto for 2 Violins in g; Magnificat in g; BACH: Concerto for Harpsichord in d; Magnificat in D – Pierre Hantai, harpsichord/ Soloists/ La Capella Reial de Catalunya/ Le Concert des Nations/ Jordi Savall – Alia Vox SACD + DVD
Fine singing and performances from a reliable source—I just wish the video would work.
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Vol. IV = BACH: Chaconne in D Minor; BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 3; SCHUMANN: Faschingsschwank aus Wien; BRAHMS: Paganini Variations – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, piano – Praga Digitals
Restored performances of vintage Michelangeli in German repertory cast a new, decisive sheen on an already brilliant legacy.
JONGEN: Violin Concerto in b; Adagio symphonique; Fantasia; LAZZARI: Rapsodie in e – Philippe Graffin, violin/ Royal Flemish Philharmonic/ Martyn Brabbins (Vol. 18 of series) – Hyperion
An almost unknown work by a composer known for another work, plus an unknown composer.
HANDEL: Messiah – Lucy Crowe, sop./ Andrew Staples, alto/ Tim Mead, tenor/ Christopher Purves, bass/ Le Concert D’Astree/ Emmanuelle Haim – Erato (2 CDs)
Less than I had hoped for, but more than run-of-the-mill, with some glorious moments.
JONGEN: Violin Concerto in b; Adagio symphonique; Fantasia; LAZZARI: Rapsodie – Philippe Graffin, violin/ Royal Flemish Philharmonic/ Martyn Brabbins – Hyperion
The “Romantic Violin” series extends its legacy to neglected works from the Gallic school of imaginative concerted pieces.
MAHLER: Symphony No. 3 in d; Symphony No. 5 – Marjana Lipovsek, mezzo-sop./ Vienna Children’s Chorus/ Women of the Vienna Chorus/ Bavarian State Orch./ Zubin Mehta – Farao Classics Blu-ray
Almost a very long home run. And definitely worth the $28 price!
BACH: Mass in b – Soloists/ Arcangelo/ Jonathan Cohen – Hyperion (2 CDs)
A wonderful performance, easily one of the best on the market.
JACK GALLAGHER: Symphony No. 2, “Ascendant”; Quiet Reflections – London Sym. Orch./ Jo Ann Falletta – Naxos
Jack Gallagher’s series continues with this monumental and splendid Second Symphony.
MONTEVERDI: Vespers of 1610 – Grace Davidson, Charlotte Mobbs, sopranos/ Simon Berridge, Jeremy Budd, Mark Dobell, tenors/ Ben Davies, Eamonn Dougan, bass/ The Sixteen/ Harry Christophers – Coro (2 CDs)
Christophers weighs in with a solid, if not blazing, reading.
Audio News for March 10, 2015
Simon Rattle Also Appointed Music Director of LSO; Latest Sonos Update is a Leap Forward; DTS Challenges Sonos in Wireless Music; Sony Electronics U.S. Shutting Down Most Standalone Stores; How to Improve Your Voice on Audio Chats
Memorial Concert for Claudio Abbado, Blu-ray (2014/2015)
A flawed tribute to one of the truly great musicians of this century.
Russian Recital by Jorge Federico Osorio = Music of PROKOFIEV, SHOSTAKOVICH, MUSSORGSKY – Cedille
The marvelous Mexican virtuoso Osorio explores the Russians, but we wonder if the Mussorgsky required another grand champion.
![Jonathan Fritzen – Fritzenized [TrackList follows] NordicNight](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/JonathanFritzen.jpg)
Jonathan Fritzen – Fritzenized [TrackList follows] NordicNight
A heavy-on-production but enjoyable smooth jazz outing with Fritzen on keyboards and bass.
![Blues Masters [TrackList follows] Various Artists – AudioQuest Music /MasterMusic – xrcd24](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BluesMasters.jpg)
Blues Masters [TrackList follows] Various Artists – AudioQuest Music /MasterMusic – xrcd24
Blues in hi-resolution elevates this collection.
Kiss Me Kate, 3D and 2D Blu-ray (1952/2015)
A terrific musical reissue in reference quality 3D and 5.1 surround.
Itamar Zorman Portrait = Works of MESSIAEN; CHAUSSON; SCHUBERT; HINDEMITH ; BRAHMS – Itamar Zorman, violin/ Kwan Yi, piano – Profil Edition Hanssler
Itamar Zorman’s debut album demonstrates technical and expressive power in selected works from the German and French repertory.
Justin Kauflin, piano – Dedication (2015) – Qwest Records/ Jazz Village
This record shows sign of maturity, solid composition and a powerful understanding of jazz as a form of expression.
Audio News for March 6, 2015
Shout Factory Free Streaming During March; Jazz Producer Orrin Keepnews Dies at 91; Composer John McCabe Dies at 75; Do Sales of Recordings Help Classical Recording Artists?; NextRadio and HD Radio Debut Car Platform
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
