What are you listening 2 now?

[vers la flamme]

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.4 in G major. George Szell, Cleveland Orchestra. This is a most radiant performance of this great symphony. The orchestral balance favors toward the winds, as it should, but the strings are also as incisive as any recording I've heard. Beyond that, the pacing that Szell takes here is just perfect. He doesn't shy away from the tragedy of the music in the slightest, but also doesn't ruin what is essentially Mahler's most buoyant symphony with dead-seriousness. Clearly, I am infatuated, but on first listen, this may be the greatest recording of the 4th that I've heard. I'm currently on the Ruhevoll movement.

[Traverso]

Ler Percusions des Strasbourg

[Harry]

Franz Anton Hoffmeister, Orchestral Works.

Overture from the opera "Der Königssohn aus Ithaka".
Symphony in C major & D major.

Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Howard Griffiths.

I probably forgot how good a composer Hoffmeister is, for it is some time that i have heard this CD, but no matter, this CD reminds you in a instant how wonderfully creative this man was. Both Symphonies are breathtakingly beautiful. Such expert scoring for string and winds. Elegant yet refined melodies, masterly powered by Griffiths as his fine orchestra. I definitely want more of this. Superb sound.

[Madiel]

Shostakovich, Scherzo op.7



In which the influence of people like Rimsky-Korsakov and Rachmaninov has given way to the influence of people like Stravinsky.

The two scherzi on this disc are both good value. The theme and variations was less interesting to be honest.

[Madiel]

Shostakovich, Piano Trio No.1



I continue to be slightly scared by the degree of talent required to write something like this at age 16.

[Mandryka]

The sound is interesting, I'm not sure what to make of it from that point of view. Where is the microphone? Inside the violin?

[Harry]

Despite the fact that Ries was a pupil of Beethoven he retained his own musical stamp. Sure there are here and there some pointers towards Beethoven, but more in his symphonies as in these piano concertos. They are highly original and show that in compositional style he was an equal to any composer in his time. The scoring is impeccable and so is his musical creativity. As to the performance I can be unanimous in praise, for all participants. Hinterhuber is a fine pianist and has a delicate as well as a sturdy touche whatever the situation requires. Uwe Grodd does what is expected of him, but I miss the agility that is needed to make this orchestra more flexibly as it is. Sometimes the synergy between soloist and orchestra is a bit amiss, as if they play in two different studios unaware of each other. The sound is good, but I am a bit irritated that there is no depth behind the timpani, so it merges with the celli and basses, and sometimes is not to be heard. At a odd moment in the opus 151, the timpani suddenly shoot in existence, with gave me quite a start. The engineer probably realized what was happening and shove the buttons upwards in a jiffy.

[André]

That looks interesting indeed. Do you know this disc André?:

Hi Jeffrey! Yes I have it. Will come next sometime today or later this week.

[Florestan]

The sound is interesting, I'm not sure what to make of it from that point of view. Where is the microphone? Inside the violin?

I infer from the above that the harpsichord is barely audible. Am I right?

[San Antone]

Sor: Morceau de Concert
Adam Holzman

[Mandryka]

I infer from the above that the harpsichord is barely audible. Am I right?

well, you know it's there, it sort of buzzes  along. I think it's partly a question of getting the volume right, i.e. lower the better.

[Harry]

It is always a nice surprise if you return after a break of almost 5 years to a CD of which you had forgotten how good it actually is. And this one is very good. It is said that the "Pause del Silenzio I & II" is Malipiero's  greatest work about which all agree. I will support this thought, but I would like to add with some vehemence that the "Impressioni dal Vero" are equally masterworks. Such mesmerizing music, it takes your breath away, realizing how beautifully this music is constructed. There are long episodes of such gorgeous picture painting, that the whole shebang materializes right before your eyes. The emotional drive is very present, and personal. And then such committed performances in excellent sound. If you want to start with this composer, this disc would be an excellent start, yes it would!

[Traverso]

J-F Dandrieu

Messe Solenelle de Saint Hubert

[San Antone]

Ries: Clarinet Chamber Music - Sonata, op. 29
Dieter Klocker, Fromm, Duis

[aligreto]

Monteverdi: L'Orfeo [Jurgens]

[aligreto]

Dvorak - Biblical Songs, for baritone and orchestra

The 10 songs are recorded here. Some of them are solemn, sincere, others are more expressive and angry. I liked it but not so much.

I share your sentiment.

[aligreto]

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.4 in G major. George Szell, Cleveland Orchestra. This is a most radiant performance of this great symphony. The orchestral balance favors toward the winds, as it should, but the strings are also as incisive as any recording I've heard. Beyond that, the pacing that Szell takes here is just perfect. He doesn't shy away from the tragedy of the music in the slightest, but also doesn't ruin what is essentially Mahler's most buoyant symphony with dead-seriousness. Clearly, I am infatuated, but on first listen, this may be the greatest recording of the 4th that I've heard. I'm currently on the Ruhevoll movement.

I also think that this is indeed a wonderful version of this work. It feels quite expansive.

[aligreto]

Teleman: Paris Quartet No. 6 [Quadro Amsterdam]





The music is sparkling and beguiling and the performance is buoyant and engaging.

[aligreto]

Kohaut: Lute Concerto in F [Bream/Gardiner]





This is a strong composition with wonderful writing for the lute, ably and fluently performed by Bream. The music is in safe hands with Gardiner.

[Florestan]