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

Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2013

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by ewemon

Followed up by his 2011 album that was 42 in the Guardians albums of the year.

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Jeff Anderson

Sinead O'Connor

"Universal Mother"

Spotify

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by GraemeH

I'm in Havana.

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Hmack

Download from Linn Records - Great blues music

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Jeff Anderson

Calobo

"Live From The Crystal Ballroom"

Spotify

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Clive B

Originally Posted by Aleg:

Originally Posted by Bert Schurink:

Bert

What do you think of it?

It's your second spin now .

Same setup as with Jasmine, how does it compare?

Cheers

Aleg

How does it score on the 'grunt' count? I so wish he could play without groaning along!

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Florestan

Baroque Conversations: David Greilsammer (Piano)

Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin: no 7, Gavotte [with 6 Doubles] in A minorby Jean-Philippe Rameau

Piano Piece 1963 by Morton Feldman

Sonata for Keyboard no 84 in D major by Antonio Soler

Les barricades mystérieuses by François Couperin

Whaam! by Matan Porat

Suite for Harpsichord in D minor, HWV 447 by George Frideric Handel

Tombeau sur la mort de Monsieur Blancrocher, FbWV 632 by Johann Jacob Froberger

Aux Murailles Rougies by Nimrod Sahar

Pavane and Galliard "Lord Salisbury" by Orlando Gibbons

Toccate d'intavolatura di cimbalo et organo: Toccata Ottava by Girolamo Frescobaldi

Wiegenmusik by Helmut Lachenmann

Mein junges Leben hat ein End by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

Very interesting quote here below from David Greilsammer. Fabulous playing all around here and highly recommended. I get what he is trying to do here and applaud him for it. The concept does push me out of my own comfort zone and this is probably a good thing. There is no other way that I would hear some of this new music.

On the other hand, it also serves to drive me deeper into my own little world where I staunchly will remain for my entire life. I come out of this experience thinking to myself just how good (and satisfying) the Baroque part of this conversation is and in comparison it reinforces to me just just how bloody good the music I like is. I mean we're talking about Rameau, Couperin, Haendel, Gibbons, Frescobaldi, Sweelinck here. How dare anyone even presume to put modern music beside (and presumed the equal of) this sacred music of such perfection?

So in my world the two worlds here make me feel uncomfortable and don't easily mix back and forth. The beauty and wonder I feel after Rameau or the others is instantly lost as you leave it and are introduced to our more modern world and thinking. For me, it is like they put a few commercials in the mix so that I can get up and reload the popcorn / chips, go to the bathroom and then return to the real attraction when it's over.

Don't get me wrong. Some of the modern pieces are very interesting and neat to hear in a way. I just am not at a place where I believe these two worlds can (or should) mix.

It is funny how this makes me realize how set in my ways I am about certain things yet I do consider myself to be very open minded about many things in general. For instance, I am very particular about style and how I personally expect the outcome (my taste) yet I strongly believe there is no right and wrong when it comes to the views of others in this regard either. This view was never easy for me either and yet after decades of thinking of this I finally came to this conclusion. Maybe it is me that needs to learn something from others (someone more wise)?

And then there is the issue where for many I have without question crossed a sacred line in the piano vs. harpsichord debate where I honestly still have trouble justifying the logic. I maintain that it should be about the music only and nothing more yet I strongly believe in the freedom for each individual to choose and decide. Since I play this music on a piano I also hear and think mostly in these terms. Personally, I do not feel any of the meaning in the music or the composers intent is lost to me (personally) and in fact it seems to have strengthened my love of this music.

In economic theory one is taught that society or individuals make logical choices in that eventually we do more of things that bring benefit to us and less of things that cost us or do not benefit us.

This album and the one following below of Scarlatti have made me realize more clearly why I almost exclusively stick with and pursue the music I love. There is no end to how much and how long great music can provide pleasure. It simply just grows in leaps and bounds.

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Jeff Anderson

John Prine

"John Prine"

Spotify

Posted on: 14 June 2014 by Florestan

Scarlatti : Cage : Sonatas: David Greilsammer (Piano)

I guess I have the same comments for this album. Wonderful playing and his touch and sound world is very much to my liking. Very convincing argument for this music on a piano. Again, the argument isn't about piano vs harpsichord as there are pianos and there are harpsichords that are not suitable for this music either. I am very choosy about what I like (or need) and piano to sound like and the same goes for a harpsichord or any other instrument.

Anyone who can start a recital with Scarlatti Sonata in D minor, K:213 is tops in my books. This disc could only have this track on it and I would be happy for years. I just love this Sonata and it describes my mood and state of late really so this is just natural. It takes me into a world that I like and vigilantly or even selfishly like to hold on and keep for myself. Then comes Cage and ....pop...back into the strange world of today.