Record Reviews

ANDRES GABETTA ~ FROM VENICE TO BUENOS AIRES PENTATONE 8717306265034 (Barcode: 8717306265034) ~ ARGENTINA ~ Classical Music Recorded: 2024 Released: 2026 This is an album by Argentinean Baroque violinist Andres GabettaFind albums by this artist and his Gabetta ConsortFind albums by this artist ensemble, with Italian bandoneonist / accordionist Mario Stefano PietrodarchiFind albums by this artist and Argentinean soprano Veronica CangemiFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, they perform a collection of Classical pieces composed by Italian Baroque composers Antonio VivaldiFind albums by this artist, Giovani BononciniFind albums by this artist and Leonardo VinciFind albums by this artist, and contemporary Argentinean composer Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist and Italian composer Luca SalvadoriFind albums by this artist, both associated with the Argentinean Tango. The album presents nine compositions, a total of fourteen tracks. The selection of the music suggests the existence of a “missing link” between the Italian Baroque music and the Argentinean Tango, based on the fact that over sixty percent of the inhabitants of Argentina are of Italian ancestry, including of course Cultural heritage. This proposition certainly seems to be holding water, while listening to this beautiful music, and regardless if the listener is able to find the direct link between these seemingly remote musical spheres, the album offers first class performances and unusual repertoire, which deserves to be heard. Overall, this is another splendid project by the fabulous Dutch PentatoneFind albums on this label label, that certainly is able to think out of the box, when taking the decisions about its catalogue, which can only be congratulated.

Updated: 25/05/2026Posted: 25/05/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend

RICHARD GALLIANO ~ AROUND GERSHWIN PENTATONE 8717306262293 (Barcode: 8717306262293) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 - 2024 Released: 2024 This is a solo album by French Jazz accordion / bandoneon virtuoso Richard GallianoFind albums by this artist, which as the title indicates, is dedicated to the music of George GershwinFind albums by this artist, but also other early 20th Century composers, like Sergei RachmaninoffFind albums by this artist, Eric SatieFind albums by this artist, Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist, Maurice RavelFind albums by this artist and Gabriel FaureFind albums by this artist, all adapted for accordion by Galliano, and also including a couple of pieces composed by himself. The album presents fourteen tracks and offers a splendid sound quality. I have been following the career of Galliano since as long as I can remember (he is almost exactly one year older than me) and he was always one of my favorite Jazz musicians, long before he achieved the international fame and recognition. His incredible sensitivity and power of expression are almost unparalleled, and his openness to other musical cultures and genres makes him a true total Artist. His accumulated contribution to European Jazz is simply colossal. This is not the first album which finds Galliano interpreting Classical music, and his earlier albums with music by Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist, Antonio VivaldiFind albums by this artist or Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist are all warmly recommended, but this album is closest to my heart, for several reasons. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is my all-time favorite piece of music (as irresponsible as that kind of statement might sound), and Galliano’s interpretation of it is simply Godly. I have heard hundreds of recordings of RIB, but this is definitely one of the most profoundly moving ones, especially in view of the completely new environment and the ability to overcome the devilishly difficult score and underlying changes of mood / melody / tempo, etc., which Galliano conquers with his usual wit, intelligence and charm. But perhaps more important is the statement, subtly hidden behind the vail, which places Gershwin with his “serious” Classical Music contemporaries, recognizing his position as a no less “serious” composer, which is more often than not denied from Gershwin, mostly recognized for his work as a songwriter, with his Classical compositions often ignored and neglected, and which deserves to be put straight. Overall, this is a marvelous album, full of delightful music, brilliantly performed and cleverly put together, which puts a new light on the sublime music composed by Gershwin, and offers an hour of tete-a-tete between the listener and one of the greatest musicians out there. Another great production by the PentatoneFind albums on this label label and of course, this is something way beyond recommendation…

Updated: 04/10/2024Posted: 02/10/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JOLANTA SOSNOWSKA & FRIENDS ~ BAROCK & VIENNA FOR TUNE 0082 (Barcode: 5902768701746) ~ POLAND ~ Classical Music Recorded: 2012 Released: 2015 This is the first album in a new "silver" series of releases by the distinguished Polish record label For TuneFind albums on this label, which is dedicated to Old Music, i.e. music written during the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Polish violinist Jolanta SosnowskaFind albums by this artist performs seven Baroque compositions, six of which originate in the last quarter of the 17th Century, and only the Antonio VivaldiFind albums by this artist´s Violin Sonata in D major dates from 1716 / 1717. Four of these pieces were created in Vienna but all have a Viennese connection (hence the album´s title), and three of them are world premiere recordings. Sosnowska, who plays a baroque violin, is accompanied by Magdalena MalecFind albums by this artist (harpsichord and organ), Mirko ArnoneFind albums by this artist (theorbo and baroque guitar) and Tore EketorpFind albums by this artist (G violone). The background information about the music is eloquently described in the album´s liner notes in German, Polish and English. Old Music is a niche territory which often suffers from neglect and prejudice. The snob Classical Music connoisseurs who discredit anything before Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist and after Ludwig van BeethovenFind albums by this artist have little interest in it and therefore it is relatively rarely recorded. This important album shows that Old Music can be both a lot of fun and a serious aesthetic experience. This is definitely worth checking out and opening the horizons or thinking outside of the box we so often close ourselves in. Well done!

Updated: 08/09/2021Posted: 24/02/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JIRI STIVIN / VIRTUOSI DI PRAGA ~ ANTONIO VIVALDI – RECORDER CONCERTOS GALEN 25 265 (Barcode: 8594042902955) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Classical Music Recorded: 1987 - 1989 Released: 2025 This is a reissue of a delightful album by Czech flautist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, recorded with the famous chamber orchestra Virtuosi di PragaFind albums by this artist, which presents six recorder Concertos (three for the sopranino recorder and three for the alto recorder) by Antonio VivaldiFind albums by this artist. Although primary renowned for his activity within the Jazz genre, Stivin studied and recorded Classical Music, mostly involving the flute, of which he is a true virtuoso. Since each of the concertos has the required three movements, the album presents eighteen tracks. These concertos are relatively rarely recorded, since they require highly skilled performers and therefore presented a considerable challenge. Stivin handles this task with obvious expertise and a pinch of humor, which make the music even more charming. Although late Baroque music (early 18th Century) often requires patience, Vivaldi’s charm is simply overwhelming and this music is a true delight from start to finish. Overall, this is a superb example of Stivin’s versatility as a musician and his undeniable virtuosity as a flautist. It is great to see this album reissued, and as usual thanks are due to the great Galen label for bringing the Czech recorded treasures back to life! Side Note The Czech publishing house and record label GalenFind albums on this label, run by Lubomir HoudekFind albums by this artist, is another player on the local scene, reissuing historical recordings from the deep vaults of the SupraphonFind albums on this label / PantonFind albums on this label labels, supported by the Czech Ministry of Culture. This commendable initiative is a wonderful example of the preservation of Cultural heritage. Hopefully the label's future releases will include information in English in the album's booklets, so that Jazz enthusiasts around the world might be allowed to share the knowledge. For more reissues of Czechoslovak Jazz (and Rock) see also the releases by Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records.

Updated: 19/03/2026Posted: 19/03/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend