Search found 40 matches

by Sergeï
Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:03 am
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Best complete Beethoven sonata cycle
Replies: 20
Views: 17856

Re: Best complete Beethoven sonata cycle

I'm surprised no one mentioned Daniel Barenboim's complete cycle. He did it twice: once around his late twenties, one much later, and both are excellent. His first complete cycle is impressive inasfar as it's very composed.

If you're after a cool, impeccable series, this one is the right one :)
by Sergeï
Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:57 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Good joke
Replies: 13
Views: 5989

Re: good joke

Took me a second to get it, but nice one :lol:
by Sergeï
Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:53 am
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Best Endings
Replies: 44
Views: 21715

Re: Best Endings

Mahler 2 is a total catharsis - completely overwhelming. True. Too bad you have to go through the entire symphony to get there :) At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate manages to offer a beautiful ending to a very short piece. Simple, elegant, and unforgettable.
by Sergeï
Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:34 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?
Replies: 436
Views: 321118

Re: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?

Oboe Concerto in A minor, by Vivaldi, with André Lardrot at the oboe. Sometimes, the simple pleasures are the best :)
by Sergeï
Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:25 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: What Instrument Do You Play?
Replies: 9
Views: 4847

Re: What Instrument Do You Play?

I played the violin for almost 15 years, but haven't had the time of late. What my favourite piece is would be a tough question; I've played quite a few baroque pieces (especially Bach and Vivaldi, sometimes as the soloist, sometimes as part of the orchestra), and I do love them dearly - and what ki...
by Sergeï
Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:49 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?
Replies: 436
Views: 321118

Re: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?

I love Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet - I even got to see it at the Marinsky - but... Lorin Maazel? I shudder at the thought :?

As for me, I'm listening to a few Lieder of Schubert's by Elly Ameling (Baldwin, Gage and Demus at the piano depending on the piece).
by Sergeï
Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:09 am
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Best Composer ever
Replies: 200
Views: 241939

Re: Best Composer ever

Not only does it depend on the person, it also depends on the interpretation. Typically, Beethoven's 9th or Mozart's requiem are both extraordinary enough to make anyone say "thsi is the best composer ever"; however, when I hear the 9th by Maazel, or the Requiem by Abbado, I cringe. This i...
by Sergeï
Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:57 am
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Best Endings
Replies: 44
Views: 21715

Re: Best Endings

Just listened to KA Hartmann's Eighth Symphony, one of my favorites of his. It has a fantastic opening. His Sixth also opens with probably the second best bassoon solo in 20th century music (After Le Sacre of course). I will dare to challenge you on that. What about Ravel's Mother Goose Suite (cont...
by Sergeï
Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:32 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?
Replies: 436
Views: 321118

Re: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?

Mozart's 38th symphony, conducted by Karl Böhm - definitely one of my all-time favourite Mozart condudctors.

In a very different genre, I've just recently discovered Pierre Cochereau's interpretation of Bach's famous Toccata BWV 565.... Breathtaking
by Sergeï
Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:12 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Need Suggestion for Choir/Orchestra Piece!
Replies: 8
Views: 3525

Re: Need Suggestion for Choir/Orchestra Piece!

Well, if you're looking for something EPIC, and if you have a decent solo soprano and baritono, then Brahm's requiem is what really jumps to my mind. The 2nd and 6th movements are enough to drive any music-loving crowd crazy.
by Sergeï
Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:59 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Favorite Conductor(s)
Replies: 11
Views: 5304

Re: Favorite Conductor(s)

Yes, Haitink is definitely good. His interpretations of Mozart's piano concertos with Murray Perahia are always a pleasure to listen to, as are his interpretations of Beethoven's symphonies. As for Mahler, I suggest you give Michael Gielen a try (his recordings of Mahler's 1st and 4th symphonies are...
by Sergeï
Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:49 am
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Your Top 5 Favorite Pieces
Replies: 91
Views: 165943

Re: Your Top 5 Favorite Pieces

A top 5 (or even 10, or even 100) is something I find not only difficult to do, but also very dependent on my mood. Regardless, here are 5 pieces I find absolutely fabulous. - Mozart, Don Giovanni : quite simply put, the best opra ever written (to me at least :P). - Brahms, Eine Deutches Requiem . T...
by Sergeï
Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:01 am
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Best Endings
Replies: 44
Views: 21715

Re: Best Endings

I do agree that - especially for the public, at a performance, as opposed to listening to the piece at home - ending the piece at the death scene would be, for lack of a better word, brutal. Then again, the finale is rather dramatic, so I don't feel it would have been out of place for Mozart to just...
by Sergeï
Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:18 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: Best Endings
Replies: 44
Views: 21715

Re: Best Endings

In no precise order: Best Openings Beethoven: Symphonies nr. 3, 5 and 9, piano concerto N°5 Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (of course), all his main operas really, Piano concerto nr. 23 Bach: h-moll mass (KYYYYYYYYRIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!) Schubert: 8th symphony Mahler: 1st symphony Smetana: Ma vlast (the M...
by Sergeï
Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:49 pm
Forum: Music Related
Topic: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?
Replies: 436
Views: 321118

Re: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?

allegroamabile wrote:
Dvorak is a god, hands down.
I very much agree. His 8th symphony, in particular, is absolutely fabulous (recently heard it at a concert, amazing). His cello concerto is also astounding.

As for right now, I'm listening to Mahler's 1st Symphony (Michael Gielen interpretation).