ITA Wealth Management

This week I am recommending a Philips recording of Mozart’s Great Piano Concertos.  These include Nos. 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 and 2 Concert Rondos.  Alfred Brendel is the pianist and Sir Nevelle Marriner conducts the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.  This is a 2 CD package.

Photograph: Mozart sign in Vienna, Austria.

I thought it appropriate to include Schubert’s statue with this Sunday’s classical music recommendation.  The recording (Schubert: Greatest Hits) I am recommending includes the allegro from the “Unfinished” (Symphony #8), Ave Maria, Serenade, Rosamunde Overture, and many more selections.  If you are not a fan of Schubert, this recording will help convert you.  I have 1.7 days of Schubert’s music and plan to add more as he is the greatest tune writer of all time.

No one seems to be sure why Schubert did not finish the 8th symphony.  Speculation has it that he was writing the early movements of the 8th when he contacted syphillis, making his return to this work odious.

After listening to part of the 8th on this recording, you will likely want to purchase the “complete” work.  While there are many recordings of the “Unfinished” (and I have more than one), I think classical listeners will enjoy this Sony recording even though it is only a small portion of what Schubert wrote.

Check other recordings of the “Unfinished” and read reviews of the recordings.

Photograph:  Image was captured in Vienna.

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Photograph: Bicycles and canals everywhere in Amsterdam, Holland.  Note the sign indicating a child needs to hold the hand of an adult.  This is to prevent the child from dwadling in front of a fast moving bicycle.

A friend of mine told me one could easily have multiple recordings of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.  I agree.  My 1970 recording features the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, conducted by Neville Marriner.  There are many fine recordings of this work in the last ten years so I would select a more recent version.

Lowell Herr

Photograph:  “I don’t understand your Italian.”

There is no better classical trumpeter than Maurice Andre.  Baroque Trumpet Concertos is a treat for listeners of this type of music.  The price is also right for this Seraphim Classic recording.  Sir Neville Marriner conducts the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

The CD features music by Stolzel, Telemann, Vivaldi, and Torelli.

Lowell Herr

Here is a switch in music tastes.  Today’s recommendation is titled, Chester & Lester, featuring Chet Atkins and Les Paul.  This American Milestone provides an hour of easy listening.  On the back of the jewel case one reads the following.

“What a joy it is to hear these two guitar grandmasters at their ease.  Chet Atkins and Les Paul, two of the most innovative, influential and instantly recognizable soloists in all the world on their chosen instrument.  These are, after all, two men who have had guitars named after then!”

If you are in need of some uplifting music, this CD is for you.  This week I am recommending “Renaissance Brass Music” featuring the Eastman Brass Quintet and the Paris Instrumental Ensemble. If you order from Amazon, purchase the CD rather than an individual selection as the entire CD of music is special.

This is a VOX recording and the number I have is 8154.  That should do it.

Lowell Herr

Photograph:  Another view of Florence, Italy

Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” finds its way into the top five classical music pieces based on Portland listeners.  It is one of my favorite symphonies and that is why I am recommending it to ITA Wealth Management readers.

There are many good recordings of this symphony.  The one I have is the EMI recording No. 762514.  Carlo Maria Giulini conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra.  Also included on this CD are Overture: Carnival, Op. 92 and Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66.

Lowell Herr

Photograph: Dubrovnik Square

Need a little relief from the market volatility?  Listen to a few songs from the Creedence Clearwater Revival CD. I certainly an no expert on Creedence Clearwater, but I do enjoy some of their music.  I have both the Bayou Country and Willy and the Poorboys.  The latter may be the superior recording.

Here is a different recommendation than many I’ve posted in the past.  Check out Gheorghe Zamfir’s pan flute CD, Classics By Candlelight. I’ve used Zamfir’s music as background for a few astronomy slide shows.  This is ethereal music and very easy listening.

The CD is a Philips recording, No. 826806.

Photograph:  Main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia.  This was taken before the crowds gather.