What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2017
2017 has arrived today, so time to start this thread afresh.
Last year's thread can be found here;
Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Roberto Plano (piano)
Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses (1845-52; dedicated to Jeanne Elisabeth Carolyne, Princess Sayn-Wittgenstein)
- Invocation
- Ave Maria
- Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude
- Pensée des morts
- Pater Noster
- Hymne de l’enfant à son réveil
- Funérailles
- Miserere, d’après Palestrina
- (Andante lagrimoso)
- Cantique d’amour
Franz Liszt went through three main phases in his long career. First, a pyrotechnical rock star, a starry eyed playboy, and then a monk. How's that for a twist in the plot? Well, I am being a little facetious here by stating it this way but it is quite a remarkable story actually. Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses may just be his first serious attempt at signalling to us the direction his life would soon take.
I typically would never espouse the view of some that the notes simply speak for themselves. In this set of music this could never be truer. You cannot just play the notes and expect a listener to understand what you mean, yet, the other extreme where you get too over the top (as always) is just simply tasteless. What this set needs more than anything else is simply reverence or a commitment to seeking what truth there is here. This set is also about personal reflection and yes, solitude. In this, I think Roberto Plano is certainly meditative enough and reflects deep thought adequately. So this is a good thing.
Incidentally, faster tempos is probably the biggest enemy of music that should be reflective or meditative. Here Plano is mostly spot on. My other favourite here is François-Frédéric Guy's superb recording.
The recording is generally good but I found some of the louder, busy sections to be a little to muddied? Perhaps it is his tendency to over pedal? Maybe it is just the way it was recorded? Otherwise, while I was OK with the single minded focus of Plano I felt that occasionally he could follow the directions written in the score better.
So this set of music is really a full meal deal. Covers everything from death to life eternal. Many of the works are prefaced by the writings of Alphonse de Lamartine which give some literary meaning. Liszt of course was a master at translating words to a musical language where words cannot compete.
One can see some general tricks that always work. For instance, in Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude (The Blessing of God in Solitude) you can sense barrier where the melody first starts below it and slowly rises to eventually come out above it. Just like pealing an onion, Liszt slowly opens this up heavenward until total bliss is attained. A close examination of the score can illustrate clearly these very symbolic gestures. When played correctly (in my head) this is one of the most remarkable pieces with a slow climax that is capable of making the hairs on the back of your neck stand straight up.
In contrast you can see in the beginning of Pensée des morts (Thoughts of the Dead). You guessed it. The general tug of the music is downward but it does not succeed. Eventually you are interrupted by the De Profundis announcement (the 130th Psalm) and then followed by a rather dreamy section that many have thought was a direct nod to Beethoven's opening movement of the so called Moonlight sonata.
Anyway, so much more to be said but I'll stop here as one cannot scratch the surface even with just words. I find this all to be fantastic music with loads of depth. Not for everyone, of course, but if you are capable of contemplation then this music is for you.
AntonD posted:
16/44 WAV. 1st play. Lovely way to start the morning
Not how I remember recorder playing at school!! Wonderful stuff from Steger - streaming from QOBUZ. Thanks for the recommendation.
Another classic album from Blue Note: Freddie Hubbard.
Florestan posted:Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Roberto Plano (piano)
Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses (1845-52; dedicated to Jeanne Elisabeth Carolyne, Princess Sayn-Wittgenstein)
- Invocation
- Ave Maria
- Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude
- Pensée des morts
- Pater Noster
- Hymne de l’enfant à son réveil
- Funérailles
- Miserere, d’après Palestrina
- (Andante lagrimoso)
- Cantique d’amour
Franz Liszt went through three main phases in his long career. First, a pyrotechnical rock star, a starry eyed playboy, and then a monk. How's that for a twist in the plot? Well, I am being a little facetious here by stating it this way but it is quite a remarkable story actually. Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses may just be his first serious attempt at signalling to us the direction his life would soon take.
I typically would never espouse the view of some that the notes simply speak for themselves. In this set of music this could never be truer. You cannot just play the notes and expect a listener to understand what you mean, yet, the other extreme where you get too over the top (as always) is just simply tasteless. What this set needs more than anything else is simply reverence or a commitment to seeking what truth there is here. This set is also about personal reflection and yes, solitude. In this, I think Roberto Plano is certainly meditative enough and reflects deep thought adequately. So this is a good thing.
Incidentally, faster tempos is probably the biggest enemy of music that should be reflective or meditative. Here Plano is mostly spot on. My other favourite here is François-Frédéric Guy's superb recording.
The recording is generally good but I found some of the louder, busy sections to be a little to muddied? Perhaps it is his tendency to over pedal? Maybe it is just the way it was recorded? Otherwise, while I was OK with the single minded focus of Plano I felt that occasionally he could follow the directions written in the score better.
So this set of music is really a full meal deal. Covers everything from death to life eternal. Many of the works are prefaced by the writings of Alphonse de Lamartine which give some literary meaning. Liszt of course was a master at translating words to a musical language where words cannot compete.
One can see some general tricks that always work. For instance, in Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude (The Blessing of God in Solitude) you can sense barrier where the melody first starts below it and slowly rises to eventually come out above it. Just like pealing an onion, Liszt slowly opens this up heavenward until total bliss is attained. A close examination of the score can illustrate clearly these very symbolic gestures. When played correctly (in my head) this is one of the most remarkable pieces with a slow climax that is capable of making the hairs on the back of your neck stand straight up.
In contrast you can see in the beginning of Pensée des morts (Thoughts of the Dead). You guessed it. The general tug of the music is downward but it does not succeed. Eventually you are interrupted by the De Profundis announcement (the 130th Psalm) and then followed by a rather dreamy section that many have thought was a direct nod to Beethoven's opening movement of the so called Moonlight sonata.
Anyway, so much more to be said but I'll stop here as one cannot scratch the surface even with just words. I find this all to be fantastic music with loads of depth. Not for everyone, of course, but if you are capable of contemplation then this music is for you.
Thanks for you explenation Florestan! I am going to give it a try, tommorow.
Tonight is Jazz night. 
Regards, Jeroen.
Because I like Mahler and picked up this sealed vinyl in a charity shop for £4.99 yesterday. Which was nice.
Last one for tonight.
From Dusk Till Dawn - soundtrack.
A bunch of greasy Southern rock, with SRV, ZZ Top etc, and I defy anyone to listen to this and not see the relevant scenes from the film in their head.
Captain Beyond while my wife is watching Chopped Junior.
I used to have this on vinyl and finally downloaded a replacement today, about ten years after I sold the record. It's a wonderful album, with vocals very much to the fore and restrained backing from a small group. The very wistful muted trumpet is quite captivating, though of course the singing is what it's all about.
Hungryhalibut posted:I used to have this on vinyl and finally downloaded a replacement today, about ten years after I sold the record. It's a wonderful album, with vocals very much to the fore and restrained backing from a small group. The very wistful muted trumpet is quite captivating, though of course the singing is what it's all about.
Brilliant album.
Of two worlds:
Jan Garbarek, Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
Anouar Brahem, Oud
Ustad Shaukat Hussain, Tabla
Bought in no small measure on a recommendation from Dave.
Jeroen20 posted:Last one for tonight.
There is nothing that can follow it anyway...and stand the comparison.
steve
Yet another $5 Big Lots pickup from my Saturday shopping soiree...
2 x LP - ECM Records 2010 : )
Nik Bärtsch — piano, electric piano
Sha - bass clarinet, alto saxophone
Björn Meyer — bass
Kasper Rast - drums
Andi Pupato — percussion
Recorded at Studios La Buissonne, Pernes-les-Fontaines. March 2010
~ < > ~
On side B at this moment in time, excellent modern jazz soundscapes, really dig the spooky feely parts especially,
first play with some way to go, Ex+ SQ only let down slightly on poor quality ECM vinyl
on Vinyl. First listen after picking it up last week. This is their third release and already their best I think. Dave Pen is also a member of Archive, a hugely underated band IMO. Some traces of Archive here but also some Floyd at their most glacial. Superb self production too. Roecommended (you can check them out on a well know streaming service).
Still know him from a small jazz festival, where he played pretty traditional. It's still not highly modern like e.s.t. or others, but it's highly enjoyable and that's what counts...
Only looking at who's playing at londons village underground in the near future and remember what a great night seeing Jazzanova with Paul Randolf was a few years ago. Got as well the opportunity to come across the support guest Zara McFarlane. With a real tight jazz ensemble as backing.
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Texas Flood. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble -
Couldn't Stand The Weather.
Finishing off the evening with some more Southern bar room r 'n b.
On CD. Excellent fourth album by the French electro maestro. He uses cheesy souding keyboards but in an entertaining way. He definately has that French Jarre/Daft Punk sound. Must be something in that Evian!
