Ritter Archive
********* CORIGLIANO: The Ghosts of Versailles (complete opera) ********* LA Opera – Pentatone (2)
At long last, a recording of one of the most important American operas – ever. * CORIGLIANO: The Ghosts of Versailles (complete opera) – Victoria Livengood (Woman with hat)/ Kristinn Sigmundsson (Louis XVI)/ Scott Scully (Marquis)/ Christopher Maltman (Beaumarchais)/ Patricia Racette (Marie Antoinette)/ Lucas Meachem (Figaro)/ Lucy Schaufer (Susanna)/ Joshua Guerrero (Count Almaviva)/ Guanqun Yu (Rosina)/ Renée Rapier (Cherubino)/ Patti LuPone (Samira)/ LA Opera Orchestra & Chorus/ James Conlon – Pentatone American Operas multichannel SACD PTC5186538 (2 discs), 80:57, 74:37 [Distr. by Naxos] (4/8/16) *****: Hard to fathom the fact that it has been 25 years since Ghosts so dramatically entered the scene. Conceived as a commission for the Met’s 100th anniversary, it was twelve years in the making and eight years past the deadline. The catalyst was James Levine, and the opening cast was a blazing fury of stars and up-and-coming stars. It was recorded on video and eventually released on DVD—no longer available except from some Amazon rip-off sites for two hundred bucks—and though there have been a fair amount of performances, most are of a scaled down version that does not reflect the original “Grand Opera Buffa” espoused by the composer. So this release is something of […]
LIEUWEN: Concertos Volume II = Slovak Nat. Sym. Orch. /Franz Krager and Texas Musical Festival Orch./ Krager – MRS Classics
LIEUWEN: Concertos Volume II = Concerto for Cello and Orchestra; Romance for Violin, Cello and Orchestra; Vivace for String Orchestra; Concerto for Piano, Marimba and Orchestra – Slovak Nat. Sym. Orch. /Franz Krager and Texas Musical Festival Orch./ Krager – MRS Classics MSR 1582 (4/14/16) TT: 1:03:57 [Distr. by Albany] ****: Contemporary music fans will feel at home with Lieuwen’s lovely compositions. My colleague Steven Ritter has previously reviewed Peter Lieuwen’s other MSR Classics disc, which comprises volume 1. He wished for more, and this disc is volume 2, entitled Concertos. As Steven Ritter noted, Lieuwen’s work is hard to characterize. I hear music that sounds like Gade, and some of the American contemporary masters, but the fact is Lieuwen’s sound is unique and compelling. Driving rhythms, thoughtful music, and some lovely dynamics make his music worth more than passing notice. The first work on the disc is a fine listen. It’s the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, written in 2012. The concerto was written for cellist Nicholas Jones, who performs it here. The first movement is massively dynamic, while the second movement is played broadly and more melancholy at the outset. I have mixed options about the recording. The […]
“Tapestries” = Choral works of DAN LOCKLAIR – soloists/The Choral Art Society/ Robert Russell – MSR Classics
A wonderful and generous sampling of some of the finest choral music written today. “Tapestries” = DAN LOCKLAIR: Holy Canticles; Alleluia Dialogues; Instant Culture; On Cats; Break Away!; Dona Nobis Pacem; Proclaim The Lord; A Christmas Carol; Three Christmas Motets; Windswept (The Trees); For Amber Waves; Tapestries; Brief Mass; Changing Perceptions; Epitaph – Ann Doyle, p./ Bel Canto Company/ David Pegg/ Prometheus Ch. Players/ Shirley Curry, p./ The Choral Art Society/ Robert Russell – MSR Classics MS 1463 (2 CDs), 61:46, 70:26 [Distr. by Albany] ****: Few contemporary composers have been as successful as Dan Locklair; his prolific music is performed widely, even world-widely, in many genres. It’s not difficult; it doesn’t have even the slightest pretense towards aphoristic complexities or trendy associations. What it does have is heart, lots of heart, sincerity, craft, and communicativeness. And best of all, none of these characteristics are in the slightest way condescending toward we listeners. Everything Locklair declaims is honest, forthright, and moving. This generous two-CD set covers a lot of his choral output from 1981-96, and the consistency and quality are remarkable, and the excellent mix of sacred and secular provides a fine overview of the man’s intents and interests. Especially […]
“Haec dies – Music for Easter” – Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/ Graham Ross/ Matthew Jorysz, organ – Harmonia mundi
Just in time for the Easter season, a tremendous choral excursion. “Haec dies – Music for Easter” – Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/ Graham Ross/ Matthew Jorysz, organ – Harmonia mundi HMU 907655, 72:56 *****: Though there are a few pieces here that are distinctly non-Easter in origin (like the Rachmaninov), this Easter day celebration that spans five centuries across the European continent has a lot going for it. For those wanting the traditional boys-men choir, you had best look elsewhere, for the Clare College Choir is a mixed male-female ensemble of young singers who sport a powerful dynamic range and superbly pointed intonation. I can’t pretend that the boys versus girls argument in English choral singing isn’t important; in fact the two timbres are hugely different and make quite a difference in the perception. For those seeking “tradition” this will come as a disappointment. For those wanting simple, unaffected and magnificently presently vocal art that is able to traverse multiple periods and styles with ease, this is it. There are no weak links on this recording, the sound is exceptional, and the resonating commitment of these young musicians easily belies their youth. The mix of composers and periods is […]
BACH: The English Suites – Richard Egarr, harpsichord – Harmonia mundi
Consistency abounds, but interpretation is not matched by choice in execution.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
