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NEW Best Sellers, pop classical-crossover:
The eclectic mix of pieces on Crossing the Stone ranges from Dave Grusin's sprightly "Mountain Dance," Pat Metheny's "James" and Chick Corea's "Spain" to the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria" - in an ethereal treatment that features countertenor Terrance Barber - Astor Piazzolla's tango "Buenos Aires Hora Cero," the third movement from Steve Reich's Electric Counterpoint, the gentle Welsh lullaby "Suo Gān," and a highly original arrangement of "Claire de lune" by Finch's favorite composer, Claude Debussy.
Crossing the Stone also features several pieces by Karl Jenkins, including a new dance mix (arranged by Jody K. Jenkins, the composer's son) of the first movement of "Palladio," which became an international hit as "Diamond Music," the theme of the DeBeers Diamond TV ad campaign.
Today's Bargain Classical CDs:
Recent Classical Independent Releases::
"Piano Concertos Nos. 10, 19, 20"
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Alexandre Rabinovitch, piano and conductor; Martha Argerich,
piano; Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto
REVIEW
These are glorious performances of three very different
piano concertos by Mozart. Martha Argerich tears into
No. 20's darkness with great fury, abetted by Rabinovitch's
tense, turmoil-filled accompaniment; she plays Beethoven's
appropriately heavy cadenzas with brilliance, and her
headlong blaze into the final movement is breathtaking.
Rabinovitch plays and leads No. 19 with charm and
virtuosity. All told, a delightful disc.
"Tango Ballet"
Astor Piazzolla
Gidon Kremer, violin; Kremerata Baltica
REVIEW
Fans of Kremer's recent recording of Piazzolla's opera
"Maria de Buenos Aires" should certainly check out "Tango
Ballet," where the violinist explores the tango master's
instrumental and orchestral works. And, while "Tango Ballet"
is a sublime work, the included "Concierto del Angel" is
just as moving. It's a stirring and contemplative work
featuring the fine bandoneon playing of Per Arne Glorvigen.
"Music from the Ether: Original Works for Theremin"
Various composers
Lydia Kavina, theremin
REVIEW
This new release from Mode Records is easily the best
theremin disc since the late Clara Rockmore's legendary
release on Delos. Lydia Kavina, the granddaughter of Leon
Theremin's first cousin (as well as the inventor's last
protegee), explores several works written specifically for
the ethereal electronic instrument by the likes of Percy
Grainger, Martinu, and Kavina herself. Original, haunting,
and a great gift for classical lovers who think they have
everything.
"Dettifoss and Other Orchestral Works"
Jon Leifs
Iceland Symphony Orchestra; En Shao, conductor
REVIEW
With any luck, thanks to "Dettifoss," the talents of
Iceland's greatest composer, Jon Leifs, will find the
spotlight they deserve. The moving 16-minute tone poem
dedicated to one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls
is a gripping piece for baritone, orchestra, and mixed
choir. Also included are Leifs's Organ Concerto and
Variations on a Theme by Ludwig van Beethoven. These are
gorgeous, powerful, bold, and--most of all--loud orchestral
works that you won't forget.
"Clarinet Quintets"
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Johannes Brahms
Emerson String Quartet; David Shifrin, clarinet
REVIEW
The Emersons and clarinetist Shifrin emphasize smoothness of
line and a creamy blend of sound in this polished 1997
performance of the Mozart quintet. Tempos are ideal and
understatement rules this interpretation, while the Brahms
quintet is conveyed with a dramatic passion.
"Reed Streams, Untitled Organ, In C"
Terry Riley
Terry Riley; other performers
REVIEW
Terry Riley fans will rejoice at hearing this, the
composer's first LP, finally issued on CD. Featuring
"Untitled Organ" and "Dorian Reeds"--both remastered here
from their original tapes--the album marked the first
appearance of Riley's Time Lag Accumulator (the composer's
system for making tape loops). These are dizzying, almost
hypnotic pieces, but neither composition ever sounds
harsh. But perhaps the real gem on this disc is the bonus
of 1970's "In C (Mantra)." Here, Riley's seminal work is
performed by a Montreal collective through a psychedelic
haze. Truly amazing.
"Music for Violin and Piano"
Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman, violin; Sylvie Courvoisier, piano
REVIEW
Violinist Mark Feldman has traversed all genres of
music--from mainstream country to the New York City
underground--and found success everywhere. Here, joined
by pianist Sylvie Courvoisier, the pair perform a meditative
and intense set of original compositions
"Stravinsky: Firebird, Rite of Spring, Persephone"
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra; Michael Tilson Thomas,
cond.
REVIEW
Stravinsky's "Firebird" and "Rite of Spring" are both
performed impeccably here, but it's the composer's delicate-
sounding and rarely heard Persephone that is the true
highlight of this three-CD set. Michael Tilson Thomas guides
the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra through all three works
in a dramatic, highly lyrical fashion. Bargain-priced, to
boot.
"Rautavaara: On the Last Frontier"
Helsinki Philharmonic Chorus; Helsinki Philharmonic; Leif
Segerstam, cond.
REVIEW
The gifts of Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara continue
to be revealed--for example, on this recording of a flute
concerto, a tone poem, and a fantasy for chorus and
orchestra. Conductor Leif Segerstam, flutist Patrick
Gallois, and the Helsinki Philharmonic perform these works
exquisitely. If you haven't heard Rautavaara yet, this disc
is an excellent introduction to his work.
"Uccellini: Sonatas"
Romanesca
REVIEW
The violin compositions of 17th-century composer Marco
Uccellini were avant-garde for their time: he explored high
notes, odd keys, and repeated motifs like few other baroque
composers. This new recording of his sonatas, performed by
Andrew Manze's Romanesca (also featuring harpsichordist John
Toll and guitarist Nigel North), will help reveal his
talents. If you loved Romanesca's near-perfect take on
Biber's violin sonatas, you owe it to yourself to hear this.
"Transylvanian Softwear"
Guy Klucevsek
REVIEW
New Music has seldom been as adventurous, globetrotting, or
fun as it is in the hands of accordionist Guy Klucevsek. On
"Transylvanian Softwear," Klucevsek performs solo renditions
of compositions by John Zorn, Fred Frith, and William
Duckworth, as well as several of his own. "Three 'Microids'"
is his ode to Bartok, a study in polymeter; "'Viavy Rose'
Variations" uses a melody from Madagascar as a launch pad,
and Zorn's "Road Runner" is a wild sound collage.
Throughout, Klucevsek reveals his virtuosity, humor, and
range.
"Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1"
Ilya Gringolts, soloist; Lahti Symphony Orchestra; Osmo
Vanska, cond.
REVIEW
Seventeen-year-old Ilya Gringolts makes the most of these
bravura pieces by Paganini. On the solo piece (from
Paisiello's "La Molinara," for solo violin), in particular,
his playing shines with charm, humor, poise, and a highly
lyrical sensibility.
NEW MUSIC'S ROOTS: GAMELAN SOUNDS
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"The Roots of Gamelan--Bali, 1928"
Various artists
REVIEW
Since its Western discovery in the late '20s, the percussive
sounds of Balinese gamelan music would influence a variety
of contemporary forward-thinking composers from Benjamin
Britten to Harry Partch and John Cage. Thanks to "The Roots
of Gamelan," we can hear what those composers heard on the
original 78s that first captured the numerous ceremonial
orchestras of the small country. Included is a real bonus:
recordings made of composer and gamelan lover Colin McPhee
and Benjamin Britten as they attempt to transcribe the
instrument's sounds for the piano.