What are you listening 2 now?

[André]

Pingoud: 'Prophet' - a fine, darkly atmospheric, craggy, symphonic poem
One section sounded disconcertingly like the soundtrack to 'Star Wars':

That's an excellent disc, Jeffrey! There's very little Pingoud out there.

[SymphonicAddict]

Symphony No. 4

Previously it had been Sibelius' 7th Symphony with which I was getting obsessed with. Now it's this work. Wow!!! This rendition is clearly much better for my ears than the Blomstedt (Decca). I feel it very very akin to my tastes, the pacing and emphasis on determined moments are as I want.

But seriously, this hyper glorious symphony has a perfect construction (or very close). Listening to it carefully it's incredibly brilliant in practically every note or measure, it's imbued with such spark, malice, tension, drama, grandeur. Something I have felt when I listened to it is the way Nielsen relaxes the different moments when there is struggle or tension, it's superb and somehow cathartic. Now I think it has displaced the 5th as my favorite Nielsen symphony.

[SymphonicAddict]

That's an excellent disc, Jeffrey! There's very little Pingoud out there.

+1

[Mirror Image]

A trio of Northern European violin concerti -

Nielsen: Violin Concerto, Op. 33
Vasks: Violin Concerto, "Tālā Gaisma" ('Distant Light')
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

From the following recordings:

[André]

Any pretext to pull out of the shelf a disc one likes but rarely listens to is welcome. So, thanks Vandermolen for the nudge  .

Anyone who likes Klami, Langgaard, Scriabin or Leifs will enjoy the gleaming, uncouth, unconventional ideas and orchestrations offered by Pingoud.

[Zeus]

Heinichen: Italian Cantatas & Concertos
Batzdorfer Hofkapelle
Accent

[Mirror Image]

Leifs
Hafís (Drift Ice), Op. 63
Iceland Schola Cantorum
Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Anne Manson

[Zeus]

Alkan: Genius-Enigma
Vincenzo Maltempo
Piano Classics

[Christo]

RVW
Flos campi
Handley, cond.

One of the better! (performances, there are about 20 around). 

[Harry]

Good morning to all, let's hope the site will work fluently today

Music in Europe at the time of the Renaissance. CD IV.

France: Secular vocal music, part I.
France: Instrumental music. part II.

As interesting as the previous discs, but I take exception with the performances by Ensemble Clement Janequin, led by Dominique Visse. That's a tiring experience, this aggressive way of declamation, and pushy way of singing. Never liked it, never will. The rest is quite good.

[Irons]

Elgar's late oratorios were intended as the first two installments of a trilogy, but he abandoned the project after composing The Kingdom. He wanted The Apostles and The Kingdom to be played/heard on two consecutive days, or even on the same day, one in the afternoon, the other in the evening. They share many leitmotives, with a few new ones appearing in The Kingdom. And some characters appear in both (Mary, Mary Magdalene, Peter, John). Jesus and Judas appear only in The Apostles.

It took me many years to warm up to the beauty and subtlety of these works. The Dream of Gerontius in comparison has a more gripping story, with a very dramatic score. The music of the late oratorios is more contemplative, ecstatic, the pain and sorrow, the rapture and the elation not experienced 'in the flesh' as in Gerontius, but in the tranquillity of the soul.

Compared to the seminal recording of the work (Boult on EMI, 1974), the 1990 Chandos recording boasts a very wide dynamic range, beautiful playing and singing  and a slightly more direct manner. Not that this is plain in the wrong sense, but there's no denying the perfection of Boult's conception, his absolute mastery of tempi, of the ebb and flow of the piece. The 85 year old conductor takes 121 minutes to Hickox' 126, a small difference to be sure, but still an indication of a sligtly more flowing pace. It's swings and roundabouts when it comes to the soloists. I prefer Boult's John and Mary, Hickox' Judas and Peter. The Jesuses and Mary Magdalenes are equal - both superb. The last tableau (the Ascension) under Hickox is overwhelming in its power, a true cathartic ending to the work. The recording quality does make a difference here.

Informative post. Thanks.

[Harry]

I just saw that a fine conductor died on Sunday. "Werner Andreas Albert". (1935-2019)
I have many recordings by him on the label CPO. for me this is a great loss indeed!
May this giant rest in peace.

[vandermolen]

Any pretext to pull out of the shelf a disc one likes but rarely listens to is welcome. So, thanks Vandermolen for the nudge  .

Anyone who likes Klami, Langgaard, Scriabin or Leifs will enjoy the gleaming, uncouth, unconventional ideas and orchestrations offered by Pingoud.

Always a pleasure. 

[vandermolen]

I just saw that a fine conductor died on Sunday. "Werner Andreas Albert". (1935-2019)
I have many recordings by him on the label CPO. for me this is a great loss indeed!
May this giant rest in peace.

Indeed. Sad news. I think I have him conducting Korngold.

[Irons]

Sibelius: Four Lemminkainen Legends.



A legendary recording of the Legends from Thomas Jenson and the Danish State Radio Orchestra. I do not quite understand the obsession of "The Swan of Tuonela" which tends to overshadow the other three. I particularly enjoyed the third "Lemminkainen's Return". A great Sibelius work in the whole which should not be separated.

It is quite astonishing the quality of sound achieved by the Decca engineers of this vintage. By 1952 when this recording was made magnetic tape had superseded direct to disc of 78's. Decca were pioneers of the new technology and we are fortunate to hear  important recordings of 60-70 years past in such clear dynamic sound.

[Harry]

Indeed. Sad news. I think I have him conducting Korngold.

My list with recordings by Werner Andreas Albert, is a long one. Always interesting repertoire and often brilliant interpretations. Korngold is amongst them.

[Harry]

Music in Europe at the time of the Renaissance. CD V.

Flanders and the Netherlands, Secular vocal works. Part I.
Flanders & Netherlands, Instrumental Music, Part II.
Spain, Secular vocal music, Part III.
Spain, Instrumental music, Part IV.

Composers on disc V.
Agricola, Susato, Appenzeller, Pevernage, Ghersem, Adriaenssen, Sweelinck, del Encina, Vasquez, Flecha, Mudarra, Romero, Cabezon, Ortis, Arauxo.

A wholly enjoyable disc. Fine performances and recordings.

[Traverso]

Bach

Cantatas CD50

[Mandryka]

More British music, Howard Skempton's September Song, what's going on here?

https://www.youtube.com/v/VPvho12jrQM

and Part's Fur Alina, which is not dissimalar maybe

https://www.youtube.com/v/TzIZPZN5K60

[aukhawk]

Alkan: Genius-Enigma
Vincenzo Maltempo
Piano Classics

An unfortunate name for a musician.