Monthly Archive: August 2015
Where Here Meets There – Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica Quartet – Exotica for Modern Living
The latest in the retro-bachelor-pad music of Mr. Ho.
Benno Moiseiwitsch = in piano music of BEETHOVEN, SCHUMANN, MUSSORGSKY, RACHMANINOV & CHOPIN + radio interviews – Testament (3 CDs)
The “George Sanders of the keyboard,” Benno Moiseiwitsch, reveals his colossal gifts in previously unpublished performances and interviews.
PURCELL: Hail! Bright Cecilia (Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day); Come ye Sons of Art (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary); Music for the funeral of Queen Mary – Soloists/Monteverdi Choir & Orch. etc./ John Eliot Gardiner – Erato Veritas (2 CDs)
Another Gardiner reissue, and no decision is needed.
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, Blu-ray (2014)
Robin’s next-to-last movie, a passable flick made better by his acting and thinking of his passing.
Quartetto Gelato – All Original 100% Canadian – QGPI Records
A delightful ice cream and not just for Canadians.
HANDEL: Dixit Dominus; Zadok the Priest; The Ways of Zion Do Mourn – Felicity Palmer, Margaret Marshall, Norma Burrowes, sopranos/ Charles Brett, John Angelo Messana, countertenors/ Richard Morton, Alastair Thompson, Martyn Hill, tenors/ David Wilson-Johnson, Stephen Varcoe, basses/ Monteverdi Ch. and Orch./ John Eliot Gardiner – Erato Veritas
This bargain set has much to offer from the early Gardiner years.
Capricohos – Hamilton De Holanda, bandolim & guests – [TrackList follows] Adventure Music (2 CDs)World of Pixinguinha – Hamilton De Holanda, bandolim & guests – [TrackList follows] Adventure Music
Three amazing CDs of mandolin playing like you’ve never heard before.
Capricohos – Hamilton De Holanda, bandolim & guests – [TrackList follows] Adventure Music (2 CDs)World of Pixinguinha – Hamilton De Holanda, bandolim & guests – [TrackList follows] Adventure Music
Three amazing CDs of mandolin playing like you’ve never heard before.
Clarence Carter – Patches – Atlantic/ Pure Pleasure – vinyl
Pure Pleasure re-mastered vinyl is a soul classic!
“On With the Dance” = J. STRAUSS II: Artist’s Life Waltz, Op. 316; Wine, Women, and Song, Op. 333; CHOPIN (arr. Sargent): Les Sylphides; ROSSINI (arr. Respighi and Sargent): La Boutique Fantasque – Concert Suite; William Tell: Ballet Music: Passo a tre e Coro Tirolese; SCHUBERT: Rosamunde – Ballet Music No. 2 in G Major – Royal Philharmonic Orch./ Royal Opera House Orch., Covent Garden/ Sir Malcolm Sargent – Guild
A program of gracious light music, mostly from the ballet and the world of dance, led by Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Audio News for July 7, 2015
Slate Article Defends Audiophiles; Another New Vinyl Pressing Plant; Music Lovers Ready to Invest
Audio News for August 7, 2015
Pioneer Has New Affordably-Priced AVR; Ultra HD Blu-rays Expected for the Holidays; Kenwood Enters Headphone Market
Fiesta a la Española – Eastman-Rochester Pops / Eastman-Rochester Orch.* / Frederick Fennell / Howard Hanson* – HDTT Hi-Res
A highly entertaining, energetic compilation of musical sunshine.
Jeff Beck – Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s [TrackList follows] – Eagle Records/ Universal (2 CDs)
A 2-CD set which showcases Jeff Beck’s many sides, from jazz-rock to blues to rockabilly.
Beyerdynamic DX 160ie Headphones $145 [$110 at Amazon]
Comparing ordinary OEM headphones to the DX 160ie headphones is like trying to explain the difference between a Lipton teabag and second flush Darjeeling tea.
Beyerdynamic DX 160ie Headphones $145 [$110 at Amazon]
Comparing ordinary OEM headphones to the DX 160ie headphones is like trying to explain the difference between a Lipton teabag and second flush Darjeeling tea.
Ruggiero Ricci & Martha Argerich = BEETHOVEN: Sonata in E-flat Major for Violin and Piano; PROKOFIEV: Solo Sonata for Violin in D Major; BARTOK: Sonatina for Violin and Piano (arr. Gertler); Sonata for Violin Solo; SARASATE: Introduction and Tarantella; RAVEL: Piano Concerto in G – Martha Argerich, p./ Ruggiero Ricci, v./ Southwest German Radio Orch./ Ernest Bour – Doremi
A pair of talents combine for a dazzling, intellectually exciting recital from Soviet Russia, complemented by the young Argerich in blistering Ravel.
J.R. Monterose – Live In Albany 1979 – Uptown Records
J.R. Monterose is a saxophonist with a bold sound and a probing style.
Audio News for August 4, 2015
Growing Digital Purchases in Home Entertainment; Miyazaki Reissues from Disney Coming in November; Classical News
ROLF WALLIN: “Manyworlds” = Fisher King for trumpet and orchestra; Id for large orchestra; Manyworlds – Håkan Hardenberger, trumpet/Bergen Philharmonic Orch./ John Storgårds – Ondine CD + Video Blu-ray
Very interesting works that do require some careful listening.
Great Comedy Overtures [TrackList follows]- Royal Scottish Nat. Orch./ Lance Friedel – Naxos audio-only Blu-ray
96/24 surround and also stereo on this audio-only Blu-ray.
CPE BACH: Die Letzten Leiden des Erlösers (The Last Sufferings of the Savior) – Soloists/ Hartmut Haenchen – Berlin Classics (2 CDs)
C. P. E. Bach’s oratorio-in-all-but-name builds in color and intensity as it progresses.