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
Prokoviev: Complete Works for Violin
James Ehnes, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Andrew Armstrong, BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda
Disc 1:
Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 19
Sonata for 2 Violins in C Major, Op. 56
Violin Sonata (solo) in D Major, Op. 115
Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63
Disc 2:
Violin Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 80 for Violin and Piano (dedicated to David Oistrakh)
5 Melodies, Op. 35bis for Violin and Piano
Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94bis for Violin and Piano
I don't like to play favourites but I often have to choose to only listen to the music that means the most to me at the expense of not growing and expanding my knowledge and repertoire. There simply is not enough hours in a day to do all I wish to do. So I must admit that my sole purpose or modus operandi in buying more Prokofiev here was only to garner still more versions of the violin and piano works on disc 2. These chamber works rate very highly on my list of music I cannot live without. Imagine my surprise when I opened this and noticed the extra "other" disc with works I am much less familiar with.
Doug, you make me feel guilty since I have been seriously neglecting all violin musics.
Vladimir Horowitz: Live at Carnegie Hall
OK, I cheated and didn't wait for the usual Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock start time. I think the 1960's and earlier were Horowitz's prime. Still, his unmistakeable characteristics evident throughout. One can overlook (at least I do) the occasional slips now and then as this is real life. The brilliant playing otherwise still exceeds the character and style of most of the note perfect (but stylistically dead) stars of today.
Starting with:
from...
All from today all on vinyl.
On vinyl?
If so, how is it?
And?
As recommended here in this forum
Arrived this morning ahead of the 14/10 release date.
Cleaned and on its first play, stunning! 
Cheers.
EJ
The unfamiliar Sonata #1 and the very familiar Sonata #2, played with excellent balance of in-depth exploration and clarity, not an easy feat for Rachmaninov's dense style. Doug, thanks again.
This a great recording!
..a real treat, recommended listening....
Just arrived in today's mail, along with a few others. Which immediately brought to mind Joy Division's "She's Lost Control" (w/ a pronoun shift, though).
Originally Posted by Florestan:
he brilliant playing otherwise still exceeds the character and style of most of the note perfect (but stylistically dead) stars of today.
Starting with:
from...
+1.
There is none like him today.
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
Pretty good? Great one
R.I.P:
Superb performance of the D.960.
Cheers,
EJ
On the Black Double LP set.
Also arrived today: Patty Griffin - Silver Bell
I know this is bit 'pop' but Annie's voice is something special
Another D.960...
EJ