July 31, 20178 yr On 7/30/2017 at 0:28 PM, Torpedo said: Would you please elaborate? It's impossible to explain with words, you just gotta listen.. playing music lays bare your deepest desires, feelings, and insecurities more than any amount of words possibly could. Experienced musicians can easily formulate the kind of person another musician is (like his/her character and upbringing) within the first minute of listening. Whether or not the listener has a connection to the playing is a mutual reflection between the music and his/her own personality. For me, Arrau doesn't let his technical prowess get in the way of the music and is never afraid to take time and really live in the moment instead of through it, and in a way that the rubato actually makes perfect sense. His pure and introspective character is something that jives with me really well. Some pianists and musicians in general overthink until it becomes a bit contrived and some (well, the vast majority) underthink, but expression is always about finding that balance while being very in tune emotionally. An example of the former is Michelangeli, who isn't so good at stuff like Chopin because his intellectualism and perfectionism get in the way but is really good at impressionism and has a ridiculous tonal color palette. My favorite album of all time is his famous Ravel/Rach 4.
August 1, 20178 yr On 7/29/2017 at 3:49 PM, mypasswordis said: What is this blasphemy... Arrau was one of the greatest pianists who ever lived. Is that on every planet, or just Earth?
August 1, 20178 yr 9 hours ago, mypasswordis said: It's impossible to explain with words, you just gotta listen.. playing music lays bare your deepest desires, feelings, and insecurities more than any amount of words possibly could. Experienced musicians can easily formulate the kind of person another musician is (like his/her character and upbringing) within the first minute of listening. Whether or not the listener has a connection to the playing is a mutual reflection between the music and his/her own personality. For me, Arrau doesn't let his technical prowess get in the way of the music and is never afraid to take time and really live in the moment instead of through it, and in a way that the rubato actually makes perfect sense. His pure and introspective character is something that jives with me really well. Some pianists and musicians in general overthink until it becomes a bit contrived and some (well, the vast majority) underthink, but expression is always about finding that balance while being very in tune emotionally. An example of the former is Michelangeli, who isn't so good at stuff like Chopin because his intellectualism and perfectionism get in the way but is really good at impressionism and has a ridiculous tonal color palette. My favorite album of all time is his famous Ravel/Rach 4. Thanks. I'm not an experienced musician, just a rookie wannabe, so for me it's not that easy guessing the kind of person playing and the kind of development it took to get that performance. I've been able to perceive and enjoy the Michelangeli's perfectionism and intellectual approach, the rigor or perhaps sort of "emotional sterility" on Pollini, the unique vision of Gould... but I've not been able to "get" what's behind Arrau's performances. Not that I've listened to everything he recorded, and never got to watch him live. I'm now listening to the first CD on the set that Jacob recommended. I think this is not the Arrau I've listened to in other performances
August 1, 20178 yr New Arcade Fire. Just finished listening for the second time. It is solid, but they set the bar so high I'm finding it hard not to feel a little disappointed.
August 1, 20178 yr Never could get into them (though I like their first two albums a bit). I've heard they are great live, so we'll probably see them close out Lollapalooza on Sunday.
August 2, 20178 yr 18 hours ago, Torpedo said: Thanks. I'm not an experienced musician, just a rookie wannabe, so for me it's not that easy guessing the kind of person playing and the kind of development it took to get that performance. I've been able to perceive and enjoy the Michelangeli's perfectionism and intellectual approach, the rigor or perhaps sort of "emotional sterility" on Pollini, the unique vision of Gould... but I've not been able to "get" what's behind Arrau's performances. Not that I've listened to everything he recorded, and never got to watch him live. I'm now listening to the first CD on the set that Jacob recommended. I think this is not the Arrau I've listened to in other performances Keep listening to him and to everyone else and you'll find it sooner than later; sounds like you've started already. He also dug into the keys to draw the sound out, instead of smacking them hard like a certain someone with the Bang Bang moniker. How do you like Richter? Another n-th level technician who never let his ability get in the way of the music, and he sometimes took really, really slow tempi. Reminds me of Leonard Bernstein's hilarious preface to Gould's Brahms 1. Edited August 2, 20178 yr by mypasswordis
August 2, 20178 yr 18 hours ago, mypasswordis said: Keep listening to him and to everyone else and you'll find it sooner than later; sounds like you've started already. He also dug into the keys to draw the sound out, instead of smacking them hard like a certain someone with the Bang Bang moniker. How do you like Richter? Another n-th level technician who never let his ability get in the way of the music, and he sometimes took really, really slow tempi. Reminds me of Leonard Bernstein's hilarious preface to Gould's Brahms 1. I'm learning some harmony and music theory with a jazz guitarist, so also trying to make the damn thing sound. Insight about "how music works" gives a completely different focus, but I'm still far away from being as aware as you on those performance features. I like Richter, but also Annie Fischer or Elly Ney playing Beethoven sonatas. I don't like Lang Lang either
August 2, 20178 yr On 7/31/2017 at 7:54 PM, Kerry said: Very chill As a side note, did you guys know that "The Girl From Ipanema" was originally titled "The Girly Man From Ipanema"? It just didn't flow off of the tongue, so was subsequently changed.
August 3, 20178 yr Peter Bernstein - Signs Live! With Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride and Gregory Hutchinson Available on Spotify, recently released
August 4, 20178 yr Another Antimatter binge https://antimatter-uk.bandcamp.com/ The first four albums are the best. Extremely atmospheric...I don't even know what to call it...it's not metal...it's not post-metal...
August 4, 20178 yr If I had to make a list of my five favorite people in the music business you can bet your ass Brian Eno would be on it.
August 9, 20178 yr Instrumental stoner full album playlist. Currently on Space Raptor, Hyperion...the previous one, The Fur, had some outstanding dirty dirty Sabbath-y distortion. Bought the Tuber and Hazy Sea albums.
August 9, 20178 yr ^ I'm gonna have to chill you guys out with some melodic, calming melodies. Rammstein vs. Bernstein. Edited August 9, 20178 yr by swt61
August 9, 20178 yr 1 hour ago, swt61 said: ^ I'm gonna have to chill you guys out with some melodic, calming melodies. Rammstein vs. Bernstein. Actually, Instrumental Stoner is pretty chill. It's the musical equivalent of comfort food. That said, going to go even chiller, with How to Disappear Completely, Mer de Revs I & II.
August 10, 20178 yr This casual improvisation really made my day, a friend sent me the link on a morning e-mail
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