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Jared View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 09 2008 at 05:09
Originally posted by James James wrote:


Most of the time, however, I cannot tell the difference.
 
I'm pleased I'm not the only one... I admit to having quite a complex about classical music in general; I know what I like and what I don't, but can't explain why, very easily, and find most people who are into it, talk completely over my head.  My Grandfather had a HUGE collection of 78s and 45s, which must be worth a fortune by now... but he has the same symphony 5 times over, with different conductors and orchestras, and swore he could tell the difference.  Well, I was buggered if I ever could....LOL
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 09 2008 at 05:18
Well I barely know different Classical versions of pieces... I shall listen to different ones over time, however.

Solo-orientated pieces often are slightly distinguishable, due to the style of the soloist, of course.  Orchestral pieces are harder though.

I have a von Karajan version of some Bartók and to my ears, it sounds a bit flat... I think it's the recording, rather then the performance but having said that, it's the only version of the piece I have heard, so I have nothing to compare it to.  von Karajan was a renowned conductor though, so I cannot believe it's a poor version.


Edited by James - August 09 2008 at 06:40
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 09 2008 at 05:32
^^I've got a lot of Karajan, actually, including his Beethoven Symphonies (which I purchased only a few months ago), which I love.  I guess I just plough my own field in this genre; if I like a Symphony or tone poem by a composer, I'll go out and buy another one, and see if I like that one as well...nothing more scientific than that!!..LOL
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 09 2008 at 14:32
Originally posted by fandango fandango wrote:

^^I've got a lot of Karajan, actually, including his Beethoven Symphonies (which I purchased only a few months ago), which I love.  I guess I just plough my own field in this genre; if I like a Symphony or tone poem by a composer, I'll go out and buy another one, and see if I like that one as well...nothing more scientific than that!!..LOL
 
 
his symphony readings are excellent Clap,  though he recorded  Vivaldi "4 seasons" with full orchestra - didn't really work for me. Ermm
 
if you get to know a symphony by a particular conductor  your views tend to be based on that, but hearing others is interesting. nothing unusual about keeping different recordings,  i have Beethoven symphonies by Karajan, Klemperer and Karl Bohm, all excellent but they have their differences. if you can get a copy, there is the "Gramophone Good CD and DVD Guide" which explains the best and worst (and why)  recordings of all classical recordings past and present.
 
 


Edited by mystic fred - August 09 2008 at 14:50
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 10 2008 at 04:48
^^ thanks Steve...yes, I have some Vivaldi etc which karajan recorded with the Berlin...it's completely wrong to me; large orchestras better suited to Mahler make Vivaldi sound all 'mushy'.
 
I didn't mean to imply it was wrong to have several recordings of the same symphony; merely the fact that it goes over my head... I woke up to a lovely overture on Radio 3 last week, thinking 'this is great, I wonder who this is by!' only to realise was a piece of Mendelssohn I already own....Embarrassed  that's just how appallingly inept I can be...LOL
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 03:44
Originally posted by fandango fandango wrote:

^^I've got a lot of Karajan, actually, including his Beethoven Symphonies (which I purchased only a few months ago), which I love.  I guess I just plough my own field in this genre; if I like a Symphony or tone poem by a composer, I'll go out and buy another one, and see if I like that one as well...nothing more scientific than that!!..LOL


That's exactly how I go about things in the classical field Jared - none of this "so & so conductor has more feel than whassisname conductor" or "well of course they sound better 'cos they use period instruments" for me - as Neil's said before, there are 2 music genres, those I like & those I don't.

Mind you - for Beethoven, I do tend to favour Karajan...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 03:56
Well Cropredy was a fab one again, although somewhat challenging on Saturday, with the result we were so knackered & wet by evening, we nearly all ended up missing Fairport (Percy Plant turned up for a version of 'Battle Of Evermore' too) . A lot of us chose to gently steam in our communal tent with plenty of beers, coffee & a couple of the more talented young'uns serenading us on guitars - quite a good evening actually

Mind you, Thursday & Friday weather was great, so saw Supergrass put in a sterling set (even though the latest material was a tad ploddy), Joe Brown & Dave Edmunds were a blinding example of what happens when you've been honing your stagecraft for over 40 years - absolutely superb , The Levellers proved what an ideal festival band they were (I loved them, even though I'm not generally a fan), even though they appeared to frighten off the arun sweater/under-chin beardie brigade, as there was a constant stream of 'trad' folkies leaving when they played ;

Then there was The Muffin Men on Saturday...Excellent set, but if I get hold of the bass guitarist, I'll kill him as he proclaimed "It's stopped raining"... so it immediately started peeing down again - despite my death wish on him for that one though, he/they redeemed themselves by reminding me exactly why I like Zappa's music & why I like seeing the Muffin men - despite his opening caveat ("we love playing uncle Frank's music... that doesn't mean we're any good at it, mind"), they went for it & for an hour the rain didn't matter (especially when they stormed through City Of Tiny Lights) - we all went away grinning (and wet)

Unfortunately their set was slightly tainted by the fact Jimmy Carl Black couldn't be with them as he is in hospital in Germany & it's not looking too good for the man...

Edited by Jim Garten - August 11 2008 at 07:20

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 07:27
^^ thanks for the report Jim, sounds like you had a great time (as always!LOL)
 
apologies for lapsing into classical speak once more in your absense...(I'll keep taking the pills...Embarrassed)
 
yesterday, I went to the Victorian Shambles museum in Newent, then around the Blackfriars Dominican Friary in Gloucester, then spent late afternoon walking around the docks...I sure know how to have a good time, don't I?...LOL
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 07:27
^^ thanks for the report Jim, sounds like you had a great time (as always!LOL)
 
apologies for lapsing into classical speak once more in your absense...(I'll keep taking the pills...Embarrassed)
 
yesterday, I went to the Victorian Shambles museum in Newent, then around the Blackfriars Dominican Friary in Gloucester, then spent late afternoon walking around the docks...I sure know how to have a good time, don't I?...LOL
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 07:28
oh..Censored..double posted again...Pinch
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 07:53
Did you know you can delete your last post as long as it's still the last post in the thread?
 
...of course that means you can't now because I've just posted after you.
What?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 07:56
^^no, I'd never spotted that function...Embarrassed
 
...must try harder next time....Ermm
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 11 2008 at 09:56
Originally posted by Jim Garten Jim Garten wrote:

Well Cropredy was a fab one again, although somewhat challenging on Saturday, with the result we were so knackered & wet by evening, we nearly all ended up missing Fairport (Percy Plant turned up for a version of 'Battle Of Evermore' too) . A lot of us chose to gently steam in our communal tent with plenty of beers, coffee & a couple of the more talented young'uns serenading us on guitars - quite a good evening actually

Mind you, Thursday & Friday weather was great, so saw Supergrass put in a sterling set (even though the latest material was a tad ploddy), Joe Brown & Dave Edmunds were a blinding example of what happens when you've been honing your stagecraft for over 40 years - absolutely superb , The Levellers proved what an ideal festival band they were (I loved them, even though I'm not generally a fan), even though they appeared to frighten off the arun sweater/under-chin beardie brigade, as there was a constant stream of 'trad' folkies leaving when they played ;

Then there was The Muffin Men on Saturday...Excellent set, but if I get hold of the bass guitarist, I'll kill him as he proclaimed "It's stopped raining"... so it immediately started peeing down again - despite my death wish on him for that one though, he/they redeemed themselves by reminding me exactly why I like Zappa's music & why I like seeing the Muffin men - despite his opening caveat ("we love playing uncle Frank's music... that doesn't mean we're any good at it, mind"), they went for it & for an hour the rain didn't matter (especially when they stormed through City Of Tiny Lights) - we all went away grinning (and wet)

Unfortunately their set was slightly tainted by the fact Jimmy Carl Black couldn't be with them as he is in hospital in Germany & it's not looking too good for the man...

Shame about the weather Jim. I am very jealous that you saw Dave Edmunds though!
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