Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #67)

Sophocles would have claimed plagiarism.
(Actually, Shakespeare might have as well.)

 

I've been spinning a newly-issued SACD from Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the debut recording of Play, a lengthy orchestral piece by 33 year-old American composer Andrew Norman. The piece has already been described by more than one critic as the greatest orchestral work of the present century.


The accolades have set off a spirited critical debate on Twitter, and the link below includes a number of excerpts from other "greatest" contenders, including recent work by John Luther Adams and a couple of pieces I'm quite fond of, Haas's In Vain and Rihm's Jagden und Formen. (In fact, Norman's piece borrows some of the perpetuum mobile quality of the Rihm, with even more rawness and spontaneity-- it's a wild ride.)

Here's the link to the online debate:
https://storify.com/willrobin/the-21st-century-orchestral-canon

 

Speaking of Kurt Sanderling, I acquired this on vinyl shortly after its release in 1979. I replaced it with the CD some time later. It seems I like this work more than most people. In spite of a good reading by Petrenko/Royal Liverpool Orch. the Sanderling remains my reference. It was recorded in 1978 with the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester, then situated behind the Iron Curtain in East Berlin.

 

I don't have any of the Toscanini opera releases on 45s, but curiously my LP copy of La Traviata, at least, came with a 45-sized libretto/program notes booklet like this one. (I'm remembering that my LP copy of La Boheme did the same, but for whatever reason it's hiding from me right now. Mmmbl, grmmbl.) I also have one record drawn from a 78 RPM issue of La Traviata on HMV, so apparently that one was also released in that format somewhere along the line, at least in England. I would love to find a complete copy, although I suppose that's in some sense perverse given the space demands compared to the other formats in which I already have it.

 

I like the piece, but I think it suffers pretty badly in comparison to other, late Shostakovich, like the last quartets or the second cello concerto.

 

Due out in April: Bruckner Symphonies Box by Marek Janowski & Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (& al.). From Pentatone (hybrid-SACD's). Originally released in 2007-2012.

https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/anton-bruckner-symphonien-nr-1-9/hnum/6968181

 

Apologies if some already posted this. This will be released 4/7.

http://www.amazon.com/DECCA-SOUND-1...as2&ascsubtag=DECCACLASSDeccaSoundMono-CDFBPt

 

Only 6 vinyl records as opposed to 53 CDS.

http://www.amazon.com/DECCA-SOUND-Y...&ascsubtag=DECCACLASSDeccaSoundMono-VinylFBPt

 

Believe it or not, but I found the Decca's late sixties fake stereo ('electronically enhanced...') on one LP. Sounds worse than I remembered, if possible. But who cares as long as there's that (almost) gorgeous digitydig.

 

Guess what just turned up? My LP set of La Boheme does indeed have the 45 RPM sized booklet, and so does the Toscanini Otello set.

 

A musical masterpiece played by masterful musicians in stunning sound.

 

I am seriously considering getting my first tube amp and probably my last amp ...

 

I have this CD. Isn't it quite a delightful recording?

 

I listened to Isao Tomita's interpretation of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" for the first time yesterday night. I turned off the lights while listening and was totally blown away. Anyone else listen with the lights off?

 

Now playing the following LP from my Rachmaninov collection ...

 

Can't do that until I have gotten my tube amp ...

 

Generally not lights out entirely, but frequently dimmed.

 

Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen [The Ring Cycle]
Sir Georg Solti • Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Blu-ray audio, single disc

 

I promised myself I would finish watching the Levine/Met Ring DVD before tackling Solti.

 

Is this the one? http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Wagner-Der-Ring-Des-Nibelungen-Blu-ray/51514/#Review
This is in Blu-ray, though. I'm thinking of getting this to add a visual supplement, and to educate myself further on the Ring.

 

These Philips LP's I have owned for ages are really very nice ...

 

One of my favorites!

 

No - that is the current production. My DVD is from the prior production, recorded in the early 90's.

 

I doubt I will be visiting the David Geffen Hall anytime soon. I have always preferred the Carnegie Hall ...

 

Currently listening to my wonderful Moiseiwitsch CDs on Naxos historical. Last night heard three others, now enjoying this one.