What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2016
2016 has arrived today, so time to start this thread afresh.
Last year's thread (and links to previous years) can be found here;
Some trax of the new Ben Watt album due April.
Why wouldn't you?
It's not fresh. It's not new. It's always emotional though. I'm so glad they did this. I noticed when I went on to Amazon for the pic it's now just six quid. Six quid! Should be distributed to the masses.
Good news is my twelve year old heard Ain't No Sunshine and wanted to hear more of her stuff. She and her friends took on a school radio session the other day. Maybe next time she can take this with her. Perhaps then Eva could be cool wid da kids.
Time to cheer up.
My Chemical Romance
Na na na (na na na na na na na na na)
Picked this up at my fave local used CD store yesterday for $3! When I checked out the guy said "Well, that sure was priced incorrectly. Lucky you!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqGQVAvtmHw
The influence of Edwin Fischer's Bach playing is quite clear.
1969 and sounding superb.
G
JamieWednesday posted:
Time to cheer up.
My Chemical Romance
Na na na (na na na na na na na na na)
I had to give this one a listen since I haven't heard anything since The Black Parade. Not sure it will be in my rotation but the first song was definetly a fun song.
Time for Beethoven's first two concertos. Fischer and the LPO play with HIP sensibilities, with a focus on sharp articulation and breezy, speedy textures, perhaps at the expense of a stable, basic pulse. This is both a risk and an opportunity for a pianist, as it is fully up to him to ensure tension doesn't slacken - and Schwizgebel rises to the occasion. He plays these works with the care of a big sonata, a layered, multidimensional performance that pulled me in and didn't let go. Ideal balance between piano and orchestra, and reference sound make this a strong contender.
Cheers
EJ
Schubert / Beethoven: Sokolov
Franz Schubert: Impromptus D 899 | Three Piano Pieces D 946
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major op. 106
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Johannes Brams: Intermezzo in B-flat minor op. 117. no. 2
A real treat and delight to listen to this album. It seems to me Sokolov, like Brendel, is an intellectual giant in his playing. There is such a calm confidence with such assurance that you always sense the direction they are going is just so right.
The older I get the more my leaning goes in this direction as well. So many of the younger generation tend to just be unidimensional with speed / technique as there only calling card. Maybe, as a listener only this is a draw as it may be exciting. You could even say that the playing is absent of all mannerisms (whatever that means) simply because there is an inverse relationship between speed and musicality. The faster you play the less chance you have of taking the time to inject beauty and meaning in to the notes. Therefore, a listener receives less as does a player but it is the latter that is the real tragedy, in my opinion. Think about the difference between a harpsichord and a pianoforte. I believe this is why the pianoforte is standing the test of time.
I have recently been toying around with the set of Schubert's first four Impromptus D 899, the D 946 pieces and the Moments musicaux on the piano. Hearing Sokolov here was all I needed to motivate me enough to focus more completely on these perfect gems. And it isn't because Sokolov might impress and leave your jaw drop to the floor. For me, it is just for the opposite reasons. It is because the masses may be underwhelmed by his often slower tempos and ultra focused, intellectual approach.
His vision / soul can be clearly seen on the cover photo. It is a man and his piano with the music connecting them. Everything else be damned.
A relationship with music is the most beautiful and perfect thing I can imagine now. It will never rob or steal from you or hurt, manipulate, use, slander, maline you and on and on with the list of sins that man is capable of. With music, it is the perfect symbiosis. The more you put in to it the more you will receive back (in the long run) with only an undeserved list of virtues like honesty to be enjoyed for life.
First run of this one - tempted after seeing it posted several times here. Absolutely stunning. High Res download from Qobuz.
Have to give this another go. Love this one. I will have to pick this up.
Running in the new Kandid fitted this morning
In #1 and #2, Lewis and Belohlavek go for a warm, classically proportioned, sensible reading that observes all marks, never overflows, never calls any undue attention to the performers, and yet never bores through Lewis' completely mastery and familiarity with the music. Listening to this right after Schwizgebel wasn't a good idea, as my mind wasn't prepared to immediately throttle into the lower gear required to enjoy Lewis. Textbook Beethoven done right. Harmonia Mundi's sound is excellent - I have the printed CDs as well as the hires download, and there isn't much between them.
EJ
1st play. 16/44 download
really good so far. Good recording.
Never knew Fleetwood Mac had this sound. Now I do thanks to the forum.
A mistaken double-exposure becomes an album cover.
Peter Epstein: saxophones, Jamie Saft: farfisa organ, piano and accordion (on track X)
Chris Dahlgren: bass, Jim Black: drums and percussion
Streaming | Deezer Elite
(1973)
I used to have this on vinyl, it was another one that sadly became lost or stolen. Many thanks to Plinko for playing this the other night and reminding me of this super album, it's prog' with many styles one of which is King Crimson.
In the mood for Stephan Micus after taking a long walk along the river.
JamieWednesday posted:
Why wouldn't you?
It's not fresh. It's not new. It's always emotional though. I'm so glad they did this. I noticed when I went on to Amazon for the pic it's now just six quid. Six quid! Should be distributed to the masses.
Good news is my twelve year old heard Ain't No Sunshine and wanted to hear more of her stuff. She and her friends took on a school radio session the other day. Maybe next time she can take this with her. Perhaps then Eva could be cool wid da kids.
Excellent tip, Jamie. I have couple of Eva's albums but not this one so have placed an order. As you say, a bargain, especially when it's two CDs and a DVD for £6!
Mike
Kovacevich's first recording of Beethoven #1 - no comment, he remains my favorite pianist of all times.
Cheers,
EJ