[Sachsen]

Rules and discussion of proceedings are located here. (Also go there if you are a latecomer and still want to join in.)

Draft order for the first round is as follows:
DoctorD
Haole
Norsk Troll
Iceblink
scottinkc
Karl K
sachsen
Smiley321
GringoTex
sardus_pater
Michael K.
NGV
YankHibee
Panfilo

First round: you pick in order. Drafters who don't pick within 10 hours are skipped, but can post their pick whenever they return.
Second Round: You can pick at the earlier of (a) your turn, or (b) the expiration of your own personal 24 hour clock. Everyone's first 24 hour clock begins when the final drafter of Round 1 selects (or his 10 hour clock expires, whichever comes first).
Third and Later Rounds: You can pick at the earlier of (a) your turn, or (b) the expiration of your own personal 24 hour clock, which began at the time of your previous selection.

(Thanks to Norsk Troll for the succinct explanation.)

DoctorD is on the clock starting at 0430 Greenwich Mean Time. (That's 8:30pm Pacific, 11:30pm Eastern, for you Ameri-philes)
His clock expires ten hours later, after which Haole is on the clock.

[Sachsen]

By the way, a couple things I forgot to mention:

-- Please refrain from mentioning undrafted composers or works. If you must, use asterisks, for example:

"I can't BELIEVE you picked *********'s ********* number * instead of his earlier, number *! What a frickin' IDIOT!"

-- I kicked around the idea of asking everyone to post some album cover art of a recommended recording, but decided against it because invariably, the cover art lists other works on the same album, which would violate the other rule above. So just mention your recommended recording, and hold the jpgs, please.

-- Please do post a summary along with your pick, preferably one you wrote yourself (rather than copied and pasted from Wikipedia or some other such source.) I don't mean posting a philosophical or historical essay on the importance or metaphysical coolness of your work/composer, but rather your own impressions of why you like it and why you consider it important enough to include in YOUR draft.

[Iceblink]

Am I missing something, or did we stall out on the first pick of the first day of drafts?

[Haole]

'Le Sacre du Printemps' (1913), Stravinsky


I still remember the first time I heard this piece and how intense my reaction was. One of the major pieces of 20th century music. A showpiece for major orchestras, I was fortunate to hear this in Boston several times and would prop for Ozawa's interpretation any day. A thrilling piece to hear in a great hall.

Thirty-plus years later I still listen, study and wonder about it's wild rhythms, staggering orchestration and beautiful melodies. Stravinsky has held me captive for many years and 'Sacre' remains one of my all-time favorites.

[Sachsen]

Originally Posted by Haole

'Le Sacre du Printemps' (1913), Stravinsky


I still remember the first time I heard this piece and how intense my reaction was. One of the major pieces of 20th century music. A showpiece for major orchestras, I was fortunate to hear this in Boston several times and would prop for Ozawa's interpretation any day. A thrilling piece to hear in a great hall.

Thirty-plus years later I still listen, study and wonder about it's wild rhythms, staggering orchestration and beautiful melodies. Stravinsky has held me captive for many years and 'Sacre' remains one of my all-time favorites.

Whoa - cool pick. I wasn't expecting that to go in the first round, but you can't argue with its "wow" factor or its historical importance. I bet there are a few other drafters ticked off at you now, thinking this one would be safe for awhile...

(By the way, blame it on Disney, but everytime I hear this, I think of dinosaurs.)

Norsk Troll is up. (And DoctorD can post his pick at any time.)

[Sachsen]

Just as a reminder, PM the next guy in line after you make your pick.

[Norsk Troll]

Originally Posted by Iceblink

Am I missing something, or did we stall out on the first pick of the first day of drafts?

Yeah, I think this is a first for Big Soccer Drafts - the #1 Draft Pick is left sitting while the clock expires.

Of course, it's still better than using it on Steve Shak.

[DoctorD]

Whoa guys. Usually I'm asleep after 11 pm!

My first pick is Beethoven's 7th symphony.

I've got three recordings: Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra of London; Rattle and the Vienna Philhamonic; and somebody else on a cassette tape. Ashkenazy is superb, low cost, and highly recommended. Avoid Rattle at all costs - you'll fall asleep listening to it.

edit: oh yes - the summary. Just about the perfect symphony: compelling melodies; a variety of styles; all four movements keep your interest. Need I say more?

[Norsk Troll]

Yes, I am ticked off at Haole, as I did have that slotted in my line-up for a later round. But hey, that's the fun of the draft.

With my #1 selection (#3 overall), I'm going to select one which is not my personal #1 choice, but is something which is more likely to be taken early. I won't discuss the various pros and cons of this work in relation to the composer's other works, since I'm sure some of them are going to be taken later too, and I don't want to affect those choices (EDIT: I just see that I was nearly scooped by the returning DoctorD). But I re-listened to several of them again yesterday, to verify that I felt the same way, and I'm still of the opinion that this selection resonates most with me of all his works. Perhaps it is the use of the human voice, which will undoubtedly be a theme in my selections, as I find the human voice to be the most versatile of all instruments for varying and conveying tone, shading, and ultimately meaning. Therefore, without further ado, I give you:

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

by Ludwig van Beethoven

[Sachsen]

Originally Posted by Norsk Troll

Yes, I am ticked off at Haole, as I did have that slotted in my line-up for a later round. But hey, that's the fun of the draft.

With my #1 selection (#3 overall), I'm going to select one which is not my personal #1 choice, but is something which is more likely to be taken early. I won't discuss the various pros and cons of this work in relation to the composer's other works, since I'm sure some of them are going to be taken later too, and I don't want to affect those choices (EDIT: I just see that I was nearly scooped by the returning DoctorD). But I re-listened to several of them again yesterday, to verify that I felt the same way, and I'm still of the opinion that this selection resonates most with me of all his works. Perhaps it is the use of the human voice, which will undoubtedly be a theme in my selections, as I find the human voice to be the most versatile of all instruments for varying and conveying tone, shading, and ultimately meaning. Therefore, without further ado, I give you:

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

by Ludwig van Beethoven

Rock on. And a recommended recording? I have a soft spot for Bernstein in Berlin.

And I can't believe you made it through discussing the 9th without mentioning:



Iceblink is up.