Gurn's Classical Corner

[Gurn Blanston]

I've requested Gurn's book above from my local library, as well as, a interlibrary loan for this one:

[asin]0195166655[/asin]

Both look to be very interesting to me.

Brown is quite interesting. I've got a few of his essays on violin technique. He can be kind of a radical, IMO, and I think he may well be the root of Norrington's occasional OTT behavior. The "if a little bit is good, then a lot is SUPER!" school. But his research is wonderful and interesting. Let me know how you like that, I might snap up a copy for myself.

[Opus106]

Thanks for the gist of those chapters, sanantonio. It all seems very interesting, but how helpful of a book do you think it would be for someone who has no musical training whatsoever?

[Opus106]

I can't say for sure since because I have had some musical training it is hard for me to anticipate which terms or ideas might be confusing to someone without the benefit of that kind of education.  However, it is not overly technical and does not require someone being able to read a score in order to get through the material.  His style is rather dry, though - but which might be the product of a poor translation.

Thank you.

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks for the gist of those chapters, sanantonio. It all seems very interesting, but how helpful of a book do you think it would be for someone who has no musical training whatsoever?

I have no musical training whatsoever. That is no impediment so far (I'm about 100 pages in) because there are no musical examples. It is primarily a history book, IMO. It does presuppose that you aren't a totally ignorant bastard, but you have no worries there, since you aren't.   

[Opus106]

I have no musical training whatsoever.

Well, I'm not falling for that again, Mr. I-was-a-member-of-a-church-choir(?)-and-played-the-trumpet.

It does presuppose that you aren't a totally ignorant bastard, but you have no worries there, since you aren't.   

Reassuring. Thanks.

[Gurn Blanston]

Well, I'm not falling for that again, Mr. I-was-a-member-of-a-church-choir(?)-and-played-the-trumpet.

Reassuring. Thanks.

But trumpets didn't even have valves back when I was in secondary school!   So none of that counts.

[Opus106]

But trumpets didn't even have valves back when I was in secondary school!

Oh, and a precocious PI-specialist too!

[Gurn Blanston]

Oh, and a precocious PI-specialist too!

[SonicMan46]

 

Well, you two are too much into yourselves @ the moment! 

Now, musical training?  Well, I took up the accordion as a teenager for a couple of years, so could @ least read 'basic' music! 

I was going to put this post in the reading thread but would have been buried?  May have a better purpose here, just a guess - I'm currently reading the book shown below; YES, pretty basic but recent and w/ a LOT of great color photos - divided into a number of sections including one that discusses the instruments (ancient to modern), plus others about composers - I think an excellent introduction for the ones getting started in classical music, a good review for oldsters (like me), and maybe a nice explanation of areas that even experienced members might find useful - but just my opinion - Dave

[Gurn Blanston]

One of the benefits of subscribing to Spotify is that you can access this wonderful series from Naxos:

18th Century Classics

On another note, I have been checking out this book from my library over and over waiting until I could find a used copy to purchase for less than $100.  Finally my wait has been rewarded with finding a copy for the princely sum of $28.00!

[asin]0393037126[/asin]

Yes, this IS a great series. I made many happy discoveries there. If you hadn't listened to him yet, let me recommend Franz Ignaz Beck. Way ahead of his time.

Man, that was a great deal!  I waited about a year for the same reason and finally got a nearly new perfect copy for $95. 28 would have been (and still is) freaking amazing! Good on ya!

[San Antone]

Yes, this IS a great series. I made many happy discoveries there. If you hadn't listened to him yet, let me recommend Franz Ignaz Beck. Way ahead of his time.

Man I'm loving this series.  So many wonderful recordings from my favorite period; too many to list.  But yes, Beck is nicely represented. 

I just listened to a couple of things that I want to plug:

F.X. Richter Symphonies



Anton Zimmerman String Quartets

[mc ukrneal]

F.X. Richter Symphonies

A favorite of mine. Fantastic stuff...

[Brian]

On modern instruments in January:



On period instruments in January:

[Opus106]

On period instruments in January:

Psst...that should go here. Take it down before Gurn sees it.

[Gurn Blanston]

Psst...that should go here. Take it down before Gurn sees it.

Although the Clementi certainly looks interesting! I've wondered if anyone would essay these works again. And PI to boot!   

[Brian]

Although the Clementi certainly looks interesting! I've wondered if anyone would essay these works again. And PI to boot!   

Uh-oh, you may wish to re-read, it's the other CD that's PI, the Clementi is with the Rome Symphony Orchestra.

[Florestan]

Here's a well researched and nicely done BBC documentary on Mozart:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

As a bonus, most of the performances are HIP.

I have only one (major) quibble: in Part 2 which is dedicated to his operas not even the slightest mention is made of Don Giovanni... 

[Gurn Blanston]

Here's a well researched and nicely done BBC documentary on Mozart:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

As a bonus, most of the performances are HIP.

I have only one (major) quibble: in Part 2 which is dedicated to his operas not even the slightest mention is made of Don Giovanni... 

Thanks for the links. I wonder if the omission of DG is made to counterbalance the fact that in many (most?) books on his operas, DG gets the lion's share!

[Florestan]

Thanks for the links. I wonder if the omission of DG is made to counterbalance the fact that in many (most?) books on his operas, DG gets the lion's share!

Hah! Maybe you're right... Here the lion's share is taken by TMoF and TMF, with TAfTS thrown in for good measure.

Anyway it is an excellent documentary which I highly recommend watching.

[Opus106]

I have see part of it... up to, I think, his Paris days. But I've seen the Beethoven in its entirety.