JohnOfPatmos

Oh, wow, it's been ages since I last listened to Dvorak's ninth! It's a piece I loved and listened to a lot in the past, but now, I don't know why, I've sort of set it aside. What I love about this symphony is the beauty and purity of the melodies, the more turbulent and aggressive moments, the splendid second movement (that theme in D-flat major played by the English horn is unforgettable!). But I don’t know... this great symphonic work no longer fully captivates me as it used to. It's as if I perceive too much heterogeneity within it, the almost Schubertian grace of the trio in the scherzo contrasting with the monolithic power of the finale... Those two themes introduced by the flutes in the first movement, one so tender and the other so "spiritual" with the lowered leading notes by a semitone... In short, lots of words, but it's clear that in my heart there is actually the eighth! :) Stunning review as always, Grass.

Oh, thank you all, as always. Don't do that, come on, misterNo, you'll embarrass me :) @ Lello and BabboNatale: I'm glad that you both have given your opinions on this work, which is undoubtedly a bit challenging, but in my opinion, it knows how to emerge in all its surreal and immense beauty listen after listen. Thanks again one by one to everyone who passed by here and... let's hope that Cupid's arrow can strike between teresa and MetallaroBionico (just kidding, of course :)) Bye everyone, JoP

Kancheli and josi_: extraordinary duo

Beautiful, Lello, a very intriguing suggestion. "The constant search for balance between solitude and the desire for communion" is something I feel very personally. And thank you for the samples. Bye, JoP

Oh, Grass, you quoted one of my favorite pieces: the adagio from concerto BWV 1060! :) I know it in the version for violin and oboe, truly beautiful. One of the most vivid yet melancholic pieces by Bach. It seems Pasolini also used it as the "soundtrack" for "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo". As for the harpsichord, just tonight I listened again to some of Rafael Pujana's work, a brilliant harpsichordist of (strangely enough!) Colombian origin. I found it to have a metallic and ancient sound, very captivating. It was Soler's sonatas... It would be urgent to write a review about it, if only I could find the time! :) Best regards to all, JoP PS The page needs to be re-voted also for the beauty of the discussion that ensued!

Nice point, Mullah. I'm also definitely on the piano side in this eternal debate. In my opinion, with piano performances (of course in good hands), the extraordinary modernity of some Baroque composers comes to light, which in some ways seems overshadowed in many harpsichord interpretations. I’m thinking, for example, of Bach played by Gould, Richter, Schiff or Handel by Keith Jarrett. I prefer the harpsichord in chamber music settings, like Bach's sonatas, for instance, with viola and harpsichord, or those for flute. A re-greeting to all the loggionisti :) JoP

Absolutely beautiful, Grasshopper. Gould's interpretation of this Bach monument is truly impressive. It’s a fine and inspired inner dialogue, where pianism merges with spirituality and perfection in a world distant from the miseries of ours. It’s interesting to catch its nuances and differences with another great interpretation, that of Richter. Or why not, with the debatable yet captivating one by Keith Jarrett (only the Book I at the piano, though, because I'm not convinced at all by his Book II on the harpsichord). Greetings to everyone in the loggione, JoP

Always extremely valuable advice. Well done indeed!

Oh, Hal, you had warned me, and here it is, this beautiful review :)) An album on the rise, for me. Much less immediate than other works by Testa, first of all the beautiful "Il Valzer d'un Giorno," which was my first encounter with this great singer-songwriter. The songs are more reflective compared to previous efforts, they hypnotize you right away, although sometimes you don’t fully understand them. "Al Mercato di Porta Palazzo" is beautiful and tender, while "Tela di Ragno" hits you like a punch to the stomach; I see within it the communication of a truly unsettling discomfort. Best wishes, JoP

Precious review, a serious gap in my CD collection :)