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: Andrea Oliva (Flute), Angela Hewitt (Piano)
Enjoying this in the early hours of the day. Angela certainly makes no bones about her beloved Fazioli. I continue to dither on about this relationship and while it is probably OK overall I'm just not convinced yet. Something about it I can't put my finger on but the sound generally makes me uneasy instead of drawing me in (like a nicely cared for Steinway).
CD:-
Picked up 4 Madness LPs in a local charity shop today. After a clean on the new Loricraft this sounds fab
Trying to find the 'best' Sacre du Printemps :-)
-
Aleg
This is the usual trap! The best Rite Of Spring, the best Beethoven Fifth Symphony ....
There is no definitive recording of anything, only well played and stylish ones that have the power to convey the music to many listeners. Each individual will have a favourite or several, but these may not conform to the notional average favourite! Or the currently fashionable one with critics ...
The fascination when considering recordings of great music that requires a live performance to really be alive is that even our own favourites change over time! Our tastes all evolve slowly, and sometimes they can go full circle to where they were before.
I am certain that in many pieces of music, that I can offer advice on a performance that is likely to hook a person new to the music, but that is the starting point from which that person should move out in their own direction!
As for the Rite Of Spring, I have a wonderful performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pierre Monteux [on RCA], and it might be worth you digging a little into the history of the work to find out why Monteux might well be viewed as authoritative, even if I believe he can no more be definitive than anyone else. Not even the composer of it!
ATB from George
Miles Davis "Tutu" !
Originally Posted by George Fredrik:
I am certain that in many pieces of music, that I can offer advice on a performance that is likely to hook a person new to the music, but that is the starting point from which that person should move out in their own direction!
+1.
Can it really be 40 years since I first heard these
and he is sadly missed.
Richard
So far today ...
I didn't really care for Mindy Smith's latest at first. But it has really grown on me with repeated listens. Glad I didn't give up on it.
And now, something a bit different to the above ... Caribou - Swim
Excellent CD , but still waiting for the vinyl.
Graham
On original vinyl. why? Just felt like it.
steve
This is the usual trap! The best Rite Of Spring, the best Beethoven Fifth Symphony ....
There is no definitive recording of anything, only well played and stylish ones that have the power to convey the music to many listeners. Each individual will have a favourite or several, but these may not conform to the notional average favourite! Or the currently fashionable one with critics ...
The fascination when considering recordings of great music that requires a live performance to really be alive is that even our own favourites change over time! Our tastes all evolve slowly, and sometimes they can go full circle to where they were before.
I am certain that in many pieces of music, that I can offer advice on a performance that is likely to hook a person new to the music, but that is the starting point from which that person should move out in their own direction!
As for the Rite Of Spring, I have a wonderful performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pierre Monteux [on RCA], and it might be worth you digging a little into the history of the work to find out why Monteux might well be viewed as authoritative, even if I believe he can no more be definitive than anyone else. Not even the composer of it!
ATB from George
Hi George
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
I will take up your suggestion on Monteux, but don't take my remark too serious as I put 'best' in quotes for a good reason .
I was just putting it that way as I've started on a tour of discovery as there have been a number of articles on the Rite of Spring/Sacre du Printemps recently that have ignited my curiosity in this piece.
But thanks for replying and adding another 'contestant' to my list
Regards
Aleg
Dear Aleg!
Good hunting!
ATB from George
Grateful Dead - Europe '72: The Complete Recordings.
#5:Europe '72: Stakladen, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (4/16/1972)
I did not buy this whole set. But have picked up a few that I found of interest. This was was the most recent one. I got it for two reasons:
1) liked the set list
2) Donna Godchaux is not on this recording. It may be the only one from the tour, but not sure. As mentioned in the synopsis of the show:
"At the tiny Stakladen on the campus of Aarhus University in Denmark, the Grateful Dead played a mighty fine, unheralded show. For unknown reasons, Donna was absent from this concert."
So I was curious how this compares to some of the other shows. Also, not the biggest Donna fan, so a nice change of pace not to have her in the performance.
The Koln Concert - K Jarrett. Shhhhhhhhhh!
Dear Kuma,
This is an extra-ordinary recording of artists who deserved an extra-ordinary recording. None of them were much concerned with the gramophone at the time, as it was a time when artists still made their primary efforts in real live performances, but this shows Wagner, and even the controversial Furtwangler in a great light. I have never been much interested in the possibility - not actually proved - that Schwarzkopf filled in a couple of high notes for the aging Flagstad. If so it is an early example of studio fakery ...
But it was one of the few Wagner recordings that held - formerly - real interest for me.
ATB from George
On my 7th or 8th play of this one today. Absolutely superb.