LA Philharmonic, "LA Variations" etc.

[surfinmuse]

Okay I hope this isn't out of place or anything, but I was wondering if anyone here listens to classical music? Specifically, 20th Century "modern" music? Oh, I'll come right and admit it, specifically the piece Esa Pekka-Salonen wrote for his big bad wonderful LA Phil, titled LA Variations.

Sigh. I've had this recording for a while, along with the full score, but I just got around to listening and reading it tonight (no TV here). Man this is an amazing work! Performance is flawless and irresistable, the recording is second-to-none as well in capturing the breathtaking detail and fearless (and dangerously effortless) virtuosity in the fantastic orchestrations.

It's a 20-minute tour-de-force for the orchestra, and not just any, but LA Phil, home of the best session players... combined. I love the way Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor, composer) is so candid in the programme note about how "I wrote the LA Variations specifically for the players of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. I'm very proud of the virtuosity and power of my orchestra."

Not that I thought any less of them before, but talk about renewed respect for the LA Phil. And how about that Concert Hall.... Sigh.

Okay, thought I'd share this with ay classical music fanatics in this lounge. FYI, the recording is readily available on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005OKTG/qid=1105854765/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-6929745-6699010?v=glance&s=classical).

[€uroMeinke]

Very cool, but the amazon snip is way to short. I'm going to have to find a copy of this one as your description intrigues me.

[surfinmuse]

Hi €uroMeinke, yeah the full work is almost 20 minutes long, and the excerpt doesn't quite do justice to the clarity and depth of the recording.

[Not Afraid]

Hmmmm. I think it might be time for some additional Classical study time. I go through phases with music, as I like too many different odd things to just be truely eclectic all of the time (I would go mad). The one thing we've been pretty consistant with - as far as "modern" music goes, is with Phillip Glass. We've seen either him or his pieces performed many, many times thru the years. But, sadly, there are gaping holes on my "modern classical" knowledge.

I've seen Esa-Pekka Salonen conduct the LA Phil, but not often.

Please share more!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Saalonen was in Ojai a couple of years ago for their music festival. I don't know that much about classical music, but I did enjoy that performance. I was mostly interested in seeing him because he's Finnish.