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

Josh Ritter

"The Historical Conquests Of .........."

iTunes download

FLAC from first press Vertigo CD.

G

Original vinyl...

Simon & Garfunkel

"The Best Of ........."

Spotify Premium US

Michel Godard: Monteverdi - Trace of Grace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHEB4k_0d54

One of my two all time favorite recordings dancing between the worlds of classical music and jazz.

Just finished this superb trilogy by Sam Baker.

Vinyl US pressing A1- A1...

Amos Lee

"Mission Bell"

iTunes download

Listening to this, too. Great record. We're seeing them at the Orpheum in Vancouver in July. Second row seats!

started a bit clumsy - but now in full swing...

One of my favourite releases of 2013 and currently disc 2 in my cars 6 disc boot changer!

I personally couldn't get into Jeff.

Matthew Ryan

"Vs. the Silver State"

iTunes dlownload

Jimi Hendrix  "First Rays Of The New Rising Sun"    cd.

I understand, Ewen.  I will wait a week and try again next weekend.  I was disappointed the two times I saw him live and this is quite a change.  But I will always cherish the first three discs, the first of which was a gift from an internet friend in Maryland, at the time I had never heard of Ray.  Be well.

Jeff A

Michael Stanley

"The Hang"

iTunes download

Michael's new release "The Job" is available Tuesday May 6 in the US.

His 12th release since 2000.

Liszt: The Schubert Transcriptions - Leslie Howard (piano)

So my continued investigation through the Liszt transcriptions of Schubert's music continues.  Ultimately, the source to hear every note of it will lead to the three volumes of Leslie Howard's complete traversal of Franz Liszt.  Yes, at 11+ hours you can hear all versions from early days to final along with Ossia variants etc. in volumes 31, 32, & 33.  Of course, this sort of obsessive devotion is only suitable for such a very small group of people and I happen to be one of those handful or two alive today.

It seems I revolve around my favourite music in spells and maybe many years pass between a very intense time where I will spend weeks to years focused on the one thing.  My journey of late started again with the Schubert Lieder about a month or so ago and it will not end for some time as I sense that this is the time I need this music more than anything else currently.  Like the air I breath, it is a symbiotic relationship.  The discs are spread around the living room, the scores are heaped up on the piano and scattered over the floor.  It is pure joy.

This all started with Der Doppelgänger and it will end with Der Doppelgänger.  I like every bit of Schwanengesang but if I had to pick the essence of this group of songs this would have to be it.  It is my anthem.

RE: What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be ...

Then comes In der Ferne:

RE: What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be ...

This week I have moved on into Die Stadt and also Der Atlas which are again in my mind stunning works.  The Liszt Transcriptions of the Schubert Lieder are not always literal transcriptions like in other works like the Beethoven Symphonies.  We find from time to time Liszt changes things, adds / deletes, and generally suggests or opens things up.  No matter to me as I find they are absolute stunning conduits to the actual Lieder.  The story, the passion, the pain, the peacefulness, the anxiety and so on.

I am not necessarily a literal person as I tend to allow first the music to guide me in the meaning.  Or at least this is how it has been up until now.  I think I haven't been far off in understanding meaning or interpretation but since I know this music very well I have decided to introduce the text and have been amazed at how brilliant the text is and how Schubert had vision.  My hat first goes off to the writers, then to Schubert for scoring these perfectly and then to Liszt for really bringing the essence of these works to me and others like me who want to bring this music into our homes.

11. Die Stadt

Heinrich Heine

Am fernen Horizonte Erscheint, wie ein Nebelbild, Die Stadt mit ihren Türmen, In Abenddämmrung gehüllt.

Ein feuchter Windzug kräuselt Die graue Wasserbahn; Mit traurigem Takte rudert Der Schiffer in meinem Kahn.

Die Sonne hebt sich noch einmal Leuchtend vom Boden empor Und zeigt mir jene Stelle, Wo ich das Liebste verlor.

11. The Town

On the distant horizon Appears like a cloud-image The town with its spires Shrouded in the gloom of evening.

A damp breeze ruffles The green surface of the water; In a mournful rhythm rows The boatman in my craft.

The sun rises once again Glowing above the earth And shows me that spot Where I lost my beloved.

Examples:

Die Stadt (Schubert original): Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=HfH1WLj3PRU

Die Stadt (Liszt Transcription): Valentin Lisitsa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=Hu38LjUjKME

8. Der Atlas

Heinrich Heine

Ich unglücksel'ger Atlas! Eine Welt, Die ganze Welt der Schmerzen muß ich tragen, Ich trage Unerträgliches, und brechen Will mir das Herz im Leibe.

Du stolzes Herz, du hast es ja gewollt! Du wolltest glücklich sein, unendlich glücklich, Oder unendlich elend, stolzes Herz, Und jetzo bist du elend.

8. Atlas

I, wretched Atlas, a world The whole world of pain I must carry, I bear the unbearable, and my heart Is breaking in my body.

You proud heart, you wanted it so! You wanted to be happy, eternally happy, Or eternally miserable, proud heart, And now you are in misery.

Examples:

Der Atlas (Schubert original): Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=HISJiETL0zQ

Der Atlas (Liszt Transcription): Valentin Lisitsa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=rHkToYY05Uc

13. Der Doppelgänger

Heinrich Heine

Still ist die Nacht, es ruhen die Gassen, In diesem Hause wohnte mein Schatz; Sie hat schon längst die Stadt verlassen, Doch steht noch das Haus auf demselben Platz.

Da steht auch ein Mensch und starrt in die Höhe Und ringt die Hände vor Schmerzensgewalt; Mir graust es, wenn ich sein Antlitz sehe - Der Mond zeigt mir meine eigne Gestalt.

Du Doppelgänger, du bleicher Geselle! Was äffst du nach mein Liebesleid, Das mich gequält auf dieser Stelle So manche Nacht, in alter Zeit?

13. The Ghostly Double

The night is quiet, the streets are silent, My beloved lived in this house; She left the town a long time ago, But the house still stands in the same place.

A man stands there, too, and stares upward And wrings his hands with the force of his pain; I’m horrified when I see his face— The moon shows me my own likeness.

You ghostly double, you pallid fellow! Why do you ape my lovesickness, That tormented me here So many nights long ago?

6. In der Ferne

Ludwig Rellstab

Wehe dem Fliehenden, Welt hinaus ziehenden! - Fremde durchmessenden, Heimat vergessenden, Mutterhaus hassenden, Freunde verlassenden Folget kein Segen, ach! Auf ihren Wegen nach!

Herze, das sehnende, Auge, das tränende, Sehnsucht, nie endende, Heimwärts sich wendende! Busen, der wallende, Klage, verhallende, Abendstern, blinkender, Hoffnungslos sinkender!

Lüfte, ihr säuselnden, Wellen sanft kräuselnden, Sonnenstrahl, eilender, Nirgend verweilender: Die mir mit Schmerze, ach! Dies treue Herze brach - Grüßt von dem Fliehenden, Welt hinaus ziehenden!

6. In the Distance

Woe to the fugitive, Fleeing the world! Roaming foreign places, Forgetting his homeland, Hating his mother’s house, Leaving his friends

Alas, no blessing follows Along their ways.

Heart that is yearning, Eye that is weeping Longing that never ends, Turning toward home. Breast that is stirring, Lament that is fading, Evening star twinkling, Hopelessly sinking!

Breezes, you rippling, Waves gently ruffling, Sunbeam hastening Nowhere remaining: She who with agony Broke my loyal heart— Greetings from the fugitive, Fleeing the world!

The music in these four pieces have and will continue to feed me for the rest of my life.  Like all of these works they are pure perfection.

Of course, no one needs a reason to listen to this classic. A 'discovery' CD remaster. The best version I've heard to date on CD.

MDS