Monthly Archive: August 2017
BACH: Solo Works for Marimba – Kuniko Kato-Linn
J. S. BACH: Solo Works for Marimba – Kuniko Kato-Linn CKD 585 : 79:04, 78:21 (6/23/17) *****: A deeply felt and perfectly realized expression of Bach solo works on marimba. On the phylogenetic tree of musical instruments, in terms of sound production, the ancient marimba would be a low branch. Its massive limb juts out with no further developments, fundamental, but non-dynamic in its organizing principles. Its evolutionary equivalent in biology might be the turtle, changeless and serene in its formal perfection. While the dinosaurs demonstrated a baroque inventiveness in the areas of feather and beak with spectacular results, the turtle didn’t wish to press its luck, preferring to stay inside its shell, the very symbol of conservatism. So it has been with the marimba: it remains a piece of wood perched on a sounding device, hit with a stick. (The evolutionary relationship of the marimba to the vibraphone is a matter of debate.) A hypothetical scenario of its origins comes readily to mind. By chance, a man hits a hollow log with a stick and then the larger log alongside with the stick in his other hand. Insight dawns as he arrives at the essential relation of sound […]
JOHN CAGE: “The Works for Percussion 4 – Music for Speaking Percussionist”, Blu-ray
JOHN CAGE: “The Works for Percussion 4 – Music for Speaking Percussionist”, Blu-ray (2017) Performer: Bonnie Whiting, percussion Produced by: Allen Otte Label: Mode Records 296. Bluray. [5/12/17] Run Time: 152 minutes Video: 1.77:1 Color. Audio: Dolby, NTSC, Stereo Subtitles: None Extras: Interview with Whiting and Otte, 73 minutes. Rating: *** For the true ‘Cageophile’ only it seems. There have been quite an array of releases on CD as well as video of the music and philosophies of the still controversial American composer and philosopher John Cage lately. I really think that the best and most absorbing of these are not those that feature performances only of his music and art. I think that if one wants to understand or become familiar with the music of John Cage, the way to go is to seek out one of the many documentaries about Cage that feature excerpts of his music. For example, there is a film of just that sort from 2012 on the Accentus label entitled “John Cage: A Journey in Sound” produced and written by Allen Miller that is quite good. The reason I say this is the same as what I and others believe about the ‘essential’ John […]
American Sonatas for Violin and Piano = IVES: Sonata No. 2; BOLCOM: Sonata No. 2; CORIGLIANO: Sonata – Ching-Yi Lin, violin /Zachary Lopes, piano – MSR Classics
American Sonatas for Violin and Piano = IVES: Sonata No. 2; BOLCOM: Sonata No. 2; CORIGLIANO: Sonata – Ching-Yi Lin, violin /Zachary Lopes, piano – MSR Classics MS 1553, 54:07, ****: Three diverse American violin sonatas that will please conservative modernists. In his 1958 “Young People’s Concerts” entitled, “What is American Music?” Leonard Bernstein answered the question by naming the diversity of the American musical personality as the primary element that defines our music. Each of the three composers represented in this cross section of 20th century American violin and piano sonatas represent that diversity—albeit conservative—that makes American music distinct. Charles Ives (1874-1954) became an independent Yankee individualist who composed music that was a combination of radical musical techniques (use of cross rhythms and polytonality and many layered textures) and the well-known music and sounds that he heard growing up in New England. His music could vacillate between the sublime and ridiculous. It could lead to spiritual redemption or a good laugh. Often it sounds familiar and new at the same time. Ives’ music is clearly American. After all, what’s more American than a cantankerous individualist who experiments with music, but becomes a millionaire selling insurance? Ives never had to […]
Nicholas Susi: Scarlatti Now
Scarlatti Now — Nicholas Susi, piano—self produced. 66:00—8/4/17. Born the same year as Handel and J.S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti was no doubt influenced by his father, a successful composer. And while his father’s legacy would be vocal music, Alessandro’s son would be forever known for his keyboard exercises and sonatas. There have been very few performers who are up to the challenge of trying to record all of the over five hundred sonatas. Far more common is to find a “recital” of Scarlatti sonatas, some utilizing the harpsichord, the instrument with which Scarlatti used. But pianists, too, are fond of finding the potential for dynamic inflection within Scarlatti’s works. In this premier disc from pianist Nicholas Susi, he’s put together a recital of Scarlatti sonatas (K. 159, 379, 318, 319, 466, 141, 214, 96) alongside more modern pieces. The juxtaposition between styles, for me, helps me reconsider musical ideas that Scarlatti collected to form his themes and rhythmic motives. The question is, “How much did Scarlatti influence future composers?” As one of the strongest examples presented by Susi is the pairing of Scarlatti’s Sonata in F minor K. 466 with Luciano Berio’s Luftklavier. The theme in Scarlatti’s sonata is so […]
Streams and Podcasts for 4 August 2017
This week, The Music Treasury’s featured guest is Mark Ainley. Together with Dr Gary Lemco, they will be exploring the work of the stellar pianist from the 1900s, Jascha Spivakovsky. Spivakovsky was born just before the turn of the century, and built a extraordinary reputation at a very early age. The release in 2015 of recordings by Spivakovsky has brought this historic figure into contemporary light. The show will feature music of Chopin, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, and others. The show can be heard on Sunday, 6 August 2017, between 19:00 and 21:00, PDT. Dr. Lemco is the show’s host, it is presented as a radio show with streaming broadcast: kzsulive.stanford.edu On both Saturday and Sunday, Edmund Stone will feature his observations on some parts of the vast repertoire of film scores. It too is broadcast as a streamed radio show, from its host station in Portland: AllClassical.org. The show can be heard between 14:00 and 15:00 PDT. This Saturday, Edmund Stone will showcase composer James Horner (Titanic, Avatar, Braveheart, A Beautiful mind…), unfortunately recently deceased; on Sunday, the focus will be on apocalyptic Hollywood, with a show entitled “End of the World As We Know It”, with music […]
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 and No. 6 – Vienna Symphony Orchestra/ Jascha Horenstein – Pristine
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Op. 67; Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastoral” – Vienna Symphony Orchestra/ Jascha Horenstein – Pristine Audio PASC 508, 73:46 [www.pristineclassical.com] ****: Producer Andrew Rose totally refurbishes two classic Beethoven readings from conductor Horenstein, revelations of their kind. Restoration engineer and producer Andrew Rose continues his splendid campaign to reinvigorate the legacy of Jascha Horenstein (1898-1973), here with last of the monaural recordings Horenstein made for the Vox label, 1956 and 1958. Those who recall the original LP pressings wince in pained recollection of scratchy surfaces and acerbic acoustics that despoiled anything like the kind of mellow color and rhythmic control that Horenstein could exert over a Beethoven performance. The Fifth Symphony (15-16 February 1956) truly enjoys a sonic renaissance, given the classical elasticity of the reading, which in many respects, achieves what Erich Kleiber likewise attained for this mighty work in Amsterdam. The reading proffers a model of energized poise, thoroughly balanced yet specific in its accents and instrumental emphasis. The entire symphony seems to have been chiseled from one fine meteor, a fluid procession that has fixed its goal to meet “fate’s knocking at the door” with a sense of assured spiritual victory. The Vienna Symphony woodwinds appear especially […]
Eivind Opsvik – Overseas V – Loyal Label
Eivind Opsvik – Overseas V [TrackList follows] – Loyal Label LLCD202, 38:49 [3/17/17] ****: Bassist/composer Eivind Opsvik once again reveals his comprehensive jazz outlook. (Eivind Opsvik – mixer, producer, double bass, analog bass synthesizer, Oberheim drum machine, hand claps; Brandon Seabrook – electric guitar; Tony Malaby – tenor saxophone; Kenny Wollesen – drums, percussion, Rhythm Ace drum machine, hand claps; Jacob Sacks – piano, RMI Rock-Si-Chord organ) Conventionality isn’t something found on bassist/composer Eivind Opsvik’s releases. The Norwegian-born Opsvik has been a part of the NYC downtown improv/jazz crowd for more than two decades, and his continuing Overseas album series has been an evolving, developing and imaginative documentation of Opsvik’s unusual style, which merges modern jazz with other influences. On prior outings, Opsvik melded Northern European folk into his compositions, along with other music ingredients. On the 38-minute, nine-track Overseas V (on Opsvik’s Loyal label) Opsvik doesn’t abandon his previous leanings, but also brings in elements of NY ‘80s music, such as a Talking Heads-esque new wave/funk strain, or Afro-beat inclinations, or danceable tidbits from the electronica or remix oeuvre. In short, Opsvik once again remains true to his muse by creating and crafting music very much his and his […]
NORTHERN TIMBRE : Works for violin & piano – Edvard GRIEG : Sonata No. 3; Jean SIBELIUS: Danses Champêtres; Carl NIELSEN: Sonata No. 1 – Ragnhild Hemsing, violin / Tor Espen Aspaas, piano – Pure Audio Blu-ray/SACD
NORTHERN TIMBRE : Works for violin & piano – Edvard GRIEG: Sonata No 3 in C-minor, Op.45; Jean SIBELIUS : Danses Champêtres; Carl NIELSEN : Sonata No 1 in A major, Op.9 – Ragnhild Hemsing, violin / Tor Espen Aspaas, piano – Pure Audio Blu-ray – 5.1 surround + stereo + mShuttle / 9.1 Auro-3D + 9.1 Dolby Atmos / SACD multichannel and stereo; 2L-138SABD – TT: 58:44 ea. (2 discs) [Distr. by Naxos] *****: Recorded at Sofienberg Church, Norway during May 2016, this new release from 2L showcases Scandinavian music for violin and piano. Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) wrote three violin sonatas, the last of which was completed at Troldhaugen in 1887. It got its first performance in Leipzig, played by the violinist Adolph Brodsky with the composer at the piano. The work builds, as does so much of Grieg’s writing, on Norwegian dance rhythms and folk tunes, all brought out with natural grace and exciting drama by Ragnhild Hemsing and Tor Espen Aspaas. The contrasts in moods of the three movements, and within those movements, are presented with subtlety, the overall architecture of the whole work always in the musicians’ sights. Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) completed the five Danses Champêtres, […]
Spike Wilner Trio – Odalisque – CellarLive
Spike Wilner Trio – Odalisque – CellarLive CL120416 61:26**** Expressive interplay, while impromptu, is not without direction (Spike Wilner – piano; Tyler Mitchell – acoustic bass; Anthony Pinciotti – drums) Synchronicity means “meaningful coincidences” and as such, could well apply to the lives of musicians/entrepreneurs Spike Wilner and Cory Weeds. Both are jazz musicians, record label owners, club owners both present and past, and have a high regard for each other in all these capacities. Although they live thousands of miles apart, they are willing to create opportunities that bring them together. In this case it is the recording of Odalisque in Vancouver BC for Weeds’ label CellarLive, during a tour of the area by Wilner’s trio that was sponsored by Weeds. The music is exemplarly, along with being well-recorded at a private home in Vancouver BC in front of small and appreciative audience. The selection of compositions that was recorded was balanced between well-recognized American standards and several from the pen of pianist Wilner. The session opens with a Wilner original entitled “The Upasaka” which comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “lay devotee”. This is a delightfully inventive piece with an intricate introduction between Wilner and bassist Tyler Mitchell. […]
The Zookeeper’s Wife, Blu-ray (2017)
A fine recreation of a time under the Nazi boot in Warsaw, from the point of view of The Zookeeper’s Wife. The Zookeeper’s Wife, Blu-ray (2017) Studio: Focus/Universal 2072395, Blu-ray Cast: Johan Heldenbergh, Michael McElhatton, Daniel Bruhl Director: Niki Caro Writer: Angela Workman Studio: Focus/Universal Studios Home Ent., 2 discs [7/4/17] Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens Audio: English DD 5.l, English DTS-HD MA 51, Spanish DD 5.1 & DTS 5.1 Subtitles: English SHI, French, Spanish Extras: Digital copy; Deleted Scenes; The Making of The Zookee-per’s Wife; The Zabinski family Length: 127 min. Rating: **** In 1939 Warsaw, Antonina and her husband sucessfully run the Warsaw zoo and have an idyllic existence, before the city is invaded by Nazis, where many of the animals are casualties in an air raid. The couple is forced to report to the Reich’s zoologist, where they take great risks in harboring families in the zoo’s hidden tunnels escaping from the Nazi brutality. —John Sunier
Domo: Tippet Rise OPUS 2016 = Various works by SCRIABIN; ABRIL; RACHMANINOV; STRAVINSKY; CHOPIN – Pentatone
Domo: Tippet Rise OPUS 2016 = Various works by SCRIABIN; ABRIL; RACHMANINOV; STRAVINSKY; CHOPIN [Tracklist and Performing Artists follow] – Pentatone Oxingale Series Multi-channel SACD PTC 5186 660, 65:45 (8/4/17) ****: The 2016 music festival in Fishtail, Montana celebrates various ecstasies of music and Nature in pantheistic colors. The inaugural concert (24 June-20 August 2016) of the Tippet Rise Art Center in Fishtail, Montana brought together a number of musicians to celebrate Scriabin’s centennial, given the magnificent backdrop of the Beartooth Mountains and the megalith Domo, a huge table in the shape of a Neolithic dolmen. The intended effect means to combine architecture, natural beauty, and music into an ecstatic experience that defied Scriabin’s prediction that such a venue of extended music, dance, and drinking would invoke the Apocalypse. The musical site embraces 10, 260 acres for outdoor and indoor performances again, 7 July-September 16, 2017. Yevgeny Sudbin opens the proceedings with Alexander Scriabin’s Fifth Sonata (1907), whose strong ties to the Symphony No. 4 (“The Poem of Ecstasy”) have been well documented. After a towering chordal introduction—“I call you to life, mysterious forces!”—the music goes into convulsions, alternately languid and accelerated. Sudbin’s sonorous range and pedal effects prove equal […]
Jonathan David LITTLE: Sacred and Secular Choral & Polychoral Works – Vox Futura / Thomas Tallis Society Choir /The Stanbery Singers – Navona Records
“Woefully Arrayed” = Jonathan David LITTLE, Sacred and Secular Choral & Polychoral Works – Vox Futura/Andrew Shenton/Thomas Tallis Society Choir/Philip Simon/The Stanbery Singers/Paul John Stanbery – Navona Records NV6113 [Distr. By Naxos] (7/14/2017) 73:54 ****: Very beautiful and restful—sit back and relax. I have always enjoyed good, quiet choral music of nearly any sort. I admit I am partial to those big works—bombastic or placid—that employ a full choir with orchestra, but sometimes a capella writing and that “church” sound is just what I need. This album is a delight on all fronts. While I had never heard of Australian composer Jonathan David Little before, I was definitely impressed with his work on these pieces. Little has received many awards and recognitions for his music, including the Professional Development Award from the Musician’s Benevolent Fund in the UK. He studied at the University of Melbourne and taught at the Academy of Contemporary Music in London for a while as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. Probably the most unusual aspect of Little’s choral work; certainly of the pieces on this album, is his use of creative and sonically innovative voice placement. The recording and aural display of […]
Editorial for August 2017
Editorial for August 2017 This box offers a magisterial demonstration of the diversity of Telemann’s output: operatic, first of all, with an exceptional approach to the famous myth of Orpheus; sacred with Brockes’s account of the Passion of Christ, which inspired the composer to write a dense and powerful score; and finally orchestral with his concertante works with recorder (bravo Maestro Steger!) and a selection of overtures ‘à la française’ that constantly remind us of the influence of Italian and French music on his idiom. But beyond questions of genre, it is above all the incredible richness of his style that the expert Berlin musicians of the Akademie für Alte Musik have revealed to us over the past few years! For TrackList and more information from Harmonia mundi: The Telemann Companion EDITORIAL AUDIOPHILE AUDITION began as a local program in San Francisco and then in 1985 as a weekly national radio series hosted by John Sunier, and aired for 13½ years on up to 200 public radio and commercial stations. In September 1998 its web site for program listings was expanded to this free Internet publication. April 2017 is our 217th issue! All disc […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
