Record Reviews
16 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | CLEMENTI TRIO ~ FANNY MENDELSSOHN-HENSEL/REBECCA CLARKE LARGO 5103 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
This release features two women composers. One is Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, the older sister of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, whose piano trio op.11 was composed in 1846/47. The English musician Rebecca Clarke composed her trio in 1921. It is a passionate, advanced work for British music of its time, with a spikey idiom and an English folk overlay.
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  | JOERES, DIRK ~ SCHUBERT-SONATA B FLAT MAJOR OP. POSTH. D 9 LARGO 5104 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
The celebrated German pianist Dirk JoeresFind albums by this artist performs one of Franz SchubertFind albums by this artist`s very last works: Sonata in B Flat Major op.posth. D 960. The sonata`s contrasting styles and wealth of nuance make it an exacting challenge to the pianist`s powers of interpretation, a challenge to which Dirk Joeres proves himself equal in every respect.
| Updated: 20/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | HENCK / RICHARDS ~ JOHN MCGUIRE-48 VARIATIONS FOR TWO PIANOS LARGO 5108 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
While the fantastically complex and yet simple-to-hear `repetitive` music by the Californian composer John McGuire differs in almost every respect from that of such comparable `masters` as Terry Riley and Steve Reich; it seems to share some roots with theirs. Though he has always shunned the limelight, he was soon to be described by European admirers as `the American master`.
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  | JOERES, DIRK ~ BORODIN/CHABRIER/RAVEL-PIANO SUITES LARGO 5110 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
This programme, compiled by the featured pianist Dirk Joeres, will be a special treat for lovers of select and rare pieces. The piano music of Alexander Borodin and Emanuel Chabrier shows a fresh and original contribution by self-taught musicians to the music of the 1880s. By way of hommage to both composers, a few short pieces by Maurice Ravel are also included in this release.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | CLEMENTI TRIO ~ ZEMLINSKY-TRIO OP.3/SCHOENBERG-VERKLAERTE LARGO 5111 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
This recording unites two chamber music works written shortly before the turn of the last century: Alexander Zemlinsky`s piano trio op.3 and Schoenberg`s famous `Transfigured Night`. Both works belong to a musical era which was still clearly under the influence of Wagner and Brahms, but in which dissonances were increasingly to be heard and harmonic harshness was not always resolved.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | UNIVERSAL ENSEMBLE BERLIN ~ CHAMBER MUSIC LARGO 5116 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
Although this is an organised, creative group, improvisation remains a permanent element. Since 1988, the group has been known as the Universal Ensemble Berlin, and in this release the group performs chamber works by the German composers Karl Heinz Wahren, Gerald Humel, Wilhelm Dieter Siebert and Rainer Rubbert.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | BALL, ANDREW ~ ROBERTO GERHARD-SOIREES DE BARCELONE LARGO 5119 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
Roberto Gerhard (1896-1970) was both Spain`s most inventive composer of last century and a practical musician trying to make his living from his music. This collection of solo piano and two-piano pieces alongside three ballet suites in Gerhard`s popular style, sporting a fantastic blend of flamenco tunes and rhythmic elan with just a tincture of irony.
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  | WOLPE, KATHARINA ~ STEFAN WOLPE-REMEMBERING THE DANCEMASTER LARGO 5120 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
Stefan Wolpe was and is one of the essential composers of the twentieth century: without knowledge of his incredible lifestory and wonderful music, something would be missing from whatever posterity may manage to understand about life and art in the twentieth century. All of the works on this CD are performed by his daughter, the accomplished pianist Katharina Wolpe.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROGGENKAMP, PETER ~ WAHREN / HARTMANN-PIANO WORKS LARGO 5121 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
This CD is a unique combination of piano works by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (1905-63) and his only pupil, Karl Heinz Wahren (b. 1933). The two works from Hartmann are: the Kleine Suite (1924-26) from his student days, which has a contrapuntal feel throughout, and the Sonatine from 1931. Wahren`s bright, solidly tonal music has a French insouciance about it.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | POZNAN PO ~ ALBERTO GINASTERA-ESTANCIA/OLLANTAY/PANAMBI LARGO 5122 ~ GERMANY ~ Classical
These three genuine Argentinean dances mark the beginning of an imposing series of compositions in which Alberto Ginastera came to terms with the culture and traditions of his native country. The colourful and suggestive strength of the works on this disc, inspired by scenes from Argentinean country life and early Inca poetry, demonstrates why Ginastera ia such a great composer.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAEL GARRICK ~ MOONSCAPE TRUNK 022 (Barcode: 666017162621) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 Released: 2007
Pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist has been one of the great pioneers of modern British Jazz and his 1960s / 1970s recordings on the ArgoFind albums on this label label (now reissued on VocalionFind albums on this label) constitute some of the best examples of the wonderful period, when Jazz was at its absolute creative peak. Garrick did made an early recording in 1964 with his trio (Garrick – piano, Dave GreenFind albums by this artist – bass and Colin BarnesFind albums by this artist – drums), which was privately issued with 99 copies pressed. Over the years this 10-inch LP became not only legendary but also one of the most expensive Jazz collector’s items reaching astronomical prices on the market with only a few originals surviving the tides of time.
Therefore having this album available again on CD is a marvel, thanks to Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist and his very special TrunkFind albums on this label Records label. As the original tapes were of course lost in time, the CD was mastered from a pristine copy of the LP with spectacular results - the sound is just beautiful. As to the music, well I’m not objective being Garrick’s fan for many years, but this is a monumental piece of music – one of the earliest examples of modern European Jazz, which steps way beyond anything in existence at the time.
The compositions (all by Garrick) were inspired by poetry, as Garrick was at the time involved with the Jazz & Poetry movement, and show his incredible talent for melody and the ability to “twist” a tune in a most wonderful fashion. Marvelous stuff! I can’t imagine any Garrick or early modern British Jazz fan not wanting this one.
| Updated: 01/01/2016Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALAN COHEN ~ RUNNIN` WILD / BLACK, BROWN & BEIGE VOCALION 4252 (Barcode: 765387425227) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 - 1974 Released: 2005
Two brilliant albums by British arranger / conductor / bandleader Alan CohenFind albums by this artist, which he recorded with his orchestras, paying tribute to Jazz tradition and especially its Big Band heroes. Both albums were originally released on the ArgoFind albums on this label label. "Runnin` WildFind albums with this title", recorded in 1974, is a tribute to Paul WhitemanFind albums by this artist, who dominated the early (1920s) jazz scene in the US, leading an orchestra, which incorporated the best Jazz players of the time. "Black, Brown & BeigeFind albums with this title", recorded in 1972, is a tribute to Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, who started in the early 1940s to compose a series of superb Jazz suites, of which this was the first and which was unfortunately never properly recorded in its entirety by its creator. Cohen managed to assemble the pieces of the puzzle 30 years later and this is the first time we´re able to hear this magnificent piece of music as intended. Cohen´s orchestras included the best players on the burgeoning British Jazz scene at the time: Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist (trombone) Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Art ThemenFind albums by this artist (saxophones), Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist (drums) and many more. The divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist contributes a wonderful vocal part on one track. Together these two albums are a wonderful glimpse at the Jazz history, presenting wonderful music, performed with inspiration and love. Brilliant stuff!
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  | BONNIE DOBSON ~ BONNIE DOBSON VOCALION 8432 (Barcode: 765387843229) ~ CANADA ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2006
Canadian singer / songwriter Bonnie DobsonFind albums by this artist was part of the Folk revival that swept Northern America and Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s, before the music got electric and became Folk-Rock. She preformed and recorded several albums in the US during the 1960s and by the end of that decade she moved to UK, where this album was recorded and released on the prestigious ArgoFind albums on this label label. It is probably her best recording ever, presenting her in the full glory of her talent. Her crystal clear voice and perfect pitch knew very few parallels and were often compared to the voice of Joan BaezFind albums by this artist. Bonnie sung in English and French with perfect ease and her choice of material was always exceptional. Unfortunately this was one of her last recordings, as she opted to leave the music business altogether in view of the Folk music being changed and commercialized. This album was unavailable for decades and became one of Folk´s most sought collector´s items. Here it is available again in its full glory – a classic of the genre.
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  | MICHAEL GARRICK ~ TROPPO VOCALION 8444 (Barcode: 765387844424) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2009
Pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist has been a pivotal figure in the British Jazz for over five decades and his recorded legacy over the years is an enormous source of inspiration and an example of intelligence, finesse and dedication. By the mid-1970s the British Jazz revolution was all but complete and the scene´s decade of glory was also nearing its end, with record sales declining. Therefore this album was to be the last recording Garrick made for the ArgoFind albums on this label label, a subsidiary of DeccaFind albums on this label. His ambition to push the music beyond the well established boundaries, with the music becoming more complex in the process, was a key factor in the company´s decision to cease the fruitful cooperation, which lasted for a decade and produced some of Britain´s best and most important Jazz masterpieces. Following the initial release of this album Garrick would almost completely stop releasing albums for over two decades, until he finally established his own independent Jazz AcademyFind albums on this label label and his output appeared there regularly since, to the delight of his many fans, myself included. The group playing on this recording consists mostly of Garrick´s long time cohorts and the British Jazz scene´s lions: Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on trumpet and violin, Art ThemenFind albums by this artist on flute and sax, Don RendellFind albums by this artist on flute and sax, bassists Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and Coleridge GoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Trevor TomkinsFind albums by this artist. The divine vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist was also an integral part of his band and her performances here are truly sensational. The album was recorded just a few weeks after the death of Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist, Garrick´s dear friend and music-making partner and the album includes a tribute to his genius. This has always been one of my favorite albums and surely one of British Jazz everlasting masterpieces, which remains an essential listening to this very day. Absolute must!
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