Walt Mundkowsky was born 1944 in San Antonio, TX. As a teenager, he had a dachshund named after Hugo Wolf. Extensive writings on film (cf. his “Cinema Obscura” column in Home Theater, 1995-2001). He favors the mine-shaft approach to music listening — in-depth exploration of tiny, unrelated areas. A resident of Beverly Hills, he has lived in basements in Denver, London and Stockholm, and may very well do so again.
Walt Mundkowsky
Gunar Letzbor’s early Biber
I’m happy to welcome this Biber program (inessential but lots of fun) back into circulation.
November 21, 2013
Gunar Letzbor’s early Biber
I’m happy to welcome this Biber program (inessential but lots of fun) back into circulation.
November 21, 2013
Charles Rosen’s Goldbergs
Even with 217 other Goldbergs in the catalog, I’m glad Charles Rosen’s is back (as of Sept. 24).
October 8, 2013
Charles Rosen’s Goldbergs
Even with 217 other Goldbergs in the catalog, I’m glad Charles Rosen’s is back (as of Sept. 24).
October 8, 2013
Seven more last words
Gidon Kremer’s Seven Last Words, 32 years ago and little remembered, ends this survey.
September 21, 2013
Seven more last words
Gidon Kremer’s Seven Last Words, 32 years ago and little remembered, ends this survey.
September 21, 2013
Seven Last Words, seven quartets
Some have downgraded the string quartet version as a mere reduction of the string parts in Haydn’s orchestral score of the previous year, but many of us want to hear it precisely this way.
September 2, 2013
Seven Last Words, seven quartets
Some have downgraded the string quartet version as a mere reduction of the string parts in Haydn’s orchestral score of the previous year, but many of us want to hear it precisely this way.
September 2, 2013
Schoeck’s Notturno, a survey
Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck wrote his five-movement Notturno, Op. 47, between 1931 and 1933 for low voice and string quartet. Texts are by Gottfried Keller and Nikolaus Lenau.
August 7, 2013
Schoeck’s Notturno, a survey
Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck wrote his five-movement Notturno, Op. 47, between 1931 and 1933 for low voice and string quartet. Texts are by Gottfried Keller and Nikolaus Lenau.
August 7, 2013
Neuburger’s live Barraqué Sonate
I like the idea of a gifted non-specialist tackling the vast Barraqué Sonate at barely 24 – the age Barraqué was when he finished it.
May 4, 2013
Neuburger’s live Barraqué Sonate
I like the idea of a gifted non-specialist tackling the vast Barraqué Sonate at barely 24 – the age Barraqué was when he finished it.
May 4, 2013
Schnittke’s Fourth Quartet
Composed in 1986 (Russia) or 1989 (West Berlin) – there’s some disagreement – Schnittke’s Fourth Quartet ranks high among his post-1985 oeuvre.
March 6, 2013
Schnittke’s Fourth Quartet
Composed in 1986 (Russia) or 1989 (West Berlin) – there’s some disagreement – Schnittke’s Fourth Quartet ranks high among his post-1985 oeuvre.
March 6, 2013
Violin Duos 1: Nono
This updates my survey of Nono’s “Hay que caminar„ soñando; the intervening nine years have seen only two additions.
December 16, 2012
Violin Duos 1: Nono
This updates my survey of Nono’s “Hay que caminar„ soñando; the intervening nine years have seen only two additions.
December 16, 2012
Dowland’s Lachrimae 1604
Dart’s pioneering recording of Dowland’s 21 consort pieces deserves better than a lowly CD-R, but I’m still glad to have it.
August 20, 2011
Dowland’s Lachrimae 1604
Dart’s pioneering recording of Dowland’s 21 consort pieces deserves better than a lowly CD-R, but I’m still glad to have it.
August 20, 2011
Recordings Revisited 3.
In the wake of Art Lange’s knowing words on Ellington, I’d like to commend a curious trio session, taped on 9-17-62 with bop titans Charlie Mingus and Max Roach.
July 23, 2011
Recordings Revisited 3.
In the wake of Art Lange’s knowing words on Ellington, I’d like to commend a curious trio session, taped on 9-17-62 with bop titans Charlie Mingus and Max Roach.
July 23, 2011
The Thirty-Three: Beth Levin
Linking the Diabelli Variations to the Goldbergs began with Diabelli himself, but I could find only 15 pianists who’ve recorded both, never mind how successfully. Levin joins the clan1 on her second Centaur release.
May 21, 2011
The Thirty-Three: Beth Levin
Linking the Diabelli Variations to the Goldbergs began with Diabelli himself, but I could find only 15 pianists who’ve recorded both, never mind how successfully. Levin joins the clan1 on her second Centaur release.
May 21, 2011