Once again, it’s the end of the year and time to proclaim my not-so-humble opinions as to my favorite releases of 2010:
Not Quite Delivering What the Title Promises
“Philharmonic Renewed Under a Bold Conductor”, reads the headline of a New York Times article by Steve Smith. The article’s focus, however, is not so much on the orchestra but that section of the repertoire in which their music director, Alan Gilbert, has distinguished himself: music by postwar composers, particularly high-profile performances of music by György Ligeti, Magnus Lindberg, and others.
Continue reading Not Quite Delivering What the Title Promises
Saito Kinen @ Carnegie Hall
My review of last night’s Saito Kinen Orchestra concert at Carnegie Hall is live at Classical Source.
Richter Fixer
The confusing and convoluted tale of my journey from composer to record label jack-of-all-trades to registered lobbyist (for the good guys in health and the performing arts) to renegade reissue producer is best left to a post all its own, but after having read and heard a litany of positive feedback on one reissue project with which I was recently involved, I feel the urge to weigh in. Continue reading Richter Fixer
Vintage Holiday Cheer
This year’s selection is a rip-roaring recording of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite from the very early days of electrical recording. Oscar Fried’s 1929 recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was made for UK Columbia, and the sound is a little “zingy” but nevertheless very impressive (frequency response all the way up to 5kHz). This particular transfer (from an out-of-print Preiser CD which also includes a sensational performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony and the suite from Delibes’ Coppelia) sounds as if it was effected from laminated pressings in excellent condition. I’ve corrected the EQ curve and applied a small amount of noise reduction, but didn’t take heroic measures to remove the swishes completely; this is, after all, some vintage holiday cheer! The “Trepak” should leave your jaw hanging, and the “Waltz of the Flowers” is the most thrilling pre-stereo performance I’ve heard. You can stream the 320kHz mp3 or click here to download a mono 44.1kHz 16-bit FLAC.
{enclose Tchaikovsky.Nutcracker_Suite.Fried-RPO.1929.mp3}
Previous early electrical holiday cheer here and here.
Aimard @ Carnegie Hall
I enjoyed last season’s recital at Alice Tully Hall by Pierre-Laurent Aimard, which I reviewed for Classical Source. This season’s recital on the big stage at Carnegie Hall was even more satisfying.
Sergiu Luca, 1943-2010
Another passing, this one of an enterprising violinist and festival impressario. Allan Kozinn at the NY Times has the details.
In Which the New York Times catches up with me
Allan Kozinn’s review of the fine Talea Ensemble’s Monday evening all-Boulez program in today’s Times is well worth a look, but I couldn’t help but chuckle when I read the headline. I was saying the same thing a decade ago.
Hughes Cuénod, 1902-2010
He lived to the amazing age of 108 — and made his critically-acclaimed MET debut when he was 85! He was an early music revivalist whose repertoire also included songs by Noel Coward. Read Margalit Fox’s obituary from the New York Times. UPDATE: The post on Cuenod at Classical Iconoclast will bring a smile — guaranteed!
Sunday Arts and Leisure: Passings, Panic, and Puccini
Here’s a heads-up to three Sunday reads from the New York Times: Continue reading Sunday Arts and Leisure: Passings, Panic, and Puccini