What are you listening 2 now?

[Madiel]

D804

Now we're talking. After the Leipziger's cringe-inducingly plodding performance, this is just perfect.

That's the album I have. I think the old Penguin Guide put me onto it.

[Madiel]

Anyway, happy listening! (Although 'happy' isn't exactly the right adjective I'd use for Shostakovich.)

Satisfied listening works in context, but isn't a phrase that has caught on!

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Last work for the night:

Delius
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
Summer Night on the River
Hallé Orchestra
Barbirolli

From this Warner/Tower Records hybrid SACD set -

[Madiel]

Shhhh! People are trying to listen to music.

I shall try to laugh at this joke as quietly as possible. You're not making it easy though.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Satisfied listening works in context, but isn't a phrase that has caught on!

I certainly sympathize with the listener in this respect.

[steve ridgway]

Back to random works..

Webern: Drei Lieder, Op. 25

[steve ridgway]

Stravinsky: Scherzo à la Russe

[steve ridgway]

The hand of fate has decided it's time for some Schoenberg - Die Jakobsleiter

[Madiel]

Mozart, two works associated with the death of his mother.

Violin Sonata in E minor, K.304
Piano Sonata in A minor, K.310



The association is certainly understandable for the piano sonata, which I'm very familiar with. The first 2 movements are magnificent things whether I'm listening or playing, with a level of drama that you might associate with Beethoven rather than Mozart. But I've never quite believed the finale has the substance to keep up with them.

[Roasted Swan]

Whereas the first quartet is dark-hued and loaded with a pessimistic mood, the second one seems a little more carefree, mischievous, and I agree that is a masterpiece.

Erm - surely some mistake!!  No.2 is about as dark as a work can get.  Written when Arnold was literally suicidal in Dublin.  Honestly about as UN-carefree, mischievous as a work could be.

[steve ridgway]

NP Takemitsu: Between Tides

[Que]

I'm nearing the end of my list... This one is with Emma Kirkby!
She contributes to what is overall a rather "bright" sounding recording. Performances are excellent.

[Maestro267]

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 2 ("A London Symphony") (1913 version)
London SO/Hickox

[Florestan]

Undeterred by the Rosamunde misfire, I continue my journey through the Leipziger set --- and things are markedly improved.

D18, the very first SQ Schubert composed, at the tender age of 13, becomes in their hands a remarkably assured work, happily marrying classical form and the modern (back-then, that is) early Romantic sensibility, resulting in a finely structured and deeply moving piece of music. And Schubert would not be his gracious self if he didn't write a delicious ear-worm in the guise of a Presto vivace.

Leipziger's D956, while not at the level of my favorite version (Melos/Rostropovich), is nevertheless a committed and touching performance.

Also an ongoing journey:

[Florestan]

Another ongoing listening project of mine.

Highly enjoyable music, craftly structured, poised and luminous yet with frequent and quite extended episodes of angst or melancholy. By the quality and quantity of them all, they form a welcome diversion from Haydn's and Mozart's. Oh, and I must add Kozeluch to Schubert and Boccherini as composers who can make a major key sound as deeply sad or nostalgic as a minor one.

If you are into such music, don't hesitate to give the whole series (12 vols) a try.

[Que]

[Mandryka]

 @Que This is outstanding

[Todd]

[Papy Oli]

A recent Naxos Free Download :

A. Rubinstein - Symphony No.2 "Ocean"

[SonicMan46]

New arrival:

Rachmaninov, Sergei - Piano Concertos, Paganini Rhapsody plus an Audio BD of all the works w/ some extras but NO Rhapsody - now I can play the BD on my 4K Blu-ray player but audio is pumped into my 2-speaker stereo so doubt I'll get the effect of surround sound?  Dave

ADDENDUM: Packaged in a 5 1/4" box (so does not fit my standard jewel box storage) w/ 4 discs in heavy labeled cardboard sleeves; minimal applause at end of 2nd disc; reviews have been excellent to outstanding (see attachment).