BaL 29.02.20 - Bartók: Piano Concerto No 3.

[MickyD]

MickyD, come in MickyD, come in MickyD, please state your position....

Sorry folks, I completely missed this post. I have only just got round to buying the Schiff disc. Oh dear, I have to say that despite my post in February (I was obviously feeling more open that day!) and trying very hard, I still find the music unapproachable, so doubt I will be going any further. It's entirely due me and I regret to be missing out on a composer that so many other people obviously love.

[Pulcinella]

Sorry folks, I completely missed this post. I have only just got round to buying the Schiff disc. Oh dear, I have to say that despite my post in February (I was obviously feeling more open that day!) and trying very hard, I still find the music unapproachable, so doubt I will be going any further. It's entirely due me and I regret to be missing out on a composer that so many other people obviously love.

Well, at least you tried, and there's all that glorious Christ Church Handel that you've flagged up, and presumably got (I have previous incarnations, but not Alceste), to fall back on if needed.

[MickyD]

Well, at least you tried, and there's all that glorious Christ Church Handel that you've flagged up, and presumably got (I have previous incarnations, but not Alceste), to fall back on if needed.

Indeed, thanks. Oh, you MUST get the Hogwood Alceste, it's got some wonderful arias in it! And now so ridiculously cheap:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alceste-Comus-Handel/dp/B00008FJGR/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Handel+Alceste&qid=1600358809&s=music&sr=1-3

[MickyD]

Still so disappointed about my feelings towards Bartok...though a lover of baroque, I really enjoy the cut and thrust of the likes of Shostakovich and Prokofiev, so cannot understand why I have such difficulty. Any thoughts?

[Pulcinella]

Indeed, thanks. Oh, you MUST get the Hogwood Alceste, it's got some wonderful arias in it! And now so ridiculously cheap:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alceste-Com...s=music&sr=1-3

Duly ordered!

[jayne lee wilson]

Still so disappointed about my feelings towards Bartok...though a lover of baroque, I really enjoy the cut and thrust of the likes of Shostakovich and Prokofiev, so cannot understand why I have such difficulty. Any thoughts?

Try (again?) with the 2nd Violin Concerto? Does not the catchy pizzicato, the swinging, swaggering gypsy melody of the opening get to you, just a bit? Or start with the slow movement?
The surreal, fantastical folk-ballet of The Wooden Prince? With or without a synopsis....perhaps the 6th String Quartet....?

[verismissimo]

Try (again?) with the 2nd Violin Concerto? Does not the catchy pizzicato, the swinging, swaggering gypsy melody of the opening get to you, just a bit? Or start with the slow movement?
The surreal, fantastical folk-ballet of The Wooden Prince? With or without a synopsis....perhaps the 6th String Quartet....?

My thoughts entirely. And SQ4. I would have added PC3 , but that's the one you've not connected with …

[jayne lee wilson]

Or try the Divertimento for Strings, as much a pop classic as the Concerto for Orchestra.... with another of those irresistibly echt-Bartokian catchy openings...

[visualnickmos]

Basically, what "we're" saying here, is try anything!

[MickyD]

OK, thanks all for the suggestions - duly noted. I would have thought by 61 years of age that the magic would have rubbed off on me by now, but I guess it's never too late!

[visualnickmos]

OK, thanks all for the suggestions - duly noted. I would have thought by 61 years of age that the magic would have rubbed off on me by now, but I guess it's never too late!

Exactly. NEVER too late. Enjoy whatever you may decide to try....

[Bryn]

Try (again?) with the 2nd Violin Concerto? Does not the catchy pizzicato, the swinging, swaggering gypsy melody of the opening get to you, just a bit? Or start with the slow movement? . . .

Nor forgetting the quarter-tones. Mmm, nice.

[richardfinegold]

Try (again?) with the 2nd Violin Concerto? Does not the catchy pizzicato, the swinging, swaggering gypsy melody of the opening get to you, just a bit? Or start with the slow movement?
The surreal, fantastical folk-ballet of The Wooden Prince? With or without a synopsis....perhaps the 6th String Quartet....?

The VC and Prince are the 2 major BB pieces that I have never liked, despite otherwise embracing the rest of his output. I feel like Mickey here, wondering why I don’t care for those 2 pieces.

[MickyD]

The main reason why I wish to pursue this is really because Bartok seems to touch people in so many different ways with different works. I am fascinated by that...not just a composer you immediately like or feel comfortable with. I am taking it on as a challenge!

[visualnickmos]

The main reason why I wish to pursue this is really because Bartok seems to touch people in so many different ways with different works. I am fascinated by that...not just a composer you immediately like or feel comfortable with. I am taking it on as a challenge!

As an artist (paint) that's exactly how I view a canvas that doesn't 'work' and also with music. A challenge is positive; the difference between a challnge and a fight is huge. Challenges are positive and enriching.