What are you listening 2 now?

[San Antone]

[SymphonicAddict]

String quartets 5-8

The most interesting of these works is the No. 5. Sounds unexpectedly warm by comparing it with the others. Liked it enormously. No. 7 shares some similar features with Nos. 1 to 4, so I enjoyed it. Nos. 6 & 8 were the least appealing overall, they have those dissonances I dislike.

As a whole this cycle gave me a better idea about this composer. It was rewarding altogether.

[SymphonicAddict]

Earlier, first listens to these works:



Le Démon de l'Himalaya - Two symphonic movements

It took me by surprise. Two highly gripping movements. Tempête de neige is just mesmerizing and intriguing, it hooks the listener from the very beginning. An astounding movement for sure. Ascension et chute - Vision is not far in greatness either. The ending is majestic, quite a contrast within the work. Recommended with enthusiasm.




Canticle of Freedom, for chorus and orchestra

Copland at his most uplifting. Optimism is the stamp here. I liked it very much. Likewise recommended.

[Karl Henning]

Earlier, first listens to these works:



Le Démon de l'Himalaya - Two symphonic movements

It took me by surprise. Two highly gripping movements. Tempête de neige is just mesmerizing and intriguing, it hooks the listener from the very beginning. An astounding movement for sure. Ascension et chute - Vision is not far in greatness either.

Most interesting!

[j winter]

Diving into this box with Disc 1, various toccatas

Moved on to the trio sonatas this evening... enjoyed them so much I listened to them twice straight through... 

[André]

[Moonfish]

Moved on to the trio sonatas this evening... enjoyed them so much I listened to them twice straight through... 

How does Hurford compare with Alain? Or others? Hmm, there is probably a thread for this question....   

[j winter]

How does Hurford compare with Alain? Or others? Hmm, there is probably a thread for this question....   

There is indeed, the recent perusal of which actually prompted my purchase.  I'm very much in the exploratory phase here myself.... after having Walcha siting alone on my shelf for years, I've just now taken the plunge and brought in some reinforcements to explore this music in depth -- Hurford's set arrived two days ago, and I've got Alaine II and Koopman coming in the mail.  Based on the older posts in the thread, I got all three sets for less than one of them would have cost back when I bought Walcha, probably almost 15 years ago.

My initial impression is that he's swifter, lighter of touch, and unsurprisingly better recorded than Walcha -- very different in approach.  That said, I really like Walcha as well.... I'm looking forward to spending some time this winter contrasting these four sets, and getting better acquainted with the music...

[SimonNZ]

[Mirror Image]

Indeed I am a great admirer of his pianism, particularly with Debussy, I have all the Nonesuch releases and have been meaning to sample one of the Arbiter CDs with Busoni. And I agree with your earlier post on Boulez's first recording of Bluebeard's Castle, enjoying that now! I also made my way through the entirety of the Complete Bartok Decca box, I'll have to make a post on my favorite new discoveries from it when I think about it some more. I'm normally not one for these complete composer sets, but I'm quite happy with this one, there is much great music on there that is not recorded/performed often.

I can only nod my head in agreement and, yes, that Bartók complete set on Decca is worth its' weight in gold. I'm not sure if it's out-of-print now, but I got it for a good deal around the time it was released.

[Mirror Image]

Martinů
Symphony No. 4, H 304
Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra





For me, Martinů's six symphonies are some of the finest produced in the 20th Century. They're so rhythmically ear-catching, lyrically captivating, but yet they contain enough drama and a certain amount of mystique to entice this listener even further. It's also quite interesting that all of the symphonies were created during his stay in the United States with the notable exception of the sixth which was started in the States but completed in Paris.

[SymphonicAddict]

Martinů
Symphony No. 4, H 304
Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra





For me, Martinů's six symphonies are some of the finest produced in the 20th Century. They're so rhythmically ear-catching, lyrically captivating, but yet they contain enough drama and a certain amount of mystique to entice this listener even further. It's also quite interesting that all of the symphonies were created during his stay in the United States with the notable exception of the sixth which was started in the States but completed in Paris.

Once again I agree with you. Precisely the one that was finished in Paris is my very favorite. Lately I've appreciated it like the work of a genius. Hearing it live helped a lot.

[Mirror Image]

Once again I agree with you. Precisely the one that was finished in Paris is my very favorite. Lately I've appreciated it like the work of a genius. Hearing it live helped a lot.

You're quite lucky to have seen any work from Martinů in concert. I wish my local orchestra (the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) would perform some of his music, but it really does look like this orchestra is hanging by skin of its' teeth.

[vandermolen]

Earlier, first listens to these works:



Le Démon de l'Himalaya - Two symphonic movements

It took me by surprise. Two highly gripping movements. Tempête de neige is just mesmerizing and intriguing, it hooks the listener from the very beginning. An astounding movement for sure. Ascension et chute - Vision is not far in greatness either. The ending is majestic, quite a contrast within the work. Recommended with enthusiasm.




Canticle of Freedom, for chorus and orchestra

Copland at his most uplifting. Optimism is the stamp here. I liked it very much. Likewise recommended.

Two great discs Cesar. The highlight of the Honegger CD  for me is the oddly moving score for the animated film 'L'Idee' which I even have an alternative recording of. I'd be interested to hear what you think of it.

Early morning listening here before work:

Alfven: Symphony 4. State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Svetlanov. A live performance coupled with Debussy's 'La Mer':

[vandermolen]

You're quite lucky to have seen any work from Martinů in concert. I wish my local orchestra (the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) would perform some of his music, but it really does look like this orchestra is hanging by skin of its' teeth.

Sorry to hear that about the Atlanta SO John and I hope they survive. I have quite a few of their recordings, including an excellent Barber one, featuring 'Knoxville' etc. There was a Martinu festival in London some years ago and I was fortunate enough to go to at least one of the concerts. I think I must have heard Symphony 4 live.

[vandermolen]

I listened to this work one year ago or so and I thought it like 'Walton meets Sibelius' in a down-watered way, but it's pleasant at least.

'Walton meets Sibelius' is quite accurate I think but I still like the 'Symphony 1940' a lot, maybe because Walton and Sibelius are two of my favourite composers!

[Daverz]

Hendrik Andriessen - The 4 symphonies + Symphonie concertante (several cover arts) (on CPO)

What a stunning composer! These have been some of the best Dutch symphonies I've ever heard. Succinct, energetic, witty, delightfully neoclassical. CPO has done it again. These releases are definitely very special for me.

This set is pretty good, too:

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[The new erato]

This set is pretty good, too:

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That's the one I have in addition to the cpo series (which is very fine).

[Que]

Morning listening is a return to this gorgeous set:

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First Booke of Songes (1597)

Amazing stuff - this set will definitely make it onto my shortlist for 2019! 

Q

[Irons]

Britten: Six Metamorphoses.



To compose for oboe solo must be a challenge but Britten pulls it off. The six after Ovid are; Pan, Phaeton, Niobe, Bacchus, Narcissus and Arethusa. Each are completely different in mood and with the constant flow of ideas make for an engrossing listen. The oboe soloist is Janet Craxton.

The premiere performance of the Six Metamorphoses must go down in musical history as one of the strangest. Composed for the 1951 Aldeburgh Festival, Joy Boughton (daughter of Rutland Boughton) made the first performance from a punt on the river Meare at Thorpness. Her audience also sat in punts.