What are you listening to?

[fergus]

Partitas 4-6.

Fergus its lovely that you're taking time out to remember the great man, but forgive me for asking the obvious; are these played on the Harpsichord? I know you're not fond of Bach on piano... if so, how would you say it compares with the texturally rich Pinnock versions?

Yes they are Jared but I cannot answer your second question because I do not have the Partitas played by Pinnock. Having said that I do like Pinnock playing as well as directing.

[bombasticDarren]

I have literally just managed to return home in a blizzard from a trip to London's ENO for Der Rosenkvalier...

...bed now!

[Seán]

I have literally just managed to return home in a blizzard from a trip to London's ENO for Der Rosenkvalier...

...bed now!

I'm glad you made it home, did you enjoy the concert?

[bombasticDarren]

If I was to pick out a set I wouldn't be without however, it would be:

I think I'd keep the Previn set personally Jared. I gather the Boult set on Decca has some loyal supporters too...maybe in a few months I will look into getting that one.

[bombasticDarren]

and finally, what I'm actually currently listening to!



sorry I've been away for a while... busy week at work, I'm afraid..

I have that disc too, but have yet to try it out: is it good? Both the piece and the performance?

[bombasticDarren]

I have literally just managed to return home in a blizzard from a trip to London's ENO for Der Rosenkvalier...

...bed now!

I'm glad you made it home, did you enjoy the concert?

I did, but I fear opera will always be a passion that I prefer to enjoy in short controlled bursts whilst lazing around at home...;-)

[Jared]

I have that disc too, but have yet to try it out: is it good? Both the piece and the performance?

the performance is very noteable... it was recorded in the Spanish Hall at Prague Castle in 1991, at the height of the Czech national revival, and like the Kubelik Smetana, has a tremendous amout of energy. It's also a very likeable piece.

[Jared]

I did, but I fear opera will always be a passion that I prefer to enjoy in short controlled bursts whilst lazing around at home...;-)

I'm pleased I'm not the only one.. occasionally, I suffer from delusions of adequacy in this field, but I fear it will never happen.

[fergus]

I did, but I fear opera will always be a passion that I prefer to enjoy in short controlled bursts whilst lazing around at home...;-)

I'm pleased I'm not the only one.. occasionally, I suffer from delusions of adequacy in this field, but I fear it will never happen.

I once felt like that lads but having taken a few tentative steps during the second half of last year I can see a change here for me. What I will say though is that it very much depends on the work itself and what it has to offer rather than who the shrieking soprano happens to be.

[fergus]

This is a wonderful CD with beautiful melodies, rich harmonies and soaring sopranos!