Disc and Stream

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.

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.

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.

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.

By Ken Keaton

Six Schubert songs, two ways: Guitarist Daniel Lippel performs solo transcriptions of Johann Kaspar Mertz, pairs with soprano Tony Arnold for voice-guitar arrangements stemming from Schubert's day. A New Focus recording for CD and download.

By Robert Markow

Gordon Getty has at least a dozen recordings to his credit, and with his 80th birthday approaching in late 2014, it's time attention was paid. Conrad Tao performs a selection of piano pieces for Pentatone Classics, miniatures composed over the span of half a century. Robert Markow reviews.

By John W. Lambert

She arrived at Duke University in Durham, NC, 22 years ago, bearing an invitation for a fellowship - and $150 in cash. If you don't know her name, just ask any member of your family who is big on video games or sci-fi films.

By John von Rhein

The best of Ruggles’ works, including his masterpiece, Sun-Treader, carry a granitic power and dissonant grandeur that Ives, by comparison, achieved in only a handful of works, such as the transcendental Concord Sonata.