Recent posts

#1

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Musical depictions of the ...

Last post by Luke - Today at 11:33:23 PM

I went there for the book too; it;'s a lot more local than Orkney! This is Maggi Hambling's Britten-homage sculpture Scallop on Aldeburgh beach.

#2

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

Last post by Que - Today at 11:22:56 PM

#3

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

Last post by Irons - Today at 11:09:14 PM

Violin Sonata: Grace Williams.



A strong piece with plenty to say.

#4

Composer Discussion / Re: Jewish Composers

Last post by Roy Bland - Today at 10:47:25 PM

#5

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

Last post by andolink - Today at 10:29:50 PM

Delightful music by lesser known contemporaries of Haydn and Mozart. Perfomances and sound are both superb - -

#6

The Diner / Re: Non-Classical Music Listen...

Last post by AnotherSpin - Today at 09:29:59 PM

#7

The Diner / Re: What audio system do you h...

Last post by AnotherSpin - Today at 09:27:47 PM

What??? No!! I would never do such a thing.

     My AVR, like almost all modern ones, handles DSD just fine through HDMI. So does my PC through my USB Dac.

Since my systems could play dsd/dff always, I never did such conversion as a rule, for tests only. However, I have known people who had to do it, either out of necessity or convenience.

#8

The Diner / Re: What are you currently rea...

Last post by JBS - Today at 08:06:01 PM

I've always wanted to read some George Eliot but never managed to. What is her best novel, in your opinion? The only one that I really shouldn't miss?

I liked Daniel Deronda more than Middlemarch.

#9

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Purchases Today

Last post by JBS - Today at 07:56:09 PM

I think I've mentioned that Toscanini's Traviata was the recording, via a set of 78s that contained only Acts 1 and 2, that hooked me onto opera as a kid.

TD
H/T @Florestan

The recording he listened to doesn't seem to be available on Amazon, but this was: SQs 15, 17, and 18

#10

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

Last post by JBS - Today at 07:51:35 PM

This twofer is a treasure trove. Donizetti was a pupil and protege of Giovanni Simone (Johann Simon) Mayr and it shows. He and Rossini were probably the only Italian composers of their time who were thoroughly versed in German music; the difference being that Rossini was an autodidact in this respect, albeit a genius one, whereas Donizetti absorbed it from Mayr's rigorous teaching. His SQs are very accomplished works, full to the brim with interesting, often arresting, ideas and gorgeous melodies, interlocked within a compelling structure and a gripping musical discourse. They are all excellent but if I were to single out one, it must be the SQ No. 14 in D major, which is almost Schubertian in the way Donizetti makes a major key sound as turbulent, distressing and dissonant as a minor one.

The recording is sonic bliss, the instruments placed in genuine stereo manner (to my ears, the order is, from left to right, cello, violin I and II, viola --- which is unusual but highly interesting and effective) and clearly and vividly audible at all times.

This --- and the second volume, also a twofer, which I can hardly wait to begin listening to  --- is highly recommended for fans of both Donizetti* and Classical string quartets. Unqualified Florestan's Stamp of Approval.

* @Tsaraslondon @ritter @nico1616 @JBS

You piqued my interest. See the Purchases Thread.

TD
Ingrid Haebler playing Schubert's Impromptus.