Recent posts

#1

Composer Discussion / Re: Mahler Mania, Rebooted

Last post by Atriod - Today at 06:56:07 AM

The Ninth is neither abyssal nor a school outing ( though Putzi is certainly referenced ).

As to what the Ninth actually  is, though, final definitions still elude me despite my deliberating over the course of some forty years.

Perhaps that's merely a hallmark of all great works of art: Transcending the perceptual limits of any one individual. Otoh, it may be that I'm simply incapable of getting my head all the way around the Symphony. I certainly won't discount that possibility, since I'm smart enough to know how dumb l can be. 

As you say what we take away is subjective, but I have a hard time hearing it as anything but what I wrote. Mahler writing about his failing heart in the first movement (both literally and figuratively). How sad the final movement is, not just being adagissimo but then changing the tempo to "extremely slowly." I can't remember who said this (Bernstein?) calling the music being suspended, going beyond time/infinity which is not too dissimilar to what I called it, being taken to the abyss.

I easily hear this in performances like Chailly, Kobayashi/Japan Philharmonic (what I posted on another board is like being taken to the event horizon in that last movement in this performance) or Inbal/Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. I have heard some easy, breezy performances that don't seem to get what it's about.

#2

GMG News / Re: Bug Report 2024

Last post by brewski - Today at 06:53:07 AM

Quite slow here this morning (10:48 EDT in US). A good 5 seconds executing any command, whether moving to a new page or simply clicking the "Like" button.

Adding my appreciation for Rob's work, vanquishing all these bots!

-Bruce

#3

The Diner / Re: The unimportant news threa...

Last post by Pohjolas Daughter - Today at 06:38:05 AM

This made me upset when I saw what the people were doing in (to) this national park.  I hope that they catch them!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68822318

PD

#4

The Diner / Re: Pictures I like

Last post by Pohjolas Daughter - Today at 06:31:34 AM

This is a score cover of some music I listened to earlier, and I found it rather eye catching.

I can't determine if this rendering of Theodore Roosevelt bears a positive or negative connotation (or something akin to humour or caricature).
VS

I found out a little bit of information about the work (see link below).  Apparently, the composer had initially called it "Uncle Tom".  No idea as to why he had renamed it to "Uncle Teddy" when it was published.  https://www.rundel.de/en/article/uncle_teddy/MVSR2323

PD

[Armstrong Gibbs.Complete Piano Trios.London Piano Trio.Recorded: probably between 2004-2007.The members changed over the years, and their website is defunct.]

#5

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

Last post by Irons - Today at 06:28:38 AM

Armstrong Gibbs.
Complete Piano Trios.
London Piano Trio.
Recorded: probably between 2004-2007.
The members changed over the years, and their website is defunct.

The performance of the Piano trios is well done. They are committed and clear cut in their approach of these beautiful works. An underrated composer, who has to tell much more as is currently recorded. The sound is good.

I have a soft spot for Armstrong Gibbs, despite the fact his image reminds me of a headmaster of a bygone age. I return to his Guild recording of complete chamber works for violin a lot so your recording of Piano Trios is of no little interest.

#6

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

Last post by Irons - Today at 06:12:48 AM

I have that recording on LP. Rather good I thought.

[Rachmaninoff]

#7

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

Last post by Cato - Today at 06:05:44 AM

While in the car somewhere in Utah, U.S.A...


The original version of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #4

The more I hear this version, which was the one first performed by the composer, the more its intricacies and richness enthrall me!

[Match 4: Takahiro Sonoda vs Wilhelm Backhaus]

#8

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Beethoven piano sonata sho...

Last post by Cato - Today at 05:57:15 AM

Match 4: Takahiro Sonoda vs Wilhelm Backhaus


Winner: Sonoda, by a silver hair

  NOOO!!!  Not possible!  Or should I write: NEEEIIIN!!!  Nicht Moeglich! ? 😇

Well, I guess I cannot argue with Science (?). 


When I return home, I will look into Mr. Sonoda!

#9

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

Last post by Dry Brett Kavanaugh - Today at 05:44:18 AM

Cortot.

[Harry]

#10

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

Last post by Que - Today at 04:54:26 AM

Pulled this from the shelves after Harry listed it a few days ago: