What are you listening 2 now?

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Zemlinsky: Die Seejungfrau

This is an unpopular opinion, but here it goes: Zemlinsky's Lyrische Symphonie is a better work than Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. A find the Alex more exotic, more erotic, and Mahler is with his obsession with death and resurrection. In my view, it is a bit tedious and overlong. I prefer his 8th Symphony to this work, by the way. But anyway, that is another discussion...

As impressive as Zemlinsky's Lyrische Symphonie is for me, it doesn't hold a candle to Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. Of course, it's not actually a good idea to compare them anyway. They're both outstanding works and worth anyone's time. I just get more out of the Mahler in the end. Das Lied is one of my favorite works of all-time.

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Is there another recording of this work that you are aware of that you enjoy, Jan?

I'm not Jan, but if you haven't heard Barbirolli in Brigg Fair, then you need to --- that's all I'll say.

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Delius has a good deal of great masterworks and inspired creations indeed!

Yes, but I can only take him in small doses. He couldn't write an intelligent rhythm part to save his life, so his more rhapsodic works are where his strength lies as a composer or, at least, this is the case for me.

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NP: Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin (Queffélec)

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Whilst John enjoy his CDs and rips, I'm being delighted by this exquisite chamber composition:

Villa-Lobos: Quinteto instrumental

I can't decide which movement is more ravishing! This is a poem to the Brazilian forest, and the chamber orchestration (flute, string trio and harp) pays homage to the French and South American richness and heritage.

One of my favorite works from Villa-Lobos, but not in that performance. The Mobius performance on Naxos is the best one I've heard and still the one I listen to the most.

[Madiel]

Langgaard, string quartet in A flat major (not numbered)



A work that very much sounds like it could have been written close to a century earlier than it actually was. And none the worse for it.

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NP: Berg Wozzeck (Evelyn Lear/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Fritz Wunderlich/etc./Böhm)

[Symphonic Addict]

Not going to weigh in on the Mahler ( 0:) ), though both Die Seejungfrau and the Lyrische Symphonie are fantastic, and well worth anyone's time. (I have not heard this recording, only Chailly in both.) But Krivine knows this rep, and with the Luxembourg forces, this is no doubt a great outing. (PS, I also love the cover art.)

--Bruce

The Chailly represents my reference recording of Seejungfrau, but this alpha release truly is something else!

[Todd]

Honeck and crew do not disappoint.

[Symphonic Addict]

As impressive as Zemlinsky's Lyrische Symphonie is for me, it doesn't hold a candle to Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. Of course, it's not actually a good idea to compare them anyway. They're both outstanding works and worth anyone's time. I just get more out of the Mahler in the end. Das Lied is one of my favorite works of all-time.

Yes, I just like to generate discussion, even whether we all agree or not, or some.

Das Lied, combining symphony + sonc cycle, don't doubt it's your favorite of Mahler. If it were an opera, you would be more pleased, perhaps. 

Now I've come to whink that the 8th is his combination of symphony + oratorio (or cantata). He wanted or intended to synthesize other musical forms with symphony.

[Symphonic Addict]

I'm not Jan, but if you haven't heard Barbirolli in Brigg Fair, then you need to --- that's all I'll say.

Oh, I didn't remember it was on the Warner set. Thanks, John!

Yes, but I can only take him in small doses. He couldn't write an intelligent rhythm part to save his life, so his more rhapsodic works are where his strength lies as a composer or, at least, this is the case for me.

Delius is like Bax for me: he's mostly harmony and atmosphere, albeit Delius is a little more "soporiphic", ethereal and eventually mellow.

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Yes, I just like to generate discussion, even whether we all agree or not, or some.

Das Lied, combining symphony + sonc cycle, don't doubt it's your favorite of Mahler. If it were an opera, you would be more pleased, perhaps. 

Now I've come to whink that the 8th is his combination of symphony + oratorio (or cantata). He wanted or intended to synthesize other musical forms with symphony.

Mahler was certainly ahead of his time that's for sure. I often wonder what kind of works he produce had he lived another 20 years (or even 10 years).

[JBS]

TD
Repeat listen

Rather good overall.

[Symphonic Addict]

You're welcome, Andre. Enjoy the Rubbra!

That Rubbra disc is a powerful introduction to this composer, btw!

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NP: Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms (Ančerl)

[Symphonic Addict]

More Berg for me as well...

though not Alban, but Natanael:

One of those cpo's rarely mentioned late-Romantic gems. Berg was a pictorial-like composer.

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That Rubbra disc is a powerful introduction to shis composer, btw!

Indeed, although I must say that in the past 5-6 years I've moved away from British composers with a few notable exceptions: Vaughan Williams, Britten, Walton, Arnold and Elgar. I'm not counting Delius, because I never thought of him as a British composer even though he is one in the classical history books.

[Symphonic Addict]

Indeed, although I must say that in the past 5-6 years I've moved away from British composers with a few notable exceptions: Vaughan Williams, Britten, Walton, Arnold and Elgar. I'm not counting Delius, because I never thought of him as a British composer even though he is one in the classical history books.

What about Holst? There are other interesting English composers who escape from me just now.

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What about Holst? There are other interesting English composers who escape from me just now.

I do like Holst quite a bit I must say. Anyway, my afore mentioned list is well-defined, so whoever you think of, you should go ahead and assume I don't listen to them anymore.

[Symphonic Addict]

I do like Holst quite a bit I must say. Anyway, my afore mentioned list is well-defined, so whoever you think of, you should go ahead and assume I don't listen to them anymore.

Nor Tippett?