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;
Now playing.....
Tim Richards Trio - Twelve by Three
Saw this mentioned by PCD yesterday and wanted to give it a spin. I could not think of anything better than to start the day with some "British contemporary jazz!" Through two tracks and this is one sweet album......
Portishead, Third - playing the vinyl from the delux box. For a complete change of mood after Percy and Allison:
Mr. John Abercrombie, RIP & thanks. - Within a Song. 24/88.2
......now playing
Dire Straits - Dire Straits
In the mood for some Dire Straits, love the lyrics and music on this album, just makes me smile.
Rather enjoyable
John Abercrombie/Dave Holland/Jack DeJohnett - Gateway, from 1975. CD-rip
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): 1) Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano) | 2) Ingrid Marsoner (piano)
Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Can one ever have too much Bach? Each additional Goldberg makes me better than I was the day before and this week I would say that two new Goldberg's has twice the effect. I place these side by side not to compare the interpretations. This would be a large, somewhat unfulfilling and pointless exercise. I fully respect the work done by either of these fine pianists.
The difference in approach is clear but other than that the obvious difference is in the recorded sound. I must say today that I prefer the Gramola which is rich, clear, and crisp while the accentus disc is slightly wooly - not bad but maybe a little to close? The other difference is that Marsoner is maybe a tad quicker (overall) but very similar in most cases. Her playing is crisp, focused and youthful. Xiao-Mei, on the other hand, adds much perspective due perhaps to much more life lived and it reflects in the interpretation.
In the end, two fine Goldberg Variations that I like very much where each follows their own unique personality to get there.
Maria Joao Pires - Bach piano concertos
For a long time I thought that Pires only recorded one album with music of Bach (Partita no 1, English Suite no 3 and French Suite no 2). However, last week I discovered that see also recorded some of Bach's keyboard concertos. So I immediately order the CD (couldn't find this release on Qobuz or other download sites).
These are fine performances of Bach's concertos. This music was recorded in 1974. The tempi of the music is bit slower than recent releases. But that does not bother me. Sound quality of the recording is good.
Piotr Anderszewski - Bach, French Suite no. 5 - Overtures
My answer to Florian's question 'Can one ever have too much Bach?' is no. 
From allmusic.com
Pianist Piotr Anderszewski made his major-label debut as violinist Viktoria Mullova's accompanist on a pair of Philips discs of violin sonatas by Janácek, Prokofiev, Debussy, and Brahms released in 1995 and 1997. He then made a recording for Plexa of Bach solo keyboard works in 1999 before hitting the big time with a Virgin/EMI contract in 2000. A decade later in 2010, Harmonia Mundi re-released Anderszewski's Plexa recordings on the budget-priced Musique d'abord label, and for those who missed them, here's another chance to hear his take on Bach's Fifth French Suite and Overture in the French Manner. They are, as Anderszewski's most dedicated fans already know, stupendous. There's no question of technique -- the Polish pianist plays everything here with not the least sign of strain -- nor of intelligence -- his performances are absolutely lucid with every line of counterpoint clear and every line integrated into a unified whole -- nor of sensitivity -- lines are not merely lines but melodies with their own rise and fall -- nor of spirituality -- there are emotional depths here that only the greatest pianists have plumbed. Recorded in crisp, clear digital sound, this disc should be heard by anyone who enjoys great Bach or great piano playing.
(1969)
Jeroen20 posted:Piotr Anderszewski - Bach, French Suite no. 5 - Overtures
My answer to Florian's question 'Can one ever have too much Bach?' is no.
From allmusic.com
Pianist Piotr Anderszewski made his major-label debut as violinist Viktoria Mullova's accompanist on a pair of Philips discs of violin sonatas by Janácek, Prokofiev, Debussy, and Brahms released in 1995 and 1997. He then made a recording for Plexa of Bach solo keyboard works in 1999 before hitting the big time with a Virgin/EMI contract in 2000. A decade later in 2010, Harmonia Mundi re-released Anderszewski's Plexa recordings on the budget-priced Musique d'abord label, and for those who missed them, here's another chance to hear his take on Bach's Fifth French Suite and Overture in the French Manner. They are, as Anderszewski's most dedicated fans already know, stupendous. There's no question of technique -- the Polish pianist plays everything here with not the least sign of strain -- nor of intelligence -- his performances are absolutely lucid with every line of counterpoint clear and every line integrated into a unified whole -- nor of sensitivity -- lines are not merely lines but melodies with their own rise and fall -- nor of spirituality -- there are emotional depths here that only the greatest pianists have plumbed. Recorded in crisp, clear digital sound, this disc should be heard by anyone who enjoys great Bach or great piano playing.
Not the least sign of strain, nor intelligence nor sensitivity? That's harsh
He's also recorded Mozart with his sister around this time. Well worth hunting down although in the end, he's the master while she's OK.
Cheers
EJ
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Matthias Goerne (baritone) | Christoph Eschenbach (piano)
Winterreise D.911
It is never a happy or warm thought to realize that some of the best things in music, literature and art, in general, were produced under extreme and adverse conditions. And yet, how prolific was Schubert and other composers who barely entered their thirties? The last year or so of Schubert's life produced more miracles than I could list here. Just think about Winterreise, Schwanengesang, the last piano sonatas, the Impromptus, the two Piano Trios, the Fantasy in f minor (duet), the Fantasy in C major for violin and piano alone. And this is just to name a few of the many works in his output during this time.
All of this in a time when Beethoven had just died and Schubert was probably aware of his own mortality. Amazing really. Haunting even? Maybe this explains some of the reason why I connect so well with this music and Schubert and other composers of this period?
From the start, Gute Nacht - "A stranger I arrived; a stranger I depart" to the end Der Leiermann - "Strange old man. Shall I come with you? Will you play your hurdy-gurdy to accompany my songs?" Winterreise is truly special - and very sad.
Working my way backwards through the wonderful baritone Matthias Goerne and his recent Schubert series. Christoph Eschenbach on piano is very supportive and effective and I can see why he is the one chosen to do the heavy lifting for Winterreise, Schwanengesang and Die schöne Müllerin.
1991 - CD...
Apparently they're back... madder than ever!
The KLF: Pop's saboteurs return after 23 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41022272
An excellent album from the sadly departed John Abercrombie.
Fancied listening to this, as I haven't heard it in aeons. This is an EMi centenary press from 1997. not sure if it's sourced from digital - sounds like it. But it does have a working zip!
(1989)
He's a voice that I've enjoyed for twenty years or so, sometimes it's just good to give his albums a spin.
Kevin-W posted:Fancied listening to this, as I haven't heard it in aeons. This is an EMi centenary press from 1997. not sure if it's sourced from digital - sounds like it. But it does have a working zip!
Good to know you checked! 
Original 1999 double vinyl
Why? I saw a mention of Shirley Bassey the other day and it reminded me I owned this...
steve
(1998)
Because It's a faint follow on to Chris Isaak but mainly because I love getting into the Mex/Tex based stuff they do.
John Abercrombie/Eddie Gomez/Gene Jackson - Structures, from 2006, 24/96 flac. Chesky one mic recording!
