Originally posted by pawnhandlerWell, this IS rather silly...
I do, except for Chopin. I had to do a report on him in seventh grade. His music was depressing and slllllllllooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwww.
Here is a nice performance that is neither slow nor depressing. The audio quality is adequate if not very good considering the medium. I must say that Zimerman has panache...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=A799HrP3POM&feature=related
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=faOVvIEX-Lg&feature=related
Here is a HIGHLY abbreviated video of Richter playing Chopin's Scherzo No. 2. This is about as violent as Chopin gets.
What really makes this video special is not the performer, performance, or even the music (wonderful as it is, though this is not the best showcasing of it), but the video itself. About 35 seconds in we begin to understand that this is not so much a video about Richter or Chopin as it is about the Soviet Union's position on, and production of, fine arts for the masses. It really takes one back. If I am not mistaken, the medal Richter wears is the Stalin Prize, awarded to him in 1949. How solemn the family is as they watch the performance on their home television, how moved by the passion and artistry which they, as simple but culturally educated people, appreciate; and note the hardwood table stacked with wine glasses and good food.
If I correctly understand the voice-over announcer at the beginning, he alludes to an abridged version played by Rachmaninoff in a phonograph recording, which is apparently the version which Richter uses here.
Edit: Note that the piano is an Estonia. 🙂
Edit: The Estonia Piano Factory in Tallinn was at one time designated by Stalin as the sole manufacturer of grand pianos in the Soviet Union.
Originally posted by PinkFloydGustav Holst wrote "The Planets". My favorite recording of this is Lorin Maazel with the National Orchestra of France.
My 3 favorite classical albums are:
19 Hungarian Rhapsodies, Liszt
Carmina Burana, by Orff
The Planets, by that guy who composed The Planets
🙂
Speaking of Lorin Maazel, anyone catch the New York Philharmonic's concert from Pyongyang? I love playing the Overture to "Candide", and to do so without a conductor... I guess we're really not needed after all.
They also played the Prelude to Act III of "Lohengrin" by Wagner. One of the coolest horn parts written by Wagner. (There are many.) My favorite recording is Mariss Jansons with the Oslo Philharmonic. I think he has some of the best interpretations of Wagner today.
np
Originally posted by kirksey957please do!
Speakin of which, I got a phone call the other day informing me that I would get a one hour lesson from one of the greatest classical guitarist in the world today. This is somewhat akin to Curly of the Three Stooges getting a piano lesson from Horowitz. I will let you know how it goes. I am very intimdated.
🙂