What are you listening to now?

[Peter]

Albeniz - Iberia with the incomparable Alicia de larrocha.

Beethoven - Op.127 quartet arranged for string orchestra

[Sorrano]

This morning:
Bax: Symphony #1 in E-Flat (1922)

[Peter]

Schubert's Eb Mass - wonderful!

[Michael]

Still stuck on Opus 131.

I regard Beethoven's String Quartets as absolutely central to his output (which means, to me at least) as central to all music.

But I have found that the most elusive quartet of all is the one in C sharp minor. It opens with a slow fugue and the only strictly sonata-form movement is the last one. Strangely enough, he composed only one other work in that key, and that also opens with a slow movement and ends with a sonata-form movement: Opus 27 No. 2 (The Moonlight).

Opus 131 is a strange piece of music - and I haven't got to the bottom of it yet - but that's the great thing about Beethoven: there is no end. I first heard Op. 131 in 1973 and it still eludes me. I love all the early, middle and late quartets but - this one is beyond love. I feel its sublimity and its reality. It is probably the most truthful piece of music I have ever heard.

Wagner regarded the opening movement as a representation of despair, and I agreed with him when I first heard it. But, like the slow movement of the Ninth Symphony, it is a harmonisation of sadness. Listening to it gives pleasure instead of depression.

(Now removing anorak)

[Peter]

Still stuck on Opus 131.

I regard Beethoven's String Quartets as absolutely central to his output (which means, to me at least) as central to all music.

But I have found that the most elusive quartet of all is the one in C sharp minor. It opens with a slow fugue and the only strictly sonata-form movement is the last one. Strangely enough, he composed only one other work in that key, and that also opens with a slow movement and ends with a sonata-form movement: Opus 27 No. 2 (The Moonlight).

Opus 131 is a strange piece of music - and I haven't got to the bottom of it yet - but that's the great thing about Beethoven: there is no end. I first heard Op. 131 in 1973 and it still eludes me. I love all the early, middle and late quartets but - this one is beyond love. I feel its sublimity and its reality. It is probably the most truthful piece of music I have ever heard.

Wagner regarded the opening movement as a representation of despair, and I agreed with him when I first heard it. But, like the slow movement of the Ninth Symphony, it is a harmonisation of sadness. Listening to it gives pleasure instead of depression.

(Now removing anorak)

The film 'Late Quartet' is available on Amazon and I've ordered it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Quartet...te+quartet+dvd

[Michael]

The film 'Late Quartet' is available on Amazon and I've ordered it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Quartet...te+quartet+dvd

I hope you enjoy it. The actual story-lines are quite simple and a bit soap-operatic, but the photography and - above all - the music are outstanding.

Which reminds me, there is another film out called "Quartet" - about a group of retired opera singers. I haven't seen it but it stars Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Smith.


http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/quartet-2012

[hal9000]

I hope you enjoy it. The actual story-lines are quite simple and a bit soap-operatic, but the photography and - above all - the music are outstanding.

The C# minor quartet really just plays a backdrop to the soap-operatic. Even Walken's character isn't explored in depth, and instead we are subject to banal family soap opera. The film never really illuminates on the music; it may be based on great art, but never reaches those lofty heights itself.

[Michael]

The C# minor quartet really just plays a backdrop to the soap-operatic. Even Walken's character isn't explored in depth, and instead we are subject to banal family soap opera. The film never really illuminates on the music; it may be based on great art, but never reaches those lofty heights itself.

I think "classical music" doesn't transfer very well to the screen but this film was quite enjoyable in spite of its drawbacks. I doubt if any other art form could reach the heights of Opus 131 and its companions.

[Enrique]

Prokofiev: Piano concerto no.3

[Enrique]

Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988.

[Peter]

Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988.

Which performer Enrique?

[Enrique]

Gustav Leonhardt in harpsichord.

Debussy: La mer (1905)

[glindhot]

Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 1 in E flat, Op. 1, No. 1
Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 2 in G, Op. 1, No. 2

[Sorrano]

This morning:
Grieg: Symphony in c (1864)

[AeolianHarp]

Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 1 in E flat, Op. 1, No. 1
Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 2 in G, Op. 1, No. 2

Oh I love the piano trios! I am listening to one on his radio station right now!