Classical Music for Aficionados
I don't know if anyone shares my liking for 17C music composed largely prior to the likes of Corelli, Purcell, Telemann, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, et al., but here's another excellent disc from an ensemble new to me: Ensemble Clematis, made up apparently of Spanish, Italian and French young players. Carlo Farina, Capriccio stravagante & Sonata, is delightful. Also, if you want to hear what an innovative violinist/composer was up to as to 1626, try the somewhat famous Capriccio stravagante--ear and eye opening. |
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@schubert Len you really suprise me about Arrau . I was led to believe from his autobiography form Josef Horowitz thet he revered Fischer-Deskau more than any other vocalist . I am quite perturbed therefore thet you should have heard that from his own lips in fact the authourities were going to present him with either the Schumann medal or The Philharmonia Societies gold medal when he took ill. He was rushed to hospital but unfortunately didn't make it. And due to his admiration for both Masur and Fischer-Deskau they managed to ship in Fischer- Deskau to make the presentation to him but sadly too late. |
Here's another winner from Andrew Manze and Romanesca: Biagio Marini "Curiose & Moderne Inventioni". And that's not really bragging on Marini's part: it's with him that the exploration and risk-taking starts that makes the stylus phantasticus as appealing as it is. Also: both of these Romanesca discs have really excellent recording quality. |
I just recalled an interview of Arrau I heard on German TV that has stuck with me . He was outspoken ! Exact words escape me but this is about it." In Music you have to give all you have in every performance . That's why Masur is a great conductor and Fisher-Dieskau is not a great singer." That is/was nothing short of heresy in Germany . |
Yes Jim, we both love Arrau. For me it goes beyond his music, I love his attitude toward life, his curiosity, his priorities, his mild manner. I appreciate his love, loyalty and honor for his wife and family. When he walks onto a stage he hears the applause and he smiles as if to say "OK, I will take you there". No showboating, no elaborate gesturing, just the real deal. I was considering replacing my upright with a grand, then I saw pictures of Arrau practicing on an upright, and I realized that I already have more than I need (an old cheap Yamaha U1 that once had termites, and has a wonderful sound and touch, well tuned and regulated). |
I heard Arrau live 4-5 times , left me wanting no other . I had the Schiff cello sonatas and you are spot on jim. These days i do listen to the profoundly of Fournier because he relaxes me .A great one by Maria Kliegel playing a Strad cello On Naxos seems near flawless to me . Like everything recorded in Budapest , ditto for the sound . I don’t recall hearing the suites in person , but for me the greatest recording is Anner Blylsma on period instrument . |
@jcazador Jeremy I enjoyed those links you posted of Arrau they were very informative and gave us an insight to his sound which was wonderfull. I was really amazed how a man of 80 could keep his techniquein such good shape. I think I have said this already but I went down to London just to hear him play Beethovens last three piano sonatas. I have to say that His sound from the piano was absoloutely unique and his recorded sound could never give us what he gave in live performances. I think it must have been the eighties that I went as my daughter was just a baby then. The little Op.109 sonata I have never heard anything like it, such an organic sound it makes you never want to hear anyone else play them. |
@schubert Len I can really put you onto an "Art of The Dance" in Heinrich Schiff doing The Cello Sonatas of JS they are absoloutely joyfull and the first one is a delight from start to finish. No he doesn't have the polished perfection of Founier but he puts sheer and utter joy into them .Well worth a listen. |
learsfool , I have heard that several times and it is a joy to hear . Have you heard the other great one out of Canada ,Kenneth Gilbert on harpsichord ?Gilbert says in the liner notes that he sees it as Bach's "Art of the Dance . He makes a solid case for that in terms I would think any serious pro musician would like to read .Ever for the likes of me I thought the liner notes alone were worth the costof harmoniamundi HMX2951240 . Wouldn't be surprised if Canadian Brass knew of his thoughts . |
Next up: Europa Galante (Fabio Biondi), "Invenzione e stravaganze", with pieces by Farina, Uccellini, Legrenzi, Mazzaferrata, Vitali, Falconieri, Marini and Rossi. Europa Galante is one of my favorite ensembles specializing in this period, and there is some wonderfully different music here (including several surprises and some humor), beautifully played. |
Piano Lessons with Claudio Arrau: A Guide to His Philosophy and TechniquesBy Victoria A. von Arx
https://books.google.com/books?id=iy7nAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=arrau+80th+birthday+r... |
For adventurous Bach enthusiasts - '13 ways of looking at the Goldberg' by Lara Downes on Tritone Records (CD). A very interesting journey into the possible. Enjoy if you can. BTW, this lady, who I really enjoy, has an interesting discography. For me, her works on the Steinway & Sons label are very enjoyable, especially 'Exiles' Cafe' and "A Billie Holiday Songbook'. |
https://youtu.be/cqoP8rkNIsY?t=311 Talk about a real heart breaker. This wonderful Korean artists father died 2 days before this concert and her mom told her to not come back to Seoul for the funeral but sing Schubert’s Ava Maria in Paris to her dad on the same day . .I hope Franz was with her father as he listened to his loving daughter ! P.S . you have to drag the ball back to start from the beginning on this . |
The greatest instrument God ever created is the human voice . Blend that with the instruments we have created and you are at the zenith of what music can do.Puccini could/can resonate the human soul better than anyone, the real meaning of genius . .This clip is sung by the great Chinese soprano Ying Huang who was the first asian woman ever cast in the Madame Butterfly role , at least tin the west . For many years I had a rule about Butterfly . if it was one I wanted to really see. my limit was a thousand dollars and a thousand miles . Ying Huang brought something I never heard before, the inner understanding of how Asian women regard love .This is the most moving 5 minutes in all of music ! https://youtu.be/bkUq98oiyRc Many times in Vienna, Berlin ,Budapest. London and you name it I have seen all the women and most of the men crying and I mean crying, not tearing up. at the finish . Even if you hate opera, if you never see Madame Butterfly, in the company of other humans is best, you are missing one of the greatest experiences there is . |
Yes guys it is very dangerous for anyone to be compared to Horowitz but I am saying that given time maybe he will become as good maybe. here I think he is testing the water and the last number although not in my field is a pastiche on pices by Liszt he creates quite a storm and he has double octave glissandos that are trully frightening. I'm saying time will tell for this young man. |
Jim, Comparing anyone to Horowitz is a very tall order. At his best, Horowitz was a force of nature. An incredible showman who could wow you with his incredible technique or reduce you to tears with a simple Chopin waltz. Everything he played he made his own, unique to any other pianist. His sense of phrasing compelled you to hang on every note. Especially at a live concert, he held the audience in the palm of his hand. But even his recordings capture the magic of something being created before your very ears. I believe it’s simply unfair to compare anyone to such a dynamo. |
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OK , jim , will do soon . If he is as good as Rapu I’ll even get excited . The problem I have as I explore the infinite beauty and elegance of classical music is that I tend to " forget" what I already knew . Case in point . As I got into my car today from shopping , I caught most of Ravels" Pavane pour une infante de’funte" by somebody and the Rotterdam Phil.When I got home I dug out my only copy , which is still perhaps the best one ,the" LSO and Monteux " There just are no words to say how beautiful it is or the grief those who have lost children feel . |
Len and RV I have just discovered a new young pianist who dare I say plays like Horowitz in the 50s and guess what the name of his album is Homage to Horowitz. His name is Nikolai Tokarev and he is on Idagio and it's a mixture of pieces with a definite Horowitz swing. The first three Scarlatti Sonatas really get the party going and the last of the three is the D minor sonata a warhorse of Martha Argerich and he is every bit as fast as her but she has an extra fizzle to her playing but he is very close. Do give it a try I think you'll like it and The good thing about it is because it's on Idagio you can try before you buy. |
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Bach's exceptionally wide span. https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/js-hands-anatomy-study/ |
