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

ELEPHANT on Cd

CD - might be a long, strange trip today...

Frédéric Chopin:  Ingrid Fliter (Piano) 

Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58

Mazurkas Op. 59

Barcarolle in F sharp Op. 60

Grande valse brillante in E flat Op. 18

Waltzes Op. 64

Ballade No. 4 in F minor Op. 52

With an abundance of faceless players around merely focusing on the notes, I always seek players who combine intelligence with much heart and soul, in nearly equal measures.  Next, I try to understand any interpretation as not the only way but simply, another way.  Recently, I enjoyed Fliter's Waltzes program for this reason.  They were so uniquely refreshing and different from the usual non-descript, faceless playing that it made me sit up and really listen (literally).  While a little tamer than the Waltzes en masse, this Chopin recital still intrigues me with her imaginative view.  Technical competence is a given but it leans more toward muscular than finesse yet what separates her mostly from others is her use of rubato, inflection and voicing to guide you through a story.

While in a concerto you are somewhat limited to stay in the confines of your partnership with the leadership of the orchestra, the Chopin concerti are unique in that the music is largely guided by the pianist (hey, every piece Chopin wrote was for the piano) and the piano was him.  

I think Fliter's video of Chopin's 2nd Concerto is one of my favourites and shows clearly (at least to me) how natural rubato can be and how paying attention to each note makes a difference.  She simply immerses herself into the music and speaking for myself only, I cannot help but be taken in emotionally as well.  Again, the inflections - the rise and fall - of the speaking voice is very clear on a note to note relationship as well as a macro effect on the overall phrasing and architecture of the piece.  I just find so much more life in this than say well known, bigger names (like Pollini).  It is warmth contrasted against coldness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...t=PLEC9F316FA712BE86

AR Kane "i" on double vinyl

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians "Edie Brickell"

Another disc I know intimately coming up trumps on the HDX:SN2  - Timbre & timing spot on. G

For a hot and lazy afternoon, some cool music!

Ella Fitzgerald, live in Berlin!

Fantastic in every way ...

ATB from George

Can it really be almost 20 years ago this was released?

Mega.

Dances to go with the weekly housecleaning.

Demon - The Plague 

An old NWOBHM 1980's album which I haven't heard in years.

Pieces Of A Dream "We Are One" (Spotify Premium)

Doing the classics.  MCLD first CD pressing sounding sublime. G

"69" by AR Kane on vinyl

Ramsey Lewis "Legacy" (Spotify Premium)

Some classic old vinyl.  $2 side-walk sale bargain.  Interesting live album from a one time Neil Young protégé.  Bit of jazz-rock going on, maybe a softer Jeff Beck??

..I am impressed, music I didn't know..

LP re-issue © Snapper Music 2013 : )

Aviv Geffen - keyboards, additional guitars, vocals

Steven Wilson - guitars, additional keyboards, vocals

Daniel Solomon - piano

Seffy Efrati - bass guitar

Tomer Z - drums, percussion

Produced and mixed by Steven Wilson in Tel Aviv and London, Feb-June 2006

The master

More classic original vinyl.  Another sidewalk sale special at $2 and essentially mint condition.  Classic Steely Dan for a lazy Summer Saturday mid day.

More godlike genius fromthe man

The original 1985 release vinyl.  Still sounds very good and extremely quiet pressing.

Classic album from the band.

Relaxing after pushing grandaughter round York in pram-type vehicle all afternoon

(Different cover)

steve

I think he was only 15 when he played on After The Goldrush. I saw him live with Neil Young in '82 at Wembley. 3 hours of total bliss.