What are you listening 2 now?

[Harry]

Dieterich Buxtehude.
Opera Omnia. CD XXX.
Trio sonatas, opus 2.
VII Suonate a due Violino & Viola da Gamba con Cembalo, Opera Seconda, Hamburg 1696.

Catherine Manson, Violin, Paolo Pandolfo, Viola da Gamba, Ton Koopman, Harpsichord and Organ, Mike Fentross, Lute.

I must admit that I am more impressed with these Chamber works in this configuration as I thought. The playing is well balanced, lively when needed, contemplatieve when asked for. It is above all a detailed and carefully considered performance throughout. You do not have the impression missing out on something, on the contrary it paints a superb picture of Buxtehude genius. I am well pleased, beyond my expectations.

[Florestan]

I'm aware that this is not bad music, but these quartets failed to engage me. I felt them too predictable and it's the kind of music that doesn't allow to me to say "wow" or "this is interesting". They work better like background music.

Agreed. I have and listened to all 3 volumes of the series. Given the time they were written and the enthusiastic reviews they received this music should be right up my alley yet it is not. It's what I call Kapelmeistermusik: solidly constructed and serious in purpose but ultimately unimaginative and unengaging. It lacks passion and vitality but tbh I don't know if it's the fault of the music itself or of the performance.

[amw]

Got hold of this. First impression is it's much softer edged than the Cardinall's Musick recording, in almost every respect (aesthetic, tone, articulation). I suppose with Fayrfax it's hard to resist the temptation to focus entirely on beauty of tone. (One exception: the sopranos are a bit shrill. Could have taken the pitch down a third or so.)

It will take time to make up my mind about the interpretation but as always the music is inward, contemplative, sacred and sensual.

[Tsaraslondon]

Kennedy's first recording of the Elgar concerto has always been a prime recommendation for the work, but this one recorded 12 years later with Rattle and the CBSO is equally fine, and arguably even finer.

The Vaughan Williams at 17'39 must be one of the slowest on record, and no doubt some will find it too self indulgent. I enoyed it though.

[The new erato]

Rather oldfashioned performances as things are today, but very beautiful, and a set that is full of underrecorded repertoire (a couple of masses I never have seen in other recordings):



Alma Redemptoris Mater
Missa Bell' Amfritit' altera
Missa ad imitationem Vinum Bonum 'Good Wine Mass'
Missa super Quand'io pens'al martire
Missa super Triste depart
Omnes de Saba venient
Penitenial Psalms (7)
» no.5: Psalm 102 - Domine exaudi orationem meam et clamor meus ad te veniat
» no.7: Psalm 143 - Domine exaudi orationem meam auribus percipe obsecrationem meam
Salve Regina
Tui sunt coeli
Vinum bonum a 8

Strange to see how Lassus seems to have fallen from grace amongst Renaissance performers.

[vers la flamme]

Alban Berg: Violin Concerto "Dem Andenken eines Engels". Reiko Watanabe, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Staatskapelle Dresden.

[Traverso]

Bach


A new round through these cantatas.

[Madiel]

I haven't listened to a Bach cantata in months...

Right now, early Debussy songs, the non-Banville ones. Mostly from this volume of the Hyperion series.



Charming. The song Jane is particularly appealing to me.

[vers la flamme]

Robert Schumann: Kinderszenen, op.15. Claudio Arrau. This is one of my favorite piano CDs. So good.

[San Antone]

John Ramsay : String Quartets
Fitzwilliam String Quartet



A new composer to me. 

Born in London on 17th June 1931, John Ramsay is one of today's most active British composers, if only for the teaching expertise that he continually imparts. He started playing the cello at the age of 18, and when his compulsory military service was carried out, he spent two years in the band of the Corps of Royal Engineers, where he became principal cellist and tenor drummer. When these engagements were terminated, he was appointed Professor at the Imperial College, the Leeds University and the University of Zürich. He was one of the mainstays of the London University Orchestra, and also deputy leader of the "cello" section of the Fairfax Orchestra based in London. After his retirement he joined a group of teachers to organize chamber music courses at Cratoule, France. As a composer, he has several chamber and orchestral works to his name. His leanings are mostly towards the tonal style, but serial methods do feature in his works from time to time.

This set focuses on the four string quartets that Ramsay composed between 2000 and 2009. The first is dedicated to Steven Ayrton, the composer's best friend, and with its Bartókian rhythms and Gaelic sounds it makes challenging listening.

Well worth hearing for anyone interested in new string quartets.

[Traverso]

I haven't listened to a Bach cantata in months...

Right now, early Debussy songs, the non-Banville ones. Mostly from this volume of the Hyperion series.



Charming. The song Jane is particularly appealing to me.

  That's a pity,they are so wonderful,I'm going through these whole set again the coming months.

[The new erato]

Op 109/110:



I have been playing slowly through most of this box the last couple of months.

[Traverso]

Op 109/110:



I have been playing slowly through most of this box the last couple of months.

These recordings are very fine but I prefer the first recordings Brendel made for Philips.Do you have the same appreciation?

[The new erato]

These recordings are very fine but I prefer the first recordings Brendel made for Philips.Do you have the same appreciation?

I cannot say since I don't think I have it. Unlike some other members here I have no more than 5 or 6 complete sets (Gilels (almost complete), Kovacevic, Kempff and Backhaus stereo immediately comes to mind). And of course a lot of individual issues.

[Traverso]

Mozart

   Sonata In C Major, K.279 (189d)    

   Sonata In F Major, K.280 (189e)    

   Sonata In B-Flat Major, K.281 (189f)    

   Sonata In E-Flat Major, K.282 (189g)    

   Sonata In G Major, K.283 (189h)

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm rather partial to a good harmonium!  Such a distinct sound - I love the way Percy Grainger uses it in some of his "flexible" ensembles.  It also turns up in a lot of light music as an optional/alternative instrument for groups back in the day who did not have access to a full wind or brass section.  You all but never hear those pieces that way today but the orchestral sets often included an optional harmonium part.  My favourite(?) harmonium in an orchestral setting is Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony.  The final big climax of the work is usually crowned these days in concert and on disc with a mighty proper organ but the score clearly states "harmonium"

Thank you RS for your comments.  I didn't (don't) know much about the harmonium so it was interesting to read about how it was used in the past.   

Best wishes,

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Dvorak: Symphony No.7
My brother wrote the booklet notes for this release:
[asin][/asin]

So, there are the two of you--both writers!  And both writing for the same label (at least at times)?!  What would be the chances of that happening in our huge-maybe-not-so-huge world?     Let me guess, you're twins and pulling a fast one on the fine folks at Alto?   

PD

[Traverso]

I cannot say since I don't think I have it. Unlike some other members here I have no more than 5 or 6 complete sets (Gilels (almost complete), Kovacevic, Kempff and Backhaus stereo immediately comes to mind). And of course a lot of individual issues.

Sorry, I didn't pay attention, just looked at Brendel's head and I thought about the Schubert set.
The Gilels and Backhaus are very good. Personally, I value Brendel more as a Schubert performer than his Beethoven.

[Papy Oli]

Good afternoon all,

Ralph Vaughan Williams - Job, A Masque for Dancing.
(LSO / Boult)

[asin]B00156ZWV0[/asin]

[Harry]

Agreed. I have and listened to all 3 volumes of the series. Given the time they were written and the enthusiastic reviews they received this music should be right up my alley yet it is not. It's what I call Kapelmeistermusik: solidly constructed and serious in purpose but ultimately unimaginative and unengaging. It lacks passion and vitality but tbh I don't know if it's the fault of the music itself or of the performance.

I disagree Andrei, most vehemently!