What are you listening 2 now?

[André]

I've always struggled with Rubbra's symphonies. They lack the melodic felicities of Arnold, the colour and punch of Alwyn, the flair for drama and tragedy of Moeran, Walton or Benjamin. I find Rubbra's writing savant and neat rather than memorable in any way, although I have to say there is a toughness and rigour that impress by giving the music a strong sense of destination.

I have the Lyrita discs of symphonies 2, 6, 7 and 8 as well as the EMI Barbirolli 5th. I decided to try a Chandos release to see if it gave me another impression. Different conductor, different recording philosophy. Timings in both symphonies are practically identical btw the Chandos and Lyrita, so I guess the music is pretty much impervious to conductorial licenses.

[Symphonic Addict]

Estancia

Incredibly this is my first listen to the complete work. Better late than never. There are bits that reminded me of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Copland. A phenomenal work.

[Que]

Morning listening (via Spotify):



Q

[aligreto]

Hi Dave, we've exchanged our admiration for these recordings and Sergio Azzolini before! 
But for the benefit of those that are just tuning in: they are one of the jewels in the crown of the whole series.

Q

A big endorsement from me also.

[aligreto]

Dittersdorf: Sinfonias on Ovid's Metamorphosis, Nos. 1 & 2 [Gmur]

[Harry]

Dieterich Buxtehude.
Opera Omnia V.
Vocal Works, part II. CD II.
Cantatas,Concertos and Miscellaneous pieces.
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman.

[Harry]

Dieterich Buxtehude. Opera Omnia VII.
Vocal Works III-CD I.

Arias, Concertos and Cantatas.

The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and choir, Ton Koopman, and a bunch of soloists.

[Christo]

[Traverso]

Penderecki


Anaklasis for Strings & Percussion    
Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima    
Fonogrammi    
De Natura Sonoris No. 1    
Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra    
Canticum Canticorum Salomonis    
De Natura Sonoris No. 2    
The Dream Of Jacob

[aligreto]

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 [Alsop]

[Papy Oli]

More Lilburn to start the day :

[aligreto]

Charpentier: Les Plaisirs de Versailles [Christie] from the box set below:





It always amazes me how wonderful that set is even after so many years of listening to it.

[vers la flamme]

Aram Khachaturian: Piano Concerto. Alicia de Larrocha, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, London Philharmonic

Great performance from all involved. Not exactly the greatest piano concerto I've ever heard but it is an interesting one. Very lyrical. I need more Larrocha in my life. She's a killer pianist.

[Biffo]

Purcell: The Indian Queen - Sir Charles Mackerras directing the English Chamber Orchestra, St. Anthony Singers & soloists

[Papy Oli]

Switching to this Lilburn instead. The previous one was too much shrieking for my liking.

[Traverso]

Boulez

Répons




I am not an expert in the field of Boulez's music, but I would like to give my opinion.
Einstein said that time only exists because otherwise everything would happen simultaneously.
For example, if you listen to Répons or sur Incises, it is as if you listen to a sound, captured in time, in one instant.
How you experience this is purely personal and depends on your ability to let go and at the same time fully immerse yourself in an indivisible sound flow.
The music has no face or underlying emotions and is nevertheless music in the fullest sense of the word.

Music is essentially ordered sound and in that respect is not bound by laws except that it must be communicable.
A new musical language opens up all kinds of new ways of experiencing music that are, as it were, separate from tradition.
The tradition that forms the basis of this new music that seems so detached from the past and requires a different participation from the listener.
No themes you can hum along with.
They are musical vistas, vistas that are not fixed but hang out in the air.
Yes music is rightly the most abstract art form.
These are just my (some) thoughts on the subject.

To give an example, "not everyone is given to see beauty in mathematics but it is there".
Life is a journey and a discovery and Boulez's music is certainly part of that.

[vers la flamme]

^Well said. Boulez sounds like a good idea...:



Pierre Boulez: Mémoriale; Dérives 1 & 2. Daniel Kawka, Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain

A great performance of Boulez sans Boulez.

[Traverso]

^Well said. Boulez sounds like a good idea...:



Pierre Boulez: Mémoriale; Dérives 1 & 2. Daniel Kawka, Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain

A great performance of Boulez sans Boulez.

[vandermolen]

Switching to this Lilburn instead. The previous one was too much shrieking for my liking.

You'll enjoy this one more Olivier - fabulous disc.

[vandermolen]

Aram Khachaturian: Piano Concerto. Alicia de Larrocha, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, London Philharmonic

Great performance from all involved. Not exactly the greatest piano concerto I've ever heard but it is an interesting one. Very lyrical. I need more Larrocha in my life. She's a killer pianist.

Good performance of Symphony No.2 as well. I had the old Decca LP.