What are you listening to now?

[cilgwyn]

Playing here,right now! I've been listening to the first movement of this symphony and I'm enjoying the sprightly theme that opens it. In fact,it's the first piece of music I've really enjoyed all day. The second movement is opening now. One review describes the opening theme as one of hymn like grace. I love the serenity with which it gradually unfolds. The climaxes beautifully paced. I wasn't too sure about this symphony at first. It isn't as obviously colourful as some of the others;but there's a dignity and nobility to some of the music which really appeals to me. The orchestration has a clarity which I admire. It's also just right for my background migraine symptoms! This should help more than those useless pills!! Top notch sound and recording quality as ever;and again,I do love those Arnold Böcklin paintings!

[Harry]

Playing here,right now! I've been listening to the first movement of this symphony and I'm enjoying the sprightly theme that opens it. In fact,it's the first piece of music I've really enjoyed all day. The second movement is opening now. One review describes the opening theme as one of hymn like grace. I love the serenity with which it gradually unfolds. The climaxes beautifully paced. I wasn't too sure about this symphony at first. It isn't as obviously colourful as some of the others;but there's a dignity and nobility to some of the music which really appeals to me. The orchestration has a clarity which I admire. It's also just right for my background migraine symptoms! This should help more than those useless pills!! Top notch sound and recording quality as ever;and again,I do love those Arnold Böcklin paintings!

+1

[Traverso]

Bach Cantatas

CD 41

[vandermolen]

Hansons
Mosaics
Schwarz
Seattle Symphony

That's a wonderful set!

[vandermolen]

Yes it is. There is also a box volume 2 containing his opera recordings.  This one is rather cheap.  https://www.bol.com/nl/c/ferenc-fricsay/8189851/

Thanks! I have an earlier DGG box of Fricsay's recording, sadly without the Gliere Ilya Murometz Symphony.

[vandermolen]

On here,now. My favourite recording of this epic symphony. The first one I ever heard via an Lp set in the local library,like the one here. I like the glacial pace,and it makes the faster "action" set pieces seem even more exciting when they come. Swords and sorcery in symphonic form! I like the artwork,too. I've got the Unicorn 2 cd set with just the symphony. Some sign of bronzing,I fear;but it's a mild case,so far! I have some horribly bronzed ones that still play without problems. I make copies,just in case!!

Yes, it's a very special version. Because of the 'bronzing issue' (My Bantock Hebriddean Symphony on Hyperion is my only known victim so far - Hyperion exchanged it for me immediately even though I've owned it for years) some say get the Regis or Alto reissues but I prefer the imposing Unicorn cover art  .

[vandermolen]

That was my maiden listen. Yeah, it's a great piece.

Sarge

+2

[vandermolen]

Symphony 16 and 22:
[asin]B00NWZIOGM[/asin]

[Traverso]

Goldschmidt

Der gewaltige Hahnrei

[Malx]

Brahms

Just arrived and I couldn't be happier,everything is really in mint condition.

I start with the first CD   

String Sextets No.1 & 2  The Raphael Ensemble

That is a fantastic box - hard to get at a reasonable price these days, I am tempted by the download from Hyperion, but and its a big but I still prefer physical discs!

[Malx]

J S Bach, Violin Concertos and the Violin Concertos based on a couple of Keyboard Concertos from Gil Incogniti directed by Amadine Beyer.

These performances will not be to everyone's taste being played by a small band of seven players, played at times at breakneck pace, with occasional lapses in precision,
They are definitely different and as I may have said before - why keep buying the same performance by various ensembles - vive la difference.

[Baron Scarpia]

That is a fantastic box - hard to get at a reasonable price these days, I am tempted by the download from Hyperion, but and its a big but I still prefer physical discs!

For Hyperion I've switched to downloads, since they provide FLAC files and a nice digital booklet.

I think I have everything in that set. Not every recording is my absolute favorite, but I don't think any record label has a set of Brahms chamber music that can beat Hyperion.

[Traverso]

That is a fantastic box - hard to get at a reasonable price these days, I am tempted by the download from Hyperion, but and its a big but I still prefer physical discs!

I bought it for 42 euro,7 euro for shipment included.I searched it on ebay and I was lucky to find this in mint condition.You have to be patient if you are not lucky.
I just found one ( French site) in a very good condition for 350 euros,a realy ridiculous price .
A set I recently bought with the Les percussion de Strasbourg,price 780 euro (as new  ) I paid 50 for a new set.

Here a link to a set that is already sold but to give joy an idea

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Brahms-The-complete-chamber-music-Hyperion-12-CDs/222958621051?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D50553%26meid%3Dcf74476263ee4d51bb457d97c81e35b5%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D112840386956%26itm%3D222958621051&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850

The set I purchased was bidding,I was the only one!

[Malx]

Another recording that will upset traditionalists, Currentzis plays around with Purcell's work but he gives it a clarity and buoyancy which so many of the traditional interpretations seem to lack. In fact by comparison some I have heard seem bland and lifeless.
Unlikely to be a library recommendation but one that demands to be heard imo.

[Malx]

For Hyperion I've switched to downloads, since they provide FLAC files and a nice digital booklet.

I think I have everything in that set. Not every recording is my absolute favorite, but I don't think any record label has a set of Brahms chamber music that can beat Hyperion.

I believe their digital booklets are excellent but sitting reading a hard copy with headphones on still has great appeal for me - having said that there maybe a time when a digital booklet that can be enlarged on a screen may become necessary!

[Madiel]

Don't forget it might be possible to track down many of the individual Hyperion releases (which is how I have a substantial part of that Brahms box).

THREAD DUTY: Haydn, Symphony No.69 in C.

[asin]B009LNI0T0[/asin]

Reputedly Haydn in light and easy mode. I'm certainly finding the first movement accessible.

CD 26. The end of the box is in sight!

[Daverz]

This seemed to get a mixed reception when it came out, but I thought it was fabulous (via Tidal).

[asin]B01MS9VBKH[/asin]

Would be short measure if I were buying the CD, though.

[Moonfish]

Earlier today

Airs d'Operas           Régine Crespin/Ackermann/Orchestre du theatre national del l'opera

A wonderful encounter (especially the Verdi and Gounod selections) with Régine Crespin's intriguing voice - powerful, warm and vibrant. Not sure if I liked the Berlioz piece that much. I need to ponder it some more.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/jul/07/guardianobituaries.obituaries

[Moonfish]

Chopin: Nocturnes            Claudio Arrau

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Nothing I can say about this that hasn't already been said by millions of others, I guess. Listening because of a facebook thing, but also because this is so much fun anyway.