What are you listening 2 now?

[SimonNZ]

[Mirror Image]

A sort of reality, but I do recognize his voice or style is not totally convincing or enjoyable to me. I mean, he can sometimes be too 'dour' in a wide sense.

There's no 'sort of' for me. I like many of Martin's works.

[Mirror Image]

Now on the richly textural Symphony No. 2 by Lutoslawski. Textures, sonorities, short and long notes interwoving.

I'm actually not too fond of Lutoslawski's symphonies, although I think it was either the 3rd or 4th that impressed me the most. I think his song cycles are his greatest achievement. I also like his chamber works and many of the other orchestral works like Funeral Music, Musique funèbre, Jeux vénitiens, the Piano Concerto, among others.

[Mirror Image]

The Korngold Symphony recording from Sinfonia of London (chandos). I regret all the years I didn't know this piece but I'm glad this is the recording that introduced me to this larger than life gem. Almost certainly my most played classical recording of the past 12 months and still a joy.

I'm open to any Korngold recommendations, I'm really not familiar with him at all and it needs to be fixed!

You've got to hear the performance of the Symphony with Rudolf Kempe/Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. This has become my go-to performance of this work. Other favorite Korngold works: the SQs, String Sextet, Piano Quintet, Violin Concerto, Lieder des Abschieds and the Suite for two violins, cello and piano left-hand. Check these works out.

[SimonNZ]

[Harry]

Johann Sebastian Bach.
Complete Organ Works.
Volume XVII.

Concertos for 2,3 & 4 organs.
Collegium Baroque, on Authentic instruments, Nicolas Mazzoleni.

Organists:
Olivier Vernet, Frederic Rivosi, Bruno Morin, Marie Claire Alain
No info about the organs used.

Well recorded, not the most exciting concertos, but interesting.

[Irons]

Still my favorite version.

A more crowded field but the Stokowski, Shostakovich 5th is in with a shout too.

[Irons]

Copland: Billy the Kid.



Mercury magic! The sound from this CD is jaw-dropping good, so alive. A thrilling gunfight, I nearly leaped over my listening chair for cover.

[Harry]

Copland: Billy the Kid.



Mercury magic! The sound from this CD is jaw-dropping good, so alive. A thrilling gunfight, I nearly leaped over my listening chair for cover.

This elicited and thunderous laugh at my side of the pond. Thank you for that. You brightened up my morning considerably!

[Mandryka]

Now streaming. Great sound of course, the placement of the singers in the image, the space between them is impressive. Performance wise it's too early for me to say whether this is just another excellent mainstream Josquin recording or whether there are some significant new ideas in here. They've chosen a very well known and popular mass - Pange lingue - so they'd better have something fresh to say IMO.


But as in all the recent Josquin recordings, just at the level of sound, beauty of sound,  it is a pleasure to hear!

[Harry]

New acquisition, arrived today.

Giovanni Battista Costanzi. ( 1704-1778)
Sinfonie per Violoncello.

Giovanni Sollima, Violoncello.
Arriana Art Ensemble.

A remarkable recording with commited and passionate musicians. Typical Italian music of its time, which makes for pleasant listening time. Inventive enough, creative in it's footprint, and well written. For me this is a find and surprise. The label Glossa rarely disappoints in my experience. The recording is set in a detailed environment, and gives you a in depth acoustic sensation.  Recommended for Baroque buffs.

( It should be said however that the cellist found it necessary to add a modern composition of nis own lasting about 7 minutes, and so sounds inappropriate in the context, and thus I found it that bad, that I skipped the three tracks altogether. Tis true, I paid a pittance for this CD, but still the audacity to put a mediocre work in between the works of Costanzi is to me an affront)

[Harry]

New acquisition, first listen.

Matthias Weckmann.
Complete Organ Works.
CD I.
Leon Berben, Organ.
Instrument:
1467/Friedrich Stellwagen, 1637-Hillebrand 1977.
Temperament: Werckmeister I.
Pitch: Chorton (etwa 1 Ganzton höher als 440 Hz.

Although I have already excellent interpretations of Weckmann's organ works, I could not resist Berben's take on them, especially when such fine old organs were involved. And it must be said, Berben has its own unique approach, and brings in a lot of details as a compliment. He keeps it all nicely flowing, and balanced in such a way that the harmonies come out in the broadest sense of the word. He shapes every note into compliance in an unobtrusive way, which makes it so easy to get to the inner core of each and every composition. O, dear yes I like this very much. The engineer Frommen made an excellent recording too. JPC de reduced the selling price by a few euros.

[Mandryka]

New acquisition, first listen.

Matthias Weckmann.
Complete Organ Works.
CD I.
Leon Berben, Organ.
Instrument:
1467/Friedrich Stellwagen, 1637-Hillebrand 1977.
Temperament: Werckmeister I.
Pitch: Chorton (etwa 1 Ganzton höher als 440 Hz.

Although I have already excellent interpretations of Weckmann's organ works, I could not resist Berben's take on them, especially when such fine old organs were involved. And it must be said, Berben has its own unique approach, and brings in a lot of details as a compliment. He keeps it all nicely flowing, and balanced in such a way that the harmonies come out in the broadest sense of the word. He shapes every note into compliance in an unobtrusive way, which makes it so easy to get to the inner core of each and every composition. O, dear yes I like this very much. The engineer Frommen made an excellent recording too. JPC de reduced the selling price by a few euros.

Excellent, look forward to hearing it.

How are you Harry? How are your eyes doing?

[Traverso]

Richard Strauss

Ein Heldenleben

Georg Solti

[prémont]

[img]

Harp – Eva Guibentif  - Harpsichord – Christiane Jacottet  - Piano – Ursula Ruttimann
Must be the same 1991 recording Erato/ Cascavelle / Apex.
There is an OUP 2005 Cascavelle recording with Jordan /Lausanne ChO/Xavier de MAISTRE, harpe, Jory VINIKOUR, clavecin, and Dénes VÁRJON, piano.

Thanks pjme. Yes I supposed it was that one. The other one you mention, is the second recording I know by Jordan.

Ooh, now I see the names on the cover. The letters are so smalll, that I didn't see them before.

[Harry]

Excellent, look forward to hearing it.

How are you Harry? How are your eyes doing?

After almost 2 weeks, the air bell in my eye has gone, the operation pain is almost nil, but before I have back vision will take several weeks. The healing of the Retina takes about 12 months. Over all I cannot complain really, so far so good. Thank you for asking

[Biffo]

After almost 2 weeks, the air bell in my eye has gone, the operation pain is almost nil, but before I have back vision will take several weeks. The healing of the Retina takes about 12 months. Over all I cannot complain really, so far so good. Thank you for asking

Glad to hear you are making progress. All the best.

[Harry]

Glad to hear you are making progress. All the best.

Apart from the excessive amount of drops that have to be put in my eyes to avoid infection, that is an ordeal. Well at my age I can complain

[Harry]

New acquisition, first listen.

Voices in the Wilderness, Cello Concertos by Exiled Jewish Composers.

Karl Weigl.

Cello Concerto. (World premiere recording)
Two pieces for Violoncello & Piano.
Menuetto for Violoncello & Piano.
Cello Sonata.

Raphael Wallfish, Cello.
John York, Edward Rushton, Piano.
Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Nicholas Milton

I was not prepared for the beauty of Karl Weigl's Cello concerto, frankly it took my breath away. That happened in all three movements, especially the second movement, and from thereon it was free sailing with the rest of the compositions on this disc.
Very good recording, plus ditto performance. Really a superb disc.

[Mandryka]

Apart from the excessive amount of drops that have to be put in my eyes to avoid infection, that is an ordeal. Well at my age I can complain

Yes I have a friend with glaucoma who has to use drops and she's always complaining about how annoying they are. Still, hopefully with you there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if the tunnel is a long one.