Tír Na HiFi

Most of PDQ Bach is corny, full of puns but often quite funny. Titles like the 1712 Overture, The Short Tempered Clavier, Iphigenia in Brooklyn and the oratorio "The Seasonings" should give it away.

It is a guilty pleasure for a laugh now and then.

Jared wrote:^^^ I tend to agree Fergus... there is a tendency to be of the persuasion that if something has an easily 'hummable' tune which is relatively straight-forward to grasp, then it has to be 2nd rate, which is by no means the case... Tchaikovsky, like Mozart and Mendelssohn have fallen foul of this kind of snobbery, which I have evidenced over in the other place...

There is also a lot of emotion in the music of Tchaikovsky and with the right conductor it can be released to great effect.

Jared wrote:I was just wondering, are there any fans of PDQ Bach on Tir Na?

I have heard that it's by turn delightfully clever and amusing, and Peter Schickele has quite a following, but I've not up until this point, had the (dubious?) pleasure of hearing one of his albums... thoughts?

I am afraid that I have never heard of the gentleman until now Jared.

Two versions of the same work....








Both are quite "light" in texture and both are well played and sung and reverential in tone but the Gardiner version has more "weight" to it.

Interestingly for some curious reason, while listening to the Jacobs version, I was put in mind of the music of Monteverdi, a particular analogy that I had not drawn before.

fergus wrote:There is also a lot of emotion in the music of Tchaikovsky and with the right conductor it can be released to great effect.

agreed completely, Fergus.... and talking of the right hands...



this is a lovely recording all round; no wonder it's a Decca Legend. Furthermore, the Tchaikovsky Serenade was on the same original LP as the Souvenir de Florence, on this disk:

Various composers have written a version of the Stabat Mater over the years. Pergolesi, Palestrina, Vivaldi among others come to mind immediately. However, tonight I went for a more modern interpretation....






The Sawallisch is a very good version which is beautifully sung and very well played and is infused with drama and emotion.

Finishing off these two CDs this morning....

Lamentations for Easter Eve from....





I know that there are at least a couple of Zelenka admirers out there so just let me reiterate the praise heaped on this CD by Pepe; it really is very good....beautiful music beautifully sung and beautifully recorded!




....and Responsories for Holy Saturday from....





I know that I have converted one poor soul out there to the beauties that is Victoria’s music. For anyone else who may be so inclined he is a composer well worth investigating. This CD was recorded in a church and as a result has a lovely acoustic and this really enhances the wonderful singing.

On one level this is very simple music with straightforward melodies and beautiful harmonies. As a result it is great music to chill to; turn up the volume or put on the headphones and let it wash over you.

fergus wrote:I know that I have converted one poor soul out there to the beauties that is Victoria’s music.

Not too sure whether I'm the 'poor soul' you're thinking of, but you can certainly count me in... this boxset is absolutely gorgeous:




and I have to say that I'm rather taken with the Tchaikovsky Piano Trio... a rather emotionally rousing final movement:

Jared wrote:

fergus wrote:I know that I have converted one poor soul out there to the beauties that is Victoria’s music.

Not too sure whether I'm the 'poor soul' you're thinking of, but you can certainly count me in...

You are the very one Jared, if I may so with some pride!

More Gesualdo with his Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday....





Gesualdo’s music has a certain edge to it. This may well be as a result of his “colourful” life but it is immediately apparent in his harmonies/dissonances which can be challenging, haunting and beautiful.