What are you listening 2 now?

[pjme]

I find much to admire in Part II, but find Part I close to insufferable 

Allow me to disagree.    I love this crazy, loud & hysterical paean with (usually) impossible top notes for the solo sopranos, but It gets the sun and planets turning and...I'd love to see it choreographed!

But back to some lighter dance music as I'm in a "choreographical" mood.these days ...



Danceries de la Renaissance as orchestrated by (surrealist) André Souris.

[Traverso]

Couperin

Messe pour Les Couvents

Ton Koopman    Louis Alexandre Clicquot organ Houdan France

As far as I know never released on CD

[Mandryka]

An incandescent performance of Silvestrov's 5th symphony. The music is challenging because it's static, and I think it will be of interest to people who like haunting brooding orchestral pieces - I can't remember if that's @vandermolen or @Irons


Silvestrov's the real deal, for sure. And I suspect this symphony is one of his summits.

[Mandryka]

Ah, so glad you are getting around to it! It changed the way I listen to Liszt. It changed the way I think about Liszt, in fact. I hope it tickled your ears, as well!

I agree with this actually.

[Papy Oli]

Good afternoon all,

Stenhammar - String Quartets No.1 & 2
(Stenhammar Quartet)

Loving this. Gorgeous and some tension to boot.

[vandermolen]

Reason enough to place it on the listening list!

And then his love of pipes.

Thank you - although I mainly quoted Rozsa's own reminiscences. Yes, love the Honegger story. Apparently Honegger treated the young Rozsa as a colleague and offered very helpful advice.

[Todd]

[Harry]

Grazyna Bacewicz.
Violin concertos.
See Details on back cover.
Recorded 2008-2009 at the Witold Lutoslawski concert Hall, Polish Radio, Warsaw.
Fifth rerun.

Absolute sublime performances and sound.

[Traverso]

Sweelinck,Schildt,van Noordt,Pachelbel,Weckmann,Butler,Buxtehude,Bach  and others

CD 3

Organ
Derksen-Winsemius-van Zonneveld

[Harry]

Sweelinck,Schildt,van Noordt,Pachelbel,Weckmann,Butler,Buxtehude,Bach  and others

CD 3

Organ
Derksen-Winsemius-van Zonneveld

I do not recognize this set, and I obviously missed it, even though I was very alert to organ releases.

[Traverso]

I do not recognize this set, and I obviously missed it, even though I was very alert to organ releases.

Oh, it is still available...a reliable seller and near mint 

https://www.discogs.com/release/13544755-Various-Het-Historische-Orgel-In-Nederland

This edition of EO radio recordings contains too much to summarize. On no fewer than 12 CDs we are given an idea of the enormously rich organ history of our small country: from the 16th century organs in Krewerd and Oosthuizen to the Maarschalkerweerd organ from 1896 in Zwolle. We also hear the Schonat organ in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam (whose shutters swung open so beautifully during the wedding of you know who), the Peter Jansz de Swart organ in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden, the Hagerbeer organ in Alkmaar , the Müller organ in Leeuwarden, the König organ in the St. Stevenskerk in Nijmegen, and much more. With this edition it also seems as if our country has no bad organists. Most of these organists are very conscientious in their programming, in order to recreate the underlying world of the organ. This historically sound awareness leads here and there to wonderful repertoire choices, with the absolute highlight (or low point) being Die Schlacht von Waterloo (June 18, 1815) by Johann Wilhelm Wilms, played by Geert Bierling. For a long time, these kinds of odious crowd-pleasers were considered the lowest of the low. However, in a historical overview such as this edition, such music comes into its own. (HJ)

recordings 1985-1999 


Organs in the Netherlands
 
The Netherlands is an Eldorado for organ lovers, because our country is packed with valuable historic organs. There are numerous CDs on the market within and beyond our borders, each of which spotlights one or more instruments. A substantial cross-section of the organ file was missing until six years ago. Then the now sold-out twelve-CD box set "The Historical Organ in the Netherlands" was released, intended as a sound document for the encyclopedia of the same name. The major stimulator of this publication was Okke Dijkhuizen, known, among other things, for his former weekly organ column of the EO. With the new and broader twenty-CD box set "Organs in the Netherlands", a long-cherished wish of this organ lover is being fulfilled.

The publication puts 100 of the more than 2,000 historical instruments in the spotlight. These organs were not chosen at random: compiler Okke Dijkhuizen knows the Dutch organ landscape like the back of his hand and wanted to use the CD box to outline the development of Dutch organ building and organ art between 1511 and 1896. He marks each organ building period with a large instrument, including those in the Leiden Pieterskerk, the Groningen Martini Church, the Leeuwarder Grote Kerk and the Grote Kerk of Dordrecht.

Numerous smaller jewels further color the organ landscape. There are also organs that enjoy (inter)national fame: Krewerd, Oosthuizen, Amsterdam (Oude Walenkerk), Uithuizen, Leens. In addition, lesser-known beauties will have the opportunity to present themselves, including organs by Weidtmann in Maastricht, Van Eynde in Schijf, Hoornbeeck in Ravenswielj, Knipscheer in Winkel, Flaes in Uitgeest and Beekes in Vinkeveen. This partly determines the charm of this release, because such instruments are rarely, if ever, found on other CDs.

Sometimes compiler Dijkhuizen makes his own (sensible) choices: for Robustelly he did not travel to Helmond, but to Minnertsga, the large Hinsz in the Kamper Bovenkerk is passed over in favor of the Hinsz organ in the Buitenkerk of this city. In fact, we are talking about a luxury problem here, you can still put 200 beautiful Dutch instruments on the record with the greatest of ease.

The same goes for the players. Dijkhuizen invited people like Bernard Winsemius, Pieter Dirksen, Stef Tuinstra, Dick Sanderman, Theo Jellema, Jan Jongepier and Margreet Prinsen to sound the organs, but there are of course even more good organists in the Netherlands.

In any case, the contributors to this publication perform their duties well. The characteristics of the organs come out well, although you need a multitude of CDs to get the most out of them. One moment you enjoy the sturdy Elburger reeds, the next moment you lose yourself in a Principal by Bader.

Okke Dijkhuizen put together a varied menu. Hearty food and subtle refinement alternate, as do the serious note and the light-hearted tone. Lots of Bach, but also Mendelssohn and Jan Zwart, for example, provide a feast of recognition. At the same time, numerous lesser known composers capture our attention, a plus! Ever heard of Monn, Müthel, Duguet or Barner? The selected music - also from our own country - is often composed around the time of the creation of the instrument being played.

Sometimes trips are made. For example, Dirk Luijmes plays work by Cor Kee and Monnikendam in Grave (Titz, 1806). Geert Bierling is responsible for transcriptions, while Sietze de Vries, among others, provides some improvisations. Psalm and song arrangements are widely represented on the CDs.

"Organs in the Netherlands" is a major publication. Also literally. The meticulously crafted book accompanying the CDs measures 19 by 14 centimeters and has 284 pages. A full-page color photo of each instrument, a brief construction history and its disposition are included. Fortunately, mostly used registrations are mentioned in addition to the works performed. An introduction to organs in the Netherlands and a list with a brief explanation of organ terms completes the whole. CVs of organists and explanations of the music are missing.

Are there any negatives to mention? Yes, Leo van Doeselaar closes the organ box properly with Franck's Finale, but the year of construction of the organ in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, 1891, raises questions. Although a Maarschalkerweerd organ from 1896 has been recorded, plenty has happened in the Netherlands since then. The omission appears to be a matter of force majeure. The plans to record twentieth-century instruments were ready, but the EO - all recordings of the box were made by this broadcaster - stopped broadcasting programs on Radio 4 last summer. Okke Dijkhuizen was dismissed. It's a pity that the broadcaster threw a spanner in the works. You feel like the real final note is yet to come.

It is good to know for people who have the box "The Historical Organ in the Netherlands" in their possession
�

[DavidW]

Szymanowski: Stabat Mater

One of the February free download choices from Naxos, chosen to celebrate Antoni Wit's 80th birthday. I'm finding it a pleasant listen, like the combination of singer, choir and orchestra.

Thanks!  I picked it up.  I used to own it before I had ditched my cd collection.  I almost bought on the Chandos sale.  Good thing I didn't!!

[DavidW]

Last night:




Pettersson's first two symphonies are short and sweet, and not overly indulgent in angst.  But also not his mature style either.  Fans of him will say good not great (there is still plenty to like).  People that don't like his music will find these two works more accessible.  Overall thumbs up.

Bernstein's Mahler 7 is one of the greats, one of the finest recordings of this symphony and the remastered SQ is just fantastic!  Oh I loved it!!

This morning:



The first is from my digital archive.  Despite it not being a famous recording of the cello concertos that everyone talks about, I really enjoy it and it is still my fav.  No good reason, it just is.

It has been a long time since I've listened to well anything from CPE Bach.  The Hamburg sinfonias/symphonies and concertos have always been favorites imo.  I first heard them on the radio and managed to tape them at the time!

[SonicMan46]

Fasch, Johann Friedrich (1688-1758) - Multiple Works with Tempesta di Mare, a period instrument group from Philadelphia - these are live performances without any audience participation - some of my favorite Fasch; reviews attached - Dave

   

[foxandpeng]

William Schuman
Symphonies 3 and 5 'Symphony for Strings'
Gerard Schwarz
Seattle SO
Naxos

Continuing to further explore the Schuman symphonies.

I can see why #3 would be a favourite for Jeffrey... much more engaging than 6, which I've found hard going so far, and more accessible than #4, which I have enjoyed. It has enough dramatic texture to keep my attention . I also prefer this recording of 3 to the Bernstein remastered version that I listening to earlier today - feels like a more immersive experience, which I guess is inevitable due to more modern recording technology.

[Harry]

I do not recognize this set, and I obviously missed it, even though I was very alert to organ releases.

Oh, it is still available...a reliable seller and near mint 

https://www.discogs.com/release/13544755-Various-Het-Historische-Orgel-In-Nederland

This edition of EO radio recordings contains too much to summarize. On no fewer than 12 CDs we are given an idea of the enormously rich organ history of our small country: from the 16th century organs in Krewerd and Oosthuizen to the Maarschalkerweerd organ from 1896 in Zwolle. We also hear the Schonat organ in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam (whose shutters swung open so beautifully during the wedding of you know who), the Peter Jansz de Swart organ in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden, the Hagerbeer organ in Alkmaar , the Müller organ in Leeuwarden, the König organ in the St. Stevenskerk in Nijmegen, and much more. With this edition it also seems as if our country has no bad organists. Most of these organists are very conscientious in their programming, in order to recreate the underlying world of the organ. This historically sound awareness leads here and there to wonderful repertoire choices, with the absolute highlight (or low point) being Die Schlacht von Waterloo (June 18, 1815) by Johann Wilhelm Wilms, played by Geert Bierling. For a long time, these kinds of odious crowd-pleasers were considered the lowest of the low. However, in a historical overview such as this edition, such music comes into its own. (HJ)

recordings 1985-1999 


Organs in the Netherlands
 
The Netherlands is an Eldorado for organ lovers, because our country is packed with valuable historic organs. There are numerous CDs on the market within and beyond our borders, each of which spotlights one or more instruments. A substantial cross-section of the organ file was missing until six years ago. Then the now sold-out twelve-CD box set "The Historical Organ in the Netherlands" was released, intended as a sound document for the encyclopedia of the same name. The major stimulator of this publication was Okke Dijkhuizen, known, among other things, for his former weekly organ column of the EO. With the new and broader twenty-CD box set "Organs in the Netherlands", a long-cherished wish of this organ lover is being fulfilled.

The publication puts 100 of the more than 2,000 historical instruments in the spotlight. These organs were not chosen at random: compiler Okke Dijkhuizen knows the Dutch organ landscape like the back of his hand and wanted to use the CD box to outline the development of Dutch organ building and organ art between 1511 and 1896. He marks each organ building period with a large instrument, including those in the Leiden Pieterskerk, the Groningen Martini Church, the Leeuwarder Grote Kerk and the Grote Kerk of Dordrecht.

Numerous smaller jewels further color the organ landscape. There are also organs that enjoy (inter)national fame: Krewerd, Oosthuizen, Amsterdam (Oude Walenkerk), Uithuizen, Leens. In addition, lesser-known beauties will have the opportunity to present themselves, including organs by Weidtmann in Maastricht, Van Eynde in Schijf, Hoornbeeck in Ravenswielj, Knipscheer in Winkel, Flaes in Uitgeest and Beekes in Vinkeveen. This partly determines the charm of this release, because such instruments are rarely, if ever, found on other CDs.

Sometimes compiler Dijkhuizen makes his own (sensible) choices: for Robustelly he did not travel to Helmond, but to Minnertsga, the large Hinsz in the Kamper Bovenkerk is passed over in favor of the Hinsz organ in the Buitenkerk of this city. In fact, we are talking about a luxury problem here, you can still put 200 beautiful Dutch instruments on the record with the greatest of ease.

The same goes for the players. Dijkhuizen invited people like Bernard Winsemius, Pieter Dirksen, Stef Tuinstra, Dick Sanderman, Theo Jellema, Jan Jongepier and Margreet Prinsen to sound the organs, but there are of course even more good organists in the Netherlands.

In any case, the contributors to this publication perform their duties well. The characteristics of the organs come out well, although you need a multitude of CDs to get the most out of them. One moment you enjoy the sturdy Elburger reeds, the next moment you lose yourself in a Principal by Bader.

Okke Dijkhuizen put together a varied menu. Hearty food and subtle refinement alternate, as do the serious note and the light-hearted tone. Lots of Bach, but also Mendelssohn and Jan Zwart, for example, provide a feast of recognition. At the same time, numerous lesser known composers capture our attention, a plus! Ever heard of Monn, Müthel, Duguet or Barner? The selected music - also from our own country - is often composed around the time of the creation of the instrument being played.

Sometimes trips are made. For example, Dirk Luijmes plays work by Cor Kee and Monnikendam in Grave (Titz, 1806). Geert Bierling is responsible for transcriptions, while Sietze de Vries, among others, provides some improvisations. Psalm and song arrangements are widely represented on the CDs.

"Organs in the Netherlands" is a major publication. Also literally. The meticulously crafted book accompanying the CDs measures 19 by 14 centimeters and has 284 pages. A full-page color photo of each instrument, a brief construction history and its disposition are included. Fortunately, mostly used registrations are mentioned in addition to the works performed. An introduction to organs in the Netherlands and a list with a brief explanation of organ terms completes the whole. CVs of organists and explanations of the music are missing.

Are there any negatives to mention? Yes, Leo van Doeselaar closes the organ box properly with Franck's Finale, but the year of construction of the organ in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, 1891, raises questions. Although a Maarschalkerweerd organ from 1896 has been recorded, plenty has happened in the Netherlands since then. The omission appears to be a matter of force majeure. The plans to record twentieth-century instruments were ready, but the EO - all recordings of the box were made by this broadcaster - stopped broadcasting programs on Radio 4 last summer. Okke Dijkhuizen was dismissed. It's a pity that the broadcaster threw a spanner in the works. You feel like the real final note is yet to come.

It is good to know for people who have the box "The Historical Organ in the Netherlands" in their possession
�

Thank you for all the info, and the link, I will try to purchase it, again thank you Jan.

[Spotted Horses]

After listening to Skrowaczewski's Bruckner 7, I commented that perhaps I am over Bruckner. I've just finished listening to Karajan's mid 70's Bruckner 7 on DG, and maybe I'm not over Bruckner.



Karajan's recording has the disadvantage that the individual orchestral voices are not as distinct in the Oehms recording by Skrowaczewski, which is perhaps a feature of the somewhat congested audio typical of DG in the era, perhaps a feature of Karajan's style, but the ebbs and flows of dynamics are wonderfully shaped in Karajan's performance. And the audio does have a satisfying richness that the Oehms recording lacks.

Maybe I'm not over Bruckner after all.

I think I will revisit Karajan's Bruckner.

[Linz]

Lennox Berkeley  Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 London Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman Del Mar

[foxandpeng]

After listening to Skrowaczewski's Bruckner 7, I commented that perhaps I am over Bruckner. I've just finished listening to Karajan's mid 70's Bruckner 7 on DG, and maybe I'm not over Bruckner.

Good, because I am bound to need your wisdom and helpful opinions in my pokings of the great man during 2024

[DavidW]