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February 23, 2008
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There are several fine SACDs and DVD-As featuring the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics in New Year concerts. These large modern orchestras, of course, have the ultimate sophistication and opulence, very far from the small orchestras run by the Strauss family during their long reign over the ... more |
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February 20, 2008
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Here is another issue in the BIS 'Open Doors' project, in which Thomas Dausgaard and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra seek to reappraise selected Romantic works. This includes all the Schumann symphonies, Disc One of which has already received general critical claim (Schumann: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4 - Dausgaard). ... more |
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February 19, 2008
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The previous Ravel/Gershwin disc from Ohms (Gershwin, Ravel: Piano Concertos - Pascal Rogé)gained great critical acclaim, and this second instalment has been eagerly awaited. There is, of course, huge competition in the market for both Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris, two of the most popular classical ... more |
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February 19, 2008
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For some time before his death in 1750, JS Bach's music was regarded as old-fashioned, especially by his sons, who called him 'the Old Wig'. Musical fashion, even in Lutheran church music, was evolving under the influence of the new Enlightenment philosophy. Polyphony and formal structures such as ... more |
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February 16, 2008
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If your only contact with the double-bass as a solo instrument is 'The Elephant' from Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals, this disk will open your ears. The double-bass was the last of the violin family to be developed, mainly because the 6-stringed bass viol was an excellent bass for ... more |
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