What are you listening 2 now?

[kyjo]

Requiem, Op. 54

What did you think, Cesar? I've been meaning to listen to that work.

[kyjo]

That's a really good one! Very pictorial and colourful.

+1

[Mirror Image]

Piano Quintet from this new arrival:

[Madiel]

Carl Vine - Piano Sonatas 1 & 2

Madiel had recommended me the 1st Sonata a week ago, and it's really insane! Good fun. Hat tip to him.

The 2nd Sonata is as great as the first one.

Insane is an apt description. I've seen the score and it's terrifying.  But as a piece of music to listen to, it's thrilling.

I'm not really familiar with that particular recording.

[Madiel]

Dvorak - streaming the whole album of what I think might be a front-runner for song recital purchase. I find Infante's voice very attractive. In mid-tempo songs in particular there's a real tenderness.

[Que]

It sure is, Cesar. Lovely work.

Speaking of pictorial and colorful...

NP:



Absolutely brilliant music from one of Russia's most notoriously lazy composers. Lazy or not, the man created some magical music.

Absolutely. 
A while ago (might be 2 years already!) I picked up a whole bunch of this series with the decorative covers.
The Lyadov became one of my favourites.

Q

[Que]

The last few days I've been going through the sales offer on the Italian label at jpc.de.

A tricky label with many treasures and pitfalls alike:
1. A lot of unknown repertoire with hidden gemms, but also stuff that is unknown for good reason.
2. The same applies to the performers. A lot of famous Italian perfomers we know from other labels started out at Tactus. Most tricky is the vocal section: a mix of young talents & not-so-great singers and quite a few anateur(ish) choirs.
3. Last but not least: recording quality varies from quuite good to atrocious...

But the journey takes you to great places! 
Like my morning listening of music by Italian composer and violin vurtuoso Biagio Marini



This time they got everything right, even a pretty cover! 
But do I need this in my CD collection for repeated listening, or enjoy the nice music and performances via Spotify now - and move on? In this case probably the latter.... But deserves to be heard by fans of Italian music from the age of Monteverdi.

http://www.musica-dei-donum.org/cd_reviews/Tactus_TC591304.html
http://earlymusicreview.com/biagio-marini-madrigali-et-symfonie-op-ii/

Q

[Biffo]

From the band's website:

"The President's Own" United States Marine Band's mission is to perform for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Today, "The President's Own" is celebrated for its role at the White House and its dynamic public performances, which total more than 500 annually."

Sarge

A fine band - I have an album of them playing Wagner, mainly excerpts from The Ring.

[Harry]

The last few days I've been going through the sales offer on the Italian label at jpc.de.

A tricky label with many treasures and pitfalls alike:
1. A lot of unknown repertoire with hidden gemms, but also stuff that is unknown for good reason.
2. The same applies to the performers. A lot of famous Italian performers we know from other labels started out at Tactus. Most tricky is the vocal section: a mix of young talents & not-so-great singers and quite a few anateur(ish) choirs.
3. Last but not least: recording quality varies from quite good to atrocious...

But the journey takes you to great places! 
Like my morning listening of music by Italian composer and violin virtuoso Biagio Marini



This time they got everything right, even a pretty cover! 
But do I need this in my CD collection for repeated listening, or enjoy the nice music and performances via Spotify now - and move on? In this case probably the latter.... But deserves to be heard by fans of Italian music from the age of Monteverdi.

http://www.musica-dei-donum.org/cd_reviews/Tactus_TC591304.html
http://earlymusicreview.com/biagio-marini-madrigali-et-symfonie-op-ii/

Q

I have sampled all the CD'S I bought from Tactus, and am sure that I missed some pitfalls, and atrocious recordings. And yes the performers are often of amateurish quality. But then again, for the price I can afford to miss hitting the nail, for at least I have knowledge of composers I never heard before.. And for this I am grateful to this smallish and innovative company.
I have them before me all 22 , if I keep half of them I am quite satisfied.

[vandermolen]

It sure is, Cesar. Lovely work.

Speaking of pictorial and colorful...

NP:



Absolutely brilliant music from one of Russia's most notoriously lazy composers. Lazy or not, the man created some magical music.

+1
Now Playing:
Kabalevsky PC NO.1
A work, I think, of considerable depth. It shows the influence of Rachmaninov, has a slow movement of considerable depth and an inspiriting ending. It has become one of my favourite piano concertos and, although the recording on Chandos (Stott/Jarvi) is my favourite it, nevertheless, gets a fine performance in this excellent set:

[Christo]

Requiem, Op. 54

What did you think, Cesar? I've been meaning to listen to that work.

Hope to learn Cesar's findings soon, but speaking for myself - I find it a perfect alternative for Fauré's, the tunes perhaps less catchy at first hearing but overall just as fine, surprising it isn't better known.

[Que]

I have sampled all the CD'S I bought from Tactus, and am sure that I missed some pitfalls, and atrocious recordings. And yes the performers are often of amateurish quality. But then again, for the price I can afford to miss hitting the nail, for at least I have knowledge of composers I never heard before.. And for this I am grateful to this smallish and innovative company.
I have them before me all 22 , if I keep half of them I am quite satisfied.

Agreed, Harry.  I have several wonderful Tactus recordings in the shelves.
I have compiled a pretty long shopping list of suspected treasures over the last few days, and almost ready to hit the order butyon! Lots of organ and harpsichord music.

Q

[Harry]

Carlo Gesualdo.
Responsoria, 1611.
CD I, Feria Quinta.

La Compagnia del Madrigale.

This release must be praised, for it holds all the qualities Gesualdo has to offer, and furthermore is graced by an excellent performance, in which the spirit and passion of Gesualdo is very much on the foreground. A fine sound stage in which this choir is placed makes it a top recommendation.
In a few days I will play Bernd Schmelzer's with Graindelavoix, and see what he has to offer.

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

First listen to Carl Reinecke - Harp Concerto in E minor (naxos)

[Harry]

Agreed, Harry.  I have several wonderful Tactus recordings in the shelves.
I have compiled a pretty long shopping list of suspected treasures over the last few days, and almost ready to hit the order butyon! Lots of organ and harpsichord music.

Q

All the available organ and harpsichord recordings in this bargain I bought, and a few I did not, for the obvious reasons.
What I bought are: Azzolino Della Ciaia, Girolamo Cavazzoni, Giovanni Battista Martini, and Giovanni Maria Casini, all these are organ and Harpsichord works. I really look forward to them.

[Traverso]

+1. A great composer of light music. Warmly recommended.

[Traverso]

Nice!

+1

[Que]

All the available organ and harpsichord recordings in this bargain I bought, and a few I did not, for the obvious reasons.
What I bought are: Azzolino Della Ciaia, Girolamo Cavazzoni, Giovanni Battista Martini, and Giovanni Maria Casini, all these are organ and Harpsichord works. I really look forward to them.

I already had all the  Martini recordings (harpsichord & organ),  the rest is on my list as well!

Q

[Traverso]

The Bachelor's Delight


I saw that SimonNZ posted this recording earlier today, it is a coincidence that I had  the same idea for listening  today.

[pjme]

Good morning all,
First listen to Carl Reinecke - Harp Concerto in E minor (naxos)

That work brings back fond memories.

I bought the LP for Mozart, but was happy to discover a great romantic concerto.
is it new for you?
Peter