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January 3, 2009
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Danish record company DACAPO is joining the chorus of vocal supporters of Rued Langgaard (1893-1952). It was the second volume of the Dacapo recordings of Langgaard’s Violin Sonatas that turned me on to this marvelous, lovably strange, utterly romantic, occasionally acerbic, short-lived 20th century ... more |
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December 31, 2007
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The enemy of excellence is greatness? True, generally – but not when it comes to Bach’s Mass in B-minor which would still be a masterpiece in the least of performances and is a gift to humanity when performed as well as I’ve now had the pleasure of experiencing trice in short succession. First ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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Valery Gergiev continues with his cycle of Shostakovich's "War Symphonies," a concept that he stretches to include Symphonies No. 4 through 9. The idea of a new, even if truncated, DSCH cycle from a Russian conductor and outfit is an exciting one, given the allure that the Mravinsky cycle (Melodiya) ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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Following his release of the 2nd symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas's Mahler cycle continues to take shape with this 9th on the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra's own label. The predecessor did not disappoint and neither does this issue.
Just as the last time I reviewed a new MTT Mahler release, I ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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It may be coincidence that my Mahler collection contains more Mahler 2nd symphonies than any other. It may also be coincidence that that symphony seems to have been particularly well served by the recording industry, but its popularity is certainly no coincidence. It combines all the elements that ... more |
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