The Well Tempered Klavier

Since you guys are going for it bigtime, this gets a top recommendation from me - if you've still got any money left!



A truly exceptional performance of the finest counterpoint ever composed. Not easy listening, but if you want to look at the stars...!

Jeff, just say what you feel, your thoughts are as valuable as well as anyone else's here.

For what it's worth, I believe that you have, in that first John Lewis disc, the best of his series, as well as one of the most thought-provoking performances of this wonderful music that I've ever heard.

But (and I'm starting to sound like a broken record here) do try to hear the Richter recordings that I've mentioned above, for the Bach and all else.

As a new point, what does anyone else think of Ralph Kirkpatrick's clavichord recordings of these extraordinary pieces (DGG Archiv Originals)? They are the only discs that I own where there's strict advice to replay them at a volume lower than that of quiet conversation. Possibly closer to what the great Johann Sebastian had in mind than just about anything else out there.

ATB

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Jeff, just say what you feel, your thoughts are as valuable as well as anyone else's here.
Graham

Thsnks, Graham, but I really have nothing else to contribute on this topic. I have a very tiny classical section accumulated over twenty-five years. I came to the John Lewis disc because of my liking the MJQ during a fifteen year period of listening to lots of jazz. For whatever reason around 1999 I cycled into a indie rock/pop phase that has continued passionately to this day.

I find the few classical discs I have relaxing and enjoyable, particularly on Sunday mornings and sometimes enjoy an internet radio classical station from North Caroline (WCPE I think) that Patk recommended on this forum.

Anyway, thanks to you all for sharing your knowledge on this thread.

regards,
Jeff A

EW I am sure you are right in your comments on playing capability. I am guilty of doubts with no real knwoledge and it was a postulation. Hewitt, certainly, exudes confidence in her playing.

Jeff as Graham suggests please feel free to comment. I am a novice myself. Hewitt is only my second WTC interpreter and my first on the piano.

I know John Lewis from the MJQ but not his Bach recordings. I can but imagine how they sound based on how great he sounds with the MJQ.

quote:

As a new point, what does anyone else think of Ralph Kirkpatrick's clavichord recordings of these extraordinary pieces (DGG Archiv Originals)? They are the only discs that I own where there's strict advice to replay them at a volume lower than that of quiet conversation. Possibly closer to what the great Johann Sebastian had in mind than just about anything else out there.

Interesting and based on listening to Walcha I can understand the advice. I am amazed how piercing the harpsichord can sound, It could strip paint off the walls if you turn the volume up too much, but is beautifull to listen to as suggested at low volume. Great with the first coffee of a Sunday.

regards
geoff

I wrote the post above before seeing yours Jeff

We are obviously partly on the same wavelength in some respects. I have a much larger Jazz collection and we both feel the same about Sunday listening.

regards
geoff

Nice to see people stepping out of their squares with such enthusiasm then! Too many people these days just seem to establish a taste and then reject everything that doesn't fit. I've been a heavy-duty classical man since I was at high-school but I don't know if I'd sit through the whole WTC in one session even if I had the time... it's nice to enjoy these things in installments and really get to know the parts that make up the whole.

The Art of Fugue disc I recommend makes a good listen though, although it is serious music to say the least.

Jeff and Geoff

I think that Jeff is being too retiring. I feel perfectly confident in declaring that Queen were cr*p without ever having owned a Queen record.

It's all about how the music makes you feel.

ATB

Graham

Graham - Here, here.

EW - Thanks for the art of Fugue suggestion. I am working on the Violin Sonatas and Partitas aswell, hence the Mullova which I have not had a chance to listen to yet. I am very taken with Chopin Nocturnes. I also have a few dusty old LP's of Rachmaninov playing Rachmaninov, along with some other interpreters.

There is just not enough listening time so for now the Art of Fugue will go on the to be explored later shelf.

George (GFFJ) is responsible for tipping me into classical seriously for which I am very gratefull though he also has much to answer for to my bank manager.

regards
Geoff

I an embarrassed to mention this, but I love some of what Queen does. The "Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of my favorite "what the f**k" excesses, when the weight of refecting on everything just becomes too much.

Sorry to post two in a row, but I just listened to the infamous Queen Rhapsody, and followed it up with Billy Eckstein doing "Lush Life".

About the "Lush life".

No one ever wrote a better tune, and no one ever sung it better, except maybe Queen Latifa ...

Well, Mike, you're a sad f*cker, and I may not communicate with you further! I can't believe that you think that Queen are worth listening to.

On any basis, you're a sad b*gger.

But, what the hell, you communicate here.

So, what the hell?

Graham

No offence intended, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Well, Mike, you're a sad f*cker, and I may not communicate with you further! I can't believe that you think that Queen are worth listening to.

On any basis, you're a sad b*gger.

But, what the hell, you communicate here.

So, what the hell?

Graham

No offence intended, of course.

What kind of an attitude is that?

You need to reflect on this.

Sorry, old chap! I've had far too many beers this evening!

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Sorry, old chap! I've had far too many beers this evening!

Graham

I am right behind you. A bottle of vodka is waiting for me.

Time to get cleaned up, so I can go eat and drink myself into oblivion :-)

You will understand that we all f*ck up.

The College that I studied at thirty years ago in Oxford University has just come out of the statistics as the very best, five years in a row. As was, when I was there. So I'm feeling a bit smug!

But Richter playing Bach will put it all in perspective.

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
But Richter playing Bach will put it all in perspective.
Graham

I say BOTTOMS UP :-)

mike

I'm well prepared to accept that I was an arse.

But let's go for the music!

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
mike

I'm well prepared to accept that I was an arse.

But let's go for the music!

Graham

Not at all. That was an invitation to put your beer vertical, hence "Bottoms Up".

That way we can have a quick beer together here on the internet.

I used the expression because I thought it was fundamentally English. How was I to know?

So?

Please just try to listen to the recordings that I've recommended.

Richter was above all others!!!

But it's only my opinion, of course.

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Please just try to listen to the recordings that I've recommended.

Richter was above all others!!!

But it's only my opinion, of course.

Graham

Graham, that is understood. It will happen this year. I'm a little backed up at the moment.

And about Oxford. Not all the smart people went to Oxford. But I admire, envy and respect you for having done so. That much is certainly your due :-)

Well, Mike, Merton College was, and remains, the very best place in the very best place to study in the world. I was lucky enough to be there over thirty years ago.

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
I just listened to the infamous Queen Rhapsody

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

I hate that band with a passion! AWFWUL, tasteless racket which I cannot endure, even for a few moments!!

quote:

Originally posted by Earwicker:

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
I just listened to the infamous Queen Rhapsody

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

I hate that band with a passion! AWFWUL, tasteless racket which I cannot endure, even for a few moments!!

Never the less .....

Oh come on, I love to give Mike the biz, but please, bagging on Queen? I'll come to his aid for that one. You people have no fun left in you. Good god, no one said they were the beesknees, but fun? When I was in school and they were on the radio, look out, it became party time. Bag on Mike for Latifah...that should be your mission...and besides, Freddie worshipped Montserre Caballe, who doesn't? That alone should tell you to keep hands off.
And for the Richter, years ago in class a teacher played about 10 versions of Schumann's piano cto, and everyone picked Richter.

quote:

Originally posted by soundsreal:
but please, bagging on Queen? I'll come to his aid for that one. You people have no fun left in you.

Fun? FUN?? Unless you're one of those people who enjoys being tied up and whipped, how being subjected to that foul, kitsch, tasteless and filthy racket can be construed as a form of pleasure is beyond me. The world would have been such a better place without that appalling band!