Having acquired a new hifi recently (no, not in the extreme shopping event which hit our cities), I've been playing everything which highlights fine stereo and crystal clear reproduction, which basically means a lot of 4AD and classical.
Here's a version of Thomas Tallis's Spem in Alium, a 40-part monster from the reformation period. I've actually become such a snob that I took off the King's choir version to replace it with the Chapelle du Roi recording. I like religious music when it's in Latin. Despite having a (bad) Latin A-level, I don't understand a word, so can ignore the pernicious meanings and simply revel in the stunning noises being made.
However, here's a rather wonderful version: shame there's no indication who it is, though it's very close to the Chapelle recording.
Anyway, shouldn't you be over here, asking me about your first academic job?
Have you listened to 'Officium' by Jan Garbarek & The Hilliard Ensemble? http://tinyurl.com/3g9gwsr
ReplyDeleteI have: it's the only piece of music featuring a saxophone that I actually enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYou don't mean...surely not...you really don't like Baker Street?
ReplyDeleteI think I particularly like the echo-y sense of space that Officium has. I also have a copy of Mnemosyne, but don't think it's as good...
R
I haven't tapped into your online academia thing, because I am probably older and just as (if not more) of a cynical and jaded academic as you!
ReplyDeleteEveryone else is being much more sophisticated and sensible.
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard Mnemosyne. I think saxophones were ruined for me by terrible 80s made-for-TV movies.