Composers of whose music one CD is enough

[marvinbrown]

Depends on the composer, the work, and its reputation among informed musicians and listeners. A lot of people in my experience, even those who otherwise love Verdi, report problems with Falstaff. I myself found the work utterly confusing on first hearing. And yet Falstaff has long been a work beloved by many musicians and listeners who take the time to truly know it well - to the point where some place Falstaff at the peak of Verdi's achievement. It was, for example, one of Stravinsky's favorites, Carter loves it, and it was the only Verdi opera recorded by Leonard Bernstein. So what to do? give up on Falstaff after one hearing because it isn't as immediately accessible as Il Trovatore, or stay with it in hopes that greater familiarity will get one to hear its very special qualities? The choice - as well as the gain or loss - is yours.

  An excellent example Larry.  One that I hope applies to my trouble with a lot of Mahler's symphonies.  Falstaff is quite alluring.  It took me a long while to appreciate it.  Its the sort of work that grows on you, mind you the same can be said of Strauss' Elektra.  Oh yes, Falstaff is definitely worth the effort.


  marvin

[max]

The choice - as well as the gain or loss - is yours.

That's the point really! You don't know what you've missed until something comes along to show you what you've been missing. That happens alot especially in music and Falstaff is a great example of it.

[knight66]

Duparc.

His songs (all masterpieces) fit easily onto one CD.

Nice one; I once used 'Extase' as a test piece as to whether I was going to get along with someone who thought he would like us to form a singer/pianist partnership.

I felt we might not work well together. For one thing he had seemingy has a sense of humour by-pass operation. I was right. He read through the words; all about sex'n-death. Then he proceeded to bang his way through it as though it was the Hammerclavier. We then just cut to the death.

Mike

[Mirror Image]

For me, Lyadov fits into this mold perfectly. I only own one recording of his orchestral works (w/ Sinaisky and BBC Phil. on Chandos) and somehow I never thought that anyone could improve on this recording. I certainly don't think it will be bettered by anyone anytime soon even though Brilliant Classics has just released a recording.

[RJR]

Déodat de Severac.