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;
Chet Baker's penultimate session for Riverside -- which was strictly instrumental -- produced an all-star lineup to support him, including jazz heavyweights Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, and Kenny Burrell.
A+ | Tidal
(1982)
Florestan posted:Bert Schurink posted:Florestan posted:Ludwig van Beethoven: Yu Kosuge (piano)
Piano Sonatas in f-minor, A-major, C-major (Op. 2, 1-3)
Piano Sonatas in G-major, d-minor, E-flat major (Op. 31, 1-3)
2016 was a year where I finally pulled the pin and went all out for Yu Kosuge. In many ways, similar to Seong-Jin Cho in temperament in that these two let the music speak for itself. There is none of this typical play louder, faster, stronger, colder and so on than the next guy.
To be sure, when I say she lets the music speak for itself I certainly am not referring to the far left which I consider the cold, indifferent, ideological types. I always tend to prefer the right (somewhere from the middle to mid-right) and would grant that this means, for myself, that there is warmth of tone and burgeoning ideas. To go to the left means you probably have no emotion and nothing to say and so the music is not allowed to speak for itself.
Kosuge has a warm tone and a beautiful focus on what is important. This two CD grouping was called Aufbruch (Departure) and this simple means that Beethoven is actually moving the music landscape of the time. You can hear the classical nature of the Op. 2 first sonatas. Not only were they dedicated to Joseph Haydn but they were the first sign of changes to come. Here Beethoven gives a nod to the past but gently looks forward. By the time you reach Op. 31 you have another major departure in Beethoven's viewpoint of music and his changing style. While conjecture on my part, I like to think that the glaring omission of a dedicatee for the Op. 31 Sonatas was not so much an omission as maybe a sign that this music is dedicated to himself (enough of these old teachers and women who just break your heart).
So I would caution many against this artist and the one previous especially if you have special ideas about Beethoven or Chopin, respectively. In this case, I would come out and say that having a one size fits all approach (Beethoven must always sound furl browed and be played aggressively or bangy like) is not really something that works for me. There are certain moments here and there where this is clearly obvious but it is not correct to expect this from beginning to end.
Kosuge is not going to tip the scale and play in some macho sort of way and this is precisely why I like her. Range is from playful to serious but without any large gestures or pontificating. If I have time, I would love to go through the pieces and relay all the musical highlights but for a quick summary this is all I can do today. The conclusion is that getting this Yu Kosuge set was one of the smartest things I did in 2016 (despite being one of the most expensive sets for me to date).
Hi Florestan,
You got me very much interested as we share apparently the same type of taste. The only thing which pushes me away from pushing a buy button is the price of the collection on the German Amazon site, same for Italy .....
Is there a place which provides this as download or cd at a reasonable price ?
Bert,
I wouldn't get all worked up about it as you may be disappointed in the end? I am a die-hard and spend with my heart to get every Beethoven Box Set that exists. I like this set very much but in reality you may not find too much difference between others such as Mari Kodama (which I think you might have?)
However, in looking at the pricing now I am quite angry. I checked for months and maybe this whole year and the prices were high in UK, Germany, France, USA, Canada etc. and all similar. So when I bought Amazon.ca did not have this box set and so I bought it from the marketplace. Somehow I think Amazon watches what I buy and what I have in my Wishlist(s). Every time I can't wait and buy a high priced produce sure enough a month later it is suddenly available at a good price. It is a conspiracy I tell you. So Amazon.ca apparently has one now at half of what I paid a month ago. You could probably get it for around 100 eur? But then if you have problems it would be a pain to deal with. Amazon doesn't seem to package things very well and in an international shipment I would expect damages?
As far as a download I don't know any other options. I know this is a Sony Music Japan and hence the high price. My only complaint other than I really overpaid is that the booklet is all in Japanese. I wish I knew how to get a translation for it somewhere?
Thanks for the info. I will do what I mostly do, put it in my list and wait for a moment where the price drops either in Germany, Italy or Spain, this has been a proven method. And yes I have and like Mari Kodama's set, as you have it all what's your opinion about the set of Melodie Zhao ?
This morning listening
Mark knopfler
CAL
16bit 44.1kHz
First album on this Christmas day.
Next
Eric Clapton
Live in San Diego (with Special Guest JJ Cale)
Happy Christmas to all the forum members.
Edward
Via CDP:-
Trio Karenine - "Schumann: Piano Trios ! & 2" (2016) as seen posted by Florestan
Czech Chamber Orchestra - "Dvorak: Serenade in E Major & D Minor; Tchaikovsky" (2004)
4 trax off her up and coming album.
Oscar's Motet Choir and Adolphe Adam - "Cantate Domino", perfect music for this day. I no longer have my best system, but this recording will shine regardless.
Pacific Symphony Orchestra - "Respighi: Church Windows; Poema Autunnale"
Jeff Anderson posted:
Pacific Symphony Orchestra - "Respighi: Church Windows; Poema Autunnale"
Merry Christmas Jeff! Never had you down as a Respighi man. If you don't know it you must try Belkis, Queen Of Sheba!
1971 - Vinyl - UK first pressing....
Pink Floyd - The Early Years
OK I'm cheating, as I'm only able to sit here, look at the box and its contents... and drool in anticipation, because mt dear wife gave me this for Christmas. Daughters bought me tickets for Black Sabbath too!
#hippyheaven