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Aaron
Copland: Appalachian Spring; Billy The Kid (Complete Ballet).
Antal Dorati cond. L.S.O.
Speakers Corner/Mercury Living Presence SR90246 Reviewed by RSF
Listening to this ‘old friend’ again, reminds me of just why
Aaron Copland is considered the most important American Classical Composer
of the last century. The drama of both ballets is immediately available
to the listener and your attention is committed to the story line offered
in the liner notes. The orchestral version, (Appalachian Spring) omitting
certain sections of the ballet, and rescored for concert performance,
dates from the spring of 1945.
Copland describes the action of the ballet as concerning “a pioneer
celebration in spring around a newly-built farmhouse in the Pennsylvania
hills in the early part of the last Century[1800’s]” Exceptionally
well recorded by Mercury on 35mm film, these are exciting works that tell
impressive stories of a time long past. Dorati leads the LSO through these
dynamic passages giving your system a sonic workout along the way. Meanwhile,
the job of re-creating the gunfights that punctuated the life of Billy
the Kid is impressively handled by the orchestra’s various instruments.
Wonderfully dynamic music that should be in every collection, this is
one of my favorite Mercury recordings. Highest recommendations.
Supplier: www.speakerscornerrecords.com
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Claire
Martin - He never mentioned love [remembering Shirley Horn]
Linn Records AKD 295 Reviewed by RSF
While many in the UK are I’m sure, quite familiar with Claire Martin,
I have to plead ignorance.
Although I’d not heard Ms. Martin before, I was interested in this
disc because of its dedication to Shirley Horn, one of my favorite singers.
Accompanying the quartet’s main instrumentalists are a group of
‘special guests’ scattered throughout the 13 different selections
presented. Needless to say I really enjoyed this disc and felt it contained
exceptionally fine sound. While not a “live” performance,
there is a strong feeling of intimacy with the soloist and the quality
of the songs selected really matches the style and substance of the late,
great Shirley Horn. The ballads sung by Martin are absolutely in the spirit
of Horn and you can imagine Shirley singing any one of them. I’m
not a big fan of many of the ‘in’ Jazz singers today, but
I’ll admit to developing an interest in Martin and intend to explore
her further. If you’ve not been a fan, I’m sure this disc
will turn your head. Impressive lyrics sung with class and style that
bear repeated playing.
The CD layer is excellent, but the sound really blooms in your room when
you switch to the SACD DSD layer. Highly recommended.
Supplier: www.linnrecords.com
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Johannes
Brahms: Haydn Variations; Symphony No. 1 in C minor.
Marek Janowski, cond.
Pittsburgh S.O.
PentaTone PTC 5186 307 Reviewed by RSF
Well, rather than mincing my words and having to hold you in suspense
while you read the entire paragraph, I’ll cut to the chase and tell
you that this has become not only my favorite performance of the ten Haydn
Variations, but I’m having a hard time thinking about any other
performance of the Brahms 1st beyond this new Janowski recording! The
conductor is able to flesh out a Romantic tempo in the symphony I hadn’t
experienced before. While I still hold Walter, Munch, Boult and Barbirolli
in very high regard, if you like the symphonies of Brahms, you have to
hear what Janowski and the Pittsburgh are doing. They’ve created
a wonderfully spirited performance with a rich palette of color I’ve
never before associated with this work. It’s a beautifully recorded
disc and once again, the downconverted CD layer is excellent (even if
the award goes to the DSD layer). This is a disc I’ve played at
least a dozen times since I received it and every time I hear it, I have
to stop what I’m doing, sit and listen.
It provides a very rewarding musical experience and will become a highly
valued addition to the collection of all those who love Brahms. Highest
recommendation.
Supplier: www.pentatonemusic.com |
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Igor
Stravinsky: The Song of the Nightingale; Scherzo À La Russe; Four
Études for Orchestra etc.
Antal Dorati cond. L.S.O.
Speakers Corner/Mercury Living Presence SR90387 Reviewed by RSF
This is a very important record whether you are an established fan of
the composer or not. Side One of this album presents four different faces
of the great man, while he delivers smart, concise and exceptionally engaging
works you are bound to return to often. He knows how to orchestrate and
whilst he wasn’t above seeking inspiration in other’s work,
there is nothing but originality on show here. The Song of the Nightingale
is a piece I’m especially fond of and the Mercury team did a fabulous
job of capturing the excitement and dynamic contrasts here, a feat echoed
by the people at Speakers Corner, who have delivered a re-issue to be
especially proud of. The original Mercury, in early pressings, has always
tended to be on the bright side. That tendency has been banished, a factor
which helps rank the re-pressing significantly above original issues.
More mid-bass, open silky highs and not a hint of brightness make this
a recording you must own. A near perfect disc earns a mandatory
Highest Recommendation.
Supplier: www.speakerscornerrecords.com |
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Guy Clark,
Townes Van Zandt, Gamble Rogers, Steve Earle et al. - Heartworn Highways
Loose Music VJCD167 Reviewed by RG
Thirty-years ago, documentary film-makers Phillip Schopper and Jim Szalapski
embarked on a program recording the emergence of the nascent New-Country
movement, a collection of gritty performers who eschewed the gloss and
sparkle of Nashville, returning America’s country music to its roots.
A collection of interviews and performances, many impromptu, all of them
of original material, it became in itself a seminal work, the music captured
uncompressed and generally straight to two-track or right off the board.
Heartworn Highways isn’t a soundtrack album as such: instead, it
consists of a selection of music and occasional anecdotes, taken from
the film. But if the front-room or local bar locations aren’t special
enough, what really sets this disc apart is the care that went into its
mastering, or “restoration” as those responsible would have
it. Using minimal treatment and the Rupert Neve designed Legendary Audio
Masterpiece mastering suite, sound recordist Alvar Stugard’s original
tapes were transferred to digital with their full dynamic range and the
lifelike, acoustic presence that characterized the performances retained
intact. The results are spookily real and absolutely captivating. In the
same way that live acoustic music, any live acoustic music, irrespective
of genre, captures and holds your attention, these songs simply hold you
to the system. There’s no walking away. By the very nature of the
source, the quality of the recordings varies, from very, very good to
the truly exceptional. The best of them are the solo renditions, just
voice and guitar, captured almost “on the fly” – littered
with extraneous noises and unwanted intrusions that somehow just add to
the magic. But what all these songs have in common is the chemistry of
live performance, the tension, the frisson of emotion and communication.
The only aspect I could do without is the last four tracks, taken from
a Christmas Eve jam session. There’s no slackening in the recording
quality, it’s just the near religious nature of the material sits
so awkwardly against the rest of the album. I guess you had to be there…
Although, in fairness, with this disc you pretty much are!
I cannot recommend this album highly enough. Whether you love or loath
country music (and this is nearer to roots or Americana to be honest)
you’ll find something wondrous here to amaze you.
The artists are or were soon to become legendary, the quality of their
music sublime. Besides which it marks the recording debut of one Steve
Earle – which is worth the candle on its own.
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