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
What a great Album... I have the original vinyl, about to give it a listen.
Larry
How did you find this album?
I had the original from many years ago, and i thought it was one of the worst albums ever!
Maybe its a bad memory?
I bought this on vinyl when it came out many years ago... I'm a huge PG fan. I was impressed by the sound quality for a live performance.
Larry
On vinyl.
That was all my listening for tonight.
On vinyl.
Haim, how is it? I don't think these performances ever made it to compact disc, which in the case of Zimerman is probably not because DG couldn't make some money on it. Zimerman himself may not be too happy with his early work? Rumour has it he is very picky on recording quality.
EJ
EJ,
Zimerman is pretty good, playing in a more restrained and articulate manner than Tharaud who ploughs deeper and dances with the music. The piano on the modern digital recording is more closely miked and has a warmer sound with richer dynamics. These are the only two complete sets of Waltzs that I own and I alternate between them. After few rounds of Tharaud I always need to cool off a bit with Zimerman.
Haim
Sonatas for violin and keyboard BWV 1014-1019
Sonata for violin & keyboard No. 6 in G major, BWV 1019
Sonata for violin & keyboard No. 6 in G major, BWV 1019/Alternatives
Sonata for violin & continuo in G major, BWV 1021
Sonata for violin & continuo in E minor, BWV 1023
Sonata for violin & continuo in C minor, BWV 1024
Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, reconstructed for solo violin by Andrew Manze
Recorded in 1999
On vinyl.
Haim, how is it? I don't think these performances ever made it to compact disc, which in the case of Zimerman is probably not because DG couldn't make some money on it. Zimerman himself may not be too happy with his early work? Rumour has it he is very picky on recording quality.
EJ
EJ,
Zimerman is pretty good, playing in a more restrained and articulate manner than Tharaud who ploughs deeper and dances with the music. The piano on the modern digital recording is more closely miked and has a warmer sound with richer dynamics. These are the only two complete sets of Waltzs that I own and I alternate between them. After few rounds of Tharaud I always need to cool off a bit with Zimerman.
EJ,
I agree with Haim's general assessment. Its a typical 70s DG pressing. Clean and clear and decent. But not an outstanding recording.
For performance, these waltzers are anywhere near thought out as his later recording of Chopin.
He takes a softer gentler approach than Malcuzynski ( He's my fave for Waltzes bu treading Haim's comments, I might also like Tharaud ) but there's slightly different phrasing and tempo variations. I don't get the sense of gallantry and pride on the Grande Walze Brillante, for instance. Just very sweet and pacy 'everyday' Chopin.
No.12 Op.70 isn't grand enough. Everything sounds a tad too pretty albeit I can hear his line of thinking. I feel that this set isn't quite matured like his other pieces. Grand Waltz doesn't sound grand. Too hurried and flat. He's holding back notes making the finale uneventful whereas Malcuzynski's Grande Waltz keeps me riveted to my seat and leaves me speechless at finale.
A slow numbers get really dull as he hasn't been able to extract more underneath. His Minute Waltz is a mere finger exercise. Op.69 no.10 is torturous to listen to. Op.64 no.8 is rhythmically flacid. This is not the best Zimerman's effort for Chopin. The entire set lacking dynamics and life and I see why it hasn't been reissued.
Even dying Lipatti delivered more emotionally satisfying performance.
That said, he is still slightly ahead of Van Cliburn. :/
( can you tell I despise Puppy Love Chopin? ) 
After two years I'm still in two minds about Anderszewski's Schumann. On the one hand, he cuts through the music like butter to find the musical lines, and in this respect he is unsurpassed. On the other hand, it all sounds a bit emotionally lacklustre.
Cheers,
EJ
On CD:-
Vinyl
It's my birthday today, and, had he lived, Lennon would have been 73 today.
So this, on vinyl:
It's my birthday today, and, had he lived, Lennon would have been 73 today.
So this, on vinyl:
Happy Birthaday K enjoy your day
.... Would have been interesting to know what JL would have been doing musically at 73! Maybe there might have been a Beatles reunion before George died?...
Take care G.
Better known for writing the Bob Seger track Old Time Rock and Roll with his writing partner at the time Thomas Jones.
CD. Far out.
It's my birthday today, and, had he lived, Lennon would have been 73 today.
So this, on vinyl:
Happy Birthaday K enjoy your day.... Would have been interesting to know what JL would have been doing musically at 73! Maybe there might have been a Beatles reunion before George died?...
Take care G.
Cheers G. Going on the evidence of "Double Fantasy", I'm not sure what he'd be doing in 2013 would have been much cop, but who knows?
