What are you listening 2 now?

[steve ridgway]

Continuing with 1968, Xenakis - Nuits.

[kyjo]

What's your favorite performance of the sextets?

These are both excellent in my view:

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And for the string quintets, do not miss out on this absolutely superb recording:

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Some of the finest chamber music-making I've ever heard.

(Sorry, the image isn't appearing. It's the Boston Symphony Chamber Players.)

[Florestan]

These are both excellent in my view:

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And for the string quintets, do not miss out on this absolutely superb recording:

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Some of the finest chamber music-making I've ever heard.

Thanks. Will investigate.

[steve ridgway]

And on to Scelsi - Okanagon.

[Florestan]

Four Songs for Female Chorus, Two Horns and Harp, Op. 17

This is one of the oh so numerous gems hidden in Brahms' best kept secret, ie his vocal output.

[steve ridgway]

Now Ligeti - Pieces For Wind Quintet.

[Harry]

Hermann Hans Wetzler.
Visionen opus 12.
Assisi, Legende für Orchester, opus 13.

Robert-Schumann Philharmonie, Frank Beermann.

Superb.

[Irons]

Bliss: A Colour Symphony
A fabulous performance and recording. This is now my favourite, much as I like the Groves version. I hadn't realised that it's dedicated to Boult and am surprised that AFAIK he never recorded it:

Perhaps the reason Boult did not record it Jeffrey is that he would be in competition with the composer's recording. I have not checked to confirm, but my guess is that Bliss and Boult were both at Decca at the same time. Of course nothing stopping Boult recording A Colour Symphony during his Indian summer at EMI.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A phenomenal work, PD. I may even prefer it to his Piano Concerto. You must check out the Osborne/Volkov performance on Hyperion. That's my reference.

Thank you for the suggestion; I'll keep an eye out for it.

PD

[Symphonic Addict]

If it's anything like as beautiful as the Renoir on the front, it's unmissable.

The music is very good indeed, but it doesn't compare with this awesome painting. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Absolutely gorgeous opera from start to finish, and short (73 minutes long), so another good advantage to enjoy. When did Korngold compose this marvel? When he was 17!!! Just astounding.

[Symphonic Addict]

Piano Trios 1 and 2

These works may sound unpretentious and light, but it's undeniable how pleasant they are.

[Florestan]

Piano Trios 1 and 2

These works may sound unpretentious and light, but it's undeniable how pleasant they are.

+ 1.

[pjme]

Hermann Hans Wetzler.
Visionen opus 12.
Assisi, Legende für Orchester, opus 13.

Robert-Schumann Philharmonie, Frank Beermann.

Superb.

Can you elaborate a bit, Harry? Is Wetzler's music firmly late romantic (cfr. Strauss) or do you notice impressionistic influences?
Peter

[Symphonic Addict]

The symphony is the epitome of pleasantness. Very pretty but too long for its material as well, I fear. 54 minutes long for practically the same mood running throughout is too mellifluous for my taste. I think I'm getting less tolerant with works like this one.

[vandermolen]

I would like to acquire the Chandos recording of the first Symphony by Ben-Haim also Jeffrey, but I have to stop doubling up music I already have. Otherwise I will never get through my backlog. I am in the process of listening to acquisitions from 2009 all the way through to 2018. I gather about 350 discs in total which I only heard once. I am not blessed with eternal life, so I must start with all what is gathering dust in my listening room.

A good point Harry 

[vandermolen]

Perhaps the reason Boult did not record it Jeffrey is that he would be in competition with the composer's recording. I have not checked to confirm, but my guess is that Bliss and Boult were both at Decca at the same time. Of course nothing stopping Boult recording A Colour Symphony during his Indian summer at EMI.

That's a good point Lol which hadn't occurred to me.

NP

Foulds: Sonata for Piano and Cello - a marvellous work and ideal late-night listening:

[André]

1966, recorded in the Jesus Christus Kirche. A titanic performance. I prefer it to Karajan's remake in the Philharmonie. More pliant, more organic. The crunching climax of the Adagio is so powerful and all-encompassing that nothing could top it IMO. There are a dozen great performances of this work, but this one would be among the top three.

[Harry]

Can you elaborate a bit, Harry? Is Wetzler's music firmly late romantic (cfr. Strauss) or do you notice impressionistic influences?
Peter

Yes of course I can Peter.
He is indeed firmly late romantic, with a streak of modernity in the scoring. Strauss is certainly a good example to compare, but Wetzler goes a bit further in his  compositions. I find him to be impressionistic in a spiritual dreamlike way, and expressionistic, with hints to Bruckner, especially in the climaxes, when the brass comes out at full force. Assisi is a walk through mist and mystery, a tour through the composers emotional imprint. Sound is excellent, and the performance leaves no wishes open.

[Daverz]

Copland: Symphony No. 3



Waaaay out West.  The New Zealanders sound great in all departments.