What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol.IX)

Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2013

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by Haim Ronen

Starting the easier way with Grieg.

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by Aleg

Sounding even better now, after replacing Windows 8 on my audioPC by the Core Edition of Windows Server 2012 and tweaking the hell out of it.....

Aleg

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by Kevin-W

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by apye!

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by Kevin-W

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by floid

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by ragman

habn't heared Schubert for too long

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by VladtheImpala

This weekend, streaming away .........

All from recommendations on this forum. Thanks, guys!

Vlad

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by ewemon

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by apye!

Posted on: 02 June 2013 by Florestan

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Janina Fialkowska (Piano), Chamber Players of Canada

Jonathan Crow, violin

Manuela Milani, Violin

Guylaine Lemaire, viola

Julian Armour, cello

Murielle Bruneau, Double Bass

Concerto for Piano no 13 in C major, K 415 (387b)

Concerto for Piano no 14 in E flat major, K 449

Variations (12) for Piano in C major on "Ah vous dirai-je maman", K 265 (300e)

Serenade no 13 in G major, K 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik"

Concerto for Piano no 11 in F major, K 413 (387a)

Concerto for Piano no 12 in A major, K 414 (385p)

Quartet No. 4 in C Major, K. 157

I have never been especially fond of large scale orchestral works save those works from a blessed few composers. The size of a concerto is a necessary evil that is saved by deliberate focus mostly on the soloist. It is really the small(er) scale chamber, solo and concertos that mostly pumps my blood and I say this in hopes that this will explain my leaning and opinions here.

Musically, another problematic and widespread phenomenon is one that I accept of others but do have difficulty myself digesting and that is for a musical dogma and pretentiousness that is actually non-musical and counterproductive. I simply love music and it is here for our enjoyment. In other words, not that I "like" everything but I would not hold it against any great musician for, God forbid, playing on the wrong type or class of instrument or making arrangements of great music. This was a popular past time over the centuries that allowed music making in the home and among friends. I may not have access to play with an orchestra but it is quite realistic to have 2, 3, 4, 5 etc. friends come over to make wonderful music together (I'm currently looking for viola and double-bass friends as well as stockpiling more cello and violin backups

Case in point - these two wonderful recordings of Mozart piano concertos Nos. 11 thru 14 by Janina Fialkowsk and the Chamber Players of Canada. Not that these would ever replace the fully scored orchestra but I for one find it extremely refreshing to have the opportunity to hear both scorings / styles. Mozart himself actually arranged concertos K. 413 - 415 for piano and string quartet. When I listen to these pared done versions with 6 players I get a big smile and cannot believe how wonderfully focused, clear, organic and uncluttered this music becomes. The wonderful double bass here is a revelation too. With the big band you don't always have the opportunity to hear all these details (while some may say too much is missing). The interplay between instruments is also simply outstanding and why I prefer chamber music. I prefer one on one relationships and the intimacy is quickly lost when the room gets too full and everyone is talking at the same time.

My opinion only but I think these recordings are outstanding. If you like Mozart and have a fondness for his piano concertos, I say you owe it to yourself to hear them in a new, svelte rendering.

Best Regards,

Doug