|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2017 20:21:53 GMT
Ravel - Gaspard de la NuitThis is simply one of my favourite piano works of all time and I’m really hoping that some of you haven’t yet heard it … The work is based on poems by Aloysius Bertrand - you can get some pre-listening background on the work here - www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/oct/26/shopping.artsfeatures3en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaspard_de_la_nuitThe electricity that it can create in the right hands is nothing short of magical and it's a truly transcendent experience that few other works can give me. In the wrong hands it can be tortuous and it’s not for the feint hearted as the technical demands on the pianist are huge - I saw a well-known pianist make a complete mess of it once and it wasn’t a nice experience! Just look at the first page of the sheet music...  Naturally there are a number of interpretations available but here I’m going to give you Martha Argerich’s take on it. This is the vinyl recording I have - I can’t find it on spotify so I’ve linked to three films on YouTube. 
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 6, 2017 6:35:47 GMT
Nope, not a work I have paid any real attention to. Until now.  Here ya go on Spot ... |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 6, 2017 7:13:03 GMT
I'll make a series of posts as I explore the music, if that's OK. Argerich. No, couldn't get on with her. Maybe if I knew the music better it would help? But she's not good for me as an introduction to the music. Too free-wheeling and, well, fast. I can't really hear what is going on, it doesn't engage me. Ah, but having sampled a few on good old Spotify I am settling down with an old live recording by the legendary Arturo Michelangeli. Now I am starting to hear what the fuss is about. I'll come back to Argerich a bit later and see if I can make better sense of her when I am more familiar with the music. Michelangeli ... |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 6, 2017 8:48:35 GMT
After a brief dalliance with Vlado Perlemutter (seems lacking in tension - too smooth & laid back?), Thibaudet seems to bring out a lot of magic in the music.
I think I am starting to get there!
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 6, 2017 13:29:22 GMT
Keep going Jerry!
Incidentally the Thibaudet was the Guardian's recommendation as well - I've not heard it yet but certainly will ...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 6, 2017 20:50:48 GMT
I'm listening with interest as I don't think I've ever listened to this seriously either. The Thibaudet is good.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 7, 2017 15:52:04 GMT
Good stuff Martin.
Anyone else care to sample this master work?
C'mon let's be having you, don't be shy!
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2017 16:46:25 GMT
I listened to the Thibaudet and enjoyed it. Will try the Michelangeli next.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 7, 2017 19:06:31 GMT
Wow, Ousset is making a magical impression in Ondine for me at the moment. I've not heard such flowing, surging poetry in the others so far heard. The piece is growing on me. I've often not a lot of sympathy with French music (what is the point of Debussy? Poulenc is horrid. Etc etc.) but Gaspard may well prove an exception. Edit : .... Gibet was excellent, then Scarbo .... wasn't Scarbo at all, but one of the 'best bits' from Verdi's requiem!! Curse you Spotify!  I've not come across this sort of f*ck up on Spot before. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2017 19:42:58 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 7, 2017 19:52:49 GMT
I am really quite taken (understatement) with Ousset's Ondine and Le gibet, so I have ordered the recording on CD. The insert pictured on Amazon has a plausible timing for Scarbo, so is likely (I hope) correct.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 7, 2017 21:09:54 GMT
Excellent - you've ordered the Ravel and I have Buggles on the way... LOL.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 11, 2017 14:02:39 GMT
Martin and Jerry - please rate this when you get a moment ... And some new listeners please - give this a go, it's really a very beautiful piece of music. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 12, 2017 9:21:20 GMT
Mais oui!
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 16, 2017 20:05:21 GMT
I've tried lots of recordings now, courtesy of Spotify - and the one I keep coming back to is Ousset, even though that is only the first 2 of the 3 movements. Happily, the Ousset CD arrived today and I am enjoying it a lot. I suspect I would still file it under the "weird French music" category, but at least with Ousset it is enjoyably weird. I have yet to experience it as the "truly transcendent experience" reported by Jules, though. But it is fairly interesting, and under Ousset's fingers beautiful and poetic at times. Not sure if I'll give it a 3 or a 4. I'll give the Ousset a few more spins. |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 16, 2017 20:16:03 GMT
Well I can see how you might file it under 'weird French music' Jerry but thanks for giving it a good try - I've not had a chance to listen to the Ousset yet but will do ...
Sorry you've not had the out of body experience as yet!
I think it's a work that particularly comes alive in the concert hall.
Do you like other Ravel works at all? I'm a big fan, I think I have most in my collection.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 16, 2017 20:23:01 GMT
No, I'm not much of a Ravel fan. In fact there is something about French music that just does not seem to compute in my brain (such as it is). Messiaen? - don't even go there!  Saint Saens is probably my favourite French composer - and I'd rank him as a 2nd or 3rd tier composer, apart from his 2nd piano concerto which is one of my favourite pieces. |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 16, 2017 20:28:44 GMT
Did you say Messiaen?
Try this for size - it was one of my favourite works to sing when I was a chorister. It's only 5 minutes!
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 16, 2017 20:41:34 GMT
Hmm.
OK.
Painful at times, blandly generically pretty at other times - but not too horrific by Messiaen's usual standards!
I can't imagine actually wanting to listen to it, though.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 17, 2017 6:37:38 GMT
Gaspard - I've plumped for a 3. I am sure it will be getting an occasional outing from me.
We all like different things, for different reasons.
I'm Austro-Germanic rather than a Francophile when it comes to classical music, I guess.
|
|
I've not come across this sort of f*ck up on Spot before.