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;
More Broadcast on vinyl - this time The Future Crayon from 2006.
Eduardo Delgado: The Piano Music of Alberto Ginastera Volume 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibeCzytVMNE
Unfortunately, the project was never finished and we are left only with the first wonderful volume. Can't think of a recording which captures better the spirit of Ginastera's music on top of being one of the best piano sounding discs.
Joe Henry "Civilians"
Ludwig van Beethoven: Paavali Jumppanen (piano)
Piano Sonatas opp. 2, 101 & 106
Making my way through the six discs I now have of Jumppanen's survey of the piano sonatas of Beethoven. Listening alone to just the Op. 2 sonatas you will (should) hear some remarkable differences in Jumppanen's playing compared to everyone else that you may have ever heard. His ornamentation stands out as something special and unique. At times, you will think you have heard the piece for the first time as here as it just sounds improvised.
Playing in general is sharp and crisp with flawless technique. With skills like this a musician is born as one hears what the artist wants to tell you. The unaware listener just thinks this is very nice but this is the league to be in. Many players with less or no technical skill (myself included) struggle technically and cannot with ease rise above the technical challenges to just 'play' with the score (pun not intended).
These days many young players have such exceptional technique that it may be embarrassing to put todays generation against those of a generation or two ago.
Interesting modern jazz....
I love Hilary Hahn's playing. This is her first album, recorded before she was 18.
On CD:-
Love this 'Stones album. One of their best sounding too.
G
Haim Ronen posted:
Eduardo Delgado: The Piano Music of Alberto Ginastera Volume 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibeCzytVMNE
Unfortunately, the project was never finished and we are left only with the first wonderful volume. Can't think of a recording which captures better the spirit of Ginastera's music on top of being one of the best piano sounding discs.
Haim,
While I am not an expert on Ginastera my go to album so far is Eduardo Delgado as well (thanks to you). A Volume 2 would be nice if even possible anymore (not sure why it ceased to be?).
Of Ginastera, I only know one piece on the piano so far and that is the "Danza de la moza donosa" from Danzas argentinas. Of course, I am not Argentinian but I have a very deep investment in to this piece of music (authentic or not). Truth be told, I bought the Deliyska recording only for this piece. Like many things I do I may only listen to one track on an album because at that given point in time it has some very strong connection or meaning for me.
Another example for me was the Nelson Freire Bach album. Once I heard the Prelude in G Minor, BWV 535 (the Siloti transcription) that is all I have listened to since. No other shortcomings of the album matter to me as I have found several minutes of pure glory that stay with me for the rest of my life.
As an alternative of the "Danza de la moza donosa" I can without reservation recommend this from Dora Deliyska. To my un-Argentinian ears and mind I find the softness and space she gives the music very compelling. Not that this out does Delgado - it is only a different view for which I am glad to have both available to me.
In both references to specific music here I speak only from a personal view. Both of these pieces I enjoy to listen but could never explain how much more incredible this music is under my fingers. I cannot play even one half of one percent as well as either of these artists but my body and soul know what it is that this music is about and when you do it yourself you can experience the emotion.
The beginning of this prelude brings tears to my eyes and makes every evil in this world seem non-existent (until I come back down to earth):
1972 - Original vinyl. This is a great album but it would be even better to have it on CD to skip certain tracks when that screaming Kow comes along. Experimental my ar5e!
Lindsey Buckingham "Out Of The Cradle"
On the one hand not the best recoding, but on the other hand if you know the background - it's interesting....
GraemeH posted:
Love this 'Stones album. One of their best sounding too.
G
I agree, Graeme. Somehow though I've never got round to buying a copy. I'll promise myself that when I get my turntable back I'll get one of the current 180g versions.
My current listening pleasure: Steven Wilson's 4 1/2 album. Luckily this came with a download card for a free 24bit, 96kHz FLAC version.
Tony2011 posted:
1972 - Original vinyl. This is a great album but it would be even better to have it on CD to skip certain tracks when that screaming Kow comes along. Experimental my ar5e!
What are you on about Tony? The bits with Yoko are some of the best bits. That awesome version of "Don't Worry Kyoko" is pure primal rock 'n' roll. 
I don't really like Elvis Costello but I am rather taken with this CD. It contains many of his usual irritating vocal mannerisms and lyrical tropes, but the music is absolutely bang on for a Sunday evening.
Not my favorite album of Ibrahim...
Switching to an album which I like much more, funny way how they recorded the drums by the way...
