What are you listening to? (Vol VII)

Haim-now this looks very interesting to me!!!

Haim,

Between the Tharaud and Sudbin, I find both the Scarlatti recordings to be enjoyable.  Nothing really that I could find fault in either.  Like you say, the different recorded sound and the fact that they do not play any of the same Sonatas makes direct comparison difficult.  I agree with you on the superior BIS recording; Sudbin does come across as more subtle.  I'm sure Sudbin is playing a Steinway and for this recording Tharaud is playing a Yamaha.  Overall though, I would group Tharaud and Sudbin in the same league but with each having their own personalities etc.  In these two cases though, I would say their personalities are somewhere in the middle or pretty neutral.

If you want to hear Scarlatti with some extreme character and distinction, then Pogorelich stands out as one of the best recordings around.  A very bright, focused piano sound but Pogorelich delivers what only Pogorelich can; incredible rhythm and sculpted precision beyond what any mere mortal could play.  His ornamentation is simply unreal in its clarity and distinction.

In descending order after Pogorelich would come Pletnev, Howowitz, and Perahia.  Many more I'm sure but at the moment these are the six pianist I am most familiar with.

Regards,

Doug

Bonus disc

On vinyl.

A favorite album cover of mine to be sure!

Hi Debs

I know what you mean about Egarr's WTC Book 1. I bought it a while ago, thinking I'd snagged another Harmonia Mundi bargain, and was quite horrified by the first few tracks, which are just as you describe.I seem to remember it picking up pace later, so I've returned to it a couple of times since, but cannot persuade myself it is a good performance. Maybe Egarr had some specific vision in mind that simply hasn't translated to the final recording.

I've listened to the first two CDs of the HM Andrew Manze set (Corelli Violin Sonatas) and Egarr's playing is far better. It's often in an accompanying role, but it's been tasteful throughout so far. Manze's period instrument occasionally squeals but I've heard worse on HIP discs. I think the set's a no-brainer for the price - is that what you wanted to hear?!

Nigel

On the Black!

On CD

Perfect for a lazyish Sunday afternoon, an hour or so of José González...

Found this (daft) Boomkat review of his KM cover whilst looking for the covers:

Plucking Kylie's 'Hand On Your Heart' from pop oblivion to be recast as a tender footed sliver of acoustic solipsism. Calming the Stock, Aitkin and Waterman melodies through a carbonated vocal-style and cascading guitars, 'Hand On Your Heart' is nowhere near as melancholic as it could have been - bringing his icy Scandanavian-charm to bear on tale of lost love. Backed by 'Sensing The Owls' (a delicate fusion of Calypso sensibilities and hearth-worn vocals) and 'Down The Hillside' (a lilting flush of piquant fragility), Jose has proved yet again why he's one artist well worth the hype.

Lovely.

On Vinyl:-

Another blast from the past. This one sounds absolutely divine on my Naim equipment.

I always thought it was a great record, but I've never heard it like this before.

Track 2, "Mahk Jchi" is sublime.

I found Anneke van Giersbergen http://www.aguadeannique.com/blog listed as a friend on the Airbag MySpace! Anneke used to be in the dutch metal band - The Gathering

I was knocked out by this video...

Anneke van Giersbergen & Danny Cavanagh - The Blower's Daughter Live at Porto Alegre - Brazil June 3, 2010 http://www.aguadeannique.com/media/21/video45 

Equally impressive are tracks from her 4 solo releases, here http://www.aguadeannique.com/music 

Anneke has a wonderful voice and reminds me of Sabina Sciubba's pure singing delivery.

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Just found this Gathering clip on YT -  The Gathering - In Motion #2  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEqjugZ87Dg&feature=related (Not bad at all)

Blimey, this good as well - The Gathering - Strange Machines - Pinkpop 1996 (HQDivX) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXqO2QySKVE&feature=related 

Denis

Kimmie's first studio recording remains an

under-appreciated gem in the Texas folk/country genre.

Thanks, Doug, for all the wealth of information. I have been listening mostly to Scarlatti's sonatas performed by Pogorelich, Sudbin and Anzellotti on the accordion. I have neglected my Pletnev and Schiff discs for a long time and I just brought them upstairs to be played today. I might look at Perahia down the road.

Regards,

Haim

Mozart's clarinet concerto, recorded by Jack Brymer and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields in 1971. The recording sounds remarkable good for its age, and the performances, although fairly middle of the road, have aged well. A real pleasure to hear again after many years.

Cheers,

EJ