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

Thanks Richard.  Now intrigued Further!  G

Saint Matthew Passion, BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach 

It is always hard to know, if one is honest about it, whether it is the performance or simply just the growing relationship one has with the music or work that causes one excitement.  I am a strong believer in the latter.  The more time I spend with any piece of music the more I feel a lifetime covenant relationship develop.  This relationship is not easily broken or based on who is playing.  It is the meaning of the music itself that I seek.   Of course there is some aspect of the performance that plays a role but this is more elusive as it easily can be swayed by mood, personal attitudes, biases, or old boys club mentality.  It is not my sole or even my primary concern for judgement.  I just wish to share the joy of music and be an ambassador for great music that excites me.

This aside, my opinion on most music, of this type especially, is that I tend to prefer slower or moderate tempos compared to fast tempos (particularly in Bach).  Jacobs falls into the quicker group and in this might only be bettered by Gardiner.  These guys fall in the under two hour forty minutes.  A vast majority of modern recordings fall into the two hour and forty to forty five range.  The outlier is Klemperer who betters these guys by more than one hour.  Munchinger, Richter, Herreweghe are examples who come in between the quickest group and Klemperer.

Jacobs, while quick, he does maintain a rather high level of passion and gravity of the work is certainly not lost.  Recording quality is high and there is a short essay by Rene Jacobs giving his opinions and ideas explaining much of the bases for this recording.  A nice addition to my growing  knowledge of this work but in no way do I feel I have even moved beyond scratching the surface of this great work.

James Taylor "Live At The Beacon Theatre"

audio track from music DVD

Somewhat tame and not a great recording. G

Carrie Elkin - Call It My Garden

now watched two of the DVD whith Scarlatti, Chopin and Mozart...

Mark Eitzel "60 Watt Silver Lining"

Tim Buckley - Dream Letter  live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall 1968.

Sorry no picture.

I've a huge weakness for early TYA . Coming from Nottingham I saw them once or twice as the Jaybirds mid 1960's before they became huge. We used to sneak into pubs where there was music and did get thrown out when caught which was frequently. Success at Woodstock spoilt them. I also listen a lot to the first album and Stonehenged.

Listening to to the crystal clear 'My Friend Marx' via streaming. Excellent album if you like rhythmic folk and superbly produced.

Jason.

Great album Charles44:

Graham

Billy Bragg and Wilco "Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 1"

Hi Charles, indeed,

One of my very dear favourite albums, just such a beautiful voice. I remember when I first heard Pleasant Street in my teens, we were drinking at a friends house, about 12 people and this track came on and I immediately thought it was the voice of a black woman.

Its going on the Naim in half an hour.

Truly remarkable.

Jason.

Lol, Graham you beat me to it. did not notice you had posted.

Jason.

Massive Attack "Blue Lines"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Q7r7WhFxI

This recording should be re-visited more often.

Yesterday evening's taster of James Brown has inspired me to dig out a bit of Marvin 

and now something with some drive...

Portishead - 3

ending the day as I started it - with Perahia...

Good idea. This will be my post Goldfrapp listen.