Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Symphonic Addict]

Two masterful works from the Classical era:

Kalliwoda: Grosse Sonate, for piano four hands
Reicha: Piano Quintet in C minor



Kalliwoda and Reicha are undoubtedly two of the most original composers from this period and these two works show that fertile creativity in spades.

[Florestan]

The cover is a complete mismatch to the music. 

[Symphonic Addict]

The cover is a complete mismatch to the music. 

It sure is, but what matters is the music, and exceptional it is.

[Symphonic Addict]

Lately a complete recording and three pieces:


Vivian Fung: Her four string quartets

High-quality music, filled with truly striking effects (among them pizzicati, just listen to the 3rd movement of the 1st Quartet if you don't believe me), imaginative writing and much, so much excitement!!! Holy cow, if you don't feel energized by these tremendous quartets, you're made of stone. But not only is there impetus and drama galore, but also moments of squeezing beauty that often include pentatonic scale. Discovering new music of this caliber keeps me addict and makes me never stop.

Some of the best contemporary string quartets out there. Period.




Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonata for violin and cello, op. 148

This brilliant Italian composer keeps growing in my estimation, and this extraordinary creation is further proof of his immense talent. The whole work is imbued with a captivating sense of lyricism and even mysticism that manages to bewitch (the 2nd movement Cavatina exemplifies those features exceptionally well). The dialogue between those two instruments reaches moments of hypnotic beauty and playful exchange of ideas. Several moments made me smile because of the sheer inventiveness the writing displayed. I'm not ashamed to call this sonata a sovereign masterpiece. It really is. One of the most wonderful pieces for this little frequent combination of forces, probably my favorite of them all. I confess that I had listened to this work previously, but on revisiting it today the impression I got was vastly superior.




Sofia Gubaidulina: Sieben Worte, for cello, bayan and strings

I've been listening to many of her works with orchestra other than concertos as of late, and Sieben Worte has stood out the most so far. What a darkly atmospheric and scary work. Gubaidulina was one of the queens of textures, sonorities, tension, intrigue, and Sieben Worte contains all of that and more. The way she employed the bayan (a kind of accordion) to maximum effect is second to none. She knew her stuff for sure. Listening to this work at night, being alone and lights off (more so for Halloween) must be a terrifying experience.




Kevin Puts: Symphony No. 1

I don't remember when or where I got a recording of this piece (it seems that it was a radio broadcast), but glad I preserved it. This is a sort of neo-romantic work which traverses several sections featuring ominous, dark, tragic and eventually, hopeful moods, with a quite interesting 'per aspera ad astra' narrative. It's full of turbulence and moments of sublime beauty. It manages to thrill you and touch you if you're keen on this kind of music. A phenomenal musical journey. Happy to see that there are still composers who keep writing music like this.

[Roasted Swan]

Lately a complete recording and three pieces:


Vivian Fung: Her four string quartets

High-quality music, filled with truly striking effects (among them pizzicati, just listen to the 3rd movement of the 1st Quartet if you don't believe me), imaginative writing and much, so much excitement!!! Holy cow, if you don't feel energized by these tremendous quartets, you're made of stone. But not only is there impetus and drama galore, but also moments of squeezing beauty that often include pentatonic scale. Discovering new music of this caliber keeps me addict and makes me never stop.

Some of the best contemporary string quartets out there. Period.




Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonata for violin and cello, op. 148

This brilliant Italian composer keeps growing in my estimation, and this extraordinary creation is further proof of his immense talent. The whole work is imbued with a captivating sense of lyricism and even mysticism that manages to bewitch (the 2nd movement Cavatina exemplifies those features exceptionally well). The dialogue between those two instruments reaches moments of hypnotic beauty and playful exchange of ideas. Several moments made me smile because of the sheer inventiveness the writing displayed. I'm not ashamed to call this sonata a sovereign masterpiece. It really is. One of the most wonderful pieces for this little frequent combination of forces, probably my favorite of them all. I confess that I had listened to this work previously, but on revisiting it today the impression I got was vastly superior.




Sofia Gubaidulina: Sieben Worte, for cello, bayan and strings

I've been listening to many of her works with orchestra other than concertos as of late, and Sieben Worte has stood out the most so far. What a darkly atmospheric and scary work. Gubaidulina was one of the queens of textures, sonorities, tension, intrigue, and Sieben Worte contains all of that and more. The way she employed the bayan (a kind of accordion) to maximum effect is second to none. She knew her stuff for sure. Listening to this work at night, being alone and lights off (more so for Halloween) must be a terrifying experience.




Kevin Puts: Symphony No. 1

I don't remember when or where I got a recording of this piece (it seems that it was a radio broadcast), but glad I preserved it. This is a sort of neo-romantic work which traverses several sections featuring ominous, dark, tragic and eventually, hopeful moods, with a quite interesting 'per aspera ad astra' narrative. It's full of turbulence and moments of sublime beauty. It manages to thrill you and touch you if you're keen on this kind of music. A phenomenal musical journey. Happy to see that there are still composers who keep writing music like this.

I don't know any of the music you write about here but I really enjoy reading your reactions!  A genuine sense of being "blown away" that makes me keen to search it out as well - thankyou!

[Symphonic Addict]

I don't know any of the music you write about here but I really enjoy reading your reactions!  A genuine sense of being "blown away" that makes me keen to search it out as well - thankyou!

Thanks for reading! It goes without saying that music has become an essential part of my life. It's a real passion and very addictive too.