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Diapason wrote:How was the Debussy anyway? Before we get too sidetracked...

I can't quite make up my mind to tell the truth! It's one of those records that I've always admired but never loved if you get my drift. I'll have to listen some more and see why? It may have something to do with the fact that it's a very quiet recording and only occasionally does the piano spring to life. Also I find the balance a tad rich and heavy.....Still the actual performance is sensitively done I think.

Anyway see what you think yourself from the link below....









http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpLbjToF ... ata_player

I'm not sure what I think of it. Granted I'm listening with one earphone at my desk in work, but it sounds heavier than it should, over-pedalled perhaps. Still, it's a pretty convincing performance in any case.

Diapason wrote:I'm not sure what I think of it. Granted I'm listening with one earphone at my desk in work, but it sounds heavier than it should, over-pedalled perhaps. Still, it's a pretty convincing performance in any case.

Great so it's not just me :) He was a renowned but under appreciated performer of Debussy's music. He died from an aids related disease.

Stick with it, Dermot.  Debussy is the most modern of composers, deceptively simply yet complex in his conception of space, mastery of tonal colour and his utilisation of the most minimal of means to evoke the most extraordinary sensory images.  No music written in the 20th century is more complex.  The Études are collectively his masterpiece for solo piano but much more complex than the Préludes.  Also worthy of investigation is the man's violin sonata, piano trio and string quartet.  His masterpiece is, to my mind, the opera Pelléas et Mélisande, a perfectly realised work of creative genius.  But stick with the Préludes and with Jacobs' well-respected interpretation.  Some pianists romanticise the music whilst others highlight the objectivity.  Acquaint yourself with the programme notes.  Concentrate on the textures and rhythms in particular.  Listen closely, savour each crystalline gem of a prelude and don't underestimate the difficulty of this music.

mcq wrote:Stick with it, Dermot.  Debussy is the most modern of composers, deceptively simply yet complex in his conception of space, mastery of tonal colour and his utilisation of the most minimal of means to evoke the most extraordinary sensory images.  No music written in the 20th century is more complex.  The Études are collectively his masterpiece for solo piano but much more complex than the Préludes.  Also worthy of investigation is the man's violin sonata, piano trio and string quartet.  His masterpiece is, to my mind, the opera Pelléas et Mélisande, a perfectly realised work of creative genius.  But stick with the Préludes and with Jacobs' well-respected interpretation.  Some pianists romanticise the music whilst others highlight the objectivity.  Acquaint yourself with the programme notes.  Concentrate on the textures and rhythms in particular.  Listen closely, savour each crystalline gem of a prelude and don't underestimate the difficulty of this music.

I certainly will stick with it Paul. You're right it is challenging music, which should pose no problems for me :) Thanks for the encouragement and recommendations of his other work too......

This is a US vinyl copy and sounds wonderfully fresh and invigorating..... I'm enjoying this :)

cybot wrote: Anyway the way things are going at the moment this Classical music is starting to appeal to me a hell of a lot more. I'm really, really thrilled that the muse has finally returned. There are some beauties on the shelves and I can't wait to give them the attention they deserve. Sometimes with my wide ranging tastes it's hard to like everything :)

As with any genre it can sometimes be as simple as letting the ears retune in order to re-gain the appreciation Dermot.

BTW great contributions Dermot; well done!

Jose Echenique wrote:
But Kraus was a very fine composer in his own right. We still have too little of his operas, but there are several recordings of his string quartets, all very fine and worth investigating.

An excellent suggestion Pepe; I had not thought of investigating the chamber music of Kraus. I will do so soon.

I have not listened to any Telemann in quite a while so....

John Field: Piano Concertos 2 & 3 performed by John O'Conor/Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Charles Mackerras....





....very good performances.