What are you listening 2 now?

[Karl Henning]

Really, what you mean is that I understand audience and context.

For one thing, the audience here is largely heterosexual men who I don't really know, who are unlikely to have a positive response to me declaring that a guy is hot. We have not gathered here for the purpose of declaring guys to be hot.

What we seem to be witnessing is that some people are so used to being in a context where they get to express certain thoughts, they cannot conceive of being in a context where they DON'T get to express them.

Which is straight male privilege writ large.

This in goddamn Spades.

[hopefullytrusting]

Maybe the happiest pianist ever: Hiromi Uehara's Spectrum (a spectacular extravaganza)

[JBS]

Maybe the happiest pianist ever: Hiromi Uehara's Spectrum (a spectacular extravaganza)

The only album cover on which she doesn't seem enthusiastic is the one recorded during the Covid lockdowns.


And it's one of several that seem to be available only as vinyl.

TD
First listen to a bunch of composers totally new to me.


Track list
Juan Bautista Plaza 1898-1965
Vigilia (Poema Sinfónico)
Evencio Castellanos 1915-1984
Santa Cruz de Pacairigua (Suite Sinfónica)
Inocente Carreño 1919-2016
Margiteña (Glosa Sinfónica)
Evencio Castellanos
El Río de las Siete Estrellas (Poema Sinfónico)
Antonio Estévez 1916-1988
Medíodía en la Llano
Yuri Hung b. 1968
Kanaíma

[brewski]

I've not heard/watched this version which I am sure is wonderful.  But it does strike me - who on earth would want to be a young player trying to carve a career as a soloist today!?  The performing standards are absurdly high - you yourself mention in an earlier post another superb performance by a player who did not win this competition.  So if you are not in the 0.1% of the 0.1% of players of that supreme standard you have no chance.  If you are, the chance of having a career that in financial or public exposure terms is commensurate with all your practice/study and talent is all but zero.  There aren't even enough front desk jobs (with perhaps occasional concerto opportunities) available to match the number of these fine players.

I don't have even a guess of an answer to your question. Some of these players will likely have careers elsewhere, e.g., in chamber ensembles or orchestras, but your final sentence still stands: too many great players, and not enough spots.

PS, I've only been listening to the people in the Shostakovich, because I like the piece, but there are maybe a dozen more violinists who played other concertos in the competition — only underlining your point, of course.

-Bruce

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Fot those who are interested.....

Bach  French Suites  Bob van Asperen

You will find this recording not much cheaper....




https://www.ebay.nl/itm/135279753171?_skw=Bach+bob+van+asperen&itmmeta=01JBVDFXMZY6MTQYCCWFTYM0YJ&hash=item1f7f4d37d3:g:p-sAAOSw69pm-8CW&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmZm8pO7WnyaaRTN2EUKMGVj8JMx2PO3FoSe9pveB%2Bw5LWcmntYAGnTmAxUYMn2whvuR5nAtOXls7FWdDJjMnEH1%2FaeZ7nZWAMRRehVCuWVcfZ2cZymUyQHT7NQ%2BRIYnZbSp7%2BoLU48loIQUeOEtW0MQSu7BoXJvn%2BYpwk%2F7sGAkouCx77q2uxjb7kndnYfojrjndn5J%2BF6fNfF3RDShWqp2B6vtA51dSlo7HFmvjfXD3hlmtZOXeTDivobc3nPcHM2tVQKF4pW73G9Zxn95WTCW4QYdeGtyNxR7lV5NXb5OA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9Lav-3eZA

Nice recording! I like this recording as well.

[hopefullytrusting]

Nice recording! I like this recording as well.

What a charming cover.

[André]

Really, what you mean is that I understand audience and context.

For one thing, the audience here is largely heterosexual men who I don't really know, who are unlikely to have a positive response to me declaring that a guy is hot. We have not gathered here for the purpose of declaring guys to be hot.

What we seem to be witnessing is that some people are so used to being in a context where they get to express certain thoughts, they cannot conceive of being in a context where they DON'T get to express them.

Which is straight male privilege writ large.

This.

[JBS]

Second dose of Mozart today.

Piano Concerto 10 in E Flat for Two Pianos KV365
Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in B Flat KV269
Adagio for Violin and Orchestra in E KV261
Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C KV373
Sinfonia Concertante in E Flat for Four Wind Instruments KB297B

Soloists
KV 365. Piano Duo Sakamoto
KV 269/261/373. Bilal Alnemr
KV 297B
Gabriel Pidoux oboe
Blaz Sparovec clarinet
Theo Plath bassoon
Nicolas Ramez horn

Howard Griffiths conducts the piano concerto, Thomas Zehetmair conducts the other works.

[André]

Since nothing will be gleaned from the front cover, here's the back cover, with work/composer details:



Notice the names of well-known performers such as Benjamin Schmid and Rafael Orozco-Estrada. Good to see that established names champion contemporary composers.

That being said, a thesis could be written on the dichotomy between 'modern' and 'contemporary' as descriptives/adjectives.

Speaking for myself, the first two of these works sounded 'modern' in the sense that when I heard them, they sounded new to my ears, even if their components (structure, instrumentation) adhered to established patterns. The third work (Eröd's clarinet concerto) by contrast, also sounded modern while everything in its 'anatomy' (structure, instrumentation) sounded familiar (not 'modern'). And yet all three works are definitely 'contemporary' because they were written and are performed in our times: the dates are, in order: 2009, 2010 and 2011.

An interesting grouping, fine music and a possible classic for clarinetists.

[Madiel]

Schumann: Abegg Variations (Eric Le Sage)

I keep meaning to sort through 4 different sets of Schumann's piano music to decide which set I want to buy (probably only one). I'm determined to be systematic this time and PROPERLY keep track of which volumes I've listened to, because none of them are simply in opus number order or something similar.

Anyway, Le Sage is off to a very good start here (in volume 11 of his series) by making me care about the Abegg Variations. This has not always been my experience in the past.

[JBS]

Two CDs worth of this

A Chorale-Partita, the Schubler Chorales, the six Concertos, and a bunch of miscellaneous chorales.

[Harry]

Just as an alternate data point, if I called any of my female friends, or my wife, "babe," I'd be slapped, literally or figuratively. And I ought to be.

I could not disagree more Karl, and I am sorry to see that you actually wrote this.

[Harry]

Or the Native American proverb: Silence is better than bullshit.

So you are saying that what I said is Bullshit?

[Harry]

Per the point raised by Rafael, if one is guided by respect and consideration, perhaps one's steps will not be false. (That's one of the most awkward sentences I've ever constructed.)

I am sorry you did. Another friend lost I guess.

[Harry]

Adew Dundee.
Early Music of Scotland.
Baltimore Consort.
Recorded 2002-2003, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy.

[Que]

Last of the series... Thanks, Harry!

[Harry]

Last of the series... Thanks, Harry!

You are welcome dear friend. As for now I am going through my collection to find some more items that would fit your bill. 

[hopefullytrusting]

Adew Dundee.
Early Music of Scotland.
Baltimore Consort.
Recorded 2002-2003, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy.

I recently came across this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdBE_XXAia8

An utterly enchanting, beautifully shot and sounding, performance of Scottish Early Music. One of my best "discoveries" on YouTube.

[vandermolen]

Sibelius: Lemminkainen Suite (Four Legends)
Toronto SO, Sarasate
'Lemminkainen in Tuonela' has always been my favourite section and it is very fine on this recording - full of mystery:

[Harry]

Francesco Geminiani.
Sonatas for Cello & Bc op.5.
Anthony Pleeth, Richard Webb, Christopher Hogwood.
Recorded: 1975 at the All Saints Church, Petersham, Surrey.