What are you listening to now?

[Que]

My morning listening starts with a return to this:

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Posthumous musical tributes by younger contemporaries of Johannes Ockeghem.
A mass by Jacob Obrecht takes center stage, next to shorther compositions by Pierre De La Rue, Josquin Desprez, Antoine Busnoys, and Johannes Lupus.

See my earlier comment HERE

Q

[aligreto]

Mozart: Piano Quartet K. 493....

[aligreto]

I am going through a Dvorak phase at the moment and I like the look of that set along with the pending release with Pesek that Camphy posted recently

[Madiel]

Streaming Dvorak's piano music again.

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The op.52 pieces from 1880 are perhaps the best yet.

Now onto the 6 Mazurkas, op.56 from the same year.

[aligreto]

Three works by Handel:
Oboe Concerto No. 3
Rondo in G major
Rigaudon from Suite VI

[Camphy]

[Madiel]

Now streaming:

[asin]B00DW7OQ1C[/asin]

I've decided that a recording of The Execution of Stepan Razin is something I would like to add to my collection at some point. This one seems to get pretty good reviews.

[amw]

I may end up supplementing Bělohlávek/Onyx with this one. The performances may not be at the same "technical" level but are even more exciting and moving.

[aligreto]

And so begins my exploration of the music of Stenhammar with Symphony No. 1....

[Que]

Before:

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See my comments HERE.

Now:

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Q

[Madiel]

BWV 101: Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott

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One of the more impressive cantatas I've come across. There is so much variety in the sound of the movements, especially with the flute in the 2nd movement (which I gather from the excellent notes not all recordings would use). Dissonances in the 1st movement, tempo changes in the bass aria... it's all extremely interesting.

[Camphy]

Symphonies 1 & 2

[Madiel]

Something different that was on my streaming to-do list. Symphony No.1

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EDIT: 8 minutes in... damn this is good so far.

[Madiel]

In fact, it was so good that I decided to try Symphony No.2 straight away.

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EDIT: Compelling. If this keeps up I can see myself buying all 4 of the Da Capo discs.

[not edward]

In fact, it was so good that I decided to try Symphony No.2 straight away.

[asin]B01E6B1958[/asin]

Coincidentally, just had a listen to the 6th on that disc. First impressions are of a good alternative view of the piece to Dausgaard on Chandos. Now moving backwards to the 5th, which I've never really "got":

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[Madiel]

Coincidentally, just had a listen to the 6th on that disc. First impressions are of a good alternative view of the piece to Dausgaard on Chandos. Now moving backwards to the 5th, which I've never really "got":

[asin]B01E6B19IA[/asin]

Well, it's not really that much of a coincidence. I noticed you had just purchased the two newest discs, which was what reminded me that I had intended to listen at some point. And it turns out even the brand new ones are available for streaming (at least on Deezer which I use).

I think I did dabble in online listening to the Chandos recordings at some point, but not with any real focus. Part of the attraction of the Da Capo discs is that I know how excellent their sound quality is, and it feels to me as if Nørgård is a composer who would benefit from first-class modern sound.

[Madiel]

Oh what the heck, let's go for the trifecta.

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EDIT: Yeah, I want this as well. I'm sure I sampled the Chandos recording of Symphony No.3 at some point, and didn't really "get" it. The clarity of sound and texture on this recording (even through my merely serviceable computer speakers) is communicating the architecture of the piece to me, which for me is crucial. I've just listened to the whole 1st movement and I'm completely sold on this. I've seen one listener suggest this isn't as "forceful" as the Chandos, but in this music I will take clarity any day.

[Mirror Image]

Working my through Dvorak's symphonic cycle:



Listening to Symphony No. 2 in B flat, Op. 4. Gorgeous!

[Mirror Image]

I may end up supplementing Bělohlávek/Onyx with this one. The performances may not be at the same "technical" level but are even more exciting and moving.

Great! I need to revisit Neumann's set. I gave it a pretty harsh tongue-lashing after deciding that it's not rhythmically taut enough, but my opinion may have loosened up as I recall these performances brought out a different atmosphere than any other recordings I've heard of these symphonies.

Symphonies 1 & 2

Wonderful stuff! I really enjoy Magnard's symphonies. He's probably my favorite French symphonist (not there are an abundance of them).

And so begins my exploration of the music of Stenhammar with Symphony No. 1....

I didn't enjoy Stenhammar's Symphony No. 1 too much, but his 2nd, however, is a masterpiece IMHO. That Jarvi performance is really good, but I've come to prefer Stig Westerberg's performance. Seek that one out if you can.

[Todd]

Disc 4.  LvB PC 2 and Haydn PC 11.  Small scale, peppy, and enjoyable, with above average ivory tickling.