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

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by matt podniesinski

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Tony2011

This one is for Pete.

 

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by kuma

I bought this CD when it came out and thought it was just ok.

 

Fast forward to 2013.

 

Still just ok not good enough for me to pony up for the new vinyl release.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by matt podniesinski

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by N16SPS
Originally Posted by Tony2011:

This one is for Pete.

 

Hi Tony if that's for me got it great album and original year of release with the stuck on picture

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Haim Ronen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6xXh9pLqFw

 

Sounds even better after coming in from the 6F degrees night.

 

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by kuma

Blast from the past.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Haim Ronen

If Grief Could Wait

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9RkoLkLOBA

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by bishopla

Dethroned & Uncrowned

Katatonia | Format: Audio CD

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by kuma

This is skilfully done yet the score remains natural.

Excellent live recording albeit it has more of a balcony view.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by kuma

This is a 2001 recording with Saarbrucken Radio Symphony.

 

Old school presentation a la Klemperer.  It has a very classy and transparent feel.

 

What a heart-rending lofty adagio! Loud passages juxtaposed with intimate soft whisper as if looking at the reality of this world and another unknown place he's headed. Pizzicato in the tail end sounds like a tip toe into the next world. Or drifting in and out of reminiscing his past? This is an extremely visual rendition at least to me triggering many visual cues and executed with micro details and impeccable timing.

 

A great story telling here. After listening to this, I am certain we don't need the 4th movement. Or at least Skrowaczewski makes it sound like we don't need one.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Florestan

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Maurizio Pollini (Piano) 

 

Sonata for Piano no 4 in E flat major, Op. 7 

Sonata for Piano no 9 in E major, Op. 14 no 1 
Sonata for Piano no 10 in G major, Op. 14 no 2
Sonata for Piano no 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 
 
This is a tough nut for me to crack.  I'll try to be charitable but I am not sure how as one has to believe in the cause first.  I've been mulling over this one for the better part of a week.  I want to understand Pollini and I put in much effort and keep trying but over the last decade at least, in my mind, he has lost the plot.  First with Chopin (ughh), then of all things, Bach (oh dear), and yes, of course we are now dealing with the penultimate disc of Beethoven after probably forty years.  I have a lot of Pollini in my library and that is the problem with my own obsessions.  I keep reasoning that it makes no sense to have say 50 discs of Pollini and not have the last two.  Well I've been saying this for a decade and this compulsion is wearing thin already.
 
To the point... Every disc Pollini has put out this century, they just get progressively colder and more distant than the last.  It is as if his goal is to get from A to B and let's do this with zero emotional investment.  Yes this is my own subjective opinion and solely a meaningless judgement as I square Pollini's view of the world with my own.  I do want to apologize to any Pollini fans out there.  This is simply my own little rant of frustration and should mean nothing to anyone else so please do not take offence.  The recorded sound is also a little bit of a let down but this pales in comparison to the lacklustre performance.
 

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Florestan

Nikolai Lugansky (Piano), Kent Nagano leading the Berlin Deutsches Symphony Orchestra 

 

Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 16 by Edvard Grieg 
Concerto for Piano no 3 in C major, Op. 26 by Sergei Prokofiev 
 

The last time I had a real extended time with the Grieg concerto was about two years ago with the excellent Stephan Hough Liszt / Grieg Concerto recording.  Maybe I left it too long but I simply enjoyed this new recording with Nikolai Lugansky.  Just what the doctor ordered and it appears my anemia has been solved for the day.  Enough that I listened to the Grieg four times tonight and the Prokofiev just once so far.  The playing is superb and the piano sound (Steinway, of course) here is approaching what I'd call nearly perfect.  Just listen to the low register notes on the Grieg.  It just makes me jump for joy.  I can never tire of great music but it needs inspired hands and just someone who might be willing to add their own brand of emotional capital to it - and this is a winning combination then.

 

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by kuma

Doug,

 

I haven't heard too many of his Beethoven pieces ( perhaps I should pull it out and listen again )  but I recall his Late Beethoven Sonatas from DG's mid 70s set reminded a bit like a dog that refused to let go of his bone. And I could see where some would think it's mechanical and cold.

 

So far I have to agree that I am not too keen on his Beethoven work. ( yet )

 

His later Chopin like this Nocturne, I think is lovely, tho.

I could hear more mature playing. I also like his Chopin Ballade No.1from his EMI Debut album.

I enjoy it as much as Michelangeli or Zimerman albeit different.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by kuma

Bugge Wesseltoft: Moving

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by DF50

 

The Complete Blue Note Hank Mobley Fifties

Sessions (#181)

 

 

 

  

Just ordered this - should be here in day or so.  Will let everyone know how it is..  One thing, I have to copy then to my NAS, going to have to do some serious tag edit on these, otherwise Twonky will mess it up big time!  Any suggestions.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Bert Schurink

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by Bert Schurink
Originally Posted by Florestan:

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Maurizio Pollini (Piano) 

 

Sonata for Piano no 4 in E flat major, Op. 7 

Sonata for Piano no 9 in E major, Op. 14 no 1 
Sonata for Piano no 10 in G major, Op. 14 no 2
Sonata for Piano no 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 
 
This is a tough nut for me to crack.  I'll try to be charitable but I am not sure how as one has to believe in the cause first.  I've been mulling over this one for the better part of a week.  I want to understand Pollini and I put in much effort and keep trying but over the last decade at least, in my mind, he has lost the plot.  First with Chopin (ughh), then of all things, Bach (oh dear), and yes, of course we are now dealing with the penultimate disc of Beethoven after probably forty years.  I have a lot of Pollini in my library and that is the problem with my own obsessions.  I keep reasoning that it makes no sense to have say 50 discs of Pollini and not have the last two.  Well I've been saying this for a decade and this compulsion is wearing thin already.
 
To the point... Every disc Pollini has put out this century, they just get progressively colder and more distant than the last.  It is as if his goal is to get from A to B and let's do this with zero emotional investment.  Yes this is my own subjective opinion and solely a meaningless judgement as I square Pollini's view of the world with my own.  I do want to apologize to any Pollini fans out there.  This is simply my own little rant of frustration and should mean nothing to anyone else so please do not take offence.  The recorded sound is also a little bit of a let down but this pales in comparison to the lacklustre performance.
 

Interesting opinion, I also have to admit that I have more difficulty in appreciating his style. I would sometimes call it harsh..., let's see if others react.

Posted on: 09 December 2013 by EJS
Originally Posted by Bert Schurink:
Originally Posted by Florestan:

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Maurizio Pollini (Piano) 

 

... over the last decade at least, in my mind, he has lost the plot... ... Every disc Pollini has put out this century, they just get progressively colder and more distant than the last....

Interesting opinion, I also have to admit that I have more difficulty in appreciating his style. I would sometimes call it harsh..., let's see if others react.

Maybe enough has been said about the subject, this is all opinion after all and there's no accounting for taste... for myself, I remain fascinated by his pianism and uncompromising attitude to the works he plays. Going to see him in January in a Chopin / Debussy programme and hope I'll get the chance to shake his hand!

 

EJ

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by dav301

On CD:-

 

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by BigH47

On vinyl:-

 

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by Aleg
Originally Posted by Florestan:

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Maurizio Pollini (Piano) 

 

Sonata for Piano no 4 in E flat major, Op. 7 

Sonata for Piano no 9 in E major, Op. 14 no 1 
Sonata for Piano no 10 in G major, Op. 14 no 2
Sonata for Piano no 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 
 
This is a tough nut for me to crack.  I'll try to be charitable but I am not sure how as one has to believe in the cause first.  I've been mulling over this one for the better part of a week.  I want to understand Pollini and I put in much effort and keep trying but over the last decade at least, in my mind, he has lost the plot.  First with Chopin (ughh), then of all things, Bach (oh dear), and yes, of course we are now dealing with the penultimate disc of Beethoven after probably forty years.  I have a lot of Pollini in my library and that is the problem with my own obsessions.  I keep reasoning that it makes no sense to have say 50 discs of Pollini and not have the last two.  Well I've been saying this for a decade and this compulsion is wearing thin already.
 
To the point... Every disc Pollini has put out this century, they just get progressively colder and more distant than the last.  It is as if his goal is to get from A to B and let's do this with zero emotional investment.  Yes this is my own subjective opinion and solely a meaningless judgement as I square Pollini's view of the world with my own.  I do want to apologize to any Pollini fans out there.  This is simply my own little rant of frustration and should mean nothing to anyone else so please do not take offence.  The recorded sound is also a little bit of a let down but this pales in comparison to the lacklustre performance.
 

+1 and also in his live performances.

 

he also gets a lot of damning critics on his CD's.

As you say he seems to have lost the plot.

 

-

 

Aleg

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by BigH47

On Spotify:-

 

 

John Mayer - Paradise Valley, not one of his best, competent, OK, his voices does grate at times.

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by fatcat

Vinyl

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by Stevee_S

On Stream - Brian Eno and David Byrne My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts