What are you listening to now?

[André]

CD 10: Requiem op 144a, Requiem and Dies irae, op 145a, Gesang der Verklärten, opus 71.

This 12 cd set comprises the concertante, vocal/choral works with orchestra as well as the standard orchestral works. It's probably far from complete with regard to the choral/vocal output, but it does include masterpieces such as the Requiem, Song of the Transfigured, To Hope, The Nuns, etc., most of which are works from Reger's maturity. The subject matter of some of these works no doubt arise from the composer's deep feelings about the chaos and suffering brought by the first World War (he died in 1916, aged 43].

Reger's most complex choral works are probably the Gesang der Verklärten, opus 71 and his Dies irae (from an uncompleted latin requiem, a different work from the Requiem op. 144b, on german texts by the poet Friedrich Hebbel). Gesang (premiered in 1906) was met with much admiration but also absolute bafflement by contemporary critics and audiences. This is its world premiere recording. Apparently it shares a kinship with Gurrelieder (1911). I also detect similar harmonies to those found in Delius' A Mass of Life, composed around the same time. Part 2 of the Delius Mass was performed in Munich in 1908. Something in the air I suppose.

[JBS]

CD 10: Requiem op 144a, Requiem and Dies irae, op 145a, Gesang der Verklärten, opus 71.

This 12 cd set comprises the concertante, vocal/choral works with orchestra as well as the standard orchestral works. It's probably far from complete with regard to the choral/vocal output, but it does include masterpieces such as the Requiem, Song of the Transfigured, To Hope, The Nuns, etc., most of which are works from Reger's maturity. The subject matter of some of these works no doubt arise from the composer's deep feelings about the chaos and suffering brought by the first World War (he died in 1916, aged 43].

Reger's most complex choral works are probably the Gesang der Verklärten, opus 71 and his Dies irae (from an uncompleted latin requiem, a different work from the Requiem op. 144b, on german texts by the poet Friedrich Hebbel). Gesang (premiered in 1906) was met with much admiration but also absolute bafflement by contemporary critics and audiences. This is its world premiere recording. Apparently it shares a kinship with Gurrelieder (1911). I also detect similar harmonies to those found in Delius' A Mass of Life, composed around the same time. Part 2 of the Delius Mass was performed in Munich in 1908. Something in the air I suppose.

Psalm 100 on the next CD is really strange. The middle portions sound truly expressionist, but the concluding section sounds straight out of the 1850s.
TD
New one from Concerto Italiano
[asin]B07FDNT6N6[/asin]
Good. As expected...
Combines arias (Handel, Stradella, A. Scarlatti) and instrumental works (Handel, Stradella, Muffat, Corelli) all written for Roman audiences.

[amw]

This Tchaikovsky bloke wrote some pretty ok operas.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I've been eyeing the Ovchinnikov set, so maybe.

I haven't heard Ovchinnikov's Prokofiev, but since he's so good at Rachmaninov and Liszt (not lost on you, I know ) I'd bet it's grand!

Another worthwhile work is Visions Fugitives. Super tasty!

[steve ridgway]

Just listening to Herrmann's Mars,makes me wish he could have had a crack at Mahler's Seventh!



And then there's this recording,which Mike Batt conducted,after picking up litter on Wimbledon Common!

Regarding such popular multi-section works, does anyone compile their own playlists from the different recordings? The preferrred Mercury from one, Venus from another etc?

[shirime]

Psalm 100 on the next CD is really strange. The middle portions sound truly expressionist, but the concluding section sounds straight out of the 1850s.
TD
New one from Concerto Italiano
[asin]B07FDNT6N6[/asin]
Good. As expected...
Combines arias (Handel, Stradella, A. Scarlatti) and instrumental works (Handel, Stradella, Muffat, Corelli) all written for Roman audiences.

Hmmmm, I've performed under this Alessandrini guy and I ended up thinking he was somewhat strange, a bit general and flat with his interpretation. I do like to listen to his releases every now and then with Concerto Italiano which tend to either be really very good or a bit bland for me.

[Madiel]

Another little dip into songs from this Schubert album.

[Que]

Sunday morning listening:

[asin]B004TDIVEG[/asin]
Review by Johan van Veen: http://www.musica-dei-donum.org/cd_reviews/ORF_3025_3115.html

I agree with his criticism.
It's good to have this wonderful music recorded, but my reservations on the performances remain.

Q

[Que]

Next:

[asin]B000BRFAO8[/asin]
Q

[aligreto]

Praetorius: Dances from Terpsichore [Pretorius Consort]


   


Wonderfully spirited, lively and engaging performances with great instrumental textures caught in an atmospheric recording. Buoyant and compelling performances from all concerned in a delightful presentation. The 1976 sounds very fresh and alive. Truly wonderful stuff if you are interested in Renaissance music.

[Mandryka]

Sunday morning listening:

[asin]B004TDIVEG[/asin]
Review by Johan van Veen: http://www.musica-dei-donum.org/cd_reviews/ORF_3025_3115.html

I agree with his criticism.
It's good to have this wonderful music recorded, but my reservations on the performances remain.

Q

This comment by Veen caught my attention, referring to the L'homme armé mass

"Where the melody is repeated in short note values in the altus and tenor at the end of the second Kyrie, in the and and in the Sanctus and Osanna, and the original cantus firmus text somehow underlines the liturgical text, these notes are sung to the original French text in this recording".

this makes me want to hear what they do. It's a very creative gesture and I'm starting to get curious about a feature of polyphonic music -- the clash of texts in the context of music.  But I don't own it unfortunately . . . fortunately there are still some copies at Orf.

[Que]

fortunately there are still some copies at Orf.

Yes, ORF is the place to go. I've ordered from them before.

Q

[aligreto]

Monteverdi: Sacred Vocal Music [Parley of Instruments]





Confitebor tibi , Domine [Selva morale e spirituale, 1640]
Ab aeterno ordinata sum [Selva morale e spirituale, 1640]
Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum [Messa a quattro voce, et Salmi, 1651]
Deus tuorum militum sors et corona [Selva morale e spirituale, 1640]

Wonderful vocal performances in particular from Kirkby.

[Maestro267]

MacMillan: The Confession of Isobel Gowdie
BBC PO/MacMillan

Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs
Herford (baritone), Guildford Choral Society
Philharmonia Orchestra/Wetton

Chávez: Symphony No. 6
London SO/Mata

[cilgwyn]

Regarding such popular multi-section works, does anyone compile their own playlists from the different recordings? The preferrred Mercury from one, Venus from another etc?

Re: The Planets! An interesting idea. I'd never thought of that!  A bit of Herrmann (it will have to be Mars! ). A bit of Steinberg. A bit of Boult. Maybe,I'll try it one day? I'll leave out Tomita,though!

[aligreto]

Corelli: Concerti Grossi Op. 6 Nos. 1 & 3 [Collegium Aureum]


   


Music that is always engaging with poised and elegant performances as one would expect from these forces.

[Madiel]

Streaming the next Sibelius orchestral work as I don't own it.

The (reconstructed) full score of the Karelia music.



EDIT: This is easier, more popular music than before (not least because the movements are far shorter than anything in Kullervo or En Saga). Though still very recognisably Sibelian.

[Que]

Just in:

[asin]B000A17GG0[/asin]
This is really cute music, which will appeal to lovers of Italian Baroque cantatas.

Q

[aligreto]

Buxtehude: Trio Sonatas Nos. 2, 4 & 6 [Trio Sonnerie]





Inventive and appealing music coupled with lively and engaging performances yield up pleasurable listening here.

[aligreto]

Just in:

[asin]B000A17GG0[/asin]
This is really cute music, which will appeal to lovers of Italian Baroque cantatas.

Q

I also have that one and I second your endorsement Que.

I also have a series of 3 CD of Ariosti's Sonatas on the BIS label I think [but stand to be corrected there] which are also very recommendable.