Rosenberg's musical language in this dreamplay of reaching out for the unattainable is tugged between the poles of Sibelian cool and warm Gallic impressionism. As an opera this is not another Pelléas. It is far too mercurial and word-responsive for that. If anything it has subject connections with other operas: Korngold’s Die Kathrin (CPO) and Schreker’s Die Ferne Klang (Naxos and Capriccio). It occupies a surreal littoral between Puccinian verismo and modernistic objectivity; neither one nor the other……Most warmly recommended.

Rob Barnett @ Musicweb-international.com

That the two single-movement string quartets No. 5 (“Ohne Titel”) and No. 6 (“Blaubuch”), composed in 1981/83 and 1984, belong to the most passionate of Rihm’s quartets is due to their restless vigor. This impulsive approach is of course always present in his music. But even the tempo indications “fast, restless” and “fast und free” suggest a certain stringency - which is fully realized in the pieces. A sense of inner disquiet pulls …..

VA - Rio 2 (OST) 2014
MP3 320 kbps | Tracks: 14 | 00:39:15 | 100 Mb
Genre: Soundtrack | Label: Atlantic Recording

Atlantic Records presents Rio 2: Music From The Motion Picture, the musical companion to Blue Sky Studio/20th Century Fox s upcoming animated musical comedy, featuring the colorful first single, "What Is Love, " by Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy recording artist Janelle Monáe. In addition to "What Is Love, " Rio 2 also features the song, "Welcome Back, " performed by GRAMMY®-winning Atlantic recording artist Bruno Mars, who makes his big screen debut in Rio 2 as "Roberto".

Seawind is a band formed in Hawaii in the mid-seventies that prominently featured a horn section of University of Indiana alums. Seawind was more than just a springboard for Jerry Hey and the Seawind horns however. Seawind was also a highly musical and accomplished band that released four records during their career.

Four years after Let The Devil In caused a stir in the most kvlt of black metal circles, Sargeist (mems Behexen) is back with a new LP Feeding The Crawling Shadows. Let's be frank here, Sargeist is not reinventing the the genre with the new LP, but beneath the simple tremolo-picking/bass/drums/harsh vocal lineup, there is an unshakeable melodicism that crawls into the dark spaces in your head and doesn't leave.Feeding the Crawling Shadows is excellent work that fulfills the expectative of Sargeist audience. The band continues on their crusade to keep the real flame of Black Metal alive and that’s why posers don’t like them and real headbangers of satanic persuasion will continue to praise them as one of the greatest diabolic acts!

Since his victory in the Reine Elisabeth Competition in Belgium in 1992, at the age of 22, Braley has allowed himself plenty of time for reflection, and his career… has been, in his own image, refined and demanding.

There's nothing revelatory in this live recording of Brahms' two piano concertos by an American pianist, Japanese conductor, and Australian orchestra. That is, except for the music itself. Pianist Garrick Ohlsson, with an octave-and-a-half reach equal to Brahms' own, has the power for the titanic Beethovenian gestures of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15, and for its foot-stomper of a finale, which is as good a place as any for the neophyte classical listener to start. Ohlsson is equally adept in catching the spacious and subtle dimensions of the second concerto, which one Viennese critic termed a symphony with piano obbligato.