What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Bridge: String Quartets 3 and 4

When I got acquainted with these two quartets, I remember finding them thorny and unpleasant. Now I think they're masterpieces or close to them. It never ceases to surprise me how musical tastes evolve over the time. Sometimes with some composers and works, you go from liking to disliking. But in this case it was the other way around.

[André]

More Bruckner from Linz (the city, not the GMG poster)

Symphony no 9, with finale. Kurt Eichhorn, Bruckner Orchester Linz. Label Camerata.

The symphony as we know it (first three movements) is presented in the most imposing manner, with tempi that allow the phrases to breathe and expand grandly at climaxes. Eichhorn doesn't stint on decibels either, making the most of the big moments. The Linz orchestra rise to the occasion with playing that is committed and assured. Only the scherzo disappoints somewhat. I find it underwhelming. A bit slow and slack, lacking the viciousness this movement can have (Kabasta is the meanest of the meanies here, to terrific effect).

As for the finale (MSPC edition), that could be the subject of a whole debate. There are more cons than pros IMO. It's there all right, all 30 minutes of it, but at no time does it sound like a coherent brucknerian structure (Bruckner was a master architect). This is mostly a pile of materials that lie on an abandoned construction site. Recommended for an impressive first 3 movements.

[JBS]

CD 1
Symphonies 1 and 8 plus Symphonic Epilogue

First listen to this music.

[Baxcalibur]

Schreker: Orchestral works and songs
Chen Reiss, soprano
Matthias Goerne, baritone
Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Christoph Eschenbach



Pleasantly surprised at the Yellow Label's engineering here. All the details are there, without making the orchestra sound muffled or held back, as in DG's Enescu symphony cycle.

I don't know how much I like Schreker's pieces not named "Prelude to a Drama," but they do sound gorgeous.

[brewski]

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 (Augustin Hadelich / Houston SO / Andrés Orozco-Estrada, live recording, Dec. 3, 2023). One of the world's current great violinists, with excellent Houston collaborators, all energized by the occasion.

-Bruce

[Symphonic Addict]

Brun: Symphonies 1 and 2

After Frankel's symphonic traversal, Brun is the next composer in that matter. I had previously admired and liked his powerful first symphony in the epic key of B minor, and now the impression I get of it is even bigger. This is a great piece, quite cohesive in its development. Both the first and the second symphonies show some expressions we might call 'Brahmsian' and it's more accentuated in the latter. Brun benefits development over melodies and it shows in both symphonies. In the first one I don't miss the great tunes, but in the second one I do a little.

[steve ridgway]

Scriabin: Symphony 1

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

 

The 1st recording I've come accross that is entirely dedicated to this 15th/16th c. German lutenist and composer!

PS I'm about to leave on a long trip to South Korea & Japan. I probably won't be posting for over 4 weeks. See you all end of October.

Have a nice trip. I will be in Japan next March.

[NumberSix]

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21
Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano)

[NumberSix]

Finally, made it through a Mozart Symphony 41, thanks to @DavidW

Eh, everyone does not have to like everything. I am impressed you tried so many versions before deciding it wasn't for you.

[steve ridgway]

Maderna: Entropia II

[steve ridgway]

R. Strauss: Aus Italien

[NumberSix]

Now streaming on Idagio:



Chopin: Waltzes
Ashkenazy

[steve ridgway]

Schoenberg: Moderner Psalm

[steve ridgway]

Scelsi: Maknongan

[steve ridgway]

Takemitsu: Rain Tree Sketch

[steve ridgway]

Stravinsky: 3 Pieces For Solo Clarinet

[steve ridgway]

Webern: Cantata No. 1

[steve ridgway]

Wagner: Tannhauser Overture

[Florestan]

The reason I got this CD is the suite form the ballet Bouton d'or (AFAIK, there's no other recording). It's something in the mold of Lalo's Namouna, but also has what I can ony describe as "music hall reminiscences". It's far removed from the neo-baroque of the much later Cydalise. I'm sure @Florestan would love it.

Thanks for the rec --- and good day, Rafael.

Actually, Pierne wrote an orchestral suite named exactly Reminiscences de music-hall, which I like.