Search found 317 matches
- Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:46 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Pieces of music you're sick of
- Replies: 71
- Views: 10116
Re: Pieces of music you're sick of
Inspired by Lance's feelings on Schubert's 9th: I'm wondering if anyone here on CMG has a work or works they simply cannot listen to anymore? Anymore ? None. Sure, I do find some music awful. But once I've declared my love .... it's for eternity. (I need an 'angel' emoticon here. :)) Of course, som...
- Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:42 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Pieces of music you're sick of
- Replies: 71
- Views: 10116
Re: Pieces of music you're sick of
Thanks to Kubrick's great film, there was a time when the famous opening of Also Sprach Zarathustra was heard incessantly in commercials, usually in a parodistic context. :roll: It went on for YEARS! :x I thought to myself, is the ad biz that bereft of original ideas? Nowadays, since Boorman's grea...
- Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:55 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
Well, if one checks the Yellow Pages one might easily find a musicologist who would claim: "Bach wrote the most emotionless music of all time, the most cerebral music of all time, and the most impossible playable music of all time. To have all three in one man's music is extraordinary catastrophic."...
- Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:25 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
Distracting after about 60 seconds .... No melody .... Pile of notes .... Are you sure it was Bach you've been listening to? Positive. De gustibus and all that. Yep. As I comforted the thread starter before: luckilly there is more music to enjoy. :) Like errr ..... Mozart. (Though de gustibus et al...
- Fri Jan 29, 2010 5:07 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4269
- Views: 1498258
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
Boulez/Mahler: some sounds from their early years.

This recording of Das Klagende Lied is recently also available, AFAIK, in a larger box with some Wagner stuff.


This recording of Das Klagende Lied is recently also available, AFAIK, in a larger box with some Wagner stuff.
- Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:58 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
What melody are you looking for? In Bach's counterpoint, there are multiple lines, each one of significance. Often, there is no primary line unlike in romantic era music where one line dominates. A listener can key on all lines at once or just key on one particular line. That's one of the great asp...
- Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:42 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
I find his counterpoint to be absolutely exhausting. I mean, it's magnificent, but hot damn, one can only take so much! Who's with me? :mrgreen: :? -G My sentiments exactly. I've been saying the same thing for decades. He's just too distracting after about 30-60 seconds, I can't find the melody in ...
- Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:27 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4269
- Views: 1498258
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
Congrats with this purchase!maestrob wrote:
Purchased just recently, I opened this today, and it is a stunning remastering from Melodiya's 1965 recording of Sveshnikov's conducting of Rachmaninov's Vespers.

- Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:16 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Your 5 Favorite Mezzos
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4389
Re: Your 5 Favorite Mezzos
I'm not opting for real contralto's in this one, like (IMHO) Kathleen Ferrier, Aafje Heynis and Nathalie Stutzmann. It's difficult enough to pick 5 favourite mezzo's : Christa Ludwig Teresa Berganza Frederica von Stade Anne Sofie von Otter Bernarda Fink Of these five, I 'dare' to say that Ludwig and...
- Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:31 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
Tastes differ. :o :wink: I think that Die Kunst der Fuge is one of those eternal masterpieces. I have been listening a couple of times lately to complete KdF's, played on harpsichord (Sebastien Guillot, Naxos) and organ (Lionel Rogg, EMI). Never a dull moment, really. On the contrary: Supercalifrag...
- Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:16 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
Tastes differ. :o :wink: I think that Die Kunst der Fuge is one of those eternal masterpieces. I have been listening a couple of times lately to complete KdF's, played on harpsichord (Sebastien Guillot, Naxos) and organ (Lionel Rogg, EMI). Never a dull moment, really. On the contrary: Supercalifragi...
- Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:49 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I tire easily of listening to Bach
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10148
Re: I tire easily of listening to Bach
I find his counterpoint to be absolutely exhausting. I mean, it's magnificent, but hot damn, one can only take so much! What's the prob? There is more music to choose from. Who's with me? :mrgreen: :? Not me. If there weren't more music to choose from, I'd still be a very happy man. Bach is my dail...
- Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:23 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: For Cor de Groot fans
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1134
Re: For Cor de Groot fans
Thanks for posting!
Rachmaninoff.
The Second Piano Concerto.
lt isn't fair.
Every time I hear it, I go to pieces. It shakes me, it quakes me. It makes me feel goose-pimply all over. I don't know where I am or who I am or what I'm doing.
Don't stop. Don't stop. Don't ever stop!
Rachmaninoff.
The Second Piano Concerto.
lt isn't fair.
Every time I hear it, I go to pieces. It shakes me, it quakes me. It makes me feel goose-pimply all over. I don't know where I am or who I am or what I'm doing.
Don't stop. Don't stop. Don't ever stop!
- Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:28 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Your Four Favorite Sopranos
- Replies: 47
- Views: 6745
Re: Your Four Favorite Sopranos
Just four this time (dead or alive), and I won't be using an order of preference. Lucia Popp : singing music by my favourite opera composer Mozart, AND Schubert/Schumann/Mahler/Strauss/Prokofiev songs, AND Dvorak's Song to the Moon (Russalka), operette by Joh. Strauss, Léhar et al AND also et ceter...
- Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:16 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I Hate Being Asked About My Favorites
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1758
Re: I Hate Being Asked About My Favorites
I can't choose favorites in general, whether in music or whatever. I don't have a favorite color because I could never see any reason to like onecolor above others. I like all colors,even gray! Alas, my friend, then we would have to part when trying to cross The Bridge of Death .... WHAT is your fa...
- Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:46 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Veteran Conductor Otmar Suitner Dies
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5565
Re: Veteran Conductor Otmar Suitner Dies
Isn't it a bit drastic to 'condemn' a conductor to just a Kapellmeister (though there's nothing wrong in being a Kapellmeister IMO), because of this one experience? How do you know I was speaking from just "this one experience"? That isn't actually so, but as this was the most ambitious work I hear...
- Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:08 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Veteran Conductor Otmar Suitner Dies
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5565
Re: Veteran Conductor Otmar Suitner Dies
AFAIK, Suitner 'did' the Bayreuth Ring in 1967, being a last time replacement for Böhm, who went ill. Isn't it a bit drastic to 'condemn' a conductor to just a Kapellmeister (though there's nothing wrong in being a Kapellmeister IMO), because of this one experience? My guess is that Suitner has perf...
- Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:14 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Your Five Favorite Composers
- Replies: 242
- Views: 21861
Re: Your Five Favorite Composers
Yes, I know it's silly, but I'm still doing it. Please note your five favorite composers in order of preference; this has nothing to do with "greatest". I'll keep a tally and provide the results on 25 January. :lol: Hitparade time again! My Hot Five in order of preference: 1. J.S. Bach 2. W.A. Moza...
- Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:21 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Herreweghe's HIP Bruckner 4
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2149
Re: Herreweghe's HIP Bruckner 4
Can somebody explain to me what HIP stand for? I keep reading this all over CMG but I still don't understand what it means. Historically informed performance. Used to be (in the earlier days): 'authentic performance'. Then, 'suddenly', Nikolaus Harnoncourt (adored by many HIP purists) said in inter...
- Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:17 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Your Best Mozart [Edited and sanitized version]
- Replies: 86
- Views: 10144
Re: your best Mozart...REDUX
My main problem with opera is the recitativo . I find it unmusical. I have heard the Magic Flute, and I'll admit there are some absolutely incredible moments...I'm afraid it's just not my overall cup of tea. Then stay away from his Figaro... :mrgreen: Figaro: really great secco recitatives! And acc...
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:57 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Buxtehude: "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" - and question!
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3506
Re: Buxtehude: "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" - and question!
Tiger, might you experience a desperate need to relax, you can counterbalance Koopman with Harald Vogel, who's more severe. 

- Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:30 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4269
- Views: 1498258
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
You're welcome.Lance wrote:Thank you for illustrating the Reubke. I will add this one to my list. CPO has discovered some truly great material. Musicianship is always top-drawer, too.
Especially the Allegro con fuoco of this one is very Wuchtig.
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:13 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4269
- Views: 1498258
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
One of my recent purchases:
Julius Reubke: The works for Piano & Organ (Paolo Marzocchi & Luca Scandali).

I'm not really a 19th century guy, but some parts of the 94th Psalm for organ gave me the shivers! Partly caused by a bloke named .... Scandali?
Julius Reubke: The works for Piano & Organ (Paolo Marzocchi & Luca Scandali).

I'm not really a 19th century guy, but some parts of the 94th Psalm for organ gave me the shivers! Partly caused by a bloke named .... Scandali?
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:42 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Buxtehude: "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" - and question!
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3506
Re: Buxtehude: "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" - and question!
Well, if I were going to pretend that I could improvise (and then if I could memorize) I might toss off something by Bux, but those works--which I do take to be written-out improvisations--would not be considered sufficiently sophisticated for a modern recital organist. His chorale-based works are ...
- Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:44 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Bach's organ music
- Replies: 53
- Views: 19076
Re: Bach's organ music
[.....] on the other hand Marc just pointed me at a Set of the Neumeister Chorales that I have never heard, so i'm most grateful he resurrected this Thread... Please accept the fact that Johannsen isn't playing BWV 1096, because it's one of those notorious spurious works (by Pachelbel?). But, if yo...
- Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:34 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Bach's organ music
- Replies: 53
- Views: 19076
Re: Bach's organ music
You know, Marc, I'm both grateful and frustrated that you re-opened this thread. Grateful that I have some time this afternoon to go back and finish downloading all the selections I want (which is a lot), and frustrated that this is no longer a straightforward matter. On my old computer, they just ...
- Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:13 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Bach's organ music
- Replies: 53
- Views: 19076
Re: Bach's organ music
My favourite of Bach's Organ Works are the Neumeister Chorales, I could play them every day for the rest of my life and would never tire of them... Please, please tell me that is not what you meant to say. Sorry, John, it's perfect chill out material, I love starting the day with them...I have tons...
- Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:51 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Your Best Mozart [Edited and sanitized version]
- Replies: 86
- Views: 10144
Re: your best Mozart...REDUX
My main problem with opera is the recitativo . I find it unmusical. I have heard the Magic Flute, and I'll admit there are some absolutely incredible moments...I'm afraid it's just not my overall cup of tea. Then stay away from his Figaro... :mrgreen: Figaro: really great secco recitatives! And acc...
- Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:53 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Schumann Symphony Boxset: Which One?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4420
Re: Schumann Symphony Boxset: Which One?
For sculpted no-nonsense readings you might try this. It could be a good (and not so expensive) introduction: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?PID=7605591&style=music&frm=frooglemusic I have 3 & 4 on disc (bought them for about a handful euros long time ago), but apparently my Music Cassett...
- Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:11 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Do you own Gardiner/ Bilson Mozart Piano Concertos Boxset?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 1659
Re: Do you own Gardiner/ Bilson Mozart Piano Concertos Boxset?
.....Maybe less spectacular sound than Bilson/Gardiner, but more intense playing IMHO. I love it, Marc! I know that this wasn't a main point of yours, and that really it wasn't a point at all -- but when something like Bilson/Gardiner is said to have "spectacular sound," we know the early-instrumen...
- Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:16 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What work would you like to have written?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 4823
Re: What work would you like to have written?
Bach's Chaconne in D Minor. Yes! This one, and that organ one in C minor: BWV 582, the sublime Passacaglia ! (See also the 'adjective' thread :wink:.) I wish that I had written ....... Eleanor Rigby . Excellent choice....I remember being stunned when I first heard it as a youngster :D Here's anothe...
- Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:11 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: The most overused adjective in the classical music language
- Replies: 62
- Views: 6076
Re: The most overused adjective in the classical music language
Sublime: of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582.

J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582.
- Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:55 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Do you own Gardiner/ Bilson Mozart Piano Concertos Boxset?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 1659
Re: Do you own Gardiner/ Bilson Mozart Piano Concertos Boxset?
You don't like his Mozart Opera Recordings, i'm surprised... The only one I remember owning is the Figaro, and that because it was one of Lucia Popp's last recordings. Would you be so kind to tell something more about this one? Like conductor et cetera. I didn't know she did another Figaro in the n...
- Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:24 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: jbuck919 and The Organ: A Love Story
- Replies: 6
- Views: 954
Re: jbuck919 and The Organ: A Love Story
Therefore I feel that all churches with good historic organs should at least have the complete Bach at hand! :) If only I made that piano to organ switch when I was 15. I wanted to play the organ, but a good instrument was too expensive .... so I went to piano lessons, wasn't very good and became a ...
- Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:39 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: The 10 Bach pieces you would teach a beginner...?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1873
Re: The 10 Bach pieces you would teach a beginner...?
People are often well-read, but not well listened (see it a lot with the Mozart & others). Sure, like the genius that he was he reached further back, but this no doubt is one of the reasons why the stuff is so deep, and deeply inventive & groundbreaking - hardly old-fashioned. The music of the clas...
- Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:31 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: The 10 Bach pieces you would teach a beginner...?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1873
Re: The 10 Bach pieces you would teach a beginner...?
This is speculation, but I take the piece to be a written-down improvisation, possibly enhanced. As such, it is a wonder. As great as his reputation as an improviser was, it is not to be expected that improvised Bach would be at the same level as carefully composed Bach, as a comparison of the two ...
- Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:22 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: The 10 Bach pieces you would teach a beginner...?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1873
Re: The 10 Bach pieces you would teach a beginner...?
BWV 565: Johann Sebastian Bach? Johann Heinrich Buttstett? Johann Peter Kellner? Some parts of the Fugue seem to be inspired by a theme of the Fantasia in a minor P 125, of Johann Pachelbel. J.S. Bach was scholed by his eldest brother Johann Christoph Bach, who was a pupil of Pachelbel and probably ...
- Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:16 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Your Best Mozart [Edited and sanitized version]
- Replies: 86
- Views: 10144
Re: Your Best Mozart
Davis' Requiem - Philips Yes, especially his first recording. Not the one with the Bavarians. Alan Civil ? Is it the same Alan Civil that played the horn on the song "For no one" on the album Rubber Soul of the Beatles ? How interesting. "For no one"! Now there's a beautiful song that Mozart would ...
- Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:13 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Happy New Year!
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1948
Re: Happy New Year!
Fireworks all around da house!
(Händel)
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
(Händel)
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
- Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:01 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Question on the passacaglia finale of Brahms #4
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2334
Re: Question on the passacaglia finale of Brahms #4
Yeah, why don't we all become publishing music scholars? Was Bastien und Bastienne already published in 1803/1804? Guess not. How did Beethoven know that theme? Well: the young Beethoven worked at the Bonn Court Chapel, where Andrea Luchesi was Kapellmeister. And, as we all know as a fact, Luchesi c...
- Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:13 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: If you could buy only one box set of Sibelius' symphonies...
- Replies: 62
- Views: 11079
Re: If you could buy only one box set of Sibelius' symphonies...
Sorry 'bout this, slightly off-topic: ....they were not world-class, and not even a top American orchestra, despite your protestations. You mention that most of the musicians played for the LAPO...well that ensemble was never considered first-rate until Mehta that is not true - the LAPO was an excel...
- Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:32 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Question on the passacaglia finale of Brahms #4
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2334
Re: Question on the passacaglia finale of Brahms #4
My first reaction was "That's not true." I checked it out. And it is true. But apparently, just sort of: "......loosely borrowed from Bach's Cantata no. 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich (I long for you, O Lord) [the cantata is no longer thought to be by Bach]....." Anyway, I imagine that gives y...
- Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:17 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Authentic Period Performance
- Replies: 63
- Views: 4170
Re: Authentic Period Performance
Some names that were not mentioned (so far :wink:), but deserve at least a mention: Paul Badura-Skoda, Alfred Deller and the former Thomas-Cantor Günther Ramin. But the discussions already started in the second half of the 19th century. At least that's my impression after reading a book about the Ma...
- Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:08 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Recordings of Britten's Ceremony of Carols
- Replies: 6
- Views: 4126
Re: Recordings of Britten's Ceremony of Carols
I love this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Britten-Choral-Wo ... B000B86582
The ensemble includes female sopranos & altos, and male altos.
So not entirely female, yet worth a try.
http://www.amazon.com/Britten-Choral-Wo ... B000B86582
The ensemble includes female sopranos & altos, and male altos.
So not entirely female, yet worth a try.
- Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:26 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Bach Christmas Oratorio
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1809
Re: Bach Christmas Oratorio
If I remember well, the King's College Choir of Cambridge once recorded some highlights in English. But that one might be OOP. Ragnar Bohlin did one in Frisco recently, didn't he? Maybe that one was recorded for broadcasting or for other purposes. At this site, people should know: http://www.sfsymph...
- Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:58 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: December 5, 1791
- Replies: 49
- Views: 3760
Re: December 5, 1791
To me, Mozart was an opera man . With a growing interest (maybe) in church music. And he was still developing himself. His last year was a great year, with a.o. the Concertos KV 595 and 622, his string quintet KV 614, his two great operas and the unfinished Requiem. I think, had he gotten more invol...
- Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:38 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: December 5, 1791
- Replies: 49
- Views: 3760
Re: December 5, 1791
A really tragic day in the history of music with the death of Mozart at just 35. What would he have done with twice that much time, with 70 not even considered a very long life by our standards today? Didn't he want to become organist of the Stephansdom? He loved the intrument, but did not compose ...
- Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:00 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Does music need a listener?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2744
Re: Does music need a listener?
Well, I'm glad Bach wrote that one down, so that I can listen to it! :mrgreen: But why is it necessary to play this piece of music in that sucking sentimental, navel-gazing way? Hey, don't ask me, I'm NOT the piano player! But there are loads of Gould lovers around the world. So I guess it's got so...
- Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:55 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Does music need a listener?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2744
Re: Does music need a listener?
Well, I'm glad Bach wrote that one down, so that I can listen to it!James wrote:

- Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:44 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Does music need a listener?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2744
Re: Does music need a listener?
[....]No, quite a lot of music doesn't "need a listener," other than the actual players.[....] other than , which I think means: performers are listeners, too . Which is a very important notion. No performing means no listening, and no listening means no performing. When a pianist is playing the pi...