What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol.IX)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2013
With 2013 upon us, it's time to start a fresh thread. I've gone back to an earlier thread title because often the "why" is the most interesting part of the post.
Anyway, links:
Volume VIII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/12970396056050819
Volume VII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878604287751/page/1
Volume VI: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604097229
Volume V: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605140495
Volume IV: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605795042
Volume III: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607309474
Volume II: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878606245043
Volume I: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607464290
Through my new NDS. Cracking good sound!!!!!
On Vinyl
Oh dear..a bit of US college pop...
The Pineapple Thief - Build A World EP
Interesting, in a Steven Wilson/late period Marillion way.
steve
Second complete spin. A very promising start to a new complete Ring des Nibelungen, in technically amazing recordings from St Petersburg (edited from live performances). Beyond Kaufmann, who has become today's go-to Siegmund and is indeed excellent, the cast is about as good as any in the last 20 years. Not perfect; I've never assumed René Pape had the voice for Wotan, and while he is better than I expected, his voice lacks the needed incisiveness and charisma. Anja Kampe is a touching and beautiful Sieglinde, despite some rough patches. She meshes well with Kaufmann. The Russian bass Petrenko goes low and loud, is not as menacing as he could be but with such a beautiful bass we should not complain. Nina Stemme is an excellent Brünnhilde, very moving. Ekaterina Gubanova is also good as Fricka, and she and Pape have the stamina to sing their difficult music well. Gergiev's conducting won't be everybody's cup of tea: he doesn't spotlight like Solti or conduct in long breaths like Karajan, but somewhat of a mix of these two; some transitions appear quite brusque, but it could be that his intent was to draw attention to these moments; he certainly keeps the attention throughout the work.
Rheingold will follow in September; the remaining two operas are for next year.
Cheers,
EJ
..could buy four albums of the guys for only 20 euros..., like it partly..
..so famous and so nice..
"All five pieces on the disk are magnificent examples of the pianistic arts. They are played with dynamic verve and soaring mastery by Ms. Oppens (joined ably by Jerome Lowenthal on the two-piano works). Here we have almost an embarrassment of musical riches. But who is complaining? This is a must-have for modern chamber classical buffs."
Neil Young. Decade. On vinyl from 1977.
Listening to a bunch of indie artists at the moment.
On loverly green vinyl. Prompted by ewemon's post on the Dub/reggae thread:
..not everydays music, but quite nice and special..
On vinyl - Babi Yar and other pieces by my old mucker Steve Martland, who very sadly died earlier this week.
Reliving the early hi-fi days. G