Andriessen Opera Makes Impact In Audio And Video
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW -- The inventive Dutch composer's La Commedia is a burst of audacious and eclectic ideas — based on Dante's The Divine Comedy — in its CD/DVD debut. Expect equal helpings of shock tactics and lyricism.
Crumb’s Spanish, American Songs Make CD Debuts
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW - Before long, it seems, the words of Federico García Lorca will be set almost as many times as those of Shakespeare. For George Crumb, Sun and Shadow (2009) is his eleventh go at the Spanish poet.
Stravinsky’s Dim Hollywood Years Conjured on DVD
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW – In just 52 minutes, Marco Capalbo's new film summarizes how Stravinsky's stay in Southern California prompted a rebirth of his creative energies even though he was rejected by the Hollywood movie industry.
Swinging, Soulful B’way Cast Clicks In ‘West Side Story’
By Richard S. Ginell
Rejecting Leonard Bernstein's disjointed operatic approach, Michael Tilson Thomas' new recording is all of a piece, the sound of 1957 Broadway stretching confidently into fresh, tragic territory instead of a work at war with itself.
Nézet-Séguin CDs Display Schumann In Classical Light
By Paul Hyde
DIGITAL REVIEW – Working with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads streamlined readings of Schumann's four symphonies that bring out considerable detail often lost in a thicker orchestral sound.
Berlin PO Blazes Own Trail With Schumann Discs
By Nancy Malitz
DIGITAL REVIEW - In recording circles, May 2014 will be remembered as the Berlin Philharmonic's new spring. A bold Schumann project under Simon Rattle is the orchestra's first venture as a go-it-alone label.
Seattle Symphony Spotlights Carter In Label Launch
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW - Joining the go-it-alone recording trend, the Seattle Symphony under Ludovic Morlot has issued an all-American release including Elliott Carter's Instances, written for them at the unbelievable age of 103.
French Orientalist Opera Revived In Stylish Recording
By Marvin J. Ward
DIGITAL REVIEW – Félicien David's exotically tinged Lalla Roukh was popular at the Opéra-Comique in 1862, but it disappeared from the repertoire with its century. Naxos preserves its 2013 revival by Opera Lafayette.
Downsized Mahler Second Symphony Is Mixed Bargain
By Richard Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW – Gilbert Kaplan, who conducts only one work in public, the "Resurrection" Symphony, and who has already made two recordings, has just issued a third, for small orchestra. Yes, the mighty "Resurrection."
New CD Captures Sonorous Power Of Adams’ ‘Other Mary’
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW – John Adams' 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary' has received an enviably high-powered sendoff, with an international tour and now a dynamic DG recording led by Gustavo Dudamel.
Bernstein Redux: TV Youth Concerts A Lasting Treasury
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW - Nearly half of Leonard Bernstein's 53 Young People's Concerts were released in 1993 to general rapture. Now, after an exhaustive process of locating, remastering and rights obtaining, we have 27 more.
Beethoven-To-Be Resonates In Early Cantata From SFSO
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW - Beethoven was 19 when he wrote the Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II, which the San Francisco Symphony has recorded live, and you can hear him already ripping through the boundaries of his classical upbringing.
Reassigning Voices In ‘Norma’ Delivers Glittering Rewards
By John W. Lambert
DIGITAL REVIEW -- With mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli in the title role, the historically-informed Decca recording is essential listening for music lovers who cherish what is arguably Vincenzo Bellini's most popular and stage-worthy opera.
Shadow of Stokie Hovers in Yannick ‘Rite’ of Passage
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW -- Though Leopold Stokowski still casts a mighty shadow upon the Philadelphia Orchestra, the orchestra's new music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, is not afraid. Indeed, he meets the legend head-on.
Emersons (Plus 2) Retrace Epic Shift On ‘Journeys’ Disc
By Perry Tannenbaum
DIGITAL REVIEW - The Emerson String Quartet's latest album, with guest violist Paul Neubauer and cellist Colin Carr, offers two very different string sextets written in the pre-dawn of the 20th century.
Revisiting Britten ‘War Requiem,’ in Composer’s Hands
By Richard S. Ginell
DIGITAL REVIEW -- The 1963 recording of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem was a sensation in its day. It's still at the head of the pack, not only for its stellar vocal soloists but also for producer John Culshaw's innovative use of space and stereo.
Muti Mulls Verdi As Chicago Cues Requiem Simulcast
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's live stream of Verdi's Requiem was Riccardo Muti's composition of choice to honor the great Italian composer's bicentennial. You can view it on demand here.
Denk Justifies ‘Genius’ Tag in Poetic ‘Goldberg’
By Donald Rosenberg
Talk about impeccable timing. Today's release of Jeremy Denk's Nonesuch recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations comes a few days after announcement that the pianist is the recipient of a 2013 MacArthur "Genius" Award.
Rhine Gold Lurks in Old Grooves, Even if No One Is Listening
By John W. Lambert
It’s a given that we tend to think of golden ages as being in the past. But when it comes to recordings and the ready availability thereof, we’ve never been in a better position than now.
