New Releases

[Mandryka]

[Mandryka]

[Mandryka]

Very positive first impression of this one.

This recording focuses on his fantasias, remarkable masterpieces of counterpoint, rhetoric, architecture and virtuosity. Some of them are profoundly melancholic, while others seem full of gleaming light, but all reveal the true genius of John Dowland, who brought passionate emotion to the instrumental polyphonic writing of the renaissance. This may have been thanks to his character or to the influence of his Italian colleagues, who probably also shaped his use of chromaticism. His unique chromatic fantasias, monothematic monuments, the central axis of this programme, represent the very pinnacle of lute music.
These fancies make the lute speak as never before, turning it, in Dowland's own words, into the "most musicall instrument". He shared this vision with his eminent Florentine colleague Vincenzo Galilei, who compared the lute to the "least imperfect" among the instruments, the organ:"all of whom [organists], not by failure of their art and knowledge but by the nature of the instrument, have not been able, cannot, and never will be able to express the harmonies for affetti like durezza, mollezza, asprezza, dolcezza, consequently the cries, shrieks, tears, and finally quietude and rage—with so much grace and skill as excellent players do on the lute".

[Mandryka]

Cut Circle take a slice of the Ockeghem songs market. Details and samples here.

http://cutcircle.org/recordings/johannes-ockeghem-the-songs/

That's the only time I've seen someone using "close miked" like it's a good thing!

The first song is astonishing - like Graindelavoix! Haven't heard more yet,

[Brian]

Immensely amused to report that Amazon.de translated a new biography of Schubert (which mentions the "wanderer") as "Schubert Loves Hiking" 

Also:

for Karl Richter superfans

[Holden]

This appeared on my FB page. The sample I listened to sounded very good in comparision the Op13/1 my DGG box set

[Mandryka]

Nice c15 and c16 organs, at first I said to myself that they've chosen the wrong Gabrieli, but actually it's rather enjoyable. Recording made in 1994 but as far as I know not previously released

[Que]

There are already too many recordings of Bach's violin sonatas, and I've given up keeping up.

But Pamena Nikitassova is an exceptional talent, I recently discovered.

Q

[Mandryka]

There are already too many recordings of Bach's violin sonatas, and I've given up keeping up.

But Pamena Nikitassova is an exceptional talent, I recently discovered.

Q

Forget that. Listen to the Dowland quick and tell me what you think!

[Mandryka]

10 course lute makes for an interesting sound.

[Mandryka]

Actually Bertoldo's music sounds like it's worth listening to. The organ has no bass at all, and it doesn't produce any interesting scrunch harmonies - I can't see the specs online, though apparently they're in the booklet.

[Mandryka]

This is absolutely fabulous in a Frenchified way. Always loved the rats.

[Mandryka]

The sound is not natural, but it has had me totally strapped to my seat. Somehow this recording has managed to capture all the excitement of an incandescent live concert. This year has been outstanding for new recordings of gamba, first a whole bunch of them from Dunford and now Kuijken.

[Harry]

Actually Bertoldo's music sounds like it's worth listening to. The organ has no bass at all, and it doesn't produce any interesting scrunch harmonies - I can't see the specs online, though apparently they're in the booklet.

That does not mean the sound is bad, I have it already, and sampling a few track, I would say, let's forget about the bass and enjoy what is on offer. there is enough "Scrunch" to my ears at least.

[Mandryka]

That does not mean the sound is bad, I have it already, and sampling a few track, I would say, let's forget about the bass and enjoy what is on offer. there is enough "Scrunch" to my ears at least.

Totally agreed

[Mandryka]

Mico is a new name for me, sounds like it's good music, this. Lots of twists and turns which have caught my attention.

A bumper year for the viol!

[Mandryka]

That does not mean the sound is bad, I have it already, and sampling a few track, I would say, let's forget about the bass and enjoy what is on offer. there is enough "Scrunch" to my ears at least.

One of the two organs seems to have a bit more scrunchiness than the other.  (By the way, I think it's only me who talks about scrunchy harmonies, I wouldn't want you to think it was The Queen's English. I mean, not HRH . . . )

[Mandryka]

How modern they sound in 1016, because they really do give equal prominence to both instruments. A really revealing performance which makes me think that this may be a worthwhile set to explore.

And look at the cover - it's an Ammer. No booklet information unfortunately.

[prémont]

How modern they sound in 1016, because they really do give equal prominence to both instruments. A really revealing performance which makes me think that this may be a worthwhile set to explore.

And look at the cover - it's an Ammer. No booklet information unfortunately.

So one more mandatory recording, along with the violin/organ version you posted above.

PS: Jürgen Ammer has since long made period harpsichord copies.

[Brian]

"Piemontesi explores the tradition of Bach transcriptions for piano. This tradition started in the nineteenth-century, found its most prominent exponent in Busoni, and is still alive today, as Schnaus's transcription of Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter demonstrates. Despite using an instrument not yet existing in the composer's time, Busoni and others sought to interpret Bach's music with utmost reverence and study, expanding our notions of authenticity and Werktreue. For Piemontesi, playing Bach through the eyes of Busoni, Kempff and Schnaus incites a sense of nostalgia, re-establishing the ties to a rich pianistic tradition."

This release is now scheduled for April (!) 2021

Sooner:



1911 version of Petrushka + sadly the Sargent suite from Boutique rather than the whole ballet. 54' CD