Spinning Today (Classical version)

[jandl100]

How about this for a new thread -- "weird ugly classical music that I actually quite like".

Of course, Tom/.mus probably listens to this sort of stuff for enjoyment anyway.

[jandl100]

Yesterday ....

Watched on DVD with the missus -->



Following the surprising (to me) success of Karajan's The Planets Suite, I thought I'd reinvestigate the man in other repertoire.

It's common these days, I think, to dismiss Karajan / Berlin Phil as too smooth and superficial. The DG Planets strongly challenges this view, as does the previously mentioned Shosty 10th.

So does this -- received in t'post yesterday -->



A truly stunning Brahms 3rd.
Taut, vigorous, exciting - but beautifully moulded and opulently played.
The sq is pretty darn good, too - only the bass is a little lacking in definition, but it goes plenty deep.
I had a quick shufty at the 1st mvt of the 4th, as well --- whoa! - That'll be up for a listen today!

I've got Karajan's Brahms 1 & 2 on order from Amazon now, as well.

[MartinT]

"weird ugly classical music that I actually quite like"

It won't be a very busy thread...

[.mus]

Of course, Tom/.mus probably listens to this sort of stuff for enjoyment anyway.

I certainly am partial to both Stockhausen and Webern

Now googling Wolfgang Rihm and Harrison Birtwistle...

[MartinT]

Now googling Wolfgang Rihm and Harrison Birtwistle...

Good luck with that, Tom.

<runs away>

[.mus]

Yes well... On looking him up, I realised I have listened to some Birtwistle before - and that I didn't like it at all, so scratch that

Rihm though is certainly new to me, but the wiki write up didn't fill me with hope - I'll try something though, once you're at safe distance, of course

[.mus]

In the mean time, this exchange has inspired me to play some Webern, so disc 6 of this set...

[Eremite]

For the season...



This is Rilling's later recording of the St John Passion, providing a third disc with variations allowing for the reconstruction of the different performing versions of the passion.

I find Rilling a bit hit and miss in Bach, but this one is a definite hit.

[jandl100]

Interesting! - Rilling's first recording of the St John is my fave of all I have heard; there's a wonderful feeling of tension and momentum in the opening orchestral sequence especially, and his soloists are great. I'll have to keep a lookout for his new one.
He's a bit 'old fashioned' and some find him ploddy - which he can be! But sometimes he just hits the perfect tempo - not too fast! -and for me everything kind of falls into place around that.
His B-minor mass is also fab.

[morris_minor]

This morning it's back to Bach (as it were):

The Art of Fugue/Hans Fagius/BIS



Of all of Fagius' Bach volumes this is the one I come back to most often.

Does anyone have recommendations for other versions, with different instruments . . . ?