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J.S. BACH: The Six French Suites, BWV 812-817 - Evgeni Koroliov, piano - Tacet Published on July 06, 2008 His confidence in the brisk gigues, with quick, ad libitum flourishes in grace notes and apoggiaturas, testifies to his fluid mastery.
SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden” (arr. Lieberman); BARTOK: String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 7 (arr. Lieberman) - The American String Project - MSR Classics Published on July 06, 2008
ALLEN & WALLACE SHAWN: The Music Teacher – Soloists/3 Pianos/Tomothy Long, conductor - Bridge Published on July 04, 2008 Some fine music, but a weird and questionable story
HAYDN: The Creation – Sandrine Piau (Gabriel)/ Mark Padmore (Uriel)/ Neal Davies (Raphael)/ Peter Harvey (Adam)/ Miah Persson (Eve)/ Chetham’s Chamber Choir/ Gabrieli Consort and Players/ Paul McCreesh, conductor – Archiv (2 CDs) Published on July 03, 2008 Great, but a missed opportunity for surround
Crystal Tears = Music of Dowland and His Contemporaries – Andreas Scholl, counter-tenor/ Julian Behr, lute/ Concerto di Viole [+ bonus DVD] – Harmonia mundi Published on July 03, 2008 For those who like counter-tenors, this is splendid singing
MARK O’CONNOR: Double Violin Concerto; Appalachia Waltz; Johnny Appleseed Suite; Marching Along the Ohio Frontier; Johnny’s Apple Pie; Three Angel Brides; Amazing Grace – Mark O’Connor, Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg, violins/Colorado Sym./Marin Alsop - Omac Published on July 01, 2008 The sound is warm and comforting, production values high. If you know what you like, go for it.
DAVID MASLANKA: Symphony No. 2; JACK STAMP: Symphony No. 1, "In Memoriam of David Diamond"; KEVIN KRUMENAUER: Blue on Red - Illinois State University Wind Ensemble/ Stephen K. Steele, conductor - Albany Published on July 01, 2008 Maslanka's music is always highly creative, beautiful, and wastes no space on the page whatsoever.
HAYDN: Theresa Mass in B-flat; Mass in Time of War in C - Soloists/ Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra/ Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart/ Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra/ Helmuth Rilling, conductor - Hanssler Published on July 01, 2008 Rilling has always been able to get a very consistent sound no matter where he was conducting; so it is here.
FERDINAND HILLER: Piano Concertos Nos, 1, 2, & 3 - Howard Shelley, piano & conductor/ Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra - Hyperion Published on June 29, 2008 Skillfully rendered beauty from a little-known Romantic.
GEORGE CRUMB: Variazioni; Otherworldly Resonances; Night of the Four Moons; The Sleeper; 3 Early Songs – Quattro Mani/ Jan DeGaetani, mezzo-sop./ Gilbert Kalish, piano/ The Aeolian Chamber Players/ Odense Symphony Orchestra/ Paul Mann, conductor – Bridge Published on June 29, 2008 This is an essential issue in this series, not to be missed
BACH: Trio Sonatas, BWV 525-530; Prelude and Fugue in B-minor, BWV 544; Prelude and Fugue in E-minor, BWV 548 – Christa Rakich, organ/ Alice Robbins, cello and viol da gamba/ Dana Maiben, violin/ Wendy Rolfe, flute – Loft Published on June 29, 2008 As fine a conception of these sonatas as you are likely to hear
ERNST TOCH: Violin Sonata No. 2, Op. 44; Burlesken, Op. 31; 3 Cello Impromptus; Piano Quintet – Spectrum Concerts Berlin (Daniel Blumenthal, piano/ Annette von Hehn, violin/ Julia-Maria Kretz, violin/ Hartmut Rohde, viola/ Frank Dodge, cello - Naxos Published on June 29, 2008 Finally an excellent recording of music struggling to find its place
Streams of Tears = Music of Juan Gutierrez de Padilla - The Sixteen/ Harry Christophers, conductor - Coro Published on June 26, 2008 The Sixteen present us with a fine selection of his music, sumptuously recorded, and is as superior a collection of Padilla's music as you will find.
KENNETH LEIGHTON: Orchestral Works Vol. 1 = Symphony for Strings Op. 3; Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani Op. 58; Concerto for String Orchestra op. 39 - John Scott, organ/BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox - Chandos Published on June 26, 2008 Leighton’s organ concerto of 1970 uses a similar scoring as Poulenc’s famous work.
AULIS SALLINEN: Symphony No. 3, Op. 35; No. 5, Op. 57 "Washington Mosaics" - German State Philharmonic of the Rheinland-Palatinate/ Ari Rasilainen, conductor - CPO Published on June 26, 2008 Sallinen is a highly emotional composer, one who wears his very distraught and sometimes fragile heart on his sleeve.
"From HaFiz to Firewing (and beyond)" = Works by SARGON, DUTILLEUX, WELCHER, DUNHILL, PATTERSON - Erin Hannigan, oboe - Crystal Published on June 26, 2008 Do give Ms. Hannigan a try as she richly deserves it, but keep in mind that most recitals like this are invariably a mixed bag.
KENNETH FUCHS: United Artists; Quiet in the Land; Fire, Ice, and Summer Bronze; Autumn Rhythm; French Horn Concerto ("Canticle to the Sun") - Timothy Jones, horn/ London Symphony Orchestra/ JoAnn Falletta, conductor - Naxos Published on June 25, 2008 Successful follow up to Fuch’s previous Grammy-nominated Naxos CD
ANTONIA SALIERI: Armida (Sinfonia); Daliso e Delmita (Overture); Pafio e Mirra ossia I prigionieri; Der Rauchfangkeher (Overture); Les Danaides; Les Horaces (Overture); Catilina (Overture) - Mannheim Mozart Orchestra/ Thomas Fey, conductor - Hanssler Published on June 25, 2008 Is Salieri unjustly neglected or justly ignored? You decide.
STEPHEN JAFFE: Cut Time; Cello Concerto; Poetry of the Piedmont; Homage to the Breath - David Hardy, cello/ Milagro Vargas, sop./ North Carolina Sym./ Grant Llewellyn/ Odense Symphony Orchestra/ Paul Mann, conductor/ 21st Century Consort/Kendall - Bridge Published on June 25, 2008 The best here certainly proves that Jaffe is a voice to be reckoned with.
"Capriccio" - Renaud Capucon, violin and Jerome Ducros, piano in Recital - Virgin Classics Published on June 25, 2008 Capucon is a gifted artist who plays the 1737 Guarneri del Gesu instrument the late Isaac Stern sported for fifty years.
American Orchestral Song = THOMSON: The Feast of Love; CARPENTER: Water-Colors; HARRIS: Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun; GRIFFES: Ancient China and Japan; more - Patrick Mason, baritone/ Odense Symphony Orch./Paul Mann - Bridge Published on June 25, 2008 An essential disc of unknown but outstanding repertory
MASCAGNI: Zanetto (complete opera); L'amico Fritz (Intermezzo); Cavalleria rusticana (Intermezzo) - Eilana Lappalainen (Sylvia)/ Jennifer Larmore (Zanetto)/ Academic Choir Zerotin/ Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic/ Peter Tiboris, conductor - Elysium Published on June 24, 2008 A Mascagni rarity with the effervescent Jennifer Larmore
Romaria = The Dowland Project - John Potter, tenor/ Milos Valent, violin and viola/ John Surman, soprano sax, bass clarinet, tenor and bass recorders/ Stephen Stubbs, baroque guitar, vihuela - ECM Published on June 24, 2008 The latest Dowland Project album provides plenty more of the same
SCHOENBERG: Chamber Symphony No. 2, op.38; Die gluckliche Hand, op. 18; Wind Quintet, op. 26 - Mark Beesley, bass/ Simon Joly Chorale/ New York Woodwind Quintet/ Philharmonia Orchestra/ Robert Craft, conductor - Naxos Published on June 24, 2008 More terrific Schoenberg by a master conductor who know the works better than anyone
The Best of DELIUS - 13 complete selections; various orchestras (listings below) - Naxos Published on June 23, 2008 An inexpensive introduction to Delius’ special world and will hopefully lead to further exploration.
VIVALDI’s Five Seasons - Quintessence Saxophone Quintet - CPO Published on June 23, 2008 Definitely a classical-jazz crossover effort.
HAYDN: Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 4, 9, 11 - Sebastian Knauer, piano/ Cologne Chamber Orchestra/ Helmut Muller-Bruhl - Naxos Published on June 23, 2008 Joyful, spirited Haydn that is beautifully played.
MARTINU: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, H. 293; Serenada No. 2 for Strings, H. 216; Toccata e due canzoni, H. 311 - Isabelle Faust, violin/Cedric Tiberghien, piano (in Toccata)/The Prague Philharmonia/Jiri Belohlovek - Harmonia mundi Published on June 22, 2008 Music of diverse genres from the pen of Bohuslav Martinu, whose eclectic style combines Slavic elements with a Parisian pedagogy.
"Cello Fiesta!" = HAYDN: Cello Concerto in C Major; TCHAIKOVSKY: Pezzo capriccioso for cello; AZARASHVILI: Cello Concerto; GINASTERA: Glosses on themes of Pablo Casals; COREA: "La Fiesta" - Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, cello/Kremerata Baltica - Profil Published on June 22, 2008 A Cello Fiesta to which all are invited.
StringPoetic—American Works in a 21st Century Perspective Published on June 22, 2008 Works by HIGDON, RUGGLES, HARRISON & ADAMS
D’INDY: Summer Day in the Mountains, Op. 61; The Enchanted Forest, Op. 8; Souvenirs, Op. 62 – Iceland Symphony Orchestra/ Rumon Gamba, conductor – Chandos Published on June 20, 2008 Spectacular. This is all I kept thinking to myself when first listening to this remarkable disc.
Apostle of Ireland = Medieval Irish Plainchant, An Office for St. Patrick – William Taylor, wire strung clarsach/ Canty/ Rebecca Tavener, conductor – Divine Art Published on June 20, 2008 A disc of music devoted to St. Patrick
HASSE: Requiem in C; Miserere in E minor – Greta De Reyghere, soprano/ Susanna Moncayo von Hase, alto/ Ian Honeyman, tenor/ Dirk Snellings, bass/ Il Fondamento/ Paul Dombrecht, conductor – Opus III/Naïve Published on June 19, 2008 A bit of recycling from the now defunct Opus 111 label, and worth every moment
HANDEL: Dettingen Te Deum; Coronation Anthem, “Zadok the Priest”; Organ Concerto No. 14 – Neal Davies, bass/ Richard Marlow, organ/ Trinity College Choir, Cambridge/ Academy of Ancient Music/ Stephen Layton, conductor – Hyperion Published on June 19, 2008 A splendid Dettingen Te Deum (and needed in the catalog), but the fillers somewhat lackluster.
SCHUBERT: Mass No. 6 in E-flat, D 950 – Brigitte Fournier, soprano/ Jacky Cahen, alto/ Jorg Durmuller, tenor/ Andreas Karasiak, tenor/ Gaston Sister, bass/ Lausanne Vocal Ensemble/ Lausanne Chamber Orchestra/ Michel Corboz, conductor – Mirare Published on June 19, 2008 Spirited Schubert hampered by some less than optimal live sound
DOMENICO SCARLATTI: Madrid Mass; Missa Breve, “La Stella”; Stabat Mater – Simone Gheller, organ/ Melodi Cantores/ Elena Sartori, conductor – Tactus Published on June 17, 2008 Fine, sturdy singing of what are becoming new baroque standards
STANFORD: Symphonies No. 3 (“Irish”) and No. 6 (“in honour of G.F. Watts”) – Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/ David Lloyd-Jones, conductor – Naxos Published on June 17, 2008 Standards remain high in Lloyd-Jones’s continuing cycle
Xuefei Yang, guitar – 40 Degrees North = ALBENIZ: Sevilla; Cordoba; Castilla; STEPHEN GOSS: The Chinese Garden; TARREGA: on the Carnival of Venice; HE ZHANHAO and CHEN GANG: The Butterfly Lovers (I); GRANADOS: Valses Poeticos; WANG HUIRAN: Yi Dance - EMI Published on June 17, 2008 Sweet playing by one of the most heralded new guitarists on the scene today
SCHUBERT: Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 “The Trout”; MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 493 - Yefim Bronfman, piano/Pinchas Zukerman, violin/Jethro Marks, viola/Amanda Forsyth, cello/Joel Quarrington, double-bass - Sony/BMG Published on June 16, 2008 Bronfman’s aggressive style is turned inward so his natural polish and smoothly articulated pulse integrate themselves in the fine skein of Schubert’s lyrical outpourings.
SCHOENBERG: Brettl-Lieder (Cabaret Songs); Pierrot Lunaire – Jennifer Goltz, soprano/ Gayle Blankenburg, piano/ Inauthentica – MSR Published on June 12, 2008 The idea of pairing the wonderful Pierrot Lunaire with these songs is a stroke of genius.
ALBERT ROUSSEL: Symphony No. 3 in G minor Op. 42; The Spider’s Feast (complete ballet) - Orchestre de Paris/Christoph Eschenbach - Ondine Published on June 12, 2008 Eschenbach has already recorded the other three Roussel symphonies, and has earned praise for them.
Patmore Lewis, violin - Rillito River Project - LEWIS: Elemental Flow; R. STRAUSS: Sonata in E flat Major for Violin & Piano; ZYMANOWSKI: The Fountain of Arethusa; ALAN SEIDLER: Sonata for Violin & Piano - YouGlobalEntertainment Published on June 10, 2008 The opening world/classical/New Age selection has a special connection to a desert area near Tucson, AZ.
SCHUBERT: Fantasy in F minor for piano duet; Andantino varié in B minor for piano duet; MOZART: Sonata in D Major for two pianos K 448 - Katia and Marielle Labeque, pianos - KML Recordings Published on June 10, 2008 The Lebeques are so precise in their execution that another recording I sampled for comparison sounded downright sloppy!
CHARLES IVES: The Three Orchestral Sets = No. 1 - Three Places in New England; No. 2; No. 3 - Malmo Sym. Orch. & Ch. Chorus/James Sinclair - Naxos Published on June 10, 2008 This is the world premiere recording of the Set No. 3 - recently reconstructed by two Ives experts.
GODARD: Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 131; Concerto Romantique for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35; Scenes Poetiques for Orchestra, Op. 46 - Chloe Hanslip, violin/ Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra/Kirk Trevor - Naxos Published on June 09, 2008 The Berceuse from his 1888 opera Jocelyn became the darling of such diverse artists as John McCormack and Pablo Casals.
MICHAEL NYMAN: Mozart 252 (playlist below) - Michael Nyman Band (+ on last 3 tracks: Hilary Summers, contralto, Andrew Slater, bass - MN Records Published on June 06, 2008 Mozart-derived selections taken from a score for a Peter Greenaway film and from Mozart's own letters & riddles.
VIVALDI: "Rarita per tastiera" = Concerto in F Major; Con. in F Major; Con. in D; Sinfonia in A Major; Con. in C Minor; Largo e Andante in A Major; Con. in F Major; BACH: Con. in B minor; WALTHER: Con. in E minor - L'Orfeo Ens./Fabrizio Ammetto - Tactus Published on June 05, 2008 A thoroughly happy, scholarly and musical supplement to Vivaldi enthusiasts who thought they’d heard it all.
MORTON FELDMAN: For Philip Guston - Julia Breuer: piccolo, flute, alto flute; Matthias Engler: glockenspiel, vibraphone, tubular bells, marimba; Elmar Schrammel: piano, celesta - Wergo Published on June 04, 2008 A protracted essay in ultra-modernism? A bizarre take on minimalism, perhaps even parody? Those things and more.
John Bayless, piano - Circle of Life - The Music of Elton John in the Style of Bach - Angel Published on June 03, 2008 Bayless is a specialist at giving popular themes a Baroque improvisational twist.
ANTONIO VIVALDI: The Four Seasons; Concerto RV 317 in G minor; Concerto RV 257 in E flat major – Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Gaede (violin)/Wojciech Rajski – Tacet Published on June 02, 2008 A tube-only recording, with a contemporary chamber orchestra playing like a period-instrument orchestra.
BRAHMS: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78; Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100; Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108 - Curtis Macomber, violin/Derek Han, piano - Bridge Published on June 01, 2008 All tastefully accomplished by two musically kindred spirits.
GUIDO DONATI Plays Guido Donati - Guido Donati, pipe organ - Tactus Published on May 31, 2008 A quirky and fun exploration of music by a composer (and a fine organist) with a highly-developed sense of humor.
Filia Praeclara = Music from 13th and 14th Century Polish Clarisse Convents - Ensemble Peregrina - Divox Antiqua Published on May 30, 2008 Unusual and highly interesting music, expertly done
REICH: Daniel Variations; Variations for Vibes, Piano, and Strings – Los Angeles Master Chorale/ Grant Gershon, conductor/ London Sinfonietta/ Alan Pierson, conductor – Nonesuch Published on May 30, 2008 Almost review-proof, Reich’s fans will no doubt flock to this one—but is it really worth it?
DOHNANYI: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 27; Violin Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 43 - Michael Ludwig, violin/ Royal Scottish National Orchestra/ JoAnn Falletta, conductor - Naxos Published on May 30, 2008 A convenient coupling of worthy entries
SCHUBERT: Death and the Maiden; Quartet Fragment in C minor – Jerusalem Quartet – Harmonia mundi Published on May 30, 2008 Simply stunning Schubert!
LUDOVICO EINAUDI: Divenire - 12 selections - Einaudi, piano - Ponderosa Published on May 28, 2008 A top-selling album in Europe, Divenire has captivated listeners around the world with its piano-based minimalism.
EDGAR BAINTON: Concerto fantasia for piano and orchestra; The Golden River; Three Pieces for Orchestra; Pavane, Idyll and Bacchanal for string orchestra with flute & tambourine - Margaret Fingerhut, piano/BBC Philharmonic/Paul Daniel - Chandos Published on May 27, 2008 Lovely stuff, redolent of Delius to my ears.
ALAN RAWSTHORNE: Practical Cats; Street Corner Overture; Madame Chrysantheme Ballet Suite; Theme, Variations & Finale; Medieval Diptych for baritone & orchestra; Coronation Overture - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones - Dutton Published on May 26, 2008 "Practical Cats'" settings varied depending on the personality of the particular cat being described.
BRUCH: Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46; MASSENET: Meditation from Thais - Michael Ludwig, violin/Virginia Symphony/JoAnn Falletta - Hampton Roads Classics Published on May 26, 2008 Falletta tries for the lush side of orchestral Romanticism, a la Ormandy, and she elicits a clear, homogeneous, warm sound.
ALEXANDRE DENEREAZ: At Tutankhamen’s Tomb; The Dream; Scenes from Circus Life - Volgograd Symphony Orchestra/ Emmanuel Siffert - Gallo Published on May 26, 2008 In a country with almost 100% Caucasian population, the circus was the only opportunity to see people of different races.
ALBERT ROUSSEL: Symphony No. 2; Bacchus et Ariane ballet suites Nos. 1 & 2 - Orchestre de Paris/Christoph Eschenbach - Ondine ALBERT ROUSSEL: Symphony No. 2; Pour une fete de printemps; Suite in F - Royal Scottish Nat. Orch./Stéphane Deneve - Naxos Published on May 22, 2008 Both fine versions; choice dependent on filler selections
JON LORD: Boom of the Tingling Strings (Piano Concerto); Disguises - Nelson Goerner, piano (Concerto)/Odense Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mann - EMI Classics Published on May 21, 2008 The unusual title of the concerto comes from a line in a 1918 D.H. Lawrence poem, "Piano."
MARTINU: Suite Concertante, H276; Suite Concertante, H276A; Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola - Bohuslav Matousek, violin and viola/ Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Christopher Hogwood, conductor - Hyperion Published on May 17, 2008 Hogwood continues to show mastery over the music of this underrated composer.
RICHARD ARNELL: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 - MusicaNova Orchestra/Warren Cohen - Con Brio Recordings Published on May 17, 2008 Arnell, who is now 90, is considered one of Britain's most important living composers.
BACH Cantatas Series Volumes 3 & 27 - Soloists/Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner - Soli Deo Gloria Published on May 17, 2008 The Bach pilgrimage continues, to noted effect…
Music for Flute and Harp - FAURE: Fantasie Op. 79; KOECHLIN: 14 Pieces; DAMASE: Sonata; PETRIC: A Moray Fantasy; MOZART: Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra - Dieter Flury, flute/Mojca Zlobko-Vajgl, harp/ Slovenian Phil./Tetsuji Nonna - Camerata Published on May 17, 2008 The big interest for me was the 14 pieces by Charles Koechlin, composed in 1936.
“Orford Six Pianos” - ST.-SAENS: Danse macabre; PROKOFIEV: from Romeo & Juliet; GOUNOD: Waltz from Faust; ROSSINI: Barber of Seville Overture; RACHMANINOFF: Italian polka; WILBERG: Themes from BIZET’s “Carmen;” HOLST: Grand Galop - ATMA Classique Published on May 17, 2008 Whee! A soundstage overrun by six grand pianos!
JOHN CAGE / HANS OTTE: Orient/Occident - CAGE: Sonatas 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 16, Interlude #1, Gemini; OTTE: The Book of Sounds 2, 6, 8, 9, 10; Book of Hours 13, 16, 19, 24, 26, 39, 48 - Philipp Vandré, piano & Elmar Schrammel, prepared piano - Wergo Published on May 15, 2008 A sotto voce musical kaleidoscope of fascinatingly changing timbres.
GLASS: Songs and Poems for Solo Cello - Wendy Sutter, cello/ David Cossin, percussion/ Philip Glass, piano - Orange Mountain Music Published on May 15, 2008 You’ll want to be intimately close to cellist Wendy Sutter’s playing - as contemplative as a spring walk through pinkly blossoming trees.
"Surprised by Beauty" - Minimalism in Choral Music = BRYARS: And so ended Kant's traveling in this world; PART: The Beatitudes; LOMON: Transport; DUCKWORTH: Songs from Southern Harmony; WALKER: Songs from S. Har. - Boston Secession/Jane R. Frank - Brave Published on May 15, 2008 A delectable, well-conceived, and beautifully sung album.
ANNA BON DI VENEZIA: Sonatas Nos. 1 in G minor, 2 in B flat Major, 3 in F Major, 4 in C Major, 5 in B minor & 6 in C Major - Barbara Harbach, harpsichord - MSR Classics Published on May 14, 2008 After she married an Italian tenor, the composer evidently gave up music.
HISATO OHZAWA: Piano Concerto No. 2; Symphony No. 2 – Ekaterina Saranceva, piano/ Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/ Dimitri Yablonsky, conductor – Naxos Published on May 13, 2008 Bringing back to life the music of a deserving and once widely-admired Japanese composer
OLIVIER MESSIAEN: “The Mystical Colors of Christ” - Sel. from Meditations sur le Mystere, L’Ascension, La Nativite du Seigneur & Messe de la Pentecote - SharonRose Pfeiffer, James E. Jordan, and David Chalmers, organists - Gloria dei Artes Published on May 12, 2008 Marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of French composer Olivier Messiaen with a sampling of his musical legacy for the pipe organ.
TIPPETT: A Child of Our Time – Ute Selbig, soprano/ Nora Gubisch, contralto/ Jerry Hadley, tenor/ Robert Holl, baritone/ Dresden Staatskapelle/ Colin Davis, conductor – Hanssler Profil Published on May 11, 2008 Interesting as an historical document - and for a broadcast, very impressive sound.
RAUTAVAARA: Symphony No. 8, "The Journey"; Manhattan Trilogy; Apotheosis - New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/ Pietari Inkinen, conductor - Naxos Published on May 11, 2008 The third CD recording of this wonderful composer’s latest symphony
MICHAEL GORDON: Van Gogh – Sarah Chalfy, soprano/ Matthew Hensrud, tenor/ Clay Greenberg, bass/ Alarm Will Sound/ Alan Pierson, conductor – Cantaloupe Published on May 11, 2008 A lot of Philip Glass’s complex minimalism techniques, yet the piece is absent the same composer’s sense of structure.
JOSQUIN DES PRES: Missa Sine nominee; Missa Ad fugam (plus revisions) – Tallis Scholars/ Peter Phillips, conductor – Gimell Published on May 11, 2008 Solid performances from the most consistent choral group around today
STEVE NIEVE: Welcome to the Voice (complete opera) – Sting (Dionysos)/ Robert Wyatt (The Friend)/ Elvis Costello (Chief of Police)/ Barbara Bonney (Opera Singer)/ Sara Fulgoni (Ghost of Carmen)/Steve Nieve (piano/Moog)/Sting (elec. bass)/Brodsky Q. - DGG Published on May 07, 2008 Though DGG has given everyone involved excellent sound, this work does not come close to meeting the hype set for it.
The Beauty of Two = GRIEG: Cello Sonata, Op. 36; HINDEMITH: Viola Sonata, No. 4, Op. 11; POULENC: Flute Sonata; MARTINU: Cello Sonata No. 3 – The Kennedy Center Chamber Players (David Hardy, cello/ Daniel Foster, viola/ Toshiko Kohno, flute/ Lambert Orkis Published on May 07, 2008 Do familiarize yourself with these works, as Orkis and company take us on a fascinating and rewarding journey.

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