The Classical Music Guide Forums

Glinka Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla

Fritz Reiner/CSO

When will Europeans learn that appeasing Arab terrorists will not bring peace to the Middle East? Boycoting Israel during every Arab-Israeli conflict will only make things worse, and the past bears that out. But, the fear of nuclear retaliation and all that damn precious oil the Arab countries posse...

The official line is that he was “the only Israeli leader who could make peace,” and that his loss gravely imperils the “peace process.” Thank heavens it is in fact extremely rare that the balance of the world rests on the shoulders of one individual, and that individual alone. Well, my friend, som...

Bruckner Symphony No. 8 in C Minor conducted by Jochum in '84.

Happy to hear that Ormandy is getting his records released again in the States. I've always liked what I've heard by him, and look forward to more reissues--especially of the Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

Dvorak Symphony #9
Mahler Symphony #9
Prokofiev Symphonoy #5
Beethoven Symphony #3
Shostakovich Symphony #5
Brahms Symphony #4
Bartok Concerto for Orchestra
Stravinsky Rite of Spring
Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Ravel)
Ravel Bolero
Bruckner Symphony #4

I've never gotten the Symphony Fantastique by Berlioz. Its big, bad, and over the top. When I hear it, I inevitably find myself getting bored and tuning out.

Interesting critique on the comparsion of communism and terrorism made by President Bush: Do These Two Have Anything in Common? President Bush has equated Islamic radicalism with communism. Is the comparison sound? Is it wise? By Zbigniew Brzezinski Sunday, December 4, 2005; Page B02 In a series of ...

Prokofiev Sixth Symphony (Ozawa conducting the BPO). 8) Contrary to all the naysayers, it's a great performance. Sergei Sergeyevich is smiling, Volodya ! :-) Good to make the old guy happy. :D Now listening to the Complete Trios of Brahms--Opus 8 to be precise--by the Beaux Arts Trio.

First classical cd I bought was Mozart Symphony No. 35 and 41 conducted by Bernstein. It was apart of the Penguin Classics series.

My esteemed Dr. Karl,

That would be a pleasure, indeed. Honestly, I don't really hate the organ (just using hyperbole ); when I first heard those pieces I did (the instrument sounded so dreary), but now they've grown on me some.

My intro to classical came through two cassettes that I discovered when I was about 16. One was of Mozart and the other was Bach. They had the usual excerpts. The Mozart one had the first movements to symphonies No. 25 and 40, with the first and third movements from No. 41. It also had Eine Kleine N...

Prokofiev Sixth Symphony

(Ozawa conducting the BPO).

Contrary to all the naysayers, its a great performance.

...except that I would give Hummel and Field a 5, and Arriaga a 6 or 7. Not very familiar with most of the others, except I must protest the inclusion of Benjamin Britten in this group. Britten was a great, conservative composer, and for the period he lived in, only Gershwin,Copland, Prokofiev, and...

Blip wrote:Ok, now I remember why I stopped coming back here ...

Did my post drive you away again, Blip?

I'm a Catholic who also believes in evolution. I don't understand what the rhubard is all about in accepting both, either. It seems to me that both sides (religious and scientific) take an either/or view and that confounds me. Both should cool the propoganda, IMO.

Beethoven Opus 109 played by Christoph Eschenbach. He plays the late piano sonatas with the right touch--firm and in control, but never over the top.

I've only really heard two composers from 1950 to the present in detail. One is Shostakovich (who I give a 10 for the music he wrote past that year) and the other is Lutoslawski (who I would give a 4 at this point--I need to hear more by him). I thought about getting some discs by Carter, Cage, Glas...

karlhenning wrote:And whatever one may say of the Danse Infernale du Roi Khastchei, it doesn't put you to sleep

Yes, Dr., Stravinsky's music is always exciting and interesting to listen to. Never a dull moment, is there?

I have to say that I agree with Stravinsky's quote about Vivaldi. The music of his that I've heard is so bland and redundant (I know; I know, he wrote over 250 years ago and maybe that has to be taken into consideration). However, J.S. Bach was a contemporary of Vivaldi's (and supposedly influenced ...

I haven't seen any, Daniel. They're probably going to release them soon, I would think, if the patient doesn't object.

Yeah, some Catholics live in a Biblical fantasy land, but the same could be said for many other Christians. These types are usually quite vocal, but few in number, thankfully.

Listening to Brahms Complete Quintents played by members of the Berlin Philharmonic Octet. :D Love those recordings of the string quintets. Essential listening, IMO, BarryZ. The balance among the musicians is superb. Right now the Piano Quintet is my favorite of the bunch (I really love the intensi...

Volodya ! PM me with your e-mail, please! Yes, I was telling Gurn . . . I was eyeing this disc at a Washington Street shop when they had a 20% off all classical titles sale a few weeks ago . . . and then I saw you mention it as a disc you were listening to . . . and when I went back to that shop to...

karlhenning wrote:Heifetz playing the Sibelius Concerto
Walter Hendl / CSO

Absolutely marvellous, Dr. Karl! The Prokofiev VC No. 2 in G minor on the same disc is also magnificently done by Heifetz.

As a young Catholic, I hope the Church stamps out all of the attempts to make it "modern," i.e., bizaare services where parishoners freak out and speak in tongues while dancing to horrible christian music played on electric guitars, basses and drums. Though I assume you'd make an exception in favor...

Anybody else hear of this incredible story:

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/11/30/france.face/

As a young Catholic, I hope the Church stamps out all of the attempts to make it "modern," i.e., bizaare services where parishoners freak out and speak in tongues while dancing to horrible christian music played on electric guitars, basses and drums.

Listening to Brahms Complete Quintents played by members of the Berlin Philharmonic Octet.