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Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:20 pm
by Jose Echenique
Chris Merritt was a unique tenor. His voice had a low, almost baritonal quality, but with ringing top notes, that strangely, seemed to belong to a different voice.
He was the first tenor in our time to sing successfully the roles that Rossini composed for Andrea Nozzari, a legendary tenor that had the same vocal qualities...or peculiarities that Merritt has.
Merritt is one of those singers that people either love or hate. His voice is not traditionally beautiful, but at least I could never describe it as ugly (others certainly did), but he was a musical and expressive singer that understood what Bel Canto is all about.
He, for example, was one of the few tenors to sing the murderous role of Arnold in Rossini´s William Tell in theatres, others like Pavarotti recorded it, but never dared to sing it live.
Merritt now is almost retired, but on occasion sings small roles.
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:35 pm
by fergus
Some more Handel....
These recordings feature Karl Richter on harpsichord (in the first one playing solo and in the second one he plays continuo).
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:40 pm
by fergus
I have also listened to this one....
Apart from the music which stands on its own the sound world is one that I find particularly pleasing and interesting. It comprises a string quartet, double bass and two horns producing wonderful textures and sonorities!
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:55 pm
by bombasticDarren
Walton - Symphony No.1 (Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, RCA)
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:03 pm
by Diapason
Zimerman playing Chopin concertos. Just gorgeous.
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:14 pm
by fergus
More Mozart....
....with a nod in the direction of Seán.
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:22 pm
by fergus
Two powerful performances....
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:23 pm
by Jared
^^^ even back in the 1950's they obviously thought twice about putting poor Clara on the front cover... ;-)
Vivaldi: Concerto in F for Three Violins RV.551
Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrakh & Igor Oistrakh
Moscow Phil/ Kirill Kondrashin
Live: RAH, 1963.
Poor recording quality but fascinating historical document... how the textures of Vivaldi's music have lightened over the years!
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:09 pm
by fergus
Jared wrote:
Vivaldi: Concerto in F for Three Violins RV.551
Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrakh & Igor Oistrakh
Moscow Phil/ Kirill Kondrashin
Live: RAH, 1963.
Poor recording quality but fascinating historical document... how the textures of Vivaldi's music have lightened over the years!
And they are much the better for that methinks. What were the speeds like on that recording Jared?
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 1:05 am
by Seán
fergus wrote:More Mozart....
....with a nod in the direction of Seán.
Thank you Fergus, I hope you enjoyed it. Wasn't she wonderful? I was listening to Haskil playing with Griumiaux earlier today, beautiful!
