Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[Bogey]

That's an interesting set of Nocturnes.  It's a very unromantic approach -- the sound is clean, the tempos are quite regular, and the emphasis is on the music's structure and balance -- all in all a very "classical" sounding performance.  Very different from someone like Arrau or Moravec, and at first I wasn't sure if I liked it, but it grew on me after multiple listenings.  A while ago I picked up his later complete Chopin (these are earlier recordings) -- the Nocturnes there were a bit more conventional, but still excellent IMO.  Personally I think Ohlsson's Chopin is rather underrated, I like him.

Those EMI two-fers can have some gems in them.  Thanks for the lead JW.

[jwinter]

Those EMI two-fers can have some gems in them.  Thanks for the lead JW.

Happy listening.  I'm not quite as keen on his Preludes -- they're fine, nothing wrong with them or anything, but they don't particularly stand out amongst the crowd.  Still, a worthy purchase if you find it on sale some time...

[Bogey]

Happy listening.  I'm not quite as keen on his Preludes -- they're fine, nothing wrong with them or anything, but they don't particularly stand out amongst the crowd.  Still, a worthy purchase if you find it on sale some time...

These two-fers have been very kind to me, especially Collard's Ravel.  The sound is magnificent, and that is saying a lot for EMI.  I will keep an eye out as these usually wind up in the used bins around these parts.

[jlaurson]

Another set actually, not complete, just these works I believe. My understanding is that the reason for those sonata recordings was to rush out a stereo recording of the popular works once stereo recording became possible. This info came from Jens, perhaps he'll be along soon to clarify.   

I'm working on that, right now. We'll get to the bottom of this, darnit! 

[George]

I'm working on that, right now. We'll get to the bottom of this, darnit! 

Knew I could count on you, Jens! 

[PerfectWagnerite]

(1) A review of a book is not the book.

Then maybe you should have given a review of the book instead ?

Awhile ( a long while maybe) there was a discussion about Erza Pound. One member of this forum though they should have fed his remains to the dogs and another one made the comments that whatever Pound's shortcomings as a human being might have been, he more than made up for it by virtue of his artistic output. If that applies to Pound, then it appplies 10 times over to Wagner. I didn't hear you coming out waving your fingers and saying NO NO NO, HE WAS A FASCIST. So now all of a sudden the same thing came up and the person is Wagner and you start coming out with your pom poms?


Finally, I am going to give you a cute line from the movie Ratatouille, at the end after the notorious critic tasted the dish cooked by the little rat Remy. He[the critic] writes something to the order of: Despite what we critics think, even the most average work by an artist is far superior than the average filth coming out of critics mouth.

[Franco]

Awhile ( a long while maybe) there was a discussion about Erza Pound. One member of this forum though they should have fed his remains to the dogs and another one made the comments that whatever Pound's shortcomings as a human being might have been, he more than made up for it by virtue of his artistic output. If that applies to Pound, then it appplies 10 times over to Wagner. I didn't hear you coming out waving your fingers and saying NO NO NO, HE WAS A FASCIST. So now all of a sudden the same thing came up and the person is Wagner and you start coming out with your pom poms?

It is my opinion that it is a more valuable contribution to humanity for an unknown person to be a decent human being than any "genius" to produce a work of art. 

[DavidRoss]

Then maybe you should have given a review of the book instead ?

Awhile ( a long while maybe) there was a discussion about Erza Pound. One member of this forum though they should have fed his remains to the dogs and another one made the comments that whatever Pound's shortcomings as a human being might have been, he more than made up for it by virtue of his artistic output. If that applies to Pound, then it appplies 10 times over to Wagner. I didn't hear you coming out waving your fingers and saying NO NO NO, HE WAS A FASCIST. So now all of a sudden the same thing came up and the person is Wagner and you start coming out with your pom poms?


Finally, I am going to give you a cute line from the movie Ratatouille, at the end after the notorious critic tasted the dish cooked by the little rat Remy. He[the critic] writes something to the order of: Despite what we critics think, even the most average work by an artist is far superior than the average filth coming out of critics mouth.

Hmmm...you are going out of your way to attack me with rude, irrelevant, and unfounded statements in a hostile attempt to provoke enmity by reviving a sidebar discussion that ended several pages ago, and in which--as usual always--you were thoroughly pwned after your similar hostile effort to provoke enmity there.

Thank you for sharing and for reminding me that I have much to be grateful for.

Back to the topic:  Mullova's Sibelius/Tchaikovsky VCs and Mutter's Korngold/Tchaikovsky VCs--both prompted by recent threads on CMG (as if I needed any more recordings of any of these works!).

[DavidRoss]

It is my opinion that it is a more valuable contribution to humanity for an unknown person to be a decent human being than any "genius" to produce a work of art. 

I see you got this response in while I was posting mine.  I couldn't agree with you more...except, perhaps, when the artist is a decent human being whose art inspires others to become decent human beings, too. 

[owlice]

I've been reading the Wagner "debate" with interest.

Whether anyone likes it or not, agrees with it or not, is like this or not, there are some people who have trouble listening to a composer's works, reading a poet's poems, enjoying a singer's songs, if those people know (or think) the composer or poet or singer to be a bad person, however one might define "bad person."

I am one of those people. I have trouble listening to Diana Ross, for example, because of what I've read of her, and though Wagner's music can be stirring (and wonderfully effective as a soundtrack to Bugs and friends, which is my favorite way to hear it), it is difficult for me to put aside the extra-musical for the musical.

Those of you who find that silly or stupid or unbelieveable or whatever, blathering about how I shouldn't be this way is like telling me I shouldn't have blue eyes.

There are other people in the world, I've learned, who are like I am, and of course there are people in the world for whom extra-musical (extra-whatever) associations are not an interference.

Just as I didn't get to pick my eye color, I didn't choose to be rankled by the artwork of bad people, but I am. It is something inherent, a personality trait, the way I'm built. I would NEVER suggest that someone ELSE not listen to Wagner's music because of extra-musical associations; I hope that others will accord me, and others like me, the same courtesy and not suggest that I DO listen to it.

My favorite Ring, and the only one I own, is the one with Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, even if it does include music from "The Flying Dutchman." I'm happy with that!

[owlice]

Oh, thread duty.... whomever mentioned the Kempff Beethoven recordings available for cheap, thanks, thanks a lot! I couldn't resist, and they are on their way to me!

Yes, yes, I need another set of LvB sonatas, don't I?!

[karlhenning]

Yes, yes, I need another set of LvB sonatas, don't I?!

I was going to ask how many you have already, but that would be solely for information. If you say you need 'em, you need 'em! 

[Henk]

Special box released by Archiv in cooperation with a Dutch magazine on classical music.

Henk

[springrite]

Yes, yes, I need another set of LvB sonatas, don't I?!

Of course, madame. They are like shoes. 

[George]

Oh, thread duty.... whomever mentioned the Kempff Beethoven recordings available for cheap, thanks, thanks a lot! I couldn't resist, and they are on their way to me!

Yes, yes, I need another set of LvB sonatas, don't I?!

That seller should be shipping mine free with all the business I have drummed up for them.  0:)

I got notification that mine shipped today so it looks like this is for real.

[George]

I was going to ask how many you have already, but that would be solely for information. If you say you need 'em, you need 'em! 

My feeling is if I want something and I have the money, no internal debate need take place.

[springrite]

My feeling is if I want something and I have the money, no internal debate need take place.

Well, since you left external debate open...

[Henk]

My feeling is if I want something and I have the money, no internal debate need take place.

You erotical motor probably overweighs your thymotical motor. Recover the balance!

[owlice]

I was going to ask how many you have already, but that would be solely for information. If you say you need 'em, you need 'em!  

Indeed! I have three sets, which should be plenty, and a bunch of individual CDs, and I've heard a fourth quite closely.

Of course, madame. They are like shoes.  

Good sir, they are better than shoes! Shoes are a concession I make to society, or to protection of the tootsies, not something I am into otherwise.

But Beethoven sonatas.... ah, they, they are better than nearly everything else!

[karlhenning]

My feeling is if I want something and I have the money, no internal debate need take place.

Plain good sense.