What are you listening to now?

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Now:



Listening to Death Speaks for the second time (via YouTube until my recording arrives). Gorgeous.

[TheGSMoeller]

Hello TheGSMoeller.

The notes say it was recorded with the New York Phil in 1963 and then released the following year.

I'm going to take your description of the 1990 recording as a recommendation though, because I was given his Mahler 6 from 1988 and love it. I'd been put off his later work due to reading so many comments and reviews about it being slow or over the top etc. But as you put it "his patience with the music in his performances, the depth that is displayed" - each layer is clearly revealed and yes, it's just beautiful.
I still think I'll get another cycle with a different take on Mahler, but I've certainly got time in my life for Bernstein and so I'll check out the 2 and 3.

Yes I was referring to his 1990 one, not the 1963. I know his later years has its critics, and I can understand their criticism, but to my ears, and in most cases, these spacious tempos fit perfectly.
Cheers, Nik!

[TheGSMoeller]

Now:



Listening to Death Speaks for the second time (via YouTube until my recording arrives). Gorgeous.

These songs are sung by Shara Worden, also the lead singer of My Brightest Diamond. Her voice is stirring, and fits Lang's vision perfectly. She was featured on an album by The Decembrists as well, and I saw her in concert with them. she's a great performer.

[Ken B]

Mostly I am listening to discs from this.

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This box is quite excellent. I won't say I have yet heard anything in a league of its own, but it's all very good and often notably different from the recordings I know best. The Bartok may be something very special, I will need another listen and some comparisons. I know many hear like their Shoz a lot, but I am not that far in yet.

Now the 6 Haydn quartets by Mozart. Some tough competition in this repertoire.

[Mirror Image]

These songs are sung by Shara Worden, also the lead singer of My Brightest Diamond. Her voice is stirring, and fits Lang's vision perfectly. She was featured on an album by The Decembrists as well, and I saw her in concert with them. she's a great performer.

Yes, her voice is alluring and sweetly haunting. You're lucky to have seen her live. I'd love to hear her in Death Speaks live so I can get the full atmosphere of the work.

Now playing:



I always love how Reich begins several of his post-Music for 18 Musicians works with these spellbinding rhythmic pulses.

[NikF]

The SONY M2 is good but the M3 is "other-worldly" in every sense of the word. The finale I don't think has ever been captured more beautifully with its ebbs and flows. Just an incredible performance.

That'll probably be part of my listening tonight.

Yes I was referring to his 1990 one, not the 1963. I know his later years has its critics, and I can understand their criticism, but to my ears, and in most cases, these spacious tempos fit perfectly.
Cheers, Nik!

You're welcome!

[Ken B]

Philip Glass (pbuh)
Songs From Liquid Days

Arranged for Orchestra and Choir
Crouch End Festival

H/t Monkey Greg

[SimonNZ]

^Snap again! I'm playing that right now, but from this album:



followed by Steve Reich's Drumming

[Kontrapunctus]

Symphony No.3 and the Piano Concerto--very nice.

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followed by Steve Reich's Drumming

Reich's Drumming is one work I can't get into and I'm a former percussionist! I'm actually not too fond of his earlier music actually. It's Gonna Rain, Piano Phase, and several of the other works lack the brilliance and diversity that emerged with Music for 18 Musicians and forward. But thanks to the Reich documentary titled Phase To Face, I understand the importance of these early works and how they affected his musical thinking.

[Mirror Image]

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Listening to Concerto for Two Pianos. Remarkable work and performance.

[SimonNZ]

Reich's Drumming is one work I can't get into and I'm a former percussionist! I'm actually not too fond of his earlier music actually. It's Gonna Rain, Piano Phase, and several of the other works lack the brilliance and diversity that emerged with Music for 18 Musicians and forward. But thanks to the Reich documentary titled Phase To Face, I understand the importance of these early works and how they affected his musical thinking.

Drumming does go on about three times longer than it needs to, which is why I almost never play it. That documentary sounds interesting - I'll try and find it.

now:



David Lang's Love Fail - Anonymous 4

[TheGSMoeller]

Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and David Lang on the same page?!?! 
I think a tear of joy just went down my cheek.
I'll join in...

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[kishnevi]

Need some contrast here
BWV 988 played by Charles Rosen

From the Sony Charles Rosen set.
This seems to be the  most available re-issue

[Mirror Image]

Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and David Lang on the same page?!?! 
I think a tear of joy just went down my cheek.

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Listening to Melodien. Great stuff.

[Mirror Image]

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[The new erato]

Well, Hindemith was a violinist, you know 

I thought he was primarily a violist (playing viola in the Amar Quartet)? But perhaps the difference isn't htat great, and I seem to remember that Hindemith once said that he could play all instruments in the orchestra to some degree.

[Que]

Morning listening:

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Q

[SimonNZ]

Georg Friedrich Haas' Three Works For Mollena - Alexander Liebreich, cond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQOR9JzgEKU

The first I'd heard of Mrs. Haas. The photo above appears to be one of the few of her that wont get me banned.

From her author profile on Amazon: "This "Delicate, Trembling Flower of Submission" is a NYC born and raised writer, actress, BDSM Educator, Storyteller and an Award-Winning Executive Pervert. She currently lives in NYC, and is owned by her Maestro, an internationally renowned contemporary composer. She is extremely proud to have served as International Ms Leather 2010. She is also thrilled to have been named Ms. San Francisco Leather 2009 after that contest's decade long slumber."

But, hey, vive la difference!

[Autumn Leaves]

The 24th and the 27th are my personal favorites from Miaskovsky. They really got under my skin the most.

Yes that 24th is good - definitely one of the best I have heard so far.

This evening's listening:



Waltzes and some Polonaises