Advantages: Amazing playing and interpreations of popular songs Disadvantages: Can become a little repetitive in "one-sitting"
EdAlleyne-Johnson is an artist you're either familiar with, or have never heard of. Apparently he has recently had significant airplay on Radio 2, (though I couldn't vouch for this having not heard him on the station). I myself stumbled across this talented musician one day when I was wandering around Chester and heard what I thought was an small orchestra busking near the Cross, (for anyone unfamiliar with Chester, the Cross is a favourite spot near the City-centre for buskers of all kind).
What I thought was an small travelling orchestra turned out to be a solo-violinist playing a purpleelectricviolin, (which reminds me a lot of the B.C. Rich style guitars for any guitarists out there) with an array of FX boxes playing all parts live, then with the aid of his home-built kit repeating passages and playing over the top with another ...
true classic rock classics. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", "Kashmir" and "Freebird" are just three of the nine. They're not exact recreations either, they've got an interesting twist, almost a lilt, which is good, because a direct copy played on the electricviolin wouldn't sound right.
Reflections really is a reflection. It's not the same thing, but it's not exactly diminished either. In the same way that a reflection of the moon is almost more romantic than the moon itself, Alleyne-Johnson's "Freebird" is somehow more 'Freebird' than the original.
It's an extremely relaxing album, brilliant as background music, unlike every other album I've reviewed I can listen to it whilst I write without being distracted every so often, but equally worthwhile as music on its own for listening to. "Kashmir", in particular, is impressive, possibly ...
Advantages: Mutter's eloquence and sensitivity in older recording are enhanced here. Disadvantages: None at all!
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NOTE: To commenter #3, posted comment today, 27-8: the message I left in your gb, sir, should sufficiently clarify the situation.
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CD Notes:
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833 - 1897)
Konzert für Violine und Orchester D-dur op. 77
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major
1 1. Allegro non troppo (22' 55)
Cadenza: Joseph Joachim, rev. Ossip Schnirlin
22. Adagio (9' 20)
3 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace - Poco più presto (7' 55)
ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856)
Fantasie für Violine und Orchester C-dur op. 131
Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in C major
Transcription: Fritz Kreisler
4 Moderato semplice ma espressivo - Allegro marcato - Molto tranquillo - Tempo primo - Cadenza - Molto tranquillo (13' 12)
ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER, Violine
New York Philharmonic
KURT MASUR ...