What are you listening to now?

[Mandryka]

More harpsichord. 
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from this:

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  I bought this after reading some comments Mandryka made about it that sounded very interesting. It turns out I misunderstood what he said to some degree (apparently he wasn't actually recommending the set or Hantai), although (fortunately) it really is very interesting.

I can't remember what I said! But I do know that recently I've started to enjoy the first volume of his Scarlatti. The Bull and Frescobaldi seem absolutely fabulous to me.

I'm really keen to know if anyone else hears a different style in Vol 2 and 3 of his Scarlatti -- I'm not sure I trust myself on this, I can only listen to so much Scarlatti.

He's an interesting musician as you say. Be sure to check his new recording with English Suites.

[Mirror Image]

After all these Adams posts I simply have to hear what he is about....   

now:
https://www.youtube.com/v/dGva1NVWRXk

One work doesn't really let you into the whole soundscape of a composer, but Become Ocean is a fine work to start exploring JLA's music. I think it's certainly amongst his best work.

[Cosi bel do]

I can't remember what I said! But I do know that recently I've started to enjoy the first volume of his Scarlatti. The Bull and Frescobaldi seem absolutely fabulous to me.

He's an interesting musician.

This Frescobaldi album is one of the best recordings by Pierre Hantaï, and definitely the best Frescobaldi harpsichord recording. It's just disappointing he didn't play more Frescobaldi throughout his career...
The Bull CD is also very fine (it's just the music that is, of course, a little less interesting).

[Wanderer]

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In the same vein as their superb Le Nozze di Figaro. Probably going to make it to my top 2014 list. Can't wait for their Don Giovanni (fall 2015).

The overture already sets the tone for what this recording will be. It is extremely quick, and with very acute attacks and phrasing (but very well executed, I must say). The sense in general is of great theatrical flair, even if the voices are a bit receded compared to the orchestra. Simone Kermes's rather languid Fiordiligi takes some getting used to, but the singing is beautiful, the coloratura in Come scoglio wonderful, and in the end her portrayal is quite convincing. The rest of the cast is also very good, and there is a sense of ensemble that is admirable. I'm enjoying Kenneth Tarver (a singer I had previously only encountered in the Boulez Roméo et Juliette and Les Nuits d'été on DG, no OOP) immensely as Ferrando.

As with Currentzis's Figaro, this seems to me a fresh and invigorating approach to a timeless masterpiece...

Very nicely put.

[Mandryka]

This Frescobaldi album is one of the best recordings by Pierre Hantaï, and definitely the best Frescobaldi harpsichord recording. It's just disappointing he didn't play more Frescobaldi throughout his career...
The Bull CD is also very fine (it's just the music that is, of course, a little less interesting).

Have you heard Aapo Häkkinen's CD? There's also Leonhardt's Capricci.

[Cosi bel do]

Have you heard Aapo Häkkinen's CD? There's also Leonhardt's Capricci.

I prefer Leonhardt's late Frescobaldi & Louis Couperin CD. His DHM capriccis are more of a historical interest now. I'd like to find his Philips Frescobaldi CD but I don't know when Universal will release all Leonhardt Philips recordings again, all of those I heard are admirable.

I don't know Häkkinen's Frescobaldi, I don't know him at all actually. How good is he ?

[Moonfish]

One work doesn't really let you into the whole soundscape of a composer, but Become Ocean is a fine work to start exploring JLA's music. I think it's certainly amongst his best work.

Very true! I actually found the beginning of In the White Silence even more alluring in its soft tonality and texture. It is probably its meditative qualities I am interested in. It makes me relaxed and dreamy. I think I will start with that one as a gateway.

https://www.youtube.com/v/ViyldrW7ag4

[Mandryka]

I prefer Leonhardt's late Frescobaldi & Louis Couperin CD. His DHM capriccis are more of a historical interest now. I'd like to find his Philips Frescobaldi CD but I don't know when Universal will release all Leonhardt Philips recordings again, all of those I heard are admirable.

I don't know Häkkinen's Frescobaldi, I don't know him at all actually. How good is he ?

I've found Leonhardt more rewarding than Aymes or Butt in fact. What do you think of Vartolo?

The DHM Capricci remind me of his DHM AoF. Both have been real sources of stimulation for a long time now.

I like Häkkinen in Byrd and Frescobaldi a lot - esp Byrd. I haven't heard his Bach.

[ritter]

Mahler
Das Lied von der Erde
Wunderlich, Ludwig
Philharmonia Orchestra
Otto Klemperer

Ewig, ewig!

Wonderful recording, Karlo! 

[North Star]

Ewig, ewig!

Wonderful recording, Karlo! 

Yes indeed, Rafael!

Thread duty
Frescobaldi
Leonhardt
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[Brian]

Starting to sample all the MusicWeb 2014 recording picks.



Well Frank Bridge's "Phantasie Trio" is a lot of fun! Next up: Suk's Elegie, then Ireland's "Phantasie-Trio" and Schoenberg's "Verklarte Nacht".

[Cosi bel do]

I've found Leonhardt more rewarding than Aymes or Butt in fact. What do you think of Vartolo?

The DHM Capricci remind me of his DHM AoF. Both have been real sources of stimulation for a long time now.

I like Häkkinen in Byrd and Frescobaldi a lot - esp Byrd. I haven't heard his Bach.

Yes of course Leonhardt is still very pleasant to hear, I just meant that no Frescobaldi harpsichord recording I know matches the perfection of Hantaï's CD. But that Leonhardt does better than Aymes or Butt is not something I would disagree with, of course !

Vartolo's complete set on Tactus is trash. Really, I mean it, I don't even know why I keep it, except that I hate not keeping CDs...
Frankly, Loreggian's performances in the Brilliant box are really very fine, better than most other recordings available.

[Mandryka]

Yes of course Leonhardt is still very pleasant to hear, I just meant that no Frescobaldi harpsichord recording I know matches the perfection of Hantaï's CD. But that Leonhardt does better than Aymes or Butt is not something I would disagree with, of course !

Frankly, Loreggian's performances in the Brilliant box are really very fine, better than most other recordings available.

I agree with most of this. What I would say - I'm not sure this is right, I just propose it to see what people think - is that Leonhardt is a sort of anti-virtuoso musician. You know, his aim is never épater le galerie with a display of skills. He's like late (Sv.) Richter, Richter after his heart trouble. With Leonhardt, you have the impression of a man focused on getting right to the heart of the music in the score. Hantaï has more of the bravura keyboard man about him.

There's a sense in which it's hard to compare Hantaï and Leonhardt because their ideas about what a performance is are so different.

[listener]

Frank Glazer, about to celebrate his 100th  birthday recently gave a concert at Bates College https://www.bates.edu/news/2014/11/05/upcoming-concerts-feature-renowned-pianist-glazer-bates-orchestra/
I'm listening to his 1968 recording of musical autographs, short pieces by SCHUBERT, BEETHOVEN, MOZART and CHOPIN.
Eugen d'ALBERT Die Abreise, a short 1-act operetta for 3 singers originally issued with SQ Quadraphonic sound, has been reissued on CD but it doesn't look as if they carried over the surround format.   The disc does have a note on the composer and a synopsis of the work, no  text or translation  except for the section titles.
And HAYDN: 24 Minuets
Philharmonia Hungarica / Dorati
Heard in its entirety it's a bit like early Philip Glass.

[Ken B]

Very true! I actually found the beginning of In the White Silence even more alluring in its soft tonality and texture. It is probably its meditative qualities I am interested in. It makes me relaxed and dreamy.

You're just trying to turn me off that piece aren't you? You make it sound like La Mer on ludes.



TD Ari Benjamin Meyers Music to Make Nate and John Bleed through their Ears Symphony X

[Wanderer]

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Symphonies Nos.1 & 7.

[Lisztianwagner]

Richard Wagner
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

https://www.youtube.com/v/8IVdX2_F1uA
Act 1^/2^

[The new erato]

Second listen and wow; this is extremely impressive on all accounts:

[asin] B00M97DLQM[/asin]

[Ken B]

Lennie B leads Ludwig B, Symphonies 1 and 3. Symphonies box disc 1.

Quite liking #1 so far.

The remastering is top notch. These do not sound like early 60s Columbia!

[Mirror Image]

Second listen and wow; this is extremely impressive on all accounts:

[asin] B00M97DLQM[/asin]

Very nice. I've been wondering about this one for a while.