Day 55

Today I decided to go a little modern, and strangely enough, didn't find myself going as modern as I had hoped.

Side One:

Piece: Violinkonsert, op 42

1. Moderato

2. Andante pastorale

3. Allegro molto

Composer: Lars-Erik Larsson

Orchestra: Stockholm Philharmonic; Leo Berlin, violin

Conductor: Stig Westerberg

Record Date: 09/07/1976

Side Two:

Pieces: En vintersage, op. 18 (4 vinjetter till Shakespeares skadespel)

1. Siciliana

2. Intermezzo

3. Pastoral

4. Epilog

Concertino for violin och strakorkester, op. 45:8

1. Allegro moderato

2. Cavatina: Andante con moto

3. Finale: Allegro vivace

Composer: Lars-Erik Larsson

Orchestra: Stockholm Philharmonic; Leo Berlin, violin

Conductor: Stig Westerberg

Record Date: 01/04/1977, 05/13/1977

That's right, I choose a Swedish, 20th Century, composer, and it wasn't modern enough for me. But in all fairness, I was expecting Schoenberg, which is to say I was expecting something almost unlistenable. In the end though, this was rather enjoyable; the first piece, Violinkonsert, starts off with a pulsating orchestra, just loud enough where you don't think soft, but not so loud as to think moderate or normal volume. Then enters the solo violin; up and down, dancing and creating complex ideas and melodies. While the piece lacked some serious thoughts it fully makes up for this through being fun and at times surprising. The second and third pieces follow a similar patter, though I will admit that I didn't get a chance to listen as closely to these two as I would have liked, mainly due to the three women in my life being, well, being women (and yes I did just clump my fiancee and my two cats into the same category). Anyway, long story short, I have placed this record on the every lengthening list of "return to" and hope to one day find more of this Larsson, and enjoy.

Day 42

Quick and easy today, and you'll know why by the end.

Side One

Piece: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 61

1. Allegro

2. Andante

Composer: Edward Elgar

Soloist: Kyung-Wha Chung, Violin

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Sir Georg Solti

Record Date: February 1977

Side Two

Side One

Piece: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 61

3. Allegro molto

Composer: Edward Elgar

Soloist: Kyung-Wha Chung, Violin

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Sir Georg Solti

Record Date: February 1977

So why is today so quick and painless? Because I don't remember much of the piece. Unfortunately that isn't reflective of the piece (ok 90% of that isn't), but rather because I had my nose in a book for school while listening; needless to say I didn't focus like I could have. This is actually something that has been bothering me for the last couple of weeks, the fact that as life speeds up, my chances to sit down and really explore a piece of music are dwindling. I'm certain this is more of a "growing up" experiences than anything else, it just means that when I do get a chance to really listen, I should take it, and let you all know.

Day 33

Quick one today since I've burned up all my braincells on school and wedding stuff.

Two great Piano Sonatas today, perfect for relaxing on a Sunday morning while reading the paper. Not that I am that bourgeois were I spend my mornings reading papers and listening to classical music on vinyl...Never...damn it once again I'm first against the wall.

Side one:

Piece: Valses nobles sentimentales

Composer: Maurice Ravel

Performer: Lois Shapiro

Recording Date: Non-given, pressing date 1977

Side two:

Piece: Sonata No 49 in E-flat Major

Composer: Joseph Haydn

Performer: Lois Shapiro

Recording Date: Non-given, pressing date 1977

Day 30

Going old school today.

Side One

Piece: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046

Composer: J.S Bach

Performers: Hamburg Chamber Orchestra with the Hamburg Bach Soloists, Adolf Scherbaum on Trumpet

Conductor: Harold Newman

Record Date: Non-given, pressing date 1977

Side Two

Pieces: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047; Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048

Composer: J.S Bach

Performers: Hamburg Chamber Orchestra with the Hamburg Bach Soloists, Adolf Scherbaum on Trumpet

Conductor: Harold Newman

Record Date: Non-given, pressing date 1977

It has been a while since I've listened to Bach and I always find it difficult. He really is boring, yet at the same time amazing. I found myself comparing his music to one of those fractal pictures made by computers; one half beautiful, one half mathematical, and no clear line where the one half begins and the other ends. In the end the Brandenburg Concertos (especially No. 3) will always hold a special place in my heart due to the ridiculous number of times I played them through my Jr high and high school years. Are they redundant? Yes. Are they predictable? Yes. Was Bach writing music that was already 20 years behind his own time? Yes. Was he writing music that will go down in history as some of the best ever put to bar staffs? Without a doubt.