What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Nice! I don't know the Arensky, but the Szymanowski is a great favorite. Love a lot of this composer's music.

Yes, me too, John. Szymanowski¡'s output invites you to discover deeper and deeper, more and more. I find his music intoxicating, mystic, very rooted in his native land. This SQ + Harnasie + Syms. 3 and 4 + King Roger + the 2 Violin concertos + Stabat Mater + Litany to the Virgin Mary + songs are my favorite Szymanowski. His evolution is also interesting, coming from lustruous late-Romanticism alla Strauss, through an impressionistic phase, and later into folk music from his country, in a more Neoclassical vein. A firm gent outstanding in my top 50.

[Symphonic Addict]

Stanley Bate's energetic and tremendous Piano Concerto No. 2

Exceptional composition. There is a sense of quirky Neoclassicism that fills the content of this rhythmic 1st movement. It's finished now. First reactions are quite positive.

[DavidW]

[André]

Guild has reissued Richard Blareau's famous recording of Giselle, originally recorded by Decca:



It's a mono recording from 1953 in full, detailed, wide-ranging sound. Apart from Blareau's inimitable flair the playing of the Orchestre du Théâtre national de l'Opéra (of which Blareau was the MD) really sets this apart from other productions. There is an elegance, a zest and a sense of propriety that makes other bands sound provincial in comparison. The Nutcracker suite is given a fine reading by George Weldon, an old hand at ballet scores. Beecham's RPO plays brilliantly. The sound is excellent early stereo. It first appeared on HMV:

[T. D.]

More repeat listening to recent acquisition:



These are fine quartets, so will follow up with the other Kalabis recording I own:

[JBS]

Time to see how a countertenor does in Nuits d'ete.

Certainly not a bad performance, at least.

[Symphonic Addict]

Symphony No. 2

It should appeal to fans of Martinu, Arnold, even Nielsen, Langgaard, Prokofiev and Rosenberg. Music with plenty of rhythmic wealth. A really tremendous symphony. Likewise, the other two engage without problems as well.

[Madiel]

NP:

Holmboe
Symphony No. 6, Op. 43
Aahus SO
Owain Arwel Hughes



I still remain somewhat ambivalent about this composer. I'd never rank him as a favorite, but he did compose some interesting music. I think it is the works outside of the symphonies that have had a greater impact on me (i. e. the Chamber Concertos, Chamber Symphonies, SQs, the concerti, etc.).

I rather admire the first movement of the 6th, just because it's always felt like one of those truly 'symphonic' things where the music unfolds with such logic. The opening 3 notes set it up.

Of course one must be in the right mood for Holmboean logic (just as I think one must be in the right mood for just about any kind of music).

[Symphonic Addict]

String Quartet No. 3

Eklund's characteristic acerbic style is pretty well conveyed in this emphatic quartet.

[Symphonic Addict]

I rather admire the first movement of the 6th, just because it's always felt like one of those truly 'symphonic' things where the music unfolds with such logic. The opening 3 notes set it up.

This work combines that sort of unhurried organic development in the 1st movement with the muscular vigour and sharp rhythms in the 2nd movement pretty succesfully. If anyone can't get this work, they're not catching part of the essence of the composer IMO.

[Mirror Image]

This work combines that sort of unhurried organic development in the 1st movement with the muscular vigour and sharp rhythms in the 2nd movement pretty succesfully. If anyone can't get this work, they're not catching part of the essence of the composer IMO.

I'm not sure I agree with this statement. One doesn't have to understand a note of the 6th in order to understand the composer. He wrote a lot of music besides symphonies.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Martinů
Symphony No. 5, H. 310
CzPO
Neumann



The 5th has always been the problematic symphony for me in Martinů's cycle, but Neumann and Ančerl more than any others has brought me closer to understanding it and, most of all, enjoying it.

[Mirror Image]

Time to see how a countertenor does in Nuits d'ete.

Certainly not a bad performance, at least.

I'll always prefer either a soprano or mezzo in Les nuits d'été, but that's just the way I'm accustomed to hearing it with the exception of the Colin Davis Philips recording, which uses a multi-singer configuration, which isn't a 'bad' performance, but not a favorite.

[Symphonic Addict]

I'm not sure I agree with this statement. One doesn't have to understand a note of the 6th in order to understand the composer. He wrote a lot of music besides symphonies.

But the other day you didn't say the same about Sibelius's 4th Symphony. 

[Mirror Image]

But the other day you didn't say the same about Sibelius's 4th Symphony. 

I did, indeed, but looking back on it --- I shouldn't have wrote it.

[JBS]

I'll always prefer either a soprano or mezzo in Les nuits d'été, but that's just the way I'm accustomed to hearing it with the exception of the Colin Davis Philips recording, which uses a multi-singer configuration, which isn't a 'bad' performance, but not a favorite.

Having finished the CD, I think I can say he did a fine job with the Berlioz, but the Ravel and Faure melodies were a bit tedious. Fortunately the last track is a strong performance of Faure's Elegie.  But this is one of those CDs made for streaming, Unless like me you can find a copy for $1.50.

TD

[Mirror Image]

I rather admire the first movement of the 6th, just because it's always felt like one of those truly 'symphonic' things where the music unfolds with such logic. The opening 3 notes set it up.

Of course one must be in the right mood for Holmboean logic (just as I think one must be in the right mood for just about any kind of music).

Yeah, I'll keep trying with Holmboe's symphonies, but I have to tell you that I prefer the SQs, concerti, Chamber Concertos, etc.

[Symphonic Addict]

Symphony No. 1

Ultra-romantic approach to this masterpiece. I feel the first three movements like unmistakably Sibelian, but the 4th does have something of Tchaikovsky. I can't get enough of this work.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Piston
The Incredible Flutist Suite
Seattle Symphony
Schwarz



A work that should be on more American concert programs, but, oh wait...they're too busy trying to fill seats by playing Beethoven for the kazillionth time.

[Mirror Image]

Symphony No. 1

Ultra-romantic approach to this masterpiece. I feel the first three movements like unmistakably Sibelian, but the 4th does have something of Tchaikovsky. I can't get enough of this work.

Pounds the table! And Barbirolli's interpretation is superb.