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3 items from 2012

29 May 2012 9:04 PM, PDT | www.culturecatch.com | See recent CultureCatch news »

Sviatoslav Richter: The Teldec Recordings (Teldec/Warner Classics)

This three-cd set returns to print some fairly fascinating items from the discography of the most venerated pianist of his generation.  It’s an import from England that’s distributed by Naxos; at its $24.99 list price, it’s a great bargain, and thus easily worth acquiring even if you already have one of its discs.

Baroque authenticists may sneer at Richter’s playing, on disc one, of J.S. Bach’s Piano Concertos in D major, Bwv 1054, and in G minor, Bwv 1058, accompanied by the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto conducted by Yuri Bashmet. I enjoy it, with some qualification. Richter plays Bwv 1054 rather sternly, though with quiet elegance in the slow movement; in the outer movements, though, his rhythms are foursquare, lacking the vivacity we now expect in this repertoire, and though he does play a few ornaments, he’s pretty restrained in that department. »

- SteveHoltje

12 March 2012 10:12 AM, PDT | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news »

Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now

• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below

Opening this weekTheatre

Gypsy

Everything should be coming up roses in Leicester, where Paul Kerryson revives Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's legendary musical, inspired by the memoirs of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee. Caroline O'Connor plays the monstrous Mama Rose, who pushes her daughters to perform on stage to satisfy her own thwarted dreams of stardom. Curve, Leicester (0116-242 3595), tonight to 15 April.

Mary Shelley

Frankenstein's creator comes under the spotlight in Helen Edmundson's new play, which follows hard on the heels of her RSC success, The Heresy of Love. Polly Teale directs for Shared Experience, a company that has done so much to put women's lives centre stage. West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds (0113-213 7700), Friday to 7 April. »

11 January 2012 11:59 AM, PST | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news »

Virtuoso violinist heard on a string of classic Hollywood movie scores

The American violinist Israel Baker, who has died aged 92, was renowned among his fellow musicians but unknown to most of the millions who heard him play on the soundtracks of such movies as Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 shocker Psycho, where he led Bernard Herrmann's screaming violin effects accompanying the stabbing of Janet Leigh in the shower scene.

Baker belonged to a select group of musicians who could fit into any situation at a moment's notice and read any piece on sight. But while making a lavish living in the Hollywood film and recording studios, he also had a considerable concert career.

He was born in Chicago, the youngest of four children of Russian immigrants. At six he appeared on national radio, and from his late teens he played in orchestras. At 22 he was concertmaster of Leopold Stokowski's All-American »

- Tully Potter

3 items from 2012