What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol.VIII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 29 December 2011
With 2012 almost upon us, it's time to start a fresh thread. I've gone back to an earlier thread title because often the "why" is the most interesting part of the post.
Anyway, links:
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
Dreaming of the peace and quietness of the first snowfall (which suits Schubert, IMO).
David Fray - always very inspirational.
Originally Posted by bishopla:
This post finally made me listen to this LZ IV for the first time but I recognized a few tunes. It has got to be over 30 years ever since I have heard the *famous* power ballad (Stairway to Heaven).
It was even better than I remembered on the Sondek/Briks.
Art of Fugue: Ristenpart/Chamber Orchestra of the Saar
Listening to Bach has a cleansing effect like sliced ginger in sushi.
These Nonesuch records sound great. Need to try their Brandenburg Concerti.
Billy Strayhorn: The Peaceful Side
He's not much of a pianist, but boy he wrote many cool tunes. ( esp. for Duke )
George Frideric Händel (1685-1759)
Händel Messiah
Margaret Marshall soprano
Catherine Robbin mezzo-soprano
Charles Brett countertenor
Anthony Rolfe Johnson tenor
Robert Hale bass
Saul Quirke boy soprano
Monteverdi Choir
11 sopranos, 7 tenors, 7 countertenors, 7 basses
Crispian Steele-Perkins solo trumpet
Elizabeth Wilcock solo violin
Alastair Ross organ & harpsichord
Timothy Mason cello
English Baroque Soloists ~ seven violins I, five violins II, four violas, four cellos, two double-basses, four oboes, two bassoons, two trumpets, timpani, harpischord/organ.
Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner
Philips 3 x LP box-set (p) 1983
First disc.
Cheers
Flettster
Cheers
Flettster
Browsing through the Fuga Libera catalogue ....
The Levee is about to break.
Then you'll have no place to stay.
Glen Hansard - Rhythm & Repose (released on 19 June)
First Listen @ NPR:
First play observations:-
As much as I hate to say it, this is a bit of a mess. Not sure if it's just maxxed out or the mixing guy is just deaf. There seems to be a treble sheen. saying that just got to track 4 and it is a lot better.
Disappointing so far. Probably won't make RUSH any new fans.
Replayed a couple of tracks of Clockwork Angels and it seems the CDP was "cold", sounds better now.
Album probably better than I first thought. 6.5/10.
Lontano that's how the other rating levels are made , with halves. 
Vinyl:
Pre-footy (England v France ) I'm in a big band kinda mood.
On CD:
On iMac/iTunes:-
I think Mary holds the distinction of being the only support artist I had previously heard off. she was touring with Richard Thompson. Definitely a win/win.
B.B.A - Spirit of the Century
i consider this quite a special recording in my collection. heard it 1st oh, mi 90's i guess when i was browsing in Tower Records, Picadilly. After a "who is that?" with one of the staff -- bought it immediately.lot of energy in the voices!
enjoy
ken
Christianne Stotijn (born 1977, Delft) is about the best advocate for these songs that you could wish for. She possesses a very beautiful mezzo, and tackles these delicate works with sensitivity and expressiveness, with what to me sounds a good grasp of russian. Julius Drake is sensational as her partner, and part of the success is due to his big range of colors in what must be on paper quite restrictive music (almost never rising above mf, most notes happening in the middle of the keyboard). Based on earlier evidence I never gave Tchaikovsky's songs much thought, but these two artists have completely changed that.
Cheers,
EJ
After a good wax polish on the car, a quick tea-break turns into the most highly enjoyable 76 minutes of viol music...
as i regain the energy to get out the garden and pull a few weeds.
Debs
Debs, good call. Did you know Savall has reissued most of the discs he did for Naive as part of his Aliavox label? At mid price, but you wouldn't know it from the terrific remasters and the packaging. This includes his two discs on Sainte-Colombe with Kuijken, and this box set of five discs of Marais in various settings.
EJ
Christianne Stotijn (born 1977, Delft) is about the best advocate for these songs that you could wish for. She possesses a very beautiful mezzo, and tackles these delicate works with sensitivity and expressiveness, with what to me sounds a good grasp of russian. Julius Drake is sensational as her partner, and part of the success is due to his big range of colors in what must be on paper quite restrictive music (almost never rising above mf, most notes happening in the middle of the keyboard). Based on earlier evidence I never gave Tchaikovsky's songs much thought, but these two artists have completely changed that.
Cheers,
EJ
EJ
If you like Russian art songs, I can whole heartedly recommend the song collections recorded by Sergei Leiferkus. He recorded songs by Mussorgsky (4-5 CD's) and Tchaikovsky (3-4 CD's) on the Conifer label in the mid- to late nineties.
I like this CD by Stotijn very much, but Leiferkus is the real deal ...
-
Aleg
On CD
Graham
Christianne Stotijn (born 1977, Delft) is about the best advocate for these songs that you could wish for. She possesses a very beautiful mezzo, and tackles these delicate works with sensitivity and expressiveness, with what to me sounds a good grasp of russian. Julius Drake is sensational as her partner, and part of the success is due to his big range of colors in what must be on paper quite restrictive music (almost never rising above mf, most notes happening in the middle of the keyboard). Based on earlier evidence I never gave Tchaikovsky's songs much thought, but these two artists have completely changed that.
Cheers,
EJ
EJ
If you like Russian art songs, I can whole heartedly recommend the song collections recorded by Sergei Leiferkus. He recorded songs by Mussorgsky (4-5 CD's) and Tchaikovsky (3-4 CD's) on the Conifer label in the mid- to late nineties.
I like this CD by Stotijn very much, but Leiferkus is the real deal ...
-
Aleg
Aleg,
Have to disagree with you on this one. Not doubting Leiferkus' mastery, but the snarl in his voice not to mention objective approach does not make him well suited to these sweet, melancholic songs. AFAIK Conifer did not get past two volumes of the planned complete Tchaikovsky cycle, and Leiferkus took on only one of those. The other was sung by Nina Rautio, a huge soprano who at the time sang the big Puccini roles in Milan, and also she fails to engage with me. Stotijn is in a different league, maybe not authentically Russian, but in terms of pathos and style, definitely.
Mussorgsky's brooding songs are a different matter. For one thing, Conifer managed to complete the cycle (4 CDs, all sung by Leiferkus). Also, Leiferkus is much more at home in these. He still has more Iago than Boris in his voice, but there are moments of greatness. Too bad that planning wise, all the good material appeared on the first two discs!
PS the less said about the pianist, Semyon Skigin, the better!
Cheers,
EJ