June 30, 2008

• New to the Library: Best of June

  Though today's mail is a few hours away, anything super exciting that would appear there would get a notice here anyway.  As with the end of each month, here are my picjs for 5 discs "new to my personal music library."  Unlike some months when the recommendations feature older catalogue releases, this month all the selections are 2008 releases and four of the five are film music related.

  First off is the third volume of music from the classic sci-fi series Farscape.  I got hooked on this series after reviewing music on La-La Land's previous releases of music by Guy Gross and this latest volume features a lot more tender music than some of the previous ones did.  It allows us to hear a different side of Gross' musical approach as his music moves to a deeper integral core for the characters.  It is a fabulous presnetation.

  For those wondering what ever happened to Danny Elfman, you get a chance to pick up a first-rate action score released this month.  Wanted is all the things we like from Elfman minus the la-la choruses.  The action cues here are amazing, thematic ideas are extremely engaging, and there is a bit of the composer melding the sound of his past with new approaches.  The orchestration here shows a newer command of instrumental color as well.  THis was reviewed earlier in the month so check that blog entry for more detail.

  Fans of Shostakovich will want to locate this economical and quite full presentation of the complete score to Alone (Odna).  Naxos has created here one of the best re-recordings of non-American film music yet with superb performances and a detailed booklet that really helps one understand this music.  This is Shostakovich minus some of the extreme atonal writing but with occasional flashes of sardonic wit.  The orchestration is crystal clear throughout.  This was the film score that Shostakovich decided to write in smaller musical segments, having learned from The New Babylon that a film can get recut and destroy your intent.  Highly recommended!

  The Hyperion label is always exploring unusual territory in often superb renditions.  Their massive piano concerto series continues to be a highlight of the catalogue for those interested, or perhaps tired, with another retread of a classical warhorse.  The label has embarked on a series of recordings of Martinu's works for violin.  Volume one featured a couple of different concerti, but the second volume is really a great place to start.  It features a fabulous concert for violin and piano from 1953 that is quite accessible and wonderfully performed.  The disc opens with a typical neo-Baroque chamber work for violin and piano that is interesting (it was originally written for Paul Sacher).  Christopher Hogwood is on the podium and manages to direct sensitive and impassioned readings of this music.

  Finally, hands down one of the best scores of the year is Thomas Newman's Wall-E.  I would find it hard to believe that we won't see this as one of the five Oscar-nominated scores come next January.  As The Good German did in exploring Hollywood's Golden Age, Newman's approach here takes a page from 1950s Herrmann science fiction scoring.  There is plenty of comedic underscore with several signature sounds from Newman's dramatic narrative style.  Thematic ideas help warm the characters and this score works wonderfully in a film that is likely to be considered one of the masterpieces of the Disney canon. 

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  On a completely different note, I realized it had been ages since hearing Resphigi's Roman trilogy--the 3 large tone poems, Pines of Rome, Roman Festivals, and Fountains of Rome.  Do yourself a favor and pop this in your player this week.  It is gorgeous music from one of the great orchestrators of teh 20th century.  Resphigi may be just a footnote in music history, but these pieces are real orchestral showpieces.

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