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FRANZ SCHREKER: Orchestral Music from the Operas – Royal Swedish Orch./ Lawrence Renes – BIS

FRANZ SCHREKER: Orchestral Music from the Operas – Royal Swedish Orch./ Lawrence Renes – BIS

by | Nov 19, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

The unfortunately almost forgotten composer Franz Schreker emphasized operas but these instrumental works from them show off his great musical art. FRANZ SCHREKER: Orchestral Music from the Operas [TrackList Follows] – Royal Swedish Orch./ Lawrence Renes – BIS multichannel SACD -2212, 68:30 (10/14/16) [Distr. by Naxos] *****: Franz Schreker was thought to be one of the most eminent composers for the sumptuous sonorities of his operas at his time, early in the 20th century. Schoenberg even called him one of the foremost. However, from the 1930s on, his music was in almost complete oblivion, partly due to the Nazis and his father being of Jewish descent. (This in spite of his operas being greatly influenced by Wagner.) He was also out of step with all avant music developments during the 1920s. Schreker usually wrote the librettos for his own operas, which often had symbolist and erotic subjects. More then other opera composers, the orchestral sections of his operas are often of greater importance when heard in concert. Schreker often intended the instrumental sections for independent concert use, showing off his musical wizardry. He often set his operas in medieval times, and the closing track: Nachtstück (Nocturne) was, in a slightly […]

Audio News for December 12, 2014

by | Dec 12, 2014 | Audio News

You Can’t Receive UHD Movies from Netflix or Amazon on a Computer; Mobile Fidelity Wants More Fidelity on Releases; Meridian Audio’s MQA Technology Squeezes Higher Quality Out of Digital Music Files; Fiio X1 – an Inexpensive Hi-Res Mobile Player

Audio News for February 18, 2014

by | Feb 18, 2014 | Audio News

Plasma TVs May Be Going Away; Paintable Acoustic Panels for the Home Theater Market; Another USC DAC/Headphone Amp Combo; Two New Studies Gauge Consumer Awareness, Interest and Purchase Intent for UHD TV

Editorial for November 2013

Editorial for November 2013

by | Nov 1, 2013 | Editorial

Decca Records has donated three copies of the three-disc BENJAMIN BRITTEN: War Requiem for our November drawing, celebrating the Britten Centenary. One disc is a Blu-ray audio-only version of the 96/24 stereo remastering from the original 1963 tapes of Britten conducting the soloists, Melos Ensemble and London Symphony in his moving work, using poetry of the WWI casualty Wilfred Owen. The latest techniques and extensive comparison with the LPs and later remasterings have been used in the transfer from the originals. The second disc is a CD version and the third is titled “Rehearsing the War Requiem.”  (We will also review the album this month.) To be eligible, just register this month via our simple non-intrusive form, and we won’t share your email address. The three winners will be listed in this space next month. Here are the seven lucky winners of last month’s Mack Avenue Records giveaway. Each one will  be receiving a different new double-disc audiophile vinyl release by either Christian McBride (2), Gary Burton, Kenny Garrett, Stanley Jordan, Kevin Eubanks or the Yellowjackets: Joy Adams, Jeremiah KY; Chris Harriott, Bloomfield NJ; Michael Lloyd, Plainfield IL; Patricia Cardettino, Schenectady NY; Jim Dukey, Oakland CA; Terry Hirsch, Thompsons Stations […]