Thursday, December 28, 2017

An amazing color photo of Franz Liszt plus Beethoven on his favorite instruments


A playlist of a remarkable series of Beethoven Symphonies transcribed by Franz Liszt, played on a 1837 Erard and 1867 Blüthner piano, two of Franz Liszt favorite piano’s. 

But first a photo of Franz Liszt a few months before his death in 1886, enhanced and colored by Brazilian computer wizard Marina Amaral. Franz Liszt has never come closer to me, suddenly he looks me in the eyes and the composer becomes a real *person*.
Spine-chilling.

As a worthy complementary, the above mentioned series on authentic Liszt pianos. The series a received “good, with some reservation” review on Classics Today and Classical Net, and ravingly positive reviews on the Classical MusicGuardian and the Gramophone
Well, here for you to try… 
Hope you will enjoy it!

Ludwig van Beethoven, transcribed for piano by Franz Liszt 

Track 01-05 Symphony, S 464: no 6 in F major    
 (1837)
Track 06-09 Symphony, S 464: no 2 in D major    
 (1863-1864)
Track 10-13 Symphony, S 464: no 7 in A major   
(1837)
Track 14-17 Symphony, S 464: no 1 in C major    
(1863-1864)
Track 18-21 Symphony, S 464: no 3 in E flat major    
 (1863-1864)
Track 22-25 Symphony, S 464: no 8 in F major    
(1863-1864)
Track 26-29 Symphony, S 464: no 4 in B flat major    
(1863-1864) 
Track 30-33 Symphony, S 464: no 5 in C minor    
(1837)
Track 34-37 Symphony, S 464: no 9 in D minor    
(1863-1864)

Yury Martynov, 
1837 Erard and 1867 Blüthner piano


https://open.spotify.com/user/otterhouse/playlist/3TtG8oXN2ErrY0FycOfBLM
(Webplayer link)

Sunday, December 17, 2017

The best Christmas album ever on Spotify, Boston Pops Christmas Party


Ok, RCA Read Seal LSC 2329. *The* ultimate Christmas album. One of the best known albums, also by the Boston Pops Orchestra (more about them, here) and Arthur Fiedler. Not to many words now for this 1959 album, just enjoy the playlist ;-) For more detailed info (about soloists etc), click here

Track 01 A Christmas Festival
Track 02 White Christmas
Track 03 Sleigh Ride
Track 05 Winter Wonderland
Track 06 Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
Track 07 Hansel And Gretel: Dream Pantomine
Track 08 Sleigh Ride
Track 09 The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
Track 10 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Track 11 Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town



https://open.spotify.com/user/otterhouse/playlist/1kkLH5i9jZ5KM0dBThfMOk
(Webplayer link)