Sorin Eushayson wrote:

Rod Corkin wrote: Actually I remembered we have Op.137 here at this site. Top drawer stuff... http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/post7531.html#7531 Yes, I actually compared the two fugues after I acquired the Grieg; I think Grieg's hold its own, but that's just me.

Well I think Beethoven's is much better to be honest, based on your extract, but that's just me too!

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Rod Corkin wrote:

Actually I remembered we have Op.137 here at this site. Top drawer stuff... http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/post7531.html#7531

Very nice. Small but perfectly formed.

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Melmoth wrote:

How do you rate this 2nd quartet Sorin?

Just noticed your question, Mel! I find it quite well-done, a highly dramatic work. Not as intense as the first one, but still very good. Even though it's incomplete, the two movements make for a full-sounding experience. I can't fathom how Rod relates these quartets to "reasonable divertimenti," but considering his musical tastes it's no surprise; we're all entitled to personal preference!

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Sorin Eushayson wrote:

Melmoth wrote: How do you rate this 2nd quartet Sorin? Just noticed your question, Mel! I find it quite well-done, a highly dramatic work. Not at intense as the first one, but still very good. Even though it's incomplete, the two movements make for a full-sounding experience. I can't fathom how Rod relates these quartets to "reasonable divertimenti," but considering his musical tastes it's no surprise; we're all entitled to personal preference!

I always feel I've gotten off lightly if I get a "reasonable divertimenti" from the Emperor.

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Melmoth wrote:

I always feel I've gotten off lightly if I get a "reasonable divertimenti" from the Emperor.

You have indeed Lieutenant.

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Sorin Eushayson wrote:

I can't fathom how Rod relates these quartets to "reasonable divertimenti,"

Basically they weren't written by Beethoven or Handel.

Btw, I thoroughly enjoyed the first quartet movements you posted. I'm going to hunt out the disc. There was a Sibelian quality to parts of it that appealed to me greatly (Sibelius being another composer who is neither Handel or Beethoven!)

Wolfpaw wrote:

...(Sibelius being another composer who is neither Handel or Beethoven!)

...But being another composer who is Scandinavian (he's from Finland)! I'm seeing a trend here!

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Wolfpaw wrote:

Sorin Eushayson wrote: I can't fathom how Rod relates these quartets to "reasonable divertimenti," Basically they weren't written by Beethoven or Handel. Btw, I thoroughly enjoyed the first quartet movements you posted. I'm going to hunt out the disc. There was a Sibelian quality to parts of it that appealed to me greatly (Sibelius being another composer who is neither Handel or Beethoven!)

I checked out that disc at Amazon--apparently there's also a quartet from Sibelius quartet on the same disc, so you get twice the bang for your buck.

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Sorin Eushayson wrote:

Wolfpaw wrote: ...(Sibelius being another composer who is neither Handel or Beethoven!) ...But being another composer who is Scandinavian (he's from Finland)! I'm seeing a trend here!

Lol, indeed

Although I must confess to having a preference for Sibelius over Grieg (that said, and I'm only familiar with a few of Grieg's works, like the Holberg Suite, the Piano Concerto, Piano Sonata and Peer Gynt!).

Wolfpaw wrote:

Although I must confess to having a preference for Sibelius over Grieg (that said, and I'm only familiar with a few of Grieg's works, like the Holberg Suite, the Piano Concerto, Piano Sonata and Peer Gynt!).

Well, besides those works you just listed, Grieg didn't do much else. He had 3 violin sonatas, 1 cello sonata, 1 piano sonata, and that symphony I've been plugging about the forum (very excited about that upcoming thread, by the way!), along with many assorted piano works and some small compositions for orchestra and/or chorus. It's the thing that frusterates me the most about Grieg: if only he had written more large-scale works!

As for Sibelius, I'm not too familiar with him... What I've heard of his Violin Concerto is interesting, but I can't say I know his music very well. Perhaps you could start some threads on Sibelius...?

And let me just say... someone with no experience in music might, upon viewing this forum, come to the conclusion that Scandinavia was a musical powerhouse!!!

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Sorin Eushayson wrote:

As for Sibelius, I'm not too familiar with him... What I've heard of his Violin Concerto is interesting, but I can't say I know his music very well. Perhaps you could start some threads on Sibelius...? And let me just say... someone with no experience in music might, upon viewing this forum, come to the conclusion that Scandinavia was a musical powerhouse!!!

The Sibelius violin concerto is probably my single favourite concerto for any instrument ever written! I love every single wind-swept, icy note of it.

I know Naxos released all of Grieg's piano works in a series that got very good reviews.

Rod's comment - "too much and yet not enough" is quite funny. I imagine an artist would have no idea how to approach a solution to that criticism. Reminds me of this lecture I attended with web comic artists, Gabe and Tycho of PA!

Audience: ... so what was the nastiest thing that a critic has ever said to you?

Tycho: Hmm... (thinking) nastiest thing that a critic has ever said to us... It was some messageboard post and it was like 'Yeah, Gabe's art is like, overdone, and like, not done enough at the same time.' (crowd cracks up)

Gabe: I mean, if he had just said one or the other, at least I could have tried.

Tycho: Yeah, as soon as you picked up the pen and paper it was like 'what, um, what do I, how do I... hmmm...'

Gabe: You just can't win that one!


Anyway, the first excerpt is great. The first part of it is exciting; the slow middle portion has some good ideas in it; it's overall well-developed. I can't wait to hear the rest. Second excerpt has some nice ideas, again, well-carried out and interesting, as well. Also look forward to hearing the rest of this one. The third is plucky and the fourth is quite charming. How different the characters of each movement are! Having now heard more of Grieg, the first word that comes to my mind when I think back on his style: "elegant."

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Act 2: Mozart's The Magic Flute: http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/mozart-the-magic-flute-t669.html

vforvendetta wrote:

Rod's comment - "too much and yet not enough" is quite funny. I imagine an artist would have no idea how to approach a solution to that criticism. Reminds me of this lecture I attended with web comic artists, Gabe and Tycho of PA! Audience: ... so what was the nastiest thing that a critic has ever said to you? Tycho: Hmm... (thinking) nastiest thing that a critic has ever said to us... It was some messageboard post and it was like 'Yeah, Gabe's art is like, overdone, and like, not done enough at the same time.' (crowd cracks up) Gabe: I mean, if he had just said one or the other, at least I could have tried. Tycho: Yeah, as soon as you picked up the pen and paper it was like 'what, um, what do I, how do I... hmmm...' Gabe: You just can't win that one! Anyway, the first excerpt is great. The first part of it is exciting; the slow middle portion has some good ideas in it; it's overall well-developed. I can't wait to hear the rest. Second excerpt has some nice ideas, again, well carried out and interesting, as well. Also look forward to hearing the rest of this one. The third is plucky and the fourth is quite charming. How different the characters of each movement are! Having now heard more of Grieg, elegant is the first word that comes to my mind when I think back on his style.

Funny story, V.

Thanks for the review. Grieg's style is almost unclassifiable, though it definitely falls into the Romantic category. One of my favourite string quartets, no doubt about it!

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vforvendetta wrote:

Rod's comment - "too much and yet not enough" is quite funny. I imagine an artist would have no idea how to approach a solution to that criticism. Reminds me of this lecture I attended with web comic artists, Gabe and Tycho of PA!

Well if Greig had half a brain he would have understood what I meant here. I could explain it but then the mystique would be lost.

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