Designbuilder 4.5

This second instalment in the ongoing complete Ferdinand Ries symphony cycle with the Tapiola Sinfonietta and conductor Janne Nisonen includes the composer’s 4th and 5th symphonies. Although numbered as the composer’s fifth, the D minor symphony dates from 1813 and was his second symphony to be completed. The symphony was Ries’ debut with the London Philharmonic Society which was to be an important influence in his career for the next eleven years after he had settled in the city. The first performance of the symphony was a major success and, according to a review, ‘This [symphony] is one of those works which announce the genius of its author.’ Ries was being favourably compared to the likes of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Ries’ Symphony No. 4, Op. 110 was composed in London in 1818 but, for reasons unknown, did not achieve a similar success to that of his 5th Symphony.

Has there ever been a more consistent performer in jazz history over a longer period of time than Benny Carter? The classic altoist, who had fully formed his sound by the early '30s (he first recorded in 1927), has not altered his style much in the past 65 (and counting) years. The music on this Verve reissue CD features Carter in three settings: in a trio with pianist Teddy Wilson and drummer Jo Jones (those performances were only previously out in Japan), heading a quartet with pianist Don Abney, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Louis Bellson and showcased on three previously unissued tracks with the Oscar Peterson trio plus drummer Bobby White. Carter knew most of these standards extremely well and he glides effortlessly over the chord changes, infusing the music with swing and subtle creativity.

Sampling the three periods of Alexander Scriabin's music, Vadym Kholodenko presents a coherent and colorful program that includes a representative handful of the early preludes, two of the middle piano sonatas, a set of etudes, and three of the poems for keyboard. While Scriabin's music steadily evolved from his youthful Chopinesque phase and a transitional, impressionistic period, similar in evocative harmonies and effects to Debussy, to a nearly atonal and atmospheric style all his own, there was always a virtuosic complexity in his piano pieces that makes it challenging for performers and listeners alike.

Nephew is a Danish Orchestra formed in 1996 in Aarhus, Denmark. The band consists of Simon Kvamm (lead vocals, keyboards, songwriting), Kristian Riis (guitar, backing vocals), Søren Arnholt (drums, backing vocals), Kasper Toustrup (bass guitar), René Munk Thalund (keyboards), and Marie Højlund (vocals, keyboards, guitar).