Pieces that have blown you away recently

[arpeggio]

Peter Maxwell Davis has always been hit or miss for me.  This was definitely a hit.

[arpeggio]

Fastening collection of contemporary music.




Link to the CD company's website:  https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6318/

[kyjo]

Peter Maxwell Davis has always been hit or miss for me.  This was definitely a hit.

I have yet to hear a "serious" piece by him that I like. I've sampled a few of the symphonies and Naxos Quartets and I thought them some of dreariest stuff I've ever heard...

[Mirror Image]

I have to say I was rather blown away by Schoenberg's 4 Orchestral Songs last night. What a piece!

[arpeggio]

A CD on some pretty obscure music.  Interesting range of music from the avant garde Three Pieces of Euchar Gravina to the impressionistic Rih (Wind) by Alexander Vella Gregory.




Link to the Navona Website: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6322/

[Mirror Image]

Upon revisitation of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, I was yet again blown away. Every movement is rewarding and spectacular in its own way, but hearing Janet Baker in Der Abschied is certainly one of the greatest moments in music that I know.

[Symphonic Addict]

Mythology Symphony by Stacy Garrop.



This bewitchingly gorgeous symphony by the American composer Stacy Garrop was premiered in 2015, so symphonies haven't died yet (and they won't)! It's inspired by or based on 5 Greek mythological feminine characters (Medusa, Penelope, Sirens, the Fates and Pandora (doesn't include the most expected ones: Athenea, Gaia, Andromeda, etc). Orchestration, strength, mesmerizing sonorities and rhythms, really splendid handle of orchestra and cogent musical development. I'm amazed. One of the best contemporary symphonies I've heard lately. If anyrhing, I can relate her style to that of Rautavaara. The third movement The Lovely Sirens by itself is impressive, and ends like Holst's Mars, the bringer of War. Excitingly stormy!




Theatre Divertimento by Valery Gavrilin. Gosh, this is such a delight of a piece! It has the fun and carefree side of Shostakovich, Kabalevsky, Sviridov and B. Tchaikovsky. Gallop and Rain and merciless in their catchiness and freshness.


The Martini has to be here too. Completely blown away!



Piano Concerto No. 4 Incantations

This is what I call sheer mastery and magic together. A kaleidoscopic piece, captivating sonorities aplenty, excitement throughout, and sheer magic in writing and atmospheres. How could have I ignored this wonder? One that goes to the top for me from now on (including the Alnaes).

[relm1]

Peter Maxwell Davis has always been hit or miss for me.  This was definitely a hit.

I feel the same way, why was it a hit for you?

[springrite]

Peter Maxwell Davis has always been hit or miss for me.  This was definitely a hit.

Listened to this work yesterday.

PMD is not hit or miss for me. It is a matter of whether I am in the right mood for it. When i am, it is always a hit. When i am not, it is just perpetual noise.

Yesterday I was in the right mood.

[Brahmsian]

These two works:

Franck's Symphony in D minor (via an early 2020 live performance I attended of the WSO with Matthias Bamert conducting)

Kalinnikov's Symphony No. 1 in G minor (via local Classical radio station - Kuchar conducting the Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra)

[Symphonic Addict]

These two works:

Franck's Symphony in D minor (via an early 2020 live performance I attended of the WSO with Matthias Bamert conducting)

Kalinnikov's Symphony No. 1 in G minor (via local Classical radio station - Kuchar conducting the Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra)

If you don't know Kalinnikov's 2nd, you could enjoy it as well. A thoroughly life-affirming and warm work.

[The new erato]

Upon revisitation of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, I was yet again blown away. Every movement is rewarding and spectacular in its own way, but hearing Janet Baker in Der Abschied is certainly one of the greatest moments in music that I know.

Definitely agree. A desert Island version of one of the greatest works I know.

[Brahmsian]

If you don't know Kalinnikov's 2nd, you could enjoy it as well. A thoroughly life-affirming and warm work.

I plan on giving it a listen, indeed. 

[Florestan]

Chopin - Variations brilliantes, op. 12



For me and my loved ones, this bloody effing year finishes just as it started: bloody effing awful ---but/yet so does Chopin's music: consoling and nerve-soothing.

[vandermolen]

Mythology Symphony by Stacy Garrop.



This bewitchingly gorgeous symphony by the American composer Stacy Garrop was premiered in 2015, so symphonies haven't died yet (and they won't)! It's inspired by or based on 5 Greek mythological feminine characters (Medusa, Penelope, Sirens, the Fates and Pandora (doesn't include the most expected ones: Athenea, Gaia, Andromeda, etc). Orchestration, strength, mesmerizing sonorities and rhythms, really splendid handle of orchestra and cogent musical development. I'm amazed. One of the best contemporary symphonies I've heard lately. If anyrhing, I can relate her style to that of Rautavaara. The third movement The Lovely Sirens by itself is impressive, and ends like Holst's Mars, the bringer of War. Excitingly stormy!




Theatre Divertimento by Valery Gavrilin. Gosh, this is such a delight of a piece! It has the fun and carefree side of Shostakovich, Kabalevsky, Sviridov and B. Tchaikovsky. Gallop and Rain and merciless in their catchiness and freshness.


The Martini has to be here too. Completely blown away!



Piano Concerto No. 4 Incantations

This is what I call sheer mastery and magic together. A kaleidoscopic piece, captivating sonorities aplenty, excitement throughout, and sheer magic in writing and atmospheres. How could have I ignored this wonder? One that goes to the top for me from now on (including the Alnaes).

You're a VERY BAD influence Cesar! That Mythology Symphony looks most beguiling. I have that Martinu CD which is the best ever for featuring both 'Incantations' and my favourite recording of Symphony No.4.

[Mirror Image]

Definitely agree. A desert Island version of one of the greatest works I know.

Absolutely!

[Symphonic Addict]

You're a VERY BAD influence Cesar! That Mythology Symphony looks most beguiling. I have that Martinu CD which is the best ever for featuring both 'Incantations' and my favourite recording of Symphony No.4.

I'm not as persuasive as you, Jeffrey. 

And yes, that is a great symphony. Tonal, gripping, evocative.

[vandermolen]

I'm not as persuasive as you, Jeffrey. 

And yes, that is a great symphony. Tonal, gripping, evocative.

Definitely on my wish list Cesar. I tend to like works influenced by Greek Mythology, Bantock, Hovhaness's 'Odysseus Symphony' etc.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

You're a VERY BAD influence Cesar! That Mythology Symphony looks most beguiling. I have that Martinu CD which is the best ever for featuring both 'Incantations' and my favourite recording of Symphony No.4.

Yes, that Mythology Symphony does sound intriguing!

By the way, that Apex/Martinu CD is also available as part of this small set (which I own):  http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=773351



PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A further note re the Mythology Symphony, you can listen to some of it here (composer's website):  https://garrop.com/Instrumental/Orchestra/

PD