What are you listening to now?

[SurprisedByBeauty]

It's one of my favorite three Beethoven symphony sets, with Schuricht and Schmidt-Isserstedt.

A Survey of Beethoven Symphony Cycles: Alphabetical Index

What do you like about the Schuricht? I don't think I really know anything about it.
Adore Schmidt-Isserstedt and Kletzki... which are also among my top-3 "Traditional" Beethoven Symphony Cycles...

[Draško]

What do you like about the Schuricht? I don't think I really know anything about it.

Phrasing, rhythm, vigour, and sound of French mid-century orchestras.

[prémont]

Oh yes, still ruling supreme in my collection as well. If there is an upgrade, I missed it! 

Q

Upgrade here:

https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/products/8033324--bach-j-s-orchestral-suites-nos-1-4-bwv1066-1069

Softer and a bit toothless compared to the older recording.

[bhodges]

R. Strauss: Salome, final scene

[asin]B00000I0TB[/asin]

-Bruce

[Biffo]

Stainer: The Crucifixion - Choir of St John's College, Cambridge & soloists directed by George Guest. A few months ago I bought the Complete St John's/Guest Argo box set. After revisiting a few old favourites I put the box aside but I am now trying some of the unfamiliar stuff. I can only remember hearing the Stainer once before. I don't think I am going to make it to the end.

[bhodges]

Schnittke
String Quartet No. 3
Quatuor Molinari

[asin]B005A0FDC0[/asin]

Haven't heard this piece since the Kronos Quartet did it live, maybe 20 years ago. How do you like this version? (I don't know the group at all.)

--Bruce

[North Star]

Haven't heard this piece since the Kronos Quartet did it live, maybe 20 years ago. How do you like this version? (I don't know the group at all.)

--Bruce

Hi Bruce! The Molinari's Schnittke is superb! I've been meaning to get some of their other recordings - there's Gubaidulina and then some more obscure repertoire. The Schafer (a composer I've never heard of before) looks mighty tempting, per this review.

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/schafer-string-quartets-nos-1-7


Thread-duty
Dvořák
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60 (B 112, 1880)
Czech Philharmonic
Václav Neumann
[asin]B0077DDWEE[/asin]

[Madiel]

Hi,

Have been listening to the 1923 version of Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No.5, followed by the revised version made in 1953, played respectively by Boris Berman and Bernd Glemser (they can be listened to side by side on this youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v0YHzg2IdE).

I don't know if there's a general consensus about these but I found the earlier version more engaging, it seems more direct, though that could be something to do with the different performers of course. I was struck by the rhythmic similarity between the opening of Piano Sonata No.5 and No.4.

I only own a recording of the original version, and I've never tried a direct comparison. Apparently it wasn't well-received at the time, so maybe that's one reason he went back to it.

I'm not sure which one pianists actually tend to play more...?

[NikF]

Roussel: Symphony No. 4 - Dutoit/French National Orchestra.

[asin]B00000J7OY[/asin]

[amw]

I only own a recording of the original version, and I've never tried a direct comparison. Apparently it wasn't well-received at the time, so maybe that's one reason he went back to it.

I'm not sure which one pianists actually tend to play more...?

The revision seems to be played more, but neither one is played that much, as far as I can tell.

[bhodges]

Hi Bruce! The Molinari's Schnittke is superb! I've been meaning to get some of their other recordings - there's Gubaidulina and then some more obscure repertoire. The Schafer (a composer I've never heard of before) looks mighty tempting, per this review.

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/schafer-string-quartets-nos-1-7


Thread-duty
Dvořák
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60 (B 112, 1880)
Czech Philharmonic
Václav Neumann
[asin]B0077DDWEE[/asin]

OK, sold -- thanks, Karlo! -- especially since I love the Gubaidulina quartets, too. Murray Schafer is thought of by some as the greatest living Canadian composer. I don't know much of his work, either! But that's a great review -- heavens, evoking Elliott Carter is high praise.

Separately, that Dvořák symphony is my favorite of the bunch. I am in love with Dohnányi's Cleveland recording (which also has a fantastic Janáček Taras Bulba). As a fan of Neumann and the Czechs, I'd like to hear this.

--Bruce

[North Star]

OK, sold -- thanks, Karlo! -- especially since I love the Gubaidulina quartets, too. Murray Schafer is thought of by some as the greatest living Canadian composer. I don't know much of his work, either! But that's a great review -- heavens, evoking Elliott Carter is high praise.

Indeed! I found the Schafer on Spotify and will give it a try. I have the Ardittis playing the Gubaidulina, and recall enjoying them very much.

Separately, that Dvořák symphony is my favorite of the bunch. I am in love with Dohnányi's Cleveland recording (which also has a fantastic Janáček Taras Bulba). As a fan of Neumann and the Czechs, I'd like to hear this.

--Bruce

The Sixth is certainly very high on my list too, along with the 8th and 4th. That Dohnányi does look great, but honestly I'm satisfied with the Neumann - and the same team's Taras Bulba, too.

[North Star]

First-listen Friday
R. Murray Schafer
Quartet for Strings, Soprano & Taped Children's Voices #9 (2005)
Odile Portugais
Quatuor Molinari
[asin]B00BI9VBZU[/asin]

Quite a haunting work, with taped sounds of children laughing and playing playing occasionally in the background, and a wordless soprano part in the end. The tonal language has a lot in common with Bartók, b]Shostakovich[/b], and Weinberg, but the piece could certainly not be confused with those three, even without the soprano or tape.

[aligreto]

The 9th.

It's a decidedly wind driven conception (and why not if you have the world's best wind section at your disposal). Kletzki is most interested in color, detail and texture, and less in sweep and grandeur. It's pretty interesting view for big orchestra recording of that time. and it comes off beautifully.

It's one of my favorite three Beethoven symphony sets, with Schuricht and Schmidt-Isserstedt.

I also have that set but it has been a while since I have listened to it but I do remember being very impressed with it. I have gone back to read the original notes that I made on first listen and these comments were among them; These are bold, crisp and assertive performances but without being aggressive. Speeds are brisk which adds to the sense of excitement....Interestingly I did not favour one or more performances over any other in this cycle; all performances are of equal quality and interest.

[aligreto]

Stainer: The Crucifixion - Choir of St John's College, Cambridge & soloists directed by George Guest. A few months ago I bought the Complete St John's/Guest Argo box set. After revisiting a few old favourites I put the box aside but I am now trying some of the unfamiliar stuff. I can only remember hearing the Stainer once before. I don't think I am going to make it to the end.

I remember attending a live performance of that a number of years ago and I found it to be a bit of an endurance all right. I never bought any version of it afterwards.

[aligreto]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 [Dorati]





Symphony No. 2 is the work of a young man with a lot to say and does he say it, and proclaims it loudly in places! The energy, exuberance and exhilaration of both the music and the performance are simply electrifying. There is also great tension in the performance. The scoring for the brass is particularly fine in the outer movements with charming writing for woodwinds in the second and final movements.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

#morninglistening to #LouisCouperin w/#ChristopheRousset on @PIAS_USA / @harmoniamundi

: http://a-fwd.to/7xRsbG3

A little bit of #Couperin on a @instrumentariumparis #Couchet #harpsichord

[aligreto]

Vivaldi: Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione, Concertos Nos. 5 & 6 [Kraemer]





La tempesta di mare: A wonderfully strong and ebullient performance that is both engaging and compelling.

Il piacere: This music and its performance here are both filled with sunshine and joy.

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 [Morris]





This is a first class performance and interpretation. The pacing is perfect with requisite weight in the body of the orchestra resulting in a strong, well driven performance. The tone is ebullient, confident and optimistic. The recording is also very good resulting in clear lines.

[Iota]

I only own a recording of the original version, and I've never tried a direct comparison. Apparently it wasn't well-received at the time, so maybe that's one reason he went back to it.

I'm not sure which one pianists actually tend to play more...?

Thanks, it seems from amw below, that the revised version receives more attention, though I think I prefer the original.

Actually I'm not surprised the sonata isn't wildly popular, there aren't large amounts of the intensity, introspection or fireworks you sometimes get with Prokofiev. But by steering a relatively adrenalin-free route a kind of observational, quizzical quality emerges in the music, that I found appealing.