Discussion:
WAYLT - January ‘22
(too old to reply)
number_six
2022-01-03 05:22:56 UTC
Permalink
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
I acquired this for Steven Osborne who is at the top of my favorite living pianists list. He sounds superb in these works - no surprise to me.
It’s the music itself that I’m having a hard time enjoying completely. I’ve known for decades that Britten is very highly regarded in the UK. I’ve never really payed close attention to his compositions before. It’s hard to feel that his Piano Concerto, composed in 1940, comes anywhere close to the two concertos by Ravel who passed away only two years before. Britten seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s clever writing for sure, but not particularly endearing.
Are there any Benjamin Britten enthusiasts out here we can talk about the qualities they like and his music? Also is the piano concerto considered one of his better works?
Re Britten, I would count myself as neither enthusiast nor detractor. Some major works I've never connected with (War Requiem) and there are legions of 20th century composers whom i find more interesting.

Yet at his best (say, the Sea interludes from Grimes, or the song cycle Songs from the Chinese, to mention a couple) i find him nothing less than brilliant.

As to his pico, I agree he is no Ravel -- but I'll defer to the field as to whether it's considered top-drawer Britten.
Chris J.
2022-01-03 12:14:18 UTC
Permalink
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov
BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
A cheap 14CD Brilliant Classics box with settings of the Magnificat, from
Josquin Des Prez and Willaert to Rutter and Rautavaara. A mixed bag or,
more correct, a mixed box. Perhaps I'll keep a few discs and give or
throw away the others.

Chris
HT
2022-01-03 23:38:46 UTC
Permalink
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
I acquired this for Steven Osborne who is at the top of my favorite living pianists list. He sounds superb in these works - no surprise to me.
It’s the music itself that I’m having a hard time enjoying completely. I’ve known for decades that Britten is very highly regarded in the UK. I’ve never really payed close attention to his compositions before. It’s hard to feel that his Piano Concerto, composed in 1940, comes anywhere close to the two concertos by Ravel who passed away only two years before. Britten seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s clever writing for sure, but not particularly endearing.
Are there any Benjamin Britten enthusiasts out here we can talk about the qualities they like and his music? Also is the piano concerto considered one of his better works?
Britten is above all an opera and lieder composer. His piano concerto is one of his most criticized works, and ultimately revised. It was too light-hearted. The only composition I rather like is his violin concerto, performed by Janine Janssen. But then, I find English music (with only very few exceptions) very difficult to listen to.

Henk
Frank Berger
2022-01-04 00:11:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
I acquired this for Steven Osborne who is at the top of my favorite living pianists list. He sounds superb in these works - no surprise to me.
It’s the music itself that I’m having a hard time enjoying completely. I’ve known for decades that Britten is very highly regarded in the UK. I’ve never really payed close attention to his compositions before. It’s hard to feel that his Piano Concerto, composed in 1940, comes anywhere close to the two concertos by Ravel who passed away only two years before. Britten seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s clever writing for sure, but not particularly endearing.
Are there any Benjamin Britten enthusiasts out here we can talk about the qualities they like and his music? Also is the piano concerto considered one of his better works?
Britten is above all an opera and lieder composer. His piano concerto is one of his most criticized works, and ultimately revised. It was too light-hearted. The only composition I rather like is his violin concerto, performed by Janine Janssen. But then, I find English music (with only very few exceptions) very difficult to listen to.
Henk
Rowicki / Wilkomirska. Obviously.
HT
2022-01-03 23:53:58 UTC
Permalink
Today, on the radio:



There is not only negative interest these days, but apparently also negative creativity.

Henk
raymond....@gmail.com
2022-01-04 02:17:30 UTC
Permalink
Re Britten, I would count myself as neither enthusiast nor detractor. Some major works I've never
connected with (War Requiem) and there are legions of 20th century composers whom i find more
interesting.
Yet at his best (say, the Sea interludes from Grimes, or the song cycle Songs from the Chinese, to mention a couple) i find him nothing less than brilliant.
I find Britten's brilliance best portrayed in his opera's Turn of the Screw, and Albert Herring. There is musical ingenuity in these that show Britten at his best, and also his most open.
As to his pico, I agree he is no Ravel -- but I'll defer to the field as to whether it's considered top-drawer Britten.
Tippett's piano concerto is the only British one that aspires to being great. I heard Tippett conduct it with Ogdon many many moons ago.
Britten's violin concerto is his best concerto, imho, and his three string quartets are very good. Rebecca Hirsch on Naxos is excellent in the concerto, as she is in many 20th century works.

Ray Hall, Taree
Todd M. McComb
2022-01-08 19:23:16 UTC
Permalink
Ensemble music from a handful of different contemporary composers,
20/21 season in Chicago:

https://dalniente.bandcamp.com/album/confined-speak

"The result is a rich snapshot of one ensemble's fruitful work in the time of Covid, with composers representing three continents who share a sensibility of digging beneath the expected and discovering a fresh way to manifest forces pulling us in many directions."
Al Eisner
2022-01-04 02:40:20 UTC
Permalink
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
I acquired this for Steven Osborne who is at the top of my favorite living pianists list. He sounds superb in these works - no surprise to me.
It’s the music itself that I’m having a hard time enjoying completely. I’ve known for decades that Britten is very highly regarded in the UK. I’ve never really payed close attention to his compositions before. It’s hard to feel that his Piano Concerto, composed in 1940, comes anywhere close to the two concertos by Ravel who passed away only two years before. Britten seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s clever writing for sure, but not particularly endearing.
Are there any Benjamin Britten enthusiasts out here we can talk about the qualities they like and his music? Also is the piano concerto considered one of his better works?
I've not been attracted to Britten's piano works, but I've not heard
enough to say anything definite. What I do very much like is his cello
sonata, a quirky work which is given a matching and excellent performance
by Wispelwey, for example. There are also some fine suites for solo
cello. (He worked a lot with Rostropovich.)s

Have you heard Osborne;s Tippett set (concerto and sonatas)? I foound that
very rewarding, recommended. (It's been a while since I've heard it.)
The works themselves are pretty impressive.
--
Al Eisner
Oscar
2022-01-05 06:28:18 UTC
Permalink
WAYLTL - January 2022

Quartetto Italiano - Prima la musica: The Complete Warner Recordings (14CD, 2021)

Superb. Probably my favorite quartet. No Shostakovich or Bartok, nor any American composers herein, but what playing. Wonderful.
Dan Koren
2022-01-05 06:40:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Oscar
WAYLTL - January 2022
The Complete Warner Recordings
(14CD, 2021)
Superb. Probably my favorite quartet.
No Shostakovich or Bartok, nor any
American composers herein, but
what playing. Wonderful.
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.

dk
Frank Berger
2022-01-05 21:17:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
Post by Oscar
WAYLTL - January 2022
The Complete Warner Recordings
(14CD, 2021)
Superb. Probably my favorite quartet.
No Shostakovich or Bartok, nor any
American composers herein, but
what playing. Wonderful.
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
dk
Maybe - but as Harris Goldsmith once called them. . . "the Stokowski of chamber music".
What if we have different opinions about music because we don't actually all hear the same?
HT
2022-01-05 21:34:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Berger
Post by Dan Koren
Post by Oscar
WAYLTL - January 2022
The Complete Warner Recordings
(14CD, 2021)
Superb. Probably my favorite quartet.
No Shostakovich or Bartok, nor any
American composers herein, but
what playing. Wonderful.
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
dk
Maybe - but as Harris Goldsmith once called them. . . "the Stokowski of chamber music".
What if we have different opinions about music because we don't actually all hear the same?
That shouldn't make a difference. The fact that my wife hears differently and listens differently to classical music doesn't explain why she likes Karl Jenkins' Requiem and I don't.

Henk
Frank Berger
2022-01-05 22:23:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Post by Frank Berger
Post by Dan Koren
Post by Oscar
WAYLTL - January 2022
The Complete Warner Recordings
(14CD, 2021)
Superb. Probably my favorite quartet.
No Shostakovich or Bartok, nor any
American composers herein, but
what playing. Wonderful.
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
dk
Maybe - but as Harris Goldsmith once called them. . . "the Stokowski of chamber music".
What if we have different opinions about music because we don't actually all hear the same?
That shouldn't make a difference. The fact that my wife hears differently and listens differently to classical music doesn't explain why she likes Karl Jenkins' Requiem and I don't.
Henk
No, but could women being more sensitive to high frequencies mean that they might tend to dislike one violinist over another?
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 05:21:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
Post by Oscar
WAYLTL - January 2022
The Complete Warner Recordings
(14CD, 2021)
Superb. Probably my favorite quartet.
No Shostakovich or Bartok, nor any
American composers herein, but
what playing. Wonderful.
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
Maybe - but as Harris Goldsmith once
called them. . . "the Stokowski of chamber
music".
Harris Goldsmith is persona non grata.

dk
Chris from Lafayette
2022-01-08 21:03:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
Harris Goldsmith is persona non grata.
dk
But why? (Aside from the fact that HG has been dead for almost eight years.)
Dan Koren
2022-01-08 21:11:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris from Lafayette
Post by Dan Koren
Harris Goldsmith is persona non grata.
But why? (Aside from the fact that HG
has been dead for almost eight years.)
Conservative mainstream views about
music. I read the tons of shit he wrote
for High Fidelity and Musical America.

dk
Dan Koren
2022-01-09 06:23:52 UTC
Permalink
On Sunday, 9 January 2022 at 08:11:58 UTC+11, dan....
HvK's Prokofiev 5th coupled to
his second attempt at Le Sacre.
One of very few HvK readings
that are actually outstanding!

dk
Frank Berger
2022-01-09 14:09:04 UTC
Permalink
On Sunday, 9 January 2022 at 08:11:58 UTC+11, dan....
HvK's Prokofiev 5th coupled to his second attempt at Le Sacre.
As the Prokofiev is one of my favourite works, I had to buy this, if only to verify the reviews given to the recording. What really surprised me was HvK's seeming total absorption of the work, virtually to the point where one could almost say he phrased an entire movement, so seamless is the reading. At first I caught myself saying, "typical HvK", but as the reading progressed it is impossible to not be impressed at the cumulative power achieved. Herbie might not be my favourite conductor, but in 20th century works he could be devastating.
Spun Charlie Parker With Strings, and for those used to Parker at blinding be-bop speed, here he is very relaxed in bluesy/rhapsodic mode, and if you can ignore the short string phrases, Parker illustrates a different side of his genius. Parker thought it was one of his best recordings, and he might well be right.
Ray Hall,. Taree
Is this the 1968 DG recording?
raymond....@gmail.com
2022-01-09 22:34:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Berger
On Sunday, 9 January 2022 at 08:11:58 UTC+11, dan....
HvK's Prokofiev 5th coupled to his second attempt at Le Sacre.
As the Prokofiev is one of my favourite works, I had to buy this, if only to verify the reviews given to the recording. What really surprised me was HvK's seeming total absorption of the work, virtually to the point where one could almost say he phrased an entire movement, so seamless is the reading. At first I caught myself saying, "typical HvK", but as the reading progressed it is impossible to not be impressed at the cumulative power achieved. Herbie might not be my favourite conductor, but in 20th century works he could be devastating.
Spun Charlie Parker With Strings, and for those used to Parker at blinding be-bop speed, here he is very relaxed in bluesy/rhapsodic mode, and if you can ignore the short string phrases, Parker illustrates a different side of his genius. Parker thought it was one of his best recordings, and he might well be right.
Ray Hall,. Taree
Is this the 1968 DG recording?
Yes, on DG Originals.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Prokofiev-No-5-Stravinsky-Sacre-Printemps/dp/B00004R7X4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G057ZTPLZAH7&keywords=prokofiev&qid=1641767444&s=music&sprefix=pro%2Cpopular%2C332&sr=1-1

Ray Hall, Taree
Frank Berger
2022-01-09 23:59:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by ***@gmail.com
Post by Frank Berger
On Sunday, 9 January 2022 at 08:11:58 UTC+11, dan....
HvK's Prokofiev 5th coupled to his second attempt at Le Sacre.
As the Prokofiev is one of my favourite works, I had to buy this, if only to verify the reviews given to the recording. What really surprised me was HvK's seeming total absorption of the work, virtually to the point where one could almost say he phrased an entire movement, so seamless is the reading. At first I caught myself saying, "typical HvK", but as the reading progressed it is impossible to not be impressed at the cumulative power achieved. Herbie might not be my favourite conductor, but in 20th century works he could be devastating.
Spun Charlie Parker With Strings, and for those used to Parker at blinding be-bop speed, here he is very relaxed in bluesy/rhapsodic mode, and if you can ignore the short string phrases, Parker illustrates a different side of his genius. Parker thought it was one of his best recordings, and he might well be right.
Ray Hall,. Taree
Is this the 1968 DG recording?
Yes, on DG Originals.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Prokofiev-No-5-Stravinsky-Sacre-Printemps/dp/B00004R7X4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G057ZTPLZAH7&keywords=prokofiev&qid=1641767444&s=music&sprefix=pro%2Cpopular%2C332&sr=1-1
Ray Hall, Taree
Yes. The very good 5th has been paired on both CD releases with relative duds. The Rite here and Classical Symphony originally.
Oscar
2022-01-10 07:14:00 UTC
Permalink
Now playing:

Stravinsky: L'Oiseau de feu, Ballet suite (1919)
Philadelphia Orchestra / Riccardo Muti

Warner Classics 91CD box (do I need it? no // did I want it yes), 2021.
Splendid recorded sound by Producer Christopher Bishop and Balance engineer Michael Gray
Recorded March 15 & 18, 1978 at the Old Met Opera House, Phila., Pa.
First release as EMI ASD 3645.
Chris from Lafayette
2022-01-09 21:49:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
Post by Chris from Lafayette
Post by Dan Koren
Harris Goldsmith is persona non grata.
But why? (Aside from the fact that HG
has been dead for almost eight years.)
Conservative mainstream views about
for High Fidelity and Musical America.
dk
But if it's conservative and mainstream, is it always bad? I didn't share Goldsmith's fanboi stance wrt Toscanini, but I still thought his writing (even about Toscanini) was interesting to read. I'll always remember his quip that (Misha) Dichter is less of Dichter than is Richter! ;-)
Al Eisner
2022-01-10 23:20:55 UTC
Permalink
My first hearing (that I recall) of Berlioz's Lelio, this one in the
Martinon "Late Years" set. My snap judgment: well worth hearing,
some (not all) of it prime Berlioz in his lyrical mode.

Filling out a CB then was Tchaikovsky's PC #2 with Sylvia Kelthane Baum.
Either this work is more boring and bombastic than I recalled, or the
performance is. If the latter, it would be my main disappointment
so far in having gone through nearly all of this excellent set.
--
Al Eisner
Frank Berger
2022-01-11 05:17:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Al Eisner
My first hearing (that I recall) of Berlioz's Lelio, this one in the
Martinon "Late Years" set.  My snap judgment:  well worth hearing, some (not all) of it prime Berlioz in his lyrical mode.
Filling out a CB then was Tchaikovsky's PC #2 with Sylvia Kelthane Baum.
That's Sylvia Kersenbaum. I don't know the recording but I think it is well thought of generally.
Post by Al Eisner
Either this work is more boring and bombastic than I recalled, or the
performance is.  If the latter, it would be my main disappointment
so far in having gone through nearly all of this excellent set.
Al Eisner
2022-01-11 23:18:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Berger
Post by Al Eisner
My first hearing (that I recall) of Berlioz's Lelio, this one in the
Martinon "Late Years" set.  My snap judgment:  well worth hearing, some
(not all) of it prime Berlioz in his lyrical mode.
Filling out a CB then was Tchaikovsky's PC #2 with Sylvia Kelthane Baum.
That's Sylvia Kersenbaum. I don't know the recording but I think it is well
thought of generally.
Post by Al Eisner
Either this work is more boring and bombastic than I recalled, or the
performance is.  If the latter, it would be my main disappointment
so far in having gone through nearly all of this excellent set.
Yes, thanks. I was lazy, so instead of getting the box out to look up
her name, I looked instead at the Presto web site. I have no idea how
they could have made that mistake.

I guess that either I don't really like the work or I wasn't in the
right mood for it.
--
Al Eisner
Sol L. Siegel
2022-01-12 14:36:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris from Lafayette
On Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 9:21:44 PM UTC-8,
Harris Goldsmith is persona non grata...
Conservative mainstream views about
for High Fidelity and Musical America.
But if it's conservative and mainstream, is it always bad? I didn't
share Goldsmith's fanboi stance wrt Toscanini, but I still thought his
writing (even about Toscanini) was interesting to read. I'll always
remember his quip that (Misha) Dichter is less of Dichter than is
Richter! ;-)
I liked Goldsmith, too - as a pianist. (I suppose that will
raise Dan's ire as well. d;-) ) He did some very good
Beethoven for MHS that made it to CD via Brilliant Classics.

- Sol L. Siegel, Philadelphia, PA USA
--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
Chris from Lafayette
2022-01-12 22:49:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Sol L. Siegel
I liked Goldsmith, too - as a pianist. (I suppose that will
raise Dan's ire as well. d;-) ) He did some very good
Beethoven for MHS that made it to CD via Brilliant Classics.
- Sol L. Siegel, Philadelphia, PA USA
I heard his recording of the Waldstein Sonata once (decades ago!). The only thing I remember about it is that his tempos seemed on the fast side - which I liked.
Dan Koren
2022-01-13 00:06:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris from Lafayette
Post by Sol L. Siegel
I liked Goldsmith, too - as a pianist. (I suppose that will
raise Dan's ire as well. d;-) ) He did some very good
Beethoven for MHS that made it to CD via Brilliant Classics.
I heard his recording of the Waldstein
Sonata once (decades ago!). The only
thing I remember about it is that his
tempos seemed on the fast side -
which I liked.
Mechanical. Sewing machine. Listen:




No phrasing. No articulation. No inflection.
No expression. Metronome driven.

Compare with:





dk
number_six
2022-01-14 01:13:47 UTC
Permalink
Count Basie - complete Basie - Hefti studio sessions 1951 - 62 (Fresh Sound)

Just in --
B Verlet box

on the way --
Robert Tear Argo recitals box
Rautavaara choral works
sci.space
2022-01-14 13:38:21 UTC
Permalink
William Schman's New England Triptych, Hansen Eastman Rochester on LP. This had to be the best performance I have heard and the Mercury sound is quite good. Used book store find.
HT
2022-01-14 14:02:23 UTC
Permalink
William Schman's New England Triptych, Hansen Eastman Rochester on LP. This had to be the best performance I have heard and the Mercury sound is quite good. Used book store find.
Medtner, whatever YT and my shelves have to offer. To me, it seems that his music depends more on the qualities of his interpreters than Rachmaninoff, Godowsky and Alkan. A brilliant technique is usually enough.

Henk
Todd M. McComb
2022-01-14 17:56:03 UTC
Permalink
Downloaded the 8CD _Complete Piano Music_ by Scriabin, on Brilliant
Classics by Dmitri Alexeev....

Seems like a time to revisit some of this music, which I haven't
heard in around 20-30 years....
Todd M. McComb
2022-01-14 18:56:03 UTC
Permalink
Also the new _Blueprint_ album of music by Kapustin on Capriccio,
Frank Dupree et al....

This is my first audition of Kapustin, a composer with whom I wasn't
familiar, other than via recent comments on this newsgroup. So I
thought I'd lend an ear, at least for the moment....
Todd M. McComb
2022-01-14 20:04:48 UTC
Permalink
And then to continue this little arc (of review "copies" -- in 2022,
downloads -- released this week), a contemporary jazz piano trio
led by Leo Genovese, _Ritual_ on Brooklyn's 577 Records:

https://577records.bandcamp.com/album/ritual

(My apologies that the full album is not yet available to the
public....)

Immediately a "bigger" sound....
JohnGavin
2022-01-14 21:43:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Todd M. McComb
Also the new _Blueprint_ album of music by Kapustin on Capriccio,
Frank Dupree et al....
This is my first audition of Kapustin, a composer with whom I wasn't
familiar, other than via recent comments on this newsgroup. So I
thought I'd lend an ear, at least for the moment....
I’ve heard the Dupree recording after D. Hurwitz covered it on his review YT.
You should check out Hamelin’s all-Kapustin CD on Hyperion. It’s as good as it gets!
On Hyperion also is another very fine all-Kapustin recital by the always superb Steven Osborne.

I’d go first with Hamelin then Osborne.
number_six
2022-01-14 23:53:50 UTC
Permalink
Complete Flanders & Swann (Parlophone)
good fun, not as far off topic as you might think
sci.space
2022-01-15 13:13:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by number_six
Complete Flanders & Swann (Parlophone)
good fun, not as far off topic as you might think
Ah yes, when humor was funny, and you needed a decent education to understand it.

Hoffnung's festivals are similar, love their Punkt Contrapunkt. Their composer name Bruno Heinz Jaja is perfect.
number_six
2022-01-17 21:30:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by sci.space
Post by number_six
Complete Flanders & Swann (Parlophone)
good fun, not as far off topic as you might think
Ah yes, when humor was funny, and you needed a decent education to understand it.
Hoffnung's festivals are similar, love their Punkt Contrapunkt. Their composer name Bruno Heinz Jaja is perfect.
Have not heard those, but will do so - thanks!
Oscar
2022-01-17 22:56:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by number_six
Just in --
B Verlet box
on the way --
Robert Tear Argo recitals box
Interested to know yr opinions of both of these sets.
number_six
2022-01-18 22:01:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Oscar
Post by number_six
Just in --
B Verlet box
on the way --
Robert Tear Argo recitals box
Interested to know yr opinions of both of these sets.
will do - Verlet not started yet, Tear expected very early Feb

Verlet tracks are from 1970 - 82; set is about half Bach, half other
disk 1 includes some Chedeville, whom I know only from his Vivaldi arrangement
Looking fwd to hearing this...
number_six
2022-01-30 02:40:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by number_six
Post by Oscar
Post by number_six
Just in --
B Verlet box
on the way --
Robert Tear Argo recitals box
Interested to know yr opinions of both of these sets.
will do - Verlet not started yet, Tear expected very early Feb
Verlet tracks are from 1970 - 82; set is about half Bach, half other
disk 1 includes some Chedeville, whom I know only from his Vivaldi arrangement
Looking fwd to hearing this...
First a note about packaging of the Verlet box. The lid comes all the way off, which is better than being hinged. For some reason the side that would normally face outward on the shelf is blank, but the top and bottom edges of lid are both printed for shelf display. Strange but no big deal.

Disk sleeves are not original jackets but are clearly numbered and have very nice b/w photos of artists on front, contents on the back.

Now the music -- I have heard the first two disks so far and already am glad I purchased this set.

On disk 1 the Chedeville sonatas are pleasing but not particularly weighty; then there's a JSB BWV 1062 with strong rhythmic drive and clear presentation of contrapuntal lines.

Disk 2 -- music for the princesses of France -- also has some gems. Various composers are here, among whom Leclair is probably the best known.
Dan Koren
2022-01-13 00:00:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris from Lafayette
Post by Dan Koren
Post by Chris from Lafayette
Post by Dan Koren
Harris Goldsmith is persona non grata.
But why? (Aside from the fact that HG
has been dead for almost eight years.)
Conservative mainstream views about
for High Fidelity and Musical America.
But if it's conservative and mainstream,
is it always bad?
Yes, absolutely. This is what prevents new
discoveries and progress. Tradition is the
root of all evils.

dk
Oscar
2022-01-10 07:06:51 UTC
Permalink
Spun Charlie Parker With Strings, and for those used to Parker at blinding be-bop speed, here he
is very relaxed in bluesy/rhapsodic mode, and if you can ignore the short string phrases, Parker
illustrates a different side of his genius. Parker thought it was one of his best recordings, and he
might well be right.
I love this record, and any and all Parker recordings. Enjoy. Also: if you are so inclined, buy or check out the late Stanley Crouch's biography of Parker (2013).
number_six
2022-01-10 22:58:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Oscar
Spun Charlie Parker With Strings, and for those used to Parker at blinding be-bop speed, here he
is very relaxed in bluesy/rhapsodic mode, and if you can ignore the short string phrases, Parker
illustrates a different side of his genius. Parker thought it was one of his best recordings, and he
might well be right.
I love this record, and any and all Parker recordings. Enjoy. Also: if you are so inclined, buy or check out the late Stanley Crouch's biography of Parker (2013).
i've been thinking of revisiting Parker since Melmoth's recent mention of his Verve box.

Meanwhile --

Malcolm Frager - Edward MacDowell & Company (New World)
it's even better than i remembered it being...
Todd M. McComb
2022-01-18 18:37:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by number_six
i've been thinking of revisiting Parker since Melmoth's recent
mention of his Verve box.
Seeing this conversation from you & others, I noticed today that
Hathut's new "ezz-thetics" series is available to audition on
Bandcamp, including albums by Parker & other classics (Coltrane,
Ayler -- plus some new stuff too):

https://ezz-thetics.bandcamp.com/
Todd M. McComb
2022-01-18 18:48:14 UTC
Permalink
Hathut's new "ezz-thetics" series is available ... plus some new
stuff too.
Perhaps I should also add that the "new stuff" includes a piano
album of music by Jo Kondo -- a composer Mandryka has mentioned at
least twice lately....
number_six
2022-01-18 22:06:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Todd M. McComb
Post by number_six
i've been thinking of revisiting Parker since Melmoth's recent mention of his Verve box.
Seeing this conversation from you & others, I noticed today that
Hathut's new "ezz-thetics" series is available to audition on
Bandcamp, including albums by Parker & other classics (Coltrane,
https://ezz-thetics.bandcamp.com/
Cool stuff here, thanks.
Reminds me I have a Don Cherry /Penderecki CD around here somewhere...
Oscar
2022-01-06 05:22:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
The earlier recording of the 'Harp' quartet by Beethoven is one of my Italiano favorites. C'mon, man!
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 05:25:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Oscar
Post by Dan Koren
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
The earlier recording of the 'Harp'
quartet by Beethoven is one of my
Italiano favorites.
One more reason to dislike them! ;-)

And I had the impression you only
liked Austrian fascists, not Italian
ones!

dk
Oscar
2022-01-06 05:27:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
And I had the impression you only
liked Austrian fascists, not Italian
ones!
HEY! I am currently reading a book on Hitler. How did you know that? Did you hack into my Ring system or something?
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 05:28:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Oscar
Post by Dan Koren
And I had the impression you only
liked Austrian fascists, not Italian
ones!
HEY! I am currently reading a book on
Hitler. How did you know that? Did you
hack into my Ring system or something?
I couldn't imagine you'd want to read
anything else! ;-)

dk
Oscar
2022-01-06 05:25:55 UTC
Permalink
Now playing:

Dennis Brain - Homage 11CD set to mark the 100th anniversary of the horn player's birth. Warners has been knocking these historical boxes out of the park. Some of the transfers by Art et Son in Annancy, France, I have quibbles with, but overall a fine job.
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 05:30:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Oscar
Post by Dan Koren
Oy vey! Leaden and heavy handed.
The earlier recording of the 'Harp'
quartet by Beethoven is one of my
Italiano favorites. C'mon, man!
https://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Complete-Quartets-Ludwig-van/dp/B00006OA6A

dk
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 05:38:23 UTC
Permalink


dk
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 05:50:52 UTC
Permalink


dk
Dan Koren
2022-01-06 06:01:00 UTC
Permalink








dk
Dan Koren
2022-01-11 05:39:02 UTC
Permalink
Joyce Hatto.
Andrew Clarke
2022-01-13 00:29:42 UTC
Permalink
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
I acquired this for Steven Osborne who is at the top of my favorite living pianists list. He sounds superb in these works - no surprise to me.
It’s the music itself that I’m having a hard time enjoying completely. I’ve known for decades that Britten is very highly regarded in the UK. I’ve never really payed close attention to his compositions before. It’s hard to feel that his Piano Concerto, composed in 1940, comes anywhere close to the two concertos by Ravel who passed away only two years before. Britten seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s clever writing for sure, but not particularly endearing.
Are there any Benjamin Britten enthusiasts out here we can talk about the qualities they like and his music? Also is the piano concerto considered one of his better works?
Try the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, a setting of various poems about night. It's one of the best settings of the English language I know. And the string quartets. There's the Folk Song arrangements which are a mixed bunch: try "O Waly, Waly" and "The Ploughboy" and his French settings, e.g. 'La belle est au jardin d'amour':



which is exquisite.

Oh, and of course the Ceremony of Carols.

For a brilliant parody of Britten at his most mannered, which I'm afraid he often was, listen to his (?) setting of 'Little Miss Muffett' from "Beyond the Fringe":



Andrew Clarke
Canberra
JohnGavin
2022-01-14 21:47:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Andrew Clarke
Britten - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Steven Osborne- piano - Volkov BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.) Hyperion
I acquired this for Steven Osborne who is at the top of my favorite living pianists list. He sounds superb in these works - no surprise to me.
It’s the music itself that I’m having a hard time enjoying completely. I’ve known for decades that Britten is very highly regarded in the UK. I’ve never really payed close attention to his compositions before. It’s hard to feel that his Piano Concerto, composed in 1940, comes anywhere close to the two concertos by Ravel who passed away only two years before. Britten seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s clever writing for sure, but not particularly endearing.
Are there any Benjamin Britten enthusiasts out here we can talk about the qualities they like and his music? Also is the piano concerto considered one of his better works?
http://youtu.be/13j-npHrfPc
which is exquisite.
Oh, and of course the Ceremony of Carols.
http://youtu.be/5YqgiOj54Ko
Andrew Clarke
Canberra
Thanks Andrew - I will check those out.
I found the Tippett Concerto more inviting. His 1st Sonata as well.
Dan Koren
2022-01-16 21:40:32 UTC
Permalink


dk
Dan Koren
2022-01-16 21:46:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan Koren
http://youtu.be/OxlzXC39zdI
Another Michelle Cann gem:



dk
Andy Evans
2022-01-17 17:58:31 UTC
Permalink
Any Lord Buckley fans here?



This is the "hip" history of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1510

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvar_N%C3%BA%C3%B1ez_Cabeza_de_Vaca
HT
2022-01-17 20:02:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Andy Evans
Any Lord Buckley fans here?
http://youtu.be/XJycYHXDPfo
This is the "hip" history of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1510
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvar_N%C3%BA%C3%B1ez_Cabeza_de_Vaca
Thanks! It's certainly historically informed.

Henk
number_six
2022-01-17 21:34:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by Andy Evans
Any Lord Buckley fans here?
As a kid I heard Buckley's Gov. Slugwell on an LP compiled by Frank Zappa.
Loading...