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Charpentier: Leçons de Ténèbres Office du Mercredi Saint
Il Seminario Musicale, Gérard Lesne (con), Veritas, 1994
French religious music in 1670s. Charpentier's "Leçons de Ténèbres" tranquilly sounds in a quite elevated style. |
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Mahler: Symphony No.4
Lucia Popp (so), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt (con), EMI, 1982
A bright and healthy symphony to listen in the spring morning. In the 4th movement, Popp certainly awakens me. |
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Medtner: Piano Concertos Nos.1 and 3
Konstantin Scherbakov (pf), Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Ziva (con), Naxos, 1996
Scherbakov is well controlling himself in the complete recordings of Medtner's three fine piano concertos. In another disc, to my regret, the concerto no.2 was performed without the brilliant cadenza. |
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Poulenc: Gloria / Stabat Mater / Litanies à la Vierge Noire
Françoise Pollet (so), Chœur de Radio France, Maîtrise de Radio France, Orchestre National de France, Charles Dutoit (con), Decca, 1996
Poulenc's mature achievement by his religious beliefs. However, some traces of the urchin side in his young days can be also heard. |
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Kapustin Plays Kapustin Vol.1: Eight Concert Etudes / Sonata-Fantasy
Nikolai Kapustin (pf), Triton, 1985, 1987
An inspiring feat from Russia. Kapustin's music is, in a word, something like fusion of classic and jazz styles, but unparalleled. In addition, his skill of playing the piano is indeed amazing. |
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Jorge Bolet I: Bolet at Carnegie Hall "Live" (2/2)
Jorge Bolet (pf), Philips, 1973, 1974
From Bolet's legendary recital, where he achieved a fame of virtuoso. Especially, in "Donau", "Tannhäuser" and "Lucia", his overwhelming breadth and mastery always satisfy me. |
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You Must Believe In Spring
Bill Evans (pf), Eddie Gomez (bs), Eliot Zigmund (ds), Warner, 1981
Bill Evans's late recording, mostly consisting of elegy-like pieces, filled with subtle and deep scents. In contrast, the last "Theme from M*A*S*H" sounds heading for optimism. |
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Recordando A Line
Tete Montoliu (pf), Erich Peter (bs), Joe Nay (ds), Discophon, 1972
Tete Montoliu, a great Catalonian jazz pianist, having Spanish aroma, crisp rhythm and dazzling virtuosity, inspite of his blindness. Alternatively, "Catalonian Fire", "Tete à Tete" are attractive discs to enjoy Catalonia. |
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