What are you listening 2 now?

[Brian]

First ever listen to Pierre Sancan, a teacher of Bavouzet who is compared in reviews to Françaix:

A better comparison would probably be to say Poulenc with a lesser gift for melody. The music is often light and jazzy and irreverent, with a bit of modernity to spike the mix. But it's not as frothy or miniature-sized as Françaix usually is.

[Cato]

Schubert

Rosamunde Incidental Music

Superb!

Amen! 😇

I used to play the Ballet, Part X, in my Advanced Placement European History class, to let the students hear what "Romanticism" sounded like, i.e. an evocation of life in the country, with bright and happy folk music being played by members of Das Volk, as the self-proclaimed musical genius explains it to the "Taugenichts," in Eichendorff's Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts.

Oddly, I once knew a German who subscribed precisely to that belief in music: he never went to symphony concerts, in fact he despised musical "Profis" of any kind.

"Ach, warum würde ich Profis spielen hören wollen?"

Only amateur or semi-amateur concerts were worthwhile, in his opinion, despite wrong notes etc. 

This belief in the greater worth of the non-professional led to an incident: he was himself an amateur violinist, and in a restaurant he became bewitched by a Zigeuner-Geiger, struck up a conversation with him, and eagerly asked to see the man's violin.

"Ist das denn eine echte Zigeunergeige?"

"Ja, natürlich," and the man, whose playing was in fact very amateurish, handed it over...and then quickly offered to sell it to his charmed listener.

My friend looked at me and wondered what his wife might say, if he bought it.  I (correctly, as it turned out) said that she would not be happy, even if the violin were genuinely made by den kuriosen Leuten (rf. Eichendorff), which I highly doubted.

Completely enchanted, although he did hesitate, he handed over a good sum of money to the very delighted, in fact too-much delighted fiddler. 

My friend now owned a genuine Zigeunergeige, a folk instrument made by a non-professional, played by a non-professional! 

Later, the man's completely undelighted wife took a look at some small print on the side, which her spellbound husband had not seen, where "Made in Hong Kong" was visible, albeit with difficulty. 


Anyway..

[JBS]

After Carter, Mozart

CD 1 K279-283

After Mozart, Lyatoshynsky

From here


And after Lyatoshynsky, ... Dinnertime.

[foxandpeng]

20th Century British Works for Solo Cello
David Matthews
Songs and Dances of Mourning
Rogan de Saram

Much to like about David Matthews as a composer. His symphonies and SQs are particularly valuable to me, even when they are challenging - as they often are. This Cello piece is cut from a similar cloth, and rewards multiple visits.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Some Vaughan Williams before dinner --- now playing Partita for Double String Orchestra



Even though I'm not buying CDs anymore, I would scratch this temporarily if Warner issued a Vernon Handley box set with all new remasters from Art & Son. I'm not holding my breath, because I doubt it will happen, but it would be swell if it did.

[JBS]

...after dinner, Brahms

[Symphonic Addict]

Balada: Symphony No. 1 'Sinfonía en negro' and Symphony No. 2 'Cumbres'

Whereas the first symphony depicts a program and you certainly feel that vibe there, the second one shows a more abstract countenance. Both engrossing in their own merits. Brilliant use of the orchestra in both too.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Bernstein Symphony No. 2, "Age of Anxiety"



This is by far my favorite recording of this Bernstein work. I'd also go as to say that this is one Rattle's greatest recordings. It's that good.

[Symphonic Addict]

Now playing Bernstein Symphony No. 2, "Age of Anxiety"



This is by far my favorite recording of this Bernstein work. I'd also go as to say that this is one Rattle's greatest recordings. It's that good.

A superlative recording. Before it came out, I hadn't paid attention to that Bernstein symphony. Now it is in my pantheon of the greatest American symphonies.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

A superlative recording. Before it came out, I hadn't paid attention to that Bernstein symphony. Now it is in my pantheon of the greatest American symphonies.

Yes, indeed. I still find Bernstein to be rather underrated as a composer. He doesn't quite get the recognition I believe he deserves. Truly a multifaceted marvel of a musician.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

More Bernstein --- now playing Chichester Psalms

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Panufnik Bassoon Concerto



Panufnik has composed a few works that have really got to me: Autumn Music and the Bassoon Concerto are amongst those works.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Villa-Lobos Floresta do Amazonas



A sprawling nearly 80 minute work, which I haven't listened into in ages (or so it seems). I highly recommend this to the V-L fans who love Chôros No. 10, "Rasga o Coração" or any of the larger scale Chôros and want to hear a work on an even larger scale. As a member of another forum once said this is everything, but the kitchen sink jungle music. You don't know where exactly the music is going, but the journey is wondrous, intoxicating and exotic.

[Symphonic Addict]

The whole content of the CD, minus the Concertino for piano and orchestra. I'm finding myself enjoying Henze's music with increasing interest. The poetic, the haunting and the bizarre coexisting.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Barber: Violin Concerto

The word extraordinary falls short to describe this wonder. If there's a flawless performance of anything, it has to be this.

This is my favorite recording of Barber's VC. Hahn performs it stunningly.

[Karl Henning]

Now playing Bernstein Symphony No. 2, "Age of Anxiety"



This is by far my favorite recording of this Bernstein work. I'd also go as to say that this is one Rattle's greatest recordings. It's that good.

Very nice! Thanks for having sent it!

[Karl Henning]

Now playing Villa-Lobos Floresta do Amazonas



A sprawling nearly 80 minute work, which I haven't listened into in ages (or so it seems). I highly recommend this to the V-L fans who love Chôros No. 10, "Rasga o Coração" or any of the larger scale Chôros and want to hear a work on an even larger scale. As a member of another forum once said this is everything, but the kitchen sink jungle music. You don't know where exactly the music is going, but the journey is wondrous, intoxicating and exotic.

I need to revisit that, too.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Very nice! Thanks for having sent it!

Oh, I completely forgot I sent this recording to you. You're quite welcome, indeed.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I need to revisit that, too.

It's a cool piece, Karl. I think you'll enjoy it.

[Karl Henning]

It's a cool piece, Karl. I think you'll enjoy it.

I remember liking it very much on first hearing. High time I listen again.