What are you listening to now?

[Sorrano]

This morning:

Stravinsky:

Suite italienne
Four Norwegian Moods
Scherzo … la russe

[Chris]

Bach - The Well Tempered Clavier

Andras Schiff

I thought what I was buying here was a repackaging of Schiff's old WTC recordings. Those seem to be regarded as good but perhaps a bit boring compared to other offerings. But apparently Schiff recorded the WTC again in 2012, and wow! I think these new recordings blow the old ones out of the water. Everything seems to be taken at a faster tempo this time (but not too fast). It's exciting but not romanticized. Schiff seems to take all the repeats, which is good. And he also does not seem to use the sustain pedal, which makes everything sound very clear. I think this is my new favorite WTC on piano.

[Quijote]

Bach - The Well Tempered Clavier

Andras Schiff

I thought what I was buying here was a repackaging of Schiff's old WTC recordings. Those seem to be regarded as good but perhaps a bit boring compared to other offerings. But apparently Schiff recorded the WTC again in 2012, and wow! I think these new recordings blow the old ones out of the water. Everything seems to be taken at a faster tempo this time (but not too fast). It's exciting but not romanticized. Schiff seems to take all the repeats, which is good. And he also does not seem to use the sustain pedal, which makes everything sound very clear. I think this is my new favorite WTC on piano.

You see, this is what I like : when people actually give 'context' to their listening. On the basis of your posting (convincing) I am now going to order this CD.

[Chris]

You see, this is what I like : when people actually give 'context' to their listening. On the basis of your posting (convincing) I am now going to order this CD.

Uh oh, I'm on the hook now! Let me add this caveat: what I consider "exciting" Bach may not be what others would. It's certainly not Glenn Gould-exciting, nor is it playful-exciting, like, say, Angel Hewitt. What I find exciting about it is the consistently appropriate tempo and character given to each piece, and the clarity of the playing, which includes not letting the modern piano influence the interpretations too much (which some would no doubt consider a waste!). There are 30-second samples of each piece available at Amazon.com, which should be more than enough to help you decide if this is how you like your WTC.

[Quijote]

Uh oh, I'm on the hook now! [...]

I'm not going to ask you for a refund if I don't finally like the Schiff WTC (v.2012). I simply wanted to say that when I read a passionate "thumbs up" for a particular performance I'll give it a go. You may be a programmer-organist, but I do in fact give credence to your opinions, believe it or not.

[Quijote]

This confirms it for me (link to The Guardian CD review):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012...clavier-review

[Roehre]

Today:

Monteverdi:
Vespro della Beata Vergine (1610)
(R3: TtN)

[Chris]

You may be a programmer-organist, but I do in fact give credence to your opinions, believe it or not.

I shall endeavor to be worthy of it! If it helps, I am a lousy organist.

[Peter]

Haydn symphonies 25-27.

[Roehre]

Today:

Schubert:
Mass in G D.167
Mass in C D.452

Goldmark:
String Quartet in B flat major Op.8 (1860)

Paderewski:
6 Lieder opus 18 arranged for choir byStanislaw Wiechowicz]
I.Polaly sie lzy;
IV.Nad woda wielka;
V.Tylem wytrawal;
II.Piosnka dudarza (1894)

Moniuszko:
Verbum Nobile: Overture (1860)
Flis: Overture (1858)

Regnart:
Litania Deiparae Virginis Mariae (p.1596)

[Sorrano]

Poulenc: Piano and Wind Sextet

Poulenc is always good for the morning!

Weber: Overture to Oberon

The opening reminded me a lot of the opening of Schubert's 9th Symphony.

[Roehre]

Today:

Schubert:
Mass in B-flat D.324

Stravinsky:
Oedipus Rex

[Roehre]

Weber:[/B] Overture to Oberon

The opening reminded me a lot of the opening of Schubert's 9th Symphony.

Can you explain that for me please

[Sorrano]

This morning:

Hovhaness: Mountains and Rivers without End

This is an interesting piece for a chamber wind ensemble.

Danzi:

Variations on Là ci darem la mano

This is one of those tunes that once it enters my ear I have a difficult time purging it. However, with this one I don't mind so much.

[Roehre]

...Danzi:

Variations on Là ci darem la mano

This is one of those tunes that once it enters my ear I have a difficult time purging it. However, with this one I don't mind so much.

sorrano, that's Danzi's variation set for string quartet ?