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What Classical Music Are You Listening To?


StarThrower

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Giving this a spin after recommending it in Paul's "10 Classical Recordings You Enjoy Listening To" thread:

915Uc%2BoYOcL._SX500_.jpg

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 / Boulez, Cleveland Orchestra (DG)
Here's one of the things that makes this recording special: Boulez avoids any overt interpretive stance. His reading isn't chilly (on one hand) or angst-ridden (on the other).  Instead, Boulez illuminates the score and lets the work unfold as transparently as possible. Ironically, Boulez's light touch heightens the weird, otherworldly vibe of the music.  You hear and feel more because he does less. Of course, the virtuosic playing of the Cleveland Orchestra helps! ;) (As does Boulez's mastery of texture; I've never heard this music performed with such translucency.)

Listening to this CD also reminds me that Shostakovich revered Mahler and was greatly influenced by him.  Boulez's reading of the M7 often sounds like Shostakovich's music!  I'm thinking of works like DSCH's 6th, 9th, and 15th symphonies. They have a similar uncanny, impossible-to-pin-down vibe.  (Or at least I think I hear connections between the composers. I guess I'm making connections, even if Shostakovich didn't!)

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2 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Giving this a spin after recommending it in Paul's "10 Classical Recordings You Enjoy Listening To" thread:

915Uc%2BoYOcL._SX500_.jpg

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 / Boulez, Cleveland Orchestra (DG)
Here's one of the things that makes this recording special: Boulez avoids any overt interpretive stance. His reading isn't chilly (on one hand) or angst-ridden (on the other).  Instead, Boulez illuminates the score and lets the work unfold as transparently as possible. Ironically, Boulez's light touch heightens the weird, otherworldly vibe of the music.  You hear and feel more because he does less. Of course, the virtuosic playing of the Cleveland Orchestra helps! ;) (As does Boulez's mastery of texture; I've never heard this music performed with such translucency.)

Listening to this CD also reminds me that Shostakovich revered Mahler and was greatly influenced by him.  Boulez's reading of the M7 often sounds like Shostakovich's music!  I'm thinking of works like DSCH's 6th, 9th, and 15th symphonies. They have a similar uncanny, impossible-to-pin-down vibe.  (Or at least I think I hear connections between the composers. I guess I'm making connections, even if Shostakovich didn't!)

Agreed, this an extraordinary interpretation ....

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