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In Reply to: Percussion Music Recommendations posted by Dave Billinge on March 28, 2007 at 03:32:59:
If you consider the piano a percussion instrument, then there is a very nice recording of Bartok's Sonata for Percussion and 2 Pianos on the Praga Digitals label.Then there is the Paul Bley SACD by Sony Japan featuring a percussion/piano improvisational duet.
Interestingly, these two are also pure DSD recordings, just like the first two percussion SACD's I mentioned. So is the Far More Drums SACD Robert discusses above.
Follow Ups:
I wasn't sure whether I cared much for this Praga Bartok issue - the sound is pretty good, but performancewise it's quite generic and lifeless if you've ever heard the better alternatives (like the Argerich/Kovacevich and the Richter/Lobanov, in reverse order).Whereas the Paul Bley issue you mention is simply stunning, on both accounts, which makes it a lasting treasure.
It's understandably hard to find percussion works that you'd really want to return to once the first sonic fascination effect has worn out. For me, the Bley above is one exception, as is probably the Pentatone "East Meets West," and the very good Harmonia Munde DSD recording of "Les Noces" by Daniel Reuss & Musikfabrik (that should surely qualify: nothing but pianos & percussion in the orchestra). All in great SACD sound, and the Bley a standout in any context - a true showcase for Japanese audio perfectionism.
You might also want to add the Salonen/LAPO "Rite," which blew out my Sunfire sub (this I consider a sonic feat).
Agree, the Praga musicians are not in the league of Argerich/Kovacevich. Their performance of the Bartok Sonata on redbook is stunning CD.For percussion like this sonata, a wide tonal palatte of colours and expanded dynamic range is essential in conveying the subtle varied timbral transient effects produced by the percussion instruments and the two pianos. The drama of the works depend more on these parameters than harmony or melody. So, hearing it well recorded in DSD does convey layers of expression that might not come across in redbook CD recording.
Very true. I've enjoyed this recording. But in the end I'm more drawn to the performance as driven as, say, the Richter/Lobanov (even with the very dry recording) that gives me a jolt with every single note, or simply as virtuosic and admirable as the Argerich/Kovacevich. But it was an enlightening listen. And for sure I'd just LOVE to hear it through your system... Must be something quite extraordinary. TL
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