Day 47

There is something about a Sunday morning that calls for a French Composer; or maybe I was just too relaxed.

Side One.

Pieces: Tzigane (Rapsodie de concert)

Performer: Izthak Perlman, violin, London Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Andre Previn

Le Trombeau de Couperin

Performer: Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia

Conductor: Anshel Brusilow

Composer: Maurice Ravel

Record Date: None Given

Side Two;

Pieces: Valses nobles et sentimentales

Symphony: Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Fritz Reiner

La Valse (Poeme choregraphique)

Symphony: Boston Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Charles Munch

Composer: Maurice Ravel

Record Date: Non-Given

There is just a light heartiness to Ravel that cannot be denied; perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. And with that, I'm heading off to a lazy Sunday Bed.

Goodnight Internets.

Day 46

A few catch up posts here.

Side One

Piece: Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op 22

1. Adagio, Moderato assai

2. Scherzo

Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky

Performers: Borodin Quartet

Record Date: Non-Given

Side Two:

Piece: Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op 22

3. Andante ma non tanto

4. Finale

Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky

Performers: Borodin Quartet

Record Date: Non-Given

As always I enjoy Tchaikovsky's work, but not as much as I enjoy his piano works.

Day 45

Dear lord it's getting late, and I'm an old man who likes his sleep.

Side One

Piece: Rondo in B-Flat

Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, op. 37

1. Allegro con brio

Composer: Beethoven

Performer: Julius Katchen, piano

Symphony: London Sympohony Orchestra

Conductor: Pierino Gamba

Record Date: 1958

Side Two

Piece: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

2. Largo

3. Rondo

Composer: Beethoven

Performer: Julius Katchen, piano

Symphony: London Sympohony Orchestra

Conductor: Pierino Gamba

Record Date: 1958

Not going to say much besides the fact that I learned something, and that once again realized how much I enjoy Beethoven. I learned that what I was mistaking for a pressing date symbol (a "p" in a circle) is in fact the performance copyright symbol, showing the year that the performance was copyrighted (and most likely preformed), I will have to adjust future posts to reflect this. Also, still love Beethoven's work.

Day 44

Real quick one tonight as I must get back to stats.

Side One

Pieces: Trauervorspiel; Czardas; Klavierstuck in F-Sharp Major; Romance; Romance aubliee; Scherzo & Marsch

Composer: Franz Liszt

Performer: Gunnar Johansen

Record Date: None given

Side Two

Pieces: Libestraeume 1. Hohe Libe

2. Seliger Tod

3. O Lieb

Todtentanz- Paraphrase uber "Dies irae"

Composer: Franz Liszt

Performer: Gunnar Johansen

Record Date: None given

Day 43

In which I recant some of what I said yesterday:

Side One

Piece: Piano Sonata Nr. 23 in F Minor, op.57 "Appassionata"

1. Allegro assai

2. Andante con moto

3. Allegro ma non troppo-Presto

Composer: Beethoven

Performer: John Buttrick

Record Date: 1983

Side Two

Piece: Piano Sonata Nr. 17 in D-Minor, op 32 Nr 2, "Der Sturm"

1. Largo-Allegro

2. Adagio

3. Allegretto

Composer: Beethoven

Performer: John Buttrick

Record Date: 1983

I stated I recant because these pieces have a little more staying power, and it is not due to my part, I was reading complex algebra and epidemiological theory at the time. Rather I think it has to do with the composer; don't get me wrong, I love Grieg's work, but there is still something about Beethoven. It's interesting though, because you can hear in the way he writes, it's as almost as if he wants you to remember, often repeating phrases over and over, with slight variations. Doubt me, think of his 5th Symphony

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 41

Ok, so yesterday I went on a little rant. Today I decided to go with, shall we say less contentious pieces.

Side One

Pieces: Lyric Pieces, Op. 54: 3 & 4, March of the Dwarfs -- Nocturne

Lyric Pieces, Op. 65 complete

Composer: Edvard Grieg

Performer: John McCabe, Piano

Record Date: None Given

Side Two

Pieces: Lyric Pieces, Op 43: Complete

Lyric Pieces, Op. 71: 2& 3, Summer Evening -- Puck

Four Humoresques, Op 6

Composer: Edvard Grieg

Performer: John McCabe, Piano

Record Date: None Given

Nothing calms the soul quite like piano, especially when the piano music is based off Scandinavian folk tunes. According the the jacket notes Grieg was composing during a time when nationalism was sweeping through music circles; and I must admit that the pieces, while maintaining a complexity also have a joyful almost naive/free feel to them. I guess this is not that big of a surprise, as this is the composer who brought us "In the Hall of the Mountain King." All in all, while fun to listen to, the pieces are quickly lost after listening, meaning that while I know I will return to listen again, I most likely will not do it soon.