Search found 2490 matches
- Sun May 19, 2024 6:00 am
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: The privilege of hearing a recital by Evgeny Kissin
- Replies: 3
- Views: 92
Re: The privilege of hearing a recital by Evgeny Kissin
I took the liberty to change it for you inasmuch as this was such a beautifully written review! I had to use brackets [] - for some strange reason when 8 is used with a parenthesis directly after, it changes it to a smiley. Hence 8). I, too, have run into this problem at times. Prokofiev's War Sona...
- Sat May 18, 2024 2:24 pm
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: The privilege of hearing a recital by Evgeny Kissin
- Replies: 3
- Views: 92
Re: The privilege of hearing a recital by Evgeny Kissin
Prokofiev's War Sonatas are numbered Six, Seven and Eight. For some reason, the number eight in this review appears as a smiley. That was not my intention! (although my enjoyment of Prokofiev often makes me smile) I kept trying to change it, but to no avail.
- Sat May 18, 2024 2:17 pm
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: The privilege of hearing a recital by Evgeny Kissin
- Replies: 3
- Views: 92
The privilege of hearing a recital by Evgeny Kissin
There are pianists who are known for their interpretations of the Classical era composers—Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Others are more in tune with the composers of the Romantic era—Chopin, Schumann and Liszt. Still others focus on Bach and the other Baroque masters. Then there is Evgeny Kissin, who...
- Tue May 14, 2024 5:55 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Babayan playing Mendelssohn & Schubert/Liszt early on
- Replies: 4
- Views: 133
Re: Babayan playing Mendelssohn & Schubert/Liszt early on
And the big surprise was the DGG "Rachmaninoff for Two," album with Igor Levit, which I find to be one of the best and most satisfying piano discs to be issued recently. A slight correction--the other pianist on this disc is Daniil Trifonov, whom I believe was Babayan's pupil. https://store.deutsch...
- Sun May 12, 2024 6:00 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: The Donald’s 819-million-dollar tax writeoff
- Replies: 5
- Views: 183
Re: The Donald’s 819-million-dollar tax writeoff
We already know that Donald Trump is a cheat (among other things). Why did it take the IRS so long to find out?
- Sat May 04, 2024 5:36 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Yuja Wang's new "The Vienna Recital" on DGG
- Replies: 8
- Views: 334
Re: Yuja Wang's new "The Vienna Recital" on DGG
Lance, I don't have this recording, but as you will note in my review of her recent Philadelphia recital, our thoughts about her playing seem to run in parallel directions. H
- Fri May 03, 2024 9:30 am
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: Yuja Wang in recital - color, poetry and dazzle
- Replies: 1
- Views: 401
Yuja Wang in recital - color, poetry and dazzle
Finally, a chance to hear pianist Yuja Wang in solo recital! I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Yuja perform with an orchestra seven times over the years, but I haven’t heard her in a solo recital since her student years at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute. At last, on Tuesday evening, April 30, I join...
- Fri May 03, 2024 5:12 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: I am getting requests for new CMGers every day, but ...
- Replies: 13
- Views: 528
Re: I am getting requests for new CMGers every day, but ...
Why separate "classical music (recordings) from classical concert reviews? Why even have separate "rooms" for books, films, and "pub stuff?" Some of your other suggestions may make sense, but I can't agree with these two. Listening to a recording and attending a concert are two vastly different exp...
- Sun Apr 28, 2024 5:37 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What I listened to today
- Replies: 3190
- Views: 2399066
Re: What I listened to today
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51knoQ+mQhL.jpg If you were to ask me, "What is the most perfect piece written by Schubert?," I would have to answer, "The last Schubert piece I listened to." In this case, while taking my walk, it was Schubert's Fantasy in C Major for Violin and Piano, D. 934. A...
- Sat Apr 27, 2024 6:41 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: More Cliburn winner Yunchan Lim
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1311
Re: More Cliburn winner Yunchan Lim
His typical practice schedule was starting around 1-2 pm, finishing around 4 am. He would take a short break, 30 minutes or so, for dinner that his mom cooked. I typically made him something to eat around 1 am. I hope that this atrocious practice schedule was limited to the competition. If he keeps...
- Sat Apr 27, 2024 6:35 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4712
- Views: 2522321
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41uAeeRTYrL.jpg Another one of my $2 purchases from the library. I thought this would be good because it's core repertory for Muti and this was recorded when he was music director of the Philadelphians. Listened to it yesterday and turned out I was right--these w...
- Sun Apr 21, 2024 5:47 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Philharmonic Opens Inquiry After Misconduct Allegations Are Revived
- Replies: 5
- Views: 400
Re: Philharmonic Opens Inquiry After Misconduct Allegations Are Revived
A name I recognize--he's a former boyfriend of Yuja Wang.the associate principal trumpet, Matthew Muckey
- Fri Apr 19, 2024 5:22 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: A clear violation': Gagged Trump posts Fox lie about criminal case jury pool
- Replies: 4
- Views: 245
Re: A clear violation': Gagged Trump posts Fox lie about criminal case jury pool
The intrigue: Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the New York trial, directed reporters on Thursday not to publish physical descriptions of the jurors. "There's a reason why this is an anonymous jury and why we've taken the measures that we have taken," he said after dismissing Juror No. 2. "It ...
- Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:18 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: Cotton is King: Arkansas senator tells vigilantes to attack pro-Palestinian demonstrators
- Replies: 1
- Views: 187
Re: Cotton is King: Alabama senator tells vigilantes to attack pro-Palestinian demonstrators
You might want to change your headline. He's from Arkansas, not Alabama.
- Sat Apr 13, 2024 8:37 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Alma Mahler, Composer
- Replies: 2
- Views: 239
Alma Mahler, Composer
This was a first for me. At an open rehearsal of the Philadelphia Orchestra, I heard four very appealing songs written by Alma Mahler, performed by mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill. Perhaps I should have referred to the composer as Alma Schindler, since she wrote these songs at age 20 or younger, before ...
- Fri Apr 12, 2024 4:41 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Great Pianists (Philips) vs. Great Conductors (EMI)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 301
Re: Great Pianists (Philips) vs. Great Conductors (EMI)
I'm not in the "collector" category--I only have a couple hundred CDs--so I never considered buying the entire group of Great Pianists. I just have five, and I'm glad to have them:
Jorge Bolet
Vladimir Horowitz 1 (Schumann)
Julius Katchen 1
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli 1
Sampler
Jorge Bolet
Vladimir Horowitz 1 (Schumann)
Julius Katchen 1
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli 1
Sampler
- Mon Apr 08, 2024 6:52 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4712
- Views: 2522321
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kAUAAOSwLG9geuwI/s-l960.jpg My town library has a book sale twice a year, which also includes CDs. So I wandered over there last Friday with the intention of finding one or two CDs and ended up buying five--couldn't resist when the price was $2 per CD (plus three pape...
- Mon Apr 08, 2024 6:03 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: Eating out at a restaurant - but not paying???
- Replies: 7
- Views: 355
Re: Eating out at a restaurant - but not paying???
I suspect that those who do this are not starving or penniless. Rather, they lack that part of the brain that tells them what is right and what is wrong.
- Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:59 pm
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: Uchida and Biss illuminate Schubert four-hand rarities
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1319
Uchida and Biss illuminate Schubert four-hand rarities
When the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society announced its concerts for the 2023-24 season, I was excited to see an all-Schubert program featuring pianists Mitsuko Uchida and Jonathan Biss. Surely, they would be playing the achingly beautiful Fantasy in F Minor , Schubert’s most famous piece for pian...
- Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:23 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: No surprise - Billionaires returning to Trump
- Replies: 3
- Views: 197
No surprise - Billionaires returning to Trump
It shouldn't be surprising that the bottom line for these billionaires is...the bottom line. As this Washington Post article illustrates, their desire to preserve and expand their personal wealth "trumps" every other consideration. Many GOP billionaires balked at Jan. 6. They’re coming back to Trum...
- Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:59 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: CM is no picnic
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1055
Re: CM is no picnic
I saw them together at a Philadelphia Orchestra concert. And at the end of the concerto performance, they kissed...on the lips!
- Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:22 am
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: Escher Quartet's Bartok cycle,Igor Levit at Carnegie
- Replies: 1
- Views: 558
Re: Escher Quartet's Bartok cycle,Igor Levit at Carnegie
To be more precise, Sunday afternoon, January 12, 2025. Already on my calendar.If you missed it, Levit is coming around next season with the Beethoven Seventh.
- Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:32 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Thanks
- Replies: 11
- Views: 330
Re: Thanks
Some Guy, it sounds like you have found comfort and peace, so I hope that this continues for you. I'm also a member of the prostate cancer club, so I feel that there's a bond between us even though we've never met.
- Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:23 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Favorite finales?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 31365
Re: Favorite finales?
Chopin's Ballade No. 1. I wish I had the technique to play it, but I don't and never will, so I have to be content to listen to recordings of this piece.
- Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:51 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: What Would You Have Israel Do to Defend Itself?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 288
Re: What Would You Have Israel Do to Defend Itself?
The political line toed by the Right runs something like this: “Oh, oh, oh my, how my heart is breaking for the children of Gaza, but Israel didn’t kill those babies, Hamas killed them, Hamas started it. You must understand, the ancestors of these kids are to blame for voting Hamas in.” So, a moder...
- Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:17 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Maurizio Pollini, pianist who reveled in demanding music, dies at 82
- Replies: 19
- Views: 517
Re: Maurizio Pollini, pianist who reveled in demanding music, dies at 82
I was never totally convinced of Pollini's music-... and like many others, felt his playing to be ultra-conservative and on the "cool," side, the latter a word used often. Lance, I agree with you. There was never any question of his total mastery of the keyboard, but I often felt that there was som...
- Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:51 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Top Dozen Symphonies
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1054
Re: Top Dozen Symphonies
I haven't responded because I'm not inclined to reduce my list of favorite symphonies to 12. But if I did go to the trouble of producing such a list, Beethoven's Ninth would certainly be there, perhaps at the top of the list.
- Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:11 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Carnegie Hall’s New Season: What We Want to Hear
- Replies: 3
- Views: 403
Re: Carnegie Hall’s New Season: What We Want to Hear
Here's a program not mentioned above, but this would be a highlight for me. In fact, since it's on a Sunday afternoon, and thereforer no need to stay overnight, I just might go to this recital. I've been anxious to hear Igor Levit in recital for a long time. Igor Levit, Piano Sunday, January 12, 202...
- Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:37 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Byron Janis 1928-2024
- Replies: 8
- Views: 358
Re: Byron Janis 1928-2024
Here's the New York Times obit, written by the Times' former music critic, Allan Kozinn: Byron Janis, Pianist of Romantic Passion, Dies at 95 He had a brilliant career before arthritis in his hands forced him from the stage, but he overcame the condition and returned to performing. By Allan Kozinn M...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:16 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Igor Levit Wields Orchestral Power With Just a Piano
- Replies: 12
- Views: 428
Re:
A remarkable review of what had to be a recital from outer space. I wish I could have been there to hear this amazing artist do his thing. :) I wonder if a recording of this event will be available. Hopefully, it's in the offing. Ricordanza, I know of noone but you that could have authored this Tim...
- Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:35 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: 2024 Voters' concerns ?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 1203
Re: 2024 Voters' concerns ?
Without the immigrants, I would not be here! How's that for a thought! Lance, that's the starting point for my approach to the immigration issue. My grandparents came here well before the restrictive laws of 1924, so there was no such thing as "illegal" immigrants at the time. On my maternal grandm...
- Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:02 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What Composers Would You Blindly Trust?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 967
Re: What Composers Would You Blindly Trust?
A very thoughtful post, Hank, thanks. If I may, I wonder about Brahms not being on that list. Is there a specific work of his that doesn't quite live up to your expectations? I'm fond of the early piano sonatas (I & II) as well as the 3 String Quartets, but I rarely choose to hear them. Now that yo...
- Sat Mar 02, 2024 8:04 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What Composers Would You Blindly Trust?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 967
Re: What Composers Would You Blindly Trust?
I'm late to this thread because it took me some time to narrow down the list of composers who never disappoint me. I came up with three: Beethoven Chopin Dvorak Obviously, this doesn't mean that I dislike all the other composers. Bach's Goldberg Variations is one of the greatest works ever written. ...
- Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:04 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Philadelphia Orchestra’s Home to Be Renamed Marian Anderson Hall
- Replies: 3
- Views: 374
Re: Philadelphia Orchestra’s Home to Be Renamed Marian Anderson Hall
This is welcome news! I'm particularly pleased with the benefactors, who approved the naming of the hall after a great musician, rather than themselves. The Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians expressed their approval on their Facebook page as follows: Today we share the incredible announcement that ou...
- Wed Feb 28, 2024 6:21 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: Bilateral Total Knee Replacement
- Replies: 8
- Views: 559
Re: Bilteral Total Knee Replacement
My best wishes for a smooth and complete recovery.
- Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:54 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Some works we just don't like and don't know why. Why?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 30956
Re: Some works we just don't like and don't know why. Why?
Well, now that you mention it, I have a few unfavorites. With each of these composers, there are a few pieces that I tolerate, but these exceptions do not outweigh my overall impression. So let's start with Telemann--similar in style to Bach, but without Bach's inspiration. Delius--Debussy without D...
- Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:59 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Jaap van Zweden Bids Farewell, and Other Classical Highlights
- Replies: 3
- Views: 404
Re: Jaap van Zweden Bids Farewell, and Other Classical Highlights
How is that possible?Shostakovich’s Concerto in C minor for Piano, Trumpet and Strings, which has never been played by the Philharmonic.
- Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:13 am
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: Who's in charge at the rehearsal?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1855
Re: Who's in charge at the rehearsal?
Interesting,thanks. Perhaps also reflects Eschenbach had a substantial and notable career as a soloist himself , and appreciated those conductors who were willing to listen to him,and remembers those less hospitable ? Could be, but Bell interacted directly with the musicians; he didn't direct his c...
- Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:13 pm
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: Who's in charge at the rehearsal?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1855
Who's in charge at the rehearsal?
If I were a professional music critic, I would never review a rehearsal. But I’m not, so I’ll offer some impressions of an open rehearsal of the Philadelphia Orchestra that I attended on Thursday morning, February 15. The Orchestra holds three open rehearsals each season, with tickets offered to con...
- Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:23 pm
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: An Evening of Ragtime and Harlem Stride
- Replies: 2
- Views: 859
An Evening of Ragtime and Harlem Stride
Note: Although the music discussed in this post isn't "classical," the concert was presented by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society as part of their Piano Recital Series. So I'm taking the liberty of posting this review here, rather than The Corner Pub. As much as I enjoy a traditional piano rec...
- Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:27 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Modern Technology
- Replies: 23
- Views: 810
Re: Modern Technology
This means that I am now spending roughly 50% of my listening time with my CD/DVD collection, even while adding to it at a snail's pace (1-2 new titles weekly). What is slower than a snail? I add to my CD collection around 1 or 2 titles annually. In response to the original question, my use of mode...
- Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:54 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4712
- Views: 2522321
- Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:27 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
- Replies: 4712
- Views: 2522321
Re: What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T2/images/I/A1cZebOrPAL._SL1500_.jpg A few days after hearing a brilliant performance of Stravinsky's Petrushka by the Philadelphia Orchestra, I looked at my CD collection and realized that I didn't have a recording of this piece. So I went on Amazo...
- Fri Feb 09, 2024 7:22 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: Vikingur Olafsson’s ‘Goldbergs’ Mesmerize Carnegie Hall
- Replies: 5
- Views: 404
Re: Vikingur Olafsson’s ‘Goldbergs’ Mesmerize Carnegie Hall
I heard Olafsson perform the Goldbergs in Philadelphia on January 26th and, while I didn't have a chance to write up my impressions, I would have also given him a rave review.
- Thu Feb 08, 2024 4:19 pm
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: John McWhorter challenges Ethan Iverson on "Rhapsody in Blue"
- Replies: 10
- Views: 878
John McWhorter challenges Ethan Iverson on "Rhapsody in Blue"
John McWhorter always has interesting things to say on language, politics, race....and music. Here's his column answering Ethan Iverson, who trashed "Rhapsody in Blue." Not all jazz has to jam By John McWhorter A couple of weeks ago in The Times, a seasoned musician and composer proposed that George...
- Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:28 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: 200 users online now of which 197 are guests.
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1588
Re: 200 users online now of which 197 are guests.
That's made me think. I've goyt my account set up so that it immediately reverts to Unread posts. Maybe newbies and others get a different view. If so, and what you've experienced is the norm then that goes a long way to solving the issue. When I log in, I see separate boxes for the Classical Music...
- Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:47 am
- Forum: Corner Pub
- Topic: 200 users online now of which 197 are guests.
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1588
Re: 200 users online now of which 197 are guests.
Do other CMGers have comments? I would like to know your thoughts. I don't understand the objections about the political posts. In other forums on classical music, the political comments are mixed in with the musical posts; you can't avoid them. Here, the political comments are (mostly) found in th...
- Sat Jan 27, 2024 6:38 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: The Worst Masterpiece: ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ at 100
- Replies: 30
- Views: 1999
Re: The Worst Masterpiece: ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ at 100
I just listen to RinB as music, without the political overtones because I'm not American. I'm not sure if that makes me better or worse off. It's great fun to listen to. I'm American, and I'm content to listen to Rhapsody in Blue without the political (or racial) overtones. If a composer such as Mr...
- Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:12 am
- Forum: Classical Music Chatterbox
- Topic: What is/are your favourite Beethoven Piano Sonata/s and why?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2242
Re: What is/are your favourite Beethoven Piano Sonata/s and why?
Welcome aboard!
- Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:10 am
- Forum: Classical Concert Reviews
- Topic: A Jazz Master Transforms Rhapsody in Blue
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2203
Re: A Jazz Master Transforms Rhapsody in Blue
Kurt Weill's " Die Dreigroschenoper " was inspired as were many of his songs, eg. "Surabaya Johnny". I can't say I've heard anything in symphonic form from him but I'm trusting your judgement as to its merits, or otherwise!! It was certainly not my intent to discourage you or anyone else from liste...