What are you listening 2 now?

[AnotherSpin]

Better? Better you say?

I can't think of any that is better than the Boulez, and I have —let me see— 14 complete sets of Parsifal in my collection, plus 4 on DVD. 

Just a good occasion to refresh the impression of Boulez's Parsifal.

[Cato]

Composed in his late 80's: Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei by Elliott Carter.

For an excellent introduction:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2014/apr/09/elliott-carter-symphonia-bubbles-colours-energy

Carter's music may be an acquired taste for some, but this work may attract some new people.  I used the poem in my Latin II classes (8th Graders, c. 13 years old) and then played excerpts of Carter's Symphonia: the reaction was usually astonishment, as his music was well outside their experience.  To be sure, there was rejection, but more than a few found fascination in the work.


The Robert Browning Overture by Charles Ives has been one of my favorites for decades!

[Todd]

[LKB]

No hotter woman than fleeing from bed.  No wiser man than one who is in love.

The first sentence can be true.

I'm afraid that the second sentence is ( speaking from painful experience ), generally speaking, false. 

[Harry]

Gerald Finzi (1901 – 1956).
Cello Concerto, Op. 40 (1951 –52, 1954–55) in A minor.
Nocturne, Op. 7 (1926, revised 1940s, 1950), (New Year Music) in C sharp minor.
Paul Watkins cello.
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis.
Recording venue Watford Colosseum; 3 and 4 February 2018.

I like the Cello concerto by Finzi very much! This Concerto is something like the composer's Swan song, for he died only one day after the work's premiere. I hear Elgarian qualities in the slow movement, which has the same poignant nobility, and grandeur. Paul Watkins is playing literally the stars from heaven, and Andrew Davis adds grace and vivacity to the proceedings. Really very beautiful. Fine SACD sound.

[Traverso]

The first sentence can be true.

I'm afraid that the second sentence is ( speaking from painful experience ), generally speaking, false. 

Very funny,there is some wisdom in laughing at yourself ,no doubt about that....

[AnotherSpin]

The first sentence can be true.

I'm afraid that the second sentence is ( speaking from painful experience ), generally speaking, false. 

This was from Ballade des contre-vérités (The Ballade of Truths Inside Out) by François Villon

[Traverso]

Messiaen

I am very happy with two new Messiaen CD's that I received this week. The Momo Kodama recording of Cataloque D'Oiseaux is a delightful reading and has drawn me deeper into this work. Her touch and articulation are a delight, the recording captures all of this superbly and I look forward to listening further .
Now, however, I'm going to listen to "Vingt Regards" with a pianist who was unknown to me until now.
Pi-hsien Chen was born in Taiwan and went to Cologne when she was nine years old and took part in piano courses given by Wilhelm Kempff, Tatiana Nikolayeva and Geza Anda.
The recording was recorded "live" in a church 2005

[AnotherSpin]

Today's release on Qobuz.

[Traverso]

This was from Ballade des contre-vérités (The Ballade of Truths Inside Out) by François Villon

That's right...Ballade des contre vérités 

[brewski]

Sphinx Virtuosi: Songs for Our Times - The debut album from this superb string ensemble, featuring works by an eclectic group of composers, most of whom will be new to many listeners (except for that Beethoven guy ).

An excellent addition to the universe of string orchestra recordings.

-Bruce

[Harry]

Leoš Janáček (1854– 1928).
Orchestral Works, Volume 1.

Sinfonietta, JW VI/18 (1926), for Orchestra.
Capriccio, JW VII/12 (1926), for piano left hand, flute /piccolo, two trumpets, three trombones, and tenor tuba.
Suite from 'The Cunning Little Vixen', JW I/9 (1922–24; suite finally revised 2008)
for Orchestra. Original version prepared by Václav Talich (1883– 1961),expanded, and with original orchestration restored, by Sir Charles Mackerras (1925–2010).

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano.
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Edward Gardner.
Recording venue Grieghallen, Bergen, Norway; 10– 12 March 2014.

Again a spectacular recording by Chandos. Truly a feather in their cap! You will not miss even the tiniest detail, enhanced by the fantastic conducting by Edward Gardner, he lives and breaths Janáček. I have some of this composer in my collection, but in sound and performance, this exceeds all expectations. Your are totally enveloped in the music, almost a 3D experience. No matter if you have multiple performances, this one is obligatory. The Sinfonietta will rob you of your senses, believe you me. And its a pleasant and cheap dose of pure happiness you get.

[Cato]

Today's release on Qobuz.

For the Fourth Piano Concerto, does she play the original, uncut version?

Having heard it a few years ago, I find it preferable to the shorter, revised version.

[AnotherSpin]

For the Fourth Piano Concerto, does she play the original, uncut version?

Having heard it a few years ago, I find it preferable to the shorter, revised version.

I started with the 3rd, it was the one I was looking forward to the most and the rest of the Rachmaninoff concertos are of less interest to me in general. The 3rd left mixed feelings. Yuja was very good, which can't be said about the orchestra. The sound recording is very good, which is impressive in itself.

[Cato]

I started with the 3rd, it was the one I was looking forward to the most and the rest of the Rachmaninoff concertos are of less interest to me in general. The 3rd left mixed feelings. Yuja was very good, which can't be said about the orchestra. The sound recording is very good, which is impressive in itself.

Many thanks!  Let me/us know about the Fourth Concerto, whenever you have the time!

It is interesting that you found the Los Angeles Philharmonic less than stellar.

[DavidW]

Very good rendition, both performance-wise and sonic-wise, of these charming but all too rarely recorded works.

I love those works myself and the fragment PC #3.  I was introduced to them ages ago with one of those VOX 2 cd sets.

[Harry]

Ernest Bloch.
Violin Sonatas.
Baal Shem Nigun.
Violin sonata No.2, Poeme Mystique.
Violin sonata No.1.
Lydia Mordkovitch, Violin.
Julian Milford, Piano.
Recorded: 1998.

To my ears this is a wonderful recording. Lydia Mordkovitch being my number one violinist, she gives a stunning performance together with Julian Milford, of Ernest Bloch's music. Intense at times introvert, and looking deep into the soul of man. Played with precision and passion, expressing much, and not leaving out anything that would fit in this music, to get at the core of the violin sonatas.
Definitive recordings, at least for me. The sound is surprisingly good. Lots of ambiance and warmth, in an intimate acoustic.

[Henk]

Bernhard Gander, quite recent work. Metal meets classical music.

[Harry]

I started with the 3rd, it was the one I was looking forward to the most and the rest of the Rachmaninoff concertos are of less interest to me in general. The 3rd left mixed feelings. Yuja was very good, which can't be said about the orchestra. The sound recording is very good, which is impressive in itself.

Dudamel would not be my choice as conductor, so far I heard nothing from him that impressed me much.

[DavidW]

Dudamel would not be my choice as conductor, so far I heard nothing from hime that impressed me much.

Yes it is not the orchestra, Salonen achieved great results with the same group.  I did like Dudamel's Mahler 9th and don't consider him a bad conductor, just not particularly interesting.  He is kind of like today's Simon Rattle.