Pieces that have blown you away recently

[relm1]

Lately, I've been enjoying the symphonies of Ib Nørholm.  He composed 13 symphonies, the first half are relatively traditional and later half explore serialism.  They are generally dark and tense but concise.  Here is the 9th symphony.

[DaveF]

Lately, I've been enjoying the symphonies of Ib Nørholm.  He composed 13 symphonies, the first half are relatively traditional and later half explore serialism.  They are generally dark and tense but concise.  Here is the 9th symphony.

Yes, I like that, thanks.  I think Nørholm has passed me by because in my fuddled brain he got confused with Nørgård - inexcusable really, as I know Per Nørgård's symphonies quite well.  So more listening needed .  Two facts about his chronology that appeal to me - he and Nielsen only overlapped by a few months, and his symphonies began to appear roughly when I was born.

[foxandpeng]

Lately, I've been enjoying the symphonies of Ib Nørholm.  He composed 13 symphonies, the first half are relatively traditional and later half explore serialism.  They are generally dark and tense but concise.  Here is the 9th symphony.

Nørholm works for me 👍 🙂

[kyjo]

This opera is simply glorious from the very beginning! The inexhaustible genius of this gentleman is something to marvel at since it was one of his last works and the inspiration never lessened. Besides the distinctive and melodious Czech sound that soaks his style, there are some noteworthy touches of Wagner here and there to provide extra drama when needed. Two orchestral numbers or movements I found highly wonderful: Dance of Hell and the Overture (Polonaise) to the act III. Above all the latter delighted me a lot, it's a miniature masterpiece I dare to say. I don't doubt that his other operas are in a similar level of greatness.

This opera is definitely something I need to hear! Dvorak's Rusalka and Dimitrij are glorious works which are two of my favorite operas that I've ever heard, and I wonder why all of his operas except for Rusalka are so little-known...

[Symphonic Addict]

This opera is definitely something I need to hear! Dvorak's Rusalka and Dimitrij are glorious works which are two of my favorite operas that I've ever heard, and I wonder why all of his operas except for Rusalka are so little-known...

Not sure about the answer to that, but they definitely deserve much more exposure given how consistently masterful Dvorak was.

[Roasted Swan]

This opera is definitely something I need to hear! Dvorak's Rusalka and Dimitrij are glorious works which are two of my favorite operas that I've ever heard, and I wonder why all of his operas except for Rusalka are so little-known...

No matter how musically appealing I think there is a sense that "nationalist" operas don't travel outside of their home country.  Bartered Bride is a rare example.

[Brian]

Sometimes (in rather high-energy moods) I think I could just listen to Debussy's orchestral "Fêtes" over and over all week.

[Uhor]

This beautiful thing.

[Iota]

This beautiful thing.

Very good!

[Spotted Horses]

It certainly is a quite tuneful and pastoral work (the 2nd movement has a very distinctive, catchy melody), albeit I prefer the First Serenade.

This is my favorite recording of both serenades:

Wow, wasn't aware of the existence of those recordings.

[Symphonic Addict]

Wow, wasn't aware of the existence of those recordings.

For the serenades alone that set is worth acquiring.

[Mirror Image]

This opera is simply glorious from the very beginning! The inexhaustible genius of this gentleman is something to marvel at since it was one of his last works and the inspiration never lessened. Besides the distinctive and melodious Czech sound that soaks his style, there are some noteworthy touches of Wagner here and there to provide extra drama when needed. Two orchestral numbers or movements I found highly wonderful: Dance of Hell and the Overture (Polonaise) to the act III. Above all the latter delighted me a lot, it's a miniature masterpiece I dare to say. I don't doubt that his other operas are in a similar level of greatness.

Dvořák wrote some fantastic operas (aside from Rusalka). This part of his oeuvre seems to not get much love.

[Symphonic Addict]

Dvořák wrote some fantastic operas (aside from Rusalka). This part of his oeuvre seems to not get much love.

I'm in the process (although slow) to appreciate that side of his work. This man hardly wrote a bad piece.

[kyjo]

Sometimes (in rather high-energy moods) I think I could just listen to Debussy's orchestral "Fêtes" over and over all week.

That movement is undoubtedly one of the finest things Debussy ever wrote IMO. It has such a wonderfully "breezy" quality and is impeccably orchestrated!

[Symphonic Addict]

The two piano trios by Eduard Nápravník. Some of the most tuneful works I've come across recently. Lovely stuff.

[Daverz]

The two piano trios by Eduard Nápravník. Some of the most tuneful works I've come across recently. Lovely stuff.

Jerry Dubins raved about the Toccata Classics disc of Napravnik's violin and piano music in Fanfare.  I have yet to have a Napravnik epiphany.

[Symphonic Addict]

Jerry Dubins raved about the Toccata Classics disc of Napravnik's violin and piano music in Fanfare.  I have yet to have a Napravnik epiphany.

Thanks for the alert. Previously I had heard this CPO recording:



And once again I was warmly impressed by his melodic talent. The Scherzo of the Piano Quartet is sensational, albeit the whole work sounds as inspired. Whilst the 1st and 3rd movements of the Violin Sonata were mildly less succesful, I found enormous pleasure on it too.

[relm1]

Kevin Puts' new opera, "The Hours" was on the radio last weekend and I was struck with how beautiful it was.  I was happy to find the recording has been recently released so I listened to it again.  It's gorgeous music from a contemporary opera.

[Mirror Image]

I'm not sure if "blown away" is an apt descriptor in my case, but I listened to Verdi's La Traviata last night for the first-time and enjoyed it. As I have said many times before, opera (and songs/lieder/etc.) is one of my least favorite genres, but there are some moments, especially in opera where the music just transcends the genre itself and when this happens, it's pure magic.

[Florestan]

I'm not sure if "blown away" is an apt descriptor in my case, but I listened to Verdi's La Traviata last night for the first-time and enjoyed it. As I have said many times before, opera (and songs/lieder/etc.) is one of my least favorite genres, but there are some moments, especially in opera where the music just transcends the genre itself and when this happens, it's pure magic.

Di Provenza îl mar îl suol never fails to put a tear în my eyes.