CONTEST ENTRY @poetryonplastic - Celebrating 10,000 subscribers

[@thomasroth4533]

I watched your video of EMI gems part 2 again and loved your story about watching the sun rise on a beach in Aldeburgh. I can really relate to that as music follows me everywhere. In 1986 I was visiting London for a few weeks and I lived with an Australian woman who was a flute player in the marvellous Lontano Ensemble. We had a wonderful time and one day we went in her car to the countryside and there we walked slowly on a beach of pebbles - and suddenly I saw Moot Hall frpm Peter Grimes. This sight is etched in my memory and I almost wept as Britten and Peter Grimes is so close to my heart. We also visited the graveyard where Britten is buried and Pears had recently left us and had only a modest wooden cross on his grave. Poignant.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Oh man! I visited Britten's grave when I was in Aldeburgh that summer of '79. I could barely process my emotions. His music means so much to me. First sang the Missa Brevis when I was around 11 I think.... I will never forget that concert of Murray Perahia doing Mozart piano concertos - it was so moving. I remember going out into the parking lot to get some air during the interval and Peter Pears was sitting in his car weeping.... This was only three years after Britten's death, and everyone in that concert felt like we had touched something elemental and profoundly spiritual. Oh the Moot Hall! One of the greatest evenings of my life was seeing Jon Vickers sing Grimes in the famed Covent Garden production - a searing interpretation. On a lighter note, that morning sunrise on the Aldeburgh beach was shared with a lovely girl with whom I'd been partying all night - added quite the extra dimension to watching the fishing boats set sail.....

[@thomasroth4533]

@@musiconrecord6724 I envy you the wonderful memories and I have always wished I was born in England. Britten is one of the two composers who is most important to me, the other is Stravinsky. I wrote about how I discovered Stravinsky and classical music in the book "Abecedaire" published by Fondation Stravinsky. Only in French unfortunately. When I was young I heard Simple Symphony and a few pieces by Vaughan Williams so when I saw that the radio was going to play Britten's "Spring Symphony" I looked forward to an evening of pastoral pleasantaries. It took five seconds and my ears was sharpened and it still is one of my favorite Britten works. I was lucky enough to have in my home town, Malmoe in Sweden, a record shop of the highest quality. Not only could I buy the Stravinsky conducts Stravinsky on American Columbia pressings but also the Britten conducts Britten catalogue on Decca. I have so many wonderful memories of getting to know all this music and taking the ferry to Copenhagen to buy the piano score of Peter Grimes. But I have to confess, I don't like the "War Requiem". I find it so dull and predictable and I have several recordings and have heard it live a couple of times. But no. I give it a try every two years or so, but nothing happens.

[@musiconrecord6724]

@@thomasroth4533 That's just how it is with some works.... But I admire your persistence! That's great you were able to acquire those Stravinsky and Britten "country of origin" pressings.

[@thomasroth4533]

Another EMI record that sounds terrific is the Charles Groves Malcolm Arnold second symphony and English Dances. But then, Arnold was such a great orchestrater so his music always sounds great. And then we have the Lyrita catalogue...

[@heifetz6382]

Great, that you mentioned the Bridge record, conducted by Groves. I like it very much, since I found it 30 years ago in London.

[@musiconrecord6724]

It's definitely a hidden gem!

[@DavidSmith-tl1qh]

For Shostakovich and that great portrait of him , the same was used on the quadraphonic version of the 10th conducted by Pavo Berglund (the insert). But first really came to know Dimitri's music on the Neeme Jarvi /Royal National Scottish Orchestra on Chandos label...almost complete cycle. First one I ever picked up in the late 80's was the 4th symphony...mind blown! Love Steve Wilson's mixes as well. Need to check out Porcupine Tree.

[@poetryonplastic]

Very cool to hear the music of Frank Bridge, I've seen him mentioned many times in program notes for Benjamin Britten, but just never stumbled across his music until now, thank you! It's funny you mention the Solit Brahms set, and I have to say I don't think I've gone back to that cycle much in the last few years, I acquired an old rca mono box set of the Toscanini/NBC recordings, and while they're no audiophile marvel, I've become enamored with just how spectacular those performances are. Lastly, of all the great tracks reissues Bernie has cut, some of the best have been the ones he did of Minako Yoshida, a great jazzy vocalist I highly recommend checking out (Monochrome is my favorite). Thanks for the great entry! I'll try to do the drawing later this week once I get over this cold.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Try to find a copy of that Bridge record - it is very special. Yes, the Toscanini Brahms recordings are, how shall we say, very Toscanini!! I have the set on Testament - live gigs from London in the early 50s. I know you are primarily an LP guy, but I must say that through the wonderful transfers on the Pristine label I have discovered some amazing historical recordings, including the incredible Toscanini Beethoven cycle from 1939. The sound is superb and the performances jaw-dropping. I was very happy to retire my LPs/CDs of the later studio cycle whose sound was always a barrier for me. I will totally check out that Yoshida record.... Hope you feel better soon.... BTW I commented on your excellent Bernstein/Mahler review on the Hofmann forums. Looking forward to reading you often on Fremer's site.

[@paulemery55]

Sorry it took so long to watch your delightful video. I'm a collector of classical on CD but I participate with the vinyl community (I've been singing your praises as best I can). I enjoyed learning about your interest in music outside of classical. I found recordings we have in common as well as titles I'm curious to explore. I love King Crimson, Steven Wilson, and Gentle Giant.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Clearly we do indeed have similar tastes.

[@markeslick1680]

Micheal’s video about the collectible record labels got me going on classical vinyl. Since then I’ve collected hundreds of Decca’, London, Living Stereo and Living Presence among others. I really enjoy your presentations too. Cheers!

[@musiconrecord6724]

So glad you discovered Michael's channel. His guides to the classical labels are exemplary, and I am so glad you were able to act on his information to dive into this endlessly fascinating hobby. Thank you so much for watching and commenting.

[@lokitio]

Great stuff, I’ve picked up a number of records from your other videos & I just wanted to say thanks - the content you’ve put together is fantastic, detailed, entertaining, clear and really appreciated.

[@musiconrecord6724]

So glad you're been enjoying! And that subsequent purchases haven's been disappointing.

[@coattodidolore9574]

Believe Me , I'm from Italy , years ago I recklessy sold my copy of King Crimson Red to buy Frank Bridge the Sea Asd EMI 3486 and Brian symp. n.8 EMI Asd 3486 and , Those are really desert Island records . Now that I've seen your video I feel very nostalgic and really miss me RED album ( the other King Crimson are still on my shelves obiouovsly) and I'll buy it again . Congratulations for you channel .

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Solti's early Wagner overtures with Vienna is absolutely stunning! One of the most gripping Rienzi's I've ever heard and it sounds best in analog on open reel tape.

[@musiconrecord6724]

I don't know that record! One to add to the list.....

[@nigelmasters8552]

I would just like to thank you for your hard work in producing this video. As you describe each LP I am always tempted to revisit my own collection. Excellent work , may you long continue in this fascinating hobby.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Much appreciate your feedback. Plan to continue as long as the old ears are working.....

[@thomasroth4533]

You started this talk with two of my favorite records and I remember vividly how I reacted when they were first released. I played them over and over again and I still love them just as much. The sound on the Britten is probably the best ever with a very dynamic range and a natural sound. I actually prefer the Bridge The Sea to Debussy's. I actually own a copy of the first published full score of The Sea from around 1921. There are markings in it but I don't know who made them.

[@musiconrecord6724]

What a piece of serendipity. That Britten has long been one of my demo records - it is ravishing on every level. But the Bridge is fully its equal. Interestingly, after listening to the Bridge I put on some orchestral Takemitsu (Quatrain etc. with Tashi and Ozawa on DG) and in spite of the obvious tonal differences the pieces felt remarkably similar in their ebb and flow.....

[@thomasroth4533]

@@musiconrecord6724 Agree about the Takemitsu pieces. We only add some impressionistic fairy dust. I have the Ozawa in the big Boston Symphony box where it is coupled with the Mozart clarinet and bassoon concertos. Strange coupling but rather fun.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Ah! I also started collecting at around the age of ten. I would surmise we are roughly the same age.

[@analogueanorak1904]

I got hold of a grooved repressing of Solti’s Mendelssohn Italian with the Israel Phil on Ace of Diamondsfor a pound in Oxfam it sounded marvellous and tube-tastic I will definitely keep my eyes out for more. Your entry was a hugely enjoyable epic. Your entry for POP’s 5000 inspired me to have a go this time. It’s not a pretty sight but everyone has to start somewhere!

[@musiconrecord6724]

You got to the end!!! Bravo!!! So happy you felt inspired. Early Solti recordings on Decca/London are thrilling!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Congrats on reacing 10k!!! I'm happy to be a subscriber.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Happy to have you on my channel - and very happy you subscribe to Michael's channel too. There's a lot to learn from him. I always look forward to your comments.

[@thomasroth4533]

Talking about seascapes wonder if you have heard Swedish Composer Gösta Nystroem and his Sinfonia del Mare? A wonderful symphony.

[@musiconrecord6724]

No I don't -- added to the list!!

[@georgekatsoulas2394]

Where can i find the symphonies of Shostakovitch?? I want that box set vinyl. I am fan

[@musiconrecord6724]

You'll have to look on Discogs or eBay - not easy to find, and expensive when it does show up.

[@thomasroth4533]

The theme by Sakamoto from the movie "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" is incredibly beautiful and my favorite recording is the one he did with David Sylvian on the latter's "Secrets of the Beehive" album where the song is called called "Forbidden Colours".

[@musiconrecord6724]

It is indeed a gorgeous piece of music and runs like a thread throughout Sakamoto's solo career. There are numerous versions. I love that version on Beehive, with its typically distinctive vocal from Sylvian.

[@georgecoles7220]

Thanks again do have the Shostakovich box set so lucky. Please do find the time, now playing symphony No.4 with Simon Rattle at the City of Birmingham from 1994 Great.

[@musiconrecord6724]

What a piece! Haven't listened to that Rattle recording in years..... I must confess to having mostly so-so feelings about Rattle's recordings, though live he has mostly been fantastic (especially a Beethoven 9th with the BPO at the Proms - one for the ages). Have you discovered the Mark Wigglesworth cycle on BIS - well worth exploring. Good for you having that Shostakovich box - I've had hours of happy listening from it.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Another great seascape work is by Belgian composer Paul Gilson. "De Zee" actually predates Debussy's great work (which by chance, we are playing in orchestra next week!). The premier recording was made in 1987 for the Discover label and never on LP.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Fascinating. Will investigate.....