What are you listening 2 now?

[Que]

Another on Spotify:



Can't recall coming across this lutenist before...

[aukhawk]

I found that version a little rushed.  Of course, its strength is the undoubted spiritual connection - an aspect of the music that I prefer to ignore.

[Operafreak]

Mozart & Shostakovich: Piano Concertos

Evgeni Bozhanov (piano), Hannes Läubin (trumpet)

[aligreto]

JS Bach: Cantata "Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben" BWV 8 [Rifkin]





Musically BWV 8 is a wonderful piece of writing. This version simply lacks body, depth and impact in the OVPP vocal arena for me; the vocalists are weak in my opinion. I am OK with the instrumental presentation here; it is well played and directed.

[aligreto]

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.5 in C-sharp minor. Sir John Barbirolli, New Philharmonia Orchestra

Awesome recording of one of my favorite Mahler symphonies. (Though I guess my favorite Mahler symphony is whichever I happen to be listening to at the time )

When I was first getting into Mahler, I used to frequent another classical music forum which shall not be named, and everyone there went completely gaga over Barbirolli's Mahler. Nowadays I never hear anyone talk about it. Do Sir John's Mahler recordings have their fans here on GMG? I haven't heard much, but I kind of like it. This one gives me a very "dark Romantic" kind of feeling, very intense, almost grotesque, like the kind of music you might read Edgar Allan Poe or Mary Shelley to. But it's a VERY solid conception of the work; everything flows, every note perfectly succeeds what came before. The funeral march really does sound like a funeral march here, which is something I can't say about some of the other recordings I love (i.e. Boulez/Vienna, Karajan/Berlin).

Very happy to be revisiting this performance right now!

Yes I have always been a big fan of Barbirolli's Mahler, especially M5. I believe that it has quite a lot going for it and that it has stood the test of time very well.

[vers la flamme]

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.4 in G major. Lorin Maazel, Vienna Philharmonic, with Kathleen Battle soprano soloist in the finale

This is just an exceptional Mahler 4th. Very slow and relaxed, very detailed performance. Very refreshing. Unlike any other Mahler performance I've ever heard. It's a recent purchase inspired by Jan's and Linz's recent traversals of the Maazel Mahler cycle. I'm very impressed. Are any of the other recordings in the cycle this good?

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12  Op. 26 [Fischer]

[vers la flamme]

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.4 in G major. Lorin Maazel, Vienna Philharmonic, with Kathleen Battle soprano soloist in the finale

This is just an exceptional Mahler 4th. Very slow and relaxed, very detailed performance. Very refreshing. Unlike any other Mahler performance I've ever heard. It's a recent purchase inspired by Jan's and Linz's recent traversals of the Maazel Mahler cycle. I'm very impressed. Are any of the other recordings in the cycle this good?

Kathleen Battle is perfect for the finale, wow.

[Todd]

[Traverso]

Bach

[aligreto]

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 [Perlman/Ashkenazy]





The playing from both instrumentalists here is undoubtedly beyond reproach. The opening movement is filled with consummate passion and intensity. It is a thrilling and vibrant performance from both musicians. The music in the second movement is both lyrical and very intense. The playing is absolutely wonderful. The music is divine! The intensity in the final movement remains but the tempo is increased resulting in an increased sense of passion, tension and excitement. This is a well rounded presentation from two consummate professionals.

[Que]

A dip into this:

[MusicTurner]

Respighi - Violin Sonata in b (1917) /Mutter / DG

A beautiful, but rather advanced work, and this apparently more so than the 'Concerto Gregoriano' (1921) or the 'Poema Autunnale' (1925), it doesn't sound particularly Respighian or Italian, I think, at least in this rather rugged performance.

[Harry]

The Chamber Music of Malcom Arnold.
Volume I.

Violin Sonata No.1&2.
Five Pieces for Violin and Piano.
Viola Sonata.
Duo for Two Cellos.
Piano Trio.

The Nash Ensemble

It was a long time since I have been listening to Arnold's Chamber Music, and I enjoyed it more then I thought I would.

[Mandryka]

Never managed to get into that one.

[Traverso]

Mozart


piano sonatas 1-5

[Mandryka]

Another on Spotify:



Can't recall coming across this lutenist before...

Lovely textures in that one I think.

[Biffo]

Bax: Symphony No 1 in E flat - Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by David Lloyd-Jones

[Operafreak]

Dvořák: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, B9 'The Bells of Zlonice'-     London Symphony Orchestra-    Istvan Kertesz
   

[Traverso]

Frank Bridge