In my ears: Can't get Gottschalk out of my head
Here's the deal. Since we launched Classical Musings about a year and half ago, I have been struggling to figure out a format to let you in on some of the music I am listening to. This is partly to pass on anything that hits me as amazing and also to let you in on some great new releases since I don't review many CDs any more.
I started with the title "What I'm spinning" then I realized that a good deal of what I hear these days is actually digital downloads! So then I came up with "In my ears," but since I was still trying to always write substantial graphs on whatever disc, sort of like an old CD review, I tended to just not do anything at all most of the time.
Well, I have decided to follow the old axiom that genius steals (hah!) and imitate that excellent critic Steve Smith (he of the Night After Night blog). Every so often, he posts a "playlist" that shows what music he is currently listening to. Not usually with any comments, but just a list of what is passing over his desk.
I am going to try to do this. I am sure I will not be nearly as consistent, but my hope is that it will inspire you to write in and comment on on one or more of the pieces and start a dialogue. And I think I will write a few tidbits about some of the discs, too either in the In My Ears playlist or in posts that follow. I know it is a poor man's version of ye ole hearty CD reviews, but it's what I can offer at this point. Here goes:
In My Ears:
Joan Jeanrenaud, "Strange Toys" Talking House --
"Four American Quartets" Fine Arts Quartet (Naxos) -- Some gems by Ralph Evans (his SQ No. 1), Philip Glass (SQ No. 2), George Antheil (SQ No. 3) and Bernard Herrnmann (! his "Echoes").