What are you listening to now?

[Florestan]

By the way, as Que writes, everything has been said before, and a new discussion of this topic is not that urgent.

Of course. I was just in my contrarian mode. 

[Que]

Why don't you come and see them in Utrecht next month sing Gesualdo? I mean you could probably drive home after the concert!

I would go by train, since parking in the historical centre of Utrecht is not a good idea...
But it's a good idea. I'm currently looking inyo which concerts to book.... 

Now listening from the private collection of Dresden court composer and violinist Johann Georg Pisendel:

[asin]B00393SN6I[/asin]
Q

[Introverted]

NP:

[asin]B000YCLR6K[/asin]

Puccini: La Bohème

[aligreto]

JS Bach: L'Art de la Fugue BWV 1080 [Isoir]





This above is listed as a 15 CD set but included is an additional CD of L'Art de la Fugue. This inventive and innovative work is given an interesting and colourful interpretation and performance here. The playing is beyond reproach in a good recording.

[North Star]

Morning listening:

[asin]B00D8AIUQ0[/asin]
From this recording: Thomas Ashwell's Missa Ave Maria.
The same piece as on the Graindelavoix recording.
I hope it is a coincidence and it doesn't mean there is not much more by Ashwell around.

Unfortunately, there's not.

Only scattered remnants of Ashwell's music survive. As was common for pre-Reformation music in England in Latin, the large majority of manuscripts were destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII (and a large proportion of English-language sacred music was destroyed during the subsequent reign of Mary, during her attempt to re-impose Roman Catholicism on the island). Two masses, both for six voices, survive complete in the Forrest-Heyther Partbooks, the first layer of which were copied for Taverner's use at Cardinal College in 1526-1530. With the fall of Cardinal Wolsey in 1529 the college founded by him was not able to devote resources to such music and so the manuscript was discontinued, and this situation was probably the reason for Taverner's departure that year. This first layer contains the Missa Jesu Christe (for 6 voices) and ten other works by various composers, including Taverner. The other Mass-setting (Missa Ave Maria, also for 6 voices, which is the finer of the two and an outstanding work with similarities to Taverner's Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas) was copied into the partbooks mid-century along with five other settings by other composers, though the dates of composition of both Ashwell Masses were considerably earlier: their style indicates dates of composition possibly even before his appointment at Durham. A few other works survive in other sources, mostly very fragmentary, including a fragment of a Mass for St. Cuthbert, which must date from his time at Durham. A song, "She may be callyd a sovrant lady", printed in a 1530 collection, is Ashwell's only surviving secular composition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Ashwell

[aligreto]

Haydn: String Quartet Op. 20 No. 6 [Quatuor Mosaiques]





This is an inventive, innovative and beguiling work which is given a very fine performance here.

[Traverso]

Haydn: String Quartet Op. 20 No. 6 [Quatuor Mosaiques]





This is an inventive, innovative and beguiling work which is given a very fine performance here.

it is a fine choice.

[Madiel]

Sibelius, Belshazzar's Feast



The cover art might be considered appropriate for Sibelius, but it's not very sensible for Babylon and Sibelius' evocation of it which uses the kind of scales you'd expect for Arabic/Persian imagery. Rather pleasing to listen to with a couple of powerful moments.

[Harry]

Good morning, Harry. 

It's pity both ensembles did the same piece.
The Huelgas performance is superb, so for my 1st Graindelavoix recording I might pick another...
Any suggestions? 

Q

Well yes my friend, her's the list.

The Liberation of the Gothic.
Messe the nostre Dame
Cypriot Vespers!
Orazio Vecchi, Requiem
Ockeghem, Missa Caput.

Any of them is amazing, but The Liberation and the Cypriot Vespers are top recommendations.

[Que]

Well yes my friend, her's the list.

The Liberation of the Gothic.
Messe the nostre Dame
Cypriot Vespers!
Orazio Vecchi, Requiem
Ockeghem, Missa Caput.

Any of them is amazing, but The Liberation and the Cypriot Vespers are top recommendations.

Thanks! 

[Madiel]

Shostakovich, Symphony No.15



Because I clearly feel like ending my Sunday evening on a cheery note.

EDIT: Clearly I'm in the mood for it, because I remember finding this somewhat heavy going in the slow movements (and this is not a universally loved entry in Petrenko's cycle), but right now the spareness of the 2nd movement is working for me.

[Irons]

Actually, there is one and only one assumption to NON HIP, namely the obvious and inescapable fact that music is a performing art, or as Carl Dahlhaus most felicituously, if unwittingly, put it, a score is nothing more and nothing less than "a recipe for a musical performance". The notion that a score is a sacred text, to be treated with, and accorded, the same reverence as the Scriptures is a typically Romantic, ie essentially modern/contemporary one.

Like this.

[Andy D.]

Shostakovich, Symphony No.15



Because I clearly feel like ending my Sunday evening on a cheery note.

I have really enjoyed the Petrenko cycle 10, 11, 5, and 9, but as yet have not ever listened to Shosty's 1, 2, 3, or 6. This might be the way to go for me

Up until last weekend I mostly (greatly) admired Nielsen's music for winds (his quintet is elite quality imo). I just discovered the fifth and sixth symphonies and am SUPER looking forward to more!!!

Discovering Nielsen, Shostakovich, and Rachmaninoff's symphonies marks one of the great renaissances of inspiration for me since my film music tear back several years ago. Just terrific music.

[Roasted Swan]

I have really enjoyed the Petrenko cycle 10, 11, 5, and 9, but as yet have not ever listened to Shosty's 1, 2, 3, or 6. This might be the way to go for me

Up until last weekend I mostly (greatly) admired Nielsen's music for winds (his quintet is elite quality imo). I just discovered the fifth and sixth symphonies and am SUPER looking forward to more!!!

Discovering Nielsen, Shostakovich, and Rachmaninoff's symphonies marks one of the great renaissances of inspiration for me since my film music tear back several years ago. Just terrific music.

I love the Schmidt/Nielsen/LSO cycle - perhaps not the most polished but with such a sense of urgency and life which to me is what Nielsen is all about.  Also check out things such as Saga Drom and Helios - and if you like the Rachmaninoff Symphonies make sure to hear Isle of the Dead and the Symphonic Dances too........

[Madiel]

I have really enjoyed the Petrenko cycle 10, 11, 5, and 9, but as yet have not ever listened to Shosty's 1, 2, 3, or 6. This might be the way to go for me

Petrenko is the only full cycle I have. I picked it a couple of years ago after considering various options, and if you've liked the ones you've heard so far most likely you will respond to most of the cycle because his interpretative style is fairly consistent. He seems to be very well regarded for numbers 2 and 3.

To me, Petrenko is very good at holding structures together, which is important because Shostakovich writes such massive movements.

PS No argument from me about the quality of Nielsen or Rachmaninov either, though for Rach the symphonies are not generally my first choice.

[Andy D.]

Petrenko is the only full cycle I have. I picked it a couple of years ago after considering various options, and if you've liked the ones you've heard so far most likely you will respond to most of the cycle because his interpretative style is fairly consistent. He seems to be very well regarded for numbers 2 and 3.

To me, Petrenko is very good at holding structures together, which is important because Shostakovich writes such massive movements.

PS No argument from me about the quality of Nielsen or Rachmaninov either, though for Rach the symphonies are not generally my first choice.

I'm way more of a symphony guy than a piano concerto dude, so naturally the Rach symphs resonated more for me.

To me it's nearly impossible not to like the PC #s 2 and 3, undeniably enthralling imo.

I love the Schmidt/Nielsen/LSO cycle - perhaps not the most polished but with such a sense of urgency and life which to me is what Nielsen is all about.  Also check out things such as Saga Drom and Helios - and if you like the Rachmaninoff Symphonies make sure to hear Isle of the Dead and the Symphonic Dances too........

Love the Ashkenzy IotD.

This is a composer I got into when I was writing for winds.

[Madiel]

I'm way more of a symphony guy than a piano concerto dude, so naturally the Rach symphs resonated more for me.

Those aren't the only options!

[Andy D.]

Those aren't the only options!

I was joking, my friend.

[Sergeant Rock]

Suk Asrael Symphony, Flor conducting the Malaysian Phil




Sarge

[aligreto]

JS Bach: St. John Passion, Second Part [Bruggen]





This is a really very fine, smooth, and polished interpretation and performance. The performance is exemplary from all concerned and yet nothing is overstated. The vocals, from both soloists and choir, are really very fine and the accompaniment is well balanced and sympathetic.