Classical Music for Aficionados

God said , Love thy Neighbor .
In 2 days , July 1st . the USA has a neighbor that we have a 5,000 border
with that has always been true and from which we could learn much July 1 is their July 4th .
Here is a lovely Symphonic rendition of the National Anthem .of a Great
Nation .
https://youtu.be/ABGW92k2zU4?t=2


Here is a quick vocal version of a land for a nation which I have great respect .


https://youtu.be/kRPGPAnPNa8?t=4

@twoleftears     I do agree with you regarding Trifonov he is an exceptional pianist but I think he still has a few years needed under his belt to reach what he will hopefully become. Talking about his recording of the Transcendental Etudes my favourite performers are Lazar Berman and Claudio Arrau who incidentally was 75 years old at the time. Of course he doesn't have the explosive nature of Berman but his virtuosity was always used for the expressivity of the piece and not to wow everyone . Where Arrau scores is in the quieter more reflective pieces like Vision, Eroica and my favourite  Harmonies' du Soir which is truly exceptional. I never could understand how he could produce the rich sonorities and liquid sound that left you in rapt attention.
      On a different theme now has anyone been listening to any late Beethoven String Quartets lately. I can recommend a wonderful Op.127 and 132 just now from The Hagen Quartet. The string tone is wonderful and I have to admit it doesn't get any better than this. The two slow movements are rapturous and their intonation is unbeatable and this   from a man who for the last 40 odd years could not see past the Alban Bergs. Try if you can and listen to them it will definitely cleanse the soul.  

The Hagen is outstanding and , for me , the LvB Quartets are all I have
time from him these days , which I guess is saying I see them as his best .


One of the best records I ever had is the Yale Qt, doing them.Al least on vinyl they are very rare and have seen them go for 500 $ bucks .I believe there was a CD as well which I have never head , or plan to .

If money is an object the Complete CD’s on Naxos with Kodaly Qt. are very good , The Great Op 130 is better than that .

thanks for the tip re Hagen Quartet, will listen
meanwhile now playing lots of Rudolf Serkin
there is a 75 cd compilation, and it includes RS playing
Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano with Casals
never better, they both are as good as it gets, and they leave room for each other too
Other recordings include Serkin with Rostropovich and of course with the Busch's
+ a host of sonatas and concertos

Pablo Casals
includes footage of Casals conducting in 1967
https://www.marlboromusic.org/archives/blog/pablo-casals/