|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 1, 2017 21:14:18 GMT
June 2017: Grieg / Paavo Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra – Peer Gynt Virgin Classics – 7243 5 45722 2 7 (2005)
OK, so it's a cheesy old classic, but cheesy old classics attain that status for a reason, which is usually that they are fundamentally good pieces of music, which is why they get played a lot, which is why our ears may become jaded towards them.
Everyone knows at least two pieces of this music even if they don't know that they know them. But this recording has a lot more than the familiar parts. I always loved the music as a child and have had a vinyl copy of the Deutche Grammophon, von Karajan, BPO version since forever, but I've only recently been seriously exploring some alternative versions. This one is, I think, my favourite. I've mentioned previously that I usually struggle with any sort of vocalising in classical music but I can overlook that with this recording because the playing is superb.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 2, 2017 7:20:28 GMT
Curious coincidentally, I was listening to ClassicFM in the car yesterday and a piano transcription of some of the Peer Gynt music was played (to excellent effect) and it occurred to me that I hadn't had a proper listen to it in ages. I am now doing so via the above link. It's off to a good, lively start!  |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 2, 2017 7:30:53 GMT
Lively is a good round woody word to describe much of this version, I reckon.
I was most impressed that it didn't begin with 'Morning Mood'!
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 2, 2017 15:12:44 GMT
I love Peer Gynt and have a fabulous Karajan recording - look forward to seeing how this compares
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 3, 2017 12:06:28 GMT
I think you'll find it very different Jules.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Jun 3, 2017 20:09:22 GMT
have to have a wee listen to this
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jun 4, 2017 11:37:23 GMT
Listening now and it sounds great, played with real gusto. There are so many gorgeous bits in Grieg's composition. I frequently resolve to play more than just his Piano Concerto (which is desert island material). 4/5 for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 8, 2017 12:28:48 GMT
Stunning - what a great find Chris! The quality of the playing and singing is absolutely top-notch throughout with some superb individual performances ... easy 5/5 for me. I even liked the singing in Solveig's Song! Camilla Tilling has a very pure and controlled voice ... Respect to Paavo Jarvi & the Estonian National Symphony - I feel a city-break with concert coming on ...  I would love to hear this in the concert hall with Mr Jarvi at the controls - there's some real tension created with this recording ... What a shame they haven't seen fit to release this on vinyl!  |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 8, 2017 13:16:37 GMT
I'm really glad you liked it so much Jules.
I've been listening to it a lot recently and the thing that comes over most with me is the exuberance in a lot of the playing.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 8, 2017 16:26:42 GMT
Yes that's a good description Chris but it's not exuberance in a naive way is it;
it's superbly controlled and precise at the same time ...
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 8, 2017 16:55:18 GMT
Yes, and you somehow know, that when they play, they really, really mean it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 10, 2017 22:10:46 GMT
jandl100 Any more thoughts on this one then Jerry?
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 11, 2017 7:07:42 GMT
jandl100 Any more thoughts on this one then Jerry? Thanks for the prompt, Chris. It is hard to imagine this music better played or recorded. I have heard more momentously awesome performances of Hall of the mountain king, but the sheer exuberance carries this one through. I love the folksy style of the solo violin - did they use a traditional Norwegian folk instrument for this, I wonder? I find the structure of the music itself a bit of a challenge. It was written as musical accompaniment to a play in a theatre, and so is necessarily 'bitty' and musically incoherent as the music jumps around from scene to scene following the plot. Each of the individual bits are great, though! 5/5 for the performance and recording. 4/5 for the music. Ok, call it 5/5 . |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 11, 2017 7:38:31 GMT
Thanks for your thoughts
This bit made me chuckle a little....
......because when I played the disc again for the first time after posting the thread starter, I heard the violin (which I also love for it's slight scratchiness) and, remembering that you had said that the Misa Criolla that I did for a previous Album Choice wasn't really classical music, I thought "That Jerry is going to say this doesn't count because it's folk music"!
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 11, 2017 7:41:03 GMT
have to have a wee listen to this Did you get around to giving it a go, Chris? |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 11, 2017 7:55:34 GMT
Thanks for your thoughts This bit made me chuckle a little.... ......because when I played the disc again for the first time after posting the thread starter, I heard the violin (which I also love for it's slight scratchiness) and, remembering that you had said that the Misa Criolla that I did for a previous Album Choice wasn't really classical music, I thought "That Jerry is going to say this doesn't count because it's folk music"! Werll, I guess I am a bit of a purist. I didn't complain about the folksy violin style, though, did i?  -- just sort of noted it in passing, like.  |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jun 11, 2017 8:05:16 GMT
I just like to think funny thoughts Jerry!
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Jun 12, 2017 7:39:55 GMT
Yes I have Chris - just briefly though. I've only just gotten my listening room back together about half an hour ago so will be having a proper listen later.
I've enjoyed what I've heard so far.
|
|
