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
Johann Sebastian Bach: Jan Jansen (Harpsichord), Nimrod Guez (Viola), Monika Urbonaite (Violin), Tijmen Huisingh (Violin), Fredrik Paulsson (Violin), Julia Maria Kretz (Violin),
Pauline Sachse (Viola), Maarten Jansen (Cello), Rick Stotijn (Double Bass)
A pleasing recording all around with nothing but positives to report. I am rarely disappointed by Janine Jansen.
Frédéric Chopin: Amir Katz (Piano)
Ballade for Piano no 1 in G minor, Op. 23
Ballade for Piano no 2 in F major/a minor, Op. 38
Ballade for Piano no 3 in A flat major, Op. 47
Recently I spent some time listening to another Oehms artist, French pianist Hélène Tysman and the Ballades. There is lots to like about Tysman but here, on the other hand, is a different level of pianism altogether. Maybe not better or worse but simply a different style totally. Israeli born Amir Katz, I think, is a wonderful pianist who in my estimation is a strong and insightful interpreter of Chopin. An excellent disc all around.
The 1999 Goldbergs from Hewitt's Bach collection, my favorite interpretation. Hewitt misses some of the darkness that others have brought out (Perahia), but the tender moments make up for that. Among pianists, I find Hewitt's trill - so important in this work - really good. Comparatively speaking, Perahia is slow. Other pianists, like Jeremy Denk recently, insist on starting the trill before the note, and that to me takes away from the music.
The Steinway adds a pleasing touch of weight, but I can understand why Hewitt eventually went for newcomer Fazioli given the way she plays.
Cheers,
EJ
Frédéric Chopin: Amir Katz (Piano)
Ballade for Piano no 1 in G minor, Op. 23
Ballade for Piano no 2 in F major/a minor, Op. 38
Ballade for Piano no 3 in A flat major, Op. 47
Recently I spent some time listening to another Oehms artist, French pianist Hélène Tysman and the Ballades. There is lots to like about Tysman but here, on the other hand, is a different level of pianism altogether. Maybe not better or worse but simply a different style totally. Israeli born Amir Katz, I think, is a wonderful pianist who in my estimation is a strong and insightful interpreter of Chopin. An excellent disc all around.
He definitely has his own way of doing it. And is very consistent in doing so.
Do I like it?
It is certainly pleasurable to listen to, but the jury is still out!
cheers
Aleg
no-man - Dry Cleaning Ray
... and a sample
On CD:
iTunes/iMac, another of the underrated artistes I think:-
Chris Rea - The Blue Jukebox
Vinyl:-
Dire Straits - On Every Street
Arrived today. I like the idea of being able to listen to the songs in new contexts.
Original Black Maxinquae Tricky
Streaming
Blair Dunlop - Blight and Blossom (Blair featured in the recent Nic Jones documentary)
First play on vinyl - http://rooksmererecords.bandca...m/blight-and-blossom
Brilliant Electronic...
Double Vinyl.
Streaming
SBP on vinyl...
I have had this album in various guises for nigh on 45 years. It's an old favourite and although I don't play it much it makes me feel good just knowing it's always there. Currently listening to it streamed from a CD rip. It always transports me back to happy carefree teen days with naive dreams of the wonders that must be San Fransico and the West Coast…
On CD:-
This LP hasn't been off my TT platter for the last couple of days. For me this is the best Neil Young album I own, and I have many. The playlist is similar to the BBC Neil Young concert recorded about the same time. This was on BBC4 not long ago.