What are you listening to now?

[JBS]

It is indeed an excellent set. Morris also recorded the reconstructed first movement of a 10th symphony, also available on Pickwick.

I recently listened to the Weller set, which is pretty much from the same mould, except that Morris' Beethoven has more grit and the LSO more sinew than the CBSO.

See Purchases thread...

[André]

See Purchases thread...

I see...

Happy listening !

[Karl Henning]

Years ago I had the Fitzwilliams box of the Shostakovich String Quartets and was overall unimpressed with them outside the 8th. After having had my Shosty Symphony Epiphany last month I decided to give these works another try and was delighted to find I liked the majority of them...some a whole lot.

Considering this box:

I found the Fitzwilliams rather disappointing.  The Pacifica set is dymanite!

[JBS]

I found the Fitzwilliams rather disappointing.  The Pacifica set is dymanite!

I share that opinion, although I think the крем из сливок is the Borodin Quartet on Melodiya (the one with the cow on the cover).
But the Pacifica set has one thing none of the others have: it includes quartets by others Soviet composers as a parallel/contrast.

[aligreto]

Schumann: Symphony No. 3 [Muti]





This is a strong, buoyant interpretation which positively sings out in places. The final movement is particularly energetic.

[aligreto]

It is indeed an excellent set. Morris also recorded the reconstructed first movement of a 10th symphony, also available on Pickwick.

I recently listened to the Weller set, which is pretty much from the same mould, except that Morris' Beethoven has more grit and the LSO more sinew than the CBSO.

Cheers André. I do not know the Weller cycle.

[aligreto]

See Purchases thread...

Happy listening indeed.

[Karl Henning]

I share that opinion, although I think the крем из сливок is the Borodin Quartet on Melodiya (the one with the cow on the cover).
But the Pacifica set has one thing none of the others have: it includes quartets by others Soviet composers as a parallel/contrast.

The real eye-opener among those, for me, was the Weinberg quartet, a discovery which eventually motivated me to seek out his entire cycle.

[Andy D.]

The real eye-opener among those, for me, was the Weinberg quartet, a discovery which eventually motivated me to seek out his entire cycle.

I just picked up both the Pacifica cycle and Bernstein's CSO recording of the 7fh Symphony (haven't heard Lenny's conducting of that Meisterwerk). Yay Amazon prime for delivery tomorrow 

the Weinberg already interests me.

[aligreto]

I just picked up both the Pacifica cycle and Bernstein's CSO recording of the 7fh Symphony (haven't heard Lenny's conducting of that Meisterwerk). Yay Amazon prime for delivery tomorrow 

the Weinberg already interests me.

Good buys. I look forward to your comments on the Pacifica cycle.

[Traverso]

Steve Reich

Drumming
Part1
Part2
Part3

[Karl Henning]

I just picked up both the Pacifica cycle and Bernstein's CSO recording of the 7fh Symphony (haven't heard Lenny's conducting of that Meisterwerk). Yay Amazon prime for delivery tomorrow 

the Weinberg already interests me.

Outstanding!

[Karl Henning]

Thread Duty:
"Papa"
Harmoniemesse
NY Phil & al.
Lenny

[ChopinBroccoli]

Steve Reich

Drumming
Part1
Part2
Part3

Good one

[André]

Never a dull moment ! That being said, I preferred the zesty Concerto no 3 to Concerto no 4 (which also doubles as Symphony no 5). The latter is impressive but a bit unwieldy. It's hard to figure what path Schnittke is taking the music on, but it goes there with some determination.

[Roasted Swan]

Schumann: Symphony No. 3 [Muti]





This is a strong, buoyant interpretation which positively sings out in places. The final movement is particularly energetic.

Not just Schumann - several of those early Muti/Philharmonia recordings have a real zest and bubbling energy to them that he seemed to loose all too soon......

[SymphonicAddict]

And I've been lucky to hear Malcolm Arnold's No. 8 live (three years ago); perhaps his most unknown symphony, but one that makes a strong impression live.

More jealousy, but a good one, of course! Actually, any Arnold work would be a refreshing novelty in concert halls.

And to make it worse the composer was there and I got his autograph!
I hope that you do get to hear the work live one day Cesar.

More salt to the wound! 
Thank you! I hope so.

[SymphonicAddict]

Sinfonia austera: Reading some notes, I had listened to this work previously, but I didn't have strong memories of it. You are right, Jeffrey, about the Kielland connection, there is a little of similarity between those symphonies. The gray but gripping atmosphere was the most relevant feature I found between them. However, the Kielland has more recognizable themes and marked rhythms, whilst the Norgard is slightly more modern, with a more expanded percussion and more climaxes. Anyway, I enjoyed the Norgard enormously. It's my favorite along with the psychedelic 3rd. Thanks for reminding me of it.




Symphonies 1 & 2: Not as exceptional as those by his master Beethoven, but I consider that they deserve attention as well. They were a pleasant listen overall.

[Kontrapunctus]

An odd cover, but the music is lovely, the playing is great, and the sound is spectacular. Alpha nearly always provides exemplary sound.

[Karl Henning]

Good one

Instant classic

Thread Duty:

Chopin
Mazurkas
Ohlsson