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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 08:12:21 AM

Title: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 08:12:21 AM
... then listen to this (http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/max-richter-‘recomposes’-vivaldi’s-seasons-–-hear-an-excerpt).

To be frank, this is the first time I have found a piece of music associated with Il Prete Rosso grating.

Have you heard any of the others from the series? If so, what are your thoughts?

UPDATE: Complete tracks at YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/Cluelessnamer/videos?query=richter+vivaldi).

Off-topic: were the keyboard shortcuts for bold, italics etc. included only recently into the forum software or has it been there all along?
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Gurn Blanston on September 17, 2012, 08:34:14 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 08:12:21 AM
... then listen to this (http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/max-richter-'recomposes'-vivaldi's-seasons-%E2%80%93-hear-an-excerpt).

To be frank, this is the first time I have found a piece of music associated with Il Prete Rosso grating.

Have you heard any of the others from the series? If so, what are your thoughts?


Off-topic: were the keyboard shortcuts for bold, italics etc. included only recently into the forum software or has it been there all along?

Been there all along.

I have <>90% of Vivaldi's music and none has grated yet. Guess I'll have to take a few minutes with this. :)

8)
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Gurn Blanston on September 17, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
Oh crap, that DID grate. Was there any Vivaldi in there?  :-\

8)
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Mirror Image on September 17, 2012, 08:56:33 AM
I wouldn't say it grated on my nerves, but I found to be musically uninteresting. It seems to be some kind neo Minimalist arrangement of Vivaldi. I didn't particular care for it and I'm generally favorable of Minimalism.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 09:40:28 AM
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on September 17, 2012, 08:34:14 AM
Been there all along.

Oh, thanks. I discovered it inadvertently when my word-processor fingers took over for a moment. :)

Quote from: Mirror Image on September 17, 2012, 08:56:33 AM
I wouldn't say it grated on my nerves, but I found to be musically uninteresting.

Looks like I got the add-on package. ;D Yes, minimalism crossed my mind too. But the problem is Vivaldi wasn't a specialist in that regard. :-\
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: bigshot on September 17, 2012, 10:19:59 AM
That sounds like the ADD Philharmonic!
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 17, 2012, 10:31:34 AM
I'm a fan of Max Richter, but this seemed a little unnecessary. Not awful though.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Brian on September 17, 2012, 10:38:36 AM
Wow. The bass/harp accompaniment sounds like it came from that love song they sing in Titanic. Unbelievably cheesy. I'd be on bored for some kind of minimalist rewrite of the Seasons, but not one that adds Hollywood cheese and irritating repetition.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Sammy on September 17, 2012, 01:00:49 PM
Two things before I offer my opinion.  First, I'm no fan of contemporary folks screwing around with the music of another.  Second, I'm also no fan of Vivaldi's music.  With that out of the way, I haven't heard any Vivaldi that sounded as good as the clip I just heard.

Obviously, I don't agree with Brian about the "cheesy" bass; I found it made the music work for me.  Regardless, I won't be acquiring this arrangement or anything by the original composer.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 01:21:25 PM
Quote from: Sammy on September 17, 2012, 01:00:49 PM
Obviously, I don't agree with Brian about the "cheesy" bass; I found it made the music work for me.

Good for you. I simply assumed that it was a separate track that got into the mix by error. ;D

All the seasons are available from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Cluelessnamer/videos?query=richter+vivaldi. I'm daring myself to listen to L'estate.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 17, 2012, 01:41:16 PM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 01:21:25 PM
All the seasons are available from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Cluelessnamer/videos?query=richter+vivaldi. I'm daring myself to listen to L'estate.

Listening to a few samples now, and being honest, I'm quite enjoying it!  8) Certainly very clever, and very fascinating! :)
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 01:50:46 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 17, 2012, 01:41:16 PM
Listening to a few samples now, and being honest, I'm quite enjoying it!  8) Certainly very clever, and very fascinating! :)

Summer fared better compared to that Spring sample with a few nice lines for the soloist. But had it accompanied some tense on-screen action, I'd probably forget the fact ever so often the music repeats itself without going anywhere.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 17, 2012, 01:56:59 PM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 01:50:46 PM
Summer fared better compared to that Spring sample with a few nice lines for the soloist. But had it accompanied some tense on-screen action, I'd probably forget the fact ever so often the music repeats itself without going anywhere.

I'm listening to the ending of Spring now quite a few times, it's really thrilling!! :) Just watched a video, Max Richter and the musicians explaining the score, very interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/v/tidGU4S69DI
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Rinaldo on September 17, 2012, 03:35:36 PM
Richter, oh Richter. A few of his pieces I adore (e.g. Maria, The Poet), the rest I can't stomach. Too much kitsch.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 17, 2012, 04:42:43 PM
Im fascinated with Richter's Infra, some mysteriously engaging music.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: DavidRoss on September 17, 2012, 05:14:06 PM
And I thought Yanni was bad....

The least they could have done was hired Bond to play it for the video!
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Wakefield on September 17, 2012, 05:20:19 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 17, 2012, 10:38:36 AM
Wow. The bass/harp accompaniment sounds like it came from that love song they sing in Titanic. Unbelievably cheesy. I'd be on bored for some kind of minimalist rewrite of the Seasons, but not one that adds Hollywood cheese and irritating repetition.

+1

Cheap film music.

Quote from: Sammy on September 17, 2012, 01:00:49 PM
... With that out of the way, I haven't heard any Vivaldi that sounded as good as the clip I just heard.

One of the most arbitrary lines that I have ever read here... and I use the word "arbitrary" just because you have proved during many years to be a sensitive listener. But this statement exceeds my comprehension.

Quote from: Sammy on September 17, 2012, 01:00:49 PM
Regardless, I won't be acquiring this arrangement or anything by the original composer.

Well, I suppose you have acquired two or three discs with some arrangements of a guy named Bach.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 02:14:14 AM
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on September 17, 2012, 08:34:14 AM
Been there all along.

I have <>90% of Vivaldi's music and none has grated yet. Guess I'll have to take a few minutes with this. :)

8)

And (in a sort of precursor to "Papa") as a result of your assistance in sonic rehabilitation, Gurn . . . the appearance of this thread has me chuckling, since just this week I've finished loading all the Vivaldi I've got onto my external HD.  I don't think it can be at all on the order of your Vivaldi catalogue, but . . . it's certainly going to be more than Don would consider strictly necessary ; )
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 02:15:47 AM
Quote from: Gordon Shumway on September 17, 2012, 05:20:19 PM
Well, I suppose you have acquired two or three discs with some arrangements of a guy named Bach.

Actually, I read that as "No Max Richter for me, thank you very much."
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: North Star on September 18, 2012, 02:29:39 AM
I agree with Brian & Gordon, although some passages were nice, the arrangement is pointless and cheesy.

Quote from: karlhenning on September 18, 2012, 02:15:47 AM
Actually, I read that as "No Max Richter for me, thank you very much."
I read it as "No Richter OR Vivaldi" - Sammy said that the Richter/Vivaldi was the best Vivaldi he'd heard. ???
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on September 18, 2012, 02:38:16 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 18, 2012, 02:15:47 AM
Actually, I read that as "No Max Richter for me, thank you very much."

Quote from: North Star on September 18, 2012, 02:29:39 AM
I agree with Brian & Gordon, although some passages were nice, the arrangement is pointless and cheesy.
I read it as "No Richter OR Vivaldi" - Sammy said that the Richter/Vivaldi was the best Vivaldi he'd heard. ???

I read it as just "Vivaldi". I think that covers all bases.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: DavidW on September 18, 2012, 02:41:46 AM
I haven't listened to it yet, but it can't possibly top waking up to Call Me Maybe... which just happened to me.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 02:51:14 AM
Karlo & Nav, I suppose we've demonstrated the ambiguity of the original statement : )
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 02:52:16 AM
Quote from: DavidW on September 18, 2012, 02:41:46 AM
I haven't listened to it yet, but it can't possibly top waking up to Call Me Maybe... which just happened to me.

Dere oughtta be a law! Je-je-je!
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on September 18, 2012, 02:54:26 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 18, 2012, 02:51:14 AM
Karlo & Nav, I suppose we've demonstrated the ambiguity of the original statement : )

Not quite, dear Karl. It's a statement that permits diverse interpretations. It is therefore a masterpiece!
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 02:57:52 AM
You are wicked of wit, mon cher!
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Madiel on September 18, 2012, 03:00:09 AM
Meh. It was alright. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

What's for dinner?
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 04:27:35 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 17, 2012, 08:12:21 AM
Off-topic: were the keyboard shortcuts for bold, italics etc. included only recently into the forum software or has it been there all along?

I've been using then quite some little while ; )
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 04:35:37 AM
Quote from: Sammy on September 17, 2012, 01:00:49 PM
. . . I'm no fan of contemporary folks screwing around with the music of another.

My immediate thought is, what of Stravinsky? Of course, you yourself may not care for Stravinsky, I understand that, Don.  But his work is the supreme example of artfully screwing around with the music of another.

Now, I certainly understand that pointing out one guy who executes the task with exquisite artistry, does not make the dreck palatable. (Fair Disclosure: I've not listened to the Richter here yet.  And you know, I may not.) But neither is Stravinsky to blame for the host of pale imitators.

And of course (though this probably is not general knowledge) I have a dog in this race, in the form of a scene in White Nights which is essentially screwing around with the music of Rossini (though in a manner otherwise than Stravinsky's Jeu de cartes).
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: jut1972 on September 18, 2012, 11:33:13 AM
I like it :)
well spring anyway... listening to Summer now and hmm.. sounds like some vanessa mae cack..
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Sammy on September 18, 2012, 12:56:33 PM
Quote from: Gordon Shumway on September 17, 2012, 05:20:19 PM
One of the most arbitrary lines that I have ever read here... and I use the word "arbitrary" just because you have proved during many years to be a sensitive listener. But this statement exceeds my comprehension.

That's probably because you have an appreciation for Vivaldi's music; I don't.  Was I being arbitrary?  I like to think I was just being spontaneous.  While I was listening to the clip offered in the initial post, I realized that I was enjoying it more than any pure Vivaldi.  That's about it.
Title: Re: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Karl Henning on September 18, 2012, 01:17:58 PM
Quote from: Sammy on September 18, 2012, 12:56:33 PM
... While I was listening to the clip offered in the initial post, I realized that I was enjoying it more than any pure Vivaldi.

And the angels weep for you. (j/k)
Title: Re: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Sammy on September 18, 2012, 03:04:44 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 18, 2012, 01:17:58 PM
And the angels weep for you. (j/k)

I'll keep my hat on. ;D
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: DavidRoss on September 18, 2012, 04:42:34 PM
Quote from: Sammy on September 18, 2012, 03:04:44 PM
I'll keep my hat on. ;D

http://www.youtube.com/v/hfgwrdYUQ2A
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2012, 04:45:36 PM
http://www.youtube.com/v/2H6wXj_CsuE

While we are at it, I'll add another Vivaldi-remix classic to the pot.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: DavidRoss on September 18, 2012, 04:50:53 PM
Ha!  And if that ain't kitschy enough fer ya:

http://www.youtube.com/v/8rFth5EsPuQ
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2012, 04:52:48 PM
Quote from: DavidRoss on September 18, 2012, 04:50:53 PM
Ha!  And if that ain't kitschy enough fer ya:

http://www.youtube.com/v/8rFth5EsPuQ

Do you get kicked out of Bond if you reach a certain weight?
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: DavidRoss on September 18, 2012, 04:59:22 PM
Not as long as you can squeeze into those pants, I think. 
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2012, 05:06:41 PM
Quote from: DavidRoss on September 18, 2012, 04:59:22 PM
Not as long as you can squeeze into those pants, I think.

I'd like to squeeze [click here to reveal the rest of comment] and then buy her a steak dinner.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Madiel on September 18, 2012, 07:30:12 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2012, 05:06:41 PM
I'd like to squeeze [click here to reveal the rest of comment] and then buy her a steak dinner.

*Clicks furiously*

Dang it.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: jut1972 on September 20, 2012, 08:20:56 AM
clicky - http://twitter.com/EosChater (http://twitter.com/EosChater) - no steak needed  :-*
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Mirror Image on September 25, 2012, 08:56:38 PM
Quote from: jut1972 on September 20, 2012, 08:20:56 AM
clicky - http://twitter.com/EosChater (http://twitter.com/EosChater) - no steak needed  :-*

WTF is this? Spam I presume. This is my 14,000 post. I'm catching up to Harry now. :)
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: jut1972 on September 30, 2012, 04:53:12 AM
nope, its the twitter account to Eos from Bond, worth a read, very funny lady.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Corey on September 30, 2012, 05:06:46 AM
I made it through about 5 seconds of that Bond clip :'(
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: starrynight on October 02, 2012, 12:01:06 PM
I had a feeling this would be about the Max Richter reworking before I even opened the thread.  I've only known it for about a month and haven't played it much yet, but I suspect it is alright if you just accept it for what it is.  If you want it to be something that it isn't you will probably hate it.  I don't remember liking much at all by Max Richter in the past, though this is much better than normal I think.  Admittedly we probably have to give quite a lot of the credit for that to Vivaldi lol.

So Vivaldi > Max Richter [very obviously]
This Max Richter album probably > most contemporary albums this year, so in that context it really isn't that bad, maybe even worthwhile in its way.  Though this is just based on initial impressions.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: Opus106 on October 02, 2012, 12:07:05 PM
Quote from: starrynight on October 02, 2012, 12:01:06 PM
This Max Richter album probably > most contemporary albums this year, so in that context it really isn't that bad, maybe even worthwhile in its way.  Though this is just based on initial impressions.

However good or bad albums of contemporary music maybe, this Richter-Vivaldi should only be allowed in the remixes category (and is probably the only entrant so far) and not in the one for 'original compositions', IMHO.
Title: Re: If you thought Vivaldi couldn't get any more irritating...
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 16, 2012, 04:05:58 PM
Listening to it in full on Spotify, I'm really enjoying it. I find listening to it in it's entirety has really enhanced my interest. I can hear Max Richter's style merging well with Vivaldi's original masterpiece, and I find it successful.