What are you listening 2 now?

[Madiel]

More early Poulenc (combination of CD and streaming)

Three Pastorales for piano
Sonata for 2 clarinets (first listen to this one, rather enjoyable)
Sonata for piano, 4 hands

[Madiel]

Shostakovich, String Quartet No.2



I don't know about anyone else, but I tend to feel like SQ 1 is just a prelude or exercise and this is where the quartets start in earnest.

[vers la flamme]

Excellent! It's indeed a great work with a  particularly moving final movement. Definitely check out his 5th Symphony next, which I consider his finest symphony overall. It's a stunningly imaginative and ultimately devastating work.

I ordered the 5th and 6th symphonies disc on Naxos. Looking forward to hearing it.

[vers la flamme]

Francis Poulenc: Stabat Mater. Serge Baudo, Choeurs et Orchestre National de Lyon.

[Tsaraslondon]

Disc 1

An American Overture
Ballad of Heroes with Robert Tear (tenor) and CBSO Chorus
Divisions for piano (left hand) and orchestra - with Peter Donohoe (piano)
The Building of the House - Overture with CBSO Chorus
Praise We Great Men with Alison Hargan (soprano), Mary King (mezzo), Robert Tear (tenor), Willard White (bass) and CBSO Chorus
Suite on English Folk Tunes: 'A time there was...' with Peter Walden (cor anglais) and CBSO Chorus

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - Sir Simon Rattle

Less well known Britten in superb performances conducted by Rattle.

[vers la flamme]

Disc 1

An American Overture
Ballad of Heroes with Robert Tear (tenor) and CBSO Chorus
Divisions for piano (left hand) and orchestra - with Peter Donohoe (piano)
The Building of the House - Overture with CBSO Chorus
Praise We Great Men with Alison Hargan (soprano), Mary King (mezzo), Robert Tear (tenor), Willard White (bass) and CBSO Chorus
Suite on English Folk Tunes: 'A time there was...' with Peter Walden (cor anglais) and CBSO Chorus

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - Sir Simon Rattle

Less well known Britten in superb performances conducted by Rattle.

I was just looking at this. It's available really cheaply from certain Amazon marketplace sellers. Worth it? Perhaps note that I am very unfamiliar with Britten and this would be something of an introduction to his works.

[aukhawk]

I don't know any of the pieces named there but given that Britten is mostly about vocal music (including opera) and particularly featuring the tenor voice - that looks representative.  I tend to avoid that side of his music but I note from the cover that Sinfonia da Requiem is included on another disc presumably - I like that and I'm sure Rattle would be a good guide.

[Tsaraslondon]

I was just looking at this. It's available really cheaply from certain Amazon marketplace sellers. Worth it? Perhaps note that I am very unfamiliar with Britten and this would be something of an introduction to his works.

Apart from the Sinfonia da Requiem, which is on the second disc, none of the works in this two disc set are ones I would necessarily choose as an introduction to Britten, though all are, I think, quite approachable and the performances here are all beyond reproach. I'm also very fond of Britten's teenage Quatre Chansons françaises, which are on the second disc too. They are derivative no doubt but remarkable from a fourteen year old, and Jill Gomez sings them beautifully.

I tried to think of those works that first introduced me to Britten, who is now one of my favourite composers. The Turn of the Screw was the first opera I saw, closely followed by Peter Grimes and I loved them both. I would also go for the Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings and Les Illuminations, but, if this set is priced so cheaply, go for it. You can't really go far wrong.

[Madiel]

Hmm. Listening to samples of this (Hyperion not being a company that does full streaming).



Rather interesting. This is basically the first time I've heard a harpsichord recording and thought I might want to buy it.

[Irons]

Shostakovich, String Quartet No.2



I don't know about anyone else, but I tend to feel like SQ 1 is just a prelude or exercise and this is where the quartets start in earnest.

Like the 1st Symphony, the 1st Quartet is quite unlike the rest - which is surprising as unlike the symphony written as a mature composer - but I do not find this necessarily a bad thing. I like its easy going nature. 

[Irons]

Wellesz: Violin Concerto.



A tough work in the manner of Bartok, I thought. Not a difficult listen though with some great moments and a brilliant cadenza in the finale.

[Irons]

Liapunov: Rhapsody on themes from the Ukraine.



Title is a mouthful but a most enjoyable piece. Power of Rachmaninov at times and at others the transparency of Ravel. The (Decca) LP pressed at a high level which makes for immediate lively sound.

[Traverso]

Monteverdi: Vespero della Beata Virgine [Harnoncourt]





Intense yet somewhat understated but always devotional, this version has always appealed to me.

It was my first Vesper and although it is not my favorite anymore it is still a fine recording with Nigel Rogers and Max van Egmond

[akebergv]

Like the 1st Symphony, the 1st Quartet is quite unlike the rest - which is surprising as unlike the symphony written as a mature composer - but I do not find this necessarily a bad thing. I like its easy going nature.

If I may add my 2 cents, it reminds me more of Prokofiev's first symphony, i.e. an excercise in Haydn transposed to Soviet Russia, but this time his SQs rather than symphonies.

[Harry]

Clara Schumann. Complete Piano Works, Solo.
CD III.

Sublime!

[Biffo]

It was my first Vesper and although it is not my favorite anymore it is still a fine recording with Nigel Rogers and Max van Egmond

My first Vespers too, also still a favourite

[Traverso]

William Byrd

CD4

I think these recordings are the best achievement that Moroney has ever put on record.

[Traverso]

My first Vespers too, also still a favourite

As far as I know never released on CD wich is really a pity

[Biffo]

As far as I know never released on CD wich is really a pity

Fortunately, I still have the LPs in good condition.

Just listened to - Arnold - String Quartet No 2, Op 118 - Maggini Quartet - enjoyed this a lot more the SQ No 1.

[Traverso]

Bach

Violin Concertos