What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Karl Henning]

Maybe it was the Schnittke Coda, Bruce?

(j/k)

[Opus106]

Surprising and fun! (Do you want a 'solo' cadenza along with the march, sir?)

http://www.youtube.com/v/zEcZLbY8f2k

'Rondo all Turca'
Andras Staier

[Opus106]

Ooh, and here's one arranged for fortepiano and a small orcha-band. This one's more stately and less impish.

http://www.youtube.com/v/yWfvgAXCUAY

[North Star]

Shostakovich
Symphony no. 4
Mariss Jansons

[asin]B000G6BJS0[/asin]

[Lisztianwagner]

Shostakovich
Symphony no. 4
Mariss Jansons

[asin]B000G6BJS0[/asin]

Really glad to see you like Jansons' recording, Karlo; a stunning performance indeed, absolutely thrilling.

[Lisztianwagner]

Maurice Ravel
Ma Mère l'oye

[asin]B000065TUZ[/asin]

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

FIRST LISTEN.

Volume I, was a impressive debut for me into the SQ by this composer, and made a lasting impression. And now finally Volume II in my player, and it feels the same for me, so this is going to be a successful follow up. More later!

[pi2000]

Enescu-Chamber Symphony
[asin] B007V80W8Y[/asin]

[North Star]

Really glad to see you like Jansons' recording, Karlo; a stunning performance indeed, absolutely thrilling.

Yes indeed, Ilaria, and the whole cycle (well, at least nos. 1-12, I haven't heard 13-15 yet) is exquisitely performed, and the music isn't bad, either 
After tomorrow morning's exam - who wouldn't like an exam on a warm summer Saturday morning  , I'll have more time to investigate Shostakovich.

[TheGSMoeller]

The Symphony I most relate too in Prokofiev's oeuvre must be the Seventh in C sharp minor opus 131. Always have a warm feeling inside when the first movement starts. There is where the beauty starts and it ends with the last bars of the Fourth movement. For Prokofiev this is a very harmonious and well balanced work, with no extreme dissonances, and it is as if he has reached a pinnacle, from which there is no return, neither a forward motion. It is closing a era, and also a stop to more symphonies, having said all he had to express. Jarvi is the man to give this work a ravishing interpretation. He controls the culmination of all the excellence of the composition, recorded in great sound!

Very nice write up, Harry. I have always found the 7th to be his most perfectly conceived symphony, and it's one I can visit anytime. But what about that ending? My very first recording I heard of the 7th featured the original slow ending, and after many listens, I never questioned it's effectiveness, and that was how I always envisioned the piece to end, with dramatic serenity. I was jarred when I came across the revised jumper ending. I just can't convince myself to enjoy it, and I question why anyone would choose to perform it if it wasnt the composer's original idea. Maybe this bit of information concerning the ending of the 7th wasn't made public until much later after Prokofiev's death? Ill have to investigate. I have two recordings, Previn and Jarvi, with that revised coda, and I barely listen to them.

[Todd]

Wrapping up a second run-through of this most excellent set.  It's excellent.

[Gold Knight]

Felix Mendelssohn--"The Hebrides" Overture {"Fingal's Cave"},Op.26, Symphony No.3 in A Minor, Op.56 {"Scotish"} and Symphony No.4 in A Major, Op.90 {"Italian"}, all performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker under the wand of Herbert von Karajan.
Robert Schumann--Symphony No.3 in E-Flat Major, Op.97 {"Rhenish"}, again featuring the Berliner Philharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan.
Robert Schumann--Symphony No.4 in D Minor, Op.120, performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker led by Maestro Karajan.

[madaboutmahler]

So sorry to hear that, David. May she rest in peace.

The final bars sound like 3 or 4 different endings mashed together--with Korngold unable to make up his mind which one to use (at least, as performed here). Basically liked the piece, but was a bit stymied at the end--need to hear it again, for sure. Do you recommend this recording?

--Bruce

I think I understand what you mean, Bruce. Fortunately for me, this doesn't really affect my enjoyment or love of the piece at all. I only discovered the concerto recently and adored it instantly. If I can offer a recommendation for a recording of the concerto as well, Shaham's with Previn and the LSO on DG is perfect. Beautiful warm playing, really engaging performance. Really brings out all the brilliance in the work. I do not know the recording that Sarge was listening to though, that may be excellent too.

[nico1616]

Listening to Karajan's Inextinguishable, my first Nielsen symphony and it is a great introduction to this composer.
I equally love Bernstein's Sony recording, but I find Blomstedt's Decca a bore.

[Lisztianwagner]

Yes indeed, Ilaria, and the whole cycle (well, at least nos. 1-12, I haven't heard 13-15 yet) is exquisitely performed, and the music isn't bad, either 
After tomorrow morning's exam - who wouldn't like an exam on a warm summer Saturday morning  , I'll have more time to investigate Shostakovich.

Great; tell me what you think about Jansons' Shostakovich cycle once you've carefully listened to the whole set box.
Good luck for the exam!

[madaboutmahler]

Great; tell me what you think about Jansons' Shostakovich cycle once you've carefully listened to the whole set box.
Good luck for the exam!

Glad to see you have been able to listen to so much of the Jansons Shosty box so quickly! Will also be interested to hear your overall opinion, Karlo. And yes, best of luck for the exam!

Thread Duty: parts of 'An American in Paris' and Rhapsody in Blue from Levine's great Gershwin DG recording. Love this music so much, irresistable, so incredibly brilliant! Gershwin's lyrical themes are so charming! 'An American in Paris' is a piece I love very much in particular. Looking forward to hearing the other works on this disc.

Good night everyone!

[Lisztianwagner]

Johann Strauss II
Wien, mein Sinn! Op. 192

[Papy Oli]

Afternoon, Papy! Great stuff, isn't it?Excellent, Karl!

Yes I like On an Overgrown Path a lot 

Finishing the evening with more Janacek :

Palipomènes
Tema con Variazioni
In the Mist

Paul Crossley - Piano

[Conor71]

Quote from: nico1616 on Today at 05:25:27 AM

Listening to Karajan's Inextinguishable, my first Nielsen symphony and it is a great introduction to this composer.
I equally love Bernstein's Sony recording, but I find Blomstedt's Decca a bore.

I have that Disc too - great performance of a wonderful piece of Music!

Now Playing:

Mahler: Symphony No. 6 In A Minor, "Tragic"

Now listening to the final movement of this piece and then I will listen to the Lieder which follows on this Disc (not normally one of my favourite genres but I will give it a chance today!). To celebrate my new Villa-Lobos purchase I will next listen to his Piano Trio No. 2 and Cello Sonata.

>

[Gold Knight]

On Spotify:

Anton Bruckner--Symphony No.7 in E Major, WAB 107 {1885 version, edited by L. Nowak}, featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Bernard Haitnik. I'm still finding Bruckner--and, to a lesser extent--Mahler, to be somewhat "heavy lifting" for my rather puny intellect. However, I have been advised by a fellow member on another musc forum to which I belong that, vis a vis Bruckner--at least for him--his 7th Symphony was his gateway to being able to really appreciate and understand his music. So, here I am.