Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Classical: Instrumental Editor, Jason Verlinde FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Conductor Lorin Maazel * New and Notable: Albinoni, Beethoven, Mozart, Terry Riley, and Joan Tower * Remembering Georg Tintner * Onscreen: Watch Anne-Sophie Mutter perform "The Four Seasons" on Amazon.com * Big Box Sets: New Collections of Adams, Bach, Chopin, and Artur Rubinstein * Get Started In: Richard Wagner WORD FOR WORD: LORIN MAAZEL *************************** "At his best--and he wasn't always at his best, but who is?--Strauss had a depth, a sweep, and a passion and a golden thumb, if you will, just as those flowers of notes seemed to bloom everywhere. I don't think there's a better piece of music for the century than 'Don Quixote'." --Lorin Maazel on his Strauss box set Read more of our interview with Lorin Maazel at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=ts/feature/2928 You can find Lorin Maazel and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra performing Strauss at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IYO1/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Albinoni: 12 Concertos, Op. 9" Andrew Manze, violin; Frank de Bruine, Alfredo Bernardini, oboes; Academy of Ancient Music; Christopher Hogwood, cond. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001X591/entertainmentsit Baroque-lovers should snatch up this disc featuring Albinoni's great Op. 9 concertos; it's the first-ever release of these incredible works on period instruments. The ever-prolific Andrew Manze, oboists Frank de Bruine and Alfredo Bernardini, and the Academy of Ancient Music perform these three-movement (fast-slow-fast) masterpieces with plenty of vigor. "Furtwaengler Conducts Beethoven" Wilhelm Furtwaengler, cond.; Berlin Philharmonic; Vienna Philharmonic http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001W09Z/entertainmentsit There are all too many CD packages featuring Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9, but few pack the wallop of Wilhelm Furtwaengler's wartime performances. Remastered here and at a bargain price, these historic, fiery recordings are hard to pass up. Loaded with angst and highly expressionist, these may not be your reference Beethoven recordings, but they offer an awesome listening experience. "Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 24" Richard Goode, piano; Orpheus Chamber Orchestra http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000206A1/entertainmentsit Pianist Richard Goode's latest CD tackles two of Mozart's best-loved piano concertos, Nos. 23 and 24. Like his previous efforts recording Mozart, these are impeccable performances of sparkling technique, tender lyricism, and great dialogue between the instruments. To top it off, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has never sounded better. "Terry Riley: Book of Abbeyozzud" David Tannenbaum, Gyan Riley, guitars; Tracy Silverman, violin; William Winant, percussion http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001W099/entertainmentsit It seems odd that Terry Riley--composer of "In C"--should have created a work such as the "Book of Abbeyozzud." Here, guitarist David Tannenbaum leads a small ensemble (including Riley's son Gyan, also on guitar) on works that sound reminiscent of John Fahey, Piazzolla's "Histoire du Tango," and even flamenco. These are lush, lyrical compositions that amount to one of Riley's most listenable CDs. Highly recommended. "Joan Tower: Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman" Colorado Symphony Orchestra; Martin Alsop, cond. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JIND/entertainmentsit For the modern lover in all of us, Joan Tower's "Fanfares for the Common Woman" is sure to please. Playful pun on the title aside, this disc is filled with vital works composed by Tower between 1986 and 1997. Tower's Fanfares (five in all), Concerto for Orchestra, and Duets for Orchestra all brim with tension, plenty of percussion and brass, and lyricism. Marin Alsop conducts the Colorado Symphony Orchestra through these difficult works with plenty of passion. REMEMBERING GEORG TINTNER ************************* Before his passing this October, Vienna-born Georg Tintner (1917-1999) created one of the most exciting and insightful Bruckner symphony cycles heard in years. The complete cycle has been recorded by Naxos (but is not yet fully available). A prolific conductor even into his 80s, Tintner will be greatly missed. Here's a look at his finest discs. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/13658 ONSCREEN: WATCH ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER PERFORM "THE FOUR SEASONS" ************************************************************* To commemorate Anne-Sophie Mutter's latest recording of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" with the Trondheim Soloists, the violinist created a music video, available exclusively at Amazon.com. You can view a video stream featuring Mutter performing a brief excerpt from the work and get a hint of what the rest of the disc sounds like. And how does the CD sound? Excellent, with Mutter's impeccable trademark tone heard front and center. As an extra, Mutter also performs Tartini's "The Devil's Trill." You can order Mutter's recording of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002DE2L/entertainmentsit BIG BOX SETS ************ Nineteen ninety-nine has seen an explosion of big (really big!) box sets. From John Adams to the complete works of Frederic Chopin, there have never been so many great classical box sets to beef up your collection. Here are some of the most impressive of the bunch. "The John Adams Earbox" John Adams, composer; various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001SID1/entertainmentsit For those who forget that modern American composer John Adams has a varied and rich history, this 10-CD set chronicling everything from "Shaker Loops" to his opera "Nixon in China" (excerpted here) to 1996's "Slonimsky's Earbox" should be required listening. With great liner notes and tasteful Nonesuch packaging, it's clear proof that Adams has composed more than just minimalism. "Bach 2000" Various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001IV8B/entertainmentsit If you really want to beef up your classical collection, get "Bach 2000," Teldec's 153-CD box set featuring the entirety of Bach's output. Over 1,000 works are represented here, by artists such as Nicholas Harnoncourt, Gustav Leonhardt, Thomas Zehetmair, Il Giardino Armonico, and organist Ton Koopman. Also available in a cantata-free edition! "The Complete Chopin Edition" Various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001X58Z/entertainmentsit Deutsche Grammophon's complete Chopin edition was released in the same week as thethe 150th anniversary of the composer's death, in October. It's a fitting tribute, with 17 CDs featuring Chopin's complete works played by Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Maurizio Pollini, and Krystian Zimerman, to name a few. "The Rubinstein Collection" Artur Rubinstein, piano; various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001O2XZ/entertainmentsit The Bach set might be bigger, but if you want to make the neighbors really envious, this 94-CD set of performances by piano legend Artur Rubinstein is the one for you. Rubinstein's entire approved studio output is here-- newly remastered for the set. Add some never-before-heard tracks, some recitals, interviews, plus a lavishly illustrated book, and a great-looking box to house it all, and you have a true keepsake. Hand-numbered, limited- edition, and--at over $1,400--probably the priciest box set available on Amazon.com... or anywhere. GET STARTED IN: RICHARD WAGNER ****************************** Composer Richard Wagner has long maintained a powerful presence in music, literature, and the arts. His revolutionary quest to transform opera into a transcendent experience both epitomized romanticism and spelled the beginning of musical modernism. Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's collection of Wagner overtures, with their unique emotional impact, provides a terrific entree into the world of the composer. Check out our Get Started in Classical feature, which includes an audio tour and essay, and let Amazon.com's experts introduce you to Wagner's captivating power. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/12734 ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Classical Music section at Classical ******
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