Spinning Today (Classical version)

[jandl100]

I have a wonderful 10th with Previn and the LSO. I've just checked and it's now in a double CD with his 13th, which is exceptional.

Thanks Martin - I'll keep an eye out for a sensibly (i.e. cheap!) priced copy.
EDIT: I've found one on Amazon.com ... I'll have it routed via a friend in California.

[jandl100]

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.

[jandl100]

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.

[MartinT]

You certainly listen to some obscure material, Jerry.

[synsei]

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?

[MartinT]

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):



and this Telarc on SACD:



They both shake the room pretty thoroughly

[synsei]

The Telarc recording on vinyl is infamous... I'm not sure my poor Thorens would ever forgive me if I deigned to plonk that on its platter...

[jandl100]

You certainly listen to some obscure material, Jerry.

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'.

[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.

[jandl100]

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!

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.