Purchases Today

[Madiel]

While I haven't bought any of the French Warner sets (Debussy, Ravel), there's no doubt that in terms of presentation they've made a big effort.

And on completeness too - a little too hyper-complete for my natural inclinations admittedly, with all the arrangements. But I can't fault their commitment to what they're doing.

[arpeggio]

One of the problems I had with the older directors of the American Service Bands (Marine, Air Force, Army, Navy, etc.) is that they rarely programed original works for band.  This has changed over the last twenty years particularly with the Air Force and Marine Bands.

The following is an example of the programming of Colonel John Bourgeois of the Marine Band (after he retired Timothy Foley became the director and started programing more original works for band including some commissions.)

There are some interesting works on this CD, but with the exception of the Sousa With Pleasure (Dance Hilarious) and the Gimenez El Baile de Luis Alonso every work on the CD is a transcription.

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I normally avoid being overly critical.  I have been listening to this CD because it has some interesting transcriptions for band.  The musicians with the Marine Band are fantastic but I feel that Bourgeois is a mediocre conductor. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Quite a haul for you! Many good ones!!!

This must be Asrael Symphony, I think...

Yes, I noticed (later on) that auto-correct had "corrected it".    I had corrected some other ones earlier but had missed that one 'til later and didn't bother to fix it (after my typing marathon).  Will fix now though....and thanks!    Much listening ahead!

PD

[André]

Unless you did purchase the Israel Symphony...by Ernest Bloch ! 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Unless you did purchase the Israel Symphony...by Ernest Bloch ! 

I think that I have a recording of Bloch's .....somewhere (LP I believe?)??

Springrite correctly noted that I had typed Josef Suk next to it.     I should have thought to check the auto-correct after typing it; I was looking at the CD covers whilst typing.

PD

[vandermolen]

I think that I have a recording of Bloch's .....somewhere (LP I believe?)??

Springrite correctly noted that I had typed Josef Suk next to it.     I should have thought to check the auto-correct after typing it; I was looking at the CD covers whilst typing.

PD

Both the Asrael and Israel symphonies are favourites of mine.

[JBS]

While I haven't bought any of the French Warner sets (Debussy, Ravel), there's no doubt that in terms of presentation they've made a big effort.

And on completeness too - a little too hyper-complete for my natural inclinations admittedly, with all the arrangements. But I can't fault their commitment to what they're doing.

One thing I discovered through the Berlioz set is how good Berlioz was with chansons/melodies.

I wouldn't suggest getting the set for that reason, but given your interest in the French tradition of songs, I think you'll find it rewarding to explore his output in that area.
(Although beyond Irlande and Nuits d'ete it's a rather miscellaneous lot.)

[The new erato]

One thing I discovered through the Berlioz set is how good Berlioz was with chansons/melodies.

My favorite part of his works.

[Madiel]

One thing I discovered through the Berlioz set is how good Berlioz was with chansons/melodies.

I wouldn't suggest getting the set for that reason, but given your interest in the French tradition of songs, I think you'll find it rewarding to explore his output in that area.
(Although beyond Irlande and Nuits d'ete it's a rather miscellaneous lot.)

Yet another thing to add to the to-do list!

[Todd]

Pre-ordered.  No reason I should wait on these.

[ritter]

From La Quinta de Mahler's B&M store here in Madrid (they distribute the Verso and Bru Zane labels in Spain):


Reynaldo Hahn's first opera, in one those lavish CD + book releases we've become accustomed to expect from Bru Zane.

And some 20th century Spanish music. I was favourably impressed by Ramón Barce's piano music this weekend, which led me to want to explore his SQs. Gerardo Gombau's music will be new to me (but the snippets on LQM 's webpage sounded enticing).

[Jo498]

It's odd that they apparently missed two of four LPs  of Heidsieck's Haendel suites. They are all on youtube, though.

[André]

I've had nos 1 and 4 for almost 20 years, never saw that one up for sale - until now. And cheap to boot ! 

[springrite]

I have one Daniel Asia CD and quite enjoyed it.

But I completely lost interest in him when I read several things indicating that he seems to be on a personal mission to disparage Eliot Carter for whatever reason.

[vers la flamme]

I have one Daniel Asia CD and quite enjoyed it.

But I completely lost interest in him when I read several things indicating that he seems to be on a personal mission to disparage Eliot Carter for whatever reason.

I read his article "Carter is Dead". I must say I've lost interest as well after reading that scathing polemic.

[Mirror Image]

I have one Daniel Asia CD and quite enjoyed it.

But I completely lost interest in him when I read several things indicating that he seems to be on a personal mission to disparage Eliot Carter for whatever reason.

Yes, it's one thing to be critical of a composer you don't like, but to go as far as publishing articles about it, that's where I draw the line. He's a composer that has done more harm to his own music than any of the composers for which he has felt the need to discredit.

[kyjo]

I have one Daniel Asia CD and quite enjoyed it.

But I completely lost interest in him when I read several things indicating that he seems to be on a personal mission to disparage Eliot Carter for whatever reason.

More power to him!

[Mirror Image]

More power to him!

I know you were just joking around, Kyle, but I believe Carter is a fine composer. His SQs alone are enough for me to marvel at his ingenuity.

[T. D.]

I believe Asia (whose music I've never heard) took potshots at John Cage in pretty much the same manner.
Based on these episodes, I conclude Asia is an asshole and have no desire to hear his music. Unfair? Maybe, but so it goes.
[Disclosure: I respect Carter's music but seldom listen. I listen to a fair amount of Cage.]
Nicholas Maw was another composer whose critical screeds turned me off.

[André]

I read his article "Carter is Dead". I must say I've lost interest as well after reading that scathing polemic.

I read it too. I found it very interesting and well reasoned with plenty of specific arguments. Wrong in its premises, arguments and conclusion ? Entirely possible. But that has nothing to do with Asia's own music, does it ? For the record I have plenty of Carter on my shelves and love his music a lot - but not all by any means. I couldn't care less about one composer's opinion on a colleague. It's just another opinion.