tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post7574790328305117061..comments2024-01-20T23:55:26.269-08:00Comments on The Detritus Review: Backwards in BraniborUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post-43691416149545407222008-12-22T11:40:00.000-08:002008-12-22T11:40:00.000-08:00@ Kevin:1. Zelenka rules.2. I generally like Music...@ Kevin:<BR/><BR/>1. Zelenka rules.<BR/><BR/>2. I generally like Musica Florea recordings, which is why I was surprised at the quality of the mp3s. I'm not sure if an upgraded quality can make up for some of the clips'deficiencies--I'm willing to concede that point, if that's the problem.<BR/><BR/>3. I like that aspect of David's criticism, too. It's just that sometimes he goes overboard with the "shoulds" and the "right ways" and adverbs like "obviously" and "indeed." Don't get me wrong, I think it's refreshing to have critics with strong opinions. However, it might be a disservice to one's readership, based on those strong opinions, to dismiss certain performance practices, aesthetics, or techniques out-of-hand. <BR/><BR/>Just the other day, he wrote this:<BR/><BR/>"Penderecki deserves a great deal of credit for turning his back on the avant-garde of the 1960s and '70s, recognizing much of it for the musical dead-end that it has turned out to be."<BR/><BR/>The review, though, was mostly positive (a complete protonic-reversal; a crossing of the streams, as it were), which begs the question: is he firm in his convictions? Or is he simply drumming up contentious prose for excitement? Or, worse, does he know what he's talking about? In the end, did he really have to dump on modernism?<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure I can answer those questions, and that's what irks me about his reviews: an idealist critic, whose knowledge of the subject matter might be wanting. That's dangerous if you ask me.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, check out ClassicsToday's review philosophy. Its mandate (written by David) suggests that the music is not under question. Their task is to appreciate the performance, and compare it to others. Then, the recording, with an emphasis toward the performance. <BR/><BR/>Ugh. <BR/><BR/>Sorry for the longish rant, but thanks for reading, Kevin. Be sure to let us know what you think of the Musica Florea recording if you do pick it up.Empiricushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11629835829400843701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post-45563117668843537572008-12-20T10:12:00.000-08:002008-12-20T10:12:00.000-08:00I have a (to my taste) very enjoyable Musica Flore...I have a (to my taste) very enjoyable Musica Florea disc of music by Zelenka; I wonder if your audio problems might be due to the mp3s to which you're listening. Digital compression, following algorithms designed for pop music, removes midrange detail in favor of treble and, especially, bass.<BR/><BR/>I'll pick up this set (what will that be, my fifteenth Brandenburgs?) just out of curiosity. I like Mr. Hurwitz. He has his bugbears but they're easy to filter. Unlike most reviewers, he understands that the purpose of reviewing is to make a point about the recording in question, not just act like some classical-music booster.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post-33984342381743267782008-06-10T16:34:00.000-07:002008-06-10T16:34:00.000-07:00"permanent". sorry for the extra post, that spell..."permanent". sorry for the extra post, that spelling error bothered me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post-87893663338410582352008-06-10T16:31:00.000-07:002008-06-10T16:31:00.000-07:00Fantastic post, Empiricus. I think you should add...Fantastic post, Empiricus. I think you should add a new feature to the site, and permnament hall of shame with Hurwitz as your first inductee. <BR/><BR/>And as a side note, I have grown somewhat tired of the "period performance". I would like, just once, to have a performance of baroque music with modern instruments played by period players. Just once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post-88362913384202332082008-06-10T11:55:00.000-07:002008-06-10T11:55:00.000-07:00Wow. Nicely argued.Or, as the kids say, "Pwn3d!!1...Wow. Nicely argued.<BR/><BR/>Or, as the kids say, "Pwn3d!!111"Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16371363571092946834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371351138596055444.post-77080354183905287222008-06-10T11:53:00.000-07:002008-06-10T11:53:00.000-07:00Wow.While I don't have great speakers on my comput...Wow.<BR/><BR/>While I don't have great speakers on my computer, the sound quality of the clips seems indeed to be dreadful.<BR/><BR/>(Spain 4-1 Russia, squee!)Sator Arepohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006808744513156317noreply@blogger.com