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
2016 release in Europe, on ECM. A very late Paul Motian recording.
I was looking forward to this - released on "Limited Edition" Black Vinyl (fancy!).
Lovely music, as is to be expected from Max Richter. But a truly appalling pressing. Cracks, distortion and noise all over the place, despite a thorough clean - I worried that my cartridge might be knackered it was so bad. I complained (to Amazon) and they just offered to refund without my having to send it back. So I have ordered the cd (it didn't come with a download code either).
If you like Richter's work, then worth a punt, but save yourself a tenner and order the cd.
Vinyl.
Thinking of buying the box set, Steve, if only for Live At the Matrix cd. Great line up. Any good?
Streaming | WAV
(1974)
I've been playing this quite alot lately ever since watching the excellent SKY Arts documentary about its making.
My fave Zappa album, excellent
An interesting mix of Jazz & hip-hop type rhythms from 1995. I particularly like this track - very laid back
A group, and album, I discovered late in life and I am so glad I did because it is wonderful
Image from http://cdn.pitchfork.com/album...e_large.9e0f6207.jpg.
Raw but good . Acquired v inexpensively from usual place 
Vinyl.
Thinking of buying the box set, Steve, if only for Live At the Matrix cd. Great line up. Any good?
Yes. I'm sure you'll like it.
George Harrison. All Things Must Pass (1970). 2 CD remaster from 2001. A timeless gem and rare case where the remastered, remixed CD readily trumps the original vinyl.
Streaming | 16/44.1 WAV Download | Bandcamp
(2015)
A nicely weird way to start the day with this ambient, experimental electronic music conjuring up sounds and feelings that could be put to written works of sci-fi.
Sylvia Marlowe: Bach Goldberg Variations 1962 recording
She was one of the few harpsichord player I enjoyed in Reiner's 1950 recording of Brandenburg Concerto No.5. So I was delighted to find another recording of her performance.
She starts out slowish but the rest of tunes are played in a moderate and steady tempo. Crisp and confident the tone of her harpsichord is a bit warmer than Walcha’s and the note comes off meatier and less stringy.
Surprised to hear a warm low end on Vr. 4 when the bass kicks in. No nonsense virtuoso rocking playing as I have heard her in Brandenburg Concerto. Vr.16 Overture starts off with a deep resonating opening chord. At times she appears a bit stiff and orthodox but I appreciate her unfussy styling. However she does not dig particularly deep and does not get down to unearth subtleties to make the tunes more dimensions.
Wilhelm Kempff : Bach Goldberg Variations 1969 Recording
Still by far my favourite is Kempff. He's not very well known for his Bach interpretations but he has recorded a few in his later years. This one was recorded when he was 75!
He came from the family of Protestant Church organist in Brandenburg and has been playing both piano and organ and was already improvising fugues at tender age of 11.
I love him as a pianist as whatever he plays he brings a sense of freedom and informal spirit.
Only Kempff can get away with doing his own improve by skipping the trills playing it straight.
His style provokes a touch of jazzy piano player more than classically trained one. Certainly more relaxed and less uptight. Softer balance on touch of keys but always controlled and masterful. He rises to an occasion with fast riffs and laser sharp delivery when appropriate. As Tharaud, he's got the way to comfort my mind. Repetitive movements with a slight variations must have the same brain stimulant as listening to stream of river or ocean wave. Difference with Tharaud is that Kempff won’t let the mechanism showing so the music happens naturally. With Tharaud, I still get the feeling of he's trying very very hard to be clever. Even his Overture is casual almost in a rehearsal mode. Kempff's Goldberg is like a life cycle from birth to death.
On Qobuz Streaming....great album
Streaming | WAV
(2002)
His follow up to the hugely successful Play and its pretty much more of the same thing which is no bad thing.
Bert - giving this a play on Tidal - really good. Thanks for recommendation
For fans - the same what you know from here, for others might be a bit dull......
Via Qobuz Streaming...
