What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Second listen to this recent purchase. I've never been much of a fan of the organ, but Joseph Jongen's Symphonie concertante is a work I find extraordinarily beautiful. 

[asin]B01IFNZUEE[/asin]

I'll second your opinion on the Symphonie concertante being a gorgeous work. I should revisit it at some juncture. Do you know any of his other music?

[Mirror Image]

Dvořák
String Sextet in A major, Op. 48
Panocha Quartet + others



I have to say that these Dvořák box sets on Supraphon are worth their weight in gold. One major discovery (or in this case rediscovery) after another.

[Ken B]

Bax 4
Ulster, Thomson

[San Antone]

This looks like a most desirable new release! The Gliere Octet and Hahn Piano Quintet are both delightful, generously melodic works.

I agree.  I enjoyed the recording very much, all were works I had never heard before.

[North Star]

Very nice, Karlo! What did you think? Concerning Melartin, I find the meat of his symphonic cycle to be found in the 3rd and 4th symphonies, though I enjoy the 2nd quite a bit as well. Concerning Madetoja, I enjoy his music well enough but find it a bit too understated for my tastes. I think I like the 2nd Symphony the best of the three - it's painted on a broader emotional canvas.

I enjoyed both composers' works, Kyle. I've heard some Madetoja previously, and no Melartin. I agree, Madetoja is definitely more understated. Listening to Melartin's Third Symphony now.

[aligreto]

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 [Kubelik]





I was never a big fan of Kubelik's M8. Part I feels too disjointed as a whole. I feel that the chorus does not homogeneously blend with the orchestra and also that the soloists are on a course of their own and not necessarily partaking in the collective approach. Harsh, I know, but that is my honest, subjective belief. Part II is more coherent but still suffers from the ills mentioned above. The purely orchestral section of the early part of Part II is another story altogether. The orchestra sounds lyrical, lush and full. However, things all come together in a very fine and atmospheric conclusion.

[Traverso]

Gershwin & Ravel

[aligreto]

First run:

[asin]B0012S57WU[/asin]
This set neatly fills a gap in my Vivaldi collection in a rather magnificent way.. . 

Q

So I presume that you are very happy with the performances and interpretations, Que.

[vandermolen]

Bax 4
Ulster, Thomson

Possibly the best in his cycle. A pity that the Ulster Orchestra was not used for the rest of them. I really like No.4 and 7 which are considered the weakest of the cycle.

[vandermolen]

Good morning all,

Continuing the exploration of the Rubbra Symphonies, No.2 right now (Handley/New Philarmonia).

[asin]B000027QX1[/asin]

Boult's Symphony 7 is wonderful.

[kyjo]

Hendrik Andriessen - The 4 symphonies + Symphonie concertante (several cover arts) (on CPO)

What a stunning composer! These have been some of the best Dutch symphonies I've ever heard. Succinct, energetic, witty, delightfully neoclassical. CPO has done it again. These releases are definitely very special for me.

I was listening to his 3rd Symphony recently and really enjoyed it, especially the fugal finale (which skillfully avoids sounding academic). Superbly crafted music!

[aligreto]

Sibelius: Four Legends from the "Kalevala" [Groves]





These performances are filled with atmosphere, drama and tension. The Orchestra is full sounding and tightly conducted in a very fine, absorbing and compelling presentation.

[aukhawk]

Knocked down to £2.75 at Selfridges eh, not bad.

[aukhawk]

    Fabulous CD and works. I think that Bloch should be much better known - I've never heard any of his works in concert.

I have this on vinyl somewhere but don't seem to have needledropped it.  Don't know why because I used to like it a lot.


Bloch : Violin Concerto : Menuhin, Kletzki

[j winter]

Bach, Art of Fugue for Saxophone Quartet

[staxomega]

Celine Frisch playing the Goldberg Variations and Sibelius Symphony 4, Karajan/BPO.

[aligreto]

Ravel: Piano Concerto in G [Queffelec/Lombard]


   

[aligreto]

Knocked down to £2.75 at Selfridges eh, not bad.

If you can get it, grab it 

[aligreto]

Wonderful.

[SymphonicAddict]

You're quite lucky to have seen any work from Martinů in concert. I wish my local orchestra (the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) would perform some of his music, but it really does look like this orchestra is hanging by skin of its' teeth.

It's a shame because that orchestra is pretty good. And to make you more jealous, I've also heard his Oboe Concerto and Concerto for string quartet and orchestra live.