What are you listening to? (Vol VII)

........and on ipod while cutting lawn! 

Cheers,

EJ

...........and before that.........

Debs,

I've only managed one listen so far of this recording so probably too early to actually know how it will grow on me.  All I know is most recordings I have do end up growing on me given enough time to allow me to work out what is required.  

What is interesting and of note here is the variety of instrumentation and the fresh, springy approach.  They make it playful and really emphasize the game of passing the voices around.  This is very nice.

At the moment though, truthfully, "my" first reaction is that this grates on me the wrong way a little.  Again, this is just me and should cause little concern to others as this is really mood dependant and very personal.

Currently, I have a real desire to hear this (and most music) at slower tempos - much slower tempos, that is.  At the tempo I imagine this in my head and how I would practice this would kill most people.  But I find this fugal theme extremely poignant when a deliberate (or necessary) starkness is imposed and you really concentrate on the architecture; then the beauty of that desolate place emerges.  It is in d minor after all and I just feel it needs to be in no hurry.

Once I have totally exhausted this current mood and desire to hang on each and every note I know I will appreciate this recording more so.  By the way, I ended up getting the Fretwork recording almost in the same week and again, after only one listen, I think I preferred it in comparison slightly.  Again, this is only for the moment and a personal judgement that will change.

Now for the cover, I think you would agree that there is a total lack of cover analysis and commentary in the world today.  As you and I are discovering, it can be relevant and worthy information to understand the secrets and symbolism buried within.  In this case, the car that old Bach dreamed of was probably never known before this point especially since they messed up the whole catalog reference thing.  I'm not familiar with this model but if I were a betting man I would have swore that he would be more a three pointed star kind of a guy 

Regards,

Doug

I keep coming back to the Scherzo no. 2 in B flat minor op. 31.

One of my favourite live acts in 2010

A blast from the past, used to have the vinyl, in fact should still be somewhere boxed up.

Only bought this after the feature on Jazz Library a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely cracking album!

I couldn't find my vinyl copy so couldn't resist buying a "minature" version on CD. Complete with "mirror"! 

Matilde di Shabran, in a technically good live recording from Pesaro. The opera is not one of Rossini's well known scores but certainly one of his better ones. Most of the singing here is really good as well.

Cheers,

EJ

very cool!

...now for the cover, I think you would agree that there is a total lack of cover analysis and commentary in the world today.  As you and I are discovering, it can be relevant and worthy information to understand the secrets and symbolism buried within.  In this case, the car that old Bach dreamed of was probably never known before this point especially since they messed up the whole catalog reference thing.  I'm not familiar with this model but if I were a betting man I would have swore that he would be more a three pointed star kind of a guy 

 

Regards,

Doug

Hi Doug,

Thank you for such an interesting answer,

i always find your postings an informative read : )

Another AoF version that uses a relay of multi-instrumentation is the Soloists of the Berlin Bach Academy directed by Heribert Breuer (for four quartets) who imho have performed some excellent examples of interpretation, although the piano recording is a bit poor for a fairly recent 2000 recording ~ but it only plays a little part so lets forgive. Other instruments used are: oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, vibraphon, contrabass, organ, recorder, viola de gamba.

This imo is worth buying for the vibraphon which is so unusual and comes across slightly jazzy but perfect for a good dreamy contrapuntus. The humble recorder play is a very worthy mention too.

Quite a cheap as chips CD to buy! ; )

~<>~

Well, i may have read somewhere that Bach's BMW 1080 had larger boot space for golf clubs?

But we’ll never know for sure : )

Debs

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Sonata for violin solo in A minor
Karl Suske violin

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759)
Sonate for oboe and basso continuo in G minor op.1 no.6
Sonata for oboe and basso continuo in C minor op.1 no.8
Burkhard Glaetzner oboe
Walter Heinz Bernstein harpsichord
Achim Beyer violin
Siegfried Pank viola da gamba

Johann Sebastian Bach
Italian Concerto in F major
Rolf-Dieter Arens piano

Georg Friedrich Handel
Sonata for flute and bass continuo in B minor op.1 no.9
Werner Tast flute
Isolde Ahlgrimm harpsichord
Siegfried Pank viola da gamba

~<>~

[ADD] This combination on CD (p) 1993 edel company

Fascinatingly good sound recording on this bargain value for money CD.
All musically excellent too, especially the 13 minutes of Arens on the piano, wouldn’t mind to hear more of his play : )

Debs

Philips 2 x LP box-set (undated)

My guess it they're recordings from the mid 60's and this box-set made in the 80's

Mint condition: no doubt due to the cover picture and present day social unpopularity of the religious overtones, although the music is exceedingly good in it's near operatic style setting, and backed up with some fine musicianship.

Debs