Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Symphonic Addict]

This disc devoted to Salmanov should be here as well. One of the best CDs from this record label I've stumbled upon in recent years.

It doesn't cease to impress me how many riveting works are out there waiting to be discovered. The sense of surprise and expectation it elicits on me keeps me investigating with real interest.

[relm1]

This disc devoted to Salmanov should be here as well. One of the best CDs from this record label I've stumbled upon in recent years.

It doesn't cease to impress me how many riveting works are out there waiting to be discovered. The sense of surprise and expectation it elicits on me keeps me investigating with real interest.

I enjoyed it.  I then started listening to his symphonies and enjoyed those too!  The sound wasn't so great, live recordings.  It would be nice to get a newer set.

[Symphonic Addict]

I enjoyed it.  I then started listening to his symphonies and enjoyed those too!  The sound wasn't so great, live recordings.  It would be nice to get a newer set.

It would be a refreshing project, certainly; also, none of his concertos has been recorded AFAIK.

[Symphonic Addict]

Pergament: String Quartet No. 1 (from 1920)

This is quite extraordinary music, so different from anything else I know. What it displays for the most part is a relentless feeling of tension that, personally, I find enormously compelling. Once in a while some passages offer some relief and heartfelt lyricism, but it is not what predominates, I must say. This is not a work for everyone's tastes, but for me it's simply irresistible. I mean, those irregular gestures, unpredictable writing and suggestive harmonies are something else! I'm a sucker for works like this riveting quartet that don't sound like any other composer, and the performance seems to do total justice to this intrincate score. Pergament wrote three further quartets. If they share a similar level of inspiration like this masterful piece, labels shouldn't hesitate to materialize them on exemplary recordings.




Menotti: Piano Concerto in F major (from 1945)

Now something completely different. If the Pergament was intended like the spicy food, the Menotti came like a most welcome and delicious dessert. An infectious, sparkling piece permeated with elements of jazz that is fun to the core, albeit not devoid of certain intimacy and mystery, chiefly in the intriguing 2nd movement. The vitality and the dazzling use of the orchestra in the outer movements delight galore. A really great American piano concerto in my view, practically unknown nowadays, almost on par with that of Gershwin, whom Menotti certainly gave a run for his money. The piano part is played by none other than Earl Wild.

[relm1]

Yesterday I listened to Sallinen's opera, Kullervo, for the first time and absolutely loved it!  Very dramatic, lyrical, colorful and imaginative.  I don't fully understand the story, but the opera made me want to explore it further.  What I understand is it is part of the Finnish national epic, mythical, and tragic and all of this came through in this work.  Some of it reminded me of Gliere's Symphony No. 3 "Ilya Muromets".

[Symphonic Addict]

Yesterday I listened to Sallinen's opera, Kullervo, for the first time and absolutely loved it!  Very dramatic, lyrical, colorful and imaginative.  I don't fully understand the story, but the opera made me want to explore it further.  What I understand is it is part of the Finnish national epic, mythical, and tragic and all of this came through in this work.  Some of it reminded me of Gliere's Symphony No. 3 "Ilya Muromets".

Never heard of this opera by him before and now my curiosity was piqued.

[arpeggio]

He composed some great operas.  I have the following in my library:

The King Goes Forth to France
Kullervo
and my favorite, Palatsi.

[DavidUK]

Vasks 2nd symphony and Slonimsky's 4th symphony.

[kitsune]

recently:

magnard - 4th sym
widor - fantasie and pno cto 2
leyla schayegh's recording of bach's solo violin music
weinberg - all the string quartets holy shit this is on par with bartok and shostakovich, faves so far are 1, 4, 8 and 16
dane rudhyar - all the piano music, like the missing link between scriabin and ives

[kyjo]

Pergament: String Quartet No. 1 (from 1920)

This is quite extraordinary music, so different from anything else I know. What it displays for the most part is a relentless feeling of tension that, personally, I find enormously compelling. Once in a while some passages offer some relief and heartfelt lyricism, but it is not what predominates, I must say. This is not a work for everyone's tastes, but for me it's simply irresistible. I mean, those irregular gestures, unpredictable writing and suggestive harmonies are something else! I'm a sucker for works like this riveting quartet that don't sound like any other composer, and the performance seems to do total justice to this intrincate score. Pergament wrote three further quartets. If they share a similar level of inspiration like this masterful piece, labels shouldn't hesitate to materialize them on exemplary recordings.




Menotti: Piano Concerto in F major (from 1945)

Now something completely different. If the Pergament was intended like the spicy food, the Menotti came like a most welcome and delicious dessert. An infectious, sparkling piece permeated with elements of jazz that is fun to the core, albeit not devoid of certain intimacy and mystery, chiefly in the intriguing 2nd movement. The vitality and the dazzling use of the orchestra in the outer movements delight galore. A really great American piano concerto in my view, practically unknown nowadays, almost on par with that of Gershwin, whom Menotti certainly gave a run for his money. The piano part is played by none other than Earl Wild.

Great post, Cesar! I definitely recall there being some quite singular and thought-provoking music contained in those two Pergament chamber works. I didn't fully grasp them on first listen, but you've made me want to revisit them ASAP! Regarding the Menotti Piano Concerto, it's certainly a delightful work, even if I overall prefer his richly melodic Violin Concerto (recorded excellently on Chandos).

[kyjo]

recently:

magnard - 4th sym
widor - fantasie and pno cto 2
leyla schayegh's recording of bach's solo violin music
weinberg - all the string quartets holy shit this is on par with bartok and shostakovich, faves so far are 1, 4, 8 and 16
dane rudhyar - all the piano music, like the missing link between scriabin and ives

Nice variety of music there, thanks for sharing! The Magnard 4th is in my top 20-25 symphonies of all time - it has an unforced eloquence and visionary quality (esp. in the deeply moving final chorale) that I find quite compelling, contrasted with some occasional and delightful "rustic" touches (esp. in the scherzo). Regarding Widor, I have especially fond memories of his substantial and imaginative Fantasie for piano and orchestra, and his two PCs are quite entertaining as well. I'm not as familiar with the Weinberg quartets as I probably should be, though I must admit I struggle with the rather bleak and angular idiom he often employs in these works. That said, I do recall enjoying his 6th quartet, which was recorded by the Pacifica Quartet as an addendum to their Shostakovich cycle. And I'm totally unfamiliar with Rudhyar!

[kyjo]

This is exactly the type of album that appeals to me greatly - three rare and (mostly) compelling chamber works in smoking performances. And it's on Sony, no less! The first work on the disc, Jean Francaix's Divertissement for piano quartet, was my least favorite on the album and doesn't really apply to this thread. I must confess that I find Francaix's style to be rather irritating in its constant busy chattiness and sly humor. Poulenc could do those two things so well and then contrast them with the most beautiful, soulful melody. Well, Francaix had seemingly no interest in offering the listener any significant contrast of mood throughout many of his works, this present one included.

But fortunately, the other two works are an entirely different story (regarding my reaction to them, anyway)! Alexandre Tansman's Suite-Divertissement (1929) for piano quartet is a wonderful example of a neoclassical work which manages to be overall high-spirited without lacking depth, and elegantly crafted without ever being dry. Particularly memorable is the extended Nocturne movement, which is aptly evocative, mysterious, and texturally imaginative.

Finally, we are treated to Laszlo Lajtha's early Piano Quartet, Op. 6 (1925). This is a truly meaty work, serious in intent and symphonic in scope. It may not have the recognizable mature Lajtha fingerprints that characterize his symphonies and other orchestral works, but it's no less compelling for that. Music of quiet, tense mystery is contrasted by passages of thrilling dramatic power and energy (check out the ending of the second movement - wow!). This is absolutely a work that should be better known, and I very much look forward to hearing his Op. 4 Piano Quintet which has been recorded by Hungaroton.

The performances by the Notos Quartett are stunning throughout, with razor sharp attack and crispness in the more animated passages and playing of hushed concentration in the more subdued moments (similar virtues which characterize the Pavel Haas Quartet). They also have a fine album containing early piano quartets by Bartok and Dohnanyi, btw. I hope to hear more from them in the future, especially considering their interest in rare repertoire!

[kitsune]

Nice variety of music there, thanks for sharing! The Magnard 4th is in my top 20-25 symphonies of all time - it has an unforced eloquence and visionary quality (esp. in the deeply moving final chorale) that I find quite compelling, contrasted with some occasional and delightful "rustic" touches (esp. in the scherzo). Regarding Widor, I have especially fond memories of his substantial and imaginative Fantasie for piano and orchestra, and his two PCs are quite entertaining as well. I'm not as familiar with the Weinberg quartets as I probably should be, though I must admit I struggle with the rather bleak and angular idiom he often employs in these works. That said, I do recall enjoying his 6th quartet, which was recorded by the Pacifica Quartet as an addendum to their Shostakovich cycle. And I'm totally unfamiliar with Rudhyar!

bleak and angular is my wheelhouse! but i can get with every style from monodic chant to hyper-modern contemporary music.

lately i've been very impressed by the music of michael tippett, especially the lovely piano concerto. his harmonic language feels really unique to me, somewhat like a hindemith-ian extended traditional tonality tempered with a vaughan williams-esque pastoralism that i find really appealing. i was also very surprised by his string quartets, especially the fourth -- very serious and dense music easily on the level of britten's quartets.

[Elgarian Redux]

I had a Bantock exploration many years ago, based on the Vernon Handley/Hyperion Box set. But somehow it didn't quite 'take', and the years have gone by, and the box has gathered dust.

But there was a short radio programme on Bantock recently, which interested me, and I got the box out today and listened to the Celtic Symphony at lunchtime. This evening I listened again. Then I listened again!

My goodness, it's marvellous. I even recognised the snippet stolen for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. But truly, it is marvellous! This comes as no surprise to Bantock fans of course, but I am so thrilled that at this ripe old age I am still making discoveries. Well, OK, in this case rediscoveries. But I never enjoyed this so much ever before.

Bring on more harps! Let the Big Bantock Box Stay Open!!

[Symphonic Addict]

Finally, we are treated to Laszlo Lajtha's early Piano Quartet, Op. 6 (1925). This is a truly meaty work, serious in intent and symphonic in scope. It may not have the recognizable mature Lajtha fingerprints that characterize his symphonies and other orchestral works, but it's no less compelling for that. Music of quiet, tense mystery is contrasted by passages of thrilling dramatic power and energy (check out the ending of the second movement - wow!). This is absolutely a work that should be better known, and I very much look forward to hearing his Op. 4 Piano Quintet which has been recorded by Hungaroton.

Lajtha's Piano Quintet is not nearly as good as his Piano Quartet according to my recollections, but it's not bad either. His chamber music includes several engrossing pieces. He is, for the most part, a very consistent composer in my book.

[Symphonic Addict]

I had a Bantock exploration many years ago, based on the Vernon Handley/Hyperion Box set. But somehow it didn't quite 'take', and the years have gone by, and the box has gathered dust.

But there was a short radio programme on Bantock recently, which interested me, and I got the box out today and listened to the Celtic Symphony at lunchtime. This evening I listened again. Then I listened again!

My goodness, it's marvellous. I even recognised the snippet stolen for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. But truly, it is marvellous! This comes as no surprise to Bantock fans of course, but I am so thrilled that at this ripe old age I am still making discoveries. Well, OK, in this case rediscoveries. But I never enjoyed this so much ever before.

Bring on more harps! Let the Big Bantock Box Stay Open!!

Lovely music! Glad to hear you reacted so warmly to this utterly memorable work. One of my very favorite English symphonies.

[Kalevala]

I had a Bantock exploration many years ago, based on the Vernon Handley/Hyperion Box set. But somehow it didn't quite 'take', and the years have gone by, and the box has gathered dust.

But there was a short radio programme on Bantock recently, which interested me, and I got the box out today and listened to the Celtic Symphony at lunchtime. This evening I listened again. Then I listened again!

My goodness, it's marvellous. I even recognised the snippet stolen for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. But truly, it is marvellous! This comes as no surprise to Bantock fans of course, but I am so thrilled that at this ripe old age I am still making discoveries. Well, OK, in this case rediscoveries. But I never enjoyed this so much ever before.

Bring on more harps! Let the Big Bantock Box Stay Open!!

I should give that a spin again.  I have that CD plus I think one other; I must admit at the time that it didn't do much for me--but that's just me!  Glad that you have been enjoying it though.   

And, yes, it's never too late to discover or click with some older music from ones collection.

K

[kyjo]

lately i've been very impressed by the music of michael tippett, especially the lovely piano concerto. his harmonic language feels really unique to me, somewhat like a hindemith-ian extended traditional tonality tempered with a vaughan williams-esque pastoralism that i find really appealing. i was also very surprised by his string quartets, especially the fourth -- very serious and dense music easily on the level of britten's quartets.

Totally agree with you regarding Tippett! He (along with Britten) is a great example of a composer who wrote in a totally sui generis style which can occasionally challenge the listener, but rarely veered into "complexity for complexity's sake" as some of his contemporaries did. His music always has an emotional "backbone" and a uniquely colorful approach to orchestration and harmony. Recently I was listening to his rather masterful 4th Symphony, which offers the listener everything from densely active fugal writing to luminous, delicate chamber-music like textures.

[kyjo]

I had a Bantock exploration many years ago, based on the Vernon Handley/Hyperion Box set. But somehow it didn't quite 'take', and the years have gone by, and the box has gathered dust.

But there was a short radio programme on Bantock recently, which interested me, and I got the box out today and listened to the Celtic Symphony at lunchtime. This evening I listened again. Then I listened again!

My goodness, it's marvellous. I even recognised the snippet stolen for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. But truly, it is marvellous! This comes as no surprise to Bantock fans of course, but I am so thrilled that at this ripe old age I am still making discoveries. Well, OK, in this case rediscoveries. But I never enjoyed this so much ever before.

Bring on more harps! Let the Big Bantock Box Stay Open!!

For my money, the best single disc of Bantock's music out there! I must confess that I find the majority of the rest of his output to be quite variable in quality.

[Elgarian Redux]

I must agree with you, at least so far. I'm still waiting for any other recording in this box to have a comparable impact on me as the Celtic Symphony has. I'm starting to think that I may end up being a Celtic Symphony fan, rather than a Bantock fan.