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Tired of spending limited money on gear (and it can't get much better without spending a ton), so I've been buying lots of CD's the past few weeks. I would like to share with you a couple of outstanding discs of which you might not be aware, but should appeal to a large audience. Nothing bizarre here.
Paganini: "Tre Gran Quartetti Op 4 for Violin, Viola, Cello and Guitar" on EMI/Deutsche Harmonia Mundi. I have never been a Paganini fan. His concertos always seemed like hollow showing off, which it was probably intended to be. This, however, is completely charming and captivating music. Nothing that will change your world (although it has changed my mind), but it will easily put a smile on your face for an hour. I typically don't care for classical guitar music. Clapton, Hendrix, and Page are my guitar gods. In this context, however, the sonority of the guitar blends beautifully with the other strings to create a unique type of sound, which is recorded very realistically. Features a lively performance, and is available cheaply.
Various 19th century composers: "Overtures and Ballet Music of the 19th Century" on Decca double CD. You may have heard a few of these works before, but I bet you haven't heard all of them, and they have never been gathered into a single collection. They are all lively, happy pieces of music, skillfully written and performed. Nothing profound here, but shouldn't listening to music sometimes be fun and invigorating? This sure is. Wonderful melodies, excellent vintage Decca sound, economically priced.
Crusell: "Clarinet Concertos 1 - 3" on Hyperion Helios. You like clarinet? Here ya' go. Again, nothing profound (am I merely shallow?), but beautiful music, very well performed and recorded. Also inexpensive.
This is only a tenth of what I've gotten in the past few weeks. These are the best value and the most entertaining. Although it might seem like it, I'm not stuck in the 19th century, but it is my favorite period of music. I don't know enough about Baroque to make recommendations, and I shy away from very modern stuff. I'm trying to expand my horizons through use of the local library's extensive collection and buying a few new things that formerly I would not have considered, such as Webern and Schnittke. If you care to share uncommon gems, from any period, that are generally available at a decent price, please do so.
Peace,
Tom E
Follow Ups:
Me as well, Tom E.
it is a wonderful time to buy CD(s).
> Paganini: "Tre Gran Quartetti Op 4 for Violin, Viola, Cello and Guitar" on
> EMI/Deutsche Harmonia Mundi.
I couldn't find this recording. Could you supply the performers names? (guitarist at least.)
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
I might have goofed. This CD could very well be OOP, but there are still some available on Amazon. I bought mine used, and the disc is perfect with a few scuffs on the case. I do not have the CD near at hand. Search by Paganini and guitar; it appears on page 5. There might be other versions available, but this one is worth seeking out.
Peace,
Tom E
> Search by Paganini and guitar; it appears on page 5.
Thanks. I found it and added it to my wish list.
I'm very fond of an LP with a Paganini Trio for guitar, violin and cello on one side and a Haydn Quartet arranged for guitar, violin, viola and cello. John Williams is the guitarist. The musicians make both works seem as worthwhile to hear as any masterpiece.
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
"...and I shy away from very modern stuff'...Really? Try Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Nobody can be bored through that. Or a lot of Aaron Coplands stuff. So musical. Or Gershwin. Rhapsody in Blue or An American in Paris are such great pieces.
Thanks and no offense, but those are pretty tame and old hat. I liked Rhapsody when I was still a little kid, and Rite when I was not much older. Never hooked up well with Copland at any level.
I meant really MODERN and out there, as in avant garde, serial, no melody, atonal bleeps and bloops. I can even handle minimalism, but, for example, can you call something in which players are free to play sections of their written parts at any time in any order music? I do not. I'm trying, though. There is so much other good music that makes it hard for me to justify the effort required to like the really crazy stuff. To some people it seems to come more easily, or so they claim. I have my doubts.
Stravinsky, at least Rite, is easy listening compared to some of that. Maybe some day I'll feel the same about Berg or Carter or Dutilleux.
Peace,
Tom E
Oh...THAT modern. Well, I have to agree with you there. Experimental, I would call it.
Nothing Gershwin wrote would be considered "very modern stuff." Much of Copland is tonal, not harmonically adventurous--not that there's anything wrong with that, to quote "Seinfeld." But nothing Gershwin wrote is as hard to digest for many people as the music of Webern and his serialist followers, or much of Schnittke.
I don't think the issue here is boredom as much as lack of tonality and the seeming disconnectedness of what Webern and his followers wrote. But I agree, it would be hard to be bored during Rite of Spring.
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