What are you listening 2 now?

[relm1]

Based on strong recommendations from the Shostakovich thread, I'm traversing this cycle.  I'm currently on No. 4 and will post my thoughts when I've completed my traversal.  Initial impressions...it's solid.

[Symphonic Addict]

Shchedrin: Piano Concertos 1-3

It's interesting to notice the progression of the composer's style through these works: a rather overtly romantic Piano Concerto No. 1 (with a hint of Prokofiev in the 4th mov.), a more-serious and percussive Piano Concerto No. 2 and an even-more-strident-and-modern Piano Concerto No. 3 reminding a little of Schnittke. I enjoyed all of them very much.




Three lovely and charming sonatas that offer a very pleasant listen. No. 1 is my favorite with its sweet lyricism. The other two are slightly more elusive, but enchanting all the same.

[Symphonic Addict]

Looks most interesting Cesar. I like 'Earth Cry' and Memento Mori.

I think I've heard those works as well, Jeffrey, and yes, that Chandos CD could appeal to you too.

[Operafreak]

Offenbach: Overtures-Orchestre National de Lille, Darrell Ang


   

[Mookalafalas]

Earlier played this:

[Harry]

This day begins with storm, heavy rains and a windy disposition. Dark and Gloomy, and rather cold. Since gas is very expensive we sit in the cold at 13 degrees.
So with that in mind, some Bach would warm up things

Johann Sebastian Bach.
Complete Cantatas.
Volume 44, Leipzig 1726.
Wir mussen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen.
Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden.
Gott fahret auf mit Jauchzen.
Nicholls, Blaze, Turk, Kooij.
Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki.

They added to the recording equipment two Audio Technica Tube microphones, which are fantastic. The voices are now clear as a bell. Still Nicholls German pronunciation is still bad. I am at a loss why Suzuki puts up with this, even all the Japanese soprano like Yoshie Hida or Yukari Nonoshita have an almost perfect command of the language. Not to speak of Carolyn Sampson and Hanna Blazikova who do much better. When I asked Suzuki to explain when he was given an organ recital in the Martini church Groningen, some years ago on the Arp Schnitger instrument, he could not even remember Nicholls singing. So I still am puzzled.

[vandermolen]

This day begins with storm, heavy rains and a windy disposition. Dark and Gloomy, and rather cold. Since gas is very expensive we sit in the cold at 13 degrees.
So with that in mind, some Bach would warm up things

Johann Sebastian Bach.
Complete Cantatas.
Volume 44, Leipzig 1726.
Wir mussen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen.
Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden.
Gott fahret auf mit Jauchzen.
Nicholls, Blaze, Turk, Kooij.
Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki.

It's also been cold here and we've had torrential rain the SE England for several days, although clearer today. Also we don't put the heating on. I'm consoling myself this morning with Vagn Holmboe's 8th Symphony. 

[Harry]

It's also been cold here and we've had torrential rain the SE England for several days, although clearer today. Also we don't put the heating on. I'm consoling myself this morning with Vagn Holmboe's 8th Symphony. 

It comforts us that we are not alone in this ordeal.
Good morning Jeffrey!

[Harry]

Unfortunately I was yesterday interrupted while listening to this disc.

Paul Wranitzky.
Symphonies, opus 37 and 51.
NDR Radiophilharmonie, Rolf Gupta.

As said before a wonderful disc. I am happy that more GMGers are listening to this disc also. Lets hope CPO will release a bit faster the following volumes. For 16 years between volume 1 and 2 is a bit steep.

[vandermolen]

It comforts us that we are not alone in this ordeal.
Good morning Jeffrey!

Good morning to you too Harry!

[Que]

On Spotify:




Lovely recording, excellent performances!

[Madiel]

I've decided it's time to revisit Schumann songs.

Going with the Heine Liederkreis to start with. I own 2 versions, apparently I haven't listened to this one since 2014!



I might go onto the Hyperion complete songs afterwards (Christopher Maltman).

EDIT: I did, and though the Maltman/Johnson is fine the Holzmair/Cooper seems the better rendition to my ears on a direct comparison. It's consistently faster (2 minutes in total across the song cycle), and makes the Maltman/Johnson seem a bit self-conscious at times. For this music about unrequited love, I think a bit of extra acidity helps.

[Traverso]

Messiaen


Livre du Saint Sacrement

[Harry]

Jean Sibelius.
Complete Symphonies.
No. 4 & 5.
Berliner Sinfonie Orchester, Kurt Sanderling.
Recorded in 1971 & 1976.

A expertly executed complete cycle of the Sibelius symphonies by a legendary conductor, who was able to give a unique turn to these well know works, with a top-notch orchestra, and on the whole, very good sound. Its all different enough in a interesting way to have and treasure these performances. That is if you can still get them, on many sites it is listed OOP.

[vandermolen]

Jean Sibelius.
Complete Symphonies.
No. 4 & 5.
Berliner Sinfonie Orchester, Kurt Sanderling.
Recorded in 1971 & 1976.

A expertly executed complete cycle of the Sibelius symphonies by a legendary conductor, who was able to give a unique turn to these well know works, with a top-notch orchestra, and on the whole, very good sound. Its all different enough in a interesting way to have and treasure these performances. That is if you can still get them, on many sites it is listed OOP.

+1

NP
VW DNP, Atlanta SO, Shaw. A fine performance:

[Harry]

Dimitri Shostakovich.
Symphony No. 8 in C minor.
Concertgebouw Orkest, Bernard Haitink.

Not many other performance can stand in the shadow of this complete cycle under the baton of Haitink. This is the stuff were legends are made of. In the past I did not always appreciate Haitink, could not stand his lethargic VW, and a few other recordings spring to mind, but in Shostakovich he truly reigns!!!  Excellent Decca sound!

[Todd]

[vandermolen]

Dimitri Shostakovich.
Symphony No. 8 in C minor.
Concertgebouw Orkest, Bernard Haitink.

Not many other performance can stand in the shadow of this complete cycle under the baton of Haitink. This is the stuff were legends are made of. In the past I did not always appreciate Haitink, could not stand his lethargic VW, and a few other recordings spring to mind, but in Shostakovich he truly reigns!!!  Excellent Decca sound!

I had the good fortune to hear Haitink conduct Shostakovich's 8th Symphony in London Harry. It was a terrific performance.

[Papy Oli]

Good afternoon all,

Earlier on:

JSB - Cantata BWV 24 (from the Harnoncourt/Leonhardt box)



Then : JSB - Art of Fugue (Leonhardt) - Just a few contrapunctus.




Now: JSB - Brandenburg Concerto No.1 (Linde Consort)



One of 'em days I guess 

[Harry]

I had the good fortune to hear Haitink conduct Shostakovich's 8th Symphony in London Harry. It was a terrific performance.

I can imagine Jeffrey. It is by no means an easy symphony to bring of. You need immense concentration and endurance starting with the first movement lasting almost 26 minutes. And then the fiendishly difficult third movement  "Allegro non troppo" a lot of balls to keep in the air, but Haitink does it, keeping the pressure on, just listen to the timpani at the end of this movement, wow.