Let the Games Begin: The Classical Music Draft, Part I

[Sachsen]

Mozart's Requiem: Pow! The first full choral work chosen (not counting Beethoven's 9th), and it's, shall we say, a humdinger. Awesome pick. The only problem I have with it is all the different versions there are due to all the different people trying to "complete" it. I haven't yet found one that's completely satisfying. And I know it's nowhere close to the truth, but is there anything more compelling in film than to watch the dying Amadeus dictate the Requiem to Salieri, as his archrival feverishly scribbles the final notes?

Chopin's Preludes: Wonderful piano tunes. Some of my favorite to play when I was taking piano lessons as a teenager.

Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit: Wow - never even heard of it. I'm not big into Ravel as it is, but this came way out of nowhere for me. Gave it a listen on naxos.com. Very impressionistic, very atmospheric, very modern stuff. Can't say I'll listen to it again, though.

Moncayo Garcia's Huapango: Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Another one I'd never heard of, but I'm glad I have now. Again, listened to it on naxos.com, if that doesn't make you want to jump up and dance in a dusty courtyard with a hot señorita, nothing will. :cool:

Beethoven's Für Elise: Every children's piano sonata has to include this one. But it's not just for children - one of my earliest piano albums was one by Van Cliburn playing assorted favorites, and this was on there, played absolutely beautifully. Much like the Four Seasons, it's been way overplayed, but that shouldn't diminish its charm.

[Ghost]

I read the thread recently that had that too, Ghost - funny.


Yeah, that movie's my current whipping boy. It seems so perfect.

[Sachsen]

Yeah, that movie's my current whipping boy. It seems so perfect.

You realize, of course, that the more you guys talk about it, the more I actually want to WATCH it? :eek:

The 2nd round is on hold pending your votes. Post 'em here or send me PMs, I've gotten four opinions so far to go along with my own.

[Haole]

Speaking of Gould's second recording, I came across these (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=glenn+gould+goldberg+opus3863&search=Search)on Youtube a few weeks ago. I never knew these videos existed - they're pretty mesmerizing.

Yowzah...great stuff. Thanks.

Now I'm fishing around for the "32 Films ....Glenn Gould" from '93. I remember that as a fairly interesting film.

[Norsk Troll]

You realize, of course, that the more you guys talk about it, the more I actually want to WATCH it? :eek:

The 2nd round is on hold pending your votes. Post 'em here or send me PMs, I've gotten four opinions so far to go along with my own.Well, there's no reason to hold things up. We should proceed with drafting pending your vote-gathering, since under either scenario we go in order for the next 24 hours minimum. DoctorD is up, right?

[Karl K]

I go with #2 -- 10 hours per round.

[Karl K]

This was harder than I thought it would be, both in terms of which artist and which work to take first. I've got a whole bunch of mid-round picks in mind, but wanted to make the first one really stand up. So...

http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/chopin.jpg

Chopin, Preludes, Op. 28.

My Romantic Polish soul obliged me to take Chopin first, though I wavered on just which work. There's many I could have taken - many of them just as good, but perhaps a little shorter. In the end I decided to go with the Preludes - variegated, distinct, subtle expressions of emotion, seamlessly connected. Lovely, lovely music.

For those who want to take a listen to the 4th prelude in this opus, go to

http://innig.net/music/recordings/ith_chopin-28-4.mp3

Played by Paul Cantrell, whose web site is:

http://innig.net/music/inthehands/category/recordings/chopin/

He does a nice job on it.

This is of course one of the favorites of piano teachers -- simple technically.

But to execute with the right emotional depth? Very very difficult.

[Haole]

This is of course one of the favorites of piano teachers -- simple technically.

But to execute with the right emotional depth? Very very difficult.

I was mesmerized by how easily the simpler pieces fell for your hands but, oh hell was the proper feeling elusive. The way they draw you into practicing them is the charm...they're beautifully addictive.

[sanariot]

Can I play?

[Sachsen]

Can I play?

Go ahead and pick - you're now #16. You're up right now.
DoctorD, go ahead and put yourself on the clock as soon as Sbry picks.

[DoctorD]

Hey I just got my PM and picked - then deleted my message. It's OK as long as everyone understands that we're waiting for Sbry.

<fingers drumming>

[Sachsen]

Speaking of Gould's second recording, I came across these (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=glenn+gould+goldberg+opus3863&search=Search)on Youtube a few weeks ago. I never knew these videos existed - they're pretty mesmerizing.

Holy crap :eek: How in the world did he play with that posture? AMAZING playing...

[Sachsen]

Hey I just got my PM and picked - then deleted my message. It's OK as long as everyone understands that we're waiting for Sbry.

<fingers drumming>

Oof. He's a latecomer, so I don't really have a problem if you want to go ahead and pick anyway. Sbry can jump in with his whenever he's ready.

[DoctorD]

Good. My second pick is

J. S. Bach St. Matthew Passion

[Sachsen]

Good. My second pick is

J. S. Bach St. Matthew Passion

CRAP!

First the Goldbergs, now you! What is up with my 2nd picks vanishing???

Haole is up.

[Haole]

My second pick:

"Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune" (1894), Debussy

http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/debussy_10.jpg



The first colossus of modern music. Tonal modes, timbres, colors and sensual painting unheard of at the time. Brimming with ideas and emotionalism that stood in direct opposition to the prevailing Wagner/Brahms traditions.

Modern music has it's champion and a new language will prevail.

Continually referenced but never equalled.

[sanariot]

Actually, let's go ahead and delete our last few posts, please.

Done.

Just nudge me when it's my turn again, yeah?

[Sachsen]

Done.

Just nudge me when it's my turn again, yeah?


You should get PM'd by the person ahead of you in the line. For that reason, if you could clear out your PMs (they're full), you'll know when you're up. Thanks again.

EDIT: Sbry got overzealous and deleted his first pick along with his accidental 2nd one. His first pick was Pachelbel's Canon in D. :)

EDIT AGAIN: The Big Board is up in the forum, so everyone can check there periodically to see how the draft is going and how soon you're up next.

[sanariot]

My first pick is Pachelbel - Canon.

[sanariot]

You should get PM'd by the person ahead of you in the line. For that reason, if you could clear out your PMs (they're full), you'll know when you're up. Thanks again.


Done.