German Archive

BEETHOVEN: Coriolan Ov.; Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major “Eroica” – Vienna Philharmonic Orch./ Berlin Philharmonic Orch./ W. Furtwaengler – Pristine Audio

BEETHOVEN: Coriolan Ov.; Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major “Eroica” – Vienna Philharmonic Orch./ Berlin Philharmonic Orch./ W. Furtwaengler – Pristine Audio

BEETHOVEN: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62; Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55 “Eroica” – Vienna Philharmonic Orch. (Op. 55)/ Berlin Philharmonic Orch. (Op. 62)/ Wilhelm Furtwaengler – Pristine Audio PASC 488, 62:07 [avail. in various formats from www.pristineclassical.com] *****: Great performances in the best sound by the great Futwaengler from the World War II era. […]

“Fluvial” = SIBELIUS: Four Lyric Pieces; RAVEL: Jeux d’eau; BYSTRÖM: Air russe varié in g;  SCHUBERT: Piano Sonata in A – Anna Kuvaja, p. – Alba

“Fluvial” = SIBELIUS: Four Lyric Pieces; RAVEL: Jeux d’eau; BYSTRÖM: Air russe varié in g; SCHUBERT: Piano Sonata in A – Anna Kuvaja, p. – Alba

“Fluvial” = SIBELIUS: Four Lyric Pieces, Op. 74; RAVEL: Jeux d’eau; THOMAS BYSTRÖM: Air russe varié in G Minor; SCHUBERT: Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959 – Anna Kuvaja, p. – Alba multichannel SACD ABCD 386, 70:53 [Distr. by Albany] (7/29/16) ****: Half of the music on this recital is new to me. Perhaps it […]

WEINBERG: Chamber Symphonies 1, 2, 3 & 4; Piano Quintet – Gidon Kremer, v./ Yulianna Avdeeva, p./ Mate Bekavac, clarinet / Kremerata Baltica/Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla – ECM New Series

WEINBERG: Chamber Symphonies 1, 2, 3 & 4; Piano Quintet – Gidon Kremer, v./ Yulianna Avdeeva, p./ Mate Bekavac, clarinet / Kremerata Baltica/Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla – ECM New Series

A major Russian composer emerges in these scintillating chamber works.  WEINBERG: Chamber Symphonies 1, 2, 3 & 4; Piano Quintet – Gidon Kremer, v./ Yulianna Avdeeva, p./ Mate Bekavac, clarinet / Kremerata Baltica/Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla – ECM New Series 2538/39, 79:45, 79:40, *****: It’s hard to imagine how difficult it was to be a Polish Jew […]

ELGAR & TCHAIKOVSKY: Cello Concerto; Variations on a Rococo Theme – Johannes Moser, cello/ Orch. de la Suisse Romande/ Andrew Manze  – Pentatone

ELGAR & TCHAIKOVSKY: Cello Concerto; Variations on a Rococo Theme – Johannes Moser, cello/ Orch. de la Suisse Romande/ Andrew Manze – Pentatone

ELGAR & TCHAIKOVSKY: Cello Concerto; Variations on a Rococo Theme – Johannes Moser, cello/ Orch. de la Suisse Romande/ Andrew Manze  – Pentatone multichannel SACD 5186 570, 64:46 (2/3/17) *****: A compelling pairing of two works by like-minded composers, delivered in stunning super-audio format.  With a little imagination and modest time travel, it is possible […]

Lee Konitz / Kenny Wheeler Quartet – Olden Times – Live At Birdland – Neuburg Double Moon

Lee Konitz / Kenny Wheeler Quartet – Olden Times – Live At Birdland – Neuburg Double Moon

Lee Konitz / Kenny Wheeler Quartet – Olden Times – Live At Birdland – Neuburg Double Moon DMCHR 71146, 78:31 ****: Time has not diminished the astounding expressiveness of these two musical innovators. (Lee Konitz – alto saxophone/ Kenny Wheeler – trumpet, Flugelhorn/ Frank Wunsch – piano; Gunnar Plümer – drums) It would be futile […]

BYRD, BULL & GIBBONS: Parthenia – Alina Rotaru, harpsichord – Sono Luminus

BYRD, BULL & GIBBONS: Parthenia – Alina Rotaru, harpsichord – Sono Luminus

BYRD, BULL & GIBBONS: Parthenia – Alina Rotaru, harpsichord – Sono Luminus DSL-92208, 52:52 (10/28/16) ****: Three Tudor masters assembled in first printed keyboard collection to honor a royal wedding. We first met Alina Rotaru on her debut recording dedicated to Johann Froberger back in 2012. That recording was a skillful investigation of the French […]

MONDONVILLE: Trio Sonatas – Johannes Pramsohler/ Ens. Diderot – Audax

MONDONVILLE: Trio Sonatas – Johannes Pramsohler/ Ens. Diderot – Audax

MONDONVILLE: Trio Sonatas Op. 2 – Johannes Pramsohler/ Ensemble Diderot – Audax 13707, 67:22 (11/8/16) ****: World premier chamber music from the twilight era of the French Baroque led by researcher/performer Johannes Pramsohler. (Johannes Pramsohler- violin/ Roldan Bernabe – violin/ Kristen Huebner – transverse flute/ Gulrim Choi – baroque cello/ Philippe Grisvard – harpsichord) Johannes […]

BELLINI: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (2016)

BELLINI: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (2016)

BELLINI: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (2016)  You might want to pass this one up… Performers: Chorus & Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House/  Joyce DiDonato, Olga Kulchynska, Benjamin Bernheim, Roberto Lorenzi/ Fabio Luisi (cond.)/ Christof Loy (stage director)/ Franck Evin (lighting designer) Studio: Accentus Music [9/30/16] Length: 139 min. Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, […]

Audio News for December 9, 2016

The Guardian Top Classical Music Events of 2016 – 1. Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the BBC Proms, 2. Enescu’s Oedipe opera/oratorio, 80 years after its premiere, 3. New conductor of the Birmingham Symphony, Grazinyte-Tyla, 4. Kevin Volans’ Fourth Piano Concerto, and his 12th String Quartet, 5. Pianist Pierre-Laurent […]

Free Nelson Mandoomjazz – The Organ Grinder – RareNoise

Free Nelson Mandoomjazz – The Organ Grinder – RareNoise

The doom metal/jazz innovators veer toward a stronger jazz vibe.. Free Nelson Mandoomjazz – The Organ Grinder – RareNoise RNR068, 70:02 [9/30/16] ****: (Rebecca Sneddon – saxophone; Colin Stewart – electric bass; Paul Archibald – drums, percussion, piano (track 5), organ (track 11); Luc Klein – trumpet (tracks 2, 5-6, 9); Patrick Darley – trombone […]

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Sym. No. 2, “A London Symphony”; Sym. No. 8 ‒ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orch. / Andrew Manze ‒ Onyx

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Sym. No. 2, “A London Symphony”; Sym. No. 8 ‒ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orch. / Andrew Manze ‒ Onyx

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 2 in G, “A London Symphony”; Symphony No. 8 in d‒ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orch. / Andrew Manze ‒ Onyx 4115, 75:33 (4/29/16) ****: Symphonies from the opposite ends of Vaughan Williams’ symphonic career. Interesting programming choice and fine performances. It’s interesting to note that Ralph Vaughan Williams’ first two symphonies […]

Erik Then-Bergh – The Complete Electrola and Deutsche Grammophone Recordings, 1938-1958 = Works of HANDEL, BEETHOVEN, BACH, SCHUMANN, CHOPIN & REGER – APR (2-CDs)

Erik Then-Bergh – The Complete Electrola and Deutsche Grammophone Recordings, 1938-1958 = Works of HANDEL, BEETHOVEN, BACH, SCHUMANN, CHOPIN & REGER – APR (2-CDs)

Mark Obert-Thorn and Appian Records restore Erik Then-Bergh to prominence. 
Erik Then-Bergh – The Complete Electrola and Deutsche Grammophone Recordings, 1938-1958 = HANDEL: Suite No. 4 in e minor; BACH (arr. BUSONI): Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in d, BWV 1004; BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101; Bagatelles, Op. 33: Nos. […]

GYÖRGY LIGETI: Sonata for solo viola; Lux aeterna; Three Fantasies after Friedrich Hölderlin; ROBERT HEPPENER: Im Gestein – Susanne van Els, viola/Capella Amsterdam/musikFabrik/ Daniel Reuss – HM/Gold

GYÖRGY LIGETI: Sonata for solo viola; Lux aeterna; Three Fantasies after Friedrich Hölderlin; ROBERT HEPPENER: Im Gestein – Susanne van Els, viola/Capella Amsterdam/musikFabrik/ Daniel Reuss – HM/Gold

A very eclectic but interesting collection of modern works. GYÖRGY LIGETI: Sonata for solo viola; Lux aeterna; Three Fantasies after Friedrich Hölderlin; ROBERT HEPPENER: Im Gestein – Susanne van Els, viola/Capella Amsterdam/musikFabrik/Daniel Reuss – Harmonia mundi Gold HMG 501985, 64:31, (8/19/16) [Distr. by PIAS] ***1/2: Hungarian “modernist” composer György Ligeti was one of the more […]

MAX REGER: The Complete Organ Works – Martin Schmeding, organ – Cybele 17 SACD set

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 […]

HANDEL: Piano Concertos – Matthias Kirschnereit, p./ Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss/ Lavard Skou Larsen – CPO

HANDEL: Piano Concertos – Matthias Kirschnereit, p./ Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss/ Lavard Skou Larsen – CPO

HANDEL: Piano Concertos, Op. 7 – Matthias Kirschnereit, piano/ Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss/ Lavard Skou Larsen – CPO multichannel SACD 777855-2; 75:02 (8-12-16) [Distr. by Naxos] *****:  A wonderful surround recording of the Op. 7 piano concertos of Handel. In 2013, Matthias Kirschnereit recorded Handel’s Six Organ Concertos Op.  4 on piano, backed by the Deutsche Kammerakademie […]

“Into Great Silence” (2007)

“Into Great Silence” (2007)

A magnificent and entrancing glimpse into the sounds of silence. “Into Great Silence” (2007) DISC ONE, THE FILM Director: Philip Gröning Actors: The Carthusian Order Studio: Zeitgeist Films Z1094 (10/23/07) Video: 1.85:1, 16:9 transfer, created from hi-def elements Audio: English, French, Latin DD 5.1 Subtitles: English Region 1 coding Extras: U.S. theatrical trailer DISC TWO, […]

MOZART: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (comp. opera), Blu-ray (2015)

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 […]

KLUGHARDT: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor; Drei Stücke ‒ Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau / Antony Hermus ‒ CPO;  JUROWSKI: Symphony No. 5; Russian Painters ‒ Norrköping Sym. Orch./ Michail Jurowski ‒ CPO

KLUGHARDT: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor; Drei Stücke ‒ Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau / Antony Hermus ‒ CPO; JUROWSKI: Symphony No. 5; Russian Painters ‒ Norrköping Sym. Orch./ Michail Jurowski ‒ CPO

AUGUST KLUGHARDT: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 57; Drei Stücke, Op. 87 ‒ Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau / Antony Hermus ‒ CPO 777 740-2; 53:48 (8/14/15) (Distr. by Naxos) ***1/2: VLADIMIR MICHAILOVIC JUROWSKI: Symphony No. 5, Op. 79; Russian Painters ‒ Norrköping Sym. Orch./ Michail Jurowski ‒ CPO 777 875-2; 73:46 (3/11/15) (Distr. by […]

Chosen (2016)

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

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: ***** […]