What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Pizzetti is one of my least favorites from that particular generation of Italian composers, but that's a nice disc. As for Bridge, I never could get into his orchestral works that much --- they seemed rather diffuse to me. I do like his chamber works, however.

Pizzetti wrote some interesting works. I didn't know that there is a recording of one of his operas Mord in der Kathedrale (the title in German) conducted by Karajan on DG!

Regarding Frank Bridge, when you hear Enter Spring and/or The Sea you could change your mind about it. 

[Mirror Image]

Pizzetti wrote some interesting works. I didn't know that there is a recording of one of his operas Mord in der Kathedrale (the title in German) conducted by Karajan on DG!

Regarding Frank Bridge, when you hear Enter Spring and/or The Sea you could change your mind about it. 

Oh, I've heard Enter Spring and The Sea, but I guess they didn't get much of a reaction from me, but this years ago. I'll have to revisit the Hickox series at some point.

[Symphonic Addict]

To Cesar...

Re: Nielsen's Maskarade

I just wanted to let you know that I own two recordings of Nielsen's comic opera, Maskarade:



I ended up going with the Schønwandt when I was deciding on what recording I wanted to rip to one of my hard drives (in which, I use for playback purposes). A good choice? I believe I remember you saying you liked this one a lot. Also, what do you think of Schønwandt's Nielsen symphony cycle on Dacapo? I don't think I need to rip it as I have several of them ripped already: Blomstedt (Decca), Gilbert, Oramo and half cycles from Chung and Bernstein.

I've been a fan of Bryden Thomson in general, so that cycle is mandatory to me, and for personal reasons, Rozhdestvensky's on Chandos too. Yes, this is a soother approach to the energetic and quirky music, but he manages to obtain more lyricism instead ot intense anger or pathos. Schønwandt stamps a slightly more neoclassical soul, but it's serviceable as well.

I have only heard this recording of Maskarade:



The other look intriguing to say the least.

[Symphonic Addict]

Oh, I've heard Enter Spring and The Sea, but I guess they didn't get much of a reaction from me, but this years ago. I'll have to revisit the Hickox series at some point.

Bridge's orchestral music is not mostly about tunes or melodies, but orchestration and harmonic spice, and a great sense of atmosphere. Summer is another utterly evocative and poetic work. All in all, I do enjoy his composer's orchestral music quite a bit.

[Mirror Image]

I've been a fan of Bryden Thomson in general, so that cycle is mandatory to me, and for personal reasons, Rozhdestvensky's on Chandos too. Yes, this is a soother approach to the energetic and quirky music, but he manages to obtain more lyricism instead ot intense anger or pathos. Schønwandt stamps a slightly more neoclassical soul, but it's serviceable as well.

I have only heard this recording of Maskarade:



The other look intriguing to say the least.

Thanks for the feedback, but I won't be purchasing any more Maskarade recordings. Oramo would probably be my current favorite cycle out of them all. He has just the right balance of everything that I love about these symphonies. It's a shame that Oramo never recorded the concerti and other orchestral works.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Rubbra
Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 63
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Hickox

From this set -

[Symphonic Addict]

Glazunov: Suite for string quartet

One of my favorite Glazunov discs, pairing two exquisite creations.





Busoni: Geharnischte Suite

Wow, why I didn't recall this fascinating suite. A sense of wizardry permeates the piece, in a way not too dissimilar to Braunfels's Hexensabbatt. A most welcome surprise.

[Operafreak]

Brahms: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3- Renaud Capucon (violin) & Nicholas Angelich (piano)

[Mapman]

Jean Xavier Lefèvre: Clarinet Quartet 5 in E flat major
Eduard Brunner, et al.

The style of this quartet is somewhere between Mozart's Kegelstatt Trio and Weber's works for clarinet; it seems to have been published in the decade before Weber's 1st concerto. It sounds fun to play, and not too difficult.

[Madiel]

Care to elaborate a bit, please? What is it that you disliked? I ask because our tastes overlap a good deal sso it might help me spare some precious time which I could spent elsewhere than this set.

You referred to "dirge", and I think that sums it up for me. She comes from a school of thought that tries to make Schubert as 'profound' as possible... by stripping all of the vitality and drive out of it. Schubert writes relatively lengthy structures anyway, and I don't think it does Schubert any favours to make it all slow and ponderous to emphasise this. To me, he's still a Classical composer when he's writing a sonata, and he's better played as a Classical composer pushing the boundaries of sonata form rather than as a Romantic composer who is intending to wallow.

[Madiel]

To Cesar...

Re: Nielsen's Maskarade

I just wanted to let you know that I own two recordings of Nielsen's comic opera, Maskarade:



I ended up going with the Schønwandt when I was deciding on what recording I wanted to rip to one of my hard drives (in which, I use for playback purposes). A good choice? I believe I remember you saying you liked this one a lot. Also, what do you think of Schønwandt's Nielsen symphony cycle on Dacapo? I don't think I need to rip it as I have several of them ripped already: Blomstedt (Decca), Gilbert, Oramo and half cycles from Chung and Bernstein.

The only recording I know is the Schønwandt. But if nothing else the sonic clarity is amazing.

Put it this way: I know some Danish. I can actually understand significant parts of what the singers are singing. I can't think of any other opera recording where the singers have that kind of clarity.  Obviously I don't listen to opera extensively, but I remember reviews that commented on the clarity of the recording as well - it's not just me.

[Madiel]

Currently, The Heirs of White Mountain again.



I've listened to this 3 times now over last night and today, and it's been a better experience each time. Following the words on the 2nd round through was incredibly helpful, in part for the specific word-painting but more for understanding the structure of the piece (from the structure of the poem) a lot better. The provided text and translation shows it as a single block of text, but really it's 7 verses and Dvorak sets it as such. The first 4 are more hymn-like and the last 3 he ups the tempo.

[Operafreak]

Suk: Asrael & A Fairy Tale- Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek

[vandermolen]

Myroslav Skoryk (1938-2020)
Hutsul Triptych for Violin and Piano (1964-65):

[Irons]

From vinyl thread.

Liapunov: Rhapsody on Ukrainian Themes.

[Que]

Morning listening: more lamentations, this time by Cristóbal de Morales.



https://capelladeministrers.com/en/discografia-en/cd/super-lamentationes.html

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/May/Morales_lamentations_CDM2048.htm

[Harry]

Morning listening: more lamentations, this time by Cristóbal de Morales.



https://capelladeministrers.com/en/discografia-en/cd/super-lamentationes.html

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/May/Morales_lamentations_CDM2048.htm

I was invariably disappointed by the performances of the Capellaministres. So how's this one?  Terrible artwork though!

[Que]

I was invariably disappointed by the performances of the Capellaministres. So how's this one?  Terrible artwork though!

I di share your reservations on Magraner, but this one seems to be an exception.
Below a quote of my previous comments.

Definitely worth an audition on Qobuz. 

A gorgeous recording. Can't say I am overall always a fan of Carles Magraner: eccentric and often with over-the-top instrumental accompaniments. But he hit the jackpot here. There is instrumental colla-parte accompaniment, by five viols (vihuelas de arco) and lute. But it is fortunately tastefully done and to subtle effect. Magraner used 6 singers, I suspects he doubles the tenors in the pieces for 4 of 5 voices.

A valuable addition to the repertoire of lamentations! 

Artwork is a picture of the statue on the right, part of a sculptural group of Sorrow over Dead Christ (1463) by Niccolò dell'Arca. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_dell%27Arca

[Harry]

I di share your reservations on Magraner, but this one seems to be an exception.
Below a quote of my previous comments.

Definitely worth an audition on Qobuz. 

Artwork is a picture of the statue on the right, part of a sculptural group of Sorrow over Dead Christ (1463) by Niccolò dell'Arca. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_dell%27Arca

I will listen to this recording on Qobuz, after all this is why I took a subscription
The expression on their faces is still horrible, but the artwork in itself is sublime, that much I grant you

[Tsaraslondon]

A very good set and a good way of acquiring all Ravel's songs in excellent performances.