Recent Purchases

[Jared]

I'm afraid I'll probably go against the flow here. I still find value in comparing and contrasting alternate versions of pieces I enjoy (it will come as no surprise that I am a devotee of Building a Library on Radio 3...). I'll dip my toe in unfamilair repertoire (see Lambert purchase above) when the urge takes me, but I have no plan at all other than to do what makes me happiest. I have come to the conclusion that pre-Baroque music is quite likely 'not for me' so I won't be pursuing that in the (near) future. 'Modern' (i.e. post WW2) music I tread carefully with even though I ackowledge that a lot of it is very good. I sort of begin with J.S. Bach and end with Britten - there's the odd discrepancy (Purcell, Monteverdi, Adams, Ligeti) but I don't mind poking at my boundaries in moderation. Overall, my CD collection is a glorious mess and I intend to keep it that way! :)

Darren, no criticism of a certain style of collecting was intended; indeed we have all enjoyed seeing how your collection has been forming over the past few years and the joy it brings you, does to all of us too, albeit vicariously.


We have all reached the point (maybe Fergus and Sean before us but quite possibly you and I together) where the realisation dawns that even if there were no constraints on budget or storage space, there always will be in terms of listening time, in a finite life (and I think mine is a little more finite than yours!).

Because I have developed a real love for Renaissance repertoire for instance (indeed, it takes up a shelf and a half now!) I have to make concessions elsewhere... which means that I will never own 30 sets of LvB symphonies... the 3 I own serve me well enough, because I'd rather spend on lesser known works by composers I love... like Purcell's Keyboard music, listed above.

[fergus]

I'm afraid I'll probably go against the flow here. I still find value in comparing and contrasting alternate versions of pieces I enjoy (it will come as no surprise that I am a devotee of Building a Library on Radio 3...). I'll dip my toe in unfamilair repertoire (see Lambert purchase above) when the urge takes me, but I have no plan at all other than to do what makes me happiest. I have come to the conclusion that pre-Baroque music is quite likely 'not for me' so I won't be pursuing that in the (near) future. 'Modern' (i.e. post WW2) music I tread carefully with even though I ackowledge that a lot of it is very good. I sort of begin with J.S. Bach and end with Britten - there's the odd discrepancy (Purcell, Monteverdi, Adams, Ligeti) but I don't mind poking at my boundaries in moderation. Overall, my CD collection is a glorious mess and I intend to keep it that way! :)

Absolutely nothing wrong with that Darren....keep it up my friend!

[Jared]

interesting bargain...

[fergus]

interesting bargain...

....maybe so but if one is not familiar with Sweelinck be warned....he is not for the faint-hearted!!

[Diapason]

Do you think, Fergus? I only know his keyboard works, but I think many of them are very approachable.

Where did this latest bargain come from? Might have to pick it up.

[fergus]

Do you think, Fergus? I only know his keyboard works, but I think many of them are very approachable.

Where did this latest bargain come from? Might have to pick it up.

I only know his organ music Simon but I do find it tough enough going....possibly due to a lack of familiarity on my part.

[Diapason]

Always happy to hear your views on such matters, Fergus, even more so when they differ from my own!

I find Sweelinck to be interesting and frequently enjoyable, but my view is definitely coloured. Certainly some pieces are easier to digest than others: the famous Fantasia Cromatica I found very difficult to get to grips with until I attempted to play it, but "Mein Junges Leben hat ein End" had an instant charm that I still find very affecting. I like the fact that the sound world is definitely of another era, but the virtuosity required is a massive challenge even now.

[fergus]

Always happy to hear your views on such matters, Fergus, even more so when they differ from my own!

I find Sweelinck to be interesting and frequently enjoyable, but my view is definitely coloured. Certainly some pieces are easier to digest than others: the famous Fantasia Cromatica I found very difficult to get to grips with until I attempted to play it, but "Mein Junges Leben hat ein End" had an instant charm that I still find very affecting. I like the fact that the sound world is definitely of another era, but the virtuosity required is a massive challenge even now.

Cheers Simon,

You see that is where you have a massive and unfair advantage; you can (in theory, as I know the reality is somewhat different) sit down and play the music. That physical act in itself brings much more understanding to a piece due to the necessary attention to detail that lies within. Us mere mortals (non players) struggle a little bit more before we can come to such an understanding!
I have no qualms whatsoever about music being from another era; like you I would actually find that intrinsically attractive. Obviously further hard work is required on my part or, better still, going to hear you play it on one of the instruments in either Dun Loaghaire or Monkstown!!!

[Jared]

^^ I can say that as a composer, he has long been on the periphery of those I'd like to add to my collection, and that CD was new from HM for £3, so I thought I'd dip my toes, especially as it is a choral work. Having 'mastered' Machaut a while ago, I'm becoming a little more emboldened into trying the slightly more unusual...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweelinck-Frenc ... 427&sr=1-2

I'm sorry Simon, but this has gone up £7... it did so as soon as I bought my copy, otherwise I would have posted it in the bargain thread....

[Diapason]

Thanks Jared. I checked amazon and saw that price, but I hoped you might have another source!

Fergus, I think it will be some time before my next St Michael's recital, but there may be a Monkstown gig in the early summer. Sweelinck probably won't feature, though, as the organ there isn't really suitable.