The Diamond Mine

[karlhenning]

[ Is there really no thread for David Diamond? ]

How do you like this, Corey?

[vandermolen]

One of the greatest American composers - especially for his Symphony No 3 - he sent me a lovely reply to my fan latter. Symphonies 1-4, Psalm, Kaddish and romeo and Juliet are my favourites + a great String quartet (can't remember which one).

[jowcol]

I'll chime in-- I don't have that much of his catalog, but I really like the disc with Symphonies 2 and 4 on Naxos-- the first movement of the second is wonderfully grim.  He's certainly one I'd like to get to know better.

[karlhenning]

Here again is where we miss Chris (weirdears), who studied with Diamond . . . .

[Kullervo]

Oh, how you put me on the spot!

It's wonderful — very personal, unique music that is "romantic" without sounding like a throwback or like film music. The first symphony is an early work but is very assured in its orchestration and melodic writing. I can see why Schoenberg called him "the new Bruckner", because his slow movements are certainly of a rare beauty. The violin concerto is also lovely, with a very memorable theme providing the basis of the first movement and a rollicking final rondo. The gem of the disc, for me, is the tone poem The Enormous Room, which eventually builds up from quiet beginnings to a climax that is (really) breathtaking.

I'll be going through Naxos traversal of the symphonies (alas, woefully incomplete) over the next several days and will post my thoughts here.

[karlhenning]

Oh, how you put me on the spot!

Well, you've certainly responded with grace  0:)

[ChamberNut]

Ah yes, Diamond Dave, what energy he brought to Van Halen!   

[Kullervo]

Might as well jump (out the window)

[Dr. Dread]

Better?

[ChamberNut]

Might as well jump (out the window)

[Dundonnell]

I was about to say something about David Diamond but my sense of horrified outrage at the hideous sight of this virtually naked long-haired 'rock personage' had driven me away

[karlhenning]

No, wasn't sporting . . . .

[Dr. Dread]

I deleted it. 

[karlhenning]

I appreciate that you were funnin', Dave.

But cor, that was a revolting image 

Colin, come back!

[springrite]

I have heard so many people telling me to get his string quartets. But I still haven't heard them. I only have one chamber music CD which was OK, but the symphony #2 is the one that I really really like.

[Dr. Dread]

I appreciate that you were funnin', Dave.

But cor, that was a revolting image 

Colin, come back!

Yes, I forget there are women on the board.

[Dundonnell]

I deleted it. 

You, sir, are a gentleman

[Dr. Dread]

You, sir, are a gentleman

No, sir. No, I'm not.

[springrite]

No, sir. No, I'm not.

Come on, don't be so modest, you diamond-in-the-rough!

[Dr. Dread]

Come on, don't be so modest, you diamond-in-the-rough!