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#91

The Jazz Lounge / Re: What Jazz are you listenin...

Last post by JBS - October 26, 2025, 04:40:25 PM

Resuming with Rollins


In the form of CD 1 of this

#92

The Diner / Re: Shakespeare

Last post by JBS - October 26, 2025, 04:37:20 PM

Except that Hamlet shows next to no interest in seeking the throne for himself. Claudius refers to him as the heir apparent, and Fortinbras at the end implies the Hamlet would have made a capable ruler. But other than that there is only one line - in a 4000-line play! - where Hamlet says that Claudius "popped in between the election and my hopes." There's no sign otherwise that Hamlet had the slightest interest in ruling Denmark himself.

But would Claudius have known that? Or knowing it, decide this show of no-interest was merely a display meant to allay any suspicions Claudius might have? And Claudius could not rule out any aggrieved Danish lords persuading Hamlet into revolt.

#93

The Diner / Re: Shakespeare

Last post by (poco) Sforzando - October 26, 2025, 03:55:55 PM

I presumed it was a case of keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. It's certainly not unheard of for the late king's son to decide he wants to oust his uncle from the throne even if the uncle is not responsible for the late king's death.

And of course he may have done it to keep Gertrude content and not needing to worry about what trouble her son might be getting into at school.

Hamlet after all is in his late teens/early twenties. Prime age for princes at loose ends who've lost out on succeeding their father on the throne to cause trouble.

Except that Hamlet shows next to no interest in seeking the throne for himself. Claudius refers to him as the heir apparent, and Fortinbras at the end implies the Hamlet would have made a capable ruler. But other than that there is only one line - in a 4000-line play! - where Hamlet says that Claudius "popped in between the election and my hopes." There's no sign otherwise that Hamlet had the slightest interest in ruling Denmark himself.

#94

The Diner / Re: Shakespeare

Last post by (poco) Sforzando - October 26, 2025, 03:52:22 PM

Doesn't he blow everything by not doing it pat?  I must say, I find the "Now might I do it pat" speech utterly, totally, barbarian, alien, unchristian. Does he not know about The Lord's Prayer? Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.


On the point about shipping him to England, I wonder why Claudius forbids Hamlet to leave Elsinore at the start of the play. After all, it's already clear to all the world that he doesn't exactly fit in.

He blows nothing at that point. He has just seen the play which has definitively revealed Claudius's guilt. There will be other opportunities to carry out his revenge. And yes, it's not a very Christian speech. But he has also tipped his hand to Claudius, who now knows that Hamlet has somehow found out his secret. Hence Claudius from now on will be looking for ways to eliminate Hamlet. When Hamlet kills Polonius, an act of murder by a supposed madman, Claudius now has the upper hand.

And Claudius does not forbid Hamlet to leave Elsinore. He beseeches and implores Hamlet to remain, and Hamlet does so partly at the Queen's behest. 

#95

The Diner / Re: Last Movie You Watched

Last post by Karl Henning - October 26, 2025, 03:30:50 PM

director of photography Roger Deakins' commentary track

Quirky, funny & dark.

#96

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Purchases Today

Last post by AnotherSpin - October 26, 2025, 03:13:52 PM

So that everyone can feel comfortable, I should say I have no Medtner albums and no Alkan albums. I never had any Medtner, and about twenty years ago I had two or three Alkan recordings by Hamelin, but they have long since gone.

#97

The Diner / Re: Last Movie You Watched

Last post by SimonNZ - October 26, 2025, 03:11:26 PM

director of photography Roger Deakins' commentary track

#98

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Bach on the piano

Last post by AnotherSpin - October 26, 2025, 03:01:10 PM

A frightening picture of what too much dexterity can do.

A good definition. How often we have been offered, and continue to be offered, dexterity instead of music.

#99

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Bach on the piano

Last post by prémont - October 26, 2025, 02:46:11 PM

I guess he figured with everybody trying to play Bach on the piano he decided to play his music on the forte instead.

A frightening picture of what too much dexterity can do.

#100

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Purchases Today

Last post by Madiel - October 26, 2025, 02:35:13 PM

I have 4 discs of Medtner (the Hyperion ones by Milne which are 2 discs each, and the Skazki were hard to find) and 0.5 discs of Alkan.