What are you listening 2 now?

[Que]

Brahms: Clarinet Quintet

I felt the need to hear a work that suited my mood at this moment. Nothing better than Brahms's incredibly poetic and melancholy masterpiece. The recording and performance are outstanding as well.

This must have been Karl Leister's signature piece - I've lost count of how many recordings he made of it!

I have another, older recording by him, which I like very much:

[amw]

Duelling Haskils in D960, 1952 vs 1957

///

No comments yet since only just starting the 1952, but I can already see why everyone says the Haskil live recordings supersede the studio ones.

[Traverso]

German Consort Music

One of my favorite recordings with the Parley of Instruments.

[Mandryka]

https://www.youtube.com/v/eSKxzIDuglQ

This is the Jack quartet playing Radulescu 4.

The first thing to say is that Radulescu knows what he is doing. About half way through, you encounter music which really is a force of nature. I felt as though I was being gently led along and then suddenly hit by something irresistible and awe inspiring, sublime.

This is serious music, rather than diverting and light. But it is not heavy of self consciously striving to be a masterpiece or to make a deep statement. But clearly you must be ready to submit - but that's true of all art I suppose.

It all sounds very natural. The way it develops seems intuitive, organic. There are no jolts. It is like the musical equivalent of a stream of consciousness.

[Tsaraslondon]

Britten's own recording of his War Requiem will always hold a special place in the heart of everyone who loves this work, but this 1991 Chandos recording is at least as good as its predecessor and sonically it is absolutely magnificent. Heather Harper here finally gets to record the part she sang at the world premiere when Vishnevskaya was prevented from travelling to England by the Soviet authorities. I suppose one might wish that she had recorded it just a few years earlier (she retired after making this recording) but she is still in splendid voice and wonderfully authoratative. Langridge and Shirley-Quirk, both experienced Britten singers are the equal of Pears and Fischer-Dieskau and Hickox controls his forces in masterly fashion. This could be the best thing he ever did for the gramophone and he is given absolutely top notch Chandos sound , which is the equal of anything you would hear today.

A superb set.

[Que]

On Spotify, celebrating my 2nd Pfizer shot:



Not that I really need another recording of this music. Though with only three performances on the self (Bijlsma II, Cocset, Beschi), I guess I am kind of picky...

But I immediately like this: the tone, the phrasing, the flair...

[amw]

Duelling Haskils in D960, 1952 vs 1957

///

No comments yet since only just starting the 1952, but I can already see why everyone says the Haskil live recordings supersede the studio ones.

The main difference between the two recordings is the sound quality, which is pretty bad in the 1952 recording and superb (for the time) in the 1957 one. Both are of course mono. Her interpretation did not change significantly between the two performances, being generally melancholy and sombre, without ever actually becoming elegiac. There is little brilliance in the more outgoing music, not much lightness in the delicate music. I don't think a point of comparison is needed, since any pianophile will already know Clara Haskil's style well, but in case one is desired, Radu Lupu comes to mind. The 1952 recording is better in the opening movement, more free and flowing; the 1957 one is better in the remaining three movements, at least in terms of character. There are occasional minor technical errors, audience coughs, etc.

[SimonNZ]

https://www.youtube.com/v/eSKxzIDuglQ

This is the Jack quartet playing Radulescu 4.

The first thing to say is that Radulescu knows what he is doing. About half way through, you encounter music which really is a force of nature. I felt as though I was being gently led along and then suddenly hit by something irresistible and awe inspiring, sublime.

This is serious music, rather than diverting and light. But it is not heavy of self consciously striving to be a masterpiece or to make a deep statement. But clearly you must be ready to submit - but that's true of all art I suppose.

It all sounds very natural. The way it develops seems intuitive, organic. There are no jolts. It is like the musical equivalent of a stream of consciousness.

Have you heard the 5th quartet "Before The Universe Was Born"?

[Que]

Duelling Haskils in D960, 1952 vs 1957



No comments yet since only just starting the 1952, but I can already see why everyone says the Haskil live recordings supersede the studio ones.

Hilversum, that must have been a recording for Dutch national radio.

[Irons]

David Diamond: 1st Symphony.



A cracking propulsive first movement followed by a Mahler-ish second.

[Traverso]

Enescu

To my surprice no reaction from Romania    Florestan his mailbox is full...

Well,I have to catch up with Karl,listening now to the Piano sonatas 1 & 3

[Iota]

Part: Symphony No.3

Bamberg SO, Jarvi


A first listen to this attractive, compact, medieval/Renaissance-flavoured symphony. Harmonically fairly uncomplicated and tonal, yet doesn't seem at all burdened by past or by tradition, despite its references. Not quite sure how much meat there is on the bone after one listen, but enjoyed it and plan to return.

[aligreto]

Victoria: Sacred Works [Noone]





O quam gloriosum
Missa O quam gloriosum

[Papy Oli]

[Traverso]

Brahms

Symphony No.1

[vers la flamme]

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No.1 in E minor, op.39. Vladimir Ashkenazy, Philharmonia Orchestra

First listen. Sounds great so far.

[Harry]

Sergei Bortkiewicz.
Piano music, Disc III.

Quatre Morceaux, opus 65.
Impressions, opus 4.
Dix Etudes, opus 15.
Sonate No. 1, opus 9.

Klaas Trapman, Piano.

I really like his piano compositions.

[aligreto]

Pizzetti: Requiem [O'Donnell]





From the opening bars, this work is comprised of wonderful harmonic writing. There is a very high standard of vocal writing, for all voices, which makes for very engaging listening. The Dies irae is particularly fine in all regards. The dissonances in the Sanctus are almost aggressive, particularly in the fff sections; terrific stuff!

[Traverso]

Mahler

Symphony No.4

Charlotte Margiono Soprano

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic

Edo de Waart

[Harry]

Marin Marais.

Pieces a une et Deux Violes, Premier Livre (1686)
Disc II.
Suite en la majeur, re mineur, sol majeur.

Francois Joubert Caillet, Bass viol.
L'Acheron.