Bartok, like Copland, has a number of early compositions that are very forward looking and both seem to have moderated to composing more mainstream or acceptable music for the public as they progressed. Still though, all quality outputs. (Listen to some of Prokofiev’s and Shostakovitch’s early symphonies, they seem to be that way to me as well.) Eventually the best composers find their “voice” and styles that make them unique and identifiable.
I think the best music is that produced when the composer draws upon musical aspects of the communities where they were lived and possibly visited. Bartok’s location is interesting in that for at least 2,000 years the influences were back and forth between western and eastern as local control in the eastern European area wobbled between European and Asian influences that eventually get reflected in all aspects of the societies living there and the music of a region is not exempt.
I like Bartok best when he works in the dance rhythms and tonal pallet that gives the music a touch of the exotic from the Asian influence and the dance rhythms of the more local / regional peoples making for a sound that is unique and that make him, like Copland, composers of the first rank for me.
His 2 most recorded are the Concerto for Orchestra and Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celeste that utilizes mirror imaged string sections on each half of the stage. This is also a very common coupling for many recordings.
Awesome. I’ll start there. Got some new gear Im running in so Im trying to get back to the music, have been away for a while due to other commitments so its exciting to be exploring the genre again.
I’ve been awol from this thread for far too long. A bit burnt out from work earlier in the year, I’d not had the concentration span to listen properly to classical music. I’m now getting back into the swing of things. I’m currently on a Brahms binge and would be grateful for recommendations of good recordings of Ein Deutches Requiem.
I have the Gardiner version with Charlotte Margioni and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and the Monteverdi Choir. Any others besides the ones @mfadio mentioned above?
Just a quick note: ArchivMusic appears to to be back on line. Appears not ready to take orders and selecting by composer, conductor, etc. appears not set yet but good to see them back.
Ok, I have been listening to the Nelsons’ and Karajan recordings. Quite nice so far.
Also listened to Petrenko + Royal Liverpool orchestra version of the 5th and 9th symphonies, very well done. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find Maazel’s recording on Apple Music, but I will try looking elsewhere as well.
If you are interested in Classical, Idagio is a classical only music service that works really well. I use it, something to look at.
Apple Music UI is a constant annoyance to me so even though I am also subbed to it I tend to mostly avoid it.
Apple did buy Primephonic (a competing classical only service) with an eye to creating their own distinct classical service but how that will work out is unknown.
Im basically gravitating more towards physical media now for recordings I really like but streaming cant be beat for discovery and investigation.
Yeah Apple Music UI/UX is just not that great for classical music, it is sometimes rather hard to find a recording. I don’t think I can justify another streaming subscription, so I am just waiting (fingers crossed) for Apple to reap of the benefits of the Primephonic acquisition.
Im basically gravitating more towards physical media now for recordings I really like but streaming cant be beat for discovery and investigation.
Interesting, I actually feel somewhat the opposite way. Discovering things with physical media (like CDs) actually feels more exciting and manageable, as opposed to drowning in all the choices when it comes to streaming
I do find things like CDs lead me to focus more on the music, less propensity to switch tracks or albums than with streaming, just put it on and listen. Plus the little bump in sound quality that physical media still has over digital is nice too.
Yes, they can add up. I just do Apple and Idagio, if Apple fixes things and incorporates the way Primephonic did classical streaming than I could be happy with just Apple (UI still needs fixing).
Now listening in the office, between clients. Just lovely. The sound of twin-reed instruments is always expressive - either properly so as in this case, or of inexpert playing…
I’m a big fan of Handel and the late Baroque period, particularly small ensembles and chamber music. But then again I like 17th and 18th century furniture instead of IKEA also.
2 ½ years later, I’ll add to this. After searching fruitlessly for electronic editions of Switched On Back, I’m wondering what’s happened with Wendy Carlos’ Catalog? I have the original album on vinyl, but am not big on “needle drop” conversions. Especially when I bought the album not long after release - about 1970, and I was only learning how to care for vinyl.
Went to Discogs, and bought the CD remaster of the album and her Clockwork Orange remaster. Saw that she has an EXTENSIVE bunch of stuff out on vinyl, but all that I can find on Apple Music or Qobuz are some selections from Tron and collaborations, not any of her core work.
Search “Switched On” and there are dozens of wannabe releases of all sorts, but not any of the real stuff.
Anybody know what happened, and/or where I could buy HD digital files or releases?
fruitlessly for electronic editions of Switched On Back, I’m wondering what’s happened with Wendy Carlos’ Catalog? I have the original album on vinyl, but am not big on “needle drop” conversions. Especially when I bought the album not long after release - about 1970, and I was only learning how to care for vinyl.