What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Water Music, Op. 82b

This is the version for symphony orchestra. Two pompous and celebratory outer movements, whilst the 2nd movement is so peaceful, featuring one of his most nostalgic tunes. Somehow that melody reminds me of my childhood.

Very nice. I'll have to dig more into that box set. It seems we're the only ones listening to anything tonight, Cesar.

[bhodges]

This afternoon, Berg's Lulu from the Met Opera (an archived broadcast from 2015), with a great cast headed by Marlis Petersen, in the brilliant production by William Kentridge.

In an intermission interview, conductor Lothar Koenigs said he was totally "addicted" to Berg's music, and it certainly showed. Fantastic work from the Met Orchestra.

--Bruce

[Symphonic Addict]

Very nice. I'll have to dig more into that box set. It seems we're the only ones listening to anything tonight, Cesar.

Yes! Let's hope more fellows will post their recent listens.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Wednesday -

SQs Nos. 1 & 2

[kyjo]

Arthur Somervell - Symphony in D minor Thalassa

Uninspired and down-watered work. Something to forget. 

Once again, we're in agreement. I had to turn it off after a few minutes, and it certainly doesn't help that the performance/recording in that set is quite substandard.

[JBS]

Arthur Somervell - Symphony in D minor Thalassa

Uninspired and down-watered work. Something to forget. 

That set hit me as definitely inferior to the three other Lyrita British music sets.

TD
Beethoven
Piano Concertos 1 and 2
Stephen Hough piano
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu conductor

"The White Album"

[Todd]

The Seventh.  I guess by now it no longer makes sense to write that it is better than expected.  It is as good as expected, and that is very good, indeed.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Wednesday -

SQs Nos. 1 & 2

I have to say these are two excellent SQs. Rubbra proves himself very capable of sustaining the same level of beauty as he does in his symphonies and orchestral works. I wrote this to a friend on why I like Rubbra's music so much:

Rubbra has always been a fascinating composer to me and a lot of this stems from the way he wrote his music and also how the music develops --- it's almost like he doesn't develop it in the traditional sense, it sort just flows from one idea to the next with transitions between the ideas, but yet, somehow, it makes musical sense.

I will also say that the level of melodic invention in these SQs is amazing, which is another trademark of Rubbra's music --- the long, singing melodic line that runs through his best music. The SQ is a medium where the idea of these 'long, singing' melodic lines really have a great advantage to be absorbed by the listener and Rubbra exploits this idea to great effect.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Wednesday -

Skating Rink



Unfortunately, I had to buy this recording as a download as it was the only way I could find it. Skating Rink sounds rather good so far.

[Mirror Image]

The 5th:



One of the greatest symphonies ever written, IMHO.

[TheGSMoeller]

Again with this magical album. One of the best early music performances on record I've heard.




Will follow it up with another new arrival, Gesualdo's Tenebrae Responsories by A Sei Voci..

[Symphonic Addict]

A stunning disc. I wasn't expecting such committed performances. 100% fun.




El Retablo de Maese Pedro

I'm listening to this work for the first time. Authentically Spanish. De Falla pays homage to Cervantes with inventive music, which is very reminiscent from the writer's time. The soprano was getting on my nerves, though. That would be my only complaint.

[Symphonic Addict]

I have to say these are two excellent SQs. Rubbra proves himself very capable of sustaining the same level of beauty as he does in his symphonies and orchestral works. I wrote this to a friend on why I like Rubbra's music so much:

Rubbra has always been a fascinating composer to me and a lot of this stems from the way he wrote his music and also how the music develops --- it's almost like he doesn't develop it in the traditional sense, it sort just flows from one idea to the next with transitions between the ideas, but yet, somehow, it makes musical sense.

I will also say that the level of melodic invention in these SQs is amazing, which is another trademark of Rubbra's music --- the long, singing melodic line that runs through his best music. The SQ is a medium where the idea of these 'long, singing' melodic lines really have a great advantage to be absorbed by the listener and Rubbra exploits this idea to great effect.

I have these quartets on the Naxos recordings. As far as I remember, this is sublime and moving music.

[Mirror Image]

I have these quartets on the Naxos recordings. As far as I remember, this is sublime and moving music.

So far, they have enjoyable and, more importantly, beautiful. Can't wait to hear the other two.

[vandermolen]

Weinberg Trumpet Concerto Zhiuraitis conducting the Moscow Phil




Sarge

Best performance of the Symphony as well. Great disc.

[Mirror Image]

Best performance of the Symphony as well. Great disc.

+ 1

[vandermolen]

First-Listen Wednesday -

Skating Rink



Unfortunately, I had to buy this recording as a download as it was the only way I could find it. Skating Rink sounds rather good so far.

I think that I have this CD somewhere. I've always liked L'Idee.

[vandermolen]

The 5th:



One of the greatest symphonies ever written, IMHO.

+1
And this is its best recording.

[Mirror Image]

I think that I have this CD somewhere. I've always liked L'Idee.

I'll have to give a listen to that work, Jeffrey. I think I have L'Idee in a performance on Naxos.

[Mirror Image]

+1
And this is its best recording.

+ 2