|
|
|
|
 |
Audiophile
Recordings |
|
|
| |
W.A.
Mozart: Concertone k.190; Sinfonia Concertante k.364; Rondo k. 373.
Netherlands Ch.Orch. cond. Kreizberg.
Julia Fischer, violin; Gordan Nikoli, violin/viola
PentaTone Classics PTC 5186 098 Reviewed by RSF
This is the third and final disc for Julia Fischer completing her cycle
of Mozart’s works for violin and orchestra. This is extremely accessible
music and I believe these three discs should be included as a cornerstone
for anyone’s classical music collection. Mozart wrote almost all
his “string music for two” within a 10-year period in Salzburg,
beginning in 1772 at the age of 16, yet also had time to write his violin
concertos as well. He was, to say the least, a busy, busy young man. Fischer
and Nikoli are right at home with this lively fare and play beautifully
together in the two three-movement works included on this disc. The Rondo,
with a cadenza by Julia Fischer is a quick (less than six-minute) one
movement Allegretto which is sure to please everyone. Kreizberg is a master
conductor and the Netherland Chamber Orchestra offer perfectly balanced
accompaniment for the artists.
Once again we are treated to excellent sound on the CD layer which is
only bettered by the DSD version. Top recommendation.
Supplier: www.pentatonemusic.com |
|
   |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Steely
Dan - Aja
Cisco CIS 1006 Reviewed by RP
Kevin Gray’s re-master and AcousTech’s precise cut is a fitting
and quite sublime sonic solution for this much admired and meticulously
crafted album. The Aja “thirtieth anniversary” 180g Limited
Edition LP release is a pertinent and timely reminder of the Donald Fagen
(keyboards/vocals) and Walter Becker (bass/ vocals) creative partnership.
Steely Dan, so named after the steam powered dildo in William Burrough’s
Naked Lunch, delivered a series of epoch-defining records between 1974
and 1980 including Pretzel Logic, through Katy Lied, to Aja and Gaucho.
Here, on Aja they are joined by a fine array of musicians, amongst them
Tom Scott (sax), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Jim Keltner (drums), Joe Sample
(clavinet) and Larry Carlton (guitar) delivering rock music with a sweeping
jazz funk/disco undercurrent. Songs like ‘Black Cow’, ‘Peg’,
‘Deacon Blues’ and ‘Aja’ possess an ethereal and
contemplative harmonic and melodic quality that carries you back to 1977
more effectively than any time capsule, with their honeyed backing vocals
and magnificent arrangements. Cisco’s impressive technical standards
completely outshine the original LP and eases past the highly regarded
half-speed mastered Mobile Fidelity re-issue.
Suppler: www.redsparkmusic.com |
|
   |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Diego
Ortiz - Ad Vespers
Cantar Lontano directed by Marco Mencoboni. Vittorio Zanon, org.
Alpha Productions 108 Reviewed by RSF
The Spanish composer Diego Ortiz was born in Toledo around1525. He studied
music there until 1553 before leaving for Naples where in 1558 he acceded
to the position of maestro de capilla for Fernando Alvarez de Toledo,
3rd Duke of Alba. This is a fabulous disk containing wonderful singing
of interesting and captivating music. Baroque most definitely, if your
tastes run to Monteverdi, these compositions will be just your cup of
tea.
The intricate themes, woven with organ and soloists are extremely soul
satisfying and offer peace in a hurried world. The vespers consist of
25 compositions and are expertly delivered by Cantar Lontano. While not
my normal taste, this disc was recommended to me by Greg Pastic of SRI
Canada, Alpha’s Canadian distributor. I’m definitely glad
he did. The sound is first rate and while there is great pleasure to be
had from the CD layer, the sound becomes richer and even more lush when
playing the SACD layer. I’d like to explore more of this music and
if you are willing to try something a little different, there is no doubt
about the enjoyment here. If you like Bach choral music or again, the
works of Claudio Monteverdi, this is a disk for you. Strongly recommended.
Supplier: www.alpha-prod.com |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Neil
Larsen - Orbit
Straight Ahead Records SAR 104LP Reviewed by RP
Florida born session man, solo artist and composer Neil Larsen has recorded
and worked with a diverse and stellar group of musicians such as the Allman
Brothers, Roy Buchanan, George Harrison, Janis Ian, B.B. King and Miles
Davis during a varied career spanning four decades. His keyboard credits
include Rickie Lee Jones’ hit single, ‘Chuckie’s in
Love’ and the Rolling Stones album, Emotional Rescue. While all
of his four previous solo releases were produced by Tommy Lipuma, this
latest recording, Orbit, which features the famed electric blues guitarist
Robben Ford, reunites Larsen with long-term associate, Stewart Levine,
who along with technical guru, Bernie Grundman, happens to be a co-founder
of the Straight Ahead Records audiophile label. Sonically, Grundman captures
that elusive and undiluted essence of a live jazz infused performance.
As a recording, its cleanliness and clearly articulated instrumentation
takes Gary Meek’s sax, Lee Thronburg’s trumpet and the Jimmy
Haslip bass reproduction significantly beyond that of their jazz-fusion
peers. Musically, tracks like ‘C Note’ and ‘Aztec Legend’
stand out because of Ford’s biting electric licks. Elsewhere, Larsen’s
strength and versatility as a pianist comes to the fore in straightforward
arrangements for ‘Jungle Fever’ and ‘From A Dream’.
The success of this album rests upon these twin pillars.
Suppler: www.redsparkmusic.com |
|
  |
| |
|
|
|
| |
W.A.
Mozart: Piano Concertos – C major, k.415; C minor, k.491.
Netherlands Ch. Orch. Cond.
Nikoli.Martin Helmchen, piano.
PentaTone Classics, PTC 5186 305 Reviewed by RSF
No, I’d never heard of Martin Helmchen either until I was introduced
to his playing via an online youtube experience. Winner of the Clara Haskil
competition in Switzerland and a recent winner of the Borletti Buitoni
Trust. Last year, this 25-year old German pianist won the Credit Suisse
Young Artist Award and premiered with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,
this time, conducted by Valery Gergiev. He is a fine young talent with
years of favorable press ahead of him. I’m very picky about my Mozart
yet was thoroughly won over with these performances. Helmchen’s
technique is light yet authoritative and he brings a level of maturity
and panache you’d expect to hear from a much more experienced player.
Nikoli and the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra provide honest, straightforward
accompaniment and do nothing to distract the listener from the music.
The engineers provide a rich soundscape which shines in the SACD mix.
Included with this package is a DVD that provides additional insight into
not only the recording session, but also the post production work as well
as an interview with the soloist. This is an exceptionally fine outing
which is sure to please. It is most heartily recommended.
Supplier: www.pentatonemusic.com
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Giuseppe
Verdi: La Traviata
Netrebko, Villazon, Hampson
Rizzi/Wiener Philharmoniker
DG 00289 477 5936 (2005) Reviewed by DS
The most recent ‘all star’ recording of Verdi’s most
popular opera took place at the Salzburg Summer Festival 2005. Some see
La Traviata as no more than a collection of simple, but not particularly
deep or complex arias. I beg to differ - the more ‘simple’
we think a piece of music may be (and, of course, it often is not), the
more difficult it is to perform in a complete and proper manner. Which
is why, after sampling so many existing recordings of La Traviata, I chose
the new perfect couple for the parts of Violetta Valery and Alfredo Germont
– Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, for my artistic and musical
reference! Both still very young, they sing with total and utter interaction,
their absolute vocal perfection becoming a glorious irrelevance, simply
serving the emotional senses. Thomas Hampson (Giorgio Germont) blends
in equally well in the difficult role of Alfredo’s father, providing
Netrebko and Villazon with delicate harmony. Sonically, live recordings
are rarely cooked to the same degree of (studio) perfection and this La
Traviata is no exception. But it still sounds better than most, and realistically
conveys the atmosphere
and all the qualities of that unique evening in Salzburg. You will never
regret having this CD. Actually, you should get the DVD as well!
|
|
  |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Alexander
Scriabin - ‘assorted works’
Yevgeny Sudbin, pianist
Bis 1568 Reviewed by RSF
My earliest exposure to the piano music of Alexander Scriabin via DGG
recordings with Roberto Szidon was less than fruitful. Now comes a disc
with Yevgeny Sudbin (whose Rachmaninov on Bis I adore) and the music turns
out to be not only accessible, but rich, sonorous and wonderfully rewarding.
Included in this disc are various etudes, sonatas mazurkas, a nuance from
four pieces, op.56, a poème and a valse, lasting nearly an hour.
The music is very lyrical and one is captivated by the opening notes of
Étude, Op. 8, No. 12 before being catapulted into the 2ND Sonata,
Op. 19, an electrifying fantasy. From here on in you are completely under
the spell of the pianist. Do read the extensive liner notes written by
Sudbin himself, which clearly indicate to the reader just how well the
author knows this composer. This is a disc for those who love piano music.
It’s also a disc for those who aren’t sure they like piano
music. Contradiction? I don’t think so. Sudbin’s playing is
really heartfelt and while you may not be sure you are ready for Scriabin,
I’m here to tell you that you are. This is an excellent recording
on CD that sparkles as a demonstration quality disc in the SACD format.
This is what a piano-in-your-room sounds like. Enjoy.
Supplier: www.bis.se |
|
  |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Haydn:
String Quartets: Opus 20, No.3, 74, No.1, 76, No.1
Amsterdam String Quartet
Channel Classics CCS SA 25907 Reviewed by RSF
Haydn wrote 68 original string quartets having effectively invented the
string quartet genre between 1758 and 1761. The three works presented
on this disc are all from different developmental periods and offer tremendous
insight into the craftsmanship of this master composer. Haydn is vastly
imaginative and these quartets tell us much about his range of style.
This is my first exposure to The Amsterdam String Quartet and I can tell
you I walked away from this disc looking for more. There is a plan for
this group to embark on an extensive Haydn project which will include
performing ALL the string quartets. Considering he wrote the first of
his quartets when he was 26, scholars consider his mature works to be
from 1772 when the composer was 40. These are well performed and Jared
Sacks once again delivers outstanding sound in both the CD and SACD formats.
The liner notes tell us that Mozart was a big admirer of Haydn’s
Op. 20. and later dedicated six quartets to Haydn. Haydn reciprocated
and felt that Mozart was “…the greatest composer known to
me either in person or by name…” My favorite of these three
is Op. 76 but you cannot go wrong with anything here. Great music well
played in excellent sound quality. Not to be missed.
Supplier: www.channelclassics.com
|
|
  |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Debussy:
La Mer;
Britten: Four Sea Interludes
Mercure: Kaléidoscope
Orch. Metropolitain du Grand Montréal: cond. Nézet-Séguin
Atma Classique SACD2 2549 Reviewed by RSF
Nézet-Séguin and his orchestra performed the wonderful Saint
Saëns 3rd Symphony they’ve written about in the past and I
was anxious to hear what they could do with Debussy’s La Mer…
I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, these are compelling performances
and if you do not have a favourite disc already, you might want to put
investigating this one high on the list. Nézet-Séguin leads
his orchestra with a firm control and his reading of La Mer inspires and
delights. Some conductors are too slow…others are in a hurry but
he seemingly delights in allowing his orchestra to convey the passion
and fire that breathes within Debussy’s work. The Four Sea Interludes
are beautifully played and a perfect foil for the other gems on this disc.
I was not familiar with the Mercure composition,
Kaléidoscope. It turns out to be a very interesting work which
the liner notes nail, “Mercure evokes the dynamic world of the kaleidoscope
in his score by mixing Debussyian orchestral colours with rhythms reminiscent
of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring…” Sounds exciting? Indeed,
and highly entertaining. The final track is a highly evocative reading
of Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
which will surely impress. Great sound quality on both the CD and SACD
layer.
Supplier: www.atmaclassique.com
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
