What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[DavidRoss]

I find it hard to listen to Mozart (or Joseph Haydn, early Beethoven) after Wagner,  Mahler, Schoenberg, Bartok, mid-period Strauss, and several others. It just sounds way too light, pretty, and...safe. It's a bit like listening to the Dead Kennedys or Black Flag, and then throwing on some Abba. No way, dude.

I understood that was how you are responding these days, Andy, and I can relate to some extent.  But equating Mozart and Haydn with Abba?  What next--Wagner as Liberace?  Perhaps you suffered a bump on the noggin and need recalibration. 
Given some time off you may discover later that they're not quite as light, pretty, and safe as you think.

Still quasi-backgrounding the RVW disc, hearing a lovely oboe cto.  Time to go now, the feature (Sym 4) is about to start:

[AndyD.]

I understood that was how you are responding these days, Andy, and I can relate to some extent.  But equating Mozart and Haydn with Abba?  What next--Wagner as Liberace?  Perhaps you suffered a bump on the noggin and need recalibration. 
Given some time off you may discover later that they're not quite as light, pretty, and safe as you think.

I was trying (and failed) at humor.

[Scarpia]

But equating Mozart and Haydn with Abba?

Apparently the existential anguish of "Waterloo" has gone right over your head.   

[Sergeant Rock]

It got garbled again!  I fear al Qaeda is messing with the internet.  I've fixed it, hopefully it will take this time.

Something is definitely amiss, Scarpia: in both your message and David's the picture is wrong: yours showing the overhyped Mantovani of classical recording, the other a second-rate Left Coast band led by a boring Kapellmeister. Its should be a picture of the recording made by the world's greatest orchestra led by its legendary maestro, George Szell 

Sarge

[Scarpia]

Something is definitely amiss, Scarpia: in both your message and David's the picture is wrong: yours showing the overhyped Mantovani of classical recording, the other a second-rate Left Coast band led by a boring Kapellmeister. Its should be a picture of the recording made by the world's greatest orchestra led by its legendary maestro, George Szell 

What more evidence do we need that Osama bin Laden himself has taken control of S.R.'s account and is trying to undermine the very foundations of western civilization.   

[Brian]

What more evidence do we need that Osama bin Laden himself has taken control of S.R.'s account and is trying to undermine the very foundations of western civilization.   

Wait til you find out how many Mrs Rocks there really are!

[Mirror Image]

Not the first word that comes to mind concerning this concerto. Perhaps wonderful would be better - delight isn't gloomy enough.

I relish in the darkness, so delightful is the perfect word ---- at least for me.

[Mirror Image]

You say that as though your opinion of the 1st goes against the grain. I've only heard the symphonies. I've not read about them or Tubin himself, so am unaware of how they sit amongst his own and up against others compositions. I guess I've got some homework to do. It will only serve to enhance my enjoyment of something that already gives me a great deal of pleasure. And while I contemplate that, I'm listening to the 5th.

Read the liner notes, go to Wikipedia read about his life, etc., there are several things that can be done to help you understand the composer better.

I think his Symphony No. 1 is so beautiful and, again, that first movement makes the whole symphony that much more enjoyable.

[DavidRoss]

I was trying (and failed) at humor.

Nah, you succeeded brilliantly.  'Twas I who fell short, thinking the image of little Dickie as a grandiose Vegas headliner in a sequined dressing gown would elicit a chuckle at least.

Apparently the existential anguish of "Waterloo" has gone right over your head.   

I confess: were it not for the movie Muriel's Wedding I might never have heard of Abba.  Much about them escapes me, including their appeal.  (I didn't get The Bee Gees, either.)

Something is definitely amiss, Scarpia: in both your message and David's the picture is wrong: yours showing the overhyped Mantovani of classical recording, the other a second-rate Left Coast band led by a boring Kapellmeister. Its should be a picture of the recording made by the world's greatest orchestra led by its legendary maestro, George Szell 

What more evidence do we need that Osama bin Laden himself has taken control of S.R.'s account and is trying to undermine the very foundations of western civilization.   

Aye.  Who else but the dastardly knave would dare suggest that the finest orchestra in the greater Akron metropolitan area could manage the sunny gaiety of the Italian Symphony under the direction of an antique sewing machine!

Thread duty:  after a suitable interval to clear my palate of RVW's 4th's bombast, it's time for:

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Brahms piano concerto #1, Katchen, w/ Monteux conducting the London Symphony.

Monteux is generally a colorist who isn't afraid of digging deep into the layers of music (whatever music he's conducting). Here he gives Brahms something of an "impressionistic" makeover with the net result being a Brahms work with more pure sensuality than I've ever encountered before. But with Monteux's unrelenting exploring (digging deep) we'd never mistake this work for Fauré. Too much Germanic spotlighting for that.       

Katchen's role is perfectly integrated into the whole and the communicative aspect between soloist and orchestra is on the razor's edge - like two heady protagonists reveling in each other's presence. It helps that Katchen's a natural colorist too which only adds to this performance's "impressionistic" effect.

Superb (stereo) sound for 1959. Decca really knew how make the most of their resources back then.

[Brian]

Shostakovich | Preludes and Fugues
Tatiana Nikolayeva
The 1960s Melodiya mono recording

Simply superb!

[DavidRoss]

Re. the Rattle/BP Mahler 9 – skillful playing from the orchestra, for sure, but too fussy, too heavy-handed, and too hard-edged for my tastes, with too little mystery and magic, no subtlety, sensitivity, nor sensuality.  It sounds like John Philip Sousa conducting Bruckner.  (Note: YMMV, and so might mine on another day.)

Re. Andy's comment about following Mahler's 9th with Mozart: come to think of it, Mahler's so draining that I wouldn't want anything to follow immediately—except, perhaps, for silence...or the sound of the massage jets in my hot tub!  Surf's up!

(20 minutes later) Ahhhhh!  Now that was refreshing!
Now playing:

Simply superb! 

[Brian]

Now playing:

Simply superb! 

Hooray! Such extraordinary music. Unfortunately, after P&F No 13, it suddenly occurred to me (while reheating the quiche my French flatmate and I made last night) that I really want to hear Ravel's Piano Concerto. So now to that (with Martha, of course) and then back to what will hopefully be my first-ever (!) listen to the full cycle.

By the way, while listening to the fugue in F sharp, I had the sudden realization, "This is the same composer who wrote Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony!" I can't think of any other composer - except Beethoven - who contained such multitudes, who could write those two pieces and plausibly call both of them pieces of his soul. Who am I forgetting?

[George]

Which seems to be the only way I can tolerate Mozart, who mostly comes across as too pretty, safe, and boring for me these days.

I love Mozart. He's like the spring water of composers. He's pure, suitable for any occassion (IMO), heathy (for ones mental and emotional heath) and refreshing.

Haydn I have more trouble with. I keep wishing he'd push the envelope more, be more dramatic, in other words, be Beethoven. 

[Marc]

[....]
Haydn I have more trouble with. I keep wishing he'd push the envelope more, be more dramatic, in other words, be Beethoven.

Ludwig van?



Listening right now.

[DavidRoss]

By the way, while listening to the fugue in F sharp, I had the sudden realization, "This is the same composer who wrote Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony!" I can't think of any other composer - except Beethoven - who contained such multitudes, who could write those two pieces and plausibly call both of them pieces of his soul. Who am I forgetting?

Yes--it's darned near incomprehensible that the same fellow who wrote such tortured symphonies and quartets could have produced such lyrical loveliness...as well as the jaunty frivolity of the Jazz Suites and the raucous indignities of Lady MacBeth.  If only I liked all that anguish more, he could well be among my most beloved faves.  As is I respect him more than I love him.

[Benji]

Silvestri's delivering an amazing Tallis Fantasia!

Hell yeah! I love that disc so so much, odd as the listening experience is:

The Wasps Overture (love the tune in the middle but can't listen to it too much - I don't want to get to Jeffrey's stage of not wishing to hear it ever again so it's mostly skipped)

Oboe Concerto - no such qualms - I can listen to this again and again with joy and love each time and never tire - it's a work that speaks to me very directly. I'm even contemplating taking up the oboe (no joke!)

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Now this was a surprise - I'd never heard of Silvestri so I wasn't expecting much. I was blown away - it is only behind Barbirolli in my opinion, and not by much - very heartfelt, totally convincing.

And then, if that wasn't enough, my favourite 4th Symphony  by a longshot (and yeah i've heard VW himself conducting!). I love Berglund's take on it; it is, as the young'uns say these days, immense! 

[Papy Oli]

Evening all 

Had a maiden run through these works earlier on :



Not convinced by Billy the Kid. Appalachian Spring had a great start then got a bit weirder. I will revisit those 2 later on.

Rodeo was great fun - I really liked the slow section in it too.


Listening now :

[MN Dave]

Copland doesn't do it for me. Oh, I've tried...

[AndyD.]

Bach Brandenburg Concertos 4 and 5 (Brilliant Classics Bach Edition) A gift from Harry.

I love no. 5 best, and I really like the rendition here.

I wanted to mention a funny incident. I was talking to my friend's son earlier, and mentioned that I'd been listening a lot to the Brandenburg Concertos. The kid, about 13 years old, changed manneristically, trumpeting what immortal classics the concertos were, etc. I told him how much I loved no. 5 and immediately got a haughty, indignant look: "oh!" he exclaimed, face both inflating and reddening, "they are all untouchable classics, how can you have a favorite out of those unbelievable masterpieces?"

I tried to keep the bemused smile off my face.

Copland doesn't do it for me. Oh, I've tried...

Did you try the symphonies, Dave?