Recent posts

#11

Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Huber Piano Quintets

Last post by patently_obvious - Yesterday at 11:56

A new version of these quintets is now out on CPO from the indefatigable Mr Triendl:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9626891--hans-huber-piano-quintets-1-2

#12

Composers & Music / Re: Giovanni Bottesini

Last post by Alan Howe - Yesterday at 10:45

It's to do with timbre and tuning, I find. As I said, my loss.

#13

Composers & Music / Re: W. S. Huffman

Last post by Maury - Yesterday at 09:36

It was a bit hard for me to assess this because I found the performance rhythmically disjointed. Is there another better performance? Looking at the date of the performance in July 2022 it is entirely possible that pandemic related lockdowns inhibited group practices.

#14

Composers & Music / Re: W. S. Huffman

Last post by Mark Thomas - Yesterday at 09:17

The Quintet is delicious, Colin, thanks so much for the heads up. Of course there's a part of me that thinks that, dating from 1970 not 1870, it couldn't be more of an anachronism but that's just "conditioning". The music's the thing and it's a joy. I'm looking forward to investigating more of Huffman's work.

#15

Composers & Music / Re: Giovanni Bottesini

Last post by Maury - Yesterday at 02:54

Musical tastes for or against different instruments are difficult to change. I do remember the Gary Karr tours. He was a particular favorite of Japanese record buyers apparently because Japan King issued an extensive series of audiophile recordings of him in the late 80s  and early 90s. I was a high school violinist so I am not as partial to viola and cello solo sound (as opposed to section ensembles which I like unreservedly). A little knowledge is dangerous I suppose. The viola and cello are rather undersized for the range of the instruments and I hear a slight nasality to the sound, particularly higher notes. But most people don't hear them that way. Ironically in spite of its size the double bass has a softer sound without much dynamic projection except on the E string.

#16

Composers & Music / W. S. Huffman

Last post by semloh - Yesterday at 02:12

There have been no posts about W. Spencer Huffman (1921-2005) for over a decade, so I thought I would draw attention to his unequivocally neo-romantic chamber works which can be found at a dedicated YT site. I find all the works there a sheer delight, but especially the piano quintet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqHQ3-SamM), and I would love to know what UC members think about them.

#17

Composers & Music / Re: Giovanni Bottesini

Last post by semloh - Yesterday at 01:59

Many decades ago, Gary Karr toured Europe displaying his virtuosity on the d-bass, and popularized it as a solo/concerto instrument. Several LPs appeared, mostly of Bottesini, which I purchased, and I must say I rather like them, especially the 2nd concerto, although I am constantly wanting the d-bass to become a 'cello! 

#18

Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Chausson Concert & Lekeu V...

Last post by Alan Howe - Tuesday 21 May 2024, 21:50

I mean this particular recording - which I found on CD at Amazon/France (because it doesn't appear to be available in physical form in the UK). And I meant what I said: this is one of the most lusciously played and recorded releases of chamber music I have ever heard. It was actually a March release in France.

#19

Composers & Music / Re: Giovanni Bottesini

Last post by Maury - Tuesday 21 May 2024, 21:50

We all have our preferences as well as things we like and dislike without being able to explain it too. But unlistenable is a strong term. Is it the sound of the instrument itself that you dislike or something about the melodies if I may ask. For me orchestral cymbals are unlistenable but they don't have much musical structure or melody.    

#20

Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Chausson Concert & Lekeu V...

Last post by eschiss1 - Tuesday 21 May 2024, 21:14

Do you mean the coupling Lekeu+Chausson specifically? Separately, Presto lists at least a half-dozen physical CDs of the Lekeu, and.. something like 2 dozen of the Chausson work? (I'm assuming you don't mean this specific recording, it's just come out.)