What are you listening 2 now?

[Harry]

Manuel Blancafort.

Complete Piano Music, Volume I.

Youthful Pieces
Mountain Songs
Notes from Years gone by
12 Cancons.

Miquel Villalba, Piano.

[aukhawk]

Mahler: Symphony No. 4- Sabine Devieilhe (soprano), Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth

I listened to this new release this afternoon.  (That cover image is a bit Sound of Music )
I had high hopes because I was very impressed with Roth/Les Siecles recent recording of Mahler's 1st - now my favourite recording of that symphony although the choice of cover art is horrible 

However I found this M4 a disappointment.  In the first couple of minutes I was struck by a sense of 'under-rehearsed' or maybe of musicians struggling a bit with their period instruments.  I got used to it after a while and it settled into a general sense of 'rustic' which is fair enough.  Certainly there is plenty of inner detail to appreciate, as ever from Les Siecles.  The 2nd movement suffers (IMHO) from too much intervention pulling the tempi around.  The 3rd movement is absolutely wonderfully played - I've never heard it better - in particular the several long suspended notes really caught my attention.  But there are lots of fine recordings that nail this 3rd movement, from Vanska (recently) all the way back to Kletzki and Szell.  In the final movement the soprano is not to my taste - however I try not to let this detail be the arbiter of whether or not the recording as a whole is worth while - it is probably the 2nd movement which turns me off the most.

[Karl Henning]

More time with the Stravinsky Septuor, the Bach Vom Himmel hoch arrangement, and the Octuor. Oh, and an Adagio in C for clarinet and three basset horns by (who else?) Wolferl.

[aligreto]

Messiaen:  L'ascension [Wit]





I only have a passing familiarity with the music of Messiaen. However, I have always liked the limited number of works of his that I have heard. This is my first time to hear this particular work.

I like the musical language in this work. It is lean but not overly terse. I also like his orchestration. It is sparse but it does sound quite full at the same time. I find the scoring for this work to be wonderfully engaging, sonically and texturally. The tones, along with the writing obviously, create a wonderfully engaging atmosphere. The woodwinds can often sound quite enchanting. I am not sure how Wit [a fine conductor in my opinion] compares in this work with other conductors but, to me, he sounds like he is in full control of the performance of the score. He instils a great sense of occasion, atmosphere, tension and drama into this presentation. I find that there is a wonderful sense of serenity in the final movement. This was a terrific listen.

[Karl Henning]

Messiaen:  L'ascension [Wit]





I only have a passing familiarity with the music of Messiaen. However, I have always liked the limited number of works of his that I have heard. This is my first time to hear this particular work.

I like the musical language in this work. It is lean but not overly terse. I also like his orchestration. It is sparse but it does sound quite full at the same time. I find the scoring for this work to be wonderfully engaging, sonically and texturally. The tones, along with the writing obviously, create a wonderfully engaging atmosphere. The woodwinds can often sound quite enchanting. I am not sure how Wit [a fine conductor in my opinion] compares in this work with other conductors but, to me, he sounds like he is in full control of the performance of the score. He instils a great sense of occasion, atmosphere, tension and drama into this presentation. I find that there is a wonderful sense of serenity in the final movement. This was a terrific listen.

Nice! I need to revisit that piece.

[aligreto]

I listened to this new release this afternoon.  (That cover image is a bit Sound of Music [/i] )

When I first saw it that cover art it somehow immediately reminded me of this older cover art for some reason:

[aligreto]

Nice! I need to revisit that piece.

Well worth your time, Karl.

Good day to you, Sir.

[Symphonic Addict]

The Ben-Haim is terrific (the 2nd Symphony is just as good). I was lucky to hear the First Symphony at the Proms a while back.

Lucky you, Jeffrey! I wish I was there. What an impressive work indeed.

[SonicMan46]

Boccherini, Luigi (1743-1805) - Symphonies, Op. 21 & Op. 35, Nos. 1-3 from the 8-CD box of 28 symphonies w/ Johannes Goritzki and the Deutsche Kammerakademie, recorded 1990-91 - Dave

   

[Harry]

Boccherini, Luigi (1743-1805) - Symphonies, Op. 21 & Op. 35, Nos. 1-3 from the 8-CD box of 28 symphonies w/ Johannes Goritzki and the Deutsche Kammerakademie, recorded 1990-91 - Dave

   

I also have those records out for a airing, soon enough.

[vandermolen]

Lucky you, Jeffrey! I wish I was there. What an impressive work indeed.

Yes, it was a memorable evening Cesar.

NP
Allan Pettersson Symphony No. 7 Stockholm PO Dorati. Still my favourite recording of the great symphony:

[SonicMan46]

I also have those records out for a airing, soon enough.

Hi Harry - has been a while for me w/ Luigi's symphonies - I usually pull out his chamber works - forgot how delightful, inventive, and well recorded these were for the early 1990s - my only other symphonic works are w/ Michael Erxleben & the Neues Berliner Kammerorchester (2 CDs of 7 works in the 10-disc Capriccio box - from 1992) - I see a lot of other older recordings on Amazon USA but most appear to be single discs - have you come across any 'newer' releases?  Dave

 

[Florestan]

I'm just going to politely suggest that a "review" which says an intense work is filled with intensity, and that mentions diaphanous things such as 'disconcerting', 'tension' and 'edge' without pinning down the specifics of any of them... well, it's not much of a review and you'd be much better off, I think, saying something like "I really like this stuff" and leaving it at that. Broadly speaking, I think any attempt in this particular thread to sound like the music critic of the Sunday Times doesn't really come across too well. Tell us what **you* think and feel, without trying to phrase it in Universal terms as if they have some merit or meaning beyond your personal experience.

You do a lot of 'reviews' in this thread. I am not interested in any of them, though I would be interested in your personal reaction to a recording, without the fluff of words that usually surrounds them. Others may be interested. That's fine: it takes all sorts. I'm just saying what my reaction to your posts is. It's in no way meant as personal criticism. It's just that I'd prefer an unfiltered reaction that doesn't sound like you're auditioning for the position of chief critic of Gramophone or the like.

For the record, I find the last movement of Sinfonia to be consolatory in tone, "luminous and compassionate" in the words of Michael Kennedy; so any suggestion that its scoring is 'sparse' doesn't ring true for this pair of ears. But whatever.

Short version: Just be yourself, without trying to convey eternal truths. Of course, if being yourself is forever a journey in discovering potential eternal truths, then feel free...

Ahem!... This is a completely uncalled for reaction. Aligreto's personal reaction to the recordings he listens to is to write about them in whatever terms he sees fit. If you don't like his prose it's your problem, not his. Besides, you can always ignore whatever annoys you.

I appreciate much more a purple prose "review", which at least is a sign that the listener had a reaction to, and thought about, the music, than just dryly posting a CD cover without as much as two words about it--- which is what you routinely do. Yet it never crossed my mind to lambast you for that. We are all different and have our own style, which might or might not suit other people's preferences. A more relaxed and nonchalant attitude in this respect would be much better, helpful and constructive than venting our frustration that this or that poster doesn't conform to one's norms.

Live and let live, man!

[Todd]

First ever listen to Fluffy's studio recording of the Ninth.  I've long relied on the live recording only.  That was a mistake.  The clarinet boo-boo in the Rondo Burleske aside, this recording offers a perfect example of the benefits of studio recordings.  Karajan and DG made sure ample microphones were in place, as every detail is audible everywhere.  I have never heard such distinct and perfectly realized bells in the first movement as here.  They sound so perfect that I wonder if they were recorded separately and patched in.  It's not really musically significant, it just attests to the focus on every little detail.  Playing is a of a very high order everywhere, and the strings of course sound magnificent, with the opening movement perhaps the most beautiful I've heard, and the great Adagio managing to sound sumptuously gorgeous and intense when needed.  I still prefer the live recording in terms of overall impact, but there's a good amount to really dig here.

[Sergeant Rock]

 Miloslav Kabeláč - Mystery of Time - Passacaglia for large orchestra, op.31 (1953-57)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kxcD0mU9jo

Sarge

[Florestan]

I don't have thoughts about most pieces of music which I'd wish to share, since I lack any technical foundation on which to base them -so we're talking about my emotional reaction to a piece of music, and I don't think it appropriate to inflict my emotional reactions onto other people.

Many people here on GMG, yours truly included, lack any technical foundation in music yet they are perfectly able and happy to express their thoughts about, and reactions to, the music they listen to. I don't need no effing doctorate in musicology in order to think about what I hear, and express my thoughts in my own words,

if someone wants to discover and express what they consider to be 'eternal truths', they must continue to do so... but maybe, just maybe, they might want to consider that their personal mode of expression isn't to everyone's tastes.

So what? Should they change their personal mode or expression (or even shut up for good) just because someone somewhere happens to disagree with, or be annoyed by, it?

one doesn't speak of 'purple prose' unless you're also hinting that the post in question might, just might, be going a little over the top

If you think aligreto's prose is purple, then you haven't read Berlioz's or Schumann's musical criticism --- and it's precisely with them in mind that I used the term.

If I knew what that meaningless phrase meant, fine.

I think you know exactly what it means but you just pretend no to for the sake of being argumentative.

I haven't asked Aligreto to stop being him (or her). I've actually said they should be **more** themselves than  a template music review.

This implies that you know better than aligreto himself what it means to be aligreto himself. Absurdly presumptuous or presumptuously absurd, pick your choice.

pretending your personal reactions to music have universal significance comes across as pretentious and off-putting, rather than persuasive and informative.

I don't recall aligreto's ever pretending their personal reactions to music have universal significance.

[Harry]

Hi Harry - has been a while for me w/ Luigi's symphonies - I usually pull out his chamber works - forgot how delightful, inventive, and well recorded these were for the early 1990s - my only other symphonic works are w/ Michael Erxleben & the Neues Berliner Kammerorchester (2 CDs of 7 works in the 10-disc Capriccio box - from 1992) - I see a lot of other older recordings on Amazon USA but most appear to be single discs - have you come across any 'newer' releases?  Dave

 

They are also in the pile   And no no newer recordings.

[aligreto]

I'm just going to politely suggest that a "review" which says an intense work is filled with intensity, and that mentions diaphanous things such as 'disconcerting', 'tension' and 'edge' without pinning down the specifics of any of them... well, it's not much of a review and you'd be much better off, I think, saying something like "I really like this stuff" and leaving it at that. Broadly speaking, I think any attempt in this particular thread to sound like the music critic of the Sunday Times doesn't really come across too well. Tell us what **you* think and feel, without trying to phrase it in Universal terms as if they have some merit or meaning beyond your personal experience.

You do a lot of 'reviews' in this thread. I am not interested in any of them, though I would be interested in your personal reaction to a recording, without the fluff of words that usually surrounds them. Others may be interested. That's fine: it takes all sorts. I'm just saying what my reaction to your posts is. It's in no way meant as personal criticism. It's just that I'd prefer an unfiltered reaction that doesn't sound like you're auditioning for the position of chief critic of Gramophone or the like.

For the record, I find the last movement of Sinfonia to be consolatory in tone, "luminous and compassionate" in the words of Michael Kennedy; so any suggestion that its scoring is 'sparse' doesn't ring true for this pair of ears. But whatever.

Short version: Just be yourself, without trying to convey eternal truths. Of course, if being yourself is forever a journey in discovering potential eternal truths, then feel free...

That is the most patronising and condescending reaction that I have ever received from any member here ever, particularly from one who frequently posts without any comment whatsoever.

Just remind me please, who are you?

I always try to illustrate why I like or dislike a particular work by giving my reasons. I do not reach for other people's words. I simply try to use my own. "I really like this stuff" is just fatuous and inane and simply, in my opinion, is pointless. What does it convey to a prospective listener?

If you dislike my reviews then simply put me on ignore and just walk away. No need to bite your lip or any other part of your anatomy or for any of your passive aggressive "politeness".

[Symphonic Addict]

Miloslav Kabeláč - Mystery of Time - Pasacaglia for large orchestra, op.31 (1953-57)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kxcD0mU9jo

Sarge

One of the towering masterpieces of the 20th century IMO. Awesome piece.

[Florestan]

And now you and I are done.

Agreed, completely. Let's just ignore each other from now on, since it's obvious that we're living on different planets. Cheers and happy listening!