I’m not really an opera person but I have attended 5-6 in person over the years and sometimes listen to the genre at home.
Last night I listened to Das Rheingold from the new Ring cycle recorded by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Fabio Luisi.
The cycle was recorded by Boston based Soundmirror who have recorded some of the Reference Recordings Fresh series. I think they recorded the Pittsburgh Symphony albums many of us like.
young Bradley Hunter Welch grew up nearby and was a guest organist
who gave fine concerts at local churches (I have a CD from one such).
I had a conversation with him after one concert and he expressed his dilemma -
choosing between going to medical school to become a doctor or continuing
with music. I advised that there were many who could become good doctors,
but very few who had his gifts playing the organ.
His pedal work earned him the nickname “Twinkle Toes” among my family.
Interestingly my mom thought his photo I showed her was of young “Liberace.”
“A native of Knoxville, TN, Bradley holds the Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Musical Arts, Master of Music degrees, and the Artist Diploma from Yale University. He also holds the Bachelor of Music degree magna cum laude from Baylor University.
Dr. Welch is a gifted teacher with particular emphasis on maximizing the expressive capabilities of any instrument; effective collaboration with choirs, instruments, and ensembles; and a coordinated, healthy approach to technique that maximizes pedal and manual technique.”
Salvadore Accardo, Colin Davis & Concertgebouw Orchestra - Dvořák - Violin Concerto
I really don’t know Salvadore Accardo but his playing on this is quite good. Also, I’ve been diving in to the Phillips LPs I have in my collection - the made in Netherlands pressings are so good sounding, it makes me wonder why they aren’t more prized. This one in particular is excellent.
Sir Adrian Boult & London Philharmonic Orchestra - Elgar - Falstaff Symphonic Study
This is such an interesting album. The Falstaff seems to me to not have been recorded much which is a shame if true. Then there is the orchestration of Bach’s Fantasia & Fugue in c minor Elgar did that makes it sound so different. Plus, this version (not even sure it was repressed) has an excellent book about the Falstaff piece plus some photos of Elgar conducting some very early recordings.
