May I recommend Tatiana Nikolaeva Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues for Piano, Op. 87

gsm18439 October 24, 2014 18:42

Jeff,
Relating the musicians to amplifiers to try and illustrate the effect I felt.
Schiff and MA are analogous to very competent transistor amps, get the job done as designed but somewhat dry, mechanical and flat, tends to lack soul. Rostropovich and Tatiana remind me of SET amps, alive, humanistic, colorful with richness and better realism. In a nutshell, more emotion in the music.
Charles,

charles1dad October 24, 2014 18:34

Hi Jeff,
That's an interesting observation regarding Russian musicians, here's another experience I've had. I became interested in classical cello and wanted to get more exposure. Suggestions were YO YO MA and Janos Starker, so I bought some of their CDs. Between these two I was drawn more towards Starker's playing. Here the funny thing (relating to the Russian factor) I bought a CD of Mstislav Rostropovich playing Bach music. I couldn't stop listening to it! I know nothing about classical music but Rostropovich just pulled me in, it was as if I could actually feel and relate to what he played, there was a emotional connection. Same effect as listening to Tatiana last night. Are the Russians truly different or is this simply a coincidence?

I connected with these two similarly to how I respond to my jazz music, full engagement.
Charles,

charles1dad October 24, 2014 18:03

No contest Charles you are right on the money. Many good piano players are mechanical sounding. In my opinion the best are Russian players because they play with such emotion. Tatiana is the real deal.

jwm October 24, 2014 15:12

Charles, not to worry, my friend! There is a reason why I have probably a half a dozen complete cycles of the 32 LvB piano sonatas, and would like to own several more.

I think you have a good ear. I have not heard the Nickolayeva recording. I will check it out.

Please keep in mind that I am no expert on music theory. My last music class was 8th grade. But, for me, Schiff is one of my first choices a a pianist because I think he plays things straight up. Others may take more latitude or artistic license, and make some very worthwhile, compelling, and beautiful music doing so. Sometimes I want Schiff, sometimes I want Brendel, sometimes I want Lewis, or Ohlssohn, etc. Take for instance LvB sonata 25, 2nd movement. It is a barcarole, or venetian boat song. Schiff plays is as a barcarole, whereas Ohlssohn plays it as something somewhat unlike, to my ears, how I have ever heard a boat song played. Ohlssohn's version is wonderful, compelling beautiful, and just plain brilliant. But I don't think it is what Beethoven had in mind when he wrote it. Neither version is necessarily right or wrong in my view. Both are very worthwhile.
When my daughter was taking piano lessons and competing, she (at her mother's encouragement) endeavored to make everything (LvB, Mendelssohn, you name it) sound as much like Chopin as could be managed. Some of it was quite beautiful, and she got everything from high praise to utter rejection from the judges.

I also react to music on an emotional rather than rational basis. Professional musicians are rarely granted that latitude.

Just got back from Tennessee. I'm wiped out. The Montreal winds above sounds very intriguing, esp the LVB 7th. By the way, the LvB 7th 2nd movement is another piece where one will find an amazing diversity in interpretations. More tomorrow.

brownsfan October 24, 2014 05:05

Bill,
Jazz I know pretty well, classical, not much. So I just listen and react, I'm moved or I'm not, simple but effective for me. The Andras Schiff Beethoven Piano Sonatas are good. After listening to it I then listened to Tatiana Nickolayeva play these Sonatas.I enjoyed her CD noticeably more, just deeper involvement, emotion and interest. She IMO extracts more vibrant energy and musical soul, there's beautiful color and drama/life with her interpretations. Bill, have I lost all credibility? would you and the classical purists agree or ban me from further comment? I am judging strictly by my spontaneous reactions while listening to both tonight. Is it my heavy jazz
background? I love the way this woman plays the piano. Andras sounds technical and clinical relatively speaking, is this blasphemy?
Charles,

charles1dad October 24, 2014 02:58

Hi Jim,
Thanks for those suggestions and I'll look them up. I do have a Mulligan and Ben Webster collaboration that's very good. No problem concerning Monk, the gift of music dictates we like what we like. Thelonious Monk is one of my very favorite and admired musicians and composers. He's listened to frequently and intently in my system.
Charles,

charles1dad October 24, 2014 02:24

Thanks so much for the recommendations Charles. I actually own all three of those CDs, but I must say, I'm not a fan of Monk... I find him too repetitive. Perhaps its a finer point of Jazz I haven't learned to appreciate yet, not sure? Here's a few back at you that I've been enjoying:
1. Gerry Mulligan Paul Desmond: "Quartet"
2. Paul Desmond: "Feeling Blue"
3. Ben Webster & Johnny Hodges: "Complete 1960 Cellar Sessions"

mijknarf October 24, 2014 01:55

Bill,
I forgot to mention that the Montreal Winds CD also includes them performing Beethoven's Sympony number 7 OP. 92, It's beautiful.

charles1dad October 24, 2014 01:14

Bill (Brownsfan),
I purchased three versions of Beethoven's Septet OP 20.
1 Scharoun Ensemble Berlin.
2 The Gaudier Ensemble.
3 Les Vents De Montreal Winds.
The first two are violin, viola, Cello, double bass, bassoon, clarinet and french horn.
The third recording is all wind instruments including two french horns.

All three are very good and enjoyable. I'm not familiar with classical music but I realize that these will get repeated use. Just very nice music to listen to. All three are recorded well. The all wind ensemble CD is quite beautiful and this one in particular convincingly put me in the venue. I believe that you'd love the rich tone and natural liquidity of this ensemble. The blending of the multiple musicians is just pulling me in (a classical music novice).

Between the two string/horn ensembles I slightly prefer the Scharoun Ensemble, there's a bit more emotional involvement and sense of presence.
All three are very good.

Next CD I'll listen to is Andras Schiff, "Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonatas" VOL 7.
Bill thanks for your suggestions.
Charles,

charles1dad October 24, 2014 01:08

Hi Jim,
I'm listening this evening and thought that you may like these recordings.
1) Dexter Gordon, "Doin' Allright" I have the XRCD version. Dexter and Freddie Hubbard are just flowing along and communicating oh so nicely! Horace Parlan's piano is providing lovely support.

2) Sarah Vaughan, "After Hours" her voice, with guitar and acoustic bass, what more is needed?
3) Thelonious Monk, "Monk's Dream" his great quartet in top form, special treat, Frank Dunlap on drums and of course, Charlie Rouse's tenor saxophone.
Charles,

charles1dad October 23, 2014 02:11

Thanks Charles. I have owned this amp for 5 years. Before this amp, I had 5 different amps over that same time period. I listen to my system to relax, so my music preference is mostly acoustic jazz and some classical which matches my speaker/amp selection well. DHT SET and these Lowthers on OB have been the ticket for me.

mijknarf October 21, 2014 10:38

Jim,
I'd believe that you're getting some pure and natural sound judging by your system, that amplifier of yours must be something special.
Charles,

charles1dad October 21, 2014 02:53

Hi Jim,
You're welcome! Fortunately for us most jazz is often well recorded. These musicians are so talented it would be a shame not to capture their beautiful work with good sound quality.
Charles,

charles1dad October 21, 2014 01:50

Charles, I've been following your jazz recommendations and wanted to say thanks for the tips as I've picked up several. I'm astonished at the recording quality of several including Frank Morgan, Kenny Burrell and Coleman Hawkins. My rig has never sounded so good. Thanks again. Jim

mijknarf October 20, 2014 23:37

Gary,
I'd agree there aren't many that do both well, there are a few who do it successfully.
Coincident.
Ocellia.
Horning.
Audio Note.
Based on word of mouth you could add Line Magnetic.
Charles,

charles1dad October 20, 2014 00:22

Manufacturers that make both high sensitivity speakers and SET amplifiers would seem to have an advantage. But that clearly is not the case. Some do not do both well or are known for speaker or amplifiers, but not both.

gsm18439 October 19, 2014 22:14

Yes Charles you get get the same value with a nice Path Audio. While your in there see what value cap is on Zobel as that also has a nice impact on the sound.

grannyring October 19, 2014 18:53

Hi Gary,
It is gratifying to read on this site the number of people who've discovered the terrific music reproduction of SET amplifiers after many years of other topologies. Most often these happy converts find themselves listening to music more frequently and for longer periods of time. I think that once people hear the natural sound presentation it becomes difficult to live without it, you become hooked to the organic sound and realism. Speaker selection first is the common advice given but isn't the only way to go. As you note, you could begin with a SET amplifier and then find a compatible load friendly speaker. Gary I always appreciate your comments.
Charles,

charles1dad October 19, 2014 12:57

Reading this and other threads, I am struck by how each of us discovered the beauty of SET and then rebuilt our systems accordingly. While there are many high sensitivity speakers on the market, they are still relatively few in number. I was once told that I should first find a speaker that I love and then select the amplifier and other electronics. Perhaps this was not the best advice since I went through several amplifiers - first non-SET and then a series of SET amplifiers (45, 2a3, and then 300b) each with a series of tubes. Fortunately, I was able to do this relatively quickly and without losing a lot of money; as I learned, speaker - SET amplifier matching is crucial. So maybe there is a better way than starting with the choice of the speaker?

gsm18439 October 19, 2014 12:28

Bill (Grannyring),
Although the crossover of my Coincident Total Eclipse is simpler than your former Coincident Victory II, it does have a zobel network. I'll look into the resistor upgrade that you recommend. It sure seems based on my experiences so far that "every" part matters to some degree in its effect on sound quality. Is this a simple switch and what typically re the values of the sand resistors? Thanks as always for your input.
Charles,

charles1dad October 19, 2014 02:59

Bill (Brownfan),
I'm really happy for you and your wife with this big move. I know you both will be very happy and fulfilled living in the beautiful mountain setting of Tennessee. With all the hiking you have in store you'll be in perhaps the best shape of your life (or close to it). This great natural environment and superb music, what more could you ask for.
Charles,

charles1dad October 19, 2014 02:47

Charles, great to hear how happy you are with the recent upgrades. Let me suggest something here and you can think on it. I am pretty sure your speakers have a resistor as part of a Zobel network. Please confirm. If so, replacing the sand cast resistor with a Path Audio resistor of the same value will absolutely thrill you.

Resistors in parallel or Zobel networks do in fact Impact the sound. Same is true of caps in Zobel networks. I know my Coincident speakers have these network, perhaps yours do?

grannyring October 19, 2014 02:04

Charles, I think I could go live in a cave, provided it had clean mains, and be perfectly happy with the equipment and music library I currently own. As I listen, its very easy to conclude everything is just perfect as it is. Then, one of my AG colleagues comes up with another sweet find, and sure enough, it gets me just a little further along. It is all the more gratifying when the cost is so reasonable. As I have said previously, the caps are on my to do list.

I am currently enthralled by a JS Bach organ work playing in the background, and am drawn to the living room to give it my full attention as it surely deserves. But I need to finish boxing and packing the things from my library. I will load the first truck Monday, drive to Tennessee Tuesday, close on the house and unload the truck Wednesday, then return Thursday.

Part of my rig will go with me on the truck. It is going to be a bit painful "amputating" a portion of the rig Sunday evening. It will be good when all is finished, and my wife and I are fully settled in.

brownsfan October 18, 2014 23:42

I have a few jazz guitarists I'd like to share with those of you who may be interested in some beautiful music.

Bobby Broom, "Bobby Broom Plays Monk".
Bobby Broom, "My Shining Hour".
Chuck Loeb, "Plain and Simple" has some fine organ also.
Mark Whitfield, "True Blue".
Mark Whitfield, "Finger painting".
Doug Raney, "You Go To My Head".
Jimmy Ponder,"Live At The Other End"
Jimmy Ponder, "Alone".

Different sounds and flavors, but they can all play!
Charles,

charles1dad October 18, 2014 23:09