What are you listening to now?

[Spineur]

Bach Violin and Voice

This collection of arias from Bach cantatas (plus a pair from the St Matthew Passion and one from the B minor Mass) is far from the typical violin soloist-oriented disc.  Hahn doesn't dominate too much in her obbligato parts, either, though her tone is still quite easily recognizable.  One might wish for the added variety that exists within the respective works themselves, but these arias make for perfectly acceptable miniatures on their own.

This is a "label" product.  Get some famous interprets together and sell the names.  On this CD, not much happens.  After 3-4 tracks boredom sets in.  Hilary Hahn made some fine discs and so did Matthias Goerne.  But this one just didnt turn out to be one.

[Zeus]

This is a "label" product.  Get some famous interprets together and sell the names.  On this CD, not much happens.  After 3-4 tracks boredom sets in.  Hilary Hahn made some fine discs and so did Matthias Goerne.  But this one just didnt turn out to be one.

I'll beg to differ. I find this disc very enjoyable. One of my faves.

But then again I'm easily impressed.

[NikF]

Thread duty - First-listen Friday
Sculthorpe
Kakadu
From Oceania
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
James Judd
[asin]B00068CVKI[/asin]

A while ago I placed an order with Naxos. This was one that was on the shortlist but didn't make the final cut. I'm wondering how you'll find it.

[Mirror Image]

A while ago I placed an order with Naxos. This was one that was on the shortlist but didn't make the final cut. I'm wondering how you'll find it.

You didn't ask me, Nik, but I'm a huge Sculthorpe fan and Judd does very well in all of these works. In fact, this particular performance of the Piano Concerto is the best I've heard (I believe there's four performances in total).

[SimonNZ]

Bach's Mass in B minor - Seiji Ozawa, cond.

[NikF]

You didn't ask me, Nik, but I'm a huge Sculthorpe fan and Judd does very well in all of these works. In fact, this particular performance of the Piano Concerto is the best I've heard (I believe there's four performances in total).

I didn't know you're a fan. But it's good to know you rate it highly. Thanks.

[North Star]

A while ago I placed an order with Naxos. This was one that was on the shortlist but didn't make the final cut. I'm wondering how you'll find it.

I liked those two pieces very well indeed. Leaving the rest for when I'm more alert, though.

Vivaldi
Concerto for 3 vns, ob, 2 rec, 2 viole all'inglese, salmoe, 2 vc, 2 hpd & 2 vn tromba marina in C, RV 555
Europa Galante
Fabio Biondi
[asin]B00005UV9F[/asin]

[NikF]

I liked those two pieces very well indeed. Leaving the rest for when I'm more alert, though.

Well, that's a couple of positive votes. I'll put it back in the basket. Thank you.

[ritter]

Dérive 2 from this CD that has just been released:

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Daniel Barenboim and his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra give a stunning rendition of this intricate and Damascene score. The textures are perfectly clear,  and the pacing feels so natural. Very, very good! A performance (live from the 2012 Proms) to do the composer proud.

Each time I listen to it, I enjoy this work more, and am increasingly convinced it's the best of Boulez's Spätstil , and one of the high points of his entire output.

[listener]

a couple of first listen discs from the Liège set
de GREEF: Piano Concerto in c (there's another one on Marco Polo)     GRIEG: Piano Concerto
Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, piano     Pierre Bartholomée cond.
JONGEN: Symphonie Concertante for Organ and Orch. op. 81
SAINT-SAËNS: Symphony no.3
Olivier Latry, organ of the Liège Philharmonic Hall, Pascal Rophée, cond.
the degree is a very old-fashioned piece for a 20th century composer, quite good of its kind and above some of Hyperion selections.

[Kontrapunctus]

One might argue that "Capriccio Espagnol," "Pictures at an Exhibition" and " The Firebird Suite Round Dance of the Princesses" do not belong on the guitar, but Caballero certainly makes a convincing case. Staggering playing and very good sound.

[Mirror Image]

Now Symphony No. 2 from this set:

[asin]B000BZDG1E[/asin]

[king ubu]

As far as it would play, it was very enjoyable ... but during #10 it started skipping, and in #11 it would stop - and taking it out of the player (it looks perfect), it would not find neither #10 nor #11 ... what a letdown. Guess my next visit to the alpha importing guy is in order, but I'd rather just wish not to have a defective disc. Anyone around here has it and has an okay copy?

[ritter]

Another French operetta composer,now. This one is of a more romantic inclination.

"Poussez, poussez l'escarpolette, poussez pour mieux me balancer". Delightful! 

[Madiel]

Now Symphony No. 2 from this set:

[asin]B000BZDG1E[/asin]

Have you listened to this set before, or is this the first time? I'd be curious about your thoughts (don't know whether you've seen my own).

[Madiel]

Thread duty: English Suite No.6

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To go with breakfast. Which is not English.

[NikF]

Schmitt: Le Petit Elfe - Mercier/Orchestre National de Lorraine.

[asin]B00GIF8KQW[/asin]

This was a recommendation made to me by Ritter. I bought it and set it aside. That was almost two years ago. And now, I listen to it.
On this first listen it sounds so...Florent Schmitt. I can't say exactly what I mean by that, other than it's quirky with purpose, by turns rambunctious and mildly restrained, and deeply romantic. Lovely.

[ritter]

Schmitt: Le Petit Elfe - Mercier/Orchestre National de Lorraine.

[asin]B00GIF8KQW[/asin]

This was a recommendation made to me by Ritter. I bought it and set it aside. That was almost two years ago. And now, I listen to it.
On this first listen it sounds so...Florent Schmitt. I can't say exactly what I mean by that, other than it's quirky with purpose, by turns rambunctious and mildly restrained, and deeply romantic. Lovely.

Glad you're enjoying it, NikF!  I think I understand what you mean when you say "it soudns so...Florent Schmitt"   .  I couldn't have said it better. 

Cheers,

[Kontrapunctus]

I started with No.3 on this new release. Predictably, she's volatile and dramatic, but also plays some ravishing pianissimos. The outer movements are a bit faster than I'm used to, but they work for me. Good sound; however, the tympani and bass drum are a bit feeble.

[Madiel]

Villa-Lobos, Choros No.8

[asin]B002CAOVVK[/asin]
For two pianos and orchestra, although really the pianos are just part of the orchestra. It's not a concertante piece.

It is, however, a very vibrant work. Full of big, dark pounding rhythms.