Stories » Igor Levit's 'Bach | Beethoven | Rzewski' Makes Iowa Public Radio's 2015 Mega-Meta-List

Stories for January 28, 2020

  •

    'Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers' is an outstanding album filled with magnificent simplicity / Best New Age CDs
     
    Posted At : January 28, 2020 12:26 PM

    2006 was an important year. It was the year a mutual friend introduced Robert Thies and Damjan Krajacic.  Robert is a classical concert pianist who won a Gold Medal in the Prokofiev Competition in Russia, as well as having a music recording career in the film and television industry. Damjan, a native of Croatia, is a jazz flutist and holds a Master of Music degree in Afro-Latin Music. This fortuitous meeting led to the beginning of their musical collaborations, and Robert and Damjan released their first album, "Difference," in 2006. In 2012, they released the first of the "Blue Landscapes" series, which is now three albums of original compositions and meditative improvisations on flute and piano.  Following, in 2016, was "Blue Landscapes II: Discoveries." And now we have "Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers," which was released in late January 2020, on the Real Music record label.   "Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers," is almost an hour and a quarter of total relaxation. And this is 15 improvised tracks of piano and flute that go "beyond the traditional colors of the instrument," as Damjan says.  All the music on the album consists of piano and two flutes, a regular C flute and a bass flute. There are no synths on this album. What's interesting and impressive, even, is that they've created incredibly unique textures and sounds that do exactly that. For example, on "Forest Path," Robert created an amazing looped rhythmic underlay with the piano strings. And Damjan's relationship with his flute is symbiotic. It's as if they are one. I've not heard flute playing quite as extraordinarily beautiful as this. It sounds other-worldly and ethereal as in the wonderful, "Abandoned Monastery." "'Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers,'" is an absolutely outstanding album filled with magnificent simplicity, softly cocooned inside incredible textures that go beyond the ‘traditional colors of piano and flute.' This is one to get lost in and find yourself at the same time. Extraordinarily beautiful." – Dyan Garris READ THE FULL Best New Age CDs REVIEW

  • Nelsons, Vienna Phil - Beethoven Symphonies is less pompous than Karajan, more moderate than Bernstein, and of much better sound than Toscanini or Furtwangler / Jazz Weekly
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    As one who has an acceptable number of Beethoven Symphony collections, I've come to a certain way to "fact check" their importance. My key check points are 1) "How sweeping is the opening of the "Eroica" on the "Allegro" along with the thunderous  minor chords half way through? 2) Is the "Allegretto" of Number 7 trudging agonizingly enough? 3) Is the "Allegro Ma Non Troppo"of the "Pastoral" verdant? 4) Do I need to put on a jacket for its " Thunderstorm"? 5) Do I feel like dancing during the "Allegro Vivace" of Number 4? 6) How is the sweeping of the " Allegro Ma Non Troppo" and "Molto Vivace" of Number 9? On all these points, the 5 disc and Blu-Ray Audio set by Andris Nelsons and the Wiener Philharmonicker pass with no qualms. It is less pompous than Karajan, more moderate than Bernstein's and Norrington's and of much better sound than Toscanini or Furtwangler. The strings have a rich texture and the woodwinds breeze like spring leaves. The chorus on the 9th led by Johannes Prinz is rich and with gravitas, and each symphony feels like it is to be appreciated all on its own and not part of an overall mosaic. The early pair being coy and optimistic, "Eroica" confidently explorative, 5 an early apotheosis, 6 a rest at the top, 7 vying for its due attention, 4 and 8 impressive interludes and the 9th a call to glory. This one has great flavors, never feeling like it's hinting at anyone else, and not succumbing to modern trends. DG has put itself back on the top of the Teutonic composers interpretations with this one. SEE THE Jazz Weekly PAGE

  • Jake Shimabukuro stops by 90.1WABE: Atlanta in advance of City Winery shows
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    Jake Shimabukuro is a Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso who's been touring internationally during the last 17 years, expanding the scope and repertoire of his instrument. He has collaborated with musicians from Yo-Yo Ma to Jimmy Buffett, and is widely known as "the Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele." The musician began playing at 4 years old when his mother gave him the instrument. Years later, he became one of YouTube's first viral stars in 2006 when a video of him playing The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" in Central Park was posted without his knowledge. Today, that video has gotten over 15 million views. Shimabukuro is playing with his trio Jan. 27 and 28 at City Winery. He joined WABE: Atlanta "City Lights" host Lois Reitzes in the studio to talk about his music. LISTEN TO THE SEGMENT     PHOTO: CREDIT CLAIRE REYNOLDS / WABE

  • Paul Merkelo chats with Central Michigan Radio's 'Mosaic'
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    Recognized among the finest trumpet virtuosos of his generation, Paul Merkelo release; The Enlightened Trumpet is his first recording for Sony Classical. Hailed as "a spectacular soloist ... a most impressive master of his instrument" (Montreal Gazette) who "knows no limits" (Der Spiegel) and with "unusual lyrical gifts" (Gramophone), Merkelo has been Principal trumpet with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1995, and has appeared as soloist with prestigious orchestras around the globe, from Melbourne to Shanghai. On The Enlightened Trumpet, Merkelo is joined by the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and its founder and conductor Marios Papadopoulos for four spectacular concertos by Haydn, Leopold Mozart, Telemann, and Hummel. Merkelo will be touring in the spring of 2020 with the English Chamber Orchestra featuring the pieces on his new CD and Central Michigan Radio - Mosaic host David Nicholas recently spoke with Merkelo about the recording.   LISTEN 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}

  • Peter Kater wins 'Best New Age Album' for 'Wings' / meaww
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    The shocking death of Kobe Bryant took the world by storm but music lovers have now mournfully moved on to the prestigious Grammy Awards 2020, which acknowledges the best of music. German-born American pianist Peter Kater wins Best New Age Album for 'Wings.' The pianist and composer was four when he moved to New Jersey and studied classical piano His album recordings include rhapsodic songs, abundant with emotion. Some tracks from the album are: 'Raven's Wings', 'Wings of Love', 'Hold Me Close', 'Angel's Nest', 'Wings', 'Flight', 'Swallow River', 'Remembrance', 'When We Meet Again' and 'Flight Reprise.' The other nominees in the category included 'Fairy Dreams' by David Arkenstone, 'Homage to Kindness' by David Darling, 'Verve' by Sebastian Plano and 'Deva' by Deva Premal. PHOTO: (Getty Images) 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 meaww ARTICLE

  • Venezuelan expatriate and pianist; Gabriela Montero applies muscle, emotion, and wonderful improv skills to Russian program / Portland Press Herald
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    It is only natural that musicians use their own experience as a template for broader commentary on social issues and the world around them – assuming, of course, that they are willing to air their views publicly. Gabriela Montero, an expatriate Venezuelan pianist, has long been outspoken, in interviews and on Twitter, about human rights abuses in her homeland, which she has described as a narco-kleptocracy and a failed state. Though early-20th-century Russian composers fleeing the tyranny of the Soviet state were the main focus of "Westward" – the program Montero played at Hannaford Hall in a Portland Ovations concert on Saturday afternoon – her own sense of displacement from Venezuela was not far beneath the surface. Montero is a powerful player, and the Russian works she offered – Prokofiev's "Sarcasms" (Op. 17) and Sonata No. 2 (Op. 14), Stravinsky's Sonata (1924) and Rachmaninoff's Sonata No. 2 (Op. 36) – drew on her ability to put speed and volume at the service of thorny and sometimes dense music. All four works were given muscular, emotionally forceful readings, and where there was anger in the music – or even where anger could merely be deduced – Montero brought it forth, sharpening edges rather than trying to prettify them. 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 Portland Press Herald REVIEW

  • Joshua Bell and Lang Lang help pay tribute to longtime GRAMMY producer in epic sendoff / CBS NEWS
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    It was music's biggest night – but this year's Grammy Awards took on a mournful tone as stars and fans paid tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant. The show opened with tributes to Bryant from Lizzo and host Alicia Keys. The Los Angeles Lakers legend died in a helicopter crash earlier Sunday. The Grammys were held in the Staples Center, where the Lakers play their home games. In a tribute to longtime Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich, Camila Cabello, Gary Clark Jr and John Legend were joined by Ben Platt, Debbie Allen, Joshua Bell, Common, Misty Copeland, Lang Lang  and The War and Treaty to help say goodbye with a performance of "I Sing the Body Electric" from the movie musical "Fame." Ehlrich personally chose the song as a way to acknowledge the importance of music education in schools. Ehlrich first produced the Grammys in 1980, the same year "Fame" was released. Ehlrich previously announced that he will be stepping down after this year's award ceremony.  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 CBS NEWS ARTICLE

Top 10 for Jan

  • Colin Stetson :

    Color Out of Space

     Milan Records today releases COLOR OUT OF SPACE (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) with music by GRAMMY® Award-winning saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer COLIN STETSON.
  • Lorne Balfe :

    Bad Boys for Life OMPS

     Sony Music today releases BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE) with music by GRAMMY Award-winning, EMMY- and BAFTA-nominated composer LORNE BALFE (Ad Astra, His Dark Materials, Gemini Man).
  • Ted Poor :

    You Already Know

     You Already Know, the New Deal/Impulse! debut from the acclaimed drummer Ted Poor-"a trustworthy engine in countless modern-jazz settings," per the New York Times-isn't your typical jazz drummer's recording, almost defiantly so.
  • Robert Thies - Damjan Krajacic :

    Blue Landscapes III Frontiers

     Mindfulness music leader Real Music presents Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers, the pioneering third album in the award-winning Blue Landscapes series from internationally renowned pianist Robert Thies and flutist Damjan Krajacic.
  • Thomas Newman :

    1917 OMPS

     Sony Music announces the December 20 release of 1917 (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) with music by GRAMMY®, EMMY® and BAFTA® Award-winning composer THOMAS NEWMAN.
  • Dustin O'Halloran :

    Sundoor

     Deutsche Grammophon is proud to announce the signing of Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning composer Dustin O'Halloran and his release of a new EP, Sundoor.
  • Sheku Kanneh-Mason :

    Elgar w/London Symphony Orchestra - Rattle

     Award-winning cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason returns with Elgar, a new album of works anchored around Elgar's Cello Concerto – arguably the best-known work in the classical canon written for solo cello, which saw the 100th anniversary of its first performance this month.
  • Joey Alexander :

    Warna

     Today, Joey Alexander, the Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer and bandleader announces the release of his major label debut album, WARNA (Verve Records).
  • Andrea Bocelli :

    Si Forever

     Following over 1 million album sales of his No.
  • 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.

Igor Levit's 'Bach | Beethoven | Rzewski' Makes Iowa Public Radio's 2015 Mega-Meta-List

Posted: January 15, 2016 12:00 AM | By: Admin
Bookmark and Share

Today's output of classical albums is (pardon me while I scribble on the back of an envelope) something like triple what it was a generation ago. I won't vouch for that exact ratio, but I will for Anne Midgette's description of how it feels: "Keeping up with the stream of new releases is like trying to drink from a fire hose." Now imagine trying to capture a hose's jet-spray in a bucket, and you'll see why making a classical "best-of-year" list in 2015 struck many writers as a thankless task, even a hopeless one. Yet that didn't stop more of us than ever from trying - perhaps enough of us to be called a crowd. Could that crowd, taken together, have some kind of collective wisdom?

That was more or less the premise behind my "Classical Mega-Meta-List" last year (inspired by economist /blogger Tyler Cowen). I tallied every "best of year" list I could find - a total of 36, comprising about 100 writers.  This year I found far more: 64 lists, with at least 160 contributors, which makes this year's meta-list 60-77% more mega. It's not surprising that almost twice as many releases made the final cut, defined by being chosen for more than three best-of-year lists. Last year, 28 albums reached that threshold; this year, 50 albums did. That's a 78% increase.

Igor Levit's 'Bach | Beethoven | Rzewski' received more than 12 votes in this pole.

Two of the top five albums feature twenty-something Russian-born pianists playing variation sets - yet they could hardly be more different. Igor Levit, whose family moved to Germany when he was eight, focuses on leviathan variation sets by the greatest German composers, Bach and Beethoven - and adds an equally mammoth set by Frederick Rzewski based on a Chilean protest song, The People United Will Never be Defeated. Levit fell in love with it when he combed the music library as a student in Hannover, and he has recently commissioned a new work from the American composer. (Footnote: the pianist who recorded the premiere of the Rzewski in 1976, Ursula Oppens, issued a remake in 2015 which also made the mega-meta-list Bronze category - the only contemporary classic to make the list twice.)

READ THE FULL IOWA PUBLIC RADIO PAGE

Crossover Media Projects with Igor Levit

  • Igor Levit

    Life

    Sparked by the tragic death of a close friend in an accident, Igor Levit's piano playing reflects upon an experience of loss encompassing grief, despair, resignation and solace. He concentrates on works whose gloomy grandeur and melancholy beauty have occupied him for years. Each of them pays tribute to the virtuoso possibilities of the piano. Poetic moments of contemplative silence blend with life-affirming and extremely sensual music with a direct physical fascination. ... 

  • Igor Levit

    Bach | Beethoven | Rzewski

    Sony Classical announces the release of Pianist Igor Levit's third album - Bach, Beethoven, Rzewski.  Available October 30, the album includes Bach's Goldberg Variations and Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, long considered acid tests of the performer's art, plus Frederic Rzewski's gigantic cycle on the Chilean revolutionary song ¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!, which has the reputation of being nearly unplayable. Not content with canonized masterpieces, Levit is equally drawn to the physical challenge of Rzewski's virtuosic tightrope walks.

    38 NEW  43 Total
    SYND:     C24, CBC
    Direct: SiriusXM, Music Choice, MOOD
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Portland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Baltimore, Denver, Pittsburgh, Austin, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Louisville, Buffalo, Columbus OH, Honolulu, Canada
    Online: theartsdesk

  • Igor Levit

    Bach - Partitas: BWV 825-830

    Igor Levit has recorded the Partitas by this incommensurable Bach, BWV 825-830: it's the second release by the 27-year-old pianist, whom many regard as the greatest talent of his time. With his debut album, featuring the late Beethoven sonatas, Levit already enjoyed great success and international critical acclaim: the album rose to no. 46 in Germany's Top 100 album charts.

    45 Total
    SYND:     PRI/Classical 24, CBC
    Direct: SiriusXM, Music Choice
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, Portland, Austin, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Memphis, Madison, Canada
    Online: Taintradio

  • Igor Levit

    Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas

    "Unlike those technically brilliant young pianists who dazzle briefly and disappear, Levit is pre-eminently a real musician who seems built to last." – The Guardian

    For the last three years, Igor Levit's name has been the first to be mentioned whenever there has been talk of the most exciting of the younger generation of pianists. What is so surprising about Levit is not only the maturity of his interpretations, but his boundless appetite for new repertoire of works as difficult and demanding as possible.  For his long awaited debut album, the twenty-six-year-old Levit has chosen some of the most challenging repertoire ever written for piano: Beethoven's last five piano sonatas. On his two-CD debut set, Levit is not just another young aspiring pianist releasing his debut album, but rather an outstanding artist who meets the exceptionally high demands of this extraordinary music. Levit's technical and artististic command in the difficult "Hammerklaviersonate" op. 106 is sure to be recognized as one of the most astounding accomplishments in recent history of Beethoven recordings.