Spohr: String Quartets, Vol.9

Advantages: Great music, great performances
Disadvantages: Unfamiliarity

...I’ve loved the Piano Quartet since first hearing it on R3. Written at Oxford as a teenager it is an astounding (and humbling) creation, which betrays its creators years if you can mentally re-score sections, such as the opening of the last movement, for a rock band – those pounding chords and short motifs are heavy-metal rifs for piano and strings! The ‘rock’ turns into ragtime at the end – not sure if that’s progress but it’s definitely fun! The rest of the disc will not disappoint – except for the teenager’s complaint (mine!) that it’s not loud enough!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: One of Beethoven's finest symphonies.
Disadvantages: None from me, but some will say "classical music is boring".

...THE END OF AN ERA 1812 can be seen as the markerpoint where Beethoven's middle-period came to an end and his late-period was ushered in. Beethoven's middle-period saw the composer at his most creative high with one masterpiece following the other in rapid succession. The beginning of this period can roughly be timed as starting in 1803 with the appearance of the Third Symphony "Eroica" and the "Kreutzer" sonata. These two works signalled Beethoven distinctly leaving the 18th century Classicism of Haydn and Mozart behind him and taking on a completely new and individual voice. This individuality became more and more apparent in the works that followed: the "Waldstein" and "Appassionata" piano sonatas, the "Razumovski" quartets, the Violin Concerto, the three last cello sonatas, the "Archduke" piano trio, Fidelio, the Fifth and Sixth... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...'Telegram' consists of new variations of 9 of the songs from Bjork's previous album 'Post'. These songs themselves are more like reworkings than remixes, and certainly some of them are stark in their contrast to the originals. The adventurous 'Hyberballad' sees the Icelandic singer accompanied solely by the Brodsky Quartet whilst 'I Miss You' is slowed down and includes rapping. Some of the original direction is maintained on the new styles, such as the minimalism of 'Headphones' and the darkness of 'Enjoy' and 'Army of Me'. 'Isobel' proves to be the album highlight with the addition of lavish strings arrangements that make it superior to its original version (indeed, the addition of strings is notable also on 'You've Been Flirting Again'). The only new track present is the tingling 'My Spine' - which fits neatly onto an album which... Read review

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