MILT'S
MUSIC
(Note:
Links referred to on this page are not associated in any way with
WGN Radio. Thus, we cannot be responsible for the nature or accuracy
of the content found on the sites.)
BEETHOVEN'S
FOURTH PIANO CONCERTO...is well performed here by Richard Cass
and the Kansas City Civic Orchestra. And, in addition, full performances
of major works by Barber, Orff, Dvorak and Mahler!!!
http://www.kccivic.org/
A
CORNUCOPIA OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC...all performed (creditably!) by
the Junges Kammerorchester of Reinickendorf. (No, we had never
heard of them either.) Among the most pleasing performances are:
a Vivaldi Concerto, a Mozart Sinfonia Concertante, the Beethoven
Triple Concerto and his Leonora Overture III.
http://www.jkor.de/
HUDIE LEDBETTER (LEADBELLY)...was a great folk artist who was
sprung from prision by Alan Lomax and then spent a decade or two
on the New York musical scene. Here is a rich selection of his
classic recordings in which he accompanies himself on the 12-string
guitar. Rock Island Line, Red River Blues and Where Did You Sleep
Last Night...are among the outstanding songs of his own composition.
http://www.jazz-on-line.com/
A
GREAT EUROPEAN JAZZ FESTIVAL...with some major American players
sitting in, has been running for a number of years in Hungary.
This wonderful set of performances--mostly of standards--includes
Stompin' at the Savoy, Basin Street Blues, Just a Gigolo and Beale
Street Blues.
http://festival.bohemragtime.com/
BEETHOVEN AND RACHMANINOV FROM SOUTH AFRICA: Jonathan Oshry sounds,
to us, to be a fully accomplished pianist in the romantic mode
and these recordings with the Johannesburg Philharmonic seem to
us quite noteworthy for being both lyrical and assertive.
http://www.joshry.com/
THE BEST BIG
BAND BLUES...ever performed was that supplied by the Count Basie
aggregation. In this generous sampling don't miss Basie Power,
Blee Blop Blues, Don't Cry Baby and (essential!) Stormy Monday
Blues.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
OUR MUSIC SPECIAL FOR TODAY...is Big Bill Broonzy, one of the
great blues masters of the first half of the 20th century. Just
scroll down and listen to "All By Myself" and "Careless
Love."
http://hic1.kazserv.com/
MAHLER'S FIRST SYMPHONY...is performed here by the BBC Orchestra
conducted by Sinaisky. This fine performance is accompanied by
some useful program notes.
http://db.bbc.co.uk/
THE GREAT MISSA SOLEMNIS OF BEETHOVEN...is heard here in a wonderful
performance conducted by Otto Klemperer. We don't know who the
singers are but if you do, please tell us.
http://www.columbia.edu/
MUCH
MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE...is available on this educational site.
Take your choice among Bach, Buxtehude, Corelli, Frescobaldi and
Handel.
http://www.columbia.edu/
GERMAN LIEDER AND ENGLISH SONGS...are perfectly performed here
by a great tenor: Ian Partridge. The Schubert selections from
Winterreisse are particularly moving as is Gurney's setting of
Down by the Sally Gardens.
http://www.ianpartridge.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
MOZART'S QUARTET FOR HORN, TWO VIOLINS, VIOLA AND CELLO...as performed
earlier this year at the Argerich/Lugano Festival. Various other
chamber pieces are heard, including one from Shostakovich with
the same instrumentaion as in the Mozart work.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE
THREE CLARINET CONCERTOS BY CRUSELL...followed by the two by Weber.
We don't know who these great performers are and, if you do, do
please tell us.
http://www.clacla.co.kr/
SOME GREAT PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS...at the LaVerne University
School of Music. Apart from the Brahms, Enesco and Mendelssohn,
be sure not to miss the Rossini Comic Duet for Two Cats.
http://www.ulv.edu/
NINETEEN GREAT BLUESMEN...are heard here on a fabulous site that
has to be heard to be believed.
http://guitarvideos.com/
A GRAND MUSICAL SITE...in which to go exploring is this one with
snippets from concerts given in Venice in recent years. Start
with the Mozart Grand Partita and then scroll down to Shlomo Mintz
performing the Vitali Ciaccona.
http://www.culturaspettacolovenezia.it/
THE
ART OF QUARTER-TONE SINGING...is fully on display in these astonishing
renderings of classical Indian Kalyani by K.J. Yesudas.
http://www.kannadaaudio.com/
PURE TANGO! These fine performances were all recorded in Argentina,
the earliest in 1934 and the most recent in 1999. Not to be missed:
Tristezas de la Calle Corrientes, beautifully sung by Libertad
Lamarque.
http://www.todotango.com/
IL
TROVATORE AT LA SCALA, CIRCA 1930!! This site features two separate
and full recordings of the great Verdi opera. An incredible internet
find for which we thank the anonymous Extension 720 listener who
alerted us to it.
http://www.belcantosociety.org/
THE DEFINITIVE PERFORMANCE...of the definitive Ray Charles work
is this two-part recording of "What'd I Say?"
http://rockroll.kulichki.net/
THE INK SPOTS! THE MILLS BROTHERS! This wonderful website offers
enough great performances by these two fabled groups (and various
others) to provide a few months of delighted listening. If you
care for this great vocal tradition in American popular music
you should save this one in your Favorites file.
http://www.group-harmony.com/
MUSIC
OF PARAGUAY...in tantalizing snips featuring wonderful guitar-harp
combos and some of the best close-harmony singing available in
modern recorded music.
http://www.paraguayanmelodies.com/
REDLICH LOVES THE BARRY SISTERS...and so have we done for many
years. Here they are performing a large number of classic--and
a few more recent--Yiddish songs. The site, for reasons we cannot
decipher is a Russian one
though the Barrys were nice Jewish girls from New York.
http://www.jewish.ru/
A GREAT AUDIO COLLECTION OF BAROQUE MUSIC...in which you could
easily wander for hours listening to, among many others, Bach,
Corelli, Monteverdi, Purcell, Lully and Vivaldi.
http://www.columbia.edu/
IN
MUSICAL REMEMBRANCE...of the war-dead of 9/11, here is the "Libera
Me" section of the Verdi Requiem followed by an excerpt from
the Bhrams Deutches Requiem. Both are movingly performed by the
Tokyo International Singers conducted by Marcel L'Esperance.
http://tokyo-singers.org/
MONTEVERDI PERFORMED BY THE KING'S CONSORT: We have rarely heard
more beautiful choral singing. The MP3 selections work but, as
far as we have sampled, the Real Audio selections don't. Still
there's plenty here to provide delight. Particularly, be sure
not to miss the Dixit Dominus.
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/
THE PERFECT JAZZ-BLUES-SWING BAND...was that of Count Basie and
here is a great collection of many of their classic recordings.
Just scroll down and enjoy, among others: Everyday I have the
Blues,Don't Cry Baby, Stormy Monday Blues, Take the A Train and
One O'Clock Jump.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
A
MOZART QUARTET AND A SCHUMANN TRIO...are the highlights of this
beautifully performed chamber concert from this year's Argerich
Festival in Lugano. And don't miss Argerich herself, with trumpeter
Sergei Nakariakov in Schumann's Drei Fantasiestucke.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE ART OF THE SYMPHONIC BAND...is well-represented by this great
group from Austin, Texas. Everything on the extensive program
is well worth your close listening--including some Sousa you have
probably never before heard.
http://www.asband.org/
BEFORE
THE AFFLICTION OF HIP-HOP...there was Soul! This great site offers
a few dozen of the less well known groups from Detroit and just
about everywhere else. Don't miss "I'm Giving Up Baby"
by the Rayons.
http://www.melingo.com/
SELECTIONS
FROM HANDEL'S MESSIAH...again in superb performance by the Chor
an der Basilika Seligenstadt.
http://chor-basilika.de/
THE "MESSA DI GLORIA" OF PUCCINI...is gloriously performed
by the Choir of the Seligenstadt Basilica, as recorded in 1999.
http://chor-basilika.de/
GOOD COUNTRY MUSIC FROM ITS CLASSIC PERIOD...i.e. 46 years ago!
Kitty Wells, Jim Reeves, Faron Young and other fine performers
are heard here and the late, great Patsy Cline.
http://oldtimecountry.sitesled.com/
BOB DYLAN IN CONCERT...in fact, in various concerts from early
on in his career to just last year at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston.
http://bobdylan.com/
GREAT
GOSPEL MUSIC...from a black church in Texas to which come many
major visiting performers. As you wander this site, be sure to
listen to "I Made It" with Albertina Walker and "Step
by Step" with Rev. Clay Evans and the AARC Mass Choir.
http://www.orgsites.com/
AND BACK TO LUGANO...for two fine chamber works performed during
this year's Argerich Festival. Herself and Karin Merle play Mozart's
Sonata in D Major for Two Pianos; Ivry Gitlis performs the Franck
Violin Sonata in A Major.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
ANOTHER
FINE CONCERT FROM LUGANO...and do listen, particularly, to the
spirited performance of the Dvorak Piano Quintet and the Debussy
Nocturnes arranged for two pianos.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
A
FINE OPERA SITE...with a rich selection of arias and duets from
Norma, Carmen, La Forza, La Traviata, Rigoletto and etc. The only
thing that's missing is a list of the performers. We think we
have spotted Albanese, Bjorling, Melchoir and, possibly, Pinza.
http://www.songsofpeace.com/
THE
MODERN AND ORCHESTRAL TANGO...flourishes in Argentina but also
in Italy, France, the U.S. and, of course, Uruguay. This wonderful
site is rich with great performances of the dance form that Piazolla
transmuted into a symphonic genre.
http://www.piazzolla.org/
A
WONDERFUL CHAMBER CONCERT FROM LUGANO: The annual Argerich Festival
has just concluded there...and here is Argerich herself in Schumann's
Quartet for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 81. Also available
for instant listening: works by Wagner, Shostakovich and Taneev.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
FUNKY MUSIC...by, among others, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Gladys
Knight, the Temptations and The Doors.
http://www.sayermcshane.com/
FOUR
CHAMBER WORKS BY MODERN COMPOSERS...are featured in this concert
from the 2006 Argerich Festival which was concluded last week
in Lugano, Switzerland. Not to be missed: the Carmen fantasy by
Franz Waxman.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
HE WAS ONCE THE MOST POPULAR AMERICAN SINGER...IN EUROPE! And
if you have never heard of Slim Whitman, now is the moment to
savor his sweet simplicity--and his yodelling.
http://www.mikesoldiestoo.com/
MORE GREAT PERFORMANCES OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC: Of the rich
variety of raagas available on this site (and we have listened
to all of them!) we particularly recommend Ksheera Sagara Sayana
and Rama Ramana Barama. M.L. Vasanthakumari is a real comer!
http://www.kannadaaudio.com/
MOSTLY
BLUES ON THIS FINE SITE...including B.B. King, Charlie Feathers
and R.L. Burnside. But also found here are two great gospel performances:
i.e. Mahalia Jackson and the Staples Singers.
http://www.livinblues.com/
A GREAT INDIAN VOCAL ARTIST...in a series of "devotional"
ragas. Bhimsen Joshi, we are informed by Indian friends, is a
revered performer who set the standard for this sort of traditional
performance.
http://www.kannadaaudio.com/
THE KING OF CUBAN SONG...was, in his too-brief time, Benny More.
Here are five great performances, all with vocals by Benny and
backed by his full orchestra.
http://www.lajiribilla.cu/
AND NOW FOR SOME FINE, DEEP SINGING: Deep in register, that is,
as we sample arias delivered by such great baritones and bassos
as Chaliapin, Baccaloni, De Luca, Merrill, Pinza and Robeson.
http://bassocantante.com/
GREAT
MUSIC FROM CUBA: Clearly, the best thing in contemporary Cuba
is the music. Here are a number of wonderful performers all of
whom were "nominados al Grammy Latino."
http://www.lajiribilla.cu/
A TREASURE TROVE OF YIDDISH SONG...is available here on a Russian
site. Wander at your pleasure but don't miss Jan Peerce, the Malavsky
family or the Barry sisters.
http://www.sem40.ru/
BELLINI, GOUNOD, VERDI, SMETANA, DONIZETTI...and even von Suppe
are represented on this generous opera site. The only problem
(or challenge) is that the singers are not identified. See what
you can do in identifying the tenor and baritone in the Pearl
Fishers duet. Our best bet: Bjorling and Merrill.
http://www.songsofpeace.com/
PETER AND THE WOLF...narrated by John Gielgud! This one is a jewel
of inestimable worth. But to get to it you must scroll down to
the bottom of the play list and then wait a few minutes while
it downloads. Well worth the wait.
http://faculty.kirkwood.edu/
RUSSIAN
JAZZ MEN SALUTE NEW ORLEANS...in this "traditional jazz"
concert. Pretty good! Particularly the guys on clarinet and trombone.
The "don't miss" numbers are Basin Street Blues and
Sunny Side of the Street.
http://www.ldljazz.com/
BARTOK, SAINT-SAENS AND LOTS OF TANGO...at the Argerich Festival
in Lugano. This wonderfully eclectic concert was performed and
recorded in 2002.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
A MEXICAN-AMERICAN COLLABORATION THAT WE FULLY ENDORSE...is this
one from some years ago between Edie Gorme and the Trio Los Panchos.
Don't miss their treatments of "Amor" and "Sabor
a Mi."
http://www.momentosmidi.com/
ROCK,
BLUES, TIN PAN ALLEY AND A GREAT DEAL MORE...are available in
vast abundance at this wonderful audio site. Scroll down to find
them...and enjoy!
http://faculty.mville.edu/
TIME FOR SOME GREAT FLAMENCO! Ines Bacan sings in the classic
style and with forceful intensity. Scroll down to the section
headed "Real Audio" and listen to her remarkable Bulerias
and Siquiriyas.
http://www.flamenco-world.com/
SOME
OF THE BEST CONTEMPORARY OPERA PERFORMERS...are heard on this
pleasing site: Terfel, Ramey, Graham, Florez..and for a touch
of the old style, a wonderful performance by Aprille Milo singing
an aria from Verdi's Luisa Miller.
http://www.handelmania.com/
THE GREAT CALLAS...in selections from Don Giovanni, Trovatore,
Lucia di Lammermoor, Lakme, Tosca and still much more. A treasure
trove!
http://callas.cz/
AND HERE'S THE GREAT HOT FIVE...that Louis organized and with
whom he established jazz as a major art form. Among the classics
to be heard here are: Basin Street Blues, Cornet Chop Suey, Heebie
Jeebies, Muscrat Ramble and West End Blues.
http://redhotjazz.com/
MOZART,
MASCAGNI, FAURE, ROSSINI...not to mention Haydn, Palestrina, Barber
and assorted others are all available on this well-recorded but
otherwise inscrutable site.
http://laudate.com.ne.kr/
ELEGANT JAZZ...ranging from Scott Joplin to lots of Duke Ellington
(do by all means thake the A-Train) to a full performance of Gershwin's
Rhapsody in Blue. All are available on this site and a fine explanatory
text, as well.
http://musicmavericks.publicradio.org/
MY FAIR LADY: THE MOVIE! This wonderful site gives you audio and
video from the movie and includes most of the score. An extra
feature is Audrey Hepburn in her own voice--rather than the dubbed
one--singing "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" and "Show
Me."
http://www.audrey1.com/
THE
BRAHMS PIANO QUARTET...(number 3 in C minor) is beautifully rendered
here by Gabriela Montero and three colleagues at the Argerich
Festival in Lugano. Also available at the same site: a striking
piece by Caesar Franck.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
FROM THE ARGERICH FESTIVAL IN LUGANO...some beautifully rendered
chamber music by Mahler, Rachmaninov, Mozart and Chausson.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
AND SPEAKING OF MOZART...do listen to this beautiful rendering
of his Ave Verum Corpus.
http://www.rosings.com/
AND
SPEAKING OF THE BEATLES...do check out this site and its many
audio features.
http://musicradio.computer.net/
A POTPOURRI OF CONTEMPORARY COMPOSERS AND THEIR WORKS. We particularly
enjoyed the pieces by Signorile and Dimoff. But try them all;
these are modern--but quite melodic--composers and there is an
occasional classical piece thrown in on this "catch-all"
audio site.
http://www.classicalmidiresource.com/
GREAT OPERA BARITONES AND BASSES...including Chaliapin, Baccaloni,
Merrill and Pinza are to be heard in major arias at this wonderful
audio site.
http://bassocantante.com/
AUTHORITATIVE PERFORMANCES OF BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATAS...are featured
at the Argerich Festival in Lugano. From a live concert last year
here is the great A-Flat Major sonata PLUS: Brahms and Chopin--all
performed by Nicholas Angelich.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
SONGS
OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH...in beautiful choral arrangements sung
by the Norman Luboff Choir. Don't miss: Shenandoah, Sweet Lorena,
I Must Walk That Lonesome Valley and, for that matter, all the
other selections.
http://www.terrificmusic.com/
GREAT GUITAR SOLOS BY VIETNAMESE INSTRUMENTALIST, VO THOUNG GU:
We particularly resonated to La Paloma, Yellow Bird, Sorrento
and Help Me Make It Through the Night.
http://www.vothuongguitar.com/
A RUSSIAN
SITE FOR AMERICAN JAZZ PIANO! Don't miss Jerry Lee Lewis (Yes,
its Great Balls of Fire), Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson and--of
course!!--Count Basie.
http://keyboards.ru/
SOME
MASTERLY CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES...are available here including
Szeryng's performance (first movement only) of Beethoven's Violin
Concerto. Also some fine Brahms, Bach and Mahler.
http://netsys.kaist.ac.kr/
HE WAS ONCE INDIA'S MOST POPULAR SINGER...or so asserts the intro
copy at this site. There's a great deal of Kundan Lal Saigal's
recorded music here and we find it melodic, moving and, to western
ears, slightly mysterious.
http://rcvap.tripod.com/
A GREAT AUDIO ARCHIVE OF THE BLUES...featuring major artists from
the 20s, 30s and 40s. Not to be missed are: Bessie Smith (of course!),
Big Bill Broonzy; Sleepy John Estes and Bukka White.
http://www.blues.ru/
BACK
TO AMALIA RODRIGUES: We recently featured a fine Fado artist of
current vintage. But the woman who represented the Portugese popular
song form to perfection was, and remains, Amalia. This generous
collection of her performances is accompanied by a number of other
recordings by important Voces Portuguesas.
http://www.osabordasaudade.hpgvip.ig.com.br/
THE
STORY (AND THE SONGS!) OF HUDDIE LEDBETTER: The account of his
career both before and after Allan Lomax got him sprung from prison
in Louisiana is well-told on this site. Even more gratifying:
twenty recordings, including, In the Pines, How Long Blues, C.C.
Rider and, of course, Goodnight Irene.
http://hic1.kazserv.com/
THE LAST OF HAYDN'S LONDON SYMPHONIES...is performed here by the
Austro-Hungarian Philharmonic under the leadership of Trevor Pinnock
in a wonderfully high-spirited reading.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
SHE'S
NOT AMALIA RODRIGUEZ...but she comes pretty close to achieving
the heartbreaking tone of true Portuguese fado. Her name is Katia
Guerreiro and here are three fine recordings of classic fado from
this former medical student.
http://www.nordesia.com/
THE YORKSHIRE IMPERIAL URQUHART TRAVEL BAND...is the sort of organization
John Philip Sousa would be conducting if he were with us today.
Listen (and enjoy!) this wonderfully eclectic selection of some
of their concert showpieces.
http://www.chameleon-arts.co.uk/
SOME CLASSIC BLUES AND JAZZ...as delivered by B.B. King, Ray Charles,
Etta James, Stevie Wonder and Cat Stevens.
http://momentos.nexuswebs.net/
NAT
COLE ON ROUTE 66...and various other pleasant surprises from the
canon of American popular music, including some classic performances
by Lena Horne.
http://www.mymusicattic.org/
A FINE CONCERT OF MADRIGALS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUALS...as performed
by The University of Maryland Madrigal Singers at the American
University of Beirut back in 1964. A great find!
http://www.marylandsingers.com/
THE GREAT TOMMY DORSEY BAND...is our subject tonight as we talk
to his biographer and play some of the music. Here's an even richer
sample of that music: over 60 recordings from one of the greatest
bands of the swing era!!
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
EDITH
PIAF'S SUCCESOR...surely was (and still is) the great chanteuse,
Mireille Mathieu. Scroll halfway down beyond the graphics to the
play list and take your choice of her wonderful performances in
French, German and English. A must-hear, of course, is her version
(a tribute to Piaf) of "Je ne Regrette Rien." Also,
"Der Pariser Tango" is a must hear and must-see. Enjoy!
http://www.moncredo.com/
A GREAT COLLECTION OF "OLDIES"...including the Rollong
Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, the Everly Brothers and, if you must,
Elton John.
http://www.geocities.com/
PROFESSOR COMBIARTO'S COURSE ON MUSIC IN AMERICAN CULTURE...has
a great playlist and takes us from the revolution (Billing's "Chester"
and much else) to Sousa, the blues and musical theatre. For many
audible delights just scroll down and take your pick.
http://faculty.mville.edu/
A
GREAT "EARLY JAZZ" SITE: We tracked this one down only
today and found some great recordings by Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong,
Duke Ellington and a rich sampling of "Gershwin's Symphonic
Jazz."
http://faculty.pittstate.edu/
GREAT
SPIRITUALS AND SENTIMENTAL SONGS...of the old south are beautifully
performed here by the great choral group organized and conducted
by Norman Luboff back in the 1960s-70s.
http://www.terrificmusic.com/
THE
GREAT BOB DYLAN...is celebrated in this fine collection of rare
songs and live performances. Be sure to listen to Dylan's take
on "Ring of Fire" with Johnny Cash.
http://www.geocities.com/
EARLY
TOMMY DORSEY: In December, Extension 720 will feature a full program
on the music of Tommy Dorsey, so here is a taste of his early
years with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.
http://redhotjazz.com/
PURE NASHVILLE AT ITS BEST...as performed by Merle Haggard, Warner
Mack, Porter Wagoner and the inimitable Ernest Tubb.
http://www.megspace.com/
THE
MUSIC OF THE CHRIST CHAPEL (OHIO) SINGERS: The great tradition
of American religious song is beautifully represented in these
selections. Particularly noteworthy: Just A Closer Walk With Thee
and Because He Lives.
http://www.christchapel1.com/
BRYN TERFEL SINGS TWENTY-THREE SCHUBERT LIEDER!
This fine collection includes Die Taubenpost, Die Forelle, Der
Tod und das Madchen and an absolutely superb performance of Erlkonig.
http://www.columbia.edu/
CALLAS!! Thirty-five
arias, recorded with somewhat variable acoustic fidelity but ALL
CALLAS!! Fully represented: Verdi, Bellini, Donizetti...plus some
selections from Giordano, Bizet, Gounod and Puccini.
http://callas.cz/
TEN
GREAT PERFORMANCES...of operatic arias (one a duet!) are available
here on a well organized new site. Don't miss Terfel, Ramey, Millo
and Hampson.
http://www.handelmania.com/
CARRERAS
AND HIS FRIENDS...in selections from a number of separate productions
of Verdi's Don Carlos. These wonderful recordings feature such
other performers as Cappuccilli, Freni, Ricciarelli and Ghiaurov.
http://www.carrerascaptures.de/
LOUIS
ARMSTRONG REPRISES KING OLIVER...in this recording session from
1959. The tunes are not all of Oliver's composition but, rather,
of his time and place and of the jazz scene that he dominated
when Armstrong first joined his band in 1922.
http://www.booze-bros.com/
THE
GREAT GEDDA...is heard (and seen!) here in a wonderful collection
of concert performances ranging through arias all the way from
Bach, Handel, Verdi and Puccini to Strauss and Lehar.
http://www.zimmermann-frank.net/
AND
THEN HE WROTE...Georgia On My Mind, Lazy Bones, The Nearness Of
You -and, of course, Stardust. These recordings of the songs of
Hoagy Carmichael are followed by a delightful interview with himself.
http://www.hoagy.com/
A
GREAT COLLECTION OF POPULAR MUSICAL ODDMENTS...as presented a
few years ago by Dismuke. Scroll up and down and anything you
link to will afford some delight. Among our favorites: Bing Crosby
doing "Sweet Georgia Brown," Ted Lewis's "Old Playmate,"
and the selections by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie
Smith, Fats Waller and the memorable Fortunio Bonanova!!
http://www.dismuke.org/
POUR LES CHANSONS FRANCAISES... just scroll down to the section
that features Piaf, Trenet, Montand and Chevalier. Scroll further
down to the end and you will hear DeGaulle giving some of his
famous speeches, including his remarks at L'Hotel de Ville on
the day of the liberation of Paris.
http://www.stellamaris-edu.net/
A
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE OF BELLINI'S NORMA...as sung by Joan Sutherland
and conducted by Bonynge is available here. Each selection must
be seperately activated, but the beauty of the performance more
than justifies the effort.
http://www.columbia.edu/
CHORAL
WORKS BY PALESTRINA, BRAHMS AND NIELSEN...are heard here as performed
by an excellent Danish choir. The downloading takes a little time
but is well worth it.
http://www.magle.dk/
THE
SOUND OF THE CLARINET... is heard in the land or, more precisely,
on the internet. These performances by Jonathan Cohler--particularly
the Brahms and von Weber--are impressive and, in fact, beautifully
rendered.
http://ongaku-records.com/
A
TREASURE TROVE OF YIDDISH SONG... mostly recorded in the U.S.
between the 20s and the 60s. Among the many noteworthy selections
are those sung by Seymour Rechzeit, Chaim Tauber and Richard Tucker.
http://www.yiddishsong.org/
A
TREASURE TROVE OF SCHUBERT LIEDER: Over forty recordings, many
beautifully rendered by outstanding artists, are available on
this site.
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/
SPEAKING
OF MOZART... how about three string quartets and a few divertimenti?
This generous site does not list the performing groups but we
suspect that the quartets are performed by the Guarneri.
http://www.violinen.com/
SOME
GREAT, LATE LOUIS
These seven recordings by Louis Armstrong seem to date from the
40's and 50's. The duet with Billie Holiday is a wonderful rarity!
http://momentos.nexuswebs.net/
BENY MORE,
THE MASTER OF CUBAN RHUMBA...is heard here with a late version
of his band in six spirited recordings from a 1992 session in
Havana.
http://www.lajiribilla.cu/
AN AUDIO HISTORY
OF ROCK...and what preceded and followed it. This rich, voluminous
archive is a place in which to wander, with many audio delights
to be found. It goes from Sophie Tucker and Al Jolson to Bob Dylan,
the Beatles and a cast many other great musicians.
http://www.columbia.edu/
SOME
CHOICE OPERATIC CURIOSITIES...are provided at this site. Enrico
Caruso singing as a basso is curious enough, but it pales before
the art of Florence Foster Jenkins, the woman who parlayed no
talent plus chutzpah into the receipt of waves of indulgent affection!
http://bassocantante.com/
SONGS
FROM THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR: The Loyalists lost, but they had the
best tunes! These sound like originals recorded by members of
the International Brigade, probably during the long siege of Madrid.
One extra is Woody Guthrie commerating the Battle of the Jarama
Valley.
http://www.lacucaracha.info/
CARRERAS
IN FIVE CARMENS! The great Spanish tenor, when quite young, performed
Carmen in "all the great opera houses of Europe." These
excerpts from performances over the years 1982-1986 are wonderfully
spirited and catch the lyrical richness of Bizet's great score.
Particularly worth hearing is the full last act from the Zurich
performance of 1984.
http://www.carrerascaptures.de/
FROM
HILDEGARD OF BINGEN TO COPLAND OF NEW YORK: This great collection
of longish excerpts comes from what sounds like a great University
of Illinois course in the history of western music.
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/
THE
MUSIC OF BOLIVIA...is available here in rich plenitude. Many,
but not all of the selections are in the "Andean" style.
http://www.llajta.org/
A
WONDERFUL CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT...was performed two months ago
in Lugano and here it is!! Beethoven leads and three fine Mendelssohn
pieces follow...and don't neglect the Schumann Fantasiestucke.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE
GREAT FLETCHER HENDERSON ORCHESTRA... featured such jazz masters
as Louis Armstrong, Buster Bailey, Coleman Hawkins and Don Redman.
Here's a generous selection of their performances through the
1920s and 30s.
http://redhotjazz.com/
WONDERFUL CUBAN
MUSIC...in many categories (bolero, guaracha, son, guajira, etc.)
is available on this great site. Don't miss the Sexteto Occidente.
http://www.musica.cult.cu/
A
GREAT COUNT BASIE COLLECTION...is available here. Just be sure
to scroll down and then begin with the live and long-form recording
of Everyday I Have The Blues with Joe Williams.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
NO
ONE EVER DID IT BETTER THAN THE MILLS BROTHERS: The "it"
being vocal jazz quartet singing in perfect close harmony. Here
they are doing five of their classic tunes.
http://www.arthurbimbo.com/
THE
SOLO CONTRABASS: A large "classical" literature for
the base fiddle is available for the playing. Here, various students
in the Berlin doublebass class of Professor Michael B. Wolf are
heard in pleasing--sometimes rather astonishing--performance.
http://www.oase.hdk-berlin.de/
PIANO
(FOUR HANDS) AND CHORUS...is one of the combinations in this unusual
concert from Lugano. Brahms is the source of that one. Also to
be heard are other striking compositions by Brahms, Brahms and
Brahms.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE
MASTERS OF MEXICAN TRIO...are, and have long been, the Trio Los
Panchos. These nine selections are representative of their subtle
musicality...and the appended performances by Vikki Carr are,
as well, surprisingly good.
http://jjwaltz.tripod.com/
BRUCH,
RAVEL, BRAHMS and MOZART AT LUGANO. This live broadacst from the
Argerich Festival features a wonderful performance of Ravel's
Don Quichotte a Dulcinee by Paul Morand as well as the Brahm's
Quartet in F Minor for Piano and Strings.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
FROM
LEICESTER CATHEDRAL...some beautiful English church music in resonance
with today's mood of mourning and resolve..."Yea though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death/ I shall fear no
evil."
http://www.cathedral.leicester.anglican.org/
MEXICAN
SINGERS DO VERDI...at a gala performance in Monterrey. Particularly
impressive are the selections from Macbeth and Rigoletto...but
don't miss Mario Bailey as a rather young "elder Germont"
in Di Provenza il mar, il suol.
http://www.artesmonterrey.com/
A
BLUEGRASS GROUP WITH SINCERITY...if not with the perfection of
the Stanley Brothers. We have enjoyed the spirited performances
available at this site. Just click on the highlighted titles and
be sure not to miss "I Am a Pilgrim."
http://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/
POLINA
OSETINSKAYA IN CONCERT: A very accomplished young Russian pianist
is heard here in concertos and other major works by Rachmininov,
Grieg, Schubert and Mozart.
http://www.osetinskaya.ru/
THE
GREAT GARDEL! More than sixty years after his death he is still
the reigning monarch of the Argentinian tango. Here he is heard
in four classic performances--coupled with Julio Iglesias who
does a surprisingly fine rendering of La Cumparsita.
http://www.osabordasaudade.hpgvip.ig.com.br/
THE
GLORY OF CALLAS! In this superb collection she performs arias
from--and beyond--her regular repertoire. Was there ever a more
thrilling soprano? Don't miss any of it--but, particularly, be
sure to hear her "Costa Diva" from Norma.
http://callas.cz/
SOME
GREAT TRADITIONAL JAZZ...or as these guys from Holland spell it
JASS! Either way they do indeed catch the spirit with musicianly
elegance. Don't miss their treatment of Wolverine Blues or, for
that matter, of the other four numbers!
http://users.bart.nl/
LITURGICAL
RUSSIAN CHORAL GLORY...is provided here in a full concert by the
Kiev Chamber Choir. Among the composers to be heard are: Rachmaninov,
Tchaikovsky, Chesnokov and Balakirev.
http://magnatune.com/
A
GREAT CONTEMPORARY BLUES ARTIST: That's Sonny Rhodes who is heard
here in four hard-driving recordings.
http://www.sonnyrhodes.com/
THE
MUSIC OF HIS MAJESTY, NORODOM SIHANOUK: Living in retirement in
China, the former King of Cambodia maintains this vast musical
site for performances (some by Lui Meme!) of his own music. Our
favorite: Rose de Phnom Penh as sung by Phok Sam On.
MUSICAL
PASSION FROM THE I7TH CENTURY: That probably describes all of
the work of Couperin--and surely fits this intense "concert"
for two violins and harpsichord.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
BACH'S
ART OF THE FUGUE...is heard here in two seperate performances,
both recorded live in church settings in London.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
MENDELSSOHN'S
PIANO TRIO IN C MINOR...is sensitively performed here by three
unidentified members of the Orchestra of the Teatro Comunale of
Bologna.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
TWO
PERFORMANCES OF STRAVINSKY'S FIREBIRD SUITE...are available here
in separate--but equally engaging--performances by the Kirov Orchestra
conducted by Valery Gergiev.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
JOHN
HENRY IN AMERICAN FOLK PERFORMANCE: Few American songs have accumulated
as many versions as that of the great labor hero who challenged
the powered steam drill. Here are seventeen (!!) seperate versions.
Not to be missed: Leadbelly, Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Big Bill
Broonzy and Doc Watson.
http://www.ibiblio.org/
NOBODY
DOESN'T LIKE JOSEPH HAYDN...and among his many concertos this
second one for cello has always been a source of particular delight.
The solo performance by Ronald Thomas is assertive yet, where
required, lyrically gentle.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
A
GREAT BLUES COLLECTION...except for the inclusion of Odetta who
sang folk music rather than the blues. Not to be missed: Big Bill
Broonzy, Magic Sam, Lowell Fulson, Jelly Roll Morton and the great
performance of Penitentiary Blues by Lightnin' Hopkins.
http://www.fuel2000.com/
A
GREAT PERFORMANCE OF BACH'S CANTATA NUMBER 51: The solo vocal
performance by Helen Field is, to our taste, simply breathtaking.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
RAVEL'S
DON QUIXOTE...is heard here in the superb song-sequence originally
recorded by Feodor Chaliapin. This and chamber compositions by
Poulenc and Prokofiev are done here in live performance at the
Lugano Festival.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
SWING
DURING THE WAR YEARS: This generous collection of original recordings
offers many delights that are far from merely nostalgic. Try Peggy
Lee, the Andrews Sisters, Andy Russell, Jimmy Dorsey and, of course,
Major Glenn Miller.
http://www.hhbrandy.addr.com/
WE
WOULDN'T FORGET THE MUSIC...here is the balcony scene from Bernstein's
West Side Story, performed in high operatic style by
Placido Domingo and Isabel Bayrakdarian.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
AN
ODD MIX OF GREAT BROADWAY MUSICALS: Within the long and generous
playlist there are, among the many pluckable plums, such items
as: The Rain in Spain, Hernando's Hideaway, Mama Mia and Spanish
Rose.
http://www.theraven452000.addr.com/
WHAT'S
HAPPENED TO COUNTRY MUSIC? Actually, and despite it often being
rather over-orchestrated and over-stated much of it is still quite
good. As witness such selections from 2004 as "Its Five O'Clock
Somewhere, "Walking in Memphis," "There Goes My
Life" and the eternal Dolly Parton singing "These Old
Bones."
http://www.hhstarr.addr.com/
MORE
LOUIS...and this time in front of an "orchestra." The
music is somewhat more arranged but Armstrong's virtuosity is
at its height in such numbers as: Ol'Man River, Darktown Strutter's
Ball and Panama.
http://redhotjazz.com/
A
WONDERFUL CHAMBER CONCERT FROM LUGANO: Of particular interest
are: Two Songs for Mezzo-Soprano by Brahms and the Overture on
Hebrew Themes by Prokofiev...not to mention the remarkable, two-piano
performance of the latter's Classical Symphony.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
A
GREAT FLAMENCO ARTIST: Angelillo left Spain in the wake of the
civil war and became one of the great performers in Argentina.
His style is a variant version of classical flamenco touched by
Argentinian tango. To listen, scroll down to "Real Audio"
and be sure not to miss "Yo Quise a una Columbiana."
http://www.flamenco-world.com/
IT
MAKES YOU WISH FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH MOVEMENTS: What would
Schubert have done to round out the great fragment known as the
"Unfinished Symphony?" Here's what we have of it in
a rousing performance conducted by Christoph von Dohnanyi.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
BACK
TO PERFECT JAZZ...and that, of course, is Louis Armstrong's Hot
Five with such classic performances as West End Blues, Muscrat
Ramble, Heebie Jeebies and Georgia Grind.
http://redhotjazz.com/
MORE
GREAT CHAMBER MUSIC FROM LUGANO: Recorded live in 2002, this concert
features Beethoven Dvorak and Mozart, with some Bartok thrown
in. The essential selection--if you have time for only one--is
the Beethoven Clarinet Trio which features superb piano by Argerich.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
SOME
DEBUSSY FOR A SNOWY DAY. Snow fills the air this March afternoon
in Chicago, and what better way to be transported out of a winter
wonderland and into another world than with the music of Claude
Debussy? Here are his lovely Estampes, a collection of
three short works for piano inspired--respectively--by the music
of Java and Cambodia, an evening in Granada, Spain and the gentle
lyricism of French nursery songs. They are evocatively performed
by Peter Donohoe.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
MAHLER'S
"LIFE HISTORY" IN THE FORM OF A SYMPHONY: That was the
composer's own designation of his second, "Resurrection"
symphony. Here it is, strongly performed with Gergiev conducting
the Kirov Opera Orchestra. The accompanying Work Notes will be
of serious interest to any listener.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
A
GREAT GOSPEL COLLECTION...featuring, among many others, Patsy
Cline, Brook Benton, Elvis and the great recording of Oh Happy
Day by the Statler Brothers.
http://www.hhdarma.addr.com/
THE
PEOPLE DANCE! A vast collection of "ethnic dance" music from around
the world. The collections from Hungary, Mexico and Greece have
given us much pleasure---and we have not yet sampled the others.
http://www.ethnicdance.net/
THE
CLARINET TRIO OF BRAHMS...is a late and deeply elegaic work. Here
are two seperate performances and, in our judgment, both beautifully
performed.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
GREAT MOZART TWENTIETH...is given a rousing performance here by
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra
conducted by David Atherton...yet the second movement Romance
is as moving as any we have ever heard.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
A
GREAT FLAMENCO GUITARIST: Paco de Lucia has long led the list
of masters of that Iberian-Arabic-Gypsy musical idiom. Here are
six representative selections that display his fierce virtuosity.
http://www.flamencoworld.com/
TWO
CONTRASTING PERFORMANCES OF WAGNER'S SIEGFRIED IDYLL: The composer
one loves to hate--but not for his music--was never more moving
than in this work composed for his son's first birthday.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
BLUES MASTERS: This great collection features major performers
who recorded in the fifties and sixties. Not to be missed: Willie
Dixon, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Elmore James and Muddy Waters.
http://www.beau-dacious.addr.com/
A
MOVING CHAMBER WORK BY DEBUSSY: His sonata for flute, viola and
harp is reminiscent of the mood of Melisande weeping in the opera...and
is here performed in almost liquid legato phrasing.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
A
GREAT BASSO: Boris Gmyria was widely known and appreciated in
the Soviet Union but hardly known in the West...and that was our
loss. All of these songs and arias are stirringly performed, but
be sure not to miss his renderings of The Flea and the Earl King.
http://russia-in-us.com/
MUSIC
FROM THE ANDES: Wonderful performances of folk music from Ecuador,
Bolivia and Argentina. Los Chacos are featured and on the "don't
miss" list are their performances of Oda a La Vida, Donna
Lorenza and Flor de Huancayo.
http://boleadora.com/
THE
ST. JOHN PASSION OF BACH...recorded in 1989 at St. John's Church
in London. This ranks as a great performance of a work as great
as the St. Matthew Passion, but too infrequently performed.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
GREAT BILLY ECKSTINE: Here he is singing with his own band, with
Basie's band and with a studio orchestra and, with all of them,
the consummate performer in polished blues reshaped as "swing."
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
SCHUMANN'S
MAJESTIC SECOND SYMPHONY...is heard here in two seperate performances.
Dohnanyi's reading is the more stately; Norrington's the more
agitiated. Both are worth your close listening.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
IN
TASTEFUL JAZZ WHO'S BETTER THAN BENNY GOODMAN? NO ONE! And here's
a generous collection of many of his classic pieces. Don't miss:
String of Pearls, Amapola, Ding Dong Daddy and Stompin' at the
Savoy.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
SHOSTAKOVICH'S
FOURTH SYMPHONY...went unperformed for many years...probably because
it wasn't tuneful enough for Stalin. A great work, here it is
performed "live" in St. Petersburg in 1998.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
A
CHAMBER PERFORMANCE FROM THE ARGERICH FESTIVAL IN LUGANO: Recorded
in live performance we hear a violin sonata by Schumann, followed
by works of Brahms, Prokofiev and Franck.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
AND
SPEAKING OF SHAKESPEARE: Here are three settings of his words
by British composer Roger Quilter. Our personal favorite is "O
Mistress Mine."
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
POPULAR MUSIC OF SRI LANKA...is available here in generously extensive
collection. As we have listened today we were particularly impressed
with the songs of Neela Wickramasinghe.
http://www.infolanka.com/
CARL
MARIA VON WEBER'S GREAT CLARINET QUINTET....is elegantly performed
here by Antony Ray and the Nash Ensemble.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
MIFF
MOLE AND RED NICHOLS....and their friends did great classic jazz
seventy years ago....and here's a rich sampling of their high
achievement as they helped shape a great musical form.
http://redhotjazz.com/
SCHUBERT'S
WINTERREISE...is especially appropriate for the season, And going
on this winter journey with him through this excellent performance
of a great song-cycle is, surely, less enervating than an actual
December 2004, airline journey.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
PROKOFIEV'S
SECOND PIANO CONCERTO...was composed when he was 22, was lost
for many years and then "recomposed" when he was about
ten years older. The fine performance here is by Alexander Toradze
and the Kirov Orchestra conducted by Gergiev.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
AN
ECLECTIC CONCERT...with some fine jazz (don't miss Kid Ory's Savoy
Blues) and, for extra rewards, Chuck Berry followed by Sister
Rosetta Tharpe.
http://www.geocities.com/
THE
GREAT GERMAN REQUIEM: This moving performance of Brahms' greatest
choral work was recorded live in 1999. Dohnanyi conducts the Philharmonia
Orchestra.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
MORE
DJANGO! Last week we did a memorable program on the life, times
and music of "the greatest jazz guitarist, ever," namely
Django Reinhardt. Here he is with the Quintette of the Hot Club
of France in some of their best known--and much beloved--recordings,
mostly from the '30s.
http://redhotjazz.com/
A
GREAT SONG CYCLE: Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde (in the Schoenberg
arrangement) ends with a remarkable rendering of Der Abschied
(the farewell) by Stephen Roberts. The Mainly Mozart Orchestra
is conducted by David Atherton.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
WHEN
BENJAMIN BRITTEN ENCOUNTERED RIMBAUD...the result was this enticing
song cycle which is beautifully performed here by Amanda Roocroft
backed by the Hong Kong Symphony.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
ANOTHER
CONCERT FROM LUGANO: Particularly splendid is the performance
by Argerich of Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto.
http://www.rtsi.ch/trasm/
HOW
ABOUT BESSIE SMITH, PAUL WHITEMAN, TED LEWIS AND FRED ASTAIRE?
They are all represented in this fine collection of popular music
from the late 20s through the thirties.
http://www.dismuke.org/
LADY
DAY SINGS THE BLUES: The classically perfect jazz and blues vocalist
of 52nd street (and Cafe Society Downtown) is heard here in a
generous collection. Essential listening: Fine and Mellow; Ain't
Nobody's Business; Lady Sings the Blues; Mean to Me.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
CHAMBER
WORKS BY SCHUMANN, SCHUBERT AND DVORAK...performed live at the
Argerich Festival in Lugano last June. Of particular delight:
the Schubert Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE
FIRST OF THE GREAT MOZART PIANO CONCERTOS...was this one, the
14th in E-Flat Major. In the original scoring the soloist was
accompanied by only a small string chamber group--as here in a
fine live performance.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
A
FINE EARLY WORK BY BEETHOVEN...is this quintet for wind instruments
and piano. The tasteful performance by the Nash Ensemble is highlighted
by some wonderful bassoon playing by Brian Wightman.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
ELEGANT SALON JAZZ OF GEORGE SHEARING...is available in this fine
collection. Apart from his Lullaby of Birdland be sure to listen
to East of the Sun, Early Autumn and the special half hour radio
program titled "George Shearing at the Blue Note."
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
CLASSIC,
BIG BAND SWING: If you can't listen to all of this generous collection
do, at least, check out the selections from Basie, Goodman, Hampton
and Herman. Swing at its glorious birth!
http://www.hhbrandy.addr.com/
A
RECITAL FROM THE LUGANO FESTIVAL: Five fine piano/violin performances
are heard in this "live" concert. Particularly noteworthy:
the Mozart sonata and the Brahms Hungarian Dances.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
AND
STILL SPEAKING OF BEETHOVEN...in his wide range of chamber music
this trio stands out for its unusual instrumentation and, in this
instance, for a superb performance by Harrell (cello), Collins
(clarinet) and Mulligan (piano.)
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
AND
SPEAKING OF BEETHOVEN CONCERTOS...how about the Emperor? This
robust performance of The Fifth is by John Lill with the Birmingham
Orchestra conducted by Walter Weller.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
HOW
ABOUT BEETHOVEN'S SECOND PIANO CONCERTO THREE TIMES AROUND? These
seperate performances are all quite creditable. Our favorite:
the caressing performance by Alfredo Perl with the Zurich Chamber
Orchestra.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
FROM
THE FIFTIES...some classic performers in high musical form: e.g.
Sam Cooke's "You Send Me;" Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great
Balls of Fire;" Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife;"
and Jo Stafford's "You Belong To Me."
http://www.hhstarr.addr.com/
A
GREAT AMERICAN BAND LED BY A MASTER MUSICIAN: Benny Goodman was
a superb performer--even of Mozart. Here is a generous collection
of his classic swing recordings including some great vocals by
Peggy Lee and Helen Forrest.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
ANOTHER
FINE CONCERT FROM LUGANO: On this night at the Argerich Festival
(June 21, 2004) works by Schubert, Brahms, and Prokofiev. The
latter's Overture on Hebrew Themes is superbly performed by a
chamber ensemble, as originally intended.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE
FUNNIEST BAND THERE EVER WAS...was, of course, Spike Jones and
his City Slickers. Here they are at their nihilistic best. Apart
from the famous "In Der Fuehrer's Face" don't miss their
tratment of the William Tell Overture and My Old Flame.
http://clubalibi.com/
BACK
TO LUGANO...for more "live" chamber music at this year's
Aregerich Festival. This concert begins with a great performance
by Argerich and Yuzuko Horigome of Beethoven's Sonata Number 4
in A Minor.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
THE
OTHER HAYDN: This spirited performace of Michael Haydn's Divertimento
in C Major features a great, but unidentified, oboe player.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
FIRST WAR-TIME SYMPHONY OF SHOSTAKOVICH: This one, the great Eighth
is, we think, more powerful and moving than the celebrated Ninth.
In this superb performance, Gergiev conducts the Kirov Orchestra.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
YOUNG
(VERY) BING CROSBY...started his career as one of the three Original
Rhythm Boys. Here they are--mostly in performances fronting for
the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, circa 1927-1930.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/
ALL
LISZT!! Perhaps even more than you require...but these superb
performances from the Argerich Festival in Lugano certainly give
a sense of the rich range of his music. Particularly impressive
is Argerich's performance of the First Piano Concerto.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
A
TRUMPET, A PIANO AND A BUNCH OF STRINGS...seems an unlikely orchestration.
But, it works marvelously in this inspired Septet by Camille Saint-Saens.
The third, andante, section is hauntingly woven.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
MATURE
BIG-BAND JAZZ/SWING. The categories blend by the 40's and 50's,
but solid jazz veterans like Benny Carter adapted with grace--as
is evident in these vintage recordings with his "big band."
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
A
GREAT
JAZZ CLARINETIST. Kenny Davern does it with outstanding precision,
taste and lyrical invention. here he is in five extended improvisations
on great standards including Summertime and Mood Indigo.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
THE
METASWING OF STAN KENTON. That's how one music critic described
this great band that toned it arrangements with dissonances, latin
metrics and resonances to "Les Six." Peanut Vendor is
a classic as is Willow Weep for me. And then, there's The Concerto
To End All Concertos.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
BRAHMS'
TRIO IN A MINOR...calls for a virtuoso clarinet performance and
here are three seperate versions with three such virtuosi. We
think its a toss-up between Hill and Collins, though Pay aquits
himself well. Whichever performance you choose, the music is Brahms
at his most moving.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
PURE
WILLIE NELSON: This generous selection includes The City of New
Orleans, On the Road Again and Heartbreak Hotel.
http://www.hhtabby.addr.com/
A
GREAT COLLECTION OF MIXED SWING AND POP. Don't miss: Etta James,
Sinatra and the Stan Kenton and Benny Carter bands.
http://www.tuxjunction.net/
A
GREAT PERFORMANCE OF BEETHOVEN'S FOURTH VIOLIN/PIANO SONATA...by
Argerich and Horigome at the Lugano Festival. And filling out
the program: Saint-Saens, Poulenc and Bartok!
http://www.rtsi.ch/
SOME
CLASSIC COUNTRY. This fine anthology features, among other welcome
selections, the great Tom T. Hall performance of Old Dogs and
Children and Watermelon Wine.
http://www.hhstarr.addr.com/
TWO
CONCERTOS, A CAPRICCIO AND A BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY. All performed
live at a great concert in Lugano two years ago. The rendition
of the Brahms Double Concerto is, we thought, particularly moving.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
CLASSIC
BIG BAND JAZZ...by Red Nichols and "his orchestra."
Most of these fine recordings were done in 1939 but a few go back
to 1930. Of exceptional interest is "Poor Butterfly."
http://redhotjazz.com/
THIS
GREAT PERFORMANCE...of a Ravel piano concerto is followed by his
still stirring and startling Bolero.
http://ra.mmv.ru/
A
PRECURSOR TO THE CLASSICAL SYMPHONY? Some historians of western
music have attributed that special significance to the Orchestral
Trios of Johann Stamitz. Whether or not that is the case, the
music is rich in post-baroque tonality.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
SWING
AT THE SUMMIT. The masters of that great period in American popular
mnusic are featured here.Some essential selections: There's Good
Blues Tonight; Take the A Train; Begin the Beguine; The One O'Clock
Jump.
http://www.hhbrandy.addr.com/
A
FEW PERFECTED MOMENTS WITH VIVALDI. This brief, but beautifully
formed, concerto for various instruments is too slight to be labelled
a "concerto grosso." But, in this instance, less is
(as so often with Vivaldi) more.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
GERSHWIN
AT BIRDLAND. Some fine (and sometimes "boppy") jazzmen
do a five part session at Birdland---and the fifth is a great
weaving-together of the themes from Porgy and Bess.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
AND
NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: TUNISIAN MUSIC! We don't
know anything about it but it does--like most Arabic music--grab
at you with hypnotically intense rhythm and repetitive, non-harmonic
incantations. This is from the Tunisian national broadcast service.
Dont miss Latifa Arfaoui in Ahimou bi Tounis.
http://www.radiotunis.com/
ARGERICH,
VENGEROV AND FRIENDS....at the Lugano Festival take on (and serve
well) Brahms, Faure, Dukas and Shostakovich. In fact, the trio
by the last named is, in this performance, an absolutely arresting
experience.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
SONG
CYCLES BY RAVEL AND POULENC...as performed two months ago at the
Argerich Festival in Lugano. Ravel's Don Quichotte a Dulcinee
is superbly rendered even with the glitch in the first of the
three songs.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
