What are you listening to now?

[André]

[André]

It's hard to imagine a better introduction to Vaughan William's oeuvre than this, containing two of his most beloved works (Lark Ascending and Greensleeves) and what VW himself considered one of his finest works (Falstaff). Indeed, The composer himself wanted the last 3 movements played at his funeral. I was not aware of this, but the very fine liner notes (by our own Vandermolen  ) shed very useful light on the work's genesis. I did not know either that Holst closely followed the work's composition and attended all the orchestral rehearsals. Fine performances all around. Very good, refined sound with a wide and deep soundstage, which allows precise location of the percussion and brass instruments.

[Kontrapunctus]

[Andy D.]

Great music and music making, Dave. I have not listened in a while but I must dig this set out soon for a listen after you posting it.

I especially enjoy the QM's recordings of Haydn's op. 20, easily my favorite piece(s) by him.

Me: Got caught up in Petrenko's performance of Mitya's Symphony no. 4, and now I really love this symphony. I'm being delinquent in my appreciation, as I still haven't heard Shostakovich's 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, or 14 yet but I'm getting there! Love all the ones I've heard, including the charming 9.

[Andy D.]

Almost forgot! I found my favorite symphony so far by Prokofiev, the second! Listened to the Ozawa and went ape, love that one. I tried out the seventh and loved the first movement, but am looking forward to letting all this grow on me

[Christo]

It's hard to imagine a better introduction to Vaughan William's oeuvre than this, containing two of his most beloved works (Lark Ascending and Greensleeves) and what VW himself considered one of his finest works (Falstaff). Indeed, The composer himself wanted the last 3 movements played at his funeral. I was not aware of this, but the very fine liner notes (by our own Vandermolen  ) shed very useful light on the work's genesis. I did not know either that Holst closely followed the work's composition and attended all the orchestral rehearsals. Fine performances all around. Very good, refined sound with a wide and deep soundstage, which allows precise location of the percussion and brass instruments.

[aligreto]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 [Maazel]





I like the mixed sentiments throughout this work and the gradual, and ultimately final, descent into resignation and despair. Maazel delivers a very good account of the work which incorporates the requisite tension, drama and emotional input.

[aligreto]

Brahms: Sonatas for Piano & Violin on Period Instruments
Tuija Hakkila, piano
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch, violin

[asin]B07B14J2G4[/asin]

Pianos: 1864 Streicher & 1892 Bösendorfer
Violin: Anonymous
Bow: Luis Emilio Rodrigues

What I was looking for on period instruments. 

That certainly looks interesting.

[SymphonicAddict]

I heard Turangalîla-Symphonie for the first time last night (Hewitt) and was delightfully impressed. First piece also I've heard from Messiaen.

I also had the pleasure of first experiencing Xenakis' music, Synaphai (Howarth) which I find really interesting!

Turangalîla is awesome. Psychedelia at its best 

The Naxos recording is my favorite.

[Wakefield]

It's hard to imagine a better introduction to Vaughan William's oeuvre than this, containing two of his most beloved works (Lark Ascending and Greensleeves) and what VW himself considered one of his finest works (Falstaff). Indeed, The composer himself wanted the last 3 movements played at his funeral. I was not aware of this, but the very fine liner notes (by our own Vandermolen  ) shed very useful light on the work's genesis. I did not know either that Holst closely followed the work's composition and attended all the orchestral rehearsals. Fine performances all around. Very good, refined sound with a wide and deep soundstage, which allows precise location of the percussion and brass instruments.

Robert Haydon Clark and the Consort of London played some excellent and stylish Brandenburgs and Orchestral Suites (on modern instruments) in the original Brilliant's Bach Edition. 

[André]

The disc's title is somewhat misleading. The only concerto on offer is the bittersweet harpsichord concerto. We also get the somber Passacaille for string orchestra and the delicate Polyptique, a suite in 6 movements for solo violin and two string orchestras. The latter is a series of meditations on themes related to the Passion Week: Palm Sunday, the Upper Room, Judas, Gethsemane, Judgement and Glorification. Menuhin had commissioned the composer to write him a concerto and got this instead.

Not a 'concerto album' in the familiar sense, then. Martin is a composer very much in the Debussy-Dutilleux continuum. His output is not large, he did not write works designed to please, his opuses tending to the serious, meditative, affecting. Contrary to them though, he was an intensely spiritual man. He describes his hearing of the St Matthew Passion as a boy of 10 as « the greatest event in my life ». Born in Geneva (home base of Reformer Jean Calvin) and the son of a pastor, it is not surprising to feel an underlying seriousness to practically everything he wrote.

[prémont]

Robert Haydon Clark and the Consort of London played some excellent and stylish Brandenburgs and Orchestral Suites (on modern instruments) in the original Brilliant's Bach Edition. 

Yes, licensed from Collins classics.
I agree they are truly remarkable.

[aligreto]

Ravel: La Valse [Munch]

[Mandryka]

Another Marais 5th book recording,  from the usual crew with Kuijken,  and this just may be the best Marais CD I've ever heard -- I'll try and write something about the 5th book soon, taking into account this, Savall, Charbonnier, Henrikson and any other ones I come across with substantial amounts of late Marais.

Listening to it has made me think a little about late compositions, not just Marais but also late Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Froberger, and whether there are any common factors.

[listener]

DELIUS: A Dance Rhapsody   transcribed by Percy GRAINGER
+ Grainger: The Warriors and about a dozen short pieces
Martin Jones, Philip Martin and Richard McMahon, piano
IRELAND: Decorations, Sonatina, Three Pastels, and short pieces
John Lenehan, piano
RACHMANINOFF:  Symphony no.3, Piano Concerto 1
Abby Simon, piano;  Saint Louis Symphony, Leonard Slatkin, cond.

[Madiel]

Breakfast Mozart.



Piano Concerto no.22 in E flat. And very nice it is too (along with scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tarragon and smoked salmon).

[SymphonicAddict]

Arcana - Suite for piano

A new composer for me. This suite proved to be rather absorbing, and a bit enigmatic as its title suggests. Some virtuosic pages are displayed, giving a good contrast. A really appealing piece.




Symphonic Fantasy and Fugue, Op. 57

I think the word pandemonium would describe very aptly this fiendishly difficult piece! One of the most extreme Reger works I've ever heard. It's mightily shattering in its vast sonorus scope. It should go to the PTHBYAR thread!

[kyjo]

Arcana - Suite for piano

A new composer for me. This suite proved to be rather absorbing, and a bit enigmatic as its title suggests. Some virtuosic pages are displayed, giving a good contrast. A really appealing piece.

I haven't heard Arcana, but I know the Sonata concertante for cello and piano also contained on that disc and it is quite a powerful work with a memorably defiant, "barely triumphant" ending. Escher's Musique pour l'esprit en deuil for orchestra is an even more marvelous work which, if I recall correctly, portrays the composer's reaction to the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands. His music, while individual, should definitely appeal to admirers of, say, Honegger.

[HIPster]

Playing through this set over the next few days:

CD 1 right now
[asin]B00CJCPOE4[/asin]

Sadly oop, this is a sweet four disc compilation of Venetian/Italian Baroque music from a variety of composers.

[André]

Late evening relaxation