handlebar Offline

Jim,

I'm digging some David Diamond. Man, he's a great composer. You're so right in liking his music.

That is one MTT i do not own. I like the work but have not purchased that recording as yet. Hopefully soon!

Hey, how do you like MTT's Das Lied von der Erde? I've read very conflicting views on it, so I assume it must be really good (because rarely do I like unanimously "great" recordings unless they're seriously amazing). I'm thinking I'll start getting the rest of MTT/Mahler this year... and I'm ridiculously excited about his 8th coming out next season.

For Delius, I like the readings of Hickox, Handley, Mackerras, and Sir Andrew Davis. I feel these conductors kept Delius' music alive in the digital age.

Do you have any favorite Delius compositions?

I love the new avatar!

Richter's repertoire small? He once said that his repertoire runs around eighty different programs, not counting chamber works! To quote Wikipedia: "Indeed, Richter's repertoire ranged from Handel and Bach to Karol Szymanowski, Alban Berg, Anton Webern, Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, Paul Hindemith, Benjamin Britten, and George Gershwin."

Hofmann, was a great pianist, as was Horowitz. Sergei Rachmaninov, Arthur Rubinstein, and Dinu Lipatti too. Along with Richter they sum up the greats. Hofmann perhaps was a great technician (with his small hands and all), but sometimes used it in the wrong way. I have heard a few of his Chopin recordings that seem very rushed. As for Horowitz, there is something wrong with the way he presses the keys. Richter didn't just play the piano (as great a technician as he was), he communicated the notes, and in that way you could say he's not the greatest pianist, he was the greatest musical communicator of any pianist.

Hey Jim,

I was wondering if you are a fan of Delius? It seems you are a fan, like I am, of English classical music.

Hi jim, thanks for becoming a friend! - andre.

Anyone who enjoys Mahler and Bruckner is a friend of mine Jim! You're welcome.

You stated in a thread that Richter was not the greatest pianist of the 20th century. Who, then, do you feel is more deserving of this title? I am more than willing to chat.

Air