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Ricordanza

Tommasini's oft-repeated complaint about the standard repertory is a little tiresome, but I can't fault him for his observation that Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony is a little long-winded. It's one of several pieces in the orchestral repertory that could have used some editing. In the book publishin...

Ricordanza

My collection of LPs, CDs, and books is far less extensive than others who have posted on this thread. If I die while still in this house, then it will be my son's headache. That may seem cruel, but my sister and I had a similar burden when our father died. We handled it--some stuff was donated, som...

Ricordanza

John F wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:45 pm
As I said, the images Brendel uses to focus his playing are entirely personal. He has never taught, as far as I know.

Imogen Cooper was one of his students. I'm sure there were others.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imogen_Cooper

Ricordanza

This is very sad news. I met John in person only once--at one of our "meet-ups"--but felt that I knew him better through our electronic interactions on this site and, to a lesser extent, on Facebook. Our little community here has suffered a tremendous loss. Thanks, Don, for bringing this to our atte...

Ricordanza

Who here has heard of pianist Edith Farnadi (that is, besides Lance, who has heard of everybody)? Well, I just dug out one of my old vinyl records and confirmed my impression from years ago that this lady was one terrific pianist. In addition to her exuberant, sparkling playing of these Hungarian Rh...

Ricordanza

I also watched it last night on the Philadelphia PBS affiliate (WHYY). Wonderful concert.

Ricordanza

I'm disappointed that they didn't include Hilary Hahn's Bach album.

http://www.hilaryhahn.com/albums/hilary ... partita-1/

Ricordanza

This book exceeded my expectations. I was anticipating a book that provided some interesting anecdotes about Leonard Bernstein and his family from the viewpoint of his eldest daughter. But it’s so much more. Yes, Jamie provides lots of entertaining anecdotes and the book can be enjoyed on that level...

Ricordanza

Hilary Hahn Plays Bach Twenty-one years ago, at age 17, Hilary Hahn released her disc of three Bach works for solo violin: Sonata No. 3 and Partitas Nos. 2 and 3. This included, of course, the famous Chaconne , the concluding piece of Partita No. 2. All those (including me) who enjoyed this superb ...

Ricordanza

When I looked up the film "Green Book" in the Internet Movie Data Base, I found this description: "A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South." Obviously, a film I want to see! But having s...

Ricordanza

I had the good fortune to hear Earl Wild twice in recital. The first time was 1971 and the venue was Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. I (foolishly) did not hold onto the printed program, but I do remember a mesmerizing performance of Chopin's 4th Ballade. The next time was 2004. Here are my impre...

Ricordanza

I think the list is filled mostly with mediocrities. Amen! And even those which rise above mediocrity are hardly "essential," as there are other and often finer recordings of the same music which aren't mentioned here. (I note the absence of the names of Schnabel, Toscanini, and Furtwängler just fo...

Ricordanza

...equals a unique evening of music. Look up the word denken in a German-English dictionary and you’ll find that it means to think in English. How appropriate! Whenever pianist Jeremy Denk comes to town for a concert, we know we’ll get something to think about. There was plenty to think about—and en...

Ricordanza

We already know that Hilary Hahn, technically and musically, is a superb violinist. So I think she's entitled to a show off a little bit and have some fun. Here she is, with two associates, performing Paganini's 24th Caprice while keeping a hula hoop going (most of the time). Watch and enjoy! https:...

Ricordanza

This self-published book by Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Bob Cafaro is sub-titled "My Battle and Victory against MS." In scary detail, he describes the three "attacks" of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) he endured in 1998 and 1999, and the treatments he underwent to alleviate the symptoms. At first, he wa...

Ricordanza

My best wishes to Karl for a complete recovery. I've donated as well.

Ricordanza

The Democrats (my party) have been in chaos since the 2016 election and have no coherent message except Trump hatred. I half agree with this statement, and she has some other insights. However, I take issue with Paglia's view of the "deep state" or the "bureaucracy." The only reason our country has...

Ricordanza

Who can tell what private heartache is part of the world of the rich and famous? .... Mrs. Rinehart, who is about the same age as me, has been involved in a very public battle with her own 4 children over her businesses and wealth. Well, there you go. There's plenty of heartache to go around when a...

Ricordanza

In addition to being a superb pianist, Jeremy Denk is a gifted writer.

The book sounds interesting; I'm putting it on my list.

Ricordanza

This article in the Washington Post is fascinating--and disturbing: ‘Nothing on this page is real’: How lies become truth in online America By Eli Saslow November 17 at 7:40 PM NORTH WATERBORO, Maine — The only light in the house came from the glow of three computer monitors, and Christopher Blair, ...

Ricordanza

Have not heard any of these eclectic selections, several artists new to me: https://www.wqxr.org/story/best-classical-new-releases-october-2018 Most of the performers are new to me as well, but I am familiar with Rachel Barton Pine. She's one of my favorite violinists and I have several of her reco...

Ricordanza

It’s been a turbulent week. Many of us are still reeling from the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history. A bitter and divisive election campaign—dominated by negative attack ads--ended on Tuesday, resulting in a divided Congress. The next day, Attorney...

Ricordanza

when I read this. Here's a quote from the new Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the United States, Matthew Whitaker. I'm a lawyer, but I don't think you have to be a lawyer to recognize how far, far out this is. “There are so many” bad rulings, Mr. Whitaker said. “I would start with the idea of Marbu...

Ricordanza

For today's rant, I'm calling out the right wing folks who have been complaining for years about the "judicial activists." They say that Supreme Court justices (and other appellate judges) should apply the words of the Constitution, not look behind those words to stretch the meaning of that document...

Ricordanza

I hope that all goes well and that you have a smooth recovery.

HM

Ricordanza

Quiery: Have you or anyone else here ever heard Hough in concert or recital? Does he travel much to the U. S.? Yes, I've heard Hough in concert. There may have been an earlier occasion, but the most recent concert took place on St. Patrick's Day, 2011. And what did the Philadelphia Orchestra play o...

Ricordanza

For a better version of Rachmaninoff's Paganini Variations, you can't go wrong with Trifonov, who is currently recording the other concerti with Nezet-Seguin & Philadelphia (Forgive me if I promote my hometown band! :D ). You're forgiven. I feel privileged to hear them in concert on a regular basis...

Ricordanza

I've had the good fortune to hear Hamelin perform these variations twice: as an encore at a 2012 recital and as part of the main program in a 2015 recital. This was my impression in 2012: Hamelin then launched into this work, playing the familiar theme with a slightly off-kilter harmony and followin...

Ricordanza

All these names are new to me. However, I did look up Vijay Gupta and came across this Washington Post article. His story is very interesting: Vijay Gupta: The violinist for LA’s skid row wins a MacArthur ‘genius’ grant By Antonia Noori Farzan October 5 at 5:53 AM Walt Disney Concert Hall, a $274 mi...

Ricordanza

david johnson wrote: ↑
Tue Sep 18, 2018 3:47 am
Muckey wed one of the NYPO string players a couple of years ago.

As I recall, he was also Yuja Wang's boyfriend at one time.

Ricordanza

Nowadays I never pick up my phone unless I recognize the caller's name or ID number. If a legit caller is too vain to leave a message, then I can't be bothered. That's my strategy as well. In addition, Verizon allows me to block up to 100 numbers (on my land line). That has cut down on the scam cal...

Ricordanza

Great interview, Don!

Ricordanza

Following by Granados - Goyescas played by Alicia de Larrocha. Again, these look so difficult to play, but what magnificent music!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0aVTPvYQ4Y In my piano student days, inspired by this very same recording, I bought the music and tried to learn one of these pieces. ...

Ricordanza

Anthony Tommasini, Times chief classical music critic In my early teens I was overwhelmed by Stravinsky’s 1910 ballet score “The Firebird” — in the recording conducted by Stravinsky — even before I knew what was going on in the fairy-tale story, about a wondrous firebird that helps a prince rescue ...

Ricordanza

Richard Woodhams, the outstanding principal oboist for the Philadelphia Orchestra, recently retired after four decades with the orchestra. Two of his colleagues also retired, and their messages were cordial, but rather general. Woodhams went beyond generalities. Here's what he had to say: I've had a...

Ricordanza

This column from the Washington Post sums up the sad state of affairs on this Labor Day: Donald Trump’s war on workers By Paul Waldman Opinion writer September 3 at 2:34 PM It’s Labor Day, and the president wants American workers to know he’s coming through for them: Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTru...

Ricordanza

This is sad. When I lived in NYC and went to CCNY, I was a regular reader of the Voice.

Ricordanza

I may have mentioned it here before: Hamelin played the sonata's first movement as an encore at his benefit recital for WHRB. The main program had consisted mostly of Hamelin specialties and applause for the Schubert was merely polite, but I thought it was first rate. Afterwards we asked Hamelin if...

Ricordanza

This is one hour long. Can you give us highlights?

Ricordanza

It was my turn to go down to the basement and bring up a load of towels from the (Samsung) clothes dryer. The cycle was just finishing and the dryer was playing a tune to announce that. It took me a couple of seconds to recognize the tune--I'm not used to hearing it in tinkly electronic format--but ...

Ricordanza

As some of you know, my last name is Maurer. Like Stein, it's a German word; it means Mason. The correct (German) pronunciation is Mowrer (as in the exclamation "Ow!). But growing up, my parents pronounced it Mawrer. It was not until I moved to the Philadelphia area that I encountered other Maurers,...

Ricordanza

Can't help wondering if she's a relative of Nathan. The bio gives no clue, one way or the other.

Ricordanza

Donald Isler wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:12 am
1) I never before heard the story of Schumann injuring himself while practicing that sonata. Interesting!

I thought that Schumann injured himself while using a mechanical device to improve the strength and flexibility of his fingers.

Ricordanza

I saw MI-Fallout a couple of days ago. I've only seen one other MI film (the first one) and I'm not a fan of "action" movies in general, but this film is undeniably spectacular. It's two and a half hours long but holds your attention for every minute.

Ricordanza

I can't recall if they converted to Christianity or not, like Mendelssohn. Lance, as noted in the article, Anton Rubinstein's family converted to Christianity: Yet Rubinstein barely identified as Jewish; his family voluntarily converted to Russian Orthodoxy when he was a child. Such a conversion, B...

Ricordanza

This article from the Forward cites the opinion of Leon Botstein, music director of the American Symphony Orchestra, that Anton Rubinstein is "forgotten" because of anti-Semitism. Is that accurate? Or is Rubinstein simply one of many second-tier 19th Century composers whose works are rarely performe...

Ricordanza

Reporters routinely ask Trump questions about the news of the day, and many times the president answers — sometimes engaging in a lengthy back-and-forth on multiple topics. When he does not want to answer, he typically says “Thank you,” and staffers hurry reporters out of the room. If Trump doesn't...

Ricordanza

A rough kick in the crotch is what they need. However, I do not understand how there can be a statute of limitations for some crimes but not one for allegations. How does that work? A statute of limitations is a time limit on commencing a criminal prosecution. For example, if there is a 12-year sta...

Ricordanza

Don, my first thought after reading your review was: I wish I still lived in or near NYC, so I could have attended a concert like this. My second thought was: Why couldn't we have such a concert in Philadelphia? So I forwarded your review to the artistic director of the Philadelphia Chamber Music So...

Ricordanza

Thanks, Don, for this excellent review. I usually review every piano recital I attend, but not this time. Don and I sat together at this recital and I informed him, right at the beginning, that I would defer to him for the purposes of posting a review on CMG. Glad I did--Don's review reflects the de...

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