What are you listening to now?

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121. A marvelous performance.

Listening to this yet again. Absolutely gorgeous.

[Mahlerian]

There's also a couple of other Takemitsu performances which have just been put up on the invaluable Tim Poulus channel:

November Steps - Peter Rundel, cond. - 12 November 2016, Bozar, Brussels, Ars Musica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-u9s1PCNXY

Oh, a version with different performers?  I'll have to check that out later.  Thanks!

Wagner: Parsifal (Act III)
James King, Franz Crass, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra, cond. Boulez

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Lutosławski is terrific.

[aligreto]

Albinoni: Concertos Op. 7, Nos. 8 & 9....

[Kontrapunctus]

[Todd]

Disc three of the Kapustin/Koekkoek cycle.  Op 30.  Qualitatively somewhere between the first two discs.  Occasionally, I could have used a bit more energy, and the violin sounds a bit sharp a few more times than on preceding discs.  Sonics are the same.

[Kontrapunctus]

Schnabel playing Beethoven Sonata no.21 and 23.

[Dee Sharp]

Mahler: Symphony No. 5. Boulez/Wiener Philharmoniker. Excellent performance and recording.

[HIPster]

Early morning listening:

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Q

Hi Que 

What are your thoughts on this one?  Thanks!

[San Antone]

Hilliard Ensemble Live : Guillaume Dufay



1. Kyrie and Gloria (Missa Se la face ay pale)

2. Flos florum

3. Credo (Missa Se la face ay pale)

4. Anima mea

5. Moribus

6. Sanctus and Benedictus (Missa Se la face ay pale)

7. Vergene bella

8. Ave regina

9. Agnus Dei (Missa Se la face ay pale)

10. Exultet celum laudibus

[NJ Joe]

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Yes, I've heard Ciccolini, and as with Annees, there's a lot to enjoy, but there are more powerful proponents of a virtuosic approach (Korstick first and foremost), and as you describe, others who revel in the more spiritual aspects of the music better.  Ciccolini is one of those pianists I always enjoy hearing, but I can't really think of anything where he is a favorite.

Thanks for that. Off to check out Korstick!

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[kishnevi]

There must be a story behind there, and possibly an interesting story at that.

According to this link, Die Natali was written for the 75th anniversary of the BSO. In which case, while the Foundation did commission it, there would be no personal linkage to Koussevitsky.
http://www.allmusic.com/composition/die-natali-chorale-christmas-preludes-for-orchestra-op-37-mc0002358200

TD
CD 3 of what is so far a rewarding experience
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Organ Sonatas 5 and 6 Opp. 111 and 119
12 Fughetten strenger Styls Op. 123a

[Todd]

Kreisleriana (and the Arabesque).  Middle aged Arrau plays with greater command and speed than elderly Arrau, to be sure, but then some of that late Arrau magic present in, say, the Sehr langsam isn't present to as great a degree.  I'd give the nod to this recording, but it's best to have both.  The transfer sounds very good.

[NikF]

Schumann: Fantasie Op. 17 - Pollini.

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[Mirror Image]

I turned the Biber off as I just wasn't feeling that music at all tonight --- rather stagnant writing, not much emotional expression, etc.

Now Schumann's Piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 47 from this 2-CD set:



Such a remarkable work.

[Todd]

From the Weissenberg box.  A trio of Haydn sonatas.  Perhaps the best disc I've heard from Weissenberg.  While he does resort to an assertive manner at times, he never pulverizes the music, and the E Flat is marvelous, with a nuanced slow movement and a soft overall sound, at least for Weissenberg.  (A lot of una corda pedal perhaps?)  The set is almost like turbo-charged Hamelin, with slightly flattened dynamics, and a more palpable sense of, almost, fun. 

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Before I go off to compose some more of my trio, I am listening to some truly beautiful and moving chamber music by Mark Simpson. Compositions on this CD were written between the ages of 17 and 27.

[Daverz]

I have many recordings of Images, and this new one is very impressive.  Very vivid sonics. (Via Tidal.)

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