What are you listening to now?

[San Antone]

Berg | Wellesz : Emerson String Quartet



Berg : Lyric Suite



I bought this for the Wellesz, but this Berg work is always welcome.

[Florestan]

Wait, I thought you didn't listen to past-1830 music?

His account must have been highjacked. 

TD:

[Karl Henning]

Thread Duty—First-Listen Fridays!

Skalkottas
Quartet № 1 for pf & winds (1940-42)
Holliger & friends

[Omicron9]

Closing today's listening session with some Couperin played by the young Blandine Verlet in 1976-81 (disc 1 of this 2-disc set). She re-recorded Couperin pieces - a mostly different selection - some 35 years later.

What could be the logic behind that album cover?

[Karl Henning]

Not that this answers your question . . . I do immediately think of an episode from A Nero Wolfe Mystery, which featured (in a less than flattering light) a modern poet seat in just this sort of chair . . . .

[Mirror Image]

Maybe we chalk it up to my being a fan-boy for Prokofiev, but I do think the Symphony-Concerto a mighty fine score.  (And I need to listen to this recording of it [again] . . . .)

+1 I love this work, too.

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge (on the chance that you know, ardent Ring-ophile that thou art) . . . do you mean the Böhm which is part of The Bayreuth Box ('67)?

Yes, the Ring in the Bayreuth box. It was originally on the Philips label.

Sarge

[Todd]

Ivan Fischer's job for Philips, the last of the bunch.  I didn't save it and Kocsis' recording for the end for no reason.  These two conductors and their Hungarian orchestras demonstrate that one can rely on modern recordings to get the best of the best even with longstanding reference recordings available.  Fischer's timing in the Introduzione is similar to Kocsis, but the playing flows slightly better, and the more blended sound, if less finely detailed and slightly edgier, presents a more traditional orchestral sound.  Like Kocsis, the slower music is mysterious, but Fischer ekes out more intensity in the tuttis.  Also like Kocsis, Fischer takes the Giuoco delle coppie at a proper quick clip, with fine playing from the pairs, and a processional brass chorale.  The Elegia goes the Kubelik route, coming in notably faster than normal, and achieving that with mysterious night music partnered to near blistering climaxes.  The Intermezzo interrotto starts peppy, moves to a main theme that sounds slightly quick but definitely attractive, and the interruption is dispatched with some mischievous haste, with the trombone glissando not exaggerated, and the music after light and tight.  Fischer goes for a straight up fast reading of the Finale, and as such, it's mighty exciting, and nothing in my collection sounds better played.  Like Kocsis, the bassoons get their due, though more in this movement. 

Overall, Fischer's set sounds more sophisticated and urbane, Kocsis' sounds more folk music infused and fiery.  Together, they are the best of the best. 

[Sergeant Rock]

Right now, Prokofiev #2. I had quite forgotten what a fine player Mullova is. Damn, she ate that Bartok for breakfast! 

That picture of Mullova reminds me of There's Something About Mary 




Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Szell conducting the Cleveland and mangling Bartok. Still, despite the abortion, it's one of my favorite versions.




Sarge

[TheGSMoeller]

That picture of Mullova reminds me of There's Something About Mary 




Sarge

Sarge wins the day. Bravo! 

[Biffo]

What could be the logic behind that album cover?

Who knows? I have albums of Bach and Vivaldi from Naive that also have chairs on the cover.

[TheGSMoeller]

.[asin]B01BCWV5OY[/asin]

[Brian]

Some eccentric November new releases for me today:



Plus, inspired by the Mendelssohn poll:

[kyjo]

You deserve a more thorough answer, but (while I affirm your enthusiasm for the violin and piano concerti) I disagree;  I do not find the piece to be empty virtuosity;  nor do I think it fair to the piece to compare it, Procrustes-like, to the vn and pf concerti, which is whence I think the "coherence" quarrel comes.

I'll relisten to it soon! Is the Ivashkin recording you mentioned your favorite?

[North Star]

First-listen Friday
Martinů
Ariane, opera in one act
Celina Lindsey & al.
Czech Philharmonic
Neumann
https://www.youtube.com/v/FQLkxTv39sk

[Brian]

(This is still my favourite Prokofiev

Bit of a random question for you and Karl and whomever else. I think I have a chance to interview Alisa Weilerstein about this very piece. Got any questions?

[Karl Henning]

Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Szell conducting the Cleveland and mangling Bartok. Still, despite the abortion, it's one of my favorite versions.




Sarge

A great performance!  Just a poor editorial liberty . . . .

[Karl Henning]

Bit of a random question for you and Karl and whomever else. I think I have a chance to interview Alisa Weilerstein about this very piece. Got any questions?

YHM 

[Karl Henning]

I'll relisten to it soon! Is the Ivashkin recording you mentioned your favorite?

I think it probably is.