What are you listening to now?

[Brian]

For "What the Heck February," I'm revisiting Bruch's First Symphony, one of the few romantic pieces I remember actively disliking.



Here's what I said about the First Symphony in 2009 on MusicWeb:

"his first two symphonies, on the evidence of this album, match a sort of sordid stereotype of mid-19th century German romanticism: they are too long for their material, emotionally generic and completely forgettable. Bruch seems to have known all the clichés of romantic music and angled for them all: the First Symphony is bucolic and pastoral, with an elfin scherzo; the Second Symphony launches in a sturm-und-drang mood, all bustle and sternness, and features a no-pause transition from slow movement to finale that represents a move from darkness to light, from a troubled mood to joyful thanks. In other words, we have heard this all before elsewhere."

That was a review of a Naxos recording under Halasz. This EMI reading of the symphony is 2 minutes slower, and I'm finding it - well, not bad, not great, but pleasant enough. Conlon makes it sound a little more Brahmsian than Halasz did.

[Fafner]

Good evening!

Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"
Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

[asin]B000056OBA[/asin]

[North Star]

Bartók
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Sz. 95
Andsnes, Boulez & BPO
[asin]B0006OS5YS[/asin]

[Lisztianwagner]

Fryderyk Chopin
Polonaise 'Heroic'

[asin]B000026OW3[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Fennimore & Gerda. First-time listening to this Davies performance. Quite nice so far.

[TheGSMoeller]

First listen for this recording. Vanska performs the 1877 Nowak version with the 1876 Adagio. A lush, full-bodied performance that does not evade all the small nuances of Bruckner's score. There is a rushed feeling at times but Vanska is consistent throughout with his pacing, which intensifies the overall experience. There is no slowing down or surrendering in this finale, the dance-like sections sway swiftly and beautifully, while the coda is a fright train with no brakes! The most impressive aspect to me is the brass section (always an area I'm critical of being a former brass player), a real wall-of-sound that is perfectly balanced. The powerful moments of the opening movement are a perfect example. Of the 8 recordings of No.3 I now own, (although I have heard about 6 more on Spotify) Vanska and the BBC Scottish SO could easily compete with the rest.

[Brahmsian]

From this outstanding and only complete set of Symphonies, CD VI.

Symphony N. 4 in E minor, opus 17.

A marvellous work, especially the intro "Andante, mesto con sentimento" is a cornerstone of this composition, doom laden as it is.

Harry, just ordered this set, without ever having heard a single note of this composer.  It has intrigued me, and especially since you speak so highly of this set and composer.  Perhaps it was a bit of an impulse purchase, but I have no doubt that I will enjoy the music, somehow (giving my recent avarice for Russian music!) 

[Mirror Image]

Harry, just ordered this set, without ever having heard a single note of this composer.  It has intrigued me, and especially since you speak so highly of this set and composer.  Perhaps it was a bit of an impulse purchase, but I have no doubt that I will enjoy the music, somehow (giving my recent avarice for Russian music!) 

I've been praising the symphonies of Myaskovsky since I've joined this forum back in 2010. Good to see you've jumped onboard, Ray! Please listen to Symphony No. 24 first.

[Brahmsian]

I've been praising the symphonies of Myaskovsky since I've joined this forum back in 2010. Good to see you've jumped onboard, Ray! Please listen to [i]Symphony No. 24[/i] first.

  OK, shall do, John!

[Mirror Image]

  OK, shall do, John!

The second movement of the 24th will give you all the assurance you need to proceed with unadorned enthusiasm.

[StLukesguildOhio]

Some lovely choral works... and yet one more reason to believe that Schumann is one of the most underrated of the great composers.

Right now... moved on to Martinu:

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 5 and will listen to Symphony No. 6 as well. Great recording.

Next:



Going to listen to Harmonielehre. Adams' masterpiece.

[Brahmsian]

Vaughan Williams

Symphony No. 5 in D major

Sir Adrian Boult
London Philharmonic Orchestra
EMI Classics

[asin]B00004YA0V[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Vaughan Williams

Symphony No. 5 in D major

Sir Adrian Boult
London Philharmonic Orchestra
EMI Classics

[asin]B00004YA0V[/asin]

Pounds the table! My favorite RVW symphony hands down, although the 3rd, 4th, and 6th aren't far behind.

[Brahmsian]

Pounds the table! My favorite RVW symphony hands down, although the 3rd, 4th, and 6th aren't far behind.

The 6th has been a favourite of mine since the beginning.  However, I am really, really digging the 5th lately! 

[Mirror Image]

The 6th has been a favourite of mine since the beginning.  However, I am really, really digging the 5th lately! 

The 5th, in regards to overall mood, reminds me of Sibelius' 6th being that the work is completely enigmatic and there's an underlying intensity underneath this 'orchestral facade.'

[Brahmsian]

The 5th, in regards to overall mood, reminds me of Sibelius' 6th being that the work is completely enigmatic and there's an underlying intensity underneath this 'orchestral facade.'

I think I can hear a bit of this too.  I also sense perhaps that Shostakovich might have been influenced by this work somehow?  Of course, I have no idea if Shostakovich had been influenced by Vaughan Williams' music or not?

[Mirror Image]

I think I can hear a bit of this too.  I also sense perhaps that Shostakovich might have been influenced by this work somehow?  Of course, I have no idea if Shostakovich had been influenced by Vaughan Williams' music or not?

I doubt that Shostakovich had heard any of RVW's music. It is possible, of course, but I don't know how he could have given the political environment he lived in.

[Brian]

I haven't traditionally been a big fan of choral music, but I just lapped up CD 1 of this set with delight:

[asin]B000BUUK9U[/asin]

Warm, wonderfully scored music, sung so well by Accentus. Sibelius, Rautavaara, Kuula, Stenhammar, and Wikander are delightful contributors, but the scene is stolen by the very last track, "Aftonen" by Hugo Alfven, one of the most beautiful and life-affirming things I've heard this year. Makes me feel at peace.

[TheGSMoeller]

I haven't traditionally been a big fan of choral music, but I just lapped up CD 1 of this set with delight:

[asin]B000BUUK9U[/asin]

Warm, wonderfully scored music, sung so well by Accentus. Sibelius, Rautavaara, Kuula, Stenhammar, and Wikander are delightful contributors, but the scene is stolen by the very last track, "Aftonen" by Hugo Alfven, one of the most beautiful and life-affirming things I've heard this year. Makes me feel at peace.

Thats a great disc, Brian. Accentus is a top-quality group.