What are you listening to now?

[aligreto]

Thrashing, brooding, menacing...it's time for Nielsen's 5th:

And a very fine version that you are listening to there 

[aligreto]

Boccherini: Cello Sonata in A major [Benda/Benda]....





A fine performance but the recording is too thin for a cello; quite bass light with too much treble.

[Mirror Image]

And a very fine version that you are listening to there 

Indeed. There are, however, a number of performances of this masterpiece that I don't enjoy. This is a difficult symphony to get right IMHO and I think the performance that comes closest is Bernstein's. Other favorites besides Blomstedt and Bernstein: Oramo, Chung, Gilbert, and Kubelik.

[Todd]

The Fifth.  Nikisch.  1913.

[Florestan]

If you haven't heard them, give a listen to the Violin Sonatas as well (for more chamber).

Have them, listened to them, love them. 



Should I really get yet another version?

[North Star]

First-listen Thursday
Saint-Saëns
Chamber music
The Nash Ensemble
[asin]B00095L8X4[/asin]

[pjme]

"This two-disc set is a superb collection of choral works by 20th and 21st century Scandinavian composers, reaching back to Sibelius and other notables born in the 1800s--Toivo Kuula (1883-1918), Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927), David Wikander (1884-1955), and Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960)--and continuing with composers either still living--Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928), Kurt Nystedt (b. 1915), and Jan Sandström (b. 1954)--or recently deceased--Jørgen Jersild (1913-2004) and Lars Johan Werle (1926-2001). This chronologically wide-ranging program makes for a fascinating variety of material and of choral writing, from the most tonal and hymnlike creations of Sibelius and Kuula to the knottier works of Nystedt, Sandström, and Werle."

---David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

RIP : dear Einojuhani passed away in july 2016, at the age of 87 following complications after an operation. Knut (not Kurt...) Nystedt passed away in 2014.....

P.

[Que]

First-listen Thursday
Saint-Saëns
Chamber music
The Nash Ensemble
[asin]B00095L8X4[/asin]

A really great set.... 

Q

[North Star]

A really great set.... 

Q

First impression certainly indicates that.

[Florestan]

A really great set.... 

Q

Undoubtedly. See my post on the last page. 

[mc ukrneal]

Have them, listened to them, love them. 



Should I really get yet another version?

I doubt it. The Naxos are excellent, but I've heard great things about that one too.

[Brian]

My new reference "Concerto for Orchestra"

[Maestro267]

Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor
Tanyel (piano)/Radio Philharmonie Hannover des NDR/Strugala

Lovely slow movement.

[aligreto]

Finishing my first run through of the Nash Ensemble Mozart String Quintet set with K 614....





For me the Nash Ensemble play with elegance and poise. Their tempi are always well judged. Interestingly I find the performances to be exquisite if impersonal [not emotional] yet very engaging. K516 and K593 are particular favourites of mine.

[aligreto]

Indeed. There are, however, a number of performances of this masterpiece that I don't enjoy. This is a difficult symphony to get right IMHO and I think the performance that comes closest is Bernstein's. Other favorites besides Blomstedt and Bernstein: Oramo, Chung, Gilbert, and Kubelik.

I must admit to not having heard any of those other than Blomstedt 
My own particular favourite version of those that I have is probably that by Kondrashin.

[Kontrapunctus]

These performances are technically very clean, but I don't detect a lot of personality in his playing, a common problem with many young musicians. Very well recorded--he's practically in my listening room!

[Brian]

First listen to this new one:

[Dee Sharp]

Obrecht: Missa Maria Zart. Phillips/Tallis Scholars. Replenishing. Excellent performance as usual from the Tallis Scholars.

[TheGSMoeller]

Steve Reich

Music For Mallet Instruments, Voices And Organ -Reich & Musicians
Six Pianos - Reich & Musicians

[asin]B000066I9C[/asin]

[Madiel]

Brahms Symphony No.1 again, this time for breakfast.