Originally posted by gradus
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Building a Library - General Discussion
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amateur51
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Thropplenoggin
Originally posted by Demetrius View PostBaL recommendations (the BaL itself can be interesting whether you are going to buy the recommendation or not) are surely not for the complete novices, nor necessarily for those who already have 30-40 recordings of the piece. It's mostly for those who are looking for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th version, isn't it? I doubt the concept is obsolete except for some "warhorses" - but if you reduce BaL to the warhorses it would be boring anyway.
Most people on these boards, old and young alike, are tech-savvy enough to have access to downloads and maybe a music streaming subscription (Spotify, Qobuz, etc.) For 10 euros a month, you can have access to all those 150 versions of the Cello Suites on Qobuz.
Such ubiquity of choice comes with its own restrictions, too, though, in that there is almost too much choice. I recall from my own buying habits when I was dabbling in the shallow end of Classical Music (by that I mean getting to know various composers, not tuning in to Classic FM ), that I would listen to pieces online (YouTube, Grooveshark) then decide which interpretation of a given piece I preferred and then bought it on CD. Then I did my heavy duty listening with the CD, getting to know that one interpretation well.
Sometimes being restricted in your choice or in the availability of music gives you a chance to appreciate what you've got, not what you haven't got. Isn't that why boarders become so passionate about specific versions, ones they've long cherished, or the version that was their first experience of a work?
Then again, having all 150 versions instantly available would have overawed me as a newbie (still does, when I get into a composer I assumed I wouldn't like). I then scuttle off to some kind of authority to give me direction: For3 (natch), Gramophone, Amazon reviews, Building a Library...oh, look, we're back at BaL again. There is still a place for it after all!
Still, the point about "building A library" in a world with Spotify still sort of holds true, doesn't it?Last edited by Guest; 20-02-13, 11:42.
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Originally posted by gradus View PostTime perhaps for the return of Interpretations on Record at say an hour's length?
Should drive the messaageboards into a frenzy."...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Originally posted by Thropplenoggin View PostBut who new to classical music would bother 'builiding a library' in the traditional album purchase sense now anyway?
Most people on these boards, old and young alike, are tech-savvy enough to have access to downloads and maybe a music streaming subscription (Spotify, Qobuz, etc.) For 10 euros a month, you can have access to all those 150 versions of the Cello Suites on Qobuz.
Such ubiquity of choice comes with its own restrictions, too, though, in that there is almost too much choice. I recall from my own buying habits when I was dabbling in the shallow end of Classical Music (by that I mean getting to know various composers, not tuning in to Classic FM ), that I would listen to pieces online (YouTube, Grooveshark) then decide which interpretation of a given piece I preferred and then bought it on CD.
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Originally posted by Barbirollians View PostHaitink ! for the Liszt poems .
Its just so tempting, and just 8 days to pay day . !!I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own.
I am not a number, I am a free man.
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Originally posted by vinteuil View Post... I've put this on the bargains thread - I still think you should consider Haselbock..."...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Veronika
I find BaL invaluable - it's introduced me to new composers and new works and allowed me to appreciate those that I'd known more. For me, hearing different recordings is key - it wasn't until I came across de Vriend's recording of Bach's Christmas Oratorio that I realised just how great this work is, for example. Discovering Music is all very well, but if it's just one performance you hear, the chances that it'll be the one that unlocks the music for you are much smaller. And I don't care how small a fraction of available CDs is reviewed, as long as there's variety in the programme.
Re the comment about building one's library: I do buy CDs and I consider having more than one recording of anything as very extravagant. Or rather unnecessary, because I tend to search until I find a recording I really like and stick with it. YMMV, of course.
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Originally posted by Alison View PostThere have been comebacks from Richard Osborne, Robert Phillip and Geoffrey Norris -
so why not Nicholas Anderson too ?
Looking forward to that.
I imagine EA is labouring with his customary initial post about that programme, given all the multifarious readings of the piece..."...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Originally posted by waldhorn View PostI do hope that those will include Karel Ancerl / Czech Philharmonic/ Supraphon, probably the very first Stereo LP that I ever bought, and it still sounds very good to this day!
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Going back to post #1, Karafan, I do hope you and others are not swayed in your opinions by an RP accent (circa 1960) and an authoritative style (which soes not necessarily imply authority). Whilst I agree some of the BALs of yesteryear were wondrous, I find myself in disagreement with your view of Rob Cowan. Leaving aside his Breakfast persona (which the poor man has been obliged to adopt) I thought his Szymanowski vioin concerto review last month was exemplary. He was knowledgeable, genuinely but quietly authoritative, completely informed on both musical and 'engineering' matters and I wonder in what way that particular BAL could have been done better? I do hope Rob's slight London twang is not what influences people here.
Incidentally there has been research into how various regional accents enhance or otherwise people's view of what is being said. Scots is great apparently, but if you talk broad Brummy, then you are pretty much instantly dismissed as a total ignoramus and no-one will take you seriously!
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