Benjamin Grosvenor: Homages

Bach-Busoni | Mendelssohn | Franck | Chopin | Liszt

This is such a fine program and the playing in turn is very animated.  I think this is what sets Grosvenor apart from many others is his crystalline touch and that he gives the music direction.  In this he is shaping it and telling a very interesting story and so the outcome is always an experience.  A fine album I can heartily recommend for any pianophile.

CD, brilliant progressive rock.

DrMark posted:

(My brother also had a music instructor at NYU who thought the NY Philharmonic was junk, and I do not know why.) And I am not very well-versed in the genre, so I figure let me tap into the knowledge base of those who are much more up to speed on it.

DrMark,

The most important thing is if YOU like it or not. Hell with those who poo poo Lenny.

Do you like Mahler's music? My concert going friend does not pay much attention to conductor. But he enjoys and certainly knows much more about classical music than me. What matters to him is the music/contents. Not the conductor or players etc..

I am afraid that there is no easy way out if you want to get into the nuances of things. Invest the time to listen to a few other readings past and present. ( Klemperer, MTT, Walter, Boulez etc.. etc ) You don't have to listen to all at once. Pick a symphony and listen to several readings. Then after a while you start hearing different style in each. Then you know what you like and what you dislike.

i only scratch a surface after abandoned classical music for many years in my life and coming back and realising what I have been missing. It's not for everyone as I will never be able to connect with say, punk rock or certain genre of the music but I am willing to invest my time remaining uncovering new *old* music. It's been fun.

Speaking of Mahler, I have been listening to a few myself.

Lenny certainly was a great advocate for the composer and has done more to spread his work ( Walter also tried ) via TV. It's astonishing to know that the program like this ran on a major broadcast in a US prime time!

Here Zubin Mehta reminisces Lenny in UE Mahler Interview.

He also talks about the feud between Walter and Klemperer. ( starts from about 8:17 )

Stevee_S posted:

A + 3 | WAV

(1979)

This one recently (rediscovered by myself) is going down really nicely. 

Same here Steve. I've given Tusk more listens the past two years than I did in the previous 36 years. It's aged like a fine wine. I think of it as Fleetwood Mac's white album both for the eclectic music stylings and the degree of dissention within the group during its recording. 

Jethro Tull. Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!. On original vinyl from 1976. Fancied a light-hearted "rock opera" this evening. Or maybe a musical graphic novel?

Listening to this album from Yes now - while working. Makes me very productive. Great collection of songs - not just the songs we now so well. But also some less know songs. Also nice sound on my mobile setup....

on Nonesuch...

DrMark posted:

Would actually appreciate feedback from the classical music experts here regarding this set of recordings...

I’ve listened to many, many recordings of Mahler’s symphonies and find myself returning to the Bernstein/NYP set often. Is this the Andreas Meyer remastered version? If so, it’s a keeper!!!

FELIX MENDELSSOHN - Octet for strings in E-flat Op. 20. Vienna Octet, Decca CD-rip. Monday morning pick me up by the then 16 yr old composer!

Porcupine Tree - Signify, on vinyl...

On vinyl...

Bryan Ferry - Let's Stick Together

Just played this without and with Isotek Opitimum power cord to my Rega Aria phonostage form part of my all Rega vinyl setup. Very dull sounding without, but magical with. Likewise all my other vinyl is so much better. Sometimes there is enough so you don't notice what the power cord can do. Producers and artists don't go out to make dull sounding music, so if it's dull look for a cause.

A + 3 | WAV

West  by Wooden Shjips

(2011)

Californian bay area, 60s sounding contemporary psychedelic rock from a band whose sound and fuzzy amped riffs I enjoy a lot.

On vinyl...

On vinyl...

Sufjan Stevens - Majesty Snowbird & The Lord God Bird

Sometimes, those gifted people we can't emulate but only listen to do the most inexplicable things.

I know this guy is supremely talented and has a desire to move on, but here are a couple of magical moments that he's never seen fit to record, and in my opinion we're all  the worse for it.

Majesty Snowbird had a tour named after it FFS, but all we have is a collection of shonky videos, with even shonkier sound. But this doesn't stop the music from getting through.

And this, The Great God Bird. When he was talking about recording an album for each of the States, he came up with a song, purportedly off the cuff, when challenged for Arkansas

Neither recorded properly. 

There's a new album called Planetarium win conjunction with Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner et al. in June... 

First up, Sarah Jarosz - Undercurrent

....next, James Taylor - October Road

.....and now Elvis Costello with Bury Bacharach - Painted From Memory

An eclectic mix you might say, but all of these have a lovely, cool, relaxing vibe. Just the thing if you are in the mood.

A + 3 | 24/96 ALAC

(1967)

The Doors - Strange Days (Édition Studio Masters)

Gene Harris - At Maybeck

Why? If you have to ask why then you are probably not a fan of blues/jazz piano. If you are a fan then you owe to yourself to hear this. It is just wonderful.

Gary Shaw posted:

Sufjan Stevens - Majesty Snowbird & The Lord God Bird

Sometimes, those gifted people we can't emulate but only listen to do the most inexplicable things.

I know this guy is supremely talented and has a desire to move on, but here are a couple of magical moments that he's never seen fit to record, and in my opinion we're all  the worse for it.

Majesty Snowbird had a tour named after it FFS, but all we have is a collection of shonky videos, with even shonkier sound. But this doesn't stop the music from getting through.

And this, The Great God Bird. When he was talking about recording an album for each of the States, he came up with a song, purportedly off the cuff, when challenged for Arkansas

Neither recorded properly. 

There's a new album called Planetarium win conjunction with Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner et al. in June... 

Thanks for those Gary.

The Selecter - Greatest Hits.

Kicking off this evening with a bit of the old 2Tone, and the most marvellous Pauline Black.

I haven't played this in aeons. I seem to recall that I bought it in the late '80s after hearing it being played in a naim demo by Mark Tucker and Doug Graham (I think on LP12/Aro/Troika/Armageddon +NAC52 +4xNAP135 +SBL). It obviously sounded good then.