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I was checking Presto for Jussen Brothers CDs. I didn't see much. I wonder how it is that DG doesn't distribute these CDs more internationally.

Bernard Hermann's "The Planets" I do not own. How does his compare with so many others? Ones I have including Karajan [2] (I thought excellent), Bernstein, Stokowski, various ones with Boult, one conducted by Holst, Levine, Mehta, C. Davis, Steinberg, Sargent, Maazel, Ormandy, Barbirolli (live exce...

That was quite a good read. So, in the final analysis, Jacinda Ardern's work in NZ about ruptured the country. All it takes is one person to ruin something for everyone and these NZ folks had to put up with it. We've seen this in so many cases, past and present. And now we have her in the US at Harv...

Franz Liszt undoubtedly takes the prize in composing vocal songs transcribed for piano solo, especially those of Franz Schubert, but many other composers, too. As a person who loves piano transcriptions, I immediately saw the release of a new Deutsche Grammophon CD [486 4842, 59:03] and knew it was...

I've mentioned Konstantin Lifschitz , pianist, on a few threads by now. As a radio broadcaster, I am always listening to new things, new artists, new (historical) artists, but this Russian, Lifschitz is dynamite! The recording I'm hearing is his London debut recital of Couperin, Brahms, and Rachmani...

IT SURE DOES! Applies on these shores, too.

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 11, 2024 6:16 pm
You get what you 'pay' for!! This cartoon says it all!!

Yes, and who could live without a complete Grumiaux, Rubinstein or Horowitz? All those sets are now commanding big bucks just about everywhere. I got 62 of the "Pianists" set; I don't recall how many there were but it seemed more reasonable to just go for the ones of pianists harder to get, that is ...

You know, if I got one dollar ($1.00) for each LP now, collected since I was 16 years old, and everything in mint condition, I would rather BURN the entire 72,000 LPs given what I paid for them, giving up lunches as a young one and so much else, to afford buying an LP. And then there are those speci...

Yes, I note prices are escalating on pre-owned products. Things will get worse when postal rates will soon change as I see they are about to, again. I've had a few used CDs where the postage was more than the cost of the CD. It's far worse when it comes from overseas. Well, remember, we are "enjoyin...

Understand completely. The problem with the "Pianists" box is that it replicates so much one may already have by pianists such as Rubinstein, Horowitz, Arrau, Backhaus, Gilels, Richter, Curzon, Bolet, Cherkassky, Cortot, Fleischer, Friere, Gieseking, Gulda, Francois, Fischer, Janis, Katchen, Kempff,...

I haven't quite gotten to know Bruce Liu's work, but all I hear is outstanding. We just need more than 24 hours a day, and maybe another set of ears!

Very interesting interview.

I was able to listen to the entire disc today. Think "polonaise," their national dance, and of course, Chopin comes to mind. I must say, these were largely non-Chopin-type polonaises in their "tunefulness" (yes, rhythms) with the exception of two: one by Eduard Makomaski [? c. 1850] as was the 9'17"...

Yes, I have it, like 99% of Hamelin's recorded output! Canadian musicians? Ah yes, indeed, I have taken note, long ago, of Canada and their whole, superior outlook on the world of classical music's studies, performance, and concert attendance, and have many musician friends there. We love Canada and...

Great comeback! Well, the immigration situation I see as totally out of control. Being the product of immigrants myself (from 1900 grandparents), I fully understand and appreciate why those in other places want to come here; I would, too. I still maintain, it HAS TO BE DONE LEGALLY, even if we have ...

I will be eager to read this. Thanks for posting on it.

This raises a very, VERY important question. As great as the USA is/was [and I love this country despite seeing the deterioration I view daily], we are deficient in many ways given our large population. We give a lot of money away for many things that are not as important as taking care of veterans...

Agree with Holden on "musicality" many times regarding Yuja; virtuosity seems more apparent. Kantorow played beautifully and with heart!

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 11, 2024 5:21 am
Ah, this is more like it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHRet0CDWw4

Indeed, this was a major loss as well. Even to this day, Hvorostovsky has a tremendous following online with all kinds of info and, of course, all those recordings, Philips and Delos. His presence is sorely missed in the world of music. Heartbreak!! I adored Dmitri and his beautiful voice and perenn...

Interesting to watch Yuja in these clips. I've never seen her use music whilst playing live though unless it's a chamber music recital. About whether artists risk the clamour of the audience, I think it gives them even more power to be successful and precise especially when traversing a major, virtu...

Any new Cyprien Katsaris disc is always something to look forward to hearing. His own label, Piano 21, hasn't done much of late that I can see, but he is being active in the studio, at least on some labels. This new disc is entitled "Polish Romantic Music: Melancholic and Heroic Polonaises." There's...

Indeed, a pity to lose Lucia Popp so young and gone now for more than three decades. Hardly seems possible. Fortunately, she left us a huge discography of solo recordings; she also appears on many recordings in opera, oratorio, etc. and on many labels, the best being on EMI, Sony, RCA. Her EMI/Icon ...

When Philips came out with the "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" collection, one big box or individually available, I jumped on it, but selected individual 2-CD sets rather than the entire collection. A bit later, EMI jumped on the bandwagon and arranged for the release of the "Great Conductors o...

Hi Lenny, and thanks for the trouble you took to do some searching. I should have thought about Discogs because they do have surprises online at times. I checked it over. Naturally, I am tempted to get this spirituals EP disc. On the other hand, I am trying to find a buyer for me 72,000 LP collectio...

I just heard tonight , Michael Spyres new Erato CD [78798] , "In the Shadows," a collection of arias from composers whose work generally fell out of the limelight with Wagner's operas with the exception of Rossini. We have composers Mehul, Beethoven, Rossini, Meyerbeer, Weber, Auber, Spontini, Bell...

A bunch of good stuff arrived today - been waiting patiently for it: •Toccata N0031 - "Four Hands at Home" w/McCallum/Helyard, 4-hands 1853 Erard piano •Erato 78798 - "In the Shadows" opera arias w/Michael Spyres •Erato 71968 - Berlioz: Les Nuit d'ete (Spyres) * Harold in Italy w/Ridout, viola •DGG ...

Yes, E. Power Biggs and Virgil Fox ... I followed them on discs and heard them in live concerts. Convinced both were outstanding; Fox brought more visual personality to the front and winning lots of friends. But there are others I have enjoyed and followed: Jane Parker-Smith, Ulrik Spang-Hanssen, Ri...

Politics in musical presentations seems to cause more problems. Is this the place for it? Looks like Jurowski favors it but wants to discuss it with protestors beforehand. Can't blame him for that. "Protest, then stop, and let us hear just the music with no further interruptions."

In attempting to acquaint myself more with Dame Ethel Smyth 's music, recently listening to a recording of her songs and ballads. The recording on SOMM [0611] features 65 minutes of material: Four Songs for Voice and Chamber orchestra; Songs and Ballades, Op. 3; Lieder, op. 4 (5 songs); and Three So...

Here's a name of a singer that doesn't pop up very much and surely should. Edda Moser , a German-born soprano [1938], and as I write this, she's 85 and still living. Given my interest in artists of all kinds, especially pianists and singers, back in 2013 I stumbled upon a nine-CD box set [28281] of ...

All very good comments, only to prove that we all will do what our hearts/minds advise. Too much of the same music isn't really all that bad and it sharpens our skill in the art of listening and learning, and more, appreciating great music and its performers.

Aha - yes, been there, done that. Interesting how our "taste" changes over the years.

Rach3 wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 09, 2024 7:38 pm
{Partial forward} I already have too many recordings that no longer hold my interest as they once did.

He was born in Holland of German parents where he was, more or less, worshipped for his musicality. I constantly get Mengelberg confused with Felix Weingartner.

Belle wrote: ↑
Sun Apr 07, 2024 9:25 pm

Lance wrote: ↑
Sun Apr 07, 2024 8:13 pm
One guess! Hint: It has to do with WW2.
Oh, OK. I thought he was Dutch..."controversial Concertgebouw conductor".

Yes, I was aware of the "problem" with her husband. Flagstad continued to have and enjoy a glorious career, especially where Wagner was concerned. Few have compared with her vocally in her repertoire. I don't know how "involved" Madame was with the Nazis (same for Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, but this did...

An interesting new find with pianist Severin von Eckardstein . I'm surveying his 2020 Paris-made recording on the German Artalinna label [CD A032] consisting of Chopin's Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat, Op. 61; Schumann's Davidsbundlertanze , Op. 6, Tchaikovsky's Chant Elegiaque , Op. 72/14; and Gabri...

Years ago, I prepared a piano for a recital by Andreas Haefliger. Thank you for this memory.

maestrob wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 08, 2024 1:04 pm
Complete Decca CD here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBE_TUd ... K3FMC-hd4o

Enjoy!

In other words, you love a piece of music. Let's say it's Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata. Can you live with JUST one recording of the work? Let's say it's ARRAU or RICHTER. They are both different, the music is the same on the page, but the interpretations might be considerably different in how t...

Thank you! I love recordings ... they can give us peace and comfort when we cannot do it any other way - and we can do it anytime within 24 hours each day every day of the week. Right now and always, for me, music does wondrous things emotionally and physically. I'll respond in red below your post. ...

A pity this was not recorded by EMI and included in the big Warner/Zimmermann set [63178]. It would have fit in very nicely! Zimmermann is recording now, I think with BIS, so we'll see if it comes out if it already hasn't. This CD shows a different side of the composer - with one orchestral work whi...

I love pianists, for sure, but also organists, and in many cases, harpsichordists, almost anything with a keyboard. I have a 23 EMI CD set [17175] entitled "Composers in Person," one of which features organist-composers. Widor is included in this set playing the Toccata from his Symphony No. 5 among...

Your post fascinated me in the sense that I am not familiar with the Jussen Brothers . It appears they have an interesting catalogue of works on the DGG label. Their Bach album is of great interest, and the Schubert ... well, the Russian one as well ... they all look pretty good. You are going to co...

Love that kind of humor! First time I was able to grin today!

Belle wrote: ↑
Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:46 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-5zEb1oS9A

I keep wondering what has happened to the human race. It's always been here, but not near the volume I have seen in the last few years. Did most of us really come through the "best" years? So, what's ahead? Will/can it ever get better?

Yes, well, lots of problems with composers, conductors and all kinds of artists during the horrible time of WW2. I was just a baby when all that was happening and I have seen some of the results in Europe with my own eyes, which has never left my mind. Incredible what humans do to other humans on th...

Having met you and your lovely other half, it doesn't surprise me that you would always do the right and proper thing. I just cannot imagine doing this kind of thing, eating and not paying and taking advantage of people this way. It's depressing to think about it.

Well, there may be something we can do to avoid sickness, avoid death for as long as possible, do as many of the right things we are supposed to do (abstain alcohol, fats, sugars, smoking, drugs, etc., in other words, don't eat what you want or like) - and this is: DON'T EVER GET OLD! It really ripp...

I was at a Cracker Barrel restaurant the other day with some friends for some quick food. In talking with a very friendly waitress, who was new on the team, asking if she ever ran into any non-payers. She described a whole table a couple days ago of 5 or 6 people who ordered heavily, left the restau...

One guess! Hint: It has to do with WW2.

My eyes popped when I saw this announcement about Mengelberg [indeed, a controversial conductor]. I have been one of his followers for many moons, having everything Philips issued, including the Bach St. Matthew Passion (with Karl Erb), and the Decca 18 CD set [480 7636] all-Mengelberg (based on Phi...

Lots of truth in this! Same with public schools. I can't tell you how many public schools we have in this area, all in one county or maybe two. There are "superintendents" in all of them. Seems to me the whole of it could be handled by one- or two superintendents with their appropriate assistants. I...

A seven-inch LP from the house of Qualiton! Yes, that would help. A shame it never found its way to CD. I have many Qualiton LPs acquired over the years, but I don't believe any 7-inchers. It could be an extended play 45rpm disc as well. Thanks for pointing this out, Len. She is an attractive-lookin...

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