JBL-m9500

[tima]

After Bach organ music and big chorus with Handel, after Stravinsky and Shostakovich, I thought I'd post something smaller, perhaps something more traditional in the Classical world. So here's a string quartet. 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello.

It's Beethoven but it is not 'traditional Beethoven.' This is music he was afraid to publish or have performed because he thought his friends would not understand it -- and they didn't. To me this is music from the future from 1826 when he wrote it, among his final works before his death. Having heard it, Schubert supposedly said: "After this, what is left for us to write?" Along with B's Opus 127 it has a "grandeur ... which no words can express. They seem to me to stand ... on the extreme boundary of all that has hitherto been attained by human art and imagination." (ref) This could easily be 20th Century music.

Here's the video: https://youtu.be/Saee3Kc8dQA

This is by the Végh Quartet, Hungarians, on the Valois label: cmb 83, recorded 1972-74. Founded by Sandor Végh in 1940. It is part of a 10-LP box set of Beethoven's late string quartets. I won't say it is the best because there are a few other fine recordings of these works, but it is one of the best. The box set in vinyl is still available and I think it is on CD as well. The works also can be purchased individually.



Végh Quartet, Valois cmb 83
Beethoven
Quartet No. 14
Opus 131
V.Presto
VI. Adagio Quasi Un Poco Andante (~5:43)
VII. Allegro (~7:52)

[tima]

Someone wanted to hear something modern. I don't generally listen to pop but here is rather unique offering.
Three tunes from the two-person group Musica Nuda.



Double bassist Ferrucio Spinetti and soprano Petra Magoni team up on their LP Musica Nuda [Fonè ‎– 8012871010615 ] to offer jazzy covers of popular songs sung in English and Italian. Given the instrumentation, the music is very sparse and the combination of different tonalities is, well, different. The recording thrusts at you, and the JBL Lamm system conveys its raw immediacy and naturalness with open-eared clarity.

Magoni’s voice is raucous and rangy and Spinetti’s classical training belies an inventive spontaneity that runs all over the octaves. Several tunes, such as the group’s covers of "Roxanne" and "Eleanor Rigby," feature Spinetti’s martelé technique of punching or hammering a string with his bow. Near the end of "Guarda che Luna," Ms. Magoni demonstrates incredible breath control as her voice jumps octaves instantly, pulling notes into the ether for what seemed like eternity.

Here are Eleanor Rigby, Roxanne and Guarda che Luna.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkd72jPiRn4

[tima]

Back to big classical...

Here is one of the most famous symphonies in the classical world, Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Opus 67 in C-minor. Performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the iron fist of Hungarian-American conductor Fritz Reiner. This recording was made in August 1959 - a time when the Chicago orchestra was at its peak and had what was likely the best collection of horn players in the world.

The video here is from an original RCA Shaded Dog, (LSC-2343). The LP was made in Chicago's Orchestra Hall, engineered by Lewis Layton and produced by Richard Mohr.

The opening movement is dramatic and often characterized as "Fate knocking at the door.." The video covers the entire 1st Movement.



Video: https://youtu.be/NvWjnF7AuFM

[SCAudiophile]

Belated congratulations! From the Mahler 2, Beethoven 5, and Shostakovich 8 videos, it is clear that the system sounds like it truly puts you into the performance physically and emotionally. I could not play the Bach organ video...YT states it is "private".

[tima]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Belated congratulations! From the Mahler 2, Beethoven 5, and Shostakovich 8 videos, it is clear that the system sounds like it truly puts you into the performance physically and emotionally. I could not play the Bach organ video...YT states it is "private".

Thank you very much for your kind remarks. I'm happy you can get a sense of that from the youtube video. The in-room experience is compelling. My goal is large orchestral which I personally consider among the most challenging full-range music for a home stereo. Try the Bach Toccata & Fugue again - if it still doesn't play for you, please send me a PM. I'm still new to the youtube video settings.

[tima]

Very rarely do I listen to folk music but I bought this album a few years back and do enjoy the song writing.

The Harrow & the Harvest was released in 2011 by the songwriting team of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. It was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category. On the Acony label: ACNY-1109. It is on digital as well.

A harrow is a farm implement for breaking up clods of dirt. Gillian Welch is from Manhatten New York.

The following selection, written by Welch, is pretty straightforward pickin' and strummin' acoustic music without post production artifice. The lyrics are different. Several cool songs on this album - check it out.

That's the Way that it Goes.

https://youtu.be/bZPaASAXY_k

[tima]

Haven't made a post here for a while. A brief JBL foray outside my usual classical - got a couple of late '60s rockers for you recorded in my room with my phone. These sound a lot better than some contemporary rock I've heard, but that's just my preference. Great horns and bass - ha! - Wagner might have liked these.

Highly advisable to turn it up. ;-)



Blood, Sweat & Tears: Spinning Wheel: https://youtu.be/f9FuvhFeiPQ?si=_WDxSM4Lixdvgsya
Columbia CS 9720



Cchicago II: 25 or 6 2 4 https://youtu.be/nvNWcBeWLyA?si=YShBMPugQOlN6j9U
Columbia KGP 24