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

An Introduction to Syd Barrett. Great Saturday morning listening.

Vinyl

On CD.

The The: Soulmining --> good saterdaymorning music while reading the newspaper...

Vinyl

One of my favorite piano records: stunning performances of the pictures and Ravel's waltzes.

Cheers,

EJ

Probably the least known Pogorelich, never the less, my favorite. EJ, thanks again for introducing his music to me.

Haim,

With the handful of CDs he has made, I don't think there is a 'least known' Pogorelich album but I would say his Mozart or Haydn discs, not well reviewed (i.e. misunderstood) when they first came out, are the more obscure items in his discography. Nevertheless, all Pogo albums carry his signature and if you are in tune with him, are highly recommended. This Brahms album is fantastic, too.

Cheers,

EJ

Yevgeny Sudbin (Piano)

Funérailles (No. 7 from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S 173) by Franz Liszt 

Etude in F minor (from Transcendental Etudes for Piano, S 139: no 10) by Franz Liszt 

Harmonies du soir (from Transcendental Etudes for Piano, S 139: no 11) by Franz Liszt 

Petrarca Sonnets (3) for Piano, S 158 by Franz Liszt

Gaspard de la nuit by Maurice Ravel 

Danse macabre in G minor, Op. 40 by Camille Saint-Saëns (transcribed by Liszt)

Life is short.  I think Liszt knew this at some point in his life anyway, just as any great composer or for that matter, any talented, extraordinary person with unique skills and talent somehow would eventually have to come to terms with.  That is why they pushed themselves for some cause and left remarkable legacies for us all.

My predilection for music and its pleasure is probably mostly a selfish endeavour.  Well, honestly, not probably, I know it is.  Maybe through various negative experiences one tends to withdraw.  I actually do not like crowds while listening to music.  Not every live concert is ideal for what I need from music.  I am actually quite content and have experienced my greatest musical satisfaction in a solitary setting.  I would have to I guess, otherwise I couldn't sit a piano for hours on end practicing.  While listening, it is no different.  It is best to have no distractions.  While I prefer to quietness of solitude I eventually have to go to the mountaintop and jump up and down and shout for joy to the world.

This album, especially the Liszt, for me has been a source of pure, revelatory joy and ecstasy.  I realize for many it isn't there cup of tea and that's fine.  If I weren't a pianist, it most likely wouldn't be my thing either.  In fact, if I didn't play the piano from a child on, I highly doubt that I would listen to music at all today.  Playing is the key and what turns the table for me.  To experience or to find what's necessary from within to produce the emotion and feel through your whole body, the turns of passion from wild or devilish to peaceful and angelic is cathartic.   If I had to exclusively only listen it would feel like I had a body with amputated arms. 

Sudbin is such a subtle, discriminating and tasteful musician and although this is only a small smattering of all Liszt composed it is important to me.  This performance stands with the best over what history has to offer but take this same performance and remove the quality of the piano and the quality of the recording and it would soon be forgotten.  The character of the low bass in the opening of Funérailles or the F minor Etude, for example, is phenomenal and just this simple aspect gives me such life and pleasure.  It has clarity yet has that wonderful growly character about it.  Both Etudes alone are enough for me.  I haven't stopped listening to them for months now (especially the F minor).  To wait for and then play the climaxes of Harmonies du soir is also an experience I will treasure and carry to the grave with me.

Nice one indeed!

First play of Godsticks - Spiral Vendetta

On CD:-

On CD:-

On Vinyl

Van Halen...One of the best debut albums ever

Original vinyl. I've not listened to this in a while.

Taking a break from new music to relive some of the 80's. 

New Order - Low Life

And now, REM - Murmur

Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies

Great, it's Saturday and people are rocking obviously. That's good, that's good.Now spinning in snowy Hellsinki:

Yet another 1st play. Another charity shop bargain

Hi Steve,

Tell me more.   Hope you had a better week health wise. Don't know about you but it has seemed long and hard what with the snow and all. By the way looking forward to your 500 posts.

Regards Graham.