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

I wonder what Stravinsky thinks of this Hancock album.

A collection of his *incidental* music and ballet scores written in the US.

The album opens with his controversial but Lovely Star Spangled Banner.( this is the only Stravinsky directed piece )

I feel that MTT is a misfit for portraying Stravinsky's work as his style tends to be less rhythmic and more about stage and tones, but the program contains good collection of lesser known Stravinsiy's music. ( including some rework of his Hollywood film scores than never realised )

Vinyl. Because I just heard a very interesting programme about Satie's unsent love letters on Radio 4.

On CD.

Let me just say that I am a great fan of Emily & her band and I have had the pleasure of seeing her live recently, where she performed some of the materiel from this album. However, after playing this CD all week mainly in the car (the vinyl is on pre-order but will not be released by Linn until October) I have to say that I am slightly disappointed with both the songs and the music. Her last album 'Almanac' was full of eclectic musical arrangements based on the band's wonderful interplay of violin, cello accordion, piano, flute and even a musical saw! The roots of the music dug deep into jazz, blues, folk and country traditions and produced a truly magical album. Unfortunately, this album although very listen-able, sounds safe and and dare I say it, a little more commercial. Which may be a consequence of her signing to Linn? Don't get me wrong its not a bad album, just not as good as 'Almanac' IMO.

CD

Vinyl

http://vimeo.com/17192735

First listen ...

Feel like some more Son Volt - Trace

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Vol. 3 / François-Frédéric Guy (Piano) 

Sonata for Piano no 1 in F minor, Op. 2 no 1

Sonata for Piano no 2 in A major, Op. 2 no 2

Sonata for Piano no 3 in C major, Op. 2 no 3

Sonata for Piano no 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a "Les Adieux"

Sonata for Piano no 27 in E minor, Op. 90 

Sonata for Piano no 29 in B flat major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier"

Sonata for Piano no 30 in E major, Op. 109

Sonata for Piano no 31 in A flat major, Op. 110 

Sonata for Piano no 32 in C minor, Op. 111

Coming to the end of another complete set of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas and the feeling is always the same.  I am humbled by such a body of profound music.  As one gets more and more familiar on the surface of things one also sadly is left with the clear sense of how little we know.   The synthesis of a life expressed through a musical language.  The New Testament, indeed.

Led Zeppelin - Presence

I have found lots of new music on this thread so I thought I would share.   The new Daft Punk is a very interesting musical journey.  Well done with varied musical genres and styles.  Im listening to the iTunes version through ND5xs and Nait Xs/Flatcap xs and it sounds great.  I don't thing the vinyl is yet released.

Arrived today. First play. The first time I've ever listened to her. An enchanting voice 

An ideal performance of Haydn's three surviving concertos for violin and string orchestra. 

Cheers,

EJ

Dear EJ,

I am terribly fond of these quite unfamous concertos!

I have the Standage-Pinnock recording, and in the old days I had Menuhin on EMI LP.

I much preferred the Standage effort, though I imagine that even finer performances are possible!

_________________

This afternoon I have been listening to Elgar... small pieces, of no great fame, and the Handel's Firework Music, and at that listening quietly! Now about to restart Dvorak Eight!

Fireworks and Dvorak from the great and sadly departed Charles MacKerrass. Elgar from the composer and Adrian Boult ...

ATB from George

The vinyl has been released on this side of the Atlantic for about 1 month already, 2LP on 180 gm vinyl with digital download.

Cheers

Rainy day and this seems to fit the overcast and rainy morning fairly well.

Time to head out, bit of motivation to move music.

Readers Digest 8LP box set bought for £2 from a charity shop.Only got it for the wife as a bit of fun but I'm quite surprised at how good it sounds.

Quite the change from Dallas Green when he was with Arcade Fire.  His work with City and Colour is significantly more laidback and melodic on the latest release, The Hurry and the Harm, although every once in awhile there are some very "Arcade Fire-ish" sounding songs.

An older but good one from this iconic Canadian band.