September 25, 2006
Where interpretation is strongly subjective
Tyler Cowen reminds us that today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich and provides a taut list of recommendations for the uninititated. For me the real gem in Shostakovich's work is the 24 Preludes and Fugues a la Bach's Well Tempered Clavier; I'm not so enthusiastic about the Keith Jarrett recording, however (the real tragedy is that Glenn Gould never recorded them).
There's also the first cello concerto, which was introduced to me by this guy at the beginning of my freshman year of college. The first movement is one of the most deliciously sarcastic pieces of music I can think of; the second movement is one of the most despairing.
btw if anyone is interested in listening to some of these works and doesn't have access to them currently, be sure to drop me an email (...)
Those Israelis are all just so brilliant and talented, aren't they!
Interesting... I suppose you're talking about Shostakovich? He wasn't Israeli or even Jewish, as best as I can tell, although he was certainly persecuted for sympathizing.
AFAIK Tyler Cowen, Bach, Keith Jarrett, and Glenn Gould are all goyim as well...
Er, no...I was referring to your Israeli friend whom you linked to in the second paragraph!
You had me stumped, I forgot about that link entirely. Yes, I suppose he is a brilliant and talented Israeli!
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