What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Symphony No. 1

Revisiting this set. A while ago I had listened to this string quartets finding them wholly inspired and impeccably written. Now, this symphony is also proving that is a quite accomplished composition. For some reason it brought to my mind Nielsen's 6th Symphony and Shostakovich's 15th Symphony, There is a sort of gripping and mysterious atmosphere that really grabs your attention. The very ending struck me like quite interesting as well, but I'm not going to spoil it for you. 

Interesting. This is the only Toch I have in my collection. I should revisit this set. The last time I listened to any of the music from this set, it didn't quite make much of an impact on me, but this was probably 10 years ago or so.

[JBS]

Final CD of this set, which has enough non-standard repertoire to make it worthwhile even with the duplicate performances of Mozart and Strauss.

[Symphonic Addict]

Drats! Don't ruin this for me!!! But, yes, it does seem that I'm coming down with something that I can't get rid of and I'm not even worried about it!

That's the kind of illness that everybody should get or have. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Oh, this is an excellent work, Cesar. I haven't heard it in ages. I didn't listen to this complete cycle, but think Bouquet of Flowers mixed with Romance of the Dandelions and it's pretty close to its sound-world. I'm not even sure if this comparison worked, but that's all I could think of at the moment.

Thanks, John. Very cool. Sounds like it is my cup of tea.

[Mirror Image]

That's the kind of illness that everybody should get or have. 

Absolutely! I have to honestly say that I've enjoyed every work from Tchaikovsky I've heard today, but this probably doesn't come as a surprise, especially given my own history with the composer.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks, John. Very cool. Sounds like it is my cup of tea.

You're welcome. In the meantime, I'm crossing my fingers that Jakub Hrůša gets around to recording Julietta. God, do we need a new recording with Czech forces!

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake, Op. 20
USSR State Academic SO
Svetlanov

From this set -

[Brahmsian]

Indeed, Ray. Are you enjoying your set as well?

Oh yes, I've already run through the full set including some repeats. It is a great all around collection.

[Symphonic Addict]

Interesting. This is the only Toch I have in my collection. I should revisit this set. The last time I listened to any of the music from this set, it didn't quite make much of an impact on me, but this was probably 10 years ago or so.

The music is not overtly straightforward, it requires your concentration, but it's far from being impenetrable. It gave me a very good impression to say the least.

Absolutely! I have to honestly say that I've enjoyed every work from Tchaikovsky I've heard today, but this probably doesn't come as a surprise, especially given my own history with the composer.

Glad to hear that, John. Your reassessment of Tchaikovsky's music is being more fruitful than expected!

[T. D.]

Tchaikovsky, Serenade for Strings, Capriccio Italien, Francesca da Ramini, Mravinsky/LPO, rec. 1961, 1950, 1948 resp.
Another I'd forgotten about. It's so obscure I could barely find a pic, but no doubt the material's been reissued in some box or another.

[Mirror Image]

Oh yes, I've already run through the full set including some repeats. It is a great all around collection.

Very good to read, Ray. So far, I have to say that I'm most impressed with Wit's performance of A Hero's Song, Op. 111 and this is mainly because the only performance I have of this work is with Bohumil Gregor in a Supraphon set and it is so lifeless and lacking in inspiration. Looking forward to digging more into this set.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Schnittke
Symphony No. 8
Royal Stockholm PO
Rozhdestvensky



One of the last great symphonies written by a post-war composer.

[vandermolen]

NP:

Schnittke
Symphony No. 8
Royal Stockholm PO
Rozhdestvensky



One of the last great symphonies written by a post-war composer.

Indeed - it's a fine work!

[Que]

Morning listening on Spotify:



Not bad, nice. But not perfect. The Amazon review by Gio aka Giordano Bruno reflects my sentiments, and gives valuable background information.

I think La Venexiana or La Compagnia del Madrigale would absolutely nail this...
And I would prefer an all a capella ensemble version, instead of the ensemble, accompanied or unaccompanied solo voice presented here. Worst offences are of course the solo instrument versions (lute), discarding the texts all together... As a seasoned listener I don't need this kind of "variety", and prefer the texts and music sung in all its polyphonic splendour.

[Roasted Swan]

NP:

Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 13, "Winter Daydreams"
BSO
MTT



An brilliant performance from Tilson Thomas and the Bostonians. This must be counted as one of the great recordings of this symphony. I may end up listening to again after it's over. It's been 13 years since I've last heard this symphony.

The young MTT in Boston really did produce some quite stunning recordings - his Rite of Spring is an all-time favourite - but I don't know this Tchaikovsky.  You're tempting me now!

[Mandryka]

Morning listening on Spotify:



Not bad, nice. But not perfect. The Amazon review by Gio aka Giordano Bruno reflects my sentiments, and gives valuable background information.

I think La Venexiana or La Compagnia del Madrigale would absolutely nail this.

Have you tried this?

[Que]

Have you tried this?

No, but I will!  Added some further thoughts to the post BTW.

[Mandryka]

Added some further thoughts to the post BTW.

Ah, well you're predisposed against it then!

[Que]

Ah, well you're predisposed against it then!

I'm not per se against adaptations, especially not by another composer and done well.

But I'm against the use of adaptations as a substitute for, and mixed in with, the real thing.

[Mandryka]

I'm not per se against adaptations, especially not by another composer and done well.

But I'm against the use of adaptations as a substitute for, and mixed in with, the real thing.

I'm going to make you eat your words by hunting around for adaptions of Verdelot madrigals by, let's say . . .Michael Finnissy or . . . Salvatore  Sciarrino or . . . . Heinz Holliger . . .