Classical Music II

[Grey_Wolf]

here is the intermezzo from carmen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ANOOr2aG6U

[Tessar]

... Didn't that get used in a Bugs Bunny cartoon or two? O.o

[hectorberlioz]

A discovered Mozart portrait!!
http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle3549310.ece

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally Posted by Tessar

I've heard him, and I'm a bit unsure of how I feel about him. His diction REALLY bothers me, because half of his face is paralyzed so he can't really form all of the vowels properly. Also there's... something... in his sound that I don't really care for... I think it might be something about his vibrato.

On the other hand, he sings Mozart's Alleluia from the Exultate Jubilate better than 9/10ths of the sopranos I've ever heard if you ignore the diction... so... there it is. I definitely think he's got great technique.


Do you like him?

I haven't really heard much from him, but from what I have heard, he seems to have a very warm voice. It's kind of wierd, though, if you watch him singing, a lot of the time he almost looks like he's about to dislocate his jaw. Is this technique, or is it because of the facial palsy?

I actually thought his vibrato was glorious; it very much contributes to the warm feeling of his voice.

[Coffeehouse]

My favorite composer is by great leaps W. A. Mozart

And u can thank the movie 'Amadeus' for that. It's brilliant

[Mari]

Oh, that's great! Can you perhaps tell me a good version of the Sonata for Violin and Piano (I know there are many).
As I said in an earlier post, I have almost all of them, but I hate the sound of the violin. Can you recommend some good performances pretty please?

[Coffeehouse]

Originally Posted by Mari

Oh, that's great! Can you perhaps tell me a good version of the Sonata for Violin and Piano (I know there are many).
As I said in an earlier post, I have almost all of them, but I hate the sound of the violin. Can you recommend some good performances pretty please?

Mhm you don't like the violin? Well I'm not the biggest fan of it either frankly

Much more prefer the piano, yey and bassoons and horns and stuff like that. Really pompous classical music with a nice boom at the end

But really, if you haven't heard them, here are a few very likeable Mozart pieces (from Concertos to Opera):
- Serenade for Winds
- The overture to the Abduction from the Seraglio (Mozart's first opera)
- Piano Concerto No. 17 in G
- Requiem Mass (best version lasts 11 minutes). It's my favorite piece. Absolutely beautiful.
- The overture to the Marriage of Figaro (Mozart's best opera)

[Mari]

I have heard several of those and I like the Requiem too , but actually I was more asking you if you could recommend a performance of the violin and piano sonata's.
Because I like the arrangements and the melody itself, just not the sound of that dratted violin... It would help if I knew who's version I have now though >_< But I don't know.

Thanks for your answer

[Gwaimir Windgem]

At this point, I think my favourite composer is Handel. His arias are so scrumptious!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Does anyone know anything about the 40 CD Masterworks sets? I'm currently eyeballing the Handel one on ebay, and wondering if its worth shelling out 100 dollars for.

[Tessar]

Handel is wonderful, but REALLY boring and yet at the same time difficult to sing. It's mainly boring because you're singing the same words OVER AND OVER. But it's difficult because of all the little tricks and bits he likes to throw in there.

I do love listening to singers do Handel, though.

I'm on a major Vivaldi trip right now, and I'm so excited to hear that apparently about 2/3rds of one of his lost operas was discovered. They filled in the other third by (I believe) setting the libretto to some of his other arias, so I hope I can get my hands on a copy of the opera once it's all set and has been performed.

[Tessar]

I completely broke down tonight and bought the Vivaldi CD I've been wanting for months. The recording of the Nisi Dominus and Stabat Mater with Philippe Jaroussky doing the Nisi, and a wonderful alto named Marie-Nicole Lemieux doing the Stabat Mater.


It's -wonderful-. I am completely enchanted and can't get enough of it. The singers are, of course, both magnificent, and the material is fantastic.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

If you people want to hear a very different voice, check this out.

Hec, I think you especially might be interested; as I recall, you were interested in Moreschi, and this seems to be the closest modern equivalent.

[Mari]

Gwai, I kept waiting for a guy to start singing as I only read the word "male".
I like his voice. It's a very full and warm voice. Kinda round maybe?

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I would describe it as a small, bright voice; but then, I don't really know how one ought to describe voices. Those are just the words that seem fitting to me.

[Tessar]

What an interesting voice! VERY girl soprano-esque. I would personally describe it as a small, almost overly-sweet voice. I can think of a few pieces I would -love- to hear him sing. He's got quite a talent.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Girl soprano? What, like Charlotte Church? I don't see that, I must confess.

Quite a talent, yes. But something of a mixed blessing.

I just have to post this; it's Natalie Dessay singing the bell song from Lakme. Right now, I think this is my favourite performance of any song. The delicacy with which she uses her upper register is simply exquisite.

[Tessar]

Charlotte Church was nothing like a typical girl soprano. And by nothing, I mean that there is really very little resemblance between how she used to sing and how girl sopranos sing .

Your typical girl soprano has a very sweet, VERY light and floaty sort of voice.

[hectorberlioz]

I just oredered the Berwald and Martinu symphonies! Very excited about this. I've decided to focus on Berlioz and Symphonies for now...and Handel. And Bach. And Vivaldi's 500+ concerti . Oh yeah and...

Well you get the point. The truth is, I've expanded my listening ambitions, and I have little funding...

Donations are welcome.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

So, basically, Baroque and Berlioz. Not so keen on Berlioz, but the rest sounds good. But don't neglect the Slavic romantics!