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

George Harrison. Dark Horse. On original vinyl from 1974. Harrison's guitar and Billy Preston's keyboards combine for an especially funky groove on "Maya Love".

Franz Schubert:  Nikolai Lugansky (piano)

Piano Sonata in C minor D.958

Impromptus D.935

I have listened to this now for several weeks and I'm torn.  At times, I find myself not connecting with this for various reasons and then at other times I cannot get over how good it can be.  It is not Lugansky or the playing for this is extreme top drawer technique and playing - flawless actually.  I think my skepticism and dithering stems from my own personal view of how Schubert should be played.  Luganski is a strong player and his view of Schubert follows in line with a hard, cold viewpoint.  There is no time for sentimental considerations and it is played in the strictest sense which gives me a slight impression of coldness or indifference (this is entirely my opinion and should not be taken as fact).  Really, this is a very good recording.  I wouldn't be intrigued enough to listen to it every day for weeks if it wasn't but I may tend to be splitting hairs here.

I already mentioned the lack of warmth.  I just get along with Schubert when the approach is warmer.  The other thing I would mention is dynamics.  While this is true of every composer, I believe their is special meaning in the dynamics marked by Schubert.  Forte means something, Piano means something else.  Same for Fortissimo vs. Pianissimo and so on.  It is all in the details but the Allegro in the C minor sonata seems to just start off too loud (clangy).  One wouldn't think anything of this if you take it for what it is.  In this way, there is no problem but when I look at the score and think for myself how I would interpret this piece I see a range from very loud to very soft.  Case in point, the opening 13 bars should go from loud to very loud to soft.  I hear no crescendo whatsoever or maybe I should say if he didn't start as loud the crescendo would be more apparent.  Same is where piano goes to pianissimo.  A pianissimo in Schubert is really the most intimate parts that are reserved for those special moments where Schubert is whispering something profound or even sad.  One should be weeping here at these points.  Maybe it is recordings ability to convey this?  It is also much harder to play with this much precision?  Or it is simply what your view of the score should convey.

What I do like about Lugansky's interpretation is its absolute precision and strength.  I cannot think of anyone else that plays with this much authority.  The only negative to this is that eventually it comes off with too much sameness.

George Harrison. Cloud Nine. On original vinyl from 1987. Easy to enjoy and probably GH's most 'commercial' sounding album. Ringo, Eric, and Elton contribute, along with co-producer Jeff Lynne.

i've been listening to a lot of radio Fip lately -- truly eclectic: reggae to classical to jazz and back again. SQ is also quite good through my Sonos.

Alexander Gavrylyuk (piano)

Rachmaninov:  Moments Musicaux

Scriabin:  Sonata No. 5

Prokofiev:  Sonata No. 7

In the last several years, Rachmaninov's Moments Musicaux has become a favourite hobby horse for me.  Technically, Gavrylyuk has little problems here and probably could show many others how its done.  So playing is quite above average and better than standard convention.  Lyrical but not overly so.

The only flaw with this recording is that for the B-flat minor my heart still goes hands down to Evgenia Rubinova.  She takes this piece much slower overall and adds so much more character.  It seems more improvised and freer.  It is funny how I have seemingly gone through all six pieces and fell in love with them individually and just listen to the one that I'm in love with with months / years almost to the exclusion of the others.  Currently (and for at least a year) it has been the B-flat minor that I really focus on.

On vinyl from the mono box set.

Tarkovsky Quartet never stops to amaze me.

Steve J posted:

ewemon posted:

dav301 posted:

On CD:-

My fav Walsh album.

Mine too.

I'm listening now to an OP. It's very good music and excellent SQ.

Florestan posted:

Franz Schubert:  Nikolai Lugansky (piano)

Piano Sonata in C minor D.958

Impromptus D.935

I have listened to this now for several weeks and I'm torn.  At times, I find myself not connecting with this for various reasons and then at other times I cannot get over how good it can be.  It is not Lugansky or the playing for this is extreme top drawer technique and playing - flawless actually.  I think my skepticism and dithering stems from my own personal view of how Schubert should be played.  Luganski is a strong player and his view of Schubert follows in line with a hard, cold viewpoint.  There is no time for sentimental considerations and it is played in the strictest sense which gives me a slight impression of coldness or indifference (this is entirely my opinion and should not be taken as fact).  Really, this is a very good recording.  I wouldn't be intrigued enough to listen to it every day for weeks if it wasn't but I may tend to be splitting hairs here.

I already mentioned the lack of warmth.  I just get along with Schubert when the approach is warmer.  The other thing I would mention is dynamics.  While this is true of every composer, I believe their is special meaning in the dynamics marked by Schubert.  Forte means something, Piano means something else.  Same for Fortissimo vs. Pianissimo and so on.  It is all in the details but the Allegro in the C minor sonata seems to just start off too loud (clangy).  One wouldn't think anything of this if you take it for what it is.  In this way, there is no problem but when I look at the score and think for myself how I would interpret this piece I see a range from very loud to very soft.  Case in point, the opening 13 bars should go from loud to very loud to soft.  I hear no crescendo whatsoever or maybe I should say if he didn't start as loud the crescendo would be more apparent.  Same is where piano goes to pianissimo.  A pianissimo in Schubert is really the most intimate parts that are reserved for those special moments where Schubert is whispering something profound or even sad.  One should be weeping here at these points.  Maybe it is recordings ability to convey this?  It is also much harder to play with this much precision?  Or it is simply what your view of the score should convey.

What I do like about Lugansky's interpretation is its absolute precision and strength.  I cannot think of anyone else that plays with this much authority.  The only negative to this is that eventually it comes off with too much sameness.

Saw recently a quite negative critic about this album. But I still will listen to it myself. 

A great start to a long Christmas holiday with a lot of music listening...

a very lyrical solo piano album, recommended..

Hard rock doesn't need amplified guitars, it can also be done with acoustic guitars, at least when you listen to this duo, not for always - but now I enjoy it...

Streaming | WAV Download | Bandcamp

(2015)

More of Cousin's Silas' very good sci-fi orientated ambient electronica.

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2002)

I fancied something a bit different ... this will do. 

Had this one before, while not my music - quite pleasant to listen to, from the Society of Sound of B&W

This was listening pleasure in between, she is very good...

Now listening to this one which I just ripped, quite enjoyable...

On CD:-

Jack White - Lazaretto

Jazz with great drive, recommended...

Streaming | WAV

(2002)

Side one of this excellent live album, a wonderful show with good recording and sound quality.

All time favorite type of album...

I've had this album a very long time and still enjoy it. I think was the Fairies' debut album and I don't think they've bettered it.

M

An enjoyable mixture on this DS album. Some classic Straits, some light-hearted like My Parties, and some serious  e.g. Iron Hand.  

Joe Bonamassa - Ballard of John Henry