Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Classical: Instrumental Editor, Jason Verlinde FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Philip Glass talks about his new score for Tod Browning's "Dracula" * New and Notable: Argerich/Kremer/Maisky, Morton Feldman's "Coptic Light," the Glass/Adams violin concertos, "Cinema Serenade 2," and a taste of French baroque * 10 Under $10 * Artist Essentials: Kronos Quartet * These Just In--Brand-New and Advance Releases: Yo-Yo Ma's "Solo," Joshua Bell's "Short Trip Home," "The [Nigel] Kennedy Experience," Thomas Ades's "Asyla" WORD FOR WORD: PHILIP GLASS *************************** "I know when the music should be far from the image, when it should be behind the image, when it should be underneath it. When it should be on top of it. All the physical relationships of place can be translated into a relationship of music to image. Any spatial relationship that you can imagine, I can make, in music, an image." --Philip Glass on his new score for Tod Browning's "Dracula" (with Bela Lugosi) on home video Read more of Amazon.com's interview with Philip Glass at Classical You can find the Kronos Quartet performing Philip Glass's "Dracula" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JZCI/entertainmentsit Or, check out the video featuring Lugosi's classic screamer with the new soundtrack at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JPHD/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky: Trios" Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JSAC/entertainmentsit You can't ask for a stronger trio lineup than Argerich, Kremer, and Maisky, and on this great live disc of Shostakovich's and Tchaikovsky's two somber works for mixed trio, they shine. The trademark styles of these three friends--from fireball (Argerich) to lyrical (Kremer)--are easily heard on this pair of elegies. "Feldman: Coptic Light" New World Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, cond. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JNPF/entertainmentsit Sure, it takes a bit of patience and an open ear, but the late Morton Feldman's "Coptic Light" is a powerful undertaking. Michael Tilson Thomas leads the New World Symphony through this glacial piece that focuses less on rhythms and traditional structure than emotional heft. It's a moving sonic landscape that slowly evolves over time. Highly recommended. "Glass/Adams: Violin Concertos" Houston Symphony; Christoph Eschenbach, cond.; Robert McDuffie, violin http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JXZT/entertainmentsit The violin concertos of Philip Glass and John Adams are a study of contrasts. Adams plays with the concerto form to create a moving and almost eerie work (just check out his second movement) that can easily be applied to dance (indeed, the New York City ballet cocommissioned the work). Glass's is a different affair, where the violin virtually weaves in, out, and behind the orchestra. Both works are irresistible, however, and the performances on this new disc--by Christoph Eschenbach and the Houston Symphony Orchestra--are the finest available. "Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age" Boston Pops; Itzhak Perlman, violin http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JQG0/entertainmentsit Itzhak Perlman has followed up his extremely successful first disc of movie themes with one that is equally enticing. With soundtrack composer John Williams and the Boston Pops, Perlman performs moody, memorable themes, such as Max Steiner's "Now Voyager," Miklos Rozsa's "Lost Weekend," and even good ol' "Gone with the Wind." "Musiques aux Etats du Languedoc" La Simphonie du Marais http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JPY8/entertainmentsit French baroque music may come off as a little more stately than, say, Biber performed by Andrew Manze. But don't let that stop you from hearing its charms on this new recording that's a virtual primer of the genre. The important composers are here--Lully, Mouret, Mondonville, and Rameau-- and the works vary from dance movements to arias. Best of all, there's great playing, courtesy of the period instruments of La Simphonie du Marais. 10 UNDER $10 ************ Looking for some classical bargains? There are many out there, but Amazon.com's expert classical editors have chosen the very finest available. Best of all, these frugal picks aren't from no-name performers--they're world-class, definitive performances from Anne-Sophie Mutter, Zubin Mehta, George Szell, and many others. Classical ARTIST ESSENTIALS: KRONOS QUARTET ********************************* They continue to revolutionize our perception of what a chamber-music quartet can perform. Check out Amazon.com's essential Kronos Quartet recordings. Classical THESE JUST IN--BRAND-NEW AND ADVANCE RELEASES ********************************************* "Solo" Yo-Yo Ma, cello http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4II/entertainmentsit Yo-Yo Ma is back and he's... alone. Here, he performs works from Zoltan Kodaly, Bright Sheng, Mark O'Connor, and others. "Short Trip Home" Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush, Mike Marshall http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4IU/entertainmentsit Cross-genre fusion seldom works as well as on this disc, where Joshua Bell and a few bluegrass musician friends join forces to create simply beautiful original music. "The Kennedy Experience" Nigel Kennedy, violin http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4IY/entertainmentsit Violinist Nigel Kennedy does what he's always wanted to do: perform a six-movement work based on Jimi Hendrix's music. "Asyla" Thomas Ades http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4EN/entertainmentsit Few living composers have the promise (or talent) of Thomas Ades. "Asyla," the latest work from the mastermind behind shock-opera "Powder Her Face," is another gem the European critics are already buzzing about. ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Classical Music section at Classical
Search:
Keywords: