What are you listening to? (Vol VII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 29 December 2010
Vol VI - https://forums.naimaudio.com/ev...8019385/m/9042967727
Vol V - http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...385/m/9962941917/p/1
Vol IV - http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...8019385/m/1832985817
Vol III - http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...385/m/6192934617/p/1
Vol II - http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...8019385/m/3112927317
Vol I - http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...8019385/m/6532968996
AND - this might be of interest:
http://forums.naim-audio.com/e...962920617#1962920617
On the Original bendy Black!
and very fine it is too.It shows how strong his songs are.
I miss him.
(But no mention of Mr Hillarby?)
atb
james
On the original 1984 Black!
On 12inch.
On the Original bendy Black!
Complete with dustbin bag and instructions about things you can do with the bag?
Underrated JA record - made me quite depressed when I first heard it many many years ago: there is a line "If you've only lived on earth then you've never seen the sun or the promise of another thousand suns that glow beyond" - Paul Kantner seemed to summarise how insignificant we all were.
Still I Thunk, Thunk, Thunk, Thunk a lot about it and realised my Thinking was nothing but a lot of Funk.
From 1968: the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble - one of the groups that appeared on those wonderful early 70s CBS sampler elpees with Spirit, Argent, Chicago, BS&T and Black Widow.
From 1968: the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble - one of the groups that appeared on those wonderful early 70s CBS sampler elpees with Spirit, Argent, Chicago, BS&T and Black Widow.
I had a few of those samplers in my original vinyl collection.
Another of your great blasts from the past.
I still think Island did the best sampler LPs in the early days.
Stu
and very fine it is too.It shows how strong his songs are.
I miss him.
(But no mention of Mr Hillarby?)
atb
james
James,
I think the songs have been covered with love,
A great selection of people who loved the Big mans music.
The only thing i dont like about it, Is the album cover??
Its shite imo.
Stu
On the Original bendy Black!
Complete with dustbin bag and instructions about things you can do with the bag?
Yes with the cardboard lyric sheet & cardboard fish sleeve.
Hi Doug, have been thinking about this issue for some time. I'm not especially fond of the Diabelli variations but paradoxically it features on some of the best discs in my collection *). How is it? (Note that I greatly admire Lewis' Beethoven cycles).
*) Disclaimer: I'm not a great golfer, of course.
EJ
EJ,
It is clear that you suffer from triskaitriantaphobia, which simply means you have the fear of the number 33. The fear of 33 usually begins with the overzealous tactics of the number 32 who never really wanted to be outdone (eg. by Beethoven's 32 Piano Sonatas, Beethoven's 32 Variations in C minor or Bach's 32 (30 + 2) Goldberg Variations etc.). The truth is that the number 33 is the numerical equivalent of AMEN: 1+13+5+14=33; therefore, the final word on the subject. Case closed.
The message here is clear. You need to face your fears head on and therefore, you must get this recording of the 33 Diabelli Variations 
. Besides, having Paul Lewis' Concerto and Sonata sets only add up to two. It will complete the trilogy of Paul Lewis' Beethoven recordings to have this and then things will be balanced.
Mitsuko Uchida playing Mozart piano sonatas yesterday and Red by King Crimson today ... a juxtaposition of great beauty :-)
Cheers
Flettster
Doug,
is this perhaps the best AoF piano version?
i'm wondering for ages if it's worth paying up the £20+ 
don't think i'll find a copy for less
Debs
Debs,
I really don't know if this is the best The Art of Fugue, if such a thing can be answerable? It may not be everyone's cup of tea but for those who find a connection, I'd say yes, this is quite worthy of all the accolades.
I do like this recording very much but then I do not prefer, every time at least, a reading that tries to portray an upbeat, happiness, for example. To me, this seems contrary to the spirit of the music itself yet many artists try to liven this work up with exuberance and fast tempi etc. This would not describe Tatiana Nikolayeva. I think the cover photo is an excellent visualization of what you can expect to hear. She maintains a healthy distance from the keyboard and this poise (level headed, intelligent, relaxed, sober, rational...) seems to exemplify her philosophy of the music she is interpreting. She also has an impeccable touch / tone / control and has the structure and inner voices worked out that all seems so natural.
Having said this, I still enjoy my Walcha, Sokolov, Aimard or various versions for string quartet, orchestra etc. too. The music is too great to limit its interpretation / instrumentation choices etc. If anything, I would liken this to Walcha except for the obvious differences of the instruments. It is an unhurried, thoughtful reading and if you can appreciate the music without all the extra layers of stuff added then this is for you; a barebones, neutral reading of pure music.
So in many regards, it is one of the best recordings out there if this description appeals to you. Again, when I listen to this it is so reminiscent of how it feels to be alone at the piano with this wonderful music. (it is music best served in this type of relationship). Hard to put into words but you can really sense the player and instrument becoming one here.
Regards,
Doug
Doug,
Thank you for your points of view, always interesting to read what you have to say.
By favourite i meant only for piano version...
although i suppose it still applies that it's difficult to point at with the AoF.
I am no expert but of the beleif that JSB deliberately wanted people to feel their own ground with how they presented this work, like a gift to oncoming generations of musicians, it is so satifying to hear so many different versions.
I have the Tatiana Nikolayeva 2cd set on my wish list for now...
and - after enjoying a sample free listen on spotify, i ordered the Marcelle Meyer piano works 17cd set, which i don't think will get any cheaper.
that will keep me going for a while : )
Debs
Recorded in Teldex Studio, Berlin, Octobre 2009
harmonia mundi CD © 2011
On the Original 1967 Black!
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Cheers
Flettster
Looked this up on Soul Jazz website; seems really interesting. Similar to the recent Scientist dub/dancehall/grime double CD. Will definitely check this out.
A brilliant performance, dominated by the direction by Rostropovich and the phenomenal Boris of Ruggero Raimondi. The other roles are sung with conviction if not always beautiful voices, but the overall impression is mind-blowing. Recording quality is good, with a bit too much emphasis on the singers.
Cheers,
EJ
The first lady of rock on vinyl - just levelled the tonearm and she sounds even better....has anyone been as consistently fabulous over the last 20 years or more???
