Classical Artists Blind Comparison Thread #6 Brahms Intermezzo #2

Here it is. Blind comparison #6. Brahms Intermezzo #2 op 118

Protocols:

Please rank them from 1 to 8 in order of preference.

Feel free to comment on any or all of the pieces.

I prefer that the votes and comments be sent to me via PM which I will cut and paste after the poll closes. If you wish you may vote via direct post to the thread but please use the spoilers blinders.

(spoiler) TEXT (/spoiler) using the square brackets

If you vote by PM please post that you did so to give the thread a bump.

Either way please do not say anything that might give away the identities of the artist.


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#1.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#2.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#3.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#4.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#5.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#6.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#7.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#8.mp3

Poll will end April 2nd which gives everyone the weekend to participate.

 

Scott, the links in bold are the only links that work for me.

 

Let's try again with new links. Ignore the old ones. They are all now NG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#1.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#2.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#3.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#4.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#5.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#6.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#7.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#8.mp3

 

OK disregard the above links. Third time is the charm (I hope) After smashing the computer with a sledge hammer, dancing naked around the fire and sacraficing 20 vintage plastic army men to the computer gods I think I got the files to work. If not this laptop will be converted to a frisbee and I will go live in a cave with no electricity.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#1.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#2.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#3.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#4.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#5.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#6.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#7.mp3

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#8.mp3

 

screw it. I give up.

 

OK. THIS TIME it should work. Sorry folks for my public display of ineptitude. And also sorry that I had to use flac files. Hopefully you all have players that will handle them. Here we go....

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#1.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#2.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#3.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#4.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#5.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#6.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#7.flac

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61803565/classical music folder/#8.flac

 

Why apologize? FLAC offers better sound.

If you don't, VLC is free and can easily play FLAC.

 

For the record, it looks like dropbox only allows 6 simultaneous downloads. Still, I was able to download all 8 samples within 5 minutes.

 

worked great - but you've left a tag on 6

 

Cheater!

 

whuups - 3 not 6

Cheater!
Not intentional I assure you - it loaded when i dropped them into Foobar

 

Just teasin'

 

I wonder if it would be better if you could ask one of the mods to delete your previous posts and make that the OP (using the original introduction but with the updated links instead)?

Of course if people wanting to take part waste their time trying to open links that don't work then it's entirely their fault for not bothering to scroll down the rest of the thread but we have seen this thing go on on SH all too often (hell, I have enough trouble getting people to read the FIRST post in many of my own threads!).

 

I think that would be wise.

 

bump

 

As I always say, computers are marvelous things--when they work! Glad you got the problems sorted out, and looking forward to playing the game.

Incidentally, you do know why you had so much trouble getting this round going, don't you? You chose a work by Brahms. Remember how many false starts he had before finally completing his first symphony? Well.....

 

I just downloaded the Brahms samples. Listened once, but will vote after comparing my initial reactions to a later session.

 

I hate this. I get to the end of each recording and realize my mind has been drifting to far away places instead of paying attention. But I have my order. Now I just need to intellectualize my irrational choices . This may take a while.

 

I find what really helps for me with this, if you can read music at all, is to follow the score which can be found here: http://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=1261.
I found it difficult at first especially with the faster pieces posted earlier. The Brahms is not as difficult to follow and it keeps your mind focused plus you learn more about music marking - I found a lot on this site: http://www.8notes.com/glossary/

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I do read music and actually do have this score and had glanced at it previously. Op 118 is just one of those pieces of music that is very easy to be carried away by when listening late at night.
While I have a large collection of printed miniature scores (I collect second hand ones whenever I stumble across them in used book stores), I'm in two minds about using scores for these challenges. It really speaks to what criteria you are judging on here. In this case, the score is close to, but not quite, useless for my preferred version . While listening with scores has been highly educational in my experience, I find it is seldom a useful tool in defining which versions of a piece of music appeal to me most - something about the important bits being the bits not written down .

 

First in this time. Hope you don't mind me posting them this way rather than by pm Scott, but I think half the fun of this is sneaking a look at everyone's thoughts as the results come in bit by bit. This time I found my first two picks were easy (if contrasting) - after that, not so easy to order them. Only one I disliked. So..

Spoiler

Two versions stood out for me.
8 and 5. Very different takes.

8 was my favourite by a fair way and judging by the massive liberties taken with tempo, it has to be Glen Gould (although I have been known to be wrong before - lol). I don’t understand why, but while I enjoy several of the others immensely, this one just seems well - perfect.

5 is lovely and for me also stood out above the others. Beautiful and poetic. Radu Lupu perhaps?

Then a big group, the order of which changed on different listens.

2,4,6,1 . 2 was probably my general favorite of this grouping – closest to 5.
I had problems listening to #1 as there is some hash in there, which sets my teeth on edge instantly and its probably ranked lower than it should be as a result. Problems with hash in 6 too.

3 Grimaud seemed to play the Hollywood version, I had visions of people running down grassy hills in slow motion as the music kept building its glowing momentum.

7 the fastest by a country mile. Kempff I am guessing. Nice in parts, but not my cup of tea.
So – 8,5,2,4,6,1,3,7 ___________________________________________

 

Meanwhile, I just downloaded the files, apparently without incident....

 

The "incidents" were all mine.

 

bump

 

nudge