NEW PICKS: Choices of New Classical CDs, DVDs, Books
Thursday, 24 November 2005
Complete Piano Music of Tristan Murail Now Playing: Marilyn Nonken piano
Tristan Murail (b. 1947) explores the piano itself, finding within its resonance, and bringing inescapably to our ears, harmonics and microtones - notes to hear although they have not been played - the supposed unavailability of which compounds the instrument's reputation as an equal-tempered anachronism, little changed since its heyday in the 19th Century. ...LINK to complete details
Music of Niccolo CASTIGLIONI Now Playing: Sarah Nicols- piano Topic: METIER RECORDS
"Niccolo Castiglioni was born in Milan in 1932 and died there in 1996. Between 1958 and 1965 he was a regular visitor to the fabled Darmstadt summer school, and from 1966 to 1970 a visiting professor of composition in the USA, where he taught in Ann Arbor, Seattle and San Diego. The first piece on offer in this fine representative selection of his piano music, splendidly played by Sarah Nicolls,Cangianti, dates from 1959. Cangianti is a tightly-argued, compact eleven-minute work written in 1959. It is composed of sub-clauses of tremendous colour and complexity, full of flurries in the middle register and some fortissimo outbursts. Decisive treble and bass oppositional motifs join with considerable command of dynamic variations to produce a work of real distinction. Tre Pezzi (1978) is curious. In his erudite sleeve-note Michael Finnissy wonders whether they represent a "parodistic exorcism" citing Messiaen, Webern and the Second Viennese School generally. The first (marked "Sweet") certainly has a flurry of birdsong and occupies an insistent, staccato-laced sound-world. And the third is kinetic and leapingly fractious. ...LINK to complete details
Topic: BRIDGE Releases
Steven Mackey: Interior Design: Sonata for Violin and Piano (1996), Curtis Macomber, violin; Aleck Karis, piano; Interior Design (2003), Curtis Macomber, violin; Humble River (1997) Susan Nidel, flute; Curtis Macomber, violin; Maureen Gallagher, viola; Gregory Hesselink, violoncello
BRIDGE 9183 DDD Total Time: 70:02
This disc presents premiere recordings of three works by the American composer, Steven Mackey. The disc features violin virtuoso Curtis Macomber on all three works, and documents the long relationship that Macomber has had with Mackey’s music. Macomber writes: “Much of what I find so successful in Steve’s music is that kind of willingness to explore the immediate, the vulnerable, the personal and sometimes the downright silly. He’ll tap from whatever source suits the moment, be it a naive children’s tune or some bluesy plaint. There’s an intelligence and a discerning judgement for proportion and scope, but it’s his audacious use of the vernacular that I particularly love and enjoy playing.” The three works recorded on this CD certainly indulge in the traits mentioned by Macomber, and benefit tremendously from the violinist’s committed, heroically played performances.
These Bridge CDs feature music by Steven Mackey and performances by Curtis Macomber:
Steve Mackey: “Lost and Found” Music for Electric Guitar; BRIDGE 9065
Music of Mario Davidovsky, Vol. 3; BRIDGE 9171
Songs of Amy Beach; Patrick Mason, baritone, Joanne Polk, piano
Twilight, Op. 2, No. 1; Empress of Night, Op. 2, No. 3; The Summer Wind, Op. 14, No. 2; Sweetheart, Sigh No More, Op. 14, No. 3; Golden Gates, Op. 19, No. 3; Villanelle, Op. 20; Wouldn’t That Be Queer, Op. 26, No. 4; Within My Heart, Op. 29, No. 1; Anita, Op. 41, No. 1; The Year’s at the Spring, Op. 44, No.1; Ah, Love, but a day!, Op. 44, No. 2; Come, ah, come!, Op. 48, No. 1; Good Morning, Op. 48, No. 2; Go Not Too Far, Op. 56, No. 2; Shena Van, Op. 56, No. 4; Baby, Op. 69, No. 1; O Sweet Content, Op. 71, No. 2; Wind o’ the Westland, Op. 77, No. 2; In the Twilight, Op. 85; Mine Be the Lips, Op. 113; Dark Garden, Op. 131; I Shall Be Brave, Op. 143
BRIDGE 9182 DDD Total Time:
Amy Beach (1873-1942) was probably the first woman composer to gain attention for writing successfully in the large forms of the nineteenth century: symphony, concerto, oratorio and chamber music. But it is in her songs and solo piano music that we glimpse a more private and intimate Beach. Beach produced more than 120 songs, only a few of which are known to the general public. This superb CD presents 22 of Beach’s finest songs, a selection which ranges from some of her earliest published efforts through her later brooding masterpieces. American baritone Patrick Mason is accompanied on this recording by leading Beach specialist, pianist Joanne Polk. Together, Mason and Polk’s penetrating interpretations make an excellent case for these songs as major English language song literature.
These Patrick Mason recordings are also available on Bridge:
Schubert: Die Winterreise; with Phyllis East, piano; BRIDGE 9053
Songs of Ravel, Faur?, Poulenc and Dutilleux; with Robert Spillman, piano; BRIDGE 9058
Stephen Sondheim: Sunday Song Set; with David Starobin, guitar; on BRIDGE 9009
Tod Machover: VALIS, an opera on the novel by Philip K. Dick; BRIDGE 9007
Elliott Carter: Three Poems of Robert Frost; with Speculum Musicae; on BRIDGE 9014
Topic: CRYSTAL RECORDS
New Release October 2005
CD837: The Elegant Viola. Yizhak Schotten, Viola. Ralph Vaughan Williams, Suite for Viola & Orchestra; J.S. Bach, Fantasia; W.F. Bach, Sonata for Viola and Harpsichord; Michael Colgrass, Variations for Four Drums and Viola. Yizhak Schotten, Viola; Carole Terry, Harpsichord; Frank Epstein, Percussion; Slovak Radio Orchestra, Kirk Trevor, Conductor
This is Yizhak Schotten's fifth CD on Crystal Records. He has been called "one of America?s finest string players" by STRAD Magazine. Schotten is formerly principal viola of the Houston and Cincinnati Symphonies, and a member of the Boston Symphony. He is one of the most respected violists in the world. He now teaches at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. This is one of the only available recordings of the beautiful Suite by Vaughan Williams, and is the only recording of the Variations by Michael Colgrass.
New Releases September 2005
CD265: Anton Reicha: Woodwind Quintets Vol 5: opus 91, no.s 3 & 4. Westwood Wind Quintet
This is the second release in Crystal Records' series of Anton Reicha's monumental 24 woodwind quintets. These are beautiful works, symphonic in scope. Reicha (1770-1836) was a friend of Beethoven's and his writing illustrates the style of that period. One of the most influential composers and teachers of the early 1800s, Reicha was Professor of Counterpoint and Fugue at the Paris Conservatory.
The Westwood Wind Quintet has recorded more than 15 albums in addition to the Reicha series, and has performed over 2000 concerts since its inception in 1959. The group has been called "a complete and completely satisfying musical experience" by legendary conductor Robert Shaw. Daniel Carriaga, writing in the Los Angeles Times about a concert of the Westwood Wind Quintet, said "An accumulation of instrumental polish and important repertory over a long period has resulted in a treasurable sense of ensemble and musical solidity."
Katherine Jenkins is living a dream Topic: Katherine Jenkins
Once upon a time, there was only one attractive Welsh operatic singer who appealed to the masses and her name was Charlotte Church. Yet since Charlotte forsook the classical world to become an RnB diva, the rather gorgeous face of Katherine Jenkins has very easily slipped into her place.
Jenkins is possessed of not just media-friendly good looks, but a truly beautiful voice - she's also been fortunate that her rise has coincided with an explosion in popularity of light classical music such as G4, Il Divo and Hayley Westenra, and her obligatory appearances at every football cup final in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has also helped to raise her profile no end. ...LINK to complete news story
Consumer Information
1. Ti Amero Per Sempre (I Will Always Love You)
2. I Vow To Thee My Country
3. One Fine Day (Un Bel Di)
4. Canto Della Terra
5. Music Of The Night
6. Nessun Dorma
7. Cinema Paradiso (Se)
8. Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
9. Amazing Grace
10. David Of The White Rock
11. All Things Bright And Beautiful
12. Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix
13. Over The Rainbow
14. Torna A Surriento
15. Don't Stand At My Grave And Weep
16. We'll Meet Again
Posted by BSB, editor
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Updated: Sunday, 30 October 2005 3:57 AM EDT
Friday, 14 October 2005
Topic: Andre Rieu Andre Rieu Snares #1 on Billboard Classical Chart With The Flying Dutchman; PBS Pledge Drive Special Powers Strong Debut; December US Arena Tour Sells Out
...LINK to complete news story
THE WORLD'S GREAT PIANISTS ON WARNER CLASSICS Now Playing: Fascinating New Recordings From Topic: WARNER CLASSICS
PIERRE-LAURENT AIMARD, BORIS BEREZOVSKY, NIKOLA? LUGANSKY & DANIEL
BARENBOIM
Plus SCOTT ROSS' acclaimed Scarlatti series, now available at a budget
price
Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Chamber Orchestra of Europe
MOZART: Piano Concertos No. 6, 15 & 27
Release date: October 11
Gramophone calls Pierre-Laurent Aimard "one of the most musically
inquisitive and open-minded pianists before the public." Now, the
superb
French pianist adds three Mozart concertos to his highly-acclaimed
repertoire on Warner Classics, following recordings of Beethoven,
Dvor?k,
Debussy, Ives, Ravel, Messiaen, Carter, Reich, Ligeti and Boulez. All
three
Mozart concertos are in the key of B-flat Major, which the composer
associated with happiness. Aimard recently won the Royal Philharmonic
Society Award in the Instrumentalist category for his adventurous
commitment
to 20th century and contemporary music, the breadth of his repertoire
and
for his brilliant, poetic and subtly shaded playing.
Boris Berezovsky
CHOPIN / GODOWSKY: ?tudes
Release date: October 11
Boris Berezovsky is an artist of dazzling virtuosity and formidable
power,
and is often referred to as "the truest successor to the great Russian
pianists." On his latest disc for Warner Classics, Berezovsky takes on
a
selection of the most difficult works for the keyboard, Leopold
Godowsky's
commentaries on a selection of Chopin Etudes from Opp. 10 and 25. In
some
cases, Godowsky has transferred Chopin's material to the left hand
only!
Godowsky's intention was not only to raise the already high technical
demands of Chopin's originals by pushing pianists to their limits, but
to
encourage them to return to Chopin's original works with new insight
and
appreciation.
Scott Ross
SCARLATTI: The Keyboard Sonatas
(re-release at budget price)
Release date: October 11
Scott Ross (1951-1989), the American-born organist and harpsichordist,
recorded Scarlatti's 555 sonatas between June 1984 and September 1985.
Originally released in nine volumes, they proved a great success with
both
the public and critics and have been a pillar of the Warner catalogue
ever
since. They are now being re-released as a 34-CD boxed set at budget
price.
"This is quite simply a magnificent recording of magnificent music..."
-
Gramophone
Nikola? Lugansky
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas
Release date: November 8
The Observer recently noted, "I am running out of superlatives about
the
young Russian pianist Nicolai Lugansky." Now, following the critical
success
of his Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Chopin and Britten CDs, Lugansky expands
his
Warner Classics discography with a recording of four Beethoven sonatas,
including Opus 27, No. 2 in C-sharp minor "Moonlight" and Opus 57 in F
minor, dubbed the "Appassionata."
Daniel Barenboim / Berlin Philharmonic
MOZART: Piano Concertos Nos. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14 & 16-27
(re-release at budget price)
Release date: November 8
Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Philharmonic recorded a cycle of Mozart
Piano Concertos for Teldec in the 1990s. These critically acclaimed
readings, in which Barenboim conducts from the piano, are considered
among
the finest available of this repertoire. Gramophone said that "these
new
discs place Barenboim ... in the highest class of interpreters of
Mozart's
piano concertos, and demand to be owned even if you already possess
other
versions." Warner Classics is pleased to release a 9-CD set at budget
price,
comprising 19 concertos. Two additional concertos are offered in a
bonus DVD
featuring Barenboim performing the Concerto for Two Pianos, K365 with
Sir
Georg Solti, and the Concerto for Three Pianos, K242 with Andr?s Schiff
and
Sir Georg Solti, who also conducts the English Chamber Orchestra.
Warner Classics also released Daniel Barenboim's extraordinary account
of
Bach's Well Tempered Clavier, Book II, this past July.
Topic: BRIDGE Releases
Great Performances from the Library of Congress, Volume 22
Henryk Szeryng, violin; Gary Graffman, piano
Brahms: Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78; Schumann: Sonata No. 1 in a minor, Op. 105; Beethoven: Andante piu tosto allegretto, from Sonata, Op. 12, No. 2 in A major; Mozart: Rondo: Allegro, from Sonata in C Major, K. 296
BRIDGE 9179 ADD Timing: 56: 13
This disc is the second Szeryng/Graffman disc Bridge has released, and is taken from concerts that the duo gave at the Library of Congress in 1970 and 1971. In his review of the first Bridge CD (a Beethoven recital- BRIDGE 9165) critic Jed Distler writes: “In his autobiography, pianist Gary Graffman warmly recalls his chamber music collaborations with violinist Henryk Szeryng. Judging from these Beethoven performances, the Szeryng/Graffman partnership yielded exciting results.” And indeed, the exciting results are continued in this collection. The disc begins with the duo’s superbly wrought recording of Brahms’s G major Sonata- a reading that is notable for its precision and involvement. This is chamber music-making at its best, with both artists playing off each other with inspired spontaneity. The Schumann A minor Sonata performance, called by critic Irving Lowens in The Evening Star “the high point of the evening”, is one of almost savage intensity and impassioned music-making. Szeryng announces two encores from the stage- movements by Beethoven and Mozart, and a cheering audience sends the artists home with ‘Bravos’ ringing in their ears.
Posted by BSB, editor
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Updated: Thursday, 13 October 2005 8:11 PM EDT