Lossless World: Gidon Kremer

Showing posts with label Gidon Kremer. Show all posts

27 April, 2010

Gidon Kremer - Mahler / Shostakovich (2007) (eac-flac-cover)

AMG:
Gidon Kremer and his chamber orchestra-sized Kremerata Baltica combine two symphonies on the subject of death by the two most morbid composers of the twentieth century: Gustav Mahler and Dmitry Shostakovich. As they always do, Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica give everything they have: from hushed pianissimos to screaming tuttis, the intensity of tone and the urgency of expression is unrelenting. Given the subject matter, the extreme approach is appropriate for both works. But some listeners who enjoy Mahler's Tenth in the composer's original massively scored version may or may not be able to enjoy this strings-only version by Hans Stadlmair adapted by the Kremerata Baltica. Because while there is much to be said for the infernal agony of the central climax and the ethereal quality of the final pages when played by only 20 strings, the weighty textures, vivid colors, and gravitas associated with Mahler's music are nowhere to be found. ECM's digital sound is wonderfully clear and present -- though one can hear some fellow coughing discreetly but nearly continually in the opening movements of the Shostakovich.

Tracks:
01. Mahler-Symphony No 10-Adagio
02. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-1-De Profundis-Adagio
03. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-2-Malaguena-Allegretto
04. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-3-Loreley-Allegro Molto
05. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-4-The Suicide-Adagio
06. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-5-On The Watch-Allegretto
07. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-6-Madam, Look!-Adagio
08. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-7-In The Sante Prison-Adagio
09. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-8-The Zaporozhian Cossacks' Answer To The Sultan Of Constantinople-Allegro
10. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-9-O Delvig, Delvig!-Andante
11. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-10-The Poet's Death-Largo
12. Shostakovich-Symphony No 14-Op 135-11-Conclusion-Moderato

Gidon Kremer
KremerATA Baltica
Yulia Korpacheva
Fedor Kuznetsov

sample & buy

29 December, 2009

Gidon Kremer Edition - Historical Russian Archives [10cd Box Set] (2007)

Review (AMG)
For collectors of recordings by Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer, this 10-disc set called Historical Russian Archives will be just the thing to fill the stray gaps in his discography. Recorded between 1967 and 1992, the sound here ranges from the acceptable to the outstanding, and featuring works from Bach's Chaconne to Salmanov's Second Violin Sonata, the repertoire ranges from the extremely well known to the almost unknown. But if one collects Kremer, neither the sound nor the repertoire will matter as much as the playing, and in that department these performances never disappoint. Kremer is, of course, a supreme virtuoso and nothing in any of these works is technically above him: not the insanely difficult acrobatics of Ernst's Caprice on Schubert's Erlkönig, not the preposterously demanding extended techniques of Stockhausen's excerpts from Tierkreis, not even the nearly demented expressive content of Schoenberg's Fantasy for violin and piano. Beyond technique, however, Kremer is a supreme interpreter and nothing in works as disparate as Biber's searing Mystery Sonata and Lourié's etiolated Concerto da Camera escapes him. But the best thing about Kremer's playing is his absolute refusal to compromise. Whatever the repertoire, Kremer gives all he has to the music. He is ineffably sweet in Schubert's Trockne Blumen Variations, deeply affecting in Chausson's Poeme, and wildly exciting in Paganini's Caprice No. 17, and just as convincing in Schubert as he is in Stockhausen. While not for everyone, this disc will be mandatory listening for anyone who loves Kremer.

Links:

download

pass: xax

22 December, 2009

Gidon Kremer - Tango Ballet (1999)

Gidon Kremer - Tango Ballet (1999)
classical | 1CD | EAC Rip | APE+CUE+LOG | cover | 275MB
Teldec | RAR +5% recovery Amazon.com
Violinist Gidon Kremer seems always to exceed our expectations. He's offered us spellbinding recordings of Beethoven's duo sonatas with Martha Argerich, a disc of Valentin Silvestrov's music--even an Arvo Pärt recording. But lately Kremer has focused on one composer: tango master Astor Piazzolla. With Tango Ballet--an early Piazzolla piece written to accompany a short film--we have yet another gem. Divided up into six movements, Tango Ballet slyly melds chamber music and ballet with tango themes (the Argentinean wasn't yet bitten by the jazz bug when he wrote this).The next grouping, Concierto del Angel, is the real show-stopper on this disc. These highlights from Piazzolla's brooding Angel series of compositions erupt in the spirited hands of Kremer and his ensemble. The bandoneon playing of Per Arne Glorvigen adds a sonic depth not found on Tango Ballet and Kremer--especially on Resurreccion del Angel--sounds simply gorgeous. Kremer's 1998 interpretation of Piazzolla's opera Maria de Buenos Aires is also an essential work. This recording features pieces that are less noteworthy, but the playing is just as exquisite. A must-have for Piazzolla fans.

Links:
download
pass: zazzzazz

03 December, 2009

Gidon Kremer - Hommage a Piazzolla (1996)

Gidon Kremer - Hommage a Piazzolla (1996)

classical | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 420MB

Nonesuch

AMG review:
From the violinist and Piazzolla fanatic Gidon Kremer comes this album of works by Piazzolla, along with one song in tribute to the legend. He covers a decent range of Piazzolla's work, moving equally well between slower milongas and faster tangos. The album starts out with the relatively somber, but quite dramatic "Milonga en re." It then moves on to a more upbeat set with "Vardarito" and the grandiose "Oblivion." Then comes "Escualo," which has something nearly akin to a march driving it. The more nostalgic tone of "Café 1930" immediately follows, snapping the listener back into a somber mood. The grand "Concierto para quinteto" makes an appearance, followed by "Soledad" and the deeper, darker sound of "Buenos Aires hora cero." "Celos" follows, to be followed itself by Jerry Peterburshsky's tribute to Piazzolla, "El sol sueno." Many of the attributes of Piazzolla's compositions make themselves apparent in this tribute, though the strings are in places somewhat more standard than Piazzolla's music might normally lead one to be accustomed to. The album finishes on the aptly titles "Grand Tango," for simply violin and piano. Kremer is among a small handful of musicians that are able to aptly evoke the power of the music of Piazzolla to come along since the death of Piazzolla (Yo-yo Ma's masterful album of Piazzolla works also numbers with Kremer). The passion and emotion created by Piazzolla's tangos are performed nearly to perfection here, with the only downside being the absence of Piazzolla himself. The ensemble of Russians and Eastern Europeans makes a surprisingly good stab at Argentine music here, showing if nothing else the universality of Piazzolla's work. Pick it up as a fan of Piazzolla, but pick up some actual Piazzolla first as a newcomer.

Tracks:
01 - Milonga En Re
02 - Vardarito
03 - Oblivion
04 - Escualo
05 - Cafe 1930
06 - Concierto Para Quinteto
07 - Soledad
08 - Buenos Aires Hora Cero
09 - Celos
10 - El Sol SueNo
11 - Le Grand Tango