What are you listening to now?

[pjme]

"Nach dem Sturm" for two soprano's and orchestra. Poem by Herman Hesse: Blumen nach einem Unwetter.


Two of Hosokawa's earlier works—Neben dem Fluss ("Next to the River") for solo harp and his trumpet concerto Im Nebel ("In the Mist")—took their inspiration from poems by Hermann Hesse. Nach dem Sturm is the first work in which the composer has set Hesse's words directly to music. The text for this work comes from "Blumen nach einem Unwetter" ("Flowers after a Storm"), for which Hesse painted an accompanying watercolor. Hosokawa uses the poem for the second part of the 20-minute work; this is preceded by a violent storm, using the full force of a large orchestra and an extensive battery of Japanese percussion. Nach dem Sturm is one of several of works that Hosokawa has written in response to the devastating Tohoku Earthquake of 2011. He explains:

For me, musical expression used to be a method to find harmony between humans and nature; however, since the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, I began to reconsider the role of music. Music is a type of Shamanism; people pray by music, and calm the spirit of the deceased, creating a bridge between this world and the afterlife. The two sopranos represent Mikos [shrine maidens] in this piece. The first half of the music is an expression of a storm using only the orchestra. In the second half, the two sopranos sing Hermann Hesse's poem, a depiction of a flower gradually finding light again in the aftermath of a storm.

[Madiel]

Sibelius, Musik zu einer Szene (1904)



Which later became the Dance-Intermezzo, but the original piece is actually quite a bit more involved.

[Harry]

TD. Second listen, CD1.
George Lloyd, Symphony No. 4 in B, (1945-46)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Edward Downes.

I totally forgot how brilliant a composer Lloyd is, but I am now reminded by hearing the Fourth Symphony. What a gorgeous work this is, and the orchestration....sublime! I have the Fifth and the eight still to go, but I now know that I have to collect his other works too. Recommendations are welcome.
Superb sound, it is well engineered.
(I ordered the sixth and seventh symphonies from the same forces as above.) So how are the works on Albany, apart from being very expensive!

[ritter]

Ernest Ansermet conducts Paul Dukas's La Péri.



From the big box:

[asin]B00DT2322E[/asin]

What a seductive score this is....

[Mirror Image]

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

Yes, it's pure magic, Jeffrey, but I'm afraid this Hickox version is much better than the Davies performance. The audio quality alone is top-notch.

[aligreto]

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 [Walter]





The first movement portrays a restraint which is delicately graceful and poised but which can also be dark and brooding. The second movement contains some wonderful, delicate and graceful playing. The third movement is a wonderfully menacing and sometimes eerie performance. The fourth movement is a very earnest performance of a very delicate piece of music. The first half of the final movement is both bold and powerful and the second half brings wonderful singing from both choir and soloists which is almost operatic in execution and delivery. It is a great performance culminating in a house shuddering, magnificent finale.

[Mirror Image]

Reger
Klavierkonzert in F moll, Op. 114
Michael Korstick (piano)
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Ulf Schirmer



I've heard this work about a year or so ago and really enjoyed. Rather enjoying it now as well. Great performance, too.

[aligreto]

Holst: The Planets [Stokowski]





This is a great performance with a wonderful dynamic range. Mars was particularly wonderful with bite while both his Venus and Neptune are gentle, delicate and very fine. His Jupiter is big without being flamboyant and his is a noble Saturn. The conclusion of this Neptune is quite haunting.

[Harry]

TD. Second listen. CD 3.
John Field, Piano concertos No 4 & 6.
London Mozart players, Matthias Bamert.
Miceal O'Rourke, piano.

Quite lovable works, at places No 6 is a rambling sort of work, in which there are many ideas but not quite worked out, rather rough and ready. No. 4 fares better with a beautiful be it short adagio. The recording has a bit too much resonance, and is short on details, but this could be Bamert's choice. He is generally going for a all round sound, in which certain desks are not getting their full due, but out of it he creates a "well being" sound. There is a booming effect amongst the celli and basses and timpani when the going gets tough and loud. But tis enjoyable nevertheless. Not great works though.

[SonicMan46]

Elgar, Edward - Falstaff Symphonic Study, Enigma Variations, et al on the two discs below - reviews attached w/ some 'mixed' comments on the Zinman performances - Dave

 

[aligreto]

Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 [Klemperer]





This work contains some very lyrical music and there is drama there too. I find that it is not unlike Mahler's music, but Mahler at peace.

[Mirror Image]

Test-Drive Mondays!

Marx
Quartetto in modo antico
Thomas Christian Ensemble



Immensely enjoyable so far. Lovely music.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 [Klemperer]





This work contains some very lyrical music and there is drama there too. I find that it is not unlike Mahler's music, but Mahler at peace.

This is turning into a site for vinyl nuts! 

Maybe I'll get an old 8-track player off ebay and start posting pictures of cartridges! 

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Update. Cello Sonata (with piano) #4. Quite enjoyable. Talley so far, three cello suites, greatly enjoyed, Cello Sonata No 1, not enjoyed much (overheated romanticism) but Cello Sonata #4 much more refreshing, a touch of classical effervescence lightens the romantic syrup.

[asin]B0012Y1HIC[/asin]

[vandermolen]

This is turning into a site for vinyl nuts! 

Maybe I'll get an old 8-track player off ebay and start posting pictures of cartridges! 

Greatest performance of No.6 IMO and another nostalgia trip.

[vandermolen]

TD. Second listen, CD1.
George Lloyd, Symphony No. 4 in B, (1945-46)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Edward Downes.

I totally forgot how brilliant a composer Lloyd is, but I am now reminded by hearing the Fourth Symphony. What a gorgeous work this is, and the orchestration....sublime! I have the Fifth and the eight still to go, but I now know that I have to collect his other works too. Recommendations are welcome.
Superb sound, it is well engineered.
(I ordered the sixth and seventh symphonies from the same forces as above.) So how are the works on Albany, apart from being very expensive!

No.7 is the other one which comes to mind. The Albany is excellent Harry.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Greatest performance of No.6 IMO and another nostalgia trip.

I have it on 8-track CD.

Karajan is my preference in this work.

[vandermolen]

Can't stop playing Scherbachov's moving, epic, war-time 5th Symphony. Oddly at one brief point it reminded me of John Kinsella:

[SonicMan46]

More Elgar for the afternoon - Dave

   

[aligreto]

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 [Chung/Kempe]





A strong performance in the first movement that is perhaps somewhat pensive or meditative, but the performance has a quiet beauty about it. The slow movement is ravishing and heart rending and the Finale is a robust performance.