What are you listening 2 now?

[André]

I think I prefer this version to Paul Daniel's. I detect more authentic affection and a surer grip under Davis. Daniel OTOH has a good feel for the dark undercurrents of Elgar's symphonic discourse. As for the music, it is recognizably elgarian down to the last orchestration details - the typical elgarian way with timpani for example. Elgar's otherwise quite complete ketches stop before the development and coda of the last movement, where Payne sums up the march theme in a subdued way . The only thing the third symphony lacks is a big tune, the kind that only Elgar could summon from his pen. That's why I can't put it on the same level as his best works - but not far behind.

[Symphonic Addict]

Hmmm...probably not really my thing, especially with those points of comparisons. Thanks for the feedback, Cesar.

You're welcome, John.

BTW, I intuited that. 

[Symphonic Addict]

A great disc and an excellent entry point to the music of Schmitt.

+1

Very recommended.

[Symphonic Addict]

Strange music. I can't say I've enjoyed this.

[Mirror Image]

You're welcome, John.

BTW, I intuited that. 

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

[Mirror Image]

Strange music. I can't say I've enjoyed this.

My reaction to almost all of the Henze I've heard.

[Mirror Image]

Rachmaninov
Isle of the Dead, Op. 29
USSR State Symphony Orchestra
Evgeny Svetlanov

[Carlo Gesualdo]

I'm  listening believe it or not, to J.s Bach complete lute on Brilliant, Diego Ortiz by Jordi Savall, Palestrina Missa Viri Galilaei and Mozart -Magic Flute-

J.s Bach lute music is amazing, the price of this download was fairly cheap so yeah, this was one of my priority, Diego Ortiz came as a suprise, since a renaissance artist I was not aware?

Palestrina Viri Galilaei was what I wanted the most, it's a pretty missa, out of this world, should I mention...Outstanding!!

Mozart - The magic Flute- seem like a work of importance i would want to miss out on. Because I wanted a major Mozart work and then find this at a reasonable price, not a big fan of Opera but heck this is Mozart so...

Have a nice night, I'm drinking a Black stout imperial beer 9% alcohol, seem tasty it's called Vache Folle -imperial milk stout-.

I decided to go for something more mainstream but heck why not.

[vandermolen]

Arnold: Symphony No. 8
NSO Ireland/Penny

Arnold: Symphony No. 9
NSO Ireland/Penny

'Snap!' That's the exact CD I was listening to in my car yesterday. I've been working my way through them all. I'm currently on to movement 3 of Symphony No.9 which I hadn't listened to for ages and had forgotten how fine it is. I think that, more obviously than the others, it shows the influence of Mahler, in particular, and Shostakovich. Like Sibelius of VW I like all of Malcolm Arnold's symphonies although are less familiar with No.4 and 8. I like your 'gritted teeth/defiance' analysis of the music.

[vandermolen]

Rachmaninov
Isle of the Dead, Op. 29
USSR State Symphony Orchestra
Evgeny Svetlanov

A great performance of a great work.

[vandermolen]

I think I prefer this version to Paul Daniel's. I detect more authentic affection and a surer grip under Davis. Daniel OTOH has a good feel for the dark undercurrents of Elgar's symphonic discourse. As for the music, it is recognizably elgarian down to the last orchestration details - the typical elgarian way with timpani for example. Elgar's otherwise quite complete ketches stop before the development and coda of the last movement, where Payne sums up the march theme in a subdued way . The only thing the third symphony lacks is a big tune, the kind that only Elgar could summon from his pen. That's why I can't put it on the same level as his best works - but not far behind.

Interesting analysis André and I agree about the A.Davis recording, although it was the first one I knew. I don't know a bad performance on disc and enjoy the Daniel and Hickox versions in particular. I like the way that Anthony Payne uses 'The Wagon Passes' from the 'Nursery Suite' at the end.

[ritter]

The content of this disc is simply astounding. The work that impressed me the most is the Symphonie Concertante, it's a riot!! Some of the most scintillating writing for piano and orchestra I know, though it's not devoid of several Nocturne-like moments. Its blend of several styles is proper of a genius. This is seriously exciting stuff.

Indeed. The Symphonie concertante pour orchestre et piano (Schmitt gives that order in the title, not the usual "piano and orchestra") is a fascinating piece, which dispalys all sorts of influences (one can even hear a hint of Schoenberg at some points) but is very coherent, and really sounds like...Florent Schmitt! Unbelievable IMHO that it's not better known, and that the recording you posted is the only one ever made AFAIK.

[Tsaraslondon]

Disc 2

Canadian Carnival with Wesley Warren (trumpet)
Young Apollo with Peter Donohoe (piano), Felix Kok and Jeremy Ballard (violins), Peter Cole (viola), Michael Kaznowski (cello)
Quatre Chansons françaises with Jill Gomez (soprano)
Scottish Ballad with Peter Donohoe and Philip Fowke (pianos)
Occasional Overture
Sinfonia da Requiem

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - Sir Simon Rattle

Mostly instrumental pieces on this second disc, apart from the gorgeous early Quatre chansons françaises, beautifully sung by Jill Gomez. Aside from the Sinfonia da Requiem, most of the works here rarely get a hearing, which is a terrible pity, as there is some wonderful music on them, with Britten conjuring up some fantastic sounds from the orchestra. Terrific performances of all the music too. I think I prefer this to the largely choral first disc, but both discs are strongly recommended.

[Maestro267]

The content of this disc is simply astounding. The work that impressed me the most is the Symphonie Concertante, it's a riot!! Some of the most scintillating writing for piano and orchestra I know, though it's not devoid of several Nocturne-like moments. Its blend of several styles is proper of a genius. This is seriously exciting stuff.

I didn't realise the Symphonie Concertante had been released on disc! I found a performance on Youtube, and the ending of the first movt. in particular really grabbed me. As you say, a riot. Fascinating to learn of this recording.

[Harry]

New arrival.

Anamorfosi.

Allegri: Miserere
Rossi: Un allato Messagier
Monteverdi: Si dolce e 'l martire; Maria, quid ploras; Pascha concelebranda
Anonymous: Domine, ne in furore tuo
Mazzocchi: Breve e la vita nostra
Abbatini: Sinfonia
Marazzoli: Chi fa; Un sonno ohime.

Deborah Cachet, Marthe Davost, Eva Zaicik, Anais Bertrand, Jan van Elsacker, Le Poeme Harmonique, Vincent Dumestre

I would have bought it alone for the absolute stunning Miserere, composed by Gregorio Allegri. Never heard it before in such a fashion, but it blew me out into a musical realm hitherto unknown. But all the pieces  on this disc are in their own way recorded in an unusual manner, very much to my liking.  Be it a work by Luigi Rossi, or Domenico Mazzocchi, or closer to home, by Claudio Monteverdi, or Marco Marazzoli, they get a unique stamp by this ensemble. The Mezzo Eva Zaicik has a beautiful voice, but she tends to harden a bit up on her top notes, and creating too much volume too, but that is a point I tend to overlook if it comes to such fine interpretations. An gorgeous journey through familiar yet unfamiliar repertoire.
Cannot recommend enough.


Earthly & Heavenly Love
Legends are entwined around the famous Miserere by Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652), which was sung in the Sistine Chapel from its creation around 1630 until the Passion in 1870 and whose copy was allegedly punished with excommunication. Vincent Dumestre and his ensemble Le Poème Harmonique approach the work against the background of modifications through ornamentation and transposition that it has undergone over the centuries. In addition, the musicians have recorded some sacred contrafacts of secular works by Claudio Monteverdi and his contemporaries, which show how close earthly and heavenly love could be to one another at that time.

Rondo 10 / 2019: "Already in his album Nuove Metamorfosi, director Vincent Dumestre and his ensemble Le Poème Harmonique, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, had ventured into the demanding field of improvisational faux-bourdons. Meditative sound surfaces formed the background for virtuosically decorated vocal lines. In the new album Anamorfosi, they go one step further: "Not only do they transform Allegris Miserere back into a living piece of music with surprising frictions and twists, they also highlight references to Claudio Monteverdi's secular rewritings of sacred works - and venture into amazing, almost avant-garde sounding areas of harmony."

[vers la flamme]

Edward Elgar: Sea Pictures, op.37. Sarah Connolly, Simon Wright, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This is a work that has been really growing on me, I really enjoy it now. Could it be that I'm really becoming an Elgar fan? I never would have seen it coming. Seriously, an amazing song cycle. It reminds me of a French movie score somehow. The music is VERY evocative, very coloristic. Connolly really brings it home, I think, though I ought to get my hands on the Janet Baker recording.

[Traverso]

Edward Elgar: Sea Pictures, op.37. Sarah Connolly, Simon Wright, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This is a work that has been really growing on me, I really enjoy it now. Could it be that I'm really becoming an Elgar fan? I never would have seen it coming. Seriously, an amazing song cycle. It reminds me of a French movie score somehow. The music is VERY evocative, very coloristic. Connolly really brings it home, I think, though I ought to get my hands on the Janet Baker recording.

Yes you are right,the recording with Janet Baker is a classic,go for it 

[vers la flamme]

Yes you are right,the recording with Janet Baker is a classic,go for it 

I just ordered a copy for 5 bucks. Thanks for giving me the push I needed. 

[Traverso]

I just ordered a copy for 5 bucks. Thanks for giving me the push I needed. 

You won't regret it.

[Traverso]

Handel

Messiah



http://www.messiah-guide.com/parrott.html