By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer
For those last-minute gifts ideas, here are some recent CDs by local musicians:
Ensemble for Eighteenth Century Music, Eiji Hashimoto, conductor
Joseph Haydn: Early Symphonies (Nos. 4, 6, 9 and 13)
Centaur, $15
The Ensemble for Eighteenth Century Music, a student ensemble (which sadly no longer exists) at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, gives elegant and stylistically true performances of four early symphonies in a recently released disc. All but Symphony No. 13 are scored with harpsichord continuo, performed by the ensemble's director, Eiji Hashimoto.
It's hard to fathom that these are students when one hears their pristine ensemble, exhilarating tempos and excellent technique. Mr. Hashimoto's players - recorded in 1997 - take their virtuoso solos to heart in Symphony No. 6 in D Major, "Le matin" (morning), wonderful program music depicting sunrise and birdsong. Tempos are spirited, but lyrical passages breathe. The playing in Symphony No. 9 in C Major is robust and alert. The wit and sparkle of Symphony No. 13 in D Major is irresistible.
Eiji Hashimoto, harpsichord
Harpsichord Works of Jean-Philippe Rameau
Centaur; $15
Though he's remembered chiefly for his opera-ballets, French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau penned a colorful collection of keyboard pieces that are among the best of the whole Baroque era. Among his more than 50 solo harpsichord pieces are those found in the Pieces de Clavecin, Nouvelles Suites de Pieces de Clavecin and Cinq Pieces, on a new disc by Mr. Hashimoto.
It's a fascinating discovery. The nine pieces that make up the Pieces de Clavecin, with titles such as "Bird Calls" and "The Village Maiden," evoke images and personalities, and Mr. Hashimoto captures the character of each with crisp articulation, stylish ornamentation, wit and imagination.
If pieces such as "Les Tourbillons (Whirlwinds)" are full of demanding virtuosities, dance movements such as the Allemande and Sarabande (Nouvelles Suites) are miniatures of refinement. Moods range from the humorous "La Poule" (The Hen, Nouvelles Suites), with its relentless pecking quality, to the somber "La Livri," a tombeau in Cinq Pieces.
Buy both Hashimoto albums at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood or www.centaurrecords.com.
The Adagio Trio
Winter Gift
Adagio Trio, $15
This is a reflective and lovely album of Christmas favorites, arranged for flute, cello and harp. The musicians (all with Cincinnati connections) - harpist Linda Grieser, cellist Michael Daniels and flutist Kathryn Carruthers Daniels - perform these sparkling arrangements with precision and attractive expression.
The performers communicate seamlessly in carols such as "Gesu Bambino," "What Child Is This?" and "The Holly and the Ivy." Harpist Ms. Grieser performs a gracious backdrop to "Ave Maria," featuring the warm cello tone of Mr. Daniels.
Beautifully recorded, it's a warm treat for the holidays.
The trio's CDs are carried locally by most book and music stores, or visit www.adagiotrio.com.
Cincinnati Men's Chorus, Patrick O. Coyle, director
A Homemade Holiday
Cincinnati Men's Chorus, $16
The joyous spirit of the all-volunteer chorus comes across in tunes like "Let it Snow," in a jazzy arrangement. Highlights include "We Need a Little Christmas," in an up tempo setting by Cincinnati's Terry LaBolt, and the rhythmic "No Mirrors," sung by the smaller group VocalPoint!
Choral intonation wavers at times and the recorded sound is not always pristine. Choral focus is best in flowing tunes, like "A Christmas Prayer" and a nicely phrased "Song for a Winter's Night" by Gordon Lightfoot.
It can be purchased at major book and music stores. Call 542-2626 or visit cmc.bigstep.com to order ($16 plus $2 shipping).
James Conlon, conductor; Vladimir Spivakov, violinist; the Gurzenich Orchestra-Cologne Philharmonic
Hartmann, Concerto funebre; Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4
Capriccio; $16.98
James Conlon, music director of the Cincinnati May Festival, has made a name as a champion of lesser-known music of the 20th century. With this new CD recorded during his music directorship in Cologne, Germany, he makes a convincing case for fascinating scores by German composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann.
A dissenter during World War II, Hartmann's 1939 Concerto funebre is a quiet lament for Czechoslovakia. In the first movement, the violin plays an old Hussite lied, a kind of song of resistance to the Nazis. The concerto is eloquent, with the intensity of Shostakovich, and violinist Vladimir Spivakov gives a performance that is alternately searing and lyrical.
The symphonies are equally fascinating. No. 2 has unexpected instrumental colors, such as an Asian-sounding tune played by a baritone sax; the wide-ranging moods of the Fourth are searching and intense. Mr. Conlon's orchestra is polished and he leads with conviction.
Vladimir Spivakov, violinist; James Conlon, conductor; the Gurzenich Orchestra-Cologne Philharmonic
20th Century Violin Concertos: Shostakovich
Capriccio; $16.98
Violinist Vladimir Spivakov gives a powerful reading of Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1, and his tone is dazzling, whether playing the sweetly hushed passages of the "Nocturne," or the biting, bravura finale. Mr. Conlon's orchestra provides excellent support.
Also here, Mr. Conlon has arranged a suite from Shostakovich's 1934 opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtensk, with the idea, he says in the liner notes, "that many great works remain relatively unknown to the average music lover."
Mr. Conlon's orchestra is gloriously rich, vivid and dramatic through its unremittingly intense scenes. The suite's centerpiece is a stunning passacaglia that unfolds with enormous power.
E-mail jgelfand@enquirer.com
