Music of Berlioz
Antoine Tamestit, viola; Les Musiciens du Louvre / Marc Minkowski; Naïve V-5266
Berlioz: Harold in Italy, Op 16 (39:10)
Marc Minkowski, Anne Sofie von Otter, Antoine Tamestit, and Les Musiciens du Louvre have joined forces to offer thrilling performances of two emblematic pieces of Berlioz: Les Nuits d’été and Harold en Italie. This new release is presented in a splendid package with a 76-page color booklet.
Something Almost Being Said
Simone Dinnerstein, piano; Sony Classical 88697989432
Schubert: Four Impromptus, D 899: #1 in C minor (11:37)
Simone Dinnerstein’s new album combines Bach’s Partitas Nos. 1 and 2 with Schubert’s Four Impromptus, D 899. She says, “Bach and Schubert, to my ears, share a distinctive quality. Their non-vocal music has a powerful narrative, a vocal element. The effect is that of wordless voices singing textless melodies.”
Schubert: The Piano Trios
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio; Bridge Records 9376A/B (2 CDs)
Schubert: Notturno in E-flat major, D 897 (9:42)
The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio is heard in all of Schubert’s music for piano trio – the two great masterpieces, as well as the rarely played Sonatensatz and Notturno. In addition, Sharon Robinson and Joseph Kalichstein perform the “Arpeggione” Sonata.
Castellanos: Orchestral Music
Venezuela Symphony Orchestra / Jan Wagner; Naxos 8.572681
Castellanos: El Río de las Siete Estrellas (14:55)
Evencio Castellanos belonged to the generation of Venezuelan composers who established a new nationalistic style in the first half of the 20th century. El Río de las Siete Estrellas (The River of the Seven Stars) describes events of pre-colonial Venezuelan history leading up to the country’s independence in 1821.
A Minnesinger and His 'Vale of Tears'
Ensemble Leones; Naxos 8.572449
Neidhart: Clausula (3:53); Sinc eyn gulden hoen / Der munich (7:40); Je muir, Je muir (1:40)
Neidhart was one of the most popular Minnesingers—or “poet-musicians”—of the late Middle Ages. The “Frankfurt Fragment” manuscript has never been recorded in full, and is performed by one of the most outstanding ensembles in the field.
Rimsky-Korsakov: Opera Suites
Seattle Symphony / Gerard Schwarz; Naxos 8.572787
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden: Suite (12:34)
Rimsky-Korsakov’s orchestral genius shines through in his colorful operatic suites, and that from his final opera Le Coq d’or is richly dramatic. The folk-based story of the Snow Maiden is simplified into four enchanting movements, and that of Sadko into a tone-poem. The legend of Mlada is represented by vivid dances.
New Year’s Concert 2012
Vienna Philharmonic / Mariss Jansons; Sony Classical 88691913772
Lumbye: Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop (3:53)
Josef Strauss: Fireproof Polka (3:15) (with Vienna Boys’ Choir)
Eduard Strauss: Carmen Quadrille (5:27)
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty: Panorama (2:22); Waltz (4:48)
Johann Strauss, Jr. & Josef Strauss: Pizzicato Polka (2:43)
The annual New Year’s Day Concert in Vienna has been a tradition for more than seven decades, and the resulting recordings are among the classical world’s most important releases. In 2012, the program is once again a skillful blend of well-known classics and works that are rarely heard.
Clarinet Trios
David Shifrin, clarinet; David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano; Artist Led 11101-2
Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op 114 (24:20)
“Clarinet Trios” includes two of the most popular works from the clarinet chamber music repertoire: Beethoven’s Trio, Op 11, and Brahms’ Trio, Op 114. The three musicians also perform selections from the romantic Eight Pieces by Max Bruch.
Rising
Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble / Mallory Thompson; Summit Records DCD-580
Schwantner: …and the mountains rising nowhere (12:43)
“Rising” is the fourth album by the talented Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mallory Thompson. Four American composers are represented: Aaron Copland, Joseph Schwantner, Eric Whitacre and David Maslanka.
French Impressions
Joshua Bell, violin; Jeremy Denk, piano; Sony Classical 8697820262
Ravel: Sonata for Violin & Piano (17:05)
Joshua Bell’s first sonata program for Sony Classical features the violinist and his longtime friend and recital partner, pianist Jeremy Denk, offering nuanced interpretations of works by Saint-Saëns, Ravel and Franck.
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