What are you listening to? (Vol VII)

Cheers,

EJ

My awareness of Cédric Tiberghien as a pianist of note came as a result of my interest in Alina Ibragimova, the violinist, and the Szymanowski: Complete Music For Violin And Piano album they did together on Hyperion.  Both, in my opinion, are solid musicians and I guess it is fair to say that their style suits my style very much.  I can't say enough about either as soloists or as a duo.

New this week to me was the Ballades and today was my first and second listen.  I am very impressed and enjoyed this immensely.

Now, on to some Beethoven:

Doug, I am intrigued by your comment on the extreme character of Pogorelich's recording. He is technically brilliant (and these come with the highest recommendation!) but in terms of interpretation he plays it straighter than Tharaud and certainly Pletnev, who reinvents this music for all intents and purposes.

Cheers,

EJ

P.S. on Pogorelich the dandy. Pogo has always been self-aware of his looks, and I think he looks fine on this picture. A couple of years after this recording was made, I went to see him backstage in Rotterdam and he had this weird little pony tail. Then, again a few years later during one of his rare performances (his wife had died by this time), he was bald. Didn't seem to affect his playing!

Recordings: September 1984, Haus der Kunstler Prag

(Cembalo - Georg Zahl. Munchen)

Orfeo LP (p) 1987

Hi Debs,

As usual an exciting alternative! I have some of her Bach recordings on Supraphon, where she alternates between harpsichord and organ. Can't say I'm too fond of them - her Bach comes across as stuffy and formal. Worth an occasional listen for their uncompromising seriousness.

EJ

On Naim's own label. Cheers,

EJ

Hi EJ

I find her harpsichord music comes to life more on vinyl than cd, although I find that with most harpsichord music, but her style of play usually more technical before fun.

Apparently she was a good friend (and student) of Isolde Ahlgrimm who incidentally is my most favourite harpsichord heroine.

Zuzana Růžičková was a lady who luckily survived the Nazi death camps, she went on to become fairly prolific in performing on around 65 albums.



I thinks she is very interesting as a solo player, her Englische Virginalisten album on CD is excellent, and as a great team player one of my favourite Bach vinyl albums is the six concertos for 2, 3, et 4 cembalos (with Ahlgrimm, Pischner, Růžičková and Veyron-Lacroix) Staatskapelle de Dresde ~ Kurt Redel

 Debs

Playing now...







Philips 2 x LP  Very highly recommended! : )

EJ,

Sometimes meaning can be lost with a poor choice of wording.  In my own befuddled way, I only wanted to say I have the highest admiration for Ivo Pogorelich and his interpretations.  The "extreme character" comment was not meant as a negative but is a positive for me.  I really think he has a special insight into the music he plays and I admire this ability and talent.

There is no one who can sound like Pogorelich as his interpretations seem to stand alone.  Just trying to be different isn't appealing to me as many try this but somehow it just rings hollow and doesn't make sense.  With Pogorelich, I go away feeling more connected to the music and it is as if I have learnt something valuable that no one else was willing to risk or was capable of imparting to me.

It is hard to explain but I don't find any of his readings "straight".  To me this means someone who is not taking any chances and maybe taking a safe approach of just playing the notes.  Anyone I've played these Scarlatti Sonatas to sits up immediately and can not be affected by the character that Pogerelich believes is necessary for this music.

I wish I would have been lucky enough to hear him live.  I do not know if he is still actively playing though anymore?

Regards,

Doug

Dipping into this 12 x LP box-set ~ Symphony no.5 in B flat

Preserving the theme of the evening!

Just a note to say that -- apropos the classical music listeners thread -- I've really enjoyed reading this entire Scarlatti discussion, and just ordered the Pletnev recording tonight.

Best,

Carl

I have always enjoyed this recording. I have it on vinyl.  Willie Stargell's reading was elegant, better than Vernon Jordan's version in later years.

Anthony

John Dowland (1563-1626)

Lute Works Vol.1

1. {A Piece without Title} *

2. Pavana (Mylius, 1622) *

3. Mr Knights Galliard *

4. My Lord Willobies wellcome home *

5. The Frogg Galliard *

6. { A Fancy} *

7. My Ladie Riches galyerd *

8. The Lady Laitons Almone +

9. A Dream (Lady Leighton's Paven) +

10. Galliard +

11. Orlando sleepeth °

12. {What if a day} °

13. Mrs Winters Jumpp °

14. Galliard *

15. M. Giles Hobies Galird *

16. Dr. Cases Pauen *

17. Mellancoly Galliard *

18. {Galliard} +

19. Mistris Whittes thinge +

20. Go from my windowe °

21. {Almain} *

22. Mrs Whites Nothing *

23. {Pavan} *

24. {Galliard} *

25. farwell *

Paul O'Dette lute & orpharion °

* 8-course lute by Paul Thomson, Bristol 1991 (unison stringing), after Vendelio Venere (1582)

+ 8-course lute by Malcolm Prior, London, 1984 (octave stringing). after Paduan models

° orpharion by Stephen Barber, London, 1990, after Francis Palmer (1617)

Recorded June/July 1994, at Campion Center, Weston, Massachusetts ~ [total time 64:12]

Playing disc 3 of harmonia mundi 5 cd box-set © 2009

Nigel,

thanks for getting back with the confirmation, it's actually what i expected to hear.

But alas… the window of opportunity has gone via Amazon (now at £19) so it's on my wish list for time-being in cunning anticipation in case the bargain no-brainer price comes back.

btw... if you want a corkingly good Harpsichord WTC book I and II on 4 x CD set i whole-heartedly recommend...

[ADD] Martin Galling's 1964 recordings - digitally mastered to perfection! : )

From amazon via (other sellers) NEW £5.98 + £1.26 p&p

Debs

Ah, I hate it when that happens. Oh well, it's worth holding out for a decent price - I'm listening to CD 5 (Mozart Violin Concertos, played by The English Concert) and it sounds rather good.

Thanks for the WTC tip, which I have duly ordered (along with Collard's recording of Faure's piano music, on Brilliant Classics). I have Bob Van Asperen's WTC, but there's room in my collection for at least one more harpsichord version.

Cheers

Nigel

Tom Petty - Wildflowers. Posting picture failure, AGAIN!

On red vinyl:-

Must dig my copy out and give it a listen!!