What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[greg]

Tried listening to Beethoven's 9th again..... mainly, this (and the 6th) are some of the most annoying pieces of music I've ever heard (at least in classical). This is listen number 5, i think... i still find the Scherzo to be extremely bland, and during the Adagio, every time I just zone out and then force myself to focus on the music and then realize that it's painful to listen to.

(and i'll repeat this again- I LOOOOVVVVVEEEE the 7th, and like a few of his other symphonies).

I don't know why, but Beethoven's 9th, which is possibly the most celebrated piece in classical music (if there is one), happens to be so painful to listen to in a bad way- sitting through this thing is about as irritating as sitting through church service on Sundays- and thank God I don't have to do that any more. I literally feel like smashing my brains out on the wall and then crying whenever i listen to this symphony and actually paying attention. It's immeasurably monotonous and boring...

[owlice]

But money well spent, the opportunity for a good education the best gift you can give him after unconditional love.  Hearing our younger boy play music these days, and discussing almost everything under the sun with him now that he's home before starting his Master's program, demonstrates the value of that opportunity and of applying himself to get the most out of it.  I'm grinning a lot these days, inside and out! 

I certainly hope it'll be money well spent!! I'm delighted to spend it, of course, though this came a little earlier than I expected, and I will feel fortunate indeed should I have an experience with my son as you are having now with yours!

Today while we were in the waiting room at his doctor's, the kid was expressing a desire for a "dropping out of school" present since he will have no opportunity for a high school graduation present! Oh, we were having fun with that! He would like an electric guitar, he says, as that will save me money! ("I'll have an electric guitar, girls will love me, I'll be happy, and because I'm happy, I'll study hard and get good grades and that will get me more scholarship money next year! If I don't have an electric guitar, I won't get any girls, I'll be depressed and won't be able to work hard at school, so my grades won't be as good and I won't get more scholarship money. So see? Electric guitar, better grades, more scholarship money, less tuition YOU have to pay!") Totally cracked me up!

[George]

Tried listening to Beethoven's 9th again..... mainly, this (and the 6th) are some of the most annoying pieces of music I've ever heard (at least in classical).

I don't know why, but Beethoven's 9th, which is possibly the most celebrated piece in classical music (if there is one), happens to be so painful to listen to in a bad way- sitting through this thing is about as irritating as sitting through church service on Sundays- and thank God I don't have to do that any more. I literally feel like smashing my brains out on the wall and then crying whenever i listen to this symphony and actually paying attention. It's immeasurably monotonous and boring...

I do hope Gurn is out of town...

[Dr. Dread]

I do hope Gurn is out of town...

F*ck that. Let's lynch him! 

[ChamberNut]

Brahms

String Sextet in B flat, op.18
String Sextet in G, op.36

Amadeus Quartet
DG

0:)

[ChamberNut]

I certainly hope it'll be money well spent!! I'm delighted to spend it, of course, though this came a little earlier than I expected, and I will feel fortunate indeed should I have an experience with my son as you are having now with yours!

Today while we were in the waiting room at his doctor's, the kid was expressing a desire for a "dropping out of school" present since he will have no opportunity for a high school graduation present! Oh, we were having fun with that! He would like an electric guitar, he says, as that will save me money! ("I'll have an electric guitar, girls will love me, I'll be happy, and because I'm happy, I'll study hard and get good grades and that will get me more scholarship money next year! If I don't have an electric guitar, I won't get any girls, I'll be depressed and won't be able to work hard at school, so my grades won't be as good and I won't get more scholarship money. So see? Electric guitar, better grades, more scholarship money, less tuition YOU have to pay!") Totally cracked me up!

That's OK Greg. 

Although I won't make any attempt to stop the lynch mob from coming after you. 

[DavidRoss]

I certainly hope it'll be money well spent!! I'm delighted to spend it, of course, though this came a little earlier than I expected, and I will feel fortunate indeed should I have an experience with my son as you are having now with yours!

Today while we were in the waiting room at his doctor's, the kid was expressing a desire for a "dropping out of school" present since he will have no opportunity for a high school graduation present! Oh, we were having fun with that! He would like an electric guitar, he says, as that will save me money! ("I'll have an electric guitar, girls will love me, I'll be happy, and because I'm happy, I'll study hard and get good grades and that will get me more scholarship money next year! If I don't have an electric guitar, I won't get any girls, I'll be depressed and won't be able to work hard at school, so my grades won't be as good and I won't get more scholarship money. So see? Electric guitar, better grades, more scholarship money, less tuition YOU have to pay!") Totally cracked me up!

Sounds just like my kid!  Same kind of rationalization for why we should do what he wants.  Can't kick about it too much, since we trained him to do that, to think things through before hitting us up and presenting it like a business proposal, giving us reasons and anticipating our objections.  And we also trained him to give us time to consider the proposal rather than springing it on us at the last minute and demanding an answer right away.  (He learned the results were more favorable that way.   ).

I predict a wonderful future ahead for him!  

[Fëanor]

Elliott Carter: String Quartet No. 4

Great stuff.

[Coopmv]

Now playing this made-in-Australia CD, which arrived yesterday.

[Fëanor]

Elliott Carter: Lauds (4), for solo violin, (Thomas Zehetmair)

Also great stuff.

[owlice]

Sounds just like my kid!  Same kind of rationalization for why we should do what he wants. 

Well, I left out the "And I can annoy the neighbors with it!" part, but that was in there, too! (And as attractive a prospect as that is, I suggested he stick with his original idea for that, which is a practice chanter. )

He timed this pretty well, knowing that we had to stop by a music store to pick up guitar strings anyway. We did get the strings, and did not get an electric guitar. I have full faith in his ability to "get girls," as he put it, without a new guitar!

~~~

Thread duty:

The Firebird complete ballet (1910)

[springrite]

Rspighi: The Birds (without the fire, no roasting), I Solitsti Ventici

[owlice]

But... but... it's Stravinsky's birthday, springrite! You could at least listen to The Rites of Spring!!

[Brian]

SIBELIUS | Symphony No 5
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Colin Davis

I chose this recording knowing the finale is a disappointment. But tonight my yen was not for the rapturous finale but rather for the tumultuous first movement. Perhaps one could take it as a sign that my reaction to this symphony is maturing from emotive wonder to a higher-minded sort of awe.

[springrite]

But... but... it's Stravinsky's birthday, springrite! You could at least listen to The Rites of Spring!!

Thank you for reminding me. I will listen to 12 or so versions today in a Le Sacre Marathon! (Just think of the procession of virgins...)

[Brian]

Glorious cover!
Glorious music too  0:)

[owlice]

Thank you for reminding me. I will listen to 12 or so versions today in a Le Sacre Marathon! (Just think of the procession of virgins...)

12 versions of virgins, hmmm?

I was in a Borders some years ago and saw that they had that work filed under Le Sucre du Printemps. Oh, sweet spring!

[mahler10th]

John, didn't I tell you???!!!  

Ummm, I hope that's a good "WOW", and not a poo-poo "WOW"  

You told me all along!  It is more than a good wow.  This is one of the finest, and that's saying something.

[DavidRoss]

SIBELIUS | Symphony No 5
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Colin Davis

I chose this recording knowing the finale is a disappointment. But tonight my yen was not for the rapturous finale but rather for the tumultuous first movement. Perhaps one could take it as a sign that my reaction to this symphony is maturing from emotive wonder to a higher-minded sort of awe.

Thanks, Brian, you made my day!  (well, the last half-hour of it at least!)

[Lethevich]

Both his 9th quartet and 9th symphony are perhaps his masterpieces. An odd* numerical coincidence



*In before "it's hardly going to be even".