What are you listening to? (Vol VII)

On CD:-

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Concerto for 2 harpsichords in C major BWV 1061

Concerto for 2 harpsichords in C minor BWV 1062

Concerto for 2 harpsichords in C minor BWV 1060

Isolde Ahlgrimm harpsichord I

Hans pischner harpsichord II

Staatskapelle Dresden ~ Kurt Redel

(p) 1966 Stereo - Deutsche Schallplatten

[ADD] edel classics © 2002

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Sounds okay but noticeably brighter and shallow compared with my vinyl copy.

Yes, still fairly enjoyable but the vinyl version is better : )

Debs

Cheers,

EJ

Car music today.

Works of John Dowland

Recorded at Steerpike Studios II Palagio Italy

Sting vocals & archlute

Edin Karamazov lute & archlute

[DDD] UMG Recordings Inc (p) 2006

(c) 2006 Deutsche Grammophon  

All works by John Dowland (1563-1626), except -

one track by Robert Johnson (1583-1633)

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I can only vaguely remember buying this cd shortly after it’s release, an impulse purchase and after one play it remained on the shelf gathering dust.

My first listening experience seemingly erased from my memory… (a kindness of the mind perhaps?)

However… just read the Amazon 'reviews' and I see opinions are very strong on points of view one way or other, so now replaying this for my 2^nd listen (in 5 years) to hear how good or bad this really is....

It actually starts quite pleasantly, just instrumental nice sensitive lute play, fantastic recording quality. 

Sting's warts and all voice croons oddly out of sorts with the beautiful lute sounds, often breathy and desperate in an attempt to fit the part, it’s almost commendable for him to attempt such a different and delicate style from rock and jazz but as the performance continues the ‘spoken’ interludes only add to the distraction from any sense of pleasure, and this interpretation of Dowland becomes increasingly grating… the final [track 23] “In Darkness Let Me Dwell” he sings (with the full force of chronic pitch instability that no CD should suffer) for death to come.

Lets live in hope.

Debs

Beethoven Sonatas by two very different pianists.

Thanks for posting Oliver.  Will have to add this to the list. 

Pat

Another recording DG should have included in its 111 series! Fantastic performances all-round, and of all the top recommendations, the best recorded sound.

Cheers,

EJ

Tonight's music session went something like this.......

Cheers

Flettster