What are you listening to now?

[SonicMan46]

Dyson, George (1883-1964) - Orchestral Works listed on the cover art w/ Lydia Mordkovitch on violin & Eric Parkin on piano - more known for his vocal works, such as the Canterbury Pilgrims, which I do not own - Dave

 

[Mirror Image]

Delius
Requiem
A Mass Of Life
Rebecca Evans, Joan Rodgers, Jean Rigby, Nigel Robson, Peter Coleman-Wright
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Waynflete Singers, Richard Hickox





For me, one of Hickox's greatest achievements. Both of these performances are reference recordings for each work. Sorry, Maestros Davies and Groves, but Hickox has you beat in both works.

[Todd]

[cilgwyn]

The 1912 'complete' recording (albeit,with allot of cuts) of La Traviata,and the first opera ever composed for a recording label. Jean Nouguès: Les Frère Danilo. This 2 cd set comes with a lovely booklet,full of notes about the recording,and lots of interesting photos. The restoration is state of the art! Superb!!

[cilgwyn]

The CD version posted by cilgwyn is of a radio version setting. It is quite a good way into the piece. I think that the 'Morality' might be VW's greatest work (spoken as someone who doesn't generally like opera). I have had the great benefit of seeing two very fine performances (one complete and one semi- staged). I think that the semi-staged was my 60th birthday present. It was conducted by Richard Hickox with his young son performing the 'Woodcutter's boy'. Poignantly Richard Hickox died not that long afterwards (aged 60  )

I actually,thoroughly,enjoyed it. I think the Hyperion recording is a good "way in" to the piece! Thie dialogue is kept to a bare minimum;while maintaining the essential narrative. (Not too much yapping!) It's very well thought out,;and the performances are excellent. If you really want the whole play;you can get the Albion 2 cd set. The sound is not exactly hi-fi;to put it,mildly;but,once your ears adjust to the sound,it's listenable,enjoyable (once you get into it) and very well,performed. Although,if you dislike the sound of old mono,or shellac recordings (I think it's from acetates?) it'll sound horrible!!
VW's Pilgrim's Progress is my favourite,out of all his,operas. Although,it's not really an opera,like Sir John in Love or A Village Romeo and Juliet,for example. It's more like a music-drama,in some ways,perhaps?! (I should add,here! Out of all the operas,I know,by Vaughan Williams!!)

[listener]

John ADAMS: Gnarly Buttons
London Sinfonietta    Michael Collins, clarinet,   John Adams, cond
John's Book of Alleged Dances
Kronos Quartet

Enst PEPPING: Organ Works  (2 Partitas,4 Fugues and a Concerto for solo organ)
Wolfgang Rübsam, Schuke organ of the Oberste Stadtkirche in Iserlohn, Germany

RAMEAU: 3 Suites of harpsichord music
Gilbert Rowland

[SimonNZ]

[Kontrapunctus]

While this new recording of the revised version of the Concerto is very transparent and well played, I prefer the darker, angstier original version on the Caprice label, especially the LP.

[Daverz]

While this new recording of the revised version of the Concerto is very transparent and well played, I prefer the darker, angstier original version on the Caprice label, especially the LP.

Confession time: I bought the Caprice CD used some time in the 90s, and the music was too difficult for me at the time, so I tried to take it back.  They wouldn't take it back!  So I still have it. 

[Mirror Image]

Reger
Violinkonzert in A-Dur, Op. 101
Ulf Wallin (violin)
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Ulf Schirmer

[André]

[Mirror Image]

I'm probably not going to be able to finish this tonight...

Reger
Der Einsiedler, Op. 144a
Hymnus der Liebe, Op. 136
Requiem, Op. 144b
An die Hoffnung, Op. 124
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Hamburg St Michaelis Choir, Hamburg Monteverdi Choir & Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Gerd Albrecht

[Que]

I like that recording. 

Q

[Que]

Since I visited this church (basilica) recently, this seemed an appropriate choice for my morning listening:

[asin]B009INAH08[/asin]
Q

[vandermolen]

While this new recording of the revised version of the Concerto is very transparent and well played, I prefer the darker, angstier original version on the Caprice label, especially the LP.

What about the CPO recording?

Thread duty:
Symphony 5 (original 1915 version)
Being performed at the proms this year in London:

I've really enjoyed discovering this version, which I've had for years but only just appreciated. As with VW's 1913 version of A London Symphony there are sections which I miss when I listen to the final version.

[vandermolen]

Confession time: I bought the Caprice CD used some time in the 90s, and the music was too difficult for me at the time, so I tried to take it back.  They wouldn't take it back!  So I still have it. 

The VC2 has about the most moving and poignant last few minutes I know, especially on that Caprice recording - worth persevering with I think.

[vandermolen]

Delius
Requiem
A Mass Of Life
Rebecca Evans, Joan Rodgers, Jean Rigby, Nigel Robson, Peter Coleman-Wright
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Waynflete Singers, Richard Hickox





For me, one of Hickox's greatest achievements. Both of these performances are reference recordings for each work. Sorry, Maestros Davies and Groves, but Hickox has you beat in both works.

I love the ending of the Requiem. I have an old EMI recording.

[aligreto]

Haydn: Symphony No. 88 [Jochum]

[aligreto]

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 [Beecham]





This is a performance of great weight and depth but one which still preserves the requisite Mozartian poise and elegance. The orchestra play wonderfully and the sound is great.

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 [Bernstein]





This is a performance which is filled with power, drama and intensity.