Just saying hello...

[PaulSC]

Hi everyone, I guess it's time to introduce myself. I found this place while scouring the internet for record reviews/recommendations. I stuck around as a lurker because so many of the threads, old and new, are both informative and entertaining. I registered when I got tired of typing "blue <tab> bach" every time I wanted to perform a search. (Longtime members may not remember these anti-spam verification measures.) And now: my first post!

I'm a longtime classical-music listener, also involved in music professionally as a composer, theorist, teacher, and (in the past) pianist. I have many areas of interest, especially postwar modernism (including Birtwistle, Carter, Feldman, and Reich), solo keyboard music (including Bach, Scarlatti, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Medtner, and Scriabin), and Classical/Romantic chamber music.

There is plenty of symphonic, vocal, and choral repertoire that I like, although it's further from my central interests, as are opera and electroacoustic works. Plus I listen to music of other "classical" traditions, and plenty of Western popular music, but that's not really why I'm here.

So I'll mostly continue to watch and learn here at GMG, but I'm sure to jump into some conversations before long.

Paul

(Now playing: Bartok piano works, Geoffrey Tozer)

[Gurn Blanston]

Welcome, Paul. I'm delighted that you decided to de-lurk and join us. I know you'll have a lot to share with us.



----------------
Now playing:
Andrew Manze (Violin) \ Richard Egarr (Fortepiano) - K 374f 380 Sonata in Eb for Fortepiano & Violin 2nd mvmt - Andante con moto

[SonicMan46]

Hi Paul - welcome to the GMG Forum - hope to see you posting in our many threads soon - your expertise will be greatly appreciated and enjoyed! 

[Hollywood]

Hi there Paul. Greetings from Beethoven's Heiligenstadt. Welcome to the forum. 

[david johnson]

hi! 

dj

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome!  Lots of topics to choose from, but looks like you have a pretty broad interest and a fair amount to contribute yourself.

[Scarpia]

Hi PaulSC.  What's that score in your avatar?

[Brian]

Welcome, PaulSC! I've just been listening to a new disc that might be right up your alley... Hans Otte's "The Book of Sounds" (1972), with pianist Ralph van Raat. Very cool stuff. 

[karlhenning]

Welcome, Paul!

[MN Dave]

Hello, Paul. Post often and have a good time.

[greg]

Hello!

[PaulSC]

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm welcome!

Hi PaulSC.  What's that score in your avatar?

It's a snippett of Michael Finnissy's English Country Tunes. I like the music but chose it mostly because Finnissy's music manuscript is so exquisite. There's a recording by the composer on Etcetera, recommended.

Welcome, PaulSC! I've just been listening to a new disc that might be right up your alley... Hans Otte's "The Book of Sounds" (1972), with pianist Ralph van Raat. Very cool stuff. 

I spotted your post and later comments in the "What Are You Listening to?" thread and was immediately curious. I see there are at least three recordings to consider...

[bhodges]

Hi Paul SC, and welcome.  I have that Finnissy recording!  (Along with his Gershwin arrangements and Verdi transcriptions, and some other pieces.)  And I'm also a big fan of Birtwistle, Carter, Feldman and Reich (among many other late 20th-century and early 21st composers).  Anyway, welcome, and sounds like you have quite diverse musical interests. 

--Bruce

[Mirror Image]

Welcome aboard, Paul.

[PaulSC]

Just for the record, I deleted my old account and created this new one (same display name) in an effort to put the "logged out bug" behind me. New avatar: my lovely daughter Clara (named after Schumann).

[Brian]

Just for the record, I deleted my old account and created this new one (same display name) in an effort to put the "logged out bug" behind me. New avatar: my lovely daughter Clara (named after Schumann).

Love the avatar very much indeed. And the name.

[Opus106]

New avatar: my lovely daughter Clara (named after Schumann).

I seriously hope that you had a different avatar at the time of the post.

[mahler10th]

Just for the record, I deleted my old account and created this new one (same display name) in an effort to put the "logged out bug" behind me. New avatar: my lovely daughter Clara (named after Schumann).

Whaa?   
Clara is a cat?
   

[PaulSC]

Clara is indeed a cat -- and therefore I assure you, one and all, not literally my daughter! However, my partner and I have no children so we jokingly refer to the feline of the house as if...

[Scarpia]

Clara is indeed a cat -- and therefore I assure you, one and all, not literally my daughter! However, my partner and I have no children so we jokingly refer to the feline of the house as if...

My wife and I have a hibiscus plant that serves the same function as your cat.