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;
Slim68 posted:Steve Hackett, The Night Siren WAV CD Rip.
My first play of this album, impression is that I will have to give it a chance and try it again a few more times.
It sounds like you're having the same problem I had with his last effort, 'Wolflight'. I didn't manage more than twice. Maybe I ought to give it another shot just for the hell of it.
Listening to this very good album, just have to say that I find it a pity that a lot of artist loose their original speciality and all get this ECM sauce in the way they play...
Nice for breakfast...
A+3 | WAV
(1964)
Remembering the days I actually had this on vinyl as one of my first ever buys, this one however ripped from a more recent CD.
Streaming double CD version. One of his better more recent releases.
A nice bit of Pinnock doing Handel, on vinyl, to celebrate the Water Music's 300th birthday:
Franz Liszt: Daria Telizyn (piano)
Sonata in b minor, S178 | Concert Etudes No. 1 Il Lamento and No. 2 La Leggierzza
In the world of performing artists there are the showmen and then there are the artists who serve only the music. There is also music written by every composer that tends to call for showmanship and this is fine. Here the showmen show their showmanship best and the artists fair rather poorly. The converse is also true.
It is in the profound type of music that is written for those dreamers (like me) that seek something spiritual and life-affirming that you find the quiet and like minded souls. It is no secret the Il Lamento has long been one of my favourite pieces of music. I have many recordings of big name artists who get lot's of thumbs up on Youtube or likes on Facebook but somehow there is something not quite right overall (as I compare what I see or want to hear/feel from the music). Of course this is personal but for me when I first heard Daria Telizyn play Il Lamento I knew this is as close to perfect as I have yet to hear. Quirky and not as polished as the best snake oil salesman does not even matter to me. This is playing of the highest order when it comes to heart and soul on a human level.
As I commented previously, everything has to be in context. You can't play the Mephisto valse slowly and without energy or passion. You shouldn't race through "Du bist die Ruh" as this is contrary to what the piece is about. Il Lamento then should make you feel grief and sorrow and you cannot race through this or play with a metronome. Finding the key to musical interpretation and understanding then has to acknowledge some aspect of matching the emotional meaning with context in musical interpretation. What did the composer wish to accomplish with this piece? Also, the listener has to be prepared to acknowledge what emotions should be sought out. This scares many as they try to keep that stiff upper lip and tamp down any emotion.
For my money (and satisfaction) I will spend much time with Daria Telizyn as in this particular music she obviously gets it. The suffering and pain is palpable and genuine and if you know this music you might feel it too. It doesn't help to know that she is no longer with us. Thankfully though the highest quality diamonds are always rare while there is no shortage a Yuja Wangs in this world where fast food seems to satisfy.
Iconoclast posted:
Thanks for posting this one. It's now on my shopping list.