Christian Ferras, Vol. I = Works of MENDELSSOHN, MOZART, TCHAIKOVSKY, MARTINON - Conductors: Schuricht, Swellfish, Bruck - Doremi (2 CDs)
Published on March 14, 2010
An absolutely priceless addition to the Ferras legacy, in marvelous sound, every note a golden droplet from The Violin of Icarus. |
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THOMSON: The Mother of US ALL--Suite; BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73; CHABRIER: Joyeuse Marche - New York Philharmonic/Leopold Stokowski - Pristine Audio
Published on March 11, 2010
Thomson's kind of “prairie” doxology infuses the progression of home-spun musical wisdom. |
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MOZART: Four Preludes and Fugues from String Trio Arrangements (after Bach), K. 404a; Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat Major, K. 563 - The Pasquier Trio - Music&Arts
Published on March 09, 2010
The Pasquiers have rendered stylistic performances from 1951 whose clean lines make a fine rival to those who came before and who will inevitably follow. |
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Beecham in Seattle = WAGNER: Prelude, Act III Meistersinger; Prelude Act I; Overture to The Flying Dutchman; ELGAR: Enigma Variations; Serenade in E Minor for Strings: Largo; DELIUS: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring - Seattle Sym. - Pristine Audio
Published on March 07, 2010
Derived from cassettes made from 1943 acetates that had to be destroyed according to a performance agreement. |
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SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” - NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini
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Opus Kura
Published on March 07, 2010
The 1942 radio premier broadcast of the Shostakovich Seventh by the NBC Symphony and Arturo Toscanini, in a remastering from a distinctly different source than the commercial RCA inscription.
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BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Carl Schuricht - HDTT
Published on March 03, 2010
A demonic 1962 performance, this disc provides the perfect complement to Schuricht’s equally inspired reading of the score from 1951 Stuttgart, offered through Music&Arts. |
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SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D. 759 “Unfinished”; Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944 “The Great” - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (No. 8)/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwaengler - Naxos Historical
Published on March 02, 2010
Electrifying Schubert from the legendary Wilhelm Furtwaengler, remastered to astonishing effect - perhaps the best Schubert you will hear this year. |
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Alfred Hertz and The San Francisco Symphony = LISZT: Les Preludes; WAGNER: Parsifal: Prelude Act I; Good Friday Spell; Tristan und Isolde: Prelude, Act I and Liebestod; BRAHMS: Hungarian Dances No. 5 - Pristine Audio
Published on March 01, 2010
Particularly noted for his affinity for the music of Wagner, these 1925-1928 Hertz inscriptions testify to a fierce orchestral discipline and vivid sonority in each of the selections. |
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FLORENT SCHMITT: Psalm 47 “Gloire du Seigneur,” Op. 38; La Tragedie de Salome - Andrea Guiot, soprano/Gaston Litaize, organ/French National Radio Orchestra and Chorus/Jean Martinon - HDTT
Published on February 27, 2010
Grandeur and musical ostentation combine in the music of Florent Schmitt, gorgeously realized by Jean Martinon. |
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Friedrich Gulda - Piano Recital (1968) / Live at Birdland (1956) - HAYDN: Andante con Variazioni; MOZART: Sonata in la minore; SCHUBERT: Impromptus Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4; BEETHOVEN: “Waldstein” Sonata; Live at Birdland - Fabula Classica/Ermitage
Published on February 27, 2010
Friedrich Gulda was a concert pianist who straddled the genres into jazz just as successfully as Andre Previn, and even surpassing him in the area of classical piano standards. |
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BARTOK: Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano; Rhapsody No. 1 for Violin and Piano; Mikrokosmos (excerpts) - Benny Goodman, clarinet/Joseph Szigeti, violin/ Bela Bartok, piano - Naxos Historical
Published on February 24, 2010
A seminal collection for the Bartok enthusiast, we have Bela Bartok’s complete published American discs.
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FALLA: The Three-Cornered Hat ballet; Zarzuela Arias - Victoria de los Angeles, soprano/Philharmonia Orchestra/ Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos/Montserrat Caballe, soprano/Orchestra cond. by Eugenio M. Marco - HDTT HDCD
Published on February 23, 2010
It's well beyond the relatively staid performance by Ernest Ansermet, which still managed to set a fine standard of excellence. |
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DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”; MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504 “Prague” - Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Rafael Kubelik - Opus Kura
Published on February 22, 2010
Two “miracle” inscriptions from Kubelik and the CSO, a collaboration unappreciated by the musical “guru” of his own time. |
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"Vintage DAG WIREN" - Serenade for Strings; Concert Overture; Sonatina for Piano; Suite miniature; Cello Concerto; Sinfonietta & other works - soloists/Stockholm Radio orch. & Goeteborg Sym. Orch./Tor Mann & Sixten Eckerberg - Caprice
Published on February 19, 2010
Dag Wiren captured in historic performances of his familiar and rarer repertory, whose Serenade for Strings remains the unchallenged favorite of modern Swedish classics. |
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MAHLER/REINECKE/GRIEG: Their 1905-1906 Welte Mignon Interpretations of works by themselves and MOZART, CHOPIN, BEETHOVEN & SCHUBERT - Tacet
Published on February 18, 2010
Mahler played several of his works at the keyboard in Leipzig on 9 November 1905, of which the extended piano transcription of his Fifth Symphony proves both febrile and fascinating. |
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“The Birth and Rise of the Recording Industry in Canada - from Berliner to RCA Victor” - 28 examples, from a 1903 recorded ad for Berliner Gramophone to a 1959 “45” of Yakety Yak - Gala Records
Published on February 17, 2010
The story of the recording industry in Canada, focusing on Emile Berliner and his family members there. |
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Arturo Toscanini Anthology 1 = BRAHMS: Hungarian Dances; THOMAS: Mignon Overture; CATALANI: La Wally Prelude, Act IV; Loreley: Dance of the Water Nymphs; DONIZETTI: Don Pasquale Ov.; PONCHIELI: La Gioconda: Dance of the Hours - with NBC Sym. - Opus Kura
Published on February 16, 2010
Lighter selections from the vast Toscanini repertoire grace this sweetly restored album, a compendium of brisk materials chosen for the virtuosity of their encore capacities. |
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Sir Adrian Boult = English Music: ARNOLD: 8 English Dances; BAX: Tintagel; ELGAR: 3 Bavarian Dances; Chanson de Matin; Chanson de nuit; HOLST: The Perfect Fool; BUTTERWORTH: A Shropshire Lad; Green Willow; WALTON: Siesta – London Phil./Boult - Pristine
Published on February 15, 2010
Much of reputation for his interpretations of English music is due in part to these fine Decca recordings from 1954. |
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Argerich plays CHOPIN = Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23; Etude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 10, No. 4; 5 Mazurkas; Nocturne in Major, Op. 15, No. 1; Nocturne in E-flat Major, OP. 55, No. 2; 3 Mazurkas; Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor - Martha Argerich, p. - DGG
Published on February 15, 2010
Previously unpublished early performances by Argentinian virtuoso Martha Argerich, the entire recital has already become indispensable to her imposing legacy.
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MAHLER: Symphony No 4; Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen – Margaret Ritchie (soprano), Eugenia Zareska (mezzo-soprano) / Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Eduard van Beinum – Beulah
Published on February 15, 2010
Here we have another fine restoration of one rarity and one star in Decca's post-war catalogue. |
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BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini - Testament (2 CDs)
Published on February 15, 2010
Giulini’s patient exploitation of colors, his genuine capacity to find lyricism and song even in Bruckner’s occasionally stolid vehemence, gives us a Bruckner Eighth for the ages. |
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Bidu Sayao, Vol. 2: Rare Live Radio Performances = Sel. of PERGOLESI, VERDI, BIZET, MASSENET PONCE, MARTINI, FAURE, GRIEG, SCORAK, SCOTT, YOUNG, NILES, COWARD, etc. - Cembal d'amour
Published on February 15, 2010
Sayao’s vocal instrument exhibited a clarity, power, and nuanced control rare in the annals of singing. |
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Carlo Maria Giulini = MUSSORGSKY: Prelude from Khovantschina; TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major; DVORAK: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70 - Kyung Wha Chung, violin/Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini - Testament (2)
Published on February 08, 2010
A real treasure unearthed for admirers of Carlo Maria Giulini and the Berlin Philharmonic: a convergence of genial spirits of the highest order and a serene reminder of what record-collecting can be all about. |
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Conductor Fritz Lehmann = DVORAK: Serenade for Strings in E Major; KODALY: Hary Janos Suite; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 2 in D Major Orch. des Deutsches Operhauses/Grosses Radio-Sinfonieorchester, Brussels - Historical-Recordings
Published on February 07, 2010
A welcome addition to the Lehmann legacy--distinguished music-making at every bar! |
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Felix Weingartner = WEBER: Overture to Der Freischuetz; Invitation to the Dance; SCHUBERT: Rosamunde: Entr’acte No. 3 in B-flat Major; WEINGARTNER: The Tempest: Scherzettino; MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 3 - Basle Sym./Royal Philharmonic - Pristine Audio
Published on February 05, 2010
Conductor Felix Weingartner belonged to a literalist tradition in German music-making not far removed from the style of Arturo Toscanini.
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Fabien Sevitzky, Vol. 2 = GLAZUNOV: Suite “From the Middle Ages,”; TCHAIKOVSKY: Waltz from Evgeny Onegin; Symphony No. 1 in G Minor “Winter Reveries” - Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra/Fabien Sevitzky - Historic-Recordings
Published on February 04, 2010
The second installment from Britain’s Historic-Recordings devoted to Fabien Sevitzky is recommended as some of the best Tchaikovsky you will hear this year. |
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Issay Dobrowen, Vol. I = TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48; Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36; LIADOV: Berceuse - Philharmonia Orchestra/Issay Dobrowen - Historical-Recordings
Published on February 03, 2010
For collectors of the great Russian conducting tradition, the name of Issay Dobrowen (1891-1953) carries special weight. |
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Horowitz: The Legendary Berlin Concert = SCARLATTI, SCHUMANN, LISZT, RACHMANINOV, SCRIABIN, CHOPIN, MOSZOWSKI - Sony (2 CDs)
Published on January 31, 2010
The extraordinary 18 May 1986 Berlin recital by Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989), who had last been present in Berlin fifty-four years prior, 1932. |
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BARTOK: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; BLOCH: Concerto Grosso No. 1 - Chicago Symphony Orch. /George Schick, piano obbligato/Rafael Kubelik - Pristine Audio
Published on January 30, 2010
The clarity of the CSO line, the sweeping gestures, the forceful conviction of execution, each contributes to a most resolutely satisfying exploration of two outstanding scores. |
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SMETANA: String Quartet No. 1, “From My Life”; DOHNANYI: String Quartet No. 2 in D Major; Spirituals: Go Down Moses; Swing Low Sweet Chariot; Deep River; POCHON: Irish Cradle Song; Irish Reel; Sally in Our Alley; Turkey in Straw - Flonzaley Q. - Pristine
Published on January 25, 2010
Among the pioneers of chamber music ensembles in the early days of both acoustical electrical recordings, the Flonzaley Quartet (1902-1929) stands out as a true inspiration. |
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Edition Karl Bohm VII = BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op 58; Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60 - Wilhelm Backhaus, piano/RIAS Symphony Orchestra/Karl Bohm - Audite
Published on January 25, 2010
The Karl Bohm (1894-1981) legacy here embraces two sessions with Ferenc Fricsay’s RIAS Symphony Orchestra, from 1950 and 1952. |
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BACH: The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080 - The Roth Quartet/Sir Donald Tovey, piano (conjectural completion of Contrapunctus XIV) - Divine Art
Published on January 25, 2010
The Roth Quartet (1922-1969) - inscribed the Bach work on Columbia shellacs in 1934, the tempos of which had to be augmented to achieve clean side joins by editor Andrew Rose. |
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The Welte Mignon Mystery Vol. XIV: Opera Composers = Sel. of D'ALBERT, LEONCAVALLO, HUMPERDINCK, SCHILLINGS, ZOELLNER - Tacet
Published on January 21, 2010
Relatively minor-league music played by some major figures on the modern Steinway D by way of The Welte Mignon magical mystery tour. |
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Latin America Alive = Works of ESTEVEZ, VILLA-LOBOS, REVUELTAS, ORBON, CHEVEZ, FALLA, GINASTERA - Eduardo Mata cond. - Dorian (6 CDs)
Published on January 21, 2010
If you get only one collection set this year, this is the one! |
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Van Cliburn Recital = MOZART: Piano Sonata in C Major, K. 330; CHOPIN: Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor; Ballade No. 3 in F Major; Fantasie in F Minor; BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, “Appassionata”; PROKOFIEV & LISZT - Testament
Published on January 17, 2010
Cliburn’s only London appearance allows us to reassess his art, his contribution to truth and poetry. |
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