What are you listening to now?

[bbrip]

Finished the first DVD (symphonies 1-4).

IMO, these excellent recordings are a sort of terminus ad quem. I mean this is the best possible compromise between a small orchestra playing on modern instruments and the requirements of a historically informed performance.

If these premises are accepted, so far this cycle seems unbeatable.

BTW, also its price is unbeatable on JPC:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-1770-1827-Das-Beethoven-Projekt-Symphonien-Dokumentation/hnum/1639534

I have the CDs of the cycle and fully agree - this is an absolutely superb set. Paavo is a great guy as well. Good tohave him here in Frankfurt as head of our local radio band

[Karl Henning]

"Papa"
Symphony № 1 in D (H.I/1)
Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra
Adam Fischer

[stingo]

I need to get this set at some point. What do think about Roussel's chamber works, stingo?

I'm no expert but I've been enjoying this set.  I haven't listened to it straight through, but rather select pieces here and there.

[Karl Henning]

“Papa”
Symphony № 37 in C (H.I/37)
Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra
Adam Fischer

I think I hear Leo McKern: I am the new No. 2

[Coopmv]

Volume 3 from Musical Heritage Society pressings.  It took me years to find Volumes 1 and 3, but now both are safely on the shelf. Not always expensive, just was a bugger to find this run on this label.  Now they are all but giving this volume away!

Bill,  You are some loyal fan of MHS ...     

[Sadko]

I was almost hoping no one would ask : ) . . . I think it's mostly all the recordings of the Shostakovich Fourth I've been immersed in of late, which are throwing my ears' expectations off (and the wonderful Haitink account of the Bruckner Sixth which may make a punishing comparison).  I enjoyed the López-Cobos, if (for probably the reasons just detailed) it all struck me as a bit polite. I don't mean that for a final word, and the band sound very fine.  I want to go back to it when my palate is fresh, so to speak.

Like oil and water trying to mix together. I heard his 6th a few years ago and I remember laughing at how he really has no grasp at Bruckner's idiom.

Thanks for your views. Sounds intersting enough, but not like a must have.

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD2 from the following set for a first listen ...

[Brian]

I think John (MI) mentioned this as his new favorite Elgar set, so I'm listening to the Second Symphony on NML. The sound quality is truly sumptuous - you can hear the muted trombones and bass drum rolls with amazing clarity.

[NJ Joe]

I've not heard Lenny in these, Joe, but I certainly join you in enthusiasm for the Tchaikovsky symphonies! : )

And I in turn have not heard many different versions of Tchaikovsky symphonies, but I am enjoying this set immensely.  My only problem is with the 4th, which seems to be a poorer sounding recording than the others. I've substituted it with this:



which I prefer in terms of both recording and performance.

[Karl Henning]

“Papa”
Symphony № 31 in D « Mit dem Hornsignal » (H.I/31)
Wilhekm Bruns, corno naturale
Heidelberger Sinfoniker
Thos Fey

[asin]B0040Y7F14[/asin]

[listener]

KOECHLIN disc 3 of the set of Saxophone music
2 Sonatinas op.194,  Septet op.165,  Epitaph for Jean Harlow op.164 ,...
David Brutti and wind ensemble
Music of the English Church  from PARSONS, BYRD, GIBBONS, PURCELL, to BRITTEN, VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, WALTON and HOWELLS i.a.
The Cambridge Singers      John Rutter, cond.
STOJOWSKI: Piano Concertos 1 op. 3, 2 op. 32
Jonathan Plowright, piano   BBC Scottish Symphony Orch.   Martyn Brabbins, cond.
This Romantic Piano Concerto series is a bit like listening to Koechlin, quite accomplished and pleasant but satiety soon sets in.[asin]B00005Y0N8[/asin]

[Todd]

My third or fourth listen in the two or so weeks since I bought it.  Why did I not buy this sooner?  A++ renditions of both works.

[Karl Henning]

“Papa”
Symphony № 31 in D « Mit dem Hornsignal » (H.I/31)
Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra
Adam Fischer

[North Star]

First-listen Monday

Delius
Sonatas for Violin & Piano
Tasmin Little & Piers Lane
[asin]B00292BYPW[/asin]

[Lisztianwagner]

Richard Strauss
Der Rosenkavalier Suite

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

[Brahmsian]

All Maiden Monday Listens! (works and recordings)

Nielsen

Aladdin Suite
Symphonic Rhapsody
Overture "Helios", Op. 17
Cupid and the Poet: Orchestral Suite
Paraphrase on "Nearer, My God, To Thee"
Andante Tranquillo E Scherzo for String Orchestra

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

*Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
Pan and Syrinx, Op. 49
Suite for String Orchestra, Op. 1
At The Bier of A Young Artist
Bohemian-Danish Folk Songs

Rune Most, flute

Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice

Douglas Bostock, conducting

Membran Music

[asin]B005NKS2TS[/asin]

Impressions:  Outstanding.  I'm floored!  Terrific music.  And I was shocked by the loud crash about 3 minutes in "Paraphrase on 'Nearer, My God, To Thee'" 

[Mirror Image]

I think John (MI) mentioned this as his new favorite Elgar set, so I'm listening to the Second Symphony on NML. The sound quality is truly sumptuous - you can hear the muted trombones and bass drum rolls with amazing clarity.

Thumbs up! My favorite performance of Elgar's 2nd.

Now playing:



Listening to Legende. Truly an outstanding work. Wonderful performance too.

[Brian]

Thumbs up! My favorite performance of Elgar's 2nd.

After a few more listens, I might agree. It's a fairly brisk, exciting performance, but it's incredibly emotional, very direct - heart on sleeves at all times. Quite thrilling to hear. And the orchestra sounds very good. I want to hear it again.

[Mirror Image]

After a few more listens, I might agree. It's a fairly brisk, exciting performance, but it's incredibly emotional, very direct - heart on sleeves at all times. Quite thrilling to hear. And the orchestra sounds very good. I want to hear it again.

I do love Barbirolli's a lot but hearing this Davis really put the whole work into a new perspective for me. It's like he cleared up a lot of the congestion I heard in Barbirolli's. The musical lines are a lot clearer in this performance and, yes, the audio quality is outstanding. Wait until you hear it through a proper stereo system! Talk about a little slice of heaven.

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following SACD, another recent arrival for a first listen ...