What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Anne-Sophie Mutter's virtuosity and fabulous technique is not in doubt, but there are times where the freedom it allows her can get in the way of the music, which I feel is what happens here in the Tchaikovsky, which was recorded live in Vienna. It was no doubt thrillingin the concert hall, but I'm not sure it responds to repeated hearings. Tempi are stretched to the limit, both slow and ultra fast, as in the final movement, which is unbelievably fast, but with every note in place. The playing throughout is sensational, but some will no doubt feel we get too much of Mutter and not enough of Tchaikovsky. I have equivocal feelings. It's not how I'd always want to hear the work played, but I don't mind giving it the occasional airing and just giving in to Mutter's uber-Romantic approach to it.

The Korngold concerto was recorded in the studio and suits Mutter's intense Romanticism rather better. In fact I'd suggest that this is one of the best performances in the catalogue. I first heard it on the radio blind, but even before the announcer had confirmed it, I knew I was listenin to Mutter. Previn, as always at his best in Korngold, supports her every step of the way, and I'd say the disc was worth acquiring for the Korngold alone. Presumably, if buying the download, you can do that anyway.

A disc of two halves.

Gil Shaham also does a great job in his great recording with (DG too).

[Symphonic Addict]

Some Malcolm Arnold pieces for small orchestra to conclude this Thursday:

Serenade for small orchestra
Sinfonietta no. 1
Sinfonietta no. 2
San Diego Chamber Orchestra
Donald Barra




Delightful works all, especially the Serenade. This work is Arnold at his most extroverted, while the Sinfoniettas contain more intimate and personal music. The quality of the performances is variable (the Serenade sounds best to my ears, while the Sinfoniettas can sound a bit ragged at times), but I thorougly enjoyed them.

Count me like another fan of the Serenade and the other pieces on the CD. The gentle and peaceful opening never fails to give me tenderness and nostalgic.

[Madiel]

It would be comical if a man was photographed in this way.

I'm sure I can find you pictures of Andreas Ottensamer that have a certain seductive quality.

[Harry]

J.S.Bach.

Complete Organ Works, Volume I.

Praeludium and Fuge in C major, BWV 547.
Nun freut euch Lieben Christen, BWV 734a.
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 613-634.
Toccata BWV 913

Ewald Kooiman plays on a Andreas Silberman organ 1709, Marmoutier, Eglise Abbatiale, Saint Etienne.
SACD.

The first time I play these recording on the SACD track, and it is spectacular, never heard a organ sound better in my home. And Ewald Kooiman is my first choice in Bach.

[Roasted Swan]

Absolutely! Chandos was ahead of the sonics curve, for sure, and I still have those Suites tucked away somewhere, ready to listen to again someday.

I only recently picked up the Svetlanov, reissued on Alto (below).

VS

That's a great single disc collection but for the full(!) Svetlanov/Rimsky experience this box is classic Soviet Orchestral playing!



6 CD's of just about all the orchestral Rimsky you'll ever need!

[Irons]

That is the BEST three word description of a composer/work I have read in ages and certainly enough to make me want to hear the disc - excellent!

My other favourites include - "like Brahms without the jokes" (but I can't remember which composer that was(!!) and
Ethel Smyth is Elgar in drag

One I wish I had thought of was Warlock's "An Old Song" described as "On hearing the second cuckoo in spring".

[Tsaraslondon]

When Paul Wittgenstein lost his right arm he commissioned many pieces for Piano Left Hand, the most famous of which is probably the Ravel Left Hand Concerto, but there are other orchestral works with those by Strauss, Britten and Prokoviev still getting an occasional airing. Wittgenstein also commissioned chamber works and these are two of the results.

Of the two pieces represented here, the rhapsodic Korngold, which also has the more prominent piano part, is more to my taste than the formal Schmidt, but both are worth hearing, especially in such wonderfully concentrated performances. It was hearing the gorgeous Lied movement from the Korngold on a Gramaphone New Releases disc that prompted me to buy this disc when it was first issued and I have never regretted the purchase.

[Tsaraslondon]

Gil Shaham also does a great job in his great recording with (DG too).

I have Gil Shaham's recording too and I agree it is very fine, but I think I marginally prefer Mutter's slightly more expressive style.

[Tsaraslondon]

I've got to get a Korngold Symphony on disc - I remember being fascinated by it back in my teenage years (I had the Oregon Symphony recording on Delos with James DePreist.) Korngold was an amazing composer in general.

The Prevn disc is well worth acquiring. It really is superb.

[Harry]

Richard Strauss.

Violin concerto in D minor.
Other orchestral works. (See backcover)

Arabella Steinbacher, Violin.
WDR SO, Lawrence Foster.
SACD.

This is a delightful disc in every respect.

[Mandryka]

Mayone on harp - sounds very different from Mayone on a big organ à la Stembridge.

[listener]

WALTON: FAÇADE    complete
all 40 poems and settings, a bit over an hour - mostmore enjoyable as a suite, the whole thing is somewhat excessive.
Pamela Hunter, reciter    Melologos Ensemble, Silveer van den Broek, cond.
H. Owen REED: La Fiesta Mexicana    Morton GOULD: Santa Fe Saga
Clifton WILLIAMS: Suymphonic Dance no.3 "Fiesta"
Roger NIXON: Fiesta del Pacifico     Frank PERKINS Fandango
Dallas Wind Symphony        Howard Dunn, cond.

[Harry]

Joachim Raff.

Symphony No. 2.
Orchestral preludes.

Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Neeme Jarvi.

[vers la flamme]

Robert Simpson: Symphony No.2. Vernon Handley, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

First listen. Sounds good so far.

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

A first listen to Martinu's Cello Concertos.

[aligreto]

A Secret Labyrinth [Van Nevel]: CD 4: Utopia Triumphans





This particular CD has been an absolute joy to listen to. The music featured is that from various composers of the High Renaissance and it is simply divine. The vocals from this amazing ensemble are also glorious and are recorded in a slightly reverberant but very sympathetic acoustic.

[Traverso]

I'm sure I can find you pictures of Andreas Ottensamer that have a certain seductive quality.

Thanks for the offer but I'm not interested. 

[aligreto]

WALTON: FAÇADE    complete
all 40 poems and settings, a bit over an hour - mostmore enjoyable as a suite, the whole thing is somewhat excessive.
Pamela Hunter, reciter    Melologos Ensemble, Silveer van den Broek, cond.

I have that CD and I listen to it every couple of years or so for its novelty factor. However, I agree that it may not be to everyone's taste.

[foxandpeng]

PoulRuders
Dreamcatcher
Sound and Simplicity
Symphony #3 'Dreamcatcher'
Odense Symfoniorkester
Bridge


Ruders. Great music all round.

[Papy Oli]

Scriabin - Symphony No.3 in C minor, Op. 43 'The Divine Poem'