Monthly Archive: October 2017
Dayna Stephens – Gratitude – Contagious Music
Dayna Stephens – Gratitude – Contagious Music CGM002, 51:28 ****: Tenor saxophonist has a unique approach to jazz! (Dayna Stephens – tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone,EWL synthesizer, bass; Julian Lage – guitar; Brad Mehldau – piano, tack piano; Larry Grenadier – bass; Eric Harland – drums, cymbals) Born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bay Area, […]
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 3 & No. 5 – Norman Krieger, piano/ Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/ JoAnn Falletta – Decca
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 3 in c minor, Op. 37; Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor” – Norman Krieger, piano/ Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/ JoAnn Falletta – Decca DD41154/ 481 5583, 76:00 (7/1/17) [Distr. by Universal] ****: Norman Krieger and conductor Falletta address two concerto staples by Beethoven. American pianist Norman Krieger […]
BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor – Park Avenue Chamber Symphony / David Bernard ‒ Recursive
BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125, “Choral” Ruth Sampson, Soprano / Edith Dowd, Alto / Cameron Schutza, Tenor / Brian Kontes, Bass / New Amsterdam Singers / West Point Glee Club / Young New Yorkers’ Chorus / Park Avenue Chamber Symphony / David Bernard ‒ Recursive Classics RC2058306; 65:38 (7/8/2017) Performance: […]
John BLOW: “Begin the Song!”, “An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell”, “The Nymph of the wells”; Chaconne; Sonata – Simon Boden, Thomas Walker, tenors/ Arcangelo/ Jonathan Cohen – Hyperion
John BLOW: “Begin the Song!”, Chaconne a 4 in G major, “An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell”, “Ground in G minor”, “The Nymph of the wells”, Sonata in A major, “Dread Sir, the Prince of Light” – Simon Boden, tenor/ Thomas Walker, tenor/ Arcangelo/ Jonathan Cohen – Hyperion CDA 68149, 76:36 (9-29-2017) […]
Kathleen Ferrier Remembered = Songs by SCHUBERT, BRAHMS, WOLF, MAHLER, STANFORD, RUBBRA, JACOBSON, PARRY – Kathleen Ferrier, contralto – SOMM Recordings
Kathleen Ferrier Remembered = Schubert: 9 Lieder; BRAHMS: 9 Lieder; WOLF: “Auf einer Wanderung”; MAHLER: “Urlicht” from Des Knaben Wunderhorn; STANFORD: “La Belle Dame sans Merci”; RUBBRA: Three Psalms, Op. 61; JACOBSON: “Song of Songs”; PARRY: “Love is a bable,” Op. 152, No. 3 – Kathleen Ferrier, contralto/ Frederick Stone, Gerald Moore, and Bruno Walter, […]
“The Unbroken Line” = DEBUSSY: Images; Preludes; RAMEAU: Castor et Pollux; Nouvelles Suites – Jeffrey LaDeur, piano – MSR Classics
“The Unbroken Line” = DEBUSSY: Images I; Preludes II; RAMEAU: Selection from Castor et Pollux; Selection from Nouvelles Suites – Jeffrey LaDeur, piano – MSR Classics MS 1654, 69:39 [Distr. by Albany] ****: An interesting concept that rings quite true. Jeffrey LaDeur is a widely performing artist who is also the founder of the noted […]
“A Tribute to Janet” = Oboe Quartets by Mozart, Britten, Knussen, Francaix – Britten Oboe Quartet – Harmonia Mundi
A Tribute to Janet = Oboe Quartets by Mozart, Birtten, Knussen, Françaix— Britten Oboe Quartet (Nicholas Daniel, Jacqueline Shave, Clare Finnimore, Caroline Dearnley) — Harmonia Mundi HMM 907672, 61:09 ****: This recording combines various “oboe quartets” by a diverse group of composers, beginning with W.A. Mozart, then moving in time to Jean Françaix, Benjamin Britten (for […]
“Remix” = BACH: Chaconne, Selected Works for Solo Violin, arranged for Piano – Tanya Gabrielian, piano – MSR Classics
“Remix” = BACH: Chaconne from Violin Partita No. 2 in d, BWV 1004 (arr. Alexander Siloti); Violin Sonata No.3 in C, BWV 1005 (four movements in sequence, arr. Bach, Saint-Saens, Saint-Saens, Arturo Cardelus); Andante from Violin Sonata No. 2 in a, BWV 1003 (arr. Alexander Siloti); Cello Suite No. 2 in d, BWV 1008 (arr. […]
DEBUSSY: Masques; … D’un cahier d’esquisses; L’isle joyeuse; Images ; Estampes; Children’s Corner – Steven Osborne, piano – Hyperion
DEBUSSY: Masques; … D’un cahier d’esquisses; L’isle joyeuse; Images I; Images II; Estampes; Children’s Corner – Steven Osborne, piano – Hyperion CDA68161, 73:21 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] *****: A long time coming, but well worth the wait. It’s been since 2006 that Steven Osborne released his Debussy Preludes, one of the better sets to come […]
STRAVINSKY: Piano Four Hands — Petrushka; The Rite of Spring – Lomazov-Rackers Piano Duo – MSR Classics
STRAVINSKY: Three Movements from Petrushka (piano four-hands version); The Rite of Spring (piano four-hands version) – Lomazov-Rackers Piano Duo – MSR Classics MS 1628, 47:46 [Distr. by Albany] ****: Stravinsky created multiple piano versions of his great ballets, not necessarily for performance, but for rehearsal. There is even a record of he and Debussy playing […]
LISZT: Hungaria; Orpheus; Prometheus; Hamlet; Hunnenschlacht – Thomas Beeecham/Stanislav Macura/ Ernest Ansermet/Mark Erklär – Praga Digitals
LISZT: Hungaria; Orpheus; Prometheus; Hamlet; Hunnenschlacht – USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra/ Mark Ermler/ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/ Thomas Beecham/ Prague Radio Symphony/ Stanislav Macura/ Orchestra de la Suisse Romande/ Ernest Ansermet – Praga Digitals SACD PRD 250 384, 75:21 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi/PIAS] ****: The sequel to Volume One proves equally as stirring. For […]
NICHOLAS DEYOE : ”for Duane” – wasteLAnd Ensemble – Populist Records
NICHOLAS DEYOE : ”for Duane” = Finally, the cylindrical voids tapping along; 1560; Lied/Lied; Immer wieder; Lullaby 6 “for Duane” – wasteLAnd Ensemble – Populist Records PRO13, 62:27 (10/20/2017) ***: Experimental, yes—in a way—but very intriguing! Populist Records is a small Los Angeles based label specializing in new and experimental music from within the LA […]
Gregory Lewis – Organ Monk, The Breathe Suite
Gregory Lewis – Organ Monk, The Breathe Suite – Self-released, 49:32 [5/5/17] ****: One man’s response to violence. Listeners who want to hear cutting-edge Hammond B3 organ jazz, need to be aware of Gregory Lewis, AKA Organ Monk. Lewis’ moniker is well-chosen. He has been known to delve into Thelonious Monk’s music. More importantly the […]
Streams and Podcasts for 27 October 2017
This week, The Music Treasury presents recordings by the pianist John Browning, a highly regarded and decorated musician in the mid-1900s. Featured works will include two etudes by Rachmaninoff, Beethoven’s “Tempest” piano sonata, Barber’s concerto, along with works by Chopin, Mozart, Haydn, and Bach. The show is hosted by Dr. Gary Lemco, and can be […]
SZYMANOWSKI: Violin Concertos; KARLOWICZ: Violin Concerto – Tasmin Little, violin/ BBC Symphony Orchestra/ Edward Gardner – Chandos
SZYMANOWSKI: Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35; Violin Concerto No. 2 in a minor, Op. 61; KARLOWICZ: Violin Concerto, Op. 8 – Tasmin Little, violin/ BBC Symphony Orchestra/ Edward Gardner – Chandos CHSA 5185, 73:18 (9/1/17) ****: Tasmin Little embraces the early 20th Century Polish violin concerto tradition with an easy and articulate grace. Just […]
Concert Review—Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Ségal, Kora/Cello
It was a rich musical synergy this week at the Old Church—the concert blending the sounds of the distinctive Kora harp, with antiquity roots in Africa, with more contemporary guitar and cello, with definite jazz lilt. Two ensembles presented that evening—the Portland Kora Project trio, followed by the duo of Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Ségal. […]
David Benoit – The Steinway Sessions – Steinway & Sons
David Benoit – The Steinway Sessions – Steinway & Sons 30066, 69:17 ****1/2: Jazz pianist excels in his solo debut…after 35 years of recording! (David Benoit – piano) It is always interesting hear jazz pianists in a solo format. The absence of a rhythm section shines a more revelatory light on the overall technique from […]
Christian Sands – Reach – Mack Avenue
Christian Sands – Reach – Mack Avenue MAC1117, 65:36 ****: Masterful jazz from an emerging jazz giant! (Christian Sands – piano; Marcus Baylor – drums; Gilad Hekselman – guitar; Christian McBride – double bass; Yasushi Nakamura – double bass; Christian Rivera – percussion; Marcus Strickland – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet) Christian Sands has become a […]
Sean HICKEY: A Pacifying Weapon/Concerto For Recorder, Winds, Brass, Percussion And Harp – Michala Petri (recorder) – Our Recordings/Nordsco Records
Sean Hickey – A Pacifying Weapon/Concerto For Recorder, Winds, Brass, Percussion And Harp – Our Recordings/Nordsco Records OUR-LP001 audiophile vinyl, 41:50 ****: Modern classical music with a global perspective! (Sean Hickey – composer; Michala Petri – recorder; Jean Thorel – conductor Royal Danish Academy Of Music Concert Band; Clemens Schuldt – conductor Lapland Chamber Orchestra) […]
Voices of Defiance = String Quartets by ULLMANN, SHOSTAKOVICH, LAKS – Dover Quartet – Cedille
Voices of Defiance = ULLMANN: String Quartet No. 3, OP. 46; SHOSTAKOVICH: String Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 68; LAKS: String Quartet No. 3 – Dover Quartet – Cedille CDR 90000 173, 73:06 (10/13/17) [Distr. by Naxos] *****: The Dover Quartet embraces three visions of the Holocaust, music that testifies to Humanity’s stoic […]
PDX JAZZ In Portland, Oregon Concert October 19th, 2017 with the Marquis Hill Quintet
We are not living in the balmiest of times when it comes to the local arts scene. For years, Portland, Oregon had boasted several fine Jazz venues, and it was just a matter of choosing between them on a Friday night. But then, one after another closed up. The last one, the legendary Jimmy Mak’s, […]
Adrian Cunningham – Jazz Speak – Arbors Records
Adrian Cunningham – Jazz Speak – Arbors Records ARCD 19457 61:14**** An album that has a welcoming combination of measured and harmonic expression ( Adrian Cunningham – tenor sax, clarinet, flute; Ted Rosenthal – piano; John Clayton – bass; Jeff Hamilton – drums) Multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cunningham’s latest release Jazz Speak takes a look at the […]