Today, took a slightly different tack (well, did listen to another set of Debussy Preludes Bk 1, Monique Haas, a worthy performance). But decided to listen to some orchestral music and settled on Vaughan Williams Symphony No 3 (the pastorale). I listened to a recording I have not head before, Andre Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra (the newly remastered set from RCA). Really a splendid performance, especially some thrilling work by the horns in the third movement, and a very impressive catharsis in the finale. Overall, a very satisfying experience.

The server migration was initiated about two days ago, necessitated by the level of traffic and the size of the database of posts. There is every expectation that it will be up again shortly. The forum operator is very competent and strongly committed to the continuation of the forum. Fingers crossed.

GMG is gets a lot more traffic than this forum. It is not always clear what causes one forum to grow and another to stagnate or whither. "Classical Music Guide," where I used to participate, is in the latter category, where it is rare for a new member to join and there are a handful (a dozen or less) members who participate without pause.

Thanks for the welcomes!

Debussy, Preludes, Book 1 again. This time Aimard's recording. Dramatically different piano sound, recorded from a more distance, reverberant perspective. Richer bass, more atmospheric, less clarity of articulation just based on the audio engineering technique.

Also a satisfying account of the music, easier to wallow in, but perhaps I got more out of the Thibaudet recording.

Ooops, sorry Dundonnell, I forgot about Brexit and really put my foot in it by implying you are "European." Apologies. :(

You silly Europeans, you've bought into that bit about the world being round. We Americans know that the world is really flat, and that time-zones are a Chinese hoax designed to cripple the US economy, just like Climate Change. :)

Yesterday I decided to listen to Debussy's Preludes, Book 1. Started with Warner Haas on Philips but only got through a few before I found distressing distortion due to tape saturation. One of the few times Philips has let me down.  Resumed with Thibaudet of Decca, which I found somewhat less poetic, although there were no problems with audio.

Really fine music, and I think I will listen to Book 1 again with another pianist (Aimard, Monica Haas, Bavouzet, perhaps).

That was fast! :)

Hi. I'm another refuge from GMG, which is down for maintenance, and I'm hedging my bets in case it never comes back up again. :)

BTW, you're on notice that if I don't receive at least 10 welcome messages within the next 37 seconds I'm deleting my account!