What are you listening to right now?
Mon, Jul 9 2012, 9:14PM
#2
RE: What are you listening to right now?
"Casual" listening seems to be your preference, Petra and Kev. However, you belong to the majority, anyway. "Casual" is easy, comfortable, cozy, convenient, unconventional... Why not? But is Classical Music all that? That's the topic of another thread, which I don't intend to initiate...at all.
Best wishes in your listening (in every possible way),
Parla
Hi Parla.
Hardly only casually! I was just talking about various ways that I enjoy listening to the radio and let Kev know that he wasn't along. And as I also don't have a wife or hubby to cook for me, own pets, and have my home to look after by myself (including a vegetable and perennial gardens) plus friends, etc., I work it in as I can. My public radio station has many wonderful programs too that I enjoy--particularly on the weekend.
Rest assured, I do make time to curl up with my CDs (and hopefully LPs again soon) and enjoy them and try and learn more about the music and the composers, etc. too! Plus fit in live concerts as time and finances allow (though not nearly as often as I'd like!). And also love learning more about music through online programs like the BBCR3's "Composer of the Week" or sometimes their early music program, their broadcasts and discussions of Proms concerts, etc. Do you like listening to any of these programs (or similar ones) Parla?
Enjoy your evening,
Petra
p.s. From what I remember reading, I think that Kev also makes time for his CDs ;-) Hi Kev!
Mon, Jul 9 2012, 11:47PM
#3
RE: What are you listening to right now?
You don't have to be or sound "apologetic", Petra. No explanations needed. I just used the word "casual" listening, because Kev first used it. I found it rather apt for the occasion, while it seems a bit alien to me, since I never used this way of listening for years. Please, both of you feel free to enjoy your music adventures, in every possible way, if that helps you to go further. I just reiterate what I learned and believe: proper (or "critical", as Kev put it) listening should be done only as in live performances: with utmost attention and silence.
Since I travel and live to different places of the world (at a time), I cannot possibly listen, let alone follow, any program of any radio or TV station. I concentrate on pure listening from my true to life equipment and attend (or organise) live performances, whenever some fortunate circumstances allow.
Enjoy your evening too,
Parla
P.S.: Sorry for my idle curiosity, but you mention you "don't have a wife...". I thought Petra is a German female name. Are you one of "us" too?
Tue, Jul 10 2012, 1:50AM
#4
RE: What are you listening to right now?
My listening ritual comprises both: serious two to three hours session ranging from keyboard to orchestral music and "casual" as it is been called here: overhearing a web radio like BBC3 and mainly Radio Suisse Classique, my current favourite (check this out if you didn't yet: good sound and always a great programme).
[parla wrote:]
P.S.: Sorry for my idle curiosity, but you mention you "don't have a wife...". I thought Petra is a German female name. Are you one of "us" too?
Out of curiosity: is this what in audio they call out of absolute phase?
Tue, Jul 10 2012, 12:18PM
#5
RE: What are you listening to right now?
My listening ritual comprises both: serious two to three hours session ranging from keyboard to orchestral music and "casual" as it is been called here: overhearing a web radio like BBC3 and mainly Radio Suisse Classique, my current favourite (check this out if you didn't yet: good sound and always a great programme).
[parla wrote:]
P.S.: Sorry for my idle curiosity, but you mention you "don't have a wife...". I thought Petra is a German female name. Are you one of "us" too?
Out of curiosity: is this what in audio they call out of absolute phase?
Hi 78 and Parla,
I haven't visited Radio Suisse for awhile, I'll have to revisit them soon. Any particular programs or programmers that you like 78 and would suggest that I check out. My French is rather rusty (to be extremely generous to myself! LOL), but I can manage to an extent...at least as far as navigating myself around most websites and understanding a bit of the conversations/talk (better with the written).
And yes, I am a female (BTW, I did say "a wife or a husband"!!). ;-)
Best wishes,
Petra
p.s. And Parla, just thought that I'd explain a bit further as to what I like to do and why and a bit about what my life is like to you--that's all! :-) Have a lovely day wherever you are in the world too.
p.p.s. And 78...LOL very amusing (re your audio comment!).
Tue, Jul 10 2012, 12:54PM
#6
RE: What are you listening to right now?
I always thought you are a lady, Petra, since you write like one of "them". I was simply struck with this "wife", which came first anyway (I will never thought to say: I have no husband or wife...). All the additional info about your life, I believe, is some of the best and healthiest (even out of the absolute phase of our relativity) features of this forum, that can bring us closer and make us understand each other.
Best wishes back to you (wherever in the States you are).
Parla
P.S.: Yes, 78RPM, I was somehow out of the "absolute phase", if we consider the actual relativity of the phase anyway.
Tue, Jul 10 2012, 4:01PM
#7
RE: What are you listening to right now?
I always thought you are a lady, Petra, since you write like one of "them". I was simply struck with this "wife", which came first anyway (I will never thought to say: I have no husband or wife...). All the additional info about your life, I believe, is some of the best and healthiest (even out of the absolute phase of our relativity) features of this forum, that can bring us closer and make us understand each other.
Best wishes back to you (wherever in the States you are).
Parla
P.S.: Yes, 78RPM, I was somehow out of the "absolute phase", if we consider the actual relativity of the phase anyway.
Hi Parla.
LOL The reason that I put the wife first was because I was 1) Thinking of your comment--a few months ago I believe--in which you were talking about your trip to China to attend a wedding and you had described the food as being to rich for your palate and then said something like, so you had your wife fix you a bowl of noodles instead afterwards. So, I was perhaps being a bit cheeky(?) by suggesting that I don't have a "traditional" wife at home to do those kind of things for me (nor any servants and have to mind my pennies too as far as hiring help goes, etc.)....plus 2) I thought that I would put it in such a way as the gents (or many of them) on the site could relate easiest to. ;-)...though I know (in all seriousness) that some *men love to cook too....now if I could just find one of those guys! LOL
*Though, if I may say (immodestly) that my friends (and past boyfriends) have given me high marks for my cooking! :-D
Anyway, just having a bit of fun here...no insult(s) intended!
Best wishes,
Petra
p.s. Plus I'm sure that your wife is also a full-time professional AND is also a great cook, etc.
Tue, Jul 10 2012, 7:42PM
#8
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Managed to listen to some arias from a Nimbus CD of Lauritz Melchior before venturing forth to run errands (including taking an animal to the vet). Trying to think of something calming and peace-inducing for a bit later now that those things are done with and the household and all of its occupants are now back to their normal routine! LOL Maybe Bach's cello suites?
Best wishes,
Petra
Tue, Jul 10 2012, 8:03PM
#9
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Well, have transported the family to Madrid for one month while I am studying (what a ways to spend the break!).
For the month I have decided to center my listening around Hindemith. Today the walk to college was accompanied by the Lustige Sinfonietta from 1916. Must admit I am getting a soft spot for early Hindemith - there are the usual Hindemithn sonorities (strings and brass) with some lovely woodwind writing and the music bubbles along. If I was pushed for a comparison my ears hear less links to Strauss, Berg etc. than I would have imagined. I can't help thinking that Hindemith has something in common with Schrecker at this point. But that might be a presumptive conclusion. There is also a hint of the sound world of Shostakovich, although I have no idea if their paths crossed at any point (and certainly not in 1916!).
Thu, Jul 12 2012, 2:17PM
#10
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Well, have transported the family to Madrid for one month while I am studying (what a ways to spend the break!).
For the month I have decided to center my listening around Hindemith. Today the walk to college was accompanied by the Lustige Sinfonietta from 1916. Must admit I am getting a soft spot for early Hindemith - there are the usual Hindemithn sonorities (strings and brass) with some lovely woodwind writing and the music bubbles along. If I was pushed for a comparison my ears hear less links to Strauss, Berg etc. than I would have imagined. I can't help thinking that Hindemith has something in common with Schrecker at this point. But that might be a presumptive conclusion. There is also a hint of the sound world of Shostakovich, although I have no idea if their paths crossed at any point (and certainly not in 1916!).
Hi Naupilus!
Hindemith is one composer's works who I need to explore further, but you've helped to intrigue me with your descriptions, so thank you! LOL :-)
Sorry to hear that you're stuck studying whilst family is off playing too! May I ask what you area you are hoping to specialize in? Anyway, good luck!
Best wishes,
Petra
Thu, Jul 12 2012, 8:02PM
#11
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Hi Petra
What Hindemith do you already know? If just the most recorded works I would suggest getting hold of a set of the Kammermusik (either Chailly or Abbado are excellent - my preference would be for Chailly). Put them on with the Branden berg concertos as a complimentary menu...
Should have been clearer - I am in Madrid with the family. While I study they visit zoo and run around in the park. I am busy on a Masters program that I should have taken ten years ago!
Thu, Jul 12 2012, 8:47PM
#12
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Tonight, while slaving over my next paper (due Monday) I am indulging in one of my guilty pleasures - Strauss's Alpine Symphony.
I know it is not considered a sign of good taste to really like certain pieces but this really is one of the best 'orchestral shouts' I know. There is just so much gorgeous, over the top music. Maybe intellectually it is enervating but Strauss gets the blood flowing, which is fine with me.
Thank goodness for tapas too...
Fri, Jul 13 2012, 12:13AM
#13
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Speaking of Hindemith don't forget the orchestral music. A highly rated BIS CD has Mathis der Maler, Nobilissima Visione, and the Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber. Also, there used to be an Everest CD of the Symphony in E-Flat and the Violin Concerto. For a good list of Hindemith CDs go to classicstoday.com. You'll find 3 pages of listings with reviews.
Thu, Jul 12 2012, 10:43PM
#14
RE: What are you listening to right now?
And one more reference to Hindemith: His actual masterwork, the significant 20th century Opera Mathis der Maler. We are fortunate enough to still have two very competitive recordings: an older one with a stellar cast, led by Fischer-Dieskau under Kubelik, on EMI, and a newer one with a good modern cast under the strict, emotional and powerful baton of Simone Young, on Oehms.
A brilliant work to seize the listener.
Parla
Fri, Jul 13 2012, 5:09PM
#15
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Listening to: Hindemith Mathis der Maler/Naxos/New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Franz-Paul Decker.
An unnamed journalist in one of my music books describes his best works, such as this, as resounding 'with a timeless nobility'.
"Casual" listening seems to be your preference, Petra and Kev. However, you belong to the majority, anyway. "Casual" is easy, comfortable, cozy, convenient, unconventional... Why not? But is Classical Music all that? That's the topic of another thread, which I don't intend to initiate...at all.
Best wishes in your listening (in every possible way),
Parla