What are you listening 2 now?

[SymphonicAddict]

The Violin Concerto is huge (around 50 min.), imbued with melancholy as usual with this composer. Although slightly discursive at times, it's a pretty good creation, but it didn't succeed my expectations. His piano concertos are better, more concise and melodious. Othello has some interesting ideas, and it's long too (30 min.). It knows how to catch the attention. Pensive moments interwoven with angry passages make it appealing, perhaps even more so than the VC.

[vandermolen]

William Alwyn Symphony No.3 (first performance 1956).
Beecham took over the premiere at the last moment and gave a stupendous performance. Alwyn said he was lucky that Beecham agreed to take it on (and learnt the score, conducting from memory). John Ireland thought it the best British symphony since Elgar's Second Symphony:

[SymphonicAddict]

Earlier: SQs 3 & 4



Fascinating works. Having assimilated the Carter SQs, these works sound easier to the ear. That is an advantage to try very challenging pieces.

[San Antone]

Music in the Courts and Cloisters of Northern Italy

CD 3

Good one.

TD

[Maestro267]

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2
London PO/Weller

Arnold: Symphony No. 3
NSO Ireland/Penny

[Karl Henning]

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2
London PO/Weller

Arnold: Symphony No. 3
NSO Ireland/Penny

Love the Prokofiev Second

[Karl Henning]

JSB
Solo cello suites
Queyras

[Iota]

I'd rather hear Klemperer conduct a high school orchestra than hear Rattle conduct the all-star ensemble of your dreams

A view with which I have some (if not complete) sympathy. Possibly the most disappointing cd I ever bought (having read great reviews) was the BPO Mahler 5. Shortly thereafter, TWO people quite independently gave me the box of his COMPLETE Mahler symphonies ... ! I tried and failed to make any inroads into those, quietly gave one to a charity shop, but always felt I should try again to honour the spirit in which they were given, but life has always seemed a bit short. 

Feelings have thawed a little since then though .. when micromanagement is called for I think he can conjure up some interesting results. But in anything large scale, not quite for me (yet?).

TD:



Boulez Sur Incises


As always, crazy, wild and absurdly beautiful. And I cannot imagine how many Weetabix you'd need for breakfast to actually play it! 

[vandermolen]

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2
London PO/Weller

Arnold: Symphony No. 3
NSO Ireland/Penny

More great choices! Like Karl I like No.2 (so much better than No.1 IMO) and I really like the Weller set of the symphonies. As for MA, I like them all!

[Kontrapunctus]

Incendiary performances and excellent sound.

[Karl Henning]

Busoni
Berceuse élégiaque (arr. Jn Adams)
Liszt
La gondola lugubre (arr. Jn Adams)

[San Antone]

[André]

Love that cover! 

[André]

[San Antone]

Love that cover! 

The playing ain't bad either. 

[André]

Cello suites?

[Karl Henning]

More great choices! Like Karl I like No.2 (so much better than No.1 IMO) and I really like the Weller set of the symphonies. As for MA, I like them all!

Mustn't condemn the First for being what it is. It's a piece any composer would be proud to have written. It's witty, gracious and winsome.

[SymphonicAddict]

Mustn't condemn the First for being what it is. It's a piece any composer would be proud to have written. It's witty, gracious and winsome.

I agree. Quite true.

[SymphonicAddict]

Tremendous works. Syms. 1 & 4 are for string orchestra. The 2nd is for full orchestra. Unbreakably dark pieces. Very impressive.

The No. 3 is for soloists, chorus and orchestra. It's a riot!! Fortunately it is on Youtube in very good sound.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ni_IEUzL-fU

[prémont]

Cello suites?

https://www.challengerecords.com/products/15662234200966