Tom Connor wrote:

>I am curious to know what other unexpected 'discoveries' list members have
>recently made.

My discoveries during the past few months have been of mainstream fare,
the Dovorak string quartets and Faure's chamber works.  Romantic-era works
tend to be a problem for me due to the prevalence of romanticism of the
period and the tendency of many recording artists to milk it for all it's
worth.  I don't appreciate that.  So I have to be careful in my recording
selections.  In the case of Dvorak, the Naxos recordings by the Vlach
String Quartet (basic sound-straight but idiomatic interpretations) have
given me a new perspective on Dvorak's works.  Now, when I go back to other
recordings I have, my appreciation of their interpretations has increased
considerably.

Faure's chamber works on Hyperion have been a revelation for me.
Previously, I was not really aware of the grace and rhythmic flow of these
works.  It's nice how you can hear a different performance, gain great
insight, and then enjoy much more the other performances you already have.
One recording can do all this, so I keep buying them - another
rationalization for the buying addiction.

Don Satz
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