What are you listening 2 now?

[kyjo]

Streaming Grieg, Violin Sonata No.2



The introduction is pretty amazing for a work supposedly in G major...

Indeed, that melancholy opening is quite striking. I love all three of Grieg's violin sonatas and, indeed, all of his modest output of chamber music. I wish he would've composed more of it!

[kyjo]

Atterberg: Sinfonia per archi [Wallin]





I find this to be a very interesting work with an interesting musical language. The harmonies/dissonances are very appealing and engaging, adding an element of the wistful. The movements are varied and contain wonderful, appealing and contrasting moods and tones.

Pounds the table! A wonderful work. I was recently raving about it in the Atterberg thread.

[kyjo]

NP:



Another one of Järvi's earlier successes, IMHO. Of course, this work is fantastic and really demonstrates Stenhammar's individual style.

A wonderful and truly individual work indeed! I recently listened to the new Blomstedt recording on BIS, which is exemplary. Have you heard it, John? It's coupled with an equally revelatory account of the 2nd Symphony. A fantastic disc in all regards:

[asin] B07J35GDB1[/asin]

[Wakefield]

First listen:

[asin]B084P9QVHC[/asin]

This is the first project in a seven-volume series exploring the Sturm und Drang movement, which swept through all art forms in the between the early 1760s and 1780s. The purpose of this movement was to frighten and perturb through the use of wild and subjective emotional means of expression. This series of Sturm und Drang recordings incorporates iconic compositions by Mozart, Gluck and, above all, Joseph Haydn, but it also includes largely forgotten or neglected works by less familiar names. The music featured on this disc was all composed in the 1760s. It includes ballet and opera as well as symphonies, but is drawn together by the hallmarks of the remarkably visceral and dynamic style of music that we now call Sturm und Drang.

... btw, the opening piece (the last movement of Gluck's "Don Juan") does a thrilling effect and seems an excellent door to this collection. 

[Harry]

John Foulds.
Orchestral Works.

London PO, Barry Wordsworth.

This is a fine disc in great sound, recorded in 1993, but still almost State of the Art. Foulds works on this CD are marvelously well composed, in this he shows himself master of all the instruments, and knows the possibilities of each, as well as the limits. Foulds breaks some boundaries, especially in the Mantras. I think them loud, and albeit technically advanced almost vulgar in expression. The first and third mantra are ear killers, and frankly turns me a bit of the scale of feeling well, for this idiom is so different from the first pieces on this CD, that I almost have the feeling as listening to a other componist as Foulds. The second Mantra I can stomach, but the others are not my thing at all. (Sorry Jeffrey). Still the rest I enjoy very much and will return frequently to them, but the Mantras for now are off limits for me.

[Mirror Image]

A wonderful and truly individual work indeed! I recently listened to the new Blomstedt recording on BIS, which is exemplary. Have you heard it, John? It's coupled with an equally revelatory account of the 2nd Symphony. A fantastic disc in all regards:

[asin] B07J35GDB1[/asin]

I haven not heard that Blomstedt recording (nor have I purchased it). I've been meaning to get around to it, but, to be honest, I'm rather well-served with Järvi in the Serenade and Symphony No. 2 --- I also own the Westerberg recording of the 2nd, which was, for me, revelatory. I seriously doubt it could be bettered, but I'll keep the Blomstedt disc in mind.

[Mirror Image]

Fresh from the mailbox:

[André]

A wonderful and truly individual work indeed! I recently listened to the new Blomstedt recording on BIS, which is exemplary. Have you heard it, John? It's coupled with an equally revelatory account of the 2nd Symphony. A fantastic disc in all regards:

[asin] B07J35GDB1[/asin]

Serenad is a wonderful work. I have it conducted by Salonen on this Musica Sveciae disc:



The other works are superb, too.

[kyjo]

I haven not heard that Blomstedt recording (nor have I purchased it). I've been meaning to get around to it, but, to be honest, I'm rather well-served with Järvi in the Serenade and Symphony No. 2 --- I also own the Westerberg recording of the 2nd, which was, for me, revelatory. I seriously doubt it could be bettered, but I'll keep the Blomstedt disc in mind.

The Westerberg recording of the symphony is very good indeed, but I find Blomstedt's to be even better, and it certainly helps that he's aided by BIS's marvelous sonics.

[kyjo]

Serenad is a wonderful work. I have it conducted by Salonen on this Musica Sveciae disc:



The other works are superb, too.

Didn't know about that recording; thanks André. Salonen rarely dipped his toes into lesser-known waters, another exception being this Sony (!) CD of music by Lars-Erik Larsson which is, unfortunately, quite difficult to get ahold of (both physically and streaming-wise):

[asin]B002I5FMTE[/asin]
God in Disguise is a really lovely work, and I'd certainly like to hear the VC...

[André]

Didn't know about that recording; thanks André. Salonen rarely dipped his toes into lesser-known waters, another exception being this Sony (!) CD of music by Lars-Erik Larsson which is, unfortunately, quite difficult to get ahold of (both physically and streaming-wise):


God in Disguise is a really lovely work, and I'd certainly like to hear the VC...

Very interesting, Kyle ! I have already God in Disguise, on the BIS label, coupled with the 3rd symphony. It has the same baritone (Hagegard). I notice Salonen's  narrator is Erland Josephson, one of Ingmar Bergman's regulars. Very tempting, but too expensive for my budget  .

Here's another 'off the beaten path' one (for Salonen). I don't have it, since I already have 3 of the works featured here:

[André]

When I purchased this disc 3 months ago, Cesar had this to say:

The Enna CD is good for the Fairy Tale Suite but not too much for the Symphony.

Right on both counts !

The Fairy Tale Symphonic Picturesits full title) is a symphony in all but name. It's a captivating score. The Andersen Overture (based on the author Hans-Christian Andersen' initials, B flat (H in german notation), C, A) is a striking composition. The HCA motto appears numerous times in various guises - dramatic, imposing, lyrical, dreamy etc). Not only clever, bit musically substantial. This term cannot be used to describe the symphony, though, or at least its first movement, a thoroughly banal piece of work. The middle movements are short but characterful and quite catchy. The finale returns to something less inspired, although it does pick up steam at the end. Enna had the good idea to use again the beautiful main theme of the slow movement halfway through - an inspired gesture.

The disc is generous in length at 78 minutes, and with two works totalling 44 minutes of excellent music (and two interesting movements in a goodish symphony), I can still make a recommendation.

[Mirror Image]

Flos campi:

[Symphonic Addict]

When I purchased this disc 3 months ago, Cesar had this to say:

Right on both counts !

The Fairy Tale Symphonic Picturesits full title) is a symphony in all but name. It's a captivating score. The Andersen Overture (based on the author Hans-Christian Andersen' initials, B flat (H in german notation), C, A) is a striking composition. The HCA motto appears numerous times in various guises - dramatic, imposing, lyrical, dreamy etc). Not only clever, bit musically substantial. This term cannot be used to describe the symphony, though, or at least its first movement, a thoroughly banal piece of work. The middle movements are short but characterful and quite catchy. The finale returns to something less inspired, although it does pick up steam at the end. Enna had the good idea to use again the beautiful main theme of the slow movement halfway through - an inspired gesture.

The disc is generous in length at 78 minutes, and with two works totalling 44 minutes of excellent music (and two interesting movements in a goodish symphony), I can still make a recommendation.

Yes, definitely the Suite makes a greater impression than the Symphony. I don't recall the latter very well but I wasn't particularly engaged, whilst the Suite stands out like colourful and exotic in moments.

[Symphonic Addict]

Sándor Veress - Prima Sinfonia (Symphony No. 1) and Sinfonia Minneapolitana (Symphony No. 2)

A very promising Hungarian composer. I had already heard his String Trio some weeks ago and I was quite impressed. These symphonies are not far behind in greatness and inventiveness. This was my 2nd listen to the Sinfonia Minneapolitana and it's definitely a distinctive piece of music.

[André]

Disc one



A revisit after many years of this endlessly fascinating and generous compilation. It truly lives up to its title. For obvious geopolitical reasons the USSR trained and nurtured its lyrical talents at home (no studies with renowned german, french or italian teachers, no appearances on international opera houses, etc.). The result is a very peculiar brand of vocal emission, with strongly projected (penetrating) timbre, a sparing use of vibrato, a beautiful legato, a true 'in your face' dramatic characterization. Some of the performances here hold moments of stunning vocal/dramatic wonders.

28 tracks, some going back as early as 1910 (!). Most are in stereo or excellent mono. 7 are from the period before 1945. Easily available on the marketplace. Strongly recommended to voice aficionados.

[vandermolen]

A first listen to Ron Goodwin's film music :

You're probably aware of the saga of the Battle of Britain score Olivier, which was originally offered to Walton. Ron Goodwin had to write a score at the last minute when the producers rejected Walton's score. At Laurence Olivier's insistence Walton's 'Battle in the Air' did feature in the film and is the musical high point as far as I'm concerned. I suspect that Walton's friend Malcolm Arnold (the conductor of Walton's score) had a hand in it as well.

[Mirror Image]

Sándor Veress - Prima Sinfonia (Symphony No. 1) and Sinfonia Minneapolitana (Symphony No. 2)

A very promising Hungarian composer. I had already heard his String Trio some weeks ago and I was quite impressed. These symphonies are not far behind in greatness and inventiveness. This was my 2nd listen to the Sinfonia Minneapolitana and it's definitely a distinctive piece of music.

Very cool, Cesar. I've only got one recording of Veress' music:



I don't really remember much about this music as I bought the above disc probably 8-9 years ago. Might have to check those symphonies out.

[Sergeant Rock]

A first listen to Ron Goodwin's film music :

Great disc. I especially love 633 Squadron's the main theme.

Sarge

[Todd]

Schumann.