Joseph Moog, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern, Nicholas Milton – Grieg & Moszkowski: Piano Concertos (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:05:24 minutes | 578 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Onyx Classics
Joseph Moog has established an enviable reputation as one of the most impressive virtuoso pianists of the younger generation. His catholic tastes embrace both the core repertoire and many works from its backwaters – works that were once warhorses, but have for no apparent reason fallen into unjust neglect. The Moszkowski piano concerto on this new CD is such a work. Overflowing with memorable tunes, the piano writing and indeed the handling of the orchestra marks this out as a very skilfully constructed work. Do not expect moments of profundity or an emotional roller coaster: just marvel at the fluidity and brilliance of Moszkowski’s writing. This is salon music of the highest order, and none the worse for that!
Moog couples the Moszkowski with one of the concertos in the repertoire whose fortunes have not waned – the evergreen Grieg concerto which never fails to impress the listener.
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Juliane Banse, Dorian Wilson, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern – Cole Porter: A Celebration (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 56:11 minutes | 581 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © SWR Classic
Cole Porter left a musical legacy that earned him great respect far beyond the world of popular music: more than 40 of his musicals and countless melodies became evergreens, while their lyrics became quoted in daily life. His songs, with their ease, elegance, refinement and drive have fascinated musicians of all genres ever since. Juliane Banse is one of the most versatile singers of her generation with a repertoire ranging from Mozart to Richard Strauss, from unknown operas to the most current modern music. It was only a question of time before she would turn to Cole Porter, hence this album, recorded in the autumn of 2018. And she has to be credited for not trying to copy Ella Fitzgerald, for example, but for singing Porter in her own way; for retaining her clearly intoned, classically trained voice, and not awkwardly acting the part of a husky bar singer. Banse perfectly interprets the roles in her very own way, turning between the ironic, erotic, lascivious and vigorous, with all the necessary syncopated swing. Fans of American entertainment and those lovers of beautiful singing who have an open mind will all find pure delight in this recording. The arranger, composer, choir master and church musician Lars J. Lange made wonderfully lavish orchestral arrangements of Porter’s songs, while conductor Dorian Wilson makes his “classical” ensemble swing and virtually wallow in these melodies.
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