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"Fastest" 15 Minutes in Music

I just got thru listening to the Chaconne movement of Bach's D minor violin sonata. The title of my post refers to the fact that every time I listen to this thing, time seems to stand still. This piece is monumental, profound, mysterious, tender, nerve-shattering; any adjective you care to come up with falls short. It is a world. How somebody could do (write) all this with one violin is beyond me. Beyond everyody except Bach I guess. Yes, the recording on my system sounds wonderful, as if the player is in the next room, but all audiophile considerations are forgotten in a moment, just leaving this great music. At the risk of sounding banal or hackneyed: this really is what it's all about, isn't it?

Steve O.
steveott
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I agree--that is wonderful, wonderful music. Grab a young person, shut them in the room with this on the hi-fi and tell them they can come out in 15 minutes. The same young person will not walk out of the room a quarter hour later.

My best version of it just now is James Ehnes', on Analekta.
steveott OP
54 posts
 
Hey Ghosthouse. I already listed the piece/movement; here are the two recording I have of this:

Julia Fischer on Pentatone: hybrid sacd. Wonderful sound (even on my 20-year-old CD player). Comes with all the Bach Partitas and sonatas (2-cd's and not cheap). This was the one I was listening to tonight.

Hilary Hahn on Sony: Redbook. Sound not as natural as the one above, but I think Hahn's playing is more dynamic and profound. I recommend this one over the former.

Tobias: Very good idea. Who can fail to be moved by this music? I myself was staggering out of the listening room!
I have not heard of the Ehnes; will look into it. I also have orchestral arrangements (Stokowsky and I forget the other). While I enjoy these, the piece is best for solo violin I think.

Steve O.
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go4vinyl
103 posts
 
And now the inevitable quiz - which pressing sounds best (vinyl pls)?
gsm18439
738 posts
 
The versions by Holloway and St John are also excellent.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,578 posts
 
What an excellent thread! If you like opera, I can recommend a 5 minute piece where time seems to stand still.

Track #8
Aida: O terra, addio; addio, valle di pianti (4:49)

Verdi: Arias & Duets / Plácido Domingo
EMI Classics - Greatest Artists of the Century

Conductor: Riccardo Muti
Performers:
Placido Domingo (Tenor)
Montserrat Caballe (Soprano)
Fiorenza Cossotto (Mezzo Soprano)

Regards, Rich
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