Comment

Comment by Richard Goscicki on January 2, 2011 at 10:35am

Who said Tosca was a confusing plot?  I must have seen Tosca ten times in my time, including Renata Tabaldi as Tosca and Bergonzi at Mario. 

The history of Rome is important to understand.  At the turn of the 19th century, all Italy was dominated by the Austro-Hungurian Empire.  The country was divided into city-states, with little national identity.  Scarpia was the police commissioner and ruled like a dictator.  Italy had a mafia, strong-man tradition, but citizens yearned for freedom and nationalism. 

 

That's why they identified with the Jews in Verdi's Nabucco, singing  Il Pensiaro.  This opera made Verdi an over-night hero. 

Comment by James M. Martin on January 1, 2011 at 6:32pm

All art aspires to the condition of music. --Pater

Comment by Geraldo Cienmarcos on January 1, 2011 at 5:26pm

a gift of a human... music

"Music is a human right ... art as a right of the people." - conductor and social philosopher, Gustavo Dudamel 

"If you put a musical instrument in a kid's hand he will never pick up a gun." - José Antonio Abreu
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Antonio_Abreu

Tavis Smily special and blog. WONDERFUL documentary.
 1 hour and worth the time!
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/reports/s1e4/

covers "El Sistema", Dudamel's social philosophy, and career in Los Angeles.

Several times during the program it was said that the arts and music education teaches sensibility.

posted by Gary

Comment by Tom Pandelaere on November 12, 2010 at 3:50pm

Although Tallis strictly was not one of them, I know.

This strongly resembles the Deller recording:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9BnqgvHCNw.

Irrespective of the fact that it is a bible text, I can listen to this for hours.

Comment by Tom Pandelaere on November 12, 2010 at 3:24pm

Hello you.
Purcellian. Also a fan of the Virginalists. Particularly into Gibbons and Tallis. Even the religious stuff.

Comment by Richard Goscicki on September 20, 2010 at 9:20pm

I forgot to post the link for the Rameau. Notice the entrance of the horn after about 30 seconds.

Comment by James M. Martin on September 20, 2010 at 5:55pm

Speaking of Rameau, a Dallas friend wrote to boast of attending a newly discovered piece of this composer, one that in performance "combines opera with ballet." I wrote back to ask, "Didn't they call them masques?" I think I put egg on his face, which was not my intention (though we enjoy such gotchas).

Comment by James M. Martin on September 20, 2010 at 5:52pm

@Steve Snyder: that is the Berio transcription recording I have and I must say, I cannot wait until the next one. Recall that Mussorgsky never heard "Pictures" so far as I know, it remaining for Ravel to think, Gee, that could be orchestrated! And he did it. The piano work is fine, but the tone poem is superb. The reverse was attempted with one attempt to turn Mahler into a chamber work (I forget the number, the Mahler with Bernstein's recording substituting a boy soprano). Truly pathetic!

Comment by Steve Snyder on September 20, 2010 at 4:10pm

Berio might qualify himself as an underrated composer, between his own work and transcriptions. (I have a symphonic transcription by him of a Brahms chamber work.)

Comment by Richard Goscicki on September 20, 2010 at 2:11pm

Thanks for the Boccherini. I'll give it a listen.

I always loved The Chaconne from Les Indes Gallantes. It's quite a dance production here, but I always loved the trumpet and that main theme is haunting. Jean-Phillippe Rameau, definitely underrated.

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