What are you listening to now?

[Mahlerian]

Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex; Pater Noster
George Shirley, Shirley Varett, Washington DC Opera Chorus and Orchestra, cond. Stravinsky; Toronto Festival Singers, cond. Stravinsky


What a fascinatingly bizarre work Oedipus Rex is!  Stravinsky's conception of drama here is adamantly opposed to Wagner's: in place of a direct representation of the text in music we find something that seems oddly oblique to it.

[Richard]

Ordered before Harry's glowing review. Arrived after. I couldn't agree more. A luminous listening experience.

[asin]B01LZZ78X5[/asin]

[Richard]

Up next...

[asin]B01H84XL42[/asin]

[Mahlerian]

Oedipus Rex is a favorite of mine, the drama is so engaging and admit is Mahlerian, it gets stuck in your head too? Stravinsky was a master at writing very unconventional earworms 

Absolutely; I currently have about 5 or 6 different motifs from Oedipus Rex stirring in my mind, from Creon's aria to Oedipus's vulnerable admissions to (naturally) those pounding minor thirds of the opening and closing choruses.  Knowing my mind's characteristic delayed reactions, it'll strike even more strongly in a few days or so.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to the 9th, because there's never a bad time for Dvořák.

[Mirror Image]

It's a great symphony (as are many of his) 

Absolutely, but, in all honesty, I've never heard a bad note from Dvořák.

[Mirror Image]

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

[asin]B01JJBDLCO[/asin]

I haven't seen you around here in awhile, Daverz. I hope you're doing well. I've been contemplating on whether I needed another Debussy disc of orchestral music, but no thanks to you and your comment about this MTT recording, I still have one more left to purchase now.

[Mahlerian]

p.s. I see your first blog analysis is up, I'll check it out 

And I've already begun writing the second!

[Orpheus]

The Titan




- Coriolano, Overture in C minor Op. 62: Allegro con Brio

- Egmont, Overture in F minor Op. 84: Sostenuto ma non troppo. Allegro

[Que]

[asin]B000026E6T[/asin]
Hi Que 

What are your thoughts on this one?  Thanks!

I bought it as a follow up to the rather magical Italian recorder music  by the Loeki Stardust Quartet  (L'Oiseau Lyre, one of their best).
And it is indeed a nice compement to that - I enjoyed it even better than I remembered.
But... the LSQ recording should take priority on any shopping list. Also, with a running time if 53 minutes I found the Globe disc a bit short measured.

A perfect disc to pick up as a bargain, I would say. (That's what I did).

Q

[Que]

Early morning listening:



Q

[Harry]

Ordered before Harry's glowing review. Arrived after. I couldn't agree more. A luminous listening experience.

[asin]B01LZZ78X5[/asin]

I am happy about the fact that another member of GMG finds much favour in this recording. It's a truly unique experience.

[anothername]

Philip Higham plays: Bach- cello suites.

[Harry]

New acquisition and rather a find. Organ works by one of Bach's famous son.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2017/01/bach-cpe-1714-1788-complete-organ-works.html?spref=tw

[Harry]

Knights, Maids and Miracles, CD 4, New acquisition.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2017/01/knights-maids-and-miracles-medival.html?spref=tw

[Harry]

A bit of Gesualdo this morning, music for the soul, and passion for the body.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2017/01/gesualdo-carlo-gesualdo-da-venosa-1566.html?spref=tw

[San Antone]

Knights, Maids and Miracles, CD 4, New acquisition.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2017/01/knights-maids-and-miracles-medival.html?spref=tw

Looks like something for my collection, but I will have to wait a few days since it is not due to be released in the US until Jan. 13th.  I enjoyed Figures of Harmony so I will probably also enjoy this one.

[San Antone]

Ordered before Harry's glowing review. Arrived after. I couldn't agree more. A luminous listening experience.

[asin]B01LZZ78X5[/asin]

Just ordered.  Although I questioned the rationale for his interpretation of the Machaut mass his group does make some beautiful singing.  The repertoire on this disc would seem to have none of the conflicts La Messe presented.

[Madiel]

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

Yes, but two problems with that:

1. If it was for the 75th anniversary, it was very late indeed.

2. Doesn't really explain why Barber dedicated it to the Koussevitskys.

[Orpheus]

The Titan




Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.5 in E flat major Op. 73 "Empereur"

- I   Allegro (E flat)
- II  Adagio un poco mosso (B)
- III Rondò: Allegro (E flat)