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October 10, 2007
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I can’t think of a work any less “New York” than Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius. Espresso-fueled and with the 57 Street Station exit spitting out and swallowing up people right in front of my nose, Gerontius’s melancholic, confident, consoling, beautiful, and utterly lukewarm oratorio is something for ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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Shostakovich 8th with Rostropovich on LSO live
Even if you know how to approach and appreciate Dmitry Shostakovich’s works, it might take quite a few repeat experiences with any particular symphony in order to have a modest grasp of it. The 8th symphony is no different in that regard. “Unhealthy ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony: Wigglesworth vs. Gergiev
Gergiev’s recording of the 8th Symphony of Shostakovich (written in 1943) from almost ten years ago, although the oldest of the six recordings that make up his “War Symphony” cycle, has long been unavailable in the U.S. It was just re-issued ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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Felix Weingartner (1863-1942, he, of conducting fame) is a bona fide composer, too – and fits right into above crowd. Take his Third Symphony coupled with the Lustige Ouvertüre op.53 and you get a pastiche of styles that combines (in the best imaginable fashion) the great romantics that came before ... more |
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October 10, 2007
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Lang Lang's new disc, soon to be issued by Deutsche Gramophon, features their poster-boy pianist superstar in Rachmaninov's second piano concerto and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Lang Lang, the cornerstone of DG's attempt to conquer the Asian market has technical faculties that are second to ... more |
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