Take me there…
Music can take you to times and places. Music can show you the heart of a culture. Music can make you feel you’ve been there, and you know the people.
Dutch pianist Yoram Ish-Hurwitz presents the music of Albéniz in a beautiful, soft-focus portrait of Spain. His phrasing and touch is less “dramatic” than some, but often reveals a beauty that others miss. When you listen to Iberia Books 1, 2, 3 and 4 you may not see Gypsies dancing, but you will be sitting in the glorious Spanish sun, sipping some exquisite Tempranillo.
Both of these are excellent both in artistry and recording.
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Isaac Albeniz – Iberia volume 1€19,99 – €28,49
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Isaac Albéniz – Iberia Book 3&4€19,99 – €28,49
Valery Gergiev and his Mariinsky Orchestra take you to 1942 Leningrad for an amazing performance of the Symphony No. 7 by Shostakovich. This music captures this time and place perhaps more perfectly because Gergiev chooses to avoid some of the flashy effects and go more directly for the drama involved. When that march in the first movement gets in your head— well, it’s just something you should experience for yourself. Beautifully recorded, and amazingly performed!
Back to the keyboard for absolutely delightful music from Francis Poulenc. With Poulenc it seems like it’s always Paris in the 1920’s. Rolf Lindblom seems to thoroughly enjoy Les Soirees de Naselles, Trois Pieces, and Promenades. Take a little Debussy, a little Ravel, season with some Satie— and throw in some popular music and jazz from the era, and you have the idea. The piano is beautifully recorded– just listen:
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Poulenc – Les soirées de Nazelles – 3 Pieces – Promenades€21,99 – €26,99
Off to Finland at the turn of the last century! Nothing says Finland like the music of Sibelius. Sir Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in his Symphony no. 2, and the tone poem, Pohjola’s Daughter. Davis recorded the all of the Sibelius Symphonies before, but there is something about this 2d that shows the maturity of the conductor and the amazing playing of the LSO. Add to that that this is available in native DSD— well you can’t go wrong. I’ve got a bunch of Sibelius 2’s ranging from Monteux, Szell, Barbirolli, Berglund, to … well let’s just say I’ve got lots. But I really like this one, and I think you just might as well, and I’ve never heard Pohjola’s Daughter done so well.
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Sibelius- Symphony No. 2 – Pohjola’s Daughter€20,99 – €32,49
Photo by Duangphorn Wiriya on Unsplash
