Current Listening Projects

[madaboutmahler]

This is good news, Daniel. I'm actually listening to Mahler's 7th right now with Simon Rattle and the CBSO. Really good performance, but I've always admired it. I'm afraid I won't be joining you in the Mahler comparison thread. I'm just now starting to get back into Mahler and I want to take my time with the music. I'll just be too busy listening to his music to participate. I'm sure you understand.

This is great to hear, John. The 7th is just such a great piece! The first movement from the 7th is one of my absolute favourite Mahler movements. The Rattle is a rather great performance. My current favourite in this symphony would be Solti. Ok, no problem, and yes, I understand. I will be doing a Blind Comparison for each of the Mahler symphonies, which will be spread over a long period of time, so if you ever want to join in, you are more than welcome! Again, really good to hear you are enjoying Mahler, John!

Are you familiar with the Fantasia concertante on a theme of Corelli by Tippett, Daniel? Beautiful music that one. I should check the pieces you mention, too (well, I've heard the concerto once)
I still haven't gotten to Mahler's 8th or 10th 
And the Third I ought to listen again.
Then there's the Boulez Bartók box - Wooden Prince unheard, among others...

I am not yet, Karlo. I know very little of Tippett's music, so this will really be my first exploration into his music. One of the cds I have purchased does have the work you mention though, so I look forward to hearing it!
Mahler 8 is a magnificent work! Make that a must! The 10th is particularly beautiful as well! In the box set, do you have just the adagio, or is it Rattle's BPO performance of the Cooke II version?
Ah yes, the Boulez Bartok set is yet another set of recordings I wish to own...!

[North Star]

I am not yet, Karlo. I know very little of Tippett's music, so this will really be my first exploration into his music. One of the cds I have purchased does have the work you mention though, so I look forward to hearing it!
Mahler 8 is a magnificent work! Make that a must! The 10th is particularly beautiful as well! In the box set, do you have just the adagio, or is it Rattle's BPO performance of the Cooke II version?
Ah yes, the Boulez Bartok set is yet another set of recordings I wish to own...!

Go here AT ONCE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqTeQa7MDQ

The box includes Rattle's BPO Cooke II. Do you have any thoughts on the Cooke completion ?
The Boulez Bartok set is superb

[madaboutmahler]

Go here AT ONCE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqTeQa7MDQ

The box includes Rattle's BPO Cooke II. Do you have any thoughts on the Cooke completion ?
The Boulez Bartok set is superb

haha - thanks for the link, Karlo! I am very excited to start exploring Tippett's music! John's enthusiasm really does work it's way to our minds... I would listen to it now, but it's heading towards midnight over here in England, so I shall save it for when I am more awake.

To be honest, the '10th' is the Mahler symphony I know least. I really need to spend some more time with it, I have only heard it once or twice. But, from those listenings, I can say that I do love it very much. And of course, am very grateful to Cooke! I hope to listen to the 10th again very soon. This discussion has certainly put me in the mood for it!
I can certainly imagine the Boulez Bartok being superb, yes!

Have a nice evening, Karlo!

[North Star]

haha - thanks for the link, Karlo! I am very excited to start exploring Tippett's music! John's enthusiasm really does work it's way to our minds... I would listen to it now, but it's heading towards midnight over here in England, so I shall save it for when I am more awake.

To be honest, the '10th' is the Mahler symphony I know least. I really need to spend some more time with it, I have only heard it once or twice. But, from those listenings, I can say that I do love it very much. And of course, am very grateful to Cooke! I hope to listen to the 10th again very soon. This discussion has certainly put me in the mood for it!
I can certainly imagine the Boulez Bartok being superb, yes!

Have a nice evening, Karlo!

Yeah, here in Finland it's still over 22 hours to midnight 

[Mirror Image]

This is great to hear, John. The 7th is just such a great piece! The first movement from the 7th is one of my absolute favourite Mahler movements. The Rattle is a rather great performance. My current favourite in this symphony would be Solti. Ok, no problem, and yes, I understand. I will be doing a Blind Comparison for each of the Mahler symphonies, which will be spread over a long period of time, so if you ever want to join in, you are more than welcome! Again, really good to hear you are enjoying Mahler, John!

The 7th, from what I've read, has always been viewed as the 'problem child' symphony meaning, I suppose, that it is probably the most enigmatic of them all. I don't know if I agree with this or not, but I think what could possibly give people the most trouble comes from the actual structure of the symphony, especially with those Nachtmusik I & II sandwiched between other movements, but to be perfectly honest I think it's one of Mahler's greatest symphonic creations. The last two movements are especially memorable and moving for me.

[North Star]

I think that the enigmatic quality is because of the very different moods and their quick changing in the symphony. It is very hysteric music much of the time.
I agree with you that it's one of the best works of Mahler.
(BTW, John, it's rather irritating that you seem to be offline all the time, even when you post)

[Mirror Image]

I think that the enigmatic quality is because of the very different moods and their quick changing in the symphony. It is very hysteric music much of the time.

Any fan of Mahler will know that in order to love the music, you have to love his multiple personalities.

[North Star]

Any fan of Mahler will know that in order to love the music, you have to love his multiple personalities.

Yes, we agree with you on this subject.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, we agree with you on this subject.

[madaboutmahler]

The 7th, from what I've read, has always been viewed as the 'problem child' symphony meaning, I suppose, that it is probably the most enigmatic of them all. I don't know if I agree with this or not, but I think what could possibly give people the most trouble comes from the actual structure of the symphony, especially with those Nachtmusik I & II sandwiched between other movements, but to be perfectly honest I think it's one of Mahler's greatest symphonic creations. The last two movements are especially memorable and moving for me.

It is... yes... I personally think that it is Mahler's most 'inventive' symphony, and some listeners may find it simply too strange. But, at least we all appear to love it! The last movement is certainly absolutely brilliant! The first movement is one of my favourite Mahler movements. Such great music!

[Mirror Image]

It is... yes... I personally think that it is Mahler's most 'inventive' symphony, and some listeners may find it simply too strange. But, at least we all appear to love it! The last movement is certainly absolutely brilliant! The first movement is one of my favourite Mahler movements. Such great music!

I agree. There's something so melancholy and tranquil for me about Nachtmusik II. It's scored for reduced orchestra as well. It has a chamber-like feel to the music, but with just enough bottom end to know you're listening to Mahler.

[madaboutmahler]

I agree. There's something so melancholy and tranquil for me about Nachtmusik II. It's scored for reduced orchestra as well. It has a chamber-like feel to the music, but with just enough bottom end to know you're listening to Mahler.

Oh yes, that's an absolutely stunning movement. Glad to hear you being so enthusiastic about Mahler, John!

[Mirror Image]

Current projects brewing...

1. Finish up my survey of Xenakis' music
2. Listen to my Cerha, Furrer, and Rihm recordings
3. Revisit a lot of my Les Six collection including a Poulenc EMI box set that hasn't been explored yet
4. Revisit many of my Latin American recordings (mainly Revueltas, Chavez, Villa-Lobos, Ginastera)
5. Listen to Martinu's SQ cycle
6. Listen to Satie's solo piano music
7. Revisit Barber's entire orchestral oeuvre

[Mirror Image]

Dig your musical enthusiasm. 

Thanks? I don't know if you're being sarcastic here, James.

[Brian]

Currently finishing up a most pleasurable self-assigned MusicWeb labor: writing a guide to the 40 download albums BIS is offering at clearance prices to celebrate their 40th anniversary, over at eClassical. (The physical CDs are on sale at Presto.)

[Sammy]

Thanks? I don't know if you're being sarcastic here, James.

When you get a very positive response, best to accept it.

[Mirror Image]

When you get a very positive response, best to accept it.

From James, yes, I suppose I should!

[Artem]

Currently finishing up a most pleasurable self-assigned MusicWeb labor: writing a guide to the 40 download albums BIS is offering at clearance prices to celebrate their 40th anniversary, over at eClassical. (The physical CDs are on sale at Presto.)

It would be interesting to read your guide.

As for my projects, I very much enjoyed listening to Mahler's symphonies last year and earlier this year. I never heard them before.

For next year, I'm thinking about investigating Debussy and Schoenberg. I've bought a couple books about these two composers and I have some cds by them, so next year I may get more orchestral music by Debussy and later Schoenberg pieces. Although, there's just so little time for music and too much interesting stuff that I would like to check out besides these two composers. Obviously, I will get distracted by something else.

[kyjo]

It would be interesting to read your guide.

As for my projects, I very much enjoyed listening to Mahler's symphonies last year and earlier this year. I never heard them before.

For next year, I'm thinking about investigating Debussy and Schoenberg. I've bought a couple books about these two composers and I have some cds by them, so next year I may get more orchestral music by Debussy and later Schoenberg pieces. Although, there's just so little time for music and too much interesting stuff that I would like to check out besides these two composers. Obviously, I will get distracted by something else.

Debussy and Schoenberg are two of the 20th century's most seminal composers and you would greatly benefit from investigating their music! Schoenberg is not always easy listening, but seeing that you like some avant-garde music, you shouldn't have too much trouble with him. Just ask us if you need any help with recording recommendations! Personally, I would check out Haitink's recordings of Debussy's orchestral works and either Boulez or Craft in Schoenberg (though I prefer Karajan in Verklarte Nacht and Pelleas and Melisande). It would be a shame if you decided to bypass their music!

[Artem]

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I'm also planing on taking more time with the individual composers' threads.