What are you listening to? (Vol VII)

Thanks again, Doug.

Piano sonatas arranged for eight string guitar and played exquisitely by Paul Galbraith.

--and thanks to Haim I am starting my day with the Paul Galbraith Haydn album too!  Very nice.....

Just had to play this one again, amazing sound, one of the best AF releases so far. 

On CD:-

All that talk about the new Steve Hoffman vinyl had me dig out my 32XD on CD.

Schubert's Piano Sonata in G major(D.894) and Piano Sonata in A major (D. 959)

Well, here it is.  A CD I ordered on a whim, then nearly cancelled it as after 8 weeks since I still had no idea of a delivery date.  Thankfully, I was distracted long enough and then missed the opportunity to cancel it as it suddenly shipped last week.

I wasn't prepared to be as affected by this disc as it turned out to be.  I can't stop thinking about it and have listened to this once in each of the last five days.

From the first bar of the G major it was immediately apparent.  Drastically different than what I was accustomed to from the likes of say Kempff, Uchida, Brendel, Schiff, Planes, Andsnes etc.  Why I connect with this G major especially is that it is so far removed from the hurried pace and glitzy "performances" that are so common and this simply is a breath of fresh air.  Not that there is anything wrong with the others.  It is simply down to being able to finally realize a worthy contrast.  This is playing of a solitary man and his piano and the music - not unlike what you'd hear in my music room under perfect conditions.  Very focused and spiritual in a sense.  

I contrast the G major with Kempff who is well known for his cantabile playing style (in a singing style-very lyrical).  The first movement is marked Molto moderato e cantabile which means very moderate and in a singing style.  While Kempff has the cantabile part down it is debatable what 'very moderate' should be?  This recording is 'very moderate'.  While Kempff does not take any repeats you can still see that Pennetier takes 48 minutes compared to Kempff's nearly 31 minutes for the whole Sonata.

So I give a hearty recommendation for this with a little word of warning.  I really am ecstatic about this disc although I would caution most people to be aware and not jump in unless you are prepared.  Sadly, this isn't for everyone.  Many people do not want to spend nearly 50 minutes on one Schubert Sonata.

I say this as I personally know people who do not like Schubert for his inability to be concise.  On the other hand, if you can connect to Schubert's world I happen to believe he never wrote one superfluous note.  This recording would drive many nuts as it really pushes this to the limit and requires a contemplative demeanour.

The recording though is first rate and can hardly be bettered.  It sounds exactly how a fine piano should in a small, intimate room or hall.  While I don't agree with everything this for me finally represents some interesting possibilities and contrast.  I find Pennetier to be very focused and he respects the score quite remarkably.  With this, his approach is pretty literal and he does not milk or push anything really.  I have learnt a lot from this recording but certainly won't put away my other versions ever.  I still like what the other players do as well.

Regards,
Doug 

Disc IV, starting with Brahms Cello Sonata No 1 & 2.

Symphony #1, in an excellent performance by Haitink and the Concertgebouw Orchestra (the title 'royal' was only granted in 1988). 

Cheers,

EJ

Bob Dylan "Love and Theft"

Another Symphony #1. Thielemann aims to mine the music for every drop of drama and emotion but he does this by almost pulling the music apart with tempo and volume changes. The result is gorgeous-sounding, sometimes exciting but rythmically slack and heavy handed at times as well. The end of the first movement is so slow that the transition to the second movement hardly registers, the sunny third movement is subdued and almost casually done except for the sterling effort by the lower strings. The fourth movement doesn't start too well, picks up halfway but then Thielemann loses the plot just before the end, and ruins the finale payoff. All in gorgeous sound.

Cheers,

EJ

Ensemble "Excerpts"

The Plastics Revolution

Cass McCombs "Wits End"

A

Knut Hamre and Steve Tibbetts