Kung Fu Panda (Blu-ray), Mama Mia (Blu-ray), Event Horizon (Blu-ray), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) (Blu-ray), Serenity (Blu-ray), The Cheetah Girls: One World (Blu-ray), The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Blu-ray), Burn After Reading (Blu-ray), The Duchess (Blu-ray), The Dark Knight (Blu-ray)
"I'm afraid that if you took the violin away from me, I wouldn't be able to breathe"
When my editor at American Record Guide learned that I was about to interview Vadim Gluzman, he was jealous beyond belief. Having just listened to Gluzman's latest recording, an acoustically superior hybrid SACD on the BIS label of violin concertos by Tchaikovsky and Glazunov, he was astounded by Gluzman's virtuosity and musicianship.
It's easy to dismiss Bach's six Brandenburg Concertos assonic wallpaper. Their presence on classical FM, internet radio, iTunes, andconcert programs around the world is virtually as ubiquitous as Vivaldi'snot-always-evergreen Four Seasons. Most recordings, however, are dismayingly routine, with modern instrument players sawing and blowing away as if executing these babies was just another gig on the calendar.
Hold on to your harpsichord, partner. If you think you know Bach's six Brandenburg Concertos inside and out, take a listen to this award-winning two-CD set.
This year was the first time at the Rocky Mountain Audio Festival for secrets writers Chris Groppi and Rick Schmidt. Unlike many of the other trade focused shows, the RMAF is open to the public. Both manufacturers and retailers show products here, and displays are focused on listening demonstrations. This year, there were more than 160 display rooms each usually showing equipment from several manufacturers. Rooms were from both retailers as well as manufacturers and distributors, with a wide range of equipment from around the world. All the big hitters were here, plus many companies we had never heard of.
In addtion to the rooms, seminars on topics ranging from turntable setup to digital recording technologies are offered. This is an intimate show, focused on 2 channel audio, and everyone has a chance to see every room. The show was great fun for both of us!
Interest in the Telluride Film Festival (Aug 29 – Sep 1) was at an all time high for 2008 as the rather expensive Festival Passes ($680) sold out early in the summer and even the ultra expensive Patron Passes ($Don't Ask) were sold out before the festival started.
Welcome to the Secrets page called "Meet the Industry Professionals". Here you will be able to see and hear the company executives who design and sell home theater and audio components. This will let you put a face with the companies whose products you buy. Secrets is the first A/V publication anywhere in the world to have such a page. Clicking below will take you to the companies we have interviewed at different times.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Blu-ray), Knocked Up (Blu-ray), Dawn of the Dead (Blu-ray), Land of the Dead (Blu-ray), The Incredible Hulk (Blu-ray), The James Bond Series (Six Films) (Blu-ray) . . . more coming!
CEDIA 2008 is meeting in Denver, Colorado from September 3-9. Our show report will be a running commentary as Secrets staff uploads their comments and photos here.
Baby Mama (Blu-ray), Point Break (Blu-ray), The Love Guru (Blu-ray), Pirates of the Caribbean Collection (Blu-ray), Leatherheads (Blu-ray), Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Blu-ray), The Godfather Trilogy (Blu-ray), Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 (Blu-ray), Iron Man (Blu-ray), Hulk (Blu-ray), Speed Racer (Blu-ray), The Thing (Blu-ray), Casino (Blu-ray)
San Francisco's Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival , August 22-24, seemed like a big deal to me from the time I first heard about it. Maybe too big. It was a huge event with giant main stage acts that would cover a large area of Golden Gate Park with a wide variety of events & diversions. Sounds swell. It also seemed like a big risk to me for some reason. We have other festivals in the Park (Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is right around the corner...), but this one seemed perilous. Is it gonna be a madhouse? How are we gonna get there? Are people gonna pay that much money? Is the Park gonna be left standing? Why has there never been a "legal" nighttime concert in Golden Gate Park before?
Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (3-D, Blu-ray), Nixon (Blu-ray), Camp Rock (Blu-ray), Only the Valiant (SD DVD), The Forbidden Kingdom (Blu-ray), Rolling Stones: Shine a Light (Blu-ray), Transformers (Blu-ray), Smart People (Blu-ray), Meet the Browns (Blu-ray)
When attending CES and Rocky Mountain Audio Fest over the past couple of years, I noticed that turntables are starting to be the majority of sources for exhibit rooms. We all have heard about the vinyl renaissance, but I just did not realize how strong it is. I mean, LPs are being played everywhere at hi-fi shows.
In the spring of 2008, Bay Area resident Frederica von Stade and I had an extended phone conversation. The ostensible purpose was her forthcoming participation in the U. S. premiere of a unique salon, Pauline Viardot and Friends.
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