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User Details - Arthur
library | recommendations | wish list
Name: |
Bret Mitchell | |
Details: |
60. Into classical music since I was 8 years old. Accepted at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music as a piano student, but I understood I didn't have the talent to be a musician, so I've been satisfied to be an enthusiast! Worked as a classical buyer, then as a store manager with Tower Records for over 30 years. Now in real estate, but still an avid listener! My interest began with the colorful Russians: Rimsky, Tchaikovsky, et al. Tchaikovsky's Concerto sparked my interest in the violin, which ultimately led to Brahms. Then came Wagner, Bruckner and Mahler in my late teens (of these, only Bruckner has really stuck with me). This led me to Liszt, which in turn led to an intense piano music phase: Faure, Schumann, and Rachmaninov became my gods. But most importantly this led me to belatedly discover Beethoven and Schubert. This was in my late twenties. From there I had an intense relationship with the symphonic thinkers--including those of the 20h century. By my forties, Shostakovich had become one of my great idols, and Nielsen and Malcom Arnold had become very dear to me. But now as I get into my fifties, I am finding greater solace in the music of Haydn and Mozart, and most importantly, Bach. Through it all, I've had an interest in finding performances that move me recorded in a lifelike and natural way. SACD has been a godsend in this regard! |
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Location: |
Stockton, California | |
HiFi: |
Oppo 980 universal player, Onkyo 682 receiver, 3 Definitive Technology 2002s in front with Definitive Tech's Pro Monitor 100s in the rear. I'm not primarily a hi-fi listener, the technical side is not that important, but great performances in the best possible sound is! |
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Email: |
bretemitchell@comcast.net | |
Web: |
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Posts: |
548 |
Reviews |
Found: 17 show all |
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April 16, 2014
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I used to contribute here regularly and my SACD collection is approaching 1000. But in the last two or three years I kind of dropped out. I was seeing too many Furtwaengler reissues and not enough stuff by musicians actually working today. And the the forum was filled with petty tyranny from the likes of canonical. It just got to be too much! I ... more | |
October 4, 2012
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I had the impression Praga was slowly working its way through the whole cycle, albeit with different ensembles. ... more | |
September 13, 2012
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I don't know the Bychkov 11th slipped past me: I have both the 4th and 10th and like them both - the 11th has gone straight onto my wish-list! I too wrote off this work in my youth as one of Shosty's "appeaser" works that he seemed to write to keep authorities off his back. I still feel this way about the 12th, but the Kondrashin 11th blew the lid ... more | |
September 11, 2012
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Of the Nielsen?! Woo Hoo!! ... more | |
September 5, 2012
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I've always liked these performances - I've owned them in at least a half-dozen different incarnations. But I have to agree with the All-Music critic, the sound was always horrible. If hi-res presentation can clean this up, we're really getting somewhere! ... more |
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