Michael Byron – Halcyon Days
On February 10, 2023, Cold Blue Music released Halcyon Days, a new album of music by composer Michael Byron. The CD consists of percussion and keyboard pieces that date from…
Mivos Quartet Plays Steve Reich (CD Review)
Steve Reich: The String Quartets Mivos Quartet Deutsche Grammophon Steve Reich wrote his three string quartets for the Kronos Quartet, who have premiered, recorded (for Nonesuch), and continued to champion…
Clarinets and More Clarinets: Alder plays Chrysakis (CD Review)
Milieu Interieur Jason Alder, clarinets Clarinet music by Thanos Chrysakis Thanos Chrysakis is a prominent composer from Greece who works in electroacoustic music, as a performer and creating sound environments,…
Interview with Nina Berman and Steven Beck: Singing Babbitt
Milton Babbitt (1916-2011) was known for being one of the principal composers to develop twelve-tone composition. Despite the complexity of his music, he wrote a great deal for voice: a…
Duo Gazzana on ECM (CD Review)
Duo Gazzana Kõrvits/Schumann/Grieg ECM Records Sisters Natascia Gazzana, violinist, and Raffaella Gazzana, pianist, have recorded a number of releases for ECM that program a combination of great romantic chamber works…
Jennifer Grim – Through Broken Time (CD Review)
Jennifer Grim Through Broken Time Jennifer Grim, flute; Michael Sheppard, piano New Focus Recordings In Anthony Barrone’s astute liner notes, he describes Through Broken Time, flutist Jennifer Grim’s New Focus…
Hilary Hahn – Eclipse
Hilary Hahn Eclipse Hilary Hahn, violin; Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Andrés Orozco-Estrada DG CD/DL Hilary Hahn is making a reputation programming famous classics paired with twentieth century works. A previous release…
Favorites 2022: Louis Armstrong – “A Cool Yule”
Louis Armstrong Louis Wishes You a Cool Yule Verve It is hard to believe that the late Armstrong never put out a Christmas album. He did, however, record a number…
Favorites of 2022: Heiner Goebbels and Ensemble Modern – A House of Call
A House of Call. My Imaginary Notebook. Heiner Goebbels Ensemble Modern, Vimbayi Kaziboni, conductor ECM Records Heiner Goebbels’ A House of Call is an evening length collaboration with Ensemble Modern,…
File Under Favorites 2022: Alsop Conducts Henze
Hans Werner Henze Nachtstücke und Arien (1957) Los Caprichos (1963) Englische Liebeslieder (1984-5) Juliane Banse, soprano; Narek Kakhnazaryan, cello; ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, conductor NAXOS 8.574181 Hans…