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Piano mavens: Opinions?

24.142.64.45
Posted on August 11, 2014 at 07:02:41
Travis
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Location: La Grange, Texas
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 I got an email overnight from Presto Classical about Benjamin Grosvenor's new CD. It's not out yet but they had samples of it. Intriguing to say the least.

What do you more sophisticated (than me certainly) piano fans think from these brief excerpts?

BTW, the CD is listed as being 87 minutes long(?).




"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

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RE: "from Bach to Boogie Woogie"..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 08:09:53
Ivan303
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 Kind of says it all, huh?

Streaming it on QOBUZ now.

OK for 'listen while one works' music, but not something I'd invest real money in as in the form of a 'silver disc' or download.

Spotify on the SONOS? Yeah, that might work.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

I was hoping, posted on August 11, 2014 at 09:10:37
Travis
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Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
 to separate the publicity B.S. from the playing.

Thanks, anyway.


"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

Sorry, but I find these types of CD's much like listening to Classical Music on FM Radio..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 09:18:05
Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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 A snippet of this and a snippet of that, but no 'all four movements' even when broadcasting a symphony. You get the second movement then on to something else altogether.

But yes, this seems like quite listenable music, all said.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

I have a hi-res download of his earlier solo recital, posted on August 11, 2014 at 09:46:34
Chris from Lafayette
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 The guy's got chops, no question about it! Sometimes, this tempts him to excesses of speed where the phrase "more speed than sense" comes to mind, but overall, I have a favorable impression of his playing. I also feel that the engineering (of the solo album I have) is just a bit on the shallow side for a modern recording these days.



Since the new album you linked to doesn't yet seem to be on Spotify (touché, ivan303!), all I could do was to listen to some of the brief excerpts in your link (everything except the Granados, Albeniz and Gould). It all sounds good to me (nothing that I would object to anyway), and I might spring for it if a hi-rez incarnation becomes available.

 

RE: Sorry, but I find these types of CD's much like listening to Classical Music on FM Radio..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 10:27:50
Travis
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Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
 I was asking about the piano playing, not the repertoire or program.

BTW, the Bach is a complete piece.

I believe the Granados is, too.

Yes, FM radio is sad. Satellite radio does play whole pieces as well as complete operas. Many of the operas are not available commercially.




"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

Thanks, Chris. nt, posted on August 11, 2014 at 10:29:38
Travis
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Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
 .

"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

What Chris said above..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 14:03:44
Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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 I've listened to about half of the CD so far and I'm still alive, so there's that. ;-)

If you like the music it's a no brainer.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

BTW, are you going to CAS5 this weekend?, posted on August 11, 2014 at 19:20:20
Chris from Lafayette
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 If so, we should try to meet (literally, instead of virtually!) - send me an e-mail. Also, anyone else here who would like to touch base in the real world let me know - I'm going to try to be there all three days.

 

OK, listened to it all and..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 19:21:13
Ivan303
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Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

If the 8 Valses Poéticos by Enrique Granados alone don't put a smile on your face. you're beyond hope!




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

I'm gonna try to go on Saturday as Friday is a gym day..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 19:24:47
Ivan303
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Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 and Sunday is a bike ride day.

At my age, a few hours of exercise and I'm DONE for the rest of the day. :-(

Are you REALLY sure you wanna meet too many of the folks who visit here in the 'flesh', as they say?




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Let me know - as I say, I'll be there too on Saturday [nt], posted on August 11, 2014 at 19:27:57
Chris from Lafayette
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  Since: February 6, 2012

 

Wow, all three days, you're a real trooper..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 19:40:09
Ivan303
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Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 OK, so who am I to talk?

I've already signed up for RMAF in Denver in October, and that includes three nights in a hotel PLUS airfare to Denver and back.

After 10 years of CES/T.H.E. in Las Vegas you would think one would tire of the stuff, but no.

Hopefully I can wring the car out of my wife's paws for Saturday. If I bring her I'll be lucky to get to stay an hour as she bores of this kind of stuff very easily.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Wow, all three days, you're a real trooper..., posted on August 11, 2014 at 19:49:45
Chris from Lafayette
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  Since: February 6, 2012
 Yes - I know the feeling about trying to get your wife to go. My wife has already flatly refused to attend. I tried to get her interested by saying, "but everybody else there will be looking at you!". Somehow, that doesn't impress her. ;-)

 

You're welcome - and sorry to hijack your thread a bit further below [nt], posted on August 12, 2014 at 00:50:29
Chris from Lafayette
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I heard the pianist live, posted on August 12, 2014 at 08:26:48
Botanico92007
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Posts: 729
Location: San Diego
Joined: March 15, 2006
 I heard Grosvenor live about a year ago. I had read a very favorable review of his playing and wanted to hear him. I was greatly impressed by his technique and thoroughly enjoyed his playing. He played a "big" program, including a Beethoven Sonata. He tossed off the Boogie Woogie Etude as an encore. It was a whirlwind of virtuosity. Overall I thought his playing was remarkably mature for his youthfulness.

I had listened to all the snippets previously, as I receive the Presto emails. I agree with Chris that Grosvenor lets his speed get away from him because of his ease of playing. It's hard to judge from the short excerpts, but I was disappointed with the Granados pieces because of the acceleration and deceleration. The Tango should sound languorous, and the Valsas should have more flow. There wasn't enough of the Strauss transcription to really conclude anything. The sound didn't help listening on my small computer speakers.

These kinds of recitals are always a grab bag. If you like the music, I would go for it. I can say from his live performance that he is a serious musician.

 

RE: I heard the pianist live, posted on August 12, 2014 at 13:54:05
Travis
Audiophile

Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
 Thanks for the thoughtful reply

I feel the same about Hamelin for instance. It seems to me one would have to be very careful with an abundant techique so that it doesn't dictate the tempi. Certainly Hamelin is musical but sometimes things go by so fast that the listener is left dazzled but unfulfilled (me!). I'm thinking of the Haydn sonatas. The Monteverdi Choir also comes to mind. Just because you can sing the coloratura in Bach's choruses at a ridiculous tempo doesn't mean you should, but of course, that's Gardiner's fault.

I rather liked Grosvenor's Bach although they were only snippets.

Maybe you should consider getting a decent set of headphones for your computer. I thought the sound was pretty good.

I'll probably get the CD since I prefer to own physical media.

Thanks again.


"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

I heard him on Performance Today and really like him., posted on August 16, 2014 at 06:14:37
Sigmund
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 Very clear, detailed playing with lots of zip and lyricism, as needed.

 

RE: I heard him on Performance Today and really like him., posted on August 16, 2014 at 07:19:12
Travis
Audiophile

Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
 Thanks.

From the brief excerpts on Presto, he sounds very musical with a big techiique.


"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

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