What are you listening to now?

[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:

[asin]B00004U2KR[/asin]
See my comments HERE.

Now:

[asin]B00SM3M0KU[/asin]
Q

[Madiel]

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

[asin]B002QEXN8Y[/asin]

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

[asin]B00JR56M1K[/asin]

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.

[asin]B01E6B1958[/asin]

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":

[asin]B01E6B19IA[/asin]

[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.

[asin]B001MUJSEQ[/asin]

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.

[aligreto]

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.

I thought that is was fine even if I was a little underwhelmed. However, this was my first ever listen to both composer and work and I honestly did not know what to expect. So I expect a different reaction with subsequent listening. Your recommendation for Stig Westerberg's performance is duly noted; thank you for that.

[aligreto]

Schubert: Symphony No. 9 [Wand]....





I have always liked this one; a strong, live performance.

[5against4]

This afternoon i'm finally getting round to these bad boys:



The aural equivalent of a number of extremely stiff drinks. 

[Karl Henning]

Dvorak's 8th symphony again, because the other night wasn't enough.

[asin]B00021T5TO[/asin]

I don't remember being as taken with it when I first bought the box in 2014. But now I'm really enjoying this work.

FWIW, the first time I ever heard the piece, too, it didn't do all that much for me (in the composer's defense the performance was an amateur orchestra in western New York state). But, yes, love it entirely now.

[Karl Henning]

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

There's a lot to like in this set, forsooth.

[Orpheus]

Albéric Magnard

Chant Funèbre Op. 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEo1hbzIa-c

[Todd]

Disc 6.  Some Chopin - the Second Sonata, the Op 49 Fantasie, and three Etudes.  Watts executes brilliantly, if perhaps a bit colorlessly in the faster passages of each work.  The middle section of the Funeral March of the sonatas displays some more nuanced and beautiful playing, though, as do some other slow passages.  The dated sound seems to mask some of what Watts is about though.  Maybe Warner can issue a box of his EMI recordings.