Western Classical 2012 - Suggestions

[PiscesPraematurus]

I'm just looking for some suggestions for 2012 releases.

In general: I'm not fond of opera or music with heavy emphasis on trumpets. I don't have a favorite period. I tend to like strings and woodwinds. I like eclectic combinations of instruments. Symphonies, chamber music, concertos, string quartets (etc.), are all fine. I can live without vocal music but Gregorian chant and Medieval/Renaissance songs are nice. Solo guitar is always good.

Basically, I'd just like to pick up 3-5 releases.

Thanks!

[walt]

Not sure if this will float your boat, but i've been digging this big time.John Cage-Works For Percussion.

What gets to me is the sheer rhythmic liveliness and almost grooving quality to the sounds.This is not(imo) dry, academic, austere music.Check out the clip.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykonvrm26Oc

[Wounded Land]

My favorite classical recording I've heard this year is Joshua Bell & Jeremy Denk French Impressions. It's works by Saint-Saens, Ravel, and Franck for violin and piano.

NP: The Beatles Abbey Road

[BrianG]

I picked up a new record recently of a six piece chamber ensemble from Chicago - The Eighth Blackbird - Meanwhile [http://www.eighthblackbird.org/ ]. Most of the music would fit nicely at an RIO festival. The second track sounds like it's from Zappa's Yellow Shark. Even the de rigour Philip Glass track kept my interest throughout. For those who like acoustic chember RIO like Aranis, Asturias, and maybe more toward Zappa's classical blend . . .

1 MISSY MAZZOLI (b. 1980) Still Life With Avalanche (8:45)
2 PHILLIPE HUREL (b.1955) ...à mesure (14:21)
3 ROSHANNE ETEZADY (b. 1973) from Damaged Goods III. About Time (2:40)
STEPHEN HARTKE (b. 1952) Meanwhile: Incidental music to imaginary puppet plays (17:33)
4 I. Procession (3:34)
5 II. Fanfares (1:44)
6 III. Narration (1:06)
7 IV. Spikefiddlers (3:06)
8 V. Cradle-songs (5:31)
9 VI. Celebration (2:23)
10 PHILIP GLASS (b. 1937) Music in Similar Motion (10:11)
11 THOMAS ADÈS (b. 1971) Catch for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano (9:51)