What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

Samuel Barber, Essay for Orchestra, No 1, 2 and 3, Slatkin, St Louis



These works seem like symphonies in miniature, to me. The structure seems to resemble that of the Liszt Sonata in b minor (and many works that followed) in which a single "sonata allegro" movement, organized around a basic theme or motif, contains sections that function as a scherzo and slow movement. This is wonderfull music, concise, opulently orchestrated, dramatic, sensuous. The performances do it justice.

No.2 is magnificent IMO. Especially the ending which is better than the coda of Roy Harris's Third Symphony.

[vandermolen]

I bought that LP in the 70s not knowing what really to expect. I listened to the first side but couldn't bear to listen to the second, I  was so depressed    It wasn't until the CD era that I listened to the entire symphony (Rasilainen)...and this time survived the encounter...barely 

Sarge

Interesting Sarge. I took it out the record library, also in the 70s but I did listen through to the end. The symphony is full of despair but also compassion I think. It has always meant a lot to me and the Dorati recording remains my favourite.

[vandermolen]

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No.6 in D minor, op.104. Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic. I like how Karajan takes the first movement slower, and makes everything so lush and rich.

Also a very good Tapiola. That set is very special.

[vers la flamme]

Also a very good Tapiola. That set is very special.

As you say that, I've decided to put it on now.



Jean Sibelius: Tapiola, op.112. Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic. Slower than most, but lush, rich, and wintry.

Does anyone here know of any difference in sound between the Musical Heritage Society bootleg of this release, and the DG "Originals" series, ie. the official issue? I have the MHS, and by God, do I hate MHS. But I don't know if there is a real sound difference to justify upgrading to the official DG. In any case I am also strongly considering the EMI Karajan/Sibelius box.

[SonicMan46]

Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Opus 1 & Opus 4 Sonatas (first 6) - this morning, I rebooted the Geminiani Thread after a 3 year lull - 

Since that time, I had acquired the composer's Opus 5 works (in two versions - see thread for details, if interested) - but, on perusing Amazon, a number of other recordings have appeared of compositions that I do not own, specifically the first two shown below; also, Charles Avison who knew and admired the Italian, wrote 'Concerto Grossi' transcriptions of Geminiani's Opus 1 pieces which have been recorded by the Avison Ensemble, an excellent group - SO, put together a Spotify playlist featuring all of these performances.  Dave

   

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Dear folks, friends, followers, Mister Gurn Blanston, I hearing one of the best medieval Carmina Burana and it's a cheapo apex, but conduct by brilliant Joel Cohen, needless to say i love the man work, I have plenty of is work, his rendition of the medieval poem, are by far my favorite, not drab like Michael Posch, all do to be honnest Mister Posch did do great recording, The brilliant is very good too, the clemencic is egal in term of quality.

What do you think folks I say to mister Cohen mazel tov sir and thanks.

[Madiel]

Piano Trio op.70/2

[Ratliff]

As you say that, I've decided to put it on now.



Jean Sibelius: Tapiola, op.112. Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic. Slower than most, but lush, rich, and wintry.

Does anyone here know of any difference in sound between the Musical Heritage Society bootleg of this release, and the DG "Originals" series, ie. the official issue? I have the MHS, and by God, do I hate MHS. But I don't know if there is a real sound difference to justify upgrading to the official DG. In any case I am also strongly considering the EMI Karajan/Sibelius box.

MHS simply puts their own trademark on the original label's pressing. There is no difference. The only question is which release they picked. I had a circa 1985 release of these recordings which was noticeably inferior to subsequent releases. If they used anything other than that there is no problem.

[j winter]

Discs 5 & 6.  Hard to beat... I'm reading a pretty good biography of Napoleon, this goes along nicely with all of the late 18th century politics...

[André]

An evening with Janet Baker, with scenes and arias from various sources



- Domenico Scarlatti: Salve Regina
- Monteverdi: Otavia's lament from L'Incoronazione di Poppea
- Haydn: cantata Arianna a Naxos and scena di Berenice
- Gluck: Arias from Armide, Iphigénie en Tauride and Alceste
All accompanied by Raymond Leppard

- Purcell: Dido's lament, accompanied by Henry Lewis (husband of another famous mezzo, Marilyn Horne).

Dame Janet will turn 87 this year. There is a 2014 interview on youtube in which she describes the standards of training that were the norm in her early days. Illuminating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAKsMtCHhQ

Apart from the Haydn cantata (accompanied by Leppard on a fortepiano), the orchestral style is terribly dated. One often has the feeling of the strings being mired in treacle. But the singing ! The beauty of the timbre and the incredible intensity are breathtaking.

[Mirror Image]

This recording:

[SimonNZ]

[Ratliff]

Discs 5 & 6.  Hard to beat... I'm reading a pretty good biography of Napoleon, this goes along nicely with all of the late 18th century politics...

Two discs of Haydn Piano Trios at once? More than I can take.

I sometime find it amusing to think what was happening in the U.S. when various compositions were written. As Mozart was composing his mature piano concerti, Americans were arguing about the constitution. I wonder if he had any idea what was going on here.

[Mirror Image]

Enescu
Vox maris, Op. 31
Mandeal
'George Enescu' Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra

[Madiel]

I was going through Mendelssohn opuses months ago and I unaccountably stopped at this point.

[Irons]

Here earlier in the week:



Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Scherbakov

I also have Melnikov (Harmonia Mundi) and know the Nikolayeva, both are excellent, but for me Scherbakov outshines them all. His  imagination seems more probing and the pieces' charismatic inner lives and dreamlike qualities emerge very vividly.

Fabulous CD(s). I wanted a Nikolayeva recording and read some reviews to help me decide which one. Scherbakov's name kept coming up and at the price ...... Nikolayeva was soon forgotten.

[Irons]

Kalabis: Piano Trio.



The contrast between the baroque inspired harpsichord pieces and the hard-bitten Trio is so great it is difficult to imagine they came from the pen of the same composer.

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 [Kletzki]





This is a bold, robust, crisp and assertive performance without being aggressive. There is great poise and dignity in the slow movement. A wonderful, declamatory reading.

[aligreto]

..... That set is very special.

Wonderful set indeed.

[aligreto]

That set is on my CD listening shortlist. I have fond memories of how good it is.