Tír Na HiFi

fergus wrote:

Jose Echenique wrote:

fergus wrote:I have spent the evening in the company of Busoni's Doktor Faust....





....and a very pleasant evening it was.

Excellent choice Fergus! I have always loved Doktor Faust, a typically decadent Busoni extravangaza but immensely enjoyable.

What prompted this choice of listening was that I had just recently finished reading Thomas Mann's book Doctor Faustus.

Doctor Faustus is a wonderful read, Fergus, and is one of Mann's best books along with Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain. To my mind, it is one of the very finest insights you will ever find into the creative mind. I also highly recommend Patrick White's The Vivisector which covers the same ground, albeit from the point of view of a painter. Both troubling reads, both masterpieces.

mcq wrote: Doctor Faustus is a wonderful read, Fergus, and is one of Mann's best books along with Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain. To my mind, it is one of the very finest insights you will ever find into the creative mind. I also highly recommend Patrick White's The Vivisector which covers the same ground, albeit from the point of view of a painter. Both troubling reads, both masterpieces.

The Magic Mountain is one that is certainly on my list to read. Thank you for the other recommendations Paul.

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 3 & 4
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
Yefim Bronfman - piano
David Zinman conducting.

fergus wrote:

mcq wrote: Doctor Faustus is a wonderful read, Fergus, and is one of Mann's best books along with Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain. To my mind, it is one of the very finest insights you will ever find into the creative mind. I also highly recommend Patrick White's The Vivisector which covers the same ground, albeit from the point of view of a painter. Both troubling reads, both masterpieces.

The Magic Mountain is one that is certainly on my list to read. Thank you for the other recommendations Paul.

I haven't read many of Mann's books. I must get a copy of Doctor Faustus.

A recent purchase and my thoughts after a first listen to Beethoven's "Archduke" Piano Trio played by van Immerseel, Beths and Bylsma....




I was surprised at the tempo in the opening movement; faster than I am used to hearing.
That first movement is poorly miked and the poor recording in terms of the hollow acoustic does a disservice to this work. It does improve in subsequent movements and it is unpardonable that this was not corrected.
The lightness of tone of the fortepiano adds a new texture for me that I have not encountered before.
So, first listen....first impressions; I kike the interpretation and performance and look forward to more listening sessions. It is a worthy addition to my collection.

Seán wrote:I haven't read many of Mann's books. I must get a copy of Doctor Faustus.

Enjoyable but not an easy read. Certainly recommended!

fergus wrote:A recent purchase and my thoughts after a first listen to Beethoven's "Archduke" Piano Trio played by van Immerseel, Beths and Bylsma....




I was surprised at the tempo in the opening movement; faster than I am used to hearing.
That first movement is poorly miked and the poor recording in terms of the hollow acoustic does a disservice to this work. It does improve in subsequent movements and it is unpardonable that this was not corrected.
The lightness of tone of the fortepiano adds a new texture for me that I have not encountered before.
So, first listen....first impressions; I kike the interpretation and performance and look forward to more listening sessions. It is a worthy addition to my collection.

I was disappointed with the first movement but I certainly did like the second and subsequent movements. I still prefer the Beaux Arts, but that's just me.

fergus wrote:

Seán wrote:I haven't read many of Mann's books. I must get a copy of Doctor Faustus.

Enjoyable but not an easy read. Certainly recommended!

I rarely go for an easy read, I like to be challenged.

Seán wrote:

fergus wrote:

Seán wrote:I haven't read many of Mann's books. I must get a copy of Doctor Faustus.

Enjoyable but not an easy read. Certainly recommended!

I rarely go for an easy read, I like to be challenged.

I have to admit that I have never managed Finnegans Wake hard as I try, but someday, someday...

Jose Echenique wrote: I have to admit that I have never managed Finnegans Wake hard as I try, but someday, someday...

I read 3 pages of it once...