Thanks Martin - I'll keep an eye out for a sensibly (i.e. cheap!) priced copy. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
EDIT: I've found one on Amazon.com ... I'll have it routed via a friend in California. :)
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Thanks Martin - I'll keep an eye out for a sensibly (i.e. cheap!) priced copy. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
EDIT: I've found one on Amazon.com ... I'll have it routed via a friend in California. :)
Yesterdays listening ...
Gilbert & Sullivan's Thespis, watched it on DVD accompanied by the missus (we do a lot of G&S watching together). As hardcore G&S fans will know, Thespis was the earliest operatta and sadly the music is almost entirely lost, but Gilbert's libretto remains. Some bright spark did up some G&S-like music for it. This performance from the Buxton festival a few years ago. It's far from a masterpiece, but worth an occasional outing.
Schubert piano sonatas D 840 & 960. Jonathan Biss on the Wigmore Hall Live label. Some fine Schubert playing there - lovely stuff.
Wagner Wiesendonk Lieder - Christine Brewer, once again the Wigmore Hall Live label. I keep trying with different shades of Wagner ... nope, it doesn't work. :(
But this then cheered me up! ...
Burgmuller Piano Sonata op. 8. A contemporary of Beethoven, the poor sod only lived 1810-1836, but he made quite an impression. This is a mighty fine large scale (26 minutes) sonata - a great listen from beginning to end. :)
Yesterday ...
a friend is staying over the long weekend so not much listening.
But these over a slow supper ....
Horn concertos by Fiala, Pokorny and Roseti.
Harp concertos by Wagenseil, Krumpholtz and Dussek.
You certainly listen to some obscure material, Jerry.
Tchaikovsky Overture (1812) - Deutche Gramophon (1990) - Gothenburg Artillery Division - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra - Gothenburg Symphony Chorus - Gothenburg Symphony Brass Band - Church Bells Of Gothenburg ~ Ove Gotting, Neeme Jarvi.
First time listen to this particular recording, and quite a recording it is too. Very different to my very old Hallmark Classics recording bought way back in 1977 and which is now pretty much defunct.
What strikes me about this version is the sheer scale of the dynamics. The artillery fire is visceral to the extent that you expect to smell cordite. I lost myself totally in this piece and needless to say the volume control was set to an appropriate level so as to deliver its full potential. Oh, hang on a minute, is that a Bomb Disposal team I see pulling up outside? ;)
I have this Telarc 1812 on LP (which is on the verge of unplayable such are the dynamics - at one point the groove actually takes a right-angle turn):
http://www.kompaktkiste.de/cd/_label/telarc/80041.jpg
and this Telarc on SACD:
http://www.hifi-writer.com/he/dvdaudio/1812-cd.jpg
They both shake the room pretty thoroughly :eek:
The Telarc recording on vinyl is infamous... :eyebrows: I'm not sure my poor Thorens would ever forgive me if I deigned to plonk that on its platter... :stalks: :lolsign:
Yup - I've a 3000+ disc collection - 95%+ classical - I know all the basic stuff and I like to explore and discover new music. There is an amazing amount of genuinely wonderful and deeply rewarding classical music beyond the 'standard repertoire'. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
Oh there are some beauties, I agree, and I have some too. But much of the 'standard repertoire' is awesome music and no less wonderful because it's more well known.
Yes yes! I totally agree. It's 'standard repertoire' for a good reason!Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
But equally, there is some wonderful music that isn't 'standard' and that is very rewarding to dig out. :) I bet you'd be bowled over by that Burgmuller piano sonata and the Robert Hermann symphonies I have previously mentioned.
I lost touch with classical music after I left school apart from the very few signature pieces I still have in my collection (The Planet Suite, 1812, Beethovens 5th etc). I rediscovered orchestral music a few years later after having seen such wonderful sci-fi blockbusters as Star Wars, Alien, Close Encounters etc where I fell in love with orchestral soundtracks. Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, John Barry, Trevor Jones et al will probably go down as last centuries superstar classical composers and may even be placed up there with the big guns one day...
Add to that Ennio Morricone, Dave.
Thanks, Jerry, I'll try and look those pieces up.
Given the aforemention, I feel a little bit better about posting this here:
Frank Sinatra Conducts The Music Of Alec Wilder / The Alec Wilder Octet
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/z...Picture007.jpg
Wiki on Alec Wilder
Ummm ... not really classical music, that. Why do you want to post about it here?
Anyhoo ....
Yesterday (friend still here, so not much) ....
Handel - German Arias, with the lovely Arleen Auger. Beautiful.
"In addition to writing popular songs, Wilder also composed classical pieces for exotic combinations of orchestral instruments."Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
Hey Jerry, have you actually listened to this music, particularly side one of this album?Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
At any rate, if the moderator deems the post irrelevant to the thread, it can be removed with no objection from me.
I sort of feel the label 'Classical' muddies the waters somewhat as some will interpret it literally and only consider the traditional Classical composers whilst the majority will, as I did for an awful long time, use the term to describe a wide range of orchestral music. Perhaps the Classical Section should be renamed The Orchestral Section to avoid any confusion. To illustrate, I'd prefer to post in here if I was listening to one of my orchestral soundtracks rather than in the regular What Are You Spinning Today thread.
And I agree with you, Dave. Anything that is of a classical nature or that uses orchestral accompaniment is fine here, and that includes film soundtracks. I would not want it to be called the Orchestral Section, however, because of all the solo and choral singing that would not then be included.
That is a very good point Martin, me bad... :lolsign:
Don't worry about it :lolsign:
Even Wikipedia has difficulties with the definition.
Yes, fine .. even a purist like me would include a lot of film music under the classical moniker ... Lord of the Rings - YES!! .... so carry on. :)
________
This morning, before a 6 hour hike ....
Haydn Piano Variations in f-minor. I don't normally like Haydn much, finding him a bit too light-hearted and depressingly jolly ... but this is a very serious and deeply felt piece indeed, exquisitely played for me by Nikolai Demidenko on Hyperion.
Unforgettable Classics ~ Cello ~ EMI - Unforgettable Classics
A fabulous collection of some of the most beautiful pieces written for Cello and an orchestra from EMI.
I just love the haunting sound of the Cello... might have to give that a try Dave
EMI released a whole series of Unforgettable Classics compilations back in the mid 1990's Alex and they are all worth a listen. The production values are excellent too as expected of EMI ;)
Unforgettable Classics ~ Great British Music ~ EMI - Unforgettable Classics
More from this fabulous EMI collection :cool:
I passed up a good handful of excellent condition pressings yesterday for less than 2 pounds a piece. Then, I had a :doh: moment and went back for them today. Luckily, they were all still there. Many are monaural early pressings or radio station copies. I really need to find a great mono cart. Here are the three I've gone through tonight.
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/z...Picture008.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/z...Picture009.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/z...Picture010.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/z...Picture011.jpg
Report on yesterday's listening ...
Out hiking during the day, then restaurant meal in evening then bed.
So ..... musical riches experienced .... Nowt. Zilch. Nada.
Very very rare for this to happen!
But I promised a daily report, so here it is. :)
_____
Biff - I must admit I'd love to hear that Bruno Walter Schubert 7 (well, actually more commonly known as the 9th I am sure!).
Lol - you forgot to tell us what you had to eat... Call that report thorough! :eyebrows:
;)
Marco.
Chicken Balti Dansak, coconut rice, spinach & chick peas. Yum. :)
Thank you. That now completes your requirements for the day, and so you have my blessing to continue with the rest of your evening.
Marco.
Albeniz - Suite Espanola, Fruhbeck de Burgos, New Philharmonia, Decca [xrcd24]
This Kingsway Hall performance and recording from 1967 is simply stupendous and the XRCD's quality utterly superb. This is Fruhbeck de Burgos' own orchestration of the work more well known for guitar (but originally for piano). Fantastic orchestral crescendi and very thrilling to listen to. Worth the price and then some for importing it from Amazon.com.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
Jump the pond and I'll have the missus cook up something! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
Yesterday eve (once visiting friend had departed) ...
Stanford Clarinet Trio, nice & cheap on Naxos - lovely stuff. Stanford can be a bit bland, but this was nice - some very natural and lovely writing for the clarinet.
Elgar string quartet and piano quintet. Chandos CD. The piano quintet is a particularly fine piece, the string quartet I find a rather harder nut to crack.
Cyril Scott Violin sonata #1. Naxos. Interesting, & I think this will repay further listening.
Zowee :eek: - a mega haul of classical LPs from a local charity shop where I do some volunteer work yesterday.
... I'm the classical LP expert :eyebrows: ... so it's 1st dibs on everything! :whistle:
Took home about 30 and am checking them out for eBay sale / selling in shop / buying them myself ... it's tough work, but someone has to do it. :)
Will go back and pick up some more today.
All but one Minty so far.
So, to the point, yesterday's listening ....
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #3 - Lazar Berman / Abbado / LSO on a 1977 CBS LP. I've not come across this recording before - fine performamce if somewhat light tonality in the CBS manner.
Bach - Well Tempered Clavier Bk 1 selections - Wilhelm Kempff DG LP. It's worth perservering with this - he sets off at a cracking pace, way too fast really. But once into the 2nd prelude and fugue he settles down a bit and the rest is pure unadulterated pleasure. No, not the choice for the original instrument gestapo - but hey, I'm happy enjoying both styles of music making! Very clean, pure and lucid - so maybe he's not far off current 'best practice' after all, albeit on a concert grand, but Kempff always had a light touch when needed.
Richard Strauss - 4 Last Songs / Schwarzkopf / Szell EMI LP. Surely one of the all time classic recordings. I find Schwarzy a bit affected and forced in places (this wouldn't be my fave interpretation of 4LS) but stunningly moving for the most part. I have a copy of this LP already, but this new one is totally Mint. :thumbsup:
Debussy Images & Estampes. Arrau is tinkling the ivories on a Philips LP. Wow - dreamland, man. :drool: Superb.
Granados Goyescas - de Larrocha on piano on original SXL Decca LP. It doesn't get better than this. :nono:
I'm buying that lot. :carrot:
Also listened to ...
Chopin 10 Mazurkas, Scherzo op. 31 Ballade op 23 & Prelude Op 45 - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (aka the Prince of Kool!) on a DG LP. Hmmm ... the playing is a bit too cool for me, and the LP has a few clicks and light scratches. Nope.
William Byrd - Psalmes, Sonets & Songs 1588 on a L'Oiseau Lyre LP. Very nice, and a wonderful recording and pretty much Minty ... but once is enough! I reckon this might sell well on eBay.
Nice haul, Jerry! That's defo one of the benefits of working in a charity shop... Let me know if you get any Clarice Cliff pottery in, 'Bizarre' design, (we collect it)! ;)
Marco.
I have this on original EMI, too. I've never been persuaded by Schwarzkopf's performance despite all the adulation and Penguin rosettes etc. It's a bit straight laced for me. It'll take some performance to move me away from the Jessie Norman, which for me is the pinnacle of Four Last Songs and goes straight to the heart.Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
Ah yes, Jessye Norman. Not at all bad - although I haven't heard it decently for years. I want to get a copy of the LP - the CD digital mastering simply shrieks on every system I have heard it when the lass lets loose. :(
I have the original Philips CD:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
...and the 24/96 remaster:
http://image.allmusic.com/00/acg/cov...72524swyag.jpg
I have to say the original CD sounds very good and she never shrieks, even in *that* moment during Beim Schlafengehen when she takes the roof clean off the house.
Ok, I'm sold. I'm going to have to find a copy of this and check it out. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
Yesterdays classical tunes ...
Vaughan Williams - Job & Wasps Overture. Boult / LPO. Everest recording from 1959, recently transferred to CD (AAD). Very good performance, and the early stereo recording is quite spectacular, if with overwide stereo spread and a touch of rawness in the treble.
Ravel Daphnis & Chloe Ballet. Maazel conducting the Cleveland Orch on a Decca LP. The recording is superb, although I struggle to maintain interest in the music!
Schubert piano impromptus D.899. Murray Perahia, CBS LP. I don't normally empathise with Perahia's playing, but this rather bowled me over - I heard things in the music that simply weren't apparent to me before. Mucho impressed!
I really like the Perahia Bach Goldberg Variations and Keyboard Concertos.Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
You won't regret it, Biff. Her performance is simply outstanding.Quote:
Originally Posted by WOStantonCS100
Yup, I like Perahia's Goldbergs, but I generally find his playing fluent rather than deep. I accept I may be in the minority here, though! I found his Mozart piano conerto series prissy and superficial, although he has of course come on a long way since then.
He's no Radu Lupu but then again, who is?
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...grammophon.jpg
Now this does it for me. A wonderful recording and performance ;)
Been a good few years since i have heard that Dave, same record to i believe ;)
Night On Bald Mountain is pretty spectacular :)
Enjoy...
E2A:- love the new Rama avatar :thumbsup:
Hi Mark,
Mines a FLAC download and Night On Bald Mountain does shake the room :lol:
The new avatar is actually an original piece of e-art I found searching for a new background. It is inspired mainly by Greg Bears Eon but the artist also credits Rama and and some NASA space station concepts as influences :)
Well stuff me for not recognising Axis City & The Way :doh: Love the book & the sequel Eternity... Wasn't too keen on #3 though - Legacy ;)
I thought it represented Rama too, the moment I saw it Dave.
Both Eon and Rendezvous With Rama contain cylindrical insideout worlds Martin, the difference being that Rama is a metallic, cylindrical spacecraft manufactured by an alien civilization. Rama's interior is devoid of vegetation and is more or less sterile except for a cylindrical sea containing nutrients out of which it's psuedo-lifeforms are grown. The Stone, featured in Eon (or The Potato if you are a Russian in the Eon universe), is a hollowed out asteroid that is also a multiverse traversing craft. It was built by Humans from an alternative universe and contains chambers teeming with terrestrial life as well as others containing the machinery which powers its systems. In actual fact The Stone has it's own weird, cylindrical universe trailing out of its backside, so to speak... :lolsign:
Yesterday' listening ....
Shostakovich 7th symphony. Jarvi/Chandos CD. I was recommended this by a Wammer who reckoned it to be the best 7th ever. Hmm ... not bad, if you haven't heard better. Kind of clean and unemotional. It'll be on eBay shortly. :)
Shostakovich 7th symphony. Anton Nanut / Ljubljana SO. Stradivari CD. Aha, now we're cookin' with charcoal!! Superbly involving, the infamous 40 page 1st movement crescendo builds to a truly terrifying climax here, not just a build up to a loud noise that Jarvi plays. Fook me, the Nazi's really are battering at the city gates! :wowzer: Good recording, too, really fruity and dynamic. This remains my fave 7th. :)
(Try Nanut's Bruckner 8th, Mahler's 6th and Beethoven's 7th as well, once again my faves of many versions - a great conductor, sadly overlooked).
Brahms Piano Concerto #2. Pollini / Abbado / Vienna Phil. DG LP. Another Minty from my recent charity shop haul. :) Nice performance, Pollini is energetic and forceful - not the last word in the lyrical sections, but good nonetheless.
Liszt - late piano works, Brendel. Philips 9500 775 LP. My, the terrors of old age are cruelly revealed here. Not the flamboyance and bravura of the younger Liszt, but deep melancholy and sadness. Heavy stuff.
Gloria Coates String quartet #9, 12 solo violin pieces, piano trio. Naxos CD. I just love this lady's soundworld. Very very strange, but compelling. Demonstration class recording too.