Saturday, December 8, 2012

Maurizio Pollini - Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

Composed near 1820, Beethoven's Diabelli Variations are some of the best classical music for piano ever. Some of my favorite variations are 4, 10, 19, and 32. All of these are performed with great piano playing by Maurizio Pollini.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Borodin String Quartet - Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 2, 3, 7, 8 & 12

Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 2, 3, 7, 8 & 12

Shostakovich composed some of the best string quartets ever. These were composed from the 1940s to the 1960s and are a must hear for everyone who likes string quartets. This is a great recording by the Borodin String Quartet.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Donizetti: Anna Bolena

Donizetti: Anna Bolena

Anna Bolena was first performed in 1830. Will King Henry the VIII spare his wife Anna Bolena after he accusses her of being unfaithful? King Henry's wife, played by soprano Anna Netrebko has great singing along with Elina Garanca. The costumes for the opera are stunning. This opera was performed in 2011 at the Vienna State Opera in Vienna, Austria.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Handel: Admeto

Handel: Admeto

Admeto was first performed in 1727. It is one of my favorite Handel operas. Who will Admeto choose? Alceste or Antigona? All of the performance are great, including Tim Mead who plays the King, Kirsten Blaise, who plays Antigona, and Marie Arnet who plays Alceste. This opera was performed in 2009 at the Deutsches Theater in Germany.