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Post by jk on Nov 28, 2021 12:40:36 GMT
On the first day of Advent, my radio played for me... this Exultate Deo by the Tyrolese composer Johann Stadlmayr, a name that rings a small bell. It's sung here by Roswitha Schmelzl (soprano) with the Munich Orpheus Choir and Les Cornets Noirs conducted by Gerd Guglhor: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Stadlmayr
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Post by jk on Dec 3, 2021 20:45:25 GMT
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Post by jk on Dec 6, 2021 21:20:09 GMT
The Neapolitan Francesco Durante (1684–1755) was not only a Late-Baroque composer of almost exclusively religious music but also a celebrated if rather strait-laced teacher. Ironically, his most famous pupil, Pergolesi, was once regarded as the composer of Durante's spirited Magnificat in B flat major, a work I first heard a few days ago on Dutch radio. I was much taken by the chromaticisms that creep in from time to time (e.g. at 4:08). It is performed here by Luca Cervoni (tenor) and Marco Bussi (bass) with the Ghislieri Choir & Consort conducted by Giulio Prandi: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Durante
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Post by jk on Feb 16, 2022 14:01:50 GMT
One Baroque composer I've overlooked (although I know the name) is the ill-fated violinist and composer Jean-Marie Leclair (1697–1764), who was stabbed to death in his home aged 67. His murderer was never found, although it may well have been a relative seeking financial gain. Almost everything Leclair wrote was for the violin in some capacity. The fact that he is remembered even today as a violinist and a composer in equal measure sets him apart in the Baroque musical panoply. This is the work I heard earlier this week that brought Leclair to my attention. It's the first movement (Allegro ma poco) of his Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 10 No. 4, played by Leila Schayegh (violin) and La Cetra Barockorchester Basel: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marie_Leclair
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Post by jk on Feb 19, 2022 10:25:01 GMT
I heard part of this work this morning on my preferred religious music programme on Dutch classical radio and was reminded of this live version. I'm no fan of live videos as a rule but this one, besides being a fine example of what the Netherlands Bach Society gets up to, shows no less than four violas in action. I love the viola -- great to see four of 'em sawing away. Bach later added recorders to the instrumentation but I prefer the dark-hued original for violas, cello, bassoon and basso continuo (in this instance double-bass, harpsichord and organ, if I'm not mistaken). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleichwie_der_Regen_und_Schnee_vom_Himmel_fällt,_BWV_18
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Feb 20, 2022 15:16:16 GMT
I heard part of this work this morning on my preferred religious music programme on Dutch classical radio and was reminded of this live version. I'm no fan of live videos as a rule but this one, besides being a fine example of what the Netherlands Bach Society gets up to, shows no less than four violas in action. I love the viola -- great to see four of 'em sawing away. Bach later added recorders to the instrumentation but I prefer the dark-hued original for violas, cello, bassoon and basso continuo (in this instance double-bass, harpsichord and organ, if I'm not mistaken). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleichwie_der_Regen_und_Schnee_vom_Himmel_fällt,_BWV_18I know I haven't been very active in this thread lately, but I've been following it. This one really hits home with me as I tend to gravitate towards Bach. This particular selection is entirely new to me, but I love it right off! It's still morning here and I was listening to this while I made a nice breakfast for myself. I wish I could hear the organ a little better. It almost sounds to me like he may be playing with some sort of clav stop. Then again that might just be my comp speakers. Those viola players are really getting a workout! They sound amazing! Thank you for posting this, jk. You made my Sunday morning!
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
Posts: 234
Likes: 181
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Post by sockit on Feb 20, 2022 15:23:42 GMT
Correction: I guess there is a harpsichord in there. How did I miss that (especially when you mentioned it in your post, jk)? So I'm not hearing the organ at all. I'm going to go through this with headphones later and maybe I'll pick it up. I think I'll be listening to this one quite a bit!
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Post by jk on Feb 20, 2022 18:44:44 GMT
Correction: I guess there is a harpsichord in there. How did I miss that (especially when you mentioned it in your post, jk )? So I'm not hearing the organ at all. I'm going to go through this with headphones later and maybe I'll pick it up. I think I'll be listening to this one quite a bit! Thank you for the kind words, sockit. Yes, the organ is buried deep in the mix, so to speak, but I'm sure you'd miss it if it wasn't playing. You can hear its top line clearly during the recitative for tenor soloist beginning at 3:04 ("Gleich wie der Regen") and very clearly at 3:33. Leader of the ensemble is Shunske Sato (viola); the four soloists are Griet De Geyter (soprano), Bernadett Nagy (alto), Guy Cutting (tenor) and Drew Santini (bass). So Bach is your man. I'll keep that in mind!
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
Posts: 234
Likes: 181
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Post by sockit on Feb 21, 2022 1:11:35 GMT
"Ahhhh, Bach!"--Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reily from the TV series M*A*S*H
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Post by jk on Feb 21, 2022 13:10:06 GMT
"Ahhhh, Bach!"--Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reily from the TV series M*A*S*H This is probably my favourite organ work of his (Bach, that is, not Radar O'Reilly). The Fantasia in G major BWV 572 is played here by Hannes Kastner (in 1981) on the Schuke organ of the Thomaskirche, the church in Leipzig where Bach was music director for 27 years. The majestic passage beginning at 1:20 is a veritable cathedral of sound. Actually, the Thomaskirche possesses two organs. "The older one is a Romantic organ by Wilhelm Sauer, built from 1884–89. Since this organ was considered 'unsuitable' for Bach's music, a second organ was built in 1966/7 (by the Alexander Schuke Potsdam Orgelbau company). This was later replaced in 1999/2000 by a new organ, built by Gerald Woehl's organ building company. This 'Bach organ' was designed to look similar to the instrument on which Bach had played in the Paulinerkirche [destroyed by the Commies in 1968]." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Church,_Leipzig
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
Posts: 234
Likes: 181
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Post by sockit on Feb 22, 2022 3:39:47 GMT
"Ahhhh, Bach!"--Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reily from the TV series M*A*S*H This is probably my favourite organ work of his (Bach, that is, not Radar O'Reilly). The Fantasia in G major BWV 572 is played here by Hannes Kastner (in 1981) on the Schuke organ of the Thomaskirche, the church in Leipzig where Bach was music director for 27 years. The majestic passage beginning at 1:20 is a veritable cathedral of sound. Actually, the Thomaskirche possesses two organs. "The older one is a Romantic organ by Wilhelm Sauer, built from 1884–89. Since this organ was considered 'unsuitable' for Bach's music, a second organ was built in 1966/7 (by the Alexander Schuke Potsdam Orgelbau company). This was later replaced in 1999/2000 by a new organ, built by Gerald Woehl's organ building company. This 'Bach organ' was designed to look similar to the instrument on which Bach had played in the Paulinerkirche [destroyed by the Commies in 1968]." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Church,_Leipzig Wow! What an amazing work! It sounds vaguely familiar, but I don't see it in my father's record collection. I may have heard a snippet somewhere. jk, I can see why this is a favorite of yours. When the majestic pedal section kicked in the hairs on my arms stood up! I do love that full bass-driven sound when it comes to organ recitals. This is one thing that really appealed to me about E. Power Biggs. He was all over the pedals. Of course, I can't find anything by him on YouTube, but listen to this version of Widor's Toccata in F Major. That lower register on the pedals is amazing!
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Post by jk on Feb 22, 2022 10:30:47 GMT
Wow! What an amazing work! It sounds vaguely familiar, but I don't see it in my father's record collection. I may have heard a snippet somewhere. jk , I can see why this is a favorite of yours. When the majestic pedal section kicked in the hairs on my arms stood up! I do love that full bass-driven sound when it comes to organ recitals. This is one thing that really appealed to me about E. Power Biggs. He was all over the pedals. Of course, I can't find anything by him on YouTube, but listen to this version of Widor's Toccata in F Major. That lower register on the pedals is amazing! Yes, that Toccata is the business! To be played loud. Well, Mr Biggs is all over YouTube, playing Bach, Buxtehude, César Franck, you name it -- and... the Widor "Toccata": And here's E engaging with a wondrous contraption, the John Challis pedal harpsichord, on the third and last movement of Bach's Trio Sonata in G Major BWV 530: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Power_Biggs
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
Posts: 234
Likes: 181
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Post by sockit on Feb 23, 2022 2:26:12 GMT
Wow! What an amazing work! It sounds vaguely familiar, but I don't see it in my father's record collection. I may have heard a snippet somewhere. jk , I can see why this is a favorite of yours. When the majestic pedal section kicked in the hairs on my arms stood up! I do love that full bass-driven sound when it comes to organ recitals. This is one thing that really appealed to me about E. Power Biggs. He was all over the pedals. Of course, I can't find anything by him on YouTube, but listen to this version of Widor's Toccata in F Major. That lower register on the pedals is amazing! Yes, that Toccata is the business! To be played loud. Well, Mr Biggs is all over YouTube, playing Bach, Buxtehude, César Franck, you name it -- and... the Widor "Toccata": And here's E engaging with a wondrous contraption, the John Challis pedal harpsichord, on the third and last movement of Bach's Trio Sonata in G Major BWV 530: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Power_Biggs You have my eternal respect, sir! Whenever I have entered "E. Power Biggs" into the YouTube search engine, I've come up with nothing. I noticed the Widor piece is a fairly recent posting (Dec. 2021), and I'm pretty sure my last search attempt was before that. However, the harpsichord demonstration shows 2012, so.....I don't know. But thanks for seeking these out; I will certainly update my searches. BTW, I noticed that EPB Greatest Hits album is completely different from mine, which is a Columbia Masterworks pressing from about 1970. Apparently it was updated and reissued.
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Post by jk on Feb 23, 2022 21:49:25 GMT
You have my eternal respect, sir! Whenever I have entered "E. Power Biggs" into the YouTube search engine, I've come up with nothing. I noticed the Widor piece is a fairly recent posting (Dec. 2021), and I'm pretty sure my last search attempt was before that. However, the harpsichord demonstration shows 2012, so.....I don't know. But thanks for seeking these out; I will certainly update my searches. BTW, I noticed that EPB Greatest Hits album is completely different from mine, which is a Columbia Masterworks pressing from about 1970. Apparently it was updated and reissued. You're very kind! Maybe I'm a natural talent when it comes to searching for stuff or maybe I'm just a lucky ****. Curiously, I never took EPB seriously back in the 1960s. I thought E. Power Biggs just had to be a stage name as it was so over-the-top, but it turns out he really was called Edward George Power Biggs! And man could he play! May he rest in peace. While I'm here, let's have a little more from him. It may not be baroque but I'm no stranger to going off-topic when the occasion calls for it. This is the magnificent second, closing movement of Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 (completed 1886): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._3_(Saint-Saëns)
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Feb 24, 2022 0:34:22 GMT
Unfortunately the video is unavailable in my part of the wilderness. I did a search for Symphony #3 and came up with this video performed by the Auckland Symphony Orch. Is this similar? If so, I'm impressed. Very nice piece and quite a powerful ending.
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