Challenge Archive
HAYDN: Six Piano Sonatas – Einav Yarden, p. – Challenge
J. HAYDN: Six Piano Sonatas – Einav Yarden, p. – Challenge multichannel SACD 72742, 62:30 (10/14/16) [Distr. by Naxos] *****: A dazzling tour of lesser known, middle-period Haydn Sonatas. The Haydn piano recitals continue to roll out, and we are the luckier for it. It was once common to view these sonatas as student pieces […]
The Last Words of Christ (REGER, HAYDN, WEBERN & Others – Ebonit Sax Q. – Challenge Classics
Ebonit Saxophone Quartet – The Last Words of Christ – REGER/HAYDN/WEBERN/SIBELIUS/SHOSTAKOVICH – Challenge Classics multichannel SACD CC72701, 53:13 (2/3/16) ****: (Simone Muller, soprano saxophone/ Dineke Nauta, alto saxophone/ Johannes Pfeuffer, tenor saophone/ Paulina Marta Kulesza, baritone saxophone/ Claron McFadden, voice) A nearly successful attempt at solemnity. In 1786 a work by Joseph Haydn premiered in […]
“Concerto – A Beethoven Journey” DVD – Seventh Art & Piano Con. Nos. 1 & 2 – Minaar, p. – Challenge
“Concerto – A Beethoven Journey” (2016) Music by: Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Soloist: Leif Ove Andsnes Directed by: Phil Grabsky Genre: Documentary Studio: Seventh Art (1 DVD) [7/29/16] Video: 16:9 1080i HD color Audio: PCM Stereo Menus in English, Norwegian Subtitles: English, Norwegian No Region Code Length: 92 min. Rating: **** B01AGQZF66 LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: […]
SHOSTAKOVICH: The Two Violin Sonatas & Rare Chamber Works – Sasha Rozhdestvensky, v., /Jeremy Menuhin & Mookie Lee-Menuhin p./ Ilona Domnich, sop./ Alexandra Sherman, mezzo – First Hand
Outlasting the unfinished: Shostakovich’s First Sonata for Violin and Piano (1945) with rarely heard chamber arrangements. SHOSTAKOVICH: The Two Violin Sonatas & Rare Chamber Works – Sasha Rozhdestvensky, v., /Jeremy Menuhin & Mookie Lee-Menuhin p./ Ilona Domnich, sop./ Alexandra Sherman, mezzo – First Hand CD 37, K&A Productions, 69:46 (1/1/16) ****: Newly-discovered works from beloved […]
North American Jazz Alliance – The Montreal Sessions – Challenge
A well-executed and unabashedly attractive outing.
![“Concertante: Virtuoso Wind Concertos” = By BELLOLI, LACHNER, DANZI & JADIN [TrackList Follows] – Soloists/ Sinfonietta Riga/ Claus Efland – Challenge Classics](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Concertante.jpg)
“Concertante: Virtuoso Wind Concertos” = By BELLOLI, LACHNER, DANZI & JADIN [TrackList Follows] – Soloists/ Sinfonietta Riga/ Claus Efland – Challenge Classics
The music may be mostly lightweight, but it rarely fails to entertain. And yes, it is virtuoso.
LOVREGLIO: Concerto for sax quartet and orchestra (1938); Quatuor for saxophones (1934); Andante for sax quartet (1938) – Dynamic CDS 759, 56:29 – Quartetto dei Sassofoni AccademiaAmstel Quartet – Amstel Tracks NOW! = BACH: Nun komm…; LAGO: Ciudades; BRAHMS: Poco Allegretto from Sym. No. 3; NYMAN: 3 Movements from String Quartet No. 2; MOZART: Adagio & Fugue K.546; Barber: Adagio for Strings; SWELLINCK: Chromatic Fantasy; RIVIER: Grade et Presto; Ravel: Pavane; TAN DUN: 3 mov’t – Amstel Quartet – Challenge
A pair of fun classical sax quartet CDs.
LOVREGLIO: Concerto for sax quartet and orchestra (1938); Quatuor for saxophones (1934); Andante for sax quartet (1938) – Dynamic CDS 759, 56:29 – Quartetto dei Sassofoni AccademiaAmstel Quartet – Amstel Tracks NOW! = BACH: Nun komm…; LAGO: Ciudades; BRAHMS: Poco Allegretto from Sym. No. 3; NYMAN: 3 Movements from String Quartet No. 2; MOZART: Adagio & Fugue K.546; Barber: Adagio for Strings; SWELLINCK: Chromatic Fantasy; RIVIER: Grade et Presto; Ravel: Pavane; TAN DUN: 3 mov’t – Amstel Quartet – Challenge
A pair of fun classical sax quartet CDs.
* BRITTEN: War Requiem – Soloists/ Netherlands Radio Choir / Netherlands Children’s Choir/ Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orch./ Jaap van Zweden – Challenge Classics (2 discs)
************ MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ************
It’s certainly one of the finest SACD versions of this work.
BACH: Johannes-Passion (St. John Passion) – Soloists /La Petite Bande /Sigiswald Kuijken – Challenge Classics (2 discs)
Even in a very crowded field, Kuijken’s Saint John Passion is a standout.
“Handel’s Memories” – A Selection from Grand Concertos Op. 6 – Al Ayre Espanol/ Eduardo Lopez Banzo, cond. & harpsichord – Challenge (2 discs)
The performances of these fine examples of the baroque concerto grosso are rich and sprightly.
Toots Thielemans – 90 Yrs. – Toots Thielemans and his European Quartet – Challenge (CD+DVD) Toots Thielemans – The Live Takes Vol. 1 – In+Out Records
Two CDs plus a DVD of the unique jazz harmonica of Toots Thielemans in live performances.
Our July drawing/giveaway is for two of the Complete Beethoven Symphonies 6-SACD boxed sets on the Dutch Challenge Classics label, with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend. De Vriend is regarded as an outstanding conductor with a new and fresh point of view on Beethoven. Curiosity and eagerness are part of […]
Curtis Fuller – The Story of Cathy and Me – Challenge Records
Curtis Fuller shares memories of his soulmate.
Between life and Death: Songs and Arias by BACH, MAHLER, SCHUBERT, SCHUMANN, MOZART, BRAHMS, LOEWE, WEBER, WOLF, MENDELSSOHN, TCHAIKOVSKY – Christoph Pregardien, tenor/ Michael Gees, p. – Challenge (2 discs)
An old concept, tried and true, but always welcome when presented with such quality.
WAGNER: The Ring; Parsifal; Tristan and Isolde – Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra/ Edo de Waart – Challenge Classics (3 CDs)
Bleeding chunks? Yes, and very large ones at that, and you will love every minute of them.
HAYDN: London Symphonies Vol. 1 = Symphony No. 98 in B-flat Major; Symphony No. 97 in C Major – Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/ Ton Koopman – Challenge Classics
This is a good start to Koopman’s London Symphonies project, but be aware: it’s small-band Haydn with a vengeance.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
