What are you listening to now?

[SonicMan46]

Elgar's Violin Concerto w/ the two ladies below - this work has a lot of competition and curious about others' favorites?  Dave

 

[André]

Loved it, so I turned around and ordered Volume 1.
In fact, this entire series is wonderful!

Re: the Krenek piano concertos:

The slow movement of the 4th concerto is amazing. It has a concentrated quietness and beauty. It evokes an abstract version of the same movement in Ravel's concerto.

[Florestan]

There are degrees of liking.

Certainly.

I prefer the Debussy orchestral pieces that pack more of a punch. My favorite orchestral works by Debussy are La Mer and Nocturnes (especially "Fetes"). Then Printemps (especially the second movement) and Images for Orchestra I and III, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and Jeux.

I must confess that I prefer Debussy's solo piano or chamber music over his orchestral works --- but this is valid for 75% of my favorite composers, so I'm probably biased.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Certainly.

I must confess that I prefer Debussy's solo piano or chamber music over his orchestral works --- but this is valid for 75% of my favorite composers, so I'm probably biased.

I also prefer the solo piano music, in particular. Chamber music, only the Cello sonata and string quartet resonate.

[André]

Symphonies 4 and 6 from this complete set:



"Reinvented" would be too strong a word perhaps, but refreshed, revitalized and rejuvenated will do nicely. After listening to the first 6 symphonies, I am very impressed. The clarity and superb definition of the sound is a big plus as well.

[Florestan]

I also prefer the solo piano music, in particular. Chamber music, only the Cello sonata and string quartet resonate.

No love for the Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp? I'm quite surprised.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Elgar's Violin Concerto w/ the two ladies below - this work has a lot of competition and curious about others' favorites?  Dave

 

Hahn is my favorite. I have it from Elgarian (redux) that Hugh Bean is a must hear. I have it but haven't listened yet. "Kennedy" drove me away from the piece.

[André]

The art cover may lead one to expect something jolly and colourful. It is not. These are works for strings only and are almost all deadly serious in tone. Lest that sound like a thumbs down, it is not either. In fact it's one of the most impressive discs of Kinsella's music I've heard.

The 9th symphony is a major work. I was reminded of other dark works like Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem, Shostakovich's 14th (minus the vocals), Sibelius 4th, Arnold's 9th, but in a very concentrated, elliptic way - it is in 7 continuous sections lasting 31 minutes. The central slow movement is among the most desolate, barren musical utterances I can think of. It's also amazingly beautiful.

The other works on the disc have been carefully chosen to follow in that direction while providing welcome contrast to the main offering. The small orchestra (19 strings, with a slight bias toward the lower voices) play splendidly and is very well recorded. Stunning quality all around.

[Florestan]

Hahn is my favorite.

Mine too --- and I'm not talking about violin concertos. 

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

No love for the Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp? I'm quite surprised.

I must have listened to it at some point but I have no recollection of it. By default harp is a turn-off for me.

[Florestan]

I must have listened to it at some point but I have no recollection of it. By default harp is a turn-off for me.

Oh! May I ask why?

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Oh! May I ask why?

Don't particularly like the way it sounds.

[Florestan]

Don't particularly like the way it sounds.

I see. Well, de gustibus et coloribus non disputandum est. We'll always have Clair de lune, ain't it?

[Mandryka]

et coloribus

There are some questions which you never get a satisfactory answer to all your life. Why did he say "et coloribus?" Is he talking about colour tastes (in which case why single it out?) Or colour judgements (colour blindness), which makes it a strange dictum?

[Mandryka]

Suzie leblanc has a fine voice but to me she sounds like an Edwardian primary schoolteacher from Surrey. Napper and Little know how to play viol, but as is often the case with them, their interpretations are  poetic here  -- I'm quite enjoying what they do.

[Florestan]

There are some questions which you never get a satisfactory answer to all your life. Why did he say "et coloribus?" Is he talking about colour tastes (in which case why single it out?) Or colour judgements (colour blindness), which makes it a strange dictum?

"He"? Who is this "he" you're taking about?

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Reger Cello Sonata No 4 again, Gerhardt.

[asin]B0012Y1HIC[/asin]

Some interest, particularly in the second (scherzo) and final movements, but not blown away. Does anyone here who is familiar with these works think I'm just listening to the wrong recording?

[Mandryka]

"He"? Who is this "he" you're taking about?

Cicero maybe, I seem to remember from school that he said it.  Or maybe I'm mixing it up with "Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto"

[aligreto]

Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 [Blomstedt]





The first movement is a powerful, atmospheric and exuberant affair which really has punch, great forward drive and presence. The contemplative and meditative mood generated in the second movement is a wonderful contrast to that of the first. I like those plaintive woodwinds. I also like the handling of the vocalists here. The somewhat quirky, scherzo-like third movement is very well portrayed with great energy and momentum. The big opening theme of the final movement is portrayed with gusto and intensity and the build up to the ultimate conclusion and finale is steady and spirited.

[aligreto]

Is that actually the pressing you have?  If so, congrats!

Yes it is. Thank you.