What are you listening to now?

[TheGSMoeller]

.[asin]B0000027TV[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Now:



This Haitink performance was the first performance I heard of Bruckner's 6th that really opened my ears to what had been an, otherwise, difficult work for me to get into. I always felt this work was like 'Bruckner lite' to use a phrase that doesn't begin to do justice to what I now consider one of the great symphonies. It almost feels like Bruckner is kind of joking around with us and showing a bit of humor that doesn't always come to the fore in his music. Of course, the humor and light-heartedness of the 6th is all but a distant memory by the time we get to that second movement, Adagio. Remarkable from start to finish.

[amw]

Maybe one of the best and most successful versions of Op. 130 with revised finale.

Via this interlibrary loaned box set:

I already have the string quintets from this in their single disc guise, which are reference quality performances. If you happen to be extremely wealthy or want to spend a few months/years collecting cheap used individual volumes from amazon, this promises to be one of the great cycles.

[king ubu]

How was the Silvestrov?

Interesting indeed! Not very familiar with his work so far, but I enjoyed this, it kinda crept up on me ...

[Que]

Morning listening:

[asin]B0043XCKR6[/asin]
Lute music by Robert Johnson, who was like his father John Johnson lutenist at the English Court.

A very good lute recording indeed - strongly recommended.

Q

[Harry]

Now:



This Haitink performance was the first performance I heard of Bruckner’s 6th that really opened my ears to what had been an, otherwise, difficult work for me to get into. I always felt this work was like ‘Bruckner lite’ to use a phrase that doesn’t begin to do justice to what I now consider one of the great symphonies. It almost feels like Bruckner is kind of joking around with us and showing a bit of humor that doesn’t always come to the fore in his music. Of course, the humor and light-heartedness of the 6th is all but a distant memory by the time we get to that second movement, Adagio. Remarkable from start to finish.

As long as you realize that what you hear is not what Bruckner would have recognized as his work. For what Bruckner is made by conductors and public alike is not what he intended at all.
And that goes for every aspect of performing practice. It would be well that people remembered, that what they enjoy is quintessentially not what the composer had in mind.

[Florestan]

Can anyone comment on Haselböck's box set of Liszt's symphonic poems and other orch. works?

Excellent throughout, my friend. Yours truly and aligreto have been singing its praises some time ago.

[Harry]

Today I am married for 35 years, and of course there is a big celebration in the house and outside.
Today is also the celebration of 45 years of listening to classical music. The consequence of that is that I have so many CD'S that I lost count, and yes much more as MI might imagine
My wife gave me permission during the festive preparations to listen to music, be it on my small stereo.

So I have on the repeat the Violin concerto No 16 in E minor by Viotti, which I like enormously.
Especially the long introduction played to perfection by Franco Mezzena.
Sound quality is okay as is the performance, but it is a pity that the production values were so low.

[king ubu]

Congrats Harry!

Not sure I'll ever be married ... but to reach those 45 years, I have almost 4 decades to go ... that should be possible, insha'Allah!

[Harry]

Congrats Harry!

Not sure I'll ever be married ... but to reach those 45 years, I have almost 4 decades to go ... that should be possible, insha'Allah!

You will get there I am sure. Classical music keeps a person fit in mind and body

[Florestan]

Today I am married for 35 years

Congratulations and many happy returns!

[Harry]

Congratulations and many happy returns!

Thank you Andrei, you will get there too, and as happy as I am.

[Harry]

CD 8 of this box.
Words cannot express how fortunate I find myself in hearing this music.
Hat tip to Neal, who made me aware of this release.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2017/10/rheinberger-josef-gabriel-1839-1901_4.html?spref=tw

[mc ukrneal]

Today I am married for 35 years, and of course there is a big celebration in the house and outside.
Today is also the celebration of 45 years of listening to classical music. The consequence of that is that I have so many CD'S that I lost count, and yes much more as MM might imagine
My wife gave me permission during the festive preparations to listen to music, be it on my small stereo.

So I have on the repeat the Violin concerto No 16 in E minor by Viotti, which I like enormously.
Especially the long introduction played to perfection by Franco Mezzena.
Sound quality is okay as is the performance, but it is a pity that the production values were so low.

Awesome! Congratulations! I always think that birthday celebrations should last a whole week. Based on that, you should be celebrating the rest of the year!!!  

[Pat B]

Just finished listening to the Barber String Quartet. First listen, though I might have heard the slow movement somewhere before.

Earlier in the day, first listen to Ten Holt's Canto Ostinato. It was good, but my expectations were probably too high.

[Harry]

Awesome! Congratulations! I always think that birthday celebrations should last a whole week. Based on that, you should be celebrating the rest of the year!!!

Thank you Neal, I will just take this advice in good stride!

[Harry]

CD 18 from this set.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2017/10/locatelli-pietro-antonio-1695-1764_4.html?spref=tw

[Todd]

Boulez's Chicago CfO.  Much better.  The Introduzione displays more mystery and flexibility, precisely meted out.  The massed violins sound edgy and glassy, though that isn't much of a drawback here.  And though this first movement is notably quicker overall than the CBS recording, the greater tempo flexibility doesn't make it sound rushed at all.  The Giuoco delle coppie is detailed and lighter than the preceding version, with some notably nifty bassoon playing.  (How often does one focus on bassoon playing, bassoon players aside?)  The Elegia is much better this go-round, tense and brooding, powerful in the tuttis, with eeriness paired up with precision to superb effect.  Boulez brings the Intermezzo interrotto at a crisp 4'02", and if the beautiful theme may sound a bit too rushed, it still sounds lovely in an austere, almost Ravel Pavane sorta way, and the interruption is bold, pointed, and dynamically satisfying.  Boulez allows himself a bit more breathing room in the Finale, at 9'24, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't take full advantage of the CSO brass or ability to generate a massive sound, because he does.  Rather, he allows the slower passages to unfold at a very slightly more comfortable pace, making for more dramatic contrasts.  Superb.

[HIPster]

Happy Anniversary, Harry! 

Now playing ~

[asin]B0026S1XVO[/asin]

Disc one: De Morales.

[Harry]

Happy Anniversary, Harry! 

Now playing ~

[asin]B0026S1XVO[/asin]

Disc one: De Morales.

Thank you my friend, much appreciated I am sure!