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Warner is at it again - I hope they always will be. Now we have a 42 CD [76615] set of Finnish conductor Paavo Berglund 's [1929-2012] complete EMI recordings. This one probably will not be for me. I have many of his EMI recordings, Sibelius' seven symphonies and other works, his collaborative work ...

Ah yes, another recording by Eckardstein ... all Schumann, on the German Avi label [8553366] . What we have here is Three Fantasy Pieces , Op. 111; Fantasiestücke , Op. 12, and the Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17. The disc was issued in 2017. I have always said that one can tell a lot about pianist by li...

I said I was done buying Beethoven's complete 32 piano sonatas . Well, that didn't happen. I've fallen in love with the music-making of Konstantin Lifschitz - 10 CD set on Alpha, all recorded live. Now, unless someone comes up with all 32 with Vladimir Horowitz, I'm done getting any more, and I know...

Ewa Podles, the Polish "true" contralto, born April 26, 1952 and passed on January 19, 2024, aged 71. Inasmuch as I have two absolutely favorite female types of singers: contralto and coloratura sopranos. (Actually I love all voice categories!) As the Gramophone magazine quoted her in a 2002 interv...

The March 2024 issue of Gramophone magazine gives the late piano man, Joseph Patrych [1955-2023] a tribute he assuredly deserves. It was my good fortune to have CMG member DONALD ISLER introduce me to Mr. Patrych at one of CMG's member meetings in New York City a few years ago. I was invited to Pat...

Here's the story on this, just click it. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/costco-community-upset-over-new-store-regulations-taking-effect/ar-BB1lDaeA?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=b1e7d6b414d541beb469a04ada2e683d&ei=55 Costco is known for their $1.50 hot dog and drink combination - a good deal...

Joe, I respond in bold to some of what you write: I would not, Lance. The modest exit tax I understand it is not very modest allows Cal (1) to recoup some of its investment in businesses and individuals who have enjoyed the unique dynamic economic environment offered by the state & used it to accumu...

Has anyone seen a review of this concert in Atlanta with René Fleming singing Strauss's Four Last Songs and a group of lieder with the Atlanta Symphony under Stutzmann? My sister was at the concert and the audience could barely hear her because the orchestra was so loud. If anyone can post that revi...

Understand that ... but wouldn't you say California is among the worst states at this time in terms of huge debt, and imposing Exit taxes, etc.? Where is all this going to end up? Now problems with the $20/minimum wage for fast food outlets ... businesses are closing right and left, general major sh...

The subject of store closures is getting worse by the day. It's almost as if the state is becoming a gestapo state ... you can't run or close your business. And it is up to you or the corporation to find a replacement after your six months notice of leaving. No, I once loved my visits to California,...

You will enjoy this recording! The artists do a marvelous job - among the best recordings I've heard - and there are many. The Ravels sparkle! Tharaud/Langrée - a great combination.

No question ... one word will suffice: stunning!

maestrob wrote: ↑
Sun Apr 14, 2024 12:06 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCR7EEtHnwc

Poem by Theophile Gautier with subtitles.

I have some CD recordings by Timofeyeva on Melodiya playing Mozart, Bartok, and Schumann. Interesting that complete Haydn sonatas would come into the fold. How does hers compare to a complete set by Buchbinder, or those delivered by Richter, Hamelin, Gould, Ax, Brendel, Olbertz, or any of the pianis...

See the story here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/san-francisco-making-it-illegal-for-stores-to-close/ss-BB1lAUZo?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=bcf51c51a39d4e0bba8da48cca0c7753&ei=33#image=1 I've been reading a lot lately about California grocery stores (among other stores) are closing up ...

I read about the stabbing in Sydney yesterday. It's shocking. One rarely hears about this kind of thing in Australia. It seems one cannot go out anywhere without fearing something like this. It's happening more and more. My heart goes out to you.

I've hopped on the bandwagon for American tenor Michael Spyres . In listening to his Erato recording [71968] that came out in 2022, I was thinking how much I have enjoyed this six-song cycle, composed between 1841 and 1856 for voice and piano for a very long time. I remember how entranced I was in h...

I have developed a keen interest in the work of the Australian pianist, Stephanie McCallum and I follow her religiously on recordings. Her newest, a Toccata CD [TOCN 0031] entitled "Four Hands at Home: Domestic Music-Making in the Mid-Nineteenth Century." Here, we have music by Boëly, Holmès, Horsle...

Seeing this post about ALMA Mahler, I am reminded a film that, as I recall, had Alma Mahler in it somehow - the Arthur Miller 1980 film, Playing for Time , about music making in the death camps during WW2. It made a huge and deep impression on me. Vanessa Redgrave wonderfully portrayed Fania Fenelon...

This is a post about Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum that a poster (and I would) like to pick your brains on ... people like my good friend Mark/diegobueno, or others who have a good feeling/understand about more recent musical works. Scroll down and you will seen the original post and a comment t...

Well, join the Opus Clavicembalisticum Club! I first got to "know" this work with British pianist John Ogdon 's 4-CD recording on the Altarus label [9075] (purchased in Collegetown, Ithaca, New York - I shan't ever forget). I have always been fascinated with Ogdon's playing - and was expecting somet...

Among one of the most powerful arrangements/transcriptions of a major piano piece that I've heard is Felix Weingartner 's of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Piano Sonata #29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106. Near as I know — or can locate — is Weingartner's own recording 1930 with the Royal Philharmonic Orches...

What? Nobody likes concert organists? Cannot believe it!

Loved Victor Borge . I prepared a piano one time for him for a show ... his son was his traveling companion and helped to get things set up for the stage. He was one of the most miserable people I have ever had the experience to work with over a long period of time. But he was old(er) then. As soon ...

Thanks! I previously checked Amazon/USA - and saw they had them, but they are pricey thereon! I'd like to get the Schubert disc - well all of them - given the good reviews I've seen on CMG and elsewhere. I was checking Presto for Jussen Brothers CDs. I didn't see much. I wonder how it is that DG doe...

No, I don't really need any more recordings of Ravel's two piano concertos nor Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain all on one CD. But if Alexandre Tharaud does them, I do need it. He is one of the pianists that does a lot for me as a soloist, concertos, lieder/song collaborator, film and some pop...

I was checking Presto for Jussen Brothers CDs. I didn't see much. I wonder how it is that DG doesn't distribute these CDs more internationally.

Bernard Hermann's "The Planets" I do not own. How does his compare with so many others? Ones I have including Karajan [2] (I thought excellent), Bernstein, Stokowski, various ones with Boult, one conducted by Holst, Levine, Mehta, C. Davis, Steinberg, Sargent, Maazel, Ormandy, Barbirolli (live exce...

That was quite a good read. So, in the final analysis, Jacinda Ardern's work in NZ about ruptured the country. All it takes is one person to ruin something for everyone and these NZ folks had to put up with it. We've seen this in so many cases, past and present. And now we have her in the US at Harv...

Franz Liszt undoubtedly takes the prize in composing vocal songs transcribed for piano solo, especially those of Franz Schubert, but many other composers, too. As a person who loves piano transcriptions, I immediately saw the release of a new Deutsche Grammophon CD [486 4842, 59:03] and knew it was...

I've mentioned Konstantin Lifschitz , pianist, on a few threads by now. As a radio broadcaster, I am always listening to new things, new artists, new (historical) artists, but this Russian, Lifschitz is dynamite! The recording I'm hearing is his London debut recital of Couperin, Brahms, and Rachmani...

IT SURE DOES! Applies on these shores, too.

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 11, 2024 6:16 pm
You get what you 'pay' for!! This cartoon says it all!!

Yes, and who could live without a complete Grumiaux, Rubinstein or Horowitz? All those sets are now commanding big bucks just about everywhere. I got 62 of the "Pianists" set; I don't recall how many there were but it seemed more reasonable to just go for the ones of pianists harder to get, that is ...

You know, if I got one dollar ($1.00) for each LP now, collected since I was 16 years old, and everything in mint condition, I would rather BURN the entire 72,000 LPs given what I paid for them, giving up lunches as a young one and so much else, to afford buying an LP. And then there are those speci...

Yes, I note prices are escalating on pre-owned products. Things will get worse when postal rates will soon change as I see they are about to, again. I've had a few used CDs where the postage was more than the cost of the CD. It's far worse when it comes from overseas. Well, remember, we are "enjoyin...

Understand completely. The problem with the "Pianists" box is that it replicates so much one may already have by pianists such as Rubinstein, Horowitz, Arrau, Backhaus, Gilels, Richter, Curzon, Bolet, Cherkassky, Cortot, Fleischer, Friere, Gieseking, Gulda, Francois, Fischer, Janis, Katchen, Kempff,...

I haven't quite gotten to know Bruce Liu's work, but all I hear is outstanding. We just need more than 24 hours a day, and maybe another set of ears!

Very interesting interview.

I was able to listen to the entire disc today. Think "polonaise," their national dance, and of course, Chopin comes to mind. I must say, these were largely non-Chopin-type polonaises in their "tunefulness" (yes, rhythms) with the exception of two: one by Eduard Makomaski [? c. 1850] as was the 9'17"...

Yes, I have it, like 99% of Hamelin's recorded output! Canadian musicians? Ah yes, indeed, I have taken note, long ago, of Canada and their whole, superior outlook on the world of classical music's studies, performance, and concert attendance, and have many musician friends there. We love Canada and...

Great comeback! Well, the immigration situation I see as totally out of control. Being the product of immigrants myself (from 1900 grandparents), I fully understand and appreciate why those in other places want to come here; I would, too. I still maintain, it HAS TO BE DONE LEGALLY, even if we have ...

I will be eager to read this. Thanks for posting on it.

This raises a very, VERY important question. As great as the USA is/was [and I love this country despite seeing the deterioration I view daily], we are deficient in many ways given our large population. We give a lot of money away for many things that are not as important as taking care of veterans...

Agree with Holden on "musicality" many times regarding Yuja; virtuosity seems more apparent. Kantorow played beautifully and with heart!

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 11, 2024 5:21 am
Ah, this is more like it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHRet0CDWw4

Indeed, this was a major loss as well. Even to this day, Hvorostovsky has a tremendous following online with all kinds of info and, of course, all those recordings, Philips and Delos. His presence is sorely missed in the world of music. Heartbreak!! I adored Dmitri and his beautiful voice and perenn...

Interesting to watch Yuja in these clips. I've never seen her use music whilst playing live though unless it's a chamber music recital. About whether artists risk the clamour of the audience, I think it gives them even more power to be successful and precise especially when traversing a major, virtu...

Any new Cyprien Katsaris disc is always something to look forward to hearing. His own label, Piano 21, hasn't done much of late that I can see, but he is being active in the studio, at least on some labels. This new disc is entitled "Polish Romantic Music: Melancholic and Heroic Polonaises." There's...

Indeed, a pity to lose Lucia Popp so young and gone now for more than three decades. Hardly seems possible. Fortunately, she left us a huge discography of solo recordings; she also appears on many recordings in opera, oratorio, etc. and on many labels, the best being on EMI, Sony, RCA. Her EMI/Icon ...

When Philips came out with the "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" collection, one big box or individually available, I jumped on it, but selected individual 2-CD sets rather than the entire collection. A bit later, EMI jumped on the bandwagon and arranged for the release of the "Great Conductors o...

Hi Lenny, and thanks for the trouble you took to do some searching. I should have thought about Discogs because they do have surprises online at times. I checked it over. Naturally, I am tempted to get this spirituals EP disc. On the other hand, I am trying to find a buyer for me 72,000 LP collectio...

I just heard tonight , Michael Spyres new Erato CD [78798] , "In the Shadows," a collection of arias from composers whose work generally fell out of the limelight with Wagner's operas with the exception of Rossini. We have composers Mehul, Beethoven, Rossini, Meyerbeer, Weber, Auber, Spontini, Bell...

A bunch of good stuff arrived today - been waiting patiently for it: •Toccata N0031 - "Four Hands at Home" w/McCallum/Helyard, 4-hands 1853 Erard piano •Erato 78798 - "In the Shadows" opera arias w/Michael Spyres •Erato 71968 - Berlioz: Les Nuit d'ete (Spyres) * Harold in Italy w/Ridout, viola •DGG ...

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