Streaming Classical

Streaming Classical (23-5): Who should play Ellington?

Now re-entrenched, I have been streaming like crazy, even more than before! This issue is compact, but the next one will come in rapid succession.

Chineke! fails at Ellington - and Tchaikovsky! But I must talk about something that bothers me first. The subtitle of this issue of Streaming Classical is prompted by the latest recording of the UK Chineke! orchestra. In case you don't know, here are words from their official website: " Chineke! was founded in 2015 by the double bass player, Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, to provide career opportunities for Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Chineke!’s mission is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’." That's all to the good, and certainly not unique. Orchestras had been formed based on fervent beliefs of every kind, often to promote much of the musical world's politically or ethnically under-privileged. Philharmonia Hungarica was formed by Hungarian exiles (and they made the first complete Haydn symphonies recording with Dorati). Barenboim' formed the East-West Divan Orchestra to promote exchange between Jews and regional non-Jews (you must say he had an urgent agenda, and foresight). Venezuela's incredible El Siestema (recently plagued by controversies) produced a brilliant orchestra (Simon Bolivar, and successors) and a star conductor (Gustavo Dudamel). All of these have done good work and made an impact, as do Chineke!

I have followed Chineke! closely and listen to all their releases. Good as some of the pieces are, none I'd classify as top drawer (keep in mind I often criticize the BPO). That doesn't bother me. It's not easy for anyone to say something new in classical recordings. BUT! What bothers me is that, very frankly, they play Ellington horribly! The only great thing about this recording is that it prompted me to seek out the Ellington recording (top pic), which is an absolute blast - I cannot tear myself away from it and listened to it many times! Make sure you do this Holiday Season! Ellington/Strayhorn did a great job and the musicians played it in indescribable fashion that honors both Jazz and Tchaikovsky. One can confidently say that all involved understood Tchaikovsky as well as Jazz (of course). The Chineke!? They understood neither Tchaikovsky nor jazz. What really irks me are the UK critics. BBC Music says: "... it’s undoubtedly a long overdue pleasure to have a professional recording of this piece..." whereas the Guardian says"...It’s the latest life-enhancing recording from Chineke! Orchestra (Chineke!/Decca) and guaranteed to put a smile on your face...". Hello! have you heard the Ellington recording? You listen to both of these and tell me otherwise!

One problem is, the orchestra needs building with stronger conductors. I hope that will materialize one day, but the current crop won't do. At this point, they are quite behind the East-West Divan, not to mention the Simon Bolivar, though those two have really strong conductors behind them. Given that musical funding in the UK is a struggle these days, this is a goal that is perhaps lofty. My best wishes.

While we're on orchestras with a political or ethnic mission, do you know in Germany there's a Jewish Chamber Orchestra dedicated to playing works of Jewish composers, once forbidden or not. Their recent Weinberg release under chief Daniel Grossmann (Onyx) is simply one of the best Weinberg issues.

Solo Violin In the last issue, I talked about the availability for Streaming now of the entire Hyperion catalogue, but I left out one of my favored artists in their stable, Alina Ibragimova! The Telemann Fantasias for solo violin are just her meter. The always reliable Isabelle Faust has also just released an excellent solo baroque album (Harmonia Mundi).

Pianists It seems baroque keyboard music on the modern piano is on the rise (aside from Bach). Bruce Liu’s second album, Waves (DG) contains very good Rameau (which I prefer to Tharaud etc), though I’m not so sure of the rest. Incidentally, he played a number of these in a Shenzhen recital I heard recently! As a fan of transcriptions I was drawn to Juliette Journaux’s moody Wanderer without Words (Alpha). Sexy Vanessa Benelli Mosell’s opera-related Casta Diva (Decca) is also quite entertaining, but she has more serious aims elsewhere, as evidenced by [R]evolution, with interesting music by Stockhausen! More keyboard on Early music below.


Guitarist Plinio Fernandes puts out a good first Recital (Decca).

Accordionist Theo Ould on Laterna Magica constructed a good program mixing the old and the new (Alpha) that may appeal to crossover fans alike.

Chamber Music
Violinist Mi-Sa Yang and pianist Adam Laloum puts out a delightful “French” recital program (Mirare).

Trio For me, the best album (musically and sonically) I heard of this most difficult formation is the unsung Auer Trio, whose emotionally wrenching Smetana and Dvorak (Hungaroton) I have put on repeat button. Very close, and also heard repeatedly, is the passionate Rachmaninov album of Trio 258 (Challenge). On the same label are the wonderful Delta Piano Trio, who have 2 wonderful albums, one of music of Lera Auerbach and one named Origin. Both are absolutely special.

String Quartets I heard tons. The Escher Quartet appealed greatly to me both on their Janacek/Haas and Barber/Ives Programs (BIS). I was won over by the Sacconi Quartet’s delicate Schubert and Beethoven (Orchid). Those who want something a little more new-age, but still serious, can try Painted Light by the Solem Quartet (Delphian).

Concertos I don’t think it’s just sentiment, but Lars Vogt’s last recording of Mozart’s Piano Concerti 9 and 24 (Ondine), directed by him from the keyboard, are really special. Tetzlaff brother and sis, close friend of Vogt, issued a memoriam album of Brahms Double Concerto (Ondine) that is excellent, but the coupling Viotti VC, which I have always liked (also Lola Bobesco on Talent) is equally beguiling! Back to Mozart, Anne Queffelec, a pianist I have long liked, played the PC 20 and 27 (Erato) with consummate naturalness; more, very ably accompanied by orchestra under Hong Kong’s own Lio Kuokman! And then there is reliable Mozartian Jean-Eflam Bavouzet’s Vol 7 and 8 (Chandos). Every album in the series includes some scintillating Mozart Overture(s) by the conductor Takacs Gabor-Nagy, and they steal the limelight! They are must-hear items! So wonderful! Switching instrument, I enjoyed the Villa-Lobos Cello Concertos 1 and 2 by Brazilian forces (Naxos).

Symphonies
When it comes to Mozart symphonies, there’s an embarrassment of riches. Il Pomo D’Oro under Maxim Emylyanechev offer 29 40 (Aparte); Academie fur Alte Musik Berlin under Berhard Forck (Pentatone), 31 and 35; Ensemble Resonanz under Richardo Minasi 36 and 38 (Harmonia Mundi). No need to choose. Listen to them ALL!

Kammerakademie Postdam under Antonello Manacorda (Sony) continue to put out wonderful albums. Their Schubert and Mendelssohn (and ongoing Beethoven) are musts!