What are you listening 2 now?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks for this. It was a good suggestion to focus on male voices, but I confess that I remain convinced that one man's precious jewels are another man's pointless rocks.

I admit that I only lasted an hour into the 2 hours 45, but I still feel as though my ears have been loofahed out with Draino.

I do appreciate the recommendation, nevertheless! If you don't try, you don't discover.

Credit to you for still trying! 

I suspect though that you would do best by watching a dvd and getting involved with the story--what's going on, the characters, etc.  Or perhaps listening to a broadcast in which they talk about the characters, things about the opera and the composer, what makes it so special, etc.  Or maybe go to a theater and watch a recorded broadcast (the Metropolitan Opera does them, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden too, probably others)...lots of online options too.

Just some suggestions.  When you're up for it.   

PD

[vandermolen]

Some of Igor Markevitch's original music tonight...

The Icarus score is especially good.

[ritter]

Carl Schuricht conducts the Paris Conservatoiree Orchetsra Beethoven's Symphonies No. 6, 'Pastoral', and No. 8.

CD 4 of this set:



Very nice performance of the Pastoral, and a pleasure to hear the particular sound of French woodwinds.

[Traverso]

Robert Fairfax

[foxandpeng]

Credit to you for still trying! 

I suspect though that you would do best by watching a dvd and getting involved with the story--what's going on, the characters, etc.  Or perhaps listening to a broadcast in which they talk about the characters, things about the opera and the composer, what makes it so special, etc.  Or maybe go to a theater and watch a recorded broadcast (the Metropolitan Opera does them, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden too, probably others)...lots of online options too.

Just some suggestions.  When you're up for it.   

PD

Cheers, PD 🙂

You may well be right, as we often go to see Shakespeare at the RSC, and even plays such as Pericles which we watched only a week ago, are enhanced by the physical event and trappings of theatre. Obviously not one of the Bard's strongest works (in fact, it is a collaborated play with Wilkins), but where the dialogue is weak, good stage direction and strong acting can carry the day. Still doesn't make it Lear or Macbeth, but its complex plot line and stilted dialogue seem less important in the face of the grease paint and the clowns (as it were).

Every play and every opera (I suspect), is improved by an understanding of characters and story.

I will confess to having almost enjoyed The Trojans and some of Wagner's Ring Cycle, but the former is a long time ago and the latter is probably more about buxom Teutonic interpretations of Norse mythology than anything else. Guttural Germans shouting across the stage at one another always sounded better than lilting Italian costumery...

Maybe a trip to Bayreuth is calling...

[Irons]

Flogging a dead horse comes to mind (I'm in same camp. Opera and most vocal music not on my radar). If not for you, then not for you - or me.

[NumberSix]

Really not so.  Kennedy was/is a maverick and he chose to step away from the whole marketing/media thing.  He still plays and splits his time between the UK and Poland.  But he has moved away from 'mainstream' CM and does a lot more jazz/kletzmer alongside other repertoire.  That does not mean he is 'forgotten' as I am sure he chooses exactly how and where he performs.

Plus, even if he never puts out another album of new material, he released albums regularly for 30+ years. Not too shabby. 

[Linz]

Nicolo Paganini Complete Chamber Music CD4
Quartet for Violin, Viola, Guitar and Cello No. 2 in C major
Quartet for Violin, Viola, Guitar and Cello No. 8 in A major
Quartet for Violin, Viola, Guitar and Cello No. 15 in A minor

[foxandpeng]

Flogging a dead horse comes to mind (I'm in same camp. Opera and most vocal music not on my radar). If not for you, then not for you - or me.

Probably a fair reflection, my friend.

Although I am listening to Die Walküre as we speak. Is OK.

[NumberSix]

Mozart

piano sonatas  2,9.11.12  (1950)

Scarlatti 5 sonatas

False. This is Chicolini:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Flogging a dead horse comes to mind (I'm in same camp. Opera and most vocal music not on my radar). If not for you, then not for you - or me.

It's o.k....I still like you.     

Probably a fair reflection, my friend.

Although I am listening to Die Walküre as we speak. Is OK.

Aha!  I thought so!    There's still hope!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

False. This is Chicolini:

 

PD

[Traverso]

False. This is Chicolini:

Chico means boy,there must be a shipload full of them.

[NumberSix]

It just occurred to me that the Channel Classics logo is a double bass. For some reason, I have always thought it was a sailing ship (as in, "sailing the channel"). This logo makes more sense.

That's what I get for not owning physical media.

[ritter]

It just occurred to me that the Channel Classics logo is a double bass. For some reason, I have always thought it was a sailing ship (as in, "sailing the channel"). This logo makes more sense.

That's what I get for not owning physical media.

If it is of any consolation, several Channel Classics CDs have been in my collection for decades, and I too thought the logo was a sailing ship... 

[NumberSix]

If it is of any consolation, several Channel Classics CDs have been in my collection for decades, and I too thought the logo was a sailing ship... 

I find your comment very consoling indeed. Thank you!

[NumberSix]

Wagner: Preludes & Overtures
Norrington, London Classical Players

I have been sampling a number of Norrington recordings of late, both his older stuff and his later stuff. I like how it sounds.

And also, Hurwitz - who I generally enjoy - hates him so very much that I felt obligated to spend some time streaming Sir Roger's music. It seemed only fair.

[NumberSix]

Chico means boy,there must be a shipload full of them.

Haha nice!

I pronounced it "cheeko" most of my life, until I learned the nickname comes from his lady-lovin' ways. He was always chasing chicks, so it's supposed to be pronounced "Chick-o".

[DavidW]

It just occurred to me that the Channel Classics logo is a double bass. For some reason, I have always thought it was a sailing ship (as in, "sailing the channel"). This logo makes more sense.

That's what I get for not owning physical media.

Yeah, it is unmistakable if you have the CD, which I do for the I. Fischer Mahler 3.

[Harry]

Cheers, PD 🙂

You may well be right, as we often go to see Shakespeare at the RSC, and even plays such as Pericles which we watched only a week ago, are enhanced by the physical event and trappings of theatre. Obviously not one of the Bard's strongest works (in fact, it is a collaborated play with Wilkins), but where the dialogue is weak, good stage direction and strong acting can carry the day. Still doesn't make it Lear or Macbeth, but its complex plot line and stilted dialogue seem less important in the face of the grease paint and the clowns (as it were).

Every play and every opera (I suspect), is improved by an understanding of characters and story.

I will confess to having almost enjoyed The Trojans and some of Wagner's Ring Cycle, but the former is a long time ago and the latter is probably more about buxom Teutonic interpretations of Norse mythology than anything else. Guttural Germans shouting across the stage at one another always sounded better than lilting Italian costumery...

Maybe a trip to Bayreuth is calling...

That made me grin from ear to ear, honestly