What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2014
On the cusp of 2015, we start a new thread...
Anyway, links:
Volume X: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-be-interested-vol-x
Volume IX: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...16#22826037054683416
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
Almost completely ignorant of Vaughan Williams except for a few of his concertos, I greatly enjoy this performance of the London Symphony.
EJ
Streaming | FLAC
Prompted by Joerand playing some JB a few days ago. This best of double CD was a replacement for all my previous individual JB albums being nicked along with the rest of my music collection.
Intense jazz album..
On Vinyl:-
On CD:-
This takes me back. What a great record.
On vinyl -- tough and mean, like the man himself.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Evgenia Rubinova (piano)
Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major Op. 106, No. 29 'Hammerklavier'
Piano Sonata in E Major Op. 109, No. 30
In the future, when I'm looking to play some Beethoven and someone forces me to choose between Angela Hewitt and Evgenia Rubinova, I wouldn't even have to think about it. It is Evgenia Rubinova for me. In fact, there is lots more choice of inspiring young players in this category and just to give a handful I find the likes of Anna Vinnitskaya, Dina Ugorskaja, Marylin Frascone, Sofja Gülbadamova, or Dora Deliyska to have way more depth and easily more inspiring than Hewitt who comes off as slightly arrogant.
This is a live recording and I think it is recorded quite well. For those with the ears you will be delighted to hear a Sauter concert grand piano. It is extraordinary and compared to the Fazioli - well, there is no comparison. I personally believe that the best pianos after Steinway (Hamburg followed by New York), then equally convincing are Bechstein, Blüthner, Bösendorfer, Sauter, Grotrian, Schimmel, Seiler...
Generally, the top names are still Steinway followed by the three B's above. I believe this is the first recording I have that is with a Sauter. This and the others listed are smaller firms and most have never heard of these. I find all of these pianos sound like a piano.
Sadly, with the history of some of these pianos and in a world where very few think it is important to own or play an instrument many are struggling or disappearing. Currently, I believe Yamaha owns Bösendorfer, one of the oldest piano companies around. For a time Bechstein was owned by Samick but this was eventually undone.
Thanks for the positive comments about Rubinova's recording. I saw her Wigmore Hall debut and haven't heard her since. It was a very intense recital. She played four or six encores.
I was speaking to someone last year who worked at Yamaha and he told me that Bosendorfer only made about 200 or so pianos a year. You going to need a helping hand if that is all you make for the world.
Bösendorfer:
I sill remember the first time I got to play it at now defunct Universal Recording Studio many years ago.
Even *I* sounded pretty good! 
I've never heard a piano sound like that and I have a particular affinity ever since.
Milcho Leviev who has some very nice recordings on the Bosendrofer:
A perfect early autumn evening here in New York City, and I'm feeling like... well, like crap, actually. But on the plus side, my wife is at a Goth-themed spinning class (no, I don't know what that is, either) and so in turn I get to spin some records. Such as this one! A super-strong follow up to their previous outing, "Lonerism". Both records harbor some of the catchiest psychedelia this side of the Beatles.
Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
(2012) CD
Prompted by this album being mentioned elsewhere. Since released, it has been in the regular rotation at a local radio station. Finally bought the album this past winter.
Very enjoyable.
A perfect early autumn evening here in New York City, and I'm feeling like... well, like crap, actually. But on the plus side, my wife is at a Goth-themed spinning class (no, I don't know what that is, either) and so in turn I get to spin some records. Such as this one! A super-strong follow up to their previous outing, "Lonerism". Both records harbor some of the catchiest psychedelia this side of the Beatles.
Hi Joe,
Sorry you are not feeling well, but at least you are able to enjoy this very fine album.
pat
Originally Posted by Erich:
Erich,
How is it?
On vinyl.
Horowitz plays Chopin Polonaise-Fantaisie: 1951 Carnegie live recording
Dramatic opening with Horowitz on full-on concert mode. Never a dull moment on this one. This is a king of live recital I would love to experience.
Artist: Angel Olsen
(2014) CD
Happened to watch her performance on NPR's tiny desk series. I've only listened to this a few times, need to listen to it more. I think I will continue to like it with each listen.
Now:
(2010) CD
Prompted by seeing Isabelle Faust recently in this thread. Only album I have from her catalog.
Streaming | FLAC
Prompted by Joerand playing some JB a few days ago. This best of double CD was a replacement for all my previous individual JB albums being nicked along with the rest of my music collection.
Steve,
I haven't heard the CD you referenced above, but I consider "The Next Voice You Hear - The Best Of Jackson Browne" (1997) one of the best sounding CDs I own, especially the first eleven tracks, which were originally all-analog productions. These tacks rival their vinyl counterparts for SQ and may exceed them in clarity and detail of instrument separation. Mastering was done by Doug Sax at TML. I see it commonly digging the s/h bins and it's available used online for $4. A great value, and for me, hits on the best of Browne's catalog.
Pink Floyd. The Early Singles. On CD from 1992. Ten songs from 1967-68. Five authored by Sid and five by the other members. Quirky and experimental perhaps, but I like it.
Jimi Hendrix. Blues. On CD from 1994. An apt title for this album, though a couple of tracks show a strong rock influence.