Audiophile Audition Archive
Audio News for June 24, 2011
Free Mahler Downloads; Plasma TVs Selling Better; World’s Largest Music Festival; Audio-Technica Study of UK’s Music Tastes
* DEBUSSY: La mer; Jeux; Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun – London Symphony Orchestra/ Valery Gergiev – LSO Live
****** MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH *****
Arthur Rubinstein: 1946-1958 Recordings = CHOPIN: Sonata No. 2; Preludes; 3 Nouvelles Etudes; Berceuse; Barcarolle – Naxos Historical
Volume 4 of Arthur Rubinstein’s restorations on Naxos gives us his only full cycle of Preludes and a potent Barcarolle, 1946-1958.
“A Different World: Music of JAMES MACMILLAN” – Estile Records
An attractive introduction to the more intimate side of James MacMillan’s art.
“Kuniko Plays Reich” = STEVE REICH: Electric Counterpoint; Six Marimbas Counterpoint; Vermont Counterpoint – Kuniko, percussion – Linn
A mixed experience, but Kuniko is quite a percussionist.
‘Light and Shadow – Modern Orchestral Works’ = Works of RAIN WORTHINGTON, REBECAA OSWALD, ADRIENNE ALBERT, TADD RUSSO, RUSS LOMBARDI & DANIEL PERTTU – Ohio State U. Sym. Orch./Haddock – Navona
Excellent compilation of pieces worth the listening and the researching!
BEETHOVEN: 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120 – Paul Lewis, piano – Harmonia mundi BEETHOVEN: Various Sonatas incl. "Moonlight" – Markus Schirmer, piano – Tacet
Two recordings highlight works from the beginning and end of Beethoven’s career as a piano composer. One is let down by a wrongheaded performance.
The Adjustment Bureau, Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy (2011)
Another great Philip K. Dick sci-fi story-based feature gives the versatile Matt Damon has first real romantic situation.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, solo piano – Fé…Faith – 5Passion
Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba stays mostly meditative on his latest solo outing.
Michel Legrand and the Cinema (2011)
The international star puts together a spectacular evening of excerpts from some of his most beautiful film scores, with a terrific orchestra and many guest stars.
Art Blakey – The Jazz Messengers – Columbia Records/Pure Pleasure Records
Audiophile reissue of 1954 seminal release is jazz euphoria.
WALTON conducts WALTON: Troilus and Cressida–excerpts; Partita for Orchestra – Soloists/Philharmonia Orch./Sir William Walton – Pristine
William Walton’s only full-length opera, after the story by Chaucer, remains a problem child in the composer’s creative history.
JEAN-BAPTISTE LULLY: Armide (complete opera), Blu-ray (2011)
Somewhat bizarre staging does not detract from an excellent performance of an early masterpiece.
Audio News for June 21, 2011
Dolby Sues Over Audio Compression Patents; New Internet Radio Portable; New $4,900 Headphones
Zubatto Syndicate – Zubatto Syndicate – Boscology
Science fiction themes and modern big band music? It can only be The Zubatto Syndicate!
DU YUN: Shark in You – New Focus Recordings
This CD is a wild ride, well worth jumping aboard.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 9; Sonata No. 7 in D Major; Piano Sonata No. 30; Piano Sonata No. 31 – Awadagin Pratt, piano – EMI
Surveys of four Beethoven sonatas demonstrate the musical acuity and lyric sensitivity of the 28-year-old virtuoso Awadagin Pratt.
Sara K. – In The Groove – Stockfisch Records vinyl
The Texas singer/songwriter is a pleasant addition to the Stockfisch label.
Stan Getz – Stan Getz: The 1953-54 Clef/Norgran Studio Sessions – Mosaic
Filling in the gaps with early Stan Getz.
The Artistry of Josef Gingold, violin = LALO, SCHUBERT, ARENSKY, BLOCH, FRANCAIX, MAEKLEBERGHE, BEETHOVEN, MOZART, YSAYE & TCHAIKOVSKY – Enharmonic Records (2 CDs)
The art of concertmaster extraordinaire–Josef Gingold finds a fitting testimonial on recordings and radio transcriptions made 1941-1979.
The Eagle, Blu-ray (2011)
Quite an adventure in an environment not often seen in films, and plenty of sword-and-shield action for those who appreciate that sort of blood and thunder.
Audio News for June 17, 2011
New Audio Restoration Software Ends Wow and Flutter; Walmart Adds Roku and Sci-Fi Thriller Via Vudu; Harman Kardon Upgrades New AVR Line; Soundcast Upgrades Its Wireless Audio System