John Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players - The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

Band / Artist: John Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players
Year: 2000 (1725 Originally)
Genre: Classical, Orchestral, Baroque

My Review:
Recorded when I was a highschooler, and written before my great great great grandparents were probably born, this recording of a recital of Vivaldi is great. I was never much for this piece as a kid, but now, I think I can groove to it, especially since I've learned how to love jazz and more historic fare.

Anyway, Vivaldi was a big Baroque Classical creator, who was a virtuoso violinist. A lot of his compositions were written for the all-female music ensemble of  "Ospedale della Pietà", a home for abandoned children. Sad thing, he wanted to get more funding for his creations, but it all fell apart after he moved to Vienna. He died a year later, broke.

Anyway, enough sad stuff. Enjoy a pleasant and generally uplifting orchestral album.

John Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players - The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

Victor Arden & Phil Ohman Orchestra - Collection 1925-1934

Band / Artist: Victor Arden & Phil Ohman Orchestra
Year: 1925 - 1934
Genre: Jazz, Ragtime, Classical

My Review:
Dozens of old Brunswick and Victor records. Victor Arden was the stage name of Lewis John Fuiks, 1893 - 1962. From 1909 to 1941 he made music, the middle of that time being with Phil Ohman, 1896 - 1954.

The duo worked in Broadway showtunes as a specialty, and amassed a grand orchestra that they worked with for a majority of their time. Apparently they always made sure to fit in a space in their music to have a piano duet. Its like bromance of the 1920s & 30s.

Well, I hope that this is enjoyable, I'm gonna have to listen to this for a while.

 Victor Arden & Phil Ohman Orchestra - Collection 1925-1934

Advent Chamber Orchestra - Selections from the November 2006 Concert

Band / Artist: Advent Chamber Orchestra
Year: 2006
Genre: Chamber music, Classical

My Review:
A mostly String based orchestra, playing a series of very expertly done classical compositions. Chamber music is kind of like the pop of the classical world, in that it tends to be this squeaky clean performance, less about the emotive part as it is  about the technical skill and clarity of performance.

Here's the writeup about the band that I found.

The Advent Chamber Orchestra is a conductorless orchestra, based in Bolingbrook, Illinois and usually performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. This non-profit orchestra is composed of five violins, two violas, two cellos, a bass, and an harpsichord. The group specializes in Baroque period classical music.

The Advent Chamber Orchestra began in 2003 when Roxana Pavel Goldstein and Elias Goldstein, who had met studying and performing at DePaul’s School of Music, worked together in chamber music ensembles. The orchestra functioned primarily as a chamber music collaborative until 2005 when they performed their first concert as the Advent Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble is generally led by concertmaster and music director Roxana Pavel Goldstein, but artistic decisions are made democratically by the group.

I normally prefer my classical like a film score; visceral, ebbing and flowing, and creating a story more than anything. This is more of the sort you'd want to hear amidst a conversation or a nice read and relax time.

Advent Chamber Orchestra - Selections from the November 2006 Concert