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Octet Archive

DVORAK: Serenades from Bohemia = Piano Octet, Serenades for strings and woodwinds – Czech Nonet/ Ivan Klansky (p.) / Pavel Huela, Vladimir Klansky (vlns.)/ Academy of St-Martin/Marriner – Praga Digitals

DVORAK: Serenades from Bohemia = Piano Octet, Serenades for strings and woodwinds – Czech Nonet/ Ivan Klansky (p.) / Pavel Huela, Vladimir Klansky (vlns.)/ Academy of St-Martin/Marriner – Praga Digitals

by | May 29, 2017 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

DVORAK: Serenades from Bohemia = Piano Octet-Serenade in E, B. 36; Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22; Serenade in d minor for Woodwinds (arr. Nonet), Op. 44 – Czech Nonet/ Ivan Klansky, piano/ Pavel Huela and Vladimir Klansky, vioins/ Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields/ Neville Marriner – Praga Digitals PRD 250 371, 77:21 (4/17/17) [Distr. Harmonia mundi/PIAS] ****:  ¯The dancing spirit of Bohemia’s native son Dvorak infiltrates this collection of chamber pieces. Much in the tradition of Mozart and his serenades, divertimentos and cassations, Dvorak conceived his Op. 22 Serenade in an “outdoor” style. English musicologist Nicholas Ingman helped to unearth the 1873 version (rec. September 1998) of the String Serenade in the form of a piano-based Octet, the piano and the double bass here serving in a melodic capacity in the absence of a cello part. The strong presence of the bassoon (Pevel Langpaul), clarinet (Ales Hustoles), and French horn (Vladimira Klanska) contribute to the feeling of Nachtmusik, an evening’s love song rendered by an ensemble of musical equals. With the addition of the winds, along with the deep grumblings of the double bass and keyboard’s active treble, the Scherzo movement, for instance, achieves a sense of contrast that […]

BRUCH: String Octets; String Quintet – The Nash Ensemble – Hyperion 

BRUCH: String Octets; String Quintet – The Nash Ensemble – Hyperion 

by | May 23, 2017 | Classical CD Reviews

The aging German master displays his melodic and often explosive temper in three late string works. BRUCH: String Octet in E-flat Major; String Quintet in a minor; String Octet in B-flat Major – The Nash Ensemble – Hyperion CDA68168, 62:48 (3/31/17) [Distr. by Harmonia mundi/PIAS] ****: The three chamber works by Max Bruch (rec. 18-20 April 2016) here performed by the talented Nash Ensemble testify to the resurgence of the composer’s late interest in the medium, all of the pieces having been conceived 1918-1920. Even in the throes of WW I, Bruch managed to find inspiration through his association with violinist Willy Hess, virtuoso and pedagogue at the Hochschule fuer Musik in Berlin. Throughout these string ensemble works, we feel that both Brahms and Mendelssohn have exerted their respective spells and influences upon Bruch, though his own natural capacity for melodic utterance remains his own. The opening work, the String Quintet in E-flat, proffers four movements, the first of which, Andante con moto, serves an introductory function for the ensuing Allegro. This movement projects a more symphonic cast, with the two violas – Lawrence Power and James Boyd – filling out the often dramatic outbursts. The songful Andante con moto […]

Mary Halvorson Octet – Away With You – Firehouse

Mary Halvorson Octet – Away With You – Firehouse

by | Mar 5, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Guitarist Mary Halvorson expands her band and her compositional strengths. Mary Halvorson Octet – Away With You [TrackList follows] – Firehouse 12 FH12-04-01-024, 55:53 [10/28/16] ****: (Jonathan Finlayson – trumpet; Jon Irabagon – alto saxophone; Ingrid Laubrock – tenor saxophone; Jacob Garchik – trombone; Mary Halvorson – guitar; Susan Alcorn – pedal steel guitar; John Hébert – bass; Ches Smith – drums) There’s freedom tension, dynamics, visceral improvisation and a varied stretch of jazz on the nearly-hour long Away With You, from guitarist Mary Halvorson and her innovative octet. Those who have been following Halvorson’s ascension in the modern jazz scene—she’s spent time with Anthony Braxton, Marc Ribot, Taylor Ho Bynum, Ingrid Laubrock, plus others—can attest that no matter the setting, (whether solo guitar, leading her own band, or performing with other musicians) Halvorson brings her unique style, restless creativity and artistic nonconformity to everything she does. Halvorson’s eight original tracks which make up Away With You share an edginess, a way of bending jazz parameters into contrasts which are shaped into distinctively stimulating compositions. Those hoping for a guitar-heavy approach may be disappointed. Yes, guitar is ever-present, but Halvorson maintains an ensemble sound throughout, where the electric guitar is […]

MENDELSSOHN: Syms. Nos. 1 & 4 – London Sym./Gardiner – LSO Live

MENDELSSOHN: Syms. Nos. 1 & 4 – London Sym./Gardiner – LSO Live

by | Jan 20, 2017 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

A vigorous and incisive Italian, with a fresh and even more exhilarating “First”. MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 1 in c, Op. 11; No. 4 in A, Op. 90 “Italian” (1833 version) – London Sym. Orch./ John Eliot Gardiner – LSO Live multichannel Pure Audio Blu-ray & SACD LSO0765 (2 discs, on audio-only Blu-ray), 62:11 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] ****: Mendelssohn’s tour of Europe from 1829-31 ended with a sojourn in Italy, where the 22-year-old immediately began writing a symphony that would reflect his experiences. It is easily the sunniest of all his compositions, though it did cause him heartache, so much so that he decided to revise it in 1834. But since it was never published in his lifetime, it is the earlier version commonly played today, and so Gardiner offers it here. I expected something rather on the quick side, and he does not disappoint. What is most surprising is the ability of the LSO to articulate some of the fast triplet passages in the first and last movements as clearly and cleanly as they do, a real tribute to the virtuosity of the orchestra. This is an exciting if predictable performance (there have been others in this mold as […]

“KORNGOLD: Werke für Violine & Klavier” = Schneemann; Caprice Fantastique; Marietta’s Lied; Mädchen im Brautgemach; Holzapfel und Schlehwein; Gartenszene; Mummenschanz; Tanzlied des Pierrot; String Sextet – Daniel Gaede, v./ Xuesu Liu, p./ Philharmonic String Sextet Berlin – Phil. Harmonie

“KORNGOLD: Werke für Violine & Klavier” = Schneemann; Caprice Fantastique; Marietta’s Lied; Mädchen im Brautgemach; Holzapfel und Schlehwein; Gartenszene; Mummenschanz; Tanzlied des Pierrot; String Sextet – Daniel Gaede, v./ Xuesu Liu, p./ Philharmonic String Sextet Berlin – Phil. Harmonie

by | Jan 28, 2013 | Classical CD Reviews

Korngold is not one of my favorites, but his String Sextet is. It receives an atmospheric performance here and is joined by some beautifully played salon music from the young composer.