Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[nut-job]

I'm not a "recordings" person, but that looks awesome!

In fact it is.  As I mentioned on another thread, I have this recording on an LP (a London "LL" pressed in the 50s).  Since the lp (which I got for $0.99 at a used bookstore) is in far from pristine shape, I'm springing for the restored version on CD.

[Bulldog]

She must be pretty buoyant if you consider Martin sedentary in comparison.

Bingo.

[Harry]

Harry, the Loon Lake Hovhaness symphony in your signature has a title worthy of Gottschalk! 

[Harry]

Not by the Bulldog or other listeners of insight into the American experience.  I was looking into reviews other than mine on MusicWeb and came up with the following:

Jed Distler/ClassicsToday - "A sensational disc".
David Lewis/All Music Guide - "Everyone at the office here is unilaterally amazed by the disc's virtues".
Los Angeles Times - "Licad's dazzling crystalline tone and riveting rhythmic precision make her ideal for these 16 well-chosen selections".

So don't be so surprised with my praise for Licad's disc.  Your personal opinion is not univerally shared.  I suggest you leave your preconceptions at the door and listen to disc without prejudice. 

You are a awful little know all person, that glorifies himself in all he writes. And apart from that you are quite a snob, trying to put me in place.
You found reviews matching your opinion, and so think you have proven your point. Bah humbug!

[jwinter]

[The new erato]

You are a awful little know all person, that glorifies himself in all he writes. And apart from that you are quite a snob, trying to put me in place.
You found reviews matching your opinion, and so think you have proven your point. Bah humbug!

Well he disagrees with you. I won't call that putting you in your place. This is a place for agreements, and disagreements. It's the way we learn. That he also pulls up some references that supports his view of things doesn't prove anything (except that there are other people who shares his views), neither does it glorify anything. If you feel so strongly about it, why don't you oull out some arguments on behalf of the discs in question?

[Bulldog]

You are a awful little know all person, that glorifies himself in all he writes. And apart from that you are quite a snob, trying to put me in place.
You found reviews matching your opinion, and so think you have proven your point. Bah humbug!

I still think well of you; you just tend to lose your composure now and then.  My reason for pulling out a few favorable reviews of the Licad/Gottschalk disc was to show that I'm not alone in the wilderness.   

[The new erato]

Harry: He likes a disc that you don't like. It's not the end of the world, and it's not an affront to you. It's called (I think, as I'm not English) critical discourse. Most people here like to hear different opinions, that's why we're here.

People that don't accept being contradcited, don't post in forums like these, they start a blog instead. 

[Coopmv]

Just ordered this CD from Amazon MarketPlace ...

[Bulldog]

Just ordered this CD from Amazon MarketPlace ...

That's my favorite piano version, but some folks think it's "cold".

[Que]

Harry: He likes a disc that you don't like. It's not the end of the world, and it's not an affront to you. It's called (I think, as I'm not English) critical discourse. Most people here like to hear different opinions, that's why we're here.

People that don't accept being contradcited, don't post in forums like these, they start a blog instead. 

We all should accept each others opinions, indeed discussing our differences of opinion is essential for this forum. I'm not taking sides here, but in all fairness these elements in Bulldogs' post caught my eye which I want to point out to put things maybe a bit more into perspective.

I guess there was a bit of "heat of the moment" on both sides... And let's leave it at that.

Not by the Bulldog or other listeners of insight into the American experience. I was looking into reviews other than mine on MusicWeb and came up with the following:

Jed Distler/ClassicsToday - "A sensational disc".
David Lewis/All Music Guide - "Everyone at the office here is unilaterally amazed by the disc's virtues".
Los Angeles Times - "Licad's dazzling crystalline tone and riveting rhythmic precision make her ideal for these 16 well-chosen selections".

So don't be so surprised with my praise for Licad's disc.  Your personal opinion is not universally shared. I suggest you leave your preconceptions at the door and listen to disc without prejudice.

Q

[The new erato]

I can see the "insight into the American experience" going down as slightly cocky indeed, but as for "leave your preconceptions at the door and listen to disc without prejudice" we all do that. That is; come from somewhere in our listening. Neither Don, Harry, me or Bach started/starts with a clean slate.

[RussellG]

Some more used bin action:

[DavidRoss]

Que & erato:  I don't see anything wrong about Don's reference to "listeners of insight into the American experience."   He and the other reviewers he cited who praised Licad's recording are all Yanks and attuned to the jaunty exuberance of Licad's approach to Gottschalk's "proto-ragtime" piano music--which Don himself did not like at first.  From the review he referenced:

First impressions are often erroneous, and my initial reaction to Licad was unfavorable. She was like a 'jumping bean', sharply darting from one spot to another with minimal grace. Her staccato was too prevalent, and she exuded a harshness that made it difficult to listen to her performances for an extended period. Alan Marks, on Nimbus, was a relief after Licad; his even flow, grace, and charm was very pleasurable.

About two weeks have passed since those first impressions, and I have made a 360-degree turn. [sic] What struck me as 'jumpy' is now invigorating, and more judicious use of audio controls has eliminated the harsh piano tone. Licad offers us a pulsating set of performances flowing with life's vital juices. Additional listening to Alan Marks only reveals the limitations of his interpretations. Although they are attractive upon initial hearing, the even-flowing rhythms and charm eventually become routine and uninteresting. Licad is adventurous and daring, while listening to Marks is analogous to relaxing on the back patio and sipping a glass of Southern Comfort. Licad blazes new horizons; Marks simply manages the gains made in the past.

...Other pianists including Alan Marks and Philip Martin present Gottschalk's music in a more sedentary and mature manner. They are enjoyable but missing the crucial elements of adventure and discovery. Licad's program is also a winning one, well mixing the excitement and poignancy of Gottschalk's compositions.   

Don's "insight into the American experience" comment was neither cocky nor provocative but a simple statement about what may be required to appreciate Licad's approach to this music.  If it's arrogant provocation you seek, then turn to Harry's prior statement trashing Don's appraisal of the disc:

O, I a so surprised you saying that. It is the worst recording I ever heard, and I am not the only one in thinking so.
The playing is horrendously bad.
This music is far better served by Martin
Licad should be forgotten, and will be no doubt.

And in response to Don's restrained and civil defense of his opinion (quoted by Que above), Harry offered this bit of very telling nastiness:

You are a awful little know all person, that glorifies himself in all he writes. And apart from that you are quite a snob, trying to put me in place.
You found reviews matching your opinion, and so think you have proven your point. Bah humbug!

To which Don offered this exemplary mature and civil response:

I still think well of you; you just tend to lose your composure now and then.  My reason for pulling out a few favorable reviews of the Licad/Gottschalk disc was to show that I'm not alone in the wilderness.   

If either of the parties in this dispute deserves to be singled out for reproach it is not Don.  By singling him out you indeed "took sides" Que, even though you said you didn't want to.

Incidentally, as a consequence of this dispute, given the sterling recommendation explicit in Don's opinion and implicit in Harry's, I visited the Naxos website and listened to most of the Licad recording.  Gottschalk's music is not my cuppa, but Licad carries it off with aplomb and there's nothing deficient in her playing of it that I could hear.  "Horrendously bad?"  Preposterous!

[mc ukrneal]

Que & erato:  I don't see anything wrong about Don's reference to "listeners of insight into the American experience."   He and the other reviewers he cited who praised Licad's recording are all Yanks and attuned to the jaunty exuberance of Licad's approach to Gottschalk's "proto-ragtime" piano music--which Don himself did not like at first.  From the review he referenced:
Don's "insight into the American experience" comment was neither cocky nor provocative but a simple statement about what may be required to appreciate Licad's approach to this music.  If it's arrogant provocation you seek, then turn to Harry's prior statement trashing Don's appraisal of the disc:
And in response to Don's restrained and civil defense of his opinion (quoted by Que above), Harry offered this bit of very telling nastiness:
To which Don offered this exemplary mature and civil response:
If either of the parties in this dispute deserves to be singled out for reproach it is not Don.  By singling him out you indeed "took sides" Que, even though you said you didn't want to.

Incidentally, as a consequence of this dispute, given the sterling recommendation explicit in Don's opinion and implicit in Harry's, I visited the Naxos website and listened to most of the Licad recording.  Gottschalk's music is not my cuppa, but Licad carries it off with aplomb and there's nothing deficient in her playing of it that I could hear.  "Horrendously bad?"  Preposterous!

Funny, I did the same thing and wasn't really able to tell if it was good or bad. But the difference in style and sound is clear. The Naxos is more aggressive, where the Hyperion is more laid back. The speeds appeared to be faster as well (in some cases much more so), which had certain consequences (mainly that there was more excitement on some pieces, perhaps at the expense of some details). What I have liked about the Hyperion is the detail, the beauty of the slower pieces, and the nuances brought out. I could not tell in the short clips if details had been lost or not, but it seems likely with some of the speeds. The one thing I did not like (and even those who liked the disc complained about a little) was the sound. Interestingly, Amazon reviewers were split much like we are here with most either liking or disliking. Curious...

In the end, I'm not sure why there was so much drama about this as the Naxos is one disc and the Hyperion is the whole enchelada, meaning they can be very complimentary.

Any PR for Gottschalk is good in my opinion though. So keep up the discourse!!!! 

[The new erato]

Que & erato:  I don't see anything wrong about Don's reference to "listeners of insight into the American experience."   

Slightly cocky perhaps, but indeed relevant to thïs very American music. I certainly didn't react to Don's references here. This is a discussion board, not a pulpit for anybody. My last words on this. But at last it has added another composer to my must explore list.

[Jay F]

Some more used bin action:

My favorite Brandenburgs

[RussellG]

My favorite Brandenburgs

They seem to be everybody's favourite Brandenburgs, so I thought I better grab them!

[jwinter]

Finally pulled the trigger on these two box sets...

[nut-job]

They seem to be everybody's favourite Brandenburgs, so I thought I better grab them!

Not mine.

Finally pulled the trigger on these two box sets...

Excellent!