What are you listening 2 now?

[Harry]

One caveat: the recording clocks only 46 minutes...   If Blasius published so much music in his short life, there was surely enough to last over an hour. Probably a live recording of a concert?

Well I am streaming it, so that's no problem for me. But you are right, he seems to have composed a lot, and this CD could have contained more on the basis of it. Normally Qobuz tells me if this is a live recording or not, and this isn't. So..............

[Harry]

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.
Complete keyboard works vol.2.
Léon Berben plays on a Hans Scherer (the younger)organ (1624),Tangermünde (D),St.Stephanuskirche.
a1 = 486 Hz (15 °C) (ca. 7/8 Tone above normal) Temperament: Meantone.
Recorded: 2009.

The second instalment, and every bit as satisfying as the first. The organ is a fine instrument, which I like very much. A pity is that Aeolus abandoned SACD, and reverted to normal specs for recordings, due to their opinion that SACD is a dead duck, which is not the case at all. However Sweelinck's works in the hands of Leon Berben is a pleasure.

[Harry]

Just for the fans of Volume 4 with works of Ruth Gipps, Violin concerto/Symphony No. 5, etc, will be released in the beginning of April, I am confident to have it sooner as that, or so I hope

[Florestan]

[Harry]

New release

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).
Suite No.3 in G major, Op.55 (1884).
Variations on a Rococo Theme in A major, Op.33 (1876-1877, rev. by W. Fitzenhagen)
Boris Andrianov: Cello.
Ural Philharmonic Orchestra, Dmitry Liss.
Recording: Grand Hall of Sverdlovsk Philharmonic, Yekaterinburg, Russia, September 2023.

A fresh look at familiar works. My number one composer, so of course I am critical, for these works are often recorded, and many belong to my pantheon of excellence. The recording is true to the venue which I know well. Direct and detailed. This orchestra has a hint of rawness in their way of playing, which is also in accordance with the parameters I know of them. There is a typical elegance and urgency in this interpretation, that brings together the essence of Tchaikovsky in a well defined  mix of sentiment and passion , especially the Suite which was a well known favourite with the the composer. As to the Cello concerto, well, it is done fabulously, Andrianov is a magician on this instruments, his tone is warm and full, he must have a very good instrument no doubt. As an interpretation I rate him high. Certainly a performance to keep in mind if you want to hear the Variations. A 5 ***** is awarded   Maximum score

[North Star]

Avison/Scarlatti
Concertos In Seven Parts Done From The Lessons Of Domenico Scarlatti
Café Zimmermann

[Harry]

Highlights of the Latvian Classics.
See back cover for details.
Liepaja SO, Imants Resnis.
Recorded: at the Liepaja Latvian Society House Hall 16th - 18th of January, 2001.

What a delightful mix of known and unknown Latvian composers and so well recorded and performed. An unexpected treat. "Malanholiskais Valsis" by Emils Darzins, is one of the beautiful compositions on this disc with a firm grip around your heart. As is "Ārija" by Janis Medins, actually too many to name, but so worthwhile to hear at least once in your life and many happy returns.

[North Star]

Fauré
Nocturnes
Kathryn Stott

[Madiel]

Mozart: Piano Concerto no.17 in G



I think this is among my favourites of the piano concertos.

[Traverso]

Bach

Suite 1-2 & 3

[Harry]

Lumieres du Chant Byzantin.
Divna, et le Choeur Melodi.
Recorded: Monastery Vavedenje, Serbia, 2008.
Could not find a back cover alas.

Much needed Spiritual food for my soul. Divna is a very good choice if it comes to Orthodox music.

[Madiel]

Another old Alicia de Larrocha album (showing a couple of different versions of it here), via someone digitising it on YouTube.



Warner don't seem interested in the albums where she branched out of Spanish music.

[Harry]

New release.

Derek B. Scott.
Orchestral Music, volume IV.
See back cover for details.
Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Paul Mann.
Recorded on 3–5 September May 2024 in the Great Amber Concert Hall, Liepāja, Latvia.

I collected the first three volumes, the latest one was expected with eager anticipation, and it was worth the wait. Scott is just a lot of fun to listen too, with his innovative and daring compositions. It's not for the conservatives of heart in matters of classical music, but if you can stretch your mind towards it, it opens up unexpected treasures. I sure found quite a view. Just go with the flow..
Paul Mann delivers with this fine orchestra world class performances, and the techs made it into SOTA sound.

[Iota]

Henning: The Unquiet Castle

Nice slow, quiet piece with electroacoustic elements reminding me of the general environment of Grisey and/or Murail (I'm not familiar enough with those). And spooky thumps .

Yes indeed, a very effective piece! Bravo, @Karl Henning!

Now:



Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

What a wild and beautiful piece this is. Frankl plays his heart out, meeting it out there on the stormy moor from whence it hails.

[Traverso]

Bach

Yesterday I listened to, among other things, the Coffee Cantata, a recording with Suzuki.
This was a disappointment, especially since I had read that especially the secular cantatas of Bach with Suzuki were unbeatable. My experience is different, I found it rather pale and not very inspired. Of course the music and singing is excellent executed , but if you are familiar with the recording with Hogwood that Emma Kirkby and David Thomas had at his disposal, you notice that it all sounds rather tame.
Listening to the Hogwood recording, you feel like you are witnessing a musical and funny intermezzo. Suzuki is on the cautious side and lacks the endearing that gives the Hogwood recording its shine.


Now then the first CD in the Koopman box where you immediately notice that the tone is warmer helped with a somewhat more direct recording.
I am curious what my findings will be in a few days when I listen (not for the first time) to the cantatas under the baton of Ton Koopman. It can all sound a bit less flawless compared to Suzuki but Koopman brings a warmth to Bach that I miss with Suzuki.


CD 1













With all the merits of the Suzuki recordings of the Bach cantatas I have often longed for the Harnoncourt/Leonhardt recordings which remain my first choice. Now listening to this first CD from the Koopman box I notice  that there is less of a sacred atmosphere but a more human, more earthbound presentation that appeals to me strongly.

Let me be clear, listening to the Sacred Cantatas conducted by Suzuki has given me great pleasure and they are a nice addition but they do not make the other two editions I have redundant.

[foxandpeng]

Paul Hindemith
Mathis de Maler Symphony
Marcus Poschner
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana


Threadwatching inspiration

[71 dB]

I listened to the Dvořák Naxos CD* I received last Tuesday (String Quartets Nos. 12 and 14/Moyzes Quartet). This is a rather old recording from 1988 and an early Naxos release (1991). Hardly the contender for the greatest performances of these works, but I like this CD. I am new to these works** and in general I haven't explored Dvořák much. I seem to like his chamber music a lot, especially the slow movements which are sweet as candy! The third movement of String Quartet No. 14 is aweosome!

* The first CD I have bought since May 17, 2024!  Things have got so bad and for example Naxos CDs are ridiculously expensive these days that my enthusiam to buy CDs has dropped to almost zero! This particular CD was cheap, only 5 euros on Rarewaves (It is an UK seller, but their IOSS seems to work well).

** I have the last movement of String Quartet No. 12 on a test CD released by Finnish Hifi-magazine played by Jukka Rantamäki (violin I), Marja Inkinen (violin II), Ulla Soinne (viola) and Janne Aalto (cello) and recorded in the German church of Helsinki using two Sennheiser MKH 20 omnidirectional microphones in AB configuration 60 cm (2 ft) apart and at the height of 2,5 m (about 8 ft). Now that I have heard the whole piece, this last movement is my least favourite which explains why I have not been interested of exploring Dvořák. 

[foxandpeng]

Highlights of the Latvian Classics.
See back cover for details.
Liepaja SO, Imants Resnis.
Recorded: at the Liepaja Latvian Society House Hall 16th - 18th of January, 2001.

What a delightful mix of known and unknown Latvian composer and so well recorded and performed. An unexpected treat. "Malanholiskais Valsis" by Emils Darzins, is one of the beautiful compositions on this disc with a firm grip around your heart. As is "Ārija" by Janis Medins, actually to many to name, but so worthwhile to hear at least once in your life and many happy returns.

Nice

[71 dB]

Bach

Yesterday I listened to, among other things, the Coffee Cantata, a recording with Suzuki.
This was a disappointment, especially since I had read that especially the secular cantatas of Bach with Suzuki were unbeatable. My experience is different, I found it rather pale and not very inspired. Of course the music and singing is excellent executed , but if you are familiar with the recording with Hogwood that Emma Kirkby and David Thomas had at his disposal, you notice that it all sounds rather tame.
Listening to the Hogwood recording, you feel like you are witnessing a musical and funny intermezzo. Suzuki is on the cautious side and lacks the endearing that gives the Hogwood recording its shine.


Let me be clear, listening to the Sacred Cantatas conducted by Suzuki has given me great pleasure and they are a nice addition but they do not make the other two editions I have redundant.

I'm not that good at comparing performances (unless it is Elgar!), but in my opinion Suzuki is great only with the early sacred cantatas by Bach. Cantatas composed after Mühlhausen are stylistically more different from the middle baroque style of Buxtehude/Bruhns/Kuhnau and need more "explosive" performance style and Suzuki's style is a bit "tame/lethargic." I like Rilling for cantatas after Mühlhausen, but Rilling isn't that good in the early cantatas and I prefer Suzuki.

[Harry]

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY 1840–1893.
Volume I.

String Quartet No.1 in D Op.11 and String Quartet No.2 in F Op.22.
Lensky's Aria from the opera Eugene Onegin (arr. David Faber).
Dudok Quartet.
Recording: De Buitensociëteit, Zutphen, NL, 2022 (String quartet No.1), 2023 (SQ 2 Lensky's Aria)

Tchaikovsky's SQ are something special, at least for me. I do not listen enough to them, but I should, and I do now. These excellent recordings hit a nerve with me, for they sound so exquisitely Russian. The flavour is what I identify as passionate, emotional volatile at times and involving. The Dudok's seem to have the works to launch this music into shape, the shape I want. Concentrated music making, and top of the bill playing. I am going to enjoy this. SOTA sound.