Sparkling diamonds of great music this week on Just Opened, the lustrous old ones and brilliant new ones. As is often the case, I had great difficulty picking just one favorite!
DIAMONDS IN A HAYSTACKCorinnne Stillwell, violin
Gregory Sauer, violoncello
Read Gainsford, piano
MSR 1418
ISBN# 6 8158514182 33 modern chamber works played by exceptional musicians. The jazzy and very popular "Cafe Music" by Schoenfeld, Francaix's Trio - his usual off-beat, fun and feisty work, and a new trio.
CHRISTIAN SINDING:
MUSIC FOR PIANO
Jerome Lowenthal, piano
Bridge 9306
ISBN# 0 9040493062 1
Sinding's "Rustle of Spring" was ubiquitous in recitals for scores of years, being melodic and technically challenging. It rose so high that it eclipsed much of his other work, equally virtuosic, evokative and lush. The mature artistry of Lowenthal dusting of an revinvigorating piano music from the Romantic era... 'nuff said!
My delight of the week!
THE BEETHOVEN JOURNEYLeif Ove Andsnes, piano
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Sony 8872
ISBN# 8 8725450582 1
Like many virtuosos, Andsnes has reached the point in his career when he has begun to conduct (from the piano, of course)! Great piano concertos of Beethoven played by the top performers of today.
Matthias Maute, recorder and traverso
Rebel Ensemble
Jorg-Michael Schwarz, cond.
Bridge 9377
ISBN# 0 9040493772 9
Rebel ensemble will be here in the Delmarva region in a month or two... this internationally acclaimed "early/original instrument" chamber group is joined by soloists of world repute.
Aleksandra Maslovaric, violin
Anne-Lise Longuemare, piano
Feminae Records
ISBN# 8 8450172254 4
What's old is new... almost never heard works by Romantic era female composer Emilee Mayer brought back through time to us today by accomplished violinist Maslovaric.
Thanks again to S.U. practicum student Erin Sweeney for pulling together elements of this post for me to add my commentary to. We hope you enjoied this buffet of new releases!
Kara Dahl Russell