Monthly Archive: August 2016
Rob Clearfield – Islands – ears&eyes
Chicago trio which puts freedom to the forefront. Rob Clearfield – Islands [TrackList follows] – ears&eyes ee16-047, 57:36 [6/3/16] ****: (Rob Clearfield – piano, electric piano, organ, guitar, co-producer; Curt Bley – acoustic and electric bass; Quin Kirchner – drums) There’s a sense of self-determination on Chicago pianist Rob Clearfield’s first trio outing, the hour-long […]
DVORAK: Sym. No. 6 in D Major; 2 Slavonic Dances – Houston Sym. Orch./ Andres Orozco-Estrada – Pentatone
A nicely recorded and persuasive performance. DVORAK: Symphony No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60; 2 Slavonic Dances, Opus 72, No. 3, Opus 46, No. 8 – Houston Sym. Orch./ Andres Orozco-Estrada – Pentatone multichannel SACD PTC 5186 575 [Distr. by Naxos] ****: There really isn’t any kind of consensus on the best recordings of […]
*********** BEETHOVEN: The Nine Symphonies – Karajan ********** DGG audio-only Blu-ray
This magnificent set finally available in the format it deserves—and we can afford. * BEETHOVEN: The Nine Symphonies (1963); Rehearsal of the Ninth Sym. – Berlin PO/ Herbert von Karajan – DGG Pure Audio Blu-ray stereo 00289 479 5977 (1 disc), 6+ hours [Distr. by Universal] *****: It’s almost impossible to give this set anything […]
Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra – Portraits and Places – Origin
Big band jazz which blends past and present. Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra – Portraits and Places [TrackList follows] – Origin 82710, 57:02 [5/9/16] ****: (Scott Reeves – conductor, Flugelhorn; Steve Wilson – soprano and alto saxophone, flute; Vito Chiavuzzo – alto saxophone, flute; Rob Middleton and Tim Armacost – tenor saxophone, clarinet; Jay Brandford – […]
Audio News for Tuesday August 16, 2016
Dolby Cinema Construction Accelerated – 100 Dolby Cinema theater venues will be completed by the end of this year by AMC Theaters and Dolby. Each venue will be capable of projecting Dolby Vision and using Dolby Atmos immersive sound. The Dolby Vision laser projection system in the theaters delivers high dynamic range (HDR), with richer […]
“Berl Senofsky in Concert” – Works of RAVEL, RACHMANINOFF, BARTOK, BACH, BRAHMS & Others – Bridge
A happily unearthed treasury from 1958 Belgium adds to the cult status of Philadelphia violinist Berl Senofsky. “Berl Senofsky in Concert” = RAVEL: Piece en forme de Habanera; BARTOK: Roumanian Dances; RACHMANINOFF: Vocalise; YSAYE: Sonata No. 6 in E Major; CRESTON: Suite for Violin and Piano, Op. 19; WIENIAWSKI: Polonaise No. 1 in D, Op. […]
“Nada in Hamburg with Johannes BRAHMS” = Nada Loutfi, p. – MEII
This all-Brahms recital by a Lebanese master reveals an artist with a real affinity for the composer’s style. “Nada in Hamburg with Johannes BRAHMS” = Variations on a Hungarian Theme, Op. 21, No. 2; Chaconne for Solo Violin (arr. left hand) from J.S. BACH: Partita No. 2; Chorales, Op. 122 No. 2: Schmuecke dich, o […]
“F. Gerard Errante, New Music for Clarinet – Another Look” – Works by USSACHEVSKY, HAILSTORK , ERRANTE & Others – Ravello
A valuable collection of some of the most avant-garde clarinet work. “F. Gerard Errante, New Music for Clarinet – Another Look” = WILLIAM O. SMITH: Solo for Clarinet with Delay System; Asana; VLADIMIR USSACHEVSKY: Four Studies for Clarinet and EVI; ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK: A Simple Caprice; DANA WILSON: Piece for Clarinet “alone”; F. GERARD ERRANTE: Souvenirs […]
“Concerto – A Beethoven Journey” DVD – Seventh Art & Piano Con. Nos. 1 & 2 – Minaar, p. – Challenge
“Concerto – A Beethoven Journey” (2016) Music by: Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Soloist: Leif Ove Andsnes Directed by: Phil Grabsky Genre: Documentary Studio: Seventh Art (1 DVD) [7/29/16] Video: 16:9 1080i HD color Audio: PCM Stereo Menus in English, Norwegian Subtitles: English, Norwegian No Region Code Length: 92 min. Rating: **** B01AGQZF66 LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: […]
SCHUBERT: Impromptu in A-flat Major; Sonata in c minor – Luisa Guembes-Buchanan, p. – Del Aguila
A much-respected pedagogue performs Schubert in a manner thoroughly sympathetic to the Viennese style. SCHUBERT: Impromptu in A-flat Major, D. 899, No. 4; Sonata in c minor, D. 958 – Luisa Guembes-Buchanan, p. – Del Aguila DA 55312, 40:00 [L4muse@comcast.net] ****: Pianist Luisa Guembes-Buchanan enjoys a reputation as an able pedagogue and Professor of Piano […]
RACHMANINOFF: Symphony No. 2 in E minor – Concertgebouw Orch./ Mariss Jansons – RCO Live
RACHMANINOFF: Symphony No. 2 in E minor – Concertgebouw Orch./ Mariss Jansons – RCO Live RCO 16004 multichannel 5.0 SACD, 55:49 (6/24/16) [Distr. by Naxos] ****: A fine offering of this popular symphony. Rachmaninoff composed his Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 in 1906-1907. Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony premiered in St. Petersburg on February […]
Audio News for August 12, 2016
BBC Radio 3 Has Highest Audience in Five Years – The number of people now listening to Radio 3 in the UK has reached 2.2 million. Programs such as Breakfast and Essential Classics, Listening Service and Jazz Now have scored record highs. The station’s recent introduction of birdsong-inspired programming is credited with helping to attract […]
Jane Monheit (vocals) – The Songbook Sessions – Ella Fitzgerald – Emerald City
Jane Monheit (vocals) – The Songbook Sessions – Ella Fitzgerald [TrackList follows] – Emerald City ECR 001, 58:42 ****: A sincere tribute filled with vocal dexterity and ingenuity. (Jane Monheit – vocals; Nicholas Payton – trumpet/organ tracks 11/12; Michael Kanan – electric piano; Neal Miner – bass; Rick Montalbano – drums; Daniel Sadownick – […]
SIBELIUS: Symphonies Nos. 3, 6, 7 – Minnesota Orch./ Osmo Vänskä – BIS
SIBELIUS: Symphonies Nos. 3, 6, 7 – Minnesota Orch./ Osmo Vänskä – BIS multichannel (5.0) SACD-2006, 82:00 (9/9/16) (Distr. by Naxos) ****: Three fine Sibelius Symphonies beautifully rendered by the Minnesota Orchestra in a lovely recording. The Swedish label BIS Records gives us the final recording of the Minnesota Orchestra’s celebrated Sibelius symphonies series. Conducted […]
Van Morrison – It’s Too Late to Stop Now – Sony /Exile/Legacy (2 vinyls)
Whetting the appetite for more Van… Van Morrison – It’s Too Late to Stop Now – Sony /Exile/Legacy 88985323261 – two vinyl LPs (1973/2016) ***1/2: (Van Morrison – vocals; Jeff Labes – piano and organ; John Platania – guitar; David Hayes – bass; Dahaud Shaar – drums; Jack Schroer – saxophones; Bill Atwood – trumpet; […]
SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Evelinde Trenker and Sontraud Speidel, pianos – MD&G Gold
SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Evelinde Trenker and Sontraud Speidel, pianos – MD&G Gold Records MD&G 930 1960-6 multi-channel SACD with additional 2+2+2 80:00 (8/5/16) [Distr. by eOne] ****: A unique transcription of the Smetana classic arranged for two pianos. Smetana’s Ma Vlast is a standard part of the concert repertoire. It was the composer’s manifesto […]
Noah Preminger, sax – Some Other Time – Newvelle vinyl
Saxist Noah Preminger explores the blues on winning Newvelle Records LP issue… Noah Preminger – Some Other Time – Newvelle NV003LP – 180gm audiophile vinyl ****: (Noah Preminger – tenor sax; Ben Monder – guitar; John Patitucci – bass; Billy Hart – drums) Newvelle Record’s latest release in their LP subscription series continues their winning […]
Rhys Chatham – Pythagorean Dream – Foom
Music meant to be experienced fully alert and awake. Rhys Chatham – Pythagorean Dream [TrackList follows] – Foom FM007CD, 51:46 [6/3/16] ****: (Rhys Chatham – trumpet, electric guitar, bass flute, alto flute, C flute, producer, engineer, mastering) Composer Rhys Chatham has made a name for himself by conceiving large-ensemble music with armies of guitarists (100 […]
“BUTTERWORTH: Orchestral Works – The Banks of Green Willow” – Kris Russman – BIS
“BUTTERWORTH: Orchestral Works – The Banks of Green Willow” A Shropshire Lad – six songs orchestrated by Kriss Russman · World première recording of the orchestrated version – James Rutherford (bari.); Two English Idylls; Suite for String Quartette arranged for string orchestra by Kriss Russman; world premiere recording of the orchestrated version; Love Blows As […]
Ronnie Cuber – Cuber Libre / Sam Jones – Changes and Things – both Elemental/Xanadu
Two more Xanadu reissues of note. Ronnie Cuber – Cuber Libre – Elemental/Xanadu 90607, 52:48 (1976) ****: (Ronnie Cuber – baritone sax) Sam Jones – Changes and Things – Elemental/Xanadu 906088, 41:58 (1977) ****:) (Sam Jones – bass; Blue Mitchell – trumpet; Slide Hampton – trombone; Bob Berg – tenor sax; Barry Harris – piano; […]
Dolo Coker – California Hard / Sonny Criss – Saturday Morning – both Elemental/Xanadu
Elemental Music keeps the Xanadu flame lit- Part I… Dolo Coker – California Hard – Elemental/Xanadu 906081 – 1976, 51:13 ****1/2: (Dolo Coker – piano; Blue Mitchell – trumpet/Flugelhorn; Art Pepper – alto and tenor sax; Leroy Vinnegar – bass; Frank Butler – drums) Sonny Criss – Saturday Morning – Elemental/Xanadu 906086 (1975), 39:38 ***1/2: […]
Audio News for August 9, 2016
DEG Second Quartet Home Entertainment Report – Here are details from the second quarter 2016 Home Entertainment Report compiled by the Digital Entertainment Group for their members: Consumer spending on home entertainment products were up 6% from the year earlier. More than eight million UHD TVs have now been sold. Overall physical sales of Blu-ray […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
