Recent posts

#1

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by JBS - Today at 07:16:43 PM

Don't know if this is still in print, Inbal doing Mahler in the 80's on the Denon Label.  And then it was issued in the print in the picture above.  Anyway, I had a showdown here a long time ago about the merits of Inbal as a conductor.  I don't know why this set isn't so well positioned in the World of great Mahler cylcles.  Inbals Mahler is almost narrative-like to me, a story is being told, and I can either get with it or put Bernstein on.  I always get with it - Inbal is the Agatha Chrisite of Conductors, he will lure you in until you can't get out, you've got to keep going until the end.   

I'm not sure I would describe Inbal's cycle like that, but it is one I would suggest to someone new to Mahler: consistently good; there may be no "best ever" performances, but every installment is first-rate, and there are no installments that are less in quality than the others.
TD
Two CDs from the Andsnes Warner box

CD 33

CD 34 with contents thereof

#2

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Favourite pianist who emer...

Last post by atardecer - Today at 07:14:25 PM

No love for Yuja Wang? Her debut recording (YouTube aside) was 2009.

I was wondering the same, to me her sound is better than most of the pianists listed in this thread. Her recorded repertoire though perhaps is relatively underwhelming.

[Vaughan Williams: Fantasy for piano and orchestra]

#3

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Symphonic Addict - Today at 06:53:16 PM

Vaughan Williams: Fantasy for piano and orchestra

This turned out being a most welcome discovery. It sounds nothing like typical of his distinctive style (it was composed in 1896), but it's a totally accomplished composition in a sort of English late-Romantic fashion, and there's a good deal of passion throughout its runtime. Phenomenal performance too.




Rheinberger: Organ Concerto No. 2 in G minor

Something less effusive yet widely charming. This work can't fail to provide good entertainment.

#4

The Diner / Re: What TV series are you cur...

Last post by George - Today at 06:28:59 PM

Baby Reindeer - Incredible show!!

#5

The Diner / Re: What TV series are you cur...

Last post by Karl Henning - Today at 06:27:30 PM

Martin Balsam is a highly experienced TV writer who is afraid that he just keeps recycling ideas and has no more original notions, and who finds himself plagued by the titular mps. Balsam's character's name is Rockne O'Bannon, who is both the author of the screenplay and Story Consultant for the series. Ellison's commentary on "Gramma" is highly illuming. Ellison co-directed the show with series D.P. Bradford May. Wm Friedkin was originally going to direct, and it was at Friedkin's request that a special (and expensive) crane was rented for the show. The titular character (bed-bound) was played by a male actor with some prosthetics, and voiced by Piper Laurie, except for screams, which she did not do to Ellison's satisfaction, so he did them himself, after treating his vocal chords with Brie and half and half. Ellison reports that Stephen King thought well of the adaptation.

Something else I learnt from Ellison's commentary: the principal actor in "Gramma" is Barret Oliver, whom I've now at last seen in The Never-Ending Story. 

[ShostakovichSymphony no. 11WDR Symphony OrchestraRudolf Barshai]

#6

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by classicalgeek - Today at 06:01:45 PM

Not that I'm aware of although I really like his pioneering recording of 'Ivan the Terrible' with its great cover picture!
(CD and double LP set below). Unlike many I rather like the melodramatic narration.

I should listen to that - it's part of the Warner Muti box!

TD:
Shostakovich
Symphony no. 11
WDR Symphony Orchestra
Rudolf Barshai
(on CD)



Perhaps not my favorite Eleventh, but very good!


J.S. Bach
Keyboard Partitas nos. 1, 2, 4
Angela Hewitt, piano
(on CD)



I'm continuing to enjoy this set immensely!

#7

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Karl Henning - Today at 05:51:23 PM

#8

Composer Discussion / Re: Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Cast...

Last post by Symphonic Addict - Today at 05:30:24 PM

He seems so, what a pity; today I've listened to his Piano Sonata, quite sharp and hectic, but extremely enchanting. His piano works are certainly worth exploring, I hope you'll find some time to check them out sooner or later, Cesar.

Checking info on the internet, I see that a considerable bunch of his piano works were performed nothing more, nothing less than by Aldo Ciccolini, including the Piano Sonata you listened to.

Following your recommendation of listening to some piano music by him, I just heard Le danze del Re David from this recording:



They are 7 short dances, some imbued with rhythmic vitality and others with more lyricism. Ieratico and Allegro guerriero contain some magical writing and good melodies (they possibly were my favorites), and I must say that piece as a whole gave me a positive impression, it's really music with purpose and spark. Thanks for the heads up, Ilaria!

[Arensky: Piano Concerto]

#9

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Symphonic Addict - Today at 04:43:50 PM

Arensky: Piano Concerto
Jolivet: Bassoon Concerto (Maurice Allard, André Jolivet, Orchestre Jean-François Paillard)

The Jolivet has to be one of the most outstanding concertos for the bassoon.

#10

The Diner / Re: The football (soccer) thre...

Last post by mahler10th - Today at 04:07:49 PM

Having lived in Yorkshire for 8 years, I have a soft spot for Leeds United, who are likeley to be toppled from automatic promotion into the play-offs by Ipswich with a game in hand and all to play for.  I watched Leeds knock the hellfire daylights out of Celtic in 72 or 73 on a black and white telly, so I shouldn't really like them, but COME ON THE LEEDS!