What are you listening 2 now?

[Harry]

Perhaps I've listened to Sibelius's Second Symphony in more different interpretations than any other symphony. Vänskä's versions are among the most interesting, in my view.

Yes in this I again agree with you. I have been listening to many recordings of Sibelius symphonies over the last couple of years, a project still in progress.

[Karl Henning]

[ritter]

String trios from the years between the two world wars, by Henri Tomasi, Jean Cras, Émile Goué and Jean Françaix. Performed by the Black Oak Ensemble.

CD1 of this set:



Bought after @Symphonic Addict posted about this release in this same thread. These works were written for the Trio Pasquier (brothers Jean —violin—, Pierre —viola— and Étienne —cello— Pasquier), who made an significant contribution to the enrichment of the repertoire for string trio (they later commissioned Florent Schmitt's superb and massive String Trio, op. 105).

So far, I am very favourably impressed (surprisingly so, I'd say) by Tomasi's Trio en forme de divertissement, which is playful in a typical Gallic manner, but also takes full advantage of the medium. Jean Cras' Trio appears less inspired to me (but I must confess I've never much warmed to this composer). Enjoyable in any case.

A very Interesting set... 

[AnotherSpin]

Yes in this I again agree with you. I have been listening to many recordings of Sibelius symphonies over the last couple of years, a project still in progress.

When I said that I've listened to Sibelius's Second more than any other symphony, I didn't just mean more than any other by Sibelius, but more than any symphony by any composer. Since I never keep count, I can't say how many versions exactly. Maybe 50 or 60, maybe more

[Wanderer]

[Karl Henning]

[Karl Henning]

[Karl Henning]

[Linz]

Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, 1889 Version (aka 1888/89) Ed. Leopold Nowak
Berliner Philharmoniker[, Herbert von Karajan

[Florestan]

Looks more like a Mad Scientist to me ! 😁

Indeed, he resembles Einstein a bit. 

[Karl Henning]

[JBS]

First listen ever to this Strauss opera.

[Linz]

Edward Elgar Edward Elgarariations on an Origianl Theme "Enigma" op. 36
Johannes Brahms Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn in B flat major op 56a
London Symphony Orchestra, Eugen Jochum

[Linz]

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique"
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski

[Brian]

Lopes-Graça: Symphony

The only symphony that the Portuguese composer Fernando Lopes-Graça wrote is a flat out masterpiece and I dare to say it's [quite probably] better than the ones by his compatriots Braga Santos and Freitas Branco. I did know that it is quite good, but today I confirmed its superb qualities. Recommended.

Reading this description, I had to join the party. The Suite Rustica No. 1 strongly reminds me of dance suites by Bartok or the Little Suite by Lutoslawski, except with Iberian sounds instead of Eastern European ones. The Symphony is very interesting - a blend of a stern exterior and folksy charm. The most emblematic moment might be in the first movement, when the cellos break out into an Irish-sounding jig dance - and then the jig turns into a fugue! The intermezzo slow movement sounds relaxing but builds to a fraught climax, and the passacaglia finale (with a theme that sounds a little bit like it came from the slow movement of Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony at times) has some really colorful variations. Very entertaining!

Added this as a chaser:



Specifically the neoclassical, tartly witty Homage to Haydn!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Concerto for Trumpet and Strings - Eric Ewazen.  Tine Thing Helseth.

[Linz]

Johann Sebastian Bach Six Keyboard Partitas, Paertitas 1 - 3
Gustav Leonhardt

[JBS]

After Strauss



Symphony No. 60 "Il Distratto" in C
Symphony No. 68 in B Flat

Number 60 is the one where the strings stop and tune their instruments in the middle of the sixth and final movement.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

J.S. Bach Toccatas and Preludes.

[Linz]

Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 7 in E Major, 1885 Original Version. Ed. Robert Haas
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Georg Tintner