What are you listening 2 now?

[T. D.]

   

[Mirror Image]

Some orchesterlieder from this well-known classic:



As much as a Straussian as I am (or claim to be), this Schwarzkopf/Szell recording remained on my wish-list but I just never got around to buying it and this was 12 years ago! I'm proud to say that I now own this recording. It is absolutely divine. I'm saving the Vier Letzte Lieder for another time.

[Mirror Image]

One more work for the night:

Schoenberg
Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4 (original version for string sextet)
Ensemble InterContemporain
Boulez

[Que]

Morning listening (Spotify):



https://www.spektral-records.de/alben/palestrina-missa-papae-marcelli-reform-und-reformation/

I looked for the Desprez recording by this ensemble, which I do not have on CD.
Unfortunately non of their recordings on Ars Musici were there, but I did found this recording! 

It seems that after the passing of founder Eckehard Kiem, the ensemble decided to continue.
Good news, and this recording from 2018 is the only recording in its new composition.

http://www.dufayensemble.de/

[vandermolen]

One more work for the night:

Schoenberg
Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4 (original version for string sextet)
Ensemble InterContemporain
Boulez

I like the cover design.

Now Playing (early morning listening):
Dello Joio: 'Meditations on Ecclesiastes' (1959)
I enjoy every work on this CD (not mentioned on the cover is 'The Masks' by Ronald Lo Presti, which is my favourite). This is one of those CDs, despite featuring the works of three different composers, that I can play through from beginning to end with much pleasure. Menotti's 'Apocalypse' (1951) shows the influence of Vaughan Williams in its more tranquil sections. Fine performances from James De Priest with the Oregon SO:

[Tsaraslondon]

Before committing his excellent Minnesota cycle to disc, BBC Music Magazine had issued these live performances of the 6th and 8th Symphonies with Osmo Vänska conducting the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and very fine they are too.

[Irons]

Miaskovsky: Symphony No. 27 Op. 85 [Svetlanov]





That steady, soulful march at the very beginning leads into a burst of excited energy. Powerful and atmospheric plaintive music is greatly enhanced by wonderful orchestral colour and tones. He really was excellent at this aspect of composition. Beguiling, sweeping strings and plaintive woodwinds tell a story of their own. Things become somewhat agitated and tense around centre movement but things eventually settle down and we gradually build the tension to a turbulent and compelling conclusion to the third movement.
Those opening chords of the slow movement are sublime, dramatic and disconcerting all in one. The theme is taken up by ardent strings and then plaintive woodwinds. The brass fanfares sound like a cry to the heavens and we conclude with a deep sense of resignation and acceptance. This movement has been described [many times by Jeffrey] as valedictory and now that I have heard it I can avow the sentiment. What a message to leave behind you. This is sublime music.
However, we resurrect the spirit in the opening of the final movement and hope springs eternal in an exuberant and buoyant orchestral display. This is determined, spirited and passionate music; defiant almost as is well declared in the finale.



Well, I have finally reached the end of my Miaskovsky odyssey you will be all glad to know 

Not at all. Enjoyed being a passenger on your journey. You got through them much quicker then I did.

[Irons]

Reger: Piano Concerto.



Big boned with not a little hint of Brahms. Hopefully cleaned up for CD as the recording on LP is not the best.

[vandermolen]

Not at all. Enjoyed being a passenger on your journey. You got through them much quicker then I did.

+1 enjoyed the reviews and insights Fergus.

TD
Lopes-Graca 'Sinfonia per Orchestra'.
The music is 'folksy' but with a deeper vein of lyricism (the slow movement is especially powerful).
Another interesting Portuguese composer, along with Freitas Branco and Braga Santos:

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

Peterson-Berger - Symphony No.2

[Papy Oli]

First French exploration of the day :

Duphly & Boismortier - Harpsichord works

[vandermolen]

Good morning all,

Peterson-Berger - Symphony No.2

Good morning to you too Olivier.
That's a fine symphony. No.3 is my favourite (do you know it?) and No.5 'Solitudo' is also vg IMO.

[Madiel]

Bits of this album, but skipping a large chunk in the middle that I frankly find completely unrewarding.

[Papy Oli]

Good morning to you too Olivier.
That's a fine symphony. No.3 is my favourite (do you know it?) and No.5 'Solitudo' is also vg IMO.

Hi Jeffrey,
Peterson-Berger is new to me. I am streaming this cycle to see what it is like (Presto has a sale going on on CPO, it would be rude not to have a look around). I have enjoyed No.1 & No.2 so far, lots of "tunes" and very entertaining. I'll probably get to the 3rd later today. I did read his short thread earlier on and the 3rd was indeed highly praised in a few posts so I am looking forward to it.

[vandermolen]

Hi Jeffrey,
Peterson-Berger is new to me. I am streaming this cycle to see what it is like (Presto has a sale going on on CPO, it would be rude not to have a look around). I have enjoyed No.1 & No.2 so far, lots of "tunes" and very entertaining. I'll probably get to the 3rd later today. I did read his short thread earlier on and the 3rd was indeed highly praised in a few posts so I am looking forward to it.

Excellent! I'm sure that you'll enjoy it Olivier. Coincidentally I'd just been on the phone to Presto about the delayed release of Petrenko's recording of Miaskovsky 27th Symphony - they are always very helpful and friendly.

[aligreto]

Mendelssohn: String Quintet Op. 18 [Gewandhaus Quartet +]





This is wonderful string writing. The music simply flows effortlessly in the opening movement. The viola scoring adds wonderful colour and texture to the score. I understand that the second [slow] movement was a revision six years after initial composition. This slow movement was written apparently to commemorate a dead friend and it replaced the original minuet. One can certainly hear and feel the emotion in the writing. I really like the sense of perpetual motion and forward momentum of the third movement. At the same time the music is not driven excessively hard and it still breathes. It is delightful and inventive music. The final movement also contains appealing and entertaining and well written music. The lightness of touch in the performance is delightful.

[aligreto]

Some orchesterlieder from this well-known classic:



As much as a Straussian as I am (or claim to be), this Schwarzkopf/Szell recording remained on my wish-list but I just never got around to buying it and this was 12 years ago! I'm proud to say that I now own this recording. It is absolutely divine. I'm saving the Vier Letzte Lieder for another time.

Divine is rather an apt word there, John. I think that you are in for a treat with her Vier Letzte Lieder.

[aligreto]

Not at all. Enjoyed being a passenger on your journey. You got through them much quicker then I did.

My haste was driven by nothing other than the compelling music. 

[Que]

On Spotify:



The great Goebel doing Telemann,  what can possibly go wrong? 
Well, it's pretty but the energy levels are overall surprisingly low.
And the trumpet concerto comes of as rather bland...

[aligreto]

+1 enjoyed the reviews and insights Fergus.

Thank you to our resident expert in this field