Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
Niek Baar, Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra
Pelle D’oca (Jared Sacks’ new record label) - 13th June 2025
DSD 256 (original recording format)
DR: 21
IMO, an excellent performance, with top notch RQ/SQ.
2 Likes
Cassandra Wilson
Traveling Miles
Vocal-Jazz/Jazz-Covers
Blue Note - 1999
16/44.1 - DR: 7dB
Not her best album from a musical point of view, but I’m really fond of the SQ of this record: outstanding! I actually listen to it quite often.
3 Likes
Chloe Foy: Complete Fool
Folk
Artist’s own label (on Bandcamp) - 6th June 2025
16/44.1
DR: 9
I really like this new(ish) release. I think that she’s got a lovely voice.
Excellent RQ/SQ.
Nice catch Jonathan! At first blush I hear many likenesses with my reference Campoli recording, definitely a violinist of the bel canto school. Very enjoyable.
So much so that I was inspired to check him out further.
Niek Baar, Christoph Poppen, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie “Schumann & Bruch: Violin Concertos” 2024, Qobuz 24/96
3 Likes
Sophie Zelmani - Lake Geneva
Qobuz
24/48
Folk
New album from Swedish whisper singing Zelmani. I like this way of singing. Very intimate.
1 Like
Cigarettes After Sex - Cigarettes After Sex
Qobuz
24/44.1
Shoegaze pop perfect for a lazy afternoon with 37 C outside. Stay inside and relax. 
5 Likes
I will always think of this as summer music, perfect for chilling in a heatwave. I think it must be because I first saw them live on wonderful hot summer evening - at the Dublin Castle IIRC. Happy memories.
The Chevalier Brothers “Live and Jumping” 1998, CD Rip 16/44.1
4 Likes
This is a definitive ‘summer’ album for me…
It’s A Beautiful Day (eponymous album)
San Francisco Sound - (1969) 25th March 2008
16/44.1
DR: 9
4 Likes
Just noticed that recordings of Aristo Sham’s performances from the 2025 Cliburn (he went on to win) are now available on Qobuz. So far his performances from the preliminary, quarter-final and semi-final rounds are there, hopefully his Mendelssohn G Minor and Brahms B-flat Concertos from the final round will be released soon.
Preliminary: Busoni’s piano transcription of Bach’s Chaconne coupled with Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit.
Quarter-final: Beethovens Hammerklavier Sonata
Semi-final: The Suite from Bach’s Violin Partita in E, Scriabin’s Sonata No.10 and Rachmaninoff’s Études-tableaux
As you would expect this is first class playing, check out the way he combines incredible delicacy with precision in the Partita, and all at Gould tempi! The recordings, presented in 24/48 PCM, are excellent and audience noise is minimal.
2 Likes
The Delines - Colfax
Digital download
16/44.1
Mix of soul and country. May not be the most obvious mix of styles but it works thanks to lead singer Amy Boone who is gifted with a lovely voice.
2 Likes
Jeff Golblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This
Jazz-Covers
Decca - 2019
24/96 - DR: 5dB
This one always put a smile on my face.
1 Like
This is another ‘summer’ album for me…
Santana: Abraxas
Columbia/Legacy - (1970) 24th March 1998 (Remastered)
DSD 64
DR: 7
2 Likes
I’m listening to these recordings now. He’s clearly a very gifted pianist!
As you say, hopefully, the recording of the final will soon be available on Qobuz…
Aristo Sham: The Cliburn 2025 Live
Platoon - 23rd May 2025 (Preliminary), 26th May 2025 (Quarter Final), 30th May 2025 (Semi Final)
24/48
1 Like
Did you try Yunchan Lim?
Not yet, but I will do…
3 Likes
