Monthly Archive: April 2016
Hero Quest, Blu-ray (2016)
A good Russian-made animated family film with a useful message but perhaps too many characters. Hero Quest, Blu-ray (2016) Voice-overs: Milla Jovovich, Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Pesci, Will Chase Director: Max Fadeev Studio: Glukoza Animation/Art Pictures Studio/ Cinedigm GL5057 (3/31/16) Video: for 26:9 screens, 1080p color Audio: Orig. Russian or English DTS-HD MA 5.1 […]
Roswell Rudd, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn and Balazs Pándi – Strength & Power – RareNoise
Multi-generational free improvisation. Roswell Rudd, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn and Balazs Pándi – Strength & Power [TrackList follows] – RareNoise RNR060, 64:35 [2/26/16] ****: (Roswell Rudd – trombone; Jamie Saft – piano; Trevor Dunn – acoustic bass; Balázs Pándi – drums) Two generations of free improv musicians come together on the 64-minute RareNoise release, Strength […]
Ergo – As subtle as tomorrow – Cuneiform
Emily Dickinson meets electro-acoustic jazz. Ergo – As subtle as tomorrow [TrackList follows] – Cuneiform, Rune 419, 42:16 [2/5/16] ***1/2: (Brett Sroka – trombone, computer, co-mixer; Sam Harris – piano, prepared-piano, Rhodes electric piano; Shawn Baltazor – drums, co-mixer) To fully appreciate jazz trio Ergo’s fourth release, the 42-minute As subtle as tomorrow, one should […]
DVORAK: Piano Concerto in g minor; SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto – Stephen Hough, p./ City of Birmingham Orch./ Andris Nelsons – Hyperion
The unusual combination of Schumann and Dvorak concertos certifies Stephen Hough’s mastery in music of the Romantic temperament. DVORAK: Piano Concerto in g minor, Op. 33; SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 54 – Stephen Hough, p./ City of Birmingham Orch./ Andris Nelsons – Hyperion CDA68099, 74:11 (4/1/16) [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] ****: My […]
TARTINI: “Secondo Natura” – Baroque violin & Hardanger fiddle, cello & harpsichord – 2L Blu-ray
TARTINI: “Secondo Natura” – Sigurd Imsen, Baroque violin and Hardanger fiddle – Tormod Dalen, Baroque cello/ Hans Knut Sveen, harpsichord – 2L 112-PABD Pure Audio Blu-ray 5.1 surround & stereo in DXD Digital 352kHz/24bit, 50 mins. (2/26/16) (Dist. by Naxos) *****: Another totally unique hi-res recording from Norway. No doubt gearing up for the 250th […]
Mordecai Shehori plays Fantasies = Piano works of BEETHOVEN, SCHUMANN, CHOPIN – Cembal d’amour
Mordecai Shehori plays Fantasies = BEETHOVEN: Fantasia in g minor, Op. 77; SCHUMANN: Fantasia in C Major, Op. 17; CHOPIN: Fantasy in f minor, Op. 49; Polonaise-Fantasy in A-flat Major, Op. 61 – Mordecai Shehori, piano – Cembal d’amour CD 182, 62:41 (2/7/16) [www.cembaldamour.com] ****: Beethoven and Schumann works allowing Shehori to improvise within restricted […]
“Haec dies – Music for Easter” – Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/ Graham Ross/ Matthew Jorysz, organ – Harmonia mundi
Just in time for the Easter season, a tremendous choral excursion. “Haec dies – Music for Easter” – Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/ Graham Ross/ Matthew Jorysz, organ – Harmonia mundi HMU 907655, 72:56 *****: Though there are a few pieces here that are distinctly non-Easter in origin (like the Rachmaninov), this Easter day celebration […]
Randy Brecker – Randy Pop – Piloo
Randy Brecker – Randy Pop – Piloo PR009, 77:54 ****: (Randy Brecker – trumpet, effects, voice; Kenny Werner – piano, keyboards, arrangements; David Sanchez – tenor saxophone; Amanda Brecker – vocals; Adam Rogers – guitar; John Patitucci – bass; Nate Smith – drums) Elite session musician revisits his pop career in a jazzy way! Randy […]
Audio News for April 1, 2016
Onkyo Has AVRs With Custom Integration in Mind – The three RZ Series receivers expected next month (from $799 to $1299) have features making installation and integration with control systems easy for audiophiles and custom installation crews. Later this year they will have 9.2, and 11.2 channel RZ network receivers, and the PR-RZ5100 network pre-processor. […]
Editorial for April 2016
Our April drawing is for three copies of the Brilliant Classics set of Vivaldi’s Complete Concertos and Sonatas. This is the first time all of Vivaldi’s Concertos and Sonatas are in one set, which will be treasured for a lifetime. Go to the Brilliant Classics web site to see complete information on this set. Just […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
