Rules of Recording?

July 7, 2007 at 2:38 PM

I've been a bit absent from v.com. But I've had it in my bookmarks and hit the site from the side pretty much daily for a few minutes of reading.

I've been busy researching different avenues of funding and sponsorship for a quartet (right now trio...we haven't found a second violinist yet...we want real commitment).

Right now I'm listening to the Naxos recording of the Beethoven trio opus no.8. I'm hearing some very VERY fast vibrato, and a certain sound that to me suggests that the recording has been compressed (speedwise). Is this done? I like a fast vibrato, but this seems un-naturally fast. The CD is with: Denes Kovacs-vln, Geza Nemeth-vla, Ede Banda-cello. Never heard of any of them, but I'm not exactly the most well-versed listener.

I'm recording simultaneously with listening on my computer's soundcard Creative Audio Soundblaster Audigy 2 zs (z5?). Using the "as you hear" funcion on the program "sound forge". I'm not listening to the playback of the recording right now, though, Im listening to it AS it records. So I don't think that is a factor.

IS that acceptable or done? (compressing a recording for taste, making it faster?).

Back to researching.

p.s. I'll be playing viola in the trio. Looking through the Beethoven part was discouraging because it seemed so boring. But listening to the recording it soudns as if every player has equally important and interesting parts. Just doesn't seem that way when practicing it at home by myself :).

Sals,
JW

From Robert Berentz
Posted on July 7, 2007 at 3:11 PM

How are you getting along with Vista, if you have it, that is? Vista has been a total disaster for me. My DVDACC will not function properly and Dell Tech's are the biggest bunch of foreign and local know nothings - ever!

I understand that the D--- Business computers do not operate on the same system that private parties are forced to buy. Their's work. Ours are uncompatable with Norton (but McAffe works) and many other popular software programs. This should probably be a separate blog.

From Albert Justice
Posted on July 7, 2007 at 5:59 PM

Only after going back and listening to a very old recording of Boccherini did I really appreciate just how intensive engineering has become.

I had read thoughts such as perfect musicians as imperfect players, and other things indicating the accuracy of the recording studio and it's effect on mastery though. So yes, I think if it can be done it either has been done or will be done.

Last evening I got to hear a Ysaye recording of Humoresque, or at least parts of it, and it was so different than what I had expected. It wasn't this strong tonally pure thing, but an excellently leisurely alive something that really did feel--alive.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on July 7, 2007 at 6:57 PM

As a second violinist, I often have the same experience you did. The score is so boring that I really have to discipline myself to practice it. The reward comes when I play it with the whole ensemble, and I can hear how beautifully it all fits together. Then I'm glad that I practiced it until I really knew it well.

From Scott 68
Posted on July 8, 2007 at 8:04 PM

dont underestimate your importance or the beauty that you have to give

violas play the harmony thats why scores can look decieving, that one little harmony note makes all the difference and when put into context is quite beautiful especially in chamber music

i watched the death and the maiden documentary on you tube with zukerman playing the viola, nothing complicated but simple parts played were really gorgeous when put into context

id give anything to play viola well

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Rules of Recording?

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