Monthly Archive: May 2016
Kaleidoscope = MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition; RAVEL: La Valse; STRAVINSKY: Three Movements from Petrushka – Khatia Buniatishvili, p. – Sony
A personal recital devoted to the art of keyboard coloration marks this Buniatishvili program from 2015. Kaleidoscope = MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition; RAVEL: La Valse; STRAVINSKY: Three Movements from Petrushka – Khatia Buniatishvili, p. – Sony 88875170032, 57:00 (3/11/16) ****: If slinky dresses and a Hedy Lamarr persona guarantee a virtuoso piano keyboardist, Khatia […]
East Side Sushi (2016)
A heartwarming story about never giving up on your dreams. East Side Sushi (2016) Cast: Diana Torrese, Yukata Takeuchi, Rodrigo Clark Director: Anthony Lucero Studio: Sony Pictures 47500 (5/6/16) Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080i HD color Audio: English DD 5.1 Subtitles: French, English, Spanish, English SDH Extras: Deleted scenes, “Behind the Sushi,” “Behind the […]
TERRY RILEY: Four Four Three – Ragazze Quartet/ Slagwerk den Haag/ Kapok – Channel Classics
A program of music by the American minimalist composer Terry Riley, newly arranged with a jazz trio and more. TERRY RILEY: Four Four Three – Ragazze Quartet/ Slagwerk den Haag/ Kapok – Channel Classics CCS 37816, 57:30 (6/10/16) ****: The first 3/4 of this unusual CD features Riley’s original work of over 50 years ago, […]
Destiny (Fritz Lang), Blu-ray (1921/2016)
A fascinating Gothic silent by one of the leading German directors. Destiny (Fritz Lang), Blu-ray (1921/2016) Director: Fritz Lang Cast: Lil Dagover, Walter Janssen, Bernard Goetzke Studio: Decla-Bioscop (Weimar Republic)/Blackhawk Films/ Flicker Alley FA-MD3 036 Video: 4:3+ for 16:9 screens, B&W 1080p HD Audio: English titles by Ulrich Ruedel Music: Orig. score played by Mont […]
Ken Russell’s View of The Planets, Blu-ray (1983/2016)
An interesting visual version of the Gustav Holst score. Ken Russell’s View of The Planets, Blu-ray (1983/2016) Director: Ken Russell Performed by: The Philadelphia Orch. cond. by Eugene Ormandy Music: Gustav Holst Studio: Monarda/ ArtHaus Musik 109169 (3/25/16) Video: 4:3 1080i HD color Audio: PCM stereo All regions Extras: introduced by Melvyn Bragg Length: 50 […]
Jack DeJohnette, piano – Return – Newvelle – vinyl
Jack DeJohnette opens his heart and soul… Jack DeJohnette – Return – Newvelle Records NV002LP – vinyl ****: (Jack DeJohnette – solo piano) As the second release in the Newvelle Records bi-monthly subscription series, the label is issuing the first solo piano recording from drummer Jack DeJohnette. This is not a vanity release, as Jack […]
MOZART – Complete String Quintets (2015) – Belvedere
Very possibly, the best there is. MOZART – Complete String Quintets (2015) Performers: Renaud Capuçon, violin/ Alina Ibragimova, violin/ Gérard Caussé, viola/ Léa Hennino, viola/ Clemens Hagen, cello Studio: Belvedere [1/8/16] (Distr. by Naxos) Length: 180 minutes Video: 1.77:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: DTS-HD 5.1, PCM Stereo Subtitles: English, German, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, […]
Audio News for May 27, 2016
Google Plans for New VR Hardware/Software – Google already has many virtual reality projects going: Google Cardboard, is now in the hands of ten million people. Google Jump is a part of a GoPro Odyssey rig with 16 HDR cameras set in a circular array allowing users to capture 360-degree sterereoscopic video. Jump Assembler is […]
PROKOFIEV: Sym. No. 5 in B-flt Major – Royal Concertgebouw Orch. / Mariss Jansons – RCO Live
Chief Conductor Mariss Jansons leads his Concertgebouw Orchestra in a spirited, sonorous reading of the Prokofiev Fifth. PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op. 100 – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/ Mariss Jansons – RCO Live multichannel SACD 16002, 43:06 [Distr. by Naxos] (4/29/16) ****: Recorded live at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam 17-21 September 2014, the Prokofiev […]
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Smash Hits – Reprise (1969) / Sony Legacy – vinyl
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Smash Hits – Reprise (1969)/ Sony Legacy (2016) 8898303081, 44:3 stereo vinyl [6/10/16] ****: Vinyl reissue shows why Hendrix was the greatest rock guitarist in history! (Jimi Hendrix – guitar, piano, vocals; Mitch Mitchell – drums, backing vocals; Noel Redding – bass, backing vocals) As new guitar heroes have emerged […]
Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith – a cosmic rhythm with each stroke – ECM
A trumpet and piano duo project about movement, space and universality. Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith – a cosmic rhythm with each stroke [TrackList follows] ECM 2486, 66:13 [3/25/16] *****: (Wadada Leo Smith – trumpet; Vijay Iyer – piano, Fender Rhodes, electronics) To appreciate the new album by keyboardist Vijay Iyer and trumpeter Wadada […]
“Wine Dark Sea” Music by DAN WELCHER: Spumante; DONALD GRANTHAM: J’ai été au bal; FRANK TICHELI: Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble; JOHN MACKEY: Wine Dark Sea (Sym. for Band) – Nathan Williams (clar.) / The University of Texas Wind Ens./Jerry Junkin – Reference Recordings
“Wine Dark Sea” Music by DAN WELCHER: Spumante; DONALD GRANTHAM: J’ai été au bal; FRANK TICHELI: Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble; JOHN MACKEY: Wine Dark Sea (Sym. for Band) – Nathan Williams (clarinet) / The University of Texas Wind Ensemble/Jerry Junkin (A world première recording) – Reference Recordings RR-137 HDCD, TT 69:41 (3/11/16) [Distr. […]
BACH: Six Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046-1051 – Wiener Soloists/ Jascha Horenstein – Pristine Audio (2)
Horenstein’s 1954 survey of the Bach Brandenburgs proves compelling and musically intelligent. BACH: Six Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046-1051 – Wiener Soloists/ Jascha Horenstein – Pristine Audio PASC 468 (2 CDs), TT: 1 hour 40 minutes [avail. in various formats from www.pristineclassical.com] ****: Horenstein spent much time and effort searching for the right combination of original […]
One for All – The Third Decade – Smoke Session
A most welcome return… One for All – The Third Decade – Smoke Session SSR 1605, 66:02 (06/03/16) ****1/2: (Eric Alexander – tenor sax; Jim Rotondi – trumpet; Steve Davis – trombone; David Hazeltine – piano; John Webber – bass; Joe Farnsworth – drums) It’s been over five years since One for All has released […]
HERBERT: Cello Concerto No. 1 in D Major; Cello Con. No. 2 in minor; Irish Rhapsody – Mark Kosower, cello/ Ulster Orch./ JoAnn Falletta – Naxos
The joys of Irish melody and German music discipline combine nicely in Victor Herbert’s music. HERBERT: Cello Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 8; Cello Concerto No. 2 in minor, Op. 30; Irish Rhapsody for Grand Orchestra – Mark Kosower, cello/ Ulster Orch./ JoAnn Falletta – Naxos 8.573517, 64:00 (4/8/16) ****: Recorded 27-29 […]
JANACEK: Glagolitic Mass – Soloists/Evard Grieg & Bergen Cath.Choir – Chandos
JANACEK: Glagolitic Mass – Sara Jakubiak (sop.)/ Susan Bickley (mezzo)/ Stuart Skelton (tenor)/ Gábor Bretz (bass)/ Thomas Trotter (organ)/ Edward Gardner cond. Bergen Philharmonic Orch./ Bergen Philharmonic Choir & Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm; Adagio for Orch. – Bergen Philharmonic Orch./ Zdravas Maria, – Sara Jakubiak (sop.)/ David Stewart (violin)/ Karstein Askeland (organ)/ Edvard Grieg Chorus […]
The Golden Measure – The Golden Measure – self
Guitarist Mike Sopko and drummer Simon Lott: expect the unexpected. The Golden Measure – The Golden Measure [TrackList follows] self-released 888295375799, 57:58 [3/25/16] ***1/2: (Mike Sopko – guitar; Simon Lott – drums & vocals) Guitarist Mike Sopko and drummer Simon Lott supply expansive minimalism (and nothing straightforward or ordinary) on their instrumental duo project, the […]
Audio News for May 24, 2016
Facebook Bought VR Audio Firm Two Big Ears and is Making Tech Free to Developers – Facebook and parent company Oculus have announced they will make the new technology free as part of the Facebook 360 Spatial Workshop. Two Big Ears said their mission is to make VR audio succeed across all devices and platforms […]
Janis, Little Girl Blue – (2016)
An excellent documentary on the life of the loud singer. Janis, Little Girl Blue – (2016) Cast: Janis Joplin, narrated by musician Cat Power, Clive Davis, Peter Albin Director: Amy J. Berg Studio: Filmrise/ MVD Visual MVDE 8304D (5/06/16) Video: Mostly for 9:16 screens, color Audio: English DD 2.0 Subtitles: English Extras: Deleted & extended […]
Bill Charlap Trio – Notes From New York – Impulse!
Bill Charlap Trio – Notes From New York – Impulse! B0024830-02, 54:02 ****: The epitome of an elegant, intelligent, mainstream pianist. (Bill Charlap – piano; Peter Washington – bass; Kenny Washington – drums) Whitney Balliett (now deceased) writing for The New Yorker on April 19,1999 said this of Bill Charlap (then 32) as he was […]
Steve Smith – Tony Monaco – Vinny Valentino – Groove:Blue – Q-rious
Steve Smith – Tony Monaco – Vinny Valentino – Groove:Blue – Q-rious Music QRM 135, 49:09 ****: A good cookin’ organ trio. (Steve Smith – drums; Tony Monaco – Hammond B-3; Vinny Valentino – guitar) Serendipity is defined as “luck that takes the form finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for”. That […]
Luca Baratto – Live at Honens = Works of SCHUMANN DEBUSSY, PROKOFIEV, LIGETI, LUTOSLOWSKI, MOZART, HINDEMITH & Others – Honens (2 CDs)
Virtuoso pianist Luca Buratto demonstrates his versatile musicianship from the 2015 Honens Festival. Luca Baratto – Live at Honens = SCHUMANN: Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17; Davidsbuendler Taenze: No 14; LIGETI: Etudes No. 15 and No. 16; DEBUSSY: L’Isle joyeuse; PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83; VIARDOT: Two Songs; OBRADORS: Two […]