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    Haydn, Mozart, Vivaldi, Wagner, Brahms, Schumann
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    always enjoy your insights,
    likeTakamitsutoo.

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    Hey! It's very good to see you around again.

    I discovered Segerstam's Sibelius since we last spoke, back in 1975 or whenever. And Rozhdestvensky's. Big breakthroughs!
    G

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    Tapkaara, it looks like you enjoy listening to Japanese composers and one of my favorites is Ikuma Dan. I have his 2nd Symphony but I know Decca or London released a full symphony set of his that is now out of print and impossible to find. I was hoping you would know some avenues to explore to get this. CdJapan doesn't have it nor does HMV Japan.

    Thanks kindly

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    Hi Tapkaara,

    I wasn't alerted to your message, & so have only read it now. Ok I'll check out Akutagawa & Hayasaka. Well thanks for the info.

    I'm actually reading "A Concise History of Western Music" by Paul Griffiths (Cambridge) & it focuses only on European classical, although some USA composers are also mentioned. Not a mention of anything Japanese (or Australian), but I guess that this history was only meant to focus on the things they could squeeze into the 300 pages. Anyhow, it's a fascinating read nonetheless (borrowed it from my local library).

    Ok, talk to you soon.

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    Hello Andre,

    Yashishi Akutagawa and Humiwo Hayasaka are my two other favorites in this series. Akutagawa has a very "Soviet" sound which will recall Prokofiev and Shostakovich easily. Hayasaka is more conservative (he was Ifukube's best friend growing up). In particular, check out his AMAZING Piano Concerto. One of the best kept secrets of 20th century pinao concerti.

    I'd say start with these two and I can lead you on further...

    I am so enthused that you are discovering Japanese composers. It's a realm of music I find endlessly fascinating.

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    Hi Tapkaara, hope you are well. As you know I've been enjoying Ifukube & Takemitsu, but I want to get more Japanese composers in that Naxos "Japanese Classics" series. Can you advise on any good ones worth getting? I'm looking for music that at least has some streak of originality, like those two composers, something that would engage me as much as they have. If the list is too long, you can PM me, or if there is a thread you can point me to, please send it. Thanks, regards, Andre.

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    Yo... do you think you could give a few pointers for Sibelius recordings on the "Desert Island Discs" reference thread?

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    Hey, sorry I still haven't listened to that Ifukube CD all the way through yet this week (it's been a rather unexpectedly hectic week), but I'll be sure to do so tonight. Hooray for weekends...

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    Sibelius is, I believe, one of the most distinctive and original composers. If all you know is his 2nd Symphony, you cannot say you know Sibelius. In fact, each of his 7 Symphonies are so different from each other...one of the most varied cycles in all of music, I think. The Symphonies and the major tone poems (Tapiola, Pohjola's Daughter, En Saga) are all good places to start exploring. I think if you hear the symphonies and the tone poems, you begin to get a very clear picture of the composer's sound world, and then you can move on to the songs, piano works, etc.

    As for the 2nd Symphony being clumsy at times, I do not see that at all. There is a sense of direction and momentum in this work that I feel is lacking in the music in other composer's in Sibelius's time. This is another reason why I love Sibelius. If find, for the most part, the music has a point and purpose.

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    Hello Tapkaara :) You are a big fan of Sibelius no?
    I have been meaning to explore his work for a while but so far have only listened to the 2nd symphony, I think its a good well planned work but a bit clumsy at times. Is this correct or something for me to overcome? Also where should I go next?
    Thanks for your time,
    Emiel

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    yes,you are right."pavel" is from a football player i like very much.he is a Czechish.
    Hi,nice to meet you.

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    Hey Tapkaara,

    I have recently purchased a good many Sibelius Segerstam recordings. I want to get Segerstam's "Kullervo" recording, but it's too high right now. Have you heard Segerstam's "Kullervo"?

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    Where have you been, Tapkaara? I see you have logged in today, but why haven't you participated in any of the discussions?
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