What are you listening 2 now?

[TheGSMoeller]

Liszt: A Faust Symphony

[Mirror Image]

I'm with you here. I haven't heard a work by him that really impresses me.

He's a challenging composer in that his approach to form is almost improvisatory. In this sense, he reminds of Debussy in that something develops in one of his pieces and then it just disappears. It's almost a rhapsodic way of writing, which I happen to love. I completely understand where you're coming from, though, as there was a time his music just confused me more than anything. And then I heard his film score Ran, which is essentially Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde (sans the vocals) meets traditional Japanese court music. If you haven't heard this work, then perhaps it may be your key into understanding this composer's music or, at least, one facet of it.

[Symphonic Addict]

He's a challenging composer in that his approach to form is almost improvisatory. In this sense, he reminds of Debussy in that something develops in one of his pieces and then it just disappears. It's almost a rhapsodic way of writing, which I happen to love. I completely understand where you're coming from, though, as there was a time his music just confused me more than anything. And then I heard his film score Ran, which is essentially Mahler Das Lied (sans the vocals) meets traditional Japanese court music. If you haven't heard this work, then perhaps it may be your key into understanding this composer's music.

Oh yes, I almost forget it, Ran does impress me a lot. Just remembered another work of his I find more akin to my tastes: A String around Autumn.

[Mirror Image]

Oh yes, I almost forget it, Ran does impress me a lot. Just remembered another work of his I find more akin to my tastes: A String around Autumn.

With someone who has wide-ranging tastes, such as yourself, it doesn't surprise that you would like something from Takemitsu. I mean I do know of some people who just flat-out dislike him, but these are people who generally aren't fans of Debussy, Messiaen or Webern, which all three of these composers were influences on Takemitsu's music. A member on another classical forum likened Takemitsu to stillness. I'd further this by saying a still pond suits him rather well. Make no mistake, there are some works that reach earth-shattering climaxes and here I'm thinking about his work titled Autumn. You should definitely check this work out.

NP:

Elgar
Symphony No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 63
Hallé
Barbirolli

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Some of the most cogent and arresting symphonies by a conductor-composer.

I need to get the disc. Also I have his autobiography and will start reading it this summer!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Ifukube box set I bought (on King Records) is mostly his symphonic works and ballet music, but there are a few film suites, too. The other Ifukube orders I placed are mainly of film suites (the whole anniversary series --- six volumes in all) and I bought three recordings of his vocal, chamber and solo instrumental works. Yeah, you'll have to go to one of the Japanese MP sites like CD Japan, Tower Records Japan or Amazon Japan to acquire these Ifukube recordings I'm afraid and, as expected, they weren't cheap.

And we are of the same mind about Takemitsu --- a totally singular composer whose music has meant a lot to me over the years. The atmospheres he conjures up in his works are mesmerizing.

I think it is still acceptable cost and overall you are making very good and wise purchases for things you will treasure for your life. Even if you live in Tokyo, you would spend similar amount of money- you take subway or train to go to the cd shop, buy recordings, eat lunch and drink coffee, etc.
Actually you may spend more in Tokyo- you will take a look at all the sections in the record shop and end up buying bunch of recordings! 

[Operafreak]

[Spotted Horses]

That is a remarkable recording (IMO).

[Symphonic Addict]

With someone who has wide-ranging tastes, such as yourself, it doesn't surprise that you would like something from Takemitsu. I mean I do know of some people who just flat-out dislike him, but these are people who generally aren't fans of Debussy, Messiaen or Webern, which all three of these composers were influences on Takemitsu's music. A member on another classical forum likened Takemitsu to stillness. I'd further this by saying a still pond suits him rather well. Make no mistake, there are some works that reach earth-shattering climaxes and here I'm thinking about his work titled Autumn. You should definitely check this work out.

I've learned to appreciate music by certain composers I disliked initially, and it includes Messiaen and Webern too. It's a proof that demonstrates tastes do (or can) change over the time. I'll keep Autumn in mind then.

[Mirror Image]

I think it is still acceptable cost and overall you are making very good and wise purchases for things you will treasure for your life. Even if you live in Tokyo, you would spend similar amount of money- you take subway or train to go to the cd shop, buy recordings, eat lunch and drink coffee, etc.
Actually you may spend more in Tokyo- you will take a look at all the sections in the record shop and end up buying bunch of recordings! 

Oh, I don't doubt this, Dry Brett. I'd love to go to Japan one day. Interestingly enough, I discussed going to Tokyo with my dad a few weeks ago and he's completely game. I'd just have to get a passport and he would, too, as his has expired. As for living in Tokyo, well, I'm not going to rule it out, but I'd like to visit first.

[Symphonic Addict]

I need to get the disc. Also I have his autobiography and will start reading it this summer!

I suspect you could enjoy these symphonies, Manabu. My only complaint is that the 1st Symphony is a live recording, there is some noise present on it.

[Mirror Image]

I've learned to appreciate music by certain composers I disliked initially, and it includes Messiaen and Webern too. It's a proof that demonstrates tastes do (or can) change over the time. I'll keep Autumn in mind then.

They certainly can and I'm living proof of this notion.

[Karl Henning]

Liszt: A Faust Symphony

Whaddaya say, Greg?

[Mirror Image]

Last work for the night:

Schuman
New England Triptych
Saint Louis SO
Slatkin

[Operafreak]

That is a remarkable recording (IMO).

It is, some parts are on You Tube.

[Operafreak]

[Que]

Morning listening:



Palestrina's Canticum Canticorum. Marvelous performance by De Labyrintho.
Why this recording has never been reissued by a mainstream label, is a mystery to me...

[Harry]

J.S. Bach.

Harpsichord Works.

Partiten BWV 825 & 828; Englische Suiten BWV 808 & 810; Präludien & Fugen aus WTK II cis-moll BWV 873, D-Dur BWV 874, B-Dur BWV 891, b-moll BWV 892.

Lillian Gordis, Harpsichord. Harpsichord after German models, Philippe Humeau (Barbaste 1999)

There is a lot of Hubbub about this release, and I am listening now to find out if it is really special, as the reviewer below thinks. Bold ornamentation yes, resonance, breathtaking, well no, rigorous almost aggressive playing,  steady rhythm, the rest of the review is a lot of hyperbole. Recording is good and polyphony is heard in every nuance, very steady indeed.



An incredible release! Lillian Gordis' playing is artfully phrased and showcases such agogic freedom, not to mention her knack for the art of surprise and suspension! The success of this rendition is achieved through its bold ornamentation (Prelude in B flat major), wide spectrum of sound (Partita No. 1, Gigue left hand), and playful approach to resonance.
With this incredible double album, American harpsichordist Lillian Goris pays tribute to two musicians who left an impact on her younger years: Leonhardt and Hantai, both of whom utilised the fabulous acoustics of the Doopsgezinde Kerk in Haarlem, the Netherlands, to record their music. Following in their footsteps, Gordis chose to record her latest collection in this exact same location in November 2020. This recording includes two English Suites (Nos. 3 and 5), two Partitas (Nos. 1 and 4) and four Preludes and Fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier - Book 2: The huge BWV 890 in B flat major, the conceptual BWV 891 in B flat major, the tender and effusive BWV 873 in C sharp minor and, last but not least, the joyful and glorious BWV 874 in D major. Here, we feel Lillian be swept up in the magic of this venue, leading to an otherworldly performance.

These two musical hours are breath-taking in every sense of the word: they're free, fantastical and rigorous, and possess incredible momentum. One such example is Prelude in D major BWV 874, where bugles, oboes and flutes provide a wonderfully rustic atmosphere. She often creates phrase breaks to let her unusual and surprisingly precise imagination shine through. Lillian Gordis is a master of rhythm, always creating mesmerising dance structures, just as Blandine Verlet once did in some of her old recordings (Philips). There are also clear polyphonies throughout the record (particularly in Partita n° 4).

But the most surprising and mesmerising thing here is the narrative strength of this take on Bach's work, and its joyful abandon of scholastic spirit. This recording truly reflects life; its strangeness, oddities and baroque temptations as well as its joy, luminosity and abundance. Without doubt, this is well worth a listen. © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz

[Tsaraslondon]

Classic performances from 1958, which sound pretty good in this transfer, considering they are now sixty odd years old!

[Operafreak]