Testing the Waters for New Blind Listening Ideas (please help decide)

[mc ukrneal]

The next Blind Listening Idea is a Mahler Symphony, but I was thinking of doing a couple sometime after that (and not necessarily in a row). I was considering two pieces: Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony and Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky. I would prefer to start with Alexander Nevsky as we have had a lot of romantic period stuff and I think we need something a bit different (but I would like to gauge interest).

As to Tchaikovsky - I had two ideas: 1) Blind Listening, or 2) A thread dedicated to the symphony. On #2, I would listen to various versions and post my impressions (and others would be welcome to do the same, discuss, etc.). I was also thinking of doing some mini blind listenings as I could pick a section of interest and compare a smaller number of versions (for example, three Abbado versions comparison of some section or a short snippet across some varied interpretations with the same orchestra (but different conductors), etc.). There could be numerous mini listenings.

Blind listenings require a bit of preparation, which is why I am asking now as it will take some time to acquire a few key versions, choose among them to get a reasonable number for a blind listening and then figure out the technical side (which I have yet to figure out). If the interest is not high, I don't want to waste my time, or ultimately the participants' time. Realistically, we only have about 10-12 participants, which I think puts the onus on too few people. I think interest needs to be higher to keep this going (and if it needs to rest for a while, no problem - I can always start a thread).

So any feedback would be appreciated. If you have an idea that I have not listed, please feel free to discuss them here too.

PS: My apologies for double posting - I thought I had deleted the first poll. Grrr...

[Sergeant Rock]

I would take part in a Tchaikovsky blind listening...but the Prokofiev, probably not. It's not a favorite work and I'm satisfied with the versions I already own (Previn/LAPO, Chailly/Cleveland, Abbado/LSO).

Sarge

[mahler10th]

My favorite cantata.  Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky.

[Brian]

I love both pieces, and am a total sucker for blind listening games, so I'm in for both.

I should let you know: I also have plans for two blind listening games this year, one of them a one-week "Lightning Round" (Chopin's Nocturne Op 48/1 in C minor) and the other one a full-length game (Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit). The Gaspard choice was inspired by everyone's repeated complaint that we're getting a nonstop diet of high romantic orchestral showpieces, and because of its relatively compact size. (The game would be comparable to Discobole's La mer game last year.)

I'm about halfway through acquiring the remaining Gaspard recordings I want to include.

[kishnevi]

I put myself in the "Don't have the time" category, although it's more correct to say that, still being on dialup, I don't have the computer capability to download the files (unless they were really short clips of 2 or 3 MB at most). 

I'd be glad to participate in the dedicated symphony thread.

I haven't kept track, but I don't remember seeing blind listening devoted to Baroque or Classical era works, nor do I remember seeing any chamber works or piano beyond the Lightning Round use of Chopin.  Perhaps BL could be expanded in that direction?


I am thinking of finally unveiling the Hall of the Undeservedly Neglected,  but that would be a very open ended affair, capable of becoming a permanent feature if it develops enough.

[mc ukrneal]

Looks like not enough for a blind listening - which is fine. I'll let this go a little longer in case someone wasn't able to respond right away, but it looks like a Tchaikovsky thread is in the making! And that will be fun too.

[madaboutmahler]

I would certainly be up for both of them, Neal!!

By the way, I am currently planning three comparisons for the upcoming year or so. (the next Mahler symphony on the list as soon as possible after Brian's Gaspard comparison if possible, and two other works which I'll reveal soon )

I'm pretty sure the Berlioz comparison will be finished by the end of February.

We might have to create a timetable for these! 

[Lisztianwagner]

It's a great idea, a blind comparison about a Russian composer! I would really like to participate to it.

[mc ukrneal]

Alas, at the moment, I think there are just too few. There is no rush to decide, so I will keep this open longer, but I think we realistically need 10-12 to start at a minimum and even that is not really enough (15+ would be nice). I have some ideas how to incorporate a shorter version of the blind listening though, so even if it is 'just' a thread, there will be multiple opportunities to listen to bits and pieces.

[AdamFromWashington]

Yeah, I'd do that. I just use Spotify, so no price issues for me, and I have enough free time.

[mc ukrneal]

I'll bump this one last time in case someone wants to vote and missed it. At the moment, we have roughly 7 members to participate and that would not be enough. Still, I've been thinking about ways of doing some shorter listenings, so either way there WILL be some!