The 5th is an easier introduction, although it's worth reading up on the last movement to understand what's going on there. Shostakovich was walking a fine line; on the one hand, that accessibility arises form pragmatically heeding criticism from the state (with the implied threat of the gulag) that his work was too chaotic and difficult; on the other hand, he manages to both maintain his own identity throughout, and satirise the regeime in the manic, forced joyfulness of the finale. My first Shostakovich works (completely by chance) were the 24 Preludes & Fugues, which I would also recommend as being fairly accessible. Perhaps give String Quartet #8 a try too.
New arrival in the player for a first listen, CD1 of this set: Ravel - Gaspard de la Nuit, Jeux d'eaux, Sonatine, Miroirs - Jean-Efflam Bavouzet I gave this a try-out via YouTube a little while ago, so when someone asked what I wanted for my birthday, I had an answer ready! A fine companion to Bavouzet's Debussy set.
I have it and really enjoy it. The sound on Mahler 2 doesn't sound any different to the earlier EMI disc I owned. I'm not sure if there are any SQ differences across the different CD issues.
Heard a snippet of Beethoven's 2nd on the radio while picking up the kids, which combined with those natural brasses on the Mackerras Schubert put me in the mood to dig out this recording. Beethoven - Symphony #2 - Norrington/LCP
Currently playing on cd: Shostakovich Violin Concertos - Alina Ibragimova/Vladimir Jurowski/State Academic SO of Russia (Hyperion 2020)
Lol, I hadn't even gotten to the previous page of this thread when I posted, only to find out after that this was being discussed. Highly recommended disc btw.
Listening to "Barber / Shostakovich - Violin Concertos" performed by Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg with the London Symphony Orchestra led by Maxim Shostakovich on EMI.
On the turntable: More $1 records from yesterday's thrift store visit. Mozart - Academy Of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Neville Marriner – Symphonies 30, 32, 33 & Adagio (37) Philips – 9500 790
It's annoying that you're probably pretty close to the mark here. All the same, an actual Beavis and Butthead episode revolving around a major media company using them as "consultants" would probably be hilarious. I'm not sure where it comes from, but there's definitely this impression that goes with 20th century classical that it's all angular, atonal, and excessively challenging. The truth is far more complex and Villa-Lobos, for one, has really opened my eyes on the era. I'll have to track down those works in full. Some of the "choros" make it into the Guitar Transcriptions set and one of the "bachianas" is represented in the piano music just from a quick scan. It was fortunate that I delved into Villa-Lobos' music after going through the Anthony Philips (of Genesis fame) discography. Philips definitely cribbed a bit of feel from VL, so I was well primed for this music!
On the turntable: $1 at the thrift store yesterday. Robert Casadesus / Camille Saint-Saëns / Gabriel Fauré – Concerto No. 4 For Piano And Orchestra / Ballade For Piano And Orchestra Columbia Masterworks – MS 6377
First listen to CD 46 from "Claudio Arrau - Complete Philips Recordings" on Decca. Chopin - Nocturnes 1-11
A number of composers I like on that list including Korngold and Walton. Some others I will need to look out for.
BTW, I have this Die Kunst der Fuge CD twofer. He studied with both Kenneth Gilbert and Gustav Leonhardt and I have his following WTC's, one of many versions of these works in my JS Bach collection ...
I have those two piano versions of WTC's also. I tend to collect both harpsichord and piano versions of just about all keyboard works by JS Bach ...
I have the following SACD but really am not familiar with Korngold works. I bought this recording simply because it is a SACD ...
