I was fortunate to subscribe to the California Symphony here in Walnut Creek, California during the time Lou Harrison's music was occasionally performed, sometimes with Harrison in attendance. Once a fine local Gamelan orchestra performed at the beginning of the concert to illustrate that music's influence on a Harrison piece that came later in the concert. Calvin Simmons was a conductor and director of the Oakland Symphony, and this is Harrison's reflection on his life.
Here certainly is, indeed. I’m find the more I spend with his music, the more I like it. His music has a charm and eloquence, but also the colors he’s able to pull from orchestra are exquisite and one-of-a-kind.
I have been acquiring Schnittke LPs. I prefer the Melodiya recordings generally, but BIS has also issued some fine recordings as well
Some more Schnittke then: Spinning in the CD player-- I put this on on the small bedroom system this morning and I'm listening to it in bed. As it's supposed to be hot today, I'd left the windows open overnight to get the temperature inside the house down before closing things up this morning. Schnittke is raging on the CD player, but Schnittke is not alone. Right outside the window a Spotted Towhee has started trilling. A neighbor must have ordered something big for delivery as a large diesel truck is now backing somewhere in the distance, its warning beeper beeping. Somehow, it all works....
The problem is Melodiya didn’t record all of the symphonies for example. I’m with you on Russian/Soviet performances of Schnittke (and other Russian/Soviet composers), but it seems that not everything he’s composed has been recorded by them. Yes, BIS fills in many nice gaps, especially with a work like Peer Gynt, which must be counted as one of my favorites from Schnittke. I’m also rather fond of his 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th symphonies and the SQs. I also love the Concerto for Piano and Strings, Cello Concerti, the Cello Sonatas, Viola Concerto, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, Faust Cantata, Hymns for chamber ensemble and all of the Concerti Grossi (I believe there’s six in all).
Right you are. There are large gaps in the Melodiya output. And, some of the issued recordings are rare and quite expensive.
I always keep my promises to myself. The TV in the living room has a bigger picture, but as far as audio quality goes, my system in the man cave sounds way better than the sound bar.
For the umpteenth time, listening to Debussy played by Paul Jacobs on this 1979 Nonesuch LP. Images (1894) Estampes (1903) Images, Series I (1905) Images, Series II (1907) So lovely! For me, Jacobs not only extracts the impressionist color in these works, but also the dynamic and rhythmic details which some other pianists tend to gloss over. This LP, from the golden era of Nonesuch, is superb as well. Credit goes to engineers Joanna Nickrenz and Marc J. Aubort, along with mastering by Robert C. Ludwig, and coordinator Teresa Sterne. Recorded in New York, in April, 1978, on a Baldwin SD-10.
Now playing CD2 from the following twofer, a recent arrival from across the pond for a first listen ... D845, D850
I heard them live on October 20, 1979, Columbus, Ohio, Batelle Memorial Auditorium. Still have the (autographed) program tucked into the jacket of this LP. Good to hear they're still doing well.
Spinning in the CD Player: Some great performances on this. His Tchaikovsky in this set remains one of my favorites--crisp, no-nonsense, fast-paced, sure-footed. Very tasty indeed. Under Heinrich Hollreiser with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. I wonder why Gitlis is not better known/respected? Perhaps he is known and respected better than I realize, but I don't hear much about him or his recordings.