Stories for December 05, 2019
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Chicago Tribune 'Best classical albums of 2019'
Posted At : December 5, 2019 3:19 PM
The most valuable classical recordings of the year span a vast range, from genre-stretching contemporary music to re-evaluations of standard repertory: Nicola Benedetti: Marsalis Violin Concerto (Decca). Three years ago, violin virtuoso Benedetti played the U.S. premiere of Wynton Marsalis' Violin Concerto in D with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. This recording, featuring Benedetti with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Cristian Macelaru, reaffirms one's impression of the piece as a lustrous celebration of musical Americana. But the depth and rigor of Benedetti's performance here brings forth deeper aspects of the concerto than were apparent at Ravinia, suggesting Marsalis has given the violin repertoire a major work. Black Oak Ensemble: "Silenced Voices" (Cedille Records). Music by Jewish composers killed during the Holocaust receives new life in this brilliantly conceived album, the Black Oak Ensemble giving voice to scores by Dick Katenburg, Sandor Kuti, Hans Krasa, Gideon Klein and Paul Hermann. The music spans youthful optimism to mature insight and attests to what was lost. But in a measure of hope, the album also includes the world premiere recording of a trio by Geza Frid, who survived the Holocaust and lived to 1989. An indispensable recording. Igor Levit: "Beethoven Complete Piano Sonatas" (Sony Classical). Does the world need another traversal of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas? Of course it does, for this monolith reshaped the definition of the sonata, expanded the instrument's possibilities and bears endless interpretation and contemplation. Pianist Levit brings considerable intellectual acuity and technical aplomb to this music, which arrives in time for next year's worldwide celebration of the composer's 250th birthday. Third Coast Percussion: "Perpetulum" (Orange Mountain Music). Surely anyone who attended last year's world premiere of Philip Glass' "Perpetulum," commissioned and performed by Third Coast Percussion, felt the joy and rhythmic exuberance of this music. It's now documented on a two-disc set that also includes David Skidmore's similarly propulsive and still more expansive "Aliens with Extraordinary Abilities" and other works. Mahan Esfahani: "Bach: The Toccatas" (Hyperion). Bach's Toccatas carry a measure of mystery, in that definitive scores for this music are impossible to come by, leaving performers ample latitude in ornamentation and other details. Harpsichordist Esfahani applies meticulous scholarship to this process yet has produced a vivid recording built on animated performances appropriate to the toccata form. Jennifer Koh: "Limitless" (Cedille Records). In a bold and stylistically diverse recording, violinist Koh plays a series of duos with the composers of eight works included on this two-CD set. Where else is one likely to encounter music of contemporary composer-pianist Missy Mazzoli, soprano Lisa Bielawa and MacArthur Fellows Vijay Iyer (piano) and Tyshawn Sorey (glockenspiel) in a single project? The sounds are every bit as eclectic as one might expect, a testament to Koh's adventurousness and the creativity of all involved. Rachel Barton Pine: Dvorak, Khachaturian Violin Concertos (Avie). Violinist Pine turns in vigorous readings of two landmarks of the concerto repertoire, accompanied by Teddy Abrams leading the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The Khachaturian, in particular, benefits from Pine's grit and drive as performer. Her artistry continues to deepen. Yo-Yo Ma: Salonen Cello Concerto (Sony Classical). Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonon's Cello Concerto unfolds on an epic scale, from the immensity of the orchestration to the vastness of its musical gestures. It all may seem a bit lush for some tastes, but the intense colors Salonen draws from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the ardor of cellist Ma's performance sweep the listener along in their wake. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} SEE ALL Chicago Tribune PICKSTantalizing debut of Margaret Batjer in four violin and orchestra works / New Music Buff
Posted At : December 4, 2019 12:00 AM
This is a helluva introduction to the wide ranging talents of violinist Margaret Batjer, currently the concert master of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. OMG, why doesn't this woman have her own web page? Well this BIS recording is a sort of, "here's what I can do across 300+ year of repertoire". BIS is a Swedish based record label with a well earned reputation both for quality sound recording as well as intelligent choice of repertoire. This recording succeeds on both counts. She plays with her familiar colleagues in the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra under conductor Jeffrey Kahane in an arrestingly beautiful recording of music spanning nearly 300 years. The combination of technical skills and interpretive skills (by orchestra and soloist) along with a wonderful sound recording make this a welcome debut for this soloist and leaves this writer wanting to hear more from her and this wonderful little orchestra. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL New Music Buff REVIEWJason Vieaux's LA reciital makes KCRW: Rhythm Planet: december concert picks
Posted At : December 4, 2019 12:00 AM
Jason Vieaux is set for his recital First Congregational Church of Los Angeles - MacArthur Park on Saturday, December 7. The concert is presented by the Los Angeles International Guitar Series and Vieaux will perform music by Bach, Scarlatti, Ellington, and more. I had never heard of Vieaux until 2014 when I received his Grammy-winning album Play. I was completely knocked out by the finesse and authority of his guitar work. Click HERE for tickets and more information. MUSIC NEWS - Written by Tom Schnabel Dec. 03, 2019 for KCRW: Los Angeles - RHYTHM PLANET. SEE THE PAGE p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d}Molly & Anna from Carr-Petrova Duo are your Louisville artist city guides / Classical Post
Posted At : December 4, 2019 12:00 AM
VISITING A CITY CAN BE OVERWHELMING-ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT CITY IS OVERFLOWING WITH EXCEPTIONAL OPTIONS FOR FOOD, DRINKS, ENTERTAINMENT, SHOPPING, AND PLACES TO EXPLORE. LUCKILY, CLASSICAL POST'S NEWEST FEATURE ARTIST CITY GUIDES IS HERE TO CHANGE THAT. What's better than rapidly googling the city you're visiting the night before you get there for the best of the best restaurants, bars, and clubs? Hearing from it first-hand from the classical music artists you love, respect, and admire! In this newest feature section, we hear from the enormously talented Carr-Petrova Duo as they dish on their favorite spots in Louisville, Kentucky-they tell us where to eat, where to stay, what to drink, and how to enter full relaxation mode, no matter where we're visiting. The duo has been performing together since 2005-when they were attending school in New York at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. Separately, each of the duo's members is internationally acclaimed, award-winning soloists who have performed across the globe winning international competitions, Together, the duo is rapidly compiling a remarkable list of accolades in recognition for their stunning musical expression, their refined artistry, and their relentless entrepreneur dedication to social initiatives. If you're planning a trip to Louisville, Kentucky soon, you won't want to miss out on these exceptional destinations from the Carr-Petrova Duo. Headed to Louisville in January? You're in luck! The Carr-Petrova duo will be performing in Louisville on Sunday, January 19th, 2020 at 3 PM as the guest artists for MusicEx concert series at Comstock Concert Hall. Photo credit: David Beyda Meet the two skilled women behind the Carr-Petrova Duo, Anna Petrova, pianist, and Molly Carr, violist.Sarah McKenzie chats with Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired
Posted At : December 4, 2019 12:00 AM
Pianist/singer/songwriter, Sarah McKenzie, like so many of her fellow Australians, felt she'd have to leave her beloved country to pursue her dreams, which is exactly what she's done, living in Paris and London, then moving on to Boston to study at the Berklee College of music, and now settling in Los Angeles. Sarah speaks of her experiences with the passion and appreciation of a poet and channels it all into her songwriting, which is featured on her newest CD, Secrets of My Heart. LISTEN TO THE SEGMENT p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d}Rachel Barton Pine - Dvorak and Khachaturian Concertos is unlikely to duplicate anything in your collection / New Music Buff
Posted At : December 4, 2019 12:00 AM
Rachel Barton-Pine is one of the finest and most interesting performers working today. Her unique look at the performing repertoire for her instrument continues to be one of the most salient features of her artistry. Certainly her interpretive abilities are foremost but her choices of neglected repertoire make any release of her recordings a reason to pay close attention. In the past she has recorded many a neglected piece based on her interest in the music. She has featured black composers from the baroque to the present and has managed to resurrect unjustly neglected concerti from composers of pretty much every racial and national description. Here she features two lovely seldom heard concertos. The Dvorak concerto from 1789 and the Khachaturian concerto from 1941. Both are major works and a challenge to the soloist and both fit pretty much into the late romantic genre (arguably that would be "post romantic" for the Khachaturian). The present recording is released on the Avie label which is a progressive independent label which itself boasts an impressive selection of musical works in very fine performances. This disc is a fine example of the work they do and is a great selection for the listener's library. These two concertos were popular in their day but have not seen inclusion in live performances or recordings as much as other romantic concertos. One could speculate endlessly on why this is so or one could simply celebrate the fact that we are getting to hear them in these fine and definitive recordings. All in all a great disc which is unlikely to duplicate anything in your collection but one to which you will doubtless return for sheer entertainment and joy. READ THE FULL New Music Buff REVIEWThere is beauty here, let Lara Downes show you / WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW
Posted At : December 4, 2019 12:00 AM
"Hey, do you want to go out to the symphony tonight?!" "I sure do, I LOVE symphonic music! What are they playing?" "It's a program of American classical music!" "… oh." It has been nearly a century now since Aaron Copland returned from his studies in France to attempt a grand fusion of American lyrical elements with European classical traditions, and in that fruitful eight score of years American composers have interwoven modern insights with historical melodies to craft a vast body of compelling and challenging music. From Price to Cage and Bernstein to Babbitt, an imposing pantheon of composers have lifted American classical music from the imitative dregs of the nineteenth century to a living and vibrant experimentation that stands firmly in the world's musical vanguard. Yet looking at the American concert scene, that boisterous sense of experimentation and firm pride is nowhere to be seen – take a random program from 1919 and one from 2019 and one would be hard pressed to tell which is which, so little is the last century of American development programmed or requested. Having internalized the condescension of early critics, we have become ashamed of our own music, and to protect ourselves from ridicule, have convinced ourselves that it is boring and somehow beneath our notice. We belittle it, and avoid it, even (and perhaps especially) if we haven't listened to much of it. It takes a rare musical artist to stand up in front of that knee-jerk scorn, that shame-born indifference, and declare, "There is beauty here, let me show you," but for the last two decades that is precisely what pianist Lara Downes has done. With her talent she could have crafted for herself a safe and lucrative career as an interpreter of the standard European canon – offering up Beethoven sonatas and Rachmaninoff concerti to a public that knows what it likes and will happily pay for the sound of it. But from her first album she set herself a distinct challenge, charting at the age of twenty a mission to make her records acts of discovery rather than exercises in familiarity, opening new worlds to those listeners who had the musical curiosity to follow her. I asked her whether she felt trepidation about following such a risky path at a young age… p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW ARTICLETop 10 for Dec
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Alexandre Desplat :
Little Women OMPS
Sony Music announces the release of LITTLE WOMEN (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) with music by Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and GRAMMY® Award-winning composer ALEXANDRE DESPLAT. -
Bing Crosby :
Bing at Christmas
On the anniversary of the untimely death of the world's first ‘multimedia' star Bing Crosby, October 14th sees his longtime record label, Decca, together with his widow Kathryn and their children, Harry, Mary, and Nathaniel Crosby, announce the release of the brand new album, Bing at Christmas, via Decca/UMe. -
Jon Batiste :
Chronology Of A Dream - Live@The Village Vanguard
The inimitable musician and bandleader, Jon Batiste, sets to release Chronology Of A Dream: Live At The Village Vanguard on November 1. -
Ola Onabule :
POINT LESS
Socially conscious singer/songwriter Ola Onabul? has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has now turned his attention to the North American market with a newly recorded collection of original songs. -
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra :
I Shouldn't Be Telling You This
JEFF GOLDBLUM WITH BRAND NEW ALBUM FEATURING - SHARON VAN ETTEN • FIONA APPLE • ANNA CALVI • INARA GEORGE • GINA SAPUTO In DUETS WITH JEFF GOLDBLUM - OUT NOVEMBER 1 ON DECCA RECORDS "I'm crying with ecstasy over this new album. -
Ludovico Einaudi :
Seven Days Walking - Day Seven
Following his sold-out, seven-night residency at the Barbican in early August, Decca announces the release of ‘Seven Days Walking: Day Seven', and the climactic seven-volume collection from composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi – his most ambitious album project yet, with seven albums released over as many months. -
Third Coast Percussion :
Fields
Grammy Award-winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion plays music by international R&B and pop music star Devonté Hynes (aka Blood Orange) on their newest album, Fields, marking Hynes's recording debut as a classical composer. -
Libera :
Christmas Carols with Libera
The boys who make up the choral group Libera are normal South London kids aged 7 to 16 years. -
The Comet Is Coming :
The Afterlife
"Bridging the gap between experimentation and accessibility" (Rolling Stone), The Comet Is Coming announces the digital release of the group's highly-anticipated mini-album The Afterlife, via Impulse! The Afterlife will serve as a companion piece to the group's breakout album Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery and the lead track "Lifeforce Part II. -
Laura Karpman :
WHY WE HATE
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Yanni will celebrate 25th anniversary of 'Live At The Acropolis' with world tour / Vents Magazine
Posted: December 13, 2017 12:00 AM | By: AdminLegendary performer and composer Yanni has announced he will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of "Live At The Acropolis" with a world tour that will launch this spring in the United States. The maestro will kick off the "Yanni 25 – Live At The Acropolis Anniversary Concert Tour" on April 23, 2018 at the King Center in Melbourne, FL. The tour will keep him on the road through the summer, hitting cities across North America including Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles and more. Additional concerts will be added shortly.
Read more at
READ THE FULL Vents Magazine ARTICLECrossover Media Projects with Yanni
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Yanni
The Dream Concert
The No. 1 selling, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and global phenomenon Yanni has performed his distinctive music in exotic and historic locations all across the world. From his groundbreaking concert at the Acropolis to his most recent televised performance at El Morro, Puerto Rico, Yanni has pushed the boundaries of the way audiences experience live music. After performing at China's Forbidden City and India's Taj Mahal, Yanni realized his lifelong dream to perform at the foot of the Sphinx at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt - the last of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World that remains today. The November 2015 concert was captured in 4K state-of-the-art high definition audio and video, and features a career-spanning selection of fan favorites, along with never-before-performed songs and new arrangements of his classic compositions. YANNI: THE DREAM CONCERT - LIVE AT THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT premieres on PBS.
11 NEW 35 TOTAL
Direct: Stingray
Markets include: New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Seattle, Orlando, Santa Fe, Ft. Wayne IN, Winnipeg CAN
INTER: Canada, UK, Spain, Algeria
Online: Al-Bawaba, Radio Despi, One World Music, The Aquarian Weekly, ax, Musicas Imaginadas, MainlyPiano.com -
Yanni
Sensuous Chill
Global superstar Yanni announces a new album and PBS Special with corresponding DVD and Blu-Ray. His new album, SENSUOUS CHILL, on Sony Music Masterworks imprint Portrait Records comes mere weeks after Yanni made history with two sold out performances at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Yanni's first new release since 2014's chart-topping INSPIRATO, the album features Yanni exploring new realms of sound and creativity inspired by his extensive world travels. Tracks like ‘Rapture' and the bhangra-spiced ‘Dance For Me' are among the most physically stimulating on SENSUOUS CHILL offering a new sonic perspective on his adventures and experiences amidst myriad aspects of global culture.
13 NEW 67 Total
SYND: PRI/The World, Westwood One, The Bill Miller Show
Direct: SiriusXM, MOOD-Spafax, Stingray
Markets include: New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Chattanooga TN, Romania
Online: Musicas Imaginadas, Humboldt 101, MainlyPiano.com, One World Radio, SLOR, Seascapes -
Yanni
Inspirato
The beautiful instrumental melodies of internationally renowned composer YANNI have gained him over 40 platinum and gold albums throughout the world. Now his popularity looks set to cross even more borders. Working in partnership with the legendary operatic superstar Plácido Domingo and Ric Wake, YANNI has assembled a stellar line-up of the greatest singers to perform on his new album, INSPIRATO, available April 29th on Sony Music Masterworks. His timeless compositions have been transformed by the addition of lyrics and tell the story of the loves of YANNI's life.
12 NEW 'ON' 34 TOTAL
SYND: The Bill Miller Show
Markets include: New York, Cleveland, New Orleans, Berkeley CA, Chattanooga TN, Baton Rouge LA, Jacksonville FL, Wichita KS, Ft. Wayne IN
Online: Live 365, Billboard, Classicalite, MusiClassical, Blogcritics, WGOE -
Yanni
Live At El Morro, Puerto Rico
Sony Masterworks is proud to announce the release of YANNI: LIVE AT EL MORRO, PUERTO RICO. The CD and DVD are captured from Yanni's two sold-out shows, which marked the first ever performances at the historic UNESCO heritage site. Yanni is music's true world citizen and one of today's most popular contemporary composers. His 20-year-old dream to perform at the beautiful 16th-century Castillo San Felipe Del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, became a reality last December when he performed and filmed two sold-out concerts in HD and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound for international and U.S. broadcast on PBS. The performance at El Morro connects the famed Puerto Rican landmark with other spectacular sites such as the Taj Mahal in India, the Acropolis in Greece and the Forbidden City in China, that have played host to Yanni's world-renowned performances.
8 New 'ON' this week: 29
SYND: Dial Global, Sixty Second CD
Markets include: Boston, Berkeley CA, Jacksonville FL, Chattanooga, Wichita, Missio Viejo CA, Panama City FL, Cedar Rapids IA, Fargo ND
Online: RadioIO, Humboldt 101, Zone -
Yanni
Voices
Go back and listen again to Yanni's melodies, composed over an incomparable 30+ year career, and it becomes clear. The man's music was meant to be sung. Revered for his sweeping symphonic pieces, intimate keyboard airs and unforgettable musical themes, Yanni long resisted having vocalists reinterpret his music with lyrics. That is, until now with his premiere Disney Pearl album, Yanni Voices. More than two years in the making, "Voices" is without question Yanni's most ambitious project yet. Teaming up with GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning producer Ric Wake, Yanni took on a mentoring role for this project, discovering and producing four young singers, Nathan Pacheco, Ender Thomas, Leslie Mills and Chloe. Pairing their vocal talents with his compositions, old and new, Yanni encouraged the four singers to write lyrics for the melodies that moved them most. It proved a winning gamble.
48 Total
Synd: CBC, Sixty Second CD, Harmonic Lounge
Markets include: Philadelphia, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Long Is. NY, Phoenix, Honolulu, Berkeley CA, Indianapolis, Canada
Online: Humboldt 101, Dr. Music, Are You On Something?, Inquire Within
International: Canada, Spain