Topic: Pieces that have blown you away recently

[vandermolen]

The ASV (latterly Brilliant Classics) set of "Musica Mexicana" was a great place to start with just that country's music I thought



and I've enjoyed these Dorian discs too



I know what you mean about Dudamel but then again (playing Devil's Advocate) perhaps he wants to avoid being known as a conductor who "just" does Latin American music.  As ever - a jusicious balance would probably be the answer.  Certainly if he promoted it, the wider world would listen.....

I really enjoy the Dorian box as well.

[pjme]

"La noche de los Mayas" has an interesting, if chequered history. Wiki has all the details:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_noche_de_los_mayas_(suite)



New fact for me : in 1946, Paul Hindemith made a visit to Mexico where he met Rosaura Revueltas, sister of Silvestre. This led to his concert arrangement in two movements.

Read more here:
https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/revueltas-la-noche-de-los-mayas-trigos-concerto-no-2
Hindemith's version can be heard here:

https://youtu.be/c-nnAB4bjIE

Dudamel recorded "La noche" for DGG:



To see Revueltas/Limantour's version of this blockbuster performed is of course great (for some addictive...) fun:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/uenaA6djuzQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/uenaA6djuzQ</a>

Orchestre de Paris / Alondra de la Parra

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/fVSpSBdxRmY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/fVSpSBdxRmY</a>

WDR Sinfonieorchester / Semyon Byshkov

The film directed by Chano Urueta, isn't on YT. In this clip one can see some (very short) fragments from the film :

https://youtu.be/0-E7ZDZcmzs

More : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_of_the_Mayas

[André]

Good to see some attention given to Revueltas. The best entry point into his music is the 2-disc set issued for the centenary year by RCA/BMG. Then there’s the Salonen Sony disc. His string quartets are rather special as well.

[Rosalba]

Pergolesi, Magnificat in C Major.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoW3cbXUGMo

[knight66]

Braunfels gave a diminutive title to his 1948 symphony, an author’s caprice really, as the Sinfonia Brevis is anything but short (33 minutes) or small in scale. Cast in the regular 4 movements it packs a tremendous amount of symphonic weight and energy. Post-romantic and quasi atonal in places it is a more demanding piece than his other symphonic works. It felt at times as if Braunfels had uncovered the secret to Bruckner’s 9th finale, dissected it and recast in 4 different movements. It evokes that work’s vision of heaven, hell and the Great Beyond.

Thanks for the head’s up. I have just streamed it. Very enjoyable. I have The Birds and I bought his Requiem and thought it was a duffer. I will explore more of his orchestral music.

[Symphonic Addict]

The Norwegian Halvor Haug is the Stephen King of music. This is what I call truly haunting music, even terrifying at times, shattering at moments. Simply impressive. A master of suspense, of effects, of expectation, of drama, of conflict. It's severe, austere in a way, but oh boy, it's just terrific. The orchestration is inexorably bewitching, the daring and tonal harmony palette employed is felt by the handling of a remarkable composer. A symphonic mini-drama. It shares the icy feel to it
that one hears in Pettersson, albeit this is not as "depressing" or "intense". Heavily atmospheric is how I would describe this thoroughly spectacular symphony. There is granitic-like-music galore. 26 minutes (25:55 actually) of breathtaking atmosphere.

I can't recommend it enough.  A discovery of first rate category. The orchestra play it with full conviction. They breathe this composition.

[relm1]

The Norwegian Halvor Haug is the Stephen King of music. This is what I call truly haunting music, even terrifying at times, shattering at moments. Simply impressive. A master of suspense, of effects, of expectation, of drama, of conflict. It's severe, austere in a way, but oh boy, it's just terrific. The orchestration is inexorably bewitching, the daring and tonal harmony palette employed is felt by the handling of a remarkable composer. A symphonic mini-drama. It shares the icy feel to it
that one hears in Pettersson, albeit this is not as "depressing" or "intense". Heavily atmospheric is how I would describe this thoroughly spectacular symphony. There is granitic-like-music galore. 26 minutes (25:55 actually) of breathtaking atmosphere.

I can't recommend it enough.  A discovery of first rate category. The orchestra play it with full conviction. They breathe this composition.

I agree and endorse him too!