What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Britten
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
Copenhagen Boys' Choir
Michael Hartnett, harp
Benjamin Britten

[kyjo]

Three works I revisited lately:



Concerto for orchestra

It's the first time I feel this work begins to seduce me. The 1st movement was the most striking, then the vigorous 5th. The inner movements still are a bit problematic for me, but I do recognize I'm appreciating its attributes.




Symphony No. 1

Impressive and epic as it couldn't be less so. Each movement seemed better than the previous one. I always was a little skeptic of Järvi's conducting on these symphonies, but I think on this symphony he and his orchestra did a convincing job.




Symphony No. 8

This symphony never was special to me until now. I really loved it as never before. The 1st movement is one of the finest VW creations IMO. The quirky 2nd movement also meant much pleasure, so was the pensive 3rd movement. Maybe the percussive 4th movement is the oddest one here taking into account the nature of the work as a whole, but what the hell, it's majestic and sonorous, a small Chinese feast. A pity Hickox couldn't complete the cycle (symphonies 7 and 9 were missing IIRC).

Great stuff, Cesar! Like you, I'm just starting to come around to the Bartok CfO. It's often regarded as one of his most immediately accessible works, though oddly enough I've found multiple other works of his more instantly appealing. The Atterberg is, of course, wonderful and I agree with you about each movement getting better than the previous one (and the first movement is already very good). By coincidence, I was just listening to RVW's 8th the other day (Boult's EMI recording) and had mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the extroverted finale the most (what great fun it is!) although I agree with you about it being a bit odd in the context of the whole work. I also enjoyed the first movement, but found the inner two movements a bit too subdued for my liking. Maybe it's the fault of the performance, which seemed a bit characterless at times (with the exception of the finale). I guess I'm not the greatest fan of Boult's conducting. I'll have to check out the Hickox recording.

[André]

Finishing this set with a bang, a January 1950 white hot, incendiary performance of Beethoven's 9th that makes Furtwängler sound like a disjointed marionette. I exaggerate of course (re:Furt) but the conductor's single-minded focus on ever increasing intensity results in a titanic performance. The Berlin Radio orchestra and chorus are excellent. The sound is sometimes frayed but most often it is reasonably clear and deep.

Abendroth recorded the 9th again in 1953 with the Leipzig RSO. I discussed that recording in September 2017. If memory serves the sound was a bit better and the interpretation along the same lines: fierce, reaching for the skies. This is real Beethoven.

[Symphonic Addict]

Rachmaninov's Preludes blew me away, but I found the Études-Tableaux not as engaging. Both Piano Sonatas are quite good, though, but I'm not sure if you've gotten that far.

That was what I thought of the Preludes over the Études, much meatier and substantial by far.

No, I haven't played the piano sonatas yet. Most likely this week.

[Symphonic Addict]

Great stuff, Cesar! Like you, I'm just starting to come around to the Bartok CfO. It's often regarded as one of his most immediately accessible works, though oddly enough I've found multiple other works of his more instantly appealing. The Atterberg is, of course, wonderful and I agree with you about each movement getting better than the previous one (and the first movement is already very good). By coincidence, I was just listening to RVW's 8th the other day (Boult's EMI recording) and had mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the extroverted finale the most (what great fun it is!) although I agree with you about it being a bit odd in the context of the whole work. I also enjoyed the first movement, but found the inner two movements a bit too subdued for my liking. Maybe it's the fault of the performance, which seemed a bit characterless at times (with the exception of the finale). I guess I'm not the greatest fan of Boult's conducting. I'll have to check out the Hickox recording.

Interesting analysis, Kyle. I can say I share all your thoughts here, maybe except your impressions about the inner movements from VW 8th. Boult's cycle of VW symphonies has never been a favorite of mine because of his tempi and the soung quality of the recordings. The Hickox recording is splendid, very pristine and clear.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Tuesday -

Britten
The Rape of Lucretia, Op. 37
English Chamber Orchestra
Benjamin Britten
Janet Baker (Lucretia), Peter Pears (Male Chorus), Heather Harper (Female Chorus), Benjamin Luxon (Tarquinius), Bryan Drake (Junius), John Shirley-Quirk (Collatinus), Elizabeth Bainbridge (Bianca), Jenny Hill (Lucia)

From this set:

[Ken B]

Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto
Stern NYPO Bernstein

[André]

From the Colin Davis box, these works:

[Symphonic Addict]

Cello Sonata

I found out it's the version with cello of the Viola Sonata. It works magnificently with the cello as well.

[Mirror Image]

Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto
Stern NYPO Bernstein

Be sure not to grit your teeth too much, Ken.

[vers la flamme]

This and Cliburn/Reiner are my favorites

I'll have to return to it on your good word. Sometime this week, then.

Incidentally, my current listening is that same CD. Sviatoslav Richter playing Rachmaninoff Preludes. Great stuff.

[San Antone]

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, K. 488
John Eliot Gardiner, Malcolm Bilson, English Baroque Soloists

[Mirror Image]

I'll have to return to it on your good word. Sometime this week, then.

Incidentally, my current listening is that same CD. Sviatoslav Richter playing Rachmaninoff Preludes. Great stuff.

But not all of the Preludes of course.

[kyjo]

I have. A fabulous performance and about my favourite Supraphon recording featuring an orchestra.

I wasn't aware of that recording - thanks for bringing it to my attention!

[Karl Henning]

First-Listen Tuesday -

Britten
The Rape of Lucretia, Op. 37
English Chamber Orchestra
Benjamin Britten
Janet Baker (Lucretia), Peter Pears (Male Chorus), Heather Harper (Female Chorus), Benjamin Luxon (Tarquinius), Bryan Drake (Junius), John Shirley-Quirk (Collatinus), Elizabeth Bainbridge (Bianca), Jenny Hill (Lucia)

From this set:

Intense!

[Mirror Image]

Intense!

Indeed it is.

[Mirror Image]

Bartók
Piano Concerto No. 2, Sz 95
Kocsis
Fischer
Budapest Festival Orchestra

[The new erato]

I wasn't aware of that recording - thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I love that disc. One of my first classical aquisitions 45 years ago. And my introduction to Shostakovich. Not to slight the Honegger though. I still have it on my shelves.

[ChopinBroccoli]

I'll have to return to it on your good word. Sometime this week, then.

Incidentally, my current listening is that same CD. Sviatoslav Richter playing Rachmaninoff Preludes. Great stuff.

You're preaching to the converted

When it comes to Richter (at least in his prime, anyway) I'd listen to him play "London Bridge Is Falling Down" for 3 hours

As for the Cliburn version of the Rachmaninoff 2, I think the marriage of his very lyrical, singing style to the writing in that piece is very special and Reiner and the CSO frame him beautifully... Its a less intense take than Richter's (Richter's power is astounding... the left hand C to G when the main theme comes in is just nuts, absolutely crushing sonority.  Magical), less pathos and a bit more romance... not better by any means, just an attractive change of pace.  I love them both equally.

[ChopinBroccoli]

But not all of the Preludes of course.

That's how it always was with him but I guess that's just part of the legend

I think the WTC is the only complete anything that Richter ever recorded.