Monday, September 30, 2013

Hungarian Dances Revisited

I have always enjoyed an occasional listen to the Hungarian Dances by Johannes Brahms.

I own a budget cd on the ONYX label, an orchestral version by the London Festival Orchestra conducted by Alfred Scholz.  It's nothing special; it was the only one I could find at the time that had all 21 dances.  So, it has been just a "pretty listen."

Yesterday on internet radio, I heard a recording of the original version for piano, 4 hands.  It virtually knocked my socks off!  There were harmonies, dissonances, and rhythmic structures that seem to get lost in the orchestral versions.

It was such a wonderful experience I thought I should mention it.  Here is the summary information:

Performers:             Stign Kolacny and Steven Kolacny
Label:                      EtCetra Records
Catalog Number:     ETC 5250

 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Yet another "hold-to-Light" Card

My collection of hold-to-light post cards continues to grow.  There are probably hundreds of cards in the "hold-to-light" category.  Most of them are scenic views; many are cartoons.  Except for the one card I have that depicts the town of Heidelberg, Germany, my collection is limited to those cards that depict ships.  In that restricted category, I have obtained 16 so far. This is the most recent acquisition:

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