Yearly Archive: 2018
The Gil Evans Orchestra – “Hidden Treasures Monday Nights, Volume One” – Bopper Spock Suns Music
A release that is filled with strong musical impressions
Wilhelm Furtwängler: SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto; TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique” – Berlin Philharmonic – Pristine Audio
SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129; TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 “Pathetique” – Tibor de Machula, cello/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/ Wilhelm Furtwaengler – Pristine Audio PASC 545, 71:33 [www.pristineclassical.com] ****: Andrew Rose and Pristine resuscitate two appearances by Wilhelm Furtwaengler with “his wife,” the Berlin Philharmonic, the first from […]
SLUGish Ensemble – An Eight Out of Nine – Slow & Steady
A masterful collection of unexpected modern rock covers.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas 109, 110, 111 – Alexandre Tharaud – Erato
Refined and introspective reading of the last three Beethoven Piano Sonatas with both a studio version and a DVD live version filmed in a ruined house.
Sergio Fiorentino Live in Taiwan = Piano works of Beethoven, Bach, Scriabin and others – Rhine Classics
This restored recital from Taiwan’s Novel Hall captures the Fiorentino at the peak of his form in splendid sound
Myra Melford’s Snowy Egret – The Other Side of Air – Firehouse 12
Neo-jazz of the highest order.
Eriks Esenvalds: THE DOORS OF HEAVEN – Portland State Chamber Choir – Naxos
Choral music that celebrates religious faith and the beauty of nature
1000 Anthems To Work On A Good End – El Negocito
An enigmatic but compelling use of oddly chosen anthems performed in the spirit of Dutch Free Jazz.
David Finckel, Wu Han: Cello/Piano works by BACH; DEBUSSY; MENDELSSOHN; BRITTEN – Artistled
The Finckel/Han duo celebrates the influence of Mstislav Rostropovich in a series of works that bridge the centuries.
Liquid Melancholy—Clarinet Music of James M. STEPHENSON – John Bruce Yeh, clarinet – Cedille
John Bruce Yeh on clarinet gives wonderful voice to music by Stephenson!
Charlie Rouse/Paul Quinichette – The Chase Is On – Pure Pleasure Records
This album reveals an uncluttered attitude to modern jazz creativity
John McCutcheon – To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger – Appalsongs
Honoring a righteous man…
Stan Levey – Grand Stan – Stan Levey’s Sextet – Pure Pleasure Records
A delicious re-issue on vinyl with crisp and untempered sound
Ivo Perelman – Strings 1 and Strings 2 – Leo Records
Tenor sax and strings equals spontaneous music.
The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet 50th Anniversary Edition – ABKCO Records
Re-mastered SACD of a seminal Rolling Stones album sounds great!
Vilde Frang plays BARTOK: Violin Concerto; ENESCU: Octet for Strings – Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France – Warner Classics
The impassioned music of two contemporaries has stunning realization by Vilde Frang and her select group of musical collaborators.
SAINT-SAENS: La foi; Organ Symphony – Paul Jacobs, organ/ Utah Symphony Orchestra/ Thierry Fischer – Hyperion
Warm and exotic, the music of Saint-Saens has an illuminated presence from Utah, including a “new” score.
The Return Of Howard McGhee – Pure Pleasure Records
Howard McGhee is a link in the trumpet chain from Dizzy Gillespie to Fats Navarro to Clifford Brown
The Compassion Project – Edna Michell, Yehudi Menuhin – Innova
An incredible collection of music and musicians centered on the theme of compassion.
“100 Years of Nine Lessons and Carols” – Choir of King’s College – King’s College Recordings
An excellent celebratory album.
RACHMANINOV plays RACHMANINOV = The Four Piano Concertos & Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini – Philadelphia Orchestra – Pristine
The four Rachmaninov concertos and Rhapsody could hardly be more “authentic” than those presented by the composer in lustrous remastering.
Fred Hersch Trio ‘97 @ The Village Vanguard – Palmetto Records
A good beginning makes a good end!
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
