Mahler: Symphony No. 8 [Wit/Warsaw Philharmonic] Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Antoni Wit and his Warsaw forces give a stellar performance of Mahler’s imposing Symphony No. 8, “Symphony of a Thousand.” Aided by HD surround sound, this disc should be considered essential listening for veteran and novice Mahler fans.

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons [Lin/Sejong] Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Naxos has issued an HD surround sound version of Vivaldi’s popular The Four Seasons, featuring Cho-Liang Lin and the Sejong chamber orchestra. The sonics are excellent but the tempi are a little brisk for my taste.

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Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 [Nebolsin] Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted March 24th, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

A centennial year recording of some of Chopin’s most important works are conveyed convincingly by Eldar Nebolsin and the Warsaw Philharmonic. The performance is derailed by a muddy acoustic.

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Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 [Nebolsin] Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted March 24th, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Chopin Piano Concerto 1: Nebolsin and the Warsovians offer a new official edition
version of Chopin’s first piano concerto. The generally excellent performances are
betrayed by less than stellar sonics.

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Dvorak: Symphonies 6 & 9 [Alsop] Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted February 10th, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Marin Alsop and her Baltimore Symphony Orchestra continue their Dvorak cycle with excellent accounts of Symphonies 6 & 9 in this audio-only Blu-Ray disc.

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Dvorak: Symphonies 7 & 8 [Alsop] Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted February 10th, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Two of Dvorak’s last symphonies, numbers 7 and 8, are performed by Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. While both accounts provide pleasure, I was particularly struck by the effective musical direction of the seventh symphony and a bit let down by the finale of the eighth.

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Kind: Ensemble 96 Blu-ray Audio Review

Posted February 9th, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

2L records has scored a vocal triumph with Kind, an unusual collection of songs concerning children, that is executed flawlessly by Ensemble 96 and given demonstration quality sonics to boot.

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John Corigliano: Circus Maximus Blu-ray Audio Disc Review

Posted November 28th, 2010 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

John Corigliano’s Circus Maximus and Gazebo Dances are given their premiere recording by Jerry Junkin and the University of Texas Wind Ensemble. Circus Maximus, the major work, is given spectacular high-resolution sound while the surround sound is used judiciously to great effect.

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