What are you listening to right now? (VOL I)

Elar Cello Concerto. Beatrice Harrison, soloist with the composer conducting the New Symphony Orchestra in 1927, originally for HMV 78s. The splendid transfer I have came out on EMI CD in 1993. I was given pre-publication CDs with gold instead of alluminium metal layer, which presumably are rather rare, and I certainly prize the 9 CDs that make up the whole set.

The performance is one to love - not perfect, but it gets the nostalgia of the piece and its whistful mellow tone just right, and completely avoids the exagerations that seem to be an increasing part of modern performance practice in it. Antother great performance is that by Navarra with Barbirolli and the Halle, which is out on Testamant. I would not put either in front of the other, and both catch the music's quintessential volatility that stops it sounding dirge-like or self-indulgent.

Obviously Navarra has the rather better recording though the old set keeps the balance and musical nuance perfectly adequately, being very clearly recorded in the first place. Some may be surprised to find a double basoon or tuba doubling the string basses for most of it. The accoustic playback of the time could barely pick out the string bass, but these two reinforcers produce a much larger range oof overtones to guide the ear. In fact it is so nicely done that it barely registers once one has noted it. The practice of doubling for records stopped in 1928, because of significant improvements in pick-up design. HMV even made their first electric pick-up, amplifier, and speaker in 1926 or 7, of which only four were made at the time, Elgar being the recipient of one!

All the best from Fredrik

The trip: Dirty Vegas
Many 80's super hits compilation.

Ralph Towner / Open Letter / ECM

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Charles\Desktop\king_crimson.jpeg[/IMG]

Not the pretties cover you have ever seen but a treasure inside nonetheless.

How is that I cannot add an attachment on this forum but others can, I don't have a problem in padded cell? On this forum when in the reply box I do not see the option to post an attchment.

Erik

You can't directly attach an image in this forum.

Upload your image into Image Shack free hosting. (HOST IT button)

COPY the DIRECT LINK from amongst the links offered.

PASTE direct link URL into the Naim Forum's opened image box above the message reply box.

Hit OK and POST NOW.

Or just post a link to an Amazon.com photo for album covers using the display image button.

A very interesting new release from ECM - not the usual stuff. Jazz meets Philip Glass, meets ECM sound meets a bit of dance, meets empty space stuff. Hope this is understandable - probably not but I like it.

Nik Bärtsch's Ronin - Stoa

'The texts recount from different perspectives presumably Sibylline prophecy of what is expected to transpire on the day of Christ's Judgement of Mankind, the Mallorcan version concentrating with some relish on fiery torment and terror, the Valencian text looking towards the resurrection of the faithful and the 'deeds both good and ill of men…'

Music of the sixteen century with the powerful and pure singing of Montserrat Figueras.

Haim

Great singer - even if she didn't think she sounded right on a recording.

Sorry for the small pic, it's "Telvin" from the Erkan Ogur Trio, available here or directly in a shop in Antalya...

cheers
Stefan

Judeo-Spanish spiritual songs sung by Alia Musica.

Haim

Another Fine Day - "Life Before land"

This brings me back.

Had a copy on an old BASF orange C-90.

Might not make the best lyric thread but sounds very good to these ears after all these years.

Just listened to the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue of Bach played by the great H Walch, and just about to hit the hay with Elgars' Violin Concerto. Menuhin/ LSO/ Composer done for 78s in 1932, and wonderfully transfered to CD in 1993. I got invaded by the opening bars of the slow movement at work, and simply could not get the music out of my head. So it has to be done: listen to the composer's way! It is the most magical opening to a slow movement. Heck, and I thought I was going off romantic music, but I guess not entirely! Fredrik

PS: I still have the 78 album set (of this recording) I first learned to know this mucic from. I had thought to sell it, but no, it runs round in my blood, so I cannot part with it even if that is pure self-indulgence, really.

Crusaders: The Good and Bad Times ( 1986 release )
Love the last track on the Side 2 'Three Wishes' composed by Joe Sample which is more guitar oriented tune rare for the Crusaders. A nice mix of rhythm and melody.
The entire album is mixed *hot*, but I love almost every tunes.

A programme on Radio4 about the Allegri "Misere". What beautiful music.

Even No Mod Jazz - another great ace compilation

Rory Gallagher - against the grain