Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Roasted Swan]

Thanks for that sample.  That was lovely!  It shimmered (if that makes sense). 

I hadn't heard that opera before now.  Is this recording still available commercially?

PD

"Shimmer" is a perfect way to describe Korngold's orchestration - its all those harps/tuned percussion and orchestral keyboards he uses.  Yes this is the recording I referenced as being the better of the two available on CD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Korngold-Tomowa-Sintow-Reinhild-Rundfunkchor-Radio-Symphonie-Orchester/dp/B006IOOXJ6/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=das+wunder+der+heliane&qid=1621078712&s=music&sr=1-2

[relm1]

"Shimmer" is a perfect way to describe Korngold's orchestration - its all those harps/tuned percussion and orchestral keyboards he uses.  Yes this is the recording I referenced as being the better of the two available on CD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Korngold-Tomowa-Sintow-Reinhild-Rundfunkchor-Radio-Symphonie-Orchester/dp/B006IOOXJ6/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=das+wunder+der+heliane&qid=1621078712&s=music&sr=1-2

Interestingly, the work was a dud when it premiered.  Korngold considered it his magnum opus and was perplexed why his earlier operas were higher regarded than this one.   I guess people were very picky in the past.  He died too young (1897-1957).  Just imagine, if he had lived twenty more years, he very well could have scored Star Wars!! 

[Roasted Swan]

he very well could have scored Star Wars!!

He did anyway didn't he........

[Mirror Image]

Go for the Decca recording - I was very disappointed in the recent(ish) Naxos recording - singing simply not as good and this opera is a BIG sing!

Thanks, RS. I ended up going with the Decca recording --- the original issue of it as I know I'll get a nice sized booklet with it along with the libretto.

[kyjo]

Fernando Lopes-Graca (1906-1994): Symphony for Orchestra (1944 - first performed 1953):
I'd forgotten how good this work is (there's a vg Naxos recording as well). It starts off in a rather 'folksy' way but there is an underlying slumbering power and the slow movement rises to a movingly powerful climax. The work probably reflects its time of composition. Lopes-Graca also wrote a 'Requiem for the Victims of Fascism' towards the end of his life. The fine Symphony should appeal to admirers of Braga Santos:

Indeed, a great work! It's like (early) Braga Santos in its folksy nature but a bit "spikier" and more harmonically complex. I wasn't aware of that interesting-looking Dux recording - regrettably, I can't find it on Spotify on YT. There's also this recording with a Hungarian (!) orchestra and conductor which seems a bit more characterful and energetic than the Naxos one: https://youtu.be/iecsknw1_So

[kyjo]

Listened to 2 yesterday. Need more time with it.

The final 5 or so minutes of No. 2 are exceptionally powerful and moving. A really cathartic moment. I think the dramatic and cogent No. 3 is my overall favorite but, as Cesar says, all five of Alwyn's are very fine.

[Mirror Image]

I have to say that with each revisit I'm continuously blown away by is Berg's Der Wein. It has these elements of jazz and I believe there's some tango music here as well. Anyway, it's a described as a 'concert aria for soprano and orchestra' but it's really like a mini-opera as it's packed full of fascinating music.

[arpeggio]

There are two oldies I have discovered in the Naxos Music Library Website:

Gliere: Symphony #3, Ilya Muromets

Khachaturian: Symphony #2, "Symphony with a Bell"

[vandermolen]

There are two oldies I have discovered in the Naxos Music Library Website:

Gliere: Symphony #3, Ilya Muromets

Khachaturian: Symphony #2, "Symphony with a Bell"

Two of my favourites!

[Symphonic Addict]

Two of my favourites!

+1

[kyjo]

+1

+2 Though Hurwitz would disagree!

[Mirror Image]

A work that I heard recently from Respighi titled Belfagor Overture is an absolute delight from start to finish. I re-listened to the two recordings I own of it: Neschling (BIS) and Downes (Chandos). They both are excellent, but I think I'll have to give Neschling the nod here as the sonics are a bit more 'up front' and the Downes has a bit of that Chandos reverb that doesn't always allow the music to be heard in the best light.

[André Le Nôtre]

Tomaso Vitali: Chaconne (Gioconda de Vito recording)

John Luther Adams: Canticles of the Sky

[Symphonic Addict]

This ballet has some ineffably beautiful music. How had I been missing this work for so long?? Pure colour and magic at their best. Absolutely charming.

[Mirror Image]

This ballet has some ineffably beautiful music. How had I been missing this work for so long?? Pure colour and magic at their best. Absolutely charming.

I heartily agree, Cesar. A fine ballet. I also love that Chamber Suite that's coupled with The Humpbacked Horse.

[vandermolen]

This one continues to 'blow me away'
Salmenhaara's 4th Symphony (1971-72):

[Symphonic Addict]

I heartily agree, Cesar. A fine ballet. I also love that Chamber Suite that's coupled with The Humpbacked Horse.

The Humpbacked Horse is gorgeous beyond words indeed. I'm listening to the Chamber Suite tomorrow.

[arpeggio]

I have been listening to a lot of contemporary music on the Naxos Music Library Website.

Even though I following contemporary music I have not been impressed with most of the music I have been listening to.

I had an interesting problem with one recording.  It was a collection of contemporary works for the bass clarinet.  Even though the CD had several composers all of the music sounded the same to me.

[Florestan]

Grande Fantaisie on Russian Folksongs

The work of a 15-yo teenager, yet instead of expectedly empty bravura and fierce pyrotechnics it's a mostly introspective, contemplative, melancholy work which adumbrates Rachmaninoff. I'm glad to have discovered it.

[Mirror Image]

I've heard this symphony several times before, but I've got to say that Dvořák's 1st symphony blew me away when I listened to it a few nights ago. Such a strong start to what will become a remarkable set of symphonies.