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

Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2013

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Bert Schurink

This is a nice trio jazz album (bass, drums, saxophone), in the past I always thought this was too minimal. But I have now several ones, including this one. And I have to stay it's an exciting combination.

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Haim Ronen

What a great window providing a clear view into Murray Perahia's early playing. Most of the performances are from the eighties and nineties, before his thumb injury occurred. The first disc contains two Scarlatti sonatas, a Mendelssohn variation, an impromptu by Schubert, a Chopin ballade, a Brahms rhapsody and a Liszt consolation. In the second disc we have piano concertos of Mozart and Grieg separated by Beethoven variations.

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by hungryhalibut

This has taken a few plays to grow on me, and it's been worth the effort. Very slow and contemplative.

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Huwge

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Florestan

Johann Sebastian Bach: Giuliano Carmignola, Mayumi Hirasaki, Concerto Köln

Violin Concerto in A minor BWV 1041

Violin Concerto in E major BWV 1042

Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor BWV 1043

Violin Concerto in G minor BWV 1056R

Violin Concerto in D minor BWV 1052R

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Huwge

For anyone who likes Gillian Welch, Be Good Tanyas, Jolie Holland ...

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Haim Ronen

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

This has taken a few plays to grow on me, and it's been worth the effort. Very slow and contemplative.

One of two great ECM albums featuring the Tarkovsky Quartet which captures perfectly the spirit of the Russian films. The interplay between the piano, cello, accordion and soprano saxophone is erie and sublime. This is their second album:

http://player.ecmrecords.com/tarkovsky

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Florestan

Frédéric Chopin: Daniil Trifonov (Piano)

Rondo for Piano in F major, B 15/Op. 5 "à la Mazur"

Waltz for Piano in E flat major, B 62/Op. 18 "Grande valse brillante"

Etudes (12) for Piano, Op. 10: no 8 in F major

Andante spianato et Grand polonaise brillante in E flat major, Op. 22

Mazurkas (3) for Piano, B 153/Op. 56

Sonata for Piano no 3 in B minor, B 155/Op. 58

Virtually everything I listen to has a humbling effect on me. This is no exception but to the nth degree.

Style and taste can sometimes be used as a deceptive argument but when you remove any of the personal opinion you could not genuinely argue against the musicality and talent that Danil Trifonov is capable of.

What I like is his clear direction and shaping of the architecture. He isn't one to just play the notes. There is an incredible amount of energy that he develops within the storyline and the dynamics are always pushing the borders. This alone makes it feel like an incredible amount of rubato is going on. Similar in style to Argerich where nothing ever stands still it seems.

Can one continue to use the argument that the older generations had a lock on the mystery of this music and how to play it? I guess you either put all you eggs in one basket that represents your own tastes, style, trends or you diversify to limit your risk of becoming set in stone.

Trifonov is a very special performer that will happily exist in my collection on the same level as any star of the past. Not better or worse but as an individual with his own character (just as every interpreter of music).

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by hungryhalibut

Originally Posted by Haim Ronen:

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

This has taken a few plays to grow on me, and it's been worth the effort. Very slow and contemplative.

http://player.ecmrecords.com/tarkovsky

Yes, it's a fine album. I love Anja Lechner's playing.

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Florestan

Jorge Luis Prats: Live in Zaragoza

Enrique Granados: Goyescas
Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas brasileiras Nr. 4
Carlos Farinas: Alta Gracia
Ignacio Cervantes: Danzas cubanas
Ernesto Lecuona: Malaguena

What is it about Cuban pianists? Or better yet, why are Cuban pianists with first names of Jorge so good? I am thinking of Jorge Bolet and now for the first time I am hearing Jorge Luis Prats.

In either case, I doubt these two guys really care about the press or accolades. The music floods their souls and we only hear natural playing in a grand sense but with zero pretence. A wonderful find recommended if you enjoy Spanish and Latin American music.

Of course, I always love the underdog and give my full support. Prats story has many similarities to Sergio Fiorentino.

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by GraemeH

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by dry_stone

The Doors - Absolutely Live (1970)

Original vinyl

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Hmack

On vinyl from 1973: Steely Dan - "Countdown to Ecstacy"

Typical Jazz/Rock sound from Steely Dan, as I wait for an Amazon delivery which is worringly late.

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by Gianluigi Mazzorana

Posted on: 13 December 2014 by VladtheImpala

The Joni Quest, Part 2 - The 80s

The story so far: Joni Mitchell releases 10 studio albums between and two live double-albums between 1968 and 1980. The music increases in sophistication and experimentation during that time. She attains considerable critical and commercial success, though only one hit single. It is widely speculated with whom she has "Court and Spark".

She makes, IMO, four albums of the highest class - "Blue", "Court and Spark", "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" and "Hejira", though, personally, I can take or leave the live albums. Joni strikes up notable musical partnerships with Larry Carlton, Wayne Shorter and, perhaps to greatest effect with, Jaco Pastorious. In her own playing, she develops a distinctive percussive/melodic style on guitar using a variety of non-standard tunings which is quite wonderful.

However, in the late seventies, a new way of music making arrives with a strong 3-minute blast and DIY ethos - Punk and New Wave. Suddenly (actually not so suddenly) the rock establishment is considered old hat. Some established artists try to merge with the new way, some plough along as before. Joni makes an experimental jazz album and tours with a stellar band of modern jazz players................ as before, she goes her own way!

Joni only releases three albums on the 80s

"Wild Things Run Fast" (1982). I loved this on first release, though now I find the production and lead guitar work a little of it's time. It features two of her finest songs "Chinese Café/Unchained Melody", "Love" and a rare cover on "(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care".

"Dog Eat Dog" (1985). I rarely play this apart from the tracks "Impossible Dreamer" and "Lucky Girl". Thomas Dolby on production duties fresh from Prefab Sprouts' "Steve McQueen". It sounds like Thomas Dolby album (and not in a good way) rather than a Joni one to me, which is surprising as she has been producer or co-producer on her pervious recordings.