What are you listening 2 now?

[San Antone]

Anna Thorvaldsdóttir (or if you insist, Þorvaldsdóttir).

I have liked her recordings that I've heard;  I'll check this one out - now.   

TD



Aequa

[aligreto]

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 [Oistrakh/BPO]





This fine performance is marked by a sparkling first movement.

[Harry]

CD XVI from this fine anniversary box.

A really fine example of French courtly songs from the 16th century. Choir is perfect, and the instrumental parts are riveting. Good sound too.

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

Last attempt got interrupted so restarting from scratch.

Rubbra - Symphony No.6 & 8  (Philarmonia / Del Mar)

[asin]B000027QWZ[/asin]

[Traverso]

Bach

Cantatas

CD 37

[pjme]

"...he travelled to Paris and studied privately with Darius Milhaud (composition), Isidor Philipp (piano), Charles Koechlin and Roland Manuel (canons) and Pierre Monteux (conducting). Later he studied with Hermann Scherchen (conducting) and Sem Dresden (orchestration)."

Aha! those names piqued my interest!

https://www.youtube.com/v/Xu7bVaqDT1o

[aligreto]

Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 K.589 "Prussian" [Quatuor Mosaiques]

[Papy Oli]

I listened to it several weeks ago and I was hooked by how inventive and weird (in a good way) it sounded.

Hi Cesar,

Re Schnittke's Sketches, that's really quirky...and yes, very weird. Not sure yet if Schnittke will warrant any purchase for me though. As much as i enjoyed this and other works (Agony, Glass harmonica, Clowns and children, Moz'Art...), once their surprise effect has passed, it might lose its attraction in the long run. We'll see. I struggled with his more recommended works otherwise (concerto grossi, Requiem, symphonies 4 & 8, etc) but at least, that musical door is ajar. I'll revisit again later on.

[Papy Oli]

Missa Cantuariensis and Symphony No. 7 from these discs:



The Mass is of an overwhelming beauty and purity. Absolutely gorgeous work. There are moments of elevated spiritual ecstasy. The Credo and Benedictus were the parts that struck me the most. A must for Rubbra fans.

I am only about halfway through his symphonies but it sounds like I have to check his choral works too, damn you !!    They played a few choral samples on his BBC Radio 3 Composer of the week podcast that were interesting as well. Quite a life he had too with a mistress two doors down and all ! Both his sons (from the first wife and then his mistress/second wife IIRC) were on the podcast sharing their memories.

Any other recs beside this one ? Do you have Naxos CD or the one with the Sixteen ?

[Papy Oli]

Great!

Hi Karl,
The Walton viola concerto didn't really click for me. Another one to re-assess later.

[aukhawk]

A little light music.

I may need to get that (well, "need" isn't quite right. Want, I suppose, is closer to the truth  ).

It may almost be 'need'.  I'm not much of a Brucknerian but I have bought this and it has gone straight to the top of the '9ths' tree - largely because of the sound which is warm and strings-led and not too brassy.  I'm a bit averse to the typical brassy sort of soundscape that Wand and many others provide - but this is quite different.  Performance-wise I'm no expert - his timings are similar to Haitink which is good enough for me.

[vers la flamme]

And that set can be had as a download for 99 cents.

Indeed, I should have mentioned that. $0.99 download on Amazon for anyone interested. Well worth it. I just bought the Wyn Morris Beethoven cycle as a $0.99 download from the same people.

[vers la flamme]

Witold Lutoslawski: Cello Concerto. Mstislav Rostropovich, Witold Lutoslawski, Orchestre de Paris.

[Roasted Swan]

I much prefer Walton's Viola Concerto to the better-known Violn Concerto.

My sense has always been that the viola concerto is regarded as the 'finest' of Walton's concertante works.  I had that Downes/Doktor performance on LP (the 1st version of the concerto I owned) - did it ever make it to CD?  I have the violin concerto coupling in its CD format coupled with some Kostelanetz/NYPO/Walton.

[Biffo]

I am only about halfway through his symphonies but it sounds like I have to check his choral works too, damn you !!    They played a few choral samples on his BBC Radio 3 Composer of the week podcast that were interesting as well. Quite a life he had too with a mistress two doors down and all ! Both his sons (from the first wife and then his mistress/second wife IIRC) were on the podcast sharing their memories.

Any other recs beside this one ? Do you have Naxos CD or the one with the Sixteen ?

You should also check out his String Quartets - the Dante Quartet (Dutton Epoch) have recorded them all.

[Roasted Swan]

It may almost be 'need'.  I'm not much of a Brucknerian but I have bought this and it has gone straight to the top of the '9ths' tree - largely because of the sound which is warm and strings-led and not too brassy.  I'm a bit averse to the typical brassy sort of soundscape that Wand and many others provide - but this is quite different.  Performance-wise I'm no expert - his timings are similar to Haitink which is good enough for me.

This is a very fine version indeed.  I find Honeck a compelling and interesting musician who makes very intelligent and often unusual choices (his liner notes are a fascinating read too).  The recording is superb as is the playing of the Pittsburgh orchestra.

[aukhawk]

Purcell
I really love this music and the playing of the Parley of instruments leaves nothing to be desired. I have to hear it again because it fills me with such a sweet sadness, no vulgarity here only good company.

No vulgarity - apart from the cover image that is.  Typical Hyperion soft porn, makes me want to puke.  How to spoil beautiful music by a favourite composer.

[Harry]

No vulgarity - apart from the cover image that is.  Typical Hyperion soft porn, makes me want to puke.  How to spoil beautiful music by a favourite composer.

This painting has nothing to do with vulgarity, it is a beautiful work of art. And the music is certainly not spoiled by this. I am at a loss how you are able in your mind to designate this towards porn.

[San Antone]

Dowland : Lachrimae
Nigel North, Les Voix Humaines

The more I listen to this recording the more I enjoy it.

[Papy Oli]

You should also check out his String Quartets - the Dante Quartet (Dutton Epoch) have recorded them all.

Thanks Biffo. For the SQ, I am holding back for a Christmas treat (or my birthday thereafter) with the Maggini quartet Naxos 20 CD boxset. That covers Rubbra and plenty of other British composers of interest to me as well.