CLASSICAL :: great music
Janos Starker plays Early Italian Cello Sonatas
This is an awe-inspiring recording of technically daunting, yet strikingly melodious, sonatas from early 18th-century Italy, as well as a joyous, energetic Bach sonata. Lovely music-making, incredible virtuosity, and outstanding production quality make this possibly the best cello recording ever made!
In addition to the many virtues of Mr. Starker’s cello playing, both pianists on this disc perform at the highest level, providing not only strongly supportive roles, but fine musicianship in their own rights.
The outstanding recording quality of the finest days of the Mercury Living Presence label is evident here: radiant and lush, yet pristine and well-focused. The instruments sound full-bodied and resonant; there is no pushing of the sound. There are detailed liner notes, too, including notes by Mr. Starker himself on the history of string playing since the 18th century, a brief discussion of how these pieces fit into that development, and a statement of his own goals in performing and recording these works.
read more about how
Music — A Book of Quotations
Throughout the ages, music has stirred the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Many have written or spoken about this wonderful art, and some of those sayings and writings have been collected in this neat little volume.
Do you know which American President once said, “The man who disparages music as a luxury and non-essential is doing the nation an injury. Music now, more than ever before, is a national need. There is no better way to express patriotism than through music?”
Or how about this — what famous actor/film director once declared, “Donny Osmond has van Gogh’s ear for music?”
to find out about these and many other quotes, read
COMPOSER MINI-PROFILE: Boris Tchaikovsky
My first acquaintance with Boris Tchaikovsky’s music came with hearing the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich’s recordings of the Suite for Solo Cello, the Cello Concerto, and the extraordinary Partita for Cello, Piano, Harpsichord, Electric Guitar and Percussion (on the 13-disc EMI set Rostropovich: The Russian Years 1950-1974).
Tchaikovsky (1925-1996) — no relation to the legendary Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky — studied with Dmitri Shostakovich and Nikolai Miaskovsky. He had quite a distinguished career in his native Russia, working with great performers such as Rudolf Barshai, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Kirill Kondrashin, Igor Oistrakh, Viktor Pikaizen, Galina Vishnevskaya, and Mstislav Rostropovich.
To learn more about this great twentieth-century composer, visit the official Boris Tchaikovsky website. There you’ll find lists of works and recordings, photographs, biographical material and more. The site is available in English and Russian, and both language versions of the site are accessible from the same URL.
The official Boris Tchaikovsky website is maintained by The Boris Tchaikovsky Society (a public non-profit organization founded in 2002 by the composer’s widow, his pupils, and musicologists who studied his music). The Society has also assisted in producing about 20 CDs of Boris Tchaikovsky’s music on the Naxos, Chandos, Hyperion, Albany, and Melodiya labels, among others.
GREAT GEAR: TECHNICS SL-1200MK2 Turntable
I hear from colleagues at work that vinyl is back, but for me it’s never been gone…less sturdy than digital media, of course, but there’s just no replacing that glorious vinyl sound (even with the snap, crackle and pop). However, my old turntable died a few years ago. So after a few years, amid vinyl withdrawal, I found this amazing classic turntable that is just perfect for fine classical music listening.
The Technics SL-1200MK2 is a classic piece of audio engineering, having been in production for decades. It’s a direct drive turntable — there is no belt — so the speed is 100% even, resulting in perfect sound reproduction. The drive even reaches full speed within, literally, one second!
If really great sound is important to you, take a look at the SL-1200MK2. This turntable is an incredible value!
Available from Amazon
CLASSICAL
ONLINE SHOPS
Here’s a few online shops where you can find all sorts of great recordings and music-related products:
- Alibris
- Amazon
- Apple iTunes
- ArkivMusic
- Axiom Audio
- Books-A-Million
- Cambridge Soundworks
- CD Universe
- Classics Online
- eBooks
- eMusic
- HDTracks
- J&R Computer/Music World: Audio
- J&R Computer/Music World: Classical Music
- Media Monkey
- Movavi 1 2
- Musicnotes.com
- Napster
- Roxio
- Sheet Music Plus
- Virtual Sheet Music
- Woodwind & Brasswind
Have a comment? Here’s a nice old typewriter for you to WRITE TO ME.
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for the best Classical Music? My CLASSICAL MUSIC STORE might have something you’d like. You can also support viaDigita by purchasing through this link — MANY THANKS!
JANOS STARKER STOREWant to find more Janos Starker recordings? Find them at my JANOS STARKER STORE.
BORIS TCHAIKOVSKY STOREFor recordings of music by this great Russian composer, visit my BORIS TCHAIKOVSKY STORE.
MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE STOREIf you want to find a really great recording from the Mercury Living Presence catalogue, visit my MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE STORE.
VERMEER QUARTET STOREFor some super recordings by one of the all-time great quartets, please visit my VERMEER QUARTET STORE.
CAROL MONTPARKER STOREInterested in personal insight into the musician’s world? Visit my CAROL MONTPARKER STORE.
YALE CELLOS STOREIf you’d like to hear one of the premier Yale musical groups, buy a great recording at my YALE CELLOS STORE.
AUDIO HARDWARE STOREAs a music lover, you’ll need the right gear. There’s a nice selection to check out at my AUDIO HARDWARE STORE.
FEATURED LINK
Cellos2Go is a specialty store for cellists located in Schenectady, New York.
As this is a regular bricks-and-mortar store, you will need to call or email for their great customer service. But don’t let that deter you. Cellos2Go has customers in 41 different countries.
According to its website, “Aside from its focus solely on cellists and their needs, intensive study and networking sets Cellos2Go apart from its larger competitors. We do not blindly stock everything a supplier offers. We take the time to evaluate products ourselves and listen carefully to feedback from our clients. We monitor comments from professionals, teachers, and novices of all ages, and only offer those products we believe are the best in their category. Cellos and their accessories are often expensive, and we take our obligation to screen out inferior products very seriously.…
If you are a cellist, check out Cellos2Go!
