What are you listening to now?

[North Star]

I can't help you in this matter. I just listen to the second disc of this box and the symphonies are very accessible and worthwhile.I just jumped in without asking too many questions.I have to give it more time and listening in order to say anything  sensible ( hopefully)
It doesn't cost you much but there is no libretto wich might be a handycap if you don.t speak German.
I think it is safe to recommend this box,it is a musical journey of an important composer wich might be reason enough to purchase this box.
It is not the first time that I listened to a piece and didn't like it the first time and appreciate it later on,I should say,go for it.

https://www.dodax.nl/nl-nl/muziek-cds-dvds-vinylplaten/concerten-symfonien-orkestmuziek/hans-w-henze-hans-werner-henze-the-complete-deutsche-grammophon-recordings-dpF3RV2DM7RIF/

Ah, very good, and very true.

[Mahlerian]

Mahler: Das klagende Lied (revised version, with original Part 1 tacked on at the beginning)
Susan Dunn, Brigitte Fassbender, Stadtischer Musikverein Dusseldorf, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond. Chailly
[asin]B00008MLU0[/asin]

[vandermolen]

Composed in 1944/45 and conveying a strong sense of looming collapse interspersed with moments of tranquility. It does show the influence of Bruckner,Mahler and Richard Strauss but has a unique atmosphere which I fine appealing:
[asin]B000024OJI[/asin]

[vandermolen]

+ me (and vandermolen!!) I think it is a very fine symphony. I agree about the grandeur,of some of the writing;and quite thrilling in places. It comes across as a fine performance. I remember taping it off the radio,years ago. The earlier Louisville recording,possibly? (I was beginning to worry that I was the only one who enjoyed this symphony?!) I've liked everything I've heard by Dello Joio,so far. I have also enjoyed mono recordings of his New York Profiles for orchestra and an old 78 recording of his Concerto for harp and orchestra,which I downloaded from one of those vinyl and shellac blogs (which might still be up there?).

Ah, I was just wondering where you were. Yes, I like Dello Joio's music very much.

[aligreto]

Stanford: Symphony No. 3 [Handley]





One gets what one would expect from this work i.e. jaunty, lyrical, and appealing Irish flavoured orchestrated melodies. What one also gets is really wonderful orchestration and harmonies. The scoring throughout the work is very appealing and atmospheric.

[aligreto]

I'm finally beginning to appreciate Stanford's orchestral music. This after buying all the Chandos releases of the symphonies,some years ago,and,feeling less than impressed.......and I did try hard;listening to them,over and over again. The breakthrough came when I got back the cd of his Seventh symphony,which I had given to my late mother. I remember putting it on and thinking how much I liked the theme in the opening movement;but even more importantly,admiring the wonderful clarity of his orchestration. It seems to have a cleansing quality,like clear spring water. The 'fill-ups' (horrid term) include his Concert Piece for organ and orchestra, Op. 181,which I also enjoyed. What a fine piece. The organ in the recording really is quite thrilling. Since then I have bought a cd of his Fourth Symphony (the original cd's all having gone to a charity shop) which was the symphony I most fancied hearing again. I remembered quite liking the opening theme. Again,a fine piece. It's as if I'm listening through new ears. There is hope for Stanford sceptics,after all!! His church music is magnificent,I might say. Interestingly,a cd of a recording of his opera The Travelling Companion,based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale,is going to be released. I can't recall when? I hear his String Quartets are also admired,by some;and recordings of them have received very good reviews.

I am glad that you are finding your way back to Stanford. Obviously I like his music. I also have a number of his String Quartets but not them all. The String Quartetss could be perceived as being influenced by Brahms but that cannot be a bad thing. I have also recently bought a CD featuring his Piano Quartet No. 1 and Piano Trio No. 1 but I have not listened to it yet.

[Karl Henning]

Debussy, arr. Koechlin
Khamma, légende dansée

[asin]B07574QX4Y[/asin]

[aligreto]

Telemann: 2 Concertos for Two Flutes, Colascione, Strings [Dresdner Barocksolisten] from CD 4 of this set





Played well by all in a very pleasant acoustic. The tutti has weight and the pacing is moderate and relaxed yielding very charming and engaging performances.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Faure, Impromptus and Valse-Caprices, Stott.

[asin]B00ITYHCEG[/asin]

The very earlier Faure has a Chopin-esq feel, to my ear. By Opus 30 or so, he has a very individual voice, with free-flowing arpeggios and rich, ambiguous harmonies.

The first Impromptu has a wonderful middle section with a repeated-note motif. The fifth sounds a bit like a homage to Debussy to my ears. The first Valse-Caprice sounds actually sounds like a Waltz, the later ones are free fantasias in triple meter. No 3 and 4 are particularly sublime.

Also listened to Angela Hewitt's recording of the first two Valse-Caprices. Also very good performances, but less satisfying overall because it is just a recital disc and I have to settle for the selections provided.

[asin]B00DOVXMRU[/asin]

I have Doyen and Hubeau yet to listen to (not to mention Collard, to listen to again).

[Karl Henning]

Chabrier, arr. Koechlin
Bourrée fantasque (1891)

[asin]B07574QX4Y[/asin]

[aligreto]

Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder [Studer/Sinopoli]





Wonderful, measured, heartfelt and captivating performances from Struder and Sinopoli is equally compelling in his accompaniments. Der Engel is glorious. Stehe still is powerful. Im Treibhaus is intense. Schmerzen is spirited. Traume is captivating.

[Florestan]

Faure, Impromptus and Valse-Caprices, Stott.

[asin]B00ITYHCEG[/asin]

The very earlier Faure has a Chopin-esq feel, to my ear. By Opus 30 or so, he has a very individual voice, with free-flowing arpeggios and rich, ambiguous harmonies.

The first Impromptu has a wonderful middle section with a repeated-note motif. The fifth sounds a bit like a homage to Debussy to my ears. The first Valse-Caprice sounds actually sounds like a Waltz, the later ones are free fantasias in triple meter. No 3 and 4 are particularly sublime.

Also listened to Angela Hewitt's recording of the first two Valse-Caprices. Also very good performances, but less satisfying overall because it is just a recital disc and I have to settle for the selections provided.

[asin]B00DOVXMRU[/asin]

I have Doyen and Hubeau yet to listen to (not to mention Collard, to listen to again).

I have both the Stott set and the Hewitt disc. They are great each in its own way; of course Stott is more valuable since it's complete. Also have the Doyen and Collard sets but haven't got to listen to them yet so I can't comment.

And: welcome back!

[vandermolen]

Stanford: Symphony No. 3 [Handley]





One gets what one would expect from this work i.e. jaunty, lyrical, and appealing Irish flavoured orchestrated melodies. What one also gets is really wonderful orchestration and harmonies. The scoring throughout the work is very appealing and atmospheric.

My favourite Stanford work (I also like Symphony 5) along with the Irish Rhapsody No.4. I prefer Norman Del Mar's version of the Symphony No.3.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

I have both the Stott set and the Hewitt disc. They are great each in its own way; of course Stott is more valuable since it's complete. Also have the Doyen and Collard sets but haven't got to listen to them yet so I can't comment.

And: welcome back!

Thanks, happy to be back to a functioning site.

[Traverso]

 Ligeti

Lontano

Berliner Philharmoniker  Jonathan Nott

[Traverso]

John Tavener

Great singing of a great choir.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

My favourite Stanford work (I also like Symphony 5) along with the Irish Rhapsody No.4. I prefer Norman Del Mar's version of the Symphony No.3.

I find myself struggling to appreciate Stanford (recently listened to the 2nd symphony). Strikes me as a bit stiff and stodgy.

[Jamie]

I have to be in the right mood to appreciate this...perhaps anything...but this morning is one of those moments and so Jeux vénitiens from this...

[SymphonicAddict]

Composed in 1944/45 and conveying a strong sense of looming collapse interspersed with moments of tranquility. It does show the influence of Bruckner,Mahler and Richard Strauss but has a unique atmosphere which I fine appealing:
[asin]B000024OJI[/asin]

This is a terrific symphony. I can also hear chiefly some echoes of Bruckner, Mahler and Wagner. It's a huge building of brooding music, and its length is not a disadvantage. Do you have the Barenboim/Chicago SO recording?

[aligreto]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 [von Karajan]





No. 5 has an overwhelming sense of sadness, tragedy and fatalism portrayed through beautiful melodies which are ravishingly played here.