I see that we already have a few musicians on the forum, so why don't we get this one rolling?

Right now, I'm listening to Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, conducted by Karl Böhm, and featuring an all-star cast (Janowitz, Fischer-Dieskau, Mathis, Prey, etc.). Janowitz voices makes for the most beautiful countess I know of. Fischer-Dieskau is perfectly suited to his role as the count with his deep, stern voice. Mathis (Susanna) and Prey (Figaro) are no worse than their more well-known counterparts in their roles, especially in bringing out the playfulness, happiness, sarcasm, and anguish that the two lovers have to go through.

Böhm's recording is rich, smooth and German. Perhaps it doesn't have the sarcasm of a Levine, and certainly not the crispness of the HIP Jacob's rendition, but for beauty and elegance this one is hard to beat (and it's in much better sound than the classic Kleiber rendition). I've heard complaints about the casts inability to speak Italian, but this has never bothered me because well... I'm not a linguophile. I have learned a lot of Italian from Mozart though.

That looks interesting!!

Lately, I have been feasting on this YouTube channel. Totally devoted to Dinu Lipatti. Lipatti's Chopin Op. 58 is a must listen, and it's available on there.

Just listened—on a random urge—to Horowitz play Chopin's G minor Ballade, at Carnegie Hall 1968. Awesome!

I've been listening to Zbigniew Preisner's songs Loss and Decision.

Loss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qswJvLCTLyw&feature=channel
Decision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4GK2C82aPk&feature=channel

Very cool! Certainly a different sound, and the virtuosity required to sing the first one is astounding.

I'm listening to Alan Jackson right now. Brain is too tired to take classical.

Can someone do a HUGE favor for me? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdljTYiIpJ4 If you know what the name of the song is please tell me (i've been looking for the name forever now)

Afraid that sort of music is off my radar screen...

http://video.cmireb.be/live

Listening to/watching the finals of the Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition. Now playing, Minje Jeon playing Prokofiev Concerto No. 2 in G minor.

SJPavlova wrote:

I see that we already have a few musicians on the forum, so why don't we get this one rolling?

Right now, I'm listening to Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, conducted by Karl Böhm, and featuring an all-star cast (Janowitz, Fischer-Dieskau, Mathis, Prey, etc.). Janowitz voices makes for the most beautiful countess I know of. Fischer-Dieskau is perfectly suited to his role as the count with his deep, stern voice. Mathis (Susanna) and Prey (Figaro) are no worse than their more well-known counterparts in their roles, especially in bringing out the playfulness, happiness, sarcasm, and anguish that the two lovers have to go through.

Böhm's recording is rich, smooth and German. Perhaps it doesn't have the sarcasm of a Levine, and certainly not the crispness of the HIP Jacob's rendition, but for beauty and elegance this one is hard to beat (and it's in much better sound than the classic Kleiber rendition). I've heard complaints about the casts inability to speak Italian, but this has never bothered me because well... I'm not a linguophile. I have learned a lot of Italian from Mozart though.

I'm really just a casual fan, and mainly of Baroque, but I'm glad you mentioned Bohm. To me everything he touches is magic, especially Bach. Dieskau is my favourite too (except on his later years maybe). I was a big fan of MAthis on Bach, up until I listened a hungarian soprano called Ingrid Kertesi (On the usually not so interesting Naxos label) singing Bach cantatas. She is fantastic.
Tatiana troyanos was great in Dido and Eaneas...

MrYang wrote:

I'm really just a casual fan, and mainly of Baroque, but I'm glad you mentioned Bohm. To me everything he touches is magic, especially Bach. Dieskau is my favourite too (except on his later years maybe). I was a big fan of MAthis on Bach, up until I listened a hungarian soprano called Ingrid Kertesi (On the usually not so interesting Naxos label) singing Bach cantatas. She is fantastic.
Tatiana troyanos was great in Dido and Eaneas...

Well, Bach is not one of the composers Böhm is know for and I would prefer an HIP recording (Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Leonhardt, Herreweghe, Suzuki, etc.) to a full "modern" orchestra anyday. I'm not sure Mathis should be judged on her Bach either, she is a Mozart specialist after all.

My favorite opera singer is probably Christa Ludwig who put out the most fantastic Dido on record. There's quite a few good Dido's on DVD as well that are very dramatic and can almost be watched like a movie. (The words are in English, thank God!) This includes a very scandalous version by the Dutch Opera with genitals shown and screaming children on stage.

Never seen it, never will.


I'm continuing to watch the Queen Elizabeth Competition. I've posted some thoughts on the other thread. I guess I'll try to be more concise in the future, got a little carried away when I first discovered it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE_d1RwCw5A

Marc-André Hamelin talks about about Nicolae Medtner, and then plays the Scherzo of his Sonata Romantica O. 53 No. 1.

SJPavlova wrote:

Well, Bach is not one of the composers Böhm is know for and I would prefer an HIP recording (Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Leonhardt, Herreweghe, Suzuki, etc.) to a full "modern" orchestra anyday. I'm not sure Mathis should be judged on her Bach either, she is a Mozart specialist after all.

My favorite opera singer is probably Christa Ludwig who put out the most fantastic Dido on record. There's quite a few good Dido's on DVD as well that are very dramatic and can almost be watched like a movie. (The words are in English, thank God!) !

Oups! I mistaked the two Karls. I told you I wasn't an expert. I was referring to Karl Richter, who worked Bach with Dieskau, Mathis and many other stars from that time. I loved the Hanoncourt and Leonhardt recordings too. But the feeling with Richter is something that touches me deeper. I like original instruments recording but I can appreciate Glenn Gould and other modern versions.

I've seen an unforgettable Dido and Eaneas DVD with pretty good cinematographyand with someone great on the leading role. Can't forget her performance but can't remember her hair. She was very tall, long dark hair and a weird face.

Christa Ludwig is fantastic. I'm a fan of the mezzo Janet Baker too.

Schumann, Kreisleriana Op. 16. Played by Horowitz of course. I'm enjoying the complete Horowitz Deutsche Grammophon recordings I just got. It encompasses all of Volodya's output from the 1985 to 1989 save The Last Recording which he returned to Sony Classical for.

Sound quality is awesome...and the playing is fresh and sure. Quite unlike the period from about 1978 to 1983. Highly recommended.

Amazon link.

thepianist wrote:

...save The Last Recording which he [Horowitz] returned to Sony Classical for.

Funny, I've just been listening to the Wagner/Liszt Liebestod (November 1989) played by Volodya today.

Now this is once Horowitz recording I do like. I love how he makes the most extra-terrestrial sound on the piano, capturing the luminance and mystery of this sensual opera. I mean, it can't be compared to Birgit Nilsson's voice, because after all, it's still a piano. (got to remind myself of that sometimes )

SJPavlova wrote:

thepianist wrote:

...save The Last Recording which he [Horowitz] returned to Sony Classical for.

Funny, I've just been listening to the Wagner/Liszt Liebestod (November 1989) played by Volodya today.

Now this is once Horowitz recording I do like. I love how he makes the most extra-terrestrial sound on the piano, capturing the luminance and mystery of this sensual opera. I mean, it can't be compared to Birgit Nilsson's voice, because after all, it's still a piano. (got to remind myself of that sometimes )

Funny you mention Nilsson because emulating the voice on the piano was one of Volodya's biggest goals in his interpretation. All of his output from 1985 onwards is well worth listening to. He no longer tries to be something he isn't (such as during the 'mad scientist' period he went through; if you need an example search for 'horowitz 1978 liszt sonata' on YouTube).

Rather, his pianism is fresh and clear and above all, pared down to simplicity. However, he still maintains his inimitable manipulation of melodic lines and color.

I'm listening to Pink Floyd, Shine On You Crazy Diamond from P•U•L•S•E.

I'm listening to Opeth's Damnation CD...awesome music and a complete departure from Opeth's typical death metal sound. It's really got more in common with Pink Floyd than death metal, though the productions are far less lavish (in a good way) than Pink Floyd's.

I'm listening to fireworks.