Hi Fischman. Do u have a favorite recording of Chopin's Nocturnes? My 11 year old is really into that kind of music so I'd like to add some tracks to our roadtripping playlist.
Repo,
Your post inspired me to take a tour of my favorite Nocturnes this morning. There's actually many great recordings and I certainly haven't heard them all and I wouldn't call myself any kind of expert in this repertoire. Of what I know, these two really stand out. Arrau brings out every iota of lyricism these pieces have to offer without making them syrupy or falling back on pandering cliches. The delicacy of his approach is, I think, unmatched in these pieces. The 1966 Moravec performance is a real connoisseur set, considered positively transcendental by many, understandably so. The performance has maybe a little more overall breadth than the Arrau, but I'm not sure an 11 year old would notice. The sound quality is good enough, but doesn't have that crystal clarity of the later Arrau. Really, you can't go wrong with just about any widely available set, but I do favor these two (I personally lean toward the Moravec).
Last edited by Fischman on 04/20/2024 17:53; edited 1 time in total
Tim Parkinson - Piano Trio 2020 Year: 2021
Plus Minus Ensemble/Mira Benjamin, violin; Alice Purton, cello; Mark Knoop, piano
Rating: 3.5 Stars
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This was an interesting bit of experimental but accessible piano trio music. Very modern yet not without core elements of tradition, this might appeal to both20th century fans and postmodernists, especially if you like trio music. Available on Bandcamp.
Franz Joseph Haydn - String Quartet, Op. 76, #4 Year: 1797
Takács Quartet
Rating: 5 Stars
This morning, my all time favorite string quartet called to me. I answered. We met, and it was good, as always. All of Haydn's melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, contrapuntal, and out and out joyous brilliance are on full display here! That first movement is so full of captivating musical ideas, I could listen to it over and over. The second has almost incomprehensible, understated beauty. The third is the ultimate classical toe tapper. And the final movement brings it all together and wraps it up with the finest of musical bows. This never gets old.
Franz Joseph Haydn - Symphony #92 Year: 1789
Leonard Bernstein/Weiner Philharmoniker
Rating: 4.75 Stars
Another joyous Haydn session today. Haydn was the first master of the slow intro to a symphony and even among all that mastery, this is a particularly captivating one. And that minuet! So stately, and I mean that in the most favorable way possible. I might think all that powdered wig prancing about is pretentious and silly, but if this is the dance then signed me up for lessons.... I'm in!
Enrique Granados - Piano Quintet in G Minor Year: 1894 - 1895
Javier Perianes/Piano
Cuarteto Quiroga
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Joaquín Turina - Piano Quintet in G Minor Year: 11907
Javier Perianes/Piano
Cuarteto Quiroga
Rating: 4.25 Stars
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This is a nice pairing on this disc with a couple of Spanish turn of the century piano quintets, interestingly both in the key of G minor.
The Granados is definitely the lighter of the two, falling in just three relatively short movements. That doesn't mean it's any less interesting though. Beautiful string work and engaging melody are present throughout making this a most marvelous 15 minutes.
The Turina grows to four longer movements and a half hour in running length. It is deeper in its reach as well as longer. Starting with a slow fugue, this isn't an instant grabber, but rewards sustained attention. The second movement speeds things up, but the real intrigue comes from the deftly expressive counterpoint. The beautifully lyrical third movement gives way to a dramatic finale, ultimately completing a clever cycle of styles and moods within the piano quartet format which I found a very satisfying listen.
This is kind of a reverse sandwich symphony, with one fast movement, an allegro, sitting between a Moderato and an Adagio. This is most fitting as the entire symphony itself is bracketed in mystery. This is a beautifully tonal 20th century work, but the musical story is as if shrouded in northern mist, full of intrigue and wonder that give a sense of excitement that belies its pastoral foundation. I have given this three listens this week and like each listen better than the last.
Mozart wrote but five violin concertos and they're all beauts. The fifth and final is the epitome of classical balance and taste. If anything, Perlman's read here is a little too perfect; full of beauty and poise, but maybe could use a little more zest. A very pleasant if not overly inspiring listen.
Robert Bloom - Narrative for Oboe and Strings Year: 1951
Bert Lucarelli/Oboe
Brooklyn Philharmonic/Michael Barrett
Rating: 3.75 Stars
John Corigliano - Aria for Oboe and Strings Year: 1975
Bert Lucarelli/Oboe
Brooklyn Philharmonic/Michael Barrett
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Alec Wilder - Piece for Oboe and Improvisatory Percussion Year: 1975
Bert Lucarelli/Oboe
Brooklyn Philharmonic/Michael Barrett
Rating: 4.75 Stars
After a week of delightful spring weather, a piece called "The Winter's Passed" seemed a good choice, especially as Barlow's piece is scored for oboe and orchestra and I was in the mood for some oboe. This is a very beautiful piece and Locarelli's playing on the oboe, even on this soft pastoral piece, is just shy of enrapturous. The following Wilder Oboe Concerto is broader in scope and holds up well through all four movements. The two Bloom pieces were the biggest surprises for me. The requiem is heartfelt enough to justify its title, and the unassumingly named "Narriative for Oboe and Strings" is subtly infectious. One would expect a solid outing from Corigliano and there are no surprises here. Wilder's closing piece for Oboe and improvised percussion as a solid change of pace from the rest of the program, but is a fun and clever piece and ends up fitting nicely.
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