IMSLP Forums

I have studied Beethoven for years, and I find his piano sonatas and symphonies to be some of the deepest and most rewarding music ever composed. His string quartets, however, elude me. Being a pianist it was easy to get into his sonatas and variation sets from the angle of performance and his symph...

We definitely cannot codemn his musicianship or anything. Pray tell what do you mean by 'awful things' he has done in the name of 'interpretation'? I do not in any way wish to condemn his musicianship myself, I am simply presenting two disparate attitudes about the man to spark debate. Personally I...

Least favourite? I'd have to think in terms of genre instead of specific pieces Right on! And it applies to favorite as well. I find it hard to divide groups of works (Chopin's nocturnes, Debussy's preludes) and nearly impossible to judge grand scale works (Ring Cycle, Beethoven's symphonies) again...

I love the man and his music but he has done some things that are truly awful in the name of 'interpretation.' So what do people think are Gould's successes, what are his gaffs ? Is/was he really the genius everyone thought he was? Should we condemn his musicianship or did his mind simply get in the...

I realize I posted this years ago, and I in no means want to cut off the discussion since it is still quite interesting, but for those are interested I have made my decision and Goode it is! That is not to say I find this recording particularly transcendental or exceptional (I still have the Schnabe...

Anybody have a classical music podcast (preferably free) that they really like? I'm looking for a good way to broaden my knowledge of recordings, performers and pieces. Repertoire doesn't really matter although it might be interesting to hear some of the current composers' work.

I'm in the process of writing a string quartet and am looking for examples. I've been studying classical examples (Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, etc.), but am most interested in works which incorporate Romantic and more contemporary 20th century techniques. I would appreciate any recommendations from co...

I don't know about best since it is hard to imagine (or comprehend) what great composers would have created without the influence and innovation of those before them. In terms of most influential I might suggest Monteverdi- his introduction of unprepared dissonances for the purposes of text painting...

I'm interested in writing a piece for solo harp and would be interested in some examples from standard (or not so standard) repertoire. Pieces for harp with light accompaniment are fine too- I just want a feel for what the instrument can do. (Or just post your favorite uses of harp...)

The Ronald Brautigam sounds amazing. I've listened to several samples on youtube, and I agree that the pianoforte rendition adds alot. Has he released a complete set of the Beethoven sonatas. So far I have only been able to find various disparate versions of Beethoven's piano works, which I would ha...

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's recordings of Hugo Wolf's Mörike songs. In Der Fruhe gives me chills, especially in Dieskau's voice- breathtaking.

I've finally gotten frustrated with the fidelity of the Schnabel recordings and want to get another complete set of Beethoven's piano sonatas. Any suggestions? I've heard Kempff's is good, people also recommended Richard Goode and Schiff, and Brendel and a million others. I have a number of individu...

Brahms Romance in F major (Kalvierstuck Op. 118 No. 5). What's nice about that one is, it is repetitive, beautiful, and as you improve you can really work on bringing out the various voices. It is a good study in simple counterpoint and sounds lovely. Here's a recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch...