Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #36)

I think it is a tragedy that some many people focus on say Dvorak for his symphonies 7-9, there is so much else he wrote, that is worthy of similar attention.

 

I hate to say it but those that only listen to Symphonies 7-9 of Dvorak are marginal classical listeners.

 

I found a Mint- copy of this last week. I don't think it was ever played.

 

The worthy mention of Macal's name, is another example of the many respected artists that may make a recording here and there, but never get the real recognition they really deserve.

 

Turns out my local library does have a copy of that, I'll be listening to it this evening (which will make it a Gardiner hat trick this spring) and will get back to you shortly with my thoughts.

 

I like to say this:

I do not agree with you. I am still listening to new Dvorak material via newly acquired LPs.

Don't point your finger, to anyone, anywhere, because there will always be: three fingers: pointing back to you.

Lisen to what you like, when you like, does not make one "less" or "more" of a Fan of Classical Music in regards to any composer or their work!

Life is too short to work with rules when it comes to enjoying Art in any shape that it comes in: Music, Paintings, Books, Movies, etc.

Cheers, Long Play Fan

 

Picked up this LP from the local thrift store for only $1.00 yesterday afternoon.

Review: Excellent performance and recording. Groove condition, brand new: quiet as a black cat walking in a dark shadow at night!

 

I am not in anyway passing judgment but Dvorak is one of those composers that has many works in the standard repertoire of classical music. There is nothing wrong with determining the level of depth of a person's involvement in any art form. I consider myself a moderate listener when it comes to classical music. There are some friends of mine whose listening spectrum is much broader. There are some on this forum that are much broader than I am. Would I take it personally if say George P. said to me that his depth of understanding and involvement with piano works is much deeper than mine? Of course not. I would agree with him and he would not have implied that he gets more enjoyment out of what he listens to than I do. Something subjective like that cannot be measured.

I was not finger pointing and never meant it as a personal detraction to anyone. Of course, someone could listen to every other composer other than Dvorak. Would that make them a marginal listener or fan? No.
I probably should not have been so general.

 

He wrote some wonderful chamber music. And the cello concerto is a favorite of mine. Only the Elgar is better (IMHO).

 

Tough to argue with you on that. Both are masterpieces.

 

True, though these symphonies are very easy to like. I've already mentioned my fondness for the Kertész/LSO performance of #6. It's coupled with a beautiful version of the 'Symphonic Variations' on my CD.

 

yep! as a body i think the string quartets rank right up there and there's lots of great ones besides the 'american' quartet that's usually performed. likewise, the piano trios are pretty great... i have a soft spot for the 4th (the "dumky" trio). but maybe all this is just part of human nature where works that enter the public consciousness acquire a name, and then when people go looking for things they latch onto the ones that are already named?

 

beautiful symphonic poems too - Water Goblin, Golden Spinning Wheel etc

 

I never owned the earlier mastering of the cycle ...

 

Just placed this small order with my favorite MP vendor this evening ...



but expect to pick up the following version as well. It appears the two CD's have only 2 or 3 tracks in common ...

 

About to give this a first spin. Looking forward to comparing it to the Impomptus by Radu Lupu on Decca.

 

listening now to my copy & liking it.an early Decca Digital recording made in
the Sofiensaal,9/17-19/79 & released on London 7/80.on the 20th they recorded Beethoven's Violin Concerto with Kyung-Wah Chung.
producer:Christopher Raeburn.engineers:James Lock & James Brown.

 

Now playing an oldie but a goodie:

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 'Little Russian' - New Philharmonia Orchestra / Claudio Abbado [DG 1972, Production: Karl Faust, Artistic supervision: Rainer Brock, Recording engineer: Heinz Wildhagen — the only version of this work that I own, outstanding, exciting, brilliantly-played, typical muddy 70's DG orchestral sound, though]

 

Absolutely! The Cello Corcerto is great. I like the recording with Dupre and an old mono Decca with Fournier.

 

For decades I avoided stuff my mother used to play in favor of music I deemed more "serious." This CD has been on my shelf unplayed for a very long time. Great to revisit it.

 

He loved recording those. Multiple performances in the EMI box.

 

I have the Du Pre, but I prefer Starker on MLP (wish I had upgraded to the SACD).

 

Éclairs sur l'Au-delà

Somehow the Cello Concerto never registered quite like the Sixth Symphony or the Serenade for Strings. I've got the Casals recording in a big box that includes the Schubert Quintet in C, the one disc in that box I keep going back to.

One of Leopold Stokowski's final recordings features the Dvorak Serenade:



Even among the many classic recordings featuring the Maestro, this stands out. This goes way past 'Indian Summer' right on into 'Visions of the Beyond', so to speak. I've never heard more beautiful string playing. The 'Tallis Fantasia' ain't exactly chopped liver, either.

 

Another Decca artist worth noting in Schubert is Clifford Curzon who when alive, was renowned for hating making recordings. But what great recordings they were. After all the hype seen here for the pretty young microwaved tinkler HJ Lim, what was my positive adversive reaction? I quickly went to the Web and ordered CDs of Alfred Brendel in Beethoven, Schubert & Lizst (Brendel- someone, whom I now admit - previously had been mostly... sadly neglected up to this time by me). Plus some others by Richter, Arrau, Paul Crossley, Helene Grimaud, and Gordon Fergus Thompson.

 

What about the amazing explosive Mahler Symphony No 2 (RCA) he made when he was up in his nineties? Stokowski was one of the few conductors whose very name on a recording, commands that people intently listen.