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

Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2013

Posted on: 16 April 2014 by matt podniesinski

On vinyl.

Posted on: 16 April 2014 by matt podniesinski

Posted on: 16 April 2014 by Florestan

Johannes Brahms: Laura Mikkola (harpsichord)

Variations and Fugue on a theme by G.F. Händel in B flat major Op. 24 (1861)

Scherzo in E flat minor, Op. 4 (1851)

Gavotte in A major (after 'lphigenia in Aulis" by C. W. Gluck) (1868)

Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1 (1852-1853)

Die Blätter fallen, fallen wie vonweit,
als welkten in den Himmeln ferne Gärten.

[The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up,
as orchards were dying high in space.]
Rainer Marie Rillke

What is music? Is it not merely unspoken words in our soul, emotion, beauty, ideas, mood enhancing, understanding, culture,... art? Is it also not merely a means to express or enjoy rhythm, tone, key, melody, harmony, structure, counterpoint,...sound? Or for those inclined to play, is it a conduit to dream, touch, interact physically with, experience, learn, develop, ...a lifelong - unconditional - relationship.

The only relationship in which the more you give, the more you receive in return.

Posted on: 16 April 2014 by kuma

This Mravinsky/Leningrad Tchaikovsky set is not the popular DG version. Altho, this '56 performance was recorded by DG team and at the same venue in Vienna as the later version, this is done by a different engineer. Performance wise, I prefer this earlier mono version ( Praga hybrid SACD reissue is in a fake stereo: they call it by-channel stereo ) because it has more tension and drama than later set for some reason.

This is still my benchmark for Tchaikovsky's Pathetique in terms of building excitement without going totally over the top. Undeniably Mravinsky's iron grip over the Leningrad Phil is just exhilarating and it gives me the same kind of excitement brought on by the rhythmic precision and dynamic contrast as Kodo drum guys.

But what I like most about this performance is the most poignant *suicidal* 4th.

Posted on: 16 April 2014 by Steve C

Murder Ballads on CD.

Posted on: 16 April 2014 by ewemon

Originally Posted by Nigel 66:

The Tragically Hip -Road Apples

An excellent album (maybe their best?), from an excellent Canadian band. Got into them in the early '90s, and still like this a lot. Maybe a bit more polished production, but the vocals are as raw as ever.

Not many people seem to know them, but definitely worth checking out.

Nigel try and get a hold of their Roxy & Elsewhere official bootleg. It is an absolutely brilliant album and contains Double Suicide Highway Girl and Killer Whale Tank.

It is extremely rare and it took me awhile to get a copy but it is worth it. One of the best live rock albums.

Posted on: 17 April 2014 by Sorren

9Bach - Tincian

9Bach - Tincian. One of this month's Society of Sound downloads 24/96 FLAC. Can't understand a word of the lyrics but great music and a nice voice none the less.

Posted on: 17 April 2014 by apye!