I’ve always favoured Arthur Rubenstein’s interpretation of the Nocturnes, so much so that I was always disappointed with other pianists’ recordings. Then, two years ago, a friend played me a recording of the great Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau that floored me with its beauty. Rubinstein’s interpretations of Chopin might be a bit more tranquil and liquid and luxurious, perhaps, and Arrau’s a bit more forceful, but those are highly relative terms; both are superb.
A biography at the Princeton University says of Arrau,
One regards him as a sort of miracle; the piano is the most machinelike of instruments except the organ – all those rods, levers, little felt pads, wires, no intimate subtle human connection with it by breath, tongueing, or the string player’s direct engagement with speaking vibrations. But Arrau makes it live, like God teaching Adam on Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel roof; liquid, mysterious, profound, alive.
From a 1997 Philips Classics release, here’s the late Claudio Arrau playing Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2.
The comments are open, as always, for your Reader Tips.
Fascinating series on the “Secret History of WWII/Silicon Valley”. The link below leads you to all the entries except Chapter I, which I couldn’t find. Regardless, starting at Chapter II and going forward is a very informative read, especially for all you EE’s and/or Cold Warriors out there.
http://steveblank.com/category/secret-history-of-silicon-valley/
Excerpt from Obama, Dems can’t put blame genie back in the bottle, by Mathew Sheffield of the Washington Examiner:
“On the right, continual attacks on a Republican administration motivated a return to first principles. Since “the good guys” proved ineffectual in a number of areas, what faith in government conservatives had dried up to nothing. The failure of John McCain to retain the White House removed the final barrier to the creation of the massive grassroots movement that has become the Tea Parties.
“Anti-Bush furor, meanwhile, had the exact opposite effect on liberals and moderates. Instead of shrinking their faith in government’s capabilities, it significantly expanded it. The only reason the U.S. economy had gone south or that other nations weren’t fans of America was because George W. Bush was the president.
“It was a surprisingly simplistic argument that, unfortunately for President Obama, has become a nihilistic genie who cannot be put back into a bottle. Having let forth the argument that the president is literally responsible for anything bad that happens during his administration, it’s a bit hard now for the public to be persuaded that it’s really not Obama’s fault that oil is spewing into the ocean off American shores.”
“Instead of learning his lesson and scaling back his ambitions as Bill Clinton did after repeated electoral rebukes, our current president seems merely to have redoubled his efforts to speak the problem away…”
The rest here.
(Re-posting my recent comments from three threads ago:
“Would you watch a Fox News-like channel in Canada?”):
If Kory Teneycke truly has a sense of humour,
he may wish to consider calling the new station:
The Neanderthal News Network. TN3 for short.
Seriously. From a comedic and marketing standpoint,
it would be brilliant.
It would draw viewers from around the world.
The name would be funny, but the serious news and
commentary would provide an elegant counterpoint.
Just a thought.
************
One of many differences between Liberals and Conservatives,
is that we Cons are not afraid to laugh at ourselves.
The name would also allow the station to do some comedy skit segments
( kinda like “This Hour has 22 Minutes”, or “Royal Canadian Air Farce”),
to add humour and to round out the programming.
Laughter and seriousness. A winning combination.
I hope you’re reading this, Kory.
Or, if anyone on this site knows Kory, please pass this suggestion on to him.
Now, the name could be different than TN3, but I think the humour aspect will
guarantee success.
Excerpt from an NRO article by Victor Davis Hanson:
“Intellectuals used to loudly condemn anti-Semitism because it was largely associated with those deemed to be less sophisticated people, often right-wing, who on either racial, nationalistic, or religious grounds regarded Jews as undesirable. Hating Jews was a sign of boorish chauvinism, or of the conspiratorial mind that exuded envy and jealousy of the more successful.
“But in the last two decades especially, the Left has made anti-Semitism respectable in intellectual circles. The fascistic nature of various Palestinian liberation groups was forgotten, as the “occupied” Palestinians grafted their cause onto that of American blacks, Mexican-Americans, and Asian-Americans. Slurring post-Holocaust Jews was still infra dig, but damning the nation-state of Israel as imperialistic and oppressive was considered principled. No one ever cared to ask: Why Israel and not other, far more egregious examples? In other words, one could now focus inordinately on the Jews by emphasizing that one’s criticism was predicated on cosmic issues of human rights and justice. And by defaming Israel the nation, one could vent one’s dislike of Jews without being stuck with the traditional boorish label of anti-Semite.
“So an anti-Semitic bigot like Helen Thomas could navigate perfectly well among the top echelons of Washington society spouting off her hatred of Israel, since her animus was supposedly against Israeli policies rather than those who made them. Only an inadvertent remark finally caught up with her to reveal that what she felt was not anger growing out of a territorial dispute, but furor about the nature of an entire people who should be deported to the sites of the Holocaust.”
re Claudio Arrau & Chopin: Loved it; my cat had a fit.
This is Prince Charles at his best:
The inconvenient truth is that we share this planet with the rest of creation…
In Islam, the prince told his audience, there is “no separation between man and nature.” People who care about the environment — Christians and other non-Muslims included — need to adopt this point of view.
http://mbplee.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/prince-charles-islam-and-the-environment/
Can we cut some pretension out of the music selections please?
I’ll guess that lots of us are already classically trained so we don’t need hand-holding and words words words. This is almost as bad as the constant jazz overindulgence. Label me a conservative neanderthal, but music isn’t just 19th century classical and 20th century jazz.
Don’t be afraid to play, say… Middle Eastern music, for instance. It might be fitting considering how often the ME is discussed. It’s a blog, and a good one at that — not a contest to see who can pontificate best on obscure tunes.
Hey there, Safety Forced, there is no need to
complain about the music; feel free to offer
your own cuts and delicacies.
I wouldn’t mind a theme from Star Trek:
Chekov: “Kapt’n, I’m picking up a large cruiser
on long range scanners.”
Harper: “Oh relax … it’s only John Baird.”
“Middle Eastern music”
“Sim salabim” means “Crank It” in sanscrit I believe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-NLPH8JeM&feature=related
Safety forced you are not making sense. How can you say that Chopin’s Nocturnes are “obscure tunes”.
Besides, there is no such thing as Middle Eastern “music”.
EBD, great selection, and I couldn’t agree more with your comments on both Rubenstein and Arrau.
Speaking of Rubenstein, two of my favourite books are his two autobiographies, “My Young Years” and “My Many Years”. They are a bit hard to find now, you have to get them from a used bookstore, but well worth reading.
He was a superb raconteur, and had an incredibly interesting and rich life. I read his two books when I was just a teenager and was inspired.
Maybe pigs can fly.
Chris (Tingles)Mathews thinks Palin IS presidential material!
I kid you not.
Bonus feature is the juxtaposition of new and old feminism
“Palin derided the old feminism as a relic of “the faculty lounge at some East Coast women’s college, right?””
Via HotAir
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/11/quotes-of-the-day-375/#comments
And over at Fox, Greta asks and finds out Palin hasn’t had a boob job and finds out how Oblameya should conduct a call to an oil executive.
http://video.foxnews.com/#/v/4236715/palin-no-i-have-not-had-implants/?playlist_id=879
Speaking of autobiographies, I would recommend
“My Early Life”, by Winston Churchill.
It includes, a poignant description, of one of the last true amassed Cavalry charges in history.
From a time, when war still had, a certain
sporting element, to it.
“Music isn’t just 19th century classical and 20th century jazz.” – safety forced
Yeah, no kidding – especially here at Reader Tips. I’ve posted 36 songs this year, and just one of them – tonight’s selection – was classical. Jazz? Likewise. Just one – or two, arguably, if you count that French musette-style accordionist.
“Can we cut some of the pretension out of the music selection, please?”
This year I’ve posted Loretta Lynn’s Fist City, Rolf Harris’ Two Little Boys, Sweet Georgia Brown played on ukulele and *hand fart*, a vintage clip from British television of a shamelessly mugging Spike Jones and friend singing “You Always Hurt the One You Love,” Rockabilly artist Ray Condo, The Complaints Choir of Sundbyberg, Sweden – that was a good one, I really liked that one – a Russian TV clip of a rather bizarre Russian pop star named Edward Anatolyevich, Nervous Norvus’ Transfusion, a 1959 novelty song by Jim Backus…and on and on.
Last year I posted Egyptian performer Sha’ban Abd Al-Rahim’s Swine Flu Song….which a commenter complained about because it was Middle Eastern. And then there was this one, which I’d like to dedicate specially to you, safety forced. Is that one pretentious enough for you?
/:>º>
After listening to tonight’s musical selection, I am in the mood for a great sleep.
Thank you EBD.
Fine selection and elucidating commentary as always, EBD. Some nights you can’t swing a dead gopher without hitting someone who’d complain if they were hung with a new rope, eh?
It’s so true, exetaz. And there is no joy in heaven when a rich man needles a passing camel.
Another link to bookwormroom.com:
“Before the 1970s (give or take a decade) the vast majority of Americans viewed socialism as a profoundly anti-American phenomenon. Red scares started in the immediate wake of the 1917 Russian Revolution, and America’s dislike for socialism, especially under the guise of communism, continued unabated through the first two thirds of the Vietnam War.
“The temperature of the fear rose and fell, with some years witnessing a passive dislike for the red menace and other years erupting in active worries about America’s continued well-being as world socialism came a’knockin’ (thing HUAC). Whether the fear was hot or cold, though, that deep suspicion always ran strong and true through the American bedrock. Simply put, Americans were pretty darn sure that communism/socialism was a bad thing.
“What’s so interesting, looking back on America’s decades-long hate affair with socialism, is that during all those years Americans hadn’t actually seen socialism in action. Sure, they knew it sparked revolutions in Russia and China, but those were tightly closed societies, so the full horrors visited on those countries’ citizens were invisible to most Americans…
The rest here.
EBD, I am borrowing you VDH quote thanks
PET Cemetery Media Report.
The mirror of left-liberalism narcissism has cracked/shattered.
Only the shards are left.
Da proof:
>>> “This week, two of Canada’s most respected broadcasters — CTV’s Craig Oliver and CBC’s Don Newman — both spoke up to denounce the prospect of such dim-witted, propagandistic TV on Canadian screens.”
…-
“How a Fox could change the nation’s landscape”
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1186979.html
http://www.bluelikeyou.com/2010/06/11/the-party-of-the-wet-noodle-continues-to-lose-its-grip/#comment-83469
It’s H’s Fault: Blame Game.
Troops in Canada’s Streets in the shadows … again.
…-
“Village is transformed for World Cup fans
“Phokeng will be sealed off today as part of the biggest police operation for a World Cup game not involving the host country”
“World Cup village transformed with mobile cells and water cannon
David Tiego recalls as a child running across open veld where England footballers and 25,000 fans will begin their World Cup campaign under an unprecedented level of security.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7148451.ece
…-
“Commandos prepare for summits in the shadows
OTTAWA – The Canadian military’s premiere special forces soldiers are ready to spring into action if terrorists target the G8 meetings in Huntsville or the G20 summit that follows immediately in downtown Toronto.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/822674–commandos-prepare-for-summits-in-the-shadows
Duceppe tells the world Quebec will hold another sovereignty referendum…
Read more
They just can’t help themselves, it’s their nature.
More from the religion of peace…(or was that submission…?)?
http://www.ottawasun.com/news/world/2010/06/12/14363876.html
Saudi Arabia gives Israel clear skies to attack Iranian nuclear sites
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7148555.ece
Well, that’s curious, ‘cos I found EBD’s commentary, always inspired (never pretentious) especially good here. While EBD is a great phrase-maker, I never find his constructions contrived or artificial.
EBD: Remember that joke in Fawlty Towers ending in Pretentious? Moi?
EBD/safety forced – A music question:
My wife has noticed that Mendelssohn is increasingly referred to as Mendelssohn Bartholdy on the CBC as well as in CD liner notes. I do realize from some quick googling that pere changed his name to the double barrelled one but I’m curious, why the sudden deference to this name change NOW.
I have my theory and it’s not a nice one.
Finally about complaints-complainers: just back from a ride to east WA state. At a Best Western, I told the owner that I found the breakfast outstanding and that I’m not easily pleased. She replied, “we get a lot of complaints about our breakfasts”. I didn’t know whether I should be shocked or humiliated. :).
An apt analogy from an article about Steven Harper’s leadership style:
“One former Apple executive once remarked about his former boss’ domineering recipe for success: ‘Democracies don’t make great products. You need a competent tyrant.’”
Kevin Libin opens the article with “If the prime minister seems to you like a ‘control freak,’ as he’s been lately called, and the entire Conservative Party of Canada appears to be, as some say, ‘undemocratic,’ there is an awfully good reason for it: it works.”
That’s right. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is garlic to the left-lib-political-media vampire.
Read more.
Middle Eastern music?
Qariat el Fingan, or “The coffee-cup reader”, or “the witch” depending on how you want to translate the way of describing the lady in question, sung by Abdel Halim Hafez. This is just a little of the 40 minute song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1vggjorqGE
Then there’s the Algerian Warda in a clip from the 90s perhaps?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_BGwuF_52U
And a bellydancer for good measure, Tahia Carioca being likely the biggest name in vintage bellydance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM_E3ca7Rs8
…old ME music and old movie clips are a lovely way to highlight how drastically the region has changed into suckiness.
…though more Star Trek music would be lovely too. Even though Uhura and Rand were both Duke Ellington singers so I might want to call that “jazz” too. Brent Spiner on the other hand…
Personally I like the Music selections.
EBD is one of the best commentators on here. In my opinion anyway.
The reader tip section is one of SDA’s best features. Has been for a long time too.
Variety is swell.
JMO
Yeah Safety Forced, and a lot of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, for God’s sake!
I’d comment, but since my last comment was deleted I may as well throw up my hands and give up. I’ll listen to my Egyptian pop music in peace.
Safety forced: No one deleted your last comment. It was automatically moved to the junk folder because the number of links in it exceeded the moderation limit.
I’ve now specially released it, just for you. You and everyone else can see it now in the comments above.
huzzah.