What are you listening 2 now?

Started by Gurn Blanston, September 23, 2019, 05:45:22 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Mandryka and 26 Guests are viewing this topic.

Karl Henning

Maiden-Listen Monday!

Suk
A Summer's Tale, Op. 29
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Pešek
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Karl Henning

Quote from: André on September 23, 2019, 11:25:46 AM


The Requiem.

There's no mention anywhere that these recordings have been remastered. They date back 1949-1961. Most are in stereo, as is the case here. This was taped in Symphony Hall in April 1959, all of 60 years ago. Much to my surprise the sound is very, very good. Uncluttered, with well-spaced stereo, no peaking, no distortion, no fizz, no hiss, no pre-echo. There is a nice spatial spread to the voices: basses and sopranos to the left, mezzos and tenors to the right. Very easy to follow the choral lines. Of course the dynamic range may be slightly less wide than on more modern recordings, but in all conscience I can only say that, as a recording, this is very successful. So far I had this only as a download transferred onto cdr, so no match for this fine product.

Munch's interpretation is legendary, and justly so. I also have his later BRSO recording, a rather different kind of interpretation. In Boston he is on home turf, working with his own orchestra and the well-honed New England Conservatory Chorus and its fabulous director Lorna Cooke de Varon. Collectively they could start working on fine points of expression instead of going through the more lengthy and arduous process of starting from scratch. This is a very intense interpretation, extraordinarily focused, unfurling at what seems a quite steady pace. Munch's Offertory is an urgent plea, with beautiful wind curls. In all the other movements he leans slightly on the slower side of average.

The participation of Léopold Simoneau in the Sanctus has always been praised to the skies and rightly so. This is a hugely difficult solo. The top of the voice must sound honeyed, sweet and utterly free of any strain. In the Book of Isaiah the words of the Sanctus are thundered forth by a bunch of six-winged seraphims whose voice move the foundations of heaven. Not exactly what Berlioz offers ! No matter, this is a moment of pure beauty and I wouldn't want it any different.

Colin Davis recorded the work multiple times (4 or more) and I still consider his first, LSO recording as the most formidable of all. Munch's BRSO account is almost as good as the Boston, except for his tenor and the last degree of passion in the playing. McCreesh is a spine tingling affair, dramatic in the extreme. Still, this BSO version retains my affection and I simply can't find anything to detract from my enjoyment.

Nice!
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot


Karl Henning

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on September 23, 2019, 08:14:19 AM
Ah, splendid, splendid. Even though it is somewhat austere, I really like that set a lot!

For me:




8)

Aye. The austerity notwithstanding, a wonderful project!
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Roasted Swan

Quote from: André on September 23, 2019, 11:25:46 AM


The Requiem.

There's no mention anywhere that these recordings have been remastered. They date back 1949-1961. Most are in stereo, as is the case here. This was taped in Symphony Hall in April 1959, all of 60 years ago. Much to my surprise the sound is very, very good. Uncluttered, with well-spaced stereo, no peaking, no distortion, no fizz, no hiss, no pre-echo. There is a nice spatial spread to the voices: basses and sopranos to the left, mezzos and tenors to the right. Very easy to follow the choral lines. Of course the dynamic range may be slightly less wide than on more modern recordings, but in all conscience I can only say that, as a recording, this is very successful. So far I had this only as a download transferred onto cdr, so no match for this fine product.

Munch's interpretation is legendary, and justly so. I also have his later BRSO recording, a rather different kind of interpretation. In Boston he is on home turf, working with his own orchestra and the well-honed New England Conservatory Chorus and its fabulous director Lorna Cooke de Varon. Collectively they could start working on fine points of expression instead of going through the more lengthy and arduous process of starting from scratch. This is a very intense interpretation, extraordinarily focused, unfurling at what seems a quite steady pace. Munch's Offertory is an urgent plea, with beautiful wind curls. In all the other movements he leans slightly on the slower side of average.

The participation of Léopold Simoneau in the Sanctus has always been praised to the skies and rightly so. This is a hugely difficult solo. The top of the voice must sound honeyed, sweet and utterly free of any strain. In the Book of Isaiah the words of the Sanctus are thundered forth by a bunch of six-winged seraphims whose voice move the foundations of heaven. Not exactly what Berlioz offers ! No matter, this is a moment of pure beauty and I wouldn't want it any different.

Colin Davis recorded the work multiple times (4 or more) and I still consider his first, LSO recording as the most formidable of all. Munch's BRSO account is almost as good as the Boston, except for his tenor and the last degree of passion in the playing. McCreesh is a spine tingling affair, dramatic in the extreme. Still, this BSO version retains my affection and I simply can't find anything to detract from my enjoyment.

another excellent overview Andre!

Kontrapunctus

This wonderful set arrived today. The music really breathes under his fingers, and he's not afraid of using some pedal. It includes pocket facsimile scores. The only downside is the boxes are too large to fit on my CD shelves! I'll have find an alternative place to store them. High to praise to Amazon seller "musicexport-us", who is based in Greece and got this set to me via DHL in less than a week!


Daverz

#26
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 23, 2019, 12:21:39 PM
Maiden-Listen Monday!

Suk
A Summer's Tale, Op. 29
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Pešek


Missing Summer already?

TD: Lutosławski: Symphony No. 1

[asin] B00AK3X3M4[/asin]

Love these ultra-vivid old CBS recordings, though they may have been swallowed up by Sony by the time Symphony No. 1 was recorded.

OOPS: Symphony No. 1 was recorded in 2012. Kudos to the engineers for making it sound like an old CBS recording from the late 80s.  8)

Karl Henning

Quote from: Daverz on September 23, 2019, 01:20:57 PM
Missing Summer already?


Not in today's warmth....

And now:

Tchaikovsky Quartets

The Keller Quartet
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

SimonNZ



on the radio:

Elgar's Sea Pictures - Baker, Barbirolli

Daverz

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 23, 2019, 01:36:06 PM
Not in today's warmth....

And now:

Tchaikovsky Quartets

The Keller Quartet


It's just slightly warm-these-old-bones hot here in inland Southern California.  That's the high 80s Fahrenheit for you young folks.

TD: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20, K466

[asin] B00I3LJQYO[/asin]


vers la flamme

#30


Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. Murray Perahia. A great performance in my opinion, though I can see why others may not like it as much.

First post in the new thread... o.0


Iota

Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on September 23, 2019, 01:00:59 PM
This wonderful set arrived today. The music really breathes under his fingers ..

Indeed, I *really* like what I've heard of that set, honest words spoken quietly from the heart (or so they seem to these ears), glorious stuff!

Playing here:



Brahms Symphony No.3

.. which feels like a eulogy to benevolence in Nelsons' hands ... though obviously Brahms' hands had quite a bit to do with it also .. anywaze, high five to both, for a truly lovely disc!

Madiel

Sonata no.11 in B flat, op.22



Very satisfied with my purchasing decision so far.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Christo

... music is not only an 'entertainment', nor a mere luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual if not of the physical life, an opening of those magic casements through which we can catch a glimpse of that country where ultimate reality will be found.    RVW, 1948

j winter

Why no, I've never bought a recording based on the album cover, what a remarkably shallow thing to suggest.  I am offended, deeply offended I say...



The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted.

-- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Daverz

Quote from: j winter on September 23, 2019, 05:51:18 PM
Why no, I've never bought a recording based on the album cover, what a remarkably shallow thing to suggest.  I am offended, deeply offended I say...




I wouldn't buy that based on the cover...



...I'd buy it for the booklet photos...

Alek Hidell

From Anne-Sophie to Herr Hindemith - sorry, guys ... :D



Continuing this, and enjoying the second half of it more: the music more colorful and varied (or so I hear it).
"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist." - Hélder Pessoa Câmara

JBS

From the Naxos early music set

Firsr impression: Christie does a very good job.

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

Daverz



Magical stuff!  If you distilled the most magical moments from Ravel, Debussy, Roussel and Faure, you'd probably end up with Jean Cras.

Qobuz has the CD booklet available to read online, but unless there's a second booklet, there are no texs or translations of the words to La Flûte de Pan.

ChopinBroccoli

Quote from: Alek Hidell on September 23, 2019, 07:25:24 PM
From Anne-Sophie to Herr Hindemith - sorry, guys ... :D



Continuing this, and enjoying the second half of it more: the music more colorful and varied (or so I hear it).

This has nothing to do with anything but I just wanted to point out that the quote in your sig is one of my favorites
"If it ain't Baroque, don't fix it!"
- Handel