What are you listening to now?

[Kontrapunctus]

[Kontrapunctus]

JSB: Cello Solo Suites No. 1, 2, 3, transcribed
Wolfgang Rübsam [Keith Hill lute-harpsichord 458]



https://goo.gl/J9KFDh

Rübsam has achieved here a handful of truly beautiful transcriptions and interpretations. Without the eccentricities of his Bach on Naxos (when played on the organ), these are some of the best keyboard transcriptions of this music that I have listened to.

Have you heard this one? If so, how does it compare both sonically and interpretively?

[Karl Henning]

Prokofiev
Visions fugitives, Op.22
Béroff

[André]

The Concerto is a tip of the hat to the old concerto grosso form, 3 movements with 2 obbligato violins. Despite its title, the Sinfonietta is anything but small in scale, clocking in at 50 minutes. The spirit is very much that of the Brahms Serenades.

Secondary works by Reger are much like same fare from, say, Dvorak or Strauss. The composer's personality and imprint are recognizable throughout, sometimes more dutiful than inspired, but never less than ingratiating. Every once in a while something much better comes through, as in the slow movements, both of them real gems.

[Traverso]

Authentic Renaissance & Baroque organs in the Netherlands.

Buxtehude, Weckmann, Bach, Scheidemann, Sweelinck, Muffat and Fischer in the Nieuwe Kerk of Amsterdam and the Buitenkerk of Kampen, NL.
Organs by Schonat/Van Hagerbeer/Duyschot and by Hinsz.
Organist: Gustav Leonhardt.





https://www.amazon.com/Orgues-Renaissance-Baroques-French-Leonhardt/dp/B00003GPKK/?tag=goodmusicguideco

That are really beautiful recordings.

[Daverz]

American composers, H

Harris: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6
Higdon: Concerto for Orchestra
Hovahness: Mysterious Mountain

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[André]

Beautiful program, excellent orchestral/piano playing. Von Otter's French is excellent. Unfortunately some of her singing is misguided, with too much vibrato throughout on loud, sustained or high notes - IOW pretty much everywhere. Singing Berlioz is very tricky. Vibrato should be used very sparingly, especially in loud passages. Compare von Otter with Danco and Crespin in Les Nuits d'été. The swedish soprano is at her best in the conversational verses, where her sense of rythm and verbal scansion work wonders. The cello accompagnato in La captive is much too loud.

[Que]

Morning listening:

[asin]B0017HFR3U[/asin]
Brilliant playing by Michael Borgstede.
Though sometimes he is a bit too forceful, but only sometimes....

Q

[listener]

Miroslav PONC: The Wedding Party on the Eiffel Tower – 5 pieces
5 Small Pieces,  5 Polydynamic Pieces       HABA: Nonet 2, op.41
ULLMAN: 6 Songs op. 17...
Werner Herbers & The Ebony Band

[vandermolen]

Shostakovich
Symphony № 11 in g minor « 1905 », Op.103
BSO
Nelsons

Just ordered this. What did you think of it Karl?

[vandermolen]

Playing now! Bax's Symphonic Variations for Piano and orchestra. Unlike some people here I've always liked Bax's most ambitious works for Piano and orchestra. I remember nearly wearing out my Lp of Winter Legends as a youngster. Well,not quite,perhaps (I've still got it,although I can't play it!).

Yes, great work.

[vandermolen]

American composers, H

Harris: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6
Higdon: Concerto for Orchestra
Hovahness: Mysterious Mountain

[asin]B000009CYH[/asin][asin]B002WEC6XQ[/asin][asin]B0001KL4HW[/asin]

Don't know the Higdon but otherwise enjoy all of these. I prefer Keith Clark's Pacific SO version of Harris's Symphony 6.

[vandermolen]

A lovely,romantic piano concerto,in the best English tradition. One of my favourites,now.Yet,I have only come to really appreciate it's qualities,gradually. Reading the works of Arthur Machen,who inspired some of his best music,really did help to open up his music. I'm a fan,now!

I like all these works - great CD.

[vandermolen]

Pictures at an Exhibition, belgian-style:

The Entry of Christ in Brussels:



Skeletons quarreling over a Hanged Man:


The Love Garden:



Infernal Procession (Sabbath):


These four works by belgian painter James Ensor (1860|1949) are depicted in Flor Alpaert's colourful James Ensor Suite from 1931. Being a huge fan of the painter, I figured this should be on my listening menu. It's an excellent orchestral suite. Alpaert's dates are 1876-1954.

Generally better known, Arthur Meulemans (1884-1954) is represented on this belgian music anthology by his beautiful work Plinius' Fountain (1913), with its debussyan colours. I have another version of this, but if memory serves, it's neither as well played or recorded as this. The recording is indeed spectacular.

Totally new to me is the last composer on the disc, Henry Georges d'Hoedt (1885-1936). His symphonic rhapsody Chroniques brèves de la vie bourgeoise is a satire of the society. The 5 movements bear satiesque titles (see pic below) and the music is quite charming.

A wonderful disc.

I love Ensor's paintings, especially 'The Intrique' (1890) see below:

Ensor also features on this CD:
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[Karl Henning]

Just ordered this. What did you think of it Karl?

Beautifully played, Jeffrey.

[prémont]

Have you heard this one? If so, how does it compare both sonically and interpretively?

Evans plays a large harpsichord,
Rübsam plays a small lute-harpsichord.
Evans plays in "great" style.
Rübsam plays in intimate style.
Evan's repeats are precomposed and sound like that.
Rübsam's repeats are carried out by spontaneity.
Evans sounds impressive,
Rübsam sounds more expressive.


Both are interesting in their own way, but I think that Rübsam's style is more in accordance with the music.

[Traverso]

 Mysliveček - Asioli - Grund

CD 2

[Marc]

Evans plays a large harpsichord,
Rübsam plays a small lute-harpsichord.
Evans plays in "great" style.
Rübsam plays in intimate style.
Evan's repeats are precomposed and sound like that.
Rübsam's repeats are carried out by spontaneity.
Evans sounds impressive,
Rübsam sounds more expressive.


Both are interesting in their own way, but I think that Rübsam's style is more in accordance with the music.

Well, you winsome, you losesome.

[vandermolen]

Beautifully played, Jeffrey.

Cheers Karl.

[prémont]

Well, you winsome, you losesome.

Yes, and Rübsam's instrument is tuned in Kirnberger III, so the Wolf is rather sweet.