Pieces that have blown you away recently

[kyjo]

First time listening to Lithuanian born composer Onutė Narbutaitė (b. 1956). The piece was Three Symphonies of the Mother of God (2003), from the recording below. Her music creates such a beautiful, and mysterious atmosphere. Filled with colorful orchestrations, and a hauntingly sounding choir. I just ordered the CD, and am ready to explore more of her music.
Anyone here familiar with Narbutaitė?

Sounds interesting, Greg! Thanks for bringing her to our attention.

[Mirror Image]

I'll go ahead and say I'm blown away by Walton's Symphony No. 1 in B♭ minor yet again (the Previn/LSO performance).

[Symphonic Addict]

Two impressive pieces:

Mosolov: String Quartet No. 1

When I first heard his Piano Concerto No. 1 I was blown away, and today the same effect was on me but thank this truly spicy piece. Both its harmonic and rhythmic language are striking. I had thought that Janacek and Bartók's quartets had no rivals for me, but on hearing the Mosolov I think I could add to the list of the greatest ones.


Lundquist: Symphony No. 4 Sinfonia ecologica

I must say this is the greatest and most epic symphony I've heard recently. From the imposing beginning with timpani and bells you are hooked. It's a very busy work with lots of drama and intensity. 45 minutes very well spent.

[arpeggio]

Boris Papandopulo.

New composer for my and new music.

Both socks get knocked off.  CPO has released other CD's of his music.

[asin]B01NB20S4K[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Koechlin's Viola Sonata...wow, just so so gorgeous.

[André]

All the works here are superb, but Widmer's concerto for piano, percussion and orchestra is simply amazing.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Boris Papandopulo.

New composer for my and new music.

Both socks get knocked off.  CPO has released other CD's of his music.

[asin]B01NB20S4K[/asin]

Haven't heard of that composer before now, but since it was a two-sock-knock-off, I'll have to look into it Charlie Brown. 

PD

[Florestan]

Mozart - String Quartet No. 4 in C major KV 157, 3rd Movement: Presto

It's stuck in my head ever since I've heard it for the first time a few days ago (Heutling Quartet).

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

The Hagens take it rather Prestissimo, but still --- pure genius, pure bliss.

[arpeggio]

Haven't heard of that composer before now, but since it was a two-sock-knock-off, I'll have to look into it Charlie Brown. 

PD

I have listened to some of his other works on the Naxos Library and the Piano Concerto is the best.

[arpeggio]

I have had a lot of luck with new music lately.

The latest is the Lyell Cresswell, a composer from New Zealand.

Fascinating non-tonal composer.

[asin]B00HFDKSXE[/asin]

[André]

Schreker's Der Schatzgräber (The Treasure Hunter) is unabashedly sensual and late-romantic in idiom, symbolist and expressionist in argument. It's quite a treat in this excellent production from the Netherlands Opera. The composer is a recent discovery for me (about 2018 I guess) and everything I've heard so far is nothing but spectacularly good. This is the second opera of his I listen to, after Der Ferne Klang. I have Flammen on my pile and just ordered Die Gezeichneten (The Stigmatized), his 'scandal piece' on DVD. I look forward to more yummy discoveries from Schreker  .

[kyjo]

R. Nathaniel Dett: The Ordering of Moses

[asin]B01DXGD5G8[/asin]

WOW!!! Just wow!!! How such an incredible oratorio (stylized a "Biblical Folk Scene" by the composer) by this African-American composer (1882-1943) could have languished in obscurity for so long is a mystery. This is really superb, soulful, and thrilling music and is worthy of comparison with the great choral-orchestral masterworks of the 20th century. One can hear the influence of spirituals on Dett's melodic writing as well an undoubted mastery of orchestration. It's a shame that Dett hardly wrote any more large-scale works, apparently. Fortunately, the performance and recording here are fantastic. Certainly one of my discoveries of the year so far! See Rob Barnett's enthusiastic review:

http://musicweb-international.com/classrev/2016/Jul/Dett_Moses_9462.htm

[André]

Very interesting. Thanks, Kyle !

[arpeggio]

Danny Elfman has been branching out into concert music.  This CD contains the first concert music of his that I have heard.  This is not what I expected and it blew me away.

[asin]B07MCDXXJD[/asin]

[arpeggio]

Another CD I discovered on the Naxos Music Library that blew me away:

[asin]B00I0BTI3G[/asin]

[vandermolen]

WOW!!! Poulenc's Organ Concerto on this recording is cracking!!! I had not heard a more tremendous performance of this masterpiece before. There were several goosebump-inducing moments throughout. I'm in awe with this work!!

Looks like a very nice compilation of works Cesar.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Danny Elfman has been branching out into concert music.  This CD contains the first concert music of his that I have heard.  This is not what I expected and it blew me away.

[asin]B07MCDXXJD[/asin]

Oh, neat!  I've admired his cinematic music for years.  I found this (and watched it on youtube) about the making of his violin concerto.  Quite interesting!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpgwUVcSwzc

PD

[Peter Power Pop]

WOW!!! Poulenc's Organ Concerto on this recording is cracking!!! I had not heard a more tremendous performance of this masterpiece before. There were several goosebump-inducing moments throughout. I'm in awe with this work!!

It's been posted on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/oohn-xMnC6o

[Maestro267]

I have had a lot of luck with new music lately.

The latest is the Lyell Cresswell, a composer from New Zealand.

Fascinating non-tonal composer.

[asin]B00HFDKSXE[/asin]

I've had this disc for a few years, and although it's not in regular rotation, I do very much enjoy it every time I listen to it.

[relm1]

Danny Elfman has been branching out into concert music.  This CD contains the first concert music of his that I have heard.  This is not what I expected and it blew me away.

[asin]B07MCDXXJD[/asin]

You might also like his Symphony then too.