Fritz Balwit Archive
Daniel HERSKEDAL: Voyage – Edition Records
The follow-up to the acclaimed The Roc featuring a unique ensemble and exquisite musical direction by the Norwegian composer and tubaist.
MARTINU: Complete Music for Violin and Orchestra – Matousek (vln) / Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Hogwood – Hyperion
Outstanding performances by violinist Bohuslav Matousek of the brilliant orchestra music of Martinu.
The Longest Johns – Between Wind and Water, Written in Salt, Bones in the Ocean, Christmas at Sea
A Bristol based folk a capella group takes this potent and universal genre to new heights.
WET INK Large Ensemble – Wet Ink: 20 – Carrier Records
The latest project of the long-running large ensemble featuring works by Anthony Braxton and Wet Ink composer Sam Pluta and Eric Wubbels.
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.
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.
Dan ARAN: New York Family – Whistling Puffer Fish
An abundance of piano trio excellence topped by dazzling flute playing on a session which balances Latin, Middle Eastern and mainstream jazz idioms.
Jakob BRO: Bay of Rainbows – ECM
Live concert and second ECM offering by minimalistic and ethereal guitar led trio.
Franz SCHUBERT: Die Nacht – Anja Lechner, Pablo Marquez – ECM
A tranquil Schubertiad featuring lieder and nocturnes arranged for cello and guitar.
HUME, GIBBONS, DOWLAND – Poetical Humors: Les Inattendus – Vincent Lhermet/ Marianne Muller – Harmonia Mundi
Surprising arrangements of 17th century English chamber music for viola da gamba and accordion duo with a couple of world premier contemporary works to stretch the ears.
Crossing Borders: Scarlatti Keyboard Sonatas – Luke Welch
A fine recital of the best-known Scarlatti Sonatas including the composers supreme adagio in F minor K. 466.
Bill STEWART trio: Band Menu – Two for the Show
One of the most exhilarating demonstrations of jazz drumming in recent times in a sympathetic trio setting.
Tord GUSTAVSEN trio: The Other Side – ECM
Tord Gustavsen trio adds Bach, and traditional Norwegian folk tunes to their modal repertoire to good effect.
Lionel LOUEKE: The Journey – Aparté
Loueke returns to his African roots in eclectic session showcasing his singing and composition.
HOFF trio – Polarity – L2 Pure Audio Blu-Ray
State of the art L2 sound provides new standard in immersive listening experience of cool Nordic piano trio!
Antonio VIVALDI: Sonatas for Cello and Basso Continuo – Jean-Guihen Queyras – Harmonia mundi
Vivaldi’s Cello Sonatas—Baroque chamber works of intimacy and finesse played to perfection!
WAKO – Urolige Sinn – Ora Fonogram
Bracing new music from those bold jazz innovators from Norway.
Blue Maqams – Anouar Brahem – ECM
Brahem’s long awaited reunion with Dave Holland, plus new collaborations with Jack DeJohnette and Django Bates.
Lionel LOUEKE: Close Your Eyes – Newvelle Records
Lionel LOUEKE: Close Your Eyes – Newvelle Records 015 – 45:46 (June 2018): ****: (Lionel Loueke; guitar, Ruben Rogers;bass, Eric Harland; drums) State of the art vinyl release by Newvelle Records which maintains the high musical standards of its predecessors. Newvelle Records is in its third season of a unique project of producing new music, released on vinyl only, sold by subscription (only six records per year). These 180 gram LPs come handsomely-packaged with the inclusion of specially commissioned art and oblique literary works, which may or may not relate to the music. Their stated goal is to reconnect the jazz fan to the original thrill of the medium. Part of this may be considered the two-month drama of waiting for the next release. There is something special in unwrapping an LP and watching the dual-fold open with its potent suspense. And how much more rewarding it is to find a product pared down to an essential work of art. There is no plastic, no video-tie ins, no photos, bio, dedications, resumes. In short, there are two pieces of art (credited on cover) and an accompanying literary piece of uncertain description and a single disc of transparent vinyl. Apparently, given […]
J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord – Stephen Schultz, Jory Vinikour – Music and Arts
The best performances of these works of the new millenium. J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord – Stephen Schultz (flute) Jory Vinikour (Harpsichord) – Music and Arts 1295 55:18, (3/2/18) *****: This writer subscribes to the view that the Sonatas BWV 1017-1023 for violin and harpsichord obbligato by Bach are his finest chamber works. A new recording of these by Rachel Barton Pine and Jory Vinikour were recently and favorably reviewed on these pages. It seems only fitting to acknowledge a 2018 recording of pieces that are nearest rivals to these eminent works, the Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord, BWV 1030-1032, (featuring, as it happens, the same harpsichordist, Jory Vinikour); They are part of the inspired innovation to realize a trio sonata with two instruments by asking of the obbligato accompaniment a division of hands. The left hand merrily chases around the soloist, now in imitative counterpoint and now in extravagant improvisations, each instrument with its own themes, which converse with each other. The left hand soberly performs the work of the basso continuo, carrying along the swiftly-moving harmonic progressions. From a historical perspective, these sonatas were remarkable for the use of the transverse flute as a solo instrument, […]
Peripheral Vision: More Songs About Error and Shame – Step3
Sparkling quartet jazz with brainy energy and inspired open-ended charts. Peripheral Vision: More Songs About Error and Shame – Step3 – 007, 52:40 (2/27/18) ****: (Michael Herring; bass/ Don Scott; guitar/ Nick Fraser; drums/ Trevor Hogg; tenor saxophone) It was the great chess grandmaster and wag, Savielly Tartakower, who remarked with regard to initial setup of the chessboard “all the mistakes are there, waiting to be made.” Much the same could be said at the beginning of the day (or a life). Nature herself is profligate in failed experiments, which Natural Selection ruthlessly edits out. As for the individual opossum or human, a mistake (if it doesn’t kill one) provides just as much opportunity for learning as for shame. The record under review is called More Songs about Error and Shame. The charming cover depicts a graphic schema of humans in various poses of regret and embarrassment. The inner sleeve adds scenarios ranging from the Titanic to a broken window, an overfilled coffee cup, the space station flaming out, missing the trash can with a crumpled wad of paper, or an embarrassing email exchange. It is only February, but I predict this will be my choice for album cover of […]
Edgar Steinitz: Roots Unknown – OA2 Records
A striking meeting of Latin Sephardic traditional music and jazzy Klezmer. Edgar Steinitz: Roots Unknown – OA2 Records – 45:40 (1/19/18) ****½ ; (Edgar Steinitz; clarinets/ Bonnie Birch; accordion/ Jeff Busch; percussion; Julian Smedley; violin, viola/ Wayne Porter; drums/ David Friesen; Hemage bass/ Jay Thomas; flugelhorn, tenor sax, flute, trumpet) By day, jazz clarinetist Edgar Steinitz works as a rehab physiatrist at hospitals in the Tacoma, Washington area. However, for years he has pursued a music vocation on the side. His musical odyssey began in New York City, where he took in the vibrant jazz scene as a youth. He then relocated to the Pacific Northwest where he has practiced medicine for more than 20 years while taking music lessons from David Friesen. Our readers should not assume that this is a vanity recording by a musical amateur, for the playing is accomplished by both the leader and his more well-known associates. The concept of Roots Unknown is unusual: a tribute to an exotic musical and cultural tradition that derives from the Sephardic Jewish Diaspora in South America. There is an ample serving of more recognizable Klezmer inflected music, in which accordion and violin set the stage for fervent clarinet […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
