Topic: What are you listening 2 now?

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

From Anne-Sophie to Herr Hindemith - sorry, guys ...



Continuing this, and enjoying the second half of it more: the music more colorful and varied (or so I hear it).

For me, now:

Hindemith
Kammermusiken
Ensemble Modern

Always fresh!

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

From the Naxos early music set

Firsr impression: Christie does a very good job.

Love Sweelinck.

[Florestan]

I haven't listened to much Beethoven recently, and I was debating taking an older Leipzig set (either Masur or Konwitschny) for a spin, but I ended up going for something more recent and grabbing Vanska instead. 

That's a pity. The Konwhisky Konwitschny set is superb (including sonically).

[Traverso]

Carter

[SymphonicAddict]

I like Raymonda, The Seasons and the Violin Concerto but I have a hard time understanding why Glazunov was considered heir to Tchaikovsky as a symphonist. I've listened to the first two: not a single memorable, heartmelting melody, not a single arresting idea, not a trace of that bittersweet, sentimental-cum-angst Tchaikovskian atmosphere and last but not least not a single memorable waltz --- Tchaikovsky is as far away from all this as it gets I'll keep listening, though, maybe the next symphonies are better.

  

I hear a lot of memorable material in both symphonies. The 1st is such a lively piece, a stunning first symphony by anyone. The 2nd has some traces of Borodin and it has a grandeur I find arresting.

My least favorite symphonies are the 7th and possibly the 5th, but even so, I like them.

[Florestan]

I hear a lot of memorable material in both symphonies. The 1st is such a lively piece, a stunning first symphony by anyone. The 2nd has some traces of Borodin and it has a grandeur I find arresting.

Bombastic is a better term.  No, really, the excessive use of brass is quite annoying to me.

[ritter]

Carter

Carter's Oboe Concerto (my introduction to his music many years ago, through the CD you've posted) is an extraordinarily beautiful composition...

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Carter's Oboe Concerto (my introduction to his music many years ago, through the CD you've posted) is an extraordinarily beautiful composition...

Absolutely!

[Madiel]

Bombastic is a better term.  No, really, the excessive use of brass is quite annoying to me.

He was a teenager. Maybe he calmed down later on...

(I've no idea, I know almost no Glazunov, but I do know his reputation as child prodigy).

[j winter]

That's a pity. The Konwhisky Konwitschny set is superb (including sonically).

Oh I agree completely, it's an excellent set, it just didn't make it into the car this morning...

I find that one benefit of having so many recordings of something central like Beethoven is that it allows me to [amuse myself by pretending that I'm a sophisticated enough listener to] really appreciate the differences in sound and style amongst the great old orchestras.  Having multiple sets over the last 3/4 century from Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, Vienna, the Concertgebouw, etc., you not only get the interpretive differences among the various conductors, but you start to get a sense of the "house style/sound" of the orchestras, which can be really helpful when exploring recordings in other repertoire.  It also provides additional mental stimulation when listening to the umpteenth recording of Beethoven's 7th -- not only am I just enjoying the performance as such, but I'm also trying to pick out and savor the orchestral textures, for instance how one set has a lovely burnished woodwind sound front and center, while in another the focus is more on the strings or brass and the woodwinds have a mellower sound, and a different role to play.  As someone who doesn't read a musical score, it's also a way to get closer to the music, as every recording has it's own unique features. 


That's just the way my brain works, though; and as I say, it keeps me amused...

[André]

Great post, J Winter ! My thoughts, exactly !! 

[Papy Oli]

More Malcolm Arnold - Symphonies No.3 & 4 (Penny)

[aligreto]

Mahler: Symphony 7 [Kubelik]





Of all of the Mahler symphonies no. 7 was the one that I had most difficulty coming to terms with initially. This is a very fine interpretation and presentation of this work. The tempi are well paced and the lines are all clear leading to great transparency. The tone is also lighter than some other versions that I have heard.

[Brian]

How come nobody's released a CD pairing the two great ballets about tabletop games? Assembling my own playlist here:



Jeu de cartes first, then Checkmate

[Florestan]

Oh I agree completely, it's an excellent set, it just didn't make it into the car this morning...

I find that one benefit of having so many recordings of something central like Beethoven is that it allows me to [amuse myself by pretending that I'm a sophisticated enough listener to] really appreciate the differences in sound and style amongst the great old orchestras.  Having multiple sets over the last 3/4 century from Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, Vienna, the Concertgebouw, etc., you not only get the interpretive differences among the various conductors, but you start to get a sense of the "house style/sound" of the orchestras, which can be really helpful when exploring recordings in other repertoire.  It also provides additional mental stimulation when listening to the umpteenth recording of Beethoven's 7th -- not only am I just enjoying the performance as such, but I'm also trying to pick out and savor the orchestral textures, for instance how one set has a lovely burnished woodwind sound front and center, while in another the focus is more on the strings or brass and the woodwinds have a mellower sound, and a different role to play.  As someone who doesn't read a musical score, it's also a way to get closer to the music, as every recording has it's own unique features. 


That's just the way my brain works, though; and as I say, it keeps me amused...

Every single time the 7th is broadcasted on my car radio I turn it off or switch the channel, and Hell is gonna freeze before I listen to it of my own will again. I can't stand it anymore --- and to think that during my teens it was my favorite symphony by anyone (not that I had listened to many back then). 

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Mahler: Symphony 7 [Kubelik]





Of all of the Mahler symphonies no. 7 was the one that I had most difficulty coming to terms with initially. This is a very fine interpretation and presentation of this work. The tempi are well paced and the lines are all clear leading to great transparency. The tone is also lighter than some other versions that I have heard.

Curiously, and FWIW. A friend of mine who (rest his soul) was a fervent Mahler enthusiast, knowing me for a composer (and at the time, I didn't think I cared for the Mahler symphonies, recommended the Seventh to me as an entrée.

[aligreto]

Curiously, and FWIW. A friend of mine who (rest his soul) was a fervent Mahler enthusiast, knowing me for a composer (and at the time, I didn't think I cared for the Mahler symphonies, recommended the Seventh to me as an entrée.

I would never have agreed with that recommendation back in the day and, personally and respectfully, could still not do so today Karl.

[Maestro267]

Lajtha: Symphony No. 9
Pécs SO/Pasquet

Gubaidulina: Pro et contra
BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Otaka

Schnittke: Ritual
Malmö SO/Segerstam

[André]

Mahler: Symphony 7 [Kubelik]





Of all of the Mahler symphonies no. 7 was the one that I had most difficulty coming to terms with initially. This is a very fine interpretation and presentation of this work. The tempi are well paced and the lines are all clear leading to great transparency. The tone is also lighter than some other versions that I have heard.

That’s true of all of Kubelik’s Mahler. The BRSO’s mahlerian tonal palette is light and refined where other orchestras sound much darker. I really like it but it offers fewer thrills than most.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

I would never have agreed with that recommendation back in the day and, personally and respectfully, could still not do so today Karl.

It didn't do it for me at the time. But, as my friend and I shared enthusiasms for Nielsen and Shostakovich, Mahler did not get between us.