What are you listening to now?

[Peter]

Interesting pieces for Clarinet and piano by Archduke Rudolph - he must surely have shown the music to his teacher Beethoven? It shows that he really had a considerable talent.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bu4Ryo6GoI[/YOUTUBE]

[Fidelio]

Beethoven Piano Trios 1-3
Trio Goya (period-instrument ensemble)

[Peter]

Today, Brahms 2nd piano concerto played by Brendel. Right now listening to Waltz no.2 by Shostakovich.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmCnQDUSO4I[/YOUTUBE]

[Michael]

Beethoven's A minor string quartet. It's hard to believe that its final movement was originally intended for the Ninth symphony. I can't imagine that sad, haunting waltz becoming the European anthem (let alone being hijacked by the Nazis!)

[Peter]

Beethoven's A minor string quartet. It's hard to believe that its final movement was originally intended for the Ninth symphony. I can't imagine that sad, haunting waltz becoming the European anthem (let alone being hijacked by the Nazis!)

When you said 'haunting waltz' I thought you meant the Shostakovich I posted previously! I've never thought of the Beethoven finale as a waltz just because it's in 3/4 - that would make the Eroica 1st mvt one of the greatest waltzes!

[Michael]

When you said 'haunting waltz' I thought you meant the Shostakovich I posted previously! I've never thought of the Beethoven finale as a waltz just because it's in 3/4 - that would make the Eroica 1st mvt one of the greatest waltzes!

I should have said "waltz-like". I was echoing some description I read years ago which described the quartet finale (anachronistically) as a "Brahmsian waltz".
The recording I was listening to recently (by the Guarneri) certainly took it very fast indeed (too much so for my liking.) The first version I heard was on vinyl, (I think it was the Hungarian Quartet) and they played it much slower, speeding up nicely in the coda.

I think it is possible to waltz to the Eroica first movement - if you play the Klemperer version. I may have done it after a few glasses of wine.

[Peter]

I think it is possible to waltz to the Eroica first movement - if you play the Klemperer version. I may have done it after a few glasses of wine.

Bars 260-280 must have been amusing to behold!

[Michael]

Bars 260-280 must have been amusing to behold!

I don't usually drink in certain bars.

[Chris]

"Sound the Trumpet" - Purcell

I needed a shot of musical energy to get me to the end of the work day!

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yV2FqpjUO4[/YOUTUBE]

[Megan]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HCX-KyOi0&index=26&list=RDEbI-oZ0FF78[/YOUTUBE]

Always loved Jordi Savall .

[Quijote]

Interesting pieces for Clarinet and piano by Archduke Rudolph - he must surely have shown the music to his teacher Beethoven? It shows that he really had a considerable talent.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bu4Ryo6GoI[/YOUTUBE]

Thanks for that. I must say that I found it only "interesting" from the point of view that Rudy was a student of our hero...
Still, the guy (Rudy-baby) knew how to put notes on the page with a certain level of competence, I'll grant you. All in all, a fascinating "historical" document...

[Quijote]

Bars 260-280 must have been amusing to behold!

Hilarious!! Probably dancing and bashing into each other and treading on toes and flinging their partners across the room and stomping on their heads !!
Good lord, Beethoven the punk rocker !!!!

[Quijote]

Whilst were on the subject of waltzes and dances and so on, check out this piece by Ligeti called Hungarian Rock (for harpsichord). I may well have posted this before, but always worth revisiting...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdzvk1BJOBQ

[Peter]

Whilst were on the subject of waltzes and dances and so on, check out this piece by Ligeti called Hungarian Rock (for harpsichord). I may well have posted this before, but always worth revisiting...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdzvk1BJOBQ

Inspiration for this must have been the Bartok dances in Bulgarian rhythm (the Ligeti is like an even crazier version!), they're all fine, but I'm particularly fond of no.6.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPrZkZNS7T4[/YOUTUBE]

[Peter]

Thanks for that. I must say that I found it only "interesting" from the point of view that Rudy was a student of our hero...
Still, the guy (Rudy-baby) knew how to put notes on the page with a certain level of competence, I'll grant you. All in all, a fascinating "historical" document...

I'd agree with that assessment.