Always enjoy reading your music articles, they make me discover new artists or remind me how much I love all this. I look forward to reading your words whenever I see the subject line!
I am amazed at the time you devote to sharing your music interests with us. You manage your time far better than I. Enjoyed the Ottawa show, looking forward to seeing your guitar purchases and playing next December. 🎅
Even though it was released in December of 2024, I am going to offer up my favourite 2025 recording (I bought it in 2025). It was Bill Evans - In Norway The Kongsberg Concert. My favourite musical experience of this year was attending a concert featuring the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet.
Thanks Paul for reminding me of the wonderful concert with Ehnes and Kawasaki/Linnebach many months ago in Ottawa. I recall the concert being taped and will now hunt down the recording. It’s been a prolific set of weeks for you, and I hope that in some ways it was the music that kept you going, and kept you focused; it sure does so for me. Season’s best, Paul.
Note that these are not live recordings: Recording dates are stated to be July 7, 2023 (the Chamberfest concert was on July 20) and January 11-12, 2024 (the NACO concert was on the previous December 11).
This is a great list and I can see a lot of work to do exploring to do it justice. Great breadth of genres and styles. Thanks.
— As a very longtime Devotee of Tafelmusik, Bach and the Baroque i am proud to have both Gould recordings — and the Kipnis definitive harpsichord version which was my first classical purchase. They are all still brilliant. But I am keen to hear the Nevermind, and the mandolin. reinterpretation is great, And keeps music alive. Elton & Brandi - can’t wait. 🎄🎅🏼
You have an admirably eclectic taste, Paul! Myself, in my later years I've limited myself to 'classical' (including much contemporary stuff). One of Ehnes' discs is, as Nobina Robinson notes, the all-Bach concert we heard at the National Arts Centre in December 2023; the other one is the program offered by Chamberfest the previous July.
I have followed and admired James Ehnes ever since I first heard him at the NAC as a 19-year old and I have described him a gift from the gods. These double discs are excellent recordings by any measure but he does tend to adopt a furious pace here, which sometimes (as in the D minor concerto) becomes a distraction.
I sampled the NeverMind interpretation of the Goldberg Variations and am intrigued enough, also with your encouragement, to have ordered the double disc (at a very reasonable price, and no shipping charges!) The interview you linked to was of interest as well. Note that Bernard Labadie transcribed the Variations for Les Violons du Roy and David Jalbert also has a very credible rendition, both on ATMA Classique.
Chris Thile's Bach on mandolin is a riot. Seeing him enjoying himself while playing, totally immersed in the music, was a treat. I'm not sure, however, whether it would stand up to repeated listening.
Always enjoy reading your music articles, they make me discover new artists or remind me how much I love all this. I look forward to reading your words whenever I see the subject line!
Thanks for turning me on the Chris Thile! I've never heard Bach done this way and I absolutely love it!
I am amazed at the time you devote to sharing your music interests with us. You manage your time far better than I. Enjoyed the Ottawa show, looking forward to seeing your guitar purchases and playing next December. 🎅
I really enjoy reading your posts when you take a detour into music and arts.
I almost always learn about a new artist I wasn’t previously aware of. Thank you.
Even though it was released in December of 2024, I am going to offer up my favourite 2025 recording (I bought it in 2025). It was Bill Evans - In Norway The Kongsberg Concert. My favourite musical experience of this year was attending a concert featuring the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet.
Thanks Paul for reminding me of the wonderful concert with Ehnes and Kawasaki/Linnebach many months ago in Ottawa. I recall the concert being taped and will now hunt down the recording. It’s been a prolific set of weeks for you, and I hope that in some ways it was the music that kept you going, and kept you focused; it sure does so for me. Season’s best, Paul.
Note that these are not live recordings: Recording dates are stated to be July 7, 2023 (the Chamberfest concert was on July 20) and January 11-12, 2024 (the NACO concert was on the previous December 11).
This is a great list and I can see a lot of work to do exploring to do it justice. Great breadth of genres and styles. Thanks.
— As a very longtime Devotee of Tafelmusik, Bach and the Baroque i am proud to have both Gould recordings — and the Kipnis definitive harpsichord version which was my first classical purchase. They are all still brilliant. But I am keen to hear the Nevermind, and the mandolin. reinterpretation is great, And keeps music alive. Elton & Brandi - can’t wait. 🎄🎅🏼
Your most important post of the year! I'm joking, I think...
A wonderfully eclectic list, written with feeling. Enough said.
If you're new to the great William Prince, his previous album, Stand in the Joy, may be his best...love your writing about music....
Thanks Paul, a very interesting list and some new artists to explore. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family!
You have an admirably eclectic taste, Paul! Myself, in my later years I've limited myself to 'classical' (including much contemporary stuff). One of Ehnes' discs is, as Nobina Robinson notes, the all-Bach concert we heard at the National Arts Centre in December 2023; the other one is the program offered by Chamberfest the previous July.
I have followed and admired James Ehnes ever since I first heard him at the NAC as a 19-year old and I have described him a gift from the gods. These double discs are excellent recordings by any measure but he does tend to adopt a furious pace here, which sometimes (as in the D minor concerto) becomes a distraction.
I sampled the NeverMind interpretation of the Goldberg Variations and am intrigued enough, also with your encouragement, to have ordered the double disc (at a very reasonable price, and no shipping charges!) The interview you linked to was of interest as well. Note that Bernard Labadie transcribed the Variations for Les Violons du Roy and David Jalbert also has a very credible rendition, both on ATMA Classique.
Chris Thile's Bach on mandolin is a riot. Seeing him enjoying himself while playing, totally immersed in the music, was a treat. I'm not sure, however, whether it would stand up to repeated listening.
Thanks for this excellent post.