What are you listening to now?

[NikF]

Brahms: 4th Symphony - Klemperer/Philharmonia.

[asin]B00A4AI19I[/asin]

This morning my choice was almost Kleiber with the Vienna, but it's dark and rainy outside and as I'm about to for a run this feels more robust and fitting the mood.


Update: Brrrrr...

[Todd]

PC 19.

[SimonNZ]

Ondrej Adamek's String Quartet No.2 "Lo que no`contamo`" - KNM Berlin Quartet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSBiqK4_9Yo

[NikF]

Schoenberg: Chamber Symphony No. 1 - Rattle/Berliner Phil.

[asin]B00369K1GA[/asin]

[Florestan]

Last night



This is otherworldly music, so otherworldly in fact that I can take it only or two pieces at the time.



Durante is that Neapolitan composer who did not write one single opera, confining himself almost exclusively to sacred music. He atoned for that with some operatic twists and turns here and there, but never as intrusive or ostentative as to spoil the general piety and dignity required for such music --- and in the case of Christmas music, they work wonders in term of conveying an irrepressible feeling of joy.

Now playing

[The new erato]

Last night, disc 2 from this:

[asin]B00QBEQWQU[/asin]

Very nice!

[Tsaraslondon]

Often forgotten and very difficult to get hold of, this is surely one of the best studio recordings of Tristan und Isolde, with Linda Esther Gray a superb Isolde, warm and vulnerable in a way Nilsson is not, but with plenty of steel when required, the voice rich and firm in the lower register, gleaming and powerful at the top. What a tragedy that illness cut short her career. Mitchinson is not on her level, but his is still a creditable Tristan, and there are excellent performances from Wilkens, Joll and Howell as Brangane, Kurewenal and Marke.

Goodall's experience and love of the score is evident in every phrase. His tempos may be slightly slower than some, but the music never drags and there is no want of power. Recorded in very natural sound, this is in every way a five star recording, which should be far better known than it is.

[The new erato]

This may have had something to do With it (copied from wikemedia):

"Passionate about all things German, in the 1930s Goodall openly sympathized with the Nazi regime, which he perceived as a defender of Germanic cultural traditions. Goodall also actively supported Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, and he eventually joined the party just five days after Britain's declaration of war on Germany. He maintained his outspoken pro-Nazi views during World War II, the uninhibited expression of which once led him to be briefly questioned by the police. Goodall was known to refer to the Holocaust as a "BBC Jewish plot" "

His own worst enemy is a concept that springs to mind. No doubt he would be better known if it weren't for these political controversies.

[aligreto]

Schubert: Die Winterreise [Prégardien/Staier]....

[Tsaraslondon]

This may have had something to do With it (copied from wikemedia):

"Passionate about all things German, in the 1930s Goodall openly sympathized with the Nazi regime, which he perceived as a defender of Germanic cultural traditions. Goodall also actively supported Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, and he eventually joined the party just five days after Britain's declaration of war on Germany. He maintained his outspoken pro-Nazi views during World War II, the uninhibited expression of which once led him to be briefly questioned by the police. Goodall was known to refer to the Holocaust as a "BBC Jewish plot" "

His own worst enemy is a concept that springs to mind. No doubt he would be better known if it weren't for these political controversies.

I'd never heard about that before, and I must say it does colour one's perceptions of the man, if not of his music-making. Karajan and Schwarzkopf come in for a lot more flac, though it has always seemed to me that their Nazi party membership was more career based than ideological.

[Mookalafalas]

First time really enjoying this work (Haydn's Creation).  I'm not good with oratorios.  What a difference a little English makes! (from the Rattle Big Box)
[asin]B00000DNOK[/asin]

[The new erato]

I'd never heard about that before, and I must say it does colour one's perceptions of the man, if not of his music-making. Karajan and Schwarzkopf come in for a lot more flac, though it has always seemed to me that their Nazi party membership was more career based than ideological.

Yes, indeed, and I agree. While admiring his Wagner, he's been an extremely controversial musician to most British reviewers.

[Camphy]

Earlier, Nielsen's Sinfonia Espansiva:

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[Camphy]

Now:

[asin]B00E3K53KK[/asin]

[Tsaraslondon]

Earlier, Nielsen's Sinfonia Espansiva:

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I love this Nielsen set, and still think it one of the best Nielsen cycles you will hear.

[Camphy]

I love this Nielsen set, and still think it one of the best Nielsen cycles you will hear.

My love for it increases with every listen. Haven't heard many alternatives though, only Schønwandt and Bernstein (not a set of course). If I were looking for another cycle, I'd be most curious about Oramo.

[Florestan]

Fourth and final disc of the series. My first in-depth encounter with Paul Badura-Skoda´s art. I´m positively impressed. Have his Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert sets as well but somehow I´ve managed to avoid them. Must remedy this situation.

Now playing

[Henk]

Excellent disc.

[Maestro267]

Got a fair bit of Sibelius planned for today, the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite
Lahti SO/Vänskä

[Florestan]

Excellent disc.

And artwork.