Sonya Yoncheva, Herbert Von Karajan & The Crossing Lead New CD/DVD Releases
By Francisco SalazarWelcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world.
The holiday season has begun, which means operetta and this week there is an important remastering being released. There is also a new DVD of an important baroque work with a leading soprano.
Die Fledermaus
Decca rereleases Herbert Von Karajan’s classic 1960 “Die Fledermaus” on 3-LP and 2-SACD by the label to celebrate the bicentenary of Johann Strauss.
The new edition is remastered from the original stereo master tapes at 24 bit / 192kHz.
HE VOICE OF BRUBECK VOL. 2
Navona Records presents THE VOICE OF BRUBECK VOL. 2, a vibrant continuation of the acclaimed series celebrating Dave Brubeck’s musical legacy. Spearheaded by producer Arthur Gottschalk and the Lago Vista Community Concerts Foundation, Volume 2 showcases both orchestral and jazz-rooted works, from the inventive 12-tone explorations of Theme and Explorations for Orchestra.
Songs and Such
Songs and Such explores the vocal chamber oeuvre evolution of composer Douglas Anderson. Written over a period of 50 years, this album documents Anderson’s evolution as an artist, chronicling a style that’s filled out and developed while maintaining a creative consistency.
Crossing Brooklyn Ferry
Meyer Media presents “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” the cinematic and evocative new album from Florida-based composer Paul Richards. The album features tenor Christopher Pfund, pianists Jasmin Arakawa, Evan Mitchell, and Hsiang Tu, flutist Kristen Stoner, guitarist Silviu Ciulei, clarinetist Dale Fedele, violinist Janna Lower; cellist Steven Thomas, and percussionist Kenneth Broadway. They are conducted by Archie Birkner IV.
All of the chamber works presented on this recording are connected through an engagement with cyclic patterns in time.
The Senses of Senses
Donald Nally and The Crossing release their 39thalbum featuring music by David Lang.
In a statement Nally said, “This album is a collection of works that capture the intimate side of The Crossing’s relationship with David. Only two were written for us, yet the others reflect a shared world view, a common idea about sound and community, and a collective focus on our reason for singing. David’s thoroughly considered thoughts on ‘why we do this’ have influenced The Crossing’s perpetually reexamined thoughts on that question: how to communicate deep feelings, absent of ego.”
Henry Purcell: Dido & Aeneas
Château de Versailles Spectacles releases a 2024 performance of Purcell’s famed work with a starry cast. Sonya Yoncheva and Sarah Charles lead the work with the Choeur & Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal conducted by Stefan Plewniak.
Sean Shepherd, An einem klaren Tag – On a clear day
AVI releases the new oratorio by American composer Sean Shepherd conducted by Kent Nagano and featuring German cellist Jan Vogler. The recording also features pianist Matthias Kirschnereit, violinist Mira Wang, Various Choirs, and Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg.
In a statement Nagano said, “It was also important to me to anchor the transatlantic idea in the next generation through children’s and youth choirs on both sides of the ocean, who could work together and spend time with each other.”
