What are you listening to now?

[king ubu]

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Discs 4 and 5 - Beethoven sonatas

[André]

Beethoven: Christus am Ölberge (Christ at the Mount of Olives). The first recording of the work, on Westminster, by the remarkable Henry Swoboda (author of one of the most arresting Bruckner 6ths I know). Vienna State Opera Orchestra, solosts include Walter Berry (the other two are unknown to me, but were members of the VSO troupe - and very good they are. Swoboda is alternately probing and saturnine (orchestral introduction), dramatic and lively  in his conducting. Sound is marred by confusion at climaxes and a damning echo whenever the plangent tenor Radko Delorco sings. All-round an excellent version let down by inferior technical presentation. This is a transfer from lp. If ever Westminster locates and refurbishes the master tapes it would have high claims for the intrepid collector's attention.

Symphonies 7 and 4, Overture to The Consecration of the House. Live performances with the Orchestre national de France, conducted by the ebullient Charles Munch. The guillotine axe blows that start the overture are litterally breath stopping. Myriad details abound (winds esp.) in the overture. The 7th is a dramatic, exciting romp that sends the adrenalin racing in the last 2 movements. The allegretto slow movement is for once lively, not slow at all and never overloud. Just perfect. The 4th is one of the best (the best) I have heard, despite unglamorous sound - clear and well balanced, but a little too upfront for comfort, which results in a little shrillness (trumpets). Label: Auvidis Valois. Warmly recommended.

[king ubu]

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[asin]B001OBVACG[/asin]

SCHÜTZ: Die sieben Worte Jesu Christi am Kreuz, Historia der Auferstehung Jesu Christi
SEBASTIANI: Matthäus Passion

Ricercar Consort/Philippe Pierlot

[listener]

for Sunday morning:
John WARD (c.1571 - c.1638)  Psalms and Anthems
The Consort of Musicke    / Anthony Rooley
and  American folk tradition "Gloryland" with the  Anonymous 4

[Ken B]

A gentleman from the street
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[Harry]

A really fine Mass by Guillaume Dufay.


http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2014/06/guillaume-dufay-1397-1474-mass-for.html?spref=tw

[king ubu]

Discs 9 and 10 from this box:

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RAMEAU

Hippolyte & Aricie (extraits)

(Act II and bits of Act IV - taken from the Minkowski recording w/Gens, Fouchécourt, Fink, Naouri & Les Musiciens du Louvre)


Les Talens Lyriques ou Les Fêtes d'Hébé (extraits)
Hippolyte & Aricie (extraits)
Zoroastre (extraits)

Véronique Gens, Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset



REBEL/FRANCOEUR

Zélindor, roi des Sylphes

Bénédicte Tauran, Mathias Vidal, Arnaud Richard, Aurore Bucher
Ausonia/Frédérick Haas & Mira Glodeanu

[Ken B]

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[Harry]

Sample this fantastic box. I should be a joy for all lovers of the Renaissance.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2014/06/borgia-dynasty-church-and-power-in.html?spref=tw

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

A gentleman from the street
[asin]B004V4GY06[/asin]

  Er, stone from the street!

[Ken B]

  Er, stone from the street!

He rocks.

[SonicMan46]

Hoffmeister, Franz Anton (1754-1812) - Clarinet Quartets w/ Dieter Klöcker & Piano & Flute Sonatas w/ Bent Larsen & Sverre Larsen - famous in his time as a composer and also a music publisher (Mozart, Haydn, etc.) - namesake of one of Wolfie's String Quartets - Dave

 

[Harry]

Some fine Italian Dances.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2014/06/il-ballarino-italian-dances-c-1600.html?spref=tw

[Sergeant Rock]

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.2 G minor, Dagmar Baloghova, piano, Ancerl conducting the Czech Phil




Sarge

[Todd]

[EigenUser]

Haydn 37.
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[Ken B]

Beethoven, the piano pounder sonata performed by Richard Goode.

[Moonfish]

Discs 9 and 10 from this box:

[asin]B001HBX90O[/asin]

RAMEAU

Hippolyte & Aricie (extraits)

(Act II and bits of Act IV - taken from the Minkowski recording w/Gens, Fouchécourt, Fink, Naouri & Les Musiciens du Louvre)


Les Talens Lyriques ou Les Fêtes d'Hébé (extraits)
Hippolyte & Aricie (extraits)
Zoroastre (extraits)

Véronique Gens, Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset



REBEL/FRANCOEUR

Zélindor, roi des Sylphes

Bénédicte Tauran, Mathias Vidal, Arnaud Richard, Aurore Bucher
Ausonia/Frédérick Haas & Mira Glodeanu

Great set! How do you like the audience?   

[André]

Mahler, symphony no. 4. Desi Halban and the NYPO, Bruno Walter. Relistening diminished my admiration somewhat. Very good but the orchestra does not have (yet) the music in their bones.

NB: this is from the beautiful, impressive Walter Edition big box. The carton sleeve has the timings thus:
1 - 10:35
2 - 10:43
3 - 04:11
4 - 32:26

Shame on Sony !!!

[Todd]

Finally cracked open the Horowitz big box with Rach 3.  Not my favorite Rachmaninoff work, and I've certainly heard versions I prefer (Kocsis, Janis, Volodos, Simon, Argerich, Cliburn, Ashkenazy).