Spinning Today (Classical version)

[Barry]

Currently listening, on vinyl, to Beethoven Piano Concerto No5 "Emperor", Friedrich Gulda, piano, Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera, Hans Swarowsky, conductor. Recorded in 1970 on Synchro Concert Hall Records.

This is rather excellent

Marco.

If you liked the Gulda version I can also recommend the Steven Bishop (vinyl, 1969 Philips SAL 3787) and the Arrau (vinyl, 1986 Philips 416 215-1).

In fact all Beethoven's piano concertos are worth investigating: Brendel playing No 1 (vinyl, 1987 Decca TV 3425S) as well as No 3 and 4.


When you have heard the Bruckner let us know. I'm slightly ambivalent about Bruckner - the adjective that comes to mind when I hear Bruckner (especially live) is "monumental"!



Love Shostakovitch - but do check out his small ensemble pieces.

I don't really like 'plinky-plonk' classical music, where it's very sparse and there are more quiet bits than anything else. Booorrrrriiinngg! I like something rousing, which stirs the soul, and when an orchestra is belting it out in full flow, and the sheer brutal 'physicality' of the performance takes your breath away - oh yes sireee, dat's my bag!

Definitely symphonic pieces then and in particular Stravinsky, especially the finale of the Firebird!



Then one day, we must talk about Mozart and Bach. Mozart is sheer genius (and that's not hyperbole) and Bach basically "wrote the rules".

Boy - are you about to embark on a long and, I trust, enjoyable journey of discovery!

[MartinT]

I'll play you Petrushka next time you're over, Marco. It's very exciting to listen to.

[WOStantonCS100]

Ottorino Respighi The Great Tone Poems (Pines of Rome / Fountains of Rome / Roman Festivals)
Eugene Ormandy / The Philadelphia Orchestra

[MartinT]

Ottorino Respighi The Great Tone Poems (Pines of Rome / Fountains of Rome / Roman Festivals)

Now, I love these pieces. For performance, I like the Charles Dutoit / Montreal recording on Decca. For sheer overpowering majesty, I love the Louis Lane / Atlanta recording on Telarc (although that misses out the Festival, which is a shame).

[WOStantonCS100]

Now, I love these pieces. For performance, I like the Charles Dutoit / Montreal recording on Decca. For sheer overpowering majesty, I love the Louis Lane / Atlanta recording on Telarc (although that misses out the Festival, which is a shame).

Great! Now I have to track down "The Birds" to see what I'm missing out on.

[MartinT]

The Birds is a nice pseudo-baroque piece too.

[Reid Malenfant]

Gustav Holst - The Planets, Berliner Philharmoniker. Deutsche Grammophon..

Conducted by Herbert Von Karajan

Way to go...

[Reid Malenfant]

Ottorino Respighi - Church Windows & Brazilian Impressions. Chandos...

OMG, just like the previous i think i'm begining to understand this classical stuff

[MartinT]

Now then, Mark, you have chosen two excellent pieces. Respighi is one of my favourite composers. If you like Church Windows, treat yourself to Pines of Rome as I highlighted in post #34. Trust me, it'll excercise your sub-amp & woofers very nicely

[MartinT]

Respighi - Church Windows, Clark, Pacific SO, Reference Recordings [vinyl 45rpm]

Simply stunning