What are you listening 2 now?

[Brian]

Bouncing around Florian Uhlig's Schumann cycle on streaming, testing things out for Harry. I listened to the Etudes symphoniques ("second version"), Geister variations, Fantasiestücke, and Kreisleriana ("first version").

Across the board, very clear/clean engineering that is slightly close, and very clean, precise playing as well. Uhlig is more of a "cool," analytical thinker who mostly keeps his touch on the staccato side, so he does not indulge in big sweeping emotional gestures. I can imagine that this consistency of style would be useful if you want to directly compare alternate and early versions of works where he recorded multiple versions.

I like best Uhlig's soft, sensitive touch in places like the Geister Variations and Fantasiestücke Op. 12. It really feels "domestic," like somebody is playing for you in your house rather than on a grand concert stage.

Of course I continue to have favorite versions of these works (like Perahia in Fantasiestücke and Lonquich in Kreisleriana) but Uhlig does seem like a good guide for the completist.

I have not heard the rival "complete" cycles from Dana Ciocarlie or Jörg Demus, and only little bits of the Eric Le Sage box.

[Harry]

Bouncing around Florian Uhlig's Schumann cycle on streaming, testing things out for Harry. I listened to the Etudes symphoniques ("second version"), Geister variations, Fantasiestücke, and Kreisleriana ("first version").

Across the board, very clear/clean engineering that is slightly close, and very clean, precise playing as well. Uhlig is more of a "cool," analytical thinker who mostly keeps his touch on the staccato side, so he does not indulge in big sweeping emotional gestures. I can imagine that this consistency of style would be useful if you want to directly compare alternate and early versions of works where he recorded multiple versions.

I like best Uhlig's soft, sensitive touch in places like the Geister Variations and Fantasiestücke Op. 12. It really feels "domestic," like somebody is playing for you in your house rather than on a grand concert stage.

Of course I continue to have favorite versions of these works (like Perahia in Fantasiestücke and Lonquich in Kreisleriana) but Uhlig does seem like a good guide for the completist.

I have not heard the rival "complete" cycles from Dana Ciocarlie or Jörg Demus, and only little bits of the Eric Le Sage box.

I have the Jörg Demus set, and it is not at all comparable with your description of Uhlig. But on the other hand it is something I am looking for, clean and precise playing, and not into big dramatic gestures. It sounds to me a likely candidate for my collection, Jörg could use some cleanliness
I am grateful Brian you are testing this for me, I lay great store in your concise rendering of this performance..

[aligreto]

Britten: Four Sea Interludes And Passacaglia From "Peter Grimes" [Pesek]





This is a work that I like. I find the music throughout to be both inventive and atmospheric. The music is always saying something interesting. I think that Pesek gives a great presentation of it here. He brings great energy, drama and tension to it adding to the wonderful inherent atmosphere. The interpretation of this music, and indeed its performance, is of the highest order here, I feel.

[aligreto]

Rameau and Brüggen a fine combination, enjoy the music.

Good day, Jan.
I agree, Rameau and Brüggen is a very fine combination.
I will finish the CD later this evening.

[Karl Henning]

Schoenberg & Brahms: Violin Concertos- Jack Liebeck (violin), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Gourlay

Nice pairing!

[Brian]

I have the Jörg Demus set, and it is not at all comparable with your description of Uhlig. But on the other hand it is something I am looking for, clean and precise playing, and not into big dramatic gestures. It sounds to me a likely candidate for my collection, Jörg could use some cleanliness
I am grateful Brian you are testing this for me, I lay great store in your concise rendering of this performance..

The only negative comment I have is that sometimes some of the loud/blustery music (like "Grillen," Op. 12 No. 4) is a little bit stiff. But the quieter and more playful pieces are very well done.

[Irons]

Arnold is a composer that I have only recently "discovered". I am working my way through his symphonic cycle at the moment. I have been very impressed with and excited about what I have heard so far. I would intend to follow up with his chamber music at a later stage. I will watch out for that album in due course.

Following your wise words on the symphonies with interest. Arnold should be right up my street and well aware of his popularity on this forum. Banging on his symphonic door but for some strange reason can't get in. Totally down to me not Arnold, of course.

[Harry]

The only negative comment I have is that sometimes some of the loud/blustery music (like "Grillen," Op. 12 No. 4) is a little bit stiff. But the quieter and more playful pieces are very well done.

Thank you Brian, that helps me to make my decision. On such short notice this kind of help, is awesome! I will order this box.

[Karl Henning]

Morning listening:



Organ works (II)

It is a pity that Brilliant, presumably for budgetary reasons, didn't opt for a array of historical German organs.

But the Italian/Slovenian built German Baroque style instrument used here sounds pretty good and authentic.

Nice!

[Karl Henning]

Then the CPO series would be a good choice for you, if you want Historic organs a plenty.
Good morning in this somewhat cooler day.

And goededag to you, Harry!

[Spotted Horses]

Bounced around a little. Listened to the first pieces in Brahms' Op 116, Ciccolini. Then decided to listen to Cziffra's recording of Liszt's Annees de pelerinage (only the first three pieces in the first year). Cziffra is impressive.

[Harry]

And goededag to you, Harry!

Goedendag Karl!

[Karl Henning]

Libre Vermell de Montserrat

A 14th-century pilgrimage

Nice, Jan!

[Irons]

The Hyperion (Helios) CDs of his chamber music contain many other interesting pieces (including that Piano Trio). Do you know/have them?

Huge fan of the Nash Ensemble. I will investigate, thanks for heads up. The other Arnold chamber work that impressed me, more then his Trio, I think, is the 1st Violin Sonata.

[Karl Henning]

Britten: Four Sea Interludes And Passacaglia From "Peter Grimes" [Pesek]





This is a work that I like. I find the music throughout to be both inventive and atmospheric. The music is always saying something interesting. I think that Pesek gives a great presentation of it here. He brings great energy, drama and tension to it adding to the wonderful inherent atmosphere. The interpretation of this music, and indeed its performance, is of the highest order here, I feel.

Stunning!

TD:

First-Listen Friday!

CD 9

Vissarion Shebalin
Symphony № 3 in C, Op. 17

Yuri Shaporin
The Flea—Suite

Nikolai Rakov
Sinfonietta for string orchestra
Symphony № 3 in C for string orchestra

[Lisztianwagner]

Rach playing his own Piano Concertos:

Sergei Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto No.2
Piano Concerto No.3

[Florestan]

Pour yourself a glass of your favorite Italian wine, recline in your favorite armchair and wallow in the glories and felicities of Donizetti's belcanto for the salon. Superb performances, SOTA sound. A Florestan's-Stamp-of-Approval disc --- which makes for a good companion to another of the kind, Thalberg's Les Soirées de Pausilippe - Hommage à Rossini: 24 Pensées Musicales for solo piano (Francesco Nicolosi on Naxos).

[Traverso]

Cant De La Sibilla


It's been a long time since I listened to this recording, could be twenty years. The advantage of this is that it still sounds fresh.

[Florestan]

Uhlig is more of a "cool," analytical thinker who mostly keeps his touch on the staccato side, so he does not indulge in big sweeping emotional gestures.

Have not heard anything in that set but your description above doesn't bode well for the Florestan sections. (I might be wrong, though)

[SonicMan46]

Schumann, Robert - Piano Music w/ Dana Ciocarlie - first four discs; a more modest sized 13-disc box in sleeves - despite being 'live' there is virtually no audience heard (a relief for me!) - Dave