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SACD

Claudio Abbado, Berliner Philharmoniker – Brahms: The 4 Symphonies (Esoteric Japan 2018) [SACD / Esoteric Company – ESSG-90192/4]

adminSeptember 21, 2025 170 Views

Title: Claudio Abbado, Berliner Philharmoniker – Brahms: The 4 Symphonies (Esoteric Japan 2018)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

For collectors of Claudio Abbado’s recordings, the performances on this three-discs Japanese Esoteric label’s remastered release of the Italian conductor’s digital recordings of Brahms’ symphonies with the Berliner Philharmoniker may seem redundant, since the symphonies were previously released as single discs in the late ’80s and early ’90s on Deutsche Grammophon. But this box set marks the first hybrid SACD release of historical recording selections. These new audio versions feature Esoteric’s proprietary re-mastering process to achieve the highest level of sound quality.

These performances are technically impeccable; Abbado is a tremendously skillful conductor who knows these scores like the back of his hand, and the Berliner Philharmoniker is one of the two or three finest orchestras in Europe, with a collective virtuosity that no other orchestra on the planet can match. The performances are also interpretively irreproachable. Some might find Abbado a bit stiff – there’s no tempo bending here – but even they would have to admit that there is nothing in Abbado’s accounts that does not come directly out of the score: his First’s resolute heroism, his Second’s dappled lyricism, his Third’s sensual romanticism, and his Fourth’s unrelenting tragedy are all rooted in the music, not in Abbado’s personal psychology. This set is additionally worthwhile because the single-movement works are as well-played and interpreted as the symphonies, particularly the choral works Nänie and Gesang der Parzen. Deutsche Grammophon’s digital sound was crisp, clear, and vivid, and Musical Heritage Society’s reissues are identical. If you’re looking for a single set of digitally recorded Brahms orchestral works, this set cannot be bettered.

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2 min read

SACD

Claude Williamson Trio – South Of The Border West Of The Sun (1993) [Japan 2017] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-215]

adminSeptember 21, 2025 144 Views

Title: Claude Williamson Trio – South Of The Border West Of The Sun (1993) [Japan 2017]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Claude Berkeley Williamson was an American jazz pianist. In 1968, he started working as a pianist for NBC, first on The Andy Williams Show, then for Sonny and Cher. In 1978, Williamson went back to the jazz world and released many albums, mainly for Japanese labels. On this release for Venus Records he is joined by Andy Simpkins (bass) and Al “Tootie” Heath (drums).

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1 min read

SACD

Claude Williamson Trio – Song For My Father (2001) [Japan 2018] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-269]

adminSeptember 21, 2025 152 Views

Title: Claude Williamson Trio – Song For My Father (2001) [Japan 2018]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

American jazz pianist Claude Williamson, although born in Vermont, moved to California early in his career and worked with West Coast jazz heavyweights Art Pepper, Max Roach, Bud Shank and Stan Levey. Williamson also spent a portion of his career in television, starting in the late 1960s, including stints with both The Andy Williams Show and Sonny and Cher. For this 2002 Venus release he is joined by Andy Simpkins (bass) and Al “Tootie” Heath (drums).

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1 min read

SACD

Claude Williamson Trio – El Noche De Espana (1994) [Japan 2019] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-341]

adminSeptember 21, 2025 158 Views

Title: Claude Williamson Trio – El Noche De Espana (1994) [Japan 2019]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Claude Williamson was an American jazz pianist who studied at the New England Conservatory of Music before moving to jazz, influenced mainly by Teddy Wilson, then by Al Haig and Bud Powell. He worked with Max Roach, Art Pepper and others. Williamson was a longtime member of the Lighthouse All-Stars (substituting for pianist Russ Freeman), performing with Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli and Howard Rumsey. This release was recorded in Hollywood for Japanese Venus label.

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1 min read

SACD

Anette Maiburg , Alexandra Carvero , Emmanuel Ceysson , Wen Xiao Zheng – Classica Francese (2013) [SACD / MDG – MDG 910 1825-6]

adminSeptember 21, 2025 150 Views

Title: Anette Maiburg , Alexandra Carvero , Emmanuel Ceysson , Wen Xiao Zheng – Classica Francese (2013)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Yves Montand and Claude Debussy, Jacques Brel and André Jolivet -Anette Maiburg is taking us on another conducted tour, bringing musical worlds together.
“Classica francese” gives the enterprising and exceptional flautist the opportunity to show us that high-calibre chamber music and deeply expressive chansons need not be worlds apart. She is joined by Alexandra Cravero, whose remarkably flexible voice leaves these well-known songs haunting us, and Emmanuel Ceysson, whose sensitive harp playing has delighted audiences and reviewers alike. prestoclassical Viele der sogenannten „Crossover“-Experimente der letzten Jahre und Jahrzehnte hinterließen einen zwiespältigen Eindruck, vor allem wohl, weil meist so getan wurde, als ob alle Musikformen, jene der Kunstmusik und jene der Populärkultur, irgendwie gleichwertig wären. Interessanterweise unterscheidet auch Anette Maiburg, der spiritus rector dieses Albums „Classica francese“, in ihrem Beihefttext zwischen „klassischer Ausbildung“ und „anderen Musikstilen“: Auf dieser fünften Folge einer Reihe von nationalstilistischen CD-Programmen (es gibt auch „Classica Cubana“ und anderes) stehen französische Chansons besonders der 1950er und 60er Jahre den vier Kunstkompositionen von Debussy, Jolivet und Jean Cras gegenüber. Das Nebeneinander von Chanson und klassischer Kammermusik erweist sich hier jedoch als harmonisch. Dies liegt daran, dass sowohl die Komponisten Debussy, Jolivet und Cras auf je eigene Weise auch auf die Popularmusik ihrer Zeit anspielten, die sehr guten Arrangements der Chansons für das siebenköpfige Kammerensemble von Andreas N. Tarkmann aber ihrerseits starke Anleihen an klassischer Instrumentationskunst machen. Schön etwa die vereinzelten Tupfer von Harfe und Xylophon in „Elle fréquentait la rue Pigalle“, das durch die Piaf berühmt wurde, oder „Ces gens là“ von Jaques Brel, dessen Besetzung lange sehr reduziert gehalten wird. Alexandra Cravero singt diese Chansons, die von der Authentizität der Passionen leben, schlichtweg wundervoll. Zwischen den Kompositionen und den Chansons treten die Qualitätsbrüche aber auch deswegen nicht störend hervor, weil die sieben Musiker um die Flötistin Anette Maiburg alle Stücke mit einer begeisternden Sensibilität spielen. Die sieben Solisten sind sämtlich bereit, gleichsam auch ihrem eigenen Klang nachzulauschen sowie den zauberhaften Verbindungen, die dieser mit dem der anderen Instrumenten eingeht. So übertreffen die Musiker in Debussys Sonate für Flöte, Viola und Harfe sogar die bisherige Referenzaufnahme des Ensembles Wien-Berlin aus den späten achtziger Jahren (Deutsche Grammophon 429 738-2) an Raffinesse; die Sonate und auch das Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune in einer kammermusikalischen Fassung werden mit einem akuten Sinn für deren klanglichen Wunder präsentiert. Den kompositorisch avanciertesten Akzent setzt Jolivets Chant de linos von 1945, der neben den magischen und den melancholischen Stimmungen auch ein wenig Dunkelheit hören läßt. Wenn ein Programm so ausgewogen zusammengestellt ist und so hochkonzentriert musiziert wird, dann läßt man sich „Crossover“ gerne gefallen. Nicht zuletzt auch wegen der glasklaren Akustik sehr hörenswert. 10/10 Michael B. Weiß Klassik Heute

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3 min read

SACD

Clark Terry & Max Roach – Friendship (2002) [Japan] [SACD / Eighty-Eight’s – VRGL 8805]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 194 Views

Title: Clark Terry & Max Roach – Friendship (2002) [Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Friendship is a very special album Clark Terry and Max Roach recorded together in 2002. At that time, Terry was 82 years old and Roach 78, and as it turned out to be one of the last recordings Roach made before passing in 2007. The bulk of this unique album consists of six duo performances by the two principals, two solo performance by Terry, one solo performance by Roach, and the remaining four are trio and quartet performances with pianist Don Friedman and bassist Marcus McLaurine.

Friendship is a recording of fresh, swinging music with broad but intelligent appeal to committed Terry or Roach fans as well as new listeners just coming to an appreciation of these great musicians. Clark Terry demonstrates the flawless technique, buttery sound, and elegant, good-natured, witty improvisation for which he is famous. Roach offers, as always, a powerful conception of the drums, using a wide and creative sound palette. His approach on this recording is so unassuming that it is easy to lose sight of how complete his playing is in itself. “Lil’ Max,” for example, is a musical whole. It takes a bit of attention to realize that it is also an unaccompanied drum solo. Both Don Friedman and the inexplicably under-recognized Marcus McLaurine have long been associated with Terry. Everyone sounds comfortable with themselves, each other, and the straightforward, but demanding quartet setting. Friendship also has an eclectic side. The album begins with “Statements,” a free jazz duet between the co-leaders. The set includes Monk’s “Let’s Cool One” and the standards “But Beautiful,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Makin’ Whoopee,” “The Nearness of You,” and “I Remember Clifford.” By continuing to perform at this level, Terry and Roach, who for decades have had nothing to prove to anyone, not only enrich us musically yet again—they also teach important lessons about artistic integrity. We are lucky to have their example.

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2 min read

SACD

Clark Tracey – Stability (2001) [Reissue 2003] [SACD / Linn Records – AKD 196]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 166 Views

Title: Clark Tracey – Stability (2001) [Reissue 2003]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Clark Tracey has gathered a group of top-of-the-list UK jazz artists for a session that incorporates hard bop, some smooth jazz, and pretty ballads with a string quartet in attendance. For his debut solo album drummer Clark Tracey has brought together a range of musicians, each hand-picked as a result of who he thought best suited the mood of each piece. With connections borne of years in the industry Clark was able to have his first choice of performer on each instrument resulting in unbeatable interpretations. The guests musicians include Andy Sheppard, Tommy Smith, Tim Garland, Iain Ballamy, Nigel Hitchcock, Guy Barker, Christine Tobin, Gareth Williams, Arnie Somogyi, Laurence Cottle and the Locrian String Quartet.

Scion of foremost English jazz pianist Stan Tracey, drummer Clark Tracey has gathered a group of top-of-the-list U.K. jazz artists for a session that incorporates a variety of playing modes, including a contribution by Irish avant-garde singer Christine Tobin. There’s hard bop, some smooth jazz, and pretty ballads with a string quartet in attendance. Tracey has found a successful and accommodating method to solve the conundrum drummer leaders often find themselves faced with, viz., to dominate and run the risk of overwhelming or to lie back and be the main rhythm. He provides rhythmic support, adding well-timed drum breaks and short but telling solos. The drummer adopts a broad definition for “support.” Tracey is quite active on such cuts as “Giant Steps,” where he and pianist Gareth Williams offer a much more straight swinging version of John Coltrane’s classic than usually heard, likely because of the strong involvement of Tracey’s drums. On tunes as “Black Coffee”,,the drummer lays back as Tim Garland’s sax takes the lead with the Locrian String Quartet on hand to provide the bulk of the musical background. Tracey also contributes well conceived, melodic originals such as “Lounge Blues,” a tune that exudes an exotic aura which Iain Ballamy’s soprano sax helps create with Tracey’s cymbals and Arnie Somogyi’s bass. Irish singer Christine Tobin provides a vocal recitation of the moving poetic lyrics for Tracey’s “Stability.” The lieder recital mood is set by the Locrian String Quartet, the only instrumentation on the track. One of the more intriguing cuts is a pensive piano solo by Tracey, giving a rare airing of Duke Ellington’s “Melancholia.” Stability is a seminar on eclectic musical styles and is recommended.

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3 min read

SACD

Clark Terry – Supreme Jazz (2006) [SACD / Supreme Jazz – 223279-207]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 159 Views

Title: Clark Terry – Supreme Jazz (2006)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Clark Terry, who is said to be one of “Jazzdom’s finest educators”, is also recognized to be one of contemporary music’s greatest innovators – and as a musician of great technical virtuosity and soloist of distinction and quality…

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1 min read

SACD

Clark Terry – Portraits (1989/2014) [SACD / Chesky Records – SACD267]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 139 Views

Title: Clark Terry – Portraits (1989/2014)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Flugelhornist Clark Terry recorded quite frequently in the 1980s, and his consistency was very impressive. A DR winner in its genre! Terry’s good humor, joyful and immediately distinctive sound, and creative, bop-oriented ideas combined to form a very accessible style. This Chesky CD finds C.T. joined by pianist Don Friedman, bassist Victor Gaskin and drummer Lewis Nash for a variety of superior standards and Terry’s lone original “Finger Filibuster.” The songs all pay tribute to various trumpeters, and some, such as “Pennies from Heaven,” “Little Jazz” and “I Don’t Wanna Be Kissed,” were not performed by the flugelhornist all that often; the resulting music is fresher than usual and often quite inspired. Recommended.

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1 min read

SACD

Clair Marlo – Let It Go (1989) [Reissue 2003] [SACD / Cisco Music – SCD 2033]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 278 Views

Title: Clair Marlo – Let It Go (1989) [Reissue 2003]
Genre: Jazz, Pop
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Clair Marlo is a composer, performer arranger and record producer. Her music could be categorized as a combination of pop neo-classical jazz with an ethnic flavoring to it. Her vocals have an ethereal quality to them, while her instrumental and film compositions span many different styles from electronic, to orchestral, to rock. Her music spans wide ranges of emotions just like she does. Here is the ‘Cisco Music’ label reissue, of her highly acclaimed album, with three extra cuts, a different cover photo, and improved sound.

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1 min read