Recent Listening and Purchases....

[bignaf]

I can't find my post about Drumming 2nd litening. but I managed to listen to the whole thing and managed to stay interested. it requires lots of creative listening to create different aural combinations from the repeating and slowly changing patterns. I don't think I'll buy it or will write music like it. ldea is nice but it just boring (for most listeners and for me, after hearing it twice). now 3 tales...

[Bones]

Big,

Yes Rag (Hindi/Urdu) or Raga (Sanskrit)on the santoor (or santur). The instrument is a kind of hammered dulcimer. The sound is a little like the sitar (in an abstract way). Here is a link:

http://www.santoor.com/santoory.html#origin

[bignaf]

Oh yes. I've heard Santur music before but never Indian. more like middle eastern music. Bones, you're a treasure trove of knowledge.

[Bones]

Big,

I think you would really enjoy these Indian rags, especially since most of them contain virtuoso accompaniment on the tabla. The percussionist in you would really appreciate that, I suspect.

[bignaf]

ummmm, I'm not a percussionist. I just worte a piece for percussion. but you're right that I really like percussion. but I also really like all kinds of music of other cultures. especially the highly developed ones of Indonesioa and India. I'm thinking of writing a piece that will incoporate techniques and ideas from these (and other) cultures' music.

[OperaTenor]

So, Fangib, you worte, or are you weriting this Indensioan grogression?

[thornhill]

In the mail today:

Weber: Piano Concertos
Nikolai Demidenko
Sir Charles Mackerras
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
(Hyperion)

Danzi, Mendelssohn, Weber: Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano
Robert Levin, fortepiano
Charles Neidich, clarinet
(Sony)

Schubert: Piano Sonatas Nos. D.960 & D.840
Rudolf Serkin
(Sony)

Dvorak: String Quartet No.12 "American" and Quintet for Piano and Strings No.2
Juilliard String Quartet
Rudolf Firkusny, piano
(Sony)

[bignaf]

LOL OT. Thorny, lots of early romantics...

[barfle]

I listened to an LP last night of Ferde Grofé's Aviation Suite, Hudson River Suite, and Mississippi Suite. While not as consistently descriptive as his war horse Grand Canyon Suite, these are still quite listenable, with several nice melodies, tempos, and flavors.

[OperaTenor]

Currently listening to OT's audition master cd, checking for balance, and making sure the darn thing burned properly.

[treebeau]

Isn't that the one with that Cary Simon tune on it?

You know..."You're So Vain!"


Regards,
Tim B.

[OperaTenor]

Originally posted by treebeau:
Cary Simon

Who?


Jim "phfaff!" B.

[shostakovich]

You're so vain. You really thought that post was about you.
Carly

[OperaTenor]

Shos, methinks you should be embarrassed! LOL!

[Marye]

I am listening to Hilary Hahn's recording of Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1. oh my.... the third movement, particularly the Cadenza, is heartbreakingly beautiful... I do not know whether Ms. Hahn's execution is extraordinary or not but this concerto is.

What is the history behind this concerto please? Shos?

[shostakovich]

Hi Mary. I'll have to check my recording notes to be sure. My (faulty) recall says Shostakovich had trouble getting it performed. Maybe there was not enough jollity to satisfy the powers that were. Then, Oistrakh championed it, and may have saved Shostakovich from further troubles.

Now to something I'm SURE I remember correctly:
There is a movie by Ken Russell, called Testimony, and based on the book of the same name. The book is Solomon Volkhov's recollections of conversations with Shostakovich. I don't read much, but that one was very rewarding. In the movie, much of the composer's music is used in liberal excerpts in well chosen background clips. The concerto selection was probably what you described as "heartbreakingly beautiful".

I have an old LP with Oistrakh playing, and a CD with Nadia Salerno Sonnenberg. I'll check both recordings and get back to you. In the meantime (I'm not quick), I'd be happy to see other people come up with info. We might get a complete answer.
Shos

<small>[ 01-28-2004, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: shostakovich ]</small>

[Marye]

Hi Shos, so nice to hear from you.. I am still at work as it happens so I can respond quickly.

I asked my nephew's wife, who is doing her master's in performance violin in Zurich, what her favourite violin piece would be she said Shostakovich's Violin concerto 1. Particularly by Oistrakh (you agree?) but Vadim Repin doing ANYTHING would likely be the best recording of all. I am on the hunt for both though I think their recordings are no longer available. I purchased Hahn's because I wanted to hear it... after listening to this, I think she has reason to find it her favourite.

I shall look for a Testimony as well. Thank you for the ideas... any more I would love to hear it.

Many thanks -

[thornhill]

Then, Oistrakh championed it, and may have saved Shostakovich from further troubles.

The premier recording of the violin concerto with Oistrakh/Mitropoulos/NYPO is available on CD, coupled with an equally superb recording - another premier recording - of the cello concerto with Rostropovich/Ormandy/Philadelphia, where Shostakovich was present at the recording sessions!

The disc is a must buy for any Shostakovich fan. Sound has been beautifully remastered, and the packaging is exquisite.

[Marye]

Thank you Thorny, I have put in a request from my "music man" to find the CD... appreciate the help.

[thornhill]

Mayre,

Here it is:


http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1360840

or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000007QCK/qid=1075411544//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl15/102-8455956-4006540?v=glance&s=music&n=507846