What are you listening 2 now?

[Irons]

Bartok: Sonata for Violin and Piano No.1.

Remarkable how Bartok dovetails modernism and Hungarian folk music.

[foxandpeng]

For your consideration:

Thank you!

[Harry]

Johann Pachelbel.
Canon & Gigue and Chamberworks.
London Baroque.
Recorded in 1994.
See back cover for info.


Here Pachelbel's notorious canon,  finally sounds as it should, it doesn't have a speck of academic dust on it, thank God, and I never heard a better performance of this piece, and neither so well recorded. The playing is clean, gracious, and to my surprise very spirited. Quick tempo's, as I like it, and with music by Pachelbel one does not hear that often. If you like this music which is top notch, you should start with this disc first and foremost.

[Traverso]

Desprez

[Florestan]

There's quite a number of discs in these series. Am I old age? Considering the age-related ailments I have I can confirm. This music helps me to keep a taste for living, I plan to spin them often. 

I was not aware of this series, which is available as a box.



Wish-listed on the spot, thanks for sharing. There are two other complete sets that I own:



and Paolo Giacometti on Channel Classics (two many covers to display, not boxed AFAIK)

[foxandpeng]

Anton Bruckner
Symphony 00 'Study Symphony'
Georg Tintner
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Naxos

It has always been my plan to join the 'Bruckner 200' listening fest, because I have appreciated him so much over the years. I've realised just how long it is since I last listened with any commitment to his symphonies, so I'm starting a bit earlier in the year than I intended. Probably lots of Tintner while I find my feet again.

[vandermolen]

William Schuman
Symphony 4
David Miller
Albany SO
Albany

There are a great many gaps in my knowledge of American music, despite a growing grasp in the last few years. Schuman is one of those gaps, as I really don't know him well enough. Probably overdue in putting that right.

I know Symphony 4 a little, as along with #3, I guess they are the ones most people know.

Try No.6 Danny - described somewhere as 'A Requiem for the 20th Century' - arguably his greatest work (much as I like No.3)

[vandermolen]

For your consideration:

A great work Leo!
I have two recordings of it (Naxos/Argo) both are very fine performances.

[DavidW]

[Florestan]

A more apt title for this would be "Italian Opera Scenes", but that is a quibble. Dessay brings incandescent passion and unbridled emotion to these highly charged scenes, her technique is flawless and her Italian diction impeccable, every word distinctly audible and understandable. Her voice is a bit lighter than what we have been accustomed to hear in these roles but to my ears works better than the heavier ones (after all, Violetta, Elvira, Gilda, Lucia and Giulietta are all very young women, in some cases barely out of their teens) and is excellently served by the orchestral sound, which is lighter and more transparent than usual too, bringing freshness and additional poignancy to the music. The sound is SOTA. A splendid recording, heartily recommended.

[Traverso]

Bernard Winsemius

[Todd]

Wrapping things up with Op 135.  For years, I've described Steven Osborne's playing as Museum Grade Pianism.  The Dover Quartet deliver Museum Grade String Quartet Playing.  Aided by near-SOTA sound, the ensemble always plays with spot-on intonation, judicious and precise dynamics, a perfect mix of blended sound and focus on individual voices where needed, ample drama where needed, and an attractive sound.  It comes close to sounding too perfect at times, but fortunately never does.  It does not emerge as one of my favorites, but there is not one substantive gripe to be had here. 

[springrite]

Samuel Barber Violin Concerto

   --- Versions by Stern, Shaham, Wicks, Hahn

（I have been on a Samuel Barber binge, occasionally interrupted by David Diamond)

[Florestan]

[Harry]

Johannes Ockeghem.
Requiem.

Pierre de La Rue.
Requiem.

Cappella Pratensis, Stratton Bull.
Recorded 2011, Eglise de Vieusart, Belgium.

It's the second CD in my exploration of the Cappella Pratensis, Stratton Bull directing. This all male choir is much to my liking. They clearly found the right modus, if it comes to the balance among the voices, and sing together very harmoniously, as a choir, not one of the voices takes precedence over the other. As it must be. That means the counters blend in, which to me is very important. There could be a little more weight coming from the basses, but that's a minor quibble. SOTA sound and performance.

[Que]

[foxandpeng]

Try No.6 Danny - described somewhere as 'A Requiem for the 20th Century' - arguably his greatest work (much as I like No.3)

On it, my friend, thank you! I did very much enjoy #4 yesterday. More than I remember from the past, actually, which was an encouragement. I don't really know why I haven't engaged more with his work, because it isn't difficult music. I think it is simply a case of not being able to drill down into everything by everyone. And being easily distracted to go and listen to other stuff.

[Que]

Johann Pachelbel.
Canon & Gigue and Chamberworks.
London Baroque.
Recorded in 1994.
See back cover for info.


Here Pachelbel's notorious canon,  finally sounds as it should, it doesn't have a speck of academic dust on it, thank God, and I never heard a better performance of this piece, and neither so well recorded. The playing is clean, gracious, and to my surprise very spirited. Quick tempo's, as I like it, and with music by Telemann one does not hear that often. If you like this music which is top notch, you should start with this disc first and foremost.

The recording I also picked... 

[foxandpeng]

See, this is what I mean. 'Yeah, let's finally get back to Bruckner and finally familiarise myself with William Schuman. Really looking forward to that... Oooh, Villa-Lobos symphonies. I have them saved on a playlist from last year. They are probably really good.'

For goodness' sake.

Anyway.

Anton Bruckner
Symphony 00 'Study Symphony'
Christian Thielemann
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sony

Nice. I like his pacing. I know nothing about whether this is inexperienced juvenilia, unconvincing symphonic style, or much else about the composer's craft. I do like Bruckner, though.

[Traverso]

Fitzwilliam Virginal Book

CD 13