CAN WE AUDIOPHILES DO OUR PART?


So we're all tired of hearing about nothing but Covid-19 (or, as I term it, the C-Plague). What can we do, as audiophiles, to help with all this.
I was amazed, and delighted, when I went to the Cardas website to see that they are doing their part. Go to their website and you'll see their director, Angela Cardas, wearing a mask. If you click on the Cardas Nautilus logo in the upper left corner, you'll see pictures of people there in the factory making masks with sewing machines. I called the company to congratulate them, and spoke with a woman named Darla, who said it was their way, during this economic slump, to keep their employees working and also their way of trying to "do our part."
I'm not writing all this to advertise Cardas products. They are a very good company, but trust your ears, not anything I write, when it comes to buying their products. They do get credit, however, for helping me come to a realization that pushed me in the right direction. I called a woman I am friends with, who is 85 years old and is a good seamstress, to suggest she start making masks. She already was--and is. By phone she has organized several other women to do the same, and right now they are needing more material and elastic. I managed to gather about 50 pounds of material and am starting to gather elastic while also getting more material. But I don't sew. I can't help out with that. Any ideas as to what we--all of us who are good with our ears and focused with our budgets--can do to help out in other ways?

I realize this is an odd topic to bring to an audio forum, but it was a very socially responsible audio company that got me to thinking about it, and frankly I believe I should be socially responsible enough to do what I can to get other people to thinking about it. While also being open to other people's ideas about ways someone like me who is "just an audiophile" can help.

Thank you, in advance, for any and all ideas on this.



baumli
Murray Perahia is always a very listenable pianist, but I agree that he excels in Mozart. As he does in Mendelssohn.

I've always found Argerich a stupendous technician but not as "human" as some.

There are many, many really great pianists, both of the past and the present.  Many had a particular affinity with one or two composers.

Personal preference also obviously comes into it.  I like Andras Schiff, for instance, and in "period" performance Andreas Staier.

Glupson, you should join us over on the Classical aficionado thread.
Andras Schiff Bach Well tempered Klavier is stupendous.... :)

My version of choice for thousand listenings sessions....

If we listen a work a few times only, our preferences are not the same at all than for thousand listenings sessions instead....

My preference are then based on possible many, many, listening sessions... I can appreciate all great artists, but some are able to create miracles.... I look for those first, because when i love some piece i want to listen to it without end, then the artist must be a miracles creator....Luckily after 55 years of music listening i can change one work for others i love on the same level and not be stalled with only 2 for example....

« Passion create obsession, or is it the reverse?»- Groucho Marx
An example of that obsessive listening of mine is Arthur Grumiaux rendition of Bach violin concertos....This violin tone so luminous like the mediterranean sea sunset or sunrise, makes for me impossible to listen too often to any other versions even those i like very much.... The Grumiaux one i listened to it for 50 years without being able to discard it....I listen to it easily a thousand times probably more....

Much is the fault of Grumiaux violin pure luminous genious.... It is the same in the Mozart quartets version by him.... Pure sunny sound....Any virtuosity apart.... There are many great virtuosos on violin indeed.... Only one sound like a sun in these 2 works...
@mahgister...Glad to hear you have an appreciation for the violin as well as the piano. Before I became obsessed with Chopin, most of my listening was devoted to great violinists. As I read your post about Grumiaux's Bach concertos I had Heifetz's rendition of the Double Concertos on my desk beside me. I've never heard someone play so naturally and effortlessly. I think I've mentioned before that there is a Youtube video of Menuhin and David Oistrakh playing the Double Violin Concertos. I can't find the CD anywhere. I'll see if I can find something on Grumiaux.
Heifetz is superhuman violonist if there is one...One God in his own planetary system....

Oistrakh is so great that he seems the better there is most of the times... Pure russian heart in all his rendition....

But Grumiaux colors are rainbow sun and it is not about lyricism (Oistrakh) nor superhuman virtuosity and artistry (Heifetz) but in the Bach and Mozart quartets his"lumen" is incarnated sun on earth....This is why for me it is my best in these works....

The best Menuhin i listen to was in his younger years.... His Bach violin sonatas are marvellous....