English Archive
MAX REGER: The Complete Organ Works – Martin Schmeding, organ – Cybele 17 SACD set
The complete organ works of Reger on 16 binaural SACDs plus an interview. MAX REGER: The Complete Organ Works [TrackList follows] – Martin Schmeding, at 13 different historic Sauer & Walcker organs, Dom zu Berlin, Wiesbaden & elsewhere – 17 multichannel (binaural stereo channels) SACDs in gold-stamped collectors’ box – Vol. 17 is interview of […]
The Infiltrator, Blu-ray (2016)
Just because it didn’t do well in the theaters doesn’t mean this thriller is not well worth seeing. The Infiltrator, Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo, Benjamin Bratt Director: Brad Furman Studio: LipSync/ good films/Broadgreen Pictures 941805540 (10/11/16) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9, 1080 HD color Audio: English & Spanish DTS-HD MA 5.1, […]
DOWLAND: Lachrimae or Seven Tears – Phantasm – Linn
JOHN DOWLAND: Lachrimae or Seven Tears – Phantasm – Linn multichannel SACD CKD 527, 57:00 (8-12-16) [Distr. by Naxos] *****: Phantasm just keep doing excellent recordings of early music. This new audiophile recording, featuring lutenist Elizabeth Kenny and Phantasm, directed by Laurence Dreyfus, takes listeners on a refreshingly varied Dowland soundscape in which sublime sadness, […]
Amazonia (2016)
A wonderful introduction to the wonders of the Amazon rainforest. Amazonia (2016) Narrator: Martin Sheen Director: Thierry Ragobert Studio: Grindstone/ Lionsgate (10/4/16) Also available in 3D Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish Extras: The Making of Amazonia, 4 Minuscule Bonus Episodes, Trailer gallery Length: 93 min. Rating: **** […]
STRAVINSKY: Pulcinella Suite; Apollon musagète; Concerto in D for String Orchestra ‒ Orch. de Ch. de Lausanne/ Joshua Wellerstein ‒ MD&G
STRAVINSKY: Pulcinella Suite; Apollon musagète; Concerto in D for String Orchestra ‒ Orch. de Chambre de Lausanne/ Joshua Wellerstein ‒ Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm, multichannel SACD MDG 940 1955-6 (2+2+2); 65:36 (6/3/2016) ***: Stress-free Stravinsky. A musical sedative, anyone? Sometime during the First World War, while Stravinsky was riding out the storm in Switzerland, he […]
Aerial America – New England Collection, Blu-ray (2013)
Aerial America – New England Collection, Blu-ray (2013) Cast: Jim Conrad – narrator Director: Richard Mervyn Studio: Tusker Television for the Smithsonian Channel IMG1229BD (7/9/13) Video: various aspect ratios for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DD 5.1 Length: 276 min. Rating: ** A less than inspiring travelogue, with less than pristine video. This Blu-ray […]
The Night Manager (6 Episodes), Blu-ray (2016)
A really thrilling six-episode miniseries based on a John le Carré spy novel. The Night Manager (6 Episodes), Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman Director: Susanne Bier Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent. 47778 (8/30/16) [2 Blu-rays] Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, […]
MOZART: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (comp. opera), Blu-ray (2015)
A setting according to Mozart’s original intentions? What heresy! MOZART: Die Entfuhrung aus den Serail [The Abduction from the Seraglio] (complete opera), Blu-ray (2015) Performers: Sally Matthews (Konstanze)/ Edgaras Montvidas (Belmonte)/ Tobias Kehrer (Osmin)/ Mari Eriksmoen (Blonde)/ Brenden Gunnell (Pedrillo)/ Franck Saurel (Pasha Selim)/ The Glyndebourne Chorus/ Orch. of the Age of Enlightenment/ Robin Ticciati Producer: George Bruell […]
The Lady In the Car with Glasses and a Gun (2016)
A French psychological thriller with an interesting twist. The Lady In the Car with Glasses and a Gun (2016) Cast: Freya Mavor, Benjamin Biolay, Elio Germano Director: Joann Sfar Studio: Magnolia Studios 10921 (4/12/16) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: French or English dubbed Subtitles: English, Spanish Extras: Interview with Director, The Paintings of […]
Antonio Ciacca Quintet – Volare, The Italian American Songbook – Cellar Live
Antonio Ciacca Quintet – Volare, The Italian American Songbook – Cellar Live CL101815, 55:31 ***: A mostly robust and assertive session. (Antonio Ciacca – piano; Paul Gill – acoustic bass; Peter Van Nostrand – drums; Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone; Benny Benack III – trumpet & vocals) The Italian word Volare means “to fly” in […]
GOYA – Visions of Flesh and Blood (2016)
Nothing to do with music, but a fascinating view of the father of modern art. GOYA – Visions of Flesh and Blood (2016) From the National Gallery, London Director: David Bickerstaff Producer: Phil Grabsky Studio: Seventh Art Prod. SEV190 [7/8/16] (Dist. by Naxos) Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English PCM stereo Subtitles: English, […]
“BUTTERWORTH: Orchestral Works – The Banks of Green Willow” – Kris Russman – BIS
“BUTTERWORTH: Orchestral Works – The Banks of Green Willow” A Shropshire Lad – six songs orchestrated by Kriss Russman · World première recording of the orchestrated version – James Rutherford (bari.); Two English Idylls; Suite for String Quartette arranged for string orchestra by Kriss Russman; world premiere recording of the orchestrated version; Love Blows As […]
Chosen (2016)
Another but very well-done Holocaust film. Chosen (2016) Cast: Harvey Keitel, Luke Mably, Ana Ularu Director: Jasmin Dizdar Studio: Lionsgate (8/2/16) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish Length: 93 min. Rating: **** Harvey Keitel stars as an old Jewish man telling a young relative a story of a […]
HANDEL: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Blu-ray (2016) – Decca
This fascinating long opera is worth seeing at least twice. HANDEL: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Andreas Scholl, Cecilia Bartoli, Anne Sofie von Otter, Philippe Jaroussky Director: Olivier Simonnet Studio: Decca [5/20/16] Video: 1.77:1 Color, for 16:9 screens Audio: DTS-HD 5.1, PCM Stereo Subtitles: English, German, French Length: 242 minutes Ratings: Audio: ***** […]
HÄNDEL: “Concerti” (mostly organ concerti) – Holger Gehring, cond. & organist – querstand
“GEORG FRIEDRICH HÄNDEL: Concerti” = Overture to the Oratorio “Deborah” HWV 51; Organ Concerto Op. 4, No. 5, in F Major HWV 293; Organ Concerto Op. 4, No. 2, in B Major HWV 290; Organ Concerto Op. 7, No. 5, in G Minor HWV 310; Organ Concerto Op. 7, No. 3, in B Major HWV […]
WYNTON MARSALIS: Blood On The Fields, Blu-ray (1996/2016)
A fine documentary on the making of the 1996 Marsalis album. WYNTON MARSALIS: Blood On The Fields, Blu-ray (1996/2016) Cast: Wynton Marsalis Director: Susan Shaw Studio: Monarda/ Arthaus Musik 109215 [3/25/16] Video: For 16:9 screens, 1080i color & b&w Audio: English PCM Stereo Subtitles: English, German, French All regions Length: 54 min. Rating: **** This […]
Lullaby of Birdland – The Shearing Touch, Blu-ray (1994/2016)
A fine documentary rather than just a concert performance by the artist. Lullaby of Birdland – The Shearing Touch, Blu-ray (1994/2016) Cast: George Shearing, piano & vocals Director: Jill Marshall Studio: Monarda/ ArtHaus Musik [3/25/16] (Distr. by Naxos) Video: 4:3 color, 1080i HD color & b&w Audio: English PCM stereo Subtitles: English, German, French No […]
Phoenix, Blu-ray (2014/2016)
A very moving German film about the years just after WW II. Phoenix, Blu-ray (2014/2016) Cast: Nina Hoss, Ronald Zehrfeld, Nina Kunzendorf Director: Christian Petzoid Studio: WDR/mendienboard/ The Criterion Collection 809 (4/26/16) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD color Audio: German DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround Subtitles: English Extras: Conversation bet. Petzoid and Nina Hoss, […]
DELIUS: Violin Con.; BRITTEN: Violin Con.; MILFORD: Darkly Thrush – Royal Scottish & Philharmonia Orch. – Dutton Epoch
FREDERICK DELIUS: Violin Concerto; BENJAMIN BRITTEN: Violin Concerto; ROBIN MILFORD: The Darkling Thrush – Royal Scottish Nat. Orch. /David Lloyd-Jones, cond./ Philharmonia Orch./ Nicholas Collon, cond./ Phillippe Graffin, violin – Dutton Epoch stereo-only SACD CDLX 7320, 68:46 (9/11/15) [Dist. by Harmonia mundi] ****: Two familiar English works and a very worthwhile world premier. English label […]
Learning to Drive (2014)
Learning to Drive (2014) Cast: Patricia Clarkson, Ben Kingsley Director: Isabel Coixnet Studio: Broad Green Pictures 94174625 (1/19/16) Video: for 16:9 1080i HD color Audio: English DD stereo Subtitles: English, Spanish Length: 89 min. Rating: **** A ‘feel good’ film but the message is a little heavy handed. I have seen many positive reviews of […]
Truth, Blu-ray (2016)
A well-done journalistic thriller centered on Dan Rather. Truth, Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Elisabeth Moss, Dennis Quaid Director: James Vanderbilt Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 46952 (2/2/16) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, DD 5.1 audio descriptive track Subtitles: English, English SDH Extras: Commentary track […]
Noah’s Ark (2016)
Not the best Noah movie, but enjoyable nevertheless… Noah’s Ark (2016) Cast: David Thelfall, Joanne Whalley, Nico Mirallegro Director: Kenneth Glenaan Studio: Cinedigm GP5049 (2/2/16) Video: Enhanced for 16:9 1080i HD color Audio: Englsh DD stereo Length: 88 min. Rating: ***1/2 There are other Noah movies which may be better that this one but I […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
