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: 14 December 2013 by Florestan

Herbert Schuch (Piano)

 

Fantasy for Piano in C major, D 760/Op. 15 "Wanderer" by Franz Schubert 

Sonata 1.X.1905 "From the street" by Leos Janácek 
Sonata for Piano in A major, D 664/Op. 120 by Franz Schubert 
 

Herbert Schuch is another fine pianist that I collect and cannot get enough of.  An exceptionally adept player with a totally sensitive touch, vision, tempos, expressive and interpretation etc. that is very appealing to me and my own sense of style.  

 

Schubert often felt he was in the shadow of Beethoven but if you need any proof that his solo piano music is completely worthy to stand alongside that of Beethoven then just study his Piano Sonatas and especially his Wanderer-Fantasie.  The latter being not truly accessible to mere amateurs (without an exceptionally strong technique) as it is a brute of piece to play and one of the great war horses in the repertoire.  It may be true that even Schubert could hardly manage this piece.

 

The highlight of the Wanderer-Fantasie for me is the very special Adagio (about 6'-20" through 13'-40").  More specifically, I usually can take a 20 or even a 40 minute piece of Schubert and it all comes down to 20 or 30 seconds section which is all I need. The kernel of truth for me you could say.  The part where he gives just the tiniest glimpse of something beyond wonder and speechlessness.  These are often invariably in a minor key and the trance ends when he shifts to the sunnier major key.   I often get angry at Schubert for doing this and for not repeating these wonderful moments for hours on end for me but then maybe this is what makes the moments special as they are rare and not overdone.

 

In the Wanderer-Fantasie it is all summarized within around 11'-10" through 11'-40" timing on the video.  If there is only one or two advantages of a digital world for me it is that I can efficiently listen to my special 30second portions of music one hundred times in a row.  Not impossible but it just takes a great deal of effort more to do this same function with vinyl.

 

The piano Schuch is playing is a Hamburg Steinway and certainly a well chosen and a wonderful piano to hear in my opinion.  Even in the near dark you can even see the features that distinguish it from a New York Steinway.  What a beautiful thing.  Sadly, the difference in craftsmanship alone between a Hamburg and a New York Steinway are also so symbolic to me of the differences between European and American attitudes toward quality.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=jgJpnQz3I0c

 

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Jeff Anderson

 

Right The Stars "Hello Yes OK"

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Char Wallah

a Stereolab compact disc titled "Switched On Re-Fried Ectoplasm"

 

tasty.

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Haim Ronen

Bach's lute music performed by Eduardo Eguez.

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Bert Schurink

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by matt podniesinski

While waiting for the snow storm to begin.

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by naim_nymph

2 x LP from the new box-set : )

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by BigH47

On vinyl:-

 

 

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here.

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

One Way Home

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

Girlfriend

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

Bellybutton

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

Goodbye Jumbo

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

#1 Record [Remastered)

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by ewemon

Missing... Presumed Having A Good Time

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by VladtheImpala
Originally Posted by ewemon:

Bellybutton

May I join you in this? And maybe follow with some Spilt Milk?

Happy listening

Vlad

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by David

 

Bonus Live CD

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Stevee_S

Ripped and streamed.

 

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by bishopla

Studio Albums 1978-1991

[Import] Dire StraitsVinyl

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by naim_nymph
Originally Posted by Tony2011:

After a good clean on the RCM. In the light is a particular favourite...

 

 

 

I'm playing an old copy i got via ebay a couple of years back.

French pressings that look like a reissue of gawd knows when of the pre-barcode age but they cleaned up okay, playback has some insignificant surface noise and some high frequency harshness that needs the volume lower than one would rather for Led Zep, this is a shame - can easily imagine it sounding better although SQ does seem to improve from one side to the next, don’t know if this is the vinyl, the red wine, or getting pulled into the music, all three I hope : )

 

Debs

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by FangfossFlyer

The Doors - RSD.


Side A is MONO with studio takes and Side B is Stereo with some grate live takes including a great take of Roadhouse Blues.

 

Richard

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by GraemeH

 

With a fabulous curry washed down with Pinot! G

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by FangfossFlyer

What can I say....Neil in fine form back 1970....it is just sublime and what a great year it was.....well I like it!

 

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by MDS

Because it's been a long time since I've played this.

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Haim Ronen


Francois Couturier: Un Jour Si Blanc

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3m6AHte-6k