What are you listening to now?

[André]

Despite the less than sumptuous sound, this is a uniquely eloquent interpretation of the Nocturnes. François reminds the listener that Mozart and Bellini were two of Chopin's musical gods.

[Que]

Mozart, WA - Symphonies w/ Hogwood/Schröder and the Academy of Ancient Music - purchased back in 2010 and not listened to in a while, so my weekend project - may not get through all 19 CDs but starting from the first disc -   Dave

What a coincidence! 

The other day I was contemplating to revisit that set soon.

Q

[SonicMan46]

What a coincidence! 

The other day I was contemplating to revisit that set soon.

Q

Well, it is a commitment - believe I did the entire box on initial purchase and then a few 'partial' selections - Dave

[SymphonicAddict]

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.

Quite interesting, Kyle. Sounds like I should enjoy them. You piqued my interest. I'll be getting both works. Thank you.

[Karl Henning]

Concerto « for wood, brass and gut » (1946)
Concerto for trumpet and orchestra (1948)
Concerto for trombone and orchestra (1950)
Concerto for viola, oboe and orchestra (1956)

A nicely varied combo of works here. The first one is a Theme and variations, 9-movement work. I particularly liked the trumpet concerto, an instrument I'm not usually attracted to. Invention allied to simplicity is the name of the game in these concertos, following a pattern first espoused by Telemann and Haydn and continued with Hindemith. Highly stimulating stuff.

Very nice!

[vandermolen]

+1

A terrific - and terrifying - performance. The musicians certainly earned their pay that evening. The sound is surprisingly good for the vintage.

Totally agree André.

[SymphonicAddict]

A rather different opera than I was used to with this composer thus far. The many Intermezzi throughout the work were a remarkable highlight. Such lovely music.

[kyjo]

Pettersson: 6th Symphony.



A wonderful performance of a magnificent symphony that incredibly is not issued on CD and after a performance as good as this, Okko Kamu - a conductor I will look out for - only recorded this single Pettersson symphony.

Bit naff to describe a musical work as a "journey" but the 6th is, and I most unexpectedly was on board. Being Pettersson there is the odd moment with an element of alarm for the listener as the composer digs deep into the human condition but all unease is dispelled at the end of this single movement symphony. The coda breaks out in a musical image of peace, simplicity and goodwill which I found most moving.

Interesting Pettersson quote included in the notes -

"Someone has said that I compose out of self-pity. Like hell I do. How does anyone think you can write music if you're all wrapped up in yourself? When you create, you have to stand outside and above such. Sympathetic feeling, yes, sympathy for everyone who suffers. In my childhood we were taught to love - but we also learned to hate....."

Yes, a deeply moving and involving "journey" of a work indeed. That ending could hardly be more cathartic.

[Madiel]

Various orchestral bits and pieces this morning.

Mendelssohn, Psalm 114, op.51
Schumann, The Bride of Messina overture, op.100
Dvorak, The Water Goblin, op.107

First 2 on streaming as first listens. The Water Goblin I apparently haven't listened to for over 4 years. The part where the bells ring and the goblin comes knocking is pretty great.

[Muzio]

French Violin Sonatas: Midori, violin
Robert McDonald, piano (Sony Classical)
Works by Poulenc, Debussy, and Saint-Saens

Seemingly unequaled talent when she began her professional career as a pre-teen.  Haven't heard anything about her several years.  Hope she is doing well.

[SymphonicAddict]

Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Folk Themes: Playing another rare Shostakovich work. I like what I hear. It's very folksy indeed.

[JBS]

CD1 of this three disc set
[asin]B07RG2XJNW[/asin]

[vandermolen]

No doubt she has your best interest at heart 

Haha most definitely Fergus. The two of them (wife and daughter) are constantly threatening to pack me off. I'm not sure that they are joking.


I seem to have missed several pages of this thread - the trouble is that if you blink the thread has moved about five pages on!

[vandermolen]

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.

Thanks for the kind words André which are much appreciated 

Actually I was quite pleased with this release as I suggested to the CD company that Wordsworth's recording of 'Job' was an excellent one and worth reissuing. I also saved them by almost having an identical cover image to a recent Naxos release of 'The Lark Ascending' (as a result they changed the background colour). Maybe they should have listened to my suggestion of using one of William Blake's illustrations to Job! However, the Lark obviously is the more popular work. The CD is also interesting I think as it's the only one to include the poem on which 'The Lark Ascending' is based by Meredith. Yes, VW was lost after Holst died as they were good friends and he relied on Holst's musical advice. I like the idea that Vaughan Williams's Sixth Symphony is, in some respects, a tribute to his old friend as the second movement seems to show the influence of 'Mars' and the spectral finale has echoes of 'Saturn' and especially 'Neptune' from The Planets Suite.

[vandermolen]

Yes, a deeply moving and involving "journey" of a work indeed. That ending could hardly be more cathartic.

That Kamu recording of Symphony No.6 is one of the best performances of any Pettersson symphony that I know. It is also IMO one of his best symphonies along with 7 and 8 as well as the VC No.2 which is like a symphony in itself. Why was the Kamu never released on CD? (like Commissiona's DGG recording of the eighth symphony). I remember buying the LP at a record shop in Whitby whilst on holiday in the North of England. I recall the notes referring to the cathartic and very moving ending as 'the long struggle towards the sunrise'.

[Que]

Morning listening:

[asin]B000028CL1[/asin]
My 1st recording by this ensemble. Sofar so good... 

Q

[Harry]

Morning listening:

[asin]B000028CL1[/asin]
My 1st recording by this ensemble. Sofar so good... 

Q

I am glad you like it, for me it was a great surprise, hearing so much vocal perfection.

[Que]

I am glad you like it, for me it was a great surprise, hearing so much vocal perfection.

They also did some recordings on DG Archiv,  do you know any of those? 

Q

[Madiel]

I'm watching La Gioconda (by Ponchielli) on Operavision.

To be honest it will probably take me a couple of nights, an act at a time. Grand opera is more of a curiosity than a pleasure at this stage, but I very much appreciate Operavision as a means of trying it out.

Night two.

What I didn't mention is that the staging of this production (from La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels) is pretty awful. I just watched the Dance of the Hours at the end of Act 3, which included a little simulation of rape or sexual assault. This added precisely nothing to my enjoyment. I may have to see if I can find the Fantasia version to improve my mood.

I get that La Gioconda has a dark plot. but they're hamming it up in ways that are bad as a substitute for, you know, building sets and things.

[Harry]

They also did some recordings on DG Archive,  do you know any of those? 

Q

No, I haven't been able to find them for reasonable prices, but must admit that I did not look for them for quite some time.