What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Sergeant Rock]

Well, here it is...

Thanks 

[AndyD.]

Andy - In an old book I have on chamber music by Alec Robertson, I found this passage about the Op. 132:

"The slow movement is headed 'Song of thanksgiving to the Deity on recovering from an illness, written in the Lydian mode'. Poor Beethoven, his recovery was all too imperfect. Bartok, in his Third Piano Concerto, wrote a similar slow movement (so similar that the coincidence can be ruled out) when he too had just recovered from an illness; but as with Beethoven, his life was almost over. The frequency with which Bartok comes to mind as one studies these late quartets is a measure of the tremendous influence this music had on him."

That sounds like an extraordinarily interesting book! I've heard the LvB influence in several movements of Bartok's quartets. Might make a great thread!

Now: Mozart Piano Concerto # 24 (Szell)

Am hoping to get some of my interest in Mozart back.

[The new erato]

Now: Mozart Piano Concerto # 24 (Szell)

Am hoping to get some of my interest in Mozart back.

A piano concerto without soloist is hardly the right approach.

Or is it perhaps Serkin?

[AndyD.]

A piano concerto without soloist is hardly the right approach.

Or is it perhaps Serkin?

Robert Casadesus is performing here.

On deck: my favorite performance of the Jupiter, Karajan (oh let the barbs begin!). I like it so  .

[Sergeant Rock]

On deck: my favorite performance of the Jupiter, Karajan (oh let the barbs begin!)

Nice to see you haven't completely given up on Mozart---although since you're listening to the Karajan, some might say you actually have given up    (Seriously, I like Karajan's Mozart too. His Don Giovanni is my favorite version...I was run out of the opera thread for admitting that  )


Me, another Sibelius Seventh:




Sarge

[AndyD.]

I love the Karajan/Battle Giovanni. My favorite might be the classic Furtwangler/Siepi though.

The Karajan conducting of Mozart is very Beethovian. Which seems to be the only way I can tolerate Mozart, who mostly comes across as too pretty, safe, and boring for me these days.

Oh, hate me.

[Sergeant Rock]

Oh, hate me.

Okay 

Maybe you just burned out...you were heavy into Mozart for a long time.

Listening now to the (I hope Karl isn't reading this) definitive Mendelssohn Bartholdy Italian: Szell, Cleveland




Sarge

[Drasko]

[Brahmsian]

That sounds like an extraordinarily interesting book! I've heard the LvB influence in several movements of Bartok's quartets. Might make a great thread!

Now: Mozart Piano Concerto # 24 (Szell)

Am hoping to get some of my interest in Mozart back.

Yes, I hear Beethoven's influence as well in Bartok's quartets.  (ie. 1st mvt of SQ1, has influence from LVB's Op.131, 1st mvt.)

Andy, you need more Mo!!    I think I will spin some of Mozart's chamber music today (the string quintets are in order)!

[AndyD.]

Okay 

Maybe you just burned out...you were heavy into Mozart for a long time.

Sarge

If I burned him out, then it's been since 2007 (the start of my Wagner fixation), besides a few select pieces of course.

I have a challenge for listeners: listen to Mahler's 9th, and then try listening to any of Mozart's symphonies.

Not a criticism, just a challenge.

Andy, you need more Mo!!    I think I will spin some of Mozart's chamber music today (the string quintets are in order)!

I'm trying on the Mozart, but it's not working out well. Mozart is becoming one of those composers that I feel like I should like better, and consequently end up feeling as though I'm trying too hard. Nothing against Mozart, obviously a great composer. Just me.

[Sergeant Rock]

I have a challenge for listeners: listen to Mahler's 9th, and then try listening to any of Mozart's symphonies.

Well, I understand what you're saying. However, change "any of Mozart's symphonies" to any of Mozart's piano concertos and the task is much easier: I hear profound depth in the concertos (and operas, of course).

Sarge

[SonicMan46]

Guys - speaking of Mozart - thought I'd give the newly acquired box below w/ Viviana Sofronitzki on fortepiano another listen - 

[AndyD.]

Well, I understand what you're saying. However, change "any of Mozart's symphonies" to any of Mozart's piano concertos and the task is much easier: I hear profound depth in the concertos (and operas, of course).

Sarge

I like the late Eb and Dm concertos. And Don Giovanni.

I rarely listen to any of them.

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra / David Zinman

[Scarpia]

Well, I understand what you're saying. However, change "any of Mozart's symphonies" to any of Mozart's piano concertos and the task is much easier: I hear profound depth in the concertos (and operas, of course).

Or change to chamber music.  Mozart symphonies were mostly big show pieces that were supposed to wow an audience, which maybe is harder to do when the audience has heard an orchestra four times the size.  Mozart chamber music contains a depth of expression that only becomes more intense because of the formal constraints of Mozart's time (in my experience).

[AndyD.]

Or change to chamber music.  Mozart symphonies were mostly big show pieces that were supposed to wow an audience, which maybe is harder to do when the audience has heard an orchestra four times the size.  Mozart chamber music contains a depth of expression that only becomes more intense because of the formal constraints of Mozart's time (in my experience).

I admire how this is put.

[Scarpia]

I admire how this is put.

Thanks!

[bhodges]

Or change to chamber music.  Mozart symphonies were mostly big show pieces that were supposed to wow an audience, which maybe is harder to do when the audience has heard an orchestra four times the size.  Mozart chamber music contains a depth of expression that only becomes more intense because of the formal constraints of Mozart's time (in my experience).

Yes, I like this, too.  Further, I also feel that just in general, for many composers, their chamber music is their most intimate form of communication.

--Bruce

[DavidRoss]

Good morning, Sarge (well, not morning for you  ). I took the liberty of correcting your post--must have been a glitch in the software that messed up the first one.

Listening now to the (I hope Karl isn't reading this) definitive Mendelssohn Bartholdy Italian: Blomstedt/SFS

Hey, Andy, that's a great avatar pic.  You look like a happy man!

I have a challenge for listeners: listen to Mahler's 9th, and then try listening to any of Mozart's symphonies.

No problem, dude, do it all the time.  Ever eat steak and seafood?  Or read Eliot and Williams?  Perhaps you should put Mozart aside for awhile and come back to him in a couple of years.

Thanks for suggesting Mahler's 9th.  I think I'll give Rattle/BP another go, just as soon as I finish disc one of this:


Silvestri's delivering an amazing Tallis Fantasia!

[Scarpia]

It got garbled again!  I fear al Qaeda is messing with the internet.  I've fixed it, hopefully it will take this time.

Good morning, Sarge (well, not morning for you  ). I took the liberty of correcting your post--must have been a glitch in the software that messed up the first one.

Listening now to the (I hope Karl isn't reading this) definitive Mendelssohn Bartholdy Italian: Szell, Cleveland




Sarge

[AndyD.]

Hey, Andy, that's a great avatar pic.  You look like a happy man!No problem, dude, do it all the time.  Ever eat steak and seafood?  Or read Eliot and Williams?  Perhaps you should put Mozart aside for awhile and come back to him in a couple of years.

Thanks for suggesting Mahler's 9th.  I think I'll give Rattle/BP another go, just as soon as I finish disc one of this:

Thanks for the compliment! I find it hard to listen to Mozart (or Joseph Haydn, early Beethoven) after Wagner,  Mahler, Schoenberg, Bartok, mid-period Strauss, and several others. It just sounds way too light, pretty, and...safe. It's a bit like listening to the Dead Kennedys or Black Flag, and then throwing on some Abba. No way, dude.

But you might be right...I'll just put the Mozart away for awhile. I'm trying too hard.

That Mahler 9th with Rattle is nothing to sneeze at, good listenin'!