What are you listening 2 now?

[DavidW]

Good call on the  Rautavaara! I am thoroughly enjoying my survey of his music. So much that is excellent, and even the 'lesser' works are valuable. That disc is super! Hope you enjoyed as much as I have.

Schnittke is very much on my radar to explore next. I don't really know him well at all.

Yes your Rautavaara posts have won me over.  It had been a long time.  Which reminds me, thread duty:

[kyjo]

Nice list, Kyle. No love for any of the solo piano works?

I saw that question coming. What I've heard of Grieg's solo piano music has been lovely, but I can't profess intimate familiarity with it (yet). Ditto his numerous songs.

[Mirror Image]

I saw that question coming. What I've heard of Grieg's solo piano music has been lovely, but I can't profess intimate familiarity with it (yet). Ditto his numerous songs.

I don't have a deep knowledge of Grieg's solo piano music either, but I have enjoyed the Lyric Pieces immensely.

[kyjo]

Brutal sounding symphonies to my ears.

Re: Prokofiev's 2nd and 3rd

Yeah, I totally understand where you're coming from - these symphonies represent Prokofiev at his most modernistic. Although I prefer his 1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th symphonies, the 2nd and 3rd are fascinating works in their own right. Andrew Litton's recent recording of them with the Bergen PO on BIS softens their edges a bit, and not in a bad way - he makes them less gnarly by focusing on their lyricism and inventive use of orchestral sonority.

[kyjo]

Borodin: Symphony No. 1

I have to remind myself often that this is a remarkable symphony. I hadn't paid attention to a motif in the 4th movement used by Rimsky-Korsakov when composed his Russian Festival Overture. Or perhaps it is a good coincidence. Anyway, a fine work.

Pounds the table! I think it's equally as marvelous as his more famous 2nd Symphony. For some reason, a lot of people claim it's derivative of Mendelssohn and Schumann, which I don't hear at all. It sounds throughly Borodinesque to me!

[Karl Henning]

Last night Schnittke's 1st (talk about a strange, goofball symphony!), and then Rautavaara



And this morning Haydn symphonies in the 20s including the Lamentation symphony.

Fun! Schnittke certainly did not lack for nerve, there!

[Karl Henning]

Brutal sounding symphonies to my ears.

The Prokofiev Second is one of my very favorite pieces, period!

[kyjo]

Atterberg: Symphony No. 7

Atterberg seems uninspired in this symphony methinks. I feel relieved because the 8th doesn't share the musical quality of this one and its coupling.

Surprised to read this, Cesar! Maybe it's because you listened to Järvi's recording? Personally, I love the 7th - sure, the finale may be rather repetitious, but I can't resist that sweeping first movement or gloriously atmospheric slow movement! Oh well, it's healthy that we disagree on some things!

[Todd]

[Roasted Swan]

I'm no psychologist but interesting body language from both parties in this cover image - Rattle's definitely invading Zimmerman's space!

[kyjo]

I'm sure our Kyle will offer his rebuttal shortly. I wouldn't say Atterberg is my favorite Swede, but I do love the 3rd and 6th symphonies. Also, the symphonic poem Älven - från fjällen till havet. What a magnificent work this is!

Hah! You know me too well, John!

Who is your favorite Swede, btw? I'm guessing either Stenhammar or Pettersson. Great composers both, even if I only truly love a few of the latter's works.

[kyjo]

RVW 6th, Arnold 5th

Two of the absolute greatest 20th century symphonies, bar none!

[kyjo]

Smetana: Piano Trio

The most glorious piano trio without a slow movement. The organic element of the initial motif throughout reveals Smetana's mastery in the form.

+1 My favorite work by Smetana, as well as one of my favorite piano trios! A searingly passionate and deeply-felt work, and it's hard to imagine that performance being bettered.

[Linz]

Neeme Järvi Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertant and Romeo Juliet Suite

[classicalgeek]

Ernesto Halffter
*Rapsodia Portuguesa
Bocetos Sinfonicos
Sinfonetta
*Juh Hee Suh, piano
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Muhai Tang
(on Qobuz)



Distinctly Spanish music with a 'neoclassical' flavor that reminded me often of Halffter's contemporary, Joaquin Rodrigo. And of course Stravinsky's influence is prominent; there were parts of the Sinfonietta that sounded like they could have come from Pulcinella!

[Linz]

Adrian Boult with Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music, The Lark Ascending,  In the Fen Country and Norfolk Rapsody No. 1

[vandermolen]

I am envious...that I am!

Yours should arrive soon? It will be worth the wait.

[vandermolen]

Oh man, you're in for a sonic feast! One of my favorite composers. If you need any help and/or recommendations, don't hesitate to ask!

NP:

Yoshimatsu
Symphony No. 2, "At terra"
BBC Philharmonic
Sachio Fujioka

That was my first and arguably best encounter with Yoshimatsu - a most enjoyable disc.

[classicalgeek]

Bo Linde
*Violin Concerto
%Cello Concerto
*Karen Gomyo, violin
%Maria Kliegel, cello
Gavle Symphony Orchestra
Petter Sundkvist
(on Qobuz)



Both wonderfully lyrical works with long, singing melodies, coupled to a harmonic language reminiscent of Prokofiev or Shostakovich. No really memorable moments, but still really fine music.

[SonicMan46]

Mendelssohn, Felix (1809-1847) - cleaning up my Felix collection late this afternoon - like the 2 versions of the Quintets and have other recordings of the other two CDs - so many choices in this music and I'm sure plenty of favorites!  Dave