What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

A peculiar work. Danced play with music combining jazz orchestra interludes, Basel military drums and a capella lutheran choruses sung by children choir. Very informative booklet with valuable pictures of the 1943 production.

This seems good to me. The cover art looks attractive too.

BTW, interesting avatar change.

[Symphonic Addict]

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

His symphonies are impressive, except Nos. 3-6 which didn't do anything for me.

[Symphonic Addict]

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.

Indeed, there is Impressionism, late-Romanticism and a little of raw Expressionism that appears sounding to Schönberg. It's a masterpiece for sure.

[Symphonic Addict]

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.

This is just your stuff. Enjoy!

[Symphonic Addict]

I love these harpsichord pieces. Along with the organ concertos, Water Music, Concerti grossi, Messiah, my favorite Händel.

[kyjo]

Seconded. Having bookended my day with the last 3 symphonies (7 this morning, 8 & 9 this evening) I don't think it's too much of an exaggeration to say Arnold is the English Shostakovich. Especially in the latter symphonies, any perceived "triumph" is more like defiance, a false victory through gritted teeth.

Very much agree! (Although not to imply that Arnold is in any way derivative of Shostakovich.)

[Mirror Image]

Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is with Florent Schmitt. He's like a cross between Debussy and Strauss without a unique voice of his own. I remember going through a lot of my Schmitt recordings and not remembering a note from any of them. I'm very much in disagreement with Rafael over Schmitt, but I'm sure he's in complete disagreement over my incredibly high opinion of Bartók, so we're even.

[vandermolen]

World premiere of John Kinsella, Symphony No. 11, live recording from November 29th, 2019, National Concert Hall, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra with Jean Deroyer, conductor, the octogenarian composer (born 8 April 1932) present
(video here): https://youtu.be/Xg15YzJ2XQY

Well, what an amazing experience! Not only is Symphony No.11 amongst the greatest of his works, sibelian but nevertheless in Kinsella's distinct style but I found his appearance on stage at the end incredibly moving and teared up during his speech. Thanks so much for posting this and to Olivier as well. I also learnt how to pronounce his surname!

[Irons]

The Amadeus Quartet playing Haydn

They spread far and wide but wish they had recorded more Haydn.

[André]

[Mirror Image]

Rachmaninov
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op 36
Ashkenazy

[André]

The first movements is jerkier than with Andrew Davis, but I really like Sir Colin's way with the rest of the symphony, particularly the finale. I'm not sure which one I like best.

[vandermolen]

The first movements is jerkier than with Andrew Davis, but I really like Sir Colin's way with the rest of the symphony, particularly the finale. I'm not sure which one I like best.

They are all good.

[ritter]

Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is with Florent Schmitt. He's like a cross between Debussy and Strauss without a unique voice of his own. I remember going through a lot of my Schmitt recordings and not remembering a note from any of them. I'm very much in disagreement with Rafael over Schmitt, but I'm sure he's in complete disagreement over my incredibly high opinion of Bartók, so we're even.

Good evening, John! No...you've got me all wrong  . I think Bartók is a composer of the highest rank. I think there's a lot to admire in his music, but it's that I simply don't love it that much. But, for example, I do listen to Duke Bluebeard's Castle every so often, as well as some other works (the Concerto for Orchestra, the Divertimento, the Dance Suite, The Wooden Prince being among my favourites—off the top of my head).

Having said that, do give La tragédie de Salomé another chance. Even Stravinsky couldn't help but saying "Ah! Que c'est beau!" about that great score...

THREAD DUTY:

I find this CD of (really not so secret) Fauré rarities a pure delight:

[asin]B07D55HVP9[/asin]
The prelude to Pénélope  (pity that AFAIK the composer's own piano reduction has never been recorded) and Pelléas et Mélisande are all-time favourites of mine, and the incidental music to Caligula and Shylock are also very appealing. The orchestrated (partly by the composer himself) songs are a nice bonus.

[staxomega]

Rachmaninov
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op 36
Ashkenazy

This is such a great set, I need to finish ripping it so I can hear the last couple of discs with the transcriptions.

I'm about to start Sibelius first symphony from this SACD set with Jarvi/Gottenburg Symphony (will probably listen to the second as well)

During lunch I listened to a live recording of Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy by Richter (England, 1963) and D780 live recording by Gilels.

[pjme]

Having said that, do give La tragédie de Salomé another chance. Even Stravinsky couldn't help but saying "Ah! Que c'est beau!" about that great score...

Yes.
The 1970 performance by Antonio de Almeida and the New Philharmonia Orch. + Gloria Jennings [Contralto] & voices of the Ambrosian Singers remains my favorite version.

https://www.youtube.com/v/X04B4Hk5sO4

[ritter]

Yes.
The 1970 performance by Antonio de Almeida and the New Philharmonia Orch. + Gloria Jennings [Contralto] & voices of the Ambrosian Singers remains my favorite version.

https://www.youtube.com/v/X04B4Hk5sO4

I didn't even know that recording existed (must be one of the earliest ones ever made—Antonio de Almeida was always one for recording off-the-beaten track French music). Will listen to this on YouTube (as it seems never to have bern transferred to CD  ). Thanks for posting!

"Ah! Que c'est beau!" 

[pjme]

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/r/red00082a.php
Rediscovery - re-write....

de Almeida's recording of La Péri (with the czech PhO) is also a thing of great beauty!

[Ratliff]

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

Henze seems to work in a lot of strange genres that I am not tempted to hear, although I have been very impressed with all of the symphonies I have listened to, especially in Henze's own recordings.

[vers la flamme]

Claude Debussy: Préludes, Livre II and La sérénade interrompue from Livre I. Sviatoslav Richter.