What are you listening to now?

[Traverso]

Brahms

Lieder CD 2  Wolfgang Sawallisch

The Brahms songs are top notch     Wach auf,wach auf,du junger gesell !

[aligreto]

Telemann: Tafelmusik, extracts from Parts I & II [Florilegium]





For those who either do not know it or wish to listen to a complete version of Tafelmusik this single CD will make a very fine introduction to the work for you. The playing is very fine and the instrumental textures are well recorded. This CD makes for a very pleasant listen and would be recommended as a good introduction to the work.

[aligreto]

I have 2 discs of this series and Rowland totally satisfies me, as he does in Scarlatti too - more so than Ross or Belder. I have half of his integral set, but never got to find the missing volumes

That is a big, and therefore intriguing, statement to make Andre and you have therefore piqued my interest greatly. 

I have not heard Rowland playing Scarlatti. 

Overall I find the playing in this Soler cycle to be fine if lacking just a little in expression and flair in its interpretation and presentation. The instruments sound pleasing and the recordings are good, not sounding light or thin. However, I find it difficult not to compare both the music and performances with Ross' Scarlatti where I believe that we are in a different league entirely. Unfair of me perhaps but an unavoidable comparison nonetheless when one is thinking of bodies of work such as these. That is my current thinking but given the above I need to do more research as I value your opinion.

[aligreto]

Hi Aligreto - just own the 4 numbered symphonies, so curious what you think of the earlier Op. 18 pair from 1787?  This would be a nice disc to 'fill out' my collection - have a bunch of Bamert recordings and have enjoyed all - so, looked at some reviews and found several conflicting comments, i.e. one preferring Bamert (over Francesco D'Avalos) and another w/ the opposite thoughts; now D'Avalos is available on ASV w/ 2 discs having all 6 symphonic works at a decent price for a 'used' set - decisions, decisions!         Dave

   

Hi Dave. I feel your conflict. I found the Bamert to produce energetic and exciting music making that is well played and presented. However, I must confess, although I have not heard the set, that D'Avalos Complete set does look attractive from the point of view of a completist. Go with your gut feel is my advice.

[Mandryka]

It is surprising that of all the sets I have,Pires,Zacharias,Larrocha (decca),Eschenbach,Uchida and Lilli Kraus this adagio in B moll is not included.However Ingrid plays it very well,poetical in a way I can appreciate.

I have also a Brendel set and he plays the adagio as well.

Arrau is good in that one I think

https://youtube.com/v/5o9D9XqzGYA

[Traverso]

Arrau is good in that one I think

https://youtube.com/v/5o9D9XqzGYA

Arrau is too much interpreting the piece,to my taste anyway,I like Lilli kraus better.

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

[listener]

When trying to decide what I should listen to takes longer than the listening, pick a couple of unopened ones.  These arrived two months ago.
Theodore KIRCHNER: 12 Neue Davidsbündlertänze op. 17,  20 Romanzen op. 22, and  a selection of pieces from op. 29
Jean Martin, piano
Marcel LANDOWSKI: Quatre preludes pour l'opéra des Bastilles
DANIEL-LESUR: Sérénade
Charles CHAYNES: Onze visages de l'antifugue,
Pour faire le portrait d'un oiseau
Orchestre de Chambre National de Toulouse      Alain Moglia, cond

[Draško]

Hi Milos! Which one do you prefer btw Neumann and Behlolavek? Are they much different from one another ?

I prefer Neumann, his touch is so incredibly light and the music moves like liquid. In comparison I find Belohlavek's Martinu a bit hard edged, especially the BBC recordings (I like his Supraphon 2/3 of a cycle better). I'm not talking about huge margins, but definitely Neumann.

[SymphonicAddict]

Symphony No. 1

If you are fond of Dukas's Symphony, you'll like this one. An excellent work.

[André]

That is a big, and therefore intriguing, statement to make Andre and you have therefore piqued my interest greatly. 

I have not heard Rowland playing Scarlatti. 

Overall I find the playing in this Soler cycle to be fine if lacking just a little in expression and flair in its interpretation and presentation. The instruments sound pleasing and the recordings are good, not sounding light or thin. However, I find it difficult not to compare both the music and performances with Ross' Scarlatti where I believe that we are in a different league entirely. Unfair of me perhaps but an unavoidable comparison nonetheless when one is thinking of bodies of work such as these. That is my current thinking but given the above I need to do more research as I value your opinion.

I know, it's a very personal opinion, certainly not a matter of fact. A review of vol 5 in Gramophone sums it up nicely, and the reviewer's view is pretty much your own (« fine if lacking just a little in expression and flair in its interpretation »). https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/d-scarlatti-harpsichord-sonatas-volume-5

I have both Belder and Ross integral sets. Ross is certainly the more inventive and adventurous approach, but a certain sameness pervades both sets, which is rather unavoidable, I guess.

For maximum enjoyment nothing beats Hantaï's discs IMO. But for the long term I thoroughly enjoy Rowland's solid, sonorous readings. I notice that not a trace of these records can be found right now. I have vols 2-6 (12 discs). Maybe Rowland never completed the undertaking?

[André]

I prefer Neumann, his touch is so incredibly light and the music moves like liquid. In comparison I find Belohlavek's Martinu a bit hard edged, especially the BBC recordings (I like his Supraphon 2/3 of a cycle better). I'm not talking about huge margins, but definitely Neumann.

Thanks! I've been ogling that set for some time without making up my mind.  I'll get serious about it, now !

[lisa needs braces]

[kyjo]

Symphony No. 1

If you are fond of Dukas's Symphony, you'll like this one. An excellent work.

Indeed, a really fine work.

[TheGSMoeller]

[Que]

Further listening:



Q

[Mandryka]

Arrau is too much interpreting the piece,to my taste anyway,I like Lilli kraus better.

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

You know Leonhardt recorded it?

[Karl Henning]

Further listening:



Q

How's it going?

[prémont]

Further listening:



Q

4'33'' ?

[Traverso]

You know Leonhardt recorded it?

I know  he.  made a recording  for Seon on Hammerklavier, an instrument  he  really  disliked.
I remember  that I  listened  to fragments many years  ago.. It is too  long  ago  but I am curious to hear  the adagio in B moll.

I found this video and at the end of it he plays the adagio in B moll.His sister "Trudeliese"played the forte piano.( not on this recording)

http://www.youtube.com/v/l6VNSLPemxo

[vandermolen]

The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca (LPO, Kubelik):
[asin]B0794MC592[/asin]
A great performance of a wonderfully imaginative and poetic work.

One of a number of fine works inspired by paintings, including Respighi's Botticelli Paintings, Reger's Bocklin Tone Poems and Rachmaninov's 'Isle of the Dead' (also after Bocklin).

Followed by 'Fantasies Symphoniques' (Boston SO, Munch) - Karl would approve!