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#1
Composer Discussion / Re: Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Cast...
Last post by Symphonic Addict - Today at 04:20:00 PMThis is the sort of releases I'm waiting for (to be released on June 14th):
#2
Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Beethoven piano sonata sho...
Last post by Todd - Today at 03:51:21 PMMatch 4: Takahiro Sonoda vs Wilhelm Backhaus
Time for a showdown between two grand old men of different national traditions, Takahiro Sonoda for the Japanese, and Wilhelm Backhaus for the German. Sonoda starts 10/3 with an almost perfect speed Presto, neither rushed nor slow. The playing sounds blended and "natural" in that inhuman clarity is not on offer, though the recorded perspective sounds just right. The Largo is tense and slow, though it could be slower. It could not really be more serious, though, and the climax is potent but not overwhelming. The Menuetto and Rondo both remain comparatively serious, though the latter has some serious pep. Backhaus - in the latest 2019 remaster for the complete Decca box – is recorded much closer, which blunts dynamic contrasts, and as is so often the case, he skips repeats. Also, as is so often the case, the playing sounds right. Serious but not dour, quick but not rushed, it just flows. That applies to all movements. Alas, the older fingers do not sound as secure as Sonoda's in the Presto. The shortened Largo also sounds too sped up in places for satisfactory impact. The Menuetto and Rondo both work well enough and have a sort of free sound compared to Sonoda, but Sonoda gets the nod.
For 31/3, Sonoda starts off slowish in the Allegro and remains on the serious side, even when he the pianist clearly relishes the musical witticisms. The steadiness appeals here, it must be noted. That steadiness carries over into the slow yet still quite effective Scherzo. The Menuetto comes off serious and lovely, and in the Presto con fuoco, Sonoda loosens his tie just a bit, and maybe unbuttons the top button of his shirt. Still serious in mien, it rollicks along nicely. Backhaus also starts the Allegro slowly, and only gradually builds up speed to a moderately quick tempo. He definitely plays with some rhythmic swagger, which he maintains in the nice jocular Scherzo. The Menuetto alternates nicely between lyrical and punchy, while the Presto con fuoco has drive and heft, but remains slightly restrained in terms of tempo. Backhaus may be slightly better here, but it's too close to call.
Winner: Sonoda, by a silver hair
Time for a showdown between two grand old men of different national traditions, Takahiro Sonoda for the Japanese, and Wilhelm Backhaus for the German. Sonoda starts 10/3 with an almost perfect speed Presto, neither rushed nor slow. The playing sounds blended and "natural" in that inhuman clarity is not on offer, though the recorded perspective sounds just right. The Largo is tense and slow, though it could be slower. It could not really be more serious, though, and the climax is potent but not overwhelming. The Menuetto and Rondo both remain comparatively serious, though the latter has some serious pep. Backhaus - in the latest 2019 remaster for the complete Decca box – is recorded much closer, which blunts dynamic contrasts, and as is so often the case, he skips repeats. Also, as is so often the case, the playing sounds right. Serious but not dour, quick but not rushed, it just flows. That applies to all movements. Alas, the older fingers do not sound as secure as Sonoda's in the Presto. The shortened Largo also sounds too sped up in places for satisfactory impact. The Menuetto and Rondo both work well enough and have a sort of free sound compared to Sonoda, but Sonoda gets the nod.
For 31/3, Sonoda starts off slowish in the Allegro and remains on the serious side, even when he the pianist clearly relishes the musical witticisms. The steadiness appeals here, it must be noted. That steadiness carries over into the slow yet still quite effective Scherzo. The Menuetto comes off serious and lovely, and in the Presto con fuoco, Sonoda loosens his tie just a bit, and maybe unbuttons the top button of his shirt. Still serious in mien, it rollicks along nicely. Backhaus also starts the Allegro slowly, and only gradually builds up speed to a moderately quick tempo. He definitely plays with some rhythmic swagger, which he maintains in the nice jocular Scherzo. The Menuetto alternates nicely between lyrical and punchy, while the Presto con fuoco has drive and heft, but remains slightly restrained in terms of tempo. Backhaus may be slightly better here, but it's too close to call.
Winner: Sonoda, by a silver hair
#3
Composer Discussion / Re: Vitezslaw Novak (1870-1949...
Last post by Symphonic Addict - Today at 03:50:44 PMQuote from: lunar22 on Today at 07:41:04 AMAt the moment my favourite Novak is the Slovak Suite. Described on the sleevenote as a light work, it is is anything but -- I can scarcely think of a more intense expression of heavenly bliss in music and for this reason it's one of my favourite works and not just by Novak.
Any favorite recording you recommend?
#4
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by VonStupp - Today at 03:30:11 PMFJ Haydn
Stabat Mater
Birgitte Christensen, soprano
Kristina Hammarström, mezzo
Steve Davislim, tenor
Christian Immler, bass
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Kammerorchester Basel - René Jacobs
I went a long time not realizing Haydn had a Stabat Mater to his name. It is Heltay's recording I know best now, one I appreciate for its vocal soloists of yore.
This one has an expanded wind section, which adds a slight bit more colour.
VS
Stabat Mater
Birgitte Christensen, soprano
Kristina Hammarström, mezzo
Steve Davislim, tenor
Christian Immler, bass
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Kammerorchester Basel - René Jacobs
I went a long time not realizing Haydn had a Stabat Mater to his name. It is Heltay's recording I know best now, one I appreciate for its vocal soloists of yore.
This one has an expanded wind section, which adds a slight bit more colour.
VS
#5
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by Symphonic Addict - Today at 03:28:52 PMThis work by Malipiero is quite beautiful and reflective in mood.
#6
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by foxandpeng - Today at 02:52:03 PMDmitry Shostakovich
Symphonies
Symphony 8
Rudolf Barshai
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Brilliant Classics
Symphonies
Symphony 8
Rudolf Barshai
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Brilliant Classics
#7
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by Karl Henning - Today at 02:48:32 PMQuote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 16, 2024, 09:37:09 AMListened to some of the live performances today from the Karl Henning ensemble. Alas, there was a combo of a bit of a weird echo plus couldn't hear the performers' comments about the works very well.Many thanks! The good news is that we have video and audio documents of the concert, so soon I have a project to get the program hoist up to YT in a pristine version.
Liked that they opened up with the fuchsia work which I quite enjoy.
PD
#8
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by Karl Henning - Today at 02:39:37 PMQuote from: mahler10th on April 16, 2024, 08:45:06 AMThe Karl Henning EnsembleWarm thanks for your kind listening and gracious words!
Live streamed from Kings Chapel, Boston
Quite a showcase of Karls music! How fortunate we are to have such a thoughtful Composer in our midst.
Live Concert
#9
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by Karl Henning - Today at 02:38:10 PMQuote from: Spotted Horses on April 16, 2024, 08:24:11 AMI'm not sure how that would work. The Spitfire was a single-seat aircraft. You pay £1000+ and you fly it yourself? Do you regular see them fly toward the coast and not come back?That would be a helluva "rumble seat!"
#10
General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...
Last post by Karl Henning - Today at 02:25:59 PMQuote from: Madiel on April 15, 2024, 02:55:27 AMI think that one of the big problems is people assuming their experience of music is absolute. It isn't. It's contextual.Yes, indeed!