Delos Diary

About two and a half months ago I began an item with the words, "We never delete a recording, well almost never." I then proceeded to list seven Delos CDs of various vintages which I thought outstanding and which I believed had retained their validity as musical statements. I concluded with the words, "More choices later."
Consider this later.

Portraits of Freedom: Great American Music in Praise of Freedom with James Earl Jones, speaker, and Gerard Schwarz conducting the Seattle Symphony (DE 3140).
The text of Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait has been declaimed by everyone from Eleanor Roosevelt to Mickey Mouse, but never more eloquently than by James Earl Jones. One hearing will turn the most diehard cynic into a rabid patriot.

L.A. Guitar Quartet - Dances from Renaissance to Nutcracker (DE 3132).
The first of this group's breakthrough albums with guitar ensemble playing as good as it gets. The Nutcracker Suite arrangement is enchanting.

Tchakovsky Symphony No. 5 - Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra (DE 3015).
Ormandy's final recording of this work, one of his favorites, with the great orchestra he had nurtured for so many years, is a must-hear version and a testament to the talents of this great conductor of the recent past.

Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet - David Shifrin, Gerard Schwarz, Mostly Mozart Orchestra, Chamber Music Northwest (DE 3020).
Delos' Perennial best-seller in which Shifrin's artistry and sheer virtuosity in these works has never been surpassed.

Once again I conclude, "More choices later."